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4<K 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 


MASSACHUSETTS 

AGRICULTURAL 

COLLEGE 

No._-2A4-9.a„  DATE__5_-_,ac_8_ 

SouRCE__QDl]_E_ge--..--|-U-n_4S.... 
Jul>-j-  Dec 

noT 


December  28,  1907.] 


THE 


GARDENERS'   CHRONICLE 


tehlg  Illustrated  Jmirmtl 


OF 


HORTICULTURE  AND  ALLIED  SUBJECTS. 


(ESTABLISHED    IN    1841.) 


VOL     XLII. -THIRD  SERIES. 


JULY    TO    DECEMBER,    1907. 


LONDON : 

41,    WELLINGTON    STREET,    COVENT    GARDEN,    W.C. 

1907. 


The  Gardeners'  Chronicle,] 


o 

Tfcr 

Q-  166 


[December  28,  1907. 


Jn  I  ^    _  X)^c 


INDEX    OF    CONTENTS 

JULY    TO    DECEMBER,     1907. 


(For  Special  Headings  see  under  Books  ;  Certificates  ;  Law  Notes  ;  Nursery  Notes  ;  Obituary  ;  Plant  Portraits  ; 
Plants,  New  ;  Scientific  Committee  ;  Societies  ;  and  Illustrations.) 


Abies  pectinata,  disease  in,  265 
Abutilon    vitifolium    in    a    Bourne- 
mouth garden,  26 
Accessories,  the  use  of,  397 
Acclimatisation    of    plants,   a  con. 

ference  on,  in  America,  185 
Acer    platanoides,     the    course    of 

flowering  in,  111 
Aconitum    Napellus    var.   eminens, 

219 
Acrostichum,  the  genus,  427 
Acts,  Insect  and  other  Pests,  298 
Adams,  J.  (Elementary  Botany),  186 
^Eschynanthus,    select    species    of, 

389 
Agricultural         College,         South- 

Eastern,  32,  234,  313 
Agricultural  Education,  Committee 

on,  11,  32,  52;  returns,  415 
Agriculture  in  New  Guinea,  234 
Allspice,   the,   in   Trinidad,   396 
Alpine  garden,  the,  28,  45,  105,  163, 

244,  275 
Alpine  plants,  some  rare,  209 
America,  Chrysanthemums  in,  195  ; 
Hippeastrums  in,  241,  258;    new 
grains  and  other  plants  in,  281 
American      Association      of      Park 

Superintendents,  69,  133,  218 
American    blight,    Apples    resisting 

attacks  of,  186 
American      blight      on      Apple-tree 

roots,  283,  299 
American     Gooseberry-mildew     at- 
tacking   the     Red     Currant,    26, 
283;     legislation    upon    the,    51, 
406 
American  Irises,  6 
American   Seed  Trade  Association, 

151 
American     system     of     cultivating 

Euphorbia   (Poinsettia),  281 
Amicia  zygomeris,  426 
Amphicome  Emodi,  74,  276 
Anchusa        italica,         "  Dropmore 

variety,"  282,  299 
Andromeda  Catesbaei,  103 
Anemone   elongata    in    Sunnymead 
gardens,    127  ;    A.    grandiflora   in 
Mr.  Elwes'  garden,  134 
Angraecum      Rothschildianum       at 

Tring,  230 
Anthemis   Biebersteiniana,   244 
Anthracite   coal   for  heating  green- 
houses, 352,  401 
Anthropodium  cirrhatum,  235 
Ants  as  gardeners,  130;  on  a  lawn, 

to  destrov,  219 
Apiary,  the,  9,  109,  183 
Apples  Charles  Ross,  331 ;    Golden 
Spire,     309 ;      Heinsberg's     Non- 
pareil,  132;    Mank's  Codlin,  309 
Apples,    flowering   period   of,    431  ; 
said   to   be  proof   against  Ameri- 
can blight,   186 
Apple  trees,  American  blight  on  the 
roots  of,  186,  283,  299  ;   leaf-spot 
diseases  of,  305  ;   mildew  on,  160 
Apple  trees,  planting  of,  on  heavy 

land,  373 
Aquatic  plants,  hardy,  124 
Aralia  Moseri,  an  improvement  on 

A.   Sieboldii,  33 
Arctotis  aureola,  411  ;  A.  decurrens, 
the  propagation  of,  345;  A.   X  re- 
galis,  204 
Argemone  grandiflora,   113 
Aristotelia  Maqui,  seeds  of,  377 


Arnold  Arboretum,  the,  449 
Arpophyllum  giganteum,  habitat  of, 

162 
Artemisia  lactiflora,  426 
Arthropodium  cirrhatum,  379 
Asparagus,    culinary,    damaged    by 

caterpillars,  281 
Asparagus  pastorianus,  307 
Aster  sericeus,  342 
Astilbe  Davidii  as  a  garden  plant, 

172 ;  inferior  varieties  of,  in  gar- 
dens, 152 
Aston  Rowant  House,  Oxfordshire, 

196 
Athyrium  Filix-foemina  "  Kalothnx 

cristatum,"  125 
Auricula,  the,  405,  438 
Austin,  Alfred  (The  Garden  That  I 

Love),  330 
Australia,   Lemon   curing  in,  407; 

Oranges   from,  24 
Austria,  union  of  gardeners  in,  171 


Bacteria  and  root-action,  112,  170 
Bactericide,    carbon    dioxide   as    a, 

415 
Ballantine,     Henry,     awarded     the 

Victoria    medal    of    horticulture, 

200 
Balsams,   the   decorative   value   of, 

439 
Bamboos   in   Leonardslee  '  gardens, 

356 
Bananas,  bird's  nest  in  a  bunch  of, 

72 ;    as  food  for  cattle,  395 ;   in 

Costa  Rica,  450 
Bank,  plant  for  a  dry,  105 
Battersea  Park,  gardening  in,   101 
Bean  Scarlet  Emperor,  278 
Beans,  early  varieties  of,   195 
Bedding  plants,  summer,  192 
Bees,    the     diseases     of,    132 ;    the 

management  of,  9,  109,  183 
Beetle,  the  Narcissus,  407 
Beet,  Silver  or  Spinach,  256,  374 
Behrens,  Prof.  D.  J.,  appointment 

of,  131 
Belgian  garden,  a,  315 
Benevolent   Institution,    Gardeners' 

Royal,  10 
Berberidopsis  corallina,  390 
Berberis,  a  natural  hybrid  of,  361 
Berberis    Fremontii,    390;    B.    Wil- 

sonse,  372 
Berkheya  purpurea,  342 
Biologists,    Economic,    Association 

of,  51 
Birds    and    the    use    of    gas-tar    in 

water,  352 
Birthday      Honours      to      horticul- 
turists, 345,  362 
Bisset,    Peter    (The  Book   of    Water 

Gardening),  386 
Black   Currant-mite,   treatment  for, 

189 
Black  scab  disease  of   Potato,  299, 

397,  417 
Blancard  Fund,  the,  202 
Blencowe,  Mr.  T.,  presentation  to, 

51 
Bcenninghausenia  albiflora,  292 
Bones  for  a  vine  border,  14,  75 
Books,  a  bogus  offer  of,  97 ;  a  sale 

of  botanical,   51 


Books,     Notices    of  :  —  A    Dic- 
tionary  of    Botanical    Terms    (A. 
M.    C.   Jongkindt   Coninck),   314; 
Bees  for  Pleasure  and  Profit  (G. 
Gordon    Samson),    127 ;    Botanical 
Magazine,  32,  110,  202,  265,  330  ; 
British    Rainfall    for    1906    (Dr. 
H.  R.  Mill),  280  ;   Bulletin  de  la 
Societe   Francaise   d'Horticulture 
de  Londres,  298 ;    Das   Buch  der 
Nymphaeaeeen    oder    Seerosenge- 
wachse    (F.    Henkel),    107;     Die 
Moderne     Teppichgartneria     (W. 
Hamp.l),  108  ;  Elementary  Botany 
(M.  A.  Liversidge),  449;    Flower 
Decoration  in  the  House  (Gertrude 
Jekyll),  7  ;  Flowers  and  Trees  of 
Palestine    (Augusta    A.    Temple), 
61,  96  ;  Flowers  of  the  Field  (Rev. 
C.  A.  Johns),  107;   Forage  Crops 
for    Soiling,    Silage,    Hay,    and 
Pasture    (G.    B.     Voorhces),    361  ; 
Fruit        Recipes        (Ridley       M. 
Fletcher-Berry),  7  ;    Gardening  in 
Town    and     Suburb     (Harry    H. 
Thomas),  386 ;    Grapes  and   How 
to  Grow  Them  (/.  Land  sell),  373  ; 
Handbook  on   Bulbs  (S.   Arnott), 
111 ;       Hortus      Duroverni      (W . 
Masters),     173;      Icones     Selectae 
Horti     Thenensis,    330 ;     Italian 
Gardens  (George  S.  Elgood),  325  ; 
Journal  of   Agricultural   Science, 
185  ;   Journal  of  the  British  Gar- 
deners'  Association,  217  ;  Journal 
of    the    Royal    Horticultural    So- 
ciety,   111 ;     Lectures    on    Plant 
Physiology     (Dr.     Ludwig    Jost), 
179 ;    Les  meilleurs   Fruits   (Nat. 
Hort.   Soc.    of  France),   73 ;    Nos 
Arbres    (H.    Correvon),    92 ;    Our 
Trees  and  How  to  Know  Them 
(Francis     George     Heath),      298; 
Publications  received,   12,  33,  52, 
73,  92,  133,  171,  266,  298,  314,  330, 
345,  436 ;    Quarterly    Journal    of 
Forestry,  91  ;  Report  on  Economic 
Zoology  (Fred.  V.  Theobald),  127  ; 
Report   on   the   Injurious   Insects 
and   Other  Animals   Observed  in 
the     Midland     Counties     during 
1906    (Walter   E.    Collinge),    146; 
Report  on  the   Phenological  Ob- 
servations     for      1906      (Edward 
Mawley),    184;     Reports    of    the 
South-Eastern    Agricultural    Col- 
lege,  Wye    IE.   S.  Salmon),  179; 
Rock      and      Alpine      Gardening 
(H.      Hemslcy),      45;       Souvenir 
of      Shrewsbury       Great       Flora 
Fete     (W.     W.     Naunton),     139 ; 
Studies  in  Plant  Life  (/.  Adams), 
185 ;   The  Art  and  Craft  of  Gar- 
den-making (7*.  H.  Mawsott),  146  ; 
The     Book     of     Fruit      Bottling 
(Edith  Bradley),  292;    The  Book 
of     Rock     and     Water     Gardens 
(Charles  Thongcr),  95  ;    The  Book 
of  Water  Gardening  (Peter  Bisset), 
386 ;     The     British     Bee-keepers' 
Guide  Book  (T.  W.  Cowan),  292; 
The    Garden    That    I    Love    (A. 
Austin),  330  ;  The  Insect  Hunter's 
Companion   (Rev.  Joseph  Greene), 
127;    The   Studio   (Chas.   Holme), 
435 ;    The    Wild    and    Cultivated 
Cotton  Plants  of  the  World  (Sir 
George  Wall),  241  ;  Weather  (Hon. 
A.   Stanhope),  1C9 


Bordeaux    mixture,  an   economical 

method  of  preparing,  150 
Botanic    Garden,    Maritzburg,   63 ; 

New  York,  33,  151 
Botany,  applied,  328 
Boughton    Park,    Hydrangea    Hor- 

tensia  at,  152 
Bouvardias,    the    culture   of,     307 ; 

a  select  list  of,  346 
Bradley,  Edith  (The  Book  of  Fruit 

Bottling),  292 
Braiswick  Nursery,  celebrations  at, 

151 
Bravoa  x   Polianthes,  219 
Brickellia  grandiflora,   342 
British  timber,  value  of,  193,  219 
Broad     Beans     cooked    as    Scarlet 

Runners,  54 
Broadway,  Mr.  W.  E.,  250 
Brooms,  the  hardy,  225 
Brussels,  a  Colonial  garden  in,  302 
Brussels    Botanic    Garden,   list   of 

plants  cultivated  in  the,  132 
Bud-disease  of  Lilac,  73 
Buddleia  Colvilei,  26,  54,  124,  152  ; 

B.  globosa,  26 
Bulb-business  in  Japan,  the,  249 
Bulb  garden,  the,  179,  198 
Bulb  mite,  remedies  for,  336 
Bulbophyllum  pavimentatum,  387  ; 

B.  Sanderianum,  inflorescence  of, 

106 
Bulbous  plants,  the  forcing  of,  369 
Bulbs,  purchasing  of,  216,  250 ;  for 

the  London  parks,  250 
Burghley  House,  Stamford,  307 
Burning  bush  (Rhus  Cotinus),  252 
Bushey  House,  Herts,  261 


C.esalfinia  japonica,  43 

Cairns,    Richard,    appointment   of, 

449 
Calceolaria  hyssopifolia,  48 
Calcium      carbide      refuse      as      a 

manure,   336 
Calophaca     wolgarica     at    Comely 

Bank  Nurseries,  197 
Cambridge,  forestry  at,  151  ;   scien- 
tific research  at,  185 
Campanula  "  China   Cup,"  197  ;    C 
elatinoides    and    C.    e.    Elatines 
210  ;    C.  grandis  in  the  rock-gar 
den,   126  ;  C.   michauxioides,  45 
C.    mirabilis    flowering    at  Val 
leyres,      Switzerland,      144 ;       C 
petraea     at     Belgrove,     197 ;     C 
phvetidocalix,  342 ;    C.   punctata 
95,'  96 ;    C.   Raineri,   209 ;    C.   ro 
tundifoha,    var.    Alaskana,   126 ; 
C.   r.    var.    alpina,   127;    C.    Van 
Houttei,   126 
Camphor  industry,  the,  52 
Canada,    a  nurseryman's    visit    to, 
171 ;     emigration    to,    416 ;     fruit 
crop  in,  281  ;  horticulture  in,  126, 
410  ;   Tomato  culture  in,  52 
Canker,  the  Larch,  353 
Cannas,   a  trial  of,  135,  206 
Carbon    dioxide   as    a   bactericide, 

415 
Cardoons,  the  culture  of,  374 
Carludovica  palmata,   inflorescence 

of,  322 
Carnation      "  Andrew      Carnegie," 
169  ;  Aristocrat,  429 


The  Gardeners'  Chronicle,] 


INDEX. 


[December  28,  1907.       111. 


Carnation,  Clove,  sports  of  the,  172, 
187,  205,  218 

Carnations  at  Luton  Hoo  gardens, 
75  ;  at  Stanley  Park  gardens,  74  ; 
tree  or  perpetual-flowering,   251 

Caryopteris  Mastacanthus,  408 

Cassava,  bitter,  the  poisonous  pro- 
perties of,  435 

Caterpillars  damage  Asparagus,  281 

Cattleya  Warscewiczii,  a  remark- 
able  specimen    of,   313 

Cedar  of  Goa,  hardy,  299  ;  at  Aston 
Kowant  gardens,  252 

Celeriac,  the  culture  of,  373 

Celery,  a  disease  of,  271 

Celosia  cristata,  the  culture  of,  362, 
378,  401,  452 

Cerasus  laurocerasus,  timber  of,  219 

Certificated  Fruits  and  Vege- 
tables. — Celeries,  varieties 
of,  453 ;  Damson  "  Merry- 
weather,"  319;  Melons:  "Ad- 
vance," 136 ;  Chas.  Ross,  154 ; 
Diamond  Jubilee,  136 ;  Duchess 
of  York,  154 ;  Eastnor  Castle, 
136 ;  Empress,  136 ;  Perfection, 
154  ;  Sutton's  Scarlet,  136  ;  Onion 
Excelsior,  286  ;  Pear  Beurrc  Na- 
ghan,  420  ;  Potatos  :  Favourite, 
154  ;  Longkeeper,  285  ;  The  Pro- 
vost, 285  ;  Strawberry  Fillbasket, 
77  ;  Tomato  Up-to-Date,  286 

Certificated  Plants. — Ampelop- 
sis  Veitchii,  var.  Lowii,  253 ; 
Angraecum  Buyssonii,  381  ;  Arach- 
nanthe  Kohaniana,  285  ;  Arctotis 
regalis,  190;  Asters  Amellus  "II. 
J.  Cutbush,"  317  ;  Miss  Southall, 
284;  Miss  Stafford,  206;  Mrs. 
Davis  Evans,  206;  Nora  Peters, 
253  ;  White  Queen,  206  ;  Begonia 
Miss  Clibran,  347  ;  Berberis  Wil- 
sons, 284  ;  Brasso-Cattleyas  : 
Mary,  37  ;  Siren,  420  ;  Brasso-Lae. 
lio-Cattleya  Rowena,  190  ;  Bulbo- 
phyllum  longisepalum,  154;  Cam- 
panula longistyla,  116;  C.  persici- 
folia  var  VYm.  Lawrence,  76 ; 
Cannas  :  Burbank,  206  ;  C.  J.  B. 
van  der  Schoot,  135 ;  Duke  of 
York,  206  ;  Elizabeth  Hoss,  135  ; 
Gladiator,  135;  Hesperide,  206; 
Mme.  Louis  Voraz,  190  ;  Venus, 
206;  William  Bofinger,  135;  W. 
Saunders,  135;  Uncle  Sam,  135; 
Carnations  :  Beacon,  317  ;  King 
Edward  VII.,  116;  Melody, 
449;  Mrs.  T.  Coulthwaite, 
190 ;  Rose  Pink  Enchantress, 
317;  Winsor,  317,  449;  Cata- 
setum  laminatum,  254  ;•  Catt- 
leyas  :  Alicia?,  318  ;  Armstrongiae 
magnifica,  285;  Fabia  gigantea, 
318 ;  fulvescens,  Westonbirt 
variety,  318  ;  Germania  superba, 
117;  Hardyana,  var.  Mme. 
Valcke,  191  :  Hardyana,  Weston- 
birt variety,  285  ;  Iris  His  Majesty, 
190  ;  labiata  Augusta,  318  ;  labi- 
ata  Daphne,  285 ;  labiata  alba 
Purity,  318  ;  Macasnas,  var.  Thor, 
77  ;  Waldemar,  77  ;  Chrysanthe- 
mums :  Bessie  Evans,  363 ; 
Blanche,  402  ;  C.  H.  Curtis,  253  ; 
Clara  Vurnurn,  317  ;  Clara  Wells, 
317  ;  Crown  Jewel  Improved,  334  ; 
Doreen,  402 ;  Edith  Jameson, 
380;  Elsie  Matthews,  334;  E. 
Nottell,  334;  Esme  Reed,  284; 
Etruria,  253  ;  Felton's  Favourite, 
334 ;  Foxhunter,  346 ;  Frank 
Payne,  346  ;  Freda  Bedford,  334, 
346;  F.  W.  Lever,  317;  Geo. 
Mileham,  334;  H.  J.  Jones  1908, 
284 ;  La  Cygne,  255  ;  Mab  Ellis, 
363;  Marquis  of  Northampton,' 
363  ;  Minnie  Carpenter,  255  ;  Mrs. 
G.  F.  Coster,  317;  Mrs.  J.  Hy- 
gate,  363  ;  Mrs.  Wakefield,  317 ; 
Robjaut,  334;  Romance,  317; 
Splendour,  317;  W.  J.  Higgs, 
334  ;  Cirrhopetalum  Makoyanum, 
381;  C.  retusiusculum,  420; 
Cotoneaster  applanata,  253  ;  Cri- 
num  x  H.  J.  Elwes,  35;  C. 
Mearsii,  35  ;  Cyclamen  latifolium 


fimbriatum  giganteum,  318  ;  Cym- 
bidium  Humboldtii,  37;  Cypri- 
pediums :  Beryl,  420 ;  Ernest 
Read,  381  ;  Fairrieanum  Black 
Prince,  420 ;  insigne  Gwynedd, 
420  ;  Nandii,  Low's  variety,  2S5  ; 
nitens  Leeanum,  var.  Hannibal, 
347 ;  niveo-eallosum,  Cookson's 
variety,  381  ;  San-ac-derae  super- 
bum,  381;  Dahlias:  Alice,  190; 
C.  E.  Wilkins,  207,  220;  Clara, 
253 ;  Crimson  Prince,  207  ;  Cyn- 
thia, 221;  Dorothy,  220,  253; 
Elsa  Ellrich,  190;  Flajne,  207, 
220;  Harold  Peerman,  253; 
Helium,  253;  Ivernia,  207,  220; 
Mauve  Queen,  190,  207 ;  Peggy, 
190,   207;    Rev.    A.    Bridge,   207, 

220  j  Saturn,  253;  The  Bride, 
207  ;  Delphiniums  :  Alake,  35  ; 
Mrs.  G.  Ferguson,  76 ;  Rev.  E. 
Lascelles,  35 ;  Dendrobium 
regiuru,  116 ;  Dossinia  mar- 
morata,  77  ;  Epidendrum  campy- 
lostalix,  221  ;  Eucalyptus  ficifolia, 
116 ;  Eulophia  ensata,  191  ; 
Fuchsia  Coralle,  190  ;  Gaillardia 
grandiflora  "  Ladv  Rolleston," 
190;  Gladiolus  Duke  of  Rich- 
mond, 116;  G.  Purity,  190; 
Habenaria  Ugandae,  347  ;  Hedera 
dentata  variegata,  35;  Juniperus 
chinensis  nana  aurea,  380  ;  Laelio- 
Cattleyas  :  Berthe  Fournier,  var. 
tigrina,  420 ;  Clive,  Lambeau's 
variety,  37  ;  Epicasta  "  The  Pre- 
mier," 318;  Ortrude,  381;  The 
Duchess,  254  ;  Larkspur  Carmine 
Empress,  206 ;  Lychnis  grandi- 
flora, 190 ;  Matricaria  inodora 
Bridal  Robe,  116  ;  Miltonia  Schro- 
deriana  "  Heaton  variety,"  154  ; 
M.  vexillaria  Lambeau's  variety, 
77;  M.  v.  Lambeauiana,  117; 
Montanoa  bipinnatifida,  418 ; 
Montbretias  :  King  Edmund,  220  ; 
Lady  Hamilton,  220  ;  Lord  Nel- 
son, 220  ;  Nepenthes  Ruby,  284  ; 
Nephrolepis  exalta  superbissima, 
346;  Nerines :  F.  D.  Godman, 
318;  Purple  Princess,  346  ;  Nym- 
phaea  atro-purpurea,  116  ;  Odon- 
tioda  Devossiana,  318 ;  Odonto- 
glossums :  John  Clarke,  381; 
Pescatorei  ornatum,  254 ;  Pent- 
stemon  (strain),  190 ;  Phlox 
George  Stocklein,  253  ;  Polycvcnis 
Charlesworthii,  154 ;  l'oly- 
stichum  aculeatum  pulcherrimum 
Drueryi,  253  ;  Roses  :  Goldfinch, 
36 ;  Hugo  Roller,  76 ;  Joseph 
Lowe,  36;  Lady  Helen  Vincent, 
36,  39  ;  Mrs.  Harold  Brocklebank, 
36 ;  Queen  of  Spain,  39 ;  Sou- 
venir of  Stella  Gray,  36 ;  Rubus 
bambusarum,  153;  Scabious, 
Dobbie's  strain,  253 ;  Solidago 
Golden  Wings,  284 ;  Sophro- 
Cattleya  eximia,  Fowler's  variety, 
419  ;    Sophro-Laelias  :    Antiochus, 

221  ;  Gratrixiae  magnifica,  221  ; 
Sophro-Laslio-Cattlevas :  Medea, 
318  ;  Phyllis,  191  ;  Spiraea  Camt- 
schatica  rosea,  76 ;  Stanhopea 
platyceras,  190 ;  Stock  "  White 
Wallflower  Leaved,"  206;  Streo- 
tocarpus  Burdett's  strain,  153 ; 
Sweet  Peas :  Elsie  Herbert,  36, 
56 ;  Evelyn  Hemus,  56 ;  Nancy 
Perkins,  56;  Princess  Victoria. 
36  ;  Rosie  Adams,  56  ;  Silas  Cole, 
56  :  St.  George,  36,  56  ;  The  Mar- 
quis, 56  ;  Viburnum  rhytidophvl- 
lum,  220  ;  Vitis  leeoides,  253 

Chapman's,  Samuel,  long  service, 
416 

Charities,  garden,  and  admission 
fees  to  private  gardens,  91 

Cherry-laurel  timber,  219 

Cheal,  Mr.  J.,  visit  of,  to  Canada, 
171 

Chelsea  Physic  Garden,  lectures  at, 
361 

Chemical  fumes  and  tree  growth, 
103 

Chermes  strobilobius,  the  Larch- 
gall  insect,  353 


China,  plant  collecting  in,  344 

Chrysanthemums,  328 ;  American 
varieties  of,  387 ;  Anemone- 
flowered  varieties  of,  377  ;  a  select 
list  of  early-flowering,  293 ;  at 
Messrs.  Lowe  &  Shawyer's  nur- 
sery, 267  ;  Australian  varieties  of, 
411  ;  colour  variation  in,  400 ; 
cross-fertilisation  of,  282 ;  dis- 
ease, a  new,  213 ;  duplicate 
blooms  of,  in  exhibits  at  shows, 
452 ;  early,  at  the  Paris  show, 
387 ;  exhibiting  on  boards  v. 
vases,  269,  280,  282,  316,  331, 
452 ;  exhibits  of  decorative 
411  ;  for  market,  256,  384,  424  ; 
"  F.  S.  Vallis"  at  the  Paris 
Show,  387  ;  Incurved,  411  ;  in  the 
present  season,  152 ;  in  the 
United  States,  America,  195  ;  late 
propagation  of,  378  ;  Mme.  Paolo 
Radaelli  at  the  Paris  Show,  387 ; 
naming  varieties  at  shows,  388 , 
new  French  varieties  of,  377 ; 
notes  of,  339,  377,  387;  out-of- 
doors,  267,  388 ;  select  varieties 
of,  339 ;  show  of,  in  Paris,  298  ; 
cross-fertilisation  of  single,  267  ; 
culture  of  the  "single"  type  of, 
388  ;  some  popular  varieties  of,  in 
France,  387 ;  sporting  in,  362 ; 
the  best  new  varieties  of,  306 

Cirrhopetalum  appendiculatum, 
variety  Fascinator,  260 ;  C. 
maculosum,  106 

Cladrastis  tinctoria  flowering  at 
Kew,  186 

Clerodendron    fcetidum,   408 

Clethra  alnifolia,  45 

Clog  soles,  timber  used  in  making, 

112 

Clove  Carnation,  sports  of  the,  172, 
187,  205,  218 

Coal,  anthracite,  for  heating  green- 
houses, 352,  401 

Cockroaches,  to  destroy,  417 

Cockscombs,  the  culture  of,  362, 
378,  401,  452 

Cocoanut  fibre  mats,  33 

Colchicum  Bornmuelleri,  323 ;  C. 
speciosum  rubrum  splendens,  323 

Cold  storage  of  fruit,  346 

Collinge,  Walter  E.  (Report  on  In. 
jurious  Insects),  146 

Colman,  Sir  Jeremiah,  345,  363 

Colonial  notes,  8,  24,  66,  93,  106, 
126,  195,  227,  267,  429 

Colonial  products,  an  exhibition  of, 
395 

Colonies,  economic  plants  in  the, 
107 

Colour  variation  in  Chrysanthe- 
mums, 400 

Comarella  multifoliata,   151 

Combretum  purpureum,  culture  of, 
246 

Commissions,  secret,  11 

Conference  on  Plant  Hardiness  and 
Acclimatisation   in   America,   185 

l  'muter,  a  rare,  L09 

Coninck,  A.  M.  C.  Jongkindt  (A 
Dictionary  of  Botanical  Terms), 
314 

Coniothyrium  (disease  of  Goose- 
berry), 341 

Convolvulus  cneorum,  106 

Cornish  garden,  a,  228 

Correvon,  H.  (Nos  Arbres),  92 

Coryanthes  speciosa,   106 

Corydalis  cheilanthifolia,   428 

Cosmos  sulphureus,  150,  267 

Costus  igneus,  cultural  note  on,  214 

Country  garden,  the,  3,  81,  161, 
22G,  '293,  389 

Cowan,  T.  W.  [The  British  Bee. 
keeper's  Guide  Book),  292 

Cricket,  gardeners  at,  266 

Crisp,  Sir  Frank,  345,  362 

Crocuses,  autumn-flowering,  211, 
229 ;  winter-flowering,  396 

Crocus  pulchellus,  323 

Cross-fertilisation  of  Chrysanthe- 
mum, 267,  282 

Cuckoo  reared  in  a  flower  basket, 
97 

Cucumber,  "  Butcher's  disease-re- 
sisting,"  152 


Cucumber  disease,  treatment  for, 
40 

Cupressus  lusitanica,  252,  299 

Currant  bushes  attacked  by  Goose- 
berry-mildew, 283 ;  affected  with 
Glceosporium  disease,  180 

Currant-gall  mite,  the,  189 

Cuttings,  the  preparation  and  treat- 
ment of,  67 

Cyclamen,  best  time  to  sow  seeds 
of,  134,  172,  188 

Cypripedium  bellatulum  hybrid, 
260;  C.  Parishii  at  Forty  Hill, 
Enfield,  162 ;  C.  Spicerianum, 
230 

Cytisus  albus,  91 ;  C.  proliferus  as 
a  fodder  plant,  344 

Cytisus,  hardy  garden,   species  of, 


Dahlia  exhibitor,  fatality  to  a,  203 
Dahlias  in  America,  112 
Dalton  Holme,  Beverley,  141 
Damson  season,   the,  267 
Daphne  laureola  purpurea,  390  ;  D. 

petraea  (syn.  D.  rupestris),  209 
Darlingtonias    and    Sarracenias    at 

Leonardslee  Gardens,  54 
Death's  Head  Hawk-moth,  the,  176 
Debating   societies,   question    night 

at,  152,   173,  400  ;   union  of,  249, 

283,  345 
Defoliating  Tomato  plants,  172 
Dendrobium    aphrodite,    291  ;     D. 

calceolaria,  4 ;    D.   nudum,  386 ; 

D.  regium,   122 
Destructive  Insects  and  Pests  Acts, 

51,  298,  313 
Dickson,   Mr.   George,  awarded  the 

Victoria    Medal   of    Horticulture, 

201,  218 
Diervilla  sessilifolia,  427 
Digitalis  purpurea,  213 
Diospyros  Kaki,  22,  54 
Diseases,  plant,  394 
Disease   of   the  Silver    Fir,   265  ;    of 

Chrysanthemums,  213;  a  new,  of 

the  Gooseberry,   341 
Distribution  of  Ferns,  308 
Doe,  J.,   presentation   to,   250 
Donegal  garden,  a,  103 
Dracocephalum  heterophyllum,  342 
Dry-rot     fungus     (Merulius     lacry- 

mans),  272 
Duff  House  for  public  use,  218 
Durban,  town  garden  at,  32 


East   Burnham   Park,   nursery   em- 
ployes' visit  to,  132 
Eastwell  Park,  Kent,  337,  355 
Economic     plants     in     the    British 

Colonies,  107 
Egypt,  horticulture  in,  41,  73;   the 

Onion  crop  in,  112 
Electric  light,  experiments  with,  in 

plant  growth,  218,  254 
Elgood,  George  S.  (Italian  Gardens), 

325 
Emigrants  for  New  Zealand,  195 
Epacris,  the  propagation  of,  431 
Epidendrum    erubescens,    323 ;    E. 
laucheanum    flowering    at    Glas- 
nevin,  277 
Eremurus    chinensis,    330 ;    E.    ro- 

bustus,  culture  of,   134 
Ericas,  the  propagation  of,  431 
Erigeron     glaucus     at     Sunnymead 

gardens,  275 
Eritrichium  nanum   at  Floraire,  24 
Escallonia     pterocladon    at     Edin- 
burgh Botanic   Garden,    162  ;     E. 
rubra    in    the    west    of    England, 
44 
Eucalyptus  ficifolia,  376,  418 
Eucryphia  cordifolia  in  Mr.   Gum- 
bleton's  garden,  259 ;   E.  pinnati- 
folia,  a  fine  specimen  of,  188 


J. 


Ifff 


IV,       The  Gardeners'  Chronicle,] 


INDEX. 


[December  28,   1907. 


Eupatorium  ageratioides,  428 
Euphorbia     (l'oinsettia),    American 

system  of  cultivating,  281 
Euthrips  pyri,  the  Pear-thrip,  132 
Events  of   the  year,   448 
Examinations  in  horticulture,  11 
Exhibiting     Chrysanthemums,    269, 

280,  282,  316,  331,  452 
Exhibition,  Franco-British,  at  Shep- 
herd's Bush,  11,  395;  of  Colonial 
Products,  395 ;  of  Linnaeus'  me- 
morials, 216 
Experiments  in  acclimatisation  of 
plants  in  the  Tropics,  73 ;  in  elec- 
tric light  and  plant  growth,  218 ; 
in  growing  Tomatos,  50 


J" arm  colony  for  Edinburgh,  449 
Fashions  in  flower-gardening,  264, 

268,  299,  331,  379 
Feijoa     Sellowiana     from     Castle- 

wellan  gardens,  265 
Fern,  a  new,  125 

Eernery,  the,  125,  147,  252,  308, 
406,  427  ;  at  Shipley  Hall  gardens, 
168;  at  Wergs  Hall,  Wolver- 
hampton, 394 
Ferns,  choice  varieties  of  British, 
21  ;  decorative  British,  147  ;  dis- 
tribution of,  308  ;  propagation  of, 
406 
Fibre  from  Pineapple  leaves,  111 

Fig,  culture  of  the,   310 

Eir   Grange,  Weybridge,  217 

Morida,  Hippeastrums  in,  241,  258 
Florist's  art,   the  439  ;    business  in 
France,  an  ancient,  185 

Florists'  flowers,  251,  293,  307,  355 

Flower  border,  the  hardv,  61,  126, 
213,  250,  310,  396 

Elower-gardening,  fashions  in,  204, 
268,  299,  331,  379,  438 

Flower  garden,  the,  8,  28,  48,  69, 
83,  108,  128,  149,  182,  198,  215, 
231,  247,  263,  278,  295,  310,  327, 
342,  359,  374,  393,  412,  433,  446 

Flower  gardens  at  Kingston,  314 

Flower  novelties,  exhibits  of,  at  the 
R.H.S.  shows,  400 

Flowering  plants,  novelties  in,  443 

Elowers  in  season,  12,  51,  132,  202, 
265,  449 

Ely,  the  house,  435 

Eodder,  Tagasaste  as  a,  344 

Foliage,   diversity   in,   110 

Forage  plants,  leguminous,  propa- 
gation of,  396 

Forcing  Lily  of  the  Valley  for 
market,  276 

Forcing  of  bulbous  plants,  369 

Forde  Abbey,  Chard,  244 

Foreign  correspondence,  23,  209, 
274,  390 

Forest,  a  new  state,  249 

Forestry  and  heredity,  193,  242, 
322 ;  at  Cambridge,  151 ;  in  the 
North  of  Scotland,  250 

France,  a  gardeners'  society  in, 
361 ;  rural  education  in,  377  ;  seed 
crops  in,  112 

Fremontia  californica  at  Bourne- 
mouth, 26 

Frost,  an  instrument  to  foretell,  378 

Fruit  crops,  reports  on  the,  66,  84, 
90,  104,  133,  144,  171,  180,  203 ;  in 
Canada,  281  ;  in  Southern  Russia, 
265 

Fruit-culture   in   Trinidad,   377 

Fruit-growing  in  New  Zealand,  298 

Fruit,  need  fir  systematic  distribu- 
tion of,  268 ;  peat  for  packing, 
235  :  register,  114,  165,  309,  389  ; 
show,  297,  315  ;  the  gathering  and 
storing  of,  252 

Fruit-plantation,  notes  from  a,  257 

Fruit-preserving  and  the  Factorv 
Act,  28] 

Fruits,  ,,  ,  ollection  of  tropical,  445  ; 
a  French  work  on,  73;  Hun- 
garian, for  British  markets,  265  ; 
small,  cold  storage  for,  313,  346; 
th<-  new  varieties  of,  309 


Fruits  under  glass,  9,  28,  49,  68,  82, 
108,  129,  149,  183,  199,  214,  230, 
246,  262,  279,  295,  311,  326,  343, 
358,  374,  392,  413,  433,  447 

Fruit-trees  for  north  walls,  429 ; 
insects  affecting,  185 ;  of  Cali- 
fornia, study  of,  52 ;  the  summer 
priming  of,  14,  33,  54,  75,  97, 
152,  296,  316;  the  planting  of, 
368 

Fuchsias,  Grape-like,  411  ;  large 
specimens  of,  329,  345,  379 

Fungicide,  a  new,  389 


Gardener,    a    veteran,    92;    legacy 

to  a,  330 
Gardeners,  ants  as,  130  ;  foreign,  in 
France,   361  ;    in     New    Zealand, 
status  of,  195  ;   societies,  a  union 
of,  249,  283,  345;    union  in  Aus- 
tria, 171  ;   veteran,  218 
Gardens,  school,  115,  234,  414 
Garden,  the  country,  3,  81,  161,  226, 

293,  389 
Gardiner,     J.     A.,    appointment    to 

Hyde  Park,  69 
Gardening,  the  limitations  of,  1 
Gas-tar   water   for   protecting   trees 

from  birds,  352 
Genista      mantica      syn.      Corniola 
mantica,  323  ;   G.  monosperma  in 
a  Devon  garden,  115 ;  the  garden 
species  of,  225 
Gerbera    Jamesonii,    variations    in, 

186 
German  nurserymen,  an  association 

of,  91 
German)-,   the   Strawberry   crop   in, 

170 
Germination  of  seeds  aided  by  hot 

water,    377 
Ghent       quinquennial       exhibition, 

1908,  51 
Gillenias,  the  cultivated  species  of, 

25 
Ginseng  in  Queensland,  436 
Gladiolus  gandavensis,   culture  of, 
135;     G.     primulinus,     291;     G. 
Saundersii  and  G.  princeps,  198 
Gladiolus,   the   cultivation   of,   14 ; 

quick  growth  of,  283 
Glasgow  parks,  the,  187 
Glasgow,  Viola  trials  at,  152 
Glass,  wired,  for  greenhouses,  12 
Gloeosporium   disease   of   Currants, 

180 
Gooseberry  bushes,  importation   of, 

prohibited,  416,  441 
Gooseberry  disease,  a  new,  341 
Gooseberry-mildew,  American,  and 
the  Red  Currant,  26  ;  a  pamphlet 
on,  250  ;  European,  attacking  Red 
Currant  bushes,  283 
Gooseberry     Whinham's     Industry, 

400 
Graft  and  scion,  relations  of,  414 
Grafting  Tea  Roses,  399 
Grammatophyllum     speciosum     at 
Peradeniya  Botanic  Garden,  Cey- 
lon, 168  ;  flowering  at  Kew  Gar- 
dens, 266 
Grapes:  Appley  Towers,  439  ;   Cor- 
nichon    Blanc,    298 ;     Muscat    of 
Alexandria,  variations  and  synon- 
yms of,  316 ;    at  the   Shrewsbury 
Show,  218,  379,  400  ;  disqualified 
at  the  fruit  show,  315,  331,  346  ; 
market,  prices  of  in  June,  15 
Green  colour  in  plant  foliage,  340 
Greene,  Rev.  J.  (The  Insect  Hunter's 

Companion),  127 
Greenhouse  at  Kew,  the,  163,  388 
Green  Peas,  to  preserve,  140 
Greywell  Hill  Gardens,  212 
Grove  Hall  Park,  Bow,  as  a  public 
recreation  ground,  417 


H 

Half-holiday     for     nursery     em- 
ployes, 265,  313 
Hampton  Court  Gardens,  117,  202 


Hardy  fruit  garden,  the,  9,  28,  48, 

69,  83,  109,  129,  149,  183,  198,  215, 

230,  246,  263,  278,  311,  326,  343, 

359,  375,  393,  413,   433,   446 

Hares,    protecting    tree-stems    from 

injury  by,  53,  143 
Hay  crop,  the,  at  Rothamsted,  210  ; 
and  the  absence  of  sunshine,   12 
Haystacks,  the  heating  of,  450 
Hedges,     suitability     of    evergreen 

Oak  for,  390 
Heeria  elegans,  293 
Helianthus     ciliaris     at     Floraire, 

Geneva,  342 
Heliotrope  "  Lord  Roberts,"  219 
Hemerocallis,   some   new   varieties 

of,  188 
Hemsley,  H.  (Rock  and  Alpine  Gar- 
dening), 45 
Hemsted  Park,   Kent,  113 
Henkel,    F.     (The    Booh    of    Nym- 

phaacce),  107 
Herbaceous  plants,  a  list  of  popu- 
lar, 80  ;   some  new  or  rare,  342 
Herbaceous  plant,   what   is  an,  438 
Herbaceous  Spiraeas,  243 
Heredity  and  forestry,  242 
Hesperis    matronalis,    the    double- 
flowered   form  of,  250 
Hexisia   dentata,   flowers  of,   277 
Hill,    Mr.    A.    W.,    appointment   at 

Kew,  171 
Hints    Hall    Gardens,    damage   by 

storm  at,  75 
Hippeastrums  in  America,  241,  258 
Holland  Park  Show,  the,  11,  30 
Hollyhock    disease,    treatment    for, 

60,  377 
Holly  Lodge,  Ilighgate,  234 
Hooker,  Sir  Joseph,  and  the  Royal 
Horticultural     Society,     91  ;     ap- 
pointed   to    the    Order    of    Mer.t, 
11 
Horticultural    instruction,    434;   re- 
turns,  236,  252 
Horticulture  at  Reading,  91  ;  exami- 
nations  in,    11 ;    a   school   of,    at 
Wisley,   64 ;   in   Canada,  410 ;    in 
Egypt,  41,  73;  in  the  Transvaal, 
235;   in  Yorkshire,  236 
Hortus  Duroverni,  173 
Hostermann,  Dr.  Gustave,  appoint- 
ment of,  234 
Howes,  J.,  298 

Hull,  the  public  parks  of,  436,  444 
Hungarian        fruits       for       British 

markets,  11 
Hydrangea  Hortensia,  152,  252 ;   in 

tubs,  205,  236 
Hygrometer,  a  horticultural,  378 
Hypericum  reptans,  163 


Impatiens   Holstii,  102;    I.   opposi- 

tifolia,   102;   new  garden  species 

of,   102 
Inarching    the  vine,  effect  of,  379, 

417,  438 
Inoculation,  seed  and  soil,  385,  416, 

417,  430,  438 
Insects     affecting     fruit     trees     in 

America,   185 
Insects  and  other  pests,  legislation 

for  combating,  298,  313 
International  Horticultural  Exhibi- 
tion, 1866,  Committee  of  the,  75 
Inverliver,  Argyllshire,  State  forest 

at,  249 
Ipomceas,  the  culture  of,  26 
Irises:     Delavayi,    28;     Kaampferi, 

250;      sibirica      orientalis,     28; 

sibirica    Snow    Queen,    28,    45; 

American,  6 
Iseme  calathina,  the  culture  of,  26 
Itea  ilicifolia,  123 
Ivy  killed  by  a  Poplar,  281 


Jamaica,  Limes  in,  429  ;   rum,  429 
Japan,  a  note  from,  12;   bulb  busi- 
ness in,  249 


Japanese  nursery  firm's  jubilee,  234 
Jasminum    officinale    foliis    aureis, 

390 
Javanese    Rhododendrons,    hybrid, 

321 
Jekyll,  Gertrude  (Flower  Decoration 

in  the  House),  7 
Johns,   Rev.   C.   A.    (Flowers  of  the 

Field),  107 
Jost,  Dr.  Ludwig  (Lectures  on  Plant 

Physiology),  179 
Jubilee,  a  gardener's,  202 
Judging      Muscat      of      Alexandria 

Grapes,  315,  331,  346 
Tuniperus   cedrus,   209;    J.   •hinen- 

sis,  163 


K 

Kapiti  Island  as  a  reservation  for 

birds  and  plants,  331 
Kew  gardeners  at  cricket,  92 
Kew  notes,  12,  48,  96,  163,  266,  388 
Kew,   Roses  at,   11,  25;   the  green- 
house    at,     388;     the    temperate 
house  at,  390 
Kingston  gardens,  prizes  for,  314 
Kitchen  Garden,  the,  8,  29,  49,  68, 
83,   109,   128,   149,   183,  198,  215, 
231,  247,  262,  279,  294,  311,  327, 
343,  358,  374,  393,  413,  432,  446 
Kniphofia  multiflora,  396 


Laeicen,  the  colonial  garden  at,  202 
Laslia   Sidneyana   at   Twickenham, 

230 
Laelio-Cattleya  elegans,    a   remark- 
able plant  of,  249 
Lagerstrcemia  indica,   194 
Landlord's  right  to  plants,  288 
Landsell,    J.    (Grapes   and    How    to 

Grow  Them),  373 
Larch  aphis,  the,  438  ;   canker,  in- 
fluence of  Chermes  on,  353 
Larkspurs,  stock-flowered,  214 
Lathyrus   filiformis  as  a  rock-gar- 
den plant,  48 

Law  Notes  :  —  Bankruptcies  of 
gardeners,  florists,  and  nursery- 
men, statistics  of  the,  172 ;  De- 
structive Insect  and  other  Pests 
Acts  (1877,  1907),  L98  ;  Gooseberry 
bushes,  importation  of,  pro- 
hibited, 416,  441  ;  Great  Western 
Railway  v.  Frederick  Thomas, 
2S3  ;  new  regulations  concerning 
weights  and  measures,  3S9 ; 
plants  damaged  by  creosote 
fumes  from  a  roadway,  96 
Lawn-sweeper,     the     Pennsylvania, 

188 
Lawn,  to  destroy  ants  on  a,  219 
Laws,  Agricultural  Trust,  appoint- 
ments under,  132 
Layering  evergreen   and   deciduous 
plants,      341 ;      Strawberries    for 
forcing,  7 
Leaves,  green  colour  in,  340 
Leaves  of  the  Spruce  as  a  deterrent 

to   slugs,  52 
Ledum  palustre  at  Bagshot,  45 
Legacy  to  a  gardener,  330 
Lemoine,  M.  Victor,  201 
Lemon  curing  in  Australia,  407 
Leonardslee    gardens,  Bamboos  in, 

356  ;   choice  shrubs  at.  94 
Leucothoe  Catesbaei,  103 
Libocedrus  macrolepis,  44 
Lign-aloes,  the  philology  of,  96,  114, 

134 
Lilac,  bud  disease  of,  73 
Lilies  which  flower  in  Inly,  121 
Lilium    Brownii    at    Kew,    67 ;    L, 
Martagon  var.  alba,  426  ;    L.  sul- 
phureum,  179,  438  ;   L.  testaceum 
and    L.    candidum,    hybrids     of, 
112 ;   L.  tigrinum  sold  as    a    new 
species,  112 


The  Gardeners'  Chronicle,] 


INDEX. 


[December  28,  1907. 


Lily     of    the    Valley,    forcing,     for 

market,  276 
Lily  season,  the,  209 
Limes   in  Jamaica,   429 
Lime,  the  uses  of,  24,  47 
Linaria  triornithophora,  213 
Linnaeus    memorials,  an   exhibition 

of,  216 
Listrostachys  vesicata  at  Tring  Park 

gardens,  386 
Liversidge,      ?.I.      A.      (Elementary 

Botany),  449 
Llewelyn,    Sir   John,    awarded     the 

Victoria    Medal    of    Horticulture, 

200 
Lomatia  ferruginea  in  Castlewellan 

gardens,  234 
Long  Island,  market-gardening  on, 

7 
Lonicera  Heckrolli,  390 
Lotus  peliorhyncus,  culture  of,  214 
Lychnis  Haageana,  243 


M 

Macrosporium  rhaldiferum,  a  dis- 
ease of  Peaches, 1G0 

Magnolia  Campbellii  flowering,  3, 
33;  M.  hypoleuca,  244;  M.,  the 
genus,  390' 

Malacosoma  lusitanicum,  an  insect 
pest  of  Narcissi,  407 

Mammillaria  rhodantha,  a  crested 
variety  of,  290 

Manchester  University,  chair  of 
cryptogamic  botany  at,   436 

Manure  for  Tomatos,  50  ;  manure, 
value  of  horse  and  cow  com- 
pared, 288 

Manuring  and  its  effects,  434 

Maqui  berries  at  the  London  drug 
sales,  377 

Maritzburg  Botanic  gardens,  63 

Market  gardening,  It),  92,  152,  198, 
267,276,408;  in  the  Worthing 
district,  92  ;  on  Long  Island,  7 

Market  varieties  of  Chrysanthe- 
mums, 256,  384,  424 

Marlow,  W.  J.,  presentation  to,  314 

Masters',  the  late  Dr.  M.  T., 
library,   131 

Matricaria  inodora  Bridal  Robe,  16,"> 

Mawley,  Edward  (Reforl  on  the 
Phsnolo^ieal  Observations  for 
igob),  184 

Mawson,  T.  H.  (The  Art  and  Craft 
of  Garden  Making),  146 

Measures,  the  new  regulations  con- 
cerning, 339 

Meconopsis  racemosa,  30 

Medallist,   Victoria,  three  new,  200 

Medela,  a  specific  for  Peach-blister 
disease,  389 

Melaleuca  hypericifolia,  127 

Melon  trials'at  V  islev.  97 

Mice  and  vegetation,  415 

Midland  Agricultural  and  Dairy 
College  at  Kegworth,  72 

Mildew,  Apple,  166;  American 
Gooseberry,  26,  51,  250,  406; 
attacking  Red  Currant  bushes, 
283  ;  attacking  vines,  454 

Mill.  Dr.  H.  R.  (British  Rainfall 
for  1906),  280 

Miltonia  vexillaria,  406 

Molasses  for  extinguishing  fires,  362 

Monreith,  Wigtownshire,  1 

Monro,  Geo.,  Ltd.,  annual  dinner 
345 

Montbretias,  propagation  of,  306 

Moraea  iridioides  in  Natal,  8 

Mulching  with  wood-wool,  115 

Mummy  Pea,  the,   120,   135,  152 

Muscat  of  Alexandria  Grape,  varia- 
tions and  svnonvms  of,  316,  331  ; 
judging,  315,  331,  346 

Mushrooms,  poisoning  by,  235 

Mutual  improvement  societies,  a 
union  of,  249,  283,  345 


N 

Xaxdina  domestica,  408,  452 
Narcissus   and    Hyacinths,    forcing 
of,  ?S4 


Narcissus,  a  new  pest  of,  407 ;  N. 
poeticus  as  a  market  flower,  54 

Naunton,  W.  W.  (Souvenir  of 
Shrewsbury  Great  Floral  Fit,  1 , 
139 

Nerine  Bowdenii  at  Trevince  gar- 
dens, 362 

Nerium  Oleander,  the  culture  of, 
162 

Nest  in  a  bunch  of  Bananas,  72 

Nesting-place,   an   unusual,   97 

New  Guinea,  agriculture  in,  234 

New  South  Wales,  the  sparrow  in, 
384 

New  York  Botanical  Garden,  33, 
151 

New  Zealand,  emigrants  in,  195 ; 
reservation  for  birds  and  plants 
in,  330 ;  studies  Californian 
methods  of  fruit  culture,  298 

Nitrogenous  manures,  amount  of, 
utilised  for  crops,  396 

Norway,  plants  for  a  wall  in,  173 

Notospartium  Carmichaeliae  flower- 
ing at  Kew,  147 ;  in  Scotland, 
172 

Nursery,  a  Japanese,  234 

Nursery  employes,  half  holiday 
for,  1:65,  313  ;  outing,  132  ;  union, 
a,    298 

Nursery  Notes  :  —  Bunyard, 
George,  &  Co.,  Ltd.,  Maidstone, 
371  ;  Cannell,  H.,  &  Sons,  Swan- 
ley,  94;  Cheal,  Joseph,  &  Sons, 
356;  Laxton  Bros.,  Bedford,  391  j 
Lowe  &  Shawyer,  Uxbridge,  267  ; 
Pearson,  J.  R.,  &  Sons,  Lowd- 
ham,  324 ;  Sanders  &  Sons,  St. 
Albans,  371  ;  Sutton  &  Sons, 
Reading,  125,  184 
Xymphaaa,  a  new  hybrid,  132 
Nymphaeas,  hardy,  lecture  on,  117 


Oak,  evergreen,  as  a  hedge  plant, 

390 
Oak  trees,  two  famous,  236 

Obituary:  —  Aldenham,  Lord. 
218  ;  Allsop,  John,  335  ;  Ander- 
son, James,  42-1;  Assbee,  [.,  335. 
351  ;  Baker,  Robert,  223';  Bar- 
bier,  Eugene  I..  ('.,  39;  Batter. 
sea,  Lord,  396;  Bethell,  Georg 
441;  Bouchier,  Georg,  170; 
Davies,  Charles,  270;  Du- 
val, Leon,  223;  l-'.wing,  Joseph. 
59;  Gillett,  Harry,  384;  Heath, 
Dr.  Edward  A.,  271  ;  Henshaw, 
Henry,  171  ;  Huber,  Charles, 
217;  Jordan,  Charles,  39,  58; 
I.acroix,  Louis,  59 ;  Laurent, 
Andre,  12  ;  Lees,  Richard,  38  I  ; 
May,  George,  119;  Muller,  Dr. 
Karl,  12;  Nation,  Prof.  William, 
330;  Newton,  |ohn,  351;  Philip, 
George,  367;  Poubelle,  M.,  170; 
Scott,  Charles,  367 ;  Simcoe, 
Thomas,  256  ;  Summermeyer, 
(lebhardt,  100;  Thompson,  Al- 
bert, 203;  Unwin,  William,  384; 
Veitch,  James  Herbert,  360 ; 
Walker,  Stephen,  223;  Ward, 
George,  100 ;  Ward,  Edward, 
441;  Williams,  Henry,  119; 
Wright,  Mrs.   John,  313' 

Odontiodas,  142,"  162 

Odontoglossum  Amneris  X,  178; 
O.  x  Amonasro,  178;  O.  X 
Andersonianum,  370,  436;  O. 
crispum  at  Glebelands,  406 ;  O.  ' 
c.  F.  M.  Ogilvie,  406;  O. 
grande,  a  remarkable  plant  of, 
387  ;  O.  nobile,  synonymous  wrth 
O.  Pescatorei,  275;  O.  Pesca- 
torei,  prioritv  of  name,  275  ;  O. 
Smithii  at  Glebelands,  62;  O. 
Vuvlstekeae  Kingsmillii,  63 

Olearia  macroc'onta,  hardv,  at  Bat;, 
shot,  44  ;   O.  nitida,  94" 

Oncif'ium  luridum  guttatum,  123  ; 
O.  macranthum  at  Cooksbridge, 
63;    O.   triquetrum,    123 

Onion  crop  in  Egypt,   112 


Onopordon  Acanthium,  the  Cotton 
Thistle,  135 

Ontario,  a  vegetable  growers'  asso- 
ciation  in,  186 

Oranges  from  Australia,  24 

Orchid  houses,  the,  8,  29,  49,  68, 
82,  108,  129,  148,  182,  199,  214, 
230,  247,  262,  278,  294,  310,  326, 
342,  359,  375,  393,  412,  432,  447 

Orchid  notes  and  gleanings,  4,  62, 
122,  142,  178,  230,  260,  277,  291, 
323,  370,  386,  406 

Orchids,  a  lecture  on  lesser  known, 
191 ;  an  auction  sale  of,  in  Ger- 
many,  170 ;  at  St.  Albans,  370 ; 
of  the  North-western  Himalaya, 
123 

Ornithidium  miniatum,  4 

Oxford   Botanic   Garden,  357 


P.kony  culture  in  America,  251 
pasony  list,  an  American,  281 
Paeony,      Tree,       Madame      Louis 

Henry,  75 
Palestine,    a   lecture   on,    302 ;    the 

flora  of,  61,  114,  134 
Papaver  nudicaule,  250 
Parks  of  Hull,  public,  436,  444 
Parks,  public,  the  management  of, 

9,  29,   49,   69,   83,    109,   129,    148, 

182,  199,  215,  231,  246,  263,  279, 

295,  310,  327,  343,  3j8,  375,  392, 

412,   133,  447 
Park     Superintendents,     American 

Association   of,  69,   133,   218 
Patrinia  gibbosa,  197 
Peas  and  Beans,  early  varieties  of, 

195 
Peas  :    Gladstone,  362  ;   Goldfinder, 

27s  ;    l.axtonian,  114;   the  Crown 

or  Mummy,  120,  135,  152 
Peas,   late  culinary,  268,  410  ;    the 

tng  of,  452 
Peach,  a  disease  of,   160 
Peach    blister,    a   new   remedy   for, 

389 
Peaches,  some  late-ripening,  165 
Pear,     Beurre     de     Naghan,     444; 

Swan's   Egg  and  Knight's  Mon- 
arch, 452;   Keifer,  12 
Pears  cracked  by  a  fungus  disease, 

100 
Pear-thrip,  the,  132 
Peat     as    a     material     for     packing 

fruit  and  seeds,  235 
Pelargonium  L'lorinda,  228 
Pelargoniums,  ivy-leaved,   the  best 

varieties  of,  276 
Pentland,  J.,  presentation  to,  377 
l'entstemon  heterophyllus  as  a  rock 

garden  species,  48 
Pentstemons,   the  best,   259 
Peradeniya         Botanic         Garden, 

<  oanimatophvllum  speciosum  at, 

168 
Peridermium   attacking   Pine  trees, 

74 
Pernettya   mucronata,    102 
Perovskia  atriplicifolia,  425 
Phenology,   the   science   of   appear- 
ances,   184 
Photinia   serrulata,    114 
Phyllosticta,    a    disease   of    Apple 

leaves,   305 
Phylloxera  regulation  in  Italy,  281 
Phyteuma   Charmelii,    105 
Pimenta    officinalis     in     Trinidad, 

396 
Pineapple   leaves,   fibre  from.   111 
Pineapples  damaged  by  butterflies, 

250 
Pine   Beetle,    the,    103 
Pine    trees     attacked    by     Perider- 
mium,  74 
Pinus   pinaster,  431 
Plagianthus      Lyallii,      hardy,      at 

Basing  Park  Gardens,   114 
Plant-breeding  in  Sweden,  234 
Plant-collecting   in   China,  344 
Plant  diseases,   394;   notes,  26,   94, 

127,   194,  214,  246,  307,  389,  411 
Planting  and  staking  of  trees,  309, 

346  ;   Apple  trees  on  heavy  land. 

373  ;   autumn,  advantages  of,  258 
Planting  tool,  a  new,  205 


Plant  Portraits  :  —  Aconiturn 
Napellus  var.  eminens,  202  ;  Aloe 
nitens,  110 ;  Angraecum  infundi- 
bulare,  202;  Arctotis  decurrens, 
330  ;  Bigelovia  graveolens,  202  ; 
Bruckenthalia  spiculifolia,  110 ; 
Bulbophyllum  dichromum,  265 ; 
1  'elogyne  Lawrenceana,  330; 
Calathea  angustifolia,  110;  Del- 
phinium candiJum,  415;  D.  ma- 
crocentron,  111  ;  Eria  longispica, 
415;  Ferula  communis  var.  brevi- 
folia,  265;  Gesnera  cardinalis, 
415 ;  Iris  verna,  265 ;  Kennedya 
retrorsa,  32 ;  Montanoa  mollis- 
sima,  32 ;  Odontoglossum  Lee- 
anum,  32  ;  Paeonia  Cambessedesii, 
265  ;  Phyllodoce  Breweri,  32 ; 
Picea  morindoides,  415 ;  Podo- 
phyllum versipelle,  202  ;  Primula 
niuscarioides,  415 ;  Prunus  Bes- 
seyi,  202 ;  Rhododendron  intri- 
catum,  330  ;  Uosa  Soulieana,  265  ; 
Shortia  uniflora,  330;  Stewartia 
malachodendron,  32 ;  Strepto- 
carpus  Holstii,  111 

Plants,  economic,  in  the  British 
t'olonies,  107;  and  the  electric 
li^ht,  218;  hardy  flowering,  25; 
for  a  wet  border,  384 ;  for  the 
seaside,  242 ;  growing  near  the 
i  oast,  287 ;  landlord's  right  to, 
288 

Plants,  fragrant,  389 

Plants,  New  or  Noteworthy: — 

Bulbophyllum  Binnendijkii,  161  ; 
B.  galbinum,  42;  B.  longi- 
sepalum,  210;  Campanula  longi- 
styla,  193;  Crinum  amcenum, 
62  ;  Dendrobium  acuminatum, 
210;  Dipelta  floribunda,  3;  Eria 
rhyncostyloides,  370 ;  Felicia 
(Agathaea)  petiolata,  81  ;  Odon- 
toglossum Ariadne,  101  ;  O. 
Astraea,  42 ;  O.  X  Kenchii,  3; 
Passiflora  x  Allardii,  274 ;  Rin- 
dera  umbellata,  226;  Zaluzian- 
skia  maritiina,  161 

Plants  under  glass,  8,  29,  48,  69,  83, 
108,  128,  149,  182,  199,  214,  231, 
247,  263,  27S,  311,  327,  343,  359, 
375,  392,  413,  432,  446 

Plum,  the  Yellow  fruited  Mirabelle, 
452 

Plums  and  their  value,  232;  a 
second  crop  of,  361  ;  late-ripen- 
ing, 273 ;  silver-leaf  disease  of, 
205 

Podocarpus  Nageia  at  Pencarrow 
gardens,  44 

Podosphaera  leucotricha,  the  Apple 
mildew,  166 

1'  isoning  by  Mushrooms,  235 

Poisonous  properties  of  Primula 
obconica,  173,  205 

Polemonium  confertum  melitum, 
i>4 

Polygonum  Baldschuanicum  in 
Switzerland,  24  ;  P.  vaccini- 
folium,    275 

I'olvpodiums,  some,  in  Trinidad, 
252 

Polystichum  aculeatum  var.  pul- 
cherrimum  Drueryi,  273 

Populus  canescens,  124 

Potash,  effect  of,  on  leaf  growth, 
340 

Potato,  black  scab  or  warty  disease 
of,  299,  397,  417 

Potato  Highlander,  332  ;  origin  of 
the,  33  ;  species  at  Reading,  53 ; 
supposed  mutation  in,  97  ;  trials 
at  Reading  184  ;  trials  at  Wisley, 
285 ;  trials  in  Scotland,  277 ; 
tuber  in  the  axil  of  a  leaf,  160  ; 
warty  disease  of,  299,  397,  417; 
winter  rot  disease  of,  345 

Potatos,  a  large  crop  of,  378 ;  from 
seed,  265  ;  the  species  of,  53 

Prevention  of  Corruption  Act  1906, 
439,  451 

Primula  obconica,  the  poisonous 
properties  of,  173,  205 

Propagation  bv  cuttings,  67 ;  by 
layering  341  ;'  of  Ferns,  406  ;  of 
Montbretias,  306;  vegetative,  of 
leguminous  forage  plants,  396 


VI.       The  GarJeners'  Chronicle,] 


INDEX. 


[December  28,  1907. 


Propagator,  the,  67,   148,  341,  431 

Pruning  of  fruit  trees,  summer,  14, 
33,  54,  75,  97,  152,  296,  299,  316 

Prunus  japonica,  262;  P.  spinosa, 
308 

Public  parks  and  gardens,  9,  29, 
49,  69,  83,  109,  129,  148,  182,  199, 
215.  231,  246,  263,  279,  295,  310, 
327,  343,  358,  375,  392,  412,  433, 
447 

Purchasing  bulbs,  216,  250 


Q 

Queensland,  Ginseng  in,  436 
Quercus  Ilex  as  a  hedge  plant,  390 
Quince,  the,  450 


Rainfall,  British,  280 ;  deficient, 
2.32,  268;  in  Carmarthenshire, 
54  ;  in  June,  33  ;  in  South  Wales, 
437 

Red  Currant  attacked  by  the  Ameri- 
can Gooseberry-mildew,  26,  283 

Reading  University  gardens,  72,  91 

Rhododendron  Purity,  14;  R.  Rho- 
dora,  103 

Rhododendrons,  hardy  yellow 
flowered,  14 ;  hybrid  Javanese, 
321 

Rhodora  canadensis,  103 

Rhus  Cotinus,  the  burning  bush 
plant,  252 

Richardia  africana  hardy  at  Leon- 
ardslee  gardens,  54 

Rivers,  the  pollution  of,  435 

Rocket,  the  double,  250 

Rock  garden,  the,  197,  292,  428 

Rodgersia  tabularis  at  Kew,  48 

Roman   garden,   a,   51,    91,   298 

Romneya  Coulteri,  390,  417,  437 ; 
R.  trichocalyx,  414 

Rondeletia  strigosa  as  a  basket- 
plant,  173 

Rood  Ashton,  Juniperus  chinensis 
at,  163 

Root-action  and  bacteria,  112,  170 

Root  solvents  in  the  soil,  435 

Roots  of  Apple  trees  and  American 
blight,  186,  283,  299 

Rosa  rugosa  calocarpa  and 
Roserai,  5;  hybrids  of,  25;  R. 
setigera  as  a  plant  for  shrub- 
beries, 195 

Rosary,  the,  4,  25,  93,  164,  195, 
227,  277,  290,  357,  391 

Rose  for  cultivation  on  a  pillar,  14 

Rose  garden  at  Kew,  11 ;  plan  of 
a  small,  368 ;  work  in  the,  93, 
164,  227,  290,  368,  391 

Rose  pergola  at  Kew,  25 ;  season, 
the,  121 ;  show,  the  National 
Rose  Society's,  217,  237 

Roses:  a  parfum  de  l'Hay,  54; 
Dorothy  Perkins,  195,  357;  For- 
tune's Yellow,  25 ;  Madame 
Plantier,  5  ;  Penelope,  277 

Roses  at  Kew,  12;  certificated,  in 
the  U.S.A.,  52;  for  town  plant- 
ing, 164 ;  grafting  Tea,  399 ; 
growth  of,  378 ;  late  blooming, 
376,  434  ;  verses  from  Punch  on, 
266 

Rothamsted,   the  Hay  crop   at,  210 

Rubber  cultivation  in  the  Straits 
Settlements,  323 

Rubber  in  French  West  Africa,  52 

Rubber  plant,  Para,  enemies  of 
the,  415 

Rubus   bambusarum,   251 

Rum,  Jamaica,  429 

Rural   economy,  education   in,  377 

Russia,  Southern,  a  garden  in, 
450  ;    fruit  crops  in,  265 


Sale  of  botanical  books,  51 

Sale  of  Orchids  at  Schbnbrunn, 
170 

Salmon,  E.  S.  {Reports  of  the 
South-Eastern  Agricultural  Col- 
lege, Wye),  179 

Salsafy,  the  culture  of,  374 


Salvia  argentea,  127 ;  S.  Przewald- 
skyi  flowering  at  Flore/re,  342 ; 
S.   scabiosaefolia,  342 

Salvias,  new  varieties  of,  36^ 

Samson,  G.  Gordon  (Bees  for  Plea- 
sure  and  Profit),    127 

Saponaria  vaccaria  as  cut  flowers, 
250 

Saxifraga  Aizoon  lutea,  28 ;  S. 
Aizoon  rosea,  13 ;  S.  gemmipara, 
292 

Saxifragas,    autumn-flowering,    292 

Schneider,  Mr.  George,  appointed 
a  Chevalier  du  Merite  Agricole, 
203  ;  banquet  in  honour  of,  330, 
361,  345 

School  gardens,  115 ;  at  Leyton, 
188 ;  hints  for,  414 ;  produce 
from,  at  Oxford,  234 

School  of  Horticulture  at  Wisley, 
64 

Schwappach,  Professor,  appoint- 
ment of,  12 

Scientific  Committee: — Acorns, 
change  of  colour  in  germinating, 
206 ;  Akebia  lobata,  fruits  of, 
453  ;  Antirrhinum,  peloric  flowers 
of,  136  ;  Anthracnose  on  Plums, 
174 ;  Aphides  on  Palm  roots, 
174 ;  Apple,  a  seedless,  453 ; 
Apple  shoots  injured  by  bind- 
ing, 319 ;  Apples,  twin,  174 ; 
Aster,  a  double,  237 ;  Bean 
flowers,  the  colour  of,  237 ; 
Beech  foliage,  variation  in,  174  ; 
Beech  trees  dying,  97 ;  Broom, 
curious  growth  on,  135;  Bulbils 
on  sftem  of  Lilium  candidum, 
270;  Cabbage,  an  abnormal, 
16;  Cabbage,  the  Marrow,  332; 
Calycanthus,  fruits  of,  270,  332  ; 
Carnation  flowers,  rotting,  16 ; 
Carrot,  a  malformed,  237  ;  Catt- 
leya,  malformed,  332;  Cero- 
pegia,  a  hybrid,  174 ;  Chlorosis 
in  fruit  trees,  98,  135  ;  Chrysan- 
themum indicum  hybrids,  401, 
452  ;  Clover,  an  improved  variety 
of,  15 ;  Coleus  sporting  in,  16 ; 
Cotyledon,  buds  on,  270 ; 
Cribraria,  sporting  of,  453 ; 
Crinum  augustum  exhibited, 
135  ;  Crocus  species,  332  ;  Cup- 
shaped  leaves  of  Saxifraga,  332  ; 
Currant  leaves  diseased,  205 ; 
Dianthus,  a  "  Wheat-eared," 
270;  Disease  of  Potato,  a,  237; 
Dye  plants,  British,  206  ;  Electri- 
cal currents  and  plant  life,  453  ; 
Elm,  effect  of  lightning  on,  174  ; 
Ergot  on  Rye-grass,  401  ;  Fas- 
ciation  in  Lilium  candidum,  97  ; 
Fig  leaves  diseased,  205 ;  Fruit- 
trees,  chlorosis  in,  98,  135 ; 
Fungi  and  Orchids,  401 ;  Fungi, 
uncommon,  270 ;  Galls,  Cali- 
fornian,  453 ;  on  Walnut  leaf, 
205;  on  Willow,  97;  Ger- 
mination  of  seeds  in  steri- 
lised soil,  97  ;  Glceosporium  ner- 
visequum  attacking  shoots  of 
Plane,  16 ;  G.  ribis,  a  disease  of 
Currants,  205 ;  Gooseberry-mil- 
dew, the  European,  205  ;  hybrid 
Orchids,  401  ;  Ithyphallus  cani- 
nus,  270 ;  Kale  with  hypertro- 
phied  leaves,  332  ;  leaf  diseases, 
some,  237 ;  leaves,  cup-shaped, 
332;  of  Pelargonium,  319;  light- 
ning, effect  of,  on  an  Elm  tree, 
174 ;  Lilium  candidum,  bulbils 
on  stem  of,  270 ;  Lilium  candi- 
dum, fasciation  in  stem  of,  97  ; 
Lueddemannia  Pescatorei  ex- 
hibited, 98;  malformed  Cattleya, 
332;  Maple,  mildew  on,  205; 
Marrow  Cabbage,  Chou  Moellier, 
332;  Masters,  the  late  Dr.  M.  T., 
15 ;  proposed  memorial  to,  97 ; 
Mendelian  laws  and  colour  in 
Beans,  205  ;  Mendelian  laws  and 
Sweet  Peas,  15 ;  Microsphaera 
grossulariae  (Gooseberry-mildew), 
205  ;  Miltonia  vexillaria,  a  double 
flower  of,  16  ;  Mint  rust  disease, 
205  ;  Myosotis,  malformation  in, 
205  ;    Narcissus,   "  yellow-stripe  " 


disease  of,  135 ;  Neobenthamia 
gracilis  exhibited,  174 ;  Orchids 
and  fungi,  401 ;  Orchids,  hybrid, 
401 ;  Orchids,  hybrid,  from 
Glasnevin,  319 ;  Orchids,  mal- 
formed, 362,  401 ;  Palm-roots, 
aphides  on,  174 ;  Peach  disease, 
reappearance  of  a,  174 ;  Peach, 
the  Blood,  237 ;  Pear,  a  red- 
fleshed,  237 ;  Pear  x  Quince, 
237,  332;  Pelargonium  leaves, 
cup-shaped,  319  ;  Plane  diseased, 
16  ;  Plum,  Anthracnose  on,  174  ; 
Polyporus  hypolateritia,  a  dis- 
ease of  Tea  plant,  319 ;  Potato 
disease,  a,  237 ;  Potato  diseases, 
the  propagation  of,  205  ;  Pruning, 
summer,  a  discussion  on,  299, 
453 ;  Puccinia  menthae,  a  disease 
of  Mint,  205 ;  Pyrus  malus  flori- 
bunda,  fruits  of,  174 ;  Quince  x 
Pear,  332,  363;  Rye-grass,  ergot 
on,  401 ;  Saxifraga  Cotyledon, 
401  ;  Saxifraga,  cup-shaped 
leaves  of,  332 ;  Seeds,  the  ger- 
mination of,  in  sterilised  soil, 
97;  Sempervivum  spinulosum,  a 
malformed  inflorescence  of,  206  ; 
Septoria  lycopersici,  174  ;  Straw- 
berry, the  Plymouth,  135 ;  Sum- 
mer pruning  of  fruit  trees,  299  ; 
Sweet  Peas  and  the  Mendelian 
laws,  15 ;  Symbosis  in  Orchid 
roots,  401 ;  Tea-root  disease  of 
Ceylon,  319,  362 ;  Temperature 
variations,  453 ;  Tomatos  af- 
fected by  Septoria  lycopersici, 
174 ;  Ustulina,  a  fungus  causing 
disease  in  roots  of  the  Tea  plant, 
362;  Vice-chairmen,  appoint- 
ment of  new,  15  ;  Walnut  leaves, 
galls  on,  205 ;  Wheat-ear  Dian- 
thus, 270  ;  Willow,  galls  on,  97  ; 
Yellow-stripe  disease  of  Narcis- 
sus,  135 

Science  laboratory  opened  at  Wisley 
Gardens,  70 

Scion  and  stock,  mutual  relations 
of,  414 

Scorzonera,  374 

Sea,  character  of  plants  growing 
near  the,  287 

Seaside  planting,  242 

Season,  the  sunless,  275 

Secret  commissions,  11 

Sedum  acre,  method  of  planting, 
105;    S.    brevifolium    Pottsii,   275 

Seed  and  soil  inoculation,  385,  416, 
430,  438 

Seed  crops  in  France,  the,  112 

Seed-germination  and  hot-water, 
377 

Seedlings,  transplanting,  205 

Seed,  raising  Potatos  from,  265 ; 
home-grown,  268 ;  peat  for  pack- 
ing 235 

Seed  trade  association,  an  Ameri- 
can, 151 

Semele  Androgyna  in  the  open,  244 

Senecio  Clivorum  and  S.  pulcher  as 
garden  plants,  283  ;  S.  Galpini  at 
Kew,  195;  S.  Wilsonianus,  201 

Septoria  Chrysanthemi,  a  disease  of 
Chrysanthemums,  213 

Seseli  gummiferum,  426 

Shipley  Hall,  the  Fernery  at,  168  ; 
the  Water-Lily   house  at,   130 

Shrewsbury  show,  new  attractions 
at,  172;  judgirjg  Grapes  at,  188; 
the  .champion  Grape  class  at, 
218,  379,  400 

Shrubberies,  winter  work  in  the, 
425 

Shrubs,  choice,  at  Leonardslee 
gardens,  94 ;  some  Ericaceous, 
102  ;   winter-flowering,  408 

Silene   Fortunei,   310 

Silphium   albiflorum,   342 

Silver-leaf  disease  of  Plums,  205, 
265 

Sloe,  the,  308 

Slugs,  protection  from,  by  Pine 
leaves,  52 

Smith,   Mr.   A.   C,  132,  169 

Societies:  —  Aberdare  Hort., 
223;      Aberdeen      Chrys.,      383; 


American  Florists'  175  ;  Bath  and 
District  Gardeners'  59 ;  Becken- 
ham  Hort.,  383;  Birmingham 
and  Midland  Counties  Chrys., 
Fruit  and  Floricultural,  348,  440  ; 
Birmingham  and  Midland  Coun- 
ties Gardeners'  255  ;  Birmingham 
Botanical  and  Hort.,  58 ;  Bis- 
hops Stortford  Hort.,  117;  Brad- 
ford and  Dist.  Chrys.,  365 ; 
Brighton  and  Sussex  Hort.,  350  ; 
Bristol  and  Dist.  Gard.,  99,  335, 
403;  Bristol  Chrys.,  348; 
British  Association,  117;  British 
Gardeners'  Association,  11,  99, 
154,  176,  217,  222,  238,  383,  402 ; 
Brixton  and  Dist.  Hort.,  59; 
Cardiff  and  County  Chrys.,  350  ; 
Cardiff  and  County  Hort.,  98; 
Cardiff  Gardeners,  208,  403; 
Chelmsford  and  Dist.  Card., 
403;  Chester  Paxton,  382;  Col- 
chester Rose  and  Hort.,  17,  362; 
Commons  and  Footpaths  Pre- 
servation, 138 ;  TCrawley  and 
Dist.  Gard.,  98;  Croydon  Hort., 
57,  99,  208,  383;  Debating,  59, 
99,  159,  208,  319,  335,  383,  403; 
Derby  Chrvs.,  363;  Devon  and 
Exeter  Gard.,  319,  365,  383; 
Doncaster  Gard.,  99 ;  Dublin 
Seed  and  Nursery  Employes, 
423 ;  Dumfries  and  Galloway 
Hort.,  367  ;  Guildford  and  Dist. 
Gard.,  383;  Glasgow  Seed  and' 
Nursery,  453 ;  Gloucestershire 
Rose,  57 ;  Hanley  Floral  Fete, 
58;  Hereford  Fruit  and  Chrys., 
349;  Holland  House  Show,  34; 
Linnean,  16  ;  Horticultural  Club, 
33,  98,  302,  362;  Leeds  Pax- 
ton,  382;  Linnean,  313,  365, 
383,  453  ;  London  Dahlia  Union, 
222;  Maidenhead  Chrys.,  332; 
Manchester  and  N.  of  England 
Orchid,  58,  139,  286,  319,  349, 
381,  422  ;  Manchester  Hort.,  319  ; 
Margate  Chrys.,  350;  Midland 
Carnation  and  Picotee,  137 ; 
Midland  Counties  Sweet  Pea, 
415 ;  Nat.  Amateur  Gardeners', 
441  ;  Nat.  Carnation  and  Picotee, 
78;  Nat.  Chrys.,  222,  255,  319, 
363,  401;  (annual  exhibition), 
333;  (annual  dinner),  381;  (mar- 
ket  exhibition),  421;  Nat.  Dahlia, 
192,  206,  383,  453;  Nat.  Potato, 
270,  422 ;  Nat.  Rose,  18,  38,  237, 
439  ;Nat.  Horticultural  of  France, 
364 ;  National  Chrys.  of  France, 
281;  Nat.  Sweet  Pea,  32,  154; 
(annual  exhibition),  55;  (annual 
meeting),  421  ;  Newbury  Hon., 
136;  Newcastle-on-Tyne  Chrys., 
382;  Newport  (Mon.)  Chrys., 
365;  Nursery  Employees'  Union, 
454 ;  Orsett  and  Dist.  Agric.  and 
Hort.,  222;  Peppard  and  Dist. 
Gard.,  319;  Peterborough  and 
Dist.  Hort.,  159;  Pitsford  and 
Dist.  Hort.,  159;  Portsmouth 
Chrys.,  335  ;  Putney  and  Wands- 
worth Chrys.,  351,  395;  Rayleigh 
and  Dist.  Hort.,  78;  Reading 
Hort.,  191  ;  Reading  Literary  and 
Scientific,  367 ;  Redhill,  Reigate 
and  Dist.  Gard.,  335,  383; 
Richmond  Hort.,  16;  Royal 
Agricultural,  17  ;  Royal  Botanic, 
138,  286  ;  Royal  Caledonian  Hort., 
22,  207;  Royal  Hort.,  15,  70,  75, 
115  135,  152,  174,  189,  205,  219, 
237,  252,  270,  284,  299,  317,  346, 
362,  379,  395,  401,  418;  Royal 
Hort.  of  Aberdeen,  174;  Royal 
Meteorological,  18 ;  Royal  Scot- 
tish Arboricultural,  423 ;  Salis- 
bury and  Dist.  Gard.,  319, 
335,'  403;  Saltaire,  Shipley  and 
District  Rose,  402 ;  Scottish 
Hort.,  118,  366;  Scottish  Pansy, 
18;  Shropshire  Hort.,  ^155; 
Smithfield  Club,  422  ;  Southamp- 
ton  Chrys.,  350 ;  Southampton 
Royal  Hort.,  58;  Southend-on- 
Sea  .and  Diat.  Chrys,,  350  ; 
Southend  -  on  -  Sea     Hort.,     78  ; 


The  Gardeners'  Chronicle,] 


INDEX. 


[December  28,  1907.       Vll. 


Torquay  Dist.  Gard.,  351  ;  United 
Hort.  Benefit  and  Provident,  39, 
332;  Wargrave  and  Dist.,  403; 
Wargrave  Chrys.,  307;  \Wey- 
bridge  Chrys.,  332;  Winchester 
Chrys.,  366;  Windsor  Chrys., 
351 ;  Winter-flowering  Carnation, 
420  ;  Wolverhampton  Floral  Fete, 
56;  Woolhope  Naturalists'  Field, 
239;  Woolton  and  Dist.  Chrys., 
383;    York   Chrys.,  366 

Soil  and  seeds,  inoculation  of,  385, 
416,  417,  430,  438 

Soil-constituents  and  plants,  lec- 
tures on,  361 

Solanum  crispum  planted  in  the 
open  in   Scotland,   103 

Sophora  viciifolia  at  Kew,  26 

South-Eastern  Agricultural  Col- 
lege, Wye,  32,  234,  313 

Sparrow,  the,  in  New  South  Wales, 
384 

Spartium  junceum,  226 

Sphaeropsis,  a  disease  causing  leaf- 
spot  in  Apples,  305 

Spiraeas,  herbaceous,  243,  260 

Sporting  in  the  Clove  Carnation, 
172,  187,  188,  205;  Chrysanthe- 
mums, 362 

Spruce-gall  mite,  the,  162 

Stanhope,   Hon.   A.    [Weather),   169 

Stanley  Park  gardens,  Carnations 
at,  74 

Stigma  of  Torenia  Fournieri  sensi- 
tive, 73 

Stock  and  scion,  mutual  relations 
of,  414 

Storage,   cold,   of  small  fruits,  313 

Storm  in  North  Wales,  75 ;  in  Staf- 
fordshire, 75 

Straits  Settlements,  Rubber  culti- 
vation in  the,  323 

Strawberries,  a  trial  of,  at  Wislev, 
38;  in  September,  217,  236; 
layering,  for  forcing,  7 ;  Leader 
and  Kentish  Favourite,  33  ;  pro- 
tected from  slugs  by  Pine  leaves, 
52;  some  good,  of  1907,  114;  the 
cultivation  of,  22  ;  wood-wool  as 
a  summer  mulching  for,  115 

Strawberries  : — Kentish  Favourite, 
13,  54 ;  St.  Antoine  de  Padoue, 
217  ;   The  Laxton,  13,  75 

Strawberry  crop,  the,  45 ;  in  Ger- 
many, 170 

Streptocarpus,  Burdett's  strain,  229 

Styrax  japonica  in  Braemore  gar- 
dens, Ross-shire,  124 

Succulent  plants,  a  lecture  on,  347 


Sugar,  Cane  and  Beet,  429 
Summer  pruning  of  fruit  trees,  14, 

33,  54,  75,  97,  152,  296,  316 
Sunless  season,  the,  275 
Sunnymead,  notes  from,  323 
Swanley   Horticultural   College,   72 
Sweden,    a  horticultural   paper   in, 

52;    plant-breeding  in,  234 
Sweet   Pea  sports,  53 ;    disqualified 
at  the  National  Show,  75 ;   dur- 
ing 1907,  274 
Sweet     Peas: — Countess     Spencer, 
sporting   of,    14 ;    Princess    Vic- 
toria, 32 ;   new  varieties  of,  110  ; 
the  National  Society's  classifica- 
tion   of,    154 ;      winter-flowering, 
355 
Sylviculture  in  the  Chiltern   Hun- 
dreds, 322 
Syringa  Josikasa  eximia,  281 


Tagasaste  as  a  fodder,  344 
Tchihatchewia   isatidea,   325 
Temperate-house,   Kew,   the,   390 
Temple,  Augusta  A.    (The  Flowers 

and  Trees  of  Palestine),  61 
Terrace  plants,  a  lecture  on,  154 
Theobald,   F.   V.   (Report  on  Econo- 
mic Zoology),  127 
Thistle,  the  Cotton,   135 
Thomas,  H.  H.  (Gardening  in  Town 

and  Suburb),  386 
Thonger,     Charles     (The    Book    of 

Reck  and  Water  Gardens),  95 
Thunderstorm,  a  heavy,  75 
Timber,  for  clog  soles,   112;    from 
Cherry-Laurel,  219  ;   the  demand 
for   British,    193,   219 
Tomato  plants,   defoliating,  172 
Tomatos,    early,   408 ;    experiments 
in  growing,  50  ;   in   Canada,  52  ; 
market  prices  of,  15 
Tomato  Sunrise,  152 
Tool  for  planting,  a  new,  205 
Torenia  Fournieri,   stigma  of,  sen- 
sitive,  73 
Transplanting  seedlings,  205 
Transvaal,  horticulture  in  the,  235 
Tree-growth   and   chemical    fumes, 

103 
Tree-planting,  309.  34G 
Tree-stems,  protecting,  from  hares, 
53,  143 


Trees  and  shrubs,  26,  43,  94,  102, 
124,  143,  162,  197,  244,  262,  372, 
390,  408,  431 

Trees,  memorial,  planted  by  the 
King,  377  ;  planting  and  staking, 
309,  346;  street,  430;  the  defoli- 
ation of,  248 

Trenching  land,  164,  312,  362 

Trial  of  Strawberries,  38  ;  of  Can- 
nas  at  Wisley,  206  ;  of  Melons  at 
Wisley,  97 ;  of  Potatos  at  Wis- 
ley, 285;  of  vegetables,  378;  of 
Violas  at  Glasgow,  91 

Trinidad,  fruit  culture  in,  377; 
some  Polypodiums  in,  252 

Tropics,  experiments  in  acclimati- 
sation of  plants  in  the,  73 

Tropical  fruits,  a  collection  of,  445 

Tuber  in  the  axil  of  a  Potato  leaf, 
160 


U 

Ulmvs  alata  in  exposed  positions, 

103,  143 
Union  of  nursery  employes,  298 


Vatican  Gardens,  the,  265 

Vegetable  Growers'  Association  in 
Ontario,  186 

Vegetables,  195,  268,  278,  410;  for 
exhibition,  the  culture  of,  346 ; 
rarer  kinds  of,  373 ;  stand  for  ex- 
hibiting, 60 

Vegetable  trials   at   Wisley,   378 

Vegetation  and  mice,  415 

Verbena  Mahonetii,  188 ;  V.  mon- 
tana  as  a  parent  for  new  varie- 
ties, 173 

Veronica  Cookii,  390;  V.  Ilulke- 
ana,  106 

Veteran  gardeners,  218 

Victoria  Medallists,  three  new, 
200 

Villa  d'Este,  near  Rome,  the  gar- 
dens at,  51,  91 

Vine,  a  suitable,  for  covering  bare 
spaces,  73  ;  border,  boxes  for  a, 
14,  75 ;  effect  of  inarching  the, 
379,  417 

Vines,  inarching,  379,  417,  438; 
sprayed  on  Sunday,  fine  for,  271 

Viola,  trials  of,  at  Glasgow,  91, 
152 ;  at  the  Royal  Botanic  gar- 
dens, 33  ;  the  propagation  of,  52 


Vitis  vulpina  suitable  for  covering 
bare  spaces,  73 

Voorhees,  G.  B.  (Forage  Crops  for 
Soiling,  Silage,  Hay,  and  Pas- 
ture), 361 


W 

Wages  during  illness,  384 
Warty  disease  of  Potato,  299,  397 
Water,   hot,  and  seed  germination, 

377 
Waterside  plants,  hardy,  124 
Watsonia  Ardernei,  the  culture  of, 

93,  227 
Watt,    Sir   George    (The    Wild   and 

Cultivated    Cotton    Plants    of    the 

World),  341 
Weights  and  Measures  Regulations, 

the  new,  339 
Wergs    Hall,    Wolverhampton,    the 

fernery  at,  394 
White   Currant,   the,  93 
Wilson,  E.  H.,  letter  from,  344 
Winter-flowering        shrubs,        408; 

Sweet  Peas,  356 
Winter-rot  disease  of  Potato,  345 
Winter  work  in  the  shrubberies,  425 
Wisley,  a  school  of  horticulture  at, 

64 ;    proceedings   at   the   opening 

of  the  scientific  laboratory  at,  70 
Witsenia     corymbosa,     hardy,     in 

Devon,  164 
Wood-wool  as  a  summer  mulching 

for  Strawberries,  115 
Worthing    district,    market-garden- 
ing in  the,  92,  198 
Wright,  Walter  P,  presentation  to, 

395 
Wye,     South-Eastern     Agricultural 

College,  32,  234,  313 


Yews,  golden  and  variegated,  2^9 
York  gala,  jubilee,  234 
Yorkshire,  horticulture  in.  236 
Young,  Mr.   W.   H.,   169 
Yucca   X    Sanderiana,  323 
Yuccas,  a  long  list  of,  75 


Zenobia  speciosa,  45 
Zygopetalum  rostratum.  291 


SUPPLEMENTARY    ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Arnold  Arboretum,  winter  scene  in  the  (December  28) 

Bushey    House,    Herts,    view    of    the    residence    and    grounds    at 

(October  12) 
Cattleya  Warscewiczii,  from  Major  Holford's  collection  (November2) 
Cosmos  sulphureus  (August  24) 
Eucalyptus  ficifolia  (November  30) 
Fernery  at  Shipley  Hall,  Derby  (August  31) 
Fernery   at  Wergs  Hall,  near  Wolverhampton  (December  7) 
Fir  Grange,  Weybridge,  view  in  the  grounds  at  (September  21) 
Fuchsias  cultivated  at  Kelsey  Park  Gardens  (No\  ember  9) 
Garden-front  at  St.  Paul's  Church,  Rome  (October  26) 

L.ELIO-CATTLEYA    ELEGANS,   A    REMARKABLE    PLANT    OF  (October    5) 

Lomatia  ferruginea  in  Castlewellan  Gardens  (September  28) 


Nymph.£.\  house  at  Shipley  Hall,  Derby  (August  17) 

Oxford  Botanic  Gardens,  view  in  the  (November  23) 

Roman  Garden,  K  view  in  a  (July  20) 

Romneya  tricocalyx  (December  14) 

Roses  at  Kew  (July  6) 

Senecio  Wilsonianus  (September  14) 

Sweet  Peas:    St.  George,   Evelyn  Hemus,   Rosie   Adams,   and   Silas 

Cole  (August  10) 
Syringa  Josik.ea  eximia  (October  19) 
View  in  the  Town  Gardens,  Durban,  Natal  (July  13) 
View  of  an  enclosed  garden  at  Hampton  Court  (September  7) 
Water-scene  in  the  grounds  of  Villa  d'Este,  Rome  (August  3) 
Winter-garden  at  Eastwell  Park,  Kent  (November  16) 


(For  List  of  General  Illustrations  in  the  text  see  next  page.) 


"V 111 .       The  Gardeners'  Chronicle,] 


INDEX. 


[December  28,   1907. 


LIST     OF     ILLUSTRATIONS 


Agaricus  phalloides,  235 
Aikman,  Alex.,   the  late,  303 
Alsophila  excelsa  in  the  temperate 

house,  Kew,  390 
Amphicome   Emodi,   74,   276 
Anchusa    italica    "  Dropmore    var- 
iety," a  bed  of,  282 
Apple   leaf  affected    with     disease, 

305 
Apple  Sykehouse  Russet  trained  as 

a  standard  cordon,  391 
Arctotis   X  regalis,  204 
Aigemone   grandiflora,  a    flowering 

plant  of,  113 
Aristea     (Witsenia)     corymbosa,     a 

plant  of,   164 
Assbee,  John,  the  late,  351 
Aster   Norah   Peters,  269 
Aston  Rowant  House,  Oxfordshire, 

196 
Avebury,  Lord,  portrait  of,  70 

B 
Bacteria  found  in  the  nodules  on 

roots  of  leguminous  plants,  385 
Balfour  of  Burleigh,  Lord,  portrait 

of,   71 
Ballantine,   Henry,  portrait  of,  201 
Bartlett,  A.   C,  portrait  of,  446 
Beetle  of  the  Narcissus  grub,  407 
Begonia  Miss  Clibran,  347 
Belgian    garden,    views    in    a,    314, 

315 
Berberis  Wilsonae,   a  fruiting  spray 

of,  372 
Black   Currant  shoot   affected  with 

Glceosporium,   180 
Bog-garden    and   summer-house    at 

Fir  Grange,  217 
Bulbophyllum     galbinum,    42;     B. 

longisepalum,  a  flower  and  floral 

details  of,  211 
Bushey   House,   Herts,  view  in  the 

gardens  at,  261 


C.ESALP1NIA  japonica,  43 

Campanula  longistyla,  194 ;  C. 
mirabilis  flowering  on  a  rockery 
in  Switzerland,  141 ;  flowers  ol, 
145 ;  C.  punctata  growing  in  a 
Devon  garden,  96 ;  C.  petrsea, 
197 

Carludovica  palmata,  an  inflores- 
cence of,  with  the  barren  stamens 
falling,   323 

Carnation  Aristocrat,  429 

Carnation  house  at  Eastwell  Park 
gardens,    128 

Caryopteris  Mastacanthus,  a  flower- 
ing shoot  of,  409 

Chance,  Sir  William,  portrait  of,  71 

Chermes  strobilobius  and  C.  abietis 
on  Larch,  353,  354 

Chrysanthemum  Horace  Martin  on 
the  terrace  at  Gunnersbury 
House,  267 

Chrysanthemum  leaves  affected 
with   Septoria   chrysanthemi,   213 

Chrysanthemums  at  the  Paris 
Show,  364 

Chrysophlyctis  endobiotica,  a  dis- 
ease of  Potatos,  397,  398 

Cladrastis  tinctoria  flowering  in 
Kew  Gardens,  186 ;  a  flowering 
shoot  of,  187 

Colman,  Sir  Jeremiah,  portrait  of, 
363 

Coniothyrium  vagabundum,  sec- 
tion through  a  conceptacle  of, 
341 

Convolvulus  Cneorum  and  Veronica 
Hulkeana  flowering  in  a  Devon 
garden,  106 

Crinum  amcenum  var.  Mearsii,  62  ; 
C.    X    H.   J.   Elwes,  53 

Crisp,  Sir  Frank,  portrait  of,  362 

Crown   or   Mummy   Pea,    120 

Currant  shoot  affected  with  Glceo- 
sporium,  180 

Currant  White  Dutch,  93 


Dalton  Holme,  Beverley,  142  ;  the 
gardener's  cottage  at,  142  ;  house 
of  Carnations  at,  143 

Delphiniums,  a  group  of,  in  flower, 
64 

Dendrobium  acuminatum,  a  wild 
plant  of,  210  ;    D.   regium,   122 

Dickson,  George,  V.M.H.,  portrait 
of,  218 

Diervilla  sessilifolia,  426  ;  a  flower- 
ing shoot  of,  427 

Diospyros  Kaki,  a  flowering  shoot 
of,  22 ;  fruits  of,  23 

Dipelta  floribunda,  a  flowering 
spray  of,  2 

Diseases  of  Apple  leaves,  305,  306 

Duval,  Leon,  portrait  of  the  late, 
223 


Eastwell    Park,    Kent,    338 ;    the 

entrance  gates,  337  ;   Roses  on  the 

lawn  at,  339 ;  vinery  at,  355 

Elliott,  Sir  Thomas,  portrait  of,  71 

Elms,   an   avenue   of   pollarded,    at 

Hampton  Court,   179 
Eucalyptus  ficifolia,  fruit  of,  377 
Eucryphia    cordifolia,   a    flowering 
spray  of,  259 


Felicia  (Agathaea)  petiolata,  82 
Fir  Grange,  view  in  the  grounds  at, 

217 
Flower-bed     at     Hampton     Court, 

177  ;  at  Pearson  Park,  Hull,  434a 
Foliage  plants,  an  exhibit  of  exotic, 

44 
Forde  Abbey,  Chard,  245 
Frost  foreteller,  a,  378 
Fruits  of  Rindera  umbellata,  226 ; 

a  collection  of  exotic,  445 


Gladiolus  primulinus,  291 
Glasgow,  a  waterfall  in  the  Rouken 

Glen  Park,  188 
Gooseberries,  trained  plants  of,  137 
Gooseberry  disease,  a  new,  341 
Gooseberry    Langley    Beautv,    137 ; 
G.    Lord    Derby,    137;    G.    Whin- 
ham's  Industry,  400 
Grammatophyllum      speciosum 
flowering  in    Peradeniya   Botanic 
Gardens,   169  ;    a   flower  of,  170  ; 
aerial  roots  of,  168 
Grape-vine,    a     two-vear-old,    in    a 

pot,   136 
Greywell    Hill,    flower    borders    at, 

212 
Group  of  foliage  plants  exhibited  at 
Holland   House   Show,   44 

H 

Hampton  Court,  a  flower-bed  at, 
177 ;  flower-border  at,  178 ;  pol- 
larded Elms  at,  179 

Hawk-moth,  the  Death's  Head, 
176 

Ileeria  elegans  in  Edinburgh  Bo- 
tanic   Gardens,    293 

Hill,  Arthur  William,  portrait  of, 
171 

Honess,  William  II.,  portrait  of, 
446 

Hygrometer,  a  new  horticultural, 
'378 

I 

Impatieks     oppositifolia    flowering 

at  Kew  Gardens,  102 
Irish  garden,  view  in   an,   103 
Itea  ilicifolia,  a  flowering  sprav  of, 

123 

J 

Jordan,     Charles,    portrait    of    the 

late,   58 
Juniperus   chinensis,   a   remarkable 

tree  of,  at  Rood  Ashton,  162 


Kew,  a  pergola  of  Roses  at,  12 
Kirk,  Alex.,  portrait  of,  447 


Lake   in    the     Maritzburg     Botanic 

Gardens,  63 
Larch        shoots        infested        with 

Chermes,  353,  354 
Leaf     section     of     Chrysanthemum 

showing    pycnidium   of    Septoria 

chrysanthemi,  213 
Lilium    Brownii   flowering   in   Kew 

Gardens,  67 
Lilium    longiflorum    giganteum,    a 

field  of,  in  Japan,  1:4a 
Llewelyn,  Sir  John  T.  D.,  V.M.H., 

200 
Locusts,  a  plague  of,  in  Johannes- 
burg,  66 
Lomatia     ferruginea,    a     flowering 

spray  of,  233 
Lychnis       grandiflora,       189 ;       L. 

Haageana,  243 

M 

Macrosporium  rhaldiferum,  a  dis- 
ease of  Peaches,  160 

Magnolia  Campbellii  flowering  in 
Leonardslee  gardens,  3  ;  a  flower 
of,  4 

Malacosoma  lusitanicum,  an  insect 
pest  of  Narcissi,  407 

Mammillaria  rhodantha,  a  crested 
form   of,  290 

Mangles  grown  with  and  without 
potash  manures,  340 

Maritzburg  Botanic  Gardens,  lake 
in,   63 

Matricaria  inodora  Bridal  Robe, 
165 

Mayne,  J.,  portrait  of,  446 

Meconopsis  racemosa,  31 

Miltonia  vexillaria,  a  group  of,  in 
Major  Holford's  collection,  406 

Montanoa  bipinnatifida,  inflores- 
cence of,  419 

Moth,  the  Death's-Head  Hawk,  176 

Mummy  Pea,  the,  120 

Mushroom,   a  poisonous,  235 

N 

Narcissi,  an  insect  pest  of,  407 
Neobenthamia   gracilis,    174 
Newton,  John,  the  late,  351 
Notospartium    Carmichaeliae  flower- 
ing    at     Kew     Gardens,    146 ;     a 
flowering  shoot  of,  147 
Nymphaea   house   at    Shipley    Hall 

gardens,  131 
Nymphasas,  hardy,  a  group  of,  ex- 
hibited by  Mr.  Leopold  de  Roth- 
schild,  125 


Odontoglossum  x  Andersoni- 
anum,  flowers  of,  showing  varia- 
tion in  form  and  colouring,  370  ; 
O.  grande,  a  remarkable  plant  of, 
387;    O.   John   Clark,  380 

Olearia  nitida,  a  plant  of,  94 ;  a 
flowering  shoot  of,  95 

Oxford  Hotanic  Gardens,  a  view 
in.  357 

P 

Peach  disease  caused  by  Macro- 
sporium rhaldiferum,  160 

Pea  plants  inoculated  with  bac- 
teria,  385 

Pea,  the  "Crown"  or  "Mummy,'' 
120 

.Pear  Beurre  de  Naghan,  444 

Pelargonium  Clorinda,  a  large  plant 
of,  in  :i  tub,  228 

Pettigrew,  W.  W.,  portrait  of,  447 

Thyllosticta  disease  of  Apple 
leaves,   305 

Folystichum  aculeatum  pulcherri- 
mum   Drueryi,  274 

Potato-tuber  growing  in  the  axil  of 
a  leaf,   160 


Potatos  affected  w'.th  warty  dis- 
ease, 397 

Prunus  spinosa,  a  flowering  shoot 
of,  308 

Quinces,  Vranja  and  Lescovaz,  451 


Rhododendron  Purity,  15 

Rindera  umbellata,  a  flowering 
shoot  of,  226 ;  fruits  of,  226 

Roots,  aerial,  of  Grammatophyllum 
speciosum,  168 

Roots  of  Alder,  showing  nodules, 
430  ;  of  leguminous  plants  bear- 
ing bacteria  nodules,  385 

Rose-garden,  plan  of  a  small,  368 

Roses,  a  group  of,  on  a.  lawn  at 
Eastwell  Park,  339 ;  a  pergola  of, 
at  Kew,   12 

Roses :  Fortune's  Yellow,  25 ; 
Hugo  Roller,  92 ;  Joseph  Lowe, 
46 ;  Lady  Helen  Vincent,  36 ; 
Mine.  Plantier,  a  fine  specimen 
of,  5;  Mrs.  F.  W.  Flight,  238; 
Pride  of  Waltham,  13 

Rubus  bambusarum,  a  new  Chinese 
species,  251 

Ruins,  imitation,  in  Pearson  Park, 
Hull,  437 

Russian  garden,  view  in  a,  450 

S 

Sadler,  Prof.  Michael,  portrait  of. 

71 
Section    of    Potato   showing    spores 

of  the  warty-disease  fungus,  398 
Semele     Androgyna,     a     flowering 

shoot  of,  244 
Septoria     chrysanthemi,    a    disease 

of  Chrysanthemums,  213 
Shipley  Hall,  the  Water-Lily  house 

at,    131 
Sloe,  the,  a  flower  shoot  of,  308 
Smith,  Mr.  Arthur  C,  portrait  of, 

132 
Sphaeropsis,   a    fungus    disease    of 

Apple   leaves,   306 
Spores      of     the      fungus      causing 

warty-disease  of  Potatos,  398 
Stand  for  exhibiting  vegetables,  60 
Stewartia  malachodendron,  27 
Stieptocarpus,     a     plant     of     Mr. 

Burdett's  strain  of,  229 
Sweet    Pea    Countess    Spencer    ar- 
ranged   in    a    vase   with    grasses, 

111 

T 
Tchihatchewia  isatidea,  a  flower- 
ing shoot  of,  324 ;  in  Cambridge 

Botanic  Garden,  325 
Temperate     house,    Kew,    view     in 

the,  390 
Tomato    plant,    showing    effect    of 

inoculation,  430 


Vegetables,  a  stand    for    exhibit- 
ing, 60 
Veitch,    James     Herbert,    the     late, 

360 
Viburnum   rhytidophyllum,  220 
View  in  an  Irish  garden,  103 
Views    in    a    Belgian     garden,    314, 

315;   in  Pearson  Park,  Hull,  436, 

437 
Vincent,    Sir   William,   portrait    of, 

71 
Vine,  a  two-year-old  pot,  136 
Vinery   at   Eastwell    Park    gardens, 

355 

W 
Waterfall  in   Rouken   Glen  Park, 

Glasgow,   188 
Water  garden  at  the  Holland  House 

show,  47 
Water-Lilies,    an    exhibition    gror.p 

of,  125 
Weston,  J.  G.,  portrait  of,  440 
White,   W.    H.,  portrait  of,  447 


Zaluzianskia  maritima,  162 


July  6,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


■j&Z. 


THE 


^itrbencrs'Cbroniclc 

No.  1,071— SATURDAY,  July  6,  1907. 


CONTENTS. 


Agricultural  Education, 
Committee  on 11 

Benevolent  Institution, 
Gardeners'  Royal      ...      10 

Birthday  honours  11 

Bones  in  a  vine  border      14 

Books,  notices  of — 
Flower  Decoration  in 

the  House    7 

Fruit  Recipes 7 

Country  garden,  the     ...        3 

Colonial  notes — 

Moraea  iridioides      ...        8 

Examination  in  horticul- 
ture           11 

Exhibition,  the  forth- 
coming Franco-Briu^h      11 

Fruit  trees,  the  sum- 
mer pruning  of  ...       14 

Gardening,  the  limita- 
tions of 1 

Gladiolus,  culture  of  ...      14 

Hay  crops  and  the 
weather 12 

Holland  Park  flower 
show,  the  forthcom- 
ing    11,  12 

Hungarian  fruits  for  the 
English  market         ...       11 

Irises,  American  ...        6 

Jnpan,  a  note  from        ...       12 

Magnolia  Campbellii, 
the  flowering  of        ...        3 

Market  Gardening— 
Grapes  and  Tomatos        15 

Monreith,  Wigtown- 
shire     ...         1 

Orchid  notes  and  glean- 
ings— 
Dendrobrium  Calceo- 
laria            4 

Ornithidium  miniatum        4 


Obituary- 
Laurent,  Andre 

Miiller,  Prof.  Dr.  Karl 

Pear,  the  Keifer 

Plants,    new    or     note- 
worthy— 

Dipelta  floribunda    ... 

Odontoglossum    X 

Kenchii         

Rhododendron  Purity... 
Rhododendrons,  hardy 
Rock  garden  at  Baston 

Manor 

Rosary,  the— 

Cultural  notes  for  July 
Rosa  rugosa,  two  varie- 
ties of 

Rose   Madame  Plantier 

Roses  at  Kew     

Saxifraga  Aizoon  rosea 
Societies — 

British  Gardeners    ... 

Colchester  Rose 

Linnean  

National  Rose 

Richmond  Horticul- 
tural    

Royal  Agricultural    ... 

Koyal  Horticultural 
(Sc  ientific  Com- 
mittee)   

Royal    Meteorological 

Scottish  Pansy 
Sweet      Pea     Countess 

Spencer  

Strawberry  Kentish 

Favourite         

Strawberry,  The  Laxton 
Strawberries,  il. 

ing  of     

Weather  outlook,  the  ... 
Week's  work,  the 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Dipelta  floribunda.  a  flowering  spray  of 

Magnolia  Campbellii  flowering  in  Leonardslee  gardens 

3;  a  flower  of 

Rhododendron  Purity 

Rose  pergola  in  Kew  Gardens  ...  

Roses  in  Kew  Gardens  (Supplementary  Illustration) 

Rose  Madame  Plantier 

Rose  Pride  of  Waltham  


THE    LIMITATIONS     OF 
GARDENING. 

THE  pleasures  associated  with  the  practice 
of  gardening  depend  very  greatly  upon 
atmospheric  conditions.  When  these 
are  almost  perfect — an  experience  of  late 
years  sufficiently  rare ;  when  we  have  days 
of  brilliant  sunlight,  whose  splendid  mono- 
tony is  enlivened  at  intervals  by  gentle 
summer  showers,  drooping  like  mercy, 
as  described  by  Shakespeare,  "  upon  the 
place  beneath";  when  fruits,  nourished 
and  stimulated  by  beneficent  influences,  are 
seen  growing  perceptibly  day  by  day ;  then 
the  heart  of  the  horticulturist  rejoices,  for 
nature  is  his  friend.  But  when — as  during 
the  last  two  months  in  Scotland — this  radiant 
picture  of  steadfast  growth  and  perfect  evolu- 
tion is  entirely  reversed;  when  the  heavens 
are  almost  continually  darkened,  and  there 
is  more  than  an  abundance  of  cold  and  cheer- 
less rain ;  when  for  days  there  is  not  a  smile 
of  sunshine  to  brighten  the  foliage,  or  revive 
the  drooping  flowers ;  then  the  penalties  of 
horticulture  begin  to  appear.  Calamities,  it 
has  been  said,  seldom  come  singly,  and  it  is 
chiefly  when  suffering  from  such  conditions 


of  earth  and  atmosphere,  excessive  moisture, 
and  winter-like  depression,  that  the  "  mon- 
strous regiment  "  of  insects,  aided  materially 
by  rats  and  voles,  begin  their  operations, 
seeking  assiduously  amid  our  fairest  floral 
treasures  what  they  may  devour.  Little 
wonder  that  before  the  insidious  attacks  of 
such  enemies  as  these  the  patience  of  the 
horticulturist  becomes  exhausted ;  that  his 
exercise  of  the  high  qualities  of  faith,  and  of 
perseverance  in  the  garden,  seems  utterly 
in  vain  ;  his  thoughts  on  such  occasions,  in- 
stead of  being  reverential,  are  almost  pro- 
fane. In  a  single  night  his  culinary  Peas 
(though  coated  carefully  with  red  lead  before 
being  hopefully  committed  to  the  well-pre- 
pared ground),  entirely  disappear,  eaten 
down  by  their  ravenous,  nocturnal  foes. 
Perhaps  his  saddest  reflection  is  this  :  that 
he  lias  not  the  pleasure  of  shooting  these 
antagonists,  which,  as  soon  as  they  hear  him 
entiling  his  earthly  paradise,  like  the  tent- 
lifting  Arabs  in  Longfellow's  poem,  "  silently 
steal  away."  I  write  these  words  from  sad 
and  stern  experience,  and  I  feel  that  thou- 
sands of  horticulturists  at  this  moment, 
touched  with  a  feeling  for  their  own  garden 
adversities,  could  effectively  do  the  same. 

Entomology  is  an  extremely  attractive  sub- 
ject for  the  scientific  specialist,  who  revels  in 
the  study  of  insect  life;  but  to  the  cultivator 
it  is  not  quite  so  inspiring.  lie  beholds 
with  emotions  akin  to  despair  the  tender 
leaves  of  his  finest  Plums  and  Cherries 
.almost  wholly  destroyed;  his  Oriental 
Lilies  decline  to  "rise  to  the  occasion" 
when  the  vernal  season  comes,  because 
their  precious  bulbs  have,  by  the  secret 
agencies  of  pernicious  pests,  been  secretly 
consumed;  and  he  is  utterly  impotent, 
for  the  prevention  of  such  evils  is 
beyond  his  utmost  power.  Nor  are  his  quite 
involuntary  entomological  studies  more  edify- 
in-  to  the  ardent  rosarian;  he  cannot  con- 
template without  visible  emotion  the  tender, 
richlv-coloured  flower-shoots  cf  his  Rose 
trees,  rendered  useless  by  gre<  n-flies,  whose 
most  notable  characteristic  is  their  power  of 
multiplication ;  he  cannot  overlook,  with  all 
his  tenderness,  the  dissimulation  of  the  cater- 
pillar, as  he  hides  himself  by  day  between  two 
closely-folded  leaves;  like  a  burglar,  says 
Dean  Hole,  who  conceals  himself  in  the 
shrubbery,  before  making  a  nocturnal  attack 
upon  the  silver  in  the  dining-room. 

It  is  manifest,  therefore,  that  the  affirma- 
tion of  Wordsworth,  "  Nature  never  did 
betray  the  heart  that  loved  her,"  is  not 
always  expressive  of  horticultural  conviction. 
Especially  in  such  a  season  as  we  have  re- 
cently experienced,  the  stern  reverse  is  true. 
Nevertheless,  amid  all  atmospheric  and  earth- 
born  tribulation  shall  we  cherish  the  secret 
sunlight  of  cheerfulness  and  hope ;  for  as  one 
of  our  greatest  moralists  (and  satirists)  has 
said  :  "  Man  never  is,  but  always  to  be  blest. '• 
David  R.  Williamson,  Manse  of  KirkmaiJcn, 
Wigtoivnshire. 

MONREITH. 

IN  the  south-west  of  Scotland,  in  that 
peninsula  of  Wigtownshire  which  ter- 
minates in  the  bold  promontory  of  Bur- 
row Head,  lies  the  beautiful  estate  of  Mon- 
reith, for  centuries  the  home  of  the  Maxwells 
of  that  ilk,  and  now  the  property  of  the  Right 
Honourable  Sir  Herbert  Maxwell,  Bart. 


It  was  with  pleasurable  anticipations  that 
the  writer  made  his  way  to  Monreith  recently, 
although  the  weather  was  of  the  most  un- 
propitious  kind  and  there  seemed  no  prospect 
of  even  a  gleam  of  sunshine. 

The  mansion  of  Monreith  is  one  of  those 
comfortable  country  houses  belonging  to  the 
period  which  terminated  the  eighteenth  cen- 
tury,  and  it  is  situated  some  little  distance 
from  an  old  tower  which  is  all  that  remains 
of  the  ancient  castle  of  the  family,  and  in 
which  King  James  IV.  once  passed  a 
night.  Although  the  exterior  is  comparatively 
plain,  it  is  made  picturesque  by  rambling  and 
climbing  plants. 

From  the  library,  direct  access  is  provided 
by  a  French  door  and  a  flight  of  steps,  to  the 
garden  front.  The  old  garden  is  situated  at 
the  castle,  but  gradually  the  gardens  at  the 
present  mansion  are  being  extended  and 
beautified  in  a  most  charming  manner. 

Beneath  the  windows  are  simple  rock-beds 
filled  with  the  best  Alpine  flowers,  such  as 
the  spring-flowering  Phlox,  Androsace, 
Corydalis,  Campanula,  Dianthus,  and  ether 
choice  flowers  of  the  kind.  They  are,  as  a 
whole,  doing  admirably,  and,  low  as  is  the 
elevation,  they  are  generally  thriving  better 
than  in  most  -aniens.  Facing  to  the  south- 
west, these  beds,  which  consist  of  low 
mounds,  almost  level,  with  stones  here  and 
thi  '  i  ellent  for  the  purpose. 

Below  the  terrace,  and  a  little  in  front  of  it, 
a  wall  garden  has  been  constructed  from 
rough  stones  found  on  the  estate  to  take  the 
place  of  steep,  grass-covered  terraces. 

Above  this  wall  is  a  border  planted  with 
some  good  Cisti,  Veronicas,  and  other  shrubs 
of  low  growth,  while  the-  wall  itself  is  being 
gradually  furnished  with  flowering  plants, 
and  it  is  of  much  interest  to  observe  the  be- 
haviour of  some  plants  which  are  not  hardy 
when  planted  on  the  level  ground.  Thus 
Onosma  taurica,  which  died  out  last  winter 
in  the  beds,  is  flourishing  on  the  wall,  al- 
though it  has  precisely  the  same  exposure. 
Another  plant  of  interest  in  this  connection  is 
Gerbera  Jamesoni,  which  has  survived  the 
past  winter  planted  in  this  wall,  and  was 
coming  into  flower.  In  gardens  where  it  is 
difficult  to  keep  this  plant  alive  during  the 
winter  it  may  well  be  tried  in  the  same 
position  as  at  Monreith.  Incarvillea  grandi- 
flora,  Saponaria  Boisseri,  and  other  suitable 
Alpine  plants  were  observed  in  this  capital 
example  of  wall-gardening.  The  wall-garden 
is  to  be  extended,  and  there  is  a  continuation 
of  the  grass  banks  on  either  side  which  will 
afford  a  variety  of  position.  Among  other 
plants  observed  on  the  wall  or  the  rock  gar- 
den, and  close  to  the  house,  were  some  of  the 
best  Lithospermums,  including  the  species 
Gastoni,  prostratum,  graminifolium,  &c,  a 
number  of  Belladonna  Lilies  (rarely  seen  in 
the  open  in  this  part  of  Scotland),  Hypericum 
fragilis,  H.  reptans,  Cheiranthus  mutabilis, 
Ramondias,  and  many  more. 

The  flower  garden  at  Monreith  is  of  the 
most  delightful  character,  and  is  composed 
of  beds  and  borders  cut  in  the  grass  or  among 
the  borders  of  shrubs  and  trees  which  sur- 
round the  mansion  and  protect  it  from  the 
strong  sea  breezes.  One  can  wander  among 
bays  in  the  trees  and  shrubs  and  continually 
observe  some  new  feature  of  pleasure  in  the 
shape     of     herbaceous     plants     or     shrubs 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[July  6,  1907.- 


arranged  informally,  in  large  groups  as  a 
rule.  The  collection  of  hardy  plants  is  an  ex- 
tremely good  one.  There  are  bold  groups  of 
Funkias ;  Oriental  and  other  Poppies ; 
Asphodels,  Anthericums ;  Phloxes,  Gera- 
niums, Lupins,  Ononises  (O.  rotundifolia 
being  very  good  indeed  for  the  district), 
Libertias,  Orchis  foliosa,  Cypripediufns,  such 
as  C.  spectabile  (not  very  long  lived  here) ;  C. 
Calceolus,  and  others.  Large  masses  of 
Trillium  grandiflorum  were  doing  splendidly, 
and  the  flowers  were  probably  finer  than  I 
have  before  seen  them.  The  group  figured  in 
the  Gardeners'  Chronicle,  June  22nd  last, 
p.  412,  was  especially  fine.     Primula  japonica 


niums,  Irises,  and  many  other  things,  gener- 
ally arranged  with  taste  and  having  a  charm- 
ing effect  with  their  settings  of  green  turf 
and  the  beautiful  shrub  and  tree  life  about 
and  around  them.  Eremuri  are  not  doing 
well  at  Monreith  this  season. 

Trees  and  Shrubs. 
One  is  at  a  loss  to  know  which  of  the 
shrubs  to  select  for  mention.  For  many  years 
Monreith  has  been  noted  for  these,  and  the 
collection  is  always  being  added  to  from  new 
or  rare  species  and  varieties  as  they  come  into 
commerce.  Rhododendrons  were  very  effec- 
tive at  the  time  of  my  visit.    There  are  many 


ing  their  surroundings.  Of  other  shrubs 
there  were  noted  Andromedas  ;  Ozothamnus 
rosmarinifo'ius  (growing  splendidly),  the 
tender  Embothrium  coccineum,  which  I  was 
glad  to  find  here ;  the  beautiful  Edwardsia  or 
Sophora  tetraphylla,  in  flower  on  the  walls 
and  thriving  happily ;  Chionanthus  vir- 
ginicus,  Akebia  quinata,  Cordyline  australis, 
Cassinia  fulvida,  Indigofera  Gerardiana,  En- 
kianthus  japonicus,  Pittosporums,  Hydrangea 
arborea,  Lespedeza  cyrtobotrva,  many  good 
Berberises,  including  a  specimen  of  B.  buxi- 
folia  13  feet  high  and  90  feet  in  circumfer- 
ence, referred  to  in  this  journal  on  June  22nd, 
p.   412 ;  Xanthoteras    sorbifolia,    and    many 


CARDCHROrJ 


FlG.    I. — D1PELTA   FL0R1BUNDA,    A    HARDY    SHRUB. 
A,  lateral  pelta  ;  B,  flower  showing  abortive  bract ;  C,  portion  of  corolla  removed  to  show  stamens  and  pistil.    (See  text,  pnge  3.) 


was  very  fine  both  in  the  woods  and  in  the 
borders.  Many  noble  plants  of  Phormium, 
which  flower  well,  are  here.  I  also  saw  the 
beautiful  Rodgersia  aesculifolia  and  R. 
pinnata,  and  a  number  of  Liliums,  such  as  L. 
rubellum,  L.  giganteum,  of  which  there  are 
many  plants  of  various  sizes,  but  few  bloom- 
ing this  year;  L.  pomponium  rubrum,  L. 
pardalinum,  L.  chalcedonicum,  apparently 
slightly  attacked  with  disease ;  L.  mona- 
delphum,  L.  auratum,  and  others,  generally 
in  splendid  condition.  These  borders  were 
,-i1m>  furnished  with  Spiraeas  and  Astilbes, 
iis,     Tropieolum     polyphyllum,     Delphi- 


beautiful  hybrid  Rhododendrons,  but  Sir  Her- 
bert Maxwell  has  more  appreciation  for  the 
Himalayan  and  other  species,  which  generally 
do  so  well  here,  that  commoner  kinds  are  be- 
ing largely  superseded  by  these  grand  shrubs. 
Great  masses  of  R.  ponticum  which  have 
been  in  the  woods  for  years  past  are  being 
cut  out  and  the  Himalayan  species  and  other 
choice  shrubs  and  trees  are  being  planted  in 
their  stead.  Specimens  of  such  fine  Rhodo- 
dendrons as  R.  arboreum,  R.  campanulatum, 
R.  Falconeri,  R.  cinnabarinum,  finely  in 
flower;  R.  barbatum,  and  many  more  were 
seen  in  perfect  health,  and  evidently  enjoy- 


others.  A  critical  examination  of  the  trees  of 
greaser  size  would  have  occupied  a  whole  day, 
and  I  must  forbear  any  reference  to  them 
beyond  mentioning  the  great  number  and 
variety  of  these  in  the  vicinity  of  the  man- 
sion. 

The  old  garden  at  the  Castle,  now  un- 
necessary in  view  of  the  extensions  at  the 
mansion,  is  largely  laid  out  in  grass,  but  at 
an  earlier  time  the  flower  garden  must  have 
been  charming  with  the  old  building  looking 
down  upon  it.  Here  is  a  fine  row  of  Cypress<  s 
raised  from  seeds  brought  from  Italy  by  Sir 
Herbert  Maxwell. 


July  6,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS     CHRONICLE. 


The  Vegetable  and  Fruit  Gardens 
are  still  near  to  the  Castle,  and  here  I  found 
the  usual  requirements  of  an  establishment 
such  as  Monreith  well  cared  for.  As  a  whole, 
the  crops  promised  fairly  well.  An  interesting 
plant  here  is  the  progenitor  of  the  celebrated 
Castle  Kennedy  Fig.  The  vegetable  garden 
contains  the  usual  crops,  with  groups  of 
flowers  for  cutting,  and  many  seedlings  of 
hardy  plants,  such  as  Sparaxis  pendula, 
Phormium  tenax,  &c. 

The  glass  is  not  extensive,  but,  in  keeping 
with  the  rest  of  the  gardens,  is  admirably 
cared  for,  under  the  charge  of  Mr.  S.  Gordon, 
the  gardener. 

There  was  much  else  to  be  seen  in  passing 
through  the  grounds,  a  pretty  effect  being 
made  by  the  thousands  of  early-flowering 
bulbs.  Not  the  least  interesting  feature  is 
the  manner  in  which  plants  are  placed  in  bold 
groups  in  the  woods. 

Monreith  is  deeply  interesting  to  the  lover 
of  plants,  and  its  beauties  show  the  impress 
of  the  love  of  nature  possessed  by  Sir  Herbert 
Maxwell,  and  which  is  so  apparent  to  every 
reader  of  his  many  works.     5.  Arnott. 


NEW  OR  NOTEWORTHY 
PLANTS. 


DIPELTA   FLORIBUNDA* 

Three  species  of  the  genus  Dipelta  are  re- 
corded from  China,  namely,  D.  elegans,  Batalin  ; 
D.  yunnanensis,  Franch.  and  D.  floribunda, 
Maxim.  An  example  of  the  last-named  species 
has  recently  flowered  in  the  Coombe  Wood  nur- 
sery of  Messrs.  James  Veitch  &  Sons  for  the 
first  time  in  this  country. 

Dipelta  floribunda  is  a  handsome  deciduous 
shrub,  allied  to  Diervilla,  and  was  introduced 
to  cultivation  through  Mr.  E.  H.  Wilson,  who 
sent  living  roots  from  Central  China  to  Messrs. 
Veitch  in  1902,  and  in  1904  a  supply  of  seed  col- 
lected on  Mount  Wa,  in  Western  China. 

The  species  was  first  collected  around  Hans- 
chunfoo,  Shensi,  by  Dr.  Piatsetski,  a  Russian 
army  surgeon  attached  to  the  Sosnovski  expedi- 
tion to  China  1874-75,  and  on  his  specimens 
Maximowicz  founded  the  genus. 

Wilson  in  his  notes  describes  it  thus: — "A 
shrub  4  to  15  feet  high,  flowers  white  and  pink, 
woods  4,800  feet,  Wa  Shan." 

The  plant  at  Coombe  Wood  is  about  4  feet 
high,  and  in  habit  of  growth  and  general  appear- 
ance resembles  a  Diervilla  (Weigela).  The 
branches  are  covered  with  a  light-coloured  bark, 
which  peels  off  the  older  portions  of  the 
branches  ;  the  young  bark  is  reddish  brown. 

The  leaves  are  opposite  and  decussate,  ovate 
or  ovate-lanceolate,  acuminate,  3  to  3J  inches 
long  by  1  to  1J  inches  broad,  shortly  petiolate, 
covered  with  a  short  velvety  pubescence  on  both, 
surfaces  and  slightly  toothed  along  the  upper 
third  of  their  margins. 

The  flowers  are  produced  singly  in  the  axils  of 
the  leaves  or  in  racemes  composed  of  four 
flowers  terminating  short  growths  which  form 
along  the  whole  length  of  the  previous  year's 
shoot.  The  slender,  hairy  pedicels  are  about 
5  inch  long,  and  bear  at  the  base  two  small 
bracts.  The  calyx  is  composed  of  five  linear 
spreading  sepals  J  inch  long  and  attached  to 
the  sides  of  the  inferior  ovary  are  four  bracts, 
two  of  which,  the  anterior  and  posterior,  remain 
abortive,  whilst  the  two  lateral  ones  develop  into 
large  rounded  flattened  discs  (feltae)  attached 
at   the   centre. 

The  corolla  is  tubular,  about  \\  inch  long, 
narrowed  towards  the  base,  where  it  is  slightly 
spurred,  inflated  at  the  throat,  expanding  at  the 
mouth  into  a  two-lipped,  five-lobed  limb  ;  the  ex- 

•  Dipelta  floribunda,  Maxim.,  in  Mel.  Biol.  X.  (18771,  p.  78. 


terior  is  rose-pink,  passing  to  white  at  the  mouth  ; 
the  interior  is  white,  with  a  yellow  reticulation. 
The  stamens  are  four  in  number,  two  of  which  are 
long,  and  two  short ;  the  filaments  are  attached 
to  the  corolla  tube,  the  anthers  dorsifixed.  The 
style,  about  f  inch  in  length,  is  terminated  by 
a  simple  stigma.  Both  stamens  and  pistil  are 
enclosed  in  the  corolla  tube.  According  to  the 
Index  Flora  Sinensis,  the  fruit  is  said  to  be  an 
edible,   red  berry. 

Plants  have  been  growing  at  Coombe  Wood 
in  the  open  without  any  protection  since  1902, 
and  appear  to  be  perfectly  hardy.  The  dried 
specimens  collected  by  Wilson  show  that  the 
plant  is  extremely  floriferous  in  its  native 
habitat,  and  no  doubt,  when  distributed,  it  will 
form  an  important  addition  to  our  hardy  orna- 
mental  spring-flowering   shrub.      H.   Sfooner. 

ODONTOGLOSSUM     x     KEN'CHII. 
(O.    Kegeljani    x    O.    Wilckeanum,   vak. 

Mossi.e.) 
This    interesting    and    beautiful    hybrid    has 
been  raised  by  Mr.   Christopher  Kench,   Orchid 
grower  to  J.    S.    Moss,    Esq.,   Wintershill   Hall, 


Fig.  2. — magnolia  campeellii  flowering  in 
leo.nardslee  gardens,  SUSSEX. 

Bishop's  Waltham,  Hants,  and  is  dedicated  to 
him. 

The  parents  were  crossed  in  1900,  seeds  were 
sown  in  1901,  ajnd  O.  Kenchii  bloomed  in 
May,  1907.  This  long  record  is  of  one  of 
the  early  attempts,  for  later  crosses  will  bloom 
in  a  shorter  period. 

To  clearly  describe  the  hybrid  I  must  first 
describe  the  pollen  parent,  which  is  probably  not 
a  true  Wilckeanum,  but  a  cross  from  O.  crispum 
and  O.  Wilckeanum.  In  form  it  is  much  like 
O.  Wilckeanum  albens,  but  has  a  bright  yellow 
ground,  with  rosy-tinted  back ;  its  sepals  are 
marked  with  the  usual  blotch  and  two  inferior 
large  spots,  also  marginal  spots.  The 
petals  have  a  few  large  spots  loosely  scattered 
over  the  median  area,  and  the  peculiar  "eye- 
brows" of  O.  Wilckeanum  albens  arranged 
round  their  edges.  The  lip,  which  is  oblong 
in  form  and  yellow  in  colour,  has  one  central 
large  spot,  and  a  few  more  below  it  at  each 
side.  The  seed  bearer  was  a  good  form  of  O. 
Kegeljani. 


In  form,  the  flowers  of  the  hybrid  are  almost 
similar  to  the  pollen  parent,  the  segments  being 
a  little  more  "  stalked  "  at  the  bases,  as  in  O. 
Kegeljani. 

Its  ground  colour  is  a  rich  chrome-yellow, 
with  a  rose-tinted  back,  the  rose  uniting  with 
the  yellow  and  showing  through  to  the  front. 
The  sepals  have  the  blotch  of  both  parents, 
and  some  basilar  marks  around  the  column  ; 
the  tips  of  the  lower  sepals  are  much  spotted 
and  stained  ;  they  also  have  the  marginal  spot- 
ting, though  undeveloped  at  present.  The  petals 
have  only  a  very  few  minute  spots  in  their 
median  areas,  but  the  "  eyebrows "  are  very 
distinct  in  a  line  of  very  small  spots.  The 
lip  is  large  and  oblong,  white,  slightly  yel- 
lowish ;  it  has  a  large  horseshoe-shaped  brown 
blotch  across  its  centre,  the  remaining  portion 
being  unspotted.  The  shell-like  shape  of  O. 
Kegeljani's  lip  has  been  overcome  by  O. 
Wilckeanum.  The  crest  and  column  are  in- 
termediate between  the  parents. 

This  plant  has  not  nearly  attained  its  full  de- 
velopment, and  will  be  a  very  beautiful  hybrid 
after  acquiring  greater  strength.  It  may  be 
termed  a  "  sunset  "-coloured  flower.  O.  Kegeljani 
has  been  much  neglected  by  hybridists,  but  it 
only  needs  a  couple  of  good  hybrids  to  appear, 
in  order  to  create  a  sudden  demand  for  it ;  the 
shade  of  yellow  in  its  flowers  is  very  effective, 
and  ought  not  to  be  overlooked.  De  B.  Craw- 
shay.  

MAGNOLIA  CAMPBELLII. 
This  somewhat  tender,  but  handsome  species 
is  of  very  shy-blooming  habit  in  most  districts, 
but  especially  in  the  neighbourhood  of  London  ; 
consequently,  when  flowers  obtained  from  a  tree 
growing  in  Sir  Edmund  Loder's  garden  at  Leon- 
ardslee,  Sussex,  were  exhibited  at  a  meeting  of 
the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  in  April  last, 
they  created  much  interest.  A  photograph  of  the 
tree  in  flower  (see  fig.  2)  has  been  kindly  sent  us 
by  Mr.  W.  A.  Cook,  the  gardener  at  Leonardslee, 
and  it  shows  well  the  shy-flowering  character  of 
the  species.  It  is  the  first  occasion  on  which  the 
tree  at  Leonardslee  has  flowered,  although  it 
is  a  specimen  nearly  20  feet  in  height.  In  some 
of  the  warmest  counties,  however,  it  flowers 
with  more  freedom,  and  in  a  mild  season  a 
few  years  since,  a  plant  in  Mr.  Gumbleton's 
garden  at  Belgrove  in  the  county  of  Cork  pro- 
duced as  many  as  147  blooms,  which  opened 
freely.  The  individual  flowers,  one  of  which 
we  reproduce  at  fig.  3,  are  globular  in  shape, 
and  very  delicately  scented.  The  petals  are  a 
rich  shade  of  rose-pink  on  the  exterior,  and 
creamy  white  inside,  with  marginal  colour  :  the 
petals  are  wide  and  imbricate.  It  is  a  Sikkim 
species,  and  was  figured  in  the  Botanical  Maga- 
zine, 1885,  tab.  6793. 


THE   COUNTRY    GARDEN. 

Although  wild  flowers  are  plentiful  outside 
the  garden,  yet  it  seems  to  me  that  nowhere 
is  an  illustration  of  wild  gardening  more  suit- 
able, artistic,  or  beautiful  than  in  a  country  gar- 
den. There  are  often  outlying  portions  that  lend 
themselves  with  picturesque  adaptability  for  this 
purpose,  and  with  careful  planting  these  wild 
quarters  may  become,  as  it  were,  beautiful 
"Nature"  gardens,  and  no  other  portions  will 
compare  with  them  for  ingratiating  and  subtle 
delight  to  those  who  know  them.  In  a  wild 
garden  one  loses,  or  should  lose  if  it  is  to  be 
worthy  of  its  name,  the  sense  of  formality  and 
the  artificial  conditions  that  are  inseparable 
from  the  ordinary  beds  and  borders,  and 
gains  a  charming  and  distinct  feature  to  act  as 
a  foil,  and  to  enhance  the  charm  and  beautiful 
orderliness  that  is  in  the  more  prominent  and 
formal  portions  of  the  garden.  I  do  not  think 
that  the  advantages  of  various  special  and  dis- 
tinct features  in  a  garden  can  be  too  often  in- 
sisted upon,  and  the  wild  portion  may  be  made 
one  of  particular  and  peculiar  value 


THE    GARDENERS     CHRONICLE. 


[July  6,  1907. 


So  far  as  conditions  go,  I  am  inclined  to  think 
that  a  sparsely-wooded  plot  of  ground  is  of  all 
things  to  be  desired ;  and,  if  there  be  fairly 
•wide  spaces  that  the  sun  can  reach,  so  much 
larger  will  be  the  range  of  plants  that  can  be 
grown.  In  planning,  and  in  planting  a  wild 
garden,  some  people  are  too  ready  to  consider 
the  requirements  of  woodland  flowering  plants, 
and  to  forget  the  claims  of  plants  that  are  sun- 
lovers  and  rock-lovers.  They  colonise  bulbous 
plants,  and  forget  how  beautiful  are  the  Rock- 
roses  (Cistus)  and  the  Toadflax  (Linaria),  and 
Lady's  Bedstraw  (Calium)  in  the  wild  garden 
where  the  site  is  open,  and  where,  at  the  same 
time,  they  can  be  made  to  look  in  harmony 
and  keeping  with  other  subjects  of  the  wild 
portion. 

We  certainly  cannot  afford  to  neglect  flower- 
ing trees  and  shrubs  here.  To  take  but  a  few 
of  our  native  varieties,  the  curious  growth  of 
Whitethorn  is,  quite  apart  from  the  beauty  of 
rts  blossom,  most  picturesque.  The  wild  Guel- 
der Rose  is  charming  enough  at  its  flowering 
season,  but  every  whit  as  pleasing  when  it  looks 
like  a  burning  bush  of  crimson  foliage.  A  wild 
Crab  Tree  is  a  spring  joy  not  easily  forgetable  ; 
and  the  Spindle  Wood  (Euonymus  europaeus), 
inconspicuous  so  far  as  its  -blossom  is  con- 
cerned, yet  produces  seed  vessels  that  present 
an  unique  combination  of  colouring,  for  the 
"  arillus  "  is  coloured  brilliant  orange  in  a  set- 
ting of  intense  rose  colour ;  scattered  specimens 
of  Broom  and  Gorze  have  their  own  value,  and 
there  are  Honeysuckles   and   Sweet   Briers ! 

I  once  saw  an  attempt  at  a  wild  garden  that 
was  pitiful,  not  because  there  were  but  few 
plants,  but  oecause  the  maker  of  it  had  been 
content,  in  the  majority  of  cases,  with  just  a 
plant  or  two  of  the  different  sorts.  Here,  an 
isolated  stem  arose  of  Solomon's  Seal,  there  a 
single  Foxglove,  or  a  lonely  Fern.  No  wild 
quarter  was  ever  properly  planted  in  that 
fashion.  'Nature  preaches  generosity,  lavish- 
ness,  profusion,  and  in  planting  a  wild  garden, 
it  is  one  of  the  elements  of  success  to  plant 
with  bieadth  and  prodigality.  Drifts  of  Wood 
Anemones,  wide  stretches  of  wild  Hyacinths, 
blue  masses  of  Violets,  and  these  with  Fox- 
gloves, Heather,  Primroses,  and  many  another. 

I  am  thinking,  to-day,  only  of  native  plants, 
though  a  number  of  aliens  are  eminently  suit- 
able to  combine  and  use  in  harmony  with  our 
own  wildings,  and  some  of  these  I  shall  hope  to 
mention  in   a  future  article. 

There  are  few  plants  more  decorative  in  the 
wild  garden  than  Doronicum  Pardalianches.  It 
is  the  latest  of  all  the  Doronicums  to  flower — this 
native  species — so  that  we  may  count  it  a  sum- 
mer flower,  and  I  need  hardly  say  that  it  is  far 
more  difficult  to  have  an  effective  summer  gar- 
den where  there  is  considerable  shade  to  con- 
tend with,  than  it  is  during  the  spring.  But  D. 
Pardalianches  will  flourish  under  partial  shade, 
and  it  has  the  virtue  of  flowering  over  a  very 
long  period.  To  all  makers  and  lovers  of  wild 
gardens  it  is  indispensable.  It  grows  and 
flourishes  almost  anywhere,  and  the  clear, 
bright,  yellow  flowers  are  remarkably  pleasing. 
This  plant  is  a  wilding,  and  therefore  we  must 
not  expect  from  it  flowers  of  the  size  or  even 
textuie  of  such  garden  varieties  as  D.  planta- 
gineum  excelsum.  Let  us  take  it  for  what  it  is 
— a  beautiful  English  flower,  attaining  a  height 
of  3  feet,  and  flowering  from  the  middle  of 
May  well  on  into  July. 

Where  there  will  not  be  the  danger  of  it 
smothering  other  plants,  a  free  hand  can  be 
used  in  planting  Asperula  odorata — the  Wood- 
ruffe.  This  will  grow,  and  not  only  grow  but 
flower,  under  the  densest  shade — even  the  shade 
of  a  copse  of  Horse  Chestnut  trees,  but  I  cer- 
tainly would  not  establish  it  anywhere  near 
Wood  Anemones,  or  even  Primroses,  so  ram- 
pant does  it  grow.  But,  where  other  good 
plants  are  absent,  and  as  a  splendid  check 
to  the  growth  of  ordinary  weeds,  it  is  invalu- 
able, and,  in  its  flowering  season,  daintily 
beautiful  to   a  degree.      Practical  Gardener. 


ORCHID    NOTES    AND   GLEANINGS. 


ORXITHIDIUM  MINIATUM. 

A  PLANT  of  this  singular  dimorphic  species  in 
the  interesting  group  of  rare  Orchids  arranged 
by  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence,  Bart.  (gr.  Mr.  W.  H. 
White),  in  front  of  the  chair  occupied  by  the 
Hon.  Walter  Rothschild,  in  presiding  at  the 
Anniversary  Festival  of  The  Gardeners'  Royal 
Benevolent  Institution  at  the  Hotel  Metropole 
on  June  26,  attracted  much  attention  by  reason 
of  its  extraordinary  growth,  or  rather  its  two 
distinct  kinds  of  growth.  The  basal  or  non- 
flowering  part  had  ordinary  pseudo-bulbs  and 
leaves,  as  in  many  Oncidiums,  from  which  arose 
leafy  growths  a  foot  or  more  in  height  and  with- 
out pseudo-bulbs,  the  numerous  bright  red 
flowers  being  produced  from  the  bases  of  the 
leaves  of  the  upper  part  of  the  shoot.  So  re- 
markable is.  the  difference  between  the  two 
kinds  of  growths  that  they  were  taken  by  some 
to  be  of  two  distinct  plants  potted  together. 

Two  pretty  specimens  of  the  orange-scarlet 
Dendrobium    Jerdonianum,    the    singular    little 


sent  by  D.  Campbell  Brown,  Esq.,  Bank  of 
Scotland  House,  Oban,  who  flowered  it,  and 
many  other  pretty  species  out  of  a  selection  sent 
him  by  a  friend  in  Burmah. 

The  variety  known  as  D.  moschatum,  the 
largest  form,  is  sent  by  Mr.  J.  Barnard,  Mos- 
tyn  Hall  Gardens,  Mostyn,  N.  Wales.  The 
inflorescence  is  nearly  one  foot  in  length,  and 
bears  ten  flowers,  each  nearly  3  inches  across, 
and  of  a  pleasing  nankeen-yellow  colour, 
slightly  tinged  with  carmine  on  the  sepals  and 
bearing  two  reddish  claret  blotches  at  the  base 
of  the  downy  labellum.  The  variety  cupreum 
has  flowered  with  Mr.  H.  A.  Tracy,  Amyand 
Park  Road,  Twickenham.  Its  flowers  are 
slightly  smaller  than  those  of  moschatum,  and 
of  a  coppery-orange  tint,  the  blotches  on  the  lip 
being  reddish-purple.  It  is  allied  to  D.  pulchel- 
lum,  Roxb.  (Dalhousianum),  the  pseudo-bulbs 
being  often  4  to  5  feet  in  height.  The  varieties 
are  of  easy  cultivation  if  the  plants  are  kept  in 
a  warm,  moist  house  while  the  new  pseudo- 
bulbs  are  forming,  and  rested  in  a  cool  and  dry 
atmosphere  after  the  completion  of  growth. 


Fig.  3. — flower  of  magnolia  campbellii  :   colour  rich  rosy-pink,  with  cream- 
coloured  INTERIOR.      (For  text  see  page  3.) 


Odontoglossum  stellatum,  Cirrhopetalum  gracil- 
limum,  Bulbophyllum  Lobbii,  a  pretty  white 
Octomeria,  Cryptophoranthus  Dayanus,  with 
its  many  singular  flowers  ;  Barkeria  spectabilis, 
Hartwegia  purpurea,  Epidendrum  ochraceum 
and  many  other  singular  species,  including 
several  of  theV  lesser  Masdevallias  with  insect- 
like flowers,  were  also  in  the  arrangement 

DENDROBIUM    CALCEOLARIA    (SVN. 
CALCEOLUS). 

Flowers  of  this  pretty  and  variable  species 
have  been  sent  by  several  correspondents,  three 
of  the  spikes  representing  the  extreme  varia- 
tions which  often  appear  under  other  specific 
names.  In  size  and  colour  they  are  perfectly 
distinct  for  garden  purposes,  yet  no  botanical 
feature  is  present  which  would  warrant  their 
separation,  and  all  have  an  odour  like 
new-mown  Hay,  always  remarked  in  this  pretty 
Burman  species,  and  which  is  very  pronounced 
in  the  whole  plant  when  dried. 

The  typical  form  which  has  flowers  rather 
smaller  than  the  others,  and  of  a  lighter 
shade  of  yellow,  with  deeper  purplish 
markings      in      the      calceolate      labellum      is 


THE    ROSARY. 


CULTURAL  NOTES  FOR  JULY. 

July  and  August  are  the  two  most  important 
months  in  the  year  for  the  propagation  of  Roses 
out-of-doors  by  budding,  and,  after  the  showers 
lately  experienced,  such  damp  conditions  with 
warm  sunshine  cannot  fail  to  produce  a  vigorous 
growth  in  both  stocks  and  floweiing  plants. 
Successful  budding  depends  in  a  measure  on 
the  scions  being  selected  from  well-matured 
flowering  wood,  and  in  like  manner  the  shoots 
to  be  budded  should  be  well  ripened,  and  the 
bark  of  both  should  open  freely.  The  strongest 
growths  near  the  top  of  standard  Briars  should 
now  be  in  a  suitable  condition  for  budding. 
Morning  and  evening  are  the  best  times  for  per- 
forming the  operation,  and  if  the  buds  are 
well  bound  with  suitable  material  they  will 
not  readily  perish.  If  the  standard  stocks 
are  not  quite  ready,  make  a  start  witn 
the  seedling  Briars,  and,  in  doing  so,  be  careful 
to  insert  the  buds  several  inches  below  the 
ground  line,  and  as  nearly  as  is  possible  on  the 
roots.  This  will  largely  prevent  suckers  spring- 
ing  up   from   the   base   of   the   stock. 

Rooted  Briar  cuttings  are  also  very  useful  as 
stocks,  but  I  find  they  do  not  carry  so  many 
fibrous  roots  as  the  seedlings,  nor  are  they  quite 


July  6,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


such  good  growers.  To  return  to  the  standards, 
be  careful  not  to  shorten  back  in  any  degree  the 
shoot  or  stem  that  is  budded  until  there  is  a 
complete  union  between  the  scion  and  the  stock.  v- 
The  bud  should  be  inserted  on  the  upper  side 
of  the  shoot,  and  as  near  to  the  main  stem  as 
is  possible  :  the  effect  of  this  will  be  that  a  more 
compact  "head"  will  be  formed.  In  budding 
standard  Roses  I  favour  a  longitudinal  incision 
only,  in  preference  to  the  T-shaped  cut,  as  the 
shoots  are  not  so  liable  to  break  from  wind  or 
other  causes.  It  may  be  found  that  in  some 
cases  the  bark  does  not  run  freely,  owing  to 
some  check  in  the  growth,  or  from  its  being  hide- 
bound. If  such  is  the  case,  the  best  plan  is  to 
cut  an  inch  or  two  off  the  end  of  the  shoot  to 
induce  lateral  growths  to  form  later  and 
thus  cause  the  sap  to  be  more  active. 
Budding  on  the  Manetti,  multifiora,  and 
other   stocks   can  be  proceeded  with  later.      At 


pests,  such  as  red  spider  and  aphis,  are  sure  to 
make  an  appearance.  These  must  be  kept  in 
check  by  an  occasional  syringing  of  clear  water 
or  an  approved  insecticide.  All  climbing  Roses 
of  the  Rambler  type  should  have  their  old  flower, 
ing  shoots  cut  away  when  blooming  is  over,  to 
make  room  for  the  young,  healthy  growth  pro- 
ceeding from  the  base  of  the  plants.  This  prac- 
tice is  also  applicable  in  a  less  degree  to  the 
Tea  and  Noisette  section  of  climbers,  but  the 
pruning  should  not  be  done  so  severely  in  their 
case.  If  they  are  in  pots,  a  weak  solution  of  guano 
or  Clay's  Fertiliser  will  stimulate  and  strengthen 
the  new  growths.  Roses  on  their  own  roots  and 
grafted  Roses  in  pots  plunged  outside  will  only 
require  such  attention  as  staking,  watering,  &c, 
until  the  autumn,  as  pointed  out  in  previous 
notes.  All  the  Tea  and  Hybrid  Tea  Roses 
that  have  been  forced  should  be  allowed  a  simi- 
lar rest  to  those  planted  out  under  glass,  and 


on  the  former  and  H.P.s  on  the  latter  stock. 
This  procedure  gives  a  clear  gain  of  a  season, 
besides  the  securing  of  some  of  the  choicer  and 
rarer  varieties  at  a  comparatively  trifling 
cost.     /.   D.   G. 

ROSA  RUGOSA  ROSERAI  DE  L'HAY. 

This  semi-double,  deep  brick-red-coloured 
variety,  which  was  raised  by  M.  Graverian  in 
1902  and  put  into  commerce  by  Cochet,  resem- 
bles the  varieties  raised  by  Dr.  Muller.  The 
female  parent  was  R.  rugosa  rubra.  The  plant 
is  of  very  strong  growth,  and  it  blooms  abun- 
dantly from  the  end  of  the  month  of  May  until 
the  autumn.  The  blooms  are  3-4  inches  in  dia- 
meter. As  a  hedge  plant  in  the  park,  or  along- 
side a  path,  or  as  a  single  specimen  or  group  on 
turf,  it  would  have  a  good  effect.  The  flowers 
bear  a  resemblance  to  R.  rugosa  Germanica,  but 
they  are  handsomer  and  of  darker  tint. 


[Photograph  by  F.  Mason  Good. 

Fig.  4. — rose  madame  plantier;  an  excellent  white-flowered  variety  for  pergolas. 


the  time  of  writing  these  notes  there  is  an 
abundant  rainfall,  and  this  will  keep  the  sap 
active  for  a  considerable  time,  but  before  the 
next  notes  are  written  hot,  dry  weather  may 
prevail,  and,  if  to  a  degree  sufficient  to  rapidly 
dry  the  ground,  or  the  bark  of  the  stocks, 
measures  must  be  taken  to  give  them  both  a 
thorough  soaking,  and  the  ground  a  mulching 
of  some  kind  a  few  days  previous  to  inserting 
the  buds;''  When  budding,  keep  the  ends  of  the 
shoots  furnishing  the  scions  in  a  can  of  water, 
and  soak  the  bast  or  other  tying  material  in 
water  before  using  it.  When  binding  the  bud, 
take  care  to  cover  the  incision  thoroughly,  but 
leave   the  bud   itself  free. 

Roses  that  are  planted  out  in  houses  must  be 
given  plenty  of  ventilation,  and  all  ventilators 
and  doors  should  be  left  open  night  and  day. 
Withhold  water  at  the  roots  entirely  for  a  period 
of  from  six  to  eight  weeks.  Owing  to  the  condi- 
tions under  which  the  plants  are  grown,  insect 


be  given  water  just  sufficient  to  keep  them  from 
flagging  until  they  are  pruned.  When  they 
begin  to  break  into  growth,  they  should 
be  re-potted  into  fresh  soil.  Now  and  onwards 
is  a  good  time  for  persons  intending  to  purchase 
Roses  for  autumn  delivery  to  visit  the  Rose 
shows  or  large  Rose  nurseries.  The  Roses  at  the 
Temple  Show  formed  a  fine  display.  Amongst 
the  best  climbers  were  Minnehaha,  Hiawatha, 
Kathleen,  Waltham  Rambler,  and  Dorothy  Per- 
kins. The  new  white  Rambler  Snowstorm  and 
the  Polyantha  Mile.  Lavavasseur  were  also  very 
effective  varieties.  Amongst  H.P.s,  Rev.  D.  R. 
Williamson  and  Dr.  Gordon  occupied  high  posi- 
tions. There  will  be  a  good  opportunity  of  pur- 
chasing later,  at  a  reasonable  price,  strong 
plants  of  new  and  choice  varieties  in 
pots  while  the  budding  season  is  on. 
Each  plant  should  have  two  or  three  well- 
ripened  shoots  that  can  be  worked  on  the  De  la 
Grifferie  or  Manetti  stocks  during  August :  Teas 


R.  RUGOSA  CALOCARPA. 
This  variety  was  raised  by  Bruant  in  1894 
from  a  cross  made  between  R.  rugosa  with  a 
variety  of  the  Bengal  Rose.  The  plant  is  an 
abundant  bloomer,  with  pure  rose-coloured  blos- 
soms, which  are  succeeded  by  an  enormous  crop 
of  fruits  which  hang  on  the  bush  for  a  great 
length  of  time.  It  is  admirably  adapted  for 
forming  a  hedge,  or  an  ornamental  specimen. 
Rosen-Zcilung,  June,  IQ07. 

ROSE  MADAME  PLANTIER. 
Of  all  the  newer  varieties  of  climbing  or 
pillar  Roses,  few  surpass  in  beauty  this  old 
favourite,  which  is  greatly  admired  for  its  pure 
white  flowers.  A  reference  to  our  illustration  at 
fig.  4  will  show  better  than  we  can  describe 
the  exceptional  wealth  of  flowers  which  this 
Rose  produces  when  afforded  a  position  suit- 
able to  its  requirements. 


THE     GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


[July  6,  1907. 


AMERICAN    IRISES. 

(Concluded  from  page  417.) 
I.  Hartwegii. — This  plant  will  challenge  the 
cultivator's  best  skill  and  finally  disappear.  It 
is  a  very  attractive  plant,  with  slender  leaves  of 
a  greyish  tint  produced  in  dense  thickets.  The 
flowers  are  4  inches  across,  coloured  pale  yellow 
with  lanceolate  falls,  horizontally  poised.  The 
standards  are  erect  and  nearly  as  large  as  the 
falls.  The  plant  is  capable  of  lingering  for  a 
few  years  in  a  pot  under  cool  house  treatment, 
but  is  quite  an  intractable  plant  in  the  open 
garden. 

I.  lacustris. — A  small-flowered  species,  with 
broadly  fan-shaped  leaf  clusters  6  inches  high, 
and  a  succession  of  lilac-crested  flowers  that  are 
somewhat  smaller  than  Iris  cnstata  but  similarly 
coloured.  It  is  pretty  but  very  difficult  to 
manage.     It  is  essentially  a  rock  plant. 

I.  longipetala. — This  species  and  its  varia- 
tions afford  a  type  of  Iris  that  is  equal  to  the 
best  for  cultivation  in  the  flower  border.  The 
root-stock  is  a  vigorous  rhizome  that  branches 
freely.  The  leaves  are  2  feet  long,  narrow, 
erect,  and  pointed  at  the  tips.  The  flowers  are 
borne  in  threes  on  slender,  erect,  rarely  flexuose 
stems,  and  they  are  as  elegant  as  they  are  beau- 
tiful. The  fall  petals  are  horizontally  poised, 
broadly  spathulate  or  lanceolate,  and  6  inches 
long.  The  standards  are  shorter  and  narrower, 
and  are  erectly  held,  and  the  margins  of  both 
are  undulating.  The  colour  is  mainly  lilac, 
deeper  as  regards  the  standards,  but  the  falls  are 
paler  and  have  a  most  elaborate  veining  of  deep 
lilac  over  every  part  of  the  surfaces.  There  is  a 
slight  orange  suffusion  at  the  bend  of  the  blade 
and  some  yellow  down  the  claw.  A  very  lovely 
species  which  must  be  seen  to  be  fully  appre- 
ciated. 

The  variety  montana  is  smaller  in  all  its  parts, 
and  the  leaves  are  shorter.  This  plant  is  the 
I.  longipetala  of  gardens,  and  the  variety 
superba,  also  of  gardens,  is  typical  of  longipetala. 
There  are  several  forms  in  cultivation,  but  none 
is  worthy  of  a  distinct  name.  Ordinary  soil  and 
the  treatment  of  common  border  plants  suffices 
to  keep  this  lovely  Iris  in  good  health. 

I.  macrosiphon. — A  rare  species  of  surpassing 
beauty  and  very  variable.  The  leaf  growth  is 
that  of  I.  bracteata,  and  the  flowers  differ  only 
in  their  colour  scheme  and  in  the  greater  length 
of  the  falls.  The  stems  average  9  inches  in 
height ;  the  flowers  exceed  6  inches  in  diameter 
and  vary  in  colour  trom  pale  to  deep  purple- 
violet  in  some  varieties,  and  from  lilac  to  buff- 
yellow  in  others.  All  have  the  characteristic 
long,  drooping  falls.  It  is  a  very  difficult  plant 
to  grow  successfully  in  a  plant  border,  but  would 
succeed  wedged  between  stones  on  the  rockery 
where  ample  drainage  is  possible.  The  variety 
flava  is  a  pale  yellow  selection. 

I.  MlSSOURIENSIS  (I.  TOLMIEANA). — This 
species  is  a  useful  and  attractive  plant  of  proved 
garden  worth,  and  one  that  can  be  recommended 
for  planting  in  borders.  The  leaves  form  glossy 
thickets,  and  are  about  18  inches  high.  The 
flower-spikes  just  overtop  these  in  early  May, 
and  produce  a  quantity  of  blooms  agreeing  in 
shape  with  those  of  I.  longipetala  montana. 
The  falls  are  horizontally  poised,  and  are 
coloured  mainly  with  lilac.  The  general  aspect 
of  the  flower  is  that  of  a  poor,  short-petalled 
bloom  of  I.  longipetala,  with  a  whitish  signal 
patch  in  the  paler  varieties  and  yellow  in  the 
deeper-coloured  forms.  This  species  embraces  at 
least  10  forms  that  differ  considerably  from 
■  ii  li  nther  ;  some  are  so  close  to  certain  types  of 
I.  longipetala  that  the  only  guide  to  their  speci- 
fy 'lifference  is  their  periods  of  flowering,  which, 
in  the  case  of  I.  missouriensis,  is  a  fortnight  the 
earlier. 


I.  Tollong  is  a  hybrid  between  I.  missouri- 
ensis and  I.  longipetala.  Its  flowers  partake  of 
the  characters  of  the  latter  parent,  but  are 
smaller,  more  freely  produced,  and  they  precede 
I.   longipetala  in   flowering  by   ten   days. 

I.  prismatica  (I.  gracilis). — For  several  years 
I  had  under  cultivation  a  charming  miniature 
Iris  under  this  name.  It  has  leaves  just  a  foot 
high,  slender,  and  very  numerous.  The 
flowers  are  coloured  a  clear  violet  as  regards  the 
falls,  standards,  and  style  branches,  but  the 
blade  of  the  falls  is  contracted  and  coloured 
orange,  lined  with  blue.  Iris  graminea  is  akin 
to  this  plant  in  habit  and  colour  scheme,  but 
whereas  the  leaves  of  I.  graminea  hide  its 
flowers,  the  reverse  is  the  case  in  I.  prismatica, 
for  the  foliage  is  hidden  by  its  flowers.  A 
desire  to  increase  this  plant  by  division  of  the 
clumps  proved  disastrous,  for  the  plants  all  died. 
It  is  a  very  charming  Iris,  not  markedly  showy 
individually,  but  the  flowers  are  exquisitely 
formed  and  coloured. 

I.  Purdyi. — This  is  a  vigorous  plant  of  recent 
introduction,  and  one  whose  flowers  resemble 
those  of  I.  versicolor  in  shape,  but  are  coloured 
a  rich  blue  and  are  singularly  true  to  colour. 
The  leaves  are  slender,  grass-like,  erect,  and  are 
arranged  in  fan-shaped  clusters  of  from  10  to  12. 
The  stems  exceed  1  foot  in  height,  and  bear 
several  flowers  each.  The  falls  are  coloured 
pale  blue  with  violet  margins,  and  a  patch  of 
white  occurs  at  the  bend  of  the  blade.  The 
standards  are  half  the  size  of  the  falls,  and  the 
whole  flower  averages  4  inches  in  diameter.  It 
is  a  very  showy  plant,  easy  of  culture,  and  suit- 
able for   the   plant  border. 

I.  setosa  (I.  brachycuspis),  a  native  of 
Eastern  Siberia,  has  one  Canadian  offshoot  in 
its  variety  canadensis.  The  type  plant  has  all 
the  characters  of  the  American  group,  and  may 
fittingly  be  known  and  described  with  them.  It 
has  broad,  deeply  green  leaves,  produced  in 
sturdy  fan-shaped  clusters ;  curious  flexuose 
stems  a  foot  high,  that  bear  three  to  four  flowers 
each,  in  which  the  standards  are  greaty  re- 
duced. The  broadly  spoon-shaped  falls 
are  drooping,  and  as  large  as  a  crown  piece ; 
they  are  coloured  a  rich  wine  purple,  while  the 
style  branches  have  a  purple-coloured  median 
line  on  a  greyish  ground  colour.  The  species 
grows  well  in  any  soil  of  good  tilth,  but  it 
resents  disturbance  at  its  roots.  The  Canadian 
form  has  narrower  falls,  and  the  colour  scheme 
is  altogether  paler,  with  a  larger  signal  patch 
of  white.  I  have  not  had  the  type  from 
Canada. 

I.  tenax. — Perhaps  the  most  tractable,  as  it 
is  the  most  beautiful,  of  all  the  American  Irises. 
The  leaves  grow  in  graceful  tufts,  and  are  2  feet 
or  more  long.  The  rhizomes  cross  and  recross 
in  the  manner  of  Twitch  and  take  complete  pos- 
session of  the  soil.  The  flowers  are  borne  on 
slender  and  nearly  straight  stems,  2  feet  long, 
and  are  coloured  rosy-lilac,  pale  lilac,  or  silvery 
grey  with  lilac  shading.  The  falls  are  sub-erect 
with  recurving  tips,  and  are  generally  one  or  two 
shades  deeper  in  colour  than  the  standards. 
The  margins  of  all  the  petals  are  daintily  waved, 
and  there  is  a  large  signal  patch  of  white 
elegantly  veined  with  rosy-purple.  This  species 
is  very  variable  in  colour,  but  the  form  of  the 
flower  is  practically  the  same  in  all.  This  Iris 
will  grow  well  anywhere  ;  the  only  soil  it  will 
not  succeed  in  is  one  of  wet  clay. 

I.  tridentata  (I.  tricuspis,  I.  tripetala,  I. 
Douglasii  pygmaea,  I.  Hookeri). — A  free-habited 
plant  that  grows  well  by  the  waterside  or  in 
some  other  damp  spot.  It  has  short  tufts  of 
deep    green,    and   very   broad    leaves    that     are 


practically  evergreen.  The  flowers  are  produced 
in  three's,  from  branching,  well-leaved  stems  that 
just  overtop  the  foliage,  and  they  are  coloured 
blue,  with  cloudy  markings  of  purple  on  the 
falls.  There  are  practically  no  standards,  for 
these  are  reduced  to  tiny  colourless  processes. 
The  blade  is  orbicular  in  shape,  2  inches  across,, 
and  the  bend  of  the  blade  and  the  claw  is  lined' 
with  purple,  white,  and  yellow.  The  style 
branches  are  coloured  pale  amethystine-blue  and 
they  are  much  depressed.  It  is  a  floriferous, 
showy,  and  attractive  plant,  suitable  for  the 
flower  border.  Iris  Hookeri,  considered  synony- 
mous with  I.  tridentata,  is  a  variety  of  the 
latter ;  the  vegetative  system  of  the  variety 
is  much  stronger,  and  approaches  in  habit  Iris 
siberica  orientalis,  but  with  no  standards. 

I.  verna.— A  very  pretty  plant  that  needs  a 
marsh  or  a  cool  recess  at  the  margin  of  a  rock- 
pool  for  its  accommodation.  It  has  a  running 
rhizome,  greyish-green  leaves  and  deep  blue 
fragrant  flowers,  which  measure  about  4  inches 
high  and  possess  a  very  remarkable  throat 
of  orange  colour.  It  is  one  of  the  gems  of  the 
world's  flora,  and  holds  a  position  among  grassy- 
Irises  similar  to  that  held  by  Gentiana  verna 
among  Alpine  plants.  It  is  an  old  plant,  but  still 
popular,  and  is  likely  to  continue  so  as  long 
as  gardens  exist. 

I.  versicolor. — A  very  variable  spec'es,  whose 
flowers  are  not  unknown  to  the  English  cot- 
tager. By  a  singular  inversion  of  the  circum- 
stances, the  variety  virginica  is  recognised  in  gar- 
dens as  the  species,  and  I.  versicolor  is  labelled 
as  a  variety  of  virginica.  It  is  the  commonest 
Iris  of  the  New  World,  and  extends  over  many 
of  the  States.  The  leaves  are  broad,  handsome, 
and  arranged  in  dense  thickets  ;  the  flowers  are 
produced  just  above  the  foliage  on  branched 
stems  2  feet  high,  each  stem  yielding  a  dozen  or 
more  flowers.  These  are  coloured  a  rich  wine- 
purple,  shading  to  carmine  at  the  bend  of  the 
blade,  from  whence  a  conspicuous  shaft  of 
white  runs  nearly  to  the  tips.  The  erect 
standards  are  half  the  size  of  the  falls,  and  they 
are  coloured  a  pale  claret-red.  The  style 
branches  are  white,  suffused  with  pale  purple. 
There  are  hundreds  of  forms  ;  in  fact,  collected 
seeds  yield  almost  as  many  varieties  as  plants : 
some  are  bad,  many  are  good.  A  few  have  dis- 
tinct names,  but  their  seedlings  may  surpass 
them.  The  following  are  the  best  known  varie- 
ties : — 

I.  v.  var.  virginica  (caurina).— A  purple-blue 
selection,  with  very  large  flowers :  quite  com- 
mon in  gardens. 

I.  v.  var.  kermesina.— A  glorified  form  of  the 
type  :  of  a  rich  wine  colour,  heavily  marked 
with  white  at  the  throat. 

I.  v.  var.  pulchella.— A  small  habited  plant, 
with  deep  violet-coloured  flowers.  All  are  free- 
growing  plants  that  one  can  group  by  the  water- 
side, in  the  flower  border,  or  plant  freely  in 
the  wild  garden.  They  produce  very  beautiful 
flowers  in  plenty,  but  the  easy-growing  character 
of  the  plants  has  admitted  of  their  being  used 
in  the  most  informal  parts  of  the  garden,  where 
they  are  often  compelled  to  battle  with  grasses 
for  their  living. 

There  is  much  to  admire  in  American  Irises, 
and,  although  some  are  "  weedy,"  and  others 
difficult  to  manage  successfully,  those  that  are 
good  and  easy  to  cultivate  give  unlimited  plea- 
sure. Of  all  the  Irises  it  is  my  pleasure  to  know, 
those  from  America  appeal  to  the  artistic  sense 
the  most ;  they  have  not  the  stature  of  Iris 
aurea  or  I.  Monnieri,  neither  have  they  the  huge 
flowers  of  I.  laevigata,  but  they  have  refinement, 
beauty  of  form,  and  artistic  colour  schemes  that 
equal,  if  they  do  not  surpass,  any  other  Irises 
in  these  respects.     George  B.  Mallett, 


July  6,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


LAYERING     STRAWBERRIES 

FOR     FORCING. 

The  first  essential  for  success  in  the  forcing 
of  Strawberries  is  to  have  strong,  healthy  run- 
ners, for  which  purpose  it  is  advisable  that  a 
few  rows  of  plants  be  grown  in  some  open  con- 
venient position  expressly  for  providing  layers. 
I  have  for  many  years  past  forced  large  quanti- 
ties of  Strawberries,  and  have  adopted  various 
means  for  obtaining  strong,  thoroughly-matured 
crowns  with  more  or  less  success.  At 
Burghley,  where  the  late  Mr.  R.  Gilbert  forced 
some  thousands  of  plants  annually,  the  plants 
weie  layered  direct  into  small  pots  that  were 
filled  with  good  loam  to  within  half  an  inch  of 
their  rims.  The  plants  were  afterwards  trans- 
ferred to  32-pots,  and  this  was  done  as  early 
in  the  season  as  possible.  The  results  were  ex- 
cellent, and  the  practice  is  a  common  one  with 
many  growers  of  early  Strawberries.  At  Long- 
ford, where  Strawberries  are  also  extensively 
forced,  I  found  the  runners  were  layered  direct 
into  their  fruiting  pots,  and  this  system  fur- 
nished equally  good  results.  I  have  repeatedly 
tried  the  two  methods,  and  have  found  that  the 
latter  system  saves  much  labour  and  gives 
equally  good  plants,  which  thus  receive  no 
check  after  they  have  been  pegged  to  the  soil. 
Last  season  my  plants  had  exceptionally 
plump  and  firm  crowns.  They  were  runners 
from  a  bed  in  which  the  rows  were  3  feet  apart, 
the  plants  being  placed  1  foot  apart  in  the  rows. 
The  flower  trusses  were  removed  as  they  ap- 
peared, and  the  stolons  were  pegged  direct  in 
the  fruiting  pots,  which  were  well  provided  with 
drainage  and  filled  to  within  half  an  inch  of 
their  rims  with  a  moderately  moist  and  suitable 
compost,  pressed  firm.  The  young  plants  grew 
rapidly,  and  soon  filled  the  pots  with  strong, 
healthy  roots,  and  by  the  end  of  the  season 
they  had  formed  fine  crowns  which  showed  no 
signs  of  mildew,  nor  were  the  leaves  spotted 
by  disease.  By  the  first  week  in  July  I  hope 
to  have  a  goodly  number  of  our  current  season's 
plants  layered,  and,  as  far  as  possible,  these 
will  be  layered  in  their  fruiting  pots.  The  pots 
and  well-drained,  and  the  soil  should  consist 
of  a  mixture  of  moderately  heavy  loam,  wood 
ashes,  a  little  decayed  manure,  and  a  sprink- 
ling of  soot.  When  filling  the  pots,  the  soil 
should  be  made  firm.  After  the  plants  have 
formed  sufficient  roots  they  should  be 
severed  from  their  parents,  and  be  stood  on  a 
layer  of  cool  ashes  in  a  position  where  the  sun 
can  reach  them.  During  dry  weather  ample 
water,  with  an  occasional  application  of  liquid 
manure,  should  be  supplied  the  roots,  and  the 
foliage  should  be  lightly  syringed.  All  runners 
and  weeds  should  be  kept  in  check.  The  variety 
Royal  Sovereign  forms  the  bulk  of  our  crop,  for 
although  other  varieties  have  been  tried  here, 
this  kind,  all  points  considered,  suits  us  the 
best.     H,  Markham,  W  rot  ham  Park,  Bar  net. 


NOTICES    OF     BOOKS. 


Fruit    Recipes.* 

In  this  comprehensive  work  the  reader  finds  in 
condensed  form  almost  everything  that  the  cook, 
housewife,  and,  to  some  degree,  the  manufac- 
turer of  preserved  fruit  products,  needs  to  know 
in  reference  to  the  preparation  of  fruit  for  the 
table — as  sauces,  jams,  preserves,  jellies,  mar- 
malade, pies,  tarts,  puddings,  creams,  souffles, 
pickled,  brandied,  and  spiced ;  as  wine,  chut- 
ney, as  vinegar,  and  the  thousand  and  one  ways 
in  which  civilised  mankind  prepares  fruit  for 
consumption. 

»  By  Rilev  M.  Fletcher-Berrv,  The  Orchard  of  Palms, 
Orlando.  Florida,  U.S.A.  Published  by  Messrs.  Archibald 
Constable  &  Co.,  Ltd.,  London  ;  4to.,  340  pp.  Price  7s.  Cd. 
net.     Illustrated. 


Not  alone  do  the  fruits  of  temperate  climates 
come  under  notice,  but  also  those  of  the  hottest 
parts  of  the  world  in  regard  to  their  preparation 
as  food  and  table  delicacies.  The  author  also 
relates  their  contents  in  potash  salts,  proteids, 
carbohydrates,  including  sugar  and  starches, 
phosphates,  acids,  and  water,  and  their  uses 
in  the  economy  of  the  human  body  in  health 
and  disease. 

The  author  states  in  the  preface  that  "  Each 
fruit  has  a  special,  and  some  of  the  general 
values  ;  some  of  them  meant  only  as  accessories 
to  other  foods,  as  a  rule  stimulants  and  puri- 
fiers, containing  chiefly  the  carbohydrates,  and 
must  be  balanced  by  fats,  nitrogen,  or  protein, 
and  fruits  containing  more  cellulose.  Some  fruits 
require  very  little  '  balancing,'  being  substan- 
tial and  nearly  perfect  in  themselves,  as  Figs, 
Prunes,  and  the  Cocoanut,  which  last,  when 
fresh,  should  be  ranked  rather  with  fruits  than 
nuts.  Of  such  are  the  Banana  and  the  Persim- 
mon, the  Grape  and  the  Apple."  "  Facts  con- 
cerning the  values  of  fruits  have  been  widely- 
scattered,  hidden  behind  masses  of  figures,  or 
buried  in  scientific  works.  Most  of  my  recipes 
are  original  or  long  since  adopted  and  adapted 
by  family  habit  or  traditions  of  cooking  of 
friends  Scotch,  English,  German,  and  Ameri- 
can." The  usefulness  of  the  work  cannot  be 
over-estimated,  "  for  the  results  of  these  investi- 
gations reach  people  who  might  never  be  reached 
in  any  other  way,  and  yet  influence  those  who 
have  every  other  opportunity  and  scientific 
authority  at  hand,  helping  to  simplify  everyday 
affairs." 

Most  of  the  recipes  are  such  as  apply  to 
American  fruits  or  to  those  exotic  ones  that  can 
be  successfully  cultivated  in  America.  We  may 
mention  a  few  of  the  more  important  fruits  of 
which  recipes  for  preparation  for  the  table  are 
given,  viz.,  Peaches  (including  the  curious 
Chinese  Peen-to),  Pineapples,  Persimmons, 
Mangosteen,  Sapodilla,  California!}  Olives, 
Prunes,  Tamarind,  Stringy  Mango,  Northern 
Papaw,  Loquat,  Pomegranate,  Apple,  Pear, 
Quince,  Currant,  and  Cherries.  The  Citrus 
genus  is,  perhaps,  treated  most  comprehensibly. 

At  the  end  of  the  volume  are  found  Reming- 
ton's Analyses  of  Fruits,  also  those  of  Wood 
and  Bache,  and  several  others.  The  book  is 
provided  with  a  copious  index. 

Flower  Decoration  in  the  House.* 
This  book  would  be  useful,  if  only  for  its 
charming  illustrations  of  vase  bouquets  made  of 
very  varied  materials,  and  which,  to  the  number 
of  57,  are  distributed  throughout  its  pages.  It 
occurs  to  the  reader  that  the  authoress,  in  her  dis- 
taste for  the  formal  and  the  regular  in  arranging 
flowers  and  foliage,  has  adopted  the  fanciful 
methods  of  the  Japanese,  who  excel  in  the  ar- 
rangement of  floral  decorations  in  the  house  and 
in  the  garden.  It  may  be  hoped  that  these 
methods,  with  modifications,  will  at  no  distant 
date  displace  the  old-fashioned  style  in  our 
country.  We  want  that  which  is  elegant  and 
artistic,  but  which,  unlike  the  styles  in  vogue 
on  the  Continent,  will  be  free  from  the 
ribbons,  mirrors,  and  other  fantastic  accessories 
so  common  in  some  forms  of  decoration.  The 
book  contains  descriptive  matter  abounding  in 
judicious  remarks  that  show  an  intimate  ac- 
quaintance with  the  subject,  and  a  wide  know- 
ledge of  plants ;  of  harmonies  in  colour  and 
form  ;  and  of  the  uses  of  foliage  and  of  berried 
plants.  Many  valuable  hints  are  given,  as,  for 
instance,  "  no  Hellebore  leaves  should  be  cut 
off  until  they  are  quite  brown".  .  .  "but  it  is  a 
good  plan  to  have  a  reserve  of  the  wild  Helle- 
bore   (H.    foetidus)    grown    for    the    purpose    of 

*  Bv  Gertrude  lekyll.  Published  by  "Country  Life," 
Ltd.,' 21,  Tavistock  Street,  Covent  Garden,  W.C.,  and 
George  Newnes,  Ltd.,  3-12,  Southampton  Street,  Covent 
Garden,  W.C. ;  98pp.,  quarto  ;  price,  6s.  net. 


providing  leaves."  And,  further,  Christmas 
Roses  are  said  to  be  "handsome  with  leaves  of 
the  Megaseas,  the  best  of  these  being  those  of  the 
cordifolia  section."  An  effective  illustration  is 
one  showing  a  vase  filled  lightly  with  Christmas 
Roses  (Helleborus  niger),  Pernettya  shoots 
loaded  with  berries,  and  Viburnum  tinus,  to- 
gether with  light  fronds  of  the  hardy  Fern 
Scolopendrium  vulgare,  the  Fern  fronds  being 
arranged  fanwise.  Among  other  hardy  subjects, 
the  Sweet  Bay  (Laurus  nobilis),  about  the  leaves- 
of  which  the  authoress  is  eloquent,  also  those 
of  Arbutus,  not  forgetting  its  fruit,  so  useful  in 
the  winter  bouquet ;  the  evergreen  Oak,  whose 
leaves  are  at  their  best  in  winter,  and  which 
associate  well  with  white  Narcissus  blooms  at 
that  season  are  mentioned. 

For  the  months  of  January  and  February,  we 
are  bidden  to  remember  the  fragrant  blossoms 
of  the  Winter  Sweet  (Chimonanthus  fragrans). 
In  March,  attention  is  drawn  to  Lenten  Roses — 
garden  varieties  of  Helleborus  atro-rubens,  H. 
colchicus,  H.  olympicus,  and  H.  orientals 
The  colours  of  their  flowers  are  not  bright,  but 
they  appeal  to  the  artist's  sense  of  colour,  and 
they  interest  and  please.  We  are  told  that  the 
stalk-ends  should  be  "  slit  up  about  2  inches, 
the  better  to  imbibe  water,"  as,  should  the  stalks 
of  wild  Arum  leaves.  It  may  be  said  here  that 
some  white  Richardia  spathes,  placed  among, 
and  ranging  high  above  the  leaves  of  wild  Arum, 
form  an  effective  illustration.  Among  the  many 
handsome  plants  blooming  in  March,  Magnolia 
conspicua  and  Prunus  l'issardi  are  mentioned. 
The  purplish  red  leaves  of  P.  Pissardi  have 
several  uses  in  decorative  work,  and  the  'shoots 
should  be  cut  and  placed  in  water  in  a  warm 
greenhouse,  where  the  leaf-buds  will  open 
prettily,  and  become  ready  for  use  in  the  house. 
Prunings  of  the  Peach  can  be  treated  in  the  same 
manner  some  weeks  earlier. 

In  this  fashion  the  reader  is  taken  through  the 
entire  year,  so  that  the  uses  and  the  beauties  of. 
numerous  species  of  plants  are  commented  upon, 
and  many  of  them  shown  in  vases,  basing  &i 
In  June  are  shown  Iris  blooms  set  off  with 
the  leaves  of  the  Globe  Artichoke,  and  appa- 
rently with  good  effects. 

The  Rose  is  naturally  referred  to  at  consider- 
able length  in  July,  and  a  variety  of  methods 
described  for  displaying  the  blooms  in  mixtures 
with  other  flowers  or  by  themselves.  The 
Rambler  Roses,  the  Polyantha  varieties,  and 
single-flowered  species  as  Rosa  macrantha,  are 
also  mentioned. 

Miss  Jekyll's  idea  of  showing  Hybrid  Per- 
petual Roses  in  a  shallow  bowl  of  water  is  the 
best  that  can  be  adopted.  The  flower-stalks 
must  be  cut  short,  and  some  contrivance  is 
necessary  for  holding  up  the  blooms.  Those 
persons  who  rightly  set  high  value  on  floral 
decorations  in  the  home  will  not  err  in  obtain- 
ing this  valuable  volume  for  study. 


Market  Gardening  on  Long  Island.— The 

market  gardens  of  the  towns  of  Newtown, 
Jamaica,  Hempstead,  and  Oyster  Bay,  on  Long 
Island,  have  for  years  played  an  important  part 
in  supplying  the  Manhattan  and  Brooklyn  mar- 
kets with  early  Potatos,  Cabbages,  Peas,  Sweet- 
corn,  Beans,  Tomatos,  Asparagus,  Onions,  Rhu- 
barb, Beets,  &c.  The  fertile  townships  of  South- 
old,  Riverhead,  and  the  Hamptons  on  this  island 
still  hold  their  pre-eminence  as  the  finest  market 
gardens  in  the  U.S.A.,  and  an  average  per  year 
of  not  fewer  than  '2,500,000  bushels  of  Potatos, 
and  200,000  barrels  of  Cauliflower,  40,000 
bushels  of  Lima  Beans,  tens  of  thousands 
bundles  of  Asparagus,  large  quantities  of 
Onions,  and  other  vegetables;  200  to  30u 
of  seeds,  such  as  Cabbage,  Cauliflower, 
Tomatos.  &c,  are  sent  to  the  New  York  Citj 
and  New  England  markets.  Weekly  Fl 
Rt  view. 


THE    GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


[July  6,  1907. 


COLONIAL    NOTES. 


MORAEA  IRIDIOIDES. 
In  the  Gardeners'  Chronicle  for  May  11,  just  to 
hand,  I  notice  an  article  on  Moraea  iridioides 
(Linn),  and  of  its  so-called  improved  variety.  It 
may  be  of  some  interest  to  your  readers  to  know 
more  of  this  variety.  In  1881  I  was  living  in 
Inanda,  20  miles  from  Durban,  and  about  2,000 
feet  above  sea  level,  I  knew  Moraea  iridioides 
quite  well,  and  in  that  year,  or  in  the  previous 
one,  I  found  what  I  took  to  be  a  new  species, 
the  leaves  and  flowering  stems  being  much  longer, 
the  habit  different,  and  the  flowers  larger  and 
more  brightly  coloured.  I  sent  a  dried  specimen 
to  Kew,  and  it  appears  in  the  Flora  Capensis  as  my 
No.  1099.  In  February,  1882, 1  left  Inanda  to  take 
charge  of  these  gardens,  bringing  a  plant  of  the 
Moraea  with  me.  This  plant  and  seedlings  from  it 
have  been  growing  here  for  more  than  25  years  ; 
they  have  had  no  special  attention  and  have 
scarcely  been  manured.  The  oldest,  if  not  the 
original,  clump  is  now  3  to  i  feet  in  diameter,  the 
leaves  and  flowering  stems  more  than  3  feet  long 
and  quite  erect.  During  most  of  the  season  flowers 
are  borne  in  abundance,  and  a  dried  flower  which 
I  have  just  measured  is  4  inches  in  diameter  ;  the 
colour  is  as  described  in  the  article  by  Mrs. 
Richmond.  Seeds  of  this  plant  have  been  distri- 
buted to  all  our  correspondents — that  is  to  most, 
if  not  all,  of  the  leading  Botanic  Gardens  in  the 
Empire  and  elsewhere.  The  plants  are  not  now 
in  bloom  as  it  is  mid-winter  here,  but  when 
flowers  are  obtainable,  I  will  have  a  coloured 
drawing  of  one  of  them  made  natural  size  which 
shall  be  forwarded  to  the  Editor.  /.  Medley  Wood, 
Director,  Natal  Botanic  Gardens.  [We  shall  be 
pleased  to  receive  the  drawing. — Ed.] 


The  Week's  Work. 

THE    KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

By  William  H.  Honess,  Gardener  to  C.  Combe,  Esq., 
Cobham  Park,  Surrey. 

Tomatos. — Plants  which  were  set  out  at  the 
foot  of  walls  in  the  latter  end  of  May,  and  in 
the  open  garden  early  last  month,  having  made 
new  growth,  will  now  require  further  tying,  and 
to  have  the  side  shoots  pinched  out,  keeping 
the  plants  as  single  cordons.  Take  every 
care  to  prevent  the  roots  suffering  from  drought, 
especially  those  plants  growing  against  walls, 
in  positions  that  do  not  always  get  the  full  bene- 
fit of  the  rains.  Where  ripe  Tomatos  are  re- 
quired early  in  the  year,  seed  should  now  be 
sown  of  any  approved  varieties  of  similar  type 
to  Winter  Beauty.  Shardlow  and  Sunrise  may 
also  be  safely  recommended.  Sunrise,  although 
not  ripening  quite  so  early,  has  free-setting  quali- 
ties even  during  the  dull  days  of  winter.  The 
flesh  of  the  fruits  is  firm  and  of  deep  colour, 
just  as  in  mid-summer. 

Turnips. — As  Turnip  crops  are  soon  over  after 
they  become  ready  for  use,  especially  during 
the  early  part  of  the  summer  and  on  light  soils, 
seeds  must,  therefore,  be  sown  frequently  and 
in  small  quantities.  During  July  and  the  early 
part  of  August,  however,  seeds  should  be  sown 
in  greater  variety  and  in  larger  quantities,  be- 
cause from  these  sowings  the  autumn  and  winter 
supplies  will  be  obtained. 

French  Beans.- — Varieties  such  as  Canadian 
Wonder,  also  the  Dwarf  Butter  Bean,  may  be 
sown  on  a  warm  border,  or  a  position  where 
it  will  be  possible  to  afford  them  protection  at 
night  in  the  autumn.  Plants  from  this  sowing 
will  yield  supplies  late  in  the  season,  when 
those  in  exposed  situations  have  been  cut  off 
by  early  frosts. 

Salads. — Seeds  of  Lettuce  and  other  summer 
salads  should  be  sown  at  this  season  on  a  north 
border ;  this  position  is  particularly  necessary 
if  the  soil  of  the  garden  is  of  a  light  and  sandy 
nature.  Sow  the  seeds  at  regular  intervals  in 
small  quantities.  Watering  of  such  crops  must 
not  be  neglected  if  the  weather  is  dry,  but  if 
the  ground  was  liberally  supplied  with  manure, 
watering  may  not  be  required. 

Clipping  of  iiedges. — Now  that  the  season's 
growth  is  nearly  finished,  the  work  of  clipping 
hedges  may  be  commenced.  All  the  rubbish 
and  weeds  that  may  have  accumulated  should 
be  removed,  and  burnt.  If  the  box  edgings  were 
not  clipped  during  the  past  month,  this  work 
should  be  proceeded  with  at  once. 


PLANTS    UNDER  GLASS. 

By  J.  G.  Weston,  Gardener  to  H.  J.  King,  Esq., 
Eastwell  Park,  Kent. 

Coleus  thyrsoideus. — The  young  plants  in- 
tended for  winter-flowering  should  now  be 
given  a  final  shift,  using  receptacles  of  a  size 
suitable  for  the  purpose  in  view.  A  compost  of 
two  parts  turfy-loam  and  one  part  leaf-soil  and 
sand  should  be  used  as  a  potting  medium.  Do 
not  continue  the  pinching  of  the  shoots  too  late 
in  the  season,  for  this  will  cause  the  flower- 
spikes  to  be  small.  When  the  plants  are  estab- 
lished in  their  new  pots  increase  the  amount  of 
ventilation  to  promote  a  robust  growth,  and  do 
not  crowd  the  plants  together,  but  leave  plenty 
of  room  between  them,  for  their  tissue  is  of  a 
soft  nature  and  easily  becomes  drawn  and  weak. 

Moschosma  riparium. — Plants  required  for 
decorative  purposes  in  winter  should  also  be 
repotted  into  their  flowering-pots  without  delay, 
and  after  they  have  recovered  from  the  disturb- 
ance at  their  roots,  they  may  be  placed  out-of- 
doors  for  the  next  two  or  three  months,  but 
they  must  be  placed  in  the  plant  house  again 
before  the  cold  weather  or  heavy  autumnal 
rains  set  in. 

Liliums. — As  the  earlier  flowering  batches  of 
these  plants  come  into  bloom,  they  should  be 
moved  from  the  house  in  which  they  have  been 
gently  forced,  to  a  cool  and  shaded  house  or 
conservatory,  where  the  blooms  will  last  in  a 
good  condition  much  longer  than  in  a  close  and 
warm  atmosphere.  Any  further  top-dressings 
necessary  for  plants  of  later  batches  should  now 
be  applied  and  a  stake  afforded  each  plant  as 
required.  A  selection  of  the  latest  plants  should 
be  placed  out-of-doors  in  a  position  shel- 
tered from  strong  winds.  These  will  furnish 
flowers  late  in  the  autumn.  Of  the  various 
forms  of  Lilium  auratum,  L.  a.  Alexandra?  and 
L.  a.  platyphyllum  are  to  be  recommended.  L. 
speciosum  (lancifolium)  has  also  several  good 
garden  varieties,  of  which  the  best  are  L.  s. 
album  Kraetzeri  and  L.  s.  Melpomene. 

Azalea  /nrfzVa.— Plants  that  were  forced  early 
into  flower,  and  which  were  replaced  in  heat  to 
complete  their  growths,  have  now  matured 
their  buds  sufficiently  to  allow  the  plants 
to  be  gradually  hardened  and  placed  out-of- 
doors.  If  possible,  select  a  position  that  is  par- 
tially shaded  during  the  hottest  parts  of  the 
day.  Plunge  the  pots  in  ashes  to  keep  the  roots 
at  an  equable  temperature  and  to  prevent  them 
from  drying  quickly.  See  that  the  soil  is  neither 
in  a  condition  of  extreme  wetness  nor  excessively 
dry.  If,  by  misadventure,  a  plant  becomes 
quite  dry,  immerse  the  pot  in  water  and  stand 
the  plant  in  the  shade  for  a  time.  Syringe  the 
plants  thoroughly  every  fine  evening,  using  oc- 
casionally some  clear,  diluted  soot  water.  This 
will  serve  to  ward  off  thrips  and  other  insect 
pests,  and  will  also  furnish  a  manurial  stimu. 
lant  to  the  roots. 

Hard-wooded  plants  such  as  Acacias,  Ericas 
Kpacris,  Libonias,  and  Camellias  in  pots  and 
tubs,  are  all  benefited  by  being  placed  in  the 
open  at  this  season  of  the  year.  Their  foliage 
can  be  more  readily  cleansed  when  out-of-doors, 
and  the  plants  are  usually  much  hardier  and 
healthier  when  the  time  comes  round  for  hous- 
ing them  again  in  September. 


THE    ORCHID    HOUSES. 

By  W.  H.  White,  Orchid  Grower  to  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence, 
Bart.,  Burford,  Surrey. 
Calanthes. — The  deciduous  species  are  now 
making  active  growth.  Extra  care  in  watering 
is  necessary  for  these  plants  that  are  not  yet 
well-established,  particularly  those  of  the  C. 
Regnieri  section.  So  long  as  the  weather  con- 
tinues dull,  even  the  best  rooted  plants  must 
be  watered  with  discretion,  as  the  compost  will 
not  dry  through  so  quickly  as  it  otherwise  would, 
and  if  kept  in  a  saturated  condition,  without 
sunshine,  the  bulbs  and  leaves  will  probably 
become  spotted.  It  is  a  good  plan  to  look  over 
the  plants  occasionally,  and  place  the  best 
rooted  examples  together,  giving  them  sufficient 
room  so  that  plenty  of  light  may  reach  to  the 
base  of  each  growth.  Where  a  number  of  young 
roots  appear  on  the  surface  of  the  compost,  a 
thin  layer  of  fibrous  loam  may  be  placed  lightly 
over  them,  into  which  the  roots  will  quickly 
penetrate.  In  preparing  the  loam  it  should  be 
broken  up  into  small  lumps,  and  then  have  most 
of  the  fine  soil  removed  by  sifting  it  through  a 
fine-meshed  sieve.  Keep  the  plants  as  near 
to  the  roof  glass  as  is  convenient,  in  order  to 


obtain  stout  bulbs  and  strong  flower-spikes,  and 
as  the  season  advances,  gradually  accustom  the 
most  forward  plants  to  a  greater  degree  of  light. 
Very  little  syringing  or  damping  between  the 
pots  need  be  done  until  the  weather  is  brighter. 

Pleioncs. — These  are  suspended  well  up  to  the 
light  in  the  intermediate  house,  and  are  in  full 
growth.  If  the  plants  are  vigorous,  they 
should  be  watered  abundantly  at  the  root  till 
the  foliage  shows  the  colours  of  maturity,  when 
the  quantity  of  water  should  be  gradually  les- 
sened. P.  humilis  and  P.  Hookerse  grow  best 
when  suspended  close  to  a  roof  ventilator  in 
the  cool  house ;  these  must  also  be  afforded 
enough  water  to  keep  them  wet. 

In  the  Odontoglossum  house  such  charming 
plants  as  Cochlioda  Noezliana,  C.  vulcanica,  C. 
sanguinea,  and  C.  stricta  do  best  when  sus- 
pended well  up  to  the  light  in  shallow  pans, 
and  during  their  period  of  growth  require  plenty 
of  water  at  the  root.  At  the  re-commencement 
of  growth  the  plants  may  be  re-potted,  using 
thorough  drainage,  and  a  mixture  of  peat  and 
sphagnum-moss  in  equal  parts,  pressing  this 
moderately  firm  around  the  plants.  The  dwarf- 
growing  Promenaea  citrina,  also  P.  stapelioides, 
and  P.  Rollissonii  will  succeed  under  similar 
treatment.  Aerides  japonicum  and  Angraecum 
falcatum  should  be  grown  in  small  teak  baskets, 
providing  crocks  and  spahgnum-moss  for  them 
to  root  into.  Suspend  the  plants  in  a  shady  part 
of  the  cool  house,  and  keep  the  roots  moderately 
moist  at  all  times.  The  flower-spike  of  the 
Aerides  hangs  down  outside  the  basket,  and- 
emits  a  sweet,  delicate  odour ;  the  pure  white 
flowers  of  the  Angraecum  are  also  deliciously 
scented.  

THE  FLOWER  GARDEN- 

By  A.  C.  Bartlett,  Gardener  to  Mrs.  Ford,  Pencarrow, 
Cornwall. 

Lawns. — The  weather  has  been  very  favour- 
able to  the  growth  of  the  seedling  grasses  on 
new  lawns.  Notwithstanding  the  exercise  of 
every  care  in  the  harvesting  of  seed,  many  weeds 
always  come  up  with  the  grasses.  The  presence 
of  small-growing,  annual  weeds  is  immaterial, 
but  all  the  perennial  weeds  must  now  be  care- 
fully removed.  This  being  done,  roll  the  lawn 
with  a  roller  of  medium  weight,  and  after  the 
elapse  of  a  few  days  cut  the  grass  with  a  very 
sharp  scythe.  When  the  grass  roots  have  ob- 
tained a  good  hold  of  the  soil,  future  mowings 
may  be  done  with  the  lawn-mower,  provided  it 
is  in  good  order,  but  the  knives  must  not  be  set 
to  cut  so  low  as  is  customary  for  mowing  old- 
established  lawns. 

Vases. — The  plants  growing  in  vases  are  more 
likely  to  suffer  from  lack  of  moisture  at  the 
roots  during  showery  weather  than  when  the 
atmosphere  is  dry,  and  watering  is  therefore 
done  at  regular  intervals.  The  foliage  of  the  plants 
throws  off  the  greater  proportion  of  the  rain, 
and,  unless  the  rainfall  is  very  heavy,  only  enough 
to  moisten  the  surface  of  the  soil  will  enter  the 
vases.  It  is  necessary  to  make  sure  that  the 
whole  of  the  soil  is  sufficiently  moist  for  the 
plants'  well-being.  Most  vase-plants  will  now 
require  some  manurial  assistance.  It  is  a  good 
plan  to  feed  them  with  artificial  manure  and 
diluted  animal  liquid  alternately  ;  when  using 
the  latter  rinse  the  outsides  of  the  vases  with 
clear  water  immediately  after  the  manure  has 
been  applied. 

Early  Chrysanthemums. — All  the  weak  shoots 
should  be  removed  so  as  to  allow  sufficient  room 
for  the  stronger  ones  to  develop  properly.  Place 
neat  stakes  to  the  plants,  and  tie  them  up  as  they 
grow.  Neglect  in  this  particular  often  means 
ruin  to  the  plants  when  sudden  winds  spring 
up.     Frequently  hoe  between  the  plants. 

Campanula  pyramidalis. — The  seedlings  which 
were  recently  pricked  off  will  require  another 
shift.  After  they  have  recovered  from  the  check 
thus  caused,  transfer  the  boxes  containing  them 
to  cooler  quarters.  A  position  in  the  nursery 
garden  should  be  prepared  for  them,  as  they  will 
soon  be  large  enough  to  plant  out  of  doors.  The 
flower-spikes  of  the  older  plants  may  now  re- 
quire longer  stakes. 

Jiumca  elegans. — Seeds  may  now  be  sown  in 
boxes  of  fine  soil  and  placed  in  a  cool  pit.  As 
the  seedlings  germinate,  they  should  be  potted 
in  small  pots  and  kept  in  the  pit.  Towards  the 
end  of  the  autumn,  let  the  young  plants  be 
brought  into  a  cool  house.  Abundance  of  fresh 
air  and  careful  watering  are  most  essential  in 
the  cultivation  of  these  plants. 


July  6,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


FRUITS  UNDER  GLASS. 

By  Alexander  Kirk,  Gardener  to  J.  Thomson  Paton,  Esq., 
Norwood,  Alloa,  Clackmannanshire. 

Fruit  trees  in  pots,  including  Plums,  Cherries, 
Nectarines,  &c,  which  were  started  in  an  early 
Peach  house,  will  now  be  cleared  of  their  fruits. 
The  trees  should  be  placed  in  a  cooler  house  to 
harden  them  before  placing  them  out-of-doors, 
where  they  should  be  plunged  to  the  pot  rims 
in  coal  ashes  in  a  fairly  open  position,  but  one 
that  is  sheltered  from  strong  winds.  Never  allow 
them  to  suffer  from  want  of  moisture  at  their 
roots ;  syringe  the  foliage  occasionally  to 
keep  the  plants  clean  and  healthy.  Give  liquid 
manure  occasionally  to  assist  in  building  up 
strong  wood  and  buds,  from  which  next  year's 
crop  will  be  derived. 

Later  fruiting  trees  in  pots,  such  as  Apples  and 
Pears,  will  require  especial  care  in  the  matter  of 
watering,  and  generally  they  will  require  water- 
ing at  their  roots  twice  daily,  for  on  no  account 
must  the  leaves  be  allowed  to  flag.  Give  manure 
water  once  a  week,  syringe  the  foliage  daily,  and 
fumigate  the  house  in  which  they  are  growing 
occasionally.  Tie.  up  any  branches  carrying 
fruits,  and  do  not  overtax  the  plant  by  permit- 
ting a  heavy  crop.  Afford  an  abundance  of 
ventilation  by  leaving  the  ventilators  open  both 
day  and  night. 

Melons. — Plants  on  which  the  fruits  are  swel- 
ling must  be  given  an  abundant  supply  of  tepid 
water  at  their  roots  to  prevent  the  foliage 
flagging.  The  water  should  never  be  applied 
close  to  the  "  collar"  of  the  plants,  but  6  inches 
distant  from  the  stems.  Water  about  the  "  neck  " 
of  the  plants  is  often  the  cause  of  the  dreaded 
canker  and  corking  diseases  that  are  so  trouble- 
some to  many  growers.  Maintain  a  good  bot- 
tom heat  at  nighttime,  and  especially  after  the 
borders  have  been  well  watered.  Support  the 
fruits  to  the  trellis  by  suitable  ties,  and  remove 
any  of  the  young  growths  that  are  not  required, 
but  allow  a  few  superfluous  shoots  to  grow  at 
the  top  of  the  plant  to  encourage  root  action. 
Admit  air  by  the  top  ventilator  only,  and  keep 
the  house  moist,  but  as  soon  as  the  fruits  begin 
to  develop  colour,  air  may  be  admitted  by  both 
the  top  and  the  bottom  ventilators,  maintain- 
ing a  dry  atmosphere  at  a  temperature  of  85° 
by  day  and  70°  at  night. 

Late  Melons. — As  soon  as  the  fruits  are  cut 
from  the  early-fruiting  plants,  another  batch 
of  plants  can  be  accommodated  in  the 
same  pit  for  fruiting  in  September.  The 
young  plants  should  be  in  readiness  and  well 
rooted  in  6-inch  pots.  It  is  best  to  entirely  re- 
move all  the  old  soil  and  to  cleanse  the  house 
thoroughly,  using  a  mixture  of  one  ounce  of  soft 
soap  and  one  wineglassful  of  paraffin  in  a  pail 
of  hot  water,  thoroughly  mixed  before  using. 
Make  up  the  borders  very  firm  with  the  new  soil 
as  previously  advised,  and  place  it  in  the  form 
of  a  ridge.  Plant  the  Melons  18  inches  apart  on 
the  ridge,  stake  and  tie  them,  and  when  all  is 
finished  give  a  good  watering  with  tepid  water. 
Keep  the  atmosphere  of  the  house  close  and 
damp,  and  spray  the  plants  overhead  both  morn- 
ing and  evening.  Admit  a  little  air  at  night- 
time to  prevent  the  plants  becoming  drawn  dur- 
ing hot  weather. 


PUBLIC  PARKS  AND  GARDENS. 

By  W.  W.  Pettigrew,  Superintendent  of  the  Parks  and 
Open  Spaces  in  the  City  of  Cardiff. 

Notice  boards  are  unfortunately  a  prominent 
feature  in  most  of  our  public  parks,  as  printed 
notices  are  often  needed  to  direct  visitors  to 
various  parts  of  the  grounds  and  to  warn  them 
against  the  infringement  of  the  by-laws.  Few 
objects  in  a  park  give  occasion  for  so  much  ad- 
verse criticism  as  do  the  usual  inartistic  type  of 
notice  boards  with  their  monotonous  reminders. 
The  appearance  of  an  entrance  to  many  a  plea- 
sure ground  is  greatly  marred  by  the  number  of 
different  notices  exhibited  at  it.  Even  these  do 
not  appear  to  be  enough  for  the  purpose,  as  one 
can  scarcely  get  away  from  notices  of  some 
kind  or  another  in  any  part  of  a  park.  While 
park  officials  are  generally  aware  of  the  fact 
that  these  boards  do  not  add  to  the  beauty  of 
their  surroundings  and  do  their  best  to  limit  the 
number  of  them,  they  know  too  well  that  notices 
are  essential  for  the  protection  of  park  property 
and  the  maintenance  of  proper  order  and  con- 
duct among  certain  classes  of  visiters.  The 
stereotyped  notice  "  Visitors  are  warned  that  they 
must  not  pluck  the  flowers  in  the  park  "  may  ap- 
pear to  be  an  absurd  and  needless  warning  to 


place  in  any  public  garden,  yet  it  is  the  one  most 
frequently  required.  Well-educated  and  appa- 
ently  intelligent  women  are  frequently  detected 
stealing  flowers  and  plants  in  parks  in  every 
part  of  the  country,  and  when  questioned  in- 
variably declare  that  they  did  not  think  they 
were  doing  any  harm.  The  absence  of  notices 
is  one  of  the  first  excuses  a  culprit  makes  use 
of  when  caught  infringing  a  by-law. 

Notice  of  by-laws. — The  notice  which  invari- 
ably occupies  the  most  prominent  position  at 
the  main  entrance  to  a  park  is  a  large  copy  of 
the  general  by-laws.  As  this  contains  so  much 
reading  matter  it  is  quite  impracticable  to  have 
it  inscribed  upon  zinc  or  linoleum  by  a  sign 
writer,  so  it  has  to  be  printed  on  paper  and 
afterwards  pasted  upon  the  board. 

Printed  notices. — The  fact  of  these  notices 
being  printed  on  paper  makes  it  difficult  to  main- 
tain them  in  a  clean  and  readable  condition. 
We  have  tried  all  kinds  of  methods  of  dealing 
with  them,  but  the  result  has  always  been  the 
same.  Although  the  paper  is  sized  and  coated 
with  the  best  outside  oak  varnish,  they  are  in 
use  for  a  few  months  only  before  they  become 
unsightly  and  require  replacing.  The  humidity 
of  our  climate  seems  to  have  a  very  bad  effect 
on  the  paper  used  for  printing  purposes.  We 
have  tried  zinc  sheets  between  the  paper  and  the 
wood  of  the  notice  board,  and  have  also  used 
a  covering  of  glass,  but  all  to  no  purpose  ;  and 
we  have  at  last  been  compelled  to  adopt  what,  I 
believe,  is  a  common  practice  of  having  a  dupli- 
cate set  of  boards  always  in  readiness  to  take 
the  place  of  others  as  they  become  unpresent- 
able. Whoever  may  discover  a  cheap  method  of 
treating  paper  in  such  a  manner  that  it  can  be 
kept  in  good  condition  in  the  open  air  for  any 
lengthened  period  will  undoubtedly  earn  the 
gratitude  of  everyone  who  has  to  deal  with  this 
question. 

Ordinary  park  notices  can  now  be  had  ready 
printed  en  enamelled  iron  plates,  and  they  are 
very  much  neater  and  cleaner  in  appearance 
than  the  old  wooden  ones.  So  long  as  the 
enamelled  surface  does  not  chip,  these  plates 
last  for  years  without  so  much  as  needing  a 
coat  of  varnish.  With  the  exception  of  these 
and  the  by-laws,  the  notices  generally  required 
in  a  park  can  be  printed  by  an  ordinary  painter 
with  the  aid  of  stencil  plates.  It  may  seem 
paradoxical  to  say  so,  but  it  is  well  to  have 
notices  as  unobtrusive  as  possible.  Dark 
coloured  boards — say,  black  or  dark  green— with 
white  lettering  are  preferable  to  those  painted 
white  with  dark  lettering. 


THE  HARDY  FRUIT  GARDEN. 

By  J.  Mayne,  Gardener  to  Lord  Clinton,  Bicton, 
East  Devon. 

Ripening  fruits  must  be  protected  from  the 
birds,  or  they  will  destroy  a  large  por- 
tion of  the  crops  of  Currants,  Gooseberries, 
Cherries,  &c.  The  Strawberry  crop  is  maturing 
very  slowly,  and  many  of  the  fruits  have  rotted 
on  the  ground.  No  Strawberry  plantation  should 
be  retained  after  the  fourth  season  of  cropping. 
The  most  satisfactory  method  of  renewing  the 
Strawberry  beds  is  to  plant  a  given  number  of 
rows  each  year,  and  destroy  a  similar  number 
of  the  old  ones  as  soon  as  the  fruits  are  har- 
vested. In  netting  fruit  trees  on  walls,  forked 
sticks  placed  at  convenient  distances  and  about 
6  inches  in  length  will  keep  the  net  away  from 
the  face  of  the  wall.  Place  the  forked  end  of 
the  stick  outwards  to  hold  the  net  in  position. 

The  fruit  room  should  have  a  thorough 
cleansing.  Limewash  the  walls  and  scrub  the 
woodwork  with  soapy  water.  Keep  the  struc- 
ture fully  ventilated,  so  that  all  may  be  sweet 
and  clean  by  the  time  the  first  fruits  are 
gathered. 

General  observations. — Now  that  the  superfluous 
lateral  growths  have  been  shortened  on  trained 
trees,  one  can  the  better  estimate  the  amount  of 
the  crop  on  each  tree,  and  manurial  aid  can  be 
given  accordingly,  feeding  only  those  that  are 
carrying  fair  crops  of  fruit.  A  second  thinning 
of  the  fruits  is  necessary  in  the  case  of  some 
varieties  of  Plums  and  Apples,  and,  in  a  few  in- 
stances, of  Pears  :  this  should  be  done  without 
delay,  as  extra  fruits  cause  an  unnecessary 
strain  upon  the  tree.  There  has  been  no  great 
amount  of  heat  to  dry  the  soil,  except  in  the  case 
of  trees  occupying  warm  sites  against  walls,  and 
the  need  for  mulchings  has   therefore   not  been 


great ;  but  mulching  has  this  advantage  in  wet 
weather,  the  manurial  properties  get  washed 
down  to  the  roots  of  the  trees.  The  rains  have 
lessened  the  labour  of  syringing  the  foliage- 
compared  with  that  of  last  season,  but  what  has 
been  saved  in  this  direction  is  more  than  lost 
in  the  constant  use  of  the  hoe  and  rake  neces- 
sary for  the  removal  of  weeds.  w 

Grapes  out-of-doors. — One  sometimes  meets 
with  a  vine  in  the  open  that  is  carrying  a  fair 
number  of  bunches.  To  thoroughly  ripen  these 
a  warm  summer  is  essential,  and  it  is  necessary 
to  thin  the  berries  and  set  aside  any  leaves  that 
unduly  shade  the  bunches.  Keep  all  subsequent 
growths  pinched  at  the  first  joint ;  secure  each 
shoot  to  the  trellis,  and  assist  the  roots  with  a 
stimulant  when  watering  is  found  to  be  neces- 
sary. In  a  season  like  the  present  one  mildew 
causes  much  damage  :  on  its  first  appearance 
dust  the  foliage  and  fruits  with  flowers  of 
sulphur,  which  can  be  removed  again  by  syring- 
ing -!4  hours  after  its  application.  It  may 
also  be  added  dryness  at  the  roots  is  a  frequent 
cause  of  mildew,  so  that  extremes  either  way 
favour  the  spread  of  the  fungus. 


THE   APIARY. 

By  Chloris. 
The  busiest  season  of  the  year  is  now  with  us. 
The  supers  have  been  placed  on  the  hives,  and 
these  will  need  close  attention.  When  the  sec- 
tions or  shallow  frames  are  about  two-thirds 
full  another  set  must  be  placed  below  the  first 
super,  as  a  delay  in  this  respect  will  cause  the 
bees  to  swarm.  This  process  is  termed  "  tier- 
ing." It  is  best  performed  about  midday,  when 
the  bees  are  abroad  gathering  nectar,  for  there 
will  then  be  fewer  bees  to  disturb  at  home. 
Care  must  be  taken  not  to  spill  the  honey  when 
moving  the  frames,  for  carelessness  in  this 
respect  may  be  an  incentive  to  robbing. 

Preparation  for  swarming. — Hives  should  be 
fitted  up  to  receive  swarms,  if  the  beekeeper  be 
desirous  of  extending  his  apiary.  The  frames  in 
the  brood  chamber  should  be  fitted  with 
"  starters,"  that  is  a  strip  of  comb  about  an 
inch  or  so  in  depth.  Too  much  care  cannot  be 
taken  in  making  these  "starters"  secure  in  the 
top  bar.  Failure  in  this  respect  may  cause  the 
whole  to  slip  later,  and  then  the  bees  will  build 
comb  in  all  directions.  Sections  fitted  with  full 
sheets  of  foundation,  or,  better  still,  shallow 
frames  with  drawn-out  comb,  should  be  put  in 
the  hives,  for  by  these  means  all  the  honey  will  be 
readily  harvested  by  the  beekeeper,  and  the  prac- 
tice will  leave  plenty  of  space  at  the  bottom 
parts  of  the  hive  for  brood-rearing.  Bees  in 
their  first  season  rarely  build  drone  comb.  They 
always  fill  themselves  with  honey  before  swarm- 
ing, and  this  they  convert  into  wax,  for.  in  a 
condition  of  nature,  they  commence  house- 
keeping in  an  empty  space  such  as  a  hollow 
tree.  Further,  when  no  full  sheets  of  founda- 
tion are  placed  in  the  brood  chamber  the  bees 
are  practically  compelled  to  store  in  the  supers. 

To  prevent  swarming. — Some  time  ago  an  ex- 
perimental friend  of  mine  placed  an  extra  brood 
chamber  below  the  one  in  use  in  a  hive,  took 
out  the  queen  from  the  frames  above  and  placed 
her  on  the  added  frames,  and  prevented  her 
from  returning  by  a  sheet  of  "queen  excluder." 
As  the  brood  hatched  out  of  the  old  brood 
frames  the  bees  filled  them  with  honey.  A 
stronger  colony  it  would  be  hard  to  imagine, 
but  the  queen  was  a  good  one,  and  in  her  second 
season. 

Artificial  increase  of  stocks. — Those  persons 
who  are  desirous  of  increasing  their  stocks  arti- 
ficially may  do  so  with  every  reasonable  hope 
of  success.  The  present  time  is  the  most  suc- 
cessful for  queen-rearing. 

Casts. — It  is  useless  to  keep  "casts."  Take 
out  the  queen  or  queens  (for  casts  often  contain 
several  queens,  I  have  seen  as  many  as  five) 
and  destroy  them  if  they  are  not  required,  and 
place  the  workers  in  the  hives  from  which  the 
bees    issued. 

Extractor. — See  that  the  extractor  is  cleaned, 
fitted  up  and  in  perfect  order  so  that  no  time 
may  be  lost  in  emptying  the  shallow  frames 
when  they  are  full. 

No  honey  should  be  extracted  from  combs 
which  are  not  sealed,  because  the  honey  under 
these  conditions  is  watery,  and  has  not  that  full 
flavour  which  is  found  in  fully  ripened,  that  is, 
sealed,  honey. 


10 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[July  6,  1907. 


EDITORIAL     NOTICE. 


ADVERTISEMENTS  should  be  sent  to  the  PUB- 
LISHER, 41,  Wellington  Street,  Covent  Garden, 
W.C. 

Letters  for  Publication,  as  well  as  specimens  ami  plants 
tor  namihg,  should  be  addressed  to  the  EDITOR, 
41,  Wellington  Street,  Covent  Garden,  London. 
Communications  should  be  written  on  one  side  only  of 
the  paper,  sent  as  early  in  the  week  as  possible,  and  duly 
signed  by  the  writer.  If  desired,  the  signature  will  not  be 
printed,  but  kept  as  a  gitarantee  of  good  faith. 

Special  Notice  to  Correspondents.— TVie  Editor  does  not 
undertake  to  pay  for  any  contributions  or  illustrations,  or 
io  return  unused  communications  or  illustrations,  unless  by 
special  arrangement.  The  Editor  does  not  hold  himself 
responsible  for  any  opinions  expressed  by  his  correspondents. 

Illustrations.-  The  Editor  will  be  glad  to  receive  and  to  select 
photographs  or  drawings,  suitable  /or  reproduction,  of 
gardens,  or  of  remarkable  plants,  flowers,  trees,  &c.t  but  he 
cannot  be  responsible  for  loss  or  injury, 

Newspapers.— Correspondents  sending  newspapers  should  be 
careful  to  mark  the  paragraphs  they  wish  the  Editor  to  see. 

Local  News.— Correspondents  will  greatly  oblige  bysetutingto 
the  Editor  early  intelligence  of  local  events  likely  to  be  of 
interest  to  our  readers,  or  of  any  matters  which  it  is  desirable 
to  bring  under  the  notice  of  horticulturists. 


APPOINTMENTS  FOR  THE  ENSUING  WEEK. 


SATURDAY,  JULY  6— 

Soc.  Fran9.  d'Hort.  de  Londres  meet. 
German  Card.  Soc.  meet. 

TUESDAY,  JULY  9— 

Roy.  Hort.  Soc.  Summer  Exh.  at  Holland  Park  (2  days). 
Wolverhampton  Fl.  Fete  (3  days). 
Roy.  Scottish  Arbor.  Soc.  Exh.  in  Edinburgh  (4  days). 
Cambridge  Fl.  Sh. 

WEDNESDAY,  JULY  10— 
Tunbridge  Wells  Fl.  Sh. 
Croydon  Fl.  Sh. 
Brixton,     Streatham    and     Clapham    Hort.    Soc.    Sh. 

(provisional). 
Bath  Rose  Sh.  (2  days). 
Southend-on-Sea  Fl.  Sh. 
Newcastle-upon-Tyne  Fl.  Sh.  (3  days). 
Lee,  Blackheath  &  District  Fl.  Sh.  (2  day*). 
Hereford  &  West  of  England  Rose  Sh. 

THURSDAY,  JULY  11— 

Addlestone,  Chertsey  and  Ottershaw  Fl.  Sh. 
Potters  Bar  &  District  Rose  Sh. 

SATURDAY,  JULY  13— Woodbridge  Fl.  Sh. 


Average    Mean    Temperature    for    the    ensuing    week, 
deduced  from  observations  during  the  last  Fifty  Years 
at  Greenwich— 62-3°. 
Actual  Temperatures: — 

London. — Wednesday,  July  3  (6  p.m.)  :  Max.  58°; 
Min.  49". 
Gardeners'  Chronicle  Office,  41,  Wellington  Street, 
Covent  Garden,  London.  —  Thursday,  July 
4  (10  a.m.):  Bar..  29'6 ;  Temp.,  59°;  Weather— 
Overcast. 
Provinces. —  Wednesday,  July  3  (G  p.m.)  :  Max.  57°. 
Oxford  ;  Min.  52°,  Ireland  W.  coast. 


SALES    FOR    THE    ENSUING    WEEK, 

WEDNESDAY,  THURSDAY  and  FRIDAY— 

First  portion  of  the  "  Woodlands  "  collection  of  Orchids 
at  67  &  68,  Cheapside,  E.C.,  by  Protheroe  &  Morris,  at 
12.45. 


The 
Gardeners' 
Benevolent. 


As  we  were  able  to  announce 
in  our  last  issue,  the  Gar- 
deners' Royal  Benevolent  In- 
stitution has  this  year  raised 
a  sum  of  nearly  .£2,500  by  means  of  the 
annual  festival  dinner.  It  being  the  first 
occasion  on  which  the  event  has  been  so  suc- 
cessful  there  is  every  reason  for  congratula- 
tion, although  the  circumstances  are  not  so 
favourable  as  to  warrant  a  feeling  of  entire 
satisfaction.  This  would  only  be  possible  if 
the  Executive  Committee  were  placed  in 
such  a  position  that  it  could  safely  advise  the 
subscribers  to  elect  as  pensioners  all  deserving 
candidates  who  have  applied  for  relief.  That 
this  is  not  the  case  at  present  was  very  clearly 
demonstrated  by  the  honorary  treasurer  and 
chairman,  .Mr.  Harry  J.  Vcitch,  whose  excel- 
lent speech  contained  statistics  and  informa- 
tion that  clearly  affected  the  feelings  of  those 
present. 

Hi"  F  on.  Walter  Rothschild,  M.P., 
who  presi  led  nt  the  dinner,  made  a  sym- 
pathetic  s  )cech,  in  which  he  remarked  upon 
the  duty  of  garden   proprietors,   to  help  this 


Institution  in  making  some  provision  for 
those  gardeners  who  in  their  declining 
years  may  need  assistance.  The  study 
of  flowers  and  fruits,  he  said,  conduced 
to  some  of  the  most  charming  amenities  of 
life,  and  in  such  studies,  as  also  in  the  enjoy- 
ment of  the  products  of  the  garden,  the  gar- 
deners were  their  willing  and  enthusiastic 
ministers.  Having  related  that  the  Institu- 
tion was  established  in  1838,  Mr.  Rothschild 
said  since  that  year  it  had  distributed  a  sum 
of  £113,000.  There  are  now  227  persons 
receiving  permanent  relief,  and,  in  addition, 
considerable  sums  are  distributed  each  year 
by  the  Victoria  Era  and  the  Samaritan  Funds. 
All  the  expenses  of  management  are  defrayed 
by  the  dividends  and  interests  arising  from 
the  invested  funds.  Mr.  Rothschild  thought 
it  very  satisfactory  that  so  large  a  sum  as 
£1,500  is  raised  annually  from  subscribers, 
but,  notwithstanding  this  fact,  there  re- 
mains a  sum  of  £2,500  to  be  raised  each 
year  by  other  means.  Similar  societies  are 
more  numerous  than  formerly,  and  it  is  not 
found  that  the  number  of  supporters  of  such 
charities  increases  in  equal  proportion,  but, 
said  Mr.  Rothschild,  he  earnestly  hoped 
that  the  29  candidates  now  before  the 
Committee  would  not  be  allowed  to  wait 
for  help  longer  than  candidates  had  done  in 
former  years. 

In  responding  for  the  Institution,  Mr. 
Harry  J.  Veitch  stated  some  particulars  that 
ought  to  be  made  known  to  all  gardeners 
who  at  the  present  time  can  afford  to  support 
this  charity,  but  who  may  in  future  years 
need  assistance  from  its  funds.  In  the  first 
place,  however,  he  thanked  the  chairman  for 
his  presence  there  that  evening,  and  for  the 
help  he  had  afforded  the  Institution,  remark- 
in-  that  the  Hon.  Walter  Rothschild  was  the 
fifth  member  of  the  family  who  had  attended 
the  annual  festivals.  Proceeding  to  speak  of 
the  Institution,  Mr.  Veitch  said  he  had  been 
intimately  connected  with  it  for  more  than 
twenty  years,  and  he  could  assure  his  hearers 
that  it  is  doing  excellent  work.  At  the  com- 
mencement there  were  only  two  pensioners, 
now  there  are  227  receiving  permanent  relief, 
including  126  men  and  101  women.  The 
oldest  pensioner  is  a  woman  aged  95  years, 
who  was  elected  on  to  the  funds  in  1885,  in 
succession  to  her  husband,  who  had  paid  £35 
to  the  Institution  in  annual  subscriptions. 
Husband  and  wife  together  have  received  re- 
lief amounting  to  £395.  The  pensioner  who 
has  been  longest  on  the  books  is  also  a 
woman,  and  her  age  is  89  years.  Her  hus- 
band had  previously  been  helped  to  the  extent 
of  £304,  and  the  widow  herself  has  received 
£344,  making  a  total  of  £1148.  The  two 
widows  mentioned  are  still  drawing  their  pen- 
sions. At  the  election  in  January  last,  20 
pensioners  were  elected,  their  average  age 
being  70  years,  and  among  these  were  several 
candidates  who  had  been  in  good  circum- 
stances, proving,  as  Mr.  Veitch  remarked, 
that  poverty  affects  all  classes,  and  it  is  fre- 
quently caused  by  circumstances  over  which 
those  who  suffer  the  consequences  have 
little  control.  The  Institution  does  not,  as 
a  rule,  afford  permanent  relief  to  candidates 
under  60  years  of  age,  but  exceptions  are 
nin],  in  specially  necessitous  instances  ;  thus, 
in  one  case,  a  pensioner  who  is  54  years 
of  age  is  suffering  from  paralysis,  and 
another  55  years  is  totally  blind. 


That  the  help  afforded  the  pensioners  is 
appreciated  by  the  recipients,  Mr.  Veitch 
showed,  by  reading,  as  he  has  on  many  for- 
mer occasions,  a  few  extracts  from  letters 
received  by  the  Committee  from  those  at 
present  enjoying  relief.  '  Nothing  could  be 
more  conclusive  than  the  evidence  thus 
afforded  of  the  amount  of  misery  and  want 
that  is  ameliorate?!  by  the  pensions  from  the 
Institution,  the  details  so  disclosed  being 
sufficiently  pathetic  to  affect  all  who  are 
not  callously  indifferent  to  the  suffer- 
ings of  others.  After  reference  had  been 
made  to  the  continued  benevolence  of  Mr. 
N.  N.  Sherwood  and  other  friends,  and  to 
the  excellent  work  which  is  done  by  the  local 
auxiliaries,  Mr.  Veitch,  referring  to  the 
future,  pointed  out  that  there  are  now  30 
candidates  awaiting  election,  and  that  the 
Committee  had  never  yet  been  able  to  elect 
more  than  20  pensioners  at  one  time.  If 
these  30  cases  were  placed  on  the  funds,  it 
would  involve  an  annual  expenditure  of  £588, 
and  it  must  be  further  noted  that  the  Institu- 
tion would  incur  an  obligation  for  the  re- 
mainder of  each  candidate's  life.  It  is  im- 
possible for  the  Committee  to  undertake  this 
responsibility  at  present,  and  it  is  feared 
there  will  be  many  disappointed  candi- 
dates at  the  election  in  1908  unless  the 
income  of  the  Institution  can,  in  the 
meantime,  be  increased  to  a  considerable 
extent.  As  showing  how  much  easier  the 
lives  of  the  pensioners  become  wdien  they  are 
partially  relieved  of  anxiety  concerning  the 
necessities  of  existence,  Mr.  Veitch  said  that 
one  pensioner,  when  elected,  was  over  70 
years  of  age,  and  his  medical  attendant  had 
stated  that  it  was  impossible  for  him  to  live 
for  many  months,  yet  he  lived  to  the 
age  of  103  years.  The  pensioners  have,  on 
many  occasions,  shown  that  they  are  per- 
fectly honest  in  the  acceptance  of  help,  one 
of  them  having  actually  contributed  towards 
the  funds  when  circumstances  had  again 
placed  him  in  a  more  favourable  position. 
Only  last  year  a  pensioner  wrote  to  the  Com- 
mittee renouncing  the  pension,  because  he 
thought  that  his  circumstances  were  no 
longer  so  necessitous  as  those  of  some  candi- 
dates still  awaiting  relief.  Mr.  Veitch  closed 
a  most  effective  speech  with  the  exhortation, 
"  Let  us  leave  an  example  that  those  who 
must  fill  our  places  sooner  or  later  may 
emulate — and  surpass." 

Mr.  Stuart  M.  Samuel,  M.P.,  proposed  tin- 
toast  of  "  Horticulture  in  all  its  Branches," 
making  a  humorous  speech,  to  which  the 
Right  Hon.  Colonel  Lockwood,  M.P.,  re- 
sponded. 

The  Secretary,  Mr.  G.  J.  Ingram,  subse- 
quently announced  the  donations  and  sub- 
scriptions. These  included,  amongst  others, 
an  annual  subscription  of  five  guineas  from 
H.R.H.  the  Prince  of  Wales,  100  guineas 
from  the  Chairman,  100  guineas  from  Messrs. 
N.  N.  Rothschild  and  Sons,  £225  from  Nor- 
man C.  Cookson,  Esq.,  £225  from  Messrs. 
Sander  and  Sons,  £200  from  Messrs.  Sutton 
and  Sons  (also  £50  to  the  Samaritan  Fund) ; 
from  the  friends  connected  with  Covent 
Garden,  etc.,  per  Mr.  Geo.  Monro's  list, 
£137  us.,  and  Mr.  R.  F.  Felton's  list  £120. 

It  is  encouraging  to  know  that  so  deserving 
an  Institution  has  such  good  friends,  many 
of  whom  come  forward  year  after  year  and 
afford  help  to  the  utmost  limit  of  their  power. 


hi 


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July  6,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


11 


Our  Supplementary  Illustration  depicts 
a  portion  of  the  Rose  Garden  near  to  the  Paim 
House  in  the  Royal  Gardens,  Kew.  The  variety  in 
the  foreground  of  the  illustration  is  Dupuy  Jamain, 
a  vigorous  Hybrid  Perpetual  Rose,  having  rich, 
cerise-coloured  flowers.  Next  is  a  bed  of  standard 
plants  of  the  variety  Baroness  Rothschild,  a  rose- 
coloured  flower  shaded  with  white.  The  large 
round  bed  near  which  an  artist  is  seated  contains 
the  Hybrid  Tea  variety  Caroline  Testout,  which  is 
considered  by  many  cultivators  to  be  the  finest 
Rose  ever  raised.  Caroline  Testout  is  a  Rose  that 
may  always  be  seen  at  exhibitions  of  this  flower, 
and  as  a  garden  Rose  it  has  few  equals.  The 
other  round  bed  in  the  distance  contains  Mildred 
Grant,  a  variety  remarkable  for  the  large  size 
of  its  flowers  ;  these  are  blush-white,  tinted 
with  pink.  At  Kew  it  is  the  practice  to  plant 
Violas  to  carpet  the  Rose  beds  during  the  first 
year  after  the  Roses  are  planted,  and  occasionally 
the  Violas  are  repeated  in  the  second  year.  The 
third  and  fifth  beds  on  the  left  in  the  illustration 
are  planted  in  this  manner.  When  Violas  are  thus 
employed  it  is  necessary  to  study  the  colours 
of  the  flowers  of  both  the  Rose  and  Viola  for  each 
particular  bed,  and  in  some  instances  the  young 
foliage  of  the  Rose  has  to  be  borne  in  mind.  One 
of  the  best  effects  this  spring  was  obtained  by 
growing  Viola  Duchess  of  Sutherland,  lavender 
blue  flowers,  as  a  groundwork  to  the  Rose 
Marianne  Pfitzer,  the  young  foliage  of  which  has 
a  decided  bronze  tint. 

The  Holland  Park  Show.— The  Royal 
Horticultural  Society  will  hold  its  summer 
ihow  in  the  park  adjoining  Holland  House, 
Kensington,  on  Tuesday  and  Wednesday  next. 
The  Fruit,  Floral,  and  Orchid  Committees  will 
meet  at  11  o'clock  a.m.,  and  the  exhibition  will 
be  opened  at  12.30  p.m.  The  special  silver  cup 
given  annually  by  N.  N.  Sherwood,  Esq.,  will 
be  awarded  to  the  best  collection  of  herbaceous 
and  bulbous  plants.  Members  of  the  various 
committees  and  other  invited  guests  will  be  enter, 
tained  by  the  council  at  luncheon  at  1  p.m.  By 
kind  permission  of  Mary  Countess  of  Ilchester, 
the  beautiful  private  gardens  will  be  open  to 
the  public,  who  will  be  charged  a  small  admis- 
sion fee  for  the  benefit  of  the  gardening  charities. 
We  hope  that  the  weather  will  be  brighter  than 
it  is  at  the  time  of  writing,  and  that  the  exhibi- 
tion will  be  attended  with  marked  success. 

British  Gardeners  Association. — We  are 

informed  that  a  meeting  of  the  Executive  Council 
of  this  Association  was  held  at  the  Royal  Horti- 
cultural Hall  on  June  25,  Mr.  W.  H.  Divers  in 
I  he  chair.  A  vote  of  condolence  was  passed  with 
Mrs.  Masters  and  family  on  the  death  of  the  late 
Dr.  Masters  who  had  taken  a  keen  interest  in 
the  association  from  the  beginning.  Mr.  Chas. 
Foster,  University  College  Gardens,  Reading, 
was  elected  chairman  for  the  ensuing  year,  and 
Mr.  Divers  vice-chairman,  the  last-named  being 
accorded  a  hearty  vote  of  thanks  for  his  services 
during  the  past  year.  Fifteen  new  members  and 
one  apprentice  were  elected.  Messrs.  Watson  & 
Castle  were  elected  to  the  Publication  Com- 
mittee. The  question  of  having  a  paid  secretary 
was  again  discussed,  but  no  definite  action  was 
taken. 

The  Society  of  Arts  will  hold  a  conversa- 
zione, by  arrangement  with  the  council  of  the 
Royal  Botanic  Society,  in  the  gardens  of  that 
society,  Inner  Circle,  Regent's  Park,  on  Tuesday 
evening,  July  9,  from  9  p.m.  to  12  o'clock. 

Examination  in  Horticulture.— TheReport 

of  the  Annual  Examination  in  the  Principles  and 
Practice  of  Horticulture,  held  on  April  10  last, 
by  the  Horticultural  Society,  has  just  been  pub- 
lished ;  150  candidates  entered.  Three  hundred 
marks  were  allotted  as  a  maximum.  Twenty 
candidates,  or  nearly  14  per  cent,  of  the  whole 


number,  were  placed  in  the  first  class.  Fifty- 
nine,  or  about  40  per  cent,  of  the  whole,  were 
placed  in  the  second  class.  Sixty-three,  or  a 
little  over  44  per  cent.,  were  placed  in  the  third 
class.  It  is  noticeable  that  the  successes  of  the 
first  class  are  nearly  double  those  of  1906 — 13.8 
^er  cent.  (1907),  7  per  cent.  (1906)— while  the 
second  class  has  decreased  from  50  to  40  per 
cent.  The  third  class  is  nearly  stationary.  The 
examiners  in  their  report  make  the  following  re- 
marks : — "With  regard  to  the  papers  on  the 
Principles  of  Horticulture,  many  of  the  an- 
swers were  extremely  good,  but  too  many  can- 
didates gave  an  account  of  assimilation  in  error 
for  respiration  ;  and  in  replying  to  the  question 
in  the  divisions,  gave  merely  the  distinctions 
between  the  classes  of  Dicotyledons  and  Mono- 
cotyledons, which  was  not  asked  for.  It  is  to 
be  regretted  that  Darwin's  mistake  as  to  the  'in- 
juriousness '  of  self-fertilisation  still  holds  its 
ground,  though  it  has  been  shown  to  be  not  true 
to  nature  thirty  years  ago.  With  regard  to  the 
Prai  tice  of  Horticulture,  with  a  few  exceptions 
the  candidates  answered  the  questions  fairly 
well.  None  of  them  obtained  the  maximum 
number  of  marks.  Many  candidates  started  well 
and  obtained  the  maximum  number  of  marks  in 
the  first  or  second  questions,  but  fell  off  to- 
wards the  third  and  fourth.  There  are  about  26 
minutes  allowed  for  each  question,  and  if  the 
eight  questions  were  apportioned  into  26 
minutes  each,  a  more  uniform  degree  of  merit 
would  be  obtained.  Allusion  has  been  made  in 
previous  years  to  the  candidates  introducing 
irrelevant  matter  into  their  answers,  but  there 
is  not  much  reason  for  comment  on  this  point 
in  the  present  examination.  The  main  cause  of 
failure  has  been  the  spending  of  too  much  time 
on  the  first  questions  and  failing  for  want  of 
time  towards  the  end.  In  two  or  three  instances 
three  questions  were  answered  well,  and  then  a 
very  poor  attempt  indeed  made  at  a  fourth,  evi- 
dently owing  to  want  of  time." 

The     Kings     Birthday     Honours.— It    is 

satisfactory  to  find  that  the  importance  of  science 
is  acknowdedged  in  the  recent  list  of  Birthday 
honours,  and  that  Professor  Ray  Lankester, 
LL.D.,  F.R.S.,  has  been  created  a  Knight  Com- 
mander of  the  Bath.  There  are  several  names 
more  or  less  intimately  known  in  horticultural 
circles.  Among  these  may  be  mentioned  Mr. 
William  Henry  Dunn,  Sheriff  of  the  City  of 
London  and  a  member  of  the  governing  body  at 
the  Royal  Botanic  Society,  who  receives  a 
knighthood.  The  list  of  appointments  to  the  Im- 
perial Service  Order  include  the  names  of  Mr. 
Chas.  Jordan,  superintendent  of  St.  James's, 
Green,  and  Hyde  Parks,  and  Kensington  gar- 
dens ;  and  Mr.  Charles  Eustace  Pillans,  hor- 
ticultural  assistant  Department  of  Agriculture  in 
the  Cape  of  Good  Hope  Colony.  Many  of  our 
readers  know  Mr.  Jordan  intimately,  and  will 
receive  the  news  of  the  honour  now  conferred 
upon  him  with  pleasure. 

Sir  Joseph  Hooker,  G.C.S.I.,  C.B.,  F.R.S., 

&c— Our  readers  will  join  us  in  congratulating 
Sir  Joseph  Dalton  Hooker,  on  the  attainment 
of  his  ninetieth  birthday  on  Sunday  last,  June  30, 
and  in  his  appointment  on  that  day  by  H.M.  the 
King  to  the  Order  of  Merit.  An  excellent  por- 
trait of  Sir  Joseph  Hooker  was  published  in  a 
supplementary  illustration  to  our  issue  for 
January  7,  1905. 

Hungarian  Fruits  for  the  English 
Market. — Our  cultivators  of  hardy  fruits  are 
promised  further  competition  in  the  shape  of  pre- 
served Plums,  Apricots,  Peaches,  Tomatos,  etc., 
in  the  course  of  a  short  space  of  time.  The  secre- 
tary of  the  Royal  Hungarian  Museum  in  London 
has  already  entered  into  communication  with 
important  manufacturers  and  wholesale  merchants 
with  the  objects  of  ascertaining  their  wishes,  sorts 
of  fruit  preferred,  and  value. 


Secret  Commissions.  —  We  are  informed 
that  at  a  meeting  of  the  Council  of  the  Secret 
Commissions  and  Bribery  Prevention  League, 
held  on  July  2  at  the  London  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce, Sir  Edward  Fry  was  elected  as  first  pre- 
sident, and  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury, 
Earl  Fortescue,  Lord  Avebury,  Sir  W.  H. 
Holland,  Sir  W.  Mather,  and  Mr.  David 
Howard  were  elected  vice-presidents.  Mr. 
David  Howard,  who  presided,  was  able  to 
report  that  the  League  had  made  considerable 
progress,  and  was  obtaining  an  increasingly  in- 
fluential membership.  Mr.  R.  M.  Leonard  has 
been  appointed  secretary.  The  offices  of  the 
League  have  been  removed  to  3,  Oxford  Court, 
Cannon  Street,  London,  E.C. 

Franco-British     Exhibition,     19G8.  —  A 

deputation  of  the  French  Agricultural  and  Hor- 
ticultural Committee  of  this  proposed  inter- 
national exhibition  arrived  in  London  on  June 
30.  The  deputation  consists  of  the  president, 
M.  Viger,  Senator,  and  formerly  Minister  of 
Agriculture;  M.  Truffaut,  vice-president  of  the 
French  National  Society  of  Horticulture ;  M. 
Senet,  formerly  president  of  the  Agricultural 
Machinery  Society  ;  M.  Chatenay,  general  secre- 
tary of  the  French  National  Society  of  Horticul- 
ture ;  M.  Guillaume,  architect  to  the  Com- 
mittee;  and  M.  Martel,  who  is  attached  to  the 
Department  of  the  Minister  of  Agriculture.  The 
deputation  is  visiting  London  with  the  object  of 
completing  all  the  details  for  the  collective  par- 
ticipation of  French  agriculturists  and  horticul- 
turists in  the  Franco-British  exhibition  which 
will  be  held  next  year.  A  special  committee, 
composed  of  agriculturists  and  horticulturists  of 
England  and  France,  will  undertake  the  or- 
ganisation of  the  agricultural  and  horticultural 
sections  of  the  exhibition. 

Agricultural  Education. — The  Depart- 
mental Committee,  of  which  Lord  Reay  is 
Chairman,  held  meetings  on  the  18th,  19th,  and 
20th  inst.,  Lord  Barnard  presiding  in  the  ab- 
sence of  the  Chairman  at  the  Hague  Conference. 
The  following  witnesses  attended  and  were 
examined: — Mr.  W.  A.  Simmons,  estate  agent, 
Reading ;  Miss  Edith  Bradley,  late  Warden, 
Studley  College,  Warwickshire ;  the  Vice- 
l'hancellor  and  Professor  Weiss,  Manchester 
University  ;Mr.  H.  Hamel-Smith,  late  resident  in 
the  West  Indies  ;  Mr.  C.  N.  P.  Phipps,  Chairman 
of  the  Agricultural  Education  Committee  of  the 
Wiltshire  County  Council;  Mr.  W.  McCracken, 
agent  to  Lord  Crewe  ;  Mr.  C.  H.  Eady,  land 
agent,  Lockinge,  near  Wantage  ;  Professor  T.  W. 
Cave,  F.R.C.V.S.,  South-Eastern  Agricultural 
College,  Wye ;  Miss  Miller,  Farnham ;  Sir 
John  MacFadyean,  Royal  Veterinary  College ; 
Mr.  J.  Peter,  Berkeley,  Gloucester;  Rev.  J.  B. 
M'Ci.f.llan,  Principal  of  the  Royal  Agricultural 
College,  Cirencester ;  Mr.  W.  P.  Wright,  Lec- 
turer in  Horticulture,  Kent  County  Council. 

At  further  meetings  on  June  25,  26  and 

27,  the  following  witnesses  attended  and  were 
examined:  Mr.  W.  J.  Grant,  Director  of  Agri- 
cultural Education,  Monmouthshire ;  Sir  John 
Cockburn,  K.C.M.G.  ;  Mr.  P.  Alltoft,  In- 
structor in  Agricultural  Processes ;  Mr.  Chas. 
Sheather,  F.R.C.V  S.,  Master  of  the  Farriers' 
Company ;  Mr.  George  Langridge,  late  President 
of  the  Surveyors'  Institution  ;  Mr.  W.  Goaring, 
Horticultural  Instructor,  East  Sussex  :  Professor 
Campbell,  Department  of  Agriculture  and 
Technical  Instruction  for  Ireland;'  Mr.  Jas. 
MacDonald,  Secretary,  Highland  and  Agricul- 
tural Society  of  Scotland  ;  Mr.  W.  H.  Dunn, 
Chairman  of  the  Berkshire  County  Council  ;  Mr. 
J.  C.  Drewitt,  West  Sussex  County  Council  ; 
and  representatives  of  the  Dauntsey  Agricultural 
School,  Wiltshire,  and  of  the  Swanley  Horticul- 
tural College,  Kent. 


12 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[July  6,  1907. 


Flowers  in  Season. — Mr.  Amos  Perry, 
Hardy  Plant  Nursery,  Enfield,  sends  a  hybrid 
Heuchera  with  white  flowers,  named  Perry's 
White.  The  variety  has  red  or  pink  stamens,  and 
a  very  large  inflorescence. 

Europe  and  the  Far  East. — Mr.  A.  Unger, 
of  the  firm  of  Messrs.  L.  Boehmer  &  Co.,  Yoko- 
hama, Japan,  writes  us  as  follows  : — "  This  is 
to  inform  you  that  we  received  to-day  (May  28) 
your  papers  dated  April  27  and  May  4.  They 
reached  us  by  the  '  Empress  of  China,'  and 
made  the  trip  from  London  in  22  days,  a  record 
mail,  which  we  think  will  be  interesting  to  your 
readers,  as  it  proves  that  the  communication 
between  Europe  and  the  Far  East  is  being  im- 
proved, especially  now  that  a  connection  has 
been  made  via  Siberia.  It  is  possible  for  us  to 
leave  Yokohama,  and  arrive  18  days  later  in 
London." 


The  Keifer  Pear.— It  is  stated  by  a  market 
orchardist  in  The  Canadian  Horticulturist  for 
June  that  it  "is  not  in  so  good  demand  as  it 
used  to  be,"  and  he  is,  therefore,  grafting 
Duchess  d'Angouleme  on  his  trees  of  Keifer,  and 
in  the  last  two  years  he  has  grafted  2,000  trees 
with  this  variety.  The  Duchess  is  more  free 
from  blight  than  almost  any  variety  of  Pear, 
bears  regularly,  and  ships  well  to  Europe. 

Hay  Crops  and  the  Absence  of  Sun. — 

In  view  of  the  unsettled  character  of  the 
weather,  and  of  the  consequent  difficulty  in 
securing  the  hay  crop,  the  Board  of  Agricul- 
ture draw  the  attention  of  farmers  and  others 
to  the  system  of  ensilage  as  a  means  of  conserv- 
ing crops  of  Grass  and  Clover.  Copies  of  leaflet 
No.  9,  which  describes  this  process,  may  be 
obtained  post  free  and  free  of  charge  upon  ap- 


plate,  and  it  may  be  purchased  smooth  or  ribbed 
as  may  be  desired.  The  wire  causes  only  the 
smallest  shade  on  the  plants  beneath  the  roof. 
The  extra  cost  of  the  article  is  inconsiderable, 
and  reckoning  the  durability  of  wired  glass,  it 
is  said  to  be  the  cheaper  in  the  end.  The  rais- 
ing of  the  warmth  of  the  interior  of  a  wired- 
glass-covered  house  is  rather  longer  in  point  of 
time  by  sun-heat ;  on  the  other  hand,  the  house 
parts  with  its  heat  more  slowly,  and  those  dan- 
gerous and  sudden  changes  of  temperature  ex- 
perienced in  ordinary  houses  are  avoided. 

Publications  Received.— Flower  Show  Fixtures 
for  1907,  from  Messrs.  Austin  &  McAslan,  Glasgow: 
a  folded  card  containing  the  dates  of  horticultural 
exhibitions,  chiefly  those  which  will  be  held  in  Scot- 
land.— Report  (Annual)  of  the  Botanic  Garden  Syndi- 
cate, being  a  report  of  the  work  done  in  the  Cambridge 
Botanic    Garden.— Field,    Paths    and    Green   Lanes. 


F)G.  5. — A  PERGOLA  OF  ROSES  IN  THE  ROYAL  GARDENS,  KEW.   (See  p.  13, 


{Photograph  by  C.  P.  Rajfill. 


The  German  Arboricultural  Society. 

Professor  Schwappach,  master  forester,  has  been 
appointed  vice-president  of  this  society  (Deutschen 
Dendrologischen  Gesellschaft)  in  the  place  of  Prof. 
Pfitzer,  deceased. 

Andre  Laurent. — We  note  the  death,  at 
Limoges,  at  the  age  of  82  years,  of  this  famous 
raiser  of  new  varieties  of  Lilac,  Clematis,  and  fruits. 

Professor  Dr.  Karl  Muller.— We  regret 
to  annouce  the  death,  on  the  13th  inst.,  of  this 
professor  of  botany  at  the  Horticultural  Insti- 
tution, Dahlem,  and  Dean  of  the  Technical 
High  School  at  Charlottenburg,  at  the  age  of 
51  years.  The  deceased  was  for  many  years 
Dean  of  the  Berlin  Agricultural  High  School. 


plication  to  the  Secretary,  Board  of  Agricul- 
ture, 4,  Whitehall  Place,  London,  S.W.  Let- 
ters of  application  so  addressed  need  not  be 
stamped. 

Wired  Glass  in  the  Erection  of  Glass- 
houses.—This  material  for  roof-glazing  is  coming 
much  into  use  in  Germany.  It  is  described  as 
possessing  many  advantages  over  ordinary  glass, 
either  rough  or  ribbed  plate,  and  polished  glass, 
in  its  capability  of  withstanding  hail,  wind 
pressure,  blows,  and  atmospheric  influences, 
most  important  facts  for  gardeners.  The  wire 
network  is  incorporated  with  the  glass  whilst 
the  latter  is  in  a  fluid  state;  and  the  trans- 
parency of  the  material  is  not  influenced  there- 
by,  it  being  as  transparent  as  ordinary  rough 


Edition  V.,  by  Louis  J.  Jennings.  Published  by  John 
Murray. — Summer  Holidays,  by  Percy  Lindley.  This 
is  a  handbook  issued  by  the  Great  Eastern  Railway 
Company,  and  describes  some  of  the  more  interesting 
features  in  the  less  known  districts  of  East  Anglia,  and 
in  the  country  between  the  Cromer  coast  and  the 
Norfolk  Broads.  It  is  an  attractive  little  book,  and  is 
freely  illustrated,  many  of  the  illustrations  being 
reproduced  in  colours. 


KEW     NOTES 


GARDEN    ROSES. 

[See  Fig.  5  and  Supplementary  Illustration.] 
When  the  Rhododendrons  have  passed  their 
best  at  about  the  middle  of  the  month  of  June 
the  Roses  claim  more  attention  perhaps  than  any 


July  6,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


13 


other  subject  grown  in  the  open-air  at  Kew. 
During  the  month  of  July  the  larger  number  of 
visitors  who  walk  amongst  the  beds  is  some- 
times evident  in  the  bare  patches  to  be  seen  on 
the  lawns  where  the  grass  has  been  much  trod- 
den. 

Few  of  the  persons  who  admire  the  beauti- 
ful Roses  have  any  idea  of  the  amount  of 
labour  expended  to  obtain  these  results.  To 
name  only  one  item  will  suffice.  The  soil  in 
which  they  grow  has  all  been  obtained  from  a 
distance.  A  few  inches  below  the  surface  of  the 
ground  at  Kew  the  soil,  except  in  one  or  two 
restricted  areas,  is  practically  pure  sand.  This 
has  been  dug  out  to  a  depth  of  about  2  feet  and 
replaced  with  the  top-spit  from  old  pasture  land 
now  being  built  on  at  Hounslow,  YVillesden,  &c. 

In  gardens  where  there  is  ample  space  for  the 
growing  of  Roses,  as  at  Kew,  it  is  better  to 
restrict    each    bed   to   one  variety.     The    effect 


the  newer  Hugh  Dickson  (both  good  as  stand- 
dards),  Merveille  de  Lyon,  Ulrich  Brunner, 
Victor  Hugo,  Mrs.  John  Laing,  and  its  blush 
sport  Mrs.  H.  W.  Sanford. 

The  Hybrid  Tea  Roses  being  more  robust  in 
growth,  and  quite  as  free-flowering  and  fragrant 
as  the  tea-scented  varieties,  their  great  popu- 
larity is  not  surprising.  During  recent  years 
they  have  been  planted  largely  at  Kew.  Espe- 
cially worthy  of  mention  are  Augustine  Guinois- 
seau,  Captain  Christy,  Caroline  Testout  (good 
both  as  a  standard  and  bush),  Clara  Watson, 
Frau  Karl  Druschki,  which  is  the  best  white 
Rose  for  any  purpose ;  Gloire  Lyonnaise,  Grace 
Darling,  Gustave  Regis,  Killarney,  La  France, 
Madame  Abel  Chatenay,  a  very  distinct  and 
pleasing  Rose,  especially  in  the  bud  ;  Madame 
Ravary  (orange  yellow),  Marquise  Litta,  Mrs. 
W.  J.  Grant  (syn.  Belle  Siebrecht),  and  Vis- 
countess Folkestone. 


Fig.  6.- — rose  pride  of  waltham,  colour  pale  rose. 


obtained  from  a  dozen  or  fifty  Rose  plants  of  one 
variety  in  a  bed  is  more  pleasing  than  when  a 
number  of  sorts  are  planted  in  the  same  bed. 
It  is  better  to  limit  the  number  of  varieties 
grown  than  to  cultivate  a  large  collection  and 
thus  spoil  the  effect.  The  varieties  grown  at 
Kew  are  selected  as  far  as  possible  for  their 
free-flowering  qualities  and  good  habit. 

Most  of  what  may  be  termed  the  garden 
Roses  are  grown  on  either  side  of  the  path  on 
the  outskirts  of  the  Italian  Garden,  and  at  either 
end  of  the  Palm  House.  The  Hybrid  Perpetual 
varieties  found  to  succeed  the  best  at  Kew  in- 
clude such  well-known  varieties  as  Alfred 
Colomb,  Baroness  Rothschild,  Camille  Bernar- 
din,  Captain  Hayward  (a  perfect  bedding  Rose), 
Countess  of  Oxford,  Duke  of  Edinburgh, 
General    Jacqueminot,    Margaret    Dickson,    and 


Tea  Roses,  being  of  more  moderate  growth, 
are  grown  at  Kew  in  rather  smaller  beds  on  the 
inside  of  the  path  previously  mentioned.  Some 
of  the  best  sorts  are  Anna  Olivier,  Corallina 
(rosy-red),  one  of  the  best  Tea  Roses  of  recent 
introduction  ;  G.  Nabonnand,  Hon.  Edith  Gif- 
ford,  Jean  Pernet,  Madame  Lambard,  Maman 
Cochet,  and  Princesse  de  Sagan. 

Several  varieties  of  extra  vigorous  growth  are 
grown  on  the  pegging-down  system,  that  is,  in- 
stead of  the  usual  practice  of  shortening  back 
all  the  growths,  the  vigorous  young  shoots  are 
bent  down  and  fixed  in  this  position  by  the  use 
of  pegs.  Only  the  weak  shoots  and  the  older 
wood  are  cut  out  in  spring.  Many  more  flowers 
are  obtained  from  a  bed  of  Roses  treated  in  this 
manner  than  it  is  possible  to  get  from  plants 
pruned  in  the  ordinary  way.  The  varieties  found 


to  respond  most  readily  at  Kew  to  this  treatment 
are  Clio,  Dawn,  Frau  Karl  Druschki,  Gloire  de 
Dijon,  and  William  Allen  Riohardson.  Another 
Hybrid  Tea  which  resents  hard  pruning  is  Griiss 
an  Teplitz.  If  allowed  to  grow  naturally, 
merely  cutting  out  the  old  wood  when  the 
bushes  become  too  thick,  this  Rose  is  a  gem 
for  massing  on  the  outskirts  of  the  Rose  gardea 
and  in  the  pleasure  grounds. 

Climbing  and  rambling  Roses  are  also  well 
represented  on  the  Pergola  (see  fig.  5)  near  the 
Rockery,  in  the  Rose  Dell  near  the  Pagoda,  and 
in  numerous  beds  in  various  parts  of  the 
grounds.  Many  are  at  present  in  flower,  while 
others,  only  now  in  bud,  will  prolong  the  flower- 
ing season  for  some  time  to  come.  D.  D.  [An 
excellent  Hybrid  Perpetual  Rose  is  Pride  of 
Waltham,  of  which  an  illustration  is  given  at 
fig.  6.  It  has  a  good  habit  of  growth,  and  the 
flowers  are  of  large  size,  with  petals  of  much 
substance ;  colour,  pale  pink,  shading  to  rose. — 
Ed.]  

HOME    CORRESPONDENCE. 


{The  Editor  does  not  hold  himself  responsible  for  the 
opinions  expressed  by  his  correspondents.) 

Strawberry    Kentish    Favourite. — By   a 

rather  limited  vote  an  Award  of  Merit  was  granted 
to  this  Strawberry  by  the  Fruit  Committee  of  the 
Royal  Horticultural  Society  at  the  meeting  held  on 
June  25  because  it  was  claimed  for  the  variety  that 
it  was  very  early  in  fruiting.  It  was  also  agreed  to 
ask  for  plants  to  be  sent  to  Wisley  Gardens  later 
on  for  trial  there  in  comparison  not  only  with 
Royal  Sovereign,  but  also  with  other  well-known 
varieties.  It  is  most  important  that  the  Royal 
Horticultural  Society's  gardens  should  be  used  to 
the  utmost  for  trials  of  this  description,  especially  as 
the  soil  and  position  of  these  gardens  suits  Straw- 
berries, as  well  as  many  other  plants.     A.  Dean. 

Strawberry,  the  Laxton. — Although  this 
variable  Strawberry  has  been  condemned  by  some 
growers  as  useless,  and  in  certain  seasons  and 
districts  it  has  undoubtedly  proved  disappointing, 
compared  with  the  promise  of  its  early  years,  yet 
very  favourable  results  are  still  obtained  at  times. 
This  season,  for  instance,  I  have  had  a  good  crop 
of  extremely  fine  fruits  from  plants  in  a  rich,  deep 
loam,  and  so  satisfactory  has  the  variety  proved 
that  it  will  be  still  kept  on  trial.  Gathering  was 
commenced  about  the  same  time  as  from  Royal 
Sovereign,  the  fruits  were  nearly  as  large,  of 
handsome  conical  shape,  rich  in  colour,  and  of 
capital  flavour  for  an  early  variety  ;  much  superior 
in  that  respect  to  the  variety  mentioned,  distinctly 
suggestive  of  King  of  the  Earlies  and  Vicomtesse 
H.  deThury,  though  these  are  two  of  The  Laxton's 
remotest  ancestors.  I  have  never  remarked  before 
the  characters  of  Sir  Joseph  Laxton  so  strongly 
developed  as  in  this  year  ;  in  some  of  the  fruits  be- 
fore they  were  fully  ripe  these  were  most  conspic- 
uous as  regards  form  and  colour,  and  it  was  not 
easy  to  distinguish  the  two  varieties  by  the  fruit 
alone.  It  was  one  of  the  main  points  the  raisers 
had  in  view,  namely  the  production  of  an  early 
Sir  J.  Laxton  on  account  of  the  valuable  firmness 
of  the  latter's  fruit.  The  extraordinary  variability 
of  some  Strawberries  in  different  seasons  and 
distinct  soils  is  most  puzzling,  and  is  a  subject  that 
would  be  well  worth  careful  investigation.  Heavy 
losses  are  occasionally  experienced  by  purchasing 
largely  of  varieties  that  have  grown  exceedingly 
successful  in  some  districts  and  in  particular 
years.  This  makes  growers  for  market  very 
cautious  about  investing  in  novelties,  and  conse- 
quently very  slow  advance  is  made.  The  mistake 
to  my  mind  is  that  most  growers  wait  until  the 
varieties  are  obtainable  in  large  numbers  instead 
of  testing  the  most  promising  novelties  for  them- 
selves on  a  moderate  scale,  using  them  as  soon  as 
they  are  sent  out.     Lewis  Castle. 

Saxifraga  Aizoon  rosea. — An  error  has 
crept  into  my  note  (see  p.  418)  on  this  plant. 
At  the  eighth  line  from  the  end,  "  the  purplish 
colour  of  the  petals  "  should  read  "  the  purplish 
colour  of  the  peduncles."  This  colouring  of 
the  stems  is  very  pronounced,  and  gives  an 
added  beauty  to  a  very  desirable  plant.  By 
raising  seedlings  from  this  plant,  flowers  of  a 
deeper  or  richer  tone  of  colour  may  probably  be 
obtained.     E.  Jenkins. 


14 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE 


[July  6,  It. 3 


Summer    Pruning    of    Fruit    Trees.  —  I 

should  have  imagined  that  the  results  following 
the  summer  pruning  of  fruit  trees  in  the  open 
were  sufficient  to  show  the  benefits  of  the  prac- 
tice. Mr.  Castle  (see  p.  424,  vol.  xli.)  asks  for  proof 
that  by  summer  pruning  ordinary  woodbuds  be- 
come converted  into  fruit  buds  the  following 
year.  Their  formation  in  the  form  of  imperfect 
fruit  spurs  the  following  year  certainly  furnishes 
ample  proof.  The  initial  change  or  process  of 
conversion  seen  in  these  basal  woodbuds  after 
the  pruning  the  first  year,  must  be  followed  by 
the  completion  of  the  conversion  the  second  year 
into  perfect  fruit  buds  before  the  actual  results 
can  be  seen,  and  in  such  results  is  the  practice 
of  summer  pruning  fully  justified.  When  these 
wood  shoots,  ordinarily  pinched,  or  cut  back  at 
some  period  of  growth  during  the  summer,  are 
not  so  treated,  but  are  left  to  make  their  full 
season's  wood  growth,  they  are,  as  is  common 
practice  in  such  cases,  cut  back  to  one  or  two 
buds  in  the  winter.  Not  fruit  buds  or  spurs, 
but  mere  wood  shoots  are  again  formed,  and  so 
the  process  of  wood  production  goes  on.  That 
is  not  fruit  production  or  proper  culture.  If 
the  hypothesis  in  relation  to  the  practice  of 
summer  pruning  be  wrong,  then  all  our  practice 
is  folly.  It  is  odd  that  whilst  in  relation  to 
wall  trees,  espaliers,  or  cordons,  no  one  seems 
to  question  the  value  or  necessity  of  summer 
pruning,  the  present  discussion  is  apparently 
made  to  relate  to  bush  or  pyramid  trees  only. 
At  least,  I  assume  so  much.  There  is  one 
thing  which  it  would  be  interesting  to  learn, 
and  the  results  of  the  experience  of  the  many 
able  cultivators  of  fruit  who  annually  report  on 
the  condition  of  the  season's  fruit  crops  would 
be  specially  helpful  to  that  end  if  they  would 
state  whether  in  reference  to,  say,  Apples  and 
Pears,  the  trees  which,  not  the  one  year  alone, 
but  habitually,  give  the  best  crops  are  those 
on  which  summer  pruning  is  practised  or  not. 
A  trial  of  the  practice  of  summer  pruning  fruit 
trees  might  well  be  the  subject  of  experiment  at 
Wisley,  as  opposed  to  mere  thinning  on,  say,  12 
trees  of  any  one  or  more  varieties.  Of  course, 
different  results  might  be  obtained  in  diverse 
soils  and  situations.  Still,  it  is  an  experiment 
which  should  be  conducted.  It  does  not  follow 
that  because  a  practice  is  not  only  common,  but 
very  widely  regarded  as  essential,  it  is  there- 
fore absolutely  right.  It  may  be  wrong,  but 
proof  that  it  is  wrong  is  needed,  and  so  far  little 
seems  to  have  been  forthcoming.  The  greater 
number  of  the  replies  printed  in  these  pages  were 
favourable  to  the  practice.  Many  of  the  sub- 
jects discussed  in  lectures  and  papers  to-day 
have  much  less  practical  value  to  gardening 
than  has  that  relating  to  the  merits  of  summer 
pruning  and  non-summer  pruning  of  fruit  trees. 
A.  Dean. 

■ During  the  summers  of  1905  and  1906 

an  espalier  tree  of  Winter  Nelis  Pear,  trained 
on  a  south  wall,  was  selected  by  me  for  an  ex- 
periment in  summer  pruning.  The  first  season 
the  shoots  were  allowed  to  grow  until  July  20, 
when  they  were  cut  back  in  the  usual  manner. 
The  result  was  a  moderate  formation  of  fruit 
spurs  or  flower-buds.  At  the  commencement  of 
June,  1906,  the  side  shoots  were  pinched  back 
with  the  thumb  and  finger,  which  treatment  was 
continued  throughout  the  summer.  The  result 
of  this  treatment,  so  far  as  the  production  of 
fruit  spurs  is  concerned,  was  highly  satisfac- 
tory, for  the  tree  this  season  was  covered  with 
blossom.  I  am  firmly  convinced  that  the 
judicious  stopping  of  the  shoots  acts  as  a  ma- 
terial aid  in  the  production  of  fruit  spurs.  C.  R., 
Herts. 

Sweet  Pea  Countess  Spencer.  —  This 
variety  seems  to  be  producing  more  surprises 
this  season  in  the  shape  of  progeny  with  new 
colours.  I  am  sending  you  a  few  of  those  at 
present  in  flower  in  my  garden,  all  of  which 
show  the  trv*e  characteristics  of  the  Countess 
Spencer  type,  viz.,  the  large  wavy  standard, 
large  wings  enfolding  the  keel,  and  the  straight 
and  open  keel.  The  variety  Countess  Spencer  re- 
sulted from  a  cross  effected  between  Prima 
Donna  and  an  unfixed  seedling  in  1899.  The 
raiser  was  Mr.  Silas  Cole,  Althorp  Park  Gar- 
dens, and  seeds  were  put  in  commerce  before 
the  variety  was  fixed.  This,  and  the  fact  that 
some  seeds  of  another  variety  were  accidentally 
mixed  with  it,  would  account  for  the  appear- 
ance of  these  so-called  sports.  There  can  be  no 
doubt  that  these  sports  are  the  result  of  cross- 


fertilisation,  and  until  recently  I  imagined  that 
they  must  all  be  the  result  of  Mr.  Cole's  crosses, 
but  I  am  now  of  the  opinion  that,  owing  to  this 
flower  possessing  an  open  keel  and  protruding 
stigma,  cross-pollination  may  be  effected  by 
other  than  human  agency.  The  Countess  Spencer 
type  of  flower  is  not  so  readily  self-fertilised 
and  consequently  is  the  more  easily  cross-fer- 
tilised than  the  older  type  of  flower.  Hugh 
Aldersey,  Aldersey  Hall,  Cheshire.  [Exception- 
ally well-cultivated  flowers  of  the  Countess 
Spencer  type  accompanied  this  note. — Ed.] 

The  Cultivation  of  Gladiolus. — In  dry, 
light,  or  sandy  soils,  in  addition  to  well-decayed 
stable  dung  being  dug  into  the  soil  previous  to 
planting,  abundant  moisture  should  be  afforded  in 
the  absence  of  heavy  rains  during  the  active 
season  of  growth.  The  quantity  of  moisture 
should,  however,  be  lessened  or  discontinued 
before  the  flowers  appear,  a  short  period  of  ripen- 
ing being  beneficial  if  not  too  severe  ;  this  causing 
greater  firmness  in  the  tissues  and  thereby  flowers 
of  better  quality  and  durability.  Excessive  suc- 
culence is  not  beneficial  to  plant,  flower,  or  corm. 
F.  M. 

The  Weather  Outlook. — "  Winter  lingering 
chills  the  lap  of  May,"  wrote  Oliver  Goldsmith 
150  years  ago,  or  thereabouts.  Had  Goldsmith 
lived  in  these  days,  he  might  easily  have  ex- 
tended his  poetical  remarks  to  the  whole  of 
the  month  of  June.  As  regards  Plums,  Pears, 
and  Apples,  I  mention  them  in  their  order  of 
flowering.  There  may  be  a  few  fruitful  trees 
here  and  there,  especially  in  favoured  localities, 
but,  from  what  I  learn,  these  fruits  throughout 
the  country  are  practically  a  general  failure.  A 
redeeming  point  may,  however,  be  found  here- 
abouts in  both  black  and  red  Currants,  and, 
if  seasonable  summer  weather  should  set  in 
quickly,  there  may  also  be  some  Strawberries. 
Last  year  the  Oaks  in  this  district  suffered 
severely  from  the  leaf-devouring  larvee  of  the 
moth  Tortrix  viridana ;  there  were  but  few 
Acorns.  This  year  the  trees  are  again  being 
quite  denuded  of  their  leaves  by  the  same 
plague.  The  present  season  is  one  rampant 
with  weeds  of  all  sorts.  Crops,  such  as  Barley 
and  Wheat,  have,  in  many  instances,  a  starved 
appearance,  and  the  fields  are  overgrown  with 
Charlock  (Sinapis  arvensis).  With  a  view  to  kill- 
ing the  flower  to  prevent  the  ripening  of  the 
seeds,  I  saw  some  fields  being  sprayed  with  a 
chemical  mixture  ;  in  another  some  men  were 
engaged  with  knives  cutting  off  the  flower-heads 
for  the  same  end.  Grass  is  everywhere  abun- 
dant, but  is  spoiling  for  the  want  of  cutting, 
which  is  being  delayed  by  the  wet.  Turnips, 
Mangolds,  Beet,  and  Carrots  all  stand  in  need  of 
warm  sunshine.  Last  year  at  this  time  the  crops 
were  suffering  from  drought,  when  springs  and 
streams  ran  low.  This  year  they  are  all  run- 
ning full.  Notwithstanding  the  fruitless  state 
of  some  of  our  orchards,  all  shrubs  and  her- 
baceous plants  have  done  well  in  this  rainy 
season.  My  Laburnum  Adamii  has  flowered 
splendidly,  considering  it  is  a  young  tree.  It  has 
now  five  well-developed  branches  of  Cytisus 
purpurea,  and  more  are  forming.  It  also  has 
55  handsome  racemes  of  Laburnum  vulgari — 
some  on  the  lower  part  of  the  tree,  some  in  the 
middle,  and  some  quite  at  the  top,  besides  some 
hundreds  of  the  curious  bronzy-coloured  flowers 
of  L.  Adamii.    W .  Miller,  Bcrkswell,  June  25. 

A    Rock    Garden    at     Baston    Manor. — I 

recently  visited  the  gardens  at  Baston  Manor, 
Hayes,  where  many  of  the  plants  seen  are  direct 
introductions  from  their  natural  habitats,  having 
been  collected  and  sent  home  by  the  late  Capt. 
Torrens  during  his  travels  abroad.  They  have 
been  planted  as  nearly  as  possible  under  the 
same  conditions  as  they  formerly  enjoyed.  The 
centre  of  interest  is  the  rock  garden,  and  here 
many  interesting  plants  were  noted  in  flower, 
including  a  large  number  of  Saxifragas. 
Veronica  rupestris  and  Gypsophila  prostrata 
made  a  pretty  display.  Iberis  sempervirens  and 
I.  gibraltarica,  Aster  alpinus  and  Erigeron 
species  were  all  seen  in  their  best  condition  of 
flowering,  whilst  Aubrietias  in  several  of  the 
best  varieties  formed  a  bank  of  colour.  Sapo- 
naria  ocymoides  has  flowers  a  pretty  shade  of 
pink.  The  deep  purple  coloured  flowers  of 
Ramondia  Nathaliae  showed  well  against  the 
white  of  the  Iberis.     Other  plants  in  flower  at 


the  time  of  my  visit  included  Lithospermunt 
prostratum,  Lychnis  viscaria,  Achillea  aurea„ 
Erodium  geranioides,  Coronilla  minerva,. 
Gnaphalium  aureum,  Cheiranthus  mutabilis, 
Pyrethrum  argenteum,  Haberlea  rhodopensis,. 
Geranium  sanguineum,  Achillea  species,  Ram- 
ondias,  and  a  host  of  other  pretty  flowering 
plants.  Adiantum  pedatum  in  large  clumps 
was  very  pretty.  Among  other  plants  in  this 
beautiful  garden  may  be  mentioned  the  Japanese 
Tree  Paeonies,  and  climbing  Roses.     A.  H. 

Bones  for  a  Vine  Border. — I  have  lately 
had  occasion  to  move  a  portion  of  a  vine 
border  that  was  formed  more  than  20  years  ago,, 
and  in  which  a  liberal  quantity  of  half-inch 
bones  had  been  introduced.  They  did  not  seem 
to  have  decayed,  nor  had  the  vine  roots  em- 
braced them  in  a  single  instance.  Every  per- 
son who  writes  on  vines  and  the  composition 
of  a  vine-border  invariably  recommends  half- 
inch  bones  as  one  of  the  ingredients.  I  fail  to 
see  what  good  purpose  this  expensive  article 
serves  in  a  compost  for  vines.     W.  P.  R. 

Hardy  and  Yellow  Rhododendrons. — In 

reference  to  Sir  Herbert  Maxwell's  criticism  of 
my  opinion  of  the  hardiness  of  R.  arboreum  (p.  374) 
I  may  say  that  we  have  tried,  at  Bagshot,  many  of 
the  Himalayan  species  he  n  entions,  and  have 
found  none  of  them  to  be  penectly  hardv.  1\. 
barbatum  being  the  most  promising.  In  speaking 
of  the  hardiness  of  many  plants,  however,  it  is- 
almost  impossible  to  say  which  are  hardy  or  other- 
wise unless  they  are  tested,  but  I  have  noticed' 
that  in  districts  which  are  subject  to  late  spring 
frosts  many  plants  cannot  be  grown  to  such  per- 
fection as  in  places  where  a  low  May  temperature 
is  rare.  I  consider  this  district  to  be  one  of  the 
coldest  south  of  the  Thames,  especially  during  the 
spring,  6*  to  10°  of  frost  having  been  registered 
here  about  the  middle  of  May  for  the  past  four 
or  five  years  in  succession.  I  agree  with  Sir 
Herbert  Maxwell  that  the  Rhododendrons  he 
mentions  are  worth  growing,  but  I  should  advise 
anyone  to  test  them  first,  as  it  is  not  so  much 
the  amount  of  cold  that  causes  the  injury  as 
it  is  the  time  of  year  when  it  is  experienced. 
Mr.  Ryan  takes  me  to  task  for  stating  that  no- 
hardy  yellow  hybrid  Rhododendron  has  yet  been 
raised,  and  cites  a  plant  that,  from  his  description, 
is  R.  campylocarpum,  a  true  species  from  Sikkim, 
and  which  I  mentioned  as  one  of  the  plants  from 
which  a  yellow  hybrid  might  in  time  be  used.  K. 
campylocarpum  we  have  found  to  be  tender  here. 
R.Smithii  aureum  is  certainly  a  dull, yellow-flowered 
plant,  but  this  is  a  semi-deciduous  hybrid  raised, 
from  a  seedling  Rhododendron  and  Azalea  sinensis. 
It  is  not  a  very  handsome  plant  nor  one  that  is  likely 
to  become  very  popular.    J.  Clark,  Bagshot,  Sumy. 

Rose. — I  am  sending  some  single.  Apricot-pink 
coloured  Roses.  I  have  never  had  this  variety 
before  ;  it  has  appeared  as  a  climbing  Rose  for 
the  first  time  in-my  collection.  I  cannot  account 
for  its  appearance,  unless  it  be  a  sport  of  the 
Carmine  Pillar  Rose,  of  which  I  have  a  number 
of  plants.  It  may  perhaps  be  a  reversion  to 
some  ancestral  form  of  the  Carmine  Pillar  Rose. 
Is  this  variety  known  elsewhere?  If  so,  how 
did  it  originate?  E.  Bonavia,  M.D.,  West-wood, 
Richmond  Road,  Worthing,  June  27,  1907.  [We 
do  not  recognise  the  variety  from  the  specimen 
received,  of  which  the  petals  were  already  fall- 
ing. It  does  not,  however,  appear  to  be  of  the 
same  type  as  Carmine  Pillar. — Ed.] 


RHODODENDRON    PURITY. 

No  hardy  shrubs  are  more  handsome  in  their 
season  of  flowering  than  the  Rhododendrons, 
whilst  the  plants  being  evergreen  are  objects 
of  beauty  at  other  seasons  of  the  year,  and 
especially  in  winter,  when  their  fine,  bold  foliage 
affords  a  touch  of  colour  to  the  shrubbery,  and 
furnishes  a  pleasing  contrast  to  the  deciduous 
shrubs  around  them. 

Our  illustration  (see  fig.  7)  is  a  plant  of  the 
variety  Purity  growing  in  a  Donegal  garden. 
The  snowy-white  trusses  of  flowers,  each  with 
a  faint  yellow  "  eye  "  are  very  distinct  in  appear- 
ance. The  variety  is  amongst  the  best  of  the 
light  flowered  forms,  and  is  a  favourite  in 
gardens. 


July  6,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE, 


15 


MARKET  GARDENING. 


TOMATOS. 

Consternation  was  written  on  the  faces 
of  the  many  market  growers  of  Tomatos 
when  for  mid-June  the  record  low  price  of  3s. 
6d.  per  dozen  pounds  was  returned  for  their 
fruits.  Beyond  the  large  supply  from  the  Chan, 
nel  Islands,  there  was  no  apparent  cause  for 
this  low  price.  Trade  was  bad  certainly,  due, 
the  shopkeepers  affirm,  to  the  inclement  season. 

Against  this  the  fact  must  be  recorded  that 
the  present  weather  is  against  a  quick  ripening 
of  the  fruits  inside  the  plant  houses.  As  I  write 
(at  the  end  of  June),  prices  have  gone  up  Id. 
per  pound,  which  is  a  good  thing  for  the 
growers,   fuel  being   so   dear. 

Points  to  be  strictly  observed  in  marketing  if 
best  returns  are  sought  are  honest  packing,  with 
full  weight,  and  all  fruits  should  be  coloured. 
The  prices  ruling  at  the  Borough  and  the  Brent- 
ford markets  are  similar  to  those  of  Covent 
Garden,  which  may  be  said  to  rule  prices  gener- 
ally. 


accommodated  for  a  large  portion  of  the  year  are 
small  in  berries  and  have  no  "  bloom,"  show- 
ing the  absolute  need  for  special  treatment  in 
order  to  obtain  the  best  results.  Gros  Maroc  has 
been  seen  all  through  the  month  of  June,  but 
beyond  its  good  appearance,  this  is  not  a  Grape 
of  high  quality  thus  early  in  the  year. 

Black  Alicante  always  commands  a  certain 
trade,  and  the  samples  are  very  good  for  this 
early   season 

Muscat  of  Alexandria,  at  prices  of  Is.  to  5s. 
per  pound,  correctly  represents  the  difference  in 
the   value  of  the   samples. 

Very  few  high-class  bunches  are  to  be  seen. 
The  Guernsey-grown  bunches  are  now  of  better 
colour,  but  they  are  very  small. 

Canon  Hall  Muscat  from  Guernsey  is  seen, 
but  is  not  remarkable  in  quality.  In  addition  to 
the  above  kinds  of  Grapes,  there  are  some  Gros 
Colmar  from  Worthing,  but  not  of  much  worth. 
Belgium  growers  are  also  sending  a  few  Black 
Hambros. 

Trade  is  about  the  average  for  the  season,  and 
with  the  "  small  fruit  "  season  at  hand,  prices 
will  not  improve.     Stephen  Castle. 


[Photcgiaph  by  Miss  Wallace. 
FlG.   7. — RHODODENDRON    PURITY,    FLOWERS    WHITE    WITH    A    YELLOW    "EYE." 


This  refers  also  to  the  farther  Manchester 
centre,  for  the  prices  are  telephoned  from  each 
market,  and  should  they  be  high  at  the  cotton 
centre,  Covent  Garden  supplies  are  transferred 
to  Manchester  by  the  truck  load. 

The  glass  area  devoted  to  the  market  culture 
of  Tomatos  is  this  season  in  excess  of  that  of 
any  previous  year,  and  thus  it  is  not  likely  that 
high  prices  will  be  maintained  before  the  advent 
of  the  outdoor  crop. 

Plants  in  cold  houses  are  not  doing  well ;  sun 
is  greatly  wanted. 

GRAPES     IN     JUNE. 

The  consumption  of  fruit  is  always  greater  in 
hot  weather,  2nd  the  present  unseasonable 
weather  is  checking  the  demand  for  both  indoor 
and  hardy  fruits.  Strawberries  are  now  in  season, 
and  Cherries  from  Kent  are  in  ;  consequently, 
there  is  a  less  demand  for  Grapes.  Black  Ham- 
burgh is  generally  realising  from  lOd.  to  Is.  6d. 
per  pound,  but  I  know  of  more  than  one  grower 
who  is  realising  2s.  6d.  per  pound  for  his 
bunches.  There  always  is  a  demand  for  good 
bunches  weighing  1  lb.  and  over,  bunches  that 
can  be  used  with  effect  on  the  dessert  table. 
The  bulk  of  this  variety  that  comes  from  the 
Channel  Islands,  while  good  in  colour  and  size 
of  berries,   is   particularly   small  in  the  bunch. 

Bunches    from    vineries    in  which  plants  are 


SOCIETIES. 


ROYAL   HORTICULTURAL. 

Scientific  Committee. 

June  25.— Present:  Mr.  E.  A.  Bowles,  M.A. 
(iri  the  chair),  Prof.  G.  Henslow,  Prof.  G. 
Boulger,  Rev.  W.  Wilks,  Messrs.  Cuthbertson, 
Odell,  Giissow,  Shea,  Worsdell,  Worsley,  Ben- 
nett-P6e,  Douglas,  Massee,  Pickering,  Holmes, 
and  Chittenden.     Visitors,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Biffen. 

The  late  Dr.  Masters. — The  Chairman  read 
the  following  letter  from  Mrs.  Maxwell 
Masters: — "Mrs.  Maxwell  Masters  and  her 
daughters  wish  to  thank  the  members  of  the 
Scientific  Committee  for  their  very  kind  and 
much  valued  sympathy  with  them  in  their  irre- 
parable loss.  The  Scientific  Committee  and  its 
work  were  always  of  the  deepest  interest  to  its 
chairman,  and  the  fortnightly  meetings  formed 
one  of  the  most  agreeable  interludes  in  his  busy 
life.'' 

New  Vice-Chairmen. — Rev.  W.  Wilks  an- 
nounced that  the  Council  had  that  day  resolved 
to  appoint  Messrs.  J.  T.  Bennett-Poe  and  E.  A. 
Bowles  to  fill  the  vacant  places  caused  by  the 
loss  the  committee  and  the  society  had  sustained 
through  the  lamented  death  of  Dr.  M.  T.  Mas- 
ters, F.R.S.,  and  Professor  Michael  Foster, 


F.R.S.  The  announcement  was  received  with 
great  pleasure  by  the  committee. 

Sweet  Peas  and  the  Mendelian  Laws. — Mr. 
R  H.  Biffen  showed  a  very  interesting  series 
of  Sweet  Peas  to  illustrate  the  discoveries  so  fat 
made  in  regard  to  the  laws  of  inheritance  as 
exhibited  in  these  plants.  The  great  majority 
of  crosses  and  so  on  had  been  made  by  Mrs. 
Biffen.  The  following  were  included  in  the 
series. 

(1.)  Cream  crossed  with  white  gave  all  white 
(i.e.,  white  dominant  over  cream).  In  the  second 
generation  from  these  whites  self  fertilised,  white 
and  cream  varieties  were  produced  in  the  propor- 
tion of  three  white  to  one  cream.  The  cream 
breeds  true  in  the  following  generation,  but 
only  one  in  three  of  the  whites  is  pure,  the 
remaining  two  again  producing  creams. 

(2.)  White  crossed  with  white  in  the  first 
generation  gave  a  Sweet  Pea  approaching 
Painted  Lady  in  type.  The  seeds  of  this,  by 
self  fertilisation,  gave  Painted  Lady  and  white 
in  the  proportion  of  nine  of  the  former  to  seven 
of  the  latter,  showing  that  one  white  parent 
carries  a  certain  factor,  the  other,  another,  which 
meeting  produce  the  red  colour.  In  the  third 
generation  the  whites  breed  true  and  one  of  the 
reds. 

(3.)  White  X  blue  in  the  first  generation  gave 
purple,  and  in  the  following  generation  purple, 
blue,  white,  and  Painted  Lady.  The  parents 
thus  carry  the  two  red-producing  factors  whose 
existence  is  demonstrated  in  the  cross  between 
the  two  white  Peas  mentioned  above.  Where 
these  meet  in  the  presence  of  the  blue  colour, 
purple  is  formed,  but  in  its  absence  Painted 
Lady.  Seeds  of  the  purple  varieties  may  re- 
produce the  whole  colour  series  again,  those  of 
the  Painted  Lady,  white  and  Painted  Lady  only. 
The  white  varieties  breed  true,  but  blue  may- 
throw  white. 

(4.)  Cream  with  purple  Picotee  edge  x  Mont 
Blanc  (white)  gave  purple  and  in  the  second 
generation  cream,  white,  cream  with  Picotee 
edge,  white  with  blue  edge,  Painted  Lady  and 
purple.  The  character  producing  the  Picotee  is 
dominant  over  the  non-Picotee.  The  parents 
carry  the  factors  for  red  demonstrated  in  the 
case  of  the  cross  between  the  two  white  varieties, 
which  on  meeting  give  Painted  Lady.  In  addi- 
tion to  these  characters  there  are  yellow  and 
white,  the  former  being  recessive  to  the  latter. 
Non-Picotees  breed  true  to  this  character.  Pico- 
tees  breed  true  in  the  proportion  of  one  to  three. 
Thus  a  Picotee  white  may  throw  Picotee  white, 
Picotee  cream,  plain  white  and  plain  cream,  but 
a  plain  cream  will  breed  true  from  the  outset. 

(5.)  Eric  Hinton  (pink,  with  waved  standard) 
X  Hon.  F.  Bouverie  (pink,  with  buff  tinge  due 
to  the  presence  of  yellow  chromoplasts,  standard 
not  waved).  In  the  first  cross  the  colour  of  the 
flowers  was  deep  rose,  similar  to  Prince  of 
Wales,  and  all  had  flat  standards,  in  the  second 
the  flowers  were  yellow,  pink,  and  buff  with  flat 
standards,  and  yellow  and  pink  with  waved 
standards.  Waved  forms  had  not  so  far  occurred 
in  buff  colours. 

(6.)  Bouverie  (pink  and  cream)  x  Navy  Blue 
gave  in  the  first  generation  purple.  In  the  fol- 
lowing generation  segregation  into  purple,  pink, 
pink  with  cream,  cream  and  tinged  white 
occurred,  and  each  of  these  types  may  or  may 
not  be  flaked. 

(7.)  If  this  be  compared  with  the  results  ob- 
tained by  crossing  another  pink  with  Navy  Blue, 
the  same  colours  are  produced,  but  no  flaking 
occurs  owing  to  the  absence  of  the  determining 
factor  in  one  of  the  parents. 

The  series  demonstrated  the  possibility  of  pre- 
dicting the  colour  of  the  offspring  in  the  second' 
generation  of  any  particular  cross  with  great  cer- 
tainty, and  showed  the  facility  with  which  any 
particular  two  characters  may  be  combined  in 
any  plant.  In  answer  to  questions,  Mr.  Biffen 
said  that  it  was  impossible  to  say  beforehand 
in  the  case  of  two  whites  whether  or  not  they 
carried  the  colour-producing  factors.  This  could 
only  be  determined  by  experimental  crossing. 
Several  members  remarked  upon  the  desirability 
of  trying  the  effect  of  crossing  the  wild  Sweet 
Pea  of  Sicily  with  some  of  those  known  at  pre- 
sent. A  hearty  vote  of  thanks  was  accorded  to- 
Mr.  Biffen  for  his  exhibit  and  explanatory 
remarks. 

Improved  Clover.— Rev.  Professor  Henslow 
showed  on  behalf  of  Mr.  A.  G.  Leighton,  of 
Newcastle,  Staffs,  specimens  of  Mr.  Leighton's 


16 


THE    GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


[July  6,  190'/ 


Improved  Clover.  Mr.  Leighton  wrote  :  "  The 
form  which  I  have  produced  assumes  a  more 
permanent  character  than  the  commercial  plant. 
This  qualification  of  permanency  was  the  con- 
dition required  ;  for  that  derived  from  commer- 
cial seed  appeared  to  run  through  the  cycle  of 
life  during  one  summer ;  this  having  been 
brought  about  by  the  system  of  producing  seed 
for  sale  during  the  first  year,  the  consequence 
being  an  annual  tendency  which  by  this  con- 
tinued selection  becomes  fixed  and  hereditary. 
I  find  that  the  period  of  life  may  be  shortened 
in  Trifolium  medium,  which  brings  with  it  more 
seeding  capabilities  combined  with  succulency 
and  size  of  foliage.  In  like  manner  I  find  that 
T.  pratense  can  be  made  more  permanent,  and 
this  permanency  brings  with  it  a  more  procum- 
bent habit,  less  succulency  and  size."  The 
matter  of  Clover  standing  over  the  first  winter 
becomes  a  question  of  national  importance ; 
farmers  appeared  to  have  a  good  plant  at 
autumn,  but  the  following  spring  all  the  Clover 
had  gone.  This  was  attributed  to  Clover  sick- 
ness, but  the  fungus  which  is  said  to  produce  the 
trouble  accompanies  the  death  of  most  annuals, 
therefore  we  may  rightly  say,  Clover  sickness 
was  merely  a  fungus  which  accompanied  the 
death  of  the  plant. 

The  experiment  conducted  at  Harpur  Adams 
College,  Newport,  proves  the  truth  of  our  in- 
vestigations. A  six-acre  field  was  divided  into 
three  sections  of  two  acres  each. 

Two  acres,  plot  1  :  ordinary  commercial  seed 
from  seedsman  No.  1. 

Two  acres,  plot  2 :  seed  of  plants  referred  to 
above. 

Two  acres,  plot  3 :.  ordinary  commercial  seed 
from  seedsman  No.  2. 

At  harvest,  the  first  autumn  after  sowing,  when 
the  cereals  were  cut,  and  for  some  weeks  after 
on  plots  Nos.  1  and  3,  a  good  amount  of  Clover 
was  present.  On  plot  No.  2,  although  the  plant 
could  be  seen,  it  was  small  (not  advanced  in 
growth),  but  during  December,  January,  and 
February,  plots  1  and  3  appeared  to  lose  plants 
with  a  black  mould  prevalent  upon  the  plant. 
No.  2,  as  growing  weather  came  along,  showed 
evidence  of  great  vitality,  and  produced  a  mag- 
nificent crop  of  red  Clover.  In  the  other  plots, 
although  the  same  quantity  of  seed  was  used, 
Clover  almost  entirely  died  out  during  the  winter 
months.  Several  members  demurred  to  the 
statement  that  the  fungus  (Sclerotinia  trifolio- 
rum),  which  so  frequently  appears  connected 
with  dying  Clover,  accompanied  the  death  of 
most  annuals,  and  the  committee  desired  to  hear 
the  result  of  other  experiments  upon  the  plants. 
A  hearty  vote  of  thanks  was  accorded  to  Mr. 

L.EJGHTON. 

Abnormal  Cabbage, — W.  Marshall,  Esq.,  sent 
a  Cabbage  from  the  leaves  of  which  numerous 
cup-shaped  growths  had  arisen,  many  upon  long 
stalks  taking  their  origin  in  the  midrib  of  the 
leaf.  The  monstrous  condition  of  Mignonette 
referred  to  by  Professor  J.  Hexslow  (Trans. 
Camb.  Phil.  Soc,  vol.  v.)  appears  to  present  a 
similar  phenomenon. 

Carnation  flowers  rotting. — Flowers  of  Carna- 
tion were  received  which  had  rotted  at  the  base 
of  the  petals,  and  had  large  black  masses 
(Sclerotia)  among  the  decayed  portions.  The 
trouble  was  due  to  the  growth  of  the  fungus 
Botrytis  cinerea,,  which  had  found  congenial 
conditions  for  its  development  between  the 
closely  packed  petals  of  the  flower. 

Double  Millonia  vexillaria. — In  reference  to 
this  flower  shown  at  the  last  meeting  from  Baron 
Schroder,  Mr.  Worsdell  reported  that  it  was 
a  good  case  of  true  doubling  in  which  the 
column  was  split  up,  the  stamens  and  carpels 
had  become  petaloid  so  as  to  form  three  or  four 
extra  whorls  of  petals  (labella  on  one  side  of 
the  flower,  ordinary  petals  on  the  other  side), 
while  the  outer  whorls  of  the  flower  were  quite 
normal. 

Sporting  Coleus. — Mr.  Divers  showed  a  large 
Coleus  having  branches  bearing  at  least  five 
variations  in  the  markings  and  colouration  of 
the  leaf  different  from  those  appearing  in  the  fiist 
formed  shoot.  It  is  rare  that  so  many  sports  are 
to  be  seen  upon  one  plant. 

Plane  diseased. — Shoots  of  Plane  (P.  acerifolia) 
were  shown  from  Romsey  by  Mr.  Odell  which 
looked  as  though  they  had  been  injured  by  frost, 
but  which  had  been  attacked  by  the  fungus 
Glceosporum  nervisequum,  and  this  had  caused 
the  destruction  of  the  shoots. 


LINNEAN    SOCIETY. 

June  20. — The  President  read  a  letter  con- 
gratulating Sir  J.  D.  Hooker  on  his  sixty-five 
years  of  Fellowship  of  the  Linnean  Society,  and 
the  approaching  completion  of  his  ninetieth 
year,  which  was  signed  by  the  Fellows  present. 

An  acknowledgment  from  the  principal  secre- 
tary of  H.M.  the  King  of  Sweden,  in  reply  to 
the  telegram  sent  on  June  6  on  the  occasion  of 
his  golden  wedding,  was  read  by  the  general 
secretary. 

Mr.  W.  C.  Worsdell,  F.L.S.,  exhibited  some 
remarkable  cases  of  carpellody  of  the  inner 
stamens  of  Papaver  commutatum,  selected  from 
a  bed  of  plants  at  Kew  so  labelled,  with  one 
specimen  of  P.  orientale  showing  the  same 
peculiarity  of  separate  carpels  surrounding  the 
capsule. 

The  first  paper  was  by  the  late  Dr.  Maxwell 
T.  Masters,  F.R.S.,  "  On  the  Distribution  of 
Conifers  in  China  and  neighbouring  countries," 
which  was  briefly  explained  by  Dr.  Rendle. 

Mr.  J.  Stanley  Gardiner  then  laid  before  the 
meeting  a  group  of  papers  on  the  collections  of 
H.M.S.   "Sealark." 

A  paper  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clement  Reid,  "  On 
the  Pre-Glacial  Flora  of  Britain,"  was  read  in 
title. 

Mr.  E.  A.  N.  Arber's  paper  on  Triassic  species 
of  Zamites  and  Pterophyllum,  in  the  absence  of 
the  author  and  at  his  request,  was  read  in  title. 

Dr.  Rendle  gave  an  account  of  the  plants 
collected  on  Mt.  Ruwenzori  by  Dr.  A.  F.  R. 
Wollaston  (1906)  ;  from  the  paper  by  Messrs. 
E.  G.  Baker,  S.  L.  Moore,  and  A.  B.  Rendle. 

The  plants  from  the  Ruwenzori  range  were 
collected  from  two  camps — one  at  about  3,500 
feet  above  sea-level  on  the  south-east  slopes  of 
the  range  between  the  mountains  proper  and 
Lake  Ruisamba  ;  the  other  at  6,500  feet  in  the 
Mubuku  Valley  on  the  east  side  of  the  range. 
Expeditions  were  made  to  intermediate  and 
higher  altitudes,  the  highest  camp  being  at  about 
12,500  feet,  whence  plants  were  collected  up  to 
the  snow-level  at  about  14,500  feet  on  the  east 
side.  The  time  of  year  was  January  to  July. 
Dr.  Wollaston  gives  notes  on  the  vegetation  at 
different  altitudes  from  3,000  to  15,000  feet,  and 
has  brought  back  some  photographs  showing 
the  nature  of  the  country  and  different  aspects 
of  the  vegetation.  The  plants  at  the  lower 
elevations  include  some  common  tropical  weeds, 
with  a  fair  percentage  of  more  localised  species 
and  some  novelties.  Cultivation  ceases  above 
7,000  feet,  and  at  from  7,000  to  8,000  feet  is 
found  the  largest  forest  of  the  range  :  a  large 
Dombeya  is  noticeable,  and  one  of  the  finest 
trees  is  a  Podocarpus.  Above  8,000  feet  the 
forest  thins  out,  and  is  gradually  replaced  by  a 
belt  of  small  tree-heaths  and  Podocarpus.  The 
Bamboo-zone  begins  on  the  east  side  at  about 
8,500  and  continues  up  to  10,000  feet.  The  big 
tree-heaths  begin  at  about  9,500  feet,  at  which 
level  a  number  of  terrestrial  Orchids  were  found, 
with  numerous  Ferns.  From  10,000  to  11,000 
feet  moss  is  plentiful  on  the  ground  and  trees 
forming  cushions  2  feet  deep :  here  were  found 
two  tree-Lobelias.  In  the  next  thousand  feet 
Helichrysums.  Lobelias,  tree-heaths,  and  tree- 
Senecios  are  the  most  conspicuous  plants.  The 
heaths  cease  at  about  12,500  feet,  but  the  Sene- 
cios  continue  almost  to  14,000  feet.  Another  Lo- 
belia appears  at  about  12,500  feet,  and  is  found 
on  the  steepest  slopes  almost  to  the  snow-line. 
Helichrysums,  sometimes  forming  bushes  4  or 
5  feet  high,  grow  luxuriantly.  A  small  Arabis 
was  found  at  14,000  feet,  and  a  rush,  a  grass  (a 
new  species  of  Poa),  and  mosses  were  found 
growing  up  to  the  level  of  permanent  snow. 

Mr.  E.  G.  Baker.  Prof.  Dendy,  Mr.  N.  E. 
Brown,  and  Mr.  J.  Stanley  Gardiner  joined  in 
the  discussion  which  followed. 


RICHMOND    HORTICULTURAL. 

June  26. — The  above  society's  annual  exhibi- 
tion of  plants,  Roses,  and  other  cut  flowers,  table 
decorations,  bouquets,  fruit,  and  vegetables  was 
held  in  the  Old  Deer  Park,  Richmond,  on  this 
date.  The  society  embraces  the  districts  of 
Richmond,  Twickenham,  Isleworth,  Mortlake, 
East  Sheen,  Kew,  Petersham,  Ham,  Barnes, 
and  Roehampton.  The  exhibits  were  arranged 
in  three  large  marquees  and  one  smaller  tent, 
and  an  inspection  of  the  exhibits  could  be  made 
under  comfortable  conditions. 

Groups  and  Plants. 
For  a  group  of  plants  occupying  an  area  not 


exceeding  100  square  feet  there  was  good  compe- 
tition, the  plants  consisting  of  ornamental 
foliage  and  flowering  subjects.  The  first  prize 
was  taken  by  Sir  C.  Swinfen  Eady,  Oatlands 
Lodge,  Weybridge  (gr.  Mr.  J.  Lock),  with  a 
display  that  was  not  crowded,  yet  rich  in  colour 
and  variety.  The  plants  included  Liliums,  Den- 
drobiums,  Oncidiums,  Francoa,  Ixoras,  Car- 
nations, Clerodendrons,  Humeas,  Gloxinias, 
Cannas,  Caladiums,  and  some  fine  double- 
flowered  Clarkias ;  2nd,  Mr.  W.  Vause,  Nur- 
seryman, of  Leamington,  Warwickshire. 

Mr.  Vause  was  the  winning  exhibitor  in  a 
class  for  six  Palms,  with  tall  (10  to  12  feet),  fairly 
well-grown  plants,  but  rather  lacking  in  robust- 
ness, and  showing  the  effects  of  wear. 

In  the  class  for  a  smaller  group  (the  area 
filled  not  exceeding  60  square  feet),  the  best 
exhibit  was  shown  by  C.  M.  Bartlett,  Esq., 
Uplands,  East  Sheen  (gr.  Mr.  Hicks),  the  plants 
employed  consisted  chiefly  of  Hydrangea  Hor- 
tensia,  Clerodendron  fallax,  some  tall  Codiasums 
and  diverse  small  foliage  plants,  together  with  a 
central  Palm  and  an  edging  of  Panicum  and 
Caladiums  ;  2nd,  Lady  Waechter,  The  Terrace, 
House,  Richmond  (gr.  Mr.  H.  Burford),  with  a 
group  in  which  Lilium  longiflorum,  Carnations, 
Gloxinias,  pink  Roses,  Caladiums,  with  rather 
tall  Palms  as  a  background,  formed  the  major 
part. 

The  class  for  a  basket  of  mixed  flowering  and 
foliage  plants  brought  three  contestants,  and 
the  first  prize  was  taken  by  Mr.  Jas.  Lock,  gr. 
to  Sir  Swinfen  Eady;  Clarksias,  Crassulas,  and 
Oncidiums  were  the  chief  flowering  subjects  used, 
and  Adiantums,  Codiasums,  and  Caladiums,  the 
foliage  plants. 

The  best  six  exotic  Orchids  were  shown  by 
H.  Little,  Esq.,  Baronshalt,  Twickenham  (gr. 
Mr.  A.  Howard).  The  exhibit  included  some 
well-flowered  Lselio-Cattleya  G.  S.  Ball,  a 
Cypripedium  superciliare,  with  12  blooms,  Catt- 
leya  Mendellii,  with  a  fine  strong  truss  of  five 
blossoms,  Laslia  grandis  tenebrosa,  and  others. 
Mr.  W.  Vause  was  awarded  the  third  prize. 

Groups  of  Streptocarpus  were  shown  in  bloom 
by  three  exhibitors,  and  the  first  prize  was  taken 
by  Mr.  T.  J.  Wheeler,  gr.  to  W.  A.  Stearns, 
Esq.,  The  Lodge,  Englefield  Green,  with  plants 
of  large  size,  having  finely  coloured  flowers  in 
distinct  shades  ;  2nd,  G.  Atkins,  Esq.,  East 
Sheen  (gr.  Mr.  W.  J.  Hill). 

Excellent  Caladiums  were  shown  by  Mr.  H. 
Hicks  in  large,  well-coloured  plants,  and  he 
was  awarded  the  first  prize  in  a  class  for  six 
of  these  plants. 

The  first  prize  for  six  plants  of  Coleus  was 
taken  by  Mr.  H.  Hicks  with  large,  compact 
examples ;  2nd,  Mr.  T.  Cooper,  whose  plants 
were  equal  in  colour  and  development  to  those 
in  the  first  prize  exhibit,  but  less  regular  in  size. 

The  schedule  provided  a  class  for  six  fine 
foliage  plants  distinct.  S.  H.  Phillips,  Esq., 
Teddington  Hall  (gr.  Mr.  Clarke),  showed  the 
best  examples,  amongst  which  were  fine  Asple- 
nium  viviparum,  Neottia  nidus  avis,  and  Adian- 
tum  concinnum. 

In  a  class  confined  to  gentlemen's  gardeners  for 
six  Adiantum  Ferns,  Mr.  W.  H.  Clarke,  gr., 
Teddington  Hall,  was  first  for  capital  specimens 
that  varied  from  2  feet  to  4  feet  in  diameter  ; 
Mr.  A.  Allum,  gr.  to  Lionel  Ward,  Esq.,  Peter- 
sham House,  won  the  second  prize  with  smaller 
specimens.  The  best  single-flowered  tuberous- 
rooting  Begonias  were  displayed  by  G.  Atkins, 
Esq.,  Manaton,  East  Sheen  (gr.  Mr.  G.  Hutt)  ; 
2nd,  Mr.  Redwood  ;  and  the  best  double-flow- 
ered varieties  by  Mr.  T.  J.  Wheeler.  The  best 
Gloxinias  came  from  Mr.  A.  Meaton,  Asgill 
House  Gardens,  Richmond  ;  2nd,  Mr.  Hy.  Bur- 
foot. 

Roses. 

The  principal  class  was  that  for  48  blooms 
distinct,  shown  in  triplets.  The  1st  prize  included 
the  Gunnersbury  Challenge  Cup,  as  well  as  a 
considerable  money  prize.  It  was  taken  by 
Messrs.  F.  Cant  &  Co.,  Colchester,  for  excellent 
examples  of  such  varieties  as  Mrs.  Ed.  Mawley, 
Marchioness  of  Devonshire,  Medea,  J.  B.  Clark, 
General  Jacqueminot,  M.  Paul  Lede,  Airm'e 
Cochet,  Cleopatra,  Liberty,  &c.  ;  2nd,  B.  R. 
Cant  &  Sons,  Colchester,  for  very  fresh-looking 
blooms  of  generally  lesser  size  than  the  fore- 
going. Very  fine  were  Helen  Keller,  Gabriello 
Luizette,  Marie  Verdier,  Yvonne  Vascherot, 
Ulrich   Briinner,   and  Le  Progres. 

The  best  12  blooms  of  one  variety  were  shown 
by  Messrs.  D.  Prior  &  Son  with  Mrs.  Sharman 


July  6,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


17 


Crawford  of  an  even  size,  a  capital  boxful ;  2nd, 
Rev.  J.  H.  Pemberton,  Havering-atte-Bower, 
Essex,  with  an  almost  equally  fine  lot  of  Frau 
Karl  Druschki. 

Messrs.  Prior  &  Son  were  also  first  in  the  24 
blooms  class,  shown  in  triplets,  and  first  for  12 
blooms  shown  in  triplets.  The  best  12  Teas  of 
one  variety  came  from  Messrs.  F.  Cant  &  Co., 
the  variety  being  Mrs.  Ed.  Mawley  ;  2nd,  Messrs. 
D.  Prior  &  Son,  with  white  Maman  Cochet. 

A  class  was  provided  for  local  rosarians,  and 
the  first  prize  for  12  blooms  was  taken  by  Rev. 
W.  H.  Oxley,  Petersham,  and  he  was  followed 
by  Lionel  Warde,  Esq.,  Petersham  House. 

Fruit. 

A  collection  of  6  dishes,  distinct. — As  on  many 
previous  occasions,  Sir  Swinfen  Eady,  Oat- 
lands  Lodge,  Weybridge  (gr.  Mr.  Lock)  was  first. 
He  staged  Hero  of  Lockinge  Melon,  Nectarine 
Dryden,  Peach  Early  York,  Grapes  Foster's 
Seedling  and  Madresfield  Court ;  2nd,  Mr.  T.  F. 
Conway,  Ham  House  Gardens,  his  best  dishes 
being  Peregrine  Peach,  Early  Rivers  Nectarine, 
and  a  Melon. 

The  winner  of  the  first  prize  for  three  bunches 
of  Black  Grapes  was  Mr.  J.  G.  Weston  with 
Black  Hamburgh ;  2nd,  Mr.  J.  Lock,  with 
Madresfield   Court. 

The  first  prize  for  white  Grapes  was  taken  by 
Mr.  J.  G.  Weston,  Eastwell  Park  Gardens, 
Kent,  for  large  bunches  of  Foster's  Seedlings. 

The  exhibits  of  Nectarines,  Peaches,  and 
Strawberries  were  generally  of  fine  quality  and 
large  size. 

Vegetables  and  Roots. 

Considering  the  unfavourable  season,  these 
productions  were  of  great  excellence,  especially 
the  tubers  of  early  Potatos.  Cauliflowers, 
Onions,  Peas,  Horn  and  Intermediate  Carrots, 
Turnips,  Saladings,  and  Cabbages,  which  were 
all  well  shown. 

In  the  class  open  to  gentlemen's  gardeners  for 
a  collection  in  competition  for  Messrs.  J.  Carter 
&  Co.'s  special  prizes,  Mr.  J.  T.  Conway  (gr.  to 
Earl  Dysart,  Ham  House,  Petersham)  was  1st, 
■with  Quite  Content  Peas,  Record  Onion,  Snow- 
ball Cauliflower,  Egyptian  Beet,  May  Queen 
Potato,  and  Jersey  Turnip.  Mr.  Conway  also  won 
Messrs.  Webb  &  Son's  special  prize  for  a  collec- 
tion of  vegetables,  and  the  Society's  1st  prize 
for  a  collection  of  vegetables.  In  the  last- 
named  he  showed  Asparagus,  Market  Favour- 
ite Carrot,  Reliance  Globe  Beet,  New  Comman- 
der Cucumber  (20  inches  long),  Viceroy  To- 
mato, and  Kinver  Monarch  Cauliflower. 

Non-Competitive  Exhibits. 

In  the  marquee  in  which  the  plants  were 
staged  were  a  number  of  exhibits  from  nursery- 
men. 

Messrs.  W.  Cutbush  &  Sons,  Highgate,  con- 
tributed Paeonies,  Liliums,  Pyrethrums,  Del- 
phiniums, Eremurus  robustus,  Aquilegias,  Cam- 
panulas, &c,  of  fine  quality.  (Silver  Medal.)  A 
number  of  hardy  shrubs,  mostly  with  variegated 
foliage,  was  shown  by  Mr.  L.  R.  Russell,  of  the 
Richmond  Nurseries,  Ivies  forming  a  prominent 
feature.  (Silver-Gilt  Medal.)  Mr.  W.  Thomp- 
son, Sheen  Nurseries,  arranged  a  large  circular 
group  of  plants,  consisting  of  Hydrangeas, 
Acers,  Palms,  Hoteia  japonica,  Begonias,  &c. 
(Silver-Gilt  Medal.)  A  group  of  12  feet  in  dia- 
meter was  contributed  by  Mr.  H.  E.  Fordham, 
Nurseryman,  Twickenham,  consisting  of  Gloxi- 
nias arranged  in  a  setting  of  Adiantum  Ferns. 
(Silver  Medal.)  A  group  of  pot  Roses,  about 
i50  in  number,  were  shown  by  Messrs.  J.  Veitch 
&  Sons,  Ltd.,  Chelsea.  These  were  arranged 
in  a  semi-circle,  and  had  R.  polyantha  and 
other  climbing  varieties  as  a  background. 
(Silver  Medal.)  Messrs.  W.  Paul,  Waltham 
Cross,  exhibited  largely  climbing  Roses  in  pots, 
cut  Roses  in  baskets,  including  some  of  the 
novelty,  Warrior,  a  bright  crimson  variety,  an 
improvement  upon  Papa  Gontier.  There  were 
many  very  superior  blooms  of  new  H.  Tea  varie- 
ties. (Gold  Medal.)  Messrs.  W.  Fromow  & 
Sons,  Nurserymen,  Chiswick,  staged  a  good 
group  of  Acers  in  variety,  a  well-bloomed  plant 
of  Raphiolepis  ovata,  and  a  capital  lot  of  small 
plants  of  Kalmia  latifolia.  Mr.  Chas.  W. 
Breadmore,  Winchester,  staged  a  splendid  col- 
lection of  Sweet  Peas.  Messrs.  T.  Ware  &  Co., 
Ltd.,  Feltham,  staged  an  extensive  collection  of 
flowers  of  hardy  perennials.  (Gold  Medal.) 
Messrs.  J.   Peed  &  Son,  West  Norwood,  Lon- 


don, S.E.,  showed  Carnations,  Roses,  and 
hardy  plants  in  variety.  Mr.  M.  Pkichard, 
Christchurch,  Hants,  showed  extensively  hardy 
perennials  as  cut  flowers,  among  which  were 
observed  blooms  of  Water  Lilies,  herbaceous 
Paeonies,  &c.  The  Misses  E.  &  M.  Kipping, 
Hutton,  Essex,  showed  a  small  collection  of 
hardy  plants. 

COLCHESTER    ROSE    AND 

HORTICULTURAL. 

June  26. — The  summer  exhibition  of  this 
society  was  held  on  this  date  in  the  Castle  Park 
grounds,  Colchester,  an  ideal  spot  for  a  flower 
show,  and  situated  nearly  in  the  centre  of  the 
town.  Fortunately  the  weather  was  favourable. 
The  Rose  is  the  most  prominent  flower  at  this 
society's  show,  and  some  splendid  blooms  were 
staged,  but  in  less  numbers  than  usual.  Con- 
sidering the  unfavourable  season,  the  quality  of 
the  exhibits  was  good  and  the  competition  in 
the  various  classes  was  very  close.  Herbaceous 
flowers  were  very  fine,  especially  the  24  bunches 
of  these  flowers  from  Messrs.  R.  Wallace  & 
Co.'s  nursery,  and  the  same  firm  showed  a 
realistic  piece  of  rockwork  in  a  dell  at  the 
entrance  to  one  of  the  tents,  with  Water  Lilies. 
Fruit  and  vegetables  were  also  good  in  quality, 
and  the  amateur  and  cottager  classes  were 
strongly  contested. 

Roses. — An  important  class  was  that  for  48 
blooms  of  distinct  varieties.  The  1st  prize  was 
won  by  Messrs.  F.  Cant  &  Co.,  Colchester, 
with  magnificent  blooms  remarkable  for  their 
perfect  shape  and  colour.  2nd,  Messrs.  B.  R. 
Cant  &  Sons,  Colchester;  and  3rd,  Messrs.  D. 
Prior  &  Sons,  Colchester. 

Messrs.  F.  Cant  &  Co.  also  won  the  premier 
prize  in  the  class  for  18  Tea  or  Noisette  Roses 
with  exquisite  flowers.  2nd,  Messrs.  Prior. 
In  the  class  for  24  garden  or  decorative  varieties 
of  Roses,  Messrs.  B.  R.  Cant  &  Sons  were 
awarded  the  1st  prize ;  2nd,  Messrs.  F.  Cant  & 
Co.  This  last-named  class  provided  some 
charming  exhibits. 

In  the  amateur  classes  for  Roses,  the  chief 
was  for  18  distinct  varieties,  and  some  grand 
flowers  were  shown.  The  premier  prize  was 
won  by  a  successful  amateur,  Mr.  O.  G.  Oui'KX, 
Hill  Side,  West  Bergholt,  Colchester.  2nd,  Mr. 
W.  Leggett,  Colchester.  In  the  chief  class  for 
Tea  Roses,  the  Rev.  F.  R.  Burnside,  Gieat  Stain. 
bridge  Rectory,  Rochford,  Essex,  was  1st  with 
grand  blooms  of  Cleopatra  ;  Mr.  Orpen  followed, 
his  variety  being  Souvenir  de  P.  Notting,  a  little 
less  developed  than  the  premier  flowers.  3?d, 
Mr.  Leggett.  In  the  smaller  class  for  12  blooms 
of  a  Tea  Rose,  Mr.  Rolts  and  Dr.  Pallett  won 
in  the  order  named.  Classes  were  provided  that 
were  open  to  residents  of  the  borough  of  Col- 
chester only,  the  chief  winners  being  Mrs. 
Ellis,  Major  Buckle,  Messrs.  G.  W.  Fincham, 
Digby-Osborne,  and  Major  Kemble. 

Table  decoration. — Decorated  dinner  tables 
were  a  great  feature,  and  Roses  were  largely 
used  for  their  adornment,  especially  beautiful 
being  the  single  Roses;  the  tables  in  which 
Sweet  Peas  were  used  were  also  charming  in 
appearance.  There  were  11  tables  in  all,  and 
Mrs.  O.  G.  Orpen  won  the  premier  award  with 
a  delightful  arrangement  of  single  Roses.  2nd, 
Mrs.  A.  Hitchcock,  who  also  used  Roses. 
Miss  A.  F.  Harwood  was  1st  in  the  class  for  a 
decorated  stand  or  epergne.  Miss  King  showed 
the  best  basket  of  flowers,  and  Mrs.  Orpen  the 
best  bowl  of  Sweet  Peas. 

Medals  were  offered  for  the  best  Roses  in 
their  several  divisions.  Messrs.  B.  R.  Cant  & 
Sons  secured  the  medal  offered  in  the  large 
class  with  flowers  of  Mrs.  E.  Mawley. 

Mr.  O.  G.  Orpen  took  the  medal  for  any 
variety  other  than  Tea,  with  splendid  trusses 
of  Hugh  Dickson ;  and  the  Rev.  F.  R.  Burn- 
side  had  the  best  Tea  in  grand  flowers  of 
Cleopatra. 

Herbaceous  cut  flowers. — Messrs.  R.  Wallace 
&  Co.,  Colchester,  won  easily  in  the  class  for 
24  bunches,  having  splendid  flowers  that  were 
well  staged.  2nd,  Mr.  Harwood.  In  the 
smaller  class  for  12  bunches  the  Hon.  W. 
Lowther,  Campsea  Ash,  Wickham  Market,  Suf- 
folk (gr.  Mr.  A.  Andrews)  had  excellent  bunches. 
2nd,  Mr.  R.  Dow.  The  best  Paeonies  were  shown 
by  Messrs.  Bunting  &  Sons,  Colchester,  and  R. 
Wallace  &  Co.  in  the  order  named. 


The  classes  for  Sweet  Peas  were  strongly 
contested.  Messrs.  Saltmarsh  &  Son,  High 
Street,  Chelmsford,  and  Messrs.  King  & 
Co.,  Coggeshall,  were  the  principal  winners  in 
the   large  class,  having  fine   flowers. 

Fruit. — There  was  only  one  collection  staged 
in  the  class  for  six  dishes,  and  this  was  excel- 
lent. Hon.  W.  Lowther  (gr.  Mr.  A.  Andrews) 
was  the  exhibitor,  and  he  had  good  Grapes, 
Melons,  Peaches,  Nectarines,  and  Strawberries. 
The  same  exhibitor  was  also  1st  in  the  classes 
for  Peaches,  Nectarines  and  Melons.  In 
the  Strawberry  classes  were  seen  fine  fruits  of 
Leader,  but  in  most  of  the  classes  Royal 
Sovereign  was  staged.  Grapes  were  not  of 
special  merit :  the  Hon.  W.  Lowther  had  the 
best  stand. 

Vegetables  were  numerously  displayed.  Aspara- 
gus is  always  a  feature  at  Colchester,  and  this 
year  it  was  again  very  fine,  Mr.  A.  J.  Harwood 
having  grand  growths.  Some  splendid  Potatos, 
Peas,  and  collections  of  salads  were  also  staged. 
Messrs.  Bound,  Strowgler,  and  Mumkord 
were  the  principal  winners  in  the  vegetable 
classes. 

Non-competitive  exhibits  were  staged  by 
Messrs.  Dobbie  &  Co.,  Rothesay  (Sweet  Peas), 
Messrs.  Abbott,  Ardleigh  (Ranunculus),  Messrs. 
R.  Wallace  &  Co.  (hardy  plants  and  cut 
flowers),  Messrs.  John  K.  King  &  Sons,  Cog- 
geshall;  Messrs.  Ernest  W.  King  &  Co.,  Cog- 
geshall ;  Messrs.  F.  Smith  &  Co.,  Woodbridge, 
and  J.  Williams,  Ealing. 


ROYAL  AGRICULTURAL:    LINCOLN 
HORTICULTURAL    SECTION. 

June  25-29. — The  Royal  Agricultural  Society 
held  its  annual  exhibition  at  Lincoln  on  these 
dates,  and  in  connection  with  the  agricultural 
show  proper  a  special  and  distinct  horticultural 
section  was  provided  in  two  large  tents,  under 
the  secretaryship  and  general  management  of 
Mr.  Peter  Blair,  who  is  to  be  congratulated  on 
the  success  attending  the  undertaking. 

The  show  proved  a  great  attraction,  and 
visitors  came  in  crowds  to  inspect  the  flowers 
and  the  many  beautiful   plants  exhibited. 

The  only  prizes  offered  in  competition  were 
for  groups  of  plants  arranged  for  effect.  Six 
groups  were  staged  down  the  centre  of  the  tent 
thus  giving  a  fine  uniform  appearance  through 
out.  The  1st  prize  was  won  by  Mr.  W-  Holmes 
Chesterfield,  who  used  large  Palms  in  the  centre 
and  around  were  intermixed  Codiaeums  (Cro> 
tons),  climbing  Roses,  and  other  flowering  and 
foliage  plants.  The  plants  were  well  grown,  and 
very  tastefully  arranged.  Mr.  Sharp,  Hudders. 
field,  was  2nd,  with  similar  plants ;  3rd,  Mr. 
Blacker,  Selby. 

Facing  the  entrance  of  the  tent  was  a  very 
fine  group  of  foliage  and  flowering  plants,  ex- 
hibited by  Messrs.  Jas.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Chel- 
sea, to  which  a  Large  Gold  Medal  was  awarded. 
The  exhibit  contained  a  choice  selection  of  Catt- 
levas,  Laelias,  and  other  Orchids  ;  an  assortment 
of  Cannas  in  flower ;  well-bloomed  specimens  of 
Exacum  macranthum,  a  group  of  Kalanchoe 
flammea,  backed  up  by  Palms,  Marantas,  Cro- 
tons,  and  other  foliage  plants,  with  Nepenthes 
and  other  plants  at  intervals,  the  whole  being 
most  tastefully  arranged.  A  collection  of  Car- 
nations from  the  same  firm  was  staged,  and 
the  new  border  variety,  Leander,  with  flowers  a 
shade  of  salmon,  was  especially  prominent. 
Messrs.  Veitch  &  Sons  also  displayed  a  group 
of  new  Chinese  climbing  plants,  including  Vitis 
Henryana,  V.  Thomsonii,  and  Actinidia 
chinensis. 

Messrs.  Cutbush  &  Sons,  Highgate,  had  a 
large  collection  of  plants  and  cut  flowers, 
amongst  which  were  groups  of  Calla  Elliottiana, 
Erica  ventricosa  magnifica,  and  E.  Cavendishii ; 
Carnations,  Roses,  a  large  number  of  herbaceous 
flowers,  and  a  fine  Codiaeum  (Croton)  named 
Rustic.     (Gold  Medal.) 

Messrs.  R.  H.  Bath,  Ltd.,  Wisbech,  staged  a 
beautiful  display  of  Carnations,  chiefly  of  the 
American  or  winter-flowering  type,  such  as  Mrs. 
Burnett  (rose  pink),  Enchantress  (flesh  colour), 
Floriana  (pink),  Britannia  (scarlet),  Mikado 
(heliotrope),  Lady  Bountiful  (white),  Harlo- 
warden  (dark  crimson),  &c.  Messrs.  Bath  also 
exhibited  a  fine  lot  of  herbaceous  Paeonies,  Sweet 
Peas,  and  Roses.     (Gold  Medal.) 

Messrs.   Hugh  Low  &  Co.,  Bush  Hill  Park, 


18 


THE    GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


[July  6,  1907. 


Enfield,  staged  a  choice  collection  of  Carnations 
in  the  best  varieties,  including  a  plant  of  "  Mal- 
maison  "  Princess  of  Wales  that  was  carrying  73 
flowers.  Amongst  Orchids  staged  by  this  firm 
was  a  white  Cattleya  Mossiae  named  King  of 
Siam,  also  good  specimens  of  the  pretty  Onci- 
dium  macranthum.     (Gold  Medal.) 

Messrs.  James  Backhouse  &  Son,  York,  ex- 
hibited Roses,  Carnations,  Azalea  rosseflora, 
Hydrangeas,  Liliurr"  Harrisii,  and  a  fine  new 
variety  of  Iris  geroanica  labelled  Lord  of  June. 
(Gold  Medal.)   ,  '/ 

Mr.  A.  F.  Dutton,  Iver,  Bucks,  staged  a 
group  of  Carnations,  chiefly  of  the  American 
type.     (Silver  Medal.) 

Mr.  W.  Artindale,  Sheffield,  had  a  large 
collection  of  hardy  herbaceous  flowers,  consist- 
ing of  Irises  Papavers,  Paeonies,  Pyrethrums, 
Allium  Ostrowskyanum  (pink),  Lilium  rubellum, 
and  others.     .(Gold  Medal.) 

Messrs.  W.  &  J.  Brown,  Stamford,  displayed 
garden  flowers  of  such  kinds  as  Eremuri,  Lilium 
Szovitzianum,  Clematis  integrifolia,  Thalictrum 
Delavayii  (a  very  pretty  new  herbaceous  plant 
with  pink  flowers),  Roses,  Verbenas,  Geraniums, 
&c.     (Gold  Medal.) 

Messrs.  Davis  exhibited  Begonias  as  cut 
flowers.     (Gold  Medal.) 

Mr.  W.  Sydenham,  Tamworth,  staged  Pansies, 
hardy  flowers,  &c.     (Gold  Medal.) 

Messrs.  Harkness  &  Sons,  Bedale,  Yorks, 
staged  a  large  collection  of  hardy  herbaceous 
flowers  in  great  variety.  Verbascum  "Caledonia" 
(brown)  was  especially  noticed.     (Gold  Medal.) 

Messrs.  Gibson  &  Co.  had  very  fine  specimens 
of  Aquilegia  ccerulea  and  Geranium  ibericum 
in  an  exhibit  of  herbaceous  flowers  that  con- 
tained many  other  good  varieties.     (Gold  Medal.) 

Mr.  Geo.  Mount,  Canterbury,  staged  a  grand 
collection  of  Roses,  both  cut  as  flowers  and  as 
plants  in  pots.  Amongst  the  cut  specimens  the 
varieties  Mrs.  J.  Laing,  Richmond,  and  Frau 
Karl  Druschki  were  especially  good.  Climbing 
plants  of  Crimson  Rambler,  Dorothy  Perkins, 
Blush  Rambler,  and  others  were  trained  above 
the  main  exhibit  of  flowers.     (Gold  Medal.) 

Messrs.  Hill  &  Son,  Barrowfield  Nurseries, 
Lower  Edmonton,  exhibited  choice  and  rare 
Ferns."" -(Gold  Medal.) 

Messrs.  Blackmore  &  Langdon,  Tiverton 
Hill,  Bath,  gained  a  Gold  Medal  for  an  exhibit 
of   tuberous-rooting    Begonias. 

Mr.  Waters,  Balcombe,  showed  Carnations, 
some  of  his  best  varieties  being  Elliott's  Queen, 
Pride  of  Exmouth,  Helen  Goddard,  Cecilia,  and 
Fair  Maid.     (Gold  Medal.) 

Mr.  John  Robson,  Bowden,  Manchester,  dis- 
played a  pleasing  group  of  Orchids,  chiefly  of 
Cattleyas,  Cypripediums,  Masdevallias,  and 
Odontoglossum  Alexandras.  Several  of  the 
Cattleyas  were  large,  well-flowered  specimens. 
(Gold  Medal.) 

Messrs.  Heath  &  Son,  Cheltenham,  exhibited 
Carnations  in  pots,  grouped  naturally  on  the 
grass.     (Gold  Medal.) 

Messrs.  Ware,  Feltham,  were  awarded  a  Gold 
Medal  for  an  exhibit  of  Begonias  and  Paeonies. 

Messrs.  Baker,  Wolverhampton,  showed  sea- 
sonable herbaceous  flowers,  and  for  which  a 
Gold  Medal  was  awarded. 

Messrs.  Gilbert  &  Son,  Bourne,  Lincoln- 
shire, had  a  large  exhibit  of  Anemones  in 
variety.  Those  named  Rosette  and  fulgens  "  The 
Queen "  were  especially  pleasing.  The  same 
firm  showed  a  collection  of  Sweet  Peas.  (Gold 
Medal.) 

Messrs.  Artindale,  Sheffield,  exhibited  floral 
designs.     (Gold  Medal.) 

Messrs.  R.  Pennell  &  Son,  Lincoln,  were 
awarded  a  Gold  Medal  for  shrubs  plunged  in  a 
natural  style  in  the  open. 

The  only  exhibit  of  vegetables  was  a  collection 
of  upwards  of  80  varieties  from  Lord  Aldenham, 
Klstree  (gr.  Mr.  Ed.  Beckett).  This  was  a  most 
interesting  and  choice  exhibit.     (Gold  Medal.) 

Mr.  Bradley  displayed  Roses  of  fine  quality. 
(Gold  Medal.) 

Silver  Medals  were  awarded  to  Messrs.  Burcii, 
Peterborough,  for  Roses ;  Mr.  Jarman,  Chard, 
for  Roses;  Messrs.  Boyes  &  Co.,  Leicester,  for 
Roses;  Messrs.  Hobbies,  Ltd.,  Dereham,  Nor- 
folk, for  Roses ;  Messrs.  Cooling  &  Son,  Bath, 
for  Carnations  and  Roses;  and  Mr.  J.  Ii.i.man, 
Lincoln,  for  Carnations. 

In  the  agricultural  section  of  the  show,  Messrs. 
Sutton  &  Sons,  Reading,  exhibited  a  collection 


of  grasses,  roots,  flowers,  and  other  subjects  of 
interest  to  the  agriculturist  and  horticulturist. 
Messrs.  Dickson  &  Robinson,  Cathedral 
Street,  Manchester,  showed  grasses,  forage 
plants,  roots,  flowers,   plants,   and  seeds. 


ROYAL    METEOROLOGICAL. 

June  19. — The  second  of  the  afternoon  meet- 
ings for  the  present  session  was  held  on  the 
above  date  at  the  Society's  rooms,  70,  Victoria 
Street,  Westminster,  Dr.  H.  R.  Mill  (President) 
in  the  chair. 

Mr.  F.  Campbell  Bayard  read  a  paper  on 
"Weather  and  Crops,  1891-1906,''  in  which  he 
gave  an  analysis  of  the  agricultural  and  horticul- 
tural tables  which  are  included  in  the  annual 
"  Phenological  Reports."  He  had  sorted  out  the 
various  crops  into  "  good,"  "  average,"  or 
"  bad,"  for  each  district,  and  against  each  he 
had  placed  the  temperature,  rain  and  sunshine 
for  the  four  seasons,  and  whether  these  statistics 
were  above  or  below  the  average.  In  the  paper 
Mr.  Bayard  gave  tables  showing  the  general  re- 
sults with  regard  to  Wheat,  Barley,  Oats,  Beans, 
Peas,  Potatos,  Turnips,  Mangolds,  Hay,  Clover, 
Apples,  Pears,  Plums,  Raspberries,  Currants, 
Gooseberries,  and  Strawberries. 

A  paper  by  Dr.  C.  P.  Hooker  on  "  The  Rela- 
tion of  the  Rainfall  to  the  Depth  of  Water  in  a 
Well,"  was  also  read.  The  author  gave  the 
weekly  measurements  of  the  depth  of  water  in 
a  well  101  feet  deep  at  Further  Barton,  Ciren- 
cester, compared  with  the  weekly  rainfall  for 
the  years  1903-1906.  The  results  were  very  in- 
teresting, as  they  included  the  remarkably  wet 
year  1903,  and  the  dry  summer  and  autumn  of 
'1906.  

SCOTTISH  PANSY. 

June  22. — This  society  was  instituted  in  1844, 
and  the  jubilee  of  its  formation  was  celebrated 
in  1894,  but  from  various  causes  the  annual 
shows  were  discontinued  that  same  year.  An 
effort  has  recently  been  made,  under  the  presi- 
dency of  Mr.  James  Grieve  ,of  Redbraes  Nur- 
sery, with  his  son,  James  C.  Grieve,  as  secre- 
tary and  treasurer,  to  revive  the  show,  and  by 
so  doing  to  create  greater  interest  in  the  culti- 
vation of  Pansies  and  Violas.  Judging  from 
the  excellence  of  the  show  held  on  the  foregoing 
date  in  the  Free  Gardeners'  Hall,  Picardy  Place, 
Edinburgh,  the  efforts  of  the  promoters  have 
been  very  successful.  Pansies  and  Violas  fur- 
nish flowers  of  all  shades  of  colour,  and,  being 
of  dwarf  habit,  they  lend  themselves  to  purposes 
of  decoration  unsurpassed  by  any  other  class  of 
plant.  Interest  in  the  show  by  exhibitors  and 
visitors  was  gratifying  and  encouraging  to  the 
committee.  The  number  of  entries  totalled  250. 
Messrs.  Dobbie  &  Co.,  Rothesay,  staged  an  ex- 
cellent non-competitive  exhibit  of  these  flowers. 
Mr.  J.  Smellie,  Bushby,  Messrs.  A.  Lister  & 
Son,  Rothesay,  and  Mr.  J.  Paul,  Killearn,  were 
prominent  prize-winners  in  the  nurseryme's 
classes ;  while  in  the  amateurs'  classes  Mr. 
Robert  Dunsmore,  Avonbridge ;  Mr.  C.  W. 
Frame,  Broxburn ;  Mr.  W.  Wallace,  Strath- 
loanhead,  were  successful  exhibitors.  Mr. 
McKay,  Gargunnock,  won  the  1st  prize  for  18 
blooms  of  show  Pansies  in  distinct  varieties. 
Mr.  Paul  showed  the  best  24  blooms  of  Fancy 
Pansies,  and  Mr.  Smellie  the  best  12  blooms  of 
these  flowers.  Mr.  Paul,  Mr.  McKay,  and  Mr. 
Smellie  were  also  successful  in  other  classes. 

A  special  prize  offered  for  any  Fancy  Pansy 
or  Viola  showing  a  break  or  novelty  in  colour 
was  won  by  Mr.  Dobbie,  Rothesay,  with  the 
variety  Mrs.  J.  C.  Grieve.  The  best  bloom  of  a 
Fancy  Pansy  exhibited  was  the  variety  Miss 
Neil,  shown  by  Mr.  Smellie  ;  and  the  best  show 
Pansy  was  shown  by  Mr.  C.  W.  Frame  in  the 
variety  George  Mitchell.    P.  L. 


NATIONAL    ROSE. 

July  4. — The  annual  exhibition  of  the  National 
Rose  Society  is  being  held  as  these  pages  are 
passing  through  the  press.  In  most  respects  the 
display  is  up  to  the  average  merit.  Hybrid  Tea 
and  Tea  varieties  furnish  the  finest  blooms,  but 
the  largest  flowers  are  seldom  in  perfect  condi- 
tion. 

The  nurserymen  make  a  good  competition  in 
the  larger  classes,  and  in  most  of  the  amateurs' 
classes  exhibitors  are  exceedingly  numerous. 

Forty  blooms,  distinct  (trebles). — The  1st  prize 
has  been  won  by  Messrs.  B.  R.  Cant  &  Sons, 


Colchester.  In  this  competition  the  following 
are  as  fine  blooms  as  could  be  desired,  although 
all  are  not  of  the  largest  size  : — Catherine  Mer- 
met,  C.  J.  Graham,  Duke  of  Edinburgh,  La 
France,  Tom  Wood,  Mme.  Melaine  Soupert, 
Mamie,  and  Lady  Mary  Fitzwilliam  are  among 
the  finest  shown.  2nd,  Messrs.  D.  Prior  & 
Son,  Colchester,  with  a  stand  of  fine  blooms, 
some  showing  the  effects  of  the  weather,  i 

Twenty-four  blooms,  distinct. — Mr.  J.  Mat- 
tock has  a  very  fine  stand  of  blooms,  which  are 
generally  of  large  size  and  unblemished  appear- 
ance, Ulrich  Brunner,  Marie  Baumann,  Aimie 
Cochet,  Mildred  Grant,  Duke  of  Wellington 
being  among  the  best.  2nd,  Hv.  Drew,  Esq., 
who  has  fine  blooms,  the  varieties  Horace 
Vernet,  A.  K.  Williams,  Louis  van  Houtte,  Rev. 
A.  Cheales,  Hugh  Dickson,  and  G.  Piganneau 
being  the  best  flowers. 

Twenty-four  Teas  and  Noisettes  (single  blooms). 
— The  1st  prize  has  been  won  by  Mr.  G.  Prince, 
Longworth  Nurseries,  Oxford,  with  even-sized 
blooms,  very  good  being  those  of  Princess 
Beatrice,  Medea,  Maman  Cochet,  Mrs.  E.  Maw- 
ley,  Golden  Gate,  and  Madame  Cusin.  2nd, 
Messrs.  F.  Cant  &  Co.,  Colchester,  with 
smaller  blooms. 

Twelve  Tea  and  Noisette  blooms. — Messrs.  J. 
Burrell  &  Co.  have  been  awarded  the  1st  prizj 
for  a  very  superior  stand  of  flowers,  Mrs.  E. 
Mawley,  Empress  Alexandra  of  Russia,  Whitj 
Maman  Cochet,  Cleopatra,  and  Catherine  Me.- 
met  being  the  finer  varieties. 

Representative  Groups. 

In  the  nurserymen's  class  for  a  representative 
group  of  Roses,  arranged  on  a  space  not  exceed- 
ing 100  square  feet,  Mr.  G.  Mount,  Canterbury, 
has  won  the  1st  prize.  Fine  standards  of  the 
varieties  Liberty,  Hiawatha,  Richmond,  Frau 
Karl  Druschki,  W.  J.  Grant,  Capt.  Hayward, 
Alberic  Barbier,  Gardenia,  4c.,  are  prominent 
in  the  group.  Immense  numbers  of  Tea,  Hybrid 
Tea,  Polyantha,  and  climbing  varieties  make  up 
the  bulk  of  the  exhibit. 

A  similar  group  of  miscellaneous  Roses  is 
shown  by  Messrs.  Spooner  &  Sons,  Woking, 
Surrey,  who  have  obtained  2nd  prize. 

The  most  important  class  for  groups  of  Roses 
is  Class  16,  and  each  exhibit  is  arranged  on  an 
area  not  exceeding  250  square  feet.  Messrs. 
Hobbies,  Ltd.,  Dereham,  Norfolk,  have  been 
awarded  the  1st  prize  for  an  exhibit  composed 
chiefly  of  the  showier  varieties  of  the  Rambler 
classes.  The  varieties  Lady  Ashton,  Richmond, 
General  McArthur,  Margaret  Dickson,  La 
France,  and  Caroline  Testout  were  very  good. 
Messrs.  Paul  &  Son,  The  Old  Nurseries,  Ches- 
hunt,  has  obtained  the  2nd  prize  for  a  group  in 
the  form  of  a  half-circle,  and  containing  Tea, 
Hybrid  Tea,  Hybrid  Perpetual,  Moss,  Rambler, 
and  other  varieties.  In  some  instances  plants, 
and  in  others  large  bouquets  of  cut  blooms  were 
shown. 

The  prizes  for  72  single  blooms,  and  those 
offered  in  other  important  classes  had  not  been 
awarded  at  the  moment  of  going  to  press. 


GARDENING     APPOINTMENTS. 


[Correspondents  are  requested  to  write  the  namesot  persons 
and  places  as  legibly  as  possible.     No  charge  is 

made  for  these  announcements,  but  if  a  small  contribution 
is  sent,  to  he  placed  in  our  collecting  Box  for  the  Gardeners' 
Orphan  Find,  it  will  be  thankfully  received  and  acknow- 
ledged in  these  columns.  This  flox  was  last  opened  on 
May  23,  and  the  secretary,  Mr.  Wynne,  has  handed  us  a 
receipt  for  the  sum  of  £2  2s.~\ 


Mr.  J.  H.  Puckering,  for  the  past  4  years  Gardener  to 
R.  C.  A.  Beck,  Esq.,  Bonkham  Lodge,  Cobham,  Surrey, 
as  Gardener  to  J.  B.  Mercer,  Esq.,  at  the  same  place. 

Mr.  Herbert  Arnold,  for  the  past  7i  years  Gardener  to 
Mrs.  D.  Evans,  Dalevvood,  Mickleham,  Surrey,  as 
Gardener  to  C.  B.  Smith,  Esq.,  Denham  Mount, 
Denham,  Bucks. 

Mr.  Colin  Adams,  for  the  past  6*  years  Head  Gardener  to 
the  late  F.  Elkington,  Esq.,  Sion  Hill,  Wolverley, 
near  Kidderminster,  as  Head  Gardenerto  A.  H.  Harman, 
Esq.,  Lower  Greyswood,  Haslemere,  Surrey.  (Thanks 
for  Is.,  which  has  been  placed  in  the  R.G.O.'F.  box.) 

Mr.  R.  Eraser,  for  the  past  4  years  Gardener  to  Julius  G. 
Mosenthal,  Esq.,  Staple  Hall,  Bletchley,  Bucks.,  as 
Gardener  to  Sir  Basil  Montgomery,  Kinross  House, 
Kinross,  N.B. 

Mr.  W.  Broomfield.  for  the  past  4  years  Gardenerto  Major 
D.  P.  Chapman,  Clare  House,  East  Mailing,  Maidstone, 
Kent,  as  Gardener  to  B.  V.  Melville,  Esq  ,  at  the 
same  place. 

Mr.  Hubert  Bray,  for  the  past  7  years  Foreman  in 
the  r-irdens  at  Langley  Park,  Slough,  as  Gardener  to 
Lady  Hawks,  Wighill  Park,  Tadcaster,  Yorks. 


Jri.v  6,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS    CHRONICLE. 


19 


THE     WEATHER. 


The  Following  Summary  Record  of  the 
weather  throughout  the  British  Islands,  for  the 
week  ending  June  29,  is  furnished  from  the  Meteoro- 
logical Office : — 

GENERAL     OBSERVATIONS. 

The  weather  was  again  cold  and  unseasonable,  with  a 
generally  cloudy  sky  and  frequent  falls  of  rain.  A  thunder- 
S tor 0),  with  heavy  hail,  occurred  on  Monday  at  Dublin,  and 
on  Saturday  thunderstorms  (locally  of  great  severity)  were 
experienced  in  many  parts  of  England  and  at  some  Scottish 
stations.  Snow  was  observed  at  Harrogate  during  Monday 
evening,  while  the  electrical  disturbances  of  Saturday  were 
accompanied  by  hail  in  several  places. 

The  temperature  continued  below  the  average,  the  deficit 
ranging  from  about  35°  in  England  E.  and  the  English 
Channel  to  about  6  5°  in  England  N.W.,  Ireland  N.,  and 
Scotland  E.  The  highest  of  the  maxima  were  recorded,  as 
a  rule,  between  Wednesday  and  Friday,  and  ranged  from 
70°  in  the  Midland  Counties  to  63"  in  Scotland  E.  and  Ire- 
land N.  The  maxima  were  below  Gu"J  on  one  or  more  days 
at  nearly  every  reporting  station.  The  lowest  of  the  minima, 
which  were  legistered -on  rather  irregular  dates,  ranged 
from  32°  in  Scotland  E.  (at  Balmoral)  to  40°  in  England  E., 
and  to  47"  in  the  English  Channel.  The  grass  thermometer 
fell  to  32',  or  below  in  some  Scottish  localities,  and  also  at 
I.langammarch  Wells,  Armagh,  and  Birmingham,  the  lowest 
reading  being  27°  at  Balmoral. 

The  mean  temperature  of  the  sea. — The  mean  temperature 
showed  an  increase  on  most  parts  of  the  coasts,  but  at 
several  of  the  Irifh  stations  there  was  a  decrease.  The 
actual  values  ranged  from  about  58u  at  Margate  and  East- 
bourne, and  56°  at  Newquay  to  about  51°  on  the  east  coast  of 
Scottand,  49  4*  at  Lamlash  and  Bununouth,  and  to  491°  at 
Lerwick. 

The  rainfall  was  above  the  average  in  all  districts  except 
the  English  Channel,  the  excess  being  large  in  many  parts  of 
the  Kingdom.  As  much  as  137  inch  resulted  from  the 
thunderstorm  of  Saturday  at  Fulbeck,  and  an  inch  or  more 
was  also  measured  in  some  parts  of  the  metropolitan  area. 
Early  in  the  week  some  heavy  falls  were  experienced  in  the 
N'.W.  ;  at  Prestwick  on  Monday  as  much  as  1  01  inch  was 
collected  in  the  gauge. 

The  bright  sunshine  was  less  than  the  average  generally, 
but  slightly  exceeded  it  in  England  N.E.  and  Scotland  E. 
The  percentage  of  the  possible  duration  ranged  from  37  or 
36  in  ihe  districts  just  named  to  24  in  England  S.W.,  25  in 
the  Channel  Islands,  and  to  22  in  England  S. 

THE  WEATHER  IN  WEST  HERTS. 

Week  ending  July  3. 

Still  cold  and  wet  but  not  so  windy.  During  June  there  were 
only  two  days  which  were  unseasonably  warm,  and  on  two 
nights  during  the  past  week  the  exposed  thermometer  regis- 
tered a  temperature  only  4W  above  the  freezing  point,  which 
is  a  very  low  reading  for  the  time  of  year.  The  ground  still 
remains  very  cold,  and  is  as  much  as  4U  colder  at  2  feet  deep 
and  6°  colder  at  1  foot  deep,  than  is  seasonable.  Rain  fell 
on  nine  of  the  last  ten  days,  but  the  amounts  on  each  occa- 
sion were  small.  For  a  fortnight  no  rainwater  at  all  has 
come  through  the  percolation  gauge  on  which  short  grass  is 
growing  and  only  a  few  drops  each  day  through  the  bare  scil 
gauge.  The  sun  shone  on  an  average  for  less  than  3£  hours 
a  day,  orfor  only  about  half  the  usual  duration  at  this  season. 
The  wind  has  not  been  so  generally  high  as  during  the  pre- 
vious weeks,  but  from  whatever  quarter  it  came  the  air 
remained  cold  fur  the  time  of  year.  The  mean  amount  of 
moisture  in  the  air  at  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  exceeded  a 
seasonable  quantity  for  that  hour  by  as  much  as  11  per  cent. 
E  M.,  Berkhaynsted,  July  3,  1907. 


SCHEDULES     RECEIVED. 


West  London  Horticultural  Society's  exhibition,  to 
be  h-ldon  October  31,  in  the  Town  Hall,  Hammersmith. 

Saltaire  Shii-ley  and  District  Rose  Society's  exhi- 
bition, to  be  held  in  Saltaire  Park,  on  Tuesday,  July  16, 
1907.  '  -       ' 

Hereford  and  West  of  England  Rose  Society's 
41st  annual  exhibition,  to  be  held  in  the  Shire  Hall,  Here- 
ford, on  Wednesday,  July  10,  1907. 

The  schedule  of  the  Rose  show  of  The  Royal  Botanical 
and  Horticultural  Society  of  Manchester  and  The 
White  City  contains  several  classes  for  decorative  and  single 
Roses  which  wdl  be  a  novelty  at  the  Manchester  show. 
Frizes  will  also  be  given  for  groups  of  Roses  and  for  arches 
of  Climbing  Roses.  The  show  is  to  be  held  at  The  White 
City,  late  the  Royal  Botanical  Gardens,  on  July  23. 


CATALOGUES     RECEIVED. 

John  Cowan,  Gateacre  Nurseries,  Gateacre,  near  Liverpool 
—The  "  Bonis  Hall  "  collection  of  Orchids. 

George  Bunyard  &  Co.,  Ltd.,  the  Royal  Nurseries,  Maid- 
stone —Strawberries,  Grape  Vines,  Figs,  &c. 

FOREIGN. 

M.   Herb,   Naples,   Italy  — Bulbs  and  Seeds   for  Autumn 

sowing. 
Dammann   &  Co.,  San  Giovanni  a  Teduccio,  near  Naples, 

Italy— Bulbs  and  Flower-roots. 


DEBATING     SOCIETY. 


CARDIFF  GARDENERS1.— A  meeting  of  this  asso- 
ciation took  place  on  June  19,  when  a  purse  of  gold,  &c,  was 
presented  to  Mr.  John  Julian,  on  his  resignation  as  hon.sec, 
a  position  which  he  has  filled  for  the  last  10  years.  Mr.  E,  II. 
Battram,  of  Abercynon,  made  the  presentation,  and  said 
that  Mr.  Julian  had  carried  out  the  secretarial  duties  in  an 
efficient  manner.  Mr.  Julian  thanked  the  members  for  their 
kind  thought  and  the  tangible  manner  in  which  they  had 
shown  their  appreciation  of  his  services,     A.  F.  IF. 


MARKETS. 


Plants  in  Pots,  &c:  Average  Wholesale  Prices  (Contd.) 


CO  VENT  GARDEN,  July  3. 
[We  cannot  accept  any  responsibility  tor  the  subjoined 
reports.  They  are  furnished  to  us  regularly  every 
Wednesday,  by  the  kindness  of  several  of  the  principal 
salesmen,  who  are  responsible  for  the  quotations.  It 
must  be  remembered  that  these  quotations  do  not  repre- 
sent the  prices  on  any  particular  day,  but  only  the 
general  averages  for  the  week  preceding  the  date  of  our 
report.  The  prices  depend  upon  the  quality  of  the 
samples,  the  way  in  which  they  are  packed,  the  supply 
in  ihe  market,  and  the  demand,  and  they  may  fluctuate, 
not  only  from  day  to  day,  but  occasionally  several  tunes 
in  one  day. — Ed.] 

&c. :  Average  Wholesale  Prices. 

s.d.  s.d.  s.d.  s.d. 

Mignonette,  perdz. 
4  0-60  bunches  ...    30-40 

Myosotis,  per  doz. 

3  0-40  bunches  ...     16-20 
Odontoglossuin 

2  0-30  crispum,      per 

dozen    bloom-;     2  0-26 
16-26    Pa^onies,  per  doz. 

bunches         ...    4  0-80 
Pancratiums,     per 

dozen  fls.      ...    3  0-40 
16-30    Pelargoniums, 

show,  per  doz. 
9  0-12  0  bunches         ...    4  0-60 

—  Zonal,    double 
6  0  10-0  scarlet 4  0-60 

Poppies,     Iceland, 
10  0-12  0  doz.  bunches...    6  0-12  0 

—  Oriental         ...    4  0-80 
2  0-30      —  Shirley  ...    20-30 

Pyrethrums,      per 

dozen  bunches    16-26 
2  0-30    Ranunculus,       per 

dozen  bunches    4  0-60 
10-20    Rhodanthe,  per  dz. 

bunches  ...     3  0-40 

Roses,   12  blooms, 
C  0-  9  0  Niphetos        ...    10-30 

—  Bridesmaid    ...    2  0    8  0 
2  0-30     —  C.  Testout     ...    20-30 

—  General  Jacque- 

4  0-60  minot 06-10 

—  Marechal   Niel    16-30 
4  0-90      —  Kaiserin  A. 

1  0-  1  G  Victoria  ...  16-30 
10-30  —  Mrs.  J.  Laing  10-30 
9  0-8  0  —  C.  Mcrmet  ...  10-30 
10-20      —  Liberty  ...     20-40 

—  Mad.  Chatenay     10-30 
Stephanotis,     per 

16-20  dozen    trusses    30-50 

16-26    Stocks,  per  dozen 

bunches  ...     2  0-30 

6  0-90    Sweet  Peas,  p.  doz. 
10  0-15  0  bunches         ...    10-40 

Tuberoses,  per  dz. 

2  0-30  blooms  ...    04-06 
Wallflowers,      per 

16-20  dozen  bunches    20-30 


Cut  Flowers, 

Azalea  mollis,  per 

dozen  bunches 
Anemones,  per  dz. 

bunches 
Eouvardia,  per  dz. 

bunches 
Calla  asthiopica,  p. 

dozen  

Carnations,      per 

dozen  blooms, 

best  American 

various 

—  smaller,  per 
doz.     bunches 

—  Malmaisons,  p. 
dozen  blooms.. 

Cattleyas,  per  doz. 

blooms 
Cornflower,  per  dz. 

bunches 
Lucharis      grandi- 

flora,  per  doz. 

blooms 
Gardenias,  per  doz. 

blooms 

Gladiolus,    The 

Bride,  per  do/.. 

bunches 
Gypsophila  elegans 

p.  dz.  bunches 
Iris,    German,   per 

doz.  bunches... 

—  Spanish,  p.  dz. 
bunches 

Lapageria  alba,  dz. 
Lilac,  white, bunch 
Lilium  auratum  ... 

—  candidum.bch. 

—  lane  if  o  li  um, 
r  ii  br  u  m  and 
album 

—  longillorum  ... 
Lily  of  the  Valley, 

p.  dz.  bunches 

—  extra  quality  ... 
Marguerites,  white, 

p.  dz.  bunches 

—  yellow,  per  dz. 
bunches 


Cut  Foliage,  &c:  Average  Wholesale  Prices. 


Adiantum  cunea- 
luin,  per  dozen 
bunches 

Asparagus  plu- 
mosus,  long 
trails,  per  doz. 

—  —      medium, 

bunch    ... 

—  Sprengeri 
Berberis,  per  doz. 

bunches 
Croton  leaves,  bch. 
Cycas  leaves,  each 
Fern,  English,  per 

dozen  bunches 

—  French,  dozen 
bunches 


s.d.  s.d. 


4  0-60 


6  0    9  0 

16-20 
0  6-10 

2  0-26 
10-16 
16-20 

10-20 

2  0-40 


Galax  leaves,  per 
dozen  I 

Hardy  foliage 
(various),  per 
dozen  bunches 

Ivy-leaves,  bronze 

—  long  trails  per 
bundle 

—  short  green, 
doz.  bunches... 

Moss,  per  gross  ... 

Myrtle  (English), 
smal  1-leaved, 
doz.  bunches... 

—  French,  dozen 
bunches 

Smilax,  p.  dz.  trails 


s.d.  s.d. 
2  0-26 


2  0-60 
2  0-26 


16-30 


2  0-30 

4  0-50 


4  0-  G  0 


10-16 
16-26 


Plants  in  Pots,  &c. :  Average  Wholesale  Prices. 


Ainpelopsis     Veit- 

chii,  per  dozen 

AraliaSieboldi.dz. 

—  larger  

Araucaria   escelsa, 

per  dozen 

Aspidistras,  green, 

per  dozen 

—  variegated,  dz. 
Asparagus   plumo- 

sus  nanus,  doz. 

—  Sprengeri,   dz. 

—  ten  uissimus 
per  dozen 

Boron i a    mega- 
stigma,  per  dz. 

—  heterophylla ... 
Calceolarias, yellow 
Clematis,  per  doz. 

— ■  in  flower 
C  ocos    Weddelli- 

ana,  per  dozen 
Coleus,  per  dozen 
Crassulas     (Kaloz- 

anthesl.per  dz. 
Crotons,  per  dozen 
Cyperus    alteraifo- 

lius,  dozen 

—  laxus,     per 
dozen  ... 

Oracc-enas,  per  doz. 

Erica  Caveudishii, 

per  dozen 

—  ventricosa,  per 
dozen  ... 

Euonyinust'per  dz". 


s.d.  s.d. 

6  0-80 

4  0-60 
9  0-12  0 


18  0-30  0 
30  0-42  0 

9  0-12  0 
9  0-12  0 

9  0-12  0 

12  0-30  0 
12  0-24  0 
4  0-80 

8  0-90 
12  0-18  0 

9  0-18  0 
3  0-50 

9  0-12  0 
12  0-3U  0 


4  0-50 

9  0-24  0 


24  0-36  0 


18  0-30  0 
4  0-  9  0 


7  0-10  0 


8  0-10  0 
4  0-60 
4  0-80 

4  0-60 


s.d.  s.d 
Ferns,  in  thumbs, 
per  100 

—  in    small     and 
large  60"s      ...  16  0-25  0 

—  in  48's,  per  dz.    4  0-10  0 

—  in  32's,  per  dz.  10  0-18  0 
Ficus  elastica,  per 

dozen  

—  repens,perdoz. 
Fuchsias,  per  doz. 
Heliotropiums,  per 

dozen  

Hydrangea     Thos. 

Hogg,  per  doz.  12  0-18  0 

—  Hortensia,  per 

dozen S  0-12  0 

—  paniculata,  per 

dozen 12  0-30  0 

Kentia      Belmore- 

ana,  per  dozen  12  0-13  0 
— ■  Fosteriana,    p. 

dozen 12  0-21  0 

Latania  borbonica, 

per  dozen  ...  12  0-18  0 
Lilium     longi- 

florum,  per  dz.  12  0-21  0 

—  lancif  o  li  um, 
per  dozen 

Lily  of  the  Valley 

per  dozen 
Lobelia,  per  dozen 
Marguerites, white 

per  dozen 

—  yellow 

Mignonette,  per  dz 
M  .i-k,  per  dozen'.:. 


12  0-18  0 

12  0-19  0 
5  0-60 

4  0-80 
12  0-13  o 

5  0-80 
•4  0-5  0 


s.d.  s.d. 
Pelargoniums, 
Ivy-leaved, 
Mde.  Crousse 
and  Galilee,  p. 
dozen 4  0-60 

—  Zonals,  per  dz.    4  0-  6  0 

—  show    ...        ...    6  0-90 

Petunias,     double, 

per  dozen       ...     4  0-80 

—  single,  per  dz.    3  0-  6  0 
Rhodanthe,  per  dz.    4  0-60 


s.d.  s.d. 
Rhododendron  s, 

per  doz 24  0-36  0 

Roses,  H.P's.,  dz.  12  0-24  0 
—  Ramblers,  each  5  0-21  0 
Sasifraga  pyramid- 

alis,  per  dozen  12  0-18  0 
Selaginella,  dozen  4  0-60 
Spirasa      japonica, 

per  dozen  ...  5  0-80 
Verbena,      Miss 

Willmott,  doz.    6  0-90 


Fruit:  Average  Wholesale  Prices, 
s.d  s.d 


6  6-76 

7  6-80 


6  0-70 
6  0-70 


7  0- 
6  6- 


Apples,    per    box, 
Tasmanian : 

—  London  Pippins   8  6-90 

—  Scarlet      Pear- 
mains  ... 

—  Scarlet  Nonpa- 
reils      

—  Sturmer     Pip- 
pins       

—  French  Crabs.. 

—  Cox's    Orange 
Pippins  ...  18  0-20  0 

—  Alexandras    ...    7  6-86 

—  Prince  Alfreds    6  6-76 

—  Alfristons      ...    7  0-76 
Australian,  box : 

—  Monro's     Fav- 
orite,  per   box    7  0-90 

—  Roman  Beauty    7  0-80 

—  Cleopatras    ...    7  0-90 

—  Jonathans      ...  10  6-12  0 

—  New  York  Pip- 
pins       

—  Five  Crowns... 

—  Cox's    Orange 
Pippins 

—  Rymers 
Apricots  (French), 

per  box 

—  French,    cases 

—  French,  \  sieve 
Bananas,  bunch: 

—  No.  2  Canary  . 

—  No.  1        „    ... 

—  Extra        „    ... 

—  Giants     ,,     ... 

—  Jamaica 

—  I  £cse,  per  dz. 
Cherries  (English), 

$  sieve 

—  i  sieve 

—  French,  box  ... 

—  French,  \  sieve 

—  French,  |  sieve 
Cranberries,  case 
Currants  (French), 

black,  $  sieve... 

—  French,  red, 
handle  basket.. 

Dates  (Tunis)]  doz. 

boxes  

Figs(Guernsey),dz. 
Gooseberries  | .1  Ing- 

lish),  i  sieve  ... 


12  0-16  0 

6  0-70 

12-14 
3  6-60 

7  0-76 

5  0    — 

5  6-60 

6  6-76 

8  0    — 
5  0-66 
0  9-13 

3  6-80 

2  0-46 
13-30 

4  0-60 

3  0-46 
8  0-86 

4  0-50 
16-20 

2  6    — 

16-60 

2  0-29 


0  10-  1  6 
2  0-40 


0  8-13 


s.d.  s.d. 
Grape  Fruit,  case  19  0-22  0- 
Grapes    (English), 

Hambro's,  p.  lb.0  10-  1  6 

—  Alicante,  pr.  lb.     10-16 

—  Gros  Maroc, 
per  lb.  .. 

—  English  Mus- 
cats, per  lb 

—  Belgian  Ham- 
bro's, per  lb.... 

Lemons  : 

—  Messina,    case    8  0-14  0 

—  Naples,  p.  case  12  0-20  0 
Lychees,  per  box...     10    — 
Mangoes,  per  doz.    9  0-18  0 
Melons{  Guernsey), 

each     10-26 

—  French,   Rock, 

each     2  0-30 

Nectarines  (Eng- 
lish), per  doz.    3  0-12  0 

Nuts,  Cobnuts,  per 

doz.  lb 2  6-30 

—  Almonds,  bags  54  0    — 

—  Brazils,  new, 
perewt.  ...  40  0-42  6 

—  Barcelona,  bag  32  6    — 

—  Cocoa  nuts,  100  12  0-17  0 
Oranges,  per  case : 

—  Palermos,100's, 

box       6  0-66 

—  Valencia        ...  16  0-35  0 

—  Navels  ...  10  0-10  6 

—  Jaffa     12  0-14  0 

—  St.  Michaels, 
per  box 

—  Palermo  s, 
Bloods,  100s, 
boxes  

—  Murcias,     box 
Peaches  (English), 

per  dozen 

—  French,  p.  box 
Pears  (Australian), 

Eer  bundle  of  3 
oxes 

Plums  (French),  p, 

box       

Pineapples,  each ... 

Strawberries  (Bng 

lish),  per  peck 

—  per  lb 

—  English,  per 
handle    basket    0  9-16 


6  0-10  0 


6  0-80 

8  0-14  0 


2  0-12  0 
10-19 


10  0-20  0 


13-16 
2  0-36 


2  0-30 

0  5-10 


Vegetables  :  Average  Wholesale  Prices, 
s.d.  s.d 


Artichokes(French), 

per  dozen      ...    2  0-26 

Asparagus  (Eng- 
lish), p.  bundle    0  9-13 

—  Montauban,  p. 

bundle 16-19 

—  French    Giant, 

per  bundle     ...    5  0-60 
Beans,  Broad  (Eng- 
lish), p.  bushel    3  0    — 

—  Jersey,  per  lb.    0  6-07 

—  French,  packet    0  3-04 

—  Home  -grown, 

per  lb 0  6-08 

Beetroot,  bushel  ...  10  — 
Cabbages,  per  doz,  0  9-10 
Cabbage     Greens, 

bag       10-16 

—  red,  per  dozen    2  0    — 
Carrots    (English), 

dozen  bunches    10-16 

—  French,     new, 

per  bunch      ...    0  2-0  2* 

—  per    bag,    un- 
washed ...    5  0-60 

Cauliflowers,    doz.    2  0-26 

Chow  Chow  (Sec- 
hium  edule),  p. 
dozen 3  0    — 

Cucumbers,  perdz.     16-26 

Endive,  per  dozen     19-20 

Horseradish,  for- 
eign, dz.  bndls.  13  0-14  0 

Leeks,  12  bundles    16    — 

Lettuce    (English), 

Cos,  per  score    0  4-06 

Marrows(English), 

per  dozen      ...    4  0-70 

Mint,     per    dozen 

bunches         ...    0  9-10 


s.d.  s.d. 

M  ushrooms(house) 

per  lb 0  8-0  10 

—  buttons,  per  lb.  0  10    — 

—  "Broilers"p.lb.    0  5-06 
Mustardand  Cress, 

per  dozen  pun. 

Onions      (Lisbon), 

case     

—  pickling,     per 
bushel 

—  Spring,  pr.  dz. 
bunches 

—  Egyptian,  bag  , 
Peas  (English),  per 

bushel 

—  English,  p.  bag 
Parsley,  12bunches 

—  k  bushel 
Potatos     (Canary), 

per  cwt. 

Radishes  (Guern- 
sey), per  dozen    0  4-06 

Rhubarb  (English), 
natural,  perdz. 

Salsafy,p.dz.  bdls. 

Spinach,  English, 
per  bushel      ..-. 

Tomatos : — 

—  Canary,  per 
bundle 

—  selected,  per 
dozen  lbs. 

—  small  selected, 
per  dozen  lbs. 

Turnips    (French), 

new,  per  bunch    0  3-0  3  V 

—  English,  doz. 
bunches  ...    2  0-30 

Watercress,      per 

doz.  bunches  ..    0  4-06 


10-16 

6  6-70 

2  0-26 

16    — 

7  6-80 

2  0-30 

3  6-60 
16-20 
10-16 

6  0-70 


10-16 
3  6- 


0  9-10 


6  0-80 
5  3-56 


4  6-50 


Remarks.— The  supplies  of  English  Peaches  and  Nec- 
tarines are  larger,  but  there  is  not  a  good  demand  for  these 
fruits  owi  n g  principally  to  the  large  quantities  of  Strawberries 
on  the  market.  Prices  of  English  Tomatos  have  further 
advanced,  and  are  selling  freely.  Strawberries  are  now  very 
plentiful,  but  they  are  of  poor  flavour  and  quality  owing  to 
a  continued  absence  of  sunshine.  The  last  consignment  of 
Australian  Apples  for  this  season  has  arrived.  P.  L.,  Covent 
Garden  Market,  July  3\  1907. 

Potatos. 

Kents,  7s.  6d.  to  10s. ;  Bedfords,  7s.  to  8s. ;  Jerseys,  7     6  !. 
to  8s. ;  St.  Malos,  8s. ;  Cherbourgs,  7s. ;  Teneriffe,  t, 
7s. ;  old  Potatos,  7s.  6d.  to  8s.  A  fair  quantity  of  new  English 
Potatos  are  on  the  market.  It  is  expected  that  supplies  from 
Jersey  will-finish  this  week.  A.  B., Covent  Garden, Jul: 


20 


THE    GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


[July  6,  1907. 


COVENT    GARDEN     FLOWER     MARKET. 

At  the  end  of  last  week  there  was  a  slight  advance  in  the 

E  rices  of  some  cut  flowers.  Lilium  longirlorurn  was  dearer, 
ut  I  find  this  morning  these  flowers  are  cheaper  again.  L. 
lancifolium  of  the  best  quality  is  not  over  plentiful.  Good 
blooms  of  L.  tigrinum  are  making  higher  prices  than  those 
of  L.  longiflorum.  Callas  may  realise  fair  prices  one  morn- 
ing but  the  nest  day  they  are  not  wanted.  The  market  has 
received  Sweet  Peas  from  under  glass  for  the  past  two 
months,  and,  now  those  from  the  open  are  in,  the  public  is 
tired  of  them.  Roses  vary  considerably  ;  a  few  of  the  best 
•quality  blooms  make  good  prices.  Carnations  are  over- 
plentiful  and  are  sold  by  hawkers  in  the  streets  for  very 
little  money.  Pseonias  are  seen  in  large  quantities  ;  a  few  of 
the  pure  white,  blush,  and  pink  coloured  varieties  sell  well, 
but  the  old  double  crimson  flowers  are  disposed  of  for  very 
low  figures.  Poppies  are  abundant ;  the  improved  Iceland 
varieties  sell  best,  but  the  Shirley  Poppies  are  also  good. 
Herbaceous  Pyrethrums  are  abundant ;  the  single  crimson 
and  the  double  white  kinds  are  the  most  appreciated.  Gyp- 
sophila  elegans  is  arriving  in  whole  van  loads.  Eucharis. 
Stephanotis,  Lapageria  alba,  white  Pelargonium,  Tuberoses, 
&c,  are  all  well  supplied,  but  flowers  with  short  stems  have 
depreciated  in  value.  There  is  no  lack  of  cut  foliage  of 
all  description. 

Pot  Plants. 

Several  growers  have  cleared  their  stocks  of  some  subjects 
for  the  season,  and  special  orders  may  be  difficult  to  execute, 
but  up  to  the  present  supplies  have  been  abundant.  Zonal 
Pelargoniums  have  fallen  in  value,  but  good  Ivy-leaved 
varieties  have  been  in  demand.  Show  or  Regal  varieties 
are  still  over-plentiful.  Crassula  coccinea  is  very  good; 
C.  jasminae  and  hybrid  varieties  are  also  on  sale.  Hydrangea 
Hortensia  can  be  had  in  plants  of  all  sizes  up  to  those  3  feet 
high,  and  with  about  a  dozen  good  heads  of  bloom.  Ver- 
bena "  Miss  Willmott,"  Fuchsias,  yellow  and  white  Margue- 
rites, yellow  Calceolarias,  and  Mignonette  are  prominent 
flowering  plants  seen  on  the  stands.  Chrysanthemum  segetum 
forms  a  good  pot  plant,  but  it  is  over-plentiful.  Some  growers 
of  Rambler  Roses  have  cleared  their  saleable  stocks  for  the 
season.  Good  prices  have  been  generally  maintained ; 
shapely  and  well-flowered  plants  of  the  variety  Doro- 
thy Perkins  have  realised  two  guineas  a  pair.  Ferns 
are  well  supplied  in  all  sizes.  Palms  vary  but  little,  they  are 
generally  procurable  in  all  sizes.  Some  well-grown  plants 
of  Pandanus  are  seen.  Ficus  elastica  is  good,  but  the 
demand  for  this  old  favourite  parlour  plant  has  fallen  off 
considerably.  Aralia  Sieboldi  and  the  variety  Mosen  are 
selling  at  advanced  prices.  Asparagus  Sprengeri  is  now 
extensively  used  for  florists'  work.  A.  H.,  Covent  Garden, 
Wednesday,  July  J,  1907. 


TRADE     NOTICES. 


Messrs.  A.  T.  Sims,  Ltd. 

A  company  with  this  title  has  been  registered  with  a 
capital  of  £5,000  in  £1  shares,  for  the  purpose  of  acquiring 
the  Kingsfield  Nursery  business  lately  carried  on  by  Mr.  A.  T. 
Sims,  at  Sewardstone  Road,  Chingford.  There  will  be  no 
initial  public  issue  of  the  shares,  and  the  company  will  be 
registered  without  articles  of  association. 

Messrs.  W.  Dennis  &  Sons,  Ltd. 

The  above-named  company  has  lately  been  registered  with 
a  capital  of  £75,000  in  £1  shares,  for  acquiring  the  potato, 
fruit,  seed,  and  other  businesses  of  Messrs.  W.  Dennis  and 
Sons  and  Messrs.  J.  and  H.  Dennis.  There  is  no  initial 
public  issue  of  the  shares.  The  first  directors  are  W. 
Dennis,  J.  W.  Dennis,  J.  M.  Dennis,  J.  H.  Dermis,  T.  E. 
Dennis,  and  F.  W.  Dennis. 

Mr.  William  N.  Lindsay,  Leith. 

Mr.  Alexander  Cross,  who  has  severed  his  connection 
with  Messrs.  Bell  &  Bieberstedt,  has  entered  the  firm  of 
Mr.  William  N.  Lindsay,  as  partner.  A  department  for  the 
wholesale  seed  business  has  been  added  to  the  firm,  and  of 
this  branch  Mr.  Cross  will  assume  the  management. 


ANSWERS   TO    CORRESPONDENTS. 


Botanical  Periodicals  :  S.  S.  A.  Botanical 
Magazine,  published  by  Messrs.  Lovell,  Reeve 
&  Co.,  Ltd.,  6,  Henrietta  Street,  Covent  Garden, 
W.C.  ;  Journal  of  Botany,  West,  Newman  & 
Co.,  54,  Hatton  Garden,  E.C. 

Buttercups  on  Lawn  :  W.  H.  You  cannot 
do  better  than  treat  the  grass  with  the  dress- 
ings you  mention.  The  nitrogenous  manures 
will  favour  the  growth  of  the  grasses,  and  in 
time  they  may  be  expected  to  crowd  out  the 
weeds. 

Carnation  Leaves  Diseased  :  Ireland.  The 
injury  is  called  Bacteriosis,  and  is  primarily  due 
to  punctures  by  aphides.  Bacteria  gains  an 
entrance  into  the  tissues  of  the  leaf  through  the 
wounds  set  up  by  the  aphides  and  this  causes 
further  trouble.  Aphides  should  be  kept  down 
by  spraying  with  some  suitable  insecticide. 

Carnation  Roots  :  Mack.  The  white  insects  on 
the  roots  are  known  as  Ripersia  terrestris. 
Bisulphide  of  carbon  will  destroy  them.  Make 
holes  with  a  piece  of  stout  wire  in  the  soil, 
and  use  two  teaspoonfuls  of  the  chemical  to 
a  6-inch  pot.  Afterwards  shade  the  plants. 
The  substance  is  poisonous  to  animal  life,  and 
highly  inflammable. 

Cucumbers  Diseased  :  W .  X.  Your  plants  are 
affected  with  the  spot  disease.  See  answer  to 
/.  C.  in  our  issue  for  June  22,  p.  416. 

Digitalis  Flowers  :  F.  E.  S.  cV  Co.  This  ab- 
normal form  is  by  no  means  uncommon.     It 


is  known  as  regular  peloria,  and  is  often  seen 
in  the  Toadflax,  Antirrhinum,  and  many  other 
flowers. 

Fruit  Recently  Fumigated:  Anxious.  We 
have  never  heard  of  any  injurious  effects  fol- 
lowing the  consumption  of  fruits  that  have 
been  gathered  from  trees  that  had  been  re- 
cently fumigated  with  tobacco  smoke.  In  the 
case  of  fruits  from  which  the  skin  is  removed 
before  consumption,  no  bad  effects  could  pos- 
sibly follow. 

Gardening  in  the  United  States  :  R.  J.  H. 
See  articles  on  this  subject  in  our  last  volume, 
pp.  80,  191. 

Gardenia  and  Azalea  Shoots  Dying  :  Kent. 
The  shoots  have  the  appearance  of  having  been 
injured  by  some  external  influence  such  as  ex- 
cessive fumigation,  or  an  application  of  too 
strong  an  insecticide.  Without  knowing  all  the 
circumstances,  we  are  less  able  to  judge  of  the 
cause  than  those  on  the  spot. 

Grapes  :  H.  E.  There  is  no  fungus  disease  pre- 
sent in  the  berries.  The  cause  of  the  failure  is 
probably  due  to  some  cultural  defect.  We 
suspect  that  the  trouble  exists  at  the  roots;  see 
that  the  borders  are  in  a  satisfactory  condition. 

Holly  Leaves:  P.  A.  The  damage  is  caused 
by  the  grub  of  a  fly.  You  can  do  nothing  in 
the  case  of  those  leaves  which  are  already 
infested,  but  by  spraying  them  with  quassia 
extract  you  will  render  them  distasteful  to  the 
adult  insects,  and  so  prevent  the  insects 
depositing  further  eggs  on  the  foliage. 

Lily  Disease  :  A.  H.  See  reply  to  G.  O.  P.  in 
our  issue  for  June  22,  p.  416. 

Lupins  Dropping  their  Buds  :  W.  U.  The 
trouble  is  caused  by  a  fungus,  Sclerotinia  sclero- 
tiorum,  that  attacks  the  roots.  The  soil  in  which 
they  are  growing  should  be  treated  with  quick- 
lime, or,  better  still,  with  gas-lime,  after  the 
plants  are  removed.  If  your  stock  is  not  exten- 
sive, we  advise  the  destruction  of  the  plants  by 
burning,  and  the  planting  of  healthy  roots  on  a 
different  quarter  of  land. 

Muscat  of  Alexandria  Grapes:  G.  S.  Allow 
the  vines  to  remain  without  disturbance  until 
the  resting  season,  when  they  should  be  lifted, 
and  the  borders  thoroughly  overhauled.  You 
will  gain  nothing  by  planting  out  young  vines  at 
this  late  season,  and  in  any  case  we  should 
advise  an  inspection  of  the  interior  of  the  border. 
The  wire  worms  can  be  trapped  with  portions  of 
some  vegetable  roots,  such  as  Carrot  or  Potato. 

Names  of  Flowers,  Fruits  and  Plants. — We 
sse  anxious  to  oblige  correspondents  as  far  as 
we  consistently  can,  but  they  must  bear  in 
mind  that  it  is  no  part  of  our  duty  to  our 
subscribers  to  name  either  flowers  or  fruits. 
Such  work  entails  considerable  outlay,  both  of 
time  and  money,  and  cannot  be  allowed  to  dis- 
organise the  preparations  for  the  weekly  issue,  or  to 
encroach  upon  time  required  for  the  conduct  of  the 
paper.  Correspondents  should  never  send  more 
than  six  plants  or  fruits  at  one  time  :  they  should  be 
very  careful  to  pack  and  label  them  properly,  to  give 
every  information  as  to  the  county  the  fruits  are 
grown  in,  and  to  send  ripe,  or  nearly  ripe,  specimens 
which  show  the  character  of  the  variety.  By 
neglecting  these  precautions  correspondents  add 
greatly  to  our  labour,  and  run  the  risk  of 
delay  and  incorrect  determinations.  Correspondents 
not  answered  in  one  issue  are  requested  to 
be  so  good  as  to  consult  the  following  numbers. 
Plants:  A.  H.  Pentstemon  glaber  and  Eri- 
geron  philadelphicus. — A.  E.  E.  1,  Cephalan- 
thera  pallens  ;  2,  Atropa  Belladonna  ;  3,  Cyno- 
glossum  officinale  ;  4,  Verbascum  nigrum. — 
O.  W.  Libertia  formosa. — H.L.  2,  Habenaria 
conopsea. — H.K.  Silene  nutans. — A.P.N.  3. 
Campanula  ramosissima. —  \V.  D.  M.  Ceanothus 
Veitchianus. — Bids.  We  are  unable  to  name 
the  leaf  received  from  Ceylon  in  the  absence 
of  further  material.  The  shrub  is  Santolina 
Chamaecyparissus.  — ■  F.  S.  1,  Podocarpus 
Totara  ;  2,  Cephalotaxus  pedunculata  var.  fasti- 
giata  ;  3,  Iris  versicolor  ;  4,  Salix  triandra  ;  5, 
Aristotelia  Macqui ;  6,  Anemone  pennsylvanica. 
— C.  L.  L.  We  are  only  able  to  give  the  name 
of  one  of  your  Roses,  No.  6,  Reine  Marie  Henri- 
ette.  Send  them  direct  to  a  nurseryman  who 
has  the  opportunity  to  compare  them  with  other 
flowers. — R.  W.  P.  &■  S.  Dictamnus  fraxinella. 
— A.  H.  Polygonum  sachalinense. — A".  F.  1, 
Deutzia  crenata;  2,  Azara  microphylla ;  3, 
Cyperus  longus  ;  4,  Orchis  pyramidalis. — Palmer. 
a,  Weigela  rosea ;  b,  Crataegus  pyracantha ; 
c,  Leycesteria  formosa ;  d,  Centranthus  ruber ; 


e,  Potentilla  "Hamlet"  ;  /,  Erigeron  philadel- 
phicus.— M.  &•  M .  Oleareamacrodonta.  —  G.  M. 
1,  Swainsonia  galegifolia;  2,  Astrantia  major; 
3,  Bletia  hyacinthina  ;  4,  Potentilla  sanguinea, 
garden  variety  ;  5,  Centaurea  montana  alba  :  6, 
Lilium  Martagon. — H.  L.  Franciscea  (Bruns- 
felsia)  acuminata. — V.J.T.  1,  Odontoglossum 
Lindleyanum  ;  2,  Oncidium  caesium;  3,  Aerides 
japonicum  ;  4,  Masdevallia  swertiaefolia ;  5, 
Stelis  muscifera  :  6,  Oncidium  triquetrum. — 
H.  A.,  Notts.  Begonia  incarnata  metallica. — 
/.  B.,  North  Wales.  1,  Laelia  purpurata.  a  very 
good  variety  ;  2,  Dendrobium  Calceolaria  of  the 
variety  often  called  D.moschatum;  3,  Libertia 
formosa;  4,  Saxifraga  umbrosa  serratifolia  ;  5, 
Saxifraga  trifurcata  ;   6,  Lysimachia  nemorum. 

E.  C.  C.  D.  Limnanthes  Douglasi.  — S.  W. 
Probably  a  Daphne  ;  send  again  when  in  flower. 
—  W.  P.  W7e  do  not  undertake  to  name  varieties 
of  Roses. 

Paulownia  imperialis  :  W.  N.  This  is  a  hand- 
some, hardy,  deciduous  tree,  not  uncommon  in 
borders  in  gardens,  where  its  stately  broad  foliage 
forms  a  suitable  background  to  flowering  plants. 
In  warm  and  sheltered  localities  it  blooms  early 
in  the  season,  producing  terminal  panicles  of 
pale  violet-coloured  flowers.  The  points  of  the 
shoots  usually  suffer  injury  from  spring  frosts, 
in  English  gardens,  but  in  seasons  when  the 
trees  are  able  to  expand  their  flowers,  the 
Paulownia  is  exceedingly  effective.  It  was  in- 
troduced from  Japan  nearly  70  years  ago.  The 
genus  possesses  this  species  only,  and  belongs 
to  the  natural  order  Scrophulariaceae. 

Pear  Shoots  Injured  :  /.  P.  The  branches  at,, 
dying  as  the  result  of  a  fungus  disease  known  as 
brown-rot.  Cut  out  the  diseased  shoots,  well 
below  the  seat  of  injury  and  burn  them. 

Quince  Seedlings:  E.  B.  You  may  use  these 
as  stocks  for  grafting  varieties  of  the  Pear. 

Raspberry  Fruits,  etc.  :  Miss  P.  The  failure 
of  the  Raspberry  fruits  is  due  to  imperfect  fer- 
tilisation of  the  flowers,  probably  the  result  of 
the  wet  season.  The  Rose  leaves  are  attacked 
by  a  fungus,  Asteroma  rosae.  Collect  and  burn 
all  diseased  leaves  and  spray  the  healthy  ones 
with  liver  of  sulphur,  using  one  ounce  of  the 
sulphur  in  two  gallons  of  water. 

Spot  Disease  of  Grapes  :  P.  G.  M.  The 
berries  are  affected  with  the  spot  disease, 
which  is  caused  by  a  fungus  Glceosporium 
ampelophagum.  Dust  the  bunches  with  a  mix- 
ture of  one  part  quicklime  and  two  parts  of 
flowers  of  sulphur.  The  use  of  stable  manure 
in  the  border  favours  the  disease. 

Stand  for  Exhibiting  Grapes  :  S.  W .  We 
know  of  no  regulation  size  for  a  stand  to  hold 
two  bunches,  but  those  usually  adopted  for 
this  number  are  from  12  to  15  inches  in 
length,  about  the  same  measurement  in  depth, 
and  about  12  inches  in  height. 

Tomato  Disease  :  S.  W.  W.     It  is  advisable  to 

obtain  fresh  seeds  from  healthy  plants. 
Tomato    Fruits     with     Unripened     Patches: 

F.  W.  H.  The  blotches  and  hard  patches  are  due 
to  an  absence  of  potash  in  the  rooting  medium. 
Dress  the  soil  with  light  sprinklings  of  sulphate 
of  potash  and  afterwards  well  water  the  roots. 

Tomato  Leaves:  H.  R.  This  condition  is 
brought  about  by  excessive  feeding  and 
watering.  The  plants  have  grown  with  too 
much  vigour,  and  have  expended  their  energies 
in  the  formation  of  shoots  and  leaves  instead  of 
fruits.  The  leaves  have  become  more  or  less 
succulent  and  hence  their  brittle  nature. 
Tomato  plants  should  not  be  too  liberally 
watered  at  their  roots,  and  if  their  root-run  is 
somewhat  restricted,  so  much  the  better. 

Vine  Leaves  from  the  Open  :  /.  P.  There  is 
no  disease  present ;  the  injury  has  been  caused 
by  chills  which. have  arrested  the  growth  of  the 
foliage. 

Yew  Tree  at  Warblington  :  F.  P.  The  tree  is 
mentioned  in  Lowe's  Yew  Trees  of  Great 
Britain  and  Ireland.  You  may  send  the 
picture  for  our  consideration. 

Communications  Received.— J.  B.  (thanks  for  Is.  which  has 
been  placed  in  R.G.O.F.  box)— J.  M.  L.— Studley— A.  B.— 
T.  C.  R— V.  C.  S.— W.  R.  C— E.  T— S.  P.— A.  C— 
W.  D— H.  G.— I.  W.— Rev.  G.  H.— E.  B.— ].  D.— C.  L.  L. 
A.   H.— J.  D.   W.— H.   L.   &   Co.-H.  S.— J.  C.—T.    S.— 

F.  B.— F.  G.  T.-H.  B.— W.  H.  C.-H.  C— Dr.  A.  R.  P.— 
J.  R.-H.  S.— A.  P.-R.  S.  H.— R.  J.  A.— W.  B.  H.— 
C.  D.  B.— Rev.  Geo.  H.— Lieut.-Col.  Prain— J.  H.   L.— 

G.  W.— T.  H. 


July  13,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


21 


THE 


6arbcncrsfCbronidc 

No.  1,072.— SATURDAY,  July   13,   1907. 


CONTENTS. 


Alpine  garden,  the — 

Saxifraga  aizoon  lutea      23 
Irises,  some  new      ...      28 

American  Gooseberry- 
mildew  attacking  the 
Red  Currant 26 

Aralia  Moseri      33 

Books,  notices  of — 

Botanical  Magazine  ...      32 

Coicmial  notes — 

Oranges  from  Austra- 
lia             24 

Diospyros  Kaki 22 

Ferns,  British,  choice 
varieties  of      21 

Foreign  correspondence — 
Geneva,  a  note  from  24 

Gillenias,  the  garden 
species  of        25 

Holland  House,  flower 
show  at .30,34 

Kew,  the  Rose  pergola 
at 25 

Lime,  the  uses  of,  in 
soils       24 

Magnolia  Campbellii   ...      33 

Meconopsis  racemosa...      30 

New  York  Botanical 
Garden 33 

Obituary — 

Eugene  Barbier         ...      39 
Charles  Jordan,  I.S.O,      39 


Plant  notes — 

Ipomueas  

Ismene  calathina 

Potato,  the  origin  of  the 
cultivated        

Rose  Fortune's    Yellow 

Societies — 

National  Rose 

National  Sweet  Pea... 
Royal  Horticultur.il  ... 
United    Horticultural 
Benefit   and    Provi- 
dent     

Strawberries,       Leader 
and  Kentish  Fart  ourite 

Strawberries,  the  culti- 
vation of  

Sum  mer      pruning       of 
fruii  trees       

Sweet  Pea,  a  new 

Trees  and  Shrubs 

Violas  at  the  Royal  Bo- 
tanic Gardens 

Week's  work,  the— 
Flower  garden,  the  ... 
Fruits  under  glass 
Hardy  fruit  garden 
Kitchen  garden,  the  ... 
Orchid  houses,  the    ... 
Parks  and  gardi  lis 
Plants  under  glass    ... 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Diospyros  Kaki,  a  flowering  spray  of,  22  ;  fruits  of 

Meconopsis  racemosa 

Rose  Fortune's  Yellow  

Rose  Lady  Helen  Vincent      

Stewartia  malachodendron,  a  flowering  branch  of 
View  in  the  Town  Garden,  Durban   (Supplementary 
Illustration) 


CHOICE  VARIETIES  OF  BRITISH 
FERNS. 

I  PROPOSE  in  this  article  to  write  mainly 
of  choice  varieties  of  British  Ferns  that  I 
have  either  found  growing  wild,  or  that 
have  been  raised  by  myself  from  spores  dur- 
ing the  course  of  some  30  years  of  Fern-study 
and  culture.  It  has  too  frequently  been  my 
lot  to  pronounce  very  disappointing  verdicts 
on  sports  or  quasi-sports  submitted  for  my 
opinion,  learning  later,  in  some  cases,  that 
my  reputation  as  a  judge  had  been  utterly 
shattered  thereby  in  the  opinion  of  the  raisers 
of  the  presumed  "  gems."  In  the  following 
remarks,  it  is  perhaps  unfortunate  that  I  am 
a  self-elected  judge  of  my  own  favourites,  but 
I  must  plead  that,  so  far  as  I  know,  my 
favourable  verdicts  have  been  backed  by  all 
who  are  best  qualified  to  judge.  In  the  first 
place,  then,  I  will  put  Blechnum  spicant 
concinnum  (Druery),  because  it  was  mv 
first  good  find  in  1881,  and  it  still 
stands  unrivalled  in  its  particular  class. 
The  common  Blechnum  or  Hard  Fern 
has  once-divided  fronds,  with  a  lance- 
shaped    outline,    that    is,    they    are    narrow 


at  the  bottom,  with  short  side  divisions, 
whi  h  gradually  lengthen  towards  the  middle 
and  taper  rapidly  to  a  blunt  top.  My  variety, 
that  I  found  coyly  hidden,  all  but  the  tip  of 
one  slender  frond,  in  a  mass  of  seedlings  in  a 
roadside  dyke  on  Exmoor,  has  fronds  of  the 
same  width  from  end  to  end,  all  the  side 
divisions  being  reduced  to  round  saw- 
toothed  discs  like  escallop  shells,  of  which 
each  frond  imitates  a  string.  About  an  inch 
of  such  a  string  was  displayed  to  view  in  a 
bunch  of  ordinary  fronds,  and  on  tracing  this 
to  its  source,  six  perfectly  characterised  fronds 
springing  from  one  centre  indicated  the  dis- 
covery of  an  unique  and  fixed  variety,  whence 
I  immediately  contracted  an  attack  of  Fern 
fever,  which  soon  became  incurable.  I  did 
not  proceed,  as  some  persons  would  have 
done,  to  cut  off  these  fronds  for  herbarium 
specimens,  and  thereby  destroy  the  find, 
but  lifted  the  whole  plant  carefully,  wrapped 
the  roots  in  damp  muss,  and  in  course  of 
time  obtained  a  fine,  robust,  and  typical  speci- 
men, which  produced  fertile  fronds  with 
spores,  and  these  furnished  me  with  several 
hundred  plants,  all  of  which  were  true  to 
the  new  type.  Since  that  time  about  a 
dozen  different  varieties  of  the  same  species 
have  fallen  to  my  lot  ;  in  one  or  two  of  these 
the  narrow  saw-toothed  character  is  partially 
developed,  but  not  one  is  equal  to  my  original 
plant  in  this  characteristic.  In  the  Lady 
Ferns  (Athyrium  tilix  foemina),  I  have  been 
more  fortunate,  both  as  a  finder  and  as 
a  raiser  of  novelties.  A.  f.f.  cristatum  Kil- 
rushiense  is  by  far  the  most  beautiful  wild- 
ling  of  all  its  congeners  yet  found;  its  long, 
graceful  pendulous  tassels  having  countless 
strands.  The  finding  of  this  Fern  at  Kilrush, 
in  Ireland,  was  quite  by  accident.  Imagine  a 
square  ditch  for  drainage,  a  yard  deep  and  as 
much  wide,  the  sides  clothed  with  Blechnums 
and  other  Ferns,  and  the  top  covered  in  with 
Brambles,  Bracken,  &c,  so  that  it  was  just 
possible  to  creep  along  below  these  and  in- 
spect the  Ferns  beneath.  Two  youngsters, 
my  guides,  for  I  had  only  just  arrived,  make 
their  way  along  the  outside  of  the  ditch  and, 
out  of  sight,  one  of  them  says  something  to 
me  which  I  cannot  quite  hear,  and  somewhat 
impatiently  I  stop,  push  aside  the  Bramble 
and  Bracken  aforesaid  to  get  near  enough  to 
hear,  and  in  this  gap,  on  the  outer  side,  is  a 
poor,  little,  crushed  Lady  Fern.  I  do  not 
hear  what  the  child  says,  for  I  instantly  note 
the  tassels  and  recognise  a  fixed  variation, 
though  how  good  it  was  I  did  not  know-  until 
two  years  later,  when,  after  a  spell  of  stunted 
growth,  due  possiblv  to  damage,  it  became 
a  robust,  full-sized  specimen,  pronounced  by 
other  and  better  judges  than  myself,  an  easy 
first  among  wild  forms,  and  unique  in  its 
way  amongst  those  obtained  by  selection. 
Col.  Jones,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  British 
Fern  culture,  had  a 
a  good  fairy  always 
scientious  Fern-hunter, 
otherwise  unsuccessful 
"  sport  "  for  his  delectation,  and  in 
the  case  of  the  plant  just  cited,  it  would  cer- 
tainly seem  as  if  such  a  fairy  had  inspired  the 
child's  remark,  to  which  the  discovery  was 
undoubtedly  due.  My  next  unique  example 
is  also  a  Lady  Fern — A.  f.f.  revolvens — and 
in  this  the  side  divisions  turn  back 
so  that  the  frond  forms  almost  a  tube. 
The  side  divisions  themselves  are  convex, 


pretty     fancy     that 

attended     the    con- 

and     if     he     were 

would     create     a 


and  all  their  tips,   as  do  those  of  the  fronds 
themselves,     turn     spirally,     ringlet-fashion, 
with  charming  effect.      Here,   again,   fortune 
favoured   me   in   its   discovery.     1    was   stop- 
pin-   at  a  cousin's  house  in  Scotland,   lamed 
with  a  sprained  ankle.   Ordinarily,  w  hen  start- 
ing on   a  Fern-hunting  expedition,    I   make 
straight  for  good  ground  at  a  distance,  but, 
being  lame,  I  could  only  hobble  with  the  aid 
of  a  stick   a  hundred  yards  or  so  from  the 
house,  the  result  being  the  discovery  of  this 
beautiful  form  in  a  gully  close  by,  where  two 
beautiful,   curly   fronds  peeped  out  below   a 
mass  of  commoner  ones.     Lastrea  montana 
cristata  gracilis  (Druery),  a  graceful  crested 
form  of  the  Lemon-scented  Fern,  fell  to  my 
.  lot  in  a  manner  I   have  too  often  described 
to  repeat  here  in  detail.     Suffice  to  say,   the 
clump  of  crowns  (33)  weighed  about  l\  cut., 
and  had  to  be  lifted  by  two  men  and  con- 
veyed by  a  horse  and  cart  to  the  Dartmoor 
village  where   I    was  stopping.       The   fore- 
going varieties  represent  what  I  consider  to 
he   the  choicest  of  my  wild   "finds,"   but    I 
have  discovered  many  others,  all  interesting 
certainly,   but  more  on  the  lines  of  existing 
forms.      I   will  confine  my  remarks  to  what 
has    been    done    in    the    direction     of    cul- 
tural    selection.       I     have     been     peculiarly 
favoured,   and    that    quite    unexpectedly,   by 
the   sudden   sporting    of    my     plants.        My 
strain  of  Lady  Ferns  of  the  plumose  super- 
bum  type  in  two  generations  utterly  eclipsed 
anything  previously  known  in  the  species.     A 
finely-cut,  uncrested  Lady  Fern  (A.  f.f.  plu- 
mosum  elegans  Parsons),  a  descendant  of  A. 
f.f,  Axminster  plumosum,  yielded  a  batch  of 
seedlings    that   were   all   crested   save   two, 
and     the    best    of    the    crested    ones    gave 
two      sections      of      descendants,     the     one 
crested,   the    other    plain,   both    simply    ex- 
quisite plumose  forms,   which  require  to  be 
seen  to  be  appreciated.     The  sowing  resulted 
in  at  least  a  score  of  distinct  varieties,  and 
the  whole  batch  formed  one  of  those  unan- 
ticipated    triumphs     which     occasionally     so 
richly   reward   the  observant  cultivator.        A 
person    who   has   not   experienced   it   cannot 
comprehend   the   pleasure   of   watching   such 
plants  develop  from  the  first  promise  noted 
by  a  keen  eye  in  the  early  fronds,   and  the 
gradual  fulfilment  step  by  step  in  the  later 
ones,  each  creating  a  fresh  surprise  and  de- 
light,   until   the   final    perfection     of     a     full 
specimen    is    reached.     With    the    wonderful 
Shield  Ferns  (Polystichum)   I  have  not  been 
very  successful  as  a  finder  of  rare  forms,  but 
it  has  been  my  good  fortune  to  have  novelties 
raised   from   spores,   and   these,    again,    in   a 
very   unexpected   fashion.      In    1874   a    farm 
labourer  found  a  Shield  Fern  (P.  aculeatum 
pulcherrimum)  in  a  hedge   near  Dr.   Wills' 
house  in  Dorset.    Dr.  Wills  was  an  assiduous 
and  successful  Fern-hunter,  and  had,   as  he 
presumed,  exhausted  the  varieties  in  his  im- 
mediate vicinity.     Yet  this  Fern,  which  sur- 
passed anything  he  had  found  himself,  was 
dragged    out    of    the-  hedge    close    by    and 
brought  to  him,  because,  as  the  person  who 
found  it  said,  it  seemed  "  funny,"  or  words 
to    that    effect.     From    that    time,    and    until 
three  or  four  years  since,   it  was  deemed  to 
be  perfectly  barren,  and  its  long,   slenderly- 
divided    fronds,    with     peculiarly     gracefully 
overlapped  tips,  did  not  seem  to  possess  the 
capability   of   bearing    spores.      Some   years 


22 


THE    GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


[July  13,  1907. 


ago  I  gave  part  of  my  plant  to  my  neigh- 
bour, Mr.  C.  B.  Green,  who  treated  the  divi- 
sion so  well  that  a  huge,  robust  plant  re- 
sulted, upon  which  Dr.  Stansfield  and  myself 
discovered  some  spores.  These  were 
gathered  and  sown  by  both  Mr.  Green  and 
myself,  with  the  result  that  a  batch  of  very 
beautiful  plants  has  resulted.  Amongst  the 
brood  are  some  four  or  five  reversions  to  the 
ancestral  form,  one  or  two  promise  to  re- 
semble the  parent,  but  the  majority  promise 
to  excel  it  in  beauty.  Some  half-a-dozen  of 
these  seedlings  have  fronds  of  such  a  delicate 
silken  and  attenuated  division  as  to  resemble 


DIOSPYROS     KAKI. 

There  are  good  reasons  for  believing  that  the 
Japanese  Persimmon  or  Date  Plum,  Diospyros 
Kaki,  is  a  hardy  tree  in  the  warmer  parts  of  the 
British  Isles,  if  not  in  every  part  where  good 
Apples  can  be  grown.  For  some  reason  or  other 
it  has  been  treated  as  being  too  tender  to  thrive 
out-of-doors,  but  there  are  now  young  trees  out- 
side at  Kew,  which  have  stood  the  cold  of  the 
last  two  winters  without  injury.  When  Aucuba 
japonica  was  first  introduced  to  this  country 
it  was  grown  under  glass,  and  25  years  ago  there 
was  a  collection  of  named  varieties  of  it  in  the 
temperate  house  at  Kew.  Professor  Sargent 
holds  that  the  Kaki  is  much  hardier  than  is 
commonly  supposed.     He  suggests  that  certain 


(see  fig.  9).  The  female  flowers  (see  fig.  8) 
are  yellow,  with  a  green  calyx,  and  they  are  fol- 
lowed by  fruits  without  fertilisation,  there 
being  no  male  plant  at  Kew.  There  is,  there- 
fore, no  seed,  the  whole  of  the  contents  of  the 
thin,  tough  skin  of  the  fruit  being,  when  dead 
ripe,  a  mass  of  soft,  juicy,  sweet,  strong- 
flavoured  pulp,  requiring  a  spoon  to  eat  it  with 
comfort.  The  treatment  afforded  the  Kew  tree 
is  the  same  as  that  recommended  for  Peaches. 
It  has  fruited  every  year  for  the  last  13  years. 
The  fruits  hang  on  the  tree  till  April,  although 
they  are  fully  grown  and  appear  ripe  in  October, 
when  the  flesh  is  still  hard.  Professor  Sargent 
says  the  Japanese  eat  the  fruits  when  they  are- 
as hard  as  paving  stones  !     W .  W. 


<T^,  F^D  Cl  H  R^o  [4 


Fig.  8. — female  flowers  of  diospyros  kaki, 


FROM    A    PLANT    GROWING    IN    THE    SUCC 
(Floral  details  magn.  4.) 


nothing  in  the  genus  hitherto  seen.  One  of 
my  own  raising  may  justifiably,  I  think,  be  re- 
garded as  the  best  of  the  batch,  and  I  propose 
to  christen  it  P.  aculeatum  gracillissimum. 
Some  of  the  others,  instead  of  having  this 
gracile  character,  are  greatly  improved  types 
of  the  parental  form,  so  that  in  this  case,  as 
with  the  Lady  Ferns,  a  new  breed  or  strain 
has  been  the  reward  of  sowing  a  minute  and 
practically  invisible  pinch  of  spores,  derived, 
be  it  noted,  from  a  thoroughbred  plant. 
Chas.  T.  Druery,   V.M.H.,  F.L.S. 


varieties  that  may  have  originated  in  the  warmer 
parts  of  Japan,  when  introduced  into  Europe 
and  the  United  States,  proved  tender ;  but  that 
the  varieties  grown  in  Pekin  and  Central  Japan 
would  be  capable  of  thriving  in  a  lower  tem- 
perature. It  is  certainly  worth  the  while  of 
fruit-growers  in  this  country  to  try  them,  for 
the  tree  is  decidedly  handsome,  particularly 
when  covered  with  large  peach-like  fruits,  and 
the  fruit  itself  is  excellent  for  dessert. 

There  is  a  small  tree  of  D.  Kaki  in  the  succu- 
lent house  at  Kew,  which  fruits  every  year,  the 
fruit  being  of  the  size  and  colour  of  a  large 
first-class   Tomato   of   the   "  Conference "    type 


ULENT   HOUSE,    ROYAL    GARDENS,    KEW. 

THE     CULTIVATION     OF 
STRAWBERRIES. 

This  fruit  has  been  cultivated  from  time  im- 
memorial, and  many  details  of  culture  have 
been  handed  down  from  past  times,  garnished 
probably  with  much  f  it  is  hypothetical,  yet 
with  many  a  maxim  that  modern  cultivators  may 
well  heed. 

A  rich,  fairly  heavy  loam  on  a  gentle  slope 
forms  a '  favourable  rooting  medium  for  the 
Strawberry.  Land  from  which  a  winter  crop  has 
been  taken  should  be  deeply  trenched  in  May, 
and  be  dressed  with  one  cubic  yard  of  fresh 
farmyard  manure  to  every  108  square  yards  of 


July  13,  1907 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


23 


ground,  but  if  the  preceding  crop  has  exhausted 
the  soil,  add  one-third  more  dung.  The  ground 
should  also  be  enriched  with  three  barrow-loads 
of  wood  ashes  from  the  garden  fire,  and  half 
this  quantity  of  old  pounded  lime  rubble.  It  is 
important  that  the  digging  should  be  thorough, 
and  the  whole  of  the  manure,  ashes  and  lime, 
evenly  and  thoroughly  incorporated  with  the 
soil.  Ply  the  hoe  in  fine  weather  to  destroy  any 
seedling  weeds  which  may  appear. 
In  preparing  the  layers,  use  clean  pots,  and 


plants  from  their  parents,  and  before  doing  this 
see  if  any  roots  protrude  from  the  bottom  of  the 
pots,  for  the  piesence  of  these  may  be  taken  as 
a  guide  in  severing  the  stolons.  At  this  period 
the  ground  which  is  to  receive  the  young  plants 
must  be  thoroughly  hoed,  and  if  it  is  not  pretty 
firm  it  must  be  rolled  or  trodden  to  consolidate 
it.  Plant  in  rows  placed  two  feet  apart,  but  first 
ascertain  that  the  plants  are  not  dry  at  their  roots. 
Put  the  plants  at  two  feet  apart  in  the  drills. 
■When  planting,  see  that  the  soil  is  pressed  firmly 


rotten  farmyard  manure  or  fowls'  dung — 
pigeons'  dung  is  spoken  very  highly  of  for  this 
crop,  but  I  have  never  used  this  substance  for 
Strawberries,  so  cannot  confirm  the  statement. 
When  the  flower  trusses  appear,  place  a  wisp  of 
straw  beneath  them  to  keep  the  fruits  clean,  and 
to  prevent  them  being  injured  by  rains.  In 
these  gardens  the  plants  are  not  retained  after 
they  have  been  planted  two  years.  They  fruit  well 
the  first  year  under  the  above  treatment,  and  in 
the  second  year  also.     After  the  first  fruiting 


Fig.  g. — fruits  of  diosiyros  kaki,  var.  costata,  grown  in  the  isle  of  wight.     (See  page  22.) 


fill  them  with  loam  made  mellow  by  the  addi- 
tion of  some  sifted  leaf  soil.  If  enough  ground 
is  available,  it  is  an  advantage  to  have  separate 
plants  for  the  purpose  of  providing  runn-eis 
only,  and  these  stock  plants  should  have  their 
flower  trusses  removed.  Plunge  the  tiny  pots  to 
their  rims,  and  with  pegs  made  from  bracken 
fasten  the  young  growths  in  the  soil  of  the  pots. 
If  the  weather  is  dry,  occasional  waterings  must 
be  given.     Do  not  separate  too  early  the  young 


around  the  "ball,"  which  should  be  placed  at 
a  proper  depth  in  the  soil.  It  may  be  necessary 
to  afford  water  after  planting,  but  in  any  case, 
first  level  the  ground  by  hoeing  or  raking  out 
the  footmarks.  Keep  down  weeds  by  the  use  of 
the  hce,  and  pinch  out  all  runners.  In  October 
afford  a  dressing  of  28  lb.  of  fresh  superphos- 
phate on  every  108  square  yards  of  land,  and 
either  hoe  or  lightly  fork  it  in  with  a  fork.  At 
the  latter  part   of  February  apply   a   mulch  of 


season  the  ground  is  cleaned,  a  sprinkling  of 
superphosphate  is  given  in  October  and  a  heavy 
mulching  of  manure  in  Februarj'.  With  regard 
to  the  question  of  varieties,  Royal  Sovereign  ia 
our  best  kind ;  Sir  Joseph  Paxton,  President, 
and  Sensation  are  also  in  favour  here.  For 
forcing  we  use  the  first-mentionea  variety,  and 
the  plant-,  are  layered  direct  into  6-inch  pots 
and  kept  actively  growing  for  as  long  a  period 
as  possible.     H.   W.,  Trcvince. 


24 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[July  13.  1907. 


FOREIGN    CORRESPONDENCE. 


POLYGONUM      BALDSCHUANICUM. 

With  reference  to  a  note  published  on  p.  399, 
vol.  xli.,  respecting  this  useful  plant,  I  would  say 
that  it  has  for  years  been  grown  in  Switzerland, 
and  there  attains  to  a  considerable  size.  It 
flowers,  not  merely  after  June,  but  from  the 
middle  of  April  until  the  end  of  autumn. 

I  have  a  plant  of  this  beautiful  Turkish  species 
that  covers  a  large  surface,  and  has  been  laden 
with  blossoms  since  April  12  ;  a  few  days  ago 
we  gathered  some  ripe  fruits  from  it.  It  is 
sometimes  stated  that  these  seeds  are  not  capable 
of  germinating,  but  this  is  not  true,  for  few  seeds 
germinate  as  well  and  rapidly  as  do  those  of 
Polygonum  Baldschuanicum,  provided  that  they 
are  sown  directly  after  they  are  gathered.  I 
have  raised  thousands  of  plants  from  seeds  sown 
in  autumn  as  soon  as  ripe,  or  early  in  spring. 
The  fact  that  this  is  seldom  done  is  the  reason 
for  the  belief  that  seed-raising  is  difficult. 

ERITRICHIUM  NANUM. 
The  cultivation  of  this  plant  has  for  years 
been  a  subject  of  discussion  in  the  English  hor- 
ticultural Press.  I  have  often  proved  the  possi. 
bility  of  raising  Eritrichum  nanum  from  seeds 
and  flowering  it  in  England.  Some  years  ago  I 
saw  in  the  garden  of  Sir  Charles  Ellis,  at  Hasle- 
mere,  two  pans  of  the  Eritrichium  in  full  bloom 
and  perfect  condition.  They  were  seedlings 
raised  on  a  hot-bed  and  kept  dry  in  a  cool  house. 
We  have  now,  at  Floraire,  seedling  plants  of 
Eritrichium  which  interest  many,  and  I  shall  be 
pleased  to  show  them  to  any  English  visitors 
who  may  come  here  this  summer.  Floraire  is 
twenty  minutes'  tram  ride  from  Molard,  Geneva. 
There  is  no  time  to  be  lost  by  those  who  would 
see  our  Eritrichium  and  the  wall  planted  with 
Alpines  now  in  flower.  H.  Correvon,  Floraire, 
i  'hine-Bourg,  Geneva. 


COLONIAL    NOTES. 


ORANGES  FROM  AUSTRALIA. 
The  Sydney  Mail  for  May  22  last  states  that 
it  was  proposed  to  ship  4,500  cases  of  citrus  fruits 
to  London  from  Sydney  by  the  R.M.S.  "  Oro- 
tava,"  on  June  29.  At  a  recent  meeting  of  fruit- 
growers in  Sydney,  it  was  stated  that  there  would 
be  a  prolific  crop  of  Oranges  this  season,  and 
probably  prices  locally  would  be  very  low.  A 
large  quantity  of  the  yield  will  be  available  for 
export,  and  as  the  consignment  will  reach  Lon- 
don at  the  best  time  for  exporters,  namely,  when 
the  market  there  was  bare  of  citrus  fruits,  the 
prospects  of  good  returns  were  regarded  as  very 
bright.  Fruit-growers,  however,  have  not  made 
much  response  when  called  upon  to  assist  the 
movement.  In  the  past,  some  of  the  consign- 
ments of  citrus  fruits  to  England  have  been 
failures,  and  others  have  given  good  financial 
returns.  When  the  fruit  was  landed  in  good 
condition,  the  shippers  have  realised  up  to  18s. 
for  a  case  of  about  150  Oranges.  The  A.  F.  and 
P.  Company  will  make  all  the  shipping  arrange- 
ments, and  the  cases  will  be  practically  what  are 
known  as  the  bushel  size,  as  they  will  hold  150 
Oranges  2J  inches  in  diameter.  It  is  desired 
that  only  clean  fruit  of  the  best  quality,  and 
graded  so  as  to  have  no  variation  in  size  in  a 
case,  should  be  sent.  When  clipped,  the  fruit, 
it  was  recommended,  should  be  showing  the 
ripening  colour,  in  preference  to  being  on  the 
green  side.  The  freight  charge  will  be  65s.  per 
ton,  equal  to  3s.  Id.  per  case.  The  cost  of  the 
cases  will  be  9d.  each.  The  opinion  was  ex- 
pressed that  the  temperature  in  the  steamers' 
cool  chamber  should  be  maintained  at  from  40J 
to   50°.       The    packing   and    wrapping    of   each 


Orange  with  wax  paper,  and  stowing  on  the 
ship  would  have  to  be  carried  out  carefully.  This 
precaution,  it  was  considered  necessary,  as  one 
agent,  who  spent  a  day  on  a  wharf  watching 
the  shipping  of  fruit,  said  he  saw  some  cases 
knocked  about  on  the  wharf  as  if  they  were 
merely  old  boots.  The  grower  will  be  charged 
3d.  per  case. 


THE    USES    OF    LIME.* 

The  effect  of  lime  when  applied  to  garden 
soils  is  often  so  beneficial  to  future  crops,  we 
reproduce  the  following  information  on  the 
uses  of  lime  in  agriculture,  recently  issued  by 
the  Board  of  Agriculture  and  Fisheries.  Owing 
to  the  intensive  culture  practised  in  gardens,  and 
the  frequent  applications  of  farmyard  and 
other  manures  they  receive,  occasional  dressings 
of  lime  are  essential. 

"  The  practice  of  liming  or  chalking  the  soil 
is  one  of  the  oldest  and  most  widely-spread 
operations  of  British,  agriculture  ;  unfortunately 
for  many  districts,  it  is  a  custom  that  is  less 
observed  at  the  present  time  than  probably  at 
any  other  period  since  farming  became  an 
organised  industry.  Until  about  40  years  ago 
lime  was  much  more  extensively  used  in  agri- 
cultural practice  than  it  is  to-day. 

How  is  it  that  the  practice  of  liming  has 
fallen  so  much  into  disuse?  It  may  be  said 
that,  in  the  main,  it  is  due  to  (1)  increased  cost 
of  labour;  (2)  the  increased  use  of  artificial 
manures  ;  (3|  the  reduction  in  the  value  of  corn 
crops.  Several  common  manures  contain  lime, 
but  a  clear  distinction  must  be  drawn  between 
free  lime,  as  it  exists  in  quicklime  or  slaked 
lime,  and  the  same  combined  with  an  acid,  as 
in  bones,  where  it  is  combined  with  phosphoric 
acid,  or  in  gypsum,  where  it  is  combined  with 
sulphuric  acid.  What  is  necessary  for  the  soil 
is  not  so  much  the  chemical  substance  lime,  but 
a  base,  i.e.,  something  capable  of  combining 
with  the  acids  produced  naturally  or  artificially 
in  the  soil.  In  quicklime  or  in  slaked  lime  this 
base  is  found,  and  nothing  else.  Chalk  and  all 
natural  limestones  contain  lime  combined  with 
carbonic  acid,  which,  however,  is  so  weak  and 
acid  that  it  is  easily  turned  out  and  does  not 
interfere  with  the  basic  properties  of  the  lime, 
whereas  in  bones  or  gypsum  the  lime  is  already 
completely  saturated  with  strong  acids,  and  in 
superphosphate  there  is  even  an  excess  of  acid, 
which  demands  more  lime  from  the  soil  to 
neutralise  it. 

Quicklime  and  slaked  lime  when  applied  to 
the  soil  quickly  go  back  to  the  state  of  carbonate 
of  lime  or  chalk  in  which  they  existed  before 
they  were  "  burnt  "  in  the  kiln,  hence  it  is  really 
this  substance,  carbonate  of  lime,  that  we  denote 
when  we  speak  of  "lime"  in  the  soil.  The 
superiority  of  burnt  lime  over  chalk  or  lime- 
stone for  application  to  the  soil  lies  simply 
in  the  fact  that  it  falls  naturally  into  a  fine 
state  of  division,  some  of  it  also  passing  into 
solution,  so  that  it  is  more  easily  disseminated 
throughout  the  soil  and  acts  with  greater 
rapidity  and  in  smaller  quantities.  But  to  re- 
turn to  the  point  in  question,  only  freshly  burnt 
(quick)  or  slaked  lime,  chalk,  limestone,  marl 
and  basic  slag  contain  "  lime  "  in  the  farmers 
sense,  i.e.,  in  the  form  of  a  base  capable  of 
neutralising  acids;  in  bones,  in  superphosphate, 
and  in  gypsum  the  lime  is  combined  with  acids, 
and  is  no  longer  capable  of  acting  as  a  base. 

Besides  its  indirect  value  in  neutralising  acids 
in  the  soil  lime  has  several  other  uses,  all  of 
which  are  of  importance  to  the  farmer  (and  gar- 
dener).    These  uses  may  be  given  as  follow  :  — 

1.  Lime  improves  the  nature  of  the  soil  by 
coagulating    the    finest    particles    of    clay    and 


*  Leaflet  No.  170,  issued  by  the  Board  of  Agriculture  and 
Fisheries. 


renc':ring  the  land  more  open  and  friable.  Thus 
drainage  goes  on  more  readily,  the  land  is 
warmer,  and  it  is  more  easily  worked  to  a  good 
tilth.  It  is  difficult  to  exaggerate  the  value  of 
this  action  of  lime  on  the  heavier  soils  ;  it  is 
frequently  possible  to  secure  a  seed  bed  when 
the  unlimed  land  is  still  too  wet  to  work,  and 
the  character  of  the  crop  may  depend  as  much 
upon  securing  a  good  tilth  as  upon  manuring. 

2.  Lime  is  an  essential  plant  food,  and  with- 
out it  soils  cannot  produce  good  crops.  Soils 
are  generally  considered  to  be  deficient  in  lime 
when  they  contain  less  than  from  .5  to  1  per 
cent.  Some  soils,  however,  which  are  provided 
with  a  considerable  amount  of  organic  matter 
may  respond  to  lime  although  they  contain 
much  more  than  these  amounts. 

3.  The  insoluble  reserves  of  nitrogenous  and 
potassic  material  in  the  soil  are  brought  into 
action  and  rendered  available  for  the  plant  by 
the  presence  of  lime.  The  following  table  shows 
the  result  of  applying  in  January,  1903,  2,000  lb. 
per  acre  of  ground  quicklime  to  some  of  the 
grass  plots  at  Rothamsted,  where  there  was  a 
good  deal  of  residue  from  past  manuring  locked 
up   in   the   soil:  — 


Plot  7. 

Plot  9. 

Year. 

Yield  with  mineral 
manures  only. 

Yield  with  complete 
artificial  manures. 

Unlimed. 

Limed. 

Unlimed. 

Limed. 

1903          

1904         

1905          

1900          

Cwl. 
49-5 
619 
44-3 
84  4 

Cwt. 
51-9 
61 -8 
47-2 
41-4 

Cwt. 
50-1 
637 
369 
390 

Cwt. 
60-5 
69'8 
52-2 
53-0 

4.  The  leguminous  crops  usually  cultivated  on 
the  farm  flourish  better  when  a  good  supply  of 
lime  is  present  in  the  soil.  Clover,  in  particu- 
lar, is  very  intolerant  of  acid  soil  conditions, 
and  is  much  more  subject  to  Clover  sickness 
when   lime   is   deficient. 

5.  It  seems  to  be  established  that  the  soil 
organism  (Azotobacter)  which  fixes  nitrogen 
without  the  aid  of  leguminous  plants,  and  is  pro- 
bably a  great  factor  in  the  gain  of  fertility  when 
land  is  laid  down  to  grass,  cannot  develop  pro- 
perly unless  a  good  supply  of  carbonate  of  lima 
is  present. 

6.  Lime  in  one  form  or  another  is  the  best 
remedy  for  finger-and-toe  disease*  in  Turnips 
and  Swedes.  These  root  crops  are  always  liable 
to  the  disease  when  the  soil  is  deficient  in  lime. 

The  fertility  of  many  farms  to-day  is  un- 
doubtedly due  to  the  liming  and  chalking  that 
was  done  by  the  farmers  of  the  eighteenth  and 
earlier  centuries  ;  they,  indeed,  made  the  soil, 
for  it  is  through  their  labours  that  it  remains 
in  profitable  cultivation  at  the  present  time. 
Owing  to  the  very  large  amount  of  chalk  and 
lime  which  were  then  applied,  it  has  been  pos- 
sible for  later  generations  to  live  upon  the 
capital  thus  accumulated  and  dispense  with  any 
expenditure  of  their  own  in  this  direction.  But 
this  spending  process  cannot  continue  indefi- 
nitely, for  natural  causes  alone — the  percolating 
rainwater — are  steadily  removing  the  lime  in 
the  surface  soil  ;  for  example,  the  Rothamsted 
soil,  which  at  the  beginning  of  the  nineteen:'.! 
century  must  have  ct  -  ained  something  like  a 
hundred  tons  .of  chalk  per  acre,  has  now  less, 
than  fifty,  and  many  other  soils  which  started 
with  a  smaller  initial  stock  are  beginning  to  run 
dangerously  short.  In  many  parts  of  the  coun- 
try there  is  evidence  that  the  land,  especially  on 
the  heavier  soils,  is  in  need  of  liming,  and 
though  it  might  not  be  wise  to  return  to  the  old 
heavy  dressings  of  six  to  ten  tons  to  the  acre, 
a  much  smaller  quantity,  half  a  ton  or  so  per 
acre,  could  be  profitably  applied  at  least  once 
in  the  course  of  each  rotation." 

(To  be  continued.) 
*  See  Leaflet  No.  77  (Finger-and-Toe  in  Turnips). 


July  13,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


25 


THE    ROSARY. 


ROSE  FORTUNE'S  YELLOW. 
At  fig.   10  is  reproduced  an  illustration  of  a 
bouquet  of  Roses,  comprised  of  flowers  of  the 
charming  variety  Fortune's  Yellow,  the  blooms 


r 


Wantage.  Mr.  W.  Fyfe,  who  has  the  charge  of 
the  gardens  at  Lockinge,  succeeds  in  flowering 
the  plant  every  season  in  one  of  the  plant 
houses,  and  he  has  frequently  exhibited  beau- 
tiful flowers  at  the  meetings  of  the  Royal  Horti- 
cultural Society.  To  Mr.  Fyfe  we  are  indebted 
for  our  illustration,  and  readers  may  learn  the 


tic 


10. E 


scribed  in  a  note  on  p.  5.  There  is  no  "  brick 
colour"  in  the  blossoms,  but  these  are  of  a 
beautiful  deep  rosy  purple.  It  is  more  than 
semi-double,  but  has  no  perfume,  which  its 
description  in  Monsieur  Cochet's  catalogue  led 
me  to  expect  it  would  have.  I  have  also  com- 
ing into  flower,  but  not  yet  open,  another  hybrid 
from  the  same  raiser  named  Rosier  a  parfum, 
which  is  said  to  be  the  sweetest  Rose  known, 
and  yielding  far  the  largest  proportion  of  the 
attar  or  essential  oil  of  Roses  of  any  variety. 
I  may  also  mention  another  very  beautiful 
hybrid,  though  not  quite  so  new  as  the  above- 
named  varieties.  It  is  Souvenir  de  Christopher 
Cochet,  and  is  an  immense  improvement  on 
the  still  older  variety  Double  Blanc  de  Coubert, 
being  fully  double  and  of  absolutely  pure  while. 
This  should  be  in  every  collection  of  such  Roses. 
W.  E.  Gumbleton,  Belgrove,  Queenstown,  Co.  Cork. 

THE  ROSE  PERGOLA  AT  KEW. 
The  Rose  pergola  illustrated  in  last  week's 
issue  was  constructed  in  its  present  form  about 
six  years  ago.  Situated  between  the  herbaceous 
ground  and  the  rockery,  the  pergola  is  rather 
more  than  200  yards  long,  13  feet  wide,  and  9 
feet  6  inches  high.  It  is  constructed  of  iron  ; 
the  uprights  are  placed  17  feet  apart  opposite 
each  other  along  both  sides  of  the  path.  Over 
the  path  they  are  connected  by  iron  rods  and 
along  the  sides  with  chains.  Some  60  varieties 
in  all  are  planted.  In  one  or  two  instances  the 
same  sort  is  growing  on  different  parts  of  the 
pergola,  but,  generally  speaking,  there  are  two 
plants  of  each,  one  on  either  side  of  the  path. 
Two  varieties  were  planted  against  each  upright 
when  the  pergola  was  first  furnished,  the  idea 
being  to  grow  a  variety  of  moderate  growth  up 
the  pillar,  and  a  vigorous  one  over  the  path  and 
along  the  chains.  This  idea  has  not  worked 
very  well,  and  in  many  instances,  unless  the 
Roses  are  in  flower,  it  is  difficult  to  see  where 
one  sort  begins  and  the  other  terminates.    D.  D. 


of  which  are  of  a  shade  of  buff  marked  irregu- 
larly with  crimson.  This  Rose  has  been  the  sub- 
ject of  numerous  articles  in  these  pages,  but  it 
has  proved  to  be  a  shy-blooming  variety  under 
cultivation.  There  are,  however,  instances  where 
success  has  been  obtained  persistently,  and  a 
very  good  one  is  found  in  the  gardens  attached 
to   Lockinge,   Berkshire,   the  residence  of  Lady 


KTUNE  S    V  EL  LOW. 

details  of  the  cultivation  afforded  this  Rose  at 
Lockinge  by  reference  to  an  article  by  Mr.  Fyfe 
in  our  issue  for  March  21,  1903,  p.  178. 

ROSA  RUGOSA  HYBRIDS. 
I  have  now  in  flower  the  beautiful  new  hybri  1 
of  Rosa  rugosa,  raised  by  Monsieur  Gravereau, 
and   named   Roserai   de   l'Hay,   which   was   de- 


HARDY  FLOWERING  PLANTS. 


THE     GILLEXIAS. 

Amongst  the  more  ornamental  of  hardy  flower- 
ing plants  are  the  Gillenias — pretty  Spiraea-like 
plants  of  elegant  habit  and  appearance,-  but 
although  they  are  moderately  well  known  in 
gardens  they  are  not  so  largely  cultivated  as  their 
merits  deserve. 

Only  two  species  are  in  cultivation,  and  both 
are  natives  of  north-east  America,  where  they 
are  found  in  woodlands.  In  this  country  they 
are  often  planted  in  dry  and  sunny  borders, 
whereas  they  require  partial  shade  and  prefer  a 
somewhat  moist  border.  Gil'.enia  stipulacea  and 
G.  trifoliata  bear  a  considerable  resemblance  to 
each  other,  and  are  sometimes  confused  in 
gardens. 

Of  the  two,  G.  trifoliata  is  the  better  garden 
plant,  not  only  because  its  individual  flowers 
are  larger  than  those  of  its  congener,  but  also  on 
account  of  the  greater  number  of  blooms  it  pro- 
duces, and  the  possession  of  a  persistent  red 
calyx  which  are  very  effective.  The  flowers  are 
much  larger  than  those  of  the  Spiraeas. 

Both  species  grow  to  about  2  or  2i  feet  in 
height,  and  they  are  exceedingly  ornamental 
when  in  their  graceful  and  slender  leafy  stems 
and  pretty  flowers.  These  latter  are  white  and 
sometimes  red  in  G.  trifoliata,  those  of  G.  stipu- 
lacea being  white  tipped  with  pink.  The  latter 
plant  is  also  more  pubescent  than  G.  trifoliata, 
while  the  leaves  are  also  narrower. 

They  are  increased  by  division  or  by  seeds, 
which  should  either  be  sown  directly  they  are 
ripe  or  in  the  following  spring  under  glass. 

G.  stipulacea  is  known  as  the  American  Ipe- 
cacuanha ;  G.  trifoliata  as  Indian  Physic  or 
Bowman's  Root.  Both  species  flower  in  this 
country  from  June  to  August.     S.Arnott. 


26 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[July  13,  1907. 


PLANT    NOTES. 


TREES  AND  SHRUBS. 


IPOMCEAS. 

These  plants  are  not  so  common  in  English 
gardens  as  they  were  some  years  ago,  the  reason 
for  which  is.  somewhat  difficult  to  discover, 
unless  it  be  lack  of  sunshine.  There  are  many 
ways  of  displaying  and  employing  the  plants,  as 
on  rough  fences,  hiding  objectionable  buildings, 
or  objects,  and  rambling  over  strong-growing 
shrubs,  or  pea-sticks.  The  best  species  is  I. 
rubro-ccerulea,  from  Mexico.  If  it  is  desired  to 
grow  this  plant  out-of-doors,  in  countries  in  which 
there  are  many  dull  and  sunless  days  in  the 
summer  months,  the  seeds  should  be  sown  in 
gentle  warmth  in  the  early  part  of  March,  and 
be  pricked  off  when  a  few  true  leaves  have 
appeared,  and  potted  two  or  three  weeks  later. 
In  the  month  of  May  the  plants  should  be  trans- 
ferred to  large  pots,  and  when  there  is  no  longer 
any  frost  to  fear  these  may  be  sunk  in  the 
ground,  and  stout  stakes  10  feet  high  given  to 
each,  to  which  the  bine  should  be  fastened. 
Means  should  be  taken  by  placing  cinders  or 
pieces  of  slate  under  the  pots  to  prevent  the  roots 
extending  themselves  in  the  outside  soil.    F.  M. 

ISMENE  CALATHINA. 
In  the  OesterreichiscJie  Garlen-Zeitung  for  June, 
1907,  appears  an  article  by  Mr.  R.  J.  Mann  con- 
cerning the  cultivation  of  this  species  of 
Amaryllidea?  and  its  employment  in  the  garden. 
The  plant  is  a  native  of  Brazil,  and  does  not 
withstand  the  trials  of  our  winters  out-of-doors  ; 
but  it  can  be  planted  in  the  open  in  the  spring 
to  make  its  growth  and  to  bloom  in  June  and 
July.  The  bulbs  must  be  taken  up  before  frosts 
occur,  and  be  wintered  in  a  dry,  frost-proof 
place.  The  greater  worth  of  this  bulbous  plant 
consists  in  its  ability  to  stand  forcing  like  a 
Hyacinth  or  other  so-called  Dutch  bulb.  Cer- 
tainly it  is  not  adapted  for  early  forcing,  as  its 
vegetation  is  not  finished  so  early  as  that  of  a 
Hyacinth,  and  naturally  it  must  have  a  season 
of  rest  before  it  is  awakened  to  a  new  life;  but, 
just  as  is  the  case  with  the  Hyacinth,  this  rest 
period  can  be  shortened  very  considerably  by 
placing  the  bulbs  in  a  warm  and  moist  place. 
The  blossoms  having  great  beauty  and  a  plea- 
sant fragrance,  the  plant  forms  a  valuable 
change  to  the  forced  Hyacinths,  Tulips, 
and  Narcissus  usually  found  in  gardens. 
As  a  cut  bloom  with  long  stalks,  and  of 
large  size,  Ismene  will  find  as  much  favour  with 
the  public  as  the  Eucharis,  to  which  its  blooms 
have  some  similarity.  Treated  like  Gloxinias, 
the  bulbs  may  be  started  in  a  warm-house,  plac- 
ing them  in  damp  sand.  In  the  course  of  two 
or  three  weeks  the  roots  will  show  themselves, 
and  the  bulbs  may  then  be  potted  singly  or  in 
two's  and  three's  in  pots  of  similar  sizes,  in  rich 
soil,  and  provided  with  good  drainage.  The  pots 
should  be  placed  on  a  warm  bed,  and  not  kept 
dark  as  is  the  way  with  Hyacinths,  &c.  In 
about  three  weeks  the  leaves  will  begin  to  show, 
and  the  blooms  will  appear  as  soon  as  the  leaves 
are  fully  developed.  The  flower  buds  appear  at 
the  top  of  the  16-inch  tall  shafts  to  the  number 
of  3 — 5,  which  open  in  succession,  but  not  so 
that  all  are  open  at  one  and  the  same  time,  as 
even  when  placed  in  a  cool  house  the  first  bloom 
to  open  will  be  past  its  best  before  the  next 
expands.  As  a  period  of  10  to  14  days  elapses  be- 
tween the  opening  of  the  first  bloom  and  the 
passing  of  "5  the  last,  florists  must  take 
notice  of  this  fact  and  act  accordingly.  A  large 
flowered  variety,  I.  c.  grandiflora,  has  found 
its  way  into  commerce.  The  bulbs  will,  with 
suitable  cultivation,  continue  to  flower  for  many 
years  in  succession  if  after  flowering,  and  the 
leaves  have  turned  to  a  yellow  tint,  the  bulbs 
are  kept  in  a  perfectly  dry  condition.     F.  M. 


SOPHORA   VICIIFOLIA. 

This  species  is  of  comparatively  recent  intro- 
duction to  British  gardens.  A  native  of  Central 
and  Western  China,  it  was  introduced  to  culti- 
vation by  Dr.  Henry,  who  sent  seeds,  collected 
in  the  Province  of  Hupeh,  to  Kew  in  1898,  from 
which  plants  were  raised  which  flowered  in  1902. 
On  the  Chino-Tibetan  frontier  at  elevations  of 
from  9,000  to  13,500  feet  it  is  said  to  form  heaths 
2  to  4  feet  high  of  considerable  extent  on  poor 
soils,  and  it  would  thus  seem  capable  of  with- 
standing both  cold  and  drought  as  well  as  a 
poor-rooting  medium — qualities  which  may  make 
it  valuable  for  planting  in  urban  districts. 

Near  the  north  end  of  the  succulent  house  at 
Kew  is  a  small  circular  bed  filled  with  Sophora 
viciifolia,  which  quite  recently  was  a  mass  of 
bloom.  The  plants  are  low  spinescent  shrubs 
from  2  to  4  feet  in  height,  clothed  with  vetch- 
like, pinnate  leaves  1  to  2  inches  long,  with  six 
to  ten  pairs  of  elliptic  leaflets  and  a  terminal 
one.  The  short,  erect  racemes  are  freely  pro- 
duced at  the  ends  of  axillary  growths,  and 
each  raceme  bears  about  one  dozen  pea-shaped 
flowers.  The  contrast  presented  by  the  violet- 
blue  colour  of  the  calyx  and  pedicels,  and  the 
milk-white  petals  is  most  effective.  The  species 
was  figured  in  the  Botanical  Magazine,  tab. 
7,883.     H.  Spooner. 

FREMONTIA  CALIFORNICA. 

The  author  of  that  interesting  work,  Trees  and 
Shrubs  for  English  Gardens,  mentions  a  fine 
plant  of  this  Fremontia  measuring  8  feet  in 
height ;  at  the  present  time  there  is  in  these 
gardens  a  bush  with  an  average  height  of  13  feet, 
and  the  spread  of  the  branches  measures  nearly 
15  feet.  The  whole  bush  is  covered  with  its 
yellow   flowers   and  opening  flower-buds. 

It  is  rather  unfortunate  that  this  fine  flower- 
ing shrub  should  be  subject  to  a  sudden  col- 
lapse, but  considering  the  other  valuable  quali- 
ties of  the  plant,  this  fact  should  not  deter 
those  who  have  suitable  positions  from  adding 
Fremontia  californica  to  their  collections. 

The  plant  flowers  fairly  well  even  when  small. 

ABUTILON  VITIFOLIUM. 
This  is  a  very  desirable  and  quick-growing 
shrub,  suitable  for  a  warm  and  sheltered  border. 
Established  seedlings  in  pots  planted  in  these 
gardens  in  the  open  in  the  spring  of  1904  have 
now  attained  to  a  height  of  9  to  10  feet.  Last 
summer  only  a  few  flowers  were  produced  on 
these  plants,  but  at  the  present  time  they  are 
flowering  freely.  One  specimen  has  been  a  per- 
fect pyramid  of  flowers.  It  is  satisfactory  to 
know  that  plants  of  the  size  mentioned  can  be 
moved  with  safety.     H.  S.  Crag,  Bournemouth. 

BUDDLEIA  GLOBOSA. 
This  Chilian  shrub  has  long,  greyish,  Willow, 
like  leaves,  and  in  its  flowering  season  produces 
a  profusion  of  globular  heads  of  brilliant  orange- 
coloured  flowers.  It  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful 
hardy  exotic  plants,  and  is  worthy  a  place  in 
every  collection  of  shrubs.  In  the  west  and 
southern  counties  of  this  country  the  species 
succeeds  admirably,  and  often  forms  a  dense 
bush  from  12  feet  to  15  feet  in  height  and  measur- 
ing from  8  feet  to  10  feet  through.  Frost  rarely 
injures  the  plant  to  any  appreciable  extent.  In 
villa  gardens,  providing  the  soil  is  of  a  light, 
rich,  loamy  nature,  it  forms  an  ideal  subject  for 
planting.  Should  pruning  be  necessary  from 
considerations  of  space,  the  knife  may  be  used 
without  fear  of  permanently  injuring  the  shrub. 
F.   G.  Xutcher. 

BUDDLEIA  COLVILEI. 

This   species  has  been  in  full  bloom  on  an 

open  border  here  for  the  last  three  weeks.     It  is 

quite  hardy,  and  is  readily  increased  from  cut- 

tings  of  half-ripened  wood  inserted  in  August, 


but  to  obtain  the  best  results  the  bushes  should 
be  planted  in  a  rich,  loamy  soil.  The  branches, 
which  attain  to  a  length  of  from  5  to  6  feet,  are 
terminated  by  long  panicles  of  beautiful  rosy- 
red-coloured  flowers,  while  at  every  axillary 
shoot  an  inflorescence,  proportionate  in  size,  if 
pioduced,  making  this  shrub  a  very  attractive 
feature  in  the  garden.  /.  D.  Winter,  Cuhean 
Castle  Gardens,  Ayrshire,  Scotland. 


THE     AMERICAN    GOOSEBERRY- 
MILDEW   ATTACKING  THE   RED 
CURRANT. 

When  investigating  an  outbreak  of  the 
American  Gooseberry-mildew  (Sphaerotheca 
mors-uvae)  in  Norfolk  a  few  days  ago,  I  found 
that  this  mildew  had  passed  from  the  affected 
Gooseberry  bushes  on  to  some  Red  Currant 
bushes  which  were  growing  intermixed  with 
them. 

The  facts  are  as  follow  :  — The  Gooseberries, 
which  are  three-year-old  bushes,  were  obtained 
last  autumn  from  a  certain  nursery.  Traces  of 
the  winter-stage  of  the  American  Gooseberry- 
mildew  were  still  to  be  found  on  the  young 
wood  of  these  bushes,  so  it  is  evident  that  they 
were  diseased  when  sent  out  from  this  nursery. 
A  few  weeks  ago  the  owner  noticed  the  white, 
powdery,  summer-stage  of  the  mildew  on  the 
berries  and  leaves  of  these  bushes.  At  the  time 
I  visited  the  plantation,  the  mildew  was 
vigorously  attacking  the  young  wood  of  the 
shoots,  covering  it,  as  well  as  most  of  the  ter- 
minal leaves,  with  a  white  "mould."  On  the 
surface  of  some  of  the  shoots  the  brown,  scurfy 
spawn,  bearing  the  fruit-conceptacles  with  the 
winter-spores,  had  already  formed. 

Intermixed  with  these  Gooseberry  bushes,  and 
in  the  same  row  with  them,  were  many  one-year- 
old  "Grape"  Red  Currant  bushes,  and  the 
leaves  of  a  number  of  these  were  being  attacked 
by  the  American  Gooseberry-mildew ;  whke 
patches  of  the  mildew  being  visible  on  the  under- 
surface  of  the  leaves.  These  facts  show  that  the 
American  Gooseberry-mildew  is  capable  of  at 
once  attacking  and  living  on  the  Red  Currant, 
and  does  not  require  time  to  iccustoit  itself 
gradually  to  this  plant 

Cases  of  the  American  Gooseberry-mildew 
attacking  the  Red  Currant  have  occurred  in 
America,  and,  since  this  mildew  has  been  intro- 
duced into  Europe,  in  Ireland,  and  on  the  Con- 
tinent. 

In  October  last  I  recorded*  a  case  of  the 
European  Gooseberry-mildew  attacking  Red  Cur- 
rant bushes.  Although  the  two  mildews  are 
very  similar  in  general  appearance  in  their 
summer-stage,  they  can  be  separated  easily  under 
the  microscope  by  certain  distinctive  characters 
shown  by  the  shape,  &c,  of  the  spores  (conidia). 
I  should  be  glad  if  anyone  meeting  with  a  mil- 
dew on  the  Red  Currant  would  kindly  forward 
me  a  specimen  to  the  address  given  below. 

I  may  mention  here  that  I  have  lately  seen  a 
case  where  some  Gooseberry  bushes  were  at- 
tacked by  the  European  Gooseberry-mildew,  in 
which  the  mildew  was  not  confined  (as  is  usually 
the  case)  to  the  leaves,  but  occurred  also  on  the 
green  berries.  On  some  of  the  affected  berries 
the  characteristic  fruit-conceptacles  (peritheciaj 
of  this  mildew  occurred.  Mr.  F.  Smith,  of  Lod. 
dington,  Kent,  has  told  me  that  some  years  ago 
the  berries  of  some  of  his  bushes  were  attacked 
in  the  same  way,  and  Prof.  Eriksson  has  recently 
recordedf  and  illustrated  another  case  occurring 
in  Sweden. 

On  the  subject  of  the  spread  of  the  extremely 
destructive  American  Gooseberry-mildew,  and 
the  legislative  steps  now  about  to  be  taken 
against  this  new  disease,  I  would  refer  readers 
to  my  articles  published  in  this  and  other  papers. 
E.  S.  Salmon,  F.L.S.,  Mycologist  to  the  South- 
Eastern  Agricultural  College,  Wye,  Kent. 

*  Gardeners'  Chronicle,  October  27,  19013. 
t  Meddel.     Centralaust.    forsbksv.    jordbruks.     Nr.     1, 
tockholm,  1907). 


July  13,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


27 


FlG.    II. — STEWARTIA   MALACHODENDRON.      (See  "Botanical  Magazine"  on  p.  32.) 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[July  13,  1S07. 


TKZ  ALPINE    GARDEN. 


SAXIFRAGA  AIZOON   LUTEA. 

During  the  past  few  years  the  aizoon  sertinn 
of  the  Saxifrage  family  has  been  enriched  by 
the  introduction  of  more  than  one  good  and 
distinct  variety.  Amongst  other  kinds  are  two 
bearing  names  suggestive  of  yellow  or  yellowish 
coloured  blossoms,  and  of  these  the  one  bearing 
the  varietal  name  lutea  is  much  the  better 
garden  plant,  but  it  cannot  be  regarded  as  a 
decidedly  clear  yellow-flowered  variety.  The 
flowers  during  their  expansion  and  immediately 
afterwards  are  of  pale  primrose-yellow,  but 
later  they  assume  a  creamy  shade.  I  have  a 
few  seedlings  raised  with  the  object  of  obtaining 
a  better  yellow-flowered  variety,  and  in  this  I 
hope  to  be  successful.  As  a  free-growing  sub- 
ject and  one  full  of  vigour,  with  profusion  of 
flowering,  the  plant  under  notice  is  welcome. 
Not  only  is  it  free  and  profuse  in  its  flowering, 
but  the  flowers  are  also  long  lived.  Individually, 
the  blossoms  are  large  and  of  good  form, 
and  I  regard  its  blossoms  as  the  most  shapely 
of  all  the  flowers  of  this  section  of  the  Saxi- 
frage. The  inflorescence  is  about  9  inches  high. 
The  leaves  are  nearly  oblong  lanceolate  in 
shape,  with  the  rosettes  lacking  the  cupped 
character  ro  common  in  this  section.  The 
plant  is  easy  of  cultivation,  and  must  not  be 
confounded  with  S.  a.  flavescens,  another  variety 
having  yellowish-coloured  flowers,  and  appa- 
rently in  growth  and  stature  a  counterpart  of 
S.   a.   minor.     E.  J. 

IRIS  SIBIRICA  "  SNOW  QUEEN." 
Several  new  varieties  of  Iris  sibiriyi  have 
lately  been  introduced  from  Japan,  where 
apparently  they  have  been  grown  for  genera- 
tions. These  new  introductions  are  great  im- 
provements upon  the  original  type  known  in 
gardens  in  this  country,  and  are  to  be  recom- 
mended for  planting  both  in  the  water  garden 
and  in  the  flower  border.  The  choicest  of  the 
new  arrivals  is  named  "Snow  Queen."  This 
plant  attains  to  3  feet  in  height,  and  has  broad, 
robust  foliage  that  is  quite  unlike  that  of  most 
Siberian  Irises,  and  more  resembles  that  of  I. 
laevigata.  The  flower  is  exceptionally  well  bal- 
anced, and  has  broad,  horizontally-r  .ised  falls, 
with  drooping  blades,  inconspicuous  style 
branches,  and  prettily  frilled  standard  petals 
that  are  half  the  width  of  the  blade.  The  flower 
is  pure  white,  save  for  a  slight  suffusion  of 
yellow  in  the  claw.  The  substance  of  the 
flowers  and  their  increased  size  and  vigour 
suggest  hybridity,  one  of  the  parents  probably 
being   a  white  variety  of  I.   Ksempferi. 

I.  SIBIRICA  ORIENTALIS 
is  an  albino,  and  whereas  most  pure  white 
forms  are  weaklings  compared  with  the  type 
from  which  they  spring,  in  this  variety  increased 
vigour  is  seen.  I  have  a  few  clumps  growing 
in  a  cool  and  sequestered  corner,  where  the  sun 
cannot  burn  the  petals,  and  the  flowers  have 
been  a  study  in  perfect  outline  and  purity  of 
colouring  for  many  days.  This  Iris  should  find 
favour  as  a  waterside  plant.  It  has  a  vigorous 
constitution,  and  is  best  planted  in  groups  or 
colonies. 

IRIS  DELAVAYI. 
This  beautiful  species  was  introduced  from 
Yunnan  about  10  years  ago,  but  it  has  not  re- 
ceived that  measure  of  popularity  that  its  worth 
entitles  it  to.  It  is  a  tall,  beardless  Iris  of  free 
growth,  larger  than  the  sibirica  type  in  every 
respect.  It  has  close  affinities  with  I.  orientalis 
and  I.  spuria.  Its  best  and  most  effective  use 
in  gardens  is  in  waterside  planting,  where  it 
should  be  grouped  in  colonies  at  the  water's 
edge  in  the  manner  that  Iris  pseudo-acorus 
grows  naturally.  The  leaf-growth,  in  addition  to 
being  very  free,  is  elegant  in  the  extreme,  the 
leaves  forming  loose  sheaves  more  than  3  feet 
in  height :  the  leaf  tips  arch  gracefully,  and  on 
the    whole   the   foliage    bears   a   resemblance   to 


that  of  a  Eulalia.  The  flower-spikes  reach  5  feet 
in  height,  and  produce  a  succession  of  flowers, 
coloured  as  in  Iris  reticulata,  the  standards 
being  nothing  more  than  enlarged  replicas  of 
those  of  I.  reticulata,  whilst  the  fall  petals  have 
drooping,  narrowed  blades,  that  are  slightly 
blotched  with  white  at  the  bend  of  the  claw. 
This  Iris  possesses  grace  and  refinement ;  its 
flowers  are  unique  amongst  the  grassy  Irises  in 
colour  and  in  form.  Cultivation  is  as  easy  in 
every  respect  in  the  case  of  the  common  Yellow 
Iris  of  English  swamps.  The  flowering  season 
commences  at  the  end  of  June,  and  continues 
throughout  July.  Planting  should  be  done  in 
spring  only.      G.   B.   Mallett. 


The  Week's  Work. 


THE  FLOWER  GARDEN. 

By  A.  C.  Bartlett,  Gardener  to  Mrs.  Ford,  Pencarrow, 
Cornwall. 

Dahlias. — These  plants  now  require  constant 
attention.  Search  must  be  made  for  such 
enemies  as  snails,  earwigs,  and  caterpillars, 
which  do  much  injury  to  the  young,  succulent 
growths,  and  the  flower-buds.  If  extra  large 
flowers  are  desired,  the  growths  should  he 
thinned,  disbudding  practised,  and  some  of  the 
younger  shoots  around  the  flower-buds  of  varie- 
ties with  short  stalks  removed.  Secure  the  plants 
from  injury  by  wind,  but  do  not  bunch  the 
shoots  tightly.  The  Dahlia  is  a  gross  feeder, 
therefore  some  manurial  assistance  should  be 
given ;  the  ground  being  wet  from  the  recent 
rains  precludes  the  use  of  liquid  manure,  there- 
fore lightly  sprinkle  the  surface  soil  at  intervals 
with  some  artificial  manure. 

Layering  Carnations. — The  easiest  and  most 
certain  method  of  increasing  the  stock  of  these 
plants  is  by  layering  the  growths.  A  batch  of 
seedlings  may  produce  some  plants  that  possess 
a  certain  degree  of  merit,  but  the  majority  will 
prove  inferior  varieties,  and  it  is  better  to  in- 
crease plants  of  known  worth  by  layering.  This 
operation  should  be  performed  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible, so  that  the  growths  may  form  established 
plants  before  the  winter  sets  in.  Lightly  disturb 
the  surface  soil  around  the  plants  with  a  hand 
fork  before  placing  in  position  the  sifted  soil 
in  which  the  layers  will  be  pegged.  These 
mounds  of  soil  must  be  made  fairly  flat,  or  they 
will  not  readily  admit  water.  The  operator  must 
keep  the  edge  of  his  knife  sharp,  and  the  layers 
must  be  pegged  firmly  into  the  soil.  Apply 
water  carefully  through  a  fine  rose  as  often  as 
may  be  necessary,  and  lightly  damp  the  layers 
overhead  towards  the  close  of  bright  afternoons. 
The  layers  will  form  roots  in  about  a  month, 
when  they  should  be  carefully  severed  from 
the  parent  plants,  preparatory  to  being  trans- 
ferred to  their  winter  quarters. 

Lavender. — As  soon  as  the  flowers  on  the  lower 
half  of  the  spikes  are  expanded,  the  inflores- 
cences should  be  harvested.  The  flowers  must 
be  perfectly  dry  when  they  are  gathered,  or  they 
will  quickly  become  mildewed  ;  and  for  the 
same  reason  they  should  be  made  into  small 
bunches.  The  Lavender  forms  a  good  low 
hedge,  and  when  so  utilised,  the  best  time  to  per- 
form any  necessary  pruning  is  immediately  after 
the  flowering  is  over.  This  practice  will  allow 
sufficient  time  for  the  new  growths  to  become 
hardened  before  winter  sets  in. 


FRUITS  UNDER  GLASS. 

By  Alexander  Kirk,  Gardener  to  J.  Thomson  Paton,  Esq., 
Norwood,  Alloa,  Clackmannanshire. 

Young  Vines  that  were  planted  in  a  new  border 
in  March  last,  and  whose  leading  shoots  were 
pinched  when  they  had  attained  a  length  of 
4  feet,  should  be  again  stopped  as  soon  as  the 
leading  growths  reach  the  top  of  the  roof.  Tie 
and  pinch  the  lateral  growths,  and  do  not  favour 
the  development  of  gross  wood  by  maintaining 
a  warm  and  moist  atmosphere  in  the  vinery. 
Admit  air  freely,  and  allow  the  top  ventilators 
to  remain  open  a  trifle  at  night-time.  Maintain 
a  dry  atmosphere,  and  permit  a  free  circulation 
of  air  among  the  foliage.  The  atmospheric  tem- 
perature at  night  should  be  65°  Kafir.,  and  by 
day  80°  ;  very  little  fire-heat  should  be  employed, 
unless  the  weather  is  excessively  cold.  Do  not 
allow   the   border   to   become   dry   at   any   time, 


and  when  in  doubt  as  to  its  condition  of  mois- 
ture, use  the  border-tester.  Should  red  spider 
make  its  appearance,  syringe  the  vines  with 
clear  water  once  daily. 

Tomalos. — Early-fruiting  plants  in  pots,  from 
which  the  crop  is  nearly  harvested,  should  now 
be  removed,  and  their  places  given  to  a  second 
batch.  Pots  9  inches  in  diameter  are  suitable 
for  these  successional  plants.  Before  re-stocking 
the  house,  it  may  be  necessary  to  thoroughly 
cleanse  it,  especially  if  fungus  disease  or  insect 
pests  were  present  on  the  older  plants.  If  only  a 
single  row  of  plants  can  be  accommodated  in  the 
house,  place  the  pots  close  together.  Admit  an 
abundance  of  outside  air,  both  by  day  and  night 
during  the  heat  of  summer.  Plants  in  fruit  and 
flower  will  require  liberal  supplies  of  water,  and 
an  application  of  liquid  manure  twice  each  week. 
All  lateral  growths  must  be  removed,  and  the 
leading  shoot  should  be  stopped  when  it  has 
reached  to  the  top  of  the  stake  or  trellis.  If 
white  fly  is  present,  fumigate  the  house  lightly 
with  the  XL-All  insecticide. 

Cucumbers. — Plants  that  have  been  fruiting  for 
some  time,  and  which  show  signs  of  exhaustion, 
should  be  destroyed  and  a  fresh  batch  planted. 
Remove  all  the  old  soil  from  the  top  parts  of 
the  border,  and  replace  it  with  fresh  loam. 
When  the  young  Cucumber  plants  have  been 
planted,  give  a  copious  supply  of  tepid  water 
to  the  roots. 

Cucumbers  in  frames. — During  dull  weather, 
the  female  flowers  will  require  pollinating  with 
pollen  obtained  from  the  male  flowers.  When 
the  young  fruits  are  swelling,  place  a  slate  or  a 
piece  of  glass  under  each  fruit. 

Melons  in  hot-beds. — The  fruits  should  bs 
placed  on  an  inverted  6-inch  flower  pot,  and  be 
exposed  to  a  maximum  of  sunlight.  Remove 
any  superfluous  young  growths.  Apply  a  new 
lining  of  fermenting  material  to  the  frame  when 
the  heat  of  the  bed  is  declining. 


THE  HARDY  FRUIT  GARDEN. 

By  J.  Mayne,  Gardener  to  Lord  Clinton,  Bicton, 
East  Devon. 

The  Loganberry. — The  strong  basal  growths  of 
the  current  season  should  be  reduced  to  five  or 
six  of  the  more  robust,  and  these  should  be 
secured  to  the  wires  or  trellis  work,  so  that 
they  do  not  become  broken  or  twisted  at  their 
bases.  The  Loganberry  resembles  the  Rasp- 
berry in  that  it  requires  plenty  of  feeding  during 
summer,  especially  when  planted  in  light  soil. 
The  above  remarks  apply  also  to  Blackberries. 

Fruit  trees  on  walls. — Pinch  at  the  first  leaf 
all  sub-lateral  growths  on  the  Peach,  Nectarine, 
and  Apricot.  See  that  no  fruits  are  pressing 
too  tightly  on  the  wires  or  against  nails,  and 
if  aphis  or  red  spider  are  present  on  the  foliage 
use  means  to  combat  them.  The  frequent  hoseing 
or  syringing  of  all  fruit  trees  trained  against 
south,  west,  or  east  walls  after  a  hot  day  is 
most  beneficial,  even  if  the  trees  are  free  from 
insect  pests ;  these  syringings  promote  a  free 
growth  of  both  wood  and  foliage.  Keep  narrow 
and  shallow  borders  well  supplied  with  moisture, 
using  liquid  manure  whenever  it  is  deemed 
necessary. 

Hoeing. — The  hoe  should  always  be  frequently 
used  at  this  season  in  the  fruit  garden,  for 
if  the  atmospheric  conditions  are  wet,  the  weeds 
will  need  exterminating,  and  if  dry  the  stirring 
of  the  ground  will  prevent  excessive  evapora- 
tion of  moisture,  besides  promoting  aeration  of 
the  soil. 

Raspberries. — The  ripening  fruits  must  be  pro- 
tected from  the  birds.  Nets,  however  light  in 
weight,  injure,  more  or  less,  the  new  canes,  and 
their  constant  removal  for  gathering  the  fruits 
is  often  the  cause  of  the  points  of  the  shoots 
becoming  broken,  and  also  the  fruit-bearing 
laterals.  The  best  plan  is  to  form  a  kind  of  net 
cage  over  the  rows  by  inserting  a  few  posts  in 
the  ground,  and  tall  enough  to  clear  the  canes, 
with  pieces  of  wood  on  the  top  projecting  some 
18  inches  on  either  side  in  the  form  of  a  T. 
Over  this  the  nets  may  be  placed  without  dam- 
aging the  canes.  Every  advantage  should  be 
taken  of  sunshine  for  gathering  the  fruits  for 
preserving,  for  they  must  be  dry  for  this  purpose. 
Thin  out  the  young  growths  on  autumn  fruiting 
canes,  and  apply  a  mulching  of  manure,  if  this 
has  not  already  been  done. 


July  13,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


29 


THE    OECHID    HOUSES. 

By  W.  H.White,  Orchid  Grower  to  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence, 
Bart.,  Burford,  Surrey. 

Catasetums,  Cycnoches,  and  Mormo&es.  —  These 
curious  Orchids  deserve  to  be  more  generally 
cultivated.  The  quaint  distinctiveness  of  their 
flowers  always  attracts  the  attention  of  visitors, 
while  some  of  them  are  of  handsome  appear- 
ance. Unfortunately  these  species  are  generally 
looked  upon  as  being  difficult  to  cultivate  in  such 
a  manner  as  to  keep  them  in  good  health,  but  if 
their  requirements  are  carefully  studied,  successful 
cultivation  is  easily  possible.  At  the  present  time 
these  plants  are  growing  rapidly,  and  they  should 
be  suspended  on  the  lightest,  or  south,  side  of  the 
East  Indian  house  in  such  a  manner  that  the  foliage 
will  be  within  a  few  inches  of  the  glass.  If  the 
plants  are  rooting  freely  they  will  need  an  abun- 
dance of  water,  but  if  roots  are  not  plentiful,  water 
must  be  afforded  less  freely,  as  the  tender  growths 
would  be  liable  to  turn  black  and  decay  if  the  soil 
were  made  too  wet.  The  flowers  appear  as  the 
pseudo-bulbs  become  mature,  and  after  the  (lowers 
are  past  the  plants  should  be  given  more  exposure 
to  the  sunshine,  placing  them,  if  practicable,  in  a 
position  where  fresh  air  may  reach  them  at  all 
times.  While  this  ripening  process  is  being  car- 
ried out,  the  plants  must  be  plentifully  supplied 
with  water  at  the  roots  until  the  new  pseudo-bulbs 
are  ripe  and  the  leaves  have  fallen,  when  water- 
ing must  be  discontinued. 

Chysis.  —The  various  species  of  of  Chysis  and 
their  hybrids  are  now  in  full  growth.  The  plants 
should  be  suspended  in  a  warm,  shady  part  of  the 
Cattleya  house,  and  they  will  require  copious 
applications  of  water  at  the  roots  until  their  new 
growths  have  matured.  Whether  thrips  attack  the 
tender  growths  or  not,  our  practice  is  to  occasion- 
ally place  the  plants  in  a  house  that  is  being 
vaporised,  and  by  such  treatment  the  leaves  are 
kept  fresh  and  clean  and  free  from  unsightly 
markings  which  are  often  caused  by  insect  pests. 

Zygopetalums. — Such  species  as  Z.  Perrenoudii, 
Z.  Murrayanum,  Z.  Wtganianum,  Z.  Burkei,  Z. 
brachypetalum,  Z  triste,  Z.  Protheroeanum,  Z. 
Ballii,  Z.  Mackayii,  Z.  crinitum,  and  Z.  maxillare 
all  require  similar  treatment  to  that  I  have  just 
recommended  for  Chysis.  If  small,  yellow  thrips 
once  find  their  way  low  down  in  the  young  growths, 
it  is  difficult  and  almost  impossible  to  eradicate 
them  before  much  irreparable  damage  is  done, 
for  such  growths  as  become  infested  with  these 
troublesome  insects  rarely  make  further  progress. 
These  Zygopetalums  thrive  well  in  a  cool,  shady 
corner  of  the  intermediate  house,  and  now  that 
growth  is  being  made  the  plants  should  be 
thoroughly  watered  whenever  the  compost  is  dry. 
Plants  of  Z.  maxillare  and  its  variety  Z.  m. 
Gautieri  that  are  growing  on  the  stems  of  tree 
Ferns,  upon  pieces  of  which  they  are  nearly  always 
imported,  should  be  suspended  well  up  to  the  roof 
glass  in  the  same  house  and  as  near  to  an  open 
ventilator  as  is  possible.  Now  that  they  are  grow- 
ing freely  it  is  advisable  to  take  them  down  every 
morning  and  thoroughly  soak  them  in  water. 
Should  black  or  damp  spots  appear  on  the  leaves 
of  any  of  these  Zygopetalums  it  will  be  necessary 
to  ventilate  their  surroundings  rather  more  freely 
and  reduce  the  amount  of  moisture  in  the  atmo- 
sphere. 


PLANTS    UNDER  GLASS. 

By  J.  G.  Weston,  Gardener  to  H.  J.  King,  Esq., 
Eastwell   Bark,  Kent. 

Thyrsacanthus  rutilans. — Young  plants  that 
were  raised  from  cuttings  last  spring  should  now 
be  ready  for  re-potting  into  their  flowering  pots. 
Use  a  compost  consisting  of  two  parts  turfy 
loam,  one  part  leaf-soil,  and  one  part  well- 
rotted  manure,  with  the  addition  of  some  sand. 
After  the  roots  have  become  active  in  the  new 
soil,  place  the  plants  in  a  frame,  keeping  them 
well  up  to  the  glass  to  prevent  the  growth  from 
becoming  spindly.  Syringe  the  plants,  and  close 
the  frame,  as  early  in  the  afternoon  as  is  con- 
sidered safe,  in  order  to  take  advantage  of  the 
sun's  heat.  A  little  shading  will  be  necessary 
during  the  hotter  parts  of  the  day  in  summer- 
time, but  early  in  September  shading  may  be 
discontinued,  and  the  amount  of  atmospheric 
moisture  can  then  be  reduced,  but  do  not  with- 
hold fire-heat  or  a  check  to  the  plants  will  result. 
Allow  them  to  flower  in  a  minimum  atmospheric 
temperature  of  60°  at  night-time,  with  rather 
more  than  this  amount  of  heat  during  the  day. 


Keep  a  watch  for  red  spider  and  thrips,  and  take 
preventive  measures  to  combat  these  pests  early. 

Jaccbinia  ( Justicia)  earned. — This  plant  will 
thrive  under  similar  treatment  to  that  recom- 
mended for  Thyrsacanthus,  but  it  is  quicker 
in  growth,  and  will  flower  when  almost  any 
size,  and  in  small  pots.  Jacobinias  are  easily 
propagated  ;  the  young  shoots  root  readily  in  the 
propagating  frame  if  inserted  in  a  light,  sandy 
soil.  If  larger  plants  are  required  for  flowering 
in  the  autumn,  the  points  of  the  shoots  should 
be  pinched  several  times  during  the  growing 
season,  and  the  plants  placed  close  to  the  glass  ; 
they  should  be  re-potted  as  often  as  they  require 
a  shift.  A  plant  sometimes  described  as  J. 
flavacoma  is  really  Schaueria  calytrotricha.  It 
has  yellow  flowers,  and  affords  a  pleasing  change 
to  the  pink  flowers  of  J.  carnea. 

Climbers  in  stoves  and  greenhouses. — At  this 
season  of  the  year  frequent  attention  is  necessary, 
in  order  to  regulate  all  climbers  to  the  space 
allotted  them,  for  if  they  become  a  tangled 
mass  of  growths,  they  will  prove  a  nursery  for 
insect  pests.  Stephanotis,  Dipladenias,  and 
Cissus  discolor  are  all  susceptible  to  attack  by 
mealy  bug  ;  they  should  be  closely  watched  for 
this  pest,  and,  as  a  measure  of  precaution, 
spraved  occasionally  with  an  insecticide.  The 
growths  should  be  thinned  and  regulated,  the 
main  shoots  tied  to  the  wires,  and  the  lateral 
growths  allowed  to  hang  down  naturally.  Alla- 
mandas,  being  of  a  stiffer  habit,  are  not  adapted 
for  this  style  of  training,  but  the  weaker  growths 
should  be  cut  out.  If  planted  in  tubs  or  con- 
fined borders,  Allamandas  must,  when  in  full 
growth,  be  given  copious  supplies  of  water  and 
manunal  stimulants  at  intervals,  for  they  are 
gross  feeders.  Cobaeas,  Solanums,  Bougain- 
villeas  and  other  climbers  in  cool  houses  will 
also  need  attention,  weekly  or  fortnightly. 


although   the   standard    of   cultivation    shall    be 
equal  in  both   cases. 

Colewort. — This  useful  little  Cabbage  "turn'.'' 
in  at  the  end  of  the  season,  when  Peas, 
Beans,  and  Cauliflowers  are  becoming  very 
scarce.  Seeds  should  be  sown  in  two  or  three 
batches,  the  first  at. about  the  cud  of  June,  the 
second  in  the  middle  of  the  present  month,  and 
the  third  about  the  end  of  the  same  month. 
Although  often  two  sowings  prove  to  be  suffi- 
cient the  third  sowing  in  other  seasons  is  very 
useful. 

Red  Cabbage. — Sow  seeds  of  the  Red  Cabbage 
for  raising  plants  to  be  used  for  pickling.  Bet- 
ter results  may  be  expected  from  a  sowing  made 
at  about  this  date  than  if  it  were  left  until  later. 

Garlic  and  Shallots,  having  by  this  date  com- 
pleted their  growth,  should  now  be  lifted  and 
spread  out  under  lights,  or  in  a  vacant  frame, 
or  in  any  position  where  they  can  be  protected 
from  rains,  but  where  they  will  be  fully  exposed 
to  the  light  and  ?ir. 


THE    KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

By  William  H.  Honess,  Gardener  to  C.  Combe,  Esq., 
Cobham   t'ark,  Surrey. 

Peas.— In  order  to  prolong  the  season  of  this 
vegetable  as  much  as  possible,  let  sowings  of 
earlv  varieties  be  made  at  once.  It  should  he 
remembered,  however,  that  the  plants  from  such 
sowings  will  have  to  make  their  growth  during 
the  hottest  period  of  jummer,  and  that  the 
autumn  may  be  cold  and  wet.  The  matter,  there- 
fore, is  little  more  than  a  speculation,  and  the 
crop  cannot  in  the  smallest  measure  be  depended 
upon.  When  the  conditions  prove  to  be 
favourable,  this  late  crop  is  so  appreciated  that 
it  compensates  for  any  previous  failures  that 
in, i\  have  been  experienced.  The  seeds  should 
be  "sown  in  such  a  position  that  the  plants  may 
be  given  temporary  shelter  during  the  hottest 
weather,  but  at  other  times  enjoy  full  exposure 
to  the  sun,  light,  and  air,  especially  on  the 
approach  of  autumn. 

New  Potatos.—lt  "  new  "  tubers  are  desired  at 
Chii-tmas  time,  the  Jersey  Potatos  now  be- 
ing imported  will  provide  excellent  "  seed ' 
tubers  for  planting.  Great  care  should 
be  exercised  in  order  to  choose  those  having  the 
skins  properly  "set,"  and  which  are  therefore 
ripest.  The  ripening  process  should  be  assisted 
by  fullv  exposing  the  tubers  to  the  sunlight  and 
air  until  the  end  of  the  present  month,  after 
which  time  they  should  be  started  into  growth 
very  steadilv  in  boxes,  previous  to  planting 
them  in  cold' frames,  which  should  be  kept  quite 
cool  until  autumn,  when  a  little  heat  may  be 
afforded.  From  this  system  we  obtained  very- 
good  results  here  last  winter. 

Mint.—  Where  a  supply  of  Mint  is  required  for 
forcing  earlv  in  the  year,  cuttings  should  now 
be  inserted  in  boxes,  which  should  be  filled  with 
a  compost  of  loam  and  leaf  soil,  but  principally 
the  latter  material.  Although  it  is  easy  to  ob- 
tain a  supply  by  simply  lifting  the  roots  in 
autumn  or  winter  and  placing  them  in  heat, 
much  stronger  growths  can  be  had  from  cuttings 
inserted  as  advised. 

Cabbages.— Seeds  should  be  sown  at  any  time 
from  the  beginning  to  the  end  of  the  present 
month,  according  to  the  locality,  which  must 
of  necessity  be  the  guide  both  as  to  the  date 
and  the  best  varieties  for  cultivation.  It  often 
happens  that  a  particular  variety  that  is  gener- 
ally satisfactory  in  one  district  is  not  capable 
of    yielding    good    results    in    another    district, 


PUBLIC  PARKS  AND  GARDENS. 

By  W.  W.  Pettigrew,  Superintendent  of  the   Parks  and 
Open  Spaces  in  the  City  of  Cardiff. 

Boating. — Very  few  parks  in  this  country  pos- 
sess sufficiently  large  lakes  to  provide  suitable 
boating  facilities  for  the  public.  Those  which 
are  so  favourably  situated  in  this  respect  are  ex- 
ceedingly fortunate,  as  boating  is  always  an 
attraction,  and  can  be  made  a  considerable 
source  of  revenue  to  the  department  concerned. 
In  such  cases  it  is  usually  the  practice  for  the 
boats  to  be  managed  by  a  contractor,  who 
pays  a  stated  sum  per  annum  for  the  privilege  of 
hiring  them  out  to  visitors.  In  one  or  two  towns 
the  parks  department  works  the  boats  with  its 
regular  staff,  and  thus  keeps  the  whole  thing 
in  its  own  hands.  This,  for  several  reasons,  is 
undoubtedly  the  better  course  to  pursue.  In  the 
first  place  it  is  rarely  satisfactory  having  men 
employed  in  parks  who  are  not  under  the  dire  t 
control  of  the  chief  official.  From  the  public 
standpoint  it  is  only  right  that  where  it  is  neces- 
sary to  make  a  charge  for  any  privilege  in  con- 
nection with  the  use  of  a  park,  any  profit  that 
may  be  derived  from  it  should  be  applied  for 
the  benefit  of  the  public,  and  not  go  into  the 
pocket  of  a  private  individual. 

Custom  in  London. — The  London  Parks  Depart- 
ment has  within  recent  years  taken  over  the 
boating  from  its  contractor,  and  now  makes  con- 
siderably more  profit  than  under  the  old  system, 
notwithstanding  the  fact  that  the  hiring-out  t  cs 
have  been  greatly  reduced. 

Types  of  boat. — Where  fishing  is  provided,  it  is 
well  to  have  two  kinds  of  boats  on  hire.  One 
kind  should  be  of  the  punt  type  for  the  u  0 
fishermen,  and  the  other  the  light  skiff,  suitabe 
for  rowing  purposes.  Whether  the  boats  belong 
to  the  park  authorities  or  to  a  private  contractor, 
it  is  advisable  to  have  them  all  tested,  and  ths 
maximum  number  each  is  allowed  to  carry  dis- 
tinctly marked  on  every  boat.  If  this  is  not  done, 
and  the  boats  are  allowed  to  be  overcrowded, 
accidents  of  a  serious  character  are  almost  sure 
to  take  place.  As  a  further  preventive  of  acci- 
dents on  the  water,  it  is  customary  to  have  a 
recognised  rule  of  the  "road."  By  keeping  to  the 
left  or  right,  as  the  rule  may  be,  the  danger  of 
collisions  and  their  consequent  damage  to  the 
boats  is  reduced  to  a  minimum. 

Management  expenses— -If  the  boating  is  to  b? 
made  to  pay  a  profit,  it  is  essential  to  keeo  the 
management  and  working  expenses  to  the  lowest 
possible  sum.  One  means  to  this  end  is  by  only 
allowing  admittance  to  the  boating  stage  through 
a  register  turnstile.  Besides  furnishing  a  pro]  . 
check  upon  the  receipts,  this  enables  one  man  to 
keep  a  whole  crowd  under  control,  and  by  per- 
mitting only  the  number  for  whom  boat^  re 
available  to  get  on  to  the  stage  at  one  time,  it 
is  quite  possible  for  three  or  four  men  to  easily 
attend  to  40  or  50  boats. 

Electric  launch. — In  some  parks  an  elect  ic 
launch  is  kept,  in  addition  to  the  small  pleasure 
boats.  These  are  always  well  patronised  by 
children  during  Bank  and  other  holida\ 
house  for  storing  the  boats  during  the  wintsr 
months,  and  in  which  painting  and  repairing 
can  be  done  during  inclement  weather,  is  neces- 
sary where  boating  is  carried  on  to  any  grea 
extent. 


so 


THE    GARDENERS    CHRONICLE. 


[July  13,  1907. 


EDITORIAL     NOTICE. 


ADVERTISEMENTS  should  be  sent  to  the  PUB- 
LISHER, 41,  Wellington  Street,  Covent  Garden, 
W.C 

Letters  for  Publication,  as  well  as  specimens  and  plants 
for  naming,  should  be  addressed  to  the  EDITOR, 
41,  Wellington  Street,  Covent  Garden,  London. 
Communications  should  be  written  on  one  side  only  of 
the  paper,  sent  as  early  in  the  week  as  possible,  and  July 
signed  by  the  writer.  If  desired,  the  signature  will  not  be 
printed,  but  kept  as  a  guarantee  of  good  faith. 

Special  Notice  to  Correspondents.—  The  Editor  does  not 
undertake  to  pay  for  any  contributions  or  illustrationst  or 
to  return  unused  communications  or  illustrations,  unless  by 
special  arrangement.  The  Editor  does  not  hold  himself 
responsible  for  any  opinions  expressed  by  his  correspondents. 

Illustrations.-  The  Editor  will  be  glad  to  receive  and  to  select 
photographs  or  drawings,  suitable  for  reproduction,  of 
gardens,  or  of  remarkable  plants,  flowers,  trees,  &c,  but  he 
cannot  be  responsible  for  loss  or  injury. 

Newspapers.— Correspondents  sending  newspapers  should  be 
careful  to  mark  the  paragraph  they  wish  the  Editor  to  see. 

Local  News. — Correspondents  will  greatly  oblige  bysendingto 
the  Editor  early  intelligence  of  local  events  likely  to  be  of 
interest  to  our  readers,  or  of  any  matters  which  it  is  desirable 
to  bring  under  the  notice  of  horticulturists. 


APPOINTMENTS  FOR  THE  ENSUING  WEEK. 


TUESDAY,  JULY  16— 

Opening  of   the   Laboratory  and  Research  Station  at 

Wisley  by  Lord  Avebury. 
Nat.   Sweet  Pea  Soc.   Sh.,   Horticultural   Hall,  West- 
minster. 
Saltaire  Rose  Sh. 

WEDNESDAY,  JULY  17— 

Woodbridge  Fl.  Sh. 

Women's  Agric.  and  Hort.  Union  Exh.  in  Bot.  Gardens, 
Regent's  Park. 
SATURDAY,  JULY  20— German  Gard.  Soc.  meet. 


Average  Mean  Temperature  for  the  ensuing  week, 
deduced  from  observations  during  the  last  Fifty  Years 
at  Greenwich — 63'1°. 

Actual  Temperatures:— 

London.— Wednesday,  July  10  (6  p.m.):  Mas.  61°; 
Min.  51'. 
Gardeners'  Chronicle  Office,  41,  Wellington  Street, 
Covent  Garden,  London. — Thursday,  July 
11  (10  a.m.)-  Bar..  80-4;  Temp.,  62';  Weather— 
Bright  sunshine. 
Provinces. — Wednesday,  July  10  (6  p.m.)  :  Mas.  65-'. 
Ireland,  N.W. ;  Min.  51°,  Yorkshire. 


SALES    FOR   THE    ENSUING   WEEK, 

TUESDAY— 

The  beneficial  interest  in  the  lease  of  the  Oxford  Nur- 
sery, Oxford  Road,  Gunnersbury,  at  12;  and  afterwards 
the  whole  of  the  stock  of  Plants,  by  Protheroe  lSc  Morris. 

WEDNESDAY,  THURSDAY  and  FRIDAY— 

The  second  portion  of  the  Woodlands  collection  of 
Orchids  at  67  &  68,  Cheapside,  E.C.,  by  Protheroe  & 
Morris,  at  12.45. 


Visitors  to  the  Royal   Horticul- 

The         tural  Society's  summer  show  at 

Holland     Holland     House,     of     which     a 
House        ,         ,     , 

Show.       detailed    report    appears    in   our 

present  issue,  could  hardly  have 
failed  to  be  impressed  with  the  high  quality 
of  the  exhibits.  The  numerous  groups  of 
plants  and  flowers  were  deserving  of  praise, 
whether  regarded  as  evidence  of  successful 
cultivation,  or  as  selections  of  the  choicest 
plants  obtainable  for  the  embellishment  of  the 
garden.  In  the  large  tent  where  the 
Orchids  were  exhibited  on  the  central  tables, 
there  were  comprehensive  groups  of  mis- 
cellaneous plants  that  successfully  vied 
with  the  Orchids  for  a  share  of  apprecia- 
tion. The  "  Sherwood  "  Silver  Cup,  being 
reserved  on  this  occasion  for  the  best  exhibit 
of  hardy  plants  or  flowers,  was  awarded  to 
one  of  these  groups  exhibited  by  Mr.  Brad- 
shaw,  an  amateur  cultivator.  There  were 
many  collections  of  hardy  plants  and  gar- 
den flowers.  All  were  interesting,  and 
such  exhibits  as  those  of  Mr.  Amos  Perry, 
Messrs.  R.  Wallace  and  Co.,  and  Messrs  W. 
Cutbush  and  Sons,  that  contained  representa- 
tions of  water  gardens,  with  Nymphaeas  and 
•other  aquatic  plants  growing  in  them,  were 
most  charming. 


Roses  being  now  at  their  best,  the  groups 
of  Messrs.  Paul  and  Son,  Messrs.  R.  and  G. 
Cuthbert  and  other  exhibitors  were  even 
more  profuse  of  flower  than  the  Rose  groups 
exhibited  at  the  Temple  Show,  whilst  several 
new  varieties  of  the  Rose  were  shown  by 
Messrs.  A.  Dickson  and  Son. 

Messrs.  Jas.  Veitch  and  Sons'  group  of  orna- 
mental foliage  plants,  Messrs.  J.  Peed  and 
Sons'  Caladiums,  Mr.  L.  R.  Russell's  stove 
foliage  plants,  and  other  ornamental-leaved 
plants  from  Messrs.  W.  Bull  and  Sons  were 
remarkable  for  the  excellent  cultivation  they 
illustrated  as  applied  to  rare  and  choice 
species.  Most  of  these  groups  were  arranged 
in  the  tent  containing  the  Orchids,  and  so  we 
might  continue  enumerating  those  that  were 
shown  in  other  tents,  but  for  details  of  these 
we  must  refer  readers  to  the  report. 

There  were  not  many  novelties  of  outstand- 
ing importance  presented  for  the  inspection  of 
the  various  committees,  but  a  species  of 
Crinum,  introduced  from  Burmah,  and 
shown  by  Colonel  Beddome,  created  consider- 
able interest.  The  plant  was  growing  in  a 
pot  having  a  diameter  of  only  three  inches, 
yet  it  had  produced  two  inflorescences,  which 
together  bore  13  flowers  and  flower-buds. 
Most  species  of  Crinum  are  large-growing 
plants,  which  usually  flower  only  after  attain- 
ing to  considerable  dimensions ;  the  present 
species,  therefore,  which  deservedly  obtained 
a  First-class  Certificate  from  the  Floral 
Committee,  appeared  extremely  small  and 
precocious.  It  has  been  named  C.  Mearsii, 
and  may  possibly  prove  to  have  close  affinity 
to  C.  humile,  of  which  a  figure  is  given  in 
the  Botanical  Magazine,  tab.  2,636. 

Another  novelty  likely  to  become  valu- 
able as  a  garden  plant  was  the  hybrid 
Crinum,  raised  by  Mr.  H.  J.  Elwes  from  the 
species  C.  Moorei  and  C.  americanum.  The 
flowers  of  the  hybrid  are  coloured  almost 
exactly  as  those  of  the  Belladonna  Lily 
(Amaryllis  Belladonna).  A  remarkable 
Odontoglossum  of  the  blotched  type  of 
flower  was  shown  by  Messrs.  Sander  and 
Sons,  and  a  very  richly  coloured  Laelio- 
Cattleya  shown  by  M.  Lambeau,  Brussels, 
obtained  a  First-class  Certificate  from  the 
Orchid  Committee.  Details  of  these  and 
other  novelties  are  given  in  the  report. 

The  invitation  kindly  given  the  Society  by 
Mary  Countess  of  Ilchester,  to  hold  a  sum- 
mer show  in  the  paddock  in  front  of  her  de- 
lightful Elizabethan  residence  affords  the 
council  an  opportunity  to  entertain  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Committees  at  luncheon.  Sir 
Trevor  Lawrence,  who  presided  at  this  func- 
tion on  Tuesday  last,  referred  to  the  approach- 
ing ceremony  in  connection  with  the  opening 
of  the  laboratory  and  research  station  in  the 
Wisley  Gardens,  remarking  that,  following 
this  event,  the  Society  would  be  in  a  position 
to  impart  instruction  to  its  students  on  the 
more  advanced  scientific  principles  that 
underlie  horticultural  practice.  The  President 
made  a  further  remark  which  directly  affects 
the  convenience  of  those  who  visit  such  shows 
as  are  held  in  the  Temple  Gardens  and  at 
Holland  House.  He  said  that  the  firms  who 
supply  the  tents  must  be  asked  whether  they 
cannot  use  some  material  that  is  more 
transparent  than  that  generally  employed. 
Exhibitors  will  have  every  sympathy  with  any 
effort  that  is  made  to  obtain  marquees  which 
are   less   light-excluding   than   those   now   in 


use,  which  often  are  very  prejudicial  to  the 
effect  of  the  exhibits.  From  cursory  obser- 
vations it  would  appear  that  the  longer  the 
material  has  been  in  use  the  more  obstructive 
it  becomes,  but  it  is  impracticable  to  have 
new  tents  for  each  occasion. 

In  the  interests  of  the  gardening  charities 
the  private  grounds  of  Holland  House  were 
again  thrown  open  to  visitors  on  the 
first  day  of  the  exhibition,  who  paid  a 
small  sum  for  admittance,  and  we  are  ex- 
ceedingly pleased  to  hear  that  a  sum  of  ^167 
was  thus  raised.  The  beautiful  gardens  ap- 
peared thronged  during  the  greater  part  of 
the  afternoon,  and  every  visitor  must  have 
been  charmed  by  the  showy  Rose  borders,  in 
which  the  excellent  variety  Caroline  Testout 
was  as  attractive  as  ever ;  the  beds  of 
Epilobium  and  other  equally  familiar  plants, 
.which  at  Holland  House  are  made  to  con- 
tribute to  the  general  attractions ;  the  quaint 
Dutch  garden,  the  water  gardens,  and  other 
features,  all  of  which  have  been  referred  to  in 
these  columns  on  previous  occasions. 


Since  the  introduction  to  Europe 

Meconopsis    of    the    handsome    species    M. 

racemosa.     integrifolia,  which  first  flowered 

in  this  country  in  1904  (see 
supplementary  illustration  to  Gardeners' 
Chronicle,  October  1,  1904),  the  genus 
Meconopsis  has  received  greater  attention 
from  horticulturists.  In  our  own  pages  we 
have  figured,  since  that  date,  M.  punicca 
(Gardeners'  Chronicle,  October  22,  1904,  p. 
2S9),  M.  grandis  (Gardeners'  Chronicle,  June 
17,  1905,  p.  369),  and  M.  bella  (Gardeners' 
Chronicle,  September  15,  1906,  p.  197).  In 
the  present  issue  we  are  enabled  to  present  a 
drawing  by  Mr.  Worthington  G.  Smith,  of 
M.  racemosa,  prepared  from  material  ex- 
hibited by  Lady  Northcliffe  at  the  meeting  of 
the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  held  on  June 
11  last.  Concerning  this  species  Lt.-Ccl. 
Prain,  Director  of  the  Royal  Botanic  Gar- 
dens, Kew,  who  is  the  acknowledged 
authority  on  this  genus,  has  favoured  us  by 
contributing  the  following  information  : — 

Meconopsis  racemosa  is  a  blue-flowered 
"  Poppy  "  with  prickly  leaves,  now  fairly  well 
known  as  a  rock  garden  plant,  where  it  may 
be  grown  under  the  conditions  suitable  for 
M.  aculeata,  which  in  general  features  it 
greatly  resembles.  It  was  first  described  by 
Maximowicz  in  1876,  from  specimens  obtained 
bv  General  Przewalski  in  1S72  in  Kansuh. 
To  his  brief  diagnosis  of  the  species  Maxi- 
mowicz added  a  note  to  the  effect  that  M. 
racemosa  may  be  distinguished  from  its 
nearest  ally  M.  aculeata,  Royle,  by  its  entire 
leaves,  and  from  M.  horridula,  Hook.  f.  and 
Thorns.,  the  only  other  prickly  Meconopsis 
known  in  1S76,  by  its  racemose  flowers;  from 
both,  he  says,  it  may  be  distinguished  by  its 
five  to  eight  petals.  We  now  know  of  the 
existence  of  other  species  of  Meconopsis  with 
prickly  leaves;  all  of  them  are  easily  dis- 
tinguished from  M.  racemosa;  none  of  them 
are  yet  known  in  European  gardens. 

So  far  as  the  distinction  between  M. 
racemosa  and  M.  aculeata,  which  Maxi- 
mowicz considered  the  nearest  ally  of  M. 
racemosa,  is  concerned,  there  is  another  and 
very  striking  difference  :  the  flowers  of  M. 
aculeata  arise  in  the  axils  of  floral  leaves  and 
the   stem    itself   below    the   flowers   is   leafy; 


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July  13,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


31 


FlG.  12. — MECONOPSIS  racemosa  :    FLOWERS  blue  with  purple  shade. 


the  flowers  of  M.  racemosa  have  no  bracts  and 
the  leaves  are  practically  confined  to  a  rosette 
at  the  base  of  the  stem. 

But  when  the  case  of  M.  horridula  is  con- 
sidered we  find,  in  the  first  place,  that  as 
originally  described,  M.  horridula,  though 
usually  having  simple,  one-flowered  scapes, 
has  these  "  sometimes  agglutinated  at  the 
base,"  which  is  another  and,  as  it  happens, 
more  accurate  way  of  stating  what  Maxi- 
mowicz  had  before  him.  On  the  other  hand, 
we  find  that  the  flowers  of  M.  horridula, 
though  originally  described  as  having  four 
petals,  have  in  reality  almost  always  five  to 
eight  petals.  The  characters  on  which 
Maximowicz  has  relied  in  separating  M. 
racemosa  from  M.  horridula  do  not  there- 
fore exist,  and  M.  racemosa,  where  the 
flowers  are  all,  or  nearly  all,  racemosely 
arranged  on  a  leafless  scape,  is  hardly  more 
than  a  state  of  M.  horridula,  where  the 
flowers  are  usually  all,  or  nearly  all,  on  simple 
one-flowered  scapes.  In  an  account  of 
Meconopsis  in  Annals  of  Botany,  ^jpl.  xx., 
pp.  332-333,  the  question  is  dealt  with  as 
follows  : — 

"  It  is  somewhat  significant  that  this, 
which  the  writer  takes  to  be  only  a  condition, 
or  at  most  a  variety  of  M.  horridula,  should 
be  well  known,  while  true  M.  horridula  is  not 
known  in  cultivation.  In  the  higher  valleys 
of  Sikkim,  which  the  species,  whereof  both  M. 
horridula  and  M.  racemosa  appear  to  be 
states,  invades  by  crossing  the  inner  passes, 
this  is  plentiful;  it  does  not,  however,  appear 
to  occur  below  14,000  feet  or.  to  the  south 
of  the  outer  passes  and  of  the  line  of  snowy 
peaks  like  Kinchinjanga,  Chumiamo,  and 
Kinchinjao,  that  mark  the  main  axis  of  the 
Himalaya  in  this  region.'  Below  14,000  feet 
and  to  the  south  of  these  peaks  the  species 
is  sparingly  replaced  by  M.  sinuata,  appar- 
ently a  distinct,  though  nearly  related,  species, 
which  is  represented  at  corresponding  alti- 
tudes in  the  Western  Himalaya  by  M. 
aculeata,  and  in  Alpine  Yunnan  and  Szechuen 
by  M.  rudis.  To  the  north  of  these  snowy 
peaks,  and  on  the  inner  passes  such  as  the 
Kongra-lama  and  the  Tang-la,  the  form 
■usually  met  with  is  M.  horridula;  at  or  above 
16,000  feet  this  is  practically  the  only  form 
present.  To  the  north  of  the  inner 
passes  below  16,000  feet  both  forms  occur 
side  by  side,  and  there  is  every  transition 
between  M.  horridula  proper  with  all  the 
scapes  simple,  discrete,  and  radical ;  M. 
horridula  still,  but  with  some  or  all  of  the 
scapes  agglutinated  at  the  base;  and  M. 
racemosa,  with  all  the  flowers  disposed  on  a 
central  several-flowered  scape  in  a  bractless 
raceme-like  cyme.  In  specimens  from  the  hills 
above  Lhassa  we  sometimes  find  that  the  low- 
est and  last-opening  flower  of  this  cyme  is  sub- 
tended by  a  leafy  bract  such  as  is  associated 
with  the  lowest  three-fourths  to  four-fifths  of 
the  flowers  of  M.  aculeata  and  M.  sinuata, 
and  with  the  lowest  half  to  two-thirds  of  the 
flowers  of  M.  rudis.  When  we  take  into 
consideration  the  fact  that  the  form  dis- 
tinguished by  Maximowicz  as  M.  racemosa 
occurs  throughout  central  and  eastern,  as 
well  as  southern  Tibet,  and  is  the  only  form 
that  overflows  into  the  high  Alpine  valleys  of 
Szechuen  and  Kansuh,  while  M.  horridula  is 
confined  to  southern  Tibet  and  the  high  Alpine 
valleys  of  Sikkim  and  Phari,  it  is  reason- 
able to  surmise  that  M.  horridula  may  be  no 
more  than  a  somewhat  reduced  condition  of  a 
Tibetan  species  whereof  M.  racemosa  is  the 
usual  state." 


32 


THE    GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


[July  13,  1907. 


Our      Supplementary      Illustration.  — 

Seventy  years  ago,  writes  a  correspondent,  the 
elephant  roamed  at  its  leisure  where  the  town  of 
Durban  now  stands,  but  at  the  present  time  there 
is  no  settlement  along  the  whole  of  the  African 
coast,  except  Zanzibar,  that  possesses  such  a 
variety  of  tropical  foliage  and  flowering  plants  as 
Durban.  Beautiful  vegetation  is  found  not  only 
in  the  Town  Gardens  (as  shown  in  the  illustra- 
tion), but  also  in  the  streets,  private  gardens, 
and  last,  but  not  least,  in  the  Durban  Botanic 
Gardens.  January  is  the  month  when  most  plants 
are  in  full  flower.  The  Flamboyant  (Poinceana 
regia)  is  one  of  the  most  gorgeous  trees  seen,  its 
profusion  of  scarlet  flowers  are  set  in  abundant 
light  green,  feathery  foliage.  It  is  very  similar  in 
appearance  to  the  indigenous  tree,  Albizzia  fasti- 
giata,  with  which  a  great  many  of  the  streets  are 
planted.  Jacaranda  mimosifolia  is  a  rather 
smaller  tree  than  the  Flamboyant,  but  it  flowers 
equally  profusely,  the  blossoms  being  blue  instead 
of  red.  The  tree  is  deciduous,  and  the  flowers  are 
produced  principally  when  the  leaves  have  fallen. 
The  tree  used  more  commonly  than  all  others  in 
street  planting  is  Hibiscus  tiliaceus,  the  Durban 
shade  tree.  It  can  be  propagated  very  readily 
from  quite  large  cuttings,  and  soon  forms  a  bush- 
headed  tree  which  produces  numerous  large 
yellow  flowers.  It  is  indigenous  along  the  sea- 
shore in  the  tropics.  A  feature  of  Durban  is  the 
the  number  of  Screw  Pines  (Pandanus  utilis)  met 
with.  They  thrive  almost  everywhere  on  the 
coast,  and  are  very  ornamental  subjects.  Two 
fine  specimens  are  growing  at  the  entrance  to 
the  Botanic  Gardens.  Durban  owes  much  of 
its  beauty  to  the  wild  Date  Palm  (Phoenix  re- 
clinata),  which,  though  of  little  economic  value, 
produces  a  fine  effect,  especially  when  growing  in 
dense  clumps,  the  stem  being  from  5  to  15  feet  high . 
This  Palm  likes  to  have  its  roots  always  near 
moisture,  and  its  presence  is  one  of  the  best  indica- 
tions of  water  in  the  subsoil.  But  in  stately 
beauty  as  well  as  in  utility  its  claims  are  small 
when  compared  with  the  lofty  Date  Palm  (Phoenix 
dactylifera),  many  specimens  of  which,  growing  to 
a  height  of  nearly  200  feet,  exist  around  Durban. 
Cocos  nucifera,  the  Cocoa-nut  Palm,  grows  suc- 
cessfully in  the  Botanic  Gardens,  although  it  does 
best  by  the  sandy  seashores.  Many  other  Palms 
are  also  to  be  found  in  the  Botanic  Gardens,  but 
probably  the  finest  is  the  Royal  Palm  (Oreodoxa 
regia),  although  Cocos  plumosa  may  have  rival 
claims  to  beauty.  The  great  variety  of  plants  used 
in  the  making  of  hedges  impresses  the  visitor. 
Amongst  the  best  and  most  ornamental  are  Carissa 
grandiflora,  Cestrum  aurantiaca,  the  dwarf  Bam- 
busa  Fortunei,  Tea  (Camellia  Thea)  Privet,  Juni- 
perus  virginiana,  Cupressus  macrocarpa,  Eugenia 
mimi,  &c.  Araucarias  thrive  exceedingly  well  in 
Durban,  and  form  a  pleasing  contrast  to  the  Palms 
and  other  more  gorgeous-leaved  trees  that  surround 
them.  The  species  that  thrive  best  are  A.  Bid- 
willii,  A.  brasiliensis,  A.  Cookii,  A.  Cunninghamii, 
and  A.  excelsa.  Any  of  these  species  are 
capable  of  producing  valuable  timber  should  they 
be  planted  on  a  large  scale.  Among  ornamental 
landscape  plants  the  Acacias  occupy  a  prominent 
place.  A.  mollissima  has  dark  green  and  feathery 
foliage,  in  contrast  to  A.  dealbata,  which  is 
glaucous  green,  although  of  the  same  form. 
Both  species  produce  an  abundance  of  yellow 
blossoms,  but  the  most  showy  of  all  the  Acacias 
in  this  respect  is  A.  Baileyana.  A.  spectabilis 
is  also  a  free-flowering  species  ;  it  has  a  vigorous, 
bush-like  habit  and  silvery  foliage. 

The  Botanical  Magazine. — The  following 
plants  are  figured  and  described  in  the  issue  for 
July:- 

Odontoglossum  Leeanum,  tab.  8,142.  (See 
also  Gardeners''  Chronicle,  1882,  vol.  xvii.,p.  525; 
1883,    vol.    xix.,    p.    694;    var.    Crawshayanum, 


1902,  vol.  xxi.,  p.  50). — Mr.  Rolfe,  in  describ- 
ing this  Columbian  plant,  states  that  it  is  now 
recognised  as  being  a  natural  hybrid  between 
O.  gloriosum  and  O.  triumphans.  It  first  ap- 
peared in  this  country  in  1882  as  a  single  plant 
in  Messrs.  Jas.  Veitch  &  Sons'  nursery  at  Chel- 
sea. A  second  plant  appeared  in  1902,  also 
unexpectedly,  in  Messrs.  T.  Rochfoed  &  Co.'s 
nursery  at  Broxbourne,  and  this  is  now  in  the 
collection  of  Mr.  De  Barri  Crawshay,  Rosefield, 
Sevenoaks.  The  flowers  are  of  a  shade  of  bright 
yellow,  and  are  much  blotched  with  brown. 

Montanoa  mollissima,  tab.  8,143. — This 
Mexican  composite  is  described  by  Mr. 
Hutchinson.  The  species  of  Montanoa,  when 
cultivated  in  English  gardens,  are  generally 
employed  as  sub-tropical  plants ;  they  do  not 
flower  freely  out-of-doors.  The  present  species 
was  introduced  into  cultivation  by  Ghiesbreght, 
who  sent  seeds  from  Mexico  to  the  Paris 
Botanic  Garden  in  1843.  At  Kew  it  is  treated 
as  a  greenhouse  shrub.  It  grows  about  6ft. 
high,  and  has  sessile,  lanceolate,  or  ovate  lan- 
ceolate leaves,  4  to  7  inches  long  and  1J  to  4 
inches  broad.  The  ray  flowers  are  white.  The 
plant  figured  was  raised  from  seeds  received 
in  1902  from  the  late  Sir  Thomas  Hanbury, 
La  Mortola,   Italy. 

Kennedya  retrorsa,  tab.  8,144. — This  is  a 
new  Eastern  Australian  species  described  by 
Mr.  YV.  Botting  Hemsley.  Plants  were  raised 
at  Kew  in  1905  from  seeds  received  from  the 
Sydney  Botanic  Garden,  under  the  name  of 
K.  procurrens,  Benth.  ;  but  K.  retrorsa  is  dis- 
tinct from  that  species,  the  type  of  which  is  in 
the  Kew  Herbarium.  K.  retrorsa  is  a  twining 
shrub,  having  the  young  growths  clothed  with 
reddish  hairs.  The  leaves  are  trifoliolate,  dis- 
tinctly stalked,  and  are  from  3  to  6  inches  long. 
The  flowers  are  coloured  rosy-purple,  with  a 
white  eye  on  the  standard.  They  are  clus- 
tered   in    racemes. 

Stewartia  Malachodendron,  tab.  8,145. — 
This  is  a  North  American  species,  which  is 
better  known  under  the  specific  name  S.  vir- 
ginica  (see  Gardeners'  Chronicle,  1877,  vol.  vii. , 
pp.  433-435,  fig.  86).  Mr.  Hemsley  describes 
the  species  as  a  branching  shrub,  or  small  tree, 
6  to  14  feet  high,  with  slender,  pubescent 
flowering  branches.  The  leaves  are  deciduous, 
alternate,  and  very  shortly  stalked.  The  flowers 
are  axillary,  solitary,  almost  sessile,  3^  to  4 
inches  across.  The  petals  are  white,  and  the 
stamens  purple,  anthers  blue.  The  drawing 
for  the  present  figure  was  made  from  speci- 
mens communicated  by  Sir  Joseph  Hooker,  in 
whose  gardens  at  Sunningdale  the  species 
flowered  freely  last  year.  It  is  not  in  general 
cultivation  in  Britain.  Mr.  Bean  recommends 
that  the  species  should  be  planted  in  a  shel- 
tered position,  for  it  is  more  likely  to  be  in- 
jured by  persistent  exposure  to  north  and  east 
winds  than  by  temporary  spells  of  severe  cold. 
A  moisture-loving  plant,  it  should  be  planted 
only  where  it  is  not  likely  to  suffer  from 
drought,  and  there  should  be,  at  least,  one- 
third  peat  in  the  soil.  The  illustration  repro- 
duced at  fig.  11,  affords  an  excellent  idea  of 
the   decorative   character   of  the   flowers. 

Phyllodoce  Breweri,  tab.  8,146. — A  native 
of  the  Inner  Sierras  of  California,  this  species 
was  first  observed  by  W.  H.  Brewer,  who  was 
attached  to  Prof.  Whitney's  surveying  party 
from  1860-1864.  The  species  varies  in  habit, 
and  the  better  form  now  figured  was  discovered 
on  Mt.  Hoffmann,  on  the  north  side  of  the 
Yosemite  Valley.  It  is  an  Ericaceous  shrub, 
growing  about  9  inches  high,  and,  being  per- 
fectly hardy,  is  suitable  for  cultivation  in  the 
rock-garden.  The  flowers  are  pink,  with  a 
white  centre.  Dr.  Otto  Stapf  describes  them 
as   being   arranged   in  terminal   short   or   long, 


and  sometimes  very  dense  racemes.  In  an 
appended  note  Mr.  W.  Watson  states  that,  in 
the  matter  of  cultivation,  there  is  no  difference 
between  the  several  species  of  Phyllodoce  and 
Bryanthus. 

The  National  Sweet  Pea  Society About 

180  new  members  have  joined  the  society  this 
year,  and  there  are  now  22  societies  in  affiliation 
with  it.  We  are  informed  that  the  exhibition  to 
be  held  at  the  Royal  Horticultural  Hall,  on 
Tuesday,  July  16,  promises  to  be  a  very  successful 
one.  The  trials  at  the  University  College,  Rca  ling, 
are  an  important  feature  of  the  society's  work, 
and  these  will  be  visited  by  the  members  on 
Friday,  July  19.  There  are  over  300  rows  and 
40  clumps  of  Sweet  Peas  in  the  trials.  On 
Monday,  July  22,  the  members  of  the  society  will 
pay  a  visit  to  Wisbech  to  inspect  Messrs.  R.  H. 
Bath's  Sweet  Peas  and  other  flowers.  Full  par- 
ticulars can  be  obtained  from  Mr.  C.  H.  Curtis, 
Hon.  Sec,  Adelaide  Road,  Brentford. 

A   correspondent  writes  to   us   stating 

that,  "when  the  members  of  the  committee  of 
the  National  Sweet  Pea  Society  journey  to  Reading 
on  Friday  next,  the  19thinst.,to  examine  the  trials 
of  Sweet  Peas  grown  expressly  for  the  society 
by  Mr.  Charles  Foster,  the  garden  superinten- 
dent of  the  University  College,  they  will  find 
that  the  trials  are  of  exceptional  excellence  and 
interest.  It  is  but  needful  to  look  over  the  gardens 
of  this  institution  to  be  satisfied  that  a  trial  of 
Sweet  Peas  would  be  carried  out  with  skill  and 
the  utmost  care.  Beautiful  as  were  the  hundreds  of 
stocks  a  few  days  since,  by  Friday  next  the  plants 
will  be  at  their  best,  and  lowers  of  Sweet  Peas  will 
find  for  themselves  a  great  treat.  The  soil  is  so 
good,  the  culture  so  excellent,  that  all  the  plants 
are  very  robust." 

Sweet  Pea  "  Princess  Victoria." — We  are 

informed  that  at  the  National  Rose  Show  Messrs. 
Doebie  &  Co.,  Rothesay,  had  a  beautiful  light 
form  of  the  Spencer  type  which  was  so  much 
admired  by  H.M.  the  Queen  and  H.R.H.  Prin- 
cess Victoria  that  the  latter  specially  desired  it 
to  be  named  after  her. 

South-Eastern  Agricultural  College. 

— The  Right  Hon.  Ailwyn  Fellowes  will  present 
the  diplomas  and  prizes  on  July  24  at  the  South- 
Eastern  Agricultural  College,  Wye,  Kent.  The 
College  was  awarded  the  Silver  Medal  (highest 
award)  at  the  Royal  Agricultural  Society's  show 
at  Lincoln,  in  a  competition  of  exhibits  of  im- 
portance to  British  Forestry,  for  a  collection  of 
insects,  &c,  injurious  to  forest  trees,  which  was 
made  and  set  up  by  the  Vice-Principal  and  En- 
tomologist, Mr.  F.  V.  Theobald. 

The  Lincoln  Show. — Messrs.  Jno.  Waterer 
and  Sons,  Ltd.,  write  to  say  that  they  were 
awarded  a  Gold  Medal  at  the  Lincoln  Show  for  a 
group  of  shrubs. 

Agricultural  Education. — The  Depart- 
mental Committee  held  meetings  on  the  2nd, 
3rd,  and  4th  inst.  The  following  witnesses 
attended  and  were  examined: — Mr.  Chris- 
topher Middleton,  Darlington  ;  Mr.  Albert 
Wheatley,  F.R.C.V.S.,  Reading;  Mr.  Trus- 
tram  Eve,  nominated  by  the  Farmers'  Club  ; 
Major  Craigie,  C.B.  ;  Mr.  Fitzherbert  Brock- 
holf.s,  nominated  by  the  Lancashire  Farmers' 
Association  ;  Mr.  A.  E.  Humphries,  President 
of  the  National  Association  of  British  and  Irish 
Millers;  Rev.  W.  Wilks,  M.A.,  Secretary  to  the> 
Royal  Horticultural  Society ;  Dr.  J.  A. 
Voelcker,  Consulting  Chemist  to  the  Royal 
Agricultural  Society  of  England  ;  Mr.  G.  Hog- 
ben,  M.A.,  Inspector-General  of  Schools,  New 
Zealand ;  and  representatives  of  the  Dorset, 
Hereford,  and  Lancashire  County  Councils. 


July  13,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


33 


The  Horticultural  Club.— The  annual 
Outing  of  the  members  and  friends  will  take 
place  on  Thursday,  July  25.  The  party  will 
travel  by  rail  from  Paddington  to  Marlow,  where 
a.  steam  launch  will  be  in  waiting  to  convey  the 
visitors  to  Henley.  At  Henley  a  visit  will  be 
made  to  Friar  Park,  the  residence  of  Frank 
Ckisp,  Esq.,  whose  interesting  gardens  were 
described  and  illustrated  in  these  pages  on  Octo- 
ber 28,  1899.  The  visitors  will  be  Mr.  Crisp's 
guests  at  luncheon  and  afternoon  tea.  If  the 
weather  proves  favourable  the  visit  promises 
to   be   a   most   enjoyable   one. 

Violas  at  the  Royal  Botanical  Gardens. 

— Visitors  to  the  National  Kose  and  the  other  ex- 
hibitions which  have  recently  been  held  in  the 
Royal  Botanic  Gardens  have  probably  noticed 
the  effective  arrangement  and  the  remarkable 
health  of  the  Violas  in  the  large  bed  in  front  of 
the  conservatory.  Roughly,  the  bed  measures 
150  feet  long  by  8  feet  ride.  The  groundwork  is 
composed  entirely  of  Viola  "White  Beauty,''  ex- 
cept for  a  broad  belting  along  the  outside  edge 
of  the  variety  lilacina.  It  is  remarkable  that 
the  latter,  one  of  the  oldest  of  Violas,  should 
still  be  so  much  used  in  the  London  parks. 
Better  flowers  there  undoubtedly  are,  but  "  lila- 
cina "  seems  to  have  a  constitution  that  braves 
all  adverse  conditions.  Into  the  white  ground- 
work of  the  large  bed  Mr.  Hawes  has  made  dia- 
mond-shaped patches,  filled  alternately  with  the 
varieties  Molly  Pope  (bright  yellow)  and  J.  B. 
Kiding  (deep  mauve).  Small  clumps  of  Vero- 
nica Andersonii  variegata  alternate  with  the  dia- 
monds, and  behind  them,  at  the  extreme  back, 
are  clumps  of  Coreopsis  grandiflora.  It  is  al- 
ways interesting  to  know  the  methods  adopted 
by  growers  who  succeed  well  with  Violas  in  or 
near  to  London.  Mr.  J.  F.  McLeod,  who  culti. 
vates  them  extensively  and  so  well  at  Dover 
House,  Roehampton,  does  all  his  propagating 
under  handlights  out-of-doors  on  a  partly-shaded 
western  border.  Mr.  Hawes,  at  the  Royal 
Botanic  plants  the  cuttings,  very  often  pulled 
from  the  old  plants  with  rootlets  already  formed, 
into  cold  frames  in  September,  and  lifts  the 
plants  therefrom  in  the  first  week  in  April,  with 
as  large  balls  of  soil  attached  as  possible,  and 
plants  them  out.  This  rather  late  planting  can 
only  be  successful  when  special  care,  such  as 
Mr.  Hawes  exercises,  is  taken  to  properly  carry 
out  the  operation.  As  a  rule  the  earlier  Violas 
are  planted  the  better. 

The  Origin  of  the  Potato.— The  origin  of 
the  innumerable  varieties  of  Potatos  in  commerce, 
all  known  botanically  as  Solanum  tuberosum,  is 
so  far  from  being  clear  that  a  few  gentlemen 
•were  invited  by  Mr.  Arthur  Sutton  on  Mon- 
day, the  8th  inst.,  to  inspect  at  the  Reading  Nur- 
series a  large  collection  of  plants  embracing  all 
the  known  species  of  Potato,  with  a  view  to  their 
examination  and,  if  possible,  the  determination  of 
which  specie  or  species  could  have  given  rise  to 
the  cultivated  varieties.  A  large  number  of  plants 
was  displayed  in  one  of  the  houses,  and  the  pecu- 
liarities of  each  were  described  by  Mr.  Sutton, 
and  discussed  by  those  present  from  the  various 
points  of  view  deduced  from  their  varied  ex- 
periences. 

WOODBRIDGE      HORTICULTURAL      SHOW. — In 

our  last  issue  the  date  of  this  Suffolk  show  was, 
in  error,  stated  to  be  July  13.  The  correct  date 
is  July  17. 

Cocoa-nut    Fibre    Mats.  — In     the     Revue 

llorticole  lightly-woven  cocoanut  fibre  mats  are 
recommended  as  protection  against  frost  and  as 
shading  materials,  instead  of  the  rapidlv  decav- 
ing  coverings  made  from  straw.  They  are  'said 
to  last  for  about   10  years. 


Midland  Carnation  and  Picotee  So- 
ciety.—Mr.  T.  Humphreys,  the  honorary  secre- 
tary of  this  society,  writes  as  follows  : — "  Owing 
to  the  exceptionally  late  season,  the  Annual  Ex- 
hibition of  Carnations,  arranged  to  take  place  on 
July  31  and  August  1,  has  been  postponed  until 
Thursday  and  Friday,  August  8  and  9." 

The  New   York   Botanical   Garden. — We 

note  in  an  American  contemporary  that  efforts 
are  being  made  by  the  board  of  managers  of  the 
New  York  Botanical  Garden  to  obtain  special 
funds  to  supplement  the  ordinary  income  of 
the  institution.  These  funds  may  bear  in  general 
such  personal  designations  as  the  contributors 
may  wish  to  indicate.  Twelve  foundations 
which  are  greatly  desired  are  specified  as  fol- 
low:— Exploration  fund,  for  which  250,000  dol- 
lars is  needed  ;  horticultural  fund,  100,000  dol- 
lars ;  library  fund,  50,000  dollars  ;  conservatory 
fund,  50,000  dollars;  herbarium  fund,  50,000 
dollars  ;  lecture  fund,  25,000  dollars ;  fund  for 
the  illustration  of  North  American  Flora,  30  000 
dollars;  scholarship  funds,  several  foundations 
of  from  10,000  to  25,000  dollars;  laboratory 
fund,  20,000  dollars ;  fund  for  horticultural 
prizes,  10,000  dollars  ;  fund  for  botanical  prizes, 
10,000  dollars  ;  and  research  funds,  are  all  set 
forth  in  a  statement  signed  by  Addison  Brown, 
chairman  of  the  executive  committee  of  the 
board  of  managers. 

Publications  Received.  —  The  Women's  Agri- 
culturaland  Horticultural  VnionLeaflet. — The  Country 
Gentlemen  s  Estate  Book,  1VU7,  price  10s.  od.—  The 
hath  Bird  :  How  to  Get  L'p  Early,  published  by 
David  Nutt,  price  Is. 


HOME    CORRESPONDENCE. 


{The  Editor  does  not  hold  himself  responsible  for  the 
opinions  expressed  by  his  correspondents. J 

Magnolia  Campbellii. — As  you  mentioned 
on  p.  3  the  fine  flowering  of  this  magnificent 
variety  in  my  shrubbery  in  1902,  I  may  inform 
you  that  this  was  the  only  time  it  has  done  any 
good  for  me.  In  1903-4-5-6  it  set  no  buds,  and 
in  this  spring,  when  it  bore  over  60  buds,  none 
of  them  opened,  owing  either  to  late  frosts  or 
cold  winds,  which  either  burned  or  tore  the 
soft  and  delicate  petals  borne,  as  your  wood- 
cut so  well  and  accurately  shows,  on  the  topmost 
extremities  of  the  branchlets.  The  portrait  of 
this    fine   Magnolia    in    the   Botanical    .1/.; 

not  do  it  adequate  justice.  Readers  who 
have  access  to  a  botanical  library,  such  as  those 
at  Kew  and  the  British  Museum,  should  refer 
to  the  splendid  portrait  of  M.  Campbellii  in 
Cathcart  and  Hooker's  Himalayan  Plants,  where 
it  is  figured  on  plates  4  and  5.  I  fear,  however, 
we  shall  never  see  the  species  in  such  excellence 
in  our  uncertain  climate.    II".  E.  Gumbleton. 

The  Rainfall  in  June. — It  is  inteiesting  to 
remark  that  the  rainfall  for  June,  namely,  1  45  in.. 
was  less  than  that  for  June  last  year,  when  the  fall 
was  2  41  in.  The  weather  has  been  dull,  but 
there  has  not  been  an  excessive  quantity  of  rain. 
W.  A.  Cook,  Leonardslee  Gardens,  Sussex. 

Aralia  Moseri. — Will  A.  H.  (see  p.  20)  kindly 
point  out  in  what  respect  the  variety  of  Fatsia  japo- 
nica  (Aralia  Sieboldii)  known  as  Moseri  differs 
from  the  ordinary  type  ?     Ignoramus. 

This  is  decidedly  an  improvement  on 

the  normal  form.  The  leaves  are  larger  and  more 
regularly  lobed,  and  the  plant  is  shorter  jointed. 
I  at  first  thought  that  the  system  of  culture  had 
made  the  difference,  but  afterwards  found  that  the 
two  growing  side  by  side  were  quite  distinct, 
although  no  botanist  would  recognise  the  dis- 
tinction. As  a  market  plant  the  variety  is  a  de- 
cided improvement  on  the  type.  It  has  come  into 
commerce  since  I  discontinued  the  cultivation  of 
such  plants,  but  if  I  were  now  in  the  trade  I  should 
certainly  discard  the  original  type  and  grow  the 
variety  Moseri,  if  seeds  are  procurable,  even  if  the 
cost  were  much  greater.     A.  H. 

Strawberries  Leader  or  Kentish  Fav- 
ourite.— In  last  week's  issue  I  reterred  to  Kentish 
Favourite  Strawberry  as  having  received  an 
Award  of  Merit  from  the  R.H.S.  Fruit  Com- 
CiiUee,    and    stated    that   the    committee   wished 


plants  to  be  sent  to  Wisley  Gardens  for  trial. 
On  Friday,  the  5th  inst.,  a  sub-committee  visited 
Wisley  (see  p.  38),  and  amongst  varieties  of 
Strawberries  that  attracted  attention  for  heavy 
cropping  and  general  excellence,  including  easi- 
ness, was  Laxton's  Leader,  a  variety  not  yet 
widely  known.  The  foliage  of  the  variety  was  dis- 
tinctive, and  the  crop  was  remarkable.  A  little 
farther  on  was  Kentish  Favourite,  and  this  was 
in  every  respect  so  complete  a  duplicate  of 
Leader  that  the  committee  unanimously  agreed 
the  two  were  identical.  It  is  worthy  of  note  that 
when  Kentish  F'avourite  was  exhibited  at  the 
Temple  Show,  Mr.  Laxton  declared  it  to  be 
Leader,  and  the  trial  at  Wisley  proves  that  he 
was  right.  Such  being  the  case,  and  the  variety 
Leader  having  already  received  an  Award  of 
Merit,  it  is  obvious  that  the  new  award  under 
the  later  name  cannot  stand.  The  growing  of 
Strawberries  at  Wisley  for  trial  has  thus  been 
thoroughly  justified,  and  has  enabled  a  mistake 
to  be  rectified  in  good  time.     A.  D. 

Summer   Pruning  of  Fruit  Trees. — It  is 

satisfactory  to  know  that  in  the  majority  of 
cases  summer  pruning,  as  carried  out  bv  the 
skilled  practitioner,  is  a  success.  Judging, 
however,  from  the  dates  given  by  the  various 
correspondents,  it  is  evident  that  a  considerable 
amount  of  growth  is  permitted  before  the  shoots 
are  pruned.  A  great  amount  of  the  tree's  energy 
is  thus  thrown  away,  and  a  decided  check  is 
given  to  the  tree  in  the  removal  of  so  much  foli. 
age.  In  some  cases,  in  order  to  make  the  trees 
symmetrical  and  tidy,  the  side  shoots  are  pruned 
to  two  buds,  with  the  consequent  result  that 
the  dormant  buds  break  into  growth  and  the 
tree  is  quickly  transformed  into  a  thicket  of 
shoots.  Early  stopping  the  new  growths  with 
the  finger  and  thumb  is  a  much  better 
practice,  and  it  can  be  carried  out  more 
expeditiously  than  pruning  with  the  knife.  In 
these  gardens  the  trees  are  gone  over  early  in 
the  season,  and  when  the  shoots  have  made 
from  six  to  eight  leaves  they  are  pinched  back 
to  within  four  or  five  leaves,  according  to  the 
vigour  of  the  individual  tree.  These  shoots 
break  into  growth  again  usually  from  the  two 
top  buds,  and  these  secondary  shoots  are 
pinched  again  to  two  leaves.  Some  varieties  of 
Pears  form  fruit  buds  the  same  year.  By  this 
system  of  pinching  the  trees  receive  no  check, 
and  the  result  is  that  the  side  shoots  are  kept 
within  bounds,  whilst  extra  vigour  is  thrown 
into  those  retained  for  extension.  Thorough 
and  early  maturation  of  these  shortened  growths 
is  brought  about  by  the  sun  and  air,  which  can 
freely  reach  them  the  entire  season  through.  I 
have  no  hesitation  in  stating  that  the  qualifying 
term  "  good,"  given  by  many  of  the  correspon- 
dents, would  have  been  preceded  by  "  very  "  if 
early  pinching  of  the  growths  were  periodically 
practised.     W.  H.  Clarke,  Aston  Rowant,  Oxon. 

Mr.  Lewis  Castle  asks  (p.  424)  a  few 

pertinent  questions  regarding  the  practice  of 
summer  pruning  of  fruit  trees,  and  Mr.  A.  Dean 
gives  a  clear  and  definite  answer  to  his  questions 
in  last  week's  issue  (p.  14).  As  I  have  practised 
the  system  for  nearly  40  years,  not  only  on  wall 
trees,  but  also  on  standard,  bush  and  pyramid 
fruit  trees,  I  may  be  allowed  to  supplement  Mr. 
Dean's  remarks  on  the  subject.  My  experience 
proves  that  the  check,  which  the  pinching  or  prun- 
ing back  of  the  young  growths  to  6  or  9  inches 
of  their  origin  involves,  causes  not  only  the  for- 
mation of  fruit  buds,  but  also  the  development 
of  dormant  intervening  buds,  and  thereby  a  per- 
centage of  these  also  become  fruit  buds 
and  bear  fruit  in  the  following  year. 
Summer  pruning  not  only  aids  in  the 
formation  and  plumping  of  fruit  buds,  but 
the  practice  also  promotes  a  balance  of  growth 
in  the  trees  operated  on.  Moreover,  summer 
pruning,  by  temporarily  diverting  the  flow  of 
sap,  and  at  the  same  time  admitting  more  light 
to  the  trees,  conduces  to  the  swelling  and  ripen- 
ing  of  the  present  season's  fruit.  The  stopping 
of  the  young  shoots,  when  from  18  to  24  inches 
long,  of  Fig  trees  trained  against  walls  will 
result  in  the  production  thereon  of  embryo  fruits, 
which  will  develop  and  ripen  in  due  time.  Some 
of  the  strongest  growths  on  young  fruit  trees 
which  I  stopped  about  the  middle  of  last  month 
have  already  developed  miniature  fruit  buds, 
while  an  examination  of  the  unstopped  shoots 
reserved  for  supplying  buds  for  budding  pur- 
poses have  wood  buds  only.  H.  IF.  Ward,  Lime 
House,  Rayleigh. 


34 


THE     GARDENERS     CHRONICLE. 


[July  13,  1907. 


ROYAL    HORTICULTURAL    SOCIETY. 

Summer  Show  at  Holland  House. 

{See  also  article  on  p.   30.) 


July  9,  10. — This  society's  summer  exhibition 
took  place  on  these  dates  in  the  grounds  of 
Holland  House,  and  the  function  must  be  again 
declared  a  success.  The  weather  on  the  opening 
day  was  fair,  and  at  intervals  the  sun  shone 
brightly,  but  at  other  times  the  interior  of  the 
tents  was  dark.  The  general  opinion  was  that 
this  was  the  best  summer  exhibition  held  by 
the  society,  and  certainly  the  exhibits  were  equal 
in  quality  to  any  that  have  been  seen  at  Holland 
House.  As  the  grounds  of  this  beautiful  residence 
are  large,  the  crowding  which  unavoidably  takes 
place  at  the  Temple  Flower  Show  is  not  found 
here,  and  visitors  can  inspect  the  exhibits  with 
comfort.  The  arrangements  for  such  an  exhibi- 
tion necessitate  much  extra  work  on  the  part  of 
the  secretaries  and  staff,  for  on  this,  as  on 
former  occasions,  everything  had  been  done  to 
make  the  event  an  agreeable  one.  It  is  very 
satisfactory  that  we  are  able  to  note  that  a 
special  tent  had  been  erected  and  was  set  apart 
for  the  exhibition  of  novelties  submitted  to  the 
committees  for  certificate. 

Floral  Committee. 
Roses. 

Messrs.  Paul  &  Son,  Old  Nurseries,  Ches- 
hunt,  showed  a  beautiful  exhibit  of  Roses.  At 
the  back  of  the  display  were  tall  pillar  varieties 
in  pots,  and  standard  plants  with  bamboo 
epergnes  filled  with  choice  blooms  were  inter- 
spersed freely  amongst  vases  and  baskets  filled 
with  flowers  of  such  beautiful  kinds  as  Mrs.  W. 
J.  Grant,  Mrs.  John  Laing,  Frau  Karl  Druschki, 
Ulrich  Brunner,  Laurette  Messimy  (charming  in 
the  bud),  La  France,  Heinrich  Schultheis,  Mar- 
quise Litta,  &c.  We  also  noticed  the  single 
Gottfried  Kellar,  Rosa  sericea  pteracantha, 
Goldfinich  (new),  The  Wallflower,  handsome 
climbing  Rose,   Una,   &c. 

Messrs.  W.  Paul  &  Son,  Nurseries,  Waltham 
Cross,  Herts.,  showed  very  fine  blooms  of 
H.P.  and  H.T.  Roses  in  new  and  old  varie- 
ties. The  varieties  Mad.  Jules  Grolez,  Leonie 
Lamesch,  Antoine  Rivoire,  Konigin  Carola, 
Melanie  Soupert,  D.  R.  Williamson,  a  fine, 
double,  crimson  flower,  Dr.  W.  Gordon,  and 
Pharisaer  were  very  choice.  Roses  generally 
were  lavishly  displayed  by  this  firm. 

Messrs.  Wm.  Cutbush  &  Son,  Highgate,  Lon- 
don, N.,  filled  one  corner  of  the  large  tent  with 
Roses  and  Carnations,  with  a  few  Codiaeums 
(Crotons),  Dracaenas,  &c,  as  foils.  This  was 
a  most  pleasing  group,  effectively  staged.  There 
were  banks  of  Carnations  in  a  setting  of  the 
dwarf  Polyantha  Rose  Mrs.  W.  H.  Cutbush, 
with  other  taller  Roses  at  intervals,  principally 
climbing  varieties,  and  a  pleasing  change  was 
afforded  in  a  bank  of  the  yellow  Calla  Elliottiana, 
and  another  of  Verbenas.  The  Carnations  were 
especially  fine.  We  have  space  only  to  mention 
a  few  of  the  choicest,  such  as  Mercia,  Maggie 
Hodgson,  the  darkest  of  the  Souvenir  de  la  Mal- 
maison  type ;  Baldwin  (rose),  King  Arthur,  a 
bright,  scarlet-coloured  border  variety,  Lady 
Hermione,  and  Yellow  Gal.  The  new  rambler 
Rose  Paradise  was  shown  well  in  this  group. 

Messrs.  H.  Merryweather  &  Sons,  The 
Nurseries,  Southwell,  Notts.,  exhibited  excel- 
lent Roses  of  most  sections  ;  two  boxes  of  H.P.s 
and  H.T.s,  36  in  all,  consisted  of  very  fine 
blooms.  This  firm  showed  a  Polyantha  Rose 
named  Phyllis,  a  semi-double  flower  of  deep 
pink  colour,  flowering  in  large  clusters. 

Messrs.  W.  and  J.  Brown,  florists,  Stamford, 
showed  popular  varieties  of  the  Rose  in  close 
bouquets,  with  many  good  flowers  among  them. 
This  exhibitor  also  "had  Trachelium  coeruleum, 
Verbena  Miss  Willmott,  blooms  of  many  varie- 
ties of  the  "  Cactus "  Pelargonium,  which  are 
so  much  admired  as  cut  blooms,  plants  of  Lilium 
Szovitsianum,  Heliotrope,  &c. 

Mr.  Chas.  Turner,  the  Royal  Nurseries, 
Slough,  made  a  very  fine  display  with  Roses 
in  great  variety,  many  perfect  blooms  being 
noted  among  them.  He  also  showed  many  of 
the  garden  Roses  so  useful  for  making  bouquets, 


sprays,  filling  vases,  or  for  training  on  walls  and 
fences,  pillars,  &c. 

Beautiful  blooms  of  cut  Roses  were  shown  by 
Messrs.  Alex.  Dickson  &  Son,  Belfast.  Several 
novelties  of  the  highest  excellence  were  included 
(see  Awards)  in  this  choice  exhibit,  which  in- 
cluded flowers  of  the  varieties  Richmond,  Peggy 
Molyneux,  Mrs.  P.  Blair,  Lady  Helen  Vincent, 
Mrs.  Harold  Brocklebank  (creamy-white), 
Dorothy  Page  Roberts  (deep  salmon,  with  re- 
curving petals),  &c. 

Mr.  R.  Chaplin,  Joyning's  Nursery,  Waltham 
Cross,  had  excellent  examples  of  many  Rambler 
kinds,  also  blooms  of  Caroline  Testout,  Mrs. 
W.   Grant,   Frau  Karl  Druschki,  and  others. 

Roses  and  Sweet  Peas  were  freely  shown  by 
E.  E.  Crimson,  Esq.,  Sutton,  Surrey. 

Messrs.  Frank  Cant  &  Co.,  Braiswick  Rose 
Gardens,  Colchester,  had  many  fine  cut  Roses. 
Mrs.  Harvey  Thomas,  Papa  Gontier,  Mrs.  W. 
Grant,  Lady  Roberts,  and  the  fine  white  Frau 
Karl   Druschki   being   prominent  varieties. 

Messrs.  B.  R.  Cant  &  Co.,  the  Old  Rose  Gar- 
dens, Colchester,  also  set  up  a  most  admirable 
lot  of  Roses,  among  which  Irish  Elegance, 
Madame  Ravary,  Richmond,  Dean  Hole,  Capt. 
Hayward,  Mrs.  Laing,  Mrs.  E.  G.  Hill,  and 
others  were  seen. 

Hobbies,  Ltd.,  Dereham,  Norfolk,  made  a 
very  large  exhibit  of  Roses  principally  of  Ram- 
bling varieties.  Many  were  shown  as  standards 
on  tall,  straight  stems.  The  varieties  Dorothy 
Perkins,  Hiawatha,  and  Minnehaha  were  note- 
worthy among  the  climbers ;  there  were  also 
seen  good  blooms  of  La  France,  Liberty,  Caro- 
line Testout,  Dean  Hole,  LTnnocence,  Frau 
Karl  Druschki,  Papa  Gontier,  Bessie  Brown, 
and  Richmond. 

Messrs.  S.  Bide  &  Sons,  Farnham,  showed 
Rose  Queen  of  Spain  and  a  new  seedling  Tea 
variety  named  Mrs.  Sophie  Neate,  a  seeding 
from  Mad.  Lambard    x    Anna  Olivier. 

Some  Cut  Flowers. 

Sweet  Peas  were  extensively  displayed. 
Messrs.  Dobbie  &  Co.,  Rothesay,  had  a  grand 
assortment  of  these  popular  flowers,  all  of  the 
highest  merit.  Marble  Queen,  Jessie  Cuthbert- 
son,  King  Edward  VII.,  Dora  Breadmore,  Mrs. 
Collier,  and  Mrs.  Hardcastle  Sykes  were  some  of 
the  finer  varieties  in  this  very  large  display. 

Messrs.  Wm.  Artindale  &  Son,  Sheffield, 
had  a  comprehensive  exhibit  of  tufted  Pansies 
(Violas),  some  100  or  more  examples  being 
staged  in  the  best  condition. 

Mr.  H.  B.  May,  Edmonton,  showed  cut  Pelar- 
goniums of  good  quality. 

Tree  Carnations  from  Messrs.  Hugh  Low  & 
Co.  were  extremely  fine.  This  firm  also  dis- 
played varieties  of  the  Souvenir  de  la  Malmaison 
section,  as  well  as  a  representative  collection  of 
the  American  tree  sorts. 

A  collection  of  Sweet  Peas  from  Messrs.  H. 
Cannell  &  Sons,  Swanley,  was  in  every  respect 
an  excellent  one.  Among  the  best  were  those 
following :  Miss  Doris  (rosy-carmine),  Rosy 
Morn  (fine  colour),  Cannell's  White,  Mrs.  Robt. 
Cannell  (rosy-salmon),  Henry  Eckford,  &c.  The 
blossoms  and  sprays  were  of  superb  quality. 

Mr.  W.  H.  Page,  Langley  Park  Nurseries, 
Hampton,  staged  an  admirable  lot  of  blooms  of 
Tree  Carnations  in  the  leading  kinds.  Enchan- 
tress was  very  fine,  as  were  also  White  Lawson 
and  President  Roosevelt. 

Carnations  were  also  finely  presented  by  Mr. 
A.  F.  Dutton,  Iver,  Bucks.  Christmas  Eve  is 
a  very  rich  and  good  scarlet  variety. 

Mr.  Jarman,  Chard,  in  addition  to  showing 
beautiful  Roses,  made  a  feature  of  some  im- 
proved forms  of  the  Sweet  Sultans  (Centaurea 
suaveolens  vars.),  which  were  greatly  admired. 

Messrs.  G.  Stark  &  Sons,  Great  Ryburgh, 
Suffolk,  and  Messrs.  E.  W.  King  &  Co.,  Cog- 
geshall,  Essex,  each  displayed  Sweet  Peas  in 
many   good   kinds. 


Sweet  Peas  were  also  well  shown  by  Mr. 
W.  Breadmore,  Winchester.  Some  250  square 
feet  of  tabling  was  occupied  by  the  choicest 
and  best  of  these  popular  flowers. 

Another  handsome  display  of  Sweet  Peas 
came  from  Mr.  Henry  Eckford,  Wem,  Salop, 
and  here,  too,  many  of  the  finest  varieties  were 
noted. 

Groups  of  Plants. 

Messrs.  James  Veitch  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  King's 
Road,  Chelsea,  staged  handsome  foliage  plants 
of  exotic  species.  Many  flowering  plants  were 
interspersed  in  the  exhibit ;  the  centre  was  occu- 
pied by  a  group  of  Orchids,  and  there  were  also 
Cannas,  Carnations,  greenhouse  Rhododendrons, 
Angelonia  grandiflora,  &c.  Tall  stands  accom- 
modated well-grown  plants  of  Nepenthes,  includ- 
ing a  choice  example  of  N.  sanguinea,  with  well- 
developed  pitchers.  The  foliage  plants  com- 
prised Alocasias,  Anthuriums,  Marantas,  Ara'.ias, 
Dracaenas,  Codiaeums  (Crotons),  Ferns,  6cc. 
Notable  plants  were  Alocasia  macrorhiza  varie- 
gata,  Codiaeum  (Croton)  Reidii,  and  Medinilla 
magnifica.  Messrs.  Veitch  also  exhibited  a 
collection  of  Carnations,  and  another  of  Roses. 

Messrs.  Wm.  Bull  &  Sons,  King's  Road, 
Chelsea,  displayed  ornamental-leaved  stove 
and  greenhouse  plants.  Dracaena  Victoria  was 
shown  well  in  this  group,  also  Alocasia  Lowii 
grandis,  Eugenia  myriophylla,  Asparagus 
Sprengeri  variegata,  Dracaena  Prince  Manouk 
Bey  (with  broad,  dark-red  leaves),  Pandanus 
Veitchii,  Aralia  triloba,  &c. 

Mr.  L.  R.  Russell,  Richmond,  showed  hand- 
some foliage  plants  of  stove  and  greenhouse 
species.  In  the  centre  of  the  exhibit  was  a  large 
specimen  of  Dracaena  Victoria,  with  healthy 
foliage  to  the  ground  level ;  another  notable 
plant  was  Alocasia  crystallina,  with  remark- 
ably well-developed  foliage.  There  were  also 
seen  well-grown  specimens  of  Anthurium 
Veitchii,  Aralia  elegantissima,  A.  Veitchii,  Dra- 
caena Goldiana,  Alpinia  Sanderiana,  Alocasia 
metallica,  and  many  others  of  equal  beauty. 

Messrs.  J.  Peed  &  Son,  West  Norwood, 
showed  Caladiums,  not  excessively  large  in  size, 
but  brightly  coloured  and  very  fresh  in  appear- 
ance. The  varieties  were  numerous  and  repre- 
sented the  finer  of  these  showy  foliage  plants. 
Rio  de  Janeiro  (red  with  green  markings),  Prin- 
cess Olga  (dark  red),  Lady  Dorrington  (a  pale 
green  margin  enclosing  a  red  groundwork  with 
darker  spots),  Silver  Queen  (a  pale  coloured 
variety),  Gerard  Dow,  Pintado,  Mme.  J.  R.  Box, 
and  John  Peed  are  a  selection.  Messrs.  Peed 
also  exhibited  a  large  number  of  Gloxinias,  and 
a  group  of  Carnations,  principally  of  the 
Souvenir  de  la  Malmaison  type. 

Messrs.  John  Laing  &  Sons,  Forest  Hill, 
London,  also  displayed  Caladiums.  The  group 
was  accommodated  in  the  corner  of  the  largest 
tent,  and  was  arranged  so  that  the  plants  at  the 
back  were  elevated  and  gradually  sloped  to- 
wards the  foreground.  Here  again  the  colours 
were  well  developed,  especially  in  the  varieties 
Alexander  III.,  King  Haakon,  and  Louis  Van 
Houtte. 

Mr.  W.  Iceton,  Putney,  exhibited  greenhouse 
flowering  plants,  Liliums  lancifolium,  auratum, 
and  longiflorum,  Hydrangea  Hortensia  (with 
blue  flowers)  ;  H.  H.  Mariesii,  with  flat  corymbs 
of  flowers,  having  a  row  of  pink  outer  flowers 
larger  than  those  on  the  disc  ;  and  H.  paniculata 
were  all  well  disolayed  in  a  setting  of  small 
Palms,  Grasses,  Ferns,  &c.  The  effect  of  the 
group  was  further  enhanced  by  Lily  of  the  Val- 
ley arranged  on   tall  columns. 

Messrs.  R.  &  G.  Cuthbert,  Southgate,  Lon- 
don, N.,  showed  handsome  flowering  plants, 
including  Hydrangea  Hortensia,  H.  paniculata, 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  Statice  Suworowi,  Verbena 
Miss  Willmott,  Lilium  auratum  and  other 
species,  Roses,  including  standard  plants  hand- 
somely flowered  of  Lady  Gay,  Dorothy  Perkins, 
&c,  the  whole  being  enhanced  with  ornamental 
leaved  Maples,  Ferns,  Caladiums,  &c,  and 
forming  collectively  an  exhibit  of  great  beauty. 


July  13,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


35 


J.  Gurney  Fowler,  Esq.,  South  Woodford 
(gr.  Mr.  Davis),  displayed  a  collection  of  Sela- 
gin'ellas  in  more  than  50  varieties.  All  types 
were  represented  from  those  with  broad  folia- 
ceous  growths  to  those  with  a  moss-like  habit. 

Messrs.  H.  B.  May  &  Sons,  The  Nurseries, 
Edmonton,  exhibited  choice  Ferns  ;  the  display 
occupied  an  area  of  600  square  feet,  a  space 
sufficient  to  allow  the  plants  to  be  displayed 
without  crowding.  The  collection  was  especi- 
ally rich  in  Platyceriums,  Acrostiahums,  Daval- 
lias,  and  Adiantums.  Some  of  the  best  shown 
were  Davallia  solida  superba  (a  magnificent 
specimen),  Adiantum  undulatum,  with  kidney- 
shaped  pinnae;  Adiantum  Veitchii,  a  coloured 
Fern  ;  Acrostichum  aureum,  Lygodium  japoni- 
cum,  L.  scandens,  Nephrolepis  exaltata  todea- 
oides,  N.  e.  superba,  N.  Mayii,  N.  elegantissima 
(this  plant  was  nearly  5  feet  across),  and  Davallia 
Veitchii.  Messrs.  May  also  displayed  130  varie- 
ties and  species  of  hardy  Ferns,  amongst  which 
was  a  very  representative  collection  of  Poly- 
stichums.  In  another  tent  Messrs.  May  exhibited 
Zonal  Pelargoniums  and  other  flowering  plants. 

Hardy    Plants. 

A  special  importance  was  attached  to  these 
plants  this  year,  inasmuch  as  the  Council  set 
apart  the  "  Sherwood  Cup  "  in  open  competi- 
tion to  exhibitors  of  hardy  plants  and  flowers, 
and  it  was  a  matter  of  some  little  sur- 
prise that  a  London  amateur  should  secure  the 
cup  with  a  most  excellent  group.  The  cup  was 
offered  for  the  best  collection  of  herbaceous  and 
bulbous  plants  grown  in  pots  or  tubs,  but  a 
background  of  foliage  plants  was  allowed.  The 
conditions  required  the  exhibit  to  be  shown  on  a 
space  nor  exceeding  400  square  feet.  J.  BRAD- 
SHAW,  Esq.,  The  Grange,  Southgate  (gr.  Mr.  G. 
(",.  Whitelegge),  was  the  successful  exhibitor,  with 
plants  well  cultivated  and  splendidly  staged. 
Bold  groups  of  Liliums  pardalinum,  longiflorum, 
tigrinum,  Hansoni,  and  others  constituted 
a  notable  feature.  There  were  also  Delphiniums 
in  excellent  condition,  considering  they  were  in 
pots  ;  white  and  blue  peach-leaved  Campanulas, 
Spiraeas,  Early  Gladioli,  Iris  laevigata,  Pentste- 
mon  barbatus  Torreyi,  Heucheras,  &c.  The 
method  of  staging  constituted  a  delightful  change 
from  the  conventional  bank  arrangement,  and 
the  groups,  whether  viewed  from  the  full  front 
or  from  the  sides,  was  in  every  respect  good. 

Messrs.  Wm.  Cutbusk  &  Sons,  Highgate,  had 
also  an  admirable  group,  in  which  a  far  greater 
number  of  varieties  were  seen.  A  water  garden 
in  one  corner,  with  Iris  laevigata  encircling  the 
pool,  was  a  very  charming  feature.  Many  very 
fine  groups  of  Liliums  were  seen  in  this  group, 
which  was  composed  of  beautiful  and  rare 
plants. 

Messrs.  Wm.  Axtindale  &  Son,  Nether  Green, 
Sheffield,  was  the  other  competitor. 

Apart  from  these  competitive  groups,  there 
were  many  other  fine  exhibits  of  hardy  plants. 
Especially  good  was  a  group  from  Messrs.  R. 
Wallace  &  Co.,  Colchester,  who  had  rich 
banks  of  I.ilium  auratum,  colchicum,  Henryi, 
Martagon  album,  Washingtonianum  purptireum, 
and  others  ;  Eremuri,  Larkspurs,  early  Gladioli 
of  very  fine  quality,  Ixias,  Japanese  Irises,  and 
many  other  things,   all  in  first-class  condition. 

Mr.  J.  H.  Burrough,  Ketton  Cottage,  Stam- 
ford, snowed  some  half-dozen  vases  filled  with 
the  handsome  yellow  spikes  of  Lilium  col- 
chicum. 

Mr.  M.  Prichapd,  Christchurch,  Hants,  had 
a  very  choice  and  extensive  collection,  including 
Iris  aurea,  I.  Kaempferi,  Gaillardias,  Astilbes, 
Kniphofias,  Iris  Monnieri,  I.  aurea  (both  in 
grand  form),  Delphinium  King  of  Delphiniums, 
many  choice  Liliums,  water  plants,  &c. 

Messrs.  Barr  &  Sons,  Covent  Garden,  made 
a  big  display  with  Ixias,  Poppies,  earl}' 
Gladioli,  Paeonies,  Liliums,  Heucheras,  English 
and  other  Irises,  and  other  seasonable  plants. 

Mr.  Amos  Perry,  Winchmore  Hill,  set  up  a 
most  delightful  water  garden,  which  attracted 
much  notice  and  which  quite  surpassed  all  his 
previous  efforts  in  this  direction.  The  arrange- 
ment was  natural,  and  demonstrated  that  much 
is  possibly  in  water  gardening  even  within 
limited  areas.  The  exhibit  was  one  of  the  pro- 
minent features  of  the  show.  Mr.  Perry'  also 
showed  a  selection  of  choice  hardy  herbaceous 
plants. 

Messrs.  G.  &  A.  Clark,  Ltd.,  Dover,  con- 
tributed  a  very   fine  group   of  hardy  perennial 


and  Alpine  plants,  Sweet  Peas,  and  other 
flowers.  Delphiniums  were  finely  displayed  in 
this  extensive  exhibit. 

Messrs.  R.  H.  Bath,  Ltd.,  Wisbech,  staged 
representative  gatherings  of  Roses,  Sweet  Peas, 
Delphiniums,  and  Carnations,  all  of  much  ex- 
cellence. 

A  very  fine  group  of  hardy  flowers  was 
shown  by  Messrs.  Geo.  Jackman  &  Son, 
Woking.  Paeonies  were  particularly  good  in  this 
exhibit ;  also  Larkspurs,  Liliums,  Iris  aurea,  I. 
Kaempferi,  and  many  others.  A  large  display 
of  cut   Roses   occupied  one   end   of   this  group. 

Messrs.  T.  S.  Wake,  Ltd.,  Feltham,  filled  a 
considerable  area  with  showy,  flowering  hardy- 
plants,  such  as  Iris  gigantea,  Paeonies,  Scabiosa 
caucasica,  Romneya  Coulteri,  Dendromecon 
rigidum,   &c. 

The  Misses  Hopkins,  Banning,  near  Maid- 
stone, had  a  pretty  group  of  Alpine  and  herba- 
ceous plants,  nicely  arranged.  Some  excellent 
Dianthus,  Campanula  Moerheimii,  and  Lychnis 
Haageana  were  among  the  more  conspicuous 
subjects. 

Mr.  Howard  H.  Crane,  Highgate,  N.,  showed 
a  charming  collection  of  Tufted  Pansies 
(Violas)  in  conjunction  with  their  miniature 
congeners  the  Violettas.  The  latter  plants  are 
really  Alpine  in  character,  and  they  carpet  the 
soil  with  their  dense,  bright-green  tufts  of  1. 
above  which  rise  the  dainty  blossoms.  The 
colours  embrace  rosy-mauve,  blue,  yellow  and 
gold,  white  and  yellow — some  were  perfect  bi- 
tnlors.  In  all  forty  named  varieties  of  the  two 
flowers  were  exhibited. 

Mr.  G.  Rf.uthe,  Keston,  Kent,  had  a  most 
interesting  and  varied  group,  and  one  in  which 
the  specialist  in  Alpines  and  rare  shrubs  found 
much  that  was  interesting. 

Messrs.  Paul  &  Son,  Old  Nurseries,  Ches- 
hunt,  showed  a  splendid  lot  of  Paeonies,  Iris 
gigantea,  Heucheras,  and  flowering  sprays  of 
Lonicera  Hildebrandtii. 

Messrs.  William  Bull  &  Son,  Chelsea,  had 
collections  of  early  Gladioli  and  English  Irises. 

The   Guildford   Hardy   Plant   Co.,   Guild- 
ford,   displayed    a    very    interesting    groi 
plants — Echeverias,   Irises,   especially  I.   aurea, 
I.    ochroleuca,    I.    longipetala,   &c. 

Messrs.  Geo.  Bunyard  &  Co.,  Maidstone, 
had  a  most  extensive  array  of  hardy  flowers,  in- 
cluding English  Irises,  Romneya,  many  choice 
Liliums,  lovely  gatherings  of  Iris  Monnieri  and 
I.   x  Monspur,  Potentillas,  Larkspurs,  &c. 

Messrs.  Blackmorf.  &  Langdon,  Bath,  had 
an  excellent  exhibit  of  Delphiniums. 

Miscellaneous. 

Messrs.  H.  Cannell  &  Sons,  Swanley,  Kent, 
showed  180  plants  of  Cannas.  The  method  of 
arrangement  was  in  rows,  rising  in  tiers,  which 
enabled  the  plants  to  be  displayed  to  advantage. 
Several  new  varieties  were  included  in  the 
group,  the  most  notable  being  those  following  : 
Dr.  Balz  (a  crimson-scarlet  variety,  splashed 
with  yellow),  Junata  (yellow  self),  Wm.  Saun- 
der  (a  variety  of  dwarf  habit,  with  rosy-scarlet- 
coloured  flowers,  and  bronze-shaded  foliage), 
Dr.  Budingen  (one  of  the  finest  of  all  Cannas, 
with  spikes  of  very  large  scarlet  or  crimson 
flowers),  Frau  Phillipp  Siesmayer  (an  improved 
form  of  Monte  Rosa),  Wm.  Watson  (salmon- 
buff),  and  Elfe  (a  shade  of  fawn,  a  new  colour 
in  these  flowers). 

Messrs.  Thos.  S.  Ware,  Ltd.,  Feltham,  made 
one  of  the  largest  displays  of  tuberous  Begonias, 
containing  many  varieties  under  names.  A  pretty 
flower  of  canary-yellow  colour  was  named 
Countess  of  Ilchester,  another  of  an  orange  tint 
was  Lady  Treloar ;  Queen  Alexandra  is  pink, 
edged  with  scarlet ;  Picotee  is  rather  like  the 
last-named,   but   is   a  neater   flower. 

Mr.  A.  Ll.  Gwillim,  Cambria  Nursery,  New 
Eltham,  Kent,  showed  tuberous  Begonias  in 
both  double  and  single-flowered  varieties,  with 
petals  of  clear  and  distinct  colours.  Margaret 
Gwillim  is  a  beautiful  double  flower  of  a 
canary-yellow  tint;  Mrs.  H.  Harris  is  of  a  fine 
salmon-pink,  with  voluted  petals,  waved  at  the 
margin. 

A  large  display  of  tuberous-rooting  Begonias 
was  made  by  Messrs.  Blackmore  &  Langdon, 
Tiverton,  Bath,  and  the  quality  of  the  blooms 
was  even  better  than  in  the  foregoing.  Like 
the  other  group,  this  one  consisted  of  double 
flowers.  Some  varieties  of  a  pendulous  habit 
were  shown  as  growing  in  wire  baskets.  Fleur 
de  Chrysantheme  was  of  these  basket  plants  the 
more  graceful  and  pleasing. 


Mr.  Vincent  Slade,  Staplegrove  Nurseries, 
Taunton,  showed  a  grand  collection  of  Zonal 
Pelargoniums,  some  of  the  best  we  have  ever 
observed,  in  72  distinct  varieties,  and  three  of 
Ivy-leaved  varieties,  viz.,  Her  Majesty  the 
Queen  (orange  scarlet),  His  Majesty  the  King 
(bright  scarlet),  and  Ryecroft  Surprise  (cerise). 
Messrs.  J.  Laing  &  Sons,  Forest  Hill,  showed 
Begonias,  fine  in  regard  to  colour  and  form, 
of  which  were  Earl  Ducie,  Lady  Grenfell,  and 
Lady  Lichfield  were  the  best. 

Mr.  C.  Turner,  the  Royal  Nurseries,  Slough, 
showed  Pinks  in  self  and  laced  varieties  in  large 
numbers. 

Mr.  W.  H.  Page,  Tangley  Nurseries,  Hamp- 
ton, made  a  large  display  of  American  Carna- 
tions, and  these,  being  set  in  a  bed  of  Adian- 
tum Fern,  had  a  beautiful  effect. 

A  well-flowered  batch  of  show  Pelargoniums 
was  arranged  by  J.  A.  Young,  Esq.,  Putney 
(gr.  Mr.  S.  H.  Street),  and  the  same  gentleman 
exhibited  a  group  of  Carnations  of  popular 
varieties. 

Messrs.  H.  Low  &  Co.,  Bush  Hill  Nurseries, 
Bush  Hill  Park,  London,  N.,  showed  a  num- 
ber of  fine  plants  of  Callistemon  flori- 
bunda;  Rose  Baby  Dorothy,  a  variety  very 
dwarf  and  free  in  flowering,  the  colour  is  pinK  ; 
:  i  corymbosa,  and  a  large  number  of  Car- 
s  of  Souvenir  de  la  Malmaison  and 
American  varieties. 

Sir  G.  Faudel-Phillips,  Balls  Park,  Hertford 
Ir.   Fitch),  made  a  nice  display  with  Sou- 
venir   de   la    Malmaison    Carnations    in    cream, 
scarlet,   crimson,   and   rose-pink  tints. 

Mr.  T.  A.  Hummerton,  Epping,  Essex, 
showed  a  pink-flowered  Zonal  Pelargonium, 
raised  from  the  white  Hermione. 

srs.  Thos.  Rochford  &  Sons,  Broxbourne, 
displayed  a  very  large  number  of  plants  of  the 
beautiful  Nephrolepis  exaltata  todeaoides. 

Mr.  R.  Rasmussen,  Eastville  Nurseries,  Wal- 
tham  Cross,  had  a  showy  exhibit,  consisting 
of  single-flowered  Petunias. 

Mr.'T.  Jannoch,  the  Lily  Nursery,  Dersing- 
ham,  had  a  large  exhibit  of  Lily-of-the-Valley, 
consisting  of  the  "  Fortin  "  variety,  much  the 
better  one,  and  some  of  the  Berlin  variety,  with 
smaller  "bells."     (Silver  Banksian  Medal.) 

R.  I.  Measures,  Esq.,  Camberwell,  showed 
a  large  number  of  Sarracenias,  Droseras,  and 
Nepenthes,  including  several  rare  species. 

AWARDS. 
First-Class  Certificate. 

Crinutn  Mtarsii. — This  is  a  miniature  species. 
It  was  shown  in  a  60  pot,  and  was  carrying  two 
inflorescences,  one  of  which  had  seven  expanded 
flowers,  the  other  six  in  the  bud  state.  The 
plant  was  not  more  than  3  or  4  inches  in  height, 
and  the  spread  of  the  foliage  measured  about 
18  inches.  The  leaves  are  of  the  usual  Crinum 
type,  with  somewhat  wavy  margins.  The  flower 
spikes  are  produced  below  the  rosette  of  leaves, 
and  they  spring  from  the  axils  of  the  older  scale 
leaves.  The  flower  stalk  terminates  in  an 
umbel,  and  each  flower  has  a  long  calyx-tube 
that  bears  at  its  extremity  a  white  perianth  oi 
linear  segments,  each  about  4  lines  in  width. 
The  stamens  are  dorsifixed  ;  the  anther  filament 
is  coloured  red  for  about  two-thirds  of  its  upper 
portion,  the  lower  portion  being  white.  Shown 
by  Col.  Beddome,  Putney. 

Awards  of  Merit. 

Crinum  X  H.  J ■  Elwes. — This  is  a  hybrid  from 
i '.  Moorei  X  C.  americanum.  The  inflorescence 
only  was  shown,  and  this  had  seven  expanded 
flowers  and  a  number  of  undeveloped  flower- 
buds,  the  petals  being  of  a  bright  shade  of  pink, 
similar  to  that  of  Amaryllis  Belladonna,  with 
paler,  almost  white,  bases.  Shown  by  the 
raiser,  H.  J.   Elwes,  Esq.,  Colesborne. 

Delphinium  Alake. — A  variety  remarkable  foi 
the  size  of  its  spike  and  individual  flowers,  some 
of  which  measured  nearly  3  inches  across.  The 
outer  row  of  petals  are  of  a  rich  cobalt  blue 
colour,  the  centre  ones  being  violet-purple.  The 
whole  inflorescence  formed  a  column  of  flowers 
2  feet  in  length.  Shown  by  Messrs.  G.  &  A. 
Clark,  Dover. 

Delphinium  Rev.  E.  Lascelles. — A  double- 
flowered  variety  of  rich  blue  colour,  with  a 
white  centre.  The  habit  is  very  robust.  Shown 
by  Messrs.  A.  A.  Walters  &  Son,  Bath. 

Heiera  deniata  variegata. — A  variegated  Ivy, 
with  broad  patches  of  silver  in  the  older  leaves, 
and    glades    of   yellow    in     the    younger.        A 


36 


THE    GARDENERS     CHRONICLE. 


[July  13,  1907. 


form  of  the  well-known  H.  dentata.  Shown  by 
Mr.  L.  R.  Russell,  Richmond. 

Rose  Joseph  Lowe.— A  hybrid  Tea  variety  of 
rosy-pink  colour,  said  to  be  a  sport  from  the 
variety  Mrs.  W.  J.  Grant.  The  blooms  possess 
handsome  form,  with  somewhat  conical 
centres.  The  inner  surfaces  of  the  petals  are 
very  pale,  but  the  outer  are  a  beautiful  shade 
of  pink.  Shown  by  Messrs.  Lowe  &  Shawyer, 
Oxbridge. 

Rose  Goldfinch. — A  rambler  variety,  with  ter- 
minal corymbs  of  semi-double  flowers  that  are 
■of  a  coppery-yellow  shade  in  the  younger 
^blooms,  but  which  passes  to  a  rich  creamy  white 
.in  the  older  flowers.  Long  growths  were  shown 
-with  their  bases  in  water  by  Messrs.  Paul  & 
Son,  Old  Nurseries,  Cheshunt. 


Sweet  Pea  Elsie  Herbert. — A  Picotee  flower  of 
the  Countess  Spencer  type.  The  margins  of  the 
petals  are  tinged  with  rose,  which  fades  in  the 
centre  of  the  flower  to  almost  pure  white.  The 
blooms  are  very  large.  Shown  by  Mr.  C.  W. 
Breadmore,  Winchester. 

Sweet  Pea  Princess  Victoria. — Another  flower 
of  the  Countess  Spencer  type,  the  petals  being 
suffused  with  pink  on  a  white  ground,  and  show- 
ing an  orange  sheen.  The  flowers  are  very  large, 
and  are  borne  on  long,  stout  stalks.  Shown 
by  Messrs.  Dobbie  &  Co.,  Rothesay  and  Mark's 
Tey. 

Sweet  Pea  St.  George.— A  variety  of  orange 
colour,  which  fades  in  the  older  blooms  to  rose. 
The  standards  are  waved.  Shown  by  Messrs. 
Hurst  &  Son,  Iloundsditch. 


pIG    r,_NEW  HYBRID  TEA  ROSE  LADY  HELEN  VINCENT,  AWARDED  THE   GOLD    MEDAL  OF    THE 
NATIONAL    ROSE    SOCIETY,  AND    AWARD    OF    MERIT    OF    THE    ROYAL    HORTICULTURAL    SOCIETY, 

COLOUR    A    SHADE    OF  PINK. 


Rose  Lady  Helen  Vincent  (see  fig.  13).— The 
colour  of  this  new  Hybrid  Tea  Rose  is  a  suffu- 
sion of  delicate  pink.  The  central  petals  form  a 
pointed  cone,  but  the  outer  ones  droop  and 
«xpand,  giving  the  flower  a  very  characteristic 
appearance. 

Rose  Souvenir  of  Stella  Gray —A  Tea  variety, 
with  charming  buds  of  a  soft  yellow  shade  ; 
•when  open  the  petals  assume  a  ruddy  bronze 
tint.     The  blooms  are  of  small  size. 

Rose  Mrs.  Munt.—A  creamy-white  hybrid  Tea 
variety  of  first-class  form.  The  petals  expand 
well  from  the  centre,  and  their  edges  are  rolled 
'backwards.     The  blooms  are  large. 

Rose  Mrs.  Harold  Brocklebank.— This  is  another 
hybrid  Tea  variety,  with  creamy-white  petals, 
tut  of  rather  different  build  to  the  foregoing. 
It  somewhat  resembles  the  variety  Duchess  of 
Portland.  These  four  Roses  were  shown  by 
Messrs.  Alex.  Dickson  &  Sons,  Newtownards. 


Orchid  Committee. 

Present:  J.  Gurney  Fowler,  Esq.  (in  the 
chair),  and  Messrs.  Jas.  O'Brien  (hon.  sec), 
Harry  J.  Veitch,  De  B.  Crawshay,  H.  J.  Chap- 
man,' H.  A.  Tracy,  F.  Sander,  H  G-  Alexan- 
der, H.  Little,  T.  W.  Bond,  W.  H.  White,  W. 
A  Bilney,  W.  Boxall,  W.  Cobb,  Jeremiah  Col- 
man,  A.  Dye,  W.  H.  Young,  H  T  Pitt,  Nor- 
man  C.  Ccokson,  J.  Charlesworth,  F.  M.Ogil- 
vie,  W.  Bolton,  H.  Ballantine,  and  A.  A. 
McBean.  ,       ., 

At  the  entrance  of  the  large  tent,  on  the  side 
devoted  to  Orchids,  Messrs.  Sander  &  Sons,  bt. 
Albans,  had  an  extensive  and  effective  group 
rich  in  fine  Laslio-Cattleyas,  which  were  dis- 
posed in  sections,  the  forms  of  L.-C.  Martinetii 
and  L.-C.  Canhamiana  being  especially  good. 
Two  sets  of  varieties  of  Miltonia  vexillana,  some 
with  very  large  and  finely-coloured  flowers,  were 
on  each  side  of  the  centre  of  the  group,  and  at 


the  back  slender-sprayed  Oncidiums  and  other 
species  were  arranged.  Among  the  Odontoglos- 
sums,  the  fine  new  O.  Emperor  of  India,  a 
noble  hybrid  of  unrecorded  parentage,  was  the 
most  striking  ;  its  very  large  and  finely-formed 
flowers  only  slightly  showed  the  white  ground 
colour  between  the  heavy  blotching  of  rich 
claret-purple.  It  is  a  very  remarkable  break, 
and  quite  distinct  from  any  variety  previously 
shown.  Of  the  Cattleyas,  C.  Mossiae  Reinecki- 
ana  excelsa  represented  probably  the  finest 
known  white-petalled  C.  Mossiae,  it  being  of  the 
finest  size  and  shape  and  devoid  of  the  ten- 
dency to  narrowness  so  common  in  white  forms 
of  C.  Mossiae.  C.  M.  Wagneri  was  also  a  pure 
white  flower  of  fine  shape.  Of  hybrid  Cattleyas, 
C.  Whitei,  Ronsele  variety,  raised  by  the  Mar- 
quis de  Wavrin,  was  remarkable  for  the  almost 
uniform  glowing  rose-purple  tint  of  its  flowers, 
the  only  other  colour  present  being  the  yellow 
disc  to  the  lip  and  the  white  bases  to  the  mid- 
ribs of  the  petals.  Other  pretty  hybrids  wen: 
Cattleya  Roehrsiana,  Phaius  Owenianus  (a  very 
rich,  reddish-crimson  flower),  Cypripedium  Lady 
Maple  (Youngianum  x  Gowerianum),  C. 
Ultor,  and  many  others.  Among  the  species 
noted  were  the  large  and  singular  Maxillaria 
Sanderiana,  a  fine  Ccelogyne  pandurata  (its  large 
emerald-green  and  black  flowers  contrasting 
curiously  with  those  of  the  pretty  dwarf  C. 
Schilleriana),  Cycnoches  chlorochilon  (the  Swan 
Orchid),  three  plants  of  the  rare  Ansellia  nilo- 
tica,  Galeandra  Baueriana,  Renanthera  Imschoo- 
tiana,  Oncidium  phymatochilum  (with  branched 
spikes  of  insect-like  flowersi,  and  many  other 
rare  and  interesting  species. 

Jeremiah  Colman,  Esq.,  Gatton  Park,  Rei- 
gate  (gr.  Mr.  W.  P.  Bound),  came  next  with  a 
very  fine  group,  at  the  back  of  which  the  bright, 
orange-scarlet  sprays  of  Epidendrum  Boundii 
mingled  with  the  large,  golden-coloured  blooms 
of  Oncidium  varicosum,  O.  macranthum,  and 
other  elegant  species.  In  the  centre  was  the 
pretty  Gatton  Park  form  of  Laelio-Cattleya  Can- 
hamiana alba,  all  with  white  sepals  and  petals 
and  bright,  crimson-purple  lips.  Beneath  them 
was  a  selection  of  Cypripedium  niveum  and 
other  dwarf  kinds  ;  on  the  sides  were  batches  of 
the  orange  and  crimson-coloured  Laelio-Cattleya 
Phcebe  and  the  rose  and  purple  L.-C.  Mar- 
tinetii. At  each  end  was  a  very  fine  selection 
of  British  Orchids,  including  Aceras  anthro- 
pophora,  Ophrys  apifera,  O.  muscifera,  and 
other  of  the  insect-like  species.  In  one  part  of 
the  group  plants  of  Cypripedium  callosum 
Sanderae  and  C.  Lawrenceanum  Hyeanum  were 
grouped  together;  in  another  the  Gatton  Park 
Spathoglottis,  with  their  bright-yellow  and  crim- 
son-tinted flowers,  were  effective.  Well-grown 
plants  of  Cochlioda  Noezliana  afforded  bright, 
orange-scarlet  colour,  and  there  were  many 
brilliant  varieties  of  Masdevallia  coccinea.  Of 
uncommon  species  noted  were  Vanda  Parishii, 
Phalaenopsis  Esmeralda,  Pleurothallis  macro- 
blepharis,  Oncidium  Papilio,  Masdevallia  mus- 
cosa,  a  very  finely-grown  plant  of  Dendrobium 
McCarthiae,  Ancistrochilus  Thomsonianus,  the 
pretty  Epidendrum  prismatocarpum,  E.  alatum, 
E.  umbellatum,  and  other  Epidendrums  ;  a  good 
selection  of  Miltonia  vexillaria,  including  a  good 
white  form.  Of  the  newer  hybrids,  Laalio- 
Cattleya  Geoffrey  was  a  pretty  flower,  and  the 
new  Brasso-Cattleya  Mary  secured  an  Award 
of  Merit.     (See  Awards.) 

Messrs.  Charlesworth  &  Co.,  Heaton,  Brad- 
ford, staged  a  very  fine  group,  the  plants  in 
which  were  of  great  merit  and  excellently  well 
arranged.  At  the  back  were  sprays  of  the  fine 
white  Phalaenopsis  amabilis  Rimestadtiana, 
finely-flowered  Oncidium  macranthum,  and 
other  Oncidiums.  In  the  body  of  the  group  were 
good  representatives  of  most  of  the  showy 
Laelio-Cattleyas,  among  which  was  the  superb 
L.-C.  Canhamiana,  Rosslyn  variety,  for  which 
a  First-Class  Certificate  was  given  on  May  31, 
1904,  and  which  has  never  been  surpassed,  its 
large,  finely-formed,  richly-coloured  flower  being 
unique  in  its  section.  Among  forms  of  Cattleya 
Mossiae,  C.  M.  Reineckiana  King  Edward 
VII.  was  a  grand  white-petalled  flower, 
C.  M.  Wagneri,  a  charming  flower  of  pure  white, 
and  C.  M.  Arnoldiana  a  large  white  variety  with 
a  slight  pink  tinge  on  the  petals  and  a  purple- 
veined  lip.  C.  Warneri  alba  appeared  as  one 
of  the  purest  white  and  rarest  Cattleyas,  and  C. 
Mendelii  mosaica  was  a  very  remarkable  pink 
and  white  bizarre-like  flower,  all  the  segments 
being   variegated.      Of   hybrid   Odontoglossums, 


July  13,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


37 


(here  were  several  new  hybrids,  including  one 
derived  from  O.  Hallii  and  O.  hastilabium,  a 
very  distinct  and  pretty  variety,  also  several  O. 
Phnebe.  Among  the  species  were  Ccelogyne 
pandurata,  Eriopsis  rutidobulbon,  Acanthophip- 
pium  javanicum,  Pescatorea  cerina,  Lycaste 
Ueppei,  L.  aroniatica,  the  white  Habe- 
naria  Susannae,  with  a  spike  of  five  of  its  singu- 
lar flowers  ;  and  a  great  variety  of  other  interest- 
ing plants,  including  both  hybrids  and  species. 

In  another  tent  Messrs.  Hugh  Low  lV  Co., 
Bush  Hill  Park,  Enfield,  staged  a  good  group, 
composed  principally  of  Cattleya  Mossiae  and 
C.  Mendelii,  one  fine  specimen  of  the  latter 
having  over  30  flowers,  and  another  having 
very  clear  white  blooms.  At  the  back  were  the 
light  spikes  of  Oncidium  Carthaginense,  O.  leu- 
cochilum,  Odontoglossum  hastilabium,  &c.  At 
one  end  was  a  selection  of  singular  species,  in- 
cluding Bulbophyllum  Dearei,  B.  siamense,  and 
a  form  of  B.  Lobbii ;  also  Platyclinis  filiformis, 
the  rare  Dendrobium  GrifHthianum,  and  Epiden- 
drum  nemorale.  At  the  other  end  was  a  batch 
of  the  orange-coloured  Epidendrum  vitellinum, 
and  others  remarked  were  Cypripedium  Scho- 
fieldianum,  C.  Gowerianum  magnificum,  C. 
macrochilum  giganteum,  Peristeria  elata,  Epi- 
dendrum Mooreanum,  and  Aerides  japonicum. 

Mrs.  Ernest  Hills,  Kedleaf,  Penshurst  (gr. 
Mr.  kingham),  showed  a  group  of  well-grown 
and  profusely-flowered  Miltonia  vexillaria. 

Messrs.  Stanley  &  Co.,  Southgate,  staged  a 
group  of  Cattleya  Mossiae  and  C.  Mendelii,  with 
which  were  arranged  good  plants  of  Oncidium 
varicosum,  O.  leucochilum,  Miltonia  Binotii 
Harrisii  (of  very  fine  colour),  M.  Cogniauxias, 
Cypripedium  Transvaal,  Masdevallia  maculata, 
&c. 

R.  I.  Measures,  Esq.,  Camberwell  (gr.  Mr. 
Smith),  arranged  an  interesting  group  of  over 
50  species,  hybrids,  and  varieties,  among  which 
were  Ccelogyne  pandurata,  Brassavola  Digby- 
ana,  Cypripedium  Curtisii  Cambridge  Lodge 
variety,  and  the  green-tinted  C.  C.  viride, 
various  Masdevallias,  Cirrhopetalum  Cumingii, 
Cattleya  Mendelii,  C.  Mossiae,  and  several 
hybrids. 

Messrs.  Jas.  Veitch  &  Sons,  in  their  fine 
group  of  ornamental  plants,  arranged  an  effec- 
tive centre  of  Orchids,  in  which  several  forms  of 
the  showy  Sobralia  Veitchii  were  attractively  dis- 
played, also  a  very  handsomely-blotched  form 
of  Odontoglossum  crispum,  with  flowers  of  large 
size,  good  form,  and  fine  markings  ;  several  of 
the  spotted-lipped  variety  of  Oncidium  sarcodes, 
good  Cattleya  Mendelii  and  C.  Mossiae,  Platy- 
clinis filiformis,  and  a  selection  of  Odonto- 
glossum crispum  of  the  white  typical  form. 

Francis  Wellesley,  Esq.,  Westfield,  Wok- 
ing (gr.  Mr  Hopkins),  showed  Cattleya  War- 
scewiczii  Mrs.  Francis  Wellesley,  a  large  and 
finely-formed  flower  of  the  lightly-coloured  type 
known  as  giganteum.  Its  flowers  are  of  good 
shape,  the  petals  and  lip  being  very  broad.  The 
sepals  and  petals  are  of  delicate  rose  pink,  and 
the  lip  is  marbled  and  veined  with  purplish-rose 
with  the  usual  light-coloured  sides  to  the  tube. 

Walter  Cobb,  Esq.,  Normanhurst,  Kusper 
(gr.  Mr.  C.  J.  Salter),  showed  Odontoglossum 
Cobbianum,  a  fine  large  flower  of  the  O.  Othello 
class,  with  strong  evidence  of  O.  Harryanum 
parentage  in  its  handsome  flower. 

W.  P.  Burkinshaw,  Esq.,  Hessle,  Hull, 
showed  Cattleya  Mossiae  Reineckiana  superba. 

J.  W.  Jessop,  Esq.,  Cliff  Cottage,  Rawdon, 
Leeds  (gr.  Mr.  Wilkinson),  sent  a  grand  specimen 
of  Aerides  multiflorum  Lobbii,  with  three  spikes 
of  its  pretty  rose  and  white  flowers,  the  longest 
spike  being  branched  and  2  feet  in  length. 

Monsieur  A.  A.  Peeters,  Chaussee  de  Forest, 
Brussels,  showed  Odontoglossum  crispum  La 
Dame  Blanche,  a  very  fine,  clear  white  variety 
of  the  O.  c.  xanthotes  class. 

AWARDS. 
First-Class  Certificate. 
Lcelio-Cattleya  Clive,  Lambeau's  variety  (L. 
pumila  prastans  X  C.  Dowiana  aurea),  from 
Monsieur  Lambeau,  Brussels.  A  very  remark- 
able form,  much  taller  in  growth  and  larger  in 
the  flower  tha-.i  any  which  have  previously  been 
shown.  Sepals  and  petals  deep  purplish  rose  ; 
the  finely  displayed  lip  is  a  shade  of  ruby-crim- 
son, with  gold  lines  from  the  base  to  the  centre. 

Awards  of  Merit. 
Cymbidium       Httmboldtii,       from       Monsieur 
Teeters,      Brussels.        A      remarkable      species 


from  Madagascar,  with  pale  Apple-green  flowers, 
the  bases  of  the  petals  and  the  lip  having 
blackish  markings.  The  flowers  bear  some  re- 
semblance to  those  of  Ccelogyne  pandurata.  It 
was  shown  by  C.  L.  N.  Ingram,  Esq.  (gr.  Mr. 
T.  W.  Bond),  as  C.  Loise-Chauvieri,  June  7, 
1892,  when  it  was  awarded  a  Botanical  Certi- 
ficate. 

Brasso-Cattleya  Mary  (B.  nodosa  grandifiora 
X  C.  Lawrenciana),  from  Jeremiah  Colman, 
Esq.,  Gatton  Park  (gr.  Mr.  "W.  P.  Bound).  A 
very  pretty  and  distinct  hybrid  raised  at  Gatton 
Park,  with  flowers  about  2  inches  across, 
and  shaped  nearest  to  those  of  the  Brassavola 
parent.  The  flowers  are  of  cream  white,  lightly 
spotted  with  purple  on  the  sepals  and  petals, 
and  tinged  with  the  same  colour  at  the  back. 
The  lip  is  trumpet-shaped,  white,  spotted  with 
bright  rose-purple. 

Fruit  and  Vegetables. 

A  group  of  fruit  trees,  principally  in  12- 
inch  pots,  was  sent  by  S.  Heilbut,  Esq., 
Holyport,  Maidenhead  (gr.  Mr.  Camp).  Several 
of  the  trees  were  fully  7  feet  in  height,  and  all 
were  well  fruited,  and  especially  the  Cherries. 
There  were  Brown  Turkey  Figs,  Black  Bigarreau, 
Bigarreau  Napoleon  and  Emperor  Francis  Cher, 
ries,  Early  Rivers  Nectarine,  and  Peregrine 
Peach.  It  was  unfortunate  that  this  collection 
had  not  one  face  only,  as  being  disposed  with 
two  fronts,  its  excellence  was  much  hidden. 

Messrs.  G.  Bunyard  &  Co.,  Maidstone,  had 
also  a  collection  of  fruit  trees  in  pots.  There 
were  some  36  trees,  but  they  were  much  smaller 
than  those  in  the  foregoing  exhibits,  and  in 
10-inch  pots.  Their  height  ranged  from  3  to  5 
feet.  The  fruits  included  Cherries  Geant  de 
Hedelfingen,  Bohemian  Black,  Black  Eagle, 
Noble,  and  Turkey  Heart  (black),  and  Governor 
Wood,  Emperor  Francis,  Windsor,  Florence, 
and  Alton  Heart  (reds)  ;  Peaches  Duchess  of 
Cornwall,  Duke  of  York,  and  Earliest  of  All; 
Pears  Marguerite  Marrillat  and  Louise  Bonne  of 
Jersey  ;  and  Apple  Beauty  of  Bath.  All  these 
trees  were  well  fruited.  The  collection  also  had 
dishes  of  well-kept  Apples,  including  the  varie- 
ties Gooseberry,  Calville  Malingre,  Calville  des 
Femmes,  very  fine  and  firm,  Belle  du  Bois, 
Alfriston,  Costard,  Calville  Rouge,  Murfitt's 
Seedling,  and  Smart's  Prince  Albert.  There 
were  also  numerous  dishes  of  Strawberrn 
(hilling  Leader,  Louis  Gauthier,  Sir  J.  Paxton, 
Trafalgar,  Dumbarton  Castle,  Royal  Sovereign, 
Bedford  Champion,  President,  Givon's  Late  Pro- 
lific, Reward,  and  others  ;  also  several  dishes  of 
i  Ik  Tries  and  of  Black  Currants,  including  the 
Boskoop  Giant,  Champion,  and  other  better 
known  varieties. 

In  a  crowded  position,  Messrs.  Hugh  Low  & 
Co.,  Bush  Hill  Park,  had  a  group  of  Fig  trees 
in  pots,  each  one  carrying  an  abundance  of 
small  green  fruits,  but  none  were  named. 

Gathered  Fruit  was  represented,  otherwise 
than  already  mentioned,  by  a  collection  of 
Strawberries,  staged  by  Messrs.  Laxton  Bros., 
Bedford.  Large  baskets  of  very  fine  fruit  of 
Bedford  Champion,  a  new  variety,  were  con- 
spicuous. The  new  Reward  was  also  shown  in 
good  form.  Other  varieties  in  smaller  baskets 
or  dishes  were  The  Laxton,  Sir  J.  Paxton,  Royal 
Sovereign,  Gunton  Park,  and  Mentmore.  Gene- 
rally the  fruits  were  very  fine  and  well  coloured. 

Vegetables  were  limited  to  three  bundles  of 
very  fine  Asparagus  from  Mr.  A.  J.  Harwood, 
Colchester,  and  to  samples  of  the  new  Pea 
"  Quite  Content,"  shown  under  glass  cases  by 
Messrs.  Jas.  Carter  &  Co.,  Holborn. 

Groups  of  Plants  Exhibited  Outof- Doors. 

Messrs.  J.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Royal  Exotic  Nur- 
series, Chelsea,  exhibited  many  hardy  plants 
of  recent  cultivation.  The  chief  subjects  were 
Escallonia  langleyensis — this  has  flowers  of  crim- 
son colour,  and  they  are  smaller  than  those  of 
E.  macrantha  ;  Fremontia  californica  has 
chalice-shaped  flowers  of  an  orange  colour — these 
are  thickly  clustered  on  the  old  wood  ;  Aconi- 
tum  Hemsleyanum  is  a  tall  climber  from  Wes- 
tern China,  having  light-blue-coloured  flowers 
and  digitate,  palmate  leaves.  Other  plants  in- 
cluded Clematis  ccerulea  odorata,  having  dark- 
blue  petals  and  conspicuous  white  steams  ;  Loni- 
cera  tragophylla,  with  numerous  orange-coloured 
long,  tubular  flowers — it  grows  to  a  height  of  20 
to  30  feet ;   Genista  tinctoria  flore  pleno  ;   Meli- 


osma  myriantha,  with  close  spikes  of  minute, 
white  flowers  ;  the  variegated  form  of  Andromeda 
japonica,  A.  speciosa  cassinifolia ;  Actinidia 
chinensis — the  young  shoots  and  leaves  of  this 
plant  are  hairy  and  of  a  crimson  tint ;  Lonicera 
grata,  Magnolia  Thomsonii  glauca,  Cytisus 
Shipkaensis — a  variety  having  creamy-white 
flowers  ;  Ivies,  Bambusas,  a  few  specimen  Coni- 
fers, Lilium  speciosum  Vitis  Henryi,  &c.  About 
40  large  potsful  of  Sweet  Peas,  very 
robust  in  growth  and  finely  flowered,  formed  a 
pleasing  feature  of  this  exhibit. 

Messrs.  T.  Cripps  &  Son,  Tunbridge  Wells 
Nurseries,  showed  a  large  group  of  Acers,  mostly 
of  Japanese  origin,  and  amongst  them  were 
several  fine  specimens  of  A.  palmatum  pal- 
matifidum,  7  feet  in  lateral  diameter  ;  Retino- 
spora  obtusa  Crippsii,  an  effective,  golden-leafed 
variety  ;  variegated  Ulmus,  Liquidamber,  Syca- 
more, and  other  species. 

Messrs.  J.  Cheal  &  Sons,  The  Nurseries, 
Crawley,  Sussex,  had  a  large  exhibit  of  orna- 
mental shrubs  and  trees,  including  Japanese 
Acers,  Quercus  concordia,  Ilex  marmorata,  a 
variety  with  leaves  edged  and  mottled  with 
yellow;  Kalmias,  Abies  pungens  glauca,  Ruta 
graveolens  variegata,  Catalpa  Kaehneri,  with  a 
greenish-yellow  border  to  the  leaves  ;  Veronica 
Purple  Queen,  a  showy  flowered  variety  ;  climb- 
ing Roses;  purple  Beech,  Salisburia  adiantifolia, 
Weeping  Birch,  Acer  Negundo  variegata,  and 
other  ornamental  trees.  This  firm  also  exhi- 
bited a  pergola  made  of  Larch  poles  and  pleas- 
ingly furnished  with  climbing  plants  in  variety. 

Mr.  L.  R.  Russell,  Richmond  Nurseries, 
Richmond,  Surrey,  showed  very  extensively  tree 
Ivies  having  variegated  foliage.  The  plants- 
ranged  from  1  foot  to  8  feet  in  height,  and  they 
were  robust  and  of  fine  colouring.  He  also 
showed  two  hardy,  dwarf-growing  Fuchsias, 
viz.,  F.  Americana  gracilis  and  V.  myrtifolia 
minor,  and  the  taller-growing  F.  Riccartonii 
"  Klvsee." 

Messrs.  W.  Cutbush  &  Son,  nurserymen, 
Highgate,  showed  trained  specimen  Sweet  Bays, 
and  a  large  array  of  clipped  trees  in  Box  and 
Yew,  having  the  form  of  coffee-pots,  dogs,  tables, 
chairs,  sofas,  various  birds,  dolphins,  &c. 

Messrs.  W.  Fromow  &  Sons,  Sutton  Court 
Nursery,  Chiswick,  had  a  large  number  of 
Japanese  Acers  in  variety  and  a  number  of 
Bamboos,  Retinosporas,   Sweet  Bays,   cVc. 

Messrs.  Sutton  &  Sons,  the  Royal  Nurseries, 
Reading,  showed,  in  a  glass  case  placed  under 
a  tent  open  at  the  sides,  a  group  consisting  of 
tuberous-rooting  Begonias  of  the  finer  double- 
flowered  varieties,  Gloxinias,  Ferns,  Caladiums, 
&c.  Nemesias  grouped  at  the  four  en- 
trances to  the  tent  were  very  pretty  and  flori- 
ferous  as  grown  in  small  pots. 

Messrs.  James  Carter  &  Co.,  High  Holborn, 
London,  filled  a  small  tent  near  the  entrance 
to  the  big  marquee  with  showy  flowering  plants 
of  tuberous-rooting  Begonias  and  Gloxinias. 
They  had  also  vases  of  Sweet  Peas,  and  in  one 
corner  in  the  tent  pink  Petunias.  Messrs. 
Carter  also  showed  their  new  culinary  Pea 
Quite  Content  and  Tomato  Sunrise. 

Horticultural  Sundries. 

The  very  extensive  lawns  at  Holland  House 
enable  the  Society  to  invite  exhibits  of  up-to- 
date  and  standard  articles  of  daily  use  in  the. 
garden,  such  as  tools,  insecticides,  pumps, 
sprays,  tubs,  pottery,  garden  furniture,  &c. 

Garden  seats,  tables,  balustrading,  &c,  were 
shown  by  Messrs.  Castles  Co.,  Ltd.,  30,  Rad- 
nor Street,  Chelsea.  These  articles  of  garden 
furniture  were  made  of  teak  wood  from  old 
ships. 

Messrs.  Headley  &  Edwards,  Ltd.,  Cam- 
bridge, showed  seats,  tents,  arches  in  iron, 
garden  hose,  and  reels. 

Messrs.  Duncan  Tucker  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  Tot- 
tenham, N.,  exhibited  a  conservatory  of  good 
design,  span-roofed  garden  frames,  summer- 
house  and  seats. 

Messrs.  Shanks,  Arbroath  and  London, 
showed  motor,  horse,  and  hand  mowers. 

Messrs.  Stiff  &  Sons,  London,  were  exhibi- 
tors of  garden  pottery,  such  as  vases  and 
pedestals  in  cream  and  red  coloured  ware. 

Messrs.  Inmans  &  Co.,  Royal  Rustic  Works, 
Stretford,  Manchester,  showed  rustic  summer- 
houses,  garden  seats,  vases,  tables,  etc. 


38 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[July  13,  1907. 


Mr.  H.  Scoix,  Woodside,  South  Norwood, 
showed  rustic  work  and  summer-houses. 

Messrs.  Liberty  &  Co.  showed  rustic  work, 
viz.,  bordering  vases,  &c.  Messrs.  Green  showed 
lawn  mowers  in  variety.  Messrs.  W.  Wal- 
ters &  Co.,  Water  Lane,  Great  Tower  Street, 
E.C.,  exhibited  screens,  cupolas,  and  arches, 
some  of  the  objects  stained  with  carbolineum  so 
as  to  show  the  grain  of  the  wood. 

Messrs.  Riley,  Heme  Hill,  S.E.,  showed  an 
enormous  exhibit,  consisting  of  arbours,  arches, 
seats,   and  summer-houses. 

Messrs.  T.  J.  Syer  &  Co.,  45,  Wilson  Street, 
Finsbury,  E.C.,  showed  ladders,  steps,  and  a 
repairing  bench  (portable)  for  estate  work.  This 
firm  also  showed  a  considerable  collection  of 
tools  and  implements  for  garden  use,  including 
a  malleable  iron  vice  for  fitting  to  a  bench. 

Mr.  J.  George,  14,  Redgrave  Road,  Putney, 
had  an  extensive  lot  of  gardeners'  sundries 
of  all  sorts,  including  Orchid  peat  of  fine 
quality,  chemical  manures,  fumigating'  material, 
&c. 

Mr.  D.  G.  Cornwell  showed  the  "  Handy 
Pack  "  basket  for  fruits,  and  cases  to  hold  50 
baskets,  and  other  items. 

De  Luzy  Freres,  99,  Lilford  Road,  Camber 
well,  showed  portable  spraying  machines 
fumigators,  bellows,  &c. 

Mr.  H.  Pattison,  1,  Farm  Avenue,  Streat 
ham,  showed  lawn  boots  for  horses  and  donkeys 
also  weed  extractors. 

Mr.  J.  Finches,  No.  3,  Crown  Buildings, 
Camberwell,  S.E.,  showed  the  durable  Acme 
labels  for  trees  and  pot  plants. 

Messrs.  Merryweather  &  Sons,  63,  Long 
Acre,  W.C.,  displayed  pumps  and  pumping  en- 
gines for  farm  and  garden  use  ;  also  spraying 
machines  for  fruit  trees,  motor  pumps,  water 
hose,  &c. 

Mr.  G.  H.  Sage,  71,  Manor  Road,  Richmond, 
had  "flower  displayers "  made  of  brass  wire. 
He  is  agent  for  the  sale  of  Wakeley's  Hop 
Manure,  of  which  samples  were  shown. 

The  Harrow  Nursery  Co.  showed  split  bam- 
boo blinds  for  use  in  glasshouse  shading  ;  they 
are  very  durable. 

Messrs.  W.  Wood  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  Wood 
Green,  London,  N.,  showed  blind  materials, 
woven,  and  of  bamboo ;  manures,  insecticides, 
hose  for  garden  use,  flower-pots,  and  pot-holders 
of  iron,  watering;  cans,  pumps,  fumigators, 
wood-wool  in  various  colours ;  rugs,  baskets, 
flower  sticks,   and  tying  materials. 

Messrs.  W.  Voss  &  Co.,  Glengall  Road,  Mill- 
wall,  showed  insecticides. 

The  Soldiers'  and  Sailors'  Help  Society 
had  an  exhibit  of  miscellaneous  basket  work, 
trays,    &c. 

Messrs.  D.  Dowel  &  Son,  Ravencourt 
Avenue,  Hammersmith,  W.,  showed  garden  pot- 
tery. 

Mr.  F.  Hickson,  Hampstead,  showed  Messrs. 
Vails  and  Co.'s  "  Beetlecute,"  and  various 
other  insecticides. 

The  Anglo-Continental  Co.  (late  Ollen- 
dorff), 15,  Leadenhall  Street,  London,  showed 
chemical  manures  and  Peruvian  guano. 

Messrs.  W.  Herbert  &  Co.,  The  Hop  Ex- 
change, S.E.,  showed  sundries  for  the  garden, 
chemical  manures,  insecticides,  tools,  &c. 

Awards    made    by   the    Council. 

The  Sherwood  Cup. 
J.  Bradshaw,  Esq. 

Gold  Medals. 
Jeremiah  Colman,  Esq.  ;    Jas.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Ltd.  ;    Paul 
&  Son;   Wm.  Cutbush  &  Son;  T.  S.  Ware,  Ltd.;    II.  B. 
May  &  Sons;   Amos  Perry  ;   Sander  &  Sons;   R.  Wallace  & 
Co. ;  Alex.  Dickson  &  Sons. 

Silver  Cups. 
R.  1.  Measures,  Esq.;   S.  Heilbut,  Esq.;   Geo.  Bunyard 
&  Co. ;  L.  R.  Russell ;  R.  &  G.  Cuthbert ;  Hugh  Low  &  Co.  ; 
Charlesworth  &  Co. ;  C.  W.  Breadmore  ;  T.  Cripps  &  Sons, 
Ltd.  ;    Dobbie  &  Co. ;    Barr  &   Sons ;    J.   Laing  &  Sons ; 
F.  Lilley  ;   Chas.  Turner;    H.  Cannell    &   Sons;    Hobbies, 
Ltd.;    Frank  Cant  &  Co.;    R.  C.  Notcutt;    M.  Priclrard ; 
Wm.  Artindale  &  Sons;  and  Blackmore  &  Langdon. 
Silver-gilt  Flora  Medals. 
R.  H.  Bath,  Ltd. ;  G.  Jackman  &  Son  ;  John  Peed  &  Son  ; 
T.  Che?l  &  Sons  ;  Kelway  &  Son  ;  E.  W.  King  &  Co. ;  James 
Carter  &  Co. ;    G.  and  A.  Clark,  Ltd. ;    B.  Ladhams,  Ltd. ; 
Wm.  Paul  &  Son  ;  J.  Gurney  Fowler,  Esq. ;  W.  Fromow  & 
Sons ;  and  G.  Reuthe. 

Silver-gilt  Knightian  Medal. 
Messrs.  Laxton  Bros. 

Silver-gilt  Banksian  Medals, 
Messrs.   Sutton  &  Sons;     E.  E.  Grimson  ;   B.  R.  Cant 
&  Sons;  A.  J.  Upton  ;   A.  F.  Dutton  ;  and  Sir  Geo.  Faudel- 
Phillips. 

Silver  Flora  Medals. 
Messrs.  Gunn  &  Sons  ;   Wm.  Bull  &  Sons  ;  T.  Rochford 
&  Sons,  Ltd.  ;    Lt.-Colonel  Heseltine;  A.  LI.  Gwillim  ;   W. 
lecton ;  J.  Forbes;  and  Mr.  Page. 


Silver  Knightian  Medal. 
Mr.  A.  J.  Harwood. 

Silver  Banksian  Medals. 
Mr.  Burroughs;   W.  R.  Chaplin;  H.  C.  Pulham;   H.  H. 
Crane  ;  H.  Merryweather  &  Sons,  Ltd. ;   G.  Stark  &  Son ; 
S.  Bide  &  Sons;   Misses  Hopkins;  V.  Slade ;   W.  J.  God- 
frey ;  T.  Jannoch  ;  Stanley  &  Co.;  and  Mrs.  E.  Hills. 

HORTICULTURAL    SUNDRIESMEN. 
Silver-gilt  Flora  Medals. 
Mr.  G.  W.  Riley,  and  W.  Wood  &  Son,  Ltd. 
Silver-gilt  Banksian  Medals. 
Messrs.  Merryweather  &  Sons,    Ltd. ;     Inmans  &  Co. ; 
T.  Green  &  Son,  Ltd.,  and  Ransomes,  Sims,  &  Jefleries,  Ltd. 
Silver  Flora  Medals. 
Mr.  H.  Scott;  Castle's  Shipbreaking  Co.,  Ltd.;  Pulham 
&  Son;  A.  S.  Shanks  &  Son,  Ltd.;  J.  George;  Headlsy  & 
Edwards,  Ltd.;  M.  S.   Watts;    D.  Tucker  &  Sons,  Ltd.; 
Liberty  &  Co. ;  and  T.  J.  Syer  &  Co. 

Silver  Banksian  Medals. 
Messrs.  Champion  &  Co.;  D.  Dowel  &  Son  ;  Herbert  &  Co. ; 
and  J.  Stiff  &  Sons. 

Bronze  Banksian  Medals. 
Abbott  Bros. ;  G.  H.  Sage  ;  W.  Voss  &  Co. ;  Gillard  &  Co.  ; 
Walters  &  Co. ;  and  J.  Williams. 


FRUIT  AND  VEGETABLE  COMMITTEE'S 

VISIT  TO  WISLEY. 
July  5. — Eight  members  of  the  Fruit  Com- 
mittee of  the  R.H.S.  travelled  to  Wisley  on  this 
date  to  inspect  the  collection  of  Strawberries.  The 
sub-committee  consisted  of  Mr.  O.  Thomas 
(chairman),  and  Messrs.  Markham,  Allan,  Bates, 
Foster,  Dean,  Keif,  and  Rivers.  The  soil  at  Wis- 
ley is  sandy,  but  Strawberries  do  well  in  it,  the 
exceptions  being  a  few  that  need  stiff  land.  The 
varieties  Leader  and  Kentish  Favourite  were 
both  carrying  heavy  and  early  crops.  Royal 
Sovereign  proved  one  of  the  very  best  of  the 
varieties  inspected.  Fillbasket  was  carrying  a 
heavy  crop,  but  the  fruits  were  late  in  ripening. 
Monarch,  President,  Bedford  Champion,  La 
Grosse  Sucree  (the  earliest  to  ripen),  and  Latest 
of  All  were  bearing  large  crops.  Most  of  the 
plants  were  two  years  old.  No  award  was  made 
to  a  variety.  The  collection  of  Rhubarb  close  by 
was  also  examined,  and  it  was  agreed  that  the 
best  kinds  as  seen  were  Daw's  Champion,  Allis's 
Champion  (scarcely  as  good  as  the  first  named), 
Crimson  Perfection,  Paragon,  and  Victoria.  It 
was  considered  that  a  selection  of  half  a  dozen 
varieties  would  embrace  sufficient  for  all 
purposes,  and  that  the  rest  might  be  dispensed 
with.  Edible  Peas  do  not  form  a  special  trial 
this  year,  but  Dwarf  Kidney  Beans,  Onions,  and 
Potatos  were  all  looking  extremely  well,  and 
promise  to  furnish  capital  trials.  In  a  few  cases, 
"  curl "  is  much  in  evidence  in  Potato  haulm, 
and  in  this  connection  it  would  be  interesting 
to  know  where  the  seed  tubers  of  these  diseased 
plants  were  grown,  in  what  kind  of  soil,  and  the 
general  character  of  the  stocks  from  which  they 
were  derived.  In  the  houses  a  primary  feature  is 
a  trial  of  Melons,  all  the  plants  being  of  excep- 
tionally good  culture.  The  fruits  should  be 
ready  for  inspection  by  the  end  of  the  present 
month.  

NATIONAL    ROSE. 

July  4. — In  our  last  issue  we  were  enabled 
to  publish  some  of  the  awards  made  at  this 
show,  but  consideration  of  time  precluded  us 
from  giving  a  detailed  report. 

Nurserymen's  Classes. 
In  the  important  class  for  72  blooms  of  dis- 
tinct  varieties,  the  1st  prize  in  which  included 
the  Champion  Challenge  Trophy,  Messrs. 
Harkness  &  Co.,  Hitchin,  were  placed  1st. 
Their  exhibit  included  the  best  Hybrid  Tea  Rose 
in  the  show,  and  to  this  a  Silver  Medal  was 
awarded.  Other  fine  blooms  were  shown  in  the 
varieties  Comte  de  Raimbaud,  Duke  of  Teck, 
Robert  Scott,  Bessie  Brown,  Suzanne  Marie 
Rodocanachi,  Ulrich  Brunner,  Marie  Baumann, 
Mrs.  T.  Roosevelt,  Duke  of  Edinburgh.  Mrs. 
Sharman  Crawford,  Gustave  Piganneau,  Dupuy 
Jamain,  Gloire  de  Margottin,  and  J.  B.  Clark. 
2nd,  Messrs.  B.  R.  Cant  &  Sons,  Colchester, 
with  a  very  even  and  regular  collection  of 
flowers,  consisting  of  H.P.,  T.,  and  H.T.  varie- 
ties. The  following  were  the  best  examples 
shown  :  C  J.  Graham,  Marquise  Litta,  Gustave 
Griinerwald,  Marechal  Niel,  Florence  Pember. 
ton,  Madame  Eugenie  Verdier,  Medea,  Lady  M. 
Beauclerc,  Betty,  White  Lady,  Ulster,  Crown 
Prince,  Ulrich  "Brunner,  and  A.  K.  Williams. 
3rd,  Messrs.  F.  Cant  &  Co.,  Braiswick  Nur- 
sery, Colchester.  There  were  two  other  exhibi- 
tors in  this  class. 


A  class  was  also  provided  for  48  blooms  in  dis- 
tinct varieties.  The  1st  prize  was  won  by  Mr. 
G.  Mount,  Canterbury,  with  large,  perfect 
flowers  of  well-assorted  colours,  of  which  we  ad- 
mired General  Jacqueminot,  J.  B.  Clark,  Ulrich 
Brunner,  Commandant  Felix  Faure  (a  very  dark, 
velvety  bloom),  W.  J.  Grant,  Richmond,  Prince 
de  Bulgarie,  Fisher  Holmes,  Mrs.  Sharman 
Crawford,  Horace  Vernet,  Dean  Hole,  Duke  of 
Teck,  Marquise  Jeanne  de  la  Chataigneraye, 
Duke  of  Teck,  and  Hugh  Dickson.  2nd,  Messrs. 
G.  Prince  &  Co.,  Longworth,  Berks.,  with  a 
superior  lot  of  H.T.s,  T.s,  and  H.P.s,  includ- 
ing fine  blooms  of  Bessie  Brown,  Comtesse  de 
Nadaillac,  Maman  Cochet,  Ulrich  Brunner,  Mrs. 
E.  Mawley,  and  Lady  Ashtown.  3rd,  Messrs.  J. 
Burrell  &  Co.,   Cambridge. 

The  smaller  class  for  16  distinct  varieties, 
three  blooms  of  each,  resulted  in  Mr.  G.  Mount, 
Canterbury,  being  placed  1st,  with  a  very  excel- 
lent boxful,  consisting  of  the  varieties  J.  B. 
Clark,  Libert}',  Hugh  Dickson,  Frau  Karl 
Druschki,  Chas.  Lefebvre,  Caroline  Testout, 
Mildred  Grant,  Mrs.  W.  J.  Grant,  Mrs.  John 
Laing,  Duke  of  Edinburgh,  Ulrich  Brunner,  and 
White  Lady.  2nd,  Messrs.  J.  Burrell  &  Co., 
Cambridge,  whose  exhibit  included  blooms  of 
Mrs.  Ed.  Mawley,  Ulrich  Brunner,  and  Hugh 
Dickson.  3rd,  Messrs.  G.  and  W.  H.  Burch, 
Peterborough. 

TEA    AND     NOISETTE     SECTION. 

In  the  class  for  24  blooms  of  distinct  varie- 
ties, to  which  allusion  was  made  in  last  week's 
issue,  the  D'Ombrain  Challenge  Cup,  as  well 
as  the  1st  prize,  was  awarded  to  Messrs.  G. 
Prince  &  Co.,  Longworth,  Berks. 

Twelve  Tea  or  noisette  blooms,  distinct. — 1st, 
Messrs.  Burrell  &  Co.,  in  whose  box  the  best 
Tea  Rose  was  shown,  viz.,  Mrs.  Edward  Maw- 
ley, to  which  a  Silver. Medal  was  awarded.  The 
2nd  and  3rd  prizes  fell  to  Mr.  J.  Mattock  and 
Mr.  G.  Mount,  in  the  order  of  their  names. 

Fourteen  varieties  distinct,  three  blooms  of  each. 
■ — The  1st  prize  was  won  by  Mr.  Geo.  Prince, 
who  had  in  this  competition  many  of  the  varie- 
ties that  he  showed  in  others,  the  exceptions 
being  Bridesmaid,  Madame  Cusin,  E.  V.  Her- 
manos,  Lady  Mary  Corry,  and  Madame  J.  Gra- 
vereaux.  Mr.  Prince  states  that  he  uses  as  a 
stock  the  seedling  briar,  Roses  on  this  stock 
being  the  earliest  and  the  latest  to  bloom.  2nd, 
Messrs.  F.  Cant  &  Co.,  whose  blooms  of  Sou- 
venir d'un  Ami,  Mrs.  E.  Mawley,  Golden  Gate, 
and  Maman  Cochet  were  very  fine.  3rd,  Mr.  H. 
Drew. 

Roses  in  Vases. 

The  principal  class  for  Roses  in  vases  was  that 
for  twelve  distinct  varieties,  seven  blooms  of 
each,  to  include  not  more  than  six  blooms  of 
Teas  or  Noisettes.  Mr.  Geo.  Mount  won  the 
1st  prize  with  good  quality  blooms  of  Mrs.  W.  J. 
Grant,  the  lovely  blush-coloured  Mabel  Grant, 
Bessie  Brown,  J.  B.  Clark,  Capt.  Hayward, 
Dean  Hole,  Frau  Karl  Druschki,  Killarney,  and 
Mrs.  John  Laing.  2nd,  Messrs.  D.  Prior  & 
Son,  Colchester,  who  showed  fine  blooms  of 
Mrs.  S.  Crawford,  Bessie  Brown,  Frau  Karl 
Druschki,  Liberty,  and  General  Jacqueminot. 
3rd,  Messrs.  F.  Cant  &  Co. 

Nine  distinct  varieties  of  Teas  and  Noisettes, 
seven  blooms  of  each. — 1st,  Messrs.  Geo.  Prince 
&  Co.,  with  a  beautiful  lot  of  blooms,  of  which 
the  following  were  the  finer: — Maman  Cochet, 
Anna  Olivffer,  Mrs.  E.  Mawley,  Souvenir  de 
Pierre  Notting,  and  Comtesse  de  Nadaillac,  this 
last  being  of  extra  fine  quality.  2nd,  Mr.  H. 
Drew,  Longworth,  Berks.,  with  excellent  flowers 
of  white  Maman  Cochet,  Comtesse  de  Nadaillac, 
Mrs.  E.  Mawley.  3rd.  Messrs.  F.  Cant  &  Co., 
Colchester.  There  were  five  competitors  in  this 
class. 

Eleven  distinct  varieties,  not  fewer  than  three 
sprays  of  each. — 1st,  Mr.  J.  Mattock;  2nd,  Mr. 
G  Prince,  who  showed  his  blooms  on  very  long 
stalks  in  metal  holders  2\  feet  high  ;  3rd,  Mr. 
G.  Mount,  who  showed  blooms  in  close  bou- 
quets and  long  sprays  on  boughs. 

DECORATIVE  ROSES. 
In  the  class  for  six  distinct  varieties,  that  were 
required  to  be  shown  on  a  bamboo  stand,  Mr. 
G.  Mount  won  the  1st  prize  with  the  varieties 
Laurent  Messimy,  Marquise  de  Salisbury,  Queen 
Mab  (a  China  Rose),  Claire  Jacquier,  Mme.  Abel 
Chatenay,  and  Evergreen  Gem.  2nd,  Messrs. 
Geo.  Prince  &  Co. 


July  13,  1907.] 


1'HE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


Open  Classes. 

Eighteen  blooms  of  any  crimson  Rose. — 1st, 
Messrs.  D.  Prior  &  Son,  with  the  new  variety 
Liberty;  2nd,  Mr.  G.  Mount,  with  Richmond; 
3rd,  Messrs.  R.  Harkness  &  Co.,  with  Ulrich 
Brunner. 

Eighteen  blooms  of  any  white  or  yellow  Rose. — 
1st,  Messrs.  Bide  &  Sons,  Farnham,  Surrey ; 
2nd,  Messrs.  D.  Prior  &  Son,  with  Frau  Karl 
Druschki ;  3rd,  Messrs.  B.  R.  Cant,  with  Coun- 
tess of  Derby. 

Eighteen  blooms  of  any  Rose  other  than  a  white, 
yellow  or  crimson  variety. — 1st,  Messrs.  J.  Bide 
&  Sons,  with  Queen  of  Spain,  a  handsome,  com- 
pactly-formed  flower  of  the  palest  flesh  tint; 
2nd,  Messrs.  F.  Cant  &  Co. 

Amateurs. 

Open  to  growers  of  fewer  than  500  plants. — 
Mrs.  E.  Horne,  Park  House,  Reigate,  staged  the 
best  blooms  in  the  class  for  nine  blooms  of  dis- 
tinct varieties,  having  large,  almost  perfectly- 
formed  blooms  of  T.  and  H.P.  varieties.  A 
piece  of  plate  given  by  L.  S.  Pawle,  Esq.,  ac- 
companied the  1st  prize. 

An  extra  class  was  provided  for  amateurs. — 
This  was  for  24  blooms,  distinct.  The  1st  prize 
was  awarded  A.  Leggett,  Esq.,  24,  Macedon 
Road,  Colchester,  for  very  good  blooms  of  T. 
and  H.P.s.,  some  being  equal  to  any  in  the 
show ;  2nd,  H.  W.  Richards,  Esq.,  Westridge, 
Ryde,  with  an  excellent,  even  lot  of  flowers. 

Twelve  blooms,  distinct  varieties. — 1st,  A. 
Tate,  Esq.,  Downside,  Leatherhead,  who  was 
awarded  a  Silver  Cup  ;  and  his  bloom  of  Mamie 
— a  full,  pink-coloured  Rose — was  awarded  a 
Silver  Medal,  as  being  the  best  Rose  other  than 
Tea  or  Noisette  in  the  show;  2nd,  E.  B.  Lind- 
SELL,  Esq.,  Hitchin,  Herts. 

Nine  Teas  and  nine  Hybrid  Tea  blooms. — 
O.  G.  Orpen,  Esq.,  was  placed  1st  for  good 
flowers,  but  they  were  unequal  in  size ;  2nd,  Mr. 
J.  Wakeley,  Rainham,  Kent. 

Six  new  Roses,  distinct. — The  1st  prize  was  won 
by  E.  J.  Holland,  Esq.,  Sutton,  Surrey,  with 
good  blooms  of  Dean  Hole,  Hugh  Dickson,  Mrs. 
J.  Bateman,  Mrs.  Theodore  Roosevelt,  J.  B. 
Clarke,  and  Lady  Ashton.  A  piece  of  plate  pre- 
sented by  Mr.  Hugh  Dickson,  Belfast,  went 
with  this  p  ize. 

Tea  and  Noisette  Roses. 

A.  H.  Gray,  Esq.,  Beaulieu,  Bath,  won  in  the 
class  for  18  blooms  of  these  varieties  with 
shapely  examples  of  moderate  size.  The 
National  Rose  Society's  Tea  and  Noisette  Chal- 
lenge Trophy  and  Replica  for  Amateurs  was  in. 
eluded  in  the  1st  prize ;  2nd,  Rev.  F.  R.  Burn- 
side,  Great  Stambridge,  Essex. 

Twelve  blooms  of  Tea  and  Noisette  Roses. — 
1st,  T.  B.  Gabrielle,  Esq.,  Hart  Hill,  Woking, 
whose  flowers  were  all  of  high  quality  save  two  ; 
2nd,  Dr.  T.  C.  Pallett,  Earl's  Colne,  Essex. 

A  class  was  provided  for  growers  of  fewer 
than  100  plants. — 1st,  Alan  Searle,  Esq.,  Ash- 
ton Lodge,  Basset,  Hants.  This  prize  included 
a  piece  of  plate  given  by  the  Prince  Memorial 
Fund. 

A  class  was  also  provided  for  exhibitors  who 
have  never  won  a  prize  at  any  exhibition  of  the 
Society.  It  was  for  six  blooms  of  Tea  or  Nois- 
ette Roses  in  not  fewer  than  three  varieties. — 1st, 
J.  F.  Blythe,  Esq.,  Hill  House,  Nayland,  Suf- 
folk, whose  best  blooms  were  Mrs.  E.  Mawley, 
Medea,   Midas,   and   Souvenir   de   S.   A.   Prince. 

New  Roses. 

Rose  Queen  of  Spain. — A  Gold  Medal  was 
awarded  to  this  pale  flesh-coloured  H.T.  variety, 
shown  by  Messrs.  Bide  &  Sons  (see  fig.  in 
Gardeners'  Chronicle,  July  14,  1906,  p.  33). 

Rose  Lady  Helen  Vincent. — A  Gold  Medal  was 
also  awarded  for  this  new  variety,  which  is  illus- 
trated at  fig.  13.     (See  also  description  on  p.  36.) 

Cards  of  Commendation  were  awarded  to 
Messrs.  Paul  &  Sons  and  Mr.  H.  E.  Weller 
for,  respectively,  "Goldfinch"  and  "Mrs.  H. 
Weller  " 

New  Method  of  Showing  Roses. 

The  1st  prize  and  a  Silver-Gilt  Medal  was 
gained  by  Mr.  L.  Collett,  Nantwich,  for  an 
arrangement  by  which  the  flowers  are  placed  in 
metal  tubes  secured  by  clips  to  a  light  iron 
frame  that  may  be  put  to  any  angle. 

An  equal  1st  prize  was  awarded  Messrs.  G. 
Prince  &  Co.  for  a  somewhat  similar  arrange- 
ment. 


A  Card  of  Commendation  was  given  A.  Hill 
Gray,  Esq.,  Bath,  for  flower  holders  fixed  in 
holes  made  in  a  sheet  of  looking  glass. 


UNITED  HORTICULTURAL  BENEFIT 
AND   PROVIDENT. 

July  8. — The  monthly  committee  meeting  of 
this  society  was  held  at  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Hall,  Vincent  Square,  Westminster,  on  the  above 
date.  Mr.  Thomas  Winter  (vice-chairman)  pre- 
sided. Five  new  members  were  elected,  and  one 
ncminated.  The  death  certificate  of  Mr.  Eli 
Cook,  of  Letton  Court,  Hereford,  was  produced. 
The  sum  standing  to  his  credit  in  the  society's 
books  was  passed  for  payment  to  his  nominee,  the 
amount  being  £36  4s.  4d.  A  cheque  was  granted 
to  Mr.  John  Hy.  Hodge,  a  lapsed  member,  having 
reached  60  years  of  age,  the  amount  being 
£18  16s.  8d.  The  amount  paid  for  sickness  during 
the  past  six  months  has  been  heavy,  compared 
with  the  corresponding  period  last  year,  as  the 
following  figures  will  show  : — 


February 

March 

April 

May 

June 

July 


D6. 

£   s. 

d. 

21     7 

0 

29  15 

0 

30    4 

0 

29    8 

0 

20  10 

0 

.     20  18 

6 

£152     2 

6 

1907. 


February 

March 

April 

May 

June 

July 


£ 
55 
49 
43 
52 
24 
17 


£211     1     0 


being  a  difference  of  £88  ISs.  6d.  in  favour  of  1906. 


Obituary 

Eugene-Louis-Celestin     Barbier.  —  We 

regret  to  announce  the  death  of  M.  Barbier,  a 
member  of  the  firm  of  Barbier  et  Cie,  nurserymen, 
Orleans,  France.  M.  Barbier,  who  was  57  years 
of  age,  died  on  June  22,  at  Orleans. 

Charles  Jordan,  I.S.O. — Readers  will  regret 
to  learn  of  the  death  of  the  able  superintendent 
of  Hyde  Park,  on  the  9th  inst.  Only  in  our  last 
issue  we  announced  the  honour  conferred  upon 
Mr.  Jordan  by  his  Majesty  the  King,  and  now  it 
is  our  duty  to  chronicle  his  decease.  Previous  to 
his  appointment  at  Hyde  Park,  the  late  Mr. 
Jordan  was  superintendent  of  Regent's  Park,  and 
whilst  there  he  was  selected  by  H.M.  Office  of 
Works  to  make  the  necessary  alterations  in  the 
grounds  of  Holyrood  Palace  before  they  were 
thrown  open  to  the  public.  Deceased  had  also 
much  to  do  with  the  extensive  alterations  in  St. 
James'  Park  necessitated  by  the  national  monu- 
ment to  Queen  Victoria.  Mr.  Jordan  was  a 
member  of  the  original  committee  of  the  British 
Gardeners'  Association.  The  funeral  will  take 
place  at  4.15  p.m.  on  Saturday,  the  13th  inst., 
at  the  City  of  Westminster  Cemetery,  Hanwell. 


THE     WEATHER. 


THE   WEATHER   IN    WEST    HERTS. 

Week  ending  July  70. 
Still  another  cold  and  wet  week. — This  proved  a  cold  week 
throughout,  and  was  the  fourth  unseasonably  cold  one  in 
succession.  Since  the  month  began  there  has  not  been  a 
single  unseasonably  warm  day,  and  only  one  warm  night. 
As  regards  temperature  the  most  noteworthy  feature  of  the 
past  week  has  been  the  uniformity  of  the  highest  day  tem- 
peratures, which  have  ranged  only  between  59Q  and  64°.  The 
ground  readings  are  very  low  for  July,  the  temperature  at 

2  feet  deep  being  5°  colder,  and  at  1  foot  deep  6°  colder, 
than  is  seasonable.  Rain  has  fallen  on  all  but  one  day  of 
the  present  month,  but  to  the  aggregate  depth  of  less  than 
three-quarters  of  an  inch.  So  moderate  have  been  the 
recent  falls  of  rain  that  during  the  past  four  weeks  there 
has  been  on  no  day  any  measurable  percolation  through  the 
bare  soil  gauge.  The  sun  shone  on  an  average  for  4J  hours 
a  day,  which  is  two  hours  a  day  short  of  the  mean  daily 
duration  for  the  month.  The  winds  were  variable  in  force, 
but  as  a  rule  of  moderate  strength,  and  came  almost 
exclusively  from  some  southerly  or  westerly  point  of  the 
compass.    The  average  amount  of  moisture  in  the  air  at 

3  p.m.  exceeded  a  seasonable  quantity  for  that  hour  by  as 
much  as  9  per  cent. 

June. 
An  exceptionally  cold,  sunless,  and  windy  June,  with  a  re- 
markably frequent  rainfall. — During  the  21  years  over  which 
my  records  at  Berkhamsted  extend  there  has  been  only  one 
June  in  which  the  mean  temperature  has  been  as  low,  and 
that  was  in  1903.  Taking  the  day  temperatures  alone  they 
were  colder  than  in  any  June  of  the  same  period,  whereas 
the  nights  were  of  about  average  warmth.  On  the  warmest 
of  the  only  two  warm  days  the  temperature  in  the  thermo- 
meter screen  rose  to  72°,  which  is  the  lowest  extreme  maxi- 
mum temperature  I  have  yet  recorded  here  in  June.  On 
the  other  hand,  the  lowest  reading  registered  on  the  sur- 
face of  the  lawn,  36°,  is  an  exceptionally  high  extreme 
minimum  for  the  month.  Rain  fell  on  no  fewer  than  20  days, 


and  to  the  total  depth  of  2J  inches,  or  slightly  below  the 
June  average.  The  sun  shone  on  an  average  for  4£  hours  a 
day,  which  is  IJ  hours  a  day  below  the  mean  duration  for 
the  month.  We  have  to  go  back  17  years  in  order  to  find 
as  gloomy  a  June.  In  no  previous  June  during  the  past 
21  years  has  the  wind  been,  as  a  rule,  as  high,  and  yet  in  no 
single  hour  did  the  mean  velocity  exceed  19  miles— direction 
W.N.W.  The  average  amount  of  moisture  in  the  air  at 
3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  was  5  per  cent,  in  excess  of  a  sea- 
sonable quantity  for  that  hour.  E.  M..  Berkhamsted,  July  !0, 
1907.  


MARKETS. 

CO  VENT  GARDEN,  July  10. 

Cut  Flowers, 

&c. :  Average  Wholesale  Prices. 

s.d.  s.d. 

s.d.  s.d. 

Azalea  mollis,  per 

Marguerites,  white, 

dozen  bunches 

3  0-40 

p.  dz.  bunches 

2  0-30 

Anemones,  per  dz. 

—  yellow,  per  dz. 
bunches 

bunches 

3  0-40 

16-20 

Eouvardia,  per  dz. 

Myosotis,  per  doz. 

bunches 

2  0-30 

bunches 

16-20 

Calla  aethiopica,  p. 

Odontoglossum 

dozen  

1  G-  2  6 

crispum,      per 

Carnations,      per 
dozen  blooms, 

dozen    blooms 

2  0-26 

Paeonies,  per  doz. 

best  American 

bunches 

4  0-80 

various 

1  G-  3  0 

Pancratiums,     per 

—  smaller,       per 

dozen  fls. 

3  0-40 

doz.      bunches 

9  0-12  0 

Pelargoniums, 

—  Malmaisons,  p. 

show,  per  doz. 

dozen  blooms.. 

6  0  10-0 

bunches 

4  0-60 

Cattleyas,  per  doz. 

—  Zonal,    double 

blooms 

10  0-12  0 

scarlet 

4  0-60 

Cornflower,  per  dz. 

Poppies,     Iceland, 

bunches 

2  0-30 

doz.  bunches... 

4  0-80 

Eucharis      grandi- 

—  Oriental 

4  0-80 

flora,  per  doz. 

—  Shirley 

2  0-30 

blooms 

2  0-30 

Pyrethrums,      per 

Gardenias,  per  doz. 

dozen  bunches 

2  0-40 

blooms 

2  0-30 

Ranunculus,       per 

Gladiolus,    The 

dozen  bunches 

4  0-60 

Bride,  per  doz. 

Rhodanthe,  per  dz. 

bunches 

30-5  0 

bunches 

3  0-40 

—  various 

4  0-90 

Roses,  12  blooms, 

Gypsophila  elegans 

Niphetos 

10-30 

p.  dz.  bunches 

2  0-30 

—  Bridesmaid   ... 

2  0-30 

Iris,  German,  per 
doz.  bunches... 

—  C.  Testout     ... 

2  0-30 

4  0-60 

—  Generaljacque 

—  Spanish,  p.  dz. 

minot 

0  6-10 

bunches 

4  0-90 

—  MartJchal   Niel 

16-30 

Lapageria  alba,  dz. 

1  0-  1  G 

—  Kai  seri  n  A. 

Lilac,    white,    per 

Victoria 

16-30 

bunch  

10-30 

—  Mrs.  J.  Laing 

10-30 

Lilium  auratum  ... 

2  0-30 

—  C.  Mermet     ... 

10-30 

—  candidum,  ben, 

10-20 

—  Liberty 

—  Mad.  Chatenay 

2  0-40 

—  lancif oil  um, 

10-30 

rubrum  and 

Stepbanotis,     per 

album 

16-20 

dozen    trusses 

30-50 

—  longiflorum    ... 

16-26 

Stocks,  per  dozen 
bunches 

Lily  of  the  Valley, 

2  0-30 

p.  dz.  bunches 

6  0-90 

Sweet  Peas,  p.  doz. 

—  extra  quality  ... 

10  0-15  0 

bunches 

10-30 

Mignonette,  per  dz. 

Tuberoses,  per  dz. 

bunches 

3  0-40 

blooms 

0  4-06 

Cut  Foliage, 

&c. :  Average  Wholesale  Prices. 

s.d.  s.d. 

s.d.  s.d. 

Adiantum     cunea- 

Galax    leaves,    per 
dozen  bunches 

tum,  per  dozen 

2  0-26 

bunches 

4  0-60 

Hardy    foliage 

Asparagus    plu- 

(various),    per 

mosus,        long 

dozen  bunches 

2  0-60 

trails,  per  doz. 

8  0-12  0 

Ivy-leaves,  bronze 

2  0-26 

—    —      medium, 

—  long  trails  per 

bunch    ... 

16-20 

bundle 

16-30 

—  Sprengeri 

0  6-10 

—  short    green, 

Berberis,  per  doz. 

doz.  bunches... 

2  0-30 

bunches 

2  0-26 

Moss,  per  gross  ... 

4  0-50 

Croton  leaves,  bch. 

10-16 

Myrtle      (English), 

Cycas  leaves,  each 

16-20 

small-leaved, 

Fern,  English,  per 

doz.  bunches... 

4  0-60 

dozen  bunches 

10-20 

—  French,  dozen 

—  French,   dozen 

bunches 

10-16 

bunches 

10-30 

Smilax,  p.dz.  trails 

16-26 

Plants  in  Pots 

,  &c:  Av« 

rage  Wholesale  Prices. 

s.d.  s.d. 

s.d.  s.d. 

Ampelopsis     Veit- 

Ferns,  in   thumbs, 

chii,  per  dozen 

6  0-80 

per  100 

7  0-10  0 

Aralia  Sieboldi,  dz. 

4  0-60 

—  in     small    and 

—  larger  

9  0-12  0 

large  60's 

16  0-25  0 

Araucaria  excelsa, 

—  in  48's,  per  dz. 

4  0-10  0 

per  dozen 

12  0-30  0 

—  in  32's,  per  dz. 

10  0-18  0 

Aspidistras,  green, 

Ficus  elastica,  per 

per  dozen 

18  0-30  0 

dozen  

8  0-10  0 

—  variegated,  dz. 

30  0-42  0 

—  repens,  perdoz. 

4  0-60 

Asparagus   plumo- 

Fuchsias,  per  doz. 

4  0-80 

sus  nanus,  doz. 

9  0-12  0 

Heliotropiums,  per 

—  Sprengeri,  dz. 

9  0-12  0 

dozen  

4  0-60 

—  ten  uissimus 

Hydrangea     Thos. 

per  dozen 

9  0-12  0 

Hogg,  per  doz. 

12  0-18  0 

Boronia    mega- 

—  Hortensia,  per 

stigma,  per  dz. 

12  0-30  0 

dozen  

8  0-12  0 

—  heterophylla  ... 

12  0-24  0 

—  paniculata,  per 

Calceolarias, yellow 

4  0-80 

dozen  

12  0-30  0 

Clematis,  per  doz. 

8  0-90 

Kentia      Belmore- 

—  in  flower 

12  0-18  0 

ana,  per  dozen 

12  0-18  0 

C  ocos    Weddelli- 

—  Fosteriana,    p. 

ana,  per  dozen 

9  0-18  0 

dozen  

12  0-21  0 

Coleus,  per  dozen 

3  0-50 

Latania  borbonica, 

Coreopsis,  per  doz. 

6  0-10  0 

per  dozen 

12  0-18  0 

Crassulas     (Kaloz- 

Lilium     longi- 

anthes), perdz. 

9  0-12  0 

florum,  per  dz. 

12  0-24  0 

Crotons,  per  dozen 

12  0-30  0 

—  lancifolium, 

Cyperus    alternifo- 

per  dozen 

12  0-18  0 

lius,  dozen     ... 

4  0-50 

Lily  of  the  Valley, 

—  laxus,  per  doz. 

4  0-50 

per  dozen 

10  0-12  0 

Dracaenas,  per  doz. 

9  0-24  0 

Lobelia,  per  dozen 

5  0-60 

Erica  Cavendishii, 

Marguerites,  white, 

per  dozen 

24  0-36  0 

per  dozen 

4  0-30 

—  ventricosa,  per 

—  yellow 

12  0-18  0 

dozen  ... 

18  0-30  0 

Mignonette,  perdz. 

5  0-80 

Euonymus,  per  dz. 

4  0-90 

Musk,  per  dozen... 

4  0-50 

40 


THE     GA  RDENERS*     CHR  ON  I  CLE. 


[July  13,  1907. 


Pelargoniums, 
I  v  y-1  e  a  v  e  d, 
Mde.  Crousse 
and  Galilee,  p. 
dozen  

—  Zonals,  per  dz. 

—  show    ... 
Petunias,     double, 

per  dozen 


Plants  in  Pots,  &c:  Average  Wholesale  Prices  tContd.) 
s.d.  s.d.  s.d.  s.d. 

Rhodanthe,  per  dz.    4  0-60 
Roses,  H.P's.,  dz.  12  0-24  0 
—  Ramblers,  each   5  0-21  0 
Saxifraga  pyramid- 
4  0-60  alis,  per  dozen  12  0-18  0 

4  0-  6  0  |  Selaginella,    dozen     4  0-60 
6  0-  9  0  I  Spiraea     japonica, 

per  dozen        ...  5  0-80 
4  0-  8  0    Verbena,      Miss 

—  single,  per  dz.    3  0-  6  0  |         WillmotE,  doz.    6  0-90 

Fruit:  Average  Wholesale  Prices. 

s.d  s.d.  i  s.d.  s.d. 

Apples,    per    bos, 
Tasmanian  : 

—  LondonPippins  8  6-90 

—  Scarlet      Pear- 
6  6-7  6 


7  6-80 

6  0-70 
6  0-70 

6  6-76 

7  0-7  6 


7  0-90 
7  0-80 
7  0-90 


7  0-90 
6  6-70 
6  0-70 

12-14 
2  6-36 


mains  ... 

—  Scarlet  Nonpa- 
reils      

—  Sturmer      Pip- 
pins       

—  French  Crabs.. 

—  Prince  Alfreds 
Alfristons 

Australian,  box 

—  Monro's     Fav- 
orite,  per   box 

—  Roman  Beauty 

—  Cleopatras     ... 

—  Jonathans      ...  10  6-12  0 

—  New  York  Pip- 
pins       

—  Five  Crowns... 

—  Rymers 
Apricots  (French), 

per  bos 

—  French,    cases 

—  French,  \  sieve    4  6-50 
Bananas,  bunch : 

—  No.  2  Canary  . 

—  No.  1         „     ... 

—  Extra        „     ... 

—  Giants     ,,     ... 

—  Jamaica 

—  Loose,  per  dz. 
Cherries  (English), 

k  sieve 

—  J  sieve... 

—  French,  box  ... 

—  French,  2  sieve 

—  French,  \  sieve 
Cranberries,  case 
Currants  (English), 

Red,  %  sieve  ... 

—  French,   black, 
A  sieve 

—  French,   red, 
handle  basket..    16-20 

Dates  (Tunis),  doz, 

boxes 

Figs  (Guernsey),  p, 

dozen  

Cooseberries  (Eng< 

lish),  £  sieve 


5  0 

5  6- 

6  6- 
8  0 
5  0- 
0  9- 


3  6-10  0 

2  0-50 
13-30 

4  0-80 

3  0-46 
8  0-86 

3  0-46 

4  6-50 


2  6    — 
16-60 


16-40 


Crape   Fruit,   case  19  0-22  0 


Grapes  (English), 
Hambro's,  p.  lb. 

—  Alicante,  pr.lb. 

—  Gros  Maroc, 
per  lb. 

—  English  Mus- 
cats, per  lb.  ... 

—  Belgian  Ham- 
bro's, per  lb.... 

Lemons  : 

—  Messina,    case 

—  Naples,  p.  case 
Lychees,  per  box... 
Mangoes,  per  doz. 
Melons(  Guernsey), 

each     

—  French,  Rock, 
each     

—  Valencia,  per 
case     

—  Canteloupe, 
each     

Nectarines  (Eng- 
lish), per  doz. 

Nuts,  Cobnuts,  per 
doz.  lb 

—  Almonds,  bags 

—  Brazils,  new, 
per  cwt. 

—  Barcelona,  bag 

—  Cocoa  nuts,  100 
Oranges,  per  case  : 

—  Valencia 

—  Navels 

—  Murcias,  box 
Peaches  (English), 

per  dozen 

—  French,  p.  box 
Pears  (Australian), 

per  bundle  of  3 
boxes  

Plums  (French),  p. 
box       

Gages  (French), 
per  box 

Pineapples,  each ... 

Raspberries  (Eng- 
lish), handle 
basket  

Strawberries  (Eng- 
lish), per  peck 

—  per  lb 

—  English,  per 
handle    basket 


8  0-16 
10-16 

0  9-16 

16-30 

0  8-13 

10  0-14  0 
20  0  25  0 

1  U     — 

9  0-18  0 

10-26 

2  0-30 
12  0    — 

0  4-05 

3  0-12  0 

2  6-30 
54  0    — 

40  0-42  6 
32  6    — 
12  0-17  0 

16  0-35  0 
10  0-10  6 
12  0-16  0 

1  0-12  0 

10-16 

10  0-20  0 
10-12 

12-19 

2  0-36 

2  0-26 

19-26 
0  3-09 

0  9-10 


Vegetables 

Artichokes(French), 
per  dozen 

Asparagus  (Eng- 
lish), p.  bundle 

—  Beans(French), 
per  pad 

—  Broad       (Eng- 
lish), p.  bushel 

—  Jersey,  per  lb. 

—  French,  packet 

—  Home-grown, 
per  lb 

Beetroot,  bushel  ... 

Cabbages,  per  doz. 

Cabbage     Greens, 

bag       

—  red,  per  dozen 
Carrots    (English), 

dozen  bunches 

—  French,     new, 
per  bunch 

Cauliflowers,     per 

dozen    

Chow  Chow   (Sec- 

hium  edule),  p. 

dozen  

Cucumbers,  per 

dozen  

Endive,  per  dozen 
Horseradish ,  for- 
eign, dz.  bndls. 
Leeks,  12  bundles 
Lettuce    (English), 

Cos,  per  score 
^Marrows  (English), 

per  dozen 
Hint,     per    dozen 

bunches 

Remarks.— Large  quantities  of  Melons  of  good  quality  are 
arriving  from  Guernsey,  but  they  are  not  selling  freely. 
English  Grapes  and  Peaches  are  plentiful,  but  the  trade  is 
very  quiet  for  these  fruits.  Raspberries  and  Red  Currants 
from  Kent  are  now  on  the  market.  The  first  consignment 
for  this  season  of  Valencia  Melons  arrived  this  week.  An 
anusual  advance  in  the  price  of  Onions  for  this  season  of  the 
year  is  noticeable.  Strawberries  are  plentiful  and  cheap. 
,P.  L.,  Covent  Garden  Market,  July  10,  1907. 

PoTATOS. 

Kents,  6s.  to  8s.;  Bedfords,5s.6d.  to  6s.  6d.;  Jerseys,  5s.  6d. 
to  6s. ;  St.  Malos,  6s.  to  6s.  6d. ;  Teneriffe,  8s.  to  9s.;  old 
Potatos,  6s.  Cd.  to  7s.  The  market  has  now  a  good  supply 
of  English  Potatos,  and  these  are  meeting  with  a  brisk 
demand.    A.  B.,  Covent  Garden  July  10,  1907. 


:  Average  Wholesale  Prices 
s.d.  s.d. 

Mushrooms(house) 

per  lb 0  8-0  io 

—  buttons,  per  lb.  0  10    — 

—  "Broilers"p.lb.    0  5-06 
Mustardand  Cress, 

per  dozen  pun 
Onions    .(Lisbon) 
case 

—  pickling,  per 
bushel 

—  Spring,  pr.  dz. 
bunches 

—  Egyptian,  bag . 
Peas  (English),  per 

bushel 

—  English,  p.  bag 
Parsley,  12  bunches 

—  £  bushel 
Potatos     (Canary) 

per  cwt. 

Radishes  (Guern- 
sey), per  dozen    0  4-06 

Rhubarb  (English), 
natural,  per  dz, 

Salsafy,  p.dz.  bdls, 

Spinach,  English, 
per  bushel 

Tomatos: — 

—  Canary,  per 
bundle... 

—  selected,  per 
dozen  lbs. 

—  small  selected, 
per  dozen  lbs.    4  0-46 

Turnips   (English), 

doz.  bunches...     2  0-30 
Watercress,      per 

doz.  bunches 


2  0-26 
0  9-13 
5  0-80 

3  0    — 

0  6-07 
0  3-04 

0  6-08 
13  16 
0  9-10 

10-16 
2  0    — 

10-16 

0  4-0  4$ 

2  0-26 


3  0 


16-26 
16-19 


13  0-14  0 
1  6    — 


0  4-06 
3  0-60 


0  9-10 


i.d.  s.d. 


10-16 

7  6-8  0 

2  0-26 

16  2  0 
9  0-10  0 

2  0-30 

3  6-60 
1  6-  2  0 
10-16 

8  0-90 


10-16 
3  6    — 


0  9-10 


6  0-80 
4  9-50 


0  4-06 


COVENT    GARDEN     FLOWER     MARKET. 

Business  in  pot  plants  is  now  falling  off  considerably. 
Good  Mignonette  is  not  plentiful,  and  Rhodanthe  is  over 
with  most  growers.  Other  plants  almost  finished  for  the 
season  are  Ericas,  Boronias,  and  Saxifraga  pyramidalis. 
Hydrangea  Hortensia,  with  blue  flowers,  make  the  best 
prices.  H.  paniculata  grandiflora  is  marketed  in  hue 
condition.  Plants  of  H.  H.  Mariesi  are  also  seen.  Zonal 
Pelargoniums  are  plentiful  in  well-flowered  plants.  Some 
growers  have  finished  with  the  Ivy-leaved  varieties,  and 
other  stocks  are  very  low.  Show  varieties  are  plentiful 
and  good.  Yellow  Calceolarias  are  to  be  found  in 
fine  condition.  Hybrid  varieties  of  Crassulas  are  getting 
past  their  best,  but  C.  coccinea  is  still  good.  Tuberous- 
rooting  Begonias  are  plentiful  ;  those  in  48  and  in  60 
pots  are  equally  good.  Fuchsias,  Marguerites  (both  yellow 
and  white),  Heliotropes,  Harrison's  Musk,  and  Lobelias 
are  prominent  plants  in  the  market.  The  double-flowered 
blue  Lobelia  sell  well  when  marketed  in  small  plants, 
but  plants  in  48's  have  a  slow  trade.  This  is  not  sur- 
prising, as  a  demand  for  new  plants  does  not  exist  until 
their  merits  have  been  proved,  and  buyers  are  loath  to 
purchase  plants  except  such  as  are  well  known. 

Cut  Flowers. 
Hardy  flowers  are  prominent  at  the  present  time,  and  they 
are  more  appreciated  than  they  were  some  few  years  ago. 
Coreopsis  grandiflora  is  a  favourite  subject  and  lasts  fresh 
for  a  long  time.  Gypsophila  is  over  plentiful.  In  choice 
flowers  Lilium  longinorum  may  advance  in  price.  Good 
blooms  of  L.  lancifolium  album  were  making  2s.  6d.  per 
bunch  this  morning.  Lily  of  the  Valley  is  not  abundant. 
Callas  are  seen  ;  there  is  little  demand  for  them.  Some  very 
fine  varieties  of  English  Irises  are  seen.  Spanish  Irises  are 
still  plentiful,  also  Gladiolus  in  some  of  the  best  varieties  of 
the  Colvillei  and  Brenchleyensis  types.  A,  H.t  Covent  Gar- 
den, W-ednesday,  July  10,  1907. 


ANSWERS    TO    CORRESPONDENTS. 


Aster  :  E.  W.  L.  The  stem  has  been  hollowed 
out  by  some  mining  maggot  that  entered  the 
plant  at  a  point  below  the  soil  level. 

Best  Time  to  Prune  Certain  Kinds  of  Shrubs  : 
E.  B.  Hollies,  Yews  and  Box  are  best  pruned 
in  July.  Laurels  should  be  cut  back  early  in 
spring  before  growth  commences.  It  is  always 
best  to  choose  dull  weather  for  carrying  out 
pruning  operations. 

Cucumbers  Diseased  :  W.  X.  The  plants  are 
attacked  by  the  fungus  Cercospora  melonis, 
which  is  generally  favoured  by  the  presence  of 
too  much  moisture  in  the  atmosphere,  too  free 
use  of  manure,  and  a  deficiency  of  ventilation. 
Spray  every  portion  of  the  soil  in  the  house  with 
the  Bordeaux  mixture  once  each  week.  Plants 
at  present  free  from  the  disease  should  be 
sprayed  with  sulphide  of  potassium,  2oz.  in  three 
gallons  of  water,  in  which  2oz.  of  soft  soap  is 
dissolved.  Infection  can  take  place  on  the  under 
surfaces  of  the  leaves  only,  hence  the  fungicide 
should  be  well  applied  from  below  upwards. 
Use  this  solutiou  every  other  day  instead  of 
water  for  the  ordinary  syringing.  When  this  crop 
is  finished  thoroughly  sterilise  all  parts  of  the 
house  by  drenching  with  Bordeaux  mixture,  and 
treat  the  soil  with  gas  lime  at  least  two  months 
before  it  is  placed  in  the  house. 

Flowering  of  Dasylirion  acrotrichum  :  En- 
quirer. Your  plant  should  be  treated  as  an 
ordinary  greenhouse  subject  during  spring  and 
summer,  when  growth  is  taking  place.  During 
late  autumn  and  winter  less  water  will  be  needed 
at  the  roots  and  less  moisture  in  the  atmosphere, 
as  it  is  only  necessary  at  those  periods  to  keep 
the  plants  from  shrivelling.  The  production  of 
such  a  strong  inflorescence  will  entail  a  great 
strain  on  your  plant,  and  you  might  therefore 
afford  weak  manure-water  to  the  roots  once 
each  week.  The  flowers  are  small  and  dioecious, 
therefore  no  seeds  can  be  expected. 

Grapes  Diseased  :  IF.  D.  See  answer  to  R  G. 
M.  in  our  last  issue,  p.  20. 

Insects  Attacking  Brussels  Sprouts  :  W .  H. 
The  pests  you  send  belong  to  the  family  of 
Turnip  flies  or  flea-beetles  (Phyllotretal.  They 
lay  their  eggs  on  the  leaves  of  the  plants,  and 
the  grubs  hatch  later  and  mine  in  the  tissue 
of  the  leaves,  feeding  upon  the  softer  parts. 
These  give  rise  to  the  small,  jumping  beetles, 
which  also  feed  upon  the  same  plants.  These 
insects  have  been  unusually  abundant  this 
year,  though  it  is  said  that  they  do  not  injure 
crops — Turnips,  Radishes,  Cabbages,  &c,  in 
wet  seasons  !  The  beetles  may  be  caught  by 
gently  tapping  the  infected  plants  over  a 
freshly-tarred  tray,  board,  or  tightly-stretched 
canvas.  The  pests  should  be  hunted  at  least 
twice  a  week  until  the  plants  have  outgrown 
the  attack.  Soot  placed  about  the  plants  is 
said  to  act  as  an  excellent  deterrent.  If 
the  land  is  poor  in  plant  food,  give  it  a 
dressing  of  artificial  manure. 


Melon  :  Banffshire.  The  s'.ems  are  killed  by  the 
fungus — Hypochnus  cucumeris.  Spray  the  re- 
maining plants  with  a  solution  of  sulphide  of 
potassium,  employing  -|  oz.  of  potassium  in  one 
gallon  of  water.  Sprinkle  the  soil  with  crushed 
sulphate  of  potash,  using  1  oz.  of  potash  to  the 
square  yard. 

Names  of  Flowers,  Fruits  and  Plants. — We 
are  anxious  to  oblige  correspondents  as  far  as 
we  consistently  can,  but  they  must  bear  in 
mind  that  it  is  no  part  of  our  duty  to  our 
subscribers  to  name  either  flowers  or  fruiis. 
Such  work  entails  considerable  outlay,  both  ot 
time  and  money,  and  cannot  be  allowed  to  dis- 
organise the  preparations  for  the  weekly  issue,  or  to 
encroach  upon  time  required  for  the  conduct  of  the 
paper.  Correspondents  should  never  send  more 
than  six  plants  or  fruits  at  one  time  :  they  should  be 
very  careful  to  pack  and  label  them  properly,  to  give 
every  information  as  to  the  county  the  fruits  are 
grown  in,  and  to  send  ripe,  or  nearly  ripe,  specimens 
which  show  the  character  of  the  variety.  By 
neglecting  these  precautions  correspondents  add 
greatly  to  our  labour,  and  run  the  risk  of 
delay  and  incorrect  determinations.  Correspondents 
not  answered  in  one  issue  are  requested  to 
be  so  good  as  to  consult  the  following  numbers. 
Plants  ;  /.  M.  L.  1,  Sempervivum  arboreum 
variegatum ;  2,  Begonia  (garden  Hybrid) ;  3, 
Abutilon  Savitzianum  ;  4,  Abutilon  mega- 
potamicum  var.  variegatum  ;  5,  Selaginella 
caulescehs ;  6,  Acalypha  marginata  ;  7,  Rho- 
dodendron hirsutum  ;  8,  Berberis  empetrifolia. 
— /.  M.  Raphiolepis  ovata. — Studley  Castle. 
Clytostoma  noterophilum  (Bur.  et  K.  Schum). 
— /.  H.  C.  1,  Aerides  virens  ;  2,  Eria  acervata  ; 
3,  Epidendrum  cochleatum. — R.  D.  Cypri- 
pedium  pubescens. — T.  L.  A.  1,  Aerides  japoni- 
cum  ;  2,  Bulbophyllum  Careyanum  ;  3,  Cirrho- 
petalum  Mysorense  ;  4,  Stehs  ophioglossoides. 
— E.  L.  1,  Sanlolina  incana;  2,  Clematis 
integrifolia ;  3,  Habrothamnus  (Cestrum)  ele- 
gans ;  4,  Buddleia  globosa ;  5,  Spiraea  fili- 
pendula  flore  pleno  ;  6,  Send  when  in  flower. — 
V.  A.  1,  Cattleya  Forbesii ;  2,  Laelia  Dayana  ; 
3,  Oncidium  flexuosum ;  4,  Pleurothallis  obo- 
vata ;  5,  Masdevallia  simula ;  6,  Brassia  ver- 
rucosa.— E.  N.  Oncidium  crispum.  A  very 
good  variety. — G.  E.  \V .  Doronicum  caucasi- 
cura. — M.  K.  1,  Alstromeria  aurantiaca;  2, 
Spiraea  Douglasii ;  3,  Lonicera  Ledebouri ;  4, 
Spiraea  callosa  Anthony  Waterer ;  5  and  6,  S. 
ariaefolia. — J.  S.  Muscari  comosum. — H.  A.  P. 
The  Melon  Pear  or  Pepino,  sometimes  called 
also  Melon  Shrub,  is  one  of  the  edible  Solanums, 
S.  muricatum. 

Peach  Leaves  :  T.  C.  R.  There  is  no  disease 
present,  the  roots  have  got  into  some  unsuitable 
material  and  will  require  to  be  lifted  in  autumn 
and  replanted. —  IV.  R.  C.  The  Shot-hole 
fungus  (Cercospora  Circumscissa)  is  present  on 
both  Peach  and  Vine  leaves.  Spray  with  a 
rose-red  solution  of  permanganate  of  potash. 

Rose  :  V.  C.  S.  The  injury  is  caused  by  aphides 
or  plant-lice.  Spray  the  bushes  with  a  soft- 
soap  wash,  dissolving  1  lb.  of  soap  in  10  gallons 
of  water.  This  wash  is  most  effective  when 
used  on  the  first  appearance  of  the  pest. 

Seedling  Border  Pinks  :  Castle  House:  The 
flowers  you  send  are  of  large  size,  and  the 
petals  are  pure  white  ;  but  we  should  not  con- 
sider them  superior  to  white  varieties  already  in 
commerce. 

Soil  and  Manure  Analysis  :  G.  S.  L.  Before 
undertaking  this  work  it  is  essential  you  should 
possess  a  good  knowledge  of  chemistry,  and 
have  access  to  a  complete  chemical  laboratory. 
You  will  find  much  information  on  the  subject 
in  A  Treatise  on  Manures,  by  A.  B.  Griffiths, 
price  7s.  9d.  ;  and  The  Soil,  by  A.  D.  Hall,  price 
3s.l0d.  Both  these  works  can  be  obtained  from 
our  publishing  department. 

Vine  Leaves  :  S.  Popplewell  &■  W.  H.  The  warts 
on  the  leaves  indicate  that  there  is  too  much 
moisture  in  the  air.  Better  ventilation  early  in 
the  day  will  put  matters  right. — A.  B.  There 
is  no  fungus  or  other  disease  present  in  the 
leaves.  The  injury  has  been  caused  by  the 
sun's  rays  shining  directly  on  the  foliage,  at 
a  time  when  the  leaves  were  partly  covered  with 
moisture.  Employ  a  little  ventilation  early  in 
the  morning  that  the  foliage  may  become  dry 
before  the  sun's  rays  have  become  powerful. 

Communications    Received.  —  Col.     Beddome — W,    H. — 

J.  C.   &  Sons— J.  C.  T.— W.  W.  P W.  C— S.  A.  S.- 

W.  T.,  Paris— M.  L.— W.  G.— H.  M.-E.  M.— A.  G.  L.- 
C.  R.— Peach-W.  T— F.  P.-R.  A.— de  B.  C— W.  H.  L. 
—A.  P.— T.  S— F.  M.  W.-J.  D.  G.-Rev.  H.-C.  S.  D. 
&  Son. 


July  20,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


41 


^**d&a 


THE 


^arbcnct^CbronicIc 

No.  1,073.— SA  TURD  A  Y,  July  20,  1907. 


CONTENTS. 


Alpine  garden,  the— 

Campanula    Michaux- 
ioides  

Iris    sibirica    "  Snow 

Queen"        

American     Gooseberry- 
mildew, and  legislation 
Biologists,  a  meeting  of 

Books,  a  sale  of 

Books,  notices  of— 

Rock  and  Alpine  Gar- 
dening   

Publications  received 

Broad  Beans        

Buddleia  Colvilei  in  the 

open       

Camphor  industry,  the... 
Diospyros     Kaki     as     a 

hardy  fruit-tree 
Egypt,  horticulture  in... 
Fruit  trees,  the  summer 

pruning  of       

Ghent     Quinquennial 

Flower  Show,  1908  ... 

Kew  notes  

Lime,  the  uses  of,  in  soils 
Narcissus  poeticus  as  a 

market  flower 

Obituary — 

Ewing,  Joseph 

Jordan,  Chas 

Lacroix,  Louis 
Plants,    new    or    note- 
worthy— 

Bulbopbyllum     galbi- 
num 

Odontoglossum       As- 
tarte 

O.  Astrjea        

Potato  species,  a  trial  of 
Richardia    africana, 

hardy,  at  Leonardslee 
Rome,  a  garden  in 
Rose  aparfum  de  L'Hay 


Roses,  new,  in  America 
Societies — 

Birmingham  Botanical 
and  Hort 

Croydcn  Horticultural 

Gloucestershire   Rose 

Hanley  Floral  Fete  ... 

Manchester  and  N.  of 
England  Orchid    ... 

National  Sweet  Pea- 
Southampton      Royal 
Hort 

Wolverham  p  ton 

Floral  Fete 

Spruce  foliage  and  slugs 
Strawberry  crop,  the  ... 
Strawberry  Kentish 

Favourite         

Sweet  Pea  sports 
Tomatos,     experiments 

ingrowing       

Tomatos  in  Canada 
Trees  and  shrubs — 

Caesalpinia  japonica... 

Clethra  alnifolia 

Escallonia  rubra 

Ledum  palustre 

Libocedrus       macro- 
lepis 

Olearia  macrodonta... 

Podocarpus  nageia  ... 

Zenobia  speci  isa 
Trees,  protecting,  from 

hares     

Violas,  the  propagation 

of 

Week's  work,  the — 

Flower  garden,  the  ... 

Fruits  under  glass 

1 1.udv  ft  mi  gai  den 

Kitchen  garden,  the  .. 

Orchid  houses,  the    ... 

Parks  and  gard    n      ... 

Plants  under  glass    ... 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Bulbophyllum  galbinum         

Caasalpinia  japonica      

Cascades,  fountains  and  Agaves   in  a    Roman  garden 

(Supplementary  Illustration) 

Crinum  x  H.  J.  Elwes 

Group  of  fine  foliage  plants,  exhibited  at  the  Holland 

House  Show     

Portrait  of  the  late  Charles  Jordan,  I. S.O.  

Rose  Joseph  Lowe         

Stand  for  exhibiting  vegetables        

Water-scene  at  the  Holland  House  Show 


53 


58 
57 

57 
58 

58 
55 


56 
52 

45 

54 
53 

50 
52 

43 
45 
44 
45 

44 
Jl 
44 

If, 


18 

49 
is 
19 
49 
49 
is 


HORTICULTURE  IN  EGYPT. 

HORTICULTURE  has  been  practised  in 
Egypt  for  some  thousands  of  years,  but 
no  remains  of  these  ancient  gardens 
exist,  and  all  the  gardens  of  any  note  now 
existing  in  that  country  are  the  work  of 
Europeans. 

Mohammed  Aly  Pacha  and  his  son  Ibrahim, 
in  the  first  half  of  the  nineteenth  century, 
brought  gardeners  from  England  and  France 
to  lay  out  the  gardens  on  the  Isle  of  Roda 
at  Cairo,  and  these  became  famous  both 
for  their  beauty  and  for  the  collection  of 
trees  Later,  Ismail  Pacha,  Khedive  of 
Egypt,  employed  European  gardeners  and 
spent  large  sums  of  money  in  constructing 
extensive  parks  around  his  palaces  at  Giza 
and  Gezireh.  The  public  gardens  of  the 
Esbekieh,  and  most  of  the  trees  now  grow- 
ing in  the  streets  and  suburban  roads  of 
Cairo,  were  also  planted  under  this  ruler's 
direction.  Rich  Europeans  and  natives  fol- 
lowed his  example,  so  that  many  of  the  best 
.  Egyptian  gardens  of  to-day  date  from  the 
reign  of  Ismail  Pacha.     Since  the  time  of  the 


occupation  of  the  country  by  the  British,  the 
Government  has  been  unable  to  attend  to 
any  matters  other  than  those  which  are 
capable  of  providing  revenue,  and  this  may 
be  also  said  of  many  private  persons  who 
before  had  taken  an  interest  in  horticulture, 
so  that,  speaking  generally,  gardens  in  Egypt 
have  during  the  last  twenty-six  years  been 
greatly  neglected.  During  the  recent  boom 
in  land  speculation,  numbers  of  estates  were 
sold  and  parcelled  out  for  building  purposes. 
Of  the  beautiful  gardens  on  the  Isle  of  Roda 
little  remains  excepting  a  few  trees,  which, 
by  chance,  were  not  in  the  way  of  the  road- 
makers  and  builders,  whilst  at  Giza  and 
i  ,i  ireh  the  only  remnants  are  the  Zoological 
ami  Palace  Hotel  gardens.  One,  however, 
still  finds  beautiful  but  solitary  specimens  of 
exotic  trees  which  tell  their  own  tale  of  the 
past.  At  the  present  time  interest  in  horti- 
culture is  again  growing,  and  almost  all  the 
European  residents  living  outside  the  towns 
have  their  own  gardens. 

Native  gardeners  are  employed  chiefly, 
although  a  few  of  the  wealthier  proprietors 
have  brought  men  from  Europe.  At  Alex- 
andria there  is  a  thriving  horticultural 
society,  which  is  subsidised  by  the  Govern- 
ment, and  this  association  numbers  amongst 
its  members  the  best  horticulturists  and 
botanists  in  Egypt.  Mr.  David  Fish,  late 
of  the  Royal  Botanic  Gardens  at  Edinburgh, 
is  the  secretary.  An  experimental  stalion  has 
been  established;  seeds  are  being  distributed, 
and  exhibitions,  which  would  do  credit  lo  any 
j  in  England,  are  held  twicr  <  at  h  year. 
The  Khedivial  Horticultural  Society  at  Cairo 
is  now  being  reorganised  under  the  name  of 
la  Soci«  !('■  d'Horticulture  Commerciale. 

Commercial  horticulture  in  Egypt  has  un- 
doubtedly a  great  future  before  it.  A  con- 
siderable and  profitable  trade  is  done  in  cut 
flowers,  but  it  is  mostly  in  the  hands  of  small 
growers  who  give  little  or  no  attention  to  im- 
proving the  quality  of  the  produce  which  they 
offer  for  sale.  Roses,  which  may  be  said  to 
grow  like  weeds,  are  by  far  the  commonest 
market  flowers.  Good  blooms  sold  at  Cairo 
la-.t  Christmas  'for  a  shilling  r.uh.  Violets 
and  Chrysanthemums  are  also  largely  gi  wn 
for  supplying  cut  flowers,  but  Chrysanthe- 
mum flowers  seldom  compare  favourably  with 
those  one  sees  in  the  florists'  shops  of  Europe 
and  America. 

Owing  to  the  increasing  number  of  people 
who  spend  the  winter  months  in  Egypt,  the 
florists'  business  must  in  time  become  an 
important  industry.  The  nursery  trade  is  . 
also  capable  of  great  development,  and  at 
present  a  demand  exists  for  ornamental 
trees  and  shrubs,  as  well  as  for  trees  for  the 
production  of  firewood,  telegraph  poles,  &c. 
With  few  exceptions  the  nurserymen  content 
themselves  with  the  propagation  of  those 
kinds  which  are  already  common  in  the 
countrv,  and  even  for  these  the  demand  is 
greater  than  the  supply,  but  there  are 
hundreds  of  beautiful  and  useful  plants 
which  only  need  introducing  to  become 
popular. 

The  subjects  now  grown  are  natives  of 
varied  climes;  trees  from  the  Northern  States 
of  America  may  be  seen  growing  side  by 
side  with  others  from  Brazil  and  India. 
Manv  species  of  Palms  will  grow  in  the 
open  air  in  Egypt,  and  plans  are  in  prepara- 
tion  for   the  propagation,  on   a  large   scale, 


of  these  and  other  foliage  plants  for  export 
to  European  markets.  Plants  grown  in  the 
open  air  are  much  hardier  than  those  grown 
in  hothouses,  and  there  appears  little  doubt 
of  the  success  of  the  enterprise,  especially  as 
the  cost  will  be  small.  Another  branch  of 
commercial  horticulture  in  which  great  de- 
velopments may  be  expected  in  the  near 
future  is  the  cultivation  of  fruit  and  vege- 
tables for  export.  Hitherto  cotton  and  other 
purely  agricultural  crops  have  occupied  the 
attention  of  cultivators,  to  the  exclusion  of 
what  have  been  regarded  as  garden  crops. 

As  the  production  of  cotton  is  increasing  in 
other  countries,  people  in  Egypt  are  asking 
themselves  whether  they  are  wise  in  relying 
so  fully  on  this  crop.  Many  growers  have 
probably  been  deterred  from  fruit  growing  by 
knowing  that  they  must  wait  three,  four,  or 
six  years  before  receiving  any  returns  from 
the  trees,  but  they  ignore  the  fact  that 
vegetable  crops  may  be  grown  between  the 
trees  almost  up  to  the  time  they  begin  to 
fruit. 

The  profits  derived  from  the  cultivation  of 
vegetables  and  fruits  have  in  several  cases 
far  exceeded  those  derived  from  agricultural 
crops. 

Bananas. 

Growers  of  Bananas  rarely  realise  less  than 
£6o  clear  profit  per  year  per  feddan  (a  little 
over  an  acre),  and  from  one  plantation  of  25 
feddans  in  the  province  of  Galoubieh,  the 
owner  has  this  year  made  a  profit  of  over 
^2,000.  Many  Bananas  are  yearly  imported 
into  Egypt,  so  that  for  home  consumption 
alone  there  is  already  a  market,  but  a  local 
market  alone  would  not  be  sufficient  to 
warrant  the  institution  of  a  Banana  industry. 
Egypt,  however,  is  more  favourably  situated 
than  any  other  country  for  a  Banana  trade  in 
the  Mediterranean,  Adriatic,  and  Black  Sea 
ports.  As  compared  with  the  Canary  Islands, 
the  cost  of  transport  from  Egypt  is  in  most 
cases  less  than  half.  The  export  trade  of  Alex- 
andria and  Port  Said  is  served  by  numerous 
lines  of  fast  and  up-to-date  boats,  which  daily 
leave  those  ports  for  all  parts  of  the  world.  The 
Chinese  Banana,  which  fetches  the  highest 
price  in  the  European  markets,  thrives 
exceedingly  well  in  Egypt,  and  bears  crops 
equal  in  weight  to  any  produced  in  the  West 
Indies  or  Canary  Isles.  Clumps  planted  10 
feet  apart  annually  produce  4  bunches  of 
fruits  containing  from  8  to  10  hands  each. 
Banana  cultivation  was  considerably  checked 
a  few  years  ago  by  the  appearance  in  the 
plantations  around  Alexandria  of  an  eel- 
worm  which  attacks  the  roots  of  the  plants. 
Fortunately  this  trouble  has  since  almost 
disappeared,  and  it  will  probably  give  little 
further  trouble  if  a  systematic  course  of 
transplanting  is  followed. 

Oranges  and  Lemons. 
The  cultivation  of  Oranges  and  Lemons  is 
also  capable  of  great  development  in  Egypt, 
although  for  various  reasons  it  will  probably 
be  slower  than  in  the  case  of  Bananas.  All 
the  best  varieties  of  Oranges  are  grown  to 
some  extent,  including  the  Jaffa,  Blood 
Orange,  Mandarin,  and  Washington  Navel, 
or  seedless  Orange.  Lemons  and  ordinary 
sweet  Oranges  of  excellent  quality  are  grown 
evervwhere.  Experimental  shipments  sent 
to  England  have  been,  most  favourably  re- 
ported   upon    and    have     brought     excellent 


42 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[July  20,  1807. 


prices.  As  in  the  case  of  almost  all  other  kinds 
of  fruits,  the  Orange  supply  is  not  sufficient  to 
meet  the  local  demand,  and  large  quantities  are 
imported  yearly  from  Italy,  Syria,  arid  else- 
where. Properly  managed  Orange  plantations 
in  Egypt  yield  a  margin  of  £20  per  year  per 
feddan,  after  rent,  water-tax,  and  all  working 
expenses  are  paid.  As  a  rule,  however,  the 
methods  of  cultivation  followed  admit  of  great 
improvement.  The  majority  of  the  trees  have 
been  raised  from  seeds,  but  the  Citron,  (Citrus 
medica),  where  grafting  has  been  practised,  has 
been  largely  used  as  a  stock  instead  of  the  Sour 
Orange.  In  the  month  of  March  cuttings  of  the 
Citron  are  made  about  9  inches  long,  and  two 
buds  of  the  variety  to  be  propagated  are  inserted 
in  the  upper  half  of  each  cutting,  which  is  then 
inserted  in  ordinary  soil,  care  being  taken  that 
the  buds  face  to  the  north  and  south.  About  50 
per  cent,  of  the  cuttings  thus  planted  form  roots  so 
that  it  is  a  quick  and  easy  method  of  propa- 
gation. But  such  trees  are  short-lived ;  they 
have  a  bad  straggling  habit,  and  produce  fewer 
fruits  of  poorer  quality  than  those  grown  on 
stocks  of  thei  Sour  Orange.  During  the  last  ten 
years  the  Citrus  scale  (Lepidium  asperidium), 
has  spread  largely  in  the  Orange  plantations 
and  has  done  much  harm  to  the  trees.  Although 
in  other  countries  it  has  been  found  a  fairly  easy 
matter   to   keep    this   pest   under   by   spraying, 


Hort.  bog.,  39;  Fl.  bot.  Zeit.,  1842,  Beibl.  II. 
1;  Miq.  Fl.  Ind.  Bat  III.,  646;  and  gives  as 
synonymous  B.  Reinwardtii  Rchb.  f.  in  Walp. 
Ann.  VI.,  246;  B.  galbinum,  Ridley  in  Journ. 
Linn.  Soc.  xxxii.,  267.  Ephippium  uniflorum, 
Blume  Bijdr,  309  (the  earliest  reference)  ;  Cirr- 
hopetalum  compressum,  Lindl.  ;  Sarcopodium 
Reinwardtii  Lindl.  Fol.  Or.  ;  Phyllorchis  uniflo- 
rus,  O.K.,  and  Phyllorchis  Reinwardtii,  O.K. 
Dissimilarity  between  even  the  few  specimens 
available  was  remarked  by  Lindley,  for  in  Folia 
Orchidacea,  under  Sarcopodium  Reinwardtii,  he 
remarks  :  "  There  are  two  varieties  known  to  me, 
one  with  leaves  8|  inches  by  3J  inches — ■ 
Rcinwardt ;  the  other  with  leaves  6J  inches  by 
If  of  an  inch,  and  thinner — T.  Lobb.  Flowers 
greenish,  If  inch  from  tip  to  tip  of  sepals. 
Column,  column-foot,  and  lip  crimson." 
Those  remarks  apply  to  the  plant  and  not  the 
flowers.  But  with  the  flowering  of  the  Bulbo- 
phyllum  galbinum  here  illustrated,  there  is  evi- 
dence that  there  are  specific  differences  in  at 
least  two  of  the  plants  enumerated  as  one 
species. 

For  the  present  the  question  of  the  identity  of 
Bulbophyllum  Reinwardtii  with  the  Bulbophyl- 
lum  uniflorum  of  Hassk.,  and  with  the  other 
synonyms  cited  may  remain,  for  the  earliest  re- 
ferences  are  so  brief  that  they  help   but   little. 

The   real   question  which   concerns  us  is   the 


FlG.    14. — BULBOPHYLLUM    GALBINUM  :     FLOWERS   YELLOW    WITH    REDDISH    LINES    AND 

CRIMSON    SPOTS. 


nothing  has  yet  been  done  in  Egypt  to  prevent 
its  ravages.  The  Government,  through  the 
agency  of  the  various  horticultural  societies,  is 
now  devoting  attention  to  this  matter,  so  that 
something  may  be  done  in  the  near  future  to 
minimise  this  evil.     T.  W.  B. 

(To  be  continued. J 


NEW  OR   NOTEWORTHY 
PLANTS. 


BULBOPHYLLUM  GALBINUM,  RIDLEY. 
The  illustration  at  fig.  14  has  been  prepared 
from  a  specimen  which  flowered  recently  in  the 
garden  of  the  Right  Hon.  Lord  Rothschild, 
Tring  Park,  Tring  (gr.  Mr.  A.  Dye),  the  plant 
having  been  obtained  by  the  Hon.  Walter  Roths- 
child as  Bulbophyllum  Reinwardtii  Rchb.  f. 
The  flowering  of  this  interesting  plant  seems  to 
solve  one  important  question  relating  to  this 
group  of  Bulbophyllums,  and  opens  up  other  in- 
teresting matters,  which  for  want  of  original  ma- 
terial, cannot  so  easily  be  solved.  J.  J.  Smith, 
in  his  clever  and  useful  work  Die  Orchidecn  von 
Java,  refers  both  B.  galbinum  and  B.  Rein- 
wardtii to  Bulbophyllum  uniflorum,  Hassk.,  Cat. 


relation  of  B.  galbinum  to  B.  Reinwardtii,  and 
reference  to  the  material  in  the  Kew  Herbarium, 
in  which  there  are  both  Lindley's  original  speci- 
men and  the  drawing  of  B.  Reinwardtii,  and 
authentic  material  of  Ridley's  B.  galbinum,  in- 
dicates tolerably  clearly  that  those  two  at  least 
are  distinct  species,  and  such  is  the  opinion  of 
Mr.  R.  A.  Rolfe,  who  has  carefully  examined  the 
material.  Lindley's  specimen  of  B.  Reinwardtii 
has  a  much  narrower  labellum  than  the  B.  galbi- 
num here  illustrated,  and  a  greener  ground  col- 
our to  the  sepals  and  petals. 

The  B.  Reinwardtii  for  which  Sir  Trevor  Law- 
rence, Bart.,  obtained  an  Award  of  Merit  at  the 
Royal  Rorticultural  Society  on  May  9,  1905,  and 
of  which  there  is  a  drawing  in  the  Society's  col- 
lection, is  probably  the  true  plant,  the  length 
in  proportion  to  the  breadth  of  the  labellum  com- 
pared with  B.  galbinum  being  very  marked.  The 
growth  of  the  plant  is  similar  to  B.  Ericssonii, 
the  narrow,  compressed,  dark-green  pseudo- 
bulbs  bearing  ovate  oblong  leaves  on  short,  stout 
stalks.  The  flowers  are  light  honey-yellow,  with 
slight  reddish  lines  on  the  sepals  and  petals,  and 
crimson  spots  on  the  bases  of  the  lateral  sepals, 
lip  and  column.  One  flower  represents  the  lip 
down,  the  other  has  it  tilted  upwards. 

The  plant  is  Malayan,  but  the  exact  locality  in 
which  it  was  collected  is  not  known. 


The  case  of  the  Bulbophyllum  uniflorum  is 
still  farther  complicated  by  the  name  being  used 
for  another  species  by  Griff.  Notul.  III.  ;  Sesto- 
chilus  uniflorus,  Orch.  Java.  t.  3 ;  and  Sarcopo- 
dium uniflorum  figured  in  Revue  Horticole,  1866, 
p.  152,  and  which  is  also  at  Tring  Park  with, 
others  of  the  Bulbophyllum  Lobbii  section. 
Drawings  are  being  prepared  of  each  as  it 
flowers,  and  already  the  differences  shown  are 
too  great  to  reconcile  with  the  opinion  they  are 
all  of  one  species.     /.  O'B. 

ODONTOGLOSSUM     ASTARTE. 
(O.  Harryanum  s  x  O.  tripudians  <?  .) 

This  may  be  considered  one  of  the  least  showy 
of  the  great  O.  Harryanum  family,  but  it  is  not 
always  easy  to  see  what  future  plants  of  the 
same  cross  may  be ;  its  lip,  at  least,  is  a  fine 
feature.' 

A  small  plant,  blooming  with  only  two  flowers 
for  the  first  time,  does  not  fully  indicate  its  final 
development.  I  raised  it  more  for  experiment 
to  see  what  parallel  influence  would  be  seen 
upon  O.  crispum  and  O.  Harryanum  by  cross- 
ing with  O.  tripudians  as  the  pollen  parent.  It 
has  appeared  in  the  lip  in  a  decided  manner,  as 
it  does  in  the  lips  of  all  forms  of  O.  X 
bellatulum. 

The  sepals  are  brown,  this  colour  being 
only  broken  by  two  bars  of  yellow  that  do  not 
extend  to  the  edges,  and  by  the  tips,  which  are 
also  yellow. 

The  petals  are  similarly  coloured  with  the 
addition  of  some  violet-purple,  shaded  into  the 
basal  marks.  The  lip  has  a  white  ground,  but 
the  lower  two-thirds  portion  is  heavily  spotted 
with  deep  lilac,  the  yellow  around  the  crest  being 
almost  suppressed  by  it ;  the  apex  is  white,  with 
a  somewhat  widened  blade,  as  in  O.  tripudians. 
The  central  keels  are  elongated  much  more  than 
is  usual  in  O.  Harryanum  hybrids,  from  the 
influence  of  the  similar  character  in  the  male 
parent. 

The  column  is  cream-white,  with  very  small 
lacerate  wings,  slightly  marked  with  brown. 

In  form  it  is  somewhat  poor,  the  segments 
being  rather  narrow  and  the  petals  standing  for- 
ward at  an  angle  of  35°  to  the  plane  of  the  flower. 
De  B.  Crawshay. 

ODONTOGLOSSUM  ASTR.EA. 

(O.  x  Fascinator  (nat.  hyb.)  ?  x  Wattianum 

Crawshayanum  $ .) 

This  hybrid  also  has  inferior  form,  but  its 
colour  scheme  is  most  pleasing. 

The  greater  influence  in  respect  of  colour 
comes  from  the  female  parent ;  but  in  form  the 
flower  is  more  like  O.  Lindleyanum,  the 
female  parent  once  removed.  I  expected  this, 
therefore  am  not  disappointed,  for  it  proves  what 
I  have  often  stated,  viz.,  that  reversion  to- 
ancestors  will  be  in  relation  to  the  individual 
strength  of  those  ancestors  to  impart  their 
characters  upon  their  descendants. 

To  explain  these  details  without  the  aid  of 
photographs  or  paintings,  I  must  state  that  the 
ground  colour  of  the  O.  x  Fascinator  I  used  was 
creamy-yellow,  with  some  rose  in  it ;  it  was  very 
lightly  spotted  in  both  the  sepals  and  petals 
two-thirds  distance  from  their  bases,  and  also 
had  a  group  of  "  punctatum "  spots  in  their 
lower  areas.     In  form  it  was  ordinary. 

The  ground  colour  of  the  O.  Wattianum  was 
yellow,  copiously  spotted  with  brown,  its  lip 
being  also  yellow,  with  a  heavy  brown  blotch 
under  the  crest. 

This  new  hybrid,  of  which  I  have  as  yet  only 
bloomed  one  plant,  may  show  as  great  an  im- 
provement in  the  future  as  in  the  case  of  the 
male  parent.  The  sepals  are  greenish-yellow, 
with  a  little  rose  suffusion,  containing  one  brown 
blotch  at  two-thirds  distance  from  the  base, 
also  a  broken  line  of  spots  around  the  margins, 
and  an  incipient  inferior  bar  made  up  of  a  few 
spots. 

The  petals  are  of  a  pleasing  shade  of  rosy- 
yellow,  with  a  smaller  blotch  placed  as  in  the 


July  20,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


43 


sepals;    in  their  lower  area  thickly  spotted   on 
the  rosy  ground. 

The  lip  is  pure  white,  but  has  a  large  spot  and 
a  very  few  small  ones  on  each  shoulder ;  in  form 
it  is  similar  to  O.  Lindleyanum,  but  smaller, 
its  crest  and  adnation  to  column  being  about 
identical;  the  influence  here  has.  been  so  great 
that  there  is  but  a  .filament  on  each  side  of  the 
centtal  keels. 


TREES  AND  SHRUBS. 


C/ESALPINIA  JAPONICA. 

The  warm  summer  experienced  last  year  evi- 
dently suited  the  requirements  of  this  shrub,  for 
it  has  flowered  very  freely  this  season.  Intro- 
duced   from   Japan    by    Messrs.    Jas.    Veitch    & 


sufficiently  hardy  to  endure  the  winters  of  this 
country.  Left  to  itself,  it  forms  a  loose,  spread- 
ing shrub,  needing  a  trellis  or  wall  for  its  sup- 
port. The  stems  and  branches,  armed  with 
stout,  recurved  prickles,  are  clothed  with  bright, 
green,  feathery  foliage,  composed  of  bi-pinnate 
leaves,  and  the  foliage  provides  a  pleasing  set- 
ting to  the  yellow  flowers.  These  are  produced 
in  erect  racemes,  about  a  foot  in  length,  each 


FlG.    15.— CESALPINIA   JAPONICA  :    FLOWERS    YELLOW,    HALF   NATURAL    SIZE;     DETACHED    FLOWER    REAL    SIZE. 


The  column  is  almost  like  that  of  O.  Lindley- 
anum. 

The  seed  pod  was  produced  by  using  O.  Watti- 
fenum  Crawshayanum  when  it  bloomed  for  the 
second  time  in  1901,  and  had  not  then  acquired 
the  great  development  which  it  showed  when 
it  bloomed  in  1903  and  was  awarded  A.M. 
ft.H.S.  on  May  19.     De  B.  Crawshay. 


Sons,  it  flowered  with  them  for  ri;e  first  time  in 
1887,  but  it  does  not  seem  to  be  a  very  well- 
known  plant,  although  several  nurserymen  have 
exhibited  cut  sprays  in  their  groups  this  season. 
The  genus  Caesalpinia,  which  commemorates  the 
name  of  the  Italian  botanist  Andreas  Ceesal- 
pinus,  is  essentially  tropical,  and  of  about  50 
species    known,   C.   japonica    is    the    only    one 


bearing  from  20  to  30  blooms.  Each  flower  is 
about  an  inch  in  diameter ;  the  petals  are  a  rich, 
canary  shade  of  yellow,  which  contrasts  well 
with  the  crimson  of  the  filaments  and  anthers. 

A  plant  in  the  Coombe  Woqd  Nursery  is  grow- 
ing in  gravelly  clay  soil,  and  the  shoots  are  sup- 
ported on  a  trellis.  At  Kew  the  plant  is  afforde  1 
the  protection  of  a  wall.    //.  Spooner. 


44 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[July  20,  1907. 


LIBOCEDRUS  MACROLEPIS. 
A  young  specimen  of  this  Conifer  planted  at 
Pencarrow  last  autumn  and  partially  protected, 
has  survived  the  severe  cold  of  the  past  winter, 
and  is  now  growing  freely.  The  young  growths 
have  a  healthy,  bronzy  tint,  but  generally  the 
tree  looks  soft  and  sappy,  and  one  would  hesi- 
tate before  pronouncing  it  perfectly  hardy.  It  is 
a  coniferous  tree  of  a  distinct  character,  and  it 
should  be  established  in  this  country  if  pos- 
sible. The  past  winter  was  an  exceptionally 
severe  one — as  much  as  18°  of  frost  was  regis- 
tered on  one  occasion  here — and  such  trying 
conditions  may  not  again  be  experienced  for 
some  years  to  come,  and  the  trees  may  then  be 
established   and   better   able  to   withstand   cold. 


ESCALLONIA  RUBRA. 

Escallonia  macrantha  is  extremely  com- 
mon in  seaside  gardens  in  the  West  of  England, 
where,  no  matter  whether  it  is  planted  in  good 
loam  or  left  to  battle  for  itself  on  the  top  of  a 
stone  hedge,  it  flourishes  well.  The  smaller 
and  less  showy  species,  E.  rubra,  is  very 
rare.  It  is  just  as  accommodating  as  its  con- 
gener in  the  matter  of  soil,  and  is  even  more 
free  in  flowering,  the  season  of  which  extends 
from  July  until  late  in  autumn.  As  the  specific 
name  indicates,  the  flowers  are  red  in  colour, 
and  seen  from  a  short  distance  the  plant  much 
resembles  a  broad  bush  of  Fuchsia  gracilis.  It 
has  an  additional  recommendation  in  that  it 
thrives  well  under  the  shade  and  drip  of 
deciduous  trees.     I  have  never  seen  the  flowers 


colour  and  sickly  in  appearance,  and  the  severe 
weather  of  last  winter  practically  killed  it,  for 
it  was  cut  down  to  the  ground  and  only  one 
tiny  branch  retains  any  life.  In  its  habit  and 
superficial  appearance  it  has  practically  nothing 
in  common  with  the  rest  of  the  members  of  the 
genus.  A  well-grown  specimen  would  have 
value  and  interest  in  a  large  conservatory.  A 
solitary  example  of  Agathis  australis  (Dammara 
australis)  struggled  hard  for  existence  at  Mena> 
billy,  but  the  result  was  far  from  encouraging 
A.   C.  Bartleit,  Pencarrow  Gardens,  Cornwall. 

OLEARIA    MACRODONTA. 

This  plant  is  generally  considered  somewhai 
tender,  and  a  sheltered  position  is  usually  recom- 
mended for  its  planting,  but  at  Bagshot  a  speci- 


Fig.  i6. — group  of  ornamental  foliage  plants  exhibited  at  the  Holland  house  show  by  Messrs.  \v.  bull  and  sons. 

(See  the  report  published  in  the  issue  for  last  week   p.  34.) 


I  selected,  as  a  probably  suitable  place  for  the 
planting,  a  sunny  slope  at  a  good  altitude,  and 
one  that  is  sheltered  by  trees,  from  the 
prevailing  winds.  The  soil  was  a  loam  of 
medium  quality,  and  my  object  was  to  ensure 
that  the  tree  should  be  fairly  dry  at  the  roots 
during  the  winter.  I  anticipated  that  in  a 
moderate  loam  the  new  growths  would  be  firm 
and  not  so  susceptible  to  injury  during  the 
winter.  An  extremely  healthy  and  well  furnished 
specimen  growing  in  a  large  pot  in  the  tem- 
perate house,  Kew,  proves  that  this  species  is 
a  suitable  subject  for  the  decoration  of  the  cool 
conservatory. 


of  the  normally  white  species  E.  floribunda 
(known  in  Cornwall  as  E.  montevidensis)  so 
universally  rose-tinted  as  they  are  this  year. 
The  flowers  attract  numbers  of  flies,  which  fall 
victims  to  the  clammy  resinous  exudation. 

PODOCARPUS  NAGEIA. 
This  species,  the  most  interesting  member  of 
the  genus,  is,  unfortunately,  far  too  tender  for 
planting  out-of-doors  except  in  some  unusually 
favoured  district.  A  small  specimen  in  these 
gardens  survived  during  two  winters,  and 
during  the  following  summers  made  a  fair 
amount   of    new    growths,   but    it   was   pale   of 


men  has  been  growing  uninjured  in  a  fully- 
exposed  position  for  the  past  two  years,  and  that 
notwithstanding  20°  of  frost  has  been  registered 
on  more  than  one  occasion  in  this  neighbour- 
hood. This  species  forms  a  handsome  ever- 
green shrub  6  feet  or  more  in  height,  and  affords 
a  welcome  change  among  hardy  evergreens.  Its 
alternately  disposed  leaves  measure  from  3  to  4 
inches  in  length  and  li  inches  in  width,  and 
they  bear  a  strong  resemblance  to  those  of  the 
common  Holly.  The  margins  are  irregularly 
cleft,  and  appear  at  first  sight  to  be  armed  with 
stout  spines,  but  on  touching  them  they  are 
found  to  be  very  little  harder  than  the  remainder 


July  20,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


45 


of  the  leaf.  The  upper  surfaces  of  the  foliage 
are  of  a  pale,  shining  green  colour,  and  the 
undersides  are  covered  with  a  silvery  tomentum, 
wlin  h  is  also  present  to  a  lesser  extent  on  the 
points  of  the  young  growths.  These  latter  are 
of  a  brownish-red  hue,  and  roughly  five-angled. 
The  white  flowers  appear  in  July,  and  they  are 
borne  in  axillary,  branching  clusters,  individu- 
ally resembling  a  tiny  white  flower  of  Cineraria 
stellata.  The  plant  is  a  vigorous  grower,  and 
should  be  given  a  position  that  is  fully  exposed 
to  the  sun,  in  order  that  the  wood  may  become 
thoroughly  ripened.  This  Olearia  is  easily  in- 
creased from  cuttings  of  half-ripened  wood  in- 
serted in  summer  time  in  a  plant-house,  or  from 
fullv-ripened  growths  cut  into  6-inch  len.t  s, 
inserted  out-of-doors  in  a  sheltered  spot  in 
autumn. 

ZENOBIA  SPECIOSA. 
Probably  no  plant  is  more  neglected  than 
this,  and  yet,  when  in  bloom,  it  is  one  of  the 
handsomest  of  the  smaller  members  of  the 
Ericacea?.  It  grows  about  4  feet  in  height,  and 
produces  graceful,  drooping  or  upright  branches 
that  are  clothed  in  June  and  August  from  end 
to  end  with  axillary  clusters  of  comparatively 
large,  pure-white,  bell-shaped  flowers.  The 
ovate  leaves  are  about  2  inches  in  length] 
coarsely  toothed,  dull-green  above,  and  shining 
beneath,  a  rather  rare  condition  in  hardy 
shrubs.  The  variety  pulverulenta  resembles  the 
type,  except  that  the  under  surfaces  of  the 
leaves  are  silvery  and  glaucous,  which  also  ob- 
tains, to  a  certain  extent,  on  the  stems  and  the 
upper  surfaces  of  the  leaves.  Zenobias  are  pro- 
pagated by  means  of  layers  or  seeds. 

LEDUM  PALUSTRE. 
This  has  proved  by  far  the  best  of  the 
Ledums  here,  being  more  free-flowering  and 
easier  to  cultivate  than  the  other  members  of 
the  genus.  It  makes  a  shrub  3  feet  in  height 
and  as  much  in  diameter,  and  is  covered  in 
May  with  terminal  clusters  of  small,  pure-white 
Sowers.  The  ovate-lanceolate  leaves  are  1.1 
inches  in  length,  narrow,  and  turned  down 
at  the  edges.  They  are  glabrous  on  the  upper 
surface,  and  are  covered  beneath  with  a  brown, 
woolly  tomentum,  as  is  also  the  young  wood. 
The  plant  has  a  pleasing  aromatic  scent  when 
rubbed  by  the  hand.  It  is  a  native  of  the 
Northern  Temperate  Zone,  and  its  habitat  ex- 
tends into  the  Arctic  Circle.  The  species  is 
easily  increased  by  layering. 

CLETHRA   ALMFOLIA. 

This  is  a  native  of  North  America,  and  is  an 
upright,  deciduous  shrub  5  or  6  feet  in  height  ; 
it  will  grow  freely  in  almost  any  soil  or  situa- 
tion. The  leaves  are  from  4  inches  to  5  inches 
in  length,  shining  above,  and  serrated  on  the 
edges.  The  pure-white  flowers  are  produced  in 
July  and  August  in  upright,  terminal  spikes,  and 
are  very  sweet-scented.  The  variety  tomentosa 
is  an  improvement  on  the  type,  the  leaves  being 
distinctly  woolly,  and  the  flower-spikes  larger 
and  purer  in  colour.  Both  are  readily  propa- 
gated from  layers  or  suckers.  /.  Clark,  Bag- 
shot,  Surrey. 


NOTICES    OF     BOOKS. 

Rock  and  Alpine  Gardening.* 

I  his  handy  little  volume  consists  of  80  pages 
of  letterpress,  with  illustrations.  The  chapters 
include  the  following  subjects  :  "  Introduction," 
"  Choosing  the  Site,"  "  Selecting  the  Material 
-for  the  Rockwork,"  "  Hints  on  Building,"  "  The 
Planting  of  Rockeries  and  Rock  Gardens,"  "  The 
Question  of  Labels,"  "  Insect  and  other  Pests," 
"  Wall  Gardening,"  &c.  Upon  each  cf  these  in 
turn  some  practical  advice  is  offered,  but  in 
not  a  few  instances  much  more  might  have  been 
added  with  advantage.  The  chapter  on  "  Wall 
Gardening,"  p.  26,  is,  we  think,  all  too  brief  and 
incomplete  for  this  highly  interesting  phase  of 

"  "  Rock  and  Alpine  Gardening,"  by  H.  Hemsley,  pub- 
lished by  J.  Cheal  &  Sons.     Price  8s.  6d. 


modern  gardening,  and  it  is  not  quite  in  accord- 
ance with  general  experience  to  say  that  "  the 
large  majority  of  plants  suitable  for  growing 
in  walls  prefer  a  sunny  position,  and  this  being 
the  case,  preference  would  be  given  to  one  facing 
south."  As  a  matter  of  fact,  the  shaded  or  half- 
shaded  wall  may  be  furnished  just  as  readily 
as  one  with  a  south  aspect,  and  the  same  sub- 
jects may,  to  a  large  extent,  be  employed  in 
both,  the  chief  observable  difference  being  excess 
of  vigour  and  freedom  of  growth  where  the 
partial  shade  exists.  Much  of  the  success  in 
wall  gardening  depends  upon  the  manner  of 
structure,  and  the  components  of  the  wall  itself. 
The  illustrations  include  views  of  natural 
Alpine  scenery,  and  artificially  constructed  rock 
gardens  in  various  parts  of  the  country.  Among 
those  of  the  latter  description,  amateurs  and 
others  interested  in  this  style  of  gardening  will 
fin,!  much  that  is  suggestive  and  useful,  one  of 
the  best  illustrations  being  the  rock  and  water 
scene  on  page  29.  "  The  Shady  Nook,"  page  49, 
is  also  pleasing.  Pages  36  to  59  are  devoted  to 
brief  descriptions  of  some  of  the  better-known 
Alpine  and  rock  plants.  The  extreme  brevity 
of  the  text,  the  collective  references,  in  not  a 
few  instances,  to  species  of  widely-varying 
character  and  requirements  are  likely  to  cause 
some  difficulty  to  amateurs.  The  concluding 
pages  of  the  book  contain  lists  of  plants  suited  to 
special  soils  and  positions.  The  work  is  written 
by  a  cultivator,  and  the  information  on  cultural 
matters  may  be  therefore  depended  upon,  but  in 
the  preparation  of  a  second  edition,  the  descrip- 
tive matter  might  be  much  improved. 


THE  ALPINE    GARDEN. 

IRIS  SIBIRICA  "SNOW  QUEEN." 
This  Iris  does  not  seem  much  like  any  form 
of  I.  sibirica  that  I  have  seen,  and  I  think  that 
Mr.  Mallett  may  have  some  reason  for  suggest- 
ing, on  page  28,  its  possible  hybrid  origin. 
There  is,  as  Mr.  Mallet  says,  in  the  foliage  a 
breadth  and  robustni  ss  which  mure  resembles 
that  of  I.  laevigata  than  that  of  I.  sibirica,  and 
the  whole  character  of  the  flower  brings  it 
closer  to  I.  laevigata  than  to  any  other  species 
known  to  me,  and  much  cultivated  in  Japan. 
This  Iris  is  by  far  the  finest  of  the  white  Irises 
of  the  I.  sibirica  type,  but  it  has  a  slight  suffu- 
sion of  yellow  on  the  claw.  My  own  plant  is 
only  a  small  one,  but  it  is  suffii  iently  large  to 
give  one  a  good  idea  of  its  future  beauty. 
S.  Arnott,  Sunny  mead,  Dumfri 

I    VMPANULA    MICHAUXIOIDES. 

Among  my  acquisitions  of  last  vear  was 
a  plant  of  the  scarce  Campanula  michauxioides, 
a  somewhat  awkward  name,  as  it  might  be  con- 
fused with  the  allied  Michauxia  campanuloides. 
So  far  as  its  resemblance  with  the  latter  is  con- 
cerned, it  cannot  be  said  that  the  name  is  in- 
appropriate, as  there  is  about  its  ■  general 
appearance  a  considerable  likeness  to  that  plant, 
given  generally  by  the  looseness  of  the  in- 
florescence and  the  form  and  pose  of  the  star- 
like flowers.  These  are  drooping,  on  slight,  but 
rigid  pedicels,  and  are  scattered  sparsely 
over  the  numerous  branchlets  which  fork 
from  the  branches,  produced  from  the  main 
stem,  which  rises  to  a  height  of  about  4  feet. 
The  flowers  are  a  pale  shade  of  blue,  about  the 
size  of  a  shilling,  and  are  decidedly  attractive. 
The  whole  aspect  of  the  plant  is  distinct  and 
attractive,  although  far  from  being  showv.  The 
leaves  may  be  roughly  said  to  resemble  in  form 
those  of  C.  Trachelium,  but  are  more  deeply 
serrated.  This  Campanula  was  first  de- 
scribed by  Boissier,  but  I  have  not  access  to 
the  work  at  present.  I  think,  however,  that  my 
specimen  is  correctly  named.  One  is  afraid 
that  the  plant  will  prove  to  be  a  biennial.  It 
came  into  flower  here  about  the  second  week  of 
June,  and  it  will  probably  last  until  the  end  of 
July,  the  dull  weather  having  been  favourable 
to  the  prolongation  of  the  period  of  bloom. 
S.  Arnott,  Sunnymead,  Dumfries. 


THE   STRAWBERRY    CROP. 

This  year  the  earliest  fruits  from  the  open 
were  marketed  during  the  second  week  in  June, 
or  nearly  a  week  earlier  than  in  1906,  when  the 
first  baskets  of  fruits  were  not  marketed  until 
after  the  middle  of  that  month.  Every  year, 
too,  the  season  seems  to  last  a  little  longer  than 
usual,  and  it  appears  quite  reasonable  to  antici- 
pate the  Strawberry  being  in  season  from  the 
beginning  of  June  to  the  end  of  July. 

The  increase  of  early  supplies  of  Strawberries 
from  the  Continent  has  seriously  affected  the 
prices  of  these  fruits  grown  under  glass  in  this 
country.  Not  many  seasons  ago  it  was  possible 
to  realise  from  8s.  to  10s.  a  pound  for  fairly 
good  fruits  in  April,  and  3s.  a  pound  for  the  last 
of  the  indoor  crop  during  the  early  days  of 
June.  Such  prices  as  these  can  nowadays  only 
be  looked  for  upon  those  rare  occasions  when 
some  sudden  demand  or  a  period  of  bad  weather 
causes  an  unusual  amount  of  business.  It  seems 
likely  that  Strawberry  production  under  glass 
will  not  show  any  great  increase  in  years  to  come, 
except,  perhaps,  in  the  case  of  those  fruits  pro- 
duced in  cold  frames  or  unheated  houses,  which 
fruits,  it  may  be  stated,  are  the  most  satisfactory 
of  all  the  forced  crop.  The  superiority,  indeed, 
of  the  fruit  grown  in  unheated  houses  over  that 
which  is  forced  by  fire-heat  is  as  great  as  the 
difference  in  excellence  between  the  outdoor 
crop  and  that  which  is  grown  under  glass  under 
any  conditions. 

The  enormous  increase  in  the  demand  for 
Strawberries — still  the  most  popular  of  all  sum- 
mer fruits — is  best  illustrated  by  the  figures  with 
which  the  writer  has  been  kindly  supplied  by  the 
various  railway  companies  whose  business  it  is 
to  deal  with  these  huge  consignments.  Taking 
the  foreign  crop  first,  and  this  comes  chiefly 
from  France;  in  1906  no  fewer  than  1,416  to:;, 
of  fruit  uere  brought  by  the  ilreat  Western  Hall- 
way Company  to  London  in  the  spring  and  early 
summer  of  that  year.  These  quantities  are  -  i 
remarkable  that  one  felt  obliged  to  enquire 
whether  they  applied  to  Strawberries  alone,  or 
whether  they  included  other  products.  But  it  was 
found  that  these  figures  related  almost  entirely 
t  .  Strawberries;  and  that  although  a  few  con- 
signments of  early  culinary  Peas  were  included 
in  the  total,  these  vegetables  form  onlv  a  verv 
small  proportion.  So  large,  indeed,  has  the 
Continental  traffic  in  Strawberries  latterly  be- 
come, that  the  growers  now  find  it  worth  their 
while  to  charter  special  steamers  for  the  con- 
veyance of  their  fruits  from  Brest  to  Plymouth. 
Coming  nearer  home,  the  Strawberry  traffic 
from  the  West  of  England  supplies  some  equally 
large  figures.  The  industry  is  pursued  chiefly 
in  the  districts  of  Saltash  and  Tavistock,  and 
from  these  two  places  the  C.reat  Western  Rail- 
way Co.  carried  last  season  no  fewer  than  428 
tons  of  produce,  of  which  the  bulk  was 
Strawberries.  These  figures,  although  they  con- 
cern two  districts  only,  are  particularly  striking, 
because  they  do  not  refer  to  the  main  crop,  in 
the  market  interpretation  of  the  term,  but  only 
to  the  early  crop,  which  pays  to  send  all  the 
way  to  London. 

Before  leaving  the  subject  of  Strawberry  pro- 
duction in  the  West  of  England  it  may  be  per- 
missible to  add  a  few  words  regarding  the  pack- 
ing and  proper  marketing  of  the  berries — ques- 
tions to  which  the  English  grower  has  never 
given  such  careful  attention  as  the  subj 
warrant.  But  this  year  there  is  a  marked  im- 
provement in  the  appearance  of  the  fruits  on 
their  arrival  in  the  market,  and  certainly  none 
has  arrived  in  better  condition  than  the  Cornish 
berries  that  are  put  up  in  half-pound  chip  pun- 
nets, the  latter  being  firmly  packed  in  layers 
one  above  the  other  in  light  cases  containing 
from  two  to  four  dozen  baskets.  There  is  still, 
however,  much  room  for  improvement  in  these 
matters,  and  the  sooner  that  the  British  grower 
learns  that  it  is  a  mistake  to  pack  as  much  as 
12    lbs.    of    immediately    perishable    fruit    in    a 


Co 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[July  20,  1907. 


single  basket,  the  better  will  it  be  for  his  poc- 
ket. The  Kent  "peck"  basket,  containing 
12  lbs.  of  fruit,  is  quite  unsuited  for  the  transit 
of  Strawberries,  and  there  can  be  no  doubt  that 
the  Hampshire  gallon  handle-basket  is  quite  the 
largest  that  it  is  advisable  to  use.  Those  who 
wish  to  learn  how  Strawberries  should  be  packed 
in  bulk  should  inspect  the  French  fruits  sent 
over  here  in  crates,  in  which  flat,  baskets  con- 
taining about  2  lbs.  of  fruit  apiece  are  packed 
in  a  single  layer.  The  fruits  arrive  in  London 
after  their  long  journey  in  the  very  finest  con- 
dition, and  have  the  appearance  of  having 
recently  been  picked. 

Even  more  astonishing  than  the  figures  of  the 


half  this  enormous  total,  and  the  rest  goes  to 
Liverpool,  Manchester,  Birmingham,  Newcastle, 
Glasgow  and  Edinburgh  in  through  carriages  to 
its  destination. 

As  is  only  to  be  expected  under  the  circum- 
stances, the  railway  company  has  made  a  special 
study  of  the  business,  and  has  built  vans  on  the 
most  approved  principles  for  the  carriage  of 
these  fruits.  The  baskets  stand  on  shelves  side 
by  side,  and,  having  handles,  they  cannot  be 
stood  one  upon  the  other  and  thus  damage  the 
fruits.  At  times  of  great  pressure  old  passenger 
carriages,  fitted  with  movable  shelves,  are 
utilised.  Between  60  and  70  thousand  baskets 
do  not  constitute  an  unusual  daily  consignment, 


thing  for  a  child  to  fill  30  or  40  baskets  in  the 
day. 

Kent  contributes  largely  to  the  Strawberry 
supply  of  Great  Britain,  but  actual  statistics 
are  not  available. 

This  year's  Strawberry  crop  has  been  a  good 
one,  but  the  berries  have  suffered  greatly  from 
want  of  sunshine,  and  frequent  showers  have 
interfered  with  picking  operations.  Prices  have 
been  about  average ;  the  earliest  and  the  best 
of  the  fruits  fetched  Is.  a  pound  wholesale,  but 
they  dropped  in  value  day  by  day  until  their 
value  became  fairly  stationary  at  from  3d.  to  4d. 
per  pound.  The  smaller  fruits,  towards  the  end 
of  the  season,  are  not  worth  more  than  about 
2d.   or  2id.   per  pound,   and  when  these  prices 


[Photograph  by  J.  Gregory. 
FlG.    17. —  HYBRID    TEA    ROSE   JOSEPH    LOWE,   WHICH    OBTAINED   THE    R.H.S.    AWARD    OF    MERIT   AT   THE    HOLLAND    HOUSE    SHOW   WHEN 
EXHIBITED   BY   MESSRS.   LOWE   AND    SHAWYER  :    COLOUR  A   SHADE   OF   PINK.       (See  report  on  p.  36  in  last  week's  issue.) 


Strawberry  traffic  from  the  Continent  and  the 
West  of  England  are  those  which  have  been 
supplied  by  the  London  and  South  Western 
Railway  Co.  concerning  the  average  amount  of 
these  fruits  handled  annually  by  them  in  the 
Southampton  district.  Every  season  from  the 
neighbourhood  of  Swanwick,  Wickham,  Fare- 
ham,  Sarisbury,  Burslcdon,  Sholing,  Netley, 
&c,  it  is  necessary  to  run  six  or  eight  special 
trains  each  day  to  convey  the  fruits  to  London 
and  large  towns  in  tho  Midlands  and  North  of 
England.  An  average  season's  picking  amounts 
to  some  3,500  tons,  represented  by  about 
1,500,000  gallon  baskets,     London  takes  about 


this  total  representing  between  300  and  350  van- 
loads  of  Strawberries. 

At  the  present  time  there  are  about  150  Straw- 
berry growers  in  the  Southampton  district,  and 
the  varieties  chiefly  grown  are  Royal  Sovereign, 
Sir  Joseph  Paxton  and  Laxton's  Noble.  The 
persons  who  gather  the  fruits  earn  much  money 
during  the  three  weeks  or  more  that  the  crop 
lasts,  and  many  of  them  can  make  from  10s.  to 
15s.  a  day  when  the  crop  is  a  good  one,  and 
they  are  paid  at  the  rate  of  l£d.  per  basket. 
They  work  from  early  morning  till  about  2 
p.m.,  and  then,  after  an  hour  or  two's  rest,  they 
resume  picking  until   dusk.      It   is   no   unusual 


rule,  the  growers  place  the  fruits  into  tubs  and 
sell  them  for  jam  making. 

Marvellous  as  the  development  of  the  Straw- 
berry-growing industry  has  been  of  late  years, 
it  must  not  be  supposed  that  fortunes  are  being 
made.  It  is  essentially  a  speculative  under- 
taking from  start  to  finish,  and  the  crop  is  an 
expensive  one  to  cultivate  and  to  market.  With 
all  its  difficulties,  however,  those  who  carry  it 
out  thoroughly  make  a  good  living  out  of  it,  and  , 
will  continue  to  do  so  as  long  as  they  cultivate 
improved  sorts  and  attend  to  the  all-important 
matters  of  careful  grading  and  packing.  East 
Sussex. 


July  20,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


47 


THE    USES   OF    LIME.* 

(Concluded  from  page  24.) 

The  Influence  of  Manures  on  Lime  in  the 
Soil. 
The  various  classes  of  manures  used  in  farm- 
ing have  some  bearing  upon  the  rate  at  which 
lime  is  washed  out,  and  this  question  has  been 
investigated  at  Rothamsted.  The  results  of  the 
investigations  may  be  given  briefly  as  follow: — 

(1)  Superphosphate,  sulphate  of  potash, 
kainit,  and  kindred  manures  do  not  increase  the 
loss  to  any  appreciable  extent. 

(2)  Farmyard  manure  and  probably  all  organic 
manures  diminish  the  loss  of  carbonate  of  lime. 

(3)  Nitrate  of  soda  also  diminishes  the  loss. 

(4)  Sulphate  of  ammonia  increases  the  loss, 
removing  about  half  its  own  weight  of  lime  or 
nearly  its  own  weight  of  chalk. 

Lime  sinks  in  the  soil  of  grass  land  from 
purely  mechanical  reasons  ;  in  arable  land  this 
sinking  is  less  marked,  but  the  lime  is  subject 
to  a  greater  wastage  by  solution  in  the  rain- 
water percolating   through  the   soil. 

The  Classes  of  Lime. 

In  nature  lime  generally  occurs  as  carbonate 
of  lime,  in  the  form  of  chalk,  limestone,  marble, 
marl,  and  other  substances.  Perhaps  one-sixth 
part  of  the  rocks  composing  the  earth's  crust 
consists  of  this  material. 

Those  materials  containing  lime  which  are 
of  any  agricultural  importance  may  be  tabu- 
lated as  follow :  — 

1.  Bases,  capable  of  neutralising  acids. 

Quicklime,  burnt  lime,  lime-shells,  caustic 

lime   =   lime. 
Slaked  lime  =   lime  and  water. 
Chalk,  limestone,  marl,  old  mortar,  &c.  = 
'       lime  and  carbonic  acid. 
Basic   slag    =    lime  and   phosphoric   acid 

(lime  in  excess). 

2.  Neutral  salts,  in  which  the  lime  is  already 
neutralised  by  a  strong  acid.  Compounds 
of  this  class  occur  in  :  — 

Gypsum  =   lime  and  sulphuric  acid. 
Bones   and    mineral    phosphates    =    lime 
and  phosphoric  acid. 

3.  Acid  salts,  which  contain  more  acid  than 
the  lime  can  neutralise.  Compounds  of  this 
class  occur  in  :  — 

Superphosphate,  dissolved  bones  =  lime 
and  phosphoric  acid  (phosphoric  acid 
in  excess). 

Quicklime  and  slaked  lime. — The  most  common 
form  in  which  lime  is  purchased  by  farmers  is 
that  known  as  burnt  lime,  lime-shells,  quick- 
lime, or  caustic  lime.  It  is  obtained  by  burning 
either  chalk  or  limestone  in  a  lime-kiln.  Quick- 
lime greedily  absorbs  and  combines  with  water, 
forming  slaked  lime,  while  it  also  readily  takes 
up  carbonic  acid  gas  from  the  atmosphere,  form- 
ing carbonate  of  lime  which  is  similar  in  com- 
position to  pure  chalk  or  limestone.  For  this 
reason  quicklime  should  be  exposed  as  little  as 
possible  to  rain  and  to  the  atmosphere,  but 
should  be  applied  to  the  land  without  delay. 

Where  coal  is  cheap  the  price  of  good  lime  at 
the  lime-kiln  averages  perhaps  9s.  per  ton.  A 
guarantee  should  be  obtained  that  it  contains 
not  less  than  85  per  cent,  of  quicklime  and  not 
more  than  4  per  cent,  of  magnesia. 

Ground  lime. — This  consists  of  burnt  lime 
(quicklime)  which  has  been  ground  to  a  fine 
powder.  It  should  be  similar  in  quality  to 
quicklime,  but  is  often  impure  and  contains  less 
lime  than  ordinary  quicklime. 

Ground  lime  is  more  expensive  than  lime- 
shells,  owing  to  the  cost  of  grinding,  which  may 
amount  to  6s.  per  ton,  while  an  additional  3s. 
must  be  added  for  sacks.  A  good  sample  there- 
fore may  cost  about  18s.  a  ton  at  the  lime-kiln. 

Chalk. — This  substance  is  really  a  soft  lime- 
stone,   and,   when   the   flints    are    removed,    is 

*  Leaflet  No.  170,  issued  by  the  Board  of  Agriculture  and 
Fisheries. 


usually  a  very  pure  form  of  carbonate  of  lime. 
When  fairly  pure  it  will  contain  about  half  its 
weight  of  lime. 

Marls. — These  are  mixtures  of  earthy  matter 
and  carbonate  of  lime,  but  their  consideration 
is  beyond  the  scope  of  this  leaflet. 

Gypsum. — This  compound  of  sulphuric  acid 
and  lime  is  seldom  employed  as  a  separate 
manure,  but  it  forms  about  two-fifths  of  the 
weight  of  ordinary  superphosphate. 

Gas  lime. — This  form  of  lime  is  a  by-product 
in  the  manufacture  of  coal  gas,  for  which  lime 
is  employed  as  a  purifying  agent.  It  consists  of 
slaked  lime  more  or  less  saturated  with  com- 
pounds of  sulphur ;  it  is  liable  to  considerable 
variation  in  composition,  and  often  it  has  but 
little  basic  property  left  in  it  and  so  cannot  take 
the  place  of  lime  or  chalk.  It  contains  small 
proportions  of  certain  compounds  of  sulphur 
which  are  virulent  plant  poisons,  this  fact  neces- 
sitating great  care  in  its  use.  It  is  unprofitable 
to  use  it  at  considerable  distances  from  a  town, 
or  where  high  railway  rates  prevail,  as  the  per- 
centage of  lime  present  is  usually  small. 


half  a  ton  of  sand  for  each  ton  of  lime.  The 
lime  in  such  a  heap  will  keep  for  a  considerable 
time.  Before  using,  the  heap  may  be  screened 
through  a  three-eighth-inch  gauge  locking  screen. 
Lime  thus  slaked  should  be  in  a  fine  powdery 
condition,  and  the  sand  mixed  with  it  renders 
the  spreading  a  somewhat  less  dusty  process. 
Lime  when  overslaked  becomes  pasty,  after 
which  even  distribution  in  the  soil  is  impossible. 
The  lime  may  be  carted  to  the  land  and  distri- 
buted by  hand  direct  from  the  carts,  a  process 
which  must  be  thoroughly  done.  It  is  much 
better,  however,  when  small  quantities  are  being 
applied  to  adopt  the  American  plan,  i.e.,  to 
use  a  suitable  manure  distributor,  to  which  old 
bagging  should  be  attached  at  the  sides  and 
behind.  This  trails  along  the  ground,  insures 
better  distribution,  and  prevents  much  of  the 
discomfort  that  is  otherwise  caused  by  the  blow- 
ing about  of  the  fine  lime.  Glasses  for  the  eyes 
and  protective  devices  for  the  nostrils  and  mouth 
are  also  used  by  men  who  do  this  work. 

Since  lime  is  used  for  many  purposes,  th^ 
proper  quantity  to  apply  varies  widely.  Common 
dressings   are  from   two   to  three  tons  of   lime- 


[Pliotogiaph  by  J.  Gregory. 

Fig.  i8. — portion  of  mr.  amos  perry's  water  garden  as  exhibited  at  the 
HOLLAND   HOUSE  SHOW.       (See  report  in  the  issue  for  last  week,  p.  35.) 


Basic  slag. — Basic  slag  is  a  by-product  in  the 
manufacture  of  steel,  and  is  very  largely  em- 
ployed as  a  phosphatic  manure.  It  usually  con- 
tains about  45  per  cent,  of  lime,  and  from  one- 
third  to  one-half  of  this  is  probably  in  the 
caustic  form.  Half  a  ton  of  basic  slag  may 
therefore  supply  as  much  lime  as  is  contained 
in  from  2  to  4  cwt.  of  ground  lime. 

The  Application  of  Lime. 
The  most  common  method  of  liming  is  to  put 
quicklime  on  the  land  in  small  heaps  and  allow 
it  to  slake  naturally,  or  to  slake  it  with  water 
from  a  water-cart.  It  may  then  be  spread  from 
a  shovel  and  harrowed  in  at  once.  Lime-shells 
may  also  be  slaked  as  is  done  by  a  mason's 
labourer,  reducing  them  to  a  fine  powder.  They 
are  spread  in  layers  a  foot  deep,  one  above  the 
other,  each  layer  receiving  about  6  cwt.  of  water 
per  ton  of  lime,  or  rather  less  water  if  the  lime 
is  inferior.     The  heap  is  then  covered  with  about 


shells  at  intervals  of  from  six  to  ten  years. 
Smaller  dressings  of  about  one  ton  per  acre  once 
in  four  or  five  years  are  now  becoming  common. 
Considerably  larger  quantities  than  the  above 
may  be  used  in  the  treatment  of  newly-reclaimed 
land  rich  in  organic  matter  and  plant  food. 

Ground  lime. — This  is  usually  applied  by 
means  of  a  manure  distributor  at  the  rate  of 
from  5  to  30  cwt.  per  acre. 

Gas  lime. — Owing  to  the  presence  of  certain 
poisonous  compounds  already  mentioned,  gas 
lime  should  be  carefully  spread  on  the  land  six 
or  eight  weeks  before  ploughing.  It  is  best 
applied  to  lea  in  the  autumn  or  early  winter,  at 
the  rate  of  from  two  to  four  tons  per  acre.  On 
most  soils  the  oat  crop  which  follows  will  be 
considerably  benefited. 

Chalk. — This  material  is  not  so  easily  distri- 
buted as  lime,  and  as  one  ton  of  quicklime  will 
contain  as  much  lime  as  1J  tons  of  chalk,  it  is 
necessary  to  apply  the  latter  in  much  larger 
quantities  than  the  former. 


46 


THE    GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


[July  20,  1907. 


KEW     NOTES. 

RODGERSIA  TABULARIS. 
Quite  unlike  any  of  the  other  Rodgersias, 
except  in  the  form  of  the  inflorescence,  this 
species  is  a  distinct  and  interesting  plant.  It 
is  a  native  of  Northern  China  and  Korea,  and 
is  said  to  grow  in  dense  masses  among  coarse 
vegetation  close  to  water.  It  is  now  flowering 
for  the  first  time  in  the  rock  garden  at  Kew, 
plants  having  been  raised  from  seeds  obtained 
from  the  Imperial  Botanic  Garden  of  St.  Peters- 
burg in  1905.  The  peltate  leaves,  which  resem- 
ble those  of  Saxifraga  peltata  in  shape,  are  light 
green  in  colour,  and  from  9  to  12  inches  in 
diameter.  They  are  irregularly  7-lobed  and 
borne  on  petioles  18  inches  to  2  feet  long,  cov- 
ered with  stiff,  white  hairs  which  have  a  red- 
brown  base.     These  disappear,  to  a  great  extent, 

■  as  the  plant  gets  older  in  the  season.  The 
stems  grow  about  3  feet  high,  and  bear  an  arch- 
ing panicle  of  white  flowers.  Dried  herbarium 
specimens  show  a  very  luxuriant  growth  both 
in  size  of  leaves  and  inflorescences,  so  that  it 
is  evidently  an  acquisition  for  the  waterside  and 

_pog  garden.  More  in  general  appearance  like  a 
Saxifraga,  it  has  been  formerly  given  a  place  in 
that  genus  under  the  name  of  S.  tabularis. 
Another  species  also  in  flower  at  the  present 
time  is  R.  pinnata,  with  its  crimson  stems  and 
petioles,  and  panicles  of  bright  pink  flowers. 
This  is  certainly  the  most  handsome  of  all  the 
Rodgersias  when  well  grown.  It  flowered  for 
the  first  time  in  this  country  at  Kew  in  July, 
1902,  seeds  having  been  sent  from  Eastern  Yun- 
nan by  Dr.  Henry  in  1898.  Both  kinds  enjoy  a 
deep,  rich  and  moist  soil,  with  partial  shade. 

CALCEOLARIA  HYSSOPIFOLIA. 
The  various  species  of  South  American  Cal- 
-'  1  .i rias  are  so  distinct  and  graceful  in  habit, 
and  so  rich  and  varied  in  the  colour  of  their 
flowers,  that  it  is  strange  that  they  are  not  more 
■often  seen  in. cultivation.  Although  the  present 
species  was  introduced  in  1865  from  Quito, 
where  it  grows  <>n  the  Andes  at  an  elevation  of 
10  to  11,000  feet,  it  is  somewhat  rare  in  gardens. 
Its  value  as  a  bedding  plant  may  be  judged  by 
a  small,  round  bed  of  plants  at  Kew  just  pro- 
ducing their  cymes  of  rich  canary-yellow  flowers. 
Growing  about  a  foot  or  more  high,  this  species 
is  of  free-branching  habit,  every  shoot  being 
floriferous.  The  Hyssop-leaved  Calceolaria  is 
much  more  easy  to  keep  through  the  winter  than 
the  white  one,  C.  alba,  as  it  stands  well  in  a  cold 
frame.  Cuttings  also  strike  freely,  so  that  it 
is  easy  to  wor-k  up  a  good  stock.  Close  by  is 
another  bed  of  the  free-flowering  C.  polyrrhiza, 
which  is  a  useful  plant  for  carpeting  the  ground 
beneath  plants  that  do  not  make  much  foliage, 
like  Delphinium  sulphureum. 

LATHYRUS  FILIFORMIS. 
Of  all  the.  low-growing  members  of  this  genus 
L.  filiformis  is  one  of  the  most  charming  and 
free-flowering.  It  is  of  bushy  habit,  growing 
about  1  foot  high,  and  has  pinnate  leaves  of  two 
pairs  of  narrow  leaflets,  and  racemes  of  8  or 
more  large  violet-purple  flowers.  It  is  found 
•over  a  great  part  of  Southern  Europe,  and  is 
somewhat  variable  in  habit.  A  form  of  this 
species  shown  by  Mr.  Prichard,  of  Christchurch, 
obtained  an  Award  of  Merit  at  a  recent  meeting 
of  the  R.H.S.  under  the  name  of  Ervum  gracile. 
It  produces  its  flowers  freely  in  the  month 
of  June,  and  is  an  excellent  plant  for  the  rock 
garden  as  well  as  for  the  border. 

PENTSTEMON  HETERl  IPHYLLUS. 
Apart  from  the  beautiful  strains  of  florists' 
Pentstemons,  there  are  many  charming  species 
quite  as  well  worth  growing.'  One  of  the  pretti- 
est of  all  the  dwarf  kinds  is  P.  heterophyllus, 
which  is  a  native  of  North-western  America.  It 
is  almost  a  sub-shrub  in  its  general  aspect,  mak- 
ing neat  little  bushes  1  foot  to  15  inches  high, 
with  narrow,  entire  leaves,  and  racemes  of  clear 
blue,  or  rose-flushed  flowers.  It  may  be  planted 
out  in  warm,  sheltered  parts  of  the  rock  garden, 
where  it  will  stand  through  moderate  winters. 
Tor  bedding-out  in  the  open,  the  plants  should 


be  grown  in  pots  in  a  cold  frame  during  the 
winter,  and  planted  out  early  in  May.  They 
come  into  flower  early  in  July,  and  remain  iii 
bloom  for  a  considerable  time.  Seeds  are  freely 
produced,  and  cuttings  with  a  heel  strike  readily- 
after  the  flowering  period  is  over.  Somewhat 
earlier  in  flower  is  the  beautiful  P.  secundiflorus 
from  the  same  country.  It  grows  up  to  2  feet 
high  with  single  stems,  the  upper  half  composed 
of  a  one-sided,  many-flowered  inflorescence. 
The  flowers  vary  in  colour  from  azure-blue  to 
purple.  This  species  seeds  freely,  and  is  best 
treated  as  a  biennial. 

MISCELLANEOUS  SPECIES. 
Among  other  interesting  plants  in  flower  are 
two  forms  ofjLilium  concolor,  namely,  var.  sini- 
cum,  scarlet  with  black  spots,  and  var.  parthe- 
neion  (coridion),  with  golden-yellow  flowers, 
from  bulbs  which  were  recently  received  from 
Wei-hai-wei.  Saxifraga  Brunoniana  is  a  newly 
introduced  species  of  the  set  which  includes  S. 
flagellaris,  from  the  Himalaya.  It  has  rosettes 
of  narrow  leaves  like  S.  aizoides,  and  yellow 
flowers.  The  chief  feature,  however,  is  the 
numerous  crimson,  thread-like  stolons,  which 
have  a  charming  appearance.     W.  I. 


The  Week's  Work. 

PLANTS    UNDER  GLASS. 

By  J.  G.  Weston,  Gardener  to  H.  J.  King,  Esq., 
Easuvell  Park,  Kent. 

Acalyfha  hisfida  $&ideriana). — Young  plants 
raised  from  cuttings  inserted  last  spring  will 
now  be  growing  strongly,  and  if  the  work  has 
not  already  been  done,  they-  should  be  re-potted 
without  delay  into  the  pots  in  which  they  will 
flower.  A  good  turfy  loam  will  suit  them  well, 
but  if  it  is  of  a  close  and  heavy  nature  some 
manure  from  a  spent  Mushroom-bed  and  some 
leaf-soil  may  be  added  with  it.  Use  p<jts 
of  various  sizes,  according  to  the  particular 
purposes  for  which  the  plants  are  required. 
Large  specimens  m  7-i:uh  or  8-inch  puts  aire 
very  effective  when  in  bloom.  Fur  the  first 
few  months  the  blooms  should  be  pinched  out 
as  soon  as  they  are  seen,  as  the  flowers  show  to 
greater  advantage  when  the  plants  have 
lengthened  somewhat..  If  grown  on  without  a 
check  they  will  soon  reach  a  height  of  4  or  5 
feet,  these,  as  a  rule^  attracting  considerable 
attention,  where  an  ordinary  small  and  starved- 
looking  plant  would  be  passed  without  notice. 
It  is  a  capital  plant  fur  house  decoration, 
standing  well  for  some  weeks  if  not  exposed  to 
cold  draughts.  When  the  plants  are  in  full 
growth,  they  should  be  liberally  supplied  with 
water,  or  the  leaves  will  soon  lose  that  luxuriant 
and  fresh  appearance  which  is  a  sure  indication 
of  good  culture.  Occasional  weak  applications 
of  manure-w  iter  will  be  of  great  assistance. 
The  plants  should  be  grown  in  a  light  position 
in  a  warm  house  or  stove,  shading  them  lightly 
during  the  hottest  parts  of  the  day.  When  the 
long  crimson  spikes  are  fully  developed,  a  drier 
and  slightly  cooler  atmosphere  will  be  suitable 
and  will  render  the  flowers  less  liable  to  damp 
off.  The  plants  are  very  susceptible  to  attacks 
of  red  spider  and  thrip,  but  must  be  kept  free 
from  these  pests.  A.  macrophylla,  A.  musaica, 
and  A.  Godsefliana  are  all  worth  growing,  the 
latter  being  a  particularly  useful  plant  if 
grown  in  small  pots  for  table  decoration. 

Achimcncs. — The  main  batch  will  now  be  fast 
approaching  the  flowering  stage.  Attend  to  the 
details  of  staking  and  tying,  using  small  incon- 
spicuous  sticks,  such  as  the  fast-dyed  green 
Bamboo  tips.  As  the  flowers  begin  to  develop, 
reduce  the  atmospheric  moisture  and  gradually 
admit  more  air,  to  harden  the  plants  slightly, 
for  removal  to  a  cool  conservatory,  or  for  use 
for  indoor  decoration  in  the  dwelling-house. 
Achimenes  will  continue  to  grow  and  bloom  for 
a  long  time  provided  that  sufficient  water  is 
given  them,  copious  supplies  being  necessary 
for  strong-growing  plants  in  full  bloom.  After 
the  flowering  stage  is  over,  they  should  be 
returned  to  slightly  warmer  conditions,  and 
water  must  be  afforded  the  roots  until  the  tops 
begin  to  wither,  when  it  should  gradually  be 
withheld,  keeping  the  roots  dry  and  not  too 
warm  all  the  resting  season.  Achimenes  are 
especially  suitable  for  cultivation  in  hanging 
baskets,  giving  them  the  same  cultural  con- 
ditions as  I  have  advised  for  plants  in  pots. 


THE  FLOWER  GARDEN. 

By  A.  C.  Bartlett,  Gardener  to  Mrs.  Ford,  Pencarrow, 
Cornwall. 
Budding  Hoses. — The  time  for  performing  this 
operation  must  depend  on  the  condition  of  the 
stocks  and  on  the  season  ;  but,  generally,  the 
next  fortnight  will  be  found  a  suitable  period. 
Neither  the  prepared  bud  nor  the  incision  on  the 
stock  must  be  exposed  to  the  drying  influence 
of  the  air  for  a  moment  longer  than  is  absolutely 
necessary,  and  for  this  reason  budding  is  most 
successful  when  performed  in  the  cool  of  the 
evening.  The  bud  should  be  tied  in  position 
directly  after  insertion,  but  the  bud  itself  must 
be  left  free,  and  the  binding  must  not  be  so 
tight  as  to  check  the  flow  of  the  sap.  In  the 
case  of  standard  Briars  the  bud  should  be 
placed  as  near  to  the  main  stem  as  is  possible  ; 
with  dwarf  Roses  the  bud  should  be  placed 
low  on  the  stock  and  near  to  the  ground. 
After  three  to  four  weeks  from  the  bud- 
ding process  the  tying  material  should  be 
loosened.  It  is  usual  to  advise  the  cutting  back 
of  the  Briar  shoot  at  the  same  time  as  the  liga- 
ment is  cut,  but  as  the  bud  needs  to  remain 
dormant  until  the  following  spring,  it  will  there- 
fore be  wise  to  allow  the  Briar  shoot  to  remain 
uncut. 

Water  Lilies. — As  the  older  leaves  begin  to 
turn  yellow  they  should  be  removed.  The 
stronger^growing  Nymphaeas  should  have  many 
t>f  their  green  leaves  removed  in  order  to  allow 
the  flowers  to  be  the  better  displayed.  In  such 
places  as  they  can  be  easily  reached,  the  faded 
.flowers  should  be  removed,  for  their  removal  will 
assist  in  prolonging  the  flowering  period.  This 
practice  is  especially  necessary  in  the  case  of 
the  fragrant  Aponogeton  distachyon,  for  this 
plant  seeds  so  freely  that  unless  the  old  scapes 
are  removed  the  plant  soon  ceases  to  flower 
With  attention  to  this  detail,  the  species  may  be 
kept  in  flower  throughout  the  greater  part  of  the 
year., 

THE  HARDY  FRUIT   GARDEN. 

By  J.  Maynk,  Gafcdenef-  to  Lord  Clinton,  Bicton, 

East  Devon. 
Early  Pea,  hi  .,  unhiding  the  varieties  Amsdert 
June,  Alexander,  Early  Rivers,  and  Waterluo, 
are  ripening  in  the  warmer  parts  of  the  country, 
and  will  require  gathering  as  soon  as  they  can 
be  parted  readily  from  the  tree.  Much  care  must 
be  .taken  not  tu  bruise  the  fruits  in  gathering 
them.  In  order  to  expose  the  fruits  to  the  sun, 
tie  back  any  growths  that  are  shading  them,  and 
remove  a  few  leaves  for  the  same  purpose.  Set 
traps  of  hollow  pieces  of  Bamboo  or  stalks  of 
Broad-bean  for  earwigs,  which  often  spoil  many 
fruits. 

M, >i,!/,-  Cherries  are  changing  colour,  and  un- 
less these  fruits  are  well  protected  by  nets,  the 
birds  will  eat  many  of-  them.  Although  the 
Morello  Cherry  is  usually  planted  in  a  cool  posi- 
tion, such  as  at  the  foot  of  a  north  wall,  they  are 
benefited  by  an  occasional  watering,  especially 
if  it  takes  the  form  of  diluted  stable  or  cow- 
stall  drainings.  As  soon  as  sweet  Cherries  are 
harvested,  examine  the  foliage,  and,  if  black- 
fly  is  present,  syringe  the  trees  with  extract  of 
quassia.  Apply  the  hose  in  any  case,  for  dirt 
and  rubbish  accumulate  at  the  back  of  the 
branches  against  the  wall.  Secure  the'  leading 
shoots  to  the  wall,  and  pinch  any  that  are  mak- 
ing a  too  luxuriant  growth.  This  practice  of 
stopping  the  shoots  in  summer  is  far  preferable 
to  using  the  knife  in  winter  or  early  spring. 

General  remarks. — This  month  is  always  a 
busy  one  for  the  fruit-grower.  The  Strawberry 
beds  must  be  examined  every  other  day  and  the 
fruits  gathered.  If  wet,  lay' them  out 'singly  m 
a  dry,  airy  room.  The  leaves  of  a  Lime  tree  that 
have  been  grown  more  or  less  in  the  shade,  form 
an  admirable  material  for  packing  these  soft 
fruits  in.  Black  Currants  must  be  gathered 
within  a  few  weeks  of  their  ripening,  or  the 
berries  will  shrivel.  Both  Red  and  Black  Cur- 
rants should  be  placed  in  wide-mouthed  bottles 
if  intended  for  transit  by  rail,  and  this  is  also  the 
best  method  of  sending  other  soft  fruits,  such  as 
the  Raspberry,  which,  similar  to  the  Strawberry, 
requires  to  be  gathered  in  as  dry  a  condition  as 
possible.  Ripe  Gooseberries  travel  badly  ;  only 
one  layer  of  these  fruits  should  be  placed  in  a 
box.  Cover  the  fruits  with  soft  leaves  and  thin 
tissue  paper,  and  complete  the  filling  of  the  box 
with  soft  packing  material,  so  that  when  the  lid 
of  the  box  is  placed  in  position  the  fruits  will 
not  move. 


July  20,  1G07.] 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


4& 


FRUITS  UNDER  GLASS. 

By  Alexander  Kirk,  Gardener  to  J.  Thomson  Paton,  Esq., 
Norwood,  Alloa,  Clackmannanshire. 

The  Vinery. — Ventilation  should  be  very  care- 
fully applied  to  houses  in  which  Muscat  of 
Alexandria  Grapes  are  ripening.  During  the 
present  summer  we  have  not,  up  to  the  time  of 
writing  these  notes,  opened  the  front  ventilators 
of  the  Muscat  house  once.  Unless  the  cold,  un- 
seasonable weather  departs,  keep  the  hot-water 
system  in  operation,  but  should  the  day  promise 
bright,  the  valves  should  be  closed  in  the  morn-, 
ing.  Damp  the  paths  and  the  borders' very 
lightly  each  morning  and  evening,  as  Muscat 
Grapes  delight  in  a  warm,  humid,  but  in  no  wise 
a  stagnant  atmosphere,  when  the  fruits  are 
colouring.  The  presence  of  rust  on  the  berries 
is  caused  by  a  dry,  arid  atmosphere,  the  result 
of  too  much  artificial  heat ;  but  an  excess 
of  moisture  will  cause  water  to  condense  on  the 
berries.  This  latter  condition  can  be  prevented 
by  always  allowing  the  top  ventilator  to  remain 
open  a  trifle  at  night-time.  Do  not  expose  the 
bunches  to  the  full  rays  of  the  sun,  or  some  of 
th;  berries  may  become  injured  by  scorching. - 
A  light  shading  material  placed  on  the  glass,  or 
a  piece  of  thin  tissue  paper  pinned  above  the 
bunch,  will  obviate  this  injury. 

Graft  Lady  Downe's. — The  fruits,  having 
commenced  to  colour,  are  now  in  no  danger 
from  scalding.  The  Vines  will  require  a  higher 
day  temperature,  and  the  atmosphere  of  the 
house  should  be  kept  in  a  more  humid  condi- 
tion, with  plenty  of  top  ventilation  both  by  day 
and  by  night.  Examine  the  inside  border  with 
the  soil  tester,  and,  if  it  is  found  to  be  dry,  give 
a  copious  watering,  which  should  be  the  last 
for  the  season,  unless  the  weather  becomes 
warmer. 

Peaches  and  Nectarines  that  are  colouring 
should  have  an  abundant  circulation  of  fresh 
air  about  them  both  by  day  and  by  night,  and 
syringing  should  be  discontinued.  The  young 
growths  should  now  be  trained  in  position, 
superfluous  growths  removed,  and  also  any 
leaves  that  obscure  the  fruit ;  from  the  sun's  rays. 
Secure  the  fruits  by  tying  them  according  to 
the  directions  given  in  the  Calendar  for  May 
IStli.  Some  persons  hang  a  net  under  the  trees 
to  catch  the  fruits  when  they  drop,  but  such 
fruits  become  more  or  less  injured  for  dessert 
purposes,  and  tying  is  preferable.  See  that 
the  inside  borders  are  sufficiently  supplied  with 
water.  Trees  in  the  latest  houses,  and  on  which 
fruits  are  now  swelling,  should  be  occasionally 
supplied  with  manure  water.  Syringe  the  foli- 
ag<  in  very  fine  afternoons,  but  never  on  dull 
or  wet  days.  Discontinue  syringing  altogether 
as  soon  as  the  fruits  commence  to  colour.  If 
traces  of  red  spider  or  mildew  are  seen,  syringe 
the  foliage  with  the  mixture  recommended  in 
the  Calendar  for  May  ±2.  Thin  the  young 
growths,  and  save  only  those  necessary  for  next 
year's  fruiting. 

Strawberries. — The  first  batch  of  runners 
■which  were  pegged  down  into  3-inch  pots  last 
month  should  now  be  detached  from  the  parent 
plants.  Remove  the  pots  into  a  cold  frame, 
where  they  may  remain  until  well  rooted,  after 
which  they  should  be  potted  into  their  fruiting 
pots. 

THE    ORCHID    HOUSES. 

By  W.  H.  White,  Orchid  Grower  to  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence, 
Bart.,  Burford,  Surrey. 

Habenaria  pusilla  (militaris). — This  brilliant, 
scarlet-flowering,  terrestrial  Orchid  from  Cochin 
China  is  a  species  that  deserves  every  attention, 
being  extremely  useful  as  a  decorative  plant,  and 
its  flowers  are  valuable  for  use  in  a  cut  state. 
H.  rhodocheila,  which  produces  bright  ver- 
milion flowers,  H.  carnea,  of  soft  flesh  colour, 
and  H.  c.  nivosa  and  H.  Susannae,  both  of  which 
arc  pure  white,  are  equally  worthy  of  extended- 
cultivation.  Growers  who  have  hitherto  failed  to 
cultivate  these  Orchids  satisfactorily  may  be 
encouraged  by  the  fact  that  their  cultivation  be- 
comes an  easy  matter  when  the  needs  of  the 
plants  are  properly  understood.  At  the  present' 
time  the  plants  are  growing  freely,  and  should  be' 
housed  in  the  East  Indian  house,  or  plant  stove, 
where  the  atmosphere  is  hot  and  moist,  placing 
them  near  to  the  roof  glass  in  order  that 
th»  stems  may  not  become  drawn  and  the 
flower  spikes  develop  weakly.  In  addition  to 
the  ordinary  shading,  the  glass  immediately  over 


them  should  be  stippled  as  advised  in  a  former 
calendar,  and  the  diffused  light  thus  afforded  is 
the  most  suitable  for  them.  Afford  the  plants 
plenty  of  water  at  the  root  until  such  time  as 
the  flowers  open,  when  the  quantity  should  be 
gradually  reduced.  Thrip  insects  are  particu- 
larly fond  of  these  species,  but  may  be  easily 
kept  down  by  vaporising  the  atmosphere,  or  by 
dipping  the  plants  occasionally  in  some  safe 
insecticide. 

Ef-idcndntnv  radicans. — The  long  panicles  of 
bright  orange-coloured  flowers  of  this  species 
are  particularly  adapted  for  furnishing  vases, 
&c.  Plants  which  have  been  in  bloom  for 
several  months  past  should  have  the  flower 
spikes  removed  from  them,  growth  having 
already  commenced.  It  is  a  plant  of  scandent 
habit,  and  a  number  of  stems  may  be  planted 
in  well-drained  sphagnum-moss  at  the  lighted 
end  of  the  Cattleya  house.  If  they  are  put 
against  a  glass  or  brick-wall  partition,  the  stems 
may  easily  be  trained  up  towards  the  roof  glass 
by  means  of  cord  or  wires.  The  plant  may  be 
rapidly  propagated  by  taking  the  off-shoots 
which  appear  on  the  old  growth  and  flower, 
stems  and  inserting  them  thickly  in  a  large  pot. 
Very  soon  numerous  young  roots  will  appear  on 
the  stems,  and,  as  they  increase  in  length,  as 
many  as  possible  should  be  guided  into  the 
sphagnum-moss.  Throughout  the  growing  sea-, 
son  the  plants  should  be  kept  moist,  and  be 
afforded  frequent  overhead  syringings. 

Efidendrum  vitellinum. — This  is  another  use- 
ful bright-flowered  species,  plants  of  which  have 
been  in  bloom  for  a  long  time.  When  growth 
re-commences  the  plants  may  be  re-potted  if 
this  is  required.  This  species  does  not  require 
much  root-space,  therefore  the  hanging  pots, 
these  being  preferable  to  shallow  pans,  should 
be  of  a  comparatively  small  size.  Thoroughly 
drain  the  pots,  and  for  a  potting  compost  I 
have  found  nothing  so  valuable  as  the  follow- 
ing mixture :  good  fibrous  peat,  leaf  soil,  and 
sphagnum-moss  used  in  equal  proportions,  cut- 
ting the  peat  and  moss  up  moderately  small, 
and  well  mixing  all  the  ingredients  together.  Pot 
each  plant  moderately  firm,  and  surface  the  com- 
post with  about  half  an  inch  of  chopped  sphag- 
num-moss. Suspend  the  plants  in  a  light  position 
in  the  coolest  part  of  the  intermediate  house, 
and  afford  them  much  moisture  at  the  roots  until 
they  have  completed  their  growth. 


THE    KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

By  William  H.  Honess,  Gardener  to  C.  Combe,  Esq., 
Cobhani  Park,  Surrey. 

Affording  water  and  mulches. — In  gardens 
where  the  soil  is  of  a  light  nature  it  may  now 
be  necessary  to  apply  mulches  and  afford  water- 
ings. Though  the  weather  has  been  cold  and 
dull,  the  amount  of  the  rainfall  has  been  rather 
below  the  average  in  most  districts,  and  in  the 
event  of  a  spell  of  hot,  dry  weather,  vegetable 
crops  would  soon  suffer  ill  effects  if  they  were 
not  assisted  in  the  manner  now  recommended. 
Peas,  Runner  Beans,  Cauliflowers,  and  such 
crops  are  the  first  to  require  much  attention,  and 
the  ground  should  be  well  hoed  before  the 
mulching  is  applied.  The  mulching  should 
a  nsist  of  half-rotted  manure,  but  if  this  is  not 
available,  litter  from  the  stables  will  have  to 
be  used  instead,  or  even  the  mowing  grass 
obtained  from  the  lawns  would  make  a  good 
substitute,  but  this  should  have  a  sprinkling 
of  litter  thrown  over  it  in  order  to  make  it  more 
convenient  for  treading  upon. 

Winter  vegetables. — These  green  crops  should 
still  be  planted  on  the  various  plots  of  ground 
as  they  become  vacant,  and  although  the  plants 
to  be  used  now  will  be  the  small  ones  that  were 
left  from  the  first  planting,  they  will  have  made 
nice  sturdy  specimens  since  the  bed  was  thinned. 
If  they  fail  to  make  such  large  plants  as  the 
earlier  ones,  they  may  "  turn  in  "  at  an  oppor- 
tune time  when  such  vegetables  are  becoming 
scarce.  Whilst  this  work  is  proceeding,  let  an 
inspection  be  made  of  the  previous  plantings, 
that  all  vacancies  that  have  occurred  may  be 
filled  up.  The  season  having  been  such  a 
favourable  one  for  the  transplanting  of  brassicas, 
failures  are  likely  to  be  fewer  than  usual. 

Marrows,  Gourds,  and  Cardoons  will  require 
frequent  waterings  to  keep  them  growing. 
Owing  to  the  cold  nights  and  winds,  mildew 
will  in  some  cases  be  appearing  on  Marrows  and 


Onions.  'Where  this' happens  to  be  the  case,  it 
will  be  necessary  to  spray  the  plants  overhead 
with  sulphide  of  potassium  (liver  of  sulphur!  or 
with  an  approved  mildew  compound.  Do  not 
let  the  mildew  spread  unnecessarily  before 
commencing  to  spray. 

Salads — Continue  to  make  sowings  of  Cab- 
bage and  white-seeded  Cos  Lettuce,  Radishes,. 
Onions,  etc.  Towards  the  end  of  the  present 
month  and  early  in  August  the  Brown  Bath 
and  black-seeded  varieties  of  Cos  Lettuce  should 
l.«-  sown  for  raising  plants  to  stand  through  the 
winter. 

PUBLIC  PARKS  AND  GARDENS. 

By  W.  W.  Pettigrew,  Superintendent  of  the  Parks  and 
Open  Spaces  in  the  City  of  Cardiff. 

Pari  by-laws. — For  the  maintenance  of  good 
conduct  and  order  among  visitors,  and  the  pre- 
servation of  property  in  public  parks,  it  is. 
usual  to  have  them  governed  by  a  special  set  of 
by-laws.  Common  law  is,  as  a  rule,  not  specific 
enough,  and  too  difficult  of  application  to  be  of 
any  great  assistance  in  dealing  with  many  of  the 
matters  which  crop  up  from  time  to  time  in 
the  management  of  a  park.  To  give  a  simple 
illustration,  let  us  take  the  case  of  trespass.  It 
would  be  most  difficult  (if  not  impossiblel  to 
punish  a  person  for  being  inside  a  public  park 
during  closed  hours,  by  a  process  of  common 
law,  whereas  the  existence  of  a  by-law  to  the 
effect  that  persons  are  not  allowed  within  a  park 
during  certain  hours  makes  it  easy  to  do  so,  and 
thereby  stop  trespass.  In  the  same  way  common 
law  has  no  power  to  prevent  visitors  in  a  public 
park  from  playing  football  or  any  other  game 
they  choose  on  the  best-kept  lawn  or  among  the 
flower  beds  so  long  as  wilful  damage  could  not 
be  proved  against  them.  By-laws,  however,  can 
deal  with  all  such  matters  and  make  it  a  crime 
to  do  any  of  these  things. 

Legality  of  by-laws— -In  England  before 
by-laws  can  come  into  force  thev  have  to  be 
sanctioned  by  the  Local  Government  Board. 
In  Scotland  I  believe  this  power  belongs  to  the 
Court  of  Session.  For  the  guidance  of  those 
about  to  draw  up  park  .by-laws  the  Local 
Government  Board  supplies  a  model  set,  whji  h 
is  exceedingly  useful  for  the  purpose.  1 
are  capable  of  meeting  most  requirements,  but 
there  are  invariably  local  circumstances  which 
make  certain  by-laws  necessary  in  one  place 
which  are  quite  inapplicable  in  others.  It 
would  be  as  absurd  to  make  by-laws  regulating 
bathing,  boating,  and  skating  "in  a  park  devoid 
of  water,  as  it  would  be  unwise  to  omit  them 
where  a  large  lake  existed. 

Framing  of  by-laws.— Although  the  work  of 
framing  by-laws  naturally  devolves  upon  a. 
lawyer,  it  is  the  park  officials  themselves  who 
are  best  able  to  draw  up  the  subjects  about 
which  they  are  needed.  In  drawing  up  such  a 
list  it  is  well  to  prepare  for  every- contingency, 
and  to  make  it  as  hard  as  possible  for  anyone 
to  do  mischief  in  a  park  by  making  it  easy  to. 
punish  them  for  doing  so.  I  had  once  occasion 
to  remark  to  the  head  of  one  of  the  largest  park 
systems  in  this  country  that  for  a  democratic 
city  the  by-laws  in  force  in  the  parks  under  his 
charge  were  the  most  drastic  I  had  ever  known. 
His  reply  put  the  question  in  the  proper  light, 
when  he  said  that  they  were  made  in  the 
interest  of  the  general  public  and  for  the  ex- 
press purpose  of  protecting  their  propertv  in 
the  most  efficient  manner — only  evil  doers  had 
any  reason  to  fear  them. 

Employment  of  by-laws. — Although  the  general 
idea  of  by-laws  is  that  they  are  drawn  up  for 
the  use  of  the  authorities,  it  is  well  to  bear  in 
mind  the  fact  that  once  they  become  law  they 
can  be  put  in  force  by  any  ratepayer  who 
chooses  to  do  so.  For  this  reason  great  care 
has  to  be  exercised  in  drawing  up  many  of  the 
by-laws  so  as  not  to  hamper  the  department 
itself  m  the  carrying  out  of  its  duties.  For 
instance,  in  prohibiting  the  use  of  firearms  in  a 
park,  it  is  policy  to  make  a  proviso  that  such 
prohibition  will  not  apply  to  servants  of  the  cor- 
poration when  destroying  vermin,  &c,  otherwise 
it  would,  in  all  probability,  be  quite  within  the 
rights  of  a  ratepayer  to  take  proceedings  against 
a  corporation  for  destroying  rabbits  by  shooting 
them.  What  in  many  instances  would  be  v 
for  the  public  to  do  is  needful  on  the  part  of  the 
corporation's  .servants, in  the  proper  discharge 
of  their  duty. 


50 


THE    GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


[July  20,  1907 


EDITORIAL    NOTICE. 


ADVERTISEMENTS  should  be  sent  to  the  PUB- 
LISHER, 41,  Wellington  Street,  Covent  Garden, 

w.c. 

Letters  for  Publication,  as  well  as  specimens  and  plants 
tor  naming,  should  be  addressed  to  the  EDITOR, 
41,  Wellington  Street,    Covent  Garden,  London. 

Communi cat tons  should  be  written  on  one  side  only  of 
the  paper,  sent  as  early  in  the  week  as  possible ,  and  July 
signed  by  the  writer.     If  desired,  the  signature  will  not  be 
■  printed,  but  kept  as  a  guarantee  of  good  faith* 

Special  Notice  to  Correspondents.— The  Editor  does  not 
undertake  to  pay  for  any  contributions  or  illustrations,  or 
to  return  unused  communications  or  illustrations,  unless  by 
special  arrangement.  The  Editor  does  not  hold  himself 
responsible  for  any  opinions  expressed  by  his  correspondents. 

Illustrations.—  The  Editor  will  beglad  to  receive  and  to  select 
photograplis  or  drawings,  suitable  for  reproduction,  of 
gardens,  or  of  remarkable  plants,  flowers,  trees,  &c,  but  he 
cannot  be  responsible  for  lossor  injury 

Newspapers.— Correspondents  sending  newspapers  should  be 
careful  to  mark  the  paragraphs  they  wish  tlie  Editor  to  see. 

Local  News. — Correspondents  will  greatly  oblige  by  sending  to 
the  Editor  early  intelligence  of  local  events  likely  to  be  of 
interest  to  our  readers,  or  of  any  matters  which  it  is  desirable 
to  bring  under  the  notice  of  horticulturists. 


APPOINTMENTS  FOR  THE  ENSUING  WEEK. 


SATURDAY,  JULY  20— German  Gard.  Soc.  meet. 

TUESDAY,  JULY  23— 

Roy.  Hon.  Soc.  Corns,  meet. 

Brit.  Gard.  Assoc.  £x.  Council  meet. 

Rose  Sh.  in  Manchester  Botanical  Gardens. 

WEDNESDAY,  JULY-  24— 

Nat.  Carnation  Soc.  Sh.  in  R.H.S.  Hall,  Westminster. 
Cardiff  and  County  Hort.  Soc.  Sh.  (2  days). 
Harpenden  Fl.  Sh. 

THURSDAY,  JULY  25— 

Roy.  Ulster  Agricultural   Society's  Esh.  and  Fl.  Sh., 

Balmoral,  Belfast  (2  days). 
Horticultural  Club  (annual  outing). 

FRIDAY,  JULY  26— Roy.  Bot.  Soc.  meet. 

SATURDAY,  JULY  27-LydneyFl.  Sh. 


Average  Mean  Temperature  for  the  ensuing  week, 
deduced  from  observations  during  the  last  Fifty  Years 
at  Greenwich — G2'6\ 

Actual  Temperatures: — 

London.—  Wednesday,  July  17  (6  p.m.):  Mai.  73°; 
Min.  5o\ 
Gardeners'  Chronicle  Office,  41,  Wellington  Street, 
Covent  Garden,  London.  —  Thursday,  Jtdv 
18(10a.m.):  Bar..  30-2;  Temp.,  62";  Weather— 
Bright  sunshine. 
Provinces- —  Wednesday,  July  17  (6  p.m.):  Max.  68°. 
Ireland,  S.W. ;  Min.  62',  Lancaster. 


SALES    FOR    THE    ENSUING   WEEK. 

FRIDAY— 

Choice  imported  and  established  Orchids  in  large 
variety,  Orchids  in  flower  and  bud,  at  67  &  68,  Cheap, 
side,  E.C.,  by  Protheroe  &  Morris,  at  12.45. 


From  the  results  of  some  care- 
Tom  atos.  fully  conducted  experiments  with 
about  ioo  varieties  of  Tomatos, 
at  the  Maryland  Agricultural  Experimental 
Station,  it  was  found  that  the  varieties  tested 
yielded  produce  which  varied  from  2  tons  to 
about  20  tons,  or  66o  bushels,  of  fruit  per 
acre.  The  average  yield  of  all  the  varieties 
was  at  the  rate  of  n§  tons,  or  390  bushels,  per 
acre.  The  best  ten  varieties  averaged  18  tons, 
or  603  bushels,  per  acre.  The  results  show- 
that  the  greater  the  number  of  cells  in  a 
Tomato  fruit,  the  higher  is  the  percentage 
of  solid  fruit.  In  12  varieties  having  in 
their  fruits  more  than  80  per  cent,  of  flesh 
there  was  an  average  of  10.7  cells  per  fruit. 
The  varieties  having  between  77  and  80  per 
cent,  of  flesh  had  8.4  cells  per  fruit,  and  as 
the  percentage  of  flesh  decreases  the  average 
number  of  cells  also  decreases. 

This  fact  points  out  one  way  in  which  the 
Tomato  can  be  improved.  The  number  of 
cells  can  be  increased  by  the  selection  of  seed 
from  fruits  having  the  greatest  number  of 
cells,  and  thus  may  the  solidity  of  the  fruit 
be  increased. 

In    regard    to    manurial    applications    the 


results  showed  that  potash  increased  the  crop 
more  than  either  of  the  other  elements  of 
plant-food,  and  nitrogen  stood  next  in  this 
respect. 

On  a  chemical  analysis  of  the  fruits  grown 
with  different  artificial  manures,  it  was 
found  that  potash  has  a  tendency  to  produce  a 
fruit  with  slightly  less  sugar,  and  more  malic 
acid.  Some  of  the  sweetest  Tomatos  were 
grown  by  the  aid  of  phosphates.  Nitrogen 
and  potash,  when  applied  together,  seem  to 
have  the  most  marked  effect  on  the  growth  of 
Tomatos. 

The  following  table  shows  a  chemical 
analysis  of  24  samples  of  Tomatos,  compris- 
ing fruit,  vines  and  roots  : — 


Fruit. 

Haulm. 

Root. 

Per  cent. 

Per  cent. 

Per  cent. 

Water 

95-45 

7i)Jl 

73  31 

Dry  organic  matter 

4-55 

2059 

2669 

Mineral  matter  lash) 

042 

3-72 

11-72 

Phosphoric  acid  in  the  ash 

005 

0-04 

006 

Potash  in  the  ash     

027 

0-39 

0-29 

Lime  in  the  ash        

— 

0-55 

0-30 

Nitrogen  in  organic  matter 

016 

031 

024 

Ten  tons  of  Tomato  fruit  would  remove 
from  the  soil  about  the  same  quantity  of 
nitrogen  and  potasTi  as  150  bushels  of 
Potatos,  but  somewhat  less  of  phosphoric 
acid. 

Attention  is  directed  to  those  portions  of  the 
plant  which  seldom  receive  consideration, 
viz.,  the  haulm  and  roots.  When  the  haulm 
is  dug  into  the  soil,  both  it  and  the  roots  de- 
compose and  their  manurial  properties  be- 
come more  or  less  speedilv  and  completely 
available  for  succeeding  crops.  [The  haulm 
should  be  removed  from  the  ground  and  burnt 
if  there  is  any  reason  to  suspect  that  the  plants 
have  been  attacked  by  disease ;  otherwise  the 
disease  may  be  communicated  to  future 
crops.]  The  crop  that  leaves  the  largest 
amount  of  these  materials  in  and  upon  the 
soil  adds  most  to  the  next  year's  store  of 
plant-food,  and  to  the  fertility  of  the  land. 

The  proportions  of  haulm  and  roots  vary 
with  different  crops,  and  with  the  same  crop 
according  to  its  character.  The  relation  be- 
tween the  amount  of  roots  and  tops  is  quite  a 
variable  factor,  generally;  however,  with  any 
t^iven  crop  the  greater  the  produce  of  fruit, 
the  greater  will  be  the  amount  of  haulm  and 
roots. 

In  the  following  table  is  shown  the  amount 
of  valuable  manurial  elements  in  haulm  and 
roots  left  on  one  acre  of  land  from  Tomatos 
and  Potatos  : 


Haulm 

and 
Roots. 

Nitro- 
gen. 

Phos- 
phoric 
Acid. 

Potash. 

Tomatos     

Potatos       

lb. 
8500 
2000 

lb. 

27 

9 

lb. 
4 
3 

lb. 

84 
10 

The  Tomato  is  not  what  may  be  called  an 
exhausting  crop,  because,  by  its  haulm  and 
roots,  if  these  are  returned  back  to  the  soil, 
they  impart  four  times  as  much  organic 
matter  or  humus,  three  times  as  much 
nitrogen,  and  three  times  as  much  potash, 
with  a  little  more  phosphoric  acid,  than  do  the 
vine  and  fibrous  roots  of  an  average  crop  of 
Potatos. 

The  following  experiments  were  conducted 
by  Dr.  Bernard  Dyer,  at  Tonbridge,  to  ascer- 
tain the  effect  of  nitrogenous  manures  upon 
Tomatos.     The  plants  were  grown  out  in  the 


open  and  were  manured  with  dung-  at  the 
rate  of  25  loads  (12J  tons)  per  acre,  together 
with  6  cwt.  of  superphosphate  and  1  cwt.  sul- 
phate of  potash  per  acre.  One  plot  was  left 
without  any  further  nitrogenous  manure  than 
was  comprised  in  the  dung ;  the  other  re- 
ceived a  dressing  of  2  cwt.  of  nitrate  of  soda 
per  acre. 

The   results  of   two  years'   trials  were  as 
follows  :  — 


Manures  per  acre. 

Annual  cost 

of  Manure 

per  acre. 

Weight  of  Tomatos 
per  acre. 

1901. 

1902. 

12*  tons  London  dung, 
6  cwts.  of  super- 
phosphate, and  1 
cwt.  sulphate  of 
potash          

12Uons  London  dung, 
6  cwts.  of  super- 
phosphate, 1  cwt.  of 
sulphate  of  potash, 
and  2  cwts.  of  nitrate 
of  soda         

£  s.  d. 

6  5    0 

7  7    0 

Tons.  Cwts. 
6        0 

6      16 

Tons.  Cwts. 

7  16 

8  14 

For  the  extra  outlay  of  22s.  spent  in  nitrate 
of  soda  an  increase  of  16  cwt.  of  Tomatos  was 
obtained  per  acre  in  1901,  and  an  increase  of 
18  cw-t.  per  acre  in  1902.  Reckoning  the  fruit 
at  id.  per  lb.,  the  extra  gain  in  1901  would 
represent  £,-  9s.  per  acre,  and  in  1902  £S  Ss. 
per  acre. 

The  following  formula  has  been  recom- 
mended as  a  manurial  mixture  for  Tomatos  : 


Sulphate  of  ammonia  — 
Superphosphate 
Sulphate  of  potash 


Quantity 
per  half 


320  lb. 
500  lb. 
300  lb. 


Cost  at 
Wholesale 

Prices. 

£  s.  d. 
1  15  8 
0  14  8 
16    9 


10  cwt.  £3  17    1 

This  mixture  contains  about  : — 6  per  cent, 
of  nitrogen,  7J  per  cent,  of  phosphoric  acid, 
and  133  per  cent,  of  potash.  If  applied  at  the 
rate  of  4  cwt.  per  acre,  this  will  give  about 
26  lb.  of  nitrogen,  33  lb.  of  phosphoric  acid, 
and  60  lb.  of  potash  per  acre. 

This  manurial  mixture  at  wholesale  prices 
would  cost  about  £1  10s.  9d.  per  acre. 

For  potting  purposes  the  soil  in  which 
Tomato  plants  are  to  be  grown  should  be 
well  mixed  with  the  manure  in  the  propor- 
tion of  about  half  a  pound  to  a  bushel  of  soil. 
After  the  fruit  is  set  mix  with  the  surface  soil 
A  oz.  of  the  mixture  per  plant  about  every 
three  weeks  until  the  fruit  is  ripe. 

Plants  cultivated  in  pots  indoors  require 
more  manure  than  Tomato  plants  in  the  open 
garden,  owing  to  their  restricted  soil  area. 


Our  Supplementary  Illustration  repre- 
sents a  view  in  one  of  the  remarkable  Italian 
gardens,  found  so  numerously  about  the  city  of 
Rome,  and  in  which  architecture,  statuary, 
fountains  and  other  adornments  occupy  as  pro- 
minent positions  as  the  floral  subjects.  Many 
of  these  old  gardens  have  been  allowed  to  fall 
into  decay,  but  in  their  ruined  state  they  are 
interesting  as  showing  how  certain  species  of 
plants  will  survive  and  multiply  under  condi- 
tions of  neglect.  Mr.  James  Hudson,  Gunners- 
bury  House  Gardens,  Acton,  who  kindly  sent  us 
the  photograph  from  which  the  illustration  has 
been  prepared,  writes  as  follows  : — "  One  of  the 
most  delightful  excursions  from  Rome  is  that  to 
Tivoli,  18  miles  distant.  It  can  be  undertaken 
either  by  railway,  by  the  steam  tramway,  or,  if 
one  has  the  time,  by  horse  carriage.  A  visit 
to  the  Villa  d'Este,  on  the  west  of  the  town,  will 


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July  20,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


51 


repay  the  traveller.  Unfortunately,  the  Villa  is 
not  now  occupied,  nor,  indeed,  to  all  appear, 
ances,  has  it  been  for  several  years  past.  The 
views,  which  extend  to  Rome  and  beyond,  from 
the  terraces  are  magnificent,  the  most  prominent 
feature  in  the  distance  being  the  dome  of  St. 
Peter's  Cathedral.  The  gardens,  which  slope 
rapidly  towards  the  north,  were  designed  with 
considerable  skill.  Towards  the  west  are  many 
acres  of  vineyards.  The  most  prominent  shrubs 
are  the  Sweet  Bay,  the  Olive,  and  the  upright- 
growing  Juniper.  The  latter  shrub  has  been 
planted  at  points  of  vantage,  and  there  is  a  noble 
avenue  formed  of  it,  many  of  the  trees  being 
from  60  to  70  feet  in  height.  The  waterfalls, 
cascades,  and  fountains  are  most  noteworthy. 
Evidently  the  designers  had  in  view  the  im- 
portance of  these  adjuncts  to  a  garden  attached 
to  a  summer  residence  in  a  climate  which  is 
noted  for  its  high  temperature.  These  water- 
features  are  boldly  executed,  and  a  large  supply 
of  water  is  readily  attainable  from  the  River 
Arno.  To  wander  in  the  shady  groves  of  these 
gardens  when  they  were  in  their  former  degree 
of  splendour  must  have  been  delightful  after  the 
heat  of  Rome  during  the  summer  season.  The 
Villa  itself,  which  was  built  in  1549,  is  said  to 
be  one  of  the  finest  examples  of  architecture  of 
the  Renaissance  period.  It  now  belongs  to  a 
member  of  the  Austrian  Royal  family." 

The  Ghent  Quinquennial,  1908. — How 

quickly  these  quinquennials  seem  to  succeed 
each  other,  becoming  formidable  mile-stones ! 
The  schedule  of  prizes  to  be  offered  at  the  ex- 
hibition to  be  held  next  spring  is  now  before  us, 
and  it  is  even  more  important  than  previous 
ones  have  been,  because  this  exhibition  will 
mark  the  centenary  of  the  Societe  Royale  d'Agri. 
culture  et  de  Botanique  de  Gand.  The  show 
will  be  opened  on  April  25,  and  remain  open 
until  May  2.  Extra  pains  have  been  taken  to 
ensure  an  even  finer  show  than  any  previously 
seen  at  Ghent,  and  to  the  many  British  horti- 
culturists who  regularly  attend  the  famous  Ghent 
Quinquennials,  and  have  appreciated  their 
magnificent  features  in  the  past,  that  statement 
will  convey  much.  There  are  760  classes, 
divided  into  29  groups,  and  in  each  class 
liberal  prizes  are  offered.  For  new  plants  there 
are  twenty  classes  ;  Orchids  are  invited  to  fill 
eighty-two  classes,  and  as  some  of  them  are  for 
large  collections,  there  should  be  a  magnificent 
display.  In  the  twenty-sixth  group  there 
are  fifty-two  classes  of  a  more  or  less 
scientific  nature,  and  in  which  the  exhibits 
will  have  some  bearing  upon  the  important 
questions  of  heredity,  fixity  of  varieties,  muta- 
tion, artificial  selection,  adaptation  to  environ- 
ment,  morphology,  and  many  other  important 
subjects.  In  the  other  groups  nothing  seems  to 
have  been  forgotten  in  the  matter  of  providing 
classes  for  everything  likely  to  be  available. 
Many  British  horticulturists  look  forward  to  the 
Ghent  Quinquennials  with  pleasure,  for,  at  these 
shows,  they  can  combine  business  with  pleasure. 
Since  the  last  gathering  in  1903,  death  has  re- 
moved the  popular  president,  Comte  Kerchove 
de  Denterghem,  and  the  secretary,  M.  E. 
Fierens,  whilst  many  who  regularly  visited 
these  exhibitions  from  this  country  are  now  no 
longer  with  us. 

Royal  Horticultural  Society. — The  next 

meeting  of  the  committees  will  take  place  on 
Tuesday,  July  23.  In  the  afternoon  a  lecture 
will  be  given  by  the  Hon.  Vicary  Gibbs,  on 
"  Rare  Trees  and  Shrubs  in  the  Open  Air." 

Presentation. — Mr.  T.  Blencowe,  who  has 
filled  the  office  of  secretary  to  the  Kingston  Gar- 
deners' Society  for  the  past  12  years,  was  pre- 
sented by  the  members,  on  the  12th  inst.,  with 
a  watch,  on  his  leaving  the  district  to  take  up 
new  duties  at  Henley-on-Thames. 


Flowers  in  Season. — Messrs.  C.  S.  Daniels 
&  Son,  Wymondham,  have  sent  us  flowers  cf 
their  strain  of  Sweet  William  (Dianthus  barba- 
tus),  which  they  describe  as  "Auricula-eyed"  on 
account  of  the  colouring  being  in  a  clearly- 
defined  ring  on  the  usual  white  ground.  The 
flowers  are  large,  and  the  markings  are  in  many 
beautiful  shades  of  colours,  some  approaching 
blue. 

Messrs.  James  Veitch  &  Sons,  Ltd., 

send  from  their  Coombe  Wood  Nursery  flower- 
ing sprays  of  Magnolia  macrophylla  and  Stuartia 
pseudo  Camellia.  The  former  has  a  very  large 
flower  of  pale  yellow  colour,  set  in  a  rosette  of 
leaves  which  measure  more  than  2  feet  in  length. 
The  plan*  was  figured  in  our  issue  for  November 
3,  1900,  p.  £25.  The  species  of  Stuartia  forms 
a  remarkably  handsome  shrub,  and  bears  an 
abundance  of  white  flowers  along  the  whole 
length  of  the  shoots.  It  was  figured  in  the 
Gardeners'  Chronicle  for  August  18,  1888,  p.  187. 

The  American  Gooseberry-mildew  in 
England." — Mr.  Ernest  S.  Salmon  writes  us 
on  this  subject  as  follows: — "Royal  assent 
was  given  on  July  4  to  '  The  Destructive 
Insects  and  Pests  Act,  1907,'  and  the 
Board  of  Agriculture  will  now  be  able, 
under  this  new  law,  to  issue  an  Order  against 
the  American  Gooseberry-mildew.  I  wish  to 
point  out  how  matters  stand  at  this  juncture, 
and  especially  to  emphasise  the  necessity  for 
growers  to  co-operate  with  the  Board  to  stamp 
out  this  new  pest.  During  the  past  few  weeks 
I  have  visited  affected  Gooseberry  plantations 
in  Worcestershire,  Gloucestershire,  and  Norfolk, 
and  in  many  cases  I  have  seen  the  berries,  leaves, 
and  young  shoots  smothered  with  the  white, 
powdery  masses  of  spores  of  the  American 
Gooseberry-mildew.  Experience  in  this  country 
has  already  shown  (as  it  has  in  other  countries 
on  the  Continent)  that  severe  pruning  in  the 
winter  and  frequent  spraying  during  the  spring 
and  summer  months  do  not  eradicate  this 
disease,  and  that  the  only  certain  way  of  dealing 
with  this  pest,  if  we  wish  to  stamp  it  out  before 
it  spreads  through  the  country,  is  to  grub  up 
and  burn  the  affected  bushes.  Already  instances 
have  occurred  of  considerable  losses  to  growers 
caused  by  this  new  disease.  In  one  case  a 
grower  discovered  the  disease  in  his  nursery, 
and  it  was  not  until  he  had  grubbed  up  and 
burnt  the  whole  of  his  nursery  stock,  of  the 
value  of  some  £70,  that  the  danger  of  the 
disease  spreading  to  adjacent  and  extensive 
Gooseberry  plantations  was  removed.  In 
another  case  the  loss  was  more  serious  still ;  for 
in  a  plantation  of  some  14  acres  not  only  had 
all  the  Gooseberry  bushes  to  be  destroyed,  but, 
as  I  found  the  mildew  had  spread  to  Red  Cur- 
rant bushes  growing  intermixed  with  the  Goose- 
berries, it  was  necessary  to  grub  up  and  burn 
these  also,  in  order  to  ensure  the  eradication  of 
the  disease  and  safeguard  the  surrounding  un- 
affected plantations.  The  total  loss  in  this 
case  amounted  to  some  hundreds  of  pounds.  In 
a  third  case  a  nurseryman  lost  a  considerable 
sum  of  money  through  the  necessity  of  having 
to  burn  a  large  stock  of  recently-imported 
standard  Gooseberries  affected  with  the  disease. 
It  is  clear  that  growers  are  just  beginning  to 
experience  the  spread  of  a  disease  which,  unless 
resolutely  stamped  out,  will  gradually  invade 
and  ruin  their  Gooseberry  plantations,  just  as 
the  '  Big  Bud  '  mite  has  ruined  Black  Currant 
plantations.  The  disease  has  been  allowed 
seven  years'  start  in  Ireland  and  two  or  three 
years'  start  in  England.  Now  that  the  Board 
have  at  length  acquired  the  necessary  legislative 
powers  to  deal  with  the  disease,  it  behoves  all 
growers,  and  gardeners  generally  to  co-operate 
heartily  with  the  Board  if  they  wish  to  see  the 
American  Gooseberry-mildew  destroyed  and  their 
Gooseberry    plantations    remain    healthy.       Up 


to  the  present  the  outbreaks  that  have  occurred 
in  England  are  as  follow: — Kent:  on  standard 
Gooseberries  only  in  one  nursery  (disease  be- 
lieved to  be  now  stamped  out).  Worcester- 
shire: 31  outbreaks  in  Gooseberry  plantations. 
Gloucestershire:  one  outbreak.  Warwickshire: 
one  outbreak.  Wisbech  and  district :  two  out- 
breaks." 

Sale  of  Botanical  Books. — The  following 
are  some  of  the  more  important  works  disposed 
of  at  a  recent  sale  held  at  Messrs.  Christie's 
auction  rooms,  King  Street,  St.  James's:  — 
Salic  turn  Woburnense,  or,  a  Catalogue  of  Wil- 
lows Indigenous  and  Foreign  at  Woburn  Abbey, 
by  the  Duke  of  Bedford,  2  vols.,  fintly-coloured 
plates,  1829  (only  50  copies  were  printed), 
£12  10s.  ;  Botanical  Magazine,  by  William 
Curtis,  complete  from  1793  to  1903,  £86; 
Edwards's  Botanical  Register,  33  vols.,  1815-47, 
£28;  Arboretum  et  Fruticctum  Britannicum,  by 
J.  C.  Loudon,  400  plates,  8  vols.,  1844,  £2  4s. ; 
James  Sowerby'S  English  Botany,  coloured 
plates,  original  edition,  complete  in  30  vols., 
1790-1814,  £14  10s.  ;  ditto,  third  edition,  1863-86, 
£14 ;  Robert  Sweet's  British  Flower  Garden, 
£12 ;  John  Evelyn's  Silva,  with  portrait  by 
Bartolozzi  and  coloured  plates,  a  fine  copy  in 
contemporary  tree-calf  extra,  1776,  £12  5s.  ;  The 
Orchidacece  of  Mexico  and  Guatemala,  bv  J. 
Bateman,  1843,  40  coloured  plates,  £7  5s.  ;  . 
Florce  Danicee  Iconum,  over  1,000  coloured  plates, 
17  parts  in  6  vols.,  bound  in  morocco,  1764-87, 
£11  10s.  ;  John  Gerakde's  Herball,  enlarged 
and  amended  by  Thomas  Johnson,  1636,  £4  6s.  ; 
Selectarum  Stirfium  Americanarum  Icones,  by  N. 
J.  Jacquin,  1750,  246  coloured  plates,  £17; 
Description  of  the  Genus  Pinus,  by  Ayi.mer  B. 
Lambert,  second  edition,  enlarged  by  Professor 
Don,  3  vols.,  1838,  £68  (Quaritch)  ;  Reichenbachia, 
Orchids  Illustrated  and  Described,  192  coloured 
plates,  Imperial  paper  edition,  both  series,  7 
vols.,  1888-94,  £14;  James  Sowerby's  English 
Fungi  or  Mushrooms,  with  supplement  and  index, 
440  coloured  plates,  1797-1803,  £11;  Plantce 
Asiaticce  Rariores,  by  Nathaniel  Wallich,  300 
coloured  plates,  1830-2,  £13  ;  Les  Liliacees,  by  P. 
J.  Redoute,  486  coloured  plates,  fine  copy, 
1802-16,  8  vols.,  £90. 

The  Association  of  Economic  Biologists 

held  its  fifth  general  meeting  in  the  Imperial 
Institute  on  Thursday,  July  4.  The  President, 
Mr.  A.  E.  Shipley,  M.A.,  F.R.S.,  occupied  the 
chair.  After  the  formal  business,  the  following 
papers  were  read  :• — By  Mr.  Cecil  Warburton, 
"Some  Notes  on  Ticks."  The  author  dealt 
with  the  classification,  means  of  distribution, 
and  the  leading  generic  characters.  Mr.  E.  R. 
Burdon  detailed  the  results  of  his  experiments 
with  the  Spruce-Gall  and  Larch-Blight  disease. 
His  results  showed  that  paraffin  emulsion,  ap- 
plied early  in  the  year,  before  the  buds  open, 
and  whilst  the  insects  are  still  hybernating,  is 
the  most  effective  insecticide.  Mr.  Walter  E. 
Collinge  gave  an  account  of  his  work  on  the 
Cecidomyidae  or  Gall  Midges,  and  appealed  to 
entomologists  and  others  for  assistance  in  work- 
ing out  the  life-histories,  &c,  of  this  very  diffi- 
cult family  of  Diptera.  An  abstract  of  a  paper, 
by  Professor  A.  D.  Imms,  on  a  "  Disease  of 
Bees  in  the  Isle  of  Wight,"  was  read.  Mr.  E. 
S.  Salmon  read  a  short  paper  on  the  American 
Gooseberry-mildew,  and  the  proposed  legisla- 
tive measures  to  check  the  importation  of 
diseased  plants.  Mr.  C.  Gordon  Hewitt  dis- 
cussed the  binomics  of  the  Calypterate  Mus- 
cudae,  and  their  economic  significance.  A 
demonstration  was  given  by  Mr.  W.  G.  Free- 
man, the  Superintendent  of  the  Colonial  Collec- 
tions at  the  Imperial  Institute,  and  visits  were 
also  paid  to  the  Research  Laboratories.  The 
next  meeting  will  be  held  at  Edinburgh  about 
Faster,  1908. 


52 


THE     GARDENERS     CHRONICLE. 


Lfc'LY  20;  1907; " 


Agricultural  Education.  —  The  Depart- 
mental Committee  held  meetings  on  the  10th 
and  11th  inst.  The  following  witnesses  at- 
tended, and  were  examined  : — Mr.  E.  S.  Beaven, 
Warminster,  Wilts ;  Mr.  Christopher  Turnob, 
representing  the  County  Councils  Association  ; 
Mr.  J.  A.  Smith,  Eastern  Counties.  Dairy  Insti- 
tute, Ipswich ;  Mr.  T.  W.  Cowan  and  Mr.  Wal- 
ter F.  Reid,  nominated  by  the  British  Bee- 
Keepers'  Association;  the  Right  Hon.  Henry 
Hobhouse,  Chairman  of  the  Somerset  County 
Council,  nominated  by  the  Count}'  Councils 
Association. 

The  "City  Press." — This  paper  having  been 
founded  by  Messrs.  W.  H.  &  L.  Collingridge 
in  1857,  has  just  celebrated  its  jubilee.  It  has 
recorded  the  principal  details  of  the  municipal 
government  and  social  doings  of  the  Metropolis 
for  the  past  50  years. 

Prince  of  Wales  at  the  Scotch  Agri- 
cultural Show. — At  the  conclusion  of  the 
luncheon  given  in  honour  of  the  visit  of  the 
Prince  and  Princess  on  the  9th  inst.  to  the 
Highland  Society's  Agricultural  Show  at 
Prestonfield,  Mr.  John  Methven,  of  Messrs. 
Thomas  Methven  &  Sons,  Edinburgh,  under 
whose  direction  the  grounds  surrounding  the 
pavilion  were  laid  out,  was  presented  to  the 
Prince,  who  expressed  admiration  of  the 
manner  in  which  the  pavilion  and  the  grounds 
had  been  arranged. 

Propagation  of  Violas. — Mr.  J.  F.  McLeod, 
Dover  House  Gardens,  Roehampton,  writes  as 
follows: — "As  an  admirer  of  Violas,  I  was 
pleased  to  read  (see  p.  33)  of  Mr.  Hawe'S 
success  in  the  massing  of  them  in  beds.  I  have 
grown  Violas  in  these  gardens  since  the  summer 
of  1890,  and  in  no  year  have  I  had  any  serious 
disappointment  in  their  cultivation.  With  the 
exception  of  injury  from  wire-worm,  my  plants 
have  not  caused  me  any  anxiety.  In  1893, 
which  season,  it  will  be  well  remembered,  was 
very  hot  and  exceptionally  dry,  I  had  a 
large  bed  planted  with  Violas,  and  by  water- 
ing them  once  each  week  and  damping 
them  overhead  every  evening,  the  plants  were 
enabled  to  last  throughout  the  season  re- 
markably well.  There  is  no  bedding  plant 
that  so  well  repays  for  the  attention  given  it. 
We  do  not  root  the  cuttings  in  hand-lights, 
however ;  this  we  have  never  done,  as  it  is 
unnecessary,  and  much  stronger  plants  can  be 
produced  by  a  full  exposure  to  atmospheric 
influences.  The  cuttings  are  put  in  at  about  the 
end  of  September  or  early  in  October  in  a 
western  border  against  a  quick-set  hedge.  The 
position  is  not  selected  from  choice,  but  simply 
as  a  matter  of  convenience.  Young,  soft  cut- 
tings are  selected  when  these  are  forthcoming, 
and  with  the  exception  of  occasionally  damping 
them  during  dry  weather,  nothing  further  is 
done,  and,  although  they  have  had  2  to  3 
inches  of  ice  over  them,  they  have  not  suffered 
any  ill  effect.  We  root  about  98  per  cent,  of  the 
cuttings  put  in,  and  being  thus  exposed  they 
form  stocky  plants  which  can  be  lifted  early  in 
March  with  an  abundance  of  healthy  roots  and 
numerous  side  growths.  In  a  short  time  they 
form  the  class  of  plant  from  which  the  best 
flowers  may  be  expected." 

ToStuc/  Fruit  Tree  Pests.— The  United 
States  Bureau  of  Entomology  will  shortly  estab- 
lish somewhere  near  San  Jose  a  big  experiment 
station  to  study  the  insect  pests  which  afflict 
the  deciduous  fruit  trees  of  California.  A  liberal 
appropriation  has  been  made  for  the  support  of 
the  station  for  a  period  of  two  years,  and  at 
the  expiration  ot  th.it  time  it  is  expected  that 
measures  will  be  taken  to  make  it  a  permanent 
institution. 


Rubber    in    French    West    Africa.— The 

French  Government  is  turning  its  attention  to 
the  better  administration  of  the  rubber  forests  of 
French  West  Africa.  On  the  whole  the  quality 
of  the  rubber  produced  continues  to  improve, 
and  prices  have  risen,  all  round.  The  rubber, 
however,  from  the  Ivory  Coast  and  the  Casa- 
mance  district  is  still  inferior  to  that  from  the 
other  colonies,  and  somewhat  strict  measures  are 
to  be  taken  to'  improve  it.  The  shortage  in  the 
export  of  rubber  is  due  to  adulteration  which 
has  made  Ivory  Coast  rubber  to  a  certain  extent 
unacceptable  in  Europe,  and,  secondly,  less 
rubber  has  been  brought  across  the  Gold  Coast 
frontier  from  Ashanti  to  exchange  for  gunpowder 
at  Aborisso.  A  special  survey  is  being  made  of 
the  chief  rubber-producing  districts,  which  will 
eventually  be  divided  into  three  categories  as 
follow: — (1)  Unexploited  districts'.  These  con- 
sist only  of  a  few  regions  in  the  Ivory  Coast 
forests.  (2)  Districts  which  are  exploited  but 
have  not  been  spoiled  by  excessive  production 
and  unscientific  methods  of  collection.  (3)  Dis- 
tricts which  have  been  spoiled  for  the  above 
reasons.  These  latter  are  in  the  majority.  When 
the  survey  and  classification  are  complete,  the 
Governor-General  will,  by  decree,  close  the 
worst  districts  to  rubber  collection,  so  as  to  give 
the  plants  time  to  recuperate.  A  beginning  will 
probably  be  made  in  1908.  Journal  of  the 
Society  of  Arts. 

Needles  of  the  Common  Spruce  as  a 
Protection  for  Strawberries. —At  this 
season,  writes  a  correspondent,  attention  might 
be  called  to  the  use  of  the  needles  of  the  Spruce 
Fir  as  a  protective  means  against  slugs.  The 
branches  of  this  species  of  Fir  are  often  em- 
ployed by  gardeners  to  prevent  the  too  early 
opening  of  the  blossoms  of  the  Apricot  and 
Peach,  and  as  a  protection  of  the  young  fruits 
from  late  spring  frosts.  When  these  branches 
are  taken  from  the  trees,  they  should  be  placed 
in  layers  on  the  ground,  and  turned  over  several 
times,  and  they  will  cast  their  needles  entirely, 
which,  without  much  trouble,  answer  capitally 
for  strewing  over  the  spaces  between  the  Straw- 
berry plants.  The  slugs  are  careful  not  to 
trespass  on  ground  thus  treated,  the  needles 
attaching  themselves  to  their  slimy  bodies  and 
remaining  thereon,  ultimately  causing  death. 
Later  in  the  summer,  the  needles  may  be  dug  in. 
There  is  a  slight  disadvantage  attached  to  the 
use  of  this  means — they  stick  here  and  there  into 
the  soft  fruits,  but  are  readrly  removed  when 
gathering.  Fir  needles  can  be  purchased  cheaply 
in  great  quantities,  or  obtained  for  the  gather- 
ing in  the  woods  in  many  parts  of  the  country. 

The  Camphor  Industry.— Mr.  James  G. 
Wilson,  of  the  American  Department  of  Agri- 
culture, recently  declared  that  the  United  States 
was  successfully  experimenting  in  the  produc- 
tion of  camphor.  He  said  that  for  years  past 
the  Department  has  been  distributing  camphor 
tree  seed,  and  thousands  of  trees  are  now  grow- 
ing throughout  the  South  and  in  the  Pacific 
Coast  States.  Two  years  ago  a  serious  effort 
was  made  to  develop  the  manufacture  of  cam- 
phor from  these  trees.  By  improvements  in 
manufacturing  processes  satisfactory  results  have 
been  accomplished  and  a  large  manufacturing 
concern  is  now  building  up  a  camphor  grove  of 
2,000  acres  in  Florida,  from  which  it  hopes  to 
make  its  camphor.  This  firm  uses  more  than 
500,000  dollars'  worth  of  camphor  every  year. 
From  another  source  we  learn  that  the  Tokyo 
Government  has  on  foot  a  project  for  the  ex- 
tensive planting  of  forests  of  camphor  -  trees. 
The  demand  for  camphor  increases,  having  now 
reached  over  10,500,000  pounds  annually,  and 
it  will  not  be  long  until  it  reaches  13,000,000 
pounds,  says  the  Japanese  authority. 


A  New  Horticultural  Journal. — A  horti- 
cultural journal  in  the  Swedish  language  has 
been  started  at  Helsingfors  for  circulation  in 
Finland.  The  editor  is  a  nurseryman,  having 
a  business  in  that  town.  The  name  of  the  new- 
comer is  Finske  Tradgardsolarc. 

Tomatos  in   Canada. — The  summers   in   the 
Toronto    district,    if   shorter   than    in    England, 
are  warmer,  and  the  Tomato  is  largely  planted 
as  a  field  crop.    When  Tomato  seedlings,  states 
a  Canadian  contemporary,  are  about  a  month 
old  from  the  date  of  sowing  the  seeds,  they  are 
pricked   off   about  3  inches   apart ;    and   when 
they  begin  to  get  crowded  they  are  again  trans- 
planted at  from  5  to  8  inches  apart.     The  soil 
of  the  beds  to  which  they  are  removed  is  made  ' 
just  rich  enough  to  support  the  plants,  as  a  very 
rich  soil  would  favour  too  rapid  growth,  making  I 
the  plants'  soft,  which  would  retard  their  growth  t 
after    they    are    planted    in    poorer    soil.       The  1 
manure  is  spread  over  the  fields  evenly  and  is '. 
afterwards  worked  with  a  disc-harrow  twice  or  . 
thrice      to      cut      the      manure      very      finely - 
The      ground      is   then      ploughed.        This      is 
done     early     in     the     year.       Subsequent     till-  ', 
age  consists  of  working  the  soil  with  a  cultiva- 
tor, the  last  time  being  a  week  before  planting.  . 
The  plants  are  set  out  in  lines  drawn  at  8  feet 
apart,  putting  the  plants  at  distances  of  3  feet 
from  'each  other.     Plenty  of  space  is  thus  al- 
lowed  for  the'  sun's   rays  to   penetrate  between 
the  plants  into  the  soil.     The  line  is  stretched 
across  the  field,  and  a  man  goes  along  it  with  a 
3-feet  measuring  rod  furnished  with  a  tooth  at 
one  end,   and  with   this   he  marks   the   stations, 
where  the  plants  will  be  set.     It  would  appear 
that   the  practice  of  the  ordinary   cultivator   in 
Canada  is  to  place  no  stakes  to  his  plants,  but, 
on   the   contrary,   to    allow   them   to   cover    the 
soil ;   by  the  lining-out  method,  however,  stakes  " 
are   employed,    as    with    us.      A   method   called 
"square    planting"    is    common,    but    the    line 
method  admits  of  as  many  plants  being  planted 
per  acre  with  the  advantages  of  greater  heat  in 
the    soil,    as    stated   above.      The   black   rot    in 
Tomatos    is    developed    mostly    in    late-planted 
plots   and   those   which   have    had    too    much 
manure. 

Certificated    Roses    in    the    U.S.A. — On 

the  occasion  of  the  meeting  of  the  Executive 
Committee  of  the  American  Rose  Society,  held 
on  May  28  last,  in  New  York,  at  which  meeting 
there  was  taken  up  the  matters  pertaining  to  the 
Washington  Exhibition,  it  was  resolved  that  a 
Certificate  of  Merit  be  awarded  to  the  varieties 
Queen  Beatrice  (scoring  83  points),  Rhea  Reid  ■ 
(80  points),  and  a  variety  shown  by  Messrs. 
Myers  &  Samb-man  (81  points)..  The  follow- 
ing varieties  of  climbing  Roses,  viz.,  Paradise, 
La  Flamma,  Delight,  and  Juanita,  shown  by 
Mr.  H.  Walsh,  of  Woods  Hole,  Mass.,  were 
awarded  a  Certificate  of  Merit,  as  recommended 
by  the  judges  of  the  Washington  Exhibition, 
March,  1907. 

Publications  Received.  —  Liste  des  Plantes 
Cultivees  dans  les  Serres  Chaudes  du  Javdin  Bo- 
tanique  de  L'etat  a  Bruxelles,  by  Louis  Gentil. —  ' 
Report  on  Economic  Zoology  for  year  ending  Afril  1, 
1907.  by  Fred.  V.  Theobald,  M.A.,  and  issued  by  the 
South  Eastern  Agricultural  College,  Wye,  Kent. — 
Bulletin  of  Miscellaneous  Information.  No.  6.  From 
the  Royal  Gardens,  Kew.  This  contains  articles  on 
"The  Grasses  of  British  Somaliland,"  by  Dr.  Otto- 
Stapf  (24  pages).  "  The  Flowering  of  Cultivated  Bam- 
boos," by  Mr.  W.  J.  Bean.  "Accession  of  Tropical 
African  Plants  from  1899-1906,"  by  Dr.  Otto  Stapf. 
"New  Species  of  Wild  Fungi  found  in  the  Royal 
Gardens,  Kew"  (illustrated),  by  Mr.  Geo.  Massee.  ' 
■'  Rhododendron  Mariesii,"  by  Mr.  W.  Botting 
Hemsley,  F.R.S.,  &c. — The  Significance  of  Latent 
Characters  :  Some  Latent  Characters  of  a  White  Bean. 
by  Dr.  George  Harrison  Shull.  This  article  is  re- 
printed from  Science,  pp.  792-794,  Vol.  xxv. — The 
Country  Gentlemen's  Estate  Book,  1907.  This  work  is 
the  Year  Book  of  the  Country  Gentlemen's  Associa- 
tion, Ltd.,  24-25,  St.  James's  Street,  London,  S.W. — 
A  Simple  Method  of  Bookkeeping  for  Farmers,  Market 
Gardeners,  and  Dairymen,  by  H.  W.  Kersey.  The 
author  is  lecturer  in  bookkeeping  at  the  South-Eastern 
Agricultural  College,  Wye. — Quarterly  Journal  of 
Forestry,  edited  by  VV.  R.  Fisher. 


Jcly  20,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


53 


THE  SPECIES  OF  POTATOS. 

On  Monday,  the  8th  inst.,  at  the  invita- 
tion of  Mr.  Arthur  Sutton,  a  party  of  gentlemen 
visited  the  Reading  Nurseries  for  the  purpose 
of  inspecting  an  interesting  collection  of  plants 
representing  almost  all  the  known  species  of 
Potatos,  i.e.,  tuber-bearing  Solanums.  The 
primary  object  of  the  inspection  was  to 
determine  if  possible  which  species  was 
the  parent  of  the  Potato  of  commerce — 
Solanum  tuberosum — since,  strange  to  say,  this 
point  has  never  yet  been  determined,  S. 
tuberosum  being,  presumably,  so  named  by 
Linnaeus  from  the  cultivated  plant  of  his  time, 
and  not  from  a  wild  form.  The  first  exhibits 
consisted  of  plants  raised  from  seeds  and  tubers 
received  from  Mr.  W.  Stuart,  of  the  Vermont 
Agricultural  Station,  and  assumed  to  be  of  the 
purely  wild  type  of  S.  tuberosum,  having  been 


these,  however,  agreed  sufficiently  with  the 
cultivated  Potato  to.  be  accepted  without  reserve 
as  its  progenitor,  and  the  same  may  be  said  of 
S.  polyadenium  and  S.  verrucosum,  of  which 
plants  raised  both  from  seed  and  tubers 
were  exhibited.  Solanum  Maglia  was  the  next, 
and  in  connection  with  this  it  transpired  that 
presumed  specimens  of  this  species  raised  from 
tubers  first  received  from  Kew  in  1886  were 
not  the  same  as  the  S.  Maglia  now  grow- 
ing at  Kew,  a  fact  attributed  to  the  habit  the 
species  possesses  of  producing  tubers  a  very 
long  distance  away  from  the  haulm,  and  conse- 
quently liable  to  invade  the  area  occupied  by 
other  plants  Solanum  Maglia  appears  rarely, 
if  ever,  to  produce  fertile  seed,  but  Professor 
Heckel,  of  Marseilles,  reports  that  he  has 
obtained  a  mutation  from  Solanum  Maglia  by 
"bud  variation,"  that  is  to  say,  one  of  the 
tubers  of  Solanum   Maglia  gave  an  absolutely 


Fig.  19.— crinum  x  h.  j.  elwes  (c.  moorei  a  c.  americanum)  :  colour  of  flowers  pink, 

OF   A    SHADE    SIMILAR    TO    THAT   OF    AMARYLLIS  BELLADONNA,  BUT  HAVING  WHITISH  CENTRES. 
(See  note  on  page  35  in  the  issue  for  last  week  ) 


collected  in  the  wild  state  in  Mexico..  This 
species  grows  less  than  a  foot  high,  comes 
perfectly  true  from  seed,  and  seedlings  are 
vigorous,  but  when  cultivated  from  the  tubers 
(which  are  not  much  larger  than  filberts)  the 
plants  are  very  weakly  and  consequently  de- 
generate. This  latter  feature  and  the  con- 
stancy found  in  the  seedlings  markedly  dis- 
tinguish the  plants  from  the  cultivated  Potato, 
seedlings  of  which  are  notoriously  variable, 
while  the  tubers  produce  healthy  plants  almost 
indefinitely.  A  quite  distinct  form,  termed  "  S. 
tuberosum  new  species,"  also  from  the  United 
States,  was  much  stronger  in  habit,  and  like  the 
former  comes  true  from  seed  ;  this  has  its  tubers 
mottled.  A  third  distinct  form,  S.  t.  boreale, 
collected  in  Arizona,  and  received  from  the 
Rev.  Aikman  Paton,  was  next  shown.     None  of 


distinct  type  of  Potato,  originating  while  the 
parent  tuber  was  under  •  the  surface  of  the 
ground,  and  that  this  variation  when  planted 
had  produced  a  Potato  apparently  indistinguish- 
able from  the  well-known  cultivated  Potato 
"  Vicar  of  Laleham."  It  will  be  remembered 
that  in  the  case  of  the  so-called  mutation  from 
Solanum  Commersonii,  claimed  by  Mons. 
Labergerie,  the  result  was  a  Potato  considered 
by  many  expests  as  identical  with  the  German 
Potato  "Blue  Giant."  French  scientists  are 
divided  in  the  opinions  they  hold,  but  in 
England  few  experts  admit  the  possibility  of 
one  distinct  species  of  Solanum  or  any  kind  of 
Potato  having  transformed  itself  directly  into 
another  by  bud  variation. 

It    is   noteworthy   that   seedlings   of  this   sup- 
posed   mutation    from    self-pollinated    flowers, 


instead  of  reproducing  the  parent  type,  showed 
the  same  remarkable  variation  in  the  seedlings 
which  is  common  to  the  cultivated  Potato  when 
grown  from  seed,  and  not  from  tubers. 

The  next  exhibit  was  S.  etuberosum  (grown 
at  Reading  successively  for  20  years  from  tubers 
received  from  the  Edinburgh  Botanical  Gardens), 
or  the  non-tuberous  Solanum,  a  most  misleading 
name,  for  it  not  only  produces  tubers  and 
edible  ones,  but  the  Solanum  genus  is  a.  very 
large  one  and  includes  many  non-tuberous 
species.  This  species  was  considered  by  Mr. 
Sutton  to  be  the  most  likely  progenitor  of  the 
culinary  tuber,  and  the  bulk  of  evidence  cer- 
tainly supported  that  view  as  opposed  to  the 
idea  that  any  of  the  S.  tuberosums  so-called  of 
the  first  exhibits  could  claim  that  distinction. 
S.  Commersonii,  together  with  some  interesting 
crosses,  were  then  shown  side  by  side  with  its 
reputed  offspring  (by  bud  variation),  "  S. 
Commersonii  Violet,"  an  exhibit,  however, 
which  only  tended  to  confirm  the  now  generally 
accepted  view  that  the  two  are  quite  uncon- 
nected, the  latter  being  to  all  appearances  only 
the  well-known   Potato  "Blue  Giant." 

An    unnamed     species,    termed    merely    "the 

African  Potato,"  was  remarkable  for  producing 

a   large   number   of   long   thin   stolons   from   its 

•base,  radiating  in  all  directions  over  the  surface 

of  the   soil. 

As  a  sort  of  supplementary  exhibit  Mr.  Sutton 
showed  a  facsimile  of  a  water-colour  drawing 
(see  Gardeners'  Chronicle,  March  17,  1900,  fig. 
50),  dated  1588,  showing  the  cultivated  Potato 
of  that  date,  signed  by  the  botanist  Clusius  and 
contemporaneously  authenticated  in  other  ways. 
Its  exact  resemblance  to  the  Potatos  of 
to-day  in  flower,  fruit,  and  foliage,  and  in 
everything  but  the  size  of  the  tuber,  which  is 
small  and  irregular  in  shape,  is  remarkable, 
while  it  certainly  was  far  from,  agreeing  exactly 
with  any  of  the  wild  species  shown.  The 
curious  fact  that  in  more  than  one  of  the  wild 
species  propagation  by  the  tuber  tends  to  de- 
generation, while  the  seedling  plants  are  far 
more  vigorous,  finds  a  singular  inversion  in  the 
fact  that  now  that  the  habit  of  abundant  and 
vigorous  tuber  production  in  cultivated  Potatos 
is  so  common,  the  production  of  seed  pods  has 
become  comparatively  rare.  Ckas.  T.  Druery, 
VMM.,  F.L.S. 


HOME    CORRESPONDENCE. 

(The  Editor  does  not  hold  himself  responsible  for  the 
opinions  expressed  ty  his  correspondents.) 
Sweet  Pea  Sposts.— The  knowledge  that 
Sweet  Peas  of  the  Countess  Spencer  type  are 
specially  amenable  to  cross-fertilisation  because 
of  their  projecting  stigmas,  and  hence  their  ex- 
cessive sporting,  is  not  new,  for  it  has  been 
known  to  many  growers  of  Sweet  Peas  for  some 
time  past.  I  consider  it  is  very  doubtful  that 
this  structural  peculiarity  is  entirely  the  cause 
of  the  sporting,  for  other' varieties  that  have  not 
a  projecting  stigma  have  sported  appreciably, 
though  none  so  freely  as  the  Countess  Spen- 
cer type.  But  the  Sweet  Pea  is,  of  all  seed- 
raised  plants,  peculiarly  susceptible  to  sport- 
ing ;  indeed,  the  same  thing  is  largely  seen  in 
edible  Peas,  and  every  seed-grower  knows  this 
is  the  case,  even  with  old-fashioned  stocks. 
A.  D. 

Protection  of  Trees  from  Hares.— Mr. 

F  V.  Theobold,  in  his  recent  report,  mentioned 
that  he  is  unaware  of  the  existence  of  any  sub- 
stance which  will  render  trees  distasteful  to 
hares  and  rabbits  ;  and  he  has  suggested  that 
information  which  I  have  been  able  to  give  him 
about  one  such  substance  might  be  of  use  to 
many  fruit-growers.  The  substance  which  I 
have  used  for  several  years  in  Devonshire  is 
called  Smearoleum,  and  is  obtainable  from 
Thomas  and  Co.,  Ceres  Chemical  Works,  Liver- 
pool, at  about  2s:  6d.  the  gallon.  It  is  certainly 
effective,  and  though  I  do  not  quite  like  the 
appearance  of  the  tree-stems  after  they  have  been 
treated  with  it,  I  have  not  yet  traced  any  injury 
due  to  its  use.     Spencer  Pickering. 


54 


THE     GARDENERS     CHRONICLE. 


[July  20,  1907. 


Narcissus  poeticus  as  a  Market  Flower. 

■ — Some  of  the  newer  hybrids  of  Narcissus 
Poeticus  have  now  multiplied  sufficiently  to  be 
available  for  market  planting,  and  it  will  be  in- 
teresting to  observe  whether  or  not  they  will 
prove  a  profitable  crop.  I  have  every  confidence 
in  them.  When  in  conversation  with  a  large 
market-grower,  several  years  ago,  he  informed 
me  that  when  he  sent  new  and  choice  varieties 
of  Trumpet  Daffodils  to  market  he  found  that 
they  did  not  realise  higher  prices  than  did  such 
standard  and  well-known  kinds  as  Emperor,  Gol- 
den Spur,  &c,  but  that  when  he  had  sent  new 
and  improved  varieties  of  N.  poeticus  he  found  a 
marked  improvement  in  their  price  over  those 
of  the  old  Ornatus  and  others  of  the  type.  Re- 
cently I  had  occasion  to  write  to  a  large  grower 
for  some  bulbs  of  a  new  Poet's  Daffodil,  as  I 
knew  he  held  the  main  stock  of  the  variety,  but 
the  reply  I  received  was  that  he  did  not  care  to 
part  with  more  than  a  very  few  bulbs,  as  he  in- 
tended growing  this  plant  for  his  cut-flower 
trade.  Within  the  past  two  or  three  seasons 
stocks  of  improved  varieties  of  N.  poeticus  have 
been  sold  for  very  high  prices,  in  some  cases 
the  purchaser  being  a  market-grower.  There 
is  certainly  a  scarcity  of  some  varieties,  which 
can  only  be  explained  by  the  fact  that  there  is 
an  extra  demand,  and  in  several  cases  prices 
have  actually  risen.  All  these  things,  to  my 
mind,  go  to  show  that  there  is  a  good  future 
for  this  beautiful  and  useful  section  of  the  genus 
Narcissus,  and  growers  who  are  the  first  to  cul- 
tivate the  best  of  the  "  Pheasant-eye  "  Narcis- 
sus for  market  will  find  the  investment  a 
remunerative  one.     F.  Herbert  Chapman. 

Summer  Pruning  of  Fruit  Trees.— The 
tabulated  results  of  summer  pruning  and 
the  dates  recommended  for  the  practice 
on  pp.  400-403  vary  in  an  extraordinary 
manner,  and  set  one  thinking.  It  is  obvious 
that  some  of  the  contributors  confuse  summer 
pruning  with  early  disbudding,  but  they  are 
quite  different.  It  is  also  apparent  that  the  fear 
indicated  in  the  leading  article  on  p.  404,  that 
summer  pruning  may  be  performed  too  early, 
and  thus  cause  basal  buds  which  ought  to 
remain  dormant  and  in  due  time  become  fruit 
buds  to  burst  before  autumn  into  leafy  shoots, 
is  largely  entertained.  It  is  doubtful  if  this  has 
ever  been  proved  to  have  happened.  Personally 
I  have  never  seen  it  occur,  and  I  have  experi- 
mented not  only  on  out-of-door  fruit  trees, 
but  also  on  indoor  ones,  particularly  vines. 
Reasoning  from  analogy,  it  is  the  buds  on  the 
hardened  shoots  which  ought  to  burst  from  the 
base.  If  a  soft-stemmed  Carnation  is  pinched, 
the  upper  buds  only  break  into  growth,  the 
lower  ones  remaining  dormant ;  the  same  thing 
occurs  in  the  case  of  the  Fuchsia,  the  Verbena, 
and  other  flowering  plants.  In  the  limited 
space  of  a.  circular  it  is  impossible  to  express 
one's  opinions  exactly,  and  after  perusing  the 
table  in  question  I  notice  that  my  own  meaning 
is  not  quite  clear.  Apples,  it  is  remarked,  are 
not  treated.  That  refers  to  bush  Apples,  the 
only  summer  pruning  which  these  receive  being 
the  removal  of  "  water  "  shoots  on  over-vigorous 
trees,  and  these  are  burst  off  at  the  junctions  of 
the  shoots  with  the  main  stem.  In  the  case  of 
Apples  trained  to  wires,  practically  all  the 
pruning  they  receive  is  effected  during  the  grow- 
ing season.  But  the  knife  is  employed  as  spar- 
ingly as  possible,  and  mainly  to  cut  off  parts  of 
spurs  which  are  unfruitful  and  weak  and  in 
positions  where  they  could  never  be  otherwise. 
Most  of  the  summer  growths  are  rubbed  off,  but 
some  broken  off,  and  they  are  removed  princi- 
pally to  admit  sunlight  to  the  foliage  on  the 
fruiting  spurs.  Plums  require  somewhat  different 
treatment  from  other  stone  fruits,  for  their  spurs 
may  be  allowed  to  extend  several  inches  from 
the  wall.  But  even  with  these  trees  one  has  to 
discriminate,  for  Magnum  Bonum,  Monarch, 
and  other  big-leaved  varieties  are  grown  more 
satisfactorily  when  they  are  closely  pruned. 
Plums  should  be  knife-pruned,  leaving  three  to 
five  leaves,  but  at  the  same  time  being  careful 
to  remove  weakly  shoots.  Apricots  require  very 
little  pruning  if  disbudded  early  in  the  year,  and 
as  a  rule  the  knife  is  not  needed  in  the  case  of 
these  trees.  In  the  case  of  Peaches,  disbudding 
in  early  summer  leaves  nothing  but  the  shoots 
ing  the  present  year's  crops  and  those  neces. 
sary  for  the  next  year's  fruiting.  At  present  the 
young  growths  require  fastening  to  the  wall  and 
the  lateral  growths  rigidly  suppressed.  Later, 
when  the  fruits  have  been  gathered,  any  useless 
branches    may   be    removed.     Root  pruning   is 


referred  to  by  some  of  the  compilers.  In  the 
rather  light  soil  here,  while  it  is  essential  to 
root-prune  young  trees  in  order  to  get  them  into 
training,  after  this  has  been  secured  it  is  bene- 
ficial in  a  greater  degree  to  perpetuate  a  succes- 
sion of  fibrous  roots  by  means  of  manurial 
dressings  either  forked  lightly  into  the  soil  above 
the  roots,  or  to  skim  off  the  surface  soil  down 
to  the  roots  and  apply  a  dressing  immediately 
above  these,  a  surfacing  of  soil  finishing  the 
operation.  This  latter  method  is  the  best  system 
for  espaliers  and  cordons.  A  simple  and  effi- 
cient method  of  root-pruning  consists  in  turning 
out  a  narrow  trench  all  round  the  tree  to  the 
depth  of  a  spade,  and  then  pushing  that  imple- 
ment as  deep  into  the  ground  as  it  will  go  all 
around  the  tree.     ~R.  P.  Br  other  ston,  Scotland. 

— ■ Most  gardeners  will  admit  that  sum- 
mer pruning  is  especially  necessary  in  the  case 
of  cordon,"  espalier,  and  wall-trained  trees, 
because  of  their  restricted  growth  and  train- 
ing ;  but  pyramid,  bush,  and  other  trees  of 
larger  size,  and  whose  growths  are  not  _  so 
severely  curtailed,  do  not  require  much  pruning 
in  summer.  The  results  on  pp.  400-403  are  in- 
teresting, and,  in  some  instances,  amusing.  On 
p.  424  Mr.  Lewis  Castle  sums  the  matter  up 
briefly,  and,  like  Mr.  Castle,  I  should  like  to 
have  evidence  that  summer  pruning  produces 
fruit  buds  in  the  one  season.  I  have  never  found 
it  have  that  effect :  the  result  is  more  biennial 
than  annual.     T.  H.  Slade,  Devonshire. 

Buddleia  Colvilei. — As  I  was  the  first  to 
bloom  this  beautiful  Himalayan  Buddleia  in 
Europe,  in  or  about  the  year  1891,  and  as  I 
have  grown  and  flowered  it  every  year  since,  I 
must,  with  regret,  take  exception  to  the  state- 
ment by  the  gardener  at  Culzean  Castle  (see 
p.  26)  that  it  is  perfectly  hardy.  It  may  be  so 
at  Culzean,  and  in  ordinary  years  it  is  so  on 
this  mild  sea-border,  but  in  1895  we  had  here 
on  January  5  as  much  as  29  degrees  of  frost, 
and  this  very  nearly  killed  my  big  plant.  All 
but  the  central  or  main  stem  succumbed,  and 
had  to  be  cut  away.  Any  severer  frost  would 
certainly  kill  it,  so  it  can  not  be  called  perfectly 
hardy.  Neither  have  I  ever  seen  on  it  any  of 
the  subsidiary  or  axillary  inflorescences  men- 
tioned by  your  correspondent,  only  the  ter- 
minal bunches  being  produced  on  my  plant, 
and  even  those  are  by  no  means  abundant. 
W.  E.  Gumblelon. 

As  I  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  the 

handsome  Buddleia  Colvilei  in  bloom  a  short 
time  ago  in  the  south-west  of  Scotland,  it  is 
with  pleasure  I  read  Mr.  Winter's  note  on  p.  26 
in  the  issue  for  July  13  recording  its  flowering 
at  Culzean  in  Ayrshire.  It  has  just  flowered 
for  the  first  time  in  the  garden  of  Mr.  W.  D. 
Robinson-Douglas,  of  Orchardton,  Castle- 
Douglas,  Kirkcudbrightshire,  on  the  shores 
of  the  Solway  Firth,  after  having  been  in  the 
garden  for  several  years  without  showing  flower. 
At  Orchardton  it  is  cultivated  against  a  wall 
facing  almost  due  west,  where  it  occupies  a  con- 
siderable space  and  reaches  a  height  of  10  or 
12  feet.  The  weather  last  winter  cut  it  rather 
severely,  but  in  June  it  opened  its  first  flowers, 
which  were  very  beautiful  with  their  handsome, 
rosy-red  racemes.  One  would  gather  that  the 
Culzean  plant  is  not  against  a  wall,  and  perhaps 
Mr.  Winter  will  kindly  give  us  some  particulars 
of  its  precise  position.  Culzean  Gardens  are 
famous  in  Scotland  for  their  tender  shrubs,  and 
the  district  seems  to  have  a  slightly  milder 
climate  than  that  in  this  part  of  the  south-west 
of  Scotland.  I  may  add  that  the  Edwardsia 
flowered  for  the  first  time  at  Orchardton  along- 
side Buddleia  Colvilei.  The  Index  Kewensis 
spells  the  specific  name  of  the  latter 
plant  as  "  Colvilei,"  while  the  Kew  Hand- 
list makes  it  "  Colvillei."  The  difference 
is  not  a  great  one,  but  it  is  well  to  be 
correct  whenever  possible.  S.  Arnott,  Sunny- 
mead,  Dumfries.  [B.  Colvilei  is  correct,  the 
species  having  been  named  after  Sir  James  Col- 
vile,  F.R.S.,  who  at  the  time  of  its  discovery 
was  Puisne  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Cal- 
cutta, and  President  of  the  Bengal  Asiatic 
Society.  See  Botanical  Magazine,  t.  7,449. — 
Ed.] 

Richardia  africana.— These  plants  have 
survived  several  winters  uninjured  in  the 
waters  of  these  gardens,  where  they  are  planted 
in  clumps  between  other  aquatics.  They  are 
now  in  flower,  and  the  large,  white  spathes  are 
borne  a  couple  of  feet  above  the  water.  W.  A. 
Cook,  Lconardslee  Gardens,  Horsham. 


Strawberry  Kentish  Favourite  (seep.  33). 
— The  appearance  of  this  variety  is  similar  to 
Leader,  but  the  difference  in  flavour  is  marked 
even  in  a  season  like  this,  when  all  Straw- 
berries are  at  a  disadvantage  in  this  respect  on 
account  of  the  lack  of  sunshine.  Kentish  Favour- 
ite is  a  remarkable  cropper,  and  Mr.  T.  Challis,  of 
Wilton,  writing  in  the  Gardeners'  Chronicle  of 
June  15th,  says  :  "  I  forced  a  few  plants  of  this 
in  the  same  house  and  concurrently  with  Royal 
Sovereign  .  .  .  the  fruits  set  well,  and 
ripened  eight  days  before  Royal  Sovereign. 
They  were  solid  and  firm  in  texture,  somewhat 
sweeter,  and  deeper  in  colour  than  Royal 
Sovereign,  and  possessed  a  distinct  pine 
flavour."  I  doubt  if  the  above  remarks  could 
apply  to  Strawberry  "  Leader."  In  addition  to 
the  Award  of  Merit  from  the  Royal  Horticul- 
tural Society,  Kentish  Favourite  received  the 
Royal  Agricultural  Society's  "  Certificate  of 
Merit  "  at  Lincoln  this  year.     Laurence  J.  Cook. 

Since  taking  some  plants  and  fruits  of 

this  variety  to  the  Temple  Show  I  have  received 
so  many  requests  for  information  as  to  how  it  was 
raised  that  I  shall  be  glad  if  you  will  kindly  insert 
the  following  particulars :  Kentish  Favourite  was 
raised  from  seed  saved  from  Captain,  Waterloo, 
and  Sensation,  and  was  the  only  seedling  worth 
saving  out  of  all  the  batch.  It  is  a  little  earlier 
than  Royal  Sovereign  and  produces  at  least  four 
times  the  weight  of  fruit  per  acre  and  is  of  much 
better  flavour.  It  has  proved  hardier  than 
Royal  Sovereign,  and  I  have  never  seen  a  trace  of 
mildew  on  it.  Being  a  very  dwarf,  compact 
grower  it  can  be  planted  closer  together  than  other 
varieties,  and  if  planted  early  will  produce  a  heavy 
crop  of  fruits  in  the  first  season.  Walter  R.  Pierce, 
St.  Dunstan's  Nurseries,  Canterbury. 

The    Rainfall    in    Carmarthenshire.  — 

Referring  to  Mr.  W.  A.  Cook's  statement  on  p.  33 
as  to  the  rainfall  at  Leonardslee  Gardens,  Sussex, 
it  may  be  interesting  to  some  readers  to  know 
what  a  difference  there  is  between  the  rainfall  in 
Sussex  and  that  in  Carmarthenshire.  The  rain 
measured  here  during  the  last  six  months  is  as  fol- 
lows : — January,  282;  February, 290;  March, 
215;  April,  399;  May,  548;  June,  627;  total, 
2361.  I  may  mention  also  that  on  July  11  our 
thermometer  registered  1"  of  frost.  F.  Surman, 
The  Gardens,  Golden  Grove. 

The  Kaki. — Having  grown  the  Diospyros  Kaki 
for  more  than  10  years  I  can  fully  support  the 
statements  of  W.  W .  in  last  week's  issue,  p.  22. 
My  trees  stood  the  winter  of  1906-7  without  injury 
on  Streatham  Hill,  but  a  little  shelter  from  extreme 
frost  and  cutting  winds  is  desirable  even  in  the 
south  of  England.  The  flavour  varies  consider- 
ably in  the  different  vatieties.  The  flavour  of  my 
fruits  is  mild  and  pleasant.  They  are  free  from 
seeds  and  easy  to  eat  with  a  spoon  when  "  bletted." 
W.  Roupcll,  Harvey  Lodge,  Roupell  Park,  S.  W. 

Broad  Beans  Cooked  as  Scarlet  Run- 
ners.— Those  who  want  a  nice  vegetable  for  the 
table  should  pick  Broad  Beans  when  they  are 
young — that  is,  when  the  Beans  inside  are  no 
larger  than  an  ordinary  Pea.  Cut  the  pods  into 
thin  slices,  as  is  done  with  Scarlet  Runners, 
and  cook  them  in  the  same  manner.  When 
dished  up  they  will  have  excellent  flavour.  I 
think  all  who  do  this  will  be  pleased  with  the 
result.     L.   H.  Hallett. 

Darlingtonias  and  Sarracenias.  —  These 
insectivorous  subjects  are  planted  in  the  open 
at  Leonardslee.  They  appear  very  brilliant  when 
viewed  in  the  sunshine.  Darlingtonias  do  not 
flower  with  the  same  freedom  as  the  Sarra- 
cenias, but  they  are  nevertheless  very  pretty. 
W.   A.   Cook,  Leonardslee   Gardens. 

Rose  a  parfum  de  l'Hay. — With  referenee  to 
Mr.  Gumbleton's  note  on  this  Rose  in  last  week's 
issue  (p.  25),  I  may  state  that  it  flowered  here 
last  year,  and  it  is  blooming  at  the  present 
time.  It  is  very  fragrant,  biTt  it  has  certain 
defects.  Colour  is  a  matter  of  taste,  but 
I  do  not  care  for  its  purplish  tone.  More 
serious,  however,  is  the  weak  character  of  the 
flower-stalks,  which  are  not  strong  enough  to 
bear  the  flowers  up,  and  the  latter  consequently 
droop  when  nearly  expanded.  It  is  not  suited 
to  a  wet  season,  and  both  during  last  year — 
which  was  not  by  any  means  a  wet  one — and 
also  this,  many  of  the  flowers  did  not  open  and 
the  others  were  soon  disfigured.  In  its  perfume 
it  reminds  one  greatly  of  some  of  the  old  garden 
Roses,  such  as  the  Damask  Rose,  and  this  is 
certainly  a  strong  point  in  its  favour.  S.  Arnott, 
Sun'nymead,  Dumfries. 


July  20,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS     CHRONICLE. 


55 


SOCIETIES. 


NATIONAL    SWEET   PEA. 

July  16. — The  seventh  annual  exhibition  of 
this  Society  was  held  on  this  date  in  the  Royal 
Horticultural  Hall,  Vincent  Square,  Westmins- 
ter. The  show  was  a  success  in  every  respect, 
and  the  finest  ever  held  by  this  young  and  en- 
terprising Society.  The  entries  were  more 
numerous  than  those  of  last  year  ;  they  numbered 
797,  spread  over  88  classes,  and  the  bunches  of 
flowers  totalled  3,217,  or  1,200  more  than  at  the 
corresponding  show  of  last  season.  The  whole 
of  the  spacious  Hall  was  filled  with  exhibits, 
even  in  the  annexes,  and  three  rooms  were  fur- 
ther requisitioned  upstairs  to  hold  some  of  the 
displays  that  could  not  be  accommodated  on 
the  ground  floor.  That  the  exhibition  is  a 
popular  one  was  evidenced  by  the  large  patron- 
age afforded  it  by  the  general  public.  The 
weather  was  perfect.  The  arrangements  left 
nothing  to  be  desired,  and  the  Secretary,  Mr.  C. 
H.  Curtis,  is  to  be  congratulated  on  the  success 
of  the  exhibition — the  first  during  his  term  of 
office.  Mr.  Beeadmore  again  met  with  remark- 
able success  in  the  principal  open  classes  ;  but 
in  the  amateurs'  section  the  principal  winner  of 
last  year's  prizes  was  excelled  by  other  ex- 
hibitors. New  varieties  were  numerous,  and  of 
these  seven  were  selected  for  Awards  of  Merit, 
but  none  was  deemed  worthy  the  Society's  First- 
class  Certificate.  The  finest  new  flower  was  the 
orange-scarlet  variety,  St.  George.  In  more 
than  one  instance  flowers  shown  under  the  name 
of  John  Ingman  were  disqualified.  The  only 
apparent  difference  was  that  they  had  hooded 
instead  of  waved  standards. 

Special  Audit  Class. 

This  was  for  15  bunches  of  Sweet  Peas,  dis- 
tinct. The  schedule  required  the  varieties  to  be 
selected  from  those  following,  which  were  the 
highest  on  the  audit  list  of  1906  : — King  Edward 
VII.,  John  Ingman,  Gladys  Unwin,  Helen  Lewis, 
Duchess  of  Sutherland,  Dainty,  America,  Prin- 
cess of  Wales,  Hon.  Mrs.  E.  Kenyon,  Jeannie 
Gordon,  Navy  Blue,  Mrs.  Walter  Wright,  Duke  of 
Westminster,  Black  Knight,  Lady  Grizel  Hamil- 
ton, Dorothy  Eckford,  Agnes  Johnston,  George 
Gordon,  Helen  Pierce,  and  Coccinea.  The  1st 
prize  consisted  of  the  Sutton  Silver  Challenge 
Cup,  the  Gold  Medal  of  the  National  Sweet  Pea 
Society,  and  a  monetary  prize.  Trade  growers 
were  excluded.  Nine  excellent  exhibits  were 
staged,  and  that  shown  by  Mr.  Thomas  Steven- 
son, Woburn  Place,  Addlestone,  was  adjudged 
the  best.  His  varieties  were  :  King  Edward  VII., 
John  Ingman,  Gladys  Unwin,  Helen  Lewis, 
Dainty,  Princess  of  Wales,  Hon.  Mrs.  E.  Ken- 
yon, Jeannie  Gordon,  Navy  Blue,  Mrs.  Walter 
Wright,  Duke  of  Westminster,  Black  Knight, 
Lady  Grizel  Hamilton,  Dorothy  Eckford,  and 
Helen  Pierce.  The  2nd  prize  was  awarded  Mr. 
T.  Jones,  Bryn  Penylan,  Ruabon,  Wales,  whose 
best  blooms  were  those  of  Helen  Pierce,  Dainty, 
Mrs.  Walter  Wright,  Helen  Lewis,  Hon  Mrs.  E. 
Kenyon,  King  Edward  VII.,  Jeannie  Gordon, 
and  Dorothy  Eckford.  3rd,  Mr.  H.  H.  Lees, 
Warblington  Cottage,   Havant. 

In  this  class  some  of  the  exhibits  were  dis- 
qualified as  not  being  true  to  name.  This  was 
seen  in  the  case  of  flowers  shown  under  the 
name  John  Ingman,  but  which  had  not  the 
waved  standard  associated  with  that  variety. 
Mr.  A.  E.  Usher,  Banston  House,  Blandford, 
Dorset,  showed  a  splendid  collection,  but  was 
disqualified  for  his  specimens  labelled  John 
Ingman  and  George  Gordon. 

■  Classification  Class  (Open). 
This  was  for  a  collection  of  20  varieties  of 
Sweet  Peas  including  one  variety  only  of  each 
colour  given  in  the  Society's  Classification 
Tables.  It  is  intended  to  illustrate  the  colour 
distinctions  in  the  Society's  classification,  and 
to  bring  into  special  prominence  the  finest  varie- 
ties in  the  several  colours.  The  prizes  were 
given  by  the  President,  Sir  George  Cooper,  Bart., 
Hursley  Park,  Winchester.  The  best  display 
was  staged  by  Mr.  C.  W.  Breadmore,  120,  High 
Street,  Winchester,  although  it  was  not  much  in 
advance  of  the  2nd  prize  exhibit  shown  by 
Messrs.  G.  &  A.  Clark,  Ltd.,  Dover.  Another 
good  collection  shown  by  Messrs.  Saltmarsh  & 
Sox,  Chelmsford,  was  awarded  the  3rd  prize. 
Mr.  Breadmore  had  superb  flowers  of  Coccinea, 
Lady  Grizel   Hamilton,  Jeannie  Gordon,   Lottie 


Eckford,  Countess  Spencer,  Romolo  Piazzani, 
King  Edward  VII.,  Princess  of  W'ales,  Helen 
Lewis,  Duke  of  Westminster,  Duchess  of  Suther- 
land, Mrs.  H.  Wright,  Black  Knight,  Agnes  John- 
son, John  Ingman,  Jessie  Cuthbertson,  Helen 
Pierce,  and  Dora  Breadmore.  Amongst  Messrs. 
Clarke's  varieties  were  excellent  examples  of 
Gladys  Unwin,  America,  Lady  Grizel  Hamilton, 
Beacon,  Helen  Pierce,  Henry  Eckford,  George 
Gordon,  &c. 

Collections  of  Sweet  Peas  (Open). 

The  largest  class  was  that  for  36  bunches  of 
Sweet  Peas  in  distinct  varieties.  This  brought 
a  good  competition  amongst  five  exhibitors. 
Mr.  Breadmore  was  again  to  the  fore  with  a 
remarkably  fine  exhibit  of  flowers  of  large  size 
on  strong  stalks,  and  with  beautifully-developed 
colours,  of  such  standard  varieties  as  Mrs.  A. 
Watkins,  King  Edward  VII.  (very  fine),  Agnes 
Johnson,  Evelyn  Breadmore  (white,  with  a  faint 
suffusion  of  pink),  Audrey  Crier,  Miss  Will- 
mott,  Janet  Scott  (a  suffusion  of  pink  on  a  yel- 
low ground),  Lady  Cooper,  Helen  Pierce,  Phe- 
nomenal, Mrs.  'Collier  (yellow),  Henry  Eckford, 
and  several  seedlings  of  merit. 

Messrs.  Clark  were  again  2nd.  This  firm  had 
choice  blooms,  but  they  were  shown  with  shorter 
stalks,  and  did  not  stand  up  so  as  to  appear  to 
the  best  advantage.  Their  best  varieties  were 
Dora  Breadmore,  Helen  Lewis,  King  Edward 
VII.,  Dorothy  Eckford  (white),  America  (a  beau- 
tiful flaked  rose  variety),  Janet  Scott,  Beacon, 
&c.  3rd,  Messrs.  G.  Stark  &  Son,  Great  Ry- 
burgh,  Norfolk. 

Twenty-four  bunches  of  Sweet  Peas,  distinct. — 
This  important  class  was  represented  by  six 
exhibits,  and  keen  competition  resulted.  Mr. 
Breadmore  again  won  the  premier  prize,  this 
time  easily,  with  flowers  of  high  quality,  bold  in 
spike,  fine  in  colour,  and  clear  of  petal.  His 
best  bunches  were  those  of  J.  T.  Crier,  George 
Herbert,  Vera  Jeffery,  Princess  of  Wales, 
Tweedy  Smith,  Etta  Dyke  (white),  Nora  Bread- 
more,  Helen  Lewis,  Audrey  Cirier,  Bolton's 
Pink,  and  America.  Again  Messrs.  Clark, 
Ltd.,  won  the  2nd  prize;  3rd,  Messrs.  Salt- 
marsh  &  Son,  Chelmsford. 

Twelve  bunches  of  Sweet  Peas,  distinct. — This 
brought  forth  12  displays,  amongst  which  the 
flowers  generally  were  of  choice  quality.  None 
was,  however,  equal  to  those  shown  by  Mr. 
Breadmore,  and  he  was  again  placed  1st  for 
huge  spikes  of  massive  flowers,  well  selected  in 
the  matter  of  colours.  We  may  select  Prince  of 
Asturias  (dark  crimson),  Helen  Lewis,  Etta 
Dyke,  Vera  Jeffery  (a  suffusion  of  pale  pink), 
Evelyn  Breadmore,  George  Herbert  (fine  of 
colour),  Mrs.  H.  H.  Lees,  &c,  as  the  more  nota- 
ble varieties.  2nd,  Messrs.  Isaac  House  &  Son, 
Coombe  Nursery,  Westbury-on-Trvm,  Bristol. 

Amateurs'   Classes. 

Twenty-four  bunches  of  Sweet  Peas,  distinct. — 
The  1st  prize  in  this  important  class  carried 
with  it  the  Silver  Medal  of  the  Society.  It  was 
gained  by  W\  N.  Rawxsley,  Esq.,  Afford,  Lin- 
colnshire (gr.  Mr.  T.  Vickers),  for  a  display  re- 
markable for  the  length  of  the  flower  stalks,  the 
fine  colours  of  the  flowers,  and  general  excellence. 
He  showed  David  R.  Williamson,  Nora  Unwin, 
Henry  Eckford  (one  of  the  finest  vases  of  this 
superb  variety  seen  in  the  Hall),  Helen  Lewis, 
Queen  Alexandra,  James  Grieve  (a  fine  yellow 
variety).  Black  Knight,  Countess  Spencer,  Mrs. 
Walter  Wright,  Dorothy  Eckford,  &c.  2nd,  Mr. 
Silas  Cole,  Althorp  Park  Gardens,  North- 
ampton. 

"Eighteen  bunches  of  Sweet  Peas,  distinct. — The 
best  exhibit  amongst  six  was  that  shown  by 
G.  D.  Faber,  Esq.,  C.B.,  M.P.,  Rush  Court, 
Wallingford,  Berks  (gr.  Mr.  J.  Dymock)  ;  2nd, 
Mr.  A.  H.  Hickman,  Eagle  and  Spur  Inn, 
Cookley,  near  Kidderminster. 

Six  bunches  of  Sweet  Peas,  distinct. — This  class 
evoked  a  strong  competition,  and  no  fewer  than 
17  exhibits  were  displayed,  the  majority  of  which 
were  of  excellent  quality. 

Mr.  Silas  Coles,  Althorp  Park  Gardens, 
Northampton,  won  the  1st  prize  for  choice 
examples  of  Lady  Sarah  Spencer,  Helen  Lewis, 
Navy  Blue,  Countess  Spencer,  S.  Cole,  Dorothy 
Eckford,  Hon.  Mrs.  Kenyon,  &c.  2nd,  Mr.  A. 
E.  Usher,  Ranston  House,  Blandford,  Dorset, 
who  had  a  remarkably  fine  bunch  of  the  variety 
Henry  Eckford. 

\\.  :.■  varieties. — The  best  twelve  bunches  of 
Sweet  Peas  three  of  each  of  the  following  new 


varieties :  Mrs.  Alfred  Watkins,  E.  J.  Castle, 
Nora  Unwin,  and  Frank  Dolby,  were  shown  by 
Mr.  J.  Jones,  Providence  Cottage,  Soulton 
Road,  Wem. 

Kckford  Challenge  Cup. 

A  trophy  called  the  Henry  Eckford  Memorial 
Challenge  Cup,  of  the  value  of  50  guineas,  was 
offered  for  12  bunches  of  Sweet  Peas  of  dis- 
tinct varieties.  The  first  prize  also  included 
the  Gold  Medal  of  the  National  Sweet  Pea 
Society.  The  Cup  must  be  won  three  times  in 
direct  succession  before  becoming  the  absolute 
property  of  any  exhibitor.  It  was  won  for  the 
first  time  last  year  by  Mr.  Thomas  Jones,  Rua- 
bon, but  this  year  Mr.  Jones  was  2nd  to  Mr. 
THOS.  Stevenson,  Woburn  Place  Gardens, 
Addlestone.  This  formed  the  strongest  class  in 
the  show,  and  no  fewer  than  18  displays  were 
staged.  The  judges  had  no  light  task  in  arriv- 
ing at  a  decision,  for  the  exhibits  generally  were 
of  high  merit,  and  not  much  difference  was 
seen  in  the  first  half-dozen  displays.  The  de- 
cision went  in  favour  of  the  exhibitor  named, 
with  Mr.  Jones  2nd,  and  Mr.  V.  B.  Johnstone, 
Ryhall  Hall,  Stamford,  3rd.  Not  a  weak  bunch 
was  seen  in  Mr.  Stevenson's  display.  His 
dozen  varieties  comprised  Paradise  (a  magnifi- 
cent bunch),  Henry  Eckford,  Mrs.  Collier,  Rosie 
Adams  (new),  Nora  Unwin,  Helen  Lewis,  Black 
Knight,  King  Edward  VII.,  Doris  Stevenson, 
Mrs.  Hardcastle  Sykes,  and  Romolo  Piazzani. 
Mr.  Jones  had  very  tall  bunches  arranged 
somewhat  straggling,  of  Helen  Lewis,  Henry 
Eckford,  Mrs.  Hardcastle  Sykes,  John  Ing- 
man, Clara  Curtis  (yellow),  Frank  Dolby 
(heliotrope),  &c.  3rd,  Mr.  V.  B.  Johnson,  Ry- 
hall Hall,  Stamford,  with  a  bright,  clean  lot, 
not  so  big  as  some,  but  of  fresh  appearance. 
Helen  Pierce,  Helen  Lewis,  Henry  Eckford,  Bol- 
ton's Pink,  Jeannie  Gordon,  and  Paradise  were 
his  best  flowers. 

Horace  Wright  Challenge  Bowl. 
This  trophy  was  offered  for  nine  bunches  of 
Sweet  Peas,  distinct,  and  the  class  was  de- 
signed to  draw  special  attention  to  varieties 
suitable  for  garden  decoration.  Competitors 
were  required  to  make  their  selection  from  those 
following  : — Apple  Blossom,  Lady  Grizel  Hamil- 
ton, Countess  Spencer,  Janet  Scott,  Venus, 
Peach  Blossom,  Princess  Beatrice,  Navy  Blue, 
Little  Dorrit,  Dorothy  Eckford,  King  Edward 
VII.,  Bronze  King,  Triumph,  Mrs.  Walter 
Wright,  Lady  Beaconsfield,  and  Salopian.  It 
is  required  that  the  Cup  be  won  three  times, 
not  necessarily  in  succession,  to  become  the 
absolute  property  of  an  exhibitor.  Five  growers 
competed,  with  the  result  that  Mr.  A.  Basile, 
Woburn  Park  Gardens,  Weybridge,  was  pin  ed 
1st  for  remarkably  tall  inflorescences  of  big 
flowers.  He  had  King  Edward  VII.,  Tanet 
Scott,  Dorothy  Eckford,  Countess  Spencer,  Lady 
Grizel  Hamilton,  Mrs.  Walter  Wright,  Peach 
Blossom,  Venus,  and  Triumph.  2nd,  W.  H. 
Rawxsley,  Esq.  (gr.  Mr.  T.  Vickers),  Well  Vale, 
Alford,  Lincolnshire. 

Special  Colour  Classes. 

Prizes  were  offered  for  single  bunches  of  Sweet 
Peas  of  certain  colours.  The  winning  varieties 
were  as  follow :— White,  Dorothy  Eckford  ; 
Blush,  Duchess  of  Sutherland ;  Crimson,  Queen 
Alexandra ;  Cerise,  Coccinea ;  Rose  and  Car- 
mine, John  Ingman  ;  Pink,  Countess  Spencer  ; 
Orange,  Henry  Eckford  ;  Yellow  and  Buff,  Dora 
Breadmore;  Lavender,  Lady  Grizel  Hamilton; 
Blue,  Navy  Blue ;  Mauve,  Mrs.  Walter 
Wright ;  Violet  and  Purple,  Duke  of  Westmin- 
ster ;  Maroon  and  Bronze,  Black  Knight ; 
Magenta;  George  Gordon;  Picotee-edged, 
Dainty ;  Striped  and  Flaked  Red  and  Rose, 
America  ;  Striped  and  Flaked  Purple  and  Blue, 
Princess  of  Wales  :  Bi-color,  Jeannie  Gordon ; 
Fancy,  Agnes  Johnstone;  Marbled,  Helen 
Pierce. 

Varieties  with  waved  standards. — Classes  were 
provided  for  both  trade  and  amateur  growers, 
for  varieties  with  waved  standards.  The  best 
twelve  bunches  in  the  amateurs'  section  were 
shown  by  Mrs.  Tigwell,  Harrow  View,  Green- 
forcl.  This  exhibitor  had  excellent  examples  of 
Helen  Lewis,  Mrs.  Alfred  Watkins  ipale  pink), 
Phenomenal,  Enchantress  (pink),  E.  J.  Castle 
(carmine),  Countess  Spencer,  Mrs.  Hardcastle 
Sykes,  Gladys  Unwin,  Geo.  Herbert  (carmine), 
Frank  Dolby,  Nora  Unw-in,  and  A.  J.  Cook. 


56 


THE    GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


[July  20,  1C07. 


The  best  collection  in  the  traders'  classes  com- 
prised the  varieties  Mrs.  Alec  Ware  (white, 
tinged  with  pink),  Olive  -Bolton  (pink),  Queen 
of  Norway  (heliotrope),  Clara  Curtis  (yellow), 
Tom  Bolton  (dark  maroon),  Mrs.  Chas.  Foster 
(pale  lavender),  May  Malcolm  (pink),  and  Purity 
(white). 

Awards  of  Merit. 
Sweet  Pea  St.  George. — This  variety,  the 
deepest  and  best  of  the  orange-shaded  flowers, 
is  described  on  p.  36.  It  received  an  Award  of 
Merit  at  the  recent  Holland  House  Show.  From 
Messrs.  Hurst  &  Son,  Houndsditch. 

Elsie  Herbert. — A  flower  suggestive  of  the 
variety  Dainty,  see  p.  36.  Shown  by  Mr.  C.  W. 
Breadmore,  Winchester. 

Silas  Cole.— A  flower  of  the  Black  Knight 
type.  The  parts  are  very  big  and  expanded  ; 
the  colour  is  bluish-violet  in  the  centre,  shad- 
ing to  a  deep  maroon  in  the  outer  parts  of  the 
petals.     Shown  by  Mr.  Silas  Cole. 

Nancy  Perkins. — A  flower  of  pale  orange-scar- 
let shaded  with  terra-cotta.  The  standard  is 
frilled.  Shown  by  Mr.  H.  A.  Perkins,  York 
Lodge,  Reigate. 

The  Marquis. — A  large  flower  of  lavender 
shade,  with  a  big  waved  standard.  The  best 
variety  of  its  colour.  Shown  by  Messrs.  Dobdie 
&  Co.,  Rothesay. 

Rosie  Adams. — A  variety  of  unique  shades  of 
colours.  The  central  parts  are  violet  or  helio- 
trope, and  this  merges  to  rose  in  a  large  stan- 
dard. The  inflorescence  is  of  large  size.  Shown 
by  Thos.  Stevenson,  Woburn  Place  Gardens, 
Addlestone. 

Evelyn  Hemus— A.  creamy-white  variety  with 
rose-coloured  margins  (see  our  issue  for  June 
29,  1907,  p.  427).  Shown  by  Miss  Hemus,  Upton- 
on-Severn. 

Non-Competitive  Exhibits. 
Displays  of  Sweet  Peas  were  shown  by  Mr. 
W.  J.  Unwin,  Histon,  Cambridge  (Gold  Medal)  ; 
Mr.  C.  W.  Breadmore,  Winchester  (Silver-Gilt 
Medal)  ;  Mr.  Henry  Eckford,  Wem,  Shropshire 
(Silver  Medal) ;  E.  W.  King  &  Co.,  Coggeshall, 
Essex  (Silver-Gilt  Medal)  ;  Gilbert  &  Son, 
Bourne  Lincolnshire ;  Bakers,  Wolverhamp- 
ton (Gold  Medal)  ;  J.  Carter  &  Co.,  Holborn 
(Silver-Gilt  Medal)  ;  Hobbies,  Ltd.,  Dereham, 
Norfolk  (Gold  Medal)  ;  H.  Cannell  &  Sons, 
Swanley,  Kent  (Silver-Gilt  Medal)  ;  James 
Veitch  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  King's  Road,  Chelsea 
(Silver-Gilt  Medal)  ;  Dobbie  &  Co.,  Rothesay, 
N.B.  (Gold  Medal)  ;  R.  H.  Bath  &  Co.,  Ltd., 
Wisbech  (Silver  Medal)  ;  Mr.  T.  W.  Darling- 
ton, Warton,  Carnforth  (Bronze  Medal)  ;  Miss 
Hemus,  Holdfast  Hall,  Upton-on-Severn  (Silver 
Medal)  ;  Webb  &  Soxs,  Wordsley,  Staffordshire 
(Silver-Gilt  Medal)  ;  G.  &  A.  Clark,  Ltd., 
Dover  (Silver  Medal)  ;  Mr.  Robt.  Sydenham, 
Tenby  Street,  Birmingham  (Bronze ;  Medal)  ; 
Toogood  &  Sons,  Southampton  (Silver  Medal)  ; 
G    Stark  &  Son,  Great  Ryburgh  (Silver  Medal). 


WOLVERHAMPTON    FLORAL    FETE. 

July  9,  10,  11. — The  annual  floral  fete,  which 
took  place  on  the  above  dates,  compared  favour- 
ably with  the  best  of  the  18  previous  shows  held 
in  the  West  Park,  Wolverhampton.  If  we  ex- 
cept last  year,  when  Roses  and  Sweet  Peas  were 
so  splendidly  shown,  it  is  doubtful  if  a  bigger 
or  better  exhibition  has  been  seen  at  Wolverhamp- 
ton. The  exhibits  were  contained  in  five  large 
marquees,  and  several  new  features  were  intro- 
duced. One  was  the  provision  of  a  special 
class  for  foliage  plants,  and  another  a  class  for 
pot  fruit  trees,  prizes  amounting  to  £57  10s. 
being  offered  in  the  former  class,  and  £46  Is. 
in  the  latter.  Unfortunately,  rain  fell  heavily 
during  a  portion  of  the  first  day.  Mr.  W.  E. 
Barnett,  the  courteous  secretary,  is  to  be  con- 
gratulated upon  the  arrangements  made  for  the 
convenience  and  comfort  of  visitors  to  the  show. 

Plants  (Open). 
This  section  was  divided  into  seven  classes, 
for  which  upwards  of  £190  was  offered  in 
prizes.  The  two  leading  classes  were  for  groups 
arranged  for  effect  on  ground  spaces  not  exceed- 
ing 350  square  feet.  One  was  for  plants  in  and 
out  of  bloom,  and  the  other  for  foliage  plants 
only.  Ther  were  three  competitors  in  each 
class,  and  their  exhibits  were  arranged  in  circles 
near  each  end  of  the  tent  containing  the  speci- 
men plants.  The  1st  prize  of  £25  for  plants  in 
and  out  of  flower  went  to  last  year's  champions, 
Messrs.  James  Cypher  &  Sons,  Queen's  Road, 


Cheltenham.  The  plants  used  were  of  excellent 
quality,  and  the  arrangement  light  and  graceful. 
A  large  Kentia  crowned  the  centre  of  the  group, 
around  which  brightly-coloured  Codiaeums, 
Caladiums,  and  well-flowered  plants  of  Fuchsia 
triphylla  and  Clerodendron  fallax,  &c,  were 
arranged.  Eight  small  mounds  in  the  body  of 
the  group,  composed  of  a  rich  variety  of  flower- 
ing and  foliage  plants,  together  with  sprays  of 
choice  Odontoglossums,  were  exceedingly  pretty. 
The  2nd  prize  went  to  Mr.  W.  Holmes,  West 
End  Nurseries,  Chesterfield,  and  the  3rd  to  Mr. 
W.  Vause,  Leamington. 

In  the  class  for  ornamental  foliage  plants, 
Ferns,  &c,  the  Leamington  Nurserymen  & 
Florists,  Ltd.,  Leamington,  were  placed  first, 
with  a  very  bright  and  well-balanced  group,  in 
which  plants  with  silvery-grey,  yellow,  and  red- 
dish-coloured foliage  prevailed.  The  2nd  and 
3rd  prizes  were  taken  by  Mr.  W.  Holmes  and 
Mr.  W.  Vause  respectively. 

In  a  class  for  20  plants  (of  which  eight  were  to 
be    in    flower)    growing   in    pots    not   exceeding 

8  inches  in  diameter,  Messrs.  James  Cypher  & 
Sons  beat  the  other  two  competitors,  Sir  A. 
Mr.vrz,  Bart.,  M.P.,  Rugby  (gr.  Mr.  H.  Blake- 
way),  and  Mr.  W.  Vause,  who  were  placed 
2nd  and  3rd  respectively.  The  1st  prize  collec- 
tion contained  17  beautiful  flowering  specimens 
and  three  Codiasums. 

The  1st  prize  of  £10  for  12  plants  (not  fewer 
than  six  to  be  in  flower)  was  also  secured  by 
Messrs.  James  Cypher  &  Sons.  The  principal 
plants  were :  Ixora  Williamsii,  Rondeletia 
speciosa,  Bougainvillea  Cypheri,  Statice  inter- 
media, and  Erica  Cavendishii.  2nd,  Mr.  W. 
Vause. 

In  a  class  for  a  collection  of  flowering  plants, 
one  kind  only  (any  number  of  varieties  of  the 
same  kind  allowed),  to  occupy  ground  spaces 

9  feet  by  5  feet,  there  were  four  exhibitors,  and, 
as  in  the  previous  classes,  the  premier  award 
went  to  Messrs.  James  Cypher  &  Sons,  whose 
plants  of  Begonia  Gloire  de  Lorraine  and  Turn- 
ford  Hall  were  of  large  size  and  abundantly 
covered  with  flowers.  J.  A.  Kenrick,  Esq.,  Ber- 
row  Court,  Edgbaston  (gr.  Mr.  A.  Cryer),  was 
2nd  with  a  beautiful  iatch  of  Streptocarpus, 
bearing  large  flowers  of  good  colours. 

The  best  group  of  tuberous-rooting  Begonias 
came  from  Mr.  F.  Davis,  Pershore,  whose 
double-flowered  varieties  were  of  immense  size. 

The  best  half-dozen  exotic  Ferns  were  staged 
by  J.  A.  Kenrick,  Esq.,  Edgbaston  (gr.  Mr.  A. 
Cryer). 

Plants  (Amateurs). 

The  1st  prize  of  £10  offered  for  a  group  of 
plants  in  or  out  of  flower,  arranged  for  effect, 
was  won  by  J.  A.  Kenrick,  Esq.,  with  a  collec- 
tion of  well-grown  plants  artistically  arranged. 

Sir  A.  Muntz,  Bart.,  M.P.,  Rugby  (gr.  Mr.  H. 
Blakeway),  showed  the  best  collection  of  six 
stove  and  greenhouse  plants  ;  and  C.  Marston, 
F.sk.,  Compton  (gr.  Mr.  W.  E.  Wall),  won  the 
1st  prize  for  Gloxinias. 

Roses  (Open). 

Notwithstanding  the  unseasonable  weather, 
Roses  were  shown  in  good  condition. 

The  1st  prize  of  £20  for  72  distinct  varieties 
was  won  by  Messrs.  Frank  Cant  &  Co.,  Col- 
chester, with  superb  flowers,  amongst  which 
Medea,  Rev.  Alan  Cheales,  Marie  Baumann, 
Mrs.  R.  G.  Sharman  Crawford,  Frau  Karl 
Druschki,  Killarney,  and  Florence  Pemberton 
were  particularly  good.  2nd,  Messrs.  D.  Prior 
&  Son,  Colchester. 

In  the  class  for  48  blooms,  distinct,  out  of 
eight  exhibits,  the  best  came  from  Messrs.  R. 
IIarkness  &  Co.,  Hitchin,  whose  flowers,  es- 
pecially those  of  Ulrich  Brunner,  Mrs.  W.  J. 
Grant,  Mrs.  John  Laing,  and  A.  K.  Williams 
were  above  the  average  merit.  2nd,  Messrs.  D. 
Prior  &  Son  ;  3rd,  Messrs.  B.  R.  Cant  &  Sons, 
Colchester. 

For  12  distinct  varieties  (trebles),  Messrs.  D. 
Prior  &  Son  were  most  successful,  and  showed 
lovely  specimens  of  Bessie  Brown,  Mrs.  W.  J. 
Grant,  and  Countess  of  Caledon. 

Messrs.  Prior  &  Son  also  won  the  1st  prizes 
in  the  classes  for  (1)  24  distinct  varieties,  (2)  12 
blooms  of  any  dark  variety,  (3)  12  blooms  of  any 
light  variety,  and  (4)  nine  varieties  of  Teas  and 
Noisettes,  as  well  as  the  Gold  Medal  and  a  sum 
of  £2  offered  for  12  varieties  put  into  commerce 
during  the  years  1904-5-6.  In  a  class  for  12  Tea 
Roses,  Mr.  George  Prince,  Oxford,  beat 
Messrs.  Frank  Cant  &  Co. 


The  best  exhibit  of  12  bunches  of  Roses  with 
foliage  and  buds  as  cut  from  the  plants  was 
from  Mr.  George  Mount,  who  had  exquisite 
flowers  of  J.  B.  Clark,  Mrs.  W.  J.  Grant,  an* 
Killarney ;  2nd,  Mr.  John  Mattock,  Oxford. 

Bouquets  and  Cut  Flowers. 

Competition  for  bouquets  was  poor,  only  two 
competitors  staging  exhibits  in  each  of  the  three 
classes   provided  for  these. 

The  exhibits  with  which  Messrs.  Perkins  & 
Sons,  Coventry,  gained  the  1st  prize  for  (1) 
bouquet  for  the  hand,  (2)  bridal  bouquet  (with 
Orchids)  and  two  bridesmaid's  bouquets  (Or- 
chids excluded),  and  (3)  feather-weight  bouquet, 
were  excellent.  Mr.  J.  Garner,  Hale,  was 
awarded  the  2nd  prize  in  each  class. 

Of  the  four  exhibitors  who  competed  in  the 
class  for  a  collection  of  hardy  flowers  covering 
a  space  of  15  feet  by  5  feet,  Messrs.  G.  Gibson 
&  Co.,  Bedale,  won  the  1st  prize  with  a  beauti- 
fully fresh  group,  in  which  were  large  masses 
of  Iceland  Poppies,  Tritoma  Tuckii,  Gladiolus 
Blushing  Bride,  Gaillardias,  Campanulas,  Py- 
rethrums,  &c. ;  2nd,  Messrs.  Harkness  &  Sons, 
Bedale. 

Mr.  A.  Bastock,  Moseley,  was  responsible  for 
the  most  tasteful  arrangement  of  Pansies  and 
Violas  covering  a  space  of  7  feet  by  3  feet. 

Dixxer-Table   Decorations. 

Eight  tables  were  placed  before  the  judges, 
who  awarded  the  1st  prize  to  The  Leamington 
Nurserymen  &  Florists,  Ltd.,  for  a  dainty 
arrangement  of  flowers,  consisting  of  small- 
flowered  Orchids,  relieved  with  Selaginella, 
Asparagus,  &c.  ;  2nd,  Mr.  W.  J.  Garner,  Hale.' 

The  best  collection  of  decorative  plants  and 
cut  flowers  arranged  on  a  table  measuring  6  feet 
by  4  feet  came  from  C.  T.  Mander,  Esq.,  Comp- 
ton (gr.  Mr.  J.  F.  Simpson),  who  made  an  effec- 
tive display  with  Carnations,  Cannas,  and  orna- 
mental foliage  plants. 

Sweet  Peas. 

For  a  collection  of  18  varieties,  the  1st  prize 
of  £3  and  the  National  Sweet  Pea  Society's 
special  Gold  Medal  was  worthily  awarded  to 
Mr.  C.  W.  Breadmore,  Winchester,  for  a  superb 
collection.  The  varieties  Audrey  Crier,  Vera 
Jeffrey,  Helen  Lewis,  Dudley  Lees,  Queen  Alex- 
andra, and  Evelyn  Breadmore  were  very  meri- 
torious. Mr.  T.  Jones,  Ruabon,  secured  £2  and 
the  National  Sweet  Pea  Society's  special  Silver 
Medal  offered  as  2nd  prize. 

Prizes  offered  by  Mr.  Henry  Eckford,  Wem, 
for  12  varieties  only  tempted  three  exhibitors. 
1st,  Mr.  A.  H.  Hickman,  Cookley. 

Five  competitors  entered  for  the  four  prizes 
offered  by  Mr.  Robert  Sydenham,  Birmingham, 
for  12  varieties.  1st,  A.  Hughes,  Esq.,  Knowle 
(gr.  Mr.  T.  Parry),  with  a  beautifully  fresh  lot; 
2nd,  Mr.  T.  Jones,  Ruabon,  who  also  gained  the 
first  prize  of  £3  offered  by  Messrs.  Baker's, 
Wolverhampton,  for  12  varieties. 

Fruit  and  Vegetables. 

These  were  well  shown,  the  principal  awards 
being  as  follows  : — ■ 

The  premier  prize  of  £7  10s.  offered  for  a  col- 
lection of  eight  dishes  of  fruit  was  won  by  Lord 
Savile,  K.C.V.O.,  Rafford  Abbey  (gr.  Mr.  J. 
Doe),  with  beautiful  examples  of  Madresfield 
Court  Grape,  Stirling  Castle  and  Dymond 
Peaches,  Pine  Apple  and  Downton  Nectarines, 
&c.  2nd,  The  Duke  of  Westminster,  Eaton 
Hall,  Chester  (gr.  Mr.  N.  F.  Barnes),  whose  ex- 
hibit included  shapely,  well-finished  fruits  of 
Lord  Napier  Nectarine  and  a  splendid  dish  of 
Lady  Sudeley  Apples. 

Lord  Savile,  K.C.V.O.  (gr.  Mr.  J.  Doe),  also 
won  1st  prizes  in  the  classes  for  (1)  four  bunches 
of  Grapes  in  distinct  varieties  ;  (2)  two  bunches 
of  white;  and  (3)  two  bunches  of  black  Grapes. 
J.  H.  King,  Esq.,  Ashford,  Kent  (gr.  Mr.  J.  G. 
Weston),  being  2nd  in  the  first  two  classes, 
and  the  Duke  of  Westminster,  Eaton  Hall  (gr. 
Mr.  N.  F.  Barnes),  2nd  in  the  other  classes. 

Lord  Hatherton,  Penkridge  (gr.  Mr.  H. 
Taylor),  staged  the  best  green-fleshed  Melon 
(Earl's  Favourite)  ;  and  W.  D.  Winter- 
bottom,  Esq.,  Derby  (gr.  Mr.  G.  Brown),  won 
the  1st  prize  in  the  class  for  scarlet-fleshed 
varieties. 

Competition  was  strong  in  the  Peach  and 
Nectarine  classes.  The  Duke  of  Westminster, 
Eaton  Hall  (gr.  Mr.  N.  F.  Barnes),  had  a  lovely 
dish  of  Royal  George  Peach,  and  the  dish  of 
Humboldt  Nectarine  from  Messrs.  T.  Rivers  & 


July  20,  1907.] 


THE     GARB  ENER  S'      CHR  0  NI CL  E. 


57 


of  Sawbridgeworth,  was  one  of  the  best  in 
the  show. 

A.  Hvghes,  Esq.,  Knowle  (gr.  Mr.  T.  Parry), 
carried    off    the    1st    prize    for    three    dishes   of 
Strawberries,   distinct  varieties  ;    and   Lord  AL- 
DENHAM, Elstree  (gr.  Mr.  E.  Beckett),  showed  the 
three  dishes  of  Tomatos,  distinct  varieties. 

Fruit  Trees  in  Pots. 

This  new  feature  was  a  source  of  attraction  to 
man}'  visitors.  The  1st  prize  of  £20,  given  by 
the  society,  and  £5  added  by  Mr.  Alderman 
Craddock,  J. P.,  for  fruit  trees  in  pots  was  well 
won  by  Messrs.  T.  Rivers  A:  Son",  Sawbridge- 
worth, whose  collection  was  displayed  on  low 
staging  20  feet  by  9  feet  erected  in  the  centre  of 
the  specimen  plant  tent,  and  included  trees 
bearing  handsome  fruits  of  Thomas  Rivers  and 
Sea  Eagle  Peaches,  Early  Rivers  and  Victoria 
Nectarines,  Lemons,  Oranges,  Plums,  Cherries, 
and  Grapes.  2nd,  The  King's  Acre  Nurseries,  . 
Ltd.,  Hereford;  3rd,  Earl  of  Harrington, 
Elvaston  Castle,  Deiby  (gr.  Mr.  J.  H.  Good- 
acre). 

Vegetables. — Messrs.  Sutton  &  Sons'  prizes 
were  offered  for  six  distinct  kinds  of  vegetables, 
and  of  the  six  competitors,  it  was  found  that 
Lord  Aldenham,  Elstree  (gr.  Mr.  E.  Beckett;, 
had  the  best  collection  ;  the  Earl  of  Lathom, 
Ormskirk   (gr.    Mr.    B.   Ashton),  being  2nd. 

Messrs.  Webb  &  Sons'  prizes  were  for  eight 
distinct  kinds  of  vegetables.  In  this  class  the 
la-4-named  exhibitor  was  placed  first,  and  the 
Marquis  of  Northampton,  Northampton,  (gr. 
Mr.  A.  R.   Searle),  2nd. 

Messrs.  Webb  &  Sons  also  offered  prizes  for 

vegetables  restricted  to  gardeners  and  amateurs 

ing   within    ten    miles   of    Wolverhampton. 

1st,    Lord    Hatherton,    Penkridge   (gr.    Mr.    H. 

Taylor). 

The  best  collection  of  six  varieties  of  fruits 
(Pines  excluded;  staged  bv  amateurs,  came  from 
Lord  Savile  ir.  Mr.  J.  Doe)  ;  and  the  1st  prize 
for  a  collection  of  ten  kinds  of  vegetables  was 
won  bv  Lord  Aldenham,  Elstree  (gr  Mr.  E. 
Beckett). 

Honorary  Exhibits. 

Messrs.  Jarman  &  Co.,  Chard,  Somerset, 
staged  Roses,  Sweet  Peas,  and  sprays  of  Zonal 
Pelargoniums.     (Silver  Medal.) 

Me-srs.   E.  &  H.   Suckling,   Wolverhampton, 
sent  floral  designs  and  miscellaneous  cut  flowers. 
1   Medal. j 

From  Messrs.  Sutton  &  Sons,  Reading,  came 
a  nice  display  of  fruit  and  vegetables,  inter- 
mingled with  graceful  foliage  plants  and  cut 
rs.  (Gold  Medal.) 
-rs.  Hewitt  &  Co.,  Solihull,  Birmingham, 
had  a  very  bright  collection  of  hardy  border 
flowers  and  Roses,  in  which  Paeonies,  Gladiolus, 
Liliums,  Campanulas,  and  new  Violas  were  con- 
spicuous.    (Gold  Medal.) 

The  Baths  and  Parks  Committee  of  the 
Wolverhampton  Corporation  (Supt.  Mr.  A. 
Webster  j,  contributed  a  large  group  of  miscel- 
laneous flowering  and  foliage  plants.  (Gold 
Medal,  i 

Mr.  Robert  Sydenham,  Birmingham,  occu- 
pied a  table  with  rustic  stands  decorated  with 
Sweet  Peas.     (Silver  Medal.) 

Messrs.  Geo.  Boyfs  &  Co.,  Leicester,  sent  cut 
Carnations.     (Silver  Medal.  | 

Messrs.  Dobbie  &  Co.,  Rothsay,  contributed 
a  large  bank  of  flowers  of  a  very  fine  strain  of 
Antirrhinums,  together  with  '  Delphiniums, 
Sweet  Peas,  and  a  large  collection  of  Pansies. 
(Gold   Medal.) 

Messrs.  Bakers,  Wolverhampton,  occupied 
upwards  of  900  square  feet  with  hardy  flowers, 
Sweet  Peas,  Roses,  sprays  of  Zonal  Pelargo- 
niums, and  a  number  of  well-executed  floral 
devices.     (Gold  Medal  and  Silver  Cup.) 

Messrs.  T.  Rivers  &  Son,  Sawbridgeworth, 
staged  pot  fruit  trees  and  gathered  fruit.  (Gold 
Medal.) 

Messrs.  James  Randall  &  Sons,  Shirlev,  Bir- 
mingham, sent  a  prettily-arranged  group  of  cut 
Carnations.     (Gold  Medal.  \ 

Mr.  C.  F.  Walters,  Balcombe,  Sussex, 
showed  a  splendid  lot  of  cut  Carnations  of  the 
Malmaison,  American  and  Border  varieties. 
(Gold  Medal.) 

Me-srs.  Webb  &  Sons,  Stourbridge,  showed  a 
group  of  flowering  plants,  Sweet  Peas,  and  a 
small  collection  of  fruit  and  vegetables.  (Silver 
Medal.  I 

■5* Messrs.    Clibrans.   Altrincham,   sent   a   pleas- 
ing group  of  kardy  shrubs,  in  which  variegated 


Ivies,  Japanese  Maples,  and  the  gold  and  silver- 
leaved  varieties  of  Aralia  sinensis  were  con- 
spicuous.    (Gold  Medal.) 

From  Mr.  John  E.  Knight,  Wolverhampton, 
came  a  group  of  flowering  and  foliage  plants 
and  cut  flowers.     (Gold  Medal.) 

Messrs.  Dickson,  Chester,  sent  Roses  and 
hardy  flowers.     (Silver  Medal). 

Messrs.  Tom  B.  Dobbs  &  Co.,  Wolverhamp- 
ton, made  a  large  display  on  the  lawn  with 
rustic  arches,  &c,  and  flowering  plants  arranged 
in  small  groups.     (Gold  Medal.) 


CROYDON    HORTICULTURAL. 

July  10. — This  society  held  its  annual  show 
iii  the  grounds  of  Brickenden  House  on  this 
date.  The  weather  was  cold  and  rain  fell  at 
intervals,  with  the  result  that  the  visitors  were 
comparatively  few  in  number. 

Roses. 

These  flowers  were  abundantly  shown,  and 
generally  the  blooms  were  of  fine  quality.  In 
the  open  classes,  in  which  nurserymen  com- 
peted, most  of  the  prizes  were  won  by  Colchester 
firms. 

In  the  class  for  48  distinct  varieties,  Messrs. 
B.  R.  Cant  &  Sons,  Colchester,  were  awarded 
the  1st  prize  and  a  Silver-Gilt  Medal  of  the 
N.K.S.  for  fine  large  blooms,  in  the  best  con- 
dition, of  such  varieties  as  J.  B.  Clark,  Caroline 
t,  Maman  Cochet,  Comtesse  de  Ludre, 
Mildred  Grant,  Bartholomew  Joubert  (a  fine 
crimson  flower),  Frau  ,K.  Druschki,  and  Gustave 
Griinerwald,  the  lighter  coloured  Roses  being 
generally  the  finer.  2nd,  Messrs.  F.  Cant  & 
Co.,  Colchester,  with  an  almost  equally  fine  lot 
of  flowers. 

The  best  exhibit  of  24  blooms,  distinct,  shown 
in  triplets,  were  exhibited  by  Messrs.  B.  R. 
Cam  &  Sons.  The  following  were  notable 
varieties :  Capt.  Hayward  (generally  extra  fine 
this  year),  A.  K.  Williams,  Tom  Wood,  A. 
Colomb,  and  Duchess  de  Morny.  2nd,  Messrs. 
D.  Prior  &  So.x, .  Colchester,  for  excellent 
blooms. 

In  another  class  for  24  blooms,  distinct, 
Messrs.  Hicks  &  Bloomfield,  of  Bath  Road, 
Reading,  were  awarded  the  1st  prize;  blooms 
of  Mildred  Grant,  Frau  K.  Druschki,  Killarney, 
Capt.  Hayward,  Mrs.  J.  Laing,  Mme.  Jules 
Gravereaux  were  well  shown  in  this  exhibit.  2nd, 
Mr.  F.  J.  Jefferies,  nurseryman,  Willis  Road, 
West  Croydon.  His  blooms  were  inferior  in 
size  to  the  Colchester  Roses,  yet  many,  such 
a-  Marquise  de  Lata,  Mrs.  McKee  (a  lovely 
creamy-white  flower),  and  Countess  Caledon, 
were  very  good  examples. 

In  a  class  for  18  Tea  or  Noisette  varieties, 
distinct,  Messrs.  B.  R.  Cant  &  Sons  had  the 
best  display.  In  this  exhibit  we  noted  Souvenir 
d'Elise  Vardon,  S.  de  Pierre  Notting,  Maman 
Cochet,  Bridesmaid,  Mme.  de  Watteville,  and 
Ernest  Metz.  2nd,  Messrs.  F.  Cant  &  Co. 
3rd,  Messrs.  D.  Prior  &  Sox. 

The  best  12  Roses  of  one  variety  were  shown 

by  the  last-named  firm,  the  variety  being  Lady 

<ro.     2nd.   Messrs.  Hicks  &  Bloomfield. 

with   Mildred   Grant.     3rd,   Messrs.   F.    Cant   & 

Co.,  with  Frau  K.  Druschki. 

In  the  similar  class  for  12  Teas  or  Noisettes, 
Messrs.  B.  R.  (ant  &  Sons  won  with  the 
variety  Mrs.  E.  Mawley.  2nd,  Messrs.  F.  Cant 
&  Co.,  with  the  same  kind.  3rd,  Messrs.  D. 
Prior  &  Son,  with  Maman  Cochet. 

Amateurs. 

The  schedule  provided  for  a  new  challenge 
cup  competition,  offered  for  36  blooms,  distinct. 
Many  of  the  blooms  shown  in  this  class  com- 
pared favourably  with  those  grown  in  Col- 
chester. The  1st  prize  was  awarded  to  Alfred 
Tate,  Esq.,  Downside,  Leatherhead,  whose 
blooms  of  Gustave  Piganeau,  Capt.  Hayward, 
Mme.  Verdier,  La  France  de  '89,  J.  B.  Clark,  and 
Beauty  of  Waltham  could  scarcely  be  excelled. 
2nd,  E.  J.  Holiand,  Esq.,  Silverdale,  Sutton, 
with  hardly  an  inferior  bloom  in  his  collection. 
The  varieties  Hugh  Dickson,  Suzanne  Marie 
Rodocanachi,  and  Francois  Michelon  were  all 
superb.  3rd.  E.  M.  Eversfield,  Esq.,  Denne 
Park,   Horsham. 

Mr.  Tate  was  also  1st  for  24  Roses,  distinct. 
2nd,  G.  A.  Hammond,  Esq.,  Cambrian  House, 
Burgess  Hill. 

For  the  best   18  Tea  or  Noisette  blooms  the 


1st  prize  was  won  by  F.  Slaughter,  Esq., 
Steyning,  who  showed  in  good  form  the  varie- 
ties Mrs.  E.  Mawley,  Maman  Cochet,  Cleopatra, 
and  Comtesse  de  Nadaillac.   2nd,  A.  Tate,  Esq. 

Mr.  Tate  was  1st  in  the  class  for  6  Roses,  3 
trusses  of  each. 

The  class  for  12  Roses,  one  variety,  brought 
some  very  fine  blooms.  E.  J.  Holland,  Esq., 
was  awarded  the  1st  prize.  2nd,  G.  A.  Ham- 
mond, Esq. 

The  best  12  Teas  were  shown  by  Mr.  E.  M. 
Eversfield  ;  and  in  the  class  for  4  Roses, 
distinct,  shown  in  triplets,  G.  A.  Hammond, 
Esq.,  won  the  1st  prize.  This  last-named  exhibi- 
tor won  in  the  class  for  12  Roses,  distinct  varie- 
ties, with  excellent  blooms  of  J.  B.  Clark,  Mil- 
dred Grant,  Hugh  Dickson,  and  Mrs.  S.  Craw- 
ford, &c. 

The  schedule  made  provision  for  local  Rose 
classes.  The  chief  was  that  for  12  Roses,  dis- 
tinct, the  1st  prize  for  which  included  a  Chal- 
lenge Bowl,  of  the  value  of  12  guineas,  and  the 
N.K.S.  Medal.  They  were  won  by  Percy  F. 
Beck,  Esq.,  Hambrook,  Wallington,  for  quite 
a  moderate  lot  of  flowers,  the  Silver-Gilt  Medal 
being  awarded  for  a  bloom  of  Frau  K.  Druschki. 

Table  decorations  were  rather  numerous,  and 
.showed  good  taste  generally.  Hardy  cut  flowers 
were  greatly  in  evidence ;  Gloxinias  were 
numerous  and  of  good  quality,  and  the  same 
may  be  said  of  the  display  of  Sweet  Peas. 
There  were  many  groups  of  various  dimensions 
and  these  were  pleasing  in  arrangement. 

Begonias  of  the  tuberous-rooting  section  were 
largely  shown,  and  among  them  were  exhibits 
showing  good  cultivation.  Mr.  Martin,  gar- 
dener. Shirley  Lodge,  and  Mr.  Slater,  gardener, 
Homedale,  exhibited  the  best  Begonias. 

The  fruit  consisted  chiefly  of  Royal  Sovereign 
Strawberries  of  great  size,  and  bunches  of  white 
and  black  Grapes. 

There  were  seen  excellent  vegetables,  roots, 
saladings.  and  Potatos,  mostly  cottagers'  pro- 
duce. The  society  assists  greatly  in  forwarding 
the  cultivation  of  vegetables  in  and  around  the 
town,   and   with   admirable  results. 

Non-competitive  exhibits  from  the  trade  were 
of  much  interest. 


GLOUCESTERSHIRE    ROSE. 

July  9. — The  19th  annual  exhibition  of  this 
Society  was  held  in  the  Corn  Exchange. 
Gloucester,  on  this  date.  The  entries  totalled 
192,  as  against  190  last  year,  and,  notwithstand- 
ing the  wetness  and  backwardness  of  the  season, 
the  quality  of  the  blooms  was  excellent. 

The  cottagers'  classes  were  a  marked  and  en- 
couraging feature  of  the  show,  both  in  point  of 
view  of  number  of  entries  and  the  quality  and 
variety  of  the  blooms  shown.  A  new  class  for 
cottagers — three  vases,  any  varieties,  six  blooms 
in  each  vase — secured  a  goodly  number  of  en- 
tries. 

In  the  nurserymen's  classes  the  chief  prizes 
fell  to  Messrs.  Alex.  Dickson  &  Sons.  Ltd., 
Newtownards  ;  Mr.  John  Mattock,  Oxford  ;  Mr. 
Henry  Drew,  I.ongworth,  Berks  :  Messrs.  G. 
Prince  &  Co.,  Longworth  ;  and  Messrs.  John 
Jefferies  &  Sox,  Cirencester. 

In  the  open  amateur  classes  Mr.  Conway 
Jones,  of  Hucclecote  (who  was  a  strong 
competitor  for  the  champion  trophy  at  the  recent 
National  Rose  Society's  show),  secured  all  the 
first  prizes,  and  was  also  awarded  the  N.R.S. 
silver  medals  for  the  best  hybrid  perpetual 
bloom,  and  for  the  best  tea  bloom  in  the  varie- 
ties Mrs.  John  Laing  and  Mrs.  Edward  Mawley 
respectively. 

In  the  Gloucestershire  amateur  classes,  in 
which  Mr.  Conway  Jones  did  not  compete,  Mr. 
W.  J.  Thorpe,  of  Hucclecote,  won  a  silver  cup 
presented  by  Messrs.  Jefferies  &  Son,  Cirences- 
ter, for  18  varieties  of  Roses. 

In  the  City  of  Gloucester  amateur  classes  Mr. 
W.  H.  Pickford  was  awarded  a  silver  salver, 
presented  by  the  Mayor  and  Corporation,  for 
the  best  display  of  Roses  and  Rose  foliage  only. 
Mr.  A.  V.  Wright  won  the  Corporation  triple 
Rose  bowl  for  a  display  of  Roses,  and  he  also 
won  the  City  High  Sheriff's  piece  of  plate  for 
six  varieties.  Mr.  W.  H.  Pickford  was 
awarded  the  N.R.S.  silver  medal  for  the  best 
hybrid  Tea  Rose  in  a  bloom  of  Mildred  Grant. 

In  the  cottagers'  classes,  Mrs.  Bolton, 
Gloucester,  was  awarded  a  clock,  presented  by 
Mr.  H.  Terrell,  K.C.,  for  six  Roses. 


58 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[July  20,  1907. 


SOUTHAMPTON.  ROYAL 
HORTICULTURAL. 

July  2  &  3.- — The  summer  exhibition  of  this 
Society  was  held  on  these  dates  in  the  County 
Cricket  Ground.  The  show  was  a  great  suc- 
cess, the  exhibits  being  more  numerous  than 
usual  and  their  quality  good. 

Roses. — Nineteen  classes  were  provided  for 
Roses,  the  principal  one  being  that  for  forty- 
eight  blooms  of  distinct  varieties.  Four  growers 
competed  in  this  class,  and  the  1st  prize  was 
won  by  Messrs.  B.  R.  Cant  &  Sons,  Colchester, 
with  medium-sized  well-coloured  examples,  of 
which  the  following  were  especially  noticeable  : 
— Mildred  Grant  (this  was  the  premier  bloom  of 
the  show),  A.  K.  Williams,  Helen  Keller,  Comte 
de  Raimbaud,  Dean  Hole,  Mme.  Jules  Gra- 
vereaux,  and  Richmond.  2nd,  Messrs.  D. 
Prior  &  Sons,  Colchester,  with  slightly  smaller 
flowers.  Messrs.  B.  R.  Cant  &  Sons  also  won 
the  premier  place  for  twelve  triplets,  with  simi- 
lar examples  to  those  in  the  preceding  class. 
2nd,  Messrs.  F.  Cant  &  Co.,  Braiswick  Nur- 
series, Colchester. 

Exhibits  in  a  class  for  Tea  or  Noisette  Roses 
in  twelve  distinct  varieties  were  not  numerous, 
but  of  high  quality.  Messrs.  G.  Prince  &  Co., 
Longworth,  Faringdon,  won  the  1st  prize  with 
flowers  of  high  merit,  including  such  kinds  as 
Mrs.  E.  Mawley,  Boadicea,  Princess  Beatrice, 
Mme.  Jules  Gravereaux,  and  Innocente  Pirola. 
2nd,  Messrs.  F.  Cant  &  Co. 

Messrs.  B.  R.  Cant  &  Sons  won  in  the  class 
for  six  blooms  of  any  dark  variety,  with  hand- 
some, if  small,  examples  of  Richmond.  Messrs. 
G.  Prince  &  Co.  won  in  a  similar  class  for 
light-coloured  blooms  with  Frau  Karl  Druschki. 

Messrs.  Prince  &  Co.  also  won  easily  in  the 
class  for  garden  or  decorative  Roses,  with  ex- 
amples of  Rainbow,  Lady  Battersea,  Tea  Ram- 
bler, Una,  Climbing  Papillon,  &c,  and  for  six 
bunches  of  single-flowered  varieties. 

A  silver  Challenge  Cup,  open  to  gentlemen's 
gardeners  and  amateurs,  was  offered  for  eighteen 
distinct  Roses.  This  coveted  award  was  secured 
by  Mr.  H.  W.  Richards,  Westridge,  Ryde,  with 
an  exceedingly  fresh,  well-coloured  set  of  popu- 
lar varieties. 

Tea  or  Noisette  varieties  were  well  shown  in 
this  section  by  Mr.  F.  W.  Flight,  Cornstiles, 
Twyford,  Winchester  :  The  Bride,  Bridesmaid, 
Mrs.  E.  Mawley,  Maman  Cochet,  and  Muriel 
Graham  were  some  of  his  best  blooms.  Miss 
Minnie  Snellgrove,  10,  Oxford  Road,  South- 
ampton, worthily  won  the  premier  position  for 
the  best-arranged  basket  of  Roses. 

Sweet  Peas  were  very  finely  and  numerously 
shown  in  the  many  classes  that  were  provided 
for  these  flowers.  For  fifteen  bunches,  distinct, 
the  National  Sweet  Pea  Society  offered  Gold 
and  Silver  Medals  as  the  1st  and  2nd  prizes. 
Mr.  C.  W.  Breadmore,  Winchester,  won  easily 
with  excellent  bunches  ;  2nd,  Mr.  H.  H.  Lees', 
Warblington  Cottage,   Havant. 

In  the  class  for  six  bunches,  the  prizes  for 
which  were  given  by  Messrs.  Toogood  &  Sons, 
Southampton,  Mr.  Usher  (gr.  to  Sir  R.  Baker, 
Branston,  Blandford)  was  successful  with  good 
blooms  well  staged. 

Hardy  cut  flowers  were  a  feature  of  the  show. 
Messrs.  Ladhams,  Shirley,  Southampton,  won 
easily  in  the  class  for  twelve  bunches  with  a 
choice  collection. 

Messrs.  Perkins  &  Son,  Coventry,  showed  the 
best  bridal  and  the  best  ball  bouquets. 

Exhibits  of  plants  were  numerous  and  good. 
Mr.  Hill  (gr.  to  G.  Mercer,  Esq.,  Bassett, 
Southampton)  had  a  highly-interesting  group  of 
miscellaneous  plants  arranged  for  effect,  for 
which  he  secured  the  leading  award. 

Fruit  was  not  plentiful,  but  it  was  good  in 
quality.  Mr.  G.  Ellwood  (gr.  to  W.  H.  Myers, 
Esq.,  Swanmore  House,  Bishop's  Waltham) 
won  in  the  classes  for  two  bunches  of  black 
Grapes,  and  for  one  Melon.  Mr.  H.  C.  Sivyour 
(gr.  to  C.  H.  Farman,  Esq.,  Rownhams  House, 
Southampton)  showed  the  best  white  Grapes  in 
his  bunches  of  Foster's  Seedling. 

Vegetables  were  very  extensively  displayed, 
and  as  many  as  17  competitors  were  seen  in  a 
class  for  six  dishes,  and  in  which  Mr.  H.  Pearce 
(gr.  to  Mrs.  Tragett,  Awbridge  Danes,  Rom- 
sey)  won  the  1st  prize  with  a  high-class  exhibit. 
Messrs.  Toogood  and  Sons,  Southampton,  pre- 
sented the  prizes  in  this  class. 

Messrs.  Sutton  &  Sons,  Reading,  offered  prizes 
for  six  dishes  of  vegetables,  and  this  class  pro- 
vided a  stiff  competition.     Mr.    E.   Beckett   (gr. 


to  Lord  Aldenham,  Aldenham  House,  Elstree) 
won  with  produce  of  high  quality.  Mr.  Ellwood 
followed  closely.  The  last-named  exhibitor 
won  in  the  class  in  which  prizes  were  given 
by  Messrs.  J.  Carter  &  Co.,  High  Holborn, 
London.  r 

Trade  exhibits  were  numerous,  and  they  added 
much  to  the  displays  of  the  show.  Mr.  C.  W. 
Breadmore,  Winchester,  arranged  eighty 
bunches  of  Sweet  Peas  in  first-class  style. 

Messrs.  Dobbie  &  Co.,  Rothesay,  also  had  a 
fine  display  of  these  popular  flowers. 

Mr.  Dutton,  Iver,  Bucks,  showed  Carnations 
of  good  quality,  and  Mr.  Burnett,  St.  Mar- 
garet's Nurseries,  Guernsey,  also  snowed  fine 
blooms  of  these  flowers. 

Messrs.  B.  Ladhams  &  Son,  Shirley,  had  her- 
baceous flowers  in  much  variety. 

Messrs.  Rogers  &  Son,  Southampton,  showed 
Roses,   shrubs,   &c. 


HANLEY   FLORAL   FETE. 

July  3,  4. — This  annual  exhibition  was  held 
on  these  dates,  and  although  the  number  of 
entries  was  somewhat  smaller  than  at  last  year's 
display,  the  function  proved  a  success.  It  was, 
perhaps,  unfortunate  that  the  show  followed  so 
closely  upon  that  at  Lincoln,  for  it  undoubtedly 
prevented  some  growers  from  competing  who 
would  otherwise  have  done  so.  For  this  reason 
there  were  fewer  entries  in  the  group,  Orchid, 


THE    LATE    CHAS.    JORDAN,    I. SO. 

and  Carnation  classes,  and  the  tent  devoted  to 
this  section  was  in  consequence  not  so  well 
filled  as  it  has  been  in  some  recent  years. 

The  1st  prize  for  a  group  of  plants  occupying 
an  area  of  not  more  than  300  square  feet  was 
secured  by  Mr.  W.  A.  Holmes,  Chesterfield  ; 
2nd,  Messrs.  J.  Cypher  &  Sons,  Cheltenham. 
The  best  group  of  Orchids  was  shown  by  this 
latter  firm. 

Lord  Grosvenor,  Tittensor  Chase,  Stoke-on- 
Trent  (gr.  John  Scotney),  exhibited  the  best 
group  of  Carnations  in  pots,  and  he  was  fol- 
lowed by  Lord  Shrewsbury,  Ingestre,  Stafford 
(gr.  Mr.  E.  Oilman). 

In  the  class  for  72  blooms  of  Roses  of  distinct 
varieties,  the  1st  prize  was  awarded  Messrs.  R. 
Harkness  &  Co.,  Hitchin,  and  this  firm  also 
won  the  1st  prize  for  48  blooms,  and  1st  prizes 
in  six  other  classes  for  these  flowers. 

The  best  collection  of  hardy  flowers  was 
shown  by  Messrs.  G.  Gibson  k  Co.,  Leeming 
Bar,  Bedale. 

In  the  classes  for  fruit?  and  vegetables,  the 
principal  prize-winners  were  the  Earl  of  Har- 
rington, Elvaston  Castle  (gr.  Mr.  J.  H.  Good- 
acre)  ;  Earl  of  Londesborough,  Market  Weighton 
(gr.  Mr.  J.  C.  McPherson)  ;  Earl  of  Carnarvon, 
H;>>hclere  Castle,  Berkshire  (gr.  Mr.  Pupe)  :  and 
Lord  Bagot,  Blithfield,  Rugeley  (gr.  Mr.  Thos. 
Bannerman). 


BIRMINGHAM  BOTANICAL  AND 
HORTICULTURAL. 

July  3. — The  exhibition  at  the  Edgbaston 
Botanical  Gardens  on  this  date  was  a  good  one, 
but  the  weather  was  cold  and  wet.  Two  Silver- 
Gilt,  two  Silver,  and  two  Bronze  Medals  were 
awarded.     No  awards  were  made  to  novelties. 

The  Rt.  Hon.  J.  Chamberlain,  M.P.,  High- 
bury, Birmingham  (gr.  Mr.  J.  Deacon),  fur- 
nished nearly  300  square  feet  near  the  end  of 
the  exhibition  hall  with  a  beautiful  group  of 
flowering  plants,  consisting  of  varieties  of  Sou- 
venir de  la  Malmaison  and  American  Tree  Car- 
nations, Regal  and  Zonal  Pelargoniums  and 
Clerodendron  fallax.  Of  the  "  Malmaison " 
Carnations,  Princess  of  Wales  (pink),  H.  J. 
Jones  (deep  crimson),  Nautilus,  and  Sault  were 
particularly  good.  The  whole  exhibit  was  well 
arranged.     (Silver-Gilt  Medal.) 

Messrs.  James  Randall  &  Sons,  Shirley,  Bir- 
mingham, showed  a  large  group  of  cut  flowers 
of  American  Tree  Carnations  and  retarded  Lilies 
of  the  Valley  intermingled  with  foliage  and  mis- 
cellaneous flowering  plants.    (Silver-Gilt  Medal.) 

C.  F.  Price,  Esq.,  Chad  Mont,  Edgbaston 
(gr.  Mr.  J.  Beasley),  sent  a  number  of  plants  of 
Hydrangea  Hortensia.     (Vote  of  Thanks.) 

Messrs.  Bakers,  Wolverhampton  and  Cod- 
sail,  sent  a  collection  of  Sweet  Peas,  including 
several  new  seedlings.     (Bronze  Medal.) 

The  most  representative  and  best-arranged 
group  of  hardy  flowers  came  from  Mr.  C.  H.  Her- 
bert, Acocks  Green,  who  had  large  clumps  of 
Heuchera  macrantha,  Gypsophila  paniculata  fl. 
pi.,  Pyrethrum  James  Kelway  (flowers  rich 
crimson),  Delphiniums,  Alpine  species  of  Dian- 
thus,  and  many  uncommon  rock-garden  plants. 
(Silver  Medal.) 

R.  Fenwick,  Esq.,  Edgbaston,  contributed^  a 
few  well-flowered  plants  of  Odontoglossum  cris- 
pum.     (Vote  of  Thanks.) 

Mr.  Robt.  Sydenham,  Tenbv  Street,  Birming- 
ham, staged  two  dozen  vases  of  Sweet  Peas,  and 
tVe  same  number  of  vases  of  Spanish  Irises. 
(Silver  Medal.) 

From  Messrs.  Richard  Smith  &  Co.,  Worces- 
ter, came  a  nice  collection  of  Paeonies  and  mis- 
cellaneous border  flowers.     (Bronze  Medal.) 

R.  Wilson  King,  Esq.,  Edgbaston  (gr.  Mr.  D. 
Johnson),  sent  a  small  group  of  Gloxinias  and 
foliage   plants.      (Vote  of  Thanks.) 


MANCHESTER   AND    NORTH    OF 
ENGLAND   ORCHID. 

July  4. — Committee  present :  Messrs.  Ash- 
worth,  Ward,  Smith,  Cowan,  Sander,  Warbur- 
ton,  Leemann,  Keeling,  Walmsley,  and  Parker. 

A.  Warburton,  Esq.,  Haslingden,  staged  a 
good  group,  consisting  of  Cattleyas,  Odonto- 
glossums,  and  some  well-grown  plants  of  Odonto- 
glossum vexillarium.  Laslia  tenebrosa,  var. 
Victor,  was  also  included  in  the  group.  It  is 
a  beautiful  variety  with  vellow  sepals  and  petals. 
(Silver  medal.) 

Messrs.  Keeling  &  Sons  staged  a  small  group 
of  interesting  plants,  which  included  a  fine 
plant  of  Stanhopea  bucephalus  ;  there  were  also 
some  distinct  varieties  of  Masdevallia  in  this 
group  which  was  awarded  a  bronze  medal.  An 
Award  of  Merit  was  given  to  a  new  hybrid 
Cypripedium. 

H.  J.  Bromilow,  Esq.,  Rainhill,  exhibited 
Cypripedium  Godefroyae  "Ran  Lea  var." 

E.  D.  Bostock,  Esq.,  Stone,  exhibited  a  good 
variety  of  Cypripedium  niveum,  var.  "Supreme." 
P.  W. 


Obituary. 

Charles  Jordan,  I.S.O. — In  our  last  issue 
we  briefly  announced  the  death  of  this  distin- 
guished gardener,  which  occurred  at  New 
Lodge,  Hyde  Park,  on  the  8th  inst.  The  late 
Mr.  Jordan  commenced  his  horticultural  train- 
ing in  the  gardens  of  Baron  Pollock,  Hatton 
House,  Hounslow,  in  1860,  and  two  years  later 
he  entered  the  gardens  at  Syon  House.  From 
Syon  House  he  proceeded  to  Floors  Castle, 
Kelso,  and  from  thence,  in  1868,  became  fore- 
man in  the  gardens  of  Claude  B.  Hamilton, 
Esq.,  at  Dalkeith,  subsequently  entering  into 
business  for  himself  as  a  nurseryman  at 
Isleworth.  He  relinquished  this  business 
to      assume      control      of      the     public      parks 


July  20,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


59 


of  Greenwich  and  Victoria.  When  the 
management  of  the  latter  was  transferred 
by  the  Metropolitan  Parks  Act,  1887,  to 
the  Metropolitan  Board  of  Works,  the  late  Mr. 
Jordan  was  given  the  post  of  superintendent  of 
Regent's  Park,  which  office  he  held  until  his  ap- 
pointment in  February,  1903,  to  the  superin- 
tendency  of  Hyde  Park,  rendered  vacant  by  the 
retirement  of  Mr.  William  Brown.  The  late  Mr. 
Jordan  was  one  of  the  ablest  of  park  superin- 
tendents ;  he  was  most  zealous  in  the  discharge 
of  his  duties,  and  the  vast  amount  of  work  he 
accomplished  was  remarkable.  The  post  of 
superintendent  of  London's  chief  park  involves 
the  management  of  Kensington  Gardens,  St. 
James's  Park,  Buckingham  Palace  Gardens,  the 
Green  Park,  Marlborough  House  Gardens,  Par- 
liament Square,  and  many  minor  gardens  at- 
tached to  public  offices,  and  the  present  condi- 
tion of  each  of  these  open  spaces  testifies  to  the 
skill  and  management  of  their  late  director.  The 
new  range  of  glasshouses  and  propagating  pits  in 
Hyde  Park  were  designed  by  the  late  Mr.  Jor- 
dan, and  they  will  remain  a  monument  to  his 
capability.  The  many  fine  avenues  in  both  the 
Green  Park  and  the  Mall,  which  serve  as  vistas 
leading  to  the  national  monument  to  Queen 
Victoria  are  also  the  result  of  the  late  Mr.  Jor- 
dan's labours.  During  the  16  years  he  was 
superintendent  of  Regent's  Park,  he  con- 
verted it  into  a  veritable  flower  garden,  and  he 
added  dells  and  water  gardens,  and  other  at- 
tractive features.  The  glass  and  nursery  depart- 
ments were  entirely  remodelled  under  his  guid- 
ance, and  the  frame  ground  of  this  park  was  his 
especial  pride.  The  late  Mr.  Jordan's  nature 
was  one  of  extreme  kindliness,  and  he  was  be- 
loved by  all  whose  pleasure  it  was  to  serve  under 
him,  as  the  present  writer  can  testify.  The  in- 
vestiture of  the  Imperial  Service  Order  so  re- 
cently conferred  by  the  King  was  to  have  taken 
place  on  the  15th  inst.  Deceased  leaves  a 
widow,  but   no  family. 

Louis  Lacroix. — We  have  to  record  the  death 
of  M.  Louis  Lacroix,  who  was  once  a  well- 
known  raiser  of  Chrysanthemums.  Soon  after 
the  year  1880,  when  the  popularity  of  the  Chry- 
santhemum was  advancing  by  rapid  strides,  M. 
Lacroix  enriched  our  collections  by  introducing 
some  excellent  novelties  from  his  nursery  at 
Toulouse.  Among  them  may  be  remembered 
such  flowers  in  the  Japanese  section  as  Dor- 
millon,  Mdlle.  Lacroix  (a  popular  white  flower), 
Roi  des  Japonais,  Tendresse,  M.  Ardene,  M. 
Brunet,  Mdlle.  Moulis,  Parasol,  Mdlle.  Marie 
Hoste,  and  several  others,  not  the  least  impor- 
tant of  which  were  Phcebus  and  Viviand  Morel, 
two  varieties  that  continued  for  many  years  to 
be  regarded  as  good  exhibition  flowers.  Jeanne 
d'Arc,  an  Incurved  flower  of  great  merit,  was 
also  sent  out  by  M.  Lacroix,  as  were  several 
interesting  Japanese-Anemone  varieties,  of 
which  Fabian  de  Mediana  was  a  conspicuous 
example.  M.  Lacroix  was  66  years  of  age  at  the 
time  of  his  death.     C.  H.  P. 

Joseph  Ewing.— We  regret  to  hear,  through 
our  correspondent,  Mr.  Jno.  Forbes,  that  this 
well-known  gardener  died  about  a  fortnight  ago  at 
Strathtay,  near  Aberfeldy,  in  his  90th  year.  The 
late  Mr.  Ewing  was  gardener  at  Castle  Menzies, 
Aberfeldy,  for  a  period  of  60  years.  A  few  years 
ago  he  retired  from  the  active  management  of  the 
gardens  and  was  succeeded  by  his  son  James, 
but  continued  to  reside  at  Castle  Menzies  until 
May  last. 


DEBATING    SOCIETIES. 


BATH     AND     DISTRICT    GARDENERS'. —The 

annual  outing  of  this  association  took  place  recently, 
when  a  visit  was  made  to  Bournemouth.  The  weather 
fortunately  was  fine.  The  central  and  other  local  park? 
were  visited  by  some  members  of  the  party,  and  others 
made  a  trip  to  Boscombe  to  visit  the  nurseries  of  Mr.  M. 
Prichard,  Christchurch. 

BRIXTON,      STREATHAM      AND     CLAPHAM 

HORTICULTURAL.— Through  the  kindness  of  Messrs. 
Sutton  &  Sons  an  opportunity  was  afforded  the  members  on 
July  3  of  visiting  their  nurseries  at  Reading.  The  trials  of 
Peas  and  Lettuces  were  instructive.  The  copious  rains  have 
been  favourable  to  both  these  crops.  The  breadths  of  annuals 
were  Interesting.  Nemesia  strumosa  was  seen  in  almost 
endless  shades  of  colour.     If.  Row  pell. 


MARKETS. 


COVENT  GARDEN,  July  17. 
[We  cannot  accept  any  responsibility  tor  the  subjoined 
reports.  They  are  furnished  to  us  regularly  every 
Wednesday,  by  the  kindness  of  several  of  the  principal 
salesmen,  who  are  responsible  for  the  quotations.  It 
must  be  remembered  that  these  quotations  do  not  repre- 
sent the  prices  on  any  particular  day,  but  only  the 
general  averages  for  the  week  preceding  the  date  of  our 
report.  The  prices  depend  upon  the  quality  of  the 
samples,  the  way  in  which  they  are  packed,  the  supply 
in  the  market,  and  the  demand,  and  they  may  fluctuate, 
not  only  from  day  to  day,  but  occasionally  several  times 
in  one  day. — Ed.J 


Cut  Flowers,  &c. :  Average  Wholesale  Prices. 


s.d.  s.d. 


Alstromerias,     per 

dozen  bunches 
Anemones,  per  dz. 

bunches 
Eouvardia,  per  dz. 

bunches 
Calla  asthiopica,  p. 

dozen  

Carnations,      per 

dozen  blooms, 

best  American 

various 

—  smaller,  per 
doz.     bunches 

—  Malmaisons,  p. 
dozen  blooms.. 

Cattleyas,  per  doz. 

blooms 
Coreopsis,  per  doz. 

bunches 
Cornflower,  per  dz. 

bunches 
Eucharis      grandi- 

flora,  dz.  blms. 
Gardenias  per  doz. 

blooms 

Gladiolus,    The 

Bride,  per  doz. 

bunches 

—  Brenchleyensis 

—  various 
Gypsophila  elegans 

p.  dz.  bunches 

Iris,   German,  per 

doz.  bunches... 

—  Spanish,  p.  dz. 
bunches 

Lapageria  alba,  dz. 
Lilium  auratum  ... 

—  candidum.bch. 

—  lancif  oli  uin, 
ru  br u  m  and 
album 

—  longiflorum    ... 
Lily  of  the  Valley, 

p.  dz.  bunches 

—  extra  quality  ... 
Marguerites,  white, 

p.  dz.  bunches 

—  yellow,  per  dz. 
bunches 


3  0-40 


1  C-  2  6 


9  0-12  0 
6  0  10-0 


2  0-30 
2  0-30 


3  0-50 

4  0-80 
4  0-90 

2  0-30 

4  0-60 

4  0-90 

10-16 
2  0-30 
10-20 


16-20 
2  0-30 


6  0-90 
10  0-15  0 


2  0-30 
16-20 


s.d.  s.d. 


Mignonette,  perdz. 

bunches 
Myosotis,  per  doz. 

bunches 
O  dontoglossum 

crispum,      per 

dozen    blooms    2  0-26 
Peeonies,  per  doz, 

bunches 
Pancratiimis,     per 

dozen  tls. 
Pelargoniums, 

show,  per  doz. 

bunches 

—  Zonal,    double 
scarlet 

Pinks  

Poppies,     Iceland, 
Jo/,  bunches... 

—  Oriental 

—  Shirley 
Pyrethrums,      per 

dozen  bunches    2  0-40 
Ranunculus,       per 

dozen  bunches    4  0-60 
Rhodanthe,  per  dz. 

bunches 
Roses,   12  blooms, 

Niphetos 

—  Bridesmaid   .,, 

—  C.  Testout     .., 

—  General  Jacque- 
minot   

—  Marechal   Niel 

—  Kai  serin  A. 
Victoria 

—  Mrs.  J.  Laing 

—  C.  Mermet 

—  Liberty 

—  Mad.  Chatenay 
Statice,  per  dozen    3  0-40 
Stephanotis,     per 

dozen    trusses    3  0-50 
Stocks,  per  dozen 

bunches 
Sweet  Peas,  p.  doz. 

bunches 
Sweet  Sultans,  per 

dozen  bunches 
Tuberoses,  per  dz. 

blooms 


3  0-40 
16-2  0 


4  0-80 
3  0-40 


4  0-60 

4  0-60 
10-30 

4  0-80 
4  0-80 

2  0-30 


3  0-40 

10-30 
2  0-30 
2  0-30 


0  6- 

1  6- 


1  0 
3  0 


16-30 
10-30 
10-30 
2  0-40 
10-30 


...  3  0-40 
10-30 
30-40 


0  4-06 


Cut  Foliage,  &c. :  Average  Wholesale  Prices. 


s.d.  s.d. 


Adiantum     cunea- 

tum,  per  dozen 

bunches 
A  sparagus    plu- 

mosus,        long 

trails,  per  doz.    8  0  12  0 

—  —      medium, 

bunch    ... 

—  Sprengeri 
Berberis,  per  doz. 

bunches 
Croton  leaves,  bch. 
Cycas  leaves,  each 
Fern,  English,  per 

dozen  bunches     10-20 

—  French,  dozen 
bunches         ...     10-30 


4  0-60 


16-20 
0  6-10 

2  0-26 
10-16 

16-20 


s.d. 


s.d. 
2  6 


Galax    leaves,    per 

dozen  bunches    2  0- 

Hardy  foliage 
(various),  per 
dozen  hunches    2  0- 

Ivy-leaves,  bronze    2  0- 

—  long  trails  per 
bundle 

—  short    green, 
doz.  bunches...    2  0- 

Moss,  per  gross  ...    4  0- 
Myrtle     (English), 

small-leaved, 

doz.  bunches...    4  0-60 

—  French,  dozen 
bunches         ...     10-16 

Smilax,  p.  dz.  trails     1  6- 


6  o 
2  6 


16-30 


a  0 
5  0 


2  6 


Plants  in  Pots,  &c:  Average  Wholesale  Prices. 


Ampelopsis     Veit- 

chii,  per  dozen 

Aralia  Sieboldi,  dz. 

—  larger  

Araucaria  escelsa, 

per  dozen 

Aspidistras,  green, 

per  dozen 

—  variegated,  dz. 
Asparagus   plumo- 

sus  nanus,  doz. 

—  Sprengeri,  dz. 

—  ten  uissimus 
per  dozen 

Boronia   mega- 
stigma,  per  dz. 

—  heterophylla ... 
Calceolarias, yellow 
Campanulas,  p.  dz. 
Clematis,  per  doz. 

—  in  flower 
Cocos    Weddelli- 

ana,  per  dozen 
Coleus,  per  dozen 
Coreopsis,  per  doz. 
Crassulas     (Kaloz- 

anthes),  perdz. 
Crotons,  per  dozen 
Cyperus    alternifo- 

lius,  dozen 

—  laxus,  per  doz. 
Dracaenas,  perdoz. 
Erica  Cavendishii, 

per  dozen 


s.d.  s.d. 

6  0-80 

4  0-60 
9  0-12  0 

12  0-30  0 

18  0-30  0 
30  0-42  0 

9  0-12  0 
9  0-12  0 

9  0-12  0 

12  0-30  0 
12  0-24  0 
4  0-80 
6  0-90 

8  0-90 
12  0-18  0 

9  0-18  0 
2  0-40 
6  0-10  0 

9  0-12  0 
12  0-30  0 

4  0-50 
4  0-50 
9  0-24  0 

24  0-36  0 


s.d.  s.d. 
Erica     ventricosa, 

per  dozen  ...  18  0-30  0 
Euonymus,  per  dz.  4  0-90 
Ferns,  in  thumbs, 

per  100 7  0-10  0 

—  in    small    and 

large  60's       ...  16  0-25  0 

—  in  48's,  per  dz.    4  0-10  0 

—  in  32's,  per  dz.  10  0-18  0 
Ficus  elastica,  doz.    8  0-10  0 

—  repens,  perdoz.  4  0-60 
Fuchsias,  per  doz.  4  0-80 
Heliotropiums,  per 

dozen 3  0-40 

Hydrangea    Thos. 

Hogg,  per  doz.  12  0-18  0 

—  Hortensia,  per 

dozen 8  0-12  0 

—  paniculata,  per 

dozen 12  0-30  0 

Kentia      Belmore- 

ana,  per  dozen  12  0-18  0 

—  Fosteriana,    p. 

dozen 12  0-21  0 

Kochia      scoparia, 

per  dozen  ...  6  0-90 
Latania  borbonica, 

per  dozen  ...  12  0-18  0 
Lilium     1  o  n  g  i- 

florum,  per  dz.  12  0-24  0 

—  lancif  o  li  um, 

per  dozen  ...  12  0-18  0 
Lily  of  the  Valley, 

per  dozen      ...  10  0-12  0 


4  0-80 

3  0-  G  0 

4  0-60 


Plants  in  Pots,  &c:  Average  Wholesale  Prices  (Contd.) 

s.d.  s.d 
Lobelia,  per  dozen    5  0-60    Petun-'^s,     double, 
Marguerites, white,  per  dozen 

per  dozen      ...    4  0-80 

—  yellow 12  0-18  0 

Mignonette,  perdz.  6  0-90 
Musk,  per  dozen...  4  0-50 
Pelargoniums, 

I  v  y-1  e  ave  d, 
Mde.  Crousse 
and  Galilee,  p. 
dozen 4  0-60 

—  Zonals,  perdz.    4  0-60 

—  show 6  0-90 


12  0-24  0 
5  0-21  0 


—  single,  per  dz. 
Rhodanthe,  per  dz. 
Roses,  H.P's.,  per 

dozen  

—  Ramblers,  each 
Saxifraga  pyramid- 

alis,  per  dozen  12  0-18  0 
Selaginella,  dozen  4  0-60 
Spiraea  japonica.dz.  5  0-80 
Verbena,      Miss 

Willmott,  doz. 


Fruit:  Average  Wholesale  Prices. 

s.d.  s.d. 


Apples,  per  box, 
Tasmanian : 

—  LondonPippins   8  6-90 

—  Scarlet  Pear- 
mains  , 

—  Scarlet  Nonpa 
reils 

—  Sturmer  Pip 
pins     

—  French  Crabs.. 

—  Prince  Alfreds 

—  Alfristons 
Australian,  box : 

—  Monro's  Fav- 
orite, per  box    7  0-90 

—  Roman  Beauty    7  0-80 

—  Cleopatras     ... 

—  Jonathans 

—  New  York  Pip- 
pins       

—  Five  Crowns... 

—  Rymers 
Apricots  (French), 

per  box 

—  French,    cases 

—  French,  ^  sieve 
Bananas,  bunch: 

—  No.  2  Canary  , 

—  No.  1         „     ... 

—  Extra        „    ... 

—  Giants      „     ... 

—  Jamaica 

—  Loose,  per  dz. 
Cherries  (English), 

£  sieve 

—  £  sieve _ 

—  French,  $  sieve    4  0-80 

—  French,  J  sieve  3  0-46 
Cranberries,  case  8  0-86 
Currants  (English), 

Red,  A  sieve  ... 

—  French,  black, 
i  sieve 

—  Black  (Eng- 
lish), ft  sieve  ... 

—  White,  p.  peck 
Dates  (Tunis),  doz. 

boxes  

Figs  (Guernsey),  p. 
dozen  

Gooseberries  (Eng- 
lish), J  sieve  ... 

Grape   Fruit,  case  19  0-22  0 

Grapes    (English), 

Hambro's.p.lb.  0  8-1 


6  6-76 

..    7  0-80 

6  0-70 
6  0-7  0 

6  6-76 

7  0-7  6 


7  0-90 
10  0-11  0 

7  0-90 

6  6-7  0 
6  0-70 

12-14 

2  6-36 
5  0-56 

5  0    — 

5  6-60 

6  6-76 

8  0  — 
5  0-56 
0  9-13 

3  6-12  0 
2  0-66 


2  6-36 
4  6-50 


5  6-60 
2  9-30 


26    — 
10-40 


16-40 


6  0-90 


s.d.  s.d. 


Grapes,     Alicante 

per  lb 0  9-13 

—  Gros      Maroc, 

per  lb. 0  9-16 

—  English  Mus- 
cats, per  lb. ...    10-30 

—  Belgian    Ham- 

bro's,  per  lb....    0  8-13 
Lemons  : 

—  Messina,    case  10  0-14  0 

—  Naples,  p.  case  20  0-25  0 
Lychees,  perbox...     10    — 
Mangoes,  per  doz.    9  0-18  0 
Melons(  Guernsey), 

each     0  9-20 

—  French,   Rock, 

each     2  0-36 

—  Valencia,     per 

case     8  6-10  0 

—  Canteloupe, 

each      0  4-05 

Nectarines  (Eng- 
lish), per  doz.    3  0-12  0 

Nuts,  Cobnuts,  per 

doz.  lb 2  6-30 

—  Almonds,  bags  54  0    — 

—  Brazils,      new, 

Eercwt.  ...  40  0-42  6 

arcelona.  bag  32  6    — 

—  Cocoa  nuts.  100  12  0-17  0 
Oranges,  per  case: 

—  Valencia        ...  16  0-35  0 

—  Navels  ...  10  0-10  6 

—  Murcias,     box  12  0-16  0 
Peaches  (English), 

per  dozen 

—  French,  p.  box 
Pears  (Australian), 

per  bundle  of  3 

boxes 

Plums  (French),  p. 

box       0  10-  1  0 

—  Italian,   basket    2  0-23 
Gages    (French), 

per  box  ...    14-19 

—  French,  A  sieve  11  6-13  6 
Pineapples,  each...     2  0-36 
Raspberries    (Eng- 
lish),      handle 

basket 13-16 

Strawberries  (Eng- 
lish), per  peck    19-30 

—  per  lb 0  3-09 

—  English,       per 

handle    basket    0  9-10 


10-90 
10-13 


10  0-20  0 


Vegetables  :  Average  Wholesale  Prices. 


s.d.  s.d. 

Artichokes(French), 

per  dozen      ...    2  0-26 

Asparagus  (Eng- 
lish), p.  bundle    0  9-13 

—  Beans(French), 
per  pad 

—  Broad       (Eng- 
lish), p.  bushel 

—  Jersey,  per  lb. 

—  French,  packet    0  3-04 

—  Home  -grown, 
per  lb 

Beetroot,  bushel  ... 

Cabbages,  per  doz. 

Cabbage     Greens, 

bag      

—  red,  per  dozen 
Carrots    (English), 

dozen  bunches 

—  French,    new, 
per  bunch 

Cauliflowers,     per 

dozen    

Chow  Chow   (Sec- 

hiutn  edule),p, 

dozen  

Cucumbers,  per 

dozen  

Endive,  per  dozen 
Horseradish,     for- 
eign, dz.bndls.  13  0-14  0 
Leeks,  12  bundles    16- 
Lettuce    (English), 

Cos,  per  score 
Marrows  (English), 

per  dozen 
Mint,     per    dozen 

bunches 


5  0-80 


3  0 
0  6- 


0  6  — 
13  16 
0  9-10 

10-16 
2  0    — 

10-16 

0  5    — 

2  0-26 


3  0    — 


16-26 
10-13 


0  4-06 
3  0-60 


0  9-10 


s.d.  s.d. 
Mushrooms(house) 

per  lb 0  8-0  10 

—  buttons,  per  lb.  0  10    — 

—  "Broilers"p.lb.    0  5-06 
Mustardand  Cress, 

per  dozen  pun. 

Onions      (Lisbon), 

case     

—  pickling,     per 
bushel 

—  Spring,  pr.  dz. 
bunches 

—  Egyptian,  bag , 
Peas  (English),  per 

bushel 

—  English,  p.  bag 
Parsley,  12bunches 

—  J  bushel 
Potatos     (Canary), 

per  cwt. 

Radishes  (Guern- 
sey), per  dozen    0  4-06 

Rhubarb  (English), 
natural,  per  dz. 

Salsafy,  p.dz.  bdls. 

Spinach,  English, 
per  bushel     ... 

Tomatos : — 

—  Canary,  per 
bundle 

—  selected,  per 
dozen  lbs.     ... 

—  small  selected, 
per  dozen  lbs.    3  0-3 

Turnips   (English), 

doz.  bunches... 
Watercress,      per 

doz.  bunches  .. 


10-16 

7  6-80 

2  0-26 

16  2  0 
9  0-10  0 

16-26 

3  0-50 
16-20 
10-16 

8  0-90 


1  0- 
3  6 


1  C 


0  9-10 


6  0-80 
3  6-39 


2  0-30 


0  1-06 


Remarks. — English  Tomatos  are  arriving  in  increased 
quantities  and  are  considerably  cheaper.  Cherries  are  sold 
at  low  prices,  except  very  superior  varieties.  The  trade 
for  Hot-house  Grapes  and  Peaches  continues  to  be  very 
quiet.  Strawberries  generally  are  now  of  poor  quality  and 
supplies  are  nearly  finished,  P.  L.,  Covent  Garden  Market t 
July  77,  1907. 

POTATOS. 

Kents,  5s.  6d.  to  7s. ;  Bedfords,  5s.  to  5s.  6d. ;  Lincolns, 
6s.  6d.  to  6s. ;  Jerseys,  5s.  6d.  to  6s. ;  St.  Malos,  6s. ; 
Teneriffe,  9s.  to  10s. ;  old  Potatos,  6s.  6d.  to  7s.  Large 
consignments  of  Potatos  have  been  received  during  the  past 
week,  and  prices  have  dropped  accordinglv.  Trade  generally 
is  good.    A.  £.,  Covent  Garden,  July  17,  1'JiC. 


GO 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[July  20,  1907. 


COVENT  GARDEN  FLOWER  MARKET. 

Many  growers  of  spring  and  summer  flowering  plants 
have  finished  marketing  these  for  the  season,  and  some  few 
things  are  realising  good  prices.  Generally,  however, 
plants  are  plentiful  and  the  prices  are  low.  Zonal, 
Ivy-leaved,  and  Show  Pelargoniums  are  all  plentiful. 
Amongst  the  best  of  Crassula  (Kalosanthes)  coccinea  is  the 
variety  Phcenix ;  some  of  the  cross-bred  varieties  of  this  plant 
are  also  good.  Fuchsias  are  seen  in  well  flowered  plants. 
Companula  Mayi,  well  flowered,  is  noticed  on  the  plant 
stands.  Supplies  of  Hydrangeas  are  falling  off  a  little,  but 
there  are  many  good  plants  of  H.  paniculata  grandifiora. 
Kochia  scoparia,  or  what  is  known  by  some  persons  as  K.  tri- 
chophylla,  is  now  very  good.  In  Roses  I  noticed  well 
flowered  plants  of  the  variety  Hiawatha;  other  Rambling 
varieties  are  plentiful,  but  the  plants  are  chiefly  those  that 
have  been  grown  in  the  open  and  afterwards  potted.  Coleus 
in  well  coloured  plants  are  plentiful,  but  there  is  only  a 
small  demand.  I  noticed  some  well  grown  plants  of  Eu'alia 
japonica  variegata  from  Mr.  T.  Child's  nursery.  Ferns, 
Palms,  Aspidistras,  Asparagus,  Ficus,  Aralias,  Pandanus, 
Crotons,  and  other  useful  foliage  plants  are  all  well 
supplied. 

Cut  Flowers. 

White,  yellow  and  blue  flowers  of  Statices  are  prominent. 
Alstroiner'ias  are  seen  in  various  shades  of  colours.  Iceland 
and  Shirley  Poppies  are  still  very  pretty.  Several 
growers  send  these  flowers  when  in  the  bud  state  ;  they  open 
well  in  water,  and  last  much  longer  than  flo%vers  that  are  fully 
expanded  when  cut.  Spanish  and  English  Irises  are  pro- 
minent flowers,  these  also  last  much  longer  if  they  are  cut 
before  they  have  fully  opened,  and  the  same  is  the  case  with 
many  other  flowers.  Some  Carnations  have  a  reputation 
for  remaining  fresher  longer  than  others,  but  the  only  dif- 
ference I  have  ever  been  able  to  detect  is  that  those  which  are 
the  more  readily  fertilised  deteriorate  the  quicker.  This  is  seen 
in  the  case  of  the  Marguerite  varieties  which  seed  freely, 
for  these  flowers  pass  as  soon  as  fertilisation  takes  place. 
Sweet  Peas  have  been  over  plentiful,  and  there  must  have 
been  much  waste  in  these  flowers.  Roses  vary,  the  best  sell 
well,  but  many  of  lesser  quality  cannot  be  cleared  other 
than  very  cheaply.  Souvenir  de  la  Malmaison  Carna- 
tions are  prominent.  The  American  varieties  quite  eclipse 
our  ordinary  type.  Liliums  have  advanced  a  little  in  prices. 
The  market  is  well  supplied  with  all  seasonable  flowers  and 
prices  are,  generally,  very  low.  ^1 .  H.,  Covent  Garden, 
Wednesday,  July  17,  1907. 


ANSWERS    TO    CORRESPONDENTS. 

Apple  Leaves  :  Rev.  G.  H.  E.  There  is  no 
disease  present.  The  blotches  are  caused  by  a 
deposition  of  moisture  followed  by  a  chill. 

Apple  Spot  :  G.  if.  The  markings  are  caused  by 
a  fungus,  Fusicladium  dentriticum.  Spray  the 
trees  now  with  the  Bordeaux  Mixture  (half 
strength),  and  again  in  the  winter  with  a  solution 
of  sulphate  of  iron. 

Aster  Disease  :  F.  E.  S.  &■  Co.  Select  fresh 
ground  for  next  year's  planting,  and  take  the 
precaution  to  spiay  the  plants,  before  the  disease 
appears,  with  the  fungicide  recommended  in  our 
issue  for  June  22,  p.  416.  The  disease  may  be 
transmitted  by  the  seeds,  but  this  is  improbable  ; 
fresh  seeds,  however,  obtained  from  a  healthy 
•  stock  should  be  used  for  next  year's  sowing.  If 
you  do  not  wish  to  do  this,  treat  the  seeds  from 
the  affected  plants  with  a  weak  solution  of  per- 
manganate of  potash  in  order  to  kill  any  spores 
of  the  fungus  that  may  be  present  on  them. 

Book  :  /.  F.  Holstein.  "  Windsor  Park  and 
Forest "  ;  published  by  Oxley  &  Son,  High 
Street,  Windsor. 

British  Gardeners'  Association. — W.  F.,  North- 
allerton.  The  secretary  is  Mr.  John  Weathers, 
Talbot  Villa,  Talbot  Road,  Isleworth. 

Camellia  Leaves  :  W.  H.  P.  The  injury  is 
caused  by  Pestalozzia  Guepini,  the  dreaded 
"grey  blight"  of  the  Tea  plant,  which  often 
attacks  Camellias.  The  only  certain  remedy  is 
to  cut  off  every  diseased  leaf,  as  the  spores  are 
spread  from  one  leaf  to  another  by  syringing  the 
plants. 

Coloured  Plates:  W.  T.  A.,  Capetown.  We 
are  unable  to  tell  you  where  you  could  obtain 
the  kind  of  plates  you  require. 

Cocumber  Disease:  Old.  SuUia iber.  The  leaves 
are  affected  with  the  spot  disease  that  has  been 
so  often  described  in  these  columns.  You  can 
check  the  spread  of  the  complaint  by  spraying 
with  liver  of  sulphur,  £  oz.  to  2  gallons  of  water. 
All  diseased  plants  should  be  burned  and  fresh 
soil  should  be  used  for  future  planting. 

Cucumber  Plant  :  E.  T.  There  is  not  any  evi- 
dence of  eelworms  in  the  roots  received.  If 
you  are  a  Fellow  of  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society,  you  can  have  the  water  analysed  on 
payment  of  a  small  fee,  by  sending  a  sample 
to  Dr.  J.  Augustus  Voelcker,  M.A.,  22,  Tudor 
Street,  New  Bridge  Street,  London,  E.C.  The 
splitting  of  the  Grapes  is  due  to  some  fault 
in  the  regulation  of  heat  and  moisture,  par- 
ticularly in  respect  to  the  water  applied  to  the 
roots. 


Elm  Leaves:  L.  G.  The  fungus  on  Elm  leaves 
is  Phyllachora  Ulmi,  a  parasite  causing  the 
early  fall  of  the  leaves  when  present  in  quantity. 

Grape  Spot  Disease  :  F.  G.  B.,  W.  W.  W.  S., 
and  Korth  Essex.  The  berries  aie  affec.ed  with 
the  spot  disease,  which  is  caused  by  a  fungus 
Glaeosporium  ampelophagum.  Dust  the 
bunches  with  a  mixture  of  one  part  quicklime 
and  two  parts  of  flowers  of  sulphur.  The  use 
of  stable  manure  in  the  border  favours  the 
disease. 

Hollyhock  Disease  :  C.  The  following  pre- 
paration is  recommended  by  Messrs.  Webb 
and  Brand,  the  well-known  cultivators  of  this 
flower: — To  1  lb.  of  Tobacco  powder  add 
J  oz.  of  finely-powdered  sulphate  of  copper  ; 
well  mix  these,  and  dust  the  undersurfaces  of 
the  foliage  with  the  mixture,  at  intervals  of 
two  or  three  weeks  during  the  growing  season, 
choosing  a  dull  day  with  a  still  atmosphere 
for  carrying  out  the  operation. 

Exhibiting  Vegetables  :  W.  T.  We  know  of 
no  standard  size  for  a  stand  to  exhibit  a  cer- 
tain number  of  vegetables,  and  you  must  be 
guided  by  your  own  discretion  in  this  direc- 
tion. It  is  necessary  to  afford  sufficient  space 
between  the  individual  varieties  to  allow  them 
to  be  displayed  to  advantage.  A  suitable 
stand  for  exhibiting  vegetables  is  shown  at 
fig.  21  (A)  the  back.  (The  diagram  does  not 
show  this  back  as  high  as  it  is  usually  seen, 
but  the  exhibitor  can  modify  the  height  as 
required).  The  back  can  be  made  of  light 
boarding,  and  in  front  is  a  square  portion  (B) 
upon  which  the  boards  forming  (C)  rest,  and 
slope  to  the  front.  The  boards  forming  the 
platform  (C)  often  meet  (B)  about  three  parts 
up,  and  not  quite  at  the  top,  as  is  shown  in 
our  diagram.     Against  (A)  are  usually  placed 


Fig.  21. — stand  for  exhibiting  vegetables. 

Cauliflowers,  Cabbages  or  Broccoli  in  pyra- 
mids, with  Marrows,  Cucumbers  and  similar 
large  vegetables  on  (B).  The  space  (C)  is 
usually  reserved  for  dishes  containing  Toma- 
tos,  Mushrooms,  Capsicums,  Potatos,  &c, 
with  the  larger  subjects  at  the  back.  A  bed- 
ding of  Parsley  is  placed  over  the  whole  stag- 
ing before  arranging  the  vegetables.  The 
table  (Ei,  upon  which  the  stand  rests,  is  re- 
presented by  the  three  bottom  vertical  Lines 
in  the  diagram. 

Names  of  Fruits  :  reach.  Thefruitswerenotpacked 
with  sufficient  care,  and  they  suffered  badly 
during  transit.  Correspondents  would  do  well 
to  remember  that  such  soft  fruits  can  onlv  be 
identified  with  difficulty,  and  it  is  therefore 
imperative  that  every  care  should  be  taken  in 
the  packing  of  them,  and  that  it  is  necessary  for 
us  to  recehe  two  fruits  of  each  variety,  also 
specimens  of  the  foliage. 

Names  of  Plants  ;  A.J.  Polygonum  cuspidatum. 
—  W.  H.  and  A  .  K.  We  do  not  undertake  to  name 
varieties  of  Roses  or  other  florists'  flowers. — 
C.  II'.  Calycanthus  floridus.—  R.  A.  H.  1, 
Spiraea  ariaefolia ;  2,  RhusCotinus;  3,  Cistus 
ladaniferus  maculatus ;  4,  Erigeron  speciosus. 
— F.  R.  1,  Escallonia  rubra;  2  and  3,  Rosa 
spinosissima  var.  ;  4,  Veronica  salicifolia  ; 
5,  Azalea  viscosa ;  6,  Coronilla  Emerus. — 
A.  T.  B.  Jasminum  humile  (J.  revolutum). — ■ 
A.C.  1,  Picea  nigra;  2,  Cephalotaxus  pedun- 
culata ;  3,  Berberis  vulgaris  var. ;  4,  send  better 
specimen. — W.J.  S.  1,  Robinia  Pseudacacia  ; 
2,  Cupressus  Lawsoniana  ;  3,  C.  macrocarpa  ; 
4,  Pinus  excelsa.— G.  F.  31.  1,  Rhodotypos 
kerrioides ;  2,  Lonicera  Ledebourii ;  3,  Phila- 
d.elphus  Lemoinei ;  4,  Olearia  Gunniana;  5, 
(  iaultheria  Shallon  ;  6,  Verbascum  phceniceum. 
— A.  N.  1,  Euonymus  europceus ;  2,  Rhus 
Cotinus  ;  3,  Veronica  salicifolia ;  4,  V.  speciosa 


var. — G.  B.  1,  Lonicera  japonica;  2,  Crambe 
sp.,  probably  C.  orientalis,  but  we  are  unable  to 
name  it  definitely  without  complete  material. — 
K.  &•  B.  The  Retinospora,  or  juvenile  form 
of  Juniperus  virginiana. — G.  11'.  R.  Poten- 
tilla  variabilis,  P.  coccinea  of  gardens. — if.  A .  1, 
Cystopteris  bulbifera  ;  2,  Lastrea  dilatata  ;  3, 
Polypodium  vulgare  cambricum;  4,  Pteris 
arguta ;  5,  Pteris  umbroSa ;  6,  Woodwardia 
orientalis. — Veritas.  1,  Aerides  odoratum  ;  2, 
Sarcanthus  pugioniformis  ;  3,  Saccolabium 
ampullaceum  ;  4,  Schomburgkia  tibicinis. — 
if.  7".  S.  1,  Kalmia  latifolia;  2,  Primus  Pis- 
sardii ;  3,  Acer  Negundo  ;  4,  Aconitum  Napellus ; 
5,  Malva  moschata  ;  6,  Achillea  Ptarmica  flore 
pleno. — A.B.  1,  2,  and  3,  varieties  of  Iris 
xiphioides,  commonly  called  English  Iris  ;  4, 
Penstemon  barbatus ;  5,  Deutzia  crenata  flore 
pleno;  6,  Robinia  Pseudacacia. — Juno.  Phyllo- 
cactus  crenatus .—  It'.  J.  F.  1,  Calycanthus 
floridus  ;  2,  Spiraea  salicifolia  ;  3,  Spiraea 
brumalis  variegata ;  4,  Melianthus  major ;  5, 
probably  Convolvolus  Cneorum.  Send  when 
in  flower.  6,  Rehmanniaangulata. — Miss  M.  C. 
Astrantia  major. — G.  S.  ].  Your  labels  were 
nearly  all  detached  from  the  specimens  ;  the  red 
flower  is  Calycanthus  floridus,  the  yellow  flower 
Grevillea  juniperina  sulphurea  ;  2,  Phlomis 
fruticosa  ;  3,  Cotoneaster  frigida. 

Pear  Leaves  Injured  :  A.  G.  L.  &•  II'.  K.  The 
injury  has  been  caused  by  the  Pear-leaf  blister- 
mite.  Spray  the  trees  thoroughly  with  paraffin 
emulsion  prepared  by  boiling  together  equal 
proportions  of  paraffin  and  soft  soap.  This 
should  be  thoroughly  mixed  with  25  times  its 
bulk  of  water.  Spray  in  the  autumn  and  again 
in  the  early  spring  when  the  leaf  buds  are  ex- 
panding. 

Plants  Losing  their  Leaves  after  Purchase  : 
A.  T.  It  often  occurs  that  plants  sent  to  mar- 
ket  are  not  sold  on  the  first  day,  and  after 
they  have  been  confined  in  the  close  atmo- 
sphere of  the  market-hall  the  leaves  suffer  ' 
when  they  are  again  exposed  to  the  air  and 
light.  It  is  much  the  same  with  many  plants 
used  for  the  decoration  of  dwelling  rooms  ; 
they  may  not  appear  to  suffer  at  the  time,  but 
when  returned  to  their  usual  position  the 
leaves  soon  fall,  or  turn  a  bad  colour.  There 
is  also  another  cause  for  plants  purchased 
from  the  market  failing  in  the  manner  de- 
scribed. Such  plants  are  often  fed  excessively 
with  manures,  and  when  these  are  withheld 
they  suffer.  In  other  instances  they  may  have 
been  subjected  to  an  excessive  degree  of  forc- 
ing. We  may  be  able  to  give  you  the  names 
of  the  Poppies,  Convolvulus,  &c,  in  our  next 
issue. 

Roses  :  J.  A.  There  is  no  disease  present;  the 
trouble  is  caused  by  the  weather,  against  which 
there  is  no  remedy. —  W.  K.  The  Rose  leaves 
are  attacked  by  a  fungus  called  Actinonema 
rosae.  Spray  with  a  rose-red  solution  of  Condy's 
Fluid.     Collect  and  burn  diseased  leaves. 

Strawberries:  G.  S.  We  are  unable  to  ac- 
count for  the  pilfering. 

Sycamore  :  B.  L.  The  leaf  you  send  is  that  of 
Corylus  maxima  var.  atropurpurea.  There  is 
no  form  of  the  Norway  Maple  or  the  Sycamore 
with  foliage  of  so  deep  a  colour,  though  some  of 
the  forms  of  the  latter,  such  as  purpurascens 
Nizeti  are  somewhat  like  it  in  early  summer. 
There  is  no  purple-leaved  Plane,  but  there  is  a 
purple-leaved  Elm  (Ulmus  montana  var.  atro- 
purpurea) which  you  might  easily  have  mistaken 
at  a  distance  for  an  Acer. 

Tomatos  Diseased:  /.  S.,  Holyrood.  The  black 
spots  on  the  fruits  are  caused  by  a  fungus — 
Macrosporium  Solani.  There  is  no  known 
remedy  for  this  disease  once  the  fruits  are 
attacked,  but  the  spread  of  the  complaint  may 
be  1:  rgdy  checked  by  burning  the  affected  fruits 
as  soon  as  the  disease  shows  itself.  Later 
batches  should  be  sprayed  with  the  Bordeaux 
mixture. 

Communications  Received.—].  D.  S.— W.  E.  B.— W.  G.— 
Col.  Beddome— S.  A.  S. -T.  S.— C.  T.  D.— A.  W.  S.— 
T.  H.— C.  F.  C— W.  H.  W.— Geo.  Wassell— W.  C.  S.— 
R.  Humphrey— X,  Y.  Z.,  Barnet— H.  B.  G.,  Honiton— 
Mrs.  J.  L.  R—  L.  Castle— W.  J.  Vasey— J.  D..  New 
Zealand-J.  I.  and  Son— W.  E.  B.— S.  C— J.  E.  Holden 
(Thanksfor  two  shillings  for  R.  G.  O.  F.  Box).— P.Wc-athers. 
— O.  R.— J.  T.  C.-W.  H.— F.  G.— G.  F.  E.-T.  M. —A.  W. 
— Elap-W.  E.  M.— H.  G.  H.— E.  B.-G.  E.  W.— G.  B.— 
F.  C— R-  N.  (2s.  for  R.  G.  O.  F.  box)  -  M.  L.— W.  H.  D.— 
H.   W.   W.-F.    P.— F.    M.-E.    H.   J.-G.     E.— W.    S.— 

F.  M.  W.—  E.  P.,  Cape  Town— S.  C— W.  H.  L.-D.  J.— 

G.  H.  B. 


July  27,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


61 


THE 


^arbcncrs'CbronicIc 

No.  1,074.— SATURDAY,  July  27,  1907. 


CONTENTS. 


American  park  superin- 
tendents    '    69 

Bones  for  a  vine  border      75 

Books,  notices  of — 
The  Flora  of  Palestine      61 

Carnations  Souvenir  de 
la  Malmaison 74,75 

Colonial  notes — 
A  plague  of  locusts  66 

Egypt,  horticulture  in...      73 

Fruit  crops  of  the  season     66 

Gardiner,  J.  A.,  appoint- 
ment of,  to  Hyde  Park      69 

Gooseberries  and   Cur- 
rants            75 

Hardy    flower    border, 
the         ...        .„        ...      61 

Lilac  bud-mite  ...        ...      73 

Lilium     Brownii    as    a 
bedding  plant 67 

Maritzburg  Botanic  Gar- 
den              63 

Nest     in    a    bunch    of 
Banana  fruits 72 

Orchid  notes  and  glean- 
ings— 
Odontioda  Vuylstekeae 

Kingsmillii 63 

Odontoglossum 

Smithii         62 

Oncidium    macran- 
thum 63 

Paeonia  Madame   Louis 
Henry 75 

Pine  trees,  a  disease  of      74 

Plant  acclimatisation  in 
the  tropics       73 


Plants,    new    or    note- 
worthy— 
Crinum  amcenum  var. 
Mearsii         

Pomology,  a  French 
work  on  

Propagator,  the 

Reading  University  Gar- 
dens, appointments  at 

School  of  Horticulture 
at  Wisley,  establish- 
ment of  a         

Scientific  research  sta- 
tion opened  at  Wisley 

Societies- 
National       Carnation 

and  Picotee 

Rayleigh  and  District 

Horticultural 
Royal  Horticultural ... 
Southend  -  o  n  -  S  e  a 
Horticultural         ... 

Stigma  of  Torenia 

Strawberry  The  Laxton 

Summer  pruning  of  fruit 
trees      

Sweet  Peas  disqualified 

Thunderstorm,  a  heavy 

Vine,  an  ornamental    ... 

Week's  work,  the — 
Flower  garden,  the  ... 
Fruits  under  glass  .. 
Hardy  fruit  gai  den 
Kitchen  garden,  the  ... 
Orchid  houses,  the  ... 
Parks  and  gardens  ... 
Plants  under  glass    ... 

Yuccas,  a  list  of 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 

■Amphicome  Emodi       

Avebury,  Lord,  portrait  of      

Balfour  of  Burleigh,  Lord,  portrait  of       

Chance,  Sir  William,  portrait  of      

Crinum  amcenum  var.  Mearsii         

Delphiniums  flowering  in  a  plant  border- 
Elliott,  Sir  Thomas,  portrait  of       

Lilium  Brownii  flowering  in  Kew  Gardens 
Locusts,  a  plague  of,  in  a  Johannesburg  garden 

Sadler,  Prof.  Michael,  portrait  of 

View  of  a  lake  in  Maritzburg  Botanic  Garden   ... 
Vincent,  Sir  William,  portrait  of     


75 

78 
73 
75 

75 
75 
75 
73 

69 
68 
69 
68 

(is 
69 
69 
75 


74 
70 
71 
71 
62 
64 
71 
67 
66 
71 
OS 
71 


ARRANGEMENT   OF    THE 

HARDY    FLOWER 

BORDER. 

IN  undertaking  the  construction  or  re- 
arrangement of  an  herbaceous  border, 
the  experienced  gardener  very  properly 
aims  at  obtaining  as  prolonged  a  succession 
of  colour  as  possible. 

A  well-arranged  border  of  carefully-selected 
flowering  plants  is  always  a  thing  of  beauty, 
but  how  much  of  that  possible  beauty  is  often 
sacrificed  by  faulty  selection  and  disposition 
in  the  beginning?  A  brilliant  colour  display 
may  be  striking,  but  it  is  not  necessarily 
artistic.  To  be  artistic  it  must  possess  a  cer- 
tain individuality  of  its  own,  obtained  by 
planting  with  a  view  to  obtaining  contrast 
and  bold  effect,  and,  in  considering  the  choice 
of  material  for  such  a  border,  diversity,  not 
only  of  colour,  but  of  foliage  should  be  taken 
into  careful  consideration.  It  is  to  the  in- 
troduction of  bold  and  effective  foliage 
plants  that  the  well-conceived  border  owes 
much  of  its  artistic  character. 

The  practice  of  arranging  the  taller  plants 
in  rows  along  the  back,  and  the  smaller  ones 


in  similar  rows  along  the  front  of  the  border, 
should  be  avoided,  or  the  effect  is  sure  to  be 
monotonous.  Care,  however,  should  be  taken 
that  each  plant  is  so  disposed  that  it  will  be 
displayed  to  good  advantage.  The  outline  of 
a  border  presents  an  ever-varying  change  of 
front,  effected  by  allowing  the  bolder  subjects 
to  project  to  the  front  and  the  dwarfer  kinds 
to  recede  towards  the  back  of  the  border  at 
irregular  intervals.  Bearing  these  princi]  les 
in  mind,  their  employment  must  be  regulated 
according  to  the  size  of  the  border  and  the 
purpose  for  which  it  is  intended ;  much  de- 
pends, for  instance,  upon  whether  the  border 
is  intended  as  a  constant  ornament  for  the 
more  select  part  of  the  garden,  or  mainly  for 
the  production  of  cut  flowers.  From  a  border 
of  the  latter  type  many  highly  ornamental 
subjects  must  necessarily  be  excluded,  and  its 
effect  will  consequently  depend  largely  upon 
the  manner  in  which  the  plants  are  arranged. 
In  the  case  of  the  ornamental  flower  border, 
there  is  a  much  wider  scope,  and  few 
branches  of  gardening  offer  greater  oppor- 
tunities for  the  exercise  of  artistic  skill.  An 
important  adjunct  to  the  ornamental  flower 
border  is  an  effective  background  of  flowering 
shrubs,  in  conjunction  with  which  herbaceous 
plants  of  the  boldest  type  can  often  be 
utilised.  The  outline  of  the  shrubbery  itself 
should  be  thoroughly  broken  up,  now  pro- 
jecting, now  receding  in  such  a  manner  as  to 
allow  plenty  of  room  for  the  adornment  of 
the  open  spaces  with  suitable  herbaceous 
plants.  The  position  of  the  shrubs  of  which 
such  a  background  is  composed  should  be 
graduated  in  such  a  manner  that  the  coarser 
and  more  spreading  kinds  are  put  well  into 
the  background.  Flowering  shrubs  of  a 
smaller  and  more  select  type  are  also  valu- 
able for  planting  singly,  or  in  smaller  groups 
among  the  herbaceous  plants,  and  not  only  do 
they  impart  to  the  border  much  additional 
character  during  the  summer  months,  but 
help  to  maintain  that  character  throughout 
the  winter,  at  which  season  they  brighten 
what  might  be  otherwise  a  more  or  less 
dreary  stretch  of  bare  ground. 

However  desirable  the  inclusion  of  flower- 
ing shrubs  may  be,  it  is  necessary  that  their 
characteristics  and  uses  should  be  thoroughly 
understood,  otherwise  the  result  may  prove  a 
failure.  Having  decided  upon  the  position 
of  the  border,  and  the  principles  upon  which 
it  is  to  be  planted,  the  selection  of  suitable 
plants  that  will  impart  an  appearance  of 
individuality  comes  into  consideration.  The 
following  are  lists  of  desirable  subjects  for 
the  purpose  : — 

Herbaceous  Plants  of  Boldest  Type. 
These  are  only  suitable  for  cultivation  in  large 
borders  of  a  semi-wild  character:  Bocconia  cor- 
data,  Beracleum  in  variety,  Rheum,  Polygo- 
num in  various  species,  of  which  P.  cuspidatum 
and  P.  sachalinense  are  the  best,  Silphium  in 
variety,  Lavatera,  Grasses,  Gynerium  argen- 
teum,   Eulalia  japenica,  Arundo  conspicua,  &c. 

Plants  of  Sue-tropical  Appearance. 
Aconitums,  Acanthus,  various  species  of 
Astilbe  (of  which  the  new  A.  Davidii  is  the 
best),  Centaureas  (of  which  C.  babylonica  and  C. 
macrocephala  are  the  most  striking),  Del- 
phiniums in  variety,  Echinops  (of  which  E. 
ruthenicus  and  E.  sphaerocephalus  may  be  re- 
commended), Hollyhocks  in  variety,  Ferulas  in 
various   species   {of   which   F.    gigantea   is   the 


tallest),  Romneya  Coulteri,  Galega  officinalis, 
Michauxica  campanuloides,  Molospermum  cicu- 
tarium,  Rudbeckia  laciniata,  Ostrowskia  mag- 
nifica  (a  recent  introduction  of  very  bold  ap- 
pearance), Lupinus  in  variety.  Podophyllum 
Emodi,  Senecios  of  various  species  (such  as  S. 
Clivorum,  S.  japonicus,  S.  pulcher,  and  the  new 
S.  tanguticus),  Crambe  cordifolia  (especially  de- 
sirable), Morina  longifolia,  Papaver  orientale, 
Eryngiums  in  variety,  &c. 

Plants  with  Sword  or  Grass-like  Foliage. 
Aciphylla  squarrosa,  Asphodelus  in  variety, 
Libertia  formosa,  Hemerocallis  in  variety,  Gal- 
tonia  candicans,  Kniphofia  (various  species, 
among  which  K.  caulescens,  K.  nobilis,  K. 
grandis  and  K.  Tuckii  are  the  tallest  and  most 
distinct),  Montbretia  crocosmasflora,  Eremurus  in 
variety  (of  which  E.  robustus  and  E.  Himalai- 
cus  are  the  tallest  growers),  Iris,  various  species, 
such  as  I.  Monnieri  and  other  strong-growing 
kinds ;  species  of  Yuccas,  Phormium  tenax, 
Liatris  (Snake  Root)  in  variety,  Sparaxis  pul- 
cherrima,  &c. 

Plants  of  Dwarfer  Growth. 
Anemone  japonica  and  its  varieties,  Funkia 
species,  Ranunculus  aconitifolius,  Helleborus  in 
variety,  Megasea  (various  species),  Paeonies  in 
variety,  Spiraeas  (Astilbes)  such  as  S.  palmata 
S.  japonica,  Tiarella  cordifolia,  Incarvilleas, 
Heucheras,  Galax  aphylla,  &c.  Borders  that  are 
situated  in  partial  shade  should  also  include 
such  plants  as  Tradescantia  virginica,  Polygon- 
atum  multiflorum,  and  hardy  Ferns. 

Flowering  Shrubs. 
The  following  species  are  suitable  for  asso- 
ciating with  herbaceous  plants  :  Berberis  Dar- 
winii,  B.  stenophylla,  and  B.  empetrifolia, 
Cytisus  (several  species),  Erica  lusitanica,  E. 
mediterranea,  E.  Veitchii,  and  E.  carnea, 
&c,  Pernettya  mucronata,  Skimmia  japonica, 
Veronica  Traversii  and  V.  buxifolia, 
Daphne  (several  species),  Olearia  Haastii, 
Euonymus  japonicus,  Forsythias  in  variety, 
Choisya  ternata,  Cistus  (several  species), 
Escallonia  macrantha  and  E.  flori^unda, 
Andromeda  polifolia,  Kalmia  angustifolia 
and  K.  latifolia,  Phillyreas  in  variety^ 
climbing  Roses,  Lavendula  vera,  Rosmarinus 
officinalis,  Artemisia,  and  others.  P.  Meyer, 
Abergele,  N.  Wales. 


'rpl 


THE    FLORA    OF   PALESTINE.* 

t-\HE  idea  of  this  little  book  grew  out 
of  a  tour  in  Palestine.  ...  It 
seemed  to  me  that  a  short  account  of 
the  trees  and  flowers,  with  special  reference 
to  those  mentioned  in  the  Bible,  might  be  of 
use  to  travellers  .  .  .  and  also  of  inter- 
est to  students  of  the  Bible."  The  informa- 
tion, we  are  told,  was  partly  gleaned  from 
Canon  Tristram's  work,  the  Treasury  of 
Botany,  and  Dr.  Post's  Flora. 

The  book  consists  of  four  chapters  dealing 
with  the  characteristic  flowers  of  Palestine, 
e.g.,  thorny  plants,  tropical  and  Alpine 
plants  and  trees,  occupying  44  pages ;  the 
remainder  of  the  book  of  128  pages  is  an 
alphabetical  list  of  the  majority  of  species, 
with  brief  descriptions  of  the  genera.  This 
part  will  be  useful  to  students,  but  a  beginner 
would  have  some  difficultv  in  recognising 
n  genera  without  any  description  of  the 
family  or  order  to  which  they  belong.  Thus, 
an  "  annual  or  shrubby  perennial  herb  with 
linear  leaves  "  would  do  for  other  plants  than 
the    old    genus    Odontites;    but,   as   fat    as 

*  Flowers  and  Trees  of  Palestine,  by  Augusta  A.  Temple, 
with  44  photographic  illustrations.  Crown  8vo.,  172  pages. 
Elliot  Stock. 


62 


THE    GARDENERS'    Z/HRONICLE. 


[July  27,  1907. 


extreme  brevity  will  allow,  the  authoress  has 
generally  seized  upon  some  characteristic  fea- 
ture in  each  case.  With  regard  to  the  four 
chapters  a  few  observations  may  be  made. 
Because  Arabs  to-day  use  the  word  "Shusan" 
as  a  general  term  for  flowers  of  the  Lily  kind, 
such  as  "  Tulip,  Iris,  Anemone,  Ranunculus, 
&c,"  therefore  references  in  the  Old  Testa- 
ment to  "  Lilies  "  "  probably  signified  any 
or  all  of  these."  Surely  the  authoress  does 
not  consider  Anemone  as  of  the  "  Lily  " 
kind?  It  requires  a  study  of  the  use  of  the 
word  "  Shushan,"  as  well  as  of  the  Greek 
"  Krinon,"  to  show  that  the  ancient  Greeks 
and  Jews  were  quite  familiar  with  the  true 
Lily,  and  meant  it.  Linum  usitatissimum, 
not  L.  sativum,  is  the  botanical  name  for 
Flax.  The  "  Rose  of  Jericho"  is  described 
as  "  having  leaves  like  a  Lycopodium."  The 
authoress  is  confounding  its  habit  of  rolling 
up  into  a  ball  with  the  totally  different  foli- 
age of  Selaginella  convoluta,  which  also  rolls 
up  when  dry.  The  Caper  is  not  now  "  gen- 
erally understood  to  be  the  Hyssop."  There 
are  more  reasons  for  suggesting  Thymbra. 
The  Date  and  Castor-oil  are  not  "  tropical," 
but  belong  to  the  warmer  temperate  regions, 
as  of  North  Africa.  Lign  Aloes  had  no- 
thing to  do  with  the  modern  plant,  but  is  a 
mistranslation  of  the  Hebrew  word  for  tents, 
"  ahalim."  Mignonette  is  recorded  as  "wild" 
south-west  of  the  Dead  Sea.  We  should 
like  to  know  if  this  is  a  fact,  and  that  it  is 
not  "  naturalised."  In  speaking  of  the 
different  plants  in  the  text,  the  beginner  has 
no  clue  as  to  whether  any  one  of  them  is 
indigenous  or  whether  it  has  been  introduced. 
He  must  refer  to  the  list  for  such  informa- 
tion ;  in  reading  these  four  chapters  he  would 
have  no  reason  for  suspecting  an  introduced 
species.  If  he  has  some  little  preliminary 
knowledge  of  the  main  features  of  the 
families  or  orders,  then  he  will  find  the 
descriptions  of  the  genera  most  helpful.  But 
in  order  to  obtain  fuller  information  he  must 
consult  Dr.  Post's  Flora.  Thus  far,  then, 
the  authoress  has  successfully  done  what  she 
set  out  to  do,  and  the  little  book  ought  cer- 
tainly to  be  a  great  help  to  all  who  really 
wish  to  know  all  that  is  possible  about  the 
plants  of  Palestine.     H. 


NEW  OR   NOTEWORTHY 
PLANTS. 


CRINUM  AMCENUM,  ROXBURGH,  VAR. 
MEARSII. 
Bulb  round  or  rarely  ovoid  and  slightly 
tapering  towards  the  apex  up  to  2  inches  in 
diameter ;  leaves  ensiform  rather  thin,  undu- 
late, 8  inches  to  1  foot  or  more  long,  1  inch 
wide,  tapering  gradually  to  a  point,  very 
smooth,  closely  veined,  margin  entire  ;  peduncle 
moderately  stout,  somewhat  flattened,  a  little 
more  than  $  inch  broad,  3  to  4£  inches 
long,  umbel  6  to  10  flowered,  spathe-valves  about 
2'.  inches  long,  thin,  pale  coloured,  about  f  inch 
broad  at  base,  gradually  tapering  to  a  point ; 
filiform  processes  present  round  the  spathe  and 
between  the  pedicels ;  pedicels  \  inch  long, 
perianth  hypocrateriform,  tube  slender,  white, 
up  to  5  inches  long,  erect  at  first,  cernuoiis 
before  the  buds  open  ;  segments  white,  lanceo- 
late, spreading,  2J  inches  long,  \  inch  broad, 
tapering  and  incurved  near  the  acuminate  apex  ; 
stamens  not  quite  so  long  as  the  segments,  the 
upper  half  reddish  ;  anthers  linear,  £  inch  long, 


style  of  the  same  length  as  the  segments,  upper 
half  reddish,  stigma  with  three  short  lobes. 
Whole  plant  when  not  in  flower  only  2  to  3 
inches  high,  flowering  well  in  a  60  (3-irch)  pot. 
This  variety,  of  which  a  plant  was  exhibited  at 
the  Holland  House  show  [see  p.  35],  was  dis- 
covered in  Upper  Burma  by  Major  Arthur 
Mears  in  a  dry  Teak  wood  forest  on  bills  (2,500 


ORCHID    NOTES    AND   GLEANINGS. 

ODONTOGLOSSUM  SMITHII. 
A  splendid  example  of  this  beautiful  hybrid 
obtained  by  crossing  O.  Rossii  rubescens  and  O. 
crispo-Harry.mum  is  in  flower  in  the  fine  col- 
lection of  J.  Gurney  Fowler,  Esq.,  Glebelands, 
South  Woodford  (gr.  Mr.  J.  Davis).     This  por- 


FlG.  22. — CRINUM  AMCENUM  VAR.  MEARSII.      HEIGHT  OF  PLANT  AP.OUT  3  INCHES.     FLOWERS  WHITE. 


feet  elevation),  a  little  to  the  north  of  Mingin.  It 
differs  from  the  type  in  being  a  smaller  plant 
with  smaller  leaves  which  have  glabrous  edges  ; 
the  peduncle  also  is  shorter  and  flattened.  This 
is  probably  the  only  form  of  C.  amcenum  in  cul- 
tivation in  this  country.  R.  11.  Beddome. 


tion  of  the  plant  displays  the  unique  beauty 
of  its  flower  even  in  a  more  marked  de- 
gree than  was  the  case  in  the  original  speci- 
men which  was  shown  at  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society  by  the  raisers,  Messrs.  Charlesworth  & 
Co.,  on  Dec.  5,  1905,  when  it  obtained  a  First- 


July  27,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


63 


Class    Certificate,    and    was    illustrated    in    the 
■Gardeners'  Chronicle,  Dec.  16,  1905,  p.  4^7. 

There  is  a  remarkable  combination  o(  colour 
in  its  fine  showy  flower,  which  on  close  exami- 
nation reveals  many  charming  points  not  pos- 
sessed by  other  Odontoglossums.  The  ground 
•colour  of  the  broad  sepals  is  white,  with  a  slight 
sea-green  shade,  the  margin  being  deep  rose- 
purple,  and  the  central  part  bearing  distinct, 
nearly  black  blotches.  The  central  area  of  the 
petals  is  clear  white,  and  the  broad  margin  rose- 
purple,  the  inner  white  portion  having  blackish 
blotches  as  on  the  sepals,  and  both  sepals  and 
petals  a  short,  broad  and  nearly  black  line  radi- 
ating from  the  column.  The  lip  is  white  at  the 
base,  the  elongated  front  bright  rose-purple,  and 
the  crest  yellow. 

ODONTIODA     VUYLSTEKE^E     KINGSMILLII. 
(O.    PESCATOREI    X    C.    NOEZLIANA.) 

A  flowek  of  this  beautiful  hybrid  from   the 


It  is  a  very  attractive  and  unusual  combination 
of  colours,  and  the  tone  of  these  latter  varies 
considerably  in  different  aspects.  The  collec- 
tion of  Odontoglossums  and  hybrids  in  the 
house  constructed  for  them  by  Mr.  J.  Gurney 
Fowler  is  in  splendid  health,  and  the  progress 
the  plants  have  made  since  the  new  house  was 
available  is  satisfactory. 

ONCIDIUM  MACRANTHUM. 
In  a  row  along  the  centre  staging  of  the 
largest  Odontoglossum  house  in  the  nurseries  of 
Messrs.  J.  and  A.  A.  McBean,  Cooksbridge,  a 
number  of  this  showy  Oncidium  has  been  mak- 
ing a  fine  show  for  several  weeks  past,  and  the 
plants  are  in  a  condition  to  continue  flowering 
for  some  time  to  come.  The  long  spikes  are 
trained  around  sticks,  so  that  the  lateral  branches 
form  dense  iieads  of  large,  yellow  flowers,  some 
of  them  with  bronzy-coloured  sepals,  and  all 
with  purple  markings  on  the  lip.    As  each  flower 


MARITZBURG  BOTANIC  GARDEN. 

This  garden  was  established  about  the  year 
1874  with  the  object  of  determining  the  most 
suitable  trees  for  planting  in  the  midland  dis- 
trict of  Natal.  The  work,  and  the  distribution 
of  suitable  trees  has  now  been  taken  over  by  the 
Natal  Government.  The  Botanic  Society  there- 
fore devotes  its  attention  to  the  introduction 
of  herbaceous  plants  and  shrubs  suitable 
for  the  colony.  The  tall  trees  growing  around 
the  lake,  shown  in  fig.  23,  are  examples  of 
Eucalyptus  citriodora,  a  species  that  is 
valued  on  account  of  its  lemon-scented  foli- 
age. This  tree  grows  rapidly,  and  forms  very 
tall,  unbranched  stems,  and  is  in  consequence 
not  of  much  value  as  a  shade  plant.  Its  timber 
is  largely  used  for  studs,  which,  after  20  years 
wear,  show  no  decay ;  the  wood  is  also  used 
largely  for  making  fences,  as  it  splits  well,  bends 
very    readily,     and,     above    all,     is     praciically 


Fig.  2j — view  of  a  lake  in  the  maritzburg  botanic  garden. 


collection  of  J.  Gurney  Fowler,  Esq.,  well  de- 
monstrated the  pleasant  side  of  Orchid  hybridi- 
sation, as  it  proves  a  perfect  gem  in  colour  and 
form.  The  arrangement  of  the  sepals  and  petals 
is  perfectly  flat ;  the  lip  is  extended  a  little  in 
front  of  the  plane  of  the  other  segments.  The 
sepals  are  bright  reddish-carmine,  with  a  white, 
irregular  margin  tinted  with  rose.  The  petals 
have  the  middle  portions  filled  with  confluent, 
reddish-carmine  lines,  the  white  ground  colour 
showing  through  at  the  base  and  on  the  outer 
extension  of  the  colouring,  the  margin  being 
tinged  with  rose  as  in  the  sepals.  The  base  of 
the  lip  is  bright  orange ;  the  column  is 
tinged  with  the  same  colour  and  marked  with 
red.  The  crest  is  yellow,  and  the  extended  side 
lobes  of  the  lip  tipped  with  rose,  a  reddish  rose 
blotch  being  in  front  of  the  crest.  The  front  of 
the  lip  is  cream-white,  with  a  slight  rose  shade. 


is  between  3  and  4  inches  across,  the  effect 
is  very  striking.  Very  few  growers  obtain  such 
complete  success  with  this  species,  and  many 
fail  to  do  anything  more  than  induce  it  to 
make  a  few  flowers  on  a  very  straggling 
spike.  The  trouble  generally  arises  from  the 
plants  being  kept  too  warm  and  dry,  and 
hence  the  remarks  about  the  simple  manner 
in  which  Messrs.  McBean  grow  it  will  be 
useful.  Oncidium  macranthum  and  the  violet 
Odontoglossum  Edwardii,  which  requires  simi- 
lar treatment,  and  flowers  finely  at  Cooks- 
bridge,  are  both  grown  with  the  Odontoglossum 
crispum  and  treated  in  a  similar  manner  as  re- 
gards water,  &c,  their  place  being  the  middle 
row  of  the  central  staging  in  the  house.  There 
is,  therefore,  no  reason  why  all  successful 
growers  of  Odontoglossums  should  not  succeed 
equally  well  with  Oncidium  macranthum. 


immune  from  the  attacks  of  the  white  ant. 
Salix  babylonica,  the  tree  seen  to  the  right 
of  the  Eucalyptus,  is  a  great  favourite  with  the 
colonists.  It  has  a  pendulous  habit,  such  as  is 
not  found  in  any  other  tree  in  Natal.  It  forms 
a  very  large  specimen,  and  is  easy  of  cultiva- 
tion and  propagation,  for  large  or  small  cuttings, 
root  very  readily.  This  species  thrives  best  on 
the  banks  of  streams.  The  timber  burns  readily, 
even  when  it  is  freshly  felled.  Acer  Negundo 
succeeds  better  in  Natal  than  any  other  species 
of  Maple.  It  forms  a  good  shade  tree,  and  is 
very  ornamental,  but  its  timber  is  valueless. 
Tin-  tree  also  does  well  when  planted  by  the 
water  side. 

The  handsome  Liriodendron  tulipifera  (Tulip 
tree)  grows  as  rapidly  as  Poplars  in  this  part 
of  Africa,  especially  when  it  is  planted  in  deep, 
alluvial  soil.     It  is  perhaps  the  most  successful 


64 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[July  27,  1907. 


deciduous  tree  in  Natal,  where,  as  a  rule,  de- 
ciduous trees  do  not  form  good  specimens. 

A  great  many  examples  of  Ceratonia  Sihqua 
(The  Carob)  are  met  with  in  Natal,  but  up  to 
the  present  time  the  timber  of  this  species  has 
not  been  put  to  any  commercial  use. 

Cassia  fistula  is  a  deciduous,  yellow-flowered 
species   closely   resembling   a   Laburnum   when 


other  foliage.  The  Flame  Tree  of  Australia, 
Sterculia  acerifolia,  is  one  of  the  most  orna- 
mental of  all  shade  trees,  and  when  in  flower 
it  is  draped  with  crimson  blossoms.  Syncarpia 
laurifolia  (Turpentine  tree)  is  a  large  Australian 
species,  closely  allied  to  the  Eucalyptus.  Its 
timber  is  especially  valuable  for  the  making  of 
piles  to  withstand  the  action  of  salt  or   fresh 


i 


1 

**- 

■ 

M 

JftNi.  -^ 

£>•*■  <-*• 

X-jT  5K . 

[Photograph  by  F.  Mason  Good. 

Fig.  24.— a  group  of  delphiniums,  now  a  familiar  feature  in  most  gardens. 


dens  is  Cedrus  deodara.  The  colonists  are 
planting  this  Cedar  very  extensively  in  the  up- 
land districts  of  Natal. 

Other  valuable  trees  introduced  and  distri- 
buted from  this  Botanic  Garden  include  Cedrus 
atlantica,  Juniperus  bermudiana,  and  J.  vir- 
giniana,  Cupressus  lusitanica,  Cryptomeria 
japonica,  Sequoia  sempervirens,  Cediela  odo- 
rata,  C.  Toona,  Taxodium  distichum,  Callitris 
australis,  Cupressus  macrocarpa,  Eugenia  Mini, 
Sapindus  longifolius,  Pinus  Pinaster,  P.  insig- 
nis,  Cupressus  pyramidalis,  Casuarina  suberosa, 
Podocarpus  elongata,  Platanus  orientalis,  Ail- 
anthus  glandulosa,  Juglans  cinerea,  Ficus  elas- 
tica,  Gleditschia  triacanthos,  and  Laurus  Cam- 
phora.     A.  H. 


seen   at   a  distance  in   flower.     The  wood   is   in 
common  use  in  India. 

Members  of  the  genus  Rhus  succeed  well  in 
the  Maritzburg  district,  especially  R.  coriaria 
and  R.  vernicifera.  The  latter  species  yields 
Japan  varnish,  and  in  autumn  its  leaves  show 
various  tints  as  Ampelopsis  Veitchii  does  in 
England,  producing  a  very  pretty  effect  amongst 


water ;  the  species  should  prove  a  valuable 
timber  tree  for  the  colony. 

Tristania  conferta,  a  large  ornamental  ever- 
green tree,  will  no  doubt  be  largely  grown  in 
the  future  for  its  timber.  The  soil  of  Maritz- 
burg suits  this  tree,  which  is  exceedingly  rapid 
in   its  growth. 

The  most  graceful  tree  to  be  seen  in  the  gar- 


SCHOOL  OF  HORTICULTURE.* 

(See  also  article  on  p.  70.) 
The    society    admits    a    limited    number    of 
young  men  to  study  the  principles  and  operations 
of  horticulture  in  their  gardens  at  Wisley,  near 
Ripley,  in  Surrey. 

Conditions  of  Admission. 
The  following  are  the  principal  conditions  of 
admission  :  — 

1.  Applicants  for  admission  as  working 
students  into  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society's 
gardens  at  Wisley  are  furnished  with  a  copy  of 
this  paper,  which,  when  signed,  must  be  re- 
turned to  the  secretary,  R.H.S.,  Vincent  Square, 
Westminster,  accompanied  by  a  letter  in  the 
applicant's  own  handwriting. 

2.  Applicants  must  not  exceed  22  years  in 
age,  and  they  must  be  healthy,  free  from  pyhsical 
defect,  and  not  so  much  below  average  height 
as  to  interfere  with  their  prospects  as  gardeners. 
They  must  also  be  prepared  to  perform  all  kinds 
of  gardening  work,  including  the  humblest. 

3.  Two  testimonials  as  to  character  should 
accompany  the  application. 

4.  The  applicant  will  be  informed  if  his  name 
has  been  entered  for  admission,  and,  on  a 
vacancy  occurring,  he  will  receive  notice  to  that 
effect.  Should  there  be  no  vacancy  within  nix 
months,  the  application  must  be  renewed  if 
admission  is  still  desired.  If  not  renewed,  the 
applicant's  name  will  be  removed  from  the  list. 
The  terms  begin  on  the  last  Monday  in  Septem- 
ber, and  the  last  Monday  in  March,  when  only 
can  students  be  admitted. 

5.  After  any  applicant  has  received  notice  of 
his  admission,  a  fee  of  £5  5s.  must  be  forwarded 
to  the  secretary  of  the  society  before  the  order 
for  admission  can  be  issued.  This  payment 
covers  all  charges  for  two  years,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  books,  stationery,  note  books,  and  such 
like. 

6.  No  wages  are  given  to  students. 

7.  On  appointment  the  student  will  have  to 
sign  the  following  agreement  to  abide  by  the 
rules  and  regulations  of  the  gardens,  and  to  stay 
not  less  than  two  years,  the  council  having  full 
power  to  terminate  the  engagement  sooner 
should  conditions  arise  rendering  such  a  course, 
in  their  opinion,  desirable. 

8.  Students  are  required  to  conform  to  the 
following  regulations:  — 

(1)  Obedience.— Implicit  obedience  to  the  director, 
superintendent,  foremen  and  others  appointed  as  in- 
structors, and  to  conform  to  the  ordinary  rules  of  the 
gardens. 

(2)  Regularity  and  Punctuality.— To  observe  regularity 
and  punctuality  in  daily  attendance.  Hours,  8.45  a.m. 
to  6  p.m.  in  summer,  and  in  winter  as  may  be  arranged. 

(31  Holidays.— Each  student  will  be  allowed  the  Bank 
Holiday?,  Sundays,  Saturday  afternoon  (from  1  p.m.), 
and  21  days  during  the  year.  The  21  days  holiday  must 
be  arranged,  as  to  date,  with  the  consent  of  the  director 


*  Prospectus  issued  by  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society. 


July  27,  1907  ] 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


65 


and  superintendent,  and  may  be  taken  either  one  week's 
holiday  at  Easter,  or  Christmas,  and  two  weeks  in 
August  or  September ;  or  if  preferred,  three  weeks  in 
August  or  September. 

(4)  Students  misconducting  themselves  or  breaking 
these  rules  will  be  subject  to  instant  dismissal. 

Certificates. 
Certificates  of  proficiency  are  granted  to  each 
student  at  the  end  of  the  two  years'  course  pro- 
vided that,  in  addition  to  fulfilling  the  foregoing 
conditions,  he 

(1)  Pass  written  and  practical  examinations  in  the 
principles  and  operations  of  horticulture  upon  the 
syllabus  laid  down  for  study. 

(2)  Present  an  essay  written  by  himself  upon  some 
approved  horticultural  or  scientific  subject. 

(8)  Submit  a  collection  of  at  least  200  properly  dried, 
named  and  localised  plant  specimens  collected  outside 
the  Wisley  Gardens. 

(4)  Submit  a  collection  of  insects  either  injurious  or 
helpful  to  horticulture. 

One  or  two  student  demonstratorships  or 
travelling  scholarships  will  be  awarded  by  the 
council,  at  their  discretion,  after  considering  the 
reports  of  the  director,  superintendent  and 
examiners,  to  enable  the  student  to  acquire 
special  knowledge  of  some  particular  branch  of 
horticulture.  Students  to  whom  these  awards 
are  made  will  receive  a  small  remuneration  and 
will  be  required  to  assist  in  demoiTstrating  to 
the  junior  students. 

Courses  of  Instruction. 
There  will  be  two  courses  of  instruction,  an 
elementary  or  first  year,  and  an  advanced  or 
second  year  course.  Each  course  will  include 
laboratory  instruction  in  elementary  science  as 
applied  to  horticulture  together  with  field  work, 
and  garden  instruction  in  the  practical  opera- 
tions of  horticulture.  Every  student  will  have 
an  opportunity  of  spending  part  of  his  two  years 
in  each  department  of  the  garden,  and  the  prac- 
tical work  will  be  supplemented  by  lectures. 
Students  will  have  an  opportunity  of  seeing  the 
various  trials  and  experimental  work  in  progress 
in  the  garden.  Selected  students  have  also  the 
advantage  of  attending  certain  of  the  society's 
ihows  and  lectures  in  London. 

The  Laboratory. 

The  laboratory  accommodates  24  students  and  is  well 
lighted,  ventilated  and  heated. 

Lockers  are  provided  for  the  use  of  each  student  so  that 
books  and  apparatus  may  be  kept  under  lock  and  key  when 
not  in  actual  use. 

Apparatus.— Each  student  is  provided  with  all  the  instru- 
ments and  materials  needful  in  the  practical  work  of  the 
laboratory  (except  knives,  books  and  such  like).  Great  care 
must  be  taken  of  these  and  they  must  always  be  left  in  good 
condition.  Breakages  will  have  to  be  paid  for  by  the 
breaker. 

Microscopes.— The  microscopes  provided  must  be  placed 
in  their  proper  compartments  in  the  microscope  cupboard 
when  not  in  actual  use. 

Tables. — Students  are  expected  to  keep  their  work  tables 
clean  and  tidy  at  all  times. 

Library. — A  library  of  books  useful  to  horticultural 
students  is  available  for  general  use. 

The  Garden. 
The  garden  consists  of  about  60  acres  of  land 
presented  to  the  society  by  the  late  Sir  Thomas 
Hanbury,  K.C.V.O.,  and  includes  the  celebrated 
wild  garden  of  the  late  Mr.  G.  F.  Wilson, 
V.M.H.  Several  acres  of  fruit  trees  have  since 
been  planted,  and  an  outdoor  vineyard  has  been 
started  as  an  experiment ;  fine  collections  of 
flowering  shrubs  and  of  Roses  have  been  pre- 
sented ;  trials  of  vegetables  and  of  hardy  flowers 
and  plants  are  continually  in  progress  ;  and  an 
extensive  range  of  glasshouses,  including  orchard 
house,  vinery,  stove,  propagating  pits,  &c,  have 
been  erected,  so  that  all  departments  of  horticul- 
ture are  represented.  Each  student  also  has  a 
small  plot  allotted  to  him ;  and  a  botanical 
garden  in  which  plants  are  systematically 
arranged  according  to  a  natural  system  of  classi- 
fication is  in  course  of  formation.  A  well- 
equipped  meteorological  station  is  situated  in 
the  garden. 


SHORT  SYLLABUS  OF  INSTRUCTION. 

Note. — The  following  outline  syllabuses  are  not  intended 
to  indicate  more  than  broadly  the  subjects  of  instruction  and 
do  not  show  the  sequence  of  instruction,  as  although 
arranged  under  different  heading  as  Plant  Life,  Physics, 
Chemistry,  Soil,  &c,  the  inter-relation  between  the  parts  is 
not  indicated  and  can  only  be  shown  in  a  very  full  syllabus. 
Almost  everything  in  the  following  Syllabus  will  be  studied 
practically  by  observation  and  by  experiment. 

I. — Elementary  Course. 
A. — Plant  Life.     Flowering  Plants. 

Study  of  a  typical  plant. 

Study  of  seeds.  Structure,  uses  of  various  parts. 
Conditions  of  germination.  Fate  of  food 
stuff  stored  in  seed.  Respiration.  Testing 
of  seeds. 

Roots.  Functions  of  roots.  Fixation.  Absorp- 
tion of  water  and  earth  salts.  Osmosis. 
Root  pressure.  Bleeding  of  wounds.  Study 
of  substances  absorbed.  Water  culture  ex- 
periments. Mode  of  growth  of  root.  Manner 
in  which  it  is  placed  in  a  position  to  do  its 
work.     Transplanting,  &c. 

Leaves.  Structure.  Functions.  Transpiration. 
Source  of  water  and  course  of  current.  Con- 
ditions affecting  transpiration.  Reciprocal 
action  of  root  and  foliage.  Absorption  of 
carbon  dioxide.  Influence  of  light  on. 
Photo  synthesis  and  conditions  affecting  the 
making  of  starch  in  the  leaf. 

Buds  and  stems.  Structure  of  buds.  Growth 
and  development  of  buds.  Growth  of  stems. 
Conditions  affecting  growth  of  stems.  Struc- 
ture and  function  of  various  parts.  Healing 
of  wounds.  Formation  of  roots  from  stems. 
Effect  of  pruning,  ringing,  notching,  bend- 
ing, &c.  Grafting  and  budding.  Climbing 
plants. 

Storage  of  food  and  water.  Parts  of  plant  used 
for  vegetative  reproduction.  Tubers,  corms, 
runners,  &c. 

Flowers.     Uses   of   various   parts.     Pollination. 
Cross     pollination     natural     and     artificial. 
Fertilisation.     Formation  of  seeds. 
Fruits.     Structure     of     common     fruits.     Seed 

saving. 
Study  of  plant  relationships.     The  more  common 

orders  of  flowering  plants. 
Field  study  of  the  influence  of  environment   on 
plant    growth.     The   vegetation    typical     of 
certain   soils,   and   so   on.     Plant    societies. 
Use  of  a  flora. 

B.- — Physics  and  Chemistry. 

Heat  and  temperature.  Expansion  and  contrac- 
tion thermometers.  Changes  of  state  in 
matter.  Conduction.  Radiation  and  absorp- 
tion.    Chemical  changes. 

Light.  Chemical  change  under.  Passage  through 
prism. 

Air.  Its  physical  properties  (barometers).  Nitro- 
gen, oxygen,  carbonic  acid  gas,  water  vapour 
in  air  (hygrometer). 

Water.  Chemical  composition  of.  Physical  pro- 
perties. Hard  and  soft  water.  Solution  and 
solubility. 

Acids,  alkalis,  and  salts. 


Carbon  and  some  of  its  compounds.  Carbon 
monoxide  and  dioxide,  carbonates.  Carbon 
in  vegetable  and  animal  matter.  Fats  and 
oils,  starch,  sugar,  gluten,  and  albumen. 

C.—Soil. 

The  origin  and  compo.  tion  of  soils.  Mechanical 
analysis  of  soils  of  various  kinds,  loams, 
peats,  sands,  clays,  &c.  Physical  properties 
of  the  constituents,  capacity  for  water,  &c, 
clay,  sand,  lime,  humus.  Soluble  and  in- 
soluble constituents.  Action  of  acid  solu- 
tions, &c.  Relation  of  plant  to  soil.  Recog- 
nition of  some  of  the  more  important  salts 
in  soils. 

II. — Advanced  Course. 
A. —Plant  Life. 

A  more  advanced  treatment  of  certain  subjects  in 
the  elementary  course,  particularly  with 
reference  to  plant  physiology  and  composi- 
tion, and  classification.  Life  history  and 
mode  of  life  of  Ferns.  Study  of  fungi,  par- 
ticularly in  relation  to  plant  diseases. 
Geographical  distribution  of  plants.  Origin 
of  races,  varieties,  &c,  hybridisation,  selec- 
tion and  fixing  of  varieties. 

B. — Insect  Life,  &c. 
Insects,  with  special  reference  to  those  injurious 
and  helpful  to  plants.  Life  histories  and 
habits.  Treatment  to  destroy  insect  pests, 
mites,  centipedes  and  millepedes,  woodlice, 
eelworms,  earthworms,  snails  and  slugs,  &c. 

C— Soils. 

Further  study  of  soil  physics.  "  Heavy "  and 
"light"  soils.  Action  of  lime  on  soils,  &c. 
Humus — origin  of,  and  effect  on  texture  of 
soils.  Water  in  soils.  Temperature  of  soils 
and  source  of  heat  in  soils,  hotbeds,  &c. 

Chemistry  of  soils.  Sand,  clay,  lime,  humus. 
Weathering  of  soils.  Life  in  the  soil.  Re- 
sults of  decay.  Nitrification  and  denitrifica- 
tion.  Minerals  in  soil.  Fertility  of  soil. 
Rotation  of  crops.  Manuring.  Changes  due 
to  tillage,  &c.  Source  and  composition  of 
artificial  manures  and  their  effect  on  plant 
growth. 
D. — Economic  Botany.     (Lectures  on.) 

III. — Operations   of   Horticulture. 

The  garden  affords  ample  opportunities  for 
insfruction  in  all  the  practical  operations  of 
horticulture  both  outdoors  and  under  glass  and 
actual  work  will  be  done  by  the  students  (who 
will  spend  the  greater  part  of  their  time  in  the 
garden  according  to  the  accompanying  time- 
table) in  all  the  departments.  Experiments  in 
the  use  of  insecticides  and  fungicides  will  be 
carried  out. 

The  practical  work  will  be  supplemented  by 
lectures  and  revision  in  the  class-room  and  by 
friendly  debates  and  discussions  between  the 
students  themselves  under  the  chairmanship  of 
the  director  or  superintendent  or  other  capable 
person. 


TIME    TABLE    FOR 

STUDENTS. 

Morning. 

Afternoon.                                        Evening. 

8-45-10. 

10-1. 

1-2. 

2—5. 

6.30-8. 

Monday           1st   Year 
2nd  Year 

6 

c£ 
u 

o 
a 

< 

Garden  Work. 
Garden  Work. 

a 
o 

X 

u 

c 
c 

p 

Garden  Work. 
Science. 

Tuesday           1st    Year 
2nd  Year 

Science. 

Garden  Work 

or  Show. 

Garden  Work. 

Garden  Work 

or  Show. 

Wednesday     1st   Year 
'2nd  Y^ar 

Garden  Work. 
Garden  Work. 

Garden  Work. 
Science. 

Paper  by  Student 
and  Discussion. 

Thursday         1st   Year 
2nd  Year 

Science. 
Garden  Work. 

Garden  Work. 

•Garden  Work 

and  Revision. 

Friday              1st   Year 
2nd  Year 

•Garden  Work 
and  Revision. 
Garden  Work. 

Garden  Work. 
Science. 

r 

Saturday         1st   Year 
2nd  Year 

Science. 
Garden  Work. 

Holiday. 

*  Garden  Work 

L  hour.    R 

evision  2  hours. 

GC 


THE    GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


[July  27,  1907. 


COLONIAL    NOTES. 


A  PLAGUE  OF  LOCUSTS. 

Gardeners  in  this  country  experience  much 
trouble  with  numerous  plant-pests,  but  they  are 
fortunately  exempt  from  the  plague  of  locusts 
so  common  in  Africa  and  other  tropical  coun- 
tries.' Locusts  often  attack  the  vegetation  in 
such  immense  numbers  that  they  eat  almost 
everything  in  their  path.  Our  illustration  at 
fig.  25  is  kindly  sent  us  by  Mr.  Stirrat  from 
Johannesburg,  and  it  affords  some  conception  of 
what  an  invading  host  of  these  creatures  ap- 
pears like.    Mr.  Stirrat  writes  as  follows:  — 

"  It  is  disheartening,  after  one  of  the  finest 
growing  seasons  this  locality  has  experienced 
for  several  years  past,  to  see  the  result  of  one's 
labours  destroyed  by  millions  upon  millions  of 
locusts,  which  have  recently  visited  the  Rand 
and  spared  scarcely  any  vegetation  in  their  path. 

"  In  the  various  parks  under  my  control  thou- 
sands of  winter-bedding  plants,  some  two 
months  planted,  have  been  eaten.  The  grass 
lawns  are  now  in  such  a  condition  that  the 
casual  visitor  can  scarcely  determine  between 
the  paths  and  the  flower-beds.  Every  precau- 
tion was  taken  to  keep  these  destructive  crea- 
tures at  bay,  but  without  any  apparent  effect. 

"  It  is  hopeless  to  attempt  to  kill  the  locusts 
in  their  adult  condition,  and  effective  measures 
can  only  be  instituted  when  they  are  in  the 
wingless  stage,  when  various  arsenical  sprays 
can  be  used  with  beneficial  results. 

"  The  photograph  was  taken  in  one  of  our 
parks  in  the  centre  of  the  city,  and  it  conveys 
a  very  inadequate  conception  of  the  numbers  of 
the  pest  present.  One's  sympathies  are  with  the 
farmers,  many  of  whom,  living  quite  close  to 
Johannesburg,  have  been  practically  ruined  by 
this  pest."  A.  H.  Stirrat,  Superintendent  of 
Parks  and  Cemeteries,  Johannesburg,  May  27. 


moderate  crops,  while  the  variety  Victoria 
is  overloaded  with  fruit,  and  Czar  and 
Gisborne  have  great  crops  on  them.  Pond's 
Seedling  alone  has  "stoned"  badly.  With 
me  it  is  the  weakest  grower,  and  the  most 
infested  by  aphis.  Even  Coe's  Golden  Drop 
has  a  moderate  crop,  and  Old  Greengage  a 
small  one.     Black  Diamond,  grown  only  in  my 


and  burnt.  This  new  victim,  although  a  fine 
tree,  will  share  the  same  fate  as  soon  as  the 
fruit  has  been  taken  from  it.  The  Damson  crop 
with  me  is  a  good  one. 

The  Apple  crop,  in  spite  of  the  profuse  blos- 
soming of  the  trees,  is  not  far  short  of  a  failure, 
not  only  in  my  plantations,  but  throughout  my 
district  also.     This  may  probably  be  attributed 


FRUIT  CROFS  OF  THE  SEASON. 
Green  Gooseberries,  now  all  marketed,  were 
a  great  crop  with  me,  but  were  sold  at  unre- 
munerative  prices.  Even  when  only  about  half 
their  full  size,  they  made  no  more  than  3s.  6d. 
per  half-sieve  of  241b.  When  about  three-quar- 
ters grown,  half-sieves  of  281b.  made  only  2s.  6d. 
in  London,  and  the  rail  carriage  was  b\d.,  com- 
mission 3d.,  and  porterage  Id.,  making  9^d.  for 
expenses,  besides  4d.  for  picking.  A  little  later 
the  price  was  2s.  in  London,  with  the  same  ex- 
penses to  deduct,  leaving  me  lOJd.  for  \  cwt. 
of  Gooseberries.  Finally,  the  price  fell  to 
Is.  9d.,  leaving  me  7Jd.,  after  paying  for  pick- 
ing, or  7d.,  if  I  charge  for  carting  to  the  station. 
The  sample  was  not  first-rate,  it  is  true,  as  the 
bushes  on  the  largest  piece  of  land  are  young, 
but  they  were  greatly  over-cropped  for  their 
size.  Although  thinned  once,  they  did  not  pro- 
duce berries  of  the  full  size,  partly  because  there 
was  no  summer  heat  to  help  them,  and  partly 
on  account  of  the  fruit  being  very  thick,  even 
after  half  had  been  taken  off.  But  the  top 
quotation  was  only  3d.  more  than  I  received, 
and  8s.  per  cwt.  cannot  be  regarded  as  a  very 
remunerative  gross  return  for  Gooseberries,  even 
in  the  latter  part  of  their  season. 

Black  Currants  are  now  ready.  They  are 
thick  on  the  bushes,  but  do  not  look  like  swell- 
ing to  the  proper  size;  and,  probably  owing  to 
the  cold  and  sunless  weather,  they  are  ripening 
irregularly.  Red  Currants,  grown  only  for 
home  use,  are  a  tremendous  crop.  Strawberries 
are  nearly  a  failure  here,  but  the  soil  does  not 
suit  them,  and  they  are  not  grown  for  market. 
Raspberries,  which  the  soil  does  suit,  show  great 
promise. 

Cherries  are  moderately  thick  on  the  trees, 
but  are  small.  For  the  first  time  I  have  "  brown 
rot "  on  Cherries,  one  of  the  many  bad  results  of 
this  miserably  cold   and  wet  season. 

Plums,  in  my  plantation,  are  abundant  on 
the  whole,  but  a  good  many  have  turned  red  and 
are  dropping.     Early  Rivers  and  Monarch  show 


Fig.  35.— a  plague  of  locusts  in  a  Johannesburg  garden. 


private  orchard,  has  only  half  a  crop,  while  Den- 
niston's  Superb  Gage  bears  a  good  one,  and 
Reine  Claude  Violette  hardly  any.  I  have  a 
little  "brown  rot"  in  Plums  for  the  first  time. 
A  tree  of  the  variety  Victoria  is  noticeable  as 
attacked  by  "  silverleaf,"  but  yet  bearing  a 
good  crop  of  Plums.  All  similarly-affected  trees 
that  were   noticeable  last  season  were  dug  up 


to  two  causes— the  first,  the  cold  and  wet  period 
of  blossoming;  and  the  second,  the  over-pro- 
duction of  last  season.  Some  varieties  which 
fruited  heavily  last  year  have  hardly  any  Apples 
upon  them.  These  include  Domino,  Lord  Gros- 
venor,  Lady  Sudeley,  Blenheim  Pippin,  Stir- 
ling Castle,  and  Allington.  The  last  two  have 
never  before  failed  to  bear  good  crops,    potts's 


July  27,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


07 


Seedling  did  not  bear  well  last  year,  and  this 
season  it  is  almost  entirely  fruitless.  Next  to 
King  of  the  Pippins  and  Ribston  it  is  the  most 
cankered  variety  that  I  grow.  Lane's  Prince 
Albert  bears  half  a  crop,  and  Queen,  Bramley's 
Seedling,  and  Royal  Jubilee  about  the  same. 
Newton  Wonder  is  somewhat  more  fruitful.  The 
only  fair  crops  here  are  those  of  the  variety  last- 
named,  Early  Julyan  (on  some  trees  only),  Mr. 
Gladstone,  Irish  Peach,  Beauty  of  Bath,  and 
Duchess  of  Oldenberg.  King  of  the  Pippins  has 
barely  half  a   crop. 

The  deficient  yield,  unfortunately,  is  not  the 
only  trouble,  for  the  bulk  of  the  fruit  is  dwarfed, 
and  much  of  it  is  scabby,  while  there  is  the 
worst  attack  of  the  Sawfly  maggot  that  my  trees 
have  suffered.  The  dwarfing  of  much  of  the  fruit 
is  due  to  a  persistent  attack  of  the  pestilent 
aphis,  which  smothers  the  foliage  of  nearly  every 
truss  of  fruit.  Last  season  I  sprayed  three  times 
with  quassia  and  soft  soap,  but  failed  to  ma- 
terially check  the  aphis  attack.  This  season 
I  was  not  disposed  to  spend  money  for  nothing 


Plums  also  will  flourish  there.  But  a  little  scab 
is  to  be  seen  on  Cox's  Orange  Pippin  in  a  young 
plantation  on  heavier  land,  where  other  varieties 
are  free  from  the  disease,  and  this  is  discourag- 
ing, as  the  variety  is  the  one  which,  above  all 
others,  it  is  desirable  to  be  able  to  grow. 

To  return  for  a  moment  to  the  aphis  attack, 
in  order  to  notice  an  experiment  which  should 
have  been  mentioned  above,  a  large  fruit-grower 
here  has  dusted  his  infested  trees  with 
lime  and  sulphur  in  equal  proportions,  reporting 
favourably  upon  the  result.  Accordingly,  I  tried 
the  remedy  on  a  dozen  badly-infested  trees, 
doing  them  thoroughly.  Two  days  later  they 
were  carefully  examined,  and  there  was  the  con- 
flict of  evidence  which  is  so  annoyinglv  com- 
mon when  the  results  of  experiments  for  the  de- 
struction of  pests  are  searched  for.  On  some 
leaves  well  covered  with  the  dust  the  aphides 
were  dead,  only  their  dry  skins  being  left,  while 
on  others  they  were  as  full  of  life  as  ever. 
Moreover,  on  trees  not  dusted,  leaves  were  found 
with  only  aphis  skins  upon  them.     Clearly,  then, 


[/  holograph  by  C.  P.  Raffill. 
FlG.    26. — LILIUM    BROWNII    FLOiVERING   IN   A    BED    OF    HEATHER   AT    KEW. 


in  spraying  specially  for  this  pest,  but  trusted 
to  the  Bordeaux  mixture,  applied  to  check  scab, 
as,  when  hot  sunshine  follows  its  application, 
this  wash  has  a  drying  effect  which  is  fatal  to 
the  green  fly  to  a  great  extent.  As  for  fungus 
pests,  scab  and  brown  rot  are  more  extensive 
even  than  they  were  last  season.  Cox's  Orange 
Pippin  is  affected  with  scab  so  badly  that  the 
crop  is  quite  ruined,  while  nearly  all  the  leaves 
have  fallen  off  the  trees,  and  Bismarck  is  nearly 
as  bad.  It  is  obvious  that  neither  variety  will 
flourish  in  my  lightest  soil.  Very  severe  cutting 
back — to  the  main  branches — and  drenching  with 
sulphate  of  iron  in  the  autumn,  and  with  Bor- 
deaux mixture  in  the  following  season,  will  be 
tried,  in  order  to  see  if  a  new  and  more  vigorous 
growth  will  result.  But  Plums  will  be  planted  be- 
tween the  Apples,  so  that  they  can  replace  them 
if  the  latter  do  not  recover.  Strange  to  say, 
Damsons  grow  with  the  greatest  vigour  where 
Apples  fail,  and,  therefore,  it  may  be  hoped  that 


no  certain  conclusion  was  to  be  derived  from  the 
evidence  of  the  dusted  trees.  But  I  was  not  at 
the  e  i  of  my  resources.  I  placed  some  leaves 
covered  with  aphides  in  a  small  box,  and 
smothered  them  with  lime  and  sulphur  dust. 
Two  days  later  they  were  examined,  and  the 
great  majority  of  the  aphides  were  fully 
alive,  struggling  with  the  dust  which  enveloped 
them.  This  satisfied  me  as  to  the  failure  of 
lime  and  sulphur  to  destroy  the  aphis. 

Pears,  which  blossomed  with  the  utmost  pro- 
fusion, have  set  very  badly  as  a  rule.  The  only 
varieties  bearing  fairly  here  are  Louise  Bonne 
of  Jersey,  Doyenne  du  Cornice,  and  Jersey  Gra- 
tioli.  Clapp's  Favourite  has  half  a  crop,  and 
Williams'  Bon  Chretien  a  smaller  one ;  but  most 
other  sorts  are  nearly  barren.  A  tree  of  Catillac, 
which  was  about  as  densely  covered  with 
blossom  as  it  could  possibly  be,  bears  one  Pear, 
while  Marie  Louise  has  no  fruit  at  all.  A  Work- 
ing Grower. 


LILIUM    BROWNII    AT    KEW. 

We  are  sometimes  asked  for  information  in 
regard  to  the  planting  of  Liliums,  such  corre- 
spondents appearing  in  doubt  as  to  the  condi- 
tions of  soil  and  position  that  are  most  suitable 
for  their  cultivation.  Iri  the  Royal  Gardens, 
Kew,  there  may  be  seen  at  the  present  time 
plenty  of  illustrations  of  Liliums  growing  and 
flowering  well  in  Rhododendron  beds  and  in 
other  beds  that  are  planted  with  various  species- 
of  Erica.  In  the  preparation  of  beds  for  these 
plants  it  is  usual  to  employ  a  proportion  of 
peat,  which  is  mixed  with  the  staple  soil,  or 
with  loam  procured  for  the  purpose,  and  such  a 
compost  is  well  adapted  for  the  cultivation  of 
Liliums.  But,  furthermore,  the  bulbous  plants 
appear  to  be  favoured  by  the  surface  of  the 
ground  being  more  or  less  shaded  from  the  rays 
of  the  sun  by  the  Rhododendron  bushes,  or 
dwarfer-habited  heather.  It  should  be  pointed 
out,  however,  that  in  order  that  the  effect  may 
be  good  when  the  Liliums  flower,  the  bulbs 
should  only  be  planted  amongst  Rhododendrons 
of  such  stature  that  the  Liliums  will  be  able  to 
develop  their  flowers  well  above  the  tops  of 
the  shrubs.  It  may  be  necessary  to  lift  the  bulbs 
after  several  years  have  elapsed,  and  re-plant 
them  amongst  Rhododendrons  of  a  lesser  size. 
It  is  no  disadvantage  that  the  lower  portion  of 
the  Lilium  stems  is  hidden  from  view,  but  in 
some  cases,  as  in  that  of  the  elegant  species  L. 
testaceum,  which  is  apt  to  become  shabby  of 
foliage,  it  is  a  distinct  advantage.  Mr.  Raffiirs 
photograph,  which  is  reproduced  at  fig.  26, 
shows  the  species  L.  Brownii  flowering  abun- 
dantly in  a  bed  of  heather.  The  flowers  of  L. 
Brownii  are  white,  with  brownish-purple  on  the- 
outer  surface  of  the  petals. 


THE    PROPAGATOR. 

Treatment  of  Cuttings. 
These  should  be  taken  from  perfectly  healthy 
plants,  and  made  with  a  very  sharp  knife,  and 
preferably  a  penknife  having  a  fine,  thin  blade, 
so  that  the  cuts  may  be  smooth.  Cuttings  of 
plants  which  put  forth  roots  from  the  surface 
of  the  cut  should  be  severed  just  beneath  a  bud 
or  joint,  and  in  a  horizontal  direction.  The 
formation  of  roots  is  preceded  by  that  ol  a 
callus — a  spongy  tissue  which  forms  between  the 
bark  or  rind  and  the  inner  tissue,  and  from  out 
of  which  the  roots  emerge.  The  formation  of 
a  callus  indicates  the  certainty,  barring  acci- 
dents, of  the  development  of  the  cuttinginto  a* 
plant ;  and  the  healthier  the  plant  of  winch  the 
cutting  formed  a  part,  the  more  quickly  does 
callus-development  proceed.  In  the  case  of 
plants  which  have  two  periods  of  growth  in  a 
year,  the  cuttings  are  best  when  taken  from  the 
first  growth  of  shoots  ;  and  by  those  which  grow 
continuously  the  cuttings  should  be  selected 
from  shoots  whose  rind  has  begun  to  change 
colour.  Cuttings  which  root  from  any  part  of 
the  rind  need  not  be  cut  at  a  joint,  and  such 
cuttings  will  form  roots  even  when  laid  on  the- 
propagating  bed,  if  the  warmth  be  sufficient. 
Cuttings  of  soft-wooded  plants  should  be  cut  at 
the  base  horizontally,  just  below  an  eye  or  a. 
bud,  in  order  to  make  certain  of  their  rooting. 
Do  not  allow  cuttings  to  remain  out  of  the  soil 
long  enough  for  the  cut  surface  to  become  dry,, 
unless  the  plants  have  milk}'  sap,  as  in  the  case 
of  Ficus,  Euphorbia,  &c,  but  put  them  into  the* 
cutting-pots,  pans,  or  the  sandbed  forthwith, 
making  them  firm  therein  and  affording  a  slight 
application  of  water.  If  one  cutting  per  pot  be 
the  method  in  use  for  certain  species,  the  pots 
should  have  no  greater  internal  diameter  than 
If  inches,  the  cutting  being  placed  in  the  centre. 
Always  make  use  of  a  dibber  of  a  suitable  size 
to  make  holes  for  the  cuttings,  as  forcing  a  cut- 
ting into  the  sand  or  soil  is  sure  to  cause  injury 
to  the  rind  at  the  base.  Do  not  cover  any  cut- 
tings with  a  bell-glass  before  the  leaves  are  dry, 
and  do  not  insert  cuttings  of  divers  species  of 
plants  under  the  same  bell-glass,  for  the  rooting 
often  occurs  at  different  times.  Cuttings  which 
emit  roots  from  the  surface  or  exterior  of  the 
rind  may  be  inserted  deeper  than  those  which 
form  roots  from  the  base.  In  the  case  of  plants 
with  milky  sap,  the  cuttings  should  be  trimmed 
and  afterwards  be  placed  head  downwards  in 
moistened  soil,  keeping  them  therein  for  24 
hours  or  longer  time  (Euphorbias  of  some  species 
for  a  month)  till  the  sap  dries  on  the  wounds 


68 


THE     GARDENERS     CHRONICLE. 


[July  27,  1907. 


made ;  afterwards  wash  the  base  with  a  wet 
sponge  to  remove  the  dried  juices,  an  act  that 
favours  the  rooting  processs. 

In  the  present  month,  cuttings  of  Tea,  Noi- 
sette, Hybrid  Tea,  China  or  Monthly,  and  Ben- 
gal Roses  may  be  rooted  in  frames  placed  on 
mild  hotbeds  of  tree-leaves  and  stable  litter, 
sweetened  by  three  turnings  and  mixings  pre- 
viously to  making  the  beds.  If  the  bed  be  made 
of  a  thickness  of  '2\  feet,  sufficient  warmth  will 
be  afforded  for  rooting  the  cuttings  within  four 
or  five  weeks.  (See  pages  5  and  6,_  July  7  last 
year,  for  full  directions  as  to  carrying  out  the 
propagating  of  Roses  from  cuttings. J  Most  of  the 
Roses  mentioned  above  do  well  on  their  own 
roots,  and  are  seldom  injured  severely  by  frost, 
whereas  budded  Roses  suffer  from  this  cause  in 
hard  winters  when  the  snowfall  is  very  light  or 
is  absent.  Budding  of  dwarf  Roses  is  the 
nurseryman's  plan  of  raising  a  large  number  of 
plants,  but  the  amateur  and  gardener  has  seldom 
any  motive  to  employ  it  for  the  class  of  Roses 
named. 

Decorative  Plants  for  the  Flower-garden. 

From  the  middle  of  July  to  the  middle  of 
August  is  the  most  suitable  period  for  the  propa- 
gation of  the  following  plants,  either  several 
together  in  store  pots  of  6-8  inches  inside  mea- 
surement, or  singly  in  60s : — Alternanthera 
Angelonia,  Anthemis,  Bouvardia,  Cineraria, 
Chelone,  Gazania,  Gnaphalium,  Fuschia  (tor 
early  flowering  in  pots  in  the  greenhouse),  Helio- 
trope, Lantana,  Pelargoniums,  including  Cape, 
fancy,  decorative,  zonal,  Ivy-leafed,  and  the 
scented-leafed  varieties  and  species ;  Pentste- 
mon,  Petunia,  Phlox,  Phygelius  capensis,  Ire- 
sine,  Salvia,  Senecio,  Solanum,  Tropasolum, 
Verbena,  Lobelia  erinus  varieties,  Cuphea, 
Ageratum,  Coleus,  Ferdinanda,  Ficus,  and  Dra- 
caena. 

Most  of  the  foregoing  plants  require  to  be 
merely  afforded  frame  protection,  and  to  be  kept 
close  and  shaded  from  sunshine,  with  moderate 
applications  of  water  and  a  sprinkling  over- 
head, about  4  p.m.  on  hot  days.  Damping  off 
can  be  avoided  by  an  early  removal  of  the  lights 
each  morning,  if  the  weather  be  fine. 

The  sub-tropical  and  tender  species  root  the 
more  readily  if  slight  bottom  heat  can  be  ap- 
plied. Pelargoniums  of  the  Cape,  fancy,  Odier, 
and  decorative  sections,  strike  freely  from  cut- 
tings of  ripened  shoots,  inserted  singly  in  small 
<50's,  or  to  the  number  of  four  to  six  in  48's,  and 
Zonals  root  freely  in  sandy  soil  in  beds  in  the 
open   air   in    full   sunshine. 

They  may  likewise  be  rooted  in  cutting-boxes, 
each  holding  l£-2  dozen  cuttings,  if  wintering 
space  be  limited.  Fine  varieties  of  Phlox  decus- 
sata,  P.  Drummondii,  and  double-flowered 
Senecio  etegans,  which  may  not  be  ob- 
tained true  from  seeds,  may  be  struck  from 
cuttings  of  the  short  shoots  taken  from  near  to 
the  base  of  the  plants,  which  are  the  more  suit- 
able for  rooting  than  shoots  growing  on  the 
upper  parts  of  the  plants.  They  should  be  cut 
•close  under  a  joint,  and  if  they  are  put  into  a 
bed  enriched  with  leaf-soil,  and  afforded  a  layer 
of  sharp  sand  on  the  surface,  shaded  with  reed 
or  other  mats  from  hot  sunshine,  and  the  soil 
kept  moderately  moist,  success  is  tolerably  cer- 
tain to  follow.  An  ordinary  garden  frame  is 
-also  a  suitable  aid  in  rooting  these  cuttings. 

Kennedya. 

This  plant  may  be  increased  by  means  of  cut- 
tings at  this  season,  if  afforded  a  bottom  heat  of 
60°-65°  and  a  moderate  degree  of  moisture.  The 
short  shoots  coming  from  the  stems  form  the 
most  suitable  cuttings.  They  should  be  covered 
with  a  bell-glass. 

Layering. 

There  are  numerous  plants  which  root  with 
difficulty  by  the  cutting  method,  and  that  make 
Toots  readily  when  layered.  The  shoots  should 
have  reached  a  certain  degree  of  maturity,  which, 
with  some  subjects  occurs  in  the  month  of  June. 
The  following  is  a  list  of  common  garden  plants 
which  should  be  propagated  by  layering:  — 
Amorpha,  Azalea,  Berberis,  Bignonia,  Calycan- 
thus,  Ceanothus,  Cercis,  Clematis,  Cornus, 
Deutzia,  F.uonymus,  ^sculus  macrostachya, 
Laurus,  Magnolia,  Ornus,  Paeonia,  Rhododen- 
dron, Rhus,  Ribes,  Spiraea,  such  as  S.  laevigata, 
and  some  of  the  Viburnums.     1- .  M. 


The  Week's  Work. 


THE    ORCHID    HOUSES. 

By  W.  H.  White,  Orchid  Grower  to  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence, 
Bart.,  Burford,  Surrey. 

Oncidium  leucochilum  is  a  useful  subject  for 
providing  a  supply  of  cut  flowers,  and  for 
decorative  effect  in  the  plant  houses.  For 
several  seasons  past  plants  of  this  species  have 
formed  a  prominent  feature  in  one  of  the  cool 
intermediate  houses  at  Burford  ;  they  have  de- 
veloped flower-spikes  from  5  to  more  than 
6  feet  in  length,  and  branched  almost  from 
the  base,  each  spike  carrying  a  large  number  of 
white-lipped  flowers.  They  remain  in  flower 
for  at  least  a  month.  After  the  inflorescences 
are  removed,  the  plants  should  be  placed  at  the 
cool  end  of  the  house,  and  be  given  plenty  of 
fresh  air.  In  some  cases,  owing  to  the  strain 
of  carrying  such  large  flower-spikes,  the  pseudo- 
bulbs  shrivel  considerably,  and  it  is  only  with 
care  that  the  plants  are  brought  to  their  normal 
condition  again.  Instead  of  affording  water  in 
large  quantities  with  the  object  of  making  the 
bulbs  plump,  the  safer  plan  is  to  damp  the 
growths  lightly  overhead  with  a  fine  spray  two  or 
three  times  each  day  until  growth  recommences. 
At  the  same  time,  the  plants'  surroundings  must 
be  kept  in  a  fairly  moist  condition.  Repotting 
should  be  done  soon  after  growth  has  started. 
The  plants  at  Burford  are  potted  in  a  compost 
consisting  of  equal  parts  fibrous  peat  and  leaf 
soil,  with  a  moderate  quantity  of  chopped 
sphagnum-moss  and  small  crocks.  \Vhen 
grown  in  this  material,  the  plants  require  repot- 
ting annually.  Place  a  few  crocks  over  the  bot- 
tom of  the  pot,  and  repot  them  in  a  similar 
manner  as  an  ordinary  garden  plant  is  potted. 
Fill  the  pots  with  the  compost  to  within  half 
an  inch  of  the  rim,  and  finish  with  a  surfacing 
of  living  sphagnum-moss,  which  should  be 
placed  quite  firmly  around  the  base  of  the  plant. 
Such  Oncidiums  as  O.  concolor,  O.  Forbesii,  O. 
crispum,  O.  praetextum,  O.  varicosum,  O. 
ramosum,  &c,  which  have  started  into  growth, 
should  also  be  repotted  in  the  same  material. 
These  are  all  cooler  growing  species,  and  they 
thrive  best  in  the  Odontoglossum  house. 
Orchids  that  are  grown  in  this  mixture  should 
never  be  thoroughly  saturated  with  water  at 
their  roots,  and  moisture  sufficient  only  to  keep 
the  sphagnum  in  a  fresh  condition  must  be  given 
them.  Use  a  fine  rose  when  watering.  O. 
macranthum  is  now  in  bloom.  When  in  flower 
this  plant  should  be  given  a  maximum  supply 
of  water  at  its  roots,  and  more  than  at  any  other 
period. 

Dwarf-habited  Odontoglossums,  including 
Odontoglossum  cordatum,  O.  maculatum,  O. 
CErstedii,  O.  aspersum,  O.  Humeanum,  and  O. 
Duvivierianum,  can  be  accommodated  very  well 
in  shallow  pans  suspended  from  the  roof.  They 
succeed  in  the  same  compost  as  advised  for  the 
Oncidiums. 

Lxlia  harpophylla  may  also  be  repotted  now, 
in  a  mixture  of  peat  and  moss,  with  ample 
material  for  drainage.  Throughout  the  summer 
keep  this  plant  in  the  cool  intermediate  house. 

Platyclinis  filiformis  is  sending  up  numerous 
thread-like  flower-spikes.  Suspend  the  plant  in 
a  light,  moist  position  in  the  intermediate  house, 
and  afford  it  plenty  of  moisture  overhead  from 
a  fine  sprayer  until  the  flowers  begin  to  open, 
after  which  any  water  must  be  applied  without 
wetting  the  flowers.  P.  glumacea,  P.  Cobbiana, 
and  P.  uncata  all  thrive  well  under  the  same 
conditions  of  temperature.  They  are  now  at 
their  resting  season,  but  they  still  require  suffi- 
cient moisture  to  preserve  the  small  bulbs  and 
leaves  in  a  plump  condition.  Spray  the  under 
surfaces  of  the  leaves  occasionally,  in  order  to 
keep  insect  pests  in  check. 


rise  with  sun-heat  to  95°  or  100°.  The 
weather  being  warmer,  very  little  fire 
heat  will  be  required  in  the  pits  during 
its  continuance,  except  that  the  supply 
of  bottom  heat  must  be  maintained.  i  ine 
sprayings  over  the  plants  with  the  syringe  on 
bright,  warm  afternoons  are  advisable,  but  care 
should  be  taken  to  avoid  unduly  wetting  the 
crowns.  The  structure  containing  fruits  now 
developing  colour  should  be  freeiy  ventilated 
on  warm  days,  keeping  the  atmosphere  some- 
what dry  at  all  times.  Such  plants  require  no 
more  water  at  the  roots  than  is  sufficient  to 
keep  the  leaves  in  a  condition  of  health.  Plants 
bearing  fruits  already  ripe  should  be  removed 
to  a  cool,  well-ventilated  fruit  room. 

Successional  Pines. — Plants  which  will  fruit 
next  summer  should  be  well  established  in  their 
fruiting  pots  by  the  end  of  the  next  month.  They 
must  not  be  kept  growing  until  late  in  the 
autumn.  Do  not  let  them  suffer  from  dryness 
at  the  roots,  but  be  just  as  careful  not  to  over- 
water  them  All  that  they  require  is  sufficient 
water  to  prevent  flagging. 

Vines  which  were  raised  from  "  eyes "  last 
spring,  and  planted  out  into  new  borders  in 
June,  should  be  making  a  short-jointed,  steady 
growth.  If  they  are  showing  signs  of  becoming 
excessively  strong  in  growth,  pinch  the  leading 
shoot  at  5  feet  trom  the  ground,  but  if  such 
is  not  the  case,  do  not  pinch  the  shoot  until 
it  has  reached  the  top  of  trellis  or  rafters. 
Those  pinched  at  5  feet  from  the  ground  must 
again  be  stopped  at  top  of  trellis.  All  lateral 
growths  upon  very  strong-growing  canes  may 
be  pinched  at  the  first  leaf ;  in  the  case  of 
weaker  Vines  no  pinching  is  required,  but  the 
tieing  in  of  the  shoots  is  very  necessary. 
Allowing  this  freedom  of  growth  encourages 
root  action,  and  this  is  exactly  what  weak  Vines 
require.  Test  the  borders,  and  if  the  soil  is 
dry,  afford  tepid  water.  Damp  down  the  sur- 
faces in  the  house  every  night  and  morning. 
An  atmospheric  temperature  of  70°  at  night, 
and  80°  to  90°  by  day  will  be  sufficient.  Re- 
duce the  ventilation  early  in  the  afternoon,  and 
leave  the  top  and  bottom  ventilators  partly 
open  throughout  the  night.  Use  as  little  fire 
heat  as  possible.  Keep  a  sharp  look-out  for 
red  spider,  and,  if  it  is  discovered,  syringe  the 
Vines  every  afternoon. 


FRUITS  UNDER  GLASS. 

By  Alexander  Kirk,  Gardener  to  J.  Thomson  Paton,  Esq., 
Norwood,  Alloa,  Clackmannanshire. 

Pine  Apples. — Plants  which  are  now  showing 
their  fruit  may  be  given  liquid  manure  at  every 
watering,  but  care  must  be  taken  to  supply  this 
at  the  exact  time  it  is  needed.  They 
should  also  be  given  a  top-dressing  of 
horse  droppings,  mixed  with  an  equal  quantity 
of  finely-broken,  rich  loam.  Keep  the  atmo- 
sphere of  the  house  moist  by  damping  down 
two  or  three  times  a  day.  Close  the  pit  early 
in     the    afternoon    that    the    temperature    may 


THE    KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

By  William  H.  Honess,  tjardener  to  C.  Combe,  Esq., 
Cob-ham  Park,  Surrey. 

Early  Celery  is  now  large  enough  for  earth- 
ing-up,  but  before  doing  this  see  that  the  plants 
are  in  a  moist  condition  at  their  roots  and  that 
the  top  growths  are  thoroughly  dry.  Earth  ap- 
plied about  the  stems  when  the  latter  are  wet 
will  set  up  damping  in  the  plants.  The  whole 
practice  of  earthing-up  is  most  important,  for  the 
crop  is  liable  to  be  ruined  if  the  work  is  per- 
formed in  a  careless  manner.  The  tying  of  the 
stems  previous  to  earthing-up  the  plants  is  not 
so  generally  practised  as  formerly,  but  if  this  is 
done,  care  must  be  taken  that  they  are  not  tied 
tightly,  so  as  to  prevent  the  inner  leaves  from 
developing.  If  tying  is  dispensed  with,  place 
the  leaves  in  their  proper  position,  and  grasp 
them  with  the  left  hand,  and  with  the  right  draw 
the  soil  well  up  and  around  the  plant,  at  the 
same  time  pressing  it  well.  After  each  plant 
has  been  treated  in  this  manner,  fill  up  the 
trench  with  soil  to  the  level  of  that  placed  about 
the  plants  by  the  hand.  Earthing-up  should  be 
done  gradually  and  at  intervals  of  about  10  days, 
but  the  progress  of  the  plants  should  be  the 
best  guide  as  to  when  more  soil  is  necessary. 

Celeriac  on  light  soils  must  be  given  frequent 
waterings.  Remove  the  short,  outer  leaves,  or 
any  side  shoots  that  may  appear,  also  any  un- 
necessary roots  that  develop  towards  the  base 
of  the  stem.  Do  this  work  at  intervals  of  from 
three  weeks  to  a  month. 

Carrots. — A  sowing  of  such  early  varieties  as 
Early  French  Horn,  or  Early  Gem,  should  now 
be  made  on  a  warm  border,  or  in  a  partially 
protected  position.  The  roots  will  be  most 
useful  in  late  winter  and  early  spring,  especially 
in  places  where  young  Carrots  are  in  demand 
and  frames  are  not  available  for  their  sowing. 
Select  a  spot  for  the  sowing  so  that  the  plants 
can  receive  the  protection  of  some  dry  leaves, 
later  on,  without  causing  an  untidy  appearance 
in  the  garden.  These  Carrots  should  be  left  in 
the  ground  until  they  are  required  for  use. 


July  27,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


69 


PLANTS    UNDER  GLASS. 

By  J.  G.  Weston,  Gardener  to  H.  J.  King,  Esq., 
Eastwell  Hark,  Kent. 

Souvenir  de  la  Malmaison  Carnations. — As  the 
plants  pass  out  of  bloom,  no  time  should  be 
lost  in  making  preparations  for  carrying  out  the 
operation  of  layering,  in  order  that  there  may 
be  sufficient  time  afterwards  for  the  layers  to 
become  strong  and  well-established  before  the 
commencement  of  winter.  Select  only  strong, 
healthy  plants  for  use  in  layering,  it  being  likely 
that  the  employment  of  weak  and  unhealthy 
plants  for  this  purpose  is  partly  responsible  for 
the  deterioration  seen  in  some  stocks.  A  frame 
is  undoubtedly  the  best  place  in  which  to  layer 
the  plants,  for  in  such  a  place  they  can  be  pro- 
tected from  heavy  rains,  which  are  injurious  if 
they  keep  the  roots  in  a  condition  of  more 
or  less  saturation.  In  frames,  the  grower  can 
use  his  discretion  as  to  whether  the  lights 
should  be  used  or  not  at  any  particular  time, 
but  by  no  means  should  he  keep  the  frames 
I  Li  ised.  Our  usual  practice  here  is  to  layer  the 
plants  in  the  frames  lately  occupied  by  Potatos. 
The  soil  which  was  used  for  that  crop  may  be 
made  quite  suitable  by  adding  a  quantity  of 
gritty  matter  or  sand,  mixed  with  some  leaf-soil, 
this  fresh  material  being  placed  immediately 
around  the  plant  for  the  young  roots  to  work 
into.  Let  the  old  plants  be  thoroughly  watered 
before  planting  them.  As  the  work  proceeds, 
water  the  plants  overhead  slightly,  and,  in 
bright  weather,  such  as  is  usually  experienced 
at  this  time  of  the  year,  afford  a  slight  degree 
of  shade  for  a  few  weeks  ;  but  admit  air  freely 
at  all  times.  When  the  young  layers  show 
signs  of  growth,  provided  the  weather  is  fine, 
withdraw  the  lights  altogether  in  the  evening, 
thus  allowing  the  plants  to  have  the  full  benefit 
of  the  night  dews. 

Gtsneras. — The  portion  of  the  stock  required 
to  bloom  early  in  the  winter  should  now  be 
shaken  out  of  the  pots,  and,  after  repotting  the 
tubers,  be  placed  in  a  warm  house  or  stove. 
Use  a  compost  consisting  of  turfy  loam,  peat, 
and  leaf-soil  in  equal  parts,  with  sand  and 
charcoal  added  to  keep  the  whole  porous.  Be 
careful  not  to  use  pots  of  a  larger  size  than  is 
necessary.  Gesneras  succeed  well  in  pots  mea- 
suring from  3  to  4|  inches  in  diameter.  If  large 
specimens  are  required,  the  strongest  plants  may 
be  selected  when  they  have  made  a  good  start 
for  the  purpose  of  placing  several  together  in 
pans  or  pots  of  such  sizes  as  may  be  required 
for  the  special  purpose  in  view.  The  tubers 
require  very  little  water  at  first,  the  atmospheric 
moisture  being  sufficient  to  start  them  into 
growth.  Afford  water  carefully  as  growth  in- 
creases, but  at  no  stage  do  these  plants  require 
large  quantities.  Arrange  the  plants  thinly  on 
the  stage  to  allow  the  leaves  proper  room  to 
develop,  and  shade  the  plants-  rather  heavily 
during  hot  sunshine.  As  the  flower-spikes 
develop,  a  small,  neat  stake  will  be  necessary 
to  keep  each  plant  in  position.  When  the  plants 
are  in  bloom,  reduce  the  atmospheric  moisture, 
but  do  not  have  a  lower  atmospheric  tempera- 
ture than  57°  to  60°  at  night  at  that  period, 
allowing  a  rise  of  10°  in  the  day. 


THE  HARDY  FRUIT  GARDEN. 

By  J.  Mavne,  Gardener  to  Lord  Clinton,  Bicton, 
East  Devon. 

Strawberries. — If  the  ground  for  the  planting 
of  new  beds  is  not  yet  prepared,  it  should  at 
once  be  trenched,  or  double-dug.  A  moderate 
amount  of  good  manure  should  be  incorporated 
between  the  two  spits,  and  the  ground  should 
be  made  firm  by  treading  before  planting. 
Well-rooted  runners  may  be  planted  at  once, 
a  suitable  distance  being  1  foot  apart  in  the 
rows,  the  latter  being  separated  by  a  distance 
of  2  feet.  Next  season,  after  the  fruits  have 
been  gathered,  every  alternate  plant  in  the  rows 
should  be  removed ;  this  will  afford  a  space 
of  2  feet  between  the  plants  every  way. 
Give  the  young  plants  a  good  watering  in  their 
pots  an  hour  or  more  previous  to  planting  them 
in  the  rows.  Make  the  soil  about  them  firm 
with  the  feet,  and  form  a  small  hollow  in  the 
soil  around  each  plant,  so  that  water  can  be 
conveniently  applied  to  the  roots.  In  the  case 
of  the  variety  Royal  Sovereign,  allow  a  further 
6  inches  of  space  both  in  and  between  the 
rows,  on  account  of  the  wealth  of  foliage 
which  this  variety  produces  on  most  soils. 


As  soon  as  the  fruit  has  been  cleared  from 
the  established  beds,  trim  off  the  rough  bottom 
leaves,  sever  any  runners  with  the  knife,  and 
remove  all  rubbish  and  litter  from  the  rows. 
When  this  has  been  done,  stir  the  surface  of 
the  soil  with  the  flat  hoe  to  destroy  weeds,  and 
to  lighten  the  ground  which  has  become  hard 
and  consolidated  from  persons  walking  in  the 
rows  to  gather  the  fruit.  Plants  that  were 
forced,  and  afterwards  planted  out  in  May  or 
June,  must  not  be  allowed  to  develop  a  fur- 
ther crop  of  fruits  this  season.  All  flower- 
spikes  must  be  removed  as  soon  as  they  appear, 
and  any  runners  be  destroyed,  so  that  the  plants 
may  build  up  strong  crowns  for  next  year's 
fruiting. 

The  Fig. — With  the  beneficial  change  in  the 
weather  these  trees  have  made  rapid  growth, 
and  the  new  shoots  will  need  securing  to  the 
wall  or  trellis  so  that  the  fruits  may  be  ex- 
posed as  much  as  possible  to  the  sunshine. 
Continue  to  apply  copious  waterings  to  trees 
carrying  heavy  crops,  which  appear  to  be 
general  this  season.  Stop  any  shoots  not  re- 
quired for  the  extension  of  the  trees,  and  rub  off 
superfluous  growths  on  the  fruiting  wood,  as 
well  as  any  on  the  older  branches  that  are  not 
required.  

THE  FLOWER  GARDEN. 

By  A.  C.  Bartlett,  Gardener  to  Mrs.  Ford,  Pencarrow, 
Cornwall. 

Watering  plants  in  the  open. — It  is  a  matter  of 
controversy  as  to  whether  the  morning  or  the 
evening  is'the  better  time  for  affording  water  to 
plants  in  the  open.  My  practice  is  to  select 
the  late  afternoon  and  evening  for  this  work, 
providing  the  nights  are  warm,  but  if  the  night 
temperature  is  low,  the  watering  is  done  during 
the  mornings.  This  work  should  not  be  com- 
menced too  early  in  the  afternoons,  nor  con- 
tinued too  late  in  the  mornings,  or  the  foliage 
will  be  liable  to  scorching  by  the  sun's  rays,  and 
it  is  wise  to  cease  the  work  sufficiently  early  in 
the  evenings  to  allow  the  plants  and  their  sur- 
roundings to  become  moderately  dry  before  night 
time  arrives.  One  thorough  soaking  is  better  than 
several  light  waterings,  which  occasionally  do 
more  harm  than  good.  If  the  surface  soil  is  stirred, 
either  with  the  Dutch  hoe  or  with  a  light  rake, 
soon  after  the  watering  is  done,  evaporation  will 
be  largely  checked,  and  the  effects  of  the  water- 
ing will  be  more  lasting.  If  circumstances  do 
not  permit  of  much  watering  being  done,  fre- 
quent hoeing  of  the  surface  soil  and  application 
of  mulchings  will  be  found  good  substitutes. 
Providing  that  they  are  not  allowed  to  suffer 
from  drought,  Pelargoniums  and  similar  bed- 
ding plants,  once  they  have  become  established, 
will  give  a  better  display  if  they  are  not  watered. 
Many  other  subjects,  however,  including  Lobelia 
cardinalis,  Cannas,  and  most  large  or  orna- 
mental-foliaged  sub-tropical  plants,  must  be 
freely  watered  during  dry  weather.  Trees  and 
shrubs  which  were  planted  late  in  the  spring 
should  now  be  drawing  plenty  of  moisture  from 
the  soil,  and  may  generally  be  left  to  themselves, 
but  should  any  appear  to  be  suffering  from  lack 
of  moisture,  they  must  be  copiously  watered, 
have  a  mulching  of  manure  placed  over  their 
roots,  and  be  syringed  towards  the  close  of  hot 
afternoons.  After  a  period  of  three  weeks  or 
more  from  this  date  a  moderate  dryness  at  the 
roots  will  be  beneficial  to  shrubs. 

Flower-beds. — If  the  beds  are  surrounded  by- 
grass,  their  edges  must  be  frequently  clipped. 
All  dead  or  disfigured  leaves,  faded  flowers,  and 
seed  pods  must  be  removed,  and  all  flower-buds 
on  plants  which  are  grown  solely  for  their 
foliage  must  be  destroyed.  The  plants  form- 
ing bands  or  borderings  to  the  beds  must  be  re- 
stricted to  a  suitable  size,  and  the  growths  of 
trailing  subjects  pegged  down.  When  these 
latter  plants  have  filled  their  allotted  spaces, 
they  should  have  some  of  their  side  shoots  re- 
moved in  order  to  promote  a  sturdy  habit  of 
growth.  This  is  especially  necessary  in  the  case 
of  Verbenas,  for  when  the  foliage  of  these  plants 
becomes  crowded,  the  dreaded  mildew  soon 
makes   its  appearance  on  them. 

PUBLIC  PARKS  AND  GARDENS. 

By  W.  W.  Pettigrew,  Superintendent  of  the  Parks  and 
Open  Spaces  in  the  City  of  Cardiff. 
Preparations  for  spring  bedding. — The  season 
has  now  arrived,  when,  as  a  rule,  in  most  parks 
arrangements  are  being  made  for  next  year's 
spring  bedding,  and  the  orders  for  the  various 


bulbs  required  are  placed  with  the  successful 
contractors,  ready  for  execution  in  the  autumn. 
In  many  parks  spring  bedding  schemes  are  con- 
ceived on  a  very  elaborate  and  extensive  scale, 
and,  as  a  consequence,  large  sums  of  money 
are  needed  for  the  provision  of  the  material — 
especially  bulbs — necessary  for  carrying  them 
into  effect.  Until  within  recent  years  Hyacinths 
and  Tulips  were  the  two  plants  most  used  for 
this  work,  and  as  a  result  spring  bedding,  al- 
though brilliant  and  striking,  was  characterised 
by  monotony  and  stiffness.  Latterly  it  has  be- 
come customary  to  utilise  many  different 
kinds  of  bulbous  plants  in  addition  to 
numerous  other  spring  flowering  plants. 
Park  officials  are  realising  more  and  more 
that  the  use  of  Hyacinths  and  Tulips  in  large 
quantities  is  not  only  extravagant,  but  in  many 
instances  gives  less  satisfactory  results  than 
may  be  obtained  by  the  use  of  cheaper  home- 
grown material. 

Other  plants. — We  find  that  Hyacinths  and 
Tulips  are  so  easily  damaged  by  wind  and  rain, 
and  their  period  of  blooming  is  of  such  brief  dura- 
tion, that  preference  is  naturally  given  to  more 
suitable  subjects  such  as  Aubnetias,  Polyanthus, 
Primroses,  Double  Arabis,  Myosotis,  Violas, 
Alyssum,  Double  Daisies,  &c.  These  have  all  a 
long  period  of  flowering,  and  are,  as  a  rule, 
little  injured  by  the  effects  of  the  weather,  while 
in  addition  they  are  exceedingly  cheap,  being 
easily  propagated  in  great  quantities  by  means 
of  seeds,  cuttings,  or  division. 

Wallflowers,  when  they  succeed,  are  delight- 
ful objects  in  the  spring  garden,  both  on  account 
of  their  colour  and  perfume.  We  find  them, 
however,  so  susceptible  to  injury  from  frost  or 
excessive  winter  rains  that  they  are  quite  un- 
reliable for  taking  a  place  in  any  colour  ar- 
rangement, and  are  better  adapted  for  the 
general  spring  border  than  for  a  design. 

Aubrietias,  Arabis,  and  Alyssum  are  best  raised 
from  cuttings  taken  each  year  just  as  the  old 
plants  finish  flowering.  Although  Aubrietias  are 
invariably  increased  by  division,  it  can  hardly 
be  denied  that  cuttings  give  the  larger  and 
better  coloured  flowers.  Polyanthus,  when  re- 
quired in  special  shades  of  colour,  have  to  be 
propagated  by  division,  but  are  hardly  fit  for 
use  until  the  second  year.  With  the  exception 
of  the  Violas,  most  of  the  ordinary  spring- 
flowering  plants  are  raised  from  seed. 


American  Association  of  Park  Superin- 
tendents.— The  June  number  of  the  Bulletin  ol 
this  society  just  to  hand  contains  a  great  amount 
of  information  upon  public  park  matters,  which 
is  interesting  and  suggestive  reading  to  all  who 
are  engaged  in  park  work.  The  Bulletin  is  in  the 
first  instance  type-written,  and  is  passed  on  from 
member  to  member  throughout  the  States,  most 
of  whom  before  passing  it  on  give  their  views, 
upon,  or  state  their  experience  regarding,  the 
subject  under  discussion.  In  this  way  every 
matter  taken  up  is  dealt  with  in  the  broadest 
possible  manner,  and  regarded  from  a  great 
variety  of  standpoints.  In  the  present  issue  the 
most  important  questions  considered  are  "  The 
Construction  of  Roads,  Paths,  and  Drives," 
"  Evergreens  for  Parks,"  and  "  Fertilisers."  On 
reading  through  the  various  articles,  one  can- 
not fail  to  notice  many  differences  in  the  prac- 
tices adopted  on  this  and  the  other  side  of  the 
Atlantic.  For  instance,  the  use  of  sawdust  as 
a  mulch,  or  sand  as  a  fertiliser,  and  a  gasoline 
heater  as  a  weed-killer,  all  appear  strange  to 
British  cultivators.  Copies  of  the  Bulletin  can 
be  had  for  a  very  small  sum  from  the  secretary 
of  the  association,  Mr.  F.  L.  Mulford,  Superin- 
tendent of  Parks,  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  U.S.A. 

The  Superintendency  of  Hyde  Park. — 
We  learn  that  the  late  Mr.  Jordan's  successor 
in  the  post  of  superintendent  of  Hyde  Park  ami 
some  other  open  spaces  is  Mr.  J.  A.  Gardiner, 
who  has  held  the  important  position  of  super- 
intendent at  Hampton  Court  Palace  Gardens 
and  Parks  for  the  past  11  years.  During  that 
period  quite  a  revolution  in  the  garden  decora- 
tion and  summer  bedding  has  been  wrought,  and 
in  many  directions  improvements  have  been 
made.  Mr.  Gardiner  came  to  Hampton  Court 
from  Greenwich  Park.  He  is  by  seniority  en- 
titled to  the  promotion.  His  successor  at  Hamp- 
ton Court  will  be  Mr.  Marlow,  who  is  now  at 
Greenwich  Park,  and  was  at  one  time  foreman 
in  the  Park  where  he  will  now  be  the  head. 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[July  27,  1907. 


EDITORIAL     NOTICE. 


ADVERTISEMENTS  should  be  sent  to  the  PUB- 
LISHER, 41,  Wellington  Street,  Covent  Garden, 
W.C. 

Letters  lor  Publication,  as  well  as  specimens  and  plants 
lor  naming,  should  be  addressed  to  the  EDITOR, 
4i»  Wellington   Street,    Covent  Garden,   London. 

Communications  should  be  written  on  one  side  only  of 
the  paper,  sent  as  early  in  the  week'  as  possible  ,and  duly 
signed  by  the  writer.  If  desired,  the  signature  will  not  be 
printed,  but  kept  as  a  guarantee  0/  good  faith. 

Special  Notice  to  Correspondents. — The  Editor  does  not 
undertake  to  pay  for  any  contributions  or  illustrations,  or 
to  return  unused  communications  or  il lust rat  ions,  unless  by 
special  arrangement.  The  Editor  does  not  hold  himself 
responsible  for  any  opinions  expressed  by  his  correspondents. 

Illustrations.-  The  Editor  will  be  glad  to  receive  and  to  select 
photographs  or  drawings,  suitable  for  reproduction,  of 
gardens,  or  of  remarkable  plants,  flowers,  trees,  &c,  but  he 
cannot  be  responsible  for  lossor  injury, 

Newspapers.— Correspondents  sending  newspapers  should  be 
careful  to  mark  the  paragraphs  they  wish  the  Editor  to  see. 

'Local  News. — Correspondents  will  greatly  oblige  by  sending  to 

the  Editor  early  intelligence  of  local  events  likely  to  be  of 
interest  to  our  readers,  or  of  any  matters  which  it  is  desirable 
to  bring  undo  the  notice  of  horticulturists. 


APPOINTMENTS  FOR  THE  ENSUING  WEEK. 


SATURDAY,  JULY  27-Lydney  Fl.  Sh. 

WEDNESDAY,  JULY  31— 
Chesterfield  Fl.  Sh. 
Bishop's  Stortford  Fl.  Sh. 


Average  Mean  Temperature  for  the  ensuing  week, 
deduced  from  observations  during  the  last  Fifty  Years 
at  Greenwich — 62*2°. 

Actual  Temperatures: — 

London.— Wednesday,    July    24    (6    p.m.)  :     Max.    67°; 
Min.  50". 

Gardeners'  Chronicle  Office,  41,  Wellington  Street, 
Covent  Garden,  London.  —  Thursday,  Julv 
25  (10  a.m.):  Bar..  29-9;  Temp.,  68';  Weather— 
Bright  sunshine. 
Provinces  — Wednesday,  Julv  17  (6  p.m.)  :  Max.  68°. 
Ireland,  S.W. ;'  Min.  52",  Scotland,  N.E. 


Friday  in  last  week  is  likely  to 
Science  be  regarded  in  the  future  as  a 
Wisley.  red-letter  day  in  the  history  of 
the  Royal  Horticultural  Soc'n  tv. 
On  that  day  there  was  formally  inaugurated 
a  scheme  by  which  it  is  hoped  much  will  be 
done  to  compensate  for  the  many  years  dur- 
ing which  the  Society  has  not  been  able  to 
assist  in  the  important  work  of  scientific  re- 
search. Its  earlier  history  is  marked  by 
the  invaluable  services  rendered  to  horticul- 
ture in  the  introduction  of  new  species  of 
plants  to  this  country  through  the  indefatig- 
able collectors  the  Society  sent  into  distant 
parts  of  the  world.  Their  names,  which  in- 
clude those  of  David  Douglas,  Robert  For- 
tune, and  others,  have  been  enumerated  in 
these  pages:  again  and  again,  and  they  will 
always  deserve  to  be  remembered  with  ap- 
preciation. During  the  long  period  the  Society 
held  the  Chiswick  gardens  under  a  lease  from 
the  Duke  of  Devonshire  it  promoted  import- 
ant exhibitions  and  conferences;  it  also  con- 
ducted trials  of  varieties  of  fruits,  flowers, 
and  vegetables,  all  of  which  were  of  greater 
or  less  interest,  and  most  of  them  were  of 
some  permanent  value  to  cultivators. 

The  period  during  which  the  Society  was  at 
Scuth  Kensington  so  impoverished  its  funds 
that  for  many  years  afterwards  a  policy  of 
severe  retrenchment  was  enforced  upon  those 
charged  with  the  management,  and  in  no 
direction  was  this  felt  more  acutely  than  in 
the  management  of  the  Chiswick  gardens, 
which,  in  spite  of  their  glorious  traditions, 
•were  permitted  to  deteriorate  so  greatly  that 
'they  became  almost  an  object  of  contempt. 


In  such  circumstances,  there  is  little  won- 
der the  Society  felt  itself  unable  to  undertake 
fresh  work  which  would  be  certain  to  im- 
pose additional  financial  obligations.  As 
was  pointed  out  by  several  of  the  speakers  at 
Friday's  ceremony,  the  conditions  which  ob- 
tained at  the  time  when  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence 
was  appointed  president  were  anything  but 
satisfactory.  The  years  which  intervened 
between  that  period  and  the  celebration  of 
the  centenary  of  the  Society  in  1904  were 
devoted  to  husbanding  its  resources  and  in- 
creasing its  membership  and  prestige.  In 
the  meantime  the  need  for  facilities  for  the 
prosecution  of  research  work  became  recog- 
nised more  clearly,  and  it  was  expressed  so 
frequently  and  persistently  in  these  pages  that 
it  may  sometimes  have  appeared  monotonous 
by  its  reiteration.  The  gift  of  the  Wisley 
Gardens  to  the  Society  in  1904  by  the  late  Sir 
Thomas  Hanbury,  who  purchased  them  for 
the  purpose  from  the  executors  of  the  late 
Mr.  G.  F.  Wilson  (see  Gardeners'1  Chronicle, 
August   15,    1903),   gave  a  fresh   impetus  to 


Photo  by]  [Rvss:ll  &  Sons. 

LORD    AVEBURY,    P.C.,    F.R.S.,    WHO    OPENED    THE 

RESEARCH    STATION    AT   WISLEY. 

the  demand  for  a  scientific  department,  and 
this  demand  was  urged  upon  the  Council  by 
Professor  Bateson  and  other  speakers  at 
the  last  important  function  held  in  the 
Chiswick  gardens  on  September  29,  1903,  in 
connection  with  the  exhibition  of  vegetables. 
That  the  scheme  is  now  in  actual  operation  is 
due  mainly  to  the  unparalleled  success  of  the 
Society  in  recent  years,  but  thanks  are  due  to 
the  present  Council  for  having  determined  to 
apply  part  of  the  increased  income  to  this 
purpose. 

We  need  not  enter  into  a  detailed  descrip- 
tion of  the  new  laboratory  as  this  was  the 
subject  of  an  article  in  our  issue  for  April  13 
last,  when  the  exterior  of  the  building  was 
illustrated.  As  will  be  seen  on  reference  to 
page  64  of  our  present  issue,  the  Council  is 
establishing  a  school  of  horticulture  for  train- 
ing young  gardeners,  and  for  the  first  time  in 
the  history  of  the  Society  it  will  be  able  to 
instruct  the  students  in  the  science  of  gar- 


dening as  well  as  in  the  arts  of  cultivation. 
It  is  scarcely  necessary  at  this  date  to  insist 
on  the  value  of  instruction  in  the  principles 
that  underlie  practice.  An  intelligent  know- 
ledge of  the  means  and  processes  by  which 
plants  subsist,  of  the  conditions  that  ac- 
celerate or  retard  growth,  of  the  various 
organisms  in  the  soil  that  conduce  to  fertility, 
of  the  nature  and  effect  of  various  manures 
on  different  plants,  of  the  habits  of  insects 
and  the  life  histories  of  fungus  diseases  is 
as  necessary  to  the  making  of  a  perfect 
gardener  as  familiarity  with  the  actual  details 
of  pottingi  digging,  pruning,  and  other 
operations  of  practical  gardening.  The  ob- 
jections that  have  sometimes  been  made  to 
scientific  training  have  generally  arisen  from 
the  fear  that  in  the  acquiring  of  such  know- 
ledge the  student  neglects  to  obtain  the  prac- 
tical experience  equally  essential  to  success- 
ful cultivation. 

The  Society  must  therefore  insist  that  its 
students,  whilst  acquiring  theoretical  know- 
ledge, shall  be  encouraged  to  develop  an 
appreciation  and  enthusiasm  for  plant- 
culture.  A  student  who  exhibits  an  indiffer- 
ence to  cultural  details,  and  has  no  desire  to 
learn  by  experience  the  best  methods  of  carry- 
ing out  the  various  operations  of  gardening, 
or  the  proper  seasons  in  which  to  do  them, 
will  certainly  never  become  a  good  gardener. 
A  gardener's  highest  quality  lies  in  his  skill 
as  a  cultivator,  therefore  the  science  he 
studies  should  be  such  as  will  help  him  to 
(  xcel  in  the  art  of  cultivation — it  is  an  im- 
portant means  to  an  end,  rather  than  a  goal 
in  itself.  Mr.  Chittenden,  who  has  been  ap- 
pointed director  of  this  department  at  Wis- 
ley, and  whose  portrait  was  published  in  our 
issue  for  April  13  last,  may  be  trusted  to  take 
the  proper  view  of  this  question,  and  so  ar- 
range the  syllabus  for  his  students  that  they 
will  be  able  to  learn  those  scientific  prin- 
ciples which  have  the  nearest  relation  to  gar- 
dening practice. 

The  Surrey  County  Council  has  arranged 
with  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  to  send 
a  number  of  boys  from  the  county  schools 
for  instruction  at  Wisley,  but  whether  this 
will  eventually  lead  to  that  Council  hav- 
ing any  voice  in  the  management  of  the 
Wisley  School  we  do  not  know.  From  re- 
marks made  by  several  of  the  speakers  it  is 
evident  that  the  Society  will  do  its  utmost  to 
obtain  grants  from  the  State,  and  in  the  event 
of  these  efforts  meeting  with  success  there  is 
little  doubt  but  that  the  Board  of  Agriculture 
and  Fisheries  will  impose  some  condition  or 
at  least  satisfy  itself  that  the  school  is  con- 
ducted in  a  manner  the  Board  could  approve. 
State  aid,  it  may  be  pointed  out,  is  always 
accompanied,  in  some  degree  at  least,  with 
State  control. 

But  it  is  greatly  to  be  hoped  that  the 
time  and  energies  of  the  department  will 
not  be  wholly  absorbed  by  the  school  of 
horticulture.  The  mere  teaching  of  science 
to  students,  important  as  it  is,  is  not 
quite  the  work  that  those  who  have  most 
tlesired  the  institution  of  a  scientific  depart- 
ment at  Wisley  had  in  their  minds.  It  is  in 
the  making  of  science,  rather  than  in  its 
teaching,  the  Fellows  are  most  interested,  and 
the  success  or  failure  of  the  department  will 
be  largely  determined  by  the  amount  of  re- 
search work  accompli. hed.     Mr.   Chittenden 


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July  27,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


71 


is  just  the  man  to  undertake  work  of  this 
description,  but  in  order  that  he  may  do  so 
it  is  necessary  that  his  hands  should  not  be 
tied,   and  all  his   time  occupied,    in   the   in- 


Pholo  by]  [Langfier,  Ltd. 

LORD    BALFOUR    OF    BURLEIGH,    K.T.,    WHO    REPLIED 

FOR    THE    ROYAL    HORTICULTURAL    SOCIETY. 

struction  of  the  students.  We  have  no  reason 
to  think  that  this  will  be  the  case,  but  at  the 
verv  commencement  it  should  be  clearly 
understood  by  the  Council  what  is  expected 
of  them  by  the  Fellows,  audit  is  that  energetic 
research  shall  be  made  into  such  subjects  as 
were  mentioned  in  our  issue  for  April  13 
last,  and  which  were  quoted  by  Lord  Avebury 
in  his  opening  speech  at  Wisley.    From  time 


Photo  by] 


SIR    WILLIAM    CHANCE, 


[Elliott  &  Fry. 

BART. 


to  time  problems  arise  in  connection  with  the 
combating  of  fungus  diseases  and  insect 
pests,  and  in  other  matters  concerned  with 
the  cultivation  and  forcing  of  flowers,  fruits, 


and  vegetables.  It  is  for  the  solving  of 
these  by  experiments  conducted  in  the  labora. 
tory  and  in  the  garden  that  the  scientific  de- 
partment will  find  its  justification.  The 
Society  may  also  be  able  to  provide  facili- 
ties that  may  be  placed  at  the  disposal  of 
properly  qualified  and  accredited  investigators 
who  may  wish  to  pursue  scientific  research 
upon  special  subjects,  but  who  have  not  the 
facilities  that  may  be  obtained  in  a  labora- 
tory. How  far  arrangements  can  be  made 
for  such  cases,  however,  can  hardly  be  de- 
termined  before  the  station  has  been  in  work- 
ing order  for  some  time. 


THE  company  which  assembled  at 
Wisley  for  the  opening  ceremony 
consisted  of  about  ninety  ladies  anil 
gentlemen.  Amongst  those  present  were 
the  President  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence,  Bart., 
Lord  Avebury,  Lord  Balfour  of  Bur- 
leigh, Sir  William  T.  Thistleton  Dyer,  Sir 
John  T.  D.  Llewelyn,  Sir  Albert  K.  Rollit, 
Sir  William  Vincent,  Sir  William  Chance, 
Sir  Thomas  H.  Elliott,  Prof.  Michael  E.  Sad- 


Pholo  by]  [IV.  Crocks. 

SIR    THOMAS     ELLIOTT,    K.C.B.,    SECRETARY    TO    THE 

BOARD    OF    AGRICULTURE. 

ler,  Mr.  Jeremiah  Colman,  Sir  Geo.  Walt, 
Mr.  Harry  J.  Veitch,  Mr.  Arthur  W.  Sutton, 
Mr.  W.  A.  Bilney,  the  Rev.  W.  Wilks,  most 
of  the  members  of  the  Society's  Council,  and 
of  the  Scientific  Committee,  and  a  few- 
friends  connected  with  the  Surrey  County 
Council.  Luncheon  was  served  in  the  gar- 
dens, at  which  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence  presided. 
The  toast  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society 
was  proposed  by  Lord  Avebury  in  the  fol- 
lowing terms  : — 

While  very  sensible  of  the  honour  you 
have  done  me  in  inviting  me  to  open  this 
interesting  laboratory,  I  cannot  but  feel, 
especially  when  I  look  round,  that  there  are 
others  who  might  have  done  so  much  more 
appropriately.  One  name  especially — that  of 
my  friend  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence,  your  presi- 
dent, who  is  himself  so  great  an  authority, 
and  who  has  done  so  much  to  bring  the 
Society  to  its  present  climax  of  prosperity — 
will  occur  to  everyone. 

As  we  stand  here  to-day,  two  men  will  be 
in  all  our  thoughts — Mr.  Wilson,  whose  lov- 
ing care  and  horticultural  skill  originally 
made    the    garden    what    it     was,     and     Sir 


Thomas  Hanbury,  who  prevented  it  from  be- 
ing broken  up,  and,  with  his  usual  liberality, 
presented  it  to  the  Society.  The  Society 
dates  back  more  than  100  years,  having  been 
founded  as  long  ago  as  1S04  by  Mr.  Thomas 


Photo  by]  \Tlu  Dover  Street  Studios, 

PROFESSOR    MICHAEL    E.    SADLER,    LL.D. 

Andrew  Knight,  Sir  Joseph  Banks,  and  other 
distinguished  botanists,  but  for  many  years  it 
vegetated   rather   than   flourished. 

When  your  President  was  elected  in  1885, 
the  Society  had  1,108  members,  a  goodly 
number  certainly,  but  not  enough,  and  the 
l-  iciety  was  in  some  pecuniary  difficulties. 
Owing  largely  to  his  ability  and  energy  it 
has  now  nearly  10,000  members,  has  assets 
without  counting  Wisley  of  some  ,£70,000, 
and  an   annual  income  of  £18,000. 


Photo  by]  [Mayall  &  Co.,  Ltd. 

SIR  WILLIAM  VINCENT,  BART.,  J. P.,  WHO  RESPONDED 
FOR    THE    SURREY    COUNTY    COUNCIL. 

Your  centenary  in  1904  was  marked  by  the 
erection  in  Vincent  Square  of  an  exhibition 
hall  and  library'  costing  £42,000,  raised 
mainly  by  private  subscription,  and  also  by 


72 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[Jvly  27,  1907. 


Sir  Thomas  Hanbury's  munificent  gift  of  this 
property — one  of  his  many  public  benefac- 
tions. Mr.  Wilson,  one  of  our  many  City 
men  who  have  taken  a  warm  interest  in 
science,  devoted  his  leisure  during  24  years 
to  the  planting,  arrangement,  and  develop- 
ment of  the  garden,  which  comprises  60 
acres. 

In  accepting  this  important  gift  you  have, 
I  understand,  two  main  objects  in  view  :  — 

(1)  The  improvement  of  horticulture  by 
giving  the  best  possible  training  to  a  certain 
number  of  young  gardeners,  and 

(2)  The  promotion  of  horticultural  and 
botanical  science  by  experiment  and  investi- 
gation. 

The  erection  of  this  laboratory  and  re- 
search station  meets  a  long-felt  want  in  con- 
nection with  the  Society's  work.  In  the 
United  States  and  in  our  Colonies  there  are 
several  such  stations  under  Government 
supervision  and  maintenance,  but  in  the 
home  country  the  initiation,  direction  and 
support  is  left  to  private  enterprise.  The 
good  work  being  done  at  the  Royal  Botanic 
Gardens,  Kew,  at  the  Botanic  Gardens  of 
Cambridge,  Oxford,  Edinburgh  and  other 
Universities  is  well  known  and  appreciated, 
as  is  also  the  experimental  work  for  some 
years  past  undertaken  at  Rothamsted  by  the 
late  Sir  John  Lawes  and  by  the  Duke  of  Bed- 
ford at  Woburn. 

Among  "  *the  subjects  it  is  hoped  to  ex- 
periment upon  in  the  near  future  are  soil- 
sterilisation  by  steam  as  a  means  of  destroy- 
ing pests  of  plants  which  live  in  the  soil;  an 
investigation  into  the  influence  of  sterilisa- 
tion on  the  plants  cultivated  in  the  soil ; 
study  of  the  bacterial  flora  of  the  soil ;  etheri- 
sation of  plants;  and  certain  plant  diseases. 
Each  of  these  subjects  will  entail  a  large 
amount  of  laboratory  work,  as  well  as  ex- 
periments in  the  garden." 

When  we  look  round  us  at  the  endless 
variety  of  trees,  shrubs  and  herbs,  no  two 
alike  in  their  form,  their  leaves,  their  flowers, 
their  fruit,  or  their  seeds,  and  when  we  re- 
flect that  for  every  difference  in  form  and 
texture,  in  colour  or  scent,  there  is  some 
cause  and  explanation,  comparatively  few  of 
which  are  yet  known  to  us,  we  see  what  a 
rich  and  beautiful  field  of  enquiry  botanists 
have  before  them. 

In  fact,  the  range  of  research  and  enquiry 
is  so  wide  as  to  be  practically  inexhaustible ; 
I  cannot  doubt  that,  in  addition  to  its  other 
services  to  the  community,  the  Society  will, 
in  connection  with  the  garden,  do  much  to 
promote  horticulture  both  in  its  aesthetic  and 
scientific  aspects,  and  I  have  much  pleasure 
in  proposing  the  toast — Prosperity  to  the 
Royal  Horticultural  Society. 

Lord  Balfour  of  Burleigh,  replying,  re- 
ferred to  the  progress  the  Society  had  made 
since  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence  became  president, 
and,  after  mentioning  some  details  in  connec- 
tion with  the  membership  and  income,  said 
twenty  years  ago  the  Society's  investments 
consisted  of  a  debt  of  ^Ji.ioo;  they  had  now 
.£.26,000  besides  real  property.  The  pre- 
dominant feeling  in  their  minds  that  day  was 
that  they  were  opening  up  a  new  era  of 
prosperity  by  making  the  practice  and  theorv 
of  horticulture  go  hand  in  hand.  In  that  they 
were  like  the  sister  pursuit  ot  agriculture.  A 
few  years  ago  there  was  almost  a  war 
between  the  practical  and  the  scientific  agri- 
culturist. They  looked  upon  each  other  with 
mistrust  and  contempt,  but  all  that  had  now 
changed.  If  science  were  of  use  to  agricul- 
ture how  much  more  was  it  of  use  to  horti- 
culture? He  did  not  belittle  agriculture,  for 
in  a  humble  way  he  was  an  agriculturist, 
but,  after  all,  the  agriculturist  only  dealt  with 
about  a  dozen  different  kinds  of  plants  and 
half-a-dozen     different     kinds     of     animals, 

*  Gardeners'  Chronicle,  April  13,  1907,  p.  233. 


whereas  the  horticulturist  had-  thousands  of 
plants  to  deal  with,  plants  from  every  part  of 
the  world.  The  work  the  Society  were  under- 
taking was  very  necessary.  Those  engaged 
in  the  practical  work  of  gardening  came  from 
a  class  who,  when  they  had  families,  required 
to  consider  carefully  how  long  they  could 
keep  their  sons  at  home,  and  the  temptation 
to  turn  them  out  at  the  earliest  possible  day  to 
help  the  earnings  of  the  family  was  a  very 
great  one,  and,  if  it  were  yielded  to,  was 
likely  to  do  a  greater  amount  of  harm  to  the 
young  gardener  than  to  a  youth  in  any  other 
profession  at  all  similar. 

Sir  William  Chance  proposed  "  The  Board 
of  Agriculture,"  and,  referring  to  the  liability 
incurred  by  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society 
in  establishing  a  scientific  department,  be- 
sought Sir  Thomas  Elliott  to  convey  to  Lord 
Carrington  such  an  idea  of  the  proceedings 
that  day  that  pressure  might  be  brought  to 
bear  on  the  Privy  Purse  in  favour  of  granting 
some  degree  of  State  aid  to  the  scheme. 

Sir  Thomas  Elliott,  Secretary  to  the  Board 
of  Agriculture  and  Fisheries,  contrasted 
official  action  with  private  enterprise,  and  re- 
marked that  when  official  action  went  on  too 
quickly,  private  enterprise  was  apt  to  recede. 
But  he  was  glad  to  be  there  that  dav,  be- 
cause in  one  instance  recently  politicians  had 
forgotten  their  politics,  and  the  Legislature 
had  passed  "  The  Destructive  Insects  and 
Pests  Bill."  This  would  probably  mark  the 
commencement  of  a  new  era.  The  Act 
armed  the  Board  with  considerable  powers, 
and  the  Board  would  be  careful  to  consult 
with  its  specialists  before  using  those  powers 
in  particular  instances.  The  Board,  com- 
mencing with  what  appeared  at  the  moment 
to  be  nearest  to  jtheir  hand,  had  instituted  a 
crusade  against  the  American  Gooseberry- 
mildew,  a  disease  which  threatened  to  do 
considerable  mischief  in  this  country.  In 
conclusion,  Sir  Thomas  Elliott  assured  the 
company  that  his  department  would  consider 
the  needs  of  their  horticultural  clients  just  as 
much  as  they  considered  the  needs  of  their 
agricultural  clients. 

Professor  Michael  E.  Sadler  proposed  "The 
Surrey  County  Council,"  and  complimented 
this  authority  upon  the  liberal  patronage  thev 
had  extended  to  horticulture  in  connection 
with  their  elementary  schools  and  in  other 
ways.  In  future,  said  Professor  Sadler,  the 
Council  would  elect  year  by  year  a  number  of 
boys  from  the  schools,  and  these  boys  would 
be  received  at  Wisley  by  the  Royal  Horticul- 
tural Society  free  of  cost.  They  would  receive 
at  Wisley  a  scientific  and  practical  education 
extending  over  two  years.  In  September  next 
a  commencement  would  be  made  by  the 
Council  selecting  five  boys.  Reference  was 
then  made  to  the  historic  character  of  the 
Wisley  district,  and  mention  made  of  Wil- 
liam of  Ockham,  Thomas  Day,  and  William 
Cobbett,  all  of  whom  had  lived  in  the  locality. 

Sir  William  Vincent,  Vice-Chairman  of  the 
Surrey  County  Council,  after  referring  to  the 
large  amount  of  money  the  Council  had  to 
spend  on  the  upkeep  of  the  roads,  said  that 
last  year  the  Council  spent  on  special  subjects 
(of  which  horticulture  was  the  principal)  a 
sum  of  ^614.  The  estimates  for  the  current 
year  included  a  sum  of  ^750  for  similar  pur- 
poses. Last  year  there  were  organised  gar- 
dens  in  connection  with  59  of  the  elementarj 
schools,  at  which  993  scholars  received  in- 
struction in  gardening.  Thirty-five  of  the 
teachers  had  spent  their  vacation  at  the 
South-Eastern  Agricultural  College  at  Wye, 
for  the  purpose  of  acquiring  gardening  know- 
ledge. 

Sir  Trevor  Lawrence,  Bart.,  expressed  the 
thanks  of  those  present  to  Lord  Avebury, 
after  which  he  read  an  extract  from  a 
letter  received  from  Sir  Joseph  Hooker  in 
reply  to  a  letter  of  congratulation  sent  to  Sir 
Joseph   on    the   attainment    of   his    ninetieth 


birthday.  Sir  Trevor  said  the  progress  of  the 
Society  had  been  most  satisfactory,  but  it  was 
not  due  to  himself  or  his  own  work,  but 
largely  to  the  Council  and  the  Rev.  W. 
Wilks,  their  excellent  secretary. 

Sir  John  T.  D.  Llewelyn,  Bart.,  said  that 
Sir  Trevor  Lawrence  had  show  good  general- 
ship in  that  he  had  selected  such  excellent 
officers  as  the  secretary  and  garden  superin 
tendent  to  carry  out  the  work  of  the  Society, 
but  beyond  that  he  was  certain  that  much  of 
the  Society's  success  was  due  to  the  Presi- 
dent, and  it  was  owing  to  his  influence  that 
the  questions  connected  with  the  establishing 
of  the  Hall  and  gardens  had  been  settled  so- 
satisfactorily. 

Thus  terminated  the  formal  proceedings 
connected  with  the  opening  of  the  Research 
Station.  Many  of  those  who  most  desired 
the  Society  to  undertake  this  work  have 
passed  away  before  the  consummation  of 
their  ideas,  and  three  names  seem  particu- 
larly present  in  our  mind,  those  of  the  late 
Sir  Michael  Foster,  Sir  Thomas  Hanbury, 
and  Dr.  Maxwell  T.  Masters.  Dr.  Masters 
has  written  on  this  subject  several  times  in 
these  pages,  even  during  the  present  year. 

We  have  pleasure  in  publishing  the  por- 
traits of  most  of  the  speakers  at  the  open- 
ing ceremony. 


The  Swanley  Horticultural  College. — 

The  inaugural  address  of  the  nature  study 
course  will  be  given  on  Saturday  July  27,  at  5 
p.m.,  by  Sir  Douglas  Fox.  The  course  pro- 
mises to  be  an  interesting  one,  over  60  students- 
having  entered  for  it.  A  copy  of  the  syllabus  may 
be  obtained  from  the  secretary,  Miss  M.  Keke- 
WICH. 

Reading  University  Gardens. — Professor 
Percival  has  been  appointed  Professor  of  Agri- 
culture and  Horticulture  at  the  Reading  Uni- 
versity, and  Mr.  Charles  Foster,  superintendent 
of  the  experimental  garden,  has  been  made 
Assistant  Director  of  Horticulture.  Those  who 
have  seen  the  excellent  cultivation  that  is 
practised  in  this  garden  will  be  glad  to  know 
of   Mr.   Foster's   appointment. 

The  Midland  Agricultural  and  Dairy 
College. — The  annual  meeting  will  be  held  at 
Kegworth  on  Monday,  July  29,  at  3.15  p.m.,  when 
the  report  on  the  year's  work  will  be  presented. 
Sir  John  Rolleston  will  address  the  meeting, 
and  present  the  certificates  gained  during  last 
session. 

Botanical  Gardens,  Christchurch,  New 
Zealand. — We  are  informed  that  Mr.  James 
Dawes  has  been  appointed  superintendent  of 
these  gardens.  Belore  leaving  England  Mr. 
Dawes  was  head  gardener  for  upwards  of  20 
years  to  Lord  Biddulph.  at  Ledbury,  Hereford- 
shire, from  which  establishment  he  frequently 
exhibited  fruit  at  the  principal  shows. 

A  Curious  Nesting  Place. — The  following 
paragraph  is  taken  from  a  recent  issue  of  the  Devon 
and  Exeter  Gazette: — "  A  strange  find  is  recorded 
from  Crediton.  As  some  Bananas  were  being 
pulled  from  a  large  bunch  a  birds'  nest,  contain- 
ing two  eggs,  was  revealed.  The  nest  was  com- 
posed of  cocoanut  fibre  and  sticks.  The  eggs  were 
dark  spotted  and  quite  perfect.  .  It  is  supposed  that 
the  bird  left  the  nest  and  was  unable  to  find  its  way 
back.  As  the  Bananas  grew  the  nest  and  eggs 
were  concealed  and  preserved."  That  the  bird 
was  a  native  of  the  country  where  the  Bananas 
grew  is  evident  from  the  fact  of  the  nest  being 
partially  composed  of  cocoanut  fibre,  and  it 
would  have  been  interesting  to  know  the  name  of 
the  bird,  which  could  have  been  ascertained  by 
submitting  the  eggs  to  an  ornithologist. 


July  27,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


to 


Experiments  in  Acclimatisation  in  the 
Tropics. — Until  the  present  time  researches  in 
acclimatisation  of  European  and  other  plants 
have  been  confined  to  relatively  few  species,  not- 
withstanding which  interesting  results  have  been 
obtained.  These  have  proved  it  to  be  essentially 
necessary  to  experiment  with  every  species,  it 
having  been  observed  that  two  species  of 
the  same  genus,  and  natives  of  one  and 
the  same  climate,  behave  .  in  a  perfectly 
contrary  manner  in  the  Tropics,  the  one 
vegetating  as  in  its  native  country,  the 
other  dying  out.  Artemisia  vulgaris,  a  well- 
known  European  plant,  growing  in  the  Botanical 
Garden  at  Saigon,  ripens  its  seeds  there.  Sam- 
bucus  canadensis,  a  Canadian  Elder  which 
withstands  an  enormous  degree  of  cold  in  its 
native  country,  succeeds  quite  well  in  a  botani- 
cal garden  in  Central  Africa,  not  far  distant 
from  the  equator.  Taraxacum  officinale,  the 
common  Dandelion  of  Europe,  grows  between 
the  Tropics ;  and  the  common  Milk  Thistle 
(Carduus  Marianus),  a  most  troublesome  weed, 
found  almost  everywhere,  is  likewise  a 
tropical  weed.  It  is  likewise  a  fact  that 
many  plants,  natives  of  the  warmer  regions  of 
the  world,  as,  for  example,  those  of  the  Medi- 
terranean region,  will  not  exist  in  tropical  coun- 
tries, and  it  is  tolerably  certain  that  here  lies 
an  enormous  field  for  the  experimen- 
talist's work.  "  When  I  have  established  my- 
self in  Java,"  writes  M.  BUYSMAN,  of  Middelburg, 
Holland,  in  Die  Gartenwelt,  of  June  15,  "  I  shall 
make  experiments  with  every  kind  of  plant  of 
which  I  can  obtain  seeds,  and  eventually  record 
the  dimensions  arrived  at  by  each  individual 
plant.  That  plants  which  will  withstand  the 
heat  of  tropical  countries  usually  reach  enor- 
mous dimensions  is  a  well-known  fact.  A  resi- 
dent in  Queensland — that  is,  in  tropical  Aus- 
tralia— informs  me  that  an  Oleander  growing  in 
his  garden  has  reached  a  height  and  diameter 
of  36  feet.  In  Java,  with  its  magnificent  cli- 
mate, experiments  may  be  carried  out  during 
the  entire  year,  and  I  intend  to  carry  out  exten- 
sive researches  in  acclimatisation,  the  results  of 
which  I  hope  will  be  of  importance  to  horticul- 
ture in  general." 

The  Bud  Disease  of  Lilac. — In  parts  of 
Germany,  a  condition  of  the  buds  of  the  common 
Lilac  has  been  noticed,  to  which  has  been  given 
the  names  "  Bud  disease  "  and  "  Witch-knot," 
or  "Witches'  broom,"  under-  which  two  last 
names  something  rather  different  is  understood. 
The  cause  of  the  disease  has  been  determined  by 
Dr.  R.  Laubert  to  be  a  mite  so  minute  as  not 
to  be  visible  to  the  naked  eye — Phytoptus  Loewi, 
one  of  the  gall-mites  which  are  the  causes 
of  so  many  diseases  and  malformations  in 
plants.  This  minute  creature  is  impervious  to 
heat  and  cold,  and  is  capable  of  existing  in  the 
perfect  state  throughout  our  coldest  winters.  It 
is  seen  as  a  reddish  mass  under  the  bud  scales 
of  the  plants,  consisting  of  numerous  cylindrical 
caterpillar-like  forms  \  mm.  long,  1-20  mm. 
broad,  furnished  at  the  fore  end  with  four  short 
legs.  These  mites  were  discovered  in  diseased 
buds  taken  from  Lilac  bushes  on  January  25 
last,  which  had  been  exposed  to  \2\°  and  20° 
Celsius.  They  became  lively  after  being  in  a 
room  for  a  short  time,  so  that  neither  the  great 
cold  nor  the  sudden  warmth  of  the  room  had 
any  injurious  effects  on  them.  As  with  the  Black- 
currant bud  mite,  so  with  this  new-comer ;  it  is 
a  matter  of  extreme  difficulty  to  discover  a 
method  reasonably  practicable  of  dealing  with 
this  enemy  of  the  gardener.  The  likeliest  means 
for  their  destruction  would  be  to  apply  some 
kind  of  wash  or  powder  to  the  affected  bushes 
in  the  second  half  of  the  month  of  May,  when 
the  mite  leaves  its  place  of  concealment 
and  is  searching  for  a  new  one.  The  notice  from 
which     these    details     are     taken     appeared    in 


Die  Gartenwelt  for  June  15  last,  from  the  pen 
of  Dr.  Laubert,  and  it  may  induce  other  ob- 
servers to  give  their  experiences  concerning  this 
mite,  for  there  is  but  little  existing  literature  on 
the  subject,  beyond  disconnected  notices  concern- 
ing bud  disease  and  witch-knot  disease  of  Syrin- 
ga,  as,  for  instance,  those  of  Loew  (Vienna,  1879)  ; 
WlTTMACK  (Berlin,  1882)  ;  Frank,  1896 ;  and 
Von  Tubeuf,  1901  and  1905. 

Sensitiveness  of  the  Stigma  in  Torenia 
Fournieri. — At  this  season  the  flowering  of 
Torenia  Fournieri  is  at  its  best,  and  it  may 
not  be  without  interest,  writes  C.  Rimann  in 
Die  Garten-cvclt  for  June  22,  to  observe  the  move- 
ment of  the  stigma  when  touched.  The  flower 
of  this  plant  exhibits  an  extended  stigma,  at  the 
end  of  which  are  two  slightly-bent-asunder  seg- 
ments. When  the  stigma  is  touched  with  a  lead 
pencil  point,  or  camelhair  brush,  the  segments 
close  in  the  manner  of  the  leaves  of  Dionaea 
muscipula.  A  further  discovery  showed  that 
these  expanded  again  after  a  short  period  of 
time.  Flowers  were  observed  which  remained 
closed.  When  pollen  was  conveyed  on  a  pencil 
to  the  stigmas,  it  was  noticed  that  these  seg- 
ments of  the  female  organ  became  permanently 
closed,  so  that  one  came  to  the  conclusion  that 
the  closing  was  due  to  effective  pollination  of 
the  flowers,  and  the  movement  observed  was  in- 
tended to  hold  fast  any  insect  which  might  be  a 
pollen  carrier  ;  but  as  an  insect  might  visit  a 
flower  and  bring  no  pollen,  the  opening  of  the 
segments  after  an  interval  would  allow  it  to 
escape. 

The  Best  Fruits.— The  Pomological  Section 
of  the  National  Horticultural  Society  of  France 
has  published  a  work  for  the  use  of  members 
who  are  interested  in  fruit-growing.  In  size, 
Les  meilleurs  Fruits,  au  debut  du  xxe  siecle,  is 
llin.  x  7in.,  and  consists  of  632  pages  of 
well  printed  text.  It  is  issued  in  paper  wrap- 
pers and  liberally  illustrated  in  black  and  white. 
The  general  plan  of  the  work,  like  most  of  the 
publications  of  this  society,  enables  the  reader 
to  have  easy  access  to  the  information  contained 
in  it.  The  book  begins  with  a  brief  history  of 
the  science  of  pomology,  which  is  followed  by 
a  treatise  on  diseases  and  insect  pests,  with 
directions  for  the  necessary  treatment.  The 
body  of  the  work  contains  a  very  full  account  of 
the  varieties  of  fruits  selected  by  the  compilers, 
and  they  number  in  all  about  250,  all  of  them 
being  arranged  in  alphabetical  order.  The  de- 
scriptive matter  gives  the  name,  synonyms, 
origin,  followed  by  details  concerning  the  tree 
or  plant,  as  the  case  may  be,  foliage,  and  full 
description  of  the  fruit.  There  are  several  good 
tables,  one  of  which  deals  with  the  season  of 
maturity  of  the  fruits  recommended  :  another, 
with  the  form  it  is  considered  best  for  the  trees 
to  be  grown  in.  Notwithstanding  the  size  of 
this  work,  reference  is  greatly  facilitated  by  the 
excellent  arrangement.  The  book  is  primarily 
intended  for  members  of  the  society,  and  we  do 
not  know  whether  it  can  be  obtained  by  the 
general  public,  but  in  any  case  it  is  an  ac- 
ceptable addition  to  pomological  literature. 

Vitis  vulpina. — A  correspondent  writing  on 
this  species  in  the  issue  of  the  Oesierreichisclie 
Garten-Zeitung  for  July  states  that  there  is  no 
more  suitable  plant  for  quickly  covering  tree 
trunks,  buildings,  walls,  fences,  and  arbours  and 
in  particular  in  forming  festoons  along  or  above 
garden  fencing,  than  the  Fox  Grape  vine,  Vitis 
vulpina,  a  smooth-stemmed,  tall,  climbing 
species,  which  makes  annual  shoots  9  feet  in 
length.  The  heart-shaped  leaves  of  this  plant 
are  of  a  bright  green  colour  on  both  sides  ;  the 
greenish-yellow  flowers  which  appear  in  June 
are  fragrant  and  the  unpalatable  berries  that 
follow  are  of  a  dark  blue  tint.    The  effect  of  this 


but  little-known  plant  is  exceedingly  graceful 
when  the  shoots  are  trained  festoon-wise  over 
iron  standards  or  lattice  work.  For  such  purposes 
the  plants  are  set  out  at  distances  of  from  2J 
to  3  yards,  or  wider,  apart,  and  a  pole  of  iron 
or  hard  wood  is  placed  to  each  plant  with  sus- 
pended chains  stretching  from  one  to  the  other. 

Publications  Received.— The  Dahlia  News 
(America)  for  June. — Annual  Report  of  the  Royal 
Botanic  Garden,  Calcutta,  and  the  Lloyd  Botanic 
Garden,  Darjeeling,  for  the  year  1906-1907. — Bees  for 
Pleasure  and  Profit,  by  G.  Gordon  Samson.  Published 
by  Crosby,  Lockwood  and  Son,  price  one  shilling. 


HORTICULTURE    IN    EGYPT. 

(Concluded  from  page  42.) 
Temperate  Fruits. 

The  number  of  fruits  which  can  be  success- 
fully cultivated  in  Egypt  is  remarkable.  Among 
tree-fruits  from  temperate  regions  the  most  ex- 
tensively grown  is  the  Mish-mish,  a  very  poor 
variety  of  the  Apricot,  which  is  common 
throughout  the  north  of  Africa  from  Egypt  to 
Morocco.  The  trees  are  almost  always  grown 
from  seeds.  There  is  little  doubt  but  that  with 
reasonable  treatment  the  better  varieties  of 
Apricots  could  be  grown  with  equal  success. 
Plums,  Pears,  and  Peaches  are  all  of  poor 
quality,  but  what  is  possible  by  proper  cultiva- 
tion and  the  introduction  of  better  varieties  has 
yet  to  be  proved,  although  the  presence  of  about 
half  a  dozen  Plum  trees  of  European  varieties 
bearing  good  crops  of  excellent  fruit  places  the 
question  in  the  case  of  this  fruit  beyond  doubt. 

Large  quantities  of  excellent  Strawberries  are 
grown  around  the  towns  in  Upper  Egypt.  The 
plants  continue  bearing  for  six  months,  and  the 
value  of  a  good  crop  is  about  £50  per  feddan  : 
in  one  case  which  came  under  my  notice,  the 
crop  was  sold  for  £72  per  feddan.  The  ex- 
penses connected  with  the  cultivation  of  this 
crop,  including  rent  and  water  charges,  are 
rarely  more  than  £30.  Many  Europeans  grow 
their  own  Strawberries,  as  the  native  has  a 
habit  of  licking  off  any  dirt  which  happens  to 
be  present  on  the  fruit ! 

The  most  important  sub-tropical  fruits  are  the 
Grape  and  the  Fig,  and  of  these  good  varieties 
exist,  therefore  both  are  profitable  crops.  Pome- 
granates are.  also  common  throughout  the 
country,  but  the  fruits  are  usually  picked  when 
green  for  use  in  dying  and  tanning  leather.  If 
they  are  not  gathered  until  they  are  ripe  it  is 
necessary  to  enclose  each  in  a  muslin  bag,  to 
ward  off  a  caterpillar  which  lays  its  eggs  inside 
the    pulp. 

The  Japanese  Date  Plum,  Diospyros  Kaki, 
grows  very  freely  and  bears  heavy  crops 
of  luscious  fruits,  which  sell  in  the  market  at 
from  l^d.  to  2id.  each.  Unfortunately  the 
tree  is  not  common,  but  it  is  easy  of  propaga- 
tion, and  its  planting  will  no  doubt  spread 
quickly  throughout  the  country.  The  Japanese 
Loquat  is  more  common,  but  this  fruit  is  much 
less  esteemed  than  the  preceding.  The  most 
important  ground-fruits  in  Egypt  are  Water  and 
Sweet  Melons,  and  Tomatos.  All  these  grow 
with  the  utmost  ease  without  staking  or  other 
care  except  watering. 

Tomatos. 

Large  numbers  of  persons  are  engaged  in  the 
marketing  of  Tomatos,  and  a  considerable  export 
trade  is  done  with  Austria,  Russia,  &c.  Last 
year  the  value  of  Tomatos  exported  amounted  to 
more  than  £20,000.  j 

Purely  tropical  fruits  appear  to  thrive  in 
Egypt,  as  well  as  those  from  more  temperate 
regions,  in  spite  of  the  cold  weather  often  ex- 
perienced in  winter.  Mangos  are  bearing  good 
crops  at  the  present  time,  and  bringing  enor- 
mous profits  to  their  owners.  Sapodilla  Plums, 
Indian  Damsons,  Avocado  Pears,  Guavas  and 
Sweet  Sop  are  all  growing  well,  in  addition  to 
various  other  fruits  of  minor  importance,  such 
as  the  Rose  Annie  and  Brazil  Cherry.  Unfor- 
tunately, however,  no  one  has  been  sufficiently 
enterprising  to  propagate  them  in  quantity,  so 
that  in  the  case  of  many  species  there  are  but 
few  trees  in  the  country.  Something  will  no 
doubt  be  now  done  in  this  matter  by  the  horti- 
cultural societies. 


74 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[July  27,  1907. 


When  the  supply  of  these  tropical  fruits  be- 
comes sufficiently  great  to  allow  their  being 
exported,  Egypt  will  be  able  to  send  to  the 
European  markets  kinds  which  are  as  yet  un- 
known outside  tropical  countries. 


of  the  industry,  and  starting  operations.  For 
English  gardeners  with  a  little  capital  and  busi- 
ness training,  there  are  good  prospects  in  all 
branches  of  commercial  gardening  in  Egypt. 
T.  W.  B. 


FlG.   33. — AMPHICOME    EMODi:    FLOWERS    ROSE-COLOf  RED,    WITH    ORANGE-TINTED   THROAT. 
(Exhibited  at  R.H.S.  meeting  by  Messrs.  James  Veitch  &  Sons.) 


In  the  production  of  vegetables,  as  in  the  cul- 
tivation of  fruits,  there  is  a  great  future  for 
the  country.  The  quantity  of  Cabbages  and 
other  vegetables  exported  yearly  is  growing,  and 
it  is  not  any  exaggeration  to  say  that  Egypt  will 
at  no  distant  date  become  the  market  garden  of 
Europe.  Several  land  companies  and  private 
land  owners  are  recognising  the  vast  possibilities 


AMPHICOME    EMODI. 

The  genus  Amphicome  consists  of  only  two 
species,  both  natives  of  Northern  India.  They 
are  closely  allied  to  the  Incarvilleas,  and  the 
plant  now  illustrated  at  fig.  33  was  described  by 
Dr.  Wallich  as  Incarvillea  Emodi.  Amphicome 
arguta   was   the   first   species   to   flower   in   this 


country  in  the  Horticultural  Society's  garden  in 
1837.  It  is  taller  and  more  elegant  in  growth 
than  A.  Emodi,  the  leaves  and  flowers  being 
smaller.  It  grows  at  an  elevation  of  6,000- 
8,000  feet  in  the  North-west  Himalayas. 

A.  Emodi  received  an  Award  of  Merit  from 
the  Royal  Horticultural  Society,  when  exhibited 
by  Messrs.  James  Veitch  and  Sons,  Chelsea,  on 
June  25  last.  It  is  the  more  ornamental  of  the 
two  species  for  garden  purposes.  The  flowers 
are  larger  than  those  of  A.  arguta,  and  very 
much  resemble  Incarvillea  Delavayi,  though 
smaller.  The  racemose  inflorescences  are  1  foot 
to  2  feet  in  height,  and  they  bear  numerous 
flowers.  These  open  in  succession,  there  being 
sometimes  as  many  as  36  in  all.  Some  of  the 
racemes  are  branched.  The  flowers  are  rose-pink 
in  colour,  with  an  orange  throat.  The  habit  of 
the  plant  is  dwarf,  almost  creeping  ;  the  leaves  are 
green,  glabrous  and  bear  numerous  leaflets.  Seeds 
of  this  plant  were  received  at  Kew  from  India  in 
1852,  and  being  grown  in  a  cool  pit,  flowers 
were  produced  in  1855.  A.  Emodi  inhabits  the 
mountains  of  Emodi.  The  species  is  figured  in 
the  Botanical  Magazine,  tab.  4,890.  ^ 

Although  found  at  high  altitudes, neither  of  the 
species  of  Amphicome  is  hardy  in  this  country, 
although  in  the  mild  climate  of  the  south-western 
counties  the  plants  will  live  through  the  winter 
if  protected  from  excessive  moisture  and 
s?vere  frosts.  The  greenhouse  affords  the 
most  suitable  place  for  the  cultivation 
of  the  plants.  Propagation  is  effected  by 
seeds  and  cuttings.  The  seeds  should  be 
sown  in  spring,  and  some  of  the  plants  thus 
raised  will  flower  in  the  second  year,  Cuttings 
can  be  rooted  in  sandy  soil  from  March  on- 
wards. The  most  suitable  soil  for  use  in  pot- 
ting is  one  consisting  of  fibrous  loam,  peat  or 
leaf-mould  and  sand.  It  must  be  well  drained, 
as  Amphicomes  dislike  excess  of  water  at  any 
season,  and  during  winter  they  require  very 
little  water.      O. 


HOME    CORRESPONDENCE. 


Carnations  at  Stanley  Park. — At  Stanley 
Park,  Stroud,  the  residence  of  Sir  William  Mar- 
ling,  Bart.,  Souvenir  de  la  Malmaison  Carna- 
tions are  grown  in  large  numbers.  The  plants 
are  accommodated  in  a  large  span-roofed  struc- 
ture, and  they  are  in  the  finest  condition  of  cul- 
ture. The  varieties  include  Princess  of  Wales, 
Old  Blush,  Margaret,  King  Oscar,  Duchess  of 
Westminster,  Mercia,  Grace,  Lady  Grimston, 
Cecilia,  Albion,  Mrs.  Trelawny,  Mrs.  Martin 
Smith,  Lord  YVelby,  Nell  Gwynne,  and  many 
others.  Mr.  Walton,  the  gardener,  is  to  be  con- 
gratulated upon  the  beautiful  show  of  these 
flowers.  William  Driver,  Hope  Cottage,  Stone- 
house. 

Pines  attacked  by  Peridermium. — Small 
trees  of  Pinus  Strobus,  P.  Lambertiana,  P.  mon- 
ticola,  and  P.  aristata  growing  in  these  gardens 
have  been  attacked  by  this  fungus.  From  a  close 
examination  of  the  infested  trees,  the  progress 
of  the  disease  appears  to  be  as  follows: — The 
small  branches  are  attacked  first  and  the  bark 
around  the  branch  for  a  distance  of  a  few  inches 
swells,  and  later  small  bladders  are  formed  on 
it.  These  burst  in  April  and  shed  innumerable 
scores,  which,  to  the  naked  eye,  resemble  yellow 
pollen.  Just  previous  to  the  ripening  of  the 
spores  the  disease  may  perhaps  be  checked,  and 
the  tree  saved  by  cutting  away  the  affected  parts, 
but,  unfortunately,  the  latter  being  small,  they 
are  easily  overlooked.  The  diseased  parts  are 
only  conspicuous  when  the  bladder-like  swel- 
lings burst,  and  they  are  more  often  present 
where  the  branches  are  thickest.  The  following 
season  the  disease  encircles  some  of  the  larger 
branches,  and  frequently  the  main  stem,  the 
rings  being  sometimes  9  to  12  inches  in  width. 
Much  resin  is  exuded  at  the  seat  of  injury ; 
the  wood  at  this  spot  is  rendered  peculiarly  soft, 
and  when  cut  through  it  is  found  to  be  soaked 
with  resin.  In  spring  the  colonies  of  yellow 
spores  are  very  noticeable.  When  the  central 
stem  is  affected  there  appears  to  be  no  remedy, 
and  the  part  above  the  injury  soon  dies.  In  the 
case  of  our  trees  as  many  as  possible  of  the 
diseased  parts  have  been  removed  and  burnt, 
and  the  remainder,  together  with  the  soil, 
sprayed  with  a  solution  of  sulphide  of  potassium. 
/.  Comber,  The  Gardens,  Nymans,  Crawley, 
Sussex. 


July  27,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS     CHRONICLE. 


75 


Strawberry  the  Laxton. — I  read  Air.  L. 
Castle's  defence  of  this  new  Strawberry  (see 
p.  13)  with  interest,  because  there  can  be  no 
doubt  that  it  does  splendidly  at  Bedford,  v,  here 
it  is  planted  in  large  breadths  and  fruits  heavily. 
When  it  was  presented  to  the  Fruit  Committee 
of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society,  the  variety 
raised  hopes,  for  not  only  were  the  fruits  rich  in 
colour  and  of  good  form,  but  they  were  specially 
rich  in  flavour.  Has  the  cause  of  its  failure 
in  some  directions  been  due  to  a  too  rapid  in- 
crease from  late  weak  runners,  or  to  the  plant 
requiring  stiff,  strong  loams,  such  as  is  seen 
at  Bedford,  in  preference  to  lighter  soils?  Mr. 
Markham's  practice  of  obtaining  plants  by  select- 
ing the  earliest  runners  from  young  non-fruiting 
plants  is  no  doubt  the  best,  and  it  is  the  plan 
most  generally  adopted  by  good  growers.  Were 
The  Laxton  propagated  in  this  manner  only,  it 
is  very  possible  that  good  results  would  follow. 
It  is  certainly  a  delicious  fruit.     D.  A. 

Rose.— I  recently  discovered  a  Rose  with 
flowers  somewhat  resembling  the  variety  Aus- 
trial  Copper  in  colour,  but  rather  brighter  in  tint 
and  much  smaller  in  size.  The  foliage  and  habit 
of  growth  were  like  those  of  the  common  Sweet 
Briar,  and  the  wood  was  covered  with  a  bronze- 
coloured  bark.  Upon  examination,  I  found  this 
was  an  old  stock,  upon  which  had  been  worked, 
presumably,  a  trailing  variety,  as  it  was  planted 
at  the  foot  of  a  garden  arch.  The  plant  had  evi- 
dently been  in  this  position  many  years,  as  the 
wood  at  the  base  was  very  large,  and  showed 
evidence  of  much  pruning.  This  stock  was 
unknown  to  me,  and  when  reading  Dr. 
Bonavia's  note  on  p.  14,  I  thought  that 
my  variety  might  be  the  same  as  his.  Unfor- 
tunately I  am  not  able  to  send  specimen  flowers 
for  comparison,  as  the  plant  has  since  been  de- 
stroyed.     C.    R. 

Sweet  Peas  to  Name. — As  one  of  the  judges 
of  the  audit  class  for  Sweet  Peas  at  the  recent 
Sweet  Pea  Exhibition,  I  wish  to  say  that  it  was 
with  extreme  reluctance  myself  and  colleagues 
found  it  needful  to  disqualify  three  collections. 
In  two  cases  flowers  that  were  probably  Lord 
Rosebery  were  shown  as  John  Ingman,  and  in 
one  other  exhibit  two  spikes  of  a  somewhat  simi- 
lar, yet  diverse  variety  were  found  in  a  vase 
in  which  the  rest  of  the  flowrs  were  properly 
named.  In  this  latter  case  no  excuse  can  avail, 
as  anyone  could  readily  see  that  the  two  spikes 
were  distinct  from  the  true  variety.  In  the  case 
of  the  two  other  collections,  it  is  probable  that 
the  exhibitors  received  from  some  seedsmen  the 
variety  under  the  name  of  Jblin  Ingman,  and 
showed  it  in  the  belief  that  it  was  correctly 
named.  If  that  were  so,  I  would  suggest  that 
in  future  the  competitors  be  required  to  state  on 
their  name  cards  the  name  of  the  vendor  from 
whom  the  seeds  were  obtained.  That  might 
lead  to  the  exercise  of  greater  care.     A.  D. 

A  Heavy  Thunderstorm  in  North  Wales. 
— On  the  21st  inst.  we  experienced  a  terrific 
thunderstorm  that  caused  much  damage  to  the 
growing  crops.  The  lightning  killed  several 
sheep,  and  shattered  some  trees  to  pieces.  In 
less  than  three  hours  1.75  inch  of  rain  fell,  and 
the  rain  was  accompanied  by  hailstones  as  large 
as  marbles.  One  farmer  had  his  Swedes  in  a 
field  washed  away  by  the  heavy  rush  of  water. 
Many  things  in  the  gardens  are  splashed  to 
such  an  extent  that  they  are  useless  for  the 
time  being,  and  the  effect  of  this  is  seen  as 
high  as  2  feet  6  inches  from  the  ground.  Other 
plants  were  battered  to  the  ground.  The  storm 
lasted  for  more  than  13  hours.  /.  S.  Higgins, 
Shug  Gardens,   Corwtn. 

Storm  in  Staffordshire. — We  experienced 
a  severe  thunderstorm  in  this  neighbourhood  on 
the  2'2nd  inst.,  between  1.30  and  4.30  a.m.  On  this 
estate  a  very  large  Oak  tree  was  torn  completely 
up  and  the  bole  was  split  into  four  large  pieces  ; 
one  piece  weighing  about  10  cwt.  was  thrown 
a  distance  of  30  yards,  and  some  of  the  other 
pieces  were  hurled  100  yards.  The  top  of  the  tree 
finally  rested  where  the  roots  of  the  tree  should  be. 
Arthur  Batsman,  Hints  Hall  Gardens,  Tamworth, 
Staffs.,  July  23,  1907. 

The  International  Horticultural  Ex- 
hibition, 1866. — A  few  weeks  ago  the  Gardeners' 
Chronicle  published  a  photograph  of  the  members 
of  the  committee  in  connection  with  the  lamented 
death  of  Dr.  Masters.  It  was  mentioned  that  Mr. 
Harry  J.  Veitch,  V.M.H.,  is  now  the  only  survivor. 
In  scanning  the  group  my  attention  was  arrested 
by  a  remarkable  likeness    between  one    of    the 


gentlemen  figured  and  a  well-known  engineer,  Mr. 
Edward  Easton,  who  has  a  country  house  in  this 
district.  This  morning  I  met  Mr.  Easton  and 
mentioned  the  circumstance.  He  smilingly  assured 
me  that  he  is  the  same  Mr.  Easton  as  formed  one 
of  the  famous  committee.  Mr.  Easton  gave  me 
some  very  interesting  recollections  of  the  opening 
day,  one  item  which  dwells  in  his  memory  being 
that  he  was  compelled  to  collect  admission  money 
in  his  hat!  Walter  P.  Wright,  The  Grey  House, 
Lyminge,  Kent,  July  22,  1907. 

Summer     Pruning    of    Fruit     Trees. — A 

large  percentage  'of  prominent  woodbuds  on 
strong  shoots  of  the  current  year's  growth  are, 
as  the  result  of  summer  pruning,  converted  into 
fruit-buds  which  will  blossom  the  following 
spring.  A  number  of  the  less  prominent  wood- 
buds  on  the  weaker  and  later  summer-pruned 
shoots  are  changed  into  embryo  fruit-buds 
that  will  duly  mature  during  the  following 
spring,  summer  and  autumn,  and  develop  blos- 
soms in  the  spring  of  the  next  year.  H.  W. 
Ward,  Rayleigh. 

New  Hybrid  Tree  P/eony,  Madame  Louis 
Henry. — This  apparently  beautiful  and  interest- 
ing hybrid  is  described  by  its  raiser,  Monsieur 
Henry,  in  tfie  current  number  of  the  Paris  Rt  mu 
Horticolc.  It  is  botanically  interesting  as  being 
the  first  result  of  an  endeavour  to  fertilise  the 
flowers  of  the  golden  yellow-flowered  P.  Delavayi 
or  P.  lutea  with  the  pollen  of  one  of  the  rose- 
coloured  forms  of  P.  Moutan.  The  initial  dif- 
ficulty that  had  to  be  overcome  in  effecting  this 
cross  was  that  P.  lutea  flowered  about  a  fortnight 
earlier  than  the  Moutan  varieties,  but  pollen  was 
ultimately  secured  from  one  of  the  handsomest  of 
the  Moutan  varieties,  named  Elizabeth.  Seventeen 
seeds  were  obtained,  only  five  of  which  ger- 
minated, of  which  only  two  could  be  reared.  The 
flower  is  said  to  show  all  the  characteristics  of 
both  parents,  borrowing  from  its  pollen  bearer 
the  beautiful  red  ground  colour  with  which  is 
mingled  the  bright,  intense  yellow  of  the  seed 
bearer,  producing  a  beautilully  striped  flower 
at  least  three  times  the  size  of  that  of  P.  lutea, 
which  much  resembles  the  flower  of  a  Trollius. 
II7.  E.  Gumblcton. 

Souvenir  de  la  Malmaison  Carnations. — 
A  magnificent  collection  of  these  plants  in 
flower  was  noticed  at  Luton  Hoo  Gardens  on 
the  occasion  of  a  recent  visit,  and  Mr.  Metcalfe, 
the  gardener,  is  to  be  congratulated  on  having 
such  a  clean,  healthy  stock.  This  grower  layers 
his  plants  early  in  the  season,  and  the  largest 
he  places  in  9-inch  and  others  in  6-inch  pots. 
This  does  not  provide  much  root  room,  but  it 
is  sufficient,  as  the  larger  plants  were  many  of 
them  upwards  of  6  feet  in  height  and  flowering 
profusely,  some  of  the  blooms  being  upwards 
of  5  inches  in  diameter.  The  collection  at 
Luton  Hoo  includes  the  varieties  Jane  Sey- 
mour (pink),  Princess  of  Wales  (pink),  Thora 
(flesh  colour),  Calypso  (blush),  Lord  Welby  (red, 
an  extra  large  variety),  Grace  (rose-pink),  W.  H. 
Cutbush  (crimson),  H.  J.  Jones  (dark  crimson), 
King  Arthur  (dark  crimson),  Mrs.  Trelawny 
(light  red  I,  Churchwarden  (scarlet),  and 
Duchess  Consuelo  (yellow;.  Among  the  many 
improvements  made  in  these  gardens,  it  is 
pleasing  to  find  that  the  young  gardeners  have 
not  been  forgotten,  for  a  new  bothy  has  been 
built,  fitted  with  every  convenience  and  means 
of  comfort.  This  thoughtful  consideration  and 
kindness  to  the  employees  on  the  estate  is  much 
appreciated.  W.  H.  Divers,  Belvoir  Castle  Gar- 
dens. 

Names  for  Yuccas. — The  following  is  a 
supreme  effort  at  name-making  which  would  be 
hard  to  beat,  and  is  a  list  of  Yuccas — 50  in  number 
— which  have  come  to  hand  in  one  lot.  When  the 
Yuccas  increase  at  this  rate  the  lists  of  the  future 
will  be  quite  formidable.  /.  Smith,  Neicry.  [Mr. 
Smith  appends  a  list  containing  50  names. — Ed.]  . 

Bones  for  a  Vine  Border. — It  is  perfectly 
true  that  half-inch  bones  are  in  most  soils  a 
long  time  in  decaying,  and  consequently  they 
yield  but  little  nourishment  to  vines.  I  have 
long  discontinued  using  them,  although  I  usually 
prepare  one  or  more  new  borders  every  season, 
and  now  use  steamed  bone  flour  with  good  ue- 
sults.  I  have  no  means  of  knowing  how  long 
this  material  lasts  in  the  border,  for  it  soon  be- 
comes invisible.  A  good  dressing  of  powdered 
bones  should  be  applied  to  the  surface  of  the 
border  every  alternate  autumn,  and  it  will 
speedily  find  its  way  down  into  the  soil.    In  one 


case  that  came  under  my  notice,  half-inch  bones 
almost  wholly  disappeared  in  one  seasoi,,  but 
the  soil  in  which  they  were  placed  was  •  ery 
deficient  in  lime.     Wm.  Taylor,  Batn. 

Is  W.  P.  R.  engaged  (p.  14)  in  knock- 
ing a  hoary  tradition  on  the  head,  when  lie 
impugns  the  value  of  half -inch  bones  ss  a 
manure  for  vines,  and,  as  a  natural  corollary, 
other  plants?  The  tradition  has  had  in  its  dav 
many  strong  believers,  and  amongst  others 
the  late  Mr.  A.  F.  Barron,  whose  book 
on  the  vine  is  still  the  standard  work  on 
the  subject,  and  who  advises  the  use  of  small 
bones  because  they  continue  to  furnish  plant 
food  for  many  years.  W.  P.  R.'s  experience 
seems  to  have  been  that  half-inch  bones  are 
practically  insoluble.  Their  ready  conversion  into 
plant  food  may  largely  depend  on  certain  chemi- 
cal constituents  in  the  soil.  Mr.  Barrou.  how. 
ever,  lays  emphasis  on  the  value  of  bone  meal, 
dissolved  bones,  and  horn  shavings  (practically 
soft  bone),  as  being  most  valuable  manures.     A. 

Gooseberries    and    Currants. — It    is    far 

from  being  a  pleasant  vocation  to  pose  as  a 
prophet  of  evil.  Still,  some  writers — even 
scientists — seem  to  revel  in  the  function.  In  the 
observations  on  the  Gooseberry-mildew  under 
the  name  of  Mr.  Salmon,  I  observe  it  is  said  : 
"  The  disease,  which  unless  resolutely  stamped 
out,  will  gradually  invade  and  ruin  their  Goose- 
berry plantations  just  as  the  '  Big  Bud  '  mite  has 
rumed  Black  Currant  plantations."  It  is  an  odd 
comment  on  this  prediction  that  we  have  never 
had  finer  crops  of  both  Gooseberries  and  Black 
Currants  than  this  year.  I  think,  when  the 
crop  returns  are  published  in  your  pages,  it 
will  be  found  that  this  state  of  things  is  wide- 
spread. That  being  so,  one  fails  to  see  why  in- 
dulgence should  be  given  to  such  gloomy  an- 
ticipations. They  remind  one  of  what  was  said 
many  years  ago  respecting  the  Potato  crops,  yet 
without  repressive  legislation  Potatos  to-day  are 
better  in  health  and  strength  than  ever.  After 
all,  the  optimistic  cultivator  is  the  more  reli- 
able worker  and  adviser.     A.  D: 

The  Weather  in  Durham. — We  have  never 
before  experienced  such  a  cold,  wet  spring  and 
summer  as  those  just  past.  The  Apple  crop  is 
a  complete  failure  here,  for  although  we  have 
a  large  number  of  treys,  not  a  single  fruit  is  to 
be  seen  upon  them,  except  in  the  case  of  three 
young  trees  planted  at  the  foot  of  a  wall.  Early 
in  the  spring  there  was  every  prospect  of  an 
abundance  of  bloom,  but  owing  to  the  continued 
cold  and  wet  weather  the  blossoms  rotted  on  the 
trees.  Other  fruits,  including  Plums,  Currants, 
Gooseberries,  Strawberries,  &c,  are  promising 
fairly  good  crops.  Pears  are  scarce.  I  have  not 
seen  an  account  of  the  Apple  crop  in  southern 
counties,  but  am  anxious  to  do  so.  Hailstones 
fell  in  the  first  week  of  June,  at  which  time  we 
also  had  cold,  frosty  nights.  W.  H.  Lund, 
Egglesione  Hall  Gardens,  near  Darlington. 


SOCIETIES. 


ROYAL   HORTICULTURAL. 

Jvly  24. — The  ordinary  fortnightly  meeting 
of  the  committees  took  place  on  Tuesday  last 
in  the  Society's  hall  in  Vincent  Square. 

The  Orchid  Committee  recommended  four 
Awards  of  Merit  to  novelties. 

The  Floral  Committee  recommended  four 
Awards  of  Merit,  and  there  were  as  many  as  31 
groups  staged  for  inspection  by  this  committee. 

The  Fruit  and  Vegetable  Committee  re- 
commended an  Award  of  Merit  to  a  known 
variety  of  Strawberry,  namely,  Fillbasket. 

At  the  afternoon  meeting  78  new  Fellows  were 
elected.  A  paper  on  "  Rare  Trees  and  Shrubs  in 
the  Open  Air'"  was  announced  for  reading  by 
the  Hon.  Vicary  Gibbs,  of  Aldenham,  but  this 
gentleman  was  unable  to  be  present,  and  the 
paper  was  not  delivered.  The  lantern  slides, 
however,  which  were  to  illustrate  the  paper 
were  shown  on  the  screen,  and  the  secretary, 
the  Rev.  W.  Wilks  gave  a  short  description  of 
each  as  it  was  presented. 

Floral  Committee. 

Present:    Henry  B.   May,   Esq.,   in  the  chair; 

and  Messrs.   C   T.    Druerv,   Jno.   Green,   T.   W. 

Turner,  R.  C.  Nctcutt,  J.  T.  Bennett-Poe,  J.  W. 

Barr,   H.  J.   Cutbush,  W.   Howe,   Geo.   Reuthe, 


76 


THE    GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


[July  27,  1907. 


Jas.  Douglas,  Arthur  Turner,  Chas.  Dixon,  H. 
J.  Jones,  C.  El  Pearson,  C.  E.  Shea,  W.  P. 
Thomson,  E.  H.  Jenkins,  W.  J.  James,  R.  C. 
Reginald  Nevill,  E:  T.  Cook,  and  R.  Hooper 
Pearson.  ^ 

Lord  Aldeneam,  Elstree  (gr.  Mr.  E.  Beckett, 
V.M.H.),  displayed  a  large  and  interesting  ex- 
hibit of  sprays  of  flowering  and  ornamental-foli- 
aged  trees  and  shrubs.  The  exhibit  was  of 
much  educational  value,  as  affording  a  know- 
ledge of  showy  species  and  varieties  for  the 
shrubbery  and  garden.  The  display  was  ar- 
ranged across  the  whole  of  the  platform  end  of 
the  Hall  on  one  long  table.  Some  of  the  best 
specimens  amongst  this  fine  collection  were 
Buddleia  variabilis,  Acer  rubellum,  Philadel- 
phus  grandiflorus,  Jasminum  revolutum,  Cas- 
sinia  fulvida,  Cistus  laurifolius  (finely  in  flower), 
Zenobia  speciosa,  and  Berberis  Darwinii.  Near 
by,  and  from  the  same  gardens,  was  a  well- 
flowered  batch  of  Streptocarpus,  with  flowers  in 
shades  of  violet,  purple,  pink,  white,  &c.  The 
plants  were  in  all  cases  abundantly  flowered, 
those  of  the  first-named  colours  being  especially 
strong,  with  flower  stems  a  foot  or  more  in 
height.  The  white-flowered  varieties  were  of 
dwarfer  habit,  but  also  very  freely  flowered. 
(Silver-Gilt  Flora  Medal.) 

Messrs.  James  Veitch  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  King's 
Road,  Chelsea,  showed  a  miscellaneous  group  of 
greenhouse  flowering  and  foliage  plants.  Lobelia 
Richardsonii  was  shown  on  an  elevated  stand 
with  long  growths  overhanging  and  terminating 
in  bunches  of  pale  blue-coloured  flowers ;  it 
would  form  an  admirable  subject  for  planting 
in  hanging  baskets.  Impatiens  Holstii  has 
flowers  of  a  rich  orange-scarlet  shade  ;  I.  The 
Sultan  is  a  magneta  self-coloured  flower. 
Boxes  contained  Spiraea  Bumalda  and  the 
finely-coloured  variety  Anthony  Waterer.  Cea- 
nothus  "  Georges  Simon  "  has  large  terminal  in- 
florescences of  a  pale  pink  colour.  We  also 
noticed  a  spray  of  the  beautiful  Stuartia  Pseudo- 
Camellia   described   in   our   last  issue,   p.    51. 

Messrs.  H.  B.  May  &  Sons,  Edmonton, 
showed  big  clumps  of  Ixora  Williamsii  (coral 
red),  I.  Fraserii  (pale  red),  and  I.  macrophylla, 
in  a  collection  of  other  flowering  plants  and 
choice  Ferns.  The  last-mentioned  Ixora  was 
shown  in  5-inch  pots,  each  with  a  terminal  head 
of  bright-red  flowers,  the  inflorescences  measur- 
ing over  1  foot  in  diameter.  Amongst  the 
other  flowering  plants  we  may  mention  Clero- 
dendron  fallax,  Salvia  "  Zurich,"  Solanum  jas- 
minoides,  and  Hydrangea  paniculata.  (Silver- 
Flora  Medal.) 

Messrs.  Bark  &  Sons,  King  Street,  Covent 
Garden,  London,  W.C.,  showed  13  species  of 
Eucalyptus  in  small  pots,  raised  from  seeds 
sown  in  January  of  this  year. 

Messrs.  S.  Bide  &  Sons,  Farnham,  Surrey,  ex- 
hibited an  extensive  group  of  Roses,  all  of  their 
new  variety  Queen  of  Spain.  Some  of  the 
flowers  were  shaded  pink,  and  others  were 
cream-coloured,  according  to  the  age  of  the 
bloom.      (Silver   Banksian   Medal.) 

Messrs.  W.  Paul  &  Sons,  Waltham  Cross, 
Herts.,  showed  a  pretty  display  of  Roses  in 
baskets,  stands  and  boxes.  Several  were  new, 
and  one  is  described  under  Awards.  Another 
new  variety  is  Mrs.  Isabelle  Milner,  a  hybrid 
perpetual  Rose,  with  white  petals  flushed  with 
pink  ;  Marquise  de  Sinety  is  also  new — the  petals 
are  of  a  bronzy-yellow  shade.  The  exhibit 
included  Pharisaer  Celia,  Perle  des  Jaunes 
(bronzy  orange),  Earl  of  Warwick,  Konigin 
Carola  (pink),  Commandant  Felix  Faure  (dark 
crimson),  Prince  de  Bulgarie,  Joseph  Hill,  and 
many  other  varieties.     (Silver  Flora  Medal.) 

Mr.  A.  F.  Dutton,  Iver,  Bucks.,  had  a  superb 
lot  of  Carnations,  border  kinds  in  pots,  being 
shown  side  by  side  with  the  American  tree  varie- 
ties. In  the  former  section,  Mrs.  Forbes  and 
Daffodil  stood  out  conspicuous  among  those 
with  self  yellow-coloured  flowers,  while  Trojan 
and  Albion,  among  whites,  were  equally  good. 
The  tree  varieties  were  shown  in  good  style, 
and  in  the  best  varieties.  The  group  was  one 
of  the  finest  of  these  flowers  exhibited  in  the 
Hall  during  the  present  year.  (Silver-Gilt 
Banksian  Medal.)         /    > 

Messrs.  Wm.  Cutbush  &  Sons,  Highgate,  N., 
displayed  Carnations  of  Souvenir  de  la  Mal- 
maison  and  border  kinds.  One  handsome 
batch  was  of  well-grown  plants  of  the  variety 
King  Arthur,  and  as  a  companion  to  this  fine 
scarlet-coloured  variety  was  another  group  of 
the   pure  white   Trojan.     Of   the   "  Malmaison  " 


type  were  shown  Yaller  Gal,  Monk,  and  Princess 
of  Wales.     (Silver-Gilt  Flora  Medal.) 

Mr.  James  Douglas,  Edenside,  Great  Book- 
ham,  displayed  a  fine  collection  of  Carnations  in 
about  60  varieties.  The  pick  of  both  the  border 
and  the  Souvenir  de  la  Malmaison  types  were 
seen  in  this  display,  and  all  were  shown  in 
the  best  condition  of  culture.  Amongst  the 
border  varieties  were  seen  Goldfinder,  of  the 
shade  known  as  apricot ;  Miss  Willmott,  a  per- 
fectly-formed flower  of  coral-pink  shade;  Helen 
Countess  of  Radnor,  one  of  the  finest  of  all, 
with  flowers  a  rich  crimson ;  Cupid ;  Manda- 
lay ;  Duchess  of  Wellington  ;  Lady  Hermione. 
Amongst  the  Souvenir  de  la  Malmaison  varie- 
ties were  noticed  Gemma,  of  rose-pink  colour 
with  a  trace  of  salmon  ;  and  Maggie  Hodgson, 
the  finest  of  all  the  dark-coloured  flowers.  (Sil- 
ver Flora  Medal.) 

Mr.  S.  Mortimer,  Rowledge,  Farnham,  was 
awarded  a  Silver  Flora  Medal  for  a  display  of 
Carnations. 

Mr.  Amos  Perry,  Hardy  Plant  Farm,  Enfield, 
arranged  a  water-garden  on  similar  lines  to  that 
staged  by  him  at  the  recent  Holland  House  show. 
The  quality  of  the  exhibit,  its  conception,  and 
mode  of  arranging  left  little  to  be  desired,  and 
from  the  group  much  instruction  was  gleaned. 
Amongst  noteworthy  plants  in  the  display  were 
the  yellow-flowered  Calla  "  Mrs.  Roosevelt "  ; 
many  good  Liliums,  such  as  L.  pardalinum,  L. 
canadense,  L.  Grayii,  and  L.  Humboldtii  mag- 
nificum ;  Water  Rushes,  Spiraeas,  Gunneras, 
Bamboos,  and  many  other  moisture  or  water- 
loving  plants.  On  an  adjoining  table  Mr.  Perry 
staged  a  collection  of  many  of  the  best  herba- 
ceous plants  in  season,  and  in  which  Oriental 
Poppies  were  a  notable  feature.     (Gold  medal.) 

Mr.  Maurice  Prichard,  Christchurch,  Hants, 
showed  seasonable  hardy  flowers  of  good 
quality.  In  the  centre  of  the  exhibit  was  a  group 
of  Astilbe  "Silver  Sheaf,"  a  very  floriferous 
variety.  Another  plant  with  tall  spikes  of  white 
flowers  is  Cimicifuga  americana.  Two  yellow- 
flowered  Richardias  were  labelled  Solfatari  and 
aurata.     (Silver  Flora  Medal.) 

Mr.  B.  Ladham,  The  Shirley  Nurseries,  near 
Southampton,  showed  a  number  of  varieties  of 
Gaillardias  with  flowers  ranging  from  light  yel- 
low to  shades  of  red.  The  best  varieties  were 
Yellow  Prince,  Superb  (a  fine,  dark-coloured 
variety),  Aurora,  Shirley,  and  Sulphur  Gem. 
Mr.  Ladham  also  showed  bunches  of  perpetual- 
flowering  Pinks. 

Messrs.  V.  N.  Gauntlett  &  Co.,  Chidding- 
fold,  Surrey,  showed  about  40  varieties  of  Iris 
Kaempferi.  Kimono  is  a  fine  flower,  with  broad, 
white  segments  that  are  tinged  with  blue. 
(Bronze  Banksian  Medal.) 

Messrs.  J.  Cheal  &  Sons,  Crawley,  Sussex, 
exhibited  vases  of  Sweet  Peas  of  popular  varie- 
ties, and  as  a  background  were  a  number  of 
hardy  flowers,  including  the  rose-coloured 
Lupinus  polyphyllus,  Galega  bicolor,  Telekia 
speciosa,  Chrysanthemum  maximum  Mrs. 
Charles  Lowthian  Bell,  a  large-flowered  form  of 
this  well-known  herbaceous  plant,  with  clear, 
white  petals  ;  Eryngiums,  Delphiniums,  &c. 

Herbaceous  Phloxes  were  displayed  by  Messrs. 
Gunn  &  Sons,  Olton,  Birmingham,  in  large, 
effective  masses  of  distinct  kinds.  Their  frag- 
rance was  very  noticeable.  A  few  of  the  best 
shown  were  Etna,  Iris,  Sheriff  Ivory,  Eugene 
Danzanvilliers,  Tapis  Blanc,  and  Sylphide.  (Sil- 
ver Banksian  Medal.) 

Exhibits  of  hardy  flowers  were  also  shown  by 
Mr.  John  Forbes,  Hawick  (Silver  Banksian 
Medal)  ;  Messrs.  T.  S.  Ware,  Ltd.,  Feltham 
(Silver  Flora  Medal)  ;  and  Mr.  G.  Reuthe, 
Keston  (Silver  Banksian  Medal). 

Messrs.  J.  Peed  &  Son,  West  Norwood,  S.E., 
filled  a  large  table  with  double-flowered  Be- 
gonias and  Gloxinias. 

A  large  table  was  filled  by  Messrs.  Wm. 
Artindale  &  Sons,  Nether  Green,  Sheffield, 
with  showy  hardy  flowers  in  variety,  and 
amongst  these  were  fine  Lilies  and  Carnations 
of  the  border  section. 

Mr.  L.  R.  Russell,  Richmond  Nurseries, 
Richmond,  Surrey,  showed  an  interesting  collec- 
tion of  hardy  Ericas,  including  many  forms  of 
our  native  species,  and  hardy  Fuchsias  of  the 
Ricartonii  type  in  several  varieties. 

Mr.  J.  Bruckhaus,  Orleans  Nursery,  Twicken- 
ham, showed  a  fine  lot  of  ten-week  Stocks.  The 
plants  in  their  large  size  and  handsome  spikes  of 
fragrant  flowers  exhibited  the  highest  degree  of 
culture. 


Messrs.  Cannell  &  Sons,  Swanley,  staged  a 
fine  assortment  of  Stocks,  having  complete 
plants  pulled  from  the  ground.  The  plants 
were  free  in  flowering  and  of  perfect  bush-like 
habit  of  growth.  A  brilliant  display  of  Antirrhi- 
nums was  also  exhibited  by  this  firm. 

Messrs.  James  Carter  &  Co.,  High  Holborn, 
London,  staged  a  very  pretty  display  of  Sweet 
Peas  as  a  foil  to  their  extensive  exhibit  of  culin- 
ary Peas. 

Vases  of  Sweet  Peas  of  standard  varieties  were 
shown  well  by  Messrs.  John  K.  King  &  Sons, 
Coggeshall,  Essex  ;  and  another  good  exhibit  of 
these  popular  flowers  was  displayed  by  Miss 
Alexander,  Oakbank,  Seal,  Sevenoaks  (gr.  Mr. 
John  T.  Tubb).     (Silver  Banksian  Medal.) 

Messrs.  Hugh  Low  &  Co.,  Bush  Hill  Park; 
Enfield,  arranged  a  very  pretty  exhibit  of  Car'- 
nations,  Roses,  and  Hydrangeas.  Rose  Baby 
Dorothy  is  a  small  polyantha  variety,  with  big 
clusters  of  bright  pink  flowers. 

Messrs.  Dobbie  &  Co.,  Rothesay,  and  Mark's 
Tey,  Essex,  showed  a  dark  red-coloured  Sweet 
William  Dianthus  barbatus,  with  double  flowers, 
and  a  handsome,  white  Godetia  named  Duchess 
of  Albany  Improved. 

Awards  of  Merit. 

Campanula  persiei folia  var.  Wm.  Lawrence. — A 
variety  with  blue  flowers  that  expand  more  widely 
than  those  of  the  type.  Shown  by  Mr.  W.  Law- 
rence, Egglescliffe. 

Delphinium  Mrs.  G.  Ferguson.  —  An  excellent 
double-flowered  variety  with  perfectly  cream- 
coloured  flowers.  Shown  by  Mr.  G.  Ferguson, 
Weybridge. 

Rose  Hugo  Roller. — A  beautiful  and  fragrant  Tea 
Rose,  the  outer  petals  of  which  are  red,  almost 
crimson,  and  the  inner  petals  cream-coloured. 
Shown  by  Messrs.  W.  Paul  &  Son. 

Spima  camtschatica  rosea. — A  plant  was  shown  by 
Mr.  Amos  Perry  with  fine  rose-coloured  inflor- 
escences under  the  name  of  S.  venusta  "  Beauty," 
but  the  committee  considered  it  to  be  a  form  of 
S.  camtschatica  (gigantea)  rosea.  Mr.  Perry 
stated  subsequently,  however,  that  he  had  raised 
the  plants  from  seeds  of  S.  venusta,  and  though  the 
differences  between  the  two  species  do  not  appear 
very  great,  the  plant  shown  appeared  to  us  most 
like  S.  venusta,  which  is  synonymous  with  S.  lobata. 
It  is  less  gross  in  growth  than  S.  camtschatica. 

Orchid  Committee. 

Present:  J.  Gurney  Fowler,  Esq.  (in  the  chair), 
and  Messrs.  Jas.  O'Brien  (hon.  sec),  Harry  J. 
Veitch,  De  B.  Crawshay,  W.  Bolton,  W.  A. 
Bilney,  H.  Little,  W.  Boxall,  G.  F.  Moore, 
R.  G.  Thwaites,  A.  A.  McBean,  H.  T.  Pitt,  A. 
Dye,  W.  Cobb,  W.  H.  Young,  H.  G.  Alexan- 
der,  H.  A.  Tracy,  F.  J.  Hanbury,  and  J.  Wilson 
Potter. 

Major  G.  L.  Holford,  CLE.,  C.V.O.,  Wes- 
tonbirt,  Tetbury  (gr.  Mr.  H.  G.  Alexander),  was 
awarded  the  society's  Gold  Medal  for  a  mag- 
nificent group,  each  plant  in  which  exhibited 
the  highest  degree  of  culture.  Included  were 
many  choice  hybrid  varieties  that  have  been 
raised  at  Westqnbirt,  and  among  these  Cattleya 
Hardyana  far  surpassed  in  quality,  the  imported 
natural  hybrid  forms.  At  one  end  of  the  group 
was  a  noble  specimen  of  Cattleya  Warscewiczii, 
with  26  well-developed  flowers,  grown  from  a 
single  imported  plant ;  above  it  was  a  plant  of 
Miltonia  vexillaria,  with  45  flowers,  and  another 
specimen  of  this  species  in  the  group  had  even 
a  greater  number.  Plants  of  the  Westonbirt  form 
of  Cattleya  Lord  Rothschild  were  also  shown 
well,  the  large  rose  and  crimson  flowers  having 
the  greater  part  of  their  lips  of  a  rich  orange 
colour.  This  is  said  to  last  longer  in  bloom 
than  almost  any  other  Cattleya.  Laelio-Cattleya 
callistoglossa  Earl  Grey  had  very  fine  rosy-lilac 
flowers,  with  the  large  and  showy  labellums  en- 
tirely of  a  rich  claret  colour.  At  the  back  of 
the  group,  which  was  well  arranged  in  a  set- 
ting of  green  moss  and  Adiantum  Ferns,  were 
a  number  of  light  inflorescences  of  the  spotted- 
lipped  form  of  Oncidium  sarcodes  ;  also  O. 
pratextum,  O.  Gardnerianuui,  the  white  Phalae- 
nopsis  amabilis,  and  Odontoglossum  Pescatorei, 
with  a  branched  spike  of  63  flowers.  In  the 
front  portion  of  the  exhibit  was  a  noble  speci- 
men of  the  large,  white  Miltonia  vexillaria 
Queen  Alexandra,  with  six  flower  spikes,  bear- 
ing altogether  33  flowers,  and  a  pan  containing 
the  charming  reddish-crimson-coloured  Sop^ro- 
Laelia  laeta  Orpetiana,  with  five  flowers.     Ot'.icr 


July  27,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


i  i 


interesting  Orchids  noted  were  Lslio-Cattleya 
Clive,  Westonbirt  variety,  a  very  large  and  beau- 
tiful flower ;  the  new  Laelio-Cattleya  Caligula 
(C.  Warscewiczii  X  L.-C.  callistoglossum)  ; 
Brasso-Laelia  Helen,  and  some  other  Brassa- 
vola  Digbyana  hybrids ;  specially  good  Laelio- 
Cattleye  callistoglossa,  and  further  hybrids 
raised  at  Westonbirt,  and  included  two  fine 
novelties.     (See  Awards.) 

Messrs.  Charlesworth  &  Co.,  Heaton,  Brad- 
ford, were  awarded  a  Silver  Flora  Medal  for  an 
interesting  and  varied  group,  which  contained  a 
good  selection  of  uncommon  species,  including 
the  singularly-formed  Bulbophyllurn  Lobbii 
colossum ;  Cycnoches  Egertonianum,  with  a 
long  raceme  of  curious  flowers ;  Oncidium 
Waluewa,  a  graceful  species  with  drooping 
sprays  of  pretty,  cream-coloured  flowers  that 
have  bars  oi  a  rose  colour ;  Odontoglossum 
blandum,  irichopilia  Turialvae,  Oncidium 
stramineum,  Stelis  tristyla,  and  other  singular 
species.  Among  the  showier  flowering  plants 
were  Odontoglossum  Pescatorei  Golden  Gem, 
with  clear,  canary-yellow  flowers  that  have  a 
darker  yellow  crest,  which  showed  little  depar- 
ture from  that  of  a  typical  flower  of  O.  Pesca- 
torei. Among  the  hybrids  were  the  new  and 
pretty  Laelio-Cattleya  Klba  (L.-C.  Ingrainii  x 
C.  Warscewiczii),  a  very  neat  flower,  with  ruby- 
purple  lip,  and  having  the  orange-coloured  disc 
extended  into  two  clear  blotches,  one  on  each 
side,  as  in  C.  Warscewiczii  ;  L.-C.  Mollie,  with 
buff-tinted  sepals  and  petals  and  ruby-claret  lip, 
with  an  orange-coloured  disc ;  Odontoglossum 
Kolfeae,  &c. 

Messrs.  Cripps  &  Son,  Tunbridge  Wells  Nur- 
series, Kent,  were  voted  a  Silver  Flora  Medal  for 
a  small  but  bright  group  of  the  brilliant  scarlet 
Disa  grandiflora,  which  they  cultivate  appa- 
rently with  ease,  although  many  expert  gar- 
deners fail  to  grow  it  satisfactorily.  The  plants 
were  well  furnished  with  flower-spikes,  and  in 
the  aggregate  there  were  some  70  or  80  flowers. 

Messrs.  Sander  &  Sons,  St.  Albans,  were 
awarded  a  Silver  Banksian  Medal  for  a  group 
in  which  the  principal  novelty  was  the  new 
hybrid  Odontoglossum  Memoria  Lambeauiae, 
the  result  of  crossing  a  remarkable  plant  which 
they  exhibited  at  the  Ghent  Quinquennial  show 
as  O.  Prince  Albert,  but  which  some  considered 
to  be  a  distinct  and  nearly  black-sepalled  form  of 
Odontoglossum  sceptrum,  crossed  with  O.  Harry- 
anum.  The  new  hybrid  flowered  for  the  first  time 
from  a  small  pseudo-bulb,  and  bore  a  spike  of 
two  flowers  of  great  promise,  and  an  advance  in 
dark-coloured  hybrid  Odontoglossums.  The 
flower  in  size  and  shape  partakes  much  of  O. 
Harryanum.  The  sepals  are  of  a  blackish-choco- 
late colour,  with  a  slight  whitish  tip  and  base, 
and  crossed  with  two  thin,  whitish,  wavy  lines. 
The  petals  are  cream-white  at  the  base,  spotted 
with  dark  chocolate,  the  margin  and  outer  half 
being  blackish  chocolate  similar  to  the  petals. 
The  lip  is  broad,  coloured  pale  primrose  in 
front,  spotted  with  purple  at  the  base  and 
around  the  dark  yellow  crest.  Examples  of  un- 
common and  pretty  species  in  the  group  were 
two  good  groups  of  Aeropera  Loddigesii,  several 
Masdevallias,  the  new  white  form  of  Phaius 
maculatus,  several  Ancistrochilus  Thomp- 
sonianus,  Trigonidium  Amesianum,  Galeandra 
lacustris,  Fpidendrum  rigidum,  Eria  acervata, 
Trichopilia  marginata,  Aerides  expansum,  &c. 

Messrs.  Jas.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Royal  Exotic 
Nursery,  King's  Road,  Chelsea,  gained  a  Silver 
Banksian  Medal  for  a  group  composed  of  Brasso- 
Cattleya  Digbyano-Warscewiczii,  with  very  fine 
rose-coloured  flowers  with  fringed  lips  ;  Laelio- 
Cattleya  Vesta,  with  bronzy  petals  and  purple 
lips ;  Disa  Luna,  a  pretty  hybrid,  with  rose- 
purple  flowers  ;  Masdevallia  Imogen,  and  other 
Masdevallias ;  two  plants  of  the  showy  yellow 
and  rose-coloured  Sobralia  Veitchii ;  the  scarlet 
Cochlioda  Noezliana ;  Cypripedium  Wiertzi- 
anum  ;   Oncidium  leucochilum,  &c. 

R.  I.  Measures,  Esq.,  Camberwell  (gr.  Mr. 
Smith),  received  a  Silver  Banksian  Medal  for  a 
group  in  which  were  Maxillaria  ochroleuca  (with 
many  cream-white  flowers),  two  specimens  of 
Ccelogyne  speciosa,  C.  Massangeana,  Miltonia 
vexillaria  albens,  Laelio-Cattleya  Clive,  Cypri- 
pedium Curtisii,  Cambridge  Lodge  variety, 
several  Masdevallias,  and  a  pan  of  Dossinia 
marmorata.     (See  Awards). 

Messrs.  Hugh  Low  &  Co.,  Enfield,  showed 
Cattleya  Gaskelliana  alba,  with  four  flowers  ;  C. 
Gaskelliana  Phyllis,  with  pale-rose  flowers  ;  and 
two  good  forms  of  Odontogossum  Pescatorei. 


J.  Gurney  Fowler,  Esq.,  Glebelands,  South 
Woodford  (gr.  Mr.  J.  Davis),  showed  an  in- 
florescence of  the  rare  Cattleya  Warscewiczii 
saturata  of  fine  colour,  and  in  which  the  usual 
blotches  of  yellow  on  the  lip  are  suppressed,  the 
lip  being  wholly  dark  crimson-purple ;  also 
Laslio-Cattleya  Henry  Greenwood,  Glebelands 
variety,  a  pretty  light-coloured  form. 

Francis  Wellesley,  Esq.,  Westfield,  Woking 
(gr.  Mr.  Hopkins),  showed  Laelio-Cattleya 
Clonia  gigantea  (L.-C.  elegans  Turneri  x  C. 
Warscewiczii),  a  brilliantly-coloured  flower,  with 
rose-coloured  sepals,  having  the  bronzy  tint  of 
L.-C.  elegans,  and  broad,  rose  petals  veined  with 
rose-purple  ;  the  expanding,  crimped  front  lobe 
of  the  Up  and  the  tips  of  the  side  lobes  are  of  a 
bright  magenta-purple  tint.  The  spikes  bore 
three  large  flowers. 

H.  T.  Pitt,  Esq.,  Rosslyn,  Stamford  Hill, 
exhibited  the  singular  little  Oncidium  pumilum 
and  Dendrobium  ciliatum  annamense,  both  well 
flowered. 

F.  W.  Moore,  Esq.,  Royal  Botanic  Gardens, 
Glasnevin,  Dublin,  sent  an  inflorescence  of  the 
rare  Lueddemannia  Pescatorei,  with  wax-like, 
orange-coloured  flowers  and  sepals  of  a  coppery 
tint.  A  plant  of  this  species,  with  an  inflores- 
cence 4  feet  in  length,  was  exhibited  by  Miss 
Wilhnott,  June  12,  1!<06,  and  it  was  then  awarded 
a  Botanical  Certificate. 

AWARDS. 
Awards  of  Merit. 
Cattleya  Waldcmar  (Whitei  x  Dowiana 
aurca),  from  Major  G.  L.  Holford,  LIE., 
C.V.O.  (gr.  Mr.  H.  G.  Alexander). — A  very  pretty 
and  distinct  hybrid,  with  sepals  and  petals  of  a 
cream  colour  ;  tinged  and  flaked  with  rose ; 
the  broad,  crimped  labellum  is  blush-white  and 
closely  veined  and  marbled  with  varying  shades 
of  purple.  The  base  is  marked  with  clear,  gold 
lines. 

Cattleya  Maca-nas  var.  Thor  (superba  x 
Warscewiczii). — In  this  charming  hybrid  the 
beauties  of  both  parents  are  admirably  blended. 
The  sepals  and  petals  are  blush-rose  colour  ;  the 
front  of  the  showy  labellum  is  ruby-purple,  the 
throat  and  disc  white,  with  an  orange  band.  The 
plant  exhibited  bore  an  inflorescence  of  six 
flowers. 

Miltonia  vexillaria,  Lambeatt's  variety,  from 
Monsieur  Lambeau,  Brussels. — The  best  and 
largest  of  the  coloured  forms,  and  of  fine  shape. 
The  sepals  and  petals  are  coloured  bright  rose, 
with  a  white  margin.  Lip  4  inches  across,  bright 
purplish-rose,  with  darker  veining,  the  base  being 
white,  with  several  red  lines.  The  plant  bore  a 
well-developed   spike. 

Dossinia  marmorata,  from  R.  I.  Measures, 
Esq.,  Camberwell  (gr.  Mr.  Smith). — A  species 
with  large,  velvety,  green  leaves  that  have  bronze 
and  gold-coloured  veining.  It  is  usually  known 
in  gardens  as  Anaectochilus  Lowii. 

Fruit  and  Vegetable  Committee. 

Present:  Geo.  Bunyard,  Esq.,  and  Messrs.  W. 
Bates,  Ed.  Beckett,  A.  Dean,  H.  Parr,  A.  R. 
Allan,  J.  Davis,  Geo.  Keif,  Chas.  Foster,  Jno. 
I.yue,  C.  G.  A.  Nix,  Geo.  Reynolds,  J.  Jaques, 
II.  Somers  Rivers,  P.  C.  M.  Veitch,  Owen 
Thomas,  W.  Poupart,  and  Jas.  Vert. 

Messrs.  Sutton  &  Sons,  Reading,  filled  one 
side  of  a  long  table  with  an  exhibit  of  culinary 
Peas,  gathered  from  trial  rows  in  their  experi- 
mental grounds  at  Reading.  The  collection  em- 
braced over  50  varieties  and  about  20  seedlings, 
the  latter  being  shown  under  numbers  in  a 
large  glass  case.  The  exhibit  was  noteworthy 
for  the  remarkable  quality  of  the  pods,  each 
dish  was  shown  in  the  best  exhibition  style,  and 
the  varieties  were  representative  of  the  best  in 
the  various  sections — early,  late,  dwarf,  tall,  &c. 
Of  course,  the  display  furnished  no  evidence  of 
ths  cropping  qualities  of  the  individual  varie- 
ties, nor  their  freedom  from  disease,  &c,  but, 
as  seen,  the  finest  were  Early  Giant,  one  of  the 
best  of  the  early-season  kinds ;  Green  Gem, 
Prizewinner  (when  opened  the  pods  were  found 
to  contain  11  very  large  Peas)  ;  King  Edward  (the 
pods  being  full  to  almost  overflowing ;  Little 
Marvel,  and  Harbinger,  two  good  dwarf  kinds  ; 
Selected  Gladstone,  Superlative  (remarkably 
handsome  pods,  of  a  deep-green  colour);  and 
World's  Record.  The  manner  of  staging  was 
pleasing,   a   dark   velvet   cloth  being   used   as  a 


groundwork,  with  foils  of  palms  and  vases  of 
flowers.  The  collection  of  seedlings  contained 
many  varieties  of  great  promise.  (Silver-Gilt. 
Knightian  Medal.) 

Messrs.  James  Carter  &  Co.,  High  Holborn, 
London,  also  showed  an  exhibit  of  Peas,  in  all 
some  250  varieties.  This  very  large  collection 
was  from  their  trial  ground  at  Mortlake,  and  as 
all  were  sown  on  the  same  date  (March  27),  it 
was  of  much  educational  value  as  demonstrat- 
ing the  season  of  each  kind  ;  some  were  yellow 
in  the  pod,  and  others  were  just  forming  their 
seeds.  Attached  to  each  dish  was  a  label  afford- 
ing information  as  to  the  season,  habit,  &c,  of 
the  variety  displayed.  The  manner  of  staging 
was  effective,  for  interspersed  in  the  group 
were  vases  of  Sweet  Peas,  and  arches  filled  with 
the  same  flowers  were  arranged  down  the  centre 
of  the  table.  The  large  pods  of  Quite 
Content  were  conspicuous,  and  quite  the  largest 
in  this  extensive  display.  Other  varieties  that 
were  especially  noticeable  in  this  display  were 
Duke  of  Albany,  Duchess  of  York,  Stratagem, 
Carter's  Exhibition,  Alderman,  Gladstone, 
Dreadnought,  New  Model,  Daisy,  and  Torpedo. 
Several  seedlings  of  merit  were  also  shown,  and 
selected  stocks  of  standard  kinds.  (Silver-Gilt 
Knightian  Medal.) 

Two  further  exhibits  of  Peas  were  shown 
by  Messrs.  G.  W.  King  &  Co.,  Coggeshall, 
Essex,  who  showed  80  distinct  varieties,  all  of 
which  were  sown  on  March  22  of  this1  year,  and 
Mr.  William  Deal,  Brooklands,  Kelvedon,  Es- 
sex. Messrs.  King  snowed  Quite  Content,  Alder- 
man, Centenary,  Gradus,  Superlative,  Glory  of 
Devon,  Stratagem,  Prize-Winner,  Abundance, 
&c.  They  also  exhibited  haulms  of  some  varie- 
ties in  fruit,  amongst  which  was  a  new  variety 
named  The  Jap,  carrying  a  very  large  number  of 
fine  pods.  (Silver  Banksian  Medal.)  Mr.  Deal 
displayed  Duke  of  Albany,  Telephone,  Sutton's 
Al,  Essex  Star,  Masterpiece,  and  many  other 
varieties  of  proved  worth.  (Silver  Banksian 
Medal.) 

Messrs.  T.  Rivers  &  Son,  Sawbridgeworth, 
showed  a  collection  of  Cherries  from  pot-grown 
trees.  Of  black  kinds  they  had  May  Duke, 
Geante  d'Hedelfingen,  Turkey  Black  Heart, 
Bigarreau  Noir  de  Guben,  Early  Rivers  (deep 
black),  Bigarreau  Noir  de  Schmidt  (the  largest 
fruits  in  the  collection),  Late  Black  Bigarreau, 
Black  Tartarian,  and  of  white  kinds  White 
Bigarreau,  Emperor  Francis,  Guigne  Choque, 
and  Reine  Hortense.  The  whole  of  the  fruits 
were  of  exceptional  quality.  (Silver-Gilt  Knigh. 
tian  Medal.) 

Messrs.  Laxton  Bros.,  Bedford,  displayed 
boxes  of  Strawberries  of  the  varieties  Reliance 
and  Progress.  Both  are  late-season  fruits,  the 
former  is  a  very  fine-flavoured  variety  raised  by 
crossing  Vicomtesse  H.  de  Thury  with  a  seed- 
ling of  the  St.  Joseph,  or  perpetual  fruiting  type. 
The  flesh  is  firm  and  of  splendid  eating  quali- 
ties Messrs.  Laxton  also  showed  a  new  Rasp- 
berry named  Prosperity,  and  fruits  of  a  Japanese 
Plum. 

A  large,  yellow- fruited  Tomato  named  Home- 
wood  Favourite  was  shown.  It  much  resembles 
the  variety  Golden  Jubilee. 

Mr.  G.  Goddard,  Norwood  Green,  Southall, 
showed  young  plants  of  Black  Currant  labelled 
Monarch.  The  small  bushes  were  heavily 
fruited. 

Mr.  S.  Attrell,  North  Common,  Chailey, 
Sussex,  exhibited  canes  of  a  new  variety  of 
Raspberry  named  Attrell's  Magnum,  that  were 
carrying  big  clusters  of  large  fruits. 

Award  of   Merit. 

Strawberry  Fillbasket. — This  variety  was 
awarded  this  distinction  after  trial  at  Wisley. 
It  is  not  new,  and  fruits  were  exhibited  by  the 
raisers,  Messrs.  Laxton  Bros.,  Bedford,  at  York 
Gala  in  1900.  We  were  unable  to  find  any  of 
the  fruits  after  the  committee  had  risen.  The 
following  is  abridged  from  the  raisers'  descrip- 
tion : — "Raised  from  'Royal  Sovereign'  and 
'  Latest  of  All.'  The  colour  is  bright  scarlet,  , 
similar  to  Royal  Sovereign  ;  the  flesh  is  white 
and  firm,  with  no  hollowness  in  the  centre ;  in 
size  of  fruit  it  is  between  its  two  parents  ;  ex- 
ternal skin  glossy  scarlet,  and  seeds  set  in  shal- 
low basins,  making  it  a  good  traveller,  of  rich 
flavour.  The  cropping  qualities  are  remarkable. 
The  habit  of  the  plant  is  compact  and  robust,, 
leaves  thick  and  leathery,  resisting  mildew." 


/: 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[July  27,  1907. 


NATIONAL    CARNATION    AND 

PICOTEE. 

July  24. — This  society  held  its  annual  exhibi- 
tion on  the  ^bove  date  at  the  Royal  Horticul- 
tural Hall,  Vincent  Square,  Westminster.  The 
quality  of  the  blooms  was  generally  excellent, 
and  the  colours  distinct  and  cleats,  a  "  run " 
flower  being  rare. 

Dressed    Flowers. 

In  the  class  for  18  blooms,  on  cards,  bizarres 
and  flakes,  the  1st  prize  was  won  by  Martin  R. 
Smith,  Esq.,  Hayes  (gr.  Mr.  C.  Blick).  The 
varieties  consisted  of  Consuelo,  Norseman,  Fra 
Diavolo,  Zoedone,  Gaylad,  Mine  Host,  Isolde, 
Amyas  Leigh,  Algot,  Phaeton,  Emigrant, 
.Carissima,  Abbess,  Shamrock,  Silver  Queen, 
Lord  Macaulay,  and  Merry  Lass.  There  were 
several  weak  and  disfigured  blooms  in  the  1st 
prize  exhibit,  but  all  were  fairly  large ;  2nd, 
Mr.  R.  G.  Rudd,  Kings  Norton,  who  had  fine 
blooms  of  Master  Fred,  Guardsman,  W.  Shir- 
ving,  Mrs.  T.  Lord,  Gordon  Lewis,  Chas.  Hen- 
wood,  and  Merton ;  3rd,  Mr.  C.  Turner,  Royal 
Nurseries,  Slough,  with  good  blooms  of  (/has. 
Henwood,  Mrs.  T.  Lord,  G.  Herbert,  G.  Nesbit, 
&c. 

Eighteen  blooms  of  Self-coloured.  Carnations. — 
Martin  R.  Smith,  Esq.,  was  again  1st,  and  this 
time  easily,  with  very  superior  blooms  of  the  fol. 
lowing  varieties,  viz.,  Daffodil,  Ashantee,  Snow- 
drift, Sir  Galahad,  John  Pope,  Much  the  Mil- 
ler, Lady  Linlit.igow,  W.  H.  Parton,  Bonnie 
Dundee,  Fleur  de  Lis,  Vesta,  and  Imogene ; 
2nd,  Mr.  R.  G.  Rudd,  with  Daffodil,  Chancel- 
lor, Mrs.  Eric  Hambro,  Mrs.  R.  C.  Cart- 
wright,  Bridegroom,  Benbow,  and  Captivation  ; 
3rd,  Mr.  C.  Turner. 

Fancy  Varieties. — In  the  class  for  18  Fancy 
flowers,  in  not  fewer  than  12  varieties,  the 
1st  prize  was  won  by  Martin  R.  Smith,  Esq., 
with  a  very  fine,  showy  lot  of  large,  clear- 
coloured  blooms.  The  back  row  consisted  of 
The  Skipper,  Linksman,  Sam  Weller,  Miss  H. 
Thompson,  and  Bonnie  Buchanan ;  Buboshes, 
Mohawk,  and  Mandarin  were  in  the  middle 
row  ;  and  in  the  front  were  Tattycoram,  Seneca, 
and  Rayon  d'Or ;  2nd,  Mr.  R.  G.  Rudd,  with 
large  blooms,  but  lacking  generally  in  brilliancy. 
The  finest  examples  were  those  labelled  Vol- 
taire, Sam  Weller,  Cavalier,  Liberte,  Sir 
Lancelot,  Tohn  Sebright,  and  Le  Beau ;  3rd, 
Mr.  C.  Turner. 

White-ground  Picotees. — The  best  18  varie- 
ties were  shown  by  Mr.  R.  G.  Rudd, 
with  perfect  blooms  that  were  nearly  all 
of  equal  size.  These  were  Cato,  Miss 
Evelyn  Cartwright,  Fanny  Tett,  Amelia, 
Little  Phil,  Mrs.  H.  Hoskins,  Lavinia, 
Favourite,  Brunette,  Mrs.  Sharp,  Mrs.  Bes- 
wick,  and  Mrs.  Openshaw ;  2nd,  Martin 
R.  Smith,  Esq.,  whose  blooms  of  Ariadne, 
Lavinia,  Dolores,  White  Heather,  Favourite, 
Lady  Macbeth,  and  Snowdrop,  were  most  meri- 
torious;  3rd,  Mr.  C.  Turner,. 

Yellow-ground  Picotees. — In  the  class  for  18 
yellow-ground  .Picotees,  in  not  fewer  than 
12  varieties,  the  1st  prize  was  won  by 
Martin  R.  Smith,  Esq.,  with  an  exceptional 
lot  of  blooms.  We  noticed,  as  especially  good, 
Lady  Gascoigne  (a  light-edged  bloom),  Sunbeam, 
Morgan  le  Fay,  John  Ruskin,  Her  Majesty, 
Ladybird,  Ace  of  Trumps,  Mithra,  Leonora, 
Orby,  and  Mrs.  W.  Heriot ;  2nd,  Mr.  R.  G. 
Rudd,  with  Lucy  Glitters,  Lauzan,  Mrs.  W. 
Heriot,  Calais,  Cymbeline,  Carlyle  (a  fine 
heavy-edged  bloom),  Dalkeith,  and  Cadogan. 

Undressed    Flowers. 

Mr.  J.  Douglas,  Great  Bookham,  won  the 
1st  prize  in  the  class  for  12  varieties  of  Self-col- 
oured Carnations.  His  flowers  included  such 
fine  varieties  as  Apricot  (a  cerise  pink),  St.  Peto 
(a  rich  purple),  Trojan  (white),  Cupid  (rose- 
pinkj.  Daffodil,  and  Miss  Willmott  (rosy-scar- 
let). This  last  flower  was  selected  as  the  premier 
Self  flower  in  the  show,  the  exhibitor  being  also 
the  raiser ;  2nd,  Mr.  R.  G.  Rudd,  with  varieties 
different  to  the  foregoing.  We  noted  Hermione, 
W.  H.  Parton,  Mrs.  Flight,  Camilla  (a  rich 
rose-pink),  and  Capurnia  (pinkish-buff  colour)  ; 
Mr.  C.  Turner  and  Martin  R.  Smith,  Esq., 
were  placed  equal  3rd  in  this  class. 

Fancy  Carnations. — The  best  blooms  of  un- 
dressed   Fancies    were    shown   by   Martin   R. 


Smith,  Esq.,  in  whose  stand  a  bloom  of 
Pacquin  took  1st  prize  for  an  undressed  Car- 
nation. In  the  collection  we  noted  grand 
blooms  of  Rayon  d'Or,  Hengist,  Merlin,  Sam 
Weller,  Charlemagne,  Keogh,  Merriden,  &c.  ; 
2nd,  Mr.  J.  Douglas,  among  whose  blooms 
the  more  distinct  and  novel  coloured  flowers 
were  Nizam,  Buchanan,  Galilee,  and  Tintagel ; 
3rd,  Mr.  R.  G.  Rudd. 

Picotees. — These  were  required  to  be  shown  in 
not  fewer  than  12  varieties  ;  the  1st  prize  was  won 
by  Mr.  Martin  R.  Smith,  with  varieties  similar 
to  those  we  had  noted  in  the  previous  competi- 
tion, and  mostly  those  which  possess  wire  edges, 
Her  Majesty  being  the  best  of  the  heavy  edges  ; 
2nd,  Mr.  R.  G.  Rudd,  with  well-chosen  varieties 
that  were  rather  small. 

Twelve  distinct  varieties,  including  Selfs, 
Fancies,  and  Yellow  Grounds. — The  schedule 
required  these  to  be  shown  in  12  vases,  three 
blooms  of  each.  The  winner  of  the  1st  prize 
was  Martin  R.  Smith,  Esq.  ;  2nd,  Mr.  J. 
Douglas  ;  3rd,  Mr.  R.  G.  Rudd.  The  method 
of  showing  the  blooms  in  triplets  was  pleasing, 
and  the  flowers  generally  were  of  good  quality. 

Classes  open  to  exhibitors  in  either  the  ist  or  2nd 
divisions  of  the  schedule. — A  class  was  provided 
for  a  stand  of  six  blooms  of  any  Self  Carnation 
and  in  this  the  1st  prize  was  won  by  H.  R. 
Taylor,  Esq.,  Cheam  (gr.  Mr.  J.  Gilbert),  his 
variety  being  Mrs.  Eric  Hambro ;  2nd,  Martin 
R.  Smith,  Esq.,  with  the  same  variety;  3rd, 
Mr.  R.  G.  Rudd,  with  Sir  Galahad. 

Six  blooms,  dressed,  of  any  Yellow  or  Buff 
Ground  Fancy  Carnation. — 1st,  Mr.  R.  G.  Rudd 
with  very  fine  blooms  of  W.  Pemberton. 

Six  blooms,  dressed,  of  any  Carnation  other 
than  Yellow  or  Buff  Grounds. — All  must  be  of 
one  variety  only.  The  1st  prize  was  awarded 
Martin  R.  Smith,  Esq.,  for  very  beautiful 
blooms  of  The  Nizan ;  2nd,  Mr.  R.  G.  Rudd, 
with  Nellie. 

Six  blooms  of  any  Yellow  Ground  Picotee.- — 1st, 
Messrs.  Phillips  &  Taylor,  with  Leonora ;  2nd, 
Martin  R.  Smith,  Esq.,  with  Lady  Fremantle ; 
3rd,  H.  R.  Taylor,  Esq.,  with  Pilgrim. 

There  were  several  exhibits  in  classes  for  un- 
dresed  flowers,  but  nothing  was  shown  that  calls 
for  comment. 

Groups  of  Carnations. — Two  groups  were 
shown,  and  Martin  R.  Smith,  Esq.,  was  placed 
1st  for  a  semi-circular  group,  10  feet  in  longest 
diameter,  consisting  of  only  the  finer  varieties  ; 
Mr.  H.  Lakeman,  Thornton  Heath,  Surrey,  was 
2nd.  Mr.  Smith  took  the  1st  prize  for  a 
dinner  table  set  out  with  Picotees.  He  used  a 
bowl  and  six  small  vases  to  display  his  flowers, 
and  these  occupied  much  of  the  table  space. 

The  premier  heavy-edged  white-ground  Picotee 
John  Smith  and  premier  light-edged  white- 
ground  Picotee  Fortrose  were  both  shown  by 
H.  R.  Taylor,  Esq.,  of  Cheam,  in  his  1st  prize 
exhibit  in  a  class  for  12  white  ground  flowers. 

The  premier  rose-flaked  and  premier  bizarre 
Carnations  were  shown  by  H.  R.  Taylor,  Esq., 
in  Merton  and  Robert  Lord  respectively. 

Many  of  the  exhibits  from  the  previous  day's 
exhibition  remained  in  the  Hall,  and  added 
greatly  to  the  display  as  a  whole. 


SOUTHEND-ON-SEA  HORTICULTURAL. 

July"  10. — The  annual  exhibition  of  this  so- 
ciety was  held  on  the  foregoing  date  in  the 
Palace  Hotel,  Southend-on-Sea.  The  show 
proved  to  be  highly  satisfactory  as  regards  the 
quality  and  number  of  the  exhibits,  but,  unfor- 
tunately, rain  fell  during  the  afternon,  and  this 
affected  the  attendance  of  visitors. 

Roses  formed  the  most  attractive  feature  of 
the  exhibition,  and  these  were  arranged — as  also 
were  Sweet  Peas — in  one  of  the  large  ballrooms. 
The  Winter  Garden  was  rendered  beautiful  by 
groups  of  miscellaneous  plants. 

Roses. — In  the  class  for  48  blooms  of  distinct 
varieties,  Messrs.  D.  Prior  &  Son,  Colchester, 
won  the  1st  prize  with  a  grand  display  of  large, 
well-shaped  blooms,  and  they  were  followed  by 
Messrs.  F.  Cant  &  Co.,  Colchester.  The  1st 
prize  stand  included  extra  fine  blooms  of  the 
varieties  Caroline  Testout,  Captain  Hayward, 
A.    K.    Williams,    Marie   Verdier,    Gladys   Hark- 


ness,  Bessie  Brown,  Magna  Charta,  Frau  Karl 
Druschki,  Countess  of  Caledon,  Souvenir  de 
Pierre  Notting,  and  Duke  of  Edinburgh.  The 
most  prominent  blooms  in  Messrs.  F.  Cant  & 
Co.'s  stand  were  those  of  Aimee  Cochet  (very 
fine)  and  Niphetos. 

In  the  class  for  18  Tea  or  Noisette  blooms  the 
positions  of  these  two  firms  were  reversed  on  the 
prize-list. 

In  the  class  for  12  distinct  varieties,  Messrs. 
Prior  &  Son  beat  Messrs.  F.  Cant  &  Co.  Both 
these  growers  staged  fine  blooms. 

Messrs.  Prior  &  Son  also  had  the  best  12 
blooms  of  one  variety,  in  grand  blooms  of  the 
variety  Liberty.  2nd,  Messrs.  F.  Cant  &  Co., 
with  magnificent  blooms  of  Frau  Karl  Druschki. 
Five  exhibits  were  staged  in  this  class,  including 
a  stand  of  good  blooms  of  Mme.  Wagram,  shown 
by  the  Rev.  F.  R.  Burnside,  Stambridge 
Rectory,  Rochford. 

Amateur  Classes. 

In  the  class  for  36  distinct  varieties  of  Roses, 
the  Rev.  J.  H.  Pemberton,  Havering-Atte- 
Bower,  was  the  only  exhibitor.  His  flowers 
were  of  excellent  quality,  and  included  J.  B. 
Clark,  Lady  Ashtown,  Alice  Lindsell,  Mildred 
Grant,  M.  Hoste  (a  fine  yellow),  Ulrich  Brunner, 
white  Maman  Cochet,  and  Frau  Karl  Druschki. 
This  last-named  bloom  was  awarded  the 
National  Rose  Society's  Silver  Medal  as  being 
the  best  Hybrid  Perpetual  Rose  in  the  show. 

The  Rev.  J.  H.  Pemberton  was  again  to  the 
front  in  the  class  for  nine  distinct  varieties  of 
Roses,  three  blooms  of  each  variety,  with  a 
meritorious  array  of  blooms,  including  the 
varieties  Frau  Karl  Druschki,  Mrs.  VY.  J. 
Grant,  Caroline  Testout,  Mildred  Grant,  &c. 
2nd,  Mr.  Wakeley,  whose  example  of  White 
Maman  Cochet  was  awarded  the  N.R.  Society's 
Silver  Medal  offered  for  the  best  Hybrid  'lea 
Rose  in  the  show. 

Mr.  H.  Robins  had  the  best  18  blooms  of  Roses 
in  distinct  varieties  ;  and  the  Rev.  F.  R.  Burn- 
side  was  1st  for  12  distinct  varieties,  and  for 
eight  blooms  of  Teas  or  Noisettes  in  distinct 
varieties. 

The  classes  provided  for  local  growers  were 
well  contested,  and  the  blooms  staged  were 
meritorious.  The  same  remark  applies  to  the 
ladies'  classes  for  floral  decorations. 

Mr.  W.  G.  Hatch,  nurseryman  and  florist, 
Prittlewell,  Southend-on-Sea,  was  awarded  a 
Gold  Medal  for  an  effectively  arranged  group  of 
miscellaneous  plants.  Mr.  A.  Davey,  Leigh 
Nursery,  Leigh-on-Sea,  was  granted  a  Silver-Gilt 
Medal  for  a  similar  but  less  effective  arrange- 
ment. 

A  Silver  Medal  was  awarded  Mr.  M.  Longman 
for  a  display  of  plants,  &c. 

Dr.  G.  F.  Jones,  J. P.,  Westcliff-on-Sea,  was 
granted  a  Certificate  of  Merit  for  a  collection 
of  Cacti. 

RAYLEIGH   AND   DISTRICT 
HORTICULTURAL. 

July  17. — The  seventh  annual  exhibition  of 
the  above  society  was  held  on  this  date  under 
most  favourable  weather  conditions.  The  at- 
tendance of  visitors  was  satisfactory,  and  the 
show  taken  altogether  was  the  best  held  by  the 
society.  The  most  successful  exhibitors  in  the 
open  classes  and  the  classes  confined  to  gentle- 
men's gardeners  residing  within  10  miles  of 
Rayleigh,  were  Mr.  A.  Epps  (gr.  to  Mrs.  Miller, 
Leigh-on-Sea),  who  won  seven  first  and 
three  second  prizes  ;  Mr.  S.  Taylor,  Rayleigh  ; 
Mr.  E.  Jackson,  Rochford ;  and  Mr.  J.  Polly 
(gr.  to  A.  Chapman,  Esq.,  Fairview,  Ray- 
leigh). The  most  successful  exhibitors  in  the 
amateur  classes  were  Mr.  W.  J.  Vickers  (hon. 
sec),  who  secured  seven  prizes,  including  four 
firsts,  and  Mr.  W.  A.  Voss  with  five  firsts  and 
four  second  prizes.  In  the  ladies'  classes,  Mrs. 
Devenish  was  accorded  first  prize  for  a  deco- 
rated dinner  table.  Mrs.  Taylor  had  the  best 
arranged  wicker  basket  of  cut  flowers,  as  well  as 
the  most  effectively  composed  bouquet  and 
lady's  spray. 

In  the  class  for  a  group  of  miscellaneous 
plants  arranged  for  effect,  Mr.  Davey,  Leigh- 
on-Sea,  was  awarded  the  1st  prize,  and  Mr. 
A.  Epps  the  2nd  prize.  Mr.  Harolt.  H. 
Brown,  Clements  Hall,  Hawkwell,  staged  three 
stands  of  Roses,  not  for  competition,  but  they 
were  the  best  Roses  in  the  show. 


July  27,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


79 


MARKETS. 

COVENT  GARDEN,  July  21. 
[We  cannot  accept  any  responsibility  tor  the  subjoined 
reports.  They  arc  furnished  to  us  regularly  every 
Wednesday,  by  the  kindness  of  several  ot  the  principal 
salesmen,  who  are  responsible  for  the  quotations.  It 
must  be  remembered  that  these  quotations  do  not  repre- 
sent the  prices  on  any  particular  day,  but  only  the 
general  a',  i  i  ages  tor  the  week  preceding  the  date  of  our 
report.  The  prices  depend  upon  the  quality  of  the 
samples,  the  way  in  which  they  are  packed,  the  supply 
in  the  market,  and  the  demand,  and  they  may  fluctuate, 
not  only  from  day  to  day,  but  occasionally  several  times 
in  one  day. — Ed.] 


Cut  Flowers, 

&c. :  Average  Wholesale  Prices. 

s.d.  s.d. 

s.d.  s.d. 

Alstromerias,     per 

Mignonette,  per  dz. 

dozen  bunches 

2  0-40 

bunches 

3  0-40 

Eouvardia.  per  dz. 

Myosotis,  per  doz. 

bunches 

2  0-30 

bunches 

16-20 

Calla  aethiopica,  p. 

Odonto  glossum 

dozen  

2  0-30 

crispuin,      per 

Carnations,      per 

dozen    blooms 

2  0-25 

dozen  blooms, 

Paeonies,  per  doz. 

best  American 

bunches 

4  0-80 

various 

16-30 

Pancratiums,     per 

—  smaller,       per 

dozen  rls. 

3  0-40 

doz.      buncues 

9  0-12  0 

Pelargoniums, 

—  Malmaisons,  p. 

show,  per  doz. 

dozen  blooms.. 

6  0  10-0 

bunches 

4  0    6  0 

Cattleyas,  per  doz. 

—  Zonal,    double 

blooms 

10  0-12  0 

scarlet 

4  0-60 

Coreopsis,  per  doz. 

Pinks           

10-30 

bunches 

2  0-30 

Poppies,     Iceland, 

Cornflower,  per  dz. 

Joz.  bunches... 

4  0-80 

bunches 

2  0-30 

—  Oriental 

4  0-80 

Luchans      grandi- 

—  Shirley 

2  0-30 

flora,  per  doz. 

Pyrethrums,       per 

blooms 

2  0-30 

dozen  bunches 

2  0-40 

Gaillardias,  per  dz. 

Ranunculus,       per 

bunches 

2  0-30 

dozen  bunches 

4  0-60 

Gardenias,  per  doz. 

Rhodanthe,  per  dz. 

blooms 

2  0-30 

bunches 

3  0-40 

Gladiolus,    The 

Roses,  12  blooms, 

Bride,  per  doz. 

Niphetos 

10-30 

bum  lies 

3  0-50 

—  Bridesmaid    ... 

•z  U-  3  0 

—  Brenchleyensis 

4  o-  a  o 

—  C.  Testout     ... 

2  0-30 

—  various 

4  0-90 

—  General  Jacque 

Gypsophila  elegans 

mini  it 

0  6-10 

p.  dz.  buucnes 

2  0-30 

—  Marechal    Ni<  l 

16-30 

Iris,   German,   per 

—  Kai  serin  A. 

doz.  bunches... 

4  0-  G  0 

Victoria 

16-30 

—  Spanish,  p.  dz. 

—  Mrs.   J.  Laing 

1U-30 

bunches 

4  0-90 

—  C.  Met  met 

i  0-  ;s  0 

Lapageria  alba,  per 

—  Liberty 

2  0-40 

dozen  

1  0-  1  (j 

—   Mad.  l.  h 

10-30 

Lilium  auratum  ... 

2  0-30 

Sapomin.i,   per  dz. 

—  candidum,  bch. 

10-20 

bunches 

16-20 

—  lancif  oli  urn. 

Staticc,   |'(i    di  i .  ■  :i 

3  0-40 

rubrum  and 

Stephauotis,     per 

album 

16-20 

dozen    tru:  ses 

3  0-50 

—  lon^'inorum    ... 

2  0-30 

Stocks,   per   dozen 

Lily  of  the  Valley, 

bunchi 

3  0-40 

p.  dz.  bunches 

6  0-90 

Sweet  Peas,  p,  doz. 

—  extra  quality  ... 

10  0-15  0 

bunches 

10-30 

Marguerites,  white, 

Sw  i  el    Sultan,  per 

p.  dz.  bundles 

2  0-30 

dozen  bunches 

3  0-40 

—  yellow,  per  dz. 
bunches 

Tuberoses,  per  dz. 

16-20 

blooms 

0  4-06 

Cut  Foliage, 

Sic. :  Aver 

age  Wholesale  Prices. 

s.d.  s.d. 

s.d.  s.d. 

Adiantum      cunea- 

Galax    leaves,    per 

lum,  per  dozen 

dozen  bunches 

2  0-26 

bunches 

4  0-60 

Hardy    foliage 

A  sparagus    plu- 

i  various),    per 

mosus,        long 

dozen  bunches 

2  0-60 

trails,  per  doz. 

8  0  12  0 

[vy-leaves,   bronze 

2  0-26 

—    —      medium, 

—  Iohi;  trails  per 

bunch    ... 

16-20 

bundle 

16-30 

—  Sprenyeri 

0  6-10 

—  short    green, 

Berberis,  per  doz. 

do/,  bunches... 

2  0-30 

bunches 

2  0-  2  6 

Moss,  per  gross  ... 

4  0-50 

Croton  leaves,  bch. 

10-16 

Myrtle     [English), 

Cycas  leaves,  each 

16-20 

smal  1-U  aved, 

Fern,  English,  per 

doz.  bunches... 

4  0-60 

dozen  bunches 

10-20 

—  French,   dozen 

—  French,  dozen 

bunches 

10-16 

bunches 

10-30 

Smilax,  p.  dz.  trails 

16-26 

Plants  in  Pots,  &c. :  Average  Wholesale  Prices. 
s.d.  s.d 


Ampelopsis     Veil- 

chii.per  dozen  6  0-80 
AraliaSieboldi.dz.     4  0-60 

—  larger  9  0-12  0 

Araucaria   excelsa, 

per  dozen  ...  12  0-30  0 
Aspidistras,  green, 

per  dozen       ...  Is  0-30  0 

—  variegated,  dz.  30  0-42  0 
Asparagus   pluino- 

sus  nanus,  doz.     9  0-12  0 

—  Sprengeri,  dz.    9  0-12  0 

—  ten  uissi  mus 

per  dozen      ...    9  0-12  0 
Boronia    mega- 
stigma,  per  dz.  12  0-30  0 

—  helerophylla  ...  12  0-24  0 
Calceolarias, yellow  4  0-80 
Campanulas,  p.  dz.  6  0-  i)  0 
Clematis,  per  doz.    8  0-90 

—  in  flower  ...  12  0-18  0 
Cocos    Weddelli- 

ana,  per  dozen  9  0-18  0 
Coleus,  per  dozen  2  0-40 
Coreopsis,  per  doz.  6  0-10  0 
Crassulas     (Kaloz- 

anthes),perdz.  9  0-12  0 
Crotons,  per  dozen  12  0-30  0 
Cyperus    alternifo-         *  • 

lius,  dozen      ...     4  0-50 

—  laxus,  per  doz.  4  0-50 
Dracaenas,  perdoz.    9  0-24  0 


s.d.  s.d. 
4  0-90 


Euonymus,  per  dz. 
Ferns,  in  thumbs, 

pei  mi! 7  0-10  0 

—  in    small    and 

large  60's      ...  16  0-25  0 

—  in  48's,  per  dz.     4  0-10  0 

—  in  3^'s,  per  dz.  10  0-18  0 
Ficus  elastica.doz.     S  0-10  0 

—  repens,  perdoz.  4  0-60 
Fuchsias,  per  doz.  4  0-80 
Heliotropiums,  per 

dozen 3  0-40 

Hydrangea     Thos. 

Hogg,  per  doz.  12  0-18  0 

—  Hortensia,  per 

dozen S  0-12  0 

—  paniculata,  per 

dozen 12  0-30  0 

Kentia       Belmore- 

ana,  per  dozen  12  0-18  0 

—  Fosteriana,    p. 

dozen 12  0-21  0 

Kochia      scoparia, 

per  dozen  ...  6  0-90 
Latania  borbonica, 

per  dozen  ...  12  0-18  0 
Lilium    1  o  n  gi- 

florum,  perdz.  12  0-24  0 

—  lancif  o  lium, 

per  dozen  ...  12  0-18  0 
Lily  of  the  Valley, 

per  dozen      ...  10  0-12  0 


Plants  in  Pots,  &c. 

Lobelia,  per  dozen 

Marguerites, white, 

per  dozen 

—  yellow 

Mignonette,  perdz. 
Musk,  per  dozen... 
Pelargon  i  u  in  s, 

I  v  y-1  ea  v  e  d, 
Mde.  Crousse 
and  Galilee,  p. 
dozen  

—  Zonals,  per  dz. 


:  Average  Wholesale  Prices  (Contd.) 

s.d.  s.d.  s.d.  s.d. 

5  0-60    Pelargoniums, 
show    ...        ...  6  0-90 

4  0-80    Petunias,     double, 

12  0-18  0            per  dozen       ...  4  0-80 

6  0-90     —  single,  per  dz.  30-60 
4  0-50    Rhodanthe,  per  dz.  4  0-  6  0 

Roses,   H.P's.,  dz.  12  0-24  0 

—  Ramblers, each  5  0-21  0 

Selaginella,    dozen  4  0-  ti  0 

Spiraea japonica.dz.  5  0-80 

40-60    Verbena,      Miss 

4  0-60            Wilhnott,  doz.  60-90 


Fruit:  Average  Wholesale  Prices 
s.d,  s.d. 


6  6-7  6 

7  0-80 

6  0-70 
6  0-  7  0 

6  6-76 

7  0-7  6 


...  10  0-11  0 


Apples,  per  box, 
Tasmaniati 

—  LondonPippins  8  6-90 

—  Scarlet  Pear- 
mains  ... 

—  Scarlet  Nonpa- 
reils    ... 

—  Sturmer  Pip- 
pins      

—  French  Crabs.. 

—  Prince  Alfreds 

—  Alfristons 
Australian,  box 

—  Monro's  Fav- 
orite, per  box    7  0-90 

—  Roman  Beauty    7  0-80 

—  Cleopatras     ...    7  0-90 

—  Jonathans 

—  New  York  Pip- 
pins       

—  Five  Crowns... 

—  Rymers 
Apricots   (French), 

per  box 

—  French,    cases 

—  French,  \  sieve 
Bananas,  bunch : 

—  No.  2  Canary  . 

—  No.  1        Jf    ... 

—  Extra        ,,     ... 

—  Giants     „     ... 

—  Jamaica 

—  Loose,  per  dz. 
Cherries  (English), 

£  sieve 

—  i  sieve 

rries,     >ii 
Currants  (English), 
■ 

—  Bia  c"k  U.ng- 
lish),  h  sieve  ... 

—  White,  p.  peck 
Dates  (Tunis),  doz. 

boxes  

i  <  -uernsey),  p. 
dozen  

Gooseberries  (Eng- 
lish), k  sieve  ...     _ 

Grape    Fruit,   case  11  6-13  0 

Grapes     (English), 

Hanibro's,  p.  lb.  0  6-10 

—  Alicante, perlb.    0  8-10 

—  Gros      Maroc, 

per  lb. 0  9-13 

—  English  Mus- 
cats, per  lb.  ...    0  9-26 


7  0-90 
6  6-70 
6  0-70 

12-14 
2  6-36 
5  0-66 

5  0  — 

5  6-60 

6  6-76 
80  — 
5  0-56 
0  9-13 


3  6- 
2  0- 
8  0- 


2  6-36 


4  6-50 
2  9-30 


26  — 

10-40 


16-40 


0  9-26 
2  0-26 


7  0-10  0 
0  3-04 


2  0-90 
13-16 


2  6-30 


s.d.  s.d. 
Belgian 
Jlambro's,  per 

lb 0  6-09 

Lemons  : 

—  Messina,    case  10  0-14  0 

—  N.iples,      per 

case      18  0-23  0 

Lychees,  perbox...    10    — 
Mangoes,  per  doz.     6  0-12  0 
Melous(  Guernsey), 

each       

—  French,   Rock, 
each     

—  Valencia,     per 
case     

—  Canteioupe, 
each     

Nectarines  (Eng- 
lish), per  doz. 

—  French,  p.  box 
Nuts,  Cobnuts,  per 

doz.   lb 

—  Almonds,  bags  54  6 

—  Brazils,     new, 

Sercwt.  ...  40  0-42  6 

arcelona.  bag  32  6    — 

—  Cocoa  nuts.  100  12  0-17  0 
Oranges,  per  case : 

—  Valencia        ...  18  0-30  0 

—  Navels  ...  10  0-10  6 

—  Murcias,     box  10  0-14  0 
Peaches  (English), 

per  dozen 
fists  ... 
I2nds... 

—  French,  p.  box 
Pears  (Australian), 

per  bundle  of  3 
box  i 
Plums  ^French),  p. 

0  10-  1  0 

—  French,  J  sieve    4  9-56 

—  Italian,   basket    2  0-23 
Gages   (French), 

per  box 

—  Italian,  basket 

—  French,  A  sieve 

Pineapples,  each... 

Raspberries  (Eng- 
lish), handle 
basket ... 

—  English,  p.  dz. 
punnets 

Strawberries  (Eng- 
lish), per  peck    19-30 

—  per  lb 0  3-09 


10-90 
6  0-80 
10-30 

10-16 


10  0-20  0 


13-16 
10  1  0 
6  0-90 
2  0-36 


13-16 

2  6-40 


Vegetables  :  Average  Wholesale  Prices. 


s.d.  s.d. 


Artichokes(French) 

per  dozen 
Aubergines(  French) 

perdoz. 

—  Beans(French), 
per  pad 

—  Broad       (Eng- 
lish), p.  bushel 

—  Jersev.  per  lb. 

—  French,  packet    0  3-04 
■ —  Home  -grown, 

per  lb 

Beetroot,  bushel  ... 
Cabbages,  per  doz. 
Cabbage     Gi 

bag       

—  red,  per  dozen 
Carrots    (English), 

dozen  bunches 
Cauliflowers,  p.  dz. 
Chow  Chow    (Sec- 

hium  edule),  p. 

dozen  

Cucumbers,  per 

dozen  

Endive,  per  dozen 
Horseradish,  for- 
eign, dz.bndls. 
Leeks,  12  bundles 
Lettuce    (English), 

Cos,  per  score    0  4-06 
Marrows  (English), 

per  dozen      ...    3  0-60 
Mint,  doz.  bunches    0  9-10 


s.d.  s.d. 


2  0-26 
'-2  0    — 


5  0-80 


3  0 
0  6- 


0  6    — 

13    16 
0  9-10 

10-16 
2  0    — 

10-16 
2  0-26 


3  0    — 


16-26 
13-16 


13  0-14  0 
16    — 


Mushrooms(house) 
perlb 

—  buttons,  per  lb. 

—  "Broilers"p.lb. 
Mustard  and  Cress, 

per  dozen  pun. 

Onions      (Lisbon), 

case     

—  pickling,     per 
bushel 

—  Spring,  pr.  dz. 
bunches 

ptian,  bag.    8  0-86 
Peas  (English),  per 
bushel 

—  English,  p.  bag 
Parsley,  12  bunches 

—  h  bushel 
Potatos     (Canary), 

per  cwt. 
Radishes     (Guern- 

sej  >,  per  dozen 
Salsal'v.p.dz.bdls. 
Spinaci  i,     i 

per  bushel  ... 
Tomatos: — 

—  selected,    per 
dozen  lbs.     ... 

—  small  selected, 
per  dozen  lbs.     2  6-29 

Turnips  (English), 

doz.  bunches...    2  0-30 
Watercress,     per 

doz.  bunches...    0  4-06 


0  S-0  10 
0  10    — 
0  5-06 

10-16 

6  0-70 
2  0-26 
16    2  0 


16-26 
3  0-50 
16-20 
10-16 

8  0-90 

0  4-06 
3  6- 

0  9-10 


3  0-33 


Remarks.— Cherries  are  now  arriving  from  Kent  in  large 
quantities,  but  these  fruits  have  been  considerably  damaged 
by  the  recent  storms.  A  consignment  of  Trinidad  or  claret- 
coloured  Bananas  was  received  by  Mr.  H.  Rides,  of  the 
Central  Avenue,  during  the  past  week  ;  they  were  of 
fine  quality  and  in  good  condition.  English  Peaches 
are  plentiful  and  their  prices  are  very  low.  Home-grown 
Tomatos  are  also  cheaper.  Strawberries  can  still  be  obtained, 
but  the  consignments  are  small.  P.  L..  Covcnt  Garden 
Market,  July  24,  1907. 

Potatos, 

Rents,  4s.  6d.  to  6s. ;  Bedfords,  4s.  to  5s. ;  Lincoms,  4s.  to 
5s. ;  Blacklands,  3s.  9d.  to  4s.  3d.  The  rain  which  fell  on  Sun- 
day and  Monday  has  caused  the  consignments  to  be  small. 
The  demand  for  tubers  is  good,  but  prices  have  a  slight 
downward  tendency.    /.  D.  C,  Covcnt  Garden,  July  24,  1907, 


COVENT    GARDEN     FLOWER     MARKET. 

The  supplementary  stands  in  the  Jubilee  market  are  now 
removed,  and  there  are  many  emptv  stands  in  the  new  por- 
tion of  the  ordinary  Flower  market,  yet  some  yrov,  < 
have  large  supplies  of  useful  plants.  Fuchsias  are  still  very 
good  and  supplies  are  likely  to  continue.  Crassula  coc- 
cinea  has  been  very  fine  this  season,  the  plants  being  dwarf 
and  well  flowered.  The  hybrid  varieties  which  come  into 
flower  earlier  than  the  species  are  now  almost  finish,  d  for 
the  season.  Dorothy  Perkins  and  Lady  Gay  Roses  are  held 
by  some  to  be  almost  identical,  but  the  latter  variety 
seen  at  its  best,  is  of  the  more  deeper  and  more  pleasing 
shade  of  colour.  A  few  fairly  good  plants  of  Rose  Hia- 
watha have  been  seen.  Plants  that  are  not  quickly  sold 
drop  their  petals,  but  the  Flower  market  is  one  of  the 
places  for  retaining  flowering  plants  in  a  good  con- 
dition, and  the  cause  may  not  altogether  be  due  to  the 
vaT,ie7'  .-Zonal,  show  and  Ivy-leaved  Pelargoniums  are 
still  plentiful;  also  Marguerites  in  both  white  and  yellow- 
flowered  varieties.  Other  plants  seen  include  Coreopsis 
Chrysanthemum  segetum,  Verbena  Miss  Willmott,  and 
Mignonette.  Lobelia  appears  to  be  finished  for  the  season 
except  the  double-flowering  variety,  which  is  now  better 
than  ever. 

Cut  Flowers. 
Hardy  flowers  are  now  a  great  feature;  these  include 
Poppies,  Alstromerias,  Coreopsis,  Corn  flowers  (Centaurea 
cyanus)  in  several  shades  of  colours,  Altheas  in  white  and 
crimson,  and  Dink  and  white  Saponaria.  Asters  are  already 
arriving,  chiefly  from  France,  Sweet  Peas  are  much  over- 
done, and  very  many  are  left  unsold.  Roses  vary,  those  of 
best  quality  sell  fairly  well.  The  blooms  from  the  open 
show  traces  of  damage  caused  by  the  bad  weather.  Carna- 
tions are  still  abundant.  The  yellow-flowered  Sweet  Sultan 
is  good,  except  those  flowers  which  have  been  cut  when  in 
a  wet  condition.  All  flowers  of  this  class  travel  much  better 
it  the  flowers  are  quite  dry  when  cut  and  packed.  Sprayers 
have  come  largely  into  use  and  many  persons  use  them  too 
freely  on  their  flowers  for  transit.  Liliums  are  not  too 
plentiful.  Lily  of  the  Valley  is  still  sufficiently  abundant 
to  meet  all  demands.  Stale  flowers  deteriorate  very 
quickly  in  vases,  &c.,  and  the  buyers  are  then  disappointed, 
and  do  not  purchase  cut  flowers  again  unless  on 
special  occasion.  —  A.  H.,  ' 
July  24,  1907.     ^___ 


Covcnt     Garden. 


some 
Wednesday, 


THE     WEATHER. 

The    Following    Summary    Record     of    the 
weather  throughout   the   British    Islands,   for  the 
ending  J  uly  20.  is  furnished  from  the  Meteoro- 
logical Office: — 

GENERAL    OBSERVATIONS. 

The  weather  was  very  fine,  especially  in  the  western  dis- 
tricts where  the  amount  of  bright  sunshine  was  much 
greater  than  in  the  east,  and  the  atmosphere  was  con- 
sequently warmer.  Thunder  and  lightning  occurred  in 
several  parts  of  Ireland  on  Thursday,  Friday  and  Saturday  ■ 
on  the  last  mentioned  day  it  extended  also  to  Wales  and  tfij 
West  of  England.  Lightning  was  seen  at  Epsom  on  the 
evenings  of  tin-  LBth  and  18th. 

The  temperature  was  above  the  average  generally,  the 
excess  amounting  to  7°  in  Ireland  S.,  and  to  nearly  8°  in 
Scotland  \\  1 1;  England  N.E.,  however,  the  excess  was 
"  5J  w^ile  in  England  S.  there  was  a  deficit  of  01°, 
and  in  England  E.  of  1-8".  The  highest  readings  were 
mostly  registered  on  Tuesday  in  Scotland,  and  later  at  the 
majority  of  stations  in  England  and  Ireland.  In  Scotland  N. 
(at  Lairg)  the  thermometer  rose  to  86",  and  in  Scotland  W. 
and  Ireland  S.  (at  Killarney  on  Thursdav)  to  83°,  while  else- 
where  the  maxima  varied  from  84°  in  Scotland  E.  to  76"  in 
Scotland  N.E.  During  the  later  days  of  the  week,  the 
maxima  were  below  60"  at  some  stations  in  the  east  and 
north-east  coasts  of  Britain.  The  lowest  of  the  minima, 
which  occurred,  as  a  rule,  rather  late  in  the  week,  ranged 
from  40°  in  Scotland  N.  and  England  E.  to  48°  in  Engllnd 
N/rt  .  and  the  English  Channel,  and  to  51°  in  Ireland. 

The  mean  temperature  of  the  sea.  The  water  was  much 
warmer  than  during  the  preceding  week,  the  increase  ot 
temperature  amounting  to  more  than  4°  in  some  places. 
I  he  actual  values  for  the  week  ranged  from  61-7°  at  East- 
bourne, 61  T°  at  Margate  and  Seafield,  and  about  60°  on  the 
north-west  coast  of  Ireland  and  at  Newquay,  to  51-3'  at 
Lerwick  and  to  50-8"  at  Wick. 

The  rainfall  was  below  the  average  very  generally.  Over 
a  i^ge  Part       Great  B"tain  the  week  was  rainless. 

The  bright  sunshine  exceeded  the  average  in  all  districts, 
the  percentage  of  the  possible  duration  ranging  from  73°  in 
the  English  Channel,  67*  in  England  S.W.,  58°  in  England  S., 
and  p7°  in  England  N.W.  to  43°  in  Scotland  E.,  and  to  39*  in 
England  N.E. 

*   THE  WEATHER  IN  WEST  HERTS. 

Week  ending  July  24. 
too  wettest  consecutive  days  for  eight  months.— The 
first  three  days  of  the  week  were  warm,  but  since  then  the 
day  temperatures  have  been  cool  for  the  time  of  year.  The 
nights  have  been,  as  a  rule,  of  about  seasonable  warmth. 
On  the  warmest  day  the  temperature  in  the  thermometer 
screen  rose  to  77°,  which,  although  only  about  6°  higher 
than  the  average  for  the  middle  of  July,  is  the  highest 
reading  as  yet  recorded  here  during  the  present  summer. 
The  ground  has  been  warmer  than  at  any  previous  time  this 
month,  but  is  still  1"  colder  at  2  feet  deep,  and  2°  colder  at 
1  foot  deep,  than  is  seasonable.  After  10  dry  days  there 
came  two  wet  ones,  indeed,  taking  them  together  more  rain 
fell  than  in  any  two  consecutive  days  during  the  previous 
eight  months  and  yet  the  aggregate  fall  amounted  to  only 
1J  inch.  This  heavy  fall,  which  was  deposited  almost 
entirely  during  thunderstorms,  restarted  even  the  percola- 
tion gauge  on  which  short  grass  is  growing,  through  which 
no  rainwater  at  all  had  come  for  over  a  month.  The 
sun  shone  on  an  average  for  4|  hours  a  dav,  which  is 
more  than  1J  hour  a  day  short  of  the  July  average. 
On  two  days  no  sunshine  at  all  was  recorded.  The 
weather  has  now  been  calm,  or  with  very  light  airs,  for  a 
fortnight,  the  direction  of  the  air  currents  being  mostly  some 
point  of  the  compass  between  north  and  east.  The 
amount  of  moisture  in  the  air  at  3  p.m.  exceeded  a  seasonable 
quantity  for  that  hour  by  as  much  as  10  per  cent. 

Correction.     In  my  previous  report  I  said  that  the  highest 
temperature  of  the  week,  76°,   was    the  warmest  as    vet 
recorded  here  this  year,  but  I  find  that  in  the  middle  i  I 
I  registered  78°.    E.  M.,  Bcrkhairisted,July  24,  1907. 


so 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[July  27,  1907. 


rrtaporuknUM 


*  *  2m  owf  n««  t!s«c  we  hope  to  publish  the  repot  ts 
kindly  furnished  by  our  correspondents  on  the  condition 
of  the  hardy  fruit  crops. 

Apple  Leaves  :  W.  E.  M.  The  leaves  are  not 
affected  with  any  disease,  but  the  tissue  has 
been  injured  by  chills  when  moisture  was  pre. 
sent  on  the  surface. 

Books:  G.  W.  S.  The  Fruit  Grower's  Year  Book 
can  be  obtained  from  our  publishing  depart- 
ment, price  Is.  3d.  free  by  post.  —  Correspondent. 
Rock  and  Alpine  Gardening  may  be  obtained  from 
our  publishing  department,  price  3s.  6d.  post 
free.  Owing  to  a  printer's  error  the  price  was 
described  as  8s.  6d.  on  p.  45  of  the  last  issue. 

Clematis  Dying  :  G.  H.,  Windermere.  The  ma- 
terial you  send  is  insufficient  for  correct  de- 
termination of  the  cause  of  the  complaint. 

Cucumbers  diseased:  D.D.  The  foliage  you 
send  is  affected  with  the  "  spot  "  disease,  caused 
by  a  fungus  Cercospora  melonis.  This  is 
generally  the  result  of  growing  the  plants  in  a  too 
moist  atmosphere,  using  too  much  manure,  and 
not  providing  sufficient  ventilation.  Spray  every 
portion  of  earth  in  the  house  with  Bordeaux 
mixture  once  a  week  from  the  first,  even  when 
there  is  no  evidence  of  the  disease.  With 
persistent  attention  the  disease  can  be  stamped 
out ;  or,  better,  it  can  be  prevented  from  appear- 
ing by  spraying  with  sulphide  of  potassium, 
2  ounces  in  3  gallons  of  water  in  which  2  ounces 
of  soft  soap  is  dissolved.  Infection  can  only 
take  place  on  the  under-surface  of  the  leaf, 
hence  this  portion  should  be  thoroughly  wetted 
with  the  fungicide.  Syringe  with  this  solution 
e\ery  alternate  day. 

Figs  Unhealthy  :  Elap.  We  have  failed  to 
discover  any  disease  on  your  specimens  ;  the 
unhealthy  appearance  is  the  result  of  some 
cultural  defect. 

Crapes  Diseased:  T.  C,  W.  M.  The  berries 
are  affected  with  the  spot  disease.  See  reply 
in  our  last  issue  to  F.  G.  B.,  p.  60. 

List   of   Popular    Herbaceous    Plants,    &c.  : 
G.  E.     You  should  have  furnished  us  with  some 
particulars    of    the    position,    area,    &c.      The 
perennials    could    be    planted    any  time    after 
August,  or,  by  obtaining  pot  grown  plants,  the 
planting  could  be  done  at  once.      We  do  not 
advise  the  latter  method  for  your  purpose,  how- 
ever, and  by  waiting  till  September  next — it  is, 
of  course,  too   late  to  expect  any  display  this 
year  whatever  is  done — larger  plants  would  be 
available,  and  these  would  give  a  good  display  of 
flowers  next  year.      Perennial   herbaceous  plants : 
Coreopsis    grandiflora,    Gaillardia   grandiflora. 
Erigeron     speciosus     superbus.        Campanula 
persicifolia     var      Moerheimii,      C.     p.      alba 
coronata,  C.  p.  "  Newry  Giant,"  C.   p.  grandi- 
flora,    C.    van    Houttei,    C.    nobilis.      Trollius 
"Orange     Globe,"    T.    asiaticus.       T.   napelli- 
folius,  Iris  Mrs.  Chas   Darwin,  I.  LTnnocence. 
I.   Mme.  Chereau,  I.  aurea,  I.  pallida,  I.  Dr. 
Bernice,  I.  gigantea.     Aster  acris,  A.  Amellns, 
A.    ericoides,     A.     laevigatus,     A.    densus,    A. 
arcturus,    A.    cordifolius.      Pyrethrum    roseum 
Hamlet,  P.  r.  Mrs.  Bateman  Brown,  P.  r.  Carl 
Vogt,   P.   r.  J.  N.  Twerdy,  P.  r.  Pericles,  P.  r. 
Ne  Plus  Ultra.     Achillea  alpina,  A.  ptarmica  fl. 
pi.    and    the  variety  The  Pearl,  Lathyrus  lati- 
folius.     Montbretias,  Chelone  barbatus  Torreyi, 
Delphiniums    in   variety,   herbaceous  Phloxes, 
including   the    varieties    Mrs.    E.  H.    Jenkins, 
EtnaandWm  Robinson.  Helianthus  multiflorus. 
Dianthus  barbatus  magnificus.   Pinks  of  several 
sorts,  &c.     If  to  the  above  you  add  the  follow- 
ing bulbous  rooted  plants,  the  season  of  flower- 
ing would  be  greatly  prolonged.     Not  all,  how- 
ever, of  these   should    be   planted  in    Septem- 
ber,    Galtonia     candicans,    Spanish     Irises     in 
variety,  Lilium  tigrinum,   L.  croceum,  L.  can- 
didum,    Narcissus   Emperor,    N.    Sir  Watkin, 
N.   princeps,  N.   Barrii-conspicua,    N.  poeticus 
ornatus,  N.  Empress.      Of  these  bulbous  plants 
you  should   purchase  six  or  a  dozen  of  each  to 
form  a  group  ;  plant  the  bulbs  4  inches  deep. 


Of  the  Spanish  Irises,  a  hundred  may  be  pur- 
chased for  a  small  sum.  The  annuals  should 
include  Mignonette,  Godetia,  'Cornflowers  (Cen- 
taurea  cyanus),  Candytuft,  Sweet  Sultan 
(Centaurea),  Stocks,  Marigold,  'Sweet  Peas, 
Chrysanthemum,  Salpiglossis,  Nasturtium, 
Love-in-a-Mist  (Nigella),  Nemophila,  &c.  Sow- 
ings of  these  should  be  made  from  March  to 
May.  The  Sweet  Peas  and  the  Cornflowers 
marked  thus  *  should  be  sown  in  February,  or 
Sweet  Peas  could  be  sown  in  autumn. 

Melon  Roots  Killed  :  G.  B.  We  suspect  the 
injury  has  been  caused  by  either  wire  worms 
or  some  insect  pest  that  was  introduced  with 
the  freshly-cut  turves.  Soil  obtained  from  a 
pasture  and  intended  for  the  cultivation  of 
Melons  and  other  plants  in  a  glasshouse 
should  be  stacked  for  a  period  before  being 
used. 

Names  of  Fruits  :  T.  M.  The  Gooseberries  are 
badly  grown  fruits,  and  owing  to  their  small  size 
we  cannot  name  them  with  any  degree  of  cer- 
tainty. They  resemble  the  variety  Lancashire 
Lad.— A.  B.  H.     Peach  Dymond. 

Names  of  Plants  :  H.  G.  H.  1,  Cupressus 
Lawsoniana ;     2,    C.     pisifera     var.    plumosa ; 

3,  Streptosolen  Jamesoni;  4,  Juniperus  chi- 
nensis  var.  aurea. — F.  C.  We  do  not  under- 
take to  name  varieties  of  Carnations  or 
other  florists'  flowers. — Avonhuist.  We  do 
not  undertake  the  naming  of  Roses.  The 
shrub  is  Lycium  Chinense,  the  Tea  Plant. — 
T.  \V.  C.  1,  Dictamuns  fraxinella  ;  2,  Lychnis 
viscaria  flore  pleno ;  3,  Sedum  Sieboldii  ;  4, 
Bambusa  Fortunei  variegata.  — IF.  Coryanthes 
speciosa. — Mill  Hill.  Lapeyrousia  cruenta,  more 
commonly  known  as  Anomatheca  cruenta.  The 
spots  on  the  Begonia  foliage  are  caused  probably 
by  condensed  moisture  settling  on  the  plants  at 
night. — P.  H.  1,  Masdevallia  demissa  ;  2, 
Babiana  sambucina  ;  3,  Stelis  ophioglossoides  ; 

4,  Epidendrum  ochraceum  ;  5,  Seraphyta 
multiflora. — Don.  Agrostemma  coronana. — 
L  H.  1,  Fuchsia  procumbans ;  2,  Verbascum 
Thapsus  ;  3,  Campanula  rotundifolia  alba;  4, 
Lapsana  communis  ;  5,  Phalaris  canariensis. — 
J.W.W.  1,  Robinia  hispida;  Erigeron  phila- 
delphicus. 

Nectarines  :  C.  D.  The  markings  on  the  foliage 
are  not  due  to  fungus,  but  to  a  deposit  of  lime 
from  the  water  with  which  they  have  been 
syringed.  The  cracking  in  the  fruits  is  the 
result  of  some  irregularity  in  watering  the 
border,  or  to  some  defect  in  the  drainage  of 
the  latter.— Elap.  The  splitting  of  the  fruits  is 
caused  by  the  presence  of  too  much  moisture  at 
the  roots. 

P.eonies  Diseased  :  E.  B.  Your  plants  are 
affected  with  the  drooping  disease  caused  by 
a  fungus  Sclerotinia  paeoniae.  Cut  off  the 
drooping  stems  and  burn  them.  Early  next 
spring  remove  the  upper  2  inches  of  soil 
over  the  roots  and  afford  fresh  soil  that  has 
some  quicklime  mixed   with  it. 

Peach  Leaves  Injured  :  G.  H.  B.  The  mark- 
ings on  the  foliage  are  caused  by  the  shot-hole 
fungus — Cercospora  circumscissa.  Spray  the 
trees  with  an  ammoniacal  solution  of  copper 
carbonate  at  intervals. 

Peaches  Rotting  :  Correspondent.  The  fruits  on 
reaching  us  were  a  mass  of  pulp,  and  it  was 
quite  impossible  to  determine  the  nature  of  the 
trouble.  The  foliage  received  shows  no  trace  of 
fungus  disease. 

Pear  Leaves  Injured  :  Leven.  The  injury  has 
been  caused  by  the  Pear-leaf  blister  mite. 
Spray  the  trees  thoroughly  with  paraffin  emul- 
sion prepared  by  boiling  together  equal  pro- 
portions of  paraffin  and  soft  soap.  This  should 
be  thoroughly  mixed  with  25  times  its  bulk 
in  water.  Apply  the  spray  in  the  autumn  and 
again  in  the  following  spring,  when  the  leaves 
are  expanding. 

Plants  for  Supplying  Cut  Flowers  :  T.  H.  S. 
The  following  is  a  selection  from  the  list  given 
in  our  issue  for  February  10,  1906,  p.  96:  — 
Roses,  Carnations  and  Pinks,  Campanulas, 
herbaceous  Phloxes,  Michaelmas  Daisies, 
Sweet  Peas,  and  Pyrethrum  roseum.  We  may 
also  include  Dahlias  and  any  of  the  Sun- 
flowers,    especially     Helianthus     multiflorus. 


Any  of  the  varieties  mentioned  in  our  previous 
reply  will  be  found  excellent  garden  plants. 
The  Chrysanthemums  enumerated  are  varieties 
of  the  hardy  C.  maximum  and  not  the  Japa- 
nese winter-flowering  type.  Mrs.  Head  is  cor- 
rect. 

Plants  Observed  at  Kew  :  Amateur.  The  Petu- 
nias noticed  in  the  beds  near  to  the  main  walk 
leading  from  Kew  Green  are  the  varieties  Superb- 
issima  and  Inimitable,  the  former  having 
varied  and  spotted  flowers,  and  the  latter 
striped  flowers.  The  Poppies  growing  in  a 
bed  near  to  the  temperate  house  are  varieties  of 
Papaver  somniferum  (Opium  Poppy).  The 
variety  paeoniaeflorum  has  double  flowers.  The 
Convolvulus  near  to  the  entrance  to  the  grounds 
attached  to  the  Queen's  Cottage  is  C.  sylvaticus, 
also  known  as  Calystegia  sylvatica.  There  is  a 
form  with  pink  flowers  named  incarnata. 

Public  Parks  Employment  :  A  "Reader.  Your 
better  plan  will  be  to  write  to  the  superinten- 
dent of  any  of  the  parks  you  may  prefer  to 
work  in,  asking  for  a  form  of  application.  Al- 
most all  parks  are  provided  with  glass  struc- 
tures ;  some  have  very  extensive  and  up-to- 
date  plant  houses  and  frames. 

Rhododendrons  Diseased:  A.  IV.  The  galls 
on  the  leaves  are  formed  by  a  fungus — Exoba- 
sidium  rhododendri.  The  spores  of  the  fun- 
gus are  not  yet  matured  on  your  plants,  so 
that  if  all  the  diseased  leaves  are  collected 
and  burnt  the  disease  will  not  spread. 

Roses  Diseased  :  D.  Bros.  The  foliage  is  at- 
tacked by  the  orange  rust  fungus  Phrag- 
midium  subcorticatum.  Spraying  with  diluted 
Bordeaux  mixture  or  ammoniated  carbonate  of 
copper  solution  at  intervals  during  summer 
will  check  the  spread  of  the  disease.  Burn 
all  the  diseased  leaves  now  and  all  fallen 
ones  in  *he  autumn. 

Strawberries  Injured:  A.  B.  Bosworth.  The 
insect  attacking  your  Strawberries  is  one  of  the 
millipedes,  "the  spotted  snake  millipede" 
(Blanjulus  guttulatus).  These  generally  feed 
on  the  roots  of  plants,  but  they  are  also  fond  of 
Strawberries.  Straw  or  lawn  mowings  placed 
about  the  plants  provides  them  with  a  conveni- 
ent shelter.  They  may  often  be  attracted  from 
the  roots  of  other  plants  by  burying  slices  of 
Turnips,  &c,  but  millipedes  are  especially 
fond  of  Strawberries  and  it  is  difficult  to 
suggest  what  to  do  under  the  circumstances. 
Raising  the  fruits  from  the  ground  by  means  of 
wire  or  other  supports  would  largely  prevent 
this  and  other  insect  pests  from  attacking 
them,  but  it  would  be  expensive  and  trouble- 
some in  the  case  of  large  beds.  Perhaps  the  best 
thing  to  do  would  be  to  go  over  the  beds  and 
gather  all  the  fruit  that  was  infested  and  burn  it. 
As  soon  as  the  fruits  are  all  gathered  collect  and 
burn  any  infested  fruits,  rubbish,  dead  leaves, 
&c,  on  the  beds. 

Urine  :  /.  D.  S.  Human  urine  contains  a  large 
proportion  of  ammonia,  and  is  more  than 
twice  as  rich  in  plant-food  as  pigs  urine,  one- 
third  richer  than  cow's  urine,  but  not  so  rich 
in  this  nitrogenous  food  as  horse  or  sheep 
urine.  It  also  contains  some  phosphates. 
The  best  plan  for  utilising  this  liquid  is  to 
put  it  into  a  tank  or  tub  with  all  the  house- 
hold slops  (suds  but  not  grease),  or  with  twice 
its  bulk  of  common  water.  Allow  it  to  stand 
for  three  or  four  days  to  ferment,  then  apply 
it  during  wet  weather  to  Cabbages,  Lettuce, 
Celery,  Ferns,  shrubs  and  fruit  trees.  It  is 
not  adapted  for  flowering  plants,  as  it  favours 
the  development  of  foliage  at  the  expense  of 
flowers,  which  is  the  case  with  all  manures 
that  are  strong  in  ammonia. 

Warts  on  Vine  Leaves  :  G.  H.  B.  The  warty 
excrescences  are  due  to  a  too  luxuriant  growth 
in  the  cellular  tissue,  brought  about  by  an 
excessively  moist  and  close  atmosphere  in  the 
vinery.  Ventilate  more  freely,  and  place  less 
moisture  about  the  house. 

Communications  Received.— E.  H.  J.— J.  G.  W.— Sir  J. 
T  D.  LL— Lord  Avebury— A.  D.— Lord  B.— Lady  Plow- 
den-W.  L.-W.  H.  C.-T.  H.-S.  T.  W.-Sir  W.  V.- 
G.  T.  G.,  Paris-W.  A.  C.-Sir  W.  C.-S.  and  S.-T.  R. 
and  Sons-J.  E.  M.-G.  F.  R.-O.  B.-L.  S.-W.  E.-J.  C. 
—I.  VV.  P.— Mrs.  M.— J.  I.  M.— Hargrave— W.  G.-G.  W. 
_];  T.-Glasnevin-F.O.-J.  J.  F.-J.  M.-WT.-W  G. 
A  E  -J.  M.  W.— W.  H.-H.  C—  R.  T.  H.— W.  E.  G.— 
SA-J.  L.-E.  A.-W.  M.-A.  P.-J.  C.-F.  M.-East 
Sussex-C.  B.-W.  S.-R.  N.-T.  S.-H.  W.  W. 


August  3,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


81 


THE 


(!5arbcncrs'CbronicIc 

No.  1,075— SATURDAY,  August  3,  1907. 


CONTENTS. 


Eooks,  notices  of — 

Flowers  and  Trees  of 
Palestine       

Nos  Arbres     

Quarterly   Journal    of 
Forestry       

Rock    &    Water   Gar- 
dens    

Publications  received 
Campanula  punctata  ... 
C  hanties,     garden,     an 

aid  to 

Colonial  note — 

Watsonia  Ardernei  ... 
■Country  garden,  the    ... 
Cuckoo  reared  in  a  hang- 
ing flower-basket 
Currant,  the  white 

Cytisus  albus      

Fruit  crops,  reports  on 

the  condition  of  the 
■Gardener,  a  veteran    ... 
■German    Nurse _y men's 

Association      

Half-hardy     plants,     a 

suitable  house  for   ... 
Hooker,  Sir  Joseph 
Horticulture  at  Reading 

Kew  notes  

Law  note — 

Claim    for    damage 
caused   by  creosote 

fumes  

Market  gardening — 

Crops  in  the  Worthing 
district 
Melon  trials  at  Wisley  ... 
Nursery  notes — 

Cannell    &   Sons,  H., 
Swanley 


93 
81 

97 
93 
91 

84-90 
92 


96 


for 


94  I 


Obituary — 

Ward,  George 

Summermeyer,  G.  ... 
Plants,    new    or     note- 
worthy— 

Felicia  petiolata 

Polemonium     confer  - 
turn  melitum 

Potato  mutation 

Rome,  the  garden  at  the 

Villa  d'  Este,  near    ... 
Rosary,  the — 

Cultural      notes 

August  

Societies — 

British        Gardeners' 
Association 

Cardiff     and    County 
Hort 

Crawley  Gardeners*... 

Debating         

Horticultural  Club  ... 

Royal  Horticultural... 

(ScientincCoiiiim:  I* 
Summer  -  pruning       of 

fruit  tree s        

Trees  and  shrubs — 

Choice  shrubs  at  Leo- 
nardslee  gardens  ... 

Olearia  nitida 

Viola  trials  at  Glasgow- 
Week's  work,  the — 

Flower  garden,  the   ... 

Fruits  under  glass    „ 

Hardy  fruit  garden   ... 

Kitchen  garden,  the ... 

Orchid  houses,  the  ... 

Parks  and  gardens    ... 

Plants  under  glass    ... 


100 
100 


94 
97 


93 


99 

98 
98 

99 
9* 
91 
97 

97 


K! 

83 

82 
83 
83 


% 
93 

si> 
95 
92 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Campanula  punctata      

Currants,  White  Dutch  

Felicia  (Agathsea)  petiolata 

Olearia  nitida,  a  plant  of,  94  ;   flowering  spray  of 

Rose  Hugo  Roller  

View  in  the  Garden  attached  to  the  Villa  d'Este,  Rome 
(Supplementary  Illustration) 


THE    COUNTRY    GARDEN. 

CONTINUING  the  subject  of  the  wild  garden 
as  a  desirable  and  decorative  feature  in 
the  garden  proper,  I  would  remind  my 
Teaders  that  the  seeds  of  some  of  the  best  indi- 
genous plants  are  obtainable  from  certain  seeds- 
men. It  should  go  far  to  facilitate  their  cultiva- 
tion, for  there  is  no  method  so  conducive  to 
beautiful  effect  as  growing  from  seed,  as  it  en- 
sures, or  should  ensure,  an  ample  supply  of 
plants  for  the  making  of  a  broad  effect. 

Where  the  wild  garden  is  large  enough,  it 
adds  greatly  to  its  interest,  and  that  is  much 
the  same  as  saying,  its  beauty,  to  include  a  por- 
tion of  wild  rock-garden.  It  may  well  take  the 
form  of  a  sunny,  sloping  bank  at  one  of  its 
boundary  limits ;  and  a  really  effective  and 
long-sustained  display  can  be  achieved  by  our 
native  wildings  alone.  A  broad  stretch  of  Toad 
Flax  makes  a  charming  patch  of  clear  yellow — 
it  is  one  of  the  most  decorative  plants  to  use 
for  a  summer  display.  For  the  same  season 
Campanula  latifolia  is  an  equally  suitable  sub- 
ject ;  and  besides  this  species  may  be  included 
C.  Trachelium,  C.  hederacea,  and  our  wayside 
C.  rotundifolia.  There  is  almost  as  much 
daintiness  and  grace  in  the  yellow-flowered  and 
white^flowered  Galium  verum  (Lady's  Bed 
Straw)  as  there  is  in  the  popular  garden  Gyp- 
sophila ;  they  grow  in  wide-spreading  masses, 
and  before  the  flowers  appear  the  foliage  has 
long  .been  attractive  with  its  gracefulness.  Fox- 
gloves and  Mulleins  are  distinct  and  character- 
istic upstanding  plants — upstanding,  yet  need- 
ing no  artificial  support,  and  that  fact  adds 
much  to  their  charm.  I  have  no  hesitation  in 
recommending  these  tall  subjects  for  the  wild 
rock   garden,   because  a  fair   proportion   of  tall 


plants  adds  much  beauty.  Another  good  sub- 
ject is  the  yellow  Loosestrife  (Lysimachia  vul- 
garis). It  flowers  in  July,  and  will  succeed  with 
far  less  moisture  than  is  generally  known.  So, 
for  that  matter,  will  the  Purple  Loosestrife 
(Lythrum  salicaria),  but  these  plants  succeed 
better  on  the  level  or  in  a  slightly  dug-out  posi- 
tion than  where  the  drainage  is  sharper.  In  the 
case  of  the  Purple  Loosestrife,  however,  it  is 
worth  while  to  forego  the  wild  species  for  the 
more  brilliant  variety  L.  s.  superbum. 

\\  ild  plants  of  annual  habit  prolong  the  sum- 
mer display,  the  Corn  Marigold  (Chrysanthe- 
mum segetum),  and  the  blue  Cornflower  (Cen- 
tauria  Cyanus),  and  even  Red  Weed  or  Poppy 
(Papaver  Rheas)  are  not  to  be  wholly  de- 
spised. A  charming  evergreen  plant  of  shrubby 
growth  is  the  yellow  Rock  Rose  (Helian- 
themum  vulgare).  It  cannot  have  too  sunny 
a  position,  and  during  its  flowering  season 
it  forms  a  grand  patch  of  colour.  Ling 
(Calluna  vulgaris)  and  Heather  should  be 
planted  largely  enough  to  form  a  conspicuous 
patch  when  in  flower,  and  certainly  ample 
space  may  be  left  for  the  Welsh  Poppy  (Meco- 
nopsis  cambrica)  and  the  Mountain  Avens 
(Dryas  octopetala).  The  Welsh  Poppy  flowers 
well  when  exposed  to  a  minimum  of  sunshine, 
and  under  fairly  dense  shade.  I  look  upon  it  as 
one  of  the  invaluable  plants  for  a  shaded  posi- 
tion, especially  if  planted  in  a  site  with  a  north 
aspect.  Among  the  more  characteristic  plants 
suitable  for  carpeting  a  rockery  may  be  men- 
tioned Saxifraga  oppositifolia,  S.  hypnoides,  S. 
granulata,  S.  umbrosa,  and  S.  aizoides ;  Sedums 
of  such  species  as  S.  anglicum,  S.  reflexum,  S. 
acre,  S.  album,  S.  Telephium,  and  the  charming 
old-fashioned  native  Sempervivums ;  to  these 
may  be  added  the  Thrifts  (Armeria),  Thymes, 
Sandworts  (Arenaria),  and  the  varieties  of  bril- 
liantly-coloured wild  Dianthuses. 

There  is,  however,  no  need  to  give  an  ex- 
haustive list,  but  I  may  add  that  a  touch  of 
blue  colouring,  especially  in  summer  time,  is 
attractive,  and,  perhaps,  is  best  achieved  in 
Echium  vulgare,  Succory  (Cichorium  Intybus), 
and  Veronica  spicata.  Both  Echium  vulgare 
and  the  Succory  are  best  grown  in  poor  soil ;  in- 
deed,  the  former  will  flourish  in  gravel,  and,  as 
to  Veronica  spicata,  it  is  one  of  the  showiest 
of  rock-loving  plants.  Besides  these  there  is 
the   annual   Cornflower   already   mentioned. 

Other  nati.e  plants  often  found  in  gardens, 
and  that  are  really  pleasing,  are  Valerian,  Tansy 
(Tanacetum  vulgare),  and  Cranesbill  (Gera- 
nium). So  much  for  the  wild  rock  garden,  and 
I  cannot  help  thinking  that  even  a  small  portion 
uninvaded  by  plants  of  alien  birth  has  a  pecu- 
liar interest  if  well  and  effectively  planted. 
Some  of  our  native  plants  improve  wonderfully 
under  garden  cultivation,  and  when  this  is  the 
case,  it  is  highly  interesting  to  grow  such  plants 
from  seeds,  and  to  watch  the  results. 

I  have  not  yet  touched  on  the  subject  of  in- 
troducing alien  plants  into  portions  of  the  wild 
garden  other  than  the  rockwork  portion.  It  is 
a  subject  that  needs  the  most  careful  considera- 
tion. The  inclusion  of  plants  that  seem  to 
have  bed  or  border  stamped  upon  them,  that  is 
to  say,  have  nothing  in  common  with  the  wild- 
ings with  which  they  are  to  be  associated,  is 
hopelessly  to  mar  the  general  effect.  But  there 
are  numbers  of  plants  that  can  be  introduced 
in  the  wild  garden  with  no  sense  of  incongruity. 
Among  these  I  would  mention  the  handsome 
Heracleum  giganteum,  almost  an}'  varieties  of 
Solidago  (Golden  Rod),  Linaria  dalmatica,  and 
any  of  the  other  Linarias,  the  Polemoniums  ; 
such  of  the  Geraniums  as  G.  ibericum,  G.  Gre- 
villeanum,  &c,  many  of  the  Spiraeas,  and  the 
herbaceous  Veronicas.  I  have  always  found  it  a 
good  test  of  suitability  for  a  plant  to  possess  some 
allied  species  in  our  native  flora.  Thus  it  appears 


to  me,  that  such  a  plant  as  Anthemis  tinctoria 
is  perfectly  in  keeping  in  the  wild  garden,  but 
a  Helianthus  would  appear  out  of  place,  and 
so  would  a  Gladiolus.  The  main  thing  in  plant- 
ing a  wild  garden,  so  far  as  the  introduction 
of  alien  plants  is  concerned,  is  to  satisfy  one's 
sense  of  the  fitness  of  the  subject  for  its  sur- 
roundings.    Practical  Gardener. 


NEW  OR   NOTEWORTHY 
PLANTS. 


FELICIA  (AGATH.EA)  PETIOLATA. 

This  species  is  a  new  introduction  to  cultiva- 
tion. It  was  first  described  by  Harvey  in  his 
Thesaurus  Capensis,  vol.  ii.,  p.  35,  t.  154,  as 
Aster  petiolatus,  and  under  this  name  is  in- 
cluded in  Harvey  and  Sonder's  Flora  Capinsis, 
vol.  iii.,  p.  80.  The  material  on  which  Harvey 
founded  the  species  was  collected  by  Mr. 
Thomas  Cooper  in  Basutoland  and  the  District 
of  Albert  in  1861,  since  which  time  it  appears 
to  have  altogether  escaped  notice  until  M. 
Dieterlin  recently  sent  a  specimen  from  Basuto- 
land to  the  Montpellier  Botanic  Garden.  The 
plant  has  pendulous  or  procumbent  slender 
pubescent  steins  1-2  feet  long,  or  sometimes 
longer,  which,  as  described  by  Mr.  Cooper,  hang 
in  festoons  over  the  edges  of  precipices.  The 
shortly-stalked,  ovate,  pubescent  leaves  are  J-l 
inch  long,  acute,  and  two  or  three-toothed  on  each 
.side.  The  plant  is  free-flowering,  and  the  heads 
are  J-l  inch  across,  solitary  on  slender  peduncles 
about  2  inches  long  ;  the  ray-florets  are  of  rosy- 
purple  colour,  and  the  disc  florets  yellow.  Folio  ly- 
ing Bentham  and  Hooker's  Genera  Plantarum,  the 
plant  should  be  regarded  as  a  Felicia,  depend- 
ing chiefly  on  the  characteristic  feature  of  this 
genus,  namely,  a  one-seriate  pappus,  while  in 
Aster  the  pappus  is  two  or  three-seriate.  From 
the  well-known  Agathsea  ccelestis  (or  amelloides) 
it  is  easily  distinguished,  among  other  characters 
by  its  procumbent  or  pendulous  stems  and  its 
alternate,  toothed  leaves. 

The  illustration  at  fig.  34  has  been  pre- 
pared from  fresh  material  kindly  sent  us 
by  M.  F.  Denis,  Balarac  les  Bains,  Herault, 
France,  who  writes  as  follows: — "The  Mont- 
pellier Botanical  Institute  in  1903  received 
some  dried  plants  from  Basutoland  from  M. 
Dieterlin.  M.  Daveau,  Curator  of  the  Botanic 
Garden  here,  who  examined  these,  noticed  an 
interesting  composite,  which  bore  only  its  native 
name  of  Ketolica  es  Rhaba.  He  provisionally 
identified  it  with  Agathsea  (Aster)  petiolata 
(Harvey  and  Sonder). 

"  The  specimen  bore  several  ripe  seeds,  which 
were  sown  in  1904.  One  of  the  seedlings  which 
sprang  up  was  put  in  a  composite  border,  and 
another  in  a  small  rockery  exposed  to  full  sun- 
shine and  quite  unsheltered.  The  first  plant 
was  killed  by  frost  early  in  the  winter,  the 
second  lived  for  three  winters  with  no  protec- 
tion, and  is  in  excellent  condition,  although  on 
several  occasions  the  temperature  of  the  at- 
mosphere fell  below  10°C.  I  have  three  plants 
raised  from  cuttings  given  to  me  by  M.  Daveau, 
which  survived  last  winter  perfectly.  The  plant 
may  therefore  be  considered  to  be  hardy  in  the 
climate  of  Montpellier,  and  so,  probably,  in 
England  also. 

"  The  plant  has  a  creeping  habit,  and  rapidly 
spreads  its  long  flagelliform  branches,  which  root 
freely.  It  is  very  floriferous,  and  its  pretty  mauve 
flowers  are  rather  smaller  than  those  of  Agathsea 
amelloides,  and  are  open  the  greater  part  of  the 
year.  The  plant  requires  no  special  kind  of 
soil,  and  it  can  be  easily  increased  fiorn  cut- 
tings or  seed.  If  any  readers  of  the  Gara 
Chronicle  wish  to  cultivate  the  plant,  I  have  some 
seeds  which  were  gathered  this  year  in  our 
Botanic  Garden  at  Montpellier.'' 


82 


THE    GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


[August  3,  1907. 


The  Week's  Work. 

THE    ORCHID    HOUSES. 

By  W.  H.  White,  Orchid  Grower  to  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence, 
Bart.,  Burford,  Surrey, 
Newly-imported   plants   of    Cypripediums,    in- 
cluding C.  niveum,  C.  concolor,  C.  bellatulum, 
C.   Godefroyae,  and  its  variety  leucochilum,  in- 
variably thrive  and  flower  well  for  several  years 
after  their  introduction  if  left  undisturbed,  but 
when  it  becomes  necessary  to  repot  them,  or  to 
disturb  them  at  their  roots  in  any  way,  they  do 
not  as  a  rule  appreciate  the  operation.     There- 
fore,  unless  a  shift  is  absolutely   needful,  it  is 
better  not  to  repot  them,  but  rather  to  pick  out 
a  portion  of  the  decayed  material,  and  to  refill 
the  spaces  with  fresh  compost.  Plants  that  must, 
from  various   causes,   be  repotted,   should   now 
receive    attention,    and    those    which    are    well 
rooted    will    require  exceptional    care,    because 
the   roots,   being   of   a  very  brittle  nature,   fre- 
quently snap  off  by  the  merest  touch.     The  pot 
in  which  the  plant  is  growing  should  be  gently 
broken   round,    and   the   pieces    of    crock    that 
formed  the  drainage  material  carefully  removed. 
Some  roots  may  adhere  to  these  potsherds,  and 
they  should  be  detached  with  the  thin  blade  of 
a  penknife,  but  should  there  be  the  least  fear 
of  breaking  a  root,  it  is  better  to  leave  it  adher- 
ing to  the  crock  rather  than  to  break  it  in  at- 
tempting to  remove  it.     If  the  drainage  be  per- 
meated with  roots,  do  not  interfere  with  it,  but 
place  the  whole  mass  into  a  larger  pot  or  pan, 
whichever  may  be  preferred,  and  fill  up  to  the 
level  of  the  old  drainage  with  fresh  crocks  and 
pieces   of   bruken   bricks.     I    have   grown   these 
plants  in  several  kinds  of  compost,   and  have 
succeeded  best   with   the   following   mixture:  — 
Two-thirds  fibrous  loam,  one-sixth  coarse  leaf- 
soil,  and  one-sixth  small  brick-rubbish.     In  re- 
potting, keep  the  base  of  the  leaves  on  a  level 
with   the   rim   of   the  pot,   make   the   drainage 
secure  with  the  roughest  of  the   compost,   and 
press  the  latter  down  firmly  around  the  base  of 
the  plant,  leaving  sufficient  space  for  watering. 
These  species  thrive  best  when  suspended  from 
the  roof  of  the  Cattleya  house.     C.  niveum  and 
C.  concolor  require  a  plentiful  supply  of  water 
the    whole    year    round.     Instead    of    watering 
them  in  the  usual  manner  with  a  can,  dip  them 
in  a  pail  of  water  half-way  up  to  the  rims  of 
the    pots.     A   watering    in    this    manner    about 
once   a  week  will  be  generally  sufficient.     The 
other  species  mentioned  do  not  require  so  much 
water  at  their  roots  as  is  needed  by  these  two 
species. 

FRUITS  UNDER  GLASS. 

By  Alexander  Kirk,  Gardener  to  J.  Thomson  Paton,  Esq. 
Norwood,  Alloa,  Clackmannanshire. 
Vineries.— The  fruits  of  Black  Hamburg  and 
Madresfield  Court  Grapes  are  now  rapidly  col- 
ouring, and  the  vinery  should,  therefore,  be  kept 
cool  by  opening  both  the  top  and  the  bottom 
ventilators  to  their  fullest  extent  during  the  day 
time,  and  allowing  the  top  ventilators  to  remain 
open  for  a  space  of  6  or  8  inches  and  the  bottom 
ones  a  trifle  only  during  the  night  time.  Allow 
a  little  heat  to  circulate  in  the  pipes  at  night 
time,  and  also  on  wet,  cold  days,  for  this  will 
ensure  a  circulation  of  fresh,  dry  air  that  is 
essential  to  the  best  colouring  of  Grapes.  On 
bright,  sunny  days  it  is  advisable  to  shade  the 
bunches  unless  they  are  well  protected  by  the 
foliage.  A  suitable  shading  material  is  one  com- 
posed of  2  lb.  of  whiting  mixed  in  a  pail  of 
water.  Syringe  this  substance  on  to  the  glass 
of  the  roof  in  the  morning  as  soon  as  the  mois- 
ture has  evaporated  from  the  glass.  The  fruit 
of  the  varieties  Black  Hamburg  and  Madresfield 
Court  finish  best  under  cool  conditions.  When 
the  temperature  in  the  vinery  reaches  100°  or 
more,  and  the  direct  rays  of  the  sun  shine  on  the 
bunches,  the  berries  of  any  variety  of  Grape 
will  surely  be  disfigured.  Test  the  borders  with 
the  soil  tester,  and  if  the  soil  is  found  to  be  dry 
afford  a  surface  watering,  and  afterwards  apply 
a  mulching,  unless  the  border  is  already  covered 
with  litter.  This  should  afford  sufficient  water 
at  the  roots  until  the  end  of  the  season.  Guard 
against  attacks  of  red  spider  on  the  foliage,  and 
see  that  wasps  and  flies  do  not  damage  the 
ripened   berries. 

Pot  vines  intended  for  fruiting  again  next  year, 
should  have  well-ripened  shoots  by  the  begin- 
ning of  August.  The  canes  should  be  fully  ex- 
posed to  the  sunshine  and  be  allowed  a  free  cir- 


culation of  air  about  them.  If  they  continue  to 
grow  freely  when  they  should  be  ripening  their 
shoots,  remove  them  to  the  open  and  tie  their 
shoots  to  a  trellis.  Do  not  expose  them  to  cold 
winds,    for    these   would     cripple    the    ioliaae. 


swell ;  and  whether  planted  in  pots,  or  in  con. 
fined  borders,  the  roots  must  be  well  supplied 
with  moisture,  and  be  fed  with  manure  water 
once  a  week.  A  handful  of  fine  grade  vine 
manure,  well  mixed  in  three  gallons.  o£  water, 


Fig.  34. — Felicia  (agath^ea)  petiolata  :   colour  of  ray  florets  rosy-purple; 
disc  florets,  yellow.         (For  text  see  page  81.) 


Apply  water  very  carefully,  and  give  a  little 
weak  manure  water  occasionally,  for  this 
stimulant  will  help  them  to  mature  their  buds. 

Figs. — As  soon  as  the  first  crop  of  these  fruits 
is  gathered,  the  second  crop  will  commence  to 


will  be  beneficial  to  the  formation  of  the  fruits. 
Cut  out  superfluous  growths,  and  allow  a  maxi- 
mum amount  of  light  and  air  to  reach  the  fruit 
and  foliage.  Guard  against  insect  pests  by 
syringing  with  clear  water  twice  daily. 


August  3,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


83 


THE  HAEDY  FRUIT  GARLJN. 

By  J.  Mayne,  Gardener  to  Lord  Clinton,  Bicton, 
East  Devon. 

Plt,Ms. — The  local  crops  of  this  fruit  are 
heavy,  and  thinning  has  been  necessary  in  the 
case  of  trained  trees  on  walls,  &c.  Such  varie- 
ties as  Early  Rivers,  Orleans,  Early  'Prolific, 
and  The  Czar  will  require  protection  from  the 
birds  as  soon  as  they  show  signs  of  colouring. 
Wash  the  foliage  of  wall  trees  with  a  strong 
hosing  by  means  of  the  garden  engine  :  this  will 
remove  much  dirt  and  rubbish  that  is  apt  to 
collect  behind  the  branches.  Syringe  the  foliage 
of  late  varieties,  if  the  leaves  are  infested 
with  aphis  or  red  spider,  with  a  suitable  in- 
secticide. 

Raspberries. — After  the  fruits  have  been  gath- 
ered, cut  out  all  the  old  fruiting  canes,  in  order 
that  the  sun  and  air  may  reach  the  young  rods 
and  thus  greatly  aid  their  ripening.  It  may  also 
be  found  necessary  to  reduce  the  number  of  new 
growths,  especially  if  this  was  overlooked  earlier 
in  the  season.  The  mulching  applied  some  few 
weeks  ago  is  now  exhausted  of  its  manurial  pro- 
perties, and  should  be  replenished  with  some 
good  manure.  The  remaining  canes  should  be 
loosely  tied  to  the  wires  or  poles,  to  prevent 
the  wind  from  twisting  them  off  at  their  bases  : 
the  final  tiaining  must  be  deferred  until  the 
winter. 

Fruit  trees  on  walls  require  frequent  attention 
in  the  matter  of  training  the  growing  shoots  to 
the  trellis  or  wall ;  if  this  is  persistently  prac- 
tised, the  fruits  will  receive  all  the  benefit  of 
air  and  sunlight.  Peach  and  Nectarine  trees 
have  both  made  rapid  growth.  The  fruits  of 
early  varieties  must  be  examined  each  day,  in 
order  to  gather  those  that  will  part  freely  from 
the  tree.  Continue  to  syringe  with  clear  water 
trees  of  late-fruiting  varieties,  and  do  not  neglect 
t  '  furnish  ample  moisture  at  the  roots  now  that 
the  fruits  are  swelling. 

Apricots. — In  gathering  early  fruits,  exercise 
great  care,  as  they  are  easily  damaged.  It  is 
not  often  that  birds  interfere  with  Apricots  in 
these  gardens,  but  a  watch  must  be  kept  as  the 
Apricots  ripen,  and  if  the  fruits  are  molested  the 
trees  must  be  netted.  Set  traps  for  earwigs,  as 
advised  in  the  Calendar  for  July  20. 


Sweet  Peas  now  require  longer  sticks.  The 
faded  flowers  must  be  daily  removed,  for  if  the 
plants  are  allowed  to  produce  seed,  the  supply 
of  flowers  will  cease.  If  not  already  done,  lay 
a  mulch  along  each  side  of  the  rows  to  conserve 
the  moisture  in  the  soil. 


THE  FLOWER  GARDEN. 

By  A.  C.  Bartlett,  Gardener  to  Mrs.  Ford,  Pencarrow, 
Cornwall. 

Herbaceous  flowering  plants. — Continue  to 
stake  and  tie  all  plants  which  need  support,  as 
often  as  may  be  necessary.  Care  and  judgment 
must  be  exercised  in  respect  to  such  subjects 
as  Michaelmas  Daisies  that  they  are  not  tied  to- 
gether too  tightly,  and  so  present  a  bunched-up 
appearance,  thus  destroying  that-  free,  graceful 
habit  which  is  one  of  the  charms  of  these  plants. 
Liliums  and  all  plants  with  stout  stems  will 
need  a  stake  to  each  stem.  The  stake  should  be 
placed  behind  the  stem,  and  be  as  inconspicuous 
as  possible.  Although  the  appearance  of  the 
border  of  herbaceous  plants  is  greatly  enhanced 
when  the  dwarf,  creeping  plants  at  the  front 
are  allowed  to  ramble  beyond  the  strict  confines 
of  the  border,  yet  when  the  edge  is  composed 
of  clipped  Box,  these  front  row  plants  must  not 
be  allowed  to  cover  the  Box  edging  for  more 
than  a  few  weeks,  or  portions  of  the  Box  will  be 
killed  outright.  Frequent  hoeing  and  weeding 
are  now  necessary  to  keep  the  borders  clean. 
As  the  earlier  flowering  plants  ripen  their 
foliage,  it  may  b9  cuf  away  ;  the  time  has  come 
for  so  dealing  with  the  Paeonies,  and  the  gaps 
thus  made  should  be  filled  with  annuals  or  other 
plants,  the  preparation  of  which  was  recently 
advised.  These  plants  should  be  lifted  care- 
fully, and  after  they  have  been  re-planted,  b; 
afforded  a  good  watering,  and  provided  with 
shade  during  sunny  weather. 

Roses. — As  the  flowers  fade,  they  should  be 
cut  off,  so  that  the  strength  of  the  plant  will 
not  be  exhausted  in  the  forming  of  seeds.  Con- 
tinue to  syringe  Rose  plants  with  an  infusion 
Df  quassia  chips  to  prevent  green  fly  establishing 
itself  on  the  shoots.  Some  manurial  assistance  is 
very  beneficial  to  Roses  at  this  period,  and  where 
the  beds  are  carpeted  with  Violas,  or  other  dwarf 
plants,  more  water  will  be  needed  than  is  the 
case  where  the  beds  are  reserved  for  Roses  alone, 
and  a  mulch  has  been  applied. 


PLANTS    UNDER  GLASS. 

By  J.  G.  Weston,  Gardener  to  H.  J.  King,  Esq., 
Eastwell  Park,  Kent. 

Perpetual  -  flowering  Begonias.- — The  charming 
variety  known  as  President  Carnot  being  ever 
green,  and  of  a  very  robust  habit,  is  specially 
suited  for  training  on  upright  pillars,  or  on  wires 
under  the  roof-glass.  The  latter  situation  is  prob- 
ably best  of  all,  as  the  large  pendulous  clusters  of 
rich  carmine-coloured  flowers  show  to  great  advan- 
tage in  such  a  position.  A  warm  or  intermediate 
house  is  the  most  suitable  for  this  class  of  Begonia, 
and  when  once  established  the  plants  will  flourish 
for  a  considerable  time,  needing  very  little  atten- 
tion beyond  the  cutting  out  of  the  old  growths  in 
spring  and  occasionally  thinning  out  the  young 
shoots.  In  the  operation  of  potting,  employ  a  com- 
post consisting  of  equal  parts  turfy  loam,  rough 
leaf  soil,  and  manure  from  a  spent  mushroom-bed. 
Other  good  varieties  suitable  for  growing  in  the 
same  conditions  are  B.  fuchsioides  and  B.  coc- 
cinea.  B.  fuchsioides  has  small,  bright  coral-red 
coloured  flowers,  which  are  produced  in  great 
profusion  ;  coccinea  has  a  larger  habit  in  both  leaf 
and  flower,  the  bloom  being  produced  in  panicles 
similar  to  those  of  President  Carnot,  but  of  a  more 
vivid  colour.  These  are  strong-growing  varieties, 
and  they  succeed  better  when  planted  out  in  a 
border  than  when  the  roots  are  confined  to  pots. 
Keep  a  careful  look  out  for  "  rust,"  small  thrips, 
fly,  and  other  pests.  A  mild  fumigation  at  regular 
intervals  will  be  the  best  preventive. 

Primulas.  —  Repot  the  early  batches  as  this 
becomes  necessary,  using  a  light  porous  compost 
containing  plenty  of  sand.  Large  pots  are  not 
necessary,  those  of  medium  sizes  being  generally 
most  useful.  If,  however,  large  specimens  are 
required,  strong  plants  of  the  P.  stellata  type  will 
make  good  specimens  in  8-inch  pots,  and  if  well 
cultivated  will  become  perfect  pyramids  of  bloom 
in  the  winter  and  early  spring  months.  Later 
batches  of  seedlings  should  be  carefully  pricked 
off  into  very  light  soil  as  soon  as  they  are  large 
enough,  not  allowing  them  to  become  "drawn" 
in  the  seed-pan.  P.  x  kewensis  is  a  useful 
hybrid,  which  makes  a  good  companion  to  P. 
obconica,  requiring  the  same  cultural  conditions  ; 
its  clear  yellow  flowers  are  very  attractive,  and 
the  plants  continue  in  bloom  for  months  together. 

Cinerarias. — Repot  the  plants  before  they  become 
pot-pound,  remembering  that  Cinerarias  are  liable 
to  suffer  greater  harm  In  nil  this  cause  than  most 
plants.  After  repotting  the  plants  replace  them  on 
an  ash  bottom  in  a  frame  ;  and  it  will  be 
better  if  the  frame  is  situated  behind  a  partially 
shaded  wall ;  in  any  case  the  plants  will  need 
shade  during  the  hottest  part  of  the  day.  For 
potting,  use  good  loam,  leaf-soil  and  well  rotted 
manure  in  equal  proportions.  When  the  plants 
have  been  potted  for  the  last  time  and  have  filled 
the  pots  with  roots,  applications  of  weak  manure 
water  should  be  afforded  them,  alternating  these 
with  soot-water.  Green-fly  must  be  fought  un- 
ceasingly, Cinerarias  being  particularly  susceptible 
to  attacks  from  this  pest. 


THE    KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

By  William  H.  Honess,  Gardener  to  C.  Combe,  Esq., 
Cobham  Park,  Surrey. 

Turnips. — No  time  should  now  be  lost  before 
making  the  final  sowing  of  Turnip  seed,  for 
raising  a  crop  for  use  during  late  autumn  and 
winter.  Although  the  bulk  of  this  sowing 
should  consist  of  the  hardy  varieties  such  as 
Green  Top  and  Chirk  Castle,  if  the  present 
supply  is  at  all  scant  a  few  rows  of  early  Snow- 
ball will  prove  very  useful.  The  ground  in- 
tended for  Turnips  should  be  richly  manured, 
and  the  manure  should  be  kept  close  to  the 
surface — to  promote  a  quick  growth,  whilst  the 
plants  are  young — thus  assisting  them  the  bet- 
ter to  withstand  the  attacks  of  the  fly  which 
in  some  districts,  and  in  some  seasons,  proves 
so  fatal  to  Turnip  crops.  A  light  sprinkling 
of  soot  applied  overhead  when  the  plants  are 
damp  will  check  this  pest  if  used  as  soon  as 
the  attack  is  observed. 


Parsley. — If  sowings  have  not  already  been 
made  for  raising  Parsley  for  use  during  winter 
and  early  in  spring,  the  work  should  be  given 
attention  without  delay.  Two  of  the  most  decora- 
tive and  hardy  varieties  are  Ex  Ex  Garnishing 
and  Imperial  Curled.  The  ground  should  already 
have  been  well  prepared.  In  cold  districts  the 
seed  should  be  sown  in  short  drills,  that  the 
plants  may  be  given  the  protection  of  some  old 
glass  "  lights  "  during  severe  weather  in  winter, 
and  when  a  fall  of  snow  is  expected. 

Autumn-sown  Onions. — With  the  object  of 
checking  top-growth  and  diverting  the  strength 
more  into  the  bulbs,  the  necks  of  these  plants 
should  now  be  twisted,  or  bent  down  with  the 
back  of  a  wooden  rake.  This  will  also  alhuv 
the  light  and  air  to  reach  the  bulbs  more  easily. 

Peas. — The  early  and  second  early  crops  of 
Peas  being  now  past,  the  plants  should  be  cleared 
off  the  ground,  and  the  sticks  may  be  again 
utilised  for  the  plants  raised  from  the  latest  sow- 
ings. The  ground  thus  cleared  may  be  prepared 
for  the  planting  of  Cabbages.  It  will  be  all  the 
better  for  being  prepared  some  time  before  it  is 
required  for  use.  These  remarks  will  also  apply 
to  the  ground  on  which  it  is  intended  to  sow  the 
Onion   seed  during  the  present  month. 

Early  Potatos. — These  should  now  be  lifted, 
particularly  those  that  have  Cauliflowers  or 
winter  Greens  planted  between  the  rows.  If 
the  tubers  can  be  suitably  stored,  there  is  no- 
thing to  be  gained  by  leaving  them  longer  in 
the  ground. 


PUBLIC  PARKS  AND  GARDENS. 

By  W.   W.  I'i  rTIGRBW,  Superintendent  of  the   Parks  and 
'  'pen  Spaces  in  the  City  of  Cardiff. 

The  August  Bank  Holiday. — This  holiday,  for 
various  reasons,  is  usually  the  busiest  day  of  all 
the  year  in  the  majority  of  British  public  parks. 
Being  practically  the  last  national  holiday  ot  the 
year  suitable  for  the  enjoyment  of  out-of-door 
amusements  and  sight-seeing,  it  is  invariably 
taken  advantage  of  by  all  classes  of  the  com- 
munity. Many  of  the  excursionists  who  flock 
into  all  large  towns  and  cities  on  that  day 
naturally  find  their  way  to  the  public  parks  and 
open  spaces,  where  there  is  plenty  of  room  and 
ample  freedom  for  families  to  enjoy  them-,  lv<  ., 
at  little  or  no  cost.  Although  nominally  the 
first  Monday  in  August  is  the  holiday,  the  whole 
week  is  generally  given  up  to  holiday-making, 
thus  causing  popular  parks  to  be  filled  witn 
visitors  the  whole  time.  At  such  seasons  it  is 
found  necessary  to  greatly  increase  the  staff  of 
park  police,  as  more  wilful  damage  is  often 
done  during  holidays  than  at  any  other  period  of 
the  year.  It  i^  undoubtedly  false  economy  to 
forbear  from  putting  on  extra  men,  even  at  an 
enhanced   wage,   during  holiday  time. 

Special  amusements. — Since  the  average  victor 
out  for  the  day  soon  tires  of  walking  about  the 
parks  admiring  the  trees,  flowers,  and  grass 
swards,  it  is  well  for  the  authorities  to  provide 
some  special  amusements  and  attractions  suit- 
able to  the  occasion.  Where  the  power  exi^s 
to  make  charges,  well-organised  entertainments 
not  only  help  visitors  to  spend  a  pleasant  day, 
but  considerably  assist  in  filling  the  coffers  of 
the  department.  Some  park  authorities,  wlife 
they  have  ground  suitable  for  the  purpose,  pro- 
mote athletic  sports,  from  which  they  reap  a 
rich  harvest ;  others  hold  flower  shows,  while 
nearly  all  provide  a  number  of  bands.  Parks 
which  make  provisions  for  such  games  as  bowls, 
quoits,  croquet  and  tennis,  or  offer  facilities  for 
cricket  and  other  open-air  sports,  help  great 
numbers  of  visitors  to  pass  the  time  pleasantly 
either  as  onlookers  or  participants  in  the 
various  games.  The  more  that  can  be  done  in 
any  of  the  directions  indicated,  the  better  will 
it  eventually  be  for  the  public. 

Work  of  clearing-up. — A  public  park  after  a 
general  holiday  in  summer  is  usually  a  sorry 
sight,  with  trampled  lawns  and  every  space 
freely  littered  with  paper,  banana  skins,  and 
other  refuse.  Notwithstanding  the  presence 
of  refuse  boxes  and  baskets  and  the  existence  of 
stringent  by-laws  on  the  subject,  the  freedom  of 
the  British  holiday-maker  in  his  method  of  dis- 
posing of  his  paper  bags,  newspapers,  &c, 
cannot  be  restrained.  Under  these  circum- 
stances, it  is  not  surprising  that  park  officials 
are  invariably  relieved  when  August  Bank 
Holidav  week  is  over,  and  matters  once  more 
assume  their  normal  condition. 


.84 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[August  3,  190T. 


REPORT    ON    THE    CONDITION    OF    THE    OUT-DOOR    FRUIT    CROPS. 


[FROM  OUR  OWN  CORRESPONDENTS.] 

The    words    "Average,"    "Over,"    or    "Under,"    as    the    case    may    be,    indicate    the    amount    of    the    crop; 
and    "Good,"    "  Veuy    Good,"    or    "Bad,"    denote    the    quality. 

Fuller   comments   will   be   given    in    the    following    numbers.     See   also    Leading    Article   on    page    CO. 


COUNTY. 

APPLES. 

PEARS. 

PLUMS. 

CHERRIES. 

PEACHES 
and  NEC- 
TARINES. 

APRICOTS. 

SMALL 
FRUITS. 

STRAW- 
BERRIES. 

NUTS. 

NAME  AND  ADDRESS, 

SCOTLAND. 

0,  Scotland,  N. 

CAITHNESS     

Average ; 

Average ; 

Under;  bad 

Average  ; 

Average ; 

W.      F.      Mackenzie.      Thurso 

good 

good 

good 

very  good 

Castle  Gardens,  Ihurso. 

MORAYSHIRE    

Over ; 

Average  ; 

Average ; 

Over ;  very 

Over;  good 

Over;  good 

Average  ; 

Average  ; 

William    Ogg,    Duttus    House 

very  good 

good 

good 

good 

good 

good 

Gardens,   Elgin. 

Over 

Over 

Over 

Average 

Average 

Over 

Over;  good 

Under;  good 

D.      Cunningham,      Damaway. 
Castle  Gardens,  Forres. 

ORKNEYS  

Average ; 
good 

Under ;  bad 

Average ; 
good 

Average  ; 
good 

Under ;  bad 

Average ; 
good 

Thos.      MacDonald,      Balfour 
Castle  Gardens,   Orkney. 

SUTHERLANDSH1RE 

Average  ; 

Under;  bad 

Average ; 

Average  ; 

Under  ;  bad 

Over ;  very 

Over;  very 

John     Mclver,     Skibo     Castle 

good 

good 

good 

good 

good 

Gardens,   Dornoch,   N.B. 

U  nder 

Average 

Under 

Under 

Average  ; 
good 

Average ; 
good 

Average 

D.    Melville,    Duniob.n    Castle 
Gardens,   Sutherland. 

1.  Scotland,  £. 

ABERDEENSHIRE  ... 

Average ; 

Average ; 

Average ; 

Over ;  good 

Over ;  very 

Average  ; 

bad 

bad 

good 

good 

good 

Under    , 

Under 

Average 

Over;  good 

Under  ;  bad 

John    Brown,    Delgaty    Castle 
Gardens,   Turriff. 

Average 

Under 

Over ;    very 
good 

Over ;    very 
good 

Average ; 
good 

Over ;  very 
good 

Simon  Campbell,  Fyvie  Castle 
Gardens,    Fyvie. 

Average ; 

Under 

Average  ; 

Over ;  good 

Over ;  good 

Under ;  fair 

John  M.  Troup,  Balmoral  Castle 

BANFFSHIRE  

good 
Average 

Average 

good 
Over 

Average  ; 

Over ;  very 

Average ; 

Gardens,  Ballaler. 
Geo.    Edwards,    Ballindallorb 

good 

good 

good 

Castle    Gardens,    Ballindal- 

BERWICKSHIRE  

Under 

Under 

Over ; 

Over ;  very 

Over;  very 

Average ; 

loch. 
Robert      Stuart,      Thirlestane 

CLACKMANNAN- 
SHIRE 
EAST   LOTHIAN   

Under 

Average  ; 

good 

Over; 

very  good 

Under 

Under 
Average ; 

very  good 
Average 

Over ;  good 

good 
Over 

Average 
Over ;  good 

Average 
Over;  good 

good 
Over 

Over  ;  good 

good 
Average 

Under;  poor 

Castle   Gardens,    Lauder. 
Alexander       Kirk,       Norwood 

Gardens,   Alloa. 
R.    P.     Urotherston,  Tynning- 

good 
Under ;  good 

Average ; 

Under 

Over ; 

Average ; 

Over ; 

Over;  poor 

hame  Gardens,  Prestonkirk. 

FIFESHIRE  

Under 

good 
Under 

Under 

very  good 

good 
Average 

very  good 
Over;  good 

Average 

Gardens,   Longniddry. 

William      Henderson,      Balbir- 

Under 

Under 

Under 

Average  ; 

Over 

Over 

Over 

nie  Gardens,   Maikinch. 
Chas.         Simpson,          Weinvss 

FORFARSHIRE  

Under 

Under 

Average 

good 
Average  ; 

Average 

Average  ; 

Average  ; 

Castle  Gardens,  E.  Wemyss, 

Thos.    Wilson,   Glamis    Castle 

Under 

Under 

Under 

good 
Average 

good 
Average 

good 
Average 

( l;irdcns,    Glamis. 
William  Alison,  The  Gardens, 

KINCARDINESHIRE 

Average 

Average 

Under 

Under ;  good 

Under 

Over ;  good 

Over;  good 

Si  .i\  iew,  Monifieth. 
John     M.      Brown,     Blackhall 

Under 

Under 

Average 

Average  ; 

good 
Average 

Average 

Average  ; 

Castle  Gardens,   Banchory. 
William  Knight,   Fasque  Gar- 

MIDLOTHIAN     

Under 

Under 

Over 

Average 

Average  ; 

good 
Average 

dens,    Laurencekirk. 

Wm.      G.      Pirie,      Dalhousie 

Average ; 

very  good 

Average  ; 

good 

Under 

Average ; 

Under 

Average  ; 

Average  ; 

Average  ; 

good 
Over;  very 

Over ;  good 

Castle  Gardens,   Bonnyrigg. 
James       Whytock,        Dalkeith 
Gardens,  Dalkeith. 

PEEBLESSHIRE    

very  good 

Over  ;  good 

good 
Average ; 

good 

good 

good 
Over;  very 

Average ; 

good 

good 

good 

Under 

Under 

Over 

Over 

Average 

Wm.      McDonald,      Cardrona,. 

PERTHSHIRE     ....    ... 

Under ;  good 
Over 

Under ;  bad 

Over;  very 
good 

Average  ; 

^ 1 

Average ; 
good 

Average  ; 
good 

Over  ;  very 
good 

Average ; 
good 

fraquair,  Innerleithen. 
J.        Farquharson,        Kinfaur.s 

Average 

Over 

Over 

Over 

Over 

Average 

John      Robb,      Catherinebank, 

Average ; 
good 

Under ;  bad 

Over ;  good 

Average  ; 
very  good 

Under;  good 

Under ; good 

Over; 

Over;  bad 

Mdnab    Terrace,    Crieff. 

very  good 

zies      Gardens,      Aberfeldy. 

6.  Scotland,  W. 

ARGYLLSHIRE  

Under ;  bad 

Under;  bad 

Average  ; 

Average  ; 

Average 

Average ; 

Average  ; 

Under 

D.      S.      Melville,     Poltalloch 

Under 

good 

good 

very  good 

good 

very  good 

Gardens,   Lochgilphead. 

Under 

Under 

Average 

Average 

Under 

Under 

Henry    Scott,     Torloisk     Gar- 

AYRSHIRE     

Average 

Under 

Average 

Average 

Average 

Under:  bad 

dens,  Aros,  Isle  of  Mull. 

\\  illiam   Priest,   Eglinton  Gar- 

Average; 

Under ;  good 

Under;  bad 

Average  ; 

Over ;  very 

Average  ; 

dens,   Kilwinning1. 
John     Mclnnes,     KirkmichacI 

good 

good 

good 

Gardens,   by  Maybole. 

Average ; 
very  good 
Under  ;  bad 

Average  ; 

Average ; 

Over :  good 

Average ; 

Over  ;  good 

Average  : 

Average ; 

I  'in In 

D.    Buchanan,    Bargany    Gar- 

BUTESHIRE     

very  good 
Under 

good 
Average 

Under 

good 
Under 

very  good 
Average 

very  good 
Under 

dens,  Dailly. 

M.      Heron,      Mount     Stewart 

DUMBARTONSHIRE 

Under 

Under 

Average 

Average 

Under 

Over 

Average 

Under 

Gardens,   Rothesay. 
George         McKay,         Balloch 

Average 

Under 

Average 

Average 

Under;  good 

Over :  good 

Castle  Gardens. 
D.         Stewart,         Knockderry 

DUMFRIESSHIRE    ... 

Under ;  good 

Average ; 

Average 

Average 

Average ; 

Average ; 

Castle  Gardens,   Cove. 
John        Urquhart,        HoHdom. 

Under ;  bad 
Under ;  bad 

Under;  bad 
Under    bad 

Average ; 

good 
Average ; 

good 
Average ; 

good 
Average  ; 

Under ;  bad 
Average ; 

Under  ;  bad 

Under ;  bad 

good 
Under;  bad 

Average ; 

good 
Average ; 

good 
Average  , 

Under 

Castle    Gdns.,    Ecclefeehan. 
John   MacKinnon,   Terregles. 

James  MacDonald,  Dryfe1.  ol  a 

KIRKCUDBRIGHT- 
SHIRE 

Under  ;  bad 

Average : 

good 

Under;  good 

good 
Over ;  good 

good 
Average ; 

good 
Average 

u.irdens,   Lockerbie. 
N.    Mocfadyen,    Glenlce    Park 

Under ;  bad 

Average  ; 

Average  ; 

good 
Over  ;  very 

good 
Over;  very 

Gardens,  New  Galloway. 
Wm.     Thomson,     Cally     Gar- 

RENFREWSHIRE 

Under 

Under 

good 
Under 

good 

Average  ; 

good 

Under 

l; 1 

Under 

good 
Average  ; 

good 
Average  ; 

dens,   Gatehouse. 
John     Methven,       Blvt>swood 

Under 

Under 

Under 

good 
Average ; 

good 
Under ;  bad 

Gardens,    Renfrew. 
Thomas  Lunt,  Ardgowan  Gar- 

STIRLINGSHIR1 

Under 

Under 

Average; 
good 

Average  ; 
good 

Under 

bad 

Average ; 

gdod 

Average ; 
good 

dens,   Inverkip. 
Alex.      Marshall,      Ballikinrain 
Castle       Gardens,      Balfron 

WIG  TONS  HIRE 

Under  ;  bad 

Under;  bad 

Under ;  bad 

Under ;  bad 

Average; 

Average ; 

Station. 
John    Brydcr,    Dunragit   Gar- 

Under 

Under 

Average 

Under;  bad 

Average 

Average 

good 
Average  ; 

good 
Average ; 

Under 

dens,    Dunragit. 
James    Day,    Galloway    House 

■ 

good     - 

good 

Gardens,    Garlieston. 

August  3,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


85 


CONDITION    OF    THE    FRUIT    CROPS— (">"'»'«"/)• 


COUNTY. 


APPLES. 


ENGLAND: 

2,  England,  N.E. 
DURHAM    


YORKSHIRE 


3,  England,  E. 
CAMBRIDGESHIRE 


-ESSEX 


EINCOT  N'SHTPE 


.NORFOLK. 


SUFFOLK 


4,  Midland  Counties. 
BEDFORDSHIRE  .... 


BUCKINGHAM- 
SHIRE   


•CHESHIRE 


DERBYSHIRE 


•HERTFORDSHIRE 


Under 
Under 
Under 
Over 
Under ; good 
Under 
Under 


Average ; 
good 
Under 


PEARS. 


PLUMS. 


Average 

gOOi 


ige; 
id 
Under 


Average  ; 
good 
Under 

Under 

Average  ; 

good 
A  vi  rage  ; 

good 
Under ;  bad 

Average  ; 

good 

Average ; 

good 

Under ;  bad 


Under 

Average  ; 

good 
Average  ; 

good 

Under  ;  good 


Under 

Under;  bad 

Under 

Average 

Average  ; 
good 

Under ;  bad 

Average ; 

good 

Under;  bad 

Under ;  bad 

Under 
Under;  good 

Under 

Under 

Average  *, 

good 

Under ;  good 

Under 

Under 

Under ;  bad 

Average  ; 

good 
Average  ; 

good 

Under 

Under 

Over  ;  good 

Under ;  bad 

Average  ; 
good 
Under 

Under ; good 

Under ;  bad 


Average 
Under 
Under 
Average 

Average ; 

good 
Average ; 

good 

Under 

Average  ; 

good 
Average 

Over ;  very 

good 

Average 

Under ;  bad 

Average 

Under 

Under;  good 

Under;  good 

Average  ; 

good 
Average ; 

good 
Average ; 

J;ood 
er ;  bad 

Under 

Average  ; 

good 
Average  ; 

good 

Average  ; 
good 

Over 


CHERRIES. 


Under ;  bad 

Average 

Under 

Average  ; 
good 

Average ; 
-     bad 
Average  ; 

good 
Under  ;  bad 

Average  ; 

good 

Under  ;  good 

Under;  good 

Under 

Average 

Under 

Under;  good 

Under 

Average 

Average 

Over  ;  good 

Average 

Average 

Under 


Average ; 

good 

Average ; 

very  good 

Over  ;  good 

Average 

Average ; 

good 
Average 

good 


Average  ; 

good 
Average 

Over 

Over 

Average ; 

good 
Average ; 

good 
Over ;  good 


Over ; 

very  good 

Over 

Over ;  very 

good 

Average 

Over ;  good 

Under 

Average ; 

good 
Average  ; 

good 
Average  ; 

good 

Average  ; 

good 

Under;  good 

Under;  good 

Average 

Average 

Over ;  very 

good 
Over ;  very 

good 

Over;  very 
good 


Average  ; 

good 

Over ;  good 

Over;  good 

Average ; 
good 

Over;  good 

Average  ; 

good 
Average ; 

good 

Average ; 

good 

Over  ;    good 

Under;  good 

Average 

Under 

Under ;  bad 

Over  ;  good 

Under 

Average 

Average 

Average ; 

bad 
Average  ; 

good 
Average 

Over 


Over ;  very 

good 

Over ;  very 

good 
Under;  good 

Over 

Over ;  very 
good 
Average ; 
good      * 


Average ; 
good 
Under 

Under 

Average 

Average ; 

good 
Average ; 

good 
Average ; 

good 


Average  ; 

good 
Average 

Average ; 

good 
Average 

Average ; 

gHOi.l 

Under 
Average 

Average  ; 

good 

Average  ; 

good 

Under 

Under ;  bad 

Average ; 

good 
Average ; 

good 


PEACHES 
and  NEC- 
TARINES. 


Over ;  very 

good 

Average ; 

good 

Over 


Over ;  very 

good 

Average 

Over ;  very 
good 
Over 

Average 

Average 

Over 

Over ;  very 

good 

Average  ; 

good 


APRICOTS. 


SMALL 
FRUITS. 


Under 


Average 

Over ;    very 
good 
Over 

Over;   good 


Average ; 
very  good 
Average 

Over  ;  very 
good 
Over 


Over;  very 

good 
Over ;  good 

Average 


Avrr,u;r  ; 

Average  ; 

very  good 

good 

Average ; 

Over  ;  very 

good 

good 

Average ; 
good 

Average  ; 

good 

Average  ; 
good 

Average ; 

good 

Under 

Average  ; 

bad 
Average 

Average ; 

good 
Average  ; 

good 

Average 

Over;  good 

Under  ;  good 

Under ;  bad 

Average 

Average ; 

good 

Over ;  good 

Average 

Average 

Average  ; 

good 
Average ; 

bad 
Average 

Over ;  good 

Under ;  bad 

Average ; 

good 
Average 

Under  ;  bad 
Over  ;  good 


Under  ;  good 

Under 

Over ;  very 

good 

Average  ; 

good 


Under 


Average ; 

bad 
Over ;  good 

Average ; 

good 

Over  ;  very 

good 

Over ;  good 

Average  ; 

good 
Average : 

good 
Average  ; 

good 
Over ;  good 

Average  ; 
good 


Average 

Over ;  good 

Average ; 
very  good 
Over ;  good 

Over ;  good 

Over;  very 

good 

Average  ; 

good 
Average 


Over ;  very 

gotjd 
(  h  ei  ;  vi  iy 

good 
Over ;  very 

good 

Over ;  very 
good 


Average  ; 

good 

Over,  good 

Over;  good 

Over ;  very 
good 

Average  ; 

good 

Over ;  good 

Average  ; 

good 

Average ; 

good 

Over ;  good 

Over ;  very 
good 
Under 


STRAW- 
BERRIES. 


NUTS. 


Average ; 
good 
Under 


Average 


Average  ; 
good 


Over  ;  good 

Average 

Under ; 
bad 


Under 

Average  ; 

good 

Under 

Average 


Under 
Average 


Over;  very- 
good 


Average 

Over  ;  very 
good 


Average 

Average ; 
good 
Under 

Over 

Over;  good 

Over ;  good 

Over 


Average ; 
very  good 
Average ; 
very  good 
A\  erage  , 

g.  iod 
Average 

Over ;  good 

Over 

Average  ; 

good 
Average ; 
very  good 
Ovei  .  very 

good 
Over;  good 

Over;  very 

good 
Over ;  very 

good 
Over ;    very 

good 

Average ; 

good 
Over ;  very 

good 
Over ;  very 

good 

Over  ;  good 


Over ;  good 


Over ;  good 

Average  ; 

good 
Over ;  good 

Over  ;  good 


Over  ;  very 

good 

Average ; 

good 
Average  ; 

Average  ; 

very  good 

Average 

Over ;  very 

good 
Over ;  good 

Over ;  good 

Over ;  very 

good 
Average  ; 

good 
Over ;  good 

Under 

Over ;  good 

Over;  good 

Average ; 

very  good 

Under 

Average  ; 
good 

Over;  very 

good 
Over;  very 

good 
Average ; 

good 

Over 

Over;  good 

Average  ; 
bad 


Average 

Average  ; 
good 
Under 

Under 

Under;  bad 

Average 


Under ;  good 
Average 

Over ;  good 
Under 

Under; good 
Average 

Am  rage  ; 

bad 

Over ;  very 

good 
Under  ;  good 

Average  ; 

good 
Ai  erage ; 

good 

\ .  erage; 

good 

Over ;  very 

good 

Under  ;  bad 

Average ; 

bad 

Average  ; 

good 

Average  ; 
good 


Under 
Average 
Under 
Under 

Average 
Under 
Under 


NAME  AND  ADDRESS. 


Under 


Under  ;  bad 

Under 
Under ; good 


Average 


Average ; 

y. i 


Average ; 
good 

Average ; 

bad 
Average 

Average ; 

good 

Over ;  bad 


Average  ; 

bad 
Average 

Average 

L i 

Under 
Average 

Average ; 

good 
Average ; 

good 

Under 

Average  ; 

good 

Under ;  bad 

Under ;  bad 

Under 

Under ;  bad 

Average  ; 

good 
Aver,  ge ; 

good 
Under 

Average ; 
good 

Average 

Under 

Average  ; 

good 
Average 

Average ; 

very  good 

Under  ;   bad 


Average 

Under 

Average 
Average 

Under 


Average  ; 
good 
Under 

Average  ; 
good 
Under 

Under 


Under 


Under 


Under 
Average 

Average 

Average ; 

good 

Over;  good 

Average 

Under 


Robt.     Draper,    Sealiam    Hall 

Gardens,  Seaham  Harbour. 
James    Mat  liar,    bmett    House 

Gardens,  Howden-lc-Wear. 
J.     Simpson,     Studiield,     near 

Sheffield. 
Jas.   E.   Hathaway,  Baldersby 

Park,   Thirsk. 
J.   Allsop,  Dalton  Hall  Gdns., 

Dulton  Holme,  Beverley. 
Henry  J.  Clayton,  Wharfe  Bank 

House,  Ulleskeli,  York. 
A.    E.   Sutton,   Castle   Howard 

Gardens,  Welburn. 


R.  Alderman,  Babraham  Hall 
Gardens,    Cambridge. 

T.  W.  Birkinshaw,  Hat  ley 
Park  Gardens,  Gamlingay, 

A.  Bullock,  Copped  Hail  Gar- 
dens, Epping. 

Henry  Lister,  East  on  Lodge 
I  i.i  i  dens,   Dunmow. 

W.  K.  Johnson,  bianway  Hall 
Gardens,  near  Colchester.. 

II.  \V.  Ward,  Lime  House, 
Rayleigh. 

U.  \  unhn,  Harlaxtoo  Manor 
Gai  dens,   Grantham. 

F.      C.      Stainsby,     Brock  1 
Park  Gardens. 

F.  Barton,  Hainton  Hall  Gar- 
dens, Lincoln. 

H.  Louth,  Boothby  Hall  Gar- 
dens,   Grantham. 

F.  J.  Fleming,  Weelsby  Old 
Hall    Gardens     Grimsbv. 

J.  Wynn,  Sedgeford  Hall 
Gardens,   King's  Lynn. 

J.  W.  Bradbrook,  Kettering- 
ham  Park  Gardens,  \\  y- 
mondliarn. 

W.  N.  Thurston,  Witton  Park 
Gardens,   North   Walsbam. 

Thos.  Simpson,  Henham  Gar- 
dens,  Wangford. 

Alfred  Andrews,  High  House, 
Campsea  Ashe,  Wickham 
Market. 

W.  Messenger,  Wool verst one 
Park  Gardens,   Ipswich. 

James  P.  Reid,  Cranfield 
Court  Gardens,  Wobuni 
Sands,   R.S.O. 

H.  W.  Nutt,  Flitwick,  Amp- 
thill. 

George  Mackinlay,  Wrest 
Park  Gardens,  Ampthill. 

Wm.  F,  Palmer,  Froxfield 
Gardens,  Woburn. 

C.  J.  Ellen,  Chicksands 
Priory  Gardens,  Shefford. 

James  Wood,  Hedsor  ParK 
Gardens,   Bourne   End. 

John  Fleming,  Wexham  Park 
Gardens,  Slough. 

W.  Hedley  Warren,  Aston 
Clinton  Gardens,  Tring. 

James  MacGregor,  Hentmore 
Gardens,   Leighton   Buz/.ar<J. 

Chas.  Page,  Dropmore  Gar- 
dens, Maidenhead. 

J.  Bridge,  Moreton  Hall  Gar- 
dens,   Congleton. 

W.  E.  Wright.  Alderley  Park 
Gardens,  Chelford,  Cheshire. 

Peter  Wilkinson,  Walton  Lea 
Gardens,    near    Warrington. 

N.  F.  Barnes,  Eaton  Gardens, 
Chester. 

J.  C.  Tallack,  Shipley  Hall 
Gardens,  Derby. 

Bailey  Wadds,  i8i,  Utto.\eter 
New    Road,    Derby. 

T.  Keetley,  Darley  Abbey 
Gardens,  Derby. 

F.  Jennings,  Chatsworth  Gar- 
dens, Chesterfield. 

F.  G.  Mills,  Laneside  Home 
Farm,    Glossop. 

James  Tully,  Osmaston  Manor 
Gardens. 

J.  H.  G.odacre,  Elvastcri  Castle 
Gardens,  Derby. 

Thomas  Hedley,  Lane  House 
Gardens,  King's  Walden, 
Hitchin. 

C.  E.  Martin,  The  Hoo  Gar- 
dens, Welwyn. 

Thos.  Rivers  and  Son,  Saw- 
bridgeworth. 

H.  Prime,  Hatfield  House 
Gardens,  Hatfield. 

F.  W.  Gooch,  Edge  Grove 
Gardens,  Watford. 

Edwin  Beckett,  Aldenham 
House  Gardens.  Elstree. 

Arthur  Dye,  Tring  Park  Gar- 
dens,  Tring. 


86 


THE    GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


[August  3,  1907. 


CONDITION    OF    THE    FRUIT    CROPS- (continued). 


COUNTY. 

APPLES. 

PEARS. 

PLUMS. 

CHERRIES. 

PEACHES 
and  NEC- 
TARINES. 

APRICOTS. 

SMALL 
FRUITS. 

STRAW- 
BERRIES. 

NUTS. 

NAME  AND  ADDRESS. 

4,  Midland  Counties. 

HERTFORDSHIRE     ... 

Under;  bad 

Average ; 

Over ;  very 

Average 

Average ; 

Over ;  very 

Over;  very 

Average ; 

Average  ; 

Wm.       Whitelaw,      Eatchwood 

good 

good 

good 

good 

good 

good 

good 

Gardens,   St.   Albans. 

Under 

Average  ; 

Average ; 

Average 

Average ; 

Over ;  very 

Average ; 

Average 

Under 

Hy.    Parr,    Trent    Park    Gar- 

good 

good 

good 

good 

good 

dens,  New  Barnet. 

Average ; 

Average ; 

Over ;    very 

Under ;  bad 

Average ; 

Average  ; 

Over ;  good 

Average ; 

C.   R.   Fielder,   North  Mymms 

bad 

good 

good 

good 

good 

good 

Park    Gardens,    Hatfield. 

Average 

Average 

Over 

Average ; 
good 

Average ; 
very  good 

Over 

Average  ; 
good 

Under 

William  Poole,  Hadham  Hall 
Gardens,   Ware. 

Average  ; 

Over ;  very 

Over  ;  good 

Average ; 

Over  ;    very 

Over  :  good 

Average ; 

Under ;  bad 

Over;  good 

Stephen       Uzzell,      Gladstone 

good 

good 

good 

good 

very  good 

Court  Gardens,   Ross. 

LEICESTERSHIRE  ... 

Under ;  bad 

Under ;  good 

Average ; 
good 

Under ;   bad 

Average ; 
good 

Average ; 
good 

Over ;  good 

Average  : 
good 

Daniel  Roberts,  West  wold  Hall 
Gardens,  Loughborough. 

Under;  bad 

Over;  very 

Average  ; 

Over ;  very 

Over;  very 

Over;  very 

Over ;  very 

Under ;  good 

Under ;  bad 

W.    H.    Divers,   Belvoir   Castle 

good 

good 

good 

good 

good 

good 

Gardens,  Grantham. 

Under 

Average 

Over ;  good 

Under 

Over  ;  very 
good 

Under ;  very 
good 

W.  Wadsworth,  The  Nurseries, 
BarkleyLane,  Queensborough. 

Under ;    good 

Under 

Under ;  good 

Under 

Over ;  good 

Over ;  good 

Average ; 
good 

Average ; 
good 

Average 

F.  Ibbotson,  Rolleston  HaH 
Gardens,  Leicester. 

NORTHAMPTON- 

Under;    good 

Average ; 

Over ;  good 

Average ; 

Average ; 

Over ;  very 

Average ; 

Average ; 

Robert     Johnston,      Wakefield 

SHIRE 

good 

good 

good 

good 

very  good 

very  good 

Lodge,  Stony  Stratford. 

Under 

Under ;    good 

Under 

Average ; 
good 

Over  ;  good 

Over ;  good 

Over ;  very 
good 

Average  ; 
very  good 

Average ; 
bad 

H.  lurner,  l-ineshade  Abbey 
Gardens,   Stamford. 

Under 

Average 

Average 

Average 

Average 

Over 

Average 

Average ; 
good 

John  Blayson,  Cotterstock 
Hall    Gardens,    Oundle. 

Under 

Bad 

Under 

Average ; 
very  good 

Average  ; 
good 

Average ; 
good 

Over 

Over 

Average 

Thos.  Masters,  Lower  Shuck- 
burgh,   Daventry. 

NOTTINGHAM- 

Under;  good 

Under; good 

Under;  good 

Under ;  bad 

Average ; 

Average ; 

Average  ; 

Under;  good 

Average ; 

Amos  Parr,  Holme  Pierrepont 

SHIRE 

good 

good 

good 

g<   Mill 

Hall   Gardens     Nottingham. 

Average  ; 

Over ;  very 

Average  ; 

Under 

Average ; 

Over  ;  good 

Over ;   very 

Under 

Under ;  bad 

James    Gibson,    Welbeck    Gar- 

pood 

good 

good 

good 

(protected) 

good 

dens,  Worksop. 

Over  ;  good 

Over  ;  good 

Average 

Over  ;  good 

Over  ;  good 

Average 

Over  ;  good 

Average ; 
good 

Average 

James  B.  Allan,  Osberton 
Gardens,    Worksop. 

Under 

Over 

Over 

Under 

Average 

Over 

Over 

Under  ;  bad 

Under 

J.  R.  Pearson  and  Sons, 
L  o  w  d  ha  m 

Average 

Under 

Average  ; 
good 

Average ; 
good 

Average 

Average 

Average 

Average 

A.  W.  Culloch,  Estate  Office, 
Newstead   Abbey. 

OXFORDSHIRE     

Average  ; 

Average ; 

Over;    very 

Average 

Over  ;  very 

Over;  very 

Over ;  very 

Under 

Over;  good 

John  A.    Hall,   Shiplake  Court 

good 

good 

good 

good 

good 

good 

Gardens,    Henley-on-Thames 

Under 

Under 

Over 

Average 

Over 

Over 

Over 

Average 

Under 

A.  J.  Long,  Wyfold  Court 
Gardens,   Reading. 

Under;  poor 

Under ;  bad 

Over ;  good 

Average 

Average ; 
good 

Over ;  very 
good 

Average ; 
very  good 

Over ;  good 

Average 

J.  Broadfoot,  Shot  over  Park 
Gardens,   Wheatley. 

SHROPSHIRE     - 

Average  ; 
good 

Over ;  good 

Over ;  good 

Over ;  good 

Over 

Over  ;  good 

Over  ;  good 

Average ; 
bad 

Average 

A.    S.    Kemp,   Shifnal. 

Over ;  very 

Average ; 

Under;  fair 

Under;  poor 

Over ;  good 

Average ; 

Average ; 

Under ;  poor 

Average ; 
good 

John        Taylor,         Hardwicke 

good 

good 

good 

good 

Grange        Gardens,        near 

Shrewsbury. 

STAFFORDSHIRE    .- 

Under;  bad 

Average ; 

Average  ; 

Average ; 

Over ;  very 

Over  ;  very 

Average ; 

Under 

T.        Bannerman,        Blithfield 

bad 

good 

good 

good 

good 

very  good 

Gardens,  Rugeley. 

Average 

Under 

Under 

Under 

Average 

Average 

Over 

Under 

Under 

G.  Woodgate,  Rolleston  Hall 
Gardens,  Burton-on-Trent. 

WARWICKSHIRE    ... 

Under ;  bad 

Average ; 

Average ; 

Average  ; 

Average  ; 

Average ; 

Average ; 

Average ; 

Under 

W.   Miller,  Berkswell. 

bad 

good 

good 

good 

good 

good 

good 

5,  Southern  Counties. 

BERKSHIRE    

Average  ; 
good 

Average  ; 
good 

Over ;  good 

Average ; 
good 

Over;  good 

Over;  good 

Average ; 

g 1 

Over;  good 

Average ; 

p  (Ud 

Geoffrey  Cooper,  Oakley  Court 

Gardens,   Windsor. 

Over 

Average 

Over 

Average 

Average 

Over 

Average 

Under 

Average 

J.  Howard,  Benham  Park 
Gardens,  Newbury. 

Under 

Under 

Average 

Under 

Over ;  very 
good 

Average ; 
good 

Average ; 
very  good 

Under 

William  Fyfe,  Lockinge  Gar- 
dens,   Wantage. 

Average 

Under 

Over 

Average 

Average 

Over 

Over 

Average 

Average 

James  Coombes,  Englt  field 
Gardens,   Reading. 

DORSETSHIRE  

Under 

Average ; 
good 

Over;  good 

Average  ; 

Average  ; 
good 

Over  ;  very 

Under;  good 

Under ;  bad 

H.       Birkinshaw,       Chedington 

good 

good 

Court  Gardens,  Crewkerne 

Under ;  bad 

Under 

Average 

Average 

Over 

Over ;  very 
good 

Over ;  very 
good 

Average 

Under 

T.  Turton,  Castle  Gardens, 
Sherborne. 

Under 

Under ;  good 

Over ;  good 

Under ;  good 

Average ; 
good 

Over  ;  very 

Over ;  very 

Over 

Thi  is.     Denny,     Down     House 

• 

good 

good 

Gardens,   Blandford. 

Under ;  bad 

Over;  very 

Over;  good 

Average  ; 

Over ;  very 

Over;  good 

Average ; 

Average ; 

Under ;  bad 

David      C.      Fyfe,      Kingston 

good 

good 

good 

good 

very  good 

House  Gardens,  Dorchester. 

Under ;  bad 

Average ; 
good 

Over ;  very 
good 

Over ;  good 

Over ;  good 

Average ; 
good 

Over ;  very 
good 

Over ;  very 
good 

Over 

Edwin     Molyneux,     Swanmore 

Park.  Bishop's  Waltham. 

Under 

Under ;  bad 

Over;  good 

Average 

Average ; 
good 

Over  ;  good 

Average ; 

Under 

C.   H.   Snook,  West  Hill  Gar- 

good 

dens,  Shanklin,  Isle  of  Wight. 

Average ; 
good 

Under 

Average  ; 
good 

Morellos 

Over;  very 

Over ;  very 

Under;  good 

Over;  Wal- 

A.    G.     Nichols,     Strathfield- 

average  ; 

good 
Average ; 

good 

good 

nuts  average 

saye  Gdns.,  Mortimer, R.S.O. 

Under 

Average 

Over ;  very 

Average  ; 

Average ; 

Average 

James         Wasley,         Sherfield 

good 

good 

good 

good 

Manor  Gdens.,  Basingstoke. 

Average 

Average 

Over 

Average 

Average ; 
good 

Average  ; 
good 

Over ;  good 

W.     S.     F.     Sparks,     Walmer 

Place,  Walmer. 

Under;  good 

Under ;  good 

Over ;  good 

Average ; 

Average  ; 

Average  ; 

Average ; 

Average ; 

George     Woodward,     Barham 

bad 

good 

good 

good 

good 

Court    Gardens,    Maidstone. 

Under ;  bad 

Average 

Over;  good 

Average 

Over 

Under 

Average  ; 

Under ;  bad 

Average ; 
good 

George    Bunyard,    Maidstone. 

good 

Under 

Over 

Over 

Average 

Over 

Over 

Over;  good 

Average  ; 
good 

Over 

Alfred  0.  Walker,  Ulcombe 
Place,  near  Maidstone. 

Under 

Over ;  good 

Over;  good 

Under;  bad 

Over 

Average 

Average 

Over;  very 
good 

Under 

Wm.  Lewis,  East  Sutton 
Park  Gardens,  Maidstone. 

Under 

Average ; 

Over ;  good 

Average ; 

Average ; 
good 

Average  ; 

Average  ; 

Over;  good 

Geo.    Fennell,    Bowden,    Had- 

good 

good 

good 

good 

low   Road,   Tonbridge. 

Under ;  bad 

Under  ;  bad 

Over 

Under 

Average ; 
good 

Under ; good 

Over;  good 

B.  Champion,  Baron's  Place, 
Mereworth. 

Average ; 

Under;  good 

Over ;  very 

Under;  good 

Average ; 

Average ; 

Over ;  very 

Over;  good 

Average ; 

H,    Cannell   and   Sons,    Eyns- 

very  good 

good 

good 

good 

good 

very  good 

ford. 

Under ;  bad 

Under ;  bad 

Average ; 
good 

Average 

Under 

Average 

Under 

George  Lockyer,  Mereworth, 
Maidstone. 

Over ;  good 

Average : 

Under ; good 

Average ; 

Over;  good 

Average ; 

Over    very 

Average ; 

W.     E.     Humphreys,    Blendon 

very  good 

good 

very  good 

good 

good 

Hall    Gardens,    Bexley. 

Average ; 

Average  ; 

Over ;  good 

Over ;  very 

Average ; 

Average  ; 

Average ; 

Average ; 

Under;  good 

W.  J.  Sims,  Eetteshanger  Gar- 

good 

good 

good 

good 

good 

good 

good 

dens,   Eastry,   S.O. 

Over ;  good 

Average ; 
good 

Over ;  good 

Average ; 

Over ;  good 

Over ;   very 

Over;   good 

J.    G.    Weston,    Eastwell   Park 

good 

good 

Gardens,  Ashford. 

MIDDLESEX    ..... 

Average ; 

Average ; 
good 

Average ; 

Average  ; 

Over ;  very 

Average ; 

Average ; 
good 

Average  ; 

Average 

H.    Markham,   Wrotham   Park 

good 

good 

good 

l: 1 

good 

good 

Gardens,    Barnet, 

Average  ; 

Under;  fair 

Over;  good 

Average ; 

Average ; 

Over;  good 

Average ; 

Average ; 

Average 

W.    Watson,    Ha  re  field     Place 

bad 

fair 

fair 

good 

fair 

Gardens,   Uxbridge. 

Over ;  good 

Under 

Average ; 
good 

Average 

Over;  good 

Average 

Average ; 
good 

Over;  good 

Average 

W.  Bates,  Cross  Deep  Gar- 
dens, Twickenham. 

Average  ; 

Under ;  good 

Over;  very 

Average ; 

Over ;  very 

Over ;    very 

Over  ;  very 

Over;  very 

A.       R.       Allan.       Hillingdon 

good 

good 

very  good 

good 

good 

good  '■ 

good 

Court    Gardens,    Uxbridge. 

Aver.i 

Average ; 

Over ;  good 

Average  ; 
bad 

Over ;  very 

Average 

Under 

James  Hawkes,  Osterley  Park 

good. 

good 

good 

Gardens,    Isleworth. 

Under  ;  bad 

Under  ;  bad 

Under ;  bad 

Average ; 
good 

Over ;    very 

Over ;    very 

Over  ;   very 

Over ;    very 

John     Bates,     Syon     Gardens, 

good 

good 

good 

good 

Brentford. 

August  3,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


S7 


CONDITION    OF    THE    FRUIT    CROPS— (*>«tf«w«*). 


COUNTY. 


5.  Southern  Counties. 
SURREY  


SUSSEX 


WILTSHIRE 


7,  England,  N.W. 
CUMBERLAND  ... 


LANCASHIRE 


WESTMORELAND 

8.  England,  S.W. 
CORNWALL     


DEVONSHIRE 


APPLES. 


GLOUCESTERSHIRE 


Average 
Average 
Average 
Average ; 

good 

Average 

Under 

Under  ; 
fair 
Over 

Under 

Under ;  bad 

Average ; 
good 
Un'der 

Under 
Average 

Under 

Under  ;  bad 

Under ;  bad 

Under  ;  very 

good 
Under  ;  bad 

Under 

Under 

Under ;  good 

Under;  bad 
Under;  bad 


Average  ; 

gor.d 

Under 

Under ;  bad 

Over  ;  good 

Under ; good 

Average  ; 

good 
Average 

Under ;  good 

Under ;  bad 

Under ;  bad 

Under  ;  bad 


Under 

Under 
Under ; good 
Under ;  bad 

Average 
Under ; good 
Over  ;  good 

Average 

Under 

Under;  good 

Under ;  bad 

Under 

Under 

Under ;  bad 

Average 

Under 

Under 

Under 

Average ; 
good 

Under 


PLUMS. 


CHERRIES. 


Average ; 

good 

Under 

Average ; 

good 
Average  ; 

good 
Under 

Over 

Average ; 

fair 
Average 

Average  ; 

good 

Over;  good 

Over ; 

very  good 

Average ; 

good 

Under 

Average 

Average  ; 

■ 

Over ;  very 

good 

Over;  very 

good 

Average  ; 

good 
Average  , 

good 
Average 

Average ; 
good 

Under;  good 

Average ; 
very  good 


Average  ; 

good 
Aveiage  ; 

good 
Under;  bad 

Over ;  good 

Average  ; 

good 
Average  ; 

good 
Under 

Average ; 

good 

Over  ;  good 

Under;  bad 

Under ;  bad 


Average 

Average 

Under;  good 

Under ;  bad 

Under ; good 

Average ; 

very  good 

Average ; 

good 

Average 

Under 

Under ;  good 

Under;  bad 

Average 

Average  ; 
good 
Under 

Over 

Under 

Average 

Under 

Over;  good 

Average 


Av  erage 

Average 

Over;  good 

Over ;  very 

good 
Over;  very 

good 
Vastly  over 

Over ;  good 

Over 

Over;  very 
good 

Over 

Over ; 

very  good 

Over 

Over 
Over ;  good 

Over ;  good 

Over ;  good 

O  ver ;  very 

good 
Over;  very 
good 
■ 
good 

(  >YLT  ;   ^i.n.d 

Average 
Under ;  good 

Under;  bad 

Over ;    very 
good 


Average  ; 

good 

Over ;    very 

good 

Am  rage  : 

good 

Over  ;    very 

good 
Under; good 

Average  ; 
good 
Under 

Under ;  bad 

Over;  good 

Under ;  bad 

Under 


Average 

Average ; 

good 
A\  erage  ; 

good 
Over ;  good 

Over ;    very 
good 

Average ; 
good 

Over 

Average 

Over;  good 

Under 

Average 

Average ; 

good 

Over ;  good 

Aveiage 

Over  ;  good 

Over 

Average 
Over;  good 

Average 


Under 


Average  ; 
very  good 


Over;  good 
Over 


Over 

Over  ; 

very  good 

■■.    .     ,   . 

good 

Average 

Averag  e 

Average  ; 
good 

good 

Over;  very 

good 

good 

Average ; 

good 

Under 

Under 

Average  ; 
good 

Average  ; 

good 
\    . 
good 


Average ; 
\iT\  good 

Average  ; 

good 
Over  ;   very 

good 

Average  ; 

good 

Over ;  good 

Average  ; 

good 
Am  rage  ; 

good 
Over ;  good 

Under ;  bad 

Average ; 
good 


Morellos ; 

under 

Over;  good 

Under 

Average ; 

good 
Average ; 

fair 
Average  ; 

good 

Over ;   good 


Average 

Under 

Average  ; 

very  good 

Average 

Under 

Under 

Average 

Average 

Average ; 
very  good 

Average ; 

eood 
Average 

Over; 
very  good 

Average 


PEACHES 
and  NEC- 
TARINES. 


Average ; 

good 
Average 


Over 

Over ;  good 

Average 


Average ; 

L-.  h  id 

Over;  good 

Average ! 
: 
Over 
Average 

■  ■ 
■ 
Ov<  r  ;  good 

Average  ; 

Ovei   ;  very 

Am  i 

good 
Over 

Over 

Over ;    very 
good 

Average ; 

good 
Average  ; 
very  good 


A\  i  rage ; 

good 
Average  : 

good 


APRICOTS. 


Over 


Over;   good' 


Average; 

good 
Vverage 

i  ;  good 

Over ;  verj 

good 
Average ; 


■ 


IP?<J 


Over ;  good 
Over 


pVer;  good 
Over ;  good 
Over  ;  good 


Average ; 
good 


Over ;    very 

good 
Over ;  good 


Average 

Under 

Over  ;    very 

good 

Average; 

good 

O^er;  good 

Average  ; 
very  good 


Under 
Average 

Over;  good 
Average 
Average 

Over ;  good 
Average 


Over ; 
very  good 
Average 

Average 

Over;  good 


Average  ; 
good 


Average  ; 
good 



Average  ; 
good 


Over;  good 

Over 

Over ; 
good 

Ave  I  ■: 

good 
Average  . 
very  good 

Over ;  good 

Average 

Average ; 

good 

Over ;    very 

good 

U  Ildtrr 


SMALL 
FRUlTS. 


STRAW- 
BERRIES. 


NUTS. 


NAME  AND  ADDRESS. 


Over ;  good 

Average ; 

good 

Over ;  good 

Over;  good 

Over ;  good 

Under ;  bad 

Under 

Under 

Over ;  good 


Over;  good 
Over;  good 
Over;  good 


Over;  good 

Over 

Over 

Average ; 
good 

Average  ; 
good 


Over 

Over ;  good 

Over 

Average; 
iod 
Over  ;  good 

i  iver; 
very  good 
Over ;  good 

Over 
Average; 

good 
Average ; 

good 
A\ erage  ; 

good 
Average  ; 

good 
Over ;  very 

good 
Average ; 
■  i 
Over  ;  very 

good 

Over 

Average ; 

good 

Am  rage  ; 
vt tv  good 

0        ''I        . 

very  good 

Over ;    very 

good 
Over ;    very 

good 
i  .ige ; 

g.  ■'  >d 

Over ;   very 

good 

Average: 

very  go~od 
Over ;    very 

good 
Average ; 

good 
Over ;  good 

Over ;  good 

Average  ; 

good 
Average  ; 

good 


Over 

Over ;   very 

good 
Over ;  very 

good 
Over;  very 

good 
Over ;  good 

Average ; 
very  good 

Over ; 
very  good 

Over 

Average 

Average ; 

very  good 

Over 

Average 

Over;  good 

Over;  good 

Over 

Over ; 

very  good 
Average  ; 

good 
Average 

Over ;  good 


Over  ;  good 


Average 

Average 

Over;  good 

Under;  good 

Average ; 

very  good 

Under 

Average ; 

fair 

Under 

Over ;  very 

good 

Average ; 

good 

Average ; 

very  good 

Under  ;  bad 

Under 
Under ;  bad 

Average ; 

fair 

Under ;  bad 

Average ; 

good 

Under ;  good 

Average  ; 

good 

Under  ;  bad 

Over ;  good 


Average  ; 
very  good 
Over ;  good 


Over ;    very 

good 
Average ; 

good 

Average ; 

good 

Over ;   very 

good 
Under ;  good 

Over ;    very 
good 

Under 

Average ; 

,tM<  -d 

Average ; 

good 

Under ;  bad 

Average  ; 
good 


Over ;  bad 
Under ;  bad 

Average ; 

good 
Average ; 

bad 
Average ; 

fair 
Average ; 
very  good 
Average  ; 

good 

Average ; 

bad 

Under 

Average; 

good 

Over ; 

very  good 

Average 

Average ; 

good 

Over ; 

very  good 

Average 

Average ; 

good 
Over ;  bad 

Over 

Over; 
very  good 

Average  ; 
good 


Average 


Under 

Average ; 
good 


Average 

Average  ; 
good 
Over 

Average ; 
got  id 

Average 

Over 
Average 

Average ; 
good 


Average ; 

good 
Over  ;  very 

good 
Average ; 

good 
Average 

Average 

Under ;  bad 


Average  ; 
good 


Not  grown 


Under 


Under 


Average 


Average 
Average 


Average 

Average ; 
good 


Under 

Under;  bad 

Average 

Under 


Average  ; 
good 


Average ; 
good 

Over 


William  Bain,  Burford  Gar- 
dens, Dorking. 

James  Lock,  Oatlands  Lodge 
Gardens,    Wc>  bridge, 

S.  T.  Wright,  R.H.S.  Gar- 
dens, Wisley,  Ripley. 

W.  P.  Bound,  Gatton  Park 
Gardens,    Reigate. 

Geo.  Jackman  and  Son,  Wok- 
ing  Nurseries. 

W.  Wilks  (Rev.),  Shirley 
Vicarage,  Crovdon. 

Alex.  Dean,  Richmond  Road, 
Kingston. 

Geo.  Kent,  Norbury  Park 
Gardens,    Dorking. 

Geo.  Halsey,  Riddings  Court 
Gardens,   Caterham   Valley. 

W.  H.  Honess,  Cobham  Park 
Gardens,    Cobham. 

G.  J.  Hunt,  Ashtead  Park 
Gardens,   Epsom. 

A.  Wilson,  Eridge  Castle 
Gardens,    Tunbridge    Wells. 

W.   E.    Bear.    Hailsham. 

A.  B.  Wadds,  Paddockhurst 
Gardens,   Worth. 

Alex.  Reid,  Possingworth 
Gardens,   Cross-in-Hand. 

W.  H.  Smith,  West  Dean 
Park  Gardens,  Chichester. 

Wm.  Erunsden,  Bramble rye 
Gardens     East   Grinstead. 

W.  J.  Langridge,  Ote  Hall 
Gardens,   Burgess  Hill. 

W.  A.  Cook,  Leonardslee 
Gardens,    Horsham. 

H.  C.  Prinsep,  Buxted  Park 
Gardens. 

John  Bannerman,  Laekham 
Gardens,    Lacock. 

Thomas  Challis,  Wilton 
House  Gardens,  near  Salis- 
bury. 

George  Brown,  Bowood  Gar- 
dens, Calne. 

W.   Tinley.   Malmesbury. 


William  Scott,  Eden  Hall  Gar- 
den'-, Langwatbby,  R.S.O. 

The  mas  Tunstall,  Carleton 
Hill   Gardens,   Penrith. 

F.  Clarke,  Lowther  Castle 
Gardens,    Penrith. 

J.  Coupland.  Brougham  Hall 
Gardens,  Penrith. 

E.  1- .  Hazelton,  Knowsley 
Gardens,    PrescoL 

Wm.  Ashton,  Wright  ing  ton 
Hall  Gardens,  Wigan. 

B.  Cromwell,  Cleveley  Gar- 
dens,  Allerton,   Liverpool. 

Ben.  Ashton  Lathom  House 
Gardens,   Ormskirk. 

Wm.  P.  Roberts,  Cuerden 
Hall    Gardens,    Preston. 

Thomas  Wyton,  Abbey  stead 
Gardens,  Lancaster. 

W.  A.  Miller,  Underley  Gar- 
dens, Kirkby  Lonsdale. 


Archibald      Mitchell,      Tehidy 

Park,   Camborne. 
A.     C.     Bartlett,     Pencarrow 

Garde  as,    \\  a:  baway. 

Alfred  S.  Read,  Port  Eliot 
Gai  -itns,  St.  Germains, R.s.O. 

W.  H.  Bennett,  Menabilly, 
Par  Station. 

Andrew  Hope,  38,  Prospect 
Park,   Exeter. 

James  Mayne,  Bicton  Gar- 
dens, East  Budleigh. 

E.  E.  Bristow,  Castle  Hill 
Gardens,  South  Molten),  N. 
Devon. 

G.  Foster,  Dawlish  Road 
Gardens,  Teignmouth. 

T.  H.  Slade,  Poltimore  Gar- 
dens,   Exeter. 

John  Coutts,  Killerton  Gar- 
dens,  Broadclyst. 

Geo.  Baker,  Mcmbland  Gar- 
dens, near  Plymouth. 

William  Keen,  Bowden  Hall 
Gardens,  near  Gloucester. 

John  Banting,  Tortworth 
Gardens,   Falfield. 

Wm.  Nash,  Badminton  Gar* 
dens. 

George  Ketteringham,  Ey- 
ford,  Lower  Slaughter,  R.S.O. 

F.  C.  Walton,  Stanley  Park 
Gardcas,  Stroud. 

A.  Chapman,  Westonbirt 
House  Gardens,  Tetbury. 

T.  Cooper,  Sedbury  Park 
Gardens,   Chepstow. 

A.  E.  T.  Rogers,  Sudeley 
Cas'le  Gardens,  Winch- 
combe. 

W.  H.  Berry,  Higham  Court 
Gardens,  Gloucester. 


'88 


TI1E     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


■{August  '6,  1907. 


CONDITION    OF    THE    FRUIT    CROPS—  (continued). 


COUNTY. 


8,  England.  S.W. 
HEREFORDSHIRE 


MONMOUTHSHIRE 


SOMERSETSHIRE 


WORCESTERSHIRE 


WALES 

ANGLESEY 


CARMARTHEN- 
SHIRE 


CARNARVONSHIRE 


DENBIGHSHIRE 


FLINTSHIRE  

GLAMORGANSHIRE 


MERIONETHSHIRE 


MONTGOMERY- 
SHIRE 


PEMBROKESHIRE  .. 


RADNORSHIRE 


IRELAND 

9,  Ireland,  N. 
DUBLIN      

GALWAY     

MAYO    

meath   

TYRONE     

WEST  MEATH 


APPLES. 


Under ; good 

Under  ;  bad 

•    Under 

Under 

Under 

Under 

Under 

Average ; 
good 
Under 

Under ;  good 

Under ;  bad 

Under ;  bad 

Average 

Under 

Average  ; 
bad 

Under ;  good 


Average  ; 

very  good 

Under ;  good 

Under ;  good 

Under;  good 


Average ; 

good 

Under ;  bad 

Average  ; 
good 
Under 

Under ;  bad 

Average 

Average 

Average  ; 

good 
Average 

Average 

Under;  good 

Under 

Average  ; 

good 
Average ; 

good 
Under 

Average  ; 

good 

Under ;  bad 

Under ;  bad 

Under;  good 

Under;  good 

Under; 
very  good 


Under 

Under 

Under 

Under      ->od 

Under ;  bad 

Under 

Under 

Under 


PEARS. 


Under  ;  good 

Average ; 

good 

Under;  bad, 

Average  ; 

good 
Average  ; 

good 
Under 

Average ; 
very  good 
Average ; 

good 

Average  ; 

good 

Under ; good 

Average ; 

good 
Average ; 

good 
Under 

Average 

Under ;  good 

Under;  good 

Under 

Under ;  very 

good 
Over ;  good 

Under;  good 

Over;  good 


Average 

good 

Average 

good 

Average ;  bad 

Average ; 

good 

Under ;  bad 

Under 

Under 

Average  ; 

good 
Average 

Average 

Average ; 
good 
Under 

Under;  good 

Under;  bad 

Under 

Average 

Average  ; 

good 

Under;  bad 

Under;  good 

Average ; 
good 

Average ; 
good 


Average ; 

good 

Under;  bad 

Average 

Under 

Average 

Average ; 
good 
Under 

Over ;  good 


PLUMS. 


Over;   good 
Over ;  good 

Average 
Over ;  good 
Over     good 

A  verage 

Average ; 

good 
Average ; 

good 
Average  ; 

good 
Under;  good 

Average ; 

good 
Average 

Average ; 

good 
Average 

Over;  good 

Over ; 
very  good 
Average 

ver 
very  good 
Average ; 

good 
Average 

Over ;  good 


Under  ;  bad 

Average ; 

good 

Under ; good 

Under 

Under;  bad 

Average 

Under 

Over ;  good 

Average 

Under 

Average ; 
good 
Under 

Over ;  very 

good 
Under;  bad 

Average 

Under ;  bad 

Under;  bad 

Over; 

average 

Average ; 

good 

Under ; good 


Average ; 
very  good 


Under 
Under ;  bad 

Under 
Over;  good 
Under 
Over 
Under 
Average 


CHERRIES. 


A  verage ; 

good 
Average.; 

good 
Average 

Under 

Average ; 

good 
Average  . 

Average 

Under ; good 

Average 

Average ; 

good 
Average 


Average 

Under 

Over ;  good 

Average ; 

bad 
Average 

Over;  good 

Average ; 

good 
Average 

Over ;  good 


Average  ; 

good 
Average ; 

good 


PEACHES 
and  NEC- 
TARINES. 


Average 

Under ;  bad 

Under 

Under 

Average ; 

bad 

Over ;  very 

good 

Under 

Under ;  good 

Average 

Under;  bad 

Average ; 

bad 
Average 

Average ; 

good 

Under; good 

Average 

Over ; 

very  good 

Under ;  good 


Average  ; 
very  good 


Average  ; 

go  3d 
Average  ; 

good 
Average 

Under 

Over ; 
very  good 
Average  ; 

good 
Average 

Average 


Over ;   good 

Over ;  good 

Average 


Over;  good 


Average ; 
good 


Average ; 

good 

Over ;  good 

Over ;  good 

Over ;  good 

Average ; 

very  good 

Over 

Average  ; 
good 


Over;  very 
good 


APRICOTS. 


Over ;  good 


Average ; 
good 


Average 

Average ; 
good 


Average 

Over; 
very  good 
Average 

Over;  very 
good 


Over ; 
very  good 
Over;  good 

Under  ;  bad 

Over; 
very  good 

Over ; 
very  good 

Average; 
very  good 


Over 


l  fader 


Over; 
very  good 


Average; 

good 

Over ; 

very  good 

Average 

Average 

Average ; 
good 

Under 

Average 

Over 

Average  ; 

Over ;  good 

Over 

Over ;  good 

Average ; 
very  good 
Average 

Over ;  good 

Over ;  good 

Over 

Over;  very 

good 

Over  ;  good 

Over;  good 

Over; 

very  good 


^MALL 
FRUITS. 


Under 


Over 

Over ;  good 

Under 

Average ; 

good 

Over  ; 

very  good 


Over ;  very 
good 


Over ; 
very  good 
Over ;  good 


Average ; 
good 
Over ; 

very  good 

Over  ; 
very  good 


Average 


Over  ; 
very  good 


Over ;  good 


Over; 
very  good 

Over ; 
very  good 
Average ; 

good 
Over ;  good 

Average : 

good 

Over ; 

very  good 

Over; 
very  good 
Average; 
very  good 
Over;  very 

good 

Over ;  very 

good 

Average ; 

good 

Over ;  very 

good 

Average  ; 

very  good 

Over ;  good 

Over ;  very 

good 
Over  ;  good 

Over 

Over;  very 

good 
Average ; 

good 
Average  ; 
very  good 
Average; 
very  good 


Over;  very 

good 
Over ;  good 

Over ;  very 

good 
Over;  very 

good 
Average  ; 

good 
Over  ;   very 

good 
Over ;  good 

Over ;  very 

good 

Over  ;  very 

good 

Average ; 

good 

Over ; 

very  good 

Average  ; 

very  good 

Over ;  very 

good 

Over; 

very  good 

Over 

Over ; 
very  good 

Over ; 
very  good 
Average ; 

good 

Over  ; 
very  good 

Over ; 
very  good 

Over ;  good 


Average ; 

good 

Over ;  good 

Over 

Average 


Over  ; 
very  good 

Over  ; 
very  good 
Over  ;  good 


STRAW- 
BERRIES. 


Average; 

fairly  good 

Average; 

good 

Under 

Average ; 

good 
Average  ; 

bad 
Average 

Under;  bad 

Average 

Over;  very 

good 

Average  ; 

good 
Average 

Average  ; 
very  good 
Average 

Over ;  good 

Over ;  good 

Under ;  bad 

Average 

Average  ; 

good 

Under;  bad 

Under 

Under;  bad 


Under;  bad 

Over ;  good 

Average ; 
good 
Under 

Under ;  bad 
Under 

Under ;  bad 

Under ;good 
Average 
Average 

Over;  good 

Average ; 

good 

Under ;  bad 

Under ;  bad 

Average 

Under;  bad 

Average ; 

bad 

Under ; 

average 

Over; 

very  good 

Average ; 

good 

Average ; 
good 


Average  ; 

good 

Over ; 

very  good 

Over 

Average 

Over ; 
very  good 
Under  ;  bad 

Average ; 

bad 
Average  ; 

good 


Average  ; 

good 
Average 

Average ; 
good 
Under 

Average 

Over 

Average 

Average 


Average  ; 
good 
L  nder 

Under 

Average 


Average 

Average ; 
good 


Average 

Average  ; 
good 
Under 

Over ;  good 

Under 


Under;  bad 

Average  ; 
good 
Under 

Over ;  good 

Under 


Average  ; 
good 


Under 


NAME  AND  ADDRESS. 


Under 


Tlios.  Watkins,  Newport  Hall 
Gardens,    Eardisley. 

W.  E.  Hyde,  The  Holt,  Led- 
bury. 

vV.   Powell.  Croft  Castle  Gar- 
dens,   Kingsland. 
Thos         Spencer,        Goodrich 
Court   Gardens,   Ross. 

George  Mullins,  East  nor 
Castle  Gardens,  Ledbury. 

Chas.  Smith,  Barton  Court 
Gardens,  Colwall. 

Win.  Humphries,  Holme  Lacy 
Gardens,   Hereford. 

J.  Rick,  Moraston  House  Gar- 
dens,  near   Ross. 

\V.  F.  Wood,  Llanfrechfa 
Grange   Gardens,    Caerleon. 

Thos.  Coomber,  The  Hendre 
Gardens,   Monmouth. 

John  Basham,  Fair  Oak  Nur- 
series,   Bassaleg,    Newport. 

Jas.  Bone,  Tredegar  Park, 
Newport,    Mon. 

Joseph  Wiggins,  Nevill  Hall 
Lodge,  Abergavenny, 

William  Halle  tt,  Cosstngton, 
Bridgwater. 

Geo.  H.  Head,  Kingsdon 
Manor  Gardens,  Taunton. 

John  Crook^  Forde  Abbey 
Gardens,  Chard. 

Samuel  Kidley,  Chipley  Park 
Gardens,  Wellington. 

A.  Young,  Witley  Court  Gar- 
dens, Stourport. 

A.  A.  Pettigrew,  Hewell  Gar- 
dens,  Redditch. 

C.  A.  Bay  ford,  Davenham 
Gardens,   Malvern. 

William  Crump,  V.M.H., 
Madresfield  Court  Gardens, 
Malvern. 


Win.  Pilgrim,  Bodorgan  Gar 
dens,  Anglesey. 

William  Parker,  Neuaddtawr 
Gardens,   Llandovery. 

A.  Richardson,  Dynevor 
Castle     Gardens,     Llandilo 

H.  Weaver,  Vaynol  Park  Gar- 
dens, Bangor. 

W.  Speed,  Penrhyn  Castle, 
Bangor,   N.    Wales. 

T.  Evans,  Gwydyr  Castle 
Gardens,    Llanrwst. 

J.  Martin,  Bryn  Estyn  Gar- 
dens, Wrexham. 

J.  A.  Jones,  Chirk  Castle 
Gardens,  Chirk    Ruabon. 

Hy.  Foider,  '  West  Ruthin 
Castle,    Ruthin. 

John  Forsyth,  Hawarden 
Castle,  Chester. 

R.  Milner,  Margam  Park  Gar- 
dens,  Port  Talbot. 

C.  T.  Warmington,  Penller- 
gatr  Gardens,  Swansea. 

Hugh  A.  Pettigrew,  St.  Pagan's 
Castle  Gardens,  Cardiff. 

John  S.  Higgins,  Rhug  Gar- 
dens, Corwen. 

R.   R. 

E.     L.     Evans,     Vaynor    Park 

Gardens,    Berriew. 
John    Lambert,    Powis    Castle 

Gardens,   Welshpool. 
Geo.     Griffin,     Slebeck     Park 

Gardens,   Haverfordwest. 
W.      A.      Baldwin,      Clynfiew 

Gardens,  Boncath,   R.S.O. 
J.      MacCormack,      Maesllwch 

Gardens,     Glasbury,     Here- 
ford. 
A.         Buckingham,        Stanage 

Park,   Brampton  Brian. 


A.  Campbell,  St.  Anne's  Gar- 
dens, Clontarf. 

Thomas  Dunne,  Lough  Cutra 
Castle  Gardens,  Gort. 

Patrick  Connolly,  Cranmore, 
Ballinrobe. 

Michael  McKeown,  Julians- 
town,  Drogheda. 

S.  B.  T. 

Fred.  W.  Walker,  Sion  House 

Gardens,  Sion  Mills, 
lames     Small,     Caledon     Park 

Gardens,  Caledon. 
George  Bogie,  Pakenham  Hall 
|     Gardens,   Castlepollard. 


Al-gvst  3,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


CONDITION    OF    THE    FRUIT    CROPS-H""""'') 


89 


COUNTY. 


10,  Ireland,  S. 
ATHLONE  


APPLES.  PEARS 


Average 


CARLOW     Average 

good 
CLARE     , 


CORK 


KILDARE 


ROSCOMMON 


VVATERFORO 
WICKLOW    ... 


CHANNEL 
ISLANDS: 

GUERNSEY   

J  I  RSEY   


ISLE-OF- 

MAN 


Under ;  bad 

Under 

Under;  very 

good 
Under  ;  bad 

Average 

Under 
Average 
Under 
Under 

Average 


Average 

good 
Average 

Average ; 
good 


PLUMS. 


Under 

Over; 

very  good 
Under  ;  bad 

Under 

Under ;  good 

Average 

Average 

Under 
Average 
Under 
Under 
Under 


Average  ; 
good 
Under 

Under; good 


PEACHES 
CHERRIES.      andNEC- 
TARINES. 


Average  ; 

Under;  very 
■     good 


Under 
Over;  good 
Under;  bad 

Average 

Under;  good 

Average  ; 

good 
Average 

Under 

Under 

Under 

Over;  good 

Average ; 
good 


Average 

Under 

Over ;  very 
good 


Over;  good 
Under;  good 


Average 
Under ;  bad 


Average ; 

good 
Average ; 

good 
Average  ; 

g I 

Average 

Under;  bad 

Average  ; 

good 
Average 


Average ; 

Average ; 

good 
Average 

Under 

Under ;  bad 


Average 

Average ; 

good 

Average ; 

good 


Average 
Under ;  bad 


Over ;  very 

J;ood 
er ;  bad 

Average  ; 
good 
Under 

Under ;  bad 

Over  ;  very 

good 

Average 


Over 

Average 

Average 

Average  ; 
good 


APRICOTS. 


Average 

Average  ; 
good 
Over ; 

very  good 


Average  ; 

good 


Average ; 
good 


Under ; good 


Over 


Average 
Under;  bad 
Under ;  bad 


Under 
Over ; 

V'  IV   g 1 


SMALL 
FRUITS. 


STRAW- 
BERRIES. 


Under  ;  bad 


Over ;  good 

Over; 

very  good 

Average  ; 

very  good 

Average 

Average ; 

very  good 

Over ;  very 

good 

Average 


Over 
Over ;  good 

Over;  very 

good 
Average  ; 

good 
Over ;  good 


Over  ;  good 

Over ;  very 

good 

Over  ; 

very  good 


Average 

Over  ;  very 
good 


Over ;  very 

good 
Over ;  good 

Average ; 

bad 
Under 

Average ; 

good 
Average ; 

good 
Under 


Under 

Under 

Over  ;  very 

good 
Under ;  bad 

Average  ; 
good 


Over ;  good 

Average 
Under ;  good 


Under  ;  bad 

Average  ; 
very  good 


NUTS. 


Under 

Average ; 
good 


Bad 


Under 


Under 


Under 


Average 


NAME  AND  ADIMi 


J.    Murray,    Moydrum    Castle 

Gardens. 
V.    F;    Browne,   Borris   Kousc 

Gardens,   Borris. 
Alfred     Barker,     Carrigoran, 

Newmarket-on-Fergus. 
Head         Gardener,         Ahern, 

Conna. 
C.    Price,  Mitchelstown  Castle 

Gardens. 
W.   J.    Keywood,   Castle   Ber- 
nard, Bandon. 
Frederick     Bedford,     Straffan 

Hous"      Gardens,      Straffau 

Station. 
A.    Black,   Carton,  Maynooth. 

Terence    Rogers,    Frenchpark 

House  Gardens. 
Edward    Connor,    Mote    Part 

Gardens. 
David   Crombie,    Curraghmorc 

Gardens,   Porilaw. 
William     Owen.     Powerscourt 

Gardens,   Enniskerry. 


Chas.  Smith  and  Son,  Cale- 
donia   Nursery. 

T  Sharman,  St.  Mark's 
Road,   St.   Hellers'. 

Philip  Le  Cornu,  The  Jersey 
Nurseries,  Jersey. 


James         Inglis,         Brunswick 

Road    Nurseries,    Dougla 
E.  B. 


SUMMARY. 


Records. 

Apples. 

Pears. 

Plums. 

Cherries. 

Peaches 

and  Nec- 

tarini  s. 

Apricots. 

Small 
Fruits. 

'  St  raw - 
bi  rrii 

Nuts. 

SCOTLAND. 

Number  cf  Records... 

i 

Ovei       

Under 

(46) 

16 

4 

26 

(44) 

11 

1 

32 

(44) 
22 
10 
12 

ill'                (18) 
24                      9 
10                     3 
10                      6 

(18) 
9 
5 
4 

[461 

•21 

22 

3 

(46) 

2 

10 
8                      6 

1 

ENGLAND. 

Number  of  Records  .. 

-■ 

Over       

Under    ... 

(187) 
:,4 

11 

12'2 

(186 

91 
24 
71 

(186 
61 

92 

27 

(179) 
115 

24 
40 

ill:-)) 

74 

64 

5 

(146) 
50 

S4 
12 

(187) 
75 

in- 

4 

(186)                (12GI 
mi                 62 
39                   14 
53                    50 

WALES. 

Number  of  Records  . 

Av<  rage  -         

Ovei        

Under 

(21) 
10 
0 
11 

(21) 

12 

0 

9 

(21) 
7 
3 

11 

(19) 

10 

2 

7 

(13) 
6 
5 
2 

(12) 
2 
8 

1            2 

(21) 

4 

17 
0 

(20)                 (111 
s                        4 
3                      2 
9                     5 

IRELAND. 

Number  of  Records.. 

Average 

Over       

Under 

(20) 

5 

0 

1          15 

(20) 

7 

2 

•   11 

(201 
5 
4 
11 

(20) 
15 

1 
4 

(14) 
5 
5 
4 

(10) 
3 
4 
3 

(19) 

7 
12 
0 

l 

(20) 
8 
6 
6 

(9) 

1 

0 

8 

CHAN 

NEL    ISLANDS. 

Number  of  Records.. 

Average 

Oyer      

Under 

(3) 
3 
0 
0 

(S)         1           (3) 

1  1 
0                      1 

2  1 

(3) 
3 
0 
0 

(3) 
2 
1 
0 

(2) 
0 
1 

1 

(3) 
n 
:) 
0 

(3) 
1 

1 
1 

(i: 

i 

0 
0 

ISLE    OF    MAN. 

Number  of  Records 

Average 

Over       

Under 

.  |           (2) 
1 
0 
1 

.(2) 
0 
1 

1 

(2) 
1 
0 

1 

(2) 

1 
0 

1 

(1) 
1 
0 
0 

0 
0 

1 

(2) 
1 
1 
0 

2) 
1 
0 
1 

np    mnf, 

AND     1 

.90?     SEE 

PAGE     ! 

w. 

90 


THE    GARDENERS     CHRONICLE. 


[August  3,  1907. 


EDITORIAL    NOTICE. 


ADVERTISEMENTS  should  be  sent  to  the  PUB- 
LISHER, 41,  Wellington  Street,  Covent  Harden. 
W.C. 

Letters  tor  Publication,  as  well  as  specimens  and  plants 
lor  naming,  should  be  addressed  to  the  EDITOR, 
41,  Wellington  Street,  Covent  Garden,  London. 
Communications  should  be  written  on  one  side  only  of 
the  paper,  sent  as  early  in  the  week  as  possible ,amt  duly 
signed  by  the  writer.  If  desired,  the  signature  will  not  be 
printed,  but  kept  as  a  guarantee  of  good  faith. 

Special  Notice  to  Correspondents.— The  Editor  does  not 
undeitake  to  pay  for  any  contributions  or  illustrations,  or 
to  return  unused  communications  or  illustrations,  unless  by 
special  arrangement.  The  Editor  does  not  hold  himself 
responsible  for  any  opinions  expressed  by  his  correspondents. 

Illustrations.-  The  Editor  will  be  glad  to  receive  andto  select 
photograplis  or   drawings,   sir-  for  reproduction,    of 

gardens,  or  of  remarkable  Hants,       .us,  trets,  &c,    but  he 
cannot  be  responsible  for  lossor  irijiuy 

Newspapers.  —  Correspondents  sending  newspapers  should  be 
carefulto  mark  the  paragraphs  they  wish  the  Editor  to  see. 

Local  News.—  Correspondents  will  greatly  oblige  bysendingto 
the  Editor  early  intelligence  of  local  events  likely  to  be  of 
interest  to  our  readers,  or  of  any  matters  which  it  is  desirable 
to  bring  under  the  notice  of  horticulturists. 


APPOINTMENTS  FOR  AUGUST. 


SATURDAY,  AUGUST  3- 

Soc.  Franc.  d'Hort.  de  Londres  meet. 
German  Gard.  Soc.  meet. 

MONDAY,  AUGUST  5— 
Bank  Holiday. 
Ramsey  Fl.  Sh. 

TUESDAY,  AUGUST  6— 

Roy.  Hort.  Soc.  Corns,  meet. 
Scottish  Hort.  Assoc,  meet. 
Nat.  Amateur  Gard.  Assoc,  meet. 
Leicester  Abbey  Park  Fl.  Sb.  (2  days). 

THURSDAY,  AUGUST  8— 

Midland  Carnation  Sh-  in  Birmingham  Botanic  Gardens 

(2  days). 
Swansea  Fl.  Sh. 

FRIDAY,  AUGUST  9— 

Wellington  (Som.)  and  District  Fl.  Sh. 

SATURDAY,  AUGUST  10— 

Ann.  meet.  Roy.  Botanic  Soc,  1  p.m. 

TUESDAY,  AUGUST  13— Exmouth  Fl.  Sh.  (2  days). 

WEDNESDAY,  AUGUST  14— 
Taunton  Deane  Fl.  Sh.  (2  days). 

SATURDAY,  AUGUST  17- 
Sheffield  Fl.  Sh. 
German  Gard.  Soc.  meet. 

TUESDAY,  AUGUST  20— 

Roy.  Hort.  Soc.  Corns,  meet. 
Brighton  Fl.  Sh.  (2  days). 
.Brit.  Gard.  Assoc,  Ex.  Council  meet. 

WEDNESDAY,  AUGUST  21— 

Shropshire  Hort.  Soc.  Sh.  at  Shrewsbury  (2  days). 

Charlton  Kings  Fl.  Sb. 

THURSDAY,  AUGUST  22— Aberdeen  Fl.  Sh.  (3  days) 

FRIDAY,  AUGUST  23— 
Roy.  Bot.  Soc.  meet. 
Rose  Sh.  in  Manchester  Botanic  Gdns. 

FRIDAY,  AUGUST  30— East  Kilbride  Fl.  Sh. 


Average    Mean    Temperature    for    the    ensuing    week, 
deduced  from  observations  during  the  last  Fifty  Years 
at  Greenwich — 62*4°. 
Actual  Temperatures: — 

London. — Wednesday,  July  31  (6  p.m.)  :  Max.  66°; 
Min.  50'. 
Gardeners1  Chronicle  Office,  41,  Wellington  Street, 
Covent  Garden,  London.  —  Thursday,  August 
1  (10  a.m.):  Bar..  30-0;  Temp.,  62';  Weather— 
Bright  sunshine. 
Provinces. —  Wednesday,  July  31  (6  p.m.)  '  Max.  62°. 
Cambridge;  Min.  51°,  Scotland,  N.E. 


In  presenting  our  annual  report 

The         on    the    condition   of    the   hardv 
Fruit  .  .     .  .    r  . 

Crops.       rrult  crops  it  is  sat  sfactory  to  be 

able  to  state  that  the  crops  are 

not   likely   to  be   less   than    the  average,   or 

inferior  to  those  obtained  last  season.     The 

weather  since  April  has  been  so  unseasonable, 

and    the    temperature   of   the   atmosphere   so 

much  below  that  which  is  normal,  it  would 

not   have    been    surprising    had    the    return 

proved  of  a  somewhat  depressing  character. 

It  is  partly  for  these  reasons  that  we  regard 

the  present  crops  as  satisfactory.  The  weather 

will  always  continue  the  determining  factor 

in  the  cultivation  of  hardy  fruits,  and  it  is  to 

some  condition  of  the  weather  at  a  particular 

time  that  success  or  failure  may  generally  be 

attributed.      The  cultivator  can   do  much   to 


deserve  success,  by  exercising  care  in  the 
selection  of  a  proper  situation  for  the  trees, 
by  thoroughly  preparing  the  soil  before  the 
work  of  planting  is  commenced,  by  carefully 
determining  the  most  suitable  varieties  for 
particular  districts,  seeing  that  such  trees  are 
purchased  as  have  been  grafted  on  to  the 
best  stocks,  and  that  skilful  management  is 
brought  to  bear  on  the  trees.  He  can  employ 
means  for  preserving  the  trees  from  insect 
and  fungus  attacks,  and  in  some  cases,  but 
not  all,  it  is  within  his  power  to  afford  arti- 
ficial waterings  during  periods  of  drought, 
and  manures  to  soils  known  to  be  deficient 
in  plant  foods.  But  after  all  has  been  done 
that  is  possible,  in  our  present  state  of  know- 
ledge, the  cultivator  cannot  command  suc- 
cess. This  most  desirable  result  can  only  be 
achieved  after  the  gardener  has  done  his  part 
skilfully  and  faithfully,  and  the  conditions 
of  the  weather  during  critical  periods  in 
the  development  of  the  trees  are  favour- 
able. Thus  it  is  that  on  occasions  such 
as  this  our  thoughts  arc  taken  back 
to  the  spring  of  the  year,  and  we  recall 
the  condition  of  the  trees  at  the  stage  when 
the  buds  were  beginning  to  burst,  and  the 
brightest  hopes  were  entertained  in  respect 
to  the  future  crops.  At  that  particular  time 
this  season  the  fruit  trees  were,  in  the  words 
of  many  of  our  correspondents,  "  full  of  pro- 
mise." The  month  of  September  in  las)  yeai 
was  remarkable  for  high  atmospheric  tem- 
peratures and  brilliant  sunshine,  conditions 
which  may  have  had  something  to  do  with 
the  production  of  a  rich  supply  of  flower  buds 
on  the  trees.  The  observations  to  be  pub- 
lished in  subsequent  issues,  and  furnished  by 
contributors  to  the  report,  are  almost  unani- 
mous in  stating  that  the  trees  blossomed 
with  great  freedom.  Only  one  or  two  re- 
porters  state  that  owing  to  the  production  of 
heavy  crops  last  year  the  trees  failed  to  flower 
this  season  so  well  as  could  have  been 
desired. 

We  think  that  it  is  the  case  also  that  fewer 
blossoms  were  destroyed  by  late  frosts  than 
is  often  the  case  in  this  country,  and  that  the 
comparative  failure  of  the  Apple  crop  is  at- 
tributable to  low  atmospheric  temperatures, 
and  cold  winds,  which  prevailed  for  long 
periods  together,  and  to  the  extraordinary 
lack  of  sunshine  experienced  during  the 
months  of  May  and  June.  But  if  these  con- 
ditions have  brought  about  a  deficient  Apple 
crop,  they  have  not  so  greatly  affected  Pears, 
whilst  Plums  are  much  above  an  average 
crop. 

If  we  consider  the  crops  in  detail  we  find 
that,  concerning  the  Apple  crop  in  Scotland, 


out  of  forty-six  returns,  twenty-six  report  the 
crop  as  being  under  the  average,  whilst  six- 
teen report  average  crops,  and  in  only  four 
cases  are  they  described  as  more  than  aver- 
age. In  England,  out  of  187  returns,  there 
are  122  reported  under  the  average,  whilst 
only  sixty-five  report  crops  up  to,  or  above, 
the  average.  In  Wales  eleven  correspondents 
report  that  the  crop  is  under  the  average,  and 
in  not  a  single  case  is  it  described  as  more 
than  average.  In  Ireland  the  conditions  are 
worse  than  in  England,  Scotland,  or  Wales, 
for  out  of  twenty  returns  there  are  fifteen 
which  report  the  crop  as  under  the  average. 

The  Apple  crop,  therefore,  over  all  the 
country  is  of  less  value  than  last  year,  and 
readers  may  see  this  for  themselves  by  com- 
paring the  grand  summary  for  the  present 
season  with  that  for  1906,  which  we  have 
reproduced  for  this  purpose. 

Pears  are  variable,  being  less  scarce  in 
England  than  they  were  last  year,  but  not  so 
in  Scotland.  Out  of  forty-four  returns  from 
Scotland,  thirty-two  report  the  crop  as  under 
the  average,  and  in  only  one  instance  is  it 
reported  as  above  the  average.  In  England, 
among  1S6  returns  there  are  seventy-one  un- 
der average,  and  the  rest  all  report  the  crop 
as  average  or  above  average.  In  Wales  nine 
out  of  twenty-one  reporters,  and  in  Ireland 
eleven  out  of  the  same  number,  state  the  crop 
to  be  under  the  average. 

Plums  are  much  more  abundant  than  usual 
in  most  parts  of  England,  and  in  Scotland, 
but  the  crop  in  Wales  and  Ireland  is  not  so 
plentiful.  Out  of  forty-four  returns  from 
Scotland  only  twelve  report  the  crop  as  being 
under  the  average,  whilst  in  thirty-two  in- 
stances it  is  described  as  equal  to,  or  above, 
the  average.  In  England,  out  of  186  returns, 
ninety-two  report  the  crop  as  being  above  the 
average,  sixty-seven  as  equal  to  the  average, 
and  only  twenty-seven  as  deficient. 

Cherries  are  a  good  crop  in  most  parts  of 
the  country,  being  much  above  the  average, 
and  the  same  remark  applies  with  even 
greater  force  to  Peaches  and  Apricots.  The 
soft  fruits,  such  as  Gooseberries,  Currants, 
and  Raspberries,  grouped  together  under  the 
term  "  small  "  fruits,  appear  less  liable  to 
miss  cropping  than  Apples,  Plums,  or  Pears, 
and  reference  to  the  returns  published  in 
these  pages  for  some  years  past  will  show 
that,  as  a  rule,  the  crops  of  small  fruits  have 
been  good.  But  this  year  they  are  certainly 
above  the  average,  for  in  England,  out  of  187 
returns,  all  but  four  report  average  crops  or 
crops  above  the  average.  The  returns  in 
respect  to  Strawberries  appear  fairly  satis- 
factory in  the  report,  but  we  are  afraid  that 


GRAND    SUMMARY.    1907 

Records. 

Apples. 

Pears. 

Plums. 

Ch  ernes. 

Peaches 
and  Nec- 
tarines. 

Apricots. 

Small 
Fruits. 

Straw- 
berries. 

Nuts. 

Number  of  Records 
Average 

Over       

Under 

(279) 

89 

15 

175 

(276) 
122 
28 
126 

(276) 
105 
109 
S3 

(2671 
163 
37 
67 

(19?-) 
98 
78 
16 

(189) 
62 
101 
26 

(278) 

106 

165 

7 

(277) 
141 
56 
77 

(155) 
68 
18 
69 

SUMMARY   OF   1906   FOR   COMPARISON. 


Records. 

Apples. 

Pears. 

Plums. 

Cherries. 

Peaches 
and  Nec- 
tarines. 

Apricots. 

Small 
Fruits. 

Straw- 
berries. 

Nuts. 

Number  of  Records 

Average 

Over       

Under 

(253) 

109 

40 

104 

(249) 

36 

7 

206 

(228) 

20 

1 

207 

(229) 
86 
12 
131 

(161) 

70 

6 

85 

(147) 

30 

8 

109 

(253) 
162 
55 
46 

(253) 
165 
54 
34 

(131) 
61 
10 
60 

Supplement  to  the  "  Gardeners'  Chronicle." 


■ 


New  Sweet    Peas  which  received  Awards  of  Merit  at    the  National 
Sweet  Pea  Society's  Show  on  July   16,   1907. 


Temple  Press  Ltd.,  Printers,  7-15,  Rosebery  Avenue,  London,  E.C. 


August  3,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


91 


the  crop  generally  was  not  equal  to  the  aver- 
age, although  it  lasted  for  a  longer  period 
than  usual.  Owing  to  the  lack  of  sunshine 
the  earlier  fruits  ripened  but  very  slowly,  and 
many  decayed  during  the  process.  At  the 
best,  the  fruits  were  of  inferior   flavour. 

Reviewing,  therefore,  the  details  to  which 
we  have  just  referred,  and  bearing  in  mind 
that  Apricots,  Peaches,  Cherries,  Plums, 
Raspberries,  Gooseberries,  and  Currants 
are  plentiful  crops,  also  that  Pears  are  less 
scarce  than  they  were  last  year,  the  fruit 
crops  of  1907  cannot  fairly  be  described  as 
unsatisfactory,  notwithstanding  that  the 
most  important  crop,  that  of  Apples,  is  below 
the  average.  Full  crops  of  all  kinds  of 
hardy  fruits  cannot  be  reasonably  expected 
in  any  season,  for  they  are  seldom,  if  ever, 
■obtainable. 

We  thank  our  correspondents  for  the  in- 
formation so  freely  accorded;  in  mo-t  in- 
stances it  has  been  contributed  by  cultivators 
who  have  reported  on  the  subject  for  many 
years  past,  and  who  are  therefore  the  I"  -1 
able  to  furnish  comparative  estimates. 


Our     Supplementary     Illustration. — In 

our  issue  for  July  20  a  supplementary  illustra- 
tion was  given  of  a  scene  in  the  gardens  attached 
to  the  Villa  d'  Este,  near  Rome,  and  an  ac<  ount 
of  these  gardens  was  contributed  by  Mr.  James 
HUDSON,  gardener  to  Mr.  Leopold  de  Roth- 
schild, at  Gunnersbury  House,  Acton.  The  sup- 
plementary illustration  to  the  present  issue 
affords  another  view  in  the  same  gardens,  with 
the  Villa  showing  in  the  background.  Mr. 
Hudson  describes  the  gardens  as  capable  of 
affording  a  delightful  retreat  during  the  hot, 
dry,  Italian  summer,  and  this  may  well  be 
imagined  when  viewing  the  illustration  of  the 
series  of  water-ten  ices,  that  are  fed  by  the 
cascade  seen  in  the  background.  The  Villa 
itself  is  said  to  be  one  of  the  finest  examples 
of  architecture  of  the  Renaissance  period. 

Royal  Horticultural  Society. — The  next 
meeting  of  the  committees  will  be  held  in  the 
Society's  hall,  Vincent  Square,  Westminster,  on 
Tuesday,  August  6.  At  the  afternoon  meeting  a 
lecture  on  Water  Lilies  will  be  delivered  by  Mr. 
Arthur  Bedford. 

Sir  Joseph  Hooker  and  the  Royal  Horti- 
cultural Society. — The  following  letter  from 
Sir  Joseph  Hooker,  O.M.,  to  Sir  Trevor  Law- 
rente,  in  reply  to  the  congratulations  of  the 
Royal1  Horticultural  Society  on  the  occasion  of 
his  90th  birthday,  appeared  in  the  Times  for 
July  29: — "The  Camp,  Sunningdale,  July  15, 
1907.  My  dear  Sir  Trevor, — Your  letter  of  the 
25th  June  conveying  the  hearty  congratulations 
of  the  President,  Council,  and  Fellows  of  the 
Royal  Horticultural  Society  on  the  approach  of 
my  90th  birthday  has  gratified  me  more  than  I 
can  express.  It  is  not  by  many  times  the  first 
instance  I  have  experienced  of  the  friendly  and 
all  too  liberal  estimate  of  my  labours  in  the 
cause  of  horticulture  that  the  society  has  enter- 
tained. It  has  been  a  source  of  great  regret 
that  I  was  obliged,  when  resigning  my  post  of 
chairman  of  the  Scientific  Committee,  to  aban- 
don all  hope  of  attending  our  meetings  on 
account  of  having  to  devote  my  energies  to  the 
Directorship  of  Kew,  and  to  the  completion  of 
labours  on  botanical  works  I  have  in  progress. 
I  had  also  to  endeavour  to  overtake  arrears  of 
work  extending  ever  many  years,  which  are  still 
far  from  being  overtaken.  As  a  botanist  I  have 
hereby  lost  much,  for  since  the  days  of  David 
Douglas,  the  Royal  Horticultural '  Society  has 
contributed  more  for  botanical  science,  as  repre- 


sented by  collections,  publications,  and  experi- 
mental research,  than  any  other  establishment 
in  Europe.  I  have  now  to  request  you  as  their 
president  to  accept  yourself,  and  convey  to  the 
council  and  to  my  fellow-members,  my  pride 
and  gratitude  for  this  most  welcome  evidence  of 
their  friendship  and  esteem.  With  every  good 
wish  for  the  continued  welfare  and  renown  of 
the  society, — Believe  me,  dear  Sir  Trevor, 
sincerely  yours,  Jos.  D.  Hooker." 

German      Nurserymen's     Association, — 

About  a  year  ago  the  project  of  the  formation  of 
a  confederation  of  nurserymen  was  brought  for- 
ward by  the  Hon.  II,  Muller.  nurseryman  at 
Langsur,  and  president  of  the  Club  of  Rhenish 
nurserymen.  Since  that  time  the  representatives 
of  the  nursery  interests  have  not  been  allowed  to 
rest,  but  it  has  been  repeatedly  referred  to  in  the 
German  horticultural  Press,  and  the  views  of  the 
Hon.  Muller,  and  other  nurserymen,  have  been 
made  public  with  the  result  that  the  project  has 
taken  a  definite  shape,  and  at  the  Mannheim  ex- 
hibition, where  many  members  of  the  trade  were 
present,  it  was  decided  to  form  an  association  with 
the  Hon.  Muller  as  president ;  a  statement  of  the 
proceedings  will  shortly  be  published.  The  next 
meeting  will  take  place  at  Eisenach  in  1908.  The 
matters  that  will  be  the  first  to  be  discussed  are  rail- 
way tariffs  for  the  dispatch  of  nursery  productions  ; 
means  by  which  businessexpenditure,  in  view  of  the 
rise  in  wages,  can  best  be  reduced  ;  tax  on  imports  ; 
unity  in  prices  for  certain  plants,  and  their  size 
and  form,  as  for  example  Roses,  avenue  trees, 
ornamental  shrubs,  &c.  ;  and  the  existing  stocks  of 
these.  The  principle  of  the  "Open  Door"  will 
also  come  under  discussion,  and  cm  this  point  the 
views  expressed  in  general  are  that  there  should  be 
no  hindrances  as  regards  the  trade  in  nursery  stock 
as  between  one  province  and  another  in  the 
Empire.  But  the  foreigner  should  be  taxed. 
Then  there  will  be  discussions  concerning  circuit, 
communal,  provincial  and  school  nurseries,  and 
the  injury  to  the  trade  which  results  from  their 
competition.  These  are  the  more  important  matters 
for  discussion  at  next  year's  meeting. 

The  Quarterly  Journal  of  Forestrv. 

— In  the  last  issue  of  this  excellent  publication, 
edited  by  Mr.  W.  R.  Fisher,  and  published  in 
July,  there  is  a  very  informative  and  illustrated 
article  on  the  life  history  of  the  Beech.  Other 
articles  include  one  recommending  the  conver- 
sion of  underwood  into  high  forest,  and  one  on 
the  mismanagement  of  Quick-Fences  in  Eng- 
land. Dr.  Somervili.e  has  an  article  on  the 
caterpillars  of  Argyresthia  laevigatella  attacking 
Larch  trees,  with  illustrations.  A  report  of  a 
lecture  delivered  by  Dr.  A.  Henry  to  the  Ash- 
molean  Natural  History  Society,  at  Oxford, 
gives  an  interesting  account  of  Dr.  Henry's 
recent  tour  in  the  forests  of  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tains,   Spain,    Corsica,    and   Algeria. 

Cytisus  albus  (Link).  — This  is  one  of 
the  more  promising  species  of  Cytisus  for 
forcing,  and  it  is  occasionally  quoted  in 
lists  of  hardy  shrubs.  Xot  by  any  means  a 
newly  introduced  plant,  it  is  rare  in  gardens, 
and  is  generally  confounded  with  C.  prascox, 
which  is  equally  good  for  forcing  ;  and  there  is 
the  risk  of  confounding  it  with  C.  albus 
[Hacquet],  of  which  one  form  is  known  in  nur- 
series as  C.  Shipkffinsis.  C.  albus  [Link]  belongs 
botanically,  as  well  as  C.  praecox  and  C.  purgans, 
to  the  sub-genus  Spartocytisus,  and  reminds  one 
in  outward  appearance,  in  the  slender  rod-like 
shoots  of  dull  green  colour,  of  Spartium 
scoparium  and  Genista  Andreana.  The  shrub 
is  of  an  evergreen  or  half-evergreen  character, 
and  the  flowers  are  of  the  size  and  form  of 
those  of  G.  Andreana,  and  other  small- 
flowered  species,  the  colour  white.  It  comes 
into  bloom  at  the  same  time  as  C.  purpureus — 


i.e.,  in  early  June,  and  reaches  a  height  of 
4J  feet.  As  a  standard  worked  on  the  Labur- 
num stock  it  has  an  excellent  effect.  The  plant 
is  a  native  of  South-west  Europe  and  Northern 
Africa,  as  is  evident  from  the  name,  Genet 
blanc  du  Portugal,  given  to  it  in  French  lists. 
Tlialaeier's  Handclsgartner. 

Viola  Trials. — Under  the  auspices  of  the 
Scottish  Pansy  and  Viola  Association,  and 
with  the  co-operation  of  Mr.  Whitton,  super- 
intendent of  the  Glasgow  parks,  an  extensive 
trial  of  Violas  is  being  made  in  the  Queen's 
Park,  Glasgow.  They  are  grown  by  Mr. 
McIver,  who  has  charge  of  this  beautiful  park. 
The  object  aimed  at  is  to  find  out  which  kinds 
are  best  suited  for  bedding  purposes.  Six 
plants  of  each  variety  to  be  grown  were  sent 
from  cultivators  in  different  parts  of  the 
country,  there  being  about  40  to  50  lots  of  each: 
of  the  leading  colours.  On  July  24  they  were- 
inspected  by  four  judges,  under  the  guidance 
of  Mr.  Milne,  president,  and  Mr.  Smellie, 
secretary  of  the  Scottish  Pansy  and  Viola  Asso- 
ciation.  The  following  varieties  were  placed  in 
the  order  of  merit  as  follows,  the  first-named 
variety  receiving  the  greatest  number  of  marks  : 
—White  varieties. — Christiana,  Alexandra,  and 
Bethea,  equal  (24  marks  each),  Marchioness, 
Countess  of  Hopetoun,  and  E.  C.  Barlow  (20 
marks  each),  Blanche  (16),  and  Niphetos  (4 
marks).  Yellow  varieties.— Red  Braes  (32),  King 
Cup  (20),  Grievii,  Canary,  and  Meteor  (16  each). 
1  Ifs  —  Kitty  Bell  and  Lavender  Queen 

21      .nli,,,    Florizel    (20).     Blue   varieties.— -Wm. 

Ha  (28),  Blue  Bedder  and  Mary  McLean  (20 
■■■'■  h  ,  Max  ,Kobb  and  Royal  Scott  (16  each). 
.'  and  Faneies.— Maggie  Currie  (28),  Jenny 
Mi  Gregor,  Dr.  McFarlane,  and  T.  W.  R.  John- 
stone (24  each),  J.  H.  Watson  (20).  / 
varieties.— James  Pilling  (32),  Willie  Farmer 
and  Mrs.  Chichester  (24  each).  In  the  evening 
the  society  met  in  the  Religious  Institution 
Rooms,  Buchanan  Street,  Glasgow,  when  a 
goodly  number  of  promising  seedling  blooms 
were  presented  for  inspection.  The  following 
fancy  Tansies  were  awarded  First-Class  Certifi- 
viz.  :—  Wm.  Cuthbertson,  Mrs.  S. 
Mitchell,  Arthur  Brown,  and  Jenny  Morris. 
Certificates  of  Merit  were  also  awarded  to 
several  other  varieties  of  Pansy  and  Viola 

The  Garden  Charities.— We  are  informed 
that  the  Gardeners'  Royal  Benevolent  Institu- 
tion and  the  Royal  Gardeners'  Orphan  1 
have  recently  received  substantial  sums  of 
money  from  Mr.  Frank  Crisp,  LL.B.,  J.P., 
being  part  proceeds  of  fees  received  for  admis- 
sion to  view  his  interesting  gardens  at  Friar 
Park,  Henley-on-Thames.  It  is  very  pleasant 
to  record  such  instances  as  this,  and  we  com- 
mend Mr.  Crisp's  example  as  one  worthy  of 
more  general  imitation. 

Horticulture  at  Reading. — That  horti- 
cultural activity  is  one  of  the  distinguishing 
characteristics  of  Reading  is  well  known  to  most 
of  our  readers.  The  fact  is  illustrated  very 
plainly  in  the  issue  of  the  Reading  Standard 
for  July  27,  which  contains  reports  of  the  visit 
of  the  Reading  Gardeners'  Association  to  Wel- 
beck  Abbey,  the  residence  of  the  Duke  of  Port. 
LAND,  on  July  17,  and  of  the  visit  of  the 
National  Sweet  Pea  Society  to  Reading  on  July 
26.  In  connection  with  the  Reading  Society's 
visit  to  Welbeck  there  are  several  photographs 
of  the  party,  and  separate  portraits  of  Mr.  W. 
Turnham,  chairman  of  the  association,  Mr.  F. 
W.  MacDonald,  treasurer,  and  Mr.  H.  G. 
Cox,  secretary.  The  visit  of  the  Sweet  Pea 
Society  is  marked  by  the  reproduction  of  two 
photographs  of  the  visitors,  one  of  which  shows 
the  members  in  the  act  of  inspecting  the  trials. 
There  is  also  a  portrait  of  Mr.  Charles  Foster, 
Assistant  Director  of  the  Horticultural  Depart- 
ment, Reading  College,  under  whose  superin- 
tendence the  trials  have  been  cultivated. 


92 


THE     GARDENERS' 


CHRONICLE. 


[August  3,  1907. 


A  Veteran  Gardener.— On  July  23  last  Mr, 
Robert  Anderson  completed  his  80th  year  of 
age,  and  also  44  years'  service  as  head  gardener 
at  Sewerby  House,  near  Bridlington,  East  York, 
shire.  Born  in  Banffshire  he  has  served  in  many 
famous  gardens,  including-  those  at  Haddo 
House,  Aberdeenshire,  and  Trentham,  in  Staf- 
fordshire. On  his  36fh  birthday  he  went  to 
Sewerby  House  as  head  gardener,  where  he  still 
remains  active  and  well.  Mr.  Anderson  raised 
the  beautiful  Tacsonia  x  Andersonii  (see  Gar. 
deners'  Chronicle,  August  7,  1875,  p.  167).  Of  his 
five  sons  throe  have  followed  the  gardening  pro- 
fession, two  having  commenced  business  on 
their  own  account,  and  one  is  in  the  United 
States  of  America. 

Kew  Gardeners  at  Cricket. — The  annual 
cricket  match  between  past  and  present  Kew 
gardeners  was  played  at  Kew  on  July  27,  and 
resulted  in  a  win  for  the  present  men  by  66 
runs. 

"  Nos  Arbres." — A  book  has  been  issued  in 
Geneva  and  Paris  by  M.  H.  Correvon,  President 
of  the  Societe  pour  la  Protection  des  Plantes.  He 
pleads  for  the  preservation  of  fine  native  and 
exotic  trees.  The  work  is  well  written  and  in  part 
admirably  illustrated.  The  first  portion  is  con- 
cerned with  historical  trees,  the  forests,  the  story 
of  disforesting  and  afforesting  in  Switzerland  and 
adjacent  countries ;  the  second  part  treats  of 
the  trees  of  the  woods,  parks  and  avenues  of 
Switzerland. 

Publications  Received.— Board  of  Agriculture 
and  Fisheries.  Report  on  the  Prospects  of  Crops. — 
The  Book  on  W  ater-Gardening,  by  Peter  Bisset,  pub- 
lished by  the  A.  T.  De  La  Mare  Printing  and  Publish- 
ing Company,  Ltd.,  New  York. — Tourist  Guide  to  the 
Continent,  published  by  the  Great  Eastern  Railway 
Company,  price  6d.  —  Staffordshire  County  Council 
Education  Committee.  Directory  for  Higher  Education 
1907-1908,  containing  the  regulations  of  the  committer 
and  details  of  schemes  in  operation  throughout  the 
administrative  county. — Journal  of  the  Royal  Horti- 
cultural Society ,  Vol.  xxxii.,  June,  1907. 


MARKET   GARDENING. 


CROPS  IN  THE  WORTHING  DISTRICT. 

The  season  for  most  crops  is  quite  a  fortnight 
later  than  the  average.  The  prospects  for  Chry- 
santhemums are  good.  A  stock  of  the  variety 
Souvenir  du  Petit  Ami  that  came  under  my  in- 
spection was  remarkably  fine.  One  of  the  large 
growers,  Mr.  F.  E.  Sparkes,  has  80,000  of  these 
plants  under  cultivation,  and  another  market 
nurseryman,  Mr.  Dorey,  Sea  View  Nurseries, 
has  20,000  plants.  In  both  instances  the  owne's 
were  satisfied  with  the  appearance  of  their 
plants. 

Tomatos  promise  a  late  crop,  especially  those, 
grown  in  unheated  houses.  The  system  of  cul- 
ture generally  adopted  is  to  level  the  beds  in 
which  Cucumbers  have  been  grown  and  to  plant 
the  Tomatos  in  soil  of  a  very  little  depth  upon  a 
hard  bottom.  One  large  nurseryman,  Mr.  \V. 
Magness,  plants  the-  variety  Tuckswood 
Favourite  for  a  main  crop.  Bright  sunshine  is 
especially  welcome  to  Tomato-growers,  for  the 
fruits  sell  cheaply,  and  the  returns  do  not  allow 
of  expenses  for  fuel. 

Grapes  are  the  staple  crop  of  the  district.  Mr. 
T.  Blissett  has  a  very  regular  crop  of  Gros. 
Maroc,  each  vine  averaging  20  bunches.  Black 
Alicante  is  a  very  level  crop.  In  four  establish- 
ments I  visited  some  of  the  vines  were  trained 
as  double,  and  others  as  single  rods ;  in  each 
instance  they  were  doing  well.  Mr.  W.  Magness, 
of  West  Worthing,  has  a  span-roofed  vinery  450 
feet  long,  from  which  he  obtained  8,000  lb.  of 
Grapes  last  season,  and  the  present  crop  pro- 
mises to  be  equally  as  heavy.         ; 

Early,  mid-season,  and  late  crops  of  Gros 
Colmar  were,  without  exceptions,  good.  The 
variety  Muscat  of  Alexandria  is  largely  grown  in 


the  Worthing  district,  and  fc>oth  the  early  and  the 
mid-season  crops  (very  few  late  ones  are  grown) 
were  promising. 

In  the  houses  in  which  Grapes  will  shortly  be 
cut,   the   foliage  was  being  tied  back,   in  order 


Peaches  are  being  supplanted  by  vines,  for  in> 
more  than  one  house  this  season  vines  have  been 
planted  in  their  stead.  I  noticed  a  very  heavy 
crop  of  Peaches  in  one  nursery.  The  fruits  are 
sent   to   the    Midlands,    where    they    are    realis- 


FlG.    35. — ROSE    HUGO    ROLLER,    A    NEW   TEA    VARIETY    WITH    CREAM-COLOURED    PETALS,    THE 
OUTER    ONES    WITH    A    DEEP    SUFl-'USION    OF    CRIMSON.  (See  page  76  ante.) 


that  more  light  might  be  admitted  to  the  berries. 
Copious  waterings  and  heavy  feeding  are  prac- 
tised by  all  the  growerr  Ntfh  in  the  case  of  inside 
borders   and   those   outsld* 


ing  from  Is.  to  2s.  per  dozen — a  poor  return,  but 
one  which,  the  grower  informed  me,  pays. 
Peach  houses  are  used  for  Chrysanthemum  cul- 
ture later  in  the  season.     Stefhen  Castle. 


August  3,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS1     CHRONICLE. 


93 


THE    ROSARY. 


CULTURAL  NOTES  FOR  AUGUST. 
The  first  blooms  of  the  early-flowering  varie- 
ties are  nearly  over,  and  now  is  a  suitable 
time  to  remove  all  weak  and  badly-ripened 
shoots.  Seed  capsules  and  untidy  flowers  of 
Tea  and  Hybrid  Tea  varieties  should  be  re- 
moved, and  the  flowering  stems  be  pruned  back 
two  buds  from  the  base.  Any  rampant-grow- 
ing shoots  should  also  be  shortened,  for,  if  this 
is  done  early  in  the  present  month,  a  free  and 
continuous  display  of  bloom  may  be  expected. 
All  plants  in  an  active  condition  of  growth 
should  be  given  copious  applications  of  liquid 
manure,  alternated  occasionally  with  a  sprink- 
ling, on  the  loosened  surface  of  the  ground,  of 


now  be  made  in  budding  the  Manettii  and  De  la 
Gnfferie  stocks.  The  latter  are  specially 
suited  as  stocks  for  strong-growing  varieties  of 
the  Rambler  type,  and  climbing  Noisettes  and 
Tea  varieties,  such  as  W.  A.  Richardson, 
Lamarque,  Ophirie,  Aimee  Vibert,  Cheshunt 
Hybrid,  and  Kaiserin  Frederic.  The  Manetti 
stock  is  most  suitable  for  the  Hybrid  Per- 
petual type  of  Roses.  Hybrid  Tea  varieties 
are  really  more  perpetual  in  flowering  than  the 
former,  and  they  deserve  to  be  more  exten- 
sively cultivated  than  at  present.  Insert  the 
buds  as  low  down  on  the  stem  as  is  possible, 
and  even  remove  some  of  the  soil  just  above 
the  roots  to.  allow  of  this  being  done.  If  any 
buds  that  were  inserted  early  this  season  have 
failed  to  grow,  insert  others  to  take  their  places 
as  near  to  the  main  stem  as  is  possible. 


[/  Holograph  by  Clias.  Jones. 
FlG.    36. — CURRANT    WHITE    DUTCH. 


Clay's  Fertiliser.  In  dry  seasons  there  is 
often  a  difficulty  in  conveying  moisture  to  the 
roots  in  a  sufficient  quantity  by  surface  water- 
ings. To  ensure  water  reaching  the  roots,  make 
holes  in  the  soil  with  pointed  iron  rods  deep 
enough  to  allow  the  water  to  penetrate  to  the 
roots.  This  system  will  prevent  the  roots 
growing  too  near  to  the  surface  of  the  soil, 
and  thus  becoming,  unless  well  covered  with  a 
mulching,  scorched  by  the  sun.  As  soon  as 
the  buds  on  the  early-worked  stocks  commence 
to  swell,  the  material  used  for  tying  should 
be  loosened,  and  the  shoots  on  the  briar  pruned 
back  a  few  inches.  Buds  being  now  plenti- 
ful and  in  the  best  condition  for  inserting, 
the  opportunity  should  be  taken  of  perform- 
ing any  budding  that  is  needed.     A  start  may 


The  present  is  a  suitable  time  for  inserting 
cuttings  of  Roses.  Select  for  the  purpose 
short-jointed  sideshoots,  taken  off  with  a  heel, 
and  insert  them  singly  in  small,  well-drained 
pots  filled  with  sandy  loam,  and  covered  on 
the  surface  with  a  little  pure  sand.  Water  the 
cuttings  after  they  have  been  inserted,  and  keep 
them  shaded  whenever  necessary.  Stand  the 
pots  in  a  cold  frame  and  shut  the  frame  close. 
Some  of  the  cuttings  will  form  roots  during  the 
autumn,  but  if  the  frame  be  placed  on  a  hot- 
bed of  moderate  heat  and  the  pots  be  plunged, 
all  the  cuttings  should  form  roots  and  become 
established  before   the   winter  arrives. 

Ply  the  hoe  to  free  the  borders  and  the  beds 
from  weeds.  July  is  the  best  month  for  layer- 
ing    Roses,    a    simple    and     sure     method     of 


increasing  new  and  desirable  varieties:  among 
the  Hybrid  Perpetuals  or  other  strong- 
growing  kinds  that  lend  themselves  to  this 
mode  of  propagation.  Choose  the  best-ripened 
shoots  from  among  those  springing  from  near 
the  soil,  and  at  about  1  foot  or  more  distant 
from  the  main  stem.  Cut  a  slit  or  notch, 
about  one  inch  long,  half-way  through  on  the 
under  side  of  the  shoot.  Remove  about  six 
inches  of  the  soil  so  as  to  cover  the  shoots,  and 
mix  some  sandy  grit  and  burnt  earth  with  the 
excavated  mould.  Place  the  shoot  carefully, 
and  without  breaking  it,  in  the  hole,  and 
cover  the  cut  portion  with  soil,  after  first 
making  the  shoot  firm  with  a  hooked  peg 
or  iron  pin  inserted  just  above  the  notch. 
Level  the  soil  and  make  it  quite  firm 
about  the  shoot.  If  dry  weather  prevails, 
afford  copious  waterings  and  well  mulch  the 
surface  of  the  ground.  Pot-plants  and  grafted 
Roses,  and  those  on  their  own  roots  that  were 
stopped  for  the  last  time  as  directed  in  July, 
will  now  be  ripening  their  growths  previous  to 
their  season  of  flowering,  which  extends  from 
September  onwards.     /.  D.  G. 


THE    WHITE    CURRANT. 

The  White  Currant  ranks  amongst  the  best 
of  hardy  bush  fruits  for  dessert  purposes,  and 
although  its  flavour  and  general  eating  qualities 
are  far  superior  to  those  of  the  Red  Currant,  it  is 
merely  an  albino  form  of  the  same  species—  Ribes 
rubrum.  It  is  quite  distinct,  however,  from  the 
Black  Currant,  for  this  is  derived  from  Ribes 
nigrum,  and  the  Currants  of  the  grocer  are  simply 
a  small  species  of  Grape.  The  White  Currant  is 
seldom  eaten  in  a  cooked  condition,  but  for  the 
dessert  table  they  form  a  choice  dish,  and 
sometimes  the  choicer  bunches  of  the  Red 
Currant  are  mingled  on  the  same  dish  as  the 
White,  the  two  forming  a  pleasing  effect.  The 
White  Currant  is  the  least  hardy  of  the  three 
types,  but  given  a  favourable  soil  and  situation  it 
is  not  difficult  of  culture  if  treated  according  to  the 
general  principles  of  training,  pruning,  &c. ,  afforded 
the  Red.  The  best  mode  of  propagation  is  by 
means  of  cuttings,  and  these  should  be  inserted  in 
the  autumn  when  the  young  shoots  are  mature, 
but  they  will  form  roots  if  inserted  any  time 
before  March  of  the  following  year,  although  a 
season  is  saved  if  they  are  rooted  by  early  autumn 
propagation.  The  standard  variety  and  the  one 
most  often  met  with  in  gardens  is  White  Dutch 
(see  fig.  36),  and  this  has  numerous  synonyms, 
being  known  as  Blanche  d'Hollande,  New  White 
Dutch,  Jeeve's  White,  Morgan's  White,  White 
Crystal,  White  Leghorn,  &c.  Of  late  years  a  new 
variety  of  much  merit,  known  as  Transparent,  or 
Versailles,  has  been  extensively  planted.  Other 
varieties  are  Wilmot's  Large  White,  Blanc  de 
Iioulogne,  and  Yellow  German. 


COLONIAL    NOTE. 


WATSONIA  ARDERNEI. 
Your  correspondent,  F.  W.  G.,  complains  (p. 
373)  of  the  non-success  which  followed  his  treat- 
ment of  the  bulbs  of  W.  Ardernei.  Here,  living 
in  the  midst  of  these  beautiful  bulbs,  we  find 
that  the  best  flowers  are  always  obtained  from 
bulbs  that  are  not  shifted  during  their  dormant 
stage.  It  is  also  a  mistake  to  allow  the  bulbs 
to  become  thoroughly  dried  ;  it  is  far  better  to 
keep  the  soil  somewhat  moist,  and  to  grow 
them  undisturbed  in  the  ground  instead  of  in 
pots.  In  their  natural  habitat  they  flourish  in 
very  wet  situations,  starting  into  life  in  winter 
and  blossoming  in  spring.  It  will  also  be  found 
that  when  the  bulbs  are  left  undisturbed  in  the 
ground,  they  will  rapidly  increase  in  numbers, 
and  produce  stronger  growths  and  blossoms  than 
otherwise.  This  Watsonia  is  one  of  the  hardiest 
species,  and  it  resents  being  coddled.  E.  P., 
Cafe  Town. 


94 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[August  3,  1907. 


TREES  AND  SHRUBS. 


NURSERY     NOTES. 


OLEARIA  NITIDA. 
This  species  was  introduced  from  New  Zea- 
land in  1886.  Though  an  extremely  handsome 
flowering  shrub,  it' is,  curiously  enough,  rarely 
seen  in  gardens,  although  such  species  as  O. 
Haastii,  O.  stellulata,  often  misnamed  O.  Gunnii, 
and  O.  macrodonta,  are  fairly  common.  In  New 
Zealand  it  is  said  to  reach  the  size  of  a  small 
tree,  and  to  grow  at  an  elevation  of  4,000  feet. 
It  is  probably  as  hardy  as  O.  Haasti,  which  is 
found  at  the  same  elevation,  and  hardier  than 
O.  stellulata,  but,  the  number  of  plants  grown 
in  the  open  in  this  country  being  limited,  this  is, 
at  present,  rather  a  matter  of  conjecture.  The 
specimen  illustrated  at  fig.  37  is  5  feet  6  inches  in 
height,  and  it  endured  10J  of  frost  on  four  nights 
in  the  last  winter,  but  not  a  leaf  or  shoot  was 
injured.  As  will  be  seen,  it  is  an  attractive 
object  when  in  full  bloom.  The  small,  white, 
Hawthorn-like  blossoms  are  about  half  an  inch 
across,  and  are  borne  so  freely  on  loose,  branch- 
ing racemes,  that,  as  is  shown  in  the  illustra- 
tion, they  entirely  hide  the  foliage.  The  leaves 
are  leathery  in  texture,  3  inches  in  length  and 
2  inches  in  breadth,  deep  green  on  the  upper 
surface,  and  silvery  white  beneath.  The  flowers 
were  borne  in  such  profusion  on  the  plant  illus- 
trated that  when  the  withered  bloom-clusters 
were  cut  off,  they  completely  filled  two  bushel 
baskets.     S.  W .  Fitzherbert,  South  Devon. 

CHOICE  SHRUBS  AT  LEONARDSLEE 
GARDENS. 

One  of  the  most  beautiful  shrubs  in  flower  at 
the  present  time  is  Styrax  japonica.  The  flowers 
hang  like  Snowdrops  from  the  underside  of  the 
branches,  which  are  covered  with  thousands  of 
the  pretty  white  blossoms.  This  specimen  is 
about  20  feet  high,  and  there  is  another,  not 
quite  so  large,  planted  in  a  cold,  heavy  soil, 
where  it  is  flowering  grandly.  These  trees  are 
given  no  protection  whatever,  and  they  need  no 
pruning.  Stuartia  pseudo-camellia  is  just  now 
one  mass  of  flowers,  which  resemble  those  of  a 
single  Camellia.  They  are  pure  white,  with 
yellow  anthers,  and  measure  about  3  inches  in 
diameter.  This  plant  also  grows  well  in  a  heavy 
soil. 

Cytisus  nigricans  is  a  lovely  variety  of  Broom, 
with  a  somewhat  bushy  habit.  It  grows  and 
flowers  with  freedom.  The  specific  name  is  de- 
rived from  the  black  colour  of  the  flowers  when 
they  are   dried. 

Cistus  ladaniferus  is  now  a  fine  feature  in 
these  gardens.  It  is  one  of  the  best  of  all  the 
Rock  Roses,  is  perfectly  hardy,  and  very 
floriferous. 

Chionanthus  retusus  is  covered  with  its  fringe- 
like flowers  in  white  and  drooping  racemes.  The 
plant  is  hardy  and  does  well  in  a  cold  soil. 

Caesalpinia  japonica  is  an  interesting  plant, 
with  canary-yellow-coloured  flowers  produced  in 
racemes,  somewhat  after  the  manner  of  a  small 
Acacia.  The  plant  requires  a  liberal  treatment 
in  order  that  it  may  succeed.  The  wood  has 
long  prickles,  which  are  turned  the  reverse  way 
of  the  growing  plant.  W.  A.  Cook,  Leonardslee 
Gardens,  Horsham,  Sussex. 


PLANT    NOTE. 


POLEMONIUM  CONFERTUM  MELITUM. 
This  exceedingly  pretty  plant,  a  native  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains,  is  very  useful  for  culture  as 
a  pot  plant  in  a  cool  greenhouse.  Ine  long, 
narrow,  rich-green,  pinnate  leaves  give  a  grand 
effect  to  the  dainty,  fragrant,  creamy-white 
flowers,  which  are  borne  in  terminal  axillary 
racemes  on  stems  10  inches  in  height.  It  should 
be  planted  out-of-doors  in  deep,  sandy  soil,  and 
be  watered  freely  during  hot,  dry  weather.  A 
suitable  soil  for  its  culture  in  pots  is  one  com- 
posed of  equal  parts  rich  loam  and  sand.  The 
plant  needs  to  be  freely  watered  in  dry  weather. 
W.  Glover,  Langfort. 


MESSRS.  H.  CANNELI.  &  SONS. 
On  the  occasion  of  a  recent  visit,  the  day 
being  stormy  and  unfavourable  for  viewing 
the  outdoor  plantations  at  Eynsford  and  the 
adjacent  orchards  and  fruit  gardens,  I  had  to 
be  content  with  an  inspection  of  the  glasshouses 
at  the  Swanley  branch.  The  first  one  entered 
was  filled  mainly  with  Gloxinias,  then  past  their 
best  and  in  process  of  maturing  and  seed 
setting.  The  plants  were  large,  with  very  robust 
leaves  quite  concealing  the  pots.  Some  possessed 
blooms  3  or  4  inches  in  diameter.      One  new 


of  the  beautiful  colours  and  large  size  of  the 
blooms,  more  especially  the  varieties  cinna- 
barina,  aurantiaca  (an  orange-scarlet),  albo 
rubra  maculata,  alba  rosea,  violacea,  delicata, 
rosea,  and  the  peculiarly  coloured  salmonea. 
These  plants  bloom  early,  and  are  almost  con- 
tinuously  in  flower.  The  height  of  the  plants 
is  1£  to  If  feet,  and  the  habit  of  growth  bushy. 
Of  Streptocarpus,  many  were  noted  carrying 
immense  numbers  of  blooms  of  various  colours 
and  markings,  rivalling  the  finer  Gloxinias. 

In  the  Canna  house  my  attention  was  arrested 
by  the  following:  C.  Venus,  rose-pink  edged 
with  yellow  ;  C.  Niagara,  only  1±  feet  high,  of  a 
brilliant  shade  of  scarlet  edged  with  golden  ye!. 


{Photograph  by  S.  Wyiutham  Fttzherbcri. 
Fig.   S7- — OLEARIA  nitid/,  a  hardy  shrub. 


variety  has  a  white  throat  and  overlapping  seg- 
ments— the  flower  of  the  future,  as  Mr.  Cannell 
hopes.  Some  have  spotted  throats,  and  others 
have  pretty  spots  on  the  margins  of  the  seg-' 
ments,  whilst  striped  throats  were  observed  in 
some ;  and  in  others  crimson  lobes  and  pure 
white  throat.  One  named  "Her  Majesty"  is 
white,  of  imnense  size  and  fine  shape.  Another, 
"  The  Giant, ';  is  quite  6  inches  in  diameter,  and 
a  variety  "  Miss  Willmott  "  is  a  fine  one  of  the 
colour  of  the  Verbena  so  called.  A  nice  collec- 
tion of  impatiens  Sultani  and  I.  Hol«t  i  varieties 
— Ger.nan  raised — called. for  attention  by  reason 


low,  with  scarlet  spots — the  flowers  large;  C. 
Mrs.  C.  A.  Strohlein,  a  fine  crimson  variety;' 
Evolution,  a  fine,  old  variety  of  buff  and  yel- 
low colours  and  a  big  spike ;  Duke  Ernest,  a 
scarlet  which,  though  of  large  size,  stands  the- 
weather  well ;  Frau  E.  Kracht,  of  a  salmon-1 
pink  tint  having  a  yellowish  tinge  ;  Julius  Metz, 
an  orange-scarlet-coloured  bloom — a  very  fine 
thing.  Others  possessing  high  merit  were 
Papa  Crozy,  W.  Watson,  Gladiator,  Elfe,  Jean 
Monval,  W.  Tell,  and  Hermann  Aldinger,  a- 
rich  crimson  flower. 
In'  the    Carnation     house    there   were   noted" 


' 


August  3,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


95 


Souvenir  de  la  Malmaison  Princess  of  Wales 
(Newton  Don  variety),  a  fine  flower  of  a  light  pink 
colour ;  and  Duchess  of  Marlborough,  also  pink 
in  i-ulour  with  stripes  of  darker  tint,  a  fancy, 
having  a  perfect  flower,  very  good  for  cutting 
purposes.  Numerous  American  varieties  were 
observed,  of  which  Prosperity,  having  carmine 
stripes,   on   a   white   ground,   deserves  notice. 

The  Begonias  in  another  house  were  a  beauti- 
ful lot  that  could  scarcely  be  excelled.  Mr. 
Cannell  has  been  raising  Begonias  for  the  past 
20  years.  One  of  his  new  varieties,  of  which 
there  can  be  only  one  opinion,  has  imbri- 
cated petals  like  those  of  Camellia  imbricata 
alba  ;  and,  like  others  of  the  collection,  it  never 
produces  seeds,  but  must  be  raised  from  cut- 
tings.    Comet  is  a  double  flower  of  a  scarlet 


leaves  partake  of  the  Oakleaf  form,  and  the 
colour  of  the  flowers  is  pleasing.  The  winter- 
flowering  Zonal  Pelargoniums  were  making  fine 
growth,  and  will  keep  in  bloom  for  an  entire 
year — a  most  valuable  class.  Among  varieties 
of  double  and  single  flowered  Pelargoniums 
raised  at  this  nursery,  mention  should  be 
made  of  Arabic,  scarlet  with  an  eye  of  white, 
and  a  fine  truss ;  Saxonia,  even  larger,  and 
of  the  same  colour ;  Lucania,  likewise  scarlet 
in  colour,  with  very  large  blooms  and  truss  ; 
Carmania,  of  a  rosy-scarlet  tint,  producing  a 
very  big  truss,  the  individual  pips  of  which  are 
big,  and  the  foliage  distinctly  zoned ;  and 
Chauteraine  is  a  pale  pink  flower  having  an 
edge  of  a  darker  shade.  Of  double-flowered 
varieties  in  bloom  there  were  Val  Fleuri  (a  deep 


FlG.    3S. — A    FLOWERING    SPRAY    OF    OLEAR1A    NITIDA:    FLOWERS    WHITE. 

(See  page  94.) 


colour ;  Blush  Queen  is  an  extremely  large 
flower;  Lord  Stradbrook  is  a  grand  scarlet 
bloom,  and  W.  H.  Grenfell ;  Lady  E.  Mallet, 
rose-coloured  'with  a  white  centre ;  Sunflower, 
of  a  pale  yellow  tint,  double  and  large ;  and 
Enchantress,  of,  pink  and  buff  colours,  are  all 
good  varieties.  A  new  strain  of  tuberous 
Begonia  has  channelled  petals,  very  pleasing, 
and  scalloped  margins. 

Pelargoniums,  for  which  the  firm  has  achieved 
great  reputation,  were  in  fine  bloom ;  and 
of  these  I  may  mention  Omphale,  a  flower 
of  a  salmon-pink  colour,  with  large  pips  and 
trusses  ;  Clorinda,  one  of  Dr.  Bonavia's  raising, 
blooms  in  mid-winter,  and  at  other  seasons ;  the 


cerise),  MM.  Fournier,  Sarloveze  (of  a  charming 
pink  tint),  Mdlle.  Meindre  (a  distinct  salmon- 
pink),  Paul  Rebaux  (pinkish  crimson),  Queen 
of  Spain  (cerise),  Paul  Crampell  (one  of  the 
best  for  potwork  as  for  bedding),  and  very 
bright.  Of  this  last,  it  is  said  Her  Majesty  the 
Queen  will  have  no  other  variety  planted  in 
the  gardens  at  Buckingham  Palace. 

On  visiting  one  of  the  mixed  fruit  plantations, 
one  could  but  be  impressed  by  the  extraordinary 
heavy  fruiting  of  the  Raspberry  canes,  every 
blossom  of  which  appeared  to  have  set,  the  crop 
being  the  heaviest  possible,  and  the  fruits  en- 
tirely free  from  insects  of  every  kind  injurious 
to    this    fruit.       The    value    of    this    freedom 


from  insects  is  fully  appreciated  by  the  London 
salesmen  to  whom  the  fruit  is  consigned,  and 
the  prices  obtained  are  therefore  much  in  excess 
of  the  ordinary  ones  paid. 

A  wash,  non-poisonous  and  colourless,  manu- 
factured by  Messrs.  Cannell  and  Sons,  is  applied 
by  means  of  a  "  Vermorel  "  sprayer  at  all  stages 
of  growth,  excepting  when  the  fruits  are  ripen- 
ing,  to  all  kinds  of  fruit  bushes  and  trees.     .1/. 


NOTICES    OF     BOOKS. 


Rock  and  Water  Gardens.* 

This  book  is  written,  as  the  authoi  informs 
us  in  the  preface,  for  those  who  love  the  flowers 
of  mountain  and  stream,  of  Alpine  pasture,  and 
reed-fringed  pool ;  for  those  who  gladly  welcome 
into  their  gardens  a  class  of  plants  whose 
beauty  and  charm  is  not  surpassed  by  any  other. 
It  is  also  written  with  the  hope  that  it  may 
arouse  interest  in  those  who  have  ho  knowledge 
of  rock  and  water  plants,  and  yet  have  facilities 
for  growing  them. 

The  book  embraces  some  90  pages,  and  in  its 
twelve  chapters  deals  with:  I.,  "Rock  and  Al- 
pine Gardens  "  ;  II.,  "  Rock  Garden  Construc- 
tion " ;  III.,  "The  Garden  of  Alpines";  IV., 
"  The  Rock  Garden  in  Spring  "  ;  V.,  "  Rock 
Garden  Plants";  VI.,  "Rock  Shrubs";  VII., 
"Wild  Water  Margins";  VIII. ,  "Small  Water 
Gardens";  IX.,  "Bog  and  Marsh  Gardens"; 
X.,  "Lily  Tanks";  XL,  "Water  Lilies";  XII., 
"  Aquatics  and  Bog  Plants." 

There  are  numerous  illustrations  which 
have  a  direct  bearing  upon  the  varying  phases 
of  the  work  with  which  the  book  deals,  and  a 
more  or  less  complete  index  will  afford  some 
assistance  for  reference.  The  book  is  written  in 
an  interesting  and  intelligent  manner,  ami  the 
pleasure  excited  by  a  glance  at  the  early  pages 
of  the  book  increases  with  further  reading. 

Chapter  I.  deals  with  rock  and  Alpine  gar- 
dens, and  defines  the  difference  between  the 
rock  garden  and  the  rockery.  The  latter,  with 
its  collection  of  clinkers,  pottery,  and  the  like, 
"  no  good  gardener  will  tolerate,  contravening, 
as  it  does,  all  ideas  of  good  taste  and  artistic 
perception." 

The  rock  garden,  we  are  informed,  "is  a 
definite  piecing  together  of  natural  rock  and 
stone,  and  is  so  formed  that  it  shall  offer  ideal 
conditions  for  the  growing  of  Alpines  and  such 
plants  as  occur  naturally  on  mountain  sides  and 
at  high  elevation."  We  can  scarcely  agree  with 
the  author  when  he  states,  on  page  3,  "  It  is 
not  so  much  the  altitude  that  suits  these  minia- 
ture flowers,  but  rather  the  absence  of  plants 
of  robust  habit  and  coarse  growth,"  for  there 
are  many  native  plants  of  the  higher  altitudes) 
that  miss  the  great  snow-mantle  that  for 
many  months  each  year  protects  them,  keeping 
them  dry  and  free  from  the  changes  from  wet 
to  frost  so  frequent  in  a  lowland  garden. 

The  need  for  a  greater  depth  of  a  proper 
rooting  medium  than  is  usually  afforded  these 
plants,  and  "the  rich  soil  they  certainly  do  not 
need,"  are  items  of  importance  commented 
upon.  We  note  with  pleasure,  on  page  6,  a 
condemnation  of  those  perpendicularly  set 
stones,  or  others  that  form  "  a  roof  to  the  plants 
beneath,"  for  there  is  nothing  more  opposed  to 
good  effect,  or  to  the  growth  of  Alpine  plants, 
than  these  nearly  perpendicularly-placed  stones, 
all  the  more  incongruous  when  of  clearly  strati- 
fied rock.  These  "  impossible  pinnacles  "  are 
worse  than  useless. 

Valuable,  and  full  of  sound  instruction,  is 
the  chapter  on  "  Rock  Garden  Construction." 
The  chapter  dealing  with  "  The  Garden  of 
Alpines  "  is  especially  helpful  in  that  it  deals 
minutely  in  not  a  few  instances  with  the  likes 
and  the  dislikes  of  many  Alpine  plants  ;  and 
the  information  afforded  on  these  points  merits 

*  "  The  Book  of  Rock  and  Water  Gardens,"  by  Charles 
Thonger.     Published  by  John  Lane,  London.     Price  2s.  (kl 


96 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[August  3,  1907. 


careful  perusal.  Nor  will  the  reader  be  over- 
done with  these  hints  at  any  point  of  the  story  ; 
rather  does  he  come  upon  them  at  intervals,  the 
results,  as  it  would  appear,  of  diary  notes  made 
on  the  mountain  side,  and  amplified  at  leisure. 
But  if  in  this  sense  disconnected  somewhat, 
the  freshness  and  the  interest  remain  through- 
out. 

The  lists  of  plants  supplied  at  the  end  of 
Chapter  V.  is  very  meagre,  and  no  mention  is 
made  of  some  of  the  choicest  plants,  such,  for 
instance,  as  Adonis  amurensis,  Androsaces  lanu- 
ginosa, pyrenaica  and  sarmentosa,  and  Alpine 
Columbines.  In  the  list  of  Dianthuses,  D. 
alpinus  is  absent,  but  D.  caesius  and  D.  del- 
tcides  find  a  place.  Anthemis  aizoon,  cited  on 
page  38,  and  which  we  have  found  of  doubtful 
hardiness  in  some  parts,  and  wholly  unreliable 
in  others,  is  now  referred  to  as  Achillea  agerati- 
folia. 

"Lily  Tanks"  and  "Water  Lilies"  are 
treated  of  in  the  concluding  chapters,  and,  of 
the  latter  plants,  a  full  descriptive  list  is  given. 

The  illustrations  facing  pages  6  and  8  afford 
proof  of  what  may  be  done  in  quite  a  small 
way  in  this  style  of  gardening.  The  "  Wild 
Garden  "  scene,  page  20,  is  also  of  educational 
value. 


KEW     NOTES. 


CAMPANULA  PUNCTATA. 
This  very  distinct  bell-flower  (see  fig.  39)  pro- 
duces long,  pendent,  white  flowers.  It  requires 
good  culture  and  an  ample  supply  of  moisture  at 
the  roots  to  be  seen  at  its  best.  When  growing 
in  rich,  deep  soil,  with  a  plentiful  water  supply 
it  forms  a  plant  of  very  different  appearance  to 
specimens  in  poor,  dry  ground,  where  it  becomes 
so  changed  in  character  for  the  worse  as  to  be 
hardly  worth  growing.  It  is  an  old  garden 
species,  but  one  rarely  met  with  nowadays.  It 
attains  to  a  height  of  2  feet,  and  its  drooping, 
white  flowers  are  rather  over  2  inches  in  length 
and  about  an  inch  across  at  the  mouth.  Although 
pure  white  on  the  outside,  these  flowers  are 
spotted  in  their  interiors  with  innumerable  small 
purple-red  dots.  The  blossoms  are  hairy.  In 
some  cases  the  flowers,  instead  of  being  white, 
are  of  a  soft  rose-colour.  This  plant  has  a  very 
wide  range  of  habitat,  being  found  in  Siberia, 
China,  Japan  and  Corea.  In  places  not  suited 
to  its  culture  it  often  dies  in  the  winter,  and  has. 
in  consequence,  sometimes  been  classed  as  an 
annual,  but  it  is  a  true  perennial.  S.  W .  Fitzherbert . 
[An  excellent  illustration  of  the  flowers  of  this 
species  was  given  as  a  supplement  to  Gardeners' 
Chronicle,  August  26,  1905.— Ed.] 


LAW    NOTE. 


PLANTS     DAMAGED     BY     CREOSOTE 
FUMES. 

A  nurseryman  carrying  on  business  in  Chel- 
tenham Road,  Bristol,  recently  made  a  claim 
against  the  Bristol  Tramways  and  Carriage.  Co. 
for  damages  for  injury  to  plants  alleged  to  have 
been  caused  by  fumes  from  newly  laid  creosoted 
wood-paving  blocks.  The  company  said  that 
nothing  they  had  done  had  caused  the  injury  to 
the  plaintiff  of  which  he  complained,  and  in 
the  second  place  they  said  if  they  had  done  it 
they  were  protected  by  Acts  of  Parliament  which 
empower  them  to  do  the  injuries  complained  of. 

The  jury,  after  having  been  absent  for  1J 
hours,  returned  the  following  answers  to  the 
questions  :  — 

(1)  Do  you  find  that  the  injury  to  the  plain- 
tiff's plants  was  caused  by  the  wood  paving  or 
not? — We  find  it  was. 

(2)  Do  you  find  that  it  was  reasonably  neces- 
sary for  the  defendants  to  repave  the  road  in  the 
way  they  dad,  and  at  the  time  they  did? — Yes; 
but  in  the  light  of  the  evidence  given  at  the 
liearing,  No. 

(3)  Do  you  find  it  was  absolutely  necessary 
for  the  defendants  to  repave  the  road  as  they 
did,  and  when  they  did,  or  not? — No. 

Mr.  Inskip,  upon  these  answers,  asked  for 
judgment  for  the  plaintiff. 

Mr.  Salter  asked  for  judgment  for  the  de- 
fendants as  the  answer  to  the  second  question 
was  quite  conclusive.  He  contended  that  the 
defendants  were  entirely  protected  by  statute. 

Eventually  the  judge  entered  judgment  for  the 
plaintiff,  but  stay  of  execution  was  granted,  with 
a  view  of  entering  an  appeal. 


A  GLIMPSE  OF  THE  GARDENS  IN  JULY. 
July  is  rather  late  for  the  Kew  rock  garden, 
as  the  Ramondias  and  most  species  of 
Meconopsis  are  then  out  of  flower,  but  there  are 
many  interesting  plants  still  to  be  seen.  Two 
tall  specimens  of  the  blue  Himalayan  Poppy, 
Meconopsis  Wallichii,  were  still  in  bloom,  and 
in  a  damp  situation  two  of  the  new  Rodgersias 
were  very  handsome.  R.  pinnata,  with  large, 
deeply-corrugated  leaves,  divided  into  seven 
sections  and  great,  branching  heads  of  small, 
white,  red-centred  flowers,  carried  well  above 
the  foliage,  was  very  fine ;  and  R.  tabularis, 
with  finely  formed  leaves  and  bearing  a 
feathery,  white  flower-head,  was  attractive.  A 
group  of  Orchis  foliosa,  from  Madeira,  was  in 
good  bloom.  Linaria  dalmatica,  with  tall, 
branching  spikes  of  yellow  flowers,  4  feet  in 
height,  was  very  effective ;  and  the  mauve- 
flowered,  creeping  Pea,  Lathyrus  maritimus, 
was  pretty.  Linum  flavum  was  a  mass  of  bright 
yellow  ;    Polygonum   affine,   set  with  long,   pink 


persicifolia  and  varieties,  C.  glomerata  dahurica 
and  C.  g.  alba;  C.  garganica,  a  sheet  of  sott 
blue  ;  C.  carpatica  and  its  beautiful  variety  C.  c. 
pelviformis,  C.  latifolia  macrantha,  C.  lacti- 
tiora,  C.  Burghaltii,  with  drooping,  lavender- 
pink  coloured  flowers ;  C.  G.  F.  Wilson,  C. 
mirabilis,  with  pale-purple,  bell-shaped  blossoms 
on  a  branching  spike  9  inches  in  height ;  C. 
lindfolia,  purple,  1  foot ;  C.  phyctidocalyx,  2 
feet  in  height,  with  purple,  bell-shaped  flowers  ; 
C.  spicata,  with  long,  lavender-purple  flowers 
closely  set  on  a  spike  2  feet  in  height ;  and  C. 
tomentosa,  bearing  small,  star-shaped,  mauve- 
blue  coloured  flowers  on  a  low  spike.  Dianthus 
callizonus,  D.  caesius,  D.  deltoides,  D.  Stern- 
bergi,  D.  superbus,  D.  viscidus,  and  D.  Wald- 
steinii  were  in  bloom;  and  of  Geraniums,  G. 
argenteum,  G.  armenum,  G.  cinereum,  G. 
nodosum,  G.  sanguineum,  with  its  varieties  G. 
s.  album  and  G.  s.  lancastriense  and  G.  sub- 
caulescens,  were  in  flower.  Among  the  Gentians 
were  G.  decumbens,  the  tall  G.  lutea,  G.  Walu- 
jewi,  clear  blue,  and  G.  Kesselringii,  white 
purple-spotted,  both  from  Turkestan  ;  G.  phlogi- 
folia,   deep    blue,   from    Transylvania,   and    G. 


[Photograph  by  S.   Wyiidham  Fitzlurbirt. 

Fig.  39. — campanula  punctata:    flowers  white  or  pale  rose-colour  with 

purple-ked  spots. 


flower-spikes,  was  clambering  over  an  old  tree 
stump  ;  and  P.  sphaerostachyum,  from  the 
Himalayas,  was  bright  with  crimson  blossoms. 
A  mass  of  Acantholimon  glumaceum,  3  feet 
across,  was  covered  with  pink  flowers,  but  A. 
venustum  is  a  prettier  plant.  The  blue-flowered 
Pentstemon  heterophylla,  a  foot  in  height,  was 
attractive ;  as  was  Potentilla  nepalensis,  with 
buff,  crimson-eyed  blossoms,  and  Sphaeralcea 
acerifolia,  4  feet  in  height,  with  pale,  pink 
flowers  \\  inches  across,  having  a  black  blotch 
at  the  base  of  the  petal,  was  good.  Another 
charming  plant  was  Symphyandra  ossetica,  from 
the  Caucasus,  with  heads  of  lavender-blue, 
drooping  flowers  an  inch  in  length  ;  while  Ziga- 
denus  elegans  was  very  graceful  with  its  branch- 
ing flower  spikes,  3  feet  in  height,  of  small, 
greenish  blossoms.  Many  Campanulas  were  in 
flower,  these  including  C.  pusilla  in  large 
groups,  C.  rotundifolia  soldanellaeflora,  a  very 
pretty  form  of  the  common  Harebell,  of  which  a 
mass    was    hanging    over    a    rocky    ledge ;     C. 


straminea,  from  China,  with  white  flowers 
spotted   with   purple  on   the  exterior. 

In  the  garden  of  herbaceous  plants,  a  group 
of  the  annual  Meconopsis  heterophylla,  with 
dark-eyed,  orange-coloured  flowers,  was  very 
handsome. 

At  Kew  the  good  effect  produced  by  planting 
single  varieties  of  Roses  in  masses  may  be 
appreciated.  A  large  round  bed  was  filled  with 
Caroline  Testout.  Other  good  beds  were  those  of 
Frau  Karl  Druschki,  Mme.  A.  Chatenay,  Captain 
Christy,  and  Mrs.  John  Laing.  In  the  Rose 
dell  a  great  breadth  of  Fellenberg  in  full  bloom 
was  a  picture,  and  rambling  masses  of  Psyche 
and  Clothilde  Soupert  were  charming.  A  large 
bed  of  Spiraea  discolor,  better  known  as  S. 
ariaefolia,  in  the  zenith  of  its  blossoming,  was  a 
lesson  in  effective  grouping,  and  a  Conifer 
shrouded  with  Polygonum  baldschuanicum  in 
full  flower  was  a  lovely  sight,  and  showed  how 
well  suited  this  hardy  climber  is  for  beautifying 
trees  that  are  past  their  best.     S.  W.  Filzlierbert. 


August  3,  1907.] 


1HE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


fJ7 


HOME    CORRESPONDENCE. 


(The  Editor  does  not  hold  himself  responsible  for  the 
opinions  expressed  by  his  correspondents.} 

Flora  of  Palestine. — In  the  review  (on  p. 
62),  of  the  Flowers  and  Trees  of  Palestine,  it  is  stated 
that  Lign-Aloes  had  nothing  to  do  with  the  modern 
plant,  but  is  a  mistranslation  of  the  Hebrew  word 
lor  tents.  I  have  discussed  the  word  in  the  Ency- 
clopedia Bibli.a,  and  in  Numbers  24,  6,  the  word 
is  not  a  mistranslation  or  rather  misreading  for 
"tents,"  but  for  terebinths.  But  the  Aloes  men- 
tioned in  three  other  passages  was  the  same  thing 
as  Lign-Aloes  and  was  not  the  medicinal  drug.  The 
philological  evidence  is  convincing  that  it  was 
identical  with  the  Eagle-wood  of  the  east  which 
was  certainly  known  to  the  Greeks.  The  evidence 
for  identifying  Hyssop  with  Satureia  Thymbra  is 
plausible.  I  incline,  however,  myself  to  think  it 
was  the  Caper,  which  is  a  ubiquitous  wall  plant  in 
the  eastern  Mediterranean  countries.  W .  T. 
Thiselton-Dyer. 

Summer      Pruning    of     Fruit     Trees.  — 

Having  read  the  correspondence  published  on 
this  subject  and  studied  the  tables  (pp.  400-403), 
it  seems  to  me  that  many  correspondents  have 
confused  the  practices  of  summer  pinching  and 
summer  pruning.  The  former  I  look  upon  as 
perhaps  the  most  useful  operation  in  the  culture 
of  garden  fruit  crops,  and  the  latter  the  most 
fruitful  source  of  failure.  I  believe  that  more 
trees  are  spoilt  by  summer  pruning  than  from  all 
other  causes  combined,  save  natural  ones,  such 
as  indifferent  soil  or  adverse  climate,  over 
which  the  gardener  has  only  very  partial  i  on. 
trol.  '1  he  dates  given  by  the  compilers  of  the 
tables  show  to  a  great  extent  what  their 
practice  is,  for  when  one  reads  June  as  the 
date  of  summer  pruning  one  knows  that  pinch- 
ing is  implied,  and  when  August  is  named  then 
pruning  is  the  practice.  To  consider  the  differ- 
ence between  the  two,  we  will  take,  for  example, 
any  of  the  trees  which  bear  their  fruit  on  spurs, 
such  as  the  Apple,  Pear,  Plum,  and  most 
Cherries,  and  for  a  typical  tree  a  single  cordon. 
If  the  side  shoots  of  such  a  tree  are  pinched 
when  they  have  made  six  leaves,  they  are 
pieventcd  fri  m  becoming  gross,  and  the  lower 
buds  become  plump  and  develop  into  fruit 
spurs.  These  pinched  shoots  will  grow  again 
from  the  two  end  buds,  and  the  secondary 
shoots  should  be  pinched  again,  say,  in  July. 
In  winter"  pruning,  the  side  shoots  of  young 
and  vigorous  trees  should  net  be  cut  below  four 
buds  until  a  fruit  bud  is  formed,  when  they 
may  be  cut  back  to  the  fruit  bud.  If  the  shoots 
are  closely  pruned  to  two  buds,  as  many  are, 
the  result  is  that  both  the  buds  left  make  growth 
the  following  season,  and  the  tree  becomes 
crowded  with  leaves  and  produces  no  fruit  until 
it  is  so  exhausted  by  the  trc-itment  that  it 
refuses  to  grow  rriore  or  until  th_;  drastic  opera- 
tion known  as  root-pruning  is  resorted  to. 
When  the  date  of  summer  pruning  is  deferred 
until  August  the  effect  may  be  beneficial,  but 
if  rains  are  frequent  most  of  the  buds  left  will 
break  into  growth  and  thus  prevent  the  forma- 
tion of  blossom  buds,  but  be  this  as  it  may,  the 
side  shoots  will  have  become  very  strong  and 
will  be  less  inclined  to  produce  fruit  spurs  than 
the  thinner  growths,  resulting  from  the  pinching 
system.  If  strong  side  shoots  are  pruned  in 
July  the  buds  must  break  into  growth,  and  the 
result  is  a  thicket  of  growth.  The  preceding 
remarks  apply,  of  course,  to  young  and  vigorous 
trees  growing  in  good  soil ;  older  trees,  which 
are  in  full  bearing  or  which  are  growing  in  poor 
soil,  will  bear  closer  pruning  because  they  have 
a  weaker  flow  of  sap  and  more  outlets  for  it, 
but  even  with  these  I  think  pinching  is  in  every 
way  preferable  to  pruning  later.  With  the 
question  of  pressure  of  work  at  the  time  when 
the  trees  should  be  pinched  I  am  not  concerned, 
but  I  know  that  in  many  cases  this  is  a  serious 
consideration,  and  I  would  advise  the  breaking 
of  the  shoots  half  across  at  some  six  or  eight 
buds  from  the  main  shoot.  Leave  the  ends  of 
the  broken  shoots  hanging  by  a  portion  of  wood 
and  bark,  and  the  end  portion  will  absorb  some 
of  the  sap,  whilst  the  check  will  cause  the  basal 
buds  to  plump  up  and  develop  into  fruit  buds. 
I  have  taken  a  sin?le  cordon  tree  as  an 
example-,  for  the  shoots  of  a  horizontally 
trained  tree  are  really  many  cordons,  and  a 
pyramid  trained  tree  should  consist  of  many 
cordons    radiating    from    a    central    stem.      lew- 


market  growers  will  entail  the  expense  of  this 
kind  of  restrictive  pruning,  and  they  prefer  their 
trees  to  grow  practically  naturally  after  the  first 
few  seasons,  though  one  may  see  hundreds  of 
acres  of  fruit  plantations  in  Worcestershire 
where  every  tree  is  grown  as  an  open  bush  and 
in  which  each  branch  is  pruned  like  a  single 
cordon,  and  the  growers  make  money  by  the 
practice.  I  need  scarcely  assert  what  every 
practical  gardener  knows,  that  pinching  is  far 
better  for  stone  fruits  than  pruning,  for  pinching 
is  never  followed- by  gumming  whilst  pruning 
frequently  is.  Nurserymen  know  this  so  well 
that  they  pinch  the  leader  out  of  yearling 
Peach,  Apricot,  Cherry  trees,  &c,  required  for 
training,  and  induce  the  side  shoots  to  form  the 
first  season  instead  of  growing  them  as  maidens 
and  then  cutting  them  back  the  following 
winter,  the  result  being  that  gumming  is  reduced 
to  a  minimum.     .4.  //.  Pearson,  Lowdham. 

Potato  Mutation. — A  white  small-tubered 
species  is  assumed  to  have  converted  one  of  its 
tubers  into  a  huge  blue  one,  and  whilst  to  every 
simple  gardener  the  finding  of  such  a  tuber 
under  such  conditions  would  have  been  at  once 
attributed  to  a  common-sense  cause,  it  is  by 
other  persons  regarded  as  a  product  of  "  muta- 
tion." In  another  case  Solanum  Maglia  has 
•-aid  to  produce  a  tuber  of  the  variety 
Vicar  of  Laleham — again  by  mutation.  How 
profoundly  misleading  it  all  is  !  How  like  is  it 
all  to  the  credulity  of  a  correspondent  who  last 
autumn  sent  me  two  tiny  seedling  iKidney 
Potatos,  one  white,  the  other  red,  and  which  he 
declared  had  originated  from  the  same  seed  and 
plant.  I  assured  him  he  was  mistaken,  and  this 
year  planted  bi  th  tubers,  and  these  have  tops  as 
dissimilar  as  Potato  tops  well  can  be.     A.  D. 

Melon  Trials  at  Wisley. — The  extensive 
trial  of  Melons  which  is  this  year  being  under- 
taken by  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  at 
Wisley  offers  an  opportunity  of  determining  the 
relative  value  of  the  many  varieties  of  this 
fruit,  and  should  result  in  eliminating  from  the 
long  list  of  kinds  many  of  the  synonymous  and 
inferior  varieties.  It  will  also  enable  the 
fruits  to  be  classified  according  to  the  colours 
of  their  flesh,  as  well  as  to  note  the  best  Melon 
in  the  collection  irrespective  of  class  or  colour. 
About  70  varieties  are  growing  under  precisely 
the  same  conditions.  The  earliest  planted 
batches  of  plants  are  accommodated  in  light 
span-roofed  houses,  and  the  later  batches  are 
grown  in  low  frames  or  pits.  The  earliest  fruits 
will  be  ripe  in  the  course  of  a  fortnight  or  three 
weeks.  I  have  seen  the  plants  on  two  occasions 
during  the  past  six  weeks,  the  most  recent  occa- 
sion being  a  little  over  a  week  ago,  and  healthier 
or  better  cropped  plants  it  would  be  difficult  to 
find.  The  trials,  when  judged,  will  be  interest- 
ing in  many  ways.  One  wonders  how,  those 
ties  which  have  been  certificated  by  the 
society  from  time  to  time  will  fare !  It  is 
asserted  by  some  growers  that  a  variety  of 
Melon  deteriorates  in  the  course  of  time,  hence 
the  necessity  for  occasionally  raising  a  new  kind 
by  cross  fertilisation ;  but  other  persons  hold 
that  once  a  good  Melon,  always  a  good  Melon. 
This  trial  should  throw  some  useful  light  on 
this  point.  Flavour,  however,  will  be  the  test 
of  highest  merit.  At  the  same  time  it  would  be 
useful  to  note  which  varieties  are  the  earliest 
to  ripen  their  fruits,  the  heaviest  croppers,  and 
which  are  the  handsomest  and  most  attractive 
fruits.  This  would  all  be  useful  information, 
for  growers  for  market  attach  importance  to 
weight  and  appearance  in  Melons.  It  will  be 
impossible  to  arrange  a  day  when  the  fruit  of 
all  the  several  varieties  will  be  ripe  together, 
and  to  judge  some  growing  on  the  plants  and 
others  in  a  cut  state  at  the  Fruit  Committee's 
table  in  London  would  scarcely  be  fair  treat- 
ment. Apart  from  the  quality  of  high  flavour — 
which  is,  of  course,  the  most  important  of  all — 
there  are  other  considerations,  such  as  robust- 
ness of  growth,  cropping  capabilities,  &c,  which 
influence  the  judges  in  their  award  to  growing 
plants  that  cannot  be  seen  when  a  fruit  is  shown 
singly  on  a  plate.  It  is  also  well  known  that 
ripe  Melons  in  hot  weather  soon  lose  their 
flavour  when  cut.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  as 
many  varieties  of  these  Melons  as  is  possible 
to  be  had  will  be  exhibited  at  the  Royal  Horti- 
cultural Society's  exhibition  at  Vincent  Square, 
as  much  public  interest  is  evinced  in  this 
delicious  and  refreshing  summer  fruit.  Owen 
Thomas. 


A  Warning: — I  wish  to  warn  readers  of  the 
Gardeners'  Chronicle  of  a  man  who  offers  books  for 
sale  and  who  requires  cash  with  the  order,  as  he 
states  he  is  going  to  Australia.  A  friend  of  mine 
living   in   London   went  to  inspect  the  books   -o 

offered  at  the  address  given  by  Mr. before 

my  sending  the  cash.  He  found  that  the  seller 
was  not  known  there,  neither  had  he  ever  lived 
there,  but  a  stranger  had  called  for  letters  addressed 
to  the  name  I  enquired  for.  HarryCurtis,  Lttiicashirt . 

An  Unusual  Nesting-place. — I  recently 
saw  a  young  cuckoo  in  a  nest  in  a  hanging  wire 
basket  containing  Ivy-leaved  Pelargoniums,  and 
suspended  on  the  verandah  in  front  of  a  drawing- 
room  not  5  feet  from  the  front  window.  A 
pair  of  water  wagtails  had  built  a  nest  in  the 
basket,  and  I  was  informed  that  the  young  cuckoo 
had  turned  out  four  eggs  of  the  wagtails'  to  accom- 
modate itself.  The  wire  basket  is  about  16  inches 
in  diameter  and  is  suspended  by  three  wire 
chains.  It  appears  almost  impossible  for  an  adult 
cuckoo  to  pass  between  these  wires,  and  this  fact 
lends  some  evidence  to  the  statement  that  the 
cuckoo  lays  its  egg  on  the  ground  and  afterwards 
deposits  it  in  the  foster  mother's  nest  by  its  bill. 
Jas.  Jno.  Foster,  Stanmore,  Middlesex. 


SOCIETIES. 


ROYAL   HORTICULTURAL. 

Scientific  Committee. 

July  23.— Present :  E.  A.  Bowles,  M.A., 
F.L.S.  (in  the  chair);  Rev.  W.  Wilks ;  Prof. 
Boulger  ;  Dr.  Cooke;  Messrs.  Worsdell,  Shea. 
Spencer  Pickering,  Giissow,  Worsley,  Bennett- 
Poe,  Douglas,  Sutton,  Massee,  Holmes,  and 
Chittenden  (hon.  secretary). 

Dying  Beech  trees. — Mr.  GusSow  reported  that 
he  had  examined  the  wood  of  the  Beech  sent 
to  the  last  meeting  and  found  the  mycelium  of  a 
Polyporus  growing  in  it.  He  had  little-  doubt 
that  the  death  of  the  tree  was  due  to  this  para- 
site. 

Fuchsia,  Vine,  and  Aucuba. — Messrs.  Massee 
and  Gussow  reported  that  no  fungi  could  be 
found  in  the  tissues  of  either  of  these  sent  to 
the  last  meeting. 

Memorial  of  Dr.  Masters. — Rev.  W.  Wilks 
repeated  a  suggestion  he  had  already  brought 
forward  in  the  Press  (see  Gardeners'  Chronicle. 
June  22,  p.  408)  concerning  the  establish- 
ment of  a  permanent  memorial  of  the  late 
Dr.  Masters,  to  take  the  form  of  a  series  of 
lectures  to  be  delivered  annually  before  the 
Royal  Horticultural  Society  by  some  eminent 
scientific  man  upon  some  phase  of  the  relation- 
ship between  science  and  horticulture,  these  lec- 
tures to  be  published  broadcast  among  gar- 
deners. The  suggestion  met  with  the  cordial 
approval  of  the  committee,  and  a  sub-committee 
was  appointed  to  further  the  matter,  consisting 
of  Messrs.  E.  A.  Bowles  (chairman),  Sir  Trevoi 
Lawrence,  Arthur  W.  Sutton,  C.  E.  Shea, 
J.  T.  Bennett-Poe,  James  Douglas,  SirJ.T.  D 
Llewelyn,  Dr.  Cooke,  Rev.  George  Henslow, 
M.A.,  Lt.-Col.  Prain,  Miss  Willmott,  Dr. 
Rendle,  Professor  J.  Bretland  Farmer,  W.  Barte- 
son,  H.  J.  Vaitch,  G.  Nicholson,  Professor 
Church,  and  Rev.  W.  Wilks  (secretary),  with 
power  to  add  to  their  number. 

Germination  of  seeds  in  sterilised  soil. — Mr. 
Spencer  Pickering  raised  the  question  of  the 
germination  of  bacillus-free  seeds  in  sterilised 
soil,  stating  that  he  had  found  that  the  heating 
of  soil  to  60°  C.  and  upwards  retarded  the 
germination  of  the  seeds  to  a  very  marked 
extent,  just  as  he  had  found  the  growth  of  trees 
in,  heated  soil  was  retarded.  The  seeds  (Rye- 
grass and  Mustard)  had  been  sterilised  with 
carbon  bisulphide,  and  had  germinated  after 
treatment  quite  freely  in  ordinary  soil.  Different 
members  of  the  committee  mentioned  sources 
of  information  upon  this  point. 

Galls  on  Willow. — Prof.  Boulger  showel 
some  galls  upon  Willow  similar  to  those  shown 
last  year  by  Mr.  Chittenden,  due  to  the  attacks 
of  a  mite.  The  galls  were  this  year  very  com- 
mon around  Loughton  and  Buckhurst  Hill  in 
F^ssex,  and  formed  large  masses  of  short  shoots 
with  crowded,  much-shortened  leaves. 

Fasciated  Lilium  candidum. — Mr.  BOWLES 
showed  on  behalf  of  Mr.  Hvde,  of  Enfield  High- 
wav,   a  fasciated  stem  of  this   Lily.     The  stem 


98 


THE    GARDENERS     CHRONICLE. 


[August  3,  1907. 


■was  about  3£  indr.es  broad,  and  bore  a  very 
large  number  of  small  flowers. 

Lueddemannia  Pescatorei. — Mr.  Bowles  also 
exhibited  a  large  spike  of  this  remarkable 
species,  which  has  already  received  a  botanical 
certificate. 

Chlorosis  in  fruit  trees.— Specimens  of  Apples 
en  the  Paradise  stock;  Pears  on  the  Quince, 
Peaches,  Nectarines,  Plums,  Raspberries,  and 
Vines  were  received  from  near  Glastonbury,  all 
with  their  leaves  showing  yellow  spots  or  being 
wholly  yellow.  A  variety  of  causes  may  bring 
about  this  condition,  such  as  lack  of  iron,  lime, 
or  potash  m  the  soil,  and  at  times  insufficient 
drainage,  combined  with  lack  of  sun,  &c,  may 
produce  similar  results. 


THE  HORTICULTURAL  CLUB. 
July  25. — The  annual  outing  of  this  club  took 
place  on  the  above  date,  when  about  80  of  the 
members  and  their  friends  visited  Friar  Park, 
Henley-on-Thames,  the  residence  of  Frank 
Crisp,  Esq.,  by  whom  the  club  had  been  kindly 
invited,  the  weather  was  good,  except  that  in 
the  afternoon  rain  fell  for  about  one  hour, 
which,  however,  hardly  affected  the  visitors  at 
all,  as  the  time  was  fully  occupied  in  inspecting 
the'  conservatories  containing  the  collections  of 
rare  plants  which  Mr.  Crisp  has  acquired.  Start- 
ing from  Paddington,  three  saloon  cariiages 
were  provided,  which  conveyed  the  party  to 
Marlow.  From  Marlow  the  visitors  pro- 
ceeded on  foot  through  the  pretty  and 
quaint  village  to  the  river-side,  where  Mr. 
Crisp  himself  welcomed  his  guests  on  board 
a  handsome  steam  launch  provided  by  him 
to  convey  them  to  Henley.  A  delightful 
trip  through  the  lovely  river  scenery  followed, 
a  charming  panorama  of  umbrageous  wooded 
hills,  interspersed  here  and  there  with  beautiful 
mansions,  unfolding  itself  as  the  vessel  glided 
noiselessly  along,  the  host  giving  the  history  of 
the  various  interesting  features  as  they  were  ap- 
proached. Reaching  Henley,  the  party  disem- 
barked at  Mr.  Crisp's  boat-house,  a  very 
unpretending  name  for  a  handsome  building, 
which  not  only  accommodated  boats  below,  but 
permitted  of  over  four  score  guests  being  enter- 
tained in  the  hall  above  it.  Mr.  <  i i^p  made  a 
humorous  speech,  intended  to  forestall  a  toast  in 
his  honour,  but,  vainly,  for  Mr.  Harry  Veitcli 
declined  to  be  thwarted,  and,  in  proposing  the 
host's  health,  coupled  with  it  the  hope  that  Mr. 
Crisp  would  accept  the  vice-presidency  of  the 
club,  which  he  consented  to  do. 

Carriages  then  conveyed  the  ladies  of  the  party 
to  Friar  Park,  the  gentlemen  following  on  foot, 
and  here  the  beautiful  house  and  surroundings 
met  with  full  appreciation.  In  many  respects 
the  gardens  appealed  to  be  unique,  for,  apart 
from  their  waterscapes  and  super-terrestrial 
landscape  arrangements,  the  ground  is  honey- 
combed with  a  labyrinth  of  caverns  and  grottoes 
teeming  with  weird  and  curious  effects.  The 
rock-garden  is  astonishing  in  its  extent  and  de- 
sign ;  no  fewer  than  7,000  tons  of  rock,  some  of 
the  masses  weighing  5  to  7  tons,  cover  a  steep 
declivity  in  such  a  fashion  as  to  represent  a 
mountain  stream-bed  deviously  descending  a 
rocky  ravine,  while  from  a  comfortable  chalet  at 
the  lower  level  the  eye  travels  upwards  from 
one  towering  mass  to  another,  until,  apparently 
iar  away  beyond  the  farthest  bluff,  a  peak  which 
one  might  imagine  to  be  the  Matterhorn  itself 
abruptly  pierces  the  sky-line,  its  sides 
seamed  with  apparent  snow,  and  the  snow- 
clad  slopes  on  its  lower  flanks  carrying 
, .  ,  ownwards  behind  the  rocks  in  the  most 
deceptive  fashion  conceivable.  The  rocky  fore- 
ground is  the  congenial  home  of  a  magnificent 
collection  of  Alpine  plants,  which  in  the  late 
spring  are  sheets  of  floral  beauty,  and  even  at 
the  present  time  are  charming  in  their  varied 
\  mure  aad  habit.  Beneath  the  Matterhorn 
there  is  an  ice  cavern,  whose  artificial  nature 
was  only  betrayed  by  the  temperature,  curiously 
arranged  and  hidden  electric  lights  imparting  a 
blueness  and  transparency  heie-and  there  to  the 
walls  and  roof  which  was  most  illusive,  while 
in  some  places  stalactites  and  stalagmites 
coveied  roof  and  floor. 

Lower  down  the  val'.ey,  so  to  speak,  we  plunge 
down  some  rocky  steps  to  another  cavern,  teem- 
ing with  gnomes  and  pixies,  owls  and  bats,  cats 
and    spiders,    and    a    thousand    and    one    other 


quaintities  of  a  romantic  underland  and  wonder- 
land, while  in  recesses  are  deftly  inserted  mir- 
rors, which  in  some  cases  reflect  the  visitors 
themselves  in  gnome  guise  to  fit  their  surround- 
ings, and  in  others  multiply  their  numbers  in- 
definitely. Another  series  of  caves  elsewhere 
are  only  traversible  by  boat,  as  they  form  a 
subterranean  channel  from  one  part  of  the  lake 
to  a  distant  one.  Space  precludes  more  than 
a  brief  allusion  to  the  conservatories,  with  a 
wonderful  collection  of  Cacti,  and  embracing  a 
newly-designed  and  very  beautiful  sunken 
Fernery,  representing  a  deep  ravine  with  Fern- 
clad  walls,  which  Mr.  Knowles  (Mr.  Crisp's  able 
gardener)  has  constructed  on  the  lines  of  the 
Fern-house  in  the   Belfast   Botanic   Gardens. 

In  the  afternoon  the  party  had  tea  in  a  tent 
on  the  lawn,  and  subsequently  were  driven  or 
■walked  to  the  station,  whither  the  saloon  car- 
riages had  been  transferred  for  their  accommoda- 
tion after  a  most  delightfully  instructive  and 
amusing  day  in  many  respects.     T. 

[An  illustrated  article  upon  the;e  remarkable 
gardens  was  published  in  our  issue  for  October 
28,  1899— Ed.] 

CARDIFF  &  COUNTY  HORTICULTURAL. 

July  24  &  25. — The  annual  exhibition  held  in 
connection  with  this  society  took  place  in  the 
Sophia  Gardens  on  the  foregoing  dates.  Taking 
into  consideration  the  cold,  wet  season  experi- 
enced till  within  the  previous  fortnight,  the  ex- 
hibits were  of  a  very  creditable  character.  The 
backwardness  of  many  subjects  was  evidenced 
in  the  exhibits,  but  nowhere  more  than  in  the 
collections  of  hardy  cut  flowers,  for  many 
usually  over  by  this  date  were  staged  in  good 
condition,  whereas  others  generally  in  evidence 
during  this  period  were  missed,  presumably  on 
account  of  their  not  being  forward  enough.  Not 
only  had  the  backward  season  an  effect  upon  the 
classes  devoted  to  cut  flowers,  but  the  recent 
hailstorms,  by  the  damage  they  had  wrought, 
were  responsible  for  the  absence  of  several  com- 
petitors in  the  Rose  and  Sweet  Pea  classes. 
Groups. 

The  class  for  a  group  of  miscellaneous  plants 
arranged  for  effect  in  a  space  measuring  150 
square  feet  was  open  to  all.  Lady  Hill,  Llan- 
daff  (gr.  Mr.  Mclntyre),  was  placed  1st  for  an 
artistically-arranged  collection.  The  centre  was 
in  the  form  of  an  arch,  crowned  with  a  specimen 
of  Cocos  Weddelliana,  and  the  whole  design  was 
characterised  by  lightness  of  arrangement. 
Plants  of  Humea,  Campanula  pyramidalis, 
Liliums,  fine-leaved  Bamboos,  and  Francoa 
were  the  most  noticeable  features  in  this  exhibit. 
2nd,  Col.  Wallis,  New-port  (gr.  Mr.  D.  Powell)  ; 
3rd,  Messrs.  Jas.  Cypher  &  Co.,  Cheltenham. 

In  a  class  restricted  to  amateurs,  Mrs.  E. 
Lewis,  Llandaff  (gr.  Mr.  Wall),  secured  the  1st 
prize  for  a  group  occupying  a  space  of  50  square 
feet.  Cocos  Weddelliana,  Coleus,  Schizanthus, 
and  variegated  Eulalias  were  the  prominent  fea- 
tures of  this  group.  2nd,  Mr.  James  Howell 
(gr.   Mr.  Brown). 

The  Marquis  of  Bute  (gr.  Mr.  II.  Farmer) 
exhibited  a  non-competitive  group  of  choice 
stcve  and  greenhouse  plants,  arranged  with 
pleasing  effect  in  a  space  of  over  200  square  feet. 

Cut  Flowers. 

Roses. — For  a  collection  of  36  Roses,  in  12 
distinct  varieties,  Messrs.  J.  Jefferies  &  Son, 
Cirencester,  were  awarded  the  1st  prize.  Their 
best  blooms  were  those  of  Bessie  Brown,  Horace 
Vernet,  Mildred  Grant,  and  Her  Majesty.  2nd, 
Messrs.  S.  Treseder  &  Sox,  Cardiff.  In  this 
exhibit  were  specially  good  blooms  of  the  varie- 
ties Frau  Karl  Druschki  and  Caroline  Testout. 

Messrs.  J.  Jefferies  iV  Son  were  equally  suc- 
cessful in  the  collection  of  36  Tea  or  Noisette 
Roses  in  12  varieties.  Madame  J.  Gravereux, 
Catherine  Mermet,  and  Souvenir  de  Pierre  Not- 
ting  were  three  outstanding  varieties  in  this  col- 
lection. 

The  King's  Acre  Nursery  Co.,  Hereford, 
were  awarded  the  2nd  prize-in  this  class.  They 
had  Medea,  Marie  van  Houtte,  \Yhite  Maman 
Cochet,  &c. 

Messrs.  Jefferies  &  Son  again  beat  all  other 
competitors  in  the  class  for  a  collection  of  24 
distinct  varieties  of  Roses,  and  also  in  that  for 
18  varieties  of  Tea  or  Noisette  Roses.  Messrs. 
Jarman  &  Co.,  Chard,  took  the  first  prize  for  a 
box  of  12  blooms  of  one  variety  of  a  Tea  Rose 
with    the     variety    Mrs.     Ed.     Mawley.     White 


Maman  Cochet,  exhibited  by  Messrs.  S.  Trese- 
der &  Son  secured  the  2nd  prize. 

Sweet  Peas  were  well  shown  in  the  various 
classes  devoted  to  these  flowers.  Messrs.  S. 
Stark  &  Son,  Great  Ryburgh,  Norfolk,  gained 
the  first  prize  for  19  bunches  of  distinct  varieties 
of  Sweet  Peas,  amongst  which  were  Henry  Eck- 
ford,  Enchantress,  and  Queen  Alexandra.  2nd, 
Messrs.  Jarman  &  Co.,  Chard.  In  the  audit 
class,  Mr.  R.  Bathurst,  Culdleigh,  and  Lady 
Morel,  Penarth,  were  respectively  awarded  the 
1st  (which  included  a  gold  medal)  and  the  2nd 
prizes.  Mrs.  Jenner,  Wenvoe  Castle  (gr.  Mr. 
Harris),  staged  a  collection  of  12  distinct  varie- 
ties of  Sweet  Peas,  tastefully  arranged  with 
Fern,  Gypsophila,  and  grasses,  and  for  which 
a  1st  prize  and  a  silver  medal  were  awarded. 

Miss  Hemts,  Upton-on-Severn,  exhibited  two 
new  varieties  of  Sweet  Peas,  which  had  already 
secured  Awards  of  Merit,  including  the  R.H. 
Society's.  These  were  Evelyn  Hemus  and  Para- 
dise  Ivory.  Messrs.  Stark  &  Son  showed  a 
number  of  novelties  amongst  Sweet  Peas,  of 
which  Olive  Ruffell  is  a  richly-coloured  flower 
of  the  Countess  Spencer  type,  with  an  ivory- 
coloured  base;  Geo.  Stark,  of  the  colour  of 
Queen  Alexandra,  but  with  the  Countess  Spencer 
form ;  and  New  Waved  Mauve,  one  of  the  bes; 
mauves  in  the  show. 

Hardy  flowers.- — The  flowers  of  hardy  plants 
were  much  in  evidence,  and  added  colour  and 
interest  to  most  of  the  tents.  Although  certain 
classes  were  restricted  to  hardy  flowers,  no  stipu- , 
lation  was  made  that  they  should  not  be  grown 
under  glass  ;  in  consideralion  of  this  fact  several 
of  the  successful  exhibitors  added  greatly  to  the 
value  of  their  gr.  ips  by  including  Lilium  aura- 
lura,  L.  speciosum,  and  L.  Harrisi,  none  of 
which  are  as  yet  in  bloom  in  the  open. 

Mr.  W.  Treseder,  Cardiff,  was  placed  first 
with  a  prettily-arranged  collection  of  hardy 
flowers,  occupying  a  space  of  45  square  feet. 
Spiraea  Davidii,  Catananche  bicolor,  Iceland 
Poppies,  Carnations,  and  Water  Lilies  were  the 
outstanding  features  of  this  group. 

Messrs.  H.  &  W.  Evans,  Llanishen,  were  a 
close  2nd,  with  a  fine  array  of  well-grown 
flowers,  amongst  which  Iris  Kasmpferi  in 
variety,  Spirjea  venusta  in  variety,  S.  palmata, 
Cimicifuga  racemosa,  Dwarf  Gladiolus,  and 
Lilium  testaceum  were  noticeable. 

Fruit  and  Vegetables. 

Competition  in  the  classes  for  Grapes  was 
keener  than  usual,  and  in  spite  of  the  sunless 
season  the  berries  on  the  whole  were  _  well 
coloured.  As  might  be  expected,  the  culinary 
Apples  shown  at  this  early  period  of  the  year 
were  very  inferior  samples,  and  it  is  difficult  to 
see  the  reason  for  including  them  in  the  schedule 
of  an  early  summer  show. 

In  the  class  for  a  collection  of  dessert  fruits, 
to  include  six  dishes  of  distinct  soits,  Col^ 
Henry,  Ledbury  (,!;r.  Mr.  Sikes),  carried  off  the 
1st  prize.  The  collection  consisted  of  a  dish  of 
three  bunches  of  large,  deeply-coloured  Black 
Hambro  Grapes,  a  Countess  Melon,  Early  Rivers 
Nectarines,  Frogmore  Early  Cherries,  Hale's 
Early  Peaches,  and  Brown  Turkey  Figs.  2nd, 
G.  A.  Gibbs,  Esq.,  Flax  Bourton  (gr.  Mr.  Wil- 
kinson). 

Vegetables  were,  perhaps,  the  most  meritorious 
exhibits  at  this  show,  and  were  greatly  admired 
by  those  interested  in  this  side  of  gardening. 
The  1st  prize,  including  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society's  Bronze  Medal,  was  won  by  Lord 
Aldenham,  Elstree  (gr.  Mr.  E.  Beckett),  for  a 
collection  of  nine  distinct  kinds  of  vegetables, 
arranged  in  a  space  measuring  20  square  feet. 
The  following  were  the  kinds  and  varieties  in- 
cluded : — White  Leviathan  Onion,  Globe  Arti- 
choke, Early  Giant  Cauliflower,  Sutton's  Black 
Beet,  Gladiator  Potato,  New  Red  International 
Carrot,  Centenary  Pea  (extra  fine),  Perfection 
Tomato  and  Canadian  Wonder  Bean.  2nd,  Mrs. 
Jenner,  with  an  exceedingly  clean,  well-grown 
collection. 

CRAWLEY   FLOWER    SHOW. 

July  24. — The  fourth  annual  exhibition  of  the 
Crawley  and  District  Gardeners'  Association 
was  held  on  this  date  in  the  grounds  of  Goff's 
Hill.  The  weather  was  favourable,  and  a  large 
attendance   of  the   public   resulted. 

Mr.  A.  B.  Wadds  (gardener  to  Sir  Weetman 
D.    Pearson,    Bart.,    Paddockhurst),    won    the 


August  3,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


09 


Silberberg  Challenge  Cup  in  competition  with 
nine  other  competitors.  Competition  was  keen 
throughout  the  show,  and  the  quality  of  most  of 
the  exhibits  was  good.  There  were  450  entries 
staged  by  190  exhibitors,  the  gardens  competi- 
tion attracting  no  fewer  than  16  entries  against 
the  seven  of  last  year.  In  spite  of  the  fact  that 
three  marquees  had  been  prepared  to  receive  the 
competitors'  produce,  they  were  unable  to  ac- 
commodate all  that  was  brought.  Several  ex- 
hibits were  placed  in  outside  stalls,  and  others 
could  not  secure  even  that  opportunity  for  dis- 
play. The  non-competitive  exhibits  were  very 
numerous  and  of  remarkably  good  quality. 


MARKETS. 


BRITISH    GARDENERS'    ASSOCIATION. 

July  23. — A  meeting  of  the  Executive  Council 
was  held  on  the  above  date  in  the  Royal  Horticul- 
tural Hall,  Vincent  Square.  Mr.  Chas.  Foster 
presided.  Six  new  members  were  elected,  bringing 
the  total  membership  up  to  1,078.  One  candidate 
was  rejected. 

Mr.  Lewis  Castle  was  appointed  editor  of  the 
Society's  Journal.  The  question  of  supplying  each 
member  with  a  certificate  for  framing  was  con- 
sidered. The  granting  of  a  special  diploma  for 
those  members  who  had  distinguished  themselves 
as  horticulturists  was  proposed,  and  a  scheme  will 
be  submitted  at  the  next  meeting. 

A  scheme  for  the  examination  of  gardeners  v.  ill 
also  be  submitied  at  the  September  meeting. 
/.   Weathers,  Secretary. 


DEBATING    SOCIETIES. 


DONCASTER  GARDENERS'.-Forty  members  of 
the  above  association  visited,  on  July  16,  the  nurseries  of 
Messrs.  Clibrans,  at  Hale.  The  weather  was  beautifully 
fine.  The  stock  of  trees  and  shrubs  was  inspected,  also  the 
quarter  devoted  to  Roses  where  upwards  of  100,000  Rose 
trees  are  cultivated.  The  fruit  plantations,  which  are  some 
15  acres  in  extent,  and  the  beds  of  Viola?,  Pansies  and  Her- 
baceous plants  were  each  visited.  The  glass-houses  were 
also  inspected.     \V.  Wettman, 

BRISTOL   AND    DISTRICT   GARDENERS'. -A 

meeting  held  on  Thursday,  July  25,  was  entirely  concerned 
with  Sweet  Peas.  A  competition  was  provided  for  under* 
gardeners  for  the  best  basket  of  Sweet  Peas  arranged  at 
the  meeting,  and  the  prize  was  awarded  to  Mr.  Coombes. 
Prizes  were  also  offered  for  six  vases  of  Sweet  Peas,  and 
these  were  won  by  Mr.  Harford  and  Mr.  Garnish.  Several  of 
the  members  spoke  fora  few  minutes  upon  Sweet  Peas,  and 
the  chairman,  Mr.  J.  C.  House,  closed  the  discussion  with 
a  discourse,  lasting  half  an  hour,  on  these  flowers.    H.  W. 

CROYDON    &    DISTRICT    HORTICULTURAL. 

— About  40  members  of  this  society  visited  Wood  Hall 
Gardens,  Dulwich,  S.E.,  on  the  evening  of  Wednesday, 
July  24.  An  enjoyable  time  was  spent  in  inspecting  the 
grounds,  which  in  different  parts  command  some  excellent 
views  of  London.  The  glasshouses  were  also  examined 
and  darkness  set  in  all  too  early  for  the  visitors. 


CATALOGUES    RECEIVED. 


Abbott   Bros.,   Southall,  near  London— Fruit  preserving 

bottles,  &c. 
Chas.  W.  Breadmore,  Winchester— Sweet  Peas. 


THE     WEATHER. 


THE   WEATHER  IN   WEST   HERTS. 

Week  ending  July  31, 

Cool  days  and  variable  nights,— On  the  warmest  day  of  the 
past  week  the  highest  reading  in  the  thermometer  screen  was 
only  72°,  which  is  but  slightly  in  excess  of  the  average  for 
the  time  of  year.  On  the  contrary,  on  the  coldest  day  the 
same  thermometer  never  rose  above  60° — or  10°  colder  than 
is  seasonable.  The  nights  proved  very  variable,  the  read- 
ings of  the  exposed  thermometer  on  two  of  them  being  re- 
spectively as  high  as  49°  and  52°,  while  on  two  others 
temperatures  within  9°  of  the  freezing  point  were  indicated 
by  it.  At  2  feet  deep  the  soil  is  now  1°  colder,  and  at 
1  foot  deep  3°  colder,  than  is  seasonable.  Rain  fell 
on  four  days,  but  to  the  aggregate  depth  of  only  about  a 
quarter  of  an  inch.  The  percolation  gauge  covered  with 
short  grass,  which  had  been  re-started  by  the  two  heavy 
falls  of  rain  in  the  previous  week,  has  now  become  quite 
dry  again,  while  only  a  few  drops  of  rain-water  trickles 
through  the  bare  soil  gauge.  The  sun  shone  on  an  average 
for  less  than  4£  hours  a  day,  or  for  nearly  2  hours  a  day 
less  than  the  mean  duration  for  the  end  of  July.  The  first 
two  days  of  the  week  proved  very  calm,  but  since  the 
winds  have  been  moderately  high,  and  have  come  ex- 
clusively from  some  southerly  or  westerly  point  of  the 
compass.  As  was  the  case  in  the  preceding  week  the  air 
has  remained  very  damp,  the  mean  amount  of  moisture  at 
3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  again  exceeding  a  seasonable 
quantity  for  that  hour  by  as  much  as  10  per  cent.  A  selected 
Harebell  came  first  into  flower  in  my  garden  on  the  27th. 
This  is  not  only  15  days  later  than  its  average  date  of  first 
flowering  in  the  previous  15  years,  but  also  later  than  in  any 
of  those  years.    E,  M.,  Berkhamstcd,  July  31t  1907. 


COVENT  GARDEN,  July  31. 
[We  cannot  accept  any  responsibility  tor  the  subjoined 
reports.  They  are  furnished  to  us  regularly  every 
Wednesday,  by  the  kindness  of  several  of  the  principal 
salesmen,  who  are  responsible  for  the  quotations.  It 
must  be  remembered  that  these  quotations  do  not  repre- 
sent the  prices  on  any  particular  day,  but  only  the 
general  averages  for  the  week  preceding  the  date  of  our 
report.  The  prices  depend  upon  the  quality  of  the 
samples,  the  way  in  which  they  are  packed,  the  supply 
in  the  market,  and  the  demand,  and  they  may  fluctuate, 
not  only  from  day  to  day,  but  occasionally  several  times 
in  one  day. — Ed.] 


Cut  Flowers,  4c:  Average  Wholesale  Prices. 


Alstromerias,  per 
dozen  bunches 

Asters,  dz.  bunches 

Bouvardia,  per  dz. 
bunches 

Calla  asthiopica,  p. 
dozen  

Carnations,  per 
dozen  blooms, 
best  American 
various 

—  smaller,  per 
doz.     bunches 

—  Malmaison?,  p. 
dozen  blooms.. 

Cattleyas,  per  doz. 

blooms 
Chry  santhemum 

maximum,  per 

dozen  bunches 
Coreopsis,  per  doz. 

bunches 
Cornflower,  per  dz. 

bunches 
Dahlias,  per  dozen 

buncoes 
hucii.u  is     grandi 

il'  I  i,  per  doz. 

blooms 
Gaillardias,  per  dz. 

bunches 
Gardenias,  per  doz. 

blooms 

Gladiolus,    The 

Bi  ide,  per  doz. 

bunchi 

—  Brenchleyensis 

—  various 
Gypsophila  elegans 

p.  dz.  bundles 

—  paniculata,  per 
dozen  bunches 

Iris,  Germ. in,  pel 
doz.  bunches... 

—  Spanish,  p.  dz. 
bunches 

Lapageria  alba,  per 

dozen  

Lilium  auratum  ... 

—  candidum.bch. 

—  lancifo  li  um, 
rubrum  and 
album 

—  loiiHiflorum   ... 
Lily  of  the  Valley, 

p.  dz.  bunches 

—  extra  quality  ... 


s.d.  s.d. 

2  0-40 

3  0-40 

20-3  0 

2  0-30 

16-30 

9  0-12  0 

6  0  10-0 

12  0-15  0 

10-20 

2  0-30 

2  0-30 

3  0-40 

2  0-30 

2  0-30 

2  0-30 

3  0-50 

4  0-80 
4  0-90 

2  0-30 

3  0-40 

4  0-60 

4  0-90 

10-16 
2  0-30 
10-20 

16-20 
2  0-80 

4  0-60 
10  0-15  0 

Marguerites,  white, 
p.  dz.  bunches 

—  yellow,  per  dz. 
bunches 

Mignonette,  per  dz. 

bunches 
Myosotis,  per  doz. 

bunches 
Odon  toglossum 

crispum,      per 

dozen    blooms 
Pasonies,  per  doz. 

bunches 
Pancratiums,     per 

dozen  fls. 
Pelargoniums, 

show,  per  doz. 

bunches 

—  Zonal,    double 
scarlet 

Pinks  

Poppies,     Iceland, 
doz.  bunches... 

—  Shirley 
Pyrethrums,       per 

dozi  il  bunches 

Ranunculus,       per 

i  hunches 

Rhi  idanthe,  per  dz. 

bunches 
Roses,   12  blooms, 
Niphetos 

—  Bridesmaid    ... 

—  C.  Testout     ... 

—  General  Jacque- 
minot, per  doz, 

hum  li'  - 

—  Marecha!   Niel 

—  Kaiserin  A. 
Victoria 

—  Mrs.    J.    Laing 

—  C.Mermet      ... 

—  Liberty 

—  Mad.  Chatenay 
Saponaria,  per  dz. 

bunches 
Statice,  per  dozen 
Stephanotis,     per 

dozen    trusses 
Stocks,  per  dozen 

bunches 
Sweet  Peas,  p.  doz. 

bunches 
Sweet   Sultan,  per 

dozen  bunches 
Tuberoses,  per  dz. 

blooms 


s.d.  s.d, 
2  0-30 


16-20 
3  0-40 


16-2  0 


4  0-  GO 
10-30 


4  0-80 

2  0-30 


10-30 
2  0-30 
2  0-30 


10-20 
16-30 

16-30 
10-30 
10-30 

2  0-40 
10-30 

16-20 

3  0-40 

3  0-50 


0  4-06 


Cut  Foliage,  Stc:  Average  Wholesale  Prices. 


Adiantum  cunea- 
lum,  per  dozen 
bunches 

Asparagus  plu- 
mosus,  long 
trails,  per  doz. 

—  —       medium, 

bunch    ... 

—  Sprengeri 
Berberis,  per  doz. 

bunches 
Croton  leaves,  bch. 
Cycas  leaves,  each 
Fern,  English,  per 

dozen  bunches 

—  French,  dozen 
bunches 


s.d.  s.d.  s.d.  s.d. 

Galax    leaves,    per 

dozen  bunches    2  0-96 
4  0-60    Hardy    foli  age 
(various),    per 
dozen  bunches    2  0-60 
Ivy-leaves,   bronze    2  0-26 

—  long  trails  per 

16-20  bundle 16-30 

0  6-10      —  short    green, 

doz.  bunches...     2  0-30 
2  0-26     Moss,  per  gross  ...     40-50 
10-16    Myrtle     (English), 
16-20  small-leaved, 

doz.  bunches...    4  0-60 

—  French,  dozen 
bunches         ...    10-16 

Smilax,  p.  dz.  trails    16-26 


Plants  in  Pots,  &c. :  Average  Wholesale  Prices. 


Ampelopsis      Yeit- 

chii,  per  dozen 

AraliaSieboldi.dz. 

—  larger  

Araucaria  excelsa, 

per  dozen 

Aspidistras,  green, 

per  dozen 

—  variegated,  dz. 
Asparagus    plumo- 

sus  nanus,  doz. 

—  Sprengeri,  dz. 

—  tenuis  simus 
per  dozen 

Boronia  mega- 
stigma,  per  dz. 

—  heterophylla ... 
Calceolarias, yellow 
Campanulas,  p.dz. 
Clematis,  per  doz. 

—  in  flower 

C  ocos  Weddelli- 
ana,  per  dozen 

Coleus,  per  dozen 

Coreopsis,  per  doz. 

Crassulas  (Kaloz- 
anthes),  per  dz. 


s.d.  s.d. 

6  0-80 

4  0-60 
9  0-12  0 

12  0-30  0 

18  0-30  0 
30  0-42  0 

9  0-12  0 
9  0-12  0 

9  0-12  0 

12  0-30  0 
12  0-24  0 
4  0-80 
6  0-90 

8  0-90 
12  0-18  0 

9  0-18  0 
2  0-40 
6  0-10  0 

9  0-12  0 


s.d.  s.d. 
Crotons,  per  dozen  12  0-30  0 
Cyperus    alternifo- 

lius,  dozen      ...     4  0-50 

—  laxus,  per  doz.  4  0-50 
Dracaenas,  perdoz.  9  0-24  0 
Euonymus,  per  dz.  4  0-90 
Ferns,  in   thumbs, 

per  10C 7  0-10  0 

—  in     small    and 

large  60's      ...  16  0-25  0 

—  in  48"s,  per  dz.     4  0-10  0 

—  in  32's,  per  dz.  10  0-18  0 
Ficus  elastica,  doz.    8  0-10  0 

—  repens,  perdoz.  4  0-60 
Fuchsias,  per  doz.  4  0-80 
Heliotropiums,  per 

dozen 3  0-40 

Hydrangea  Thos. 

Hogg,  per  doz.  12  0-18  0 

—  Hortensia,  per 

dozen 8  0-12  0 

—  paniculata,  per 

dozen 12  0-30  0 

Kentia      Belmore- 

ana,  per  dozen  12  0-18  0 

—  Fosteriana,    p. 

dozen 12  0-21  0 


Plants  in  Pots,  Ac:  Average  Wholesale  Prices  (Contd.) 

s.d.  s.d. 


Kochia      scoparia, 

per  dozen 
Latania  borbonica, 

per  dozen 
Lilium     1  o  n  g  i  - 

florum,  per  dz, 

—  lancifo  1 1  um, 
per  dozen 

Lily  of  the  Valley, 

per  dozen 
Lobelia,  per  dozen 
Marguerites,  white, 

per  dozen 

—  yellow 

Mignonette,  per 

dozen  

Musk,  per  dozen... 


S.d.  s.d. 

6  0-90 
12  0-18  0 
12  0-24  0 
12  0-18  0 

10  0-12  0 

5  0-60 

4  0-80 
12  0-18  0 

6  0-90 
4  0-50 


Pelar  g  o  n  i 

I  v  y-l  eavi    I, 
Mde.    Ci 
and  Galilee,  p. 
dozen  

—  Zonals,  per  dz. 

—  show    ... 
Petunias,     double, 

■en 

—  single,  per  dz. 
Rhodanthe,  per  dz. 
Roses,   H.IJ's.,  dz. 

—  Ramblers,  each 
Selaginella,  dozen 
Si  ii  .in  japonica.dz. 
Verbena,      Miss 

Willmott,  doz. 
Zinnias,  per  dozen 


Fruit:  Average  Wholesale  Prices. 


Apples,  per  box, 
Tasmanian  : 

—  Sturmer     Pip- 



—  French  Crabs.. 
Apricots  (French), 

per  box 

—  French,    cases 

—  Fn  ui.li,  K  sieve 
Bananas,  bunch  : 

—  No.  2  Canary  . 

—  NTo.  1         ,,     ... 

—  Extra        ,,    ... 

—  Giants      ,,     ... 

—  Jamaica 

—  Loose,  per  dz. 
Cherries  (English), 

4  sieve 

—  I  sieve 

Cranberries,     case 
Currants  (English), 

1  sieve  ... 

—  lllac'k  (Eng- 
lish), A  sieve  ... 

—  White,  p.  peck 
■ 

boxes  

Figs  (Guernsey),  p. 
dozen  

Gooseberries  (Eng- 
lish), $  sieve  ... 

Crape    Frail 

Grapes  (English), 
i  lambro's,  p.  lb 

—  Alicante, per  lb. 

—  Gros  Maroc, 
per  lb 

—  English  Mus- 
cats, per  lb.  .. 

—  Canon  Hall, 
per  l!) 

—  Pelgian  Ham- 
bro's,  per  lb.... 

Lemons  : 

—  Messina,    case 

—  Naples,  per 
case      

Lychees,  per  box... 
Mangoes,  per  doz. 


s.d  s.d. 


10  6-11  6 

9  0-10  0 

12-14 

2  0-26 

3  6-50 

5  0    — 

5  6-60 

6  6-76 
8  0    — 

5  0-56 
0  9-  1  S 

3  6-90 
2  0-50 
8  0-86 

2  6-36 

4  6-50 
2  0-  2  0 

26    - 

10-30 

i  e-  a  o 

11  6-13  0 

0  6-  1  0 
0  8-10 

0  9-13 

0  9-26 

2  0-40 

0  6-09 

10  0-14  0 

18  0  23  0 

10  — 

6  0-12  0 


Melons  (Guernsey), 
each     

—  French,   Rock, 
each     

—  Valencia,     per 
case      

—  Cantaloupe, 
each     

Nectarines  (Eng- 
lish), per  doz. 
'  1st  quality  ... 
■  2nd      „      ... 

—  French,  p.  box 
Nuts,  Cobnuts,  per 

doz    il. 

—  Almond-, 

—  Brazils,      ni  w] 
per  cwt. 

—  Barcelona,  bag 

—  Cocoa  nuts,  100 
Oranges,  per  case : 

—  Valencia 

—  Navels 

—  Murcias,  box 
Peaches  (English), 

I  1st  quality  ... 
~~   12nd      „      ... 

—  French,  p.  box 
Pears  (Australian), 

p.bndl.  of  3  bxs 

Plums  (English)  p. 

$  sieve 

—  French,  p.  box 

—  French,  i  sieve 

—  Italian,  I>a-ket 
Gages    (French), 

box 

—  Italian,   basket 

—  French,  $  sieve 
Pineapples,  each ... 
Raspberries    (1  ng- 

lish),       handle 
basket  ... 

—  English,  p.  dz. 
punnets 

Strawberries  (Eng- 
lish), per  peck 

—  per  lb 


4  0-60 
4  0-60 
6  0-90 

4  0-80 

3  0-60 

4  0-60 
12  0-24  0 

5  0-21  0 

4  0-60 

5  0-80 

4  0-60 

5  0-60 


s.d.  s.d, 
0  9-  2  G 
2  6-30 
6  6-86 
0  3-04 


8  0-12  0 
2  0-40 
13-16 

2  6-30 
54  0    — 

40  0-42  6 
32  6    - 
12  0-17  0 

18  0-30  0 
10  0-10  6 
10  0  1 1  u 


6  0-90 
10-30 

1  3-  1  G 

10  0-20  0 

3  0-40 
0  10-  1  0 

4  0-90 
16-19 

0  9-16 
16  19 
4  6-80 

2  0-36 


10-16 
2  6-40 


19-30 
0  3-09 


Vegetables  :  Average  Wholesale  Prices. 


Artichokes(French), 

pei  ■!' izen 
Aubergines(French) 

per  doz. 

—  Beans(French), 
per  pad 

—  Broad       (Eng- 
lish), p.  bushel 

—  Jersey,  per  lb. 
— ■  French,  packet 

—  Home  -grown, 
per  lb 

Beetroot,  bushel  ... 

Cabbages,  per  doz. 

Cabbage     Greens, 

bag       

—  red,  per  dozen 
Carrots    (English), 

dozen  bunches 
Cauliflowers,  p.  dz. 
Chow  Chow   (Sec- 

hium  edule),p. 

dozen  

Cucumbers,  per 

dozen  

Endive,  per  dozen 
Horseradish,     for- 
eign, per  doz. 

bundles 
Leeks,  12  bundles 
Lettuce    (English), 

Cos,  per  score 
Marrows  (English), 

per  dozen 
Mint,  doz.  bunches 


s.d.  s.d. 

2  0-26 
10-13 

3  0-40 

3  0    — 
0  6    — 

0  3-04 

06    — 
13    16 

0  9-10 

10-16 
2  0    — 

10-10 
2  0-26 


16-26 
13-16 


13  0-14  0 
1  6    — 


0  4-06 


3  0-60 
0  9-10 


Musbrooms(bouse) 

Eer lb 
uttons,  per  lb. 

—  "Broilers"p.lb. 
Mustard  and  (  cess, 

per  dozen  pun. 

Onions      (Lisbon), 

case      

—  pickling,     per 
bushel    . 

—  Spring,  pr.  dz. 
bunches 

—  Egyptian,  bag. 
Peas  (English),  per 

bushel 

—  English,  p.  bag 
Parsley, 12bunclies 

—  h  bushel 
Potatos     (Canary), 

per  cwt. 

Radishes  (Guern- 
sey), per  dozen 

Salsafy,  p.  dz.  bdls. 

Spinach,  English, 
per  bushel 

Tomatos :— 

—  French,  p. crate 

—  selected,  per 
dozen  lbs.     ... 

—  small  selected, 
per  dozen  lbs. 

Turnips   (English), 
doz.  bunches- 
Watercress,      per 
doz.  bunches... 


s.d.  s.d. 

0  8-0  10 
0  10    — 
0  5-06 

10-16 

6  0-70 

2  0-26 

16    2  0 

8  0-8  6 

16-26 

2  6-40 
16-20 
10-16 

8  0-90 

0  4-06 

3  6    — 

0  9-19 
3  0-36 
3  0-33 
2  6-29 
2  0-38 
0  4-Ofi 


Remarks.— Tasmanian  Apples  are  now  nearly  finished, 
Sturmer  Pippins  being  almost  the  only  variety  obtainable. 
French  Plums  are  arriving  in  very  fine  condition.  Home 
grown  Early  Rivers  Plum  is  also  seen  from  the  Kent  district. 
English  hothouse  Grapes  are  very  plentiful  and  prices  for 
this  fruit  are  low,  P.  X,,,  Covcnt  Garden  Market,  July  SI, 
1907. 

POTATOS. 

Rents,  3s.  6d.  to  5s. ;  Bedfords,  3s.  6d.  to  4s.  3d. ;  Lincolns, 
3s.  6d.  to  4s. ;  Blacklands,  3s.  to  3s.  6d.  Supplies  are  large 
and  the  demand  is  fair.  Prices  must  fall  considerably 
unless  the  supply  moderates.  Trade  generally  is  unsettled 
owing  to  the  holidays.    /.  D.  C,  Covent  Garden,  July  31, 1907* 


100 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[August  3,  1907. 


COVENT    GARDEN     FLOWER     MARKET. 

For  the  next  eight  months  the  market  will  be  open  on 
Tuesdays,  Thursdays,  and  Saturdays  only.  The  past  has 
been  a  vei  y  poor  season  for  many  market  plant  growers, 
some  of  whom  still  have  large  stocks  on  hand.  Campanula 
i^ophylla  alba,  and  C.  Mayii  are  seen  from  several  growers 
in  good  condition.  Coreopsisis  very  pretty.  Zinnia  elegans 
(tore  pieno  can  be  had  in  many  colours  ;  this  is  a  recent  addi- 
tion to  flowering  plants  in  Covent  Garden  Market.  Lilium 
Iongiflorum  is  over  plentiful  at  present,  but  the  supplies 
may  fall  off  at  any  time.  Hydrangea  paniculata  is  seen  in 
plants  of  various  sizes,  and  with  fine  heads  of  bloom.  One 
buyer  was  complaining  this  morning  that  he  found  it  difficult 
to  procure  good  hybrid  Perpetual  Roses  in  pots.  The  best 
plants  are  consigned  direct  to  the  florist ;  many  other  choice 
plants  are  not  sent  through  the  market.  Among  "Zonals," 
I'elargoniums  are  very  inferior  plants.  Supplies  of  show  and 
Ivy-leaved  varieties  hold  out  well.  Fuchsias  in  well- 
fiowered  plants  are  seen  on  several  stands.  Most  growers 
have  finished  with  Mignonette  for  the  season.  Spirasa 
japonica  is  well  flowered.  Marguerites  with  both  white  and 
>  ellow  flowers  are  abundant.  Verbena  Miss  Willmott  is  a 
conspicuous  plant  in  the  market.  Ferns,  Palms,  and  other 
oliage  plants  are  well  supplied. 

Cut  Flowers. 
Supplies  of  most  subjects  are  over  abundant.  Sweet 
Peas  have  been  the  most  plentiful,  and  it  has  been 
almost  impossible  to  sell  these  at  any  price.  I  have 
never  seen  Lily  of  the  Valley  offered  so  cheaply  as  at 
closing  time  in  the  market  this  morning  (Wednesday). 
Supplies  of  Liliums  exceed  the  demand.  I  learn  that 
several  market  growers  are  building  new  houses  for  the 
culture  of  Carnations,  so  that  one  may  expect  the  prices  for 
this  flower  to  drop  still  further.  Blooms  of  Souvenir  de  la 
Malmaison  varieties,  owing  to  excessive  supplies,  have  not 
been  so  valuable  this  season.  Roses  are  cheap.  Asters 
are  now  coming  from  French  growers  in  large  quantities. 
Other  prominent  flowers  on  the  stands  are  Alstromerias, 
Stephanotis,  Gardenias,  Tuberoses,  also  Gypsophila  pani- 
culata, Chrysanthemum  maximum  and  the  varieties  known 
as  the  Shasta"  Daisies;  Coreopsis  grandiflora,  Echinops, 
Gaillardias,  Achillea,  Poppies,  Stocks,  and  various  other 
hardy  flowers.  Orchid  bloom  is  rather  scarce.  Statice 
bloom,  in  white,  blue  and  yellow  colours,  is  now  at  its  best 
condition.  All  kinds  of  cut  foliage  is  well  supplied,  but 
prices  do  not  vary  greatly.  Some  growers  clear  their  stocks 
ot  Adiantum  Fern  at  closing  time  for  very  low  prices. 
A.  H.,  Covent  Garden,   Wednesday,  July  31,  7907. 


t£)uttuar*j. 

Gebharot  Summermeyer.— The  death  of 
this  gardener  at  the  age  of  76  years  is  announced 
in  the  German  horticultural  journals.  He  began 
his  gardening  career  in  Nathusius'  nursery  at 
Althaldensleben,  in  Saxony,  and  alter  serving  in 
various  gardens,  he  -became  head  gardener  to 
Count  Stolberg,  at  Donhofstedt,  East  Prussia. 
By  his  efforts  the  cultivation  of  hardy  fruits  in  that 
part  of  the  German  Empire  was  greatly  extended, 
and  new  methods  and  valuable  varieties  were 
introduced.  It  is  to  him  that  the  province  is 
indebted  for  such  remunerative  sorts  of  berried 
tiuits  as  the  red  Dutch  Currant  and  Hornet 
Raspberry,  and  for  the  wide  distribution  of 
Nathusius'  Taubenapfel  (Dove  Apple),  a  variety  of 
excellent  quality.  He  had  held  his  post  at  Don- 
hofstedt for  the  long  period  of  42  years. 

George  Ward.—  The  death  of  this  well-known 
gardener,  in  his  73rd  year,  occurred  at  Bishop's 
Mortford,  on  July  13,  from  an  attack  of  pneu- 
monia. Deceased  was  a  very  successful  culti- 
\ator  of  Grapes,  and  he  gained  many  prizes  for 
this  fruit  in  London  and  the  provinces.  He 
was  equally  successful  in  the  culture  of  Melons, 
and  Eucharis  was  also  one  of  his  specialities. 
It  is  interesting  to  record  that  the  well-known 
Grape  Gros  Maroc  was  first  placed  on  the 
market  consequent  on  his  keenness  of  observa- 
ti  n.  He  detected  this  particular  Grape  in 
Messrs.  Rivers'  nurseries  at  Sawbridgeworth, 
and  it  was  at  his  instigation  that  it  was  intro- 
duced into  commerce.  As  a  judge  at  horticul- 
tural exhibitions  the  deceased's  services  were 
in  request,  and  just  before  his  decease  he  was 
appointed  to  judge  the  allotments  and  gardens 
in  connection  with  the  show  of  the  Bishop's 
Stortford  Horticultural  Society,  of  which  organi- 
sation he  was  one  of  the  founders.  Mr.  Ward 
was  the  patentee  of  a  trough,  that  bears  his 
name,  for  keeping  Grapes.  Deceased,  who 
retired  from  active  service  some  few  years  ago, 
leaves  one  daughter. 


ANSWERS    TO    CORRESPONDENTS. 


Asparagus  Stem  Flattened  :  S.  G.  B.  The 
specimen  you  send  is  an  example  of  a 
fasciated  stem — a  not  uncommon  condition 
seen  in  Asparagus.  The  abnormality  is  caused 
by  the  fusion  of  two  or  more  shoots,  but  what 
induces  this  fusion  we  are  unable  to  say. 
Fasciation  is  common  in  many  plants. 


Beech  Trees  :  W.  MacL.  If  the  shoots  are  free 
from  any  pest  and  disease  we  are  inclined  to 
think  the  failure  is  caused  by  the  roots  of  the 
trees  having  at  length  reached  a  medium  which 
is  unsuitable  for  them. 

Culinary  Pea  :  Gledstone.  We  cannot  express  an 
opinion  on  the  immature  pods  you  send  us. 
Forward  seeds  next  season  to  the  Royal  Horti- 
cultural Society's  Gardens  at  Wisley  for  trial 
with  standard  varieties. 

Currant  Bushes,  &c.  :  /.  W.  S.  The  shoots  are 
infested  with  aphides  or  green  fly.  Spraying 
with  a  mixture  of  1  lb.  of  sott  soap  dissolved  in 
10  gallons  of  water  is  recommended,  but  it 
would  have  been  more  efficacious  if  performed 
on  the  first  appearance  of  tne  pests.  The  Rose 
buds  do  not  show  any  disease,  and  appear  to 
have  been  killed  by  excessive  wet. 

Ericas  :  East  Sussex.  The  Ericas  you  send 
include,  as  you  suggest,  four  varieties  of  E. 
cinerea,  one  of  the  common  Ling  (Calluna 
vulgaris),  and  one  of  Erica  tetralix.  It  is  no 
uncommon  thing  to  find  several  different 
forms  of  E.  cinerea  in  a  comparatively  small 
area,  and  the  same  may  be  said  of  Calluna 
vulgaris  and  E.  tetralix.  Nine  varieties  of  E. 
cinerea  are  cultivated  at  Kew,  and  these  have 
purple,  very  dark  purple,  rose,  deep  rose,  deep 
red,  bright  red  and  white  flowers.  Of  E. 
tetralix,  three  varieties,  in  addition  to  the 
type,  are  grown,  one  of  which  has  white  and 
another  deep  red  flowers.  Whilst  of  Calluna 
vulgaris  there  are  about  25  distinct  varieties 
at  Kew,  which  differ  in  habit  so  greatly  that, 
whilst  some  grow  only  several  inches  high, 
others  are  capable  of  growing  3  feet  or  more 
high.  The  colours  of  the  flowers  vary  from 
white  to  pink  and  pink  to  reddish-purple  and 
red.  The  writer  has  found  seven  forms  of 
the  Ling  growing  wild  on  one  hill  in  Corn- 
wall, with  several  forms  of  E.  cinerea ;  and 
in  the  Scilly  Islands  a  form  of  the  Ling  quite 
moss-like  in  appearance. 

Gooseberries  Discoloured  :  0.  B.  There  is  no 
fungus  disease  on  the  berries,  but  the  injury  has 
been  caused  by  red  spider  when  the  fruits  were 
very  young. 

GRArES  :  L.  S.  The  berries  are  affected  with  the 
"spot"  disease.  Dust  the  bunches  with  a 
mixture  of  one  part  lime  and  two  parts  of 
flowers  of  sulphur. 

House  for  Half-hardy  Plants  :  /.  C.  We 
advise  you  to  build  the  temperate  house  with 
the  ridge  running  from  north  to  south.  The 
bulk  of  the  tender  or  half-hardy  plants  culti- 
vated in  this  country  require  all  the  sun  and 
air  possible  when  grown  under  glass,  and  by 
building  the  house  from  the  north  to  the 
south,  all  parts  but  the  northern  end  of  the 
building  will  receive  a  considerable  amount 
of  strong  light.  The  northern  end  might  be 
used  advantageously  for  the  raising  of  young 
plants  of  such  species  as  Rhododendrons,  &c. 
which  prefer  a  position  of  this  kind  during 
their  early  stages,  or  you  might  utilise  it  for 
the  formation  of  a  Fernery.  The  building 
should  be  liberally  provided  with  ventilators, 
and  if  possible  the  roof  should  be  so  arranged 
that  part  of  it  may  be  either  entirely  removed 
during  the  summer  months  or  made  in  two 
sections  so  that  the  upper  lights  may  be 
allowed  to  slide  down  over  those  of  the  lower 
half.  Employ  large  panes  of  glass,  and  let 
all  the  woodwork  be  as  light  as  is  considered 
equal  to  the  strength  required. 

Juniperus  virginiana  :  K.&-B.  Junipers  and 
Cypresses  are  very  difficult  trees  to  identify  in 
their  juvenile  stages.  Juniperus  virginiana  shows 
at  least  three  distinct  forms  between  the  seed- 
ling and  the  adult  stages,  and  each  form  differs 
from  the  others  as  much  as  many  species  do. 
Therefore  the  identification  of  small  twigs  of 
young  Junipers  and  Cypresses  without  cones  is 
necessarily  more  or  less  speculative. 

Names  of  Plants  :  /.  M.  Saponaria  Vaccaria  — 
R.H.A.  Tecoma  jasminoides. — J.I.M.  Spiraea 
chamaedrifolia.—  W.  G.  1,  Orchis  pyramidalis  ; 
2,  Habenaria  bifolia. — /.  E.  M.  1,  Nephrolepis 
exaltata;  2,  N.  e.  Westonii ;  3,  N.  e.  Fosteri ;  4 
and  5,  N.  e.  Piersonii ;  6,  N.  davallioides. — 
IT.  T.  Collomia  grandiflora. — Felix.  1,  Brassia 
brachiata  :  2.  Oncidium   Limminghei ;   3,  Ccelia 


Baueriana  ;  4,  Ionopsis  utricularioides  ;  5, 
Oncidium  triquetrum  ;  6,  Aerides  virens. — 
Inquisitor.  1,  Polemonium  cceruleum  (not  a 
Geranium)  ;  2,  Heuchera  sanguinea ;  3,  Cen- 
taurea  macrocephala  ;  4,  Achillea  Ptarmica 
flore  pleno.-^il/iss  G.  C.  We  do  not  undertake 
the  naming  of  garden  Roses. — Foreman.  1, 
Pteris  longifolia ;  2,  Pteris  tremula ;  3,  Sela- 
ginella  umbrosa  ;  4,  Adiantum  assimile  ;  5, 
Pteris  arguta;  6,  Asplenium  lucidum. — E.  B. 
1,  Inula  glandulosa;  2,  Aconitum  Napellus ; 
3,  Clematis  vitalba  ;  4,  Veronica  Andersonii 
variegata. —  If.  L.  Orchis  conopsea,  common 
in  some  districts. 

Onion:  A.  A:  <S-  Sons.  These  are  known  in 
Covent  Garden  Market  as  the  Small  Globe 
Silver  skinned  Onions. 

Pea  for  Naming  :  J.  P.  The  variety  appears  to 
be  a  seedling  raised  from  Lord  Anson's  Pea, 
Latbyrus  magellanicus,  after  crossing  with  some 
white  flowered  edible  variety.  It  differs  from 
Lord  Anson's  variety  in  its  vigour  of  growth, 
greater  substance  in  the  inflorescence,  its 
agglomerate  character,  and  the  colour,  which  is 
the  laintest  blue  and  white,  whereas  Anson's  is 
bright  deep  blue. 

Pears  Cracked  :  L.  S.  The  cracking  is  caused 
by  a  fungus — Fusicladium  pirinum.  Drench 
the  trees  with  a  solution  of  sulphate  of  iron 
during  the  winter,  and  when  the  leaves  and 
flower  buds  begin  to  expand  spray  with  Bor- 
deaux mixture,  and  repeat  this  when  the 
petals  are  falling  and  again  when  the  young 
fruits  are  the  size  of  Peas  or  slightly  larger. 
The  Aspidistra  leaves  are  attacked  by  thrips 
and  red  spider.  Use  a  suitable  insecticide, 
and  exercise  care  in  the  affording  of  water  to 
the  plants.  Your  Grapes  have  the  "  spot " 
disease.     See  reply  to  L.  S. 

Potatos  Diseased:  R.  L.  P.  and  A.  S.  The 
tubers  are  affected  with  the  "warty"  disease, 
or  "black  scab."  Mix  some  sulphur  in  the 
soil  before  planting  Potatos  on  the  same  ground. 
In  any  case  Potatos  should  not  be  planted  on 
the  same  land  two  years  in  succession  when 
disease,  such  as  "  black  scab,"  has  appeared. 

Rose  Orange  Rust  Fungus  :  /.  S.  See  reply 
to  D.  Bros  in  our  last  issue,  p.  80. 

Stalked  Eggs  :  W.  E.  The  very  pretty  stalked 
bodies  are  the  eggs  of  the  Lace-wing  fly — 
Chrysopa  perta. 

Tomato  Diseased  :  IV.  G.  &S.  A.  The  fruits  are 
attacked  by  a  fungus,  Macrosporium  Solani. 
You  can  do  nothing  to  save  fruits  that  are 
already  infested, but  the  fungus  may  be  prevented 
from  spreading  by  spraying  with  the  Bordeaux 
mixture  The  colourless  patches  in  one  of  the 
fruits  points  to  a  lack  of  potash  in  the  rooting 
medium. 

Tomato  Seeds  :  H.  C.  Place  the  seeds  together 
with  as  little  of  the  pulp  as  is  possible  in  a  box 
containing  dry,  fine  sand.  Rub  the  sand  and 
the  seeds  together,  and  afterwards  sift  the  whole 
over  a  wire  mesh  of  sufficient  gauge  to  retain 
the  seeds  but  not  the  sand.  Next  spread  out 
th:!  seeds  to  dry,,  and  if  they  are  afterwards 
snaken  together,  any  sand  adhering  will  become 
detached  and  leave  the  seeds  almost  clean. 

Tw  elve  Bunches  of  Hardy  Herbaceous 
Flowers  :  L.  C.  Lilium  candidum  is  cer- 
tainly an  herbaceous  plant,  and  in  the  south 
of  England  it  is  perfectly  hardy.  The 
schedule  of  rules  for  judging  issued  under  the 
auspices  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society 
reads: — "The  schedule  should  say  distinctly 
excluding  Lilies  and  other  bulbs,  corms,  and 
tubers,  if  it  is  desired  to  exclude  them  ;  and  if 
such  words  are  not  added,  it  must  be  under- 
stood that  bulbs,  corms,  and  tubers  are,  for 
garden  purposes,  included  in  the  term  her- 
baceous plants." 

Communications  Received. — E.  W.  K.  &  Co.  (the  flowers 
have  not  arrived)— W.  R.  P.— G.  B.  M.— H.  C— X.  Y.  Z  — 
W.  Smith  — R.  H.  —  F.  L.— F.  O.-W.  McD.— J.  C. 
—  Nympha;— T.  &  Son-G.  G.— T.  S.  C— J.  G.  W.  (with 
thanks)— Derby-F.  O.— P.  A.— J.  C— C.  B.— A.  T.  B.— 
W.  H.  W— E.  A.  -  C.  J.  G.-G.  W.— E.  H.— J.  V.  &  Sons 
— W.  G.  B.— J.  C— Miramar— R.  B.-Y.  O  — J.  H.  D.— 
A.  P.— W.  Gumbleton-A.  J.  S.— G.  H.  J.— H.  A.— 
H.  S.  W.— T.  T.— R.  J.  S.-B.  T.  B—  T.  S.-H.  S.— 
G.  B.— T.  D.— P.  M.— W.  S.-F,  M,  W.-S.  A.  S.— E.  I. 
—A.  A.  W.-A.  W. 


August  10,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


101 


THE 


6arbcncrs'Cbronicli 

No.  7,076.— SATURDAY,  August   W,  1907. 


CONTENTS. 


Acer    platanoides,     the 
flowering  of 

Ai| ini  garden,  the— 
Phyteuma  Charmelii.. 
Sedum  Acre 

Argemone  grandiflora... 

Bacteria  and  root-action 

Battersea  Park,  flowers 


111 

105 
105 
113 
112 

■101 

Books,  notices  of — 
Botanical  Magazine...    110 
I-'lowers  of  the  Field  ..     107 
Journal  of  the  Royal 
Horticultural 

Society         Ill 

Modern  Carpet   Bed- 
ding         108 

The  Book  of  Nyrnph- 

seaca3 107 

Clog-soles,  timber  for...  112 
Colonial  notes — 

Economic  plants  in  the 
British  Colonies    ...     107 
Convolvulus      cneorum 
and  Veronica  Hulkeana  106 

I  lahltas 112 

Flora  of  Palestine,  the...  114 
Foliage,  diversity  in  ...  110 
Fruit  crops,  remarks  on 

the  condition  ot  the  ...  104 
Fruit  register- 
Strawberries  in  1907...  HI 
Gardener,  a  veteran  ...  116 
Genista  monosperma  ...  115 
Hemsted  Park,  Kent  ...  113 
lmpatiens,  new  garden 

species  of        102 

Lilium    testaceum    and 

L.  candidum  hybrids    112 
Lilium  tigrinum  ...     112 

Masters,  Dr.,  the  late  ...     119 
Onion  crop  in  Egypt,  the    112 
Orchid  notes  and  glean- 
ings— 
Bulbophyllum  Sander- 

ianuin'  106 

Cirrhopetalum  macu- 

losum  106 

Coryanthes     speciosa    106 


Obituary — 

May,  I  .eorge 

Williams,  Henry 
Pea  Laxtonian 

Pea,    the     Mummy    or 

Crown 

Phoiinia     serrulata     in 

Cornwall  

Pineapple  leaves,  fibre 

from       

Plagianthus  Lyallii 
Plants,    new    or    note- 
worthy— 

Odontoglossum  x  Ari- 
adne   

Seed  crops   in  France, 

the  

School-gardening 
Societies — 

Bishop's        Stortford 
Horticultural 

British  Association  ... 

Debating  

Royal  Horticultural 

Scottish  Horticultural 
Association  .. 
Sweet  Peas,  a  trial  of  ... 
S\\  eel   Peas,  some  new 

varieties  of      

Tree-  and  --  limbs  — 

Chemical  fumes    and 
tree  growth 

Pine  Beetle,  the 

Solanum  crispum      ... 

Some       Ericacfeous 
shrubs  

Ulmus  alata 

View  in  a  Donegal  gar- 
den          

Week's  work,  the — 

Apiary,  the      

i  :  gai  dun,  the  ... 

Fj  uits  und<  i  gla  -  ■- 

Hardy  fi  uil  gardi  n 

Kitchen  garden,  the  ... 

Orchid  houses,  the   ... 

i  \ii  ks  and  gardi  ns 

Plants  under  glass    ... 
Wi  mil  wool  as  a  mulch 

for  Strawberries 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Argemone  grandiflora 

Convolvulus  cneorum  and  Veronica  Hulkeana 

lmpatiens  oppositifolia  

Pea,  the  Mummy  or  Crown 

Sweet  Peas  Evelyn  Hemus,  St.  George,  Silas  Cole  and 

Rosie  Adams  (Supplementary  Illustration) 
Sweet  Pea  Countess  Spencer,  flowers  of,  arranged  in  a 

vase         

View  in  an  Irish  garden    


119 
119 

111 


111 
114 


101 


112 
115 


117 
117 
118 
115 

lis 
119 


103 
103 
103 

102 
103 

1133 

109 

10.S 
10S 

109 
109 
108 
109 

108 


113 
106 
102 

120 


111 
103 


BATTERSEA    PARK. 

THIS  picturesque  park  in  the  south- 
western suburb  of  London  appears  at 
the  present  time  at  its  best,  as  regards 
the  lawns  and  grass  areas,  its  wealth  of 
native  and  exotic  trees,  evergreen  shrubs,  and 
its  extensive  borders  of  flowering  perennials. 
The  trees  are  now  putting  forth  the  tender 
green  tints  of  that  second  growth  which 
occurs  in  July,  and  affords  a  lively  contrast 
to  the  universal  dark  green  of  the  older  leaf- 
age. Never  has  arboreal  growth  been  greater 
than  this  year,  thanks  to  the  over-abundant 
rains  and  low  temperature  of  the  summer; 
and  in  no  year  has  the  grass  been  greener, 
or  caused  the  mowing  machine  to  be  more 
actively  employed. 

It  may  be  noted  in  the  central  avenue  that 
runs  straight  through  the  park  for  about  a 
quarter  of  a  mile  that  the  Elms  are  likely  to 
be  short-lived;  but  from  what  cause  is  not 
apparent,  unless  it  be  that  the  soil,  much  of 
it  "  made  up  "  by  Gibson,  is  insufficiently 
good  to  sustain  healthy  growth  for  an  in- 
definite period.  However,  other  trees  were 
planted  in  the  winter  of  the  present  year,  and 
at  a  few  feet  further  back  from  the  roadway, 
and  thus  in  positions  in  which  they  will 
obtain  much  sunshine  and  the  benefits  of  the 


rainfall.  By  cartful  attention  in  preventing 
them  from  becoming  overshadowed  by  the 
older  specimens,  these  young  trees  should 
make  rapid  progress,  and  in  the  course  of  a 
dozen  years  or  so,  it  may  be  desirable  to  re- 
move those  which  now  show  signs  of  failing 
health. 

The  sub-tropical  garden  is  a  sheltered  par- 
terre, and  it  still  remains  the  strongest  point 
of  attraction  at  Battersea  on  account,  not 
alone,  of  its  varied  and  pleasing  undulated 
surface  and  irregular  outline,  but  also  for  the 
rich  furnishing  of  the  many  beds,  groups  and 
'••  rders,  Mr.  Rogers,  the  present  superin- 
tendent, is  a  believer  in  changes  of  material, 
and  does  not  plant  out  the  same  mixtures 
year  by  year  in  the  beds  and  borders  of  this 
garden,  but  always  contrives  to  afford  new 
combinations,  fresh  features,  and  some  novel- 
ties from  out  of  his  multitude  of  store  houses. 

Entering  the  garden  from  the  north,  the 
visitor  will  remark  the  many  effective  beds 
of  Fuchsias  now  in  the  finest  bloom,  some 
being  many-stemmed  bushes,  4  to  5  feet 
in  height,  and  of  nearly  the  same  diameter, 
and  the  almost  universal  employment  of 
Violas  as  undergrowth  or  borderings  in  beds 
where  tall  plants  are  set  out.  These  Violas 
succeed  well,  as  there  is  no  crowding  to- 
gether of  the  tall  subjects,  bul  each  is 
isolated  and  shows  well  from  whichever  side 
the  bed  is  viewed.  Of  excellent  varieties  of 
Fuchsia,  mention  should  be  made  "I  Moles- 
worth,  which  has  a  double,  white  corolla  and 
scarlel  sepals;  the  undergrowth  is  a  variety 
of  Heliotrope.  Marinka  is  one  of  the 
globose,  red-flowered  dwarf  Fuchsias,  and 
has  bronzy-green  leaves;  and  in  the  same 
bed  were  the  varieties  Lady  Roberts,  Luzon) 
and  Mrs.  Marshall,  the  last-mentioned  varii  ty 
having  white  sepals  and  a  red-coloured 
corolla.  In  the  form  of  pyramids,  in  anoth  r 
group,  were  Pelargoniums  of  the  peltatum 
section,  namely,  Murillo,  Charles  Turner, 
and  some  setdlings  raised  in  the  park.  In 
another  bed  were  the  varieties  Baden  Powell 
of  the  same  section,  and  an  undergrowth  of 
a  variety  of  Begonia  scmperflorens.  A  bed  of 
the  old,  yet  unequalled,  Fuchsia  Madame 
Corneillson,  had  a  good  effect,  as  also  had 
Rose  of  Castile.  Fuchsia  Crimson  Globe 
made  a  charming  bed,  with  Heliotropes 
beneath,  as  did  Fuchsia  Amy  Lye,  with 
white  sepals  and  scarlet  corolla,  associated 
with  the  variety  Mrs.  H.  Roberts,  having  a 
scarlet  corolla  and  pink  sepals. 

Succulent  plants  of  species  have  a  place  in 
this  garden,  giant  Agaves  being  mixed  with 
lowly  forms  such  as  Mesembryanthemums, 
Rocheas,  Aloes,  Yuccas,  Sedums,  Semper- 
vivums,  &c.  An  imposing  group  of  Melian- 
thus  major,  6  feet  in  height,  with  an  under- 
growth of  Viola  Mrs.  Mills,  is  very  effective. 
Another  conspicuous  bed  consisting  of  Carna- 
tions (Fancy  varieties),  Pelargonium  pelta- 
tum, large  bush-grown  Fuchsias,  and 
columnar  plants  of  Plumbago  capensis,  with 
a  yellow-leaved  Pelargonium  as  under- 
growth, will  present  an  excellent  effect  after 
a  little  more  growth  has  been  made. 

The  pretty  Agathea  ccelestis,  together 
with  Lantana  Drap  d'Or  and  Albizzia 
Iophantha  as  solitary  plants,  and  a  dwarf 
Heliotrope  beneath,  formed  an  unusual  but 
pretty  combination. 

Fuchsia  Golden  Treasure,  a  double  row  of 
which,   pinched  and  layered,   as  an  edging, 


had  a  nice  effect.  A  group  of  Abutilon 
Savitzii,  Begonia  Triomphe  de  Lorraine  (a 
variety  having  reddish-bronze  leaves  and 
scarlet  flowers),  together  with  blue  Lobelia 
employed  as  an  edging,  were  very  fine. 

In  another  part,  near  the  lake-side,  plants 
of  Galtonia  candicans,  English  Irises,  and 
Gladiolus  Colvillei,  will  presently  have  a  'lis. 
tinct  effect.  Solanum  Balbisii,  planted  in  a 
long  bed,  is  growing  into  good  effect,  and 
the  red  fruits  are  showing  freely  on  the 
plants. 

The  beds  on  the  Queen's  Road  side  of  the 
park  are  boldly  planted  with  clumps  of  the 
pale  purple  Stenactis  speciosa,  Pelargonium 
peltatum,  Golden-leaved  Privet,  Fuchsias, 
Chrysanthemum  maximum,  silver-variegated 
and  Zonal  Pelargoniums,  Violas  in  variety, 
and  Pentstemons.  A  group  of  Prunus 
Pissardii,  5  feet  high,  and  Golden  Privet, 
filled  in  between  with  Clarkia  integripetala, 
and  bordered  with  Hemerocallis  sub-c_,rdala, 
at  once  attracted  the  attention. 

Turner's  Crimson  Rambler  Roses,  Holly- 
hocks, and  Dahlias  of  the  Decorative  section 
were  employed  in  the  large  quadrangular 
bed  near  the  Queen's  Road  entrance.  Here- 
abouts, double-flowered  Poppies,  Malvas, 
Phlox  Drummondii,  and  Collinsias  are  used 
in  the  borders. 

The  beds  near  the  riverside  restaurant  are 
prettily  planted  with  Violas  Bridegroom,  Aid- 
wood  Gem,  and  Sir  R.  Fuller  (a  blue-flowen  d 
very  beautiful  varietj  I,  and  are  well  worth  an 
inspection.  Begonias  Wurtembergi,  and  B. 
semperflorens  magnifica,  &c,  are  the  other 
plants  of  which  use  is  made. 

In  the  sunken  panel  parterre  the  arrange- 
ments differ  entirely  from  those  of  last  \  r. 
Here  the  magnificent  crimson  Zonal  Pelar- 
gonium Paul  Krampel,  Ten-week  Stocks  of 
robust  growth,  and  Zelia  Pelargonium 
(one  of  the  best),  contribute  greatly  to  the 
effect.  Golden  Gem,  Robert  Fish,  Verona 
and  Mrs.  Mappin  Pelargoniums  form  distinct 
edgings  in  this  parterre.     F. 


NEW  OR   NOTEWORTHY 
PLANTS. 


ODONTOGLOSSUM  ARIADNE. 
O.  nobile,  ?  x  O.  Wattiandm  Crawshayanum  3  . 

This  is  a  half-sister,  upon  the  side  of  the 
male  parent,  to  Odontoglossum  x  Astraea,  de- 
scribed in  the  issue  for  July  20,  1907,  p.  42. 
The  sepals  are  clear  yellow,  having  a  small 
brown  blotch  at  two-thirds  distance  from  their 
bases.  The  petals  are  coloured  similarly, 
slightly  lighter  towards  the  bases,  having  a 
couple  of  spots  in  the  same  position  as  that  in 
the  sepals.  All  five  segments  are  otherwise  un- 
spotted. 

The  lip  is  lighter  in  tint,  having  a  broad 
transverse  brown  blotch  on  the  yellow,  just 
above  the  crest,  where  O.  nobile  is  always 
spotted  ;  its  shoulders  and  channel  have  small 
spots  and  a  brown  marginal  line,  which  are 
often  present  in  the  female  parent.  The  crest  is 
like  that  of  O.  Lindleyanum,  slightly  more  fila- 
mentous than  in  O.  x  Astraaa.  The  adnation  of 
lip  to  column  plainly  shows  the  influence  of  O. 
Lindleyanum,  the  reniform  blade  giving  evi- 
dence of  O.  nobile. 

The  column  is  short  and  a  little  up-curved,  as 
in    O.    nobile,    nearly    white,    the  wings    being 


102 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[August  10,  1907. 


almost    as    in     O.     Lindleyanum     and    slightly 
spotted.     Anther  cap  light  yellow. 

This  plant  is  only  small,  and  bore  two  flowers. 
It  is  one  of  a  series  of  crosses  I  made  with  the 
same  male  parent,  and,  compared  to  O.  x 
Astraea,  clearly  shows  the  influence  of  O.  nobile 
against  that  of  O.  X  Fascinator,  and,  through 
it,  that  of  O.  crispum.  Reversion  in  this  case 
produces  the  form  of  O.  Lindleyanum,  with 
loss  of  spotting  of  the  male  parent ;  the  white 
of  O.  nobile  assuming  the  yellow  ground 
colour  of  O.  Wattianum.     dc  B.  Crawshay. 


NEW   SPECIES  OF  IMPATIENS. 

During  the  last  few  years  several  new  species 
of  Impatiens  have  been  introduced  to  cultiva- 
tion in  this  country.  The  best  of  these,  and 
certainly  the  finest  plant  of  the  genus  now  in  ex- 


position, there  is  no  reason  why  this  species 
should  not  be  used  as  a  bedding  plant  when  bet- 
ter known.  It  may  be  readily  raised  from  cut- 
tings or  seeds,  the  latter  of  which  ripen  in 
abundance. 

Impatiens  Holstii  (Gardeners'  Chronicle, 
July  1,  1905,  fig.  7),  another  recently-intro- 
duced species,  has  speedily  become  well 
known  in  gardens,  where  it  is  cultivated 
both  in  pots  and  beds.  It  is  a  native  of 
Usambara  and  Kilimandjara,  growing  on  the 
banks  of  streams  at  altitudes  of  2,500  to  5,000 
feet,  and  was  introduced  into  cultivation  through 
the  medium  of  the  Berlin  Botanical  Gardens  and 
the  firm  of  Haage  and  Schmidt,  of  Erfurt.  The 
plant  closely  resembles  the  well-known  I.  Sultani 
in  its  dwarf  habit  and  shape  of  flowers.  It  is, 
however,   of  much  better  constitution,   and   the 


panying  illustration  was  eight  months  old  from 
seed  and  flowered  in  an  8-inch  pot.  As  all  the 
seedlings  died  after  flowering  and  producing 
seed,  there  is  little  doubt  but  that  it  is  an  an- 
nual.  The  flowers  are  about  an  inch  in  dia- 
meter, and  vary  somewhat  in  colour  in  the 
different  seedlings  from  pink  to  rosy-red  or  rosy- 
purple.  This  species  is  found  abundantly  in 
Ceylon,  from  the  sea  level  up  to  7,000  feet  alti- 
tude, also  on  the  mountains  of  Malabar,  Canara 
and  the  Concan,  at  altitudes  of  3,000  to  5,000 
feet.  In  a  recent  letter  to  Kew  Sir  Joseph 
Hooker  wrote  as  follows :  "  I  work  at  the  genus 
Impatiens  every  day  and  all  day.  It  proves  to 
be  an  enormous  genus,  full  of  most  beautiful 
species.  I  cannot  understand  its  having  been  so 
neglected  by  botanists,  collectors  and  cultiva. 
tors."     C.  P.  R. 


FlG.   40. — IMPATIENS    OPPO    ITIFOLIA    IN    FLOWER    AT   KEW. 


tivation,  is  I.  Oliveri  (see  supplement  to  the 
Gardeners'  Chronicle,  October  27,  1906),  which 
was  sent  to  Kew  in  1903  from  Uganda.  It  was 
found  to  thrive  best  when  given  cool  green- 
house treatment.  The  flowers  remind  one  of  a 
Miltonia  vexillaria  in  size,  colour  and  shape.  It 
is  of  floriferous  habit,  with  large,  handsome 
foliage,  and  a  habit  that  branches  freely  from 
the  base  upwards,  causing  the  plant  to  form  a 
large  and  handsome  specimen.  A  single  speci- 
men in  the  greenhouse  at  Kew  at  the  present 
time,  now  about  three  years  old,  is  more  than 
10  feet  across  and  8  feet  high,  and  for  the  last 
2§  years  has  never  been  out  of  flower.  When 
treated  as  a  bedding  plant  it  was  found  that  the 
flowers  lost  their  pleasing  rosy-pink  colour  on 
3xposure  to  strong  sunshine,  becoming  almost 
white.     With  care  in  the  selection  of  a  suitable 


flowers    are    brilliant    scarlet,    contrasting    well 
with  the  light  green  foliage. 

Impatiens  oppositifolia  (see  fig.  40). — This 
species  has  been  known  to  botanists  for  many 
years,  but  does  not  appear  to  have  been  intro- 
duced into  cultivation  until  early  in  1906,  when 
seeds  were  received  at  Kew  (under  the  name  of 
I.  Dalzellii,  an  allied  species  with  yellow 
flowers)  from  W.  A.  Talbot,  of  Mahabeleshwar, 
India.  The  plants  raised  from  these  seeds  grew 
rapidly  under  greenhouse  treatment,  and 
flowered  profusely  throughout  the  months  of 
September  and  October.  Specimens  were  sent 
to  Sir  Joseph  Hooker  (the  authority  on  the 
genus),  who  identified  them  as  I.  oppositifolia. 
The  species  under  notice  is  of  very  easy  culture, 
of  free  branching  habit,  and  exceedingly 
floriferous.      The  plant  depicted  in   the  accom- 


[Photogmph  by  C.  P.  Raffill. 


TREES  AND  SHRUBS. 


SOME  ERICACEOUS  SHRUBS. 
The  following  flowering  shrubs  are  often 
overlooked  in  favour  of  other  less  ornamental 
subjects.  They  all  require  massing  to  be  pro- 
perly appreciated,  for  solitary  specimens  fail 
to  give  a  display  of  flowers  or  fruits  sufficient 
to  show  their  true  character. 

Pernettya  mucronata. 
This  is  a  pretty  little  shrub  from  the  Magel- 
lanic region,  and  a  bed  of  it  should  be  found 
in  every  garden,  as  it  is  perfectly  hardy,  and 
grows  well  in  any  soil  that  does  not  contain 
lime  in  any  appreciable  quantity.  The  small, 
white,  bell-shaped  flowers  are  produced  singly 
or  in   pairs  in  the   axils  of  the  previous  year's 


August  10,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


103 


growth,  and  they  open  early  in  June.  They  are 
followed  by  red  berries,  which  remain  on  the 
plants  for  the  greater  part  of  the  winter,  and 
these  berries  form  one  of  the  chief  attractions 
of  the  plant.  P.  speciosa  is  usually  classed  as 
synonymous  with  P.  mucronata,  but  they  differ 
sufficiently  to  be  separated  for  garden  purposes. 
In  the  latter  species  the  leaves  are  broader  and 
stouter,  and  the  plant  is  dwarfer  and  more 
spreading  than  in  P.  speciosa,  which  has  a 
free  habit  of  growth,  and  rather  brighter,  nar- 
rower leaves.  The  flowers  of  both  are  identi- 
cal. A  number  of  varieties  have  received  Latin 
names   that   describe   in   each   case   the   colour 


The  plant  is  a  native  of  North  America,  and 
grows  2  feet  or  more  in  height.  It  is  increased 
by  division  or  by  suckers. 

Rhododendron  Rhopora,  syn.  Rhodora 
canadensis. 
This  is  a  deciduous  shrub  from  North 
America,  with  slender,  upright  stems  that  at- 
tain to  a  height  of  from  4  to  5  feet  with  age.  The 
ovate-lanceolate  leaves  are  2  inches  to  3  inches 
in  length,  glabrous  above  and  hairy  beneath. 
The  flowers  are  produced  in  April  in  terminal 
clusters,  and  are  of  a  magenta  or  purplish-crim- 
son colour,   which  is  very  difficult  to   associate 


Fig.  41. — view  of  an  irish  garden. 


[Photograph  oy  Miss  Wallace. 


of  the  berries.     The   Pernettyas  are  easily  pro- 
pagated by  seeds  or  by  division. 

Leucothoe  Catesb.ei,  syn.  Andromeda 
Catesb.ei. 
This  is  a  plant  that  may  be  in  full  bloom  and 
not  be  noticed  by  the  casual  observer.  The 
stout,  arching  shoots  spring  from  a  common 
base,  and  bear  white,  bell-shaped  flowers  in 
short,  axillary  racemes  that  point  downwards, 
and  which  are  almost  hidden  by  the  leaves. 
The  latter  are  about  4  inches  in  length,  narrow- 
ovate  in  shape,  pointed,  and  finely  serrated  on 
the  margins.  The  beauty  of  the  flowers  is  only 
seen  when  the  shoots  are  lifted  up,  but  in 
June,  when  they  are  at  their  best,  they  form 
a  welcome   addition  to  the    flowering    shrubs. 


with  anything  except  white.  It  is  a  distinct  and 
handsome  plant  when  seen  under  favourable 
conditions,  and  the  flowers  have  the  additional 
merit  of  looking  better  under  artificial  light 
than  they  do  in  the  open.  Propagation  may  be 
effected  by  layering. 

CHEMICAL  FUMES  AND  TREE 
GROWTH. 
No  other  tree  has  been  found  so  suitable  for 
withstanding  the  deleterious  effects  of  an  at- 
mosphere charged  with  chemical  fumes  as  the 
common  Elder.  Several  other  species  of  trees 
succeed  fairly  well  under  these  adverse  condi- 
tions, but  the  Elder  succeeds  best,  and  in  such 
a  chemically-impure  atmosphere  as  that  of 
Newcastle-on-Tyne,  and  some  other  large  manu- 


facturing towns,  it  is  one  of  the  few  species  that 
can  be  relied  upon. 

It  is  somewhat  curious  and  interesting  that 
the  Elder  is  also  probably  the  best  tree  for  plant- 
ing in  very  exposed  seaside  situations,  and  down 
even  to  high-water  mark,  fully  exposed  to  the 
rough  winds  from  the  sea,  isolated  specimens 
grow  with  a  luxuriance  and  freshness  that  is 
truly  remarkable.  No  tree  is  more  readily  raised 
from  cuttings,  is  cheaper  to  procure,  or  trans- 
planted with  greater  ease  than  the  Elder.  There 
are  several  highly  ornamental  forms  of  this  tree, 
including  the  golden,  silver,  and  fern-leaved, 
and  all  are  equally  valuable  with  the  species  for 
general  planting 

Ulmus  alata,  the  Winged  Elm. — Consider- 
ing the  ornamental  character  of  this  tree,  and 
its  capabilities  for  withstanding  the  cold  in  ex- 
posed situations,  such  as  on  hillsides,  it  is  not 
planted  so  largely  as  its  merits  warrant.  The 
tree  is  of  small  growth,  neat  in  habit,  and 
has  peculiar  corky  excrescences  upon  its  bark, 
These  are  regularly  disposed  on  either  side 
of  the  branches  and  to  such  an  extent  that  the 
smaller  twigs  look  twice  their  actual  size.  The 
species  is  a  native  of  the  Southern  United  States 
of  America,  and,  though  introduced  in  1820,  it 
may  still  be  considered  as  rare  in  this  country. 
In  Wales  I  saw  it  succeeding  at  an  elevation  of 
some  600  feet  above  the  sea  level,  and  where 
even  the  hardy  Larch  was  affected  by  the  cold 
winds  of  that  exposed  hillside.  Lower  down  the 
hillside  it  was  seen  in  equally  good  form,  and 
seemed  in  every  situation  to  be  healthy  and 
regularly  branched. 

The  Pine  Beetle. — This  destructive  pest  of 
Pine  woods  would  appear  to  be  unusually  plenti- 
ful this  season  if  one  may  judge  by  the  numer- 
ous specimens  of  injured  wood  seen  lately.  In 
one  instance  the  trees  attacked  were  isolated 
from  other  Pine  woods.  The  only  method  of 
dealing  with  infested  plantations  is  to  burn  all 
dead  and  dying  wood-,  for  in  this  the  beetle 
breeds.     A.  D    W . 

SOLANUM    CRISPUM. 

This  beautiful  and  free-growing  Chilian  plant, 
commonly  known  as  the  Potato  tree,  is  generally 
considered  to  be  but  half-hardy,  and  this  belief, 
no  doubt,  deters  many  persons  from  planting  it  in 
the  open.  Solanum  crispum  is  seldom  seen  in 
Scottish  gardens  ;  but  that  it  is  hardy  in  shel- 
tered positions  in  Scotland  was  known  as  far 
back  as  1841,  for  the  Botanical  Magazine  (t.  3795) 
of  that  date  records  a  plant  as  having  flowered 
at  Hafton  Gardens,  in  the  Highlands  of  Argyll- 
shire, where,  on  a  south  wall  it  had  reached  a 
height  of  14  feet,  and  had  survived  the  severe 
winters  of  1837-8  and  1838-9. 

The  species  is  very  robust  and  free  in  growing. 
A  specimen  planted  at  the  foot  of  a  south-east 
wall  in  the  Edinburgh  Botanic  Gardens,  in  1903, 
is  now  nearly  12  feet  in  height,  and  since  the  latter 
part  of  June  of  this  year  the  beautiful  bluish- 
purple  and  very  fragrant  flowers  have  been  a  con- 
spicuous feature  among  the  dark-green,  ovate 
leaves.  The  plant  requires  no  special  soil  pre- 
paration, for  it  grows  freely  at  Edinburgh  in  a 
sandy  loam.  The  habit  of  the  plant  is  climbing, 
and  should  a  blank  wall-space  need  quickly  cover- 
ing it  is  specially  suitable  for  that  purpose.  W, 
Smith,  Edinburgh. 


VIEW  IN   A    DONEGAL  GARDEN. 

We  are  indebted  to  Miss  S.  M.  Wallace  for  the 
charming  view  in  an  Irish  garden,  reproduced  in 
fig.  41.  The  space  between  the  trees  affords  a 
fine  glimpse  of  the  lough  and  the  hedge-divided 
fields  beyond,  while  in  the  background  rises  a 
range  of  hills  skirting  the  horizon.  The  Rho- 
dodendrons and  Azaleas,  with  Solomon's  Seal, 
Skimmia  japonica,  &c,  have,  in  the  words  of  our 
correspondent,  furnished  "  a  gay  corner." 


104 


THE     GA  R  D  ENER  S'     CHR  0  NICL  E. 


[August  10,  1907. 


REMARKS    ON    THE    CONDITION 
OF   THE   FRUIT   CROPS. 

(Sec  Tables  and  Summaries,  ante,  pp.  84-90.) 

0,  SCOTLAND,  N. 

Orkneys. — The  cold,  wet  season  and  a  lack 
of  sunshine  have  spoiled  the  fruit  crops  in  this 
district,  although  the  prospects  in  early  spring 
were  excellent.  Our  soil  is  a  heavy  loam  on  a 
sub-soil  of  stiff  clay.  Thos.  MacDonald,  Bal- 
four Castle  Gardens,  Orkney. 

Sutherlandshire. — Up  to  the  middle  of  July 
the  weather  was  wet,  cold,  and  sunless  in 
this  neighbourhood,  and  easterly  winds  caused 
blight  to  appear  on  the  young  growths  of  Plum 
trees.  Apple  trees  blossomed  freely,  but  the 
fruits  set  badly,  and  the  Apple  crop  is  in  conse- 
quence thin.  Small  fruits  are  plentiful,  and 
promise  to  be  of  average  quality,  although  they 
will  be  later  than  usual  in  ripening.  The  soil 
here  is  a  black,  sandy  loam,  resting  on  gravel 
and  sand.  D.  Melville,  Dunroiin  Castle  Gar- 
dens,  Sutherland. 

1,  SCOTLAND,   E. 
Aberdeenshire. — All     small    fruits     are    an 

abundant  crop,  especially  Gooseberries  and  Cur- 
rants, but  they  will  be  later  than  usual  in  ripen- 
ing. Apples  are  a  moderate  crop  only,  although 
I  never  saw  the  trees  look  better  than  when  they 
were  in  bloom.  James  Grant,  Rothienorman  Gar- 
dens, Rothienorman. 

A  fine  show  of  blossom  on  all  fruit  trees 

early  in  the  season  promised  grand  crops,  but  the 
abnormal  amount  of  rain,  together  with  cold, 
dull  weather  from  the  middle  of  May  until  the 
middle  of  July  destroyed  our  hopes.  Apples  and 
Pears  will  be  few  :  Plums  in  some  gardens  pro- 
mise an  average  crop.  Strawberries  are  much 
under  the  average,  but  other  small  fruits  are 
abundant.  Up  to  the  time  of  writing  we  have 
had  only  10  days  of  summer  weather.  John 
Brown,  Delgaty  Castle  Gardens,  Turriff. 

Banffshire. — Fruits  of  all  kinds  set  remark- 
ably well  this  season,  as  the  spring  here  was 
almost  entirely  free  from  frost.  But  the  rains 
and  cold  winds  during  the  latter  part  of  May 
and  throughout  June  partly  spoiled  the  crops, 
which  are  about  three  weeks  later  advanced  than 
in  most  seasons.  A  few  weeks  of  good  weather 
would  ensure  crops  of  fruit  well  over  the  average 
in  quantity.  George  Edwards,  Ballindalloch 
Castle  Gardens,  Ballindalloch. 

Berwickshire. — Apple  trees  early  in  the 
season  gave  promise  of  an  abundant  crop  of 
fruits,  but  continuous  cold  rains  prevailed  dur- 
ing May  and  June  whilst  the  trees  were  in  bloom, 
and  the  fruits  did  not  set.  Early  Strawberries 
were  also  a  light  crop.  The  first  blossoms  were 
destroyed  and  turned  black  from  the  excessive 
damp  and  cold  weather.  Later  varieties,  how- 
ever, such  as  Monarch  and  Leader,  are  bearing 
heavy  crops,  and  the  variety  Elton  Pine  pro- 
mises well.  Plums  and  Cherries  on  walls,  that 
were  protected  by  nets,  &c,  are  bearing  splendid 
crops.  Gooseberries,  Raspberries,  and  Currant 
bushes  are  all  heavily  laden  with  good  fruits. 
Our  soil  is  a  heavy  red  loam  on  clay,  and  the 
crops  in  this  district  are  always  late.  Robert 
Stuart,   Thirlestane  Castle  Gardens,  Lauder. 

East  Lothian. — Apples  are  a  variable,  but, 
on  the  whole,  an  average  crop,  and  the  same 
may  be  said  of  Pears.  Stone  fruits  have  seldom 
set  more  freely,  and  this  entailed  much  labour 
in  their  thinning.  The  crops  of  Gooseberries 
and  Currants  are  phenomenal,  and  the  weight  of 
the  fruits  have  in  some  cases  damaged  the 
bushes.  Royal  Sovereign  Strawberry  furnished 
a  large  crop  and  late  varieties  promise  well,  but 
the  maincrop  varieties  are  a  failure,  owing  to  a 
deficient  rainfall,  and  this  has  caused  the  Straw- 
berry crop  to  be  below  the  average.  Raspberries, 
Wineberries,  and  Logan  berries  are  all  promising 
well.  All  kinds  of  fruit  trees  exhibit  hea'th, 
and  have  clean,  robust  foliage.  R.  P.  Brother- 
ston,  Tyninghame,  PrestonMrk. 

The  Apple  crop  in  this    district    is    very 

good,  and  the  fruits  promise  to  be  of  good 
quality.  Some  are  already  highly  coloured,  and 
all  are  swelling  freely.  Pears,  especially  in  the 
case  of  early  varieties,  are  under  an  average 
crop.  The  trees  were  exposed  to  late  frosts  and 
cold  winds  whilst  in  flower.  Plum  trees  de- 
veloped an  enormous  quantity  of  blossom,  but 
the  fruits  did  not  set  well,  and,  save  in  the  case 
of  the  variety  Victoria,  Plums  are  not  more  than 


an  average  crop.  Peaches  and  Nectarines  are 
exceptionally  good.  Apricots  are  also  good,  but 
the  crop  of  these  fruits  is  small.  Bush-fruits  are 
very  plentiful,  but  in  some  places  near  here 
Raspberries  have  been  damaged  by  the  cater- 
pillar of  the  Raspberry  moth  and  Black  Currants 
by  the  Currant-bud  mite.  Strawberries  pro- 
mised well,  but  the  recent  wet,  cold  weather  has 
caused  mildew  to  appear,  and  the  berries  are  not 
swelling  freely.  The  crops  in  general  are  from 
10  days  to  a  fortnight  late  this  season.  The 
soil  here  is  a  light  sandy  loam,  with  a  subsoil 
of  almost  pure  sand.  William  Galloway ,  Gos- 
ford  Gardens,  Longniddry. 

Fifeshire. — The  fruit  crops,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  small  fruits,  are  almost  a  failure  in  this 
district.  The  weather  was  exceptionally  cold 
and  wet,  with  frost  at  night  time  up  to  the 
middle  of  July.  William  Henderson,  Balbirnie, 
Gardens,  Markinch. 

Forfarshire. — Apples  and  Pear  trees  de- 
veloped an  abundance  of  blossom,  but  owing  to 
the  prevalence  of  rain  and  an  entire  absence  of 
sunshine  during  the  time  they  were  in  flower 
the  fruits  set  badly.  Those  that  did  set  are  late 
and  small.  Many  of  the  trees  have  become 
blighted,  their  growths  stunted  and  in  some 
cases  the  foliage  is  dropping  prematurely. 
Small  fruits  are  an  average  crop,  but  they  will 
be  three  weeks  later  in  ripening  than  usual. 
Thos.   Wilson,  Glamis  Castle  Gardens. 

Kincardineshire. — There  was  a  magnificent 
show  of  blossom  on  all  our  fruit  trees  this  sea- 
son, but  the  result  is  somewhat  disappointing. 
The  whole  of  the  time  the  trees  were  in  flower 
the  blossoms  were  always  wet,  and  especially 
was  this  the  case  in  respect  to  Apples.  The 
weather  was  also  very  cold,  consequently  there 
were  no  bees  or  other  insects  about  to  pollinate 
the  flowers.  The  only  variety  of  Apple  carrying 
more  than  an  average  crop  is  Cellini  Pippin, 
and  this  kind  always  does  well  here.  Our  soil 
is  very  light  in  texture,  the  subsoil  being  gravel. 
All  fruits  are  very  backward,  and  it  is  too  early 
at  this  time  to  form  a  correct  opinion  on  their 
quality.  John  M.  Brown,  Blackhall  Castle  Gar- 
dens,  Banchory,    Aberdeen. 

Midlothian. — Apple  trees  in  the  early  part  of 
the  season  promised  to  furnish  fruit  in  abun- 
dance, but  with  the  continuous  rains  and  low 
temperature  later  the  fruits  set  very  badly. 
Standard  trees  of  the  varieties  Lord  Grosvenor, 
Jas.  Grieve,  Warner's  King,  Irish  Peach,  and 
Worcester  Pearmain  have  large  crops,  but  most 
of  the  other  varieties  of  Apples  are  nearly  a 
failure.  Fruit  trees  trained  against  walls  are 
bearing  good  crops.  Wm.  G.  Piric,  Dalhousie 
Castle  Gardens,  Bonnyrigg. 

The  first  months  of  the  year  were  cold 

and  sunless,  and  fruit  trees,  more  than  usually 
furnished  with  flower-buds,  were  late  in  bloom- 
ing. A  short  spell  of  very  fine  weather  at  the  end 
of  March  caused  good  "  sets "  of  small  fruits 
and  of  the  earliest  varieties  of  Apples.  The  cold 
and  sunless  weather  that  followed  March,  and 
continued  until  the  beginning  of  July,  spoiled 
what  promised  to  be  a  very  fruitful  season,  and 
our  crops  are  rather  under  the  average.  The  soil 
is  a  light,  sandy  loam  on  a  stibsoil  of  gravel. 
James  Whytock,  Dalkeith  Gardens,  Dalkeith. 

Peeblesshire. — The  fruit  crops  in  this  dis- 
trict  are  a  distinct  improvement  on  those  of  the 
past  three  years.  Small  fruits  are  plentiful,  and 
good  in  quality,  but  Strawberries  are  disappoint- 
ing, considering  the  great  promise  they  gave 
when  in  flower.  The  long  spell  of  sunless,  wet 
weather  and  cold  nights  prevented  the  fruits 
from  swelling,  and  mildew  has  caused  much 
loss  in  the  variety  "The  Laxton."  Apple 
trees  on  the  walls  are  carrying  a  fine  crop  of 
good  fruits,  but  Apples  are  rather  scarce  on 
standard  trees.  Plums  and  Cherries  are  both 
large  crops,  and  the  fruits  promise  to  be  of  good 
quality.  Our  soil  is  a  good  loam  on  a  gravel 
subsoil.  William  Young,  Stobo  Castle  Gardens, 
Stobo 

Perthshire. — Late-flowering  Apple  trees  in 
this  district  have  very  poor  crops,  owing  to  the 
wet,  cold  weather  destroying  the  blossoms. 
Early  varieties  of  Apples  promise  to  be  a  good 
crop.  Plums  are  very  plentiful  in  this  district. 
Peaches,  Nectarines,  and  Apricots  are  all  good 
crops,  but  the  fruits  will  be  a  fortnight  late  in 
ripening.  Gooseberries  are  very  abundant  ;  also 
Currants  and  other  small  fruits.  The  soil  in 
this  district  is  mostly  a  heavy  loam.  /.  Farqu- 
harson,    Kinfauns    Castle    Gardens. 


6,  SCOTLAND,  W. 

Argyllshire. — In  the  spring  there  was  a 
great  promise  of  all  fruits.  Apple,  Pear  and 
Plum  trees  had  a  profusion  of  blossom,  but 
promises  of  a  good  crop  have  not  been  fulfilled. 
In  some  cases  Pear  blossom  was  so  abundant 
that  a  severe  thinning  of  the  flowers  was  car- 
ried out,  but,  after  all,  the  fruits  set  badly,  and 
on  some  Pear  trees  there  is  not  a  single  fruit. 
Morello  and  Sweet  Cherries  flowered  in  remark- 
able profusion,  but  many  of  the  fruits  dropped 
off  at  the  stoning  period.  On  the  morning  of 
April  18  we  had  a  sudden  and  disastrous  frost, 
as  much  as  10°  was  registered — fortunately  the 
conditions  were  dry.  Peaches  set  well,  there  has 
been  very  little  "blister"  disease  on  the  foliage,. 
and  the  fruits  promise  to  be  plentiful  and  good. 
Strawberries  have  cropped  splendidly,  and  the 
berries  were  of  high  flavour.  The  wet  weather 
has  suited  Black  Currants,  which  are  very  good 
in  quality  and  abundant.  Raspberries  never 
fail  here,  and  both  Brambles  and  Loganberries 
promise  well.  Gooseberries  are  good.  The  re- 
cent weather  has  improved  all  crops  wonder- 
fully. In  June  5.13  inches  of  rain  were  regis- 
tered. D.  S.  Melville,  Poltalloch  Gardens,  Loch, 
gilphead. 

Ayrshire. — The  cold,  wet  weather  during  May 
and  June  spoilt  what  would  otherwise  have  been 
a  good  Strawberry  year,  but  only  those  planted 
on  south  borders  have  yielded  satisfactory  crops. 
Currants,  Gooseberries,  and  Raspberries  are 
good  average  crops,  but  three  weeks  backward. 
Some  Apple  trees  are  carrying  plentiful  fruits, 
but,  generally,  the  Apple  crop  is  not  above  the 
average.  Plums  on  wall  trees  are  abundant,  but 
standard  trees  are  carrying  thin  crops.  Our 
soil  is  a  heavy  loam,  and  the  gardens  are  in  a 
low  situation.  W.  Priest,  Eglinton  Gardens,. 
Kilwinning. 

All  kinds  of  fruit  trees  promised  abun- 
dant crops  in  the  beginning  of  the  season,  and 
with  the  almost  entire  absence  of  frost  in  April 
and  May  a  first-rate  setting  of  fruits  resulted. 
The  month  of  June,  however,  was  cold,  wet,  and 
sunless,  and  this  caused  the  fruits  of  late  vane- 
ties  of  Apples,  Strawberries,  and  Raspberries  to 
cease  swelling  for  the  time.  Good  results,  never- 
theless, appear  likely  to  follow.  D.  Buchanan, 
Bargany  Gardens,  Dailly. 

Dumbartonshire. — Red  and  Black  Currants 
are  excellent  crops,  but  Raspberries  suffered  con- 
siderably from  cold  East  winds  when  the  flowers 
were  expanded.  Strawberries  are  a  good  crop, 
and  the  quality  improved  owing  to  the  sunshine 
early  in  July.  Our  soil  is  shallow  and  on  a  cold 
subsoil,  being  very  unsuitable  for  the  culture  of 
Apples  and  Pears.  D.  Stewart,  Knockderry 
Castle   Gardens,    Cove. 

Dumfriesshire. — Another  bad  fruit  year  has 
to  be  recorded  in  this  district.  Apples,  Pears, 
Cherries,  Peaches,  Nectarines,  Apricots,  and 
small  bush-fruits  are  decidedly  under  the  average 
in  quantity  and  the  quality  is  very  inferior. 
Plums,  Strawberries,  and  Raspberries  are 
average  crops.  The  climatic  conditions  during 
June  and  the  first  half  of  July  were  so  unusually 
adverse,  that  little  hope  can  now  be  entertained 
of  hardy  fruits  maturing  so  as  to  give  anything 
like  a  remunerative  return.  Heavy  rains  and 
severe  hailstorms  were  very  frequent  during  the 
month  of  June,  and  the  temperature  was  very  low 
both  by  day  and  night.  On  the  10th,  18th,  and  25th 
of  that  month  we  experienced  2,  3,  and  1  degrees 
of  frost  respectively.  Our  rain  gauges  showed 
6.5  inches  of  rain  for  June.  John  Mackinnon, 
Terregles. 

Small  fruits  are  average  crops,  Red  Cur- 
rants and  Raspberries  being  the  best.  Straw- 
berries are  good  on  young  plantations,  but  the 
berries  on  older  plants  are  small.  Apples  are  a 
poor  crop  ;  the  trees  have  an  unhealthy  appear- 
ance, especially  those  bush-trained,  and  many 
leaves  have  shrivelled  and  fallen  off.  Pears  are 
always  a  poor  crop  here,  owing  to  the  soil  being 
light,  with  sand  and  gravel  underneath.  Cher- 
ries, and  especially  Morellos,  are  looking  very 
well.  This  has  been  a  very  trying  year,  and  will 
long  be  remembered.  Trie  season  is  very  late, 
and  plants  have  made  very  little  growth.  Jas. 
Macdonald,  Drvfeholm  Gardens,  Lockerbie. 

Renfrewshire. — Owing  to  the  cold  and  wet 
weather  in  May  and  June,  the  fruit  crops  in  this 
locality  are  very  deficient.  Strawberries  are 
very  backward  and  small  in  size.  Our  soil 
is  of  a  light  texture  on  a  sandy  subsoil.  Thomas- 
Lunt,  Ardgowan   Gardens. 


August  10,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


105 


Wigtownshire. — Apple  trees  flowered  abun- 
dantly, but  owing  to  an  almost  continual  rainfall 
at  the  time  of  blossoming,  the  fruits  failed  to  set. 
The  trees  at  the  present  time  present  a  very  un- 
healthy appearance.  Pears  are  fairly  plentiful  in 
the  case  of  young  trees,  but  many  of  those  of 
older  growth  are  fruitless.  Cherries  of  all  kinds 
are  almost  a  failure,  even  Morellos.  Peaches, 
Nectarines,  and  Figs  are  plentiful,  and  promise 
to  ripen  well.  Small  and  bush-fruits  are  generally 
abundant  and  of  good  quality.  Our  soil  is  a 
good,  somewhat  heavy,  loam,  resting  upon  a 
substratum  of  gravel  or  rock,  from  which  water 
easily  escapes.     James  Day,  Galloway  House. 

2,    ENGLAND,   N.E. 

Durham. — All  trees  had  an  abundance  of 
blossom,  but,  owing  to  the  cold  rains,  Apples 
did  not  set  well.  Strange  to  say,  Plums  are 
above  the  average.  Our  fruit  trees  are  not 
pruned.  The  soil  is  limestone.  R.  Draper, 
St  j ham  Hall  Gardens,  Seaham  Harbour. 

YORKSHIRE. — The  early  promise  of  hardy  fruit 
crops  was  excellent,  but  the  fruits  failed  to  set, 
owing  to  low  temperatures,  cold  rains,  and  sun- 
less weather  in  May  and  June.  /.  Simpson, 
Stud  field  House,  near  Sheffield. 

Apples,   with  very  few  exceptions,   are 

a  heavy  crop.  Pears  are  an  average  crop.  Plums 
are  an  exceptionally  heavy  crop.  Strawberries 
suffered  very  severely  during  the  wet  month  of 
June,  and  the  only  satisfactory  crop  was  from 
the  variety  Royal  Sovereign.  Raspberries  are 
very  good,  and  small  fruits  generally  are  above 
the  average.  The  soil  here  is  a  good  loam  2  feet 
in  depth,  resting  on  a  layer  of  clay,  beneath 
which  is  a  gravel  subsoil.  Fruit  trees  succeed 
well  in  this  district.  /.  E.  Hathaway,  Baldersby 
Park,  Thirsk. 

As    a    result    of    the    fine    summer    and 

autumn  of  last  year,  all  fruit  trees  showed  an 
abundance  of  blossom.  Much  of  this  was  de- 
stroyed by  frost  and  cold  winds,  especially  on 
Apple  trees,  hence  the  present  poor  crop  on  old 
and  exposed  trees,  but  young  trees  seem  better 
able  to  withstand  the  effects  of  cold.  Bush 
fruits  are  plentiful  and  very  good.  Strawberries 
suffered  from  drought  last  year,  and 
made     a     weak     growth.  Early     kinds     of 

Potatos  are  not  very  satisfactory,  but  they  have 
much  improved  with  the  advent  of  warmer 
weather.     Late  Potatos  promise  well.     All  crops 

.this  season  are  about  three  weeks  later  than  usual. 
The  soil  is  a  rather  strong  loam  resting  on  clay 
over  chalk  150  feet  above  sea  level.  John  All- 
sop,  D  alt  on  Hall  Gardens,  Dalton  Holm, 
Beverley. 

There  was  an  abundance  of  blossom  on 

all  fruit  trees,  but  the  continuous  wet  and  sun- 
less weather  prevented  the  fruits  from  setting. 
These  adverse  climatical  conditions  continued 
until  the  beginning  of  July,  hence  all  fruits  are 
backward.  Gooseberries  are  very  abundant. 
Strawberries  were  injured  by  the  rains.  Gener- 
ally, the  older  varieties  of  Apples  and  Pears 
are  bearing  the  heaviest  crops.  The  soil  varies 
from  a  stiff  loam,  resting  on  limestone,  to 
lighter  loams  on  the  edge  of  the  great  alluvial 
plain  of  York.  Troublesome  insects  are  this 
season  less  prevalent  than  usual.  Henry  J. 
Clayton,  Wharf e  Bank  House,  V  lleskelf . 

Apples  are  a  very  thin  crop,  especially 

on  old  trees  ;  young  trees  of  Lane's  Prince  Al- 
bert, James  Grieve,  Cox's  Orange  Pippin, 
Adams'  Pearmain,  Irish  Peach,  and  Grenadier 
have  the  most  fruits.  Pears  are  very  scarce. 
Plum  trees  are  very  heavily  cropped,  especially 
the  variety  Victoria.  Damsons  are  also  a  very 
heavy  crop.  All  bush  fruits  are  good.  Straw- 
berries are  very  late  in  ripening,  and  there  is 
only  half  a  crop  of  these  fruits  owing  to  the 
recent  long  spell  of  wet,  cold  weather.  Apricot 
trees  are  carrving  very  heavy  crops.  A.  E. 
Sutton,   Castle  Howard  Gardens,   Welburn. 

3,  ENGLAND,  E. 

Cambridgeshire. — The  soil  here  is  very  light, 
consequentlv  the  recent  rains  have  done  much 
good  to  all  crops  except  Strawberries.  Many  of 
these  fruits  rotted  on  the  plants  before  ripening. 
The  Peach,  Nectarine,  and  Plum  crops  are  all 
excellent.  Apples  in  some  cases  have  set  too 
thickly,  so  that  the  quality  of  the  fruits  cannot 
be  good.  R  Alderman,  Babraham  Hall  Gardens, 
■Cambridge. 

Considering    the    dull,    sunless    weather 

•experienced  recently,  the   hardy   fruit  crops   are 


promising  fairly  well,  Teach,  Nectarine,  Morello 
and  Sweet  Cherry  trees  have  been  very  much  in- 
fested with  green  and  black  aphis  and  red 
spider.  Trees  of  Jefferson  and  Greengage  Plums 
that  were  Toot-pruned  last  autumn,  also  Kirk's 
and  Coe's  Golden  Drop,  are  carrying  fair  crops 
of  fruit.  If  we  get  several  weeks  of  sunshine,  and 
a  fine  autumn,  the  fruit  crop  will  be  much  bene- 
fited. Our  soil  is  a  strong  loam  resting  on  clay. 
The  average  rainfall  for  the  year  in  these  gar- 
dens is  20.25  inches.  T.  W.  Birkinshaw,  Hat- 
ley    Park    Gardens,     Gamlingay. 

Essex. — This  season  promised  to  be  a  re- 
cord one  for  fruits  of  all  description  in  these 
gardens,  but  the  continuous  cold  and  sunless 
weather  has  destroyed  the  crops.  In  the  case  of 
Strawberries,  a  large  number  of  the  early  berries 
rotted  before  ripening.  But  the  crop  was  a 
heavy  one,  and  with  the  recent  fine  weather  the 
latter  fruits  ripened,  and  on  the  whole  the  yield 
has  been  a  good  one.  Aphis,  both  green  and 
black,  have  been  very  troublesome  on  Apple 
and  Cherry  trees.  The  Apple  crop  will  neither 
be  heavy  nor  good,  from  this  cause.  Pears, 
Apricots,  Peaches,  Nectarines,  and  Plums  are 
particularly  good.  A  free  growth  of  wood  in 
fruit  trees  generally  has  been  made.  The  soil  is 
a  stiffish  clay.  Arthur  Bullock,  Copped  Hall 
Gardens,  Epping. 

Established    trees   of    such    varieties    of 

Apples  as  Hambling's  Deux  Ans  and  King  of 
the  Pippins,  which  last  year  bore  19  bushels  and 
seven  bushels  of  first-rate  fruit  respectively,  are 
this  year,  as  is  usually  the  case  the  season  fol- 
lowing a  bountiful  crop,  quite  bare  of  fruit. 
This  I  attribute  to  the  trees  having  become  ex- 
hausted in  the  developing  and  ripening  of  such 
heavy  crops  of  fruits  as  to  prevent  them  from 
expanding  any  blossoms  in  the  spring.  A  speci- 
men of  Norfolk  Beefin  is  the  only  established 
Apple  tree  that  has  a  fair  crop  of  fruit  this  year, 
but  young  maiden  Apple  trees,  which  last  sum- 
mer and  autumn  made  no  wood-growth,  but 
formed  plenty  of  plump,  well-ripened  fruit-buds, 
have  set  good  crops  of  fruits.  The  soil  is  a 
sandy  loam  resting  on  a  bed  of  clay  ;  the  ground 
slopes  to  the  south.  H.  W.  Ward,  Lime  House, 
Rayleigh. 

Lincolnshire. — Notwithstanding  the  wet  and 
cold  weather,  there  are  good  crops  of  Peaches, 
Nectarines,  Apricots,  and  Plums,  especially  the 
variety  Victoria.  Strawberries  were  greatly  in- 
jured by  rains ;  many  have  rotted,  and  gener- 
ally the  berries  are  a  bad  colour  and  poor  in 
flavour.  Apples  are  a  short  crop  notwithstand- 
ing there  was  a  fair  quantity  of  blossom,  but  it 
was  small  and  weak  and  failed  to  set.  Pears 
are  a  rather  better  crop  than  that  of  last  year  ; 
the  trees  had  a  wealth  of  blossom,  but  the 
blooms  suffered  from  a  sharp  frost  after  a  cold 
rain.  We  need  plenty  of  sunshine  to  bring  the 
crops  to  perfection.  Our  soil  here  is  a  brown 
loam  on  a  blue  clay  or  ironstone  subsoil.  H. 
Vinden,    Harlaxton   Manor   Gardens,    Grantham. 

Considering   the    cold,    wet    spring    and 

early  summer,  Apples  are  a  fair  crop ;  the 
variety  Blenheim  Pippin  is  very  promising. 
Pears  are  an  average  crop,  but  Cherries  are  very 
scarce.  Nectarines  and  Peaches  are  excellent. 
Apricots  are  also  very  fine  fruits  this  season. 
Red,  White,  and  Black  Currants  are  plentiful. 
Gooseberries  are  a  very  heavy  crop  of  large 
fruits,  and  the  Loganberry  is  excellent.  I  con- 
sider this  latter  is  one  of  the  most  reliable  of 
fruits.  Raspberries  are  abundant,  and  the  fruits 
are  very  large.  Strawberries  have  been  an  aver- 
age crop  of  good  fruit.  Walnuts  and  small  nuts 
are  scarce.  Taking  the  fruit  crops  generally,  the 
season  is  one  of  the  best  for  many  years.  The 
soil  in  this  district  is  very  heavv,  on  a  cold,  clay 
subsoil.  F.  J.  Fleming,  Weelsby  Old  Hall  Gar- 
dens,  Grimsby. 

The  soil  in  these  gardens  is  a  heavy  clay, 

but  the  borders  have  been  specially  prepared 
for  the  planting  of  Pears,  Apricots,  Peaches,  and 
Nectarines  at  the  foot  of  walls.  Of  Strawberries, 
Royal  Sovereign  is  almost  the  only  variety 
which  does  well  with  us.  A  severe  hailstorm  on , 
July  2  badly  marked  the  exposed  Apples  and 
many  Nectarines  on  a  south  wall.  A  bad  at- 
tack of  caterpillars  infested  the  trees  early  in  the 
season.  The  extremes  of  temperature  experi- 
enced between  the  early  summer  months  and  the 
past  few  weeks  have  proved  a  great  check  to  Apple 
trees,  and,  in  consequence,  many  of  the  fruits 
have  dropped,  together  with  some  of  the  foliage. 
F.   C.   Stainsby,  Brocklesby  Park   Gardens. 


The  soil  here  is  of  a  light  sandy  nature, 

and  rests  on  a  bed  of  white  clay;  these  condi- 
tions do  not  suit  the  Apple,  and  after  the  trees 
have  been  planted  about  20  years  they  gradually 
die,  but  they  produce  fairly  good  crops  whilst 
they  are  young.  Smalt  fruits,  and  especially 
Currants,  do  remarkably  well  here.  Nuts  are 
quite  a  failure  this  year,  owing  to  the  cold 
weather.      F.  Barton,  Hainton  Hall  Gardens. 

Norfolk. — Apples  set  well,  but  lately  they 
have  dropped  badly.  Amongst  small  fruits, 
Raspberries,  Red,  White,  and  Black  Currants 
are  plentiful,  but  Gooseberries  are  a  much 
lighter  crop  than  last  year.  Plum  trees  blos- 
somed well,  but  the  young  fruits  dropped  freely. 
Walnuts  are  quite  a  failure  this  year.  /.  Wynn, 
Sedgeford  Hall  Gardens,  King's  Lynn. 

Apple  trees  were  covered  with  blossoms, 

but  Caterpillars  destroyed  the  prospects  of  a 
bounteous  crop.  Pear  trees  had  not  much  blos- 
som, owing  to  excessive  wet.  Early  Strawber- 
ries were  almost  a  failure,  but  later  varieties 
are  very  good,  especially  Waterloo  and  Givon's 
Late  Prolific.  Cherry  trees  trained  against 
walls  are  badly  infested  with  black  fly.  Potatos 
generally  are  looking  well  and  promising  a 
bountiful  crop  of  tubers.  Owing  to  the  heavy 
rains  Peas  have  grown  quite  out  of  their  normal 
character,  and  the  pods  are  a  long  time  in  fill- 
ing, owing  to  an  absence  of  sunshine.  /.  W, 
Bradbrook,  Ketteringham  Park  Gardens,  Wymond- 
ham. 

Suffolk. — The  season  has  been  very  un- 
favourable for  fruit  of  all  kinds,  owing  to  the 
unpropitious  weather  in  April,  May,  and  June. 
During  July  the  weather  has  improved,  and  we 
still  hope  to  have  a  good  crop  of  large  fruits. 
All  kinds  of  fruit  trees  around  this  district 
showed  an  abundance  of  bloom,  and  with  one 
or  two  exceptions  the  fruit  set  well,  the  excep- 
tions being  a  few  Pear  trees,  principally  of  the 
variety  Duchess  d'  Angouleme  that  were  in  full 
bloom  on  April  27,  when  we  registered  6°  of 
frost.  Strawberries  promised  well  in  the  early 
stages  of  fruiting,  but  although  an  average  crop 
has  been  procured,  the  quality  has  been  very 
poor.  All  other  small  fruits,  such  as  Currants, 
Raspberries  and  Gooseberries,  have  been  abun- 
dant, and  the  market  growers  have  complained 
of  the  very  low  prices.  The  soil  in  this  district 
varies  from  a  heavy  to  a  light  loam  on  a  gravelly 
subsoil.  In  these  gardens  we  have  rather  a  light 
soil  lying  on  a  bed  of  sand  and  gravel.  Thos. 
Simpson,  Henham  Gardens,  Wangford. 
(To    be    continued.) 


THE  ALPINE   GARDEN. 


PHYTEUMA  CHARMELII 
This  is  a  very  suitable  plant  for  the  Alpine 
garden.  It  grows  about  12  inches  in  height  and 
produces  a  number  of  violet-blue  flowers. 
The  foliage  is  linear-lanceolate  in  shape 
and  of  a  dark  green  colour.  It  is  quite 
hardy,  and,  unlike  other  varieties,  it  is  easy  of 
culture.  When  planted  in  ordinary  sandy  soil 
in  a  position  that  is  exposed  to  sunshine,  it 
needs  nothing  further  than  an  occasional 
watering  to  ensure  success.     W.   G.,  Somerset. 

SEDUM  ACRE. 
One  is  frequently  asked  to  name  a  plant  that 
will  grow  and  thrive  upon  the  driest  bank,  amid 
stones,  or  in  places  where  only  a  limited  quan- 
tity of  soil  exists,  and  I  know  of  no  dwarf 
plant  better  suited  than  the  common  Stone- 
crop.  Those  persons  who  have  seen  the  plant 
in  flower  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Michelham 
Downs,  where  it  carpets  the  soil  by  the  acre, 
will  know  somewhat  of  its  value  even  as  a 
flowering  plant.  In  that  district,  hillock 
and  mound  and  dale  are  often  clothed  with 
Sedum  acre,  and  the  mass  of  greenish-golden 
blossoms  which  it  produces  in  its  flowering  sea- 
son is  most  beautiful.  Recently  I  saw  it  grow- 
ing upon  the  almost  perpendicular  railway 
banks  between  St.  Mary  Cray  and  Swanley 
Junction  on  a  very  sandy  or  stony  soil.  A  good 
plan  of  planting  Sedum  acre  on  steep  and  sun- 
scorched  banks  is  to  gently  rub  a  few  tufts  of 
the  plant  through  a  sieve  of  not  larger  than  a 
half-inch  mesh,  mixing  the  particles  with  soil 
and  then  sow  the  mixture  on  the  bank.  The  be?t 
time  for  sowing  these  tiny  pieces  of  the  plant  is 
during  the  autumn  season. 


106 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[August  10,  1907. 


CONVOLVULUS  CNEORUM  AND 
VERONICA  HULKEANA. 
Convolvulus  Cneorum  is  a  native  of  southern 
Europe,  whence  it  was  introduced  into  this 
country  in  1640,  so  that  it  has  long  been  known 
in  our  gardens.  Unfortunately  it  is  not  a  truly 
hardy  plant,  and  in  cold  localities,  and  during 
exceptionally  severe  winters  in  warmer  spots,  is 
often  killed.  It  is  a  charming,  flowering  shrub, 
and  blooms  with  such  freedom  as  to  entitle  it 


of  excessive  moisture  during  the  cold  weather. 
In  the  mild  climate  of  the  south-western  coun- 
ties, however,  the  winter  rains  do  not  harm  them. 
The  species  is  easily  increased  by  cuttings,  which 
make  roots  freely  in  sand  under  a  bell-glass. 
The  plants  grow  rapidly,  the  specimen  illus- 
trated at  fig.  42,  now  over  3  feet  in  height,  with 
a  spread  of  5  feet,  having  been  planted  as  a 
rooted  cutting  only  four  years  ago.  The  photo- 
graph was  taken   at  the  end  of  May,   when  the 


Fig. 


42. 


-TENDER  FLOWERS  IN  A  DEVONSHIRE  GARDEN  :  CONVOLVULUS  CNEORUM 
BELOW,  AND  VERONICA  HULKEANA  ABOVE. 


to  a  place  in  every  rock  garden  in  the  warmer' 
localities.  It  also  does  well  against  a  south 
wall,  especially  if  this  be  the  wall  of  a  hot- 
house, which  will  give  out  a  certain  amount  of 
heat  during  the  winter  months,  as  this  will  tend 
to  prevent  its  injury  even  in  comparatively  cold 
climates.  Its  narrow,  silvery  leaves,  2\  inches 
in  length  and  \  inch  in  breadth,  are  clothed  with 
silky  hairs,  and  this  renders  the  plants  impatient 


plant  was  in  full  flower,  but  it  blooms  more  or 
less  through  the  whole  year,  a  few  blossoms 
being  now  expanded  (July  20l,  and  it  also,  gener- 
ally, has  blooms  again  in  autumn.  The  flowers 
are  pure  white,  flushed  with  pink  on  the  reverse, 
and   are   \\  inches   across. 

The  other  plant  in  the  illustration  is  portion 
of  a  fine  specimen  of  Veronica  Hulkeana,  by  far 
the  most  beautiful  of  the  shrubby  species.     It  is 


a  native  of  New  Zealand,  and  was  first  known 
in  England  in  1865.  The  plant,  part  of  which 
is  here  shown,  is  an  exceptionally  large  one, 
being  nearly  6  feet  in  height  and  8  feet  across. 
When  in  full  bloom,  at  the  end  of  May,  it  pre- 
sents one  of  the  most  charming  sights  possible, 
the  countless,  branching  flower-sprays,  standing 
out  from  the  wall  and  slightly  drooping,  forming 
a  cloud  of  soft  lavender  colour  from  the  ground 
level  to  the  topmost  shoot.  Many  of  these  flower- 
sprays  are  2  feet  in  length.  Everyone  who  sees 
this  Veronica  in  flower  is  delighted  with  it,  and 
certainly  when  at  its  best  it  is  the  glory  of  the 
garden.  It  is  seen  to  the  greatest  advantage 
when  trained  to  a  wall,  as,  if  left  to  itself,  it 
forms  a  loose-growing  bush.  The  species  is 
supposed  by  some  to  be  very  tender,  but  this  is 
not  so,  as  it  has  remained  unharmed  when  ot'rer 
shrubby  species  have  been  seriously  damaged  by 
frost.  The  species  has,  however,  the  unfortunate 
habit  of  dying  off  suddenly  without  any  ap- 
parent reason.  Small  plants  die  in  this  man- 
ner as  well  as  large  ones,  but  the  loss  of  a  fine 
specimen  is  a  deplorable  loss  to  a  garden. 
Possessors  of  large  examples  are  naturally  on 
the  look-out  for  signs  of  failing  vigour,  but  when 
such  appear,  the  fate  of  the  plant  is  sealed. 
The  death  of  the  plant  is,  by  some,  attributed 
to  the  strain  of  flower  and  seed-bearing,  but  even 
small  plants  with  not  a  dozen  flower-sprays 
sometimes  die.  It  is,  however,  well  to  take  every 
precaution  to  prevent  the  plants  being  weakened, 
and  it  is  wise  to  cut  the  flower-sprays  as  soon  as 
they  have  reached  perfection.  This  has  been 
done  for  several  years  with  the  specimen  under 
notice,  and  this  season  over  500  bloom-panicles 
were  cut  on  May  25,  and  the  plant  is  at  present 
in  robust  health.  Cuttings,  a  few  inches  in 
length,  taken  off  with  a  heel  during  the  late 
summer  and  early  autumn,  strike  readily.  S.  W. 
Fitsherbert.  South  Devon. 


ORCHID    NOTES    AND   GLEANINGS. 


CORYANTHES  SPECIOSA. 

This  singular  species  is  flowering  in  the  gar- 
dens of  the  Hon.  N.  Charles  Rothschild,  Ashton 
Wold,  Oundle  (gr.  Mr.  J.  Wells).  The  large 
flower,  whose  singular  formation  to  attract  in- 
sects for  the  purpose  of  securing  pollination  was 
described  and  illustrated  in  the  Gardeners' 
Chronicle,  xxi.  (1884),  p.  482,  xxiii.  (1885),  p.  144, 
and  xxiv.  (1885),  p.  103,  is  yellowish  with  a  slight 
rose  shade  and  an  orange  tint  inside  the  helmet. 
The  membraneous,  wing-like  sepals  are  thrown 
back,  and  the  singular,  fleshy  labellum  com- 
posed of  a  helmet-shaped  hypochil,  a  neck-like 
mesochil,  and  the  large  "  bucket "  or  epichil 
which  catches  the  secretion  which  drips  from 
the  horns  above.  The  whole  flower  is  an  in- 
teresting study. 

Coryanthes,  like  Stanhopeas,  should  be  grown 
in  baskets,  and  suspended  in  an  inte. mediate 
house.  They  require  but  little  potting  material 
around  them,  for  in  their  native  habitat  they 
have  no  other  material  than  the  masses  formed 
by  their  own  roots. 

CIRRHOPETALUM  MACULOSUM. 
An  inflorescence  of  this  pretty  species,  which 
is  often  known  in  gardens  as  Bulbophyllum  um- 
bellatum,  is  sent  by  Mr.  Wilkinson,  The  Gar- 
dens, Cliffe  Cottage,  Rawdon,  Leeds.  The  scape, 
which  is  6  inches  in  height,  bears  a  terminal 
head  of  nine  flowers,  each  about  J  inch  across. 
The  sepals  and  smaller  petals  are  of  a  pale, 
greenish-yellow  tint,  evenly  spotted  with  purple, 
and  the  column-foot  and  delicately-poised 
labellum  are  white,  densely  spotted  with  bright 
purple.  The  short-winged  column  has  a  horn 
on  each  side  of  the  anther-case.  The  species  is 
a  native  of  Nepal  and  the  lower  Himalayas,  and  it 
is  an  easy  plant  to  grow  in  the  intermediate  house. 

BULBOPHYLLUM  SANDERIANUM. 

This  singular  species,  which  is  sometimes  im- 
ported  with  Cattleya  labiata,  is  also  sent  by  Mr. 


August  10,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


107 


Wilkinson.  The  inflorescence  is  15  inches  in 
length,  furnished  with  bracts  to  the  number 
of  about  40,  the  lower  ones  not  producing 
flowers,  and  the  upper  bracts  producing  them  in 
succession,  so  that  only  three  or  four  are  perfect 
at  one  time.  The  flowers  are  about  J  inch  in 
length,  the  sepals  green,  spotted  and  striped 
with  purple,  the  small  petals  whitish,  and  the 
labellum,  which  is  i  inch  in  length,  is  purple, 
feather-like,  and  easily  moved  by  the  air,  or  by 
changing  the  position  of  the  flowers. 


COLOSSAL     NOTES. 


ECONOMIC    PLANTS    IN   THE    BRITISH 
COLONIES. 

Reports  on  economic  or  industrial  cultures 
in  the  various  Colonies  continue  to  reach  us. 
As  the  Agricultural  Department  of  each  Colony 
becomes  more  efficient,  its  value  to  planters 
and  others  is  more  generally  acknowledged  and 
it  is  utilised  as  a  means  of  promoting  the  cul- 
tivation and  extension  of  economic  plants  and  a 
knowledge  of  their  uses  and  developments 
throughout  the  world.  From  a  batch  of  these 
official  publications  before  us,  we  select  a  tew 
for  special  notice  as  in  K-cative  of  their  general 
character  and  of  the  value  of  their  contents.  It 
will  be  seen  that  they  represent  a  wide  geo- 
graphical  range. 

1-  n  im  South  Africa  comes  The  Agricultural 
Journal  of  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  the  contents 
of  which  are  as  varied  as  they  could  possibly 
be.  It  includes  a  note  on  the  possibility  of 
the  cultivation  of  the  fibre-nettle,  Ramie,  on  a 
commercial  basis  in  South  Africa,  and  the 
continuation  of  a  very  elaborate  "  Treatise  on 
Citrus  Culture  from  Seed  to  Fruit,"  besides 
other  articles  on  plant  diseases,  and  one  on  the 
"  Wool  Trade  of  the  Cape."  To  show  what 
liberal  means  are  adopted  for  the  dissemina- 
tion of  this  journal,  it  may  be  stated  that  on 
the  first  page  the  following  announcement  is 
printed  :  "  Published  monthly  in  English  and 
Dutch  by  the  Department  of  Agriculture,  and 
distributed  gratis  to  bona  fide  farmers  in  the 
Cape  Colony  on  application  through  the  Resi- 
dent Magistrate  of  the  district."  From  New 
South  Wales  and  Queensland  comes  the  Agri- 
cultural Gazette  and  the  Agricultural  Journal 
respectively.  The  former  opens  with  a  con- 
tinued article  by  Mr.  P.  H.  Maiden  on  "  Some 
Practical  Notes  on  Forestry  suitable  for  New 
South  Wales,"  illustrated  by  photographs  of 
trees  of  Ginkgo  biloba,  Torreya  nucifera,  Podo- 
carpus  elata,  and  Prumnopitys  elegans.  Un- 
der the  title  of  "  One  of  the  So-called  Quinines 
of  X.  S.  Wales,"  Mr.  Maiden  has  another 
paper  on  a  Euphorbiaceous  tree  of  New  South 
Wales  and  Queensland  (Petalostigma  quadrilo- 
culare),  the  bark  of  which  has  a  powerfully- 
bitter  taste,  and  was  said,  at  one  time,  to 
possess  similar  properties  to  quinine.  This 
question,  however,  seems  to  be  set  at  rest  ad- 
versely by  a  report  of  its  investigation  at  the 
Imperial  Institute,  from  which  the  following  is 
a  quotation  :  "  The  results  of  the  investigation 
show  that  preparations  of  the  bark  do  not  exert 
any  marked  physiological  action.  In  conse- 
quence, it  does  not  appear  that  the  bark  can 
be  utilised  for  any  important  medicinal  pur- 
pose." Referring  to  this  report,  Mr.  Maiden 
says  that  it  confirms  the  investigation  of  Dr. 
Thomas  Bancroft,  of  Brisbane,  and  shows  that 
a  once-reputed  drug  of  New  South  Wales  is 
now  proved  to  be  of  no  practical  value. 
The  Queensland  Agricultural  Journal  shows 
an  equally  variable  contents  dealing  with 
tropical  industries,  under  which  are  included 
"  The  Cultivation  of  Rubber  for  Tropical 
Australia,"  "Ramie  for  Queensland,"  and 
"  Pipe  Tobacco  in  Australia."  The  first  is  a 
thorough  consideration  of  the  subject  from  its 
botanical,  cultural,  and  commercial  aspects. 
Besides   these    articles    dealing    with    economic 


plants,    there   are   others   on   dairying,    poultry, 
and  kindred  subjects. 

As  might  be  expected,  the  literature  issued 
by  the  Imperial  Department  of  Agriculture  for 
the  West  Indies  has  a  wide  range  of  matter,  in- 
cluding, as  it  does,  reports  of  experiments  in 
the  numerous  economic  cultures  carried  out  at 
the  several  botanical  stations.  The  experi- 
ments with  seedling  and  other  Canes  in  the 
Leeward  Islands  are  fully  reported,  and  the 
value  of  these  experiments  and  reports  is  con- 
firmed by  a  note  to  the  Commissioner  of  Agri- 
culture by  Dr.  Francis  Watts,  C.M.G.,  who  has 
charge  of  these  experiments.  He  says:  "The 
introduction  of  new  varieties  of  Sugar  Canes 
is  a  subject  of  great  interest  to  the  planters  in 
the  Leeward  Islands,  both  in  connection  with 
the  increase  in  the  yield  of  Sugar,  and,  per- 
haps, even  more  especially  in  connection  with 
the  combating  of  pests  and  diseases."  The 
Agricultural  News — the  fortnightly  organ  of  the 
Imperial  Department  of  Agriculture  for  the 
West  Indies — maintains  its  reputation  for 
variety  and  interest,  and  is  an  excellent  medium 
for  the  diffusion  of  scientific  and  practical 
knowledge  amongst  planters  and  others  in- 
terested in  the  welfare  of  our  West  Indian 
Colonies.  The  same  may  be  said  of  the 
Bulletin  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture,  pub- 
lished at  Kingston,  Jamaica,  and  edited  by 
Mr.  W.  Fawoett,  F.L.S.,  &c,  Director  of  Public 
Gardens  and  Plantations  in  that  island.  It  is 
worth  noting,  again,  that  in  the  case  of  this 
publication,  the  price  of  which  is  threepence, 
that  the  following  note  appears  on  the  cover  : 
"  A  copy  is  supplied  free  to  any  resident  in 
Jamaica  who  sends  his  name  and  address  to 
the  Director  of  Public  Gardens  and  Plantations, 
Kingston."    

NOTICES    OF     BOOKS. 

Flowers  of  the  Field.* 

When  a  book,  though  excellent  in  its  day, 
becomes  more  or  less  obsolete  through  the 
advance  of  knowledge,  we  welcome  a  new  edi- 
tion which  retains  all  the  old  familiar  features, 
but  is  accurately  corrected  in  every  point  wher- 
ever necessary,  so  that  the  reader  will  not  be 
misled.  Such  has  been  the  case  with  the  now 
valuable  edition  of  the  Rev.  C.  A.  Johns' 
Flowers  of  thi  Field.  It  has  been  revised  by 
Professor  G.  S.  Boulger,  and  published  by 
the  Society  for  the  Promotion  of  Christian 
Knowledge.  Messrs.  Routledge  have  now  issued 
an  edition  nearly  similar  to  the  original,  retain- 
ing the  erroneous  and  now  misleading  details  in 
the  introduction,  such  as  underground  stems 
described  as  roots,  the  embryo  confounded  with 
the  plumule,  certain  fruits  described  as  seeds, 
&c.  Some  of  these  Mr.  Clarence  Elliott  has 
repeated  in  the  new  glossary  which  is  added. 
He  has  also  written  celeratus  for  sceleratus, 
correctly  given  in  the  Rev.  Johns'  text.  He  also 
omits  all  accents,  instead  of  improving  the  text 
by  adding  others  where  omitted.  Beginners  are 
much  perplexed  as  to  how  to  pronounce  Latin 
names,  as  Clematis,  which  is  often  wrongly 
pronounced  Clematis. 

Mr.  Elliott  says  in  his  preface :  "  To  have 
made  a  thoroughly  scientific  book  of  it  was 
deemed  inadvisable;"  but  it  is  most  desirable 
for  a  book  of  botany  to  be  strictly  accurate. 
To  be  accurate  is  to  be  scientific.  The  new  fea- 
ture in  the  book  is  the  addition  of  92  plates 
containing  268  coloured  figures  by  Miss  E.  N. 
G.  Watkins.  These  may  attract  the  reader, 
but  in  some  cases  they  are  not  so  good  as 
those  in  the  original ;  such,  e.g.,  as  the  Lesser 
Celandine,  in  which  the  peculiar  roots  are 
omitted.  With  regard  to  the  figures  in  the  text, 
these  are  all  similar  to  those  in  the  Rev.  Johns' 
text,  but  they  are  not  improved  by  being  greatly 
reduced  in  size.  With  regard  to  the  number  of 
illustrations,  in  the  large  family  Cruciferae,  the 

*  Flowers  of  the  Field.  By  the  Rev.  C.  A.  Johns.  Edited 
by  C.  Elliott  (8vo.,  pp.  310).     G.  Routledge  &  Sons,  1907. 


original  work  had  28  good-sized  figures.  This 
edition  has  22  in  the  text,  and  one  plate 
of  4,  so  there  is  no  gain  in  this  respect.  The 
coloured  figures  are  very  small,  and  no 
botanical  (structural)  information  is  to  be  gained 
from  their  flowers,  although  they  may  help  in  the 
hasty  determination  of  a  species.  We  do  not 
know  why  Mr.  Elliott  changes  Dentaria  into 
Cardamine ;  neither  Bentham  nor  Hooker  recog- 
nise it  as  belonging  to  the  latter  gentis.  As  a 
rule,  only  a  few  alterations  of  no  great  moment 
are  made  in  the  text,  some  rarer  species  being 
omitted. 

On  p.  289,  Mr.  Elliott  introduces  the  head- 
ing, "Sub-Class  II.  Glumaceae "  over  "Jun- 
caceae — Rush  Tribe,"  and  subsequently  heads 
every  left-hand  page  "  Glumaceae,"  in  which 
he  includes  eight  "  Tribes,"  not  one  of 
which  belong  to  Glumaceae  at  all !  In  the  Rev. 
Johns'  work  the  only  two  families,  grasses  and 
sedges,  which  the  British  Glumaceae  contain,  are 
added  in  an  appendix  (rightly  embodied  in  the 
text  by  Boulger).  These  are  omitted  by  Mr. 
Elliott  altogether. 

Professor  Boulger's  volume  is  6£  inches  by  5 
inches  in  size,  whereas  Mr.  Elliott's  is  a  thick 
octavo. 

Professor  Boulger's  edition  is  thoroughly  up- 
to-date,  the  families  being  re-arranged  in  accord- 
ance with  the  best  floras  of  the  day,  and  not 
in  the  obsolete  grouping  adopted  by  the  Rev. 
Johns,  which  is  retained  by  Mr.  Elliott. 

Beginners  want  to  learn  and  remember  the 
usually  accepted  sequence  o'  the  families  (not 
"Tribes,"  as  the  Rev.  Johns  calls  them).  If  they 
begin  to  study  wild  flowers  with  Mr.  Elliott's  edi- 
tion, they  will  have  to  unlearn  much  when  they 
come  to  use  Hooker's  Students''  Flora,  or 
Bentham's  Handbook  of  the  British  Flora.  II. 
The  Book  of  Nvmph/eac>e.* 
We  have  in  Das  Buch  der  Nymphaaaccen  oder 
Secrosengewdchse,  as  its  title  runs  in  the  German 
language,  a  work  by  F.  Henkel,  landscape 
gardener,  Darmstadt  (assisted  by  F.  Rehnelt 
and  L.  Dittman),  which  is  most  opportune 
at  the  present  time,  when  the  culture  of  aquatics 
is  rapidly  extending.  The  author  supplies 
an  introductory  chapter  on  the  history  of 
the  genera,  which  are  among  the  oldest  plants 
on  the  earth,  being  coeval  with  the  Saurians, 
whose  remains  are  found  in  the  chalk  strata. 
In  that  age,  which  preceded  the  Ice  Age,  when 
Europe,  so  far  as  the  50th  degree  of  northern 
latitude,  was  covered  with  sub-tropical  forests, 
Nymphaeas  with  far  larger  blossoms  than  are 
now  found  in  the  tropics,  grew  in  the  waters 
among  Palms,  Camphor  Laurels,  and  Cinnamon 
trees  :  and  in  appearance  the  plants  differed  but 
little  from  those  of  the  present  day.  Among  the 
ancient  inhabitants  of  Europe  the  rootstock  of 
Nymphasa  alba,  which  is  rich  in  tannin,  was  em- 
ployed as  a  medicine  ;  and  in  the  remains  of  the 
pile  dwellings  in  Switzerland  traces  of  the  plant 
have  been  discovered.  The  reader  is  given 
a  list  of  books  which  treat  of  the  subject,  viz., 
Linneaus,  who  wrote  of  four  species  in  1771 ; 
Curtis,  in  the  Botanical  Magazine,  in  1801,  in 
tab.  552,  gives  the  first  picture  of  a  cultivated 
Xvmphasa,  N.  Capensis ;  followed  in  the  next 
year  with  the  North  American  Nuphar  advena  ; 
1805,  Nymphasa  odorata  and  N.  thermalis,  and 
the  following  year  Nelumbium  speciosum.  De 
Candolle's  Prodromus,  1824,  gave  24  species. 
With  the  introduction  of  the  Victoria  regia  at 
the  middle  of  last  century,  interest  in  aquatic 
plants,  and,  more  especially  tropical  and  hardy 
Nymphaeas,  was  awakened. 

The  favour  with  which  the  coloured  hardy 
hybrids  are  now  regarded  began  when  the  prices 
of  the  plants  became  moderate. 

A  short  chapter  is  given  concerning  the 
botanical  position  of  the  Nymphaeas,  which,  ac- 
cording to  Engler,  consist  of  Xelumboideae, 
Cabomboideae,  and  Nymphaeoideae.  The  charac- 
teristics of  these  three  sub-genera  are 
briefly,  and  the  following  chapters  are  devoted 

*  Published  by  Friedrich  Henkel,  GartenarchiteUt, 
Darmstadt,  Neuwiese.    Price  lOnik. 


108 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[August  10,  1907. 


to  the  geographical  distribution  of  the  plants, 
properties,  and  uses  of  Nelumbiums.  There  is  a 
good  list  of  species,  garden  forms,  and  hybrids 
in  alphabetical  order,  with  statements  as  to 
origin,  year  of  introduction,  name  of  introducer 
or  raiser,  form  of  bloom  and  colour,  size  of  the 
bloom   in   centimetres,  and  general  remarks. 

The  observations  in  regard  to  cultivation  are 
most  useful,  giving  as  they  do  the  sorts  of  soil 
and  kinds  of  manure  to  be  used,  depth  of  water, 
temperature  of  air  and  water,  the  rearing  of 
plants  from  seed  and  from  rhizomes,  and  of 
cultivation  in  the  open  air.  The  discovery  of 
the  Victoria  regia  and  its  introduction  have  a 
chapter  to  themselves.  The  Nymphaeas  are 
treated  similarly  to  the  Nelumbiums,  and  owing 
to  their  being  the  more  numerous  group, 
they  occupy  a  much  larger  portion  of  the  book. 
In  both,  the  text  is  furnished  with  illustrations 
of  the  leaves  and  blooms  in  outline,  and  repro- 
ductions of  photographs  of  views  taken  of 
plants  in  glasshouses  and  out-of-doors. 

A  list  of  the  hardy  species  of  Nymphaeas  and 
hybrids  is  given  in  the  same  manner  as  is  the 
case  with  Nelumbiums.  The  remarks  on  culti- 
vation are  very  full  and  satisfactory.  The 
illustrations  number  more  than  100. 

Die  Moderne  Teppichcartneria  (Modern 
Carpet  Bedding). 

Those  of  our  readers  conversant  with  the 
German  language  will  find  in  this  book,  fur- 
nished with  172  plans  of  beds  and  parterres,  a 
selection  of  new  designs  for  planting,  which 
differ  in  many  particulars  from  those  hitherto 
seen  in  gardens  in  this  country  or  abroad.  The 
work — the  7th  edition — is  an  improvement  and 
enlargement  of  the  previous  editions  by  the  same 
author,  and  eminent  specialists  in  this  field  have 
furnished  many  of  the  new  designs  given. 

The  work  is  by  W.  Hampel,  and  it  is  pub- 
lished by  Paul  Parey,  Berlin,  price  6s. 


The  Week's  Work. 


THE  FLOWER  GARDEN. 

By  A.  C.  Bartlett,  Gardener  to  Mrs.  Ford,  Pencarrow, 
Cornwall. 

Manure  water. — Many  plants  and  shrubs  just 
showing  signs  of  flowering  will  benefit  greatly 
if  given  several  applications  of  manure  water. 
The  best  time  to  afford  manure  water  is  when 
the  soil  is  in  a  moderately  moist  condition. 
Take  care  that  none  of  the  liquid  touches  the 
foliage  of  the  plants,  and  as  soon  after  as  the 
soil  is  in  a  fit  condition  lightly  hoe  the  surface. 
If  the  weather  continues  hot  and  dry,  a  mulch- 
ing should  be  applied. 

Summer  bedding. — While  the  plants  used  for 
summer  bedding  are  at  their  best  condition,  it 
will  be  wise  to  take  notes  of  those  that  have 
succeeded  best,  and  of  those  which  have  failed. 
These  notes  will  be  of  service  in  formulating 
plans  for  next  year's  bedding.  At  the  present  time 
any  suggested  changes  may  be  better  considered 
than  would  be  the  case  later  in  the  year,  and  it 
also  allows  ample  time  for  securing  the  necessary- 
stock  of  plants.  A  start  should  now  be  made 
towards  this  end ;  the  plants  in  the  reserve 
garden  may  be  depleted  of  as  many  cuttings  as 
they  will  yield,  but  in  the  flower-garden  proper 
cuttings  should  only  be  taken  from  those  plants 
which  have  made  a  free  growth.  During  the 
succeeding  four  or  five  weeks,  cuttings  of  Helio- 
trope, Alternanthera,  Fuchsia,  etc.,  will  root 
readily,  if  firmly  inserted  in  suitable  soil  in  cold 
pits  that  are  shaded  and  kept  closed.  Provid- 
ing that  the  weather  is  not  excessively  wet,  cut- 
tings of  Pelargoniums  will  root  better  out  of 
doors  than  under  cover. 

Violets. — All  runners  should  be  frequently  re- 
moved from  these  plants  in  order  that  growth 
may  be  restricted  to  one  crown.  If  red  spider  is 
present  on  the  foliage,  a  few  syringings  with 
either  weak  manure  water  or  an  infusion  of 
Quassia  chips  will  act  both  as  a  remedy  and  as 
a  preventive.  The  frequent  use  of  the  Dutch 
hoe  about  these  plants  is  beneficial. 

Preparations  for  planting. — Recently-layered 
Carnations  and  such  other  plants  as  seedling 
•Campanula  pyramidalis,  Anemones,  and  Ranun- 


culuses will,  from  time  to  time,  need  planting 
in  their  permanent  beds.  The  ground  for  their 
reception  should  be  early  prepared,  which  is 
advisable  for  many  reasons :  it  allows  time  for 
the  soil  to  become  aerated  and  mellowed,  and 
many  quickly-germinating  weeds  grow  and  can 
easily  be  destroyed  before  the  plants  are  placed 
in  the  beds.  Where  the  autumn  sowing  of 
annuals  is  practised,  the  ground  for  the  recep- 
tion of  these  seeds  should  be  manured  and  dug 
as  early  as  circumstances  will  permit. 

Spartium  junccum. — Always  a  free-flowering 
shrub,  the  Spanish  Broom  has  this  year  made 
a  more  gorgeous  display  than  I  can  remember. 
A  packet  of  seeds  sown  just  over  seven  years 
ago  furnished  a  stock  of  plants  which  now, 
although  growing  in  a  light  and  rather  poor 
soil,  are  over  10  feet  in  height  and  almost  as 
much  through.  This  species  is  especially  valu- 
able, as  it  continues  to  flower  freely  till  after 
September,  when  showy  flowering  shrubs  are 
scarce.  Rabbits  greedily  eat  the  young  shoots, 
therefore  in  places  in  which  these  animals 
abound,  wire  netting  must  be  placed  as  a  guard 
around   the   plants. 


furnishing  a  supply  of  fruits  in  winter  should 
now  be  potted  into  9-inch  pots.  After  re-potting, 
afford  the  roots  water  and  place  the  plants  in  a 
cold  pit  or  frame,  where  they  will  grow  sturdily 
till  placed  in  their  winter  quarters.  Seeds  of 
the  variety  Winter  Beauty  should  be  sown  for  a 
later  batch  of  plants. 


FRUITS  UNDER  GLASS. 

By  Alexander  Kirk,  Gardener  to  J.  Thomson  Paton,  Esq  , 
Norwood,  Alloa,  Clackmannanshire. 

Cucumbers. — Plants  in  pits,  and  which  have 
been  fruiting  for  the  last  three  months,  should 
now  be  pruned  hard  back.  At  the  same  time, 
remove  to  a  depth  of  2  or  3  inches  the  old  sur- 
face soil  and  replace  this  with  a  rich  loam. 
Afterwards  give  a  good  soaking  of  warm  water 
to  the  roots.  The  plants  may  then  be  expected 
to  start  into  fresh  growth,  and  furnish  a  plenti- 
ful supply  of  fruits  in  the  autumn.  Syringe  the 
foliage  freely  to  guard  against  attacks  of  red 
spider. 

Orchard-house  trees. — Apple  and  Pear  trees  in 
pots  perfect  their  fruits  much  better  when  they 
are  plunged  out-of-doors  at  this  season.  They 
should  be  placed  in  a  sunny  position  on  a  well- 
sheltered  border  facing  south.  Coal  ashes  form 
the  best  material  for  plunging  them  into.  The 
fruits  should  be  protected  from  birds  by  nets 
placed  over  the  trees,  and  as  soon  as  they 
commence  to  colour,  a  piece  of  soft  twine  should 
be  tied  to  the  stalk  and  affixed  to  the  nearest 
branch  for  support.  Give  the  trees  an  abund- 
ance of  water  at  their  roots,  and  as  often  as 
two  or  three  times  a  day  during  very  hot 
weather ;  an  occasional  application  of  liquid 
manure  will  also  prove  beneficial.  Reduce  the 
supply  of  water  when  the  fruits  commence  to 
colour,  and  at  that  stage  discontinue  the  applica- 
tions of  manure  water.  The  trees  planted  in  the 
orchard-house  should  be  syringed  daily,  and  be 
afforded  plenty  of  moisture  at  their  roots.  Allow 
an  abundance  of  ventilation  both  by  day  and 
by  night.  All  trees  in  pots  that  are  cleared  of 
their  fruits  should  be  plunged  out-of-doors  to 
ripen  and  mature  their  shoots. 

Melons. — As  soon  as  the  fruits  begin  to  colour, 
the  amount  of  water  applied  to  the  borders 
should  be  reduced,  but  not  so  as  to  cause  the 
foliage  to  flag,  for  this  will  affect  the  flavour. 
If  the  borders  have  been  mulched,  the  litter  will 
greatly  assist  in  retaining  the  moisture  in  the 
soil. 

Successional  plants  that  are  intended  to  furnish 
Melons  about  the  end  of  August  or  the  begin- 
ning of  September  will  now  be  freely  setting 
their  fruits.  These  plants  must  be  carefully 
watered,  and  the  bottom  heat  must  not  be 
allowed  to  decline,  especially  at  night-time  and 
after  waterings.  Keep  the  atmosphere  of  the 
house  moist  both  by  day  and  by  night,  and 
besides  admitting  fresh  air  throughout  the  day 
leave  the  top  ventilators  open  a  trifle  at  night- 
time. Secure  the  fruits  to  the  trellis  with  soft 
twine,  and  stop  the  fruiting  shoots  at  one  leaf 
beyond  the  fruit,  but  allow  a  few  of  the  growths 
at  the  top  of  the  plant  to  remain  entire,  in 
order  to  encourage  a  free  root  action. 

Tomatos. — Plants  growing  in  pots  or  in  borders 
should  have  an  abundance  of  fresh  air  about 
them  both  day  and  night  during  hot  weather. 
Afford  the  plants  copious  supplies  of  water  at 
their  roots  and  manure  water  twice  a  week. 
Apply  a  top-dressing  of  fresh  loam  and  manure 
to  all  plants  that  seem  to  require  feeding.  Train 
the  plants  to  a  single  stem,  and  remove  all 
lateral  growths  as  they  appear.  Pinch  the  main 
shoot  as  soon  as  it  reaches  the  top  of  the  trellis. 
Plants    in    6-inch    pots    that    are    intended    for 


PLANTS    UNDER  GLASS. 

By  J.  G.  Weston,  Gardener  to  H.  J.  King,  Esq., 
Eastwell  Park,  Kent. 

Chrysanthemums. — These  plants  have  now 
filled  their  pots  with  roots,  and  will  require 
much  water,  for  at  no  time  must  they  be  allowed 
to  suffer  from  dryness.  Afford  slight  applica. 
tions  of  stimulants,  but  do  not  over-feed  the 
plants,  or  rank,  soft  growth  will  result.  The 
necessary  tying  of  the  shoots,  "  taking  "  the  buds 
of  the  more  forward  varieties,  and  the  removal 
of  side  shoots  must  be  performed.  Superfluous 
shoots  must  be  removed  early,  and  not  at  the 
stage  when  their  removal  will  cause  a  check  to 
the  plants.  Guard  against  aphis  by  puffing  pow. 
dered  tobacco  on  the  shoots,  and  be  on  the 
watch  for  mildew,  which  is  easily  combated  at 
its  first  appearance. 

Freesias. — If  these  plants  are-  required  for 
flowering  at  Christmas  time,  they  should  now 
be  potted.  Having  shaken  the  old  soil  froM 
the  roots,  grade  the  bulbs  and  place  those  of 
equal  size  together,  for  if  they  are  potted  in- 
discriminately in  different  sizes,  the  plants  will 
be  very  irregular,  and  the  smaller  bulbs  will 
probably  not  flower.  As  a  rooting  medium,  use 
a  compost  consisting  of  loam  and  leaf-soil  mixed 
with  plenty  of  sand.  If  the  soil  is  in  a  suitable 
condition,  and  neither  too  wet  nor  too  dry, 
watering  will  not  be  necessary  for  some  time. 
Place  the  pots  in  a  frame,  and  either  shade  the 
glass  or  place  some  fine  leaf-soil  over  the  top  of 
the  pots  to  keep  the  soil  moderately  moist.  Re- 
move  the  leaf-soil  directly  it  is  seen  that  growth 
has  started.  When  the  shoots  are  growing  freely, 
they  should  have  full  exposure  to  the  sunshine 
and  an  abundance  of  fresh  air  till  cooler  weather 
arrives,  when  the  shelves  of  a  moderately  airy 
greenhouse  will  be  a  suitable  place  for  "them. 
At  no  time  is  it  advisable  to  force  Freesias  into 
growth.  When  growth  develops  gradually,  the 
stems  are  stiff  and  wiry,  and  the  blooms  last  for 
a  much  longer  time,  both  in  a  cut  state  and  on 
the  plant. 

Cleansing  plant-houses. — At  the  present  time, 
many  frames  and  glasshouses  are  empty  ;  it  is 
therefore  a  convenient  time  for  performing  any 
necessary  repairs,  for  cleansing  the  glass,  and 
for  lime-washing  the  walls,  &c. 


THE    ORCHID    HOUSES. 

By  W.  H.  White,  Orchid  Grower  to  Sir  Trevor  LawkencJ 
Bart.,  Bnrford,  Surrey. 

Odontoglossums. — At  the  warmer  end  of  the 
cool  house  such  plants  as  Odontoglossum 
grande,  O.  Schlieperianum,  O.  Insleayi,  and  its 
variety  splendens  are  now  sending  up  new 
growths,  and  when  roots  are  seen  pushing 
through  the  compost,  afford  more  water  to  the 
plants,  but  avoid  saturation  of  the  compost  as 
the  stout  fleshy  roots  are  liable  to  turn  black 
from  excessive  moisture.  Periodically  examine 
the  young  growths,  and  see  that  no  water  lodges 
in  them,  as  they  decay  sometimes  from  this 
cause.  The  rare  O.  Williamsianum,  a  supposed 
natural  hybrid,  is  now  in  flower.  This  plant, 
when  growing,  requires  the  same  treatment  as 
that  afforded  O.  grande,  &c. 

Miltonia  vcxillaria. — Plants  of  this  species  that 
flowered  early  in  the  season   should  now  be   re- 
potted, but  previous  to  commencing  the  operation  it 
will  be  advisable  to  ascertain  that  the  growths  are 
perfectly  free  from  small  yellow  thrips  These  insects 
are  often  found  concealed  low  down  in  the  axils  of 
the  leaves  where  it  is  difficult  to  eradicate  them 
with  either  a  brush  or  a  sponge  without  causing 
injury  to  the  tender  foliage.     The  most  effectual 
method  of  destroying  them  is  to  dip  or  wash  the 
growths  in   either  XL  All  insecticide,  or  Nicotine 
soap,  at  the  strength  of  2  ozs.  of  the  insecticide  to 
1  gallon  of  warm  water.     After  dipping  the  plants 
into  the  liquid,  place  the  pots  on  their  sides,  so  tha 
the  insecticide  may  drain  from  the  base  of  the  plan 
to  the  tips  of  the  leaves  instead  of  percolating  abou 
the  roots.     When   they  have  drained  sufficientl; 
rinse  the  growths  with  tepid  soft  water,  and  care 
fully  shade  the  plants  from  direct  sunshine  fori 
few  days. 


August  10,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


109 


Repotting.  —  Any  plants  that  need  repotting 
should  be  turned  out  of  their  pots,  have  all  the 
old  compost  removed  and  any  dead  roots  severed. 
It  is  advisable  to  look  very  carefully  around,  and 
under  the  base  of  each  plant  for  woodlice,  as 
numbers  of  these  pests  are  often  found  concealed 
among  the  short  roots.  Many  Orchid  growers 
use  rather  large  pots  or  pans  for  accommodating 
tins  Miltonia,  but  after  considerable  experience  I 
find  it  an  advantage  to  use  receptacles  that  are 
small.  The  pots  should  be  half  filled  with  small 
crocks  for  drainage  material,  and  a  suitable  com- 
post is  either  one  of  good  fibrous  peat,  or  polypo- 
diinn  fibre,  to  which  is  added  an  equal  quantity  of 
chopped  sphagnum-moss.  When  repotting  have 
the  base  of  the  plant  a  trifle  above  the  rim  of  the 
pot,  and  carefully  press  the  compost  down 
amongst  the  roots  in  a  moderately  firm,  compact 
manner.  Place  the  plants  in  the  intermediate 
house,  and  in  a  position  as  near  to  the  roof  glass 
as  is  convenient,  for  exposure  to  much  light 
and  air  is  necessary  to  their  well  doing.  For  a 
few  weeks  after  repotting  the  plants  afford  water 
very  sparingly,  but  when  new  roots  have  been 
freely  formed  the  amount  of  water  afforded  may 
be  gradually  increased  in  quantity.  Unhealthy 
plants  should  be  repotted  into  the  smallest  pots 
that  will  accommodate  them,  and  they  will  be 
greatly  benefited  if  dense  shade  is  afforded  them 
until  growth  is  again  active. 

Miltonia  x  Blneana. — The  distinct  hybrid  M  X 
Blueana  and  its  several  varieties  are  now  at  their 
fullest  development  of  growth.  Afford  them 
plenty  of  water  at  their  roots,  and  give  them  a 
position  in  the  Cattleya  or  intermediate  house 
where  plenty  of  air  and  light  but  not  direct  sun- 
shine can  reach  them. 


THE  HARDY  FRUIT  GARDEN. 

By  J.  Mayne,  Gardener  to  Lord  Clinton,  Bicton, 
East  Devon. 

Apples  of  such  varieties  as  Lord  Suffield,  Lord 
Gmsvenor,  Ecklinville  Seedling,  Duchess  of 
Oldenburgh,  and  Keswick  Codlin  should  be  fur- 
ther thinned  if  necessary  ;  the  fruits  so  removed 
will  be  useful  for  tarts.  American  blight  is  mak- 
ing its  appearance  on  some  of  the  trees.  This  pest 
must  be  killed  by  methylated  spirit  or  paraffin 
emulsion,  applied  by  means  of  a  brush,  which 
should  be  worked  well  into  the  crevices  of  the 
bark  during  the  operation.  Fruits  required  for 
exhibition  purposes  must  be  encouraged  to  de- 
velop, and  nourishment  should  be  applied  to 
the  roots  from  now  onwards,  except  in  the  case 
of  any  tree  not  carrying  an  average  crop.  As 
the  smaller  fruits,  such  as  Strawberries,  Cur- 
rants, &c,  become  scarce,  early-ripening  varie- 
ties of  Apples  will  be  valuable. 

Peach  and  Nectarine  Trees  have  grown  freely 
during  the  past  few  weeks  and  their  shoots  will 
require  further  tieing.  See  that  the  fruits  are  not 
shaded  by  the  foliage,  for  those  that  lack  colour 
are  usually  deficient  in  flavour.  Keep  the  rooting 
medium  in  a  moistened  condition  now  that  the 
fruits  are  swelling,  and  afford  manure  to  any  trees 
that  are  considered  to  be  in  need  of  it.  As  soon 
as  the  early  ripening  varieties  are  harvested  of 
their  fruits  remove  any  superfluous  shoots,  for 
this  will  assist  in  the  proper  ripening  of  the  re- 
maining current  season's  shoots,  which  will  be  the 
fruiting  ones  of  next  year.  If  a  judicious  dis- 
budding of  the  young  shoots  was  practised  in  the 
spring,  very  little  pruning  will  now  be  required. 

Late  Strawberries. — Givon's  Prolific  is  an  excel- 
lent late  fruiting  variety  of  Strawberry,  and  it 
should  be  included  in  all  collections.  The  fruits 
are  large,  highly  coloured,  and  of  excellent  flavour. 
Sever  all  runners  on  the  perpetual  fruiting  varieties 
before  placing  the  net  over  the  beds.  Considering 
the  untoward  season,  the  Strawberry  crop  has  been 
a  large  one. 

Currants. — Red.  White  and  Black  Currants  have 
all  been  abundant  this  season,  and  the  two  types  first 
named  will  hang  on  the  bushes  for  some  consider- 
able time  yet  if  the  birds  can  be  kept  away.  Black 
Currants  will  all  have  been  gathered  by  this  date 
in  the  warmer  counties,  and  it  is  good  practice  to 
do  what  pruning  or  thinning  is  necessary  to  the 
bushes  now  instead  of  deferring  it  until  the  winter, 
for  it  will  enable  the  young  shoots  from  the  base  to 
form  a  stout  growth,  and  to  fruit  better  next  year. 

General  remarks. — Weeds  must  be  destroyed  by  a 
free  use  of  the  hoe  ;  it  is  many  years  since  weeds 
gave   so   much    trouble    in    the   garden.      Wasps 


are  much  in  evidence  in  these  gardens,  but 
their  nests  are  destroyed  by  pouring  cyanide 
of  potassium  into  their  burrows.  This  can 
be  done  at  any  time  during  the  day,  but  the 
cyanide  is  a  very  strong  poison  and  the  greatest  of 
cara  is  required  in  its  use.  It  must  be  kept  from 
the  reach  of  children.  Another  plan  of  destroying 
wasps  is  to  pour  ordinary  gas-tar  into  their  holes 
after  it  is  dark,  and  to  cover  the  hole  with  a  big 
sod  of  turf;  this  plan,  however,  entails  more 
labour.  Protect  early  dessert  Apples  such  as 
Mr.  Gladstone,  Beauty  of  Bath,  Irish  Peach,  and 
Lady  Sudeley,  by  nets,  or  the  birds  will  destroy 
many.  It  may  also  be  necessary  to  protect  the 
fruits  of  Jargonelle  Pears  against  birds. 


THE    KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

By  William  H.  Honess,  Gardener  to  C.  Combe,  Esq., 
Cobham  Park,  Surrey. 

Onions.— The  present  is  the  most  suitable  time 
in  most  localities  for  sowing  that  portion  of 
the  Onion  crop  which  will  stand  through  the 
winter,  but  in  very  warm  districts  the  opera- 
tion may  be  deferred  for  a  week  longer.  No 
benefit  is  likely  to  result  from  getting  the 
plants  too  forward,  as  the  more  developed  the 
plants  become  before  winter,  the  less  likely  will 
they  be  to  pass  safely  through  hard  weather.  Giant 
Rocca,  White  Italian,  Record  and  Al  are  all  excel- 
lent varieties  that  can  be  well  recommended  for 
sowing  in  August.  If  the  ground  is  at  all  dry.  apply 
a  good  watering  in  the  drills  before  sowing  the 
seeds,  and  if  a  little  shade  can  be  afforded  from 
sunshine,  until  germination  takes  place,  so  much 
the  better. 

Salads. — A  further  sowing  of  Onion  seeds  for 
raising  small  plants  to  be  used  in  salads  may  be 
made,  also  a  sowing  of  the  Black-seeded  Cos  and 
All-the-Year-Round  Cabbage  Lettuces. 

Cabbages. — No  time  should  be  lost  before  making 
the  main  sowing  of  Cabbage,  and  Red  Cabbage 
if  they  have  not  been  made.  Continue  to  make 
further  plantings  of  Coleworts  from  previous  sow- 
ings, by  filling  up  any  vacant  and  odd  places,  as 
these  vegetables  are  always  very  useful. 

Tomatos,  which  last  year  were  so  successful  all 
over  the  country,  are  this  season  a  very  indifferent 
crop.  It  is  therefore  the  more  necessary  to  give 
the  plants  timely  attention  in  the  way  of  removing 
all  side  shoots  as  soon  as  they  appear,  and  in  tying 
and  watering,  thus  assisting  them  to  develop  their 
fruits  as  much  as  possible  during  the  next  month. 

Peas  are  this  season  succeeding  remarkably 
well  up  to  this  date.  The  maincrop,  and  plants 
raised  from  late  sowings  are  in  most  seasons 
unsatisfactory,  as  they  suffer  from  drought  and 
excessive  sunshine  at  the  time  the  pods  should  be 
filling,  but  this  season  late  plants  are  making  satis- 
factory growth  and  are  flowering,  setting,  and 
swelling  up  well.  The  latest  plants  which  we 
have  just  staked  are  very  promising  ;  the  heavy- 
night  dews  which  are  now  prevalent  are  helping 
them  more  than  the  overhead  sprayings  winch 
have  to  be  resorted  to  in  very  hot  weather. 


PUBLIC  PARKS  AND  GARDENS. 

By  W.  W.  Pettigrew,  Superintendent  of  the   Parks  and 
Open  Spaces  in  the  City  of  Cardiff. 

Park-fencing. — In  the  laying  out  of  new  parks 
and  pleasure  grounds,  the  provision  and  erection 
of  boundary  fences  is  not  infrequently  one  of  the 
most  expensive  matters  to  be  considered.  One  of 
the  most  extragavant  ways  of  enclosing  such  places 
is  by  a  dwarf  wall  capped  by  an  ornamental  iron 
railing.  This  method  of  fencing  does  not  appear 
to  be  so  much  in  vogue  now  as  it  used  to  be,  and 
should  never  be  adopted  unless  under  very  excep- 
tional circumstances,  and  in  special  positions.  It 
often  happens  that  those  who  are  responsible  for 
advising  park  authorities  in  such  matters,  favour 
the  so-called  unclimbable  type  of  fence  under  the 
impression  that  this  is  the  ideal  kind  for  park 
purposes.  These  are  usually  from  6  feet  4  inches 
to  7  feet  C  inches  high,  and  are  composed  of  per- 
pendicular iron  bars  with  two  or  three  horizontal 
bars  to  keep  them  in  position,  and  they  cost  any- 
thing from  15s.  to  30s.  per  yard  run  according  to 
the  size  of  iron  and  the  work  put  into  their  con- 
struction. Those  who  have  had  any  experience 
with  such  railings  know  what  an  extravagant  form 
of  fence  this  is,  for  it  is  neither  ornamental 
nor  is  it  unclimbable,  and  a  much  dwarfer  and 
cheaper  form  is  quite  as  serviceable  in  keeping 
undesirable  persons  out  of  the  grounds.  For 
several  years  past  we-  have  not  used  iron  fencing 
mora  than  4   feet  8  inches  in  height,  and  by  the 


judicious  employment  of  barbed  wire  such  a  railing 
can  be  made  quite  as  satisfactory  as  one  6  feet 
4  inches  high.  It  is  found  that  the  distance 
between  the  perpendicular  bars  is  of  more  import- 
ance in  keeping  out  trespassers  than  the  height  of 
the  fence.  If  these  bars  are  more  .than  5  inches 
from  centre  to  centre  small  children  are  able  by  a 
little  pressure  to  pass  between  ordinary  5-inch, 
square  or  j-inch  round  iron  bars,  and  thus  cause 
much  injury  to  boundary  shrubberies.  Many  large 
and  important  parks  in  this  country  have  boundary 
fences  composed  of  a  wooden  paling  backed  with 
plants  of  a  strong-growing  shrub,  as  a  hedge.  From 
the  perishable  nature  of  wood  these  require  fre- 
quent repairs,  and  the  expense  involved  in  their 
maintenance  becomes  very  high,  so  that,  although 
the  initial  cost  of  an  iron  fence  is  great,  in  the 
long  run  the  expense  would  probably  be  much 
less  than  the  wooden  one. 

I  Minor Jences. — Besides  the  boundaries  a  number  of 
different  places  inside  the  parks  require  to  be  fenced 
off  from  the  public — such  as  isolated  shrubberies, 
slopes  of  banks,  streams  and  ponds.  In  places  of 
this  description  ordinary  iron  hurdles  or  dwarf 
hairpin  fencing  prove  inexpensive  and  satisfactory. 
In  the  Glasgow  parks  a  fence  composed  of  wood 
and  twisted  wire  about  3  feet  to  4  feet  high  is  used 
for  these  purposes,  and,  besides  being  cheap  and 
easily  fixed,  its  appearance  is  quite  in  keeping  with 
the  surroundings. 


THE   APIARY. 

By  Chi.'  iris. 


Marketing  Honey.— Honey  has  too  long  been 
looked  upon  as  a  luxury  ot  the  privileged  few, 
whereas  it  should  be  regarded  as  a  necessary 
food  in  every  household.  To  create  a  large 
demand  for  honey,  and  to  cultivate  the  public 
taste  for  such  an  excellent  food,  should  be  the 
aim  of  the  beekeeper.  Many  may  ask  how  the 
apiarist  can  assist  in  either  of  these  matters, 
lie  sin  mid  place  the  honey  on  the  market  in  a 
i  leanly  and  attractive  manner,  and  for  this 
purpose  he  should  use  jars  or  tins,  and  the 
extracted  honey  should  be  strained  so  that  no 
foreign  matter  may  be  found  in  it.  The  honey 
itself  needs  attention,  and  it  should  never  be 
extracted  from  any  but  sealed  combs,  so  that 
the  aroma  is  retained  and  the  presence  of  thin 
honey  floating  on  the  top  avoided,  for  thin 
honey  is  little  better  than  sweetened  water.  A 
beekeeper  well  known  to  the  writer  easily 
obtains  from  9d.  to  lOd.  per  lb.  for  his  pro- 
duce, whilst  his  neighbours  are  glad  of  4d.  and 
6d.  for  theirs,  and  at  these  low  prices  they  have 
a  difficulty  in  disposing  of  their  honey.  The 
causes  are  not  far  to  seek.  In  the  former  case  the 
honey  can  always  be  relied  upon  as  being  the 
best,  the  cleanest,  and  the  most  attractive  on 
the  market. 

Low  prices. — Many  apiarists  will  now  be  har- 
vesting honey  and  placing  it  on  the  market, 
which  in  consequence  will  be  congested,  and 
prices  are  certain  to  be  low.  Not  only  is 
British  honey  offered  for  sale,  but  it  has  to 
compete  with  a  large  quantity  from  foreign 
countries  and  the  colonies.  Very  little  of  the 
imported  honey,  however,  can  compare  with  the 
home  product.  Most  beekeepers  in  this  country 
do  not  produce  more  than  300  to  400  lbs.  in  one 
season,  and  with  a  little  trouble  this  may  be 
disposed  of  to  retail  customers. 

Grading  Honey. — To  many  beekeepers  "  honey 
is  honey "  from  whatever  source.  Those  who 
meet  with  the  best  sales  take  care  to  keep  their 
honey  from  distinct  sources  separate.  To  mix 
all  the  honey  together  regardless  of  the  source 
from  whence  it  was  gathered  is  to  lose  the  aroma 
and  to  seriously  injure  the  quality.  The  section 
honey  may  be  graded  as  first,  second,  and  third, 
each  grade  commanding  a  separate  price.  The 
sections  which  are  evenly  filled  and  sealed  only 
will  be  placed  in  the  first  grade.  These,  too, 
will  travel  best,  and  if  any  are  to  be  sent  away 
those  filled  out  to  the  wood  are  the  most  suit- 
able. The  second  quality  should  be  good  also, 
but  they  need  not  be  so  even  nor  so  well  sealed. 
The  third  division  would  be  a  little  inferior  in 
the  same  points,  and  those  not  fit  to  be  included 
in  this  division  should  be  returned  to  the  hives 
or  be  put  into  the  extractor. 

Cleaning  sections. — All  sections  must  be  well 
scraped  to  remove  propolis  and  finger  marks. 
This  is  tedious  work,  but  clean  sections  make 
all  the  difference  between  selling  for  a  bad  and 
a  good  price. 


110 


THE    GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


[August  10,  1907. 


EDITORIAL     NOTICE. 


ADVERTISEMENTS  should  be  sent  to  the  PUB- 
LISHER,  4i»  Wellington  Street,  Covent  Garden, 
W.C.  f    , 

Letters  for  Publication,  as  well  as  specimens  and  plants 
tor  naming,  should  be  addressed  to  the  E  D  I T  O  R , 
41,  Wellington  Street,    Covent  Garden,   London. 

Communications  should  be  written  on  one  side  only  of 
the  paper,  sent  as  early  in  the  week  us  possible,  and  duly 
signed  by  the  writer,  1/  desired,  the  signature  will  not  be 
printed,  but  kept  as  a  guarantee  of  good  faith. 

Special  Notice  to  Correspondents.— The  Editor  does  not 
undertake  to  pay  for  any  conttibutions  or  illustrations,  or 
to  return  unused  communications  or  illustrations,  unless  by 
special  arrangement.  The  Editor  does  not  hold  himself 
responsible  for  any  opinions  expressed  by  his  correspondents. 

Illustrations.-  The  Editor  will  be  glad  to  receive  audio  select 
photographs  or  drawings,  suitable  for  reproduction,  of 
gardens,  or  of  remarkable  plants,  flowers,  treest  &c,  but  he 
cannot  be  responsible  for  lossor  injury. 

Newspapers.— Correspondents  sending  newspapers  should  be 
carefulto  mark  the  paragraphs  they  wish  the  Editor  to  see. 

Local  News. — Correspondents  will  greatly  oblige  by  sending  to 
the  Editor  early  intelligence  of  local  events  likely  to  be  of 
interest  to  our  readers,  or  of  any  matters  which  it  is  desirable 
to  bring  under  the  notice  of  horticulturists. 


APPOINTMENTS  FOR  THE  ENSUING  WEEK. 


SATURDAY,  AUGUST  10— 

Ann.  meet.  Roy.  Botanic  Soc,  1  p.m. 

TUESDAY,  AUGUST  13— Exmouth  Fl.  Sh.  (2  days). 

WEDNESDAY,  AUGUST  11— 
Taunton  Deane  Fl.  Sh,  (2  days). 

SATURDAY,  AUGUST  17— 
Sheffield  Fl.  Sh. 
German  Gard.  Soc.  meet. 


Average  Mean  Temperature  for  the  ensuing  week, 
deduced  from  observations  during  the  last  Fifty  Years 
at  Greenwich — 62'2°. 

Actual  Temperatures: — 

London.— Wednesday,  August  7    (6    p.m.)  :    Max.    68°; 
Min.  52°. 

Gardeners'  Chronicle  Office,  41,  Wellington  Street, 
Covent  Garden,  London.  —  Thursday,  August 
8  (10  a.m.):  Bar..  30-0;  Temp.,  65';  Weather— 
Overcast, 

Provinces—  Wednesday,  August  7  (6  p.m.)  :  Max.   62°, 
Colchester  ;  Min.  53',  North  of  Ireland. 


At  the  present  season  of  the  year 
Diversity    wnen  vegetation   is  most  plenti- 

Foliage.      ful>   and  all  the  trees  are  in  full 

leaf,  the  diversity  of  form  to  be 

seen  in  the  leaves  of  plants  can  hardly  escape 

the  observation  of  anyone  at  all  interested  in 

nature. 

In  view  of  the  identity  of  the  principal  vital 
function  of  leaves  throughout  the  plant  world, 
their  numerous  shapes  are  remarkable.  Con- 
sidered fundamentally,  the  leaf  merely  con- 
sists of  a  framework,  designed  to  sustain  and 
expose  the  vital  cells  containing  chlorophyll 
to  the  action  of  light  to  the  best  advantage, 
and  that  function  appears  perfectly  fulfilled 
by  the  simplest  vegetable  organisms  consist- 
ing either  of  single  cells  or  mere  chains  of 
cells,  such  as  are  to  be  seen  in  the  Characeae, 
the  green,  fibry  growths  which  accumulate 
in  stagnant  water  and  which  can  hardly  be 
termed  foliage  at  all.  The  Lichens  are  a 
step  higher,  and  in  the  lower  realms  of 
vegetative  life  are  the  Algae  inhabiting  both 
salt  and  fresh  water ;  the  Marchantias, 
and  so  on,  grading  upwards  to  the  Mosses 
and  Ferns,  and,  through  these,  to  the  flower- 
ing plants,  including  all  the  diverse  forms, 
from  dwarf  to  giant,  from  the  tiny  Alpine 
plant  to  the  great  Sequoia.  In  the  process 
of  evolution,  thousands  of  genera,  many  more 
thousands  of  species,  and  still  more  thou- 
sands of  varieties  have  arisen,  in  every  one 
of  which  are  forms  of  leaves,  of  which  no 
two    are    alike.      Even    among    the    mvriad 


leaves  of  a  single  tree,  the  Pines,  perhaps,  ex- 
cepted, it  would  be  difficult  to  find  two  leaves 
which  appear  exactly  similar,  even  to  the  un- 
aided vision.  We  can  easily  ascribe  to  evolu- 
tion a  difference  in  size,  as  we  know  that 
leaves  subjected  to  shade  and  moist  condi- 
tions respond  to  such  by  expansion,  so  as 
thereby  to  counterbalance  the  diffusion  of 
light,  while,  on  the  contrary,  foliage  exposed 
to  strong  light  and  also  to  greater  stress  of 
wind  is  naturally  dwarfed.  This,  however, 
does  not  account  for  their  marvellous  multi- 
formity, grading  from  simple,  undivided 
leaves  to  decomposite  ones  of  infinitely  fine 
cutting,  or  leaves  of  almost  any  imaginable 
outline,  varied,  moveover,  by  equally  infinite 
variety  of  plan  in  the  veins  which  form  the 
supporting  network  of  the  cells. 

Even  when  growing  under  apparently  simi- 
lar conditions,  enormous  differences  in  size 
are  to  be  seen  in  leaves ;  thus,  the  tiny-leaved 
Box  and  the  large-leaved  Sycamore,  and  the 
Willow  or  Poplar  associated  with  the  Horse 
Chestnut  are  familiar  examples  of  contrast- 
ing foliage  growing  side  by  side. 

This  variability,  however,  is  mainly  con- 
fined to  one  of  the  two  great  divisions  of 
foliage-bearing  plants,  namely,  the  dicotyle- 
dons, or  those  which  start  life  from  the  seed 
with  two  primary  leaves  and  subsequently 
build  up  their  stems  by  outside  additions, 
forming  in  shrubs  and  trees  the  so-called 
annular  rings  with  which  we  are  familiar. 
In  the  other  division,  that  of  monocotyle- 
dons, the  members  of  which  start  with 
a  single  primary  leaf  and  to  which  the 
great  family  of  Grasses  belongs;  also  the 
Palms,  Aloes,  Yuccas,  Lilies,  and  other  bul- 
bous plants,  there  is  a  general  similarity 
of  type  in  the  shape  of  long,  undivided  leaves. 
If  these  are  examined  it  will  be  found  that 
a  general  characteristic  is  the  system  of 
parallel  veins  running  from  end  to  end,  f  :> 
that,  while  the  leaves  may  be  easily  split 
longitudinally,  it  is  a  difficult  matter  to  break 
them  across.  This  system  of  venation  does 
not  lend  itself  to  the  formation  of  irregularly- 
shaped  or  divided  foliage,  nor  to  any  marked 
variation  of  type,  such  as  is  common  in 
dicotyledons.  It  is  easy  to  see,  for  instance, 
that  a  leaf  with  a  midrib  from  which  springs 
a  series  of  veins  running  to  the  margin,  her- 
ring-bone fashion,  may  by  simple  extension 
of  such  veins  become  saw-toothed,  deeply  cut 
or  even  divided  into  secondary  divisions, 
which  appear  impossible  where  all  the  veins 
run  straight  to  the  tip.  The  dicotyledons, 
having  their  veins  arranged  in  an  infinite 
variety  of  plans,  have  been  able  to  respond  to 
the  influences  of  environment  to  a  far  greater 
degree.  Cold  and  exposure,  or  great  heat  ac- 
companied by  drought,  would  naturally  check 
the  extension  of  the  veins,  and  thus  simplify 
the  form  of  leaf,  while  conditions  of  an  op- 
posite character,  as  warmth,  humidity,  and 
shelter  would  stimulate  the  extension  of  the 
veins  and,  therefore,  tend  to  bring  about 
diversity  of  foliage.  ■> 

Nature  has  endowed  leaves  with  a  capacity 
for  serving  other  purposes  than  mere  expo- 
sure of  chlorophyll  to  light,  an  instance  of 
which  may  be  seen  in  the  wonderful  adapta- 
tion of  the  Droseras  and  Dionaeas,  and  other 
genera,  whose  province  it  has  become  to  ob- 
tain other  food  than  that  contained  in  the 
carbonic  acid  in  the  air,  and  whose  leaves 
have  been  modified  to  serve  this  function. 


Our    Supplementary  Illustration. — The 

four  new  varieties  of  Sweet  Peas  which  form  the 
subject  of  our  Supplementary  Illustration  repre- 
sent the  latest  additions  to  this  popular  flower. 
These,  with  three  other  varieties,  were  selected  for 
awards  at  the  annual  show  on  July  16  last  of  the 
National  Sweet  Pea  Soc:ety.  All  the  flowers 
depicted  in  the  illustration  possess  an  undulate 
standard,  though  in  the  case  of  the  variety  St. 
George  this  is  seen  in  a  slight  degree  only,  and  it  is 
the  colour  rather  than  the  form  of  this  flower  which 
is  its  chief  attraction.  The  colour  is  described  by 
our  artist  as  translucent  scarlet,  with  wings  shaded 
a  crimson  scarlet,  and  the  keel  of  pale  rose  ;  the 
type  of  flower  is  known  as  orange,  and  it  is 
certainly  the  best  of  this  shade.  All  the  remaining 
varieties  shown  have  the  waved  standard  and  spread  - 
ing  wings  of  the  Countess  Spencer  type,  a  bowl  of 
which  variety,  with  decorated  grasses,  is  illustrated 
at  fig.  43.  The  variety  Evelyn  Hemus  is  one  of 
the  best  of  the  bicolor  flowers.  It  has  a  cream- 
coloured  ground,  with  a  suffusion  of  rose  which 
deepens  at  the  margins  into  a  distinct  edge  of  this 
colour.  Silas  Cole  is  a  very  large  flower  with  a 
broad,  waved  standard  that  is  a  deep  reddish 
maroon  shade.  The  wings  are  purple  and  of  a 
somewhat  deep  tint,  the  keel  is  mauve  with  a 
white  base.  It  will  form  a  suitable  companion  to 
the  well-known  Black  Knight.  The  variety  Rosie 
Adams  is  a  flower  of  large  size  and  with  a  peculiar 
colouring,  the  central  parts  are  violet  or  mauve,  and 
this  merges  in  the  standard  into  a  shade  of  rose. 
The  names  of  the  raisers  were  given  in  our  issue 
for  July  20,  page  56. 

The  Botanical  Magazine, — The  following 
plants  are  illustrated  and  described  in  the  issue  for 
August: — ■ 

Aloe  nitens,  tab.  8147.  This  species  was  sent 
to  Kew  in  1877  by  Sir  Henry  Barkxy  when 
Governor  at  the  Cape.  The  specimen  is  culti- 
vated in  the  Succulent  House  at  Kew  ;  it  is  12  feet 
high  and  flowers  in  mid-winter.  The  species  has 
green  leaves  crowded  into  an  apical  crown.  The 
panicle  bears  about  seven  spikes,  and  the  densely 
flowered  spikes  are  described  by  Mr.  C.  H. 
Wright  as  resembling  those  of  Kniphofia 
aloides.  The  showy  character  of  the  flowers  is 
due  to  the  orange-and-red  coloured  stamens  and 
anthers.  In  a  brief  note  on  the  cultivation  of 
Aloes,  Mr.  W.  Watson  describes  this  species  as 
one  needing  less  heat  than  most  others,  and  sug- 
gests that  it  would  probably  be  an  ideal  plant  for 
the  gardens  of  the  Riviera. 

Bruckenthalia  spicdlifolia,  tab.  8148.  This 
Ericaceous  plant  was  discovered  by  Sibthorp 
in  Asia  Minor  more  than  a  century  ago.  It  was 
described  as  E.  spiculifolia  by  Salisbukv  in  1802, 
and  as  Menziesia  Bruckenthalii  by  Baumgarten 
in  1816.  Dr.  Otto  Stapf  now  describes  the 
plant  as  having  quite  the  appearance  of  a  small 
Erica,  but  as  differing  from  that  genus  in  the 
campanulate  calyx  and  the  almost  complete 
absence  of  a  disc.  It  is  pretty  well-known  as  a 
cultivated  plant  in  this  country,  growing  about  6 
inches  high  and  having  rosy-lilac  coloured  flowers. 
Mr.  W.  J.  Bean  states  that  the  species  thrives  well 
in  the  open  air  at  Kew,  planted  in  a  light,  peaty 
soil,  where  it  forms  close  tufts  about  6  inches  high 
and  a  foot  or  more  across.  It  commences  to 
flower  about  mid-June,  and  remains  in  flower  for 
about  one  month.  Although  quite  hardy,  the  plant 
is  too  small  to  stand  rough  shrubbery  treatment. 
The  best  place  for  it  is,  perhaps,  a  shelf  or  minia- 
ture plateau  on  the  rockery. 

Calathea  angustifolia,  tab.  8149.  Mr.  C. 
H.  Wright  describes  this  species,  which  has  been 
cultivated  for  many  years,  owing  to  its  attractive 
foliage.  Earlier  names  for  the  same  plant  are 
Maranta  discolor  and  Heliconia  discolor.  It  has 
narrowly,  oblong  acuminate  leaves,  2  feet  long 
and  nearly  5  inches  wide,  pilose  on  both  surfaces. 


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August  10,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


Ill 


green  above  and  purple  beneath  ;  the  petiole  is 
about  2  feet  long,  green,  spotted  with  red,  densely 
clothed  with  patent  hairs,  except  for  about  an  inch 
below  the  blade,  where  it  is  glabrous  and  swollen. 
The  flower  scape  is  6-10  inches  high,  yellowish, 
spotted  with  red.  The  flowers  are  showy  by 
reason  of  the  pale  yellow  corollas.  Mr.  W. 
Watson  recommends  the  planting  out  of  Cala- 
theas  and  Marantas  rather  than  their  cultivation 
in  pots,  and  a  selection  of  the  two  genera  planted 
out  in  the  Nepenthes  House  at  Kew  affords  an 
instance  of  the  success  which  attends  such  treat- 
ment. All  the  species  enjoy  a  light,  rich  soil, 
plentv  of  moisture,  shade,  and  a  tropical  tem- 
perature 


is  so  decorative  as  the  stc  mless  species,  and  so  far 
all  attempts  to  cross  them  with  plants  of  the  latter 
type  have  proved  unsuccessful. 

Delphinium  macrocentron,  tab.  8151.  Mr. 
W.  Botting  Hemsley  describes  this  species,  and 
the  figure  was  prepared  from  a  plant  grown  in  the 
gardens  of  Mr.  James  O'Brien  at  Harrow-on-the- 
Hill,  Miss  O'Brien  having  contributed  a  draw- 
ing illustrating  the  habit  of  the  plant.  The  species 
was  first  discovered  in  Lykipia  in  the  Masai  country 
in  1884.  The  Hon.  Walter  Rothschild  im- 
ported seeds  from  Mount  Elgoii.  The  plant  is  a 
perennial  herb,  hairy  in  all  its  parts,  and  the 
stems,  as  grown  in  a  pot,  are  about  5  feet  high, 
slightly  branched,  having  palmately  divided  leaves. 


[Photograph  by  J.    Gregory. 

p1G.  43, SWEET  PEA  COUNTESS  SPENCER  ARRANGED  IN  A  VASE  WITH  ORNAMENTAL  GRASSES. 

(For  text  see  page  110.) 


Streptocarpus  Holstii,  tab.  8150.  This  is  a 
caulescent  species,  raised  at  Kew  from  seed  received 
from  the  Berlin  Botanic  Gardens  in  1905.  Two 
other  caulescent  species  have  been  already  figured 
in  the  Botanical  Magazine,  namely  S.  Kirkii  (tab. 
6782)  and  S.  caulescens  (tab.  6814).  Mr.  W. 
Botting  Hemsley,  who  describes  the  present 
species,  states  that  it  is  a  much  more  ornamental 
plant  than  either  of  those  named.  It  grows  about 
18  inches  high,  has  fleshy,  long-stalked,  ovate, 
slightly  hairy  leaves.  The  cymes  are  produced  in 
the  axils  of  the  upper  leaves,  and  the  flowers  are 
of  mauve-purple,  with  a  white  throat.  Mr.  W. 
Watson  states  that  none  of  these  caulescent  species 


The  flowers  are  hairy,  blue  and  green  or  yellow, 
and  green  in  some  of  the  wild  specimens,  with  a 
whitish  apex,  about  2  inches  long.  Mr.  O'Brien 
is  of  the  opinion  that  the  species  may  prove  to  be 
hardy. 

The  Journal  of  the  Royal  Horticul- 
tural Society. — The  thirty-second  volume  just 
issued  contains  a  great  amount  of  interesting 
matter.  Exclusive  of  the  Proceedings,  which 
fill  240  pages,  there  are  350  pages  of  text.  The 
more  important  "  papers"  and  original  contri- 
butions are  as  follow: — "A  Japanese  Garden 
in   England,"    by   Mr.   James   Hudson;    "The 


Formation  and  Care  of  Grass  Lawns,"  by  Mr. 
Martin  H.  F.  Sutton  ;  "  Garden  Nomencla- 
ture," by  Mr.  G.  W.  BULMAN,  M.A.,  B.Sc.  ; 
"  Parasitic  and  Saprophytic  Plants,"  also 
"  Some  Remarkable  Adaptations  of  Plants  to 
Insects,"  and  "  The  Origin  and  Peculiarities  of 
Climbing  Plants,"  all  by  the  Rev.  Prof.  Geo. 
Henslow,  M.A.  ;  "  Animated  Photographs  of 
Plants,"  by  Mrs.  Dukinfield  H.  Scott,  F.L.S. 
(see  Gardeners'  Chronicle,  April  28,  1906,  fig. 
110)  ;  "  Phenology  as  an  Aid  to  Horticulture," 
by  Mr.  Edward  Mawley  ;  "  Some  Phases  of 
Twentieth-Century  Horticulture  in  the  United 
States,"  by  Prof.  Corbett,  of  Washington; 
"Tea  and  the  Tea  Plant,"  by  Sir  George 
Watt  ;  "  Meteorology  in  its  Relation  to  Hoiticul- 
ture,"  by  Mr.  R.  H.  Curtis  ;  "  Researches  at 
Wisley,"  by  Mr.  Geo.  Massee  ;  "Notes  on 
Some  Cornish  Gardens  and  on  Some  Wild  Plants 
Growing  about  Land's  End,"  by  Mr.  A.  Woes- 
ley;  "An  Annotated  List  of  the  Species  of 
Campanula,"  by  Colonel  R.  H.  Beddome  ; 
"  Horticultural  Education,"  by  Mr.  F.  J. 
Baker  ;  "  The  Education  of  the  Cottage  and 
Market-Gardener,"  by  Mr.  T.  S.  Dymond  ;  "  The 
West  Indian  Lime,"  by  Archibald  J.  Brooks  ; 
"  Mendel's  Law  of  Heredity,"  by  Mr.  C.  C. 
Hurst  ;  "  A  Criticism  of  the  Exhibition  of  South 
African  Fruit  Exhibition,"  by  the  Rev.  W. 
Wilks  ;  "  Perfumes  :  Their  Source  and  Extrac- 
tion," by  Mr.  Jno.  C.  Umney  ;  and  "  The  Value 
of  Fruit  as  Food,"  by  Dr.  Josiah  Oldfield. 
Some  of  the  papers,  Mr.  Hudson's,  for  instance, 
were  delivered  more  than  two  years  ago,  and 
the  volume  does  not  include  any  paper  which 
has  been  read  at  meetings  held  during  the  pre- 
sent year.  There  are  many  useful  reviews  of 
new  books,  and  the  "  Commonplace  Notes  "  are 
interesting,  as  usual.  The  "  Notes  and  Ab- 
stracts "  occupy  about  30  pages,  but  they  have 
been  obtained  from  fewer  periodicals  than  usual. 
In  addition  to  the  subjects  already  mentioned, 
there  are  reports  of  the  trials  at  Wisley  and 
much  further  information  of  a  miscellaneous 
character.  The  work  of  editing  such  a  volu- 
minous publication  must  entail  a  great  amount 
of  work,  and  Mr.  Saunders  is  entitled  to  con- 
gratulation for  the  excellent  manner  with  which 
it   is   discharged. 

The  Course  of  Flowering  in  Acer 
platanoides. — Some  remarks  are  published  in 
the  Botanischer  Centralblatt,  No.  27,  1907,  con- 
cerning observations  made  on  the  flowering  of 
Acer  platanoides  in  the  town  park  at  St.  Gall  (660 
metres  above  sea  level),  by  the  Hon.  P.  Vogler. 
It  is  there  stated  that  every  tree  of  this  species 
had  at  first  a  10  to  20  days'  period  when  male 
blooms  only  were  developed,  followed  at  an 
interval  ranging  from  one  to  five  days  by  a 
development  of  female  flowers,  so  that,  as  a 
rule,  wholesale  pollination  appeared  to  be  ex- 
cluded. A  second  crop  of  male  blooms  appear 
in  most  instances. 

Fibre     from      Pineapple     Leaves.  —  The 

Florists'  Exchange  contains  a  note  by  Vice- 
Consul  J.  K.  Foster,  on  experiments  re- 
cently made  in  Queensland  to  obtain  useful 
fibre  from  the  leaves  of  the  Pineapple  plant. 
This  fibre  is  situated  in  the  jelly-like  tissue  beneath 
the  tough  epidermis.  The  latter  becomes  remov- 
able by  maceration  in  water.  Hitherto  the  leaves 
have  been  thrown  away,  but  should  the  fibre 
prove  useful,  and  the  process  of  extraction  not 
too  costly,  the  Pineapple  cultivator  will  secure 
a  valuable   by-product. 

A  Cheap  Book  on  the  Cultivation  of 
Bulbs.  — A  handbook  on  the  culture  of  the 
commoner  bulbs  has  been  published  by  the 
Agricultural  and  Horticultural  Associa- 
tion at  the  price  of  one  penny.  When  we  say 
that  the  author  is  Mr.  S.  Arnott,  who  frequently 
contributes  to  our  own  columns,  and  that  the 
handbook  contains  numerous  illustrations,  it 
will  be  at  once  evident  that  the  purchaser  will 
be  sure  to  obtain  good  value  for  his  penny. 


112 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[August  10,  1907. 


LlLIUM        TESTACEUM       AND        L.       CANDIDUM 

hybrids. — The  following  notes  on  this  subject 
are  from  Herr  F.  Schenbel,  of  Oberlahustein, 
Germany,  and  were  kindly  sent  us  by  Mr. 
Gumbleton  : — "  Of  the  seedlings  raised  from 
crosses  made  between  these  two  species,  seven 
have  flowered  and,  of  these,  six  have  bloomed 
for  the  first  time.  They  commenced  to  flower 
earlier  in  the  season  than  either  parent.  The 
one  which  flowered  for  the  second  time  was  as 
vigorous  as  L.  testaceum,  and  reached  a  height 
of  5  feet ;  it  bore  six  flowers  as  large  as  those 
of  L.  testaceum  and  of  like  form,  but  of  a 
coral-red  shade  of  colour.  Of  the  remaining 
six  three  were  of  the  same  height  as  the  first 
had  been  last  summer,  or  between  3  and  4  feet, 
and  bore  two  or  three  flowers  each.  In  the 
case  of  two  of  them  the  colour  of  the  flower 
was  like  that  of  L.  chalcedonicum,  but  in  size 
the  blooms  were  as  large  as  those  of  L.  .testa- 
ceum. The  third  had  a  large  orange-coloured 
flower.  The  three  other  seedlings  were  of  more 
slender  growth,  bearing  only  one  flower  each. 
In  the  case  of  two  of  them  the  colour  of  the 
flower  was  a  shade  redder  than  that  of  L. 
testaceum  at  their  opening,  but  their  interiors 
turned  darker  and  darker  every  day  until  they 
were  mid-way  in  colour  between  L.  chalce- 
donicum and  L.  testaceum  ;  the  backs  of  the 
petals  remained  light  and  contrasted  well  with 
the  interiors.  The  last  of  the  seven  seedlings 
was  the  most  slender  of  them  all,  with  a  small 
flower  much  lighter  than  the  female  parent.  I 
think  that  these  hybrids  prove  two  things — 
first,  that  hybrids  often  revert  to  one  of  their 
grandparents,  showing  little  more  than  a  trace 
of  their  immediate  parents  ;  and,  secondly,  that 
I.,  testaceum  is  a  hybrid  probably  between  L. 
chalcedonicum  and  some  other  nearly  allied 
specieSi" 

Lilium  tigrinum. — Kew  received  in  January 
of  this  year,  writes  W.  W .  in  the  Kew  Bull,  tin, 
some  bulbs  of  a  Lilium  from  Messrs.  Watson  & 
Scull,  90,  Lower  Thames  Street,  E.C.,  who 
stated  that  they  had  been  sent  by  a  nurseryman 
in  Shanghai,  with  the  information  that  they 
were  of  an  unknown  Lily  from  the  interior  of 
China,  where  they  were  cultivated  for  some 
medicinal  property  contained  in  the  bulbs,  and 
that  they  had  stems  4  to  6  feet  high,  and  flowers 
"  white  with  a  little  yellow."  The  bulbs,  on 
comparison  with  cultivated  examples  of  species 
of  Lilium,  were  most  like  those  of  L.  auratum, 
and  the  description  of  the  flowers  also  pointed  to 
that  species,  which,  however,  is  known  only 
from  Japan,  although  it  has  been  suggested  that 
it  may  be  of  Chinese  origin.  Bulbs  of  an  "  un- 
known Lily  from  China,  with  white  and  yellow 
flowers "  were  soon  afterwards  offered  for  sale 
by  English  and  other  dealers,  and  a  dozen  were 
purchased  for  Kew.  Some  of  the  plants,  from 
both  sources,  are  now  in  flower,  and  they  prove 
to  be  nothing  more  than  L.  tigrinum,  Ker-Gawl., 
one  of  the  most  widely-cultivated  of  Chinese 
Liliums,  which  was  first  introduced  into  England 
in  1804,  where  it  is  now  in  almost  every  garden, 
and  is  represented  by  several  well-marked  varie- 
ties, including  one  with  double  flowers.  It  has 
been  collected  wild  in  Pekin  (David)  ;  Hupeh  ; 
Ichang  and  Patung  (Henry)  ;  Szechuen  ;  Tchen- 
keoutin  (Faeges)  ;  Corea  (Perry)  ;  Chemulpo 
(Carles)  ;  the  Corean  Archipelago  (Oldham). 
It  is  also  wild  in  Japan.  Dr.  Henry  states  that 
in  Ichang  this  species  is  cultivated  and  the  bulbs 
eaten,  and  that  dry  Lily  flowers  are  used  by  the 
Chinese  for  flavouring  soups  and  as  a  remedy 
for  pulmonary  diseases  (see  also  Kew  Bulletin, 
1889,  p.  116).  It  is  therefore  not  impossible 
that  the  particular  form  of  L.  tigrinum  now  in 
question,  with  bulbs  unlike  those  of  the  forms 
usually  known  in  gardens,  may  be  one  of  those 
cultivated  in   China  as  a  vegetable. 


Dahlias. — The  following  remarks  on  Dahlias 
in  England  are  taken  from  a  paper  by  Mr.  G.  H. 
Howarth,  which  is  printed  in  the  Dahlia  News 
(American)  for  July: — "Perhaps  no  one  flower 
has  so  many  varieties  as  the  Dahlia — the  Cactus 
for  instance  was  first  exhibited  in  England  in  1880 — 
just  27  years  ago,  and  now  there  are  thousands 
of  good  Cactus  Dahlias,  hundreds  of  which 
have  received  first-class  certificates,  awards  of 
merit,  &c,  for  in  England  the  Dahlia  is  of  no 
■use  commercially  until  it  has  been  properly  judged 
and  stamped  with  the  approval  of  competent 
judges,  a  truly  commendable  way  of  setting  a  value 
on  new  varieties.  Many  varieties  which  in 
England  and  Germany  may  be  all  that  is  claimed 
for  them,  are  a  great  disappointment  here  under 
the  most  favourable  conditions— taking  for  in- 
stance '  Winsome,'  supposed  to  be  an  ideal  white, 
perfect  shape,  &c,  as  far  as  this  variety  has  been 
exhibited  in  this  country,  it  is  very  ordinary 
indeed,  as  is  also  Lord  Roberts  and  Keynes  White. 
Strange  as  it  may  seem,  England  has  not  produced 
a  pure  white  Dahlia,  all  her  so-called  whites 
being  of  a  cream  tint,  while  France  has  sent  over 
even  in  1000  a  good  white  Decorative  Dahlia 
which  was  classed  as  Cactus  at  that  time,  '  Mdme. 
Armond  Charet.'  England,  France  and  Germany 
vie  with  one  another  each  year  in  producing  new 
or  improving  on  old  varieties  in  the  Cactus  shape, 
as  well  as  improving  the  formation  of  the  flower, 
and  it  is  to  those  countries  we  owe  to  some  extent 
the  interest  which  is  kept  up  by  their  introduction. 
It  is  to  be  hoped  in  the  coming  years  that  America, 
instead  of  following,  will  be  leading,  and  this 
result  can  only  be  obtained  after  weeding  out  the 
worthless  kinds  and  growing  only  the  best ; 
encouraging  the  growth  of  '  seedlings '  and 
having  a  competent  committee  of  sufficient  juris- 
diction to  judge  their  merits,  and  if  found  worthy, 
award  them  distinctions." 

The  Seed  Crops  in  France. — According  to 
a  report  in  the  Bulletin  des  Cultivateurs  de 
Graines,  the  trade  in  the  last  season  was  satis- 
factory, and  the  warehouses  having  been  nearly 
cleared  of  old  seeds,  especially  of  Cabbage 
seed,  higher  prices  are  hoped  for.  A  good 
harvest  is  anticipated,  more  especially  in 
the  south,  where  the  climatical  conditions  have 
been  favourable.  In  the  north  and  central  de- 
partments more  rain  fell  than  was  good  for 
seeds,  but  improvement  followed  at  the  end  of 
the  rainy  period.  The  sowings  for  1908  have, 
in  general,  been  satisfactory,  and  the  weather 
favourable  to  growth.  The  harvest  for  the 
present  year,  so  far  as  an  opinion  may  now  be 
formed  for  the  various  crops,  will  be  as  follows. 
Seed  of  Mangold  Wurzel  will  fetch  medium 
prices.  The  crops  in  the  neighDOurhood  of  Paris 
are  as  yet  in  good  condition.  Beets  in  the  cen- 
tral districts  of  France  have  developed  vigor- 
ously ;  but  in  the  south  growth  is  slow  and 
aphides  have  already  made  their  appearance. 
Seeds  of  table  Carrots  and  cattle-feeding  Car- 
rots should  fetch  .good  prices.  With  the  excep- 
tion of  certain  crops  in  Central  France,  where 
the  rainfall  worked  mischief,  the  condition  of 
the  seed  crops  leaves  nothing  to  be  desired. 
Cabbages  promise  well.  The  crops  of  Hearting 
Cabbage  seed  in  the  vicinity  of  Paris  and  in 
Central  France  are  somewhat  deficient ;  but  in 
the  south,  on  the  contrary,  the  harvest  will  be 
excellent.  The  crop  of  Brussels  Sprouts  is  safe, 
and  that  of  Cauliflower  in  Italy  will  be  excel- 
lent. Kohlrabi  is  everywhere  good.  Cucumber 
and  Gherkin  seed  came  up  badly  in  the  north 
and  centre  owing  to  wet,  cool  weather  at  the 
period  of  seed-sowing.  In  the  south  the  plants 
suffered  much  less.  Beans  germinated  badly,  and 
the  quantity  sown  in  the  south  was  inconsider- 
able. Cabbage  Lettuce  and  summer  and  winter 
Endive    are    expected    to    yield    normal    crops. 


Onions  promise  a  good  crop,  but  the  promise 
may  be  spoilt  at  the  last  moment.  Of  the  chief 
variety,  "Vertus,"  several  cultures  in  Central 
France  are  diseased,  whilst  about  Paris  and  in 
the  south  the  condition  of  the  plants  is  extra- 
ordinarily fine.  Leeks  are  excellent,  but  land 
occupied  by  this  crop  is  limited  in  extent ;  the 
demand  will  about  be  covered,  and  medium 
prices  obtained.  Parsley  showed  well  for  seed, 
and  a  good  harvest  is  expected.  Peas  will  be 
plentiful,  and  as  the  demand  is  constantly  in- 
creasing, dealers  are  expecting  to  get  good 
prices.  The  harvest  commenced  early  in  July. 
Salsafy  and  Scorzonera  promise  good  crops  in 
France  and  Holland,  but  the  amount  of  land 
under  these  crops  is  not  great. 

The  Onion  Crop  in  Egypt.— The  fear  that 
high  prices  would  prevail  this  season  has  been 
justified.  In  consequence  of  the  low  temperature 
the  quality  of  the  bulbs  is  inferior  ;  at  the 
beginning  of  the  Onion  harvest  but  small  quantities 
came  to  hand,  and  the  harvest  was  believed  to  be 
an  inconsiderable  one.  The  American  demand 
also  had  an  effect  on  prices.  At  the  beginning  of 
the  month  of  May  there  were  heavy  shipments 
to  England,  but  owing  to  the  large  quantities 
brought  to  market,  prices  declined.  In  that  month 
the  price  per  sack  of  50  kilog.,  free  on  board,  at 
Alexandria,  was  4s.  instead  of  2s.  4d.  as  in  the 
previous  year.  Up  to  the  end  of  April  there  were 
shipped  680,904,  against  1,037,495  sacks  in  1906,- 
of  which  32,371  went  to  Hamburg ;  to  English 
ports,  500,484;  to  Trieste,  110,915 ;  Rotterdam, 
21,396  ;  and  Marseilles,  12,000  sacks. 

Timber  for  Clog  Soles. — In  several  parts 
cf  Shropshire,  Hampshire,  and  throughout 
Wales,  the  northern  counties  in  particular,  the 
making  of  clog  soles  is  an  important  and 
remunerative  industry.  The  wood  of  Alder  is 
preferred  for  this  work,  but  Birch,  Willow,  and 
Sycamore  are  occasionally  used,  and  in  many 
woodlands  of  these  districts  traces  of  the  ciog- 
maker  may  be  found  in  the  heaps  of  chips  or 
shavings  which  are  cut  off  in  forming  the  soles. 
It  is  interesting  to  watch  the  speed  with  which 
the  sole  for  a  clog  is  shaped  out  of  the  prepared 
block  of  wood,  and  with  the  most  primitive  and 
modest  appliances — a  roughly-formed  stool,  to 
which  a  portion  of  an  old  scythe  blade  hinged 
at  one  end,  and  with  a  wooden  handle  at  the 
other,  is  attached.  In  the  way  of  dexterous 
handicraft  no  more  interesting  sight  can  be  af- 
forded than  to  watch  a  skilful  maker  of  clog, 
soles.  The  ready  certainty  with  which  the  wood- 
man, when  taking  one  of  the  prepared  logs  in 
hand,  sees  how  it  can  best  be  treated,  and  the 
readiness  with  which  the  rude  tools  are  made  to 
bring  about  the  desired  result,  are  admirable, 
and  a  forcible  example  of  skilled  labour.  Young 
and  quickly-grown  trees,  with  stems  from  9  to 
12  inches  in  diameter  and  as  clean  as  possible, 
are  most  sought  after,  and  the  price  varies  with 
the  locality  from  8d.  to  lOd.  per  cubic  foot. 
Generally  permission  is  given  for  the  work 
to  be  carried  out  in  the  woodland  where  the 
trees  are  felled,  and  the  cost  of  haulage  and 
carriage  is  thereby  saved. 

Root  Action  and  Bacteria.  —  Mr.  F. 

Fletcher,  writing  from  Poona  in  a  recent  issue 
of  Nature  in  respect  to  a  previous  note  by  Mr. 
Spencer  Pickering  on  "Root  Action  and  Bac- 
teria," states  that  experiments  he  has  made  at 
Poona  both  in  the  field  and  in  water  culture 
with  a  large  number  of  varieties  of  plants  do  not 
lead  directly  to  the  conclusion  that  the  proper 
functioning  of  roots  depends  on  the  presence  of 
bacteria.  Water  cultures  have  been  made  on  a 
fairly  large  scale,  three  harvests  of  90  plants 
being  taken  in  a  large  number  of  dishes,  each 
containing  two  litres  of  water.     After  the  third 


August  10,  1007.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


113 


harvest,  the  water  was  allowed  to  stand  and 
evaporate  to  half  its  volume.  On  attempting  to 
use  this  water  for  further  water  cultures,  all  the 
plants  sown  in  it  died  within  two  days  and  some 
within  half  an  hour,  the  time  varying  with  the 
variety  of  plant  that  was  transplanted  into  the 
water,  and  with  the  variety  that  had  previously 
been  grown  in  the  water.  Further,  boiling  this 
water,  writes  Mr.  Fletcher,  neither  increases 
nor  diminishes  its  toxicity  to  plants.  It  is, 
moreover,  immaterial  whether  the  nutrient  solu- 
tion is  such  as  to  become  acid  or  alkaline  after 
use  ;  neutralisation  in  either  case  does  not  mal;e 
.  it  possible  to  grow  plants  in  it.  His  experi- 
ments lead  to  the  conclusion  that  the  roots  of 
all  the  plants  so  far  tried  excrete  a  substance 
that  is  toxic  to  all  plants  (including  that  by 
which  it  is  excreted),  but  in  different  degrees. 
Similarly,  in  the  field  Sesanum  indicum  will  not 
grow  (on  stiff  black  soil)  within  2  feet  of  Sor- 
ghum vulgare  ;  all  the  plants  tried  to  appear  to 
decrease  the  yield  of  neighbouring  plants  of  the 
same  variety  by  about  00  per  cent.  The  effect 
of  the  toxic  substance  both  in  the  field  and  in 
water  culture  is  completely  neutralised  by  tannic 
and  pyrogallic  acids,  carbon  black,  and  other 
substances.  It  is,  of  course,  possible  that  bac- 
teria in  the  soil  have  a  beneficial  action  by- 
elaborating  antitoxins  similar  to  those  men- 
tioned. Mr.  Fletcher  states  that  he  has  not 
yet  been  able  to  isolate  the  toxic  substance  con- 
tained in  the  polluted  water  of  his  cultures. 


HEMSTED    PARK,    KENT. 

Hemsted  Park,  the  seat  of  Earl  Cranbrook, 
is  situated  in  the  parish  of  Benenden,  some 
four  miles  from  the  ancient  market  town  of 
Cranbrook,  in  the  heart  of  the  Weald  of  Kent. 
The  present  peer  is  the  second  holder  of  the 
title ;  the  first,  perhaps  better  known  as  Mr. 
Gathorne-Hardy,  was  one  of  the  brilliant 
coterie  of  statesmen  who  formed  a  distin- 
guishing feature  of  the  mid-Victorian  age. 
The  estate  is  charmingly  placed  on  high  ground, 
and  the  natural  conformation  of  its  entire  area, 
with  a  soil  varying  from  peat  to  a  stiff  sandy 
loam,  lends  itself  to  every  variety  of  garden- 
ing. Park  and  lake,  woodland  and  pleasure 
gardens  are  features  of  great  interest,  yet  the 
wild  garden,  dells  and  pools  would  appeal  to 
many  as  possessing  a  greater  charm  and  beauty 
than  the  gayer  flower-gardens,  borders  and 
walks. 

The  park,  which  is  some  300  acres  in  area, 
is  entered  through  iron  gates,  which  are  flanked 


Azaleas  are  a  feature  of  the  estate,  the  former 
especially,  and  the  varieties  embrace  many  of 
the  best  in  cultivation. 

In  the  wild  garden,  near  the  mansion,  is  th3 
largest  lake,  and  it  would  be  difficult  to  imagine 
a  more  reposeful  and  pleasing  prospect  than 
this  affords)  On  the  perfect  July  afternoon  that 
I  saw  it  not  a  ripple  moved  the  surface  of  the 
water,  nor  the  slightest  breeze  stirred  the  leaves 
of  the  Weeping  Willows,  Poplars,  Limes,  Rho- 
dodendrons, and  Alders  that  fringed  the  banks. 

During  nearly  the  whole  year  the  ground  is 
covered  by  breadths  of  floral  subjects.  Snow- 
drops and  Crocuses  in  the  early  spring  are 
quickly  succeeded  by  Daffodils  of  many  varieties, 
and  Primroses  (this  part  of  Kent  is  famous  for 
these  flowers),  Bluebells  and  Tulips  later  ;  while 
during  the  summer  Foxgloves,  Lilium  Mar- 
tagon,  Honeysuckle,  and  many  other  flowers 
flourish  luxuriantly :  in  marshy  spots  Primula 
japonica  abounds. 

In  the  rock  garden  hardy  Ferns  propagate 
freely,  and  plants  are  found  in  every  crevice  of 


ARGEMONE    GRANDIFLORA. 

According  to  Mr.  Archer-Hind  who  thinks 
very  highly  of  this  plant,  it  was  known  to 
Dioscorides  more  than  1,800  years  ago,  and,  in 
Nicholson's  Dictionary  of  Gardening,  its  date 
of  introduction  into  this  country  is  given  as 
1827.  Notwithstanding  the  many  years  that 
have  elapsed  since  it  was  first  brought  into 
England,  the  species  is  not  common  in  gar- 
dens, which  is  the  more  surprising  when  its 
beauty  is  considered.  The  flowers,  which  are  4 
inches  across,  are  of  a  satin-like  texture  ;  they 
are  pure  white,  with  a  central  bunch  of  yellow 
stamens.  Except  in  size,  they  are  very  similar 
to  the  blossoms  of  Romneya  Coulteri,  but  the 
latter  are  often  7  inches  in  diameter.  A  bush, 
such  as  that  illustrated  at  fig.  44,  4  feet  in 
height  and  as  much  through,  is  an  exceedingly 
pretty  sight  when  in  full  flower,  as  many  as  41 
expanded  blossoms  being  sometimes  carried 
simultaneously.  The  plants- usually  begin  to 
flower  at  about  the  end  of  June,  and  remain 
in  bloom  for  about  four  months.  The  individual 
blossoms  last  little  longer  than  a  day,  but  are 
produced  in  such  profusion  that  their  fading  is 
unnoticed.  The  leaves  are  grey  and  very  prickly, 
and  are  from  6  inches  to  9  inches  in  length. 
Seeds  are  borne  freely  in  pods  liberally  armed 
with  prickles,  and  seedlings  may,  therefore,  be 
easily  raised.  The  species  is  generally  considered 
to  be  an  annual,  but  in  certain  cases  the  plants 
throw  up  again  from  the  roots.  The  plant 
illustrated  was  put  out  four  years  ago,  and 
every  season  has  renewed  itself  by  growths  put 
forth  from  the  base.  This  was  also  the  case 
with  an  extremely  fine  specimen  in  Mr.  Archer- 
Hind's  garden  a  few  years  ago,  which  was  5 
feet  in  height  and  15  feet  in  circumference.  On 
one  day  this  plant  bore  50  expanded  blossoms. 
Where  it  is  treated  as  an  annual,  it  is  best  raised 
in  heat  at  the  beginning  of  March,  and  planted 
out,  when  large  enough,  in  the  month  of  May. 
It  much  resents  transplantation,  and  great  care 
should  be  taken  in  planting  it  out,  since  the 
least  twist  given  to  the  seedling  may  prove  fatal. 
The  plants  succeed  best  in  light  soil,  and  the 
species  being  a  native  of  Mexico,  it  likes  a 
warm  position.  Most  probably  the  fact  that 
the  soil,  in  which  the  plant  illustrated  is  grow- 
ing, is  very  light  and  its  position  warm,  hns 
much  to  do  with  its  proving  perennial.  S.  \V . 
Fitzherbert,   Devonshire. 


FlG.    44. — ARGEMONE    GRANDIFLORA  :     FLOWERS    WHITE,    WITH    YELLOW    STAMENS. 


on  the  left  by  a  picturesque  lodge.  The  green- 
sward on  either  side  of  the  car-iage  drive  is 
broken  by  trees  placed  in  some  cases  singly,  at 
others  in  groups,  in  effective  situations,  thereby 
enhancing  the  natural  attractiveness  of  the  land, 
scape. 

To  a  lover  of  trees,  Hemsted  would  afford 
endless  delight.  Most  indigenous  species 
flourish,  and  many  of  the  individual  Oak, 
Beech,  Elm,  and  Ash  trees  may  be  regarded 
as  specimens.  There  is  a  fine  avenue  of  Limes, 
also  one  of  old  Elms.  Owing,  however,  to  the 
evil  reputation  the  latter  species  has  of  drop- 
ping its  limbs  suddenly,  the  Elms  are  to  be  re- 
placed by  Yews.  Conifers  also  do  well  in 
various  situations.  There  is  a  specimen  of  the 
beautiful  Sciadopitys  verticillata  which  is  25 
feet  in  height.  At  the  time  of  my  visit  the 
Liriodendron  tulipifera  was  in  full  flower,  and 
the  Eucalyptus  exhaled  its  pungent  fragranc; 
in  the  summer  air.     Rhododendrons  and  hardy 


brick  or  stone  where  a  spore  can  obtain  a  lodg- 
ment. Among  many  others,  I  noticed  Scolopen- 
drum  vulgare,  S.  vulgare  marginatum,  S.  crista- 
tum,  S.  ramomarginatum,  Asplenium  filix- 
fcemina  (vars.),  A.  lanceolatum,  A.  1.  crispatum. 
Polystichum  aculeatum,  Lastraea  cristata  and 
L.   aculeata. 

Before  concluding  a  description  of  this  part 
of  the  grounds  attention  must  be  drawn  to  the 
meres,  in  which  the  Water  Lilies  are  grown,  and 
it  would  be  difficult  to  find  any  spot  more  pleasing 
both  by  its  natural  conformation  and  its  charm- 
ing environment.  There,  are  two  ponds  situated 
at  different  elevations,  and  in  these  choice 
Nympha?as  of  the  Marliacea  type  and  Arum 
Lilies,  &c,  were  at  the  time  of  my  visit  flower- 
ing in  perfection,  while  in  the  marshy  ground 
breadths  of  Forget-me-Nots,  Primula  japonica, 
Mimulus,  Iris,  hardy  species  of  Cypripedium, 
Digitalis,  and  other  bog-loving  subjects  were 
flourishing.       Clumps    of    Bambusa    and    Gun- 


114 


THE    GARDENERS     CHRONICLE. 


[August  10,  1907. 


neras  evidently  find  in  this  spot  congenial  con- 
ditions. Many  of  the  common  English  Ferns 
are  seen,  and  a  lover  of  Mosses  could  quickly 
cull  an  interesting  collection  from  this  spot. 

Cultivation  under  glass  is  carried  on  in  thir- 
teen houses,  which  are  suitably  contrived  for 
the  various  purposes  they  are  put  to.  Tomatos 
showed  good  culture,  and  were  furnishing  heavy 
crops  of  fruits.  Cucumbers  of  the  variety  Tele- 
graph also  made  a  fine  show.  The  principal 
varieties  of  Grapes  grown  are  Lady  Downe's 
Seedling,  Muscat  of  Alexandria,  Madresfield 
.Court,  and  Black  Hamburg.  Of  Melons,  Hero 
of  Lockings  was  doing  well,  the  fruits  being  of 
large  size. 

In  the  stove-house  was  seen  a  small  collection 
of  healthy-looking  Orchids,  principally  Cypri- 
pediums,  also  Begonias,  Eucharis,  Pancratiums, 
Clerodendrons,  Allamandas,  Dracaenas,  Glox- 
inias,  and  many  exotic  subjects. 

In  the  fruit  and  vegetable  departments  the 
crops  were  developing  well.  Currants,  Goose- 
berries, and  Raspberries  were  all  fruiting  freely. 
In  this  quarter  of  the  garden  hardy  perennials 
are  planted  for  furnishing  flowers  for  decorative 
purposes  ;  there  are  also  splendid  rows  of  Sweet 
Peas.  I  noticed  a  collection  of  the  best  varieties 
of  Chrysanthemums  which  promised  well  for 
the  autumn  and  winter.  Apples  and  Pears  are 
grown  in  bush,  espalier  and  standard  forms, 
but  some  of  the  trees  are  aged,  and  the 
gardener  hopes  to  replant  them  in  the  near 
future  with  newer  varieties.  Fruit  is  grown 
under  considerable  difficulty  at  Hemsted.  The 
grounds  are  a  veritable  sanctuary  for  birds  of  all 
kinds.  The  owner  delights  in  bird-life,  and  the 
rarer  species  are  encouraged.  Many  varieties 
are,  however,  very  destructive  to  fruit  in  the 
various  stages  of  its  development ;  consequently, 
owing  to  the  number  of  birds,  a  continual 
struggle  is  being  waged,  and  every  means — save 
that  of  destruction — has  to  be  employed  to  save 
the  fruit-crop  from  the  ravages  of  the  pets. 
In  the  wall-trees,  Plums,  Peaches,  and  Pears 
were  producing  fruit  fairly  abundantly. 

The  mansion  is  an  imposing  structure  of  red 
brick,  with  stone  facings  and  embellishments, 
built  some'  sixty  years  ago.  It  occupies  high 
ground,  and  forms  a  prominent  landmark.  The 
style  of  architecture  is  generally  what  is  known 
as  Elizabethan,  though  there  are  modifications, 
and  a  magnificent  tower  rises  from  the  centre. 
The  natural  slope  on  which  the  house  stands 
is  formed  into  terraces.  Stone  steps  lead  from 
the  highest  to  the  lowest  of  these.  Pediments 
with  statuary  and  vases  are  at  either  side  of  the 
commencement  of  each  flight  of  steps,  while  a 
handsome  balustrade  separates  the  gardens  from 
the  park.  Formal  gardening  (with  but  one  ex- 
ception) is  now  entirely  discarded.  On  the  walls 
of  the  mansion  are  Honeysuckle,  Ivies,  Magno- 
lias, whilst  at  the  base  of  the  walls  Carpentaria 
californica,  Choisya  ternata,  and  Camellias 
thrive  without  any  protection. 

An  interesting  feature  are  the  trees  planted  at 
different  periods  by  members  of  our  own  Royal 
House,  also  by  foreign  potentates,  eminent 
churchmen  and  statesmen.  I  noticed,  too,  a  per- 
gola, clothed  by  a  number  of  varieties  of  ram- 
bling Roses. 

On  either  side  of  the  highest  terrace  there  is 
a  slight  declivity,  at  the  bottom  of  which  the  sur- 
face of  the  ground  is  flat.  These  spaces  were  for- 
merly utilised  for  carpet  and  other  formal  bed- 
ding. In  the  centre  of  this  space  to  the  right  is  a 
handsome  vase  containing  suitable  tall-flowering 
subjects,  while  around  the  vase  was  a  good  selec- 
tion of  Begonias.  At  some  distance  from  this 
bed  the  lawn  is  uncovered,  forming  a  band 
which,  with  graceful  meanderings,  completes  a 
circle.  Here  are  planted  a  great  number  of 
choice  Roses  grown  in  bush  form,  such  as  the 
varieties  Madame  Cochet,  Frau  Karl  Druschki, 
Papa  Gontier,  Dean  Hole,  Marie  van  Houtte, 
The  Bride,  Caroline  Testout,  Duke  of  Edin- 
burgh, Ulrich  Brunner,  and  many  others.  The 
beauty  of  this  spot  is  completed  by  a  bed  of 
Kalmialatifolia,  and  a  group  of  trees  embracing 


Cedars,  Cryptomerias,  Acers,  Sequoias,  and 
Evergreen  Oaks.  On  the  opposite  side  ,of  the 
terrace  a  space  is  laid  out  geometrically,  the 
lines  being  indicated  by  Box.  With  a  little 
adaptation  this  could  be  formed  into  an  ideal 
old  Dutch  garden. 

In  the  herbaceous  border  a  good  selection  of 
Phloxes,  Helianthus,  Asters,  Lupines,  Galegas, 
Rudbeckias,  Poppies,  Spiraeas,  Hemerocallis, 
and  Liliums  were  flowering.  I  observed,  too, 
some  interesting  shrubs,  including  Weigelas, 
Berberis,  Andromeda  japonica,  Styrax  japoni- 
ca,  &c. 

The  conservatory  is  a  structure  measuring  19 
yards  by  18  yards.  At  the  time  of  my  visit  it 
was  gay  with  Coleus,  Fuschias,  Pelargoniums, 
Heliotropes,  Hydrangeas,  Palms,  Ferns,  Carna- 
tions,  Phormiums,  Camellias,  and  Habrotham- 
nus,  while  the  roof  was  in  part  adorned  with  the 
magnificent  climber  Bougainvillea  glabra. 

As  one  steps  from  the  greenhouse  on  to  the 
terrace  a  magnificent  prospect  opens  to  the  view. 
The  sight  wanders  from  the  park  to  the  highly 
cultivated  countryside  beyond— Hop  gardens, 
Wheat  fields  and  grassland.  Comfortable  farm- 
houses nestle  in  the  sheltering  hollows,  while 
shaws  may  here  be  seen  climbing  halfway  up  the 
hills,  then  tracts  of  country  covered  by  timber, 
th-3  remains  of  the  primaeval  forest  that  once 
possessed  the  whole  of  the  Weald.  Villages  with 
battlemented  church  towers  allure  the  eyes — a 
panorama  of  English  comfort,  English  culture, 
English  beauty.  At  length  the  objects  become 
more  and  more  indistinct,  until  the  horizon  is 
bounded  by  the  far-away  South  Downs,  through 
a  gap  of  which,  on  favourable  occasions,  a 
glimpse  may  be  obtained  of  the  sparkling  waters 
of  the  distant  English  Channel.  The  gardens  are 
in  the  charge  of  Mr.  Adams.  He  has  been  in 
the  employment  of  Earl  Cranbrook  for  a  short 
period,  but  he  must  be  congratulated  upon  what 
he  has  already  achieved.    Richard  T.  Hcsicth. 


FRUIT    REGISTER. 


SOME  GOOD  STRAWBERRIES  IN  1907. 

I  have  recently  been  able  to  note  the  value  of 
a  few  varieties  of  Strawberries.  From  the 
private  gardener's  point  of  view,  mere  size  is  not 
so  important  as  good  flavour.  Several  new 
varieties  have  been  sent  out  this  season,  notably 
Laxton's  Progress  and  Reliance.  These  I  have 
not  grown.  "  Cropper  "  is  well  named  ;  I  saw  it 
bearing  an  enormous  crop,  and  the  fruits  were 
excellent.  The  first  of  what  I  call  the  good 
Strawberries  on  my  list  is  "  Reward,"  which  has 
done  well  for  three  seasons.  The  immediate 
parents  of  this  excellent  Strawberry  were  British 
Queen  and  Royal  Sovereign,  and  this  latter 
variety  appears  to  have  united  a  vigorous  habit 
and  good  cropping  qualities  with  the  excellent 
flavour  of  British  Queen,  with  the  result  that  Re- 
ward will  thrive  in  soil  that  is  not  at  all  favour- 
able to  the  British  Queen.  I  do  not  go  so  far 
as  to  say  Reward  is  equal  to  British  Queen,  but 
it  should  prove  as  popular  as  the  well-known 
Royal  Sovereign  on  account  of  its  robust  growth, 
excellent  flavour,  and  good  cropping  qualities.  I 
should  class  it  as  a  maincrop  or  mid-season  fruit, 
and  the  variety  has  this  peculiarity— it  perfects  a 
larger  number  of  larger  fruits  at  one  time  than 
most  varieties  do.  It  is  seldom  injured  by  spring 
frosts,  which  often  cause  injury  to  Royal  Sov- 
ereign, owing  to  its  early  flowering. 

Another  very  fine  fruit  that  is  well  worth  a 
trial  is  "  The  Bedford,"  a  cross  between  the 
varieties  Dr.  Hogg  and  the  older  Sir  Charles 
Napier,  and,  though  it  may  not  be  considered 
equal  by  some  growers  to  Reward,  I  place  it  in 
the  front  rank  for  its  good  cropping  qualities, 
rich  flavour,  and  colour.  As  a  garden  variety 
it  is  most  valuable  for  its  free  growth  in  poor 
land. 

My  last  variety  is  Givon's  Late  Prolific,  and 
this  is  certainly  one  of  our  very  best  late  Straw- 
berries.    I  planted  this  variety  largely  for  some 


years,  discarding  others,  and  we  never  had 
cause  to  regret  having  done  so,  for  it  is  far 
superior  to  others  for  late-cropping.  This 
variety,  if  grown  on  a  north  border,  continues 
the  supply  of  Strawberries  well  into  August,  es- 
pecially if  young  stock  is  grown  yearly  for  that 
purpose  ,and,  in  addition  to  its  lateness,  it  is  of 
excellent  quality  and  crops  well.  The  variety 
has  been  for  some  years  in  cultivation,  but  even 
now  it  is  not  known  as  much  as  its  merits 
deserve.  There  are  other  varieties  worth 
mention,  but  my  object  is  to  name  only 
the  best  after  a  thorough  trial  and  those  that 
succeed  well  with  ordinary  culture.  At  the  same 
time,  it  is  advisable  to  make  the  soil  as  good  as 
possible  by  the  addition  of  suitable  material. 
G.  Wyt/ies. 


HOME    CORRESPONDENCE. 


(The  Editor  does  1  ot  hold  himself  responsible  for  the 
opinions  exptessjd  by  his  correspondents.) 

Photinia  serrulata.  —  In  the  issue  for 
March  30,  Mr.  W.  A.  Cook,  writing  from 
Leonardslee  Gardens,  Horsham,  mentions  a 
specimen  of  this  Photinia  22  feet  in  height  and 
23  feet  in  diameter,  which  he  states  is  supposed 
to  be  the  finest  in  the  country.  In  this  he  is 
mistaken,  for  in  the  Gardeners'  Chronicle  of 
March  17,  1906,  p.  173,  particulars  were  given 
of  an  example  growing  at  Pengreep,  Cornwall, 
which  is  35  feet  in  height  and  as  much  through. 
At  Enys,  near  Penryn,  there  is  a  splendid 
specimen  35  feet  in  height  and  34  feet  in 
diameter,  so  that  Mr.  Cook's  tree  is  beaten  by 
12  feet  by  these  two  Cornish  examples.  These 
enormous  plants  are  very  ornamental  in  the 
early  spring  when  bearing  their  large  corymbs 
of  pure  white  blossoms,  with  which  the  crimson 
tint  of  the  young  foliage  makes  a  charming 
contrast.     S.  W.  Fitzherbert. 

Culinary  Pea  Laxtonian. — This  new  variety 
yields  pods  containing  seven  to  nine  Peas,  of  a 
dark  green  colour,  and  the  pods  are  long  enough 
for  staging  at  the  best  exhibitions.  The  plants 
grow  from  1  to  LJ  feet  in  height,  and  the  crop 
is  very  quick  in  coming  into  use.  From  seeds 
sown  on  March  9  on  a  south  border,  the  plants 
produced  Peas  ready  for  use  on  July  3.  The 
variety  Thos.  Laxton  (which  is  one  of  the 
quickest  Peas  to  mature)  was  sown  on  February 
27,  and  the  crop  was  ready  on  July  1,  which  is 
124  days,  against  116  days  for  Laxtonian.  In 
flavour  Laxtonian  appears  to  be  best  of  all. 
W.  H.  Divers,  Belvoir  Castle  Gardens,  Grantham. 

Plagianthus  Lyallii. — As  doubt  exists  as  to- 
this  plant  being  hardy  in  this  country,  it  may  be 
interesting  to  know  that  a  specimen  planted  in  the 
open  gardens  at  Basing  Park  five  years  since,  in 
well-prepared  ground  on  heavy  clay,  has  with- 
stood the  winters  unprotected  save  the  first 
one  after  it  was  planted.  The  plant  was  about 
18  inches  in  height  and  was  planted  from  a  7-inch 
pot.  It  is  now  a  good  shaped  bush,  measuring 
10  feet  in  height,  and  8  feet  6  inches  through. 
The  seasons  in  our  district  are  cold  and  late,  and 
the  gardens  are  situated  between  6(0  and  700  feet 
above  the  sea  level.  T.  Down,  Basing  Park  Gar- 
dens, Alton. 

Flora  of  Palestine.— I  cannot  accept  Sir 
W.  T.  Thiselton-Dyer's  interpretation  of  the 
Hebrew  word  translated  "  Lign-Aloes  "  in  Num- 
bers 24,  6.  The  tree  Lign-Aloes  or  Eagle-wood  is 
the  wood  of  Aloexylon  Agallochum  of  Cochin 
China,  which  yields  strong  perfume,  much  prized 
by  Orientals.  Balaam  is  not  likely  to  have  known 
this  plant,  though  several  false  kinds  are  spoken 
of  by  the  ancients.  But,  in  interpreting  the  Hebrew 
word,  it  is  not  aquestion  altogelherof  "  philologi- 
cal evidence."  Besides  the  consonants  being  the 
same  as  those  for  "  tents" — there  being  no  vowel- 
points  in  the  original  texls— the  LXX  translated 
the  sentence,  "  As  Lign-Aloes  which  the  Lord 
hath  planted  "  (R.V.),  by,  "tents  which  the  Lord 
has  pitched,"  using  the  same  Greek  word  as  in 
verse  5.  The  LXX  has  doth  once,  but  omits  all 
mention  of  aloes  elsewhere.  Moreover,  the 
Greek  word  aloe  was  never  used  for  "  lign-aloe." 
Again,  the  writer  of  the  Epistle  to  the 
Hebrews,  seemingly  referring  to  this  passage, 
speaks  of  "the  true  tabernacle  which  the  Lord 
pitched  "  (Hebrew  8,  2).  Lastly,  Coverdale  has— 
"as  ye  tentes  which  the   Lorde  hath  planted." 


Ajjgust  10,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


115 


The  true  Aloes  is  associated  with  Myrrh.  Cassia 
or  Cinnamon,  because  it  was  used  to  "fix"  the 
more  delicate  perfume,  but  has  none  of  its  owd. 
The  Aquilaria-wood  was  first  called  Xyl-aloe  (or 
Lignum-Aloe,  i.e.  "  Lign-Aloes "),  by  Aetius,  a 
physician  of  the  fifth  century  ;  because  the  wood 
was  bitter  like  the  resin  of  Aloes.  As  the  inter- 
pretation must  solely  rest  on  probabilities,  they 
seem  to  be  in  favour  of  "tents"  rather  than 
•■  Lign-Aloes."     Your  Reviewer. 

Wood-Wool  for  the  Summer  Mulching 
of  Strawberry  Beds. — Owners  of  small  gar- 
dens often  have  difficulty  in  getting  suitable 
maierial  for  the  mulching  of  Strawberry  beds. 
In  such  cases  I  would  recommend  them  to  use 
some  of  the  coarser  types  of  wood-wool  now  in 
such  general  use  for  packing  purposes.  A  stone 
of  it  will  go  a  long  way  if  carefully  put  under  the 
flower  trusses  in  good  time,  and  will  answer 
[he  purpose  of  keeping  the  fruit  clean.  Most 
seedsmen  keep  it  in  stock,  and  no  doubt  if  the 
demand  were  to  increase  it  would  be  met  by 
the  merchants  having  smaller  lots  put  up  in  readi- 
ness for  quick  delivery.  At  present  it  is  only 
obtainable  in  a  compressed  form  in  large  bales. 
I  have  an  idea  that  slugs  do  not  like  travelling 
over  the  surface  of  this  material,  but  as  my  experi- 
ence of  its  use  is  only  recent,  I  do  not  like  to  say 
too  much  as  to  its  general  merits.  H.  J.  C, 
UlUskelf,   York. 

Genista  monosperma. — A  note  on  this  plant 
appeared  in  the  Gardeners'  Chronicle  about  three 
years  ago,  the  writer  of  which  stated  that  it  was 
not  likely  to  survive  out-of-doors  anywhere  in 
England,  except,  possibly,  in  the  extreme  south- 
west. He  suggested  that,  although  under  the 
burning  sun  of  Morocco,  or  Palestine,  or  Spain,  it 
was  very  beautiful  when  in  flower,  there  was  little 
hope  of  its  blooming,  even  if  it  remained  alice,  in 
this  country.  About  three  years  ago  I  recehed  a 
plant  under  the  name  of  Retama  monosperma.  I 
am  unable  to  find  this  generic  name  in  any  horti- 
cultural dictionary,  but  the  plant  appears  identical 
with  specimens  of  Genista  monosperma  that  I 
have  seen,  so  I  conclude  that  my  plant  is  this 
Genista.  The  specimen  has  grown  well  and  is 
now  over  5  feet  in  height.  This  spring  the  thin 
flexible  branches  became  studded  with  buds,  the 
first  flowers  on  one  spray  opening  in  May  last.  The 
plant  bore  several  hundred  buds,  and  when  these 
were  fully  open  it  was  a  pretty  sight.  I  have  met 
with  it  in  a  few  gardens,  but  have  never  before 
seen  it  in  flower.  In  its  native  country  it  is  said  to 
inhabit  dry,  hot  regions,  the  conditions  of  which 
would  certainly  be  very  different  to  those  common 
in  south  Devon.  The  unusual  and  lengthened 
drought  of  last  summer  may,  however,  have  been 
the  predisposing  cause  which  induced  flowering. 
5.  W .  Fitzherbeit,  South  Devon.  [The  genus  Retama 
is  now  sunk  under  Genista,  see  Index Kevuensis.-- Ed.] 

A  Veteran  Gardener. — I  shall  be  glad  if 
you  will  add  to  your  interesting  paragraph  about 
Mr.  Anderson  in  the  issue  for  August  -i  : — "  That 
during  the  44  years  of  service  as  head  gardener 
at  Sewerby  House,  he  has  won  and  preserved  the 
thorough  confidence  and  affectionate  regard  of  two 
generations  of  employers."     Y.  G.  Lloyd-Greame. 

The  Gardening  Charities. — You  comment 
in  your  issue  of  the  3rd  inst.  on  Mr.  Crisp's  public- 
spirited  action  in  forwarding  to  various  gar- 
dening charities  the  fees  received  for  showing 
his  beautiful  gardens,  and  you  invite  other  gar- 
den-owners to  imitate  his  excellent  example. 
Why  wont  they  ?  Some  years  ago  you  were  good 
enough  to  publish  a  letter  in  which  I  urged  this 
very  course,  but  nothing  has  come  of  it,  and  prob- 
ably never  will,  unless  somebody  will  take  the 
lead.  I  think  it  is  the  managers  of  the  particular 
charities  who  ought  to  bestir  themselves  and 
bring  the  matter  to  a  practical  issue  by  inviting 
owners  of  interesting  gardens  and  houses  to 
add  their  names  to  a  list  of  owners  willing  to 
follow  Mr.  Crisp's  example.  This  list  should  be 
published  from  time  to  time,  and  I  feel  convinced  it 
would  not  only  rapidly  find  adherents,  but  the 
holiday  of  many  a  lover  of  gardens  and  architec- 
ture would  be  enriched  thereby,  as  well  as  the  ex- 
chequer of  the  gardening  charities.  Many  people 
shrink  from  taking  the  liberty  of  asking  admission 
to  private  gardens,  who  would  nevertheless  gladly 
go  if,  by  paying  half-a-crown,  they  could  put 
their  visit  on  a  business  footing.  L.  Messel, 
Nymans,  Handcross,  Sussex. 


Gardening  by  School  Children. — The 

prominence  now  being  given  to  children's  exhi- 
bits at  flower  shows  throughout  the  country 
shows  an  awakening  to  the  fact  that  if  future  gen- 
erations are  to  make  gardening  either  a  means  to 
a  livelihood  or  a  recreation,  the  work  of  prepar- 
ing for  such  results  should  commence  early  in  life. 
Very  common  at  most  rural  or  provincial  flower 
shows  have  been  baskets  or  bunches  of  wild 
flowers,  and  occasionally,  although  none  too  fre- 
quently, some  charming  combinations  have  been 
seen,  the  product  of  children's  efforts.  At  the 
Cardiff  show  recently  some  150  baskets,  and  an 
equal  number  of  bunches,  or  nosegays  of  wild 
flowers  were  staged  by  school  children,  and  they 
made  a  very  attractive  feature.  But  beyond 
showing  taste  or  skill  in  arrangements — and 
such  skill  and  taste  is  specially  worthy  of  en- 
couragement— there  was  nothing  at  all  educa- 
tional about  the  display,  and  probably  hardly 
one  competitor  in  50  knew  even  the  common  or 
local  names  of  the  wild  flowers  they  had  so 
abundantly  collected.  Much  greater  value  would 
attach  to  classes  for  small  bunches  of  wild 
flowers  set  up  in  distinct  species  or  varieties  in 
small  bottles  or  jars,  each  flower  being,  so  far  as 
possible,  correctly  named.  The  instruction  of 
the  children  in  correct  naming  should  be  the 
duty  of  the  school  teachers,  but  the  collecting 
and  setting  up  should  be  the  work  of  the 
children.  Two  classes,  one  for  12  kinds  and  one 
foi  -i  kinds,  might  well  be  included.  It  should 
be  clearly  understood  that  unless  these  wild 
flower  displays  are  made  educational  they  serve 
no  useful  purpose.  At  Cardiff  there  was  a  class 
for  collections  of  wild  grasses,  which  it  was  re- 
quired should  be  named.  Out  of  the  several 
exhibits  only  one  collection  was  either  properly 
arranged  or  named.  Still,  that  one  served  to 
show  children  what  was  really  required  of  them, 
as,  apart  from  each  bunch  being  fixed  on  to  a 
card  neatly  and  conspicuously,  the  popular  name 
was  attached  to  it.  If  in  future  years  it  be  made 
an  absolute  condition  that  all  collections  of  these 
grasses  shall  be  similarly  shown  and  named,  and 
that  all  others  not  so  staged  and  named  shall  be 
rejected,  also  that  collections  of  wild  flowers  be 
shown  in  bunches  and  named,  then  really  good 
educational  work  will  be  done.  But  this  is  not 
gardening  after  all,  any  more  than  is  'nature 
study,  as  taught  in  schools,  although  it  is 
made  wonderfully  instrumental  in  instilling 
into  the  minds  of  children  a  love  for 
vegetable  life  in  its  varied  aspects,  such 
as  can  hardly  fail  to  show  its  good  effects  in 
mature  years.  Drawings  of  plants,  leaves  and 
flowers,  the  watching  and  testing  the  growth  of 
seeds,  the  unfolding  of  flowers  and  instruction  in 
the  organs  of  plants  must  materially  help 
children  to  become,  if  not  gardeners,  at  least 
lovers  of  nature.  The  great  aim  of  the  nature 
study  teacher,  however,  should  be  to  check  in 
the  children  destructive  tendencies,  whether  of 
vegetable  or  of  animal  life,  and  to  lead  them  to 
understand  that,  as  they  are  themselves  but  parts 
of  a  great  whole,  so  should  they  learn  to  respect 
and  sustain  every  other  part,  so  far  as  in  them 
lies.  When  wholesale  destruction  of  animal  or 
bird  life  forms  the  dominating  sport  of  rich 
people,  children  can  hardly  be  expected  to  un- 
derstand why  they  may  not  ruthlessly  uproot  a 
plant,  destroy  a  flower,  crush  a  worm,  or  rob  a 
nest  of  its  eggs.  After  all,  the  best  real  work 
of  instructing  children  in  the  art  of  gardening  is 
found  in  school  gardens.  It  is  interesting  to  note 
how  widely  the  demand  for  these  has  become. 
No  head  teacher  of  a  boys'  school  now  regards 
his  school  work  or  curriculum  complete  if  it 
does  not  comprise  lessons  on  gardening,  and 
these  lessons  are  given  in  properly  organised 
school  gardens.  So  far  these  gardens  generally 
have  been  limited  to  boys,  although  I  have 
seen  some  pretty  ones  devoted  exclusively  to 
flowers  and  cultivated  by  girls.  When  these 
small  gardens  are  controlled  by  a  teacher  who 
is,  as  so  many  are,  good  amateur  gardeners,  or 
by  some  local  working  gardener,  the  boys  are 
taught  to  do  on  their  plots  just  the  work  they 
would  be  required  to  perform  in  market,  gentle- 
men's, or  their  parents'  gardens.  One  great  need, 
indeed,  almost  an  imperative  need,  in  relation  to,- 
this  school  gardening  is  that,  wherever  there  is 
such,  there  should  also  be  established  a  group 
of  larger  plots,  on  which  the  lads  could  continue 
their    work    and    instruction   for   two    years,    or 


longer,  after  they  have  left  school.  Those  may 
come  in  time.  Some  day,  it  is  hoped,  the  Coun- 
cil of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  will 
organise  in  London  an  exhibition  of  elementary 
school  gardening.    A.  Dean. 


SOCIETIES. 


ROYAL   HORTICULTURAL. 

August  6. — The  usual  fortnightly  meeting  of 
the  committees  was  held  on  this  date.  The  dis- 
play of  fruits  and  flowers  was  quite  the  smallest 
seen  in  the  new  hall,  due,  probably,  to  the  date 
falling  immediately  after  a  Bank  Holiday.  Al- 
though few,  the  exhibits  were  of  first-class 
quality,  and  especially  meritorious  wras  a  display 
of  about  100  varieties  of  Gooseberries  staged  by 
Messrs.  Jas.  Veitch  &  Sons,  a  group  of 
Xymphseas  from  Gunnersbury  House  Gardens, 
and  a  collection  of  Gladiolus  flowers  from 
Messrs.  .Kelway  &  Son's  collection. 

Many  novelties  were  presented  to  the  Floral 
Committee  for  awards,  and  of  these  two  re- 
ceived First-Class  Certificates,  and  four  Awards 
of  Merit.  The  greatest  novelty  was  the  scarlet 
Eucalyptus  ficifolia,  quite  the  handsomest 
species  of  the  genus  and  rarely  seen  in  flower 
in  this  country. 

The  Orchid  Committee  granted  two  First- 
Class  Certificates  and  one  Award  of  Merit. 

At  the  meeting  of  Fellows,  held  at  3  p.m., 
3'2  names  were  submitted  and  accepted  for  mem- 
bership, and  a  Paper  was  afterwards  read  by 
Mr.  Arthur  Bedford,  of  Gunnersbury  House 
Gardens,  Acton,  on  "  Hardy  Nymphaeas." 

Floral  Committee. 

Present:  W.  Marshall,  Esq.  (Chairman),  and 
Messrs.  Chas.  T.  Druery,  H.  B.  May,  Geo. 
Nicholson,  T.  W.  Turner,  J.  T.  Bennett-P6e, 
Chas.  E.  Shea,  Jas.  Douglas,  J.  F.  McLeod, 
W.  T.  Ware,  John  Jennings,  W.  Bain,  Chas. 
Dixon,  A.  Turner,  Wm.  Cuthbertson,  H.  J. 
Cutbush,  E.  H.  Jenkins,  James  Walker,  and 
W.  J.  James. 

A  group  of  exceptional  merit  was  composed 
of  hardy  Nymphaeas,  with  a  setting  of  tall 
members  of  other  aquatic  species.  This  was 
exhibited  by  Leopold  de  Rothschild,  Esq., 
Gunnersbury  House,  Acton  (gr.  Mr.  James  Hud- 
son). In  the  centre  of  the  group  were  blooms 
of  the  tall  N.  gigantea  Hudsonii,  with  pale-blue, 
globular-shaped  flowers,  and  N.  stellata,  also 
blue,  with  pointed  segments  and  very  erect 
peduncles.  Another  species  of  this  type  is  N. 
pulcherrima ;  the  blue  of  the  petals  is  set  off 
by  a  yellow  colouring  at  the  base.  Among  the 
darker-coloured  flowers  may  be  mentioned  the 
variety  William  Falconer,  with  claret  colouring, 
and  N.  glonosa,  a  handsome  flower  of  a  shade 
of  rose.  N.  Marliacea  chromatella  is  pale  yel- 
low, and  N.  colossea,  the  largest  of  all  ex- 
hibited, is  flesh  colour.  Interspersed  in  the 
group  were  flowers  and  foliage  of  Alisma 
plantago,  Butomus  umbellatus,  Calamus  acorus, 
Typha  latifoha,  Cyperus  longifolius,  Spiraeas, 
&c.     (Silver  Flora  Medal.) 

Mr.  James  Douglas,  Edenside,  Great  Book- 
ham,  Surrey,  showed  a  small  but  choice  exhibit 
of  Border  Carnations.  Quite  the  handsomest 
in  the  collection  was  the  scarlet  variety  Robert 
Berkeley,  with  well-formed  flower  of  large  size, 
and  rich  colouring.  "  Charm  "  is  a  "  Fancy  " 
Carnation  with  rose  makings  on  a  white  ground. 
Miss  Willmott,  Lara  (flushed  rose  on  a  yellow 
or  buff-coloured  ground),  Black  Prince  (deep 
purple),  Victoria  (cinnabar),  Prof.  Cooper  (dull 
lavender),  and  Liberte  are  other  good  varieties. 
(Bronze  Flora  Medal.) 

Messrs.  James  Veitch  &  Soxs,  Ltd.,  Chelsea, 
showed  a  semi-circular  group  of  interesting 
plants,  including  Romneya  Coulteri,  Astilbe 
grandis,  with  erect  plumes  of  small,  white 
flowers,  and  sprays  of  Clethra  canescens,  with 
long  racemes  of  white  flowers. 

Mr.  L.  R.  Russell,  Richmond  Nurseries, 
Richmond,  Surrey,  showed  an  extensive  collec- 
tion of  sprays  of  ornamental-leaved  and  showy, 
flowered  trees  and  shrubs.  The  exhibit  filled 
the  whole  of  a  long  table  that  extended  the  en- 
tire length  of  the  building.  In  it  were  varieties 
of  Populus,  Rhus,  Privets,  Ericas,  Ivies,  Maples, 
Weigelas,   Elders,   Photinias,   Cornus,    Olearias, 


116 


THE     GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


[August  10,  1907. 


Spiraeas,  Eleagnus,  Cotoneasters,  Osmanthus 
ilicifolius  latifolius  albus,  Fuchsias,  Lirioden- 
dron,  Jasminum  Wallichianum,  Loniceras,  &c. 
(Silver  Flora  Medal.) 

Messrs.  Kelway  &  Son,  Langport,  Somerset, 
made  a  fine  display  with  flowers  of  their  noted 
strain  of  Gladioli.  The  exhibit  was  replete 
with  many  beautiful  varieties,  but  we  have  seen 
a  finer  display  staged  by  this  firm.  As  a  selec- 
tion, we  may  enumerate  Zanoni  (purplish- 
mauve),  Queen  Alexandra  (scarlet),  Muchelney 
Abbey  (scarlet,  with  a  lemon-coloured  marking 
on  the  lower  petal),  Thais  (magenta),  Hannibal 
(salmon),  Mrs.  Alfred  Mond  (a  pale  flower 
faintly  marked  with  rose  and  with  a  yellow 
lip),  and  Ragged  Robin.  (Silver-Gilt  Flora 
Medal.) 

Messrs.  Dobbie  &  Co.,  Rothesay  and  Marks 
Tey,  showed  a  large  number  of  seedling 
Dianthus  Heddewiggii  and  D.  laciniatus,  with 
a  few  named  varieties,  and  spikes  of  CEnothera 
(Godetia)  Schamini,  which  formed  the  subject 
of  the  Supplementary  Illustration  in  our  issue 
for  November  17,  1906.  The  Dianthuses  were 
in  great  variety ;  some  were  heavily  marked  with 
crimson,  others  had  slight  markings.  D.  lacini- 
atus had  deeply-cut  petals.  Amongst  the  named 
flowers  were  Salmon  Queen,  Crimson  Bell  (a 
very  dark-coloured  variety),  Snowball,  Fireball, 
and  violaceous.     (Silver  Banksian  Medal.) 

Mr.  Howard  Crane,  4,  Woodview  Terrace, 
Highgate,  London,  N.,  showed  miniature- 
flowered  Violas  of  the  type  known  as  Violettas. 
The  flowers  were  shown  in  fancy  bowls  that 
were  filled  with  sand,  and,  arranged  in  this  man- 
ner, they  were  especially  pleasing.  Varieties 
that  were  particularly  noticeable  included 
Violetta,  the  original  variety  of  this  type,  a 
white  flower  with  a  yellow  blotch  on  the  lower 
petal ;  Miss  G.  Jekyll,  yellow,  with  a  deeper 
shade  in  the  lower  petals  ;  Purity,  an  improved 
Violetta  ;  and  Eileen,  deep  blue,  with  a  yellow 
centre.     (Silver  Banksian  Medal.) 

Mr.  G.  Reuthe,  Hardy  Plant  Nursery,  Kes- 
ton,  Kent,  showed  many  interesting  hardy 
flowers.  We  noticed  Berberis  corallina,  Des- 
fontania  spinosa,  Gloriosa  superba,  Eugenia 
myrtifolia,  Morina  longifolia,  Veratrum  nigrum, 
Ac.     (Bronze  Flora  Medal.) 

Mr.  Amos  Perry,  Enfield,  Middlesex,  showed 
seasonable  hardy  flowers,  several  varieties  of 
Campanula  nobilis,  Miehauxia  campanuloides, 
Cedronella  cana,  hardy  Nymphaeas  (including 
the  variety  Arc-en-Ciel,  the  foliage  of  which  is 
of  diverse  colours),  Lilium  superbum,  L.  Hum- 
boldtii  magnificum,  L.  dalmaticum,  and  other 
species  of  Liliums  furnished  the  principal 
features  of  an  excellent  exhibit.  (Silver  Flora 
Medal.) 

Messrs.  G.  &  A.  Clark,  Dover,  Kent,  dis- 
played an  assortment  of  hardy  flowers,  spikes 
of  showy  Gladioli,  vases  of  Sweet  Peas,  and 
others  of  Border  Carnations.  Ipomopsis  elegans 
pacta  has  Grevillea-like  foliage  and  long,  tubu- 
lar, red  flowers.  Among  the  Carnations  was 
noticed  a  "  fancy "  variety  of  merit,  with  rose 
markings,  named  Mrs.  Norman  Leete.  (Silver 
Flora  Medal.) 

An  excellent  display  of  hardy  flowers  of  well- 
known  species  was  shown  by  Messrs.  Arthur 
Charlton  &  Son,  Summervale  Nursery,  Tuu- 
bridge  Wells,  Kent.     (Silver  Flora  Medal.) 

Mr.  George  Arends,  Ronsdorf,  showed  a 
number  of  hybrid  Astilbe  japonica,  with  flowers 
of  many  shades  of  rose.     (Silver  Flora  Medal.) 

Sir  Trevor  Lawrence,  Bart.,  Burford,  Dork, 
ing  (gr.  Mr  Bain)  showed  several  interesting 
plants.  Crinum  augustum  is  a  large-flowered 
species  ;  the  stout  peduncle  bears  a  number  of 
flowers  with  long  segments,  suffused  with  deep 
claret  colour.  Arctotis  regalis  is  a  hybrid 
raised  from  A.  aureola  x  A.  grandis.  The 
flowers  are  as  large  as  those  of  Chrysanthemum 
maximum.  The  ray  florets  are  pure  white,  with 
a  yellow  base ;  the  disc  florets  are  a  shade  of 
blue.  Crossandra  undulaefolia  has  dense  spikes 
of  orange-coloured  flowers,  that  are  admirably 
set  off  by  the  deep  green,  leathery  foliage. 

A.  Marc,  Esq.,  Champneys,  Tring  (gr.  Mr.  T. 
W.  Cowburn),  showed  a  variety  of  Acalypha 
musaica  named  Mrs.  Marc. 

H.  W.  Perry,  Esq.,  Upper  Norwood  (gr.  Mr. 
J.  Buckingham)  showed  plants  of  Gloxinias, 
freely  flowered  in  a  setting  of  small  Ferns  and 
Tsolepis  gracilis.     (Silver  Banksian  Medal.) 


AWARDS. 
First-Class    Certificates. 

Eucalyptus  ficifolia  (see  Botanical  Magazine, 
tab.  7,697). — A  branch  of  this  species  was  shown 
in  flower  by  W.  North  Row,  Esq.,  Cove  House, 
Tiverton,  Devon.  The  individual  flowers  are 
about  1^  inch  across,  and  they  are  crowned 
by  a  row  of  stamens  with  brilliant  scarlet- 
coloured  filaments,  to  which  the  flower  owes  its 
beauty.  The  elongated  calyx  tube  is  white,  and 
the  peduncles  are  suffused  with  a  reddish  tinge 
in  their  lower  halves.  The  inflorescence  is 
corymbose,  there  being  from  15  to  20  flowers  in 
a  "  head."  The  flower-buds  are  charming  ;  each 
is  furnished  with  a  kind  of  operculum,  or  little 
lid,  which  is  thrown  off  and  reveals  the  stamens 
all  radiating  towards  the  centre.  The  foliage  is 
leathery,  and  may  be  likened  to  that  of  Ficus 
elastica,  but  with  a  very  acuminate  apex. 

Nymphaa  "'  atro-purpurea." — This  richly- 
coloured  Water  Lily  received  an  Award  of  Merit 
on  July  31,  1906.  A  description  and  full-page 
illustration  of  the  flower  appeared  in  our  issue 
for  February  16,  1907.  Shown  by  Lord  Hilling- 
don,  Uxbridge  (gr.  Mr.  Allan). 

Awards  of  Merit. 

Gladiolus  Duke  of  Richmond. — A  broad,  ex- 
panded flower  of  a  delicate  shade  of  pale  rose, 
with  deeper  markings  of  rose.  The  lower  petal 
is  white,  with  a  blotch  of  yellow,  and  spotted 
with  rose.  Shown  by  Messrs.  Kelway  &  Son, 
Langport,  Somerset. 

Matricaria  inodora  "  Bridal  Rode." — This  may 
be  likened  to  a  double  white-flowered  Pyre- 
thrum  roseum.  The  flowers  are  about  2J  inches 
in  diameter,  and  many  are  produced  from  a 
single  stem.  Shown  by  Messrs.  Titt  &  Son, 
Windsor. 

Campanula  longislyla. — A  lax-flowering 
species,  with  the  tall  habit  of  C.  pyramidalis, 
and  flowers  like  those  of  C.  carpatica.  The 
hanging,  bell-shaped  flowers  are  a  shade  of 
heliotrope  or  blue  ;  each  is  rather  more  than  an 
inch  in  depth,  and  the  same  measurement  at 
the  mouth.  This  species  forms  a  suitable 
subject  for  planting  in  big  clumps  against  a 
background  of  shrubs.  Shown  by  Sir  Trevor 
Lawrence. 

Carnation  King  Edward  VII. — A  heavily- 
marked  "  fancy "  Carnation.  The  ground  is 
white,  and  this  is  blotched  and  striped  with  dark 
crimson.  The  flowers  measure  5  inches  across. 
Shown  by  Mr.  James  Douglas. 

Orchid  Committee. 

Present:  Harry  J.  Veitch,  Esq.  (in  the  chair), 
and  Messrs.  Jas.  O'Brien  (hon.  sec),  Fred  J. 
Hanbury,  W.  Boxall,  R.  G.  Thwaites,  H.  A. 
Tracy,  W.  P.  Bound,  J.  Charlesworth,  W.  H. 
Young,  H.  G.  Alexander,  W.  H.  White,  F.  J. 
Thorne,  H.  Ballantine,  J.  Wilson  Potter,  W. 
Bolton,  and  De  B.  Crawshay. 

Messrs.  Charlesworth  &  Co.,  Heaton,  Brad, 
ford,  were  awarded  a  Silver  Flora  Medal  for  a 
group  composed  principally  of  rare  species  of 
Orchids  and  hybrids  raised  at  Heaton.  Among 
the  former  was  a  splendid  plant  of  Mormodes 
luxatum  punctatum,  with  a  fine  spike  of 
fragrant  white  flowers ;  the  curiously-twisted 
labellum  has  a  purple  band,  and  spotting 
of  the  same  colour.  The  elegant  little  Pleuro- 
thallis  macroblepharis,  with  gnat-like  flowers, 
was  noticed ;  also  Oncidium  nigratum,  with 
white  flowers  barred  with  chocolate  colour ; 
O.  trulliferum  and  other  Oncidiums ;  Ionopsis 
utricularioides,  the  rare  Maxillaria  marginata, 
two  specimens  of  the  blush-white  Zygo- 
petalum  rostratum,  Bifrenaria  aureo-fulva ; 
several  finely-flowered  Ancistrochilus  ThomsonL 
anus  variety  Gentilii ;  a  fine  white  Cattleya 
Gaskelliana  and  other  Cattleyas,  and  two  exam- 
ples of  the  new  Dendrobium  regium  (see 
Awards).  The  hybrids  included  good  examples 
of  the  Heaton  strain  of  O.  Rolfeae  and  O.  crispo- 
Harryanum  ;  O.  Elaine,  a  pretty  cross  between 
O.  cirrhosum  and  O.  Harryanum  :  some  brightly- 
coloured  Laelio-Cattleya  callistoglossa,  Cattleya 
F.  W.  Wigan,  Sophro-Laelia  Marriottiana, 
Sophro-Cattleya  Chamberlainiana,  and  various 
Cypripediums. 

H.  S.  Goodson,  Esq.,  Fairlawn,  Putney  (gr. 
Mr.  G.  Day),  was  awarded  a  Silver  Banksian 
Medal  for  an  effective  little  group,  in  the  centre 
of  which  was  the  brightly-coloured  Laelio-Catt- 
leya    Massangeana,    variety   "  Harry   Goodson," 


which  had  previously  secured  an  Award.  With 
it  were  a  clear,  white  form  of  Cattleya  Gaskel- 
liana alba,  with  a  fine  spike  of  three  flowers  ; 
Miltonia  Bleuana,  several  M.  Roezlii  alba,  the 
rare  violet-lipped  Dendrobium  Williamsianum, 
a  fine  variety  of  Odontoglossum  crispum,  Laelio- 
Cattleya  elegans,  a  prettily-marked  form  of 
Odontoglossum  amabile,  &c. 

Major  G.  L.  Holford,  CLE.,  C.V.O., 
Westonbirt  (gr.  Mr.  H.  G.  Alexander),  showed 
a  splendid  plant  of  Miltonia  vexillaria,  Hardy's 
variety,  with  46  pretty  rose-pink  flowers :  a 
dark,  crimson  mask  is  seen  at  the  base  of  the 
lip ;  also  a  grand  specimen  of  Cattleya  Ger- 
mania  superba,  with  32  flowers  (see  Awards), 
and  a  flower  of  Laelio-Cattleya  elegans  King 
Edward,  a  very  large  purple  variety,  and  the 
best  of  its  class. 

J.  Gurney  Fowler,  Esq.,  Glebelands,  South 
Woodford  (gr.  Mr.  J.  Davis),  again  showed  the- 
fine  Aerides  Houlletianum,  "Fowler's  variety," 
for  which  a  First-Class  Certificate  was  given  at 
the  meeting  held  on  July  17,  1906.  The  yellow 
of  the  petals  and  the  rose  colour  of  the  front 
of  the  lip  was  deeper  on  this  occasion  than  in 
the  flowers  shown  last  year. 

Francis  Wellesley,  Esq.,  Westfield,  Woking 
(gr.  Mr.  Hopkins),  showed  Cattleya  Minnie 
(granulosa  X  Lueddemanniana),  with  cream- 
white  sepals  and  petals  tinged  with  pale  lilac 
and  a  bright  rose-purple  lip  margined  with 
white ;  Laelio-Cattleya  Mrs.  Gilbert  Blount 
(L.-C.  Schilleriana  X  C.  Gaskelliana),  an  im- 
provement on  L.-C.  Henry  Greenwood,  and  hav- 
ing sepals  and  petals  milk-white,  tinged  with 
pale  purple ;  disc  of  the  lip  lemon-yellow,  the 
sides  rose-colour,  and  the  broad  front  glowing 
crimson-purple  ;  Cypripedium  Godefroyae  leuco- 
chilum  "  His  Majesty,"  a  large  cream-coloured 
flower  bearing  claret-coloured  markings  on  the 
sepals  and  petals ;  and  C.  Emperor  of  India 
(Harrisianum  superbum  X  C.  grande),  a  large 
and  dark-coloured  flower. 

De  B.  Crawshay,  Esq.,  Rosefield,  Sevenoaks 
(gr.  Mr.  Stables),  showed  a  small  group  of 
hybrid  Odontoglossums,  in  which  were  three  of 
the  exhibitor's  fine  strain  of  O.  Queen  Alexan- 
dra, one  of  which  had  the  large  and  beautiful 
labellum  covered  with  violet-purple  blotches ; 
the  new  O.  Amneris  (cristatellum  X  Crawshay- 
anum),  and  other  hybrids. 

Jeremiah  Colman,  Esq.,  Gatton  Park,  Rei- 
gate  (gr.  Mr.  W.  P.  Bound),  sent  Epi-Laelia 
longi-ciliare  (Laslia  longipes  x  Epidendrum 
ciliare),  a  very  singular  little  hybrid  with  linear 
sepals  and  petals  of  a  blush-white  tint  and  small 
tri-lobed  yellowish   labellum. 

R.  G.  Thwaites,  Esq.,  Streatham  (gr.  Mr. 
Black),  sent  Brasso-Laelia  Thwaitesii  (L.  majalis 
X  B.  Digbyana),  with  long  and  narrow  sepals, 
tinged  with  lilac,  the  broader  petals  being  simi- 
larly coloured  but  darker  and  irregularly  broad- 
ened in  the  middle,  the  distinctly  three-lobed  lip 
being  white,  tinged  with  rose  on  the  side  lobes 
and  tip  of  the  front  lobe,  both  of  which  have 
jagged  edges. 

Messrs.  Hugh  Low  &  Co.,  Enfield,  showed  a 
finely-flowered  Platyclinis  filiformis,  Cattleya 
Gaskelliana  alba,  C.  Parthenia  Prince  of  Wales, 
Cypripedium  Wiertzianum,  and  C.  Watsoni- 
anum. 

Sir  Trevor  Lawrence,  Bart.,  Burford  (gr. 
Mr.  W.  H.  White),  showed  Laelia  "  Purple  May  " 
(majalis  X  purpurata),  a  distinct  hybrid  with 
purplish  lanceolate  sepals  and  broader  petals, 
the  lip  having  a  white  tube  with  narrow  dark 
lines  running  from  the  base  to  the  showy  purple 
front  lobe. 

AWARDS. 
First-Class  Certificate. 
Dendrobium  regium,  shown  by  Sir  Trevor 
Lawrence,  Bart.,  and  Messrs.  Charlesworth 
&  Co. — A  very  fine  species,  described  some 
years  ago  by  Dr.  Prain,  and  recorded  as  a  native 
of  Lower  Hindustan,  but  now  shown  for  the 
first  time.  The  plant,  when  not  in  flower,  might 
be  mistaken  for  Dendrobium  nobile,  which  is 
its  nearest  affinity.  The  flowers,  also  in  colour, 
bear  some  resemblance  to  those  of  D.  noble, 
but  the  usual  dark  blotch  on  the  lip  is  not  pre- 
sent in  D.  regium.  The  largest  flower  was  over 
4  inches  across,  and  the  petals  much  broader 
than  in  D.  nobile.  The  sepals  and  petals  are 
clear  rose  colour,  the  base  of  the  lip  being 
white,  with  a  yellow  disc,  the  pointed  front  por- 
tion  being  rose  of  a  slightly  darker  tint  thaB 
the  other  segments. 


August  10,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS     CHRONICLE. 


11T 


Catthya  Germania  superba  (C.  granulosa  Scho- 
fieldiana  X  C.  Hardyana),  from  Major  G.  L. 
Holford.  This  is  a  very  charming  variety, 
with  purplish  rose  sepals  and  petals,  the  front 
of  the  lip  being  ruby-crimson  and  the  whole 
flower  of  fine  shape  and  substance. 

Award  of  Merit. 
Miltonia  vexillaria  Lambeauiana,  from  Mon- 
sieur Jules  Hye  de  Crom,  Conpure,  Ghent  (gr. 
Mr.  Coen). — A  beautiful  pure  white  variety, 
with  lemon-yellow  crest,  and  without  the  red- 
dish lines  usually  seen  in  forms  of  M.  vexillaria. 

Cultural    Commendation. 

To  Mr.  H.  G.  Alexander  (Orchid  grower  to 
Major  G.  L.  Holford),  for  a  noble  specimen  of 
Cattleya  Germania  superba  with  four  spikes 
bearing  together  32  flowers. 

To  Mr.  H.  Ballantine  (gr.  to  Baron  Sir  H. 
Schroder,  The  Dell,  Egham),  for  a  large  and 
finely-grown  specimen  of  Cypripedium  Lord 
Derby,  with  11  spikes  bearing  together  34 
flowers. 

Fruit  and  Vegetable  Committee. 

Present:  A.  H.  Pearson,  Esq.  (in  the  chairi, 
and  Messrs.  J.  W.  Bates,  Alex.  Dean,  Edwin 
Beckett,  R.  Lye,  A.  R.  Allan,  James  Vert,  Wm. 
Pope,  H.  Parr,  C.  G.  A.  Nix,  and  J.  Jaques. 

The  principal  exhibit  was  an  excellent  collec- 
tion of  Gooseberries  shown  by  Messrs.  James 
Veitch  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  Chelsea.  The  exhibit 
embraced  close  upon  100  varieties ;  the  fruits 
were  shown  in  dishes,  but  many  cordon  and 
palmate-trained  bushes  were  used  as  a  back- 
ground to  the  display.  The  small  plants  were 
heavily  cropped  with  fruits  of  exceptional 
quality,  and  some  were  very  large  in  size.  A 
prominent  position  was  afforded  the  variety 
Langley  Beauty,  a  yellow-skinned  berry,  of  the 
finest  dessert  quality.  Its  companion,  Langley 
(•age,  is  a  white  variety,  but  of  equal  merit  in 
flavour.  Ironmonger,  Golden  Gem,  Yellow  Sul- 
phur, Whitesmith,  Red  Champagne,  Early 
Green  Hairy,  and  Bright  Venus  are  all  to  be 
recommended  for  their  flavour  as  dessert  fruits. 
Amongst  the  largest  berries  were  Dan's  Mistake 
and  Marlborough.  At  one  end  of  the  display 
were  fruiting  plants  of  Red  and  White  Currants, 
with  dishes  of  these  fruits,  and  the  black,  in- 
cluding Baldwin's  Black  and  Black  Naples. 
Messrs.  Veitch  also  exhibited  a  group  of  Figs, 
Peaches,  and  Grapes  in  pots.  The  Figs  in- 
cluded the  varieties  White  Ischia,  Brown  Tur- 
key, Brunswick,  and  White  Marseilles,  and  of 
Peaches  there  were  Sea  Eagle,  Thomas  Rivers, 
Dymond,  and  Belle  Bauce.     (Gold  Medal.) 

Messrs.  S.  Spooner  &  Sons,  Hounslow,  ex- 
hibited a  small  collection  of  early  varieties  of 
hardy  fruits,  Apples,  Plums,  Cherries,  &c. 

Messrs.  Sutton  &  Sons,  Reading,  showed 
three  varieties  of  Cabbage.  "  Earliest  "  Cabbage 
has  a  large  conical  solid  heart :  there  were  also 
Tom  Thumb  and  Earliest  of  All  Savoys. 


THE  LECTURE. 
At  the  afternoon  meeting  of  Fellows  the  sub- 
ject of  hardy  Nymphasas  was  dealt  with  in  a 
paper  read  by  Mr.  A.  Bedford.  The  cultivation 
of  Water-Lilies  is  simple ;  all  the  plants  require 
is  some  good  soil  or  rich  mud,  such  as  is  found 
at  the  bottom  of  naturally-formed  ponds  and 
lakes,  and  plenty  of  water  above  them.  They 
should  not  be  allowed  to  remain  for  many  years 
undisturbed,  but  should  be  dug  up  occasionally 
and  divided,  otherwise,  said  Mr.  Bedford,  the 
foliage  will  grow  so  abundantly  and  vigorously 
as  to  quite  hide  the  flowers.  Lakes  or  ponds 
that  are  exposed  to  full  sunshine,  but  sheltered 
from  high  winds,  afford  the  most  suitable  places 
for  planting  Nymphasas,  but  they  may  be 
grown  and  flowered  with  success  in  cement 
tanks,  or  even  in  tubs.  A  lake,  if  employed 
for  the  accommodation  of  choice  aquatic 
plants,  should  be  kept  free  from  all  coarse- 
growing  weeds.  In  all  cases  the  natural  mud 
at  the  bottom  of  the  water  will  form  the  best 
rooting-medium  for  Nymphasas.  An  easy 
method  of  planting  is  to  place  the  crowns  in 
shallow  baskets  filled  with  loam,  and  to  sink 
these  into  the  proper  positions  bv  means  of 
heavy  stones,  &c.  When  the  basket  has  rotted, 
the  roots  will  penetrate  through  into  the  bed  of 
the  pond.  Large  plants  may  be  placed  in  posi- 
tion by  merely  sinking  them  with  some  heavy 
weight   attached.     In   artificial   ponds   or  tanks, 


a  copious  flow  of  fresh  water  is  not  essential, 
but  a  tiny  stream  should  be  allowed  to  enter  to 
prevent  a  stagnant  condition.  In  small  tanks  a 
layer  of  soil  to  the  depth  of  10  or  12  inches 
should  be  spread  over  the  bottom,  and  in  larger 
structures  little  mounds  or  hillocks  should  be 
formed,  by  piling  a  few  sods.  A  suitable  root- 
ing medium  for  Nymphasas  consists  of  good, 
turfy  loam,  plenty  of  half-decayed  leaves,  and 
some  sharp  sand.  This  should  be  prepared  a 
considerable  time  before  it  is  required.  Manure 
should  not  be  used.  The  best  season  for  plant- 
ing is  the  spring,  at  about  the  end  of  April  or 
the  beginning  of  May,  for  if  planted  at  that  time 
they  will  flower  before  the  current  summer  is 
passed.  The  flowering  season  is  from  early  in 
June  to  October.  The  depth  of  water  should 
be  4  feet  for  the  stronger-growing  kinds,  and 
not  less  than  1  foot  for  the  smaller  varieties. 
All  the  Marliac  type  should  be  planted  in  deep 
water. 

Some  of  the  finer  varieties  are  slow-growing, 
and  are  propagated  with  difficulty  from  side 
crowns,  but  others  are  easily  increased  by  this 
means.  Varieties  of  the  N.  Laydekeri  section  are 
extremely  difficult  to  increase.  Some  varieties 
are  easily  raised  from  seed,  which  should  be 
sown  as  soon  as  it  is  ripe.  For  cultivating  in 
tubs,  the  Laydekeri  type  is  the  more  suitable, 
and  of  these  the  smallest  forms  are  the  best. 
The  tubs  should  be  wide  at  their  mouth  and 
about  two  feet  in  depth.  A  small  stream  can 
be  made  to  feed  a  series  of  tubs,  and  thus  save 
much  labour.  The  tubs  should  be  sunk  into 
the  ground,  as,  by  this  system,  the  plants  can  be 
easily  protected  by  boards,  &c,  in  winter. 

Aphides  are  sometimes  troublesome,  and 
should  be  destroyed  by  tobacco  powder,  or  they 
can  be  washed  off  by  a  stream  from  the  hose. 

Water-fowl  and  water-rats  should  not  be  per- 
mitted near  these  plants. 

A  malformation  is  a  common  cause  of  trouble 
to  Nymphseas  ;  the  stem  becomes  fasciated,  and 
then  produces  nothing  but  foliage.  The 
rhizome  in  this  case  should  be  cut  into  very 
small  portions,  and  be  planted  afresh. 

Among  the  best  varieties  are  gloriosa  (rich 
carmine),  Marliacea  chromotella,  M.  odorata 
sulphurea  (two  of  the  best  yellow-flowered  varie- 
ties), Ellisiana,  atro-purpurea,  sanguinea,  and 
William  Falconer  (dark-flowering  kindsl,  James 
Brydon  (rosy-crimson),  Gladstoniana,  and  Mar- 
liaceae  albida  (white). 


BRITISH    ASSOCIATION. 
SECTION  K.— BOTANY. 

August  1. — The  presidential  address  in  this 
section  was  delivered  on  the  above  date  by  Pro- 
fessor J.  Bretland  Farmer,  F.R.S.,  who  dealt 
with  certain  aspects  of  botany,  which,  as  he  him- 
self said,  belonged  rather  to  the  nebulous  region 
of  speculation  than  to  the  hard  ground  of  facts. 

Professor  Farmer  laid  stress  upon  the  advan- 
tage of  maintaining  a  physiological  attitude  of 
mind  towards  the  phenomena  presented  by  the 
vegetable  kingdom,  since  it  involved  the  neces- 
sity of  constantly  attempting  to  analyse  the 
problems  which  presented  themselves  to  students 
of  botany,  as  far  as  possible,  into  their  chemi- 
cal and  physical  components.  The  explanation 
of  the  advances  which  chemistry  and  physics 
had  made  lay  essentially  in  the  fact  that  an 
analysis  of  the  factors  involved  had  enabled  the 
investigator  intelligently  to  interfere  with  and 
so  to  control  the  mode  of  presentation  of  the 
reacting  bodies.  The  botanists'  special  problems, 
including  the  obscurer  matters  of  organisation, 
heredity,  and  the  like,  were  assuredly  suscep- 
tible of  a  similar  method  of  treatment.  They 
could  never  expect  to  get  further  than  to  be 
able  to  modify  the  mode  of  presentation  to  each 
other  of  the  materials  that  interacted  to  produce 
what  were  called  the  manifestations  of  life,  but 
the  measure  of  their  success  would  depend  on 
the  degree  in  which  they  were  successful  in  ac- 
complishing that.  Indeed,  until  they  had 
analysed  the  nature  of  the  reacting  bodies  and 
also  the  particular  conditions  under  which  the 
reactions  themselves  were  conducted,  they  were 
avoiding  the  first  steps  in  the  direction  of  ulti- 
mate success.  In  this  connection  he  thought 
that  much  harm  was  done  by  the  toleration  of 
an  uncritical  habit  of  mind  as  to  the  significance 
of  structures  which  were  regarded  as  adaptive 
responses  to  stimuli  of  various  sorts.  It  was  not 
enough  to  explain,  the  appearance  of  a  struc- 
ture on  the  ground   of   its  utility.      One  of  the 


commonest  responses  to  the  stimulus  of  wound- 
ing in  the  higher  plants  was  the  formation  of  a 
layer  of  cork  over  the  injured  tissue.  That  was 
a  reaction  of  great  utility,  checking  as  it  did  the 
undue  evaporation  of  water  and  t'rfe  entrance 
of  other  parasitic  organisms.  Yet  it  could  not 
be  seriously  maintained  that  the  obviousness  of 
those  advantages  satisfactorily  explained  why  the 
cork  layer  was  produced.  It  seemed  to  him 
that  an  investigation  of  the  real  underlying  con- 
ditions which  governed  such  a  modified  reaction 
would  be  of  immense  value,  and  that  the  infor- 
mation to  be  gained  therefrom  as  to  the  nature 
of  the  chemical  process  involved  would  prove 
to  be  of  first-rate  importance  in  tracking  to  their 
sources  some  of  the  factors  that  influenced  the 
course  of  carbohydrate  metabolism  within  the 
cell.  He  devoted  the  rest  of  the  address  mainly 
to  the  discussion  of  certain  abstruse  problems  re- 
lating to  karyokinesis— i.e.,  the  changes  which 
take  place  in  the  nucleus  of  a  living  cell  when 
undergoing  the  process  of  division  ;  and  con- 
cluded by  observing  that  the  problems  which 
arose  were  seen,  when  grappled  with  at  close 
quarters,  to  resolve  themselves  more  and  more 
into  questions  of  chemistry  and  physics.  The 
reactions  that  went  on  in  the  living  body  were 
obviously  guided  as  to  the  particular  directions 
they  took  by  the  apparatus  or  mechanism  of  the 
individual  organism.  When  the  conditions  for 
the  manifestation  of  life  were  satisfied,  what 
would  be  produced  depended  partly  on  the  struc- 
ture of  the  apparatus  itself  (i.e.,  on  the  heredi- 
tary organisation),  partly  on  the  nature  of  the 
substances  fed  into  the  apparatus,  and,  finally, 
on  the  physical  conditions  under  which  it  was 
working.  It  was  probably  along  the  last  two 
lines  that  investigation  would  continue  to  be 
pursued  with  more  immediate  profit  ;  but  the 
goal  would  not  be  finallv  reached  till  they  had 
solved  the  problem  as  to  the  nature  of  the  organi- 
sation itself.      Times,  August  5. 


BISHOPS     STORTFORD 
HORTICULTURAL. 

July  31.— The  38th  annual  exhibition  of  the 
above  society  took  place  on  this  date.  The  show 
was  a  great  success,  the  only  weak  classes  being 
those  in  the  hardy  fruit  section.  Some  of  the 
cut  flowers,  notably  Sweet  Peas  and  Roses, 
showed  damage  from  the  recent  storms,  but 
those  in  the  herbaceous  collections  were  very 
fine.  Mr.  G.  Beech,  gardener  to  John  Barker, 
Esq.,  M.P.,  won  the  Silver  Cup  and  the  Royal 
Horticultural  Society's  Silver  Medal  for  the 
best  collection  of  these  flowers. 

Groups. 

These  were  an  excellent  feature,  some  splen- 
did exhibits  being  staged.  The  premier  award 
in  the  large  class  was  won  by  the  Right  Hon. 
Lord  Howard  de  Walden,  Audley  End,  Saffron 
Walden  (gr.  Mr.  Jas.  Vert) ;  2nd,  Mr.  Beech, 
gardener  to  J.  Barker,  Esq.,  M.P.,  The  Grange, 
Bishops   Stortford. 

In  the  smaller  class  for  a  group  of  plants,  Mr. 
F.  A.  Taylor,  Bishops  Stortford,  won  the  1st 
prize,  and  he  was  followed  by  Mr.  Goodwin 
Barnes.  The  1st  prize  for  Begonias  was  won 
by  Mr.  F.  A.  Taylor  with  splendid  plants.  Mr. 
Goodwin  Barnes  was  a  close  2nd  with  plants 
less  advanced  in  flower,  but  of  excellent  quality. 

Mr.  J.  Vert  had  the  best  collection  of  foliage 
plants.  Mr.  Woods  showed  the  best  Ferns,  and 
Mr.  Taylor  had  the  best  half  a  dozen  single 
and  double-flowering  Begonias.  Mr.  Tay'lor 
also  showed  the  best  Gloxinias. 

Table  Decorations. 

Decorated  tables  are  a  special  feature  at  this 
show.  There  were  over  30  tables  on  this  occa- 
sion. The  premier  award  was  gained  by  Miss 
Clayden,  Saffron  Walden.  This  lady  used 
Carnation  flowers,  Grasses,  and  Heuchera  san- 
guinea. 

Cut  Flowers. 

Roses  were  well  shown,  considering  the 
adverse  season.  Mr.  F.  E.  Croft  had  splendid 
blooms  in  the  principal  class  for  these  flowers,, 
and  was  awarded  the  1st  prize.  In  a  small 
class,  Mr.  Ross  and  Mr.  Gee  were  the  leading 
exhibitors.  Sweet  Peas  formed  a  pleasing  at- 
traction. For  a  collection  of  these  flowers,  J. 
Barker,  Esq.,  M.P.,  was  an  easy  1st  prize 
winner,  having  grand  blooms  and  many  varie- 
ties ;  Mr.  E.  E.  Pearson  was  awarded  the  2nd; 
prize. 


118 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[August  10,  1907 


Mr.  P.  L.  Johnson  won  the  prizes  offered  by 
Messrs.  Eckford.  In  a  class  for  12  blooms  of 
Chrysanthemums,  Mr.  JOHNSON  was  the  only 
exhibitor.  In  the  open  class  for  flowers  of  her- 
baceous or  bulbous  plants,  Messrs.  Paul  &  Son, 
Cheshunt,  had  the  winning  exhibit. 

Fruit  and  Vegetables. 

In  a  class  for  the  best  collection  of  eight 
dishes  of  fruits,  some  excellent  produce  was 
staged.  Mr.  W.  Harrison,  gardener  to  Col. 
Archer  Houblon,  Hollingbury  Place,  was 
awarded  the  1st  prize  ;  he  had  splendid  Grapes, 
Peaches,  Cherries,  Nectarines,  Melons,  and 
Strawberries.     2nd,  Mr.  Meyer. 

Colonel  Balfour  had  the  best  Black  Grapes  in 
a  strong  competition,  and  this  exhibitor  showed 
the  best  bunches  of  Muscat  of  Alexandria ;  also 
the  best  of  Madresfield  Court,  and  the  premier 
dish  of  Peaches. 

One  very  iarge  tent  was  entirely  devoted  to 
vegetables,  and  competition  was  keen  in  many 
of  the  classes.  In  the  class  for  a  collection, 
six  exhibitors  staged  excellent  produce.  Mr. 
Jeffries,  gardener  to  J.  Balfour,  Esq.,  was  a 
good  1st,  having  splendid  Cauliflowers,  Quite 
Content  Peas,  an  excellent  dish  of  Perfection 
Tomatos,  Snowball  Turnip,  Model  Carrots,  and 
shapely  tubers  of  Syon  House  Prolific  Potatos. 
2nd,  Mr.  Beech. 

In  the  smaller  classes  Messrs.  Gee,  Kindell, 
and  W.  Holland  were  the  leading  prize- 
winners. 

Honorary  Exhibits. 

A  noteworthy  group  of  fruit  trees  in  pots  was 
staged  by  Messrs.  Rivers  &  Sons,  Sawbridge- 
worth.  They  showed  grand  examples  of  their 
new  Peregrine  Peach,  Apricots  in  variety,  Em- 
peror Francis  and  Turkey  Black  Heart  Cherries, 
Figs,  the  small  but  delicious  Gradiska  Grape, 
&c.  Messrs.  Paul  &  Son,  Cheshunt,  showed 
splendid  Roses.  Messrs.  King,  Coggeshall,  dis- 
played Sweet  Peas.  Messrs.  Burch,  Peter- 
borough, exhibited  Roses.  Messrs.  Chaplin, 
YValtham  Cross,  showed  Sweet  Peas.  Mr. 
Dixon,  Bishops  Stortford,  staged  foliage  and 
flowering  plants  in  variety.  Messrs.  Riding, 
Chingford,  had  an  assortment  of  Violas.  Mr. 
J.  Do"GLAS,  Great  Bookham,  staged  a  fine 
collection  of  Carnations. 


SCOTTISH  HORTICULTURAL 
ASSOCIATION. 

August  3. — At  the  invitation  of  Messrs. 
Storrie  and  Storrie,  some  50  members  of  the 
above  association  visited  the  firm's  nurseries 
at  Clencarse,  in  the  Carse  of  Gowrie,  on  the 
above  date. 

After  the  nursery  had  been  inspected  by  the 
members  a  conference  was  held,  and  the  pro- 
ceedings were  largely  devoted  to  a  discussion  of 
the  summer  pruning  of  fruit  trees. 


CATALOGUES    RECEIVED. 


Clibrans,  Altrincham  &  Manchester — Strawberries,  Vege- 
tables and  Flower  Seeds. 

David  W.  Thomson,  113,  George  Street,  Edinburgh— Bulbs. 

T.  Smith,  Daisy  Hill  Nursery,  Newry,  Ireland— Hardy 
Bulbous  Plants. 

W.  Bull  &  Sons,  Chelsea,  London— Bulbs. 

Austin  &  McAslan,  89,  Mitchell  Street,  Glasgow— Bulbs, 
Roots  and  Plants. 

C.  J.  Ellis,  Weston  Nurseries,  Knighstone  Road,  Weston- 
Super-Mare  —Bulbs. 

Thos.  Davies  &  Co.,  Wavertree,  Liverpool— Bulbs. 


DEBATING    SOCIETY. 


GUILDFORD   AND    DISTRICT   GARDENERS'. 

— On  Wednesday,  July  17,  this  society's  third  annual  show 
was  held  at  Sutton  Place,  by  kind  invitation  of  Lord  and 
Lady  Northcliffe.  The  attendance  of  visitors  was  a  very 
large  one.  The  show  was  favoured  with  ideal  weather,  and 
the  general  arrangements  were  admirable.  There  were  74 
exhibits  by  33  members,  as  compared  with  66  and  28  respec- 
tively last  year,  while  the  quality  was  far  in  advance  of  any- 
thing the  society  has  produced  before.  The  largest  exhibit 
was  that  staged  by  Mr.  J.  Goatley,  gardener  to  Lord  and 
Lady  Northcliffe,  who  showed  a  magnificent  collection  of 
plants,  flowers,  vegetables  and  fruit. 


MARKETS. 

CO  VENT  GARDEN,  August  7. 
[We  cannot  accept  any  responsibility  tor  the  subjoined 
reports.  They  are  furnished  to  us  regularly  every 
Wednesday,  by  the  kindness  of  several  of  the  principal 
salesmen,  who  are  responsible  for  the  quotations.  It 
must  be  remembered  that  these  quotations  do  not  repre- 
sent the  prices  on  any  particular  day,  but  only  the 
general  averages  for  the  week  preceding  the  date  of  our 
report.  The  prices  depend  upon  the  quality  of  the 
samples,  the  way  in  which  they  are  packed,  the  supply 
in  the  market,  and  the  demand,  and  they  may  fluctuate, 
not  only  from  day  to  day,  but  occasionally  several  times 
in  one  day. — Ed.] 

Cut  Flowers,  Ac:  Average  Wholesale  Prices. 

s.d.  s.d.  s.d.  s.d. 

Alstromerias,     per  Lily  of  the  Valley, 

dozen  bunches  2  0-40           p.  dz.  bunches    40-60 

Asters,    per   dozen  —  extra  quality  ...  10  0-15  0 

bunches          ...  3  0-40     Marguerites,  white, 

Eouvardia,  per  dz.  p.  dz.  bunches    2  0-30 

bunches          ...  2  0-  3  0      —  yellow,  per  dz. 

Calla  aethiopica,  p.  bunches          ...   16-20 

dozen 2  0-30    Mignonette.perdz. 

Carnations,      per  bunches          ...    2  0-30 

dozen  blooms,  Myosotis,  per  doz. 

best  American  bunches         ...    16-20 

various           ...  16-30    Odon  toglossum 

—  smaller,       per  crispum,      per 

doz.     bunches  9  0-12  0           dozen    blooms    2  6-30 

—  Malmatsons,  p.  Pancratiums,     per 

dozen  blooms..  6  0  10-0           dozen  fls.      ...    3  0-10 

Cattleyas,  per  doz.  Pelargoniums, 

blooms           ...  12  0-15  0  show,  per  doz. 

Chrysanthemum  bunches         ...    4  0-60 

maximum,  per  —  Zonal,    double 

dozen  bunches    10-20  scarlet 40-60 

Coreopsis,  per  doz.  Pinks  10-30 

bunches         ...  2  0-30    Poppies,     Iceland, 

Cornflower,  per  dz.  doz.  bunches...    4  0-80 

bunches          ...  1  0-  2  0      —  Shirley           ...    2  0-30 

Dahlias,  per  dozen  Pyrethrums,      per 

bunches         ...  3  0-40           dozen  bunches    20-40 

Eucharis      grandi-  Rhodanthe,  per  dz. 

flora,  per  doz.  bunches         ...    3  0-40 

blooms           ...  2  0-30    Roses,   12  blooms, 

Gaillardias,  per  dz.  Niphetos       ...    10-30 

bunches         ...  2  0-  3  0      —  Bridesmaid   ...    2  0-30 

Gardenias, perdoz.  —  C.  Testout     ...    2  0-30 

blooms 2  0-30      — General  Jacque- 

Gladiolus,    The  minot,  per  doz. 

Bride,  perdoz.  bunches         ...    10-20 

bunches         ...  3  0-  5  0      —  Marechal   Niel    16-30 

—  Brenchleyensis  3  0-50      —  Kaiserin  A. 

—  various           ...  4  0-90           Victoria         ...    16-30 
Gypsophila  elegans  —  Mrs.   J.   Laing     10-30 

p.  dz.  bunches  2  0-30      —  C.  Mermet     ...    10-30 

—  paniculata,  per  —  Liberty           ...     2  0-40 
dozen  bunches  2  0-30      —  Mad.  Chatenay    10-30 

Iris,   German,  per  Saponaria,  per  dz. 

doz.  bunches...  4  0-60           bunches         ...    16-20 

—  Spanish,  p.  dz.  Statice,  per  dozen    2  6-30 
bunches         ...  4  0-90    Stephanotis,     per 

Lapageria  alba,  per  dozen    trusses    3  0-50 

dozen 10-16    Stocks,  per  dozen 

Lilium  auratum  ...  2  0-30           bunches         ...    30-40 

—  candidum,bch.  10-20     Sweet  Peas,  p.  doz. 

—  lancifoliuin,  bunches         ...    10-30 
rubrum  and  Sweet  Sultan,  per 

album 16-20           dozen  bunches    30-40 

—  longiflorum   ...  2  0-30    Tuberoses,  per  dz. 

blooms  ...    0  4-06 

Cut  Foliage,  &c. :  Average  Wholesale  Prices. 


Plants  in  Pots,  Ac:  Average  Wholesale  Pricejs •(Cottfd,'} 


Adiantum  cunea- 
lum,  per  dozen 
bunches 

Asparagus  plu- 
mosus,  long 
trails,  per  doz. 

—  —      medium, 

bunch    ... 

—  Sprengeri 
Berberis,  per  doz. 

bunches 
Croton  leaves,  bch. 
Cycas  leaves,  each 
Fern,  English,  per 

dozen  bunches 

—  French,   dozen 
bunches 


s.d.  s.d. 


8  0  12  0 


16-20 
0  6-10 


2  0- 
1  0- 
1  6- 


10-20 
10-30 


Galax  leaves,  per 
dozen  bunches 

Hardy  foliage 
(various),  per 
dozen  bunches 

Ivy-leaves,  bronze 

—  long  trails  per 
bundle 

—  short  green, 
doz.  bunches... 

Moss,  per  gross  ... 

Myrtle  (English), 
snial  1-leaved, 
doz.  bunches... 

—  French,  dozen 
bunches 

Smilax.p.  dz.  trails 


2  0-26 


2  0-60 
2  0-26 


16-30 


2  0-30 
4  0-50 


4  0-60 


10-16 
16-26 


Plants  In  Pots,  Ac:  Average  Wholesale  Prices. 


Ampelopsis     Veit- 

chii,  per  dozen 

Aralia  Sieboldi,  dz. 

—  larger  

Araucaria   excelsa, 

per  dozen 

Aspidistras,  green, 

per  dozen 

—  variegated,  dz. 
Asparagus    plumo- 

sus  nanus, doz. 

—  Sprengeri,   dz. 

—  tenui  ssimus 
per  dozen 

Calceolarias, yellow 
Campanulas,  p.  dz. 
Clematis,  per  doz. 

—  in  flower 
Cocos    Weddelli- 

ana,  per  dozen 
Coleus,  per  dozen 
Coreopsis,  perdoz. 
Crassulas     (Kaloz- 

anthes),  perdz. 
Crotons,  per  dozen 
Cyperus    alternifo- 

litis,  dozen 

—  laxus,  per  doz. 
Dracaenas,  perdoz. 


s.d.  s.d. 

6  0-80 
4  0-60 
9  0-12  0 

12  0-30  0 

18  0-30  0 

30  0-42  0 

9  0-12  0 
9  0-12  0 

9  0-12  0 

4  0-80 
6  0-90 

8  0-90 
12  0-18  0 

9  0-18  0 
2  0-40 
6  0-10  0 

9  0-12  0 
12  0-30  0 

4  0-50 
4  0-50 

9  0-21  0 


4  0-60 
4  0-60 


3  0-40 


s.d.  s.d. 
Euonymus,  per  dz.  4  0-90 
Ferns,  in   thumbs, 

per  10C 7  0-10  0 

—  in    small    and 

large  60's      ...  12  0-20  0 

—  in  48*s,  per  dz.    4  0-10  0 

—  in  32's,  per  dz.  10  0-18  0 
Ficuselastica.doz.     8  0-10  0 

—  repens,  perdoz. 
Fuchsias,  per  doz. 
Heliotropiums,  per 

dozen  

Hydrangea     Thos- 

Hogg,  per  doz.  12  0-18  0 

—  Hortensia,  per 

dozen 8  0-12  0 

—  paniculata,  per 

dozen 9  0-18  0 

Kentia      Belmore- 

ana,  per  dozen  12  0-18  0 

—  Fosteriana,  dz.  12  0-21  0 
Kochia       scoparia, 

per  dozen      ...    6  0-90 

Latania  borbonica, 

per  dozen       ...  12  0-18  0 

Lilium  longi- 
florum, per  dz.  12  0-24  0 

—  lancif  o  Hum, 

per  dozen      ...  12  0-18  0 


Lily  of  the  Valley, 

per  dozen 
Lobelia,  per  dozen 
Marguerites,  white, 

per  dozen 

—  yellow 

Mignonette,  per 

dozen  

P  elargon  i  u  m  s, 

Ivy-leaved, 

Mde.    Crousse 

and  Galilee,  p. 

dozen  


s.d.  s.d. 


10  0-12  0 
5  0-60 


4  0-80 
12  0-18  0 


6  0-90 


4  0-60 


Pelargoniums, 

—  Zonals,  per  dz.  4 

—  show    ...        ...  6 

Petunias, double.dz.  4 

—  single,  per  dz.  3 
Rhodanthe,  per  dz.  4 
Roses,  H.P's.,  dz,  12 

—  Ramblers,  each  3 
Selaginella,  dozen  4 
Spiraea  japonica,dz.  5 
Verbena,      Miss 

Willmott,  doz.  4 

Zinnias,  per  dozen  3 


s.d.  s.d. 


0-6  0 
0-9  0 
0-8  0 
0-  6  0 
0-6  0 
0-24  0 
0-7  6 
0-6  0 
0-8  0 

0-6  0 

0-4  0 


Fruit:  Average  Wholesale  Prices. 


Apples,    per    bos, 

Tasmanian : 
—  Sturmer     Pip- 


s.d  s.d. 


pins 

—  French  Crabs.. 
Apricots   (French), 

per  box 

—  French,    cases 

—  French,  £  sieve 
Bananas,  bunch: 

—  No.  2  Canary  . 

—  No.  1         ,,     ... 

—  Extra        „    ... 

—  Giants      ,,     ... 

—  Jamaica 

—  Loose,  per  dz. 
Cherries  (English), 

—  A  sieve 

—  J  sieve 

Cranberries,     case 
Currants  (English), 

Red,  J  sieve  ... 

—  Black  (Eng- 
lish), ft  sieve  ... 

—  White,  p.  peck 
Dates  (Tunis),  doz. 

boxes  

Figs  (Guernsey),  p. 
dozen  

Gooseberries  (Eng- 
lish), i  sieve  ...    1 

Grape   Fruit,  case  11 

Grapes  (English), 
Hambro's,  p.  lb.  0 

—  Alicante, per  lb.    0 

—  Gros  Maroc, 
per  lb 0 

—  English  Mus- 
cats, per  lb 0 

—  Canon  Hall, 
per  lb 2 

—  Belgian  Ham- 
bro's, per  lb....    0 

Lemons  : 

—  Messina,    case  10 

—  Naples,  per 
case     18 

Lychees,  perbox...     1 
Mangoes,  per  doz.     6 
Mandarines,   Natal 
Naartjes,     box    1 

—  case      6 


6-13  6 
0-12  0 

2-14 
0-2  6 
0-5  6 

0  — 
6-6  0 
6-7  6 
0  — 
0-5  6 
9-13 

0-9  0 
0-5  0 
0-8  6 


0-6  6 
9-2  0 


2  6    — 
10-40 

6-3  0 

6-13  0 

6-10 
8-10 

9-18 

9-2  6 

0-4  0 
6-09 

0-14  0 

0  23  0 
0    — 
0-12  0 


3-19 

0-8  0 


Melons  (Guernsey), 
each      

—  French,   Rock, 
each     

—  Valencia,     per 
case      

—  Can  taloupe, 
each     

Nectarines  (Eng- 
lish), per  doz. 
J  1st  quality  ... 
(2nd       „       ... 

—  French,  p.  box 
Nuts,  Cobnuts,  per 

doz.  lb 

—  Almonds,  bags 

—  Brazils,     new, 
percwt. 

—  Barcelona,  bag 

—  Cocoa  nuts.  100 
Oranges,  per  case: 

—  Natal 

—  Naples 

—  Navels 

—  Murcias,     box 
Peaches  (English), 

per  dozen 
j  1st  quality  ... 
~~    (2nd       „       ... 

—  French,  p.  box 
Pears  (French), 

Williams    Bon 
Cretien,  p.  box 

—  (Calif  ornian), 
per  box 

Plums  (English),  p. 
£  sieve 

—  French,  p.  box 

—  French,  *  sieve 

—  Italian,  basket 
Gages    (French), 

per  box 

—  Italian,   basket 

—  French,  A  sieve 
Pineapples,  each... 
Raspberries    (Eng- 
lish),      handle 
basket ... 

—  English,  p.  dz. 
punnets 

Strawberries  (Eng- 
lish), per  lb — 


s.d.  s.d. 
0  9-20 
2  6-30 
5  6-66 
0  3-04 


8  0-15  0 

2  0-40 

0  10-  1  0 

2  6-30 

54  0    — 

40  0-42  6 
3-J  6    — 
12  0-17  0 

6  0-80 

10  6-12  0 
10  u-10  6 
10  0-14  0 


6  0-90 
10-30 
13-16 


4  9-50 

9  6-10  0 

3  0-46 

0  10-  1  0 
3  0-80 
16-19 

13-16 
16-19 

5  6-ia  fl 
2  o-  s  :3 


16-1. 
3  0-50 
0  6-09 


Vegetables  :  Average  Wholesale  Prices. 


Artichokes(French), 
per  dozen      ...    2 

Auberginest  French), 
per  doz.  ...    1 

—  Beans(French), 
per  pad 

—  Broad       (Eng- 
lish), p.  bushel 

—  Jersey,  per  lb. 

—  French,  packet 

—  Home  -grown, 
per  lb 

Beetroot,  bushel  ... 

Cabbages,  per  doz. 

Cabbage      Greens, 

bag       

—  red,  per  dozen 
Carrots    (English), 

dozen  bunches 

—  washed,  p.  bag 
Cauliflowers,  p.  dz. 
Chow  Chow   (Sec- 

hium  edule),p. 

dozen  

Cucumbers,  per 

dozen i 

Endive,  per  dozen    2 
Horseradish,     for- 
eign, per  doz. 

bundles  ...  13 

Leeks,  12  bundles    1 
Lettuce    (English), 

Cos,  per  score    0 
Marrows(English), 

per  tally         ...    3 


d.  s.d. 

0-2  6 

0-13 

0-4  0 

0  — 
6  — 
3-0  4 


3  16 
9-10 

0-16 
0    — 

0-16 
0-3  6 
0-2  6 


3  0    — 


6-2  6 
0    — 


0-14  0 
6    — 


4-0  6 
0-4  0 


Mint,  doz.  bunches 
Mushrooms(house) 

Eer lb 
uttons,  per  lb. 

—  "Broilers"p.lb. 
Mustardand  Cress, 

per  dozen  pun. 

Onions      (Lisbon), 

case     

—  pickling,  per 
bushel 

—  Spring,  pr.  dz. 
bunches 

Peas  (English),  per 
bushel 

—  English,  p.  bag 
Parsley,  12  bunches 

—  J  bushel 
Potatos     (Canary), 

per  cwt. 

Radishes  (Guern- 
sey), per  dozen 

Salsafy,  p.  dz.  bdls. 

Spinach,  English, 
per  bushel 

Tomatos: — 

—  French,  p. crate 

—  selected,  per 
dozen  lbs. 

—  small  selected, 
per  dozen  lbs. 

Turnips  (English), 
doz.  bunches... 

Watercress,  per 
doz.  bunches... 


s.d.  s.d. 
0  9-10 

0  8-0  10 

0  10  — 

0  5-06 

10-16 

5  0  — 

2  0-26 

16  2  0 

16-26 
4  0-50 
16-20 
10-16 

8  0-90 

0  4-06 

36  - 

0  9-10 

3  0-36 
3  0-33 
2  6-29 
2  0-30 
0  4-06 


Remarks.— English  Black  Currants  have  advanced  con- 
siderably in  price  during  the  week,  but  there  is  only  a. 
moderate  demand  for  the  Red  and  White  varieties.  Pears 
Williams  Bon  Chretien,  from  France,  and  Beurre  Hardy, 
from  California,  are  now  obtainable.  French  "  Gages  "  are 
arriving  in  fine  condition,  and  the  dessert  varieties  are 
realising  high  prices.  Lemons  are  much  cheaper  than  is 
usual  at  this  season  of  the  year.  Specialities  in  fruits  seen 
in  the  market  are  the  Naartjes  or  Mandarin  Oranges  from 
Natal  and  the  Cape.  P.  L.tCovcnt  Garden  Market,  August  7, 
1907. 

Potatos. 

Rents,  3s.  to  4s.  percwt.  ;  Bedfords,  70s. ;  Lincolns,  60s.  to 
70s. ;  Blacklands,  50s.  to  60s.  per  ton.  Supplies  are  large 
and  the  demand  is  fair.    /.  D.  C,  Covcnt  Garden,  Aug.  7,  l'Jih. 


August  10,  19C7.] 


THE    GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


119 


COVENT    GARDEN     FLOWER     MARKET. 

The  flower  market  is  very  dull,  and  many  of  the  salesmen 
are  on  holiday.  Zonal  Pelargoniums  are  still  obtainable  in 
both  60's  and  48's  pots.  Plants  of  Ivy-leaved  varieties  in 
48's  pots  are  well  flowered.  Verbena  Miss  Willmott  is  in  as 
good  a  condition  now  as  at  any  time  during  the  season. 
Coreopsis  is  very  pretty.  Campanula  isophylla  alba  and 
C.  Mayi  are  now  at  their  best.  Mignonette,  Spiraea  japonica, 
Marguerites,  Heliotropiums,  Fuchsias,  Asters,  Hydrangea 
Hortensia,  and  H.  paniculata  grandiflora,  Crassulas  and 
Coleus  are  the  principal  plants  seen  on  the  stands.  Kochia 
scoparia  (or  tricophylla)  does  not  sell  so  well  as  when  it 
was  6rst  introduced,  I  find  there  is  still  some  confusion 
regarding  the  names.  The  supply  of  Rambler  Roses  is  not 
yet  finished,  some  of  the  plants  are  rather  far  advanced. 
Ferns,  Palms,  and  other  foliage  plants  are  well  supplied. 

Cut  Flowers. 

Trade  is  bad  and  much  material  has  to  be  wasted.  Asters 
are  already  seen  in  large  quantities;  those  imported  from 
France  affect  the  prices  for  the  home-grown  flowers.  Some 
fairly  good  Chrysanthemums  are  arriving.  Blooms  of 
Chrysanthemum  maximum  of  the  improved  varieties  are 
seen  in  immense  quantities.  Statice  in  while,  blue  and 
yellow  colours  is  over  plentiful.  If  desired  to  keep  this 
flower  dried  for  the  winter  it  should  be  purchased  before 
it  is  too  far  advanced,  then  it  will  keep  its  colour.  Gyp- 
sophila  paniculata  is  seen  in  large  heaps,  ks  market  value 
has  depreciated  very  much.  Irises  are  not  quite  over. 
Gladioli  are  abundant,  and  G.  Brenchleyensis  has  dropped 
in  price.  Roses  are  still  very  abundant,  and  it  is  only  the 
very  best  quality  blooms  that  make  reasonable  prices. 
Good  blooms  of  Kaiserine  Augusta  Victoria  could  be  pur- 
chased at  3d.  per  bunch  on  Tuesday  morning,  and  there 
was  no  improvement  in  prices  this  morning.  Carnations 
are  equally  abundant,  and  large  quantities  are  from  the  open 
ground.  The  variety  Raby  Castle  is  grown  largely,  and 
another  seen  is  Duchess  of  Fife.  The  perfume  of  Lavender 
now  pervades  the  market,  and  the  hawkers  deal  largely  in 
this  flower.  A.  H.t  Covent  Garden,  Wednesday,  August  7, 
1907. 


THE     WEATHER. 


The  Following  Summary  Record  of  the 
weather  throughout  the  British  Islands,  for  the 
week  ending  August  3,  is  furnished  from  the  Meteo- 
rological Office: — 

GENERAL    OBSERVATIONS. 

The  weather  was  changeable  and  unsettled  over  the  whole 
Kingdom,  but  rain  was  more  fiequent  in  the  north  and  west 
than  elsewhere.  Thunderstorms  occurred  in  the  south-east 
of  Scotland,  thunder  at  Donaghadee  on  Monday,  and  in 
many  places  in  the  Midlands  and  south-east  of  England  on 
the  following  day. 

The  temperature  was  below  the  normal  in  all  districts,  the 
deflcit  ranging  from  4°  in  Scotland  E.  to  rather  less  than  1° 
in  Ireland  S.  The  highest  of  the  maxima,  recorded  on 
irregular  dates,  were  75°  in  England  E.  and  the  Midland 
Counties,  and  73°  in  several  other  districts.  In  Scotland  N, 
and  E.  the  thermometer  only  reached  69°,  and  in  Ireland  N. 
68°.  The  absolute  minima  were  low  for  the  time  of  year. 
In  Scotland  E.  the  thermometer  fell  to  35°,  in  Scotland  N.  to 
37",  and  in  England  E.  and  S.W.  to  39°.  Elsewhere  the 
minima  ranged  from  40"  in  many  parts  of  England  and  in 
Scotland  W.  to  44y  in  Ireland  N.,  and  to  46°  in  the  English 
Channel.  The  lowest  grass  readings  reported  were  28°  at 
Balmoral  and  32°  at  Llangammarch  Wells. 

The  mean  temperature  of  the  sea  was  lower  than  during  the 
preceding  week  on  many  parts  of  the  Irish  and  Scottish 
coasts — as  much  as  4°  at  Lamlash.  The  actual  values 
ranged  from  C3  4°  at  Seafield  and  626°  at  Margate  to  51-7°  at 
Lerwick. 

The  rainfall  varied  much  in  different  parts  of  the 
Kingdom.  In  Ireland  there  was  a  considerable  excess,  and 
in  England  N.E.  and  the  English  Channel  a  considerable 
deficit.  More  than  an  inch  was  measured  at  Arlington  on 
Friday,  and  also  along  the  west  coast  of  Ireland  both  on 
Friday  and  Saturday. 

The  bright  sunshine  was  below  the  average  over  the 
Kingdom  generally.  The  percentage  of  the  possible  dura- 
tion ranged  from  43  in  the  English  Channel  and  England  E., 
and  42  in  England  S.  to  25  in  Ireland  N.,  22  in  Scotland,  E., 
and  to  13  in  Scotland  N, 

THE   WEATHER  IN   WEST   HERTS. 

Week  ending  August  7. 

Eleven-and-a-half  Jiours  continuous  rain, — Taken  as  a  whole 
the  past  week  proved  cold  for  the  time  of  year.  On  the 
warmest  day  the  temperature  in  the  thermometer  screen 
rose  to  74°,  which  is  only  about  3°  above  the  average  for  the 
beginning  of  August.  On  the  other  hand,  on  the  first  two 
nights  of  the  week  the  thermometer  exposed  on  the  lawn 
registered  readings  only  5°  above  the  freezing  point.  At  2  feet 
deep  the  ground  is  at  the  present  time  1°  colder,  and  at  1  foot 
deep  2°  colder,  than  is  seasonable.  Rain  fell  on  three  days, 
but  to  the  total  depth  of  only  half  an  inch.  Nearly  the  whole 
of  this  amount,  however,  was  deposited  during  the  night  of 
the  2nd,  when  rain  began  to  fall  at  7  p.m.,  and  continued 
without  intermission  until  6.30  a.m.  on  the  following  day, 
or  for  lib  hours.  This  fall  proved  sufficient  to  cause  a 
few  drops  to  trickle  daily  through  the  percolation  gauge  on 
which  short  grass  is  growing,  while  about  a  gallon  of  rain- 
water has  passed  through  the  bare  soil  gauge.  The  sun 
shone  on  an  average  for  71  hours  a  day,  or  for  1J  hours  a 
day  in  excess  of  a  seasonable  duration— making  this  the 
brightest  week  as  yet  of  the  present  summer.  The  winds 
were  variable  in  strength,  but  in  no  hour  did  the  mear, 
velocity  exceed  14  miles— direction  west.  There  was  about 
a  seasonable  quantity  of  moisture  in  the  air  at  3  p.m. 

July. 

Very  cold,  calm  and  gloomy,  with  an  exceptionally  humid 
atmosphere. — This  proved  the  coldest  July  experienced  here 
in  the  past  19  years.  During  the  course  of  it  there  occurred 
only  seven  unseasonably  warm  days,  and  only  nine  warm 


nights.  On  the  waimest  day  the  temperature  in  the  ther- 
mometer screen  rose  to  77°,  and  on  the  coldest  night  the 
exposed  thermometer  fell  to  within  3°  of  the  freezing  point, 
both  very  low  extreme  readings  for  the  month.  Rain  fell  on 
16  days,  and  to  the  aggregate  depth  of  2J  inches,  which  is 
slightly  in  defect  of  the  July  mean.  More  than  half  of  the 
total  rainfall  was  deposited  on  two  consecutive  days  towards 
the  end  of  the  month.  The  sun  shone  on  an  average  for 
only  5J  hours  a  day,  or  for  more  than  an  hour  less  than  a  sea- 
sonable duration.  During  the  past  21  years  there  have  been 
only  three  other  Julys  as  gloomy.  It  was  also  a  remarkably 
calm  month;  indeed,  with  one  exception,  the  calmest  July 
I  have  yet  recorded  here.  The  most  noteworthy  feature, 
however,  was  the  unusual  quantity  of  moisture  in  the  atmo- 
sphere. At  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  the  mean  amount  was 
as  much  as  9  per  cent,  in  excess  of  a  seasonable  quantity 
for  that  hour,  or  greater  than  in  any  July  during  the  past 
19  years.    E.  M.,  Berkluimstcd,  August  7,  1907. 


ANSWERS    TO    CORRESPONDENTS. 


(Dbttuarjj. 


George  May. — We  regret  to  record  the  death 
of  this  well-known  nurseryman,  at  his  residence 
at  Upper  Teddington,  on  August  1.  During 
the  winter  of  1906-7,  the  late  Mr.  May  suffered 
a  bad  attack  of  influenza.  Coming  to  Tedding- 
ton nearly  30  years  ago,  Mr.  May  engaged  in 
the  cultivation  of  plants  for  supplying  dowers 
for  the  market,  also  Ferns  for  market,  and 
built  up  a  business  of  considerable  mag- 
nitude. For  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  cen- 
tury he  was  one  of  the  best-known  per- 
sonalities in  Covent  Garden  Market.  He 
was  one  of  the  first  market  growers  to  send 
blooms  of  red  Roses  to  market,  and  the  first 
consignments  of  these,  General  Jacqueminot, 
were  sold  at  prices  varying  from  20s.  to  30s.  per 
dozen  blooms  wholesale.  Adiantum  Ferns,  Lily 
of  the  Valley,  and  Roman  Hyacinths  were  other 
subjects  the  deceased  made  specialities.  In 
the  cultivation  of  the  Eucharis  for  market,  it  is 
doubtful  whether  his  success  has  been  equalled. 
More  recently  Mr  May  will  be  remembered  as 
one  of  the  original  introducers  of  the  popular 
Carnation  Uriah  Pike,  and  of  this  variety  alone 
some  hundreds  of  thousands  of  plants  in  all 
sizes  from  rooted  cuttings,  to  plants  three  years 
old  and  4  feet  in  height  were  accommodated 
in  his  nursery.  Locally,  Mr.  May  will  long  be 
remembered  for  his  large-hearted  generosity,  and 
it  is  doubtful  whether  his  many  kindly  acts  or 
his  genial  presence  will  be  missed  most.  The 
funeral  took  place  at  the  Teddington  Cemetery 
at  3  p.m.  on  Tuesday,  August  6.  Various  public 
and  philanthropic  bodies  were  represented  at 
the  funeral,  together  with  a  large  number  of 
prominent  market  growers  and  nurserymen.  Mr. 
May  was  sixty-two  years  of  age  at  the  time  of 
his  death,  and  he  leaves  a  widow. 

Henry  Williams. — We  are  informed  of  the 
death  of  this  nurseryman,  a  member  of  the  firm 
of  H.  Williams  tV-  Sons,  East  Finchley,  and 
Covent  Garden  Market.  Deceased,  who  was  in 
his  84th  year,  passed  away  on  the  30th  ult.,  after 
an  illness  extending  over  10  days.  He  was  a 
younger  brother  of  the  late  Mr.  B.  S.  Williams, 
of  Holloway,  and  in  former  years  was  in  prac- 
tice in  private  gardening,  being  in  1857  in  the 
service  of  Mr.  Fairey,  of  Liverpool.  Whilst 
at  Liverpool,  Mr.  Williams  was  the  first  to 
flower  Cypripedium  Fairrieanum  in  this  country, 
and  here  he  produced  a  Black  Prince  Pineapple 
weighing  15^1b.  Deceased  was  a  good  plants- 
man  and  a  successful  exhibitor.  He  opened 
the  nursery  business  at  East  Finchley  in 
1858,  and  for  42  years  has  been  a  contributor 
of  produce  to  Covent  Garden  Flower  Market. 
His  specialities  were  Hyacinths,  Tulips,  Azaleas 
and  Primulas.  The  firm  will  be  carried  on  by 
his  two  sons.  A  third  son  is  engaged  as  sales- 
man in  Covent   Garden  Market. 


A  Sweet  Pea  Trial. — On  Wednesday.  July 
17,  a  number  of  persons  interested  in  this  flower 
visited  the  seed  grounds  of  "lessrs.  E.  W.  King 
&  Co.,  Coggeshall,  to  inspect  a  trial  of  more 
than  300  rows  of  these  plants.  The  visitors  were 
shown  nearly  20  acres  of  Sweet  Peas  growing 
for  seed  purposes,   and  over  300  trial  rows. 

The    Late   Dr.    Masters The    owners   of 

the  Restiaceae  and  other  dried  specimens  of  plants 
sent  to  the  late  Dr.  Masters  for  identification  are 
asked  to  write  to  Mrs.  Masters  at  Mount  Avenue, 
Ealing,  to  claim  their  property,  as  the  botanical 
specimens  may  have  to  be  disposed  of  shortly. 


*  „  *  The  Editor  to  receive,  for  considera- 

tion, large  photographs  of  horticultural  subjects,  suitable 
for  forming  Supplementary  Illustrations  to  this  Journal. 

Animal  in  Pond  :  Nymphaa.  The  trouble  is 
probably  caused  by  water-rats. 

Books  :  Beginner.  Fruit,  Flower,  and  Vegetable 
Trades  Journal,  Id.  weekly  :  Biggs  &  Co.,  139- 
140,  Salisbury  Court,  Fleet  Street,  E.C.  ; 
Fruit  Grower,  Fruiterer,  Florist  and  Market 
Gardener,  Id.  weekly  :  Geo.  Tucker,  1,  2,  and 
3,  Salisbury  Court,  Fleet  Street,  E.C. 

Bowling  Green  :  /.  C.  We  find  no  trace  of 
fungus,  but  the  turf  is  covered  with  a  common 
Lichen  (Peltigera).  This  points  to  a  stagnant 
condition  of  moisture  in  the  soil.  See  that  the 
land  is  properly  drained,  and  encourage  the 
growth  of  grasses  by  the  use  of  nitrogenous 
manures.  The  grasses  will  in  time  crowd  out 
the  Lichen  if  the  conditions  for  the  growth  of  the 
former  are  favourable.  The  shrub  is  probably 
Cotoneaster  frigida. 

Chrysanthemums  Dying  :  Z.  Y.  X.  The  cuttings 
have  been  inserted  too  deeply,  and  they  have  in 
consequence  formed  a  very  indifferent  root- 
system.  Some  of  them  also  bear  evidence  of 
injury  by  insects.  If  you  suspect  the  presence 
of  wire-worm  in  the  soil,  apply  a  moderate 
dressing  of  gas- lime  when  the  plants  are  re- 
moved, and  allow  the  land  to  remain  fallow  for 
a  few  weeks.  Bulbs  are  certainly  liable  to  be 
eaten  by  this  insidious  pest  if  they  are  planted. 

Discoloured  Apple  Leaves.  W.  H.  \V.  The 
leaves  exhibit  no  trace  of  fungi,  or  apparently  of 
insects.  The  cause  of  discolouration  must  there- 
fore exist  in  the  soil  or  result  from  injury  by 
cold. 

Figs  Diseased  :  C.  I.  The  plants  are  attacked 
by  a  fungus,  Cercospora  Bolleana.  Burn  the 
badly  affected  leaves  and  spray  the  remaining 
ones  with  permanganate  of  potash,  or  some 
other  suitable  fungicide. 

Foliage  Begonias  :  H.H.  Probably  your  plants 
are  old  and  declining  in  vigour.  It  would  be 
well  to  raise  fresh  stock  by  division  of  the  roots 
or  by  propagation  from  leaves.  The  treatment 
you  describe  seems  to  be  quite  correct.  These 
plants  do  not  like  frequent  waterings  overhead, 
especially  when  grown  in  a  cool  atmosphere. 
Afford  them  shade  from  bright  sunshine. 

Insects  Eating  Roots  :  /.  M.  The  small  white 
insects  attacking  the  roots  of  your  plants 
belong  to  the  genus  Lipura.  They  are  very 
nearly  allied  to  the  "  Springtails,"  or 
Poduridas,  but  they  have  no  jumping  ap- 
paratus. To  destroy  them,  saturate  the  soil 
with  some  manure,  such  as  nitrate  of  soda,  or 
apply  soot  in  as  great  a  strength  as  the  plants 
will  stand.  When  the  ground  is  cleared  of 
crops,  dress  it  with  gas-lime  or  freshly  burnt 
lime,  and  allow  it  to  remain  fallow  for  a 
period. 

Melons  with  Small  Skin-deep  Cracks  :  it.  H. 
The  conditions  you  have  described  are  quite  in 
accordance  with  the  general  practice.  As  you 
state  that  the  plants  appear  healthy,  the  small 
cracks  need  not  cause  you  alarm,  it  being 
merely  the  formation  of  what  is  known  as 
"  netting,"  and  this  adds  greatly  to  the  appear- 
ance of  the  fruit  when  ripe.  It  is,  however, 
necessary  at  this  stage  to  guard  against  any 
excess  of  moisture  at  the  roots  or  in  the  atmos- 
phere. Do  not  allow  moisture  to  condense  upon 
the  fruit.  If  an  excess  of  moisture  is  allowed  in 
the  atmosphere,  the  netting  not  infrequently 
takes  the  appearance  of  cracks,  and  these  may 
develop  a  rusty  appearance.  Ventilate  the 
structure  freely,  but  with  care,  during  the  day  and 
night,  and  keep  the  hot-water  pipes  sufficiently 
warm  to  cause  a  free  circulation  of  dry  and 
warm  air  in  the  house. 

Peach  Shoots  Diseased  :  Derby-  The  fruits 
and  foliage  are  attacked  by  the  Peach  mildew, 
Oidium  leucoconium.  Smear  flowers  of  sul- 
phur made  into  a  paste  on  the  hot-water  pipes, 
and  ventilate  more  freely  the  house  in  which 
the  trees  are  growing.  Prevent  an  excess  of 
moisture  condensing  on  the  leaves. 

R.H.S.  Examinations  :  .4.  D.  B.  The  names  of 
the  successful  candidates  are  published  in  a 
pamphlet  issued  by  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society,  and  this  can  be  obtained  for  a  small 
sum  from  the  secretary,  Vincent  Souare,  West- 
minster. 


120 


THE     GARDENERS7     CHRONICLE. 


[August  10,  1907. 


Names  of  Fruit  :  /.  C.  You  should  send 
foliage  when  submitting  Peaches  for  naming, 
and  not  fewer  than  two  fruits.  The  glands 
on  the  foliage  are  a  valuable  determining 
factor  in  naming  these  fruits.  Your  variety 
is  probably  Thames  Bank. 

Names  of  Plants  :  E.J.  G  1,  Erigeron  speciosus; 
2.  E.  multiradiatus ;  3,  E.  sp.  ;  4,  Veronica 
[ongifolia  rosea ;  5,  Dianthus  deltoides ;  6, 
Verbascum  Blattaria. — G.  IV.  Teucrium  mon- 
tanum. — V.  0.  1,  Malvamoschata  ;  2,Eryngium 
planum  ;  3,  Spiraea  callosa  ;  4,  Phuopsis  stylosa ; 
5,  Chrysanthemum  maximum  ;  6,  Veronica 
virginica. — H.  A.  1,  Thalictrum  glaucum  ;  2. 
Clematis  recta  ;  3,  Cephalaria  tatarica  ;  4,  Lotus 
siliquosus  ;  5,  Scabiosa  Pterocephala. — A.J.S. 

1,  Fagus  sylvatica  v.  heterophylla  ;  2,  Sidalcea 
spicata. — F.  L.     1,  Pyrus  Aria  var.   majestica ; 

2,  Nyssabiflora;  3,  Artemisia  vulgaris.  —  IF.  G  B. 
1,  Carpenteria  californica  ;  2,  Rhus  Cotinus  ;  3, 
Coriaria  japonica  :  4,  Philadelphia  purpureus 
maculatus;  5,  Spiraea  Thunbergii ;  G,  Clematis 


they  commence  to  flower,  when  it  will  be  better 
to  remove  them  to  a  cooler  atmosphere.  These 
kinds  are  much  more  delicate  than  R.  africana 
and  will  not  thrive  under  the  ordinary  treatment 
accorded  that  species. 

Roses  with  Diseased  Foliage  :  /.  C.  Your 
Rose  leaves  are  badly  attacked  with  the 
common  "Rose  leaf  blotch,"  caused  by  the 
fungus  Actinonema  Rosas.  As  far  as  possible, 
the  diseased  leaves  should  be  collected  and 
burnt.  Spraying  with  diluted  copper  sulphates 
has  been  recommended.  Some  cultivators  prefer 
to  use  Eau  Celeste  ;  this  is  made  by  dissolving 
two  pounds  of  sulphate  of  copper  in  two  gallons 
of  hot  water.  In  another  vessel  dissolve  2\ 
pounds  of  carbonate  of  soda  in  a  like  manner. 
Mix  the  two  solutions,  and  when  all  reaction  has 
ceased,  add  a  pint  and  a  half  of  ammonia,  and 
dilute  the  mixture  to  22  gallons. 

Crown  or  Mummy  Pea  :  A".  Y.  Z.  This  is  a 
singular  variety  of  the    common    garden    Pea. 


is  first  tested,  it  is  almost  impossible  to  know 
when  the  roots  require  more  water.  In  respect 
to  the  outside  border  we  advise  you  to  cut  out 
a  trench  in  the  first  week  of  October,  at  a 
distance  of  4  feet  from  the  vines,  making  this 
trench  3  feet  wide  and  deep  enough  to  extend 
to  the  drainage.  Cut  off  all  roots  that  are  met 
with  and  refill  the  trench.  The  inside  border  can 
be  treated  in  the  same  manner  after  two  years 
have  elapsed.  Meanwhile  protect  the  outside 
borders  from  rain  by  covering  them  with  frame 
lights  or  any  suitable  material.  Do  not  apply 
any  more  water  to  the  roots  this  season. 

Tomato  Leaves  Diseased  :  Fletcher.  The  plants 
are  affected  by  a  fungus  (Cladosporium  fulvum). 
Spray  the  foliage  with  the  Bordeaux-mixture, 
and  destroy  the  badly  affected  plants  by  burning. 
Afford  more  ventilation  to  the  structure  in  which 
they  are  growing,  and  keep  the  plants  under 
drier  conditions. 

Utricularia   Montana  :     F.   Denis.     This  plan'' 


FlG.    45. — THE    CROWN    OR    MUMMY    PEA. 


viticella. — Aramel.  Myoporum  serratum  var. 
tuberculatum. — A.  T.  B.  Lilium  croceum. — 
F.  0.  1,  Limnanthes  Douglasii;  2,  Campanula 
species.—  Veritas.  1,  Saccolabium  miniatum  ;  2, 
Aerides  odoratum  ;  3,  Tainia  barbata;  4,  Eria 
convallarioides  ;  5,  Acampe  multiflora  ;  6,  Sela- 
ginella  africana. — F.  T.  Clematis  Jackmannii. 
The  abnormal  development  is  due  to  a  fusion  of 
growth,  the  leaf  having  been  carried  up  and 
partly  formed  into  a  floral  segment. — Spondian. 
1,  Reseda  fruticulosa;  2,  the  Crown  or  Mummy 
Pea;  3,  Allium  proliferum  (Tree  Onion). — 
C  D.  1,  Hibiscus  schizopetalus  ;  2,  Combretum 
purpureum. 

Richardias:  Aroid.  If  cultivated  in  the  usual 
manner  Richardia  (Calla)  Pentlandii  and  R. 
Elliottiana  have  probably  already  flowered  and 
should  now  be  ripening  their  growth.  When 
the  leaves  have  died  off  the  stocks  may  be  stored 
away  for  the  winter  in  an  atmospheric  tempera- 
ture of  55"  to  60°.  In  the  spring  shake  out  the 
roots  and  repot  them  ;  after  this  has  been  done 
place  them  in  a  heat  ranging  from  G0°  to  05" 
and  treat  the  plants  similar  to  Caladiums  until 


The  plant  is  of  robust  growth,  about  4  feet  in 
height ;  the  foliage  is  rather  small,  the  stem 
gross  and  succulent,  and  it  becomes  much 
fasciated  near  to  the  top,  from  whence  the 
pods  are  all  produced  in  a  great  bunch  or 
cluster  to  the  number  of  30  or  40,  forming  a 
sort  of  crown  on  the  top  of  the  plant  (see  fig. 
43).  The  story  of  its  having  been  discovered 
growing  out  of  an  Egyptian  mummy  is 
fabulous. 

Shanking  of  Grapes  :  A".  Y.  Z.  It  may  be  too 
late  to  save  the  Muscat  Grapes  this  season. 
The  conditions  that  have  caused  the  berries  to 
shank  are  described  in  your  letter.  In  the  first 
place,  the  borders  are  18  inches  too  deep,  and 
the  soil  is  far  too  rich.  The  roots  have  been 
over  watered  according  to  your  letter,  and  this 
would  be  sufficient  in  itself  to  cause  shanking 
The  liquid  manure  you  applied  would  induce 
gross  growth,  which  is  also  a  contributing  cause 
of  shanking.  Outside  borders  may  get  too  much 
rain  unless  they  are  protected.  There  can  be 
no  rule  in  watering,  such  as  applying  liquid  at 
every  three  or  four  weeks.     Unless  the  border 


should  be  grown  in  a  basket  and  suspended  in  a 
warm  house.  It  is  a  marsh  plant  and  should 
not  be  dried  off  at  any  period  of  the  year.  It 
requires  a  rooting  medium  of  sphagnum-moss, 
peat,  and  silver  sand. 

Vine  Leaves  with  Warts  :  T.  T.  The  ex- 
crescences are  due  to  an  excessive  growth  in 
the  tissue  of  the  leaf,  caused  by  too  close  an 
atmosphere,  and  excessive  heat  and  moisture. 
There  is  no  fungus  present. 

Communications  Received.  ■ — Consul  -  General  for  the 
Netherlands — J.V. — H.E. — S.W.,  you  have  not  sent  your 
name  and  address,  but  in  any  case  we  cannot  insert  adver- 
tisements in  the  editorial  columns.  De  B.  Crawshay— - 
Dr.  Plowright— F.P.  — Dr.  M.C.C.  — T.W.B.  — G.W.— 
A.K.— L.G.,  Brussels— A  Reader  —  T.S.—  S.C.—  H.L.— 
S.A.— Rev.  D.R.W.—  C.T.D.—  J.D.G.—  G.B.— F.  Bros.— 
M.M.,  Geneva  —  H.K.  -  F.W.M.  —  J.RJ.  —  A.C.S.— 
A.M.C.J.C.  —  Alwin  Berger  —  H.T.W.  (next  week)— 
S.B.  &  Son— C.-B.— G.H.I.— S.C.— T.  &  Son-E.H.  (next 
week)— F.B.  (not  uncommon)—  C.H.—  A. W.K.  —  J. H.— 
J.Mc.C.  —  R.B.  —  Amos  Perry  —  J.V.  &  Sons,  Ltd.— 
Fresco-T.  Ryan-E.C.W.-N.S.  —  T.H.-J.S.  —W.W.I'. 
-R.P.— G.A.H. 

Photographs  Received. — W.  S.  L.,  Manila— H.  F.  Mc.M.. 
Ceylon — Earl  of  Annesley — J,  Allsop— J,  G,  W, — H,  G, 
Alexander. 


August  17,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


121 


Site-sJfc/s,  $. 


THE 


^irrbcncrs'CbranicIe 

No.  1,077.— SATURDAY,  August  17,  1907. 


CONTENTS. 


Ants  as  gardeners 

150 

Orchid  notes  and  glean- 

Apple Heinsberg's  Non- 

ings— 

pareil     

132 

Dendrobium  regium... 

122 

Aquatic  plants,  hardy  ... 

124 

Orchids  of  the  North- 

Argemone  grandiflora ... 

13* 

Western     Himalaya 

123 

Books,  notices  of— 

Oncidium         luridum 

Bees  for  Pleasure  and 

guttatum     and     0. 

Profit 

127 

triquetrum 

123 

Economic  Zoology   ... 

127 

Palestine,  the  flora  of  .. 

134 

Insect  Hunter's  Com- 

Pea,    the    Mummy    or 

panion 

127 

Crown           

135 

Brussels    Botanic    Gar- 

Pear thrips         

132 

dens       

132 

Plant  note — 

Cabbage    Lettuce   Tre- 

Melaleuca      hyperici- 

niont      

124 

folia 

127 

Colonial  Notes — 

Rose  season,  the 

121 

A  Canadian  nursery... 

126 

Smith,  Mr.  A.  C. 

132 

Cyclamen    raised  from 

Societies — ■ 

August-sown  seeds  ... 

134 

Commons    and    Foot- 

Fernery, the— 

paths  Preservation 

138 

A  new  Lady  Fern    ... 

125 

Manchester     and    N. 

Flowers  in  season 

132 

of    England  Orchid 

139 

Fruit  crops,  remarks  on 

Midland  Carnation 

the  conditions  of   the 

133 

and  Picotee 

137 

Gladiolus     gandavensis 

135 

Newbury    Hort  i- 

Hardy  flower  border- 

cultural          

136 

Anemone  elongata    ... 

127 

Royal  Botanic 

138 

Campanulas,        three 

Royal  Horticultural ... 

135 

Alpine  species  of... 

126 

(Scientific  Committee) 

135 

Salvia  argentea 

127 

Trees  and  shrubs — 

Ilea  ilicifolia      

123 

Buddleia  Colvilei 

124 

Lilies  which  flower  in 

Populus  canescens  ... 

124 

July        

121 

Styrax  japonica 

124 

Masters,  the  late  Dr.    ... 

131 

Water-lilies   at    Shipley 

Nursery  employees  out- 

Hall Gardens 

130 

ing         ...       _ 

132 

Week's  work,  the — 

Nursery  noles — 

Flower  garden,  the  ... 

128 

Sutton  &  Sons,  Read- 

Fruits under  glass    ... 

129 

ing      

125 

Hardy  fruit  garden  ... 

129 

Nymphsea  L.  Dittmann 

132 

Kitchen  garden,  the  ... 

128 

Onopordon    Acanthium 

135 

Orchid  houses,  the  ... 

129 

Park     Superintendents, 

Parks  and  gardens   ... 

129 

American         

133 

Plants  under  glass    ... 

128 

ILLUSTR 

ATIONS. 

Carnations  at  Eastwell  Park 

Gardens     

128 

Dendrobium  regium     ... 

122 

Gooseberry,  trained  plants  ol 

137 

Grape,  Black  Alicante,  a 

pot  p 

ant  of        

136 

Itea  ilicifolia,  a  flowerin 

g  spr 

ay  of          

123 

Nympbeea  house  at  Shipley  1 

[all  in  winter     

131 

Smith,  Arthur  C,  portrait  of 

132 

View  in  the  Nymphsa  house 

at  Shipley'  Hall,  Derby 

{Supplementary  Illustration 

Water-lilies  and  other  aquatic 

m 
plants,  an  exhibit  of     ... 

125 

THE    ROSE    SEASON. 

NOTWITHSTANDING  the  depressing 
predictions  of  horticultural  pessimists, 
the  Rose  season  of  this  year  has  heen 
wonderfully  fine.  At  first  our  fairest  garden 
treasures  came  through  much  atmospheric 
trouble ;  the  buds  which  were  primarily 
formed  in  June  undoubtedly  suffered  greatly 
from  the  long  absence  of  sunlight  and  the 
desolating  influence  of  almost  incessant 
rains ;  but  Nature,  as  if  repenting  of  her 
cruelty,  ultimately  smiled  upon  her  flowers, 
with  beneficent  results.  Never  has  the  lovely 
Austrian  Briar,  Rosa  Harrisonii,  appeared  in 
our  gardens  to  greater  advantage.  This  is 
one  of  the  first  Roses  to  open,  and  though  it 
is,  like  most  things  of  beauty,  exceedingly 
transitory,  it  is  of  all  Roses  the  sweetest  while 
it  lasts.  As  this  precious  acquisition  is  not 
arduous  of  culture,  delighting  in  ordinary 
garden  loam  and  a  sheltered  and  mildly 
sunny  situation,  it  should  be  much  more 
widely  cultivated  than  it  is.  I  am  surprised 
to  find  Rosa  Harrisonii  so  seldom  in  the 
biggest  gardens,  when  summer  roses  as  a 
general  rule  are  by  no  means  ignored. 


The  picturesque  Roses  raised  by  Lord 
Penzance  have  also  been  supremely  fascinat- 
ing this  season,  such  Hybrid  Briars  as  Jennie 
Deans,  Lucy  Ashton,  and  Meg  Merrilies 
being  particularly  fine. 

Of  the  Hybrid  Teas,  whose  name  is  legion, 
one  of  the  first  to  flower  profusely  in  my  gar- 
den was  Papa  Gontier,  a  most  prolific  and 
attractive  Rose,  closely  followed  bv  Warrior, 
a  splendid  emanation,  even  finer  than  Coral- 
lina.  Another  new  variety,  a  Hybrid  Per- 
petual, which  has  achieved  great  dis 
tinction  is  J.  B.  Clark;  it  is  most  effec- 
tive when  not  more  than  half  blown. 
When  this  Irish  introduction  is  fully  ex- 
panded, it  is  an  exceedingly  large  and 
open-hearted  Rose.  It  has,  I  think,  been 
over-estimated  in  comparison  with  Hugh 
Dickson,  its  lustrous  predecessor.  Charles  J. 
Grahame,  which  keeps  beautiful  the  memory 
of  a  very  amiable,  short-lived,  earnest 
amateur  rosarian,  is  also,  though  luminous 
in  colour  and  gloriously  fragrant,  somewhat 
lacking  in  central  petals;  it  is,  nevertheless, 
by  reason  of  its  rich  and  rare  complexion,  a 
most  attractive  Rose.  I  am  informed  by  a 
raiser  of  the  greatest  eminence  that  the 
"decorative"  Roses,  of  which  two  of  the 
finest  representatives  are  Irish  Harmony  and 
Irish  Elegance,  are  at  present  much  more 
ix>pular  with  cultivators  than  the  larger  and 
fuller  Hybrid  Perpetuals  and  Hybrid  Teas. 
But,  after  all,  the  Roses  that  have  been  most 
effective,  both  here  and  elsewhere  in  this  and 
former  years,  are  such  magnificent  varieties  as 
Caroline  Testout,  Clara  Watson,  La  France, 
Duke  of  Edinburgh,  Horace  Vernet,  Vis- 
countess Folkestone,  Madame  Alfred  Car- 
riere,  and  Bouquet  d'Or,  which,  in  my  esti- 
mation at  ieast,  are  the  Roses  that  chiefly 
glorify  our  gardens.  The  Duchess  of  Suther- 
land told  me  in  a  recent  letter  that  the  flowers 
which  most  impressed  and  astonished  her, 
during  a  recent  visit  to  Sicily,  were  the  mar- 
vellous Hybrid  Tea  Roses.  If  we  permit  such 
Roses  as  these  to  be  superseded  by  single  or 
semi-double  emblems  of  evanescence,  we  shall, 
I  fear,  go  astray.  Our  annual  exhibitions 
would  suffer  very  materially  from  the  absence 
of  the  full-fed  floral  giants  to  which  I  have 
referred.  I  venture  to  affirm  that  Lady  Gay, 
however  gracious  in  aspect  and  effusive  of  her 
gifts  and  manifold  graces,  would  hardly 
-make  amends  for  the  absence  of  La  France. 

Many  of  our  largest  and  most  effective 
Hybrid  Teas  also  make  magnificent  climbers  ; 
Margaret  Dickson,  for  example,  has  in  my 
garden  this  season  reached  the  height  of  20 
feet,  flowering  with  fine  artistic  effect  at  that 
proud  elevation,  after  arduous  aspiration 
through  a  lofty  Hawthorn  hedge.  This,  I 
believe,  eclipses  its  achievements  in  Australia 
and  California,  where  the  climate  is  almost 
ideal,  and  where  it  is  assiduously  and  exten- 
sively grown.  I  should  be  greatly  disposed  to 
regard  Margaret  Dickson  as  the  grandest 
Rose  of  its  kind  in  cultivation,  were  it  not  for 
the  superior  size,  form,  and  satin-like  colour 
of  that  queen  of  all  white  Roses,  Frau  Karl 
Druschki,  which  I  often  think  would  be  al- 
most perfect  had  it  only  been  endowed,  in 
addition  to  its  many  incomparable  attributes, 
with  the  exquisite  fragrance  of  Souvenir  de 
S.   A.   Prince. 

One  of  the  most  grandly  effective  of  all 
Roses  this  season  has  been  Madame  Alfred 


Carriere,  a  Hybrid  Noisette  climber  of  great 
beauty,-  of  most  refined  perfume,  and  won- 
drous floriferousness.  Equally  profuse  in  its 
flowering,  and  strangely  contrasted  in  its 
colouring,  has  been  Bouquet  d'Or,  the 
loveliest  derivative  from  the  venerable  Gloire 
de  Dijon. 

Tea  Roses,  I  fear,  have  not  been  seen  at 
their  best  this  season,  for  they  have  not  yet 
recovered  from  long-continued  adverse  atmo- 
spheric experiences,  but  I  am  hopefully  antici- 
pating a  successful  later  bloom.  The  Hybrid 
Perpetuals  have,  on  the  contrary,  been  almost 
as  impressive  as  in  former  years,  such  crim- 
son varieties  as  Duke  of  Edinburgh,  Horace 
Vernet,  Cheshunt  Scarlet,  and  Lady  Helen 
Stewart  having,  by  their  brilliant  floral 
achievements,  sustained  their  reputation. 
David  R.  Williamson. 


LILIES    WHICH    FLOWER    IN 

JULY. 
With  the  practice  that  now  prevails  of  retard- 
ing Lilies  by  keeping  the  bulbs  in  a  cold-air 
chamber,  flowering  examples  of  most  species 
may  be  had  nearly,  if  not  quite,  throughout  the 
year.  To  ensure  this,  glass  accommodation  and 
a  certain  amount  of  fire  heat  are  necessary,  but 
even  when  planted  in  the  open  ground  the  flower- 
ing period  of  the  Lily  extends  from  May  to 
September. 

The  first  to  open  is  Lilium  pyrenaicum,  often 
called  the  Yellow  Martagon,  and  when  autumn 
frosts  make  their  appearance  the  season  ends 
with  forms  of  L.  speciosum  and  a  few  belated 
flowers  of  L.  auratum  and  L.  tigrinum  Fortunei. 
The  "  Lily  "  month,  however,  is,  I  think,  July, 
which  was  the  month  chosen  for  the  great  Lily 
conference  held  at  Chiswick  a  few  years  ago, 
when  such  a  representative  collection  of  these 
noble  flowers  was  brought   together. 

Many  of  the  June-flowering  Lilies  extend  into 
the  following  month,  hence  an  entire  list  of  those 
that  bloom  in  July  would  amount  to  little  more 
than  a  catalogue  of  most  of  the  species  in  culti- 
vation. Therefore,  I  propose  to  limit  my  re- 
marks  to  a  few  of  the  very  best  Lilies,  that  are  as 
a  rule  in  the  height  of  their  beauty  during  the 
month  named,  and  at  the  same  time  are  not  very 
exacting  in  their  cultural  requirements. 

Of  late  years  Lilies  of  this  class  have  been 
planted  on  a  broader  and  more  extensive  scale 
than  was  at  one  time  usual.  They  are  now  fre- 
quently grouped  among  low  or  comparatively 
low  growing  shrubs,  a  most  satisfactory  method, 
as  the  tender  shoots  are  in  early  spring  pro- 
tected from  cold  winds,  while  later  the  partial 
shade  from  sunshine  thus  afforded  them  is  very 
beneficial.  Added  to  this,  the  foliage  of  the 
shrubs  serves  admirably  as  a  setting  or  hack- 
ground  to  the  flowers. 

In  selecting  shrubs  for  this  purpose  those  of 
too  dense  a  growth  should  be  avoided,  while 
those  species  of  Lilium  that  require  a  loamy  soil 
must  not  be  associated  with  Rhododendrons, 
unless  the  Rhododendrons  themselves  are  culti- 
vated in  fibrous  loam. 

Of  the  July-flowering  Lilies  which,  effectually 
grouped,  form  such  a  striking  feature  in  flower 
gardens  or  pleasure  grounds,  perhaps  that  which 
is  most  universally  admired  is  the  Madonna  Lily 
(Lilium  candidum).  A  native  of  the  south  of 
Europe,  this  species  has  been  grown  here 
for  over  three  centuries,  and  is  often  seen  at  its 
best  in  cottage  gardens.  A  fungus  disease  has 
given  great  trouble  during  late  years,  so  that  in 
many  gardens  where  this  species  formerly 
flourished  it  cannot  be  grown.  Still,  my 
impression  is  that  within  the  last  year  or  two 
there  has  been  a  decided  improvement  in  this 
respect.  The  Madonna  Lily  needs  a  well-drained 
loamy  soil,  and  must,  therefore,  not  be  asso- 
ciated with  Rhododendrons  or  other  peat-loving 


122 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[August  17,  1C07. 


shrubs.  The  bulbs  should  not  be  buried  very 
deeply,  and  if  they  have  to  be  transplanted,  the 
work  should  be  done  as  soon  as  possible  after  the 
stems  die  down,  because  growth  so  quickly  re- 
commences. 

Lilium  Brownii,  which,  like  L.  candidum,  is 
another  of  the  Eiilirion  or  tube-flowered  group, 
flowers  as  a  rule  in  the  early  part  of  the  month. 
The  typical  form,  as  grown  in  Holland,  reaches 
a  height  of  about  3  feet,  and  bears  long,  trumpet- 
shaped  flowers,  which  are  heavily  suffused  with 
brown  on  the  exterior,  while  the  inside  is  of  an 
ivory-white  tint.  Some  forms  of  the  Lily  intro- 
duced from  China  within  the  last  decade  or  so 
are  altogether  more  vigorous  than  the  type,  and 
capable  of  producing  a  greater  number  of  blos- 
soms. Such  are  L.  Brownii  leucanthum  and  L. 
Brownii  chloraster.  The  striking  effect  pre- 
sented by  the  Chinese  form  of  L.  Brownii  is  well 
shown  in  the  Gardeners'  Chronicle  for  July  27 
last,  p.  67. 

L.  croceum  is  one  of  the  upright  or  cup- 
flowered  Lilies,  which  blooms  as  a  rule  in  the 
first  half  of  July,  and  is  therefore  largely  in 
evidence  in  the  Orange  celebrations  that  take 
place  in  the  northern  part  of  Ireland.  It  is  a 
remarkably  handsome  Lily,  and  one  of  the  least 
exacting  members  of  the  genus.  Like  the 
Madonna  Lily,  it  needs  a  loamy,  rather  than  a 
peaty  soil.  The  Orange  Lily  reaches  a  height 
of  3  feet  to  5  feet,  and  bears  a  considerable  num- 
ber of  flowers  of  a  warm,  reddish-orange  tint.  It 
is  nearly  related  to  the  somewhat  earlier  flower- 
ing Lilium  dauricum,  but  the  individual  blooms 
of  L.  croceum  retain  their  brightness  much 
longer  than  those  of  L.  dauricum. 

L.  Hansonii  is  one  of  the  Japanese  members 
of  the  Martagon  group,  and  differs  from  most 
species  of  that  section  in  flowering  well  the  first 
season  after  transplanting,  for  the  majority  of 
the  Martagons  resent  being  disturbed  at  the 
roots,  and  take  two  or  three  years  to  become  re- 
established. This  Lily  thrives  in  a  mixture  of 
loam,  peat,  and  sand,  in  which  it  will  become 
quite  established,  and  flower  year  after  year.  It 
is  therefore  suitable  for  cultivation  in  Rhodo- 
dendron beds.  The  plants  bloom  generally 
early  in  July. 

L.  Martagon  (Turk's  Cap  Lily)  is  closely  re- 
lated to  the  preceding  species,  but  it  is  benefited 
by  a  greater  proportion  of  loam  in  the  soil.  The 
colour,  a  kind  of  dull  purplish  pink,  is  not  at  all 
attractive,  but  the  individual  blooms  are  so 
symmetrical,  and  the  contour  of  the  whole  spike 
so  graceful  that  it  is  a  general  favourite.  Two 
varieties — album  (white)  and  dalmaticum  (deep 
shining  purple) — are  among  the  most  beautiful 
of  all  Lilies.  The  spikes  of  L.  Martagon 
appear  to  be  ideal  subjects  for  use  in  a  cut  state 
to  furnish  large  vases  and  for  similar  purposes, 
but  in  a  confined  space  their  strong  perfume  is 
disagreeable.  Out  of  doors,  however,  L.  Marta- 
gon is  a  delightful  Lily. 

L.  longiflorum  is  represented  in  gardens  by 
several  forms,  and  it  must  be  regarded  as  the 
most  popular  member  of  the  genus.  We  draw 
our  supplies  from  Japan,  Bermuda,  South 
Africa,  the  Canary  Isles,  and  Holland.  By  far 
the  greatest  number  comes  from  Japan,  and 
the  bulbs  from  that  country  are  decidedly  the 
best  for  planting  out  of  doors.  Being  of  lesser 
stature  than  many  other  Lilies,  this  species  needs 
to  be  mixed  with  dwarf-growing  shrubs,  especi- 
ally suitable  for  the  purpose  being  many  of  the 
hardy  Heaths. 

L.  pardalinum  (the  Panther  Lily)  is  a  native 
of  California,  and-  remarkable  for  its  curious, 
creeping  rhizome-like  bulbs,  a  characteristic 
shared  by  a  few  other  species  from  the  North 
American  continent.  It  is  essentially  peat- 
loving,  and  needs  a  fair  amount  of  moisture, 
hence  it  is  seen  at  its  very  best  when  associated 
with  Rhododendrons  and  similar  plants.  The 
Panther  Lily  will  reach  a  height  of  6  feet  to  9 
feet,  and  bear  20  to  30  flowers  on  a  stem.  They 
are  prettily  reflexed,  and  disposed  in  an  exceed- 
ingly graceful  manner.  In  colour  the  flowers  are 
bright    orange,  more    or  less    spotted   with   red, 


while  the  tips  of  the  petals  are  scarlet.  In  some 
forms  this  colouring  extends  at  least  over  one- 
half  of  each  petal.  One  of  the  best  varieties, 
and  a  vigorous  grower  is  L.  p.  californicum. 

L.  testaceum  is  also  known  as  L.  excelsum, 
and  cannot  be  confounded  with  any  other  Lily 
in  cultivation,  as  the  nankeen  colour  of  the 
flowers  is  so  distinct  from  all  other  Lilies.  It 
will  reach  a  height  of  6  feet  or  more,  and  on  this 
account  the  drooping  flowers  are  seen  to  parti- 
cular advantage.  This  species  may  be  grown  in 
a  similar  mixture  of  soil  as  is  recommended  for  L. 


ORCHID    NOTES    AND   GLEANINGS. 


DENDROBIUM  REGIUM. 

This  species  was  shown  for  the  first  time  in  this 
country,  at  the  meeting  of  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society  on  the  6th  inst.,  when  plants  in  flower  were 
displayed  by  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence  and  Messrs. 
Charlesworth  &  Co.  The  species  is  a  native  of 
Lower  Hindustan,  and  was  described  by  Lt.-Col. 
Piain,  in  1902,  in  the  Journal  of  the  Aiiat'u  Society 


FlG.   46. — DENDROBIUM    REGIUM  ;     A    RECENTLY    INTRODUCED    SPECIES    FROM    INDIA:     SEPALS 
AND    PETALS    ROSE-COLOURED,    LIP   WHITE    WITH    A    YELLOW    DISC. 


Hansonii,  or  in  loam  under  such  conditions  as, 
are  favourable  to  L.  candidum.  However  limited 
may  be  a  selection  of  Lilies  for  outdoor  culture, 
L.  testaceum  must  on  no  account  be  omitted. 

My  article  being  already  long,  I  will  conclude 
with  the  remark  that  while  flowers  of  such  lilies 
as  Lilium  auratum,  L.  chalcedonicum,  L. 
giganteum,  L.  Henryi,  L.  superbum,  and  L. 
tigrinum,  may  open,  in  July,  these  species  are 
more  correctly  described  as  August-flowering 
species.      W. 


(Ixxi.,  p.  So) ;  a  plant  flowered  at  Kew  in  1904.  The 
flowers  have  a  general  resemblance  to  those  of  D. 
nobile,  but  they  are  without  the  usual  dark  blotch 
that  is  present  on  the  !ip  in  the  older  species. 

The  largest  flower  measured  4  inches  across  its 
widest  part,  and  the  petals  are  much  broader  than 
those  of  D.  nobile.  The  segments  are  a  clear 
shade  of  rose  ;  the  base  of  the  lip  is  white,  with  a 
yellow  disc,  while  the  pointed  front  portion  is  of 
the  same  colour  as  the  petals  and  sepals,  but  of  a 
deeper  shade. 


August  17,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


123 


THE  ORCHIDS  OF  THE  NORTH-WESTERN 
HIMALAYA. 

This  valuable  continuation  of  the  Annals  of 
the  Royal  Botanic  Garden,  Calcutta,  forming 
Part  II.  of  the  9th  volume,  is  by  Dr.  J.  F. 
Duthie,  B.A.,  F.L.S.,  late  Director,  Botanical 
Department,  Northern  India.  The  plan  of  the 
work  is  best  described  by  the  author  in  his  pre- 
face as  follows: — ■ 

"  The  attempt  here  made  to  give  an  account 
of  the  Orchids  of  the  Western  Himalaya  may  be 
regarded  as  a  supplement  to  the  splendid  work 


Orchids  of  the  region,  together  with  a  table 
showing  the  distribution  of  the  different  genera 
in  other  parts  of  the  world.  It  appears  that  the 
number  of  species  of  Orchids  at  present  known 
in  the  region  dealt  with  is  173,  59  being  epiphytes 
and  114  terrestrial  species.  They  are  included 
in  45  genera.  Twenty-four  species,  some  of 
which  are  described  by  the  author  as  new,  are 
not  known  to  occur  outside  the  area  of  the 
Western  Himalaya,  and  the  following  10  species 
extend  to  Britain  :  Listera  ovata,  Corallorhiza 
innata,  Goodyera  repens,  Spiranthes  autumnalis, 


^CvCHf^l-* 


{Photograph  by  E.  J.   IVallis. 
FlG.   47. — ITEA    ILICIFOLIA    FLOWERING    RECENTLY    AT    KEW  i     FLOWERS   WHITE. 


by  Sir  George  King  and  Mr.  R.  Pantling  on  the 
Orchids  of  the  Sikkim  Himalaya,  which  was 
published  in  1898  as  Vol.  VIII.  of  the  Annals 
of  the  Royal  Botanic  Garden,  Calcutta.  With  Sir 
Joseph  Hooker's  monograph  of  the  Orchids  of 
British  India  as  a  basis,  and  Sir  George  King's 
as  a  model  for  a  local 
paration  of  the  present 
very  greatly  facilitated." 

The     introduction     gives    particulars     of    the 
Western   Himalaya  and   the   distribution  of   the 


Orchid-flora,    the   pre- 
contribution  has   been 


Epipogon  aphyllum,  Epipactis  latifolia,  Cepha- 
lanthera  ensifolia,  Orchis  latifolia,  Herminium 
Monorchis,  and  Habenaria  viridis. 

The  desire  being  to  avoid  again  illustrating 
the  showier  species  already  figured  in  the 
Orchids  of  the  Sikkim  Himalaya,  but  few  of  the 
species  so  carefully  illustrated  in  the  58  plates 
of  the  present  work  are  of  that  character,  and 
the  subjects  are  principally  terrestrial  species. 
The  genera  illustrated  are :  Aphyllorchis  1, 
Calanthe  3,  Cirrhopetalum  1,  Cymbidium  2  (C. 


Mackinnonii,  Duthie,  and  the  singular  leafless, 
parasitic  C.  macrorhizon)  ;  Cypripedium  1,  Den. 
drobium  4,  Eria  1,  Eulophia  6,  Gastrodia  1, 
Goodyera  2,  Habenaria  18,  Hemipilia  1,  Her- 
minium 4,  Liparis  5,  Microstylis  1,  Oberonia  1, 
Oreorchis  2,  Pogonia  3,  and  Vanda  1. 

The  work  is  printed  by  the  Bengal  Secretariat 
Press,  Calcutta,  and  may  be  obtained  in  this 
country  either  with  the  plates  uncoloured  or 
half-coloured. 

ONCIDIUM  TRIQUETRUM. 
An  inflorescence  and  leaf  of  this  pretty  species 
has  been  sent  by  Mr.  J.  Spiller,  gardener  to  Dr 
G.  B.  Longstaff,  Highlands,  Putney  Heath, 
taken  from  a  specimen  which  bloomed  among 
plants  collected  by  Dr.  Longstaff  in  Jamaica 
last  winter.  It  is  a  dwarf  species,  with  equitant, 
fleshy,  acutely  three-angled  leaves  and  a  spray 
of  flowers,  each  of  which  is  1  inch  across.  All 
the  segments  are  red  with  a  white  margin,  which 
is  broadest  in  the  petals,  and  the  labellum  is 
streaked  with  red.  O.  triquetrum,  and  others  of 
its  section,  should  be  grown  in  small  baskets 
or  Orchid  pans  and  suspended  near  the  glass 
of  the  roof  in  an  intermediate  house,  as  the 
plant  soon  fails  if  placed  on  the  stage  with  the 
larger  and  stronger-growing  species. 

ONCIDIUM  LURIDUM  GUTTATUM. 
The  superior  beauty  of  the  Jamaica  form  of 
this  variable  species,  and  which  goes  far  towards 
entitling  it  to  rank  as  a  distinct  type,  if  not  a 
different  species,  is  well  shown  in  a  few  sprays 
sent  by  Mr.  J.  Spiller.  The  species,  which  has 
large  fleshy  leaves,  is  widely  distributed  in 
tropical  America,  the  varieties  generally  having 
a  straggling  inflorescence  and  the  flowers  a  large 
proportion  of  dull  brown  colour.  The  Jamaica 
form  has  light  green  leaves  spotted  with  dark 
green,  a  much-branched  inflorescence,  and  well- 
formed  yellow  flowers  spotted  with  red-brown, 
the  labellum  being  lightest  in  colour.  The 
<  ..himn  is  white,  and  the  crest  yellow  and  rose- 
coloured.     /.   O'B. 


ITEA     ILICIFOLIA. 

On  page  375  of  the  Gardeners'  Chronicle  for 
November  28,  1903  (vol.  xxxiv.),  appeared  a 
figure  of  a  spray  of  this  plant,  which  flowered 
at  Kew  in  1903  for  the  first  time.  The  text  de- 
scribed the  raceme  of  flowers  as  being  about  4 
inches  in  length.  The  same  plant  was  recently 
in  flower  in  the  Himalayan  House  at  Kew,  and 
this  year  some  of  the  racemes  were  quite  1  foot 
in  length,  drooping  from  the  end  of  the  branches 
■ — not  rigid,  as  shown  in  the  figure  quoted. 

Judging  by  the  dried  specimens  collected  by 
E.  II.  Wilson,  for  Messrs.  Veitch,  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  Ichang,  Central  China,  a  foot 
seems  to  be  the  normal  length  of  the  flower 
raceme  in  the  wild  state. 

Itea  ilicifolia  is  an  evergreen  shrub,  native 
to  Central  China,  and  was  first  collected  by  Dr. 
A.  Henry,  from  whose  material  it  was  figured 
and  described  in  Hooker's  Icones  Plan/arum,  t. 
1538.  Found  in  glens  or  on  exposed  cliffs  in  its 
native  country,  it  is  said  to  attain  a  height  of 
from  2  to  18  feet,  according  to  the  situation. 

The  leaves,  from  2^  to  3  inches  long  by  1J  to 
2  inches  broad,  are  broadly  elliptic  in  outline, 
with  sinuate  spinescent  margins,  and  so  closely 
resemble  those  of  a  Holly  that,  out  of  flower, 
one  might  easily  mistake  the  plant  for  a  spec'es 
of  Ilex.  The  numerous  small,  greenish-white 
flowers  are  almost  sessile  along  the  length  of 
the  raceme,  and  suggestive  of  those  of  the  better- 
known  Itea  virginica,  a  deciduous  species  from 
North  America,  hitherto  the  only  representative 
of  the  genus  in  cultivation. 

Three  other  species,  namely,  I.  chinensis,  1. 
parviflora,  and  I.  yunnanensis,  are  recorded 
from  China,  but  these  do  not  appear  to  have 
been  introduced  into  cultivation.  Itea  ilicifolia 
seems  to  have  been  first  cultivated  in  this  coun- 
try  by    Lord   Kesteven,   for   on   p.    504   of   tha 


124 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[August  17,  1907. 


volume  of  the  Gardeners'  Chronicle  already 
quoted,  his  lordship  wrote  that  he  raised 
plants  from  seeds  sent  by  Dr.  Henry  from  China, 
and  had  grown  them  in  the  open  in  Lincoln- 
shire, in  a  position  protected  on  the  north  and 
east  by  other  shrubs,  for  at  least  14  years  prior 
to  the  date  of  its  recorded  flowering  at  Kew. 

In  the  south-west  of  England  it  would  prob- 
ably prove  hardy,  and  if  afforded  the  protection 
of  a  wall  might  succeed  out-of-doors  in  some 
gardens  in  less  favoured  localities.    H.  Sponer. 


HARDY  AQUATIC  AND 
WATERSIDE  PLANTS. 
A  lake  or  pond,  and  even  a  simple  water- 
course, can  be  made  objects  of  much  beauty 
when  planted  with  a  selection  of  water  plants. 
A  small  portion  around  the  margin  should  be 
set  apart  for  planting  bog-loving  plants:  these 
should  not  be  kept  trim,  but  should,  be  allowed 
to  grow  nearly  wild,  with  only  such  pruning 
and  clipping  as  are  necessary  to  keep  one 
plant  from  smothering  its  neighbour.  Among 
the  many  beautiful  plants  that  will  grow  in 
water  is  the  floating  Aponogeton  distachyon.  Its 
flowers  are  pure  white,  and  waxy  in  appearance, 
with  a  pleasant  scent  resembling  that  of  the 
ccmmon  Hawthorn.  Although  a  native  of  the 
Cape  of  Good  Hope,  it  thrives  in  this  country, 
and,  when  once  thoroughly  established  in 
moderately  deep  water,  reproduces  itself  freely 
from  seeds.  If  a  supply  of  plants  be  quickly 
needed,  the  seeds  should  be  sown  in  a  tank  in  a 
warm  greenhouse,  where,  in  a  very  short  time, 
an  abundance  of  plants  may  be  raised,  and  after- 
wards  hardened  and  planted  out. 

The  large,  flat,  floating  leaves  of  Nymphea 
alba  present  a  stately  appearance  on  the  water. 
In  planting  new  crowns  some  good  fibrous  turves 
should  be  secured  to  its  roots  to  cause  the  plant 
to  sink  in  the  water.  I  find  this  a  much  better 
plan  than  the  use  of  sunk  baskets. 

Kichardia  africana  is  usually  grown  as  a  pot 
plant,  but  it  is  equally  serviceable  for  planting 
in  water,  where  it  will  survive  as  much  as  18J 
of  frost.  Plants  in  these  gardens  are  flourishing 
well  in  water,  and  prove  the  most  handsome  of 
all  aquatics,  as  their  foliage  and  inflorescence 
stand  up  well,  and  appear  charming  viewed  from 
a  distance.  Another  pleasing  aquatic  plant  is 
Acorus  Calamus,  the  Swe;t  Flag.  Both  the  stems 
and  the  leaves  give  off  a  very  beautiful  per- 
fume when  they  are  rubbed.  Another  native 
plant,  Butomus  umbellatus,  the  flowering  Rush, 
forms  a  very  handsome  subject  for  the  water- 
garden.  It  has  linear  leaves  and  large  umbels  of 
rosy-pink  flowers  produced  on  peduncles  from  3 
to  4  feet  high.  The  large,  arrow-shaped  leaves 
of  Sagittaria  sagitifolia  form  a  fine  clump 
that  is  crowned  in  summer  with  white  flowers. 
Menyanthes  trifoliata  has  creeping  stems,  and  in 
the  early  part  of  the  season  produces  large 
racemose  heads  of  pretty,  white  flowers,  which 
are  exceedingly  handsome  when  closely  in- 
spected. 

Caltha  palustris  and  its  improved  forms  pro- 
duce quantities  of  bright  yellow  flowers  early  in 
the  year.  C.  p.  polypetala  is  one  of  these  im- 
proved forms.  It  has  much  larger  leaves  and 
flowers  than  the  type  plant. 

Calla  palustris  is  a  small  miniature  Arum, 
with  white  flowers  that  are  borne  not  more  than 
6  to  9  inches  above  the  water.  Rats  are  very  fond 
of  this  plant. 

Other  suitable  plants  for  water  planting  are  : — 

Orontium  aquaticum  :  this  produces  bright- 
golden  flowers  in  early  summer.  Ranunculus 
lingua,  a  large,  showy,  yellow-flowered  species, 
rising  about  18  inches  above  the  water.  Typha 
angustifolia,  the  long-leaved  Cat's  Tail.  Peltan- 
dra  virginica,  the  Water  Arum  :  this  plant  has 
large,  arrow-shaped  foliage  and  a  white  spadix  ; 
it  i^  very  handsome  when  seen  in  bold  clumps. 
Valisneria  spiralis,  with  long  leaves  and  small, 
white  flowers  ;  Rumex  hydrolapathum,  the  Giant 


Waterdock.    Scirpus  lacustris,  and  Zizania  aqua- 
tica,   the  Rice   plant. 

Amongst  the  best  plants  that  will  succeed  on 
the  banks  of  lakes  and  streams  are  several 
species  of  Carex,  including  C.  pendula,  a  very 
graceful  and  ornamental  plant ;  C.  Greyii,  an 
upright-growing  species,  with  yellowish-green 
apical  flowers  ;  and  C.  japonica.  These  sedges 
should  all  be  plentifully  planted  along  the  banks 
of  streams  and  ponds,  where  they  form  very 
graceful  and  effective  objects. 

Lythrum  roseum  superbum  has  bright,  rosy- 
red  flowers,  and  is  a  very  showy  subject.  Spiraea 
palmata  is  a  plant  which  grows  rapidly  and  soon 
makes  a  big  clump,  and  flowers  profusely.  It 
reaches  a  height  of  from  3  to  4  feet,  and  its  sea- 
son of  flowering  is  July.  S.  gigantea  is  a  large 
species  that  produces  big,  white  plumes  of 
flowers,  the  inflorescences  sometimes  measuring  8 
or  9  feet  in  height.  It  flowers  in  July  and  August. 
S.  Davidii  is  one  of  the  newer  Spiraeas.  Plants 
at  Leonardslee  have  reached  a  height  of  from 
3  to  4  feet  this  season.  They  flower  in  August. 
Hemerocallis  in  variety  flourish  well  in  damp 
situations,  and  their  flowers  make  a  very  fine 
blaze  of  colour.  Both  Mimulus  cardinalis  and 
M.  lutea  are  charming  subjects  for  the  water- 
side. Funkias,  especially  F.  Sieboldi,  make  large 
clumps  on  the  banks  of  ponds  or  in  any  other 
moist  place.  The  large  leaves  of  Gunnera 
manicata  form  a  distinct  feature.  The  plants 
require  protecting  with  some  dry  material  dur- 
ing the  winter  and  spring  months.  The  protec- 
tive material  should  be  of  a  very  light  nature, 
so  that  it  can  be  lifted  up  by  the  leaves  as  they 
develop.  All  flowering  shoots  should  be  re- 
moved as  they  appear.  The  leaves  reach  a  much 
larger  size  when  the  plants  are  uninjured  by 
frost. 

Gunnera  scabra,  often  known  as  G.  manicata, 
is  not  of  such  robust  growth  as  the  true  G. 
manicata.  Other  species  of  Gunnera  are  G. 
magellanica,  a  plant  with  small  leaves,  and  G. 
monoica,   a   still   smaller  plant. 

Among  showy  flowering  plants  are  the 
varieties  of  Iris  Kaempferi :  Pinguicula  gran- 
diflora  has  pretty  dark  blue  coloured 
flowers,  which  appear  in  spring  time ; 
Petasites  gigantea  has  leaves  from  2  to  3  feet 
wide,  and  the  same  measurement  in  height. 
Saxifraga  peltata  flowers  early  in  the  season, 
after  which  the  handsome  foliage  develops.  This 
plant  should  be  given  some  good  rich  material 
at  its  roots.  Polygonum  sachalinense  grows 
from  8  to  10  feet  in  height  in  favoured  situations 
and  is  a  very  handsome  subject.  Rodgersia 
podophylla  is  a  fine  foliage  and  flowering  plant, 
with  large  peltate  leaves,  which  assume  a  bronze 
colour.  Primula  japonica  succeeds  well  on 
the  banks,  and  also  partly  in  the  water.  In  a 
season  or  two  this  plant  reproduces  itself  in 
immense  numbers.  Primula  rosea  succeeds 
when  grown  on  large  stones  in  the  water. 
Primula  sikkimensis,  a  yellow  species,  will  also 
grow  in  a  similar  position  in  a  sheltered  spot. 
Sarracenia  purpurea  is  always  an  interesting 
plant.  It  will  flower  freely  in  a  position  that  is 
fully  exposed  to  the  sun.  Darlingtonia  califor- 
nica  needs  the  same  treatment  as  Sarracenia; 
and  both  plants  should  be  afforded  a  dressing  of 
sphagnum-moss  over  their  roots.  Crinum 
capense  flowers  and  flourishes  splendidly  in  a 
bog. 

Among  other  plants  may  be  mentioned  Ferns, 
including  Lastrea  Thelypteris  (Marsh  Fern,  ; 
Onoclea  sensibilis  ;  Struthiopteris  japonica ; 
S.  pennsylvanica,  a  very  pretty  plant.  All  the 
species  of  Osmunda  are  particularly  fine  sub- 
jects for  the  bank  in  low  places  near  to 
the  water.  Other  good  subjects  are  Parnassia 
palustris  and  its  varieties.  Polyanthus  in 
variety,  Myosotis,  Lilium  pardalinum,  I.. 
superbum,  Lysimachias,  Gynerium  argenteum 
(Pampas  Grass),  Bambusa  Metake,  Phyllo- 
stachys  viridi  glaucesens,  and  Rhododendrons. 

Many  of  these  plants  require  high  feeding  to 
produce  the  best  results,  and  this  is  best  done 
by   top-dressing.       Lilies,    Irises,    Spiraeas,    and 


many  other   plants   should  be  afforded  manure 
several  times  during  their  growing  season. 

Rustic  bridges  which  span  the  water  should 
be  covered  with  climbing  plants,  sr.ch  as  Wis- 
tarias, Jasmines,  Loniceras,  Rambling  Roses, 
Nasturtium  speciosum,  Clematis  montana,  and 
Asparagus  acutifolius.  The  plants  are  best  when 
they  are  allowed  to  grow  loosely,  and  are 
only  secured  sufficiently  to  keep  them  in  their 
proper  position.  W.  A.  Cook,  Leonardslee  Gar- 
dens, Horsham,  Sussex. 


TREES  AND  SHRUBS. 


POPULUS  CANESCENS. 
This  variety,  a  cross  between  the  Silver  Poplar 
(Populus  alba)  and  the  Aspen  (P.  tremula),  is 
of  interest  to  the  botanist  for  the  various  transi- 
tion forms  observable  in  the  leaves.  As  a  forest 
tree,  P.  canescens  is  one  of  the  most  valuable, 
owing  to  its  resistance  to  the  wind,  it  being  in 
this  respect  superior  to  P.  alba,  and  for  the 
landscape  gardener  its  vigorous  and  open  habit  of 
growth  in  the  crown  is  not  without  interest.  The 
foliage  is  of  a  greyish-green  tint,  and  of  larger 
size  than  that  of  either  parent,  and  bears  a  cer- 
tain resemblance  to  P.  nigra,  as  likewise  dees  the 
form  and  build  of  the  crown  in  old  examples. 
The  colour  of  the  bark  is  greyish-brown,  some- 
what resembling  P.  alba.    F.  M. 

BUDDLEIA  COLVILEI. 
It  may  be  interesting  to  record  that  a  plant 
of  Buddleia  Colvilei  has  flowered  for  two  years 
in  succession  in  Lady  Fowler's  garden  at  Inver- 
broom,  in  the  north-west  of  Ross-shire.  It  has, 
however,  not  formed  inflorescences  on  the  axil- 
lary shoots,  as  mentioned  by  Mr.  Winter  on  p. 
26.  The  specimen  is  trained  against  a  wall  that 
faces  west,  where  it  has  withstood  24°  of  frost, 
but  I  am  of  the  same  opinion  as  Mr.  W.  E. 
Gumbleton  (p.  54)  that  the  species  is  not  hardy, 
and  that  a  few  more  degrees  of  frost  would  cut  it 
down  very  badly,  or  even  kill  it. 

STYRAX  JAPONICA. 
I  was  much  interested  in  the  article  by  Mr. 
Cook  on  "  Choice  Shrubs  at  Leonardslee  Gar- 
dens," and  more  especially  with  his  remarks 
on  Styrax  japonica,  Stuartia  pseudo-camellia, 
and  Caesalpinia  japonica.  Mr.  Cook  states  the 
size  of  the  Styrax,  but  does  not  afford  the  in- 
formation as  to  the  age  of  the  tree  when  it  first 
flowered.  A  young  specimen  was  planted  in 
these  gardens  last  spring,  with  others  of  Bud- 
dleia alba  flora,  Crinodendron  Hookeri,  Car- 
penteria  californica,  Photinia  arbutifolia, 
Olearia  stellulata  or  Gunnii,  and  Ceanothus 
Gloire  de  Versailles,  and  all,  save  the  Styrax, 
have  either  flowered  or  are  about  to  do  so,  and 
in  no  case  is  a  plant  more  than  2  feet  high,  Ole- 
aria stellulata  being  only  1  foot  high.  Davidia 
involucrata,  Eucryphia  pinnatifolia,  and  Abuti- 
lon  vitifolium,  also  planted  at  the  same  time, 
show  no  signs  of  flowering.  Harry  Low,  Brae- 
more  Gardens,  Garve,  Ross-shire. 


VEGETABLES. 


CABBAGE  LETTUCE  TREMONT. 
For  late  sowing  this  variety  is  largely  grown 
in  Switzerland,  but  seldom  in  any  of  the  neigh- 
bouring countries.  It  stands  the  weather  un- 
commonly well,  and,  in  spite  of  this  fact,  it  has 
large,  tender  heads,  much  liked  as  a  market 
variety.  The  leaves  are  red-edged  and  spotted. 
For  winter  supply  the  seed  is  sown  at  the  end  of 
the  month  of  July,  and,  at  the  latest,  at  the  be- 
ginning of  August.  With  some  kind  of  protec- 
tion by  means  of  boards  at  the  sides  of  the  bed, 
and  a  covering  of  mats,  or  brushwood,  or  strata 
laid  on  these,  heads  can  be  cut  as  late  as  (Tirist- 
rhastide,  the  plant  enduring  a  certain  degree  of 
frost  uninjured.     F. 


August  17,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


125 


THE     FERNERY. 


A  NEW  LADY  FERN. 
(ATHYRIUM  FILIX  FCEMINA  KALO- 
THRIX  CRIST  ATUM.) 
The  "iKalothrix"  or  "beautiful  hair"  variety 
of  the  Lady  Fern  is  unique,  since  not 
merely  are  the  normal  divisions  of  the  frond  re- 
duced symmetrically  to  slender  threads,  but 
these  are  peculiarly  transparent  and  have  a  shin- 
ing, silky  surface  such  as  no  other  variety  pos- 
sesses. Its  origin  is  somewhat  mysterious,  since 
it  originated  with  two  raisers  about  1870,  as- 
sumably  from  the  spores  of  a  plumose  Lady 
Fern  in  the  Oxford  botanic  gardens  at  that  date. 
There  exists,  however,  a  herbarium  specimen  of  a 
frond  of  a  precisely  similar  form  found  wild  on 


in  which  the  fronds  and  their  divisions  consist  of 
longer  but  far  fewer  hairlike  sub-divisions  set 
widely  apart. 

Until  recently,  and  despite  the  fact  that  the 
Fern  has  been  freely  raised  from  spores  ever 
since  it  was  discovered,  no  tasselled  form  has 
been  noticed.  Notwithstanding,  this  was  at- 
tempted by  myself  some  years  ago  by  crossing 
it  with  finely-crested  forms,  the  only  result  was 
to  get  slenderer-crested  Ferns  of  the  coarse-sur- 
faced type.  Three  years  ago  I  sowed  spores  of 
my  plumose  strain  of  A.  f.  f.  "  superbum "  in 
a  small  thumb  pot.  The  sowing  went  wrong, 
the  little  pot  developed  a  few  spores  only,  and, 
room  being  needed,  it  was  lifted  out  to  be 
thrown  away  when  a  minute  little  clump  of  clus- 
tered mossy-looking  frondlets  attracted  attention. 
I   discovered   that  no   fewer  than  seven   young 


is  perhaps  the  most  noteworthy.  In  any  case, 
two  points  are  very  remarkable,  the  one  that  so 
beautiful  a  form  should  be  obtained  by  such  an 
accident,  and  the  other  that  so  many  plants 
should  originate  from  a  single  prothallus. 
Chas.  T.  Druery,   V.M.H.,  F.L.S. 


NURSERY     NOTES. 


ANNUALS  AT  READING. 
I  recently  inspected  a  very  comprehensive 
trial  of  annuals,  including  an  exhaustive  one  of 
Sweet  Peas,  in  the  nursery  of  Messrs.  Sutton  & 
Sons,  Reading.  The  actual  number  of  varieties 
on  trial  was  461,  contained  in  1,016  rows,  hav- 
ing a  total  length  of  2J  miles.     The  arrange- 


[[  holograph  by  E.  J.   Wallis 

Fig.  48.— a  group  of  hardy  nymph.eas  and  other  water-plants  exhibited  by  Leopold  de  rothschild,  esq.,  at  the  meeting 

OF   THE    R.II.S.   ON   AUGUST  6   LAST.  (See  page  115  in  the  last  issue.) 


the  Mourne  Mountains  in  Ireland  many  years 
previously,  but  there  are  no  records  of  its  subse- 
quent cultivation.  That  the  form  now  existent 
was  derived  independently  from  a  merely 
plumose  type  is  largely  evidenced  by  the 
fact  that  not  only  does  Kalothrix  partially 
revert  and  produce  the  coarser  parental  divi- 
sions and  even  entire  fronds  of  a  coarser  type 
among  a  far  larger  proportion  of  the  true  form, 
but  if  its  spores  be  sown,  the  crop  is  almost 
invariably  of  two  kinds,  viz.,  true  Kalothrix  and 
true  plumosums,  the  latter  strongly  resembling 
A  f.  f.  plumosum  Horsfall,  but  known  as  A.  f.  t. 
p.  Stansfieldii.  The  qualification  almost  is  only 
justified  by  the  fact  that  two  sub-varieties  have 
been  raised,  viz.,  A.  f.  f.  k.  foliosum,  with  wider 
but  still  silky  divisions,  and  A.  f.  f.  k.  linearis, 


Ferns  had  sprung  from  one  prothallus.  These 
were  severed,  and  I  thus  obtained  seven  tiny 
plants,  each  with  its  own  rootlet.  As  they  de- 
veloped, the  Kalothrix  silkiness  appeared.  I 
have  now  six  beautifullv-tasselled  plants  of  the 
Kalothrix  type.  It  is,  of  course,  a  matter  of 
doubt  whether  these  arose  from  the  spores  of 
superbum  actually  sown  or  from  a  stray  spore  of 
Kalothrix  which,  by  crossing,  acquired  the 
superbum  faculty  of  cresting.  This  latter  theory 
seems  the  more  probable,  since  in  one  of  the 
plants  part  of  one  of  the  pinna?  shows  distinctly 
that  tendency  to  partial  reversion  which  is  pecu- 
liar to  Kalothrix ;  on  the  contrary,  if  thev  have 
resulted  from  crossing  it  is  extraordinary  that 
all  the  seven  archegonia  should  have  been  fer- 
tilised by  similar  antherozoids.      This  last  fact 


ment  of  the  varieties  in  groups  according  to 
colour,  is  one  that  finds  favour  with  the  visitor, 
and  by  this  means  one  or  a  dozen  varie- 
ties of  a  similar  colour  can  oe  com- 
pared at  a  glance.  Superior  and  inferior 
stocks  could  be  singled  out  with  the  same 
ease.  In  the  case  of  all  great  seed  firms,  a  trial 
for  comparison  becomes  imperative  each  year. 
This  is  especially  necessary  in  the  case  of  Sweet 
Peas.  In  the  large  collection  of  Sweet  Peas  at 
Reading,  some  varieties  are  much  superior  to 
others,  and  in  white-flowered  sorts  Messrs. 
Sutton's  Giant-flowered  White  is  conspicuous. 
Nora  LTnwin,  which  may  be  regarded  as  the 
Countess  Spencer  form  of  Dorcthy  Eckford,  is 
also  a  very  fine  white  variety.  In  the  pink- 
flowered    sorts,    Queen    of    Pinks    was    noticed 


126 


THE    GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


[August  17,  1907. 


by  reason  of  the  pure  salmon-pink  tint  of  its 
petals,  the  size  of  the  blossoms,  and  their  re- 
fined character.  Miss  Willmott,  Bolton's  Pink, 
and  Orange  Prince  (a  conspicuous  shade)  are 
other  excellent  varieties.  Among  the  flowers 
with  a  more  pronounced  red  shade,  King 
Edward  VII.,  Queen  Alexandra,  John  Ingman, 
Her  Majesty  (one  of  the  largest  flowered  varie- 
ties, with  bright  rose  standards  and  pale  rose 
wings),  Salopian,  Evelyn  Byatt,  and  Helen 
Lewis  were  all  good.  In  pink  and  red-flaked 
sorts,  Aurora,  a  salmon-pink  on  white  ground, 
is  most  effective ;  while  in  the  delicate  rose  and 
pale  pink  shades,  Gladys  Unwin,  Countess 
Spencer,  Dainty,  and  Mrs.  Alfred  Watkins  are 
leading  sorts. 

Of  cream  and  yellow  varieties  Hon.  Mrs.  E. 
Kenyon,  Queen  Victoria,  Jeannie  Gordon  (a 
dainty  flower  in  cream  and  rose),  and  Primrose 
Queen  are  all  good.  Mrs.  H.  Kendall  Barnes 
and  Dora  Breadmore  are  of  the  cream  ground 
class,  with  a  tinge  of  pink  or  other  shade. 
Among  the  flowers  of  a  blue  shade  I  noted  Flora 
Norton,  Mrs.  G.  Higginson,  Jun.,  Frank  Dolby 
(frilled,  pale  mauve),  Mrs.  Walter  Wright 
(mauve,  fine  of  form),  and  other  well-known 
sorts,  including  Lady  Grisel  Hamilton,  Countess 
of  Radnor,  &c.  Sutton's  Butterfly,  a  pure  white 
flower,  edged  with  lavender-blue,  was  also 
noted  as  a  beautiful  and  distinct  variety.  Bril- 
liant Blue,  also  known  as  Lord  Nelson,  is  a 
fine  deep  blue,  excellent  in  form  and  colour. 
Quite  one  of  the  best  of  Messrs.  Sutton's  novel- 
ties for  the  year  is  named  "  Our  Queen."  It  is 
of  true  Spencer  form,  and  is  a  suffusion  of  pale 
pink  on  a  cream  ground.  An  interesting  feature 
in  the  Sweet  Pea  trials  was  a  portion  devoted 
to  colour  mixtures.  That  is  to  say,  a  propor- 
tionate— not  an  indiscriminate — mixture,  in 
which  varieties  of  certain  colours  only  were 
blended.  Some  of  the  more  conspicuous  of  these 
mixtures  were  composed  of  the  following 
colours: — Cream  and  maroon;  cream  and  pale 
blue  ;  rose  and  pale  blue  ;  red,  white,  and  blue  ; 
pink,  yellow,  and  salmon  ;  and  salmon-pink  and 
scarlet. 

Apart  from  the  trial  of  Sweet  Peas  were  to 
be  seen  others  of  Godetias,  Clarkias,  Nastur- 
tiums, Stocks  of  many  shades  and  types,  bril- 
liant Eschscholtzias,  Linums,  and  annual  Chry- 
santhemums. Of  the  last-named  plants  the  im- 
proved forms  of  C.  segetum  grandiflorum,  known 
as  Morning  Star  and  Evening  Star,  are  acquisi- 
tions. Saponaria  vaccaria  is  a  good  pink- 
flowered  plant,  and  valuable  for  bedding  or  for 
supplying  cut  flowers.  The  large-flowered  forms 
of  the  Sweet  Sultan  always  attract  attention,  the 
mauve  and  white  colours  of  the  flowers  being 
very  attractive.  Schizanthus,  sown  in  the  open 
air  in  April,  was  an  unqualified  success.  The 
"compacta"  strain  of  Nemesia  now  embraces 
almost  every  shade  of  colour,  with  blossoms  of 
the  largest  size.  In  Sweet  Williams,  the  bril- 
liant pink  and  scarlet-flowered  varieties  appear 
to  be  well-nigh  perfection  in  their  respective 
shades.  Not  least  among  the  choice  plants 
is  a  Foxglove  named  Primrose  Perfection, 
with  flowers  a  soft  chrome  yellow,  and  with 
faint  spottings  on  the  throat.     E.  J . 


COLONIAL     NOTES. 


HORTICULTURE  IN  WESTERN  CANADA. 

The  largest  and  most  up-to-date  greenhouses 
in  Canada,  west  of  Toronto,  are  situated  in  the 
city  of  Edmonton,  in  the  north-west.  This  fact 
is  something  to  be  proud  of,  for  the  city  10  years 
ago  was  but  a  trading  post,  and  even  the  western 
Gotham-Winnipeg  has  not  such  large  or  well- 
equipped  greenhouses  as  those  belonging  to  the 
firm  of  Ramsay. 

There  are  six  plant-houses  in  all,  built  on  the 
ridge  and  furrow  principle,  and  each  contains 
two  beds,  150  feet  long  by  5  feet  wide.  By 
next   winter   the   ground   space   will   be   exactly 


doubled,   for   there   will   then   be   a  total  of  24 
beds  of  this  size. 

The  system  of  ventilation,  both  in  summer  and 
in  winter,  is  as  perfect  as  possible.  The  water 
for  the  plants  is  carried  in  pipes  along  each 
house  ;  \\  miles  of  2-inch  steel  pipes  form  part 
of  an  efficient  steam-heating  apparatus.  Last 
winter,  the  coldest  on  record,  400  tons  cf  cral 
were  required  to  keep  the  houses  at  a  proper 
temperature.  In  summer  time  as  evening  ap- 
proaches, and  the  heat  of  a  June  sun 
moderates,  these  greenhouses  form  a  plea- 
sant place  to  saunter  through.  At  the 
entrance,  a  bed  of  tall  Palms  and  Ferns  are 
massed  in  their  cool  greenery,  and  the  eye  after- 
wards encounters  beds  of  Roses.  Our  season 
of  Roses  is  when  the  prairies  of  the  west  are 
all  a-bloom  in  July  with  the  delicious  wild 
Rose.  One  long  bed  is  filled  with  the  pure 
white  and  the  pink  varieties  Bride  and  Brides- 
maid, and  for  these  varieties  there  is  a  con- 
stant demand  all  the  year  round.  One  sturdy- 
stemmed,  thorny  Rose,  with  blooms  of  a  deep 
carmine  shade,  is  appropriately  called  General 
McArthur.  Still  newer  is  Richmond,  a  southern- 
raised  flower  with  full,  loose,  red  petals  that  are 
most  attractive  when  in  the  bud  stage.  Ameri- 
can Beauty  is  a  long-stemmed,  smooth-foliaged, 
and  luxuriant-growing  Rose,  and  near  at  hand 
is  planted  the  old-fashioned  Perle  du  Jardin,  a 
softly  tinted,  yellow  Tea  variety. 

There  is  not  seen  in  the  whole  assemblage  of 
blooms  one  of  a  more  subtle  charm  than  Cana- 
dian Queen.    This  is  pure  white  or  pearl  at  the 
centre,  but  its  unfolding  petals  are  tinged  with 
a   deep   pink   shade.      It  has   something  of  the 
character     of     the     wild     prairie     Rose     in     its 
free     arrangement    of  petals.     Second     only     in 
popularity    to    the    Roses    are    the    flowers    in 
the  next  house,  the  Carnations.    The  clear  shell- 
pink    petals    of    Enchantress    are     most    beau- 
tiful ;     in     the    next    bed    are    white    varieties, 
including     Glacier,     Queen    Louise,    and     Bos- 
ton  Market.      Marquis,   growing  close  to  these, 
has  something  of  the  charm  of  colouring  seen 
in   Canadian  Queen  ;    in  addition,  it  has  a  de- 
lightful  fragrance.       Others   grown    are    Estelle 
(scarlet)    and    President    Roosevelt     (rich,     deep 
red).    This  flower,  used  with  Lilium  Harrisii,  is 
excellent   for   the   making   of  bouquets.      Sweet 
Teas  also  do  well  here,  and  plants  from  a  sow- 
ing  made  last  September  have   been   blooming 
profusely  since  January.     Little  less  important 
than  the  cultivation  of  flowers  is  the  provision 
of  greenery,  essential  for  the  artistic  arrangement 
of  bouquets,    and   a   quarter   is   devoted   to  the 
culture  of   Smilax   and   Ferns.      Tall   Palms  of 
many  varieties,  Rubber  plants,  and  a  fine  array 
of    other    foliage    plants     find     a    place     here. 
One  entire  house  has  this  year  been  devoted  to 
Chrysanthemums,  and  over  3,000  stocky  young 
plants  are  seen.     This  flower  is  a  favourite  at 
Edmonton,   as  elsewhere,    and   the   supply   last 
year  was  not  equal  to  the  demand,  but  this  year 
increased  space  has  been  given  to  the  cultiva- 
tion of  Chrysanthemums.      At  several  spots   in 
these  plant-houses,   the  eye  meets  a  group  of 
old-fashioned  scarlet  Pelargoniums.     These  are 
in  many  varieties,  with  both  double  and  semi- 
double  flowers  of  many  colours.    Edmonton  has 
not  yet  reached  the  stage  where  universal  atten- 
tion is  paid  to  the  care  of  its  lawn  and  gardens, 
and   this  year  the  late   spring  militated  greatly 
against  the  beautifying  of  gardens.      However, 
the  greenhouses  supplied  many  plants  for  beds 
and    baskets,    the    greatest    demand    being    for 
Pansies,    Asters,     Stocks,    Petunias,    Verbenas, 
Daisies,  Pelargoniums,  and  Phloxes.    There  was 
no  demand  for  Cannas,  and  but  little  for  Coleus. 
Ageratum   is   a   favourite  border   plant   in   sum- 
mer.     Among   other   plants   grown   in   this   dis- 
trict  are   Nasturtiums,   with   flowers   of   orange, 
tawny     and     scarlet     colours,     and     the     old- 
fashioned      Musk.        Next      winter   greater      at- 
tention    will     be     given     to     the     raising     of 
Tomatos,    Lettuce,    and    other    vegetables,    for 
the     supply     of     last     winter     was     not     suffi- 


cient to  meet  the  demand.  Fresh  propagating 
beds  are  being  added,  another  "  Florence " 
boiler  is  being  installed,  and  the  heating  capa- 
city of  the  present  plant  will  be  doubled.  Next 
winter  the  houses  will  cover  an  area  of  about 
2  acres.  C.  F.  Clark,  343,  Tenth  Street,  Edmon- 
ton, Alberta,  July,  igoy. 


THE    HARDY    FLOWER 
BORDER. 

CAMPANULA  GRANDIS. 
(Syn.  C.  latiloda.) 
With  the  present  desire  for  novelty,  it  not 
infrequently  happens  that  the  merits  of  old- 
fashioned  plants  are  overlooked,  and  I  think 
this  is  true  of  the  above-named  Campanula, 
which  is  one  of  the  showiest  border  plants  in 
flower  at  the  present  time.  Usually  it  attains 
to  a  height  of  about  3  feet,  but  considerably 
more  if  liberally  treated,  and  where  the  soil  is 
rather  moist  and  deep.  It  is  erect-growing  and 
self-supporting,  and  produces  long,  columnar 
spikes  of  closely-set,  somewhat  salver-shaped 
blossoms  that  are  of  an  intensely  deep  violet- 
blue  colour.  It  is  probably  one  of  the  most  ac- 
commodating of  good  border  Bell-flowers,  and 
is  readily  distinguished  from  the  peach-leaved 
Bell-flowers  by  its  dense  ground-covering  of 
lance-shaped  leaves,  the  leading  tufts  of  which 
form  themselves  into  huge  rosettes.  The  plant 
is  of  vigorous  growth  and  easy  of  culture.  Its 
density  of  growth  demands  a  periodical  trans- 
planting, and  the  reducing  of  much  of  its 
shoots.  This  Campanula  forms  a  splendid  bor- 
der plant  for  a  chalky  soil,  but  it  will  succeed 
on  very  light  soils.  I  recently  saw  in  the  her- 
baceous border  at  the  Horticultural  College, 
Swanley,  a  group  of  plants  several  feet  across. 
The  flowers  were  beautiful  even  when  sien 
at  a  great  distance,  and  the  display  of  blossoms 
will  probably  continue  for  some  time  to  come. 

CAMPANULA  VAN  HOUTTEI. 
This  variety  is  placed  in  the  Kew  Hand-Li:! 
under  the  name  of  C.  latifolia,  but  I  think 
there  is  much  evidence  in  support  of  its  being 
a  hybrid,  with  possibly  C.  latifolia  as  one  of 
the  parents.  The  leaf  and  more  slender  stem 
growth  have  nothing  in  common  with  the 
species  named,  much  less  has  the  stoloniferous 
habit  of  the  plant,  a  characteristic  which  ,iar- 
takes  more  closely  of  the  habit  of  C.  punctata. 
If,  in  addition  to  these  things,  the  time  of 
flowering  is  considered,  there  is,  I  think,  far 
greater  evidence  of  varietal  relationship  to  the 
latter  than  the  former  species.  But,  whatever 
its  origin,  the  plant  is  a  valuable  addition  to 
the  garden,  and  the  pale  lavender-blue  of  the 
large  pendent  bells  renders  it  a  welcome  sub- 
ject in  the  early  summer  time.  It  wall  not  ad- 
mit of  massing  if  its  slender  grace  and  beauty 
are  to  be  seen  to  the  best  advantage.  In  soils  of 
a  light  texture  the  stolons  ramify  rather  freely, 
but  less  so  in  heavy  soils.  In  the  case  of  very 
heavy  soil  a  free  addition  of  leaf  soil,  spent 
mushroom-bad  manure,  or  even  cocoa-nut  fibre 
about  the  roots  at  planting  time  will  be  of 
assistance  in  promoting  an  early  growth.  Estab- 
lished plants  may  be  planted  at  any  time,  but 
ground  plants  are  best  planted  in  spring.     E.  H. 

CAMPANULA  ROTUNDIFOLIA  VAR. 
ALASKANA. 
I  received  a  plant  last  year  under  this  name 
from  Herr  Max  Leichtlin,  but  it  has  not  proved 
distinct  from  some  of  the  forms  of  C.  rotundifolia 
already  in  cultivation.  It  is  somewhat  dwarfer 
than  the  variety  of  C.  rotundifolia  called  pallida, 
but  the  large  bells  are  of  much  the  same  shade  of 
light  blue.  The  many  varieties  of  the  common 
Harebell  are  worthy  subjects  for  the  hardy  flower 
border,  and  amongst  the  best  is  C.  rotundifolia 
pallida.      S.  A. 


August  17,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS     CHRONICLE. 


127 


CAMPANULA  ROTUNDIFOLIA  VAR. 
ALPINA. 
This  plant  is  often  sold  as  Campanula  alpina, 
but  it  is  entirely  distinct  from  that  species,  and  is 
much  easier  of  cultivation  than  the  true  C.  alpina. 
It  is  one  of  the  prettiest  of  the  dwarf-growing 
Harebells,  and  has  long  been  in  cultivation.  The 
very  dark  flowers  produced  on  stems  about  9 
inches  in  height  contrast  well  with  the  white  downy 
stems.  Maund  figured  the  plant  under  notice  as 
C.  alpina,  but  the  error  was  corrected  by  the  late 
Mr.  J.  C.  Niven,  of  Hull. 

ANEMONE  ELONGATA. 
This  windfiower,  which  I  acquired  last  year  for 
the  first  time,  is  now  in  bloom  in  my  gar  .leu,  but 
it  is  greatly  inferior  to  many  Anemones  already 
in  cultivation.  It  has  a  broad  general  resem- 
blance to  Anemone  sylvestris,  but  there  can  be 
no  real  comparison  between  the  latter  beautiful 
species  and  the  Himalayan  one,  for  A.  elongata 
is  much  the  inferior  of  the  two.  The  foliage  is 
rather  like  that  of  A.  sylvestris,  but  it  is  of  more 
irregular  outline,  and  larger  and  slightly  lighter 
in  colour.  Only  one  of  my  plants  has  flowered, 
and  this  has  developed  a  flower  stem  bearing, 
about  a  third  up,  where  it  forks,  a  few  leaves. 
Thence  the  taller  of  the  two  stalks  rises  without 
any  leaves  to  a  total  height  of  20  inches  from  the 
soil.  The  other  stalk  has  a  tuft  of  leaves  about 
half-way  up,  and  is  about  16  inches  high.  The 
flowers,  which  are  erect,  are  J  -  inch  across, 
and  are  <f  a  dull,  greenish  white.  The  anthers 
are  bright  green.  There  is  nothing  about  the 
plant  to  commend  it  for  planting  in  gardens. 
S.  Arnott,  Sunny  mead,  Dumfries. 

SALVIA  ARGENTEA. 
This  species  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  of 
the  genus.  The  plant  grows  about  3  feet  in 
height,  is  of  a  free  "branching  habit,  and  pro- 
duces numerous  sprays  of  large  pure  white 
flowers  in  June  and  July.  The  foliage,  how- 
ever, is  its  most  distinctive  feature,  for  the 
leaves  are  broad  and  silvery  and  they  show  to 
advantage  in  the  herbaceous  border  or  in  the 
Alpine  garden.  The  species  is  very  hardy,  and 
can  be  grown  in  a  light,  well-drained  soil 
without  difficulty.     W .  G.,  Somerset. 


NOTICES    OF     BOOKS. 


Bees  for  Pleasure  and.  Profit.* 

A  book  to  be  of  real  \alue  to  the  beginner  in 
any  art  must  be  written  in  simple,  and,  at  the 
same  time,  plain  language  ;  further,  it  should  be 
arranged  in  logical  order,  and  its  different  sub- 
divisions clearly  set  out  so  that  it  may  form  a 
handy  book  of  reference.  The  work  under  notice 
fulfils  these  conditions,  and  can  therefore  with 
confidence  be  recommended  to  persons  about  to 
embark  on  bee-keeping  as  a  hobby  or  for  profit. 

It  is  a  fascinating  book  and  one  of  interest 
from  cover  to  cover.  The  writer,  in  his  preface, 
claims  that  the  work  is  free  from  unnecessary 
verbosity,  and  this  statement  is  certainly  a  true 
one.  The  book  has  the  stamp  of  practical  expe- 
rience on  every  page,  and  it  should  be  especially 
welcome  at  a  time  when  the  question  of  "small 
holdings  "  is  uppermost,  for,  with  the  develop- 
ment of  "small  holdings,"  fruit  culture  will 
receive  more  and  more  attention,  and  the  work 
performed  by  bees  in  a  fruit  plantation  is  valu- 
able. 

The  illustrations  are  very  good,  but  one  cannot 
but  be  sorry  that  the  picture  of  a  comb  stored 
with  honey  and  brood  (fig.  4)  was  not  reproduced 
from  a  photograph. 

Fully  ripened  honey,  that  is  honey  from  sealed 
cells,  is  the  best  for  extraction,  and  is  superior  to 
that  from  the  honey  ripener,  particulars  of  which 

•  Bees  for  Pleasure  ami  Profit,  by  G.  Gordon  Samson. 
3rd  edition.  Revised  and  enlarged.  Published  by  Messrs. 
Crosby,  Lockwood  and  Son.     Price  Is.  net. 


are  given  on  p.  49.  The  additional  chapter  on 
"  Bee-keeping  in  Hot  Climates  "  will  be  useful  to 
our  Colonial  kinsmen,  and  also  to  those  persons 
aboiyt  to  emigrate. 

This  little  treatise  will  also  be  of  value  to 
those  who  have  made  some  advance  in  the  art 
of  bee-keeping,  no  less  than  to  the  beginner,  and 
to  these  the  pages  on  "Queen  Raising"  and 
"Queen  Introduction"  will  prove  of  great  in- 
terest.    Chloris. 


Economic    Zoology.* 

No  better  evidence  can  be  adduced  of  the 
growing  interest  in  Economic  Zoology  than  in  the 
support  which  has  been  given  to  it  by  the  County 
Councils  of  Surrey  and  Kent.  They  have  materi- 
ally advanced  this  branch  of  natural  science  by 
furnishing  the  necessary  means  for  the  annual 
publication  of  such  valuable  reports  as  the  one 
which  has  just  been  issued  from  the  South- 
Eastern  Agricultural  College  at  Wye,  Kent. 

We  find  this  report  a  worthy  companion  of  those 
which  have  preceded  it,  and  the  author's  name  is 
a  guarantee  of  the  thoroughness  both  of  the  prac- 
tical and  scientific  portions  of  the  work.  It  affords 
at  once  a  work  easy  enough  for  the  professional, 
and  if  not  quite  full  enough  is  precise  enough  to 
form  an  excellent  text  book  on  the  subject. 

We  gather  from  a  perusal  of  its  pages  that 
numerous  experiments  have  been  carried  out 
with  insecticides,  "  partly  in  conjunction  with 
Mr.  Spencer  Pickering,  who  has  kindly  sup- 
plied the  various  washes  that  he  has  worked 
with."  While  efficiency  is  claimed  for  many  of 
the  "  washes  "  no  satisfactory  results  are  recorded 
concerning  the  destruction  of  the  eggs  of  insects 
peculiar  to  various  fruit  trees  during  the  winter 
months.  "  But  the  large  series  of  experiments 
being  carried  out  in  Worcestershire  under  the 
auspices  of  the  County  Council  by  Mr.  Kenneth 
Farley,  and  similar  ones  carried  out  by  many 
growers  in  Kent  and  Surrey,  may  yield  some 
definite  results.  The  greatest  success  so  far  has 
been  obtained  by  the  use  of  lime  and  salt  .  .  . 
but  the  matter  requires  further  work  yet  to  find 
out  what  is  best  to  add  so  as  to  increase  its 
adhesive  power." 

We  fear  that  it  has  long  been  a  standing  re- 
proach to  the  Economic  Entomologists  of  this 
county  that  they  have  not  yet  succeeded  in  dis- 
covering an  effective  remedy  for  the  Currant  bud- 
mite  or  "big  bud."  Twenty  years  ago  carbolic 
ffcid  was  claimed  as  a  remedy,  but  this  proved 
more  harmful  to  the  plants  than  the  destructive 
work  of  the  mites  Since  that  time  a  number  of 
equally  useless  methods  have  been  claimed  as  a 
means  of  checking  or  destroying  this  pest ;  pro- 
minent among  these  were  the  "  hot  water  cure  " 
and  fumigation  with  hydrocyanic  acid  gas.  The 
numerous  and  almost  exhaustive  experiments  con- 
ducted by  Mr.  Spencer  Pickering  '  at  the  Duke  of 
Bedford's  Fruit  Farm,  Woburn,  and  continued 
over  a  number  of  years  have,  we  believe,  so  far 
failed  to  offer  any  hope  of  a  remedy  for  this  pest. 
Mr.  Collinge*,  however,  in  the  Journal  of  the  Board 
of  Agriculture,  at  the  beginning  of  the  present 
year  claims  to  have  discovered  by  the  application 
of  lime  and  sulphur  "a  practical  and  effective 
cure,  which  can  be  easily  applied  at  a  relatively 
small  cost."  Theobald  in  his  report  states  that 
Collinge's  method  "  has  been  carried  out  for  two 
seasons  on  some  bushes  (20),  and  this  year  the 
big-bud  is  worse  than  ever.  The  bushes  were 
not  dusted  as  Mr.  Collinge  suggests,  three  times, 
but  last  year  13  times."  The  writer  of  this  review 
has  not  had  the  opportunity  of  putting  Mr. 
Collinge's  method  to  a  practical  test,  and  is  there- 
fore not  in  a  position  to  discuss  the  question ;  but 

*  Report  on  Economic  Zoology,  for  the  year  ending 
April  1st,  1907,  by  Fred.  V.  Theobald,  M.A.,  South-Eastern 
Agricultural  College,  Wye,  Kent.  Headley  Bros.,  London, 
and  Ashford,  Kent.     Price,  2s.  6d. 

1  Second  Report  of  the  Woburn  Experimental  Fruit  Farm, 
1900. 

2  Journal  of  the  Board  t;  Agriculture,  vol.  xiii.,  p.  585. 


in  the  light  of  Mr.  Theobald's  statement  the 
newly-claimed  remedy  does  not,  unfortunately, 
inspire  much  confidence.  The  time  is  young  yet, 
however,  and  we  must  patiently  await  the  next 
season's  results,  which  should  definitely  settle  the 
question  ;  meanwhile  we  hope  that  this  latest 
discovered  remedy  will  be  put  to  the  test  by 
fruit-growers,  and  that  it  will  meet  with  that 
success  to  which  the  author  has,  on  his  own  show- 
ing, justly  laid  claim. 

One  of  the  most  instructive  portions  of  this 
report  is  that  devoted  to  the  woolly  aphis.  It  has 
been  conclusively  proved  that  the  damage  done  by 
the  root  form  of  this  pest  is  much  more  severe  and 
more  widely  distributed  than  was  generally  sup- 
posed. In  view  of  this  fact  Mr.  Theobald  attributes 
the  failures  to  destroy  mealy  bug  to  having  hitherto 
ignored  the  presence  of  the  migrating  ground 
form.  For  winter  washing  the  "old  causict 
alkali  wash  or  the  more  improved  Woburn  wash" 
is  recommended,  and  for  the  root  form  the  in- 
jection of  bi-sulphide  of  carbon. 

Altogether  119  pests  are  dealt  with,  chiefly 
under  the  following  heads  : — These  injurious  to 
man's  domesticated  animals,  to  fruit  trees,  corn, 
root  crops,  to  pulse,  hops  and  vegetables,  flowers, 
forest  trees,  food-stuffs,  and  those  causing  annoy- 
ance to  man.  These  headings  will  give  a  good 
idea  of  the  scope  of  the  work  which,  collectively, 
forms  a  valuable  help  towards  the  consideration 
of  our  present  knowledge  of  Economic  Zoology. 

Insect  Hunter  s  Companion.* 

The  instructions  offered  in  this  useful  little 
guide  will  undoubtedly  serve  to  initiate  or  to 
stimulate  ihe  study  of  insect  life  and  lead  to  a 
successful  pursuit  of  entomology.  It  contains 
the  result  of  many  years'  experience  both  of  the 
author  and  his  collaborators  ;  and  though  it  is 
intended  in  the  main  for  the  naturalist  who 
wishes  to  know  where  to  collect  and  how  to  rear 
insects,  also  the  method  of  preserving  them  for 
the  cabinet,  the  young  horticulturist  or  agricul- 
turist who  is  undergoing  a  scientific  training  in 
these  subjects  will  also  find  in  its  pages  many 
valuable  hints. 

Mr.  Farn  is  to  be  congratulated  on  the  re-issue 
of  a  work  which  will  prove,  as  the  previous 
editions  have  already  done,  useful  alike  both  in 
the  field  and  study.     R.  N. 


PLANT    NOTE. 


MELALEUCA  HYPERICLFOLIA,  &c. 
We  lose  much  beauty  in  the  garden  and  green- 
house by  discarding  the  New  Holland  plants 
that  were  prized  in  the  middle  of  the  last  century, 
and  are  as  easy  to  grow  into  good  specimens 
and  to  flower  well,  as  tuberous-rooted  Begonias 
and  American  Carnations.  The  Melaleucas  have 
sessile  flowers,  produced  on  long  clusters.  M. 
hypericifolia  has  flowers  of  dull  rose  colour ;  M. 
fulgens  is  more  showy,  and  is  much  branched 
and  erect  in  growth,  the  colour  of  the  flowers 
being  light  red.  These  and  many  other  New 
Holland  (Australian)  hard-wooded  plants  grow 
readily  in  a  mixture  of  hard  peat  one-third,  light 
loam  one-third,  and  leaf-mould  one-third,  with 
a  free  admixture  of  sharp  sand.  Re-potting 
should  be  performed  in  April,  using  a  wooden 
rammer  in  making  the  soil  moderately  firm.  The 
drainage  should  be  good,  but  not  excessive. 
From  June  1  till  September  30  the  plants  are  the 
better  for  being  placed  out-of-doors  in  a  fairly 
sunny  aspect,  and  syringed  at  about  5  p.m.,  if 
the  day  has  been  bright.  It  is  best  to  plunge  the 
pots  in  coal  ashes  or  coarse  gravel.     M ■ 

*  The  Insect  Hunter's  Companion.  By  the  Rev.  Joseph 
Greene,  M.A.  Revised  and  extended  by  A.  B.  Farn.  Fifth, 
edition.  West,  Newman  &  Co.,  and  Simpkiu,  Marshall  & 
Co.,  Ltd.    Price  ls.6d. 


128 


THE    GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


[August  17,  1907. 


The  Week's  Work. 


PLANTS    UNDER  GLASS.     . 

By  J.  G.  Weston,  Gardener  to  H.  J.  King,  Esq., 
Eastwell  Park,  Kent. 

Perpetual-flowering  Carnations. — Tie  the  shoots 
to  stakes  as  required.  Discontinue  the  pinching 
of  the  points  out  of  the  shoots  of  plants  which 
are  expected  to  flower  in  winter.  The  best  stakes 
for  supporting  Carnations  are  those  prepared 
from  Bamboo  points  and  dyed  green ;  they  are 
easily  obtainable  from  the  sundnesmen.  These 
stakes  are  capable  of  lasting  for  a  considerable 
time,  and  they  always  look  neat.  Syringe  the 
plants  occasionally  with  weak,  clear  soot  water, 
this  being  very  beneficial  to  the  plants  and  of 
use  in  keeping  down  insect  pests.  The  new 
strain  of  tree  Carnations  is  proving  more  and 
more  valuable,  and  there  appears  to  be  scarcely 
any  limit  to  the  flowering  capacity  of  the  plants. 
A  batch  we  commenced  to  cut  flowers  from  last 
October  is,  at  the  present  time,  bearing  a  free 
crop  of  flowers  of  good  quality,  and  there  is 
every  appearance  of  further  flower  buds  forming. 
The  cultivation  does  not  present  any  serious 
difficulty.     Inexperienced  cultivators  sometime? 


work,  glass  and  stages,  and  afterwards  sponge  or 
spray  the  plants  with  a  safe  insecticide.  In 
sponging  such  plants  as  Codiceums,  Pandanus, 
Aralias,  and  similar  species  with  brittle  foliage', 
extra  care  must  be  taken  not  to  break  or  twist 
the  leaves  ;  the  effect  of  such  twisting  may  not 
be  noticeable  for  some  days  afterwards,  but  it 
will  eventually  cause  great  disfigurement. 


THE  FLOWER  GARDEN. 

By  A.  C.  Bartlett,  Gardener  to  Mrs.  Ford,  Pencarrow, 
Cornwall. 

Narcissus. — Every  three  or  four  years  the  bulbs 
of  the  various  species  and  varieties  of  Narcissus 
should  be  lifted,  sorted,  and  re-planted.  A 
change  of  soil  is  desirable,  but  if  this  is  not 
possible,  then  extra  care  should  be  taken  to 
plant  only  the  very  best  and  healthiest  bulbs. 
Bulbs  of  second  quality  should  be  planted  in 
vacant  spots  in  the  wild  garden,  or  in  the  shrub- 
bery. Some  good  bulbs  of  early  varieties,  in- 
cluding the  single  and  double  Lent  Lilies — N. 
Pseudo-Narcissus  plenus — and  the  Polyanthus 
Narcissus — N.  Tazetta — should  be  planted  on  a 
warm,  sunny  bank  to  supply  the  earliest  flowers. 


Noisette  and  Tea  varieties  should  be  removed, 
and  any  shoot  of  undue  length  cut  back  to  the 
level  of  the  other  growths.  The  ground  is  so 
wet  from  the  rains  that  applications  of  liquid 
manure  are  inadvisable,  and  any  feeding  that 
may  be  needed  is,  under  these  conditions,  best 
furnished  by  light  dressings  of  some  artificial 
manure.  The  budding  of  Roses  should  now  be 
almost  finished,  but  any  long,  ripened  shoots 
near  to  the  ground  may  be  layered  by  cutting  a 
notch  in  the  underside  of  the  shoot  and  pegging 
it  into  the  soil.  Cuttings  of  ripened  shoots  may 
either  be  rooted  in  pots  on  a  hot-bed,  or  be- 
neath a  handlight  in  the  sandy  soil  of  a  border. 
In  both  cases  shading  is  necessary. 


THE    KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

By  William  H.  Honess,  Gardener  to  C.  Combe,  Esq., 
Cobham  Park,  Surrey. 

French  Beans  and  Butler  Beans. — Sowings  may 
be  made  of  these  useful  vegetables.  Select  a 
warm  position,  and  sow  the  seeds  in  lines  ar- 
ranged in  such  a  manner  that  they  may  have 
frames  or  lights  placed  over  them   later  in  the 


Fig.  49.- 


make  a  mistake  in  "coddling"  the  plants  in 
winter.  At  that  season  plenty  of  fresh  air  is 
necessary  to  keep  the  plants  healthy. 

Souvenir  de  la  Malmaison  Carnations. — The 
one-year-old  plants  now  passing  out  of  flower 
should  be  re-potted,  giving  each  a  fairly  good 
shift,  according  to  the  strength  of  the  plant. 
Make  the  soil  very  firm,  and  use  a  similar  com- 
post to  that  advised  in  the  calendar  published 
in  the  issue  for  March  22.  After  the  re-potting 
has  been  carried  out,  place  the  plants  in  a  well- 
ventilated  house  or  frame,  or  in  favourable 
localities  they  may  be  placed  out-of-doors;  but 
on  no  account  allow  the  plants  to  become  satu- 
rated by  continuous  heavy  rains,  or  trouble  may 
be  expected  in  the  following  winter.  [If  the 
weather  is  at  all  showery  the  leaves  are  likely  to 
become  soft,  and,  therefore,  more  susceptible  to 
fungus  disease. — Ed.] 

Plant-houses  and  stoves. — The  plants  in  this 
department  having  made  considerable  growth 
during  the  summer  season,  an  occasional  re- 
arrangement is  beneficial,  changing  the  position 
of,  and  giving  more  space  to,  plants  required 
for  special  purposes.  Take  ilie  opportunity  when 
doing    this,    to    thoroughly    cleanse    the    wood- 


-CARNATIONS    NOW    FLOWEKING    AT    EASTWELL    PARK, 
(See  "Plants  Under  Glass.") 


[Dictograph  by  D\ith. 


A  lesser  number  of  such  later  kinds  as  the 
N.  poeticus,  N.  biflorus,  the  sweet-scented 
Jonquil  (the  double-flowered  Queen  Anne's  Jon- 
quil, a  desirable  but  neglected  form)  should 
also  be  planted. 

Roses. — As  soon  as  the  Pillar  Roses  have 
finished  flowering,  many  of  the  old  growths 
should  either  be  entirely  removed  or  be  cut  back 
to  a  point  near  to  the  ground,  where  strong,  new 
growths  have  probably  started.  The  current  sea- 
son's shoots  must  be  kept  fairly  thin,  so  that 
those  which  remain  may  become  well  ripened. 
The  new  growths  which  are  preserved  should  be 
loosely  tied  to  the  pillars ;  a  free  circulation  of 
air  is  essential,  and  the  tying  should  merely 
serve  to  prevent  injury  by  winds.  Such  climb- 
ing Roses  as  Gloire  de  Dijon,  Cheshunt  Hybrid, 
Climbing  Captain  Christy,  Kaiserin  Frederic, 
fc.,  will  not  need  such  vigorous  treatment  in 
pruning  as  benefits  the  Polyantha  varieties,  and, 
as  a  rule,  the  partial  shortening  of  the  older 
branches  and  the  removal  of  feeble  shoots  will 
suffice,  but  any  plants  which  are  weakly  should 
be  pruned  severely.  A  mulching  of  manure  and 
copious  waterings  during  dry  weather  will  be 
beneficial  at  this  stage.     Untidy  flowers  of  111'., 


season  ;  or  sow  the  seeds  in  frames,  where  they 
could  be  fully  exposed  to  the  weather  until  there 
is  danger  of  damping,  or  likelihood  of  frosts 
occurring,  when  the  lights  would  need  to  be  put 
on,  and  the  plants  further  assisted  by  the  em- 
ployment of  a  little  fire  heat.  Such  cultivation 
will  considerably  extend  the  season  during  which 
Beans  are  obtainable,  and  the  produce  will  be 
very  useful  in  the  autumn,  when  so  many  of  the 
summer  vegetables  fail  before  it  is  considered 
time  to  commence  to  use  those  intended  for 
winter  consumption.  For  this  late  sowing,  and 
for  the  earliest  sowings,  we  have  tried  many 
varieties,  but  have  obtained  the  best  results  from 
the  variety  Wythes'  Bountiful,  which  has  a  very 
dwarf,  compact  habit,  that  helps  to  make  it  par- 
ticularly suitable  for  inside  culture.  Both 
French  Beans  and  Runner  Beans  require  a 
plentiful  supply  of  water  during  dry  weather, 
especially  if  mulchings  have  not  been  applied. 
Keep  the  Beans  closely  picked  for  consumption 
in  order  that  the  plants  may  continue  to  bear 
longer;  they  will  certainly  suffer  untimely  ex- 
haustion if  the  Beans  are  allowed  to  hang  on 
and  become  too  old  for  cooking  purposes. 

Carrots  and  Turnips. — If  the  sowing  of  these 
two    vegetables    has    been    delayed,    the    work 


August  17,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


129 


should  be  carried  out  at  once.  Of  varieties  of 
Carrots,  select  Early  Gem  and  French  Horn, 
and  of  Turnips,  the  more  hardy  varieties  will 
be  most  suitable,  as  was  advised  in  a  previous 
number.  Indifferent  results  will  follow  if  seeds 
are  sown  later  than  August  20,  unless  they 
are  merely  sown  for  the  production  of  tops  for 
use  in  the  spring,  which,  although  very  useful, 
are  generally  only  a  secondary  consideration. 

Cardoons. — If  these  have  been  grown  accord- 
ing to  the  directions  given  early  in  the  season, 
they  will  have  made  sufficient  growth  to  require 
blanching,  which  should  be  done  by  wrapping 
them  round  with  hay  bands,  afterwards  earthing 
them  up  with  soil.  This  earthing-up  must  be 
done  by  degrees  and  as  growth  proceeds.  By 
making  a  start  now  the  plants  should  be  ready 
for  use  at  about  the  middle  of  October. 

Potatos. — All  early  and  second  early  varieties 
should  now  be  lifted,  unless  there  are  any  that 
were  planted  late  for  the  object  of  giving  a  late 
supply  of  "new"  Potatos,  in  which  case  the 
tubers  should  be  lifted  as  they  are  required  for 
consumption.  Where  it  is  intended  to  save  seed- 
tubers  for  planting  next  season,  these  should  be 
selected  straight  away  and  stored  separately, 
protecting  them  from  the  wet,  but  fully  exposing 
them  to  the  light  and  air.  This  treatment  is  to 
be  recommended  in  preference  to  the  old  system 
of  exposing  the  tubers  at  the  base  of  a  wall  out- 
of-doors,  as  the  heavy  autumn  rains  not  only 
frequently  soak  the  tubers,  but  saturate  the 
ground  under  them,  causing  decay  to  arise  and 
tending  to  spread  disease. 


roots.       These   will    require    copious    waterings 
whenever  the  compost  becomes  fairly  dry. 


THE    ORCHID    HOUSES. 

By  W.  H.  White,  Orchid  Grower  to  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence, 
Bart.,  Burford,  Surrey. 

Ventilation.— -The  weather  having  become 
warmer,  the  cultivator  will  be  apt  to  afford  too 
much  air  to  the  inmates  of  th,e  cool  or  Odonto- 
glossum  house.  Should  the  atmospheric  tem- 
perature out-of-doors  range  from  55°  to  65°  with 
rain  falling,  there  is  but  little  fear  that  the  ven- 
tilators may  be  opened  too  wide,  but  when  the 
temperature  outside  is  between  60°  and  70°  with 
hot  sunshine,  the  surface  of  the  ground  being 
quite  dry  at  the  time,  it  is  a  mistake  to  open 
the  doors  or  ventilators  so  wide  as  to  admit 
large  volumes  of  dry  air,  or  to  open  such  ven- 
tilators which  are  directly  opposite  to  each 
other,  so  that  a  strong  draught  will  thereby  be 
caused.  This  kind  of  treatment  is  oftentimes 
supplemented  with  frequent  syringings  over- 
head, and  waterings  at  the  root,  in  order  to 
counteract  sufficiently  the  aridity  of  the  atmos- 
phere of  the  house.  I  have  lately  observed  such 
treatment  in  several  collections,  and  the  plants 
in  consequence  have  become  debilitated.  It  is 
impossible  to  lay  down  any  hard  and  fast  rules 
in  regard  to  ventilation,  as  much  depends  upon 
the  position  nt  the  house,  whether  it  is  situated 
high  up  on  a  hill,  or  in  some  low-lying  district. 
The  safest  course  to  follow  is  to  admit  only  as 
much  air  as  can  be  kept  fairly  well  charged 
with  moisture,  by  damping  the  floors  and  stages 
two  or  three  times  a  day,  taking  care  not  to 
admit  much  air  whien  the  weather  is  hot  and 
drying.  In  small  houses  the  bottom  ventilators 
should  be  used  most,  except  on  warm,  damp 
nights  when  the  top  ventilators  may  be  opened 
wide  after  sunset.  Exceptionally  long,  wide, 
and  lofty  houses  can  be  best  ventilated  through 
the  openings  at  the  apex  of  the  roof.  During 
warm  days  it  is  advisable  to  maintain  an  atmos- 
pheric temperature  a  few  degrees  cooler  than 
the  air  in  a  shady  position  out-of-doors.  The 
houses  at  Burford  are  of  moderate  size,  and  we 
keep  the  lower  ventilators  always  wide  open,  and 
the  top  ventilators  slightly  open,  when  the  ex- 
ternal air  is  warm  and  there  is  little  wind.  These 
top  ventilators  we  close  just  previous  to  the  last 
damping  down,  which  is  doneat  about  4  p.m.,  in 
arder  to  get  the  house  thoroughly  charged  with 
moisture  for  the  night.  When  finishing  up  the 
last  thing,  these  top  lights  are  slightly  opened 
again  if  the  weather  is  mild  and  damp.  At  the 
present  time  the  majority  of  the  inmates  of  this 
house  are  just  commencing  to  push  up  their 
new  .growths,  but  the  plants  should  not  be  too 
freely  watered,  or  the  old  roots  will  decay  before 
new  ones  make  their  appearance.  There  are 
some  plants  that  have  their  new  growths  well 
advanced,    and    are    Dushing    out    many    young 


FRUITS  UNDER  GLASS. 

By  Alexander  Kirk,  Gardener  to  J.  Thomson  Paton,  Esq., 
Norwood,  Alloa,  Clackmannanshire. 

Muscat  of  Alexandria  Grapes. — Grapes  which 
are  already  ripe  will  require  careful  attention 
in  order  to  keep  them  in  good  condition.  The 
atmosphere  should  be  kept  cool,  and  a  free 
circulation  of  air  allowed  through  the  top  and 
bottom  ventilators.  It  will  be  necessary  to  keep 
the  water  pipes  just  warm,  especially  at  night,  in 
order  to  dispel  damp,  a  dry  atmosphere  being 
essential.  Cover  the  outside  borders  with 
sashes  to  ward  off  heavy  rains.  Muscats  are 
liable  to  decay  at  the  neck  of  the  berry  if  the 
vines  receive  a  soaking  of  water  at  the  roots 
after  the  berries  are  ripe.  Even  in  the  absence 
of  such  water,  the  berries  are  apt  to  decay  dur- 
ing very  hot  weather,  especially  after  such  a 
cold,  wet  season  as  that  of  1907. 

Later  Muscat  Grapes. — Vines  having  fruits  that 
have  finished  stoning  and  are  now  commencing 
to  colour,  will  require  the  atmospheric  moisture 
gradually  reduced  as  colouring  advances,  and 
after  three  weeks  damping  may  be  discontinued 
altogether.  Keep  the  house  well  ventilated  by 
day  and  night,  and  the  atmosphere  dry.  Protect 
the  outside  borders  from  the  rains.  Maintain  a 
considerable  degree  of  heat  in  the  water-pipes 
(never  overheating  them),  except  when  there  is 
sunshine,  as  this  will  allow  of  fresh  air  being 
admitted  to  the  house.  The  atmospheric  tem- 
perature of  the  house  should  not  exceed  75°  at 
night  or  90°  during  the  day.  Keep  a  sharp  look- 
out for  red  spider,  and  if  this  pest  is  present 
sponge  the  leaves  with  soft  soap  and  hot  water, 
or  syringe  them  in  the  evening.  Be  careful  not 
to  direct  the  syringe  against  the  bunches,  or  they 
will  be  disfigured,  unless  the  water  is  very  clean 
and  pure. 

Madresfield  Court  Grapes,  which  are  now  quite 
ripe,  will  require  to  be  kept  as  cool  as  possible, 
and  treated  to  an  abundance  of  fresh  air  by  night 
and  day.  Keep  a  sharp  look-out  for  decayed 
berries,  and  cut  or  pull  them  out  as  soon  as 
they  are  detected.  This  variety  is  such  a  thin- 
skinned  Grape  and  liable  to  decay,  the  berries 
require  to  be  examined  every  day.  It  is  not  a 
Grape  that  will  keep  in  good  condition  for  a 
long  period. 

Strawberries. — Plants  in  3-inch  pots  should  be 
shifted  into  their  final  pots  without  delay. 
Afford  the  roots  plenty  of  water  if  hot  weather 
continues,  and  manure  water  also,  to  assist  in 
building  up  strong,  healthy  crowns.  Do  not 
place  the  plants  too  closely  together  and  so  cause 
them  to  become  drawn.  During  growth  they 
require  to  be  given  a  well-exposed  position 
where  they  will  get  the  sun's  rays  all  day. 
Place  them  on  a  hard  base,  preferably  one 
formed  with  ashes.  To  prevent  them  rooting 
through  the  pots,  turn  each  plant  round,  or 
shift  all  of  them  to  another  place  occasionally. 
As  soon  as  runners  are  observed  they  must  be 
cut   off. 

THE  HARDY  FRUIT  GARDEN. 

By  J.  Mavne,  Gardener  to  Lord  Clinton,  Bicton, 
East  Devon. 

Morello  Cherries. — These  fruits  are  usually 
ready  for  bottling  at  this  date.  They  should  be 
gathered  when  perfectly  dry,  and  be  placed  very 
thinly  on  large,  shallow  trays  or  similar  recep- 
tacles. Select  those  fruits  for  bottling  that  are 
of  a  deep,  blood-red  colour,  and  cut  the 
stalks  with  either  a  sharp  knife  or  a  pair  of 
scissors,  so  that  no  juice  will  be  lost.  Fruits  in- 
tended for  jam  making  should  also  receive  care- 
ful attention,  but  they  need  not  be  quite  so 
ripe  for  this  purpose  as  in  the  case  of  those  for 
bottling.  Morello  Cherries  are  much  appre- 
ciated for  the  making  of  tarts,  and  it  is  usual 
to  retain  part  of  the  crop  on  the  trees  as  long 
as  is  possible  for  this  purpose,  but  when  signs 
of  shrivelling  or  general  decay  are  apparent  the 
fruits  should  all  be  withered.  We  experience 
some  difficulty  in  this  district,  which  has  usually 
a  moist  atmosphere,  in  keeping  the  fruits  sound 
after  the  middle  of  September.  When  sending 
them  a  considerable  distance,  shallow  boxes, 
deep  enough  for  one  layer  of  fruits  only,  should 
be  used. 


The  Fig. — In  normal  seasons  in  these  gardens 
a  dish  of  Figs  can  generally  be  had  about  the 
middle  of  this  month,  but  they  will  be  quite  a 
fortnight  later  in  ripening  this  season.  Figs 
should  be  gathered  when  they  are  quite  ripe ; 
a  half-ripened  Fig  is  most  insipid  in  eating. 
Wasps  are  particularly  fond  of  Figs,  there- 
fore, bottles  containing  beer  or  cider  sweet- 
ened with  sugar  should  be  hung  on  the 
trees.  A  Fig  that  has  been  ripened  by  the  direct 
rays  of  the  sun  shining  on  it  is  of  very  much 
better  flavour  than  one  that  has  grown  in  a  less 
favoured  position,  hence  the  necessity  of  keep- 
ing the  growths  thinly  trained  at  all  seasons. 

The  Loganberry. — This  fruit  has  been  very 
fine  this  season ;  it  is  a  matter  ot  surprise  the 
plant  is  not  grown  more  extensively  in  gardens. 
A  suitable  method  of  training  the  long  growths 
is  to  obtain  larch  poles  from  10  to  12  feet  in 
length,  and  to  set  these  at  this  distance  apart, 
with  a  piece  of  batten  on  either  side  to  keep 
them  in  position.  It  is  an  easy  matter  to  tram 
the  growths  right  and  left  of  this  structure,  and 
a  plant  should  be  set  at  the  base  of  each  up- 
right. The  old  canes,  after  they  have  borne 
fruit,  should  be  cut  out  near  to  the  base  of  the 
plant,  so  that  the  new  growths  may  receive  the 
full  benefit  of  the  sun  ;  the  new  shoots  should 
be  reduced  to  a  moderate  number,  for  if  too 
many  remain  the  crowding  will  end  in  compara- 
tive failure. 

Autumn-fruiting  Raspberries. — The  canes  will 
require  supporting  either  with  stout  cord  or  with 
wire  stretched  on  stakes  along  the  centre  of  the 
row.  The  frequent  rains  of  this  summer  have 
suited  this  fruit,  and  there  should  be  good  crops, 
provided  the  weather  of  autumn  is  favourable. 


PUBLIC  PARKS  AND  GARDENS. 

By  W.  W.  Pettigrew,  Superintendent  of  the  Parks  and 
Open  Spaces  in  the  City  of  Cardiff. 

Painting  fencing,  railings,  &>c. — The  painting 
of  the  various  kinds  of  ironwork  used  about  a 
public  park  forms,  as  a  rule,  a  considerable  item 
in  the  annual  bill  for  labour  and  materials.  The 
proper  maintenance  of  iron  railings  alone  costs 
a  considerable  sum  annually,  and  if  the  work  is 
not  very  carefully  carried  out  it  is  often  only 
so  much  waste.  Ironwork  should  never  have 
any  paint  applied  to  it  until  all  rust  and  dirt 
have  been  removed,  and  in  the  case  of  new  iron 
the  mill  scale  should  be  scraped  off  and  the  sur- 
face burnished.  Strips  of  card-wire  nailed  upon 
flat  pieces  of  wood  form  excellent  material  for 
use  in  burnishing  after  the  worst  of  the  rust  has 
been  removed  with  an  iron  scraper.  The  bur- 
nishers should  not  be  very  far  ahead  of  the 
painters,  in  case  rain  may  fall,  when  the  work 
would  require  to  be  done  over  again. 

Applications  of  paint. — It  is  usual  to  apply 
three  coats  of  paint  to  ironwork  unless  it  is 
painted  every  year,  when  one  is  generally  suffi- 
cient. The  first  coat  should  consist  of  a  lead 
paint,  and  the  second  and  last  of  an  oxide  paint. 
As  a  check  upon  the  men  engaged  in  painting, 
whether  they  are  employed 'by  a  contractor  or 
employed  direct  by  the  department,  it  is  always 
a  good  plan  to  have  the  colour  of  each  coat  of 
paint  distinct  from  the  others.  In  this  way  it 
is  a  very  simple  matter  to  see  that  the  three 
coats  arranged  for  are  actually  applied.  At  one 
time,  when  the  painting  of  iron  fencing  was  not 
considered  to  come  within  the  scope  of  practical 
painters'  work,  we  used  to  employ  ships'  painters 
for  the  purpose,  with  very  satisfactory  results. 
Recently  it  has  been  decided  that  technically  it 
is  painters'  work,  hence  house  painters  must  in 
future  be  engaged  for  all  painting  purposes.  Of 
course  where  tar  or  bitumen  is  used  in  place  of 
paint,  unskilled  men  may  still  be  employed. 

Time  for  painting. — In  the  past  we  have 
always  carried  out  the  painting  of  railings 
during  the  summer  months,  when  the  air  is 
driest  and  when  there  is  least  risk  of  having  the 
paint  washed  off  with  rain.  This  year — perhaps 
fortunately — it  was  decided  to  postpone  painting 
the  fences  until  the  winter,  when  dust  is  not  so 
troublesome  and  the  sun  has  not  such  a  detri- 
mental effect  upon  the  paint  by  cracking  it. 
Whether  the  advantages  of  doing  the  work  at 
this  period  of  the  year  will  outweigh  the  disad- 
vantages has  yet  to  be  proved,  although  several 
practical  men  have  assured  me  that,  provided 
frost  is  not  prevalent,  painting  done  in  winter  is 
much  the  best. 


130 


THE    GARDENERS    CHRONICLE. 


[August  17,  1907. 


EDITORIAL     NOTICE. 


ADVERTISEMENTS  should  be  sent  to  the  PUB- 
LISHED, 4ir  Wellington  Street,  Covent  Garden. 
W.C. 

Letters  for  Publication,  as  well  as  specimens  and  plants 
lor  naming,  should  be  addressed  to  the  EDITOR, 
41,  Wellington   Street,    Covent   Garden,   London. 

Communications  should  be  written  on  one  side  only  of 
the  paper,  sent  as  early  m  the  week  as  possible  and  duly 
signed  by  the  writer.  If  desired,  the  signature  will  not  be 
printed,  but  kept  as  a  guarantee  of  good  faith. 

Special  Notice  to  Correspondents.— The  Editor  does  not 
ttttdettahe  to  pay  for  any  contributions  or  illustrations,  or 
to  return  unused  communications  or  illustrations,  unless  by 
special  arrangement.  The  Editor  does  not  hold  himself 
responsible  for  any  opinions  expressed  by  his  correspondents. 


APPOINTMENTS  FOR  THE  ENSUING  WEEK. 


SATURDAY,  AUGUST  17— 
Sheffield  Fl.  Sh. 
German  Gard.  Soc.  meet. 

TUESDAY,  AUGUST  20— 

Koy.  Hort.  Soc.  Corns,  meet, 

Brighton  Fl.  Sh.  (2  days). 

Brit.  Gard.  Assoc,  Ex.  Council  meet, 

WEDNESDAY,  AUGUST  21— 

Shropshire  Hort.  Soc.  Sh.  at  Shrewsbury  (2  days). 
Charlton  Kings  Fl.  Sh. 

THURSDAY,  AUGUST  22— Aberdeen  Fl.  Sh.  (3  days) 

FRIDAY,  AUGUST  23— 
Roy.  Bot.  Soc.  meet. 
Rose  Sh.  in  Manchester  Botanic  Gdns. 


Average  Mfan-  Temperature  for  the  ensuing  week, 
deduced  from  observations  during  the  last  Fifty  Years 
at  Greenwich — 61'1°. 

Actual  Temperatures: — 

London. — Wednesday,  August  14  (6    p.m.):     Max.  73"; 
Mm.  61". 

Gardeners'  Chronicle  Office,  41,  Wellington  Street, 
Covent  Garden,  London.  —  Thursday.  August 
15  (10  a.m.):  Bar.  29'7 ;  Temp..6o-;  Weather— 
Sunshine,  with  occasional  clouds. 

Provinces. —  Wednesday,  August  14  (6  p.m.):  Max.   67°, 
Bournemouth  ;'  Min.  54°,  North  of  Scotland. 


SALES  FOR  THE  ENSUING  WEEK, 

MONDAY— 

Great    Sale   of   Dutch   Bulbs   at    Messrs.    Protheroe   & 
Morris's  rooms,  67,  Cheapside,  E.C.,  at  10  o'clock. 
Trade  Sale  of  Japanese  and  Azorean  Liliums,  &c,  at 
Messrs.   Protheroe  &  Morris's  rooms,  67,  Cheapside, 
at  2  o'clock. 

THURSDAY— 

Dutch  Bulbs  at  Messrs.  Protheroe  &  Morris's  rooms, 
at  10  o'clock. 

FRIDAY— 

Importation  of  Odontoglossum  crispum  (Pacbs'  type) 
Orchids  in  flower  and  bud,  at  Messrs.  Protheroe  & 
Morris's  rooms,  67,  Cheapside,  E,C,  at  12.45  o'clock. 


The  reference  made  to  "  Ants 

Ants  as       as  Cultivators  of  Fungi,"  by 

Gardeners,    the  Rev.  George  Henslow,  in 

the  last  number  of  the  Journal 
■of  the  Roval  Horticultural  Society  (June, 
1007,  p.  99),  reminds  us  that  although  ants  in 
this  country  are  not  without  interest,  yet,  in 
tropical  regions,  they  play  a  much  more  im- 
portant part  in  the  economy  of  Nature  than 
they  do  here.  By  cutting  off  leaves,  flowers, 
fruits,  &c,  which  they  carry  home  to  their 
nests,  certain  species  make  gardens  in  the 
combs  on  which  they  grow  fungi.  "  The 
fragments  are  cut  up  at  home  into  small 
pieces,  kneaded  soft  by  the  feet  and  mandi- 
bles, so  that  but  few  cells  remain  unbruised." 
This  mass  soon  becomes  permeated  with  my 
•celial  threads,  which  produce  rounded, 
whitish  nodules,  the  so-called  Kohl-rabi 
clumps  that  serve  the  ants  for  food.  As  long 
ago  as  17S1  Smeatham  stated  that  certain 
species  of  termites  grew  a  fungus  in  the 
■chambers  of  their  nests,  and  that  they  used 
this  fungus  for  food.  In  1847  the  Rev.  M. 
J.  Berkeley  described  several  species  of  fungi 
from  ants'  nests  in  Ceylon,  from  specimens 
•sent  home  from  that  country ;  while,  more 
recently,  Penzig,  Saccardo,  Holtermann, 
Hennings,  Nyman,  and  Doflein  have  added 
to  the  list  of  names  given  to  ant-hill  fungi. 


As  so  many  of  these  species  have  been  de- 
scribed from  dried  specimens,  it  is  no  wonder 
that  their  synonomy  is  somewhat  compli- 
cated. 

The  Government  mycologist  resident  at 
the  Royal  Gardens,  Peradeniya,  Mr.  T. 
Petch,  has  recently  given  his  attention  to 
this  interesting'  subject,  and,  in  a  critical 
memoir,  published  in  the  Annals  of  the 
Peradeniya  Gardens*,  for  November,  1906, 
arrives  at  the  conclusion  that  the  com- 
monest fungus  of  termite  nests  in  Ceylon  is 
really  a  Volvaria,  V.  eurhiza,  Berk.  Origin- 
ally described  by  Mr.  Berkeley  as  an  Agari- 
cus,  it  has  had  many  designations,  thus  : — 
Volvaria  eurhiza  (B.),  Agaricus  (Armillaria) 
eurhiza,  B.  Hooker's  ]ourn.  Bot.  6  (1S47), 
p.  483  ;  Lentinus  cartilagineus,  B.  Hooker's 
Journ.  Bot.  6  (1S47),  p.  469;  Collybia  sparsi- 
barbis,  B.  and  Br.  Linn.  Trans.  27  (1870), 
p.  151;  Agaricus  (Pluteus)  Rajap,  Holter- 
mann, Festschrift  fur  Schwendener  (1899), 
pp.  411-321;  Pholiata  Janseana,  Henn.,  and 
Nym.  Monsunia  I.  (1S99),  p.  iS;  Flammula 
Janseana,  Henn.,  and  Nym.  Monsunia  I. 
(1899),  p.  154. 

Mr.  Petch  summarises  his  work  as  fol- 
lows : — 

1.  The  existence  of  fungi  in  some  termite 
nests  is  a  matter  of  common  knowledge.  In 
Ceylon,  fungi  are  found  in  the  nests  of 
ground-inhabiting  species,  but  have  not  yet 
been  demonstrated  in  the  nests  of  those  which 
inhabit  trees.  The  species  here  dealt  with 
are  Termes  redemanni,  YVasm.,  and  Termes 
obscuriceps,  Wasm.  ;  both  are  ground-dwell- 
ing and  mound-forming  species. 

2.  The  termite  hill  is  built  of  the  earth  ex- 
cavated in  making  subterranean  chambers, 
and  was  originally  only  a  convenient  method 
of  disposing  of  this  material.  The  chimneys 
form  a  permanent  scaffold,  and  have  little 
effect  on  the  ventilation  of  the  nest.  Tin  y 
are  not  correlated  to  the  size  of  the  nest  in 
any  degree. 

3.  The  particles  of  earth  used  in  construct- 
ing the  hill  and  chimneys  are  covered  with 
saliva  in  the  nest,  and  are  then  brought  up 
and  plaoed  on  the  new  work. 

4.  The  fungus  grows  on  a  comb,  w  hirh 
consists  exclusively  of  the  excreta  of  the  ter- 
mites. These  combs  occur  in  every  chamber 
except  the  royal  cell.  There  is  no  allocation 
of  different  chambers  for  special  purposes. 
Combs  vary  in  form  according  to  the  species 
of  termite  inhabiting  them. 

5.  The  mycelium  on  the  comb  bears  small, 
white,  stalked  or  almost  sessile  "spheres." 
These  consist  of  branching  hyphae,  bearing 
either  spherical  or  oval  cells.  The  spherical 
cells  do  not  germinate.  The  oval  cells  ger- 
minate readily,  but  it  has  not  been  possible 
to  reproduce  the  "  spheres  "  from  them. 

6.  When  the  comb  is  old,  an  agaric  grows 
from  it.  This  agaric  appears  in  two  forms, 
one  of  which  has  been  assigned  by  various 
mycologists  to  Lentinus,  Collybia,  Pluteus, 
Pholiota,  and  Flammula,  and  the  other  to 
Armillaria.  It  develops  in  a  cartilaginous, 
almost  gelatinous,  universal  veil,  and  is  a 
modified  Volvaria. 

7.  Solerenchymatous  cells  occur  at  the  base 
of  the  agaric  stalk  and  in  aborted  agarics. 

*  "The  Fungi  of  Certain  Termite  Nests."  T.  Petch. 
Annals  of  the  Royal  Botanic  Gardens,  Peradeniya.  Vol.  III., 
Part  II.,  November  1906. 


8.  It  has  not  been  possible  to  germinate 
the  spores  of  the  agaric,  or  to  grow  the 
sphere-producing  mycelium  from  its  tissues. 

9.  When  the  comb  is  enclosed  in  a  bell 
jar,  Xylaria  stromata  are  produced.  Scle- 
rotia  may  also  be  formed ;  the  same  stromata 
grow  from  these.  This  Xylaria  is  probably 
X.  nigripes. 

10.  The  shape  of  the  stroma  and  conidio- 
phore  depend  on  the  age  of,  and  amount  of 
moisture  in,  the  comb. 

11.  When  sown  on  agar,  the  spcres  of 
these  reproduce  the  Xylaria  stromata. 

12.  These  stromata  occur  most  abundantly 
on  combs  which  have  produced  an  agaric. 

13.  After  continued  rain,  Xylaria  nigripes 
grows  from  deserted  termite  nests. 

14.  Other  fungi  which  grow  oh  combs  re- 
moved from  the  nest  include  Mucor,  Tham- 
nidium,  Cephalosporium,  Peziza.  As  these 
are  not  found  in  the  nest,  though  some 
of  them  are  capable  of  development  under 
ground,  it  is  probable  that  the  termites 
"  weed  out  "  foreign  fungi  from  the  culti- 
vation of  the  comb.  The  comb  material  is 
probably  sterilised  by  its  passage  through  the 
alimentary  canal. 

15.  That  the  spheres  form  the  food  of  the 
termites  is  probable,  as  in  the  case  of  the 
leaf-cutting  ants;  neither  case  can  be  con- 
sidered definitely  proved.  Termes  redemanni 
and  T.  obscuriceps  undoubtedly  prefer  fungi, 
or  wood  which  has  been  attacked  by  fungi. 

16.  Whether  a  difference  in  food  causes  the 
differentiation  of  termites  into  workers, 
soldiers,  and  sexed  insects  is  not  decided. 

17.  A  Ceylon  agaric,  Entoloma  micro- 
carpum,  possesses  a  mycelium  composed  of 
spheres  of  swollen  cells ;  the  details  of  these 
spheres  resemble  the  parts  of  the  termite 
spheres,  but  are  not  so  highly  developed. 

iS.  It  is  most  probable  that  the  "  spheres  " 
in  the  termite  comb,  and  the  "  Kohlrabi- 
haufchen  "  of  the  leaf-cutting  ants  investi- 
gated by  Moller,  are  parts  of  a  normal 
mycelium,  and  that  their  shape  is  modified 
by  the  insects  only  in  a  very  slight  degree,  if 
at  all. 

19.  The  available  evidence  appears  to  show 
that  the  "  spheres  "  are  part  of  the  mycelium 
of  the  Volvaria,  but  it  has  not  been  possible 
to  connect  these  forms  experimentally. 

The  paper  is  illustrated  by  19  plates  from 
photographs  of  the  exterior  and  interior  of 
the  nests,  the  combs,  the  agarics,  the  spheres, 
mycelium,  the  Xylaria,  other  fungi,  micro- 
scopic details,  &c,  and  it  affords  a  valuable 
contribution  to  our  knowledge  of  this  in- 
teresting subject. 


Our  Supplementary  Illustration  affords 
a  view  in  the  Water-lily  house  at  Shipley 
Hall,  Derby,  the  residence  of  E.  Miller  Mundy, 
Esq.  This  structure  was  formed  in  March  of 
last  year  from  an  old  Palm  house,  which  was 
provided  with  a  new  lean-to  roof  and  a  central 
tank  for  the  accommodation  of  tender  species  of 
Nymphaea.  The  house  is  so  adapted  that  it 
forms  a  Water-lily  house  in  summer  lime  and  a 
greenhouse-conservatory  in  winter,  see  fig.  50. 
The  water  basin  which  occupies  the  centre  of  the 
house  is  38  feet  in  length  and  12  feet  in  width,  in- 
side measurement,  whilst  the  depth  is  2iTeet.  Close 
to  the  sides  of  the  basin,  and  a  few  inches  only 
from  the  bottom  are  flow  and  return  4-inch  hot- 
water  pipes,  which   are  provided  with   valves,  so 


Supplement   lo  the  "  Gardeners'  Chronicle.' 


Cosmos  sulphureus  ;    a  showy  annual  plant  with  reddish-orange 

coloured  flowers. 


Temple  Press  Ltd..  Printers.  7-n.  Roseberv  Avenue.  London.  E.C. 


August  17,  1907.] 


THE     GA  RD EN ERS1     CHR  ONI  CLE. 


131 


that  the  temperature  of  the  water  can  be  re- 
gulated to  70°  in  winter  and  85°  in  summer.  The 
temperature  of  the  house  is  that  of  a  moderately 
warm  greenhouse.  Sunshine  being  so  important 
a  factor  to  the  well  being  of  Nymphaeas,  no 
shading  whatever  is  employed,  and  the  walls  and 
the  benches  are  furnished  with  plants  which  like 
plenty  of  sunlight.  At  the  foot  of  the  lofly  back 
wall  are  planted,  in  a  border  raised  3  feet  from  the 
floor  and  30  inches  in  width,  Bougainvilleas,  Helio- 
tropes, Citrons,  a  specimen  of  Swainsonia  and  an- 
other of  Acacia  dealbata.  An  end  wall  is  covered 
with  Camellias.  The  front  stonework  of  the  back 
border  is  draped  with  Ivy-leaved  Pelargonium 
Mme.  Crousse,  and  baskets  of  this  and  other  varie- 
ties of  Pelargoniums  are  suspended  to  the  girder 
along  the  centre  of  the  house,  as  is  shown  in  the 


year  on  April  5,  and  the  photograph,  from  which 
our  supplementary  illustration  was  prepared,  was 
taken  on  June  7.  N.  stellata  is  the  most  free  in 
flowering.  The  blossoms  open  at  about  6  a.m.  and 
close  from  1-30  p.m.  to  2-30  p.m.  N  pulcherrima 
is  similar  in  habit  to  N.  stellata,  and  produces 
magnificent  flowers  which  are  rather  longer  in 
opening  than  those  of  the  first-named  species. 
These  Water-lilies  are  both  sweetly  scented.  N. 
gigantea  is  a  handsome  plant.  The  flowers  are 
very  freely  produced  and  it  has  foliage  smaller 
than  the  other  species  at  Shipley  Hall.  The 
flowers,  if  cut  just  before  they  are  fully  developed, 
will  remain  open  night  and  day  in  a  warm  room, 
and  will  last  in  a  fresh  condition  for  a  period  of 
10  days.  N.  rosea  has  the  largest  flowers  and 
leaves,   but   the   colour  of  the  floral  segments   is 


a  view  of  the  house  as  it  appeared  on  February  5 
last,  and  shows  the  structure  furnished  in  this 
manner  with  Lilacs,  Laburnums  and  similar 
plants.  At  the  same  time  the  side  benches  were 
occupied  with  Hippeastrums,  which  had  100  flower- 
spikes  expanded.  The  partial  shading  of  the 
Nympha;as  by  these  plants  caused  no  harm  what- 
ever to  the  water  inmates.  Flannel-weed  was  at 
first  a  nuisance,  but  the  introduction  of  a  dozen 
gold  fish  and  some  water-snails  counteracted  this 
trouble.  Mr.  J.  C.  Tallack,  the  gardener,  is  to 
be  congratulated  on  the  success  of  this  novel 
house,  which  is  at  all  seasons  a  source  of  pleasure 
and  an  object  of  beauty. 

The    Late    Dr.    Masters'    Herbarium. — 

Mrs.  Masters  has  presented  to  Kew  the  whole  of 


Fig.  jo. — the  nvmph/Ea  house  at  shipley  hall  in  winter. 

(See  also  Supplementary  Illustration.) 


supplementary  illustration.  The  side  benches  are 
furnished  with  flowering-plants,  including  Scbizan- 
thuses,  Fuchsias,  Salvias,  Richardias,  Poinsettias, 
&c.  In  the  early  part  of  February,  plants  of  Amaryl- 
lis furnish  these  benches,  and  later  they  are  gay 
with  forced  bulbous  plants,  Azaleas,  Lilacs,  &c. 
Several  varieties  of  Nymphseas  were  planted  in 
the  tank  at  the  commencement,  but  their  number 
has  been  reduced  to  11  plants,  viz.,  five  of  N. 
stellata  Berlin  var.,  two  of  N.  gigantea,  and  one 
each  of  N.  pulcherrima,  N.  rosea,  N.  Devoniensis 
and  N.  George  Huster.  Each  is  planted  in  about 
two  bushels  of  good  soil  in  the  form  of  a  mound, 
and  the  crowns  are  about  18  inches  below  the 
surface  of  the   water.      They   were  planted   this 


not  the  most  pleasing.  The  flowers  of  N.  Devoni- 
ensis, when  first  expanded,  are  pink,  but  they 
change  to  red  ;  those  of  the  variety  N.  George 
Huster  are  of  a  deep  glowing  crimson  colour,  and 
the  variety  has  handsome  dark  foliage.  Both  the 
last  named  are  night-flowering  varieties,  but  they 
are  open  also  during  the  greater  part  of  dull  days. 
The  Nymphaeas  do  not  reach  their  resting  season 
in  time  to  allow  the  water  surface  to  be  furnished 
with  Chrysanthemums,  but  later,  when  the  flowers 
and  most  of  the  leaves  of  the  Water-lilies  have 
disappeared,  drain  pipes  are  stood  on  end  in  the 
water  wherever  room  can  be  found  for  them,  and 
on  these  are  placed  various  forced  plants  which 
are  changed  from  time  to  time.     Fig.  50  represents 


the  botanical  collections  and  manuscript  notes  of 
the  late  Dr.  M.T.  Masters,  F.R.S.,  except  his  com- 
plete herbarium  of  the  British  Flora,  which,  by  his 
wish,  has  been  sent  to  his  native  city  of  Canterbury. 
We  are  informed  by  the  Director  of  the  Royal 
Gardens,  Kew,  that  the  collections  have  not  yet 
been  examined,  but  that  they  doubtless  contain 
some  valuable  materials,  particularly  of  the  groups 
of  which  Dr.  Masters  made  a  special  study. 

Professor  D.  J.  Behrens,  director  of  the 
Agricultural  Research  Station  at  Augustenberg, 
in  Bavaria,  has  been  appointed  successor  to  Dr. 
Aderholds,  director  of  the  Biological  Institute 
at  Dahlem. 


132 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[August  17,  1907. 


Flowers  in  Season. — Mr.  Amos  Perry, 
Enfield,  sends  seedling  varieties  of  Spiraea 
venusta,  with  flowers  of  many  shades  of  pink, 
bcth  deep  and  light. 

Messrs.  Titt  &  Son,  24,  Thames  Street, 
Windsor,  have  forwarded  flowers  of  a  new 
Scabiosa  named  the  Bride.  The  capitulums 
are  almost  globular  in  shape,  and  the  florets 
pure  white. 

Messrs.  James  Veitch  &  Sons  have  sent  us, 
amongst  other  interesting  plants,  flowering 
sprays  of  Clethra  canescens,  Colutea  melano- 
calyx,  Eucryphia  pinnatifolia,  a  very  handsome 
shrub,  with  large  white  flowers ;  Romneya 
Coulteri,  Cornus  macrophylla,  one  of  the  best 
of  the  genus  ;  Cytisus  nigricans,  Buddleia  varia- 
bilis var.  Veitchianus,  a  form  with  large  pyra- 
midal-shaped inflorescences ;  Senecio  Veitchi- 
anus, a  suitable  plant  for  the  waterside ;  Pavia 
macrostachya,  and  many  beautiful  Spiraeas. 

Mr.  T.  Smith,  Daisy  Hill  Nursery,  Newry, 
sends  a  form  of  Comptonia  asplenifolia,  with 
depauperated  or  interrupted  leaves.  The  varia- 
tion, Mr.  Smith  states,  is  to  some  extent  fixed, 
as  many  plants  come  true  from  seed.  Also 
Centaurea  atropurpurea,  a  Servian  species, 
with  curious  reddish-purple  flowers.  It  grows 
2  to  3  feet  high,  and  the  leaves  are  very  hand- 
some. 

Nursery  Employees  Outing.— By  the  in- 
vitation of  Mr.  Harry  J.  Veitch  the  heads  of  the 
various  departments  of  the  firm  of  Messrs.  James 
Veitch  &  Sons,  together  with  a  few  friends, 
visited  East  Burnham  Park  on  the  5th  inst.  The 
company  included  Mr.  John  Gould  Veitch  and 
the  late  manager  of  the  King's  Road  Nurseries, 
Mr.  Thomas  Manning.  A  saloon  carriage  con- 
veyed the  party  to  Slough,  where  the  visitors  were 
met  by  Mr.  Harry  Veitch.  Two  large  brakes 
conveyed  the  members  to  the  seed  trial  grounds 
of  the  firm  at  Langley.  After  inspecting  these, 
a  trip  of  about  four  miles,  through  interesting, 
though  flat  country,  brought  the  company  to  East 
Burnham  Park,  the  country  home  of  Mr.  H.  J. 
Veitch,  where  Mrs.  H.  J.  Veitch  and  Mrs.  J.  G. 
Veitch  gave  the  company  a  cordial  welcome. 
After  partaking  of  lunch,  a  game  of  bowls  was 
indulged  in  by  some  members  of  the  party,  a 
survey  of  the  gardens  and  grounds  made  by 
others,  and  a  game  of  cricket  was  also  provided. 
At  6.30  the  party  prepared  for  the  return  journey 
to  Slough  by  a  different  route,  completing  the 
run  to  London  by  rail. 

Brussels  Botanic  Garden.  —  M.  Louis 
Gentil  has  prepared  an  excellent  list  of  the 
plants  cultivated  under  glass  in  the  Jardin 
Botanique  de  L'Etat  at  Brussels.  The  collections 
include  about  1,000  genera,  and  3,200  species.  The 
list  contains  5,700  names  and  synonyms,  with  their 
authors.  The  native  country  of  each  species  is  in- 
dicated and  references  are  given  to  works  contain- 
ing illustrations.  We  have  frequently  referred  to 
the  richness  of  the  plant  collections  in  these 
gardens,  especially  of  the  Ferns,  and  numerous 
illustrations  of  the  interior  of  the  glasshouses  have 
been  reproduced  in  these  pages.  The  garden  is 
under  the  scientific  direction  of  M.  E.  De  Wilde- 
man,  and  M.  Louis  Gentil  is  Curator.  The 
latter  gentleman  is  well  known  and  respected  in 
this  country,  having  passed  some  time  in  the  Royal 
Gardens,  Kew,  and  in  other  horticultural  establish- 
ments. 

The  Lawes  Agricultural  Trust.  —  We 
are  informed  that  the  following  gentlemen  have 
recently  been  appointed  on  the  staff  of  the 
Rothamsted  Experimental  Station: — Dr.  E.  J. 
Russell,  lately  of  the  South-Eastern  Agricul- 
tural College,  Wye,  as  the  Goldsmiths'  Com- 
pany's Assistant  .for  the  Investigation  of  Soils  ; 
and  Dr.  H.  B.  Hutchinson,  of  the  Midland 
Agricultural  and  Dairy  College,  Kingston, 
Derby,  as  Bacteriologist. 


Diseases  of  Bees. — The  Bureau  of  Ento- 
mology of  the  U.S.  Department  of  Agriculture, 
in  Bulletin  No.  70,  in  its  report  of  the  meeting 
of  Inspectors  of  Apiaries  at  San  Antonio,  Texas, 
on  November  12,  1906,  has  embodied  informa- 
tion concerning  the  diseases  of  bees.  The  ap- 
pended list  of  subjects  will  show  how  impor- 
tant to  apiarists  in  the  States,  and  other 
countries,  is  the  information  given : — The 
bacteriology  of  bee  diseases  ;  the  present  status 
of  the  investigation  of  bee  diseases  ;  American 
foul  brood  on  the  Pacific  Coast ;  symptoms  of 
bee  diseases ;  geographical  distribution ;  com- 
parison of  diseases  ;  infection  in  honey  ;  infec- 
tion of  larvae  ;  bacteria  in  queens  ;  black  brood  ; 
infection  carried  to  flowers  ;  vitality  of  spores  ; 
existence  of  American  foul  brood  and  European 
foul  brood ;  effect  of  climate  on  virulence ; 
ancj  treatment  for  bee  diseases.  Much '  of  the 
information  supplied  is  by  the  method  of 
questions  and  answers,  and  it  is  interesting, 
even  to  the  general  reader.  The  Bulletin  may 
be  obtained  from  the  office  of  the  Department  of 
Agriculture,  Washington. 


MR.    ARTHUR   C.    SMITH. 

Mr.  A.  C.  Smith,  Assistant  Superinten- 
dent at  Wisley.  —  Mr.  Arthur  C.  Smith, 
whose  appointment  as  assistant  superintendent 
in  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society's  gardens  at 
Wisley  was  recently  announced  in  our  columns, 
commenced  his  gardening  career  under  his 
father,  who  was  for  upwards  of  30  years  head 
gardener  at  Dormont,  in  Dumfriesshire.  Mr. 
Smith  on  leaving  Dormont  came  south  to  York- 
shire, and  for  two  years  he  was  in  the  service  of 
Sir  John  Ramsden,  Bart.,  at  Byram  Park,  Ferry- 
bridge. He  next  served  in  the  gardens  at  Bray- 
ton  Hall,  Cumberland,  the  seat  of  Sir  Wilfrid 
Lawson,  Bart.,  and  later  at  Petworth  Park, 
Sussex,  the  seat  of  the  Earl  of  Leconfield. 
From  this  latter  place  he  became  foreman  at 
Ascog  House,  Isle  of  Bute.  A  second  journey 
south,  this  time  to  Devonshire,  was  for  the 
purpose  of  accepting  the  general  foremanship  at 
Knightshayes  Court,  Tiverton,  the  seat  of  Sir 
John  H.  Amory,  Bart.  Mr.  Smith's  first  office 
as  head  gardener  was  at  Eden  Hall,  Lang- 
wathby,  Cumberland,  which  post  he  held  for 
nearly  six  years.  He  has  also  served  in  this 
capacity  for  nearly  2^-  years  at  Woodlands  Park, 
Leatherhead,  and  three  years  at  Lydhurst  Gar- 
dens, Haywards  Heath,  where  he  was  engaged 
at  the  time  of  his  recent  appointment. 


The  Different  Soils  in  Staffordshire. 

— We  are  informed  that  Mr.  J.J.  Willis,  of  the 
Rothamsted  Experimental  Station,  Hertfordshire, 
is  arranging  to  deliver  a  lecture  at  Market  Drayton, 
Shropshire,  during  next  week,  to  farmers  on  the 
subject  of  the  food  requirements  of  the  Stafford- 
shire soils  as  indicated  by  the  natural  growth  of 
the  weeds  and  the  various  field  crops. 
A  New  Hybrid  Nymph/ea,  L.  DittFtIann. — 
This  hybrid  is  the  result  of  a  cross  between 
Nymphaea  zanzibariensis  var.  coerulea,  which  has 
flowers  of  a  deep  blue  colour,  with  another  blue- 
flowered  Australian  species  belonging  to  the 
gigantea  group.  It  was  raised,  says  Gartenfiora, 
in  Hrn.  H.  Henkel's  nursery  at  Darmstadt  in 
1902,  and  it  flowered  with  him  in  the  two  last 
summers.  The  agreeably-perfumed  blooms  have 
a  diameter  of  22-25  cm.  and  are  of  a  tender 
Peach  tint ;  if  the  flowers  are  removed  from 
the  plant,  they  become  of  a  bluish  tinge 
the  next  day  ;  but  no  such  change  takes  place  in 
the  blooms  while  on  the  plant,  excepting  under 
low  temperature  in  late  autumn.  The  blooms 
are  finer  in  colour  than  N.  zanzibariensis  rosea 
and  rubra,  of  flatter  form,  and  larger.  The 
anther  mass  is  bright  yellow,  with  light  pink 
coloured  points,  and  the  stigmatic  surface  broad 
and  flat ;  the  sepals  are  green  on  the  outside, 
and  the  points  sideways  incurved  ;  interior  white, 
with  greenish  nerves.  The  plant  is  of  vigorous 
growth  ;  blooms  freely,  even  in  water  of  a  low  de- 
gree of  warmth.  Like  all  strong-growing  aquatics, 
it  needs  rich  feeding,  and  water  of  not  less  than 
15-25  cm.  in  depth.  The  plant  is  named  after 
the  successful  cultivator  of  Nelumbiums,  L. 
Dittmann,  of  Darmstadt. 

The  Pear  Thrip.  —  The  destructive  Pear 
Thrip  (Euthrips  pyri,  Daniel)  is  a  pest  of  de- 
ciduous fruit  trees  in  the  San  Francisco  Bay 
region  of  California.  So  widespread  and  in- 
jurious is  this  insect  in  the  Santa  Clara  county, 
that  an  investigation  was  undertaken  at  the  re- 
quest of  the  county  Board  of  Supervisors,  who 
furnished  the  funds  and  liberally  granted  neces- 
sary facilities  for  a  thorough  and  scientific 
study.  The  investigation  extended  through  a 
period  of  15  months  from  February,  1904,  to 
April,  1905.  The  results  of  this  investigation 
are  incorporated  in  the  issue,  in  June  of  the 
present  year,  of  a  pamphlet  of  16  pages  by  the 
U.S.  Department  of  Agriculture,  from  the  pen 
of  Mr.  Dudley  Morton,  who  is  engaged  in 
investigations  concerning  insects  which  attack 
deciduous  fruit  trees.  This  publication  con- 
tains matter  relating  to  the  mouth  parts ; 
relation  of  the  budding  and  blossoming  of 
trees,  to  the  feeding  habits  of  the  thrips  ;  feed- 
ing habits  of  larvae ;  life-history — the  egg, 
the  larvae ;  the  nymph  or  pupa,  and  the 
adult ;  methods  and  natural  factors  in  con- 
trol ;  sprays,  cultivation  and  natural  enemies. 
A  fungus,  presumably  parasitic,  was  preva- 
lent among  thrips  during  the  seasons  1905 
and  1906.  In  its  different  stages  it  lives  on  both 
young  and  mature  thrips,  and  in  a  way  parallels 
the  life  of  its  host.  Mrs.  F.  W.  Patterson 
has  determined  the  fungus  to  be  a  species  of 
Cladosporium.  The  life  history  of  the  fungus 
has  been  determined  only  in  part. 

Apple  Heinsbergs  Nonpareil. — This 
variety  is  h  shly  commended  by  H.  Wiesner  in 
Thahuhev's  Handeh  Journal  for  its  rapidity  of 
growth,  its  cone-like  habit  of  growth,  and  good 
keeping  properties.  In  good  loam  without  manure, 
budded  plants  on  healthy,  vigorous  stocks  of  the 
Crab  reach  a  height,  in  the  first  year,  of  about 
3  feet  7  inches  ;  in  the  second  year,  with  or  with- 
out severe  cutting  back,  the  stem  reaches  standard 
height,  and  in  the  third  year  after  budding,  the 
crown  has  made  shoots  24  inches  in  length,  the 
plant  being  then  of  saleable  size  as  a  standard. 
The  writer  of  the  note  in  Thalacker's  is  the  manager 
of  the  Grand  Ducal  Nursery  at  Friedberg. 


August  17,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


American  Association  of  Park  Superin- 
tendents.— The  American  park  superintendents 
are  holding  their  annual  meeting  in  Toronto  during 
the  present  week.  Papers  were  to  be  read  upon 
such  subjects  as  "Band  concerts  in  smaller  or 
district  parks,"  "  Aquatic  gardens,"  and  "  Some 
new  or  little-known  trees  and  shrubs  for  planting 
in  parks."  In  our  own  country  the  park  superin- 
tendents have  not  as  yet  formed  a  similar  associa- 
tion, but  public  parks  are  now  so  numerous  that  if 
any  movement  of  the  kind  were  started,  it 
would  doubtless  be  successful. 

Publications  Received.— Weather,  by  the  Hon. 
H.  A.  Stanhope,  published  by  the  Agricultural  and 
Horticultural  Association,  Ltd.,  price  one  penny. — 
Report  on  the  Injurious  Insects  and  Other  Animals 
Observed  in  the  Midland  Counties  during  1000,  by 
Walter  E.  Collinge,  M.Sc,  F.E.S.  IV.  Report 
published  by  Cornish  Bros.,  Ltd.,  Birmingham. 
Price  2s.  6d.— Fibres  of  the  Jute  Class,  by  E.  W. 
Davy,  being  a  supplement  to  the  British  Central  Africa 
Gazette  of  May  31,  1907. 


REMARKS    ON    THE    CONDITION 

OF   THE   FRUIT   CROPS. 

(See  Tables  and  Summaries,  ante,  pp.  84-90.) 

(Continued  from  page  105.) 

4,  MIDLAND      COUNTIES. 

Bedfordshire. — A  lack  of  sunshine  and  cold 
weather  has  caused  all  crops  to  be  very  back- 
ward this  season.  I  find  that  Apples,  Pears, 
and  Plums  will  produce  good  crops  every  other 
year  only.  It  is  remarkable  that  Plum  trees  of 
the  variety  Victoria  both  on  wall  and  on  standard 
trees  are  bearing  heavy  crops,  and  the  foliage  is 
clean  ;  last  year  the  reverse  conditions  obtained. 
Ours  is  a  gravelly  and  sandy  soil.  H.  W.  Nutt, 
Flilwick  Gardens,   Ampthilt. 

Notwithstanding   the   inclement   weather 

experienced  during  May,  June,  and  part  of  July, 
the  fruit  crops  on  the  whole  are  very  satisfac- 
tory, with  the  exception  of  Apples.  On  examin- 
ing the  Apple  trees  about  the  middle  of  June, 
they  appeared  very  much  affected  with  blight 
and  mildew,  and  although  insecticides  were  ap- 
plied they  proved  of  little  use.  At  one  time  I 
attributed  the  damage  to  late  frosts,  but  on  con- 
sulting my  weather  register,  I  found  that  during 
the  time  the  trees  were  in  bloom  no  frosts  were 
registered.  Our  soil  is  a  light  sandy  loam,  on  a 
subsoil  of  chalk,  clay,  and  sand.  George  Mae- 
Unlay,  Wrest  Park,  Ampthill. 

The  Apple  trees  in  this  district  are  badly 

infested  with  aphis,  and  this  has  caused  a  great 
check  to  the  growth  of  the  fruits  ;  and  from  this 
cause  a  considerable  number  of  the  fruits  have 
dropped.  Apricots,  Gooseberries",  and  Plums 
(Victoria  in  particular)  have  enormous  crops  of 
fruits,  and  they  required  much  thinning.  Straw- 
berries have  given  good  returns ;  the  variety 
"  Mentmore "  ripened  best  during  the  sunless 
weather  and  proved  itself  almost  immune 
from  attack  by  mildew.  Wm.  F.  Palmer,  Frox- 
field  Gardens,  Woburn. 

Buckinghamshire. — Notwithstanding  the  cold 
weather  of  early  summer,  the  fruit  crops  in  this 
neighbourhood  are  exceptionally  good,  and  the 
fruit  trees  generally  seem  to  have  escaped  the 
effects  of  the  late  frosts.  Apricot  trees  are 
generally  short-lived  in  this  district.  Straw- 
berries set  an  abundant  crop,  but  the  cold,  wet 
and  sunless  weather  spoiled  many  of  the  early 
fruits.  John  Fleming,  Wexham  Park  Gardens, 
Slough. 

I  have  never  seen  the  fruit  trees  in  this 

district  more  heavily  laden  with  blossom  than 
they  were  this  spring.  Apples  set  well,  but  the 
prolonged  wet  and  cold  weather  have  prevented 
many  of  them  from  developing.  The  Pear  crop 
is  excellent,  and  the  season  seems  to  have  suited 
this  fruit.  Cherries  are  a  good  crop,  especially 
the  varieties  May  Duke  and  Black  Tartarian. 
Morellos  are  also  plentiful.  Apples  are  an  aver- 
age crop.  Raspberries  are  plentiful,  the  variety 
Superlative  being  excellent.  Gooseberries,  Red 
and  Black  Currants  are  abundant.  Strawberries 
have  b;en  a  heavy  crop,  but  owing  to  the  in- 
clement weather  a  number  of  the  berries  rotted 
on  the  plants  ;  especially  was  this  the  case  in 
the  variety  Royal  Sovereign.  Plums  on  wall 
trees   are   good,   but   bush    and   pyramid-trained 


trees  have  very  few  fruits.  Damsons  are  also 
a  poor  crop.  The  soil  here  is  light  and  gravelly, 
resting  on  a  subsoil  of  chalk.  G.  W.  Smith, 
Danes  field  Gardens,  Marlow,  Bucks. 

Apple   trees   blossomed   abundantly   and 

promised  well  for  a  heavy  crop  of  fruits,  but 
cold,  north-east  winds  and  frost  at  night-time 
caused  many  of  the  young  fruits  to  drop. 
Some  varieties  of  Apple  trees,  however,  have  full 
crops,  the  best  of  dessert  kinds  in  this  respect 
being  Cox's  Orange  Pippin,  Wealthy,  Chas. 
Ross,  Beauty  of  Bath,  and  Langley  Pippin; 
while,  of  culinary  kinds,  Warner's  King,  Grena- 
dier, Loddington  Seedling,  Peasgood's  Nonsuch, 
and  Stirling  Castle  are  the  best  cropped.  I 
never  remember  such  a  plague  of  insect  pests  of 
all  kinds  as  we  have  experienced  this  spring, 
notwithstanding  that  the  trees  were  sprayed  in 
February,  and,  in  the  case  of  trained  trees,  hand 
picking  wa-  resorted  to.  Pears  are  a  poor  crop 
on  pyramid  and  standard-trained  trees,  but 
plentiful  on  wall  trees.  Plums  are  excellent, 
and  this  remark  also  applies  to  bush  fruits  of  all 
kinds.  Quite  the  best  crop  of  the  year  in  this 
locality  is  that  of  the  Apricot.  I  attribute  this 
to  the  dry,  sunny  weather  when  the  trees  were 
in  flower,  and  also  to  the  flowers  opening  much 
later  than  is  usual.  Strawberries  promised  well, 
but  the  dull,  sunless  weather  of  early  summer 
and  the  excessive  rainfall  at  the  end  of  June 
caused  the  fruits  of  early  varieties  to  rot  badly. 
Late  fruiting  varieties  were  more  satisfactory. 
Chas.  Page,  Dropmore  Gardens,  Maidenhead. 

Most  of  our  fruit  trees  are  badly  blighted 

— never  more  so  ;  and  this  appears  to  be  general 
throughout  the  county.  All  the  crops  are  very 
backward,  but  those  already  matured  are  fairly 
good.  Givon's  Late  Prolific  Strawberry  on  our 
cold  soil  has  proved  to  be  a  more  reliable 
variety  and  a  much  better  cropper  than  Water- 
loo. In  some  orchards  Greengages  are  very 
abundant.  Our  soil  is  a  heavy  loam  resting  on 
clay.  W.  Hedley  Warren,  The  Gardens,  Aston 
Clinton,  Tring. 

Cheshire.— Apples,  Pears,  and  Plums,  in 
their  early  stages,  showed  great  promise  for 
heavy  crops,  but,  owing  to  continuous  wet  and 
cold  weather,  the  number  of  these  fruits  will 
be  much  below  the  average.  All  the  fruit  crops 
in  this  district  will  be  very  backward.  /.  Burdge, 
More/on  Hall  Gardens,  Congleton. 

. The   prevalence  of   frost,   and   cold  east 

winds,  with  an  almost  continuous  downfall  of 
sleet  and  rain,  had  a  very  injurious  effect  upon 
the  Apple  crop  at  the  time  the  trees  were  bloom- 
ing. Strawberries  have  suffered  from  a  lack  of 
sunshine  and  constant  rains,  and  many  of  the 
berries  have  in  consequence  rotted  on  the  plants. 
The  soil  in  this  garden  is  of  a  light  texture,  with 
a  boggy  sub-soil.  Peter  Wilkinson,  Walton  Lea 
Gardens,   near    Warrington. 

Generally  the  fruit  crops  in  this  district 

promise  much  better  than  could  be  expected 
after  the  severe  frosts  of  May  20  and  21,  when 
5°  and  9°  of  frost  were  registered.  Currants 
and  Gooseberries  on  exposed  branches  were 
badly  injured  by  the  cold,  as  were  also  Apples 
and  Pears  in  the  less  sheltered  portions  of  the 
gardens,  while  even  Plums  on  wall-trees  re- 
ceived a  check,  which  caused  quantities  to  drop. 
The  absence  of  sunshine  during  June  and  early 
July  has  mitigated  much  against  a  quick  and 
clean  development  of  all  kinds  of  fruits,  and 
general  disappointment  in  the  condition  of  the 
crops  prevails  around  here.  N.  F.  Barnes,  Eaton 
Gardens,  Chester. 

Derbyshire. — A  good  set  of  fruits  generally 
has  been  much  reduced  by  the  continuous  cold 
weather  and  heavy  rains  during  May  and  June. 
Strawberries  were  very  late  in  ripening,  and 
the  flowers  set  badly  owing  to  excessive  rains. 
Our  first  picking  out-of-doors  of  this  fruit  was 
on  July  23.  The  best  variety  that  withstood  the 
effects  of  the  untoward  weather  was  Louis  Gau- 
thier.  Many  of  the  flower-scapes  of  this  variety 
were  18  inches  high,  sufficient  to  rear  them  well 
above  the  foliage.  Givon's  Late  Prolific  also 
promises  well.  Gooseberries  are  a  heavy  crop 
of  fine  fruits,  and  the  same  remark  applies  to 
red  and  white  Currants.  The  rainfall  in  these 
gardens  for  the  year  is  greatlv  above  the  average, 
and  totals  \1\  inches  (July  23).  The  abundant 
rains  would  have  done  much  good  had  the  tem- 
perature ranged  higher  during  Mav  and  June. 
/.  C.  Tallack,  Shipley  Hall  Gardens,  Derby. 

The  fruit  trees  on  the  strong  clay  soil  of 

this  district  have  not  satisfactory  crops.     Bush 


fruits,  except  Black  Currants,  are  abundant. 
Improved  cultivation  of  this  latter  fruit  might  be 
brought  about  by  frequent  plantings  of  strong, 
healthy  bushes  on  well-trenched  and  heavily- 
manured  land.  The  useful  Loganberry  is  seen 
in  a  good  fruiting  condition  in  several  of  the 
cottagers'  gardens  in  this  neighbourhood.  This 
fruit  has  no  equal  amongst  the  smaller  fruits 
for  jam  making  or  for  tarts,  and  the  canes 
should  be  extensively  planted  by  ail  fruit- 
growers. I  consider  Raspberry  Superlative  the 
very  best  variety  of  this  fruit.  The  cold,  wet 
weather  has  caused  Cherries  to  become  badly 
cracked.  Strawberries  in  many  places  about  here 
are  quite  a  failure.  This  could  be  largely  avoided 
in  future  years  by  making  annual  plantations 
from  plants  layered  in  pots  and  planted  in  good, 
firm,  well-manured  ground  in  the  autumn. 
Bailey  Wadds,  iSi,  Vttoxeter  New  Road,  Derby. 

The   fruit   crops   in  this   district   are   in 

general  very  good,  but  owing  to  the  heavy 
rainfall  and  a  lack  of  sunshine  in  early  sum- 
mer, the  fruits  will  be  much  later  than  usual 
in  ripening.  Apple,  Pear,  and  Plum  trees  all 
blossomed  well,  but  they  have  set  an  aver- 
age crop  only.  Strawberries  were  plentiful,  but 
they  did  not  ripen  well.  Gooseberries  are 
abundant.  Raspberries,  Black,  Red,  and  White 
Currants  are  all  heavy  crops.  With  the  excep- 
tion of  Plums,  the  trees  are  exceptionally  clean 
and  free  from  blight.  Our  soil  is  a  medium 
loam  on  a  sub-soil  of  gravel  and  clay.  James 
Tully,  Osmaston  Manor  Gardens,  Derby. 

Hertfordshire.— The  soil  in  these  gardens 
consists  of  some  15  to  18  inches  of  strong  loam, 
which  rests  upon  a  bed  of  clay  3  feet  in  thick- 
ness. Under  this  latter  strata  is  sand.  Cherry 
trees  flowered  freely,  and  the  fruits  set  well,  but 
many  dropped  at  the  stoning  period.  I  attri- 
bute this  to  the  long  period  of  dull  and  un- 
seasonable weather  which  prevailed  at  this 
stage.  Plum  trees  set  a  very  large  crop  of  fruits, 
but  the  adverse  weather  also  affected  these  at 
the  stoning  period.  The  crop  is  about  an  aver- 
age one,  and  the  fruits  are  clean  and  of  good 
quality.  Apple  trees  flowered  freely,  and  set  a 
full  crop,  but  there  is  an  unusually  large  number 
of  deformed  and  useless  fruits.  Pears  are  an 
average  crop  of  clean,  shapely  fruits.  Rasp- 
berries are  very  plentiful ;  the  berries  are  large 
and  quite  the  best  crop  for  seven  years  past. 
Black  Currants  are  also  excellent  in  quality,  and 
a  very  heavy  crop.  Trees  of  Peaches  and  Nec- 
tarines out-of-doors  flowered  profusely,  set  their 
fruits  in  plenty,  and,  though  more  than  usual 
have  failed  at  the  stoning  period,  the  crop  is 
an  average  one,  but  it  is  doubtful  whether  any 
other  than  the  earlier  varieties  will  ripen  well. 
C.  R.  Fielder,  North  Mymms  Park  Gardens,  Hat- 
field. 

The  fruit  crops  generally  in  this  neigh- 
bourhood are  much  above  the  average.  Apple 
trees  in  some  places  have  suffered  badly  from 
an  attack  of  green  and  black  fly,  but  with  better 
weather  and  the  finishing  of  summer  pruning 
there  is  every  promise  of  a  good  harvest  of 
these  fruits.  Apricots  set  so  freely  that  more 
than  half  the  fruits  had  to  be  removed.  Goose- 
berries are  a  remarkable  crop.  C.  E.  Martin, 
The  Hoo  Gardens,  Welwyn. 

The   low   temperatures   and   cold   winds 

experienced  during  early  May  caused  many 
Plums  and  Damsons  to  fall ;  up  to  that  date 
the  crops  of  these  fruits  were  very  promising. 
The  long  succession  of  sunless  days  in  early 
summer  doubtless  accounts  for  the  presence  of 
aphis  on  Plum  and  Apple  trees.  Pears,  Peaches, 
and  Nectarines  are  all  very  plentiful.  Small  fruits 
are  good.  The  soil  here  is  of  a  fairly  stiff  nature,  - 
and  rests  on  a  varying  sub-soil  of  gravel  and 
clay.  H.  Prime,  Hatfield  House  Gardens,  Hat. 
field,  Herts. 

The    cold,    sunless    weather    adversely 

affected  the  Apple  crop,  for,  although  the  trees 
were  wreathed  in  blossoms,  the  fruits  did  not 
set.  Pear  trees  are  carrying  fair  crops,  notablv 
the  varieties  Pitmaston  Duchess  and  Marie 
Louise ;  the  latter  seldom  fails  when  planted 
against  a  wall.  Cherries,  in  common  with  other 
stone  fruits,  promised  exceptionally  heavy  crops, 
but  many  of  the  fruits  dropped  at  the  stoning 
period.  Plums,  Strawberries,  and  small  fruits 
are  all  excellent.  The  Loganberry  never  fails 
to  yield  a  supply  of  its  luscious  fruits,  and  is 
deserving  of  a  place  in  every  garden.  The  soil 
here  is  a  light  loam  upon'  a  gravel  sub-soil. 
F .  W.  Gooch,  Edge  Grove  Gardens,  Watford. 


134 


THE     GARD  ENE  R  ST     CHR  0  AY CL  E. 


[August  17,  1907, 


Apples  are  plentiful,  but  the  individual 

fruits  promise  to  be  small  in  size.  Strawberries 
were  a  good  crop,  but  owing  to  the  exception- 
ally wet  weather,  many  decayed  before  they 
were  ripe.  Gooseberries  and  Black,  White,  and 
Red  Currants  are  all  plentiful.  I  never  remem- 
ber having  seen  Raspberries  in  a  better  condi- 
tion than  they  are  this  season.  Nuts,  with  the 
exception  of  Walnuts,  are  scarce.  Plums  are  a 
heavy  crop.  The  soil  in  these  gardens  is  of  a 
very  stiff  nature,  and  rests  on  a  light-coloured 
clay,  and  in  some  parts  upon  chalk.  William 
Poole,  Hadham  Hall,  Ware 

All  kinds  of  fruit  trees  flowered  splen- 
didly, but  what  promised  to  be  the  best  fruit 
season  for  several  years  past  has  been  ruined 
by  the  very  unseasonable  weather.  On  July  2 
the  thermometer  registered  only  37°  Fahr.  Our 
soil  is  very  shallow,  and  rests  on  chalk.  Arthur 
Dve,  Tring  Park  Gardens,   Tring. 

Generally  the  hardy  fruit  crops  in  this 

district  are  an  average  in  quantity.  The  pro- 
mise for  a  good  Apple  season  was  great  when 
the  trees  were  in  flower,  but  the  fruits  set 
badly,  and  the  trees  are  now  badly  infested 
with  insect  pests.  The  crops  of  Plums,  Cher- 
ries, and  Apricots  are  good.  Edwin  Beckett, 
Aldenham   House  Gardens,   Elstrce. 

Leicestershire. — The  Apple  crop  in  this  dis- 
trict, considering  the  abundant  promise  when 
the  trees  were  in  bloom,  is  disappointing.  Plums 
on  standard  trees  are  plentiful,  but  on  the' 
wall  trees  the  crop  of  this  fruit  is  thin,  the 
frosts  in  April  being  responsible  for  the  short- 
age. With  the  exception  of  Black  Currants,  bush 
fruits  are  a  heavy  crop.  Strawberries  have  been 
much  damaged  by  the  excessive  rains,  which 
continued  up  to  the  middle  of  July.  These 
fruits  are  three  weeks  later  in  ripening  than 
usual.  Givon's  Late  Prolific  promises  to  be  our 
best  late  variety.  The  soil  in  these  gardens  is 
a  medium  to  heavy  loam  on  a  sub-soil  of  red 
da)'.  D.  Roberts,  Prestwold  Hall  Gardens, 
Loughborough. 

The  failure  of  the  Apple  crop  this  season 

is  due  solely  to  exhaustion  of  the  trees  caused 
by  last  season's  heavy  crop;  bush  trees  on  cul- 
tivated ground  which  has  been  thoroughly  well 
manured  every  year,  are  bearing  good  crops. 
Peach,  Apricot,  and  Cherry  trees  benefited 
greatly  by  the'  hot  weather  of  last  autumn  ;  this 
caused  the  fruiting  wood  to  become  extra  well 
matured,  with  the  result  that  the  crops  of  these 
fruits  are  more  abundant  than  I  have  ever  before 
seen  in  this  part  of  the  kingdom.  Strawberries 
have  partially  failed  this  season  owing  to  con- 
tinued wet  weather  at  the  time  they  commenced 
to  ripen.  Later  varieties,  such  as  Laxton's 
Latest  (1904|  and  Waterloo,  promise  well ;  Pears 
are  plentiful  on  wall  and  pyramid-trained  trees, 
and  they  are  swelling  well.  The  Pear  midge  has 
not  been  so  troublesome  this  season  as  in  former 
years  ;  persistently  picking  and  burning  the  in- 
fested foliage  no  doubt  accounts  for  this.  W .  H. 
Divers,  Belvoir  Castle  Gardens,  Grantham. 

Nottinghamshire. — Fruit  trees  had  a  large 
quantity  of  bloom  this  season,  and  the  promises 
for  a  good  harvest  could  scarcely  have  been  bet- 
ter, but  the  cold,  wet  weather  prevented  most  of 
the  Apples  and  Strawberries  from  setting.  Some 
few  varieties  of  Apple  trees,  such  as  Lord  Gros- 
venor,  F.cklinville  Seedling,  &c,  are  laden  wit'i 
fruit,  whilst  late  varieties,  such  as  Bramley's 
Seedling,  are  almost  a  failure.  No  bees  were 
working  during  the  time  the  trees  were  in  bloom. 
Strawberries  are  almost  a  total  failure  in  many 
places.  Cherries  set  freely,  but  many  have  since 
fallen  off.  /,  R.  Pearson  S^  Sons,  Lowdham, 
Notts. 

Oxfordshire. — Strawberries  were  not  equal  in 
quality  to  those  of  past  years,  and  many  of  the 
berries  were  quite  spoilt  by  the  continued  wet 
weather.  Raspberries,  Black  and  Red  Currants, 
and  Gooseberries  are  plentiful  and  of  fine 
quality.  Apple  trees  are  very  badly  infested 
with  blight,  but  Pear  trees  are  healthy  and  are 
growing  vigorously.  Peaches  set  freelv,  but 
the  new  growths  are  weak.  Cherries  were  formed 
'.eely,  but  many  have  dropped.  The  wet,  cool 
weather  of  the  past  season  has  suited  the  crops 
in  this  garden,  the  soil  of  which  consists  of  a 
light  loam  on  gravel  and  chalk.  John  A.  Hall, 
Shiplakc  Court  Gardens,  Henley-on-Thames. 

t The  late  spring  frosts  and  a  long  spell 

of  cold  weather  when  Apple  trees  were  in  full 


bloom  have  ruined  this  crop.  Even  the  foliage 
of  Apple  trees  was  much  inju  2d  through  these 
causes.  Plums  aie  a  very  heavy  crop,  and  so 
numerous  that  many  cannot  possibly  come  to 
perfection.  The  weather  last  season  being  warm 
and  dry,  it  favoured  the  ripening  of  shoots 
on  Peach  and  Apricot  trees  out-of-doors,  and 
this  probably  accounts  for  the  heavy  crop  of 
these  fruits.  Pears  are  never  a  succ  s  with  us. 
Cherries  at  one  time  promised  to  be  a  record 
crop,  but  excessively  cold  weather  prevailed 
when  the  trees  were  in  bloom,  and  the  untoward 
weather  also  affected  the  Strawberry  crop.  Our 
soil  is  very  stony  and  of  a  poor  quality.  The 
sub-soil  is  chiefly  of  clay.  A.  J .  Long,  Wyfold 
Court  Gardens,  Reading. 

Shropshire. — Apples  generally  are  an  average 
crop,  though  some  trees  are  sparsely  fruited. 
Our  best  varieties  this  year  are  Bramley's  Seed- 
ling, Cox's  Orange  Pippin,  Lord  Suffield,  King 
of  the  Pippins,  Tom  Putt,  Lane's  Prince  Albert, 
Pott's  Seedling,  Gascoyne's  Scarlet  Seedling, 
and  Keswick  Codlin.  Plums  and  Damsons  are 
remarkably  plentiful.  Strawberries  rotted  badly 
on  the  plants.  Raspberries  are  good  and  clean. 
Our  soil  consists  of  a  light  sandy  peat,  and  rests 
mostly  upon  a  gravelly  sub-soil  and  occasionally 
upon  sand.     A.  S.  Kemp,  Broadway,  Shipial. 

The  soil  in  these  gardens  has  been  im- 
proved ;  naturally,  it  is  very  shallow  and  of  a 
poor,  black,  peaty  nature,  on  a  sub-soil  of  sand 
or  a  bastard  rock,  which  is  most  injurious  to 
the  roots  of  trees,  so  that  they  invariably  perish 
when  they  penetrate  into  it.  The  best  varieties 
of  Apple  trees  are  short-lived,  and  produce  fruits 
of  inferior  quality.  Pear  trees  against  walls 
planted  in  made  borders  produce  better  results. 
Plums  succeed  well  here.  All  trees  this  spring 
showed  an  abundance  of  bloom.  Apple  trees 
are  carrying  good  crops  of  fruit,  but  the  shoots 
are  badly  infested  with  blight.  Pears  set  well, 
but  the  Pear  maggot  destroyed  more  than  half 
the  crop  ;  this  pest  is  on  the  increase,  though 
we  combat  it.  every  season.  Peaches  and  Apri- 
cots are  plentiful,  but  small,  and  they  will  be 
very  late  in  ripening.  I  am  doubtful  if  many 
late  Peaches  will  ripen.  Bush  fruits  are  good 
crops,  but  backward.  Strawberries  were  largely 
spoilt  by  the  excessive  wet,  and  they  were  very 
late  in  ripening.  John  Taylor,  Hardwicke 
Grange  Gardens,  near  Shrewsbury. 

Staffordshire. — During  their  flowering 
period  all  kinds  of  fruit  trees  gave  promise  of 
full  crops,  but  the  continued  cold  and  sunless 
weather  experienced  during  the  time  the  Pear, 
Plum,  and  sweet  Cherry  were  in  flower  pre- 
vented the  ripening  of  the  pollen,  and  this  ac- 
counted for  the  non-setting  of  a  great  many  of 
the  fruits.  The  fruits  on  the  later  varieties  set 
freely,  and  the  trees  are  carrying  fair  crops. 
Apples,  with  a  few  exceptions,  are  plentiful. 
Strawberries  promised  well  when  in  bloom,  but 
the  continued  wet  weather,  to  nearly  the  middle 
of  July,  was  the  reason  of  a  large  number  of 
these  fruits  rotting,  and  from  the  same  cause 
many  of  the  flowers  on  later  varieties  failed  to 
set.  Walnuts,  Cobnuts,  and  Filberts  are  thin 
crops.  The  soil  is  a  cold,  stiff  loam  on  a  sub- 
soil of  clay.  Geo.  Woodgate,  Rolleston  Hail  Gar- 
dens, Burlon-on-Trenl. 

Warwickshire. — Of  Apples,  it  may  be  re- 
corded they  are  again  a  failure.  The  flowering 
of  the  trees  was  everything  that  could  be  desired, 
and  the  failure  is  due  to  the  continued  cold 
weather  at  the  time  of  blossoming.  Visiting 
Barston  Hall  near  here,  I  found  the  trees  of  an 
avenue  of  Bramley's  Seedling,  which  generally 
produce  a  fine  crop  of  fruits,  with  a  solitary 
exception,  entirely  barren.  A  tree  of  Worcester 
Pearmain  in  the  same  orchard  showed  a  good 
crop.  Pears  are  much  better,  and  some  trees 
are  furnished  with  abundant  fruits.  Of  Plums 
and  Damsons  in  this  orchard,  the  crops  are  ex- 
ceptionally heavy  and  good.  Cherries,  too,  are 
plentiful.  Peach,  Nectarine,  and  Apricot  trees 
on  walls  are  also  well  fruited.  Small  fruits  are 
everywhere  plentiful  and  good.  But  five  acres 
of  Walnut  trees  are  absolutely  without  fruits. 
Filberts,  too,  are  scarce.  The  above  remarks 
are  also  applicable  to  other  gardens  and  or- 
chards  in  this  neighbourhood,  and  also  of  many 
trees  in  cottage  gardens.  I  recently  visited  the 
Knowle  Fruit  Farm  of  about  40  acres,  belonging 
to  Mr.  Tangye,  and  on  asking  this  gentleman  as 
to  the  condition  of  his  fruit  crop,  he  replied 
"Bad."     The  tree-,,  however,  were  making  good 


growths.  Mr.  Tangye  informed  me  that  in 
future  he  intended  to  pay  more  attention  to  the 
matter  of  spraying.  This  precaution  may  kill 
aphides  and  mildew,  but  against  damage  by  frost 
there  is,  unfortunately,  no  effective  remedy 
known.     IF.  Miller,  Berkswell. 

(To    be    continued.) 


HOME    CORRESPONDENCE. 

(The  Editor  does  not  hold  himself  responsible  for  the 
opinions  expressed  ty  his  correspondents.) 

The  Flora  of  Palestine. — I  must  confess 
myself  as  quite  unable  to  follow  your  reviewer's 
note.  But,  perhaps,  I  may  be  permitted  to  state 
what  appear  to  me  to  be  the  most  probable  con- 
clusions of  modern  criticism  on  the  subject.  1. 
The  true  reading  of  the  word  translated  Lign- 
Aloes  in  the  Bible,  almost  certainly  means  tere- 
binths and  not  tents.  2.  The  Aloes  of  other 
passages  was  not  the  medicinal  drug,  but  Eagle- 
wood,  which  in  this  case  was,  I  think,  the  product 
of  Aquilaria  malaccensis  from  S.  Tenasserim. 
A  full  discussion  would  be  too  technical  for  your 
columns,  but  those  who  care  to  follow  it  may 
consult  the  article  Aloes  in  the  Encyclopedia  Biblica, 
and  that  on  Eagle-wood  in  Yule  and  Burnell's 
Glossary  of  Anglo-Indian  words.  W.  T.  Tluscl- 
ton-Dyer. 

Eremurus    robustus   and    Others.  — It  is 

well  to  remind  cultivators  of  these  splendid 
plants  that  September  is  a  suitable  month  for 
transplanting  them.  Great  care  should  be  exer- 
cised in  handling  the  root-mass,  for  the  spread- 
ing roots  are  easily  broken.  The  plant  needs  a 
weld-manured  soil,  and  one  that  is  well  drained. 
The  crowns  should  be  placed  about  8  inches 
beneath  the  surface  of  the  ground,  and  a  mulch 
of  fine  coal  ashes  or  half-decayed  leaves  should 
be  placed  over  them  after  the  soil  is  frozen. 
It  is  advisable  not  to  remove  this  protection  too 
early  in  the  spring-time,  as  late  frosts  are 
apt  to  injure  the  young  shoots.     F.  M. 

Argemone  grandiflora. — A.  grandiflora,  or 
more  properly  A.  mexicana,  though  usually  con- 
sidered an  annual,  lias  been  perennial  in  a  warm 
and  fairly  dry  border  in  my  garden  since  I  brought 
seeds  from  Mexico  in  1888,  but  it  has  never 
attained  anything  like  the  dimensions  given  by  Mr. 
Fitzherbert  in  his  note  on  p.  113.  After  seeding 
freely  it  dies  completely  down  every  autumn  It 
was  a  cornfield  \veed  in  Mexico,  and  I  found  a 
plant,  which  cannot  be  distinguished,  growing 
under  similar  conditions  in  Chile.  This  plant  was 
apparently  lost,  or  so  rare,  that  it  was  unknown 
to  most  gardeners  when  I  first  raised  it,  though 
it  was  well  figured  in  Sweet's  British  Flower  Garden, 
111,  t.  22fi,  as  long  ago  as  1827  or  1828.  I  have 
given  seeds  to  so  many  people  that  it  should  now 
be  common,  What  is  often  grown  under  this 
name  is  Argemone  ochroleuca,  a  Mexican  plant 
with  smaller,  pale  yellow  flowers  and  quite 
different  leaves,  figured  by  Sweet  in  t.  242  of  the 
volume  already  mentioned.  H.  J.  Elices,  Coles- 
b  iritc. 

Time  for  Sowing  Seeds  of  Cyclamen. — 

While  many  growers  of  Cyclamen  sow  the  seeds 
in  November  and  cultivate  the  plants  for  two 
years,  I  am  not  giving  a  trade  secret  away  when 
I  say  that  some  up-to-date  nurserymen  sow 
their  seeds  about  August  and  flower  the  plants 
in  the  following  season.  Seed  should  be  sown 
thinly  in  pots  or  boxes,  over  which  should  be 
placed  a  sheet  of  glass  or  paper.  The  young 
plants  will  require  to  be  pricked  into  small  pots 
as  soon  as  the  first  leaf  has  fully  developed,  and 
they  should  be  cultivated  in  a  rather  warm, 
moist  atmosphere  until  early  in  the  spring,  when 
they  should  be  ready  for  another  shift  into 
3-inch  pots.  Towards  the  end  of  May  or  early 
in  June  they  should  be  potted  into  5-inch  pots, 
and  they  will  flower  in  this  size  very  well,  al- 
though a  further  shift  early  in  July  to  a  6-inch  or 
7-inch  pot  would  produce  plants  of  a  larger 
size.  The  secret  of  obtaining  good  plants 
in  this  short  space  of  time  lies  in  keeping  the 
plants  growing  by  repeatedly  re-potting  them. 
When  the  weather  becomes  warmer  in  spring 
the  plants  should  be  kept  cooler,  and  in  hot 
weather  be  afforded  shade  from  sunshine,  and 
an  abundance  of  air.  Now  that  there  are  flowers 
with  such  fine  salmon  shades,  the  Cyclamen  is 
one  of  our  best  winter-flowering  plants.    L.  J  ■  C. 


August  17,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS1    CHRONICLE. 


135 


Gladiolus  gandavensis. — These  bulbous 
plants  should  now  be  in  fine  bloom.  Those  we 
grow  now  as  hardy  Gladiolus  are  chiefly  crosses 
between  G.  cardinalis,  tristis,  blandus,  carneus, 
inflatus  and  angustus.  The  late  Dean  Herbert  said 
that  in  his  garden  at  Spofforth  they  bloomed  at 
about  the  same  time  as  the  Roses.  They  succeeded 
best  when  he  grew  them  in  close  tufts,  which  with 
the  old  skins  of  the  decayed  bulbs,  permitted  the 
moisture  to  drain  away  and  prevented  the  soil 
from  pressing  too  heavily  on  the  corms  in  autumn 
and  winter.  Such  tufts  remained  undisturbed  for 
many  years,  but  needed  to  be  covered  with  leaves 
from  November  to  March  or  April.  If  it  is  neces- 
sary to  divide  the  clumps,  it  should  be  done  late 
in  the  autumn,  the  corms  being  potted,  and  kept 
in  a  cold  pit  until  spring  when  they  may  be  turned 
out  into  the  border  ;  or  it  may  be  done  in  April.  F. 

Onopordon  Acanthium  (the  Cotton 
Thistle). — A  plant  of  this  species  is  growing  in 
the  pleasure  grounds  at  Hatley  Park,  near 
Sandy,  the  seat  of  Sir  Charles  Hamilton,  Bart. 
Its  height  is  12|  feet,  and  in  circumference  it 
measures  27  feet.  It  carries  more  than  400 
flower  buds.  Some  of  the  flowers  began  to  ex- 
pand at  the  latter  part  of  July,  and  the  plant 
appears  likely  to  continue  to  bloom  for  some 
weeks.  The  seeds  were  received  from  India, 
and  were  sown  in  rich  soil  in  November,  1905  ; 
they  were  given  a  mild  bottom  heat  to  encourage 
quick  germination,  being  afterwards  transferred 
into  5-inch  pots.  Subsequently  they  were 
hardened  off  and  planted  out  in  strong  loamy 
soil  in  their  present  position.  I  think  there  will 
be  no  difficulty  in  getting  the  flowers  to  set,  as 
the  bees  are  at  work  on  them  all  day  long.  The 
best  position  for  such  a  plant  is  in  the  sub- 
tropical or  wild  garden.  Rabbits  would  not 
interfere  with  them,  as  the  spines  are  very  sharp. 
The  foliage  is  attractive,  being  of  a  lightish 
colour  and  woolly  on  both  surfaces  ;  the  flowers 
are  purple.  T.  W.  Birkitisliaw.  [An  illustra- 
tion of  this  species  was  published  in  the 
Gardeners'  Chronicle,  September  16,  1905,  p.  219 
—Ed.] 

The  Bunch  Pea. —  Whilst  this  so-called 
Mummy  Pea  owes  much  of  the  interest  which 
is  attached  to  it,  to  the  romantic  stories  told 
concerning  its  association  with  mummies,  and 
to  its  odd  appearance  as  compared  with  normal 
edible  Peas,  yet  it  has  some  charm  of  its  own. 
I  saw  it  recently  in  a  cottage  front  garden  at 
Lingfield,  Surrey,  where  plants  some  4  feet  in 
height,  carrying  large  heads  or  bunches  of 
flowers,  were  quite  charming  objects.  The  flowers 
resembled  those  of  the  old  variety  Painted  Lady, 
and  were  red  anj  white.  I  have  thought  if  some 
of  our  expert  hybridisers  in  Sweet  Peas  would 
turn  their  attention  to  such  species  as  this 
Bunch  Pea,  and  to  the  better  known  twin- 
flowered  Lathyrus,  they  might  raise  some 
hybrids  that  would  possess  features  hitherto  un- 
known in  the  Lathyrus  family.  If  this  Bunch 
Pea,  for  instance,  could  by  hybridisation  be  in- 
duced to  materially  shorten  its  stout  and  some- 
what fasciated  stem,  and  to  assume  a  more 
branching  habit,  a  very  pretty  garden  plant 
might  be  obtained.  Again,  if  it  were  possible  to 
have  some  of  the  variety,  sweetness,  and 
beauty  of  Lathyrus  odoratus  in  Lathyrus 
grandiflorus,  what  a  remarkable  race  of  per- 
ennial Peas  might  follow.  Can  anyone  tell  us 
of  the  native  habitat,  species,  and  origin  of  this 
Bunch  Pea?  I  have  looked  in  vain  for  mention 
of  it  in  Vilmorin  s  Vegetable  Garden,  but  pre- 
sumably it  is  well  known  at  Kew.  Also  could 
we  be  informed  as  to  how  the  "Mummy" 
legend  first  grew  up?    A.  D. 

[In  the  Gardeners'  Chronicle  for  August  14, 
1847,  p.  542,  appeared  a  note  from  a  correspon- 
dent who  l-_id  purchased  from  a  Mr.  Grimstone  a 
sealed  packet  containing  five  seeds  of  the 
Mummy  or  Crown  Pea,  for  which  he  paid  five 
shillings.  The  plant  was  first  figured  in  these 
pages  on  January  11,  1873,  pp.  44-45,  and  in 
connection  therewith  a  note  by  the  late  Mr. 
Barron  was  published.  The  origin  of  the  Crown 
Pea  was  declared  to  be  unknown,  but  it  was 
described  as  possessing  the  following  synonyms  : 
— Bunch  Pea,  Cluster  Pea,  Mummy  Pea,  Royal 
Belshazzar,  Pois  Couronne,  Pois  Turc,  and  Pois 
Paquet ;  probably  also  Grimstone's  Egyptian 
1'ea.  It  was  also  said  to  be  a  distinct  variety  of 
the  common  garden  Pea  (Pisum  sativum).  *  In 
Nicholson's  Dictionary  of  Gardening,  the  Crown 
1>ea  is  described  as  a  variety  of  P.  umbellatum, 


and  in  the  Index  Kewensis  P.  umbellatum  is 
described  as  synonymous  with  P.  sativum.  At 
Kew,  however,  the  Crown  Pea  has  been  found 
to  be  a  variety  of  P.  elatius.  The  following  is 
a  quotation  from  the  Kew  Bulletin  for  1894,  p. 
371: — "Mummy  Pea. — A  very  curious  Pea,  of 
which  the  Director  obtained  seeds  from  Messrs. 
Thomas  Sutton,  of  Eastbourne  (who  stated  that 
it  had  been  brought  from  Egypt  by  the  Hon. 
Charlotte  Ellis),  under  the  above,  name,  has 
flowered  at  Kew  this  summer.  .  .  .  The 
seeds  much  resemble  those  of  the  wild  Pisum 
elatius  of  the  Mediterranean  region.  Similar 
fasciated  forms  of  the  Pea  are  figured  by  Taber- 
naemontanus  in  his  Herbal,  published  in  the 
year  1590,  on  page  495,  and  are  described  by 
Philip  Miller  in  the  eighth  edition  of  his 
Gardeners'  Dictionary  (1771),  under  the  name  of 
Pisum  umbellatum,  Rose  or  Crown  Pea.  The 
native  country  of  Pisum  sativum  and  P.  arvense 
has  never  been  satisfactorily  ascertained.  It  is 
not  unlikely  that  they  may  be  both  cultivated 
races  derived  from  P.  elatius,  which  extends  in 
a  wild  state  from  France  to  Western  Asia.  The 
name  '  Mummy  Pea  '  is  equally  applied  to  the 
non-fasciated  form.  (See  Garden,  1894,  Vol.  IT., 
p.  118.)"  Mr  J.  G.  Baker  has  obligingly  written 
us  confirming  the  opinion  expressed  in  the  Kew 
Bulletin  that  it  is  a  variety  of  P.  elatius. — Ed.] 


SOCIETIES. 


ROYAL   HORTICULTURAL. 
Scientific  Committee. 

August  8.— Present :  E.  A.  Bowles,  F.E.S., 
F.L.S.  (in  the  chair)  ;  Messrs.  C.  Shea,  W. 
Cuthbertson,  J.  T.  Bennett-Poe,  J.  Douglas, 
E.  M.  Holmes,  and  F.J.  Chittenden  (hon.  sec). 
Visitor,  Mr.  ('.  K.  Krosvenor,  of  Berkeley,  Cali- 
fornia, U.S.A. 

Chlorosis  in  fruit  trees. — Mr.  Spencer  PICKER- 
ING, F.R.S.,  wrote  as  follows  regarding  tins 
subject,  which  was  before  the  committee  at  their 
last  meeting: — "In  one  district  where  the 
trouble  is  very  prevalent  the  soil  contains  as 
much  as  ten  per  cent,  of  lime.  Deficiency  of 
lime,  therefore,  cannot  be  the  cause  of  the  dis- 
ease." 

"  Yellow  Stripe  "  in  Narcissus. — Some  bulbs 
of  Sir  Watkin  Narcissus  were  received,  the  foli- 
age and  flowers  having  been  affected  with  the 
well-known  "yellow  stripe."  The  cause  of 
this  disease  is  still  obscure,  but  it  appears  to 
follow  from  too  heavily  manuring  the  soil  in 
which  the  plants  are  grown.  Mr.  Bennett-Poe 
and  Mr.  Douglas  stated  that  if  the  plants  were 
cultivated  in  soil  not  manured  for  a  time  thev 
would  recover,  but  only  after  a  considerable 
period,  and  the  attempt  to  cure  the  plants  was 
hardly  worth  while  in  the  cheaper  varieties. 

Curious  growth  on  Broom. — Mr.  Holmes 
showed  a  branch  of  Broom  which  had  been 
drooping  downwards,  and  had  sent  out  from  its 
tip  numerous  thin  shoots  much  crowded  to- 
gether and  growing  almost  erect.  The  parent 
branch  had  become  thickened  just  at  the  point 
at  which  the  branches  had  been  produced. 

Crinum  augustum. — A  splendid  inflorescence 
with  foliage  of  this  Crinum  was  shown  by  Sir 
Trevor  Law-rente.  The  plant  is  figured  in 
Bot.  Mag.   (1823),  No.  2397. 

Plymouth  Strawberry. — Mr.  Chittenden* 
showed  on  behalf  of  Mr.  R.  Lindsav,  a  specimen 
of  the  Plymouth  Strawberry  from  the  gardens  of 
Mr.  Fraser,  Comely  Bank  Nurseries,  Edinburgh. 
This  curious  Strawberry  was  first  described  by 
Tradescant,  and  is  referred  to  in  Johnson's  edi- 
tion of  Gerarde's  Herbal :  it  was  figured  by  John 
Parkinson.  Dr.  Masters  refers  to  it  in  Vegetable 
Teratology  as  "a  kind  of  Botanical  Dodo,"  as  it 
was  not  heard  of  for  about  a  century,  but  was 
afterwards  discovered  again  at  Bitton  in  Canon 
Ellacombe's  garden,  anil  by  Mr.  G.  F.  Wilson 
at  Wisley. 

Peloric  Antirrhinum.  —  Mr.  Chittenden 
showed,  also  from  Mr.  Lindsay,  a  specimen  of 
Antirrhinum  with  regular  flowers,  the  peloric 
condition  being  complete  in  all  the  lower  flow-ers 
of  the  spike,  while  some  of  the  upper  flowers 
were  returning  to  the  irregular  condition.  The 
peloric  condition  has  now  become  fixed,  but  the 
form  cannot  be  depended  upon  to  come  true 
from  seed. 


Floral  Committee. 
TRIAL    OF    CANNAS    AT    WISLEY. 

July  30.— One  of  the  trials  at  Wisley  this  sea- 
son in  which  the  Floral  Committee  is  interested 
is  that  of  Cannas.  In  one  of  the  large  span- 
roofed  houses,  having  two  divisions,  there  are 
nearly  500  plants  under  cultivation,  and  these 
represent  about  200  varieties,  all  of  which  are 
new,  or,  being  already  well  known,  are  still 
considered  to  possess  merit  equal  to  the  best. 
Most  of  the  specimens  are  in  pots  measuring  10 
inches  in  diameter,  some  are  larger,  others  rather 
smaller.  The  cultivation  could  not  be  better, 
each  specimen  being  sturdy  in  growth,  of  per- 
fect development  in  respect  to  foliage  and 
flowers,  and  free  from  any  trace  of  disease  or 
pest.  The  varieties  presented  for  inspection 
are,  therefore,  to  be  seen  in  the  very  best  con- 
dition possible.  Those  interested  in  Cannas, 
and  who  have  the  opportunity,  may  be  recom- 
mended to  go  to  Wisley  and  see  the  collection 
for  themselves,  as  the  plants  will  continue  in 
good  flower  for  some  time  to  come.  All  who 
see  the  collection  will  doubtless  be  impressed 
with  the  evidence  it  affords  of  the  great 
improvement  that  has  taken  place  in  Cannas 
generally.  When  we  remember  that  in  our  own 
experience  Cannas  were  cultivated  rather  for 
their  handsome  foliage  than  for  their  flowers, 
and  for  the  habit  that  made  them  suitable  plants 
for  associating  with  other  species  in  what  is 
termed  sub-tropical  gardening,  the  present  race 
is  the  more  remarkable.  The  good  habit  has  not 
been  destroyed,  neither  has  the  foliage  become 
less  attractive,  but  the  cross-breeder  has  effected 
a  wonderful  improvement  in  the  flowers.  The 
best  Cannas  are  now  excellent  flowering  plants 
for  cultivation  in  large  pots  or  tubs,  or  for 
planting  in  summer  in  prominent  and  sunny 
positions  out-of-doors.  They  are  not  so  satis- 
factory out-of-doors,  however,  except  in  the  most 
favoured  districts.  In  any  case,  the  plants 
need  the  warmest  position  that  can  be  afforded 
them,  and  it  is  important  that  they  should  be 
sheltered  from  winds. 

The  first  inspection  by  a  sub-committee  took 
place  on  July  30,  when  the  following  varieties 
were  awarded  three  marks.  No  Awards  of  Merit 
could  be  given,  because  the  members  present 
were  insufficient  to  constitute  a  quorum. 

Some  of  the  new  varieties  were  under  num- 
bers only,  the  raiser  (Pfitzer)  being  expected  to 
forward  the  names.  Such  were  "850"  with 
rose-coloured  flowers,  green  foliage,  and  showy 
flower  truss;  "861,"  with  orange-scarlet- 
coloured  flow-ers,  the  centre  segments  beintr 
yellow;  "1500,"  a  white  and  cream-coloured 
variety;  "848,"  crimson;  and  "874,"  rose- 
coloured. 

C.  "Uncle  Sam."— Red  or  rosy-crimson- 
Howered  variety,  the  individual  blooms  being  of 
excellent  form.     Habit  tall. 

C.  President  Meyer.—  Also  an  orange-red  col- 
oured flower,  but  with  purple,  instead  of  green, 
foliage.  This  variety  having  previously  re- 
ceived an  award,  the  award  was  confirmed. 

C.  Burbank.—A  good  yellow  variety  with  red 
spotting,  foliage  green. 

C.  Grossherzog. — The  flowers  are  orange-scar- 
let with  faint  spotting. 

C.  Ernest  Ludwig. — A  variety  which  had  al- 
ready received  an  award,  now  confirmed. 

C.  Osker  Dankerer. — Previous  award  con- 
firmed. 

C.  Pluto. — This  yellow  variety  had  previously 
received  three  marks. 

C.  Wyoming.  An  excellently-formed  flower  of 
orange  yellow  colour,  tinted  like  a  well-coloured 
Apricot  fruit.  The  plant  was  3  feet  high,  and 
the  foliage  purple. 


August  13. — The  second  inspection  took  place- 
on  Tuesday  last,  when  the  following  members  of 
the  Floral  Committee  were  present  at  Wisley  :  — 
W.  Marshall,  Esq.,  chairman ;  and  Messrs. 
George  Nicholson,  James  Douglas,  W.  Bain.  ( '. 
T.  Druery,  J.  Jennings,  James  Hudson,  T.  W. 
Turner  and  R.  Hooper  Pearson. 

Awards  of  Merit  were  made  to  the  following; 
varieties  :  — 

C.  J.  B.  van  der  School. — A  clear  yellow 
flower  with  red  splashings  and  spots.  The  form 
of  the  individual  flowers  is  not  of  the  best,  but 
the    variety   has    a   large,    bold    spike    of   many 


13G 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[August  17,  1907. 


flowers,  and  the  variety  is  one  of  the  best 
decorative  plants. 

C.  Elizabeth  Hoss.—AXso  a  yellow  variety,  with 
bright  red  spotting  and  green  foliage.  Previous 
Award  of  Merit  confirmed. 

C.  Gladiator. — The  best  spotted  variety  in  the 
collection.  The  ground  colour  is  yellow,  and 
the  spots  red,  but  the  particular  feature  of  the 
flower  is  the  rich  red-coloured  segments  in  the 
centre.     The  foliage  is  green. 

C.  W.  Saunders. — A  good  rosy-crimson  variety 
with  purple  foliage. 

C.  William  Bofinger. — The  flowers  are  orange- 
scarlet,  and  the  foliage  green. 

C.  Uncle  Sam.— The  award  of  three  marks, 
made  at  the  earlier  inspection,  was  raised  to  an 
Award  of  Merit. 

The  following  varieties  were  under  num- 
bers only: — "850,"  the  award  of  three  marks 
was  raised  to  an  Award  of  Merit.  "  626," 
flowers  orange-red,   foliage  purple.     "  1506,"   a 


award  was  also  made  to  Albatross  (white)  as  for 
an  excellent  "garden"  Pea,  being  extremely  deco- 
rative and  apparently  always  three  or  four- 
flowered.  Also  to  the  variety  Mrs.  C.  Foster, 
which  has  an  erect,  almost  fringed  standard. 
The  flower  is  of  shades  of  rose  and  mauve. 

Among  the  perennial,  or  shrubby  Phloxes,  the 
variety  Gruppenkonigin  was  selected  to  receive 
an  Award  of  Merit.  The  plant  is  an  extra  strong 
grower,  and  the  flowers  are  pink. 


VISIT  OF  FRUIT  COMMITTEE  TO  WISLEY. 
To  examine  a  trial  of  Melons,  conducted  this 
season  in  one  of  the  long  span-roofed  houses  at 
Wisley,  a  sub-committee  of  no  fewer  than  12 
members  of  the  above  committee  visited  the 
gardens  on  Fridav,  August  9.  The  members 
present  included  Mr.  G.  Bunyard,  chairman, 
and  Messrs.  O.  Thomas,  W.  Bates,  W.  Poupart, 
G.  Woodward,  J.  Vert,  A.  M.  Allan,  H.  Parr, 
A.  Dean,  J.  Jacques,  C.  Fostei,  and  G.  Reynolds. 


FlG.    52. — A    POT-PLANT    OF    BLACK   ALICANTE    GRAPE    TWO   YEARS    OLD. 
Exhibited  by  Messrs.  J.  Veitch  &  Sons,  at  the  R.H.S.  meeting  (see  p.  117). 


which  is  also  a  white-fleshed  Melon.  This 
variety  has  previously  been  certificated,  and 
that  award  was  unanimously  confirmed.  The 
green-fleshed  Melons  included  the  old  William 
Tillery,  long  since  certificated,  and  it  was  found 
to  be  of  so  excellent  a  quality  the  award  in 
this  case  was  also  confirmed.  Also  Ringleader, 
not  quite  ripe,  but  still  excellent ;  Eastnor 
Castle,  an  old  variety  still  sufficiently  good  as 
to  secure  an  Award  of  Merit ;  Windsor  Castle, 
rich  in  flavour  but  not  quite  ripe  ;  and  Advance, 
new,  which  also  received  an  Award  of  Merit. 
Only  three  scarlet-fleshed  varieties  were  set  aside 
for  a  final  tasting  ;  of  these,  Blenheim  Orange 
readily  had  its  previous  award  confirmed. 
Sutton's  Scarlet  proved  to  be  the  best  of  its 
section ;  it  is  of  fine  flavour,  and  the  variety 
was  unanimously  voted  a  First-Class  Certificate. 
An  Award  of  Merit  was  granted  to  the  variety 
Empress,  also  for  its  excellent  flavour.  It  is 
probable  that  a  fine  collection  of  the  best  fruits 
from  this  trial  will  be  staged  at  the  next  meeting 
of  the  committee  at  Vincent  Square,  on  the  20th 
inst.,  when  any  kinds  not  tasted  at  Wisley  will 
be  judged.  As  to  appearance,  whilst  all  the 
fruits  were  handsome,  special  admiration  was 
bestowed  upon  the  fruits  of  Perfection,  and  also 
upon  those  of  Royal  Sovereign. 

The  committee  next  examined  a  trial  of  dwarf 
French  Beans,  but  no  variety  called  for  special 
notice.  Rows  of  early  Potatos  were  also  in- 
spected, there  being  an  extensive  collection  of 
this  vegetable.  Previous  awards  made  to  May 
(Jueen,  Harbinger,  and  Ideal,  all  of  which 
varieties  were  giving  good  crops  and  handsome 
samples  of  tubers,  were  confirmed.  A  very 
handsome  and  free-cropping  Potato  was  noticed 
in  the  Colleen,  an  Irish  variety,  and  this  the  com- 
mittee selected  for  a  cooking  test  at  an  early 
date.  Others  selected  were  the  very  handsome, 
free-cropping,  red  Kidney  Cardinal,  raised  at 
Bedfont  more  than  20  years  since,  Leonardslee 
Favourite,  and  Sutton's  Favourite.  The  old 
Early  Regent  was  good,  and  its  previous  award 
was  confirmed.  Sir  J.  Llewellyn  and  Midlothian 
Early  gave  excellent,  clean  samples  of  tubers. 


very  dwarf  plant  with  rose-coloured  flowers  and 
purple  foliage.  "  848  "  (the  best  crimson  variety), 
three  marks,  now  raised  to  Award  of  Merit ;  and 
"  1500,"  previous  award  raised  to  an  Award  of 
Merit. 

A  variety  that  narrowly  failed  to  get  an  award 
was  "  Duke  of  York,"  a  fine  magenta-coloured 
flower,  with  a  narrow  yellow  band  on  the  mar- 
gin of  each  segment — a  Picotee  type  of  flower. 
This  variety  deserves  high  recommendation. 

Sweet  Peas  and  Phlox. 
At  the  two  inspections  noticed  above  the 
Sweet  Peas  and  Phloxes  were  examined.  It  was 
decided  to  bracket  the  following  varieties  of 
Sweet  Peas  as  being  too  much  alike: — Paradise, 
Enchantress,  and  Florence  Spencer.  Brilliant 
Blue  and  Lord  Nelson  were  also  bracketed,  and 
three   marks    awarded    the   variety.       A    similar 


There  were  26  plants,  and  each  was  carrying 
either  three  or  four  finely  finished  fruits, 
the  majority  having  the  latter  number.  The 
committee  expressed  in  warm  terms  their  high 
appreciation  of  the  culture  seen  in  connection 
with  the  trial.  The  seeds  were  all  sown  on  the 
same  date  in  the  middle  of  May.  The  committee 
first  inspected  the  varieties,  and  noted  their 
cropping  and  other  qualities.  The  ripest  fruits 
only  were  gathered  and  tasted.  They  were  then 
put  into  their  respective  sections  of  scarlet, 
green,  and  white  flesh,  those  showing  good 
quality  only  being  thus  reserved.  A  third  tast- 
ing took  place,  with  the  result  that  the 
richest  flavoured  fruit  of  all  was  declared  to  be 
the  white-fleshed  Diamond  Jubilee.  A  First- 
Class  Certificate  was  unanimously  awarded  this 
variety.  Diamond  Jubilee  was  closely  followed 
in  point  of  quality    by    the  variety    Countess, 


NEWBURY   HORTICULTURAL. 

August  5. — The  £9th  annual  exhibition  of  the 
above  society  was  held  in  Goldwell's  Park  on 
this  date.  The  park  is  an  ideal  spot  for  the 
holding  of  a  flower  show,  and  the  exhibition 
was  visited  by  a  numerous  company,  including 
the  Mayor  and  Corporation.  The  competition 
this  year  in  many  of  the  classes  was  exception- 
ally keen,  and  rarely  has  such  an  array  of 
Grapes  bei?n  seen.  The  exhibits  of  cut  flowers 
and  of  vegetables  were  of  splendid  quality. 

Groups. 

The  premier  award  for  a  group  of  greenhouse 
plants  was  secured  by  Mr.  J.  Howard,  gardener 
to  Lady  Sutton,  Benham  Park,  Newbury.  2nd, 
Mr.  F.  Lock,  gardener  to  G.  J.  Plevin,  Tilebarn, 
Woodhay.  The  best  exhibit  of  foliage  plants 
was  also  shown  by  Mr.  Howard,  and  he 
had  the  best  groups  of  exotic  Ferns.  Mr.  C. 
Ross,  gardener  to  Col.  Archer-Houblon,  Wel- 
ford  Park,  Newbury,  was  awarded  the  2nd  prize 
for  foliage  plants. 

Fuchsias  are  a  great  feature  at  this  show,  and 
those  staged  on  this  occasion  were  splendid 
examples  of  good  culture.  The  best  plants  were 
8  feet  in  height,  and  were  shown  by  Mr.  T. 
Surman.  2nd,  Mr.  P.  Mara,  gardener  to  Lady 
Arbuthnot,  Newtown  House,  Newbury,  with 
smaller  plants. 

Cut  Flowers. 

Lady  Sutton  exhibited  magnificent  blooms  in 
the  Rose  classes,  and  won  the  1st  prize  in  an  im- 
portant competition,  Messrs.  Cox  and  Smith 
being  2nd  and  3rd  respectively.  The  best  Sweet 
Peas  were  shown  by  Mr.  Smith,  gardener  to 
H.  A.  Evans,  Esq.,  Newbury.  Mr.  G.  B. 
Clark  had  the  best  exhibit  of  herbaceous 
flowers. 

Fruit. 

Grapes,  as  previously  stated,  were  very  finely 
shown  ;  indeed,  so  strong  was  the  competition, 
that  extra  awards  were  given.  The  premier  award 
for  a  collection  of  fruits  was  secured  by  Mr.  F. 
Lock.  He  showed  Grapes,  Peaches,  Nectarines, 
Melons,  &c.  2nd,  Mr.  G.  H.  Clark,  gardener 
to  Mrs.  Waterhouse,  Yattendon,  Newbury. 
Mr.  Mara  had  the  best  Black  Hamburgh 
Grapes;  Mr.  Taylor,  the  best  of  any  other 
black  variety.     Mr.  Lees  won  in  the  class    for 


August  17,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


137 


Muscats,  and  Mr.  G.  H.  Clack  in  that  for 
Madresfield  Court.  Messrs.  Lock  and  Howard 
were  the  principal  winners  in  the  other  classes 
for  fruit. 

Vegetables. 

Messrs.  Sutton,  Reading,  offered  prizes  for  a 
collection  of  vegetables,  and  the  class  was 
splendidly  contested.  Mr.  J.  Howard  surpassed 
all  other  competitors  in  his  Magnum  Bonum 
Cauliflowers,  Ailsa  Craig  Onions,  Best  of  All 
Peas,  Al  Tomatos,  New  Intermediate  Carrots, 
and  Factor  Potatos.     2nd,  Mr.  T.  Surman. 

There  was  great  competition  in  the  amateurs' 
and  cottagers'  classes  for  vegetables,  and  some 
splendid  produce  was  seen. 


MIDLAND  CARNATION  AND  PICOTEE. 

August  8  and  9. — Owing  to  the  very  late  sea- 
son, the  annual  show  of  this  society,  which  is 
always  held  in  the  Botanical  Gardens,  Edg- 
baston,  Birmingham,  was  postponed  from  July 
31  and  August  1  to  the  above  dates.  Notwith- 
standing the  alteration,  the  season  proved  too 
early  for  some  exhibitors.  The  show  was  an 
exceedingly  good  one,  both  as  regards  the  quality 
and  quantity  of  exhibits.  The  old-fashioned 
florist's  method  of  showing  Carnations  in  paper 
collars  still  finds  supporters,  but  the  undressed 
flowers  shown  as  grown,  with  their  own  foliage, 
are  gaining  favour  with  the  public,  and,  judg- 
ing from  the  increased  number  of  entries  in  the 
classes  provided  for  theni  at  Birmingham,  ex- 
hibitors are  increasingly  availing  themselves 
of  this  manner  of  displaying  their  flowers.     The 


man  were  of  perfect  shape,  size,  and  finish. 
2nd,  Mr.  C.  F.  Thurstan,  Wolverhampton,  with 
excellent  examples  of  Daffodil,  Mrs.  Eric  Ham- 
bro,  Sir  Bevys,  Mrs.  Flight,  &c.  3rd,  Mr.  R. 
G.  Rudd,    King's  Norton. 

Yellow-ground  Picotees. — In  this  class,  for  12 
yellow-ground  Picotees,  Mr.  Hayward  Mathias, 
Medstead,  was  the  winner.  His  blooms  were 
large  and  shapely,  especially  those  of  Togo, 
Mrs.  W.  Heriot,  Gamma,  Chryseis,  and  Lau- 
zum.     2nd,  Mr.  C.  F.  Thurstan. 

Fancy  Carnations. — In  a  class  for  12  Fancy 
Carnations,  Mr.  C.  F.  Thurstan  beat  six  com- 
petitors with  flowers  of  surprising  merit.  The 
varieties  were  Elaine,  Douce  Davie,  Merlin, 
Sam  Weller,  Margaret  Thurstan,  Highfield 
Lass,  King  Solomon,  King  Solomon  (sport),  R. 
A.  Rowberry,  Galileo,  Canatrice,  and  Hanno. 
2nd,   Mr.  A.  R.   Brown. 

White-ground  Picotees. — In  the  classes  for  12 
white-ground  Picotees  and  12  Flakes  or  Bizarres, 
Mr.  C.  H.  Herbert,  Acocka  Green,  won  both 
1st  prizes  with  refined  flowers.  Mr.  A.  R. 
Brown  and  Mr.  C.  F.  Thurstan  won  the  2nd 
prizes. 

Self  Carnations. — In  the  class  for  six  Self 
Carnations,  Mr.  G.  D.  Ford,  Acocks  Green, 
beat  16  other  competitors  with  a  stand  r.f 
superb  flowers  of  Bridegroom,  Sir  Galahad,  Sir 
Bevys,  Mrs.  M.  V.  Charrington,  Glowworm, 
and  Mrs.  Eric  llambro.  2nd,  Mr.  G.  F. 
Spittle,  Solihull. 

In  the  small  classes  provided  for  yellow- 
ground    Picotees    and    Fancy    Carnations,    tb*" 


Fig.  53.  —  palmate-trained  plant  of  gooseberry 
langley  beauty. 

Exhibited  by  Messrs.  J.  Veitch  &  Sons  at  the  last  meeting  of  the  R.H.S.  (see  p.  117). 


weather  was  fine  on  both  days  of  the  show, 
which  was  well  supported  bv  members  and  the 
public. 

Dressed  Flowers  on  Stands 
Self  Carnations. — The  best  12  varieties  in  the 
premier  class  for  Self  Carnations  came  from  Mr. 
A.  R.  Brown,  King's  Norton,  whose  flowers  of 
Cecilia,  W.  H.  Parton,  Ensign,  Comus,  W. 
Brearley,  Helen   Gottwaltz,  and  Cardinal  Wise- 


Revd.  C.  A.  Gottwaltz,  Hadzor,  Droitwieh, 
won  the  premier  prize  with  exquisite  flowers. 
Mr.  A.  W.  Jones  w.  m  the  2nd  prize  in  the  first, 
and  Mr.  G.  D.  Ford  the  second  in  the  last- 
named  class. 

White-ground  Picotees. — In  the  class  for  six 
flowers,  the  best  among  12  exhibits  was  shown 
by  Mr.  F.  W.  Goodfellow,  Walsall,  who 
showed  very  handsome  flowers,  every  specimen 


being  of  the  highest  quality.     2nd,   Rev.   C.  A. 
Gottwaltz.     3rd,   Mr.   G.    D.    Ford 

Mr.  James  Fairlie,  Acton,  won  in  the  class 
for  six  Flakes  or  Bizarres.  2nd,  Dr.  A.  H. 
Beadles,  Sydenham. 

Undressed  Flowers. 
Self    Carnations. — In    the    class    for    12    dis- 
similar varieties,  the  exhibits  in  which  were  dis- 


FlG.    54. — GOOSEBERRY    LORD     DERBY    TRAINED 

AS    A    TRIPLE    CORDON. 

Exhibited  by  Messrs.  J.  Veitch  &  Sons  (see  p.  117). 

played  in  vases  on  tier  staging,  occupying  an 
area  of  24  inches  by  20  inches,  there  were  six 
contestants.  The  schedule  required  that  no 
wire  be  used,  except  a  mere  support,  which 
must  not  come  beyond  the  case  of  the  calyx. 
Mr.  W.  H.  Parton  was  placed  1st  with  hand- 
some specimens  of  Daffodil,  Sir  Bevys,  Britan- 
nia, Bridegroom,  Sappho,  W.  H.  Parton,  Sir 
Galahad,  Lady  Hermione,  Hildegarde,  Helen, 
The  Sirdar,  and  Cassandra.  2nd,  Mr.  A.  R. 
Brown.     3rd,  Mr.  R.  G.  Rudd. 

Mr.  \V.  H.  Parton  also  gained  the  premier 
position  in  a  class  for  12  Fancy  or  yellow- 
ground  Carnations  of  dissimilar  varieties.  2nd, 
Mr.  A.  W.  Jones,  and  3rd,  Mr.  A.  R.  Brown. 

In  a  similar  but  smaller  class  to  the  last- 
named,  Mr.  H.  Skeels,  Walsall,  beat  the  Rev. 
C.  A.  Gottwaltz.  There  were  10  exhibits  in 
this  class. 

In  the  class  for  six  Self  Carnation  flowers, 
the  1st  prize  was  awarded  to  Mr.  G.  D.  Ford, 
whose  flowers,  with  the  exception  of  Sir  Gala- 
had,  were  in  splendid  condition.  2nd,  Mr.  J.  D. 
Williams,  Smethwick. 

Flowers  Shown  in  Trebles. 
Twelve     Sclfs,     ye!  J     Picotees,      or 

Fancies,   dissimilar. —  Of   the   six   competitors  in 


138 


THE    GARDENERS1      CHRONICLE. 


[August  17,  1907. 


'  this  important  class,  Mr.  W.  H.  Parton  gained 
the  1st  prize  with  magnificent  flowers  of  Sappho, 
Voltaire,  R.  A.  Rowberry,  Ivo  Sebright,  Gro- 
now,  Sir  Galahad,  King  Solomon,  Lucifer,  Mer- 
lin,  W.  H.  Parton,  Hildegarde,  and  Galileo. 
2nd,  Mr.  R.  G.  Rudd,  with  beautiful  flowers  of 
fresh  appearance,  but  they  were  not  so  effec- 
tively staged  as  those  of  the  1st  prize  collection. 
3rd,  Mr.  A.  R.  Brown. 

In  the  similar  but  smaller  class  for  six  flowers, 
Mr.  J.  D.  Williams  was  awarded  the  1st  prize 
for  an  excellent  stand  of  flowers  containing 
Merlin,  Ivo  Sebright,  Mrs.  Walter  Heriot,  &c. 
2nd,  Mr.  G.  D.  Ford.  3rd,  Mr.  C.  Chatwin, 
Handsworth. 

White  Carnations. — Mr.  A.  W.  Jones  staged 
the  best  vase  of  white  Carnations  (Sir  Gala- 
had), and  he  also  showed  the  winning  vase  of  a 
rose,  salmon,  or  a  scarlet-coloured  variety  in 
Glowworm,  and  the  best  vase  of  a  yellow  or 
buff-ground  Fancy  variety  in  Sam  Weller. 

Mr.  C.  H.  Herbert  won  the  2nd  prizes  in 
the  first  and  last-named  classes,  and  Mr.  A.  R. 
Browx  secured  the  second  prize  in  the  other 
class. 

The  best  vase  of  a  yellow  Carnation  (Daffo- 
dil), dark  Self  (W.  H.  Parton),  and  the  best  of  a 
yellow-ground  Picotee  (Mrs.  W.  Heriot)  came 
from  Mr.  W.  H.  Partox. 

Amateur  Section. 

Five  classes  were  reserved  for  amateurs  who 
do  not  cultivate  more  than  300  plants,  and  who 
do  not  employ  a  gardener  continuous!}'.  All 
the  classes  in  this  section  were  keenly  con- 
tested, and  the  flowers  were  of  excellent  qualitv. 

Mr.  E.  J.  Price.  Bournbrook,  won  the  Bronze 
Medal  and  four  other  prizes. 

AWARDS. 
First-Class  Certificates  were  awarded  to:  — 
Fair  Maiden,  a  light  scarlet-edged  Picotee 
from  Mr.  F.  W.  Flight,  Cornstiles,  Twyford. 
Togo,  a  heavy  red-edged  Picotee,  from  Mr.  H. 
Mathias,  Medstead.  Carrie  Coodfellow,  a 
heavy  scarlet-edged  Picotee,  from  Mr.  F.  W. 
Coodfellow,  Walsall.  Ace  of  Trumps,  a  yel- 
low-ground Picotee,  from  Mr.  A.  W.  Jones, 
Stechford.  Lady  Douglas  Gallon,  a  yellow- 
ground  Picotee ;  Maud  Brown,  a  white-ground 
Picotee,  from  Rev.   C.  A.   Gottwaltz,   Hadzor. 

AWARD     OF     MERIT. 
Queen  of  the    Whites,  a  Tree   Carnation,  from 
Messrs.  R.  F.  Felton  &  Sons,  London. 

Premier  Flowers  (Dressed). 
Bizarre  Carnation  "  Master  Fred,"  shown  by 
Mr.  C.  H.  Herbert  ;  Flake  Carnation  "  Sports- 
man," shown  by  Mr.  C.  H.  Herbert  ;  heavy 
edge,  white-ground  Picotee  "  Mrs.  Hoskier," 
shown  by  Mr.  F.  W.  Coodfellow  ;  light  or 
wire  edge,  white-ground  Picotee  "  Fair  Maiden," 
shown  by  Mr.  Havward  Mathias  ;  heavy  edge, 
yellow-ground  Picotee  "Togo,"  shown  by  Mr. 
H.  Mathias  ;  light  edge,  yellow-ground  Picotee 
"  Lady  Douglas  Galton,"  shown  by  Mr.  A.  R. 
Brown  ;  yellow-ground  fancy  Carnation, 
"  Elaine,"  shown  by  Mr.  C.  F.  Thurstan  ;  Self 
Carnation  "  Mrs.  Eric  Hambro,"  shown  by  Rev. 
C  A.  Gottwaltz. 

Premier  Flowers  (Undressed). 

Self  Carnation  "  Cantor,"  shown  by  Mr.  H. 
Skeels  ;     fancy    Carnation    "  King    Solomon," 

-shown  by  Mr.  W.  H.  Partox  ;  yellow-ground 
Picotee  "  Mrs.  Walter  Heriot,"  shown  by  Mr. 
Mr.  W.  H.  Parton. 

Special   Medals   and   Prizes. — Four  medals 

'were  offered  by  the  Birmingham  Botanical 
and  Horticultural  Society  to  the  exhibitors 
gaining  the  greatest  number  of  points  in  certain 
classes.  The  Silver  Champion  Medal  was  won 
by  Mr.  A.  R.  Brown  with  149  points  in  the 
large  and  single-bloom  classes.     Mr.  C.  H.  Her- 

'  bert    secured    the    Bronze    Medal    in    the   same 

■  classes.    ( 

The  Rev!  C.  A.  Gottwaltz  (with  82  points) 
won  the  Silver  Medal  in  the  small  and  single- 
bloom  classes,  the  Bronze  Medal  being  awarded 

"to  Mr.  G.  D  Ford.  The  Carnation  Society's 
Silver    Medal,    offered    to    the    most    successful 

i  exhibitor  in  the  single-bloom  classes,  was  taken 
by  Mr.  R.  Brown,  who  also  secured  a  copy  of 
Baines'  Stove  and  Greenhouse  Plants,  and  a  copy 
.of   Hobday's   Villa  Gardening  as  the  most   suc- 


cessful, all-round  exhibitor.  Mr.  E.  J.  Price 
received  the  Bronze  Medal  and  a  copy  of  Hob- 
day's Villa  Gardening  as  the  most  successful  ex- 
hibitor in  the  Amateur  Classes.  Mr.  W.  H. 
Parton  was  the  winner  of  a  copy  of  Hobday's 
Villa  Gardening  in  the  undressed  flowers.  The 
four  books  were  presented  by  Mr.  William 
Robinson. 

Liberal  prizes  were  offered  by  Mr.  Robert 
Sydenham  for  Sweet  Peas,  and  the  principal 
prize-winners  in  these  classes  were :  Mr.  T. 
Jones,  Ruabon  ;  Mr.  R.  Barnes,  Lichfield ;  Mr. 
E.  Deakin,  Hay  Mills ;  and  Mr.  A.  E.  Butler, 
Edgbaston. 

Honorary  Exhibits. 

The  non-competitive  exhibits  were  much  ad- 
mired, and  gave  additional  interest  to  the  show. 

Messrs.  Bakers,  Wolverhampton,  had  a  large 
assortment  of  hardy  flowers,  consisting  princi- 
pally of  Phloxes,  Liliums,  Spirasas,  Gladiolus, 
and   Roses.      (Silver-Gilt  Medal.) 

The  space  in  front  of  the  orchestra  was  fur- 
nished by  Messrs.  R.  F.  Felton  &  Sons,  Lon- 
don, with  Carnations  arranged  in  tall  stands ; 
also  Richardias  and  pink,  scarlet,  and  white 
Verbenas.      (Silver   Medal.) 

Messrs.  Hewitt  &  Co.,  Solihull,  staged  a 
large  and  interesting  collection  of  hardy  herba- 
ceous flowers  and  sprays  of  hardy-flowering 
shrubs.      (Silver   Medal.) 

Mr.  A.  F.  Duttox,  Iver,  Bucks.,  contributed 
a  handsome  group  of  cut  Carnations  in  variety. 
(Silver  Medal.) 

Messrs.  Bi.ackmore  &  Langdon,  Bath,  dis- 
played a  prettily-arranged  group  of  double  Be- 
gonias, including  shapely  flowers  of  Mrs.  Port- 
man  Dalton,  Professor  Lanciana,  Rt.  Hon. 
Joseph  Chamberlain,  and  Mrs.  Booth.  (Bronze 
Medal.) 

Messrs.  Davis  &  Soxs,  Yeovil,  also  showed 
a  collection  of  cut  Begonias.  (Bronze  Medal.) 

Mr.  W.  Sydenham,  Tamworth,  contributed  a 
well-arranged  group  of  hardy  flowers,  in  which 
were  some  very  fine  Carnations.  (Bronze 
Medal.) 

Messrs.  Randall  &  Sons,  Shirley,  exhibited 
American  varieties  of  Carnations  and  Liliums. 
(Bronze  Medal.) 

Messrs.  Dicksoxs,  Chester,  staged  a  large 
group  of  hardy  flowers,  in  which  were  Phlox 
Eugene  Danzanvilliers,  Romneya  Coulteri, 
Liliums,   and   Roses.      (Bronze   Medal.) 

Messrs.  Gunn  &  Sons,  Olton,  staged  Roses  in 
variety,  and  a  choice  collection  of  Phloxes. 
(Silver  Medal.) 

Messrs.  \V.  II.  Simpson  &  Sons,  Birmingham, 
sent  a  beautifully-arranged  group  of  Sweet  Peas. 
(Bronze  Medal.) 


ROYAL   BOTANIC. 

August  12. — The  annual  meeting  was  held  on 
the  above  date  in  the  society's  gardens,  Regent's 
Park.  Mr.  Pembroke  Stephens,  K.C.,  presided. 
In  the  G8th  annual  report  the  council  stated  that 
the  society's  indebtedness  had  decreased  during 
the  year  from  £34,402  to  £33.374,  and  the  deben- 
tures from  £28,700  to  £27,500.  That  Fellows  of 
the  society  believed  in  it  to  the  extent  of  £27,000 
was  a  fact  which  spoke  for  itself  as  evidence  of 
confidence  in  its  management  and  in  its  future. 
A  policy  of  redemption  as  to  £0,000  of  the  deben- 
tures had  been  taken  out,  the  surrender  value  being 
£235  in  1905  and  £360  in  1906,  the  increase  of 
£125  being  also  an  increase  in  the  society's  assets. 
Subscriptions  had  amounted  to  £2,544  in  1905  and 
£2,551  in  1906.  The  amount  received  from  fetes, 
exhibitions,  and  garden-parties  had  been  £1,516  in 
1905  and  £1,525  in  1906.  The  society's  scientific 
work  had  been  carried  on  with  consistent  regu- 
larity and  efficiency.  The  number  of  Fellows  and 
others  had  fallen  from  1,834  to  1,723.  Nearly 
half  the  decrease  was  accounted  for  by  deaths. 
The  attempts  to  shake  public  confidence  in  the 
society  had  reached  their  climax  during  the  year, 
but  there  had  been  ample  evidence  that  a  majority 
of  the  Fellows  wished  to  place  the  income  on  a 
firmer  footing.  The  council  were  anxious  to  adopt 
any  well-considered  proposals  to  improve  the  up- 
keep and  usefulness  of  the  gardens,  but  they  were 
bound  to  resist  repeated  attacks  based  upon  mis- 
conceptions or  misrepresentations. 

The  chairman  said  that  the  gardens  were,  so  far 
as  they  knew,  the  prettiest  gardens  of  the  kind  in 
or  out  of  London,  and  were  kept  up  by  the  Fellows 
without  any  public  grant  for  rates  or  rent.  The 
society  was  ancient,  Royal,  and  chartered,  it  was 


doing  an  excellent  work,  and  every  visitor  was 
pleased  with  the  gardens,  which  were  easy  of 
access.  The  council  had  done  all  that  was  pos- 
sible to  investigate  every  ground  of  complaint. 
Looked  at  all  round,  he  believed  there  was  a  very 
substantial  advance  in  the  society's  position,  and 
he  hoped  the  Fellows  would  continue  to  support 
the  council. 

Sir  Edwin  Galsworthy  seconded  the  adoption  of 
the  report.  The  opposition,  he  said,  appeared  to 
have  dwindled  from  three  to  nothing.  The  council 
comprised  men  of  business  experience,  and  he  felt 
that  the  antagonistic  section  of  Fellows  would  not 
do  the  society  any  real  good.  The  matter  of  the 
debentures  had  been  put  before  them  in  a  very 
misleading  manner  by  certain  Fellows,  and  the 
money  certainly  would  not  be  pressed  for  if  the 
agitation  ceased.  The  increased  subscription  pro- 
posed by  the  council  would  have  enabled  them  to 
pay  off  all  the  debentures  in  time. 

The  Duke  of  Teck  was  re-elected  president,  Mr. 
C  Brinsley  Marlay  was  elected  treasurer,  and  the 
eight  retiring  members  of  the  council  were  re- 
elected. 

The  chairman  said  he  recognised  that  there 
existed  a  feeling  that  the  agitation  had  done  some 
good  ;  on  the  other  hand,  they  had  the  falling  off 
in  the  number  of  Fellows.  They  could  draw  a 
useful  conclusion  from  this.  An  extra  guinea  sub- 
scription would  extinguish  in  time  the  whole  of  the 
debentures,  or  the  debenture-holders  could  hand 
them  back  to  the  society. 

The  report  was  adopted,  five  dissenting. 

It  was  decided  to  send  a  \ote  of  congratulation 
to  Sir  Joseph  Hooker,  who  had  been  since  1873  an 
honorary  member  of  the  society,  on  his  attaining 
the  age  of  90  years. 


COMMONS    AND    FOOTPATHS 
PRESERVATION. 

August  1. — Lord  Eversley  presided  over  the 
monthly  meeting  of  the  executive  committee  of 
the  Commons  and  Footpaths  Preservation 
Society,  held  on  the  above  date,  at  25,  Victoria 
Street,  Westminster.  It  was  reported  that  the 
progress  of  the  society's  Public  Rights  of  Way 
(No.  2)  Bill  continued  to  be  opposed  by  a  single 
member  of  Parliament,  although  the  Bill  had 
received  the  hearty  support  of  leading  repre- 
sentatives of  all  political  parties,  and  was  gene- 
rally regarded  as  a  non-controversial  measure. 
It  was  resolved,  upon  the  motion  of  Lord 
Eversley,  seconded  by  Sir  Robert  Hunter  :  — 

"  That  this  society,  being  greatly  impressed  by  the  great 
benefits  which  would  flow  from  the  passing  into  law  of  the 
Rights  of  Way  (No.  2)  Bill  and  the  Advertisements  Regu- 
lation Bill,  benefits  which  would  operate,  especially  in  rural 
districts,  by  preserving  those  field  paths  which  are  so  largely 
used  by  the  labouring  population,  and  preventing  the 
disfigurement  of  the  countryside,  and  hearing  that  the 
Advertisements  Regulation  Bill  has  passed  through  all  its 
stages  in  both  Houses,  and  only  requires  the  consent  of  the 
House  of  Commons  to  amendments  made  at  the  instance  of 
the  promoters  in  the  House  of  Lords,  while  the  Rights  o.f 
Way  Bill  passed  through  the  Grand  Committee  with  the 
warm  approval  of  members  of  all  parties,  earnestly  begs  the 
Prime  Minister  to  give  those  advantages  in  procedure  tc- 
both  measures  which  at  this  period  of  the  Session  are 
necessary  to  enable  the  Bills  to  be  considered  on  their  own 
merits." 

A  communication  was  read  from  Mr.  Haldane, 
M.P.,  the  Secretary  of  State  for  War,  stating  that 
the  War  Office,  after  considering  the  report  of 
the  society's  solicitor,  Mr.  Percival  Birkett,  upon 
the  legal  position  of  Eltham  Common,  had  de- 
cided to  abandon  its  proposal  to  erect  officers' 
quarters  upon  the  common.  Exhaustive  re- 
searches have  been  made  into  the  history  of 
Eltham  Common,  and  the  society  is  satisfied 
that  although  no  rights  of  common  have  been 
exercised  for  some  time,  freehold  tenements  exist 
in  respect  of  which  such  rights  are  appendant. 
Much  satisfaction  was  expressed  by  the  society 
at  the  decision  of  the  War  Office  not  to  proceed 
with  the  threatened  enclosure  of  part  of  a  valu- 
able Metropolitan  common,  and  it  was  decided 
to  urge  the  Department  to  give  its  consent  to  a 
scheme  for  the  regulation  of  the  land  under  the 
Metropolitan  Commons  Acts,  on  the  under- 
standing that  the  power  to  use  the  land  for 
military  purposes  was  reserved.  'It  was  also 
reported  that  the  Birkenhead  Corporation  had 
agreed  to  the  insertion  of  a  clause  in  their  Water 
Bill,  now  before  Parliament,  limiting  their 
powers  of  acquisition  to  an  easement  only  over 
common  land  in  the  County  of  Denbigh,  to  bo 
utilised  for  reservoirs  and  pipes.  The  secretary, 
Mr.  Lawrence  W.  Chubb,  stated  (that  during 
July  upwards  of  50  fresh  cases  of  interference 
with  footpaths  and  commons  had  been  referred 
to  the  society  for  advice  and  assistance. 


Ai-gust  17,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


139 


MANCHESTER  AND  NORTH  OF 
ENGLAND  ORCHID. 

July  25. — Committee  present :  E.  Ashworth,  Esq. 
(Chairman),  and  Messrs.  Warburton, Ward,  Cowan, 
Keeling,  Parker,  P.  Smith  and  Weathers  (hon. 
sec). 

A.  Wareurton,  Esq.,  Haslingden  (gr.  Mr. 
Dalgleish),  exhibited  a  group  of  plants,  principally 
Odontoglossums,  which  were  in  great  variety. 
(Bronze  Medal.) 

W.  Thompson,  Esq.,  Stone,  Staffs,  (gr.  Mr. 
Stevens),  exhibited  a  group  of  Cypripediums, 
principally  hybrids.     (Bronze  Medal.) 

Messrs.  Keeling  &  Sons,  Westgate  Hill,  Brad- 
ford, staged  a  group  of  miscellaneous  plants.  Some 
pleasing  forms  of  Masdevallia  were  included  in  the 
exhibit,  also  a  well-developed  plant  of  Chondro- 
rhyncha  Chestertoni.     (Bronze  Medal.) 

Mr.  J.  E.  Sadler,  Newbury,  Berks,  staged  a 
dozen  or  more  plants  of  Odontoglossums  in  variety. 
(Bronze  Medal.) 

J.  Macartney,  Esq.,  Bolton,  displayed  a  few 
good  Cypripediums,  as  did  also  Mr.  W,  Bolton, 
of  Warrington. 

Awards  of  Merit. 

Chondrorhyncha  Chestertoni  and  Cypripedium 
Elliottianum  var.  superbum  shown  by  Messrs. 
A.  J.  Keeling  &  Sons. 

Cypripedium  Curtisii  var.  splendens  displayed 
by  VV.  Thompson,  Esq.,  and  C.  x  Donald  from  the 
gardens  of  J.  Macartney,  Esq.     P.  IV. 


The  Shrewsbury  Show. — We  have  received 
from  Mr.  W.  W.  Naunton,  one  of  the  honorary 
secretaries  of  the  Shropshire  Horticultural  So- 
ciety, an  album  of  photographic  views  of  some 
of  the  features  of  the  horticultural  shows  which 
have  been  held  in  the  old  Shropshire  town.  All 
the  illustrations  in  this  Souvenir  of  Shrewsbury 
Great  Floral  Fete  are  excellent  reproductions  on 
art  paper  of  photographs  taken  by  Mr.  NAUNTON 
himself,  whose  successful  amateur  photography 
is  so  well  known  to  visitors  to  Shrewsbury.  The 
illustrations  include  "A  General  View  of 
Shrewsbury  from  St.  Chad's  Tower,"  "  Cham- 
pion Grapes,"  "The  Champion  Grape  Vase, 
value  £512  10s.,"  "Fruit  Exhibit,"  "Collection 
of  Vegetables,'  "Exhibit  of  Sweet  Peas,"  and 
20  other  views  connected  with  the  fetes,  the 
Quarry  grounds,  and  interesting  features  of  the 
town.  It  is  published  at  the  low  price  of  3d., 
and  may  be  obtained  from  Messrs.  Ai>mm  & 
Naunton,  The  Square,  Shrewsbury.  Visitors 
to  the  town  next  week  are  recommended  to 
procure  copies  of  this  well-executed  little  pam- 
phlet, which  contains,  in  addition  to  the  illus- 
trations, particulars  of  the  charitable  work  that 
has  been  accomplished  by  the  Shropshire  Hor- 
ticultural Society. 


THE     WEATHER. 

^  , 

THE  WEATHER  IN  WEST  HERTS. 

Week  ending  August  U. 

Day  temperatures  remarkably  uniform.—  Throughout  the 
past  week  the  maximum  readings  in  the  thermometer  screen 
have  been  remarkably  uniform,  the  lowest  being  68°  and 
the  highest  71°,  or  a  variation  of  only  3Q.  The  nights 
were  all  more  or  less  warm,  and  on  the  warmest  of  them 
the  exposed  thermometer  did  not  fall  below  57* -making 
this  the  warmest  night  as  yet  recorded  here  during  the* 
present  year.  Owing  to  the  paucity  of  sunshine  the  ground 
still  remains  cold  for  (he  time  of  year,  the  reading  at  2  feet 

t^n6!^2  T?0ldf,',and   *{    X    f°0t    ^P   l°   COld^'    tha"    is 

seasonable.  Rain  fell  on  only  two  days,  and  to  the  aggregate 
depth  of  less  than  a  quarter  of  an  inch.  No  rain  wate"r  at 
all  has  come  through  the  percolation  gauge  on  which  short 

wlS!SgSTlg'  uLirJng  t!ie  week'  whlle  on,v  a  few  drops 
have  trickled  each  day  through  the  bare  soil  gauge.  The 
£rshon.e  on  ai}  a/erage  for  4|  hours  a  day,  or  for  nearly  1* 
hours  a  day  in  defect  of  its  usual  duration  in  August.     Thi 

Si*.  Were'  ai  ?<  ral*  high'  but  in  no  hour  Jid  the  mean 
velocity  exceed  14  miles,  direction  W.N.W.  The  mean 
amount  of  moisture  in  the  air  at  3  p.m.  exceeded  a  season- 
able quantity  for  that  hour  by  as  much  as  12  per  cent. 
£>■  M.,  Berkhamsted,  August  14,  1907. 


CATALOGUES     RECEIVED. 

BULB     LISTS. 
Stkwart  &  Co..  6,  Melbourne  Place,  Edinburgh. 
VISHkr,  Son  &  Sibray,  Ltd.,  Handsworth,  Sheffield. 
^liurans,  Manchester  and  Altrincham. 
I  hos.  Davies  &  Co.,  Wavertree,  Liverpool. 
Uttle  &  Ballantyne,  Carlisle. 

T  J  JABil  &  £S?  ,Lti?-'  90  &  92>  Southwark  Streef 

London,  S.E.     (Wholesale) 
James  Veitch  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  King's  Road,  Chelsea. 
Wm.  Cutbush  &  Son,  Highgate,  London,  N. 
John  Peed  &  Son,  West  Norwood,  London,  S.E. 


MARKETS. 

COVENT  GARDEN,  August  U. 
[We  cannot  accept  any  responsibility  for  the  subjoined 
reports.  They  are  furnished  to  us  regularly  every 
Wednesday,  by  the  kindness  of  several  of  the  princioal 
salesmen,  who  are  responsible  for  the  quotations.  *Tt 
must  be  remembered  that  these  quotations  do  not  repre- 
sent the  prices  on  any  particular  day,  but  only  the 
general  averages  for  the  week  preceding  the  date  of  our 
report.  The  prices  depend  upon  the  quality  of  the 
samples,  the  way  in  which  they  are  packed,  the  supply 

in  thf  inarkot    ■atxA    tr._>   A ,„j i    ri _i     _.  fr  ■*. 


pot  only  from  i___ 
in  one  day. — Ld.J 


Cut  Flowers, 

Alstromerias,     per 

dozen  bunches 
Asters,   per   dozen 

bunches 
Eouvardia,  per  dz. 

bunches 
Calla  .t-thiopica,  p. 

dozen  

Carnations,      per 

dozen  blooms, 

best  American 

various 

—  smaller,       per 
doz.     bunches 

—  Malmaisons,  p. 
dozen  blooms.. 

Cattleyas,  per  doz. 
blooms 

Chrysanthemum 
maximum,  per 
dozen  bunches 

—  best  blooms,  p, 
dozen  

—  small,  per  doz. 
bunches 

Coreopsis,  per  doz. 

bunches 
Cornflower,  per  dz. 

bunches 
DahKas,  per  dozen 

bunches 
Lucharis      grandi- 

flora,  per  doz. 

blooms 
Gaillardias,  per  dz. 

bunches 
Gardenias,  perdoz. 

blooms 

Gladiolus,    The 

Bride,  per  doz. 

bunches 

—  Brenchleyensis 

—  various 
Gypsophila  elegans 

p.  dz.  bunches 

—  paoiculata 
dozen  bin 

Iris,  German,  per 
doz.  bunches... 

—  Spanish,  p.  dz. 
bunches 

Lapageriaalt  a,  per 

dozen  

Liluim  auratum  ... 

—  lancifoli  urn, 
ru  bru  in  a  ud 
album  ... 


Ac. :  Average  Wholesale  Prices. 

s.d.  s.d. 
I-ilium  longiflorum  2  0-30 
Lily  of  the  Valley, 

p.  dz.  bunches  4  0-60 
—  extra  quality  ...  8  0-12  0 
Marguerites,  white, 

p.  dz.  bunches    2  0-30 


s.d.  s.d 

2  0-40 

3  0-40 

4  0-  G  0 
2  0-30 


1  G-  3  0 
9  0-12  0 
6  0  10-0 

12  0-15  0 

10-20 

2  0-  2  G 

3  0-40 

2  0-30 
10-20 

3  0-40 

2  0-30 
20-30 

2  0-30 

3  0-50 
:l  0    6  n 

4  0-90 

2  U-  3  0 

2  0-30 

4  0-60 

4  0-90 

10-16 
2  0-30 


—  yellow,  per  dz. 
bunches  ...    16-20 

Mignonette,  perdz. 

bunches  ...  2  0-30 
Odontoglossum 

crispum,      per 

dozen  blooms  2  6-30 
Pancratiuins,      per 

dozen  fls.  ...  3  0-10 
Pelargoniums, 

show,  per  doz. 

bunches         ...    4  0-  G  0 

—  Zonal,    double 

scarlet 4  0-60 

Pinks  10-30 

Poppies,     Iceland, 

doz.  bunches...    4  0-80 

Shirley  ...     2  0-30 

Pyre  thrums,      per 

dozen  bunches  2  0-40 
Rhodanthe,  per  dz. 

bunches  ...     3  0-40 

Roses,  12  blooms, 

Niphelos        ...     10-30 

—  Bridesmaid    ...     2  0-30 

—  C.  Testout     ...    -J  u    J  U 

—  General  Jacque- 
minot, per  doz. 
bunches         ...     10-20 

—  Marechal   Niel    1  t;    8  0 

—  K  a  i  s  e  r  i  n  A . 
Victoria  ...     1  6     S  0 

—  Mrs.   J.   Laing    10-30 

—  C.  Mermet     ...    l  0    8  0 

—  Liberty  ...    2  0-40 

—  Mad.  Chatenay     10-30 
Saponaria,  per  dz. 

bunches  ...  16-20 
Scabious,  per  doz. 

bunches  ...     3  0-40 

Statice,  per  dozen  2  6  3  0 
Stephanotis,     per 

dozen  trusses  3  0-50 
Stocks,  per  dozen 

bunches  ...  3  0-40 
Sweet  Peas,  p.  doz. 

bunches  ...     10-30 

Sweet   Sultan,  per 

dozen  bunches  3  0-40 
Tuberoses,  per  dz. 

blooms  ...    0  4-06 


Cut  Foliage,  Ac:  Average  Wholesale  Prices. 


Adiantum  cunea- 
luin,  per  dozen 
bunches 

Asparagus  plu- 
mosus,  long 
trails,  pi  i   (I 

—  —     medium, 

bunch    ... 

—  Sprengeri 
Berberis,  per  doz. 

bunches 
Cro:on  leaves,  bcli. 
Cycas  leaves,  each 
Fern,  English,  per 

dozen  bunches 

—  French,  dozen 
bunches 


s.d.  s.d. 
4  0-60 

8  0  12  0 

16-20 
0  6-10 

2  0-26 
10-16 

16-20 

10-20 
10-30 


s.d.  s.d. 
Galax    leaves,    per 

dozen  bunches    2  0-26 
Hardy    foliage 

I  various),    per 

dozen  bunches 
Ivy-leaves,  bronze 

—  long  trails  per 
bundle 

—  short    green, 
doz.  bunches... 

Moss,  per  gross  ... 
Myrtle      (English), 

small-leaved, 

doz.  bunches... 

—  French,   dozen 
bunches 

Smilax,  p.  dz.  trails 


2  0-60 
2  0-26 


16-30 


2  0-30 
4  0-50 


4  0-60 

10-16 
16-26 


Plants  In  Pots,  Ac:  Average  Wholesale  Prices  (Contd.) 


.    -      •  ■         -  '.I    ."<-/  «t   ^awvcu,  .lit:    supply 

arket,  and  the  demand,  and  they  may  fluctuate' 
l  day  to  day,  but  occasionally  several  times 


s.d.  s.d. 
Lilium    longi- 

florum,  per  dz.  12  0-24  0 

—  lancif  olium. 
per  dozen 

Lily  of  the  Valley 

per  dozen      ..', 
Marguerites,  white 

per  dozen 

—  yellow 

Mignonette,  perdz. 
Pelargoniums, 

Ivy-leaved, 
Mde.  Crousse 
and  Galilee,  p. 
dozen 4  0-60 


Plants  In  Pots,  &c:  Average  Wholesale  Prices. 


Ampelopsis     Veit- 

chii,  per  dozen 

AraliaSieboldi.dz. 

—  larger  

Araucaria  excelsa, 

per  dozen 

Aspidistras,  green, 

per  dozen 

—  variegated,  dz. 
Asparagus   plumo- 

sus  nanus.doz. 

—  Sprengeri,  dz. 

—  t  e  n  u  i  s  s  i  mus 
per  dozen 

Asters  per  doz.  ... 
Calceolarias, yellow 
Campanulas,  p.  dz. 
Chrysanthem  urns, 

per  dozen 
Clematis,  per  doz. 

—  in  flower 
Cocos    Weddelli- 

ana,  per  dozen 
Coleus,  per  dozen 
Coreopsis,  perdoz. 
Crassulas     (Kalos- 

anthes).  perdz. 
Crotons,  per  dozen 


s.d.  s.d. 

6  0-80 
4  0-60 
9  0-12  0 

12  0-30  0 

18  0-30  0 
30  0-42  0 

9  0-12  0 
9  0-12  0 

9  0-12  0 
3  0-60 


s.d.  s.d. 
Cyperus   alternifo- 

lius,  dozen      ...     4  0-50 

—  laxus,  per  doz.  4  0-50 
Dracaenas,  perdoz.  9  0-24  0 
Euonymus,  per  dz.  4  0-90 
Ferns,  in  thumbs, 

per  100 7  0-10  0 

—  in    small    and 

large  60's       ...  12  0-20  0 

—  in  48's,  per  dz.    4  0-10  0 

—  in  32's,  perdz.  10  0-18  0 
Ficus  elastica,  per 

dozen  

—  repens,  perdoz 
Fuchsias,  per  doz 


4  0-  8  0  |  Heliotropiums,  per 


6  0-90 

4  0-80 

8  0-90 
12  0-18  0 

9  0-18  0 
2  0-40 
6  0-10  0 

9  0-12  0 
12  0-30  0 


8  0-10  0 
4  0-60 
4  0-60 

3  0-40 


s.d.  s.d. 
Pelargoniums, 

—  Zonals,  perdz.    4  0-60 

—  show 6  0-9  0 

Petunias,     double, 

.   per  dozen      ...    4  0-80 

—  single,  per  dz.  3  0-60 
Rhodanthe,  perdz.  4  0-60 
Roses,     Ramblers, 

each     3  0-76 

Selaginella,    dozen    4  0-60 
Spiraea      japonica, 

per  dozen      ...    5  n-  s  ft 
Verbena,      Miss 
Willmott,  doz. 
Zinnias,  per  dozen 
Fruit:  Average  Wholesale  Prices, 
s.d  s.d. 


12  0-18  0 

'  10  0-12  0 

4  0-80 
12  0-18  0 
6  0-90 


dozen  .. 
Hydrangea       Hor- 

tensia,  per  dz.    8  0-12  0 

—  paniculata,  per 

dozen 9  0-18  0 

Kentia      Belmore- 

ana,  per  dozen  12  0-18  0 

—  Fosteriana,  dz.  12  0-21  0 
Kochia      scoparia, 

per  dozen      ...    6  0-90 
Latania  borbonica, 

per  dozen      ...  12  0-18  0 


12-14 
2  0-26 

4  0-60 

5  0    — 

5  6-60 

6  6-76 
8  0    — 
5  0-56 
0  9-13 


G  0 
3  0- 
8  0- 


Apples,    per    b' 
Tasmanian  : 

—  Stunner     Pip- 
pins        12  6-13  0 

—  English,  p.bshl.    2  6-36 

—  i  sieve 13-26 

Apricots  (French). 

per  bos 

—  F'rench,     cases 

—  French,  £  sieve 
Bananas,  bunch : 

—  No.  2  Canary  . 

—  No-  1        ,.    - 

—  Extra        ,,     ... 

—  Giants      ,,     ... 

—  Jamaica 

—  Loose,  per  dz. 
Cherries  (English), 

—  §  sieve 

—  J  sieve 

Cranberries,     case 
Currants  (English), 

Red,  j  sieve  ... 

—  Black    (Eng- 
lish), £  sieve  ... 

—  White,  p.  peck 
Dates  (Tunis),  doz. 

boxes  

<  Guernsey),  p. 

dozen  

Gooseberries  (Eng- 
lish). \  sieve  ... 
Grape   Fruit,  case  11  0-12  0 
(English), 
Hambro's.p.  lb,  0  6-10 

—  Alicante,  perlb.    0  8-10 

—  Gros      Maroc, 
per  lb 

—  English     Mus- 
cats, per  lb. ... 

—  Canon       Hall, 
per  lb 

—  Belgian    Ham 
bro's,  perlb.... 

L vints  ; 

—  Messina,    case     1)  0   1.1  0 

—  Naples,  p.  case  18  0  23  0 

1    .  pel  box...     10- 
Mangoes,  per  doz. 
Mandarines,  Natal 
Naartjes,    box 

—  case      

Melons  (Guernsey), 

each     0  9-20 

—  French,   Rock, 

each     16-30 


Melons  (Valencia), 

per  case 
—  Cant  aloupe, 

each     

Nectarines     (Eng- 
lish), per  doz. 
list  quality. 


(2nd 


4  0-60 
3  0-4  0' 

s.d.  s.d. 

5  6-9  6 
0  3-04 


8  0  15  0 
2  0-40 


2  0-26 


6  0-66 
1  9    1  0 


2  6- 
10-40 


16-30 


0  9-13 
0  9-  2  G 


2  0-40 
0  6-06 


6  0-12  0 


13-19 
6  0-80 


—  French,  p.  box  0  10-  1  O 
Nuts,  Cobnuts,  per 

doz.  lb 2  6-30 

—  Almonds,  bags  54  0    — 

—  Brazils,     new, 

per  cwt.  ...  40  0-42  6 

—  Barcelona,  bag  32  6    — 

—  Cocoa  nuts,  100  12  0-17  0 
Oranges      (Austra- 
lian), per  box...    8  0-14  O 
Natal,  per  case    6  0-80 

—  Naples,  p.  case    8  0-10  0- 

—  Navels,  p.  case  10  0-10  6 

—  Murcias,  p.  box  10  0-14  0 
Peaches  (English), 

per  dozen 
J  1st  quality  ... 
1  2nd       „       ... 

—  French,  p.  box 
Pears  (English),   § 

sieve     

—  French,  Wil- 
liams Bon  Cre- 
tien,  per  box... 

—  (Calif  ornian), 
per  box 

Plums  (English),  p. 
i  sieve : 

—  Orleans 

—  Moroccos 

—  Rivers 

—  Czars „ 

—  Californian.bos   6  0-63 

—  French,  p.  box  0  10-  1  0 

—  French,}  sieve    16-50 

—  Italian,  basket    16-19 

s    (French), 
per  box  ...     0  8-16 

—  Italian,   basket     16-19 

—  French,  J  sieve    2  6-50 

—  Spanish,  J  sieve  10  0-10  6 
Pineapples,  each...    2  0-36 

1  fries  (Eng- 
lish), handle 
basket 

—  English,  p.  dz. 
punnets 


6  0-90 
10-30 
18-16 

19-26 


3  6-40 
7  0-80 


2  3-26 
20  — 
19-20 
2  0-23 


16-19 


3  0-5  0' 


Vegetables 

Artichokes(French), 

per  dozen 
Aubergines(French), 

per  doz. 
Beans  (French),  per 

pad       

—  Broad       (Eng- 
lish), p.  bushel 

—  Home  -grown, 
per  bushel     ... 

Beetroot,  bushel  ... 

Cabbages,  perdoz. 

Cabbage     Greens, 

bag       

—  red,  per  dozen 
Carrots    (English), 

dozen  bunches 

—  washed,       per 
bag       

Cauliflowers,  per 
dozen  

Chow  Chow  (Sec- 
hium  edule),p. 
dozen  ... 

Cucumbers,  per 
dozen  

Endive,  per  dozen 

Horseradish,  for- 
eign, per  doz. 
bundles 

Leeks,  12   bundles 

Lettuce  (English), 
Cos,  per  score 

Marrows  (English), 
per  tally 


:  Average  Wholesale  Prices. 

s.d.  s.d. 

Mint,  doz.  bunches    0  3-10 
Mushrooms(house) 

perlb 0  8-0  10 

—  buttons,  per  lb.  0  10    — 

—  "Broilers"p.lb.    0  5-06 
Mustardand  Cress, 

per  dozen  pun. 
Onions      (Lisbon), 
case 

—  pickling,     per 
bushel 

—  Spring,  pr.  dz. 
bunches 

Peas  (English),  per 
bushel ^ 

—  English,  p.  bag    4  0-50 
Parsley, 12bunches    16-20 

—  §  bushel 
Potatos     (Canary), 

per  cwt. 

Radishes  (Guern- 
sey), per  dozen 

Salsafy,  p.  dz.bdls. 

Spinach,  English, 
per  bushel 

Tomatos: — 

—  French,  p. crate    3  0-36 

—  selected,  per 
dozen  lbs. 

—  small  selected, 
per  dozen  lbs. 

Turnips   (English), 

doz.  bunches...    2  0-30 
Watercress,      per 

doz.  bunches.. 


10-13 
10-13 
3  0-40 

2  0    — 

3  0-36 
13  16 
0  9-10 

10-16 

2  0    — 

10-16 

3  0-36 
2  0-26 


i  0    — 


16-26 
2  6    — 


13  0-14  0 
1  6    — 

0  4-06 


3  0-40 


10-16 
5  0    — 


2  0-26 
16    2  0 


16-26 


10-16 

8  0-90 

0  4-06 
3  6     — 

0  9-10 


3  0-36 
2  6-30 


0  4-06 


Remarks.— Plums  from  Kent  are  arriving  in  large  quan- 
tities and  record  consignments  are  anticipated.  English 
Apples  and  Pears  are  also  obtainable.  Home-grown  Tomatos 
have  made  a  slight  advance  in  value.  The  first  shipments 
forthis  season  of  Australian  Oranges  and  Californian  Plums 
("Golden  Drops")  have  been  received.  French  Gages  are 
much  cheaper.  Strawberries  are  now  finished.  P.  L., 
Covent  Garden  Market,  August  14,  1S07. 

Potatos 

Rents,  3s.  to  4s.  per  cwt. ;  Bedfords,  GOs.  to  70s. ;  Lincolns, 
50s.  to  70s. :  Blacklands,  45s.  to  50s.  per  ton.  Supplies  are 
large,  but  the  demand  generally  is  slow.    /.  D.  C,  Covent 

6,11.1,11,  August.  14,  1907. 


140 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[August  17,  1907. 


COVENT     GARDEN     FLOWER     MARKET. 

Chrysanthemums  of  the  Madame  Massee  type,  in  pots, 
are  seen  on  several  stands,  but  they  are  not  disbudded  and 
not  good  in  quality.  The  Egg  plant  (Solatium  ovigerum)  is 
sent  by  several  growers,  and  though  not  of  much  decorative 
value,  it  sells  readily  as  a  novelty.  Campanula  isophylla 
alba  and  C.  i.  Mayi  are  now  very  good,  including  plants 
with  flowers  fully  expanded,  and  others  with  their  first 
blooms  just  opening.  Verbenas  Miss  Willmott,  Scarlet 
King,  and  the  white  variety  are  seen  in  well-flowered  plants. 
Up  "to  yesterday  morning  Pelargoniums,  including  show, 
Ivy-leaved,  and  zonals,  were  procurable  in  well-flowered 
piants.  Fuchsias,  Heliotropiums,  Chrysanthemum  segetum, 
Hydrangea  Hortensia  and  paniculata  grandiflora  in  various 
stzL-d  plants,  Lilium  lougiSorum  and  L.  lancifolium  rubrum 
are  seen  on  several  stands,  but  they  do  not  sell  freely. 
Marguerites  are  still  abundant,  especially  those  with  white 
flowers.  Rose  Dorothy  Perkins  is  still  seen,  but  some  of  the 
blooms  are  far  advanced.  Plants  of  Spirasa  japonica  from 
retarded  crowns  are  well  flowered  Bedding  plants  are  still 
procurable.  Single  Petunias  were  noted  on  three  stands  on 
Tuesday  (August  18) ;  also  small  2onal  Pelargoniums,  Cal- 
ceolarias, &c.  Of  Chinese  Asters  some  are  in  pots  and 
others  are  plants  that  have  been  taken  up  from  the  open 
ground.  Trade  for  Ferns  and  other  foliage  plants  is  now 
very  quiet. 

Cut  Flowers. 

The  market  is  overloaded  with  cut  bloom.  Asters  are 
now  very  good  from  home  growers ;  those  of  the  Comet 
section  are  favourites.  Statices  of  various  sorts  are  over 
abundant.  Coreopsis,  Gaillardias,  Scabiosus  caucasicus, 
also  the  ordinary  S>*eet  Scabious,  in  very  pretty  shades 
of  colours;  Roses,  Carnations,  Sweet  Peas,  Gladiolus  and 
Liliums  are  all  over  abundant.  Gypsophila  paniculata  is 
seen  in  heaps  all  round  the  market,  and  1  noted  some  of 
a  new  double  variety  which  does  not  come  into  bloom 
quite  so  early  as  the  type.  Irises  are  now  over  for  the 
season.  Sweet  Sultan  can  be  had  in  yellow  and  white 
flowers,  both  are  extensively  grown  ;  the  improved  white 
variety  is  much  appreciated.  Iceland  Poppies  are  still 
very  good.  Tuberoses,  Gardenias,  Stephanotis,  Lapageria 
alba,  and  Eucharis  are  all  well  supplied.—  A.  H.,  Covent 
Garden,  Wedrusday,  August  14,  1907. 


GARDENING     APPOINTMENTS. 


Coriespondents  are  requested  to  write  the  names  of  persons 
and  places  as  legibly  as  possible.  No  charge  is 
made  /or  these  announcements,  but  ij  a  small  contribution 
is  sent,  to  be  placed  in  our  collecting  Box  Jor  the  Gardeners' 
Orphan  Fund,  it  will  be  thankfully  received  ami  acknow- 
ledged in  these  columns, 

Mr.  G.  A.  Holmes,  for  four  years  as  Foreman  in  the  gar- 
dens of  H.  Wiiitworth,  Esq.,  Dunford  House,  Wath- 
on-Dearne,  Rotherham,  as  Gardener  to  Colonel  Orange 
Bromehead,  Newbold  House,  near  Chesterfield.  (One 
shilling  has  been  placed  in  R.G.O.F.  Box.) 

Mr.  William  G.  Payne,  for  the  past  2*  years  Gardener  to 
R.  Palmer,  Esq.,  Nazing  Park,  Waltham  Cross,  as 
Gardener  to  Walter  Hargreaves,  Esq.,  at  the  same 
place.  (One  shilling  has  been  placed  in  the  R.G.O.F. 
Box.) 

Mr.  F.  Deaney,  for  the  past  six  years  Gardener  to  Sidney 
Roberts,  Esq.,  Scotsbridge  House,  Rickmansworth,  as 
Gardener  to  Mrs.  Fulcher,  Redenham  House,  Andover, 
Hants.  (One  shilling  has  been  placed  in  the  R.G.O.F. 
Box.) 

Mr.  Wm.  Geo.  Coombes,  for  the  past  12  months  Gardener 
to  Mrs.  Pilgrim,  Akeley  Wood,  Buckingham,  and 
previously  7J  years  with  Mr.  Sterry,  Chapel  Clewe, 
Washford,  Taunton,  as  Gardener  to  Captain  Tryon, 
The  Manot  House,  Great  Durnford,  Salisbury. 

Mr.  F.  Cook,  for  three  years  Gardener  to  the  late  Mrs. 
Eley,  Oxhey  Grange,  Watford,  Herts,  as  Gardener  to 
F.  Hobson,  Esq.,  The  Prospect,  Trowbridge,  Wilts. 
(Thanks  for  contribution  to  R.G.O.F.  Box.) 

Mr.  W.  G.  Guise,  for  the  past  five  years  Gardener  to  James 
Porter,  Esq.,  Berthlwyd,  near  Conway,  N.  Wales,  as 
Gardener  to  J.  H.  S.  Fullerton,  Esq.,  J. P.,  D.L.,  Noble- 
thorpe  Hall,  Silkstone,  near  Barnsley. 


ANSWERS    TO    CORRESPONDENTS. 


Address  Books  :  D.  F.  Thalacher's  Adrcssbuch, 
published  by  Bernhard  Thalacker,  Leipzig- 
Gohlis,  Germany.  We  have  not  a  copy  of  a 
French  gardeners'  directory. 

Bouquet  of  Cut  Flowers  :  TL.  H.  According 
to  the  terms  of  the  schedule,  any  cut  flowers 
could  be  shown,  for  annuals,  biennials,  and 
perennials  were  allowed.  No  provision  was 
made  to  exclude  bulbous  plants.  Lilium 
dauricum  is  a  perennial.  Chrysanthemums, 
Delphiniums,  and  shrubby  Phloxes  are  also 
perennial  plants.  The  schedule,  like  many 
others  issued  at  local  flower  shows,  is  very 
loosely  worded. 

Black  Currants,  Raspberries,  and  Goose- 
berries :  Samuel.  These  plants  are  all  gross 
feeders,  and  therefore  require  a  liberal  supply  of 
plant  food.  Farm-yard  or  stable  manure  with 
moderate  applications  of  superphosphate  and 
kainit  constitute  the  best  stimulants  they  can  be 
given.  If  sufficient  natural  animal  manure  can- 
not be  obtained,  then  during  the  present  autumn 
or  early  in  winter  apply  to  each  square  yard  of 
soil  around  the  trees  a  mixture  composed  of  6 
ounces  of  superphosphate.  6  ounces  of  kainit, 
and  6  ounces  of  lime.  In  January  or  February 
next  apply  8  ounces  of  Rape  cake  to  each  square 
yard  of  the  soil  around   the  trees  and    lightly 


fork  over  the  surface  of  the  ground  afterwards. 
If  you  can  get  any  household  suds,  free  from 
grease,  you  might  give  a  liberal  application  of 
this  liquid  in  showery  weather  during  the  month 
of  March.  Apply  an  extra  dose  of  this  liquid 
manure  to  the  Raspberries,  as  these  plants 
require  a  most  liberal  amount  of  moisture. 

Carnation  Seedling  :  TL.  G.  W.  Striped  or 
flaked  varieties  are  common.  Cultivate  your 
plant  for  a  season  or  two,  and  see.  if  the 
flowers  will  improve  in  form  and  size. 

Carnation  Sporting:  /.  H.  The  variety  you 
send  has  little  or  no  value,  being  inferior  to 
many  already  in  cultivation. 

Coccus  on  Elm-Bark  :  It'.  P.  Pseudococcus 
aceris  is  the  name  of  the  insect  on  the  Elm-bark. 
It  is  allied  to  the  mealy  bugs,  but  has  not 
hitherto  been  recorded  as  really  injurious,  and 
judging  from  the  comparatively  few  specimens 
present  upon  the  piece  of  bark  submitted  we  are 
of  opinion  that  the  sickly  condition  of  the  trees 
is  due  to  some  other  cause.  The  insects  can  be 
destroyed  by  an  application  of  paraffin  emulsion 
or  caustic  alkali  wash  ;  but  it  is  too  late  now  to 
do  any  good  as  the  larva?  are  all  hatched  out 
from  the  white  tiocculent  sacs  and  are  probably 
feeding  on  the  smaller  branches.  To  be  effec- 
tive the  wash  should  be  applied  soon  after  the 
white  sacs  are  noticed  on  the  bark,  which  is 
generally  at  about  the  beginning  of  July. 

Grapes  Sticky  :  G.  H.  I.  We  cannot  account 
for  the  presence  of  the  sticky  substance,  unless 
it  be  a  deposit  from  such  insects  as  aphis. 

Green  Peas  to  Preserve  :  G.  W.  Take  the  Peas 
when  they  are  just  fully  grown,  but  before  they 
are  old  ;  shell  them,  throw  them  into  boiling 
water  and  let  them  boil  for  10  minutes.  Drain 
well,  and  spread  them  out  on  tins.  Put  them 
into  a  cool  oven  once  or  twice  to  harden,  then 
put  the  Peas  into  paper  bags,  tie  the  bags 
securely,  and  suspend  them  in  a  dry,  warm  room 
until  wanted.  Before  using  them,  soak  them  in 
water  for  a  short  time  and  put  one  ounce  of 
butter  into  the  water  in  which  they  are  boiled. 
Another  method  is  to  gather  the  Peas  on  a  fine, 
dry  day,  open  the  pods  on  a  large,  clean  cloth 
and  leave  the  Peas  for  five  or  six  hours  exposed 
to  the  sun  and  air.  Dry  them  gently  in  a  rough 
towel,  bottle  them  securely  and  in  such  a  man- 
ner as  to  exclude  air,  or  store  them  in  a  dry 
place. 

Horse  Chestnut  Tree  :  H.  S.  You  cannot  do 
better  than  cut  it  off  very  low  ana  apply  the 
acid  occasionally. 

Land  for  Vegetables  :  H.  K.  You  want  to 
know  what  amount  of  land  is  required  to  pro- 
duce a  good  supply  of  vegetables  for  a  chil- 
drens'  hospital  accommodating  about  250 
persons,  including  staff.  It  is  difficult  to  give 
anything  like  an  accurate  answer  to  this  ques- 
tion, as  so  much  will  depend  upon  circum- 
stances, such  as  the  nature  and  suitability  of  the 
land,  and  its  manuring,  cropping  and  cultiva- 
tion. However,  we  should  say  that  four  acres 
of  good  land  would  suffice,  provided  the  ground 
is  well  manured,  skilfully  cropped,  and  given 
every  attention  that  is  necessary.  Keep  the 
crops  free  from  weeds,  and  the  surface  soil 
stirred  at  intervals  of  a  few  weeks,  between 
the  rows  of  Carrots,  Onions,  Parsnips,  French 
Beans,  Scarlet  Runners,  Peas,  Cabbages,  Cauli- 
flowers, &c,  not  only  in  order  to  destroy  seed- 
ling weeds  but  also  to  stimulate  growth  in  the 
various  crops.  As  soon  as  the  ground  has 
been  cleared  of  one  crop  it  should  be  given 
what  manure  is  considered  necessary,  and  after- 
wards it  should  be  dug  or  ploughed,  and  cropped 
again.  Four  acres  will  afford  one  rood  to  the 
supply  of  each  15  people,  or  thereabouts. 

Peach  Stones  Splitting  :  Enquirer.  Either  of 
the  checks  you  mention  will  cause  the  stones 
to  split.  Excessive  water  at  the  roots  is  fre- 
quently accountable  for  the  trouble.  We  do 
not  know  that  the  variety  you  mention  is  more 
susceptible  to  this  injury  than  others. 

Peas  :  H.  T.  W.  Your  Peas  are  in  a  hopeless 
condition.  The  pods  are  attacked  by  the  Bean 
Anthracnose,  Gloeosporium  Lindemuthianum. 
The  base  of  the  stem  has  been  attacked  by 
insects ;  and  the  foliage  shows  the  advent  of 
spots  due  to  some  hitherto  undeveloped  para- 
site. You  should  root  up  and  burn  all  you  can, 
disinfect  the  soil,  and  plant  neither  Beans  nor 
Peas  in  the  same  soil  for  two  or  three  years 
to  come. 


Names  of  Flowers,  Fruits  and  Plants. — We 
are  anxious  to  oblige  correspondents  as  far  as 
we  consistently  can,  but  they  must  bear  in 
mind  tuat  it  is  no  part  of  our  duty  to  our 
subscribers  to  name  either  flowers  or  fruits. 
Such  work  entails  considerable  outlay,  both  ol 
time  and  money,  and  cannot  be  allowed  to  dis- 
organise the  preparations  for  the  weekly  issue,  or  to 
encroach  upon  time  required  for  the  conduct  of  the 
paper.  Correspondents  should  never  send  more 
than  six  plants  or  fruits  at  one  time  :  they  should  be 
very  careful  to  pack  and  label  them  properly,  to  give 
every  information  as  to  the  county  the  fruits  are 
grown  in,  and  to  send  ripe,  or  nearly  ripe,  specimens 
which  show  the  character  of  the  variety.  By 
neglecting  these  precautions  correspondents  add 
greatly  to  our  labour,  and  run  the  risk  of 
delay  and  incorrect  determinations.  Correspondents 
not  answered  in  one  issue  are  requested  to 
be  so  good  as  to  consult  the  following  numbers. 
Fruits  :  G.  B.  Raby  Castle.— C.  E.  A.  Imma- 
ture Apples  cannot  be  named  with  certainty. 
Send  again  later  when  the  fruit  is  in  season. — 
A.  H.  S.     Myrobalan  Plum. 

Plants  :  J.  U .  Verbascum  Thapsus. — T.  H. 
Rubus  odoratus. — G.  C.  1,  Deutzia  crenata, 
double-flowered  variety  ;  2,  Spiraea  filipendula. — 
N.  S.  Chichorium  Intybus:  the  Cbichory. — 
/.  S.  1,  Oncidium  luridum  guttatum ;  2,  O. 
triquetrum. — C.  B.  1,  Alnus  incana  ;  2,  Vibur- 
num dentatum. — Hortus.     1,  Spiraea  Douglasii; 

2,  S.  japonica,  callosa ;  3,  Kalmia  latifolia ;  4, 
Centaurea  macrocephala  ;  5,  Lythrum  salicaria ; 
6,  Betonica  spicata. — A.  B.  1,  Epidendrum 
indivisum  ;  2,  Oncidium  tetrapetalum  ;  3,  Stelis 
micrantha  ;  4,  Coelia  bella. — F.B.  1,  Calam- 
pelis  (Eccremocarpus)  scaber.  A  useful  outdoor 
climber.—  H.  J .  D.  Eucomis  punctata.  A  Cape 
bulb,  hardy  in  sheltered  situations. — C.  S.  Sela- 
ginella  Wildenovii. — L.  H.  1,  Fumaria  offici- 
nalis ;  2,  .rEthusa  Cynapium  ;  3,  Erodium  mos- 
chatum;  4,  Calamintha  officinalis;  5,  Sedum 
rupestre  ;  6,  Sedum  Telephium. — A.  W.S.  1, 
Ceanothus  thyrsiflorus  ;  2,  Spiraea  Lindleyana  ; 

3,  Pavia  macrostachya  ;  4,  Solidago  Virgaurea  ; 
5,  Achillea  tomentosa ;  6,  Inula  glandulosa. — 
X.  Y.Z.  1,  Hypericum  Moserianum  tricolor; 
2,  Vesbascum  nigrum  ;  3,  Hypericum  andrc- 
ceum  ;  4,  Lilium  chalcedonicum ;  5,  Lysimachia 
vulgaris;  G,  Escallonia  rubra. — Fresco.  1, 
Polystichum  angulare  var.  proliferurn  ;  2,  P. 
aculeatum  lobatum  ;  3,  Lastrea  Filix-mas ;  4, 
Athyrium  Filix-fcemina  var.  rhasticum  ;  5,  As- 
pidium  Filix-fcemina  var.  ;  6,  Lastrea  oreop- 
teris. — W.  W,  We  do  not  undertake  to  name 
varieties  of  Carnations.  The  flower  you  send 
is  probably  Cecilia. — F.  C.  Tradescantia  vir- 
ginica. 

Roses  on  Iron  Standards  :  L.  W.  K.  Place 
a  thin  strip  of  wood  up  the  support,  and 
secure  the  growths  so  that  they  will  come  in 
contact  with  the  wood  only.  In  the  case  of 
chains,  you  should  bind  some  cloth  material 
around  them  at  the  places  where  the  shoots 
will  be  fastened. 

The  Loganberry  :  T.  M.  The  propagation  and 
cultivation  of  this  plant  are  generally  similar 
to  those  required  by  the  Raspberry.  See  a  note 
on  this  fruit  in  our  Calendar  on  the  Hardy 
Fruit  Garden,  p.  129. 

Twin  Cucumber  :  F.  B.  Such  examples  are  not 
uncommon ;  we  usually  receive  similar  speci- 
mens during  the  season.  The  abnormality  is 
caused  by  a  fusion  of  two  fruits. 

Violas  Dying  :  F.  0.  The  plants  are  attacked 
by  a  fungus  disease.  Spray  the  foliage  with 
a  fungicide,  such  as  Condy's  Fluid  or  sulphide 
of  potassium — \  oz.  to  3  gallons  of  water. 

Weeds  :  A  Reader.  The  best  plan  is  to  burn 
them  on  the  garden  fire.  They  may  also 
be  destroyed  by  exposure  to  the  air  after 
they  are  uprooted.  If  the  ground  is  trenched, 
the  stolons  can  be  removed  as  the  digging 
proceeds,  and  be  afterwards  burned.  We 
have  never  used  electricity  for  destroying 
weeds.  For  information  on  the  sterilisation 
of  soil  see  an  article  which  commenced  on  p. 
129  in  our  issue  for  March  2,  1907. 

Communications  Receives. — H.  G.  A. — W,  P.  W. — S.  A.  S. 
— W.  H.— E.  W.  D.,  Zomba— W.  F.  G.— A.  J.— J.  L., 
Portland  House-A.  C.  F.— C  B.  B.— H.  H.— G.  M.  A.- 
P.  J.  P.— W.  F.— J.  S.— J.  McC— J.  C.  He- A.  W.  S.— 
H.  A.— C.  A.  B.— S.  A.— J.  H.  H.-W.  B.  C— H.  J.  G.— 
H.  F.— de  B.  C— T.  J.— A.  T.— A.  M.  C.  J.  C— W.  L„ 
Manila— W.T.—S.  P.— H.  F.  M.— J.  C.  T.— A.  B.-D.  C..I). 


August  24,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


14! 


THE 


^atbmcrs'orbroniclc 

No.  1,078.— SATURDAY,  August  24,  1907. 


CONTENTS. 


American  Seed  Trade 
Association      151 

Aiiilbe  Davidii  as  a  gar- 
den plant         J  52 

,  notices  of — 
Injurious  insects       .  .     146 
Art  and  craft  of  gar- 
den making 147 

E  le.iux  mixture,  an 
economical  method  of 
making 150 

Buddleia  Colvilei  hardy 
in  Scotland      152 

Campanula  mirabilis  ...     144 
mthemums  in  the 
present  season  ...    152 

Couiarella    multifoliata    151 

Cosmos  sulphureus     ...    150 

I  >alton  Holme,  Beverley    141 

Debating  Societies, 
questions  at    152 

leinery,  the — 
Decorative        British 
Ferns  141 

Fruit  crops,  remarks  on 
the  condition  of  the...    144 

Fruit  trees,  the  summer 
pruning  of       152 

Hydrangea  Hortensia  at 
Boughton  Park  gar- 
dens        152 

New  York,  a  botanical 
garden  near    151 


Market  notes       

Notospartium  Carmich- 

aelire       

Orchid  notes  and  glean- 
ings— 

Odontiodas      

Peaches,  a  disease  of  ... 
Pea,  the  Crown  or 

Mummy  

Propagator,  the 

Societies — 

British  Gardeners' 
Association 

Debating         

National  Sweet   Pea... 

Royal  HorticLilttn.il  .. 

Shropshire  Horticul- 
tural     

Terrace-gardening,        a 

lecture  on        

Trees  and  shrubs — 

Hares  injuring  tree- 
stems  

Ulmus  alata    

Viola  trials  at  Glasgow 
Week's  work,  the — 

Flower  garden,  the  ... 

Fruits  under  glass     ... 

Hardy  fruit  garden  ... 

Kitchen  garden,  the  ... 

Orchid  houses,  the   ... 

Parks  and  gardens    ... 

Plants  under  glass    ... 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Campanula  mirabilis  flowering  on  a  rock  garden  in 
Switzerland       

Carnation  house  at  Dalton  Holme  gardens  

Cosmos  sulphureus,  a  showy  annual  (Supplementary 
Illustration) 

Dalton  Holme,  Beverley  

Flowering  shoot  of  Notospartium  Carunichaeliae' 

Flowers  of  Campanula  mirabilis      

Gardener's  cottage  at  Dalton  Holme,  tFe 

Notospartium  Carmichaeliu?  flowering  at  Kew... 

Peach  disease  (Macrosporium  rhaldiferuni)        

Potato  haulm  with  tuber  in  a  leaf-axil         


117 


142 
100 


152 
143 


154 
159 
154 
152 


11:1 
148 
152 

149 
149 

149 
149 
148 

1  1H 

119 


144 
143 


142 
147 
145 
1  12 
140 
160 
100 


DALTON    HOLME,    BEVERLEY. 

DALTON  HOLME,  the  residence  of  Lord 
Hotham,  whose  family  have  held  the 
large  estates  in  connection  therewith  for 
many  hundreds  of  years,  is  situated  some  six 
miles  from  Beverley  on  the  southern  side  of 
the  Yorkshire  wolds.  The  park  that  surrounds 
the  mansion  consists  of  some  400  acres  of 
undulating  land  which  is  well  furnished  with 
trees,  principally  of  Oak,  Beech,  and  Elm. 
When  the  present  Lord  Hotham  came  into 
possession  of  Dalton  Holme,  about  the  year 
1  1872,  he  decided  to  carry  out  extensive  improve- 
1  ments  in  the  mansion,  home  grounds,  and  gar- 
dens, and  the  advice  of  the  late  Mr.  Broderick 
Thomas  was  sought,  especially  as  to  the 
development  of  the  landscape  on  the  farm 
lands  outside  the  park. 

Time  has  proved  that  on  the  whole,  the  im- 
provements recommended  by  this  expert  were 
of  a  satisfactory  character.  The  principal 
fronts  of  the  mansion  face  eastward  and  west- 
ward. Leading  to  the  east  front  is  a  carriage 
drive  that  is  enclosed  from  the  park  by  a  very 
ornamental   forecourt    with    gates    at    either 


corner.  On  the  western  side  of  the  mansion  is 
the  principal  flower-garden,  which  takes  the 
form  of  a  sunken  panel  with  a  broad,  well- 
kept  gravel  path  surrounding  the  whole.  The 
original  design  of  this  flower-garden  has  been 
much  improved  in  recent  years  by  reducing 
the  number  of  the  beds,  dispensing  with  the 
intricate  box-edging  and  small  gravel  paths 
that  surrounded  them,  and  by  substituting 
turf  as  a  base  to  the  whole.  Owing  to  the 
cold,  unseasonable  weather  this  season,  the 
more  tender  bedding-plants  were  not  well 
developed  at  the  time  of  my  visit,  though  it 
was  easy  to  imagine  that  a  little  later  the 
general  effect  would  be  very  good.  Begonias 
in  groups  of  varieties  of  distinct  colours  were 
a  prominent  feature.  Abutilons,  Cannas,  and 
other  suitable  plants  were  tastefully  disposed 
as  foils  to  dwarfer-habited  flowering  plants. 
Antennaria  tomentosa  was  freely  used  for 
edging  purposes.  A  number  of  clipped 
golden  Yews  were  the  best  examples  of 
topiary  work  the  writer  has  seen.  The  trees 
were  some  4  to  5  feet  in  height  and  the 
same  in  diameter,  and  they  were  cut  in  such 
a  manner  as  to  resemble  an  American  Aloe, 
each  stem  representing  a  leaf  thereof. 

At  the  base  of  the  low  wall  that  supports  the 
gravel  path  near  to  the  house  is  a  border  of 
Tea  and  Hybrid  Tea  Roses.  These  are 
planted  in  patches  of  from  six  to  nine  plants, 
and  comprise  the  following  varieties  :  Souvenir 
de  T.  Levet,  Mme.  Haaste,  Papa  Gontier, 
Mine.  Falcot,  Anna  Olivier,  Viscountess 
Folkestone,  Maman  Cochet,  Mine.  Lambard, 
and  Marie  Van  Houtte.  Seedling  Aquilegias 
of  a  choice  strain  raised  their  flower  spikes  at 
intervals  amongst  the  Roses,  and  the  borders 
of  the  Rose  beds  were  edged  with  blue  and 
white  Violas. 

On  the  further  side  of  the  path  that  bounds 
this  panel  garden  commences  the  extensive 
lawn,  which  is  the  leading  feature  of  Dalton. 
This  had  often  been  described  to  me  by 
gardening  friends,  but  I  was  not  prepared  to 
find  it  so  remarkable.  It  is  about  eight  acres 
in  area,  and  of  oval  shape,  with  one  apex 
nearest  the  house  cut  off.  At  the  further  end 
there  is  a  long  avenue,  terminated  with  an 
ornamental  tea-room,  the  architecture  of  which 
is  in  keeping  with  that  of  the  residence.  The 
■turf  of  this  lawn  is  very  good,  and  it  is 
interspersed  with  patches  of  heather,  which, 
although  trimmed  regularly,  develops  small 
flower  spikes  at  the  base  of  the  growths. 
On  either  side  of  the  sward  there  are  double 
avenues  of  healthy  Beech  trees,  with  towering 
heads,  fully  go  feet  in  height.  The  bottom 
branches  develop  six  or  eight  feet  from  the 
ground  line,  thus  showing  the  massive  trunks 
of  the  trees,  and  affording  a  view  some  distance 
into  the  woodland  behind  them.  The  avenue 
first  mentioned  is  bordered  by  Rhododendrons 
in  variety,  but  especially  with  R.  ponticum. 

The  walks  that  lead  to  the  upper  portion  of 
the  grounds  extend  through  the  large  Beech 
avenues,  hence  the  grass  area  of  the  lawn  is 
not  intersected  by  walks.  The  Beeches  on  the 
northern  side  are  continued  up  to  the  man- 
sion so  as  to  give  shelter  to  the  terrace  garden. 
Large  portions  of  the  outside  walls  of  the 
the  mansion,  which  is  built  mainly  of  light- 
coloured  bricks  with  stone  dressings,  are 
covered  with  Ampeloj  sis  Veitchii.  I  was  in- 
formed that  in  autumn  the  foliage  assumes 
beautiful  tints  which  it  does  not  always  develop 
in  northern  districts.  At  the  southern  end  of  the 


house  there  is  a  moderately  large  conservatory 
which  has  an  entrance  into  a  corridor  con- 
nected with  the  main  reception  rooms.  At  the 
end  of  the  house,  near  to  the  conservatory, 
there  is  a  very  fine  specimen  of  the  old 
Rose  Fellemburgh.  The  plant  covers  a  space 
fully  16  feet  in  height  and  as  much  in  width. 
It  was  covered  with  flowers.  From  the  con- 
servatory in  a  south-westerly  direction  a  path 
leads  to  the  kitchen-garden  and  glasshouses. 
It  extends  through  a  part  of  the  pleasure- 
grounds  that  is  furnished  with  groups  of  choice 
flowering  and  foliage  shrubs,  with  single  speci- 
mens at  intervals.  The  last  portion  of  this 
path  is  between  two  borders  of  choice  H.P. 
Roses  backed  with  Yew  hedges  in  which  at 
every  4  yards  are  recesses,  each  containing  a 
fine  specimen  of  the  golden  Irish  Yew. 

The  area  enclosed  for  kitchen  gardens, 
orchards  and  the  reserve  garden  is  about 
eight  acres.  In  the  centre  are  four  acres  en- 
closed by  high  brick  walls.  On  the  side 
nearest  the  mansion  is  an  enclosed  portion 
surrounded  with  a  Yew  hedge  and  fronted  by 
Rose  and  herbaceous  borders.  The  plants  in 
this  quarter  are  grown  for  supplying  cut 
(lowers.  A  grass-covered  path  gives  access 
to  the  borders.  The  walls  that  enclose 
the  kitchen  garden  are  well  clothed  with 
healthy  fruit  trees  most  of  which  are  in  a 
good  fruiting  condition.  Pear  trees  in  par- 
ticular were  very  clean  and  fairly  well  fruited. 
Dalton  has  long  been  noted  for  the  fine  Pears 
produced  in  its  gardens.  Hundreds  of  these 
fruits  are  now  enclosed  in  small  bags  made  of 
some  light  material.  Apples,  Plums,  Cherries 
and  Peaches  were  all  satisfactory,  while  small 
fruits  were  abundant.  I  was  somewhat  sur- 
prised to  find  Peach  trees  succeeding  so  well 
trained  to  wires.  My  own  experience  has  been 
against  this  practice  in  the  north.  The  wires 
were  fixed  6  inches  apart  and  not  more  than 
from  \  to  \  of  an  inch  from  the  wall. 

A  list  of  the  leading  varieties  of  fruits  grown 
includes  :  — ■  Apples — Keswick  Codlin,  Lord 
Suffield,  Pott's  Seedling,  Cox's  Orange  Pippin, 
Norman  ton  Wonder,  Mr.  Gladstone,  Peas- 
good's  Nonsuch,  Newton  Wonder,  Allington 
Pippin,  Lord  Burghley  (very  good),  and 
Charles  Ross.  Plums — Early  Rivers,  Vic- 
toria, Pond's  Seedling,  Coe's  Golden  Drop 
and  Kirke's.  Cherries — Elton,  May  Duke, 
Governor  Wood,  Noble  and  Morello.  Pears 
— Williams'  Bon  Chretien,  Clapp's  Favourite, 
Louise  Bonne  of  Jersey,  Marie  Louise,  Doy- 
enne' du  Cornice,  Beurre  Diel,  Conference, 
Pitmaston  Duchess,  British  Queen,  Duron- 
deau,  Easter  Beurre  and  Winter  Nelis. 
The  best  Pears  are  obtained  from  triple 
cordons  grafted  on  the  Quince  stock.  Straw- 
berries— Keen's  Seedling,  Leader  and  Royal 
Sovereign.  Peaches  —  Waterloo,  Amsden, 
June  (almost  ripe  on  July  22),  Early  Silver, 
Grosse  Mignonne  and  Walburton  Admirable. 
Nectarines — Early  Rivers  and  Lord  Napier. 
All  of  these  fruit  trees  had  good  crops  of  fine 
healthy  fruit. 

The  kitchen  garden  was  well  cropped  with 
the  leading  kinds  of  vegetables.  Well  arranged 
borders  of  hardy  herbaceous  plants  skirt  each 
side  of  the  central  path.  Both  borders  are 
edged  with  a  broad  line  of  Campanula  carpatica 
alba,  at  full  flower  at  the  time  of  my  visit. 
In  the  alleys  at  the  back  of  each  border, 
are  wire  arches  that  are  covered  with  some 
of  the  choicer  varieties  of  rambler  Roses, 
and  other  climbing  plants  with  a  single  line  of 


142 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[August  24,  1907. 


strong-growing  herbaceous  plants  and  Sweet 
Peas,  the  whole  making  a  pleasing  contrast 
to  the  vegetable  quarters  behind  them.  A 
great  variety  of  plants  form  the  edgings  to  the 
walks  both  in  the  kitchen  garden  and  the  por- 
tions of  the  grounds  attached  thereto.  Fully 
three-quarters   of   a   mile   of   these    walks   is 


in  area,  the  demand  being  mainly  for  table 
plants  and  for  those  that  are  suitable  for  room- 
decoration  in  the  winter  months.  One  house 
contained  Carnations,  mostly  Souvenir  de  la 
Malmaison  varieties,  including  Princess  of 
Wales,  Cecilia,  Prime  Minister,  Old  Blush,  Sir 
C.    Freemantle,    Miss   A.    Campbell,    Calipso, 


The  head  gardener's  dwelling  forms  an 
important  feature  in  the  grounds,  and  there 
has  recently  been  erected  a  very  commodious 
residence  for  the  young  gardeners. 

Mr.  Allsop  informed  me  he  owes  much  of 
his  cultural  success  to  a  knowledge  of 
chemistry  which  he  acquired   years    ago.     It 


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Fig.  55.  -  dalton  holme,  bevkkley;  the  residence  of  lokd  mothasi. 


bordered  by  Gentiana  praecox.  It  was  easy  to 
see  from  the  old  flower  spikes  what  a  beautiful 
sight  this  bordering  must  have  presented  when 
in  flower.  Saxifraga  umbrosa  (London  Pride) 
is  another  plant  used  on  a  large  scale  for  this 
purpose  at  Dalton  Holme.  Box  was  very  little 
in  evidence.  The  glasshouses  are  not  so 
numerous  as  in  some  other  large  gardens, 
but  they  are  well  adapted  to  the  purposes 
for  which  they  are  intended.  They  were 
erected  in  the  early  'seventies  by  Messrs. 
Messenger,  of  Loughborough,  and  are  still 
in  good  condition.  One  of  the  original  boilers 
of  the  hot-water  system  was  only  removed 
last  winter,  being  replaced  by  a  large 
"  Quorn "  boiler,  which  Mr.  Allsop,  the  gar- 
dener, informed  me,  answers  well.  The  main 
range  of  plant  houses  is  backed  by  the  south 
wall  of  the  kitchen  garden  and  consists  of  a 
large  span-roofed  greenhouse  in  the  centre,  and 
on  either  side  of  this  are  two  hip-roofed 
vineries,  each  40  feet  in  length  and  18  feet  in 
width. 

In  the  early  vinery  Buckland  Sweetwater 
comes  to  greater  perfection  than  I  have 
witnessed  it  elsewhere.  The  late  vinery  is 
planted  with  the  varieties  Lady  Downe's, 
Black  Alicante,  Gros  Colmar  and  Mrs.  Pear- 
son. The  vines  are  trained  on  the  short  spur 
system,  though  the  plants  are  not  confined  to 
one  rod ;  some  have  two  and  three  rods  each. 

I  have  seen  fruit  exhibited  from  these  vines 
at  the  northern  shows  during  a  period  of 
nearly  30  years,  and  the  exhibits  have  been 
very  successful.  The  crops  generally  this 
season  are  good. 

The  glass  devoted  to  plant  culture  is  limited 


Floriel,  Horace  Hutchinson,  and  Galatea.  As 
an  edging  were  used  small  plants  of  Centaurea 
candidissima,  Primula  obconica,  Lobelia 
Catherine  Mallard,  with  a  drooping  fringe 
of  Linaria  and  Asparagus  in  variety.  Under 
each  stage  were  four  brick  enclosures  situated 


has  enabled  him  to  properly  mix  manure  so 
as  to  suit  the  various  plants  and  fruits  to  which 
it  is  applied.  The  soil  at  Dalton  is  a  good 
loam  resting  on  clay  with  a  base  of  chalk.  An 
excellent  supply  of  water  is  available  all  over 
the  estate.     Yorkshire  Gardener. 


Fig. 


56. — VIEW    OF    THE   GARDENER'S    COTTAGE 
AT    DALTON    HOLME. 


at  equal  distances  apart.  In  these  were  grow- 
ing, in  pairs,  Ivy-leaved  Pelargoniums  Rye- 
croft  Surprise  and  Souvenir  de  Charles  Turner. 
They  formed  masses  of  foliage  and  flowers 
right  up  to  the  angle  of  the  roof  and  fully  a 
yard  in  diameter  (see  fig.  57). 


ORCHID    NOTES    AND   GLEANINGS. 


ODONTTODAS. 

When  these  interesting  plants  are  more 
numerous,  and  they  become  better  known  as  a 
race,  there  is  a  possibility  of  their  equalling, 
and  perhaps  exce  ling  in  popularity,  the  much- 
prized  genus  of  Odontoglossum.  They  have  re- 
cently evoked  much  discussion,  and  a  few  notes 
respecting  them  have  already  been  published, 
but  nothing  in  the  form  of  a  complete  list  has 
appeared,  hence  it  may  now  be  opportune  to 
give  one.  The  year  1908  should  materially  add 
to  the  interest  taken  in  the  new  "  red  race  "  of 
Orchids,  for  there  can  be  little  doubt  but  that 
the  influence  of  red  upon  the  progeny  of  Odonto- 
glossums  and  Odontiodas  will  be  even  greater 
than  is  that!  of  O.  Harryanum,  for  it  will  create 
a  new  coloy,  which  will  permeate  the  whole 
family,  and  ramify  to  all  the  allied  genera,  when 
the  linking-up  operation  is  effected  by  the 
hybridist. 

Since  the  time  that  Odontioda  Vuylstekesl 
appeared  at  the  Temple  Flower  Show  of  May  31, 
1904,  and  created  such  a  furore,  almost  all 
raisers  of  Orchids  have  taken  the  matter  in 
hand.  Considering  the  short  time  that  has 
passed  since  then,  great  progress  has  been  made, 
and  seedlings  of  similar  crosses  exist  in  many 
parts  of  England  and  on  the  Continent. 


August  24,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


U\ 


Mr.  Charlesworth  had  previously  raised  plants 
which  in  due  time  bloomed,  and  were  named 
Odontioda  heatonensis,  O.  Bohnhoffias,  and  O. 
Bradshawiae.'  Mr.  Stevens,  in  the  Walton 
Grange  Collection,  has  also  several  seedlings 
of  a  similar  cross  as  that  which  produced  O. 
Vuylstekese  ;  some  of  these  should  flower  in  1S08. 

In  these  days,  when  size  of  flower  and  value 
of  plant  are  the  objects,  the  first  results  in  the 
primary  hybrids  will  be  in  many  cases  dis- 
appointing, for  the  difficulty  of  utilising  a  large- 
flowered  species  of  Odontoglossum  as  the  seed- 
bearing  parent  is  great,  but  to  those  persons 
who  do  not  especially  consider  size  and  value, 
the  results  will  be  equally  as  acceptable,  for 
they    will     command    a    "  breeding "   value,    as 


Rolfe's  articles  in  the  Orchid  Review  of  June, 
1907,  p.  181,  and  July,  1907,  p.  222.  At  that 
time  I  had  plants  of  three  Odontoglossums 
crossed  with  C.  Noezliana,  hence  it  was  un- 
likely I  should  have  stated  it  could  nut  be 
effected.  The  note  in  the  July  issue  was  written 
at  my  request,  but  it  did  not  fully  solve  the 
question. 

The  information  regarding  crosses  with  C. 
Ncezliana  as  the  pollen  parent  in  the  "  Thwaites 
Collection  "  (see  Orchid  Review,  August,  1907,  p. 
227)  is  most  interesting,  and  corroborates  my 
above  made  statement  regarding  the  ramifica- 
tions one  may  expect.  I  hope  to  see  many  addi. 
tions  to  our  knowledge  of  this  matter  as  time 
progresses,  for   if  it  be  possible  to  raise   freely 


FlG.    57. — INTERIOR    OF    CARNATION    HOUSE    AT    DALTON    HOLME,    Willi    IVY-I.EaVED 
PELARGONIUMS    OVER   THE    PATH.       (Seep.  142.) 


being  far  more  likely  to  cross  freely  upon 
Odontoglossums  than  Cochlioda  itself. 

Although  the  reason  is  not  definitely  known, 
it  is  generally  considered  that  the  pollen  tubes  of 
a  Cochlioda  have  not  the  capacity  of  freely  pene- 
trating the  longer  column  of  an  Odontoglossum, 
though  this  is  not  an  absolute  rule,  for  I  have 
raised  plants  of  O.  Hallii  $  ,  X  C.  Noezliana  s  , 
and  O.  Hallii  has  one  of  the  longest  columns 
in  the  genus. 

This  brings  me  to  the  subject  of  C.  Noez- 
liana as  a  pollen  parent,  and  about  which  I 
wish  to  clear  up  some  misapprehensions  in  Mr. 


upon  Odontoglossums,  time  will  be  gained 
by  getting  increased  size  in  the  primary  hybrids, 
this  being  proved  by  the  comparison  of  O. 
Vuylstektae  with  any  of  the  others  raised  by 
using  Cochlioda  as  the  mother  parent. 

If  the  reason  of  our  frequent  failure  with 
Odontoglossum  as  the  seed  parent  be  as  it  is 
supposed,  there  can  be  no  doubt  but  that  the 
hybrids  will  remove  much  of  the  disability,  and 
the  first  seed  upon  O.  crispum  obtained  in  this 
way  will  produce  the  nearest  approach  to  a 
scarlet  form  of  O.  crispum,  which  is  so 
anxiously  awaited. 


Respecting  the  failure  in  this  case — and  I  have 
examined  scores  of  them — I  find  that  the  pollen 
tube  has  never  penetrated  to  the  ovary,  even 
though  the  column  swells  normally,  as  does 
the  ovary  to  a  less  degree.  The  pollen  seems  to 
decay  upon  the  stigma  and  effect  irritation  only, 
and  not  impregnation. 

The  records  to  date  will  be  interesting,  hence 
I  tabulate  them  under  different  headings.  I 
know  of  others,  but  for  various  reasons  do  not 
publish  them. 

Crosses  raised  with  Cochlioda  Noezliana  as  the  male 
OR  pollen  parent. 


nobile           

Vuylsteke 

=Odontioda  Vuylstekeaa 

Edwardii 

Thwaites 

O.R.  Aug.  1907,  227. 

ramosissimum 

Kegeljani     

Craw  shay 

Halln 

nobile 

Rossii            

ii 

I  have  suceeded  with  other  Odontoglossums  as 
the  seed  parent,  but  as  yet  I  have  not  plants 
that  can  be  written  about,  though  it  looks  as 
if  this  will  be  possible  in  the  near  future. 

Table  of  Odontiodas. 


Name. 


Vuylstekeae ... 
Heatonensis 

,,    St.  Vincent 

Bohnhoffi^e 

Vuylstekeae 


Bradshawiae 

\\  alton  Orange  var. 
Vuylstekeie 

Kingsmillii 


Raiser  and 
Exhibitor. 


Vuylsteke 
Charlesworth 


Vuylsteke 
Charlesworth 


Thompson 
Fowler 


Exhibition 
or  Publication. 


Temple  Show,  May  31, 

1904  (F.C.C.) 
R.H.S.,   March  6,  1906 

(A.M.) 
R.H.S.,   December  11, 

1SJ06  (A.M.) 
R.H.S.,  September  25, 

1906  (A.M.) 
Dresden,  May  5,  1907. 
i  empie  Show,  Ma"  28, 

1907. 

R.H.S.,  June  25,  1907. 

Gardeners*      Chroniclet 
July  -27.  1907,  p.  63. 


The  last  two  were  raised  by  Mr.  Charlesworth. 

de  B.  Crawshay. 


TREES  AND  SHRUBS. 

ULMUS  ALATA,  MICH. 
(The  Wahoo  or  Winged  Elm.) 
A.  D.  W '.,  on  p.  103,  writes  of  this  tree  as 
occurring  on  Welsh  hillsides  at  600  feet  eleva- 
tion. I  have  not  the  least  doubt  that  what  he  saw 
l-  dimply  the  corky-barked  form  of  a  variety  of 
U.  campestris,  which  was  known  to  Loudon 
and  ethers  as  U.  suberosa,  and  which  I  believe 
to  be  a  very  inferior  tree  in  all  respects  to  either 
the  true  English  Elm  or  the  Wych  Elm.  The 
young  branches  of  this  form  often  take  on  the 
winged  character  figured  by  Michaux  in  U. 
alata,  a  small  tree  of  the  southern  United  States, 
which  I  have  never  seen  in  England,  and  which 
would  be  very  doubtfully  hardy  in  the  warmest 
parts  of  this  country.  Even  in  its  own  country 
it  is  quite  a  small  tree,  being,  according  to 
Sargent,  rarely  2  feet  in  diameter.  H.  J .  Elwes, 
Colesbeione. 

PROTECTING     TREE-STEMS     FROM 
HARES. 

A  very  simple  and  effective  means,  and  one 
that  I  have  used  and  advocated  for  years  past, 
is  to  bind  as  much  of  the  stems  as  can  be 
reached  by  hares  or  rabbits,  with  two  or  three- 
fold fish-netting.  Put  on  neatly,  this  is  by  no 
means  unsightly,  and  neither  hares,  rabbits,  nor 
mice  will  tackle  the  bark  of  trees  so  protected. 
Old  fish-netting  too  rotten  for  further  use  on 
fruit  walls  or  plots  may  be  used,  and  will  last 
for  years.  There  are  trees  here  which  were  pro- 
tected in  this  manner  eight  years  ago,  and  the 
protection  appears  as  good  as  ever.  £1  write  from 
a  place  in  which  hares  are  extremely  numerous, 
and,  though  they  have  a  free  run  of  the  orchard, 
I  have  never  found  a  protected  tree  attacked, 
though  any  newly-planted  tree  which  may  be 
left  unprotected  is  sure  to  be  ruined  in  a  night. 
/.   C.   Tallack,  Shipley  Hall  Gardens,  Derby. 


144 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


{August  24,  1907, 


CAMPANULA     MIRABILIS. 

We  have  already  illustrated  this  remarkable 
species  of  Campanula  as  it  flowered  in  a  border 
against  a  wall  in  the  Royal  Gardens,  Kew.  (See 
Gardeners'  Chronicle,  October  7,  1899).  Mr. 
William  Barbey  Boissier,  has,  however,  sent  us 
such  a  pretty  photograph  of  the  plant  in  full 
flower  on  the  rock  garden  at  Valleyres,  in  Swit- 
zerland, we  reproduce  it  with  a  sketch  showing 
a  spray  of  the  flowers  about  natural  size. 

Campanula  mirabilis  was  discovered  by  M. 
Alboff  on  September  2,  1894,  on  the  calcareous 
rocks  of  Mount  Arbika-Akhegcesh,  in  the 
Caucasus.  He  found  a  unique  specimen,  from 
which  plate  I.  of  the  Prodromus Flora  Colchica 
was  drawn. 

"  The  enclosed  photograph "  (see  Fig.  58), 
writes  M.  Boissier,  "  was  taken  at  Valleyres, 
Vaud,  Switzerland,  by  Mr.  Frederic  Barbey,  who 
will  be  pleased  to  give  seeds  to  anyone  who  may 
address  him.  The  leaves  shown  at  the  top  of 
the  picture  in  the  left  corner  also  belong  to  a 
plant  of  C.  mirabilis,  which  will,  no  doubt, 
flower  in  1908.  The  species  is  monocarpous. 
For  full  particulars  see  Bulletin  de  THerbier 
Boissier,  1895,  p.  228." 


REMARKS    ON   THE    CONDITION 

OF   THE   FRUIT   CROPS. 

(See  Tables  and  Summaries,  ante,  pp.  84-90.) 

(Continued  from  page  134.) 

5.— SOUTHERN  COUNTIES. 

Berkshire. — The  fruit  crops  in  this  neigh- 
bourhood are  well  up  to  the  average,  but  the 
trees  suffered  much  from  insect  pests  during  the 
cold  and  sunless  weather  late  in  spring. 
Strawberries  gave  promise  of  an  abundant  crop, 
but  the  earlier  flowers  were  ruined  by  frost,  and 
later  the  fruits  rotted  on  the  ground  before  they 
were  ripe.  Among  small  fruits,  Raspberries  and 
Black  Currants  are  especially  good.  /.  Howard, 
Benham  Park  Gardens,  Newbury. 

Early  in  the  season  the  general  promise 

of  the  fruit  crops  was  good,  but  when  the  Apple 
blossom  developed  they  were  seen  to  lack 
colour  and  substance  in  the  flowers.  Then 
followed  a  prolonged  cold  and  sunless  period, 
and  as  our  chalky  soil  has  a  very  cold  situa- 
tion, the  result  was  disastrous,  and  to  the  Apple 
crop  in  particular.  Generally  these  latter  fruit 
trees  have  a  miserable  and  barren  appearance. 
Apricots  and  Plums  upon  wall  trees  are  very 
good,  whilst  all  small  fruits  are  abundant.  W . 
Fyfe,  Lockinge  Gardens,   Wantage. 

The  fruit  crops  in  this  neighbourhood  are 

generally  about  an  average  in  quantity.  Apricots 
are  above  an  average  quantity,  whilst  Plums  are 
a  very  heavy  crop.  Gooseberries  and  Currants 
are  also  abundant,  and  Strawberries  would  have 
been  excellent  but  for  the  heavy  rains  of  early 
summer.  These  caused  the  finest  fruits  to  rot 
on  the  plants.  The  soil  in  this  neighbourhood 
is  gravelly,  and  the  wet  season  has  suited  all 
kitchen  garden  crops.  Potatos  in  particular  pro- 
mise well.  James  Coombes,  Englefield  Gardens, 
near  Reading. 

Dorsetshire. — The  following  is  a  copy  of  a 
note  I  made  on  May  20  : — "  The  weather  for  the 
past  few  days  has  been  very  cold;  the  N.E. 
wind  which  has  prevailed  may  prove  a  little 
disastrous  to  the  fruit  crops,  all  of  which  are 
in  need  of  sun  and  warmer  conditions  to  en- 
courage the  newly-set  fruit  to  grow."  My  antici- 
pations have,  alas  !  proved  correct  in  respect  to 
Apple,  Pear,  and  Plum  trees.  I  never  recol- 
lect seeing  Apple  and  Pear  trees  in  particular, 
so  badly  infested  with  aphis,  and  the  former 
appear  wretched.  Our  trees  of  Cox's  Orange 
Pippin  are  now  almost  leafless,  the  leaves  hav- 
ing turned  yellow  and  dropped  off.  Plums  are 
an  average  crop,  and,  given  root  waterings,  the 
fruits  may  finish  fairly  well.  Of  Peaches  and 
Nectarines  the  crop  is  the  best  I  have  known 
for  some  years,  and  Apricots  the  best  crop  I 
ever  recollect.  The  fruit  set  in  clusters  evenly 
over  the  trees,  and  have  needed  much  thinning. 
Of  small  fruits  Gooseberries  are  a  record  crop. 
Red  and  Black  Currants  and  Raspberries  are 
also  abundant,  and  of  excellent  quality.  Straw- 
berries, which  gave  some  anxiety  owing  to  th  ) 
berries  rotting  through  the  excessive  wet,  have, 


since  the  weather  improved,  been  excellent. 
Walnuts  are  a  fair  crop,  but  Cobnuts  are  very 
scarce.  We  have  an  excellent  crop  of  Morello 
Cherries,  but  the  fruits  of  sweet  varieties  cracked 
badly.  It  is  a  mystery  why  the  Morello  Cherry 
should  succeed  well  in  this  county  and  sweet 
Cherries  indifferently.  The  soil  generally  is  a 
strong,  dark  loam  on  a  rocky  sub-soil,  with  clay 
in  places.     T.  Turton,  Castle  Gardens,  Sherborne. 

Apples  on   the  whole   are  a  short  crop, 

although  the  trees  of  some  varieties  are  carrying 
a  fair  quantity  of  fruits.  The  trees  flowered 
remarkably  freely,  but  owing  to  the  wet,  cold, 
sunless  weather  and  frosty  nights,  the  fruits 
failed  to  set.  These  remarks  apply  also  to 
Pears.  Plums  are  plentiful,  especially  the 
varieties  Orleans,  Victoria,  Pond's  Seedling, 
Belgian  Purple,  and  a  few  others.  The  nights 
were  frosty  when  the  blossoms  were  expanded, 
but  the  weather  was  dry,  and  the  flowers  of 
Plums  receive  more  protection  from  the  foliage 
than  those  of  the  Apple.  All  small  fruits  are  a 
splendid   crop,   especially  Royal   Sovereign   and 


The  season  of  this  fruit  has  been  an  extended 
one  owing  to  the  dull  weather  at  the  time  the 
berries  were  ripening.  Potatos  promise  most 
unfavourably,  and  much  disease  is  apparent  in 
the  haulm.  E.  Molyneux,  Swanmore  Park, 
Bishop's  Waltham. 

On   the  whole  the   fruit  crops   are  most 

satisfactory.  Apples  are  a  good  average  yield, 
and  the  fruits  are  clear  in  the  skin,  but  the  trees 
are  somewhat  infested  with  aphis.  Apricots  and 
Plums  are  both  satisfactory :  the  crop  of  the 
former  is  better  than  any  of  the  past  seven  years. 
Small  fruits  are  a  full  crop,  especially  Raspber- 
ries and  Gooseberries  ;  the  latter  are  exception- 
ally abundant  and  of  fine  quality.  Strawberries, 
although  somewhat  affected  by  the  frost  of 
May  18.  when  much  of  the  early  bloom  was 
destroyed,  and,  later,  by  excessive  wet,  have 
been  plentiful  and  of  good  quality.  Givon's 
Late  Prolific,  grown  on  a  north-east  border, 
will  carry  the  season  of  this  fruit  well  into- 
August.  A.  G.  Nichols,  Strathfieldsaye  Gar  dens  y 
Mortimer  F.S.O. 


FlG.    58. —  CAMPANULA    MIRABILIS    FLOWERING    ON    A    ROCKERY    IN    SWITZERLAND. 


Givon's  Late  Prolific  Strawberries.  Mulberries, 
Medlars,  Walnuts,  Filberts,  and  some  varieties 
of  Damson  are  plentiful.  Our  soil  is  of  a  light 
nature,  and  contains  much  chalk.  Thomas 
Denny,  Down  House  Gardens,  Blandford. 

—  The  soil  is  a  light  loam,  resting  on  gravel. 
Plums,  Apricots,  and  some  of  the  older  varie- 
ties of  Apples  succeed  well  in  these  gardens,  but 
Cox's  Orange  Pippin  does  very  badly.  The 
crops  are  backward,  and  the  fruits  will  be  small. 
Pears  on  wall  trees  are  very  good,  and  Peaches 
on  an  east  wall  are  very  fine  indeed.  David  C. 
Fyfe,  Kingston  House  Gardens,  Dorchester. 

Hampshire. — Apple  trees  have  never,  during 
the  last  30  years,  presented  such  a  miserable  ap- 
pearance, and  in  the  case  of  some  trees  the  leaves 
are  all  dead,  owing  to  the  unfavourable  weather. 
The  fruits,  too,  are  much  disfigured.  Plums  are 
an  extraordinary  crop,  and  the  trees  are  in  ex- 
cellent health.  Bush  fruits  of  all  kinds  are  an 
enormous  yield.     Strawberries  have  done  well. 


Kent. — Although  the  fruit  crops  are  plentiful, 
Apples  and  Pears  promise  to  be  small  in  size 
on  account  of  the  cold  nights  and  sunless 
weather  of  early  summer.  Small  fruits  are  very 
good.  W .  S.  F.  Sparks,  Walmer  Place  Gardens, 
Walmer. 

Apples  were  in  flower  during  wet,   cold 

weather,  and  the  fruits  set  badly.  Orchard  trees 
on  the  Crab  stock  are  almost  bare  of  fruits. 
The  trees  on  the  Paradise  stock  are  carrying  a 
fair  crop  of  fruit.  Pears  require  genial  weather 
to  mature  and  swell.  Plums  and  Damsons  are 
enormous  crops.  Early  varieties  of  Cherries 
have  been  much  injured  by  cold  winds  and 
frosts,  and  later  ones  to  a  lesser  degree,  although 
the  latter  have  improved  with  the  change  of 
weather.  Strawberries  were  retarded  by  the  cold 
and  wet  weather,  and  the  berries  were  neither  as 
large  nor  as  sweet  as  usual.  Black  Currants  are 
a  grand  crop  of  very  fine  berries.  George  Bun- 
yard,    Maidstone. 


August  24,  1S07.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


14; 


The  following  remarks  apply  to  orchards 

(.ilonthe  outcrop  of  the  loam  greensand  or  Kent- 
ish rag,  and  (b)  on  the  Weald  clay.  The  soil  of  (a) 
is  a  strong  loam,  much  mixed  with  stones ; 
that  of  (*)  is  a  very  tenacious  clay,  and  is  fairly 
level,  while  [a)  rises  from  it  to  a  height  of  270 
feet  in  rather  less  than  a  mile.  Only  orchard 
trees  of  Apples,  Pears,  and  Plums  are  referred  to 
on  (b),  so  that  the  rest  of  the  report  refers  only 
to  (a).  Taking  the  scale  given  below,  which  I 
think  represents  the  amount  of  crop  more  ac- 
curately than  the  words  "under,"  "over,"  &c, 
I  should  call  the  Apple  crop  on  (a)  3,  and  the 
Plums  5;  while  on  (b)  the  Apples  are  1  and  the 
Plums  3-4.  There  is  not  only  a  difference  in 
soil  between  (a)  and  (b),  but  a  considerable  dif- 
ference in  climate,  the  day  temperature  being 
higher  and  the  night  lower  in  (b).  I  have  little 
doubt  but  that  the  whole  of  this  slope  formed 
by  the   outcrop   of  the  lower  greensand   is   the 


trees  failed  to  set,  and  in  others  the  fruits  have 
dropped  considerably  since  they  were  formed, 
and  they  still  continue  to  fall.  The  fruits  are 
much  infected  by  the  maggot.  Pear  trees  in 
general  promise  a  fairly  satisfactory  crop  ;  whilst 
stone  fruits  are  more  abundant  and  of  better 
quality  than  in  any  year  since  1901.  Straw- 
berries were  good  in  general,  though  the  crop 
in  many  low-lying  situations  was  severely 
damaged  by  late  frosts.  Our  soil  and  situation 
is  very  variable.  Geo.  Fennel!,  Bowden,  Hadlow 
Road,  Tonbridge. 

I  have  never  seen  fruit  trees  of  all  kinds 

with  more  blossom  than  this  season.  The  ma- 
jority of  our  fruit  trees  are  quite  young.  Apple 
trees  set  their  fruits  well,  and  the  Apples  needed 
thinning,  which  was  done  early  :  at  the  time  of 
writing  the  Apple  crop  is  very  promising.  This 
remark  also  applies  to  Pears.  Plums  are  an  ex- 
ceptionally heavy  crop  on  all  trees,  and  Cherries 


<"^1 


FlG.    59. — CAMPANULA    MIRABILIS  :    FLOWERS    PALE    BLUE. 
(For  text  see  page  144.) 


choicest  orchard  land  in  Kent,  and,  probably, 
in  England,  and  should  not  be  wasted  on  or- 
dinary agricultural  crops.  It  is  worthy  of  note 
that  at  the  great  fruit  show  of  the  Royal  Horti- 
cultural Society  last  October,  in  the  "Gar- 
deners' and  Amateurs' "  Class,  both  the  1st 
and  the  2nd  prizes  for  24  dishes  of  Apples  were 
taken  by  collections  grown  on  this  slope,  the 
1st  at  Hunton,  the  2nd  at  East  Sutton.  The 
lowest  shade  temperatures  in  the  blooming  sea- 
son recorded  here  were  33°  in  April  and  35°  in 
May.  The  following  is  the  scale  upon  which 
my  remarks  are  based  :  0  =  no  crop  ;  1  =  very 
poor ;  2  =  rather  poor ;  3  =  average ;  4  = 
good  ;  5  =  heavy.  Alfred  0.  Walker,  Vlcombe 
Place,  near  Maidstone. 

Apple  trees  were  most  promising  at  their 

-flowering    period,    but    the    blossom    on    many 


are  plentiful  all  through  this  district.  Apricots 
are  also  abundant.  \\  ith  regard  to  small  fruits, 
Strawberries  were  a  heavy  crop,  but,  owing  to 
the  cold,  dull,  and  wet  weather,  flavour  was 
lacking,  although,  after  a  period  of  hot  weather 
in  the  middle  of  July,  an  improvement  was 
noticed  in  this  respect.  Amongst  newer  varieties 
Laxton's  Latest  has  made  a  good  impression 
here,  being  a  robust  and  healthy  grower  and 
heavy  cropper  ;  the  fruits  are  firm  and  of  good 
flavour.  Of  Black  1  uirants,  Boskoop  Giant 
stands  out  prominently  as  the  best  variety.  If 
the  later  crops  fulfil  our  expectations,'  1907 
should  prove  a  very  satisfactory  fruit  year.  Soil 
is  a  heavy,  retentive,  clayey  loam,  and  when 
the  trees  have  become  established,  good  crops 
of  fruits  are  generally  produced.  /.  G.  Weston, 
East-well  Park  Gardens,   Ashford. 


■  The  unseasonable  weather  has  adversely 

affected  the  fruit  crops  in  this  district.  The  ex- 
cessive wet  has  made  spraying  for  insect  and 
fungus  pests  of  little  use.  The  caterpillar  of  the 
Winter  Moth  has  done  more  harm  this  season 
than  it  has  caused  for  15  years,  solely  because 
spraying  in  wet  weather  was  ineffectual.  The 
value  of  shelter  from  wind  for  fruit  trees  has  been 
amply  proved  this  season.  The  protection  given 
by  Poplar  and  similar  shelter  trees  has  done  more 
to  save  the  fruit  crops  than  any  other  cause. 
B.   Champion,   Baron's  Plate,   Mere-worth. 

Strawberries     throughout     this     district 

have  proved  an  average  crop,  but  owing  to  an 
absence  of  sunshine,  the  berries  were  poor  in 
colour.  The  variety  Royal  Sovereign  shows 
signs  of  "  wearing  out,"  but  a  variety  to  take  its 
place  has  not  yet  appeared.  The  varieties  Sir  J. 
Paxton  and  James  Veitch  are  still  largely  grown, 
and  for  the  making  of  jam  Stirling  Castle  is  still 
a  favourite,  being  prolific  in  cropping,  of  good 
colour,  and  of  grand  flavour.  Strawberries  were 
lacking  in  weight,  as  the  utensils  used  for  their 
transit  did  not  hold  the  requisite  weight  this  sea- 
son without  crushing  the  berries.  This  is  remark- 
able, after  so  much  moisture  and  dull  weather. 
Raspberries  promise  heavy  crops,  especially  the 
variety  Superlative.  W.  E.  Humphreys,  The 
Gardens,  Blendon  Hall,   Bexlev.  p 

Middlesex. — Our  soil  is  very  light  in  texture 
and  on  gravel  subsoil ;  the  present  rainy  season 
has  therefore  been  of  considerable  benefit  to 
small  fruits,  which  are  above  the  average  in 
size.  Apple,  Pear,  and  Plum  trees  all  gave  ex- 
ceptional promise,  when  they  were  in  flower,  and 
I  attribute  the  poor  set  of  fruits  to  cold  winds 
and  frosts,  but  particularly  cold  winds,  as  I  find, 
in  more  sheltered  parts,  there  are  some  excellent 
crops  in  the  neighbourhood.  John  Bates,  Syon 
Gardens,  Brentford. 

Generally,  the  fruit  crops  are  an  average  in 

quantity,  though  they  will  be  late  in  maturing. 
The  foliage  and  fruits  of  some  kinds  of  Apples 
have  greatly  suffered  through  excessive  wet  and 
lack  of  sunshine.  This  is  especially  the  case 
with  Cox's  Orange  Pippin.  We  have  a  heavy 
crop  of  Peaches,  and  the  growths  of  these  trees 
have  lately  improved.  Late  varieties  of  Straw- 
berries suffered  when  in  blossom,  but,  on  the 
whole,  we  have  very  little  to  complain  of  in  the 
case  of  this  fruit.  Our  soil  is  somewhat  gravelly 
and  porous,  and  requires  a  plentiful  supply  of 
moisture  in  hot  weather.  Caterpillars  and  aphis 
were  numerous  and  destructive  on  Apple  and 
other  trees  early  in  the  season.  H.  Markham, 
Wrotham  Park  Gardens,   Barnel. 

Our  fruit  crops,  generally,  are  satisfac- 
tory, but  the  trees,  especially  Apples,  are  blighted 
and  crippled  through  the  cold  and  unseasonable 
weather  experienced  during  the  latter  part  of 
May  and  June.  Most  of  the  soil  in  this  district 
is  a  stiff  loam  resting  mainly  on  clay.  In  some 
places  the  subsoil  is  gravelly,  and  on  this  the  top 
soil  is  of  a  light  nature.  No  finer  prospect  for  a 
plenteous  fruit  crop  could  be  wished  for  than  the 
appearance  of  the  trees  when  they  were  in  blos- 
som, but  the  cold  winds  and  low  night  tempera- 
tures checked  growth.  The  weather  is  still  un- 
seasonably cold  :  this  morning  (July  24)  the 
temperature  was  down  to  45°  Fahr.  Late  Straw- 
berries are  not  ripening  well.  W.  Watson,  Hare- 
field  Place  Gardens,  Uxbridge. 

The  fruit   crops   in   this   district   are   the 

best  we  have  had  for  some  years,  and  the  trees 
are  free  from  blight.  Pears  are  the  lightest 
crop.  All  small  fruits  are  plentiful.  Our  soil 
is  a  good  loam  on  gravel.  W.  Bates,  Cross  Deep 
Gardens,  Twickenham. 

Apple  trees  are  much  infested  with  mil- 
dew this  season,  and  especially  in  the 
case  of  bush  trees  of  Cox's  Orange  Pip- 
pin. This  I  attribute  to  the  cold,  damp, 
and  sunless  weather.  Pears  are  a  very- 
thin  crop  on  wall  trees,  but  on  the  bush, 
pyramid,  espalier,  and  standard  trees  the  crop  is 
an  average  one  and  the  fruits  are  clean.  Peaches 
and  Nectarines  are  always  plentiful  here.  Peach 
trees  planted  against  a  west,  and  Nectarines 
against  a  south  wall,  in  soil  with  a  gravelly 
subsoil,  have  not  failed  to  furnish  a  crop  of 
fruits  for  the  past  15  years.  Apricot  trees  are 
planted  in  a  low,  well-drained  situation,  resting 
on  a  clay  subsoil,  and  trained  against  a  wall 
facing  south-east.  They  are  a  great  success. 
Plums  are  very  good  this  season.  Strawberries 
and  other  small  fruits  are  planted  in  gravel  and 
clay   soils,   earlier  varieties   on   the   former  and 


146 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[August  24,  1907. 


later  varieties  on  the  latter,  thus  giving  a  good 
succession  of  fruits.  Lord  and  Lady  Suffield 
varieties  of  Strawberries  have  produced  prolific 
crops  :  they  are  in  great  demand  for  preserving 
purposes.  A.  R.  Allan,  Hillingdon  Court  Gar- 
dens, Vxbridge. 

The  fruit  crops  in  this  district  vary  con- 
siderably. There  was  an  abundance  of  blossom 
on  Apple,  Pear,  and  Plum  trees,  but,  owing  to 
the  cold  winds  and  frost  in  May,  some  varieties 
of  these  fruits  did  not  set  well.  We  registered 
3  degrees  of  frost  on  three  consecutive  nights, 
May  18,  19,  20.  Apples  Ribston  Pippin  and 
Allington  Pippin  are  both  carrying  good  crops  ; 
but  of  Lane's  Prince  Albert  there  is  a  very 
sparse  crop.     The  best-cropped  Pear  trees  are 


NOTICES    OF     BOOKS. 


Injurious    Insects.* 

This,  the  fourth  report  on  injurious  insects  is- 
sued from  the  Birmingham  University,  is  from 
the  pen  of  Mr.  Walter  E.  Collinge,  the  Special 
Lecturer  on  Economic  Zoology.  No  better  testi- 
mony of  the  excellent  results  obtained  from  the 
author's  investigations  can  be  given  than  the 
numerous  testimonials  from  various  fruit 
growers  in  the  Midlands  which  are  quoted  in 
the  pages  of  the  publication.  The  report  is  well 
illustrated,  though  we  fail  to  see  the  practical 
utility  of  the  use  of  such  highly-glazed  card  for 
such  excellent  line  drawings  as  are  reproduced 
on   the    plates.      We   can,    however,   confidently 


old  paraffin  emulsion,  with  caustic  soda  added, 
is  claimed  to  have  given  excellent  results  against 
the  attacks  of  the  Apple  sucker,  mussel  scale, 
and  Apple  aphis,  so  much  so  that  the  author 
proposes  "  to  substitute  this  soda-emulsion 
spray-fluid  in  the  future  for  the  caustic  soda 
and  carbonate  of  potash  spray-fluids  given  in 
previous   reports." 

We  have  already  had  occasion  to  refer  to  Mr. 
Collmge's  work  (see  Gardeners'  Chronicle, 
August  17,  1907,  p.  127)  in  connection  with  the 
treatment  of  "  big  bud  "  in  Black  Currants,  and 
we  may  add  here,  for  the  guidance  of  our 
readers,  that  "  a  more  lengthy  experience  has 
shown  that  one  part  of  freshly-ground,  unslaked 
lime  and  two  parts  of  sulphur  acts  rather  better 


Fig.  6o. — notospartium  cakmh  haeli-i  flowering  at  kew.     (bee  p.  U7.) 


■  /..',,.  uy  E.  J.  Walla. 


the  varieties  Doyenne  du  Cornice,  Beurre  Clair- 
geau,  Fondante  d'Automne,  Beurre  Superfin, 
Thompsons,  and  Durondeau.  Of  Plums  there  is 
a  heavy  crop  of  Victorias  in  this  district.  Straw- 
berries were  a  plentiful  crop,  but  owing  to  fre- 
quent rains  and  an  absence  of  sunshine  many 
of  the  largest  fruits  were  spoilt.  Raspberries, 
Red  and  Black  Currants  have  never  been  finer 
or  more  abundant,  and  the  same  may  be  said  of 
Gooseberries.  Much  sunshine  is  needed  to  ripen 
and  harden  the  vigorous  growths  made  upon 
nearly  all  kinds  of  outdoor  fruit  trees.  The  soil 
here  is  a  light  loam  overlying  gravel.  James 
Hawkes,  Ostcrley  Park,  Isleworth. 
(To  be  continued.) 


recommend  the  report  to  all  those  who  are  in- 
terested in  the  treatment  of  pests  of  the  garden 
and  field.  Altogether  48  pests  are  dealt  with, 
nearly  all  of  which  are  only  too  well  known 
and  generally  distributed,  but  such  insects  as 
Sinodendron  cylindricum,  Saperda  carcarius, 
and  S.  populnea  are  not  likely  to  prove  gener- 
ally  destructive    to   young,    healthy    trees. 

A  little  over  four  pages  are  devoted  to  the 
results  obtained  from  some  experiments  with  in- 
secticides. As  a  spray-fluid,  a  modification  of  the 


*  "  Report  on  the  Injurious  Insects  and  Other  Animals 
Observed  in  the  Midland  Counties  during  190G,"  by  Walter 
E.  Collinge.  Fourth  report.  Pp.  41,  pi.  I. -VI.  Birmingham: 
Cornish  Bros.,  Ltd.,  1907.    Price  2s.  6d. 


than  equal  parts  of  these."  That  most  destruc- 
tive of  pests  the  Pear  midge  "  has  been  almost 
entirely  destroyed"  (in  some  orchards)  "by  the 
simple  method  of  turning  the  surface  soil  "  ; 
dressings  of  Kainit  having  proved  a  waste  of  time 
and  money,  and  fruit  growers  are  warned 
against  the  application  of  this  material.  Vapor- 
ite  is  claimed  as  a  remedy  for  wireworm  ;  and  a 
good  crop  of  Swedes  was  grown  on  infested 
land  dressed  with  this  material.  The  same 
agent  is  recommended  as  effective  for  the  root- 
feeding  larva?  of  the  common  Swift  Moth  (Hepi- 
alis  lupulinus),  a  garden  pest  which  has  so 
often  been  recorded  in  the  columns  of  the  Gar- 
deners'  Chronicle  as  destructive  to   the   roots  of 


August  24,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


147 


various  herbaceous  plants,  especially  the  Lily 
of  the  Valley.  As  a  preventive  against  the  at- 
tacks of  the  Carnation  fly,  spraying  with  a  weak 
solution  of  carbolic  and  paraffin  is  recom- 
mended. The  exact  proportions  of  the  formula 
are,  for  some  reason,  omitted,  and  without  these 
we  would  warn  horticulturists  to  be  most  cau- 
tious in  applying  such  materials  in  a  rule-of- 
thumb  way,  as  being  likely  to  lead  to  serious 
injury  to  plants  with  such  tender  foliage.  A 
novel  method  of  trapping  millepedes,  "  with 
sn'^ndid  results,''  is  recommended  by  a  War- 
wickshire correspondent  :  "  Dig  out  in  flower- 
beds a  hole  sufficiently  large  to  contain  the  fist 
and  wrist,  and  fill  with  bran  .  .  .  and  cover 
with  a  flower-pot.  After  two  or  three  days  pour 
on  to  the  bran  boiling  water.  The  contents  of 
two  such  holes  were  carefully  counted — one 
contained  2,448  dead  millepedes  and  the  other 
1,793." 

The  report  concludes  with  a  short  chapter 
on  instructions  for  fumigating  plant-houses  with 
hydrocyanic  acid  gas,  and  stored  products  with 
bisulphide  of  carbon.  Finally,  under  Appendix 
B,  is  a  useful  account  of  the  metamorphoses  of 
insects,  intended  for  those  possessing  no  special 
knowledge  of  entomology.  We  notice  one  or 
two  errors  in  the  text,  thus — Hylescinus  should 
read  Hylesinus;  Keuhniella  (bis)  Kuhniella ; 
Budbeckia  Kudbeckia.  The  fly  credited  with 
carrying  off  the  larva?  of  Tortrix  viridana 
(p.  23)  must  surely  have  been  a  fossorial  wasp 
allied  to  the  genus  Crabro  and  not  as  stated,  by 
a  correspondent,  to  have  been  an   Ichneumon. 

Landscape   Gardening.* 

That  the  third  edition  of  this  work  has  ap- 
peared since  the  book  was  first  published  in 
1901)  shows  clearly  that  there  is  an  increasing 
demand  for  books  of  this  nature,  especially  as 
it  follows  closely  on  others  which  deal  more  or 
less  with  the  subject  of  garden-making. 

The  making  of  beautiful  gardens  cannot  be 
achieved  by  following  conventional  rules  and 
written  prescriptions,  and  those  who  attempt  it 
learn  to  appreciate  the  difficulties  of  an  art 
which,  though  apparently  simple,  is  one  that 
requires  something  more  than  book  knowledge. 
The  planning  and  planting  of  artistic  gardens 
is  an  art  which,  beyond  all  others  (excepting, 
perhaps,  landscape  painting),  is  subject  to  con- 
ditional circumstances. 

Every  garden  site  varies,  and  must,  therefore, 
be  dealt  with  individually,  according  to  the 
conditions  of  locality,  soil,  and  surroundings,  in 
order  to  produce  a  successful  result. 

Consequently,  one  can  understand  the  difficul- 
ties which  confront  a  writer  who  attempts  to 
reduce  to  conventional  rules  the  subtleties  and 
intricate  details  that  contribute  to  the  composi- 
tion of  beautiful  garden  scenes. 

The  author  of  this  book,  however,  conveys  his 
knowledge  of  the  "  art  and  craft  of  garden-mak- 
ing "  so  far  as  it  can  be  conveyed  in  writing  and 
with  the  aid  of  plans  and  pictures. 

All  the  departments  of  garden-making  are 
dealt  with  in  a  more  or  less  comprehensive  way, 
from  the  choice  of  sites  for  a  house,  to  the  for- 
mation of  terraces,  lawns,  ornamental  water, 
roads  and  so  forth,  and  chapters  are  devoted 
to  garden  structures  for  use  and  ornament,  which 
are  important  considerations  in  gardens. 

The  keynote  of  the  book  is  the  "  formal  or 
architectural  style,"  as  distinguished  from  the 
"  landscape  style,"  and,  consequently,  a  great 
part  of  the  work  is  devoted  to  descriptions,  illus- 
trations,  and  plans  of  formal  gardens. 

The  illustrations  of  these  are  of  unequal 
merit :  some  are  admirable,  some  are  not ;  for 
instance,   those   numbered  233,   239,   and  233. 

Yet  the  least  beautiful  garden  may  be  the  out- 
come of  the  individual  fancy  of  the  owner,  which 
no  one  has  a  right  to  criticise,  even  if  illustrated 
in  an  instruction  book,  provided  that  such  a  gar- 
den is  not  set  forth  as  an  example  of  beautiful 

*  "  The  An  and  Craft  of  Garden  Making,"  by  T.  H. 
Mawson.  Tlnr J  edition.  B.  T.  Batsford,94,  High  Holborn, 
London. 


English   landscape  gardening,  the   traditions  of 
which  should  be  jealously  upheld. 

Turning  from  these  pages  on  formal  gardens 
to  those  exemplifying  the  so-called  and  much- 
abused  "landscape  style,"  the  contrast  is 
marked.  For  example,  the  quiet,  picturesque 
beauty  seen  in  the  illustrations  numbered  174, 
116,  and  others  offers  a  pleasing  contrast  to  the 
irritating  fussiness  of  the  so-called  formal  gar- 
dens with  their  redundant  display  of  masonry, 
dipt  shrubs,  and  such-like  puerilities. 


Fig.  6r. — flowering  shoot  sf  notospartium 

CARMICHAELI/E  :     COLOUR   OF    FLOWERS 
PURPLISH    PINK. 

There  is,  perhaps,  a  danger  at  the  present 
day  of  the  intrusion  of  the  architect  into  the 
province  of  the  garden -maker,  the  result  being 
that  the  gardens  he  makes  remind  one  of  raw 
canvas  set  in  elaborate  picture  frames ;  they 
are  as  uninteresting  as  a  garden  generally  is 
when  laid  out  by  contract,  and  they  lack  that 
cheerfulness  which  characterises  a  really  beau- 
tiful garden. 

The  successful  artist  in  garden-making  is  one 


who  is  catholic  in  his  tastes,  is  in  sympathy 
with  all  the  styles,  has  the  requisite  knowledge 
and  ability  to  apply  them,  and  does  not  need 
the  assistance  of  an  architect. 

Theie  are  useful  chapters  set  apart  in  this, 
book  to  describing  the  details  of  planting,  and 
good  and  discriminate  planting  is  one  of  the 
most  essential  matters  in  the  foundation  of 
artistic  gardens. 

These  details  might  have  been  amplified,  and 
if  the  lists  of  selected  trees,  shrubs,  and  plants 
were  fuller  they  would  be  the  more  helpful  to 
those  to  whom  the  book  more  particularly  ap- 
peals. The  work  is  a  very  handsome  volume, 
and,  being  written  upon  a  fascinating  subject, 
it  is   a   valuable  addition   to   garden   literature. 


NOTOSFARTIUM      CAR- 
M1CHAELLE. 

This  plant  is  sometimes  described  as  half- 
hardy,  but  the  specimen  illustrated  at  fig.  60 
is  growing  in  the  open  at  Kew,  where  it  has 
flowered  profusely  this  season.  The  genus  con- 
tains but  this  one  species,  and  the  plant  might 
easily  be  mistaken  for  a  Genista.  It  is  a  native 
of  Xew  Zealand,  and  is  known  bv  the  colonists, 
as  the  "  Pink  Broom."  The  plant  was  dis- 
covered on  Christmas,  1853,  by  the  late  Dr. 
Munro  on  the  sandy  and  rocky  banks  of  the 
Waihopai  River,  in  the  Nelson  Province.  The 
natural  order  Leguminosae  is  represented  by 
very  few  members  in  New  Zealand.  Xntospar- 
tium  Carmichaeliae  succeeds  best  in  a  peaty  soil, 
but  it  can  also  be  grown  well  in  turfy  loam.  It 
is  a  moderate-sized  shrub  in  cultivation  in  this 
country,  and  produces  weeping,  cord-like,  leaf- 
less branches  (see  fig.  61),  from  which  the  short 
racemes  of  pink  or  purplish  flowers  are  freely 
produced.      

THE     FERNERY. 


DECORATIVE  BRITISH  FERXS. 
Few  persons  are  aware  that  the  comparatively 
few  species  of  Ferns  indigenous  to  Great  Britain 
have  yielded  far  more  varieties,  and  these  of 
a  far  more  diverse  and  pleasing  character,  than 
all  the  rest  of.  the  world's  Ferns  together. 
Although  among  the  normal  forms  our  own  can- 
not compete  with  exotic  species  as  regards 
general  beauty  and  diversity  of  foliage,  when 
we  come  to  the  varietal  forms,  including  those 
which  have  been  obtained  by  selection  under 
culture,  the  position  is  in  a  large  measure  re- 
versed. A  number  of  British  Ferns,  when  fully 
grown  and  developed  to  their  utmost  capacity, 
find  no  rivals  at  all  among  exotics  and  display 
types  of  variation,  of  the  occurrence  of  which  in 
exotic  species  not  a  particle  of  evidence  exists. 
This  feature  of  variation  we  do  not  owe  at  all  to 
cultural  selection,  since  the  starting  point  is 
always  found  in  the  wild  plants  themselves, 
which  usually  possess  the  faculty  of  transmitting 
their  peculiarities  to  their  offspring  in  varied  de- 
grees. Fifty  odd  years  ago  British  Ferns  and 
their  varieties  were  all  the  rage,  and  it  may  well 
be  asked  why,  if  they  were  so  beautiful  and  so 
varied,  did  they  go  out  of  fashion  and  remain 
practically  ignored  for  so  long  a  period,  and 
why  is  it  that  they  are  now  deemed  worthy  of 
reinstatement  in  the  popular  favour?  These 
queries  admit  of  an  easy  answer,  for,  at  this 
early  period,  the  peculiar  faculty  of  sporting 
had  but  recently  been  discovered,  and  the  novel- 
ties, though  few  in  number,  caught  the  public 
taste  and  led  to  a  demand  which  new  "finds" 
could  not  cope  with.  British  Ferns  cannot  be  so 
rapidly  propagated  as  tender  exotics,  since  they 
resent  heat.  The  result  was  that,  in  order  to 
meet  the  demand,  every  plant  that  was  found 
with  some  little  peculiarity  was  placed  upon  the 
market  and  purchased  for  high  prices.  The 
seedlings  raised  from  these  abnormal  forms,, 
instead  of  being  carefully  selected  on  proper 
lines,  were  potted  up,  individually  christened, 
and  sold  in  the  same  indiscriminate  manner,  the. 


148 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[August  24,  1907. 


result  being  that  the  few  fine  and  symmetrical 
sports  which,  at  that  time,  had  rewarded  the 
Fern  hunter,  were  absolutely  swamped  by  a 
swarm  of  unsymmetrical  and  defective  rogues, 
which  could  not  possibly  retain  favour  when 
the  craze  for  novelty  was  satiated.  The  in- 
evitable result  followed.  British  Perns  fell  from 
public  favour,  and  only  the  common  or  weed 
forms  found  places  in  town  gardens  as  popular 
representatives  of  our  native  Ferns.  The  British 
Fern  cult,  however,  survived  in  the  persons  of  a 
coterie  of  enthusiasts,  who  devoted  their  leisure 
to  hunting  for  new  varieties,  and,  having  ac- 
quired these,  to  propagating  them  on  selective 
lines.  As  time  went  on  the  number  of  these 
wild  Ferns  so  increased  that  the  process  of 
selection  was  resorted  to.  Unsymmetrical  or  de- 
fective varieties  would  be  retained  merely  as 
"  souvenirs "  by  the  finder,  only  the  choicest 
being  propagated  and  distributed.  Assiduous 
search  brought  to  light  a  host  of  beautiful  things 
far  and  away  surpassing  most  of  the  pioneer 
forms  of  the  "  rage "  period,  and  stricter  and 
stricter  lines  of  selection  were  adopted  and  ad- 
hered to.  The  result  of  all  this  work  is  that, 
according  to  the  writer's  list  in  the  Book  of 
British  Ferns  (Newnes),  some  seven  hundred 
choice  and  distinct  varieties  are  enumerated. 

The  highly-priced  novelty  of  the  early  sixties 
is  the  rejected  rogue  of  to-day,  and  to  earn  the 
appreciation  of  the  Fern  fancier  now,  symmetry, 
•constancy,  and  grace  must  be  the  qualifications 
presented  in  any  novelty.  Among  Fern  varieties 
there  are  a  few,  such  as  the  Craigii  section  of 
Lady  Ferns,  which  have  a  tendency  to  become 
veritable  weeds,  their  spores  being  gifted  with 
extra  reproductive  vigour.  The  type  is  erratic 
in  itself,  and  although  it  produces  a  percentage 
of  pretty  forms,  it  also  produces  a  host  of  mere 
curiosities.  The  expert  ruthlessly  eliminates 
th;-.-e,  and  the  nurseryman  should  do  the  same, 
adhering  sternly  to  recognised  named  varieties. 
All  trade  plant  exhibitors  of  these  novelties 
should  grow  them  well  and  present  them  at 
exhibitions  in  the  finest  possible  condition.  In 
the  occasional  exhibitions  which  have  been  so 
far  made,  it  has  been  rare  indeed  to  see  a  full- 
grown  specimen  of  a  British  Fern  ;  the  thumb- 
pot  stock  plant  has  been  the  only  "lure,"  and, 
naturally,  the  remark  has  followed,  "  British 
Ferns  don't  pay."  Can  this  be  wondered  at? 
Exotic  species  are  displayed  in  their  full  beauty 
as  grand  specimens,  with  foliage  piled  tier  upon 
tier  and  in  the  best  possible  form.  Our  native 
species,  given  the  same  chance,  could  rival  the 
best  of  them,  and,  if  that  chance  be  given,  will 
hold  their  own  with  the  best,  but  not  otherwise. 
Chas.   T.  Druery,  V.M.H.,  F.L.S. 


THE    PROPAGATOR. 

At  this  season  there  are  many  plants  which 
must  be  increased  for  next  year's  flowering,  of 
which  the  more  important  are  Fuchsias  and 
Zonal  Pelargoniums  for  early  stock— the  latter 
in  frames  or  in  full  sunshine,  and  the  former 
from  half-matured  shoots,  placed  singly  in  small 
60's  pots,  or  to  the  number  of  four  in  larger  ones, 
placing  the  pots,  after  affording  the  sandy  soil 
a  good  application  of  water,  in  a  warm  house 
or  pit.  The  cuttings  must  be  shaded  from  hot 
sunshine,  and  the  soil  and  surroundings  be  kept 
moderately  moist. 

Cuttings  of  the  Cape  Pelargoniums  having 
scented  foliage  root  readily  this  month,  if  half- 
matured  shoots,  denuded  of  the  lowermost  pair 
of  leaves,  be  inserted  not  deeper  than  1  inch  in 
sandy  soil  out-of-doors,  or  in  pots  placed  in  a 
garden  frame  facing  north,  but  otherwise  ex- 
posed to  the  full  light.  If  the  shoots  are  too 
soft  they  will  decay  instead  of  forming  roots. 
The  foliage  of  these  Cape  of  Good  Hope  Pelar- 
goniums is  much  appreciated  in  bouquets  and 
when  used  in  filling  flower  glasses.  Every  garden 
should  possess  a  few  species,  as,  for  example, 
Kadula,  Prince  of  Orange,  capitatum,  graveolens, 
-quercifolium,  and  citriodorum.     I  must  not  omit 


Fair  Helen,  Rollisson's  Unique,  and  erubescens  ; 
this  last-named  forms  a  good  bedding  Pelar- 
gonium when  two  and  three-year-old  plants  are 
utilised. 

Helleborus  in  variety  may  now  be  increased 
by  cutting  the  thick  portions  of  the  roots  into 
pieces  1  to  2  inches  in  length,  and  placing  these 
in  leaf-soil  and  sandy  loam  in  pans,  which 
should  be  stood  on  a  bottom  heat  of  60°  to 
70p.  The  same  method  may  be  adopted  with 
Anemone  japonica,  and  its  single  and  double- 
flowered  varieties,  and  Anemone  blanda. 

Clematis  Vitalba  and  other  species  and 
varieties  are  readily  propagated  from  root  cut- 
tings during  August.  When  these  consist  of 
C.  Vitalba,  they  are  usually  considered  to  be 
fit  only  to  serve  as  stocks  on  which  to  graft 
ennobled  varieties,  and  they  are  suitable  for  this 
purpose  when  grown  to  the  thickness  of  a  goose- 
quill.  While  writing  of  stocks,  it  may  here  be 
stated  that  the  single  red  and  white-flowered 
Camellias  may  be  struck  from  half-matured 
shoots,  if  placed  on  a  bottom  heat  of  70°,  in  a 
close  frame,  or  in  the  propagating  house.  The 
most  expeditious  manner  is  to  insert  them  in  a 
bed  of  pure  sand  that  is  kept  moderately  moist. 

August  and  September  are  the  most  suitable 
months  for  striking  cuttings  of  Callistemon, 
Eucalptus,  Eugenia  (E.  australis,  chinensis,  and 
Jambos  may  also  be  rooted  in  the  spring), 
Myrtle,  Melaleuca,  and  Beaufortia.  Of  these 
plants  it  is  advisable  to  take  cuttings  from  side 
shoots  in  the  middle  of  the  plants,  together 
with  a  heel  of  the  older  wood.  The  length  of 
the  cuttings  should  depend  on  the  position  of 
the  leaves.  The  best  compost  for  these  cuttings 
consists  of  peat  one  part,  and  sand  two  parts. 
The  rooting  pans  should  be  well  furnished  with 
drainage  material  in  the  shape  of  crocks ;  a 
layer  of  1J  inch  thickness  will  not  be  excessive, 
and  over,  this  should  be  placed  a  layer  of  moss' 
The  leaves  should  be  removed  for  one-third  the 
length  of  the  cutting,  which  should  be  inserted 
to  that  depth.  A  bottom  heat  of  50°  Fahr.  and 
much  moisture  are  essential  for  success.      F.  M. 


The  Week's  Work. 

THE    ORCHID    HOUSES. 

By  W.H.White,  Orchid  Grower  to  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence, 
Bart.,  Burford,  Surrey. 

Dendrobiums.—  Owing  to  the  lack  of  sufficient 
sunshine  it  has  been  round  next  to  impossible 
to  maintain  such  atmospheric  temperatures  as 
are  generally  considered  to  be  necessary  for 
the  proper  cultivation  of  those  Dendrobiums 
selected  for  the  hottest  division  ;  most  of  these 
plants  are  therefore  rather  late  in  completing 
their  season's  growth.  A  few  of  the  earliest 
have  reached  this  stage,  and  it  will  be  advisable 
to  periodically  look  over  the  plants,  selecting 
those  which  have  the  terminal  leaf  at  the  ex- 
tremity of  the  pseudo-bulbs  fully  expanded,  and 
placing  them  altogether  at  one  end  of  the  house 
where  more  light  and  air  can  be  admitted,  and 
where  their  immediate  surroundings  may  easily 
.  be  kept  considerably  drier  than  the  other  parts 
m  the  same  house.  If  a  house  is  devoted  en- 
tirely to  the  culture  of  these  plants,  no  diffi- 
culty need  be  experienced,  if  the  weather  is 
suitable,  in  securing  well-ripened  growth,  but 
when  a  miscellaneous  collection  of  plants  is 
accommodated  in  the  same  house,  it  is  difficult 
to  obtain  satisfactory  results.  Those  plants 
which  have  finished  their  growths,  and  are  to  be 
grouped  together  will  not  require  so  much  water 
at  the  root,  but  they  must  not  be  allowed  to 
become  very  dry,  as  the  roots  which  commenced 
to  grow  early  in  the  season  are  not  only  increas- 
ing in  length,  but  they  are  throwing  out  many 
lateral  rootlets,  which  should  be  encouraged  to 
grow.  A  gradual  approach  to  maturity  is  always 
desirable,  because  the  plants  will  then  be  the 
less  likely  to  start  into  a  second  growth.  After 
a  week  or  two  of  such  semi-resting  treatment  in 
the  growing  house,  the  plants  may  then  be 
removed  to  a  gTeenhouse  where  there  will  be  far 
less  shade,  and  the  atmosphere  is  comparatively 
cool  and  dry.  They  may  be  placed  in  a  vinery, 
where  it  is  easy  to  choose  suitable  positions,  and 
where  the  plants  w  ill  gradually  pass  from  mode- 


rate shade  into  full  sunshine,  taking  care  that 
they  are  put  out  of  the  line  of  draughts  or  cold 
winds.  In  such  houses  the  nseudo-bulbs  qu'cMy 
become  ripened,  and  when  fully  exposed  to  the 
full  glare  of  the  sun,  careful  judgment  should  be 
exercised  in  watering  the  plants,  attoruing  just 
sufficient  to  prevent  their  roots  trom  aecaying, 
or  their  pseudo-bulbs  from  shrivelling.  Do  not 
keep  the  roots  in  a  constantly  saturated  condition. 
Therefore,  after  one  thorough  watering  no  more 
should  be  applied  until  the  whole  compost  has 
become  quite  dry.  Where  several  plants  of  any 
one  species  or  hybrid  Dendrobium  are  grown,  it 
seldom  happens  that  all  are  ready  for  removal 
at  the  same  time,  and  up  to  the  present  we  have 
removed  the  earliest  plants  of  D.  Burfordhnse, 
D.  Clio,  D.  xanthocentrum,  D.  splendidissimum 
grandiflorum,  D.  Burberiyanum,  D.  rubens 
grandiflorum,  D.  Juno,  D.  Luna,  D.  Schneider- 
ianum,  D.  melanodiscus,  D.  aureum,  also  seve- 
ral D.  nobile  and  its  varieties.  For  those  plants 
that  are  still  growing,  it  is  necessary  to  main- 
tain a  warm,  moist  atmosphere,  and  to  gradually 
expose  them  to  more  light  in  the  mornings,  and 
to  remove  the  shadings  a  trifle  earlier  each 
afternoon.  This  gradual  maturation  will  pre- 
pare the  plants  to  withstand  full  sunshine  almost 
immediately  after  the  growths  are  completed. 

Seedlings. — All  young  seedlings  that  are  grow- 
ing in  the  warmest  house  should  be  placed  well 
up  to  the  roof  glass,  and  be  well  supplied  with 
moisture  until  they  have  finished  growth,  after 
which  time  they  may  be  removed  to  a  light, 
well-ventilated  position,  in  a  temperature  similar 
to  that  of  a  Cattleya  house,  for  the  winter.' 


PUBLIC  PARKS  AND  GARDENS. 

By  W.  W.  Pettigrew,  Superintendent  of  the   Parks  and 
Open  Spaces  in  the  City  of  Cardiff. 

Employment  of  qualified  gardeners  in  public 
parks. — Visitors  to  public  parks  sometimes  com. 
plain  that  when  they  ask  attendants  the  names 
of  trees  or  other  plants  they  get  such  evasive 
or  curt  replies  that  they  are  made  to  feel  as  if 
they  were  asking  impertinent  questions.'  .The 
reason  is  this,  that  the  majority  of  men  em- 
ployed in  our  public  parks,  not  being  trained 
gardeners,  are  unacquainted  with  the  names  of 
many  plants,  and  rather  than  confess  their  ignor. 
ance  to  visitors,  they  either  give  a  wrong 
name  or  burke  inquiries  by  assuming  a 
brusqueness  of  manner.  As  the  public  are 
undoubtedly  entitled  to  receive  all  possi- 
ble benefits  from  their  parks,  they  should, 
under  reasonable  circumstances,  be  in  a 
position  to  have  the  names  of  most  of  the 
plants  growing  in  the  larger  parks  supplied  to 
them  if  they  so'  wish.  While  park  superin- 
tendents never  desire  to  encourage  the  habit  of 
gossiping  between  members  of  the  staff  and 
visitors,  yet  it  must  certainly  add  to  the  dignity 
of  a  department,  and  be  to  the  advantage  of  the 
general  public  to  have  one  or  two  trained  men 
in  a  park,  who,  when  called  upon,  can  answer 
such  technical  questions  as  are  generally  asked 
by  visitors.  If  this  is  a  good  policy  to  pursue 
in  the  case  of  an  ordinary  park,  it  is  very  much 
more  so  in  the  case  of  a  park  claiming  a  botani- 
cal character.  In  such  a  place  every  facility 
should  be  given  to  visitors  to  obtain  reliable 
information,  and  some  trained  men  should 
always  be  employed  upon  the  working  staff.  It 
is  to  be  feared  that  this  is  not  always  the  case.  A 
few  days  ago,  when  visiting  a  botanical  garden, 
I  was  greatly  surprised  and  disappointed  to  find 
that  it  was  impossible  to  rely  upon  any  botani- 
cal name  furnished  by  the  members  of  the  work- 
ing staff.  This  was  all  the  more  annoying  as 
the  majority  of  the  plant  labels  were  in 
a  dilapidated  .condition.  For  the  sake  of 
economy,  incompetent  men  are  very  often  em- 
ployed in  the  places  of  qualified  gardeners.  Al- 
though it  is  admittedly  difficult  to  get  the  right 
class  of  men  for  such  places — men  who  are 
thoroughly  practical  and  at  the  same  time  ac- 
quainted with  the  botanical  names  of  the  plants 
they  deal  with — they  are  to  be  had  when  the 
wages  offered  are  reasonable.  Park  authorities 
should  endeavour  to  employ  some  of  the  very 
best  type  of  gardeners  by  offering  them  good 
wages. 

The  Nottingham  Parks. — Mr.  W.  Parker, 
for  some  years  gardener  at  Roundhay  Park, 
Leeds,  has  been  appointed  superintendent  of  the 
public  parks  and  recreation  grounds  in  Notting- 
ham. 


August  24,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


149 


PLANTS    UNDER  GLASS. 

By  J.  G.  Weston,  Gardener  to  H.  J.  King,  Esq., 
Eastwell  Park,  Kent. 

Francoa  ramosa. — This  is  a  useful  subject  for 
decorative  purposes  when  grown  in  small  pots, 
but  its  full  beauty  is  seen  when  it  is  given  a 
fairly  large  receptacle.  We  have  a  number  of 
plants  in  7J-inch  pots,  and  these  have  developed 
an  immense  quantity  of  bloom,  averaging  about 
18  flower-spikes  to  each  pot.  They  were  raised 
from  seed  sown  in  the  spring  of  1906,  and  after 
the  plants  were  established  they  were  placed 
outside  on  a  bed  of  ashes,  where  they  remained 
until  the  winter,  when  they  were  given  the  pro- 
tection of  a  cold  frame.  The  following  spring 
the  plants  were  again  placed  in  the  open,  where 
they  remained  until  the  flower-spikes  began  to 
develop.  At  this  stage  they  were  placed  under 
glass,  and  stimulated  with  occasional  applica- 
tions of  manure  until  the  flower-spikes  attained 
their  maximum  development.  A  few  should  be 
grown  in  smaller  pots,  as  these  will  be  useful 
for  many  purposes  of  decoration. 

Solatium  cafsicastrum. — Red  spider  and 
aphides  are  great  enemies  of  this  plant,  especi- 
ally when  planted  out.  A  thorough  syringing  with 
clear  water  every  evening  will,  in  most  cases, 
keep  down  red  spider,  but  if  this  is  not  effec- 
tual, the  plants  should  be  sprayed  with  a  suit- 
able insecticide,  especially  on  the  under  surfaces 
of  the  leaves,  where  the  pest  invariably  makes 
its  first  appearance.  For  combating  aphides 
use  tobacco  powder  while  the  plants  are  in  the 
open,  but  fumigate  them  directly  they  are  placed 
under  glass.  While  they  are  in  the  beds,  cut 
around  the  roots  with  a  sharp  spade  about  a 
fortnight  before  it  is  proposed  to  shift  the  plants 
in  order  to  prepare  them  for  lifting  and  potting. 

The  propagating  house. — Oplismenus  (Pani- 
cum)  Burmannii  variegata  should  now  be  pro- 
pagated. Divide  the  plants  and  place  the  por- 
tions in  small  pots,  and,  if  given  a  brisk  heat  in 
a  frame,  they  will  soon  form  numerous  roots, 
and  make  useful  specimens  for  edging  and  other 
purposes.  Selaginellas  of  the  compact  growing 
type,  and  Zebrinas'  (Tradescantias)  are  also 
much  in  request  for  edging  purposes.  These 
should  be  propagated  at  this  season. 


FRUITS  UNDER  GLASS. 

By  Alexander  Kirk,  Gardener  to  J.  Thomson  Paton,  Esq., 
Norwood,  Alloa,  Clackmannanshire. 

The  Peach  and  Nectarine. — As  soon  as  the 
trees  of  early  varieties  have  been  cleared  of  their 
fruits,  the  borders  should  be  well  watered,  and 
the  foliage  syringed  vigorously  to  destroy  any 
insect  pests  that  may  be  present  on  the  leaves. 
All  gross-growing  shoots  and  any  others  that 
are  not  required,  should  be  removed.  The  fruits 
of  later  varieties  have  now  finished  their  ston- 
ing. Endeavour  to  promote  healthy  foliage  by 
frequent  syringings  of  clear  water.  Maintain 
a  sufficiency  of  moisture  at  the  roots,  and  apply 
manure  water  once  each  week.  Remove  any 
leaves  that  shade  the  fruits,  and  place  pieces 
of  wooden  lath  between  them  and  the  trellis- 
work,  so  as  to  expose  them  to  the  full  rays  of 
the  sun.  Trees  with  fruits  colouring  should 
be  allowed  a  plentiful  supply  of  fresh  air  about 
them  by  day  and  by  night.  The  foliage  should 
not  be  syringed  after  the  fruit  commences  to 
colour.  Secure  the  fruits  to  the  trellis-work  or 
neighbouring  shoots  with  strands  of  matting 
crossed  at  right  angles.  Furnish  a  plentiful 
supply  of  moisture  at  the  roots  as  long  as  the 
weather  continues  hot,  and  maintain  a  moist 
atmosphere  by  damping  the  paths  and  the  bor- 
ders daily.  This  practice  will  favour  the  swell- 
ing of  the  fruits.  Guard  against  the  borders 
becoming  dry,  or  red  spider  will  soon  make 
its  appearance. 

Cucumbers  in  frames. — The  plants  are  now  at 
their  best  condition,  and  will  continue  to  fruit 
for  some  time  to  come.  A  suitable  degree  of 
warmth  may  be  maintained  by  removing  the 
outside  fermenting  material  around  the  frame 
and  renewing  it  with  short  grass  and  stable 
litter.  Guard  against  over-watering,  remem- 
bering that  Cucumbers  planted  in  manure  in 
frames  do  not  .  require  frequent  waterings. 
Pinch  the  points  of  the  shoots,  and  har- 
vest thf  fruits  as  soon  as  they  are  large 
enough.  Damp  the  foliage  lightly,  and  close 
the  structure  early  in  the  afternoon.  Seeds  should 
now  be  sown  for  a  winter  supply  of  Cucumbers. 
Place  the  seeds  in  thumb  pots,  filled  with  fresh 
loam  that  has  received  the  addition  of   a  little 


sharp  sand.  Place  two  seeds  in  each  pot  within 
half  an  inch  of  the  rim,  and  then  fill  the  pots 
with  the  same  soil.  Plunge  them  in  a  gentle 
bottom  heat  and  water  with  tepid  water.  They 
will  soon  germinate,  and  as  soon  as  the  seed- 
lings have  developed  their  first  rough  leaf,  place 
them  separately  in  2J-inch  pots,  using  similar 
compost  as  before.  Keep  them  plunged  in  bot- 
tom heat  until  they  have  become  well  rooted, 
when  they  should  be  removed  to  a  shelf  near 
the  glass,  where  they  may  remain  until  require.! 
for  planting  in  their  winter  quarters. 


THE  HARDY  FRUIT  GARDEN. 

By  J.  Mayne,  Gardener  to  Lord  Clinton,  Bicton, 
East  Devon. 

Plums,  like  other  fruits,  are  ripening  but  very 
slowly.  Protect  them  with  netting  as  soon  as 
ea.h  variety  commences  to  change  colour.  This 
is  an  easy  matter  in  the  case  of  wall  trees,  but 
large  pyramids,  bush,  or  standards  in  the  open 
are  more  difficult,  so  that  it  will  be  advisable  to 
gather  the  most  forward  fruits  every  few  days 
and  place  them  under  glass  for  a  short  time  if 
considered  necessary.  As  each  tree  is  relieved 
of  its  crop,  do  not  neglect  to  thoroughly  wash 
the  foliage,  using  quassia  extract  if  there  is  any 
visible  insect  life.  "  The  Czar  "  is  still  one  of 
the  best  Plums  to  grow  for  an  early  crop,  good 
prices  being  obtainable  for  the  fruits  up  to  the 
middle  of  August. 

The  affording  of  water. — The  frequent 
showers  of  late  are  apt  to  deceive  beginners, 
but  if  an  examination  is  made  of  the 
soil  an  inch  or  two  below  the  surface,  it 
will  be  found  that  the  rain  has  not  pene- 
trated much  and  has  been  of  very  little  help  to 
trees  growing  on  porous  ground  and  against 
walls.  While  it  may  not  be  good  practice  to 
apply  water  to  the  roots  of  trees  now  affording 
ripe  fruits,  it  is  decidedly  bad  practice  to  allow 
such  trees  to  suffer  from  drought,  and  we  fre- 
quently aid  our  trees  in  this  manner  immediately 
the  ripest  fruits  have  been  gathered,  finding  that 
there  is  no  deficiency  in  flavour  in  the  remaining 
fruits  which  ripen  a  few  days  after  such  root 
waterings  have  been  applied.  Clear  water  is 
used  for  the  purpose,  it  being  inadvisable  to 
apply  manure  at  such  a  period. 

Strawberry  plantations. — Continue  to  remove 
all  runners  as  fast  as  they  appear  ;  the  showery 
weather  is  favourable  to  the  growth  of  plants 
recently  put  out,  whether  they  have  been  pre- 
viously forced  or  are  young  lavers.  Keep  the 
soil  frequently  stirred  between  the  plants. 
Many  gardeners  adopt  the  excellent  method  of 
setting  out  a  few  rows  of  young  plants  for  the 
purpose  of  supplying  runners  next  season, 
whether  for  forcing  into  pots  or  for  forming 
plantations.  Manure  and  double  dig  the  ground 
and  set  out  the  plants  6  or  8  inches  asunder  in 
rows  12  inches  apart.  All  flower  spikes  must 
be  rigorously  plucked  out  throughout  the  season. 


THE  FLOWER  GARDEN. 

By  A.  C.  Bartlett,  Gardener  to  Mrs.  Ford,  Pencarrow, 
Cornwall. 

Layering  shrubs. — Many  hardy  and  half-hardy 
shrubs,  of  such  plants  as  Magnolias,  Azaleas, 
and  Rhododendrons,  and  which  are  with  diffi- 
culty increased  from  cuttings,  may  be  propa- 
gated readily  by  layering.  Branches  that  are 
near  to  the  ground  should  be  selected  for  the 
purpose,  and  of  the  ten  or  more  methods  of  pre- 
paring the  shoot,  those  of  tongueing,  notching, 
and  ringing  are  the  best.  Before  preparing  the 
shoot,  the  soil  around  the  plant  should  be  lightly 
broken  up  with  a  fork,  and  in  most  cases  it  is 
advisable  to  add  some  fresh  soil.  The  layering 
of  shrubs  by  a  "tongue  "-cut  is  very  similar  to 
the  layering  of  Carnations  by  this  method,  ex- 
cept that  it  is  on  a  larger  scale.  The  portion  of 
the  stem  to  be  inserted  in  the  soil  should  be 
cleared  of  its  leaves,  and  be  cut  in  a  slanting 
direction  towards  the  point  of  the  branch  on  its 
under  side.  The  shoot  must  be  pegged  firmly 
into  the  soil,  care  bein^  taken  to  see  that  the 
"  tongue  "  is  kept  open.  Notching  and  ringing 
differ  only  from  tongueing  in  that  in  the  former 
method  a  notch  is  cut  out  of  the  under  side  of 
the  branch,  and  in  the  latter  method  a  ring  of 
bark  is  cut  away.  The  layers  should  be  securely 
tied  to  stakes,  and- the  S"il  in  which  the  shoots 
are  inserted  must  be  kept  in  a  moist  condition. 


A  few  varieties  of  shrubs  form  roots  quickly, 
but  many  require  to  remain  attached  to  the 
parent  for  a  year,  and  some  for  two  vears. 

Hydrangeas  and  shrubby  Veronicas. — Tj 
shrubs  will  survive  the  cold  of  an  average  win. 
ter,  but,  as  a  precaution,  surplus  plants  should 
be  provided.  Cuttings  inserted  at  this  dat  , 
and  housed  in  a  close  pit,  root  readily.  Another 
plan  is  to  pot  small  plants  a  month  or  so  hence, 
and  winter  them  under  cover  in  case  an  excep- 
tionally severe  winter  should  injure  the  ait- 
door  specimens. 

Sweet  Peas. — Plants  raised  from  seed  sown  in 
the  open  in  autumn,  form  strong,  early-flowering 
stock,  and  in  districts  where  the  winters  arq 
mild,  this  system  of  cultivating  Sweet  Peas  is 
worth  a  trial.  The  time  for  sowing  will  vary  in 
different  localities  from  now  onwards  until  the 
third  week  in  September.  The  soil  should  be 
made  very  firm  for  sowing,  and  after  the  seed- 
lings are  above  ground  they  should  be  afforded 
small  sticks,  and  have  the  soil  drawn  up  about 
their  stems. 

The  herbaceous  border. — As  the  early-flowen 
ing  plants  ripen  their  foliage,  they  should  have 
the  withered  and  decaying  leaves  removed,  but 
care  must  be  taken  not  to  injure  the  new  crowns 
at  the  base  of  the  stems.  The  shoots  of  Dahlias, 
and  most  other  autumn-flowering  plants,  are 
gross  and  sappy  this  year,  and  they  need  extra 
care  in  tying  and  staking.  Seeds  of  desirable 
flowers  should  be  gathered  as  soon  as  they  are 
ripe,  and  when  the  seed-receptacles  are  perfectly 
dry.  Many  biennials  which  ripen  their  seeds, 
by  the  third  week  in  September  may  be  sown  as 
soon  as  they  are  gathered  ;  those  which  ripen 
later  than  this  period  are,  as  a  rule,  best  sown 
in  the  following  May. 


THE    KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

By  William  H.  Honess,  Gardener  to  C.  Combe,  Esq., 
Cobham   Park,  Surrey. 

Cauliflowers. — In  late  districts  where  these 
can  be  provided  with  suitable  protection  in 
the  winter,  such  as  that  afforded  by  an  un- 
healed frame,  or  a  shelf  in  a  vinery  containing 
late-fruiting  Grapes,  or  in  a  Peach  house,  seeds 
may  be  sown  now  on  a  warm  border.  In 
warmer  and  earlier  districts  the  sowing  may  be 
delayed  until  the  last  days  of  August,  making 
another  sowing  in  September.  It  is  excellent 
practice  to  make  two  sowings,  allowing  an  in- 
terval of  about  a  fortnight  between  them.  Pre- 
pare the  ground  by  applying  a  good  dressing  of 
slacked  lime  and 'well-decayed  manure.  As  soon 
as  the  young  plants  are  large  enough,  they 
should  be  pricked  out  into  their  winter  quarters. 
After  that  has  been  done,  it  will  be  necessary 
to  afford  air  liberally,  to  keep  the  plants  as 
sturdy  and  as  hardy  as  possible.  Plants  of  this 
description  will  be  better  able  to  stand  through 
the  winter,  and  will  not  be  likely  to  suffer  a 
severe  check  when  planted  out  in  spring.  The 
variety  Early  London  answers  well  for  these 
sowings,  and  should  be  followed  early  in  the 
New  Year  by  Magnum   Bonum. 

Onions. — The  crop  raised  from  seeds  that  were 
sown  last  August  will  now  require  lifting,  and 
although  these  will  not  be  stored  for  any 
great  length  of  time,  they  should  be  allowed  to 
remain  on  the  ground  for  a  few  days  after  lift- 
ing, so  that  the  full  exposure  to  sun  and  air 
given  them  may  thoroughly  ripen  and  mature 
them.  It  is  now  necessary  to  twist  the  tops  of 
the  spring-sown  Onions,  as  was  previously  ad- 
vised for  the  autumn-sown  crop.  This  should 
be  done  two  or  three  weeks  before  it  is  intended 
to  lift  the  bulbs,  and  as  these  are  required  to 
keep  well  through  the  winter,  a  little  extra  time 
and  care  bestowed  on  them  will  be  well  repaid. 
These  bulbs  should  eventually  be  stored  in  a 
light,  well-ventilated  storehouse,  and  if  care  is- 
taken  with  them  in  all  details,  the  bulbs  will 
be  sure  to  winter  well. 

Spinach  for  consumption  in  winter. — The 
ground  for  this  crop  should  be  well  prepared, 
and  the  seeds  sown  in  drills  drawn  at  distances 
of  9  inches  apart.  It  is  usual  to  confine  this 
sowing  to  the  winter  or  prickly  variety,  but  the 
round  or  summer  type  should  not  be  despised, 
for  this  will  often,  to  say  the  least  of  it,  suc- 
ceed equally  well.  The  prickly  type  often  stands- 
better  through  the  heat  of  summer  than  the 
smooth  varieties,  and  those  who  have  not  re- 
versed the  usual  practice  are  strongly  advised 
to  do  so  experimentally. 


150 


THE    GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


r  August  24,  1907. 


EDITORIAL     NOTICE. 


ADVERTISEMENTS  should  be  sent  to  the  PUB- 
LISHER, 4it  Wellington  Street,  Covent  Garden, 
W.C. 

Letters  (or  Publication,  as  well  as  specimens  and  plants 
for  naming,  should  be  addressed  to  the  EDITOR, 
41,  Wellington  Street,  Covent  Garden,  London. 
Communications  should  be  written  on  one  side  only  of 
the  paper,  sent  as  early  in  the  week  as  possible  and  July 
signed  by  the  writer.  If  desired,  the  signature  will  not  be 
printed,  but  kept  as  a  guarantee  of  good  faith. 

Special  Notice  to  Correspondents.— The  Editor  does  not 
utute>take  to  pay  for  any  contributions  or  illustrations,  or 
to  return  unused  communications  or  illustrations,  unless  by 
special  arrangement.  The  Editor  does  not  hold  himself 
responsible  for  any  opinions  expressed  by  his  correspondents. 

Illustrations.-  The  Editor  will  be  glad  to  receive  and  to  select 
photographs  or  drawings,  suitable  for  reproduction,  of 
gardens,  or  of  remarkable  plants,  flowers,  trees,  &c,  but  he 
cannot  be  responsible  for  lossor  injury. 

Newspapers.— Correspondents  sending  newspapers  should  be 
cctrefulto  mark  the  paragraplis  they  wish  the  Editor  to  see. 

Local  News. — Correspondents  will  greatly  oblige  by  sending  to 
the  Editor  early  intelligence  of  local  events  likely  to  be  of 
interest  to  our  readers,  or  of  any  matters  which  it  is  desirable 
to  bring  under  the  notice  of  horticulturists. 


APPOINTMENTS  FOR  THE  ENSUING  WEEK. 


SATURDAY,  AUGUST  24— 

Co-operative  Flower  Show  at  the  Crystal  Palace. 
WEDNESDAY,  AUGUST  28— 

Derby  Agricultural  and  Horticultural  Sh.  (2  days). 
THURSDAY,  AUGUST  29-Sandy  (Beds)  Fl.  Sh. 
FRIDAY,  AUGUST  30— East  Kilbride  Fl.  Sh. 


Average  Mean  Temperature  for  the  ensuing  week, 
deduced  from  observations  during  the  last  Fifty  Years 
at  Greenwich — 60*4°. 

Actual  Temperatures: — 

London.—  Wednesday,  August  21  (6  p.m.):  Max.  64°; 
Min.  49". 
Gardenets' Chronicle  Office,  41,  Wellington  Street, 
Covent  Garden,  London.  —  Thursday,  August 
22  (10  a.m.):  Bar.  303;  Temp., 64";  Weather- 
Fine  with  occasional  sunshine. 
Provinces  —Wednesday,  August  21  (6  p.m.)  :  Mas.  60", 
Colchester;  Min.  56°,  Lincoln. 


SALES    FOR    THE    ENSUING    WEEK, 

MONDAY,  WEDNESDAY,  THURSDAY  &  FRIDAY— 
Trade  Sales  of  Dutch  Bulbs,  at  67  &  68,  Cheapside, 
London,  E.C.,  by  Protheroe  &  Morris,  at  10. 

WEDNESDAY— 

Lilium  Harrisii,  Roman  Hyacinths,  &c,   at  67  &  68, 
Cheapside,  E.C.,  by  Protheroe  &  Morris,  at  2. 


The  Bordeaux  mixture  is  per- 
Bordeaux  haps  more  often  recommended 
Mixture,  for  the  treatment  of  plant 
diseases  than  any  other  known 
remedy.  The  formula  for  mixing  it  has  been 
printed  again  and  again  in  these  pages  and 
elsewhere,  yet  we  frequently  receive  enquiries 
from  correspondents  as  to  the  proper  ingre- 
dients to  use  and  the  proportions  in  which 
they  should  be  employed.  The  following 
contribution  on  the  chemistry  of  the  subject, 
obligingly  sent  us  by  Mr.  Spencer  Pickering, 
cannot  fail  to  be  of  interest  to  our  readers  : — 
The  statement  generally  made  as  to  the 
nature  of  Bordeaux  mixture  is  that  it  con- 
sists of  copper  hydroxide ;  yet  a  slight  know- 
ledge of  the  properties  of  this  substance 
would  show  that  such  a  statement  must  be  in- 
correct, and  that  if  such  were  the  compound 
present  in  the  mixture,  it  would  have  no 
fungicidal  action,  as  the  hydroxide  is  insolu- 
ble. A  sounder  explanation  is  that  a  basic 
sulphate  of  copper  is  the  essential  substance 
present,  and  that  this  is  gradually  decom- 
posed by  the  carbonic  acid  of  the  air,  form- 
ing copper  carbonate  and  copper  sulphate, 
which  latter  is  the  active  fungicide.'  It  is 
only  when  thus  liberated  gradually  and  in 
minute  quantities  that  copper  sulphate  will 
not  scorch  the  foliage,  and  even  when  thus 
liberated,  it  will  still  sometimes  result  in 
scorching  under  certain  weather  conditions. 
It  has  also  been  established  that  the  liberation 
of  the  copper  sulphate,  and,  consequentlv,  the 
fungicidal  action,  does  not  begin  till  some 
•time   after   the   application    of   the   mixture. 


This  is  often  a  serious  disadvantage,  and  one 
which  must  in  any  case  entail  loss,  for  much 
of  the  mixture  may  be  washed  off  before  it 
begins  to  become  effective. 

The  chemistry  of  Bordeaux  mixture  has 
engaged  my  attention  lately,  and  it  has 
been  ascertained  that  five  different  com- 
plex substances  may  be  formed  when  lime 
acts  on  copper  sulphate,  the  particular  one 
formed  depending  on  the  proportions  used. 
In  making  Bordeaux  mixture  according  to 
the  ordinary  formulae,  where  the  weight  of 
lime  used  is  from  four  to  six  parts  to  every 
six  parts  of  crystallised  sulphate,  the  sub- 
stance formed  is  a  double  basic  sulphate  of 
copper  and  calcium,  represented  by  10  Cu  O, 
SO3,  4  Ca  O,  SO;,  :  where,  however,  the  lime 
is  reduced  to  the  lowest  proportions  consistent 
with  the  precipitation  of  the  whole  of  the 
copper,  the  substance  formed  is  essentially  a 
basic  sulphate  of  copper  of  the  formula 
4  Cu  O,  SO3.  In  the  former  case,  when  the 
substance  is  exposed  to  air,  the  basic  calcium 
sulphate  present  in  it  will  be  attacked  first 
by  the  carbonic  acid,  and  till  all  this  has  been 
converted  into  carbonate,  the  basic  copper 
sulphate  will  remain  practically  intact.  This 
explains  the  period  of  incubation  noticed 
before  the  fungicidal  action  commences.  If, 
however,  the  copper  salt  present  is  4  Cu  O, 
SO3,  there  will  be  no  such  delay,  for  it  con- 
tains no  basic  calcium  sulphate.  This  will 
be  a  great  gain,  but  there  will  be  a  greater 
one  still ;  for  the  second  compound  will,  ror 
equal  weights,  of  copper  taken,  liberate  two- 
and-a-half  times  as  much  copper  sulphate 
as  will  the  first  compound  ;  in  other  words, 
we  can  make  with  it  a  Bordeaux  mixture  as 
effective  as  that  ordinarily  used,  at  only  two- 
fifths  of  the  cost.  This  is  an  important  con- 
sideration when  dealing  with  an  expensive 
material  such  as  copper  sulphate. 

The  object  to  be  aimed  at,  therefore,  is  to 
use  as  little  lime  as  possible  to  precipitate  all 
the  copper;  and,  to  do  this,  it  is  necessary  to 
use  something  more  definite  in  composition 
than  the  milk  of  lime  ordinarily  used.  A 
clear  solution  of  lime,  i.e.,  lime-water,  will 
supply  this  want,  and,  fortunately,  lime  < li -.- 
solves  in  water  to  just  the  right  extent  to 
make  a  Bordeaux  mixture  of  the  usual 
strength.  For  what  is  known  in  America  as 
the  "  normal,"  or  "  1.6  "  mixture,  16  lbs. 
of  copper  sulphate  are  taken  to  make  100 
gallons  of  the  wash  :  for  100  gallons  of  a 
wash  of  the  same  effective  strength  it  will  be 
in  1  ssary  to  take  only  6  lbs.  5  oz.  of  the  sul- 
phate when  made  in  the  following  manner  : — 

Take  this  weight  of  copper  sulphate  and 
dissolve  it  in  2  or  3  gallons  of  water,  which 
is  best  done  by  suspending  it  in  a  piece  of 
sacking  in  water  contained  in  a  wooden  tub; 
zinc  or  iron  vessels  must  not  be  used.  Take 
2  or  3  lbs.  of  fresh  lime,  slake  it  with  a 
little  water,  and  put  it  into  a  tub  with  about 
120  gallons  of  soft  water;  stir  this  occasion- 
ally, and  then  leave  it  to  settle.  If  left  over- 
night, the  tub  should  be  covered.  It  is  only 
the  clear  liquid  which  should  be  used ;  of  this, 
86  gallons  are  drawn  off  and  mixed  with  the 
copper  sulphate.  If  exactly  the  "  normal  " 
strength  is  required,  the  whole  may  be  made 
up  to  100  gallons  by  adding  11  to  12  gallons 
of  soft  water;  if  a  less  strength  is  required, 
more  water  may  be  added ;  and,  if  a  greater, 
then  some  of  the  clear  liquid  may  be  run  off 


from  the  mixture  after  it  has  been  leit  to 
settle.  The  proportions  above  mentioned  repre- 
sent 107  pints  of  lime-water  to  each  pound  of 
copper  sulphate,  or  134  oz.  to  each  ounce. 

However  the  Bordeaux  mixture  may  be 
made,  the  testing  of  the  liquid  to  make  sure 
that  all  the  copper  has  been  precipitated 
should  never  be  omitted.  This  testing  is 
especially  necessary  in  the  present  case.  It 
is  done  best  by  putting  into  a  white  saucer 
some  water  with  a  little  solution  of  potas- 
sium ferrocyanide  added,  and  dropping  into 
this  a  few  drops  of  the  clear  liquid  obtained 
on  allowing  the  Bordeasx  mixture  to  settle. 
If  any  brown  colour  appears,  copper  is  still 
present,  and  more  lime  must  be  added  till  the 
liquid,  on  testing,  shows  no  change  of  colour 
whatever.  The  strength  of  lime-water,  even 
when  perfectly  made,  varies  somewhat  with 
the  temperature,  so  the  amount  required  for 
a  given  weight  of  copper  sulphate  will  not 
always  be  quite  the  same.  But  any  extra 
amount  which  is  required  should  be  added 
very  cautiously,  for  any  excess  above  the 
minimum  amount  means  so  much  loss  of 
efficiency  and  waste  of  money.  The  idea  that 
an  excess  of  lime  will  prevent  the  tendency 
to  scorch  is  a  mere  fallacy.  The  scorching 
and  the  fungicidal  action  are  both  due  to  the 
copper  sulphate  liberated;  if  we  do  away 
with  the  one,  we  do  away  with  the  other 
also.  Excess  of  lime,  unless  very  great,  will 
not  prevent  the  eventual  liberation  of  copper 
sulphate;  it  will  only  retard  it,  and  cause  un- 
necessary loss. 

Doing  away  with  the  presence  of  excess  of 
solid  lime,  by  using  lime-water  instead  of 
milk  of  lime,  presents  several  further  advan- 
tages. Milk  of  lime  will  always  contain 
gross  particles  which  wear  and  clog  the 
nozzles  of  the  machines',  and  which  are  easily 
knocked  off  the  leaves,  carrying  much  of  the 
copper  salt  with  them,  and  thus  entailing 
loss;  Their  presence,  also,  renders  the  pre- 
cipitate more  compact,  and  necessitates  more 
agitation  of  the  liquid  during  use.  The  basic 
sulphate  made,  as  here  recommended,  by 
lime-water,  is  in  an  extremely  fine  state  of 
division  ;  the  particles  of  it  are  so  small  that 
they  can  hardly  be  resolved  under  the  highest 
power  of  the  best  microscope.  An  even  finer 
compound  can  be  obtained,  and' one  which  is 
much  more  bulky  and  settles  much  more 
slowly,  by  using  92  gallons  of  lime-water, 
instead  of  the  86  gallons  above  recom- 
mended ;  but  this  compound  would  have  only 
four-fifths  of  the  efficiency  of  the  other. 

The  improvement  and  cheapening  of  the 
Bordeaux  mixture  here  suggested  has  been 
the  outcome  of  a  purely  scientific  and  labora- 
tory investigation  of  a  chemical  character ; 
but  no  doubts  need  be  entertained  as  to  its 
practical  application,  for  a  mixture  made  in 
exactly  the  same  way  (with  lime-water),  and 
of  the  same  strength,  was  recommended  by 
Prof.  Cavazza  in  1886,  and  has  been  in 
general  use  in  Italy,  with  excellent  results, 
ever  since. 


Our    Supplementary    Illustration    has 

been  prepared  from  specimens  kindly  sent  us  by 
M.  Denis,  Balaruc  les  Bains,  Herault,  France, 
who,  believing  his  plant  to  be  distinct  from  C. 
sulphureus,  considered  it  a  variety  of  some  other 
named  species,  or  a  hybrid.  Our  correspondent 
has  it  under  the  name  C.  "  Klondyke," 
and    describes    it    as    having    been    introduced 


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August  24,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


151 


about  eight  years  ago,  its  exact  origin  being 
unknown  to  M.  Denis,  who  goes  on  to  say  that 
"  the  plant  is  rare  in  cultivation,  doubtless  be- 
cause of  the  difficulty  of  obtaining  good  seed. 
It  is  easy  to  surmount  this  obstacle  by  sowing 
seeds  earlier  than  the  other  varieties  of  Cosmos 
are  usually  sown.  By  sowing  seeds  under  glass 
•on  February  15,  seedlings  were  raised  which 
were  put  into  the  open  ground  in  April.  These 
■soon  flowered,  and  yielded  an  abundance  of 
good  seed.  The  plants  reached  nearly  18  inches 
in  height,  and  mostly  died  during  the  summer. 
Those  which  survived  formed  exuberant  growth 
by  autumn,  being  nearly  4  feet  in  height.  I>.t  the 
second  bloom  was  not  until  October,  and  early 
frosts  killed  the  plants  before  they  had  yielded 
a  second  crop  of  seed."  After  examining  the 
specimens  at  Kew  in  comparison  with  specimens 
already  in  the  Herbarium,  they  were  found  to 
answer  exactly  to  C.  sulphureus,  of  which 
species  Mr.  S.  A.  Skan  kindly  sends  us  the  fol- 
lowing note  : — "  Though  by  no  means  a  novelty, 
this  plant  does  not  appear  to  be  often  seen  in 
gardens,  possibly  because  of  its  late  flowering 
season,  and  therefore  its  liability  to  be  killed 
prematurely  by  autumn  frosts.  Its  reputation 
may  have  also  suffered  through  the  substitution 
for  it  of  an  inferior  plant,  Bidens  ferulaefolia, 
•which  has  been  distributed  by  some  seedsmen 
under  the  name  of  Cosmos  sulphureus.  The 
latter  species  is  a  much  finer  plant,  and  may 
be  easily  distinguished  from  the  Bidens  by  its 
long-beaked  fruits.  The  Cosmos  has  its  head- 
quarters in  Mexico,  and  it  is  found  also  in  New 
Orleans.  Cavanilles  {Icones,  vol.  i.,  p.  56,  t.  79) 
first  described  and  figured  this  species  about  the 
year  1791,  from  a  plant  found  growing  in  the 
Royal  Garden  at  Madrid.  About  the  same  time, 
Jacquin  (Collect.  Suppl.,  p.  155,  and  Icones 
Plant.  Par.,  t.  595)  described  and  figured  it 
under  the  name  of  Coreopsis  artemisiaefolia,  the 
plant,  presumably,  being  then  in  cultivation  in 
Austria.  It  is  a  much  branched,  more  or  less 
pubescent,  annual,  4  to  8  feet  high  ;  leaves  bi- 
pinnate  or  tri-pinnate,  12  inches  long  or  some, 
times  more  ;  pinnae  alternate  or  opposite,  two  or 
three-toothed,  or  entire,  acute  or  acuminate; 
peduncles  31  to  10  inches  long,  naked;  flower- 
heads  2  to  3  inches  across,  from  a  sulphur-yellow 
to  a  deep  orange  colour  ;  ray-florets  usually  8, 
obovate,  often  three-toothed  at  the  apex  ;  achenes 
linear,  J  to  1  inch  long,  including  the  long,  slen- 
der beak.  Dr.  J.  N.  Ruse,  in  Garden  and  Forest, 
1895,  p.  484,  states  that  the  plant  has  been  in 
cultivation  in  the  greenhouses  of  the  United 
States  Department  of  Agriculture,  Washington, 
and  in  his  own  garden,  since  1892,  and  though 
very  attractive  when  in  bloom,  it  is  too  tender 
there  to  withstand  the  autumn  frosts.  He  re- 
commends that  the  plants  be  forwarded  as  much 
as  possible  early  in  the  season  by  starting  the 
seeds  in  a  cold  frame  or  greenhouse,  and,  fur- 
ther, that  plants  be  placed  under  glass  in  the 
autumn,  when  they  will  soon  begin  to  flower, 
and  will  continue  in  the  flowering  state  for  a 
long  time.  In  a  wild  state  the  plant  grows  in 
the  rich  soil  along  creek-bottoms." 

The   Botanical  Garden,  New   York. — An 

idea  of  the  enormous  growth  of  New  York,  the 
second  largest  city  in  the  world,  with  its  4,000,000 
of  inhabitants,  is  obtained  from  the  Bronx  suburb, 
which  is  readily  reached  by  two  elevated  railways, 
and  lies  to  the  north  of  the  city.  This  terrain,  20 
years  ago,  was  as  difficult  to  reach  as  Philadelphia, 
and  possessed  a  population  of  about  30,000  persons, 
distributed  over  an  area  of  917  square  miles.  There 
were  but  few  good  houses,  and  these  chiefly  sum- 
mer villas  scattered  about  in  a  wilderness  of 
luxuriant-growing  deciduous  trees.  The  rest  were 
huts  inhabited  chiefly  by  criminals.  To-day 
the  Bronx  is  one  of  the  finest  parts  of  New 
York,  and  the   inhabitants   number  400,000.      Its 


most  noteworthy  feature  is  the  Bronx  Park  which 
nature  and  art  have  united  in  forming  into  a 
charming  idyll  for  the  lover  of  nature.  It  is  laid 
out  in  the  English  style,  and  contains  a  zoological 
and  a  botanical  garden,  provided  with  glasshouses  ; 
and  a  museum.  A  striking  peculiarity  of  the  place, 
due  to  climatic  conditions,  and  the  composition  of 
the  soil,  which  is  rich  in  silicic  acid,  is  the  luxuriant 
foliage  of  trees,  shrubs,  and  vegetation  in  general, 
and  the  poor  floral  development.  Compared 
with  the  maritime  climate  of  western  Europe,  the 
American  seaboard  shows  important  differences, 
and  at  certain  seasons  is  not  particularly  favour- 
able to  vegetation.  There  is  constant  change,  and 
the  differences  between  the  temperature  in  winter 
and  summer  are  great.  The  foliage  remains  on 
the  trees  for  a  long  time,  often  till  late  in  Novem- 
ber, a  feature  of  the  so-called  "  Indian  summer." 
Vegetation,  however,  is  greatly  delayed  in  the 
spring,  and  often  it  is  the  first  week  in  May 
before  a  green  leaf  is  seen.  Hail  storms  and  long 
continued  rains  seldom  occur.  The  botanical 
museum  building  consists  of  four  stories,  the 
lower  one  contains  the  lecture  hall,  constructed 
after  the  European  university  model ;  adjoining  this 
are  halls  for  exhibitions  especially  fitted  up  for 
tropical  plants.  The  actual  museum  is  found  on  the 
first  floor.  The  interior  is  reminiscent  in  its  decora- 
tions of  the  Carrara  marble  of  a  Grecian  temple. 
Glass  cases  contain  an  enormous  collection  of  all 
classes  and  genera  of  the  vegetable  kingdom,  be- 
sides Cryptogamic  plants,  such  as  Fungi,  Algae, 
Lichens,  &c,  and  specimens  of  timbers,  wax 
models  of  plant  diseases,  together  with  photo- 
graphs of  the  same.  A  large  herbarium  is  situated 
on  the  second  floor,  and  on  the  top  storey  there  is 
found  a  very  comprehensive  library,  lighted  by  a 
gigantic  glass  dome.  Workrooms  for  botanical 
research  abut  on  the  library.  The  various  officials 
and  the  director  of  the  botanical  garden,  Dr.  N. 
L.  Britton,  are  provided  with  offices  in  the 
Museum.  The  glasshouses,  constructed  by 
Messrs.  Lord  &  Burnham,  cost  225,000  dollars. 
They  face  to  the  museum  building,  and  exhibit  the 
latest  improvements  in  glasshouse  construction 
and  fittings.  They  form  three  sides  of  a  square, 
one  long  side  being  left  open,  and  consist  of  five 
domed  houses  and  six  span-roofed  connecting 
houses.  The  area  covered  amounts  to  47,000 
square  feet,  and  the  glazing  is  done  on  the  single- 
pane  plan.  The  heating  apparatus  consists  of  a 
number  of  "radiators"  constructed  in  every  case 
of  3-inch  pipes,  placed  together  to  the  number  of 
20,  and  the  heating  power  is  steam  obtained  from 
eight  boilers  having  an  expansion  power  of  80h  p.  A 
great  advantage  found  in  this  system  of  heating  is 
that  any  repairs  needed  can  be  carried  out  by  the 
garden  staff  of  artificers,  and  a  burst  steam  pipe 
can  be  removed  and  another  inserted  without 
much  trouble  in  two  hours.  The  ventilation  is  self- 
regulating  and  is  effected  by  hydraulic  pressure, 
acting  by  means  of  a  thermostat.  This  method 
saves  all  the  labour  usually  required  by  other 
methods.  An  interesting  article,  containing  the 
foregoing  particulars,  was  published  in  Die  Gar- 
tenwelt  for  July  20,  1907. 

Comarella  multifoliata. — In  this  Rosa- 
ceous plant,  collected  in  the  San  Francisco  moun- 
tains, and  introduced  by  C.  A.  Purpus  about 
four  years  since  under  the  name  of  Ivesia  Pur- 
pusii,  we  have  an  interesting  subject  for  the  rock- 
garden.  The  leaves,  5-7  inches  long,  are  very 
small,  and  formed  of  feather-like  leaflets  arranged 
in  close  order,  giving  the  plant  the  appearance  of 
a  Fern.  The  plant  is  comparatively  widespread 
in  the  higher  regions  of  the  San  Francisco  moun- 
tains, and  usually  in  dry,  sunny  positions,  a  fact 
which  indicates  the  best  place  for  it  on  a  rockery. 
The  reddish-brown  blossoms  are  inconspicuous, 
and  the  value  of  the  plant  as  an  ornament  lies  in 
its  preliy  foliage.  The  true  Ivesia  Purpusii  stands 
botanically  very  close  to  Comarella,    but    differs 


essentially  from  it.  Ivesias  are  difficult  of  culti- 
vation, whereas  Comarella  is  readily  grown.  /.  A . 
Puipus  in  Midler's  Deutsche  Gartner-Zeitung. 

Celebrations  at  the  Braiswick  Nur- 
sery, Colchester.— On  the  Sth  inst.,  the  staff 
at  this  nursery  was  entertained  by  Messrs.  F. 
Cant  &  Co.  at  dinner,  to  celebrate  the  coming  of 
age  of  Mr.  Sidney  Cant.  During  the  evening 
an  interesting  presentation  was  made  to  Mr. 
Sidney  Cant  on  behalf  of  the  employes. 

Forestry  at  Cambridge.— The  importance 
of  Foisstry  as  a  branch  of  knowledge  and  as  a 
field  for  research  is  engaging  the  attention  of 
the  authorities  of  Cambridge  University.  A  post 
of  Readership  in  Forestry  has  been  established, 
and  the  appointment  has  been  awarded  to  Dr. 
Augustine  Henry,  whose  contributions  to  horti- 
culture, and  to  botanical  science  are  well  known 
to  our  readers.  Since  his  return  from  China, 
Dr.  Henry  has  devoted  much  attention  to  arbori- 
culture, and  has  visited  the  United  States, 
Canada,  Spain,  Algeria,  Corsica,  and  Italy  for 
the  purpose  of  studying  tree  growth  in  those 
countries. 

American    Seed   Trade    Association.— At 

the  annual  convention  of  the  American  Seed 
Trade  Association,  held  recently  in  New  York, 
the  President,  Mr.  Henry  W.  Wood,  said  that 
the  past  season  was  the  most  prosperous  the 
seedsmen  had  experienced,  and  the  outlook  for 
the  future  was  a  bright  one.  In  speaking  of  the 
general  work  of  the  association,  he  recommended 
agitation  on  the  tariff  question  for  the  reduc- 
tion of  duty  on  such  seeds  as  cannot  be  raised 
in  the  United  States.  Amongst  other  matters  of 
general  importance  to  the  trade  is  pure  seed  legis- 
lation, postal  packet  rates,  telegTaph  and  cable 
code  of  the  association,  and  the  society's  efforts 
in  the  fight  against  the  free  distribution  of  seeds, 
the  results  of  which,  thus  far,  have  been  dis- 
couraging. Dr.  Galloway,  in  a  subsequent 
paper  on  "  What  the  Department  of  Agriculture 
is  Doing  for  the  Seed  Trade,"  made  mention 
of  the  breeding  of  various  grasses,  forage  plants, 
vegetables,  &c,  now  being  done  by  experts  under 
Government  direction.  Mr.  Calloway's  address 
will  be  published  shortly  with  illustrations.  Dr. 
W.  W.  Tracey,  in  an  address  on  "  The  Seed 
Trade  of  the  Past  25  Years,"  alluded  to  the 
growth  and  prosperity  of  the  population,  which 
have  resulted  in  a  vast  increase  in  the  bulk 
of  seed  sold.  The  relative  quantity  of  Ameri- 
can-grown seed  was  constantly  increasing, 
and  the  imported  seed  was  only  purchased  when 
there  was  a  short  supply  or  the  price  of  foreign 
seed  was  lower.  Much  of  the  imported  seed  was 
of  poor  germinating  quality,  and  instances  were 
given  in  which  60  per  cent,  would  not  grow. 
Dr.  Tracey  made  mention  of  the  common  prac- 
tice of  making  seed-saving  a  side  product  of  some 
other  industry.  The  fruit  from  w-hich  a  large  pro- 
portion of  the  Tomato  seed  is  taken  is  utilised 
for  canning  or  for  the  making  of  catsup,  and  quite 
a  proportion  of  the  Sweet  Corn,  Peas,  Beans, 
&c,  come  from  fields  which  were  primarily 
planted  for  the  canning  industry,  but  in  which 
the  fruit  got  too  old  to  use  for  this  purpose,  and 
so  was  allowed  to  ripen  for  seed.  In  the  same 
way  Cucumbers,  Melons,  &c,  planted  with  the 
intention  of  selling  the  fruit,  were  allowed  to 
ripen.  The  practice  was  a  dangerous  one,  and 
often  resulted  in  seed  which,  because  of  being  a 
mixture,  is  most  undesirable.  There  has  been 
a  decided  increase  in  varietal  names,  and  a 
comparison  was  made  of  lists  issued  25  years  ago 
with  those  of  the  present  day.  The  average  of  five 
leading  trade  lists  in  1882  was  551 ;  whilst  in 
1907  the  aggregate  was  689  names,  433  being 
new.  In  the  lists  of  196  leading  seedsmen, 
Tomato  seed  was  offered  under  248  different 
varietal  names,  118  of  which  were  offered  by  a 
single  firm.  Yet  all  could  be  easily  classed 
under  fewer  than  a  score  of  different  types. 


152 


THE    GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


[August  24,  1907. 


Viola  Trials  in  the  Queens  Park, 
Glasgow. — The  second  and  final  inspection  of 
a. trial  of  Violas  (see  p.  91)  conducted  in  this  park- 
tools  place  on  the  14th  inst.  Four  Silver  Medals 
were  offered  by  the  Scottish  Pansy  and  Viola 
Association  for  the  best  varieties  having  blue, 
white,  and  yellow  flowers,  and  also  for  the  best 
variety  of  any  other  colour  than  these.  First-CIass 
Certificates  were  awarded  to  varieties  receiving 
36  or  more  points  at  either  of  the  inspections. 
In  arriving  at  their  decisions  the  judges  were 
influenced  by  the  value  of  the  variety  for  bedding 
purposes.  The  following  varieties  were  awarded 
the  medals  : — Yellow,  Red  Braes,  from  Messrs. 
James  Grieve  &  Son,  Edinburgh,  with  68  points 
out  of  a  possible  96  ;  Blue,  Ithuriel,  from  Mr. 
Michael  Cuthbertson,  Rothesay,  52  points; 
White,  E.  C.  Barlow,  52  points,  from  Mr.  John 
Smellie,  Busby.  "Any  other  colour,"  Kitty 
Bell,  a  variety  having  lavender-coloured  flowers, 
60  points,  from  Mr.  Cuthbertson.  Only  three 
plants  were  awarded  First-CIass  Certificates,  viz.  : 
J.  H.  Watson,  a  striped  flower,  from  Mr.  Johnston, 
Bearsden  ;  Red  Braes  and  Kitty  Bell. 


MARKET    NOTES. 

Tomato  Sunrise. — This  variety  is  finding  favour 
with  market-growers,  and  I  recently  saw  fruits 
packed  for  market  at  the  Finchley  Nurseries. 
Mr.  Frampton,  the  manager,  informed  me  the 
crop  is  all  best  quality  fruits,  which  are  of  a 
uniform  size.  The  prospects  of  the  out-door 
Tomato  crop  are  poor,  even  in  the  Worthing  dis- 
trict, but  the  season  promises  good  returns  for 
those  growers  who  have  crops  under  glass. 

Tomatos  in  unhealed  houses. — The  fruits  should 
be  fairly  ripe  when  gathered,  as  they  are  slow 
to  colour  after  picking.  Tomatos  have  been 
realising  4s.  6d.  per  12  lbs.  during  the  past 
week.  Comet  succeeds  well  under  the  cold- 
house  treatment,  and  the  crop  of  this  variety 
now  being  harvested  is  most  promising. 

Price  of  fuel. — The  high  price  of  fuel  will  be 
a  serious  item  this  winter.  I  have  knowledge  of 
a  contract  for  1,000  tons  of  anthracite  coal  at 
an  increased  price  of  5s.  3d.  per  ton  over  that  of 
last  year.  Contracts  for  coke  cannot  be  made 
for  any  length  of  time  in  advance.  Assuming 
the  value  of  anthracite  coal  to  be  24s.,  and  coke 
18s.  per  ton,  it  is  indeed  a  serious  matter  for  all, 
but  more  especially  for  the  smaller  growers. 

Canon  Hall  Grape. — The  mid-season  crops  of 
this  Grape,  or  those  that  will  be  harvested  by- 
January,  are  doing  well.  Shanking  is  not  much 
in  evidence,  owing  to  the  wood  having  been  well 
ripened  last  autumn.  The  season  so  far  has 
been  suitable  for  Canon  Hall  Muscat,  and  will 
be  quite  satisfactory  if  the  wood  ripens  well. 
This  fine  Grape  appears  to  succeed  equally  as 
well  on  the  stiff  Middlesex  soil  as  on  the  lighter 
soils  of  the  Worthing  district. 

A  disease-resisting  Cucumber. — The  variety 
known  as  "  Butcher's  Disease-resisting "  is 
rightly  named.  I  have  seen  plants  of  this 
Cucumber  free  from  disease  and  bearing  a  pro- 
lific crop,  while  plants  in  other  houses  planted 
and  treated  in  the  same  manner  had  to  be 
destroyed  owing  to  the  presence  of  disease. 
Market-growers  will  do  well  to  give  this  variety 
a  trial.     Stephen   Castle. 


HOME    CORRESPONDENCE. 


(The  Editor  does  not  hold  himself  responsible  for  the 
opinions  expressed  by  his  correspondents.  J 
Hydrangea  Hortensia  at  Boughton 
Park. — During  a  recent  visit  to  this  establish- 
ment I  noticed  well-cultivated  plants  of  Hydrangea 
Hortensia  growing  in  tubs  on  the  terrace.  The 
plants  measured  8  feet  in  height  and  6  feet  through, 
and  each  was  carrying  100  fully-expanded  inflores- 
cences ;  there  being  others  in  the  bud  state.  The 
plants  are  given  the  protection  of  a  greenhouse  in 
winter.  When  growth  commences  in  the  spring- 
time they  are  afforded  a  top-dressing  consisting  of 
a  mixture  of  good  loam,  leaf  soil,  and  artificial 
manure.     A.  R.  Pearce,  The  Gab'es,  Kenilwotth. 

The  Crown  Pea.— I  was  much  interested  in 
the  illustration  of  this  plant  on  p.  120.  About  50 
years  ago  I  received  seeds  of  it  under  the  name  of 
Pisum  coronatum  from,  I  believe,  Mr.  W.  Hamil- 
ton, seedsman,  Cheapside,  London.  There  are  two 
varieties  of  the  Mummy  or  Crown  Pea,  the  one 
with  flowers  of  the  same  colour  as  the  field  Pea, 


and  the  other  white.  I  have  never  seen  seeds 
offered  for  sale  in  any  nurseryman's  or  seedsman's 
catalogue.  Another  interesting  Pea,  and  one  of 
which  I  am  anxious  to  acquire  seeds,  is  the  white 
variety  of  L.  tingitanus  ;  this  seems  to  be  very 
little  known.  No  doubt  it  exists  in  some  old 
gardens.     Justus  Coidcroy. 

Question   Night  at  Debating  Societies. 

— Committees  of  gardeners'  mutual  improvement 
societies  often  find  a  difficulty  in  providing  fresh 
subjects  and  lecturers  at  their  meetings. 
This  difficulty  has  presented  itself  in  Kingston, 
where  lecturers  are  no  more  plentiful  than  else- 
where, and,  as  an  experiment,  one  evening  in  the 
first  half  of  the  winter  session  has  been  set  apart 
as  a  "  Question  night."  Members  will  be  invited 
to  write  legibly  on  strips  of  paper  anonymous 
questions  on  subjects  of  gardening  interest.  These 
are  to  be  handed  to  the  chairman,  who  will  pre- 
sent each  separately  to  the  members  and  invite  a 
reply.  Should  no  one  volunteer  to  do  so  the  chair- 
man must  do  his  best  to  provide  a  reply.  It  is 
hoped  that  in  this  way  many  subjects  of  general 
interest  to  members  will  be  elucidated.     A.  D. 

Buddleia  Colvilei.  — This  Sikkim  species 
also  flowered  in  these  gardens  for  the  first  time 
in  June,  1906.  Two  plants  have  also  flowered  with 
us  this  season.  The  one  is  a  bush-trained  speci- 
men in  a  perfectly  open  position,  and  one  that 
is  much  exposed  to  cold  winds.  The  weather 
during  the  past  winter  and  spring  has  been 
exceptionally  severe  around  Edinburgh,  but  all 
our  plants  of  Buddleia  Colvilei  have  proved  per- 
fectly hardy,  and  show  no  signs  of  injury  by 
frost.  A  plant  trained  against  a  north-east 
wall  has  grown  freely,  but  has  not  yet  flowered. 
Our  bush-plant,  however,  was  only  about  4  feet 
in  height  when  it  first  flowered.  I  notice  that 
on  certain  of  the  inflorescences  the  low-er  flowers 
only  of  the  panicle  have  developed.  In  the 
Gardeners'  Chronicle,  August  13,  1892,  p.  187,  is 
an  excellent  illustration  of  this  species,  but  the 
figure  differs  from  any  specimens  I  have  seen  in 
that  the  flowers  are  shown  arising  half-way  be- 
tween the  internodes,  whereas  I  have  seen  them 
as  axillary  only.  Probably  this  arises  from  a 
very  robust  growing  specimen  being  illustrated. 
The  flowers  that  developed  here  were  very  much 
daiker  in  colour  than  those  illustrated  in  the 
Botanical  Magazine,  t.  7749.  This  beautiful 
species  was,  I  believe,  first  flowered  in  Scot- 
land some  four  or  five  years  since  in  the  gardens 
of  O.  H.  Mackenzie,  Esq.,  Inverewe  House, 
Ross-shire.  W .  Smith,  Royal  Botanic  Garden, 
Edinburgh. 

Chrysanthemums  in  the  Present  Sea- 
son.— The  cold,  wet  weather  of  summer  has  not 
been  altogether  favourable  to  the  Chrysanthemum. 
It  is  possible  that  some  varieties,  which  generally 
produce  their  best  flowers  from  the  second  bud, 
will  this  year  give  better  results  from  their  first 
buds,  especially  in  the  case  of  plants  that  were 
late  in  starting  into  growth.  The  plants  will  not  be 
benefited  by  heavy  feeding  until  they  are  under 
cover,  owing  to  the  excessive  rainfall.  Those 
persons  who  have  light,  cool  houses  at  their  dis- 
posal may  find  it  advantageous  to  place  choice 
and  delicate  varieties  under  glass  soon,  unless 
there  is  a  great  improvement  in  the  weather  during 
September.     A  .  j.  Lung,  Wy fold  Court  Guldens. 

Summer  Pruning  of  Fruit  Trees. — I  en- 
close three  shootsof  last  year's  growth — oneof  Pear 
and  two  of  Apple— showing  the  effect  of  last  sum- 
mer's pruning  as  practised  in  Mr.  E.  A.  Wilson's 
garden,  Rockingham,  Edgbaston  Park  Road,  Bir- 
mingham. You  will  observe  that  the  Keswick 
Codlin  Apple  and  Williams'  Bon  Chretien  Pear 
were  enabled  last  autumn  to  so  mature  many  of 
the  buds  that  they  formed  fruit-buds,  whilst  those 
that  have  not  fruited  will  certainly  do  so  next 
season.  The  shoot  of  Cellini  Pippin  shows  what 
usually  takes  place  on  many  of  the  varieties  of 
Apples  and  Pears  that  have  been  summer  pruned 
at  the  proper  time.  It  has  produced  a  few  fruits 
at  the  upper  end,  whilst  the  buds  below  have  de- 
veloped into  fruit-bearing  buds,  and  with  little  or  no 
superfluous  side  growths  that  many  of  your  corre- 
spondents complain  of.  The  current  year's  growth 
is  poor  and  weakly  owing  to  a  lack  of  sunshine, 
and  to  all  appearances  these  growths  will  not  be 
ready  for  summer  pruning  until  later  in  the  season. 
In  the  Warwick  Castle  collection  of  Apples  staged 
at  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Apple  Con- 
gress (1888)  many  of  the  best  fruits  were  from  the 
previous  year's  wood.  At  Ragley  Hall  the  best 
samples   of   Keswick  Codlin,   Lord  Derby,  Wor- 


cester Pearmair.,  and  Stirling  Castle  were,  with 
few  exceptions,  obtained  from  the  previous  year's 
growths  that  had  been  summer  pruned.  The 
tables  on  pp.  400-403  in  the  issue  for  June  22 
should  be  of  much  service  to  all  interested  in 
summer  priming.  By  reading  very  carefully  the 
various  reports,  one  lesson  can  be  learned,  viz., 
that  one's  faculties  for  observation  and  discrimina- 
tion should  be  brought  to  bear  upon  this  subject,  for 
many  persons  seem  to  regard  summer  pruning  as 
a  matter  of  form.  My  experience  is  that  all  fruit 
trees  require  bcth  summer  and  winter  pruning  to 
yield  the  best  results.  Trees  properly  treated 
from  the  commencement  will  not  require  much 
pruning  at  either  season.  The  most  suitable  time 
for  summer  pruning  and  the  mode  of  performing 
it  is  ruled  by  many  circumstances.  Every  variety 
of  fruit  tree  has  a  habit  of  growth  peculiar  to 
itself,  and  this  varies  with  cultivation,  soil,  situa- 
tion, temperature,  &c.  A.  D.  Christie,  Rockingham 
Gardens,  Edgbaston  Park  Road,  Birmingham. 

Astilbe  Davidii  — This  plant  has  now  been  in 
cultivation  long  enough  for  its  value  in  the  gar- 
den to  be  tested.  Personally,  I  must  confess  to 
disappointment  in  what  I  had  hoped  would 
prove  a  fine  addition  to  gardens.  It  grows  more 
luxuriantly  each  successive  year,  and  has  an  ex- 
cellent habit  of  growth,  but  the  colour  of  its 
flowers  turns  to  an  inky  shade  in  a  very  few 
days  after  the  flowers  open.  We  purchased  six 
plants,  one  of  which  never  grew.  The  other 
five  have  grown  well.  Two  of  them  are  of  a 
dull  red  purple.  The  first  one  was  of  a  rosy- 
pink  shade,  such  as  the  form  which  was  first  ex- 
hibited, and  much  about  the  shade  of  the  old 
Spiraea  venustum.  Of  the  remaining  two  plants, 
one  is  pale  rose  and  the  other  not  a  good  shade 
of  rosy-purple.  Probably,  had  all  been  like  the 
one  I  call  rosy-pink,  this  note  would  not  have 
been  written.  It  seems  a  pity  that  the  poorly- 
coloured  forms  should  be  distributed.  The 
spikes  grow  to  a  height  of  5  feet  to  5  feet  6 
inches  here,  and  the  actual  length  of  the  flower- 
ing spike  is  at  least  3  feet.  The  side  spray,  like 
the  central  spike,  grows  very  upright,  so  that  the 
maximum  diameter  of  the  flowering  portion  does 
rot  much  exceed  5  inches.  The  flowers  are  slow 
to-  open,  and  are  borne  over  a  period  of  about 
five  weeks,  commencing  in  August,  but  the  inky 
tinge  acquired  by  the  earlier  flowers  spoil  what 
otherwise  would  be  a  fine  splash  of  colour 
Like  most  plants  of  its  kind,  it  revels  in  a  good 
supply  of  water,  and  succeeds  best  in  swampy 
ground  or  by  a  pond  which  is  allowed  to  over- 
flow its  banks  frequently.  /.  C.  Tallack^ 
Derbyshire. 

SOCIETIES. 


ROYAL   HORTICULTURAL. 

August  20. — The  exhibition  on  Tuesday  last 
at  the  Hall  in  Vincent  Square,  Westminster, 
was  again  very  small,  and  the  attendance  of 
visitors  meagre.  There  were  fewer  entries  for 
Orchids,  and  the  Orchid  Committee  recom- 
mended only  one  Award  of  Merit  and  one 
Botanical  Certificate. 

The  Floral  Committee  had  several  meri- 
torious exhibits  to  inspect,  notably  a  display  of 
Gladioli,  and  a  representative  collection  of  hardy 
annuals.  This  Committee  granted  an  Award  of 
Merit  to  a  large-flowered  strain  of  Streptocarpus 
and  a  Botanical  Certificate  to  a  species  of  Rubus. 

The  Fruit  and  Vegetable  Committee  con- 
ferred Awards  of  Merit  on  two  varieties  of 
Melons,  and  a  Potato,  all  of  which  had  been 
grown  under  trial  at  Wisley.  Two  meritorious 
collections  of  fruit  trees  in  pots,  notably  one  of 
Apricots,  formed  the  principal  exhibits  brought 
to  the  notice  of  this  Committee. 

At  the  afternoon  meeting  16  new  Fellows 
were  elected,  and  a  lecture  on  "  Terrace-garden 
Plants,''  illustrated  by  lantern  slides,  by  Mr. 
James  Hudson,  of  Gunnersbury  House  Gardens, 
was  read  by  the  Secretary. 

Floral  Committee. 

Present :  W.  Marshall,  Esq.  (in  the  chair)  j 
and  Messrs.  H.  B.  May,  Jas.  Walker,  T.  W. 
Turner,  Chas.  E.  Pearson,  J.  H.  Barr,  G . 
Reuthe,  W.  P.  Thomson,  W.  Howe,  E.  II. 
Jenkins,  Geo.  Nicholson,  Jas.  Hudson,  K-- 
Ilooper  Pearson,  and  George  Gordon. 

Messrs.  H.  B.  May  &  Sons,  Edmonton, 
showed    a    number    of   varieties    of    Campanula 


August  24,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


153 


isophylla  as  small  pot  plants,  all  of  which  were 
covered  with  their  pretty  bell-shaped  flowers  in 
blue  and  white  colours  :  the  varieties  included 
Mayii,  alba  and  superba.  The  taller  C.  pyra- 
midalis  was  also  exhibited  in  both  the  blue  and 
the  white  varieties.  The  group  included 
well-grown  plants  of  Ixoras,  Vallota  purpurea, 
greenhouse  Veronicas,  and  flowers  of  Lapageria, 
including  the  large-flowering  Nash  Court 
variety.  Several  choice  Ferns  were  interspersed 
amongst  the  flowering  plants.  (Silver  Flora 
Medal.) 

Mr.  A.  Bullock,  gardener  to  \l.  Wythes, 
Esq.,  Copped  Hall,  Epping,  Essex,  showed  a 
group  of  Ixoras  in  variety.  The  plants  ex- 
hibited good  culture  and  were  very  freely 
flowered.     (Silver   Banksian   Medal.) 

Messrs.  Paul  &  Son,  Old  Nurseries,  Ches- 
hunt,  Herts,  staged  a  collection  of  Roses  of  such 
varieties  as  Dean  Hole,  Le  Progres,  Hugh  Dick- 
son, George  Laing  Paul,  The  Dandy  and  Far- 
benkonigen.  Sprays  of  the  interesting  Rosa 
sericea  pteracantha  with  its  dark-red  spines,  and 
of  Tamarisk  hispida  aestivalis,  were  also  seen  in 
this  exhibit.     (Bronze  Flora  Medal.) 

Mr.  George  Prince,  Longworth,  Berkshire, 
displayed  cut  blooms  of  Roses  of  suitable  gar- 
den varieties,  and  a  seedling  named  after  Mrs. 
Longworth,  with  striped  petals,  that  are  similar 
in  marking  to  those  of  the  old  York  and  Lan- 
caster.     (Silver   Banksian   Medal.) 

Messrs.  Kelway  &  Son,  Langport,  Somerset, 
again  exhibited  a  large  collection  of  Gladioli. 
The  varieties  were  more  numerous  than  in  their 
exhibit  at  the  last  meeting,  and  thev  occupied 
the  whole  of  a  table  at  the  end  of  the  build- 
ing opposite  the  clock.  Some  of  the  finer 
spikes  shown  were  those  labelled  Lord  Milner 
^reddish-orange  with  a  yellow  lip),  Lady  Peyton 
(scarlet),  Crown  Princess  of  Sweden  (salmon), 
Dovedale  (white,  with  spots  of  rose  colour  in  the 
throat),  Lady  Macdonald  (purple),  Edward 
YlL,  Brooklands,  Golden  Sword  (yellow),  and 
Glory  of  Huish.     (Silver-Gilt  Flora  Medal.) 

Messrs.  W.  Hi  i  i  &  Sons,  King's  Road,  Chel- 
sea, displayed  an  interesting  collection  of  eco- 
nomic  plants,  many  of  which  were  of  medicinal 
value.  There  were  about  60  varieties  of  such 
plants  as  the  Olive,  Olea  fragrans,  Cinnamo- 
mum  zeylanicum,  Kickxia  africana  (from  which 
is  produced  Lagos  rubberl,  Saccharum  nth,  m- 
arum,  the  Sugar  Cane,  &c.  (Silver  Banksian 
Medal.) 

Mr.  A.  Ll.  Gwillim,  Cambria  Nurserv,  New 
Eltham,  Kent,  showed  flowers  of  tuberous-root- 
ing Begonias  of  both  single  and  double-flowering 
varieties.  We  also  noticed  some  of  the  "  crested  " 
type.  The  shades  of  yellow,  scarlet,  pink,  &c, 
were  very  beautiful,  and  the  exhibit  represented 
a  fine  strain  of  these  useful  bedding  plants. 
(Silver  F'lora  Medal.) 

Messrs.  James  Veitcii  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  King's 
Road,  Chelsea,  staged  a  group  of  hardv  flower- 
ing shrubs  and  tall-growing  herbaceous  plants. 
Artemisia  lactiflora  has  numerous  inflorescences 
of  cream-coloured  flowers  ;  Eucryphia  pinnati- 
folia  is  a  handsome  shrub  that  bears  numerous 
large  white  flowers  ;  Pavia  macrostachya  has  tall 
inflorescences;  Sambucus  racemosus  develops 
large  umbels  of  fragrant  flowers ;  Berberis 
hakeodata  is  an  ornamental  shrub  when  in  fruit. 
"We  also  noticed  Buddleia  variabilis  magnifica, 
Astilbe  Davidii,  Serratula  atriplicifolia,  Senecio 
Veitchianus,  hardy  Heaths,  &c.  (Silver-Gilt 
Flora  Medal.) 

Messrs.  H.  Cannell  &  Sons,  Swanlev,  Kent, 
showed  an  interesting  collection  of  hardy  an- 
nuals, interspersed  with  a  few  showy  border 
flowers.  Varieties  of  Helichrysum  bracteatum 
were  very  pretty,  also  Centaurea  "Bridesmaid," 
Salpiglossis  in  variety,  Alonsoa  mutisi,  Phlox 
Drummondii,  Zinnias,  Marigolds,  Calliopsis  atro- 
sanguinea,  Scabiosa  grandiflora,  Viscaria  cceru- 
lea,  Clarkia  pulchella,  Godetia  grandiflora,  and 
many  others.     (Silver-Gilt  Banksian  Medal.) 

Messrs.  Arthur  Charlton_&  Sons,  Summer- 
vale  Nursery,  Eridge  Road,  Tunbridge  Wells, 
Kent,  showed  a  fine  collection  of  seasonable 
hardy  flowers,  including  choice  varieties  of  Gail- 
lardias,  Phloxes,  Veronicas,  Pentstemons, 
Gladioli,  Verbenas,  Liliums,  Statices,  Coreopsis, 
iVc.     (Silver  Banksian  Medal.) 

Mr.  Geo.  Reuthe,  Keston,  Kent,  showed  in- 
teresting Alpine  and  hardy  plants.  Lysimachia 
Henryi  is  a  dwarf  species,  with  relatively  large, 
yellow  flowers  ;  Hypericum  cuneatum  is  another 
dwarf   plant,   the   flower-buds   are   red     but   the 


petals  when  expanded  are  yellow.  Samolus 
rupestris,  Tamarisk  hispida  aestivalis,  her- 
baceous Phloxes,  and  many  other  pleasing 
plants  were  seen  in  this  exhibit. 

Messrs.  T.  S.  Ware,  Ltd.,  Ware's  Nursery, 
F'eltham,  Middlesex,  exhibited  an  assortment  of 
hardy  flowers.  Pentstemons  were  shown  in 
many  fine  varieties,  also  herbaceous  Phloxes, 
Tritomas,  Chrysanthemum  maximum,  Dendro- 
mecon  rigidum,  &c,  and  the  whole  was  relieved 
with  light  sprays  of  Statice,  Grasses,  and  Bam- 
boos.    (Bronze   Flora  Medal.) 

Messrs.  J.  Cheal  &  Sons,  Crawley,  Sussex, 
showed  a  number  of  flower-spikes  of  their  rose- 
coloured  Lupin  named  Lupinus  polyphyllus 
roseus  and  a  white  pompon-Cactus  Dahlia 
labelled  The  Bride. 

Messrs.  Wm.  Cutbush  &  Son,  Highgate  Nur- 
series, London,  N.,  displayed  a  prettily-arranged 
exhibit  of  Chrysanthemum  maximum  "The 
Speaker,"  a  large-flowered  variety,  with  pure 
white  florets. 

Messrs.  Kenward  tV-  Son,  Lewes,  showed  a 
number  of  floral  devices. 

Mr.  A.  Wright,  43,  Tharp  Road,  Wellington, 
Surrey,  showed  flowers  of  Petunia,  each  under 
a  name. 

Miss  Dodge,  Loseley  Park,  Guildford  (gr.  Mr. 
R.  Staward),  exhibited  vases  of  double-flowered 
Stocks. 

Leopold  de  Rni  us,  mi  n,  Esq.,  Gunnersbury 
lb. use,  Acton,  W.  (gr.  Mr.  James  Hudson), 
showed  a  batch  of  plants  of  a  small-flowered, 
scented-leaved  Pelargonium  named  Countess  of 
Devon,  and  excellent  specimens  of  Cyrtanthus 
hybridus,  to  which  a  First-Class  Certificate  was 
awarded  in  1885.  A  Cultural  Commendation 
was  awarded  for  these  latter  plants. 

AWARDS. 
Aw  \i;n  i  if  Merit. 
Streptocarpus,  Burden's  strain. — Several  plants 
of  greenhouse  Streptocarpus,  bearing  flowers  that 
measured   3   inches   across    their    widest     part, 
were     shown     by     Mr.      F.      BUKDETT,      Sun- 
ningdale,     Berks.       The    plant,    wire    extremely 
floriferous ;    as    many    as   20   expanded    inti 
cences  and  more  than  this  number  of  cut  ll 
stalks   were   seen   on   some   of  the   plants.     The 
colour  was  a  deep  shale  of  lavender-blue,  with 
unison  blotches   near  the  mouth.     The  Awar  1 
was  granted  to  the  strain. 

BOTANH   AI.   (    EKTIFICATE. 

Rubui  bambusarum. — This  is  a  newly-intro- 
duced species  from  China.  It  has  a  trailing, 
ie  habit,  with  long,  bramble-like  shoots, 
bearing  handsome  tn-parted  leaves  of  a  deep, 
glossy  green  above,  and  with  a  white  tonientum 
beneath.  FZach  leaf-segment  is  about  5  inches 
in  length,  and  linear-lanceolate  in  shape.  The 
fruits  are  not  unlike  those  of  our  native  Bramble. 
Shown  by  Messrs.  James  VEITCH  &  Sons,  Ltd. 

Orchid  Committee. 

Present:  J.  Gurney  Fowler,  Esq.  (in  the 
chair);  and  Messrs.  fas.  O'Brien  |hon.  sec), 
Harry  J.  Veitch,  W.  Boxall,  G.  F.  Moore,  W. 
Thompson,  J.  Wilson  Potter,  H.  T.  Pitt,  A.  A. 
McBean,  T.  W.  Bond,  A.  Dve,  W.  P.  Bound, 
W.  H.  Young,  J.  Charlesworth,  H.  G.  Alex- 
ander, W.  II.  White,  F.  J.  Thorne,  H.  A.  Tracy, 
W.   I'obb,  and  W.  Bolton. 

Major  G.  L.  Holford,  CLE.,  C.V.O., 
Westonbirt,  Tetbury  (gr.  Mr.  II.  G.  Alexander), 
was  awarded  a  Silver-Gilt  Lindley  Medal  for  an 
immense  plant  of  Laelio-Cattleya  elegans  with 
30  flower-spikes,  bearing  together  230  flowers, 
the  largest  spike  having  13  blooms  The  speci- 
men, which  was  one  of  the  finest  Orchids  ever 
staged  at  an  exhibition,  was  an  example  of  high 
culture,  the  flowers  being  perfect  in  development 
and  of  fine,   rich,  purple  colour. 

Major  Holford  also  received  a  Silver  Bank- 
sian Medal  for  a  selection  of  six  new  hybrid  Or- 
chids, viz.,  Brasso-Cattleya  Madame  Jules  Hye, 
with  pretty,  blush-white  flowers,  having  sulphur- 
coloured  discs  to  the  lips ;  Cattleya  Pittiana 
superba  ;  C.  fulvescens  magnifica,  with  flowers 
of  a  pale  buff  tint,  having  handsome  rose-veinel 
lips;  Laelio-Cattleya  Ophir  "Variety  delicata," 
white,  with  yellow  throat,  arid  rose  front  to  the- 
lip;  Cattleya  Euphrasia  "Westonbirt  variety," 
a  fine  form  of  the  plant  recorded  at  a  recent 
meeting  as  L.-C.  Macaenas  ;  and  Laelio-Cattleva 
Arethusa  (_C.  Harrisoniana  X   L.,C.  Exoniensisi. 

Sir    Trevor    Lawrence,    Bart.,    Burford    (gr. 


Mr.  W.  H.  White),  was  awarded  a  Silver 
Banksian  Medal  for  a  pleasing  group  of  the 
rare,  light-scarlet-colo.ured  terrestrial  Orchid 
Habenaria  rhodocheila,  which  is  of  similar  habit 
to  H.  militaris.  The  group  contained  about  two 
dozen  very  healthy  and  well-flowered  plants. 
Sir  Trevor  Lawrence  also  displayed  a  plant  of 
Polystachya  odorata,  with  a  10-branched  in- 
florescence of  white  flowers,  and  a  grand  speci- 
men of  Bulbophyllum  longisepalum.  (See 
Awards.) 

Messrs.  Charlesworth  &  Co.,  Heaton,  Brad- 
ford, secured  a  Silver  Flora  Medal  for  a  fine 
group,  containing  some  good  examples  of  their 
fine  strain  of  Odontoglossum  Rolfeae  and  a 
hybrid  between  this  and  O.  Pescatorei.  The 
hybrid  resembled  a  very  large-flowered  O. 
Pescatorei,  with  violet-purple  blotches  on  the 
sepals.  The  group  also  contained  other  showy 
hybrids,  including  one  raised  from  Laelia  pur- 
purata  X  L.  grandiflora  (majalis).  The  seed- 
ling showed  a  great  improvement  on  the  latter 
parent,  and  was  a  most  attractive  flower. 
Among  the  species  were  two  plants  of  Cyc- 
noches  Egertonianum,  the  one  representing  the 
numerous-flowered  racemose  male  form,  and 
the  other  the  female,  bearing  a  short  twin- 
flowered  spike  of  large,  wax-like  blooms.  In 
the  centre  of  the  group  was  a  specimen  of  the 
rare  Bulbophyllum  virescens  with  an  umbel 
of  10  flowers  ;  other  species  noted  were  Zygopeta- 
lum  Burkei,  Z.  crinitum  cceruleum,  Brassia  gut- 
tata, Angraecum  Scottianum  ;  the  very  singular 
fringed-lipped  Chondrorhyncha  Chestertoni  and 
Scuticana  Steelii,  with  long  terete  leaves  and 
showy  flowers   at  the  base.     (See  Awards.) 

Messrs.  Sander  &  Suns,  St.  Albans,  were 
awarded  a  Silver  Flora  Medal  for  a  meritorious 
group,  the  back  plants  of  which  were  fine  selec- 
tions of  Laelio-Cattleya  Bletchlevensis,  L.-C. 
eallistoglossa,  Cattleya  Lord  Rothschild,  Odon- 
toglossum Rolfeae,  and  a  very  effective  arrange- 
ment of  the  scarlet  Disa  grandiflora.  Among 
the  newer  hybrids,  Cattleya  Davisii  (velutm a 
X  Hardyana)  was  pretty,  and  showed  great  varia- 
tion. Cypripedium  Watsonianum,  C.  Mary 
Beatrice,  and  C.  Niobe  magnifica  were  other 
good  flowers.  Of  the  species  noted  were  Stan- 
hopea  oculata,  Catasetum  macrocarpum,  Mil- 
tunia  Roezlii  alba,  Promenaea  xanthina,  Mil- 
tonia  Kegnellii  citrina,  and  Galeandra  lacustris. 
Messrs.  Armstrong  &  Brown,  Tunbridge 
Wells,  Kent,  staged  an  excellent  group,  lor 
which  a  Silver'  Flora  Medal  was  awarded.  At 
the  back  were  six  plants  of  the  new  Laelio-Catt- 
leya George  Woodhams  (L.  purpurata  x  C. 
Hardyana),  a  fine  companion  to  the  handsome 
L.-C.  eallistoglossa,  with  large,  purplish-rose- 
coloured  flowers,  having  a  finely-developed 
claret-purple  lip  ;  several  of  a  fine  type  of  L.-C. 
Bletchlevensis,  a  large  specimen  of  Maxillaria 
tenuifolia,  a  selection  of  Dendrobium  'Phalaenop- 
sis,  and  several  good  white  Odontoglossum 
crispums.  With  these  were  several  Cypripediums, 
including  the  new  C.  Braceyanum  (superbiens  X 
Lord  Derby),  which  had  flowers  of  the  Lord 
Derby  type,  but  with  much  broader  petals,  and 
a  white  ground  ;  C.  Maudiae,  C.  Bella,  C.  Day- 
anum,  C.  Harrisianum  albens,  and  several  hy- 
brids of  C.  Charlesworthii.  The  group  contained 
also    three    plants    of    Bulbophvllum    Dearei,    a 

g J    example    of    the    rose-coloured     Eulophia 

guineensis,  Masdevallia  Davisii,  &c. 

Mrs.  Temple,  Leyswood,  Groombridge  (gr. 
Mr.  Bristow),  was  awarded  a  Silver  Flora  Medal 
for  a  group  of  well-grown  Disa  grandiflora,  the 
plants  bearing  together  over  100  very  fine  scarlet 
blooms.  With  them  was  a  very  handsome  speci- 
men of  Epidendrum  Brassavolae  with  nine 
flower-spikes. 

Baron  Sir  H.  Schroder,  The  Dell,  Egham 
(gr.  Mr.  Ballantine),  showed  Cypripedium  Del- 
lense  (Mastersianum  x  Rothschildianum),  an 
effective  hybrid  with  the  habit  of  C.  Roth- 
schildianum. The  upper  sepal  is  greenish-white, 
with  purple  lines  ;  the  petals  are  greenish,  tinged 
with  rose  and  spotted  with  chocolate ;  the  lip 
is  long,  compressed,  and  of  a  pale  reddish-brown 
colour.  We  also  noticed  a  good  form  of  Cattleya 
A.   de  Lairesse. 

Messrs.  Jas.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Chelsea,  sent 
Cypripediums  Jas.  H.  Veitch  (Curtisii  x  Stonei 
platytaenium)   and  C.  W.  R.  Lee. 

Messrs.  Hugh  Low  &  Co.,  Bush  Hill  Park, 
P'nfield,  staged  a  small  group,  which  contained 
Cattleya  bicolor  Grossii,  C.  granulosa,  C. 
Dowiana,  C.  Gaskelliana  alba,  several  Laelio- 
Cattleya    Ingramii,    Odontoglossum    Pescatorei, 


151 


THE    GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


[August  24,  1907. 


O.  Wallisii  purum,  O.  Schlieperianum,  and 
various   Cypripediums. 

Jeremiah  Colman,  Esq.,  Gatton  Park,  Rei- 
gate  (gr.  Mr.  W.  P.  Bound),  sent  Cattleya  Adula 
var.  Colmaniffi  bicolor  X  Hardyana  Mrs.  Jere- 
miah Colman),  a  pretty  rose-purple  flower  with 
intense   ruby-purple  lip. 

Messrs.  J.  &  A.  A.  McBean,  Cooksbridge, 
showed  Oncidium  macranthum  nanum,  with 
a  short  spike  bearing  12  clear-yellow  flowers 
shaded  a  slight  olive  green  on  the  sepals  ;  and 
Odontoglossum  Harryanum  grande,  a  large, 
finely-formed,  and  very  darkly-coloured  flower. 

AWARDS. 
Botanical  Certificates. 

Polycycnis  Charleswortkii,  from  Messrs. 
Charlesworth  &  Co. — A  very  remarkable 
species,  with  the  habit  and  form  of  inflorescence 
seen  in  Gongora,  and  probably  nearest  to  P. 
barbata.  The  long,  arching  inflorescence  bore 
about  50  flowers,  each  of  which  measured  an 
inch  across.  The  rather  broad  sepals,  of  which 
the  upper  one  is  abruptly  turned  back,  are  yel- 
lowish and  closely  mottled  with  pale  red-brown. 
The  singular  linear  petals  are  long  and  curiously 
twisted,  in  colour  yellow,  with  some  slight, 
reddish  spottings  at  the  base ;  lip  long  and 
narrow,  brownish,  studded  with  whitish  hairs. 

Bulbophyllum  longiscpalum,  from  Sir  Trevor 
Lawrence,  Bart.,  Burford  (gr.  Mr.  W.  H. 
White). — A  very  remarkable  species,  originally 
figured  in  Lindenia  111.  as  B.  grandiflorum. 
The  long  sepals  are  projected  forward,  and  form 
a  long,  beaked-like  flower,  which  is  whitish, 
closely  netted  with  reddish-claret  colour.  The 
species  is  a  native  of  New  Guinea. 

Award  of  Merit. 
Miltonia  Schroderiana  "  Heaton  variety," 
from  Messrs.  Charlesworth  &  Co.— A  splendid 
form  of  this  attractive  species  from  Central 
America,  and  the  largest  and  best  in  colour  yet 
shown.  The  yellowish-white  sepals  and  petals 
were  heavily  marked  with  chocolate-purple  ;  the 
showy  lip  is  of  a  dark  magenta-rose  colour  at 
the  base,  the  apical  half  being  pure  white. 

Cultural  Commendation. 
To   Mr.   W.   H.   White,   Orchid  grower  to  Sir 
Trevor  Lawrence,  Bart.,  for  a  very  fine  speci- 
men   of    Bulbophyllum     longisepalum    with    14 
flowers. 

Fruit  and  Vegetable  Committee. 

Present:  George  Bunyard,  Ksq.  (in  the 
chair)  ;  and  Messrs.  A.  H.  Pearson,  Jos.  Cheal, 
Chas.  Walker,  Alex.  Dean,  Win.  Pope,  Horace 
J.  Wright,  George  Relf,  Owen  Ihomas,  J. 
Jaques,  J.  Willard,  W.  Poupart,  W.  Wilks,  J. 
Davis,   H.   Parr,   and  W.   Bates. 

Twenty-one  varieties  of  Melons  from  the  trial 
of  these  fruits  at  Wisley  Gardens  (see  p.  136  in 
the  last  issue)  formed  an  interesting  exhibit. 
Two  of  the  varieties  were  granted  Awards  of 
Merit.  Several  seedling  Melons  from  other 
sources  were  presented  for  Awards,  but  none 
was  considered  worthy  of  this  distinction. 

Miss  Dodge,  Loseley  Park,  Guildford  (gr. 
Mr.  R.  Staward),  in  addition  to  staging  several 
seedling  Melons,  showed  eight  varieties  of  culi- 
nary Peas,  six  of  which  were  selected  for  trial 
at   Wisley. 

Messrs.  W.  Paul  &  Son,  Waltham  Cross, 
Herts.,  exhibited  a  meritorious  group  of  pot- 
trees  of  Peaches,  Nectarines,  Plums,  and  Figs. 
Of  Peaches,  there  were  Amsden  June,  Goshawk, 
and  Noblesse ;  Nectarines,  Pineapple  and 
Rivers'  Orange ;  Plums,  Sultan,  Grand  Duke, 
Goliath,  Autumn  Compote,  White  Magnum 
Bonum,  and  Pond's  Seedling.  The  Fig  trees 
were  used  as  an  edging  to  the  group.  (Silver- 
Gilt  Hogg  Medal.) 

Messrs.  T.  Rivers  &  Sons,  Sawbridge worth, 
Herts.,  showed  a  collection  of  Apricots  as  pot 
plants.  The  trees  were  finely  fruited,  and  em- 
braced the  varieties  Large  Early,  Montgamet, 
Peach,  Hemskerk,  Royal. Precoce  d'Oullins,  and 
Moor  Park.  The  trees  were  not  more  than  three 
years'    grafted.      (Silver-Gilt    Hogg  Medal.) 

Messrs.  S.  Spooner  &  Sons,  Hounslow, 
showed  29  varieties  of  Apples,  a  few  dishes  of 
Plums,  and  fruits  of  a  hybrid  Strawberry  X 
Raspberry.  The  varieties  of  Apples  included 
Worcester  Peaimain,  Stirling  Castle,  Lord 
Grosvenor,  Red  Astrachan,  Mr.  Gladstone, 
Early   Red    Margaret,    Cardinal    (syn.    Peter   the 


Great),  Worcester  Pearmain,  Early  Victoria,  and 
Red  Quarrenden.     (Silver  Knightian  Medal.) 

AWARDS      OF      MERIT. 

Melon  Perfection. — A  variety  of  handsome  ap- 
pearance, for  which  the  Award  was  mainly 
granted.  The  exterior  is  dark  green  with  white 
netting.  From  Messrs.  Sutton  &  Sons, 
Reading. 

Melon  Duchess  of  York. — This  was  the  best- 
flavoured  fruit  of  the  21  varieties  staged  on  this 
occasion.  It  is  of  medium  size ;  the  flesh  is 
white  and  the  exterior  yellow,  with  reticulations. 
From   Messrs.   Hurst  &   Son,  Houndsditch. 

Potato  Favourite. — One  of  the  best-cropping 
varieties  under  trial  at  Wisley  this  season.  The 
Award  was  bestowed  after  a  test  of  its  edible 
qualities.  From  Messrs.  Dobbie  &  Co.,  Rothe- 
say. 

A  variety  of  Melon  being  already  in  commerce 
under  the  name  Advance,  the  Melon  granted  an 
Award  of  Merit  under  that  name  by  the  sub- 
committee at  Wisley  (see  p.  136)  is  to  be  known 
as  Charles  Ross,  and  the  award  will  be  recorded 
under  this  name. 


bracketed  varieties  shall  be  shown  on  the  same 
stand  at  any  exhibition  of  the  National  Sweet  Pea 
Society."     Priority  is  given  the  first  name  : — 


THE    LECTURE. 

At  the  afternoon  meeting  a  lecture  on  "  Ter- 
race-garden Plants  "  was  delivered  by  Mr.  James 
Hudson,  V.M.H.  The  lecturer  contrasted  ter- 
race-gardening of  the  present  day  with  that  of 
some  25  to  50  years  ago.  He  regretted  the 
absence  of  many  of  the  nobler  plants  which  were 
formerly  used  for  the  adorning  of  terraces. 
Large,  well-grown  specimens  of  plants  in  dis- 
tinct species  and  kinds  at  once  attract  attention 
and  afford  a  distinctive  feature  to  their  sur- 
roundings. Mr.  Hudson  referred  to  the  com- 
mon demand  for  what  are  termed  "decora- 
tive" plants,  many  of  which  are  of  a  fugitive 
nature. 

Details  of  the  culture  of  the  various  plants  for 
this  phase  of  gardening  were  given,  and  especi- 
ally the  requirements  of  large  specimen  plants. 
Allusion  was  made  to  the  plants  that  are  grown 
at  Gunnersbury  House  gardens  for  the  furnish- 
ing and  adornment  of  terraces.  The  list  in- 
cluded Myrtles,  the  specimens  of  which  are  very 
large,  Aloysia  Lippia  citriodora,  shrubby  Vero- 
nicas, immense  plants  of  scented-leaved  Pelar- 
goniums, Pomegranates  in  variety,  and  Agapan- 
thus  umbellatus.  These  and  many  other 
plants,  including  Palms,  Bamboos,  Phormiums, 
&c,  are  all  suitable  for  this  purpose  of  garden- 
decoration.  Tubs  were  recommended  for  such 
species,  in   preference  to  pots. 


NATIONAL    SWEET    PEA. 

PROCEEDINGS     OF     THE     FLORAL 
COMMITTEE,    1907. 

The  Floral  Committee  members  who  attended 
were: — Mr.  Walter  P.  Wright  (chairman),  Mr. 
J.  M.  Bridgford  (Watkins  &  Simpson),  Mr.  S.  B. 
Dicks  (Cooper,  Taber  &  Co.),  Mr  G.  Herbert 
(C.  W.  Breadmore),  Mr.  A  Ireland  (Dobbie  &  Co), 
Mr.  J.  Jones  (H.  Eckford),  Mr.  Thos.  Jones 
(Ruabon),  Mr.  A.  Malcolm  (Duns,  Berwick),  Mr. 
Thos.  Stevenson  (Addlestone),  and  Mr.  T.  A. 
Weston  (Lyminge,  Kent). 

Chas.  H.  Curtis, 

Hon.  Sec.  National  Sweet  Pea  Society. 

Certificates  and  Awards. 

At  the  Royal  Horticultural  Hall,  July  16:— 

Award  of  Merit. — To  Elsie  Herbert  (C  W. 
Breadmore),  Evelyn  Hemus  (Miss  Hemus)' 
Nancy  Perkin  (H.  A.  Perkin),  Rosie  Adams  (T, 
Stevenson),  Saint  George  (Hurst  &  Son),  Silas 
Cole  (S.  Cole),  and  The  Marquis  (Dobbie  &  Co.), 

At  the  Reading  trials,  July  18  : — 

Silver  Medal.— To  Saint  George  (Hcrst  & 
Son),  as  the  best  novelty  of  the  year. 

First-class  Certificate. — To  Saint  George 
(Hurst  &  Son),  and  Helen  Pierce  (H.  Eckford). 

Award  of  Merit.  —  To  Princess  Victoria 
(Dobbie  &  Co.),  Nora  Unwin  (Watkins  &  Simp- 
son), Lord  Nelson  (I.  House  &  Son),  and  Prince 
Olaf  (Dobbie  &  Co.). 

Too-much-alike  Varieties. 
The  following  varieties  have  been  bracketed  as 
too   much   alike.     "Not   more   than   one   of  the 


(Ella  Dyke 

t  White  Spencer 

J  Queen  Alexandra 
t  Scarlet  Gem 

(  Her  Majesty 
t  Splendour 

(  Lord  Rosebery 
1  Cyril  Breadmore 

I  Mrs.  Collier 
Mrs.  Felton 
Dora  Cowper 
Ceres 
Yellow  Dorothy  Eckford 

(Captain  of  the  Blues 
(Bolton's  Blue 

(  Lady  Grisel  Hamilton 
J  Countess  of  Radnor 
I  New  Countess 
(  Princess  May 

(  Duke  of  Sutherland 
( Monarch 

(  Lottie  Eckford 
1  Maid  of  Honour 
(ivy  Miller 

I  Black  Knight 
J  Stanley 
(Boreatton 


f  John  Ingman 

George  Herbert 

E.  J.  Castle 

Rosy  Morn 

Rosie  Sydenham 

Mrs.  W.  King 
.Phyllis  Unwin 

(  Flora  Norton 
I  Miss  Philbrick 

( Modesty 

I  Duchess  of  Sutherland 

J  Sensation 

( Countess  of  Aberdeen 

*  ( Princess  Victoria 
(  Pink  Gem 

/  Countess  of  Spencer 
1  Paradise 
■{  Enchantress 
Olive  Bolton 
iCodsall  Rose 

{Gorgeous 
Miss  B.  Whiley 
Mildred  Ward 

J  Countess  of  Lathom 
( Coral  Gem 


*  Dobbie's  Princess  Victoria  is  meant,  not  the  old  variety 
of  this  name,  which  is  cerise  with  carmine  standards. 

Classification. 
The  committee  recommends   the   following   as 
the  best  in  their  colours  : — 


White      

Crimson  and  Scarlet    

Rose  and  Carmine        

Yellow  and  Buff  

Blue         

Blush       

Cerise       

Pink         

Orange  Shades 

Lavender 

Violet  and  Purple  

Magenta 

Picotee  Edged     

Fancy      

Mauve      

Maroon  and  Bronze      

Striped  and  Flaked  (red  <'u>l  rost  I     . 
Striped  and  Fluked  iputpti  and  blue) 

Bicolor     

Marbled 


Dorothy  Eckford  and 

Nora  Unwin. 
King      Edward      and 

Queen  Alexandra. 
John  Ingman. 
Mrs.  Collier. 
Lord  Nelson  and  Ro- 

molo  Piazzani. 
Mrs.  Hardcaslle  Sykes 
Coccinea. 
Countess  Spencer. 
Helen  Lewis  &  Henry 

Eckford. 
Lady  Grisel  Hamilton 

and  Frank  Dolby. 
Duke  of  Westminster. 
George     Gordon    and 

Captivation. 
Dainty. 
Sybil  Lckford. 
Mrs.  Walter  Wright. 
Black  Knight. 
Jessie  Cuthbertson. 
Sutton's  Marbled  Blue 
Jeannie  Gordon. 
Helen  Pierce. 


Excluded  Varieties. 

With  a  view  to  establishing  a  basis  for  the 
elimination  of  old  and  inferior  varieties,  the 
general  committee  has,  on  the  recommendation  of 
the  Floral  Committee,  decided  to  exclude  the 
following  varieties  from  the  society's  tiials  in 
future : — 

Lady  Mary  Currie 

Lottie  Hutchins 

Venus 

Mrs.  H.  K.  Barnes 

Blanche  Ferry 

Grey  Friar 

Princess  of  Wales 

Sadie  Burpee 

Mrs.  Sankey 

Primrose 

Countess  of  Radnor 

Duchess  of  York 

Emily  Eckford 

Waverley 

Boreatton 

Fashion 

Countess  of  Povvis 

Oriental 

Gorgeous 

Gracie  Greenwood 

Marchioness  of  Chol- 

mondeley 
Stella  Morse 
Mrs.  Joseph  Cham- 
berlain 
Pink  Friar 
Blanche  Burpee 
Emily  Henderson 
Queen  of  England 
The  Invincible  Varieties 


Sensation 

Duchess  of  Sutherland 

Katherine  Tracey 

Lord  Kenyon 

Colonist 

Lady  Skelmersdale 

Lovely 

Mrs.  Knights  Smith 

Queen  Victoria 

Salopian 

Mars 

Lady  Penzance 

Countess  of  Aberdeen 

Her  Majesty 

Mrs.  Dugdale 

Cyril  Breadmore 

Prima  Donna 

Mrs.  Gladstone 

Mrs.  Eckford 

Lady  M.  Ormesby  Gore 

Firefly 

Dorothy  Tennant 

Lady  Nina  Balfour 

Golden  Gate 

Admiration 

Countess  Cadogan 

Sbahzada 

Monarch 

Calypso 

Chancellor 


BRITISH    GARDENERS'    ASSOCIATION. 

The  Council  of  the  Royal  Botanic  Society, 
Regent's  Park,  have  placed  their  museum  at  the 
disposal  of  the  Executive  Council  on  the  occasion 
of  the  London  Dahlia  Society's  exhibition  on 
September  12.  A  conference  on  "Examinations 
for  Gardeners  "  will  take  place  at  6  p.m.  Members 
of  the  association  will  be  admitted  to  the  gardens 
on  presentation  of  their  tickets. 


[August  24,  1907. 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


155 


SHROPSHIRE     HORTICULTURAL. 

Exhibition  at  Shrewsbury,  August   21   &  22. 


The  thirty-third  annual  exhibition  was  held  in 
the  Quarry  Grounds,  Shrewsbury,  on  Wednesday 
and  Thursday  last,  and  the  event  was  attended 
with  even  greater  success  than  ever.  The  ex- 
hibits were  more  numerous,  and  there  were  two 
more  tents  for  their  accommodation  than  have 
been  provided  on  previous  occasions.  The 
actual  area  covered  by  the  tents  was  61,140 
square  feet,  being  3,000  square  feet  more  than 
last  year. 

The  greatest  interest  still  appears  to  be 
centred  in  the  competitive  exhibits  of  fruit,  and 
it  having  been  anticipated  that  Lord  Hastings 
and  his  gardener,  Mr.  Shingler,  would  win  the 
fifty-guinea  challenge  cup  for  Grapes  fur  the 
third  and  last  time,  the  circumstance  added  to 
the  interest  that  has  always  been  evinced  in  the 
competitions  for  that  prize.  There  were  11 
entries  this  year  in  that  particular  class,  and 
the  task  of  judging  so  many  important  exhibits 
detained  the  judges  much  longer  than  is  usual, 
insomuch  that  the  work  was  incomplete  at  a 
later  hour  than  we  remember  at  the  Shropshire 
shows.  When  at  length  the  1st  prize  ticket  was 
placed  on  Lord  Hastings'  collection  there  was 
a  general  cheer  from  the  people  present  in  the 
marquee  at  the  time.  It  was  a  popular  win. 
Now  that  the  cup  has  ceased  to  be  the  pro]  erty 
of  the  Shropshire  Society,  the  committee  will 
have  to  revise  the  schedule  in  some  degree,  and 
it  will  be  interesting  to  see  if  some  new  feature 
can  be  added  to  the  displays  <  if  this  most  remark- 
able provincial  society.  Its  success  in  the  past 
has  been  unequalled  by  similar  exhibitions,  as 
the  details  we  have  published  from  time  to  time 
regarding  the  immense  crowds  that  visit  Shrews- 
bury during  the  fete,  and  the  large  sin 
money  raised  each  year,  have  proved  over  and 
over  again.  It  is  satisfai  tory  to  know  that  the 
money  has  been  put  to  laudable  purposes,  such 
as  the  erection  of  a  suitable  statue  to  Charles 
Darwin  in  his  native  town,  the  improvement 
and  development  of  the  narks  in  the  town,  and 
the  assistance  of  charities. 

Reverting  to  the  show,  which  is  still  open  as 
we  go  to  press,  it  may  be  remarked  that  the 
groups  of  miscellaneous  plants  were  as  delightful 
as  ever.  Messrs.  J.  Cypher  &  Sons  excelled 
previous  efforts  and  won  the  1st  prize  in  each 
of  the  two  open  classes.  It  was  stated  that 
this  firm  won  prizes  amounting  to  £106! 

Tuberous-rooted  Begonias  were  conspicuous 
amongst  the  flowering  plants. 

Additional  interest  attached  to'  the  exhibition 
of  vegetables  this  year  on  account  of  the  cham- 
pion prize  offered  by  the  society  for  the  best 
collection  of  nine  dishes  of  vegetables  in  the 
show.  The  Duke  of  Portland  and  his  gardener, 
Mr.  James  Gibson,  won  that  prize,  and  also  the 
1st  prize  of  £10  in  the  society's  new  class,  also 
for  nine  dishes.  The  one  exhibit  gained  both 
prizes.  The  quality  of  the  vegetables  from  the  ex- 
perienced growers  was  of  the  highest,  and  it  was 
also  satisfactory  to  see  that  many  new  exhibitors 
of  vegetables  came  forward  on  this  occasion. 

The  president  for  the  year  is  Colonel  H.  J. 
Hope  Edwardes,  Netley  Hall,  Shropshire,  and 
the  honorary  secretaries  are  Messrs.  H.  W. 
Adnitt  and  W.  W.  Naunton,  who  all  these 
years  have  done  so  much  to  bring  about  the 
prosperity  the  society  now  enjoys. 

Champion  Grape   Class. 

The  Fifty-Guinea  Cup  Won  Outright. 
The  champion  Grape  class  at  Shrewsburv  was 
established  in  1902.  It  was  arranged  for  12 
bunches  of  Grapes  in  four  or  more  distinct 
varieties,  but  not  more  than  four  bunches  of 
any  one  variety  could  be  shown  by  the  same 
exhibitor.  The  prizes  offered  were  as  follow : 
— 1st,  a  champion  silver  cup  valued  at  50 
guineas,  and  a  sum  of  £20  ;  2nd  prize,  £16  ;  3rd 
prize,  £12  ;  4th  prize,  £7  10s.  ;  5th  prize,  £5  ;  and 
6th  prize,  £4.  At  the  commencement  of  the 
competitions  there  were  no  definite  points  fixed 
for  the  different  varieties,  and  some  of  those 
which  are  the  more  easily  grown  were  shown  in 
first-class  condition  and  won  prizes  as  against 
Muscat  varieties  presented  in  slightly  inferior 
condition.     This  was  altered  after  the"  first  year 


or  two,  and  definite  maximum  points  stated  for 
the  Muscat  varieties,  which  were  as  follow  : — 
Muscat  of  Alexandria,  11  points ;  all  other 
Muscat  varieties  (black  or  white),  10  points; 
any  other  variety  of  Grape,  9  points.  Superior 
cultivation  and  finish  were  recommended  to  the 
judges  as  points  of  the  highest  importance. 
Kach  bunch  is  judged  on  its  individual  merits 
and  points  are  awarded  separately.  The  collec- 
tions may  be  decorated  with  flowers  and  foliage 
plants  at  the  discretion  of  the  exhibitor,  but 
these  decorations  form  the  subject  of  a  separate 
competition,  for  which  prizes  are  awarded  ;  they 
are  not  considered  in  judging  the  Grapes.  The 
Champion  Cup  was  to  become  the  absolute  pro- 
perty of  the  exhibitor  who  should  win  it  three 
times.  The  late  Lord  Hastings  won  it  in  1902 
and  1904.  His  late  lordship's_  gardener  won  it 
also  in  1905,  but  in  the  meantime  a  new  pro- 
prietor having  succeeded  to  Melton  Constable, 
this  win,  instead  of  becoming  the  final  for  the 
cup,  was  regarded  as  the  first  in  a  new  com- 
petition. The  present  Marquis  has  not  suffered 
defeat  in  a  subsequent  competition,  there- 
fore the  cup  has  now  become  his  pro- 
perty. It  is  the  fifth  time  the  1st  prize  lias 
been  won  in  this  class  by  Grapes  cultivated  by 
Mr.  Shingler.  Lord  HASTINGS'  exhibit  « 
follows,  and  the  number  of  points  gained  by 
each  dish  is  indicated  : — 

Maximum  N  i      Points 
of   points,    awarded. 

Alnwick   Seedling  (1) 9  9 

Muscat  of  Alexandria  (2)       ...  11  10 

M  idn    fii  Id  (  ■  ".i  (3) 10  9J 

Madi     I       M    mrt  (4] 1(1  9 

Musi   ii         Ui  xandria  (5|        ...   11  10J 

Gros    Mi.  .1    16)  9  8| 

l  ourt  (7) 10  8J 

Gi  is    M  iroc   (8)  9  9 

Mum  al  of   Alexandria  (9)      ...  11  10 

Jlus  at  of  Alexandria  (10|      ...   11  LOj 

Muscat    Hamburgh    (11)          ...   Id  10 

Black  Hamburgh  (12) 10  9 

Total.  121  113J 

It  will  be  seen  that  in  three  cases  the  maximum 
number  of  points  was  awarded  the  bunch. 
In  all  these  cases  the  quality  was  very  high,  but 
the  weight  not  more  than  medium.  Muscats 
only  failed  from  receiving  the  maximum  by  one 
pomi  in  two  cases,  and  half  a  point  in  the 
two  other  instances,  but  it  may  be  pointed  out 
that  two  of  the  bunches  shown  were  very  de- 
ficient in  colour.  Under  the  circumstances, 
therefore,  the  pointing  may  be  considered  very 
high,  and  in  a  better  Grape  season  the  standard 
would  have  to  be  raised,  as  there  would  be  better 
bunches  than  those  now  under  notice.  But  they 
were  the  best  in  the  show,  and  constituted  a 
collection  of  which  any  gardener  might  justly  be 
proud.  The  2nd  prize  was  won  bv  J.  W. 
Fleming,  Esq.,  Romsey,  Hants  (gr. '  Mr.  W. 
Mitchelli,  who  was  awarded  106^  points,  as  will 
be  seen  from  the  following  table  : — 

Maximum  No.     Points 
of    points,     awarded. 

Black  Hamburgh  (1)     10  9 

Madresfield  Court  (2) 10  8 

Muscat  of  Alexandria  (3)        ...   11  10 

Madresfield  Court  (4) 10  9 

Muscat  of  Alexandria  (5)        ...  11  9J 

Gros  Maroc  |6| 9  9 

Gros  Maroc  (7) 9  8 

Madresfield  Court  (81 10  8 

Gros  Maroc  (9) 11  8J 

Muscat  of  Alexandria  (10)      ...  11  10 

Madresfield  Court  (11) 10  8 

Muscat  of  Alexandria  (12)        ...  11  9J 

Totals        123  106^ 

The  3rd  prize  was  won  by  the  Earl  of  Har- 
rington, Elvaston  Castle  (gr.  Mr.  J.  H.  Good- 
acre),  who  was  awarded  106  points.  4th,  G.  A. 
Gibbs,  Esq.,  Tyntesfield,  Bristol  (gr.  Mr.  T. 
Wilkinson),  with  102J  points.  5th,  the  Marquis 
of  Downshire,  Hillsborough  Castle  (gr.  Mr.  T. 
Bradshaw),  with  101  points ;  and  6th,  G. 
Farquhar,  Esq.,  Eastnor  Castle  (gr.  Mr. 
Mullins),  with  99J  points. 


Other  Grape  Classes. 
Four  bunches  of  black  and  white  varieties. — In 
this  class,  arranged  for  two  bunches  of  a  black 
and  two  bunches  of  a  white  variety,  there  were 
six  exhibits.  The  best  were  shown  by  Lord 
HARLECH,  Brogyntyn  (gr.  Mr.  T.  Lamberti.  He 
had  large,  well-coloured  bunches  of  Madresfield 
Court,  and  heavy  bunches  of  Muscat  of  Alexan- 
dria, the  outer  berries  of  which  had  good  colour, 
but  the  inner  ones  requiring  a  little  longer 
period  to  perfectly  mature.  2nd,  Lord  Saville, 
Trafford  Abbey,  Notts,  (gr.  Mr.  J.  Doel,  who 
showed  the  same  varieties,  but  his  berries  of 
Madresfield  Court  were  smaller,  and  the  large 
bunches  of  Muscat  of  Alexandria  had  berries  of 
irregular  size.  3rd,  the  Marquis  of  NORMANBY, 
Mulgrave  Castle,  Whitby  (gr.  Mr.  J.  Corbett), 
with  the  varieties  Muscat  Hamburgh  and  Muscat 
of  Alexandria. 

Black  Hamburgh.  —  Eleven  competitors  showed 
in  this  class,  and  the  winner  of  the  1st  prize  was 
J.  Brinton,  Esq.,  Stourport  (gr.  Mr.  W.  H. 
.  who  had  well-shouldered  bunches  of 
satisfai  tory  size,  and  highly  coloured  berries. 
C.  F.  Boston,  Esq.,  Huytcin,  Liverpool  (gr.  Mr. 
T.  Bagnall)  won  the  2nd  prize;  and  the  Earl  of 
Lonsdale,  Markel  Weighton  (gr.  Mr.  C.  McPher. 
die  3rd  prize.  The  best  single  bunch  of  the 
same  variety  was  of  moderate  size,  but  most 
regular  in  size  and  colour-development  of  the 
berries.  It  was  shown  by  Lord  Hastings. 
There  were  16  exhibits  in  this  class. 

Black  Muscats. — In  a  class  for  the  best  two 
bunches  of  a  variety  of  Black  Muscat,  the  1st 
prize  was  awarded  to  two  bunches  of  the  variety 
Madresfield  Court,  shown  by  J.  W.  Fleming, 
Esq.,  Romsey,  Hants  (gr.  Mr.  W.  Mitchelli. 
These  were  long,  somewhat  attenuated  bunches 
of  large,  well-coloured  berries.  The  same 
variety  from  John  BRINTON,  Esq.,  was  awarded 
the  2nd  prize  ;  and  "  Lady  Hastings,"  a  sport 
from  Muscat  Hamburgh,  and  exhibited  by  Lord 
Hastings,  gained  the  3rd  prize.  There  were 
nine    exhibits. 

Madresfield  (.'ourt. — Out  of  nine  exhibits  in 
this  class,  the  best  was  shown  by  Lord  Hast- 
ings, and  it  consisted  of  two  bunches  remark- 
able for  the  finely  developed  berries.  2nd,  Lord 
Saville  ;   and   3rd,   John    Brinton,    Esq. 

Black  Alicante. — The  best  two  bunches  of  this 

variety  were  shown  by  G.  I  UtQUHAR,  Esq.,  being 

t    i    -nsiderable   weight    and    excellent    colour. 

2nd,  the  Earl  of  Londesborough  ;  and  3rd,  C. 

K.  Boston,  Esq. 

Any  other  black  Grafie. — The  best  variety  in 
the  "any  other  black"  class  was  adjudged  to 
be  Gros  Maroc,  as  shown  by  Mr.  W.  E.  Hyde, 
Ledbury.  This  was  a  very  good  exhibit.  The 
variety  gaining  the  2nd  prize  was  Alnwick  Seed- 
ling, shown  by  Lord  Harlech.  These  were  very 
large  bunches,  and  the  berries  were  coloured  to 
the  last  degree  possible.  3rd,  Gros  Maroc, 
shown  by  G.  Farquhar,  Esq. 

White  Muscats. — There  were  10  pairs  in  this 
class,  and  the  variety  Muscat  of  Alexandria 
very  naturally  gained  the  1st  prize.  The  bunches 
shown  by  the  Earl  of  Derby,  Knowsley,  Prescot 
(gr.  Mr.  E.  F.  Hazeltoni,  were  of  only  medium 
weight,  but  the  berries  were  well  developed,  and 
they  had  extremely  clear  and  perfect  skins,  the 
finish  being  admirable.  These  were  awarded  the 
1st  prize.  The  same  variety  shown  in  the  form 
of  much  larger  bunches,  with  berries  perfectly 
ripe,  but  with  disfigured  skins,  from  W.  Marsh, 
Esq.,  Henrietta  Park,  Bath  (gr.  Mr.  Taylor) 
obtained  the  2nd  prize ;  and  the  Marquis  of 
Normanby,  Mulgrave  Castle  (gr.  Mr.  J.  Corbett', 
had  the  3rd  prize.  The  most  successful  exhibit 
in  the  class  for  a  single  bunch  of  the  same 
variety  was  shown  by  Lord  Hastings,  the 
berries  in  this  case  being  very  good  and  the 
bunch  of  about  average  exhibition  weight.  2nd, 
J.  W.  Fleming,  Esq. 

Any  other  white  Grape. — The  variety  Buckland 
Sweetwater,  shown  by  H.  A.  Attenborough, 
Esq.,  Daventry  (gr.  Mr.  A.  Child),  obtained  the 
1st  prize  in  the  class  for  any  other  variety  of 
■vhite    Grape.       The    same    variety    shown    by 


156 


THE     GARDENERS     CHRONICLE. 


[August  24,  1907. 


Alderman  H.  Davis,  Stoke  Bishop  (gr.  Mr. 
Curtis),  and  E.  P.  Thompson,  Esq.,  Whitchurch 
(gr.  Mr.  W.  A.  Webster),  won  the  2nd  and  3rd 
prizes  respectively,  but  those  which  gained  the 
1st  prize  were  very  superior  in  the  size  of  the 
berries. 

Local  Classes. 

There  were  several  classes  for  Grapes  in  which 
only  those  cultivators  residing  in  the  county  of 
Salop  were  permitted  to  exhibit.  In  that  for  the 
variety  Black  Hamburgh,  the  1st  prize  was  won 
by  the  Rev.  T.  M.  Bulkeley-Owen,  West  Fel- 
ton  (gr.  Mr.  Langley),  and  the  2nd  prize  by  Capt. 
Heywood  Lonsdale,  Shavington  Hall  (gr.  Mr. 
J.  Mills).  For  Madresfield  Court,  Lord  Har- 
lech won  the  1st  prize,  and  Capt.  Heywood 
Lonsdale  the  2nd  prize.  The  winner  of  the  1st 
prize  in  the  class  for  any  other  black  Grape  was 
the  Rev.  T.  M.  Bulkeley-Owen,  and  W.  L. 
Levett  won  the  2nd  prize.  The  best  fruit  of 
Muscat  of  Alexandria  was  shown  by  Lord 
Harlech,  and  the  2nd  prize  was  awarded  to 
Lord  Trevor,  Brynkinalt,  Chirk  (gr.  Mr. 
Dawes).  In  the  class  for  any  other  variety  of 
white  Grape  than  those  mentioned,  the  1st  prize 
was  awarded  to  Muscat  of  Alexandria,  from  E. 
P.  Thompson,  Esq.,  Whitchurch  (gr.  Mr.  W.  A. 
Webster). 

Six  dishes  of  hardy  fruits. — The  1st  prize  was 
won  by  Capt.  Heywood  Lonsdale,  who  in- 
cluded in  his  exhibit  dishes  of  Apples,  Red 
Currants,  White  Currants,  Raspberries,  Cherries, 
and  Gooseberries.  2nd,  N.  Robinson,  Esq., 
Ellesmere  (gr.  Mr.  W.  Roberts). 

Tables  of  Fruit  Decorated  as  for 
Dessert. 

Each  table  measured  10  feet  by  4  feet  6  inches. 
The  tables  were  covered  with  white  cloths,  and 
might  be  decorated  with  plants  in  pots,  cut 
flowers  (Orchids  excluded),  and  ornamental  foli- 
age. No  exhibitor  might  show  more  than  15  dishes 
of  fruit,  arid  the  kinds  must  be  selected  from  a 
list  published  in  the  schedule.  The  1st  prize  on 
this  occasion  was  awarded  to  the  Duke  of  West- 
minster, Eaton  Hall,  Chester  (gr.  Mr.  "N.  F. 
Barnes),  who  may  be  congratulated  on  a  well- 
arranged  table  of  very  choice  fruits.  He  won 
115J  points,  which  were  awarded  in  the  manner 
shown  in  the  following  table  : —  Points 

awarded. 

Apple  The  Houblon        6 

Apple  Cox's  Orange  Pippin       64 

Grape  Appley  Towers     64 

Grape  Madresfield  Court  7 

Grape   Muscat  of  Alexandria 74 

Grape  Canon  Hall  Muscat         8 

Melon  Eaton  Seedling 7 

Melon  Hero  of  Lockinge  7 

Nectarine  Spencer...         ...         ...         ...  6 

Nectarine  Elruge 4J 

Plum   Golden   Drop  5 

Peach  Violette  Hative     4J 

Peach   Princess   of   WTales  74 

Pear    Doyenne    du    Cornice       6 

Pear  Triomphe  de  Vienne         ...         ...  54 

Beauty  of  flower  and  foliage     7 

Blending   of   colour  7 

General  arrangement  for  effect...         ...  7 

115J 

G.  Farquhar,  Esq.,  Ledbury  (gr.  Mr.  G. 
Mullins),  won  the  2nd  prize,  and  obtained  1074 
points,  showing  a  very  commendable  collection. 
3rd,  the  Earl  of  Harrington,  Elvaston  (gr.  Mr. 
J.  II .  Goodacre),  with  1064  points.  The  4th 
prize  fell  to  J.  Drakes,  Esq.,  Market  Rasen  (gr. 
Mr.  T.  Cooke),  who  had  95  points,  being  only 
one  point  more  than  those  obtained  by  the  Hon. 
E.  F.  Wood,  Temple  Newsam  (gr.  Mr.  R. 
Dawes).  Being  arranged  in  a  conspicuous  posi- 
tion in  the  marquee,  these  decorated  tables  again 
•excited  much  admiration  ;  but  in  the  interests  of 
the  show  the  committee  would  do  well  to  con- 
sider the  possibility  of  imparting  something  of 
noveltv  even  to  this  class,  as  the  exhibits  each 
season  do  not  offer  sufficient  variation.  It  is 
particularly  unfortunate  that  on  this  occasion 
the  floral  decorations  in  the  various  exhibits 
were  so  similar.  In  five  of  the  six  cases 
Francoa  ramosa  was  employed,  and  generally 
they  were  associated  with  Mmitbretias.  These 
flowers  are  certainly  of  a  suitable  character  for 
such  a  purpose,  but  there  are  many  pretty  and 
graceful  species  that  are  equally  adaptable,  and 
it  is  a  pity  that  exhibitors  have  so  pronounced 
a  tendency  to  copy  each  other's  methods  in 
detail. 


Collections  of  Fruits. 

Collection  of  Sixteen  Dishes  of  'Fruit  in  Sixteen 
varieties,  and  not  fewer  than  Twelve  kinds. — 
This  is  the  largest  class  in  those  for  collections 
of  fruit,  and  on  this  occasion  there  were  four 
exhibits.  The  1st  prize  was  won  by  G. 
Farquhar,  Esq.,  Eastnor  Castle,  Ledbury  (gr. 
Mr.  G.  Mullins).  He  had  very  large  bunches  of 
Black  Alicante  Grapes,  good  in  size  and  colour 
of  berries ;  also  good  Black  Hamburgh  Grapes 
and  moderate  Muscat  of  Alexandria.  Among 
stone  fruits  were  Peaches  Devonian  and  Belle- 
garde,  Nectarine  Spencer,  Plum  Transparent 
Gage,  Apricot  Large  Early,  and  Cherries  Bigar- 
reau  Napoleon.  He  had  excellent  fruits  of 
Gascoyne's  Scarlet  Seedling  Apple ;  also  Peas- 
good's  Nonsuch  Apples,  Gunton  Hero  and  a 
seedling  Melon,  Marguerite  Marrilat  Pear, 
Brown  Turkey  Figs,  and  Oxonian  Strawberries. 
This  exhibit  was  awarded  the  1st  prize  for  its 
decorations.  2nd,  the  Earl  of  Harrington, 
whose  Grapes  consisted  of  Duke  of  Buccleuch, 
Muscat  of  Alexandria  (insufficiently  well 
coloured),  Muscat  Hamburgh,  and  Black  Ham- 
burgh. He  had  also  good  Peaches,  Nectarines, 
Apricots,  Plums,  Pears,  Apples,  Figs,  Straw- 
berries, and  Cherries.  3rd,  Mr.  W.  E. 
Hyde,  Ledbury,  who  also  obtained  the  3rd  prize 
for  the  decorations  employed.  The  Hon.  E.  F. 
L.  Wood,  Temple  Newsam  (gr.  Mr.  R.  Dawes), 
who  obtained  the  4th  prize  for  fruit ,  was 
awarded  the  2nd  prize  for  decorations. 

Collection  of  Twelve  Dishes. — There  were,  as 
usual,  more  exhibits  in  this  class  than  the  pre- 
ceding one,  and  the  exhibit  which  won  the  1st 
prize  for  the  Earl  of  Londesborough,  Market 
Weighton,  Yorks.  (gr.  Mr.  J.  McPherson),  was 
composed  of  very  fine  fruits.  His  Black  Ali- 
cante Grapes  were  of  a  first-rate  character,  being 
of  satisfactory  weight,  excellent  colour,  and 
having  the  characteristic  shoulders  of  this 
variety.  Gros  Gtiillaume  and  Muscat  of  Alex- 
andria were  the  other  varieties  of  Grape  ex- 
hibited, and  of  these  Gros  Guillaume  was  shown 
in  the  best  condition.  The  other  fruits  included 
two  Melons,  also  Souvenir  du  Congres  Pear, 
Ribston  Pippin  Apple,  Pineapple  and  Lord 
Napier  Nectarines,  Royal  George  Peaches, 
Transparent  Gage  Plums,  and  Brown  Turkey 
Figs.  This  exhibit  also  obtained  the  1st  prize 
offered  for  decorations  employed  in  this  class, 
and  they  consisted  in  this  case  of  Montbretias 
and  Francoa  ramosa.  The  2nd  prize  was  won 
by  Lord  BlDDULPH,  Ledbury  (gr.  Mr.  II. 
Cotton).  He  had  of  Grapes,  Black  Alicante, 
Duke  of  Buccleuch,  Gros  Maroc,  and  Muscat  of 
Alexandria  ;  also  Nectarine  Lord  Napier,  Peach 
Bellegarde,  Fig  Brown  Turkey,  Plum  Trans- 
parent Gage,  Pear  Souvenir  du  Congres,  Apple 
Washington,  and  two  Melon  fruits.  3rd,  the 
Earl  of  Sandwich,  Huntingdon  (gr.  Mr.  J. 
Barson). 

The  2nd  and  3rd  prizes  for  the  decorations 
employed  in  this  class  were  awarded  to  Mrs.  F. 
Need,  Great  Malvern  (gr.  Mr.  J.  Jones),  and  J. 
Drakes,  Esq.,  Market  Rasen  (gr.  Mr.  T.  Cooke). 
Eight  Dishes. — There  were  four  exhibits  in  this 
class,  and  the  1st  prize  was  won  by  Capt. 
Heywood  Lonsdale,  Shavington  Hall  (gr.  Mr.  J. 
Mills).  He  had  Muscat  of  Alexandria  and 
Madresfield  Court  Grapes,  Bellegarde  Peaches, 
Elruge  and  Pitmaston  Orange  Nectarines, 
Astrachan  Apples,  Kirke's  Plums,  Hero  of 
Lockinge  and  Baron  Hamilton  Melons.  The 
2nd  prize  was  won  by  Mrs.  Swann,  Halston  Hall, 
Whittington  (gr.  Mr.  C.  Roberts)  ;  and  the  3rd  by 
the  Rev.  T.  M.  Bulkeley-Owen,  Tedsmore  Hall 
(gr.   Mr.  J.   Langley). 

Separate  Kinds  of  Fruits. 

Peaches. — In  the  class  for  six  Peaches  there 
were  as  many  as  25  exhibits,  and  the  most  of 
these  were  of  excellent  quality,  making  a  fine 
display  of  well-cultivated  fruit.  The  1st  prize 
was  gained  by  very  large  and  well-coloured 
specimens  of  Royal  George,  contributed  by  Lord 
Saville.  The  same  variety  in  somewhat  smaller 
fruits,  with  more  densely  coloured  skins,  from 
the  Earl  of  Lathom,  was  awarded  the  2nd  prize  ; 
and  the  3rd  prize  went  to  Captain  T.  A.  M. 
Digkin,  Loppington  House,  Wem  (gr.  Mr.  G. 
Gilbert). 

Nectarines. — Though  there  were  slightly  fewer 
exhibits  in  this  class,  there  were  some  highly 
developed  specimens  in  the  17  "dishes"  staged. 
The  1st  prize  was  won  by  the  Marquis  of  North- 
ampton, Castle  Ashbv  (gr.  Mr.  A.  R.  Searle),  for 


unnamed  fruits  which  appeared  to  be  of  the 
variety  Spencer.  2nd,  J.  W.  Fleming,  Esq., 
with  highly  coloured  fruits  of  Dymond  ;  and  3rd, 
A.  J.  Thornhill,  Esq.,  Diddington  Hall,  Hunt- 
ingdon (gr.  Mr.  Lockie). 

Apricots. — There  were  13  "  dishes  "  staged  in 
the  class  for  six  fruits  of  any  variety  of  Apri- 
cot. Most  of  the  fruits  shown  were  below  the 
average  in  quality  and  size,  that  has  ruled  at  the 
Salop  show.  The  explanation  appears  to  be  that 
the  season  is  an  abundant  one  as  regards  the 
crops  of  this  much-appreciated  fruit,  and  growers 
neglected  to  get  their  neighbours  to  thin  the 
fruits  for  them.  Doing  the  work  themselves, 
they  have  only  adopted  the  most  lenient 
'measures,  and  consequently  the  fruits  are  of  very 
small  size.  Many  of  the  exhibitors  will  be  likely 
to  strive  for  larger  fruits  on  another  occasion. 
It  is  most  desirable  to  have  an  appreciable  size 
in  all  stone  fruits,  because  in  large  fruits  the 
proportion  of  "  stone  "  to  the  flesh  is  less  than 
in  specimens  that  are  less  well  developed.  A 
good  dish  of  fruits  of  "  Early  Red  "  was  found 
for  the  1st  prize,  being  shown  by  G.  T.  Bates, 
Esq.,  Allensmore,  Hereford  (gr.  Mr.  R. 
Grindrod).  The  same  variety  from  Lord  Bid- 
DULPH,  Ledbury  (gr.  Mr.  H.  Cotton),  obtained 
the  2nd  prize.  1 

Melons. — This  fruit  is  always  exhibited  in  large 
numbers  at  Shrewsbury,  and  this  year  they 
appeared  even  more  plentiful  than  usual.  The 
best  green-fleshed  variety  was  "  Best  of  All," 
shown  by  C.  F.  Boston,  Esq.,  Charlwood  (gr. 
Mr.  T.  Bagnall).  The  variety  Royal  Jubilee, 
shown  by  Sir  D.  Duckworth  King,  Wearhouse, 
Exeter  (gr.  Mr.  Barker),  won  the  2nd  prize  ;  and 
the  same  variety  from  G.  A.  Gibbs,  Esq.,  Tynte's 
Field,  Bristol  (gr.  Mr.  Wilkinson),  the  3rd  prize. 
There  were  19  exhibits.  In  the  class  for  scarlet- 
fleshed  varieties,  there  were  23  exhibits.  Sir  D. 
Duckworth  King,  Bart.,  won  the  1st  prize  with 
an  unnamed  fruit.  2nd,  Lord  Aldenham, 
Elstree,  Herts,  (gr.  Mr.  E.  Beckett),  who  showed 
the  variety  Superlative.  3rd,  Mr.  S.  H. 
Matthews,  Meste  Brace,  with  the  variety  Super- 
lative. There  were  17  exhibits  in  the  class  for 
white-fleshed  varieties,  and  the  1st  prize  was 
won  by  E.  A.  Young,  Esq.,  Tan-y-Bryn,  Bangor 
(gr.  Mr.  A.  Ruddock).  It  should  be  added  that 
the  Melon  fruits  are  all  tasted  by  the  judges,  and 
the  prizes  are  awarded  for  superior  flavour. 

Plums. — The  best  12  fruits  of  a  Gage  Plum 
were  shown  by  the  Duke  of  Westminsier,  Eaton 
Hall,  Chester  (gr.  Mr.  N.  F.  Barnes),  who  had 
the  variety  Transparent  Gage.  The  best  collec- 
tion of  12  fruits  of  a  yellow  Plum  other  than  a 
"Gage"  variety  was  from  the  Earl  of  Londes- 
borough, and  he  had  the  variety  Coe's  Golden 
Drop.  In  the  class  for  a  variety  of  red  or  purple 
Plum,  the  1st  prize  was  awarded  to  the  Duke  of 
Portland,  Welbeck  Abbey,  Notts,  (gr.  Mr.  J. 
Gibson),  for  fruits  of  Kirke's. 

Cherries  were  exhibited  in  a  class  for  single 
dishes,  and  the  1st  prize  was  gained  by  the 
variety  Bigarreau  Napoleon,  shown  by  G.  T. 
Bates,  Esq.,  Hereford  (gr.  Mr.  R.  Grindrod). 

Groups  cf  Miscellaneous  Plants. 

These  classes  are  at  Shrewsbury  of  the  highest 
character,  and  the  competition  is  invariably 
keen.  Some  of  the  best  known  experts  in  group- 
ing enter  the  competitions.  In  the  class  for 
plants  in  and  out  of  flower,  to  occupy  a  space 
not  exceeding  300  square  feet,  £60  is  offered 
in  three  prizes. 

On  this  occasion  the  1st  prize  was  awarded 
to  Messrs.  James  Cypher  &  Sons,  Cheltenham, 
whose  group  was  a  most  harmonious  decora- 
tion throughout,  the  combination  of  colour  being 
in  exquisite  taste  and  keeping.  The  background 
comprised  an  elegant  specimen  of  Kentia  Bel- 
moreana,  associated  with  brilliant  trusses  of 
Ixora  Fraseri  and  I.  macrothyrsa,  well- 
developed  single-stem  specimens  of  Crotons 
Andreanus,  Evansianus,  and  Thompsoni, 
pretty  examples  of  Humea  elegans  and  Francoa 
ramosa  being  arranged  towards  the  centre,  hence 
causing  no  obstruction.  Along  the  front  were 
such  Orchids  as  Oncidium  varicosum  Rogersii, 
O.  obryzatum,  Odontoglossum  crispum,  Cattleya 
crispum,  and  several  Laelio-Cattleya  hybrids, 
also  such  fine  things  as  Dendrobium  formosum 
giganteum  and  D.  Phalaenopsis  Schroderiana. 
These  exhibitors  have  rarely  ever  staged  a  finer 
group,  even  at  such  a  show  as  Shrewsbury. 

The  2nd  prize  was  awarded  to  G.  H.  KEN- 
iirick,  Esq.,  Edgbaston,  Birmingham  (gr.   Mr.  J. 


•August  24,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


107 


V.  Macdonald).  This  group  was  particularly 
brilliant  with  highly-coloured  Crotons,  of  which 
there  were  rather  too  many,  but  the  arrange- 
ment was  specially  good,  and  reflected  the 
highest  credit  upon  the  exhibitor.  Francoa 
ramosa  and  Fuchsia  triphylla  at  the  back  of 
the  group  were  in  good  keeping  with  the  Crotons. 
Towards  the  front  were  such  Orchids  as  Vanda 
coerulea  (lovely  in  its  effect),  Cattleya  Harrisonii 
and  Laelia  elegans,  with  dwarf  examples  of 
Ixoras  and  Begonia  Gloire  de  Lorraine. 

The  third  prize  went  to  Mr.  W.  A.  Holmes, 
Chesterfield,  who  had  a  bright  and  tastefully- 
arranged  group  in  excellent  taste.  Dorothy 
Perkins  Rose  here  was  used  rather  freely,  with 
a  few  good  Orchids  towards  the  front,  several 
fine  examples  of  single-stem  Crotons,  such  as 
C.  Reidii  and  C.  Warrenii.  This  group,  though 
very  effective,  was  slightly  overdone  with  these 
single-stem  plants.  Two  other  excellent  exhibits 
were  by  Mr.  Finch,  of  Coventry  (who  had  cen- 
tral arrangement,  in  itself  effective,  but  rather 
too  massive),  and  by  Mr.  Vause,  of  Leamington, 
which  was  a  group  of  considerable  merit.  Catt- 
leya Harrisonii  was  used  here  very  effectively, 
also  Clerodendron  fallax.  The  competition  in 
this  class  was  probably  never  more  keen  than 
on  this  occasion.  It  afforded  an  exhibition  in 
itself,  and  was  one  of  the  best  possible  object- 
lessons  in  grouping. 

The  same  amount  of  money  was  offered  in  the 
class  for  foliage  plants,  with  the  same  limit 
as  to  space.  This  class  is  always  a  feature  at 
this  exhibition,  and  after  some  years  of  experi- 
ence the  exhibitors  have  arrived  at  a  high 
class  of  perfection  in  their  exhibits.  It  is  also 
an  object-lesson  to  gardeners  in  general  as  to 
the  best  possible  plants  to  choose  for  such  a 
purpose  in  home  decorations.  The  1st  prize  in 
this  class  went  to  Messrs.  James  Cypher  & 
Sons,  whose  group  was  prominent  by  the  very 
rich  colouration  of  the  plants  employed,  whilst 
the  "  finish "  was  all  that  could  be  desired. 
Three  well-balanced  Kentias  were  employed  at 
the  back ;  Crotons^-ere  employed  most  effec- 
tively, such  as  C.  VVarrenii,  highly  coloured,  and 
the  best  of  the  broad-leaved  varieties,  C.  Thomp. 
sonii  being  a  prominent  feature.  The  ground- 
work in  this  group  was  of  excellent  taste,  no 
overcrowding,  but  every  plant  affording  good 
effect.  The  dwarf-growing,  variegated  Saxifraga 
in  the  front  was  in  good  keeping,  and  Stro- 
bilanthes  Dyerianus,  with  Jacaranda  mimosi- 
folia  and  dwarf  Marantas  were  most  effective. 

Mr.  W.  A.  Holmes  was  second  in  this  class, 
his  group  being  well  arranged.  The  plants 
employed  harmoniously  blended,  the  silvery 
foliage  plants  set  off  the  highly-coloured 
Crotons  to  good  effect.  The  choice  of  material 
here  was  excellent,  and  the  plants  in  the  best 
of  health,  notably  the  Crotons.  The  3rd  prize 
was  awarded  to  the  Leamington  Nurserymen 
ami  Florists,  Ltd.,  of  Leamington.  This  group 
pressed  the  second-prize  winner  very  closely 
indeed  ;  the  highly-coloured  Crotons  in  the 
choicest  variety,  Nandina  domestica  (a  Japanese 
plant),  rarely  ever  seen  employed  in  this  man- 
ner, was  most  striking,  the  toning  down  by  the 
employment  of  light  green  Ferns  and  Eiilalia 
japonica  variegata  with  Dracaena  Sanderiana 
being  done  in  the  best  possible  manner.  Mr.  G. 
H.  Kendrick  also  showed  well  in  this  class, 
being  very  close  up  to  the  3rd  prize,  with  well- 
grown  and  well-coloured  plants;  the  two  corner 
pyramids  at  the  front  were,  however,  too  heavy 
to  be  of  the  best  effect. 

In  a  smaller  group  class  open  to  exhibitors  in 
the  county  of  Salop  only,  this  being  a  mixed 
class  wherein  £20  was  offered  in  three  prizes, 
a  space  of  100  square  feet  was  allotted.  Mrs 
Swann,  Halston  House  (gr.  Mr.  C.  Roberts) 
was  an  easy  1st,  with  a  miniature  arrangement 
as  seen  in  the  larger  classes.  The  Crotons 
and  the  Ixoras  told  with  good  effect,  so  also  did 
Dracaena  Victoria  and  a  few  good  Alocasias. 

E.  Bird,  Esq.,  Shrewsbury  (gr.  Mr.  H.  Ken- 
nett)  was  2nd.  Flowering  plants  of  Cannas,  of 
Tuberoses,  and  Lilium  Harrisii  were  effectively 
used,  with  a  few  good  Gloxinias. 

Specimen  Plants. 
In  the  class  for  15  stove  and  greenhouse 
plants,  Messrs.  Cypher  &  Sons  were  easily  1st 
with  fine  examples  of  cultivation,  embracing 
grand  specimens  of  Statice  profusa,  5  and  6  feet 
through,  and  of  good  colour  ;  Rondeletia 
speciosa  major,  finely  flowered  and  in  the  best 


of  health  (a  plant  now  larely  seen)  ;  two 
grand  examples  of  Ixora  macrothyrsa  and  an- 
other of  I.  Shawii  ;  two  large  plants  covered 
with  flowers  of  Chironia  ixifera,  and  a  fine 
plant  of  Erica  Aitoniana,  with  Allamanda 
nobilis,  and  three  fine  Palms  at  the  back.  Mr. 
Vause,  Leamington,  was  a  good  2nd  in  this 
class  ;  his  best  plants  were  of  Erica  Aitoniana, 
E.  oblata  purpurea,  and  E.  exquisita,  all  good, 
fresh  specimens  ;  there  were  two  Crotons,'  well 
coloured,  and  three  Allamandas. 

Mr.  Manning,  of  Dudley,  won  the  3rd  prize, 
his  best  plants  being  a  good  Allamanda 
Hendersonii,  and  a  few  good  Ixoras,  and  one  of 
Rondeletia,  with   two  healthy   Kentias. 

For  six  stove  and  greenhouse  plants,  Messrs. 
Cypher  &  Sons  were  again  1st,  with  a  superb 
set  of  six  plants  worthy  of  the  best  days  of 
specimen  cultivation  These  included  two  large 
plants  of  Statice  intermedia,  highly  coloured, 
and  of  S.  profusa,  with  two  fine  Ixoras,  I. 
macrothyrsa,  with  huge  trusses,  and  I.  Fraseri, 
a  mass  of  flower,  Erica  oblata  purpurea,  very- 
fresh,  and  a  grand  plant  of  Allamanda  nobilis, 
a  mass  of  flower,  made  up  this  half-dozen.  Mr. 
Vause  was  2nd  in  this  class  also,  his  best 
plants  being  of  Erica  Austiniana,  a  grand  speci- 
men, and  very  fresh  ;  E.  Aitoniana,  a  fine  plant, 
and  two  Ixoras,  hardly  at  their  best. 

For  six  stove  or  greenhouse  plants  (local 
class!.  Lord  Harlech,  of  Brogyntyn,  Oswestry 
(gr.  Mr.  Lambert),  was  1st  with  good  example's 
of  F.ucharis  amazonica,  Clerodendron  fallax,  C. 
Balfourianum,  and  Ixora  macrothyrsa,  with 
Allamanda  Williamsi,  a  very  pretty  and  useful 
species. 

Mr.  Swann  was  2nd  in  this  class,  staging  a 
fine  Kentia  australis,  two  good  plants  of  Ixora 
Williamsii,  and  a  good  example  of  Croton  War- 
renii. Mr.  Jas.  Tarrant,  of  Shrewsbury,  was 
placed  3rd,  having  in  his  exhibit  good  plants  of 
Ixora  and  Clerodendron. 

The  class  for  30  stove  and  greenhouse  plants 
at  Shrewsbury,  to  be  grown  in  10-inch  pots,  has 
been  for  years  one  of  the  best  classes  in  the 
show  from  a  cultural  point  of  view.  For  the 
first  time  Messrs.  Cypher  &  Sons  have  this 
year  won  the  1st  prize,  a  good  proof  of  the 
excellence  of  the  exhibits.  In  their  exhibit,  the 
Ixoras  were  a  particularly  strong  feature,  the 
best  being  the  fine  young  specimens  of  ixora 
macrothyrsa,  of  which  there  were  five  plants  ; 
fine  dwarf  plants  of  Statice  intermedia  were  also 
staged ;  also  Rondeletia  speciosa  major,  and 
some  good   Crotons  and   Palms. 

Mr.  Vause  came  in  a  good  2nd  in  this  class 
with  several  highly-coloured  Bougainvilleas,  a 
few  dwarf  and  sturdy  Ericas,  Ixoras,  Crotons 
and  Statices. 

The  3rd  prize  was  awarded  to  Mr.  Swann, 
Halston  Hall  (gr.  Mr.  C.  Robertsl,  for  several 
capital  dwarf  Ixora<,  well  flowered ;  also  of 
Dracaena  Victoria,  and  of  Crotons,  with  two  or 
three  good  Palms.  Dracaena  GodseflSana  was 
shown  here  in  good  character. 

For  12  stove  and  gTeenhouse  plants,  also 
in  10-inch  pots,  Sir  A.  Muntz,  Bart.,  M.P., 
Dunsmore,  Rugby  (gr.  Mr.  H.  Blakewavl  was 
1st  with  well-grown  young  plants  ;  these  con- 
sisted of  three  good  Ixoras,  two  of  Allamandas, 
Pancratium  fragrans,  an  excellent  Cycas,  and 
some  good   Crotons. 

For  six  ornamental  fine  foliage  plants,  Messrs. 
Cypher  were  also  1st  with  three  finely-coloured 
Crotons,  notably  the  old  C.  angustifolius,  and 
of  C.  Countess,  with  three  Palms,  of  which  Phce- 
nix  rupicola  and  Kentia  Forsteriana  were  the 
best. 

Mr.  W.  Vause  was  2nd  in  this  class,  Croton 
Queen  Victoria  being  his  best  specimen. 

Begonias.— There  were  several  exhibits  in  the 
classes  for  a  group  of  tuberous-rooted  Begonias 
arranged  for  effect  on  table  spaces  of  15  feet  by 
4  feet.  The  1st  prize  was  won  by  Messrs. 
Blackmore  &  Langdon,  Twerton  Nurseries, 
Bath  ;  the  2nd  by  Messrs.  T.  S.  Ware,  Ltd., 
and  the  3rd  by  Mr.  Davis,  of  Pershore.  The 
quality  observed  in  these  collections  was  beyond 
praise. 

Cut  Flowers. 

Collection  of  Hardy  Perennials,  Roses  excluded. 
—Messrs.  Gunn  &  Sons,  Olton,  were  awarded 
the  1st  prize  in  this  class  for  clean,  fresh 
examples  of  Phloxes  Josephine  Gerbaux, 
L'Aiglon,  and  Sylphide  ;  Campanula  Mariesi, 
Cimicifuga  japomca,  Coreopsis  grandiflora,  and 
I. ilium  longiflorum  ;   2nd,  Messrs.  G.   Gibson  & 


Co.,    Bedale;    3rd,    Mr.    M.    Prichard,    Christ- 
church,  Hants. 

Dahlias. — In  a  class  for  a  collection  of  Cactus 
or  Decorative  Dahlias,  Mr.  J.  Walker,    II. 
was  an  easy  1st,  with  a  pleasing  arrangenn 
Cactus    varieties    displayed    in    bamboo    si 
vases,    and    ornamental    baskets;    2nd,    Messis 
Keynes,  Williams  &  Co.,   Salisbury. 

Mr.  J.  Walker  also  took  the  premier  po 
in  the  class  reserved  for  miscellaneous  Dahlias 
with  a  very  handsome  lot  of  flowers  arti-i 
arranged;  2nd,  Mr.  W.  Treseder  ;  3rd,  Messrs. 
Keynes,  Williams  &  Co. 

Collection  of  Phloxes. — Mr.  M.  Prichard  was 
placed  1st  with  bold  clumps  of  the  leading 
varieties ;  2nd,  N.  G.  Harries,  Esq.,  Wight- 
wick,  Wolverhampton  (gr.  Mr.  J.  Pugh)  ;  3rd, 
Mr.    F.    Bonskell,   Market   Bosworth. 

Amongst  12  competitors  who  staged  in  a  class 
for  an  arrangement  of  cut  flowers  (Orchids  ex- 
cluded) suitable  for  a  dinner  table,  to  occupy 
a  space  4  feet  by  4  feet,  Mrs.  J.  Nixon,  Alderley 
Edge,  was  placed  1st.  The  flowers  relied  upon 
were  Gloriosa  superba  and  Francoa  ramosa ; 
2nd,  Miss  J.  Hirst,  King's  Heath,  who  used 
flowers  of  a  lovely  pink  Carnation,  relieved 
with  Asparagus  and  Selaginellas  ;  3rd,  Mrs.  FI. 
B.  Vernon,  Bowden,  Cheshire;  4th,  Miss  Pope, 
King's   Norton. 

Sweet  Peas. 
Arrangement  of  Sweet  Peas  were  exhibited  on 
tables  (open  to  ladies  only).  There  were  16 
exhibits  in  this  class,  and  the  one  from  Mrs.  E. 
Winchester,  Northfield,  pleased  the  judges 
best ;  2nd,  Mrs.  W.  Marple,  Penkridge. 

Competition  was  also  keen  for  the  prizes 
offered  by  Mr.  Robert  Sydenham,  Birmingham, 
for  Sweet  Peas,  to  be  shown  in  his  rural  table 
decorations.  1st,  Mrs.  W.  Marple  ;  2nd,  Alder- 
man Howell  Davies,  M.P.,  Bristol  (gr  Mr. 
J.  T.  Curtis)  ;  3rd,  Mrs.  G.  D.  Ford,  Acocks 
Green. 

Mr.  T.  Jones,  Ruabon,  won  the  1st  prize  in  Mr. 
Sydenham's  class  for  18  bunches  of  Sweet  Peas  ; 
Mr.  W.  Stansbury,  Hope-under-Dinmore,  took 
the  2nd  prize;  3rd,  A.  Hughes,  Esq.,  Knowle 
(gr.   Mr.   T.  Parry). 

Of  the  15  competitors  for  the  25  Guineas  Silver 
Challenge  Cup  and  £2,  offered  as  1st  prize  by 
Mr.  Henry  Eckford,  Wem,  for  18  varieties  of 
Sweet  Peas,  Mr.  T.  Jones,  Ruabon,  was  placed 
1st  with  flowers  of  a  high  order  of  merit;  2nd, 
P.  Yorke,  Esq.,  Wrexham  (gr.  Mr.  G.  Aitkensi 
with  a  beautifully  fresh  lot  of  flowers;  3rd  K. 
Bathurst,  Esq.,  Chudleigh  (gr.  Mr.  '  G. 
Powney). 

The  Rev.  E.  Brown,  Bedstone  Rectory,  Buck, 
nell,  won  1st  prize  for  six  varieties  of  Sweet 
Peas  offered  by  Messrs.  Jones  &  Sons,  Shrews- 
bury ;  2nd,  A.  E.  Perkins,  Esq.,  Sundorne 
Castle. 

The  1st  prize  for  12  varieties  of  Sweet  Peas 
offered  by  Messrs.  Baker's,  Wolverhampton,  was 
won  by  Mr.  T.  Jones,  Ruabon,  with  a  wonder- 
fully even  lot  of  flowers  of  much  merit ;  Mr.  T. 
Proctor,  Carnforth,  was  a  good  2nd. 

Carnations. 
Owing  to  the  cool,  late  season,  these  flowers 
were  shown  in  excellent  condition.  The  1st 
prize  for  a  collection  of  Carnations  and  Picotees, 
shown  with  their  own  foliage  and  buds,  and  not 
dressed,  space  6  feet  by  4  feet,  was  awarded  to 
Messrs.  Blackmore  &  Langdon,  Bath,  who  had 
good  flowers  of  Volunteer,  Bridegroom,  and 
Delicate  ;  2nd,  Mr.  C.  H.  Herbert,  for  a  well- 
arranged  collection  containing  flowers  of  good 
substance  and  quality;  3rd,  Mr.  A.  R.  Brown, 
King's  Norton. 

The  best  collection  of  Tree  Carnations  came 
from  Mr.  A.  F.  Dutton,  Iver,  Bucks,  with  ex- 
quisite flowers  of  Mrs.  T.  W.  Lawson,  Robert 
Craig,  Enchantress,  and  President,  all  artisti- 
cally arranged;  2nd,  Mr.  S.  Mortimer,  Row- 
ledge,  Farnham. 

In  a  class  for  12  varieties  of  Carnations  or 
Picotees,  three  blooms  of  each,  C.  Alcock, 
Esq.,  Blundellsands,  Liverpool,  was  placed  1st, 
Mr.  A.  R.  Brown,  King's  Norton,  2nd,  and  Mrs! 
C.   H.   Herbert,  Acocks  Green,  '3rd. 

Mrs.  J.  W.  Leaves,  Nottingham,  had  the  best 
12  bunches  of  stove  and  greenhouse  flowers, 
and  Sir  A.  Muntz,  Bart.,  Rugby,  the  best  six 
bunches. 

In  a  class  for  12  bunches  of  annuals,  the  Rev 
A.    Brown,    Bedstone    Rectory,    Bucknell,    was 


158 


THE     GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


[August  24,  1907. 


awarded  1st  prize,  and  Mr.  A.  Myers  staged  the 
best  six  trusses  of  single,  and  six  trusses  of 
double  Zonal  Pelargoniums. 

Messrs.  R.  Hark.ness  &  Co.,  Hitchin,  won  the 
1st  prize  in  a  class  for  24  Roses,  and  Messrs. 
Perkins  &  Sons,  Coventry,  secured  the  premier 
award  offered  for  18  blooms. 

There  were  three  entries  in  a  class  provided 
for  cut  Roses,  and  of  these  Mr.  George  Primer, 
Oxford,  was  placed  1st.  He  had  excellent 
blooms  of  Muriel  Grahame,  Killarney,  Liberty, 
and  Madame  Abel  Chatenay ;  2nd,  Mr.  J. 
Crossling,  Penarth,  with  a  creditable  display ; 
3rd,  Mr.   G.   H.  Towndrow,  Malvern  Link. 

Messrs.  Bottomley  &  Burton,  Elland,  staged 
the  best  24  Show  or  Fancy  Dahlias,  and  Mr.  F. 
Bunn,  Newton,  Ledbury,  had  the  best  12  Cactus 
varieties  in  a  class  reserved  for  amateurs. 

Florists'  Devices. 

The  1st  prize  for  a  bride's  bouquet  with 
Orchids  and  two  bridesmaids'  bouquets  with- 
out Orchids  was  won  by  Messrs.  Felton,  Han- 
over Square,  London.  The  bride's  bouquet  was 
composed  of  long  sprays  of  Odontoglossums 
and  two  white  Cattleyas.  The  bridesmaids'  bou- 
quets were  made  of  pink  Carnations  ;  2nd,  Mr. 
W.  J.   Garner,   Hale,  Altrincham. 

The  last-named  exhibitor  staged  the  best  bou- 
quet for  the  hand,  and  Messrs.  Perkins  &  Sons, 
Coventry,  had  the  best  bride's  bouquet,  Mr. 
W.  J.  Garner,  Hale,  being  second  in  the  last- 
named  class.  He  also  took  1st  prize  for  a 
bouquet  for  the  hand  (Orchids  excluded). 

The  winning  shower-bouquet  of  Cactus 
Dahlias  came  from  Mr.  W.  Treseder,  Cardiff, 
who  used  scarlet  and  cream-coloured  flowers ; 
2nd,  Mr.  W.  J.  Garner. 

Messrs.  Felton  &  Sons  took  1st  prizes  in  the 
classes  for  a  featherweight  bouquet  and  a  floral 
harp,  with  dainty  examples  in  each  case. 

Messrs.  Pope  &  Son,  King's  Norton,  were 
awarded  the  1st  prize  for  a  floral  cross.  The 
groundwork  consisted  of  white  Asters,  over 
which  flowers  of  the  small  bright  scarlet  Lilium 
chalcedonicum  were  arranged — a  bold  and  pleas- 
ing contrast. 

Messrs.  Pope  &  Son,  King's  Norton,  showed 
the  leading  basket  of  cut  flowers  (Orchids  ex- 
cluded). 

Vegetables. 

In  spite  of  lamentations  over  an  adverse 
season,  not  only  were  the  collections  in  the 
respective  classes  far  in  excess  of  what  have 
been  seen  in  any  previous  year,  but  the  quality 
of  the  best  was  quite  up  to  the  standard  merit, 
and  some  capable  critics  thought  it  was  better 
than  ever.  In  any  case  the  efforts  of  the  society 
to  popularise  the  vegetable  classes  (by  first 
getting  all  the  leading  trade  firms  to  put  their 
classes  on  an  equal  footing,  making  them  all  for 
nine  kinds  only  ;  and  in  the  second  place  re- 
ducing their  own  chief  class  to  the  same  number 
of  dishes  and  offering  for  it  greatly  enhanced 
prizes,  but  specially  in  offering  a  champion 
prize  of  10  guineas  for  the  best  collection  of  nine 
kinds  in  the  show),  proved  to  be  remarkably 
successful,  and  with  such  response  it  is  hoped 
this  liberal  action  will  be  repeated. 

It  was  interesting  to  note,  however,  that  the 
champion  prize  fell  to  the  1st  prize  collection 
in  the  society's  class.  Hence  no  trade  firm 
could  feel  any  special  gratification  or  sense  of 
humiliation.  The  coveted  prize  fell  to  an  excel- 
lent grower  of  vegetables  in  the  person  of  Mr. 
J.  Gibson  (gr.  to  the  Duke  of  Portland, 
Welbeck  Abbey),  who,  joining  together  the 
society's  1st  prize  of  £10  and  the  champion 
prize  of  10  guineas,  thus  wins  with  nine  dishes 
of  vegetables  the  largest  sum  ever  offered.  The 
society  published  the  information  that  to  each 
dish  shown  for  this  champion  prize  a  maxmium 
of  7  points  was  to  be  awarded  if  merited.  The 
actual   awards  were   as  follow:  — 

Points. 

Cauliflowers        7 

Celery        5  J 

Leeks         6 


Carrots      ... 

Onions 

Potatos     ... 

Peas 

Runner  Beans 

Tomatos  ... 

Total 


...  7 

...  6 

...  7 

...  7 

...  7 

...  6i 

...  59 


In  the  same  class  Mr.  E.  Beckett,  V.M.H. 
(gr.  to  Lord  Aldenham,  Elstree,  Herts.), 
was  2nd,  having  in  his  collection  capital  Scarlet 
Perfection  Carrots,  Goldfinder  Potatos,  Mussel- 
burgh Leeks,  and  fine  Celery.  Mr.  J.  Hudson, 
of  Leicester,  was  3rd  ;  and  Mr.  B.  Ashton  (gr. 
to  the  Earl  of  Lathom,  Ormskirk),  4th. 

Messrs.  /as.  Carter  &°  Co.'s  Class. — Here  Mr. 
J.  Dymock  (gr.  to  G.  D.  Faber,  Esq., 
M.P.,  Wallingford),  was  a  good  1st,  having  fine 
Defiance  Cauliflowers,  Incomparable  Celery, 
Holborn  Model  Leeks,  Scarlet  Perfection  Carrot, 
Record  Onions,  Windsor  Castle  Potatos,  Scarlet 
Emperor  Runner  Beans,  Quite  Content  Peas, 
and  Duke  of  York  Tomatos.  Mr.  F.  J. 
Barrett,  Overton-on-Dee,  was  2nd  with  excel- 
lent samples.  Mr.  A.  M.  Searle,  Castle  Ashby 
Gardens,  was  3rd,  and  Mr.  Ashton  4th.  There 
were  six  collections  in  the  class. 

Messrs.  Sutton  &'  Sons'  Class. — With  five  en- 
tries, several  old  competitors  having  fallen  out, 
Mr.  Gibson  was  again  1st,  having  very  fine 
Prizetaker  Leeks,  Autumn  Mammoth  Cauli- 
flowers, Ailsa  Craig  Onion,  Intermediate  Carrot, 
Best  of  All  Runner  Beans,  Perfection  Tomatos, 
Centenary  Peas,  and  Ideal  Potatos.  Mr.  E. 
Beckett,  who  was  2nd,  had  very  fine  examples 
of  Prizetaker  Leeks,  Solid  White  Celery,  Wind- 
sor Castle  Potatos,  also  fine  Cauliflowers,  Peas, 
and  Tomatos.  Mr.  J.  Hudson  was  3rd,  and 
Mr.  Ashton  4th. 

Messrs.  Webb  &=  Sons'  Classes. — Here,  out  of 
nine  collections,  Mr.  Beckett  was  a  good  1st, 
having  superb  Champion  Leeks,  Mammoth  Red 
Celery,  Ailsa  Craig  Onions,  Prizewinner  Carrots, 
Stourbridge  Marrow  Peas,  Jubilee  Tomatos,  Ex- 
hibition Runner  Beans,  Chieftain  Potatos,  and 
Mammoth  Cauliflowers.  Mr.  J.  Dymock  was 
2nd,  and  Mr.  Barrett  3rd  ;  other  prize-winners 
in  the  class  being  Messrs.  Ashton,  Searle,  and 
Barson. 

Messrs.  Bull  &°  Sons'  Class. — This  competition 
brought  but  two  competitors,  Mr.  Dymock  win- 
ning easily  with  fine  dishes,  these  being  prac- 
tically repeats  of  what  have  already  been  men- 
tioned.    Mr.  J.  Barson  was  2nd. 

Mr.  R.  Sydenham's  class  brought  12  collec- 
tions, the  1st  prize  falling  to  Mr.  S.  J.  Baker 
(gr.  to  Sir  D.  Duckworth-King,  Exeter).  He 
had  Bibby's  Defiance  Leek,  Autumn  Giant 
Cauliflower,  Excelsior  Onions  (very  fine),  Cham- 
pion Scarlet  Runner  Beans,  St.  Valery  Carrots, 
Gladstone  Peas,  Perfection  Tomatos,  and  Fac- 
tor Potatos.  Mr.  H.  Folkes  (gr.  to  the  Right 
Hon.  J.  F.  Halsey,  Herts.),  was  2nd;  Mr. 
F.  J.  Clark  (gr.  to  Mark  Firth,  Esq.),  3rd; 
and  Mr.  Barrett  4th.  No  fewer  than  nine 
prizes  were  awarded  in  this  class. 

In  the  Society's  class,  devoted  to  the  county  of 
Salop  alone,  Mr.  Mills  (gr.  to  Captain  Heywood 
Lonsdale)  was  1st. 

Other  collections  were  presented  for  prizes 
offered  by  Messrs.  K.  Smith  lV  Co.,  Worcester; 
Mr.  E.  Murrell,  Shrewsbury ;  Messrs.  Jas. 
Backhouse  &  Co.,  York;  and  Mr.  J.  Wilson, 
Hereford  ;  but  all  the  best  exhibits  have  been 
mentioned. 

Other  classes  for  small  collections  or  single 
dishes  brought  remarkable  competition.  The 
best  three  dishes  of  Potatos  among  24  entries 
came  from  Mr.  E.  Deakin,  Hay  Mills,  but  un- 
named. Mr.  Ashton  came  2nd  with  excellent 
Monarch,  Eighty  Fold,  and  Duke  of  York.  Mr. 
W.   H.  Levett,  Wellington,  being  3rd. 

With  a  single  dish,  Mr.  McPherson  (gr.  to  the 
Earl  of  Lokdesborough,  York)  was  1st.  With  six 
Tomatos,  Mr.  J.  Hudson,  of  Leicester,  took  1st 
place.  With  a  brace  of  Cucumbers,  that  veteran 
grower,  Mr.  J.  Lockie,  of  Huntingdon,  was  1st; 
Mr.  Beckett  coming  2nd.  Mr.  Beckett,  how- 
ever, was  1st  for  a  dish  of  French  Beans,  and 
Mr.  J.  Gibson  had  the  best  dish  of  Peas.  The 
best  Runner  Beans  came  from  Mr.  Deakin, 
Cauliflower  from  Mr.  D.  Thomas,  Corend ; 
Celery  from  Mr.  Folkes,  Parsnips  from  Mr. 
Barker,  and  Carrots  from  Mr.  J.  H.  Pugh, 
Newtown. 

It  is  not  possible  further  to  particularise  the 
Awards  which  were  in  other  classes  very  numer- 
ous, or  to  advert  to  the  competition  in  the 
cottagers'  classes,  other  than  to  mention  the 
very  fine  quality  seen  in  their  exhibits. 

Non-Competitive   Exhibits. 

Messrs.  Dobbie  &  Co.,  Rothesay,  sent  a  large 
collection  of  Phloxes,  Violas,  and  Pansies,  also 
Sweet  Peas  and.  a  few  miscellaneous  flowers. 


Mesrs.  Jas.  Backhouse  &  Sons,  York,  had  a 
nicely-arranged  rockery  planted  with  such  things 
as  Campanulas,  Gentianas,  dwarf  Spiraeas,  and 
Podophyllum  Emodi,  bearing  large  scarlet,  egg- 
shaped  fruits.  Dwarf  shrubs  were  also  em- 
ployed with  good  effect,  and  graceful  Bamboos 
formed  a  pleasing  setting  at  the  back. 

Messrs.  Wallace  &  Co.,  Colchester,  contri- 
buted one  of  their  characteristic  displays  of 
hardy  flowers,  in  which  were  excellent  examples 
of  Astilbe  Davidii,  Physostegia  virgimna, 
Phloxes,  hybrid  Gladioli,  new  varieties  of  Mont- 
bretia,  and  several   Liliums. 

Mr.  Albert  Myers,  Sutton  Lane  Nurseries, 
Shrewsbury,  sent  Zonal  Pelargoniums  as  grow- 
ing plants  and  cut  flowers. 

Messrs.  Dicksons,  Chester,  staged  a  hand- 
some group  of  hardy  flowers,  including  superb 
examples  of  Romneya  Coulteri,  Scabiosa  cau- 
casica,   Phloxes,   and   Roses. 

Messrs.  Bakers  Wolverhampton,  had  a  com- 
prehensive display  of  cut  flowers,  in  which  were 
hybrid  Gladioli,  Sweet  Peas,  Roses,  single, 
show,  Cactus  and  Pseony-flo«ered  Dahlias. 

The  King's  Acre  Nurseries,  Hereford,  sent  a 
splendid  exhibit  of  fruit  trees  in  pots,  and  gath- 
ered fruit.  Among  the  trees  we  noted  speci- 
mens of  Jefferson  and  Magnum  Bonum  (white) 
Plum,  Conference,  Marguerite  Marillat,  and 
Louise  Bonne  of  Jersey  Pear,  Worcester  Pear- 
man  and  Washington  Apple,  Gros  Maroc  and 
Lady  Hutt  Grape,  and  a  well-trained  fan-shaped 
Sea  Eagle  Peach,  bearing  41  fruits.  The  same 
firm  also  had  on  another  table  a  collection  of 
Roses,  Carnations,  and  miscellaneous  flowers. 

Messrs.  Isaac  House  &  Son,  Westbury-on- 
Trym,  showed  a  pretty  group  of  Phloxes  and 
other  hardy  flowers. 

Messrs.  Jas.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Royal  Exotic 
Nursery,  Chelsea,  arranged  a  group  of  stove 
plants  in  one  of  the  half-circular  recesses  in  the 
marquee,  containing  the  premier  groups  of  mis- 
cellaneous plants  exhibited  in  competitive 
classes.  The  plants  were  disposed  in  a  manner 
frequently  adopted  by  Messrs.  Veitch,  the  main 
characteristics  of  which  consist  in  having  wings 
composed  of  fine  specimens  of  various  species 
arranged  over  a  Fern-covered  ground  and  extend- 
ing at  the  back  of  the  group  through  the  centre, 
but  the  front  of  the  centre  was  composed  of 
choice  Orchids  in  flower,  making  at  once  a 
notable  and  showy  feature  in  the  display.  The 
specimen  plants  were  all  of  the  highest  culti- 
vation. They  included  excellent  Codia;ums 
(Crotons),  Dieffenbachia  Jenmanii,  Gleichenia 
dichotoima,  Nephrolepis  exaltafa  superba,  sev- 
eral species  of  Davallia,  Platycerium  angolense, 
and  other  Ferns  ;  Ixoras,  Alocasia  macrorhiza 
variegata,  Dracaena  Sanderiana,  Aralia  elegan- 
tissima,  Coccoloba  pubescens,  Ixoras,  Tillandsia 
zebrina  major  (in  flower),  Anthuriums,  Dracaena 
Victoria,  Cordylines,  Rhododendron  javanico- 
jasminiflorum  hybrids,  Ceratopetalum  gummi- 
ferum,  and  beautifully-coloured  plants  of  Phyl- 
lanthus  nivosus  and  Bertolonia  "  Mme.  A. 
Bleu."'  Over  these  plants  were  suspended  well- 
pitchered  plants  of  Nepenthes  Burkei  excellens, 
N.  Balfouriana,  N.  Mixta,  and  others.  The 
firm  had  also  a  group  of  flowers  of  varieties 
of  tree  or  winter-flowering   Carnations,   &C. 

Mr.  Amos  Perry,  Hardy  "Plant  Farm,  Enfield, 
Middlesex,  furnished  the  similar  recess  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  marquee  with  a  water  gar- 
den, arranged  with  aquatic  plants  on  either  side 
of  the  water.  The  conception  and  execution  of 
this  exhibit  were  admirable.  The  water,  though 
necessarily  of  small  area,  was  ornamented  with 
Nymphaea  flowers  and  foliage,  arranged  in  a 
perfectly  natural  manner  ;  other  aquatics  were 
contained  in  suitable  positions  in  the  water,  and 
gold-coloured  fish  could  be  seen  gliding  under 
the  Nymphaea  leaves  in  the  most  realistic  man- 
ner. At  the  back  and  in  the  centre  of  the  group 
were  two  or  three  specimens  of  Gunnera  mani- 
cata,  and  the  semi-aquatic  plants  throughout 
the  exhibit  were  justified  in  their  selection,  and 
their  disposition  was  carried  out  with  know- 
ledge of  the  habitat  of  each  species. 

Mr.  E.  Murrell,  Shrewsbury,  staged  a  mag- 
nificent collection  of  Roses  and  several  boxes  of 
Gladioli. 

Messrs.  Webb  &  Sons,  Stourbridge,  set  up 
an  assortment  of  fruit,  vegetables,  cut  flowers, 
and  small  plants  of  Gloxinias. 

Messrs.  Jones  &  Sons,  Shrewsbury,  staged 
a  large  collection  of  Sweet  Peas,  Carnations 
Zonal  Pelargoniums,  and  floral  devices. 


August  24,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


159 


Mr.  Robert  Sydenham,  Birmingham,  showed 
Sweet  Peas  in  rustic  stands  and  other  recep- 
tacles. 

The  most  extensive  collection  of  Sweet  Peas 
came  from   Mr.   Henry   Eckfosd,   Hem,   Salop. 

From  Messrs.  J.  Stark  ..V  Son,  Great  Ky- 
burgh,  Norfolk,  came  a  pretty  stand  of  Sweet 
Peas,   including  some  unnamed   seedlings. 

Messrs.  Hobbies,  Ltd.,  Dereham,  Norfolk, 
filled  the  whole  of  one  side  of  the  centre  stage 
in  one  tent  with  a  particularly  good  exhibit  of 
Roses  as  growing  plants  and  cut  blooms. 
Sweet  Peas  and  Dahlias  were  also  well  shown. 

Messrs.  Webb  &  Brand,  Saffron  Walden, 
sent  a  number  of  excellent  spikes  of  Holly- 
hocks, &c. 

Messrs.  Hugh  Low  &  Co.,  Bush  Hill  Park, 
N.E.,  made  a  good  display  with  flowers  of 
American     varieties     of       Carnations.  Also 

Orchids,  Ericas,  Roses,  Figs  in  pots,  and 
Orange  bushes  bearing  fruit. 

Messrs.  Watson  &  Sons,  Clontarf  Nurseries, 
Dublin,  had  a  dainty  arrangement  of  choice  cut 
Carnations. 

Messrs.  T.  Rochford  &  Sons,  Broxbourne, 
Herts.,  exhibited  a  large  group  of  well-grown 
plants  of  Nephrolepis  todasoides  and  two  speci- 
mens of  the  new  pink-flowered  Spiraea  Peach 
Blossom. 

Messrs.  Richard  Smith  &  Co.,  Worcester, 
showed  a  miscellaneous  collection  of  indoor 
and  outdoor  flowers   and  hardy  shrubs. 

Messrs.  Alex.  Dickson  &  Sons.  Newtownards, 
had  a  very  bright  collection  of  Roses. 

Messrs.  Gunn  &  Sons,  Olton,  had  a  fine  lot  of 
shrubby   Phloxes  in   many  choice  varieties. 

Messrs.  Hewett  &  Co.,  Birmingham,  had  a 
collection  of  hardy  flowers. 

Mr.  J.  Forbes,  Hawick,  N.B.,  contributed 
Pentstemons  in  numerous  and  excellent  varie- 
ties, also  Phloxes  and  Carnation  flowers  ;  these 
latter  exhibited  on  cardboard. 

There  were  many  other  non-competitive  ex- 
hibits, but  we  have  not  the  space  to  refer  to  them 
in  detail. 

Honorary  Awards. 

Large   Gold   Medals. 

Jas.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  Chelsea,  S.W.  ; 
Amos  Perry,  Enfield  ;  King's  Acre  Nurseries, 
Ltd.,  Hereford  ;  Edwin  Murrell,  Shrewsbury. 

Small  Gold  Medals. 
Thos.  Rochford  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  Broxbourne; 
Robert  Bolton,  Carnforth  ;  James  Backhouse 
&  Sons,  Ltd.,  York;  Bakers'  Nurseries,  Codsall, 
Wolverhampton  ;  E.  Webb  &  Sons,  Stourbridge  ; 
Jones  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  Shrewsbury;  Hobbies,  Ltd., 
Dereham  ;  Henry  Eckford,  Wem  ;  George  Bun- 
yard  &   Co.,    Ltd.,   Maidstone. 

Silver-Gilt    Medals. 

Gunn  &  Sons,  Olton,  Birmingham ;  L.  R. 
Russell,  Richmond ;  Richard  'Smith  &  Co., 
Ltd.,  Worcester;  John  Peed  &  Son,  Koupell 
Park  Nurseries,  Norwood,  S.E.  ;  Dobbie  &  Co., 
Rothesay,  N.B.  ;  R.  Wallace  &  Co.,  Kilnfield 
Gardens,  Colchester;  Dicksons,  Ltd.,  Chester; 
Isaac  House  &  Son,  Westbury-on-Trym,  Bris- 
tol :  Robert  Sydenham,  Tenby  Street,  Birming- 
ham ;  Alex.  Dickson  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  Newton- 
wards,  Co.  Down  ;  Geo.  Prince,  Longworth, 
Berks. 

Silver  Medals. 

Hewitt  &  Co.,  Ltd.,  Solihull ;  John  Forbes, 
Hawick  ;  Clibrans,  Altrincham  ;  John  Mattock, 
Oxford;  Hugh  Low  &  Co.,  Enfield;  Thos.  W. 
Darlington,  Carnforth  ;  Webb  &  Brand,  Saffron 
Walden  ;  Albert  Myers,  Shrewsbury  ;  Felton  & 
Son,  Hanover  Square,  W.  ;  G.  Stark  &  Son, 
Great  Ryburgh  ;  W.  i:  J.  Brown,  Peterborough  ; 
Jarman  &  Co.,  Chard  ;  Pritchard  &  Son,  Shrews- 
bury. 

Bronze  Medals. 

J.  Cooper,  Chipping  Norton  ;  H.  N.  Ellison, 
West  Bromwich  ;  B.  R.  Davies  &  Sons,  Yeovil ; 
Vincent  Slade,  Taunton  ;  Wm.  Watson  &  Sons, 
Ltd.,  Dublin  ;  W.  L.  Pattison,  Shrewsbury  ;  A. 
W.  Thorpe,  Lichfield;  A.  Bastock,  Moseley ; 
John  E.  Knight,  Wolverhampton  ;  Hugh  Alder- 
sey,   Esq.,   Chester. 

Awards  of  Merit 
were  awarded  to  Mr.  Amos  Perry,   Enfield,  for 
Tamarix     Hispida     iEstivalis ;      Messrs.     Alex. 
Dickson   &   Son,   Newtonvtards,   Co.   Down,   for 
Rose  W.   E.   Lippiatt  and   Rose  Flarry  Kester ; 


to  Mr.  L.  R.  Russell,  Richmond,  for  Hedera  den- 
tata  variegata ;  to  Hugh  Aldersey,  Esq.,  Ches- 
ter, for  Sweet  Peas  "  Syeira  Lee"  and  "  Helen 
Grosvenor";  and  to  Messrs.  Dobbie  &  Co., 
Rothesay,    for   Phlox   "  The  Queen." 


Cut  Foliage,  &c. :  Average  Wholesale  Prices. 


DEBATING    SOCIETIES. 


PITSFORD    &    DISTRICT    HORTICULTURAL. 

—This  society  held  its  first  flower  show  in  the  grounds  of 
Pitsford  Hall  on  Thursday,  August  8,  by  permission  of  Mr. 
H.  E.  Courage  ;  and  so  successful  was  the  initial  effort  that 
it  will  doubtless  become  an  annual  function.  After  settling 
all  accounts  a  balance  of  £30  remained. 

PETERBOROUGH  AND  DISTRICT  HORTI- 
CULTURAL.—The  2nd  annual  exhibition  of  this  society 
was  held  on  Wednesday,  August  14.  The  entries  numbered 
903,  compared  with  395  last  year.  Unfortunately  the  patron- 
age the  show  deserved  was  ruined  by  rain.  The  exhibits 
generally  were  of  a  high  order.  The  strongest  section  in 
the  show  was  that  for  Cottagers,  the  produce  in  these  classes 
being  exceptionally  good. 


A  J  i  1 1 1 1 1  i  l  i  -.  cillieu- 
Luin,  per  dozen 
bunches 

Asparagus  plu- 
mosus,  long 
trails,  per  doz. 

—  —       medium, 

bunch     ... 

—  Sprengeii 
Berberis,  per  doz. 

bunches 
Croton  leaves,  bch. 
Cycas  leaves,  each 
Fern,  English,  per 

dozen  bunches 

—  French,  dozen 
bunches 


s.d. 
•2  6 


60 
2  6 


s.d.  s.d.  s.d. 

Galax    leaves,    pei 

dozen  bunches    2  0- 
4  0-601  Hardy    foliage 
j  (various),    per 

dozen  bunches    2  0- 
8  0  12  0    Ivy-leaves,   bronze    2  0- 
j    —  long  trails  per 

16-20'  bundle 16-30 

0  6-10      —  short    green, 

doz.  bunches...     2  0-30 
2  0-26     Moss,  per  gross  ...     40-50 
10-16     Myrtle      (English), 
16-20  small-leaved, 

doz.  bunches...     4  0-60 
10-20      —  French,  dozen 

bunches 


10-30 


Smilax,  p.  dz.  trails    1  6- 


1  6 

2  6 


Plants  in  Pots,  Ac:  Average  Wholesale  Prices. 


THE     WEATHER. 


THE   WEATHER   IN    WEST    HERTS. 

Week  ending  August  21. 
A  cold  and  wet  week.—¥or  more  than  a  fortnight  the  days 
have  all  been  more  or  less  unseasonably  cold.  IHiring  the 
same  period,  however,  the  nights  proved  as  a  rule  rather 
warm.  On  tin-  warmest  day  of  the  past  week  the  highest 
reading  in  the  thermometer  screen  was  only  70*,  and  on  the 
coldest  day  never  exceeded  0U1.  On  the  two  coldest  nights 
the  thermometer  exposed  on  the  lawn  indicated  n 
within  respectively  H"  and  7^  of  the  freezing-point.  At  2  feel 
deep  the  ground  is  still  2°  colder,  but  at  1  foot  deep  is 
now  4°  colder,  than  is  seasonable.  Rain  fell  on  each 
day  of  the  week,  the  total  fall  exceeding  three-quarters 
of  an  inch.  On  one  day,  during  a  thunder-shower,  rain 
was  falling  for  three  minutes  at  the  average  rate  of 
an  inch  an  hour.  These  r.iins  have  not  proved  sufficiently 
heavy  to  re-start  the  percolation  gauge  on  which  short  grass 
is  growing,  through  which  no  measurable  quantity  of  rain- 
water ha-  now  jessed  for  a  fortnight.  Small  quai 
have,  however,  come  through  the  bare  soil  gauge  on  each  of 
the  last  thr»  da;  The  sun  -.hone  on  an  average  ford,  hours 
a  day,  which  is  three-quarters  of  an  hour  a  day  mure  than  is 
usual  in  August.  The  winds  were  again  high,  but  as  was 
the  case  in  each  of  the  two  preceding  weeks  in  no  hour  did 
the  mean  velocity  exceed  14  miles,  direction  west.  The 
average  amount  of  moisture  in  the  air  at  3  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon  was  three  per  cent,  in  excess  of  a  seasonable 
quantity  for  that  hour.     E.  M.,  Berk  ham  si  cd,  A  ugust  _7,  1907. 


MARKETS. 


Ampelopsis     Veit- 

chii,  per  dozen 

AraliaSieboldi,  dz. 

—  larger  

Araucaria   excelsa, 

per  dozen 

Aspidistras,  green, 

per  dozen 

—  variegated,  dz. 
Asparagus    pluino- 

sus  nanus,  doz. 

—  Sprengeri,  dz. 

—  ten  u  is  si  mus 
per  dozen 

Asters   per  doz.   ... 

Campanulas,  p.  dz. 

Chrysanthem  urns, 

per  dozen 

—  best  disbudded 
Clematis,  per  doz. 

—  in  flower 

C  ocos    Weddelli- 

ana, per  dozen 

Coleus,  per  dozen 

Coreopsis,  per  doz. 

Crassulas     (Kalos- 

anthes).  perdz. 

Crotons,  per  dozen 

Cj  penis   atternifo- 

lius,  dozen 

—  laxus,  per  doz. 
HracT-nas,  per  doz. 
Euonymus,  per  dz. 
Ferns,  in   thumbs, 

per  100 

—  m     small    and 
lar^e  00's 

—  in  4H's,  per  dz. 

—  in  3^'s,  per  dz. 
Fictis  elastica,  per 

dozen  


s.d.  s.d. 

6  0-80 

4  0-60 
9  0-12  0 


18  0-30  0 
30  0-42  0 

9  0-12  0 
9  0-12  0 

9  0-12  0 

3  0-60 

6  0-90 

4  0-80 
12  0-18  0 

8  0-90 
12  0-18  0 

9  0-18  0 
2  0-40 
4  0-50 

9  0-12  0 

VI  ii  ;;u  u 

4  0-50 

4  0-50 

9  li   24    n 

4  0-90 

7  0-10  0 

12  0-20  0 
4  0-10  0 
10  0-18  0 


Ficus  repens,  p.  dz. 
Fuchsias,  per  doz. 
Heliotropiums,  per 

dozen  

Hydrangea       Hor- 

tensia,  per  dz. 

—  paniculata,  per 
dozen  ... 

Kentia  Bel  more- 
ana,  per  dozen 

—  Fosteriana,  dz. 
Kochia       scoparia, 

per  dozen 
Latania  borbonica, 

per  dozen 
Lilium     longi- 

florum,  per  dz. 

—  lancif  o  1 1  urn, 
per  dozen 

Lily  of  the  Valley, 
per  dozen.     ... 

Marguerites,  white, 
per  dozen 

—  yellow 

Pelarg  on  i  u  in  s, 

I  v  y-1  e  a  v  e  d, 
Mill  .  Crousse 
and  Galilee,  p. 
dozen  ... 

—  Zonals,  per  dz. 

—  show    .. 
Petunias,     double, 

per  dozen 
Roses,     Ramblers, 

i  ach     

Selaginella,  dozen 
Spiraea      japonica, 

per  dozen 
Verbena,      Miss 

Willmott,  doz. 
Zinnias,  per  dozen 


Fruit:  Average  Wholesale  Prices. 


Apples,    per    box, 

CO  VENT 

Tasmanian  : 

Cut  Flowers, 

Ac:  Average  Wholesale  Prices. 

—  Stunner      Pip- 
pins       

—  English,  p. bshl. 

s.d.  s.d. 

s.d.  s.d. 

Alstromerias,     per 

Lilium  tigrinum  ... 

16-20 

■ —  J  sieve 

dozen  bunches 

2  0-40 

Lily  of  the  Valley, 

Apricots  (French), 

Asters,    per   dozen 

p.  dz.  bunches 

4  0-60 

per  box 

bunches 

3  0-40 

—  extra  quality  ... 

8  0-12  0 

—  French,    cases 

Bouvardia,  per  dz. 

Marguerites,  white, 

—  French,  J  sieve 

bunches 

4  0-60 

p.  dz.  bunches 

2  0-30 

Bananas,  bunch: 

Calla  a/thiopica,  p. 
dozen  

16-26 

—  yellow,  per  dz. 
bunches 

16-20 

—  No.  2  Canary  . 

—  No.  1         „     ... 

Carnations,      per 

Mignonette,  perdz. 

—  Extra        „    ... 

dozen   blooms, 

bunches 

2  0-30 

—  Giants      ,,     ... 

best  American 

O  don  to  glossum 

—  Jamaica 

various 

16-30 

crispum,      per 

—  Loose,  per  dz. 

—  smaller,       per 

dozen    blooms 

2  6-30 

Cranberries,     case 

doz.     bunches 

9  0-12  0 

Pancratiums,      per 

Currants  (English), 

—  Malmaisons,  p. 

dozen  fls. 

3  0-40 

Red,  h  sieve  ... 

dozen  blooms.. 

6  0  10-0 

Pelargoniums, 

—  Black     (Eng- 

Cattleyas, per  doz. 

show,  per  doz. 

lish),  k  sieve  ... 

blooms 

12  0-15  0 

bunches 

4  0-60 

—  White,  p.  peck 

Chrysanthem  u  in  s, 

—  Zonal,    double 

Dates  (Tunis),  doz. 

best  blooms,  p. 

scarlet 

4  0-60 

boxes   

dozen   

2  0-26 

Poppies,     Iceland, 

Figs  (Guernsey),  p. 

—  small,  per  doz. 

doz.  bunches... 

4  0-80 

dozen  

bunches 

3  0-40 

Pyrethrums,      per 

Gooseberries  (Eng- 

— maximum 

10-20 

dozen  bunches 

2  0-40 

lish),  £  sieve  ... 

Coreopsis,  per  doz. 

Rhodanthe,  per  dz. 

Grape    Fruit,    case 

bunches 

2  0-30 

bunches 

3  0-40 

Grapes     (English), 

Cornflower,  per  dz. 

Roses,  12  blooms, 

Hambro's.p.  lb. 

bunches 

10-20 

Niphetos 

10-30 

—  Alicante, perlb. 

Dahlias,  per  dozen 

—  Bridesmaid   ... 

2  0-30 

—  Gros       Maroc, 

bunches 

3  0-40 

—  C.  Testout     ... 

2  0-30 

per  lb. 

Lucharis      grandi- 

—  General  Jacque- 

— English     Mus- 

flora, per  doz. 

minot,  per  doz. 

cats,  per  lb. ... 

blooms 

2  0-30 

bunches 

10-20 

—  Canon        Hall, 

Gaillardias,  per  dz. 

—  Marechal    Niel 

16-30 

per  lb 

bunches 

2  0-30 

—  Kai  serin  A. 

—  Belgian    Ham- 

Gardenias,  perdoz. 

Victoria 

16-30 

bro's,  per  lb.... 

blooms 

16-20 

—  Mrs.   J.  Laing 

10-30 

—  Lisbon,  p.  case 

Gladiolus,    The 

—  C.  Mermet      ... 

10-30 

■ —  Denia,  barrel... 

Bride,  per  doz. 

—  Liberty 

—  Mad.  Chatenay 

2  0-40 

Lemors  : 

bunches 

2  0-30 

10-30 

—  Messina,    case 

—  Brenchleyensis 

2  0-30 

Scabious,  per  doz. 

—  Naples,  p.  case 

—  various 

3  0-50 

bunches 

3  0-40 

Lychees,  per  box... 

Gypsophila  elegans 

Statice,  per   dozen 

2  6-30 

Mangoes,  per  doz. 

p.  dz.  bunches 

2  0-30 

Stephanotis,     per 

Mandarines,   Natal 

—  paniculata,  per 

dozen    trusses 

3  0-50 

Naartjes,     box 

dozen  bunches 

2  0-30 

Stocks,  per  dozen 

—  case      

Lapageria  alba,  per 

bunches 

2  0-30 

Melons  (Guernsey), 

dozen  ... 

10-16 

Sweet  Peas,  p,  doz. 

each     

Lilium  auratum  ... 

2  0-30 

bunches 

10-30 

—  French,   Rock, 

—  lancif  olium, 

Sweet    Sultan,  per 

each     

r  ii  b  r  u  in  and 

dozen  bunches 

3  0-40 

—  Valencia,     per 

album 

16-20 

Tuberoses,  per  dz. 

case      

-*-  longirlorum    ... 

20-3  0 

blooms 

0  4-06 

s.d   s, 


12  6-13  6 
2  6-46 
13-30 

12-14 
2  0-26 

4  0-50 

5  0    — 

6  0-66 

7  0-76 

8  0    — 

5  0-56 
0  9-13 
8  0-86 

2  0-26 

6  0-66 
13-16 

2  6    — 

10-40 

16-30 
11  0-12  0 

0  6-10 
0  8-10 

0  9-13 

0  9-26 

2  0-40 

0  6-09 

8  0-11  0 

5  0-60 

9  0-13  0 
17  0-22  0 

1  0    - 

6  0-12  0 

13-19 
6  0-80 

0  6-20 

16-30 

5  6-86 


Melons    (Canta- 
loupe), each  ... 
Nectarines      (Eng- 
lish), per   doz. 
_    i  1st  quality  ... 
1  2nd       „ 

—  French,  p.  box 
Nuts,  Cobnuts,  per 

doz.  lb 

—  Almonds,  bags 

—  Brazils,  new, 
per  cwt. 

—  Barcelona,  bag 

—  Cocoa  nuts.  100 
Oranges      (Austra- 
lian), per  bos... 

—  Natal,  per  case 

—  Naples,  p.  case 

—  Navels,  p.  case 

—  Murcias,p.  box 
Peaches  (English), 

per  dozen 
_    ( 1st  quality  ... 
i  2nd       

—  French,  p.  box 
Pears  (English),  $ 

sieve     

—  per  bushel 

—  French  Wil- 
liam?, per  crate 

—  French,  Wil- 
liams Bon  Cre- 
tien.  per  box... 

—  (Caiif  ornian), 
per  box 

Plums  (English),  p. 
i  sieve: 

—  Diamonds 

—  Prince  of 
Wales 

—  Orleans  ... 

—  Moroccos 

—  Rivers 

—  Czars 

—  Californian.bos 

—  French,  h  sieve 

—  Italian,   basket 
Gages    (French), 

per  box 

—  Italian,  basket 

—  French,  J  sieve 

—  Spanish,  J  sieve 
Pineapples,  each  ... 
Raspberries    (Eng- 
lish),      handle 
basket 

—  English,  p.  dz. 
punnets 


s.d.  s.d. 
4  0-60 
3  0-50 

3  0-40 

8  0-12  0 

9  0-18  0 

12  0-18  0 
12  0-21  0 

6  0-90 

12  0-18  0 

12  0-24  0 

12  0-18  0 

10  0-12  0 

4  0-80 
12  0-18  0 


4  0-60 
4  0-60 
6  0-90 


3  0-76 

4  0-60 


4  0-       0 
3  0-40 


s.d.  s.d. 
0  3-04 


H  0-15  0 
2  0-40 
0  10-  1  0 

2  6-30 
54  0    — 

40  0-42  6 
32  6    — 
12  0-17  0 

8  0-14  0 
6  0-80 
8  0-10  0 
10  0-10  6 
10  0-12  0 


6  0-90 
10-30 
13-16 

19-26 
2  6-46 


2  9-39 

7  0-80 

2  0-26 

2  3-26 
2  3-30 
2  0    — 
19-20 
2  0-26 

6  0-63 
16-50 
16-19 

0  9-20 
16-19 

7  6-86 
11  0-13  6 

2  0-36 

16-19 

3  0-50 


160 


THE     GARDENERS     CHR  ON  I  CLE. 


[August  24,  1907. 


Vegetables  :  Average  Wholesale  Prices 

s.d.  s.d, 
Ai  i  i  chokes  (French), 

per  dozen  ...  10-13 
Aubergines(  French), 

per  doz.  ...     10-13 

Beans{French),  per 

pad       3  0-40 

—  Broad       (Eng- 
lish), p.  bushel     2  0    — 

—  Home -grown, 
per  bushel      ...     2  0     — 

Beetroot,  bushel  ...  13  16 
0  6-09 
10- 


Cabbages,  per  doz, 

—  Greens,  bag  ... 

—  red,  per  dozen 
Carrots    (English), 

dozen  bunches 

—  washed,        per 
bag       

Cauliflowers,     per 
dozen  

—  per  tally 
Chow  Chow    (Sec- 

hium  edule),  p. 

dozen  

Cucumbers,  p.  dz. 
Endive,  per  dozen 
Horseradish,     for- 
eign, per   doz. 
bundles 
I.eeks,  12   bundles 
Lettuce    (English), 
Cos,  per  score 
Marrows(English), 
per  tally 


2  0 

1  0 

3  0 

2  0- 

4  0- 


3  0    — 

1  6-  2  € 

2  0    — 


13  0-14  0 
1  6    — 


s.d.  s.d. 
Mint,  doz.  bunches  0  9-10 
M  ushrooms(house) 

per  lb 0  8-0  10 

—  buttons,  per  lb.  0  10    — 

—  "Broiters"p.lb.    0  5-06 
Mustardand  Cress, 

per  dozen  pun.     10-16 
Onions    (Spanish), 

per  case         ...     5  0    — 

—  Dutch,  per  bag    4  0    — 

—  pickling,     per 
bushel 2  0-26 

—  Spring,  pr.  dz. 
bunches  ...     16     2  0 

Peas  (English),  per 

bushel 16    — 

—  English,  p.  bag    2  6-40 
ParsJey,'12bunches     16-20 

—  \  bushel         ...    10-16 
Radishes     (Guern- 
sey), doz.  bun.    0  4-06 

Salsafy,  p.dz.  bdls.     3  6    — 
Spinach,    English, 

per  bushel     ...    0  9-10 
Tomatos: — 

—  French,  p.crate    3  0-36 

—  selected,    p  e  r 

dozen  lbs.      ...     3  0-33 

—  small  selected, 

per  dozen  lbs.    2  6-29 
Turnips   (English), 

doz.  bunches...    2  0-30 


0  4-06  d6z.  bunches..:    2  0 

—  per  bag  ...    2  6 

0    —        Watercress,      per 

doz.  bunches  ..  0  4-06 
Remarks.— Large  supplies  of  English  hot-house  grown 
Grapes  are  arriving,  but  the  demand  for  them  is  moderate. 
Plums  from  Kent  are  plentiful,  and  prices  remain  about  the 
same  as  those  of  last  week.  French  and  Spanish  Gages  are 
much  dearer,  notwithstanding  that  the  bulk  of  them  arrive  in 
an  unsound  condition.  A  good  demand  exists  for  large 
English  culinary  Apples.  P.  L.,  Covent  Garden  Market, 
August  21,  1907. 

POTATOS 

Rents,  3s.  to  3s.  6d.  per  cwt. ;  Bedfords,  50s.  to  70s. ;  Lin-. 
coins,  50s.  to  75s. ;  Blacklands,  45s.  to  55s.  per  ton.  Supplies 
are  shorter  and  prices  are  firmer.  G.  #.,  Covent  Garden, 
August  21,  1907. 


COVENT    GARDEN     FLOWER     MARKET. 

There  is  now  very  little  trade  in  plants.  Good  specimens 
of  Hydrangeas  Hortensia  and  paniculata  are  procurable. 
Pelargoniums  are  nearly  over  for  the  season,  except  the 
zonal  varieties,  which  are  still  very  good.  Chrysanthemums 
are  now  of  much  better  quality,  and  some  good  plants  are 
seen.  Chrysanthemum  segetum  and  the  white-flowered 
Marguerites  are  prominent  subjects,  also  Spiraea  japonica 
and  S.  astilboides  "Silver  Sheath."  Liliums,  including 
L.  longiflorum  and  L.  lancifolium  rubrum,  are  of  the  best 
quality.  Verbenas  are  still  abundant,  also  Asters  in  pots. 
Campanulas  have  been  remarkably  good  this  season. 
Dahlias  in  flower  in  48  size  pots  are  seen.  Roses  are  almost 
oyer  for  the  season.  Ferns  in  various  sizes  are  well  sup- 
plied. Asplenium  nidus  is  very  good.  The  new  Nephro- 
lepis  Todaeoides  can  be  had,  but  the  price  is  high.  N. 
Piersonii  can  now  be  purchased  at  the  same  prices  as 
commoner  sorts.  A  considerable  trade  is  done  in  Palms  of 
small  sizes,  but  most  of  the  large  ones  remain  unsold. 

Cut  Flowers. 
Chrysanthemums  are  now  very  prominent.  Lady  Fitz-. 
wigram  is  one  of  the  best  "whites,"  and  if  disbudded 
Horace  Martin  is  the  best  "  yellow."  Some  goftd  bronze  and 
pink  varieties  are  also  seen.  Carnations  are  still  plentiful, 
and  many  arc  purchased  by  the  hawkers.  Liliums  remain 
at  low  prices ;  the  bloomsof  L.  rubrum  Melpomene  are  of  a 
beautiful  colour.  Roses  are  still  over  abundant,  the  variety 
Mrs.  J.  Laing  is  one  of  the  most  conspicuous.  Perle  de 
Jardius  is  the  best  yellow  variety  in  the  market,  and  Liberty 
the  best  red  ;  Kaiserin  Augusta  Victoria,  The  Bride  and  Frau 
K  irl  Druschki  are  all  good  white  varieties,  and  Niphetos 
is  still  extensively  grown.  Gladioli  Colvilei  "  The  Bride  "  is 
arriving  from  Holland  in  large  quantities.  Orchid  bloom  is 
plentiful,  but  the  demand  is  poor.  Hardy  flowers  are  seen 
in  large  quantities,  and  many  are  wasted.  Small  growers 
who  bring  in  cut  flowers  at  this  time  of  the  year  complain 
very  much  ;  they  state  that  trade  in  bedding  plants  was  bad, 
but  the  flower  trade  is  worse.  A,  H,t  Covent  Garden, 
Wednesday,  August  21,  1907. 


SCHEDULES    RECEIVED. 


Sandy  Flower  Show,  to  be  held  on  Thursday,  August  29. 

Kent,  Surrey  and  Sussex  Daffodil  and  Spring 
Flower  Society's  3rd  exhibition,  to  be  held  about  the 
2nd  week  in  April,  1908,  at  the  Great  Hall,  Tunbridge  Wells. 

London    Dahlia    Union's  exhibition,  to  be  held  in  the' 
Royal  Botanic  Gardens,  Regent's  Park,  on  Thurs.lay  and 
Friday,  September  12  and  13,   1907.    Secretary,   Mr.  B.  F.  ' 
Hawes,  Royal  Botanic  Gardens,  Regent's  Park,  N.W. 

National  Dahlia  Society's  exhibition,  to  be  held  at 
the  Crystal  Palace,  on  Thursday,  September  5,  1907. 


ANSWERS    TO    CORRESPONDENTS. 


Apples  Cracking:  L.  F.  If  you  will  forward 
us  specimens,  we  will  endeavour  to  ascertain 
the  tjause  of  the  trouble.  Bordeaux  mixture  is 
the  best  remedy  for  Pear  scab  at  this  season. 
Next  spring  drench  the  trees  before  the  buds 
expand  with  a  solution  of  sulphate  of  iron. 


Canadian  Paper:  H.  B.  The  Canadian  Horticul- 
turist. 507  &  50S,  Manning  Chambers,  Toronto, 
Canada. 

Clematis  :  /.  S.  The  stem  and  leaves  do  not 
furnish  any  clue  to  the  cause  of  failure.  There 
is  no  trace  of  fungi,  or  insects.  There  must  be 
some  local  cause.  Are  you  sure  that  the  roots 
are  growing  in  suitable,  well-drained  soil  ? 

Clover  in  Lawns  :  XV.  F.  Apply  some  nitro- 
genous manure  to  the  lawn.  This  will  favour 
the  growth  of  the  grasses,  and  they  will  in 
time  crowd  out  the  Clover. 

Correction  :  In  the  report  of  the  Bishop's  Stort- 
ford  Flower  Show  on  page  117,  the  winner  in 
the  Grape  classes  should  have  read  Mr.  J. 
Balfour,  Moor  Hall,  Harlow,  Essex  (gr.  Mr. 
A.  Jefferies),  and  not  Colonel  Balfour. 

Cycas  revoluta  :  H.V.  It  is  not  unusual  for 
this  plant  to  develop  its  cones  in  plant  houses. 
We  have  on  several  occasions  published  illus- 
trations of  the  plant  bearing  its  inflorescence 
in  gardens  in  this  country. 

Exhibiting  Cut  Flowers:  H.  F.  Campanula 
carpatica  and  C  persiciaefolia  are  distinct 
species.  According  to  the  Rules  for  Judg- 
ing, issued  by  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society,  which  states  that  "  as  a  general  rule 
all  variations  within  a  genus  are  varieties," 
your  exhibit  of  these  plants  as  distinct  varie- 
ties would  be  legitimate.  However,  to  avoid 
dispute  it  would  be  well  not  to  include  the 
two  Campanulas  if  you  can  substitute  some 
other  flower. 

Grapes  :  /.  C.  McP.  The  disease  is  probably  the 
Anthracnose  (Gloeosporium  ampelophagum) 
but  in  an  early  stage,  and  no  spores  are  formed. 

Laurel  Leaves:  A.  XV.  K.  Your  Laurel  leaves 
exhibit  just  such  holes  as  are  caused  by  the 
shot-hole  fungus  (Circospora  circumscissa),  but 
there  is  no  trace  of  fungus  in  the  leaves,  and  no 
indications  of  insects,  so  that  the  cause  of  the 
holes  cannot  be  determined. 

Lychnis  :  E.  H.  We  have  examined  your  plants 
carefully  and  find  no  trace  of  fungi,  but  suspect 
that  the  cause  of  the  mischief  lies  in  the  roots. 
Are  you  sure  that  it  is  not  Eelworms  ?  The 
old-fashioned  plant  known  as  Monarda  didyma, 
and  having  brilliantly  red  flowers,  might  be 
given  a  place  in  the  border.  It  is  a  perennial 
plant  and  grows  about  2  feet  high: 

Melon  Diamond  Jubilee:  Enquirer.  This 
variety  was  raised  at  Dropmore  by  Mr.  Charles 
Herrin  in  1897,  and  it  received  an  Award  of 
Merit  from  the  Fruit  and  Vegetable  Com- 
mittee of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  on 
May  26,  1897.  Seeds  were  forwarded  to  Wisley 
for  trial  by  Messrs.  Hurst  &  Son,  Houndsditch. 

Names  of  Fruits  :  P.  J.  P.  Your  Grapes  arrived 
in  a  smashed  condition.  Send  others  properly 
packed  and  we  will  endeavour  to  oblige  you. 
At  the  same  time  enclose  a  portion  of  the  shoot 
and  a  few  leaves. 

Names  of  Plants  :  H.  T.  S.  2,  Cuscuta  europjea,- 
the  Dodder  ;  3,  Erica  cinerea.  The  caterpillar  is 
the  larva  of  the  Death's  Head  Hawk-moth, 
Acherontia  atropos.  —  F.  M.  1,  Brassavola 
acaulis;2,  Cyrtopodium  Andersonii ;  3,  Odonto- 
glossum  Lindleyanum. — Constant  Redder.  1, 
Olearia  Haastii  ;  2,  Lythrum  salicaria  ;  3, 
Anchusa  italica ;  4,  Linaria  vulgaris;  5,  Pip-- 
tanthus  nepalensis  ;  6,  Teucrium  polium. — 
C.  E.  H.  1,  Lastrea  cristata ;  2,  L.  c.  uliginosa; 
3,  L.  spinulosa  ;  4,  Athyrium  Filix-fcemina  pur- 
purescens;  5,  A.  F.-f.  rha;ticum.— G.  M.  (a) 
Anthemis  tinctoria ;  (b)  Galega  officinalis  ;  (c) 
not  recognised ;  (d)  Camassia  esculenta ;  (e) 
Physostegia  virginiana ;  (f)  Origanum  Dictam- 
nus.— ].  M.  1,  Inula  grandiflora  ;  2,  Sedum 
hispanicum;  3.  Lastrea lepida;  4,  Lastrea  serra. 
— H.  T.  Veronica  Andersonii,  purple  variety. — 
H.  P.  P.  P.  1,  Begonia  Dregei  (syn.  parvi- 
folia)  ;  2,  Begonia  fuchsioides  ;  3,  Achillea 
ptarmica,  double  variety  ;  4,  Cryptomeria 
japonica.— H.  A.  Abelia  triflora.—  Fresco.  1, 
Hypericum  uralum ;  2,  Osmunda  gracilis;  3, 
not  recognised  ;  4,  Liatris  spicata  ;  5,  Veronica 
longifolia  subsessilis  ;  6,  Polystichum  acu- 
leatum. 

Peaches:  G.  A.  B.  and  CM.  Your  Peaches  appear 
to  be  attacked  by  a  black  mould,  which  was  first 
observed  and  described  by  Berkeley  in  1864,  in 
Gardeners'  Chronicle  for  that  year  (p.  938)  with  a 
figure,   under  the  name  of  Helminthosporium 


rhaldiferum — found  on  ripe  Peaches  from 
Wales.  It  is  very  doubtful  whether  it  has  been 
recognised  since  that  date.  At  first  it  was 
called  Macrosporium,  but  the  spores  are  not 
muriform,  and  there  are  very  few  threads. 
Technically  it  is  doubtful  whether  it  is  either 
Helminthosporium  or   Macrosporium— but   the 


Fig.  62. 


-macrosporium  rhaldiferum 
disease  of  peaches. 


spores  are  very  profuse,  and,  though  rare,  the 
fungus  is  a  decided  pest.  Pick  off  and  burn  at 
once  all  diseased  fruits,  and  syringe  the  trees 
with  diluted  Bordeaux  mixture  to  destroy  stray 
spores. 

Plums  :  /.  McC.  Your  Plums  appear  to  be  in- 
fected by  Anthracnose,  similar  to  Gloeosporium 
lceticolor,  which  occurs  on  Peaches,  but  with 
smaller  spores.  It  is  probably  a  species  not 
hitherto  recognised.  Gather  and  burn  all  the 
diseased  fruits.  For  the  present  the  parasite 
may  be  called  Gloeosporium  prunorum,  the 
spores  being  10  to  12  mm.  long. 

Potato  with  Axilliary  Tuber  :  /.  C.  The 
specimen  you  send  is  not  uncommon.  The 
underground  tuber  of  a  Potato  is  nothing   more 


Fig.  63. — tuber  growing  on  the  haulm  of 
the  potato. 

than  a  modified  stem  or  shoot,  and  it  is  not 
surprising  that  these  thickened  shoots  should 
sometimes  be  produced  above  ground. 

Rosa  rugosa  :  G.  N.     The  shoots  you  send  appear 
to  be  those  of  the  species  you  are  cultivating. 

Tomatos  diseased  :  H.  J.  G.  From  your  de-'' 
scription  the  disease  appears  to  beCladosporiutn 
fulvum.  Syringe  the  foliage  with'  Bordeaux- 
mixture  (see  p.  150),  afford  an  abundance  of 
.ventilation,  and,  on  cold  nights,  circulate  a  little 
heat  in  the  hot-water  system. 

Communications  Received. — C.  H.  J. — H.  H.— E.  M.— 
R.  A.  B.,  San  Remo— J.  G.— W.  G.  G—  A.  W.— W.  H.— - 
S.  W.  T.— F.  B.— W.  C— A.  B.— G.  C— Mrs.  R.— R.  H.  C. 
—J.  D.  G.— Hon.  W.  R.— G.  B.  M.— de  B.  C.— S.  A.— W. 
— H.  C.— Miss  S.— W.  G.-F.  C.  R.— J.  S.  &  Sons— 
W.  W.  Naunton  (with  thanks)— A.  W.  Hill— E.  T.  M.— '  I 
Dr.  R.— T.  R.  Si  Son. 


August  31,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


161 


THE 


(Sarbcncrs'Cbronicli 


No.  1,079.— SATURDAY,  August  31,  1907. 


CONTENTS. 


Alpine  garden,  the — 
Hypericum  reptans  ...    163 

Apple- mildew     166 

Astilbe  Davidii 172 

Books,  notices  of— 
Hortus  Duroverni     ...     173 

Weather  169 

Publications  received    171 

Carnation  Andrew  Car- 
negie          169 

Carnation,    sporting    of 
the  Clove        ...        ...     172 

Country  garden,  the     ...     161 

Cyclamen  seed,  the  sow- 
ing of     ...     172 

Delia  t  i  ng    society's 
meetings,  questions  at    173 

Fernery,  at  Shipley  Hall, 
the  1G8 

Fruit  crops,  reports  on 
the  condition  of  the  ...     171 

Fruit  register — 
Some  late  Peaches    ...     165 

Gardeners    Society     in 
Lower  Austria  ...    171 

Grammatophyllum  spe- 
ciosum  at  Peradeniya    168 

Jnniperus    chinensis,   a 
notable  tree  of  ...     163 

Kew  notes — 
The  greenhouse        ...     163 

Kew,  the  Assistant  Di- 
rectorship at 171 

Law  note — 
Bankruptcies  of   nur- 
serymen, &c.  ...     172 

Matricaria      inodora 
'■  Bridal  Robe"         ...     165 

Norway    garden,     wall- 
plants  suitable  for  a...     173 

Notospartium     Car  m  i- 

chaeliaa 172 

Orchid  Notes  and  Glean- 
ings— 
Arpophyllum      gigan- 

teum 162 

Cypripediutn  Paristrii    162 
Odontiodas      162 


Nurseryman's    visit    to 
Canada,  a        ...        ...     171 

Orchids,  a  sale  of  ...     170 

Plants,     new     or    note- 
wi  irthy— 
Bulbophyllum     B  i  n  - 

nendijkii      161 

Zakizianskiamaritima    161 
Primula      obconica, 
poisonous    properties 

of 173 

Rondeletia  strigosa       ...     173 
Root    action     and    bac- 
teria        170 

Rotary,  the — 
Cultural  notes  for  Sep- 
tember      164 

Societies — 

British  Gardeners'  As- 
sociation            176 

National  Dahlia        ...     170 
Royal  Horticultural  ..      169 
(Scientific  Committee)     174 
Royal    Hort.   of  Aber- 
deen     174 

Society    of    American 

Florists         175 

Strawberry  crop  in  Ger- 
many, the    170 

Tomato  plants,  defoliat- 
ing   172 

Trees  and  Shrubs — 

Escallonia  pterocladon    162 

Nerium  Oleander     ...    162 

Spruce  gall-mite        ...    162 

Trenching  of  gardensoil     164 

Verbena  montana  ...     173 

Week's  work,  the — 

Flower  garden,  the  ...    166 

Fruits  under  glass     ...     166 

Hardy  fruit  garden  ...     167 

Kitchen  garden,  the...     167 

Orchid  houses,  the  ...    166 

Parks  and  gardens    ...    167 

Plants  under  glass    ...     167 

Witsenia  corymbosa    ...     164 

Young,  Mr.  W.  H.       ...    169 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Death's-Head  Hawk  Moth,  the        176 

Fernery  at  Shipley  Hall,  Derbyshire  (Supplementary 

Illustration* 

Flower  of  Grammatophyllum  speciosum 170 

Grammatophyllum  speciosum  in  the  Botanical  Gardens, 

Peradeniya,  Ceylon  .. 169 

Hill,  M. A.,  Arthur  William,  portrait  of     ...         ...         ...  171 

Juniperus  chinensis,  a  remarkable  tree  of           163 

Matricaria  inodora  "  Bridal  Robe  " 165 

Neobenthamia  gracilis 174 

Roots,  aerial,  of  Grammatophyllum  speciosum 163 

Witsenia  corymbosa  flowering  in  the  open  garden  in 

Devonshire 164 

Zaluzianskia  maritima 162 


THE    COUNTRY    GARDEN. 

THE  country  garden  that  has  for  one  of  its 
main  features  the  flowering  trees  and 
shrubs  is  generally  a  beautiful  garden. 
It  may  be  large  and  rambling,  or  it  may  be  of 
but  medium  size,  but  there  is,  as  a  rule,  some- 
thing in  its  setting — that  is  to  say,  its  sur- 
roundings— that  seems  especially  to  accom- 
pany a  generous  supply  of  flowering  trees 
and   shrubs. 

A  well-grown  shrub  in  full  blossom  is,  in 
many  cases,  a  means  of  getting  a  mass  of 
colour  in  a  particular  spot  that  would  not 
otherwise  get  the  brightening  effect  of 
colour,  as  it  does  not  contain  either 
bed  or  border.  This,  I  cannot  help  thinking, 
is  highly  important  and  a  point  no  good  gar- 
dener with  an  eye  to  decorative  effect  can 
afford  to  overlook.  Another  consideration 
lies  in  the  fact  that  by  this  means  we  ran 
secure  considerable  masses  of  colour  at  dif- 
ferent elevations,  and  when  colour  can  be 
secured  above  the  level  of  the  eye  it  has  a 
distinct  and  appreciable  value  for  distant 
decorative  effect. 

This  makes  me  say  that  a  tall,   flowering 


tree,  or  shrub,  at  the  far  end  of  a  'long  vista 
has  more  value  than  the  same  amount  of 
blossom  would  have  laid  down  in  a  flat  bed  or 
border.  And  if,  at  the  same  time,  some  of 
the  more  uncommon  flowering  shrubs  are 
made  use  of,  then  much  additional  interest  is 
added  to  the  garden. 

There  is  just  one  other  point  I  want  to 
notice  before  I  go  on  to  name  a  few  desirable 
varieties,  and  that  is,  that  where  space  suf- 
fices for  a  good  num!  er,  it  is  well  to  secure 
a  selection  that  will  flower  over  a  long  period. 
Those  favourite  flowering  trees  the  Lilacs, 
Guelder  Roses,  Philadelphus,  white  or  red 
Thorn,  and  Laburnum  unfortunately  flower 
more  or  less  simultaneously,  and,  as  these  are 
the  trees  and  shrubs  that  arc  planted  most 
largely,  and  often  to  the  neglect  of  all 
other  species,  it  follows  that,  though  bril- 
liant for  a  short  season,  the  flowering  of 
tiers  and  shrubs  cannot  be  reckoned  on  as 
an  effective  factor  in  the  beauty  of  such  gar- 
dens ex:ept  in  the  early  summer.  We  ought 
to  seek  to  remedy  this,  to  discover  varieties  of 
both  trees  and  shrubs  that  carry-  the  flowering 
season  much  farther  into  the  vear,  both 
earlier  and  later. 

White  is  far  more  usual  as  the  colour  of  the 
blossom  of  trees  and  shrubs — and  after 
that,  I  suppose  yellow  — than  brighter  and 
fuller  colours. 

A  beautiful,  even  a  striking  subject  for  a 
sheltered  position  i-.  Magnolia  stellata.  Com- 
paratively dwarf  in  growth,  its  glistening 
white  blossoms  are  opened  in  March,  and. 
from  their  curious  narrowness,  the  petals 
have  a  strap-like  effect.  For  beauty  there  is 
scarcely  another  shrub  to  compare  with  this, 
and  I  mentioned  "  a  sheltered  position  "  not 
at  all  by  reason  of  any  tenderness  of  the 
shrub,  but  merely  because  in  a  wind-swept 
spot  the  pure  white  flowers  may  be  bruised 
and  partly  ruined.  Earlier  still  to  flower  is 
the  valuable  Forsythia.  I  cannot  help  think- 
ing that  the  species  F.  suspensa  has  too 
greatly  taken  the  place  of  F.  viridissima.  We 
use  the  former  as  a  wall  subject,  and  seem 
to  forget  that  F.  viridissima  makes  a  capital 
early  flowering  shrub  for  an  open  position. 

Instinctively,  almost,  we  regard  the  coun- 
try garden  as,  at  the  same  time,  the  old- 
fashioned  garden,  and,  therefore,  it  seems 
to  me  that  any  shrub  that  especially  can  be 
looked  upon  as  old-fashioned  is  peculiarly 
suitable.  Among  these  must  be  named  the 
brilliant,  orange-flowered  single  and  double 
Kerria,  and  it  may  be  added  that  the  flower- 
ing period  of  the  double  form  is  twice  as 
long  as  that  of  the  type.  This  Kerra  is  in 
flower  with  the  Forget-me-nots,  and  a  great 
mass  of  the  blue  flowers  of  Forget-me-nots 
under  the  flower-laden,  orange-coloured 
shrub  is  as  effective  in  spring  as  anything 
could  be. 

For  July  and  August  flowering — the 
months,  by  the  way,  when  flowering  shrubs 
are  particularly  an  addition  to  the  garden — 
there  is  Olearia  Haastii.  It  is  evergreen 
and  worthy  of  really  good  cultivation.  A 
shrub  5  or  6  feet  high,  under  happy  con- 
ditions, it  should  be,  by  the  beginning  of 
August,  a  dense  mass  of  white  flowers,  and 
those  who  delight  in  seeing  the  bees  at  work 
in  their  gardens  will  find  an  additional 
charm  in  this  shrub,  as  the  bees  love  it. 
Another     good      old-fashioned     subject     is 


Hibiscus  syriacus,  known  in  former  times  as 
Althea  frutex.  There  is  a  double  form  with 
pink  flowers  much  to  be  recommended.  The 
shrub  shows,  however,  a  diversity  of  colour- 
ing, its  range  being  from  pure  while,  as  II. 
Jeanne  d'Arc,  to  deep  dark  red,  as  in  the 
variety  Boule  de  Feu.  When  I  first  pur- 
chased H.  syriacus  I  was  told  to  plant  it  in 
a  dry,  warm  spot ;  that,  however,  is  the 
greatest  mistake.  To  flourish  as  it  should, 
the  soil  should  be  deep,  rich,  ami  moist. 

I  always  look  upon  Colutea  arborescens  as 
a  valuable  addition  to  the  summer-flowering 
shrubs.  Practically,  it  will  grow  anywhere, 
and  it  is  decorative  for  a  long  period,  first 
with  its  blossom,  and  later  with  its  inflated 
seed  vessels.  Its  delicate  lightness  makes  it 
charming  among  evergreens.  Its  introduc- 
tion into  England  dates  back  to  the  16th 
century,  so  that  it  ranks  easily  among  the 
old-fashioned  shrubs,  and,  like  so  many 
shrubs  that  have  that  distinguishing  sub- 
title "arborescens,"  there  is  a  dignity  about  it 
that  is  impressive.  The  Allspice  or  Caly- 
canthus  is  not  striking,  but  it  is  soberly  and 
quaintly  pretty,  and  uncommon,  both  in  the 
deep  rich  colouring  and  in  the  form  of  the 
flowers.  The  plant  is  of  compact  habit  and 
neat  in  growth,  flowering  from  mid-July. 
Practical    Gardener. 


NEW  OR   NOTEWORTHY 
PLANTS. 


BULBOPHYLLUM    BTNNENDIJKII, 
/.  /.   SMITH. 

At  the  Temple  Show  this  year  Messrs.  Sander 
&  Sons  showed  in  their  group  of  Orchids  a 
very  striking  plant  under  the  name  of  Bulbo- 
phyllum Ericssonii.  On  seeing  it  I  was  at  once 
impressed  by  its  differing  greatly  from  the  type 
plant  of  B.  Ericssonii,  which  flowers  freely  at 
Tring  Park  every  year,  and  which  was  illustrated 
in  the  Gardeners'  Chronicle,  January  23,  1897,  p. 
61.  The  most  obvious  difference  was  the  rigid, 
upright  position  of  the  odd  or  dorsal  sepal,  the 
larger,  purple  spots  on  this  and  the  remaining 
segments,  and  the  darker  colour  of  the  lip.  On 
an  examination  of  the  distinguishing  characters 
of  the  species  of  this  section  of  Bulbophyllum, 
viz.,  B.  Ericssonii,  B.  virescens,  B.  Pahudi,  B. 
galbinum  (illustrated  in  the  Gardeners'  Chronicle, 
July  20,  1907,  from  the  Tring  Park  specimen), 
and  B.  uniflorum  =  B.  Reinwardtii,  I  found 
that  Messrs.  Sanders'  plant  is  Bulbophyllum 
Binnendijkii,  /.  /.  Smith  =  Cirrhopetalum 
leopardinum  T.  and  B. 

In  addition  to  the  above-named  species  of  this 
group,  there  are  at  least  two  forms  grown  in 
English  gardens  under  the  name  of  Bulbophyl- 
lum virescens,  which  most  likely  are  unnamed 
species,  but  I  shall  have  a  further  communi- 
cation on  this  highly  interesting  section  to  make 
later  on,  when  the  status  and  synonymy  of  the 
species,  and  also  the  question  of  the  two  genera 
Cirrhopetalum  and  Bulbophyllum,  will  be 
thoroughly  discussed.     Walter  Rothschild. 

ZALUZIANSKIA  MARITIMA. 
This  pretty  little  plant  was  raised  from  seed 
sent  to  me  by  my  esteemed  correspondent,  Mr. 
G.  Thorncroft,  of  Barberton,  Transvaal.  The 
name  sent  with  the  seed  of  Zaluzianskia  was 
evidently  incomplete,  but  on  its  blooming  and 
being  sent  to  the  Herbarium  at  Kew  for  identi- 
fication I  was  told  that  its  correct  name  was 
Z.  maritima.  I  was  also  referred  to  plate  2, .".04 
of  the  51st  volume  of  the  Botanical  .1/. t. 
where  it  is  figured  under  the  name  Erinus 
Lychmdea,  or  the  Phlox-like  Erinus.  The  por- 
trait   of    the    flower    there    given    agrees    with 


162 


THE    GARDENERS1     CHRONICLE. 


[August  31,  .007 


my  plant  in  every  detail  except  the  colouring  of 
the  exterior  of  the  petals,  which  in  the  plate  are 
depicted  purple,  almost  black,  whereas  in  my 
flowers  the»e  are  a  deep  shade  of  red.  The  in- 
terior of  the  bloom  is  pure  white,  and  when  the 
flowers  open  quite  flat  at  about  sunset  they  pre- 
sent a  very  pretty  appearance.  They  remain  closed 
throughout  the  day.     W.  E.  Cumbleton. 


ORCHID    NOTES    AND   GLEANINGS. 

ARPOPHYLLUM  GIGANTEUM. 
In  a  paragraph  published  in  the  issue  of 
Gardeners'  Chronicle  for  June  15  last,  p.  378,  on 
Arpophyllum  giganteum,  the  habitat  was  given 
as  Mexico  and  Guatemala.  Looking  up  Index 
Kewensis,  I  find  it  also  given  there  as  Mexico. 
But  Mr.  G.  Lyme,  when  curator  of  Castleton 
Gardens,  1879-85,  found  A.  spicatum  indigenous 
to  Jamaica,  and  specimens  were  collected  for 
the  Jamaica  Herbarium.  The  West  Indian  habi- 
tat should  be,  therefore,  added  to  the  records  for 
Arpophyllum.  /.  H.  Hart,  F.L.S.,  Botanical 
Dept.,   Trinidad. 

CYPRIPEDIUM     PARISHII. 

A  number  of  strong  specimens  of  this  dis- 
tinct Cypripedium  have  been  flowering  in  the 
collection  of  A.  J.  Hollington,  Esq.,  Forty 
Hill,  Enfield  (gr.  Mr.  Ayling).  Several  at 
present  in  bloom  have  from  six  to  eight  flowers 
on  a  spike,  and  all  are  expanded  at  the  same 
time.  It  is  a  native  of  Moulmein,  and  its  broad, 
green  leaves  make  it  an  attractive  plant  even 
when  not  in  bloom.  The  flower-spikes  are  some 
15  inches  in  height,  and  bear  from  three  to 
eight  flowers  each.  The  sepals  are  yellowish- 
green,  and  the  drooping,  twisted  petals,  which 
are.  about  5  inches  in  length,  are  tinged  with 
purple  and  bear  on  the  margins  hairy,  wart- 
like protuberances.  The  lip  is  green,  stained 
with  purple.  Although  not  one  of  the  showiest 
Cypripediums,  it  is  highly  attractive.  This 
species  is  often  said  to  be  shy-flowering,  but 
Mr.  Ayling,  with  whom  it  flowers  well  every 
year,  considers  that  the  fact  that  it  is  generally 
kept  in  too  warm  and  close  an  atmosphere  ac- 
counts for  its  failure  to  flower  in  many  cases. 
At  Forty  Hill,  C.  Parishii,  C.  Rothschildianum, 
and  others  of  the  section,  are  grown  as  inter- 
mediate-house plants,  and  all  produce  their 
flowers  in  great  profusion.  The  leaves  are 
shorter  and  of  thicker  substance  than  on  plants 
grown  in  warmer  houses.    /.  O'B. 

ODONTIODAS. 

By  an  unexplainable  inadvertence  in  my 
article  on  Odontiodas,  published  on  page  14^ 
in  last  week's  issue,  I  omitted  to  include  in  the 
table,  the  record  of  one  of  the  most  important 
plants  of  the  family,  thus — Odontioda  Brad- 
shawiae  (C.  Noezliana  X  Od.  crispum),  Charles- 
worth,  R.H.S.,  January  8,  1907,  F.C.C.  The 
plant  itself  was  prominently  mentioned  in  the 
text,  but  that  was  not  in  itself  any  reason  for 
its  non-inclusion  in  the  proper  place  in  the 
table,     de  B.  Crawshay. 

Accuracy  is  a  matter  of  the  highest 

importance,  and  I  regret  that  in  the  tran- 
scription of  a  hasty  note  anything  should  have 
appeared  that  rendered  necessary  the  correction 
made  by  Mr.  Crawshay  at  page  143  of  your 
last  issue.  Mr.  Crawshay  writes  :  "  At  that  time 
I  had  plants  of  three  Odontoglossums  crossed 
with  C.  Noezliana,  hence  it  was  unlikely  I 
should  have  stated  it  could  not  be  effected." 
But  the  curious  thing  is  that  he  did  not  state 
this  at  the  time,  when  we  discussed  this  very 
matter,  and  when  capsules  and  seedlings  from 
the  reverse  cross  were  pointed  out.  The  second 
note  "  did  not  fully  solve  the  question,"  because 
Mr.  Crawshay  declined  to  allow  the  crosses  he 
had  made,  to  be  published,  and  gave  reasons 
for  doing  so,  but  as  he  has  now  published  them 
the  matter  is  set  at  rest.  Let  us  hope  these 
will   be   successful.     Too   many   have   not   been 


so,  as  Mr.  Crawshay  himself  points  out. 
Finally,  is  it  quite  certain  that  Cochlioda 
Noezliana  was  the  "  male  or  pollen  parent  "  of 
Odontioda  Vuylstekeae,  as  Mr.  Crawshay  states? 
M.  Vuylsteke  was  himself  uncertain,  for  "  the 
cross  was  made  both  ways,  and  at  first  it  was 
feared  that  the  seeds  had  failed  to  germinate." 
See  Orchid  Review,  Vol.  xii.,  page  190.  The 
information  came  from  M.  Vuylsteke.  Can  any 
one  report  seedlings  from  Odontoglossum  nobile 
(Pescatorei)  as  the  mother?  The  cross  must 
surely  have  been  frequently  made  during  the 
last  three  years,  and  the  reverse  cross  has  suc- 
ceeded in  several  places.     R.  A.   ~Rolfe. 


TREES  AND  SHRUBS. 

ESCALLONIA   PTEROCLADON. 

This  species,  which  is  one  of  the  most  hardy 
and   showy  of  the  genus,   is   at   present  flower- 


hardy.  Escallonia  pterocladon  is  easily  pro- 
pagated from  seeds  which  ripen  freely  on  the 
plants  in  the  autumn.  W.  Smith,  Royal  Botanic 
Gardens,  Edinburgh. 

NERIUM  OLEANDER. 
This  beautiful  evergreen  shrub,  of  which  there 
are  several  varieties,  both  single  and  double- 
flowered,  should  be  more  commonly  grown  than 
it  is.  It  is  especially  suited  for  the  decoration 
of  a  verandah  and  for  standing  in  tubs  and  pots 
grouped  in  sunny  spots  in  the  garden.  When 
grown  in  the  shade,  the  wood  rarely  becomes 
ripened,  and  bloom  is  then  rare.  If  placed  on 
the  turf  it  is  better  to  sink  the  receptacle  in 
which  it  is  grown.  Cuttings  of  ripened  wood 
taken  at  this  season  root  readily,  and  if  they 
are  potted  when  rooted  and  kept  in  a  green- 
house during  the  winter,  planted  out-of-doors 
the  next  year,  and  freely  syringed  in  dry  weather 
they  will  make  good  plants  in  two  years.     Some 


ARPCHR.ON     .) 


Fig.  64. — zaluzianskia  maritima:   flowers  deep  red  and  white. 

(Longitudinal  section  of  flower  and  mouth  of  tube  X  2,  pollen  grains  X  300.) 


ing  profusely  in  these  gardens.  The  specimen 
is  planted  at  the  foot  of  a  south  wall,  and  has 
reached  to  a  height  of  over  10  feet,  and  so 
freely  are  the  inflorescences  produced  that  the 
whole  plant  appears  wreathed  in  its  white 
flowers.  These  individually  are  very  small,  and 
the  earliest  appeared  at  the  beginning  of  July 
on  the  current  year's  shoots  either  singly  or  in 
threes,  in  the  axils  of  the  small  myrtle-like 
leaves.  They  are  white,  slightly  tinged  with 
pink,  and  they  are  slightly  fragrant.  The  small 
lanceolate-shaped  leaves  at  the  base  of  the 
flowering  shoots  are  about  2  inches  in  length, 
but  they  gradually  merge  into  minute  bracts  to- 
wards the  apex.  The  species  is  a  native  of 
Western  Patagonia,  and  is  commonly  known  as 
the  winged-branched  Escallonia  on  account  of 
its  angular  stems,  but  the  wings  are  present  on 
the  younger  shoots  only,  as  the  older  ones  shed 
their  bark.  This  plant  will  flower  freely  in  the 
open  when  trained  in  bush  form,  for  it  is  quite 


stopping   of   the   shoots   is   necessary,    so  as   to- 
promote  a  bushy  habit.     F.   M. 

THE  SPRUCE  GALL  MITE. 
A  curious  fact  in  connection  with  this  pest  is- 
that  it  is  very  slow  to  go  from  tree  to  tree,  even 
when  the  trees  are  in  close  proximity  to  each 
other.  lror  the  past  nine  years  I  have  had 
under  observation  four  young  trees  planted  in 
line,  and  not  more  than  5  feet  apart  from  each 
other.  When  I  first  noticed  them  they  had 
been  recently  planted,  and  were  all  of  nearly 
equal  size.  Now,  the  largest  tree,  which  has 
never  shown  any  signs  of  affection,  though  its 
branches  are  mixed  up  with  those  on  either  side 
of  it,  is  about  11  feet  high  ;  the  best  of  the  others 
is  only  5  feet,  and  the  worst,  which  is  almost 
covered  with  the  galls,  is  not  more  than  3  feet 
high,  though  it  is  still  alive,  and  makes  an  an- 
nual attempt  to  grow.  Is  there  any  explanation  as. 
to  the  immunity  of  the  one  tree?    /.  C.  Tallack. 


August  31,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


163 


KEW    NOTES. 


THE    GREENHOUSE. 

Various  species  and  varieties  of  Begonias 
form  a  prominent  feature  in  this  house  at  the 
present  time.  Large  specimens  of  B.  echino- 
sepala  in  12-inch  and  14-inch  pots  are  6  feet 
in  height  and  well  furnished  with  flowers  and 
foliage.  In  general  appearance  the  plants  re- 
semble the  well-known  B.  metallica.  The  red- 
flowered  B.  coccinea  gives  promise  of  continu- 
ing to  flower  for  some  time  to  come.  It  is 
trained  up  one  end  of  the  house,  and  is  also 
growing  in  pots.  Large  plants  of  the  hybrid 
B.  President  Carnot  are  carrying  large  racemes 
•of  rosy-carmine  flowers.  The  pendulous  trusses 
of  rich,  scarlet  flowers  of  B.  coccinea  have  a 
stately  yet  graceful  habit  quite  distinct  from  the 
surrounding  plants.  Both  growing  in  pots  and 
as  a  plant  for  hanging-baskets,  B.  Knowsleyana 
is  valuable  with  its  clusters  of  pinkish-white 
flowers.  A  group  of  the  dwarf-growing  B. 
Weltoniensis  is  prominent  on  one  of  the  side 
-stages.     B.    Dregei   (white)   is   an  excellent   ccol 


help  to  add  variety  to  the  house.  Abutilons, 
Fuchsias,  and  Zonal  Pelargoniums  are  all  grown 
in  this  manner.  Amongst  the  Pelargoniums,  the 
variety  Mikado  is  especially  good.  A  large 
specimen  of  Datura  (syn.  Brugmansia)  iKnightii 
is  very  handsome  with  large,  pendulous,  double- 
white  flowers.  The  blooms  are  delightfully  fra- 
grant,  and  perfume  the  air  all  around,  so  strong 
is  the  scent.  A  number  of  plants  of  Lilium  sul- 
phureum,  planted  out  in  the  beds,  are  opening 
the  first  flowers.  One  in  particular  is  very 
vigorous,  being  11  feet  in  height  with  10 
flowers.  Large  specimens  of  Crinum  Powellii 
var.  album  are  conspicuous  with  pearly-white 
flowers.  Several  plants  of  Eucomis  punctata 
are  carrying  a  number  of  racemes  thickly 
clothed  with  greenish  flowers. 

Plants  arranged  on  side  stages. — The  usual 
arrangement  here  is  to  have  a  group  of 
one,  or  sometimes  two,  species  or  varieties 
mixed.  In  this  way  the  character  and  beauty 
of  the  plant  is  better  seen  than  when  all 
the  plants  are  mixed  together.  The  erect- 
growing  Clerodendron  fallax  is  represented  by 
a  group  of  seedling  plants  about  one  year  old. 


FlG.   65. — JUNIPERUS    CHINENSIS    AT   ROOD    ASIITON,    TROWBRIDGE. 


•greenhouse  Begonia.  A  hybrid  which  is  useful 
-for  the  greenhouse  and  also  for  bedding  is  B. 
Corbeille  de  Feu,  with  red  flowers.  It  is  a 
hybrid  between  B.  semperflorens  and  B.  fuchsi- 
oides.  The  plants  of  B.  nitida  alba  average 
3  feet  in  height,  with  numerous  panicles  of 
white  flowers,  well  set  off  by  the  large,  shining 
green  leaves.  Perhaps  the  best  species  to  grow 
as  a  basket-plant  is  B.  glaucophylla.  The  stems 
are  naturally  drooping,  and  the  flowers  are  of 
rose-red  colour.  The  yellow-flowered  species 
B.  Davisii  is  also  in  flower. 

Tall-growing  plants. — The  following  are  some 
-of  the  showiest  and  most  interesting  plants 
arranged  in  the  centre  beds  of  the  house. 
With  the  exception  of  one  plant  of  Impatiens 
Oliveri,  the  whole  of  the  central  bed  is  filled 
with  the  Chimney  Campanula  (C.  pyramidalis), 
principally  the  blue  variety  mixed  with  double 
Tuberoses.  Calceolaria  Burbidgei  is  repre- 
sented by  well-flowered  plants  6  feet  in  height. 
Yellow,  such  as  is  seen  in  the  flowers  of  this 
•Calceolaria,  is  always  a  pleasing  colour  in  the 
greenhouse.    Various  plants  grown  as  standards 


The  panicles  of  bright  scarlet  flowers,  rising 
here  and  there  amongst  the  white  flowers  of 
Campanula  Vidalii,  are  displayed  to  perfection. 
The  latter  plaht  is  very  distinct  and  chaste  in 
appearance.  Treated  as  a  biennial,  this  is  a 
valuable  plant  for  the  cool  greenhouse  and  con- 
servatory, also  for  the  flower  beds  or  borders  in 
August.  During  winter  the  plants  can  be  grown 
in  a  cold  frame,  if  protected  from  severe  frosts 
by  a  covering  of  mats.  The  willow-leaved 
Angelonia,  A.  salicariaefolia  (syn.  grandiflora) 
is  a  pretty,  blue-flowered  greenhouse  perennial. 
It  may  also  be  treated  as  an  annual.  The  white 
variety  alba  is  also  here  in  flower.  A  plant 
little  known  in  gardens  is  Dianthera  nodosa. 
It  requires  warm  greenhouse  treatment,  but, 
when  in  flower,  may  be  moved  to  a  cooler  house. 
The  pale,  purplish  flowers  are  freely  produced 
from  the  axils  of  the  leaves.  Although  really  a 
hardy  plant,  the  pretty  little  Primula  Forbesii 
does  better  treated  as  a  cool  greenhouse  plant. 
When  a  number  of  plants  are  grown  together  in 
shallow  pans  the  effect  is  very  pleasing.  The 
pale,  lilac-coloured  fluwers  are  freely  produced 


in  whorls.  Plants  may  be  raised  annually  from 
seeds,  or  propagated  by  division.  Other  plants 
in  flower  are  Scutellaria  Mociniana,  having  scar, 
let  flowers  tipped  with  golden-yellow ;  Cuphea 
micropetala,  a  shrubby  species  in  which  the 
scarlet  calyx,  yellowish  at  the  apex,  is  more, 
prominent  than  the  petals ;  Sollya  parviflora 
(syn.  S.  Drummondii),  Impatiens  Holstii,  &c. 

Climbers. — These  are  valuable  in  a  green- 
house and  conservatory,  especially  in  large 
structures,  to  clothe  bare  pillars  and  relieve  the 
appearance  of  the  roof.  The  following  plants 
are  at  present  in  flower.  The  climbing  Dahlia 
Hidalgoa  Wercklei,  Lantana  safvifolia  (syn.  S. 
delicatissima)  seems  to  be  always  in  flower, 
Ipomaea  rubro-ccerulea,  Lapageria  rosea,  Passi- 
flora  ccerulea  and  var.  alba,  Rhodochiton 
volubile  [hundreds  of  flowers  hanging  in 
festoons  from  the  roof],  Fuchsia  simplicicaulis_ 
and  several  garden  varieties.  The  foregoing, 
and  a  number  of  plants  in  baskets,  add  greatly 
to  the  beauty  of  the  house.  Growing  in  baskets 
are  Alonsoa  incisa,  Clianthus  Dampieri  and  the 
variety  tricolor,  Campanula  isophylla,  Achi- 
menes,  Fuchsias,  and  several  speciea  of  Aspara- 
gus.    D.  D.  

JUNIPERUS     CHINENSIS     AT 
ROOD     ASHTON. 

Fig.  65  affords  a  view  of  a  remarkable  tree  of 
Juniperus  chinensis  with  a  globose  habit,  grow- 
ing in  the  gardens  at  Rood  Ashton,  Wiltshire. 
The  tree  is  about  25  feet  in  height,  and  the 
spread  of  its  branches  measures  30  feet.  The 
date  of  its  planting  is  not  known  with  certainty, 
but  the  tree  is  considered  to  be  about  80  years 
old.  The  specimen  occupies  an  exposed  position 
at  the  extreme  boundary  of  the  lawns  facing  to 
the  south-east.  Several  otheT  well-developed 
trees  are  found  on  the  lawns,  not  the  least  con- 
spicuous being  some  fine  specimens  of  Cedrus 
atlantica.  The  soil  in  this  portion  of  the  estate 
is  of  an  extremely  fertile  nature,  being  a  very 
deep  sandy  loam  overlying  a  rock  formation. 

The  Juniper  under  notice  presents  quite  a 
varied  tone  of  colour  at  different  periods  of  the 
year.  In  the  earlier  years  of  its  existence  it 
appears  to  have  been  shaded  by  other  trees,  so 
that  the  lower  branches  have  been  lost.  The 
stem  near  to  the. ground  has  a  girth  of  more  than 
4  feet.  Though  the  tree  is  of  fairly  well-balanced 
proportions,  it  appears  to  lack  a  "leading" 
shoot,  and  this  has  probably  largely  accounted 
for  its  breadth  being  greater  than  its  height. 
The  peculiar  contour  of  this  Juniper  engages 
the  attention  of  visitors.  W.  Strugnell,  Rood 
Ashton  Gardens,  Wiltshire. 


THE  ALPINE   GARDEN. 

HYPERICUM  REPTANS. 
It  is  surprising  that  no  reference  is  made  to 
this  very  beautiful  species  of  Hypericum  in  the 
gardening  books,  including  Nicholson's  Dic- 
tionary of  Gardening,  as  the  species  is  among 
the  prettiest  and  best  of  the  smaller  St.  John's 
Worts  for  the  rock  garden.  Its  habit  is  pros- 
trate, and  it  forms  a  trailing  carpet  of  greenery 
that  is  spangled  here  and  there  with  the  clear 
yellow  flowers,  each  of  which  is  about  an  inch 
across.  It  does  not  succeed  in  a  very  dry  place 
in  summer,  and  the  soil  about  it  should  not  be 
too  moist  in  winter.  In  a  position  that  is  fully 
exposed,  the  plant  may  suffer  from  cold  in  a 
hard  winter.  My  experience  is  that  it  thrives 
much  better  in  partial  shade,  in  a  position 
such  as  is  afforded  on  the  north  or  north-east 
side  of  a  rockery,  provided  some  shelter  is  avail- 
able to  protect  it  from  cold  winds.  Although 
this  species  is  removed  with  difficulty  after 
it  becomes  established,  I  have  succeeded  in  shift- 
ing large  plants  by  giving  them  a  good  soaking 
with  water,  pressing  the  soil  about  the  roots  and 
removing  them  at  once  to  their  new  quarters. 
Hypericum  reptans  is  a  native  of  the  Himalayas. 
The  stock  may  be  increased  either  by  means  of 
cuttings  or  seeds.     S.  Arnott,  Dumfries. 


164 


THE     GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


[August  31,  1907. 


THE    ROSARY. 


CULTURAL     NOTES     FOR     SEPTEMBER. 

All  budding,  except  on  the  De  la  Grifferaie 
stock,  should  now  be  finished.  This  stock  is 
actively  in  growth  much  later  in  the  season  than 
others,  and  for  that  reason  free-growing  varieties 
of  Tea  and  Noisette  varieties  of  Roses  can  be 
inserted  with  every  chance  of  success  up  to  and 
not  later  than  the  middle  of  September. 

Grafted  Roses  and  those  on  their  own  roots 
that  were  plunged  out-of-doors  will,  providing 
their  shoots  have  been  judiciously  stopped,  be 
showing  plenty  of  flower-buds.  A  succession  of 
blooms  can  be  maintained  from  these  plants  till 
late  autumn,  provided  that  at  the  end  of  the 
month  a  portion  of  the  batch  is  covered  tem- 
porarily with  movable  glass  frames,  but  not  at 
the  sides  or  the  ends.  The  buds  after  Septem- 
ber is  passed  will  open  better,  and  the  petals 
will  be  cleaner  if  this  glass  protection  be 
afforded.  Most  of  the  Tea  and  China  Roses  are 
now  more  pleasing  and  brilliant  than  at  any 
other  time.  Shoots  that  have  started  into  growth 
on  the  early-budded  plants  can  now  be  short- 
ened back  to  within  three  or  four  eyes. 

A  portion  of  the  stock  of  forced  Roses  in 
pots,  that  have  been  plunged  outside  since  the 
spring,  can  now  be  potted  or  top-dressed  accord- 
ing to  the  condition  of  the  roots.  Those  that 
were  re-potted  last  year  will  generally  require 
to  be  top-dressed  only,  and  have  the  drainage 
corrected.  Take  out  to  the  depth  of  2  or  3 
inches  the  old  surface  soil  and  replace  it  with 
some  good  loam.  If  the  pots  are  filled  with 
roots,  place  the  plant  into  a  larger  receptacle, 
but  if  they  have  made  little  or  no  new  roots 
return  them  to  pots  of  the  same  size,  using  clean 
pots  and  fresh  soil.  In  all  cases  pot  firmly, 
and  use  a  blunt  stick  for  ramming  when  potting 
in  6  and  7-inch  pots.  An  early  batch  of  plants 
can  be  put  in  hand  during  the  month,  but  the 
bulk  of  the  potting  should  remain  .  until  well 
into  October.  When,  as  is  usual,  turfy  loam  or 
turves  have  been  stacked  for  several  months  with 
layers  of  manure  between  them,  little  more  will 
be  required  than  the  addition  of  some  sharp  sand 
or  grit,  and,  for  Tea  and  Noisette  varieties,  a 
small  quantity  of  leaf-mould.  If  these  materials 
are  not  available,  the  best  use  must  be  made  of 
all  those  that  can  be  obtained,  but  loam  must 
be  had  in  some  form,  and  if  new,  it  should  have 
incorporated  with  it  some  rotten  manure  and 
road  grit.  It  will  be  necessary  to  expose  these 
materials  to  the  air  for  at  least  a  month  before 
potting  is  commenced  at  the  end  of  September. 

Roses  planted  out  under  glass  and  intended 
for  early  flowering  should  be  given  a  thorough 
soaking  of  water  at  their  roots,  and  have  their 
branches  cleaned  with  a  good  insecticide  that 
must  be  well  sprayed  on  to  the  shoots  by  means 
of  a  garden  engine  or  syringe.  Allow  a  maxi- 
mum amount  of  ventilation  in  the  structure  both 
by  night  and  by  day. 

The  Planting  of  Roses. 
It  will  soon  be  time  to  consider  the  planting 
of  Rose  trees.  If  a  nursery  can  be  visited,  it  is 
a  valuable  guide  in  selecting  newer  varieties  and 
the  best  of  the  older  kinds,  and  advice  can  be 
solicited  on  points  such  as  the  best  varieties  for 
town  planting,  or  for  special  soils.  The  smoke- 
laden  atmosphere  near  towns  with  smuts  and 
soot  stop  up  the  pores  of  the  leaves  :  plants  near 
towns  are  also  the  more  susceptible  to  the  at- 
tacks of  green  fly  and  mildew.  The  best  remedy 
in  these  conditions  is  to  daily  cleanse  the  foliage 
with  a  solution  of  soft  soap  applied  with  the  gar- 
den syringe)  or  tobacco  and  quassia  extract  in 
hot  water  :  for  mildew  add  3  ounces  to  1  gallon  of 
"  sulphurvivum,"  well  stir  and  apply  to  both 
sides  of  the  foliage,  but  wash  off  the  fungicide 
later  with  clean  water.  An  application  twice  a 
week  will  generally  suffice  to  cleanse  the  plants, 


but  if  very  badly  infested  the  application  should 
be  repeated  oftener  and  at  an  increased  strength. 
The  soil  near  towns  soon  loses  its  good 
qualities,  and  for  this  reason  requires  to  be  fre- 
quently renewed.  The  old  soil  should  be  occa- 
sionally cleared  out  and  fresh  maiden-loam  and 
manure   substituted. 

Climbers  and  bush  varieties  of  Roses  thrive 
the  best  near  towns.  Standards  are  as  a  rule 
very  short-lived. 

Varieties  for  Urban  Districts. 
For  town  planting  a  selection  of  clean, 
healthy  plants  should  be  obtained  from  the 
country  in  October.  Some  varieties  and  classes 
of  Roses  succeed  better  than  others  near  towns, 
notably  the  evergreen  climbing  and  pillar  Roses, 
which  are  all  suitable  for  furnishing  walls, 
arches,  &c.  Next  in  value  are  the  hybrid 
China,  hybrid  Bourbon,  the  old  Provence  Cab- 
bage, the  old  pink,  white,  and  crested  Moss, 
and  many  of  the  more  hardy  and  freer-flowering 
hybrid  perpetual  varieties.     The  above  selection 


Fig.    66. — aristea    (witsenia)    corymeosa 
flowering  in  the  open   in  devon. 

will  also  be  found  to  suit  smoky  districts.  Some 
of  the  kinds  I  have  mentioned  are  rather  scarce, 
being  out  of  date  and  difficult  to  procure.  I  re- 
collect a  collection  of  them  growing  in  my 
father's  nursery  many  years  ago ;  some  were 
trained  as  festoons  on  pillars  and  arches,  and 
others  as  dwarf,  ground  plants,  and  for  wealth 
of  colour  and  abundance  of  bloom  they  were 
then  without  rivals.  Amongst  the  best  of  the 
hybrid  China  and  Bourbon  Roses  are  Blairii  No. 
2,  Coupe  de  Hebe,  Chas.  Lawson,  Paul  Ricaut, 
Chenedole,  Mme.  Plantier,  Sir  Joseph  Paxton, 
and  Eugene  de  Beauharnais.  The  list  of  hybrid 
perpetuals  includes  Duke  of  Edinburgh,  Mrs.  J. 
Laing,  General  Jacqueminot,  Boule  de  Niege, 
John  Hopper,  Anna  Alexiff  and  Ulrich  Brunner. 
Lastly,  although  in  order  of  precedence 
they  should  have  been  named  first,  are  the  varie- 
ties of  climbing  and  pillar  Roses  Amadis,  Thores- 
byana,  Dundee  Rambler,  Fellernberg,  Felicite- 
Perpetue,  Mme.  d'Arblay,  Queen  of  Belgians, 
Aimee  Vibert,  and  Williams'  Evergreen.      /.  D.G. 


WITSENIA  CORYMBOSA 
IN  THE  OPEN. 
This  pretty  plant,  which  has  an  affinity  to 
the  Iris,  was  introduced  into  this  country  from 
South  Africa  rather  more  than  a  hundred  years 
ago.  At  the  time  when  New  Holland,  hard- 
wooded  plants  were  largely  grown,  this  Cape 
species  was  fairly  common  in  greenhouses,  but 
at  the  present  day  is  extremely  rare  in  cultiva- 
tion, being  almost  unprocurable  in  the  trade. 
Under  glass,  in  the  old  days,  it  generally 
flowered  late  in  the  autumn,  its  gentian-blue 
coloured  flowers  making  a  pretty  contrast  to 
the  Chrysanthemums  then  in  bloom.  The  species 
is  very  distinct  in  habit,  the  stem  being  erect  and 
of  a  firm,  woody  texture,  while  the  sword-shaped 
leaves  are  arranged  in  a  fan-like  manner  at  the 
ends  of  the  branches.  The  branching  racemes 
of  star-like,  deep-blue  flowers,  almost  an  inch 
across,  protrude  beyond  the  tips  of  the  leaves, 
and  are  freely  borne.  This  Witsenia  is  now 
considered  to  be  an  Aristea,  but  it  is  far  superior 
to  A.  Eckloni,  which  is  also  grown  in  the  open 
in  this  garden,  its  flowers  being  much  larger 
and  remaining  open  the  whole  day,  whereas 
those  of  this  Aristea  close  at  about  two  o'clock. 
Having  seen  specimens  in  the  open  in  two  gar- 
dens in  the  south-west,  which  were,  however, 
not  in  the  best  of  health,  I  determined  to  try 
it  out-of-doors,  and,  after  much  trouble,  pro- 
cured a  plant.  This  has  now  been  in  the  open 
for  two  years,  in  front  of  a  south  wall,  and,  pro- 
tected by  a  few  evergreen  branches,  came  through 
the  past  severe  winter  unharmed.  It  is  now 
rather  more  than  2  feet  in  height,  and  very 
healthy.  Curiously  enough,  this  plant  flowers  in 
the  open  in  the  month  of  August,  whereas  in 
greenhouses  it  is  generally  in  bloom  in  Novem- 
ber. It  is  growing  in  sandy  peat,  and  appre- 
ciates ample  moisture  during  the  summer 
months.  The  plant  is  a  slow  grower.  It  may 
be  propagated  by  removing  the  leaf-fans  at  the 
base  of  the  stem,  each  with  a  little  of  the  old 
wood  adhering  to  it,  and  placing  these  around  the 
edge  of  a  pot  in  very  sandy  peat,  surfacing  the 
soil  with  a  layer  of  sand,  and  watering  well. 
The  cuttings  must,  as  soon  as  potted,  be  covered 
with  a  bell-glass  and  be  kept  close  until  rooted, 
when  a  little  heat  will  induce  quicker  growth. 
S.  W.  Fitzhcrtcrt,  South  Devon. 


TRENCHING. 


The  importance  of  the  proper  preparation  of 
land  before  any  plants  are  placed  in  it  cannot  be 
over-estimated,  for  upon  the  thoroughness  with 
which  this  work  is  performed  will  largely 
depend  the  future  well-being  of  the  plants.  The 
cost  of  properly  digging  and  preparing  an  acre 
of  ground  is  certainly  a  considerable  item  in  a 
new  garden,  but  if  the  latter  is  expected  to  fur- 
nish the  best  results,  this  initial  expense  must 
be  incurred.  The  actual  cost  of  trenching  an 
acre  of  land  varies  according  to  the  nature  of 
the  soil  and  the  sub-soil,  but  to  break  this  area 
of  ground  to  a  depth  of  from  2£  feet  to  3  feet 
may  be  roughly  estimated  at  from  £20  to  £35. 
If  manure  is  incorporated,  the  cost  will  be  con- 
siderably higher,  say  from  £10  to  £20  an  acre 
more,  according  to  the  nearness  and  cheapness 
with  which  the  dung  can  be  obtained. 

In  commencing  to  trench  a  piece  of  ground,  a 
line  should  first  be  stretched  down  the  centre 
to  divide  it  into  two  equal  parts.  A  shallow 
furrow  should  be  next  made  along  the  line  with 
a  spade.  The  first  trench,  to  a  width  of  3  feet, 
should  then  be  made  on  one  half  of  the  ground 
to  be  trenched,  and  the  soil  excavated  be  wheeled 
on  to  the  corresponding  part  of  the  other  half. 
The  last  trench  on  the  first  half  is  filled  by  the 
soil  from  the  first  opening  on  the  other  half,  and 
so  on  until  the  last  trench  of  all  is  filled  by  the 
soil  wheeled  out  at  the  commencement.  If 
the  ground  is  of  such  a  shape  that  it  is  not 
possible    to    divide   it   into   two    comparatively 


August  31,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


165 


equal  parts,  then  the  soil  from  the  first 
trench  must  be  taken  to  the  opposite  end  to  fill 
up  the  last  trench,  and  in  this  case  a  cart  will 
be  found  useful,  as  there  are  many  cartloads  of 
soil  in  a  seemingly  short  trench. 

The  depth  to  which  the  ground  should  be 
broken  depends  entirely  upon  the  nature  of  the 
sub-soil,  but  a  depth  of  1\  feet  should  be  the 
minimum.  As  a  rule,  3  feet  will  not  be  too 
deep.  It  is  unwise,  however,  to  bring  up  too 
much  inert  soil  to  the  surface,  and  if  it  is  of 
such  a  nature  that  it  is  not  advisable  to  bring  it 
to  the  top,  it  should  be  thoroughly  broken  with 
a  fork  as  deeply  as  is  possible.  The  top  spit 
of  most  soil  is  usually  fairly  suitable  for 
plant-life,  for  though  it  may  be  greasy  or  choked 


as  much  as  possible,  and,  after  the  loose  soil 
has  been  shovelled  out  of  the  bottom  of  the 
trench,  the  ground  beneath  should  be  broken  as 
deeply  as  possible  with  a  fork.  If  the  ground 
is  waterlogged,  though  not  sufficiently  so  as  to 
render  draining  necessary,  it  is  advisable  to 
place  a  layer  of  6  inches  or  more  of  long 
straw  from  the  stable  yard,  heather,  bracken,  or 
something  of  a  like  nature  in  the  bottom  of  the 
trench.  These  substances  will  act  for  a  year  or 
two  as  a  kind  of  drainage  material,  and  by  the 
time  they  have  become  rotten  the  broken  ground 
above  will  be  sufficiently  weathered  and  porous 
to  admit  of  a  free  evaporation  of  moisture.  In 
the  case  of  light,  gravelly  soils  there  are  often 
too   many    stones   present.     When    such    is    the 


<^T^  f^p  c  K  p^o  f4 


FlG.    67. — MATRICARIA   INODORA    "BRIDAL    ROBE  "  :     FLOWERS    WHITE. 


with  weeds,  it  has  been  more  or  less  exposed  to 
the  beneficial  influences  of  sun,  rain,  and 
frost.  Should  it  be  desired  to  retain  this 
top-spit  at  the  surface,  it  should  be 
thrown  on  to  the  top  of  the  preceding 
one.  By  turning  it  upside  down,  and  shovelling 
any  fine  loose  soil  from  the  trench  on  to  the  top 
of  it,  the  weeds,  &c,  will  be  buried  to  a  depth 
of  about  1  foot,  sufficiently  deep  to  destroy 
them.  These  remarks  do  not  apply  to  couch, 
or  twitch  grass,  which  should  be  forked  out  and 
burned,  although  it  may  be  killed  if  buried  3  feet 
deep.  Having  disposed  of  the  surface  soil,  the 
next  question  is  to  deal  with  the  ground  beneath 
it,  and  the  handling  of  this  will  depend  upon 
its  composition.  If  it  is  heavy,  clayey  ground, 
it  should  simply  be  turned  over  and  broken  up 


case,  the  best  plan  is  to  use  a  coarse  screen, 
and  to  separate  the  largest  of  the  gravel,  which 
can  always  be  sold  at  a  fair  price  if  it  is  not 
needed  in  the  garden.  Care  must  be  taken  not 
to  remove  all  the  stones,  as  a  certain  proportion 
of  these  will  help  to  keep  the  soil  porous,  and 
they  will  also  assist  in  conserving  moisture  in 
the  ground  in  dry  weather. 

If  manure  is  to  be  worked  in  when  trenching, 
it  is  advisable  to  put  a  fairly  thick  layer  of  it 
under  the  top-spit,  so  that  it  will  be  about 
one  foot  below  the  surface.  For  certain  plants, 
especially  Roses,  it  is  advisable  to  work  in 
another  layer  at  a  depth  of  about  2  feet,  but 
for  general  purposes  the  upper  layer  will  be 
sufficient,  as  more  manure  can  be  added  later 
near  the  surface. 


Freshly-trenched  ground  should  be  allowed  a 
certain  time  to  settle — preferably  a  year — before 
being  permanently  planted,  but  that  need  not 
prevent  it  producing  a  temporary  crop.  Potatos 
form  one  of  the  best  first  crops  on  trenched 
ground,  as  they  are  not  affected  by  the  gradual 
sinking  of  the  soil  to  its  proper  level,  and  chiefly 
because  the  operations  of  hoeing,  earthing-up, 
and  final  digging  of  the  tubers  keep  the  ground 
stirred  and  cause  it  to  become  sweetened.  Oats, 
Rye,  Mangolds,  and  Turnips  can  also  be  used, 
but  Potatos  are  to  be  preferred,  for  the  reasons 
stated  above,  while  they  also  succeed  particu- 
larly well  on  fresh  ground. 

Trenching  should  be  contracted  for  by  piece- 
work. Measurements  vary  in  different  districts  ; 
in  some  localities  all  ground  work  is  done  by  the 
square  of  10  yards,  and  in  others  by  the  square 
rod  of  5i  yards.  The  latter  system  prevails  in 
this  locality,  and  the  cost  of  the  work  varies  from 
2s.  6d.  to  4s.  9d.  per  rod,  the  latter  for  gravelly 
ground  and  including  screening.  If  it  is  not 
possible  to  see  every  trench  properly  turned 
over,  an  iron  bar  about  half  an  inch  in  diameter 
should  be  used  for  testing  each  trench.  The 
depth  at  which  the  digging  was  agreed  upon 
should  be  marked  on  the  rod,  and  if  it  cannot 
be  pushed  down  to  that  depth  fairly  easy,  it 
shows  that  the  work  has  not  been  thoroughly 
done.     /.    Clark,   Bagshot,  Surrey. 


MATRICARIA     INODORA 

"BRIDAL     ROBE." 

This  improved  variety  of  the  native  scentless 
Matricary  received  an  Award  of  Merit  from  the 
Floral  Committee  of  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society,  on  August  6  last,  when  it  was  shown 
by  Messrs.  Titt  and  Son,  Windsor.  The  variety 
should  prove  an  acquisition  amongst  hardy  gar- 
den subjects,  for  the  type  plant  is  one  of  the 
freest  flowering  "  weeds,"  and  is  found  in 
flower  almost  all  through  the  season,  from 
spring  to  autumn.  The  flowers  of  the  variety 
'•  Bridal  Robe "  are  white,  and  have  the  ap- 
pearance of  white  blooms  of  Pyrethrum 
roseum.  Each  flower  measures  2§  inches  in 
diameter. 


FRUIT    REGISTER, 


SOME  LATE-RIPENING   PEACHES. 

The  Peach  crops  in  1905-6  were,  in  many 
parts  of  the  country,  very  unsatisfactory,  but 
this  season  the  results  have  compensated  for 
those  two  bad  years,  as  the  crop  is  an  excellent 
one  in  every  respect.  The  following  remarks 
refer  to  the  outdoor  crops  of  this  fruit.  Even 
in  parts  of  the  south-west,  and  in  other  favoured 
localities,  the  soil  is  not,  in  every  dis- 
trict, suitable  for  the  Peach,  and  in  such 
instances  I  would  advise  the  use  of  Peach 
cases  or  unheated  houses.  I  have  seen  in 
some  gardens  in  the  south  of  England  Peach 
trees  so  badly  blistered  that  the  trees  on  open 
walls  never  gave  any  return  !  The  soil  was  an 
almost  pure  clay,  and  it  was  always  water- 
logged, but  if  the  trees  had  been  grown  in  un- 
heated houses,  splendid  results  would  have  fol- 
lowed. The  glass  structure  is  not  only  valuable 
for  the  Peaches,  but  it  can  be  used  for  six 
months  in  the  year  to  protect  other  crops.  Many 
years  ago  I  had  a  house  of  this  description  under 
my  charge  in  the  Midland  counties,  and  it  was 
one  of  the  most  useful  structures  in  the  garden. 
By  its  aid  we  were  enabled  to  grow  winter 
salads,  and  the  house  was  equally  useful  for  pro- 
tecting many  tender  plants  in  the  early  spring. 

Varieties  of  Peaches  suitable  for  culture  in  un- 
heated houses  are  by  no  means  limited  in  num- 
ber. Recently  I  saw  the  new  variety  Peregrine 
planted  in  a  cool  house,  and  though  the  fruits 
were  not  ripe,  as  it  is  a  midsummer  variety,  I  was 
impressed  with  its  value  for  cool-house  culture. 
Another  lesser  known  but  admirable  kind  for 
culture  under  glass  is  Thomas  Rivers.  The 
fruits  ripen  late  in  September,  and  it  is  one  of 
the  most  valuable  of  all  Peaches.  The  fruits 
are  large,  solid,  and  of  excellent  flavour.  Belle 
Beaux  is  a  variety  that  is  not  so  well  known  as 
its  merits  deserve.  A  tree  trained  on  a  back 
wall  in  a  cool  house  was  one  of  the  most  profit- 
able items  in  a  garden  once  under  my  charge,  as 
it  never  failed  to  produce  a  heavy  crop  of  large 


166 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[August  31,  .1907. 


and  good  fruits.  Exquisite,  though  a  yellow- 
fleshed  variety,  is  a  splendid  late  September 
Peach  ;  another  variety  not  unlike  it  and  excel- 
lent for  cool-house  culture  is  Thames  Bank. 
This  Peach  is  now  rarely  seen,  but  it  is  one 
of  the  best,  and  produces  fruits  of  large 
size  and  good  flavour.  Of  kinds  better  known 
may  be  mentioned  French  Galande,  a  splendid 
melting,  richly-flavoured  fruit,  in  season  in 
September.  It  is  often  known  as  Bellegarde  or 
Noir  de  Montreuil.  Royal  George  may  be 
considered  one  of  the  best  varieties,  and  to 
the  list  may  be  added  Dymond,  Crimson 
Galande,  and  Lady  Palmerston  :  the  last-named 
variety  has  fruits  of  large  size  and  with  pale 
yellow  flesh. 

To  obtain  the  best  results  in  the  open,  the 
soil  must  be  rich  in  quality  and  suitably  drained. 
The  Peach  will  succeed  in  gravelly  soils,  but  in 
hot,  dry  situations  on  the  gravel  the  foliage 
quickly  becomes  infested  with  red  spider.  The 
most  suitable  rooting  medium  is  a  good,  rich 
loam.  The  old  fruiting  wood  should  be  re- 
moved after  the  fruits  are  harvested,  for  this 
enables  the  trees  the  better  to  mature  next 
season's  fruiting  wood.  The  trees  should  never 
be  crowded  with  shoots,  and,  if  possible,  the 
manner  of  training  should  follow  the  extension 
principle,  by  which  system  the  trees  will  furnish 
a    vide   area  of  wall  space  in  a  few  years. 

One  of  my  favourite  late  Peaches  for  outside 
wall  culture  is  Sea  Eagle,  a  seedling  from  Early 
Silver,  having  a  rich,  vinous  flavour.  The  fruits 
ripen  at  the  end  of  September,  and  they  are  of 
very  large  size  and  highly  coloured.  The  Nec- 
tarine Peach  is  also  a  late  September  variety. 
This  is  one  of  the  best  late-fruiting  kinds,  hav- 
ing a  smooth  Nectarine-like  skin.  The  flesh  is 
rich  and  melting,  and  though  I  found  this 
variety  to  be  a  little  less  prolific  in  fruiting  than 
Sea  Eagle,  it  is  an  excellent  Peach  when  grown 
in  a  well-drained  or  warm  soil.  Gladstone 
should  also  be  given  a  trial,  being  a  large,  late- 
ripening  Peach.  Thomas  Rivers,  that  was  ad- 
vised for  glass  culture,  does  well  on  a  south- 
west wall,  and  it  is  especially  suitable  for  cul- 
ture in  the  southern  counties.  The  well-known 
variety  Royal  George  is  a  little  earlier  in  ripen- 
ing than  most  of  those  I  have  described  as 
suitable  for  open  walls  :  its  free-bearing  qualities 
and  habit  of  growth  makes  it  a  favourite  for  any 
position.  Much  the  same  remarks  apply  to 
Stirling  Castle  and  the  large  fruiting  but  excel- 
lent variety  Noblesse.  These  are  all  suitable  for 
the  hardy  fruit  garden.     G.  Wythes. 


APPLE     MILDEW. 

In  the  college  plantations  here  the  Apple  Mil- 
dew (Podosphaera  leucotricha  [Ellis  &  Everh.| 
Salm.*)  has  lately  begun  to  attack  the  fruit.  In 
some  cases  the  delicate,  white  spawn  (mycelium) 
of  this  mildew  has  spread  over  the  greater  part 
of  the  Apple,  covering  it  with  a  very  fine, 
thin,  whitish  layer,  looking  somewhat  like 
"bloom."  In  other  cases  the  Apple  is  at- 
tacked on  one  side  only  (usually  the  side  nearest 
to  the  leaves),  or  frequently  only  in  the  im- 
mediate neighbourhood  of  the  stalk.  No  de- 
formity, or,  indeed,  injury,  has  up  to  the 
present  been  observed  in  the  affected  Apples, 
although,  where  the  mildew  has  almost 
completely  enveloped  the  Apple,  it  is  pro- 
bable that  the  ripening  will  be  interfered  with. 
In  the  present  case  it  appears  that  the  mildew 
has  only  lately  appeared  on  the  Apples,  hav- 
ing spread  from  the  leaves  to  the  fruit  when 
the  latter  was  full  grown.  In  all  the  cases  ob- 
served the  leaves  also  of  the  tree  were  affected 
with  mildew.  The  varieties  which  I  have  found 
with  mildewed  Apples  are  the  following: — Irish 
Peach,  Lane's  Prince  Albert,  and  Sandringham. 

On  carefully  inspecting  mildewed  Apples  of 
the   varieties   Irish    Peach   and   Sandringham,    I 

*  The  Apple  Mildew  is  sometimes  erroneously  called 
Sphaerolheca  Mali.  As  I  have  pointed  out  in  my  Mono- 
graph of  the  Erysipkaccae,  p.  41,  the  use  of  this  name  is 
clearly  wrong. 


found,  in  a  number  of  cases,  the  ripe  fruit-con- 
ceptacles  (perithecia)  of  the  fungus.  These  con- 
ceptacles,  containing  the  winter-spores  (asco- 
spores),  occurred  in  scattered  groups  on  the 
mycelium  on  the  surface  of  the  Apple.  In  many 
cases  the  parasitic  fungus  Ampelomyces  quis- 
qualis  had  attacked  the  mildew,  and  formed  its 
own  fructifications  on  the  Apple  by  the  side  of 
the  perithecia  of  the  Podosphaera.  It  may  be 
noted  that  Ampelomyces  during  the  present  sea- 
son has  been  remarkably  prevalent  on  Apple 
leaves  attacked  by   the  mildew. 

I  should  be  glad  to  learn  from  growers  if 
the  fruit  of  Apples  is  being  attacked  generally 
by  the  mildew.  Mr.  F.  Smith,  of  Loddington, 
near  Maidstone,  tells  me  that,  some  years  ago, 
he  noticed  the  mildew  on  the  fruit  of  some  of 
his  Apples,  but  has  not  observed  it  since.  It 
is  possible  that  it  is  only  in  such  damp  sum- 
mers as  the  present  that  the  mildew  is  able  to 
spread  from  the  leaves  on  to  the  fruit.  It  is  of 
some  interest  to  ascertain  what  varieties  are 
liable  to  be  attacked  as  regards  their  fruit,  and 
I  should  be  glad  to  receive  examples  of  mil- 
dewed Apples  of  other  varieties  than  those 
named  above  for  examination  and  experimental 
purposes.  E.  S.  Salmon,  F.L.S.,  Mycologist  to 
the  South-Eastern  Agricultural  College,  Wye, 
Kent. 


The  Week's  Work. 


FRUITS  UNDER  GLASS. 

By  Alexander  Kirk,  Gardener  to  J.  Thomson  Paton,  Esq., 
Norwood,  Alloa,  Clackmannanshire. 

Grape  vines. — The  varieties  Lady  Downes, 
Lady  Hutte,  Directeur  Tisserand,  Gros  Guil- 
laume,  Black  Alicante,  &c,  being  well  advanced 
in  colouring,  if  not  already  coloured,  will  re- 
quire a  free  circulation  of  air  in  the  structures 
both  by  day  and  night.  Maintain  a  little  heat 
in  the  water  pipes  almost  continually  to  expel 
the  atmospheric  moisture  in  the  houses,  and  par- 
ticularly during  cold,  wet  weather.  Cover  the 
outside  borders  with  frame  sashes  to  protect 
them  from  rains.  Varieties  not  colouring  satis- 
factorily should  be  kept  as  dry  as  possible  at 
the  roots,  and  be  prevented,  if  possible,  from 
making  a  second  growth.  Rub  out  any 
young  growths  as  soon  as  they  appear.  Test 
the  borders  regularly  with  the  soil  tester,  which 
will  satisfy  the  cultivator  at  once  whether  the 
borders   are   dry   or   not. 

Figs. — Trees  growing  in  pots  or  borders  and 
that  have  been  cleared  of  their  first  crop  of  fruit 
will  need  a  good  supply  of  water  at  the  roots. 
Liquid  manure  may  be  afforded  at  every  alter- 
nate watering.  Apply  a  mulch  of  horse 
manure.  If  large  fruits  are  desired,  the  crop 
must  be  well  thinned.  Syringe  the  trees  fre- 
quently to  keep  the  foliage  clean  and  free  from 
red  spider.  Tie  in  young  shoots.  Cut  out 
suckers  and  any  gross  wood,  thus  exposing  the 
foliage  to  plenty  of  light.  Figs  in  pots  which 
were  forced  early,  and  the  fruit  gathered,  should 
be  placed  out-of-doors  to  mature  their  wood. 
Plunge  the  pots  almost  to  the  rims  in  coal 
ashes  in  a  warm,  sheltered  position,  but  one 
exposed  to  the  full  rays  of  the  sun.  Repot  any 
plants  requiring  more  rooting  space.  Be  care- 
ful, however,  not  to  put  them  into  pots  which 
are  of  larger  sizes  than  necessary,  as  Fig  trees 
fruit  best  when  the  roots  are  confined  in  a 
moderately  small  space.  The  compost  should 
consist  of  three  parts  good  turfy  loam  and  one 
part  lime  rubble,  with  a  6-inch  pot  of  chemical 
manure  added  to  each  barrow-load  of  the  com- 
post. 

Melons. — Plants  growing  in  frames  heated  by 
hot-beds  require  to  be  most  carefully  watered, 
as  the  fruits  are  now  netting,  and  if  an  excess 
of  water  be  applied  at  this  stage,  the  plants  will 
collapse.  If  the  bottom-heat  is  deficient,  apply 
a  fresh  lining  of  short  grass  and  horse  manure. 
These  materials  are  best  prepared  by  making  a 
good  heap  of  them  to  ferment,  mixing  and  turn- 
ing the  heap  until  the  excessive  heat  has  es- 
caped. Afterwards  make  up  a  good  lining  all 
around  the  frame,  first  removing  the  old  manure 
from  the  frame.  Admit  rather  more  air  to  the 
frames  as  soon  as  the  fruits  commence  to  colour. 


THE    ORCHID    HOUSES. 

By  W.  H.  White,  Orchid  Grower  to  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence, 
Bart.,  Burford,  Surrey. 

Calantlies. — The  earlier  flowering  varieties  of 
the  deciduous  Calanthes  as  C.  Veitchii,  C.  bella, 
C.  Victcria  Regina,  C.  Burfordiensis,  C.  Harrisii] 
C.  Sedenii,  C.  Bryan,  C.  amabilis,  &c,  having 
now  filled  their  pots  with  roots  will  require 
copious  waterings  whenever  the  compost  be- 
comes dry,  but  during  dull  weather  water  must 
be  afforded  with  the  greatest  discretion,  or  the 
new  leaves  ,ind  pseudo-bulbs  that  are  now  form- 
ing will  become  spotted  and  diseased.  Plants 
that  are  thoroughly  well  rooted  may  be  supplied 
with  alternate  waterings  with  weak  liquid  cow- 
manure.  It  is  important  at  this  period  to  expose 
these  plants  to  all  the  sunlight  possible  without 
the  leaves  being  scorched  ;  also  to  admit  plenty 
of  fresh  air.  The  plants  should  be  elevated 
well  up  to  the  roof  glass,  and  so  arranged  that 
each  will  obtain  its  full  share  of  sunlight.  At 
Burford  the  glass  immediately  over  these  plants 
was  stippled  over  when  they  were  re-potted ; 
this  stippling  has  now  become  almost  trans- 
parent, and  thus  affords  just  sufficient  light  to 
invigorate  and  solidify  the  bulbs.  Under  these 
favourable  conditions  the  plants  dry  very 
quickly,  and  require  a'most  unlimited  supplies 
of  moisture.  Where  the  lath  blinds  or  the 
ordinary  canvas  shading  is  used,  the  amount  of 
shade  afforded  by  them  should  be  gradually 
lessened  each  dav,  so  that  in  a  few  weeks,  when 
the  plants  have  become  accustomed  to  the  extra 
light,  these  shadings  may  be  safely  dispensed 
with. 

Chysis. — The  different  varieties  of  Chysis,  'as 
C.  bractescens,  C.  aurea,  C.  Sedenii,  C.  Chel- 
sonii,  C.  Limminghei,  and  C.  laevis,  which  are 
still  growing,  may  be  arranged  alongside  the 
Calanthes,  and  should  be  afforded  the  same  kind 
of  treatment  until  growth  is  complete,  when 
they  may  be  returned  to  the  Cattleya-house  to 
rest. 

Epidendrums. — Such  species  as  E.  prismato- 
carpum,  E.  auriculigerum,  E.  radiatum,  E. 
cochleatum,  E.  contusum,  E.  inversum,  E. 
variegatum,  E.  fragrans,  E.  pentotis,  E. 
glumaceum,  E.  lanipes,  and  others  of  this  sec- 
tion, are  now  commencing  to  grow  afresh,  and 
any  that  stand  in  need  of  repotting  may  be 
given  attention.  The  pots  should  be  made  about 
one-half  full  of  drainage  materials,  using  a  com- 
post consisting  of  two  parts  of  rough  fibrous 
peat  to  one  of  sphagnum-moss.  Make  the  com- 
post moderately  firm  about  the  roots  and  keep 
the  base  of  each  plant  on  a  level  with  the  rim 
of  the  pot.  Place  them  in  a  light  and  moist 
position  in  the  intermediate  house,  and  afford 
water  very  carefully  until  roots  become  plenti- 
ful, neither  letting  them  become  very  dry  nor 
too  moist. 

Cool  House. — Lycaste  Skinneri,  Odontoglos- 
sum  Insleyi,  and  O.  grande  are  in  full  growth  ; 
therefore  they  will  require  copious  waterings 
until  the  bulbs  are  fully  made  up.  Examine  the 
young  growths  occasionally,  and  see  that  no 
water  remains  in  them,  as  this  would  cause  them 
to  decay. 

THE  FLOWER  GARDEN. 

By  A.  C.  Bartlett,  Gardener  to  Mrs.  Ford,  Pencarrow, 
Cornwall. 
Liliums. — A  good  rule  to  observe  in  respect 
to  the  garden  species  and  varieties  is  to  let  well 
alone.  Established  clumps  which  flower  well, 
and  produce  healthy  foliage,  should  not  be  dis- 
turbed, but  if  a  good  top-dressing  of  rotten 
manure  be  afforded  them  at  any  time  during 
the  next  three  months  it  will  be  beneficial. 
Those  clumps  which  show  signs  of  partial  ex- 
haustion by  producing  smaller  flowers  and  thin 
foliage  (which  is  apt  to  die  away  before  the 
flowering  is  completed)  should  now  be  lifted, 
sorted,  and  planted  afresh  in  thoroughly  well- 
prepared  soil.  Most  Liliums  revel  in  a  deep, 
moist,  rich  soil ;  the  North  American  species 
usually  require  the  addition  of  peat,  and  Liliums 
candidum,  chalcedonicum,  and  umbellatum 
succeed  well  in  lighter  soils.  L.  candidum  and 
L.  Martagon  should  be  planted  shallowly,  just 
covering  the  bulbs  with  soil,  so  that  they  may 
have  plenty  of  warmth  from  the  sun.  L.  chal- 
cedor.icum  and  its  varieties  should  be  planted 
more  deeply.  It  is  only  in  the  more  favoured 
gardens  that  such  gorgeous  Lilies  as  L.  auratum 
and    L.    speciosum   are   hardy   enough   to    stand 


August  31,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS     CHRONICLE. 


1G7 


the  winters  out-of-doors  and  flower  well  in  the 
following  summers.  In  order  to  cultivate  these 
varieties  well,  the  bulbs  should  be  potted  as 
soon  after  they  are  received  as  possible.  Put  them 
into  frames  for  the  winter  season,  and  plant  them 
in  their  positions  in  the  garden  late  in  the  follow- 
ing spring.  Fresh  manure  afforded  at  the  time 
of  planting  is  fatal  to  the  well-being  of  nearly 
all  Liliums.  Shelter  from  rough  winds  is 
necessary. 

Ptntstemons. — Cuttings  should  now  be  taken 
of  the  best  varieties.  Where  they  are  grown  in 
large  numbers  it  is  usual  to  devote  a  frame  for 
their  reception  ;  for  smaller  quantities  the  cut- 
tings may  he  inserted  in  pots  or  boxes  and  placed 
under  a  handlight,  keeping  the  atmosphere  of 
the  frame  close  until  the  cuttings  have  made 
roots,  when  air  should  be  gradually  admitted  to 
harden  the  young  plants. 

Perennial  Phloxes  produce  much  finer  trusses, 
and  the  flowers  last  longer,  when  young  plants 
are  put  out  each  year,  especially  if  the  plants 
are  grown  in  light  soils.  Cuttings  firmly  in- 
serted in  sandy  soil,  and  treated  as  advised  for 
Penstemons,  will  make  roots  readily  at  this 
season  of  the  year. 

Half-hardy  shrubs  have  a  better  chance  of 
passing  safely  through  the  average  winter  if  the 
growths  are  well  ripened,  and  to  attain  this  end 
it  is  necessary  to  cut  away  sufficient  shoots  to 
allow  the  remaining  branches  plenty  of  room 
for  the  free  circulation  of  air.  Any  side-shoots 
made  after  this  date  should  be  pinched  out. 


in  beds,  the  process  of  blanching  is  easily 
carried  out.  When  growth  is  finished,  either 
one  bed  or  a  part  of  one  bed,  according  to  the 
demand,  can  be  covered  over  with  wooden 
shutters  or  anything  conveniently  to  hand  that 
will  entirely  exclude  the  light.  Such  a  covering 
will  at  the  same  time  generally  prove  sufficient 
protection  from  the  weather. 


THE    KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

By  William  H.  Honess,  Gardener  to  C.  Combe,  Esq., 
Cobham  Park,  Surrey. 

Coleworts. — Make  good  any  failures  that  have 
occurred  in  former  plantings,  and  continue  to 
make  fresh  plantations,  for  although  Coleworts 
are  not  particularly  hardy,  if  the  autumn  is  a 
favourable  one  they  will  make  useful  produce 
before  there  ars  any  severe  frosts. 

Cabbage. — Where  an  early  sowing  was  made, 
the  plants  will  now  be  large  enough  for  planting 
out.  These  will  be  followed  in  due  course  by 
plants  forming  the  main  crop,  for  although  it  is 
satisfactory  to  have  an  early  batch,  it  is  not 
advisable  that  a  great  quantity  should  be  so 
forward.  The  earliest  plants  are  not  so  likely 
to  stand  well  through  the  winter,  and  usually 
they  are  the  first  to  "  bolt "  into  seed. 

Winter  vegetables. — The  number  of  plants  of 
all  kinds  of  winter  vegetables  that  have  gone 
blind  this  season  has  been  exceptionally  large. 
If  any  may  still  be  found  in  the  quarters,  they 
should  be  at  once  removed  and  their  places 
filled  with  fresh  plants  from  the  seed  beds,  or, 
better  still,  from  later  sowings  that  were  made 
principally  for  this  purpose,  a  system  which 
has  much  to  commend  it  where  it  can  con- 
veniently be  carried  out. 

Lettuce. — Continue  to  put  out  plants  from  pre- 
vious sowings  of  hardy  varieties  of  both  the 
Cos  and  Cabbage  types,  whichever  is  in  most 
demand,  choosing  warm,  sunny  positions.  Dur- 
ing the  early  part  of  September  fill  any  cold 
frames  which  may  be  available,  with  such 
Lettuces.  From  sowings  made  at  the  present 
time,  and  at  fortnightly  intervals  in  September, 
under  handlights,  of  the  French  variety  Petite 
Noire  a  supply  of  tender  Lettuces  may  be 
obtained  from  November  all  through  the  winter 
and  early  spring.  "  All  the  Year  Round "  I 
consider  a  splendid  variety,  but  for  this  parti- 
cular season  I  do  not  think  the  Petite  Noire  is 
equalled.  The  ground  for  growing  these  winter 
Lettuces  must  be  iiberally  enriched  with  good, 
short,  thoroughly-decayed  manure,  and  a  sprink- 
ling of  soot.  A  very  little  air  may  be  admitted 
to  the  young  plants  during  the  hottest  days  of 
autumn,  but  afterwards  the  cloches  or  frames 
must  be  kept  quite  close,  never  on  any  account 
admitting  air.  This  variety  will  only  excel 
under  these  conditions.  Although  grown  exten- 
sively for  supplying  the  Paris  markets,  it 
appears  but  little  cultivated  in  this  country,  and 
I  am  convinced  it  would  be  a  boon  to  many  if  it 
were  better  known,  thriving,  as  it  does,  at  the 
very  worst  season  of  the  year. 

Endive. — Plants  raised  from  the  earliest  sow- 
ings will  now  be  in  course  of  blanching.  Con- 
tinue to  put  out  plants  from  the  later  sowings 
in  light,  rich  ground.     If  the  plants  are  arranged 


PLANTS    UNDER  GLASS. 

By  J.  G.  Weston,  Gardener  to  H.  J.  King,  Esq., 
Eastwell  Park,  Kent. 

Forcing  bulbous  plants. — If  a  supply  of  bulbous 
flowers  is  required  before  Christmas,  there 
should  be  no  delay  in  potting  the  bulbs  if  this 
is  not  already  done.  Bulbs  should  be  allowed 
to  develop  their  roots  before  they  are  subjected 
to  hard  forcing.  Hyacinthus  orientalis,  the  white 
Roman  Hyacinth,  is  one  of  the  earliest  subjects 
to  flower  ;  next  follow  the  Polyanthus  and  the 
Single  Trumpet  Major  Narcissi,  also  Due  van 
Thol  Tulips  in  various  colours,  with  others  that 
will  submit  to  early  forcing,  such  as  Cottage 
Maid,  Belle  Alliance,  La  Reine,  and  Vermilion 
Brilliant.  The  bulbs  of  all  these  should  be 
potted  in  a  compost  consisting  of  equal  parts 
loam  and  leaf-soil,  with  plenty  of  sand  added. 
After  potting,  place  the  plants  on  ashes  in  the 
open,  and  cover  them  with  leaf-soil,  but  when 
growth  commences  this  should  be  removed. 

Retarded  plants. — These  are  useful  for  furnish- 
ing a  supply  of  flowers  in  mid-winter.  Lily  of 
the  Valley  is  one  of  the  commonest  plants  whose 
season  of  flowering  is  retarded  by  means  of  a 
cold  atmosphere.  The  crowns  can  now  be 
purchased  cheaply,  and  they  should  be  ordered 
to  be  delivered  at  intervals  of  two  or  three 
weeks,  so  as  to  ensure  a  succession  of  flowers. 
Retarded  plants  of  Astilbe  (Spiraea)  can  also  be 
purchased  at  a  reasonable  price,  and  a  few  of 
these  should  be  started  into  growth  at  intervals 
throughout  the  winter.  Some  of  the  newer 
Astilbes,  with  pink  flowers,  are  valuable  ac- 
quisitions. 

Salvias. — S.  azurea  grandiflora  (syn.  S. 
Pitcheri)  is  a  very  beautiful  plant  when  in 
flower,  and  is  valuable  in  gardens  where  blue 
flowers  are  in  request.  The  plant  is  of  graceful 
habit,  and  is  one  of  the  earliest  of  the  shrubbv 
species  to  flower,  for  its  blossoms  are  developed 
early  in  autumn.  If  the  plants  are  growing  in 
a  bed  or  border,  lift  and  pot  them  as  soon  as 
the  flower-spikes  are  seen.  Salvia  splendens, 
variety  grandiflora,  is  a  great  improvement  on 
the  type,  the  flower-spikes  being  larger,  the  in- 
florescences more  brilliant,  and  the  plant  of  a 
compact  habit.  A  batch  of  this  plant  should  be 
grown  for  furnishing  the  greenhouse  or  conser- 
vatory before  the  Chrysanthemums  come  into 
bloom.  The  cut  flowers  are  suitable  for 
table  decoration.  Other  species  of  Salvias 
which  flower  later  in  the  season  are  S.  coccinea, 
S.  involucrata  var.  Bethelii,  S.  rutilans,  and  S. 
gesneraeflora.  All  these  are  useful  for  the  fur- 
nishing of  large  conservatories  or  corridors. 


THE  HARDY  FRUIT  GARDEN. 

By  J.  Mayne,  Gardener  to  Lord  Clinton,  Bicton, 
East  Devon. 

Apples. — Early  varieties  that  ripen  during  the 
latter  part  of  August  and  early  in  September 
will  not  keep  in  good  condition  long  after  they 
are  gathered ;  the  fruits  are  best  when  eaten 
within  a  day  or  two,  as  they  so  quickly  deterio- 
rate in  flavour.  Among  cooking  varieties  now 
in  season,  few  can  equal  Ecklinville  Seedling 
and  Lord  SufKeld,  closely  followed  by  Potts' 
Seedling  and  Duchess  of  Oldenburgh.  Not  one 
of  these  will  keep  good  for  long,  so  should  be 
turned  to  good  account  at  once.  Good  prices 
should  be  secured  for  any  which  are  to  be  sold, 
for  Apples  are  far  from  being  a  heavy  crop. 

Pears. — Daily  attention  should  be  given  to  the 
few  varieties  that  ripen  at  this  season,  such  as 
Jargonelle,  Beurre  de  l'Assomption,  Beurre  Gif- 
fard,  Williams'  Bon  Chretien  and  Clapps' 
Favourite.  Allow  the  fruits  to  become  fairly 
ripe  before  gathering  them,  so  that  they  may  be 
eaten  almost  direct  from  the  tree  when  their 
full  flavour  will  be  appreciated.  With  so  little 
sun,  it  is  feared  that  flavour  will  be  poor  in 
most  fruits.  Now  that  the  small  and  bush  fruit" 
have  been  mostly  gathered,  Pear  trees  against 
walls   should   be   netted   to   prevent   the  tom-tits 


pecking  the  fruits.  Isolated  specimens  can  be 
tied  up  in  small  bags  of  hexago^  or  small  piei  i  s 
of  fish  netting  and  tied  in  at  the  stem  of  the 
fruit. 

Nuts. — Filberts  and  Cobs  promise  good  crops, 
whilst  Walnuts  are  very  scarce.  Cut  out  any 
sucker-growths  from  the  base  of  Filbert  bushes, 
and  see  that  squirrels  do  not  take  the  fruits, 
the  gun  being  Ihe  best  means  of  scaring  them, 
if  not  allowed  to  kill.  Caterpillars  have  not 
ribboned  the  foliage  this  year  as  in  some  sea- 
sons, owing  to  our  having  sprayed  the  trees 
early  in  spring  after  the  fruit  trees  "were  finished. 

Apricots. — Keep  the  secondary  shoots  pinched 
back  to  the  first  leaf,  end  shorten  any  robust 
shoots  on  young  trees,  in  preference  to  pruning 
them  in  winter.  As  the  trees  become  divested 
of  the  fruit,  give  them  a  good  washing  with 
either  clear  or  soapy  water.  Examine  the  bor- 
der, and  if  the  roots  are  found  to  be  dry, 
afford  the  border  a  heavy  watering,  replacing 
the  mulch  for  a  few  weeks  longer  to  retain  the 
moisture  in  the  soil.  Loosen  any  tight  ligatures 
on  recently-budded  stocks,  and  syringe  them 
overhead  in  the  evening.  Such  stocks  growing 
in  soils  of  a  porous  nature  may  be  given  a  good 
root-watering. 


PUBLIC  PARKS  AND  GARDENS. 

By  W.  W.  Pettigrew,  Superintendent  of  the   Parks  and 
Open  Spaces  in  the  City  of  Cardiff. 

Prosecutions. — Few  duties  are  more  unpleasant 
than  the  prosecution  of  visitors  for  the  infringe- 
ment of  the  park  by-laws.  As  the  chief  officijl 
of  the  department  is  invariably  held  responsible 
for  these  matters,  and  has  to  decide  what  cases 
are  to  be  proceeded  against  and  which  have  to 
be  dropped,  he  often  finds  himself  in  a  very 
delicate  position,  in  which  much  tact  has  to  be 
exercised.  In  this,  as  in  everything  else  where 
judgment  has  to  be  used,  it  is  always  best  to 
decide  each  case  upon  its  merits  instead  of 
making  a  hard  and  fast  rule  of  treating  all 
infringements  of  by-laws  alike.  Needless  to 
say,  class  distinctions  should  never  be  taken 
into  consideration  in  deciding  these  questions. 

Minor  and  other  offences. — There  are  many 
by-laws  which  are  broken  nearly  every  day  of  the 
week,  but  unless  the  same  persons  persisted  in 
disregarding  them,  no  official  would  ever  think 
of  taking  proceedings  against  the  offenders. 
Walking  on  the  grass,  jumping  over  seats,  or 
taking  dogs  into  parks  without  being  on  leash, 
are  minor  offences.  But  there  are  matters  about 
which  it  is  quite  beyond  the  province  of  an 
official  to  use  his  own  discretion,  and  such  cases 
must  go  before  th.-»  magistrates.  Any  infringe- 
ment of  by-laws  having  for  their  object  the 
moral  or  physical  protection  of  the  public  should 
never  be  condoned,  and  the  culprit,  whatever 
his  or  her  station  in  life,  should  be  proceeded 
against. 

Stealing  plants  or  flowers. — When  it  comes 
to  picking  flowers,  stealing  plants,  or  doing 
wilful  damage,  it  is  a  case  for  the  superintendent 
to  take  what  steps  he  thinks  best,  so  as  to 
adequately  punish  the  offenders  and  at  the  same 
time  prevent  others  from  following  their  ex- 
ample. In  some  parks  every  person  caught  pick- 
ing a  flower  is  prosecuted,  while  in  others, 
beyond  frightening  the  thieves,  nothing  further 
is  done.  For  many  years  past  we  have  adopted 
a  method  of  dealing  with  flower  stealers  which 
has  proved  satisfactory.  When  the  culprits  are 
children  they  are  taken  to  the  office,  where  a 
lesson  is  read  them,  and  a  park  constable  in 
uniform  is  sent  to  inform  their  parents  and 
warn  them  that  if  their  children  are  ever  caught 
stealing  flowers  again  they  will  be  prosecuted. 
When  we  have  to  deal  with  older  persons,  if 
they  show  signs  of  sorrow  they  are  cautioned 
and  let  off,  but  if  they  are  impertinent  or  show 
no  regret  for  their  action,  they  are  summoned. 
During  our  experience  w-e  have  never  had  the 
same  persons  accused  twice  of  flower-stealing.  We 
are  not  so  lenient  with  plant  stealers  or  with 
those  who  do  wilful  damage,  but  it  greatly 
depends  upon  the  value  of  the  plants  taken  or 
the  amount  of  damage  done  whether  we  institute 
proceedings  or  not. 

Notice  of  prosecutions. — It  is  sometimes  ex- 
pedient to  post  up  in  prominent  positions  in  the 
park  notices  of  prosecutions  which  have  taken 
place  for  the  infringement  of  by-laws.  This 
should  be  done  as  little  as  possible,  and  care 
should  be  taken  never  to  publish  the  names  of 
the   offenders. 


168 


THE    GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


[August  31,  1907. 


EDITORIAL     NOTICE. 


ADVERTISEMENTS  should  be  sent  to  the  PUB- 
LISHER, 41,  Wellington  Street,  Covent  Garden, 
W.C. 

Letters  for  Publication,  as  well  as  specimens  and  plants 
tor  naming,  should  be  addressed  to  the  EDITOR, 
41,  Wellington   Street,    Covent   Garden,  London. 

Communications  should  be  written  on  one  side  only  of 
the  PApi-.R,  sent  as  early  in  the  week  as  possible  and  duly 
signed  by  the  writer.  If  desired,  the  signature  will  not  be 
printed,  but  kept  as  a  guarantee  of  good  faith. 


APPOINTMENTS    FOR     SEPTEMBER. 


TUESDAY,  SEPTEMBER  3— 
Roy.  Hort.  Soc.  Coins,  meet. 
Nat.  Amateur  Card.  Assoc,  meet. 

WEDNESDAY.  SEPTEMBER  4— 

Glasgow  and  West  of  Scotland  Hort.  Sh.  (2  days). 
Hemel  Hempstead  Fl.  Sh. 

THURSDAY,  SEPTEMBER  5— 

Nat.  Dahlia  Soc.  Ex.  at  Crystal  Palace  (2  days). 

SATURDAY,  SEPTEMBER  7— 
Pollockshaws  Fl.  Sh. 
Soc.  Franc.  d'Hort.  de  Londres  meet. 
German  Gard.  Soc.  meet. 

TUESDAY,  SEPTEMBER  10— 
Scottish  Hort.  Assoc,  meet. 
Dahlia  Sh.  in  Manchester  Botanic  Gardens  (2  days). 

WEDNESDAY,  SEPTEMBER  11— 

Roy.  Caledonian  Hort.  Soc.  Sh.  at  Edinburgh  (2  days). 

THURSDAY,  SEPTEMBER  12— 

London  Dahlia  Union's  Sh.  in  Botanic  Gdns.,  Regent's 
Park  (2  days). 

FRIDAY,  SEPTEMBER  13— Hamilton  Fl.  Sh. 

SATURDAY,  SEPTEMBER  14— Newton  Mearns  Fl.  Sh. 

MONDAY,  SEPTEMBER  16— 

Nat.  Chrys.  Soc.  Floral  Com.  meet. 

TUESDAY,  SEPTEMBER  17— 
Roy.  Hort.  Soc.  Corns,  meet. 
Brit.  Gard.  Assoc.  Ex.  Council  meet. 

SATURDAY,  SEPTEMBER  21— German  Gard.  Soc.  meet. 

TUESDAY,  SEPTEMBER  24— 

Nat.    Rose    Soc.    Autumn  Sh.   at    R.H.S.  Hall,  West- 
minister. 
FRIDAY,  SEPTEMBER  27— Roy.  Botanic  Soc.  meet. 


Average     Mean    Temperature    for    the    ensuing    week, 
deduced  from  observations  during  the  last  Fifty  Years 
at  Greenwich — 59-4°. 
Actual  Temperatures: — 

London. — Wednesday,  August  28(6  p.m.):  Max.  75°; 
Min.  52". 
Gardeners'  Chronicle  Office,  41,  Wellington  Street, 
Covent  Garden,  London.  —  Thursday,  August 
29  110  a.m.):  Bar.,  29-9:  Temp.,  70° ;  Weather— 
Bright  sunshine. 
Provinces  —Wednesday,  August  28  (6  p.m.)  :  Max.  60°, 
Colchester;  Min.  56',  Lincoln. 


SALES    FOR   THE    ENSUING    WEEK. 

MONDAY  and  WEDNESDAY— 

Sale  of  Dutch  and  other  Bulbs  at  Stevens'  Rooms,  King 
Street,  Covent  Garden,  at  12.30. 

MONDAY  to  FRIDAY— 

Dutch  Bulbs  in  variety,  at  67  &  68,  Cheapside,  E.C.,  by 
Protheroe  &  Morris,  at  10.30. 

FRIDAY— 

The  whole  of  the  Greenhouse  Plants,  Glass  Erections 
and  Sundries,  at  the  Woodstock  Nurseries,  Golders 
Green,  N.W.,by  Protheroe  &  Morris,  at  12. 


We    have    received    from    Mr. 
Gramma.       TT       ,      k      ,,      **•,,  , 

tophyllum      Hugh  A.   JMacMillan   a  photo- 

speciosum     graph     of     a     plant     of     this 

Peradeniya.  sPecief  in  flower  in  the  R°yal 
Botanical  Gardens, Peradeniya, 
Ceylon  (see  fig.  69),  who  describes  the 
specimen  as  being  at  its  best  on  July  17th 
last.  So  remarkable  are  the  size  and  form 
attained  by  the  leaves  and  inflorescence  of 
Grammatophyllum  speciosum  under  suitable 
conditions  in  the  tropics,  that  all  other 
Orchids  appear  but  miniatures  in  comparison. 
The  species  is  a  native  of  some  of  the 
Malay  Islands,  and  a  plant  was  introduced 
to  the  gardens  at  Peradeniya  about  the 
year  1S50.  Like  certain  other  introduced 
species  of  plants,  it  flourishes  there  to  an 
extent  seldom  seen  in  its  native  habitat.  This 
was  not  the  case,  however,  until  recently-,  for 
though  the  Grammatophyllum  had  apparently 
been  grown  there  for  about  40  years,  it  was 


not  until  iSqSthat,  in  consequence  of  a  change 
in  its  treatment,  it  really  began  to  assert  its 
majestic  habit.  Up  to  that  year  it  was  ten- 
derly nursed  on  an  old,  decaying  tree  stump 
under  the  partial  shade  of  surrounding  trees, 
thus  imitating,  it  was  thought,  as  far  as 
practicable  the  conditions  of  its  native  habitat. 
The  result  of  removing  the  plant  .from  this 
tree  to  a  sunny  position,  writes  Mr. 
MacMillan,  the  curator  of  the  gardens,  and 
planting  it  in  a  mound  of  turf,  decayed 
manure,  charcoal,  broken  bricks  and  Iaterite 
stones,  was  that  it  soon  commenced  to 
grow  rapidly,  and  about  a  year  later  threw  up 


Fig.  68. — aerial  roots  of  grammatophyllum 

speciosum  which  are  not  produced 

freely  at  peradeniya. 

six  flower  spikes.  It  has  since  flowered  more 
or  less  every  alternate  year,  and  in  July  last 
was  bearing  26  magnificent  inflorescences. 
It  is  obviously  a  great  effort  on  the  part  of 
the  plant  to  produce  at  one  time  so  enormous 
a  crop,  and  it  is  not  surprising  that  the  speci- 
men does  not  repeat  the  process  every  year. 
From  the  first  appearance  of  the  spikes  above 
ground  to  the  visible  setting  of  the  first  fruit 
occupies  about  four  months,  and  two  months 
more  are  required  to  ripen  the  stout  pod-like 
fruits.  The  minute,  brown  seeds  are  pro- 
duced in  great  quantity,  but  hitherto  these 
have  not  found  at  Peradeniya  conditions 
necessary  to  their  germination,  even  though 
afforded  artificial  aid.  Therefore  the  only 
means  available  for  the  propagation  of  the 
species  is  by  division. 

Though  so  shy  in  flowering,  it  is  worthv 
of  note  that  but  few  plants  seem  to  grow  so 
well   under  such   varying  conditions   as   the 


"  Giant  Orchid."  By  nature  it  is  chiefly 
epiphytal,  and  may  be  found  growing  upon 
trees,  but  at  Kew  it  is  treated  as  an  aquatic, 
having  been  grown  there  for  many  years  in 
the  tank  in  the  Victoria  Regia  House ; 
whilst  at  Peradeniya  it  is  most  successfully 
grown  as  a  terrestrial  or  ground-plant.  At 
Peradeniya  it  has  become  so  accustomed  to 
the  terrestrial  treatment  that  it  seems  to 
have  gradually  lost  the  habit  of  producing 
the  characteristic,  upright,  spiny  roots,  which 
are  invariably  present  when  the  plant  is 
growing  under  the  conditions  of  an  epiphvte. 
It  has  been  supposed  that  these  peculiar  roots 
(see  fig.  68)  are  associated,  under  normal  con- 
ditions, with  the  absorption  of  water  and 
nutriment  from  decaying  vegetable  matter. 
At  Peradeniya  they  have  hitherto  been  pro- 
duced chiefly  in  the  dry  season. 

Grammatophyllum  speciosum  is  a  species 
that,  for  obvious  reasons,  is  seldom  found  in 
Orchid  collections  which  have  to  be  culti- 
vated in  glasshouses  in  temperate'  climes. 
There  are,  however,  a  few  cases  on  record  of 
the  plant  having  flowered  in  English  hot- 
houses. In  October,  1859,  a  writer  in  these 
pages  recorded  a  plant  then  in  flower  at 
"  Nonsuch  House,"  in  Surrey,  and  he  for 
some  reason  referred  to  it  as  the  "  Letter 
Plant."  The  plant  now  cultivated  at  Kew, 
and  which  was  presented  by  Messrs.  Sander 
&  Sons,  made  a  poor  effort  to  blossom  in 
1901,  and  the  specimen  is  developing  in- 
florescences at  the  present  time.  The  species 
has  also  flowered  in  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence's 
collection  at  Burford  (see  fig.  in  Gardeners' 
Chronicle,  August  4,  1906,  p.  86).  As  regards 
the  flowering  of  this  species  in  the  tropics, 
Mr.  Curtis,  late  of  the  Botanic  Gardens, 
Penang,  described  a  plant  in  bloom  there  in 
1903  as  having  24  flower-spikes. 

The  specimen  recently  in  flower  at  Pera- 
deniya, and  which  it  is  believed  has  not  yet 
attained  to  its  maximum  size  or  vigour,  is 
apparently  the  finest  yet  recorded.  It  bore  26 
stout,  erect  racemes,  and  these  varied  from 
52  to  about  SJ  feet  in  height,  each  having 
over  100  flowers.  Thus  the  plant  carried 
nearly  3,000  single  flowers,  which  are  sweet, 
scented  and  borne  mostly  towards  the  tops  of 
the  racemes.  They  measured  individually  5$  to 
6  inches  across.  The  ground  colour  is  of  a 
yellow  tint,  profusely  spotted  and  blotched 
with  purple  or  chocolate,  the  pedicels  being 
greenish-white.  The  Peradeniya  plant  is 
furnished  with  about  70  stems  or  pseudo- 
bulbs,  these  varying  in  length  from  5  to  10 
feet,  and  bearing  a  hundred  or  more  ribbon- 
like leaves,  which  are  20  to  30  inches  long. 

We  have  reproduced  an  illustration  of  a 
single  flower  at  fig.  70. 

The  foliage  to  be  seen  in  the  background 
of  fig.  69  is  chiefly  that  of  Monstera  deliciosa, 
the  "  Giant  Creeper "  of  Mexico,  as  it  is 
sometimes  called. 


Our    Supplementary  Illustration. — The 

illustration  which  forms  the  supplement  to  our 
present  issue  shows  a  view  in  the  Fernery  at 
Shipley  Hall,  Derbyshire,  the  residence  of  E. 
Miller  Mundy,  Esq.  (gr.  Mr.  J.  C.  Tallack). 
The  photograph  could  only  take  in  the  back  and 
central  portion  of  the  house,  and  an  Adiantum 
clothed  rockery  at  the  front  of  the  house  is,  there- 
fore, not  visible.  Sufficient  is  shown,  however,  to  give 
a  good  idea  of  the  interior  of  the  house.     The  rock- 


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August  31,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


169 


work  was  built  about  14  months  ago,  and  was 
planted  in  the  month  of  May  last  year.  Most  of 
the  plants  have  succeeded  well,  and  the  Ferns, 
Begonia  Rex  in  variety,  Periplocas,  and  a  few 
other  species  afford  a  very  good  effect,  the 
Begonias  showing  especially  well  when  illuminated 
with  electric  lamps  placed  behind  the  plants. 
This  Fernery  forms  a  continuation  from  the 
Water-lily  house,  illustrated  in  our  issue  for 
August  17.  and  which  is  itself  entered  from  the 
long  corridor  attached  to  the  residence. 

Royal  Horticultural  Society.— The  next 

meeting  of  the  Committees  of  the  Royal  Horticul- 
tural Society  will  be  held  on  Tuesday,  September  3, 
in  the  Society's  hall,  Vincent  Square,  Westminster. 
At  the  afternoon  meeting  of  Fellows,  at  3  o'clock. 


F.lgin,  where  a  great  quantity  of  young  trees  of 
numerous  species,  of  which  the  Scots  Fir  and 
the  Larch  predominate,  are  grown.  At  the 
Pinefield  Nursery  of  this  firm  were  seen 
4,000,000  one-year-old  plants  of  Scots  Fir, 
2,000,000  two-year-old  trees  of  Scots  Fir, 
4,000,000  one-year-old  specimens  of  Larch,  and 
about  3,000,000  other  seedling  forest  trees. 
Large  numbers  of  young  forest  trees  were  also 
seen  at  five  other  nurseries  belonging  to  Mr. 
Wiseman. 

Mr.  W.  H.  Young,  who  for  17  years  was 
Orchid  grower  to  the  late  Sir  Frederick  Wigan, 
Bart.,  Clare  Lawn,  East  Sheen,  has  purchased 
the  nursery  and  seed  business  carried  on  at  the 
Mercury  Nursery,  Romford,  Essex.  Mr.  Young 
is  a  member  of  the  Orchid  Committee  of  the  Royal 


•'  the  weather  "  has  such  a  far-reaching  influence 
upon  the  well-being  or  otherwise  of  the  plants 
under  their  charge,  and  although  no  word  is  as 
frequently  on  their  lips,  yet  how  few  gardeners 
appear  to  have  even  an  elementary  idea  as  to  how 
weather  changes  in  this  and  other  countries  are 
brought  about.  It  may  be  they  see  no  use  in 
acquiring  the  necessary  knowledge,  considering  how 
helpless  even  the  best  informed  must  always  feel  in 
regard  to  such  changes— whether  favourable  or  un- 
favourable. Or,  may  not  this  indifference  rather  arise 
from  the  science  of  meteorology  being  so  seldom 
treated  in  such  a  clear  and  interesting  manner  as 
to  enable  those  having  no  previous  acquaintance 
with  the  subject  to  know,  for  instance,  where  our 
rainfall  comes  from,  why  the  barometer  is  so  often 
misleading  when  regarded  simply  as  a  "  weather 


FIG.  69.-GRAMMATOPHYLLIM   SPECIOSHM  IN  the  peradeniya   botanical  garden,,      the   plant  produced  26  RACEMES, 

EACH    BEARING    UPWARDS    OF    IOO    FLOWERS.  (See  page  168  and  fig.  70.) 


a  lecture  on  "  Lesser  Known  Orchids,"  illustrated 
by  lantern  slides,  will  be  given  by  Mr.  F.  W. 
Moore,  Glasnevin. 

Presentation.— Mr.  A.  C.  Smith  was  pre- 
sented on  the  21st  inst.,  by  the  employees  on  the 
Lydhurst  Estate,  with  a  marble  timepiece  on  his 
leaving  to  take  up  his  new  duties  as  Assistant 
Superintendent  of  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society's  gardens  at  Wisley. 

Royal  Scottish  Arboricultural  Society. 

The  annual  excursion  of  this  society  took 
place  recently,  Elgin  being  selected  as  the  head- 
quarters  for  the  visit.  On  Wednesday,  August 
8,  the  estates  of  Orton  and  of  the  Duke  of 
Richmond  and  Gordon  at  Fochabers  were  in- 
spected, and  visits  were  paid  to  Mr.  Edward 
U  iseman's  extensive  nurseries  in  the   vicinity  of 


Horticultural  Society,  and  for  several  years  he 
has  written  the  yearly  calendar  in  these  pages 
under  the  heading  "The  Orchid  Houses."  Our 
readers  will  join  us  in  wishing  Mr.  Young  every 
success  in  his  new  departure. 

Carnation  Andrew  Carnegie.— It  is  stated 
in  The  American  Florist  that  a  fine  new  Carnation, 
to  which  the  above  name  has  been  given,  appeared 
as  a  sport  with  the  Chicago  Carnation  Company 
of  Joliet,  Illinois,  and  also  with  Mr.  J.  P.  S\ow, 
Sharon,  Massachusetts.  Il  is  said  to  be  in  habit 
identical  with  the  parent  Harlowarden,  but  the 
colour  is  scarlet. 

"Weather.-— This  is  a  little  pamphlet  written 
by  the  Hon.  H.  A.  Stanhope,  and  published  by 
the  Agricultural  and  Horticultural  Association, 
Ltd.,  London,  at  the  price  of  one  penny.  Although 


glass,"  why  the  winds  in  the  British  Isles  are  so 
variable  in  strength  and  direction,  and  other 
similar  questions  of  considerable  interest  to  all 
those  engaged  in  horticultural  pursuits.  This  little 
pamphlet  is  therefore  to  be  welcomed,  as  the  author 
in  the  small  compass  of  20  pages  manages  to 
deal  successively  with  the  subjects  of  temperature, 
cloud,,  atmospheric  pressure,  rain,  thunderstorms, 
wind,  and  forecasts  in  such  an  interesting  way,  and 
by  means  of  such  simple  language,  that  all  his 
explanations  can  be  readily  understood  by  the 
ordinary  reader;  while  those  who  will  take  the 
trouble  to  study  it  carefully  will  be  able  to  gather 
helpful  information  as  to  some  of  the  laws  which 
govern  the  apparently  hopeless  irregularities  in 
the  movements  of  our  atmosphere.  The  illustra- 
tions scattered  through  its  pages  will  also  prove  of 
service. 


170 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[August  31,  1907. 


National  Dahlia  Society.— The  annual 
show  of  the  National  Dahlia  Society,  to  be  held 
on  September  5  at  the  Crystal  Palace,  is  expected 
to  be  very  successful.  Mr.  H.  L.  Brousson, 
honorary  secretary  to  the  Society,  writes  us  to 
the  effect  that  the  Dahlias  promise  to  be  of  un- 
usually good  quality,  owing  to  the  frequent 
rains  and  warm  nights. 

An  Orchid  Auction  at  Schonbrunn. — 
As  a  consequence  of  the  overcrowding  of  the 
Orchid  houses  in  the  Imperial  Gardens  at  this 
palace  of  the  Austrian  Emperor,  2,000  plants, 
as  in  the  previous  year,  have  been  offered  for 
sale  recently.  The  plants  were  put  in  small  lots 
and  included  some  that  were  raised  in  the 
Schonbrunn  Gardens.  One  of  these  novelties 
carries  the  name  Cattleya  Schonbrunnensis,  and 
is  the  result  of  a  cross  between  C.  Bowringiana 
X  C.  maxima  floribunda.  The  blooms  are  said 
to  be  of  a  larger  size,  darker  in  colour,  and  the 
lip  more  beautifully  marked  than  those  of  the 
parents.  Cut  blooms  of  choice  Cattleyas, 
Dendrnbiums,  and  Coelogynes  were  likewise  sold 
by  auction.'  Such  sales  will  be  held  annually  at 
Schonbrunn. 

The    Strawberry   Crop   in    Germany    in 
1907.— Herrn  L.  Maurer,    a  well-known  culti- 
vator   of    small    fruits    at    Jena,    states,    in    the 
Deutsche  Cartner-Zeitung,  that,  owing  to  frosts  in 
the    spring,     many    of    his    Strawberry    plants 
lost     their     leaves,     and     crown     buds,     even 
such      varieties      as      have     been  hitherto      re- 
garded as  immune  from  loss  by  frost,  namely, 
the        Xlpino       varieties.         Some       of       those 
which    suffered   worst    are    varieties   of   French 
origin,   as   Belle  de  Meaux,   President   Meurein, 
and   even    the    old    Gloire    d'Orleans    have   not 
bloomed  at  all.     Herrn  MAUSER  mentions  varie- 
ties   which    the   older    generation    of   gardeners 
•were  well   acquainted    with,    but    which    have 
dropped    out    of    general     cultivation    in    these 
islands,  viz.,  Beam's  Mammoth,  Sabreur,  Vic- 
tory  of    Bath,    Teutonia,    Dr.    Neubert,    Globe, 
Duke  of  Edinburgh,  Due  de  Magenta,  Helvetia, 
Belle  de  Bourg,  La  Reine,  &c.  The  varieties  St. 
Joseph  and  Antoine  de  Padoue,  and  the  Chilian 
Strawberry,  Wilmot's   Superb,   lost  a  high  per- 
centage of  plants.     On  the  contrary,  La  Reine. 
Peine  des  Precoces,  and  Napoleon  III.   suffered 
but  few  losses.     A  further  remarkable  experience 
was    noted   in    a    number   of    popular    English- 
raised  varieties,  as  Lord  Suffield,  Lord  Napier, 
Gunton  Park,  Stevens'  Wonder,  British  Queen, 
Jubilee,   Monarch,  The  Countess,  and  Laxton's 
No.  1  were  frozen  out,  to  a  great  extent,  in  the 
previous  winter.     His   observations   of   English 
varieties    proved    that    many    have   not   become 
acclimatised.     German     and     French     varieties 
succeed    better    under    similar    conditions.     Of 
English  varieties  that  are  hardy  and  fruit  freely 
are    Dr.    Hogg,    Fillbasket,    and   James   Veitch. 
Laxton's  Noble  withstood  22°  Reaumur,  but  the 
beds  of  all  of  these  must  be  renewed  every  third 
or   fourth  year   at  the  farthest.      This   notwith- 
standing these  varieties  are  reckoned  among  the 
best  that  he  cultivates.     The  three  hardiest  and 
most  suitable  Strawberries  for  that  part  of  Ger- 
many  are   Jucunda,    Sharpless   and    Ker's   Pro- 
lific.    These    grow    vigorously    and    withstand 
frost,    even   in   heavy,    wet   land.       Others   that 
come  next  in  point  of  hardiness  and  fruitfulness 
are  Kaiser's  Samling  (Seedlingl,  Noble,  Deutsch- 
Evern,   Konig  Albert  von  Sachsen,  and  Comet. 

Deaths  in  France. — In  the  obituary  columns 
of  the  French  horticultural  journals  we  note  the 
death  of  M.  Georg  Bouchier,  proprietor  of 
one  of  the  largest  firms  in  Paris.  He  was  chiefly 
concerj^d  with  the  distribution  of  novelties  in 
plants.  M.  Poubelle,  a  former  Ambassador, 
and  the  first  President  of  the  French  Dendro- 
logical  Society,  died  in  Paris  recently  at  the  age 
of  63  vears. 


Root  Action  and  Bacteria. — In  our  issue 
for  August  10  we  reproduced  a  letter,  printed 
in  Nature,  from  Mr.  F.  Fletcher.  The  follow- 
in''  reply  by  Mr.  Spencer  Pickering  in  the  same 
journal  is  interesting  : — The  experiments  men- 
tioned by  Mr.  F.  Fletcher  in  Nature  of  July 
18  (p.  270)  bear  only  on  the  functioning  of  roots 
once  they  have  come  into  activity,  not  on  their 


been  previously  treated  in  various  ways ;  the 
water-contents  of  the  medium  were  the  same  in 
every  case,  and  re-inoculation  from  the  air  was 
prevented.  All  the  experiments  were  made  in 
duplicate,  and  all  the  duplicates  were  remark- 
ably concordant.  The  results  were  that  seeds 
in  unheated  earth  began  to  germinate  on  the 
ninth   day,   the   total   germination   being  65   per 


Fig.  70. 


-GKAMMATOPHYLLUM    SPECIOSUM    TO    SHOW    SINGLE    FLOWER:     COLOUR,    YELLO-.V 
SPOTTED    WITH    TURPLE    OR    CHOCOLATE.       (See  page  16S.) 


passage  from  the  dormant  to  the  active  condi- 
tion. The  probable  analogy  between  the  burst- 
ing of  a  dormant  root-bud  and  the  germination 
of  a  seed  has  led  me  to  investigate  the  latter, 
and  some  of  the  results  already  obtained  tally 
exactly  with  those  obtained  with  trees.  Seeds 
of  Lolium  pereune  sterilised  by  carbon  disul- 
phide,  were  plained   in  coil  or  sand  which  had 


cent.  ;  in  eanh  heaud  to  250°,  150°,  95°,  and  Ml  . 
no  germination  has  occurred  yet,  although  22 
days  have  now  elapsed,  while  in  the  case  of 
earth  heated  to  only  60°,  germination  did  not 
occur  until  the  eighteenth  day,  and  the  total  ger- 
mination is  only  30  per  cent.  Dr.  Russell  men- 
tion that  in  his  experiments  he  had  not  noticed 
any  retardation  to  be  produced  by  the  sterilisa- 


August  31,  1007.] 


THE     GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


171 


tion  of  the  soil ;  but  in  his  experiments,  as  well 
as  in  my  own  Apple  trees,  no  steps  were  taken 
to  guard  against  re-inoculation  from  the  air,  and 
such  re-inoculation  would   be  very  easy  in  the 
case  of  seeds  just  below  the  surface  of  the  soil. 
Another  explanation  may  be  that  we  have  not 
used  similar  seeds ;  and  from  some  experiments 
with  mustard,  now  in  progress,  it  is  evident  that 
different   seeds    behave    differently,    though    the 
difference  may  be  due  to  the  imperfect  sterilisa- 
tion of  the  seeds  themselves  in  some  cases.     Dr. 
Russell  has  been  good  enough  to  examine  my 
experiments   whilst   in    progress,    and    I   believe 
that  he  is  satisfied  with  the  results  so  far  as  they 
go  at  present.     There  is  not  sufficient  evidence 
yet   to   show   whether   the   bacterial   action   is   a 
direct  one  on  the  seeds,  or  whether  it  is  an  in- 
direct one,  as  Dr.  Russell  suggested,  modify- 
ing some  chemical  change  produced  in  the  soil 
by   heating.     The   very   low    temperature    (60°| 
which    suffices    to    affect   the    germination    tells 
against  the  view  that  chemical  change  is  one  of 
the  governing  factors,  as  also  does  the  fact  that 
the   results   obtained   with   sand   are   similar   to 
those  obtained  with  earth.     On  the  other  hand, 
it    was   found    that   with    soil   which   had   been 
heated  to  150°,  and  then  re-inoculated,  germina- 
tion was  much  retarded,  and  was  very  feeble, 
this   pointing   to   some   chemical   change   which 
was  not  counteracted  at  once  by  the  re-inocula- 
tion.    The  view  that  plants  in  growing  charge 
the  soil  with  something  which  is  toxic  to  other 
plants  was   put  forward  a  year  or  two  ago  by 
Dr.  Whitney,  but  the  evidence  adduced  for  it 
seems  to  have  been  very  inconclusive  ;  the  de- 
tails of  Mr.  Fletcher's  results  in  this  direction 
will,  therefore,  be  expected  with  considerable  in- 
terest.    We   have,    during  the   last   three  years, 
been   endeavouring   to     ascertain     whether    any 
action  of  this  sort  can  account  for  the  effect  of 
Grass  on  trees,  trees  having  been  grown  in  earth 
or  sand  in  pots  and  watered  with  teachings  from 
earth  or  sand  in  which  Grass  was  growing.     I  he 
results,  however,  have  been  entirely  negative. 

A  Nurseryman  s  Visit  to  Canada.— Mr. 
Joseph  Cheal,  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Messrs. 
J.  Cheal  &  Sons,  nurserymen,  Crawley,  has 
recently  returned  from  a  visit  to  this  important 
colony.  In  the  course  of  his  journey  he  visited 
the  Okanagan  Valley,  where  the  large  fruit  estat  • 
started  by  Lord  Aberdeen  about  14  years  ago  is 
situated.  The  fruit-growing  industry  in  British 
Columbia  bids  fair  to  become  an  important  one. 
The  Okanagan  estate  is  now  managed  by  a  com- 
pany (the  Coldstream  Estates,  Limited),  and 
they  are  fast  developing  their  13,000  acres,  clear- 
ing the  land,  dividing  it  into  farms, 
erecting  buildings,  and  planting  the  ground 
with  fruit  trees.  It  is  a  lovely  valley ; 
the  greatest  drawback  seems  to  be  the 
drought  of  summer,  and  irrigation  is  neces- 
sary to  bring  the  fruit  to  perfection.  A 
great  irrigation  scheme  is  in  preparation  for 
supplying  the  whole  district.  The  older  planta- 
tions of  Apples  at  the  time  of  Mr.  Cheal's  visit 
were  carrying  splendid  crops,  which  were  being 
severely  thinned.  Mr.  Cheal  regards  the  pros- 
pects in  British  Columbia  for  fruit  growing  as 
being  very  favourable.  The  climate  is  greatly 
tempered  by  the  nearness  of  the  Pacific  Ocean 
and  also  the  sheltering  mountains,  but  the  dis- 
trict does  not  experience  anything  like  the 
extremes  of  temperature  that  are  found  further 
inland,  for  Peaches  and  Grapes  grow  even  in 
the  open  air.  The  fruit  industry  is  evidently 
only  in  its  infancy  in  this  colony,  but  there  is 
an  enormous  demand  for  produce  over  the  great 
I  prairies  and  growing  cities  of  the  Central  Pro- 
I  vinces,  where  it  is  practically  impossible  to  grow 
fruit.  Vancouver,  Mr.  Cheal  describes  as  a  city 
of  delightful  situation,  nestling  amongst  hills 
and  forests  round  a  magnificent  harbour  with 
rocky  promontories.     One  of  these,  060  acres  in 


extent,  is  reserved  for  a  public  park,  and  con- 
tains many  noble  specimens  of  the  original 
forest  trees.  The  largest  of  these,  Thuya  Lobbii, 
has  a  hollow  trunk  with  irregular,  warty  sides 
that  measured  57  feet  round,  whilst  another 
beautiful  symmetrical  specimen  measured  42  feet 
in  circumference  at  4  feet  from  the  ground  and 
towered   up   to   probably   _<J0   feet   in  height. 

A  Gardeners-  Union  for  Lower  Austria. 

— The  gardeners  of  Lower  Austria  have 
founded  an  association  and  will  establish  a 
number  of  branches  in  other  places.  At  the 
inaugural  meeting,  which  was  numerously  at- 
tended, many  questions  of  importance  to  nur- 
serymen and  florists  came  up  for  discussion. 
The  conditions  of  the  trade-gardener,  the  press- 
ing necessity  for  the  introduction  of  a  certificate 
of  efficiency  in  this  business  ;  accident  and  sick 
clubs,  railway  charges  as  affecting  the  trade,  and 
other  matters  were  discussed. 

The  Assistant  Directorship  at  Kew.— 
We  have  pleasure  in  reproducing  a  portrait  of 
Mr.  Arthur  William  Hill,  M  A  ,  who  has 
recently  taken  up  the  duties  of  Assistant  Director 
in  the  Royal  Gardens,  Kew  Mr.  Hill  spent  several 
years  as  senior  Demonstrator  in  Botany,  and  has 


MR.    ARTHUR    WILLIAM     HILL,    M.A. 

been  lecturer  in  Botany  at  Cambridge  University 
since  1905.  He  was  elected  Dean  of  King's  College 
last  year.  He  has  written  many  botanical  papers 
in  scientific  journals,  and  in  1903  he  travelled 
in  the  Andes  of  Bolivia  and  Peru.  Since  the 
appointment  of  Sir  Daniel  Morris  as  Director  of 
the  Imperial  Department  of  Agriculture  for  the 
West  Indies,  the  post  of  Assistant  Director  at  Kew 
has  remained  unfilled,  although  it  is  common 
knowledge  that  the  duties  involved  in  the 
Directorship  have  pressed  with  increasing  severity. 
Our  best  wishes  go  to  Mr.  Hill  in  his  new  and 
important  appointment. 

Samuel  Henshaw.— This  widely-known  and 
successful  landscape  gardener  in  the  U.S.A., 
died  on  July  23,  at  the  age  of  63  years,  in 
West   New   Brighton,   Staten  Island,   New  York. 

Publications  Received.  -Orchidee  di  Seme,  by 
Chas.  Sprenger,  being  an  extract  from  the  Bulletin  of 
the  R.  Societa  Toscana  di  Orticultura. — The  Botanical 
Magazine  (Tokyo). — Bulletin  of  the  Imperial  Botanic 
Garden,  St.  Petersburg.  Vol.  VII.,  pt.  I.— Guide  to 
Experiments  conducted  at  Burgoyne's  (University) 
Farm,  Impington,  and  at  other  centres  in  the  Eastern 
Counties  (1006-1307).  Issued  by  the  Cambridge 
University  Agricultural  Department. 


REMARKS    ON   THE    CONDITION 
OF  THE   FRUIT   CROPS. 

(See  Tables  and  Summaries,   ante,  pp.  S4-90.I 

5—  SOUTHERN  COUNTIES. 

(Continued  from  page  146.) 

Surrey. — The  promise  for  good  crops  of  all 
kinds  of  fruits  was  excellent,  but  cold  nights  have 
greatly  thinned  the  fruits.  Our  soil  is  of  a 
light  sandy  nature.  S.  T.  Wright,  Wisley  Gar. 
dens,  Ripley. 

Apples   and    Cherries   are   average  crops 

in  this  district.  Pears  are  not  plentiful,  but 
Plums  are  above  the  average  in  quantity ;  in 
fact,  the  trees  are  breaking  with  the  weight  of 
the  fruits.  Small  fruit  are  about  an  average ; 
-Strawberries  have  been  very  good.  Geo.  Jack- 
man  <5r*  Son,  Woking  Nurseries. 

Of  Apples,   Warner's   King   is  the  only 

variety  that  is  heavily  fruited.  All  varieties  of 
Pears  are  bearing  a  sufficient,  but  not  an  enor- 
mous, crop.  Such  heavy  crops  of  Plums  were 
never  before  seen  in  this  district,  and  the  fruits 
hang  thicker  than-  the  leaves.  Every  tree  re- 
quires at  least  half  its  fruits  thinned.  Straw- 
berries were  spoilt  by  the  12°  of  frost  on  May 
20.     Rev.  W.  Wilks,  Shirley  Vicarage,  Croydon. 

In  spite  of  the  dull,  cold,  windy  weather 

of  spring-time,  the  fruits  crops,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  Apples,  are  very  good  in  this  dis- 
trict. Apples  appear  to  have  suffered  severely 
from  the  unseasonable  weather  and  from  blight ; 
the  trees  in  some  cases  are  presenting  a  half- 
dead  apppearance,  and  although  spraying  was 
carried  out  last  winter,  the  trees  have  never  be- 
fore appeared  so  bad.  W.  H.  Honess,  Cobham 
Park  Gardens. 

Differences   of   soil   seem   to   make   very 

little  distinctions  as  to  the  extent  of  the  fruit 
crops.  Some  kinds  of  fruits  are  good  on  all 
soils  this  season,  whilst  others  are  rather  thin. 
Apples,  whilst  plentiful  on  some  trees,  are  very 
few  on  many  others,  due,  without  doubt,  to  the 
frequent  low  temperatures  and  cold  rains 
at  the  time  the  blossoms  were  expanded. 
The  earlier  blossoms  on  wall  trees,  also 
on  Cherries,  Plums  and  Pears  seem  to  have 
suffered  less — a  fact  of  material  importance 
when  so  much  is  being  expressed  in  favour  of 
later-blooming  fruit  trees  to  escape  spring 
frosts.  Bush  fruits  are  abundant,  and  probably 
t 'ley  were  never  better.  That  Black  Currants 
rave  been  so  plentiful  and  fine  serves  to  show 

itiat  the  ravages  of  the  Currant  mite  are  very  far 
~\x.  ,m  being  universal.     Alex.  Dean,  Kingston-on- 
Thames. 

The  fruit  crops  in  this  locality  are  above 

the  average  in  quantity.  All  kinds  of  Apple 
trees  are  carrying  large  crops.  Pears  are  some- 
what fewer,  but  the  fruits,  being  evenly  distri- 
buted over  the  trees,  promise  to  finish  well. 
Plums  are  much  too  thick,  and  we  have  pulled 
off  quite  half  the  fruits.  Cherries,  both  dessert 
and  Morello,  are  a  heavy  crop.  Peaches  and 
Nectarines  are  an  average  quantity,  and  these 
fruits  promise  to  mature  well.  Apricot  trees 
set  an  enormous  crop,  necessitating  much  thin- 
ning of  the  fruits.  Small  fruits  are  very  abun- 
dant. Strawberries  are  a  light  crop,  and  about 
ten  days  later  than  usual  in  ripening.  The  varieties 
Laxton's  Latest  and  Bedford  Champion  require 
special  mention.  Nuts  are  plentiful.  Walnuts 
are  certainly  later  than  usual.  The  soil  here  is 
a  light,  gravelly  loam,  and  to  keep  the  crops 
growing  satisfactorily  much  rain  is  needed. 
George  Kent,  Norbury  Park  Gardens,  Dorking. 

Sussex. — Apples  are  very  much  under  the 
average  in 'quantity ;  varieties  such  as  Irish 
Peach  and  Claygate  Pearmain,  that  fruit  at  the 
ends  of  the  previous  year's  growths,  have  the 
heaviest  crops.  The  excessive  rainfall  caused 
many  Strawberries  to  decay  before  they  were 
ripe ;  slugs  also  spoilt  many  of  these  fruits. 
Alex.  Reid,  Possingworth  Gardens,  Cross-in-Hand. 

The  fruit  crops  generally  in  this  district 

are  very  good,  with  the  except. on  of  Apples,  which 
are  indifferent.  The  Apple  trees  are  badly 
infested  with  blight,  and  this  caused  many  of 
the  fruits  to  fall.  All  other  fruits  are  plentiful ; 
the  late-fruiting  varieties  of  Strawberries  gave 
very  good  crops.  The  soil  here  is  stony, 
and  rests  on  the  sandstone  formation.  Potatos 
appear  to  be  good :  I  have  observed  a  little 
blight  on  the  early  varieties,  but  others  are 
pxcellent.  W.  Brunsden,  Brambletye  Gardens, 
East    Grinstead. 


172 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[August  31,  1907. 


Considering    the    untoward    season,    the 

fruit  crops  are  satisfactory.  •  Strawberries  suf- 
fered from  the  excessive  wet  and  cold  weather, 
and  many  of  the  first  blooms  were  spoilt  by 
frost.  Raspberries,  Gooseberries,  Currants, 
Plums  and  Pears  are  plentiful  and  of  excellent 
quality.  A  few  trees  of  Bramley's  Seedling, 
Dutch  Mignonne  and  Lord  Suffield  Apples  have 
very  heavy  crops,  but,  generally,  Apples  are 
scarce.  We  still  have  a  few  of  last  season's 
Apples.  Our  soil  is  a  heavy  loam  on  a  stiff  clay. 
W.  J.  Langridge,  Ote  Hall  Gardens,  Burgess 
Hill. 

Apple  trees  are  more  injured  by  fungus 

diseases  and  aphides  than  ever  before  in  my 
experience.  Most  varieties  of  Plum  t.ees  have 
full  crops,  but  many  of  the  fruits  are 
dropping  off.  Gooseberries  are  very  abundant, 
and  red  and  white  Currants  are  above  and  black 
Currants  about  an  average  in  quantity.  Straw- 
berries on  light  soils  were  practically  a  failure. 
Almost  all  vegetation  is  more  or  less  unhealthy, 
as  the  result  of  the  cold  and  wet  season.  The 
foliage  on  Currant  and  Apple  trees  has  withered 
prematurely  to  a  great  extent.  W.  E.  Bear, 
Hailsham. 

All  fruit  trees  here  are  carrying  average 

crops,  whilst  Plum  trees  are  heavily  laden  with 
fruits.  The  earliest  and  best  fruits  of  the  Straw- 
berries were  spoilt  by  frost  on  May  18.  Blight 
early  attacked  Apple  trees  ;  cold  winds  prevailed 
throughout  June,  and  the  south-west  winds 
caused  much  damage  to  all  trees,  especially  tall 
standards.  The  soil  here  is  a  stiff,  heavy  loam 
on  a  sub-soil  of  marl,  clay,  and  sandstone.  A. 
B.   Wadds,  Paddoekhurst  Gardens,   Worth. 

The  fruit  crops  upon  the  whole  are  satis- 
factory. Pears  are  a  fine  crop,  and  the  foliage 
of  these  trees  is  fairly  clean.  But  this  cannot 
be  said  of  Apple  trees.  Some  varieties  of 
Apples  are  laden  with  fruits,  and  many  have 
been  removed.  Apples  will  be  of  bad  quality, 
owing  to  an  attack  of  aphis.  Cherries  generally 
are  plentiful,  but  tender  varieties  are  scarce, 
owing  to  excessively  cold  weather  during  the 
stoning  period.  Bush  fruits,  also  Peaches,  and 
Nectarines  are  all  good  crops.  Raspberries  are 
an  excellent  crop  and  of  high  quality.  Strawber- 
ries have  been  good.  Plums  are  an  average  in 
quality.  Our  soil  is  of  a  heavy  nature,  with 
a  clay  sub-soil.  W .  A.  Cook,  Leonardslee  Gar- 
dens, Horsham. 

These  gardens  are  situated  about  100  feet 

above  the  sea  level  and  in  a  valley,  where  the 
effects  of  late  spring  frosts  are  badly  felt. 
Strawberries  and  other  tender  fruits  suffer  con- 
siderably from  this  cause.  From  May  18  to  20 
the  frost  was  very  severe,  and  affected  both 
Apples  and  Strawberries  considerably.  All  kinds 
of  small  fruits  are  plentiful  and  of  good  quality. 
Raspberries  in  particular.  Nuts  are  an  average 
crop,  and  appear  to  be  swelling  well.  Cherries 
have  suffered  much  through  the  cold  weather  in 
June,  and  many  of  them  failed  to  develop  their 
stones,  and  on  that  account  are  falling  off  badly. 
We  have  not  had  such  a  heavy  crop  of  Plums 
for  several  years,  and  trees  of  many  varieties  are 
overladen.  Apples,  with  the  exception  of  a  few 
early  varieties  such  as  Irish  Peach,  Kcklinville 
Seedling,  The  Queen,  &c,  may  be  considered  a 
failure.  Pears  of  most  kinds  are  an  average 
crop,  and  appear  to  be  swelling  well.  Our  soil 
is  a  cold,  retentive  one,  and  is  not  suited  for  the 
cultivation  of  Pears,  though  in  dry  seasons  they 
succeed  fairly  well.  H.  C.  Prinsep,  Buxied  Park 
Gardens,  Vckficld. 

(To  be  continued.) 


HOME    CORRESPONDENCE. 


LAW    NOTE. 


BANKRUPTCY. 
In  a  comparative  table  issued  by  the  Inspector 
General  in  Bankruptcy  showing  the  total  failures 
under  Bankruptcy  and  Deeds  of  Arrangements 
among  gardeners,  florists  and  nurserymen,  we  find 
that  in  1902  there  were  40  failures  with  liabilities 
amounting  to  £63.273  ;  in  1903  there  were  49 
failures  with  liabilities  amounting  to  £33,003  ;  in 
1901  there  were  49  failures  with  liabilities  amount- 
ing to  £29.104  ;  in  1905  there  were  31  failures 
with  liabilities  amounting  to  £27,065;  in  1906 
there  were  32  failures  with  liabilities  amounting 
to  £62,343. 


(The  Editor  does  not  hold  himself  responsible  for  the 
opinions  expressed  by  his  correspondents.  J 
Astilbe  Davidii. — Mr.  Tallack's  experience 
does  not  correspond  with  mine  in  regard  to  this 
plant.  I  think  he  must  have  a  bad  strain,  such 
as  may  happen  easily  with  a  plant  that  seeds  so 
abundantly  as  this  species.  I  noticed  the  dis- 
agreeable change  of  colour  of  the  fading  flowers 
in  some  plants  at  Kew ;  but  here,  where  the 
atmosphere  is  more  humid  and  the  soil  cooler, 
that  change  for  the  worse  does  not  take  place, 
and  I  consider  the  plant  one  of  the  most  valuable 
of  those  recently  introduced.  It  does  not  re- 
quire swampy  ground,  as  Mr.  Tallack  suggests, 
but  it  grows  vigorously  in  the  ordinary  border, 
if  peat  and  sand  are  added  when  it  is  planted. 
If  Mr.  Tallack  would  like  a  few  seedling  plants, 
I  can  send  him  a  few,  or  seed,  if  he  prefers  it. 
Herbert  Maxwell,  Monreith. 

The    Old    Clove    Carnation.  —  Can    any 

reader  tell  me  whether  there  is  in  commerce  a 
true  pink-flowered  form  or  sport  of  the  old 
crimson  Clove  Carnation?  I  know  there  is  a 
white  one,  although  I  have  forgotten  the  name 
by  which  it  is  known.  I  ask  because  a  railway 
employee  here  in  Kingston  has  quite  a  large 
stock  he  has  worked  from  a  branch  sport  of  a 
fine  pink-flowered  variety,  the  colour  being  a 
true  pink,  but  deeper  than  is  that  of  the  well- 
known  tree  Carnation  Enchantress.  It  is 
strange  that,  after  cultivation  in  gardens  for 
generations,  a  sport  of  this  kind  should  arise 
in  this  man's  garden.  Both  the  old  crimson 
Clove  and  the  pink  one  are  very  robust  and 
in  perfect  health.  The  sport  greatly  resembles 
the  pink  sport  seen  now  somewhat  plentifully 
from  the  old  double  crimson  Paeony,  and  of  this 
there  is,  though  yet  rare,  a  white-flowered  sport 
also.     A.  Dean. 

The  Sowing  of  Cyclamen  Seed.— I  have 
sown  seeds  of  Cyclamen  for  the  past  nine  years 
by  the  first  week  in  August.  I  find  the  best 
method  is  to  use  pans  and  to  dibble  the  seeds 
in  by  the  finger  to  a  depth  of  a  quarter  of  an 
inch,  and  at  a  distance  of  three-quarters  of  an 
inch  between  each  seed.  The  seeds  are  germi- 
nated in  a  temperature  of  from  60°  to  65°,  and 
the  soil  in  the  pans  is  kept  in  a  moistened  con- 
dition. This  is  a  better  plan  than  placing  them 
in  a  cold  frame  to  germinate.  After  the  seed- 
lings appear  they  are  still  allowed  this  high 
temperature.  I  find  the  seedlings  do  nit  require 
to  be  transplanted  when  the  seeds  are  sown  in 
the  manner  I  have  (fescribed.  The  first  potting 
should  be  done  in  February,  and  small  pots 
should  be  used.  The  next  shift  should  be  given 
when  the  tiny  pots  are  filled  with  roots,  which 
should  be  about  the  middle  of  May,  and  they 
should  still  be  kept  actively  growing  in  a  warm 
atmosphere.  As  the  season  advances  and  the 
weather  becomes  more  genial,  the  plants  should 
be  placed  in  a  frame  containing  water  pipes,  so 
that  a  little  warmth  may  be  afforded  should 
the  weather  turn  cold.  The  final  potting 
should  be  done  in  July  or  not  later  than  early 
in  August,  but  I  prefer  the  July  potting. 
Pots  having  a  diameter  of  6  inches  will  be  of 
an  ample  size  for  their  flowering.  By  this 
system  of  culture  the  plants  will  flower  from 
the  end  of  September  until  after  Christmas. 
Some  persons  keep  their  plants  of  Cyclamen 
somewhat  dry  at  the  roots,  but  this  is  a  mistake, 
for  their  large  fleshy  corms  require  plenty  of 
moisture  during  their  season  of  growth.  A  suit- 
able soil  for  Cyclamen  consists  of  good  fibrous 
loam,  some  leaf-mould,  lime  rubble,  dry  sheep 
manure  rubbed  through  a  half-inch  sieve,  and 
a  sprinkling  of  bone-meal.  Do  not  have  too 
rich  a  compost,  as  this  will  favour  too  much 
leaf  growth.  The  secret  to  success  in  the  cul- 
ture of  seedling  Cyclamen  is  to  grow  them 
without  a  check  from  the  start  to  the  finish. 
W.  Fulford,  Castle  Eden  Gardens,  Co.  Durham, 

Notospartium  C ARM ICH AE Ll/E. — This  fine 
shrub  is  hardy  in  several  parts  of  Scotland,  and  it 
soon  assumes  a  large  size.  The  finest  specimen  I 
have  seen  in  Scotland  is  in  the  garden  of  Mr. 
W.  D.  Robinson-Douglas,  Orchardton,  Kirkcud- 
brightshire. This  is  growing  in  the  rock-garden, 
where  it  has  been  for  a  number  of  years,  without 
suffering  much  from  the  severe  winters  experienced 
since  it  was  planted.  It  flowers  freely,  and  is  a 
beautiful  shrub  when  in  bloom,  as  is  shown  by 
your  excellent  illustration  on  page  146.  S.  Arnott, 
I  him  flics. 


Defoliating  Tomato  Plants.— This  is  not 

so  generally  practised  as  it  was  a  few  years  ago 
and  those  persons  who  still  continue  to  remove 
the  foliage  in  a  ruthless  manner  cannot  under- 
stand much  about  the  functions  of  the  leaf. 
The  practice  has  probably  resulted  from  a 
common  error  in  obtaining  too  gross  a  growth 
in  the  plants,  the  result  of  either  a  free  use  of 
organic  manures  or  an  excess  of  moisture  at  the 
roots  of  the  plants.  Over-crowding  at  planting 
time  has  also  necessitated  the  removal  of  many 
of  the  leaves  subsequently  in  order  to  admit  the 
necessary  light  and  air.  I  have  seen  Tomato 
plants  4  feet  or  5  feet  in  height  stripped  of 
two-thirds  of  their  leaves  at  a  single  trimming. 
The  removal  of  the  leaves  in  this  manner  causes 
a  severe  check  to  the  plant,  and  the  harm  can  be 
seen  at  a  glance  by  cutting  open  a  few  of  the 
fruits,  which  are  found  to  be  poor  in  colour, 
hollow,  and  light  in  weight.  Every  cottager 
knows  the  ill-effects  of  frosts  upon  the  Putato, 
and  that  when  the  foliage  is  badly  injured  the 
crop  suffers  accordingly.  A  frequent  excuse  for 
defoliating  the  Tomato  is  that  it  "  assists  the 
fruits  to  colojr  more  quickly."  A\hen  the 
plants  are  well  cultivated,  the  proper  develop- 
ment of  the  fruits  follows  as  a  matter  of  course, 
and  in  such  circumstances  the  removal  of  a  leaf- 
lobe  in  places  does  no  appreciable  harm.  The 
greater  mischief  is  done  when  the  plant  is 
divested  of  much  of  its  leafage  while  the  fruits 
are  in  an  early  state  of  development.  E.  H. 
Jenkins,    Hampton    Hill. 

New  Attractions  at  Shrewsbury  Show. 

— Your  suggestion  as  to  the  desirability  of  pio- 
viding  some  fresh  feature  at  this  great 
show  should  command  consideration.  The  in- 
troduction of  a  champion  prize  for  collections 
of  vegetables  this  year  had  a  wonderful  effect 
in  stimulating  public  curiosity,  as  also  great  in- 
terest amongst  professional  gardeners.  Through- 
out the  first  day  no  tent  was  so  densely  thronged 
as  was  the  vegetable  tent,  everybody  being 
anxious  to  see  the  winning  exhibit.  It  is  easy 
to  understand  how  difficult  it  is  to  provide  many 
absolute  novelties  in  competitive  classes.  The 
grand  decorative  groups  staged  seem  to  have 
reached  perfection  in  displaying  the  exhibitor's 
decorative  art,  as  well  as  that  of  the  plant  cul- 
tivator. Yet  even  these  have  now  reached  a 
stage  of  comparative  yearly  reproduction  in  style 
and  in  beauty,  and  a  new  and  novel  method 
would  be  welcomed.  I  am  not  sure  whether  a 
class  for  groups  of  certain  dimensions  of  liter- 
ally any  description  of  plants,  the  primary  con- 
sideration being  entire  novelty  in  arrangement 
associated  with  beauty,  would  not  prove  to  be  a 
powerful  attraction,  could  competitors  onlv  be 
induced  boldly  to  break  away  from  what  is  get- 
ting to  be  stereotyped  styles  and  plants.  The 
distinctly  beautiful,  as  well  as  novel,  arrange- 
ment set  up  by  Mr.  Amos  Perry  indicates  some- 
thing of  the  direction  in  which  competitors 
might  go.  You  mention  a  desire  to  see  some 
change  in  the  dessert  tables.  With  respect 
to  the  fruit,  there  is  naturally  some  variation 
in  the  arrangements  and  kinds  each  year  on  each 
table,  but  a  change  is  needed  in  the  flower  de- 
corations, and  those  in  most  cases  seemed  to  be 
too  dominating,  too  heavy,  though  built  up  of 
light  flowers.  There  is  more  desire  to  decorata 
a  table  than  to  allow  for  conversation  between 
the  guests  sitting  at  the  table.  Possibly,  limit- 
ing the  heights  of  the  flowers  to  12  inches — the 
judges  being  requested  to  make  awards  to  them 
for  lightness  and  beauty  obtained  from  the 
simplest  material  and  the  smallest  quantity — 
would  put  competitors  on  their  mettle  to  pro- 
duce something  that  would  have  the  charm 
of  novelty.  Should  a  new  challenge  vase  be 
provided  for  a  champion  Grape  class,  the  vase 
should  be  made  rather  more  difficult  to  win  than 
it  has  been  hitherto,  and  to  that  end  I  would 
suggest  that  no  award  be  made  of  the  vase  ex- 
cept at  least  six  of  the  bunches  shown 
secure  maximum  points.  That  would  pre- 
vent so  great  a  prize  ever  going  to  an  inferior 
collection.  Mr.  Shingler  has  done  wonders  to 
maintain  a  high  standard  of  excellence,  but  even 
he  secured  but  three  maximums,  and  Mr.  Mit- 
chell, who  came  second,  had  but  two  maxi- 
mums. In  his  table  of  points,  the  maximum  of 
points  capable  of  being  obtained  by  Gros  Maroc 
is  put  as  11  instead  of  nine.  Only  perfect  ex- 
amples should  be  regarded  as  worthy  of  such  a 
splendid  vase,  but  the  cash  prizes  should  be 
awarded  in  any  case.     D. 


< 


August  31,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


The    Hortus    Duroverni. — I   have  had    a 
copy   of   a   Hortus  in   my   possession   for   some 
years    past.       It    bears   the    name  given    above, 
and  the  title-page  states   that  it  is   "  a  tabular 
and   descriptive   catalogue   of   perennial    flower- 
rcots,   hardy  trees  and   shrubs,   greenhouse   and 
hothouse  plants,  fruit  trees,  kitchen-garden  and 
flower   seeds,    &c,    cultivated   and   sold   by    W. 
Masters,    Nursery    and    Seedsman,     St.     Peter's 
Street,  Canterbury."     The  copy  in  my  collection 
is  the  third  edition,  published  in  1831  by  Long- 
man,  Rees,   Orme,  Brown  and  Green,   London, 
and  comprises  130  pages  of  small  type,  bound  in 
marbled   covers   of   the   size   4.1    inches   wide   by 
6;   inches  long.     The  author  was  the  father  or 
the    late   Dr.    Masters,    a   Fellow    of    the    Horti- 
cultural Society  and  Curator  of  the  Canterbury 
Museum,    which    latter   institution    he    was   the 
means    of     founding,    and     in     the     preface    he 
"congratulates  those  friends  who,  fully  entering 
into  his  wishes,  promptly  assisted  in  the  under- 
taking,  on    the  success  that  has   attended   their 
efforts  ;  for  already  in  nearly  every  department  of 
natural  history  are  there  specimens  to  guide  and 
illustrate  the  researches  of  the  naturalist."    To  aid 
in  completing  this  museum,  Mr.  Masters  formed 
an   herbarium   of   specimens   from   his   nursery, 
which  were  duly  arranged  in  their  natural  orders 
and  named  for  reference.     It  s;ems  scarcely  pos- 
sible   that    three-quarters     of    a    century    have 
elapsed  since  the  publication  of  this  work  when 
we  read  the  introduction,  which  might  well  have 
been   written   for  a   modern   book.     The   author 
remarks:   "The  study  of  natural  history  has,  of 
late    years,    assumed    a    rank    and    importance 
which,   from   its   scope   and   tendency,    it   ought 
ever  to  have  held  ;   for  can  we  conceive  an  edu- 
cation more  eminently  defective   than  that  which 
does  not  include  a  knowledge  of  those  objects 
in  the  animal  and  vegetable  world  by  which  we 
are  surrounded,  and  of  which  we  are  essentially 
a  part  in  the  great  chain  of  animated  beings?" 
It   is   quite   refreshing   to   read    such   thoughtful 
words  in  a  catalogue  of  plants,   for  there  is  an 
unfortunate  tendency  to  lose  sight  of  the  princi- 
ples which  should  underlie  the  truest  pleasures 
of  horticulture.     The  Hortus  Duroverni  contains 
a   most   remarkable   list   of   plants,    and   as   the 
considerable   area   of  30   acres   was   devoted  to 
them,  it  can  be  imagined    what    an    interesting 
collection  had  been  formed.     The  total  number 
of   genera   enumerated   is  736,   and   the   number 
of  species  and  varieties  must  exceed  10,000.     In 
the   first   division,   viz.,   that   devoted   to   hardy 
perennials   andibulbs,   299  genera   are  included, 
and   some   of   these   comprise   surprising   collec- 
tions  of  varieties,   for   instance,   of  Ranunculus 
asiaticus,    which   was   at   that   time   one   of   the 
popular   flowers  ;    no   fewer  than   226  forms   are 
named   and   the   colours   stated.     But   the   most 
astonishing  of  all  are  the  Tulips,  of  which  the 
collection  was  a  particularly  rich  one,  compris- 
ing 219  Bizarres,  188  Roses,'  254  Byblcemens,  25 
doubles,   and   40  early   varieties,    or   a   total   of 
726.     Dahlias   came   next    in   point   of  numbers 
with  159,  which  are  grouped  under  singles  (20), 
doubles  (114),  Irish  Globe  and  Anemone  flowered 
(25).      Of   double   Anemone   coronaria   no   fewer 
than   100   varieties   are    named,   a   large   propor- 
tion being  of  French   origin,  judging  from  the 
names.   Under  Dianthus,  besides  several  species, 
50  varieties  of  garden  Pinks  are  given,  67  varie- 
ties of  Carnations,  and  19  of  Picotees.    Amongst 
the  former  is  one   bearing   the  enticing  title  of 
"Strawberries     and     Cream."       Hyacinths     are 
classed  as  double  rose  or  pink,   double  yellow, 
double  blue,  double  white,  and  singles,  the  total 
being  78  varieties.     Of  Chrysanthemum  sinense 
36  varieties  are  named,  which  included  most  of 
the  best  of  those  then  known.     At  the  present 
time  many  nurserymen  would  be  well  satisfied 
if    they   could    confine    their   collections    to    the 
number  stated  above.     Hardy  trees  and  shrubs 
representing  173  genera  formed  another  section 
of   the    Hortus,    and    the    collection    appears   to 
have    been    a   fine   one    for    that    period,    being 
especially    rich    in    deciduous    trees.     Elms    re- 
ceived    a    good    deal    of     attention    from     Mr. 
Masters,   and  he   raised   several   seedlings   from 
Ulmus   campestris,  which   were   fully   described 
by  Loudon.     One  of  these,  TJ.  campestris,  var. 
viminalis,  is  represented  in  many  gardens  at  the 
present   time  by   fine   specimens.     Of   Crataegus 
24  species  and  varieties  were  included;   of  Ilex, 
22;     l'vrus,    18;     Quercus,    18;     Rhododendron' 
28;    Azalea,   56;    Fraxinus,    18;    and   Salix,   41. 
Roses  are  placed  in  this  list,  15  species  and  284 
varieties  being  named.     It  is  interesting  to  note 


that  of  Pinus  only  seven  forms  are  listed,  and 
of  Abies  five.  Greenhouse  and  hothouse  plants 
comprise  386  genera,  but  only  in  a  few  instances 
are  the  numbers  of  species  and  varieties  large. 
Thus,  of  Camellia  55  forms  are  named,  mostly 
varieties  of  C.  japonica  ;  of  Erica  88  species  and 
varieties  are  given  ;  of  Mesembryanthemum  35  ; 
and  in  all  these  cases  it  would  be.  difficult  to 
find  a  British  nursery  at  the  present  time  with 
anything  like  these  numbers.  Twenty-five 
species  of  Pelargoniums  are  mentioned,  while 
the  varieties  reach  a  total  of  175.  Amongst 
Orchids  only  two  species  are  named,  viz.,  Bletia 
Tankervilleae  and  Cymbidium  ensifolium,  while 
the  Palms  are  restricted  to  three — Chamaerops 
humilis,  Phcenix  dactylifera,  and  Rhapis  flabelli- 
formis.  Hardy  fruits  received  a  good  deal  of 
attention  at  Canterbury,  and  the  collection  was 
a  thoroughly  representative  one.  Apples,  for 
instance,  comprised  200  varieties,  Pears  128, 
Gooseberries  62,  Plums  42,  Cherries  28,  Peaches 
26,  Nectarines  19,  Strawberries  26,  Apricots  11, 
and  Grapes  38.  Under  the  list  of  Plums  is  a 
note  to  this  effect:  "We  observe  in  most  gar- 
dens the  Orleans,  on  account  of  the  abundance 
of  its  produce,  superseding  much  finer  and  more 
desirable  kinds,  such  as  Coe's  Golden  Drop, 
Guimaraen,  La  Delicieuse,  &c."  The  second 
of  these  I  have  failed  to  identify,  the  last  is 
known  as  Cooper's  Large,  and  the  French  name 
has  been  corrupted  in  some  districts  to  "Lady 
Lucy."  Guimaraen  is  described  as  yell 
green,  long,  of  medium  size,  of  rich,  sugary 
flavour,  and  ripe  m  August  and  September.  Is 
it  known  in  any  of  the   Kentish   ■.■       i  or  nur- 

series now?  It  should  be  added  that  the.  whole 
of  the  botanical  names  of  plants  are  accented, 
the  translation  of  the  name  is  given  in  most 
cases,  together  with  the  native  country,  natural 
order,  colour  of  the  flowers,  height,  and  time 
of  flowering,  while-  in  the  fruits  the  shape, 
colour,    quality,    and    season   are   indicated.     It 

makes  one  wish  that  modern  catalogues  Id 

be  issued  in  a  similar  form.  R.  Lewis  Castle. 
[This  little  book  is  rarely  met  with  now;  the 
copy  I  pun  hased  in  the  old  Holywell 
Strand,  about  1890,  was  the  only"  one  I 
saw  on  sale,  though  I  was  then  familiar  with  it, 
as  the  work  was  included  in  Dr.  Robert  Hogg's 
library  at  the  Journal  of  Horticulture  Office. 
When  I  sent  the  MS.  (now  printed)  to  the  late 
Dr.  M.  T.  Masters,  he  acknowledged  it  in 
these  words:  "Many  thanks,  I  was  born  m  that 
Hortus."  The  last  ,  ommunication  I  had  from 
him  referred  to  these  notes,  and  requested  he 
might  be  allowed  to  retain  the  MS.  "a  little 
longer."     R.  L.   C] 

Verbena    Montana.— This  plant   is  a  hardy 

floriferous  species,  with  pale  pink  bloom's 
from  the  Rocky  Mountains,  and  it  was  brought 
to  this  country  in  1873.  This  journal,  in  noting 
the  introduction  of  this  species,  stated  (187S, 
p.  575),  "  Crosses  made  between  this  new 
species  and  V.  venosa  would  in  all  probal 
produce  an  interesting  progeny,  and  if  it  were 
also  used  by  raisers  of  seedling  Verbenas,  for  the 
purpose  of  restoring  something  of  the  lost  con- 
stitution which  has  resulted  from  inter-breeding, 
the  Verbenas  might  eventually  become  more 
popular,  or  at  least  better  fitted  for  outdoor 
purposes  in  our  gardens."  The  Verbena  has,  in 
fact,  become  more  popular  as  an  outdoor  and 
pot  plant  since  that  date,  but  I  am  not  aware 
of  any  recent  raiser  who  has  followed  the  advice 
then  given.  The  Verbenas  of  the  present  day 
are  even  more  beautiful,  and  quite  as  floriferous 
as  any  that  existed  in  the  50's  and  60's.  I 
would  ask  what  has  become  of  Verbena  tenera 
var.  Mahoneti,  a  very  dwarf  plant,  with  pretty 
striped  flowers.  If  it  exists,  it  might  be  used 
with  some  taller-growing  modern  varieties  for 
the  production  of  fancy-coloured  plants  for  bas- 
ket work  and  filling  small  beds,  similarlv  to  the 
brilliant  scarlet-flowered  V.  melindres,  which,  it 
is  to  be  feared,  is  lost  to  gardens.    F.  M. 

Rondeletia  strigosa.— A  specimen  of  this 
uncommon  species  of  Rondeletia,  growing  in  a 
suspended  basket  in  the  intermediate  portion  of 
the  "T"  range  at  Kew,  well  shows  its  suit- 
ability for  this  mode  of  treatment.  It  forms  a 
freely-branched  little  bush,  whose  slender  arch- 
ing shoots  are  clothed  with  neat  foliage  of  a 
deep  shining  green,  while  the  flowers,  which 
very  much  suggest  those  of  a  Bouvardia,  are 
bright  crimson  with  a  vellow  centre,  and  about 
one-third  of  an  inch  in  diameter  across  the 
expanded    mouth.     They    are    borne    in     neat, 


rounded,  terminal  clusters.  R.  strigosa  cannot 
be  obtained  from  the  nurseries,  but  when  intro- 
duced from  Guatemala  under  the  name  of  Bou- 
vardia Roezli  it  was  grown  in  Messrs.  Hender- 
son's nursery  at  St.  John's  Wood,  and  one 
hybrid  at  least  between  this  species  and  a  gar- 
den form  of  Bouvardia  was  put  into  commerce. 
The  name  of  this  particular  varietv  was 
"  Unique,"  the  flowers  being  violet-carmine 
with  a  white  tube.  I  have  not  seen  it  for  some 
years,  and  in  all  probability  it  has  now  dropped 
out  of  cultivation.  As  such  a  cross  has  been 
effected,  this  species  suggests  various  possibili- 
ties to  the  hybridist.     W. 

Flowering  Wall-Plants  for  Norway.— 

A  lady  who  has  a  house  in  Norway  on  a  small 
fjord  running  out  of  the  Sogne  Fjord,  would 
like  to  plant  some  flowering  creepers  on  the 
sunny  side  of  her  house,  facing  to  the  south. 
On  that  side  of  the  house  facing  to  the  fjord, 
whii  li  has  a  N.E.  aspect,  she  has  Hops  and  Vir- 
ginian Creepers  Annuals  are  not  satisfactory 
there,  as  the  snow  lies  so  late,  and  the  summer 
is  too  short  for  them  to  make  growth  and  flower. 
Her  Sweet  Peas  this  year,  on  August  15,  were 
not  one  foot  above  the  ground.  The  Norwegian 
spring  and  summer  are  very  brief,  but  for  a 
short  period  the  sun's  rays  are  very  powerful, 
and  the  duration  of  sunlight  longer  than  ours 
in  England.  Our  common  wild  flowers  grow 
plentifully  in  that  district,  and  both  Harebells 
(Campanula)  and  wild  "  dog  "  Roses  are  much 
deeper  in  colour  and  larger  in  size  than  any  1 
have  seen  in  England.  Hemp  Nettle  (Cannabis), 
Varrow  (Achillea),  Asphodel  (Asphodelus),  St. 
John's  Wort  (Hypericum),  Meadowsweet 
[Spiraea),  Grass  of  Parnassus  (Parnassia), 
ups  (Ranunculus),  Sundew  (Droserat,  But- 
terwort  (Pinguicula),  all  flourish,  and  this  year 
we  found  Linnea  borealis.  Two  glaciers  come 
down  into  two  valleys  at  the  head  of  the  fjord 
some  six  miles  inland,  but  the  aspect  intended 
for  the  creepers  is  away  fom  the  glacier  breezes 
L.  J.   F. 

Question  Night.— I  was  much  interested  in 
the  note  in  last  week's  issue,  p.  152,  by  A.  D., 
upon  the  above  subject,  wherein  it  is  proposed  to 
set  apart  one  night  during  the  winter  session  as 
"Question  Night,"  at  the  Kingston  Gardeners' 
Mutual  Improvement  Society's  meetings.  The 
Birmingham  and  Midland  Counties  Gardeners' 
Mutual  Improvement  Society  introduced  such  an 
evening  three  years  ago,  and  one  member  pre- 
sented the  society  with  a  polished  mahogany 
question  box— having  a  fair-sized  slit  in  the  top. 
This  box  is  placed  in  a  convenient  position  every 
evening,  to  enable  members  to  put  a  written 
question  in  at  any  time.  On  the  night  set  apart 
for  the  purpose,  the  box  is  unlocked  by  the  chair- 
man, who  reads  each  slip  out  separately  and 
invites  any  member  to  reply— it  generally  falls  to 
one  of  the  officers  to  start  the  ball  rolling,  when 
discussion  soon  follows  from  various  members. 
Each  question  is  dealt  with  separately  and  an 
excellent  evening  is  the  result.  II-'.  Spinhs,  The 
Nurseries,  Solihull. 

The  Poisonous  Properties  of  Primula 
obcon  ica. — It  might  interest  some  readers  to  know 
that  during  the  present  season  we  have  had  very 
unpleasant  experiences  of  the  effects  of  the 
leaves  of  Primula  obconica  upon  the  skin  of 
those  persons  who  have  had  reason  to  handle 
them.  Early  in  spring  my  foreman  suffered 
greatly  for  many  days,  and  was  unable  to  sleep 
through  the  irritating  effects  caused  by  handling 
several  plants  at  the  potting  bench  ;  in  his  case 
the  arms  between  the  wrist  and  elbow  were 
badly  swollen,  and  of  a  crimson  colour.  Some 
nine  or  ten  days  ago,  and  following  the  clearing 
of  some  30  to  40  plants  from  the  conservatory, 
one  of  my  journeymen  came  to  me  in  a  terrible 
state,  his  hands  and  wrists,  and  the  greater  part 
of  his  face  had  broken  out  in  sores  (each  sore 
appeared  as  if  a  water  cell),  and  he  had  suf- 
fered extreme  nasal  catarrh  for  24  hours.  I  at 
once  sent  him  to  a  doctor,  who  pronounced 
him  badly  poisoned,  and  now,  a  week  later,  he 
is  still  incapacitated.  Our  stock  of  this  Primula 
has  '";n  consigned  to  the  fire  heap.  Geo.  Bur- 
row., Skendish  Gardens,  Heme  I  Hempstead. 


TRADE     NOTICE. 


Mr.  J.  H.  Taylor   will   manage  the  Nurseries,   Bexley 
Heath,  Kent,  for  Mr.  G.  S.   Evans,  as  formerly  for  Mr.  A. 

F.    DUTTON. 


174 


THE    GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


[August  31,  1907. 


SOCIETIES. 


ROYAL   HORTICULTURAL. 

Scientific  Committee. 

August  20. — Present:  E.  A.  Bowles,  M.A., 
F.L.S.,  F.Z.S.  (in  the  chair)  ;  Dr.  M.  C.  Cooke; 
Messrs.  J.  T.  Bennett-Poe,  H.  T.  Giissow,  E. 
M.  Holmes,  G.  Gordon,  and  F.  J.  Chittenden 
(hon.  sec). 

Tomato  disease  caused  by  Septoria  lycopersici. 
— Mr.  Gussow  showed  specimens  of  Tomato 
leave6  from  Gloucestershire  having  brown  spots. 
These  quickly  cover  the  whole  leaf,  which  dies 
in  the  course  of  a  very  few  days  after  the  in- 
fection commences.  The  disease  does  not  seem 
to  have  been  recorded  in  this  country  hitherto, 
although  it  was  found  in  Argentine  as  long  ago 
as  1881.  There  seems  no  remedy  after  the  plants 
are  once  attacked,  since  the  progress  of  the 
trouble  is  so  rapid,  but  plants  attacked  should 
be  burned  immediately. 

Neobenthamia  gracilis,  Rolfe  (see  fig.  72). — A 
spike  of  this  very  pretty  Orchid  from  Zanzibar 
was  shown  by  Mr.  Bennett-Poe.  It  was 
awarded  a  botanical  certificate  in  1900,  and 
is  described  by  Mr.  Rolfe  in  Gardeners' 
Chronicle,  1891  (ii.ns.),  p.  272,  and  figured  in 
Bot.  Mag.  (1900),  t.  7221. 


no  doubt  of  its  being  Berkeley's  species ;  it 
agrees  so  well  with  the  description  and  the 
figure.  The  spores  are  so  profuse  that  it  would 
be  dangerous  as  a  pest  were  it  to  obtain  a  foot- 
hold." 

Plum  Anthracnose. — Dr.  Cooke  also  said : 
"  Some  Plums  have  recently  been  submitted  to 
me  which  were  evidently  suffering  from  the  at- 
tacks of  a  new  pest.  The  surface  of  the  nearly- 
ripe  fruit  exhibited  one  or  two  concave  depres- 
sions, about  a  quarter  of  an  inch  in  diameter, 
and  of  a  pale  tan  colour,  contrasting  strongly 
with  the  deep  purple  of  the  fruit.  These  depres- 
sions were  lined  with  the  minute  receptacles  of 
a  species  of  Anthracnose,  as  the  Americans  term 
this  form  of  disease,  ^produced  by  species  of  the 
genus  Glceosporium.  In  this  instance  the  spores 
were  abundant  in  the  depressions,  hyaline,  but 
comparatively  very  small  for  the  genus,  not 
more  than  10  to  12mm.  long,  and  about  one- 
fourth  as  broad.  Hitherto  I  have  found  no 
described  species  to  correspond  with  the  pre- 
sent, so  that  for  the  purpose  of  identification  I 
have  called  it  Glceosporium  prunorum."  (See 
Gardeners'  Chronicle,  August  24,  1907,  p.  160.) 
Dr.  Cooke  showed  sketches  and  specimens  of 
this  disease. 

Ceropegia  hybrida. — Mr.  E.  A.  Bowles  showed 
a  flowering  specimen  of  this  hybrid,  which  was 
described  and  figured  in  the  Gardeners'  Chronicle 


FlG.    72. — NEOBENTHAMIA   GRACILIS,    SHOWING    HABIT   AND    FLORAL    DETAILS. 


Aphides  on  Palm  roots. — Mr.  Gordon  showed 
portions  of  the  root  of  Kentia  Forsteriana  upon 
which  were  large  numbers  of  a  species  of  woolly 
aphis.  The  plant  from  which  the  specimen  had 
been  taken  did  not  appear  to  have  suffered  to 
any  extent  from  the  attacks  of  the  insects.  They 
were  referred  to  Mr.  Saunders  for  further  ex- 
amination. 

Reappearance  of  a  Peach  pest. — Dr.  M.  C. 
Cooke  showed  figures  of  a  pest  of  Peaches, 
which  "  the  late  Rev.  M.  J.  Berkeley  recorded 
and  figured  in  Gardeners'  Chronicle  for  1864,  p. 
'938.  This  mould  Berkeley  discovered  on  ripe 
Peaches  in  Wales,  where  he  found  it  to  be  a 
pest  producing  a  great  profusion  of  large  spores. 
He  named  the  fungus  Macrosporium  rhabdi- 
ferum,  but,  as  the  spores  were  not  muriform,  it 
could  not  be  macrosporium.  In  the  Handbook, 
I  called  it  Helminthosporium  rhabdiferum,  but 
now  that  I  have  seen  it  I  find  it  is  not  Helmin- 
thosporium. In  the  interim  it  appears  not  to 
have  been  met  with  anywhere,  until  last  week  it 
turned  up  on  Peaches  again — after  everyone  had 
given  it  up  as  a  mystery,  and  it  was  excluded 
:from  all  consideration  as  a  pest.     There  can  be 


for  December,  1906,  p.  383.  It  was  raised  from 
seed  of  C.  Sandersonii,  which  species  had  been 
crossed  with  pollen  of  C.  similis.  Mr.  Bowles 
also  showed  a  flower  of  C.  Sandersonii  for  com- 
parison. 

Fruit  of  Pyrus  Malus  floribunda. — Dr. 
Bonavia  sent  some  large  fruits  of  this  Japanese 
variety  of  Apple,  which  he  had  not  before  seen 
producing  seed.  Several  members  of  the  com- 
mittee remarked  on  the  large  size  of  the  fruit 
produced  by  this  variety  this  year. 

Variation  in  Beech  foliage. — Mr.  A.  Hosking 
sent  specimens  of  the  foliage  of  the  fern-leaved 
Beech  (Fagus  sylvatica  asplenifolia),  and 
branches  from  near  the  top  of  the  same  tree 
bearing  leaves  intermediate  between  the  fern- 
leaved  type  and  the  normal  type,  which  he  sent 
for  comparison.  The  specimens  were  from  the 
garden  of  W.  Fitzherbert-Brockholes,  Esq., 
of  Claughton  Hall.  Preston.  Mr.  Hosking  had 
since  noticed  the  same  variation  on  a  Beech  in 
Avenham  Park,  Preston.  The  branches  bearing 
the  intermediate  frliage  were  intermixed  with  the 
ordinary  branches,  and  did  not  arise  from  the 
base   of  the  tree.     Mr.   Hosking  suggested   that 


this  was  another  case  of  graft  hybridisation 
somewhat  similar  to  that  seen  in  Cytisus  Adami 
and  in  Crataego-mespilus. 

Effect  of  lightning  on  Elm. — Mr.  C.  H. 
Hooper  sent  specimens  illustrating  the  effect  of 
lightning  on  an  Elm  tree  which  had  been  struck 
during  a  storm  on  August  17.  "  The  tree, 
which  is  about  100  yards  from  a  tall  church 
tower,  was  struck  about  40  feet  from  the  ground, 
and  shows  no  damage  till  within  6  feet  of  the 
ground,  where  on  one  side  the  bark  with  the 
wood  has  been  gouged  out,  and  on  the  other  side 
the  bark  only  has  been  cut  and  stripped  as  if 
with  a  knife."  The  extent  of  the  damage  caused 
to  trees  in  this  manner  seems  to  depend  on  the 
amount  of  water  in  the  wood. 

Effect  of  light  dn  direction  of  growth. — Mr. 
Sutton,  through  Mr.  Bennett-Poe,  called  at- 
tention to  a  letter  from  Mr.  J.  B.  Wallis 
in  the  Times,  who  described  a  curious 
growth  in  an  Elder  in  a  thicket  near  Wirks- 
worth,  Derbyshire.  He  writes  :  "  So  great  was 
the  tangle  of  brushwood  that  the  branches  of 
this  tree  had  been  forced  to  bend  over  and 
grow  towards  the  ground,  after  the  manner  of 
the  Weeping  Willow.  To  grow  normally  the 
leaves  would  have  appeared  with  their  under 
sides  uppermost,  but,  to  prevent  this,  the  stalk 
had  grown  spirally,  making  a  complete  revolu- 
tion of  the  axis,  and  thus  bringing  the  leaf  right 
way  up,  the  whole  presenting  a  peculiar  ap- 
pearance. Such  is  the  power  of  sunlight  and 
the  faculty  of  adaptation  to  environment." 

Twin  Apples. — Mr.  G.  F.  Hooper,  of  Croft 
Fruit  Farm,  Pershore,  sent  an  excellent  speci- 
men of  this  not  very  uncommon  phenomenon. 
In  the  present  instance  the  two  fruits  were  on 
quite  distinct  stalks,  and  the  fruits  had  become 
coherent  in  the  upper  parts. 


ROYAL   HORTICULTURAL   OF     - 
ABERDEEN. 

August  22,  23,  &  24.— This  society  held  its 
annual  show  on  the  above  dates  in  the  Duthie 
Public  Park,  Aberdeen.  The  weather  on  the 
opening  and  second  days  was  unfavourable,  but 
on  Saturday  the  weather  was  fine,  and  many 
persons  attended. 

There  were  upwards  of  1,600  entries. 

Pot  Plants. 

In  the  class  for  a  display  of  stove  or  green- 
house plants,  arranged  for  effect,  in  spaces 
measuring  8  feet  by  6  feet,  Mr.  Grigor,  Fair- 
field Gardens,  won  the  1st  prize.  Mr.  Grigor 
had  also  the  best  Ferns,  his  specimens  of 
Nephrolepis  Whitmanii  and  Adiantum  Far- 
leyense  were  exceptionally  well  grown. 

Mr.  Gillespie,  Northfield  Place,  Aberdeen, 
showed  the  best  Fuchsias.  In  a  class  for  six 
plants  suitable  for  the  decoration  of  a  dining 
table,  and  in  pots  not  exceeding  6  inches  in 
diameter,  the  exhibits  shown  by  Mr.  John  Petrie, 
Gardener  to  Sir  Thomas  Burnett,  Bart.,  of 
Leys,  Crathes  Castle,  well  deserved  the  1st  and 
2nd  prizes  awarded  to  them.  Mr.  Mackie, 
Morken,  carried  off  the  premier  prize  for 
Begonias  with  exceedingly  fine  plants. 

Orchids  were  not  numerously  shown,  but 
those  exhibited  by  Mr.  A.  Duncan,  Rubislaw 
Den  House  Gardens,  Aberdeen,  were  of  excel- 
lent quality,  and  deserved  the  1st  prize  awarded 
them.  Mr.  A.  Douglas,  gardener  to  Thomas 
Ogilvie,  Esq.,  Kepplestone,  Aberdeen,  had 
finely-grown  Dracaenas  and  Crotons,  which 
gained  for  him  the  1st  prize.  Gloxinias  made 
an  exceedingly  fine  show,  the  specimens  shown 
by  Mr.  Alexander  Duncan,  Rubislaw  Den 
House,  were  the  best.  Petunias  were  few  in 
entries,  but  were  decidedly  good  in  quality.  Mr. 
J.  W.  Brechin,  Gardener,  Ardoe,  Belhelvie, 
Aberdeenshire,  had  the  best  of  these  plants. 

Cut  Flowers. 
The  marquee  devoted  to  cut  flowers  proved  a 
delightful  attraction  to  the  many  visitors,  thq 
principal  feature  being  the  splendid  display  of 
Roses  and  Cactus  Dahlias.  Mr.  Alexander 
Harper,  Rubislaw  Park  Gardens,  Aberdeen,  and 
Mr.  William  Coutts,  Ellon,  Aberdeenshire, 
were  successful  in  these  classes.  Mr.  Harper 
easily  won  the  premier  prize  with  capital 
specimens  of  Tea  and  Noisette  Roses.  Mr. 
Alexander  Brebner,  Dalhebity  Gardens,  Aber- 
deenshire, exhibited  Cactus  Dahlias,  which 
evoked  general  admiration,  and  worthily  gained 
for  him  the  premier  place. 


August  31,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


175"' 


The  displays  of  hardy  flowers  were  exceed- 
ingly fine.  Mr.  John  Petrie,  Crathes  Castle,  was 
successful  in  the  principal  class  for  such  flowers. 
In  the  class  for  a  collection  of  20  varieties 
of  cut  flowers  and  fine  foliage  bedding  plants, 
including  annuals  best  adapted  for  flower 
garden  decoration,  the  collection  staged  by  Mr. 
A.  Grigor,  Fairfield,  worthily  won  the  premier 
honour. 

The  cool  season  has  been  exceedingly  favour- 
able to  the  growth  of  Pansies,  and  a  good  dis- 
play was  seen  in  the  classes  for  these  flowers. 
Mr.  Gillespie,  Aberdeen,  took  the  chief  honour 
with  an  exceptionally  fine  exhibit,  including 
both  show  and  fancy  varieties.  The  decorative 
classes  proved  most  interesting. 

Fruit  and  Vegetables. 

There  was  a  considerable  decrease  in  the 
number  of  entries  in  these  classes  compared  with 
previous  years,  and  the  quality  of  the  fruit,  with 
the  exception  of  the  hardy  varieties,  was  not 
equal  to  the  standard  usually  seen  at  Aberdeen. 
There  was  only  one  entry  in  a  class  for  a  col- 
lection of  eight  dishes  of  fruits  (Pines  excluded). 
This  was  shown  by  Mr.  Douglas,  and  gained 
fur  him  the  Silver  Cup  presented  to  the  society 
by  his  employer,  Mr.  Ogilvie,  of  Kepplestone. 

For  the  best  collection  of  six  dishes  of  hardy 
fruits,  Mr.  John  Kinnaird,  Hazelhead,  Aber- 
deen, won  easily.  Grapes  were  very  poorly 
shown,  and  the  berries  were  lacking  in  finish. 
Mr.  W.  S.  Mackie,  Morken,  led  in  the  class 
for  Melons,  while  the  best  Peaches  and  Nec- 
tarines were  shown  by  Mr.  Howe,  Fintrav 
House. 

Vegetables  were  exceedingly  fine.  The  best 
collection  of  vegetables  in  10  varieties  were  ex- 
hibited by  Mr.  Douglas,  Kepplestone.  Mr. 
Frank  Kinnaird,  Broomhill,  Aberdeen,  won  in 
the  class  for  a  collection  of  vegetables  open  to 
market  gardeners  only,  with  an  excellent  entry. 

The  exhibits  of  Potatos  were  an  outstand- 
ing feature,  as  is  invariably  the  case  at 
Aberdeen,  the  leading  places  being  taken  by  Mr. 
Fkrguson,  Linton  Gardens ;  Mr.  Douglas, 
Kepplestone  ;  Mr.  William  Coutts,  Ellon  ;  and 
Mr.  William  Lawson,  Oakbank  School. 

Splendid  produce  was  shown  in  the  classes  re- 
served for  amateurs  and  working  men. 

Non-competitive  Displays. 

Messrs.  Cocker  &  Sons,  Aberdeen,  exhibited 
a  collection  of  Roses  of  splendid  quality. 

Mr.  M.  H.  Sinclair,  Union  Street,  Aberdeen, 
had  an  exceedingly  fine  display  of  Gladoli, 
American  Tree  and  "  Malmaison  "  Carnations, 
sprays  of  hardy  foliage  (all  named),  Sweet  Peas 
and  other  flowers. 

Messrs.  William  Smith  &  Son,  Aberdeen, 
made  a  fine  display  of  plants  in  pots,  hardy- 
flowers,  and  floral  designs. 

Mr.  James  Robertson,  Hadden  Street,  Aber- 
deen, had  a  display  of  Gladioli,  hardy  flowers, 
and  Sweet  Peas. 

Mr.  P.  McIIardy,  Aberdeen,  showed  hardy- 
flowers,  Sweet  Peas,  &c 


SOCIETY  OF  AMERICAN  FLOKISTS. 

August  20. — The  "  Society  of  American 
Florists  and  Ornamental  Horticulturists "  held 
their  annual  convention  at  Philadelphia,  Pa. 
The  proceedings  were  opened  on  the  above 
date,  and  continued  for  five  days.  We  have 
been  favoured  with  a  copy  of  the  speech  de- 
livered by  the  President,  Mr.  William  J. 
Stewart,  of  Boston,  and  from  which  we  make 
the  following  extracts  : — 

The    Mission    of   the    Society. 

To  aid  the  horticulturist  through  the  in- 
fluence and  power  of  concentration,  by  the 
gathering  together,  moulding  and  assimilating  of 
the  concrete  wisdom  of  the  many,  and  to  bring 
the  profession  to  a  lively  sense  of  their  duties 
and  privileges  and  a  better  realisation  of  what 
is  possible  through  the  medium  of  a  well-sup- 
ported central  organisation  is  the  task  of  this 
society.  Its  aim  and  its  purpose  have  ever 
been  to  stimulate  emulation,  to  broaden  the 
channels  of  business,  to  promote  'he  fraternal 
spirit,  to  help  the  gardener  and  florist  in  mak- 
ing for  himself  an  honoured  position  in  the 
commonwealth,    and    to    inspire    the    profession 


with  a  more  correct  understanding  and  better 
appreciation  of  the  nobility  of  their  calling, 
which,  as  Downing  tells  us,  "is  intrinsically  the 
parent  and  superior  of  them  all,"  because  agri- 
culture is  the  basis  of  all  wealth  and  horticul- 
ture is  the  refined  essence  of  agriculture. 

Garden-hunger  and  the  Horticulturist's 
Opportunity. 
Modern  suburban  transportation  facilities  have 
given  a  tremendous  impetus  to  the  rural  home 
idea.  It  is  to  the  man  skilled  in  horticulture 
that  the  home-maker  will  turn  for  advice,  as- 
sistance, and  material  needed,  and  for  those  who 
grasp  the  opportunity  in  the  right  spirit  there 
will  be  found  abundant  scope  and  full  recom- 
pense for  cultural  knowledge  and  artistic  talent. 
Nothing  comparable  to  the  present  demand  for 
hardy  garden  material  has  ever  been  experienced 
in  this  country,  and  no  horticultural  enterprise 
intelligently  and  diligently  conducted  can  fail 
of  success  if  existing  conditions  are  understood 
and  provided  for.  Tender  material,  also,  will 
get  its  full  share  of  the  prosperity  if  used 
with  better  discretion  as  to  its  adaptations  and 
limitations.  For  the  ambitious,  earnest  young 
man,  blessed  with  an  artistic  temperament,  no 
departure  of  horticulture  offers  better  emolu- 
ments or  higher  honour  than  that  of  outdoor 
gardening  in  .all  its  branches.  Within  the  scope 
of  our  vision  to-day  the  field  seems  practically- 
unlimited  and  the  young  generation  may  safely 
go  into  training  for  large  responsibilities — every 
one  will  be  needed.  Under  pressure  of  exi- 
gencies prevailing  in  the  past  the  gardener  has 
in  too  many  instances  been  acquiring  a  one- 
sided experience,  and  some  of  our  most  talented 
indoor  growers  find  themselves  badly  handi- 
capped through  deficient  education  in  the  funda- 
mental operations  of  general  gardening.  The  hor- 
ticulturist who  will  make  his  mark  in  the  future 
will  not  have  these  limitations,  but  will  com- 
bine a  thorough  equipment  for  outdoor  plant- 
ing, grading,  management  and  executive  ability, 
with  a  fine  knowledge  of  indoor  operations  and 
proficiency  in  the  production  of  flowers  and 
fruits  under  glass  that  will  stand  the  test  of 
comparison  with  the  products  of  the  specialist. 
Several  of  the  agricultural  colleges  are  doing 
good  work,  and  turning  out  trained  young  men 
from  whom  we  may  expect  much. 

Room  for  Improvement. 
Too  many  greenhouses  are  devoted  to  crops 
for  which  neither  the  houses  nor  their  owners 
are  competent.  We  see  acres  of  nursery  space 
filled  with  antiquated  stock  ;  well-grown  flowers 
sacrificed  through  careless  handling  or  through 
inefficiency  in  the  sales  department ;  the  once- 
prosperous  flower-shipping  business  prostrated 
by  short-sighted  methods ;  the  trade  subjected 
to  criticism  because  of  the  trumpeting  of  un- 
deserving novelties.  Our  exhibitions  are  crude 
in  method,  faulty  in  manner  of  making  awards 
or  interesting  the  public.  In  every  branch  of 
activity  there  is  room  for  better  system.  The 
arrangement  of  flowers,  the  planting  of  garden 
beds  or  the  larger  operations  of  beautifying  an 
estate  or  creating  a  landscape  picture,  in  many 
of  which,  as  we  see  them  from  day  to  day,  the 
qualities  of  originality  and  artistic  intelligence 
in  form  and  colour  harmony  are  conspicuously 
lacking,  show  conclusively  the  need  for  study 
and  self-education  in  artistic  taste  before  we 
are  properly  fitted  to  instruct  the  public.  It  is 
the  province  of  the  florists'  club  to  seek  out  and 
apply  the  remedies  for  all  these  deficiencies,  and 
it  becomes  the  duty  of  the  craftsman  in  justice 
to  himself  and  his  fellows  to  uphold  in  even- 
possible  day  his  local  organisation,  and  do  his 
share  towards  the  general  advancement  which 
is  sure  to  follow  the  fraternising  of  congenial 
spirits  whose  material  interests  are  identical. 

Our  Relations  with  Other  Organisations. 
There  is  nothing  more  to  be  desired  to  place 
this  organisation  in  a  position  of  greatest  use- 
fulness than  some  system  of  direct  affiliation 
with  existing  or  prospective  special  and  local 
organisations.  Far  from  regarding  these  socie- 
ties as  a  possible  menace  I  look  upon  their 
multiplication  as  distinctly  to  our  advantage. 
The  field  is  practically  limitless,  and  we  can 
well  afford  to  nourish  any  and  all  well-meant 
efforts  to  build  up  horticulture  in  any  of  its 
branches.  There  is  an  infinity  of  specialised 
detail  and  local  work  which  the  smaller  and 
more    compact     bodies     can    care    for    with    an 


efficiency  far  beyond  the  reach  of  a  society  con- 
stituted as  this  is.  Let  them  do  it  if  they  will, 
and  wherever  and  whenever  the  time  comes 
that  they  find  their  burden  heavy  and  the  road 
rough,  let  us  put  our  big  shoulder  to  the  wheel 
and  help  them.  On  the  contrary  there  are 
movements  where  a  successful  consummation  is 
only  possible  under  the  capacious  mantle  of  a 
large  national  organisation.  Events  of  the  past 
year  have  indicated  to  us  how  at  any  moment 
we  may  be  called  upon  to  champion  the  cause 
of  some  branch  of  the  trade  where  strength  of 
numbers  and  national  incorporation  become 
elements  of  great  strength,  and  where  the  exist- 
ence of  a  powerful  representative  body  serves  as 
a  restraint  and  defence  against  corporate  plun- 
der. I  believe  we  should  keep  working  on  this 
problem  of  closer  relations  until  some  feasible 
plan  of  permanent  affiliation  and  intelligent  co- 
operation has  been  evolved  and  a  system  of 
specialised  work  established  through  these 
auxiliary  bodies. 

Plant  Registration. 
A  well-regulated  system  of  plant  nomenclature 
is  needed.  It  would  be  an  element  of  great 
stability  if  all  registration  of  varietal  names 
could  be  recorded  in  one  universally  recognised 
bureau.  Whether  this  should  be  done  direct  by 
the  owner  or  first  pass  the  scrutiny  of  a 
specialised  society,  where  such  exists,  is  of  little 
consequence,  provided  it  finally  comes  into  the 
custody  of  a  central  authority  having  the  power 
to  follow  up  infringement  and  extend  the  fullest 
protection  within  the  law  to  the  originator  or 
owner.  This  central  authority,  I  believe,  should 
be  the  Society  of  American  Florists  and  Orna- 
mental  Horticulturists. 

Two  Important  Duties  of  the  Society. 

The  time  seems  now  ripe  for  us  to  insist 
that  horticulture  be  made  a  regular  course  in 
our  public  school  system.  There  can  be  no 
question  of  the  wisdom  of  this  society's  taking 
an  advanced  position  on  this  matter  and  foster- 
ing liberally  all  movements  for  the  dissemina- 
tion of  garden  knowledge  through  this  means. 
Every  argument  on  physical,  mental  and  moral 
grounds  is  on  our  side. 

As  a  society  we  should  lend  aid  and  en- 
couragement to  any  investigation  or  experimen- 
tation for  the  purpose  of  stimulating  the  pro- 
duction of  any  horticultural  material  for  which 
we  have  hitherto  been  obliged  to  depend  upon 
foreign  sources  of  supply.  "  Made  in  America  " 
is  an  inscription  too  seldom  seen  on  horticul- 
tural goods.  How  can  this  organisation  best 
assist  to  that  end?  In  the  case  of  those  goods 
which  we  must  import,  there  is  room  for  a 
better  system  and  improved  facilities  in  the 
appraisers'  department,  and  I  hope  our  legisla- 
tive committee  will  give  this  question  the  atten- 
tion it  deserves. 

Parcels  Post  Needed. 
The  project  of  a  parcels  post  is  a  reform 
worthy  of  our  hearty  support.  A  cheaper  and 
more  reliable  means  of  distribution  for  packages 
of  limited  size  and  weight,  such  as  is  enjoyed 
in  most  European  countries,  would  greatly 
benefit  the  plant  and  bulb  trade,  and  provide 
the  means  for  supplying  the  public  at  small 
cost  with  plants  of  a  size  that  might  be  seen 
without  the  aid  of  a  microscope  and  might  be 
nurtured  into  large  specimens  without  the  use 
of  an  incubator.  Were  it  not  for  the  express 
companies  a  parcels  post  would  have  been  a 
reality  long  ago — so  we  are  told.  The  express 
companies  and  the  S.A.F.  have  been  making 
one  another's  acquaintance  of  late  and  find  they 
don't  think  alike  on  some  things. 

State     Vice-Presidents  ;      Out-door 
Exhibitions. 

I  am  satisfied  that  the  present  system  of 
selecting  State  vice-presidents  to  represent  this 
society  sectionally  might  be  improved  upon,  and 
would  suggest  that  you  consider  the  adoption 
of  some  system  whereby,  in  those  localities 
where  any  organisation  exists,  we  might  through 
mutual  arrangement  confer  upon  the  presiding 
officer  the  honour  of  representing  the  S.A.F.  in. 
his  territory  during  his  term  of  office. 

It  is  much  to  be  regretted  that  the  Executive 
Board  found  conditions  so  unpropitious  for  an 
outdoor  exhibition  of  planted  material  in  con- 
nection with  this  convention  that  the  project 
had  to  be  abandoned.     It  was  hoped  by  many 


176 


THE     GARDENERS     CHRONICLE. 


[August  31,  1907. 


that  the  humble  beginning  made  in  Dayton 
might  be  followed  up,  and  that  in  time  an 
outdoor  exhibit  might  be  made  a  regular  feature 
of  our  conventions,  but  in  a  large  city  the  diffi- 
culties seem  almost  insurmountable.  Wherever 
circumstances  permit  I  believe  it  will  be  good 
policy  to  provide  at  least  for  a  planting  of  such 
novelties  as  cannot  be  properly  presented  in  an 
indoor  exhibition. 

National  Flower  Show. 

As  the  National  Flower  Show  project  will  be 
reported'  on  at  the  proper  time  by  the  very 
competent  committee  of  fifty  under  the  chair- 
manship of  my  predecessor  I  will  not  take  your 
time  now  with  any  reference  to  it  other  than  to 
submit  that  it  would  be  a  grave  mistake  to  make 
any  change  from  the  time-honoured  date  for 
holding  our  annual  convention.  If  it  is  thought 
wise  to  have  a  meeting  at  Chicago  at  the  time 
of  the  exhibition,  let  it  be  a  special  meeting 
called  as  provided  for  in  the  by-laws.  The  pro- 
position to  merely  meet  formally  in  August  so 
as  to  comply  with  the  constitutional  require- 
ments, and  then  adjourn  over  until  the  time 
set  for  the  flower  show,  would,  I  firmly  believe, 
very  seriously  affect  the  prosperity  of  the 
society. 

The  Society's  Good  Record. 

The  birth  of  the  Society  of  America  l  Florists 
was  the  outcome  of  a  conviction  on  the  part 
of  its  promoters  that  the  horticultural  interests 
of  America  were  ready  to  get  together  for  mutual 
advantage  and  the  uplifting  of  their  art.  The 
young  society  found  the  commercial  florist,  as  a 
rule,  isolated  and  provincial  because  of  the  lack 
of  opportunity  for  any  but  the  most  limited 
intercourse  and  interchange  of  opinion  and  ex- 
perience. Not  one  society,  club  or  periodical 
devoted  primarily  to  the  interests  of  floriculture 
existed  on  this  continent.  The  best  test  of  the 
wisdom  of  the  founding  of  any  institution  is 
what  it  has  been  able  to  accomplish.  Do  you 
not  think  that  the  seed  sown  23  years  ago  has 
borne  good  fruit?  The  yield  might  have 
been  increased  many  fold  had  everyone  in  the 
profession  who  needed  just  this  help  taken  ad- 
vantage of  it  ;  still,  it  is  not  too  much  to  say 
that  the  S.A.F.  has  been  the  underlying  force 
which  has  in  this  brief  period  placed  American 
floriculture  on  an  eminence  where  it  commands 
the  respect  of  the  world,  and  that  the  splendid 
confidence  of  its  founders  in  the  future  magni- 
tude of  their  profession  has  been  well  justified. 
The  spirit  of  progress  which  prompted  them  to 
break  the  shackles  of  past  isolation  and  secre- 
tiveness  and  throw  wide  open  the  doors  for  a 
general  intellectual  and  material  advancement 
is  still  our  best  asset.  We  must  allow  free  scope 
to  the  mighty  reserve  forces  of  American  horti- 
culture and  be  constantly  on  the  alert  to  see 
and  act  upon  every  opening  for  strengthening 
our  hold  upon  the  heart-strings  of  the  profession. 

What  Conventions  are  Good  for. 
The  society  is  to  be  congratulated  on  the 
magnificent  attendance  at  this  meeting.  Con- 
ventions are  always  an  incentive  and  encour- 
agement. They  give  zest  to  work,  feed  the 
intellect,  enrich  our  literature.  They  are  a  uni- 
fying force,  establishing  and  cementing  friend- 
ships and  bringing  into  advantageous  contact 
those  who,  although  widely  separated,  are 
actuated  by  a  common  purpose  in  life.  I  pity 
the  man  who  sees  nothing  to  interest  him  here, 
and  finds  no  inspiration  in  such  gatherings,  no 
strength  to  help  him  surmount  the  daily  recur- 
ring difficulties  which  are  our  common  lot,  no 
advantage  in  the  opportunity  to  inspect  this 
great  industrial  exhibition.  Little  does  he  realise 
how  great  is  his  loss. 


ANSWERS    TO    CORRESPONDENTS. 


BRITISH    GARDENERS'    ASSOCIATION. 

At  the  last  meeting  of  this  association,  held 
at  the  R.H.S.  Hall,  Westminster,  Mr.  R.  L. 
Castle  in  the  chair,  17  new  members  were 
elected,  bringing  the  total  up  to  1,095.  Arrange- 
ments  were  made  for  the  preparation  of  a 
certificate  and  diploma,  after  careful  considera- 
tion. A  request  having  been  received  from 
Newport,  Monmouthshire,  to  hold  a  me  ting, 
the  secretary  was  appointed  delegate  to  deliver 
an  address  on  September  18.  A  conference  on 
"Examinations  for  Gardeners  "  will  take  place 
at  the  Royal  Botanic  Society's  Gardens, 
Regent's  Park,  on  September  12,  at  6  o'clock. 
/.  W. 


Amateurs  at  Flower  Shows:  Correspondent.  The 
term  ' '  amateur ' '  is  sometimes  used  to  describe  an 
exhibitor  who  cultivates  his  own  produce  without 
the  aid  of  a  trained  gardener,  but  in  other  cases 
it  is  used  in  a  broader  sense  to  distinguish  a 
private  grower  from  a  nurseryman,  even  though 
the  former  employs  a  professional  gardener.  No 
person  who  sells  plants  can  be  regarded  as  an 
amateur,  nor  any  person  in  the  employ  of  a 
nurseryman.  If  the  schedule  be  made  to  read 
"An  amateur  gardener  who  employs  no  pro- 
fessional help."  or  "an  amateur  owner,"  the 
distinctions  will  be  sufficiently  clear. 

Aquatic  Weeds  :  W.  P.  B.  An  article  dealing 
with  the  best  methods  of  combating  aquatic 
weeds  was  given  in  the  weekly  Calendar  on 
"  Public  Parks  and  Gardens  "  in  the  issue  for 
May  25,  1907. 

Black  Pansy  :  F.  C.  P.  There  are  several 
varieties  of  deep  purple,  almost  black,  Pansies 
already  in  commerce. 

Book  of  Garden  Receipts  :  H.  &°  G.  The 
Horticulturist's  Rule  Book,  by  L.  H.  Bailey, 
the  Garden  Publishing  Company,  Ltd.,  New 
York,  U.S.A. 

Carnations:  G.  C.  There  is  evidence  of  the 
puncture  of  small  insects  followed  by  an  irrup- 
tion of  bacteria.  The  cultivation  appears  correct. 


Fig. 


-the  death's  head  hawk  moth 
(acherontia  atropos). 


Caterpillar  :  W.  S.  The  caterpillar  is  the 
larva  of  the  Death's  Head  Moth  (Acherontia 
atropos)  (see  fig.  73).  It  feeds  frequently  on 
Potato  plants. 

Cattleya  Leaves  Damaged  :  Derby.  The  plants 
have  been  attacked  by  thrips,  which  have  pro- 
bably resulted  from  cultivating  the  specimens 
in  too  warm  an  atmosphere  with  insufficient 
ventilation.  Cut  off  the  worst  leaves  and 
sponge  the  plants  occasionally  with  a  diluted 
insecticide.  Admit  more  air  to  the  structure 
during  warm  weather. 

Correction. — On  p.  160  of  the  last  issue  Macro- 
sporium  '  rhabdiferum  was  inadvertently 
printed   M.   rhaldiferum. 

Cucumber  Leaves  :  A.B.  The  leaves  are  spotted 
by  Oidium  Balsami,  and  this  is  apparently 
caused  by  the  presence  of  too  much  moisture. 
The  Begonia  leaves  are  not  affected  by  any 
disease. 

Cucumbers  :  C.  L.  The  fruit  appears  as  if 
starved  for  lack  of  proper  and  sufficient  nutri- 
ment.    There  is  no  disease  present. 

Fern  :  D.  E.  Not  having  arranged  the  ques- 
tions to  be  submitted  at  the  examination,  we 
cannot  attempt  to  explain  exactly  the  views 
the  examiners  may  have  regarding  their  in- 
terpretation. As  a  rule,  it  is  best  in  such 
cases  for  students  to  observe  the  literal  read- 
ing of  the  questions. 

Grapes  :  T.  II'.  S.  There  is  no  disease  on  the 
berries  and  no  evidence  in  the  Grapes  them- 
selves of  the  cause  of  the  browning,  which  must 
be  due  to  some  local  condition. 

Manures  for  Special  Crops:  Amateur.  Sweet 
Peas  may  be  watered  very  occasionally  with  a 
solution  containing  a  quarter  of  an  ounce  each 
of  kainit  and  superphosphate  of  lime  and  an 
eighth  of  an  ounce  each  of  nitrate  of  soda  and 


iron  sulphate,  to  two  gallons  of  water.  You 
should  select  plump  corms  of  Gladioli  for 
planting  in  window-boxes,  and  plant  them  in 
a  rich,  sandy  loam.  Great  attention  must  be 
given  to  the  watering  of  all  plants  in  window- 
boxes. 

Names  of  Flowers,  Fruits  and  Plants.— We 
are  anxious  to  oblige  correspondents  as  far  as 
we  consistently  can,  but  they  must  bear  in 
mind  that  it  is  no  part  of  our  duty  to  our 
subscribers  to  name  either  flowers  or  fruits. 
Such  work  entails  considerable  outlay,  both  oi 
time  and  money,  and  cannot  be  allowed  to  dis- 
organise the  preparations  for  the  weekly  issue,  or  to 
encroach  upon  time  required  for  the  conduct  of  the 
paper.  Correspondents  should  never  send  more 
than  six  plants  or  fruits  at  one  time  :  they  should  be 
very  careful  to  pack  and  label  them  properly,  to  give 
every  information  as  to  the  county  the  fruits  are 
grown  in,  and  to  send  ripe,  or  nearly  ripe,  specimens 
which  show  the  character  of  the  variety.  By 
neglecting  these  precautions  correspondents  add 
greatly  to  our  labour,  and  run  the  risk  of 
delay  and  incorrect  determinations.  Correspondents 
not  answered  in  one  issue  are  requested  to 
be  so  good  as  to  consult  the  following  numbers. 
Fruits:  II'.  G.  II".  The  Nectarine  Peach. 
The  Grape  resembles  Canon  Hall  Muscat. — /. 
Service  and  others.  We  cannot  undertake  to 
name  Peaches  with  any  degree  of  certainty 
unless  particulars  are  sent  as  to  whether  the 
tree  bears  large  or  small  flowers  and  if  the 
flowers  are  richly  coloured  or  pale.  It  is  also 
necessary  to  send  us  leaves  for  the  examination 
of  the  glands. 

Plants  :  F.  B.  1  &  2,  varieties  of  Fuchsia 
magellanica  ;  3,  Spirsea  japonica  ;  4,  Spiraea 
japonica  bullata  ;  5,  Cornus  macrophylla, ;  6, 
C.  sanguinea. — A.  C  F.  Juniperus  pseudo- 
Sabina  and  Cupressus  thyoides. — G.  E.  W. 
Astrantia  major. — J.  P.  1.  Clematis  viticella  ; 
2,  Sempervivum  tortuosum  variegatum  ;  3, 
Codiaeum  (Croton)  variegatum  elegantissimum. 
— F.  T.     Hypericum  perforatum. 

Odontoglossum  Rossii  :  D.  A.  L.  The  variety 
you  send  is  distinct  from  the  species  and  very 
attractive,  although  not  so  showy  as  the  best 
richly-coloured  varieties. 

Plum  Tree  :  IF.  C.  There  is  no  local  disease 
in  the  leaves  to  cause  the  spotting  and  decaying. 
No  fungus  appears  until  the  spots  are  quite  dead, 
and  then  a  small  fungus — a  species  of  Phoma — 
occurs  on  the  spots,  but  does  not  cause  them. 
Is  it  certain  that  the  roots  of  the  trees  are  in  a 
proper  condition  ? 

Pronunciation  of  Plant  Names  :  T.  J.  If  you 
have  a  copy  of  Nicholson's  Dictionary  of 
Gardening  you  will  find  a  pronouncing 
dictionary  in  the  supplement  to  that  work. 

Seedling  Carnations:  //.  F.  G.  As  far  as 
the  variety  can  be  judged  from  single  flowers 
only  they  appear  to  possess  qualities  that 
should  make  them  valuable  garden  plants. 
But  in  order  to  ascertain  whether  they  are 
better  than  existing  varieties  it  would  be 
necessary  to  compare  the  flowers,  and  to 
have  a  knowledge  of  the  habit  of  growth 
possessed  by  your  plants.  The  blooms  are 
certainly  attractive,  and  they  have  non- 
splitting  calyces.  Two  of  the  best  are  num- 
ber 2  of  rosy-salmon  colour,  and  number  4 
rich   maroon-crimson. 

Sweet  Pea  :  W.  H .  There  is  no  fungus  disease 
present  and  nothing  to  account  for  the  failure. 
It  must  be  due  to  some  local  cause. 

Varieties  of  Nectarine:  G.  T.  B.  Humboldt 
is  a  good  Nectarine  and  may  be  forced  satis- 
factorily, but  it  is  not  one  of  the  earliest. 
Cardinal  and  River's  Early  ripen  before  all 
others,  and  they  force  well.  Lord  Napier  may 
also  be  forced.  Late  fruiting  varieties  include 
Spencer,  Darwin  and  Milton,  which  are  all 
good  sorts.  Of  early  ripening  Peaches,  Hale's 
Early  and  Duchess  of  Cornwall  may  be  recom- 
mended. These  should  be  followed  by  Crimson 
Galande  and  Bellegarde,  and  later  by  Lady 
Palmerston,  Sea  Eagle,  Golden  Eagle,  and 
Thomas  Rivers. 

Communications  Received.  —  A.  W. — X.  W. — E.  W.  & 
Sons— \V.  A.  C.-D.  D.-C.  P.  R— J.  G.— Cassell  &  Co.— 
C.  T.  D.— E.  M.  B.— A.  K.  B.— F.  S.— F.  J.-S.  1>.  &  Co.— 
G.W.— J.  C— C.  S.  P.— W.  J.  B.— E.  H.  J.— H.  VV—  W.  ; 
— E.  G.  P.— A.  D.  W— F.  M.— H.  S.— M.  C.C.-T.  S.— 
S.   A.-S  —  W.   E.  W.— E.    B.— C.    H.— F.  H.— A.  J.  C— 

E.  M.— G.YV.-YV.  C.-A.  E.  C— W.  &  S.— B.  S.— H.  W.— 

F.  E.  J.— K.  &  Son-C.  &  Sons— J.  H.  C— S.  H.  J.-S.  B. 
—J.  A.  W.— W.  H.— E.  B.— A.  U.S.  &  Sons-H.  H. 
Belgium— W.  B.  H—  Dr.  Henry— R.  L.  C. 


September  7,  1907. 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


177 


THE 


(Sarbcncrs'Cbtonicle 

No.  1,080.— SATURDAY,  September  7,  1907. 


CONTENTS. 


American       blight      on 

Apple  trees    186 

Books,  notices  of — 

Economic     Mycology    179 

Journal     of     Agricul- 
tural Science         ...    185 

Lectures     on      Plant 
Physiology 179 

Phenology       184 

Studies  in  Plant  Life  186 
Bulb  garden,  the — 

Lilinm  sulpbureum  ...  179 
Carnation,  a  pink  variety 

of  the  Clove 187 

Cladrastis      tinctoria 

flowering  at  Kew  ...  186 
Conference      on      plant 

hardiness  in  America, 

forthcoming 185 

Currant-bud  mite,  the...  189 
Currants,  a  disease  of...  180 
Cyclamen      seeds,     the 

sowing  of         188 

Eucryphia  pinnatifolia  188 
Florist's     business,    an 

ancient 185 

Fruit  crops,  remarks  on 

the  condition  of  the  ...  180 
Gerbera  Jamesoni  ...  186 
Glasgow   Parks,  a  note 

on  the 187 

Hampton  Court  Gardens   177 


Hemerocallis,  some  new 

varieties  of      

Insect  pests  of  fruit  trees 
Lawns,  a  sweeper  for ... 
Orchid  Notes  and  Glean- 
ings— 

Odontoglossum     Am- 
neris 

O.  x  Amonasro 
Orchids,     some     lesser 

known,  a  lecture  on  ... 
Potatos,  trials  of 
School  gardens  at  Ley- 
ton         

Shrewsbury     Flower 

Show,  the  judging  at 
Societies — 

Royal  Horticultural  ... 

National  Dahlia 

Reading  Horticultural 
Vegetable    growers    in 

Canada,  an  association 

of  

Verbena  Maboneti 
Week's  work,  the — 

Apiary,  the      

Flower  garden,  the  ... 

Fruits  under  glass     ... 

Hardy  fruit  garden  ... 

Kitchen  garden,  the ... 

Orchid  houses,  the  ... 

Parks  and  gardens    ... 

Plants  under  glass    ... 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Avenue  of  pollarded  Elms  at  Hampton  Court     

Black  Currant  shoots  affected  with  Glceosporium 

Cladrastis  tinctoria  flowering  in  Kew  Gardens 

Dutch    Garden    at    Hampton    Court    (Supplementary 
Illustration) 

Flower-bed  at  Hampton  Court,  a     

Flowering  shoot  of  Cladrastis  tinctoria      

Hampton  Court,  a  flower  border  at 

Lychnis  grandiflora       


188 
185 
188 


178 
178 

191 

184 

188 

188 

189 
192 
191 


186 

188 

183 

182 
1«3 
183 
183 
182 
182 
182 


179 
180 
186 


177 
187 
178 
189 


HAMPTON  COURT  GARDENS, 

[See  Figures  74,  75,  and  76,  also  Supplementary 
Illustration.] 

THE  great  charm  of  these  public  gar- 
dens is  in  the  mingling  of  the  older 
style  with  the  more  modern  manner  of 
flower-gardening.  Probably  no  public  gar- 
den has  made  the  same  advance  in  the  mat- 
ter of  decorative  gardening  as  that  at  Hamp- 
ton Court,  during  the  twelve  years  or  there- 
abouts that  Mr.  J.  A.  Gardiner  has  filled  the 
position  of  superintendent. 

Not  many  years  ago  the  quarter  called  the 
Wilderness  was  a  very  uninteresting  part  of 
the  garden,  with  gravel  walks  winding 
among  Laurels  and  other  ordinary  shrubs. 
At  the  present  time  its  features  are  really 
more  in  conformity  with  wild  nature  than 
before,  for  it  is  planted  with  a  representa- 
tive collection  of  flowering  and  foliage  shrubs, 
and  in  its  centre,  on  the  site  of  a  former  rub- 
bish heap,  has  been  constructed  a  rootery, 
and  this  is  planted  with  Ferns,  Alpine,  and 
trailing  plants.  Tall  Bamboos,  pillars  of 
Wichuraiana  Roses,  species  of  Rubus,  Cle- 
matis, &c,  are  planted  thereabouts.  The 
stretch  of  water  in  this  portion  of  the 
grounds,  whose  banks  were  formerly  clad  in 
:he  manner  familiar  on  the  backwaters  of  the 
rhames,  is  now  beautified  by  gigantic  Gun- 
leras  and  similar  foliage  plants,  a  collection 
n  Irises,  and  representatives  of  many  other 
slants  which  thrive  in  marshy  ground  and 
have  been  planted  at  the  sides  of  the  water- 


course. The  surface  of  this  water  is  orna- 
mented by  the  fine  foliage  and  the  showy 
flowers  of  Water  Lilies  for  which  the  gardens 
are  noted. 

The  flower-border  on  the  east  front  (see 
fig.  75)  is  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  in  length. 
Our  illustration  represents  this  border  in  its 
spring  garb  of  Forget-me-nots,  Tulips,  Vio- 
las, Crocuses,  &c,  with  Wistaria  chinensis 
blooming  on  the  wall.  Now  it  is  brilliant 
with  Phloxes,  Asters,  Fuchsias,  Violas,  and 
a  variety  of  flowering  plants,  both  annual  and 
perennial.  The  subjects  are  cleverly  disposed 
in  order  that  there  shall  be  as  little  repeti- 
tion as  possible  throughout  the  whole  length 
of  the  border.  The  more  important  Subjects 
are  planted  in  groups,  each  kind  being 
massed  together  separately.  Chrysanthe- 
mums have  been  in  flower  since  July,  and 
they  will  continue  to  brighten  this  border 
until  winter  arrives;  Bouvardia  Humboldtii 
corymbiflora    is    bearing    large    masses    of 


ally  good  this  season.  The  method  adopted  of 
planting  several  sets  of  plants  of  different 
heights  is  eminently  suited  for  large  flower- 
beds, as  it  admits  of  the  use  of  a  variety  of 
subjects  and  at  the  same  time  adds  to' the 
scenic  importance.  A  good  example  of  these 
beds  is  seen  in  fig.  74.  This  has  a  very  effec- 
tive appearance  and  is  composed  of  Violas, 
Yellow  Broom,  and  Rhododendrons  (Azaleas). 
Among  the  whole  of  the  large  number  of 
these  flower-beds  not  two  are  alike.  One 
very  pretty  bed  is  furnished  with  grafted 
standard  plants  of  Abutilon  megapotamicum 
growing  over  the  purple-flowered  Salvia 
Horminum,  and  carpeted  with  variegated 
Holcus  and  dwarf  Cockscombs,  an  edging 
of  Echeveria  glauca  completing  the  whole. 
Another  bed  is  planted  with  pyramid  golden- 
leafed  Fuchsias,  white  and  green  Abutilon 
Savitzii,  pyramid  Iresines,  and  Acalyphas 
with  a  base  of  variegated  Veronicas.  In 
several    beds    the    double     pink    variety    of 


[Photograph  bv  W.J.  Vascy. 
FlG.    74. — A     FLOWER-BED    AT    HAMPTON    COURT. 


its  white,  fragrant  flowers;  Calceolaria 
Burbidgei  furnishes  good,  light  yellow 
colour ;  patches  of  blue  are  formed  by 
Salvia  patens,  and  other  species  of  Salvia 
furnish  masses  of  brilliant  scarlet-coloured 
flowers.  Cuphea  platycentra  appears  in 
bushes  covered  with  tubular  red  flowers, 
Cassia  corymbosa,  Streptosolen  Jamesonii, 
Plumbago  capensis,  various  Abutilons,  Aga- 
panthus  umbellatus,  and  other  showy  flower- 
ing plants  commonly  seen  in  greenhouses  are 
in  great  beauty  in  this  border.  Asclepias 
curassavica,  groups  of  the  Tiger  Lily  (Lilium 
tigrinum) ;  the  white  I.,  longiflorum,  Lantana 
salvafolia,  Mina  lobata,  and  countless  showy 
perennials  lend  variety  and  are  displayed  to 
the  best  advantage. 

The    numerous    flower-beds    facing   to   the 
east  front  of  the  Palace  have  been  exception- 


tuberous  rooting  Begonia  "  Major  Hope  " 
forms  a  pleasing  display,  but  in  each  bed  a 
different  variety  of  plant  is  used  to  form  the 
taller  subject,  and  variation  in  the  edging 
is  also  insisted  upon  so  that  the  beds  will 
not  be  alike.  When  seen  at  a  distance, 
the  taller  plants  in  the  beds  catch  the 
eve  first,  and  of  these,  the  flowering  Cam- 
panula pyramidalis,  Cannas,  Lilies,  standard 
Heliotropes,  tall  Hydrangea  paniculata,  and 
Fuchsias  are  the  more  prominent  subjects. 
A  nearer  view  reveals  the  beauties  of  the 
second  highest  tier  of  plants  in  Verbena 
venosa,  flowering  Pelargoniums,  Begonias, 
Celosias,  &c,  and  a  close  inspection  the  more 
delicate  effects  of  the  varied  carpetings  and 
edgings  of  the  beds.  This  style  of  bedding 
is  specially  suitable  for  large  gardens. 

Stately  links  with  past  ages  are  afforded  by 


178 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[September  7,  1907. 


the  fine  rows  of  aged  Yews  (some  of  which 
may  be  seen  at  the  back  of  the  flower- 
bed illustrated  at  fig.  74)  and  the  shady 
avenue  of  Elms  (fig.  76),  all  of  which  are 
said  to  have  been  planted  at  about  the  year 
1690.  The  Elms  are  nearly  all  hollow,  and 
they  do  not  appear  to  have  increased  in  size 
for  many  years,  although  they  are  carefully 
tended  and  everything  possible  done  to  keep 
them  in  health.  The  shoots  are  cut  back 
every  year,  to  be  replaced  by  a  similar  scanty 
crop  of  leaf-bearing  twigs  in  the  following 
season,  and  this  trimming  helps  to  preserve 
their  old-time  appearance.  Several  of  the 
trees,  however,  are  in  an  enfeebled  condition, 
although,  like  the  proverbial  creaking  door, 
they  may  yet  hang  long  on  the  hinges. 

On  the  way  to  the  vinery,  which  contains 
the  historical  vine— again  well-cropped  de- 
spite its  great  age — is  encountered  the  Dutch 
or  Tudor  Garden  shown  in  the  supplementary 
illustration.  This  old-time  feature  is  care- 
fully retained  in  the  original  form,  and  as 
many  old-fashioned  flowers  as  possible  are 
used  for  its  embellishment.  The  centre  rises 
in  a  grassy  cone,  from  the  middle  of  which  a 
spreading  jet  of  water  falls  into  the  basin 
below,  which  is  planted  with  coloured  varie- 
ties of  Water  Lilies.  The  walks  are  formed 
of  irregularly-fitting  paving-stones,  and  be- 
tween these  stones,  Stonecrops,  Cerastums, 
Spergula,  and  other  low-growing  plants 
appear,  the  mossy  surface  of  the  stones  being 
in  keeping  with  the  general  effect. 

In  the  flower-beds  are  varieties  of  Dian- 
thus,  Violas,  Marigolds,  Candytufts,  Antir- 
rhinums, Verbenas,  and  many  scented  flowers 
both  annual  and  perennial.  At  the  back  of 
the  surrounding  border  rise  the  tall  inflores- 
cences of  Sunflowers,  brightly-coloured 
Thloxes,  Larkspurs,  Hollyhocks,  Foxgloves, 
&c,  and  Sedums,  Saxifragas,  and  many 
Alpine  flowers  appear  in  the  irregularly- 
planted  front.  This  pretty  garden  being  en- 
closed forms  a  pleasant  retreat,  and,  owing 
to  the  great  variety  of  flowers  used  in  its 
adornment,  it  is  an  interesting  spot  for  all 
who  delight  in  gardening. 

From  early  spring  until  late  winter  the 
gardens  at  Hampton  Court  are  bright  with 
a  display  of  flowers.  Beginning  with  the 
Iris  reticulata  and  Chionodoxas  peeping 
through  the  snow,  they  are  soon  followed  by 
myriads  of  Crocuses,  Snowdrops,  Tulips,  and 
Daffodils  that  appear  in  the  grassy  slopes 
around  the  Wilderness,  and  on  the  borders 
of  the  long  stretch  of  water.  Probably  these 
early  spring  flowers  are  more  admired  than 
the  later  brilliant  show  of  summer-blooming 
plants.  In  autumn  Michaelmas  Daisies, 
Dahlias,  perennial  Helianthus,  Chrysanthe- 
mums, and  other  flowering  plants  prolong 
the  season  of  flowering  well  into  winter,  and 
when  flowers  are  no  longer  possible  outside, 
the  beds  are  planted  with  low-growing, 
ornamental  shrubs.  A  reserve  of  plants  is 
kept  ready  in  the  nursery,  so  that  any  fail- 
ures in  the  beds  may  be  immediately  re- 
placed. 

Mr.  J.  A.  Gardiner,  it  will  be  remembered, 
has  been  appointed  superintendent  of  the 
London  Central  Parks,  in  succession  to  the 
late  Mr.  Jordan,  and  Mr.  A.  Sprigings,  who 
has  long  acted  as  foreman  under  Mr.  Gar- 
diner, is  to  succeed  that  gentleman  in  the 
management  of  the  gardens  at  Hampton 
Court. 


ORCHID    NOTES   AND    GLEANINGS. 


ODONTOGLOSSUM     AMNERIS. 


Kegeljani  ciustatum 

1 ! 

I 

CRISTATELLUM 

I 


Hallii  Harrvanum 

1 I 

I 

Crawshayanum 

I 


I 

Amneris 

The  above  interesting  pedigree  of  plants  bear- 
ing flowers,  principally  brown,  overlaid  upon  a 
yellow  ground  colour,  yields,  as  might  be  ex- 
pected, another  member  of  the  great  Harryanum 
family  in  which  that  potent  species  is  at  once 
recognisable,  for  though  there  are  three  other 
species  concerned,  it  dominates  in  this  resultant 
cross  to  about  three-quarters  of  its  appearance. 

The  sepals  and  petals  are  narrow,  and,  in 
form,  like  O.   Harrvanum.     The  colouring  is  of 


coloured  more  or  less,  for  in  O.  cristatellum  the 
anther  cap  is  dark  brown. 

The  influence  of  the  heavy  blotch  in  the  lip 
of  O.  cristatellum  is  strong  ;  the  ?  parent  of 
this  cross  is  the  <?  parent  of  one  of  my  crosses 
upon  O.  crispum  with  unblotched  lip,  and  it 
produced  O.  Urania,  all  of  which  are  heavily 
blotched  on  the-  lip.  Such  comparisons  are 
interesting. 

ODONTOGLOSSUM   x   AMONASRO. 

O.     X     CRISTATELLUM    ?     X     O.    X    H.ARRYANDM    <?  . 

The  female  parent  of  this  plant  is  a  far 
superior  variety  to  the  female  parent  of  O. 
Amneris,  being  rounder,  broader,  brighter  yel- 
low in  the  ground-colour,  and  of  deeper  blotch- 
ing. Its  lip  also  is  almost  covered  with  deep 
brown,  the  spikes  being  long  and  arching,  hav- 
ing carried  as  many  as  seventeen  flowers  ;  this 
will  account  for  the  differences  in  these  two 
plants  as  they  develop  in  the  future. 

This  cross  shows  in  an  unmistakable  manner 


{Photograph  by  W.  J.  Vasey. 
FlG.    75. — PORTION    OF   THE   FLOWER    BORDER,    UNDER   WISTARIA-CLAD    WALL,    EXTENDING    ALONG 

THE    FRONT   WALK    AT    HAMPTON    COURT. 


light  chestnut-brown  upon  a  greenish-yellow 
ground,  which  shows  through  in  a  few  distinct 
bars,  and  at  the  base  of  the  petals,  is  the  usual 
slight  purplish  shade  suffused  into  the  brown. 
The  petals  stand  forward  at  an  angle  of  45°  to 
the  plane  of  the  flower. 

The  lip  is  the  prominent  feature,  1  x  J-inch, 
bright  sulphury-yellow,  three  parts  of  it  being 
covered  by  a  brown  blotch  that  has  a  slight 
suffusion  of  lilac  ;  extending  along  the  side  for 
half  way  are  lines  of  similarly  coloured  pencil- 
lings. 

The  crest  closely  resembles  that  of  O.  Harry- 
anum, the  wings  being  a  little  thicker  and  more 
expanded. 

The  anther  cap  is  yellow,  as  in  O.  Harryanum, 
but   I  have  no   doubt  subsequent  ones   will   be 


the  powerful  influence  of  the  smaller-flowered 
species  O.  cristatum,  acting  through  the  female 
parent,  on  the  larger  flower  of  O.  Harryanum, 
and  in  this  characteristic  it  is  comparable  to  0. 
Lindleyanum,  acting  through  O.  Wattianum 
in  O.  Ariadne  (see  Gardeners'  Chronicle,  August 
10,  1907,  page  101). 

In  form  and  colour  the  flower  is  a  very  large 
edition  of  the  female  parent,  excepting  the  lipi 
which  combines  the  character  of  both  parents, 
but  O.  Harryanum  in  the  less  degree. 

The  sepals  and  petals  are  covered,  as  to  the 
outer  half,  with   rich,   blackish-brown,   and   the 
inner    half    is    closely    spotted    on    a    greenish,  i 
bright  yellow  ground. 

The  lip  is  almost  white,  but  shaded  slightly 
with    yellow    here    and    there,     resembling    in 


September  7,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


179 


form  that  of  luteo-purpureum  havinj  a  broad 
base  and  slightly  expanded  blade,  the  front 
much  rolled  into  the  apiculus,  which  is  very 
marked  in  the  female  parent.  The  ke^Is  and 
five  pairs  of  large  filaments  form  a  very  beauti- 
ful crest,   which  is  yellow  lined  with  brown. 

The  column  is  yellow,  the  stigma  very  large 
and  round,  the  wings  large  and  quite  unlacerate, 
widely  margined  with  brown.  The  anther  cap 
is  deep  brown,     de  B.   Crawshay. 


THE    BULB   GARDEN. 


LILIUM     SULPHUREUM. 
When  this  Lilium  was  first  introduced  into 
this  country  there  was  divergence  of  opinion  as 
to  its  proper  name.     In  the  Gardeners'  Chronicle, 


varies  considerably  ;  5  feet  to  6  feet  is  the  aver- 
age in  the  open,  but  when  grown  under  glass  it 
becomes  much  taller,  and  a  plant  in  the  green- 
house at  Kew  is  11  feet  in  height.  One  of  the 
Kew  specimens  has  developed  10  flowers,  whilst 
others  have  eight  and  five.  The  tubular  blooms 
are  slightly  pendant,  9  inches  in  length,  and 
they  measure  7  to  8  inches  in  diameter.  The 
interior  of  the  tube  is  yellow,  and  this  fades 
towards  the  edge  until  it  becomes  a  creamy- 
white  ;  the  exterior  surface  is  tinged  with  purple, 
which  is  of  a  deeper  shade  in  the  flowers  grown 
in  the  open.  The  blooms  exhale  a  delightful 
odour. 

Lilium  sulphureum  should  be  given  a  loamv 
soil  rather  than  one  containing  peat.  The  stock 
may  be  easily  increased  from  bulbils,  which  are 
freely  produced  in  the  axils  of  the  leaves  on  the 


NOTICES    OF     BOOKS. 


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[Ptiotogtaph  by  W.  J.  Vasey. 
FlG.    76. — AVENUE    OF    POLLARDED   ELMS    AT.  HAMPTON    COTRT.        (Seep.  178.) 


October  24,  1891,  p.  480,  Mr.  J.  G.  Baker  de- 
scribes it  under  the  name  of  L.  Wallichianum 
var.  superbum.  A  coloured  plate  published  in 
the  previous  year  in  The  Garden  bears  the 
name  L.  ochroleucum.  Eventually  the  plant 
was  made  a  distinct  species  and  named  L.  sul- 
phureum, under  which  name  it  is  figured  in  the 
Botanical  Magazine,  tab.  7257,  and  Gardeners' 
Chronicle,  September  15,  1906,  p.  180. 

The  plant  first  flowered  in  this  country  in 
Messrs.  Hugh  Low  and  Company's  nursery,  and 
was  exhibited  by  this  firm  at  the  meeting  of  the 
Royal  Horticultural  Society  on  June  25,  1889, 
when  it  received  a  First-Class  Certificate  from 
the  Floral  Committee.     The  height  of  the  plant 


upper  half  of  the  stem.  When  fully  matured  the 
bulbils  should  be  harvested,  and  be  dibbled  at 
once  into  sandy  soil  in  boxes.  The  following 
year  they  should  be  planted  in  a  framo  or  in  a 
situation  in  the  open  that  can  be  protected  fm*~> 
severe  weather.  The  bulbs  will  flower  when 
from  three  to  five  years  old. 

L.  sulphureum  can  be  cultivated  quite  easily 
in  pots,  but  much  better  results  are  obtained  by 
planting  the  bulbs  in  a  bed  or  border  of  the 
conservatory  or  greenhouse.  The  best  group  of 
this  Lilium  I  have  seen  in  the  open  air  was 
planted  in  the  ordinary  soil  of  a  suburban  gar- 
den, with  a  little  lime  rubble  and  chicken 
manure  mixed  with  it  at  the  time  the  bulbs  were 
planted.  In  Devonshire  and  Cornwall  it  does 
splendidly  in  the  open.     D.  D. 


Economic   Mycology.* 

It  is  satisfactory  that  efforts  are  no'w  made  in 
this  country  to  follow  the  example  pursued  for 
so  many  years  in  the  United  States  of  America 
of  publishing  from  agricultural  colleges  and 
stations  periodical  reports  on  the  various  fungous 
diseases  which,  from  time  to  time,  attack  culti- 
vated plants.  It  has  long  been  a  source  of  regret 
that  little  or  no  effort  has  been  made  to  dis- 
seminate trustworthy  information  on  these 
diseases,   with  suggestions  for  their  treatment. 

The  present  report  commences  with  that  pre- 
valent disease,  the  "brown  rot "  of  Cherries, 
which  also  attacks  Apples  and  other  succulent 
fruits,  giving  a  description  of  the  disease,  and 
methods  by  which  it  should  be  attacked. 

This  is  followed  by  the  "  Cherry  leaf  scorch," 
a  more  recent  disease,  which  has  of  late  years 
seriously  affected  the  Cherry  orchards  in  some 
parts  of  Kent.  This  communication  is  illus- 
trated by  excellent  plates,  and  is  almost  exhaus- 
tive of  the  subject. 

Following  upon  this,  the  Apple  Scab,  or 
"  black  spot "  comes  in  for  notice.  The  dis- 
ease appears  to  be  unusually  prevalent  this  year, 
and  is  evidently  the  cause  of  severe  losses  to 
Apple  growers  all  over  the  country.  Here,  again, 
the  information  is  of  the  most  practical  kind, 
well  illustrated,  and  embodying  many  useful 
suggestions. 

The  "  Crown  gall  of  Lucerne "  is  one  of  the 
most  modern  of  agricultural  pests,  and  it  is  now 
brought  to  the  notice  of  farmers,  in  many  in- 
stances, for  the  first  time. 

The  "  European  Gooseberry-mildew,"  with 
especial  reference  to  its  attacks  on  Red  Currant, 
follows,  and  occupies  the  remainder  of  25  out  of 
the  total  of  58  pages. 

From  this  point  forwards  the  report  is  occu- 
pied by  "  The  American  Gooseberry-mildew  in 
England,  and  the  need  for  legislation."  And 
here  I  regret  to  find  that  the  reporter  abandons 
his  function  of  imparting  information.  From 
this  point,  therefore,  I  must  leave  the  report  to 
justify  itself,  inasmuch  as  I  fail  to  recognise 
the  good  taste  of  introducing  methods  of  per- 
sonal recrimination  into  departmental  reports. 
.1/.  C.  C. 

Lectures  on   Plant   PHYSiOLOGY.f 

By  the  recent  issue  of  a  translation  by  Prof. 
R.  J.  Harvey  Gibson  of  Dr.  Ludwig  Jost's 
Lectures  on  Plant  Physiology,  students  of  botany 
in  this  country  are  once  more  indebted  to  the 
triple  alliance  of  German  scholarship,  a  good 
translator,  and  the  Clarendon  Press.  In  a  sub- 
stantial 8vo.  volume  of  nearly  600pp.,  with  172 
illustrations,  Dr.  Jost  has  compressed  a  thor- 
ough survey  of  the  whole  field  of  plant  physi- 
ology in  the  light  of  present  knowledge.  It  is 
probably  unequalled  as  an  up-to-date  treatise. 
For  the  first  time  the  recent  researches  of 
Haberlandt,  Nemec,  Correus,  De  Vries,  Czapek, 
Pfeffer,  and  others  are  available  to  English 
readers  in  a  single  text-book  of  reasonable 
size. 

The  German  edition  appeared  in  1903,  and  in 
its  present  form  we  are  fortunate  in  having  the 
author's  corrections  and  additions  up  to  1906. 

The  43  lectures  are  classed  in  three  groups,  treat- 
ing respectively  of  Metabolism  (plant  chemistry, 
absorption,  and  conduction  of  water,  assimila- 
tion of  carbon  and  nitrogen,  respiration,  etc.), 
Metamorphosis  (growth,  reproduction,  heredity, 
and  variation),  and  Movement  (transformation 
of  energy  and  response  to  stimuli). 

Although  a  work  covering. so  wide  a  field  must 
of  necessity  be  a  compilation,  yet  the  present 
volume  is  something  more  than  this.     Dr.  Jost 

•  Reports  of  the  South-Eastern  Agricultural  College,  Wye, 
by  E.  S.  Salmon,  F.L.S.,  Hon.  F.R.H.S. 

t  Lectures  on  Plant  Physioloev,  by  Dr.  Ludwig  Jost, 
translated  by  Prof.  R.  J.  Harvey  Gibson.  Clarendon  Press, 
Oxford.     Price  21s.  and  24s.  net. 


180 


THE    GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


[September  7,  1907. 


is  a  competent  critic,  and  preserves  an  indepen- 
dent attitude  throughout.  The  author,  while 
pointing  out  the  difficulties  in  the  way  of  accept- 
ing certain  arguments  and  theories,  is  never  in  a 
hurry  to  put  forward  an  alternative  explanation, 
or  to  substitute  a  solution  of  his  own.  He  keeps 
in  touch  with  current  work  and  new  views,  but 
preserves  an  open  mind,  and  does  not  hazard  a 
positive  opinion  unless  sufficient  evidence  has 
been  accumulated  on  cne  side  or  the  other. 
Thus  the  indefiniteness  and  inconclusiveness  of 
several  of  the  lectures,  whilst  a  true  reflection  of 
the  present  state  of  our  knowledge,  will  be  dis- 
appointing to  those  who  like  to  take  opinions 
and  judgments  ready  made.  Yet  it  is  just  this 
judicious  and  critical  attitude  which  makes  the 
book  one  of  peculiar  value  to  the  genuine  stu- 
dent, for  it  trains  him  to  think  for  himself,  and 
leaving  him  unsatisfied,  tempts  him  to  follow  up 
the  points  in  question  by  reference  to  the  origi- 
nal authorities  (which  are  quoted  in  the  biblio- 
graphies appended  to  each  chapter),  or  even  to 
attempt  to  solve  them  on  lines  of  his  own. 

We  do,  however,  find  here  and  there  expres- 
sions of  the  author's  opinion  stated  in  no  uncer- 
tain fashion,  and  these  are  of  interest  as  indicat- 
ing his  point  of  view  in  regard  to  some  of  the 
prominent  questions.  For  example :  "  As  our 
knowledge  increases,  the  distinction  between  the 
different  types  of  variation  may  be  broken 
down  ;  still,  it  is  certain  that  mutability  will  re- 
main the  chief,  if  not  the  only  factor  in  species 
formation  " — psge  395.  "  To  attribute  to  the 
chromosomes,  or,  indeed,  to  the  nucleus  at  all, 
the  exclusive  possession  of  the  initials  [here- 
ditary factors  or  units]  is  a  view  which  has  in 
no  sense  been  justified.  .  .  .  We  conclude  that 
the  chromosomes  are  not  definite  organs  of  the 
cell  .  .  .  they  are  re-formed  at  each  division, 
and  hence  the  chief  basis  for  believing  them  to 
be  transmitters  of  hereditary  characters  disap- 
pears " — p.  378.  "  We  .  .  .  regard  it  as  estab- 
lished that  the  supposed  distinction  between 
somatic  and  germ-cells  does  not  in  reality  exi^t 
at  all  " — p.  380.  With  reference  to  Haberlandt's 
"  light-perceptive  organs,"  Dr.  Jost  says  :  "  The 
experimental  evidence  in  favour  of  the  function 
of  the  ocular  cells  will  scarcely  stand  critical 
investigation  " — p.  475.  In  the  two  lectures  on 
Geotropism,  we  have  an  excellent,  though 
necessarily  brief,  summary  of  the  various 
theories  of  graviperception,  statolithic  and 
otherwise.  It  is  noteworthy  that  the  author 
never  digresses  into  mere  hypothesis  and  vague 
theory,  but  keeps  throughout  in  close  touch  with 
objective  facts,  and  makes  reference  in  practic- 
ally every  paragraph  to  facts  and  experiments 
on  which  the  theories  are  founded. 

In  a  book  so  replete  with  details,  it  is 
important  that  each  subject  should  be  easy  of 
reference,  and  in  this  connection  we  could  have 
wished  for  a  more  complete  index. 

There  is  a  good  summary  of  the  contents  at 
the  commencement,  but  why  in  the  table  are 
some  portions  of  the  contents  grouped  in  chap- 
ters, when  in  the  body  of  the  book  there  are 
no  such  divisions? 

We  do  not,  however,  wish  to  end  in  a  tone  of 
criticism,  but  rather  in  one  of  gratitude  to  all 
concerned  in  the  production  of  this  admirable 
book. 


GLCEOSPORIUM  DISEASE   OF 

CURRANTS. 

The  Glceosporium  disease  of  Currants  is  a 
leaf  disease.  Affected  leaves  are  covered  with 
numerous  brownish,  confluent  spots,  in  which 
small  cushions  of  spore-masses  are  visible  under 
the  microscope.  The  leaves  begin  to  curl  and 
e\entually  fall  off:  This  generally  occurs  at  the 
time  the  fruits  are  in  full  development,  and,  in 
consequence,  they  experience  a  sudden  check  in 
their  growth,  and  begin  to  prematurely  colour, 
shrivel  and  to  drop.  The  accompanying  illustra- 
tion shows  three  twigs  of  a  Black  Currant  bush 
almost     defoliated.     I    have    been    told     by     a 


large  grower  of  Black  Currants  that  the  disease 
has  caused  this  year  more  damage  to  the  fruit 
crop  than  was  ever  the  case  with  the  "  Big 
Bud"  mite   (Eriophyes  ribis). 

The  fungus  causing  this  disease  formed  an 
interesting  memoir  by  Dr.  Klebahn  in  Zeit- 
schrift  fiir  PflanzcnkrankSiiiten,  Vol.  xvi.,  pp. 
65-83.  We  find  that  the  following  species  of  the 
fungus  cause  similar' injury  on  :  — 

Gooseberry  =  Glceosporium  ribis  (Lib.)  Mont, 
et  Desm. 

Red  and  White  Currant  =  Glceosporium  ribis 
(Lib.)  Mont,  et  Desm. 

Black  Currant  =  Glceosporium  curvatum, 
Oudemans  (Mat.  flor.  Need.  II.  28). 

Dr.  Klebahn,  through  a  series  of  experiments, 
proves  that  the  fungus  hitherto  known  as  Glceo- 
sporium ribis,  is  only  a  form  of  a  higher  fungus, 
which  he  succeeded  in  cultivating.  He  observed 
on  leaves,  which  had  fallen  to  the  ground  and 


Fig.   77. — shoots   of   black   currant   bush 
affected  with   glceosporium.- 


remained  there  through  the  winter,  a  form  which 
developed  from  the  Glceosporium,  and  was 
similar  to  the  well-known  Larch  canker  fungus 
Pseudopeziza  Willkommii.  He  kept  this  fungus, 
to  which  he  gave  the  name  Pseudopeziza  ribis, 
under  observation,  and  established  by  experi- 
ments that  the  spores  of  the  latter  form  developed 
into  the  same  Glceosporium,  with  which  he 
succeeded  in  re-infecting  Currants. 

The  fungus  which  caused  the  injury  on  the 
Blai  k  Currants,  as  illustrated,  is  described  as 
<  Hoeosporium  curvatum,  a  different  species,  with 
the  spores  of  which  no  injury  could  be  pro- 
duced by  infecting  Red  or  White  Currants,  but 
affection  was  readily  made  on  Black  Currants. 
From  the  evidence   of  the   fungus  on   Red   and 


White  Currants,  it  may  safely  be  concluded  that 
this  fungus  (G.  curvatum)  may  yet  either  prove 
to  be  identical  with  G.  ribis,  or  that  it  possesses 
another  Pseudopeziza  form.  The  work  of  Dr. 
Klebahn  is  so  recent,  that  no  experiments  with 
the  Black  Currant  fungus  have  been  reported  in 
Germany,  and  it  seems  doubtful  that  there  will 
be  any,  because  the  culture  of  the  Black  Currant 
in   Germany  is  being  very  little  practised. 

This  question  is  of  more  importance  to  Eng- 
lish observers,  and  I  hope,  by  the  means  of 
these  lines,  to  find  some  independent  co- 
workers !  Though  this  investigation  is  more  or 
less  laboratory  work,  yet  it  is  of  economical 
value  also,  for  it  plainly  illustrates  the  harm 
resulting  from  the  bad  practice  of  letting  the 
leaves  decay  under  the  bushes  ;  they  should  be 
collected  and  burned  in  all  instances  where  the 
plants  have  been  attacked. 

Recent  experiments  dealing  with  the  cure  of 
this  disease  have  been  published  by  Dr.  Ewert, 
of  Proskau,  whose  interesting  memoir  on  "  Seed- 
less Fruits  "  will  still  be  in  the  memory  of  the 
readers  of  this  journal  (see  Gardeners'  Chronicli 
for  May  18,  1907). 

Dr.  Ewert  made  experiments  in  a  plantation  of 
Red  and  White  Currants  (see  Zeitschrift  fiir 
Pflanzenkrankhciten,  Vol.  xvii.,  pp.  158-169), 
which  showed  pronounced  injury  by  Pseudope- 
ziza ribis,  Klebahn  (Glceosporium  ribis  (Lib.) 
Mont,  et  Desm. I.  He  treated  some  of  the  in- 
fested bushes  with  copper  solutions  and  left 
some  untreated.  The  solutions  mainly  em- 
ployed were  1  per  cent,  and  4  per  cent,  solutions 
of  the  Bordeaux  mixture,  and  1  per  cent,  solution 
of^basic  acetate  of  copper,  known  as  verdigris. 
He  began  spraying  on  April  4,  and  sprayed 
twice  each  week  until  May  30,  with  1  per  cent, 
and  4  per  cent,  solutions  of  the  Bordeaux  mix- 
ture and  1  per  cent,  solution  of  verdigris.  The 
fruits  were  harvested  on  July  10  and  11,  and  the 
experiments  showed  plainly  that  the  bushes 
treated  were  almost  all  free  from  disease,  whilst 
those  left  untreated  lost  all  their  leaves.  The 
results  further  showed  that  spraying  till  the 
middle  of  April  was  of  no  marked  result. 
Thus  it  is  obvious  that  the  main  time  of  infec- 
tion is  during  the  month  of  May.  It  is  import- 
ant to  further  state  the  results  obtained  by  spray- 
ing with  1  per  cent,  or  4  per  cent.  Bordeaux 
mixture,  or  1  per  cent,  solution  of  verdigris. 
The  Bordeaux  mixture  undoubtedly  takes  the 
first  place,  because  the  verdigris  solution 
showed  a  pronounced  injurious  influence  on  the 
foliage.  Though  the  1  per  cent,  solution  of  Bor- 
deaux mixture  has  been  employed  for  nine  con- 
secutive weeks,  twice  weekly,  it  by  no  means 
completely  arrested  the  disease,  though  the  dis- 
ease certainly  lost  in  virulence.  The  4  per  cent, 
solution  of  Bordeaux  mixture  left  plain  bluish 
incrustations  on  the  leaves,  and  it  was  feared 
that  the  assimilation  capacity  of  the  leaves  would 
suffer;  these  fears  were  realised,  though  the  in- 
jury resulting  from  spraying  with  a  4  per  cent, 
solution  was  much  the  smaller  evil  of  the  two. 
The  rains  washed  off  much  of  the  fungicide.  The 
experiments  prove  that  copper  solutions,  especi- 
ally the  Bordeaux  mixture,  are  excellent  reme- 
dies for  the  Glceosporium  disease.  Though  the 
author,  in  his  experiments,  deals  only  with  Red 
and  White  Currants,  there  can  be  little  hesita- 
tion in  saying  that  a  like  treatment  of  all  in- 
fected species  or  varieties  of  Ribes  will  prove 
equally  successful.  In  conclusion,  it  is  to  be 
said  that  the  Glceosporium  disease  is  a  malady 
of  "old  age."  Bushes  and  leaves  of  even  the 
more  susceptible  varieties  must  have  attained 
a  certain  age  before  they  are  attacked.  H.  T. 
Giissow. 


REMARKS    ON    THE    CONDITION 
OF   THE    FRUIT   CROPS. 

(See  Tables  and  Summaries,  ante,  //>.  S4-90.) 

(Continued  from  page  172.) 

7.— ENGLAND,  N.W. 

Cumberland. — Considering  the  continued 
cold  and  wet  weather,  the  fruit  crops  in  this 
district  are  remarkably  good.  Green  and  black 
aphis,  however,  have  been  very  troublesome,  but 
on  trees  which  were  sprayed  with  an  insecticid 
the  results  generally  are  good.  Gooseberries. 
Black,  Red,  and  White  Currants  are  much  over 
an  average  in  quantity.  Strawberries  were  pleri  1 
tiful,  and,  being  backward,  the  fine  weather  i' 


September 


1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


181 


July  greatly  benefited  these  fruits.  The  soil  in 
these  gardens  is  of  a  light,  sandy  nature. 
William  Sect!,  Eden  Hall  Gardens,  Lanrwathby 
R.S.O. 

The  promise  of  a  good  Apple  crop  was 

excellent  up  to  the  second  week  of  May,  but 
the  cold,  sunless  weather,  with  frequent  rains, 
after  that  date  caused  the  fruits  to  set  badly  :  a 
few  varieties  of  Apple  trees  are  carrying  fair 
crops.  All  fruit  will  be  very  late  in  ripening 
this  year.  The  Loganberry  is  fruiting  splen- 
didly ;  the  berries  are  excellent  for  jam-making, 
and  it  is  a  valuable  addition  amongst  hardy 
fruits.  Our  soil  is  a  light  loam,  resting  on  a 
sub-soil  of  bastard  clay.  Thomas  Tunstall, 
Carleton  House  Gardens,  Penrith. 

Lancashire. — We  have  good  crops  of  all  kinds 
of  fruits  with  the  exception  of  Apples,  which  are 
a  total  failure.  Many  Apple  trees  are  without  a 
single  fruit,  whilst  another  tree  of  the  same 
variety  close  by  is  carrying  a  fair  crop.  Old 
Apple  trees  have  made  a  few  inches  of  growth 
only.  I  attribute  the  failure  of  the  Apple  crop 
to  the  continuous  rains,  for,  during  a  period  of 
70  days,  only  five  were  without  rain.  Wm.  P. 
Roberts,    Cuerden    Hall    Gardens,    Preston. 

The    excessive    rains    and    cold    weather 

adversely  affected  the  fruit  crops,  especially  on 
our  cold,  heavy  soil,  and  the  early  promise  of 
an  abundant  yield  is  not  realised.  Black  fly  has 
been  very  troublesome  on  trees  bearing  stone 
fruits,  and  green  fly  on  Currant  bushes.  Cater- 
pillars have  not  been  quite  so  troublesome  this 
season  as  in  former  years.  Strawberries  decayed 
on  the  ground  instead  of  ripening.  Our  soil  is 
a  cold,  heavy  loam  on  a  subsoil  of  clay.  The 
aspect  of  the  gardens  is  to  the  north-west,  so 
that  crops  are  always  late  in  maturing.  E.  F. 
Hazel/on,  Knowsley  Card  its,  Prescot. 

The   fruit   crops,    and   especially   Apples 

and  Pears,  in  this  district  have  suffered  greatly 
from  an  absence  of  sunshine  and  continued  low 
temperatures,  followed  by  an  incessant  rainfall 
during  the  time  the  trees  were  in  bloom.  On 
April  17  9°  of  frost  were  registered,  with  the 
result  that  many  of  the  fruits  on  early  varieties 
of  Pear  trees  dropped  and  the  same  thing  hap- 
pened with  early  Apples.  Small  bush  fruits  are 
a  good  average  yield,  especially  Black  Currants, 
Raspberries,  and  Loganberries.  Strawberries 
have  been  very  poor  in  quality,  while  many  of 
the  berries  and  much  of  the  foliage  have  been 
attacked  with  mildew.  B.  Cromwell,  Clevcley 
Gardens,  A  Her  ton. 

The   late   spring   frosts   occurring   whilst 

the  trees  were  in  full  bloom  and  heavy  with 
moisture  caused  much  damage  to  the  Plum 
and  Damson  crops  in  this  neighbourhood. 
Apples  also  suffered  severely  from  these  causes, 
and  Pears  to  a  lesser  extent.  Some  varieties  of 
Apple  trees  are  carrying  full  crops"  of  fruits,  and 
others  have  none.  Of  Pears,  Louise  Bonne  of 
Jersey,  Marie  Louise,  Easter  Beurre,  Beurre 
d'Amanlis,  Beurre  d'Aremberg,  Beurre  Diel,  and 
Doyenne  du  Cornice  are  the  best  fruited.  Plums, 
with  the  exception  of  Victorias,  are  a  failure. 
Strawberries  suffered  from  the  excessive  rains, 
and  many  of  the  best  fruits  rotted  before  they 
were  ripe.  Taken  altogether,  the  present  is  the 
worst  fruit  season  in  my  experience  of  nearly 
40  years.  Our  soil  is  a  dark,  sandy  loam,  gener- 
ally overlying  white  sand.  Ben  Ashton,  Lai  horn 
House  Gardens,  Ormskirk. 

Westmoreland.— Apple  trees  when  in  bloom 
promised  well  for  a  plenteous  crop,  but  the  con- 
tinued wet,  cold,  and  sunless  weather  during 
May  and  the  early  part  of  June  ruined  the 
fruits.  Pears  have  also  suffered  from  the  same 
causes.  Wall  trees  of  Victoria  and  Gage  Plums 
set  heavy  crops  of  fruits,  and  many  have  had  to 
beremoved.  All  crops  are  very  backward,  and 
unless  bright  weather  ensues  I  am  afraid  many 
of  the  hardy  fruits  will  not  ripen.  Our  soil  is 
a  strong  loam  resting  on  clay.  F.  Clarke,  Low- 
ther  Castle  Gardens,  Penrith. 

The   Apple   crop    is   very   light    in   these 

gardens.  Many  trees  are  quite  barren  of 
fruits.  Pears  on  wall  trees  are  very  sparse. 
The  weather  last  year  was  dull,  and  the 
wood  did  not  mature,  and  cold  and  wet  weather 
prevailed  this  year  when  the  trees  were 
in  bloom.  Strawberry  Royal  Sovere'gn  always 
crops  well  with  us,  but  requires  replanting 
every  third  year.  W.  A.  Miller,  Underley  Gar- 
dens, Kirkby  Lonsdale. 


3.— ENGLAND,  S.W. 
Cornwall.— Small  fruits  are  plentiful  and 
extremely  good  in  quality.  Strawberries  have 
failed  for  the  first  time  in  eight  years  ;  cutting 
winds  prevailed  when  these  plants  were  in 
flower,  and  cold  rains  fell  just  before  the  fruits 
were  ripe.  Apricots  are  a  splendid  crop.  In 
spite  of  protection,  the  severe  weather  of  winter, 
and  fierce  gales  accompanied  with  hail  showers 
when  the  trees  started  into  growth,  killed  some 
Peach  trees  and  crippled  many  others.  The 
growth  of  Apple  and  Pear  trees  has  greatly  im- 
proved with  the  warmer  weather.  A.  C.  Bar/lett, 
Pcncarrow  Gardens. 

In  March  the  fruit  crops  promised  well, 

but  the  cold,  wet  weather  during  the  three  suc- 
ceeding months  completely  ruined  the  fruits, 
excepting  those  of  Peach  and  Nectarine, 
which  are  plentiful.  These  will  be  later 
than  usual  in  ripening,  but  they  promise 
to  be  of  excellent  quality.  Small  fruits 
are  very  plentiful.  The  soil  in  this  district 
is  _  very  light  in  texture,  and  dries  very 
quickly,  even  after  lung  periods  of  rain.  Alfred 
S.   Read,  Port  Eliot   Gardens,  St.   Germans. 

— —  The  Apple  crop  in  this  district  is  almost 
a  failure.  One  farmer  informed  me  that  in  two 
orchards  he  can  count  but  four  Apples  on  all 
the  trees.  Pears  are  also  very  few  in  number. 
The  heavy  rains  spoilt  quantities  of  Straw- 
berries. Currants,  <  ,i »  seberries,  and  Rasp- 
berries are  abundant.  The  soil  here  is  a  light, 
sandy  loam.  W.  H.  Bennett,  Menabilly,  Par 
Station. 

Devonshire.— An  abundance  of  blossom  on 
all  fruit  trees  set  well,  but  the  cold,  sunless 
weather,  with  occasional  frosts,  thinned  the 
fruits.  In  favoured  positions  the  trees  have 
heavy  crops,  but,  generally,  they  are  carrying 
a  thin  crop.  The  continued  cold  weather  and 
heavy  rains  during  April,  May,  and  up  to  mid- 
June,  have  caused  to  be  average  what  promised 
to  be  phenomenally  heavy  crops.  Andrew  //,>/< 
38,  Prospect  Park,  Exeter. 

With  the  exception   of  small   fruits,   the 

fruit  crops  are  a  failure  in  this  part  of  Devon. 
Continuous  fogs  at  the  time  the  trees  were  in 
blossom  greatly  contributed  to  the  failure.  The 
blossoms  were  plentiful,  and  I  believe  that  the 
deleterious  matter  in  the  fogs  was  the  cause  of 
the  foliage  becoming  burned.  The  leaves  of 
Peach  trees  are  much  blistered ;  Gooseberries 
and  Strawberries  are  the  heaviest  crops  I  have 
known.  The  foliage  of  Black  Currant  bushes  is 
much  blighted,  and  the  fruits  are  not  swelling. 
Geo.  Baker,  Membland  Gardens,  Near  Plymouth. 
.  ~  Almost  all  kinds  of  fruit,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  Apples  upon  Standard  trees,  are  more  or 
less  plentiful.  Pears  are  an  average  crop. 
Stone  fruits  are  present  in  quantity,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  Cherries.  The  trees  have  made  a 
free  growth,  and  notably  those  of  Apricot, 
Peach,  and  Nectarine,  while  the  two  last-named 
are  remarkably  free  from  "blister  or  curl." 
Strawberries  have  been  a  heavy  crop,  but  the 
early  berries  decayed  somewhat  badly.  Givons' 
Late  Prolific  furnished  a  late  supply  of  brightly- 
coloured  and  highly-flavoured  fruits.  Straw- 
berries succeed  well  on  our  deep,  sandy  loam 
which  rests  on  the  old  red  sandstone,  fame's 
Mayne,  Bicton  Gardens,  East  Budleigh. 

Apple   and   Pear    trees    promised    heavy 

crops  of  fruits,  but  cold  winds  caused  the  fruits 
to  drop  freely  after  they  were  set.  Peach,  Nec- 
tarine, and  Apricot  trees  all  set  very  heavy 
crops.  Strawberries,  generally,  were  good,  al- 
though many  were  spoiled  by"  the  wet  weather, 
berries,  Black  Currants,  and  Raspberries 
are  all  plentiful  and  of  good  quality.  Red  Cur- 
rants are  an  average  crop.  Peaches",  Nectarines, 
Cherries,  Red  and  Black  Currants  have  all  been 
badly  affected  with  aphis,  and  the  foliage  and 
shoots  have  required  frequent  sprayings  and 
washings.  Our  soil  is  a  rich  and  fairly  heavy 
loam  of  volcanic  origin,  and  overlying  the  red 
sandstone  formation.  /.  Coutts,  Killerton 
Gardens,  Broadclyst. 

With  the  exception  of  Plums,  there  was 

an  abundance  of  blossom  on  all  fruit  trees,  and 
the  promise  for  heavy  crops  of  fruits  was  good. 
Notwithstanding  this,  the  fruit  crops  are  the 
worst  for  some  years  past.  About  half  the 
flowers  on  Strawberry  plants  were  "  blind,"  and 
the  fruit  that  ripened  was  very  indifferent.  Dur- 
ing  Jul.V  Ir°st  was  registered  on  several  nights. 
T.  H.  Slade,  Poltimore  Gardens,  Exeter. 


Gloucestershire.— Many  Apple  trees  de- 
veloped but  little  blossom,  and  that  which  did 
appear  failed  in  some  instances  to  set  conse- 
quently there  are  few  Apples  in  this  district. 
Pear  trees  blossomed  freelv,  and  we  have  a 
good  crop  of  this  fruit."  Cherries  dropped 
badly  after  they  had  set.  Plums,  Peai  hes,  N<  1  - 
tarines,  and  Apricots  are  all  plentiful.  Goose- 
berries are  a  heavy  crop,  also  Red  and  Black 
Currants.  Superlative  Raspberries  are  carrying 
excellent  crops  of  good  fruits.  Strawberries 
have  done  well,  but  some  of  the  berries  rotted 
before  they  ripened.  The  soil  here  is  variable  ; 
some  trees  are  growing  in  a  sandy,  and  others  in 
a  clayey  loam.  The  subsoil  consists  of  the  old 
red  sandstone.  John  Banting,  Tortworth  Gar- 
dens, Fal  field. 

Apple  and  Pear  trees  blossomed  abun- 
dantly, but  owing  to  cold  winds  and  blight  most 
of  these  fruits  have  dropped.  Stone  fruits,  in- 
cluding Apricots,  Cherries,  Plums,  Peaches,  and 
Nectarines  have  needed  severe  thinning.  Goose- 
berries, Currants,  and  Raspberries  are  good,  and 
much  above  the  average  in  quantity.  Straw- 
berries have  been  a  good  crop,  but  many  of  the 
earlier  fruits  decayed  owing  to  continued  rains. 
Strawberry  Givons'  Late  Prolific  furnished 
splendid  fruits  of  excellent  flavour  and  high 
<  ilour.  Our  soil  is  a  light  loam  resting- on  lime- 
stone rock.  F.  C.  Walton,  Stanley  Park  Gar- 
dens, Stroud. 

Apple   trees   produced   an   abundant     ol 

bl  m.      Early   kinds   are    above    the    average 

in  quantity.  Late-keeping  varieties  are  scarce. 
Pears  are  an  average  crop.  Early  kinds  are 
greatly  affected  by  the  Pear-midge,  though  pre- 
1  autions  were  taken  to  combat  this  pest.  Man 
kinds  of  Plums  are  plentiful,  such  as  Victoria", 
Monarch,  and  Golden  Drop,  but  Greengages  are 
bad.  The  trees  blossomed  well,  and  set  theil 
fruits  well  under  the  protection  of  nets,  but  1  II. 
damp  weather  and  rough  winds  caused  many  of 
the  fruits  to  drop.  Of  Cherries,  Morellos  are 
good,  but  very  late  in  ripening.  The  qold 
season  has  adversely  affected  other  kin 
Peaches  and  Nectarines  are  above  the  average 
in  quantity,  but  a  plague  of  wasps  and  flies  ha 
ruined  many  of  the  fruits  out  of  doors.  Apricots 
are  over  the  average  in  number,  but  later  than 
usual  in  ripening.  All  small  fruits  are  good. 
Strawberries  were  an  abundant  crop,  and  the 
fruits  were  of  good  size,  but  they  lacked  flavour. 
Givons'  Late  Prolific  produced  grand  crops  of 
fruits.  A.  Chapman,  Westonbirt  Gardens,  Tel- 
bury. 

Although  the  season  has  been  very  cold-, 

the  fruit  crops  generally  are  satisfactor} 
Growth  was  very  slow  during  May  and  June, 
and  all  trees  suffered  from  blight  owing  to  the 
cold  winds  and  low  temperatures.  Apples  are 
an  average  crop.  Pears  set  well  after  an  abun- 
dance of  bloom,  and  are  satisfactory.  Plums 
are  abundant.  Peaches,  on  walls  outdoors,  are 
good,  although  the  foliage  is  still  pale  in  colour 
from  the  effect  of  the  cold.  Among  small  fruits 
Gooseberries  are  plentiful  and  good.  I  have  not 
yet  seen  the  new  Gooseberry-mildew.  Some  of 
the  Red  Currant  bushes  are"  blighted,  but  they 
are  carrying  plenty  of  fruits.  Black  Currants 
promised  well,  but  many  dropped  owin^;  to 
the  cold  nights.  Raspberries  are  good  in  every 
respect.  Strawberries  have  been  good,  although 
wanting  in  colour  and  flavour.  A  few  rotted, 
and  some  were  attacked  with  mildew.  Thi 
here  is  a  strong  loam  resting  on  clay.  Alfred 
E.  T.  Rogers,  Sudeley  Castle  Gardens,  Winch- 
combe. 

Herefordshire.— Apples  are  much  under  the 
average  in  quantity  ;  varieties  of  Apples  carry- 
ing the  best  crops  are  (culinary)  Bismai  I  , 
Bramley's  Seedling,  Golden  Noble,  Golden  Spire, 
Hambling's  Seedling,  Hormead's  Pearmain, 
Newton  Wonder,  Stirling  Castle,  Warner's  King, 
and  Loddington  Pippin  ;  (dessert),  Allington 
Pippin,  Adams'  Pearmain,  Beauty  of  Bath, 
Fearn's  Pippin,  Margil,  Ribston  Pippin,  Rival, 
and  Wealthy.  Of  Pears,  the  best  on  bush  trees 
are  Clapp's  Favourite,  Conference.  Emile 
d'Hevst,  Fondante  d'Automne,  Fondante 
Thiriot,  Marie  Benoist,  Magnate,  President 
d'Osmonville,  and  Triomphe  de  Vienne.  Our 
heaviest  crops  of  Plums  are  on  bush  trees,  «  hii  h 
are  much  better  fruited  than  Wall  trees.  Small 
fruits  are  good,  especially  Currants.  Our  best 
Black  Currant  is  Boskoop  Giant.  Tko 
Goodrich  Court  Gardens,  Ross. 


182 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[September  7,  1907. 


Apple   orchards  were    a    beautiful   sight 

■when  the  trees  were  in  flower,  but,  owing  to 
frost  and  wet  weather,  Apples  are  very  scarce. 
Strawberries  were  fairly  plentiful,  but  nearly 
all  the  berries  were  spoilt  by  mildew,  some 
varieties  being  worse  in  this  respect  than  others. 
Peach  and  Nectarine  trees  that  were  protected 
by  netting  on  outside  walls  have  had  to  have 
their  fruits  severely  thinned.  Our  soil  is  a  heavy 
loam  resting  on  limestone.  George  Mullins, 
Eastnor  Castle  Gardens,  Ledbury. 

All  fruit  trees  appeared  remarkably  well 

in  the  spring-time.  The  prospects  for  the  Straw- 
berry crop  were  extra  good  in  May,  but  the  un- 
seasonable weather  destroyed  most  of  the  berries. 
Strange  to  say,  runners  planted  last  year  fruited 
the  worst  of  all.  Peaches  and  Nectarines  out  of 
doors  set  extraordinary  crops.  Some  orchards 
contain  a  good  number  of  Pears,  and  scarcely 
any  Apples.  The  soil  is  cold  and  heavy,  and 
rests  on  a  stiff  clay.  Titos.  Watkins,  Newport 
Kail  Gardens,  Eardisley,  K.S.O. 

(To  be  concluded.) 


The  Week's  Work. 

PLANTS    UNDER  GLASS. 

By  J.  G.  Weston,  Gardener  to  H.  J.  King,  Esq., 
Eastwell  Park,  Kent. 

Gloriosa  superba. — These  plants  having  finished 
flowering,  the  foliage  is  beginning  to  turn  yellow. 
If  they  are  growing  in  a  prominent  position 
and  are  considered  unsightly,  they  may  be  taken 
from  tho  wires  and  the  growths  trailed  round 
some  stakes,  placed  in  the  pots,  after  which  the 
plants  can  be  removed  to  a  less  conspicuous 
position,  but  one  that  is  fully  exposed  to  the 
sunshine.  Gradually  decrease  the  supply  of 
water  at  the  roots  until  the  foliage  and  stems  are 
quite  matured,  when  it  should  be  withheld  alto- 
gether, and  the  roots  kept  in  a  dry  condition 
throughout  the  winter  in  a  structure  having  an 
atmospheric  temperature  of  not  less  than  5b°. 

Caladiums,  &c. — As  the  foliage  ripens  off, 
gradually  reduce  the  water  supply,  but  do  not 
permit  drought  to  occur  until  all  the  leaves  have 
died  quite  away.  The  plants  should  now  be 
placed  in  a  moderately  warm,  but  well-ventilated 
house  or  frame,  and  when  thoroughly  ripened 
off  may  be  stored  away  for  the  winter  in  a  warm 
position  quite  free  from  drip.  Gloxinias  and 
Achimenes  may  be  treated  in  the  same  manner 
as  they  approach  their  resting  period. 

Begonias. — Most  of  these  being  nearly  past  the 
decorative  stage,  they  may  be  removed  from  the 
houses  and  placed  out-of-doors  for  the  remainder 
of  the  month,  or  until  the  plants  are  cut  down 
by  frost.  When  this  has  taken  place,  and  the 
soil  is  sufficiently  dry,  shake  out  the  tubers 
and  store  them  in  a  cool,  dry  place  free  from 
frost,  such  as1  is  suitable  for  the  storing  of 
Potatos. 

Cyclamen. — If  seed  is  not  already  sown,  no 
time  should  be  lost  before  carrying  out  this 
operation,  as  there  is  a  decided  advantage 
gained  over  sowing  in  winter,  the  plants  having 
a  good  start  if  seeds  are  sown  early  in  Septem- 
ber and  consequently  a  longer  season  to  grow 
in.  Thoroughly  drain  the  pots  or  pans,  and  fill 
them  with  a  mixture  of  light  loam,  leaf-soil, 
and  plenty  of  sand.  Place  them  in  a  warm 
house,  taking  care  that  the  soil  in  the  seed-pans 
never  becomes  quite  dry.  To  assist  in  keeping 
the  soil  moist  without  frequent  waterings,  place 
some  paper  over  the  seed-pots,  keeping  this 
slightly  damp.  Remove  the  paper  when  germi- 
nation has  taken  place,  but  shade  the  tiny  seed- 
lings from  bright  sunshine.  Keep  the  pans  on 
a  shelf  near  the  glass  in  an  intermediate  tem- 
perature, and  pot  the  seedlings  singly  into  small 
pots  when  they  have  become  large  enough  to  be 
handled.  The  plants  should  be  encouraged  to 
grow  slowly  all  through  the  winter. 

Schizanthus. — Seeds  of  Schizanthus  should 
also  be  sown,  and  the  pans  placed  in  a  cool 
frame  on  a  damp  base.  Use  light,  sandy  soil, 
and  when  grown  large  enough  to  be  handled, 
prick  out  the  young  plants  into  pans  or  boxes. 
Keep  them  well  up  to  the  glass  and  ventilate 
the  structure  freely.  Re-pot  the  plants  as  soon 
as  they  require  more  root-room,  not  allowing 
them  to  become  pot-bound  until  they  are  in  the 
pots  in  which  they  will  flower.  Keep  them 
during  the  winter  in  a  cool  frame,  Schizanthus 
being  very  impatient  of  heat. 


THE  FLOWER  GARDEN. 

By  A.  C.  Bartlett,  Gardener  to  Mrs.  Ford,  Pencarrow, 
Cornwall. 
Bedding  Calceolarias. — In  the  West  of  England 
cuttings  of  these  plants  are  rarely  inserted  before 
the  end  of  September,  but  in  less  favoured 
parts  it  is  now  time  to  commence  the  work.  The 
simplest  method  for  their  propagation  is  to  pre- 
pare a  frame,  the  bottom  of  which  should  be 
filled  with  porous  material  to  ensure  suitable 
drainage.  The  soil  should  consist  of  a  mixture 
of  three  parts  loam  to  one  of  leafsoil,  with  the 
addition  'of  plenty  of  coarse  sand,  and  the 
whole  should  be  passed  through  a  sieve  having 
a  J-inch  mesh.  Make  the  soil  firm  and  spread  a 
thin  layer  of  silver  sand  over  the  surface.  The 
cutting's  should  be  short-jointed  and  without 
flower-buds  ;  plant  them  firmly  at  a  distance  of 
2  inches  apart.  Apply  water  copiously  with  a  fine 
rose  can  and  keep  the  lights  closed,  except  for 
half  an  hour  each  day,  when  they  should  be 
slightly  tilted  at  the  back  to  allow  any  super- 
fluous moisture  to  escape.  Shade  the  cuttings 
from  bright  sunshine,  and  when  they  are  rooted 
admit  air  freely  to  harden  them. 

Watering. — The  weather  this  summer  has  been 
moi._:  and  dull,  but  no  great  quantity  of 
rain  has  fallen,  consequently  precautions  must 
be  taken  to  see  that  bedding  plants  do  not 
suffer  during  dry,  sunny  weather.  Such  plants 
as  Lobelia  cardinalis,  Salvias,  Nicotianas, 
Pansies,  Violas,  and  Rudbeckias  will  be  found 
to  suffer  more  from  this  cause  than  Pelar- 
goniums, Heliotropes,  &c.  In  these  gardens, 
the  soil  is  of  a  light  texture,  and  Cannas  need 
frequent  waterings  during  even  moderately  dry 
weather  to  induce  them  to  flower  continuously ; 
each  watering  is  preceded  by  a  light  dressing 
of  guano. 

bulbous  Irises. — September  is  the  best  month 
in  which  to  plant  these  Irises.  If  they  are 
placed  in  different  aspects  in  the  garden,  and  a 
judicious  selection  be  made  of  the  best  varieties 
of  both  the  Spanish  and  the  English  types — the 
latter  is  a  fortnight  or  more  later  in  flowering 
than  the  former — a  display  of  these  flowers  may 
be  had  for  about  five  weeks.  The  best  rooting- 
medium  for  both  types  is  a  light,  rich  soil  that 
has  been  deeply  worked.  A  general  mistake  is 
made  in  planting  these  Irises  too  thinly ;  a 
group  of  a  dozen  or  more  bulbs,  planted  at  6 
inches  apart,  produces  a  much  better  effect  than 
the  same  number  scattered  thinly  along  a 
border.  I.  pavonia  (Moraea),  the  Peacock  Iris, 
and  I.  tuberosa,  the  Snake's  Head  Iris,  are  also 
desirable  species  for  planting ;  they  should  be 
given  the  same  treatment  as  that  described 
above.  I.  reticulata  is  one  of  the  best  garden 
species.  

THE    ORCHID    HOUSES. 

By  W.  H.  White,  Orchid  Grower  to  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence, 
Bart.,  Burford,  Surrey. 
Masdevallias. — The  proper  seasons  for  repot- 
ting Masdevallias  is  at  the  beginning  of  Septem- 
ber, and  in  February.  September  is  generally 
considered  the  better  time,  because  it  is  in 
autumn  the  plants  make  the  greatest  number  of 
roots,  and  the  cool,  moist  weather  generally  pre- 
valent at  this  season  is  also  favourable  to  the 
plants  becoming  quickly  re-established.  It  is 
not  advisable  to  repot  any  plant  if  it  has  already 
sufficient  root-room  and  the  compost  is  in  good 
condition  ;  neither  should  healthy  specimens  be 
disturbed  unnecessarily  that  are  needed  for  ex- 
hibition purposes  next  season,  as  they  may  fail 
to  bloom  satisfactorily  the  first  year  after  repot- 
ting. But  in  some  instances  the  compost  may 
have  become  sour  and  stagnant,  and  this  can 
easily  be  picked  out  down  to  the  drainage  and 
fresh  soil  substituted  without  causing  much  dis- 
turbance to  the  roots.  Plants  which  have  lost  a 
number  of  leaves  and  become  bare  in  the  centre 
may  now  be  safely  divided  and  be  potted  separ- 
ately for  propagating  purposes,  or  they  may  be 
remade  up  into  neat,  compact  specimens.  They 
will  thrive  equally  well  if  treated  either  way. 
Select  pots  of  suitable  dimensions,  bearing  in 
mind  that  all  the  strong-growing  Masdevallias, 
as  M.  Veitchiana,  M.  ignea,  M.  Lindenii,  M. 
macrura,  M.  coriacea,  M.  coccinea  and  its  nu- 
merous varieties  (of  which  M.  c.  Harryana  is  an 
excellent  example)  are  vigorous  rooting  plants, 
and  requiring  considerable  space.  Fill  the 
pots  to  about  one-half  of  their  depth  with  broken 
crocks,  and  employ  a  compost  of  good,  fibrous 
peat,  polypodium  fibre,  and  sphagnum-moss, 
mixing  them  in  equal  proportions,  to  which  may 
be  added  a  sprinkling  of  small  crocks  and  coarse 


silver  sand.  Cut  up  the  materials  roughly,  mix- 
ing them  well  together,  and  make  the  compost 
moderately  firm  about  the  roots,  especially  to- 
wards the  centre  of  the  plant,  for,  unless 
this  is  done  properly,  the  soil  in  that  por- 
tion will  decay  more  rapidly  than  that  which  is 
nearer  to  the  sides  of  the  pot.  Carefully  work 
the  compost  between  the  roots,  keeping  the  base 
of  the  plant  on  a  level,  or  just  a  t  .1:  below  the 
rim  of  the  pot.  When  the  operation  is  com- 
pleted, prick  in  a  few  heads  of  living  sphagnum- 
moss  over  the  surface.  This  is  a  much  better 
plan  than  covering  the  whole  surface  of  the  com- 
post with  a  layer  of  chopped  moss. 

Dwarf  ■growing  varieties. — M.  Wageneriana, 
M.  Estradas,  M.  Shuttleworthii,  M.  Arminii,  M. 
ludibunda,  M.  picturata,  M.  melanopus,  M. 
ionocharis,  M.  hieroglyphica  M.  O'Brieniana, 
&c,  form  attractive  objects  when  well  flow- 
ered. Any  of  similar  growth  to  those  just 
enumerated  should  be  grown  in  shallow  pans, 
which  may  be  suspended  close  to  the  roof  glass, 
or  they  may  be  placed  altogether  upon  an  ele- 
vated position  upon  the  stage.  The  critical  time 
with  Masdevallias  is  just  after  they  have 
suffered  root  disturbance,  it  being  an  easy 
matter  to  afford  an  excess  of  water,  which 
often  results  in  the  loss  of  many  roots 
and  leaves ;  therefore,  to  be  on  the  safe 
side,  it  is  advisable  for  the  first  few  weeks  =o 
water  very  sparingly,  giving  just  sufficient  to  in- 
duce the  sphagnum-moss  to  grow,  and  as  each 
plant  becomes  re-established,  gradually  increase 
the  supply.  After  repotting,  shade  the  plants 
from  all  sunshine  and  maintain  a  moderately 
moist  atmosphere  by  damping  the  surfaces,  in 
the  house  two  or  three  times  each  day,  but  modi- 
fying this  practice  according  to  the  locality  and 
the  construction  and  situation  of  the  house.  To 
avoid  black  and  spotted  leaves,  also  to  prevent 
the  spread  of  a  fungus  which  attacks  the  leaves 
of  Masdevallias,  care  should  be  taken  to 
prevent  an  excess  of  atmospheric  moisture  dur- 
ing dull  weather.  When  the  temperature  of  the 
external  atmosphere  is  falling  below  50°,  gradu- 
ally reduce  the  amount  of  moisture  inside,  and 
where  possible  have  the  hot-water  pipes  made 
just  luke-warm.  Where  no  separate  house  is  set 
apart  for  these  plants,  a  warm,  sheltered  corner 
of  the  Odontoglossum  house  is  the  next  best 
place  for  them.  Keep  all  flowers  picked  off  dur- 
ing the  next  three  or  four  months,  so  that  the 
plants  will  bloom  the  more  freely  in  their  proper 
seasons.  The  white  M.  tovarensis  should  not  be 
repotted  now  unless  a  plant  is  in  bad  condition 
at  the  root. 

PUBLIC  PARKS  AND  GARDENS. 

By  W.  W.  Pettigrew,  Superintendent  of  the  Parks  and 
Open  Spaces  in  the  City  of  Cardiff. 
Street  trees. — The  planting  of  trees  and  their 
maintenance  in  the  streets  of  towns  and  cities 
usually  devolves  upon  the  public  works  depart- 
ment, while  the  actual  work  involved  is  invari- 
ably carried  out  by  the  staff  of  the  parks 
department  where  such  exists.  Thus,  with  the 
exception  of  deciding  when  and  where  trees  are 
to  be  placed,  street  planting  is  to  all  intents 
and  purposes  a  branch  of  park  work.  As  the 
primary  success  in  growing  street  trees  largely 
depends  upon  planting  them  early  in  the 
autumn,  it  is  well  to  have  all  the  neces- 
sary preparations  made  before  the  plant- 
ing season  begins.  The  numbers  of  trees 
required,  the  kinds  most  suitable  for  the  locality, 
and  the  selection  of  the  trees  themselves  where 
possible,  are  all  matters  which  should  be  seen 
to  before  the  autumn.  Tradesmen  generally  do 
not  care  for  trees  in  front  of  their  premises, 
hence  it  is  inadvisable  to  attempt  to  beautify  the 
business  part  of  a  town  with  trees,  unless  the 
streets  are  exceptionally  wide.  On  the  contrary, 
in  the  residential  quarters  most  people  are  very 
anxious  to  have  tiees  planted  in  front  of  their 
dwellings,  and  it  becomes  necessary  to  make 
certain  restrictions  to  prevent  this  work  from 
being  overdone  and  from  becoming  a  very  ex- 
pensive form  of  luxury.  In  this  city  trees  are 
never  planted  in  streets  that  are  less  than  45 
feet  in  width,  a  rule  which  prevents  a  very 
large  number  of  thoroughfares  from  being 
planted,  much  to  the  regret  of  their  inhabitants. 
As  trees  are  liable  to  suffer  injury  from  many 
causes  when  growing  in  a  public  thoroughfare, 
it  is  inadvisable  to  plant  either  rare  or  expen- 
sive kinds.  We  make  it  a  rule  never  to  plant  a 
tree  costing  more  than  3s.  6d.,  in  a  public  street, 
unless  under  the  most  exceptional  circumstances. 


September  7,  1907.] 


xHE    GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


183 


Suitable  trees  for  planting  in  streets. — The 
choice  of  trees  suitable  for  town  planting  is  an 
important  matter,  and  has  much  to  do  with  the 
failure  or  success  of  the  undertaking.  Soil, 
position,  and  local  conditions  are  the  more  im- 
portant factors  in  determining  the  selection  of 
suitable  trees.  In  most  English  towns  few 
trees  are  more  adapted  for  street  planting  than 
the  Oriental  Plane,  which  is  capable  of  with- 
standing much  of  the  ill  usage  incident  to 
the  life  of  a  town  tree.  The  Sycamore,  Norway 
Maple,  Turkey  and  Scarlet  Oaks,  fastigiate 
Poplars,  Beech,  Ailanthus,  the  ordinary  Robinia, 
and  the  smaller-growing  forms  of  the  Elm  are 
all  useful  trees  for  street-planting.  Unfortu- 
nately many  highly-ornamental  and  easily- 
grown  trees  are  unsuited  for  this  purpose  on 
account  of  their  bearing  either  showy  flowers 
or  prominent  fruits.  The  Horse  Chestnut  is  a 
beautiful  object  in  a  public  street,  but  on 
account  of  its  fruits  it  is  not  desirable  to  grow 
it  near  houses,  for  boys  will  persist  in  throwing 
stones  to  bring  down  the  nuts  in  the  autumn. 
The  Mountain  Ash  and  several  other  members 
of  the  genus  Pyrus  are  ideal  town  trees,  but 
children  destroy  them  as  soon  as  the  fruits  begin 
to  colour.  If  our  town  children  were  taught, 
like  those  on  the  Continent,  not  to  interiere 
with  street  trees,  what  great  possibilities  of 
beautifying  many  of  the  most  sombre-looking 
parts  of  a  town  would  city  gardeners  possess  ! 


FRUITS  UNDER  GLASS. 

By  Alexander  Kirk,  Gardener  to  J.  Thomson  Paton,  Esq., 
Norwood,  Alloa,  Clackmannanshire. 

Pineapples. — A  dry  atmosphere  should  be 
maintained  in  houses  in  which  these  fruits  are 
ripening,  and  ventilation  should  be  freely 
afforded  during  the  daytime  ;  allowing  the  tup 
ventilator  to  remain  open  also  a  trifle  at  night. 
The  temperature  should  range  from  70°  to  80° 
Fahr.  Keep  the  plants  dry  at  their  roots,  for  if 
water  is  applied  to  the  soil  at  the  time  the  fruits 
are  changing  colour,  decay  will  ensue  in  the 
centre  of  the  crowns.  If  these  directions  are 
followed,  Pineapples  may  be  kept  in  a  satis- 
factory condition  for  some  considerable  time 
after  they  are  ripe.  Plants  of  Pineapples  in- 
tended for  fruiting  next  spring  will  now  re- 
quire careful  treatment,  and  no  greater  quan- 
tity of  water  should  be  afforded  them  than 
is  necessary  to  prevent  the  ioliage  from  flagging. 
Maintain  a  warm,  humid  atmosphere  in  the  pits, 
and  admit  fresh  air  daily  during  hot  weather. 
Gradually  lower  the  temperature  as  the  days 
shorten,  and  close  the  ventilators  early  in  the 
afternoon  so  as  to  conserve  the  sun's  heat. 
Suckers  should  now  be  detached  from  the  parent 
plants,  and  be  potted  in  turfy  loam,  using  pots 
with  a  diameter  of  6  inches  for  the  purpose. 
Pot  firmly,  and  plunge  the  roots  in  a  bottom 
heat  of  80°  ;  the  atmospheric  temperature  in  the 
pit  should  be  70°.  Keep  the  atmosphere  humid 
and  afford  the  plants  a  copious  watering 
with  lukewarm  water,  which  will  suffice  until 
the  suckers  form  roots.  Sprinkle  the  plants 
lightly  overhead  both  morning  and  afternoon. 

Melons. — Plants  bearing  ripening  fruits  will 
require  a  free  circulation  of  air  about  them  by 
day,  and  a  little  from  the  roof-ventilators  at 
night-time.  This  admission  of  air  is  necessary  in 
Older  to  prevent  the  fruits  from  splitting.  Both 
the  night  and  the  day  temperatures  of  the  Melon- 
pit  should  range  from  70°  to  80° ;  maintain 
a  dry  atmosphere  constantly  and  be  careful  not 
to  apply  much  water  to  the  roots.  By  discon- 
tinuing the  bottom  heat  and  maintaining  a 
cooler  and  drier  atmosphere,  the  supply  of  fruits 
Will  be  available  for  a  longer  period  than  other- 
wise. Mulch  the  borders  with  horse-litter. 
Late-planted  Melons  that  are  swelling  their 
fruits  require  to  have  a  moist  atmosphere  about 
them,  with  a  day  temperature  of  85°  and  75° 
at  night.  The  damping  should  be  done  regu- 
larly, and  the  plants  watered  with  the  greatest 
care.  Occasional  doses  of  liuqid  manure  will 
be  beneficial.  Secure  the  fruits  to  the  trellis- 
work  ;  pinch  the  ends  of  young  growths,  but  leave 
a  few  shoots  unstopped,  until  the  fruits  are  almost 
ripe,  in  order  to  encourage  a  free  root-action. 

Orchard-house   trees. — Pot-trees   of   such   fruits 

as  Apples   and   Pears  should   never  be  allowed 

to  suffer  from  want  of  water  at  their  roots,  and 

flagging    of     the     leaves    must    be      studiously 

avoided.     Any    fruits    that    are    ripe    should    be 

I  gathered  and  placed  in  the  fruit  room.     Foliage 

I  shading  the   fruits   from   the   sun's   rays   should 

li  be  entirely  removed,   or   arranged  at   the  back. 


Feeding  should  be  discontinued  as  soon  as  the 
colouring  of  the  fruit  commences.  Allow  the 
trees  to  receive  the  full  benefit  of  night  dews, 
for  the  dew  at  night  and  the  sun's  rays  by  day 
are  essential  to  the  best  maturation  and  colour- 
ing of  Apples. 

THE  HARDY  FRUIT  GARDEN. 

By  J.  Mavne,  Gardener  to  Lord  Clinton,  Bictpn, 
East  Devon, 

Trained  fruit  trees. — If  the  lateral  growths 
were  pinched  early  in  the  season,  secondary 
shoots  will  have  formed,  and  these  should  now 
be  stopped  at  the  first  leaf :  this  practice  will 
favour  the  formation  of  fruit-buds  at  the  base  of 
the  current  season's  shoots.  A  crowded  condi- 
tion of  the  lateral  growths  must  be  avoided,  in 
order  that  the  wood  which  should  produce 
fruits  next  season  may  become  well  ripened : 
the  hanging  fruits  will  also  benefit  by  the  re- 
moval of  superfluous  shoots.  The  present  is  a 
suitable  time  to  observe  gross-growing  trees  that 
they  may  be  marked  for  rout-pruning  towards  the 
end  of  October  and  early  in  November.  Fre- 
quently hose  or  syringe  the  foliage  of  trees 
trained  against  warm  walls,  for  red  spider  is 
much  easier  kept  away  than  eradicated  when 
present.  Aphis,  too,  will  sometimes  appear  on 
Peach  and  Nectarine  trees  when  syringing  is  dis- 
continued while  the  fruits  are  ripening.  Imme- 
diately the  crop  has  been  cleared,  wash  the  trees 
with  quassia-extract,  and  direct  the  syringe  to 
the  underneath  side  of  the  leaves,  this  position 
being  a  favourable  lurking-place  for  insect  life. 
In  some  gardens  blackbirds  and  thrushes  devour 
ripening  Peaches,  and  ciops  of  Figs  are  often 
entirely  ruined  by  these  birds  unless  netting  is 
used  to  keep  them  at  bay.  Expose  late  ripening 
Peaches  to  the  full  rays  of  the  sun  by  placing 
the  foliage  aside  ;  part  of  a  leaf  may  be  cut  away 
if  it  is  unduly  shading  a  fruit.  Examine  each 
day  the  traps  set  to  catch  earwigs,  and  destroy 
any  that  are  caught  by  blowing  them  into  a  pail 
that  is  half  filled  with  hot  water. 

Packing  Peaches  and  I-  igs. — Both  these  fruits 
require  very  careful  gathering  and  packing  if 
they  are  intended  for  transit.  Peaches  should  be 
first  enclosed  in  tissue  paper,  twisted  at  the  top 
with  2  inches  to  spare,  so  that  the  fruit  can  be 
easily  taken  out  of  the  box.  Next  a  piece  of  cot- 
ton wool  of  treble  thickness  should  be  wound 
around  each,  and  afterwards  they  should  be 
placed  closely  together  in  shallow  boxes,  or,  if 
wood-wool  be  preferred,  this  ma}'  be  put  next 
the  paper.  Whatever  material  is  used,  all  in- 
tervening spaces  must  be  filled  and  the  whole 
made  moderately  firm  about  each  fruit,  the  base 
of  which  should  rest  on  an  inch  layer  of  soft 
material,  such  as  advocated  above.  Figs  should 
either  be  wrapped  in  Spinach  or  soft  Bean  leaves, 
and  be  placed  thickly  together  in  quite  shallow 
boxes  prepared  as  for  Peaches,  with  a  layer  of 
tissue  paper  over  the  fruits.  The  remaining 
space  should  be  filled  with  a  similar  material  as 
that  used  for  the  base.  In  packing  Peaches, 
Nectarines,  and  F'igs,  only  one  layer  of  fruit- 
should  be  placed  in  a  box. 


THE    KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

By  William  H.  Honess,  Gardener  to  C.  Combe,  Esq., 
Cobham  Park,  Surrey. 

Formation  of  Mushroom-beds. — A  start  should 
now  be  made  to  collect  droppings  from 
the  stables  for  the  purpose  of  forming 
mushroom-beds,  collecting  sufficient  for  making 
each  bed  in  as  short  a  space  of  time 
as  possible.  In  the  meantime,  keep  the 
collected  droppings  on  a  dry  base  in  an  open 
shed,  and  turn  them  over  every  morning  until 
the  required  quantity  has  been  obtained.  When 
the  beds  are  being  formed,  care  should  be  taken 
to  make  them  thoroughly  firm  by  treading  the 
droppings  together,  or  if  this  cannot  be  done 
owing  to  the  position  of  the  bed,  then  by  beat- 
ing with  a  wooden  mallet.  After  a  few  days  the 
heat  of  the  bed  will  commence  to  increase,  and 
after  a  further  lapse  of  time  it  will  decrease. 
When  the  decrease  has  set  in,  and  the  tempera- 
ture is  at  about  80°,  the  spawn  may  be 
inserted,  first  breaking  it  into  pieces  of  about 
2  or  3  inches  square,  and  placing  these  pieces  at 
about  2  inches  deep  in  the  bed.  At  the  time  of 
spawning,  the  atmospheric  temperature  of  the 
house  should  range  between  60°  and  65°.  When 
the  bed  has  been  spawned  for  one  week  add  a 
thin  layer  of  fine  soil  to  the  surface,  applying  it 
in  a  moist    condition,  and   making    it    firm    by 


beating  it  with  the  back  of  a  spade.  Keep  the 
atmosphere  of  the  house  moist  and  of  even  tem- 
perature until  the  first  Mushrooms  are  ready 
for  cutting,  when  a  temperature  of  55°  will  be 
quite  high  enough.  The  frequency  at  which 
fresh  beds  are  made  must  depend  upon  the  ac- 
commodation there  exists  and  the  demand  need- 
ing to  be  satisfied.  During  the  period  the  drop- 
pings are  being  collected  give  the  house  a 
thorough  cleaning,  and  limewash  all  the  walls, 
ix.,  renovating  any  planks  that  are  faulty,  and 
putting  the  whole  of  the  interior  of  the  house 
in  good  working  order  for  the  season. 

Hoeing. — Continue  to  hoe  at  frequent  inter- 
vals the  surface  soil  between  all  winter  crops. 
The  season  of  growth  is  now  becoming  very 
short,  therefore  afford  every  assistance  possible 
to  the  various  crops,  so  that  they  may  become 
properly  matured,  and  be  therefore  the  better 
able  to  withstand  severe  weather  in  winter.  By 
freely  using  the  hoe  both  between  the  crops  and 
on  vacant  plots  at  this  season,  before  the  weeds 
have  ripened  seed,  much  labour  will  be  saved 
next  season. 

Early  Brussels  Sprouts. — A  few  of  the  old 
leaves  at  the  base  of  the  plants  should  be  taken 
off  to  allow  a  free  circulation  of  air  and  light 
among  the  crop,  particularly  where  much  growth 
has  been  made  and  the  leaves  are  now  thick  to- 
gether. If  this  work  is  neglected  the  young 
Sprouts  will  become  drawn,  weakly,  and  loose. 

Celery.— Attend  to  the  earthing-up  of  this 
crop,  doing  the  necessary  work  at  the  first 
favourable  opportunity  ;  but  never,  on  any  ac- 
count, carry  out  such  an  operation  when  the 
leaves  or  stems  are  approaching  a  damp  or  moist 
condition,  or  decay  oi  the  crown  will  take  place. 

Turnips. — Late  Turnips  have  been  more  satis- 
factory than  for  several  seasons  past.  The  seeds 
have  germinated  well,  and  the  young  plants 
have  grown  quickly,  and  consequently  are  un- 
usually free  from  the  infestations  'of  "fly." 
The  crops  will,  in  most  cases,  require  thin- 
ning, and  this  work  should  be  done  as  early 
as  possible  to  prevent  the  young  plants  from 
becoming  overcrowded. 


THE   APIARY. 

By  Chloris. 

.4  word  in  season. — Those  who  are  fortunate 
enough  will  now  be  counting  up  their  gains,  but 
most  beekeepers  will  be  filled  with  disappoint- 
ment because  of  their  losses.  From  all  parts  of 
the  kingdom  there  were  complaints  about  the 
complete  loss  of  stocks  in  1904  and  1905,  but  the 
losses  of  1908  will  be  even  greater  than  those  if 
the  bees  are  not  given  food  at  once.  It  is  surpris- 
ing how  little  has  been  stored  in  the  brood-cham- 
ber this  year,  and  how  very  weak  the  stock  are. 

How  to  make  Syrup. — We  must  feed  at  once, 
in  order  that  the  bees  may  have  a  good  supply 
of  food  next  March  and  April,  and  also  to 
encourage  the  queen  to  lay  a  large  quantity  of 
eggs  that  there  may  be  a  good  cluster  of  bees  to 
keep  up  the  necessary  heat  of  the  colony  in  the 
coming  winter.  A  strong  colony  always  winters 
better  and  more  economically  than  a  weak  one. 
Take  about  8  lb.  of  white  sugar  and  boil  it  well 
in  4  pints  of  water,  taking  care  that  it  does  not 
burn,  and,  when  cool,  place  the  syrup  in  jam 
bottles  and  cover  with  muslin.  Take  care  to  fill 
the  bottles  to  the  brim,  because,  if  any  air  is  left 
in  the  pots  the  syrup  will  be  forced  out  by  it ; 
this  will  flood  the  floor  board,  and  robbing  with 
all  its  attendant  troubles  will  commence. 

How  to  put  on  the  Syrup. — Cut  a  hole  in  the 
quilts,  about  2  inches  square,  on  three  sides, 
and  turn  back  the  flap ;  over  the  hole  place  a 
piece  of  wood,  6  inches  square  and  ^  inch 
thick,  having  a  hole  in  tile  centre  about  lj  inches 
in  diameter.  This  stand  will  raise  the  bottle 
above  the  frames  and  give  the  bees  freer  access 
to  the  syrup.  Overturn  the  bottle  on  the  wood, 
so  that  the  mouth  of  the  bottle  will  be  over  the 
hole  in  the  wooden  stand. 

A  warning. — Robbing  is  not  only  caused  by 
letting  the  syrup  run  on  the  floor  board,  but  also 
by  spilling  the  syrup  near  the  hives,  and  by 
putting  on  the  food  during  the  day.  Evening  is 
the  more  suitable  time  to  perform  the  operation. 
When  feeding  take  care  to  wrap  the  bottle  of 
syrup  up  warmly  to  conserve  the  heat,  for 
bees  prefer  the  liquid  lukewarm.  Many 
beekeepers  are  very  careless  in  this  re- 
spect, and  the  interior  of  the  hive  is  very 
draughty. 


(I 


184 


THE     GARDENERS1      CHRONICLE. 


[•September  7,  1907. 


EDITORIAL    NOTICE. 


ADVERTISEMENTS  should  be  sent  to  the  PUB- 
LISHER, 41,  Wellington  Street,  Covent  Garden. 
W.C. 

Letters  tor  Publication,  as  well  as  specimens  and  plants 
tor  tunning,  should  be  addressed  to  the  EDITOR, 
41,  Wellington  Street,    Covent   Garden,   London. 

Communications  should  be  written  on  one  side  only  oe 
the  paper,  sent  as  early  in  the  zveelt  as  possible  and  duty 
signal  by  the  writer.  If  desired,  tlie  signature  will  not  be 
printed,  but  kept  us  a  guarantee  0/  good  faith. 


APPOINTMENTS  FOR  THE  ENSUING  WEEK. 


SATURDAY,  SEPTEMBER  7— 
Pollockshaws  Fl.  Sh. 
Soc.  Franc.  d'Hort.  de  Londres  meet. 
German  Gard.  Soc.  meet. 

TUESDAY,  SEPTEMBER  10— 
Scottish  Hon.  Assoc,  meet. 
Dahlia  Sh.  in  Manchester  Botanic  Gardens  2  days). 

WEDNESDAY,  SEPTEMBER  11— 

Roy.  Caledonian  Hort.  Soc.  Sh.  at  Edinburgh  (2  days). 

THURSDAY,  SEPTEMBER  12— 

London  Dahlia  Union's  Sh.  in  Botanic  Gdns.,  Regent's 
Park  (2  days). 

FRIDAY,  SEPTEMBER  13—  Hamilton  Fl.  Sh. 

SATURDAY,  SEPTEMBER  14— Newton  Mearns  Fl.  Sh. 


Average     Mean    Temperature    for    the    ensuing    week, 
deduced  from  observations  during  the  last  Fifty  Years 
at  Greenwich — 58'1\ 
Actual  Temperatures: — 

London. —  Wednesday,  September  4  (6  p.m.)  :  Max.  60°; 
Min.  46". 
Gardeners1  Chronicle  Office,  41,  Wellington  Street, 
Covent  Garden,  London. — Thursday,  September 
5  (10  a.m.):  Bar..  29'8 ;  Temp.,  65";  Weather— 
Overcast. 
Provinces  —I Yednesday,  September  4  (6  p.m.)  :  Max.  61^, 
Ireland,  S.W.  coast ;  Min.  4S°,  Scotland  N, 


SALES    FOR    THE    ENSUING   WEEK. 

MONDAY  and  WEDNESDAY— 

Sale  of  Dutch  Bulbs,  &c,  at  Stevens'  Rooms,  King 
Street,  Covent  Garden,  W.C. 

MONDAY  TO  FRIDAY— 

Dutch  Bulbs,  at  67  &  68,  Cheapside,  E.C.,  by  Protheroe 
&  Morris,  at  10.30. 

MONDAY— 

Twenty-second  Annual  Unreserved  Trade  Sale  of  Pot 
Plants,  at  Dyson's  Lane  Nurseries,  Upper  Edmonton,  by 
order  of  Messrs.  H.  B.  May  &  Sons,  by  Protheroe 
&  Morris,  at  11. 

TUESDAY— 

Annual  Trade  Sale  of  winter-blooming  Heaths,  &c,  at 
Burnt  Ash  Road  Nurseries,  Lee,  S.E.,  by  order  of 
Messrs.  B.  Mailer  &  Sons,  by  Protheroe  &  Morris,  at  11. 

WEDNESDAY— 

Great  Annual  Trade  Sale  of  winter-flowering  and  other 
Plants,  at  The  Nurseries,  South  Woodford,  by  order  of 
Mr.  John  Fraser,  by  Protheroe  &  Morris,  at  11. 
Lilium  Harrisii,  Roman  Hyacinths  and  other  bulbs, 
Palm  seeds.  Sc,  at  67  &  63,  Cheapside,  E.C.,  by  Pro- 
theroe &  Morris,  at  5, 

THURSDAY— 

Twenty-sixth  Annual  Trade  Sale  of  winter-flowering 
Heaths,  &c,  at  The  Longlands  Nursery,  Sidcup,  S.E., 
by  order  of  Messrs.  H.  Evans  &  Sons,  by  Protheroe  & 
Morris,  at  U. 

FRIDAY— 

Choice  importations  of  Odontoglossum  crispum,  Cat- 
tleyas,  Gigas,  Mendelii,  &c,  also  established  Orchids, 
at  67  \  63,  Cheapside,  EX.,  by  Protheroe  &  Morris,  at 
12-45. 


The    word    "  phenology  "    is 
The  Science     not    Qne     w;t]l     wn;ch     many 

Appearances.'  people  are  familiar,  and  since 
we  have  turned  to  a  good 
many  dictionaries  for  enlightenment  as  to 
its  meaning,  but  without  finding  any,  we 
are  not  surprised  at  the  fact.  The  author  of 
the  report  has  defined  the  word  elsewhere  as 
"  the  science  of  appearances  ...  it 
deals  with  the  first  appearance  each  year  of 
certain  wild  flowers,  birds,  and  insects"; 
and  we  might  amplify  this  definition  by  say- 
ing that  the  function  of  phenology  is  to  show 
the  character  of  a  season  by  exhibiting  its 
effect  upon  the  growth  of  plants,  the  migra- 
tion of  birds,  the  prevalence  of  insects,  &c. 
For  many  years  Mr.  Mawley  has  directed  the 
work  of    a    large   number   of   observers   dis- 

*  Report  on  the  Phenological  Observations  for  1906,  by 
Edward  Mawley,  F.R. Met. Soc,  V.M.H.  (Quarterly  Journal 
cf  the  Royal  Meterological  Society). 


tributed  all  over  the  country  who  have  noted 
each  year  the  dates  of  flowering  of  certain 
specified  plants,  the  dates  on  which  certain 
migratory  birds  were  first  seen  or  that  when 
the  note  of  other  birds  was  first  heard,  and 
the  first  appearance  of  certain  common  in- 
sects. The  observations  are  sent  to  him  and 
are  grouped  under  eleven  large  districts  into 
which  the  British  Isles  have  been  divided  for 
the  purpose,  and  for  each  district  and  for  each 
subject  of  observation  he  has  obtained  a  series 
of  mean  dates  which  may  be  regarded  as  cha- 
racteristic of  an  average  phenological  year. 
The  deviation  of  the  dates  in  a  given  year 
and  district  from  the  average  enables  the 
reader,  therefore,  to  get  a  fairly  good  idea 
of  the  character  of  the  season  in  that  part 
of  the  kingdom,  and  to  appreciate  what  has 
been  the  cumulative  effect  of  the  various  ele- 
ments of  climate  upon  vegetable  life  and  upon 
those  forms  of  animal  life  with  which  the 
gardener  is  chiefly  concerned.  The  Report 
before  us  was  prepared  for  the  Royal  Meteoro- 
logical Society,  and  it  contains  the  results  of 
Mr.  Mawley's  analysis  of  the  observations  for 
the  agricultural  year  extending  from  Decern, 
ber,  1905,  to  November,  1906,  and  supplies 
much  interesting  information,  for  which  the 
Report  itself  should  be  consulted  by  those  who 
are  interested  in  the  subject.  But,  in  addition 
to  the  purely  phenological  results,  it  gives  a 
good  general  summary  of  the  most  note- 
worthv  features  of  each  of  the  four  seasons, 
which  should  enable  horticulturists  and  agri- 
culturists to  better  understand  some  points 
connected  with  their  work  which  may  perhaps 
have  been  a  little  puzzling  to  some  of  them. 
Mr.  Mawley  mentions  as  the  most  noteworthy 
features  of  the  weather  in  1906  which  affected 
vegetation,  the  dry  period  which  lasted  from 
the  beginning  of  June  until  the  end  of  Sep- 
tember, and  the  great  heat  and  dryness  of  the 
air  at  the  close  of  August  and  the  beginning 
of  September.  He  points  out  that,  whilst 
wild  plants  came  into  flower  earlier  than  usual 
until  the  middle  of  April,  those  which  flow- 
ered after  that  date  were  later  than  usual. 
A  remarkable  result  of  the  unusual  weather 
last  autumn  was  the  very  long  time  the  trees 
retained  their  foliage  without  assuming  any 
change  of  colour. 


We  have  already  referred  to  the 
Potato  trials  of  tuber-producing  species 
Trials.       of     Polatos   by    Messrs.    Sutton 

and  Sons,  at  Reading,  during 
the  passing  season.  But  so  far  these  tests 
have  been  furnished  by  pot  plants  grown 
under  glass.  It  is  therefore  interesting  to  find 
that  practically  all  the  species  have  also  been 
grown  in  the  open  ground  at  the  Southcote 
trial  grounds,  and  with  results  very  much  the 
same  as  were  furnished  by  the  house-grown 
plants.  Several  species  seem  to  be  much 
too  delicate  to  thrive  out  of  doors  in  such  a 
season  as  we  have  experienced  this  year. 
Some  others  show  admirable  qualities,  and 
none  more  so  than  S.  etubcrosum,  of  which 
there  is  growing  a  good  breadth,  the  plants 
having  spreading  tops,  full  of  bloom,  and 
leafage  of  a  somewhat  glossy  nature.  It  was 
interesting  to  note,  on  a  recent  visit,  tlial, 
whilst  there  was  not  an  ordinary  commercial 
variety,  however  strong,  but  showed  some 
evidence  of  diseased  leafage,  not  a  speck  or 
spot    could    be    found   on    the    leafage    of    S. 


etubcrosum.  That  fact  naturally  leads  to  the 
hope  that  this  species  may  yet  become  the 
parent  of  a  disease-resisting  race  of  Potatos. 
Messrs.  Sutton's  anticipations  that,  because 
seedling  plants  from  it  show  a  certain 
amount  of  diversity,  this  species  may  have 
been  the  originator  of  all  the  varieties  now 
in  commerce  is  supported  by  the  fact  that 
the  seedlings  show  material  approach  to  the 
culinary  Potatos.  It  has,  however,  to  be  men- 
tioned that,  ever  since  its  introduction  to  this 
country,  S.  etuberosum  seems  to  have  re- 
tained its  specific  form.  Apart  from  certain 
seedling  progeny,  the  stock  plants  of  the 
species  growing  at  Reading  remain  pure  to 
specific  character.  Contrary  to  the  habit  of 
commercial  varieties  that  have  been  propa- 
gated year  after  year  from  tubers,  there  are 
among  the  seedling  Potato  plants  raised  this 
year  from  commercial  varieties  crossed  with 
each  other,  some  that  show  not  merely  extra, 
ordinary  growth,  but  also  abundant  flowers 
of  remarkable  size  and  colour.  A  breadth  of 
the  yellow-flowered  selection  from  the  bluish- 
flowered  Up-to-Date  now  shows  adherence  to 
that  character,  although  last  year  some  plants 
reverted  to  the  normal  colour.  The  yellow 
tint  is  due  to  the  interesting  fact  that  petals 
have  in  the  flowers  become  partially  changed 
into  stamens,  hence  the  singular  colour  pre- 
sented in  the  flowers  of  this  selection  of  Up- 
to-Date. 

The  trial  of  Commersoni  violet  (Laber- 
gerie)  and  Blue  Giant  (Paulsen)  out  in  the 
open  is  an  extensive  one,  running  into  some 
20  rods  area.  There  is  a  large  breadth  of 
each  variety,  and  they  appear  to  have  iden- 
tical features.  Both  stocks  being  imported 
show  very  robust  growth.  There  are  also 
breadths  of  both  raised  from  tubers  grown 
at  Southcote  last  year,  the  plant  growth  upon 
these  latter  being  much  less  robust. 

But  test  roots  lifted  from  all  the  stocks 
showed  that  the  best  tuber-produce  is  obtained 
from  plants  of  medium  growth  and  from 
locally-grown  sets.  Gross  tops  do  not  always 
mean  that  there  is  a  good  crop  of  tubers. 

Some  locality  tests  as  made  last  year  were 
repeated.  Scotch,  Irish,  Lincoln,  and  Berk- 
shire seed  tubers  were  planted  of  several 
varieties.  There  was  very  little  difference  in 
the  crops  raised  from  tubers  obtained  from 
Scotland  and  Ireland,  both  giving  much 
better  results  than  did  either  the  Lincoln  or 
Berkshire  tubers.  The  testing  of  immature 
or  unripe  seed-tubers  against  others  of  the 
same  stock  left  to  fully  mature  in  the  ground 
has  constantly  shown  that  the  immature 
tubers  are  most  productive.  Four  varieties 
were  thus  tested  in  the  present  trial,  and  in 
each  case  the  results  agreed  with  those  ob- 
tained at  previous  trials.  It  was  found  also 
that  tubers  lifted  on  July  18th  proved  to  be 
more  productive  than  those  lifted  also  to  be 
unripe  on  August  1st.  That  point  would, 
however,  have  to  be  governed  by  the  char- 
acter of  the  variety,  the  position,  where 
grown,  and  the  general  character  of  the  sea- 
son. 

In  order  to  check  scab  disease  in  the  tubers, 
rows  of  Potatos  were,  at  the  time  of  planting; 
dressed  with  sawdust,  with  which  was  mixed 
a  small  quantity  of  salt.  So  far  as  present 
appearances  can  be  relied  upon,  the  result 
has  been  a  success,  for  such  tubers  as  were 
(ifted  were  very  clean,  whilst  from  other  rows 


Supplement  10  the  "Gardeners'  Chronicle.' 

A. 


A,<  feu  i  .v  t      Ao^jl— ■ 


Senecio  Wilsonianus,  a   species  from  Western  China.       Flowers  y 


ELLOW. 


Temple  Press  Ltd.,  Printers,  7-15,  Rosebery  Avenue,  London,  E.C. 


September  7,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS     CHRONICLE. 


185 


not  so  treated  scab  was  plentiful.  The  ex- 
periment may,  if  good  follows,  have  great 
value  for  Potato  growers.  Other  rows 
treated  with  a  proprietary  substance  not  un- 
like  tar  has  so  far  shown  no  good  results. 

The  tests  or  experiments  that  have  been 
conducted  at  Southcote  this  year  are  of  a  very 
modest  character  as  compared  with  the 
(elaborate  series  conducted  last  year,  but,  such 
as  they  are,  they  afford  results  that  are  of 
value  to  all  Potato  growers.  It  has  not  been 
shown  at  present  that  any  gain  is  to  be  ob- 
tained from  the  Solanum  species  that  Messrs. 
Sutton  are  cultivating,  but  at  least  they  are 
interesting,  and  they  are  certainly  capable  of 
affording  valuable  information  and  material 
to  botanists.  It  is,  however,  to  the  improve- 
ment of  the  Potato  of  commerce  that  practi- 
cal men  look  forward,  and  especially  so  at 
the  present  time  when  we  are  said  to  be 
threatened  with  a  tuber  crop  some  30  per 
cent,  below  the  average. 


Researches  at  Cambridge.— The  second 
part  of  Volume  II.  of  the  Journal  of  Agricul- 
tural Science*  is  a  record  of  some  of  the  valuable 
work  now  being  carried  on  at  Cambridge.  In 
the  papers  here  printed  we  see,  as  it  were,  the 
fighting  line  of  modern  scientific  investigators 
steadily  making  their  way  into  the  unknown, 
wrestling  with  and  gradually  overcoming  by 
skilful  experiments  and  patient  research  the 
obscure  problems  which  exist  in  the  vegetable 
world.  It  is  noteworthy  that  all  the  papers  here 
given,  while  examples  of  pure  research  and  un- 
trammelled by  commercial  connection  or  con- 
trol, have  yet  a  direct  bearing  on  practical  eco- 
nomic problems.  Four  out  of  the  seven  papers 
deal  with  Genetics — the  new  name  for  the  old 
problems  of  heredity,  variation,  and  descent — 
in  a  word,  the  science  of  breeding.  Mr.  Biffen 
contributes  two  important  papers  on  cereals.  In 
the  first  he  continues  his  Studies  in  the  Inherit- 
pice  of  Disease  Resistance,  and  confirms  and 
elaborates  his  previous  interesting  discovery  that 
(1)  liability,  and  (2)  immunity  to  "rust"  form 
an  allomorphic  pair  of  unit-characters  in  Wheat 
plants.  That  is  to  say,  when  a  strain  of  Wheat, 
very  susceptible  to  attacks  of  rust,  is  crossed 
with  another  strain  which  is  known  to  be  im- 
mune (or  nearly  so),  the  resulting  hybrids  are 
found  to  be,  without  exception,  susceptible.  But 
in  the  next  generation  raised  from  these  hybrids, 
it  is  found  that  about  one-fourth  of  the  plants 
are  immune  (like  the  original  immune  parent), 
and  the  other  three-fourths  inherit  the  liability 
to  disease.  In  the  succeeding,  generations  the 
immune  plants  retain  their  purity,  while  those 
liable  to  disease  give  off  in  each  successive 
generation  fixed  proportions  of  pure  susceptible, 
impure  susceptible,  and  pure  immune  forms,  in 
accordance  with  the  Mendelian  laws.  Unfortu- 
nately, the  type  of  Wheat  which  is  valued  for  its 
resistance  to  parasitic  disease  is  practically 
worthless  in  other  respects  ;  but  Mr.  Biffen's 
experiments  show  that  by  making  suitable 
crosses  and  growing  sufficiently  large  cultures 
it  will  be  possible  to  raise  a  breed  in  which 
the  valuable  "immunity"  of  the  otherwise 
worthless  Emkorn  Wheat  is  combined  with  char- 
acters from  other  varieties  which  (except  for 
their  liability  to  disease)  are  regarded  by  farmers 
as  of  first-class  quality.  Mr.  Biffen's  other 
paper  gives  the  results  of  his  hybridisation  ex- 
periments with  a  number  of  varieties  of  Barley. 
Many  pairs  of  characters  are  shown  to  follow 
Mendel's  laws,  while  in  other  cases  complica- 
tions and  deviations  arise  which  call  for  further 
research.     Miss  D.  C.  E.  Marryat  supplements 

Cambridge  Press,  5s.  net. 


Mr.  Biffen's  work  on  Wheat  by  an  investigation 
into  the  minute  detail,  of  the  relation  between 
the  parasitic  rust  fungus  and  the  infected  Wheat 
plant.  She  confirms  the  view  of  former  inves- 
tigators that  immunity  is  quite  independent  of 
any  structural  character,  such  as  thickness  of 
cell-walls  or  size  and  number  of  stomata,  and 
concludes  that  immunity  to  disease  depends 
upon  the  presence  or  absence  of  mutually  de- 
structive toxins  and  antitoxins.  Miss  Marryat's 
paper  is  illustrated  with  figures  showing  the 
germination  of  the  rust  spore  and  its  growth  and 
destructive  action  upon  the  cells  of  a  "  suscep- 
tible "  Wheat,  while  other  figures  exhibit  the 
death  and  disintegration  of  the  fungus  when  in- 
vading an  "  immune  "  variety.  Another  import, 
ant  paper  is  that  of  Mr.  T.  B.  Wood's  on  the 
Chemistry  of  Strength  of  Wheat  Flour,  in  which 
an  attempt  is  made  to  correlate  the  qualities  re- 
cognised by  millers  and  bakers  with  the  ascer- 
tainable chemical  and  physical  characters  of  the 
Flour.  This  is  an  exceedingly  complicated  pro- 
blem, and  one  which  is  in  urgent  need  of  fur- 
ther investigation  In  the  same  number  of  the 
journal  is  a  paper  dealing  with  the  soils  of 
Cambridgeshire  from  a  farmer's  point  of  view  in 
relation  to  the  underlying  geological  forma- 
tions, by  Mr.  F.  W.  Foreman,  and  one  on 
"  Losses  in  Making  and  Storing  Farmyard 
Manure,"  by  Mr.  T,  B.  Wood,  who  compares 
the  results  obtained  from  cake-fed  heifers  and 
those  fed  only  on  roots  and  hay.  There  is  also 
a  note  by  Mr.  W.  I.  Bails,  of  the  Botanical 
Laboratory,  Cairo,  on  "  Mendelian  Heredity  in 
Cotton." 

Insects     Affecting     Fruit     Trees.  —  A 

pamphlet  of  36  pages,  by  Dr.  C.  J.  S.  Bethune, 
Professor  of  Entomology  at  the  Ontario  Agri- 
cultural College,  has  been  issued  by  the  Ontario 
Department  of  Agriculture.  It  treats  only  of 
those  species  of  insei  ts  which  are  most  com- 
monly met  with,  and  that  are  sufficiently 
abundant  to  cause  serious  trouble  to  the  fruit- 
grower. Particular  attention  is  called  to  the  use- 
lessness  of  employing  measures  of  destruction  or 
prevention,  yet  allowing  wild  trees  and  bushes 
affording  hiding  and  breeding  places  for  the  par- 
ticular insects  to  grow  without  molestation,  men- 
tion being  made  of  the  wild  Cherry,  wild  Plum, 
v'awthorn,  and  Mountain  Ash.  None  such 
should  be  allowed  to  exist  near  an  orchard  or 
fruit  garden.  The  pamphlet  contains  illustrated 
chapters  on  some  of  the  fruit-tree  pests  only-  too 
well  known  in  Britain,  as  the  Codlin  moth,  eye- 
spotted  bud-moth,  leaf-roller  moth,  Apple  aphis, 
woolly  aphis,  oyster-shell  bark  louse,  Pear  tree 
Psylla,  shot-hole  borer  or  fruit-tree  bark  beetle, 
Pear  tree  slug,  Plum  curculio,  Peach  scale, 
Phylloxera  of  Grape  vine,  and  several  insects 
peculiar  to  the  North  American  continent.  A 
brief  list  of  insecticides  is  given,  together  with 
the  most  approved  methods  of  application. 

"The  American  Florist. "—Our  American 
contemporary,  known  by  the  above  title,  issued 
its  one  thousandth  number  on  August  3.  Since 
the  first  issue,  which  appeared  on  August  15, 1885, 
it  has  recorded  the  remarkable  growth  of  the 
cut-flower  trade,  and  the  wonderful  changes  and 
development  in  methods  that  have  taken  place 
in  American  horticulture.  It  has  always  taken 
a  prominent  part  in  assisting  in  the  development 
of  the  horticultural  industry.  We  congratulate 
our  contemporary  on  its  success,  and  wish  it 
continued  prosperity,  and  a  long  career  of  use- 
fulness. 

An  Ancient  Florist  s  Business. — We  note 
that  M.  Jacques  K.  i  i  and,  Nimes,  France, 
states  in  a  contemporary  that  his  seed  business 
has  been  continued  uninterruptedly  since  1680, 
or  'I'll  years,  and  he  adds:  "I  should  be  very 
glad  to  know  if  I  can  c  mnt  my  business  to  be 
the  oldest  establishment   in  the  seed  trade." 


Study  of  Acclimatisation  in  America. — • 

We  have  received  from  Mr.  Leonard  Barron, 
secretary,  a  preliminary  programme  of  the    pro- 
ceedings that  will  take  place  at  the  International 
Conference  on  Plant  Hardiness  and  Acclimatisa- 
tion to  be  held  on  October  1,  2  and  3,  1907,  in 
the  rooms  of  the  American  Institute  and  in  the 
Museum   Building   of  the    New  York    Botanical 
Garden.     The    conference,    it    will    be    remem- 
bered,  will   be  held   under   the   auspices  of   the 
Horticultural    Society   of    New   York.     The    fol- 
lowing   incomplete   list    of    papers    which    have 
been  promised  will  serve  to  indicate  the  general 
scope  of  the   subjects   that   the  conference   will 
cover,   and  the  committee  of  arrangements  will 
be  glad  to  receive  promises  of  other  papers  or 
suggestions.     It   is   purposed   to  publish   in  one 
volume  a  complete  report  of  the  proceedings:  — 
"  The   Determining   Factors    in   the   Seasonable 
Activity   of    Plants,"    by    D.    T.    MacDougal, 
Tucson,  Ariz.  ;  "  Factors  that  Control  Acclimati- 
sation,"  by    Henry   C.    Cowles,    University  of 
Chicago,    111.  ;     "  Evaporation     as     a     Climatic 
Factor     Influencing     Vegetation,"     by     B.      L. 
Livingston,  Tucson,  Ariz.  ;    "  Air  Drainage  as 
Affecting   Hardiness   of   Plants,"   by   Ernst   A. 
Bessey,   Subtropical   Laboratory,   Miami,   Fla.  ; 
"The    Real    Factors     in    Acclimatisation,"    by 
Frederic     E.     Clements,    University    of    Ne- 
braska ;      "  Plant      Improvements      Needed     in 
Specific     Cases,"    by     W.    M.    Hays,     Assistant 
Secretary  of  Agriculture  ;  "  Comparative  Hardi- 
ness    of     Plants    of     the     same     Variety     from 
Northern     and     Southern     Points,"    by    J.     C. 
Whitten,    Missouri;    "Observations   on    Euca- 
lyptus     Hybrids;      the     Japanese     Loquat      in 
Algeria  ;   Truth  to  Seed  of  Eastern  and  African 
Varieties   of    Vitis    vihifera,"   by   M.    Robert, 
Algeria ;      "  Temperate     Zone     Plants     in     the 
Tropics,"  by  D    W.   May,  Porto  Rico  ;   "  Accli- 
matisation of  Economic  and  other  Plants  in  the 
West  Indies,"  by  Sir  Daniel  Morris,  Imperial 
Department  of  Agriculture  for  the  West  Indies ; 
"  Co-operative  Testing  to  Ascertain  Hardiness  in 
Fruits,"    by     H.    L.    Hutt,     Guelph,     Canada; 
"  Resistance  to  Cold,  Heat,  Wet,  Drought,  Soil, 
Stc.j    in    Grape;,"    by    T.    V.    MUNSON,    Texas; 
"  Developing     Hardy     Fruits     for     the     North 
Mississippi    Valley,"    by     Samuel    B.    Green, 
Ohio ;    "  Hardiness   of    the    Peach,"    by    U.    P. 
Hedrick,       Geneva,      N.Y.  ;       "  Hardiness      of 
Apples,"  by  O.  M.  Morris,  Oklahoma ;  "  Fruits 
and     Trees     in     the    North-West, "    by     W.     S. 
Thornber,      Washington ;       "  Hardiness      and 
Acclimatisation  of  Alfalfa,"  by  B.   C.   BUFFUM, 
Wyoming ;    "  Some     Work     with    Timothy    and 
Awnless     Brome      Grasses,"      by     S.      Fraser, 
Geneseo,     N.Y.  ;     "  Hardiness    of     Ornamental 
Plants  in  the  Middle  North-West, "  by  Anthony 
U.      Morrell,     Minnesota ;     "  Studies    on    the 
Acclimatisation     of      Plants      in      the      Prairie 
Regions,"  by  L.  H.  Pammel,  Iowa  ;   "  Observa- 
tions in  the  Region  at  the   Head  of  Lake  Michi- 
gan," by  Jens  Jensen,  Chicago,  111.  ;   "  Experi- 
ments in  Plant  Acclimatisation  in  Alaska,"  by 
Walker  H.   Evans,  U.S.   Department  of  Agri- 
culture ;  "  Fifteen  Years'  Experience  in  Southern 
California,"   by  D.   F.   Franceschi,   Santa  Bar- 
bara,   Cal.  ;    "  Some     Experiences    with     Field 
Crops    in     Virginia,"    by     Andrew    J.    Soule, 
Blacksburg,   Va.  ;    "  Observations  on   Hardiness 
of  Plants  Cultivated  at  the  New  York  Botanical 
Garden,"  by  Geo.  V.  Nash,  New  York  Botanical 
Garden ;    "  Some   Anomalous     Observations     in 
St.  Louis,"  by  W.  Trelease,  Missouri  Botanical 
Garden,    St.    Louis,    Mo.  ;    and    "  Problems     of 
Hawaii,"  by  J.   E.   Higgins,  Hawaii.     Promises 
of  co-operation  have  also  been  received,   writes 
the    secretary,    frcm    Messrs.    W.    Robinson,    J. 
Backhouse,     and     the     Royal     Agricultural 
Society,  of  England  ;    M.   Ph.   de  Vii.morin,  of 
France  ;  Mr.  W.  Saunders,  Canada,  &c. 


1S6 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[September  7,  1907. 


Applfs  Said  to  be  Proof  Against  Ameri- 
can Blight. — An  exchange  of  experiences  and 
opinions  in  regard  to  varieties  of  Apples  and 
Apple  stocks  that  have  been  thought  to  be 
immune  from  attack  from  the  American  aphis  or 
blight  (Schizoneura  lanigera),  was  recently 
published  in  Matter's  Deutsche  Gartner-Zcitung. 
Taking  a  survey  of  the  whole,  there  are  eleven 
gardeners  and  nurserymen  and  the  Biological 
Institute  at  Dahlem  taking  part  in  the  discus- 
sion, and  there  appears  to  be  one  or  two 
varieties  of  Apples  which  are  said  to  be  proof 
against  this  pest  in  certain  specified  localities. 
Bismarck,  Charlomowsky,  the  Aluten,  which  is 
good  for  the  first  graft  or  bud  ;  Gruner  Fiirs- 
tenapfil,  Reinette  de  Canada,  Flamed  Cardinal, 
Sheep's  Nose  (an  old  Devonshire  variety),  Grey 
Autumn  Reinette,  and  Golden  Pearmain  are  said 
to  be  infested  when  trees  of  White  Winter  Cal- 
viile,  Great  Cassel  Reinette,  and  other  soft-fruited 
varieties  are  grown  in  their  neighbourhood. 
Some  gardeners  state  that  Emperor  Alexander, 
Striped  Beefin,  and  Northern  Spy  are  immune ; 
whilst  others  say  that  these  varieties  are  those 
that  are  the  worst  infested  with  them.  We  may 
therefore  assume  that  no  variety  is  proof  against 
attack.  We  are  not  surprised  that  one  corre- 
spondent, after  years  of  fruitless  endeavour  to 
get  rid  of  the  pest,  finds  the  best  results  to 
follow  good  cultivation  of  the  trees,  by  afford- 
ing as  much  organic  and  inorganic  manure  as 
may  be  adjudged  necessary,  more  especially 
nitrate  of  soda,  superphosphate  of  lime  and 
potash,  and  painting  the  stems  and  lower  limbs 
with  limewash  in  the  autumn  after  the  leaf  has 
fallen  and  in  the  spring  before  the  buds  open. 
The  Dahlem  authorities  lay  great  stress  upon 
cleaning  off  the  rough  bark,  and  the  brushing 
out  of  all  hiding  places,  angles,  crevices,  and 
washing  with  tobacco-water.  For  the  destruc- 
tion of  the  aphis  on  the  roots,  soap  suds  con- 
taining soda  is  a  good  means,  applying  the 
liquid  twice  or  thrice  during  the  winter. 

Ontario  Vegetable  Growers'  Associa- 
tion, 1906. — The  second  annual  report  of  this 
association,  published  by  the  Ontario  Depart- 
ment of  Agriculture,  affords  the  reader  a  good 
idea  of  the  state  of  vegetable  cultivation  in  this 
province.  What  crops  succeed  in  the  various 
descriptions  of  soils,  how  they  are  best  grown, 
the  manures  that  are  found  most  beneficial,  the 
insect  and  fungus  pests  that  infest  crops,  with 
the  methods  found  suitable  for  their  destruction 
or  prevention,  how  to  get  crops  to  market,  sum- 
mer and  winter  cultural  conditions,  and  much 
more  that  is  useful  to  the  man  who  elects  to 
make  this  part  of  Canada  his  home.  The 
greater  part  of  the  information  is  given  in  the 
form  of  questions  and  answers. 

Elementary  Botany:  Studies  in  Plant 
Life — J.  Adams,  M.A.,  Professor  Royal  College 
of  Science  (Ireland),  School  and  College  Series, 
published  by  Fallon  &  Co.,  Ltd.,  Dublin  and 
Belfast.  We  are  sometimes  asked  for  a  simple 
book  on  elementary  botany,  one  that  is  simple 
enough  to  be  thoroughly  understood  by  C. 
student  who  is  not  yet  familiar  with  the  scien. 
tine  terms  emplo}ed  in  the  science.  The  author 
of  this  little  work  care'fully  avoids  using  more  of 
these  terms  than  he  can  help,  and  speaks  in 
popular  language  to  make  the  subject  intelligible 
to  all.  Considering  that  there  are  more  than 
16,000  technical  terms  employed  in  the  science  of 
botany,  those  may  welcome  this  book  who  feel 
that  such  terms  make  the  pursuit  of  botany  as  a 
hobby  a  difficult  and  uninteresting  task.  It 
may  be  pointed  out,  however,  that  the  serious 
student  is  bound,  sooner  or  later,  to  acquire  a 
knowledge  of  strictly  botanical  language.  The 
author  has  divided  the  subject  into  single  chap, 
ters,  i)f  which  each  one  may  be  studied 
separately.     The   book  is   well   illustrated   with 


over  350  figures.  Two  chapters  are  added  to 
the  general  work,  one  of  which  deals  with  plant 
habitats  and  the  other  with  poisonous  plants. 
This  little  book  is  well  suited  for  use  in  schools 
and  especially  for  the  teaching  of  Nature  study. 

Gerbera  Jamesoni.  —  Mr.  R.  Adnet,  of 
Antibes,  writing  in  the  Revue  Horticole,  describes 
his  experience  with  Gerbera  Jamesonii,  and  shows 
that  like  other  composites  it  is  likely  to  afford 
interesting  variations  in  the  form  and  colouring 
of  the  blooms.  The  red  colour  already  varies 
from  the  deepest  orange  to  pure  scarlet ;  also  a 
beginning  in  the  doubling  of  the  florets  has 
been  noted.     The  plant    requires    much  nutri- 


of  excess  of  moisture.  Under  suitable,  cultiva- 
tion they  flower  when  about  five  months  old. 
The  plant  is  employed  in  the  south  of  France 
for  filling  groups  and  beds,  and  for  furnishing 
blooms  for  cutting.  The  florists  are  hoping  to 
obtain  a  dwarf,  compact-habited  race,  with  a 
less  tender  constitution  and  greater  vigour  in 
growth  than  the  type.  The  variations  in  the 
colour  of  the  flowers  has  been  remarked  upon 
in  these  pages  on  previous  occasions. 


CLADRASTIS     TINCTORIA 
(YELLOW    WOOD). 
It  is  not  often  that  this  interesting  tree  flowers 
in  the  British  Isles,  and  it  is  due  probably  to 


yr autograph  by  E.  J.  Wallis. 

Fig.  78. — cladkastis  tinctoria  as  floweking  at  kew. 


ment,  and  a  porous  not  too  heavy  soil ;  it  is 
easily  injured  by  much  moisture,  but  applica- 
tions of  manure  water  when  the  plants  are  in 
full  growth  are  followed  by  good  results.  The 
collar  must  be  placed  slightly  above  the  ground 
level  when  planted,  this  part  being  o'.herwise 
liable  to  be  injured  by  moisture.  Increase  by- 
means  of  seed  is  preferable  to  division  of  the 
root-stock.  Fresh  seed  vegetates  from  90  to  95 
per  cent,  in  the  course  of  five  to  eight  days. 
The  young  seedlings  are  particularly  impatient 


the  tropical  heat  of  August  and  September, 
1906,  that  we  have  been  enabled  to  enjoy  them 
this  summer.  The  species  is  a  native  of  the  in- 
land slopes  of  the  Alleghany  Mountains  in  the 
States  of  Tennessee,  Kentucky,  and  North  Caro- 
lina Although  nowhere  very  plentiful,  the  beauty 
and  distinct  appearance  of  this  species  attracted 
the  notice  of  the  early  botanical  travellers,  and 
it  was  introduced  to  England  in  1812.  (It  is  to 
be  found  in  most  of  the  older  collections  of  trees 
in    this    country,    and    in    some    of    them    fine 


September  7,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


187 


specimens  exist.  Mr.  Elwes  has  not  found  one 
larger  than  that  at  Sion,  which  is  60  feet  high, 
and  has  a  trunk  girthing  7  feet.  The  specimen 
at  Kew,  of  which  an  illustration  is  given  at 
fig  78,  is  a  healthy  tree,  35  feet  high,  with  a 
thick  trunk  branching  low  down  ;  the  head  of 
branches  is  45  feet  across. 

Cladrastis  tinctoria  has  pinnate  leaves,  con- 
sisting usually  of  seven  or  nine  leaflets,  but 
sometimes  with  two  or  four  more.  The  terminal 
leaflet  is  3  inches  to  4J  inches  long,  obovate  or 
oblong,  the  lower  ones  one-half  to  two-thirds  as 
large.  The  base  of  the  leaf  stalk  is  swollen  so 
as  to  enclose  the  bud,  a  character  which  readily 
distinguishes  this  species  from  C.  amurensis,  the 
only  other  species  in  general  cultivation.  In  the 
latter  species  the  axillary  buds  are  quite  exposed. 


always  dies  off  a  bright  yellow  in  autumn,  thus 
compensating,  in  some  measure,  for  its  uncer- 
tain flowering.     W .  J .  Bean, 


THE  GLASGOW  PARKS. 
Glasgow  is  singularly  fortunate  in  possessing 
a  large  number  of  public  parks  and  open  spaces. 
Of  the  former,  indeed,  there  are  no  fewer  than 
36,  some  of  which  are  so  advantageously  situ- 
ated as  regards  elevation  and  consequent  com- 
mand of  the  beautiful  country  surrounding  the 
city  as  to  have  few  rivals  elsewhere.  The  Kel- 
vingrove  Park,  Bellahouston  Park,  Glasgow 
Green,  Rouken  Glen  Park,  Queen's  Park, 
Tollcross     Park,     and     Springburn     Park     are 


Fig.  79. — flower   racemes  of  cladrastis  unci 


The  flowers,  which  may  be  seen  illustrated 
at  fig.  79,  are  produced  in  June  on  pendant 
racemes,  about  1  foot  in  length  (occasionally 
half  as  long  again).  They  are  white,  with  a 
yellow  spot  at  the  base  of  the  standard  petal. 
The  individual  flower  resembles  that  of 
Robinia  pseudacacia,  but  the  entire  raceme  is 
much  longer  and  more  lax. 

There  are  few  groups  of  hardy  trees  more  in- 
teresting and  attractive  in  gardens  than  the 
arborescent  members  of  the  Leguminosae,  and 
the  Yellow  Wood  is  far  from  being  the  least 
effective  of   them.      At   Kew   its   foliage   nearly 


the  principal  ones.  In  all,  these  parks  and 
open  spaces  occupy  1,226  acres.  The  latest 
acquisition,  Rouken  Glen  Park,  of  an  area  of 
135  acres,  was  presented  by  A.  Cameron  Corbett, 
Esq.,  M.P.  This  park  presents  the  most  pic- 
turesque effects,  its  main  feature  being  a  deep 
ravine  traversed  by  a  stream  of  water,  which, 
at  no  great  elevation  from  the  entrance,  and  at 
the  head  of  a  short  and  easy  ascent,  forms  a 
series  of  splendid  cascades  (see  fig.  80),  spanned 
near  the  top  by  a  one-arched  bridge,  beyond  and 
through  which  the  last  and  widest  cascade  of  the 
series  is  seen  as  a  picturesque  watery  curtain. 


The  glen  sides  are  steep,  even  precipitous,  and 
are  densely  hung  with  Ferns  of  various  species, 
including  Lady  Ferns,  Male  Ferns,  Polypodies, 
&c.  These  Ferns  are  growing  in  the  "greatest 
luxuriance  and  abundance,  despite  the  fact  that 
the  Glen  is  a  favourite  popular  resort.  Under 
the  care  of  Mr.  James  Whitton,  who  superin- 
tends the  whole  of  the  parks  and  open  spaces, 
the  danger  of  vandalistic  behaviour,  apparently 
inseparable  from  free  popular  access  to  wild, 
natural  scenes  of  this  description,  is  being  mini- 
mised as  far  as  possible  by  the  provision 
of  appropriate  rustic  fences  and  well-defined 
paths.  A  judicious  thinning  out  of  shrubs 
and  tree  foliage  has  revealed  delightful 
vistas,  and  affords  a  glimpse  of  the  tumb- 
ling stream  and  its  falls,  as  well  as  of  the 
Fern-clad  walls  of  the  ravine.  In  this  park  the 
maintenance  of  its  naturally  wild  and  pic- 
turesque features  is  the  chief  object ;  in  Spring- 
burn  and  Tollcross  Parks,  and  also  in  the 
Botanic  Gardens,  however,  there  are  conserva- 
tories and  considerable  ranges  of  greenhouses, 
propagating  houses,  and  frames.  Some  of  these 
are  open  to  the  public  as  houses  of  floral  dis- 
play, and  the  contents  of  others  are  available 
for  the  floral  decorations  inseparable  nowadays 
from  civic  banquets  and  entertainments  gener- 
ally, or  for  the  benefit  of  the  lecturers  and 
students  of  the  university  close  by.  In  this 
particular  connection  there  is  a  Mossery,  in 
which  are  hundreds  of  living  specimens  of 
Mosses,  Marchantias,  &c,  in  splendid  condition, 
set  off  here  and  there  by  fine  varieties  of  native 
varietal  Ferns,  of  which  a  good  collection  is 
also  planted  in  the  open. 

In  the  Palm  house  at  the  Botanic  Gardens  are 
some  large  Tree  Ferns  and  a  gigantic  Bamboo, 
which,  at  a  height  of  50  feet,  has  reached  the  glass 
roof.  Unhappily,  the  Glasgow  air  is  not  of  the 
purest,  owing  to  the  immense  numbers  of  in- 
dustrial manufactories  which  not  only  surround 
but  actually  permeate  the  city.  But,  despite 
these  unfavourable  circumstances,  it  requires  a 
very  keen  eye  to  detect  a  fault,  so' judicious  has 
been  the  selection  of  the  plants  in  cultivation. 
In  Springburn  Park  a  conservatory  is  provided 
with  a  gallery,  from  which  is  obtained  a  com- 
prehensive view  of  a  collection  of  Tree  Ferns, 
the  finest  I  have  seen  ;  these  tall  Ferns  are  min- 
gled with  Palms,  Cordylines,  and  other  plants 
suitable  for  a  warm,  temperate  climate.  From 
below,  the  majestic  growths  of  associated  Ferns 
Palms,  and  many  other  tall-growing  plants 
appear  as  mere  mixtures  of  interlaced  foliage 
or  frondage,  the  old  and  shabby  growths  per- 
haps  predominating,  while,  seen  from  above, 
every  plant  shows  its  latest  and  freshest  growths 
in  perfection. 

On  returning  to  Glasgow  after  an  inspection 
of  the  parks,  the  aspect  of  George's  Square,  in 
front  of  the  magnificent  facade  of  the  Corpora- 
tion Buildings,  appeared  to  me  as  incompre- 
hensible.  The  design  consists  of  a  series  of  un- 
relieved flat  parterres,  which,  though  well  kept 
in  themselves,  are  fenced  in  with  plain,  common- 
place iron  railings  of  a  cheap  and  common  type, 
tormmg  altogether  an  ensemble  which  is  both"  un- 
worthy of  the  site  it  occupies  and  the  pile  of 
stately  buildings  which  overlooks  it.  Chas.  T 
Druery,  V.M.H.,  F.L.S.  [Fuller  particulars  of 
the  Glasgow  Parks  were  published  in  Gardeners'1 
Chronicle,  November  23  and  30,  1901— Ed.] 


HOME    CORRESPONDENCE. 

{The  Editor  dees  not  twld  himself  responsible  for  Hie 
opinions  expressed  by  his  correspondents.) 
A  Pink-flowered  Clove  Carnation.— In 
reference  to  the  note  on  this  subject  by  Mr.  Dean 
on  p.  172,  there  is  a  variety  known  as  the 
"Blush  Clove,"  but  the  flower  described  by 
Mr.  Dean  appears  to  be  of  a  deeper  pink  colour 
than  this._  The  "  Blush  "  is  a  true  Clove  variety, 
identical  in  ever)'  respect  with  the  type  except  in 
its  colour.  It  is  quite  possible,  however,  that 
soil  and  situation  may  influence  the  colouring  of 
these  flowers,  just  as  soil  and  cultivation  effect 
changes  in  the  flowers  of  the  well-known  En- 
chantress Carnation.  The  true  Clove-scented 
Carnation  does  not  appear  to  be  much  given  to 
sporting,  though  occasionally  white-striped 
petals  are  seen  among  the  crimson  ones  There 
is  a  white  variety  known  as  Old  White  Clove, 
and  which  I  have  never  known  by  any  other 
name.  There  is  also  the  well-known  Gloire  de 
Nancy,  which  is,  perhaps,  the  finest  white  Clove 


188 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[September  7,  1CC7'. 


in  cultivation,  and  which  is  quite  distinct  from 
the  Old  White  Clove  in  flower  and  foliage.  Mr. 
Dean  refers  to  the  perfect  health  of  the  plants  of 
which  he  speaks,  and  this  causes  one  to  inquire 
why  town-grown  plants  of  these  Carnations  are 
so  "frequently  seen  in  such  fine  condition,  whilst 
garden  or  nursery-grown  plants  are  frequently 
diseased.  The  reason,  perhaps,  is  to  be  found 
in  the  excessive  or  high  cultivation  sometimes 
afforded  them,  and  which  appears  unsuitable  to 
such  robust-growing  plants.     E.  EL.  Jenkins. 

Sports    from   the   old    crimson    Clove 

Carnation  have  occurred  at  various  times.  Some 
years  ago,  probably  15  to  18  years,  when  Messrs. 
Heath  Brothers  cultivated  the  Clove  Carnation 
extensively  for  market  purposes,  they  had  a 
large  stock  of  a  blush-pink  variety,  similar  to 
that  referred  to  by  A.  D.  on  p.  172.  Mr.  H.  B. 
May  also  had  plants  of  this  variety,  and  many 
plants  were  sold  by  Mr.  May  to  other  nursery- 
men. When  the  maggot  proved  destructive, 
market  growers  gave  up  the  culture  of  these 
flowers,  and  I  have  not  seen  the  Blush  Clove 
now  for  at  least  10  years.  It  was  known  by  no 
Dther  name  than  "  Blush."  A  striped  variety, 
with  markings  similar  to  those  seen  in  the  "  Mal- 
maison"  Carnation  Lady  Middleton,  also  existed. 
The  white  variety  referred  to  by  A.  D.  is 
named  Gloire  de  Nancy,  and  is  one  of  the  most 
powerfully-scented  Carnations  I  am  acquainted 
with,  and  it  should  prove  a  valuable  variety  for 
hybridising,  for  it  possesses  great  vigour,  large 
flowers,  and  a  beautiful  fragrance.  It  is,  how- 
ever, purely  a  border  variety,  and  produces 
flowers  from  the  previous  year's  growths  only. 
The  old  crimson  Clove  Carnation  was  formerly 
grown  extensively  under  glass  for  early  flower- 
ing, and  the  blooms  sold  for  almost  as  good 
prices  as  the  best  American  varieties  realise  now, 
A  year  or  two  ago  it  was  difficult  to  find  healthy 
plants,  but  when  recently  visiting  Messrs.  H.  B. 
May  &  Sons'  nurseries  I  found  that  they  had  a 
large  stock  of  the  old  crimson  variety,  and  also 
of  Gloire  de  Nancy  quite  free  from  the  maggot. 
The  best  plan  for  combating  this  troublesome 
pest  is  to  give  the  roots  frequent  applications  of 
clear  soot  water,  or  to  syringe  the  plants  with, 
quassia-extract  during  the  summer  and  autumn 
months.     A.  II. 

I  have  reason  to  believe  that  the  pink- 
form  originated  with  Mr.  G.  Woodgate,  when 
he  had  charge  of  the  Warren  House  Gardens, 
Kingston  Hill.  I  purchased  some  layers  from  Mr. 
Woodgate,  when  he  was  selling  the  plants  at  the 
time  of  the  breaking-up  of  the  establishment,  follow- 
ing the  death  of  Lady  Wolverton,  about  12  years 
ago.  I  understood  from  him  that  the  sport  was 
one  from  the  old  dark-coloured  Clove  Carnation. 
C.  Young,  Gardener  to  IV.  St.  Q.  Leng,  Esq.,  Welford 
Park,  Newbury. 

The  Shrewsbury  Show — The  time  allowed 
for  judging  the  Grapes  in  the  Champion  Class  at 
Shrewsbury  was  too  short.  To  register  accur- 
ately the  standard  point  value  of  132  bunches  of 
Grapes  in  the  short  space  of  120  minutes,  and,  at 
the  same  time,  maintain  the  proper  relative  value 
by  comparison  from  top  to  bottom  of  this  num- 
ber of  bunches,  and  all  open  to  public  criticism 
by  experts  and  others,  is  not  altogether  a  light 
business  for  two  men.  D.  wrote  on  page  172  :  — 
"  Should  a  new  challenge  vase  be  provided  for 
a  champion  Grape  class,  the  vase  should  be 
made  rather  more  difficult  to  win  than  it  has 
been  hitherto,  and  to  that  end  I  would  suggest 
that  no  award  be  made  of  the  vase  except  at  least 
six  of  the  bunches  shown  secure  maximum 
points."  Had  such  conditions  been  in  force,  the 
last  vase  would  not  have  been  won  once  to  this 
date  under  the  present  pointing  code.  To  ex- 
tinguish a  competitor's  chance  of  obtaining  the 
highest  award  unless  he  can  stage  six  absolutely 
perfect  bunches  is  unreasonable.  One  hears  of 
certain  competitors  who  are  rather  low  down  in 
the  scale,  and  who  wish  to  bring  into  use  the 
decimal  system  ;  but  even  if  this  were  done,  the 
result  would  work  out  exactly  the  same,  and 
would  not  assist  anyone  to  creep  in  at  the  side 
door.     W.  Crump,  Madre'sfield  Court  Gardens. 

Verbena  Mahoneti. — Respecting  F.  M.'s 
enquiry  about  Verbena  Mahoneti,  p.  173,  a 
plant  of  this  variety  of  V.  tenera  was  displayed 
in  an  exhibit  staged  by  Messrs.  Heath  &  Son, 
Cheltenham,  at  the  show  of  the  Royal  Horticul- 
tural Society  of  Ireland,  held  in  Dublin,  on 
August  27.  It  is,  I  believe,  a  native  of  the 
Pyrenees.     E.  Kncvildin,  Dublin. 


An  American  Lawn  Sweeper. — I  have  not 
seen  Mr.  Challis's  lawn  sweeper  in  operation,  but 
recently,  in  Mrs.  Budgett's  park  at  Guildford,  I  saw 
a  lawn  cleaner  of  American  construction  which 
could  easily  be  worked  by  a  boy,  as  it  was  very 
light  in  weight.  It  collected  leavesand  other  refuse 
on  the  turf  remarkably  well  by  means  of  toothed 
rakes  and  a  rapidly  revolving  fan  which  creates  a 
strong  current  of  air.  Behind  the  fan  is  a  bag-like 
receptable  into  which  the  refuse  is  cast,  and  should 
the  wind  be  strong,  a  cover  can  be  fixed  over  the 
bag.  A  special  recommendation  is  that  the  price 
for  such  a  machine  is  moderate.  No  sweeper 
with  a  broom  could  do  the  cleaning  so  rapidly  or 
so  well  as  this  simple  contrivance.  It  is  known 
as  the  Pennsylvania  Lawn  Cleaner.     A,  D. 

Some  New  Varieties  of  Hemerocallis 
(Day  Lily). — I  have  bloomed  this  summer  three 
varieties  of  these  interesting  and  generally  free- 
flowering  Amaryllids.  All  of  them  are  of  Conti- 
nental origin,  two  coming  from  Herr  Sprenger, 
of.Vomero,  near  Naples,  and  the  third  from  M. 
Lemoine,  of  Nancy,  in  France.  One  of  the 
Neapolitan  hybrids  was  named  Fulva-Cypriana, 
a  most  distinct  and  beautiful  variety,  with  regu- 
larly-formed flowers  that  expand  well.  In  colour 
they  are  of  a  clear  brown  shade,  with  a  clearly- 
defined  and  slightly  raised  yellow  midrib  down 
the  centre  of  each  of  the  alternate  petals.    This  is 


Fig 


0. — WATERFALL  IN  ROUKEN  GLEN  PARK, 
GLASGOW  (see  page  187.) 


one  of  the  most  beautiful  Hemerocallis  known 
to  me.  The  second  was  named  Ful-Citrina,  and 
is  a  comparatively  dull  and  worthless  variety, 
with  flowers  of  thin  texture.  The  French  seed- 
ling is  named  luteola-pallens,  being  probably 
either  a  sport  or  seedling  from  the  same  raiser's 
beautiful  hybrid  distributed  some  few  years  ago 
under  the  name  of  luteola,  and  which,  curiously 
enough,  is  identical  with  one  of  Herr  Sprenger's 
hybrids  sent  out  under  the  name  of  Parthenope. 
The  new  French  hybrid  is  distinctly  good,  with 
large,  well-formed  flowers  of  a  pale  shade  of 
canary    yellow.      W .    E.    Gumbleton. 

School  Gardens  at  Leyton.  —  Excellent 
work  has  been  done  at  Leyton,  Essex,  by  the 
establishment  of  gardens  for  the  boys  in  the 
elementary  schools  under  the  control  of  the 
Urban  District  Council.  The  chairman  of  the 
Education  Committee,  Mr.  J.  B.  Slade,  who  is 
widely  known  in  the  horticultural  world  as  one 
of  the  partners  in  Messrs.  Protheroe  and  Morris, 
has  taken  a  prominent  part  in  the  initiation  of 
the  scheme,  and  he  has  had  the  cordial  support 
of  Mr.  Thomas  Tiley,  the  Organising  Inspector 
of  Schools,  who  takes  a  great  interest  in  the 
matter.  The  practical  supervision  of  the  work 
has    been    entrusted    to    the    energetic    Superin- 


tendent  of   Parks  and   Open   Spaces  in   Leyton, 
Mr.  K.  J.  Frogbrook,  who  ably  carried  out  the 
work    of    preparatory    cultivation    and    general 
planning    of    the    gardens,    with    the    system    of 
cropping  and  all  essential  technical  details.    The 
instruction    of    the   boys   has    been    mainly   left 
with    the    school    teachers     who    have    passed 
an  examination  in  horticulture  ;  with,  of  course, 
reference  to  Mr.   Frogbrook  in  all  cases  of  diffi- 
culty.    In  1906  a  beginning  was  made  with  six 
classes,   but  this  season  there  are   11   classes  at 
different    schools,     each    comprising    16    boys. 
Every  student   and   worker   is   allowed   about  a 
square  pole  of  ground,  and  under  the  direction 
of  the   teacher  or   superintendent,    performs   thf 
whole   work  of  digging,   trenching,   sowing   the 
seeds,  staking,  hoeing,  watering,  etc.     The  seeds, 
tools,  stakes,  and  manures  are  provided  by  the 
Urban  District  Council,  but  a  large  part  of  this 
expense  is  defrayed  by  the  Board  of  Education 
grant    to   each    school.      The   boys    are    allowed 
to  have  the  whole  of  the  produce,  and  they  thus 
receive  a  material  reward  for  their  labour,  which 
is  greatly  appreciated.     On  Saturday  last  (Aug. 
31)  the  first  competitive  exhibition  of  the  school 
garden  vegetables  and  flowers  was  held  at  Ley- 
ton,  when  11  classes  were  provided  (one  for  each 
school),   and   14  boys  contributed  collections  of 
vegetables  or  bunches  of  flowers.     The  competi- 
tion  was    thus    confined    in   every    case   to    the 
workers   on   each   particular   group   of   gardens, 
and    the    schools   were   not   pitted   against  each 
other.         Three    prizes    were    offered    for   every 
school,   and  the  general  quality  of  the  exhibits 
was    alike    creditable    to    the    teachers    and    the 
pupils.     The  judges  adopted  a  system  of  point- 
ing throughout,  and  the  results  were  highly  sat- 
isfactory ;  for  example,  taking  the  11  classes,  the 
first  prize-winners  secured  an  average  of  72  per 
cent,   of  the  possible  total  points,   in  one  case 
rising  to  90  per  cent,  of  the  total.     The  second 
prize-winners    aveiaged    67    per    cent.,    and    the 
third   prize  collections   secured   66   per   cent,   of 
the  total  points.     There  was  considerable  differ- 
ence in  the  standards  of  the  various  schools,  but 
some  have  much  less  favourable  soils  and  situa- 
tions for  the  gardens  than  others,  hence  the  rea- 
son for  judging  them  all  separately.     Consider- 
able local  interest  is  taken  in  the  scheme,  and 
a  large  crowd  assembled   at  the  distributon  of 
prizes  in  the  afternoon,   when   Mr.   J.   B.   Slade 
addressed  the  winners  in  an  admirable  commen- 
datory,   encouraging,    and    instructive    speech. 
That  such  work  as  this,  on  the  right  lines,  is  of 
inestimable  service  in  many  directions  was  am- 
ply demonstrated  to  the  judges  by  the  exhibits, 
and   by   the   subsequent  inspection   of  the  well- 
kept  gardens  attached  to  the  schools.     Another 
season's    course    of   instruction    is    about   to   he 
commenced,  and  the   desire  to  be  amongst  the 
fortunate  lads  selected  to  form  the  class  acts  as 
a  considerable  incentive  to  good  conduct.     R. 
Lewis  Castle. 

Eucryphia  pinnatifolia. — Whilst  spending 
a  holiday  recently  in  Cornwall  I  visited  the  gardens 
of  Trewidden,  the  residence  of  T.  B.  Bolitho,  Esq., 
especially  to  inspect  a  plant  of  Eucryphia  pinnati- 
folia. This  specimen,  probably  the  finest  in  the 
country,   measures  roughly  30  feet  in  height  and 

15  feet  in  width,  and  at  the  time  of  my  visit  it  was 
a  mass  of  flowers.  The  tree  was  planted  some 
years  ago  by  the  present  gardener,  and  no  check 
has  since  marred  its  progress.  I  regret  no  means 
were  at  hand  for  my  obtaining  a  photograph  of  this 
beautiful  tree.     A.  Bullock,  Copped  Hall  Gardens. 

The  Sowing  of  Cyclamen  Seed.— Like  Mr. 
Fulford  (see  p.  172),  I  prefer  to  sow  in  August, 
but  there  were  no  Cyclamen  plants  here  at  the 
time  I  engaged  about  12  _  months  since,  and  I 
intend  to  flower  Cyclamen  next  Christmas  that 
have  been  raised  from  seeds  sown  on  February 

16  last.  I  have  two  dozen  plants  in  5-inch  pots. 
They  are  well-rooted,  and  have  about  two  dozen 
leaves  on  each  plant ;  flowers,  in  most  instances, 
being  already  observable.  The  seeds  were  sown 
in  a  lean-to  structure,  in  which  the  atmospheric 
temperature  was  55°  at  night  and  60°  to  65:  by 
day.  The  plants  have  since  been  kept  on  a  shelf 
near  to  the  glass ;  no  fire  heat  has  been  em- 
ployed during  the  past  month,  although  the  sun 
only  shines  on  the  house  from  10  a.m.  to  4.30 
p.m.  The  compost  I  used  was  similar  to  that 
recommended  by  Mr.  Fulford,  except  that  in 
place  of  the  bone-meal  I  used  burnt  ashes. 
About  five  years  ago,  at  a  Gardeners'  Improve- 
ment  Society,    I    heard    a    lecturer    say    that   if 


September 


1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


UP 


Cyclamen  seeds  were  sown  in  February,  the 
resulting  plants  could  easily  be  abundantly 
flowered  in  December.  W .  Ettey,  St.  Clements, 
Yo-  i. 

Yhe  Black  Currant  Gall  Mite. — During 
1905-tj  and  7  I  have  gratuitously  distributed  up- 
wards of  3,000  reports  to  different  fruit  growers  in 
the  British  Isles,  giving  particulars  of  the  lime 
and  sulphur  treatment  for  the  Black  Currant  Gall 
Mite.  Many  of  these  growers  have  since  written 
me  and  stated  that  "  the  cure  recommended  has 
proved  most  successful,"  or  "we  are  entirely 
free  from  '  Big  Bud  '  now."  I  propose  issuing, 
shortly,  a  further  report  upon  this  subject  in 
which  many  of  these  reports  will  be  incorporated 
and  I  invite  all  growers  who  have  tried  this 
remedy  to  write  me  stating  upon  how  many  acres, 
or  bushes,  they  have  tried  it,  with  what  result, 
and  if  they  have  any  objection  to  their  report  be- 
ing published  with  the  others  (not  necessarily  with 
their  name  and  address).  Walter  E.  Collinge, 
University  of  Birmingham,  Dept.  of  Economic  Z. 
Biitningkam. 


SOCIETIES. 


ROYAL   HORTICULTURAL. 

September  3.— The  display  of  flowers  and 
fruits  at  the  fortnightly  meeting  on  Tuesday  last 
was  well  up  to  the  average  for  this  season  of  the 
year.  An  outstanding  feature  was  a  collection 
of  hardy  Bamboos  in  about  thirty  varieties  and 
species  shown  by  Messrs.  Jas.  Veitch  &  Sons. 
Dahlias  reminded  visitors  of  the  approaching 
autumn,  and  one  exhibit  of  these  flowers  was  of 
especial  merit. 

Several    good    displays    of    fruits    were    seen. 

Among  the  Orchid  exhibits  were  several  meri- 
torious groups;  the  most  noteworthy  being  a 
group  of  six  plants  of  Lissochilus  giganteus, 
shown  by  th-e  Hon.  Walter  Rothschild. 

Novelties  were  plentiful  amongst  flowering 
plants,  and  the  Floral  Commii  ii  k  awarded  no 
fewer  than  twelve  Awards  of  Merit,  of  which 
four  were  given  to  varieties  of  Dahlias. 

The  Orchid  Committee  granted  two  First- 
Class  Certificates,  three  Awards  of  Merit,  and 
one   Botanical    Certificate. 

The  Fruit  and  Vegetable  Committee  made 
no  award  to  a  novelty. 

At  the  afternoon  meeting  nine  new  Fellows 
were  elected,  and  a  paper  on  "  Lesser  Known 
Orchids,''  illustrated  by  lantern  slides,  was  read 
by  Mr.   F.  W.   Moore,   Glasnevin. 

Floral  Committee. 

Present:  W.  Marshall,  Esq.  (Chairman);  and 
Messrs.  Henry  B.  May,  Chas.  T.  Druery,  Geo. 
Nicholson,  T.  W.  Turner,  YV.  Cuthbertson,  H. 
J.  Jones,  Chas.  Dixon,  W.  Bain,  A.  Turner,  W. 
*  Howe,  R.  C.  Notcutt,  R.  Hooper  Pearson,  and 
C.  R.  Fielder. 

Messrs.  H.  B.  May  &  Sons,  Edmonton, 
showed  a  miscellaneous  collection  of  greenhouse 
flowering  plants,  interspersed  with  decorative 
varieties  of  Ferns.  The  exhibit  included  Ixora 
aurantiaca,  Solanum  jasminoides,  Campanula 
■  isophylla,  Heliotropes,  a  variegated-leaved  Ole- 
ander, and  the  white-flowered  variety  Madonna  ; 
Abutilon  Boule  de  Niege  and  others ;  Statics 
profusa,  Swainsonia,  Lobelia  cardinalis,  Bou- 
vardias,  &c.     (Silver-Gilt  Banksian  Medal.) 

Lord  Aldenham,  Elstree,  Herts,  (gr.  Mr.  Ed- 
win Beckett),  filled  the  side  of  one  table  with 
vases  of  Pentstemons.  The  range  of  colouring 
in  the  varieties  was  very  wide — some  were  al- 
most pure  white,  and  others  dark  crimson,  with 
varieties  of  most  of  the  intermediate  shades. 
The  strain  is  exceptionally  fine,  and  the  culture 
of  the  flowers  was  of  the  highest  excellence. 
Silver-Gilt  Flora  Medal.) 

A  remarkable  collection  of  Bamboos  and  allied 
plants  was  displayed  by  Messrs.  James  Veitch 
&  Sons,  Ltd.,  Kirfg's  Road,  Chelsea.  There 
were  more  than  30  varieties  and  species  ih  this 
group,  some  of  which,  including  Arundinaria 
japonica  and  Phyllostachys  Quilioi,  were  over 
10  feet  in  height.  Amongst  the  rarer  species  we 
noticed  Bambusa  angustifolia,  Arundinaria  no- 
bilis,  and  Phyllostachys  Castillonis.  Two  of  the 
showiest  were  Arundinaria  Fortunei  variegata 
and  A.  auricoma.  In  another  part  of  the  Hall, 
Mi  ,srs,  Veitch  exhibited  large  plants  of  Senecio 
clivorum,  Aconitum  Wilsoni,  and  Artemisia  lac- 
tiflo-fa.      (Gold  Medal.) 

Messrs.    W     Paul    &    Sons,    Waltham    Cross, 


Herts.,  showed  an  excellent  collection  of  Roses. 
The  flowers  were  arranged  in  a  setting  of  moss 
in  baskets,  an  arrangement  that  was  pl< 
and  that  enabled  the  \  arieties  to  be  critically  ex- 
amined. A  new  variety  was  exhibited  under  the 
name  of  Mrs.  Dudley  Cross.  The  blooms  of 
this  new  Rose  are  cream-coloured,  with  a  suffu- 
sion of  rose  in  the  older  flowers.  The  buds  are 
yellowish.  Amongst  the  best  of  the  older  kinds 
were  Frau  .Karl  Druschki,  Caroline  Testout, 
Liberty,  Mine.  Jules  Grolez,  Madame  Leon  Pain, 
and  Marie  van  Houtte.  (Silver-Gilt  Flora 
Medal.) 

Messrs.  Frank  Cant  &  Co.,  Colchester,  dis- 
played an  assortment  of  Roses,  some  of  the  best 
blooms  being  those  of  Irish  Elegance,  Mrs.  R. 
('..  Sharman  Crawford,  Dupuy  Jamain,  Mad. 
Abel  Chatenay,  Commandant  Felix  Faure,  and 
Ulrich  Brunner.     (Silver  Banksian  Medal.) 

Messrs.  W.  Cutbush  &  Sons,  Highgate,  Lon- 
don, N.,  exhibited  vases  of  Carnations  of  the 
choicer  varieties  of  the  American  or  winter- 
flowering  type.  The  blooms  were  of  exception- 
allv  u'ood  quality.     (Silver  Flora  Medal. i 

Messrs.    G.    Stark   &    Son,    Great    Ryburgh, 


Phloxes,  of  such  beautiful  varieties  as  La  Syl- 
phide,  Tapis  Blanc,  Leonardo  de  Vinci,  Esper- 
ance,  Sheriff  Ivory,  Iris,  F.  von  Lassberg,  Co- 
quilicot,  Josephine  Gerbaux,  Crepuscule,  &c. 
(Silver-Gilt  Banksian  Medal.) 

Misses  E.  &  M.  Kipping,  Hutton,  Essex,  dis- 
played a  small  group  of  hardy  flowers. 

Mr.  J.  Spence,  Wycliffe  House  Gardens, 
Guildford,  exhibited  Alyssum  maritimum,  with 
the  notification  that  it  was  the  original  variety 
raised  by  the  exhibitor's  father  many  years  ago. 

Messrs.  Kelway  &  Son,  Langport,  Somerset, 
again  exhibited  a  very  excellent  display  of 
Gladioli,  in  all  some  200  flower-spikes,  repre- 
senting more  than  100  varieties.  Marquess  of 
Northampton  (rose  colour)  and  Puritv  (whiter 
were  two  of  the  finest  amongst  this  excellent  col- 
lection.    (Silver-Gilt  Flora  Medal.) 

Mr.  H.  J.  Jones,  Ryecroft  Nurseries,  Hither 
Green,  Lewisham,  showed  a  group  of  hybrid 
Fuchsias,  apparently  crosses  between  F.  tri- 
phylla  and  F.  fulgens.  They  were  freely  flow- 
ered in  small  pots,  and  included  varieties  with 
flowers  of  scarlet,  rose,  and  other  shades 
of  red.     (Bronze  Flora  Medal.) 


'  '■.'■'lift  i; 


Fig.  Si. — lychnis  gkandiflora  :  colour  salmon-rose. 


Norfolk,  showed  vases  of  Sweet  Peas  that  were 
interspersed  with  named  varieties  of  Tropaeo- 
lums. 

Mr.  Amos  Perry,  Enfield  Chase,  London,  N., 
showed  well-cultivated  hardy  flowers,  including 
most  of  the  best  kinds  in  season.  We  noticed 
some  good  forms  of  Lychnis  Haageana,  some 
handsome  spikes  of  Liatris  pyenostachya,  Lilium 
auratum  in  variety,  sturdy  Tritomas,  a  basket  of 
the  handsome  Stokesia  cyanea  prsecox,  &c.  (Sil- 
ver-Gilt Banksian  Medal. 1 

Messrs.  T.  S.  Wake.  Ltd.,  Feltham,  exhibited 
seasonable  hardy  flowers,  amongst  which  were 
many  showy  Composites.  (Silver  Banksian 
Medal.) 

Messrs.  G.  Bunyard  &  Co.,  Maidstone,  also 
showed  a  display  of  garden  flowers,  of  such 
kinds  as  Montbretias,  varieties  of  Lobelia, 
Gladioli,  Lilium  tigrinum,  and  others.  (Silver 
Banksian  Medal.) 

Messrs.  Gunn  &  Sons,  Olton,  Birmingham, 
displayed  a  large  and  varied  collection  of  garden 


Mr.  L.  R.  Russell,  Richmond  Nurseries, 
Richmond,  Surrey,  showed  varieties  of  hardy 
Fuchsias,  many  of  which  are  suitable  for  sum- 
mer bedding.  Interspersed  amongst  the 
Fuchsias  were  small,  freely-flow-ered  plants  of 
Clematis,  and  a  number  of  Eleagnuses,  with 
showy  foliage.     (Silver  Banksian  Medal.) 

Messrs.  W.  Bull  &  Sons,  King's  Road,  Chel- 
sea, showed  ornamental  stove  and  greenhouse 
foliage  plants  in  variety,  the  group  being  en- 
livened with  choice  Orchids  in  flower.  (Silver 
Banksian  Medal.) 

Mr.  Ll.  Gwillim,  Cambria  Nurseries,  New 
Eltham,  Kent,  staged  a  large  exhibit  of  flowers 
of  tuberous  rooting  Begonias.  They  were  shown 
in  batches  of  one  colour,  with  suitable  greenery 
intermingled  amongst  them  ;  the  whole  formed 
a  very  attractive  display.     (Silver  Flora  Medal.) 

Messrs.  Jarman  &  Co.,  Chard,  showed  their 
improved  varieties  of  Centaureas  in  white,  helio- 
trope, light-yellow,  and  dark-yellow  colours. 
(Bronze  Flora  Medal.) 


190 


THE     GARDENERS     CHRONICLE. 


[SEPfEMEER   7,    1907. 


Messrs.  W.  Wells  &  Co.,  Merstham,  Surrey, 
exhibited  plants  of  early-flowering  Chrysanthe- 
mums.    (Bronze  Flora  Medal.) 

Several  exhibits  of  Dahlias  were  staged.  A 
magnificent  collection  of  these  flowers  was  put 
up  by  Messrs.  Carter,  Page  &  Co.,  London 
Wall,  London.  This  firm  showed  examples  of 
all  the  types— single,  cactus,  show,  pompon, 
&c,  in  many  of  the  newer  and  the  best  of  the 
older  varieties.  The  blooms  were  arranged  in 
baskets,  epergnes,  and  vases,  with  sprays  of 
Ampelopsis  and  tall  vases  of  Grasses,  small 
Palms,  &c,  between  them.  (Silver-Gilt  Flora 
Medal.) 

Mr.  H.  Shoesmith,  Westfield,  Woking,  Sur- 
rey, also  showed  varieties  of  this  seasonable 
flower,  the  cactus-flowered  varieties  being  espe- 
cially fine. 

Dahlias  were  also  shown  by  Messrs.  Joseph 
Cheal  &  Sons,  Crawley,  Sussex.  This  firm  ex- 
hibited a  number  of  new  varieties,  the  best  of 
which  is  described  under  Awards.  As  a  back- 
ground to  the  Dahlias,  were  vases  of  choice, 
hardy  flowers.     (Silver  Banksian  Medal.) 

Awards   of   Merit 
were  made  to  the  twelve  plants  stated  below  :— 

Arctotis  regalis.- -This  Arctotis  is  described  as 
a  hybrid  from  A.  aureola  (orange-coloured)  and 
A.  grandis  (white,  with  mauve  colour  on  the 
exterior  of  the  segments).  A.  regalis  is  a  larger 
flower  than  either  of  the  reputed  parents  ;  the 
blooms  are  pure  white,  with  purple  anthers,  and 
narrow  band  of  yellow  immediately  around  the 
disc.  On  the  exterior  of  the  segments  there  is 
a  slight  tinting  with  pale  purple.  The  flowers 
have  erect  stems,  more  than  1  foot  in  length. 
Shown  by  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence,  Bart.  (gr. 
Mr.  W.  Bain). 

Canna  Madame  Louis  Voraz.—A  large,  yellow- 
flowered  variety,  richly  veined  with  red,  almost 
in  circles,  the  red  colour  becoming  confluent 
in  the  lower  segments.  Shown  by  Sir  Trevor 
Lawrence,  Bart.  (gr.  Mr.  W.  Bain. 

Carnation  Mrs.  T.  Coulthwaite  — This  is  a 
first-class  white  border  variety,  with  non-split- 
ting calyx.  It  has  an  exceptionally  free  habit, 
and  the  flowers  are  fragrant.  Shown  by  Mr. 
P.  Blair,  Trentham. 

Dahlia  "  Alice."— This  is  a  white  decorative 
flower  of  the  "  Cactus  "  type  with  a  little  lemon 
colour  showing  at  the  base  of  the  segments  to- 
wards the  centre  of  the  flower.  It  is  too  small 
for  exhibition  purposes,  but,  having  good,  stiff 
stems.,  will  be  a  useful  decorative  Dahlia. 

D.  "  Mauve  Queen." — An  exhibition  Cactus- 
flowered  Dahlia,  coloured  mauve  with  white 
centre. 

D.  "  Peggy." — This  single  Dahlia  is  remark- 
able for  its  colouration.  The  tips  of  the  floral 
segments  are  purplish-rose,  but  this  is  followed 
a  little  lower  down  by  orange,  and  at  the  base 
the  colour  is  rich  rosy-crimson,  the  effect  being, 
therefore,  one  of  purplish-rose,  orange,  and 
crimson  in  circles.  The  three  varieties  just 
described  were  shown  by  Messrs.  J.  Cheal  & 
Sons. 

D.  "  Elsa  Ellrich." — In  this  variety  cultiva- 
tors will  find  a  large-flowered,  exhibition, 
Cactus  Dahlia  of  good  form,  and  rich  yellow 
colouring  throughout.  Shown  by  Mr.  H. 
Shoesmith. 

Fuchsia  "  Coralle." — A  variety  obtained  from 
F.  triphylla,  or  possibly  a  hybrid  from  this 
species  and  F.  fulgens.  The  flowers  are  lj-inch 
long,  and  are  produced  in  good  clusters.  The 
calyx  lobes  are  short,  as  in  F.  triphylla,  and 
the  petals  are  even  shorter.  The  colour  is  pale, 
or  salmon  red.  This  variety  and  other  similar 
ones  have  been  introduced  from  Germany. 
The  present  specimen  was  shown  by  Mr.  H.  J. 
Jones. 

Gaillardia  grandifiora,  variety  Lady  Rolleston, 
— This  is  a  magnificent  variety  of  the  species. 
The  flowers  are  rich  yellow-coloured  through- 
out, and  are  4  inches  in  diameter.  They  are 
produced  on  erect  stems  2  feet  or  more  in 
length.  Shown  by  Messrs.  Harrison  &  Sons, 
Leicester. 

Gladiolus  Purity. — A  large-flowered  white 
variety,  very  slightly  marked  with  purple,  and 
having  a  suspicion  of  pale  yellow  on  the  lower 
segments.  It  is  one  of  the  best  white  varieties 
we  have  seen.  Shown  by  Messrs.  Kelway  & 
Son. 

Lychnis  grandifiora. — Mr.  Amos  Perry  showed 
plants  of  this  species,  which  is  a  native  of  China 
and  Japan,  and  of  which  an  illustration  is  repro- 
duced at  fig.  81.     Mr.   Terry's  plants  are  said 


to  have  been  collected  in  Thibet,  and  there  were 
four  distinct  varieties,  each  of  which  differed  in 
its  degree  of  merit  as  a  garden  plant.  One  form 
had  orange-coloured  flowers,  and  the  petals 
were  divided  in  much  the  same  manner  as 
shown  in  the  illustration.  The  type,  however, 
selected  for  receiving  the  Award  of  Merit  had 
flowers  3  inches  in  diameter,  with  large, 
overlapping  petals  of  rosy-crimson  colour.  The 
plants  grow  to  a  height  of  2  feet  or  more,  but 
for  some  unexplained  reason  the  species  has, 
until  the  present,  remained  in  cultivation  in 
this  country  only  for  short  periods,  although  it 
was  introduced  more  than  a  century  ago,  and 
on  several  subsequent  occasions.  The  type  that 
was  granted  an  Award  of  Merit  on  Tuesday  last 
is  probably  the  largest-flowered  variety  so  far 
observed. 

Pcntstemon. — An  excellent  strain  shown  by 
Lord  Aldenham. 

Orchid  Committee. 

Present :  J.  Gurney  Fowler,  Esq.  (in  the 
chair)  ;  and  Messrs.  Jas.  O'Brien  (hon.  sec), 
Harry  J.  Veitch,  H.  Little,  W.  Boxall,  F.  W. 
Moore,  W.  P.  Bound,  A.  Dye,  H.  T.  Pitt,  W. 
Cobb,  J.  Charlesworth,  W.  H.  White,  H.  G. 
Alexander,  H.  A.  Tracy,  W.  A.  Bilney,  F. 
Peeters-Carter,  and  W.  Bottom 

The  exhibits  of  Orchids  were  very  interesting, 
and  especially  a  group  of  splendidly-grown 
plants  of  Lissochilus  giganteus,  for  which  the 
Hon.  Walter  Rothschild,  Tring  Park,  Tring 
(gr.  Mr.  A.  Dye),  was  awarded  the  Silver-Gilt 
Lindley  Medal.  The  group  was  composed  of 
six  fine  plants,  furnished  with  bright  green 
plicate  leaves  and  bearing  between  them  nine 
flower-spikes,  each  about  7  feet  in  height,  the 
individual  spikes  having  from  20  to  30  flowers. 
The  prominent  bracts  and  reflexed  sepals  were 
green,  tinged  with  purple  ;  the  orbicular-shaped, 
bright  rose  petals  and  massive  lip  forms  the 
showiest  feature.  The  lip  varies  in  tint  from 
light  rose  to  pale  violet,  with  a  distinct  whitish 
callus.  The  plants  are  grown  at  Tring  as  semi- 
aquatics  until  the  flowers  appear,  when  they 
are  allowed  to  develop  in  a  warm  plant  house 
in  a  similar  manner  to  the  allied  L.  Horsfallii, 
illustrated  from  the  Tring  Park  specimens  in 
the  Gardeners'  Chronicle,  March  31,  1906.  The 
species  exhibited  is  a  native  of  tropical  Africa, 
the  plants  being  imported  from  the  Congo  (see 
fig.  in  Gardeners'  Chronicle,  May  19,  1888,  p.  617). 

Messrs.  Jas.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Royal  Exotic 
Nursery,  King's  Road,  Chelsea,  were  awarded 
a  Silver  Flora  Medal  for  a  showy  group  of 
Orchids,  principally  hybrids,  the  centre  of  the 
exhibit  being  occupied  by  the  superb  Cattleya 
Iris  His  Majesty  (see  Awards).  The  group  also 
contained  a  plant  of  the  pretty  new,  lilac-tinted 
Brasso-Cattleya  Ena  (C.  Lawrenceana  X  B. 
Digbyana)  ;  a  good  selection  of  Laelio-Cattleya 
Bletchleyensis,  L.-C.  Dominiana,  L.-C.  Pary- 
satis,  L.-C.  Wellsiana,  Brasso-Laelia  Digbyano- 
purpurata,  Brasso-Cattleya  Digbyano-War- 
scewiczii,  Cypripedium  Jas.  H.  Veitch,  and 
other  Cypripediums. 

Messrs.  Charlesworth  &  Co.,  Heaton,  Brad- 
ford, were  awarded  a  Silver  Flora  Medal  for 
a  pleasing  group,  in  the  centre  of  which  was 
a  selection  of  their  fine  type  of  Cattleya  Iris. 
Around  these  were  plants,  including  a  good  white 
form  of  C.  Gaskelliana  vestalis,  C.  atalanta, 
C.  Mrs.  Pitt,  C.  Fowleriana,  and  various 
showy  Laelio-Cattleyas.  At  one  end  of  the  dis- 
play were  several  finely-bloomed  Ancistrochilus 
Thompsonianus,  var.  Gentilii,  strong  speci- 
mens of  Miltonia  vexillaria  Leopoldii,  M.  v. 
robusta,  M.  spectabilis  Moreliana,  Odonto- 
glossum  Rolfeas,  and  other  Odontoglossums  ;  a 
specimen  of  Brasso-Cattleya  Digbyano-War- 
scewiczii,  with  three  well-developed  flowers  on 
one  spike.  Among  the  species  was  the  remark- 
able Cirrhopetalum  ornatissimum,  with  a  spray 
of  singular  flowers  having  fringed  dorsal  sepals 
and  petals.  We  also  noticed  Bulbophyllum 
Godseffianum,  a  well-grown  specimen  of 
Epidendrum  prismatocarpum,  the  fine  Cym- 
bidium  erythrostylum,  Vanda  Kimballiana,  &c. 

Messrs.  Sander  &  Sons,  St.  Albans,  received 
a  Silver  Flora  Medal  for  a  group  of  Orchids,  in 
the  centre  of  which  was  a  selection  of  their 
new  Cattleya  Davisii  (velutina  X  Hardyana), 
the  varieties  varying  much  in  the  pretty  rose, 
bronze,  and  purple  flowers,  the  varieties  rubra 
and  aurea  being  the  best.  On  either  side  of 
the  group  were  selections  of  Laelio-Cattleya 
Bletchleyensis,    L.-C.    Henry    Greenwood,    and 


other  hybrids.  Cattleya  Ethelreda  (O'Brieniana 
X  Dowiana)  has  pretty  blush-white  flowers, 
with  deflected,  rosy-purple  lip ;  Laelio-Cattleya 
Magnaei  (L.  tenebrosa  X  C.  granulosa),  has 
long,  cream-white  sepals  and  petals  that  are 
veined  with  purple,  and  having  an  elongated 
purple  labellum.  Odontoglossum  blando- 
mobile  has  pretty  white  flowers  that  are  spotted 
with  purple.  Various  Cypripediums  and  other 
hybrids  were  included  in  the  display. 

Messrs.  Hugh  Low  &  Co.,  Enfield,  were 
awarded  a  Silver  Banksian  Medal  for  an  exhibit 
that  contained  Cattleya  Gaskelliana  alba,  C. 
Parthenia  "  Prince  of  Wales,"  C.  bicolor,  two 
dwarf  specimens  of  the  yellow  Sobralia  xan- 
tholeuca  nana,  Oncidium  oblongatum  and  its 
variety  citrinum,  which  has  yellow  flowers 
without  bars  of  brown  on  the  sepals,  Cypri- 
pedium Gowerianum  magnificum,  C.  vexil- 
larium,  and  other  Cypripediums. 

Major  G.  L.  Holford,  CLE.,  C.V.O., 
Westonbirt  (gr.  Mr.  Alexander),  showed  Brasso- 
Cattleya  Madame  Hye,  C.  Iris,  Holford's 
variety,  a  very  handsome  form  ;  a  good  Onci- 
dium Jonesianum,  and  cut  spikes  of  a  fine 
Vanda   Sanderiana. 

Messrs.  Armstrong  &  Brown,  Tunbridge 
Wells,  showed  a  small  group.  The  new  Catt- 
leya Armstrongiae  (Hardyana  X  Loddigesii 
violacea),  a  pretty  rose-coloured  flower,  with 
orange  centre  to  the  lip,  which  has  a  rose-purple 
blotch  on  front,  was  noticed  ;  also  Cattleya  Iris 
inversa,  with  bronzy  sepals  and  petals  and  rich 
purple  lip  ;  Cattleya  elatior,  C.  Madame  Hye, 
C.  fulvescens,  and  a  pretty  hybrid  between  C. 
Percivaliana  and  C.   Schilleriana. 

Messrs.  Stanley  &  Co.,  Southgate,  staged 
plants  of  Cattleya  bicolor,  Laelio-Cattleya  ele- 
gans  Harrisii,  a  variety  having  large,  rich, 
purple-tinted  flowers  ;  and  the  singular  Brassa- 
vola   cucullata. 

Messrs.  Hooley  Bros.,  Bitterne  Park,  South- 
ampton, sent  a  flower-spike  of  Cattleya  granu- 
losa with  10  blooms. 

H.  T.  Pitt,  Esq.,  Rosslyn,  Stamford  Hill, 
showed  Cattleya  Hardyana  Countess  of  Derby, 
a  superb  white-petalled  foim  with  intense  ruby- 
crimson  lip,  and  which  had  previously  received 
a  First-Class  Certificate  as  C.  Warscewiczii 
Countess  of  Derby. 

Jeremiah  Colman,  Esq.,  Gatton  Park  (gr.  Mr. 
W.  P.  Bound),  displayed  a  clear  yellow  form  of 
Brasso-Laelia  Fladosa  (L.  flava  X  B.  nodosa)  ; 
the  pale  yellow,  fringed-lipped  Chondrorhyncha 
Chestertonii,  and  the  singular  Cirrhopetalum 
appendiculatum. 

Walter  Cobb,  Esq.,  Rusper  (gr.  Mr.  C.  J. 
Salter),  showed  Laelio-Cattleya  Iris,  Dulcote 
variety,   and  L.-C.  Ashtonii. 

Mr.  Maurice  Mertens,  Ghent,  showed  Odon- 
toglossum Rolfeae  magnificum,  a  very  large  and 
finely-formed  flower. 

AWARDS. 

First-Class  Certificates. 

Cattleya  Iris  His  Majesty  (bicolor  x  aurea), 
from  Messrs.  Jas.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  Chel- 
sea. This  is  probably  the  finest  form  of  C. 
Iris  ever  shown,  and  a  remarkable  reversion  to- 
wards C.  aurea  both  in  size  and  colour.  The 
specimen  carried  three  very  large  flowers,  the 
broad  sepals  and  petals  having  a  yellow  ground 
colour  tinted  outward  with  an  old-gold  tint  and 
shaded  with  bronze,  passing  to  sulphur  yellow 
towards  the  margin.  The  base  of  the  lip  is 
yellow,  with  red  lines  running  into  the  centre, 
which  is  marked  with  orange.  The  broad  front 
lobe  is  coloured  a  rich  ruby-crimson.  It  was 
originally  raised  by  Messrs.  Charlesworth  & 
Co.,  who  also  were  voted  a  First-Class  Certifi- 
cate for  the  plant,  but  the  Award  was  withdrawn 
as  a  painting  of  the  flower  was  not  secured. 

Srasso-L&lio-Caltleya  Rowena  (L.-C.  Doris  X 
B.  Digbyana),  from  Major  G.  L.  Holford  (gr. 
Mr.  H.  G.  Alexander).  A  very  fine  flower,  and 
a  good  addition  to  the  hybrids  of  Brassavola 
Digbyana,  especially  on  account  of  the  bright 
colour  of  its  flowers.  The  flower  approaches  in 
size  and  shape  that  of  Brasso-Cattleya  Digbyano- 
Mossiae,  but  the  fringe  on  the  lip  is  not  so  deep 
as  in  that  variety.  The  colour  is  a  dear,  iiqht 
yellow,  with  some  emerald  green  lines  at  the 
base  of  the  lip. 

Awards  of  Merit. 

Stanhopea  flatyceras,  from  the  Hon.  Walter 
Rothschild,  M.P.  (gr.  Mr.  A.  Dye).  A  very 
handsome  and  rare  species,  and  one  of  the 
largest   of   the   Stanhopeas.     The   broad,   rather 


September  7,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


191 


concave  sepals  are  cream-white,  and  closely 
dotted  with  purple ;  the  narrower,  recurved 
petals  are  also  cream-white,  but  tinged  with 
rose  and  spotted  with  purple.  The  long,  boat- 
shaped  hypochil  has  a  whitish  base  that  is 
heavily  tinged  and  spotted  with  blackish-purple. 
The  horns  of  the  middle  portion  of  the  lip  are 
broad  and  flat,  and  they  form  a  distinguishing 
feature  for  the  species,  and,  like  the  fleshy 
epichil,  are  white  spotted  with  purple. 

Caitleya  Hardyana  var.  Madame  Valcke,  from 
Monsieur  A.  A.  Peeters,  Brussels.  A  charm- 
ing variety,  with  white  sepals  and  petals,  the 
lip  being  somewhat  like  that  of  a  light  form  of 
C.  Warscewiczii ;  the  colour  is  rose,  with  a 
yellow  patch  on  either  side  of  the  tube,  and  a 
broad  pale  lilac  margin. 

Sophro-Lcelio-Cattleya  Phyllis  (Sophro-Laelia 
laeta  X  C.  Lawrenceana),  from  Major  G.  L. 
Holford.  A  hybrid  of  dwarf  habit,  and  with 
pretty  rose-purple  coloured  flowers,  having  a 
claret-purple  front  to  the  labellum.  The  flowers 
are  of  good  size  and  shape. 

Botanical  Certificate. 
Eulofhia  ensata,  from  the  Hon.  Walter 
Rothschild.  An  African  species,  with  lanceo- 
late, plicate  leaves  and  tall  inflorescence,  bear- 
ing a  dense  head  of  pale  yellow  flowers :  the 
lip  has  a  hairy  orange-coloured  crest.  The 
species  is  figured  in  the  Botanical  Register,  t. 
1147. 

Fruit  and  Vegetable  Committee. 
Present :  G.  Bunyard,  Esq.  (chairman)  ; 
Messrs.  Jos.  Cheal,  W.  Bates,  W.  Pope,  H. 
Parr,  Horace  J.  Wright,  H.  Markham,  Jno. 
Lyne,  Owen  Thomas,  Lhas.  Foster,  J.  Mcintosh, 
W.  Poupart,  W.  Wilks,  J.  Vert,  Geo.  Woodward, 
J.  Davis,  and  A.  R.  Allan. 

A  fine  collection  of  fruiting  trees  in  pots  was 
shown  by  the  King's  Acre  Isursery  Co.,  Here- 
ford. Especially  fine  were  espalier  trees  of 
Peaches,  the  variety  Sea  Eagle  being  freely 
fruited.  Thos.  Rivers  Peach  was  also  shown 
fine  fruited,  and  another  tree  heavily  cropped 
•was  Violette  Hative  Nectarine,  although  the 
fruits  were  small  in  size.  Trained  vines  in  pots 
of  Gros  Maroc,  Black  Alicante,  Lady  Hutt,  Aln- 
wick Seedling,  and  others  were  staged  at  the 
back  of  the  exhibit.  The  specimen  of  Alnwick 
Seedling  was  one  of  the  best  cropped  pot  vines 
we  have  seen.  The  exhibit  also  included  Apples 
Cox's  Orange  Pippin,  James  Grieve,  Worcester 
Pearmain,  and  Washington  ;  Late  Orange  Plum, 
Conference,  Marguerite  Marillat,  and  other 
Pears,  with  tall  plants  of  Red  Currants,  and 
small  trees  of  Figs.  (Silver-Gilt  Hogg  Medal.) 
Messrs.  H.  Cannell  &  Sons,  Swanley,  Kent, 
staged  a  collection  of  hardy  fruits.  At  the  back 
of  this  exhibit  were  Apples  and  Pear  trees  in 
pots,  all  of  which  had  been  grown  in  the  open. 
Boxes  of  Plums,  including  the  varieties  Bryans. 
ton  Gage,  McLaughlan's  Gage,  Oullin's  Golden 
Gage,  and  a  very  finely  flowered  red  Gage, 
which  is  probably  a  new  variety  of  merit.  A 
row  of  large,  well-finished  Apples  formed  a  suit- 
able finish  to  the  group.  The  varieties  of  Apples 
included  Red  Quarrenden,  Red  Astrachan, 
Duchess  of  Oldenburg,  Worcester  Pearmain,  and 
Lady  Sudeley.  Messrs.  Cannell  showed  a  new 
Apple,  labelled  Cannell's  Market.  It  is  a  pro- 
lific cropper — as  many  as  24  fruits  were  ex- 
hibited on  a  small  branch,  and  these  ripen  early 
in  the  season.  (Silver-Gilt  Knightian  Medal.) 
Messrs.  James  Veitch  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  Chelsea, 
showed  50  trained  fruit  trees  in  pots.  The  best 
specimens  were  those  of  Pears  and  Plums.  An 
excellent  example  of  Belle  de  Louvain  Plum 
was  afforded  a  prominent  position.  Purple 
Gage  and  Cox's  Emperor  Plums  were  also 
heavily  cropped.  Trees  of  Beurre  Jean  van 
Geert  and  Marguerite  Marillat  Pears  were  car- 
rying finely  finished  fruits  of  large  size.  The 
examples  of  Souvenir  du  Congres,  Charles 
Ernest  and  Conference  Pears  were  also  worthy 
of  mention.  Ben's  Red  Apple  was  highly  col- 
oured. Figs,  too,  were  displayed  in  well-cropped 
examples,  the  best  being  Brown  Turkey  and 
Negro  Largo.     (Silver-Gift  Banksian  Medal.) 

Messrs.  Geo.  Bunyard  &  Co.,  Maidstone, 
Kent,  showed  a  miscellaneous  assortment  of 
frmts — Apples,  Pears,  Peaches,  Apricots,  Plums, 
Damsons,  Nuts,  and  Cherries.  Of  Plums,  we 
noticed  White  Magnum  Bonum,  the  Burbank 
Plum  (an  attractive  fruit  in  appearance),  the 
Wickson  Plum,  Sultan,  and  Belle  Louvain ; 
Apples  Lady  Sudeley,  Worcester  Pearmain,  and 
Red    Quarrenden,    all    of    which    were   coloured 


highly ;  Duchess  of  Oldenburg,  and  very  fine 
fruits  of  Stirling  Castle.  The  best  Pears  in  the 
group  were  Triomphe  de  Vienne,  Williams'  Bon 
Chretien,  Dovenne  du  Bossoch,  and  Marguerite 
Marillat.     (Silver-Gilt  Knightian  Medal.) 

Mrs.  Brace,  Doveridge  Hall,  near  Derby, 
showed  a  collection  of  hot-house  fruits.  A  dish 
of  Barrington  Peaches  was  especially  good. 
Bunches  of  Grapes,  somewhat  small,  but  with 
well-finished  berries,  formed  a  background  to 
the  collection,  which  included  Peaches,  Necta- 
rines, Pears,  Cherries,  Figs,  Plums,  and  Melons. 
(Silver   Knightian    Medal.) 

The  usual  array  of  Seedling  Melons  was  seen 
on  the  table  devoted  to  novelties,  but  none  was 
found  worthy  the  distinction  of  an  Award. 

The  curious  Cucurbitaceous  fruit  known  as 
Lemon  Cucumber  was  shown  by  Messrs.  Barr 
&  Sons,  King  Stieet,  Covent  Garden,  W.C.  It 
was  of  ovoid  shape,  lemon-coloured,  with  a 
number  of  black  dots,  apparently  rudimentary 
spines. 

LECTURE  ON  LESSER  KNOWN  ORCHIDS. 

The  lecture  at  the  afternoon  meeting  of  the 
Fellows  was  by  Mr.  F.  W.  Moore,  Curator  of 
the  Glasnevin  Botanic  Gardens.  The  lecturer 
treated  of  Orchid  giants,  pigmy  Orchids,  species 
having  some  peculiar  habit  or  structure, 
pendulous-growing  varieties,  Orchids  of  remark- 
able appearance,  and  others  that  are  remarkable 
for  requiring  some  special  cultural  treatment. 
Amongst  the  largest  of  Orchids  is  Grammato- 
phyllum  speciosum  (illustrated  in  the  last  issue 
of  the  Gardeners'  Chronicle),  Arachnanthe  Lowii, 
and  the  very  rare  Eulophiella  Peetersiana. 
Cyrtopodium  Andersonii  bears  an  inflorescence 
that  reaches  a  height  of  4  feet  4  inches.  Cypri- 
pedium  Lindleyanum  at  Glasnevin  developed 
leaves  2  feet  3  inches  in  length  and  3$  inches  in 
breadth,  whilst  the  flowers  were  borne  on  in- 
florescences 4  feet  9  inches  in  height.  Arach- 
nanthe Lowii  produced  six  inflorescences  in  the 
Glasnevin  Gardens,  each  measuring  G  to  7  feet, 
and  it  is  curious  that  this  species  produces 
dimorphic  flowers,  for  the  basal  ones  are  quite 
different  in  shape  and  colour  to  those  on  the 
upper  portions  of  the  inflorescence.  (See  also 
Lissochilus  giganteus,  a  gigantic  species,  figured 
in  Gardeners'  Chronicle,  May  19,  1888,  p.  617.— 
The  inflorescences  reach  a  height  of  8  feet. — Ed.) 

Among  pigmy  Orchids,  Mr.  Moore  enumerate! 
Pleurothallis  asterophera,  P.  hypnicola,  P. 
simmleriana,  and  P.  lateritia.  P.  hypnicola 
is  one  of  the  smallest  of  Orchids,  its 
flowers  being  so  inconspicuous  that  they  can 
scarcely  be  seen.  Maxillaria  funerea,  Masde- 
vallia  "nidifica,  and  Megaclinium  minutum  are 
dwarf  representatives  of  three  other  genera. 
The  lecturer  referred  to  the  curiously-flowered 
Arachnanthe  annamen^is,  which  produced  an 
inflorescence  bearing  eight  to  ten  flowers,  each 
5  inches  in  length  and  with  transverse  bars  of 
yellow  on  a  red  ground  (see  fig.  in  Gardeners'' 
nick,  May  12,  1906,  p.  290i.  Some  of  the 
most  curious  adaptations  of  Orchids  are  to  be 
found  in  their  labellums.  In  some  species  this 
organ  is  fleshy,  as  in  Stanhopea,  and  in  others, 
such  as  Brassavola,  it  is  hairy  but  fixed.  In  Bul- 
bophyllum,  however,  it  is  not  only  hairy,  but 
hinged,  so  that  it  moves  with  the  slightest  dis- 
placement of  the  air.  Bulbophyllum  barbatum 
is  a  well-known  species,  but  B.  tremula  is  not 
so  commonly  seen.  It  has  a  heavy  fringe  of 
hanging  hairs,  which  give  the  plant  a  singular 
appearance.  The  curious  habit  of  growth  of 
Masdevallia  deorsa  was  referred  to,  and  Mr. 
Moore  stated  that  this  species  refuses  to  grow 
in  any  other  position  than  a  pendulous  one. 
Lycaste  Dyeriana  dies  if  it  is  not  allowed  to 
grow  with  its  roots  uppermost.  The  species 
was  flowered  at  Glasnevin  in  1896.  A  curious 
adaptation  of  growth  is  seen  in  Epidendrum  ver- 
sicatum  ;  the  leaves  of  this  plant  form  a  cup,  the 
upper  pair  enclose  the  flowers  and  form  a  sealed 
chamber,  so  that  were  they  pointing  in  the 
normal  upward  position,  the  flower-spike  would 
become  rotted  owing  to  the  presence  of  water. 

Other  species  of  (  Irchids  which  require  a 
pendulous  position  are  Brassavola  nodosa, 
Cattleya  citrina,  and  Scutecaria  Steelii.  In 
opposition  to  this  habit  of  growth  are  varieties 
which  must  be  grown  in  a  perfectly  upright 
position,  with  their  growths  erect.  Ccelogyne 
triplicatula,  when  planted  in  an  ordinary  flat 
manner,  refused  to  grow,  but  it  was  trained 
erect  and  it  succeeded  splendidly.  It  is  a  very 
scarce   species,   with   brownish-yellow    coloured 


flowers,  having  darker  lips,  with  marked  keels. 
Some  Orchids  are  self-fertile  to  a  high  degree, 
and  of  this  class  is  Dendrobium  Brymerianum, 
but,  as  is  to  be  expected,  the  flowers  of  this 
plant  are  quite  unimportant  in  appearance. 
Cymbidium  grandiflorum  (syn.  C.  Hookerianum) 
seldom  opens  its  flowers,  which  are  self- 
fertilised. 

A  curious  plant  is  Pleurothallis  immersa. 
The  flower-spike  appears  to  develop  from  the 
leaf  blade  about  half-way  up.  There  is  a 
channel  or  tunnel  in  the  leaf,  and  the  growth 
is  not  contiguous.  The  usual  appearance  of  an 
Orchid  flower  is  with  the  lip  in  the  lower  posi- 
tion, but  this  is  due  to  torsion  in  the  ovary, 
and  when,  as  in  Eria  globifera,  the  torsion  is  not 
present  the  lip  is  uppermost,  and  what  is  really 
the  correct  position  of  the  flower  appears 
abnormal. 

The  lecturer  also  referred  to  Orchids  having 
a  peculiar  growth  of  pseudo-bulb  and  foliage, 
and  showed  lantern  slides  of  some,  including 
Hexisia  bidentata  and  Hexadesmia  crurigera. 
Mr.  Moore  stated  that  the  genus  Maxillaria  con- 
tains several  species  with  remarkable  flowers, 
one  of  the  most  interesting  being  M.  fractiflexa, 
which  has  curiously  twisted  sepals  and  petals 
(see  Gardeners'  Chronicle,  May  31,  1902,  fig.  125). 


READING    HORTICULTURAL. 

August  28. — The  annual  exhibition  of  this 
society  was  held  in  the  Forbury  Gardens  on 
the  above  date.  The  number  of  the  exhibits  ex- 
ceeded those  of  last  year — the  jubilee  year  of 
the  society — and  this  necessitated  the  provision 
of  larger  tents. 

Outstanding  features  of  the  show  were  the  ex- 
hibits of  vegetables  and  fruit,  and  especially  the 
collection  of  vegetables  shown  by  Mr.  James 
Dymock  (gr.  to  Geo.  D.  Faber,  Esq.,  of  Wal- 
lingford),  in  the  class  for  ten  kinds  of  vegetables, 
the  prizes  being  offered  by  Messrs.  Sutton  & 
Sons.  The  1st  prize  in  the  class  for  six  varie- 
ties of  vegetables  was  won  by  Mr.  George  Ell- 
wood  (gr.  to  Mr.  W.  H.  Myers,  Bishop's  Walt- 
ham,  Hants.),  but  there  was  not  much  difference 
of  quality  between  this  exhibit  and  that  of  the 
2nd  prize-winner,  Mr.  A.  Basile  (gr.  to  the 
Rev.  Thomas  McMurdie,  Weybridge).  In  the 
cottagers'  classes  the  produce  was  exceedingly 
well  grown,  Potatos  especially.  Fruit  was  good 
considering  the  backward  season.  Exhibits  of 
Grapes  were  of  moderate  quality,  the  best  were 
shown  by  Mr.  J.  Willis  Fleming,  of  Romsey 
(gr.  Mr.  Mitchell).  The  same  remark  applies 
to  Peaches,  the  exception  being  a  fine  dish  of 
"  Golden  Eagle,"  shown  by  S.  Monck,  Esq., 
Coley  Park  (gr.  Mr.  A.  J.  Booker).  Nectarines 
and  Plums  were  of  good  quality,  but  Pears  and 
Apples  lacked  colour. 

The  class  for  a  group  of  plants  arranged  for 
effect  produced  four  good  groups.  The  1st 
prize  was  taken  by  Edward  Wagg,  Esq.,  of 
Maidenhead  (gr.  Mr.  D.  Phillips).  Lady  Cooke 
secured  the  2nd  prize  for  a  group  that  was 
somewhat  crowded,  but  the  plants  were  well- 
grown  specimens.  Fuchsias  made  a  good  dis- 
play ;  those  shown  by  Mr.  J.  Friedlander, 
of  Whiteknights,  were  considered  the  best,  but 
those  shown  by  Miss  K.  Ratcliffe,  Westfield, 
Reading,  were  not  far  behind  those  of  the  1st 
prize  group  in  point  of  quality.  Mr.  Wagg 
won  the  1st  prizes  for  stove'  Ferns  and  for  stove 
plants  of  a  miscellaneous  character  with  well- 
grown  specimens ;  Mr.  S.  B.  Joel  was  an 
easy  1st  prize-winner  for  tuberous  Begonias 
in  the  open  class.  The  decorative  classes 
were  somewhat  disappointing,  and  there  was 
a  lack  of  originality.  In  the  open  classes 
for  Dahlias,  Mr.  John  Walker,  of  Thame,  was 
very  successful,  taking  three  1st  prizes.  In 
the  Rose  classes  open  to  amateurs  only,  Mr.  C. 
E.  Keyser,  of  Aldermaston,  won  the  premier 
award  ;   2nd,  Mr.  H.  W.  Dunlop,  Earley. 

The  non-competitive  exhibits  formed  a  very 
attractive  feature  of  the  show.  Messrs.  Powell 
&  Sons,  Bath  Road  Nurseries,  Reading,  were 
awarded  a  Silver  Medal  for  a  group  of  floral 
designs,  foliage  plants,  &c.  ;  Messrs.  Hicks  & 
Bloomfibld,  Calcot  Nurseries,  Reading,  re- 
ceived a  Silver  Medal  for  a  display  of  Roses ; 
Mr.  T.  Rigg,  Caversham,  was  also  awarded  a 
Silver  Medal  for  cut  Roses  ;  and  Messrs.  Jas. 
Holder  &  Sons  a  Silver  Medal  for  a  group  of 
plants,  &c.  Messrs.  Webb  &  Sons,  Stourbridge, 
showed  a  miscellaneous  group  of  Sweet  Peas, 
Carnations,  and  other  flowers  ;  fruit,  vegetables, 


192 


THE    GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


[September  7,  1907. 


&-c,  for  which  the  Society's  Gold  Medal  was 
awarded.  Mr.  Fred  Eames,  Frome,  was  given  a 
Silver-Gilt  Medal  for  a  collection  of  hardy 
flowers. 


ANSWERS    TO    CORRESPONDENTS. 


NATIONAL    DAHLIA. 

(By  Telephone.) 
September  5  and  6. — A  year  ago  at  the  hold- 
ing of  the  annual  show  of  the  National  Dahlia 
Society,  we  referred  in  these  pages  to  the  extra- 
ordinary climatic  conditions  the  plants  had  ex- 
perienced in  the  last  week  of  August  and  first 
week  in  September.  The  ground  was  dry,  the 
atmosphere  hot,  and  bright  sunshine  was  regis- 
tered almost  every  day !  But  such  are  the 
means  that  gardeners  may  employ  in  the  culti- 
vation of  their  plants,  that  even  last  year  the 
Dahlia  growers  found  themselves  in  a  position 
to  contribute  a  creditable  exhibition  of  the  vari- 
ous  types   of  their  favourite  flowers. 

The  present  season  affords  as  striking  a  con- 
trast to  that  of  1906  as  could  well  be  imagined, 
and  the  National  Dahlia  Society  has  to  hold  its 
exhibition  just  the  same.  The  judging  is  taking 
place  as  these  pages  are  being  sent  to  press,  but 
our  representative  at  the  Crystal  Palace,  where 
the  exhibition  is  displayed,  is  enabled  to  give  us 
a  few  particulars  through  the  telephone,  from 
which  we  gather  that  the  show  is  likely  to  give 
satisfaction,  although  the  quality  generally  is 
not  of  the  highest.  The  entries  are  about  equal 
to  the  average,  and,  consequently,  there  is  a 
good   exhibition. 

The  winner  of  the  1st  prize  in  the  class  for 
48  blooms  of  show  Dahlias  (distinct)  open  to 
nurserymen  is  Mr.  Jno.  Walker,  Thame,  Oxon., 
and  Mr.  W.  Treseder,  Cardiff,  has  been 
awarded  the  2nd  prize. 

In  the  smaller  class  for  24  blooms  (distinct], 
Messrs.  Keynes,  Williams  &  Co.,  Salisbury, 
have  gained  the  1st  prize,  and  Mr.  Geo.  Hum- 
phries, Chippenham,  the  2nd  prize. 

The  best  exhibit  of  18  blooms  of  fancy  varie- 
ties (distinct),  in  the  class  for  nurserymen,  was 
shown  by  Mr.  William  Treseder,  and  Mr.  J. 
Walker  was  2nd. 

The  smaller  class  for  12  blooms  was  won  by 
Messrs.  J.  Cray  &  Sons,  Frome,  and  Mr.  S. 
Mortimer,  Farnham,  Surrey,  gained  the  2nd 
prize. 

The  principal  class  for  Cactus  Dahlias  called 
for  18  varieties  in  bunches  of  six  blooms  each, 
and,  in  addition  to  the  money  prizes  awarded, 
the  1st  prize  included  a  Silver  Challenge  Cup 
value  £15  15s.  This  has  been  awarded  on  the 
present  occasion  to  Messrs.  J.  Stredwick  &  Son, 
Silverhill  Park  Nursery,  St.  Leonards ;  2nd, 
Messrs.  J.  Burrell  &  Co.,  Cambridge. 

In  the  section  reserved  for  amateurs,  the 
Silver  Challenge  Cup  offered  for  24  blooms  of 
show  Dahlias  (distinct),  has  been  won  by 
Messrs.  Webb  &  Thompson,  Kingswood,  Bristol, 
two  amateur  growers,  who  combined  to  make 
the  exhibit. 

Another  Silver  Cup  offered  for  nine  varieties 
of  Cactus  Dahlias,  in  bunches  of  three  blooms 
each,  has  been  awarded  to  Mr.  W.  E.  Peters, 
St.  Leonard's-on-Sea ;  2nd,  Mr.  J.  Shoebridge, 
Kast   Grinstead. 

The  Gold  Badge,  offered  by  Messrs.  Debbie 
&  Co.  for  24  blooms  (cactus),  has  been  gained 
by  an  exhibit  from  Mr.  J.  Bryant,  Salisbury. 
The  money  prize  in  this  class  was  offered  by 
Messrs.  J.  Cheal  &  Sons. 

Some  of  the  finest  flowers  in  the  show  were 
staged  in  the  class  for  24  bunches  of  single 
Dahlias  (nurserymen),  the  best  collection  being 
from  Messrs.  J.  Cheal  &  Sons,  Crawley  (1st 
prize),  and  Mr    M.  V.  Seale,  Sevenoaks. 

A  Silver  Medal  was  offered  by  Mr.  Edward 
Mawley  for  the  best  bunch  of  Cactus  Dahlias  in 
Classes  6  and  7,  and  this  was  awarded  to  Messrs. 
G.  Stredwick  &  Son  for  a  bunch  of  flowers  of 
the  variety  C.   E.  Wilkins. 

Noncompetitive  exhibits  included  displays 
from  Messrs.  H.  Cannell  &  Sons,  Swanley ; 
Messrs.  T.  S.  Ware  (Begonias)  ;  Mr.  J.  E. 
Knight,  Wolverhampton ;    Hobbies.  Ltd.     &c. 


Begonias,  Damping  Off:  A.  J.  C.  Your 
plants  are  quite  free  from  disease,  so  far  as 
can  be  determined  from  the  specimens  re- 
ceived. The  damping  is  the  result  of  an  ex- 
cess of  moisture.  Endeavour  to  obtain 
greater  vigour  in  your  plants  by  affording  a 
more  generous  system  of  culture. 

Books  :  F.  A.  S.  W.  You  would  find  the  infor- 
mation required,  in  an  abbreviated  form,  in 
Flowering  Plants  and  Ferns,  Vols.  I.  and  II.,  by 
J.  C.  Willis,  M.A.,  and  published  by  the 
University  Press,  Cambridge. 

Levantine  Pomegranates  :  South  Carolina.  We 
are  unable  to  furnish  you  with  the  information. 

Melons  Cracking:  M.  L.  If  the  cracking  is 
not  due  to  the  formation  of  the  "  netting,"  it 
has  probably  resulted  from  an  excess  of  mois- 
ture in  the  atmosphere  of  the  Melon  pit.  More 
ventilation  and  a  freer  circulation  of  air 
should  be  allowed.  You  will  find  a  note  on 
this  subject  in  our  issue  for  August  10  last, 
p.   119. 

Names  of  Flowers,  Fruits  and  Plants.— We 
are  anxious  to  oblige  correspondents  as  far  as 
we  consistently  can,  but  they  must  bear  in 
mind  that  it  is  no  part  of  our  duty  to  our 
subscribers  to  name  either  flowers  or  fruits. 
Such  work  entails  considerable  outlay,  both  of 
time  and  money,  and  cannot  be  allowed  to  dis- 
organise the  preparations  for  the  weekly  issue,  or  to 
encroach  upon  time  required  for  the  conduct  of  the 
paper.  Correspondents  should  never  send  more 
than  six  plants  or  fruits  at  one  time  :  they  should  be 
very  careful  to  pack  and  label  them  properly,  to  give 
every  information  as  to  the  county  the  fruits  are 
grown  in,  and  to  send  ripe,  or  nearly  ripe,  specimens 
which  show  the  character  of  the  variety.  By 
neglecting  these  precautions  correspondents  add 
greatly  to  our  labour,  and  run  the  risk  of 
delay  and  incorrect  determinations.  Correspondents 
not  answered  in  one  issue  are  requested  to 
be  so  good  as  to  consult  the  following  numbers. 
Fruits  :  C.  H.  Gooseberry  Yellow  Aston. 
f.A.B.     Apple  Sugar  Loaf. 

Plants  :  E.  3.  The  Begonia  flowers  had 
dropped  to  pieces.  If  you  think  it  is  a  species 
and  not  a  mere  seedling  variety,  you  had  better 
send  fresh  specimens,  with  growths  attached. — 
V.  W.  Hol'and.  1,  Aconitum  Napellus;  2,  A. 
rostratum  ;  3,  A.  Vulparia.—  E.  C.  W.  Cras- 
sula  sp. — E.  M.  The  yellow  flower  is  Colutea 
arborescens.  We  cannot  undertake  to  name 
the  Sweet  Peas. — B.  S.  1  and  5,  varieties  of 
Helianthus  ;  2,  Erigeron  speciosus  ;  3,  Cytisus 
species;  4,  Arabis  albida  (double  flowered 
variety) ;  6,  Achillea  Ptarmica  (double  flowered 
variety)  ;  7,  Veronica  spicata.— /.  A.  W.  1, 
Probably  Daphne  pontica,  but  we  cannot  deter- 
mine from  leaves  only  ;  2,  Cichorium  Intybus 
(Chicory).—  S.  H  J.  1,  Yucca  gloriosa  ;  2, 
Verbascum  nigrum  (British) ;  3,  Fuchsia  Ricar- 
tonii ;  4,  Olearia  Haastii  ;  5,  Veronica  "  Purple 
Queen,"  a  garden  hybrid.— 6,  V.  salicifolia  — 
S.  Platycodon  grandiflorum. — E.  B.  1,  Hy- 
pericum Androsaemum;  2,  H.  hircinum ;  3, 
H.  elatum. — C.  c~  Sons.  1,  Finns  Laricio  nigri- 
cans (Austrian  Pine)  ;  2,  P.  Laricio  (Corsican 
Pine)  ;  3  and  4,  Abies  nobilis.—  A.  E.  Critchley. 
1,  Sedum  altissimum;  2,  S.  reflexum;  3,  Eryngium 
amethystinum ;  4,  Clematis  heracleaefolia. — 
J.  W.  Ptelea  trifoliata. — G.  IV.  Linaria  repens 
var.  alba. — W.  C.  Origanum  Dictamnus  (pink), 
Chaenostoma  hispida. — L.  E.  J.  Pentstemon 
Hartwegii  "Newberry  Gem." — M.A.T.  We 
cannot  undertake  to  name  varieties  of  Carna- 
tions.—  W.  H.  Stenocarpus  Cunninghamii. — 
A.  G.  1,  Podophyllum  Emodi ;  2,  Anchusa 
italica ;  3,  Spiraea  Douglasii ;  4,  Escallonia 
macrantha  ;  5,  Diervilla  (Weigela)  species  ;  6, 
Leycesteria  formosa. — A.  M.  1,  Arnebia  echi- 
odes;  2,  Abelia  triflora  ;  3,  Arbutus  Unedo  ;  4, 
Lasiandra  macrantha. — Talma.  Ccelogyne  spe- 
ciosa.— A*.  II'.  Cattleya  Dowiana  aurea.  Cat- 
tleya  aurea  is  the  usual  garden  name  for  this 
plant,  which  accounts  for  your  obtaining  it  as 
such.  Botanically  it  is  a  local  form  of  Cat- 
tleya Dowiana. — Somerset.  Kochia  scoparia,  a 
plant  extensively  grown  for  market,  and  for 
decorative  gardening. — J.  H.  C.  Vanda  Rox- 
burghii.— 7.  A.  1,  Masdevallia  triaristella ;  2, 
Odontoglossum  crinitum  ;  3,  Ada  aurantiaca  ;  4, 
Brassia  verrucosa. — J.  L.,  Shrewsbury.  1,  Phy- 
gelius  capensis  ;  2,  Vitis  heterophylla  variegata. 


3,  Prunus  Pissardi ;  4,  Koelreuteriapaniculata. — 
W.  E.,  Norwood.  Statice  Suvvorowi. — A.  C.  W. 
Helenium  autumnale,  variety  cupreum. — A.  D. 
Both  hybrids  of  Cypripedium  villosum  and  very 
near  to  C.  Harrisianum.  The  Anthurium  is  the 
long-spathed  form  of  Anthurium  Scherzerianum. 

National  Chrysanthemum  Society  :  E.  C.  The 
Secretary  to  this  Society  is  Mr.  R.  Witty,  St. 
James'  Villa,  Swain's  Lane,  Highgate,  London, 

N. 

Streptocarpus  Flowers  Malformed  :  E.  D. 
The  abnormality  is  due  to  fasciation  or  a 
fusion  of  growth.  The  upper  flower  has  be- 
come regular,  and  presents  an  example  of 
peloria — a  common  occurrence  in  many  plants 
that  normally  produce  zygomorphic  flowers. 

Summer  Bedding  Plants:  C.  W.  H.  Flower- 
beds filled  entirely  with  one  shade  of  a  particu- 
lar colour  are  liable  to  become  very  monotonous 
if  the  beds  are  of  great  size.  At  the  same  time, 
if  shades  of  the  same  colour  are  employed  for 
obtaining  variety,  there  is  a  danger  of  their 
clashing  with  each  other.  For  the  "Blue 
Beds  "  we  suggest  that  you  plant  in  the  middle 
of  each,  at  3  feet  apart,  three  good  plants  of 
Campanula  pyramidalis  (blue),  "  Syon  House 
variety,"  and  as  a  groundwork  to  these  plant 
light-blue  flowered  Victoria  Asters.  At  a  foot 
from  the  edge  of  the  bed  plant  Salvia  patens  at 
distances  of  2  feet  apart  and  fill  in  the  spaces 
between  these  with  dwarf,  blue,  bedding  Asters, 
finally  employing  an  edging  of  single  blue 
Lobelia.  White  Beds.  If  the  specimen  is  well 
variegated  retain  the  Acer  for  the  centre  and  fill 
in  3  feet  wide,  from  the  Acer,  with  white  Pelar- 
goniums. At  18  inches  from  the  edge  of  the  bed 
put  Francoa  ramosa  at  distances  of  2  feet  apart, 
filling  in  the  intervening  spaces  with  white  Ver- 
benas. An  edging  of  Antennaria  tomentosa  will 
be  suitable  for  these  beds,  but  the  effect  of  this 
dwarf  edging  may  be  relieved  by  planting 
Echeveria  secunda  glauca  8  or  9  inches  apart. 
Scarlet  Beds.  Use  a  plant  of  Ricinus  Gibsonii 
or  a  good  specimen  of  Cordyline  australis  for 
the  centre  and  a  Grevillea  robusta  18  inches  in- 
wards from  each  corner.  Edge  with  dwarf 
scarlet  Begonia  semperflorens,  and  fill  the  re- 
mainder of  the  beds  with  scarlet-flowered, 
tuberous-rooted  Begonias.  Pink  Beds.  Plant 
three  or  four  specimens  of  Lavatera  trimestris 
(rose  pink)  in  the  middle,  and  pink-flowered  I\y- 
leaved  Pelargoniums,  trained  as  small  pillars,  at 
18  inches  from  each  corner ;  edge  with  the  same 
type  of  Pelargonium  pegged  down,  filling  in  the 
remaining  space  with  double-flowered  Godetia. 
If  the  anchor-shaped  beds,  in  which  you  re- 
quire yellow  flowers,  approximate  in  shape  to 
the  nautical  anchor,  they  are  too  narrow  to 
admit  of  many  dot  plants.  Dwarf  yellow  Antir- 
rhinums would  make  a  good  edging  and  you 
could  fill  in  with  Calceolaria  amplexicaulis, 
placing  a  good  yellow-flowered  Canna  where  the 
width  of  the  beds  will  permit  of  its  being  dis- 
played to  advantage. 

Tomatos  Diseased  :  E.  J.  V.  Your  plants  and 
fruits  are  badly  affected  with  a  disease  known 
as  Macrosporium  solani.  You  can  do  nothing 
in  the  case  of  the  fruits  and  plants  already 
attacked,  but  you  should  remove  promptly  all 
the  leaves  and  fruits  that  are  seen  to  be 
affected.  The  spread  of  the  disease  may  be 
arrested  by  spraying  with  the  Bordeaux  mix- 
ture.    Burn  all  diseased  fruits  and  leaves. 

Vine  Leaves  :  F.  H.  The  discoloration  of  the 
foliage  has  been  caused  by  sudden  changes  of 
temperature  in  the  vinery.  No  disease  is  pre- 
sent :  the  black-mould  is  a  saprophyte,  and 
occurs  only  on  the  dead  tissue. 

Zaluzianskia  maritima  :  B.  H .  B.  There  is  but 
little  doubt  that  this  is  the  plant  you  purchased 
years  ago  under  the  name  of  Erinus  Lychnidea, 
for,  as  stated  in  Mr.  Gumbleton's  note  on  p.  161 
of  our  last  issue,  the  species  was  formerly  known 
by  the  latter  name,  and  it  was  illustrated  as 
Erinus  Lychnidea  in  the  Botanical  Magazim. 

Communications  Received. — H.  J. — E.  H.  J. — G.  S.  S. — 
I.  M.  P.— C.  T.— A.  J.  B.— S.  W.  S.-R.  S— Garden  Boy— 
R.  V.  &  Sons— H.  &  Son  — A.  A.-F.  S.  —  L.  Bros.— 
— S.  D.  &  Co.-Miss  P.— D.  C.  B.— C.  S.  S.-F.  M.  W.— 
A.  C— A.  D.  W.— D.  R.  W.— J.  J.  W.— H.  T.  G.— J.  W.  R. 
—A.  C.  B.— F.  I.— C.  R.— H.  W.  W.— J.  D.  G.—  W.  T.— 
J.  C— H.  N.,  Florida— W.  B.  H.— H.  T.  S.— W.  W.  P. 


September  14,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


19^ 


THE 


(§KirbcnciVdnonicI 

No.  1,081.— SA  TURD  A  Y,  September  14,  1907. 


c 


CONTENTS. 


Arctotis  x  regalis        ...    204 

Aston  Rowant  House 
gardens 196 

Books,  notices  of — 
Botanical  Magazine  ...     202 

Bulb  carder,  the— 
Gladioli,   two  species 
of        198 

Campanula  petraea       ...    197 

Cannas,  a  trial  of  ...    206 

Chrysanthemums  in  the 
United  States  of 
America  195 

Clove  Carnation,  varie- 
ties of  the        205 

Colonial  note — 
Emigrants      in     New 
Zealand        195 

Fatal  accident  to  an  ex- 
hibitor    203 

Flowers  in  season         ...     202 

Fruit  crop?,  remarks  on 
the  condition  of  the  ...    203 

Gardener's  long  service, 
a 202 

Hydrangeas  in  tubs     ...    205 

Laeken, the  gardens  at    202 

Lemoine,  M.  Victor     ...     201 

Market  ( 'ardening— 
Notes  from  Worthing    198 

Plant  notes — 
Lagerstroemia  indica    194 

Plants,    new    or     note- 
worthy— 
Campanula  longistyla    193 

Primula  obconica,  poi- 
sonous properties  of    205 


Rock  garden,  the— 

Campanula      "  China 
Cup  " 

Patrinia  gibbosa 
Rosary,  the — 

Rose  Dorothy  Perkins 

Rosa  setigera 

Schneider,  Mr.  George, 

honour  for       

Senecio  Wilsonianus  ... 
Silver  leaf  disease 
Societies — 

National  Dahlia 

Royal        Caledonian 
Horticultural 

Royal  Horticultural 

(Scientihc  Committee) 
Timber,  British,  present 

demand  for       

Transplanting  seedlings 
Trees  and  shrubs — 

Calophaca    Wolgarica 
Vegetables- 
Early     varieties      of 
Peas  and  Beans    ... 
Victoria     Medalists, 

three  new       

Week's  work,  the — 

1  I.  iwer  garden,  the  ... 

Fruits  under  glass    ... 

Hardy  fruit  garden  ... 

Kitchen  garden,  the... 

Orchid  houses,  the   ... 

Parks  and  gardens    ... 

Plants  under  glass    ... 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Arctotis  x  regalis  

Aston    Rowant    House,    view    of   the    residence   and 
grounds  at         

Ballantine,  Henry,  portrait  of  

Campanula  longistyla 

Campanula  petraea,  inflorescence  of  

Llewelyn,  Sir  John  T.  D.,  Bart.,  portrait  of        

Senecio  Wilsonianus  (Supplementary  Illustration) 


197 
197 

195 
195 

203 

201 
205 


193 

906 


197 


2QQ 

198 
199 
198 
198 
199 
199 
199 


204 

196 

21)1 
194 
197 
300 


PRESENT    DEMAND    FOR 
BRITISH    TIMBER. 

THE  past  season  has  been  one  of  con- 
siderable activity  in  the  timber  trade. 
The  demand  has  been  good,  and  prices 
generally  have  been  above  the  average ; 
indeed,  for  the  best  quality  Oak,  Ash,  Syca- 
more, and  Larch  wood,  prices  were  perhaps 
never  higher  than  at  the  present  time. 
Particularly  in  Southern  England  has  timber 
been  valuable.  Large,  clean  logs  of  Oak, 
situated  not  too  far  from  means  of  easy 
transit,  have  realised  fully  2S.  6d.  per  cubic 
foot,  and  in  several  instances  even  that  price 
has  been  exceeded  for  exceptionally  fine 
timber  produced  in  Surrey  and  Sussex.  The 
average  value  of  Oak  in  the  London  district 
would  be  much  lower,  and  from  is.  iod.  to 
2S.  3d.  per  foot  probably  represents  a  fair 
average,  for  boat  and  barge-building  on 
the  Thames  some  splendid  Oak  timber,  the 
pick  of  the  market,  has  been  supplied  during 
the  past  season,  and  the  price  has  been  pro- 
portionately high.  Beech  timber,  too,  has 
had  a  steady  and  profitable  market  at  all 
prices  from  iod.  to  is.  7d.  per  cubic  foot, 
whilst    for   the    best    trees  -  from    the   chalky 


Chiltern  Hills  or  the  districts  around  Box- 
moor  and  the  Chenies  the  demand  has  been 
unusually  brisk  at  advanced  prices.  Larch 
cannot  be  procured  in  the  quantities  required, 
nor  is  it  apparent  that  the  supply  will 
increase  for  many  years  to  come.  A  con- 
siderable quantity  of  these  trees  will  be  felled 
in  Ireland  during  the  coming  winter,  but 
little  of  this  timber  will  be  sent  to  the  Eng- 
lish market,  owing  principally  to  prohibitive 
carriage  rates.  The  Larch  disease  is  tar  less 
prevalent  in  Ireland  than  in  any  other  part  of 
these  islands,  and  some  Larch  trees  that  I 
saw  lately  in  the  North  of  Ireland,  and  grow- 
ing on  reclaimed  peat  bog,  were  unusually 
fine.  The  trunks  rose  straight,  and  with 
remarkably  small  taper,  for  a  height  of  80 
feet,  the  cubic  contents  often  exceeding  50 
feet.  Good  Larch  timber  sells  readily  in 
England  at  about  is.  4d.  per  cubic  foot,  but 
several  instances  occurred  recently  when 
is.  6d.  was  paid  per  cubic  foot  for  Larch  tim- 
ber of  first  quality.  Railway  fencing  and 
similar  operations  necessitates  the  use  annu- 
ally of  large  quantities  of  Larch  wood. 

Ash  timber  is  in  moderate  demand,  but 
there  is  a  quantity  of  the  big,  knotty  field  and 
hedgerow  timber  on  the  market  that  is  only 
disposed  of  with  difficulty.  Thickly-grown 
plantation  trees,  whose  cubic  contents  aver- 
age about  a  score  of  cubic  feet,  is  that  most 
in  demand,  and  for  which  prices  range  from 
is.  _|d.  to  is.  Sd.  per  foot.  In  Bedfordshire 
an  I  Buckinghamshire  I  recently  saw  some 
excellent  Ash  timber. 

Large,  well-grown  Sycamore  is  by  no 
means  difficult  to  dispose  of,  at  prices  ranging 
up  to  2s.  6d.  per  cubic  foot,  at  which  value  a 
quantity  was  lati  ly  sold  in  Wales.  This  may 
be  considered  the  top  price,  and  the  general 
price  may  vary  from  is.  6d.  to  2S.  per  foot. 
Small  Sycamore,  unless  for  minor  works  such 
as  turning  and  clog-soles,  has  not  a  great 
demand.  The  best  logs  are  required  for 
making  calender  machines  in  cotton  and  jute 
factories,  but  they  must  be  of  sufficient  size 
for  that  important  purpose.  Alder  and  Birch 
timber  sells  readily  in  some  parts  of  the 
country  for  the  making  of  clog-soles  :  the 
usual  price  in  the  woodland  is  from  od.  to 
iod.  per  cubic  foot.  Around  Liverpool  the 
demand  for  these  woods  for  this  purpose  is 
considerable.  Elm,  if  of  best  quality,  has  a 
good  market,  but  prices  vary  greatly,  accord- 
ing to  the  particular  district;  the  difference 
of  price  for  this  wood  in  two  adjoining  coun- 
ties is  often  remarkable.  Trees  from  the 
field  and  hedgerow  are  not  greatly  wanted, 
for  they  are  usually  knotty,  rough-grained, 
and  ill-suited  for  the  important  purposes 
to  which  the  best  quality  samples  of  this 
wood  is  applied.  Large  quantities  of  Elm 
planks  are  used  for  the  making  of  coffins, 
for  the  boarding  and  flooring  of  carts,  and 
for  the  making  of  furniture.  The  value,  as 
mentioned,  varies  greatly;  it  ranges  from  Sd. 
to  is.  6d.  per  cubic  foot.  In  Kent,  not  long 
since,  a  large  quantity  of  rough,  hedge-grown 
Elm  could  not  be  disposed  of  at  Sd.  per  foot. 

Scotch  Pine  is  to  be  had  in  plentv,  but  the 
price  is  not  high,  the  average  being  ad.  per 
cubic  foot  in  England,  while  in  Scotland  the 
price  is  even  less.  Best  timber  of  Scotch 
Pine,  used  for  lath-rending,  fetches  iod.  per 
foot  in  Bedfordshire  and  several  other 
counties.     The   wood   of    Spanish    Chestnut 


has  a  fairly  ready  market  if  it  is  clean,  large, 
and  free  from  "cup-shake."  Much  of  this 
timber  is  split  for  park-fencing.  The  best 
quality  logs  realise  from  is.  3d.  to  is.  8d.  per 
cubic  foot.  Horse  Chestnut  timber  has 
scarcely  any  value.  Large  timber  of  Poplar 
realises  remunerative  prices;  is.  yd.  per  cubic 
foot  was  paid  for  a  big  consignment  of  this 
wood  near  London  in  the  spring  of  the  pre- 
sent year.  Poplar  wood  is  useful  for  the 
bottoms  of  store-carts  and  barrows,  being 
woolly  and  tenacious,  while  large  quantities 
are  also  used  for  the  making  of  packing  cases 
and  for  other  purposes  where  lightness  is  of 
importance.  Lime  timber  is  not  greatly  in 
demand,  though  inquiries  were  received  not 
long  since  for  suitable  trees  for  the  making 
of  musical  instruments. 

Willow  timber,  if  suitable  for  the  making 
of  cricket  bats,  finds  a  ready  and  profitable 
market,  the  price  per  cubic  foot  averaging 
7s.  6d.,  though  as  much  as  10s.  6d.  has  been 
paid  for  the  same  quantity,  but  the  very  best 
of  this  wood  is  by  no  means  common.  The 
wood  of  maiden  or  unpollarded  Willows,  of 
about  thirty  years'  growth,  is  preferred  for 
bat-making,  and  such  wood  has  always  a 
demand.  Other  quality  Willow  timber,  suit- 
able for  the  making  of  cart  and  barrow  sides, 
sell  at  prices  varying  from  is.  to  2s.  per  cubic 
foot. 

The  timber  of  other  less  plentiful  trees, 
such  as  Maple,  Hornbeam,  Walnut,  and  some 
of  the  more  recently  introduced  Conifers,  in- 
cluding the  Douglas  Fir,  Austrian  and  Corsi- 
can  Pines,  have  no  special  value,  and  are 
often  classed  as  miscellaneous.  In  Scotland 
and  Ireland  the  timber  of  Spruce  Fir  sells  at 
from  6d.  to  ad.  per  foot,  but  it  is  rarely  in 
great  request. 

The  firewood  market  has  been  dull,  but 
will  no  doubt  improve  with  the  rising  price 
of  coal.  About  5s.  per  cart  load  is  the  usual 
price  for  firewood  logs,  while  faggots  for 
fire-lighting  may  be  bought  in  plenty  at  2S. 
ud.  per  100,  and  of  a  larger  type  for  the 
heating  of  ovens,  at  from  14s.  to  17s.  per  100, 
according  to  the  quality  of  the  wood  and  the 
particular  part  of  the  country  in  which  they 
are  offered  for  sale.     A.  D.  W. 


NEW  OR   NOTEWORTHY 
PLANTS. 

CAMPANULA  LONGISTYLA. 

This  fine  Campanula,  for  which  Sir  Trevor 
Lawrence  obtained  an  "Award  of  Merit"  at  the 
meeting  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  on 
August  6,  was  first  described  by  Mr.  A.  V. 
Fomaine  in  a  publication  in  the  Russian  and 
Latin  languages  issued  by  the  authorities  of  the 
Tiflis  Botanic  Garden,  the  title  of  which  is 
Latinised  in  the  Index  Kewensis  as  Acta  Horti 
Tifiensis.  The  description,  which  is  in  Latin, 
is  in  vol.  vi.,  part  3,  p.  37,  and  the  author's 
remarks  are  in  Russian.  He  states  that  C. 
longistyla  has  been  confused  in  herbaria  with 
C.  sibirica,  L.  var.  major,  Boissier,  Flora  Ori- 
enfalis,  vol.  iii.,  p.  901,  from  which  it  differs  in 
the  shape  of  the  drooping  corolla  and  other  par- 
ticulars. 

The  points  emphasised  in  Fomaine's  descrip- 
tion of  C.  longistyla  are  : — Flowers  large,  violet, 
nodding.  Calyx-lobes  lanceolate,  spreading, 
glabrous  on  the  outside,  fringed  on  the  margin  ; 
appendages  strongly  reflexed  on  to  the  flower- 
stalk.  Corolla  bulging  at  the  base  and  con- 
stricted above  the  middle;  style  much  exserted. 
Fomaine  gives  no  dimensions,  and  the  following 


194 


THE    GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


[September  H,  1907. 


description  has  been  drawn  up  from  plants 
raised  at  Kew  from  seed  received  direct  from 
the  Tiflis  Botanic  Garden.  Individuals  exhibit 
considerable  differences  in  stature,  in  habit,  and 
in  the  size  of  the  corolla.  In  a  small  circular 
bed  the  plants  in  flower  vary  from  1  foot  to  5  feet 
in  height,  and  they  are  loosely  branched  from 
the  base. 

Biennial,  sparingly  beset  with  rough  hairs ; 
branches  angular.  Leaves  thick,  rough,  ob- 
scurely toothed,  oblong,  ovate  or  lanceolate, 
rounded  at  the  tip  or  acute ;  radical  tapering 
downwards,  3  or  4  inches  long ;  cauline 
sessile,  broad  at  the  base,  and  more  or  less 
clasping  the  stem  ;  lower  ones,  2  to  3  inches 
long,  gradually  smaller  upwards.  Flowers 
numerous,  pendent,  violet  blue,  1J  inch  to 
1£  inch  long,  and  wide  at  the  top ;  stalk, 
1  to  2  inches  long.  Calyx  rigid,  rough ; 
lobes  ciliate,  acute,  margins  recurved ;  ap- 
pendages between  the  lobes  oblong,  rounded, 
turned  down  close  upon  the  stalk.  Corolla 
bulging  below  the  middle,  constricted  above  the 
middle ;  lobes  broad,  acute,  slightly  recurved. 
Style  club-shaped,  longer  than  the  corolla. 

Campanula  longistyla  is  a  very  attractive 
species ;  perhaps  a  little  ragged  in  habit,  but  its 
rich  violet  flowers  are  sufficient  to  recommend 
it.  The  illustration  (fig.  82)  represents  much 
larger  and  more  crowded  flowers  than  are  shown 
by  any  of  the  Kew  plants.  It  is  a  native  of 
Transcaucasia,  near  the  eastern  end  of  the  Black 
Sea.     W.  B.  H. 


and  seems  worth  the  attention  of  admirers  of  this 
beautiful  plant,  who  possibly  find  the  bare  stems 


of     somewhat     disagreeable     appearance     when, 
devoid  of  leaves  in  the  winter.     //.  Spooner. 


PLANT    NOTES. 


LAGERSTROEMIA    INDICA. 

The  genus  Lagerstroemia  commemorates  Mag- 
nus N.  Lagerstroem,  a  Swede,  and  friend  of  the 
botanist  Linnaeus.  About  23  species  belonging 
to  the  genus  are  known  to  science,  and  they  are 
natives  of  Madagascar,  Eastern  Asia,  and  Aus- 
tralia. The  natural  order  Lythraceae  to  which 
Lagerstroemia  belongs  is  represented  in  the 
British  Flora  by  Lythrum  Salicaria,  the  Purple 
Loosestrife,  common  in  ditches  and  other  moist 
lituations. 

In  the  Mexican  House  at  Kew  the  Crepe 
Myrtle,  which  is  the  common  name  of  L.  indica, 
has  recently  produced  its  annual  display  of 
crumpled  but  exceedingly  beautiful,  rose-coloured 
blooms,  from  which  it  derives  its  common  name. 
It  is  a  native  of  tropical  Asia,  probably  of 
China,  and  is  largely  cultivated  in  India,  the 
Southern  States  of  North  America,  and  most 
countries  where  a  tropical  or  sub-tropical  cli- 
mate prevails.  In  this  country  it  is  sometimes 
cultivated  as  a  greenhouse  shrub,  although,  in 
the  gardens  of  the  south,  such,  for  instance,  as 
at  Abbotsbury,  near  Dorchester,  it  withstands 
the  winters  out-of-doors  if  protected  by  a  wall. 

The  species  is  a  strong-growing,  deciduous 
tree,  10  to  25  feet  high,  with  glabrous,  light 
brown  bark,  and  alternate,  elliptical,  pale  green 
leaves,  about  2  inches  long,  sessile  on  the 
branches,  and  mostly  acute.  The  flowers  are 
produced  in  open  panicles  at  the  end  of  the  long 
growths  of  the  current  season.  This  circum- 
stance affords  an  indication  of  its  cultural  re- 
quirements. To  produce  long  growths  and  bloom 
freely  it  is  necessary  that  the  shrub  should  be 
pruned  hard  back  in  the  autumn.  The  roots 
should  be  kept  dry  during  winter.  In  the  spring, 
in  ordrr  to  encourage  the  plant  to  break  into 
growth,  it  should  be  syringed  frequently.  If 
the  new  growths  be  allowed  to  attain  their  full 
length  without  stopping,  each  will  be  terminated 
in  summer  by  a  large  panicle  of  flowers.  The 
normal  colour  of  the  blooms  is  rose-pink,  but 
white,  blush-white  and  purple  forms  are  known. 

In  parts  of  the  United  States,  where  the  win- 
ters are  too  severe  for  the  Crepe  Myrtle  to  exist, 
it  is  aaid  to  be  a  common  practice  to  lift  the 
plants  in  the  autumn  and  store  them  in  cellars, 
planting  them  out  again  in  the  following  spring 
either  in  glasshouses  or  out-of-doors.  This  method 
does  not  appear  to  be  practised  in  this  country, 


•<MR^cnHOKl    J 


Fig.  82. — campanula  longistyla:   colour  of  flowers  rich  violet. 
(Pollen  grains  magn.  300  diameteir.) 


September  14,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


195 


SENECIO     GALPINI. 

For  some  years  this  pretty  flowering  Senecio 
has  been  grown  at  Kew,  but  although  it  is  of 
considerable  value  for  greenhouse  decoration, 
and  a  plant  of  easy  culture,  I  have  not  seen  it 
elsewhere.  When  out  of  flower  the  general  ap- 
pearance of  the  plant  would  suggest  an  Eche- 
veria  rather  than  a  member  of  the  Rag-wort 
family,  as  the  leaves  are  of  a  thick,  fleshy  nature 
and  very  glaucous.  The  flower  stems,  which 
reach  a  height  of  1  foot  to  2  feet,  branch  freely, 
each  division  being  terminated  by  a  round, 
closely-packed  head  of  bright  orange-coloured 
blossoms.  Each  head  or  cluster  is  more  than 
1  inch  in  diameter,  and  as  several  are  developed 
at  the  same  time,  a  well-flowered  specimen 
makes  a  goodly  show,  added  to  which  a  succes- 
sion is  maintained  for  weeks  together.  The 
flowering  season  does  not  seem  to  be  limited 
to  any  particular  period  of  the  year.  The  species 
'  is  a  native  of  the  Transvaal,  and  may  be  grown 
in  an  ordinary  greenhouse  temperature.      W. 


COLONIAL     NOTE. 


EMIGRANTS  IN  NEW  ZEALAND. 
I  noted  in  the  issue  of  the  Gardeners' 
Chronicle  for  May  11  a  letter  from  a  gardener  in 
Auckland,  in  which  he  warned  others  not  to 
come  to  this  colony.  In  Dunedin  there  are  a 
few  openings  for  good  men,  but  there  are  no 
large  private  gardens  here  and  very  little  glass. 
I  would  not  advise  anyone  either  one  way  or 
the  other,  but  may  state  that,  whilst  resourceful, 
pushing  men  may  succeed  here,  duffers  have 
less  chance  than  in  England.  Employers  have 
to  pay  good  wages  and  must,  therefore,  have 
good  men.  In  the  gardens  and  reserves  here  we 
pay  labourers  8s.,  gardeners  8s.  6d.,  and  foremen 
9s.  per  day  of  eight  hours.  Jobbing  men  in  town 
charge  9s.  and  9s.  6d.  per  day,  and  there  are 
only  a  few  good  ones.  I  would  like  to  mention 
the  benefit  gardeners  out  here  derive  from  the 
Gardeners'  Chronicle  and  other  gardening  papers 
received  from  England.  The  details  concerning 
the  "  Week's  Work "  in  "  Public  Parks  and 
Gardens  "  and  "  The  Flower  Garden  "  are  par- 
ticularly interesting  and  they  keep  us  up  to 
date.  David  Tannoch,  Superintendent  of  Gardens 
■and  Reserves,  Dunedin,  New  Zealand. 


THE    ROSARY. 

ROSE  DOROTHY  PERKINS 
Among  Rambler  Roses  this  is  one  of  the  best 
for  clothing  a  fence,  wall,  or  unsightly  object. 
As  with  climbing  Roses  in  general,  plants  under 
three  years  old  transplant  more  successfully 
than  older  plants,  and  are  capable  of  making  a 
.good  display  in  less  time.  The  plants  should 
be  obtained  in  October  or  early  in  the  follow- 
ing month.  As  it  is  always  advisable  to  trench 
the  soil  for  Roses,  and  allow  time  afterwards 
for  the  settling  of  the  soil  before  planting  is 
commenced,  the  work  of  trenching  should 
be  undertaken  in  the  present  month.  If  the 
trenching  is  three  spits  in  depth,  place  about 
a  4-inch  layer  of  rich  manure,  not  greatly  de- 
cayed, two  spits  deep,  say  18  inches  ;  and  if  the 
trenching  should  only  permit  of  two  spits  being 
taken  out,  put  the  manure  at  the  bottom  after 
loosening  the  base  with  a  digging  fork  or 
mattock.  A  small  quantity  of  weak  manure 
should  be  mixed  with  the  top  spit  in  each  case. 
See  that  the  Roses  when  they  come  to  hand  do 
not  suffer  from  dryness  at  the  root,  and  after 
Cutting  back  the  strongest  roots  a  little,  dip  all 
the  roots  into  a  puddle  of  clay  and  water, 
adding  a  little  cow-dung  if  this  is  procurable. 
In  planting  a  Rose-tree  spread  out  the  roots  in 
all  directions,  and  cover  them  with  some  of  the 
"finer  soil;  partially  fill  in  and  make  firm  with 
"the  feet,  then  complete  the  filling-in   and  again 


make  the  soil  firm.  In  planting  these  climbers 
and  any  Roses  that  are  not  growing  on  their 
own  roots,  bury  the  point  of  union  of  Rose 
and  stock  2  inches  deep,  and  those  on  their  own 
roots  a  very  little  deeper  than  when  they  were 
growing  in  the  nursery.  If  the  soil  be  dry  at 
the  time  of  planting  afford  the  plants  a  good 
soaking  with  clear  water ;  and  before  hard 
weather  sets  in,  apply  a  strawy  mulch  over  the 
roots.  Cut  back  the  plants  to  5  or  6  inches  in 
the  following  April,  and  encourage  growth  in 
after  years  as  much  as  possible. 

ROSA  SETIGERA  (THE  PRAIRIE  ROSE). 
As  an  ornament  for  the  shrubbery,  this  species 
and  those  derived  from  it  are  hard  to  beat  in 
regard  to  rapidity  of  growth  and  freedom  of 
flowering,  and  they  are  all  excellent  plants  for 
covering  rockwork,  rough  walls,  and  fences. 
They  are  unsatisfactory  if  planted  in  shady- 
spots,  and  what  shelter  is  afforded  them  against 
the  wind  should  be  as  distant  as  is  consistent 
with  the  object  in  view,  viz.,  shelter.  The  soil 
must  be  well  drained  if  naturally  wet,  and  it 
should  be  rich  and  of  good  depth.  In  pruning 
these  and  most  climbing  Roses,  it  is  sufficient  to 
cut  away  all  dead,  dying,  and  weak  shoots,  and 
to  cut  back  the  previous  year's  growth  far  enough 
as  to  obtain  two  or  three  strong  shoots.  Weak 
plants  should  be  cut  back  severely,  and  en- 
couraged to  make  stronger  shoots  by  applica- 
tions  of   rich   manure.     F.    M. 


VEGETABLES. 


EARLY  VARIETIES  OF  PEAS  AND 
BEANS. 

During  seasons  like  the  present,  and  espe- 
cially in  the  colder  parts  of  the  country,  the 
great  value  of  early  types  of  vegetables  is  more 
than  usually  apparent. 

I  should  like  to  add  my  testimony  to  that  oi 
Mr.  Divers  (p.  114)  as  to  the  distinctive  quali- 
ties of  that  excellent  new  Marrowfat  Pea  Lax- 
tonian.  It  is  a  very  productive  variety,  with 
fine  pods  well  filled  with  Teas  which  are  dark 
green  in  colour  and  of  excellent  flavour.  Chel- 
sea Gem,  an  old  favourite,  sown  on  March  1,  25 
days  in  front  of  Laxtonian,  was  only  ready  for 
consumption  two  days  before  Laxtonian,  which 
would  probably  have  beaten  Chelsea  Gem  by 
a  week  had  the  varieties  been  sown  at  one  time. 
Laxtonian  with  me  has  grown  to  a  height  of  3 
feet,  but  Peas  here  generally  go  to  a  greater 
height  than  they  do  in  most  soils,  and  this  year 
all  varieties  have  grown  well  above  the  usual 
heights. 

There  is  a  distinct  advance  in  the  case  of 
Bread  Beans  in  the  \  ariety  "  New  Extra  Early." 
Sown  with  the  "  Early  Long  Pod  "  on  March  1, 
the  new  variety  came  into  use  a  fortnight  in 
advance  of  the  rest.  This  variety  is  of  the 
broad,  short-podded  type ;  the  pods  are  well 
filled,  and  the  Beans  are  of  good  size  and 
flavour.  Its  constitution  must  be  excellent,  for 
it  grew  well  under  most  adverse  circumstances 
as  regards  weather,  and  in  a  very  cold  soil. 
/.   C.  Tallaci,  Shipley  Hall  Gardens,  Derby. 


CHRYSANTHEMUMS    IN    THE 

U.S.A. 

In  The  Florists'  Exchange,  of  June  22,  1907, 
appeared  the  substance  of  a  paper  on  the  Chrys- 
anthemum, read  before  the  Boston  Gardeners 
and    Florists'    Club   by   Mr.    Charles   H.    Totty. 

He  stated  that  the  first  seedling  Chrysanthe- 
mums raised  in  America  were  exhibited  before 
the  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society  in  1879 
by  Dr.   H.   P.  Walcott. 

Peter  Henderson,  previous  to  this,  had  im- 
ported from  Japan  in  1663  some  fine  varieties, 
one  of  which  at  least,  grandiflorum,  was  grown 
until  very  recently. 

.  The  American  Chrvsanthemum  Society  was 
not  organised  until  ls89,  but  shows  had  been 
held  for  some  time  previous  to  that  in  the  larger 


eastern  cities.  Possibly  the  greatest  enthusiast 
this  country  ever  had  is  the  veteran  John 
Thorpe.  Another  gentleman  who,  although  his 
name  does  not  figure  so  much  in  print,  did  a 
great  work  in  the  early  days,  is  Wm.  Ban:,  of 
Orange,  N.J.,  who  is  just  as  keen  to-day  in 
testing  new  kinds  as  he  ever  was. 

In  the  early  '80's,  several  Pennsylvania  culti- 
vators came  to  the  front.  W.  K.  Harris  and  H. 
Waterer  left  their  imprint  on  the  Chrysanthe- 
mum by  raising  some  fine  varieties.  New  Jersey- 
was  represented  by  T.  H.  Spaulding,  and  the 
firm  of  Pitcher  &  Manda ;  and  two  others 
deserving  of  mention  as  having  done  good 
service  are  Messrs.  Fewkes  and  Hallock. 

The  Australian  varieties  in  the  past  few  years 
have  swept  our  exhibition  tables  clear  of  the 
older  varieties,  giving  us  flowers  of  such  splen- 
did size  and  colours,  combined  with  ideal  habit, 
that  there  would  almost  seem  to  be  an  infusion 
of  new  blood  into  the  race.  The  French  and 
English  seedlings  are  in  too  many  cases  disap- 
pointing to  us,  comparatively  few  standing  the 
test  of  our  climate,  but  the  failures  in  the  Aus- 
tralian varieties  are  few.  The  reason  for  this  is 
because  the  Australian  climate  at  flowering  time 
is  similar  to  ours,  often  warm  and  bright,  and  if 
a  seedling  shows  a  large,  full,  perfect  flower  in 
this  condition,  it  will  do  the  same  with  us.  An 
English  variety  may  be  splendid  in  its  native 
home,  and  yet  be  a  failure  here,  showing  an 
enormous  eye,  and  only  some  five  or  six  rows  of 
petals.  Some  of  the  finest  varieties  act  in  this 
way  here,  including  Lady  Conyers,  Elsie  Ful- 
ton, Mrs.  F.  W.  Vallis,  which  are  good  examples. 
The  Australian  varieties,  on  the  contrary,  suc- 
ceed much  better  than  they  do  in  Europe  ;  the 
bright  sunlight  here  in  the  fall  serving  to  bring 
out  the  size  and  breadth  of  the  petal  to  greater 
advantage. 

We  should  never  lose  sight  of  the  fact  that 
the  Chrysanthemum  is  almost  a  hardy  plant, 
and  indoor  culture  is  an  unnatural  condition, 
which  in  time  tends  to  produce  degeneration  in 
the  parent  stock.  The  future  will,  possibly,  see  a 
race  of  American  seedlings  equal  or  superior  to 
what  we  are  now  getting  from  Australia  ;  but 
they  will  be  raised  out-of-doors  somewhere  in 
the  great  south-west.  I  am  often  asked  how  it 
is  that  the  Australian  types  are  such  strong 
giowers,  splendid  in  both  stem  and  foliage. 
Perhaps  the  chief  reason  is  because  in  Australia 
they  practice  an  out-door  system  of  culture. 
Another  reason  why  the  Australian  varieties  are 
all  good  growers,  lies  in  the  fact  that  a  rigid 
selection  is  kept  up  from  the  seed  bed  to  the 
flowering  stage.  Any  plant  that  shows  an  ex- 
ceptionally tall,  or  a  weak,  spindly  habit  is  de- 
stroyed before  the  plant  reaches  the  flowering 
stage,  so  that  the  temptation  to  keep  it,  should 
it  prove  to  be  an  exceptionally  fine  flower,  is 
removed.  This,  I  am  informed,  is  the  policy  of 
Mr.  Pockett,  of  the  Wells-Pockett  firm,  and  I  say 
to-day  that  this  firm,  if  they  do  not  send  us 
another  variety,  have  left  a  mark  on  American 
Chrysanthemum  culture  that  will  endure  for 
many  years  to  come.  The  more  popular  type  of 
flower  at  the  present  day  is  the  Japanese  In- 
curved. The  true  Chinese  type  with  its  incurv- 
ing petal  is  apparently  too  small  for  present-day 
taste,  and  is  entirely  crowded  out  of  the  com- 
mercial growers'  list. 

As  regards  the  future,  the  author  of  the  pap°r 
said,  "  Changes  will  come  unquestionably ;  in 
fact,  they  are  already  looming  up.  It  is  seen 
in  a  reaction  in  some  sections  from  the  large 
blooms,  and  in  the  increasing  popularity 
of  single  flowers,  not  only  in  Chrysanthemums, 
but  also  in  Roses,  Dahlias,  and  other  flowers. 
Light,  graceful,  natural  effects  can  be  produced, 
impossible  of  duplication  with  the  large,  doub'e 
flowers.  Several  new  singles  were  awarded  cer- 
tificates in  London  last  fall. 

"  The  Pompons  or  hardy  types  will  be  planted 
much  more  largely  in  the  next  few  years. 

"  For  large,  massive  decora'.ions  the  big  Cowers 
are  unsurpassed  ;  to  make  a  display  in  an  exhibi- 
tion they  are  indispensable,  and  as  evidence  of 
cultural  skill  they  tell  their  own  story.  That  new 
types  will  crop  up  and  have  a  share  of  the  popu- 
larity is  certain.  The  large  flower,  in  its  proper 
place,  has  a  certain  nobility  that  is  not,  to  my 
mind,  approached  by  any  other  flower,  but  its 
proper  place  is  not  in  a  low  bowl  to  form  part  of 
a  dinner-table  decoration.  That  part  of  decora- 
tive art  can  be  more  artistically  done  with 
singles  or  Pompons  or  other  small-flowered 
varieties." 


196 


THE    GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


[September  14,  191}/. 


ASTON    ROWANT    HOUSE. 

On  one  of  the  closing  days  of  July  we  had 
the  privilege  of  visiting  the  residence  of  Sir 
William  and  Lady  Plowden,  at  Aston  Rowant 
House,  in  Oxfordshire,  and  found  there  such  a 
display  of  Roses  and  hardy  flowers,  including 
Japanese  Irises,  as  would  delight  anyone  having 
an  appreciation  for  these  plants.  Aston  Rowant 
is  a  railway  station  40  miles  from  London,  and 
may  be  reached  by  train  either  from  Maryle- 
bone  or  Paddington.  The  passenger  travels  by 
ordinary  train  to  Princes  Risborough,  and 
afterwards  upon  a  short  branch  railway,  consist- 
ing of  a  single  track.  Either  route  is  interesting, 
and  when  Aston  Rowant  is  reached,  the  dis- 
trict is  of  the  most  rural  character. 

The  east  front  of  Aston  Rowant  House  may  be 
seen  in  the  illustration  at  fig.  83.  Directly  the 
visitor  reaches  the  residence  he  becomes  aware 
of  the  great  amount  of  care  given  the  garden, 
and   of  Lady   Plowden's   appreciation  for  floral 


this  point  the  chief  attraction  was  the  Crimson 
Rambler  Rose  growing  and  flowering  splendidly 
on  wires  attached  to,  and  depending  from,  pil- 
lars. The  collection  of  120  varieties  of  climb- 
ing Roses  at  Aston  Rowant  are  trained  on  three 
fences,  14  arches,  and  one  long  pergola,  and  in 
some  instances  the  Roses  are  interspersed  with 
Clematis  Jackmannii  varieties.  On  one  high 
fence,  clad  with  Roses  on  either  of  its  sides,  we 
were  particularly  impressed  with  the  beauty  of 
the  following  varieties  among  many  others:  — 
Madame  Plantier  (white),  Aimee  Vibert,  Gar- 
denia (yellow  in  the  bud,  but  opening  into  a 
large,  semi-double  flower  of  lemon  colour  which 
subsequently  passes  to  white),  Francois 
Crousse  (rich  crimson),  Myrianthes,  Leuchtstern 
(a  single  flower,  pink  with  white  centre,  pro- 
duced in  immense  clusters),  Triomphe  de 
Rennes  (a  very  late  blooming  variety  that  is 
never  so  effective  as  in  September),  Mrs.  O.  G. 
Orpen  (a  very  large  single,  pink  flower,  but  a 
plant  possessing  a  somewhat  restricted  habit  of 


Many  more  varieties  might  be  mentioned  did 
space  permit,  but  even  then  it  would  be  im- 
possible  to  convey  to  readers  an  adequate  idea 
of  the  gorgeous  effects  many  of  these  Roses  arc 
capable  of  producing  when  grown  strongly,  and 
kept  clean  and  healthy  as  the  plants  appear  at 
Aston  Rowant.  Rambler  Roses  are  notorious 
for  their  habit  of  flowering  for  a  brief  period 
only,  but  there  are  so  many  varieties  obtain- 
able that  it  is  easily  possible  to  so  furnish  a 
pergola  or  fence  that  the  first  flowers  will  open 
in  June,  and  the  last  in  October.  Lady  Plow- 
den's collection  is  one  composed  of  all  the 
best  varieties. 

A  very-  noteworthy  feature  in  these  gardens 
consists  of  three  long  flower  borders,  each  about 
300  feet  in  length.  The  first  extends  under  the 
shadow  of  one  of  the  garden  walls,  on  the  outer 
side;  the  second,  parallel  to  the  first,  but  divided 
from  it  by  a  grass-covered  path  ;  and  the  third 
also  parallel  and  divided  from  the  second  in 
the  same  manner,  and  by  a  similar  path. 


[Photograph  by  Laity  Plowden. 

Fig.  83. — aston  rowant  house,  Oxfordshire,  the  residence  of  sir  william  and  lady  plowden. 


displays,  especially  of  Roses.  This  is  evident  in 
the  manner  in  which  these  latter  plants  are 
cultivated  in  all  available  situations,  even  up 
to  the  front  doors  of  the  building.  Standing 
with  one's  back  to  the  creeper-clad  house,  the 
view  over  the  grounds  into  the  far  distance, 
where  it  is  effectively  intercepted  by  the  Chil- 
tern  Woods,  is  very  gratifying.  Three  of  the 
permanent  features  close  to  the  front  are  a  fine 
old  Beech  tree,  a  grand  Cedar,  and  an  ancient 
Yew  of  considerable  dimensions,  and  which  has 
probably  stood  there  since  the  middle  of  the 
17th  century.  The  low  terrace  boundary,  at  the 
time  of  which  we  are  writing,  was  clad  with 
profusely-flowered  plants  of  several  varieties  of 
Rambler  Roses,  as  Blush  Rambler,  Hiawatha 
(one  of  the  most  charming  of  single  Roses),  and 
others.  Some  bright  flower-beds  lit  up  the  lawn 
with  patches  of  well-toned  colour,  and  beyond 


growth),  Lily  Ito  (a  new  variety  not  then  in 
flower,  but  promising  well  for  a  later  display), 
Debutante,  and  Flora.  Other  varieties  noticed  in 
various  positions  were  Dorothy  Perkins  (not  then 
at  its  best),  Mrs.  F.  W.  Flight,  Wedding  Bells, 
Waltham  Bride,  Trier  (an  effective  white  variety 
with  anthers  of  glowing  yellow),  Rubin,  Lady 
Gay,  Ards  Rover  (passing  out  of  bloom,  being 
one  of  the  earlier  varieties  to  flower),  Papillon  (a 
very  distinctly  coloured  Rose,  bearing  shades  of 
cherry-red  and  salmon),  Reine  Andre  (pink  and 
white,  each  flower  being  of  moderately  large 
size),  Elisa  Robichon  (of  delicate  flesh  tint), 
Euphrosyne,  Soliel  d'Or  (a  dwarf-growing  Rose 
with  fine  yellow  flowers),  Jersey  Beauty  (of  very 
fugitive  character,  but  possessing  large  single 
flowers  of  sulphur  colour),  Helene,  and  Lord 
Penzance's  hybrid  Briars  in  variety.  The  Briars 
were  growing  on  a  fence  to  the  height  of  14  feet. 


The  excellent  choice  and  disposition  of  the 
plants  in  these  borders  and  the  high  cultiva- 
tion afforded  them  is  a  striking  testimonv  to 
the  skill  of  the  gardener  in  charge,  Mr.  W.  H. 
Clarke,  and  to  his  capacity  for  "  taking  pains." 
We  have  never  seen  a  better  instance  of  borc'er 
gardening,  and  the  whole  has  been  planned  and 
carried  out  by  the  present  gardener,  as  have 
several  other  important  features  that  go  far  to 
make  up  the  attractions  Aston  Rowant  now  pos- 
sesses. The  Pentstemons,  Galegas,  Dahlias. 
Phloxes,  Michauxia  campanuloides  (4t  fett  in 
height),  double  white  Winter  Stocks  (put  out 
into  these  borders  from  boxes),  and  an  infinite 
variety  of  suitable  plants,  most  of  them  valuable 
for  producing  flowers  of  a  type  that  can  be  put 
to  good  decorative  service  in  a  cut  state,  are 
cultivated  on  these  borders  as  perfect  specimens. 
The  intervening  spaces  between  the  permanent' 


September  14,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS     CHRONICLE. 


197 


herbaceous  perennials  are  filled  with  thousands 
of  seedling  plants  raised  specially  for  the  pur- 
pose, and  that  are  capable  of  flowering  well  in 
the  first  season,  whether  of  only  annual  dura- 
tion or  otherwise. 

Sweet  Peas,  as  in  most  other  gardens,  are 
grown  numerously,  and  with  greater  care  than 
was  given  Sweet  Peas  some  years  ago.  A  few 
circular  groups  of  these  in  round  beds,  each 
group  exhibiting  one  variety  only,  were  of  extra- 
ordinary proportions,  the  height  and  vigour  of 
the  plants  being  at  once  noticeable,  but  the 
staple  soil  of  this  garden,  not  being  of  the  best, 
it  had  been  removed  4  feet  deep  in  this  case, 
and  good  soil  and  much  manure  substituted  for 
it. 

It  may  be  interesting  to  remark  that  in  re- 
spect to  the  Dahlias,  Lady  Plowden  does  not 
favour  their  flowering  before  the  month  of  Sep- 
tember. She  associates  them  peculiarly  with 
autumn,  and  any  blooms  that  appear  on  the 
plants  before  September  1  are  removed  whilst 
their  potential  beauties  are  still  undeveloped. 


situated  in  a  low-lying  portion  of  the  park,  and 
one  that  is  shaded  in  more  or  less  degree  by  tall- 
growing  forest  trees.  We  should  expect  the 
crops  to  be  less  in  bulk  and  inferior  in  quality 
to  thoss  that  might  otherwise  have  been  secured 
with  the  same  amount  of  cultivation  as  the  trees 
now  require  at  the  hands  of  the  gardener. 

There  are  the  usual  fruit  houses  necessary  on 
such  an  estate,  and  their  management  leaves 
nothing  to  be  desired.  The  Peach  trees  are  in 
capital  condition,  and  have  borne  heavy  crops 
of  fine  fruits  this  season.  Fruits  of  Early  Rivers 
Nectarine,  for  instance,  have  weighed  12  oz.  and 
13  oz.  each.  Goldoni  Nectarine,  though  not 
usually  considered  first  class,  is  grown  here  of 
such  a  quality  as  meets  with  considerable  appre- 
tion. 

At  the  commencement  of  this  note  we  alluded 
to  the  Japanese  Irises,  and  we  may  refer  to  them 
in  conclusion.  Lady  Plowden  has  herself 
brought  most  of  them  from  Japan.  They  have 
been  introduced  under  native  names,  and  are 
cultivated  along  the  sides  of  the  water  shown 


tr9t* 


Fig.  84. — CAMPANULA  petr.ea:    COLOfR  of  flowers  pale  yellow. 
Single  flower  and  stamen  X  4 ;  pollen  grains  X  300. 


There  is  the  inevitable  "  wild  "  garden,  w'here 
the  cultivator,  though  as  persistent  as  in  other 
portions  of  the  garden  in  his  care  for  particular 
species,  nevertheless  screens  the  evidences  he 
might  leave  of  his  work,  and  so  produces  an 
effect  that  is  less  artificial  in  character  than 
the  gayer  portions  that  visibly  advertise  them- 
selves as  the  result  of  art. 

Some  of  the  rarer  and  choicer  trees  and  shrubs 
have  been  planted  in  various  positions  in  the 
pleasure  grounds  during  recent  years,  and  these 
will  become  more  and  more  effective  for  some 
considerable  time  to  come.  These  include 
flowering  species  as  well  as  those  which  are  cul- 
tivated solely  for  their  beauty  of  form  and  foli- 
age. A  specimen  of  Sophora  pendula,  about  9 
feet  high,  showed  itself  to  be  a  lawn  tree  of  dis- 
i  tinct  appearance,  and  therefore  valuable  for 
occasional  planting  to  give  relief  to  others  in 
a  collection. 

Most  of  the  fruit  trees  are  planted  together 
in  an  area  of  about  2  acres,  which  is  protected 
from   birds   by   wire   netting.      This   orchard   is 


in  the  illustration.  They  were  beautiful  at  the 
time  of  our  visit,  being  in  excellent  health,  and 
flowering  most  freely.  Some  of  the  varieties 
were  charming  in  the  shades  of  colour  they  pre- 
sented, and  the  flowers  themselves  were  of  very 
large  size.  Details  of  the  cultivation  they  have 
been  afforded  may  be  found  on  reference  to  an 
article  on  the  subject  written  by  Mr.  Clarke  and 
published  in  our  issue  for  May  20,  1905,  p.  308. 


THE    ROCK    GARDEN. 

PATRINIA  GIBBOSA. 
Of  the  ten  or  a  dozen  species  of  Patrinia,  a 
genus  belonging  to  the  Natural  Order  Valeri- 
aneae,  a  few  only  are  represented  in  British  gar- 
dens. I  have  had  in  my  garden  for  a  considerable 
number  of  years  P.  gibbosa,  and  although  the 
flowers  of  this  species  individually  are  small,  yet 
they  are  numerously  produced,  and  the  range  of 
flowering  extends  over  a  long  period.     My  plant 


was  obtained  from  the  Continent,  whence  it  had 
been  introduced  from  Japan,  its  native  country. 
I  planted  it  in  an  open  and  sunny  situation, 
where  it  blooms  freely.  Its  flat  cymes  of  yellow 
flowers  are  seen  to  advantage,  and  appear  bright 
among  the  other  flowers  from  July  onwards. 
The  leaves  of  P.  gibbosa  are  swollen  or  blistered 
in  parts,  and  these  are  the  least  attractive  fea- 
ture of  the  plant.  My  plant  grows  to  a  height  of 
about  9   inches. 

CAMPANULA  "CHINA  CUP." 
Among  the  most  satisfactory  of  the  dwarfer 
Bellflowers  for  garden  purposes  are  the  forms  of 
Campanula  carpathica,  and  which  are  among 
the  most  valuable  subjects  for  the  decoration  of 
the  border  or  the  rock-garden.  Some  cultivators, 
experience  a  difficulty  with  the  form  called 
turbinata,  and  declare  it  to  be  not  so  enduring 
as  some  of  the  others ;  but  this  is  not  the  ex- 
perience of  the  writer.  It  is,  however,  of  smaller 
stature  than  the  majority.  One  of  the  newest 
and  most  delightful  of  these  forms  of  C.  car- 
pathica is  that  known  as  "  China  Cup,"  a  variety 
sent  into  commerce  by  Messrs.  Barr  &  Sons  a 
few  years  ago,  and  which  I  acquired  on  its  intro- 
duction. My  plant  is  now  almost  2  feet  in 
diameter,  and  it  is  very  beautiful  on  one  of  my 
rockeries.  The  flowers  are  not  so  freely  borne 
as  on  some  of  the  other  varieties :  they  are  large, 
about  2  inches  across,  a  good  shade  of  blue,  and 
the  form  is  of  a  broad,  open  cup,  with  reflexed 
margins.  These  flowers  are  well  raised  on 
erect  stems,  and  the  whole  effect  is  pleasing. 
S.  Arnott,  Dumfries. 


TREES  AND  SHRUBS. 


CALOPHACA  \YOLGARICA. 
In  Scotland  this  Siberian  plant  is  but  rarely 
cultivated,  although  it  was  introduced  so  long, 
ago  as  17S0.  Probably  the  largest  specimen  in 
Scotland  is  a  plant  growing  on  a  western  wall 
in  the  Comely  Bank  Nurseries  of  Messrs. 
Cunningham  oi  Fraser,  Edinburgh,  where  it 
annually  produces  its  velvety,  pale,  yellow- 
coloured,  Pea-shaped  flowers  throughout  July 
and  August.  The  flowers  are  borne  in  racemes, 
on  short  stalks  in  the  axils  of  the  pinnate 
leaves,  which  have  six  to  seven  pairs  of 
orbicular-shaped  leaflets.  A  slow-growing,  much- 
branched,  hardy  deciduous  shrub,  this  specimen 
is  fully  3  feet  high,  and  produces  annual  shoots 
averaging  6  inches  in  length,  on  which  the 
flowers  are  borne.  Loudon,  in  his  Arboretum  et 
F  ruticetum  Britannicum,  mentions  that  thfr 
Calophaca  forms  an  attractive  plant  when  in 
fruit,  as  the  flowers  are  succeeded  by  reddish- 
coloured  pods,  but  the  climatic  conditions  near 
Edinburgh  are  not  sufficiently  favourable  for  the 
legumes  to  mature.  Propagation  of  the  Calo- 
phaca is  usually  effected  by  grafting  on  stocks 
of  the  Laburnum,  but  it  may  also  be  increased 
by  seeds,  which  are  catalogued  by  some  of  the- 
Continental  nurserymen.  Wm.  Smith,  Royal 
Botanic  Garden,  Edinburgh. 


CAMPANULA     PETR^EA. 

This  little-known  Campanula  (see  fig.  84), 
which  was  given  to  me  by  a  friend,  has  bloomed 
well  with  me  this  summer.  It  is  exceedingly 
free-blooming,  for,  besides  the  terminal  bunch 
of  pale  yellow  flowers  which  are  well  shown  in 
the  illustration,  a  small  subsidiary  bunch  ap- 
peared at  the  axil  of  every  leaf.  Of  these  I 
counted  no  fewer  than  thirty-two  on  the  branch 
from  which  the  illustration  has  been  prepared. 
Owing,  however,  to  the  almost  total  absence  of 
sunshine,  and  the  frequent  rains,  many  of  these 
did  not  open  their  flowers.  The  plant  is  figured 
by  the  great  German  authority,  Reichenbach, 
both  in  his  Flora  Gcrmanica,  vol.  xix.,  t.  1,595,. 
and  in  his  leones  Critics,  vol.  vi.,  t.  571.  The 
plant,  being  a  biennial,  dies  after  flowering. 
IV.   E.   Gumblcton,   Belgrade,   Quccnstown. 


198 


THE    GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


[September  14,  1907. 


THE    BULB   GARDEN. 


The  Week's  Work. 


GLADIOLUS      SAUNDERSII     AND     G. 
PRINCEPS. 

Gladiolus  Saundersii,  although  it  was  intro- 
duced into  this  country  nearly  forty  years  ago, 
is  rarely  seen  in  gardens.  One  reason  for  this,  pro- 
bably, is  that  its  habitat  being  in  South  Africa, 
it  is  considered  too  tender  for  open-air  culture. 
As  a  matter  of  fact,  it  appears  perfectly  hardy, 
never  being  given  the  slightest  protection,  and 
coming  up  stronger  each  year.  A  large  clump 
with  thirty  cr  more  flower-spikes  is  a  glorious 
sight  towards  the  end  of  August.  The  spikes 
reach  a  height  of  3  feet  6  inches,  and  the  flowers, 
three  of  which  are  expanded  on  a  spike  at  the 
same  time,  ere  very  handsome.  In  colour  they 
are  a  light  shade  of  scarlet,  the  three  lower  seg- 
ments having  a  white  centre  plentifully  spotted 
with  vermilion.  The  upper  petal,  which  is 
lance-shaped,  is  inclined  forward,  and  the  side 
petals  are  much  reflexed,  the  expanded  blossoms 
measuring  rather  more  than  3  inches  across.  If 
the  petals,  however,  are  stretched  out  the  flower 
will  measure  6  inches.  Considering  its  hardi- 
ness, beauty,  and  the  attractive  form  of  the 
flowers,  it  is  a  pity  that  this  Gladiolus  is  not 
more  widely  grown.  It  is  a  far  more  reliable 
garden  plant  in  the  south-west  than  Gladiolus 
princeps,  which  has  proved  a  very  bad  doer  in 
many  places,  although  described  as  being  per- 
fectly hardy  when  first  sent  out.  Here  it  entirely 
died  out,  and  of  a  dozen  bulbs  procured  this 
spring  and  planted  in  good  soil,  only  four  have 
flowered,  six  being  apparently  dead.  In 
another  garden,  a  few  weeks  ago,  I  saw  where 
two  dozen  fine  bulbs  of  G.  princeps  had  been 
planted.  All  that  had  appeared  above  ground 
were  several  weak  leaf-growths,  none  of  which 
would  bear  bloom.  G.  princeps  has  proved  a 
■very  disappointing  plant,  and  its  culture  has  in 
consequence  been  given  up  in  many  gardens.  G. 
Saundersii,  on  the  contrary,  gives  no  trouble, 
increases  year  by' year,  and  always  flowers  mag- 
nificently, so  that  it  can  be  strongly  recom- 
mended to  take  the  place  of  G.  princeps  where 
that  plant  does  not  succeed.  S.  IV.  Fitzherbert, 
Devonshire. 


MARKET   GARDENING. 

NOTES  FROM  WORTHING. 

Tomato  plants  were,  as  usual,  allowed  to 
develop  four  or  five  intemodes  above  the  point 
■where  the  first  flowers  appeared,  but,  owing  to 
the  poor  prospects  of  the  later  fruits  maturing, 
the  plants  have  been  shortened  to  a  point  im- 
mediately above  the  second,  or  at  most  the  third, 
fruit  truss. 

Houses  are  being  prepared  for  planting 
Cucumbers  at  the  middle  of  September.  Royal 
Kidney  Potato  was  being  lifted,  and  the  crop 
was  an  excellent  one.  The  variety  Sir  John 
Llewelyn  had  tubers  of  the  first  quality,  but  the 
yield  was  light. 

Warner's  King,  Ecklinville  Seedling,  and 
Cox's  Pomona  Apple  trees  are  carrying  the  best 
•crops  for  several  years  past. 

Ivy  Arch  Nurseries. — Gros  Colmar  Grapes  in 
these  nurseries  were  of  fine  quality.  A  few 
bunches  of  Black  Alicante  averaged  3  lb.  each. 
I  was  informed  that  all  through  the  season 
bunches  of  Muscats  of  Alexandria  weighing  2  lb. 
and  upwards  were  in  demand.  From  this  nur- 
sery is  sent  away  50  to  100  bunches  at  a  single 
cutting. 

Newly-planted  Vineries. — Houses  of  both 
Gros  Colmar  and  Black  Alicante  vines,  some  of 
which  were  planted  in  1906,  and  others  this  sea- 
son, were  doing  well.  Tomatos  are  accommo- 
dated in  the  vinery  the  first  season,  but  when 
the  vines  are  two  years  old,  only  half  the  quan- 
tity of  Tomatos  is  planted,  in  order  that  the  rods 
should  have  room,  not  only  to  grow,  but  also 
to  mature.  Invariably  these  vines  in  the  second 
year,  and  in  some  cases  the  first  year,  are 
trained   with   double   rods.      Stephen    Castle. 


THE  FLOWER  GARDEN. 

By  A.  C.  Bartlett,  Gardener  to  Mrs.  Ford,  Pencarrow, 
Cornwall. 

Border  Carnations. — The  season  has  teen  very 
favourable  for  the  rooting  of  layers,  and  shoots 
that  were  prepared  at  the  beginning  of  last 
month  may  now  be  lifted  and  planted  in  their 
winter  quarters.  A  dull  day  should  be  selected 
for  this  operation,  and  the  young  plants  are 
better  if  they  are  planted  somewhat  deeply. 
Make  the  soil  about  them  as  firm  as  possible, 
and  it  will  be  well  to  secure  the  shoots  from 
damage  by  rough  winds.  This  may  either  be 
done  by  tying  them  to  short  sticks  or  by  placing 
three  sticks  close  around  each  plant.  Mar- 
guerite and  perpetual-flowering  Carnations 
should  be  tied  to  neat  stakes,  and  while  they 
are  in  flower  it  is  advisable  to  protect  them  in 
some  efficient  manner  from  wet  and  frost.  This 
protection  should  be  of  a  temporary  nature,  so 
that  it  may  be  removed  on  all  favourable  occa- 
sions. 

Lavender. — After  five  or  six  years  from  the 
planting  of  this  shrub,  the  quality  of  the  flower- 
spikes  begins  to  deteriorate,  so  that  it  is  neces- 
sary to  periodically  make  new  beds.  This  may 
be  done  by  laying  shoots  about  4  inches  in 
length,  and  with  a  heel  attached,  in  rows  in  a 
nursery-bed.  Bury  about  half  the  shoot  and 
tread  the  soil  covering  them  firmly.  Roots  will 
form  during  the  autumn  and  winter,  and  at  this 
time  next  year  the  plants  may  be  placed  in  a 
bed  at  18  inches  apart,  ultimately  removing  every 
alternate  plant  before  the  plants  become 
crowded.  The  Lavender  thrives  best  in  a  light 
and  rather  poor  soil. 

Lawns. — Showers  and  heavy  dews  will  now 
hamper  the  work  of  grass-mowing  ;  therefore,  as 
a  rule,  wherever  the  grass  is  sufficiently  dry,  the 
lawn-mowers  should  be  kept  at  work.  The  sun's 
rays  being  less  powerful  at  this  season,  all 
danger  of  the  grass  "  burning  "  is  over,  and  the 
mowers  should  be  gradually  adjusted  so  that 
they  cut  the  grass  shorter.  The  turf  around 
trees  should  be  frequently  clipped  in  those 
places  where  the  mower  does  not  reach  it. 

Late-flowering  Tulips.  —  Darwin,  Cottage, 
Parrot,  and  many  species  of  Tulips  require  a 
longer  period  of  growth  than  the  ordinary  bed- 
ding kinds.  They  should  therefore  be  planted 
as  early  as  possible  after  this  date.  Home- 
grown bulbs  should  first  be  cleaned  and  sorted  ; 
any  outer  scales  that  are  at  all  imperfect  should 
be  rubbed  off.  These  Tulips  should  be  planted 
closely  together,  and  in  heavy  soils,  at  about  4 
inches  deep,  but  if  the  soil  is  light  they  may 
be  planted  slightly  deeper.  Most  late-flowering 
Tulips  succeed  well  when  grown  under  partial 
shade  and  under  conditions  suitable  for  the 
smaller  Fritillarias,  which  should  also  be 
planted  at  the  present  time. 


THE  HARDY  FRUIT  GARDEN. 

By  J.  Mavne,  Gardener  to  Lord  Clinton,  Bicton, 
Last  Devon. 

Gage  Plums. — Plum  trees  generally  this  year 
are  yielding  good  crops  of  fruits,  and  choice 
varieties  of  wall  trees,  including  Reine  Claude 
de  Bavay,  Guthrie's  Late  Green,  Jodoigne  Green 
Gage,  Golden  Transparent  Gage,  and  Late  Orange 
should  be  covered  with  either  hexagon  netting 
or  the  proper  wasp-excluding  hexagon  supplied 
by  most  horticultural  sundriesmen.  Isolated 
fruits  can  be  tied  up  in  muslin,  or  some  similar 
material,  but  these  bags  sometimes  cause  the 
fruits  to  decay,  especially  during  dull,  wet 
weather.  Coe's  Golden  Drop  forms  an  excellent 
dessert  Plum  if  it  is  allowed  to  thoroughly  ripen 
on  the  tree  ;  the  fruits  should  be  protected  from 
wasps  and  flies. 

Pears. — The  variety  Williams'  Bon  Chretien  is 
now  ripening,  especially  on  trees  occupying  a 
warm  position  on  a  wall.  Early  ripening  varie- 
ties of  Pears  should  not  be  gathered  in  bulk  ;  the 
trees  should  be  examined  for  ripe  fruits  at  in- 
tervals of  a  few  days,  and  any  just  turning  ripe 
should  be  placed  in  the  fruit  room  or  some  other 
suitable  place  where  they  will  finish  ripening  in 
a  few  days.  Beurre  d'Amanlis  and  Autumn 
Nelis  are  two  good  varieties  of  Pears  suitable  for 
early  autumn  use.  The  green,  melting  flesh  of 
the  former  variety  has  the  highest  flavour  when 
grown  against  a  warm  wall. 


Preparations  for  planting. — If  an  extensive 
planting  of  fruit  trees  and  bushes  is  to  be  under- 
taken this  autumn,  the  ground  should  be 
trenched,  and  given  what  manure  is  necessary 
as  soon  as  possible.  This  will  allow 
plenty  of  time  for  the  soil  to  settle  before 
the  work  of  planting  is "  carried  out.  It 
is  well  to  have  ready  some  suitable  soil  for  plac- 
ing amongst  the  roots.  This  should  consist  of 
a  mixture  of  fibrous  loam,  lime,  soot,  and  wood 
ashes.  Mortar  rubble  and  old  plaster  may  be 
substituted  for  the  lime.  All  trees  bearing  stone 
fruits  should  be  given  some  of  this  compost  at 
planting  time,  and  I  find  Apple  and  Pear  trees 
also  benefit  by  its  presence.  The  heap  of  soil 
awaiting  use  should  be  protected  from  heavy 
rains  bv  spare  sashes  or  doors  thrown  over  the 
top.  When  planting  Gooseberry  and  Currant 
bushes,  some  partly-decayed  manure  should  be 
used  in  addition  to  the  new  soil,  especially  if  a 
few  only  are  to  be  planted  or  gaps  merely  made 
good. 


THE    KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

By  William  H.  Honess,  Gardener  to  C.  Combe,  Esq. 
Cobham  Park,  Surrey. 

Cauliflowers. — The  plants  raised  from  the 
earliest  sowings  should  now  be  large  enough  for 
pricking  out.  For  late  districts  these  will  prob- 
ably be  the  most  satisfactory,  but  they  may  prove 
too  early  for  more  favoured  localities,  in  some  of 
which  it  would  not  be  too  late  even  now  to 
make  another  sowing  for  forming  a  gradual 
succession,  if  not  the  .main  supply.  In  .all 
cases  these  and  similar  plants  should  be  trans- 
planted as  soon  as  they  are  large  enough  to  be 
handled  conveniently.  This  will  ensure  their 
making  a  sturdy  growth  previous  to  being 
placed  in  their  permanent  quarters. 

Tomatos. — The  out-door  crop  is  very  back- 
ward, and  the  earliest  fruits  have  only  now 
finished  swelling.  To  hurry  the  deveh  pment 
of  the  later  fruits  the  plants  had  better  be 
stopped  harder  than  is  usual.  If  some  old  glass 
lights  can  be  placed  in  front  of  the  plants,  or 
even  a  covering  be  provided  at  night-time, 
using  any  light  shading  material  for  the  pur- 
pose, some  good  will  result.  If  rains  are 
frequent  when  the  fruits  are  ripening,  insert  the 
spade  into  the  soil  at  a  distance  of  about  18 
inches  from  the  main  stem,  and  by  severing 
the  roots  thus  counterbalance  the  excessive 
supply  of  moisture,  which  would  be  likely  to 
cause    the    fruits    to    crack. 

Parsley. — Where  it  is  necessary  to  afford 
shelter  to  Parsley  throughout  the  winter,  it  will 
be  well  to  lift  some  of  the  plants  raised  from 
sowings  made  in  July  and  plant  them  out  in 
unheated  frames,  keeping  the  lights  off  until 
severe  weather  sets  in  and  protection  becomes 
necessary.  The  plants  will  then  grow  strong 
and  hardy,  and  if  air  be  afterwards  admitted 
freely  on  every  favourable  opportunity,  the 
plants  will  be  less  likely  to  suffer  from 
damping. 

Onions. — The  spring-sown  Onions,  including 
those  that  were  raised  in  boxes  or  frames  and 
were  subsequently  transplanted  to  beds  in  the 
open  garden,  and  that,  having  been  lifted,  have 
become  well  dried  and  ripened  through  exposure 
to  the  sunshine,  should  now  be  stored  in  a 
light,  well-ventilated  shed  until  a  more  con- 
venient time,  when  it  will  be  necessary  to  tie 
them  up  into  bunches  or  ropes.  The  matter 
of  thoroughly  drying  and  ripening  Onions  is  a 
very  important  one,  especially  where  the  bulbs 
are  required  to  last  in  good  condition  through 
the  winter  and  well  into  next  spring,  for  unless 
the  drying  is  done  thoroughly  decay  is  sure  to  set 
in  at  about  mid-winter.  As  regards  the  tying  to- 
gether of  the  bulbs,  we  find  that  tying  them  in 
bunches  of  from  12  to  20  bulbs  each  is  more 
convenient  and  economical  than  roping  them, 
but  this,  of  course,  is  a  matter  of  opinion. 

Coleworts. — Make  the  final  plantations  of 
Coleworts  without  delay,  and  fill  all  blanks  that 
have  occurred  in  the  earlier  plantations. 

Endive. — Further  plantations  of  Endive 
should  still  be  made  in  order  to  provide  for 
successional  crops.  Sufficient  plants  may  be 
left  in  the  seed  bed  to  form  a  crop  on  that 
ground,  for  these  will  be  found  to  succeed 
equally  as  well  as  those  that  have  been  trans- 
planted therefrom  to  other  quarters. 


September  14,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


109 


THE    ORCHID    HOUSES. 

By  W.  H.  White,  Orchid  Grower  to  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence, 
Bart.,  Burtord,  Surrey. 

Odonioglossum  crispum. — Plants  of  this  species 
and  its  numerous  varieties  that  flowered  early 
i.i  the  year,  and  which  were  repotted  soon  after 
that  time,  if  they  are  still  in  a  healthy  condition, 
will  require  no  such  attention  now,  but  any 
plants  which  have  deteriorated  should  at  once 
be  turned  out  of  their  pots,  have  their  roots  well 
washed,  all  decayed  parts  cut  away,  and  be 
potted  anew.  Afford  them  fresh  pots  sufficiently 
large  enough  to  accommodate  them  for  one 
season  only.  Plants  that  flowered  later  in  the 
season  are  now  growing  freely,  and  the  new 
growths  will  be  pushing  out  numbers  of  young 
roots  ;  the  present  is  therefore  a  suitable  time  to 
examine  such  plants,  and  to  afford  any  which 
require  it  some  fresh  rooting-material  in  clean 
pots.  Some  plants,  perhaps,  are  only  now  com- 
mencing  to  grow  ;  the  potting  of  these  should  be 
left  until  the  more  forward  specimens  have  been 
given  attention.  When  repotting,  turn  the  plants 
carefully  out  of  their  pots,  and  cut  away  all 
useless  back  pseudo-bulbs,  it  being  necessary 
only  to  leave  two  pseudo-bulbs  behind  each 
leading  growth.  This  will  necessitate  the  re- 
moval of  the  greater  portion  of  the  compost  at 
the  back  of  the  plant,  but  unless  the  old  soil 
has  become  sour  or  decomposed  under  the  lead- 
ing growths  and  where  the  principal  young  roots 
are  found  no  more  of  it  should  be  disturbed  than 
is  absolutely  necessary.  In  the  majority  of 
cases,  when  treated  in  this  manner,  the  plants 
may  be  repotted  into  pots  of  the  same  size  as 
they  have  previously  occupied.  The  receptacles 
should  be  made  clean  and  dry,  and  they  should 
be  provided  with  material  for  drainage  to  one- 
third  of  their  depth,  using  broken  crocks,  and 
placing  the  larger  pieces  at  the  bottom,  covering 
the  whole  thinly  with  rough  sphagnum-moss. 

Compost  for  Odontoglossums. — A  suitable  com- 
post for  Odontoglossums  consists  of  good  fibrous 
peat  and  sphagnum-moss  in  equal  proportion. 
These  should  be  mixed  together  in  a  rough  con- 
dition, and  afterwards  be  cut  into  small  pieces, 
but  not  too  fine,  with  a  strong  pair  of  shears, 
adding  sufficient  crocks  to  ensure  porosity.  A  mix- 
ture of  Osmunda  fibre  and  Polypodium  fibre 
in  equal  parts  may  be  used  with  equally  good 
results,  provided  it  receives  trie  addition  of  moss 
and  small  crocks,  as  previously  advised.  I  have 
entirely  discarded  the  use  of  leaf-mould  as  a 
rooting-medium  for  these  plants,  as,  after  con- 
siderable experience,  I  find  that  its  durability  is 
deficient  when  compa:ed  with  the  other  materials 
I  have  just  mentioned  ;  also  that  when  grown 
in  the  leaf-mould  mixture,  the  pseudo-bulbs 
shrivel  more  quickly  under  the  strain  of  flower- 
ing, and  the  flowers  do  not  retain  stability  nor 
freshness,  when  cut,  so  long  as  they  do  when 
grown  in  the  composts  recommended  above. 
When  preparing  the  moss  for  use,  and  in  clearing 
it  from  leaves  and  rubbish,  search  for  slugs,  and 
if  any  are  found  it  will  be  advisable  to  place 
the  moss  in  water,  and  wash  it  thoroughly,  so 
as  to  cleanse  it  from  these  pests  or  their  eggs, 
which  are  almost  imperceptible  to  the  naked 
eye. 

Potting. — Pot  the  plants  with  moderate  firm- 
ness, and  have  the  base  of  the  pseudo-bulbs 
level  with  the  rim  of  the  pot.  When  the  potting 
is  finished,  prick  in  a  few  pieces  of  living 
moss  over  the  surface  of  the  compost.  For  a  few 
weeks  after  repotting,  it  is  advisable  to  afford 
water  sparingly,  and  sufficient  only  to  favour 
the  growth  of  the  sphagnum.  A  moist  atmos- 
phere should  be  maintained,  by  syringing  be- 
tween the  pots  both  morning  and  afternoon. 
Admit  plenty  of  fresh  air,  especially  when  the 
weather  is  mild  and  damp.  Shade  the  plants 
from  direct  sunshine  at  all  times.  It  is  impossible 
here  to  enumerate  all  the  different  species  of 
Odontoglossums  and  their  numerous  hybrids, 
but  among  them  will  doubtless  be  many  plants 
requiring  similar  treatment  at  the  present  time 
as  advised  for  Odontoglossum  crispum  and  its 
varieties. 


PLANTS    UNDER  GLASS. 

By  J.  G.  Weston,  Ca  dener  to  H.  J.  King,  Esq., 
Eastwell  Park,  Kent. 

Chrysanthemums. — The  earliest-flowering  varie- 
ties of  those  grown  in  pots  for  fhe  decoration 
of  the  conservatory  or  other  plant  houses  should 
be  removed  to  positions  under  glass  before  the 


blooms  have  fully  opened,  or  they  may  he  dam- 
aged by  frequent  showers.  If  the  weather  is 
bright  after  the  plants  have  baen  housed,  they 
had  better  be  afforded  shade  from  the  sunshine 
during  the  hottest  part  of  the  da/,  and  it  will 
be  necessary  to  damp  the  stages  and  paths. 
The  blooms  will  be  better  and  last  longer  if  kept 
as  cool  as  possible.  The  main  batch  of  Chry- 
santhemums, grown  for  the  production  of  large 
blooms,  need  very  close  attention.  The  "tak- 
ing "  or  selection  of  buds  for  developing  blooms, 
the  tying  of  shoots,  and  the  removal  of  super- 
fluous shoots  are  important  details.  The  afford- 
ing of  necessary  manures  should  be  strictly 
attended  to,  in  order  to  get  the  best  blooms 
possible.  An  occasional  change  of  manure  is 
beneficial,  but  most  gardeners  have  their  par- 
ticular preferences  in  this  respect.  In  any  case, 
cultivators  should  be  careful  to  avoid  apply- 
ing manures  in  too  strong  a  form  at  any  par- 
ticular time.  Be  quick  to  discover  the  presence 
of  any  pest,  whether  insect  or  fungoid,  and 
adopt  preventive  measures  as  often  as  necessary. 
As  soon  as  the  earlier  blooms  begin  to  show 
colour,  place  such  plants  under  glass  at  once,  or 
the  outer  florets  of  the  blooms  will  suffer 
damage.  Bush  plants  grown  for  use  as  decora- 
tive plants  or  for  supplying  blooms  for  cutting 
should  have  the  shoots  staked  well  out,  so  that 
each  may  be  exposed  to  the  sunshine,  and  for 
the  same  reason  the  plants  should  be  arranged 
together  somewhat  thinly.  These  details  are 
especially  impoitant  in  res7ect  to  the  varieties 
that  will  flower  at  about  Christmas-time. 

Perpetual- flowering  Carnations.- — The  flower, 
buds  on  the  earliest  plants  that  are  grown  for 
flowering  in  winter  will  now  be  getting  into  a 
forward  condition,  and  no  time  should  be  lost 
in  housing  them.  If  allowed  to  remain  outside 
after  they  commence  to  show  colour,  the  blooms 
are  never  so  clean  and  free  as  when  developed 
under  glass.  Thoroughly  wash  the  interior  of 
the  house  before  removing  the  plants.  Attend 
to  the  details  of  tying  and  disbudding,  this 
latter  operation  being  essential  if  the  finest 
blooms  are  desired.  Arrange  the  plants  thinly 
on  the  stage,  and  fumigate  the  house  at  the 
first  opportunity,  to  get  rid  of  any  fly  that  may 
be  lurking  unseen  on  any  of  the  plants.  If, 
after  housing,  any  hot  weather  is  experienced,  it 
will  be  advisable  to  use  the  blinds  for  an  hour 
or  two  in  the  day,  and  to  give  the  plants  a 
slight  spraying  with  the  syringe  late  in  the 
afternoon  ;  this  will  have  an  effect  similar  to  the 
night  dews  to  which  the  plants  are  accustomed 
when   out-of-doors. 

General  work. — Dull  and  damp  weather  being 
the  rule  this  season,  shading  should  be  dis- 
pensed with  as  much  as  possible,  affording  a 
little  extra  ventilation  on  all  suitable  days  in 
order  that  the  growth  of  various  plants  may 
become  hardened  before  winter.  In  the  next 
few  weeks  gardeners  will  be  very  busy  housing 
the  plants  that  have  been  grown  out-of-doors 
during  the  summer,  but  which  must  be  re- 
moved to  a  safe  position  before  frost  occurs. 
There  is  no  gain  in  leaving  everything  to  the 
last  week,  therefore  look  around  the  houses  to 
see  what  may  be  thrown  out,  or  stored  away  for 
the  winter.  Get  the  interior  of  the  houses 
washed  and  disinfected  fiom  insect  and  fungus 
pests.  When  housing  the  plants  give  as  much 
room  to  each  individual  plant  as  can  be  spared, 
remembering  that  one  good  plant  is  worth  more 
than  several  poor  ones,  which  are  the  results  of 
overcrowding. 

FRUITS  UNDER  GLASS. 

By  Alexander  Kirk,  Gardener  to  J.  Thomson  Paton,  Esq., 
Norwood,  Alloa,  Clackmannanshire. 

The  vinery. — Vines  from  which  the  fruit  has 
been  gathered  should  be  syringed  each  after- 
noon to  prevent  attacks  by  red  spider,  for  it  is 
essential  that  the  foliage  should  remain  healthy 
as  late  in  the  season  as  possible.  Do  not  allow 
the  borders  to  become  either  dust-dry  or 
saturated  at  this  season.  An  application  of 
liquid  manure  is  valuable  at  this  stage,  for  it 
assists  in  building  up  the  buds  and  aids  the 
maturation  of  the  wood.  Vines  that  are  making 
gross  growth  should  nrt  be  given  any  stimulant. 
Young  vines,  which  were  planted  in  the  borders 
in  March  and  June,  will  continue  to  grow 
vigorously  as  long  as  the  conditions  for  growth 
are  favourable.  The  atmospheric  temperature 
of   the  house  at   night   should   be  65°,    and   by 


day  (allowing  for  an  increase  with  sun  heat) 
85^,  but  on  dull  days  the  temperature  need  not 
exceed  70u  to  75°.  Maintain  plenty  of  moisture 
in  the  atmosphere.  Should  red  spider  appear 
syringe  the  foliage  each  afternoon.  Test  the 
border  for  its  condition  of  moisture,  for  it  must 
not  be  allowed  to  become  dry.  As  soon  as  the 
leading  shoot  reaches  the  top  of  the  trellis, 
pinch  out  the  growing  point.  Tie  in  the  lateral 
shoots  if  growth  is  weak,  but  if  it  is  gross  pinch 
the  side  shoots  at  the  first  leaf.  Maintain  arti- 
ficial heat  in  the  house  at  night-time,  but  always, 
allow  the  top  ventilators  to  remain  open  a 
space  of  4  inches.  In  order  for  the  canes  to 
thoroughly  ripen,  a  free  circulation  of  air  must 
be  allowed,  and  the  top  and  the  bottom  venti- 
lators opened  daily  when  the  weather  is  favour- 
able. 

The  Orchard  house. — All  trees  that  have  been 
cleared  of  their  fruits  should  be  placed  out-of- 
doors  and  be  plunged  to  the  rim  of  the  pots  in 
coal  ashes.  Apply  water  to  the  roots  cautiously  ; 
an  occasional  dose  of  manure-water  will  be  of 
benefit  to  the  trees.  Later  varieties  of  Pears 
in  pots,  including  Pitmaston  Duchess,  Doyenne 
du  Cornice,  and  Marguerite  Marillat  should 
have  their  fruit  secured  by  soft  matting  or  twine 
wound  around  the  fruit-stalk  and  affixed 
securely  to  the  branch  or  shoot. 

Strawberries. — Plants  that  were  potted  finally 
last  month  are  now  rooting  well  and  making 
strong  leaves.  Apply  manure-water  to  the  roots, 
occasionally.  Remove  all  runners  as  they 
appear.  See  that  the  plants  have  ample  room 
to  receive  the  full  benefit  of  light  and  air. 
Turn  the  pots  tound  occasionally  to  prevent  the 
roots  growing  through   the  drainage  hole. 


PUBLIC  PARKS  AND  GARDENS. 

By  W.  W.  Pettigrew,  Superintendent  of  the   Parks  and 
Open  Spaces  in  the  City  of  Cardiff. 

Street  Trees  (continued). — In  planting  trees 
in  streets  it  is  necessary  to  excavate  holes 
about  2  feet  6  inches  square.  If  the  soil 
is  not  of  a  suitable  nature,  fresh,  good 
loam  must  be  supplied  to  a  further  depth 
of  2  feet  6  inches,  and  enriched  with  manure, 
so  as  to  give  the  young  trees  a  good  root- 
ing medium  at  the  start.  When  the  trees  are 
planted,  paving  stones  should  not  be  placed 
nearer  the  stem  than  1  foot  6  inches,  as  this 
open  space  is  necessary  in  order  that  air  and 
moisture  may  reach  the  roots.  Although  it 
would  be  beneficial  for  the  trees  to  keep  the  soil 
around  the  stems  an  inch  or  two  below  the  sur- 
face of  the  pavement,  inasmuch  as  rain  could 
be  the  better  collected,  this  is  not  practicable 
on  account  of  the  inconvenience  it  would  cause 
to  pedestrians,  hence  the  soil  has  always  to  be 
kept  flush  with  the  general  surface  of  the  path 
or  road. 

Trees  for  street-planting  should  be  rarely  less 
than  10  feet  high,  should  have  clean,  straight 
stems,  and  have  no  branches  for  at  least  a  dis- 
tance of  6  feet  above  the  ground.  It  is  essential 
to  protect  young  trees  in  public  streets,  and 
for  this  purpose  they  are  usually  enclosed  in 
iron  ornamental  tree  guards.  It  is  the  provi- 
sion of  these  latter  which  makes  tree-planting 
such  an  expensive  undertaking,  but  when  once 
the  guards  are  provided  they  can  be  used  again 
and  again  if  they  are  given  the  necessary  re- 
pairs. A  small  bar  of  wood  or  iron,  run  hori- 
zontally across  the  top  of  the  guard,  is  required 
as  a  stay  on  which  to  tie  the  trees — a  matter 
which  should  be  attended  to  immediately  after 
planting.  As  the  stem  may  be  easily  damaged 
by  rubbing  at  the  point  where  it  is  bound  to  the 
stay,  it  is  a  good  practice  to  have  this  part  pro- 
tected by  a  piece  of  mat  or  carpet  kept  in  posi- 
tion by  wire  netting.  When  by  any  means  a 
tree  breaks  away  from  its  stay  and  rubs  against 
the  top  of  the  tree  guard,  this  carpet  band  keeps 
the  bark  of  the  stem  from  becoming  chafed 
until  such  time  as  it  may  be  attended  to  and 
re-tied. 

When  in  the  course  of  a  few  years  after  plant- 
ing the  stems  become  stout  enough  to  be  self- 
supporting  the  tree  guards  may  be  removed. 
To  prevent  the  trunk  from  being  cut  and  dam- 
aged by  mischievous  persons,  it  is  o'ten  found 
necessary  on  the  removal  of  the  tree  guard  to 
protect  it  by  a  band  of  1-inch  mesh  wire  net- 
ting up  to  a  height  of  6  feet.  After  the  stems 
become  4  or  5  feet  in  circumference  wire  netting 
is  not  generally  required. 


200 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[September  14,  1907. 


EDITORIAL     NOTICE. 


ADVERTISEMENTS  should  be  sent  to  the  PUB- 
LISHER, 4».  Wellington  Street,  Covent  Garden, 
W.C. 

Letters  for  Publication,  as  well  as  specimens  and  plants 
/or  naming,  should  be  addressed  to  the  EDITOR, 
41,  Wellington  Street,    Covent   Garden,   London. 

Communications  should  be  written  on  one  side  only  of 
the  paper,  sent  as  early  in  the  week  as' possible  and  July 
signed  by  the  writer.  If  desired,  t)ie  signature  will  not  be 
Printed,  but  kept  as  a  guarantee  of  good  faith. 

Special  Notice  to  Correspondents.—  The  Editor  does  not 
undertake  to  pay  for  any  contributions  or  illustrations,  or 
to  return  unused  communications  or  illustrations,  unless  by 
special  arrangement.  The  Editor  does  not  hold  himself 
responsible  for  any  opinions  expressed  by  his  correspondents  t 

•Illustrations.-  The  Editor  will  be  glad  to  receive  and  to  select 
photographs  or  drawings,  suitable  for  reproduction,  of 
gardens,  or  of  remarkable  plants,  powers,  treest  &c,  but  he 
cannot  be  responsible  for  loss  or  injury. 

'Newspapers. — Correspondents  sending  newspapers  should  be 
careful  to  mark  the  paragraphs  they  wish  the  Editor  to  see. 

Local  News. — Correspondents  will  greatly  oblige  by  sending  to 
the  Editor  early  intelligence  of  local  events  likely  to  be  of 
interest  to  our  readers,  or  of  any  matters  which  it  is  desirable 
to  bring  under  the  notice  of  horticulturists. 


APPOINTMENTS  FOR  THE  ENSUING  WEEK. 


SATURDAY,  SEPTEMBER  14— Newton  Mearns  Fl.  Sh. 

MONDAY,  SEPTEMBER  16— 

Nat.  Chrys.  Soc.  Floral  Com.  meet. 

TUESDAY,  SEPTEMBER  17— 

Roy.  Hort.  Soc.  Corns,  meet. 

Brit.  Gard.  Assoc.  Ex.  Council  meet. 
SATURDAY,  SEPTEMBER  21— German  Gard.  Soc.  meet. 


Average    Mean    Temperature    for    the    ensuing    week, 
deduced  from  observations  during  the  last  Fifty  Years 
at  Greenwich — 56"8°. 
Actual  Temperatures: — 

London. —  Wednesday,  September  11  (6  p.m.):  Max.  73°; 
Min.  47". 
Gardeners'  Chronicle  Office,  41,  Wellington  Street, 
Covent  Garden,  London. — Thursday,  September 
12(10a.m.):  Bar..  30-1;  Temp.,  63";  Weather— 
Overcast. 
Provinces  —Wednesday, September  11  (6  p.m.)  :  Max.  67", 
Dover  ;  Min.  57°,  Scotland  E. 


SALES    FOR    THE    ENSUING    WEEK. 

MONDAY  and  WEDNESDAY— 

Sale  of  Dutch  Bulbs,   &c  at  Stevens'   Rooms,    King 
Street,  Covent  Garden,  W.C. 

MONDAY  to  FRIDAY— 

Dutch  Bulbs,  at  67  &  68,  Cheapside,  E.C.,  by  Protheroe 
&  Morris,  at  10.30. 


We   have   received    information 

Victoria     from  the  Secretary  of  the  Royal 

Medalists.   Horticultural    Society    that,     at 

the  last  meeting  of  the  Council, 
three  new  names  were  added  to  the  list  of 
Victoria  Medalists  of  Honour.  The  vacan- 
cies were  caused  by  the  deaths  of  Sir  Thomas 
Hanbury,  Bart.,  Sir  Michael  Foster,  andl  Mr. 
Harry  Turner,  and  their  places  have  now 
been  filled  by  the  election  of  Sir  John  T.  D. 
Llewelyn,  Bart.,  Mr.  George  Dickson,  and 
Mr.  Henry  Ballantine. 

Sir  John  T.  D.  Llewelyn,  Bart.,  is 
•a  well-known  personality  in  the  hor- 
ticultural world.  In  iSgi  he  was  elected 
a  member  of  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society's  Council,  but  retired  in  the  follow- 
ing year.  Upon  re-election  in  1893  he  con- 
tinued to  serve  in  the  position  until  1902, 
when  he  again  retired  from  the  Council, 
and  was  elected  a  Vice-President.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Scientific  Committee, 
and  in  many  other  directions  has  assisted 
in  helping  forward  the  Society's  interests, 
and  the  interests  of  horticulture  gen- 
erally. As  President  of  the  Horticultural 
Club,  Sir  John  Llewelyn  has  consistently 
shown  such  enthusiasm  and  geniality  that 
have  endeared  him  to  all  who  have  been  in 
4he  least  associated  with  the  Club's  doings, 


and  his  devotion  to  the  duties  of  his  office 
have  repeatedly  necessitated  special  journeys 
to  London  from  his  residence  in  South  Wales 
in  order  to  attend  important  meetings.  The 
Horticultural  Club  has  been  encouraged  to 
take  its  part  in  developing  horticultural 
interests,  and  as  recently  as  last  year 
it  was  mainly  due  to  Sir  John  Llewelyn 
that  the  Club  was  in  a  position  to  entertain 
the  foreign  visitors  and  others  on  the  occa- 
sion of  the  holding  of  the  Conference  on 
hybridisation  or  genetics.  The  success  of 
that  gathering  is  one  of  the  incidents  in  the 
history  of  the  Club  that  will  be  recalled  with 
pleasure  by  all  those  who  are  interested  in 
its  welfare.  Sir  John  Llewelyn,  however, 
has  filled  so  many  positions,  and  helped  in 
so  many  movements,  that  we  can  only  recall 


Sir  John  Llewelyn  has  nevertheless  main- 
tained undiminished  his  appreciation  for  the 
true  hybrids.  The  favourable  climate  at 
Penllergaer  has  enabled  many  of  the  Hima- 
layan species  to  develop  into  such  magnifi- 
cent specimens  as  are  seldom  seen  in  this 
country,  and  their  beauty,  even  when  not  in 
flowers,  can  scarcely  be  estimated  by  those 
who  have  not  seen  the  plants.  In  a  paper  on 
the  Himalayan  species,  read  at  a  meeting  of 
the  Horticultural  Club  in  June,  1904  (see  re- 
port in  Gardeners'  Chronicle,  June  18,  1904, 
p.  399),  Sir  John  Llewelyn  related  some  of 
his  experiences  in  their  cultivation,  and,  in 
addition,  showed  himself  to  be  a  keen  critic 
of  the  points  the  hybrid  Rhododendrons 
should  possess  when  judged  as  florists' 
flowers. 


SIR    JOHN    T.    D.    LLEWELYN,    BART.,    V.M.H. 


some  of  them.  He  has  been  President  of  the 
National  Potato  Society  since  its  establish- 
ment, and  as  Vice-President  of  the  National 
Chrysanthemum  and  National  Carnation 
and  Picotee  Societies,  and  patron  of  the 
National  Dahlia  Society,  Sir  John  Llewelyn 
has  been  brought  into  many  circles  of  horti- 
cultural work,  in  all  of  which  he  has 
greatly  assisted  the  efforts  of  those  with 
whom  he  has  been  associated. 

In  another  direction  Sir  John  Llewelyn's  de- 
votion to  horticulture  may  be  seen  in  the  gar- 
dens at  Penllergaer  near  Swansea, where  prac- 
tical gardening  of  the  best  type  has  been  car- 
ried out  for  many  years  past.  The  specialities 
at  Penllergaer  include  hardy  Rhododendrons 
and  Azaleas,  Bamboos,  and  the  flowering 
trees  and  shrubs.  Whilst  evincing  great  in- 
terest in  the  magnificent  Rhododendron 
hybrids  that  have  been  raised  in  recent  years, 


Mr.  Henry  Ballantine  has  been  for  many 
years  head  gardener  to  Baron  Sir  H. 
Schroder,  The  Dell,  Egham.  The  Dell  gar- 
dens are  among  the  most  beautiful  and  best 
maintained  establishments  in  this  country. 
They  are  especially  famous  for  the  rich  col- 
lection of  Orchids  they  contain.  Many  im- 
portant species  and  varieties  have  been  shown 
from  this  collection  at  the  Royal  Horticul- 
tural Society's  meetings,  and  may  be  found 
in  the  list  of  plants  which  have  received  first- 
class  certificates.  It  is  interesting  to  recall 
some  of  the  fine  plants  which  Mr.  Ballantine 
has  first  presented  from  The  Dell  gardens. 
Taking,  for  example,  the  spotted  forms  of 
Odontoglossom  crispum,  which  are  among 
the  greatest  fr.vourites  at  the  present  day, 
there  is  a  very  fine  collection  at  The  Dell,  and 
this  collection  contains  specimens  from  the 
earlier   introductions,    which    are    still    some 


Supplement  to  the  "Gardeners'  Chronicle." 


Photograph  by  John  Gregory. 


The  Pine-Walk  at   Fir  Grange,  Weybridge,  the  residence  of 

W.  A.  Bilney,  Esq. 


Temple  Press  Ltd.,  Printers,  7-15,  Rosebery  Avenue,  London,  E.C. 


September  14,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS     CHRONICLE. 


201 


of  the  best  plants  to  be  seen,  notwithstand- 
ing they  have  been  under  cultivation  for  long 
periods.  First-class  certificates  have  been 
obtained  by  O.  crispum  Ballantinei,  O.  c.  fla- 
veolum,  O.  c.  Dellense,  and  O.  c.  Veitchia- 
num  in  1884;  O.  c.  Schroderianum  and  O.  c. 
Sanderianum  in  1885;  for  O.  c.  apiatum, 
which  was  the  sensational  Orchid  of  its  day, 
in  1S86,  and  for  O.  c.  Baroness  Schroder, 
O.  c.  nobilior,  and  other  grand  forms  at 
more  recent  dates. 

Turning  to  the  blotched  forms  of  O.  Pesca- 
torei,  the  record  is  equally  remarkable,  The 
Dell  collection  still  retaining  in  splendid 
health  the  beautiful  O.  Pescatorei  Veitchii 
(F.C.C.,  1882)  and  O.  P.  Schroderia- 
num, both  of  which  plants  are  still  un- 
matched, despite  the  thousands  of  specimens 
of  this  species  which  have  been  imported  since 
that  year.  Mr.  Ballantine  had  the  good  for- 
tune to  present  the  first  Odontoglossum 
Wi'lckeanum  on  March  10,  1SS5,  and  its 
variety  Godefroyae  on  the  same  day.  First- 
class  certificates  were  awarded  for  both 
plants.  In  most  of  the  other  sections  of 
Odontoglossum  early  honours  were  secured 
by  representatives  from  this  collection.  From 
189 1,  when  The  Dell  specimen  of  Cypripe- 
dium  insigne  Sanderae  secured  a  first-class 
certificate,  it  was  for  some  years,  and  pro- 
bably still  is,  one  of  the  best  plants  of  its 
kind ;  and  many  other  cases  might  be  cited 
where  Baron  Schroder's  liberality  in  securing 
the  best  varieties  and  Mr.  Ballantine's  skill 
in  cultivating  them  to  the  highest  standard 
have  brought  credit  to  the  gardens  in  which 
they  both  take  such  delight. 

Although  the  Orchids  have  played  the  most 
important  part  in  spreading  the  fame  of  The 
Dell  gardens,  other  branches  of  gardening 
have  been  equally  well  carried  out.  It  would 
be  well  for  horticulture  if  the  types  of  owner 
represented  by  Baron  Schroder  and  of  gar- 
deners by  Mr.  H.  Ballantine  were  the  general 
rule. 

Mr.  George  Dickson  is  the  head  of  the  firp 
of  Messrs.  Alex.  Dickson  &  Sons,  New. 
townards,  Ireland,  and  his  election  to  the  lis' 
of  Victoria  Medalists  very  appropriately  fill 
the  vacancy  caused  by  the  death  of  Mr. 
Harry  Turner.  Messrs.  Alex.  Dickson  & 
Sons  have  secured  an  enviable  reputation  for 
raising  new  seedling  Roses,  and  most  of  the 
varieties  they  have  introduced  to  commerce 
are  now  in  general  cultivation.  As  showine 
how  much  the  Newtownards  seedlings  are 
appreciated  by  Rosarians,  we  may  mention 
that  in  the  National  Rose  Society's  Official 
Catalogue  of  Exhibition  and  Garden  Roses 
for  1903,  out  of  the  33  exhibition  varieties  in- 
cluded in  it  which  were  ten  or  fewer  years 
old,  as  many  as  iS,  or  more  than  half  that 
number,  were  raised  at  Newtownards.  Some 
of  the  best-known  Roses  raised  at  New- 
townards include  the  varieties  Dean  Hole, 
Hugh  Watson,  Irish  Harmony  (single),  Rev. 
David  R.  Williamson,  Ards  Rover,  Helen 
Keller,  Hugh  Dickson,  Margaret  Dickson, 
Mrs.  R.  G.  Sharman  Crawford,  Ulster,  Ards 
Pillar,  Alice  Grahame,  Bessie  Brown,  Count- 
ess of  Caledon,  Killarney,  Liberty,  Mrs.  W. 
f.  Grant,  Mildred  Grant,  Lady  Mary  Fitzwil- 
iam,  Florence  Pemberton,  Ethel  Brownlow, 
'Mrs.  Ed.  Mawley,  J.  B.  Clark,  Muriel  Gra- 
ianv>  Irish  Beauty  (single),  Irish  Glory 
Slngle),  Bettie,  Countess  Annesley,  Countess 


of  Derby,  Dorothy  Page  Roberts,  and  Lady 
Rossmore.  At  the  Royal  Horticultural  So- 
ciety's exhibition  at  Holland  House  in  July- 
last  no  fewer  than  four  new  Roses  shown  by- 
Messrs.  Dickson  were  granted  Awards  of 
Merit.  The  Gold  Medal  of  the  National  Rose 
Society  was  awarded  Messrs.  Dickson's  new 
Hybrid  Tea  Rose  Lady  Helen  Vincent  at  its 
Metropolitan  exhibition  this  year. 


Gardeners  are  so  much  indebted 

victor      to    M.    Victor    Lemoine,    of    the 

Lemoine.   Nancy  Nurseries,  France,  for  the 

numerous  plants  he  has  raised 

and  introduced  into  commerce,  that  we  are 

pleased  to  sec  in  a  recent  issue  of  Mailer's 

Deutsche    Gartncr-Zeitung    an    appreciative 

notice  of  his  work  as  a  hybridiser.   The  notice 

is  so  full  and  exhaustive  that  it  fills  the  entire 

issue  of  that  journal.     M.  Victor  Lemoine,  of 

whom  we  published  a  portrait  in  our  issue 

for  July   15,    1899,  has  been  engaged  in   the 

cross-breeding    of    plants    since    1852,    and 


HENRY    BALLANTINE,    V.M.H 

his  efforts  have  been  attended  with  unusual 
success. 

He  was  born  on  October  21,  1S23,  at 
Delme,  in  Lorraine,  his  father  being  a  gar- 
dener. He  studied  at  the  College  of  Vic- 
sur-Seille,  and  after  travelling  for  several 
years  he  took  service  with  various  nursery- 
men in  Germany,  Belgium,  and  France, 
finally  starting  in  business  for  himself  at 
Nancy  in  1850.  In  1S85  he  became  Knight 
of  the  Legion  of  Honour  and  Officer  in  1S94. 
He  was  honorary  vice-president  of  the  Cen- 
tral Horticultural  Society  of  Nancy,  and 
honorary  member  of  the  National  Horticul- 
tural Societv  of  France,  and  of  several  other 
societies  in  various  countries. 

The  first  of  his  improved  plants  was  a 
double-flowered  Portulaca  (1852),  the  first  of 
its  race.  Then  came  four  or  five  hybrid 
Streptocarpus,  obtained  by  crossing  S. 
biflorus  with  S.  polyanthus.  At  that  time 
the  new  species  which  have  been  so  greatly 
improved  by  Mr.  W.  Watson,  Kew,  Messrs. 


Jas.  Yeitch  &  Sons,  Chrlsea,  and  others  were 
unknown.  In  1862,  M.  Lemoine  introduced 
Spiraea  callosa  alba,  and  some  hybrids  that 
he  obtained  from  Monocha>tum,  among 
others  M.  Lemoininnum  and  M.  sericeum 
multiflorum  ;  also  Clematis  lanuginosa  Can- 
dida, a  cross  between  C.  lanuginosa  and 
C.  patens.  In  subsequent  years  his  liner 
crosses  and  hybrids  included  many  double 
Pyrethrums,  which  are  common  plants  in 
gardens  to-day,  Spiraea  syringaeflora,  and  S. 
intermedia.  In  1866  came  the  first  true 
double-flowered  Zonal  Pelargonium,  "  Glgire 
de  Nancy,"  the  forerunner  of  the  double 
varieties  now  grown.  In  1869  he  raised  Abu- 
tilon  vexillarium  variegatum ;  he  also  ra 
several  hybrids  between  Begonia  Pearcei  and 
B.  subpeltata  In  1S71  Lemoine  introduced 
the  double-flowered  Clematis  Lucie  Lemoine 
into  commerce.  In  1872  he  surprised  the 
gardening  world  with  the  first  double- 
flowered  tuberous  Begonia,  B.  Lemoinei, 
from  which  in  subsequent  years  B.  Gloire  de 
Nancy  and  a  number  of  double  varieties  were 
obtained.  The  year  1878  saw  the  double- 
flow  ired  Zonal  Pelargonium  F.  V.  Raspail 
and  the  large-flowered  varieties  Mme.  Thi- 
baut  and  Lucie  Lemoine.  In  the  same  year 
M.  Lemoine  showed  three  novelties  at  Paris 
which  enjoy  great  favour  at  the  present  time, 
viz.,  Syringa  Lemoinei,  the  first  double-flow- 
ered Lilac,  Gladiolus  Lemoinei  and  G.  Marie 
Lemoine,  the  progenitors  of  the  large  spotted 
varieties.  The  year  1879  saw  the  hvbrids 
Philadelphus  multillorus  plenus,  Weigela 
Emile  Galle\  Ceanothus  aerostat,  ani  C. 
Thare.  In  1882  Fuchsia  Boliviana  rosea, 
Pelargonium  pcltatum  Jean  d'Arc,  P.  p.  La 
Rosiere,  and  Liliac  Mathieu  de  Dombasle 
were  raised.  The  following  year  Philadel- 
phus rosaeflorus  plenus,  Fuchsia  Boliviana 
nivea,  Clematis  viticella  venosa  violacea,  C. 
v.  Kermesina,  and  Gladiolus  Masque  de  Fer 
were  raised.  Between  1882  and  1900,  M. 
Lemoine  distributed  many  new  hybrids  and 
cross-bred  varieties  of  Clematis,  Syringa 
(Lilac),  Montbretia,  Philadelphus,  Gladiolus 
Nanceanus,  Deutzia,.  Spiraea,  Zonal  Pelargo- 
nium (Paul  Crampel  and  others),  Phlox,  Be- 
gonia Gloire  de  Lorraine  (1893,  a  cross  be- 
tween B.  Dregei  and  B.  socotrana),  Astilbe, 
Diplacus,  Gazania,  Crassula  hybrida  rosea 
(C.  jasminea  x  Rochea  falcata),  Anemone 
japonica,  Paeonia,  Hydrangea,  &c. 

Among  M.  Lemoine's  later  novelties,  per- 
haps the  hybrid  Deutzias,  Montbretias,  Gla- 
diolus and  Syringas  are  the  most  generally 
cultivated  in.  English  gardens. 

Apart  from  his  beautiful  hybrids  and 
crosses,  M.  Lemoine  has  introduced  a  large 
number  of  rare  and  new  species  of  plants  to 
European  gardens,  but  the  mere  list  of  these 
introductions  is  more  than  we  can  print  in 
these  columns. 


Our  Supplementary  Illustration. — Ser.3- 
cios  form  one  of  the  largest  genera  amongst 
flowering  plants,  and  the  enumeration  of  the 
species  and  their  synonyms  occupies  more  than 
13  pages  in  the  Index  Kcivcnsis.  Generally  the 
plants  are  herbaceous,  though  not  always,  and 
the  species  exhibit  such  marked  differences  as 
seldom  occur  in  a  single  genus.  In  the  house 
devoted  to  succulent  plants  at  Kew  may  be  found 
Senecios  which  might  be  mistaken  for  cactaceous 
plants.  Their  construction,  however,  is  of  quite  a 
different  type  to  the  common  garden  weed  Senecio 
vulgaris — the  Groundsel— which  attains  a  height 
of  a  few  inches  only,  and  to  Senecio  Wilsonianus, 
which  is  one  of  the  giants  of  the  race,  for  the 


201 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[September  14,  1907. 


inflorescence  attains  to  a  height  of  more  than 
5  feet,  and  the  plants  have  correspondingly 
broad  leaves  that  are  of  a  reniform  or  kidney 
shape.  S.  Wilsonianus  was  introduced  into  culti- 
vation by  Messrs.  James  Veitch  &  Sons, 
through  their  collector  Wilson,  who  discovered  it 
in  Hupeh,  Western  China,  although  dried  speci- 
mens had  been  previously  sent  home  from  that 
district  by  Dr.  A.  Henry.  The  plant  is  perfectly 
hardy,  and  forms  a  suitable  subject  for  planting 
by  the  waterside,  or  in  a  position  in  the  shrubbery 
or  flower-border  where  it  can  be  allowed  ample 
room  to  develop  its  broad  foliage  and  tall  spikes 
of  yellow  flowers.  In  the  illustration  it  will  be 
seen  that  a  small  portion  of  the  inflorescence  has 
been  drawn  natural  size  by  Mr.  Worthington 
Smith,  and  in  the  left-hand  corner  at  the  base  a 
capitulum  is  shown  after  being  magnified  two  dia- 
meters. The  species  was  described  by  Mr.  W. 
Botting  Hemsley  in  Gardeners'  Chronic'e,  for 
September  16,  1905. 

The  Botanical  Magazine. — The  following 
plants  are  illustrated  and  described  in  the  issue 
for  September  :  — 

Aconitum  Napellus,  var.  eminens,  tab.  8,152. 
— This  is  a  variety  now  described  by  Dr.  Otto 
Stapf,  who  states  that  it  appears  to  be  confined 
to  the  limestone  zone  of  the  Eifel  Mountains. 
It  is  by  far  the  most  handsome  of  the  numerous 
varieties  or  races  of  Aconitum  Napellus.  The 
plant  is  a  herb,  often  7  and  even  over  9  feet 
high,  perfectly  glabrous,  with  the  exception  of 
the  inflorescences.  The  panicle  is  very  large 
and  compound,  3  to  5  feet  long,  and  the  flowers 
are  intensely  purplish-blue  or  sometimes  purple 
or  variegated. 

Angr.*cum  infundibulare,  tab.  8,153. — (See 
Gardeners'  Chronicle,  1904,  vol.  xxxvi.,  pp.  82, 
130  ;  also  supplementary  illustration  to  issue  for 
Aug.  20,  1904.  The  description  in  the  present 
issue  of  Botanical  Magazine  is  by  Mr.  R.  A. 
Rolfe. 

Podophyllum  versipelle,  tab.  8,154. — This 
is  a  Chinese  species,  now  described  by  Mr.  J. 
Hutchinson  from  a  plant  presented  to  Kew  in 
1903  by  Messrs.  Jas.  Veitch  &  Sons,  who  intro. 
duced  this  species  into  cultivation  through  their 
collector,  Mr.  E.  H.  Wilson.  The  species  has  a 
perennial  rhizome,  annual  stem,  and  large  leaves, 
each  with  from  five  to  nine  lobes.  The  cyme 
is  umbelliform,  sessile,  often  eight-flowered. 
The  flowers  are  very  showy,  being  deep  crimson. 

Bigelovia  graveolens,  tab.  8,155. — A 
shrubby  Composite  from  North  America.  The 
species  has  also  been  known  as  Chrysocoma  gra- 
veolens, Linosyris  graveolens,  Chrysocoma 
nauseosa,  and  Chrysothamnus  nauseosus.  Mr. 
W.  Botting  Hemsley  describes  the  species  as 
growing  to  at  least  6  to  8  feet  high  in  cultiva- 
tion. The  stem  is  as  much  as  2  inches  in  dia- 
meter at  the  base,  much  branched  upwards. 
The  flowering  branches  are  corymbose,  pendu- 
lous, tomentose  and  white.  The  flower  heads 
are  very  numerous,  and  the  flowers  yellow.  Mr. 
W.  Watson  states  that  the  plant  was  sent  to 
Kew  by  the  Rev  Canon  Ellacombe  in  1900  for 
identification,  and  it  has  now  stood  for  four 
winters  against  the  wall  at  the  north  end  of  the 
Herbaceous  Ground  without  any  additional  pro- 
tection. Last  year  it  was  in  full  flower  in  mid- 
October,  and  so  continued  for  about  a  month. 
It  might  be  called  a  shrubby  Golden  Rod,  says 
Mr.  Watson,  the  big,  crowded  corymbose  clus- 
ters of  yellow  flowers  being  not  unlike  those 
of  the  Solidagos.  The  species  may  be  easily 
propagated  from  stem-cuttings.  It  is  recom- 
mended as  a  shrub  for  collections  of  showy  and 
interesting  plants,  and  in  more  southern  locali- 
ties would  probably  succeed  without  even  the 
protection  afforded  by  the  wall. 

PrunuS  Besseyi,  tab.  8,156.— The  plant  from 
which  the  figure  was  prepared,  writes  Mr.  W.  J. 


Bean,  is  one  of  a  batch  sent  to  Kew  by  Professor 
Sargent  in  1900,  from  the  Arnold  Arboretum. 
They  have  flowered  during  the  past  three  years, 
and,  in  early  May,  when  the  growths  of  the  pre- 
ceding summer  are  crowded  with  fascicles  of 
white  flowers,  make  a  charming  display.  The 
fruit  has  not  hitherto  been  produced  in  sufficient 
abundance  at  Kew  to  count  among  the  ornamen- 
tal qualities  of  the  plant.  The  species  is  a 
native  of  the  North-Western  United  States,  and 
is  quite  hardy  in  this  country.  It  is  recom- 
mended as  likely  to  be  worth  the  notice  of  fruit 
growers  in  South  Africa  and  Australia,  or  wher- 
ever the  summer  conditions  approximate  to  those 
of  Colorado,  but  the  species  will  not  be  of 
economic  value  in  Britain. 

Flowers  in  Season. — From  Mr.  S.  Ely, 
Lavington  Park  Gardens,  Petworth,  we  have 
received  a  selection  of  well  cultivated  flowers  of 
Carnations  of  the  American  type.  Mr.  Ely  writes : 
"  I  am  forwarding  a  few  blooms  of  American  Car- 
nations gathered  from  plants  which  have  been  in 
flower  since  November  of  last  year.  At  the  end  of 
April,  1907,  the  plants  were  placed  under  a  north 
wall,  where  they  have  produced  a  wealth  of  flowers 
all  through  the  summer.  My  object  in  sending 
the  flowers  is  to  demonstrate  the  value  of  these 
Carnations  for  planting  in  small  spaces,  providing 
they  are  first  grown  in  pots ;  also  to  show  what 
useful  decorative  flowers  they  produce  the  whole 
year  round." 

From  Messrs.  Robert  Veitch  &  Sons,  The 
Royal  Nurseries,  Exeter,  we  have  received  flower- 
ing sprays  of  a  number  of  shrubs  and  other  garden 
plants  which  are  hardy  in  Devon,  including  several 
improved  varieties  of  Ceanothus  thyrsiflorus, 
Eucryphia  pinnatifolia,  a  very  floriferous  shrub; 
Sollya  heterophylla,  a  climbing  plant,  with  small 
blue  flowers  ;  Buddleia  variabilis  magnifica  ;  Cha- 
maebatia  millaefolia,  with  inflorescence  similar  to 
that  of  a  Rubus  and  foliage  like  the  Yarrow  ; 
Ononis  fruticosa ;  a  fruiting  shoot  of  Coriaria  termi- 
nalis  (in  colour  the  berries  are  similar  to  those  of 
the  yellow  Raspberry)  ;  Eriogonum  racemosum, 
and  Pentstemon  cordifolius,  a  shrubby  species, 
with  orange-scarlet  coloured  flowers  that  are  very 
freely  produced. 

Messrs.  Hurst  &  Son,  152,  Houndsditch, 
London,  send  us  flowers  of  a  new  variety  of 
Chrysanthemum  carinatum  (syn.  C.  tricolor) 
named  Silver  Queen.  The  raisers  claim  the 
variety  to  be  distinct  from  all  others  of  that 
species  in  the  dwarfness  of  its  habit.  The  florets 
are  white  in  their  upper  halves,  the  lower  portions 
forming  a  band  of  clear  yellow.  As  the  plant  is 
an  annual,  and  can  be  sown  in  the  open,  it  should 
prove  an  acquisition  for  the  flower  garden. 

Gladioli  flowers  sent  us  by  the  famous  Lang- 
port  firm  of  Kelway  &  Son  are  as  good  or 
better  than  ever.  The  large  flowers  are  pro- 
duced on  long  spikes,  and  are  of  the  richest 
hues  of  colouring.  It  would  seem  as  if  the 
highest  degree  of  beauty  and  size  had  been 
reached  in  these  flowers.  Among  the  varieties 
sent  us  are  King  of  Gladioli  (of  a  shade  of 
salmon-rose,  with  a  blotch  of  yellow  in  the 
lower  segments),  Alice  Wood  (white,  flaked 
with  red,  and  having  conspicuous  primrose- 
coloured  markings  on  the  three  inner  segments), 
Beatrice  Kelway  (in  colour  bright  rose  and 
white,  and  of  very  large  size),  Langport  Won- 
der (rose,  mottled  with  varying  shades ;  the 
flower-spike  is  very  large  in  this  variety),  Ard 
Patrick  (salmony  or  orange-red),  Eugene  San- 
dow  (reddish-rose,  with  white  markings),  &c. 

A  Gardener  s  Jubilee. — At  the  luncheon 
held  in  conjunction  with  the  Paisley  flower  show, 
on  September  5,  Mr.  John  Macgregor  was  pre- 
sented, by  his  fellow  gardeners,  with  a  walking- 
stick,  on  the  occasion  of  his  50th  year's  service  as 
gardener  at  Barochan. 


National    Potato    Society. — Mr.   W.    H. 

Adsett,  the  secretary,  reminds  us  that  the  first 
provincial  show  of  this  society  will  be  held  at  the 
South-Eastern  Agricultural  College,  Wye,  Kent, 
on  Wednesday,  October  2nd,  under  the  direction 
of  Mr.  Walter  P.  Wright,  the  horticultural 
superintendent  of  that  institution.  The  South- 
Eastern  and  Chatham  Railway  Company  has 
arranged  to  issue  return  tickets  from  stations 
within  60  miles  of  Wye  for  a  single  fare  and  a  ] 
quarter,  on  the  presentation  of  a  voucher  obtain- 
able from  the  hon.  secretary.  An  opportunity 
will  be  afforded  the  visitors  of  inspecting  the 
gardens,  orchards,  and  farm  attached  to  the 
college,  where  an  interesting  series  of  trials  is 
being  conducted.  In  addition  to  the  usual  classes 
for  members,  and  the  contests  for  the  "  Llewelyn" 
and  "  Carter-Findlay  "  cups,  interest  is  Jikely  to 
be  aroused  in  a  series  of  vegetable  competitions, 
open  to  members  of  the  Kent  horticultural 
societies,  for  which  special  prizes  are  offered  by 
nurserymen  and  seedsmen  in  the  county.  At 
3  p.m.  a  conference  will  take  place,  at  which 
Mr.  M.  J.  R.  Dunstan,  the  Principal  of  the 
College,  will  preside,  and  deliver  the  opening 
address.  Schedules  and  full  details  are  obtainable 
from  the  hon.  sec,  Hatton  House,  Great  Queen 
Street,  London,  W.C. 

Hampton  Court  Gardens. — We  regret  that 
in  a  descriptive  note  on  these  gardens,  published 
in  the  last  issue,  and  owing  to  a  misapprehension 
on  the  part  of  our  representative,  it  was  stated  that 
Mr.  A.  Sprigings  would  succeed  Mr.  Gardiner. 
as  superintendent.  We  are  definitely  informed 
that  Mr.  Gardiner's  post  will  be  filled  by  Mr. 
William  J.  Barlow,  the  present  superintendent 
of  Greenwich  Park,  as  was  stated  in  a  previous 
issue.  Mr.  Sprigings  will  remain  at  Hampton 
Court  in  the  capacity  of  foreman. 

The  "Blancard"  Fund.— Mr.  C.  Harman 
Payne  writes  as  follows  :  "  Some  few  months  ago 
I  made  an  appeal  on  behalf  of  the  two  grand- 
daughters of  the  introducer  of  the  Chrysanthemum. 
It  may  interest  your  readers  who  subscribed  to  the 
fund  to  know  that  a  total  of  £48  8s.  lOd.  was 
received  and  paid  over  to  the  ladies,  who  have 
expressed  their  grateful  thanks  for  the  interest 
taken  in  their  case." 

The  Colonial  Garden  at  Laeken. — The 
Colonial  Garden  at  Laeken,  writes  a  correspon- 
dent, which  was  founded  by  the  Government  of 
the  Congo  State  in  the  year  1900  for  the  pur- 
pose of  providing  for  the  introduction  of  new 
economic  plants'into  the  Congo,  will  take  rank 
with  the  great  botanical  gardens  of  the  world, 
such  as  those  at  Kew,  Buitenzorg,  &c.  Here 
were  cultivated  quite  recently  the  Quinine  plants 
(Cinchona),  which  have  been  sent  out  to  Central 
Africa.  Success  was  not  attained  without  con- 
siderable difficulty,  and  many  kinds  of  Quinine 
were  tried  before  one  of  the  seeds  imported  from 
Buitenzorg  gave  satisfactory  results.  One  of 
the  most  remarkable  items  in  the  collection  of 
tropical  plants  at  Laeken  are  plants  of  Landol- 
phia  of  great  size.  Several  trees  are  no 
less  than  17  feet  in  height,  and  they  would  be 
still  higher  if  they  were  not  topped.  The  gar- 
den also  includes  several  plants  imported  from 
Brazil,  such  as  the  Hevea  brasiliensis,  which  it 
is  hoped  may  prove  suitable  for  cultivation  in 
the  Congo.  There  are  also  special  conserva- 
tories for  Coffee  plants,  Vanilla  trees,  and  for 
plants  and  flowers  imported  from  the  Congo. 
Among  the  latter  a  Clove  tree  of  exceptional 
luxuriance  is  specially  noticeable.  There  is  also 
a  remarkable  collection  of  Sansevieras,  In  the 
same  house  is  the  finest  of  all  the  ornamental 
plants  of  the  Congo,  the  Encephalartos  Lauren- 
tianus.  Another  speciality  of  the  garden  is  the 
collection  of  five  principal  kinds  of  Gutta-Percha 
plants.  A  visit  to  the  Colonial  Garden  of  the 
Congo  Government  at  Laeken  will  be  sure  to 
interest  every  botanist  who  happens  to  pay  a 
visit  to  Brussels. 


September  14,   1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'     CURONiCLE. 


203 


Decoration  for  Mr.  Schneider. — We  are 

pleased  to  learn  that  Mr.  George  Schneider,  the 
President  of  the  French  Horticultural  Society  of 
London,  has  just  received  from  the  French 
Government  an  honorary  distinction  in  recog- 
nition of  his  services  to  horticulture.  Mr. 
Schneider,  who  was  appointed  a  Chevalier  of  the 
Merite  Agricole  about  10  years  ago,  has  done  a 
useful  work  in  promoting  good  feeling  between 
the  gardeners  of  this  country  and  those  abroad, 
besides  devoting  much  of  his  time  to  the  society 
of  which  he  has  been  the  president  for  nearly 
20  years.  On  both  sides  of  the  Channel  Mr. 
Schneider  has  many  friends,  and  they  will  be 
glad  to  learn  that  by  a  decree  dated  August  31 
last  the  French  Government  has  promoted  him  to 
the  rank  of  Officier  du  Merite  Agricole. 

Fatality   to    a    Dahlia    Exhibitor. — As  a 

party  of  exhibitors  returning  from  the  National 
Dahlia  Society's  exhibition  at  the  Crystal  Palace 
were  passing  through  South  Norwood  on  the 
night  of  September  7,  the  horse  attached  to  the 
van  in  which  they  were  travelling  took  fright, 
with  the  result  that  Mr.  Albert  Thompson,  of 
Cuckoo  Lane,  St.  George's,  Bristol,  was  killed. 
The  driver,  his  son,  and  two  other  men  were 
injured.  One  of  the  injured  persons,  Mr. 
Aaron  Webb,  had,  in  conjunction  with  the 
deceased,  won  some  of  the  most  valuable  prizes 
in  the  amateurs'  classes,  as  will  be  seen  on 
leference  to  cur  report  on  p.  206. 


REMARKS    ON    THE    CONDITION 
OF   THE    FRUIT   CROPS. 
(Sec  Tables  and  Summaries,  ante,  pp.  Sl-90  J 
(Concluded  from  page  1S2.) 
8.— ENGLAND,  S.YY. 
Monmouthshire. — Standard    Apple    trees    in 
some   orchards    are    badly    infested    with    cater- 
pillar, which  a  systematic  spraying  in  the  winter 
would  have  prevented.      Pears,  although  not  a 
heavy  crop,  are  clean,  and  the  trees  are  healthy. 
Peaches    and    Nectarines    set   very    freely,     and 
these    fruits    required    severe    thinning.     Straw- 
berries have  given  a  heavy  crop  of  fine  fruits,  the 
varieties  I  Umax  and  Trafalgar  being  especially 
good.     Our  soil  is  a  stiff,  retentive  clay.      II'.  /• . 
Woods,  Llanfreehfa  Grange  Gardens,  Caerleon. 

Trees   of   many   of  the  best   varieties   of 

Apple  such  as  Allington  Pippin,  Bismarck,  Eck- 
linville  Seedling,  Lord  Derby,  Lane's  Prince 
Albert,  and  Newton  Wonder  have  scarcely  any 
fruit.  Most  of  these  varieties  have  borne  good 
crops  during  the  past  three  years,  which  may 
account  to  some  extent  for  their  failure  this  year, 
but  the  principal  reason  is  that  during  the  time 
the  trees  were  in  blossom  the  weather  was  very- 
cold,  and  severe  white  frost  was  present  on  more 
than  one  occasion.  Pears,  also  all  stone  fruits, 
are  exceptionally  heavy  crops.  During  the  time 
the  trees  were  in  bloom,  the  weather  was  fine 
and  warm.  John  Basham,  Fair  Oak  Nurseries, 
Bassaleg,   Newport. 

Somersetshire. — The  soil  in  this  district  is 
generally  a  stiff,  calcareous  loam,  resting  on  the 
limestone.  There  are  many  Apple  orchards  in 
this  neighbourhood,  the  fruit  being  used  chieriv 
for  cider-making,  but  the  majority  of  the  tress 
are  in  bad  condition  from  lack  of  pruning, 
cleaning,  ,Vc.  Wellington  (Dumelow's  Seed- 
ling! fruits  well  in  this  district,  and  this  Apple 
can  be  kept  for  a  long  time  in  good  condition. 
I  have  only  recently  used  the  last  of 
the  previous  season's  crop.  Aphis  of  all 
kinds  have  been  very  troublesome  on  fruit  trees. 
Strawberries  ripened  indifferently.  Newly- 
planted  fruit  trees  have  suffered  considerably 
from  the  unseasonable  weather.  These  remarks 
include  observations  extending  to  Langport, 
Sparkford-Butleigh,  and  Somerton.  Geo.  H. 
Head,  Kingsdon  Manor  Gardens,   Taunton. 

The  season  being  late  favoured  the  set- 
ting of  the  blossom  on  fruit  trees,  but  later,  con- 
tinued cold  weather  caused  a  great  check  to  the 
trees,  and  manv  of  the  fruits  dropped  at  about 
midsummer.     The    warm   weather   of   July   pro- 


moted new  vigour,  and  favoured  the  swelling  of 
the  fruits.  Free-bearing  kinds  of  Apples  such  as 
Lord  Grosvenor,  which  cropped  well  last  year, 
have  heavy  crops  of  fruits  this  season,  and  I 
am  convinced  that  some  varieties  of  Apples  with- 
stand low  temperatures  better  than  others. 
Plums  and  Apricots  set  an  enormous  crop. 
Strawberries  suffered  from  the  dry  weather  of 
last  autumn.  Potatos  have  disease  in  the 
haulm  on  the  high  ground,  but  are  not  affected 
in  our  low  situation.  /.  Crook,  Forde  Abbey 
Gardens,  Chard. 

Worcestershire.— The  soil  in  this  district  is 
a  sandy  loam,  overlying  the  new  red-sandstone 
formation.  This  is  the  most  remarkable  season 
for  stone  fruits  that  I  remember,  the  fruits  being 
exceedingly  abundant  and  of  good  quality. 
Apples,  although  of  good  quality,  are  not  plent'i. 
ful :  some  Apple  trees  are  overladen  with  fruits, 
others  are  carrying  scarcely  any.  The  weather 
at  the  time  Apple  trees  were  in  blossom  was  not 
so  favourable  as  at  the  time  when  trees  bearing 
stone  fruits  were  flowering,  consequently  the 
pollen  was  not  so  effective.  Pear  trees  have 
suffered  from  the  Tear  midge.  The  fruits  of  all 
trees  are  generally  clean  and  of  good  quality, 
the  growth  of  the  trees  being  verv  healthy. 
Small  fruits  such  as  Red  and  Black  Currants, 
Raspberries,  and  Gooseberries  are  very  fine,  and 
the  crops  of  these  are  heavy.  Much  of  the 
blossom  and  many  of  the  early  fruits  of  Straw- 
berries were  damaged  by  the  rains.  .4.  Young, 
Witley  i 'our l  Gardens.  Stourport. 

The  Apple  crop  is  almost  a  failure  in  this 

district,  and  only  a  few  trees  heTe  and  there 
have  any  fruits.  The  variety  Worcester  rear- 
mam  has  the  best  crop.  Trie  trees  blossomed 
well,  but  the  flowers  appeared  small  and  imper- 
fect. The  essential  organs  of  the  flowers  were 
undeveloped,  probably  owing  to  the  extreme 
drought  of  August  and  September,  1906,  when 
the  trees  cast  their  leaves  prematurely.  This, 
added  to  a  cold,  sunless  period,  and  cold  winds, 
are  the  causes  of  the  failure  of  the  Apple  crop. 
\  icots  were  never  healthier  nor  more  abun- 
dantly fruited.  Peaches  and  Nectarines  are 
plentiful  and  clean.  Pears  are  the  heaviest  crop 
of  these  fruits  we  have  had  for  several  years 
past.  The  Pear  midge  this  season  was  less  in 
evidence :  a  dressing  of  Vaporite  was  dug  in 
around  the  roots  of  the  trees  just  as  the  midge 
was  about  to  emerge  from  the  chrysalis;  this 
application  will  be  repeated  another 
Strawberries  were  stunted  in  growth  bv  the 
cold  weather.  William  Crump,  Y.M.H.,  Madres- 
field  Court   Gardens.   Malvern. 

WALES. 
Carnarvonshire. — This  is  the  worst  year  for 
hardy  fruit  crops  I  have  seen  for  upwards  of  40 
years.  Mildew  has  greatly  injured  the  young 
growths  of  Apple  trees  and  Plum  trees.  W. 
Speed,  Penrhyn  Castle,  Bangor,  AMI'. 

Glamorganshire. — The  only  varieties  of 
Apples  which  are  carrying  good  crops  are  Cox's 
Orange  Pippin,  James  Grieve,  and  Bramley's 
Seedling.  Pears  are  quite  up  to  the  average  in 
quantity,  and  very  good  in  quality  :  the  same 
remarks  apply  to  Plums.  I  never  saw  better 
crops  of  Peaches  and  Nectarines.  All  varieties 
set  well,  and  the  foliage  is  remarkablv  free  from 
blight  and  blister.  Apricot  trees  are  also  heavilv 
fruited.  Strawberries  were  far  above  the  aver- 
age in  quantity,  but  deficient  in  flavour,  owing 
to  the  wet,  sunless  weather  during  the  time  the 
berries  were  ripening.  Nuts  are  plentiful  and 
good.  Our  soil  is  of  a  light  nature,  with  a 
gravelly  sub-soil.  P.  Milner,  Mar  gam  Park  Gar- 
dens, Port  Talbot. 

Apple,  Pear,  and  Plum  trees  all  produced 

an  abundance  of  blossom,  but  the  continued  wet 
weather  and  low  temperatures  have  spoiled  the 
fruit  crops.  Gooseberries  are  plentiful,  and  of 
fine  quality  :  the  same  remarks  apply  to  Rasp- 
berries, Currants,  and  Cherries.  Peaches  and 
Nectarines  are  also  very  good,  and  the  trees 
are  free  from  blight.  The  soil  here  is  a  rather 
heavy  loam  on  a  rocky  sub-soil.  C.  T.  War- 
mington,  Penllergaer  Gardens,   Swansea. 

Merionethshire. — Plum  trees  and  early 
varieties  of  Pears  blossomed  freely,  but  the 
young  fruits  were  spoilt  by  frost.  The  fruit  trees 
generally  in  this  district  are  badly  infested  with 
aphis,  and  this  pest  is  especially  prevalent  on 
Black    Currants.     All   the   crops   are   very    late, 


owing  to  the  wet  and  dull  season,  and  what 
promised  to  be  a  record  year  (judging  by  th© 
bloom  prospects)  has  proved  disappointing.  I 
never  remember  such  heavy  crops  of  Red  and 
Black  Currants,  Gooseberries,  and  Raspberries. 
The  ground  here  was  in  a  sodden  and  cold  con- 
dition until  July  11.  John  S.  Higgins,  Rug- 
Gardens,   Corwen. 

Montgomeryshire.— Apples  are  very  plentiful 
in  some  places  around  here,  and  splendid  crops 
of  Lord  Suffield,  Blenheim  Pippin,  and 
others  are  seen.  Pears  are  fairly  plentiful,  but 
some  varieties,  including  Louise  Bonne  of 
Jersey,  Seckle,  Winter  Nelis,  Jargonelle,  and 
Marie  Louise  are  sparsely  cropped,  although  the 
trees  have  not  failed  to  fruit  for  several  years 
past.  Among  Plums,  Greengage  are  fairly  good, 
Magnum  Bonum,  both  the  red  and  the  white 
kinds,  are  bad.  Early  Rivers  good,  and  Victoria 
bad.  The  last  named  has  proved  the  most 
reliable  Plum  in  this  district  in  other  years, 
l'eaeh,  Nectarine,  and  Apricot  trees  are  carry- 
ing splendid  crops,  but  the  fruits  will  be  late  in 
ripening.  Among  small  fruits,  Black,  White, 
and  Red  Currants  are  very  heavy  crops,  but  the 
fruits  are  not  so  large  as  usual.  Our  soil  is  a 
dark  loam  of  a  moderately  light  texture.  G.  L. 
Evans,   Vaynor  Park  Gardens. 

Pkmbrokeshire. — All  hardy  fruits  are  very 
good,  with  the  exception  of  Apples  and  Pears, 
which  suffered  badly  from  hailstorms,  followed 
by  sharp  frosts.  We  have  an  abundance  of 
small  fruits.  Gooseberries  and  Strawberries 
were  never  better.  Royal  Sovereign  St:a\vberry 
is  by  far  the  best  of  the  many  varieties  grown 
here.  Laxton's  Fillbasket  also  does  well.  Our 
soil  is  a  light  loam  resting  on  rock.  II'.  .4. 
Baldwin,  Clynfiew  Gardens,  Boneaih. 

Radnorshire. — Late  frosts  are  accountable  for 
the  loss  of  our  Apple  crop  this  year.  A  few 
Apple  trees  only  are  carrying  a  crop  of  fruits, 
est  being  Cellini,  Duchess  of  Oldenburgh, 
and  Lane's  Prince  Albert.  Trees  of  Louise 
Bonne  of  Jersey  and  Knight's  Monarch  Pears 
have  heavy  crops.  Other  varieties  have  about 
an  average  quantity.  Wall  trees  of  Apricot, 
Peach,  and  Nectarine  are  abundantly  fruited, 
and  the  crop  is  the  heaviest  for  several  years 
past.  Our  soil  is  a  good,  deep,  rather  light 
loam  overlying  the  red  sandstone.  /.  Mae- 
Cormack,  Maesllwch  Castle  Gardens,  Glasbury. 

IRELAND. 
Antrim. — Pear  trees  produced  a  large  quantity 
of  blossom,  and  the  fruits  set  well,  but  the  in- 
clement weather  during  May  and  June,  with 
frequent  hailstorms  caused  most  of  the  fruits  to 
drop.  A  few  varieties  of  Pears  are  carrying  an 
average  crop,  including  Beurre  Diel,  '  Beurre 
Hardy,  Beurre  d'Amanlis,  Gansell's  Bergamot, 
and  Louise  Bonne  of  Jersey.  Plums  are  a  very 
light  crop,  and  the  trees  are  badly  infested  with 
aphis.  In  some  parts  Apples  are  plentiful,  and 
in  other  districts  they  are  a  total  failure.  The 
blossom  of  Apple  trees  rotted  on  the  branches. 
Our  soil  is  a  stiff,  cold,  tenacious  loam  on  a 
very  retentive  clay  sub-soil.  /.  MacLean,  Shanes 
Castle   Gar  dins,    Antrim. 

Galway. — The  season  has  been  the  most  un- 
favourable during  50  years'  experience.  Cold 
winds  at  the  beginning  of  May,  accompanied 
with  heavy  hailstorms,  ruined  the  crops  of 
Plums,  Pears,  and  Damsons.  Apple  trees  pro- 
duced scarcely  any  blossom,  owing,  probably,  to 
the  heavy  crop  of  last  year.  Small  fruits  are  bet- 
ter. Strawberries  were  late  in  ripening.  The 
soil  here  is  of  a  light  texture,  and  rests  on  lime- 
stone ;  it  is  very  poor  in  quality.  Although 
spraying  has  been  practised,  blight  is  appearing 
on  Potato  haulm.  Thomas  Dunne,  Lough  C*tra 
Castle  Gardens,  Gorl. 

Tyrone. — The  season  has  been  one  of  the  most 
backward  on  record.  May  and  June  gave 
scarcely  one  fine  day,  and  the  temperature  only 
exceeded  60°  on  about  10  days  in  the  two 
months.  The  fruit  crops  are  all  very  late.  No 
Strawberries  were  ripe  until  July  10,  and 
the  crop  was  very  poor.  Apple  blossom  did  not 
set  well,  and  many  of  the  fruits  that  did  set  have 
since  fallen,  owing  to  cold  and  w7et.  Pears  have 
set  fairly  well.  Plum  trees  are  generally  carry- 
ing heavy  crops  ;  the  principal  kind  grown  about 
here  is  Victoria.  Gooseberries  are  an  enormous 
crop,  and  other  small  fruits,  including  Black 
Currants,  are  also  heavilv  fruited.     The  Goose- 


20 1 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE, 


[September  14,  1907. 


berrv-mildew  has  appeared  in  this  locality.  Our 
soil  is  a  heavy,  clayey  loam.  Fred.  W .  Walker, 
Sion  House  Gardens,  Sion  Mills. 

.Clare. — All  fruit  trees  produced  a  quantity  of 


weather,  accompanied  by  violent  winds  and 
hailstorms,  caused  the  damage.  Strawberries 
and  bush  fruits  set  large  crops.  Bush  fruits 
have  ripened  well,  but  fully  half  the  crop  of 
Strawberries  was  destroyed  by  the  unfavourable 


Fig.  87. — arctotis  x  regalis:   flowers  white  with  a  yellow  band  around  the 

PURPLE    DISC. 


Cork. — The  Apple  crop  in  the  South  of  Ire- 
land is  the  worst  for  years  past.  Most  of  the 
Apple  orchards  are  completely  bare  of  fruits. 
Pears  are  equally  bad,  but  Gooseberries,  Cur- 
rants,  and  Plums  are  plentiful.  Peaches  out-of- 
doors  are  a  complete  failure.  The  few  Apples 
which  set  on  the  dwarf  garden  trees  have  been 
attacked  by  a  destructive  insect,  which  bores  into 
the  fruit,  causing  it  to  fall  off.    A.  C,  Co.  Cork. 

Periodical  visits  to  the  South  of  Ireland 

extending  over  a  number  of  years,  and  careful 
observation  of  the  soils  a.nd  climate,  convinced 
me  that  the  culture  of  Apples  could  be  carried 
on  there  with  success,  and  when  some 
few  years  ago  an  opportunity  arose  for  the  ac- 
quisition of  a  small  holding  in  County  Cork  I 
at  once  planted  several  varieties  of  bush-trained 
Apple  trees.  My  first  experiment  was  with  12 
varieties,  including  six  of  dessert  and  six  of  culi- 
nary kinds.  The  dessert  varieties  included 
Arlington  Pippin,  Cockle  Pippin,  Cox's  Orange 
Pippin,  Gladstone,  Washington,  and  Worcester 
Pearmain.  For  kitchen  varieties  I  selected  Bis- 
marck, Loddington,  The  Queen,  Stirling  Castle, 
Tower  of  Glamis,  and  Warner's  King.  Of  the 
table  Apples,  Allington  Pippin,  Cockle  Pippin, 
and  Worcester  Pearmain  were  a  distinct  suc- 
cess ;  Gladstone  and  Washington  fairly  so,  but 
Cox's  Orange  Pippin  an  unmistakable  failure. 
Stirling  Castle  has  proved'  a  success,  but 
Bismarck,  Loddington  Pippin,  Tower  of  Glamis, 
and  Warner's  King  have  never  succeeded.  The 
Queen  Apple  seems  peculiarly  adapted  to  this 
neighbourhood,  and  flourishes  like  none  other. 
On  an  adjoining  piece  of  land  I  subsequently 
planted  a  much  larger  variety  of  trees,  but  these 
have  not  been  planted  sufficiently  long 
for  me  to  form  a  fair  opinion  of  them, 
although  many  of  them  promise  well. 
One  prominent  feature  is  the  absolute 
failure  of  Cox's  Orange  Pippin,  and  this  not 
only  in  my  own  case,  but  in  that  of  a  large 
adjoining  grower.  I  am  disposed  to  think  that 
the  soil  is  too  good,  and  have  been  told  by 
a  man  of  the  widest  experience  in  Kent  that 
he  finds  this  variety  succeeds  best  on  poor  soils. 
The  present  year's  crop  will  be  watched  with 
interest,  for  in  this  district  the  weather  during 
the  spring  has  been  abnormal ;  severe  frosts,  con- 
tinuous cold  winds,  and  heavy  hailstorms  have 
damaged  the  Apple  crop,  and  a  great  scarcity  of 
this  fruit  exists.  Whilst  some  varieties  are  fairly 
well  cropped,  others  have  failed  altogether,  and 
a  severe  attack  of  Codlin  moth  has  destroyed  the 
greater  part  of  the  fruit  which  did  set.  The 
effect  of  the  weather  is  peculiarly  noticeable  in 
the  case  of  Allington  Pippin  ;  this  variety,  which 
has  done  well  up  to  this  year,  is  a  total  failure, 
and  the  severe  climatic  conditions  existing  in 
April  and  May  so  seriously  injured  the  trees 
that  I  am  doubtful  if  they  will  recover.  The 
district  included  in  the  valleys  of  the  Blackwater 
and  Bride  cannot  be  surpassed  for  Apple  cul- 
ture, and  evidences  exist  in  the  remains  of 
ancient  orchards  and  the  traces  of  cider-making 
plant,  that  at  no  very  remote  date  Apples  were 
largely  grown,  and  cider-making  extensively  car- 
ried on  in  this  part.  With  the  advantages  gained 
under  the  Land  Purchase  Act,  this  branch  of 
Agriculture  may  be  revived,  and  an  industry 
resuscitated  which  should  greatly  benefit  all 
classes.      Clement  B.   Broad,   Co.  Cork. 


blossom,  but  owing  to  the  unseasonable  weather 
at  the  flowering  period,  the  crops  of  Plums, 
Pears  and  Apples  were  ruined.  The  district  was 
free  from  spring  frosts,  but  the  long,  cold,  wet 


wt.ither.  Our  soil  is  a  heavy  and  retentive 
loam  overlying  a  sub-soil  principally  of  cold, 
retentive  clay.  Alfred  Barker,  Carrigoran,  New- 
market-on-Fergus. 


ARCTOTIS    x    REGALIS. 

The  hybrid  Arctotis  illustrated  at  fig.  87 
was  raised  from  a  cross  effected  by  M.  Sprenger, 
of  Vomero,  near  Naples,  between  the  species  A. 
aureola  (orange  coloured)  and  A.  stoechadifolia 
or  grandis,  as  it  is  better  known  in  gardens 
(white,  with  mauve  colour  on  the  ex- 
terior of  the  segments).  At  the  last  meeting  of 
the  Royal  Horticultural  Society,  flowers  were 
shown  by  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence,  Bart.,  Burford 
(gr.  Mr.  W.  Bain),  when  an  Award  of  Merit 
was  recommended  the  hybrid  after  an  inspec- 
tion by  the  Floral  Committee.  The  size  of  the 
flowers  may  be  seen  in  the  illustration  ;  they 
are  pure  white,  except  for  the  purple  disc,  and 
an  extremely  narrow  band  of  j'ellow  on  the 
ray  florets  immediately  around  the  base  of 
the  disc.  On  the  exterior  of  the  ray  seg- 
ments there  is  a  suspicion  of  pale  purple.  Each 
flower  is  produced  on  an  erect  stem,  more  than 
1  foot  in  height.     Mr.  Gumbletcn,  writing  from 


September  14,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS     CHRONICLE. 


205 


Eelgrove,  Queenstown,  states  that  the  flowers 
of  A.  X  regalis  are  not  so  large  as  those  of  A. 
aureola,  and  that  the  hybrid's  best  quality  is 
that  of  free-flowering.  Mr.  Gumbleton  thinks 
that  A.  regalis  may  be  described  as  a  "  perennial 
form  of  its  annual  parent.  A.  stoechadifolia 
grandis,  having  obtained  its  perennial  habit 
from  A.  aureola." 


HOME    CORRESPONDENCE. 

(The  Editor  does  not  hold  himself  responsible  for  the 
opinions  expressed  by  his  correspondents.) 
"Silver  Leaf." — The   opinion  seems   to   be 
held  very  generally  that  a  tree,   when  once   at- 
tacked  by   silver   leaf,    never  recovers ;    and   in 

.answer  to  certain  questions  on  the  subject  which 
were  circulated  a  short  time  ago,  none  of  our 
English  correspondents  were  able  to  mention 
any  instance  of  recovery  as  having  come  within 
their  knowledge.  A  correspondent  from  New 
Zealand,  however,  mentioned  several  such  in- 
stances, and  the  following  facts  will  show  that 
recovery  in  this  country  also  is  by  no  means  un- 
common. A  plantation  at  Harpenden,  where 
silver  leaf  had  been  previously  unknown,  was 
badly  attacked  by  it  in  1905.  Of  the  trees  which 
had  been  attacked  14  were  left  standing  at  the 
beginning  of  this  year,  12  of  them  being  well- 
grown  standards  of  the  Victoria  Plum,  some  16 
years  old,  and  the  other  two  dwarf  Damson 
trees.  Of  these  14  trees  four  now  show  no  signs 
of  saver  leaf,  the  recovered  trees  being  three 
Victoria  Plums  and  one  Damson.  Most  of  the 
Victorias  had  all  their  branches  lopped  off  close 
to  the  stems  in  the  winter  ;  but  all  those  that 
have  recovered  are  trees  which  were  left  intact. 
This  is  probably  accidental,  and  it  would  not 
be  safe  to  conclude,  without  further  evidence, 
that  the  removal  of  affected  branches  does  not 
help  the  recovery  of  the  tree.  Out  of  a  dozen 
1'lum  trees  smne  15  years  old,  at  Ridgmont, 
which  were  affected  last  year,  only  one  has  re- 
covered ;  but  in  a  plantation  of  two-year-old 
trees  of  Monarch,  Czar,  Early  Prolific,  and  Vic- 

■  toria  Plums,  the  percentage  of  recovery  has  been 
very  large.  Forty-eight  of  these  trees  had  been 
inoculated  with  the  fungus  Stereum  purpureum, 
and  38  of  them  had,  in  consequence,  become  sil- 
vered :  nine  of  the  38  died  and  were  removed, 
the  fungus  having  made  its  appearance  on  the 
dead  wood.  This  left  29  trees  standing  which 
had  been  affected  last  year,  and  of  these  as  many 
as  14  show  nn  signs  of  silvering  now.  A  ten- 
dency to  recover  is  also  shown  in  the  15  trees 
which  are  still  silvered,  for  the  percentage  of 
their  foliage  which  was  affected  last  year  was, 
on  the  average,  77,  and  it  is  now  only  42.  The 
trees  which  have  recovered  entirely  were,  as 
might  be  expected,  those  which-  were  least  af- 
fected, though  there  are  exceptions  to  this  rule  ; 
and  there  are  also  exceptional  trees  which  show 
more  silvering  now  than  they  did  last  year.  Pro- 
bably the  present  season  has  been  exceptionally 
favourable  for  recovery,  just  as  1904  and  1905 
seem  to  have  been  exceptionally  favourable  for 
the  spread  of  the  disease.  A  remedy  for  silver 
leaf  has  lately  been  suggested  in  all  seriousness, 
which  consists  in  boring  a  hole  into  the  heart  of 
the  tree  and  stuffing  it  with  iron  sulphate. 
Remedies  such  as  these  savour  a  little  too  much 
of  the  quackery  of  the  Middle  Ages.  Trees 
which  have  been  thus  treated  may,  of  course, 
have  recovered,  but  only  in  spite  of,  and  not  in 
consequence  of,  the  treatment,  for  recovery,  as 
is  seen,  is  possible,  and  not  very  infrequent, 
Without  any  treatment  at  all.    Spencer  Pickering. 

Transplanting  Seedlings. — In  many  in- 
stances transplanting  is  neither  economical  nor 
profitable,  especially  during  dry  weather.  It  is 
the  usual  practice  to  transplant  Cabbages  twice, 
once  from  the  seed-bed  to  a  growing  quarter  and 
again  in  October  to  their  permanent  quarters. 
One  planting  should  be  sufficient.  A  thin  sowing 
should  be  made  on  c.--ui  ground  that  has  had 
plenty  of  Hop  manure  incorporated  with  it.  The 
seedlings  will  develop  an  abundance  of  fibrous 
roots,  so  that  when  finally  planted  out  in  October 
their  success  is  assured.  Another  method  is  to 
partially  lift  the  plants  with  a  fork  during  Sep- 
tember when  the  ground  is  moist  and  the  weather 
dull,  and  afterwards  carefully  tread  them  in  again. 
This  practice  favours  the  development  of  new 
roots  and  prevents  the  plants  from  "  bolting  " 
after  they  are  finally  planted.     This  practice  may 


also  be  applied  to  Cow  or  Cattle  Cabbage.  In 
the  case  of  biennial  and  annual  flowers,  thin 
sowing  has  its  advantages  when  good  seeds  are 
used.  Annuals  sown  in  groups  or  patches  can  be 
suitably  thinned,  and  sown  thus  they  develop  into 
finer  specimens  than  those  that  are  transplanted. 
Biennials  can  be  sown  in  lines  drawn  1  foot  to 
18  inches  apart.  The  seedlings  can  be  thinned 
from  3  to  6  inches  apart  according  to  the  size  of 
the  plant.  A  partial  lifting  and  treading  the 
plants  in  again  in  spring,  such  as  was  recom- 
mended for  Cabbages,  will  ensure  a  fibrous  root- 
growth  previous  to  replanting.    /.  D.  G. 

Hydrangeas  in  Tubs. — On  p.  152  Mr.  A.  R. 

Pearce  states  that  during  a  recent  visit 
to  Boughton  Park  Gardens,  he  saw  plants 
uf  Hydrangea  Hortensia  each  carrying  over  100 
fully-expanded  inflorescences,  with  others  in  the 
bud  state.  In  these  gardens  are  seven  plants 
of  this  Hydrangea  in  tubs.  The  specimens 
measure  from  6  to  8  feet  in  diameter,  and  col- 
lectively the  plants  are  carrying  1,379  fully- 
expanded  flowers  and  buds.  One  plant  has  223 
heads  of  bloom,  and  another  206.  The  plants, 
for  want  of  a  better  accommodation,  were  stored 
during  last  winter  in  a  low  open  shed,  and  the 
only  other  protection  they  had  was  during 
severe  weather,  when  a  mat  was  hung  round 
them.  The  principal  item  in  the  successful 
culture  of  Hydrangeas  is  to  give  them  an  abund- 
ance  of  water  during  their  growing  season,  and 
to  feed  them  with  a  little  artificial  manure.  E. 
S.  Pigg,  Little  Tangley  Gardens,  near  Guildford. 

Primula  obconica. — Attention  is  directed  to 
the  poisonous  properties  of  this  plant  by  Mr.  C. 
Burrows,  at  page  173.  The  hands  when  affected 
readily  convey  the  poison  to  other  parts  of  the 
body,  and  in  this  manner  the  eyes,  nose,  mouth, 
&C.i  may  be  speedily  affected.  The  irritation  can 
in  a  great  measure  be  allayed  by  an  application  of 
carbolic  ointment,  but  care  should  be  taken  not  to 
break  or  rupture  the  pustules.  I  suffered  for 
several  years  from  the  poison  of  this  plant  before 
I  found  what  was  causing  "  my  disease  "  by 
reading  a  note  on  the  subject  in  the  Gardeners' 
Chronicle.  Since  that  time  I  have  handled  the 
Primula  on  two  occasions  only,  once  purposely 
for  experiment,  and  once  accidentally  by  the  leaves 
brushing  the  hand  when  passing  the  plants.  On 
each  of  these  occasions  I  experienced  a  severe 
attack  of  what  is  erroneously  called  eczema. 
Primula  sinensis  will  affect  some  persons  in  the 
same  manner.  E.  H.  Jenkins,  Hampton  Hill,  [We 
have  received  many  more  letters  on  this  subject, 
which  in  the  main  bear  out  statements  that  have 
already  been  made  by  our  correspondents. — Ed.] 

The  Pink-flowered  Clove  Carnation. — 

Mr.  C.  Young,  on  p.  188,  correctly  stated  the  origin 
of  this  variety.  During  the  14  years  that  I  was  at 
Warren  House,  Kingston-on-Thames,  border  Car- 
nations were  grown  in  large  numbers,  especially 
the  old  crimson  Clove  which  was  a  great  favourite 
of  the  late  Lady  Wolverton.  It  was,  I  think,  in 
1887  that  I  found  one  of  the  spikes  from  a  crimson 
Clove  Carnation  showing  pink  flowers  (the  other 
flowering  stems  on  the  same  plant  were  all  crimson 
flowers).  I  layered  the  two  or  three  young  shoots 
and  from  these  I  eventually  raised  enough  speci- 
mens of  the  pink-flowered  variety  to  furnish 
several  large  beds.  I  have  never  noticed  in  this 
variety  any  signs  of  reversion  to  the  crimson  form. 
Being  a  purely  vegetative  sport  the  habit  was 
exactly  that  of  its  parent,  but  the  flowers  were  a 
clear  shade  of  pink.  I  intended  to  name  it  "  Lady 
Wolverton,"  but  understood  at  that  time  there 
was  already  a  pink-flowered  Clove-scented  Carna- 
tion in  existence,  and  as  the  nurseryman's  cata- 
logues mentioned  a  "  Blush  Clove  "  I  decided  not 
to  do  so,  but  continued  to  cultivate  it  under  the 
name  of  "  Pink  Clove."  The  pink-flowered  Clove 
Carnation  mentioned  by  Mr.  Alex.  Dean,  on  p.  172, 
probably  came,  in  the  first  instance,  from  Warren 
House,  as  during  the  sale  of  plants  in  1894  many 
plants  were  distributed  in  the  immediate  neighbour- 
hood.    Geo.  Woodeate,  Rolleston  Hall  Gardens. 


NEW     ENVENTION. 


Mr.  J.  Campbell  Pool,  of  15,  Carrs  Lane,  Birmingham, 
has  sent  us  a  new  garden  tool  for  transplanting  small  plants. 
The  implement  consists  of  a  hollow  cylinder,  having  handles 
at  one  end,  the  use  of  which  is  to  enable  the  operator  to  push 
the  tool  into  the  ground,  and  by  a  twist  remove  a  core  of 
soil.  This  is  pushed  from  the  cylinder  by  another  smaller 
one.  In  transplanting.-the  operation  is  the  same,  the  "  head  " 
of  the  plant  being  drawn  through  the  top  of  the  tool,  and  the 
entire  soil  and  roots  removed  to  fit  a  corresponding  hole 
that  has  already  been  made. 


SOCIETIES. 

ROYAL   HORTICULTURAL. 

Scientific  Committee. 

September  3.— Present :  E.  A.  Bowles,  Esq., 
M.A.,  F.L.S.  (in  the  chair)  ;  Dr.  A.  B.  Rendle  ; 
Messrs.  A.  Worsley,  W.  Cuthbertson,  A.  W. 
Sutton,  H.  T.  Giissow,  J.  T.  Bennett-Poe,  J. 
Odell,  G.  Massee,  G.  S.  Saunders,  and  F.  J. 
Chittenden  (hon.   sec). 

Mildew  on  Maple. — Mr.  H.  T.  Gussow 
showed  leaves  of  a  species  of  Acer  attacked  by 
the  conidial  form  of  the  fungus  Uncinula  aceris 
so  frequent  on  Acer  campestre. 

Currant  leaves  diseased. — Mr.  Saunders 
showed  leaves  of  Currant  attacked  by  the  fun- 
gus Glceosporium  ribis,  which  Mr.  GUSSOW 
stated  had  recently  been  found  to  be  a  stage  in 
the  life  history  of  the  fungus  Pseudopeziza  ribis 
(see  fig.  in  Gardeners'  Chronicle,  Sept.  7,  p.  180). 

Propagation  of  Potato  diseases. — Mr.  Cuth- 
bertson showed  the  produce  of  two  tubers  of 
Potato  which  had  been  sent  to  the  committee 
last  year  attacked  by  the  fungus  causing  "  win- 
ter rot."  Both  tubers  had  grown  normally,  and 
had  produced  a  fair  crop.  He  proposed  to  keep 
these  tubers  through  the  winter  in  order  to  dis- 
cover whether  or  not  the  disease  would  appear 
in  them.  Mr.  Sutton  observed  that  in  certain 
experiments  carried  out  by  him  at  Reading  this 
year  it  was  found  that  tubers  of  Potato  attacked 
by  the  fungus  Phytophthora  infestans,  and 
employed  as  sets,  yielded  about  70  per  cent,  of 
normal   plants  free  from   disease. 

Mcndelian  laws  of  inheritance. — Mr.  Worsley 
brought  up  this  question  with  reference  to  the 
colours  of  certain  Bean  flowers  which  he  ex- 
hibited, and  the  need  for  further  extended  care- 
ful experiment  was  insisted  upon. 

Fig  leaves  diseased.- — Mr.  Bowles  showed 
leaves  of  the  fruiting  Fig  much  disfigured  by  ir- 
regular brown  and  yellow-brown  patches  of  var- 
iable size.  The  appearance  is  due  to  the  attacks 
of  a  fungus,  Cercospora  Bolleana,  which  develops 
its  fructification  on  the  dead  leaves,  and  hiber- 
nates in  the  stem  of  the  plant,  so  that  it  is 
carried  over  from  one  year  to  the  next. 

Mai  formation  of  Myosotis. — Mr.  Bowles  also 
exhibited  a  specimen  of  Myosotis  palustris, 
which  he  had  collected  in  Suffolk,  near  Ips- 
wich, having  the  calyx  lobes  much  enlarged, 
and  the  spike  somewhat  lengthened.  Each  in- 
florescence on  the  plant  had  exhibited  the  same 
structure. 

Mint  rust. — Plants  of  Peppermint  from  near 
Dorking  were  sent  badly  attacked  by  the  Mint 
rust,  or  "  snuff,"  as  the  trouble  is  locally  called. 
The  small  reddish  spots  which  occur  on  the 
leaves  in  abundance  at  this  season  of  the  year 
are  the  uredo  form  of  the  fungus  Puccinia  men- 
thae,  and  the  mycelium  of  the  fungus  hibernates 
in  the  underground  portions  of  the  plant,  so 
that  no  cure  can  be  suggested.  If  external  con- 
ditions are  favourable,  the  disease  is  sure  to 
make  itself  evident  in  the  succeeding  year. 

Galls  on  Walnut  leaf. — Mr.  W.  C.  Worsdell 
sent  from  Westmoreland  leaves  of  Juglans  regia 
having  rather  large  swellings  on  the  upper  sur- 
face of  the  leaf  with  corresponding  hollows  on 
the  lower  surface.  These  malformations,  which 
are  frequent  on  Walnut  leaves,  are  due  to  the 
attack  on  the  leaf  of  a  mite,  Eriophyes  tristralis 
var.  erinea. 

Gooseberry-mildew. — Dr.  C.  B.  Plowright  sent 
shoots  of  Gooseberry  badly  attacked  by  the  mil- 
dew, Microsphaera  grossulariae,  the  well-known 
European  Gooseberry-mildew,  with  the  follow- 
ing note  :  "  These  shoots  were  gathered  from  a 
garden  which  a  friend  of  mine  planted  some 
years  ago  with  fruit  trees  and  Gooseberry 
bushes.  The  latter  became  affected  with  a  mil- 
dew so  badly  that  they  had  to  be  destroyed  be- 
cause they  bore  no  fruit,  and  if  by  any  chance 
they  did  so  it  never  ripened.  When  the  Ameri- 
can fungus  appeared  in  this  county  (Norfolk) 
one  naturally  suspected  it  had  been  the  cause. 
It  so  happened  that  a  score  or  two  bushes  had 
been  left  in  the  garden,  for  although  they  never 
ripened  fruit  yet  they  bore  a  sufficient  quantity 
to  pay  for  gathering  whilst  still  green.  On  speci- 
mens of  the  bushes  examined  during  last  winter 
no  traces  of  the  winter  state  of  Sphasrotheca  mors- 
uvae  were  to  be  found,  nor  is  it  present  now. 
The  moral  is,  do  not  despise  old  enemies.  Here 
is    an    instance   in   which   hundreds    of   young 


206 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[September  14,  1907. 


bushes  in  the  frnit-bearing  stage  were  destroyed 
because  they  were  affected  by  a  fungus  with 
which  I  was  acquainted  as  a  boy.  One  is  in- 
clined to  ask,  would  it  not  have  paid  to  have 
sprayed  them?" 

Change  of  colour  in  germinating  Acorns. — Dr. 
Plowright  also  sent  specimens  illustrating  the 
following  observations  :  "  The  colour  which  ger- 
minating Acorns  often  assume  is  frequently  con- 
siderable. The  specimens  sent  herewith  were 
gathered  near  King's  Lynn  in  the  spring  of  the 
present  year.  A  deep  reddish  tint  more  than 
usually  distinct  was  the  cause  of  their  being 
examined  more  carefully,  when  it  was  seen  that 
not  only  was  the  external  surface  coloured  red, 
but  that  in  some  places  distinct  yellow  and 
greenish  shades  were  observable.  The  colora- 
tion is  external,  and  is  possibly  due  to  some 
form  of  oxidisation."  The  coloration  referred 
to  was  still  very  distinct,  showing  that  it  is 
persistent  for  many  months. 

British  dye  plants.— Dr.  Plowright  also  sent 
-skeins  of  worsted  dyed  with  British  wild  plants  : 
<1)  bore  a  delicate  shade  of  light  green  pro- 
duced from  the  young  flower  heads  of  Phrag- 
mites  communis,  the  common  Reed,  mor- 
daunted  with  alum.  Previous  experiments  with 
older  flower  heads  gave  a  much  darker  colour. 
(2)  was  of  a  dark  green  colour  (olive),  the  re- 
sult of  treatment  with  iron  sulphate  following 
the  treatment  of  No.  1.  (3)  Bidens  tripartita  is 
not  mentioned  by  Linnaeus  as  a  dye  plant,  but 
it  gives  a  yellow  more  approaching  orange  than 
that  given  by  other  British  dye  plants.  (4) 
Chrysanthemum  segetum  gives  a  yellow  more 
like  that  of  other  dye  plants,  but  it  is  not  noted 
by  Linnaeus  as  a  fast  colour. 

Malformed  inflorescence. — An  interesting  speci- 
men of  Sempervivum  spinulosum  came  from  the 
Hon.  Walter  Rothschild,  in  which  the  in- 
florescence bore  only  a  few  flowers,  and  was 
crowned  by  a  rosette  of  foliage  leaves  quite  like 
the  rosettes  at  the  base  of  the  plant.  The  lower 
leaves  of  the  rosette  bore  flower  buds  in  their 
axils. 

TRIAL  OF  CANNAS  AT  WISLEY. 

September  6. — The  third  and  final  inspection 
of  the  trial  of  Cannas  in  the  YVisley  Garden 
was  made  on  the  above  date,  the  following 
members  of  the  Floral  Committee  being  pre- 
sent :  W.  Marshall,  Esq.  (chairman),  and 
Messrs.  George  Nicholson,  W.  Bain,  C.  T. 
Druery,  T.  W.  Turner,  J.  Douglas,  J.  Jennings, 
W.  Howe,  and  R.  Hooper  Pearson. 

Awards  of  Merit  were  recommended  to  the 
four  varieties  whose  names  follow  : — 

Canna  "  Venus." — A  fine  flower  of  a  soft  shade 
of  rose,  with  mottling  of  white  around  the  mar- 
gins of  the  segments.  Height  of  plant,  2  feet 
6  inches. 

C.  Hesperide. — The  flowers  of  this  variety  are 
orange  or  orange-red  coloured,  and  are  equal  to 
the  best  of  this  type.  Height  of  plant,  2  feet 
<5  inches. 

C.  Duke  of  York. — This  variety  is  one  we  com- 
mented favourably  upon  in  the  issue  for  August 
34.  It  failed  to  get  an  award  at  the  previous 
inspection.  The  flowers  are  of  a  dull  shade  of 
magenta,  but  have  bright  yellow-coloured  mar- 
gins. The  foliage  is  green,  and  the  plants  have 
a  sturdy  growth  scarcely  2  feet  in  height. 

C.  Burbank. — This  variety  is  in  general  culti- 
vation, but  has  not  previously  been  given  an 
award  beyond  that  of  three  marks.  The  flowers 
are  of  large  size,  but  somewhat  lacking  in 
substance.  The  colour  is  canary-yellow,  with 
sparse,   red  spotting. 

Remarks  were  again  made  upon  the  good 
cultivation  seen  in  the  Cannas  generally,  and  on 
a  question  being  addressed  to  Mr.  Wright  as  to 
the  kind  of  manure  that  had  been  applied  to 
the  plants,  it  was  elicited  that  exclusive  use  had 
been  made  of  Peruvian  guano. 

Notes  upon  the  earlier  inspection  of  the 
Cannas  will  be  found  in  our  issue  for  August 
34,  p.  135. 

Awards  of  Merit  were  also  recommended  to 
the  following  three  varieties  of  Perennial  Aster, 
a  variety  of  East  Lothian  Stock,  and  a  variety 
•of  Larkspur : — 

Aster  "  While  Queen." — Recommended  for  its 
earliness  in  flowering.  Flowers  white,  with 
yellow  disc,  the  disc  subsequently  turning  quite 
brown. 


A.  "Mrs.  Davis  Evans."- — Recommended  for 
its  early  flowering  and  compact  habit  of  growth. 
Height,  2£  feet.  Colour  of  flowers,  mauve- 
purple. 

A.  "Miss  Stafford." — Recommended  for  its 
early  flowering.  Height,  2  feet.  Colour  of 
flowers,  a  pinkish  shade  of  red. 

It  was  noticed  that  some  varieties  were  badly 
mildewed,  yet  others  adjacent  to  them  were 
perfectly  free  from   the  fungus. 

East  Lothian  Stock,  "  While  Wallflower 
Leaved." — An  Award  of  Merit  was  given  to  an 
exceedingly  good  strain  of  this  type  of  Stock. 
The  seeds  were  sown  in  spring,  and  the  tallest 
plants  were  only  1  foot  in  height,  yet  some  had 
produced  as  many  as  nine  excellent  spikes  of 
good  flowers. 

Larkspur. — The  strain  of  the  annual  Larkspur 
known  as  "  Carmine  Empress "  having  proved 
usually  true,  an  Award  of  Merit  was  granted 
it.  The  plants  were  from  4  feet  to  5  feet  in 
height,  and  were  much  admired. 


NATIONAL    DAHLIA. 

(Concluded  frontpage  192.) 

September  5,  6. — We  were  enabled  to  insert 
in  our  last  issue  the  names  of  the  winners  in  the 
more  important  classes.  Judged  from  a  general 
point  of  view,  the  show  was  about  equal,  or 
very  nearly  equal,  to  the  best  of  its  predecessors. 
The  exhibits  were  arranged  in  the  southern  end 
of  the  Palace,  instead  of  the  central  transept  as 
last  year.  The  attendance  of  visitors  was  large 
throughout  the  day,  and  in  the  evening  the 
building  was  thronged,  but  other  attractions 
were  no  doubt  largely  responsible  for  this  big 
gathering. 

New  seedling  Dahlias  were  not  lacking,  and 
amongst  the  Cactus-flowered  type  were  several 
excellent  novelties. 

As  recorded  in  the  last  number,  the  best  dis- 
play of  48  blooms  of  Show  varieties  were  shown 
by  Mr.  John  Walker,  Thame,  Oxon.  There 
were  three  contestants  in  the  class,  the  others 
being  Mr.  W.  Treseder,  Cardiff,  and  Mr. 
Mortimer,  Rowledge,  Farnham,  Surrey,  who 
were  awarded  the  2nd  and  3rd  prizes  in  the 
order  named.  The  winning  flowers  were  a  re- 
markably fine  exhibit,  the  best  examples  being 
Perfection  (yellow,  tinged  with  reddish-brown), 
John  Walker  (white),  J.  C.  Reid  (bronze,  tinged 
with  rose  and  with  a  rose  reverse),  Harrison 
Weir  (yellow),  Mrs.  Foreman  (magenta),  Dia- 
dem (crimson),  Duke  of  Fife  (scarlet),  John 
Hickling  (yellow),  Arthur  Rawlings  (crimson), 
Mrs.  Gladstone  (flesh  pink,  a  most  beautiful 
shade),  and  Mrs.  David  Saunders.  Other 
varieties  shown  by  Mr.  Walker  included  :  Mrs. 
W.  Slack,  Kathleen,  Mariner,  Miss  Cannell, 
Golden  Gem,  Henry  Clarke,  Mr.  Glasscock,  Vir- 
ginale,  T.  J.  Saltmarsh,  Victor,  Mrs.  W.  Trese- 
der, John  Rawlings,  Shirley  Hibberd,  the 
Reverend,  Harbinger,  Mrs.  Morgan,  Thomas 
Tendered,  Dr.  Kevnes,  Duchess  of  York,  Ethel 
Britton,  J.  T.  West,  Mrs.  F.  Foreman,  Hero, 
Lord  Salisbury,  Blush  Gem,  Comte  de  la  Saux, 
and   a  crimson-coloured   seedling  variety. 

In  the  class  for  24  blooms  for  Show  varieties 
there  were  seen  four  exhibits.  The  best  blooms, 
as  stated  last  week,  were  shown  by  Messrs. 
Keynes,  Williams  &  Co.,  Salisbury.  Some  of 
the  flowers  in  the  1st  prize  collection  were  very 
large,  especially  those  of  Mr.  Glasscock  (purple), 
Daniel  Cornish,  and  Rebecca  (crimson).  Other 
prominent  blooms  were  those  labelled  Perfec- 
tion, A.  Rawlings,  Harrison  Weir,  George 
Barnes  (a  very  fine  self-coloured  variety),  Thos. 
Hobbs,  John  Hickling,  Henrietta  (soft  rose- 
pink),  and  Warrior  (a  very  handsome  shade  of 
scarlet). 

Fancy  Dahlias. 

The  largest  class,  that  for  18  blooms  of  dis- 
tinct varieties,  attracted  two  exhibitors  only, 
viz.,  Mr.  William  Treseder  and  Mr.  Walker, 
who  won  in  this  order.  The  1st  prize  collection 
was  uniformly  good,  the  colours  of  the  flowers 
being  especially  fine.  Notable  varieties  were: 
John  Britton  and  Frank  Pierce,  the  two  top 
corner  blooms,  also  Emin  Pasha,  Matthew 
Campbell,  Gaiety,  John  Cooper,  Watchman,  Ed- 
mund Boston,  Lottie  Eckford,  Mrs.  Saunders 
(yellow  florets  tipped  with  white),  Comte  de  la 
Saux,  Sunset,  Comedian,  Rev.  J.  B.  M.  Camm, 
Mabel,  and  Distinction. 

The    smaller   class    for    12   blooms    of    Fancy 


Dahlias  was  better  contested,  as  five  exhibits 
were  seen,  the  best  being  shown  by  Messrs.  J. 
Cray  &  Sons,  Frome.  Rev.  Camm,  B.  Bell, 
Prince  Henry,  F.  W.  Girdleston  (a  fine  big 
flower  of  a  rich  plum  colour),  Mrs.  Saunders, 
F.  Pierce,  Sunset,  Mabel,  Dorothy,  Hero,  and 
H.  Clarke  were  notable  examples  in  the  premier 
display.  Second,  Mr.  Mortimer,  with  an 
evenly-matched  stand  of  flowers. 

A  class  was  provided  for  Show  and  Fancy 
varieties  intermixed.  This  brought  forth  a  poor 
competition,  only  two  exhibits  being  staged,  the 
best  by  Mr.  J.  R.  Tranter,  Henley-on-Thames. 

Cactus  Dahlias. 

The  principal  class  for  Cactus-flowered  varie- 
ties was  that  for  18  varieties,  in  bunches  of  six 
blooms  each.  The  chief  honour  in  this  class  has 
been  won  on  several  former  occasions  by  Messrs. 
J.  Stredwick  &  Son,  Silverhill  Nurseries,  St. 
Leonards,  who  were  again  the  best  exhibitors. 
All  the  varieties  shown  were  raised  by  the  ex- 
hibitors, including  11  new  flowers  presented  for 
the  first  time  this  season.  Of  these  varieties  three 
received  the  Society's  Certificate  of  Merit,  and 
one  of  these,  to  which  the  name  of  C.  E.  Wilkins 
was  appended,  was  awarded  a  Silver  Medal  as 
being  the  best  bunch  of  Cactus  Dahlias  in  the 
professional  classes.  A  description  of  this 
variety  will  be  found  under  Awards.  The  other 
varieties  were  :  Ivernia,  Rev.  A.  Bridge,  Harold 
Peerman  (yellow),  Ruby  Grinsted  (pink,  with  a 
yellow  centre),  Helium  (bronze,  merging  to  a 
yellow  in  the  centre),  Dorothy  (pink,  a  fine  big 
bloom),  Chamois  (buff,  with  orange-coloured 
centre),  Mrs.  F.  Grinsted  (purplish-mauve,  with 
magenta  showing  on  the  tips  of  the  florets), 
Mrs.  Macmillan  (pink),  J.  B.  Riding,  Clara 
(pink),  Dr.  G.  G.  Gray  (scarlet),  Mrs.  W.  H. 
Raby  (creamy-white),  George  Gordon,  and 
Alfred  Dyer.  2nd,  Messrs.  J.  Burrell  & 
Co.  ;  3rd,  Messrs.  J.  Cheal  &  Sons,  Crawley. 

Messrs.  Keynes,  Williams  &  Co.  won  the  1st 
prize  in  the  class  for  48  blooms  of  Cactus- 
flowered  varieties,  and  Mr.  Humphries  in  the 
smaller  class  for  24  blooms. 

Pompon  Varieties. 

Class  11  was  for  24  varieties  of  this  type,  and 
it  brought  forth  four  displays.  The  best  was 
put  up  by  Mr.  C.  Turner,  Royal  Nurseries, 
Slough.  The  varieties  were  well-known  kinds, 
such  as :  Phyllis,  Tommy  Keith,  San  Toy, 
Mignon,  Clarence,  Jessica,  Josephine,  Bacchus, 
Isabel,  Hecla,  Ideal,  Cyril,  Thora,  Sybil, 
Asperia,  Minnie,  Romulus,  Mary,  Marietta, 
Queen  of  Whites,  Darkest  of  All,  and  Daisy. 
Second,  Mr.  Seale,  with  Jessica,  Harbinger, 
Trojan,   Bacchus,   Silvia,   6cc. 

Mr.  Burrell  was  1st  in  the  class  for  12 
varieties. 

Single  Dahlias. 

The  Single  varieties  were  represented  by 
several  good  displays,  although  they  were  not 
so  numerous  as  the  Show  and  Cactus  types.  In 
the  class  for  24  varieties  Messrs.  J.  Cheal  & 
SONS,  Crawley,  won  the  1st  prize  with  an  evenly- 
balanced  array  of  blooms,  prominent  varieties 
being  Alice  Castle,  Formosa,  Kitty,  Columbine, 
Eclipse,  Tommy,  Miss  Roberts,  Darkness,  &c. ; 
2nd,  Mr.  M.  V.  Seale,  Sevenoaks ;  3rd,  Messrs. 
J.  Cray  &  Sons,  Frome. 

Amateurs'   Classes. 

The  winners  of  the  Silver  Challenge  Cup  in 
Class  15,  for  24  blooms  of  Show  Dahlias,  as 
announced  in  the  last  issue,  were  Messrs.  Webb 
&  Thompson,  Kingswood,  Bristol,  these  gentle- 
men being  the  joint  owners  of  one  garden.  Their 
flowers  were  splendid  examples,  having  remark- 
ably good  build  and  excellent  colouring.  The 
varieties  were  similar  to  those  we  have 
enumerated  in  the  nurserymen's  classes.  (See 
report  of  fatal  accident  on  p.  203.) 

Mr.  W.  E.  Peters,  The  Hbspice,  Holmhurst, 
St.  Leonards,  won  the  Silver  Challenge  Cup 
offered  for  nine  varieties  of  Cactus  Dahlias  in 
this  exhibit.  The  variety  J.  B.  Riding  was 
awarded  the  Silver  Medal  offered  for  the  best 
bunch  of  Cactus  Dahlias  in  the  amateurs' 
classes. 

Other  prominent  winners  in  the  amateurs 
classes  were :  Miss.  C.  A.  Gladstone,  Swan- 
more,  Bishop's  Waltham,  Hants  ;  and  Messrs. 
J.  Bryant,  Salisbury ;  G.  Boothroyde  ;  T. 
Jones,  Ruabon,  Wales ;  and  H.  Brown,  Luton, 
Beds. 


September  14,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


207 


First-Class  Certificates. 

Dahlia  C.  E.  Wilkins  (Cactus). — A  large, 
finely-shaped  flower,  with  a  pale  yellow  centre, 
shading  to  salmon-pink  in  the  florets,  which  are 
narrow  and  recurving. 

D.  Ivtrnia  (Cactus J.—-A  big  flower  of  fawny- 
bronze  shade. 

D.  Rev.  Arthur  Bridge  (Cactus). — A  variety 
with  pink  florets  and  a  yellowish  centre ;  the 
shade  of  pink  is  deeper  than  in  C.  E.  Wilkins, 
which  is  much  the  better  flower. 

These  three  varieties  were  shown  by  Messrs. 
J.  Stredwick  &  Son. 

D.  Flame  (Cactus). — A  variety  of  orange-scar- 
let colour,  a  shade  lighter  than  in  the  well- 
known  H.  Shoesmith.  Shown  by  Mr.  H.  Shoe- 
smith. 

D.  Crimson  Prince  (Single). — A  flower  of  good 
form  of  the  colour  indicated  by  its  name. 
Shown  by  Messrs.  Webb  &  Thompson. 

D.  Mauve  Queen  (Cactus). — See  p.  190  ante. 

D.  Peggy  (Single). — See  p.  190  ante. 

D.  The  Bride  (Decorative  Cactus). — A  white, 
diminutive  flower  of  the  Cactus  type. 

These  last  three  were  shown  by  Messrs.  J. 
Cheal  &  Sons. 

Non-Competitive  Exhibits. 
Messrs.  John  Laing  &  Sons,  Forest  pill, 
London;  T.  S.  Ware,  Ltd.,  Feltham  (Silver- 
Gilt  Medal)  ;  Hobbies,  Ltd.,  Dereham,  Norfolk 
(Silver-Gilt  Medal)  ;  J.  T.  West,  Tower  Hill, 
Brentwood  (Silver  Medal) ;  John  Peed  &  Son, 
West  Norwood  (Silver  Medal)  ;  H.  Cannell  & 
Sons,  Swanley  (Crystal  Palace  Silver  Medal)  ;  J. 
E.  Knight,  Wolverhampton  (Crystal  Palace 
Silver  Medal) ;  and  J.  F.  Groves,  Cedar  Nur- 
sery, Ham,  contributed  non-competitive  ex- 
hibits which  in  most  cases  consisted  chiefly  of 
Dahlia   flowers. 


ROYAL   CALEDONIAN   HORTICUL- 
TURAL. 

Sept.  11  &  12. — The  annual  exhibition  of  this 
society  was  held  on  these  dates  in  the  Waverley 
Market,  Edinburgh.  The  weather  was  fine,  and 
the  society  is  to  be  congratulated  upon  the  suc- 
cess of  the  show  from  every  point  of  view.  The 
number  of  entries  totalled  1,820,  which  is  128 
in  excess  of  those  received  in  1906. 

Cut  flowers,  and  especially  Sweet  Peas  and 
Roses,  formed  the  chief  of  the  exhibits,  but 
Grapes  were  also  largely  shown.  Hardy 
fruits  were  less  fine  than  in  former  years.  The 
miscellaneous  exhibits  were  numerous,  and  gen- 
erally of  high  quality. 

Fruit  Classes. 

An  important  class  was  that  for  a  table 
measuring  10  feet  by  4  feet  6  inches,  arranged 
with  dessert  fruits  and  decorated  with  plants 
and  flowers.  The  schedule  stipulated  that  not 
more  than  16  dishes  of  fruit  should  be  included, 
and  the  fruits  and  decorations  were  to  be  judged 
separately.  Only  two  exhibits  were  staged,  that 
shown  by  Mr.  Goodacre,  Elvaston  Gardens, 
Derby,  being  awarded  the  1st  prize  for  fruit,  and 
the  same  exhibit  had  also  the  best  floral  ar- 
rangement. Mr.  Goodacre  showed  Grapes  of 
fair  quality,  fine  Peaches,  Plums,  Nectarines, 
&c.  2nd,  Mr.  Kidd  (gr.  to  Lord  Elphinston, 
Carbery,   Musselburgh). 

A  1st  prize  consisting  of  a  Silver  Bowl  valued 
at  £23,  and  given  by  Mr.  Newton,  was  offered  in 
a  class  for  12  dishes  of  fruits.  This  trophy  was 
also  gained  by  Mr.  Goodacre,  for  a  grand  lot 
of  fruit,  including  Black  Hamburgh  and  Muscat 
of  Alexandria  Grapes,  Belgrade  and  Barrington 
Peaches,  Victoria  and  Pineapple  Nectarines, 
Emperor  Alexander  and  Peasgood  Nonsuch 
Apples,  a  Melon,  Figs,  and  Royal  Sovereign 
Strawberries.  Mr.  Gibson  (gr.  to  the  Duke  of 
Portland,  Welbeck  Abbey)  was  awarded  the 
2nd  prize  for  good,  but  distinctly  less  fine,  pro- 
duce than  that  shown  in  the  1st  prize  collec- 
tion. 3rd,  Mr.  Young  (gr.  to  Sir  Geo.  Bul- 
lough,    Kinloch    Castle,    Rhum). 

For  a  collection  of  12  dishes  of  orchard- 
grown  fruit,  Mr.  Gibson  was  placed  1st  with 
fairly  good  examples.  2nd,  Mr.  MacKinlay  (gr. 
to  Whitelaw  Reid,  Esq.,  Wrest  Park,  Bed- 
fordshire). 

Grapes. — A  cup  of  the  value  of  50  guineas 
was  offered  for  eight  bunches  of  Grapes.     The 


conditions  of  the  schedule  require  it  to  be  won 
three  times  before  it  becomes  the  property  of 
an  exhibitor.  In  addition  to  the  cup  £15  and  a 
gold  badge  are  given  to  the  successful  exhibitor. 
This  class  evoked  a  strong  competition,  no 
fewer  than  eight  displays  being  staged.  Mr. 
Lunt  (gr.  to  Captain  Stirling,  Keir)  secured 
the  1st  prize  with  a  fine  exhibit,  but  the  light 
in  the  building  was  so  bad  that  their  full  value 
could  scarcely  be  determined.  The  points 
gained    were  :— 

Madresfield    Court    (2)    1\  and  8 

Alnwick   Seedling   (2)      7     and  5 

Muscat  of  Alexandria  (2)   ...  8     and  9£ 

Black  Hamburgh  (2)     1\  and  7 

30  and  29$ 

Total  59J 
The  possible  number  of  points  obtain- 
able was  72. 

2nd,  Mr.  Green  (gr.  to  Lady  Palmer,  Crinkle 
Park,  Yorks.),  with  finely-finished  bunches  con- 
sisting of  Alicante,  Muscat  of  Alexandria,  Gros 
Maroc,  Madresfield  Court,  and  Alnwick  Seed- 
ling. This  exhibitor  secured  57  points.  3rd, 
Mr.  Beisant,  Castle  Huntly  Gardens,  with  55* 
points.      4th,    Mr.    Goodacre,    with   55   points' 

Mr.  Kidd  secured  the  1st  prize  for  four 
bunches  of  Grapes  with  good  examples  of 
Madresfield  Court,  Mrs.  Pince,  Black  Ham- 
burgh,  and  Muscat  of  Alexandria.  2nd,  Mr. 
Buchanan  (gr.  to  the  Earl  of  Mar  and  Kellie, 
Alloa  Park).  Eight  displays  were  seen  in  this 
class. 

In  the  class  for  the  variety  Muscat  of  Alexan- 
dria the  berries  generally  had  a  greenish  hue. 
Mr.  Galloway  (gr.  to  the  Earl  of  Wemyss,  Gos- 
ford)  showed  the  best-finished  fruits,  and  thus 
secured  the  1st  prize  in  the  class  for  two 
bunches  and  in  that  for  one  bunch.  Mr.  Pirie 
(gr.  to  C.  Cowan,  Esq.,  Dalhousie  Castle)  ua- 
placed  2nd  in  the  class  for  two  bunches  of  these 
Grapes  with  better  clusters  and  large  berries, 
but  of  inferior  finish.  Mr.  Buchanan,  Alloa, 
was  2nd  for  one  bunch  of  Muscat  of  Alexan- 
dria Grapes. 

Mr.  Goodacre  had  the  finest  two  bunches  of 
Black  Hamburgh  Grapes  in  beautifullv-finished 
fruits.  2nd,  Mr.  Mathison  (gr.  to  Lady  Kin- 
ross, North  Berwick).  There  was  a  large  com- 
petition in  the  class  for  Black  Hamburghs.  The 
best  single  bunch  of  Black  Hamburgh  Grapes 
was  shown  by  Mr.  T.  Lunt  (gr.  to  Captain 
Stirling,  Keir)  with  a  large  and  good  cluster. 
2nd  Mr.  TiNNiK  Shandon.  For  Alicante  Grapes, 
Mr.  Highgate,  Yester,  was  1st;  and  for  one 
bunch  of  Alnwick  Seedling,  Mr.  Gordon  (gr.  to 
Sir  H.  E.  Maxwell,  Whauphill)  was  success- 
ful  with   a   large   and   finely-developed   bunch. 

The  best  bunches  of  Gros  Colmar  were  shown 
by  Mr.  Porter  (gr.  to  W.  P.  Moore,  Esq.,  White- 
hall). Mr.  Highgate  won  the  1st  prize  for  Lady 
Downes  with  large,  well-finished  bunches,  and 
the  same  exhibitor  was  also  1st  for  Madresfield 
Court.  Mr.  Mathison  had  the  premier  bunch 
in  the  class  for  Buckland  Sweetwater,  whilst 
the  best  examples  of  Appley  Towers  were  shown 
by  Major  Thorburn,  Peebles.  The  berries  of 
this  last  variety   had   fine  finish  and   bloom. 

Plums,  &c. — There  was  a  great  display  in  the 
classes  for  Plums  in  single  dishes.  The  best 
collection  of  four  sorts  of  dessert  Plums  was 
shown  by  Mr.  Searle  (gr.  to  the  Marquis  of 
Northampton,  Castle  Ashby)  ;  2nd,  Mr.  Mac- 
kinlay,  Wrest  Park.  The  last-named  exhibitor 
had  the  best  collection  of  kitchen  Plums  in  four 
sorts ;  2nd,  Mr.  Gibson,  Welbeck  Abbey  Gar- 
dens. 

Mr.  Goodacre  was  1st  for  Peaches,  and  Mr. 
Day,  Galloway  House  Gardens,  for  Nectarines. 

There  were  also  good  displays  of  Melons, 
Figs,  and  Apricots. 

Apples. — In  the  open  class  for  a  collection 
of  12  varieties  of  Apples,  Mr.  Smith  (gr.  to  Earl 
de  Gray,  Coombe  Court,  Kingston)  won  the 
1st  prize  with  clean  but  rather  green  specimens. 
The  best  Apples  grown  in  Scotland  were  shown 
by  Mr.  Sinclair,  Congalton  Gardens.  Many 
exhibits  were  seen  in  the  classes  for  single  dishes 
of  Apples. 

Pears,  as  in  the  case  of  Apples,  were  some- 
what green  and  lacking  in  finish.  The  1st  prize 
for  a  collection  of  12  varieties  of  these  fruits 
was  secured  by  Mr.  McKinlay,  Wrest  Park  Gar- 


dens,   and   Mr.    Day   was    1st   for   a   collection, 
grown  in   Scotland. 

Groups  of  Plants  and  Cut  Flowers. 

A  class  was  provided  for  a  group  of  plants  to 
be  arranged  on  the  floor  of  the  building.  Mr. 
Davis  (gr.  to  Colonel  Stewart  Richardson; 
Stanley,  Perth)  won  the  1st  prize  with  an  ex- 
hibit that  was  superior  to  those  usually  seen  at 
this  exhibition.  Humea  elegans  was  largely 
employed  in  its  arrangement,  also  Codisums 
and  other  similar  foliage  plants.  2nd,  Mr.  Geo. 
Wood  (gr.  to  J.  Buchanan,  Esq.,  Oswald 
House).  There  were  also  many  exhibits  of  stove 
and  greenhouse  plants,  most  of  which  were  of 
less  importance  than  those  that  were  seen  at 
these  shows  some  few  years  ago. 

Cut  flowers,  as  already  noted,  were  freely- 
shown,  and  the  exhibits  generally  were  of  much 
beauty.  In  the  open  classes  for  cut  flowers,  the 
best-arranged  table  of  Roses  was  shown  by 
Messrs.  W.  &  R.  Ferguson,  Dunfermline,  for 
an  effective  arrangement,  the  blooms  being  fresh 
and  well  coloured ;  2nd,  Messrs.  Cocker  & 
Sons,  Aberdeen.  In  the  class  for  36  Roses,  Mr. 
Dickson,  Belfast,  was  first  with  beautiful 
blooms. 

The  best  18  Hybrid  Tea  Roses  were  displayed 
by  Messrs.  Croll,  Dundee,  and  the  same  firm 
won  the  premier  honour  in  the  class  for  18  Tea 
Roses. 

Gladiolus,  Dahlias,  and  Carnations  were  also 
well  represented  in  good  numbers  in  their  re- 
spective classes. 

A  class  for  a  decorated  dinner  table  measur- 
ing 10  feet  by  5  feet  brought  no  fewer  than  10 
competitors.  By  far  the  finest  arrangement  was 
that  of  The  Leamington  Nurserymen  & 
Florists,  Ltd.,  Leamington  Spa.  It  was  com- 
posed of  blooms  of  a  yellow  Oncidium  and 
mauve  Cattleyas,  with  Croton  leaves  and  sprays 
of  Selaginella  and  Asparagus ;  2nd,  Messrs. 
Harkness  &  Co.,  Hitchin,  with  a  rather  heavy 
arrangement  of  Mme.  A.  Chatenay  Rose  ;  3rd, 
Mr.  Bell  (gr.  to  Earl  of  Home,  Bothwell  Castle). 
By  some  persons  the  3rd  prize  exhibit  was  con- 
sidered superior  to  the  2nd.  Other  floral  de- 
signs, including  bouquets  and  baskets  of  flowers, 
were  largely  shown. 

Vegetables. 

The  best  collection  of  18  dishes  of  vegetables 
was  shown  by  Mr.  Gibson,  who  exhibited  pro- 
duce in  his  usual  first-class  style,  all  the  dishes 
being  of  high  merit.  Mr.  Harper,  Qulliebolton, 
Perth,  was  awarded  2nd  prize,  and  Mr.  Hill, 
Kelso,   the  3rd  prize. 

In  the  class  for  a  collection  of  12  dishes  of 
vegetables  grown  in  Scotland,  Mr.  Bell,  Both- 
v.ell  Castle,  was  1st  with  a  commendable  dis- 
play of  well-grown  produce. 

Honorary  Exhibits. 

A  few  groups  of  plants  arranged  on  the  floor 
of  the  building  added  greatly  to  the  attractions 
of  the  show.  At  the  East  end  of  the 
building,  Messrs.  Methven  &  Sons  had  a  series 
of  beds  gay  with  Lilium,  Hydrangea  pankulata, 
Caladiums,  finely-coloured  Codiaeums,  and 
other  species  with  green  foliage.  Pandanus 
Lindeniana,  a  yellow-striped  form,  was  con- 
spicuous among  other  good  things. 

Messrs.  James  Dickson  &  Sons  had  large 
groups  of  hardy  shrubs,  among  which  Hydran- 
gea paniculata  formed  a  pleasing  contrast. 

Messrs.  R.  B.  Laird  &  Sons  had  an  extensive- 
group  with  a  central  piece  composed  of  tall 
cork  draped  with  Selaginella  and  furnished  with 
Ilumeas  and  Orchids.  On  the  ground  were 
numerous  Lilies,  standard  Hydrangeas  and 
other   decorative   plants. 

Mr.  John  Downie's  contribution  consisted 
of  stove  and  greenhouse  decorative  plants  ar- 
ranged in  beds  with  shelled  pathways  between 

Messrs.  Cunningham  &  Fraser  had  many  of 
the  better- sorts  of  hardy  plants  in  flower  at  this 
season  nicely  arranged  amongst  shrubs.  They 
also  set  up  a  well-constructed  rockery. 

Messrs.  Storrie  &  Storrie,  Glencarse,  filled! 
a  length  of  staging  equal  to  120  feet  with  a 
superb  collection  of  hardy  fruit  trees  in  pots. 
Apples  were  particularly  fine,  but  Pears,. 
Peaches,  Nectarines,  Figs,  and  Cherries  were 
also  worthy  of  notice.  The  firm  also  contri- 
buted 100  dishes  of  Gooseberries  in  as  many 
varieties,  and  dishes  of  Currants  and  Raspber- 
ries. Celosias,  Begonias,  Streptocarpus,  &c, 
were  arranged  between  the  pot-trees. 


:os 


THE    GARDENERS1     CHRONICLE. 


[September  14,  1907. 


Messrs.  Dobbie  &  Co.,  Rothesay,  staged  a  very 
fine  collection  of  cut  blooms  comprising  Roses, 
fancy  Fansies  in  the  best  varieties,  a  collec- 
tion of  Cactus  Dahlias,  with  Phloxes  and  many 
other  seasonable  flowers. 

Mr.  John  Forbes,  Hawick,  had  a  table  gay 
with  choice  Pentstemons,  Phloxes,  many  varie- 
ties of  Carnations,  Violas,  and  hardy  border 
flowers. 

Mr.  Henry  Eckford,  Wem,  contributed  a 
table  of  Sweet  Peas. 

From  Messrs.  Cocker  &  Sons,  Aberdeen,  was 
exhibited   a  very  fine  display  of  hardy  flowers. 

Mr.  Bolton,  Carnforth,  set  up  an  excellent 
collection  of  Sweet  Peas.  Mrs.  Henry  Bell, 
Queen  of  Norway,  Clara  Curtis,  Mr.  H.  Sykes, 
and  Helen  Lewis  were  conspicuous  varieties. 

Messrs.  Blackmore  &  Langdon,  Bath,  con- 
tributed beautiful  double  Begonias. 

Messrs.  Wells  &  Co.,  Mersham,  showed  a 
collection    of   early-flowering    Chrysanthemums. 

Messrs.  Gunn  &  Co.,  Olton,  had  a  splendid 
display  of  the  best  Phloxes.  Mr.  McOmish, 
Crieff,  a  variety  of  cut  flowers  ;  Mr.  Darling- 
ton, Warton,  Sweet  Peas ;  Messrs.  Lister  & 
Son,  Rothesay,  florist's  flowers ;  Mr.  Brown, 
Blantyre,  also  florist's  flowers ;  Messrs.  T.  S. 
Ware,  Ltd.,  Feltham,  a  grand  lot  of  blooms 
of  Begonias  and  Carnations  ;  Mr.  Angus,  Peni- 
cuik, "showed  Disas,  &c.  ;  the  Kippen  Vinery 
Co.  exhibited  well-cultivated  Grapes ;  Messrs. 
Sutton  &  Sons,  Reading,  displa)ed  an  exhibit 
of  much  interest,  the  principal  features  being 
varieties  of  Tomatos,  Melons,  and  Runner 
Beans. 

First-Class  Certificates 
were  awarded  to  :  — 

Apple  "  Roseberry"  from  Messrs.  Storrie  & 
Storrie,  Glencarse.  It  is  a  larger  and  finer 
fruit  than  that  of  Mr.  Gladstone,  and  ripens  at 
the  same  period. 

Chrysanthemum  maximum  "  Snowdon^  f/om 
Mr.  Angus,  Penicuik.  An  extra  large-flowered 
variety. 

An  Award  of  Merit  was  awarded  to:  — 

Sweet  Pea  "  Mrs,  Henry  Bell,"  from  Mr. 
Bolton,  Carnforth. 


DEBATING    SOCIETIES. 

CROYDON  &  DISTRICT  HORTICULTURAL.— 

This  society  commenced  its  winter  session  on  Tuesday, 
September  3,  when  Mr.  R.  Cleveland,  Croydon,  read  a 
paper  on  "  Budding  and  Grafting."  A  discussion  followed 
the  reading  of  the  paper. 

CARDIFF  GARDENERS'.— The  eleventh  annual 
outing  of  this  association  took  place  on  Thursday,  Septem- 
ber 5,  when  members  and  friends,  to  the  number  of  50, 
visited  the  gardens  at  Wilton  House  and  Longford  Castle, 
in  the  neighbourhood  of  Salisbury.  Wilton  House  gardens 
were  first  visited,  the  party  being  conducted  around  the 
pleasure  grounds  and  through  the  glass-houses  by  Mr.  T. 
Challis.  After  partaking  of  luncheon,  Longford  Castle  was 
visited,  Mr.  Tucker  acting  as  guide. 


Gardeners'  Cricket. — An  enjoyable  after- 
noon was  spent  on  Saturday,  September  7,  on 
the  South  Lynn  Cricket  Ground,  Putney,  by 
the  kind  permission  of  Sir  William  Lancaster, 
when  a  match  was  played  between  an  eleven 
chosen  from  Messrs.  James  Veitch  &  Sons' 
employees,  of  Chelsea,  and  the  Putney  and 
Roehampton  Gardeners,  captained  by  Mr. 
Goddard.  The  result  was  a  victory  for  the 
visitors,  who  defeated  the  Putney  team  in  one 
innings,  chiefly  owing  to  the  good  play  of  Mr. 
Oldham  and  the  excellent  batting  of  Messrs. 
Mowlem  and  Whalley. 


ANSWERS    TO    CORRESPONDENTS. 


*  »  •  The  Editor  will  be  glad  to  receive,  for  considera- 
tion, large  photographs  of  horticultural  subjects,  suitable 
for  forming  Supplementary  Illustrations  to  this  Journal. 


Ants  Infesting  a  Lawn  :  F.  S.  Boiling  water 
poured  down  their  burrows  will  destroy  many 
of  these  creatures,  or  a  little  bisulphide  of 
carbon  or  vaporite  may  be  used,  the  fumes 
of  which  will  at  once  cause  death  to  the 
ants.  A  poisonous  but  very  effective  remedy 
known  as  the  Ballikinrain  Ant  Destrover  is 
prepared  by  Messrs.  Alex.  Cross  &  Son,  Glas- 
gow. It  should  be  labelled  "  Poison,"  and 
be  used  with  great  care. 


Apple  Shoots  Dying  :  S.  U.  S.  The  trees  are 
badly  affected  with  canker,  Nectria  ditissima. 
Young  branches  that  are  diseased  should  be  cut 
off  and  burned.  Wounds  on  older  shoots 
should  have  as  much  of  the  injured  portion  cut 
away  as  is  possible  and  be  smeared  with  clay  or 
a  coating  of  gas-tar.  Treat  the  injured  shoots 
with  a  solution  of  iron  sulphate,  using  lib.  to 
each  gallon  of  water. 

Beech  Trees  Dying:  II'.  B.  J.  The  bark  you 
send  is  badly  infested  with  the  Beech  coccus — 
Cryptococcus  fagi.  an  insect  pest  allied  to  mealy- 
bug. The  codcus  is  found  chiefly  upon  the 
main  trunk  of  the  tree,  which  should  be  well 
scrubbed  with  paraffin  emulsion  prepared  by 
mixing  equal  proportions  of  soft  soap  dissolved 
in  boiling  water,  and  paraffin.  When  required 
for  use  add  20  times  its  bulk  of  water.  In  winter 
the  bark  should  be  scrubbed  with  the  caustic 
alkali  wash. 

Begonia  :  F.  J.  T.  It  is  not  the  first  time  we 
have  received  Begonias  similarly  affected  during 
the  past  few  weeks.  There  is  no  fungus  disease, 
and  we  fail  to  find  any  trace  of  bacteria.  Cer- 
tainly there  were  three  or  four  thrips  on  the 
portions  you  sent.  The  causes  of  the  disfigure- 
ment are  probably  external  to  the  plants  them- 
selves, and  due  to  the  want  of  a  proper  balance 
in  the  moisture  present  in  the  atmosphere  ;  or  to 
permitting  drip  to  fall  upon  the  plants  from  the 
roof  of  the  house. 

Caterpillars  on  Red  Currant  Bushes:  H.  W . 
The  caterpillars  on  the  Red  Currant  leaf  you 
send  are  very  young  specimens  of  the  grub  of 
the  "  Gooseberry  and  Currant  sawfly"  (Nematus 
ribesi),  a  common  and  destructive  pest  to  the 
foliage  of  Gooseberry  and  Currant  bushes.  It 
is  probably  this  insect  which  has  been  destruc- 
tive in  your  neighbour's  garden,  but  we  have 
never  heard  of  it  attacking  Pelargoniums.  This 
pest  can  be  exterminated  quite  easily  by  skim- 
ming off  the  surface  soil  to  the  depth  of  3  inches 
under  the  bushes  in  winter,  and  burning  or  bury- 
ing it  deeply.  This  will  destroy  the  insect  in 
the  chry=alid  state,  but  you  will  still  be  liable 
to  infection  from  adjacent  gardens  unless  the 
same  method  of  combating  them  is  adopted  by 
your  neighbours. 

Chrysanthemums  Affected  :  F.  H.  There  is 
no  fungus  disease  present  on  the  shoots  ;  the 
trouble  is  due  to  some  local  circumstance,  or 
error  in  culture. 

Exhibiting  Hardy  Flowers:  W.  H.  .1/.  B. 
Alstromerias  do  not  form  bulbs,  but  it  is  not 
usual  to  include  plants  of  the  natural  orders 
Amaryllideas  or  Liliaceae  in  a  collection  of 
flowers  from  which  bulbous  subjects  are  ex- 
cluded, it  being  difficult  for  exhibitors  in  all 
cases  to  determine  strictly  which  plants  have 
bulbs  and  which  tubers,  or  even  fleshy  roots. 

Grapes  :  Miss  P.  The  berries  are  suffering  from 
a  condition  known  as  "shanking."  It  will  be 
necessary  to  examine  the  roots  of  the  vines 
during  the  autumn,  and  if  the  drainage  of  the 
borders  is  found  to  be  imperfect,  this  state  of 
things  must  be  remedied.  When  you  have  done 
this  it  will  be  desirable  in  the  future  to  en- 
courage the  roots  to  multiply  near  to  the  surface 
of  the  border,  which  may  be  done  by  applying 
frequent  rich  top-dressings. 

Grasses  for  a  Situation  near  the  Sea-shore  : 
W.  G.  G.  The  following  grasses  will  thrive  in 
a  maritime  position: — Ammophila  arundi- 
nacea,  Elymus  arenarius,  Phleum  arenarium, 
Lagurus  ovatus,  Polypogon  littoralis,  Psamma 
arenaria,  Cynodon  Dactylon,  Spartina  stricta, 
Lepturus  incurvatus,  Hordeum  maritimum, 
Festuca  elatior  var.  arundinacea,  Festuca 
uniglumis,  Poa  maritima,  P.  distans,  and  P. 
loliacea.  You  may  not  be  able  to  obtain  all 
these  varieties  from  the  nurserymen,  but  you 
should  secure  seeds  of  as  many  as  possible, 
and  when  sown  those  species  that  find  the  con- 
ditions favourable  to  their  growth  will  per- 
petuate themselves.  The  list  is  not  of  value  if 
the  grass  is  intended  for  feeding  purposes. 

Onions  Rotting  :  F.  M.  H.  You  do  not  afford 
sufficient  information  as  to  when  the  decay 
first  appeared.  If  it  was  caused  by  the  Onion 
maggot,  as  you  suggest,  the  land  should  b; 
dressed  with  gas-lime  after  f  e  bulbs  are  har- 
vested, and  any  diseased  Onions  should  b3 
burned.  Do  not  sow  Onion  seeds  again  on 
the  same  soil  for  some  time  to  come. 


Names  of  Flowers,  Fruits  and  Plants.— We 
are  anxious  to  oblige  correspondents  as  far  as 
we  consistently  can,  but  they  must  bear  in 
mind  that  it  is  no  part  of  our  duty  to  our 
subscribers  to  name  either  flowers  or  fruits. 
Such  work  entails  considerable  outlay,  both  ol 
time  and  money,  and  cannot  be  allowed  to  dis- 
organise the  preparations  for  the  weekly  issue,  or  to 
encroach  upon  time  required  for  the  conduct  of  the 
paper.  Correspondents  should  never  send  more 
than  six  plants  or  fruits  at  one  time  :  they  should  be 
very  careful  to  pack  and  label  them  properly,  to  give 
every  information  as  to  the  county  the  fruits  are 
grown  in,  and  to  send  ripe,  or  nearly  ripe,  specimens 
which  show  the  character  of  the  variety.  By 
neglecting  these  precautions  correspondents  add 
greatly  to  our  labour,  and  run  the  risk  of 
delay  and  incorrect  determinations.  Correspondents 
not  answered  in  one  issue  are  requested  to 
be  so   good  as   to  consult   the  following    numbers. 

Fruits  :  E.  H.  Plums  :  1,  probably  Monarch  ; 
2,  Diamond;  3,  Prince  of  Wales;  4,  Mirabelle 
Petite;  5,  Mirabelle  de  Nancy. — A.  G.  R. 
Plums:  1,  White  Magnum  Bonum  ;  2,  Trans- 
parent Gage ;  3,  Jodoigne  Green  Gage ;  4, 
Denbigh  ;  5,  Blue  Prolific— Garden  Boy.  Plum  : 
Emerald  Drop. — G.  H.  E.  Grapes  :  Foster's 
White  Seedling  and  Black  Hamburgh.— T.  V. 
You  have  not  observed  the  rules  as  to  sending 
samples  of  the  foliage  with  the  Nectarines.  The 
fruits  were  over-ripe  when  packed. 

Plants:  W.F.  Coloneaster  frigida. — J.M.P' 
Senecio  clivorum.—  F.  M.  1,  Zygopetalum 
Burkei ;  2,  Aganisia  lepida;  3,  Brassavola 
nodosa  ;  i,  Pleurothallis  sicaria  ;  5,  Restrepia  tri- 
choglossa  ;  6,  Masdevallia  O'Brieniana.— A.  S. 
Polygonum  Brunonis. — G.  A.  Lamium  pur- 
pureum,  variegated  variety  sometimes  cultivated 
in  gardens. — P.  W.  3.  Amaryllis  Belladonna; 
the  cultural  requirements  of  this  plant  will  be 
found  in  most  works  on  gardening. — A.  A., 
Ringwood.  Tilia  heterophylla. — /.  B.  Datura 
chlorantha  flore  pleno.  — J.  B.  Hippophae 
rhamnoides  (Sea  Buckthorn). 

Planting  of  a  Marechal  Niel  Rose  :  Niel. 
A  north  border  is  not  a  good  position  for  this 
Rose,  but  if  the  soil  is  of  a  suitable  nature,  and 
providing  that  sunshine  will  reach  the  position 
at  12  o'clock  noon,  fairly  good  results  may  be 
secured.  You  will  do  well  to  shake  the  mould 
from  the  roots  and  spread  the  roots  out  well  and 
evenly.  Do  not  cut  back  the  growths  until  next 
springtime.  Afford  the  plant  some  slight  pro- 
tection during  severe  weather  in  winter  The 
practice  of  cutting  the  plant  down  to  a  point  one 
loot  above  the  ground  after  flowering,  especially 
when  the  available  space  is  of  limited  extent,  is 
a  good  one,  but  it  must  be  done  every  year  to 
secure  the  best  results.  When  growth  is  not 
satisfactory  remove  the  surface  soil  down  to  the 
roots,  replacing  this  with  good  loam  and  some 
rough  sand  mixed  well  together.  At  the  commence- 
ment of  the  summer  afford  the  plant  a  good 
mulching  with  short  manure,  and  apply  liquid 
manure  or  small  quantities  of  chemical  manures 
to  the  roots  during  the  growing  season  if  extra 
stimulants  appears  to  be  necessary. 

Poplar  Leaves  Spotted  :  S.  B.  &■  S.  Your 
leaves  of  Lombardy  Poplar  are  spotted  by 
anthracnose,  Glceosporium  populi.  It  is  difficult 
to  suggest  a  remedy  ;  spraying  is  expensive  if  not 
impossible  in  respect  to  such  tall  growing  trees. 
As  a  preventive  all  fallen  leaves  should  be 
gathered  together  and  burnt. 

Rat  Poison:  G.  H.  T.  Stsiner's  "Vermin 
Paste "  may  be  used  to  destroy  these  pests. 
A  preparation  known  as  the  Liverpool  Rat 
Virus  will  quickly  reduce  the  numbers  of 
rats  and  mice.  The  specific  contains  a  bac- 
terium which  spreads  a  fatal  disease  amongst 
these  creatures,  but  which  has  no  effect  upon, 
human  beings  or  domestic  animals. 

Tomatos  Discoloured  :  M.  A .  P.  The  hard 
patches  are  due  to  the  absence  of  one  of  t':e 
necessary  plant  foods  in  the  soil  in  which  the 
plants  are  growing.  Afford  a  dressing  of 
some  manure  that   is  rich   in   potash. 

Communications  Received. — Lay — G.  A. — B.  S.  S. — C.  T. — 

A.  W.  T.— W.  J.— H.  C.&Sons— R.  N  —  Anxious  Enquirer 
— S.   B.— G.    H.  C— A.  J.   B.— H.   H.   C.— F.  B.— A.  T.— 

B.  C— A.  P.— J.  D.  G.— I.  E.— C.  T.— T.  M.-J.  H.— 
W.  W.— A.  E.  T.  R.— W.  E.  A.— H.  W.  W.—  J.  C— T.  F. 
—J.  F.  H.  G.-J.  J.  D.  J.-H.  C.  P.-H.  C.-L.  B.  &  Co.- 
Yokohama— J.S.,  Darlev  Dale,  many  thanks.— C.  E.  M  — 
F.  B.— W.  B.— H.  T.  G.-W.  E.  G. 


September  21,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


209 


THE 


^arbcncrs'Cbronidc 

No.  1,082.— SATURDAY,  September  21,  1907. 


CONTENTS. 


Aconitum  Napellus,  var. 
emmens  219 

Ants  on  a  lawn 219 

Brjvoa  x  Polianthes  ...  219 
Lulbs,  purchasing  ...  216 
carnation,   varieties    of 

the  Clove         219 

Chrysanthemum 

disease,  a  new  ...  213 
Crocus,  autumn-flower- 
ing species  of  ...  211 
Dickson,  Geo.,  V.M.H.  218 
Duff  House  and  grounds  218 
Llectnc  light,  and  plant- 
growth   218 

Fir  Grange,  Weybridge    217 
1  oreign        Correspond- 
ence- 
Some      rare      Alpine 
plants  and  their  cul- 
tivation       209 

Graces,  L.  h.uiiph  m  class 

for,  at  Shrewsbury  ...    218 
Grey  well  Hill,  the  gar- 
dens at 212 

liar  ly  ll  iwer  bi  n  dec — 
Digitalis  purpurea    ...     213 
Linaria    triornitho- 

phora 213 

Stock-flowered    Lark- 
spurs      214 

Hay  crop,  the,  at  Roth- 

amsted 210 

Lily  season,  the 209 

*•  Linnaeus"  exhibition, 

a  216 

Obituarv — 
Uaker',  Robert  ...     P23 

1  luval,  Leon 2j3 

Walker,  Stephen      ...    223 
]  ark-superinti  udi  nts,  a 
proposed    association 
of  218 


Plant  notes — 

Costus  igneus 

Lotus  peliorhyncus  ... 
Plants,    new     or    note- 
worthy— 

Bulbophyllum     longi- 
sepalum 

Dendrobium  acumin- 
atum   

Professional  Gardeners, 

the  veterans  of 
Societies— 

Aberdare    Horticultu- 
ral        

British  Gardeners'  As- 
sociation       

London  Dahlia  Union 

National  Chrysanthe- 
mum   

X.iti  i rial  Rose 

Orsett  and  Dist.  Agi  ic. 
and  I  [i  irt. 

lv  iyal  i  aledonian  Hor- 
ii  jultural 

Ro\,il  Horticultural  ... 
Strawberries     in     Sep- 
tember   

Timber,      the     present 

value  of  British 
Timber,  Cherry  Laurel 
Viburnum    rhytidophyl- 

lum         ...  

Week's  work,  the — 

Flower  garden,  the  ... 

I  i  uits  under  glass     ... 

Hardy  fruit  ga  I 

Kitchen  garden,  the  ... 

1 1]  i  bid  houses,  the   ... 

Parks  and  gardens    ... 

Plants  under  glass    ... 


214 
214 


210 
210 
218 

223 
222 


2-22 
217 


221 
219 


217 


219 
219 


215 
214 
215 
215 

214 

2i:. 
214 


21. T 
210 
218 

217 
212 

213 

£20 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Bulbophyllum  longisepalum,  structural  details  of  a 
flower  of        ...         

Chrysanthemum  leaves  affected  with  Septoria  Chry- 
santhemi        

Dendrobium  acuminatum,  a  wild  plant  of 

Dickson,  George.  V.M.H. ,  portrait  of        

Fir  Grange,  Weybridge,  view  in  the  gardens  at 

Greywell  Hill,  Hook,  flower  borders  at 

Leaf  of  Chrysanthemum  affected  with  Septoria  Chry- 
santliemi,  section  of  a       

Duval,  Leon,  portrait  of  the  late 

Viburnum  rhytidophvllum     

View  in  the  grounds  at  Fir  Grange,  Weybridge  (Sup- 
plementary.) 


THE    LILY    SEASON. 

PLANTS  of  almost  every  kind  have  been 
adversely  allected  by  the  climatic  con- 
ditions of  the  past  spring  and  summer, 
but  the  magnificent  Lilies  that  have  come  to 
us  from  the  East  and  from  the  West  ;  from 
California,  Siberia,  Persia,  India,  China,  and 
Japan  have  survived- the  ordeal  well,  many 
of  them  having  manifestly  profited  by  the 
superabundance  of  rain.  But  while  tin  \  are 
exceedingly  fond  of  moisture,  they  can, 
like  other  forms  of  vegetation,  even  during 
their  season  of  growth  and  development, 
receive  too  much.  One  of  my  grandest 
Lilies,  for  example,  viz.,  Lilium  mona- 
delphum,  var.  Szovitzianum,  which  had  at- 
tained to  a  height  of  nearly  9  feet,  had 
its  flower-buds  utterly  ruined  when  they 
were  preparing  to  open,  by  the  excessive  drip 
from  the  branches  of  the  trees  under  which  it 
was  planted.  Other  specimens  of  this  great 
Lily,  on  borders  less  exposed  to  such  an 
almost  incessant  shower-bath,  were  more 
fortunate,  and  came  into  bloom  with  their 
exquisite  lemon-coloured  flowers  perfectly  un- 
impaired. Nevertheless,  the  loss  of  the 
Goliath  among  Lilies  to  which  I  have 
alluded  was  greatly  to  be  deplored.  Its  only 
rivals  in  stately  growth  and  floral  impressive- 
ness  are  Lilium  giganteum,  the  great  Indian 
Lily  ;  Lilium  Henryi,  a  native  of  China,  quite 


invaluable  for  garden  cultivation,  and  Lilium 
auratum,  var.  platyphyllum. 

There  are,  unfortunately,  for  the  earnest 
cultivator,  many  graceful  Lilies  which  are  not 
enduring  in  ordinary  soils;  they  flower  for  a 
season,  and  then  the  place  that  once  knew 
them,  however  imperfectly,  knows  them 
no  more.  Among  these  I  would  mention 
Lilium  rubellum,  a  miniature,  pink-coloured 
species,  a  native  of  Japan,  whose  microscopic 
bulbs  very  rapidly  degenerate,  unless  they 
have  been  planted  in  a  well-drained,  fibrous 
soil ;  and  Lilium  Washingtonianum,  which 
may  be  assigned  seemingly  suitable  situa- 
tions, and  yet — as,  unfortunately,  I  know 
from  experience — not  succeed.  There  are 
few  Lilies  more  charming  or  fragrant  than 
this  truly  exquisite  Californian  gem,  yet  it  is 
always  exceedingly  transitory ;  and  though 
it  may  flower  for  one  or  two  seasons  and 
delight  us  wish  its  odour  and  delicate 
beauty,  it  is  seldom  long-lived.  Anothi 
beautiful  Lily  of  widely  different  nationality, 
aspect,  and  characteristics,  viz.,  Lilium 
Krameri,  is  also  equally  unreliable,  and  sel- 
dom flowers  here  for  more  than  two  seasons, 
though  under  other  climatic  conditions  else- 
where it  may  possibly  be  found  more  lasting. 

There  are  also  Lilies  of  the  greatest 
beauty  and  refinement  which,  while  they  are 
among  the  chief  ornaments  of  the  conserva- 
tory, are  l>y  no  means  adapted  for  garden 
culture.  Prominent  among  these  are  1. ilium 
neilgherrense,  I..  VVallichianum,  and  L. 
nepalense,  an  Indian  extraction,  and  therefore 
exacting.  But  of  this  I  am  assured,  that  some 
of  the  grandest  Lilies,  whether  of  Statelj 
growth  or  beauty  oi  flower,  can  be  grown  in 
the  open  air,  wherever  shelter  and  congenial 
snil  are  afforded  them,  with  perfect  sui 
Of  these  the  most  notable  for  their  en- 
tire reliability  arc  Lilium  auratum,  L. 
giganteum,  and  L.  monadelphum,  of  which 
tie'  las)  mentii  ned,  a  native  of  Moutit  Cauca- 
sus and  Northern  Persia,  has  already  been 
described.  In  main  places  highly  favourable 
for  its  culture,  Lilium  auratum  cannot  be 
planted  without  adequate  protection  from 
rabbits,  which  destroy  the  inflorescences  as 
they  begin  to  appear.  I  had  no  fewer  than  a 
dozen  spikes  of  the  pure  white  flowers  of  L. 
speciosum  destroyed  in  my  garden  this  season 
by  those  ravenous  intruders.  One  of  the 
doors  leading  to  my  "  Paradisus  terrestris  " 
had  been  left  open  one  fine  evening  by 
visitors  during  my  involuntary  absence,  with 
such  deplorable  results.  But,  as  Lord  Bea- 
consfield  once  remarked,  "  It  is  the  un- 
expected that  happens,"  and  in  any  case  I 
have  this  consolation,  that,  though  the 
flowering  stems  have  been  destroyed,  the 
bulbs  which  created  them,  with  all  their 
manifold  hidden  potentialities,  have  not  been 
injured. 

There  is  no  Lily  dearer  to  me  than  Lilium 
speciosum,  in  all  its  refined  and  fascinating 
forms  ;  in  beauty  of  aspect  and  in  delicacy  of 
fragrance  it  is  unquestionably  supreme,  and 
therefore  I  regret  more  than  language  can 
express  the  destruction  of  Lilium  speciosum 
Kraetzeri,  and  L.  s.  album  novum  in  my 
garden  this  year.  In  October  these  were  my 
benignant  lights  amid  the  prevailing  gloom. 

Meanwhile  such  inspiring  possessions  as 
Lilium  auratum,  L.  chalcedonicum,  the 
luminous    "  Scarlet     Martagon,"    L.     longi- 


florum  W'ilsoni,  ami  L.  Henryi  are  flowering 
with  characteristic  luxuriance,  and  have  not 
been  destined,  like  the  ill-fated  flowers  de- 
picted in  Gray's  "  Elegy,"  to  waste  their 
sweetness  in  the  desert  air.  David  R. 
Williamson. 


FOREIGN    CORRESPONDENCE. 


SOME  RARE  ALPINE  PLANTS  AND  THEIR 
CULTIVATION. 
Daphne  petr.-ea  (syn.  D.  rupestris). — 
Daphne  petraea,  Leyb.,  is  a  very  rare  Alpine 
plant,  but  its  worth  being  great  it  is  deserving 
a  place  in  the  rock-garden  or  in  a  collection  of 
plants.  The  species  was  first  described  by 
Leybold  in  1853  in  the  Regensburg  Bot.  Fest- 
schaft,  and  it  is  said  to  be  found  only  in 
South  Tyrol  and  in  some  of  the  extreme 
south-western  parts  of  the  dolomites  111 
the  Trentino.  There  it  grows,  as  I  recently  saw 
it,  amongst  the  rocks,  in  very  sunny,  exposed, 
and  always  perpendicular  positions  ;  indeed,  I 
did  not  meet  with  a  single  plant  growing  flat 
upon  the  soil.  The  mountains  whereon  ii 
grows  are  quite  dry.  There  are  no  snow  fields 
or  glaciers  upon  the  whole  mountain  system, 
which  points  to  the  plant  being  a  xerophyte.  It 
should  not,  however,  be  planted  in  too  dry  a 
position,  for  the  rocks  whereon  it  is  found  are 
always,  and  the  dolomites  particularly,  as  wet 
as  a  sponge,  and  the  water  in  their  numerous 
pores  is  appropriated  by  the  roots.  What  the 
plant  seems  to  dislike  is  stagnant  humidity.  It 
grows  well  here  exposed  to  the  sun  and  planted 
in  well-drained  soil  in  the  fissures  of  a  rockery, 
where  it  is  watered  daily.  In  this  situation, 
however,  it  does  not  flower  so  freely  as  in  the 
dolomites.  The  pink  flowers  are  produced  in 
clusters,  and  they  cover  the  very  dwarf  and 
deep  green  leaves.  The  foliage  is  thick,  narrow, 
and  evergreen.  The  plant  is  easy  of  cultivation, 
and  can  be  increased  by  seeds,  cuttings,  or  by 
grafting.  I  hope  to  procure  a  supply  of  seeds 
in  the  autumn,  as  my  guide  has  promised  to 
pluck  them  in  the  right  season.  As  a  pot  plant 
it  is  easily  grown.  Daphne  petraea  often  grows 
in  company  with  D.  striata  in  the  crevices  of 
rocks.  They  are  neighbours,  but  both  species 
grow  in  a  distinct  situation. 

Juniperus  cedrus. — Dr.  Perez,  Puerto  Oro- 
tava,  Teneriffe,  sent  me  two  years  ago  some 
ripe  seeds  of  the  rare  Conifer  Juniperus  cedrus 
that  is  found  growing  only  on  the  highest  moun- 
tains of  the  Canary  Islands  at  6,000  feet  eleva- 
tion. Mr.  Perez  wrote  me  several  letters  about 
this  very  distinct  tree,  which  has  been  so  much 
purchased  on  account  of  its  aromatic  timber  that 
it  is  almost  extinct  in  its  native  habitat.  He 
added :  "  It  is  very  difficult  to  raise  plants 
from  seeds  or  from  cuttings,  and  several  at- 
tempts made  by  myself  and  other  people  have 
been  without  success."  After  soaking  them  in 
a  weak  solution  of  acetic  acid  (1  in  400  parts 
of  water),  seeds  sent  by  Dr.  Perez  all  germi- 
nated well  in  Geneva,  and  we  have  now  a  good 
lot  of  seedlings.  They  will  also  germinate 
readily  if  treated  with  saltpetre  or  in  a  2  per 
cent,  solution  of  phosphoric  acid.  Not  one  of 
the  seeds  failed  to  grow  when  treated  in  this 
manner. 

Campanula  Raineri. — This  plant  grows  be- 
tween the  rocks  of  the  Bergamese  Alps,  in  the 
"  pierriers "  and  stony  places  of  the  Alpine 
regions  (from  5,000  to  8,000  feet  elevation).  The 
true  form  is  seldom  seen  in  gardens.  The  roots 
and  stolons  cover  a  very  large  area,  and  carpet 
the  soil  with  thousands  of  large,  sessile 
flowers,  that  are  bigger  and  larger  than  those 
of  Campanula  carpathica,  and  reflect  the  blue  sky 
of  Northern  Italy  with  shades  of  light  lilac. 
1  he  cup-like  flowers  are  filled  with  dew,  which 


210 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


I  II  EMBER    21,    1907. 


my  guide  and  I  were  happy  to  drink,  as  we 
failed  to  find  water  in  the  dry  mountains  of 
Bergamo.  How  bright  the  flower  presents  itself 
to  the  traveller  in  the  bare  rocks  which  it  adorns 
on  every  side  and  in  every  little  crevice !  In 
English  gardens  *s>s  species  should  be  planted 
in  a  limestone  wall,  facing  south  or  south-east, 
and  be  kept  rather  dry  at  its  roots.  When 
growing  between  the  stones  of  the  "  pierriers  " 
the  flower  is  larger  than  when  springing  from 
the  rocks,  because  the  soil  is  richer  in  organic 
food.  Seedlings  of  this  rare  plant  are  easily 
raised  in  the  spring  ;  the  very  numerous  seeds 
are  produced  in  big  capsules.  Cuttings  form 
roots  quickly,  and  the  plants  can  be  cultivated 
in  pots  as  readily  as  Campanula  fragilis. 

Campanula  elatinoides  and  C.  Elatines. — 
These  two  Campanulas  are  Italian  species.  The 
first-named  grows  in  the  fissures  of  the  dolomitic 
rocks  of  the  Bergamese  Alps  (Lombardy).  It 
is  a  downy  species,  with  silvery-grey  foliage ; 
the  stem  is  simple  and  sinuate.  The  flowers  are 
small  in  size  and  of  a  very  dark  shade  of  blue. 
They  are  numerously  produced,  and  form  spikes 
ranging  from  2  or  3  inches  to  1  foot  or  more  in 
length.  The  season  of  flowering  is  from  August 
to  the  end  of  November.  The  plant  succeeds  in 
a  sunny  wall,  for  it  cannot  endure  damp.  In 
the  "  Valle  di  Scalve  "  and  in  the  neighbourhood 
of  Clusone  it  covers  every  wall  or  rock,  growing 
between  the  stones  even  in  the  hardest 
walls.  Not  very  diffe.ent  is  its  "  congenere," 
C.  Elatines,  which  grows  in  the  valleys  of 
West  Italy,  Cottian  Alps,  and  Canavese, 
from  Iviaea  to  the  Monte  Viso,  always  in 
walls  or  in  rocks  similar  to  C.  elati- 
noides. It  differs  from  that  species  by  its 
branched  stem,  its  violet-blue  flowers,  and  its 
less  downy  foliage ;  the  lower  leaves  are 
lounder,  and  the  whole  plant  is  more  ternate 
and  graceful.  The  stems  are  brittle,  and  a 
milky  juice  exudes  when  they  are  broken.  The 
period  of  flowering  is  from  August  to  October. 
It  is  easy  of  culture  if  grown  in  a  wall  or  in  the 
crevice  of  a  rock  in  a  moderately  sunny  posi- 
tion. It  can  be  well  grown  in  a  pot,  provided 
ample  drainage  is  afforded.  Slugs  are  very 
fond  of  this  species.     Henry  Correvon,  Geneva. 


NEW  OR  NOTEWORTHY 
PLANTS. 


DENDROBIUM  ACUMINATUM,  ROLFE.* 
The  plant  illustrated  at  fig.  88  was  found 
bedded  in  moss  and  growing  on  hardwood  in 
Bataan  Province,  30  miles  west  of  Manila,  and 
at  an  elevation  of  2,300  feet.  The  specimen  had 
to  be  conveyed  from  its  natural  habitat  over  an 
exceedingly  rough  trail  that  was  much  over- 
grown with  "  Wait-a-bit "  (Daemonorops)  and 
Calamus  species,  the  tips  of  which  are  armed 
with  a  knife-edged,  retrorse  barb,  which  pierces 
through  khaki,  flesh,  or  flower  stems  with  equal 
impartiality.  The  utmost  care  was  used,  but, 
nevertheless,  no  fewer  than  17  flowers  were 
broken  off  in  transit.  While  in  habit  and  foliage 
this  plant  closely  resembles  D.  cymbidioides, 
Lind..  its  whole  inflorescence  is  more  than 
double  the  size  of  that  species.  The  flowers, 
which  measure  two  or  more  inches  across,  are  a 
deep  peach-pink,  shading  darker  towards  the 
base  of  the  perianth,  and  the  labellum  passes  to 
a  rich,  velvety,  wine-red.  When  the  sun  is 
shining  the  flowers  disseminate  the  delicious 
and  unique  fragrance  of  noyau,  but  in  cloudy 
or  overcast  weather  they  appear  to  be  quite 
scentless. 

There  is  a  Government  Station  at  the  same 
altitude  and  within  a  mile  of  the  place  where  I 
found  Dendrobium  acuminatum,  and  where 
meteorological  observations  have  been  recorded 
during  six  years. 

The   mean   annual   j-ecipitation   is   185   m.m. 

*  In  Ames  Orchid,  i.,  p.  86. 


greater,  and  the  mean  temperature  nearly  6° 
Fahr.  lower  than  in  Manila.  This  species 
should  thrive  excellently  in  the  warmest  part  of 
a  Cattleya  house.  The  glossy,  seemingly-var- 
nished pseudo-bulbs  are  not  the  least  beautiful 
portions  of  the  plant,  and  they  are  so  tough  and 
coriaceous  that  they  should  endure  well  during 
a  long  transit.  The  plant  had  106  healthy 
pseudo-bulbs,  which  is  the  more  remarkable,  as 
no  other  specimen  found  had  more  than  15  of 
these  growths.  Wm.  S.  Lyon,  Horticulturist, 
Bureau  of  Agriculture,  Manila.  [Mr.  R.  A. 
Rolfe  informs  us  that  the  species  was  originally 
described  from  specimens  collected  at  the  Lam  so 
River,  Mt.  Manveles,  in  the  same  province,  by 
H.  N.  Whitford.  It  belongs  to  the  very  dis- 
tinct section  Sarcopodium. — Ed.] 

BULBOPHYLLUM     LONGISEPALUM. 
The    illustration    at    fig.    89  represents  this 
extraordinary    species,    for    which    Sir    Trevor 
Lawrence,   Bart.    (gr.   Mr.   W.    H.   White),   was 


which  has  a  slightly  hairy  surface,  is  delicately 
poised,  so  that  its  position  changes  with  every 
movement  of  the  flower — an  arrangement  com- 
mon in  this  singular  genus  of  Orchids. 


THE  HAY  CROP  AT  ROTH- 
AMSTED. 

The  meteorological  returns  at  Rothamsted, 
Herts.,  for  the  first  six  months  of  the  present 
year  show  a  total  rainfall  of  nearly  12  inches, 
which  is  about  half-an-inch  below  the  average 
of  the  past  54  years  at  this  station.  The  records 
for  the  months  of  April,  May,  and  June,  when 
vegetation  is  most  actively  growing,  showed 
more  than  an  average  amount  of  rain.  The 
mean  temperature  of  the  air  was  slightly  in 
excess  during  the  months  of  January,  March, 
and  April,  but  below  the  average  in  February, 
May,  and  June.  Bright  sunshine  recorded  during 
the     six     months     amounted     to     996}     hours, 


-' 


If 


i      __^.     ..    x 





[Photograph  by  II'.  S.  Lyon,  Manila. 

Fig.  88. — dendrobium  acuminatum,   flowering  in  the  Philippines: 
flowers,  pink  with  vinous-red  coloured  labellums. 


given  a  Botanical  Certificate  at  the  Royal  Hor- 
ticultural Society's  rheeting  on  August  20.  The 
plant  exhibited  bore  14  flowers,  and  secured  for 
the  grower  a  well-merited  "  Cultural  Commenda- 
tion," for  it  is  the  original  plant  figured  in 
Lindenia  III.,  t.  cviii.,  as  B.  grandiflorum.  The 
plant  has,  therefore,  been  in  the  Burford  collec- 
tion for  many  years.  The  true  Bulbophyllum 
grandiflorum  was  illustrated  in  the  Gardeners' 
Chronicle,  April  6,  1895,  p.  429,  also  from  a  plant 
which  flowered  in  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence's  col- 
lection, and  which  is  very  distinct  from  B. 
longisepalum.  Both  are  natives  of  New  Guinea 
and   need   to   be   cultivated   in   a   hothouse. 

Bulbophyllum  longisepalum  has  a  whitish 
ground  to  the  flowers,  but  the  greater  part 
of  the  surface  of  the  elongated  sepals  is  spotted 
and  veined  with  claret  colour.  The  petals  are 
small,  the  column  very  short,  and  the  labellum, 


which  is  a  deficiency  compared  with  the  average 
record  in  this  district  of  35?  hours. 

Under  these  climatic  conditions,  the  Hay  crop 
was  generally  over  the  average  in  bulk,  but  the 
unfavourable  weather  at  the  time  of  cutting  and 
harvesting  rendered  the  work  both  tedious  and 
expensive.  In  fact,  but  little  really  well-cured 
Hay  will  be  obtained  from  this  year's  crop. 

The  Rothamsted  experiments  on  the  mixed 
herbage  of  permanent  Grass-land  have  now  been 
continued  for  more  than  a  period  of  52  years. 
Some  of  the  plots  have  been  without  manure  for 
the  whole  of  this  time,  and  others  have  been 
furnished  with  different  artificial  manures,  each 
kind  of  manure  only  being  applied  year  after 
year  to  the  same  portion  of  land.  The  crop  of 
the  present  season  was  cut  on  July  13  and  15, 
and  was  harvested  in  very  fair  condition  on  July 
17  and   18. 


September  21,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


211 


The  plot  which  has  received  not  an  ounce  of 
manure  of  any  kind  for  the  whole  period  of  52 
years  has  this  year  produced  19|  cwt.  of  Hay 
per  acre,  which  is  If  cwt.  less  than  the  average 
quantity.  The  herbage  on  this  portion  is  of  a 
very  mixed  character,  more  than  50  species  of 
Grasses,  Clovers,  and  weeds  being  present.  The 
plot  which  received  a  dressing  of  superphi  sphate 
alone  produced  25  cwt.  of  Hay  per  acre,  being 
2J  cwt.  above  the  average  yield.  Thus  the 
■quantity  of  stemmy  Hay,  encouraged  by  phos- 
phate alone,  is  but  little  greater  than  that  from 
the  unmanured  plot.  The  Grasses  and  weeds 
are  slightly  increased,  while  the  Clovers  are 
diminished 

Superphosphate  and  sulphate  of  ammonia  ap- 
plied together  yielded  38J  cwt.  of  Hay  per  acre, 
being  3J  cwt.  in  excess  of  the  average.  The 
■effects  produced  by  this  combination  of  manures 
is  an  increased  yield  of  Hay,  composed  chiefly 
of  Grasses  of  the  mcst  inferior  quality;  Clovers 
have  entirely  disappeared. 

Superphosphate  and  potash  applied  in  combi- 
nation, but  without  nitrogen,  gave  a  produce  of 
54|  cwt.  of  Hay,  being  19-J  cwt.  above  the  aver- 
age yield.  This  large  weight  of  Hay,  obtained 
without  any  nitrogenous  supply,  is  entirely  dve 


amount.  The  Grass  in  this  case  ripened  early. 
Nitrate  of  soda  encourages  the  growth  of  Clovers 
in  the  mixed  herbage  much  more  than  does  am- 
monia salts. 

The  Rothamsted  experiments  on  Grass-land 
show  that  not  only  is  the  weight  of  Hay  con- 
siderably influenced  according  to  the  nature  of 
the  manure  employed,  but  that  the  various 
plants  of  Grasses,  Clovers  and  weeds  differ 
greatly  in  number  of  individual  plants,  in  char- 
acter as  to  stem  and  foliage,  and  in  their  degree 
of  development  as  to  ripeness,  and,  conse- 
quently, in  the  feeding  quality  of  the  Hay  that 
is  secured.  The  elements  of  potash  and  phos- 
phates assist  in  maintaining  the  quality  of  a 
pasture ;  these  fertilisers  are  best  supplied  by 
an  application  of  5  cwt.  basic  slag  and  5  cwt. 
kanit  per  acre  every  other  year.  Nitrogen  in 
any  form  should  be  used  sparingly  on  pasture, 
about  8  or  10  tons  of  farmyard  dung  per  acre 
applied  once  in  each  five  years  being  generally 
sufficient.  The  area  of  several  of  the  plots  has 
this  year  been  divided,  and  on  one-half,  in  addi- 
tion to  the  usual  manures,  1,000  lb.  of  ground 
burnt  lime  have  been  applied.  This  has  re- 
sulted in  a  large  yield  of  Hay  of  improved  feed- 
ing quality.     /.  /.   in/.'.'/,  Harfendcn. 


FlG.   89. — BULBOPHYLLUM    LONGISEPALIM. 

A,  Side  view  nf  bloom,  nat.  size;    B,  Sepals  removed  to   show  the   small  column  and   hineed  labellum,  nat    size; 
C,  Column,  labe'lum  and  petals  x  4  ;  D,  Section  through  col.  and  labellum  x  4 ;  E,  Front  view  of  labellum  and  petals  X  4. 

(For  text  see  p.  210.1 


to  the  enormous  development  of  Clovers,  which 
constitute  more  than  one-half  of  the  whole 
herbage. 

The  Clovers,  which  are  assisted  in  their 
growth  by  the  potash  and  phosphate,  obtain 
their  necessary  nitrogen  from  atmospheric 
sources,  through  the  agency  of  micro-organisms 
present  in  the  soil,  the  work  of  the  bacteria  be- 
ing favoured  by  the  potash  and  phosphate. 

The  plot  receiving  a  manure  mixture  of  pot- 
ash, superphosphate,  and  sulphate  of  ammonia 
gave  63J  cwt.  of  Hay  per  acre,  which  is  12J  cwt. 
in  excess  of  the  average  by  this  treatment.  In 
all  the  plots  to  which  sulphate  of  ammonia, 
potash,  and  phosphates  in  different  combina- 
tions  have  been  applied  continuously,  the  pro- 
duce of  Hay  is  bulky,  the  percentage  and  weight 
of  Grasses  is  large,  while  the  proportion  of 
Clovers  and  weeds  is  small. 

The  plot  receiving  a  mixture  of  potash,  super- 
phosphate and  nitrate  of  soda  produced  53£  cwt. 
of  Hay,   being  7  cwt.   in  excess   of  an  average 


AUTUMN  FLOWERING 
CROC  USE?. 
There  are  many  species  of  autumn-flowering 
Crocus  that  can  be  recommended  for  planting  in 
the  rock  garden,  flower  border,  or  grassy  vista. 
In  common  with  most  of  the  large  genera,  there 
are  a  few  species  in  the  genus  Crocus  that  are 
not  worth  cultivating  in  gardens,  and  it  is  these 
that  are  generally  difficult  to  grow.  Such 
species  as  will  succeed  almost  anywhere,  includ- 
ing cancellatus,  speciosus,  zonatus,  and  pul- 
chellus,  are  now  propagated  in  great  numbers 
annually,  and  their  corms  are  cheap  enough  to 
plant  broadcast.  The  typical  herbaceous  border 
generally  offers  a  few  bare  sites  that  will  accom- 
modate some  of  the  strongest-looking  Crocus's, 
and  these  species  will  extend  the  list  of  late 
flowering  plants.  The  narrow  belt  of  shrubs 
and  tiny  borderings  often  to  be  seen  close  to 
dwellings,  offer  sites  for  further  plantings.  Sep- 
tember   is     the     latest    period    of   planting   for 


the  southern  half  of  England ;  indeed,  it 
will  be  found  that  the  plants  will  flower 
at  their  appointed  time  in  dry  storage.  Choice 
of  soil  is  not  of  great  importance ;  they  can 
all  be  grown  quite  easily,  in  a  light  loam,  and 
if  the  land  is  heavy,  the  addition  of  some  sand 
will  be  all  that  is  necessary.  Comparatively 
shallow  planting  is  advisable.  All  the  species 
in  this  climate  enjoy  the  open  sunshine,  but  they 
will  flourish  fairly  well  in  the  light  shade  of 
thin  deciduous  trees  and  shrubs,  provided  there 
is  no  heavy  dripping  of  water  from  the 
branches.  Most  Crocuses  in  a  wild  state  grow 
hidden  among  scrubby  plants  such  as  Thorns, 
and  this  fact  has  caused  many  persons  to  plant 
them  beneath  shrubs  by  preference.  Some 
measure  of  protection  is  by  this  system  afforded 
flowers  that  blossom  late  in  the  winter,  but 
those  varieties  which  have  a  genial  flowering 
period  do  not  need  it.  The  wildings  are  found 
in  scrub  because  they  would  be  otherwise 
destroyed  by  goats  and  other  animals.  Practi- 
cally all  the  species  produce  seeds  freely.  No  . 
harvesting  is  necessary  in  the  case  of  common 
species  planted  in  the  turf,  for  their  seeds  will 
germinate  where  they  fall  ;  but  seeds  of  choice 
species  in  borders  require  to  be  sown  in  a  warm, 
light   soil   directly  the  capsules  burst. 

The  cultivation  of  autumn-flowering  Crocuses 
calls  for  a  few  geneial  remarks.  Sand  is  help- 
ful in  the  soil,  but  a  few  bushels  of  mortar 
rubble  are  much  more  so.  This  material,  if 
passed  through  a  half-inch  screen  and  freely  in- 
corporated with  the  staple,  renders  the  site  dis- 
tasteful to  insect  life.  Rats  and  mice  are  parti- 
cularly troublesome  in  broad  grass  plantings  ; 
fortunately,  there  is  a  capital  remedy  for  this  in 
"  Ratin."  I  was  much  troubled  by  rats  collect- 
ing from  far  and  near  to  eat  of  Tulip,  Fritil- 
laria,  and  other  bulbs  recently  planted,  and 
tried  this  specific.  The  baits  disappeared  on 
the  third  day  and  the  rats  within  a  week,  so 
efficacious  was  the  remedy. 

The  planting  of  small  numbers  of  autumn- 
(lowering  Crocuses  may  be  done  even  when  the 
corms  are  flowering,  but  any  extensive  plantings 
should  be  completed  by  the  middle  of  September 
at  the  latest.  A  few  dozen  corms,  petted  and 
encouraged  to  grow  quickly  by  affording  them 
a  little  extra  warmth,  will  prove  very  attractive 
111  the  decoration  of  apartments.  One  can 
it-turn  the  corms  to  the  open  garden  after  flower, 
ing. 

Species  and  Varieties. 

C.  asturicus. — This  is  an  early-flowering, 
compact-growing  species,  from  Northern  Spain. 
The  flowers,  which  vary  considerably  in  colour 
and  merit,  are  produced  in  October.  They 
have  short  tubes  and  short  segments,  which  are 
coloured  a  violet-purple  in  the  variety  that  is 
generally  accepted  as  the  type.  Azureus,  pale 
violet  and  atropurpureus,  deep  purple,  are  two 
colour  selections  of  merit.  It  is  essentially  a 
plant  for  the  rock  garden,  and  one  sees  it  at  its 
best  when  it  forms  a  "  torrent  "  of  flowers  down 
a  steep  declivity,  with  Herniaria  glabra  cloth- 
ing the  soil  at  its  base.  The  leafage  is  pro- 
duced after  the  flowers  fade,  and  matures  in  the 
following  May. 

C.  caspivs. — A  white-flowered  species  from 
the  Caspian  region.  The  flowers  are  shaped  as 
in  C.  zonatus,  and  have  the  same  elongated  cup- 
outline  as  those  of  that  species.  They  are  white 
throughout,  save  for  the  yellow  at  the  base  and 
tube.  It  is  a  desirable  Crocus  for  the  rock 
garden.     The  leaves   are  produced  in  October. 

C.  cancellatus. — This  is  a  pretty  and  vari- 
able species  widely  spread  throughout  Asia 
Minor.  The  flowers  are  produced  late  in 
September,  and  have  boat-shaped  petals  li  inch 
in  length,  with  orange  basal  colouring  and  a 
'ittle  feathering  of  mauve  externally.  This 
species  seems  capable  of  living  in  the  poorest 
turf,  and  can  be  recommended  for  planting  in 
light,  sandy  soils  that  dry  quickly. 


212 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[September  21,  1907. 


C.  c.  cilicicus  is  a  pretty  blue-flowered 
variety,  and  one  that  thrives  on  a  dry  slope  ot 
a  rockery.  The  colour  varies  from  lilac  to  rich 
blue,  and  the  stigmas  are  a  rich  shade_  of 
orange.  All  the  forms  of  C.  cancellatus  flower 
with  the  leaves  just  pushing  through  the 
sheaths. 

C.  hadriaticus. — A  precocious  species  from 
the  Ionian  Islands.  The  flowers  appear  early  in 
October,  and  the  foliage  develops  some  weeks 
before  the  inflorescences,  which  they  just  ex- 
ceed in  height.  The  floral  segments  are  white, 
starry  in  outline  when  fully  expanded,  feathered 
outside  with  purple  more  or  less  slightly,  and 
possessing  a  rich  yellow,  circular,  basal  disc. 
The  species  is  essentially  a  rock-garden  subject, 
but  it  also  succeeds  in  a  narrow,  dry  border.  It 
dies  out  in  grassland  in  the  second  year  after 
planting. 


C.      iridiflosus. — This     very 


distinct     and 


GREYWELL    HILL. 

Greywell  Hill,  the  seat  of  the  Countess  of 
Dorchester,  is  situated  4  miles  to  the  south  of 
Winchfield  Station,  1^  miles  from  Hook,  and 
5  miles  east  of  Basingstoke.  The  original  parish 
church  was  built  in  the  time  of  King  John 
(1215),  which  will  afford  some  knowledge  of 
the  antiquity  of  the  place.  The  church  of  St. 
Mary  is  an  ancient  structure  of  flint,  with  stone 
quoins  and  dressings,  and  was  built  in  the  early 
English  style.  It  was  restored  in  1870.  Grey- 
well  Hill  is  situated  on,  an  eminence  in  a  pretty 
small  park,  which  contains  many  fine  trees, 
including  specimens  of  the  Beech,  Lime,  Elm, 
and  Whitethorn.  The  soil  is  light  loam,  with 
a  sub-soil  of  chalk  and  clay.  The  flower  bor- 
ders shown  in  fig.  90  are  situated  in  the  centre 
of  the  kitchen  garden,  on  the  north  side 
of  the  house,  and  are  about  100  yards  long. 
A   grass    path    leads    along  the  centre,   with   a 


way  that  is  covered  with  Rose  Felicite-Perpetue 
that  presents  a  beautiful  sight  when  in  flower. 

In  the  kitchen  garden  are  many  noteworthy 
fruit  trees.  From  two  trees  of  Apricot  growing 
against  a  south  wall  16  feet  high,  600  fruits  were 
recently  gathered.  In  the  kitchen  garden  some 
of  the  edgings  of  Box  are  fully  2  feet  in  height, 
and  as  much  in  width,  with  a  cleanly  cut  sur- 
face. 

The  mansion  is  a  commodious  structure 
wholly  clad  with  creepers  ;  a  China  Rose  rambles 
over  the  porch  entrance.  In  tubs  on  either  side 
of  the  entrance  are  two  red  Pomegranate  trees 
fully  9  feet  high,  and  smothered  with  their  bright 
scarlet  blossoms  ;  these  plants  are  said  to  be  90 
years  old.  The  tubs  are  comparatively  small  i 
they  measure  2  feet  6  inches  across  and  15  inches 
in  depth,  thus  proving  in  what  little  rooting 
space  the  Pomegranate  will  thrive. 


[Photograpn  by  F.  Mason  G<  od. 
Fig.  go. — some  flower  borders  at  greywell  hill,  the  residence  of  countess  dorchester. 


attractive  species,  from  Eastern  Europe,  can  be 
planted  in  almost  any  part  of  the  flower  garden. 
Its  flowers  possess  a  quality  of  refinement  in 
their  mauve  colouring.  The  outer  petals  are 
twice  the  size  of  the  inner  ones,  are  a  little 
deeper  in  colouring,  and  exceed  1J  inch  in 
length.  The  stigma  is  a  tassel  of  purple  fila- 
ments, and  the  flower  tube  is  coloured  an 
amethystine-blue.  Newly  imported  bulbs  are 
generally  weak  and  need  cultivating  for  a  year 
before  they  are  capable  of  flowering  well,  after 
which  they  develop  large  flowers  6  inches  in 
height  and  with  correspondingly  large  petals.  C. 
iridiflorus  forms  a  good  garden  species,  and  it 
enjoys  a  liberal  admixture  of  lime  rubble  in  the 
soil.     G.  B.  Mallelt. 

(To  be  concluded.) 


flower-border  on  either  side.  The  borders  are  each 
6  feet  in  width,  and  at  the  back  are  some  re- 
markable examples  of  espalier-trained  Apple 
and  Pear  trees.  Some  of  these  trees  are  said 
to  be  fully  200  years  old.  One  Apple  tree 
of  the  variety  Glory  of  the  West  has  spurs 
fully  3  feet  in  length.  Amongst  these  trees  is 
one  of  Ribston  Pippin  Apple,  which  this1  season 
is  carrying  a  good  crop  of  fruits.  These 
trees  are  said  to  have  been  planted  by  Lady 
Dorchester's  great  grandmother.  The  flower- 
borders  are  planted  with  standard  Roses,  Dah- 
lias, Fuchsia  gracilis,  and  Pinks  in  quantity  are 
planted  next  to  the  path.  A  fine  specimen  of 
Deutzia  scabra,  over  40  years  planted,  produces 
a  wealth  of  blossom  in  its  flowering  season. 
The  path  at  the  east  end  is  entered  by  an  arch- 


On  the  eastern  side  of  the  mansion  is  growing 
a  handsome  specimen,  20  feet  high,  of  Chimo- 
nanthus  fragrans.  Berberis  vulgaris  was  thickly 
studded  with  its  brilliantly  coloured  fruits.  On 
the  lawn  is  a  weeping,  white-fruited  Mulberry 
tree,  whose  branches  spread  over  a  space  20 
feet  in  diameter. 

A  quaintly-built  pergola  is  almost  hidden 
from  view  under  tall  Beech  and  Lime  trees. 
I'he  structure  is  8  feet  in  height,  and  as  much 
in  width.  It  was  built  of  Larch  poles  some 
14  years  ago,  and  has  growing  over  it  the  Ivy, 
Holly,  and  common  Laurels. 

A  small  Dutch  garden  is  much  hidden  by  lMgs 
forest  trees,  from  which  through  an  opening  a 
magnificent  view  of  Odiham  Church  is  obtained. 
A   Wanderer. 


September  21,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


213 


A    NEW    CHRYSANTHEMUM 
DISEASE. 

In  1902  Dr.  M.  C.  Cooke,  in  his  articles  on 
"  Pests  of  the  Flower  Garden  "  (Journal  of  the 
Royal  Horticultural  Society,  vol.  xxvii.,  p.  373), 
wrote: — "  It  will  be  well  to  be  guarded  against 
the  occurrence  of  '  leaf  spot '  on  Chrysanthe- 
mums, as  some  three  or  four  exotic  species  are 


three   spores   are 
The  size  of  the 


FlG.   gl. — CHRYSANTHEMUM    LEAVES   AFFECTED    WITH    SEPTORIA 
CHRYSANTHEMI. 


already  known.  The  ringed  brown  spot  (Sep- 
toria  chrysanthemi)  has  apparently  been  con- 
fined to  Italy.  This  is  the  most  essential  to  be 
watched  of  all,  since  it  is  European." 

Last  autumn,  Mr.  W.  P.  Bound,  of  The  Gar- 
dens, Gatton  Park,  Reigate,  Surrey,  sent  me  a 
fungus  disease  which  he  had  observed  on  his 
Chrysanthemums.  Having  recently  had  an 
opportunity  of  comparing  this  fungus  with  the 
authentic  examples  of  Septoria  chrysanthemi 
|Cav.|  in  the  Herbarium  of  the  Natural  History 
Museum  at  South  Kensington,  I  have  ascer- 
tained it  is  the  same  species.  Gardeners  have 
now  consequently  every  reason  to  be  on  their 
guard  during  the  coming  season  against  this 
Chrysanthemum  leaf-spot,  which  appears  to  be 
a  new  disease  so  far  as  this  country  is  concerned. 

Mr.  W.  P.  Bound  writes  that  he  had  never 
observed  the  disease  before  last  autumn,  and 
reports  as  follows  on  its  occurrence: — "The 
variety  attacked  was  '  Letrier.'  There  was  a 
general  disfigurement  of  the  plant,  but  the  flower 
was  not  affected.  The  disease  occurred  also 
to  a  slight  extent  on  '  Mrs.  Thompson  '  Both 
the  above-named  are  late  varieties.  I  feel  pretty 
sure  that  we  had  it  on  some  of  the  early-flower- 
ing varieties,  but  we  took  little  notice  of  it  at 
first.  There  were  no  signs  of  it  till  after  the 
plants  had  been  taken  into  the  house." 

The  disease  can  be  recognised  by  the  presence 
of  more  or  less  rounded  spots  of  varying  size  on 
the  upper  surface  of  the  leaf  (see  fig  91).  These 
spots  soon  turn  to  a  dark  reddish-brown,  and 
these  dark  patches,  which  consist  of  diseased 
tissue,  besides  disfiguring  the  plant  for  orna- 
mental purposes,  render  the  leaves  unable  to 
carry  on  their  proper  functions  ;  and  the  plant 
in  consequence  becomes  weakened  in  vitality. 
When  the  fungus  produces  its  fructification, 
little  black  dots  become  visible  scattered  over 
the  discoloured  areas  of  the  leaf.  A  section  of 
a  part  of  a  diseased  Chrysanthemum  leaf,  show- 
ing the  fructification  of  the  fungus,  is  drawn  in 
fig.  92.  At  a  is  shown  the  fructification,  or 
"  pyemdium,"  as  it  is  called.  The  spores  of 
the  fungus  are  produced  in  countless  numbers 
from  the  inner  surface  of  this  "  pyenidium  "  ;  in 
damp  weather  the  spores  may  be  seen  escaping 
in   hundreds    from    the   mouth    of    the    "pyeni- 


dium," as  shown  at  b.  At  < 
shown  more  highly  magnified 
spores  is  40-70   x   1.5-2/*. 

The  disease  was  first  observed  about  1890  in 
Italy,  in  the  Botanic  Gardens  at  Pavia  and  else- 
where. Briosi  and  Cavara  state: — "We  have 
for  several  years  in  succession  observed  this 
parasite  in  the  autumn  just  when  the  Chrysan- 
themum is  about  to  flower.  The  leaves  which 
are  affected  by  it,  besides 
bearing  brown  patches, 
become  crumpled  at  the 
margins,  and  fall  prema- 
turely." 

In    the    United     States, 
Dr.  Halsted   writes  of  the 
disease  as  follows*  : — "  A 
blight  has  been  quite  pre- 
valent    upon     the     leaves 
of     the     Chrysanthemum, 
blotching  them  with  brown 
until  they  wither  and  fall 
away.      Moisture    favours 
the  development   of   these 
spots  very  greatly.     Some 
varieties  seem  to  be  more 
subject  to  the  blight   than 
others,    but    probably    all 
will  take  it  when  the  con- 
ditions are  most  favourable 
and  the  spores  are  present. 
The  same  fungus  was  found 
by    Prof.    Beach     at    the 
Geneva  (New  York)  Station 
on   the   foliage    of    green- 
house  Chrysanthemums." 
Prof.     Beach  writes  of  the 
disease    as    follows: — "It 
first  appears  in  small  brown 
spots,  which  increase  in  size  and  number  until 
the  leaf  tissue  dies  and  the  foliage  drops  off.    In 
badly-diseased  plants  nearly  all  the  leaves  wither 
and  fall  away.     During  the  past  year  (1894,,  the 
Septoria  has  become  more  or  less  common  on 
cultivated     Chrysanthemums,     and    will     likely 
prove  one  of  the  troublesome  species  of  fungi. 
Experiments  with  fungicides  for  this  pest  have 
been  carried  out  at  the  Geneva  Station,  and  it 
is  recommended,  after  the  removal  and  burning 
of  the   spotted   leaves,   to   cover   the  remaining 
foliage  with  Bordeaux  Mixture.     It  is  said  that 
'  five  or  six   applications  will   usually  be   suffi- 
cient to  keep  the  foliage  covered,  especially  if 
the  soap  is  used.'    The  follow- 
ing formula  for  the  Bordeaux 
Mixture    is    j;iven  : — Dissolve 
two  pounds  of  copper  sulphate 
(bluestone)      in      water,      add 
whitewash  made   of   one   and 
a  half  pounds  of  fresh-slaked 
lime,  and  dilute  to  22  gallons  of 
water  ;   then  add  enough  soap 
to  form  a  suds." 

In  Bulletin  121  of  the  Ohio 
Agricultural  Experiment  Sta- 
tion, it  is  stated  :— "  Leaf  spot 
(Septoria  chrysanthemi |  is  fre- 
quently a  disfiguring  disease  in 
the  earlier  growth  of  the  plant. 
For  indoor  treatment  a  copper 
sulphate  solution  (one  pound 
to  50  gallons  of  water)  will 
prove  available.  More  appli- 
cations will  be  required,  but 
the  foliage  will  not  be  rendered 
so  unsightly  as  with  Bordeaux 
Mixture,  which,  however,  may 
be  applied  in  full  strength." 
The  time  here  recommended 
for  applying  the  fungicide  is  first  about  July  1, 
with  a  second  application  two  weeks  later,  and 
similarly  a  third  if  necessary. 

The  disease  is  noted  also  in  the  Report  of  the 
Mir  viand  State  Horticultural  Society,  vol.  iv., 
1902. 

*  Report  of  the  Botanical  Department  of  the  New  Jersey 
Agricultural  College  Experimental  Station,  1891,  p.  298,  and 
1894,  p.  363. 


On  the  Continent  the  disease  is  becoming  pre- 
valent. It  was  recorded  from  greenhouses  in 
Copenhagen  in  1897,  and  is  now  known  from  a 
number  of  places  in  Italy  and  Germany.  In  Octo- 
ber, 1904,  October,  1905,  and  in  August,  1906, 
it  occurred  in  the  form  of  an  epidemic  in  nur- 
series in  Berlin.  Last  year  it  was  recordedf 
from  Bohemia,  in  greenhouses,  with  the  follow- 
ing note: — "The  fungus  is  a  dangerous  para- 
site, especially  in  glasshouses,  where  it  soon 
attacks  the  majority  of  the  leaves  and  causes 
them  to  fall." 

Prof.  Magnus,J  in  a  recent  article,  has  pointed 
out  that  the  correct  name  for  the  present  fungus 
is  Septoria  chrysanthemella,  Sacc.  E.  S.  Salmon^ 
F.L.S.,  Mycologist  to  the  Souih-Eastern  Agricul- 
tural College,  Wye,  Kent. 


THE    HARDY    FLOWER 
BORDER. 

LINARIA  TRIORNITHOPHORA. 
This  is  a  distinctly  attractive  member  of  the 
Toadflax  family,  and,  though  said  to  be  a 
native  of  southern  Europe,  is  apparently  fairly 
hardy,  as  it  came  through  the  last  severe  winter 
unharmed.  It  grows  to  a  height  of  3  feet,, 
and  its  rich,  rosy-purple,  yellow-lipped  blos- 
soms, borne  in  great  numbers  on  the  branching 
flower-spikes,  are  distinctly  handsome.  It  has 
now  been  in  bloom  in  this  garden  for  three 
months,  and  will,  apparently,  continue  to 
flower  until  checked  by  the  frost.  The  plant 
has  about  a  dozen  flower-stems,  and  is  a  showy 
object  in  the  border.  The  blossoms  are  1^ 
inch  in  length.  Many  self-sown  seedlings  are 
springing  up  around  the  plant.  The  leaves 
are  lance-shaped,  and  are  carried  in  whorls  of 
four.  The  species  is  said  to  stand  the  winter 
unprotected  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Winder- 
mere.    S.   W.  Fitzherbert,  Devonshire. 

DIGITALIS  PURPUREA. 
This  biennial,  in  its  several  varieties,  should 
be  more  popular  than  it  is,  the  plant  being 
stately  and  beautiful  when  in  bloom.  Foxgloves 
succeed  as  town  plants  if  accorded  frame  culture 
in  the  winter;  otherwise,  in  smoky  towns  they 
are  apt  to  be  injured  by  blacks  and  dirt  settling  on 
the  leaves.  Seeds  sown  in  August  will  produce 
good  flowering  plants,  which  should  be  trans- 
planted into  well-drained  soil  at  10  inches  apart, 


Fig. 


92. LEAF-SECTION    OF   CHRYSANTHEMUM    AFFECTED    WITH 

SEPTORIA   CHRYSANTHEMI. 

a,  pyenidium  ;  b,  spores  escaping  from  interior  of  pyenidiutn ;  c,  three 
spores  highly  magnified. 


lifting  them  in  October  and  planting  them  in 
cold  frames  if  that  method  is  called  for  by  the 
position  of  the  garden.  They  may  be  trans- 
ferred to  the  open  ground  late  in  March  and  in 
April.  The  plants  make  showy  groups  in  the 
foreground  of    shrubberies,  alongside  woodland 

t  Hedwigia,  xlvi.,  p.  294. 

I  '•  Ueber  die  Benennung  der  Septoria  auf  Chrvsanthemum, 
indicum."    (Bee  Dcutsch.  Bot.  Geselhch.  xsv.,  299  (1907). 


214 


THE     GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


[September  21,  1907. 


walks,  and  in  beds  by  themselves  in  the  flower 
garden.  There  are  several  fine  strains,  and  the 
best  of  these  are  Ivery's  spotted  and  D. 
gloxiniaeflora.  The  seeds  being  very  minute, 
care  should  be  taken  to  sow  them  thinly  in 
bread  pans  filled  with  sandy  soil,  finely  sifted, 
and  consisting  of  one-third  peat,  one-third  loam, 
and  one-third  leaf-mould.     F.  M. 

STOCK-FLOWERED  LARKSPURS. 
Free-gro  jving  annuals  that  produce  bright 
flowers  suitable  for  furnishing  vases,  &c,  in 
the  dwelling-room,  are  of  much  value  in  the 
garden.  I  recently  saw  in  the  gardens  at 
Cricket  St.  Thomas,  near  Chard,  a  row,  20  yards 
in  length,  of  a  fine  strain  of  Larkspur,  known 
as  Sutton's  Branching,  Stock-flowered.  The 
plants  possessed  a  compact  habit,  were  about 
3  feet  in  height,  and  had  flowers  of  a  mixture 
of  colours,  including  rosy-scarlet.  During  a 
long  experience  in  gardening  I  have  never  seen 
anything  more  ornamental  than  these  plants  in 
flower.  Near  by  were  planted  clumps  of  Sweet 
Peas.  These,  with  the  Larkspurs,  furnished 
flowers  in  plenty.  For  planting  amongst  shrubs, 
including  Rhododendrons,  and  in  the  her- 
baceous border,  no  plants  are  more  suitable  than 
the  Larkspurs.     John  Crook. 


PLANT    NOTES. 

COSTUS  IGNEUS. 
It  is  just  a  quarter  of  a  century  since  this 
showy  flowering  plant  was  introduced  from 
Bahia  by  Mr.  Linden,  of  Brussels.  Twelve 
years  after  its  introduction  the  species  was 
given  a  first-class  certificate  by  the  Floral  Com- 
mittee of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society.  Simi- 
lar to  other  members  of  the  genus,  it  develops 
from  a  thickened  root-stock  a  number  of  stout, 
upright,  l;afy  stems.  The  stronger  of  these  are 
terminated  by  cone-like  inflorescences,  which 
develop  their  flowers  in  succession  for  a  con- 
siderable period.  The  individual  flowers  are 
about  2  inches  in  diameter,  and  are  of  an 
intense  orange  colour.  They  "are  thin  in  tex- 
ture, and  individually  do  not  last  long,  but, 
as  above-stated,  each  head  bears  many  blos- 
soms. The  flowering  season  extends  from 
autumn  until  early  in  wintef,  and  on  a  dull 
November  day  I  know  of  nothing  more  beau- 
tiful than  the  flame-coloured  flowers  of  this 
Costus.  The  temperature  of  a  stjve  is  neces- 
sary for  its  successful  culture,  and  it  may  be 
either  grown  in  pots  or  be  planted  out  in  the 
border.  When  grown  in  pots,  it  blossoms  when 
only  18  inches  or  2  feet  in  height,  but  when 
planted  out  in  rich  soil  the  plants  grow  much 
taller.  The  rooting  medium  should  consist  of 
a  mixture  of  loam  and  leaf-mould  in  equal 
parts,  with  the  addition  of  a  little  dried  cow 
manure  and  a  liberal  quantity  of  rough,  silver 
sand.  Propagation  is  readily  effected  by  divi- 
sion of  the  roots  during  the  spring  months. 
When  growing  freely,  effective  drainage  and  a 
liberal  supply  of  water  are  very  necessary  to 
the  plant's  requirements. 

LOTUS  PELIORIIYNCUS. 
This  Teneriffe  species  of  Lotus  is  now  gen- 
erally well  known  in  gardens.  It  forms  a  de- 
sirable subject  for  growing  in  hanging  pots  or 
baskets,  and  when  the  plants  are  in  good  con- 
dition the  long,  slender  shoots,  clothed  with 
sprays  of  bluish-gray,  needle-shaped  leaves, 
hang  down  for  considerably  over  3  feet.  The 
plant,  in  the  absence  of  flowers,  has  somewhat 
the  appearance  of  a  species  of  Asparagus.  In 
the  spring  or  early  summer,  when  it  is  studded 
with  its  blossoms,  which  in  shape  much  re- 
semble those  of  Clianthus  puniceus,  it  forms  a 
very  beautiful  feature  in  the  greenhouse  or  con- 
servatory Within  the  last  few  years  this  Lotus 
has  b:en  employed  for  bedding  purposes,  and  in 
Hyde   Park   this   season   a  very   uncommon   yet 


effective  edging  to  a  large  bed  Gf  mixed  sub- 
jects is  formed  of  Lotus  peliorhyncus,  asso- 
ciated with  the  golden-leaved  Creeping  Jenny 
(Lysimachia  nummularia  aurea),  the  shoots  of 
these  two  plants  being  entwined  together. 
Another  edging  to  a  large  bed  of  Oreocome 
Candollii,  interspersed  with  Lilium  speciosum 
album  and  Verbena  Miss  Willmott,  is  formed  of 
the  purple-leaved  form  of  Ajuga  reptans.  The 
Lotus  under  notice  may  be  propagated  by  means 
of  seeds  which  may  be  obtained  from  most  nur- 
serymen, and  by  the  young  growing  shoots. 
These  latter  should  be  taken  off  at  a  length  of 
about  \\  inch  in  the  spring-time,  and  be  inserted 
in  well-drained  pots  filled  with  sandy  soil.  If 
placed  in  a  warm  propagating-case  that  is  kept 
close  they  will  soon  form  roots.     W . 


The  Week's  Work. 


PLANTS    UNDER  GLASS. 

By  J.  G.  Weston,  Cardener  to  H.  J.  King,  Esq., 
Eastwell  Park,  Kent. 

Begonia  Gloire  de  Lorraine.  —  This  universal 
favourite  may  be  had  in  bloom  at  any  period  of 
the  year,  but  the  plants  are  most  appreciated  in 
the  autumn  and  winter  months  when  out-door 
flowers  are  scarce.  A  batch  of  the  more  forward 
plants  should  now  be  allowed  to  bloom,  by  ceasing 
to  pick  off  the  buds.  As  the  flowers  develop, 
overhead  syringings  should  be  discontinued,  but 
damping  between  the  pots  should  be  done  daily, 
as  a  dry  atmosphere  tends  to  encourage  insect-life. 
Ventilate  the  house  freely  on  all  favourable 
occasions,  and  when  the  plants  are  in  full  bloom 
leave  a  "  crack  "  of  air  on  all  night  to  cause  the 
air  to  circulate.  The  variety  "  Turnford  Hall," 
with  white  flowers,  succeeds  under  similar  condi- 
tions. It  is  a  beautiful  plant  when  well  grown,  and 
a  good  companion  to  the  pink-flowered  varieties. 
Ttie  later-raised  plants  should  be  kept  growing 
strongly,  pinching  out  all  bloom  for  the  present  in 
order  that  the  plants  may  furnish  a  useful  succes- 
sion to  the  earlier  batch.  Slakeand  tie  thegrowths 
as  required,  using  very  fine  pieces  of  green-dyed 
Bamboo  points,  neat  staking  being  very  essential 
to  plants  required  for  decoration.  But  little 
shading  will  be  required  after  this  date  except  in 
very  hot  situations.  Close  the  house  early  in  the 
afternoon  in  order  that  the  plants  may  get  the 
benefit  of  the  sun-heat,  and  the  atmospheric  tem- 
perature of  the  house  may  be  permitted  to  rise  to 
85°,  but  should  decrease  during  the  night  to  a 
minimum  of  60°. 

Winter-flowering  Pelargoniums. — The  plants  having 
been  fully  exposed  all  the  summer  have  now  their 
growths  thoroughly  ripened,  and  should  be  allowed 
to  develop  their  flower  spikes.  Preparations 
should  be  made  to  place  them  under  glass  in  a 
light  house,  having  a  sunny  aspect.  Stage  them 
thinly  and  as  close  to  the  glass  as  possible,  as 
every  ray  of  sunshine  is  necessary  during  the 
winter  months.  Apply  a  top-dressing  in  the  shape 
of  a  little  good  artificial  manure,  mixed  with  fine 
leaf-soil  and  sand.  The  roots  will  soon  extend 
into  this  and  derive  great  benefit  from  the  stimu- 
lant. After  housing  the  plants  keep  the  ventilators 
wide  open  day  and  night  for  the  present,  and  if 
the  weather  continues  warm,  spray  the  plants 
slightly  with  water  every  afternoon.  When  the 
weather  becomes  dull  and  damp  maintain  a  little 
heat  in  the  water  pipes  and  ventilate  accordingly, 
keeping  the  atmosphere  of  the  house  at  night  at  a 
minimum  temperature  of  55°.  The  temperature 
may  rise  during  the  day  with  sun-heat  to  65°,  but 
the  house  should  then  be  ventilated  freely.  These 
plants  will  not  succeed  in  a  close,  stuffy  atmos- 
phere, nor  in  one  where  cold  draughts  of  air  are 
permitted. 

FRUITS  UNDER  GLASS. 

By  Alexander  Kirk,  Gardener  to  J.  Thomson  Paton,  Esq., 
Norwood,  Alloa,  Clackmannanshire. 

The  late  vines. — Late  Grapes  that  will  be  expected 
to  keep  in  good  condition  on  the  vines  throughout 
the  winter  should  become  perfectly  ripe  during  the 
present  month.  Admit  an  abundance  of  air  to  the 
vinery  and  keep  the  atmosphere  dry  at  all  times. 
Remove  the  laterals  as  they  appear.  Cover  the 
inside  borders  with  short,  mown  grass  to  prevent 
evaporation  from  the  soil.  Maintain  a  circulation 
of  heat  in  the  pipes  to  expel  any  moisture  from 
the  atmosphere.     Examine  the  bunches  daily  and 


cut  Out  any  decayed  berries  as  soon  as  they  are 
seen.  Keep  a  sharp  look-out  for  red  spider,  and 
should  this  pest  be  discovered,  sponge  the  leaves 
with  soft  soap  and  warm  water. 

Forced  vines. — The  vines  from  which  the  fruit 
was  removed  in  the  month  of  May  should  be 
pruned  during  the  present  month  if  it  is  intended 
to  force  them  again  next  season.  Prune  the 
laterals  back  to  two  eyes.  Wash  the  canes  well 
all  over  with  hot  water  and  Gishurst  Compound. 
If  red  spider  or  other  insect  pests  have  been 
troublesome,  apply  at  least  three  dressings  of  the 
Gishurst  Compound.  Be  careful  not  to  injure  the 
buds.  Cleanse  the  house  thoroughly.  Remove 
the  surface  soil  of  the  inside  border  down  to  the 
roots,  and  top-dress  the  roots  with  rich  turfy  loam 
mixed  with  some  approved  Vine  manure.  Have 
done  any  painting  that  may  be  necessary,  and 
make  everything  clean  before  the  time  arrives  to 
commence  forcing. 

Tomatos.  —Plants  for  fruiting  in  autumn  and 
winter,  and  which  were  potted  into  9-inch  pots  last 
month,  need  to  have  ventilation  by  day  and  night. 
Afford  them  manure  water  once  each  week,  and 
see  that  they  are  always  supplied  with  sufficient 
water.  Train  the  plants  on  the  single  stem  system, 
and  take  out  all  lateral  shoots  as  soon  as  they 
appear.  As  soon  as  the  apex  of  the  plant  reaches 
its  limit  of  space  stop  the  growth  by  pinching  out 
the  point.  As  the  days  will  soon  be  short  and  dull 
it  will  be  necessary  to  artificially  pollinate  the 
flowers,  or  they  will  not  set  freely.  A  sharp 
tap  on  the  stake  or  trellis  occasionally  should  be 
sufficient  to  effect  pollination.  Do  this  when  the 
sun  is  shining  and  the  ventilators  are  open.  Fumi- 
gate the  house  with  the  XL-All  if  any  white  fly  is 
discovered.  Tomato  plants  intended  for  fruiting 
early  should  now  be  in  3-inch  pots.  Let  them  be 
arranged  on  a  shelf  or  in  a  frame  near  to  the  glass 
to  induce  short-jointed  growth.  Admit  plenty  of 
air  during  fine  weather.  Plants  now  in  full  bearing 
should  have  their  leaves  shortened  to  expose  the 
fruit  to  the  full  benefit  of  the  sun  and  liglit.  If  it 
is  necessary  to  remove  any  plants  now  bearing  a 
crop,  they  can  be  severed  from  their  roots  and  sus- 
pended in  a  vinery,  or  other  cool,  well-ventilated 
house,  when  the  fruits  will  soon  develop  colour,  and 
afterwards  be  useful  for  culinary  purposes.  Top- 
dress  any  plants  that  require  it,  applying  rich  loam 
in  which  a  little  chemical  manure  has  been  mixed. 
Make  this  dressing  firm  over  the  surface  of  the 
roots,  and  afford  a  good  watering  with  tepid  water. 


THE    ORCHID    HOUSES. 

By  W.  H.  White,  Orchid  Grower  to  Sir  Trevor  Lawkencs, 
Bart.,  Biirford,  Surrey. 

The  value  of  sunshine. — The  summer-like 
weather  that  has  prevailed  recently  is  favour- 
able to  the  plants,  as  it  will  assist  them  to 
thoroughly  ripen  their  growth.  Especially  is 
this  desirable  in  the  case  of  Dendrobiums  that 
have  finished  growing.  If  such  plants  are  in  a 
house  that  is  properly  ventilated  they  will  stand 
as  much  direct  sunshine  as  is  likely  to  be  ex- 
perienced at  this  season,  and,  being  thus  ex- 
posed to  sun  and  air,  will  require  considerable 
water  at  the  roots.  These  remarks  also  apply  to 
the  Catasetums,  Cycnoches,  Mormodcs,  Lissochi- 
lus,  the  deciduous  Eulophias,  Thunias,  Pleiones, 
Habenarias,  Cyrtopodiums,  Schomburgkias,  the 
Mexican  Laslias,  as  L.  anceps,  &c,  also  many 
Epidendrums,  as  E.  radicans,  E.  xanthinum, 
E.  O'Brienianum,  Epiphronitis  Vei.chii,  &c. 
The  deciduous  Calanthes  that  are  finishing  their 
new  pseudo-bulbs  will  also  receive  great  benefit 
by  exposure  to  extra  sunshine  at  this  season. 
The  period  of  sunlight  will  be  less  each  day, 
and  as  the  atmosphere  becomes  cooler  and 
moister,  especially  at  night,  the  watering  of  Or- 
chids generally  must  be  carried  out  with  even 
greater  discretion  than  usual,  gradually  reducing 
the  quantity  as  the  season  advances.  There  are 
few  Orchids  that  .have  greater  need  for  a  light, 
well-ventilated  atmosphere  at  this  season  than 
the  Cattleyas,  especially  when  there  is  plenty  of 
sun-heat ;  even  where  the  house  is  fully  exposed, 
the  plants  will  only  require  to  be  thinly  shaded 
for  an  hour  or  so  during  the  hottest  part  of  the 
day. 

Vandas  of  the  V.  tricolor  section  which  occupy 
a  position  in  the  Cattleya  house  should  be 
shaded  independently  of  the  other  inmates  :  the 
terete-leaved  Vandas,  as  V.  teres,  V.  Hookeriana, 
V.  "  Miss  Joaquim,"  and  V.  Marguerite  Maron 
(V.  Marguerite  Maron  being  now  in  bloom!i 
should     be     kept     in     the     warmest   house   and 


September  21,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


215 


exposed  to  the  sunlight.  They  will  require  fre- 
quent overhead  syringings  so  long  as  the  weather 
continues  warm  and  bright.  Our  plants  are 
growing  on  upright  teak-wood  rafts,  and  periodi- 
we  examine  them,  and  tie  the  points  of 
(he  young  roots  close  on  to  the  rafts,  to  which 
they  cling  with  tenacity,  thus  greatly  assisting 
the  formation  of  strong  flowering  growths. 

The  cool  intermediate  house,  which  contains 
such  plants  as  Ccelogyne,  Maxillaria,  Miltonia, 
Cypripedium,  Cymbidium,  Brassia,  Oncidium, 
Zygopetalum,  some  Epidendrums,  and  many 
other  Orchids  which  are  still  growing  freely, 
will  only  require  to  be  moderately  shaded.  The 
Odontoglossums,  Masdevallias,  Oncidiums,  &c, 
in  the  cool  house  should  be  protected  from 
strong  sunshine  at  all  times. 

The  heating  apparatus. — Everything  connected 
with  the  heating  apparatus  should  be  put  in 
order  at  once,  »o  that  the  Orchid  grower  may  be 
prepared  for  frosts,  which  sometimes  suddenly 
appear  during   October. 


THE  HARDY  FRUIT  GARDEN. 

By  J.  Mavne,  Gardener  to  Lord  Clinton,  Bicton, 
East  Devon. 

Apples. — The  Apple  crop  generally  is  small, 
and  extra  care  should  be  taken  in  harvesting  and 
storing  this  fruit,  for  Apples  will  be  very  valu- 
able during  the  coming  winter  and  early  spring 
months.  Birds  are  persistent  in  their  attacks 
on  this  fruit,  especially  early  ripening  varie- 
ties, and  those  that  have  a  soft  flesh,  such  as 
Ecklinville  Seedling,  Pott's  Seedling,  Wealthy, 
Emperor  Alexander,  &c.  The  sound  truits  should 
be  placed  in  the  fruit  room,  and  those  not  likely 
to  keep  well  should  be  consumed  first.  Any 
fallen  fruits  that  are  infested  with  maggots 
should  be  collected,  smashed,  and  buried  in  a 
deep  trench,  or  be  burned  on  the  garden  fire. 
This  will  destroy  many  of  the  grubs  of  this  pest. 
Devonshire  Quarrenden,  Worcester  Pearmain, 
Colonel  Vaughan,  Lady  Sudeley,  September 
Beauty,  and  King  Harry  are  suitable  varieties 
for  dessert  purposes  at  this  date.  Apples  in- 
tended for  keeping  will  require  to  be  sufficiently 
matured,  and  should  not  be  gathered  until  they 
will  part  easily  from  the  tree. 

Strawberries. — Established  plants  will  con- 
tinue to  develop  runners,  but  these  must  be 
removed.  Use  a  knife  for  severing  them,  as  in 
pulling  them  out  the  crowns  are  often  destroyed. 
Autumn-fruiting  Strawberries  are  furnishing  us 
with  some  good  fruits  from  a  north  border,  but 
the  birds  are  troublesome  amongst  them,  al- 
though the  plants  are  protected  by  ne  s. 

General  remarks. — The  recent  warm  weather 
has  caused  the  ground  to  become  diy  in  rasny 
places,  especially  where  the  soil  is  light  or 
shallow,  so  that  late  Plums  and  Peaches  occupy- 
ing warm  positions  on  walls  or  fences  may  be 
greatly  benefited  by  root  waterings.  The  foliage 
should  be  syringed  every  alternate  evening  dur- 
ing hot  weather,  but  the  water  should  not  be 
allowed  to  reach  any  fruits  that  are  ripening. 
Wasps  and  flies  are  busy  amongst  ripe  fruits, 
which  need  careful  guarding  from  their  attacks. 
The  weather  for  the  week  ending  the  13th  inst. 
has  been  grand,  and  has  benefited  all  crops. 
Hoeing  can  be  practised  with  advantage  durin0 
hot  weather,  but  when  the  climatic  conditions 
are  wet,  hoeing  is  of  little  use  in  the  destruction 
of  weeds. 

THE    KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

By  William  H.  Honess,  Gardener  to  C.  Combe,  Esq., 
Cobham  Park,  Surrey. 

French  Beans. — Plants  which  are  nicely  in 
bearing  should  be  protected  with  covering  ma- 
terial each  night,  for  although,  at  the  time  of 
writing,  there  has  not  been,  in  this  district,  any 
frest,  there  can  no  longer  be  any  certainty  that 
frost  will  not  occur.  Therefore,  it  is  impera- 
tive to  make  the  necessary  provision  for  afford- 
ing protection,  in  order  that  the  crop,  which 
might  otherwise  be  lost  in  a  single  night,  may 
be  preserved  for  some  considerable  time  to 
come.  Cold  frames  containing  Beans  should 
now  be  kept  closed,  except  in  the  hottest  part  of 
■  the  day,  whet  sufficient  air  may  be  admitted  to 
keep  the  Beans  from  damping.  If  a  little  heat 
can  be  applied,  this  would  now  prove  a  great 
benefit.  Where  it  is  intended  to  maintain  a 
supply  of  French  and  Butter  Beans  throughout 
he    winter,  sowings    in    pots    must  be  made  at 


frequent  intervals.  For  the  present  the  pots  may 
be  placed  outside  or  in  a  cold  frame  ;  but  they 
will  require  to  be  removed  to  a  warm  house  as 
the  season   advances   and  the  days  get   shorter. 

Cabbages. — The  main  batch  will  now  be  ready 
for  planting,  and,  provided  the  ground  has 
already  been  well  prepared,  and  it  has  received 
a  good  dressing  of  lime  and  a  little  potash  or 
wood-ashes,  the  work  of  planting  should  be  car- 
ried out  at  the  first  opportunity,  and  during 
showery  weather,  if  this  is  possible.  Ground 
that  has  produced  a  crop  of  Peas  would  be  very 
suitable  for  the  Cabbages.  Should  the  soil  be 
dry,  let  the  drills  be  given  a  good  soaking  with 
water  the  day  before  the  planting  is  commenced, 
rather  than  apply  water  afterwards.  The  drills 
should  be  drawn  at  distances  of  from  15  to  18 
inches  apart,  according  to  the  different  varieties 
grown,  and  the  plants  may  be  put  out  at  dis- 
tances of  1  foot  to  15  inches  in  the  rows.  Pre- 
vious to  making  the  main  plantation,  select  a 
good  proportion  of  the  forward  plants  for 
planting  on  a  warm  border,  that  they  may  come 
in  a  little  in  advance  of  the  bulk  ;  this  little  at- 
tention is  well  worth  the  trouble,  as  a  few  srnall 
early  Cabbages  are  greatly  appreciated  when 
they  first  appear. 

Early  Potatos. — If  seed-tubers  were  obtained 
from  the  imported  Jerseys,  as  was  advised 
in  the  Calendar  for  July  13,  and  thoroughly 
well  "  ripened "  before  they  were  put  into 
boxes,  sets  will  now  be  available,  thor- 
oughly well  rooted  and  already  in  growth 
These  should  be  planted  forthwith  into  frames. 
Prepare  drills  for  the  tubers,  and  place  some 
well-decayed  leaf-mould  in  the  bottoms  of  them  ; 
on  this  material  lay  the  tubers,  covering 
them  with  additional  leaf-soil,  and  afterwards 
filling  in  with  soil.  If  the  weather  is  fine,  con- 
siderable air  may  be  admitted  to  the  frame  dur- 
ing the  day.  Lightly  syringe  the  plants  in  the 
afternoon  before  closing  the  frame  for  the  night. 
As  growth  advances,  admit  air  freely  on  all 
favourable  occasions,  being  careful  not  to  over- 
heat the  pipes  and  not  to  permit  cold  dran ■■hi  . 
which  would  weaken  or  severely  check  the 
plants.  Although  this  variety  succeeds  well  for 
the  earlier  plantings,  it  should  be  followed  as 
closely  as  possible  by  Sharp's  Victor,  or  the 
Duke  of  York. 


THE  FLOWER  GARDEN. 

By  A.  C.  Bartlett,  Gardener  to  Mrs.  Ford,  Pencarrow, 
Cornwall. 

Propagating  shrubs. — Most  of  the  hardier 
species  of  shrubs  may  be  readily  propagated 
from  cuttings,  inserted  out-of-doors  at  any  time 
from  the  present  date  until  the  end  of  the 
autumn.  A  bed  of  a  suitable  size  should 
be  prepared  for  their  reception  :  the  soil 
should  have  incorporated  with  it  suffi- 
cient leaf-soil  and  grit  to  form  a  suitable 
rooting  medium.  After  making  the  ground 
firm,  shallow  trenches,  4  or  5  inches  deep, 
should  be  made  with  the  spade,  keeping  one 
side  perpendicular,  so  that  the  cuttings  may 
easily  be  kept  erect.  A  common  mistake  is  that 
the  cuttings  are  made  too  short ;  from  7  to  9 
inches  is  a  suitable  length.  Even  in  the  case 
of  shrubs  which  have  small  leaves,  the  cuttings 
should  be  allowed  plenty  of  room  between  them, 
and  sufficient  space  should  be  left  between  the 
rows  to  allow  the  hoe  to  be  freely  worked.  Tread 
the  soil  about  the  cuttings  to  make  it 
firm  ;  a  layer  of  fine  soil  spread  over  the 
bed  will  assist  in  keeping  the  cuttings  firm,  and 
prevent  the  frost  from  penetrating  to  the  base 
of  the  cuttings.  Deciduous  subjects,  including 
Catalpa,  Paulownia,  and  Koelreuteria  root 
readily,  if  cuttings  are  taken  in  January  or 
February,  inserted  deeply  in  soil  of  an  open 
texture,  in  6-inch  pots,  and  plunged  over  a  brisk 
bottom  heat. 

Propagating  Conifers. — Many  Conifers,  such 
as  Cupressus  (including  the  garden  genus, 
Retinospora),  Thuya,  and  Juniperus,  may  be 
readily  propagated  if  cuttings  are  firmly  in- 
serted in  boxes  of  soil  and  placed  against  the 
north  side  of  a  wall,  where  it  is  free  from  drip. 
Shcots  of  Athrotaxis,  <  ephalotaxus,  and  Crypto, 
meria,  are  rooted  with  more  difficulty,  and  in 
propagating  plants  of  these  genera  it  is  often 
advisable  to  shift  the  cuttings  into  fresh  boxes 
of  soil  early  in  the  following  year,  and  then 
place  them  in  a  gentle  bottom  heat. 

Window-boxes. — In  gardens  where  a  duplicate 
,.et  of  boxes  are  maintained,  thos;  intended  for 


use  during  the  winter  should  now  be  planted. 
\  i  the  case  of  the  boxes  used  for  a  sun 
display,  the  soil  employed  should  be  of 
quality.  Where  brightness  is  desired  it  is  not 
wist)  to  rely  too  much  on  the  various  flow 
plants  which  are  used  for  spring  bedding,  foi 
even  under  the  most  favourable  conditions  thei 
is  always  a  considerable  period  before  their 
flowering  commences.  Greater  use  should  be 
made  of  shrubs  which  have  golden  and  silver 
variegated  foliage,  such  as  well-grown  dwarf 
plants  of  Hollies,  Euonymus,  Conifers,  Vincas, 
and  Ivies.  Spring-flowering  bulbs  may  be  in- 
terspersed with  these,  and,  after  they  have 
flowered,  be  removed  without  greatly  disarrang- 
ing the  box.  There  will  also  be  room  for  a  few 
plants  of  Wallflower  and  Primrose.  A  small 
plot  in  the  reserve  garden  should  be  planted 
with  various  successional  plants,  so  that  as  the 
earlier  subjects  finish  flowering,  they  may  be 
at  once  replaced.  These  winter  window-boxes 
should  not  be  placed  in  position  until,  through 
frost  or  other  cause,  the  plants  in  the  summer 
boxes  are  injured  and  need  removal. 


PUBLIC  PARKS  AND  GARDENS. 

By  W.  W.  Pettigrew,  Superintendent  of  the   Parks  and 
Open  Spaces  in  the  City  of  Cardiff. 

The  giving  of  flowers. — Park  officials  receive 
from  time  to  time,  from  private  individuals  as 
well  as  from  public  bodies,  applications  for  the 
donation  of  cut  flowers  or  evergreens  suitable 
for  decoration  or  sale.  When  no  hard  and  fast 
rules  are  observed  in  connection  with  this 
matter,  it  is  often  difficult  to  deal  with  such 
applications  without  giving  offence.  In  the 
case  of  public  institutions,  such  as  hospitals, 
rooms  in  libraries,  botany,  or  painting  classes 
in  connection  with  schools,  or  the  decoration 
of  municipal  buildings  for  public  functions,  the 
parks  department  may  very  properly  be  expected 
to  help  by  providing  a  supply  of  cut  flowers. 
Even  individual  ratepayers,  requiring  cut 
flowers  for  botanical  purposes,  or  as  models  to 
paint  from,  should  be  entitled  to  obtain  them 
in  a  prescribed  manner  from  the  public  gardens 
of  a  town.  In  this  case,  to  prevent  abuse,  it 
is  usual  to  issue  students'  tickets  to  those  de- 
sirous of  taking  advantage  of  this  privilege, 
and  as  only  one  member  of  a  park  staff  is 
authorised  to  supply  the  flowers,  the  various 
students  soon  become  known  to  him  and  he 
would  soon  find  out  any  who  were  likely  to  put 
the  flowers  to  other  uses.  The  institution  of 
the  students'  ticket,  with  its  privileges,  in 
many  public  parks  has  proved  a  boon  to 
students  of  botany  and  painting.  Apart  from 
the  foregoing  cases,  the  question  of  giving  away 
i  ut  flowers  is  rather  a  difficult  one  for  most 
park  officials — to  whose  discretion  such  matters 
are  usually  left — to  deal  with.  How  far  one  is 
justified  in  giving  flowers  from  a  public  garden, 
to  be  sold  at  a  bazaar  in  aid  of  charity,  or  for 
the  embellishment  of  a  concert  hall  or  the  plat- 
form of  a  public  meeting,  depends  very  largely 
upon  the  precedent  already  set  by  the  corpora- 
tion concerned.  It  will  be  generally  agreed 
that,  apart  from  the  needless  work  entailed,  the 
less  this  kind  of  thing  is  done  the  better  it  is 
for  the  park  officials,  as  there  is  the  less  chance 
of  any  kind  of  abuse  and  its  attendant  unplea- 
santness creeping  into  the  management  of  the 
department. 

Harvest  Festivals. — At  the  same  time  it  is 
possible  to  afford  considerable  help  to  different 
public  bodies  without  either  incurring  much 
expense  or  laying  the  department  open  to 
adverse  criticism.  In  this  neighbourhood  nearly 
everv  religious  denomination  has  at  this  season 
of  the  year  what  is  known  as  a  Harvest 
Festival,  when  their  places  of  worship  are 
decorated  with  flowers  and  fruits,  which  are 
afterwards  sent  to  the  local  hospitals  or  the 
homes  of  the  poor.  For  a  number  of  years  past 
the  parks  committee  of  this  city,  realising  that 
flowers  are  at  this  period  of  the  year  very 
plentiful  in  the  public  gardens,  has  allowed 
every  church  of  all  denominations  in  the  city  to 
have  a  few  cut  flowers  on  the  occasion  of  its 
Harvest  Festival.  Thus  without  in  the  least 
marring  the  beauty  of  the  flower  borders,  a 
great  amount  of  satisfaction  and  pleasure ,  is 
given  to  all  classes  and  conditions  of  the  com- 
munity. During  the  ten  years  that  this  practice 
has  been  carried  out  no  single  instance  of  the 
misapplication  of  the  flowers  has  been  brought 
to  our   notice. 


210 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[September  21,  1907. 


EDITORIAL     NOTICE. 


ADVERTISEMENTS  should  be  sent  to  the  PUB- 
LISHER, 41,  Wellington  Street,  Covent  Garden, 
W.C. 

Letters  for  Publication,  as  well  as  specimens  and  plants 
for  naming,  should  be  addressed  to  the  EDITOR, 
41,  Wellington   Street,    Covent   Garden,   London. 

Communications  should  be  written  on  one  side  only  of 
the  paper,  sent  as  early  in  the  week  as  possible  and  July 
signed  by  the  writer.  If  desired,  the  signature  will  not  be 
printed,  but  kept  as  a  guarantee  of  good  faith. 
Special  Notice  to  Correspondents.— The  Editor  does  not 
undertake  to  pay  for  any  contributions  or  illustrations,  or 
to  return  unused  communications  or  illustrations,  unless  by 
special  arrangement.  The  Editor  does  not  hold  himself 
responsible  for  any  opinions  expressed  by  his  correspondents. 


APPOINTMENTS  FOR  THE  ENSUING  WEEK. 


SATURDAY,  SEPTEMBER  21— German  Gard.  Soc.  meet. 

TUESDAY,  SEPTEMBER  24— 

Nat.    Rose    Soc.    Autumn  Sh.   at    R.H.S.  Hall,  West- 
minister. 
FRIDAY,  SEPTEMBER  27— Roy.  Botanic  Soc.  meet. 


Average     Mean    Temperature    for    the    ensuing    week, 
deduced  from  observations  during  the  last  Fifty  Years 
at  Greenwich — 55-0\ 
Actual  Temperatures:— 

LoHDoa.— Wednesday,  September  18  (6  P.M.):  Max.  68°; 
Min.  51". 
Gardeners'  Chronicle  Office,  41,  Wellington  Street, 
Covent  Garden,  London. — Thursday,  September 
HI  1 10  a.m.):  Bar..  30-4,  Temp.,  61°;  Weather- 
Sunshine, 
Provinces.—  Wednesday, September  18  (6  p.m.)  :  Max.  62", 
Scotland  N.  ;   Min.  60°.  Lancaster. 


SALES    FOR   THE    ENSUING   WEEK. 

MONDAY  AND  WEDNESDAY— 

Sale  of  Dutch  Bulbs,   &c,  at  Stevens'   Rooms,    King 

Street,  Covent  Garden,  W.C. 
MONDAY  to  FRIDAY— 

Dutch  Bulbs,  at  67  &  68,  Cheapside,  EX.,  by  Protheroe 

&  Morris,  at  10.30. 
MONDAY— 

Clearance  sale  of  Stock,  Greenhouses,  Piping,  Boilers, 

&c,  at  Thorne  Nursery.  White  Hart  Lane,  Barnes,  by 

Protheroe  &  Morris,  at  12. 
TUESDAY— 

Clearance  sale  of  Stove,  Greenhouse,  and  other  Plants, 

Garden  Seats,  and  Sundries,  at  Leigham  Holme,  Leigham 

Court  Road,   Streatham  Hill,  by  Protheroe  &  Morris, 

at  1. 
WEDNESDAY— 

Azarean  Liliums,  Roman  Hyacinths,  Narcissus,  &c,  also 

Palms  and   Plants,   Bays,    Sec,  at  67  &  68,  Cheapside, 

E.C.,  by  Protheroe  &  Morris,  at  5. 
FRIDAY— 

Fifteenth  annual  sale  of  fruit  trees,  &c,  at  the  Nursery, 

Downham,  Norfolk,  by  order   of  Messrs.  Bird  &  Val- 

lance,  by  Protheroe  &  Morris,  at  12. 

Duplicate  and  other  Orchids    from    the    collection    of 

Eustace  Clarke,  Esq.,  at  67  &  68,  Cheapside,  E.C.,  by 

Protheroe  &  Morris,  at  12.45. 

We    have    already     referred     in 
Linnaeus,     these  columns  to  the  celebrations 

of  the  bicentenary  of  the  birth 
of  this  great  Swedish  botanist  that  have 
taken  place  this  year.  On  the  present  occa- 
sion we  desire  to  draw  attention  to  an  in- 
teresting exhibition  of  memorials  of  Lin- 
na;us  now  on  view  at  the  Natural  History 
Museum,  South  Kensington.  Dr.  A.  B. 
Rendle,  the  Keeper  of  the  Botanical  Depart- 
ment, has  prepared  a  guide*  to  the  portraits, 
autographs,  manuscripts,  and  books.  This 
•exhibition  occupies  the  second  botanical  bay 
on  the  right  hand  side  when  entering  the 
great  hall. 

A  good  selection  of  autographs  and  manu- 
scripts of  Linn6  from  the  Department  of 
Manuscripts  of  the  British  Museum  has  been 
made  by  Dr.  G.  F.  Warner,  the  Keeper  of 
that  Department,  which  adds  considerably 
to  the  interest  of  the  exhibition.  The  De- 
partment of  Prints  and  Drawings  has  lent 
the  large  engraving  of  Linne  in  his  Lapland 
■dress  and  a  portrait  of  his  favourite  pupil, 
Dr.  Solander,  who  in  1765  came  to  England 
to  assist  Sir  Joseph  Banks  in  his  herbarium, 
accompanied  him  in  Cook's  first  voyage 
round  the  world,  and  was  appointed  Keeper 

"  Memorials  of  Linna?us,  Special  Guide  No.  3,  British 
Museum  (Natural  History),  price  3d. 


of  Printed  Books  in  the  British  Museum  in 

1773- 

From  the  Linnean  Society  a  number  of 
books  and  specimens  have  been  lent  from 
Linnets  own  collections,  and  a  fine  series  of 
11  portraits  of  Linne,  presented  by  Dr.  Wm. 
Carruthers,  F.R.S.,  who  represented  the 
Linnean  Society  at  the  Upsala  celebrations. 

The  original  letter  from  Herman  Boer- 
haave,  Professor  of  Botany  at  Leyden,  to  Sir 
Hans  Sloane,  introducing  Linne\  when  visit- 
ing this  country  in  1736,  and  Linnets  letter 
to  Sir  H.  Sloane,  thanking  him  for  the  use 
of  his  museum,  are  both  to  be  seen  in  this 
collection.  From  Linne's  own  herbarium  a 
species  of  Carduus  (Thistle)  is  shown,  illus- 
trating his  method  of  conserving  plants.  Of 
more  interest  is  a  dried  specimen  of  Linnaea 
borealis,  it  being  the  original  specimen  col- 
lected by  Linne1  at  Lychsale  in  Lapland, 
which  he  submitted  to  his  friend,  Dr.  Grono- 
vius,  of  Leyden,  with  the  suggestion  that  it 
should  bear  his  name,  Linne  expressing  a 
fanciful  analogy  between  his  own  early  fate 
and  "  this  little  northern  plant,  long  over- 
looked, depressed,  abject,  flowering  early." 
The  specimen  is  from  Gronovius'  herbarium, 
which  Sir  Joseph  Banks  bought  in  1794,  and 
is  now  in  the  Department  of  Botany  at  the 
Natural  History  Museum. 

From  Linne's  works,  besides  his  Systema 
Naturce,  &c,  the  original  water-colour  draw- 
ing made  by  Ehret,  under  the  direction  of 
Linne,  with  the  names  in  Linne's  hand- 
writing, is  exhibited.  Both  men  were  en- 
gaged at  the  time  at  work  on  the  Hortits 
Cliff ortianus.  This  plate  was  engraved  for 
the  first  edition  of  the  Genera  Plantarum, 
published  in  1737  at  Leyden. 

The  third  case  contains  Paul  Hermann's 
herbarium  of  Ceylon  plants.  It  was  sent  in 
1745  by  Augustus  Gunther,  an  apothecary,  at 
Copenhagen,  to  Linn£,  who  based  upon  it 
his  Flora  Zeylanica,  published  in  Stockholm 
in  1747.  Sir  Josepii  Banks  purchased  this 
herbarium  from  Gunther,  and  it  is  now  in 
the  Botanical  Department  of  the  British 
Museum. 

In  the  wall-case  on  the  left  of  the  bay  are 
shown  a  number  of  reprints  of  Linnets  works, 
and  several  publications  issued  in  commem- 
oration of  the  bicentenary  of  Linne's  birth  ; 
also  a  bronze  copy  of  the  bicentenary 
medal  presented  to  Sir  Joseph  Hooker  on 
May  25,  1907,  by  the  Royal  Swedish  Academy 
of  Sciences. 

Altogether,  the  exhibition  is  one  which 
should  have  much  of  interest  to  botanists  and 
gardeners. 


A  correspondent  has  written  us 
Purchasing  somewhat  indignantly  in  re- 
Bulbs,         spect   to  the  prices  he  has  to 

pay  for  flowering  bulbs.  He 
states  that  before  sending  his  order  to  an 
English  firm  he  compared  the  prices  printed 
in  the  catalogue  with  the  charges  made  for 
the  same  sorts  by  a  Dutch  firm,  and  found 
that  on  an  average  the  English  prices  were 
nearly  fifty  per  cent,  higher.  We  cannot  de- 
termine whether  our  correspondent  is  the 
more  incensed  at  the  English  firm  for  charg- 
ing higher  prices  than  the  Dutch  seedsman, 
or  with  the  Dutchman  for  daring  to  under- 
sell the  Englishman  ;  he  complains  of  each  in 
turn.     The  prices  changed  by  nurserymen  for 


their  goods  is  not  a  matter  in  which  we  desire 
to  interfere  or  in  which  we  have  any  right  to 
do  so,  but  it  may  be  well  to  point  out  to  our 
correspondent  that  there  are  several  circum- 
stances in  connection  with  the  subject  that 
he  may  not  have  taken  into  proper  con- 
sideration. 

Prices  cannot  be  determined  as  excessive, 
or  as  cheap,  merely  from  an  examination  of 
the  catalogues.  Bulbs  or  seeds,  or  plants  of 
a  particular  variety  appear  much  the  same  as 
one  reads  the  descriptions  in  a  catalogue,  but 
the  samples  offered  for  sale  may  vary  in 
quality  to  a  greater  extent  even  than  the 
prices  asked  for  them.  We  are  not  concerned 
with  the  particular  circumstances  in  the  case 
which  has  engaged  the  attention  of  our  cor- 
respondent, and  have  no  desire  to  determine 
which  firm  gives  the  better  value  for  the 
money  it  receives.  It  is  conceivable  that  the 
firm  which  asks  the  lower  prices  also  supplies 
the  better  articles.  If  this  be  so,  however, 
matters  may  be  left  to  rii^ht  themselves,  for 
eventually  the  public  will  discover  which  is 
the  best  market,  and,  having  obtained  that 
knowledge,  will  be  certain  to  act  upon  it. 
But  there  are  many  things  to  consider  in 
all  purchases,  over  and  above  the  amount  of 
money  that  is  paid  for  them. 

A  consignment  of  bulbs,  even  of  the  same 
variety,  when  lifted  from  the  nursery,  might 
easily  be  sorted  into  three  or  more  grades  or 
qualities,  and  if  these  were  so  graded  and 
subsequently  sold  at  similar  prices,  those  who 
were  supplied  with  the  third  grade  would 
have  reasonable  cause  for  complaint.  In  dif- 
ferent nurseries  where  the  nature  of  the  soil 
and  the  details  of  cultivation  vary  one  from 
another,  the  disparity  in  the  quality  of  the 
produce  would  be  proportionately  greater, 
and  consequently  afford  facilities  for  the  exer- 
cise of  a  wider  selection. 

Another  matter  of  first-class  importance  to 
the  purchaser  is  that  of  correct  nomencla- 
ture. If  his  seeds  or  bulbs  are  something 
contrary  to  what  he  has  ordered,  or  if  they 
are  in  the  main  true,  but,  nevertheless,  con- 
tain many  rogues,  he  is  apt  to  consider  the 
purchase  dear,  whether  the  goods  were  ob- 
tained for  high  or  low  prices.  These  are  only 
some  of  the  principal  circumstances  that  af- 
fect prices,  and  they  rule  through  every  class 
of  trade.  Such  matters  as  quick  delivery, 
and  careful  packing,  are  scarcely  less  im- 
portant. 

If,  as  alleged  by  our  correspondent,  the 
Dutch  firms  sell  the  same  quality  of  goods  and 
delivers  them  free  in  this  country,  at  prices 
averaging  fifty  per  cent,  lower  than  are 
charged  by  English  seedsmen,  it  does  not  say 
much  for  the  business  enterprise  of  our  own 
race,  especially  when  it  is  remembered  that 
certain  Dutch  growers  offer  rebates  such  as 
we  have  had  occasion  to  remark  upon 
in  these  columns.  For  ourselves,  we 
cannot  pretend  to  give  an  opinion  on  the 
matter,  but  must  leave  the  seedsmen, 
whether  British  or  Dutch,  to  adjust  their 
prices  according  to  the  value  they  place  upon 
the  goods  they  have  to  distribute.  Their  cus- 
tomers, however,  should  not  hastily  conclude 
that  prices  are  dear  because  they  are  high  in 
comparison  with  others,  or  cheap  becau-u 
they  are  lower.  If  they  are  to  be  judged 
satisfactorily  they  must  be  compared  after  a 
careful  inspection  of  the  articles  for  which 
they  are  charged. 


Supplement   to   the  "  Gardeners'  Chronicle.' 


'  />s(~<J3c  _H  P*>f3 


LOMATIA    FERRUGINEA,    A    FLOWERING    SHRUB     FROM    CHILE,    GROWING    IN    EaRL    AnNESLEY's 

Garden,  at  Castlewellan,  County  Down. 

(From  a  photograph  taken  bv  Earl  Annesley.) 


Temple  Press  Ltd.,   Printers,  7-15,  Rosebery  Avenue,  London,  E.C. 


September  21,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


'217 


Our   Supplementary   Illustration. — The 

view  shown  in  our  supplementary  illustration  to 
the  present  issue  represents  a  part  o£  the  Pine- 
tree  belt  which  encircles  the  charming  garden  and 
dwelling  at  Fir  Grange,  Weybridge  Heath,  in 
■which  Mr.  W.  A.  Bilney  has  arranged  a  series 
of  natural  gardens.  In  this  belt  most  of  the 
important  classes  of  hardy  plants  and  shrubs  are 
arranged  without  interfering  with  that  beautiful 
feature  of  the  property,  the  Pine  trees,  which  had 
been  there  for  many  years  before  a  modern  garden 
was  formed  in  the  locality.  Instead  of  disturb- 
ing the  trees,  paths  were  made  amid  rockeries  and 
between  sloping  banks ;  nooks  and  dells  were 
formed  available  for  Ferneries,  a  bog-garden  (see 
fig.  93),  and  Alpine  garden.  On  the  banks  and 
beneath  the  trees  many   thousands    of  Daffodils, 


little  trouble  in  the  future.  The  planting  of 
Rhododendrons,  Kalmias,  Pernettyas  and  other 
evergreen  flowering  shrubs  in  due  proportion 
among  the  deciduous  species  has  had  the  effect  of 
making  the  gardens  capable  of  affording  interest 
in  winter. 

Autumn  Rose  Show.— The  fourth  annual 
autumn  exhibition  of  the  National  Rose  Society 
will  be  held  in  the  Royal  Horticultural  Hall,  Vin- 
cent Square,  Westminster,  on  Tuesday  next,  the 
24th  inst.  A  feature  introduced  this  year  for  the 
first  time  is  a  class  for  table  decorations,  the  first 
prize  being  a  silver  cup  of  the  value  of  five 
guineas,  given  by  the  president  of  the  society,  Mr. 
E.  B.  Lindsell.  The  exhibition  will  be  open 
until  8  pin.,  in  order  that  the  flowers  may  be 
viewed  under  artificial  light.     The  weather  duting 


Journal  of  the  British  Gardeners' 
Association.— The  second  number  of  this  pub- 
lication has  just  been  issued.  It  consists  of  16 
pages,  and  is  a  well-printed  and  attractive 
publication.  Some  of  the  principal  articles 
include  "  Examinations  for  Gardeners,"  "  The 
Saturday  Half-Holiday,"  "Garden  Appren- 
tices," "The  B.G.A.  and  the  Trade,"  "Notes 
and  Comments,"  "  Gardeners  and  Nursery 
Training,"  and  "The  L.C.C.,  the  R.H.S.,  and 
the  B.G.A."  The  Journal  is  published  at  3d., 
and  copies  may  be  obtained  from  the  secretary, 
Mr.  J.  Weathers,  Talbot  Villa,  Isleworth. 

September  Strawberries. — We  have  re- 
ceived from  Messrs.  H.  Cannell  &  Sons,  Swanley, 
some  fruits  of  the  variety  of  Strawberry  known  as 


{Photograph  by  John  Gregory. 
FlG.   93.— THE  BOG-GARDEN  AND   SUMMER  HOUSE  AT  FIR  GRANGE,  WEYBRIDGE  HEATH.     (See  also  Supplementary  Illustration.) 


Crocuses,  hardy  Cyclamen,  Chionodoxas,  Lilies, 
Scillas  and  other  bulbous  plants  were  planted, 
and  their  beauties  when  in  bloom  have  often  been  de- 
scribed in  the  pages  of  the  Gardeners'  Chronicle.  In 
the  bog-garden,  with  the  Bamboos,  Yuccas,  &c,  on 
the  higher  ground  and  Irises  in  the  front,  the 
British  Sun-dew  forms  an  interesting  patch  grow- 
ing in  native  sphagnum-moss,  and  Sarracenia  pur- 
purea thrives  well.  Astilbe  Davidii,  with  its  bright 
rose-coloured  plumes,  is  a  fine  feature,  and  the 
Hydrangeas,  Chelones,  Arundo  conspicua,  Ane- 
mone japonica,  Lysimachias,  &c  ,  make  a  good 
show.  Pillar-Roses,  Clematis  and  other  flower- 
ing shrubs  are  in  great  profusion,  and  so  care- 
fully and  skilfully  has  the  garden  been  planted 
that  it  will  continue  to  increase  in  beauty  with  but 


the  first  half  of  September  has  proved  favourable 
for  Roses,  so  that  an  unusually  large  and  beauti- 
ful display  of  blooms  may  be  anticipated.  The 
hon.  secretary  is  Mr.  Edward  Mawley,  Rosebank, 
Berkhamsted,  Herts. 

Horticultural  Club.— The  house  dinners 
of  the  club  will  be  resumed  on  Tuesday,  October  1, 
at  6  p.m.,  at  the  Hotel  Windsor.  Mr.  Arthur 
W.  Sutton  will  speak  upon  "A  camping  tour 
from  Damascus  to  Petra  in  Arabia."  The  subject 
will  be  illustrated  by  painted  slides  from  original 
photographs. 

Charles  Huber,  founder  of  the  firm  of 
M.  Charles  Huber  &  Co.,  nurserymen,  at 
Hyeres,  France,  died  recently,  aged  89  years. 


St.  Antoine  de  Padoue.  These  fruits  were  of  very 
large  size  for  this  type  of  Strawberry,  and  the 
trusses  bore  also  a  very  great  number  of  green 
fruits  in  various  stages  of  development,  showing 
that  under  the  influence  of  the  bright  sunshine 
which  has  been  prevalent  since  we  received 
the  fruit,  the  plants  will  yield  a  prolific  crop  of 
acceptable  Strawberries.  Ripe  fruits  of  the  variety 
St.  Joseph  have  been  sent  us  by  Mr.  W.  Selley, 
Highlands  Gardens,  Ivybridge,  Devon.  These 
fruits  had  been  picked  singly,  and  were  excellent 
for  dessert,  being  sufficiently  large  in  size,  and  of 
sweet  and  agreeable  flavour.  Our  correspondent 
states  that  he  has  gathered  fruits  of  St.  Joseph 
since  August  20  last,  and  that  they  ripen  much 
earlier  than  the  variety  St.  Antoine  de  Padoue. 


218 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


lSeptembkr  21,  190',. 


Mr  George  Dickson,  V.M.H.— We  gladly 
avail  ourselves  of  the  opportunity  of  reproducing 
the  portrait  of  Mr.  George  Dickson,  to  whom  we 
alluded  in  our  last  issue.  Mr.  Dickson  is  the 
chairman  of  Messrs.  Alexander  Dickson  &  Sons, 
Newtownards.  He  was  born  in  183'2,  is  a  Justice 
of  the  Peace  for  County  Down,  a  member  of  the 
Down  County  Council,  and  chairman  of  the  Com- 
mittee of  Agricultural  and  Technical  Instruction 
for  that  county. 

The  National  Fruit  Growers'  Federa- 
tion.— A  meeting  of  the  Council  will  be  held  on 
Monday,  October  7,  at  3  p.m.,  at  the  Royal  Horti- 
cultural Hall,  Vincent  Square,  Westminster.  At 
this  meeiing  a  revision  of  the  rules,  and  re-organi- 
sation of  the  Federation  will  be  considered. 

The  Late  Lord  Aldenham.— -In  the  recent 
death  of  Lord  Aldenham,  at  the  age  of  88 
years,  horticulture  loses  one  of  its  most  liberal 
patrons.  Our  columns  have  frequently  borne 
testimony  to  the  excellent  gardening  carried  out 
at  Aldenham  House,  Elstree,  under  the  super- 
intendence of  his  late  lordship's  gardener,  Mr. 
Edwin  Beckett.  In  recent  years  the  gardens 
and  grounds  have  been  greatly  extended,  and 
the  magnificent  exhibits  of  flowering  trees  and 
shrubs  contributed  from  time  to  time  at  the 
meetings  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society 
have  shown  what  a  rich  collection  has  been 
planted  in  the  newer  portions  of  the  grounds. 
It  is  especially  sad  that  on  the  following  day  to 
that  on  which  Lord  Aldenham  died,  the  death 
occurred  of  his  lordship's  youngest  son,  the 
Hon.  Henry  Gibbs,  at  the  age  of  46  years. 

Electric  Light  and  Plant  Growth. — 
Experiments  are  being  conducted  by  Mr.  B.  H. 
Thvvaites  in  the  gardens  of  the  Royal  Botanic 
Society,  Regent's  Park,  in  respect  to  the  culture 
of  plants  by  the  aid  of  the  electric  light.  The 
plants  receive  the  benefit  of  the  ordinary  sunliglit 
during  the  daytime,  and  at  night  a  powerful 
electric  light  enables  the  plants  to  carry  on  the 
work  of  carbon-assimilation.  The  light  is  obtained 
from  a  powerful  lamp  which  travels  slowly  from 
one  end  of  the  house  to  the  other,  and  returns 
rgiinby  an  automatic  process.  A  small  engine 
generates  the  electricity,  and  the  surplus  heat  from 
the  engine  is  utilised  for  the  heating  of  the  glass- 
house in  which  the  experiments  are  conducted.  The 
cost  of  the  gas,  which  serves  the  double  purpose  of 
heating  the  structure  and  driving  the  generating 
plant,  is  lower  than  that  of  the  fuel  consumed  in 
an  ordinary  heating  furnace  necessary  to  main- 
tain the  same  degree  of  warmth  by  means  of  a 
hot-water  system.  The  rays  of  light  from  the 
lamp  pass  through  a  water-screen,  and  on  emerg- 
ing they  form  a  spectrum  approximating  to  that  of 
ordinary  sunlight.  Particulars  of  Mr.  Thwaites' 
system  were  given  in  Gardeners'  Chronicle  for  Sep- 
tembers, 1906,  p.  180,  and  in  the  issue  for  April  3, 
1880,  p  432,  details  were  published  of  experiments 
conducted  by  the  late  Sir  William  Siemens  in 
regard  to  the  same  subject. 


HOME    CORRESPONDENCE 

{The  Editor  does  not  hold  himself  responsible  for  the 
opinions  expressed  by  his  correspondents,  j 

The  Veterans  of  Professional  Gar- 
dening.— Whilst  the  members  of  the  British 
Gardeners'  Association  are  at  the  moment  of 
writing  engaged  in  the  task  of  determining  the 
status  and  requirements  of  the  professional  gar- 
dener of  the  future,  so  far  as  it  may  be  possible 
for  any  voluntary  organisation  so  to  determine, 
my  mind  during  a  time  of  sickness  has  been  car- 
ried into  the  past  rather  than  into  the  future.  The 
biographies  of  gardeners  may  not  offer  very  heroic 
stories,  but  there  have  been,  and  there  are  still, 
in  the  ranks  of  British  and  Irish  professional 
gardeners  men  who  have,  through  hard  work 
and  manly  effort  and  faithful  service,  won  very 


high  honours  in  their  vocation,  and  have  reflected 
upon  it  the  highest  lustre.  Such  men  have  been 
noble  and  illustrious  workers.  What  the  late 
beloved  Dean  Hole  thought  of  those  of  whom  1 
am  writing  is  seen  in  the  letter,  so  highly 
cherished,  he  wrote  me  from  his  sick  bed  in 
North  Wales  on  September  30,  1903,  just  four 
years  ago,  and  which  referred  to  his  "  bitter  dis- 
appointment "  in  not  being  able  to  attend  the 
great  dinner  and  gathering  of  gardeners  in 
London  a  few  days  later.  "  I  have  been  antici- 
pating long  and  anxiously  a  meeting  with  so 
representative  a  body  of  those  men  among  whom 
I  have  found  the  most  congenial  friendships  and 
happiest  enjoyments  of  my  life.  Will  you  tell 
them  that  with  an  old  man's  blessing,  and  from 
a  brother's  heart,  I  pray  that  they  may  ever 
cherish  in  themselves,  and  may  communicate  to 
others,  that  love  of  a  garden  which  brings  health 
to  the  body,  peace  to  the  mind,  and  thankful 
worship  to  the  soul."  Such  a  testimony  as  these 
words  furnish  to  the  worth  and  nobility  of  the 
British  gardener  deserves  to  be  written  in  letters 
of  gold.  Well  may  the  British  Gardeners'  Asso- 
ciation desire  to  see  in  the  gardeners  of  the  future 
men  who  shall  merit  all  the  warm  praise 
bestowed  by  Dean  Hole  on  those  of  the  present 
and  past  generations.  Young  men  who  are  con- 
tent to  drift  into  their  profession,  rather  than 
aspiring  to  shine  in  it,  will  do  little  to  maintain 
that  high  standard  which  the  best  gardeners  of 
the  kingdom  have  so  earnestly  sought  to  create. 
If,  through  the  aid  of  examinations,  it  be  found 


EBsSHs 


MR.    GEORGE    DICKSON,    V  M.H. 

possible  to  generate  in  young  men  some  ambi- 
tion to  be  of  the  best,  some  desire  to  be  leaders, 
some  effort  to  secure  the  greater  knowledge 
without  which  no  gardener  can  ever  be  a  real 
one,  then  will  the  new  association's  labours  have 
not  been  in  vain.  Were  it  possible  to  evoke 
from  the  dead  the  spirits  of  those  great  and 
good  men  who  have  done  so  much  honour 
to  gardening,  what  a  procession  of  splendid 
reputations  would  be  presented !  But  they 
are  gone  to  rest  in  the  great  garden  of  eter- 
nity, where  soon  so  many  more  of  us  will  sleep. 
But  we  still  have  amongst  us  some  fine  old 
veterans.  Would  it  were  possible  to  have  in 
London  ere  long  one  great  social  gathering  of 
these  veterans  !  Would  the  council  of  the  Royal 
Horticultural  Society,  with  its  wealth,  bring  this 
about?  How  they  would  delight  to  gather  once 
more  together  to  fight  over  again  with  each 
other  their  bothy  or  youthful  battles,  and  to 
recall  to  each  other's  memories  the  names  and 
teachings  of  those  who  have  gone  before.  We 
too  soon  forget  those  who  have  worked  so  illus- 
triously in  the  field  of  horticulture.  We  so 
haste  to  live  in  the  future  that  the  pas*  with 
its  great  dead  is  forgotten.  It  is,  therefore,  the 
more  desirable  that  we  should  warmly  cherish 
the  veterans  yet  left  to  our  esteem.     A.D. 

The  Champion  Grape  Class  at  Shrews- 
bury.— I  regret  lo  find  my  opinions  are  not  in 
accord  with  those  of  my  old  and  esteemed 
friend  Mr.  Ciump  over  the  champion  Grape 
Vase  award   at   Shrewsbury.     When  making  the 


suggestion  that  in  future  the  vase  s'.iould  not  be 
won  by  any  competitor  who  does  not  obtain  at 
least  six  maximums,  I  had  in  mind  several 
things.  First,  that  famous  grower  Mr.  Shingler, 
whose  efforts  have  for  several  years  past  been 
the  principal  means  of  maintaining  a  high 
standard  of  excellence  in  this  class,  might 
possibly  rest  on  his  honours.  This  would  make 
the  competition  easier,  but  the  Champion  Vase 
is  so  noble  a  prize  that  any  person  winning  it 
may  well  wish  to  do  so  with  bunches  of  the- 
greatest  merit.  I  have  not  before  me  the  total 
number  of  points  obtained  by  Mr.  Shingler  dur- 
ing the  past  three  years,  but,  failing  to  accept 
my  suggestion  of  at  least  six  maximums  out  of 
12  bunches  to  qualify  for  a  vase  win,  is  it  too 
much  to  ask  that  during  the  three  years  which 
must  elapse  ere  any  competitor  can  again  win 
such  a  trophy  the  total  maximum  of  points  to- 
secure  the  full  possession  of  the  vase  shall  be 
not  fewer  than  has  been  Mr.  Shingler's  winning 
total  of  three  years?  Another  thing  merits 
attention.  Whilst  Mr.  Shingler's  exhibit  in- 
cluded six  varieties  of  Grapes,  the  second  prize 
exhibit  comprised  four  varieties  only.  Having 
regard  to  the  many  fine  varieties  of  Grapes  in 
commerce,  and  the  valuable  nature  of  the  prize, 
it  is  not  too  much  to  ask  that  at  least  six  varieties 
must  be  shown  by  each  competitor.  Mr.  Crump 
mentions  there  were  132  bunches  to  judge  by 
points  in  the  class.  That  means  there  were  11 
exhibits.  Does  not  that  mean  that  some 
bunches  must  have  been  little  better  than  third- 
rate  as  compared  with  those  of  the  winning 
collection?  I  would  like  to  point  out,  in  the 
champion  vegetable  competition  of  nine  kinds  or 
dishes  only,  Mr.  J.  Gibson  secured  five  maxi- 
mums out  of  the  nine,  and  was  short  of  the 
total  maximum  by  four  points  only.  Five  in 
nine  is  a  much  better  standard  than  is  three  out 
of  twelve.  I  trust  whatever  conditions  may  rule 
in  the  champion  Grape  class  in  the  future — and 
all  Grape  growers  will  hope  for  its  continuance — 
it  may  prove  as  successful,  and  never  of  lower 
merit,  than  was  the  new  champion  vegetable 
class  at  this  show.     D. 

Duff  House. — It  wilj  be  remembered  that 
some  months  ago  his  Grace  the  Duke  of  Fife 
handed  over  as  a  free  gift  to  the  inhabitants  of 
Banff  and  Macduff — two  small  and  poor  com- 
munities on  the  Moray  Firth — the  old  and 
historic  mansion  of  Duff  House,  together  with 
the  beautiful  grounds  attached  to  it,  to  be 
utilised  in  the  best  interests  of  the  townsfolk. 
To  maintain  the  grounds  in  a  proper  condition 
will  involve  the  expenditure  of  a  considerable 
sum  of  money,  which  the  authorities  do  not 
possess ;  consequently  weeds  are  beginning  to 
grow,  and  the  once  neatly-kept  grass  verges 
and  walks  are  now  untidy.  A  suggestion  has 
been  considered  for  converting  the  mansion  into 
a  hydropathic  establishment,  whilst  a  well- 
known  golfing  expert  has  declared  that  the 
grounds  are  splendidly  adapted  for  a  golf  course. 
This  part  of  Scotland  is  especially  picturesque, 
and  on  every  hand  the  visitor  will  find  some- 
thing of  charm,  some  shady  walk  or  breezy 
seashore,  some  upland  that  presents  a  fine  sweep 
of  view.  There  is  also  Duff  House,  the 
grounds  of  which  include  twining  paths  by  the 
Deveron  side — a  most  beautiful  river — winding 
in  and  out  on  the  way  to  the  picturesque  Bridge 
of  Alvah,  that  spans  at  one  leap  the  deep  gorge 
that  hems  the  river  between  its  rocky  walls. 
Truly,  Banff  has  decided  attractions — attrac- 
tions whxh  will  appeal  to  all  who  desire  a  quiet, 
healthful  scene,  and  these  attractions  deserve  to 
be  more  widely  known.     Cor. 

Association  of  Park  Superintendents.  - 
In  the  Gardeners'  Chronicle  for  August  17  refer- 
ence was  made  to  the  annual  meeting  of  the 
Society  of  Park  Superintendents  of  America,  and 
the  opinion  was  stated  that  a  similar  society 
would  be  likely  to  succeed  in  this  country.  I 
consider  that  the  benefits  to  be  derived  from  such 
an  association  and  the  holding  of  a  conference 
annually,  with  lectures,  &c,  bearing  upon  the 
management  of  public  parks,  would  be  very 
helpful.  I  hope  other  superintendents  will  ex- 
press their  views,  believing  that  the  suggestion 
made  in  the  note  already  referred  to  should 
be  acted  upon.  The  annual  meeting  could  be 
arrsngpH  to  hf>  held  in  the  metropolis  the  .first 
year,  and  in  important  provincial  towns  after- 
wards. .4.  Waters,  Queen's  Park,  Heywood, 
near   Manchester. 


September  21,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS     CHRONICLE. 


219 


The  Pink-flowered  Clove  Carnation. 
—  1  have  read  with  interest  the  correspondence 
concerning  the  pink-flowering  Clove  Carnation. 
I  was  concerned  with  the  introduction  of  this  new 
variety,  and  I  should  like  to  stale  the  following 
remarks.  Mr.  Woodgate,  p.  205,  says  :  "Mr.  C. 
Young  correctly  stated  the  origin  of  this  variety, 
and  that  the  pink-llowered  Clove  Carnation  men- 
tioned by  Mr.  Alex.  Dean,  on  p.  172,  probably 
came  from  Warren  House."  The  original  plant  of 
which  Mr  Dean  wrote  was  lifted  four  years  ago 
from  Winkfield  Gardens,  it  being  one  of  a  batch 
of  seedlings  of  the  old  crimson  Clo\e  variety. 
The  same  season  it  flowered  at  Kingston-on- 
Thames.  In  all  appearances,  save  that  of  colour, 
it  exactly  resembles  the  crimson  variety,  and  the 
Warren  House  \ariety  is  totally  different  to  the 
one  described  by  Mr.  Dean.  H .  Hatcher,  Winkfield, 
Windsor. 

It  is  evident  from  tie  correspond- 
ence which  has  followed  upon  my  first  reference 
to  the  above-named  Carnation,  that  what  was 
hitherto  regarded  as  a  very  fixed  and  reliable 
plant,  viz.,  the  old  crimson  Clove,  was  after  all  of 
a  very  sportive  nature,  for  pink-flowered  varieties 
appear  to  be  fairly  common  ;  whether  all  are  identi- 
cal in  shade  of  colour  has  to  be  proved.  Bui  the  odd 
thing  about  these  sports  is  that  each  person  who 
finds  one  seems  to  jump  at  once  to  the  conclusion 
that  they  alone  have  thus  been  favoured  and  that 
all  other  similar  sports  must  have  originated  from 
their  stock.  If  the  crimson  Clove  has  sported  in 
one  place  why  should  it  not  do  so  in  twenty 
places  ?  Mr.  Woodgate  may  be  assured  that  the 
stock  I  referred  to  at  Kingston  Station  did  not 
find  its  way  there  from  Kingston  Hill.  The  true 
old  Clove  was  brought  to  Kingston  from  Dorset, 
and  did  not  sport  until  after  several  years  had 
elapsed.  I  hope  to  procure  plants  later  for  trial 
at  Wisley.     A.  D. 

Aconitum      Napellus,      var.      eminens. 

The  accompanying  photograph  of  this  beauti- 
ful Aconite  was  taken  in  Dr.  Stapf's  garden  at 
Hanover  House,  Kew,  about  the  end  of  the 
second  week  in  August.  The  plant  is  figured  in 
the  Botanical  Magazine  for  September,  tab.  8,152 
(see  Gardeners'  Chronicle,  p.  202).  Dr.  Stapf 
states  that  it  is  by  far  the  most  handsome  of  the 
numerous  varieties  of  A.  Napellus,  and  that  it 
appears  to  be  confined  to  the  limestone  zone 
of  the  Kifel  Mountains  in  Rhenish  Prussia.  He 
collected  the  tubers,  from  which  the  plant  photo- 
graphed was  raised,  on  the  banks  of  the  River 
Kyll,  some  miles  from  Gerolstein,  in  1904. 
There  the  plant  grew  most  luxuriantly  in  rich, 
deep  soil,  close  to  the  water,  in  company  with 
\\  illows,  the  tallest  specimen  being  about  &\  feet 
high.  In  another  locality,  on  the  slopes  of  a 
hill  called  Auburg,  to  the  west  of  Gerolstein,  he 
found  it  in  almost  impenetrable  thickets  of 
Hazel,  Cornus  sanguinea,  Viburnum  Lantana, 
and  other  shrubs.  The  tallest  specimen  in  Dr. 
Stapf's  garden  in  1907  reached  a  height  of 
more  than  9  feet,  an  unusual  size  for  an 
Aconite.  /.  Hutchinson,  Kew.  [We  regret  that 
the  photograph  is  unsuitable  for  reproduction.— 
Ed.] 

Bravoa  <  Polianthes. — I  enclose  a  photo- 
graph of  a  bigeneric  hybrid,  which,  I  think,  is 
new.  It  is  a  cross  between  Bravoa  gemini- 
flora  ?  x  Polianthes  tuberosa  1  .  The  cross 
was  made  in  1903,  and  six  seeds  resulted,  which 
all  germinated,  and  the  seedlings  are  now  fully- 
grown  plants,  but  only  one  flowered  this  year. 
The  hybrids  seem  nearly,  if  not  quite,  as  hardy  as 
the  seed-parent,  having  passed  the  last  two  win- 
ters in  a  cold  greenhouse,  from  which  frost  was 
barely  excluded.  This  plant  had  a  spike  about  3 
feet  high  (grown  in  a  pot),  with  25  flowers,  which 
are  fairly  intermediate  in  colour,  size,  and 
form  between  the  parents.  The  colour  is  a  pale, 
coppery,  or  salmon-cream.  In  Bravoa  the 
flowers  hang  down,  and  in  the  Tuberose  are 
semi-erect  ;  in  this  hybrid  they  are  (when  fully 
out)  horizontal.  The  bulb  and  roots  showed 
signs  of  the  cross  and  also  the  leaves,  which 
are  somewhat  broader  than  those  of  Bravoa, 
but  the  two  plants  are  very  similar  in  these 
characters,  and  I  have  been  surprised  that  they 
should  have  been  placed  in  different  genera.  I 
suggest  Bravanthes  as  a  name  for  the  hybrid. 
I  hope  all  the  six  plants  will  flower  next  year,  and 
I  expect  to  see  some  differences  in  the  flowers,  as 
the  leaves  are  different,  some  being  broader  and 
deeper  green,  and,  in  one  case,  much  spotted 
at  the  base.  I  also  enclose  the  top  part  of  the 
spike   of   the   hybrid    with   a    spike    of    Bravoa 


geminiflora  for  comparison.  A.  J.  B.  [We  can- 
not see  that  the  flowers  differ  in  any  way  from 
typical  Bravoa  geminiflora.  They  have  none  of 
the  characters  of  Polianthes.  In  Polianthes  the 
ovary  and  fruit  are  half  superior,  the  flower 
white,  \\  to  2  inches  long,  with  large  segments 
half  as  long  as  the  funnel-shaped  tube,  and  the 
anthers  are  scarcely  exserted  from  the  tube 
of  the  perianth.  In  the  specimen  received  the 
ovary  and  fruit  are  quite  inferior,  the  tube  is 
nearly  cylindrical,  and  the  segments  very  small. 
In    Bravoa  the   riper   flowers  are  erect. — Ed.] 

Cherry    Laurel    Timber.— Rarely   has   the 

wood  of  the  Common  Laurel,  Cerasus  laurocera- 
sus,  been  found  of  sufficient  size  to  be  used  as 
timber,  though  not  long  since  I  recorded  the 
s  ile  of  some  40  tons  of  this  wood  from  an  estate 
in  the  north  of  Ireland.  Several  of  the  stems 
which  I  measured  were  fully  12  inches  in  dia- 
meter at  the  root  end,  and  the  whole  realised 
55s.  per  ton,  for  use  in  the  spinning  mills  at 
Belfast.  This  timber  was  grown  on  a  reclaimed 
peat  bog,  from  which  peat  for  fuel  had  at  one 
time  been  cut.  Recently  the  Earl  of  Charlemont, 
when  conducting  me  over  his  beautiful  estates 
of  Drumcairne,  informed  me  that  he  also  had 
sold  a  quantity  of  Laurel  timber,  but  at  about 
double  the  price  above  recorded.  The  timber 
is  very  heavy  and  durable.     A.  D.   Webster. 

Ants  on  a  Lawn.— A  fortnight  ago  we  had 
quite  a  plague  of  ants  on  the  lawn  and  they 
appeared  to  be  destroying  the  grasses.  I  told  my 
gardener  to  thoroughly  soak  the  infested  portions 
with  water  several  times  every  day.  The  result 
has  surprised  me,  for  now  there  are  no  ants  to  be 
found  The  applications  of  cold  water  cannot 
have  killed  them.  I  can  only  suppose  that  it  made 
their  quarters  so  uncomfortable  lhat  they  moved 
somewhere  else.     F   S.,  Suimouth,  September  14. 

Present    Value    of    British    Timber. — I 

am  sorry  my  experience  in  South  Hants  does 
not  agree  with  that  of  A.  D.  II'  (see  p.  193) 
as  lo  the  prices  obtained  for  British  grown 
timber.  In  this  neighbourhood  it  pays  much 
better  to  farm  the  land  than  to  plant  trees 
of  any  kind,  as  is  proved  by  the  many  acres  of 
woodland  which  have  been  grubbed  of  trees  and 
prepared  for  farm  cultivation.  Many  persons  have 
of  late  suffered  through  the  mistaken  notions  of 
writers  as  to  the  future  value  of  timber,  and  notably 
Larch.  With  regard  to  the  prices  of  various  kinds 
of  woods,  quoted  by  A  D.  If.,  the  most  I  can 
obtain  for  Oak  is  Is.  6d.  per  foot  for  trees  of  50 
cubic  feet.  If  I  could  furnish  a  quantity  of  crooked 
limbs,  so  valuable  for  yacht  building,  I  could  find 
for  these  a  ready  market.  Beech  timber  realises 
here  no  higher  price  than  lOd.  per  cubic  foot  for 
trees  containing  from  GO  to  80  cubic  feet  Elm  will 
produce  from  10d.  up  to  Is.  per  cubic  foot  for 
particularly  good  samp.es  of  large,  clean  growth. 
Eor  Scotch  Pine  4d  per  foot  is  the  average  price 
obtained,  and  Poplar  timber,  of  big  size,  realises 
no  more.  Even  faggots,  of  a  suitable  size  for  heat- 
ing ovens,  can  be  readily  bought  for  8s.  per  100. 
Thus,  it  will  be  seen,  the  returns  for  timber  in  this 
part  offers  no  encouragement  to  the  planter.  E.  M., 
South  Hants. 

Heliotrope  "Lord  Roberts." — This 
grand  Heliotrope  is  equally  useful  for  bedding 
purposes  or  for  culture  in  pots.  I  have  eight  beds 
filled  with  it.  The  plants  are  not  taller  than 
12  inches,  and  they  have  trusses  of  bloom  which 
measure  10  inches  across.  The  intense  shade  of 
colour  is  all  that  can  be  desired  in  a  "  dark  " 
Heliotrope.     A.  E.  Y  R.,  Sudelcy  Las:  e. 


SOCIETIES. 

ROYAL   HORTICULTURAL. 

September  17. — The  usual  fortnightly  meet- 
ing of  the  Committees  was  held  in  the  Vincent 
Square  Hall  on  Tuesday  last.  An  excellent 
display  was  made  with  plants  and  flowers, 
amongst  which  the  Dahlias,  especially  Cactus 
Dahlias,  were  a  prominent  feature. 

Orchids  were  fairly  numerous,  but  there  were 
few  novelties  of  outstanding  merit,  and  the 
Orchid  Committee's  awards  consisted  only  of 
one  Botanical  Certificate  and  two  Awards  of 
Merit. 

The  Floral  Committee  recommended  a  Eir^t- 
Class  Certificate  for  the  new  spec  es  of  Vibur- 
num illustrated  at  fig.  95,  and  nine  Awards  of 
Merit  to  varieties  of  Dahlias  and  Montbretias. 


The  Fruit  and  Vegetable  Committee  did 
not  make  any  award  to  a  novelty. 

At  the  afternoon  meeting  a  lecture  on  "  Sedges 
and  Rushes  for  Ornamental  Purposes,"  pre- 
pared by  Mr.  W.  Smyth,  was  read  by  the 
Secretary. 

Floral  Committee. 

Present:  W.  Marshall,  Esq.  (Chairman),  and 
Messrs.  H.  B.  May,  Geo.  Nicholson,  Jas. 
Walker,  Jno.  Green,  T.  W.  Turner,  R.  Hooper 
Pearson,  J.  F.  McLeod,  Jas.  Douglas,  W.  Howe, 
C.  Blick,  J.  T.  Bennett-Poe,  Walter  T.  Ware, 
K  W.  Wallace,  H.  J.  Cutbush,  A.  Turner,  H.  J. 
Jones,  T.  W.  Barr,  C.  E.  Pea. son,  E.  H.  Jen- 
kins, W.  J.  James,  George  Paul,  James  Hudson, 
and  E.  T.  Cook. 

Lord  Salisbury,  Hatfield  House,  Hatfield  (gr. 
Mr.  Prime),  displayed  a  group  consisting  of 
more  than  30  plants  of  the  m  ;u  let-flowered 
Clerodendron  fallax.  The  plants  exhibited  good 
culture,  and  were  carrying  large  inflorescences. 
(Silver  Flora  Medal.) 

Messrs.  Hugh  Low  &  Co.,  Bush  Hill  Park, 
Enfield,  showed  a  batch  of  Nephrolepis  exaltata 
var.  Whitmanii,  and  another  of  the  pink-flowered 
Chironia  exifera,  with  a  few  vases  of  Carnations 
between  the  two  groups. 

Sir  Edmund  Loder,  Leonardslee,  Horsham, 
Sussex  (gr.  Mr.  W.  A.  Cooki,  showed  inflores- 
cences of  Hydrangea  Hortensia  with  blue  flowers. 

Messrs.  Wm.  Bull  &  Sons,  King's  Road, 
Chelsea,  exhibited  showy  ornamental-leaved 
plants  of  stove  and  greenhouse  species  as  a 
setting  to  choice  varieties  of  Cattleyas  and  other 
Orchids.     (Bronze  Flora  Medal.) 

Messrs.  H.  B.  May  &  Sons,  Upper  Edmonton, 
exhibited  plants  of  Bouvardias  in  variety,  a 
number  of  small  plants  of  greenhouse  Veronicas, 
including  several  trained  as  standard  specimens, 
with  choice  varieties  of  greenhouse  Ferns,  small 
Palms,  Ficus  radicans,  &c.  (Silver  Banksian 
Medal.) 

Messrs.  James  Veitch  &  Sons,  King's  Road, 
Chelsea,  showed  flowering  sprays  of  Strepto- 
carpus  raised  from  seeds  sown  eight  months 
since.  There  were  27  distinct  shades  of  colour- 
ing and  one  of  pure  white  amongst  the  seed- 
lings, which  represented  an  excellent  strain  of 
this  useful  greenhouse  flowering  plant.  Nerine 
Fothergilli  major  was  shown  by  Messrs.  Veitch 
in  very  large  plants,  some  having  16  or  18  flower- 
spikes.  Sarracenia  purpurea  and  Crowea  lati- 
folia  major  were  also  noticed  in  this  exhibit.  As 
,  a  separate  group,  Messrs.  Veitch  showed  hardy 
plants  from  their  Coombe  Wood  Nurserv,  in- 
cluding the  new  Viburnum  rhytidophyllum, 
ornamental  fruited  Crabs  in  fruit,  remarkably 
well-fruited  shrubs  of  Hippophce  rhamnoides, 
many  Hypericums,  including  the  small-flowered 
II.  galioides  ;  Sambucus  canadensis,  a  species 
with  a  huge  inflorescence ;  Aralia  spinosa  in 
flower ;  Nandina  domestica,  a  plant  with  hand- 
some foliage ;  Cydonia  pygmea,  and  manv 
others.     (Silver  Flora  Medal.) 

Messrs.  W.  &  J.  Brown,  Stamford,  showed 
bunches  of  garden  Roses,  with  plants  of  Kochia 
scoparia  interspersed.   (Silver  Banksian  Medal.) 

Mr.  L.  R.  Russell,  Richmond  Nurseries, 
Richmond,  Surrey,  showed  hardy  ornamental- 
foliage  plants  in  small  pots,  with  small  plants 
of  large  flowering  Clematis  interspersed. 

Messrs.  W.  Cutbush  &  Son,  Highgate,  Lon- 
don, N.,  staged  an  assortment  of  varieties  of  the 
Winter-flowering  or  American  Carnations,  with 
two  large  vases  of  Lilium  speciosum  rubrum 
at  the  back  of  the  exhibit.  (Silver  Flora  Medal.) 

Messrs.  W.  Wells  &  Co.,  Merstham,  Surrey, 
exhibited  vases  of  early  flowering  Chrysanthe- 
mums of  the  market  type,  and  including  Nina 
Blick  ibronze)  ;  Miss  B.  Miller  (yellow)  ;  Goa- 
cher's  Pride  (white)  ;  Polly  (bronze),  an  incurved 
bloom  ;  Perle  Chatillionaise  (cream,  faintly  suf- 
fused with  pinkl,  &c.     (Bronze  Flora  Medal.) 

Messrs.  R.  Wallace  &  Co.,  Kilnfield  Gar- 
dens, Colchester,  showed  a  collection  of  Mont- 
bretias of  varieties  raised  by  Mr.  Geo.  Davison, 
and  including  Prometheus,  Westwick,  Ernest 
Davison,  Lutetia,  King  Edmund,  and  several 
new  varieties  which  are  described  under 
Awards.  Adjoining  the  Montbretias  was  an  as- 
sortment of  seasonable  hardy  flowers,  including 
many  spikes  of  Gladioli.  (Silver-Gilt  Banksian 
Medal.) 

Mr.  Amos  Perry,  Enfield  Chase,  London,  N., 
showed  seasonable  hardy  flowers  in  variety. 
We  noticed  flowering  sprays  of  Potentifla 
Hopwoodiana     with     expanded     flowers,     that 


220 


THE     GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


[September  21,  1907. 


are  tinged  with  rose  on  a  yellowish  ground ; 
the  giant  Rudbeckia,  R.  maxima  ;  Coreopsis  ver- 
ticillata  with  yellow  flowers  that  are  like  a  minia- 
ture Sunflower ;  Lilium  auratum  in  variety ; 
Pentstemons  of  many  shades  of  colours ; 
Stokesia  cyanea;  Chrysanthemum  maximum, 
and  the  charmmg  dwarf  Tritoma  Macowanii, 
with  rich,  orange-scarlet  flowers.  (Silver  Flora 
Medal.) 

Mr.  Maurice  Prichard,  Christchurch,  Hants, 
exhibited  an  assortment  of  hardy  flowers. 
Hemerocallis  flava  "  Dr.  Regel  "  was  very  finely 
shown  ;  also  Montbretias  in  variety,  Kniphofias, 


Carter,  Page,  &  Co.,  London  Wall,  London. 
The  exhibit  extended  along  the  entire  end  of  the 
building  opposite  the  clock,  and  was  arranged 
in  a  very  pleasing  manner.  The  flowers  were 
principally  of  the  Cactus  type,  and  almost  all 
the  best  varieties  were  shown.  At  either  end 
were  stands  of  single  and  Pompon  varieties.  The 
whole  was  relieved  with  Grasses,  small  Palms, 
and  sprays  of  Ampelopsis.  As  a  separate  exhibit, 
this  firm  displayed  pot  plants  of  Clematis  in 
flower,  and  small  specimens  of  Ampelopsis 
Veitchii,  with  autumnal  colouring  in  the  foliage. 
(Silver-Gilt  Flora  Medal.) 


Fig.  95. — VIBURNUM   RHYTIDOPHVLLUM  :  AWARDED  a  first-class  certificate  on 
TUESDAY   LAST   WHEN    SHOWN    BY    MESSRS.   JAS.   VEITCH    AND    SONS. 


perennial  Asters,  Anemones,  Phloxes,  Liliums, 
&c.     (Silver  Flora  Medal.) 

Mr.  Frank  Brazier,  Caterham  Hardy  Plant 
Nurseries,  exhibited  hardy  plants,  such  as  per- 
enial  Asters,  early-flowering  Chrysanthemums, 
Gladioli,  Roses,  Antirrhinums,  Phloxes,  and 
many  others.     (Silver  Banksian  Medal.) 

The  exhibits  of  Dahlias  were  extensive,  and 
many  new  varieties  of  this  seasonable  flower 
were  presented  for  Awards.  A  large  dis- 
play   of   these   flowers    was    shown    by    Messrs. 


Mr.  J.  T.  West,  Tower  Hill,  Brentwood,  dis- 
played many  beautiful  varieties  of  Cactus 
and  Pompon-flowered  Dahlias,  with  suitable 
greenery.  The  blooms  were  of  exceptionally  high 
quality,  and  were  displayed  in  an  artistic 
manner.      (Silver    Banksian   Medal.) 

Messrs.  T.  S.  Ware,  Ltd.,  Feltham,  Middle- 
sex, displayed  a  pretty  exhibit  of  Cactus  Dah- 
lias, with  several  of  the  Paeony-flowered  type  in- 
termixed. The  best  of  these  latter  varieties  is 
the  scarlet  Souvenir  de  Gustave  Douzon.    At  the 


back  of  the  exhibit  were  sprays  of  perennial 
Asters  in  variety.     (Silver-Gilt  Banksian  Medal.) 

Messrs.  J.  Cheal  &  Sons,  Crawley,  exhibited 
Cactus,  Pompon-Cactus,  single,  and  Pompon- 
flowered  Dahlias  in  many  of  the  best  varieties. 
(Silver  Banksian  Medal.) 

Mr.  Chas.  Turner,  Royal  Nurseries,  Slough, 
displayed  a  choice  assortment  of  miniature  Pom- 
pon-flowered Dahlias,  and  exhibition  boxes  of 
blooms  of  the  larger  show  type.  The  Pompon 
Dahlias  were  of  especial  merit.  (Silver  Flora 
Medal.) 

Messrs.  Hobbies,  Ltd.,  Dereham,  Norfolk,  s^pt 
up  a  very  extensive  exhibit  of  Dahlias  of  the 
single  Paeony-flowered  type,  with  a  row  of  I  ai_- 
tus  varieties  as  an  edging  to  the  group.  (Silver 
Banksian   Medal.) 

Mr.  J.  Walker,  Thame,  Oxon.,  displayed  show 
and  Cactus-flowered  Dahlias  of  high  quality  in  a 
pretty  setting  of  fancy  baskets  with  Grasses  and 
other  suitable  foils.  At  the  back  of  the  Dahlias 
were  many  excellent  varieties  of  Anemone- 
flowered  or  quilled  China  Asters.  (Silver-Gilt 
Banksian    Medal.) 

Messrs.  Paul  &  Son,  The  Old  Nurseries,  Ches- 
hunt,  showed  an  assortment  of  Dahlias  of  most 
types  interspersed  amongst  sprays  of  ornamen- 
tal trees  and  shrubs.  Amongst  the  last-named 
were  fruiting  sprays  of  Cotoneaster  frigida,  orna- 
mental Crabs  in  variety,  Weigela  versicolor, 
Purple-leaved  Peach,  Clerodendron  trichotomum 
in  flower,  ornamental-leaved  Elder,  Ligus- 
trums,  and  many  others. 

Messrs.  H.  Cannell  &  Sons,  Swanley,  Kent, 
made  an  extensive  display  with  Cactus  and 
Paeony-flowered  Dahlias.  Among  these  latter 
type  notable  varieties  were  Souvenir  de  Gustave 
Douzon  (scarlet),  Mdlle.  van  den  Dael  (soft  pink), 
Grand  Due  Alexis  (white),  Papa  Charmet  (dark 
crimson),  and  Yellow  Colosse.  The  two  last- 
named  varieties  are  new.     (Silver  Flora  Medal.) 

AWARDS. 

A  First-Class  Certificate  was  awarded  to 

Viburnum  rhytidophyllum. — This  is  a  new 
Chinese  species  introduced  by  Messrs.  James 
Veitch  &  Sons,  and  it  is  described  in  the  Hortus 
Veitchii  published  by  that  firm.  It  is  an  excel- 
lent, hardy  shrub,  and  its  character  may  be  seen 
from  the  illustration  at  fig.  95,  in  which  the  very 
large,  much  wrinkled  leaves  and  immense 
corymbs  of  flowers  are  well  portrayed.  The 
plant  exhibited  by  Messrs.  Veitch  on  Tuesday 
last  was  in  fruit,  and  it  showed  that  the  fruits 
set  very  freely.  In  colour  they  are  first  bright 
red,  but  afterwards  become  of  deepest  purple  or 
black.  (See  Gardeners'  Chronicle,  June  30  1906, 
p.   418.) 

Awards  of  Merit  were  recommended  to  the 
plants  enumerated  below:  — 

Montbretia  King  Edmund. — A  yellow  flowered 
variety,  apparently  of  very  tall,  vigorous  habit, 
the  inflorescences  branching  freely.  The  flowers 
are  of  large  size,  and  they  do  not  expand  so  fully 
as  most  varieties. 

M.  Lady  Hamilton. — This  variety  appeared 
scarcely  so  tall.  The  flowers  are  an  Apricot 
shade  of  yellow,  and  in  form  are  greatly  supe- 
rior to  the  much  larger  blooms  seen  in  Prome- 
theus. They  do  not  expand  so  fully  even  as 
those  of  the  variety  King  Edmund,  but  have 
some  resemblance  in  form  to  Watsonias. 

M.  Lord  Nelson. — A  most  effective  variety  with 
orange-scarlet-coloured  flowers,  having  yellow 
centre,  the  exterior  of  the  segments  being  of 
dark   crimson. 

The  three  varieties  of  Montbretias  were  shown 
by  Major  Petre,  Norwich  (gr.  Mr.  Davison), 
who  also  raised  the  variety  Prometheus.  They 
are  excellent  acquisitions  to  these  desirable  bor- 
der plants. 

All  the  following  varieties  of  Dahlia  are  of  the 
Cactus-flowered  type:  — 

D.  "  Flame." — A  very  large  flower  of  orange- 
red  colour.  Shown  by  Mr.  H.  Shoesmith, 
Woking. 

D.  "Dorothy." — A  pretty,  light  mauve-col- 
oured flower  with  white  centre.  An  attractive 
variety  of  good  form. 

D.  Ivernia. — A  very  large  flower  of  orange 
and  pale-red  tints. 

D.  Rev.  A.  Bridge. — This  variety  has  yellow 
flowers  with  reddish  tips  to  the  florets. 

D.  C.  E.  Wilkins. — A  pretty  flower  of  salmon  y- 
rose  shade  with  straw-coloured  centre.  The 
florets,  being  much  rolled,  appear  extra  narrow 
and  they  incurve  well  towards  the  centre. 


September  21,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


221 


The  four  varieties  mentioned  immediately 
above  were  shown  by  Messrs.  J.  Steedwick  & 
Son,  St.  Leonards. 

D.  Cynthia. — The  shades  of  old  gold  and  pale 
red  are  very  attractive  in  this  variety,  and  in 
addition  the  centre  of  the  flower  and  the  tips 
of  the  florets  are  yellow.  Shown  by  Messrs.  T. 
S.  Ware,  Ltd. 

Orchid  Committee. 

Present :  J.  Gurney  Fowler,  Esq.  (in  the  chair), 
and  Messrs.  Jas.  O'Brien  (hon.  sec),  Harry  J. 
Veitch,  H.  Little,  W.  Boxall,  R.  G.  Thwaites, 
A.  A.  McBean,  H.  T.  Pitt,  \V.  P.  Bound,  A. 
Dye,  J.  Charlesworth,  W.  H.  Young,  H.  G. 
Alexander,  W.  H.  White,  H.  A.  Tracy,  H.  Bal- 
Untitle,  F.  G.  Hanbury,  R.  Brooman-White,  W. 
Cobb,  W.  A.  Bilney,  and  F.  M.  Ogilvie. 

Messrs.  Charlesworth  &  Co.,  Heaton  Brad- 
ford, staged  a  group  in  which  home-raised  hy- 
brids, and  introduced  species  were  equally 
well  represented.  Amongst  novelties  staged 
were  Sophro-Cattleya  Marcus  (C.  Enid  X 
Sophro-Cattleya  Calypso),  a  pretty  flower, 
with  orange-ground  colour,  tinged  with  rose ; 
the  centre  of  the  lip  is  a  bright  shade 
of  yellow,  the  margin  being  flaked  with  rose ; 
Sophro-Laelia  Leda  (L.  prasstans  X  S.-L.  Gra- 
trixiae)  of  bright  rose-purple  colour ;  and  Sophro- 
Cattleya  Antiochus  (see  Awards).  The  centre  of 
the  group  was  furnished  with  finely-flowered 
plants  of  Vanda  Kimballiana,  and  a  pleasing 
effect  was  made  by  a  number  of  the  handsome 
Cattleya  Iris,  and  some  pretty  hybrid  Odonto- 
glossums,  including  O.  Phcebe  and  O.  Othello. 
Other  showy-flowered  hybrids  noted  were  the 
very  handsome  Cypripedium  Daisy  Barclay, 
Cattleya  Cermania,  C.  Fabia,  and  Brasso- 
Cattleya  Madame  Chas.  Maron.  At  one  end  of 
the  exhibit  was  a  selection  of  varieties  of  Den- 
drobium  Phalaenopsis,  including  D.  P.  Roth- 
schildianum,  a  white  form,  with  pink  vein- 
ing  on  the  lip  ;  and  of  curious  species  were  the 
elegant  Bulbophyllum  hirtum,  Megaclinium  fal- 
catum,  Cainmaridium  ochroleucum,  the  rare 
white  Eria  stellata,  &c.    (Silver  Flora  Medal.) 

Messrs.  Jas.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Royal  Exotic 
Nursery,  King's  Road,  Chelsea,  staged  a  group 
of  Orchids,  in  which  many  varieties  of  Laelio- 
Cattleya  Bletchlevensis  and  L.-C.  Haroldiana 
were  prominent  features  ;  all  the  flowers  varied 
considerably  in  their  colouring.  In  addition  to 
these  were  good  specimens  of  L.-C.  Hermione, 
L.-C.  Wellsiana,  L.-C.  Tenos,  several  forms  of 
Cattleya  Browniae,  and  other  showy  hybrids.  Of 
Cypripediums  we  noticed  C.  James  H.  Veitch, 
C.  H.  Ballantine,  C.  Rothschildiano-superbiens, 
C.  Xuma  variety  nigra,  &c.  (Silver  Flora 
Medal.) 

Major  G.  L.  IIolford,  CLE.,  C.V.O.,  Wes- 
tonbirt  (gr.  Mr.  H.  G.  Alexander),  showed  a  se- 
lection of  choice  hybrids,  including  Brasso- 
Cattleya  Pluto  (C.  granulosa  x  B.  Digbyana), 
a  very  remarkable  flower,  with  sea-green 
coloured  sepals  and  petals,  and  a  massive  white 
lip  bearing  rose-coloured  markings  on  the  front ; 
Laelia  amcena  (pumila  X  anceps),  which  showed 
much  of  the  form  of  L.  anceps  ;  Brasso-Laelio- 
Cattleya  Hippocrates  (L.-C.  "Hippolyta  x  B. 
Digbyana),  rosy-lilac  in  colour,  with  a  greenish- 
yellow  coloured  disc  ;  and  Cypripedium  Cynthia 
(Charlesworthii   x    Chamberlainianum): 

Sir  Trevor  Lawrence,  Bart.,  Burford  (gr.  Mr. 
W.  II.  White),  showed  a  finely-flowered  speci- 
men of  the  handsome  Cattleya  Hardyana  mar- 
morata,  a  variety  having  a  pale-yellow  ground 
colour  that  is  freckled  with  rose  ;  the  lip  is  of  a 
deep  claret-crimson,  with  gold  veining  ;  Laelio- 
Cattleya  Proserpine  (L.  Dayana  x  C.  velutina)  ; 
Cattleya  Ashtonii  superba,  Cycnoches  peruvia- 
num,   Catasetum   fimbriatum,   and   C.   callosum. 

Messrs.  Sander  &  Sons,  St.  Albans,  staged  a 
group  composed  principally  of  showy  hybrid 
Cattlevas  and  Laelio-Cattleyas.  Cattleya  Pitti- 
ana  rubra  is  a  finely-coloured  variety ;  C.  Cas- 
trceana  (Loddigesii  x  Hardyana)  had  pretty 
lilac-tinted  flowers  and  a  broad,  white  labellum 
that  possesses  a  yellow  centre  ;  C.  Iris  inversa 
was  represented  by  several  showy  forms,  all  hav- 
ing a  shorter  isthmus  in  the  lip  than  in  the 
plant  raised  from  the  original  cross.  Of  the 
Laelio-Cattlevas,  the  finest  was  L.-C.  BletcHey- 
.  ensis  "  Illuminator"  (F.C.C.,  July  21,  1903),  with 
bronzy,  rose-tinted  sepals  and  petals,  and  a  glow- 
ing claret-crimson  coloured  lip.  Good  forms  of 
Cypripedium  Godefroyae  leucochilum  and  others 
were  also  shown  in  this  group.     (Flora  Medal.) 


Messrs.  Moore,  Ltd.,  Rawdon,  Leeds,  staged 
a  group  including  good  forms  of  Cattleya  Ins, 
Odonotoglossum  VYilckeanum,  &c.  The  species 
included  a  specimen  of  the  light-blue  Vanda 
ccerulea,  Ccelogyne  ocellata,  C.  corrugata, 
Lycaste  xytriophora  with  several  flowers,  a 
pretty  spotted  form  of  Odontoglossum  crispum, 
and  several  other  Odontoglossums ;  Oncidium 
crispum  aureum,  with  very  beautiful  yellow 
flowers,  the  brown  markings  being  faintly  indi- 
cated, and  a  very  fine  and  distinctly  marked 
variety  of  Vanda  suavis.     (Silver  Flora  Medal.) 

Messrs.  Armstrong  &  Brown,  Tunbridge 
Wells,  exhibited  a  pleasing  group  of  Orchids, 
the  centre  of  the  exhibit  being  composed  of 
about  fifty  plants  of  Cattleya  Iris  (bicolor  X 
aurea)  from  the  parents  crossed  both  ways.  The 
variety  inversa,  the  seed-bearing  plant  of  which 
was  C.  aurea,  has  round  flowers  with  short 
isthmus  to  the  lip.  The  flowers  of  this 
and  useful  Cattleya  vary  remarkably  in  colour, 
but  the  crimson,  purple  or  rose-coloured  label- 
lums  are  always  bright.  C.  Armstrongiae  (Lod- 
digesii violacea  X  Hardyana)  is  also  a  pretty 
variety  and  lasts  for  a  long  period  in  flower, 
thus  proving  valuable  as  a  decorative  plant. 
Several  forms  of  C.  Armstrongiae  were  shown. 
Also  a  good  selection  of  Dendrobium  Phalae- 
nopsis, a  number  of  hybrid  Cypripediums,  in- 
cluding C.  Kimballianum,  C.  Milo,  "  Cobb's 
variety,"  and  the  richly-coloured  C.  Fowleria- 
num  ;  a  selection  of  Odontoglossum  crispum  ; 
the  curious  Bulbophyllum  Godseffianum,  &c. 
(Silver  Flora  Medal.) 

Messrs.  William  Bull  &  Sons,  King's  Road, 
Chelsea,  in  the  centre  of  their  group  arranged 
a.  selection  of  hybrid  Orchids  in  a  setting  of 
showy  foliage  plants.  Among  the  Orchids 
were  forms  derived  from  Cattleya  aurea  x  C. 
granulosa  Schofieldiana,  L.-C.  elegans  X  C. 
Warscewiczii,  &c. 

Francis  Wellesley,  Esq.,  Westfield,  Wok- 
ing (gr.  Mr.  Hopkins),  displayed  Cattleyas  \l 
Frederick  Knollys  (granulosa  Buyssoniana  X 
Bowringiana) — a  very  distinct  and  pretty  flowei 
with  purple  sepals  and  petals.  The  lip  has  a 
white  tube  that  is  slightly  tinged  with  rose,  the 
rounded  front  lobe  is  coloured  violet-purple, 
and  has  darker  lines  on  a  sulphur-yellow 
ground  in  the  centre;  and  C.  Adula  "Mrs. 
Francis  Wellesley"  (bicolor  X  Hardyana),  a 
pleasing  flower,  the  sepals  of  which  are 
gieenish-buff,  tinged  with  rose,  the  petals 
bronzy  in  the  middle,  the  blades  tinged  and 
veined  with  rose.  The  lip  has  the  short  blush- 
v.lute  side  lobes  closed  over  the  thick  white 
column,  the  front  being  coloured  ruby-purple 
with   orange  markings   on  the  isthmus. 

F.  MENTEITH  Ogilvie,  Esq.,  The  Shrubbery, 
Oxford  (gr.  Mr.  Balmforth),  sent  Laelio-Cattleya 
W.  Balmforth  (C.  Warneri  x  L.-C.  Callisto- 
glossa),  a  variety  resembling  a  very  large- 
flowered  form  of  C.  Warneri,  and  the 
pretty  Sophro-Laelia  Gratrixiae  magnifica.  (See 
Awards.) 

Mr.  Percy  B.  Awcock,  Leatherhead,  showed 
a  plant  of  Odontoglossum  grande  carrying  seven 
flowers  on  one  spike. 

Monsieur  Mertens,  Mont  St.  Amand,  Ghent, 
showed  two  specimens  of  Miltonia  vexillana 
Leopoldii,  other  varieties  of  Miltonia  vexillaria 
and  two  hybrid  Odontoglossums. 

AWARDS. 
Awards  of  Merit. 

Sophro-Lalia  Gratrixia  magnifica  (  Sophronitis 
grandi  flora  x  Ldlia  tencbrosa). — A  pretty  dwarf 
hybrid  with  neat  flowers,  having  a  great  resem- 
blance to  a  small  but  braaa-petauea  i..  icuc- 
brosa,  and  certainly  one  of  the  best  results 
yet  obtained  from  using  that  species  as  a  parent. 
The  plant  had  four  flowers  and  one  flower- 
bud.  The  sepals  and  petals  are  a  pale 
reddish-buff,  with  a  darker  red  veining.  The 
lip  is  a  pale  shade  of  rose,  and  is  heavily 
marked  with  purplish  red.  From  F.  Menteith 
Ogilvie,  Esq.,  The  Shrubbery,  Oxford  (gr.  Mr. 
Balmforth). 

Sopitro-Cat/leya  "Antiochus"  (C.  Warscewiczii 
X  S.-C.  Cleopatra  ). — A  pretty  and  dwarf  hybrid 
with  comparatively  large  flowers  thus  indicating 
the  influence  of  both  parents.  The  sepals  and 
petals  are  coloured  a  bright  purplish-rose,  with 
a  yellowish  ground  colour ;  the  disc  of  the  lip  is 
a  chrome  yellow,  the  tips  of  the  side  lobes  and 
the  crimped-edged  front  being  coloured  ruby- 
crimson.  From  Messrs.  Charlesworth  &  Co., 
Bradford. 


Botanical  Certificate. 
Epidendrum  campylostalix. — A  singular 
species  with  glaucous  green  pseudo-bulbs  and 
leaves,  and  decurved  spikes  of  yellowish 
flowers  that  are  tinged  with  chocolate  colour, 
the  lip  being  whitish.  From  Sir  Trevor  Law- 
rence, Bart.   (gr.   Mr.  W.   H.   White.) 

Fruit  and  Vegetable  Committee. 

Present. — A.  H.  Pearson  (in  the  chair),  and 
Messrs.  Jos.  Cheal,  H.  Markham,  Alex.  Dean, 
Geo.  Keif,  A.  R.  Allan,  R.  Lye,  W.  Fyfe,  W. 
Pope,  H.  Parr,  J.  Davis,  John  Lyne,  P.  D. 
Tucker,  J.  Jacques,  J.  Willard,  J.  Mclndoe, 
Chas.  Foster,  W.  H.  Divers,  and  W.  Poupart. 

The  University  College,  Reading  (garden 
superintendent,  Mr.  C.  Foster)  exhibited  a  very 
large  and  meritorious  display  of  fruits,  includ- 
ing Apples,  Pears,  Plums,  Cherries,  Tomatos, 
and  Melons.  Among  the  Apples  were  good 
specimens  of  the  varieties  Allington  Pippin,  Bis- 
marck, James  Grieve,  Warner's  King,  1'easgood 
Nonsuch,  Ribston  Pippin,  Blenheim  Pippin,  and 
Lady  Sudeley.  The  Pears  included  good 
samples  of  Durondeau,  Williams'  Bon  Chretien, 
and  Conference.  Of  Plums  we  noticed  choice 
fruits  of  Monarch  and  Magnum  Bonum.  (Silver- 
(iilt  lianksian  Medal.) 

Messrs.  S.  Spooner  &  Sons,  Hounslow  Nur- 
series, Hounslow,  staged  a  collection  of  hardy 
fruits — Apples,  Rears,  Plums,  and  fruits  of  a 
species  of  Rubus,  known  as  Strawberry  x  Rasp- 
berry. Lady  Sudeley  Apple  was  finely  coloured. 
A  basket  of  very  good  fruits  of  Potts'  Seedling 
Apple  was  also  noticed.  Duchess  of  Gloucester, 
Cardinal,  and  Bismarck  were  other  good  dishes 
of  Apples  shown  in  this  display.  (Silver 
Knightian  Medal.) 

Mr.  L.  Lockwood,  Low  Hill,  Lindley,  Hud- 
dersfield,  showed  13  varieties  of  culinary  Peas. 
The  largest  pods  were  those  of  the  variety  Quite 
Content;  Centenary  is  also  a  large-podded 
variety  with  very  deep  sutures  that  causes  the 
pods  to  be  very  broad  ;  Edwin  Beckett  is  a  fine 
type  of  pod.  Sharp's  Standard,  Distinction, 
Masterpiece,  Gradus,  Prince  Edward,  Duke  of 
Albany,  The  Belle,  and  Alderman  are  all  of 
first-class  quality.  The  pods  were  beautifully 
green,  and  their  contents  in  the  best  edible  con- 
dition.    (Silver   Banksian   Medal.) 

A  collection  of  some  lesser  known  varieties 
of  Apples  was  exhibited  from  the  Society's 
gardens  at  Wisley.  The  fruits  were  not 
quite  at  their  best  season ;  the  most  notable 
kinds  were  Mrs.  Barron,  Chas.  Ross,  Frogmore 
Prolific,  The  Queen,  Fraise  d'HofEnger,  Queen 
Caroline,  and  Verder's  Golden  Reinette. 

A  new  highly-coloured  Apple  named  Red  Vic- 
toria was  shown  by  Mr.  G.  W.  Miller,  Clark- 
son  Nurseries,  Wisbech.  The  variety  would  be 
welcomed  by  those  persons  who  prefer  an 
Apple  with  a  very  acid  flavour. 

Mr  E.  G.  Loder,  Leonardslee,  Horsham,  Sus- 
sex (gr.  Mr.  W.  A.  Cook  I  showed  a  box  of  well- 
cultivated  Pears  of  the  Williams'  Bon  Chretien 
variety,  and  another  of  Worcester  Pearmain 
Apple. 

Mr.  S.  Mortimer,  Rowledge,  Farnham,  Sur- 
rey, showed  several  fruits  of  his  new  Cucum- 
ber "  Market  Rival,"  a  variety  raised  from 
Bounteous   x   Rochford's  Market. 


ROYAL    CALEDONIAN    HORTICUL- 
TURAL. 

The  following  awards  were  granted  to  non- 
competitive exhibits  at  the  society's  recent  show, 
a  report  of  which  was  published  in  our  last 
issue  :  — 

Large  Gold  Medal  to  Messrs.  Storrie  & 
Storrie,  Dundee. 

Gold  Medals  to  Messrs.  Sutton  &  Sons,  Read- 
ing, and  to  Messrs.  Dobbie  &  Co.,  Rothesay. 

Silver-Gilt  Medals  to  Messrs.  Blackmore  ■'i 
Langdon,  Bath ;  Robert  Bolton,  Warton,  Carn- 
forth;  Cunningham,  Fraser  &  Co.,  Edinburgh  . 
John  Downie,  Edinburgh ;  John  Forbes, 
Hawick  ;  Methven  &  Son,  Edinburgh  ;  Laird  & 
Sons,  Ltd.,  Edinburgh. 

Silver  Medals  to  Messrs.  J.  Cocker  &  Sons, 
Aberdeen  ;  Dickson  &  Son,  Edinburgh ;  T.  S. 
Ware,  Ltd.,  Feltham,  Middlesex ;  Thos.  Dar- 
lington, Warton,  Carnforth  ;  Henry  Eckford, 
Wem  ;  Gunn  &  Sons,  Olton,  Birmingham  ;  A 
Lister  &  Son,  Rothesay. 

Bronze  Medals  to  Messrs.  M.  Campbell  &  Son, 
High  Blantyre  ;  D.  McOmish,  Crieff ;  W.  Wells 
&   Co.,   Merstham,   Surrey. 


222 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[September  21,  1907. 


LONDON   DAHLIA  UNION. 

September  12,  13. — The  annual  exhibition  of 
this  society  was  held  on  the  foregoing  dates  in 
the  Royal  Botanic  Gardens,  Regent's  Park.  The 
show  was  a  decided  success,  and  ranked  amongst 
the  best  held  under  this  society's  auspices.  Com- 
petition in  the  various  classes  was  keen,  and  the 
competitors  included  most  of  the  leading  firms 
and  amateurs  who  make  a  speciality  of  this 
flower. 

Open  Classes. 

Show  Dahlias. — The  best  twenty-four  blooms 
of  show  Dahlias  were  shown  by  Mr.  J  Walker, 
Thame,  Oxon,  in  competition  with  three  other 
exhibitors.  He  was  followed  by  Mr.  Chas. 
Turner,  Royal  Nurseries,  Slough ;  Messrs. 
Keynes,  Williams  &  Co.,  Salisbury,  being 
placed  3rd.  The  flowers  in  the  premier  exhibit 
•included  Plutarch,  Roy  Seale,  William  Raw- 
lings,  Golden  Gem,  Wm.  Keith,  Mrs.  W.  Slack, 
John  Nicholson,  Chieftain,  The  Reverend,  T.  W. 
Girdlestone,  Florence  Tranter,  Arthur  Raw- 
lings,  Comte  de  la  Saux,  James  Cocker,  John 
Walker,  Virginale,  &c. 

Messrs.  Joseph  Cheal  &  Sons,  Crawley,  won 
the  1st  prize  for  24  blooms  of  Show  Dahlias 
with  excellent  flowers  of  very  rich  colouring. 
Especially  fine  were  the  varieties  T.  W.  Girdle- 
stone,  Mrs.  Saunders,  William  Rawlings,  and 
Warrior.  2nd,  Mr.  J.  R.  Tranter,  Henley-on- 
Thames.   Four  exhibitors  contested  in  this  class. 

Cactus  Dahlias. — The  class  for  12  varieties 
of  this  type,  shown  in  bunches  of  six  blooms  of 
each  variety,  attracted  six  ex!  ibitors,  and  proved 
a  good  competition.  The  best  display  was  put  up 
by  Messrs.  Stredwick  &  Son,  Silverhill  Park, 
St.  Leonards-on-Sea,  who  showed  Ivernia, 
Etruria,  Dr.  G.  G.  Gray,  Miss  .Hills,  Dorothy, 
Rev.  A.  Bridge,  Uranius,  Alfred  Dyer,  William 
Marshall,  &c.  2nd,  Mr.  H.  Shof.smith,  Wok- 
ing, Surrey,  with  Flame,  a  new  scarlet-coloured 
variety,  C  H.  Curtis,  Daisy  Staples,  H.  Shoe- 
smith,  kc.     3rd,  Mr.  Walker. 

A  class  was  provided  for  24  blooms  of  Cactus 
Dahlias,  to  be  shown  on  exhibition  boards. 
Messrs.  Stredwick  &  Son  were  again  to  the 
fore,  surpassing  three  other  exhibitors,  the 
second  best  collection  being  shown  by  Messrs. 
J.  Burrell  &  Co.,  Cambridge.  Messrs. 
Stredwick  showed  high-class  flowers  of  such 
beautiful  varieties  as  Wm.  Marshall,  Mrs.  F. 
Grinsted,  Lustre,  Recam,  Dr.  G.  G.  Gray, 
Harold   Teerman,   Dorothy,   C.   E.   Wilkins,  &c. 

Mr.  S.  Mortimer,  Rowledge,  Farnham,  Sur- 
rey,  won  the  1st  prize  for  12  blooms  of  Cactus 
Dahlias,  shown  on  boards,  with  the  varieties 
Crepuscule,  H.  W.  i-illem.  Clincher,  Thos. 
Parker,  T.  A.  Haveymeyer,  Hyacinth,  Mont 
Blanc,  Mrs.  Grinsted,  Mrs.  G.  Stevenson,  The 
Pilot,  Referee,  and  J.  B.  Riding.  2nd,  Mr. 
M.  V.  Seale,  Sevenoaks.  Four  groups  were 
staged  in  this  class. 

The  best  three  vases  of  Cactus  Dahlias,  each 
■vase  containing  nine  blooms,  were  shown  by 
Mr.  John  Walker,  amongst  five  competitors. 
His  blooms  were  of  fine  quality,  and  they  were 
relieved  with  sprays  of  grasses,  ornamental 
foliage,  berried  shoots.  &-c.  The  varieties  were 
Mont  Blanc,  Clincher  (pink),  and  Conrad 
(scarlet).     2nd,  Mr.  Seale. 

Pompon  Dahlias. — The  class  for  12  varieties 
of  these  miniature  flowers  attracted  six  com- 
petitors. Generally  the  exhibits  were  of  high 
qual  ty,  but  the  choicer  flowers  were  shown 
by  Mr.  C.  Turner,  Slough,  his  examples  being 
very  small  in  size,  of  best  form,  and  rich  in 
colouring.  He  showed  Bacchus,  Marv,  Darkest 
of  All,  Phyllis,  Marietta,  Thnra,  Cyril,  Hecla, 
Montague,  San  Toy,  Mercia,  &c.  2nd,  Mr. 
Walker,  Thame. 

Single  Dahlias. — The  best  12  varieties  of 
these  flowers,  in  bunches  of  six  blooms,  were 
shown  by  Messrs.  J.  Cheal  &  Sons.  The  1st 
prize  group  included  the  varieties  Hector,  Snow- 
drop, Columbine,  Princess  of  Wales,  Victoria, 
Kitty,  Fugi  San,  Stromboli.  F.clipse,  Rosebank, 
Scarlet  and  Leslie  Seale.  2nd,  Rev.  S.  S. 
Pf.arce,  Coombe  Vicarage,  Woodstock,  Oxon., 
with  Mikado,  Leslie  Seale,  Snowdrop,  Colum- 
bine, Miss  Moreland,  Tommy.  Darkness,  &c. 

Amateurs'  Classes. 
The  displays  from  amateur  growers  were  very 
numerous,  and  most  of  the  classes  in  this  section 
were  well  contested.  The  "Hobbies"  Challenge 
Cup,  offered  for  nine  varieties  of  Cactus  Dahlias 
in  bunches  of  three  blooms,  was  won  by  Mr.  W. 


Stephens,  Isleworth,  Middlesex,  last  year's 
winner,  Mr.  W.  E.  Peters,  being  2nd  on  this 
occasion. 

A  very  fine  stand  of  blooms  was  shown  by 
Mr.  S.  Cooper,  The  Hamlet,  Chippenham,  in 
the  class  for  four  varieties  of  Cactus  Dahlias, 
and  with  which  he  secured  the  1st  prize.  The 
varieties  were  Pearl,  J.  B.  Riding,  J.  H.  Jackson, 
and  Mrs.  Macmillan.  Mr.  Stephens  was  2nd  in 
this  class,  and  he  was  1st  for  12  blooms  of 
Cactus  Dahlias  shown  on  boards  in  competition 
with  seven  other  exhibitors. 

Mr.  G.  Davidson,  Thornton  Heath,  was  1st 
for  Pompon  Dahlias,  and  the  Rev.  Pearce  ex- 
hibited the  best  stand  of  single  Dahlias. 

AWARDS. 

First-class  Certificates  were  awarded  to  the 
following  varieties: — Hildegard  (Pompon), 
shown  by  Mr.  Turner,  Slough  ;  Peggy  (single), 
Brilliant  (single),  both  shown  by  Messrs.  J. 
Cheal  &  Sons,  Crawley;  Mrs.  Walker  Baxter 
(Cactus),  shown  by  Mr.  J.  T.  West,  Brent- 
wood; Flame  (Cactus),  shown  by  Mr.  H.  Shoe, 
smith,  Woking ;  Mercury  (Cactus),  C.  E.  Wil- 
kins (Cactus),  and  Rev.  A.  Bridge  (Cactus),  the 
last  three  varieties  shown  by  Messrs.  J.  Stred- 
wick &  Sons,  St.  Leonards. 

Dcafi  Memorial  Medals. — The  winner  of  this 
medal  in  the  amateur  classes  was  Mr.  F.  H. 
Cooper,  Chippenham,  for  his  exhibit  of  12 
blooms  of  show  Dahlias  in  Class  22. 

Mr.  John  Walker,  Thame,  Oxon.,  was 
awarded  a  similar  medal  in  the  nurserymen's 
classes  for  his  exhibit  of  24  blooms  of  show 
Dahlias. 

Non- Competitive    Exhibits. 

These  were  numerous,  and  generally  of  very 
high  merit,  not  the  least  pleasing  feature  being 
their  attractive  manner  of  staging.  Mr.  Ll. 
Gwillim,  New  Eltham,  Kent,  showed  flowers 
of  tuberous-rooting  Begonias.  (Gold  Medal. I 
Messrs.  T.  S.  Ware,  Ltd.,  Feltham,  showed 
an  excellent  exhibit  of  Dahlias.  (Large  Gold 
Medali.  Hobbies,  Ltd.,  Dereham  Nurseries. 
Norfolk,  showed  Dahlias,  including  flowers  of 
the  Pasony-flowered  type ;  and  an  assortment  of 
Roses.  (Large  Gold  Medal.)  Messrs.  Spooner 
&  Sons,  Hounslow,  showed  hardy  fruit,  includ- 
ing Apples,  Pears,  Plums,  &c.  (Silver-Gilt 
Medal,  i  Mr.  J.  T.  West,  Brentwood,  showed 
an  assortment  of  Dahlias  of  most  types.  (Large 
Gold  Medal.)  Messrs.  J.  Burrell  &  Co.,  Cam- 
bridge, showed  Gladioli  and  seasonable  hardy 
flowers.  (Gold  Medal.)  Messrs.  J.  S.  Groves 
&  Son,  Ham,  Surrey,  exhibited  improved  var  e- 
ties  of  Chrysanthemum  maximum.  (Silver-Gilt 
Medal.  I  Sir.  W.  Stephens,  Isleworth,  dis- 
played Dahlias  in  variety.  (Silver-Gilt  Medal.  I 
Mr.  Sage,  Richmond,  showed  floral  designs  and 
horticultural  sundries.  (Silver  Medal.)  Mr. 
Williams,  Ealing,  exhibited  flower  displayers, 
&C.      iSilver   Medal.) 


BRITISH    GARDENERS'    ASSOCIATION. 

September  12. — A  conference  on  the  subject  of 
"Examinations  for  Gardeners"  was  held  under 
the  auspices  of  the  above  association  on  this  date. 
The  meeting  was  held  in  the  Museum  of  the 
Royal  Botanic  Society,  Regent's  Park,  under  the 
presidency  of  Mr.  Geo.  Gordon,  V.M.H.  '1  hi-. 
proceedings  were  opened  by  Mr.  Chas.  Foster,  of 
University  College  Gardens,  Reading,  who  claimed 
that  the  benefits  to  be  derived  from  the  study 
necessary  to  enable  a  person  to  compete  in  a 
public  examination  were  beneficial.  By  becoming 
conversant  with  the  proper  method  of  answering 
questions  set  at  an  examination,  a  correct  style  is 
cultivated,  which  enables  one  to  write  a  clear  and 
intelligent  application  when  answering  an  adver- 
tisement for  a  situation.  A  badly  written  letter  is 
often  a  deterrent  in  obtaining  a  new  post,  and 
an  illiterate  person  is  passed  over  for  one  of 
better  education.  The  many  opportunities  open 
to  young  gardeners  in  the  form  of  debating 
societies,  technical  institutions,  good  literature, 
and  the  like,  should  be  taken  advantage  of,  for 
increased  knowledge  enables  a  gardener  to  better 
explain  questions  on  gardening  when  such  are 
asked  by  his  employer,  and  if  a  gardener  can 
interest  his  employer  he  has  accomplished  much. 
A  gardener  should'seek  to  elevate  himself,  and  one 
means  to  this  end  is  the  acquirement  of  increased 
knowledge.  Mr.  Foster  warned  his  hearers  not  to 
allow  their  search  for  theoretical  knowledge  to  be 
pursued  at  the  expense  of  practical  gardening. 


Mr.  Hawes  agreed  with  the  first  speaker  in  the 
need  for  examinations  for  young  gardeners.  A 
gardener  should  be  able  to  express  himself  clearly 
on  any  subject  connected  with  his  work,  and 
although  there  were  many  excellent  gardeners  who 
were  illiterate,  the  best  positions  in  the  future 
would  go  to  those  men  who  combined  their  practice 
with  the  ability  to  express  themselves  intelligently, 
if  need  be,  on  paper.  Speaking  later  on  the  subject 
of  selection  of  examiners,  Mr.  Hawes  advocated 
examinations  that  were  partly  practical,  partly 
oral,  and  partly  written  The  examiners  should 
consist  of  men  who  hold  an  impartial  position  in 
the  horticultural  world.  On  no  account  should  a 
botanist  be  employed  to  examine  a  gardener. 
Examinations  in  gardening  should  be  c  nfined  to 
gardeners.  At  the  present  time  examinations  in 
horticulture  are  open  to  any  person  who  may  read 
up  the  subject,  and  pass  high  on  the  li  t  eveu 
though  he  or  she  may  possess  no  knowledge  what- 
ever of  the  practice  of  gardening. 

Mr.  Geo.  Gordon  (chairman)  stated  that  al- 
though there  are  many  good  gardeners  who  can- 
not even  read  or  write,  it  has  become  necessary  in 
these  days  of  liberal  education  to  be  able  to  express 
oneself  intelligently  on  paper.  He  deplored  the 
fact  that  there  were  so  many  persons  who  could 
not  write  legibly,  and  he  considered  there  had 
been  no  advance  in  recent  years  in  the  art  of  writ- 
ing. In  Scotland,  good  penmanship  was  a  general 
rule,  and  he  believed  one  reason  why  Scotch 
gardeners  were  so  successful  in  obtaining  good 
situations  in  gardening,  was  that  they  were  able  to 
express  themselves  intelligently  when  applying  for 
the  post. 

Several  other  speakers  contributed  to  the  debate. 


NATIONAL     CHRYSANTHEMUM. 

September  16.— The  Executhe  Committee  o£ 
this  society  held  a  meeting  at  Carr's  Restaurant, 
Strand,  on  the  above  date.  Mr.  E.  F.  Hawes 
presided.  A  letter  was  read  from  Messrs.  Wtbb 
&  Son  offering  prizes  for  vegetables  which  were 
accepted  for  the  1908  show.  The  Bush  Hill  Park, 
Marlpool  and  Langley.  Lancaster  and  District,  and 
the  Reigate  and  District  societies  were  admitted  in 
affiliation.  Finance  occupied  some  attention,  and 
a  Dinner  Committee  was  appointed  to  carry  out 
the  details  as  to  the  time  and  place  for  holding  the 
annual  dinner.  Seventeen  new  members  and  two 
fellows  were  elected. 

The  Floral  Committee  met  on  Monday,  Sept  10, 
when  First-Class  Certificates  were  awarded  to  the 
following  varieties  : — 

C.  J.  ].  Hint,  an  early  flowering  decorative 
variety.  Flowers  bright  yellow  with  pale  reverse, 
very  full,  but  the  florets  are  rather  short. 

C.  Carmelite,  an  early  flowering  border  variety  of 
deep  yellow  colour.  The  flowers  are  somewhat 
small.  The  plant  is  dwarf  and  of  free  flowering 
habit. 

C.  Wells'  Scarlet,  a  decorative  variety  of  a  shade 
of  bright  chestnut  with  crimson  shading,  and 
bronze  reverse.  The  flowers  are  of  medium  size. 
These  varieties  were  exhibited  by  Messrs.  Wells 
&  Co.,  Merstham. 


ORSETT   &  DISTRICT  AGRICULTURAL 
AND  HORTICULTURAL. 

September  5. — The  13th  annual  show  of  the 
above  society  was  held  on  this  date  in  the  park  of 
Orsett  Hall,  by  permission  of  the  president, 
F.  H.  D.  C.  Whitmore,  Esq.  The  grounds  of 
the  residence  were  also  open  for  the  inspection  of 
visitors  to  the  show.  Two  large  marquees  were 
filled  with  horticultural  produce. 

Mr.  C.  Butcher  (gr.  to  E.  J.  Goldsmith,  Esq., 
Grays),  was  a  successful  exhibitor.  He  won  the 
1st  prize  for  three  exotic  Ferns  with  well-grown, 
healthy  plants,  including  a  nice  plant  of  Dicksonia 
anlarctica  ;  the  1st  prize  for  four  stove  and  green- 
house plants,  for  two  plants  of  Fuchsias,  for  two 
pot-plants  of  Liliums,  and  for  12  spikes  of  Gladioli. 
The  same   exhibitor   won    2nd    prizes   in    several 

cl  clSSCS 

Mr.  W.  Beard,  Chadwell  St.  Mary,  had  the 
best  four  specimens  of  tuberous-rooting  Begonias. 

Mr.  G.  Hills,  West  Tilbury,  won  in  the  class 
for  stove  plants;  2nd,  Mr.  E.  Neighbour  (gr.  to 
F.  H.  D.  C.  Whitmore,  Esq.). 

In  the  classes  for  fruit,  Mr.  C.  Butcher  won  the 
1st  prize  for  three  var  eties  of  indoor  fruits  with 
good  examples  of  Black  Hamburgh  Grapes,  a 
Melon,  and  Nectarines  ;  2nd,  Mr.  T.  Ripgwell, 
Orsett. 

Mr.  W.  Sutton,  Orsett,  had  the  best  eight 
dishes  of  hardy  fruits  ;  2nd,  Mr.  Ridgwell. 


September  21,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


223 


In  the  class  for  four  dishes,  Mr.  H.  Co.ningsby, 
Stanford-le-Hope,  was  easily  ist. 

Mr.  W.  Gray  won  the  1st  prize  in  a  class  for 
two  bunches  of  Grapes,  with  medium-sized,  com- 
pact bunches  of  the  variety  Black  Hamburgh. 

Apples  were  well  shown.  Mr.  Sutton  was 
awarded  the  1st  prize  for  a  dish  of  12  Apples. 

In  the  classes  devoted  to  cut  flowers,  Mr.  J. 
Britton  was  1st  for  8  bunches  of  hardy  flowers 
shown  in  vases;  1st  for  12  blooms  of  Dahlias; 
and  for  12  blooms  of  Cactus  Dahlias. 

Vegetables  were  well  represented,  the  most 
noteworthy  exhibit  being  Mr.  C  Butcher's  1st 
prize  collection  of  nine  kinds.     H.  II'.  W. 


ABERDARE    HORTICULTURAL. 

August  29. — This  society  held  its  annual 
show  in  Abernant  Park,  Aberdare,  on  this  date. 
The  exhibition  was  one  of  the  largest  and  most 
successful  the  society  has  held,  and  an  extra 
tent  was  required  to  accommodate  the  exhibits. 
The  quality  of  the  display  generally  was  of  high 
merit,  and  good  competition  was  seen.  Non- 
competitive exhibits  were  numerous  and  of  muc'i 
excellence.  Messrs.  Case  Brothers,  Cardiff, 
contributed  a  display  of  floral  designs,  for 
which  a  Gold  Medal  was  awarded.  Mr. 
William  Treseder,  Cardiff,  arranged  an  ex- 
hibit, which  included  a  fine  collection  of  show 
and  Cactus  Dahlias.  Another  beautiful  exhibit, 
consisting  of  a  large  group  of  miscellaneous 
flowering  and  ornamental-leaved  plants,  was 
arranged  by  Mr.  Farmer,  gardener  to  the 
Marquis  of  Bute,  Cardiff  Castle. 

Groups  of  plants. — The  chief  class  for  plants 
was  that  for  a  collection  of  miscellaneous  sub- 
jects, arranged  for  effect  in  a  space  measuring 
80  square  feet.  Three  exhibitors  competed,  and 
of  these  Mr.  E.  Jackman,  gardener  to  W.  F. 
Parry  de  Winton,  Esq.,  Aberdare,  was 
awarded  the  1st  prize  for  a  tastefully  arranged 
group,  composed  chiefly  of  Campanulas,  Im- 
patiens,  Begonias,  Achimenes,  Gloxinias,  Or- 
chids, &c,  intermixed  with  suitable  ornamental- 
leaved  subjects.  2nd,  G.  C.  James,  Esq., 
Gwaelody  Garth,  Merthyr  Tydvil,  with  a  simi- 
lar, though  somewhat  crowded,  arrangement. 
The  best  four  ornamental  foliage  plants  were 
shown  by  F.  W.  Mander,  Esq.,  Glanynys, 
Aberdare,  in  Phcenix  rupicola,  I.antania  bor- 
bonica,  Codiaeum  (Croton),  Queen  Victoria,  and 
Pandanus  Veitchii.  This  gentleman  showed 
the  best  stove  and  greenhouse  plants  in  blossom, 
being  closely  followed  in  this  class  by  M.  W. 
Amesbury,  Esq.  The  class  for  six  stove  and 
greenhouse  Ferns  made  a  good  competition. 
Mr.  S.  Lawrance,  gardener  to  W.  J.  Rees, 
Esq.,  Mayesffynon,  Aberdare,  was  placed  1st. 
He  showed  Adiantum  sanctae  Catherinae,  A. 
concinnum  latum,  Davallia  Mooreana,  Nephro- 
lepis  Piersonii,  N.  exaltata,  and  Phlebodium 
aureum.     2nd,  Mr.  Amesbury. 

Cut  flowers. — Mr.  Stephen  Treseder,  nur- 
seryman, Cardiff,  was  the  only  exhibitor  of  12 
varieties  of  Tea  or  Noisette  Roses,  and  he 
secured  the  1st  prize  with  a  splendid  set  of  fresh 
blooms,  including  the  varieties  Muriel  Grahame, 
White  Maman  Cochet,  Lady  Roberts,  Hon. 
Edith  Gifford,  Innocente  Pirola,  Mrs.  S. 
Treseder,  and  Cathe  ineMermet.  Mr.  Treseder 
staged  the  only  exhibit  of  12  Hybrid  Per- 
petual and  Hybrid-Tea  Roses,  three  blooms  of 
each.  He  showed  good  blooms  of  Duchess  of 
Portland,  Countess  of  Caledon,  Caroline 
Testout,   Hugh   Dickson,   &c. 

There  was  strong  competition  in  a  class  for 
12  vases  of  Sweet  Peas.  Mr.  Jackman,  gar- 
dener to  W.  F.  Parry  de  Winton,  Esq.,  won 
the  1st  prize  with  a  fine  set  of  fresh  blooms. 
2nd,  Mr.  Greening,  gardener  to  the  Rev.  W. 
Wll  i.ett.  In  a  similar  class  for  which  Mr. 
St.  Eckford,  Wem,  offered  prizes,  Mr.  Jackman 
was  again  1st. 

Mr.  Greening  had  the  best  12  blooms  of 
Dahlias  of  Cactus  varieties.  2nd,  Mrs.  Rees. 
Glandare. 

T.  W.  Thomas,  Esq.,  won  in  the  class  for 
Carnations.     2nd,  Mr.   Greening. 

Fruit. — Mr.  Thomas,  gardener  to  the  Marquis 
of  Bute,  Abernant,  was  placed  1st  for  six  dishes 
of  fruits,  with  good  bunches  of  Madresfield 
Court  and  Foster's  Seedling  Grapes,  Stirling 
v-astle  Peaches,  Lord  Napier  Nectarines,  Pears, 
and  Victoria  Plums.     2nd,  Mr.   Muscott. 

Mr.  Curtis,  gardener  to  T.  G.  Cartwright, 
Esq-,   Fairwater,     Llandaff,   showed    the    finest 


white  Grapes  in  the  variety  Mrs.  Pearson,  hav- 
ing bunches  of  unusually  good  quality ;  and  the 
same  exhibitor  won  in  the  class  for  two  bunches 
of  black  Grapes  with  good,  medium-sized 
bunches  of  Madresfield  Court. 

Mr.  Curtis  was  1st  both  for  dessert  and 
culinary  Plums,  and  he  was  closely  followed  in 
each  class  by  Mr.  Thomas. 

Vegetables— A.  class  was  provided  for  a  collec- 
tion of  nine  dishes.  Mr.  Thomas  excelled  in 
this  class  with  choice  Cauliflowers,  Onions, 
Tomatos,  Potatos,  Carrots,  Celery,  Leeks,  Peas, 
and   Runner   Beans.     2nd,   Mr.   Muscott. 

In  the  class  for  a  collection  of  Potatos,  Mr. 
Jenkin  Morgan,  Margam,  was  awarded  the  1st 
prize  for  a  splendidly-grown  selection  of  leading 
varieties.  2nd,  Mr.  H.  Coate,  Keinton  Mande- 
ville,   Somerset. 


<5>i)ttuan>. 


TRADE     NOTICE. 


MESSRS.  H.  B.  MAY  &  SONS. 
We  are  informed  that  Messrs.  H.  B.  May  &  Sons,  Dyson's 
Road  Nurseries,  Upper  Edmonton,  have  purchased  the 
goodwill  and  a  large  pari  of  the  stock  of  the  well-known 
Fern  growers,  YV.  &  J.  Birkenhead,  of  Sale,  near  Man- 
chester. Messrs.  May  Si  Sons  have  greatly  increased  their 
stock  of  British  and  exotic  Ferns  in  recent  years. 


GARDENING     APPOINTMENTS. 


Correspondents  arerequesttd  to  write  the  name*  of  persons 
and  places  as  leglbh  as  possible.  No  charge  is 
made  for  time  announcements,  but  if  a  small  contri 
is  sent,  to  be  placed  in  out  collecting  Box  for  the  Gardeners' 
Orphan  Fund,  it  will  be  thankfully  received  and  acknow- 
ledged in   these  columns. 

Mr.  A.  Clarke,  as  Gardener  to  C.  Billvard  Leake,  Esq., 

Harefield  Park,  Uxbridge,  Middlesex. 
Mr.  C.  F.  Mowi.,  for  many  years  Gardener  to  the  late  Ml  >. 
Charles  Edwards,  Dolserau  Hall,  Dolgellv,  N.  Wale-. 
as  Gardener  to  Sir  Francis  Winnincton,  Bart.,  Stanford 
Court,  Worcester. 
Mr.   G.    Breine,    for   the  past  3   years    Foreman    in    the 
Pleasure    Grounds    at    Bear    Wood,    Wokingham,    as 
Gardener  to   Morgan   S.   Williams,  Esq.,   St.  Donat 's 
Castle,  Lantwit,  Lantwit  Major,  Glamorgan. 
Mr.  W.  E.  Wright,  for  the  past  12  months  in  the  Gardens 
at   Llanharan    House.    South    Wales,   as     Gardener    to 
Captain  Walters,    R.N.,  Caer    Llan,   nr.   Monmouth. 
(Many  thanks  for  the  donation  to  R.G.O.F.) 
Mr.  H.  Wheeler,    recently  Gardener  to  the    Marquis  of 
Winchester,  Amport,  St.  Mary's,  Andover,  as  Gardener 
to  Mrs.  Jenner,  Wenvoe  Castle,  near  Cardiff,  Glamor- 
ganshire. 
Mr.   G.   Ferguson,  for  the  past  2  years  employed  in  the 
Royal  Horticultural  Society's  gardens  at  Wisley,  and 
previously  five  years  General  Foreman  at  Tylney  Hall, 
\S  inchfield,  Hants.,  as  Gardener  to  Sir  Richard  Brooke, 
Bart.,  of  Norton  Priory,  Runcorn,  Cheshire. 
Owing  to  the  death  of  Mrs.  Dunlop,  "  Red  Oaks,"  Henfield, 
Sussex,  Mr.  Stephen  Solly  is  leaving  that  place,  after 
17  years'  service,  to  take  up  the  position  of  Gardener  to 
H.   Clarke-Jervoise,   Esq.,  J.P.,    Chelwood    Beacon, 
L'ckfield,  Sussex. 
Mr.   E.  Slavin,  previously  Inside  Foreman   at    Hawarden 
Castle   and  Sudbury   Hall,    and  General   Foreman    at 
Glenstal  Castle,  Limerick,  and  Carrigoran,  Newmarket- 
on-Fergus,  Co.  Clare,  as  Gardener  to  Ladv  Maurice 
Fitzgerald,  Johnstown  Castle,  Wexford. 
Mr.    C.    J.    Norris,    late    Gardener   to    the    Lady    Mary 
Herbert,   Styche,   Market    Drayton,    as  Gardener  to 
Sir  Lees  Knowles,  Bart.,  Westwood,  Pendlebury,  Man- 
chester. 
Mr.  D.  F.  Debnam.  as  Gardener  to  H.  G.  Grazebrook,  Esq., 

of  Thenford,  near  Banbury,  Oxford. 
Mr.   A.   Durbidge,  formerly  Gardener  to  Sir  Bampfylde 
Fuller,  The   Hermitage.  Wyke,  Winchester,  as  Gar- 
dener to  C.  H.  Short,  Esq.,  Greenwoods,  South  View, 
Tickenham,  Clevedon,  Somerset. 
Mr.   J.  H.  Herdman,  previously  in  charge  of  the  Orchid 
department  at  Coundon  Court,  Coventry,  and  previously 
Foreman  at  Scampston  Hall.  Yorks,  as  Gardener   and 
Orchid  Grower  to  G.  Shorland  Ball,  Esq.,  Under  Fell, 
Burton,  Westmoreland. 
Mr.  Charles  Hines.  previously   Foreman  at  Wood   Sea, 
Virginia  Water,  Surrey,  as  Gardener  to  Captain  Royce 
Tomkin,   Little   Haugh,    Norton,  Bury  St.    Edmunds, 
Suffolk. 
Mr.  Robert  Watson,  of  Messrs.  James  Dickson  &  Sons, 
Inverleith  Nurseries,  Edinburgh, and  formerly  Foreman 
in  the  gardens  of  Lord  Hamilton,  of  Dalzell.  Mother- 
well, as  Gardener  to  Lady  Victoria  Rowe,  Thorncroft, 
Guildford,  Surrey. 
Mr.  W.  Stabler,  for  the  past  4  years  Foreman  at  Matfen 
Hall,  Corbridge-on-Tyne,  Northumberland,  as  Gardener 
to   S.    H.    Eraser,    Esq..    Whinney    House,    Low    Fell, 
County  Durham. 
Mr.  T.  J.  Veal,  late  of  the  Royal  Gardens,  Kew,  as  Gardener 
to  W.  H.  Perkin.  Esq.,  Hillsborough,  Yelverton,  Devon. 
Mr.  J.E.  Arnold,  for  the  past  15  months  Foreman  in  the 
gardens  at  Draycot  Park,  Chippenham,  as  Gardener  to 
Colonel  Hornsby-Draki  ,  Compton  House,  Calne,  Wilts. 
Mr.  William  Leith,  late  Foreman  at  Downside  Gardens, 
Leatherhead,  as  Gardener  to  Captain  Hill,  Westwood, 
Colchester. 
Mr.  M.  Field,  as  Gardener  to  Mrs.  Thomas,  Thames  Bank, 

Whitchurch,  Oxfordshire. 
Mr.  W.  E.  Jones,  for  the  past  6  years  Gardener  to  J.  Amery 
Parkes.  Esq.,   White    Lodge,  Castlebar    Park,   Ealing, 
as    Gardener   to   Alfred   A.  Thorn,   Esq.,   Harcourl, 
Leighton  Buzzarr*. 


Robert  Baker.— We  regret  to  learn  of  the- 
death  of  Mr  Robert  Baker,  of  East  Finchley,  for- 
nearly  40  years  the  representative  of  Messrs.  Wm. 
Cuibush  &  Son,  of  the  Highgate  and  Barnet 
Nurseries,  and  who  passed  away  on  Monday,  the 
16th  inst.,  after  a  brief  illness  due  to  cancer.  Mr,. 
Baker,  who  had  charge  of  the  furnishing  and  in- 
door plant  departments  at  the  Highgate  Nurseries, 
was  for  many  years  a  familiar  figure  at  the  leading 
horticultural  exhibitions  throughout  the  country, 
and  his  genial  disposition  and  striking  personality 
commanded  respect  in  the  gardening  world. 
Deceased  leaves  a  widow  and  family. 

Leon  Duval.— The  death  of  this  well-known 
nurseryman,  at  Versailles,  near  Paris,  is  an- 
nounced in  the  French  papers.  Many  of 
the  English  visitors  to  the  Paris  and  Ghent 
shows  will  remember  what  excellent  speci- 
mens of  Anthuriums,  Orchids,  and  other  species 


THE    LATE    LEON    DUVAL. 


of  plants  were  contributed  by  the  firm  of 
Duval.  Deceased,  who  was  sixty-three  years 
of  age,  was  vice-president  of  the  French  National 
Horticultural  Society,  the  Horticultural  Society 
of  Seine-et-Oise,  and  the  French  Chrysanthe- 
mum Society. 

Stephen  Walker.— Dahlia  growers  will  learn 
with  regret  of  the  comparatively  sudden  death  of 
this  well-known  cultivator  and  exhibitor  of  Dahlias, 
early  on  Tuesday  morning  last,  at  the  age  of  59  years. 
Accustomed  to  send  Dahlias  freely  during  the 
season  to  the  meetings  of  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society  and  other  exhibitions,  a  load  of  flowers 
was  despatched  from  Thame  to  Vincent  Square  on 
Monday  last.  At  that  time  Mr.  Walker  was  unwell, 
and  it  was  assumed  that  the  pain  experienced  was 
due  to  an  attack  of  indigestion,  but  on  Tuesday 
morning  he  passed  away,  unexpectedly,  from  heart 
failure  So  recently  as  Thursday  of  last  week 
Mr  Walker  was  at  the  show  of  the  London 
Dahlia  Union  in  Regent's  Park,  and  was  as  bright 
and  cheery  as  usual.  The  deceased  uas  of  robust 
build,  hid  a  kindly  disposition  and  was  greatly 
esteemed  by  all  who  were  acquainted  with  him. 
Whilst  the  business  at  Thame  still  remains  in 
the  name  of  the  late  Mr.  J.  Walker,  who  founded! 
the  business  about  sixty  years  ago,  Mr.  Stephen 
Walker,  the  eldest  son,  had,  in  conjunction  witb 
his  aged  mother,  the  control  of  the  nursery.  The 
family  of  the  deceased  comprise  his  widow,  and 
three  sons  and  one  daughter.  Deceased's  eldest 
son,  Mr.  Herbert  Walker,  has  taken  an  active  part 
in  the  business  for  some  time  past. 


224 


THE    GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


[September  21,  1907. 


CATALOGUES     RECEIVED. 


BULBS. 

Morle  &  Co.,  152,  Finchley  Road,  London,  N.W. 

George  Cooling  &  Sons,  Bath. 

Yates  &  Sons,  High  Street,  Cheltenham. 

Dobie  &  Mason,  *22,  Oak  Street,  Manchester. 

Thos.  S.  Ware,  Ltd.,  Feltham,  Middlesex. 

Hogg  &  Robertson,  Ltd.,  22,  Mary  Street,  Dublin. 

Smith  &  Simons,  36-38,  West  George  Street,  Glasgow. 

Amos  Perry,  Hardy  plant  farm,  Enfield,  Middlesex. 

Barkie  &  Brown,  39,  King  William  Street,  London,  E.C. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

Clibrans,  Manchester — Carnations. 

Horace  J.  Wright,  32,  Dault  Road,  Wandsworth,  London, 
S.W.— Sweet  Peas. 

Benjamin  R.  Cant  &  Sons,  The  Old  Rose  Gardens,  Col- 
chester— Roses. 

FOREIGN. 

P.   Bernaix  Fils,  Villeurbanne-Lyons  (Rhone),   France — 

Roses. 
The  Royal  Eiland  Nursery  Co.,  Hillegom,  near  Haarlem, 

Holland— Bulbs. 
Duchesne    &  Lanthoine,   Rue  d'lselles,  Watermael-lez- 

Bruxelles,  Belgium — Orchids. 
Chr.  Kieft  &  Sons,   Limmen,  near   Haarlem,   Holland — 

Bulbs. 
C.  Sprenger,  Vomero,  near  Naples,  Italy — New  and  rare 

Plants,  Trees,  Shrubs,  &c. 
W.  Atlee  Burpee  &  Co.,  Philadelphia,  U.S.A.— Sweet  Peas. 
Haage  &  Schmidt,  Erfurt,  Germany— Novelties  in  Flower 

Seeds. 


SCHEDULES     RECEIVED. 


Battersea,  Clapham  and  Wandsworth  Amateur 
Chrysanthemum  and  Horticultural  Society's  autumn 
show  to  be  held  on  Friday  and  Saturday,  November  1  and  2, 
19U7,  at  the  Town  Hall,  Lavender  Hill.  Secretary,  Mr  W.  J. 
Lavender,  56,  Fullerton  Road,  East  Hill,  Wandsworth,  S.W. 

National  Rose  Society's  autumn  show  to  be  held  in  the 
Royal  Horticultural  Hall,  Vincent  Square,  Westminster,  on 
Tuesday,  September  24.  Hon.  secretary,  Mr.  Ed.  Mawley, 
Rosebank,  Berkhamsted,  Herts. 

Devizes  Benevolent  Society's  annual  Chrysanthemum 
show  and  bazaar,  to  be  held  in  the  Corn  Exchange,  Devizes, 
on  Tuesday,  November  12,  1907. 


ANSWERS    TO    CORRESPONDENTS. 


*    *-  The  Editor  will  be  glad  to  receive,  for  considera- 
tion, large  photographs  of  horticultural  subjects,  suitable 

for  forming  Supplementary  Illustrations  to  this  Journal. 


Alterations  to  a  Pond  :  Constant  Reader.  The 
plants  you  mention  may  be  shifted  with  safety 
now,  provided  a  quantity  of  soil  is  allowed  to 
remain  about  their  roots  and  a  good  watering  is 
applied  immediately  after  transplantation. 

Begonia  Leaves  Decaying  :  S.  B.  See  reply  to 
F.  J.  T.  in  the  last  issue,  p.  208. 

Broad  Beans  :  C.  T.  The  pods  had  turned 
black  when  we  received  them,  and  we  could 
detect  in  them  nothing  different  to  an  ordinary 
variety  of  the  common  Broad  Windsor  Bean. 
You  did  not  state  in  your  letter  what  colour 
they  were. 

Carnations  Failing:  Anxious  Enquirer.  Your 
plants  have  the  appearance  of  what  has  been 
termed  "  Bacteriosis."  but  no  bacteria  or  other 
fungus  can  be  found.  There  is  a  suspicion  of 
eelworms  in  the  leaves,  but  we  failed  to  discover 
the  actual  pest. 

Cucumbers  Dying  :  E.  S.  There  is  no  fungoid 
disease  present  on  the  portion  of  the  plant  you 
have  sent  us.  Several  eggs  of  insects  were  pre- 
sent on  the  stem.  You  should  have  forwarded 
leaves  for  examination.  If  you  suspect  the  spot 
disease  to  be  present,  spray  the  plants  with  liver 
of  sulphur,  using  half  an  ounce  of  this  chemical 
in  two  gallons  of  water. 

Duck  Weed  on  Ponds  :  C.  E.  M.  This  plant 
floats  upon  the  surface  of  the  water,  and  it 
can  be  skimmed  off  quite  easily  by  means  of 
a  fine  net,  or  you  may  destroy  it  by  spraying 
with  a  strong  solution  of  copper  sulphate, 
taking  care  to  keep  any  water-fowl  enclosed  in 
pens  for  some  time  after  its  application. 

Grapes  :  G.  H.  The  bunches  generally  exhibit 
a  lack  of  proper  cultural  treatment.  The 
berries  are  badly  shanked  and  are  small  in 
size.  Shanking  is  a  condition  which  generally 
results  from  trouble  at  the  roots,  such  as  a 
stagnant  soil  or  an  impoverished  rooting- 
medium.  In  the  resting  season  overhaul  the 
borders  and  endeavour  to  promote  a  healthy 
fibrous  loot-system  in  the  vines  by  affording 
■the  necessary  conditions  for  healthy  growth. 
Over-cropping  in  a  previous    year    may  have 


had  something  to  do  with  the  unsatisfactory 
crop  of  the  present  season. 

Herbaceous  Plants  :  C.  P.  We  cannot  recom- 
mend you  a  book  in  which  every  herbaceous 
plant  is  included,  and  described  as  "  herba- 
ceous "  in  the  sense  that  is  meant  in  the  prize 
schedules.  Generally  speaking,  an  herbaceous 
plant  is  one  that  is  incapable  of  forming  a 
woody  stem  that  will  continue  from  one  year 
to  another.  All  the  Liliums  you  mention  are 
herbaceous  plants.  But  in  some  cases,  when 
a  class  is  arranged  for  flowers  of  herbaceous 
plants,  the  compilers  of  the  schedule  have  it 
in  their  mind  to  exclude  the  flowers  of  bulbous 
plants.  If  they  express  this  desire  by  writing 
in  parentheses  (bulbous  and  tuberous-rooted 
plants  excluded),  the  exhibitor  has  no  excuse 
for  showing  what  is  not  permissible,  but  the 
stipulation  is  not  always  printed,  even  when  it 
is  the  intention  of  the  committee  to  exclude 
such  flowers.  Most  of  the  difficulties  you 
name  arise  from  the  mistaken  practice  of  com- 
piling a  schedule  first,  and  having  it  to  in- 
terpret afterwards.  The  better  system  is  for 
the  compilers  to  consider  the  wording  for  a 
particular  class  in  the  light  exhibitors  may 
be  expected  to  regard  it,  and,  by  explanations, 
endeavour  to  leave  it  in  such  a  condition  that 
it  will  be  impossible  for  reasonable  men  to 
interpret  the  requirements  of  the  committee  in 
different  ways.  We  consider  that  where  the 
reading  of  the  schedule  is  merely  that  the 
flowers  must  be  of  herbaceous  species,  the  ex- 
hibitor should  not  be  disqualified  if  he  in- 
cludes flowers  of  tuberous  or  bulbous  species. 

Horticultural  Books  :  M.  C.  We  have  no 
knowledge  of  the  exact  value  of  the  old  works 
you  have  mentioned.  Their  worth  could  only 
be  determined  by  offering  them  in  a  public  sale 
or  by  advertising  them.  The  most  valuable  of 
those  you  enumerate  is  Loudon's  Arboretum  et 
Fruticetum  britannicum. 

Lemon  Mint  :  W.  K.  We  cannot  trace  this 
name  in  any  of  the  works  on  popular  names 
of  plants.  The  so-called  lemon  plant  of  gar- 
dens is  Lippia  (Aloysia)  citriodora. 

London  Parks  :  C.  H.  H.  Application  forms  for 
employment  in  the  London  Countv  Council 
Parks  may  be  obtained  from  Col.  Sexby,  11, 
Regent  Street,  London.  In  the  case  of  the 
Royal  Parks,  Central — Hyde,  Regent's,  &c, 
apply  to  the  respective  superintendents. 

Names  of  Flowers,  Fruits  and  Plants. — We 
are  anxious  to  oblige  correspondents  as  far  as 
we  consistently  can,  but  they  must  bear  in 
mind  that  it  is  no  part  of  our  duty  to  our 
subscribers  to  name  either  flowers  or  fruits. 
Such  work  entails  considerable  outlay,  both  ot 
time  and  money,  and  cannot  be  allowed  to  dis- 
organize the  preparations  for  the  weekly  issue,  or  to 
encroa-h  upon  time  required  for  the  conduct  of  the 
paper.  Correspondents  should  never  send  more 
than  six  plants  or  fruits  at  one  time  :  they  should  be 
very  careful  to  pack  and  label  them  properly,  to  give 
every  information  as  to  the  county  the  fruits  are 
grown  in,  and  to  send  ripe,  or  nearly  ripe,  specimens 
which  show  the  character  of  the  variety.  By 
neglecting  these  precautions  correspondents  add 
greatly  to  our  labour,  and  run  the  risk  of 
delay  and  incorrect  determinations.  Correspondents 
not  answered  in  one  issue  are  requested  to 
be  so  good  as  to  consult  the  following  numbers. 
Fruits  :  B.  S.  Scott.  Pear  Beurre  Clairgeau. — 
G.  A.,  junr.  Apple  Dutch  Codlin. — A.  W.  T. 
Plums:  1,  Goliath;  2,  Pond's  Seedling:  3, 
White  Magnum  Bonum  ;  4,  Kirk's  Blue  ;  5,  not 
recognised  ;  6,  Belgian  Purple. — Lay.     Apples  : 

1,  The  Queen;  2,  Emperor  Alexander  ;  Pears:  1, 
Jargonelle  ;  2,  Marie  Benoist.  Numbers  3  and  4 
are  small  and  immature.  Pears,  and  indeed  all 
fruits,  submitted  for  naming  should  be  ripe, 
or  nearly  ripe,  when  despatched.  The  season  of 
ripening  affords  a  valuable  aid  in  determining 
the  variety.  Two  fruits  of  each  kind  should 
always  be  sent,  and  it  is  well  to  enclose  a  shoot 
with  foliage.  In  the  case  of  Peaches  and 
Nectarines  this  condition  is  imperative. 

Plants:    G.H.C.      1,   Codiseum  longifolium  ; 

2,  C.  variegatum. — G.  IV.  W  &■  Co.  Genista 
tinctoria,  a  perennial  plant.  We  have  never 
heard  of  this  plant  possessing  poisonous  prorer- 
ties,  and  suspect  it  is  unlikely  to  be  injurious  to 
cattle,  unless  they  consume  it  in  extraordinary 
quantities. — C.S.G.  We  do  not  undertake  to 
name  varieties  of  Carnations. — T.  H.  1,  Bletia 
Shepherdii  ;  2.  Habenaria  ciliaris  ;  3,  Goodyera 
repens ;     4,     Pteris     tremula ;     5,     Selaginella 


apus;  6,  Coelia  Baueriana — T.  F.,  Bromley. 
1,  Begonia  garden  hybrid  ;  2,  B.  foliosa ;  3,  B. 
parvifoha ;  4,  B.  Weltoniensis ;  5,  B.  argyro- 
stigma ;  6,  B  incarnata. — E.  Con.  1,  Olearea 
Haastii ;  2,  Pavia  macrostachya  ;  3,  Viburnum 
Lantana  ;  4,  Pear  Gourd,  a  variety  of  Cucur- 
bita  Pepo  ;  5,  Campanula,  not  recognised. — 
H.  F.  Elodea  canadensis  (syn.  Anacharis  Als- 
inastrum).  This  troublesome  water-weed  should 
be  raked  out  and  destroyed.  It  propagates  itself 
with  the  greatest  freedom.  See  an  article  on  the 
subject  of  destroying  water-weeds  in  Gardeners' 
Chronicle  for  May  25,  1907,  p.  331. 

Plum-tree  Rust  :  E.  M.  M.  W.  Your  Plum 
trees  are  badly  infested  with  the  Plum-tree 
rust  (Puccinia  pruni).  Gather  up  and  burn 
all  the  falling  leaves  to  prevent  the  disease 
spreading. 

Rose  Foliage  for  Examination  :  Constant  Reader. 
Nos.  1  and  2  have  no  fungus  disease  present, 
and  the  trouble  is  due  to  some  cultural  error, 
which  has  caused  a  check  to  the  plants. 
Drought  would  be  sufficient  to  cause  the  un- 
healthy appearance  of  the  foliage,  or  an  unsuit- 
able rooting  medium  may  account  for  the  trouble. 
No.  3  is  affected  with  Rose  blotch  Actinonema 
Rosae  ;  No.  4  with  Sphcerotheca  pannosa,  the 
common  Rose  mildew  ;  and  No.  5  with  Phrag- 
midium  subcorticium,  and  its  Uredo  form,  the 
Rose  rust.  Syringe  all  your  plants  with 
Bordeaux  mixture.  They  are  in  a  very  un- 
satisfactory condition. 

Tennis  Lawn  :  H.  J.  P.  As  the  court  will  not 
be  required  for  playing  upon  until  1909,  your 
best  plan  will  be  to  level  the  ground,  enrich  it 
with  manure  if  necessary,  and  sow  a  suitable 
selection  of  grass  seeds  early  next  spring.  It 
is  rather  late  in  the  season  for  sowing  at  the 
present  time  ;  should  you  do  so,  you  could 
top-dress  with  a  mixture  of  soil  and  seeds  in 
the  spring. 

The  Raising  of  Hardy  Coniferous  Trees  from 
Seeds  :  C.  W .  A.  Conifer  seeds  are  best  sown 
oat-of-doors  in  March  or  April,  either  broad- 
cast in  beds  about  3  feet  6  inches  wide,  slightly 
raised  above  the  surrounding  ground,  or  in  drills 
or  rows  similar  to  those  prepared  for  Onion  seeds. 
The  soil  should  be  moist,  but  not  wet,  and  the 
seeds  lightly  covered  with  fine  soil.  If  birds  are 
troublesome,  spread  a  net  over  the  seed  beds, 
which  should  be  kept  free  from  weeds.  In  dry 
weather  water  should  be  given  through  a  fine 
rose  water-pot.  Seeds  may  be  obtained  through 
a  nurseryman. 

Tomatos  Diseased  :  /.  E.  The  fungus  is  pro- 
pagated by  spores  which  are  disseminated  by 
the  wind  and  other  agencies,  so  that  per- 
fectly healthy  plants  may  become  infested 
through  no  fault  of  the  person  who  has  care 
of  them.  It  is  very  improbable  that  the 
disease  is  transmitted  through  the  seeds,  but 
these  may  have  spores  of  the  fungus  adhering 
to  them.  These  spores  would  be  ready  to 
germinate  concurrently  with  the  Tomato- 
seeds.  Dull,  damp  weather  favours  the  growth 
of  the  fungus,  therefore  it  has  been  prevalent 
this  season. 

Truss  or  Spray  :  W .  J.  L.  The  term  truss  or 
spray,  as  applied  to  Chrysanthemums,  is  gen- 
erally  considered  to  describe  a  shoot  bearing 
several  blooms  or  a  branched  growth,  having 
several  flowers  on  each  branch.  A  single 
shoot  with  one  large  flower  could  hardly 
be  considered  a  "  spray,"  but  a  shoot 
possessing  three  or  more  flowers  might  be 
considered  a  spray,  even  if  disbudding 
had  been  practised  to  some  extent.  The 
schedule  should,  in  each  case,  declare  how 
such  terms  are  to  be  interpreted,  and,  if  this 
were  given  proper  attention,  it  would  not 
matter  much  what  view  was  taken  by  a  par- 
ticular committee,  because  all  the  exhibitors 
would  know  it,  and  therefore  all  would  be 
competing  under  equal  circumstances.  You 
may  refer  to  the  correspondence  and  illustra- 
tion in  Gardeners'  Chronicle  for  December  16, 
1905. 


Communications  Received.— W.  C.  &  Sons— W.  I.  S., 
Boston,  Mass.— B.  C.  D.  (next  week),  J.  Chilcoit.— F.  T.— 
W.  O.— J.  T.— J.  S.— E.  L.— C.  D.— T.  B.  B.— T.  B.— 
J.  T.  S.— H.  C.  P.— W.  D.— A.  U.-W.  P.— E.  J.— H.  A.  S. 
— W.  E.  B.,  Trinidad.— F.  S.— W.  P.— F.  D.-S.  A.— S.  V. 
— W.  A.  C— H.  W.  W.— E.  M.— J.  C— H.  C  — H.  C.  S.— 
T.  W.  F.-F.  M.  W—  A.  P. -H.  S.— G.  R.— W.G.— L.  G., 
Brussels— T.  H.— R.  P.  L.— C.  P.  R. 


September  28,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'      CHRON.WLE 


225 


THE 


^arbcncrs'tfbroniclc 

No.  1,083.— SATURDAY,  September  28,  1907. 


CONTENTS. 


\rthrnpodium  cicrha- 
turn         

'Brooms,"  hardy 

Colonial  note— 
Wat  son  ia  Ardernei  ... 

mintry  gai  di  n,  the    ... 

Crocuses,  autumn- 
Bowering         

Engus,  a  poisonous   ... 

Holly   Lodge,   Higheate 

Horticultural  instruc- 
tion by  schoolmasters 

horticultural  returns  ... 

Bgdrangea  Hortensia 
in  tubs 

Japanese  nursery  firm,  a 

Lomatia  ferruginea 

>Jew  Guinea,  agricultu- 
ral development  in   ... 

Sot-  s  from  a  Cornish 
garden 

)aks,  two  famous 

jrchi-l  notes  and  glean- 
ings— 
Angrjecum       Roth- 

schildianum 
Eypripedium   Spiceri- 

anum 

Ltelia  Sidneyana 

Peat  as  a  material  for 
packi  ng  fruit  s  and 
seeds     

Pelargonium  Clorinda... 

Bn t-bre edin g  in 
Sweden 


Plants  new  or  note- 
worthy— 

Rindera  umbellata 
Plums  and  their  prices 
Rosary,  the — 

Cultural  notes  for  Oc- 
tober   

School-gardens    in    Ox- 
fordshire   

Societies — 

British  Gardeners1  As- 
sociation       

Manchester  and  N.  of 
England  Orchid     ... 

National  Rose 

Royal  Horticultural  ... 

(Scientific  Committei  i 

Woolhope  Naturalists' 

Field  Club 

Strawberries     in    Sep- 
tember   

Streptocarpus,  Burdett's 

strain  of  

Transvaal,   horticulture 

in  the     

York  Gala  Jubilee 
Week's  work,  the — 

Flower  garden,  the  ... 

I  i  uits  under  glass     ... 

Hardy  fruit  garden  ... 

Kit<  hen  garden,  the ... 

Orchid  houses,  the    ... 

Parks  and  gardens    ... 

Plants  under  glass    ... 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Vgaricus  (Amanita)  phalloides  ..  

flowering  shoot  of  Lomatia  ferruginea 

•ruit  of  Rindera  umbellata      

.omatia    ferruginea    growing    at    C  astlewt  llan,     Co. 
Down  (Supplementary  Illustration) 

Pelargonium  Clorinda,  a  large  plant  of 

Rindera  umbellata  

Ijse  Mrs.  F.  W.  Flight  

streptocarpus,  Mr.  P.urdett's  strain  of        


226 
232 


227 
234 


237 
234 
237 


23G 

229 

235 
234 

231 
230 

aso 

231 

-.Ml) 

231 
231 


235 

233 

22C 


228 
22(» 
238 
229 


THE    HARDY    "BROOMS." 

PROBABLY  no  class  of  hardy  plants  has 
a  more  decorative   value  in   the  shrub- 
bery, the  woodland,  or  the  rockery  than 
he  members  of  the  genera  Cytisus,  Genista, 
ind  Spartium,  more  commonly  known  under 
.he  collective  title  of  Brooms.      The  general 
.'haracter  of  the  various  species  and  varii  ties 
s  that  of  a  light,  graceful  habit.    The  plants 
iroduce    abundant    flowers,    which    are   usu- 
llly   of    a    shade  of    yellow,    but    vary    con- 
siderably  in   their   size,    and   in    the    time   at 
.vhich   they   are   produced.        The   following 
totes     are     not     intended     to     be     an     ex- 
taustive    description    of    every    species    and 
ariety    in    cultivation,    but    concern     merely 
hose  which,  in  the  writer's  opinion,  should 
>e  given  a  place  in  every  garden  of  appre- 
iable  size.      All   the   Brooms   thrive   best   in 
ght,  sandy  soil,  and  are  not  easily  affected 
y    drought    when    once    they    have    become 
stablished,  as  the  long,  slender,  wiry  roots 
ienetrate  deeply  into  the  sub-soil  and  gene- 
ally  find  sufficient  moisture   there   for  their 
ieeds.     The  plants  need  to  be  fully  exposed 
o   the   sun,    or   they    will    not    flower    freely. 
he  species  mentioned  below  should  be  pro- 
agated  by  seeds  unless  otherwise  stated. 


Cytisus. 

C.  ALBUS  (White  Spanish  Broom).— This  is 
a  native  of  Spain  and  Portugal,  and  forms  a 
bush  12  feet  to  20  feet  in  height,  with  slender, 
arching  branches  clothed  from  end  to  end  in 
May  with  small,  pure  white  flowers.  In  a 
young  stu-te  this  Broom  has  a  tendency  to 
-r.>w  very  last,  and  develop  a  thin  habit,  but 
this  may  be  easily  rectified  by  sacrificing  the 
flowers  for  a  year  or  two,  and  cutting  the 
plant  back  in  spring  in  order  to  induce  it  to 
form  a  denser  habit  It  will  grow  almost 
anywhere,  and  is  easily  increased  by 
which  are  freely  produci   I, 

C.  Ardoini  is  a  dwarf,  spreading  plant, 
growing  only  a  few  inches  high,  and  suitable 
for  a  dry,  sunny  spot  on  the  rockery.  The 
flowers  open  during  April  and  .May,  and  arc 
ol  a  bright  yellow  colour.  The  shoots  spread 
out  symmetrically  on  all  sides,  and  do  not 
mg  and  ragged  like  those  of  some  trail- 
ing plants. 

C.  capitatus. — This  species  is  nol  a  very 
important  member  oi  the  genus,  but  may  be 
mentioned  as  perhaps  the  best  of  the  two  or 
three  species,  such  as  C.  biflorus,  C.  hirsutus, 
&c,  in  which  the  flowers  are  borne  in  capi- 
tate heads  or  short,  terminal  spikes.  They 
are  of  a  bushy  habit,  and  grow  fi  im  2  Fei  1 
to  3  feet  high.  The  flowers  of  C.  capitatus 
arc  of  a  soft  yellow  colour,  and  open  in  June. 

C.  FRIVALDSKYANUS  (C.  s<  hipknensis).— 
This  is  a  native  of  the  Balkans,  and  forms  a 
good  subjei  I  for  the  rockery,  as  it  onl)  grows 
a  few  inches  high,  and  does  not  spread  to 
ail)  -real  extent.  The  flowers  are  white,  and 
they   are   produced   in    Ma)  - 

C.   x   kewensis  (C.  Ardoini   x  C.  albus).— 

This  is  a  dwarf,  spreading  plant,  which  was 
raised  in  the  Royal  Gardens,  Kew,  and  will 
be  a  popular  rock  plant  when  it  becomes 
better  known.  In  habit  it  is  free  and  vigor- 
ous, sending  its  sli  nder  shoots  out  on  all 
sides,  and  soon  covering  a  good  spaa 
ground.  The  flowers  are  of  a  creamy-white 
colour,  and  open  in  May.  The  influence  ol 
C.  albus  is  shown  chiefly  in  the  colour  of 
the  flowers,  but  it  is  also  apparent  in  the 
vigour  of  the  plant,  as  compared  with  C. 
Ardoini.  Propagation  may  be  effected  bv 
cuttings  or  layers. 

C.  nigricans. — This  is  an  upright-growing 
shrub,  with  slender  shoots  attaining  a  height 
of  3  feet  to  4  feet,  clothed  from  June  to  Sep- 
tember with  bright  yellow  flowers,  li  is  a 
native  of  Europe,  and  is  an  old  introduction 
to  English  gardens,  but  is  not  seen  as  often 
as  is  justified,  both  h\  its  attractiveness  and 
long  period  of  blooming. 

C.  x  precox  (C.  purgans  x  C.  albus).— 
This  hybrid  is  one  of  the  loveliest  of  spring- 
flowering  shrubs,  and  also  one  of  the  most 
free-growing.  It  makes  a  bushy  plant  from 
4  feet  to  6  feet  high,  and  as  much  in  dia- 
meter, with  slender,  arching  shoots  clothed 
from  end  to  end  with  sulphur-yellow  coloured 
flowers,  which  appear  in  April  and  early  in 
May.  When  not  in  bloom  it  makes  a  dis- 
tinct and  effective  evergreen  plant.  Propa- 
gation may  be  effected  by  cuttings. 

C.  PUEGANS  is  a  native  of  South-west 
Europe,  and  makes  a  bushy  plant  about  2 
feet   high,    bearing   deep   yellow    flowers    in 


spring.  It  is  rather  a  difficult  plant  to  grow, 
and  should  always  be  increased  by  seeds,  as 
cuttings   often    die   away    (10m   no   apparent 

cause. 

C.  purpureus. — This  is  a  prostrate,  spread- 
ing plant  suitable  for  the  rockery,  or  a  dry 
bank.  It  is  sometimes  seen  grafted  as  a 
standard  on  the  Laburnum,  but  no  worse  way 
of  treating  a  thoroughly  beautiful  plant  <  ould 
ever  have  been  devised.  When  in  full  bloom 
in  May  on  a  rockery  it  makes  a  welcome 
sight,  with  its  purple-coloured  flowers,  which 
are  darker  and  liner  than  when  the  plant  is 
elevated  out  of  its  proper  position. 

C.  scoparius  (Common  Broom).— This 
is  a  well-known  wild  plant  growing  on  tight, 
sand)  soils  throughout  Great  Britain,  but  is 
not  used  half  so  much  in  the  wild  garden  as 
it  should  be.  It  delights  in  dry,  sandy 
ground  and  plenty  of  sunshine,  and  where 
the  soil  is  heavy  it  can  be  made  suitable  for 
this  Broom  by  adding  ashes,  mortar-rubble, 
or  some  similar  material.  The  bright  yellow 
flowers  are  produced  in  Ma,  and  June  from 
end  to  end  of  the  long,  whip-like  growths. 

C.  s.  var.  Andrdanus. — The  variety  An- 
d  rearms  was  found  growing  wild  in  France 
b)  M.  Andre-,  alter  whom  it  was  named.  It 
is  a  free-growing,  bush)  plant  with  brownish- 
crimson  and  yellow  flowers  opening  a  little 
earlier  than  those  of  the  common  Broom. 
To  grow  this  plant  successfully  it  should  be 
either  on  its  own  roots  or  grafted  on  stocks 
of  C  scoparius.  The  -railed  plants  are  the 
longest-lived,  as  cuttings  are  apt  to  deca) 
upwards  from  the  base  either  sooner  or  later. 
When,  however,  this  Broom  is  grafted  on  the 
Laburnum,  as  is  often  done,  it  generally  dies 
within  a  year  or  two.  Seedlings  rarely,  if 
1  ver,  tome  true  to  name,  being  either  yellow 
or  poorly  coloured. 

C.  s.  var.  pendulus. —  This  form  has  a 
weeping  habit,  rendering  it  suitable  for  an 
exposed  position  on  the  rockery  or  a  dry 
hank,  as  it  is  a  strong  grower  and  s,  on 
covers  a  large  space  of  ground.  The  plant 
is  v<  ry  handsome  when  bearing  its  pale 
yellow  flowers,  and  it  is  surprising  that  it  is 
not  more  often  seen.  The  variety  may  be 
easily  propagated  by  cuttings. 

C.  s.  var.  sulphurous  (Moonlight  Broom). 
— In  this  variety  the  flowers  are  of  a  creamy- 
yellow  colour,  and  when  in  full  bloom  the 
common  name  is  seen  to  be  a  very  appro- 
priate one.  The  plants  grow  about  4  feet 
or  so  high,  are  bushy,  and  very  free-growing 
in  habit.  It  is  one  of  those  strangely  neg- 
l<  ti  d  plants  in  gardens,  but  it  is  a  very 
handsome  and  desirable  variety.  Propaga- 
tion can  be  effected  by  cuttings. 

Genista. 

G.  AETHNENSIS.  This  is  an  upright-grow- 
ing plant,  reaching  a  height  of  from  10  feet 
to  12  feet,  with  long,  thin,  semi-pendulous 
branches,  which  become  covered  in  July  and 
August  with  small,  golden-yellow  coloured 
flowers,  which  are  distinctly  scented  as  of 
hay.  The  plant  is  most  suited  for  the  back 
of  a  shrubbery,  or  to  be  planted  amongst  low. 
growing  evergreens,  as  it  attains  a  tree-like 
habit  in  course  of  time,  and  shows  a  quantity 
of  bare  stem  at  the  base.  It  is  a  native  of 
Sicilv,  and  is  not  at  all  common,   though  it 


226 


THE     GARDENERS1     CHRONICLE. 


[September  28,  1907. 


has  been  introduced  many  years  to  English 
gardens. 

G.  tinctoria  (Dyer's  Greenweed). — This  is 
a  common  plant  throughout  the  greater  part 
of  Europe,  but  is  of  no  great  garden  value. 
The  variety  elatior  makes  a  rather  pretty  bush 
about  3  feet  in  height  when  covered  with  its 
golden-yellow  coloured  flowers  in  August. 

G.  virgata. — This  is  a  tall-growing  Broom, 
reaching  a  height  of  15  feet  or  more,  and 
requires  the  same  kind  of  position  as  G. 
asthnensis.  The  flowers  are  of  a  bright 
yellow,  and  are  freely  produced  in  June  on 
old  plants ;  in  a  young  state  this  species  does 
not  bloom  very  freely.  It  is  a  plant  to  be  re- 
commended for  creating  a  bold  effect  amongst 


NEW  OR  NOTEWORTHY 
PLANTS. 


~~n>'  r^/^'n^'VPc"Kgfj-V  rflBf    s*^'tl>S  - 


Fig.  97,-rindera  umbellata  :   colour 
of  flowers  dark  brown 

evergreens,  as  it  is  well  able  to  take  care 
of  itself  in  almost  any  situation.  It  is  a 
native  of  Madeira,  and  may  be  easily  raised 
from  seed. 

SrARTIUM. 

S.  junceum  (Yellow  Spanish  Broom). — 
A  native  of  Southern  Europe,  this  species  is 
a  thin,  upright  plant,  reaching  a  height  of 
from  6  feet  to  10  feet,  with  dark  green,  rush- 
like stems  covered  in  August  and  September 
with  comparatively  large,  yellow  flowers, 
which  are  distinctly,  though  faintly,  sweet- 
scented.  It  is  an  excellent  plant  for  dry 
places,  as  it  seems  able  to  withstand  much 
drought  and  nevertheless  flower  freely.  /. 
Clark,  Bagshot,  Suirey. 


RINDERA  UMBELLATA.* 

This  plant,  belonging  to  the  Boragineae  (see 
fig.  97),  which  Mr.  T.  Smith,  of  the  Daisy  Hill 
Nursery,  Newry,  received  from  Belgrade  under 
the  name  of  Mattia  umbellata,  flowered  with 
him  for  the  first  time  in  May  of  the  present 
year.  Mr.  Smith  remarks  that  it  "  comes  from 
Eastern  Europe,  and  is  a  most  distinct 
plant.  It  has  evergreen  tufted  leaves.  The 
flower-stem  grows  to  the  height  of  2  feet.  Colour 
of  the  flowers,  dark  brown,  but  quite  attractive. 
Dryish  sandy  soil  seems  to  be  the 
most   suitable   for  it." 

Though  apparently  long  lost  to  cultivation 
in  these  islands,  reference  to  Loudon's 
Hortus  Britannicus  or  Paxton's  Botanical 
Dictionary  will  show  that  the  plant,  under 
the  name  of  Cyno^lossum  umbellatum,  was  first 
introduced  in  1817.  It  is  a  native  of  the  Banat, 
in  south-eastern  Hungary,  and  of  Servia,  where 
it  grows  on  sandy  hills.  Whether  Symphytum 
regium,  S.  T.  Gmel.,  Reise,  iii.  363,  t.  36,  f.  1, 
a  Siberian  plant,  referred  by  Lehmann  to  Cyno- 
glossum  umbellatum,  is  really  identical,  I  am 
unable  to  determine,  having  seen  a  figure  only. 
This  certainly  agrees  fairly  well,  but  the  geo- 
graphical distribution  seems  too  remarkable. 
It  will  be  observed  that  the  Index  Kewensis 
records  a  Mattia  umbellata  of  C.  Koch  as  well 
as  M.  umbellata,  Schultes.  The  former  is 
referred  to  Rindera  pubescens,  C.  Koch,  and  is 
included  in  Boissier's  Flora  Orientalis,  iv.  272, 
as  Cyphomattia  lanata,  Boiss.  This  species  is  a 
native  of  Armenia,  Asia  Minor,  Syria,  Persia, 
&c,  and  has  been  in  cultivation  at  Kew  during 
recent  years.  It  closely  resembles  Rindera  umbel- 
lata. The  fact  is  not  made  clear  in  the  Index 
Kewensis  that  Mattia  umbellata,  Schultes,  is  the 
same  as  Rindera  umbellata,  Bunge,  but  it  is  evi- 
dently the  same  plant.  Bunge,  in  the  place  cited 
below,  merely  made  the  necessary  new  com- 
bination. 

Rindera  umbellata  may  be  briefly  described  as 
follows: — Stem  solitary,  simple,  erect,  leafy, 
1  to  2  feet  high.  Leaves  entire,  acute  or  acu- 
minate, canescent-pubescent ;  basal  leaves 
oblong-lanceolate  or  ovate-lanceolate,  attenuate:! 
at  the  base  into  a  long  petiole  ;  cauline  leaves 
lanceolate  to  narrowly  lanceolate,  the  lower 
with  a  winged  petiole,  the  upper  sessile.  In- 
florescence terminal,  of  numerous  pedunculate 
scorpioid  cymes  umbellately  arranged.  Flowers 
long-pedicellate.  Calyx  densely  woolly,  five- 
partite  ;  segments  linear-lanceolate,  obtuse,  re- 
flexed  in  fruit.  Corolla  tubular,  scarcely  £  inch 
long,  reddish-yellow  or  dark  brown  ;  throat  of 
the  tube  closed  with  emarginate,  purplish  scales  ; 
lobes  erect,  oblong,  rounded-obtuse.  Stamens 
included  or  slightly  exserted.  Style  slender, 
long-exserted.  Nutlets  ovate-orbicular,  broadly- 
winged,  smooth,  about  J  inch  in  diameter. 
S.  A.  S. 


THE   COUNTRY    GARDEN. 

In  most  country  gardens,  and  indeed  in  not  a 
few  town  and  suburban  ones,  there  are  portions 
that  must  be  treated  differently  from  the  rest, 
and,  in  a  manner,  more  picturesquely.  These 
are  the  wilder  and  more  outlying  positions,  and 
probably  they  are  more  or  less  shaded  by  trees. 
To  produce  colour  effects  in  such  positions 
in  broad  masses  from  time  to  time  during  the 
year  is  of  much  artistic  importance  ;  and,  while 
it  is  in  evidence,  makes  these  portions  as  beauti- 
ful, and  many  will  say  far  more  beautiful,  than 
those  treated  more  formally.  To  achieve  these 
masses  of  colour,  we  turn  instinctively  to  the 
smaller  bulbous  plants,  as  these  lend  themselves 

*  Rindera  umbellata,  Bunge  in  Mem.  Sav.  Etr.  Petcrsb., 
vii.  (18511,415,  in  note.  Cynoglossum  umbellatum,  \N 'a  Idst. 
and  Kit.  Plant.  Rar.  Hung.,  ii.  158,  t.  148  (1805).  Lehmann, 
Plant.  Fam.  Aspcrifol.,  172.  Mattia  umbellata,  Schultes, 
Observat.  Rot.,  32  (lROih.  and  Ocstcrreichs  Flora,  ed.  2,  i.  363; 
Roem.  and  Schultes,  Sis/.,  iv.  82. 


in  splendid  fashion  to  that  most  effective  of  all 
styles  of  planting — bold,  broad  massing. 

If  the  ground  thus  to  be  colonised  has  net 
been  broken  up  for  some  years  past,  and  has  be- 
come ever-run  with  Ivy,  this  should  be  rooted  up 
or  be  very  much  thinned,  though  it  is  better  to 
take  it  away  completely.  The  ground  should  be 
deeply  dug,  and,  where  possible,  old  material 
from  hot  beds  may  be  incorporated  with  the  soil. 
It  is  a  great  mistake,  though  somewhat  a  com- 
mon one,  to  grow  too  many  different  varieties  of 
bulbous  plants  in  the  same  quarter  of  woodland  1 
or  copse.  This  tends  to  produce  patches  of  colour 
here  and  there,  rather  than  to  bold  effects.  There 
is  one  difficulty  with  bulb  colonisation  that  can- 
not be  overlooked  when  a  succession  of  displays 
is  desired.  It  lies  in  the  rank-growing  and 
smothering  habit  of  bulbous  plants  after  flower- 
ing, so  that  it  is  almost  impossible  to  have  a  sec- 
ond display  while  the  foliage  of  the  first  plants 
covers  the  ground.  In  an  old  garden  known  to  the 
writer  there  is  a  wide  expanse  planted  with  Snow- 
drops, another  with  Winter  Aconites,  and  where 
these  are  established  it  is  impossible  to  grow  other 
small  bulbous  plants.  But  a  great  stretch  of  the 
early-flowering  Snowdrop  or  the  yellow  Eranthis 
is  of  much  worth  and  beauty.  The  Snowdrops 
fill  the  site  of  an  old  moat ;  the  Aconites  are 
planted  on  ground  above  it.  They  do  not  wholly 
die  down  and  disappear  until  the  beginning  of 
June.  But  if  other  plants  of  a  similar  habit,  or 
even  such  subjects  as  Primroses,  cannot  be. asso- 
ciated with  them  on  account  of  their  foliage  hid- 


sect  ton. 


Cl.CMror*  — 


Fig     98  — fruit    of   rindera   umbellata   with 
longitudinal  and  transverse  sections. 

ing  these  other  plants,  we  may  seek  for  a  good 
effect  at  a  later  date — say,  a  summer  effect — 
with  the  aid  of  Ferns,  and,  if  it  can  be  prevented 
from  spreading  and  increasing  too  rapidly,  the 
giant  Heracleum.  This  last-named  plant  forms 
a  suitable  subject  for  planting  in  shaded  posi- 
tions. I  have  grown  it  under  the  shade  of  the 
Horse  Chestnut,  of  all  deciduous  trees  the  one 
producing  the  densest  shade. 

There  are,  however,  plants  of  a  bulbous  nature 
easier  to  deal  with  than  Snowdrops  and  Eranthis. 

By  a  suitable  selection  of  subjects  it  is  possible 
to  have  "  a  blue  copse,"  the  earliest  display  in 
which  may  be  achieved  with  Anemone  blanda, 
combined  with  A.  apennina ;  both  these  Ane- 
mones are  readily  reared  from  seeds.  The 
first-named  species  flowers  somewhat  earlier 
than  the  second,  but  both  produce  a  very  beau- 
tiful display  of  blue  flowers  during  March  and 
April.  A  second  display  of  blue  may  be  achieved 
for  the  following  month  of  May  with  Scilla 
festalis — our  native  wild  blue  Hyacinth,  and  S. 
hispanica.  The  foliage  of  these  Scillas  appears 
late ;  therefore,  it  scarcely  interferes  with  the 
display  of  Anemones.  Departing  from  the  idea 
of  "  a  blue  copse,"  a  charming  scheme  can  be 
made  by  using  the  wild,  white  Anemone 
nemorosa  in  the  place  of  the  blue  varieties  I 
have  named,  with  the  blue  Scillas  to  follow 
them  as  in  the  first  arrangement. 

Scilla  sibirica  is  another  bulbous  plant  that 
is  always  more  effective  when  broadly  planted. 


September  28,  1907.] 


THE     GA  R  D EX  Ell  ST     CHR  0  XI CL  E. 


227 


Among  hardy  bulbous  plants,  none  produces 
flowers  of  a  richer  blue  than  this  Scilla,  and  it 
increases  rapidly  by  self-sown  seeds.  By  the 
New  Year  the  blades  of  the  seedlings  appear 
.through  the  ground,  but  many  of  the  young 
plants  will  be  found  to  disappear  later.  By 
lifting  the  seedlings  whilst  still  young,  however, 
and  planting  them  in  a  spare  border  in  the 
kitchen  garden  for  two  seasons,  a  quantity  of 
good  bulbs  may  be  obtained,  and  these  can  be 
transferred  to  the  woodland  again.  I  cannot  ex- 
plain why  tins  treatment  should  be  necessary; 
it  may  be  there  is  not  the  need  for  it  in  all  soils. 

A  charming  effect  can  be  achieved  by  asso- 
ciating with  these  smaller  bulbs  others  that 
attain  to  a  greater  height :  thus,  among  the 
Scillas,  groups  of  Polygonatum  (Solomon's  Seal) 
have  a  bold  appearance,  and,  of  course,  this 
plant  can  equally  well  be  associated  with  Snow- 
drops, Kranthis,  Muscari,  or  Crocuses. 

The  Muscari,  especially  M.  botryoides,  is 
another  early-flowering  subject  that  is  beautiful 
when  massed,  and  it  can  be  purchased  very 
cheaply.  The  ground,  shaded  by  a  deciduous 
tree  or  trees,  can  be  closely  planted  at  very 
little  expense.  And,  if  a  taller-growing  bulbous 
plant  is  required  for  associating  with  the  Mus- 
cari, especially  if  they  are  on  the  fringe  of  the 
woodland,  few  species  are  more  suitable  than 
Fritillaria  impenalis.  The  growths  of  the 
Crown  Imperial  will  not  appear  through  the 
ground  until  the  Muscari  have  ceased  to  flower, 
but  once  started  they  develop  rapidly,  and  the 
changed  effect  of  these  tall,  upstanding  stems, 
following  a  dwarf  carpet  of  Muscari,  is  pleasing. 
By  planting  a  tall-growing  subject  such  as 
this  and  otheis  I  have  mentioned,  the  smother- 
ing habit  of  the  earlier-flowering  subject  is  no 
disadvantage. 

Crocuses  are  not  suitable  plants  for  the  wood- 
land, but  they  are  adapted  for  more  open  spaces, 
and  notably  fur  grass.  They  should  be  planted 
at  once,  and  the  sooner  the  better.  On  the  Con- 
tinent, and  notably  in  Holland,  it  is  the  custom 
•to  plant  bulbs  earlier  than  in  England,  and  there 
can  be  little  doubt  but  that  the  longer  period  of 
growth  thus  afforded  is  beneficial,  for  by  lifting 
some  of  these  smaller  bulbous  plants  that  have 
been  left  undisturbed  in  the  ground,  it  will  be 
noted  that  so  early  as  August  they  have  already 
commenced  to  make  root-growth.  So  far  as  I 
have  knowledge,  Snowdrops  are  the  earliest  of  all 
bulbs  to  recommence  growth.   Practical  Gardener, 


THE    ROSARY. 


CULTURAL  NOTES  FOR  OCTOBER. 

To  the  rosarian,  October  is  one  of  the  busiest 
months  in  the  year  :  it  forms  the  dividing  line 
between  the  summer  and  the  autumn,  and  as 
the  work  of  the  one  season  ends,  that  of  the 
■other  must  be  commenced.  The  examination 
of  the  Rose-border  should  constitute  the  first 
work  ;  the  plants  in  the  borders  should  be  in- 
spected, and  old  and  worthless  sorts  removed. 
The  ground  should  receive  the  necessary  trench- 
ing, manuring,  and  general  preparation  for 
planting  at  the  end  of  October  or  early  in 
November.  If  the  soil  is  impoverished,  the  top 
spit  should  be  entirely  removed,  and  be  replaced 
with  some  fresh  material,  consisting  of  two- 
thirds  loam  and  the  remaining  third  of  equal 
quantities  of  burnt  earth,  road-grit,  and 
manure  from  an  old  Cucumber  bed.  This  com- 
post should  be  mixed  some  weeks  before  it  is 
required  for  use. 

The  drainage  of  all  borders  should  be  made 
efficient,  as  failures  amongst  Roses  are  often 
caused  by  unsuitable  or  water-logged  soils. 
When  plenty  of  space  exists,  and  the  beds  or 
borders  can  be  separated  by  grass,  pleasing 
effects  may  be  produced  by  planting  varieties  of 
separate  colours  in  each  bed.  For  producing  a 
variety  of  colouring  and  a  prolonged  period  of 
f-owering,  the   best  type  of   Rose   is   the   Dwarf 


Hybrid-Tea.  A  few  Standard  plants  of  crimson 
varieties  of  Hybrid-Perpetual  Roses,  planted 
thinly  amongst  the  Dwarf  Hybrid-Tea  varieties, 
will  give  variety,  and  serve  to  counteract  any 
appearance  of  formality  in  the  beds.  These 
latter  Roses  can  be  planted  during  October,  or 
early  in  November,  if  the  soil  is  in  a  moist  con- 
dition. If  the  Hybrid-Tea  varieties  are 
planted  during  the  autumn,  provision  must  be 
made  for  protecting  them  from  severe  frosts : 
as  an  alternative  to  autumn  planting,  strong 
plants  in  pots  can  be  planted  out  during  the  fol- 
lowing April  and  May,  when  all  danger  of  in- 
jury by  cold  is  passed.  An  interesting  bed  may 
be  made  by  planting  Hybrid  varieties  of  Bour- 
bon, China,  and  similar  types  of  Roses,  a  list 
of  which  was  included  in  my  notes  for  last 
month.  These,  together  with  the  Standard 
Hybrid-Perpetual  and  Dwarf  Hybrid-Tea 
plants,  will  furnish  an  uninterrupted  succession 
of  flowers  from  June  to  November.  Further 
variety  may  be  obtained  by  planting  a  selection 
of  Climbing  Roses  on  arches,  pillars,  or  per- 
golas. 

A  plot  of  vacant  ground  should  be  reserved 
for  planting  next  month  a  few  Standard  plants 
of  Briar  and  other  Rose  stocks.  In  the  mean- 
time, the  ground  should  be  well-trenched  and 
manured.  These  stocks  are  always  useful  for 
the  propagation  of  new,  desirable,  and  scarce 
varieties,  and,  when  budded  or  grafted,  can  be 
used  to  replace  old  or  worn-out  plants.  Plant- 
ing should  he  done  early,  provided  the  ground 
is  thoroughly  moist  at  a  moderate  depth  below 
the  surface,  but  here  in  Portsmouth,  at  the  time 
of  writing,  the  soil  is  so  dry  that  any  such  oper- 
ation must  be  deferred  until  a  heavy  downpour 
of  rain.  This  severe  drought  is,  I  believe,  quite 
local,  as  no  complaint  of  dryness  has  reached 
me   from   other   districts. 

The  first  batch  of  Roses  intended  for  early 
forcing,  and  that  have  been  given  the  necessary 
top-dressing  or  re-potting,  should  be  brought 
into  a  cold  house  or  frame  at  the  end  of  Octo- 
ber. An  abundance  of  ventilation  should  be 
given  both  night  and  day,  and  the  plants  should 
be  kept  moderately  dry  at  their  roots  for  some 
time.  After  being  lightly  pruned,  an  occasional 
syringing  overhead,  on  bright  mornings,  for  a 
few  weeks  will  assist  the  plants  to  break  into 
growth,  and  it  will  also  cleanse  the  foliage  from 
insect  pests.  When  new  shoots  are  pushing, 
the  amount  of  ventilation  should  be  reduced, 
and  the  houses  should  be  closed  early  in  the 
afternoon.  The  wood  being  well  matured  on 
these  plants,  they  will  respond  to  a  little  forc- 
ing, and  extra  warmth  should  be  applied  about 
the  third  week  in  November.  At  this  stage  the 
temperature  should  range  from  45°  to  50°,  and 
this  temperature  can  be  increased  after  Christ- 
mas. 

Amongst  the  best  varieties  of  Roses  now  in 
bloom  are  Frau  Karl  Druschki  (the  premier 
white  Rcsel,  Gloire  Lyonnaise  (of  a  fine  lemon 
colour),  Kaiserin  Augusta  Victoria,  Caroline 
Testout  (a  fragrant,  pink  variety),  Mildred  Grant 
(flesh  colour),  Souvenir  de  C.  Guillot  (a  strong 
grower,  with  bronzy  leaves  and  superb  copper- 
coloured  flowers),  Papa  Gontier  (a  grand  deco- 
rative Rose,  deep  crimson-tinted  in  the  bud), 
and  G.  Nabonnand  (a  flesh-coloured  Tea  variety, 
and  one  of  the  most  certain  and  constant  in 
floweringl. 

Young  plants  of  pot  Roses  that  are  plunged 
outside  and  temporarily  protected  with  glass 
frames  can  remain  in  the  same  position  as  they 
now  occupy  until  the  end  of  October,  or 
even  well  into  November,  providing  the 
weather  remains  mild.  These  plants  often  fur- 
nish choice  blooms  quite  late  in  the  season, 
when   they   are   thus   slightly   protected. 

R(  ink    <  'UTTINGS. 

October  is  the  best  time  for  inserting 
Rose  cuttings,  provided  the  ground  is  quite 
moist.  Well-ripened  shoots  about  9  inches  long, 
of     hardy,     free-growing,     decorative     varieties 


should  be  selected,  and  the  cuttings  should  In- 
made  with  a  "heel"  of  the  old  wood  attached. 
The  cuttings  should  be  planted  in  a  position 
facing  north.  Cut  out  a  trench  10  inches  deep, 
place  3  inches  of  sandy  grit  and  leaf-mould  at 
the  bottom  of  the  trench,  and  arrange  the  cut- 
tings in  rows  at  a  distance  of  3  inches  apart, 
allowing  18  inches  between  the  trenches.  Tread 
the  soil  about  them  firmly,  and  make  the  sur- 
face of  the  ground  level,  when  two  or  three 
buds  should  appear  above  the  ground.  When 
this  is  finished,  cover  the  whole  with  a  mulch 
of  Cocoanut-fibre.  In  my  list  of  best  autumn- 
flowering  Roses,  I  neglected  to  include  varieties 
of  R.  rugosa.  These  have  mostly  high-scented 
blooms,  the  plants  make  large-sized  bushes,  and 
are  almost  evergreen.  This  type  of  Rose  is  in- 
valuable for  urban  and  smoky  districts,  and  the 
flowers  are  followed  by  very  handsome  fruits. 
The  best  varieties  include  R.  rugosa  delicata  (a 
very  sweetly-scented  variety),  R.  r.  alba,  and  R. 
r.  fimbriata  (a  blush-pink  variety  whose  petals 
are  prettily  fringed). 

Pot  Roses. 

If  the  stock  of  pot  Roses  for  forcing  requires 
renewal,  October  is  the  best  month  for  the 
work.  Pot  up  fresh  maiden  plants,  and  for 
this  purpose  I  recommend  dwarf  plants  that 
have  been  worked  on  the  seedling  Briar  stock, 
and  the  plants  should  be  strong,  well  ripened, 
and  have  three  or  more  branches.  They  should 
be  potted  firmly,  using  pots  of  5,  6,  or  7  inches 
in  diameter,  according  to  the  size  of  the  indi- 
vidual plant.  Particulars  have  already  been 
given  in  a  former  note  of  a  suitable  soil  and 
compost,  and  the  best  varieties  of  Roses  for  pot 
culture  were  enumerated.  When  the  potting  is 
completed  the  pots  should  be  plunged  in  ashes 
outside  till  after  Christmas,  or  until  the  roots 
are   well   established  in   the   new   soil. 

In  conclusion,  I  will  briefly  refer  to  planted- 
out  Roses  under  glass.  Hybrid  and  Perpetual 
varieties  are  seldom  planted  out,  as  the  Tea, 
Hybrid-Tea,  Noisette,  and  China  varieties  are 
much  freer  both  in  growth  and  in  flowering. 
It  is  an  advantage  to  have  a  single  flow  and  re- 
turn pipe  around  the  house  in  which  they  are 
grown.  Some  of  the  plants  should  be  lightly 
pruned  at  the  end  of  this  month,  and  the  re- 
mainder at  intervals,  for  succession.  Another 
soaking  of  water  should  be  applied  at  the  roots, 
and  the  foliage  should  be  first  cleansed  with  a 
suitable  insecticide,  and  afterwards  be  syringed 
with  clear  water.  An  abundance  of  ventilation 
should  be  given  at  the  present  time  ;  the  amount 
of  air  admitted  from  outside  can  be  reduced 
later  in  the  season,  and  the  plants  be  gentlv 
started  into  growth.  From  now  onwards  the 
night  temperature  should  not  be  lower  than  45u. 
/.  D.  G. 


COLONIAL     NOTE. 

WATSONIA  ARDERNEI. 
I  disagree  with  E.  P.  (see  Gardeners' 
Chronicle,  August  3,  p.  93),  when  he  states  that 
the  best  flowers  are  obtained  from  bulbs  that 
are  not  shifted  when  dormant,  and  that  it  is  a 
mistake  to  allow  the  bulbs  to  become  thoroughly 
dry.  I  find  it  is  not  detrimental  to  the  bulbs 
for  them  to  become  dry,  provided  they  have 
thoroughly  ripened  before  lifting,  as  it  rests 
them  to  be  taken  out  of  the  ground.  My  plan  is 
to  lift  the  bulbs  every  season  at  about  January, 
sorting  them  into  different  sizes.  I  plant  them 
again  at  about  the  end  of  March.  The  spikes 
are  cut  off  from  small  bulbs  as  soon  as  they 
show,  as  better  flowering  bulbs  are  thus  obtained 
for  the  following  season.  If  the  bulbs  are  lifted 
every  season,  the  spikes  and  flowers  are  much 
larger  than  if  left  undisturbed.  They  should 
not,  in  any  case,  be  left  in  the  ground  undis- 
turbed for  more  than  two  seasons,  as  they  get 
crowded   and   weakly   in   growth.     /.    T.,    Caff 

[The  photographs  were  not  suitable  for  repro- 
duction.— Ed.] 


228 


THE    GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


[September  28,  1907. 


PELARGONIUM    "CLORINDA." 

The  specimen,  of  which  an  illustration  is 
given  at  fig.  99,  is  one  of  the  many  plants 
grown  at  Gunnersbury  for  the  purposes  of  ter- 
race decoration.  It  is  one  of  the  sweetly-per- 
fumed foliage  varieties  that  are  at  the  same 
time  extremely  useful  as  flowering  plants.  The 
variety  is  very  distinct  in  its  colouring,  being 
a  soft  rose-pink.  Already  it  has  proved  to  be 
valuable  as  a  winter  and  early  spring-flowering 
plant.  It  has  been  frequently  shown  at  the  fort- 
nightly meetings  of  the  R.H.S.  by  Messrs.  H. 
Cannell  &  Sons  and  H.  13.  May  &  Sons,  as  a 
small  decorative  plant,  but,  as  the  illustration 
shows,  it  may  also  be  grown  into  a  specimen. 
This  particular  plant  is  8  feet  in  width  and  6 
feet  high.  I  am  disposed  to  think  it  would  prove 
to  be  a  most  valuable  plant  either  for  covering 
walls    in    corridors    and    like   structure,    or    for 


NOTES  FROM  A  CORNISH 
GARDEN. 
Following  a  spring  of  unusually  good 
promise,  the  weather  of  the  present  summer  has 
proved  most  disappointing,  and,  save  for  a  few 
days  in  July,  it  has  been  what  the  farmers  call  a 
"dropping  season."  And  yet,  save  for  fruit, 
there  is  very  little  cause  for  complaint  in  the 
matter  of  garden  produce  ;  indeed,  I  never  re- 
member looking  over  the  crops  in  August  with 
greater  satisfaction.  But  I  should  state  that  our 
garden  is  naturally  drained  ;  in  low-lying  dis- 
tricts the  prospects  are  probably  very  different. 
Weeds  have  been  abundant  this  season  and  rank 
in  growth ;  hoeing  has  been  almost  useless 
as  compared  with  the  utility  of  that  operation  in 
normal  seasons,  and  it  has  been  dispensed  with 
in  favour  of  forking  and  hand-pulling  of  the 
weeds. 


and  weather-beaten,  but  lately  they  have  grown 
much  better.  Tomatos  planted  in  the  open  will 
be  so  late  in  swelling  their  fruit  that  I  fear  the 
crop  will  be  below  the  average.  Carrots, 
Parsnips,  and  Onions  are  unusually  large,  both 
bottom  and  top  growth.  Carrots  sown  in  July 
require  much  watching,  or  they  will  soon  be 
devoured  by  slugs.  Early  Potatos  cropped 
heavily :  Sutton's  Abundance  and  Carter's 
Royalty,  as  second  earlies,  gave  a  very  good 
yield.  Late  Potatos  are  not  a  heavy  crop  with 
us,  and  disease  is  prominent  in  the  field  crops. 
Celery  has  benefited  by  the  dull,  damp  season, 
and  has  grown  strong  and  plump.  Runner  Beans 
and  late  Peas  are  promising  crops.  Saladings 
have  been  abundant. 

The  Flower  Garden. 
This    season    has    been    favourable    to    those 
plants     that     require     a     constant     supply     of 


Fig.  99. PELARGONIUM  "clorinda"  cultivated  as  a  specimen:    colour  of  flowers  rose-pink. 


training  into  columns.  The  plant  is  strongly 
scented  of  Lemon,  even  stronger  than  many  of 
these  fruits  as  seen  in  this  country.  Clorinda 
was  raised  by  Dr.  Bonavia,  and  was  awarded 
an  Award  of  Merit  by  the  Floral  Committee  of 
the  R.H.S.  on  May  1,  1S06,  being  shown  by 
Messrs.  H.  Cannell  &  Sons  (see  Supplementary 
Illustration  in  Gardeners'  Chronicle,  April  15, 
190.").  It  recalls  the  variety  known  as  Robins  ill's 
Unique  both  in  habit  and  in  the  downy  charac- 
ter of  its  leaves,  which  in  a  robust  plant  are  ab- 
normally large.  Dr.  Bonavia  stated  in  Gardeners' 
Chronicle,  April  15,  1905,  that  he  raised  it  from 
seeds  of  P.  quercifolium,  but  that  its  male 
parentage  was  not  known.  There  is  another  Pelar- 
gonium called  "  Bridal  Ring,"  which  has  flowers 
of  a  purplish  shade,  but  in  other  respects  it  re- 
sembles Clorinda.     /.  Hudson. 


Amongst  vegetables  the  Cauliflowers  grew 
strongly  and  made  good-sized  heads,  but  they 
were  occasionally  damaged  by  slugs  ;  Early  Lon- 
don is  my  favourite  Cauliflower  for  summer  use. 
Autumn  Cauliflowers,  such  as  Walcheren  and 
Veiti  h's  Autumn  Giant,  appear  very  promising. 
Caterpillars  are,  happily,  absent.  Broad  Beans 
have  been,  on  the  whole,  fairly  satisfactory,  not- 
withstanding the  fact  that  in  May  the  plants  were 
covered  with  flowers  when  the  stalks  were  not 
more  than  \\  feet  in  height.  Afterwards  they  made 
a  vigorous  growth,  and  reached  their  usual  height 
about  midsummer.  Asparagus  furnished  a  weak 
early,  but  a  good  strong  late,  cutting.  French 
Beans,  raised  in  pots  under  glass  and 
planted  out  on  a  warm  border  the  last  week  in 
May,  gave  no  pods  until  the  end  of  July  ;  all 
the  season  these  Beans  have  appeared  very  weak 


moisture,  and,  as  a  rule,  strong-growing  plants 
are  abnormally  tall  and  succulent.  Flowering 
shrubs,  such  as  Rhododendron,  Pittosporum, 
Pyrus,  Olearia,  Kalmia,  Ceanothus,  Magno- 
lia, Choisya,  Viburnum,  Philadelphus,  Veroni- 
ca, Weigelia,  &c,  have  made  exceptionally 
strong  growths,  and  if  a  dry,  sunny  autumn 
ensues,  so  that  the  wood  becomes  ripened,  a  good 
display  of  flowers  should  follow  next  spring. 

Amongst  herbaceous  plants  there  are  a  few 
subjects  which  have  not  enjoyed  the  dull  sum- 
mer. The  growths  of  Pasonies  are  only  now 
maturing.  Sweet  Peas  have  reached  a  great 
height,  especially  those  sown  last  autumn.  The 
rain  somewhat  marred  the  beauty  of  these 
flowers,  though  they  looked  charming  for  a  few 
days  in  July.  Iris  germanica,  I.  Kaempferi,  and 
I.  xiphioides  in  variety  have  bloomed  and  grown 


September  28,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


229 


well.  Such  genera  as  Helianthus,  Inula, 
Lychnis,  Rudbeckia,  Aster,  Geum,  Francoa, 
Cimicifuga,  Campanula,  Gaillardia,  Arenaria, 
Pyrethrum,  &c,  have  done  well  in  a  wet  sea- 
son. Amongst  bedding  plants  the  tuberous- 
rooting  Begonias  have  proved  disappointing ; 
these  have  suffered,  perhaps,  more  from  the 
low  temperature  and  boisterous  winds  than  from 
an  over  supply  of  water.  Their  growth  is  short 
and  cramped,  their  flowers  are  short  in  the  stem, 
and  the  petals  are  poor  in  substance.  Gladi- 
olus gandavensis,  G.  cardinalis,  G.  Childsii,  G. 
nanceianus  vars.  have  developed  spikes  of 
gorgeous  flowers  of  fine  size,  substance,  and 
colour.  In  one  large  flower-bed  occupying  a 
position  of  prominence  near  the  residence  a  num- 
ber of  spring  bulbous  flowers  were  planted. 
The  first  to  flower  were  Winter  Aconites  and 
Snowdrops,  and  these  were  followed  at  intervals 
by  Iris  reticulata,  I.  persica,  large  trumpet- 
flowered  Narcissi,  Narcissus  incomparabilis,  N. 
poeticus  vars.,  Gladiolus  Colvilei,  G.  ganda- 
,  G.  Childsii,  and  Hyacinthus  (Galtonia) 
candicans.  Thus  there  has  been  a  display  in 
this  bed  from  early  spring  until  September. 
Rudbeckia  maxima  is  showing  its  flowers — a 
splendid  plant  is  this.  R.  purpurea  is  already  in 
flower,  and  I  am  delighted  with  this  species,  hav- 
ing seen  it  for  the  first  time  this  season.  Sidal- 
cea  Listeri,  CEnothera  Youngii,  Montbretia 
rosea,  and  many  charming  varieties  of  the  peren- 
nial Phlox  have  made  the  herbaceous  border  "  a 
thing  of  beauty."  Roses  of  all  sections  have 
grown  very  strongly  and  have  flowered  well. 
//.  W.,  Trevince. 


AUTUMN  -  FLOWERING 
CROCUSES. 

(Concluded  from  page  Zli.) 
C.  longiflorus. — The  slender  leaves  and 
equally  slender  flowers  of  this  species  appear 
together  late  in  the  season.  The  flower-tubes 
are  so  slender  that  the  first  rainfall  lays  the 
flowers  low,  and  they  need  a  protective  carpet 
of  mossy  Saxifraga  or  some  similar  plant.  The 
flowers  appear  through  the  soil  in  November, 
and  before  they  open  appear  like  tiny  spikes 
with  inflated  tips.  When  expanded  they  have 
the  form  of  a  star,  and  in  colour  are  a  delicate 
rosy-mauve  with  purple  venation;  the  stigma  is 
of  brilliant  scarlet  colouring.  The  plant  flourishes 
in  the  rock  garden  in  almost  any  soil,  but  it  re- 
quires to  be  sheltered  from  winds.  It  is  a  native 
of  Southern  Italy,  and  there  is  a  form  named 
Wilhelmi  which  has  light  lilac  flowers  that  are 
heavily  veined  externally  with  bronzy-purple. 

C.  Marathoxisius. — This  species  is  one  of 
the  finest  of  all  white  autumn-flowering 
Crocuses,  but  it  is  too  rare  to  admit  of  extensive 
planting.  It  has  shapely  flowers  4  inches  high, 
yellow  stigma  and  basal  colouring. 

C.  medius. — This  species  is  among  the  best  of 
autumn-flowering  Crocuses.  The  petals  are 
broad  and  overlapping,  and  when  widely  ex- 
panded the  characteristic  cup-like  outline  is  not 
lost.  The  flowers  exceed  6  inches  in  height, 
and  in  well-grown  plants  the  petals  are  2  inches 
in  length  and  an  inch  in  width.  The  colour  is 
a  clear  mauve-purple,  with  scarcely  any  veining, 
and  the  stigma  is  a  cluster  of  rich  scarlet 
filaments  that  droop  gracefully  when  the  flower 
ages.  The  habit  is  sturdy,  and  it  is  easy  of 
culture.  The  leaves  develop  very  slowly 
throughout  winter,  and  are  not  matured  until 
April.  The  corm  is  as  large  as  that  of  C. 
ous.  I  regard  this  plant  as  the  finest  of 
the  rarer  autumn  Crocuses.  Its  colour  scheme 
is  pleasing,  and  its  shape  all  that  can  be  desired. 

C.  pulchellus  produces  model  flowers  in 
respect  of  neatness.  They  are  smaller  than  those 
of  the  better  known  C.  zonatus,  and  have  the 
characteristic  cup  shape.  They  are  lavender- 
blue  in  colour,  and  show  many  fascinating  tints 
of    silvery-lavender    as    they    age.     The     inner 


petals  only  show  a  richer  veining  of  purple. 
This  is  a  lovely  subject  for  planting  in  grass, 
and  it  grows  readily  in  short  turf  in  sunny 
situations.  The  season  of  flowering  is  Septem- 
ber and  October. 

C.  Saizmanm. — In  most  gardens  this  species 
proves  disappointing.  Its  flowers  are  net  of  the 
best  type ;  they  are  pale  purple  in  colour,  with 
deeper  venation.  In  addition  to  being  some- 
what difficult  to  flower  well,  the  plant  rarely 
manages  to  perfect  such  flowers  as  are  produced. 
It  forms  large  corms  and  huge  tufts  of  grassy 
leaves,  among  which  the  flowers  nestle.  The 
species  is  a  native  of  Tangiers. 

C.  SATIVJS. — This  is  also  a  disappointing 
species.  No  matter  how  well  the  plants  are 
grown  and  how  well  the  corms  are  ripened,  few 
flowers  are  produced.  It  is  a  vigorous-growing 
species  producing  huge  tufts  of  leaves  and 
showy  flowers  that  are  coloured  rich  lilac,  with 
veining  and  basal  colouring  of  purple.  The 
showy  scarlet  stigma  produces  the  saffron  of 
i  ommerce.  It  is  a  variable  plant,  ranging  from 
pure  white  (seen  in  the  variety  (  artw  rightianusl 
through  in  my  shades  of  lilac  to  purple. 
Specialists  sometimes  succeed  in  flowering  a  few 
specimens,  but,  generally,  cultivation  in  this 
country  is  disappointing,  the  corms  failing  to 
develop  sufficiently  and  to  ripen  well.  It  is 
widely  cultivated  for  producing  saffron,  and 
inhabits  Eastern  Europe  and  Western  Asia. 


Fig.  100.- 


-A    STRErTOCARPUS   GROWN    BY 
MR.    BURDEIT. 


C.  Scharojant. — This  is  a  very  rare  Crocus 
and  one  which  I  have  not  been  able  to  keep  for 
any  considerable  time.  The  flowers  are  of  a 
beautiful   rich  orange   shade. 

C.  SPECIOSUS. — In  many  respects  this  is  the 
most  useful  of  all  the  autumn-flowering 
Crocuses.  The  colour  of  the  flowers  is  a  clear 
blue,  feathered  and  veined  with  blue-purple, 
and  the  stigma  is  a  cluster  of  rich  orange 
filaments.  The  plant  can  be  recommended  for 
any  position  in  the  garden.  The  colour  of  the 
flowers — a  soft  but  clear  blue — is  very  attractive. 
The  corms  deteriorate  in  very  poor  soils,  but 
they  thrive  and  increase  fast  in  rich  land. 
Seeds  germinate  where  they  fall,  and  young 
plants  arise  in  thousands  at  the  spots  where  the 
plants  have  flowered.  I  have  now  a  plot  of 
land  that  is  infested  with  seedling  C.  speciosus, 
and  it  is  likely  to  remain  so  for  many  years, 
for  it  is  almost  impossible  to  exterminate  it. 
Some  very  old  clumps  that  have  "dropped" 
below  a  spade's  depth  throw  up  some  wonderful 
flower  clusters  that  surpass  normally  grown 
Aitchisoni  in  colour  and  size.  The  variety 
Aitchiso.ni,  although  similarly  coloured,  is  much 
larger  in  size.  I  measured  a  flower  last  year 
whose  petals  exceeded  4  inches  in  length.  It  is 
not  so  good  a  plant  for  planting  in  grass  as 
typical  C.  speciosus,  but  it  succeeds  better  in  a 
cultivated    border    than    that   species.     I     have 


descriptions  of  a  white  variety  and  a  self  lilac 
variety  in  my  notes  on  this  genus,  but  I  cannot 
remember  where  I  saw  them. 

C.  Tournefortii. — This  may  be  classed 
amongst  the  troublesome  flowering  Crocuses. 
The  corms  are  large,  and  they  develop  showy 
rosy-lavender  flowers  and  huge  clumps  of  ' 
with  a  flower  occurring  among  them  here  and 
there.  Its  garden  value  dees  not  surpass  that 
of  C.  Salzmanni. 

C.  ZONATUS  is  a  free-flowering  and  easily- 
grown  species  that  should  be  planted  fre 
any  soil  that  is  not  infested  with  predatory 
insect  life.  It  will  thrive  in  grassland  and  in 
well-tilled  borders,  but  it  prefers  the  hard,  half- 
tilled  soil  of  a  shrubbery  border.  Its  large, 
flat  corm  is  distinct  from  those  of  any  other 
Crocuses,  and  it  is  worthy  of  note  that  mice  do 
not  injure  this  species  much.  Wireworm,  eel- 
worm,  and  other  ground  pests,  however,  attack 
the  corms  badly,  and  one  should  be  careful  in 
planting  this  species  to  find  out  if  the  soil  is. 
infested  with  these  pests.  The  flowers  of  C. 
zonatus  are  exceptionally  choice.  The\ 
cup-shaped,  coloured  a  delicate  shade  of  rosy- 
lavender,  with  semi-transparent  veining,  and 
there  is  a  ring  of  light  red  at  the  base  of  the 
cup.  The  stigma  is  a  collection  of  pale  yellow- 
filaments.     G.  B.  MalUtt. 


STREPTOCAK1TS    BURDETT'S 
STRAIN. 

The  Streptocarpus  illustrated  at  fig.  100  re- 
presents a  plant  of  the  strain  that  received  an 
Award  of  Merit  from  the  Floral  Committee  of 
the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  when  shown  by 
Mr.  F.  Burdett,  Scotswood  Gardens,  Sunning- 
dale,  on  August  20.  Mr.  Burdett,  who  has 
obligingly  furnished  us  with  the  photograpi 
from  which  our  figure  was  prepared,  states  :  "  I 
have  in  pots  plants  with  a  diameter  of  24  inches, 
that  have  from  60  to  70  flower-spikes  present  on 
each,  and  the  plants  have  been  in  flower  since 
June.  The  seed  was  sown  in  pans  that  were 
provided  with  plenty  of  material  for  drainage, 
this  being  covered  with  decayed  leaves  f.eed 
from  worms.  The  soil  was  of  equal  parts  loam, 
leaf-mould,  peat,  and  coarse  silver  sand,  and 
the  pans  were  filled  with  this  compost  to  within 
J  of  an  inch  of  the  rim.  They  were  placed  in 
water  to  half  the  depth  of  the  pan  for  30 
minutes,  and  afterwards  \  an  inch  of  fine,  damp 
soil  was  lightly  pressed  down,  and  the  seeds 
sown  thinly  and  evenly  on  a  convex  surface 
without  any  covering  of  soil,  but  covered  with  a 
sheet  of  glass.  The  pan  needs  to  be  soaked  occa- 
sionally, for  the  soil  must  never  be  allowed 
to  become  dry.  Allow  the  seedlings  to  become 
well  advanced  before  they  are  pricked  out  into 
pans  or  pots,  and  give  proper  attention 
to  the  matters  of  shading  and  watering. 
After  the  plants  have  done  flowering,  gradually 
reduce  the  supply  of  water  till  the  largest  leaves 
decay,  and  place  them  in  a  cool-house  or  frame 
where  they  will  be  protected  from  frost.  Early  in 
January  or  February  remove  the  plants  to  a  house 
having  a  temperature  of  50'J  to  60°.  Give  a  good 
soaking  with  water,  and  new  growth  will  com- 
mence. They  should  then  have  the  old  soil 
shaken  away  from  their  roots  and  be  afterwards 
potted  into  their  flowering  pots.  Keep  the  plants 
on  the  dry  side  until  the  roots  are  active.  Syringe 
overhead  and  amongst  them,  for  Streptocarpus 
require  plenty  of  moisture  in  their  early  stages, 
of  growth.  When  the  plants  begin  to  develop 
their  flowering  stems,  give  the  roots  weak  cow- 
manure  water  and  soot,  which  has  been  previously 
prepared  in  a  tub  with  hot  water,  the  hot  water 
being  used  for  the  purpose  of  destroying  any  in- 
sects that  may  be  present.  A  suitable  compost  for 
the  final  potting  consists  of  fibrous  loam  two 
bushels,  leaf-mould  and  peat  one  bushel  each, 
one  peck  of  old  cow  manure,  one  gallon  of  char- 
coal, some  mortar  rubble  broken  up,  one  41-inch 
pot  full  of  bone  meal,  and  one  peck  of  coarse 
sand." 


230 


THE    GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


[September  28,  1907. 


ORCHID    NOTES   AND   GLEANINGS. 

CYPRIPEDIUM    SPICERIANUM    FROM 
SEED. 

Imported  plants  of  this  fine  species  vary  con- 
siderably, both  in  size  and  colour,  the  propor- 
tion of  first-class  varieties  being  very  small. 
Having  a  very  fine  form  of  C.  Spicerianum,  Mr. 
H.  A.  Tracy,  of  Twickenham,  fertilised  it  with 
its  own  pollen,  obtained  seeds,  and  raised  a 
good  number  of  plants,  some  of  which  flowered 
last  year,  and  all  are  now  in  bloom.  The 
.flowers  are  of  the  "  magnificum "  class,  with 
large,  white  dorsal  sepal,  slightly  shaded  with 
rose  on  the  lower  half,  and  with  a  broad,  claret- 
coloured  band  in  the  middle.  Although  the 
plants  are  still  young,  they  show  a  marked  ad- 
vance on  the  imported  varieties,  and  prove  that 
much  might  be  done  with  advantage  in  the 
matter  of  seeding  good  varieties  of  imported 
species. 

ANGR^CUM   ROTHSCHILDIANUM. 

It  is  to  be  regretted  that  this  very  remarkable 
and  pretty  Angraecum,  the  only  representative 
of  the  A.  Galeandrae  section  in  cultivation, 
should  have  been  imported  only  on  the  one 
occasion  when  the  Hon.  Walter  Rothschild 
obtained  a  few  plants  of  it  in  1902  from  the 
Uganda  district.  It  flowered  at  Tring  Park  in 
1903,  and  was  illustrated  in  the  Gardeners' 
Chronicle,  August  22,  1903,  p.  131.  It  has 
flowered  annually  at  Tring  Park,  and  is  now 
in  bloom  there.  The  habit  of  the  plant  is  simi- 
lar to  that  of  Angraecum  bilobum  ;  the  flowers, 
which  are  each  about  2  inches  across,  are  borne 
on  a  short  raceme,  and  are  white  with  a 
blackish-purple  base  to  the  emerald-green  disc 
of  the  lip.  The  flowers  are  very  fragrant,  and 
are  capable  of  lasting  a  long  time  in  bloom. 

LiELIA  SIDNEYANA  (L.  CINNABARINA  X 
L.  JONGHEANA). 
A  batch  of  this  pretty  hybrid  has  been  flower- 
ing in  Mr.  H.  A.  Tracy's  Orchid  Nurseries, 
Twickenham,  for  the  last  two  months,  and  still 
there  are  many  of  the  plants  in  bloom  and  bud. 
It  has  the  habit  of  Laelia  Latona,  and  the  flowers 
equal  that  variety  in  size  and  shape,  but  the 
sepals  and  petals  are  narrower.  The  different 
varieties  vary  in  colour  from  clear  apricot- 
yellow  (with  orange-coloured  lip  having  a  rose- 
coloured  margin)  to  light  orange,  which  is  tinged 
and  veined  with  reddish-rose  and  with  mauve 
margin  to  the  lip.  Its  free-blooming  qualities 
make  it  a  desirable  decorative  plant. 


The  Week's  Work. 


FRUITS  UNDER  GLASS. 

By  Alexander  Kirk,  Gardener  to  J.  Thomson  Paton,  Esq., 
Norwood,  Alloa,  Clackmannanshire. 

Vines. — Any  vines  upon  which  the  fruit  is  not 
colouring  well,  or  upon  which  the  berries  are 
shanking,  should  have  their  roots  examined.  All 
late  varieties  should  be  perfectly  ripened  by  the 
end  of  September,  and  the  fruits  will  keep  in 
good  condition  for  use  during  the  winter  and 
spring.  Late  crops  of  Muscat  of  Alexandria  and 
Gros  Colmar  develop  colour  only  with  difficulty, 
especially  when  the  border  in  which  they  are 
growing  is  rich,  or  cold  and  wet.  This  is  the 
case  even  when  the  borders  have  been  made  up 
of  proper  compost  for  Grape  culture.  If  the  roots 
have  extended  to  the  extremity  of  the  borders, 
and  show,  when  examined,  a  quantity  of  soft, 
thick  roots,  which  are  for  the  most  part  proceed- 
ing down  towards  the  drainage,  it  will  be  neces- 
sary to  check  this  gross  growth.  The  best 
manner  of  doing  this  is  to  cut  out  a  trench  along 
the  centre  of  the  border,  taking  away  the  soil 
quite  down  to  the  b(  ttom  of  the  drainage.  Cut 
away  every  root  that  is  found  there,  and  refill 
the  trench  partly  with  some  of  the  old  soil  and 
partly  with  new  compost,  keeping  the  latter 
nearest  the  surface.  Make  the  whole  very  firm 
as  the  work  proceeds.  Next  lift  the  roots  nearest 
the  surface  and  relay  them  in  fresh  loam  right 
up  to  the  front  of  the  vinery  wall.     This  opera- 


tion can  be  successfully  carried  out  every  two 
or  three  years,  and  in  intervening  years  '1  or  3 
feet  width  of  compost  can  be  added  to  the  bor- 
ders as  the  roots  extend.  This  check  at  the 
roots  at  a  time  when  the  leaves  are  still  green 
may  cause  the  latter  to  flag,  and  the  vinery  may- 
require  a  little  shading  ;  but  as  a  result  of  the 
treatment  the  Grapes  will  improve  in  colour  and 
quality,  and  this  is  especially -the  case  with  Gros 
Colmar. 

Peaches  and  Nectarines. — If  young  trees  have 
produced  gross,  soft  shoots  during  the  season,  it 
will  be  necessary  to  lift  them,  prune  their  roots, 
and  afterwards  replant  them.  The  sooner  this 
work  is  done  the  better,  as  it  is  an  advantage  to 
the  trees  if  it  is  done  before  the  leaves  fall.  Per- 
manent trees  also  which  are  growing  too 
strongly  should  be  root-pruned.  Cut  out  a 
trench  along  the  centre  of  the  border  quite  down 
to  the  base,  and  cut  away  all  roots,  refilling  the 
trench  with  the  same  soil,  and  making  it  very 
firm.  If  Peach  and  Nectarine  trees  have  to  be 
planted  this  season,  the  present  time,  whilst  the 
leaves  are  still  green,  is  the  best  for  the  opera- 
tion. Spread  out  the  roots  well  over  the  com- 
post, and  cover  them  4  inches  or  5  inches  deep 
with  the  finer  portions  of  the  compost.  Do  not 
tie  up  the  young  trees  much  at  this  stage. 

Cucumbers. — Plants  now  growing  in  6-inch 
pots  and  that  are  intended  to  fruit  during 
winter  should  be  planted  out  into  ridges  com- 
posed of  rich,  turfy  soil.  Some  gardeners  prefer 
to  keep  the  plants  in  pots,  just  placing  them  on 
the  top  of  the  ridge,  where  they  will  soon  root 
through  the  hole  at  the  base.  Keep  the  plants 
growing  steadily  in  a  moist  atmosphere,  so  as 
to  have  strong,  healthy  plants  before  the  winter 
sets  in.  Spray  the  plants  over  with  water  twice 
daily,  and  close  the  house  early  in  the  after- 
noon. The  atmospheric  heat  may  be  80°  during 
the  day  and  70°  at  night.  If  the  presence  of 
mildew  is  detected,  dust  the  leaves  with  flowers 
of  sulphur.  Plants  still  supplying  fruits  will 
require  a  considerable  quantity  of  water  at  the 
roots.  Close  the  house  earlier  in  the  afternoon 
as  the  days  become  shorter. 


THE    ORCHID    HOUSES. 

By  W.  H.  White,  Orchid  Grower  to  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence, 
Bart.,  Burford,  Surrey. 

Cattleyas.— Plants  of  Cattleya  Bowringiana,  C. 
Dowiana,  C  D.  aurea,  and  the  autumn -flowering 
varieties  of  C.  labiata  that  have  completed  their 
growth,  should  be  fully  exposed  to  the  light  and 
placed  in  a  position  where  plenty  of  fresh  air  can 
reach  them  so  that  the  new  pseudo-bulbs  and  leaves 
will  harden,  and  thus  become  capable  of  withstand- 
ing the  strain  imposed  by  flowering.  The  flowers 
are  then  likely  to  become  highly  coloured  and  well 
developed.  The  plants  will  require  sufficient  water 
to  keep  their  roots  moist  but  not  wet  until  the 
flowers  are  open,  when  the  quantity  must  be 
gradually  lessened.  Plants  of  C.  gigas,  C.  Hardy- 
ana,  C.  Warneri.  and  Laelia  elegans  as  they  pass 
out  of  flower  quickly  begin  to  make  a  quantity  of 
roots  from  the  newest  pseudo-bulbs  ;  therefore  if 
any  of  these  plants  require  more  rooting  space,  or 
fresh  compost,  the  operation  should  be  carried 
out  without  delay.  After  repotting,  gradually  ex- 
pose the  plants  to  more  light  and  air,  and  till  they 
have  become  re-established  afford  them  only  suffi- 
cient water  to  prevent  much  shrivelling.  Care 
must  be  taken  not  to  keep  the  compost  continually 
damp,  or  the  plants  will  recommence  to  grow 
instead  of  resting. 

Lalia  tenebrosa,  I.,  purpurata  ami  its  varieties  have 
started  well  into  growth,  and  may  also  be  repotted 
if  necessary.  Cut  away  all  dead  and  useless  back 
pseudo-bulbs,  especially  those  which  have  no 
leaves,  and  repot  the  plants  into  receptacles  large 
enough  to  afford  space  that  will  suffice  for  two 
seasons.  For  small  and  moderate-sized  plants 
the  pots  should  be  made  about  half  full  of  crocks 
for  drainage,  but  larger  specimens  will  require 
more  drainage  and  less  potting  material.  Secure 
the  drainage  to  the  base  of  the  pot  with  a  thin 
layer  of  rough  sphagnum-moss,  and  for  placing 
about  the  roots,  good  samples  of  osmunda  fibre 
(two  parts),  polypodium  fibre  (two  parts)  and 
sphagnum-moss  (one  part)  will  be  found  suit- 
able. These  materials  should  be  chopped  up  and 
well  mixed  togeiher,  adding  sufficient  small  crocks 
to  keep  the  compost  freely  porous.  When  repotting, 
keep  the  rhizome  of  the  plant  on  a  level  with  the 
rim  of  the  pot,  and  press  the  compost  firmly  about 
the  roots,  and  along  under  the  rhizome  of  the 
plant,    particularly    in    the   centre.     While    these 


Laelias  are  making  their  growth  they  should  be 
placed  in  a  light  position  in  the  Cattleya  house, 
and  be  afforded  water  often  enough  to  keep  the 
few  pieces  of  moss  growing  on  the  surface  ot  the 
compost  damp,  but  carelully  avoid  over-wetness 
at  any  time. 

Lalia  harpophy'la. — Plants  of  the  thin-bulbed 
L.  harpophylla  that  have  been  in  the  cool  inter- 
mediate house  during  the  summer  are  growing 
freely,  and  should  be  placed  at  the  cool  end  of  the 
Cattleya  house,  the  little  extra  warmth  being  con- 
ducive to  the  proper  development  of  the  new 
pseudo-bulbs.  The  roots  will  require  plenty  of 
moisture  until  the  flowers  open,  when  the  quantity 
should  be  gradually  lessened. 

Sophronitis  grandiflora. — In  the  cool  house,  plants 
of  this  species  are  making  good  progress  with  their 
new  growth,  and  the  old  roots  will  be  developing 
new  ones.  If  a  plant  of  this  species  is  in  need  of 
repotting,  or  the  compost  has  become  worn  out, 
the  present  is  a  good  time  to  attend  to  these 
matters.  The  same  kind  of  compost  as  is  advised 
above  for  the  Cattleyas  will  also  suit  this  species. 
I  have  seen  plants  of  S.  grandiflora  growing  far 
more  luxuriantly  in  the  osmunda  and  polypodium 
fibres  than  in  the  ordinary  compost  of  peat  and 
sphagnum-moss.  Such  plants  which  only  a  few 
years  ago  had  from  a  dozen  to  a  score  of  blooms 
will  in  all  probability  produce  from  40  to  60 
flowers  this  season.  Elevate  the  plants  well  up 
to  the  roof  glass  at  the  warmer  end  of  the  cool 
house,  or  in  a  cool  part  of  the  intermediate  house, 
in  a  position  where  plenty  of  fresh  air  may  reach 
them,  but  one  free  from  cold  draughts.  It  is 
necessary  to  supply  the  plants  freely  with  water 
till  the  flowering  season  is  past,  and  the  grqwih 
fully  made  up,  afterwards  the  supply  should  be 
gradually  decreased,  but  at  no  time  must  the 
compost  be  allowed  to  become  quite  dry. 


THE  HARDY  FRUIT  GARDEN. 

By  J.  Mavne,  Gardener  to  Lord  Clinton,  Bicton, 
Last  Devon. 

Filberts  and  Walnuts. — Filberts  are  now  fit  to 
gather,  and  the  nuts,  after  gathering,  should  be 
laid  out  thinly  to  dry,  turning  them  over  occa- 
sionally. In  about  a  month  the  nuts  freed  from 
the  bushes  may  be  stored  in  jars  in  a  cool  cellar, 
tying  over  the  tops  of  the  jars  with  pieces  of 
linen  or  canvas  so  as  to  exclude  the  air.  Wal- 
nuts usually  require  much  beating  to  get  them 
from  the  tree,  and  they  require  a  longer  time  to 
free  themselves  from  the  husks,  but  after  they 
are  dry  they  may  be  stored  in  a  similar  manner 
to  Filberts. 

Autumn-bearing  Raspberries.  —  The  warmer 
weather  has  changed  matters  here,  and  we  are 
now  gathering  nice  fruits  of  the  varieties  Four 
Seasons,  Merville  Rouge,  Everbearing,  and  even 
that  very  late  variety,  November  Abundance,  is 
still  bearing.  On  porous  soils  a  heavy  wateung 
would  assist  the  later  fruits,  and  if  the  present 
fine  weather  continues  for  a  few  weeks  longer, 
several    gatherings    will    be    forthcoming. 

Late  Peaches. — See  that  every  fruit  is  fully 
exposed  to  the  rays  of  ths  sun,  and  afford 
copious  waterings  if  necessary.  Sea  Eagle,  Late 
Devonian,  Nectarine  Peach,  Gladstone,  Barring- 
ton,  and  Princess  of  Wales  are  all  excellent 
varieties,  and  are  developing  colour  well  this 
season.  Golden  Eagle  is  a  very  late  sort,  ripen- 
ing towards  the  middle  of  October  with  us  on 
an  east  wall,  but  these  late  varieties  ought  to 
be  planted  in  a  southern  aspect,  so  that  they 
will  get  all  the  sun  possible  during  the  month 
of  September.  The  fruits  also  should  be  fully 
exposed  to  the  sun  quite  early  in  the  season  if 
the  colour  and  flavour  are  to  be  of  the  best. 

The  Grape  Vine. — It  has  been  a  bad  season 
for  the  vines  to  within  the  last  fortnight,  but 
the  bunches  may  possibly  mature.  Remove  any 
laterals  that  shade  the  fruit,  and  protect  the 
Grapes  from  birds,  wasps,  and  flies,  if  this  hss 
not  already  been  done.  Keep  the  roots  moist 
during  this  spell  of  drought,  or  the  berries  will 
be  small. 

Mulchings. — These  may  now  be  taken  away, 
so  that  the  sun  may  the  better  warm  the  borders 
containing  the  roots.  Point  over  the  surface 
soil  with  the  fork,  and  if  too  dry,  apply  a 
soaking  of  water  which  will  suffice  for  some 
time  to  come,  as  the  days  are  getting  shorter 
and  the  sun  less  powerful.  It  is  of  little  use 
to  fork  these  mulchings  into  the  borders,  for 
after  the  exposure  and  rains  to  which  they  have 
been  subjected  they  contain  very  little  nourish- 
ment. 


September  28,   1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


231 


PLANTS    UNDER  GLASS. 

By  J.  G.  Weston,  Gardener  to  H.  J.  King,  Esq., 
Eastwell  Park,  Kent. 

Freesias. — As  soon  as  these  plants  start  into 
growth,  let  the  covering  material  be  removed,  or 
the  growths  will  become  weakened.  Kxpose 
them  to  all  the  light  and  air  possible,  to  ensure 
a  sturdy  growth,  and  when  the  cooler  weather 
sets  in  remove  the  plants  to  a  shelf  in  a  light, 
well-ventilated  house.  Watering  must  be  done 
with  care,  for  Freesias  are  very  impatient  of 
over-watering,  rarely  succeeding  well  if  this  hap- 
pens. Apply  a  neat  stake  and  secure  the  growth 
to  this  as  support  becomes  necessary.  The 
plants  require  to  be  kept  growing  steadily,  but 
at  no  time  must  they  be  subjected  to  an  exces- 
sive degree  of  heat.  An  atmospheric  tempera- 
ture at  night  of  50u  to  55u  is  quite  sufficient  dur- 
ing  the   winter   months. 

Solanums. — If  the  varieties  grown  for  their 
decorative  fruits  have  been  planted  out,  no  time 
should  now  be  lost  before  getting  them  lifted 
and  potted  up,  cutting  round  the  balls  with  a 
sharp  spade  a  week  or  so  previous  to  lifting 
them.  This  will  prepare  them  in  a  measun 
for  enduring  the  transplantation  without  suffer- 
ing much  check.  Water  the  roots  thoroughly  on 
the  day  before  lifting  is  commenced.  Take  up 
the  plants  very  carefully,  and  place  them  in  as 
small  pots  as  they  can  be  conveniently  put  in, 
without  destroying  the  roots,  as  for  decorative 
purposes  plants  in  small  pots  are  most  useful. 
When  potted,  place  the  plants  in  a  house  or 
frame  (or,  if  this  cannot  be  done,  place  them  at 
the  foot  of  a  wall  facing  to  the  north],  shading 
them  heavily  and  keeping  the  atmosphere'of  the 
frame  fairly  close  and  damp  during  hot  days, 
but  exposing  the  plants  at  evening.  Under  this 
treatment  they  will  quickly  lecover  any  check 
they  may  sustain,  and  afterwards  they  should 
be  placed  in  a  house  exposed  to  the  full  sun- 
shine, to  ripen  the  fruits.  Ventilate  freely,  and 
maintain  at  night  an  atmosphric  temperature  of 
55  degrees. 

Marguerites. — If  a  good  batch  of  these  plants 
has  been  grown  out-of-doors  Quring  the  summer, 
and  are  now  coming  into  bloom,  they  will  be 
found  useful  for  arranging  with  Salvias  and 
other  bright-coloured  flowers.  Marguerites, 
being  gross  feeders,  require  copious  supplies  of 
water  when  in  full  growth,  with  an  occasional 
weak  dose  of  manure-water.  Examine  the 
plants  carefully  each  week  for  the  grub  or 
maggot  which  often  infests  the  leaves  of  these 
plants,  and  pick,  off  all  infested  leaves  and  burn 
them.  As  cuttings  of  Marguerites  will  make 
roots  very  readily,  it  is  a  good  plan  to  have 
batches  of  young  plants  in  various  stages  of 
growth. 

The  watering  of  plants  in  houses. — At  this 
season,  when  many  plants  are  ceasing  growth 
for  the  season,  much  discretion  is.  necessary  in 
the  matter  of  affording  water.  One  mistake 
often  made  is  that  of  drying-off  plants  suddenly, 
instead  of  gradually  decreasing  the  supply  of 
water  until  it  can  safely  be  withheld  alt'  igether. 
Plants  that  have  been  growing  out  of  doors  on 
a  bed  of  cool  ashes  may  find  the  change  to  in- 
side conditions  anything  but  beneficial,  unless 
means  are  taken  to  modify  these  conditions.  If 
the  weather  is  hot  and  dry,  such  plants,  after 
removal  indoors,  will  require  to  have  the  stages 
damped  between  the  pots  two  or  three  times 
each  day,  and  a  slight  spraying  overhead  with 
the  syringe  in  the  afternoon  will  freshen  the 
plants,  and  in  a  measure  compensate  for  the 
drier  atmospheric  conditions  in  the  glass-house. 


THE  FLOWER  GARDEN. 

By  A.  C.  Bartlett,  Gardener  to  Mrs.  Ford,  Pencarrow, 
Cornwall. 

Hardy  Cacti. — The  soil  about  these  plants 
should  be  kept  stirred  and  free  from  weeds  and 
moss.  If  the  ground  has  become  at  all  close  in 
texture,  remove  the  surface  portion,  replace  it 
with  some  fresh  compost,  and  place  freshly- 
broken  pieces  of  sandstone  and  charcoal  around 
the  plants  to  absorb  superfluous  moisture.  Any 
decaying  portions  of  the  plants  should  be 
entirely  removed,  and  the  cut  should  be  made 
cleanly,  for  which  purpose  a  sharp  knife  should 
be  used.  A  few  cuttings  of  the  tender  kinds 
of  Cacti  should  be  inserted  in  pots,  and  be 
wintered  on  a  dry  shelf  in  a  warm  plant-house. 
Examine  the  portable  lights,  re-place  any  glass 


that  may  be  broken  in  them,  and,  if  necessary, 
give  them  a  coating  of  paint.  As  soon  as 
wet  weather  sets  in,  place  these  lights  over  the 
plants,  but  afford  the  plants  an  abundance  of 
air  on  all  favourable  occasions. 

Flower-beds. — It  frequently  happens  in  late 
summer  that  frosts  appear  on  some  nights,  and 
afterwards  tin-  weather  is  again  mild.  A  quan- 
tity of  some  light  protective  material,  such  as 
hessian  and  tiffany,  should  be  kept  ready  to 
place  over  the  beds  when  frost  threatens.  A  few 
sticks  should  be  inserted  in  tiie  beds  for  the 
purpose  of  protecting  the  plants  from  injury  by 
the  covering.  As  a  rule,  the  protective  material 
may  be  laid  direct  upon  carpet  bedding  plants, 
which  should  be  the  first  protected,  as  they  are 
very  tender,  and  susceptible  to  injury  from  a 
few  degrees  of  frost.  In  the  sub-tropical  garden, 
preparations  should  also  be  made  to  pi  i  I 
from  light  frosts  the  more  tender  Palms,  &c. 
Cycas  revoluta,  if  moderately  dry  at  tin  roots, 
will  withstand  much  more  frost  than  will 
Latanias. 

Budded  Hoses. — The  ligatures  should  be 
loosened,  removed,  or  replaced,  according  as  is 
necessary.  Shoots  of  Briars  should  be  con- 
siderably shortened. 

Transplanting. — If     the     soil     is     sufficiently 
moist  for  the   purpose,   the  work  of   lifting 
re-planting    young    shrubs   should   be   prcn  i 
with   as   soon   as   circumstances   permit.       Earl} 
transplanting    is    greatly    to    be    recommended, 
especially  in  tin    .  i    the  evergreen   species. 

The  use  of  strong  manure  in  the  soil  is  not 
advisable,  and  any  addition  to  the  rooting 
medium  should  be  such  as  will  favour  the 
formation  of  roots  rather  than  leaves.  If  the  plants 
have  received  attention  during  their  growing 
period  in  the  matters  of  pinching  and  training, 
no  branch  pruning  will  be  needed.  It  is  in- 
advisable, as  a  rule,  when  lifting  plants,  to 
prune  them,  but  all  long,  coarse  roots  should 
be  shortened  with  a  sharp  knife.  When  | 
ing,  do  so  firmly,  and  allow  ample  room  for 
each   plant   to   fully  develop. 


of  rubbish  be  made  into  a  heap  in  the  yard  that 
is  set  apart  for  this  purpose,  and  add  to  tin 
lefuse   that   will   be    removed   from    the    gfound 
during  the  next  fortnight.     At  the  end  of  a  fort- 
night  the  heap  should  be  turned  over,   shaking 
out  all  the  longest  litter,  and  keeping  this  in  a 
separate  heap  for  use  in  the  protecting  of  Celery, 
Globe  Artichokes,    &c,    from   early   frosts,   and 
later  on  for  the  making  of  hot-beds.     Tin     . 
heap  will  help  to  provide  the  winter's  demand 
for    manure.     Make    further    plantings    of    such 
varieties  of  Cabbage   Lettuce  as   "AH   the   Yeai 
Round,"  and  of  the  Cos  Lettuce  Bath,  selecting 
warm  and  sunny  borders,  but  bearing  in  mind 
that  some  of  these  early  quarters  must  tx 
for  early  crops  of  Peas,   Cauliflowers,   Spi 
&c,  next  spring.     The  ground  for  the  early  crops 
just  mentioned  must  be  trenched  or  otherwise 
prepared  at  the  first  opportunity  after  the  pi 
date. 


THE    KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

By  William  H.  HoNESS,  Gardener  to  C.  Cumhe,  Fsq., 
Cobham   Park,  Surrey. 

F?/atos. — The  outlook  for  the  main-crop  in 
this  part  of  the  country  is  unsatisfactory.  The 
plants  made  good  and,  to  all  appearance,  a 
healthy  growth  in  the  early  part  of  the  season, 
but  they  are  now  all  black  or  leafless  through 
disease,  which  has  already  affected  the  tubers  to 
a  very  serious  extent.  Any  varieties  there)  ire 
that  are  approaching  ripeness  should  be  lifted 
without  delay,  and,  if  possible,  during  the 
continuance  of  the  good  weather  which  pi 
at  the  time  of  writing,  for  should  wet  weather 
set  in  whilst  the  tubers  are  still  in  the  ground, 
the  results  will  be  the  more  disastrous.  I 
care  should  be  exercised  in  the  picking  up  of 
the  tubers,  and  all  which  are  affected  with 
disease  should  be  separated  from  the  sound  ones. 
The  care  now  taken  will  save  much  labour  dur- 
ing the  next  month  or  so,  as  the  tubers  will  not 
require  the  same  amount  of  picking  over  before 
they  are  finally  stored.  As  the  work  of  lifting 
is  proceeding,  let  the  tubers  be  exposed  to  the 
air  as  much  as  possible,  that  they  may  be  per- 
fectly dry  before  being  temporarily  stored. 

Celery. — Continue  to  earth  up  Celery  as  soon 
as  the  plants  reach  a  suitable  condition,  and 
when  they  are  sufficiently  dry.  If  the  plants  are 
dry  at  the  roots,  apply  a  thorough  watering  be- 
tween the  rows,  as  soon  as  the  earthing-up  has 
been  done.  If  the  Celery  fly  or  leaf  miner  has 
made  an  appearance,  spray  the  plants  on  the 
under  and  upper  side  of  the  leaves  with  Quassia 
extract,  and  afterwards  apply  a  liberal  dusting 
of  soot,  doing  this  work  early  in  the  morning, 
while  the  leaves  are  still  wet  with  dew.  Should 
this  application  be  washed  off  by  rain  during 
the  first  week,  follow  it  up  with  a  second  dress- 
ing  at  the  first  opportunity. 

Cardoons. — The  later  plantings  should  now  re- 
ceive their  final  blanching,  first  supporting  each 
plant  with  a  stake,  and  binding  it  round  with 
hay-bands.  Earth-up  with  soil  in  the  usual 
manner. 

General  work. — If  the  ground  and  paths  have 
been  kept  clear  of  weeds  during  the  present 
month,  little  trouble  in  this  respect  will  be  ex- 
perienced for  some  time.     Let  all  accumulations 


PUBLIC  PARKS  AND  GARDENS. 

By  W.  W.  Pettiorew,  Superintendent  of  the   Parks  and 
Open  Spaces  in  the  City  of  Cardiff. 

Distribution  of  disused  bedding  plants — As  the 
time  is  fast  approaching  when  the  summer  bedding 
in  the  parks  must  be  replaced  by  spring-flowering 
plants,  the  question  of  how  to  dispose  of  the 
plants  now  occupying  the  beds  is  somewhat 
opportune.  Excepting  cases  in  which  the  stock- 
now  possessed  of  a  particular  kind  of  plant  is  less 
than  is  required,  ordinary  bedding  plants  such  as 
Pelargoniums,  Calceolarias.  Pentstemons,  Helio- 
tropiums  and  Ageratums  are  of  no  value  at  the  end 
of  the  season.  In  private  gardens  they  are  often 
consigned  to  the  rubbish  heap,  and  until  recent 
years  the  same  practice  prevailed  in  public  gan  lens 
Now,  however,  it  is  customary  in  most  parks  to 
distribute  the  surplus  bedding  plants  to 'anyone 
desirous  of  having  them,  rather  than  destroy  them. 
This  annual  distribution  of  plants  has  in  many 
towns  become  quite  an  institution,  and  very  early 
in  the  autumn  visitors  to  the  park  make  inquiries 
as  to  when  the  bedding  stuff  is  to  be  given 
The  same  people  come  year  after  year  for  plants, 
a  fact  which — whether  indicating  success  or  failure 
on  their  part  in  growing  them  cannot  be  decided — 
shows  how  popular  this  custom  has  become. 

Miinncr  of  distribution. — When  following  the 
example  of  other  towns  in  this  matter  a  few  ye  irs 
ago,  we  commenced  by  making  the  mistake  of 
giving  the  plants  away  at  each  of  the  parks  and 
open  spaces,  and  at  different  dates,  so  as  not  to 
interfere  with  the  regular  work.  We  soon  found 
that  this  enabled  the  same  people  to  go  from 
garden  to  garden  and  secure  more  plants  than 
they  should  expect  to  obtain,  and  in  this  way  a 
fair  distribution  was  rendered  impossible.  To  put 
a  stop  to  this  we  now  have  all  surplus  plants  taken 
to  three  different  centres  of  the  town,  from  each 
of  which  they  are  supplied  on  the  same  day  and 
during  the  same  hours.  Another  mistake  we  made 
was  in  giving  away  the  plants  as  soon  as  the  parks 
were  opened — at  6  a.m. — on  the  days  appointed. 
The  result  of  this  arrangement  was  that  most  of 
the  plants  got  into  the  hands  of  children,  and  were, 
more  or  less,  destroyed  before  they  reached 
their  homes.  Adults  arriving  after  9  a.m.  were 
greatly  disappointed  to  find  that  every  plant  had 
been  cleared  away  and  none  left  for  them.  Now 
that  the  distribution  does  not  commence  until 
9  a.m. — by  which  time  most  children  are  in  school 
— the  right  class  of  people  seem  generally  to  get 
the  plants. 

Notice  of  distribution. — The  date  of  the  distribution 
is  published  in  the  local  papers  a  few  days  before 
it  takes  place,  and  the  public  turn  up  in  such 
numbers  that  they  have  to  be  formed  up  in  queues 
and  admitted  by  batches  to  the  place  of  distribution, 
which  the  applicants  enter  by  one  gate  and  leave 
by  another.  A  number  of  men  are  kept  busy  giv- 
ing away  the  plants  as  fairly  as  possible,  while  the 
park  constables  do  their  best  to  prevent  the  greedy 
ones  from  getting  more  than  their  share. 

Effect  on  trade. — It  is  sometimes  suggested  that 
the  free  distribution  of  the  disused  bedding  plants 
in  the  manner  described  is  detrimental  to  the 
interests  of  nurserymen.  As  most  of  those  who 
avail  themselves  of  this  privilege  are  not  in  a 
position  to  buy  plants  for  their  gardens,  this 
suggestion  can  hardly  be  correct  The  proba- 
bilities are  that  nurserymen  get  an  indirect  benefit 
from  the  custom,  and  knowing  what  a  small  per- 
centage of  the  plants  given  away  are  actually  saved 
by  the  recipients,  they  generally  regard  the  practice 
with  indifference. 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[September  28,  1907, 


EDITORIAL,    NOTICE. 

ADVERTISEMENTS  should  be  --nt  to  the  PUB- 
LISHER,  41,  Wellington  5tr«  t,  Covent  Garden, 
W.C. 

Letters  for  Publication,  as  well  as  specimens  and  plants 
tor  naming,  should  be  addressed  to  the  bUIIOK. 
41  Wellington  Street,  Covent  Garden,  London. 
Communications  shouUt  be  written  on  one  side  only  of 
the  paper,  sent  as  early  in  the  week  as  possible  and  July 
signed  by  the  writer.  If  desired,  the  signature  will  not  be 
printed.' hut  kept  as  a  guarantee  of  good  faith. 

Special  Notice  to  Correspondents.-^  Editor  does  not 
undertake  to  pay  for  any  contributions  or  illustrations,  or 
to  return  unused  communications  or  illustrations,  unless  by 
special  arrangement.  The  Editor  does  not  hold  himself 
responsible  for  any  opinions  expressed  by  his  correspondents. 

NewsDapers.-Com-s/TOi<l™/s  sending  newspapers  should  be 
careful  to  marl:  the  paragraphs  they  wish  the  Editor  to  see. 


APPOINTMENTS    FOR    OCTOBER. 


TUESDAY,  OCTOBER  1- 

Roy.   Hon.  Soc.  Corns,  meet.     Scottish  Hort.   Assoc, 
meet.    National  Amateur  Gard.  Assoc,  meet. 
WEDNESDAY,  OCTOBER  2- 

Nat.  Chrys.  Soc.  Early  Exh.  at  Crystal  Palace  (2  days). 

SATURDAY,  OCTOBER  5- 

Soc.  Franc.  d'Hort.  de  Londres  meet. 

MONDAY,  OCTOBER  14- 

United  Ben.  and  Prov.  Soc.  Com.  meet     Nat.  Chrys. 
Soc.  1  loral  Com.  meet. 
TUESDAY,  OCTOBER  15— 

Roy.  Hort.  Soc.  Corns,  meet. 

THURSDAY,  OCTOBER  17- 

Roy.  Hort.  Soc.  Exh.  of  British-grown  Fruit  (2  days). 

FRIDAY',  OCTOBER  25— Royal  Bot.  Soc.  meet. 

MONDAY,  OCTOBER  28— 

Nat.  Chrys.  Soc.  Floral  Com.  meet. 

TUESDAY,  OCTOBER  29— 

Roy.  Hort.  Soc.  Corns,  meet.    Brit.   Gard.  Assoc.  Ex. 
Council  meet.    Croydon  Chrys.  Show  (2  days). 

WEDNESDAY,  OCTOBER  30— 

Kent  County  Chrys.  Soc.  Exh.  at  Blackheath  (2  days). 
Streatham  and  Dist.  Hort.  Society's  Autumn  Show   (2 
days). 

THURSDAY,  OCTOBER  31— 

West  London  Hort.  Society's  Show  at  Hammersmith. 


Average     Mean    Temperature    for    the    ensuing    week, 
deduced  from  observations  during  the  last  Fifty  Years 
at  Greenwich — 53'8". 
Actual  Temperatures: — 

London.—  Wednesday,  September  25  (6  p.m.):  Max.  82°; 
Min.  52". 
Gardeners'  Chronicle  Office,  41,  Wellington  Street, 
Covent  Garden,  London. — Thursday,  Sept 
26(10a.m.):  Bar.   29'7  ,   Temp., 65';    Weather— 
Dull. 
Provini  I--  — Wednesday, Sept,  ml',  i  25  6  p  m.)  :  Max.  66", 
*  ambridge  ;  Mm.  55  ,  Scotland  \\  . 


SALES    FOR    THE     ENSUING    WEEK. 

MONDAY  and  WEDNESDAY— 

Sale  of  Dutch  Bulbs,   &c,  at   Stevens'   Rooms,    King 
Street,  Covent  Garden,  W.C. 

MONDAY  TO  FRIDAY— 

Dutch  Bulbs,  at  07  &  68,  Cheapside,  E.C.,  by  Protheroe 
i  Morris,  at  10.30. 

TUESDAY  and  WEDNESDAY— 

Annual  Sale  of  Nursery  Stock  at  Sunningdale  Nurseries, 
Windlesham,  Surrey,  by  Protheroe  &  Morris,  at  12.30. 

WEDNESDAY— 

is  and  Plants,  Bays,  &c,  at  67  &  68,  Cheapside, 
E.C.,  by  Protheroe  &  Morris,  at  5. 

FRIDAY— 

Orchids    in  variety  at    67  &  68,  Cheapside,   E.C.,  by 
Protheroe  &  Morris,  at  12.45. 

Sale  of  Surplus  Nursery  Stock  at  Warren   Nurseries, 
Upper  Tooting,  by  Protheroe  &  Morris,  at  12. 


The  exceptional  crops  of  Plum'- 
Plums        th^    season    have    caused    much 


and  their 
Prices. 


comment.  In  almost  every  dis- 
trict the  trees  have  yielded 
abundantly,  so  much  so  that  many  of  the 
standard  trees  in  the  orchards  that  are  not 
pruned  systematically  have  had  their 
branches  broken  by  such  a  weight  of  fruit 
as  they  were  quite  unable  to  support.  During 
many  years'  experience,  we  have  never  wit- 
nessed orchard-grown  Plum  trees  so  bril- 
liantlv  beautiful  as  they  were  recently  when 
thus  laden  with  their  highly-coloured  fruits. 
The  sight  was  one  that  should  have  afforded 
complete  satisfaction  to  the  cultivator,  for  it 
showed  that  he  had  applied  the  art  of  cultiva- 
tion successfully,  and  that  the  results  of  his 


work  had  not  suffered  from  ungenial  climatic 
conditions  that  have  so  frequently  proved 
disastrous  heretofore. 

But  it  has  to  be  pointed  out  that  the  com- 
mercial cultivator  is  also  the  seller  of  his 
crops,  and,  illogical  though  it  might  seem  to 
those  unfamiliar  with  the  circumstances, 
from  the  point  of  view  of  the  seller,  such 
plentiful  crops  as  have  ripened  this  season 
are  not  profitable.  This  is  a  matter  that  calls 
for  the  earnest  consideration  of  all  those  who 
have  a  lively  interest  in  the  industry  of  fruit 
culture,  the  extension  of  which  we  have  advo- 
cated on  every  possible  occasion,  in  the  belief, 
which  we  still  hold,  that  it  is  the  best  thing 
that  could  happen  to  rural  England.  It  is 
impossible  to  withhold  sympathy  from  the 
grower.  His  art  is  directed  towards  securing 
heavy  crops  of  high  quality,  and  he  is  en- 
couraged by  all  the  literature  that  exists  on 
this  question,  by  lecturers  and  mentors  of 
every  description,  to  exert  himself  to  the 
utmost  in  this  laudable  work.  Occasionally 
he  succeeds  so  well  that  the  very  measure 
of  his  success  spells  failure.  He  is  almost 
induced  to  lament  a  result  that  he  has  done 
so  much  to  attain,  mainly  because  others 
have  succeeded  equally  well.  It  is  a  paradox, 
but  one  that  should  be  capable  of  some  ex- 
planation. There  must  surely  be  something 
lacking  in  enterprise  or  organisation,  when  a 
good  harvest,  such  as  is  contributory  to  the 
best  interests  of  the  community  as  a  whole, 
is,  nevertheless,  incapable  of  yielding  proper 
remuneration  to  the  producer. 

We  believe  that  if  the  attention  of  cultiva- 
tors could  be  properly  focussed  upon  this 
subject,  and  an  organised  attempt  made  to 
remedy  the  matter,  it  would  be  found  that 
the  difficulties  now  experienced  are  in  a  large 
measure  the  result  of  an  imperfect  system 
of  distribution.  The  presence  of  an  excessive 
supply  of  fruit  of  any  kind  in  a  particular 
market  causes  a  glut,  such  as  is  known  to 
be  ruinous  to  the  cultivators,  and  there  is 
every  reason  to  believe  that  such  gluts  are 
permitted  to  occur  in  certain  markets  on 
occasions    when    the    same    fruit    is    in  I 

demand  in  other  thickly-populated  districts, 
where  the  supply  is  It  ss  plentiful.  In  the 
ca  i  <'l  Plums,  it  will  be  admitted  that  com- 
mercial crops  are  not  cultivated  so  commonly 
as  Apple  crops.  There  are  many  counties 
where  the  cultivation  of  Plums  on  a  com- 
mercial basis  is  scarcely  attempted,  and  it 
would  appear  probable  that  if  the  country's 
produce  could  be  distributed  equally  and  ex- 
peditiously over  the  country's  whole  area,  it 
would  sell  for  remunerative  prices,  even  in 
such  a  season  as  the  present.  In  order  to 
accomplish  this  it  would  seem  to  be  essential 
that  the  growers  themselves  should  possess 
correct  information  as  to  the  demand  exist- 
ing in  the  various  centres  of  the  population, 
so  that  the  consignments  might  be  sent 
in  the  first  instance  to  those  in  which  the  de- 
mand is  greatest.  It  is  a  commonplace  fact 
that  the  London  markets  attract  a  greater 
quantitv  of  fruit  than  they  can  dispose  of  pro- 
fitably, and,  as  a  consequence,  it  is  often  to  be 
purchased  from  the  costers  at  prices  alto- 
gether out  of  proportion  to  those  ruling  in 
many  parts  of  the  pi  ivinces.  This  fart  was 
borne  out  recently  bj  a  letter  which  appeared 
in  a  contemporary  from  a  correspondent  at 
Cardiff,    who   complained    that    in    that    city 


Plums  of  g-ood  quality  could  not  be  purchased 
at  the  retail  establishments  at  less  than  three- 
pence per  pound.    Yet  during  the  same  week 
we  had  reason  to  know  that  excellent  samples 
of  the  variety  Victoria  were  sold  in  London 
in  the  wholesale  markets  at  two  shillings  per 
bushel   of  sixty  pounds,   whilst   inferior  pro- 
duce realised  only  half  that  sum  per  bushel. 
Kentish   Plum   cultivators   may   not  all   have 
been  aware  that  the  whole  of  the  Principality 
of   Wales  may  be  said  to  be  dependen'   for 
their  Plums  upon  the  produce  obtained  from 
English   counties.        We   know  of   some   in- 
stances of  Plum  orchards  in  Wales,  but  their 
aggregate     production    bears    but    little    re- 
lation    to     the     demand.        It     may     freely 
be     admitted     that     in     recent     years     the 
art    of    distribution    has    been    greatly    de- 
veloped by  such  men  as  Mr.  George  Monro 
and    others,    but    much    remains    still    to   be 
done.     It  is  for  the  cultivators  to  determine 
whether  the  work  can  be  best  accomplished 
by  an  association  of  salesmen  or  by  an  asso- 
ciation of  growers.  In  either  case  there  should 
be  representatives  in  every  industrial  centre, 
and  it  should  be  the  business  of  these  agents 
to  collect  information  as  to  the  demand  which 
is  found  to  exist  in  their  locality,  and  to  fur- 
nish frequent  reports  upon  the  prices  which 
consignments     may    be    expected    to    realise 
there.     The  chief  centre  might  reasonably  be 
situated   in    London,    and   from   this   bureau 
it  should  be  possible  for  fruit  growers  to  ob- 
tain the  latest  information  by  means  of  tele- 
phonic or  telegraphic  messages.     An  annual 
fee   pavable  by  all   the  members  would  pro- 
bably suffice  to  defray  the  cost  of  the  colli  c- 
tion  and  dissemination  of  the  reports.  Plums 
being  of  a  quickly  perishable  nature,  it  would 
be    advantageous   if,    for   instance,    consign- 
ments from  Kent  could  be  sent  to  Lancashire 
or  Other  northern  markets  without  the  need 
of  passing  through  a  London  market,  whilst 
the   cultivator   would   be   satisfied    thai    they 
were  being  sent  to  a  centre  where  the  best 
prices  could  be  realised. 

In  this  connection  it  may  be  pointed  out 
that,  although  the  prices  obtained  by  the 
growers  may  suffer  very  considerably  owing 
to  the  presence  of  a  glut  in  the  market  where 
the  fruit  is  first  "  dumped,"  it  by  no  means 
follows  that  such  fruit  will  be  sold  cheaply 
to  the  consumers.  Much  of  it  is  the  more 
likely  to  be  subsequently  distributed  lo  dis- 
tricts  where  scarcity  is  present  rather  than  a 
glut,  and  the  final  prices  realised  therefore 
have  very  little  resemblance  to  those  paid  in 
the  first  instance  to  the  growers. 

It  is  conceivable  that,  even  were  an  orga- 
nisation established  similar  to  that  we  have 
suggested,  some  difficulty  might  arise  un- 
less the  central  bureau  had  power  to  de- 
termine the  distribution;  because,  when  all 
the  growers  possessed  the  information  as  to 
the  locality  where  the  highest  prices  were 
ruling,  so  many  would  send  their  fruits  there 
as  to  cause  the  very  kind  of  glut  it  is  desirable 
to  prevent.  These  are  questions,  however,  lor 
the  growers  or  the  salesmen  to  determine, 
lor  although  our  propositions  are  offered  as 
nothing  more  than  suggestions,  at  the  same 
lime  there  can  scarcely  be  two  opinions  as  to 
the  need  for  an  organised  scheme  of  some 
description.  It  may  be  objected  that  a  glut 
of  Plums  is  an  infrequent  occurrence,  and 
that  any  systematised  attempt  to  prevent  it 


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September  28,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS     CHRONICLE. 


233 


would  thus  be  unduly  costly,  and,  indeed, 
hardly  justifiable.  In  this  connection,  the 
obvious  retort  would  be  that  there  are  fre- 
quent gluts  of  one  kind  or  another,  and  the 
system  that  succeeded  in  preventing  loss  to 
the  growers  through  an  abundant  Plum  crop 
would  also  be  of  equal  service  in  the  presence 


well  advised  if  he  keeps  his  area  under  Plum 
trees  somewhat  restricted,  and  takes  care  to 
have  the  major  part  of  his  orchards  cropped 
with  Apples.  In  private  gardens  something 
may  be  done  in  the  way  of  pruning  the  trees, 
and  in  thinning  the  blossoms  or  fruit  to  pre- 
vent the  Plum  trees  becoming  so  laden  one 


at  the  present  moment  of  The  Book  of  Fruit- 
bottling,  by  Miss  Edith  Bradley  and  Miss 
May  Crooke,  that  in  yet  another  way  culti- 
vators have  it  in  their  power  to  make  better 
use  of  an  over-crop  of  soft  fruits  than  allow- 
ing them  to  waste  upon  the  land.  The  larger 
growers  might  find  it  to  their  advantage  to 


Fig.  ioi. — lomatia  ferruginea:    colour  of  flowers  brownish-red. 

A,    Side  and  apex  of  flower,  showing  the  four  sepals  x  4  ;    B,    Londtudinal  section  showing  separating  sepal  X  4  ; 
D     Ovary    style,  and  basal  glands,  with  top  of  stigma  above  X  4  ;    E,    Pollen  "x  400. 


C,   Stamen  x  4  ; 


of  other  gluts  of  small  fruits,  Apples,  Potatos, 
or  similar  marketable  produce. 

Apart  from  the  question  of  distribution,  the 
fruit  cultivator,  knowing  that  Plums  are  a 
very  uncertain  crop,  and  likely  to  be  over- 
plentiful  or  scarce  in  a  particular  season,  is 


(Ses  also  Supplementary  Illustration,  and  text  on  p.  234.) 

season  as  to  render  them  unable  to  produce 
a  satisfactory  crop  in  the  following  year,  but 
this  is  scarcely  practicable  in  the  case  of 
large  srehards  which  are  cultivated  for  com- 
mercial purposes. 
We  are,  however,  reminded  by  the  receipt 


erect  a  factory  on  their  own  land  where  the 
surplus  fruits  of  any  kind  might  be  made  into 
jam,  or  be  preserved  by  bottling  in  a  form 
that,  when  used  in  the  winter  months,  the 
fruits  have  almost,  or  quite,  the  same  quali- 
ties as  they  possessed  when  gathered  from 


234 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[September  28,  1907. 


the  trees.  The  smaller  growers  could  co- 
operate for  the  same  purpose,  and  have  their 
factories  at  convenient  distances,  just  as  on 
many  parts  of  the  Continent  creameries  are 
established  on  the  co-operative  plan  for  the 
making  of  butter.  Selected  fruits  would  be 
necessary  for  use  in  bottling:,  and  the  re- 
mainder, if  perfectly  sound,  would  serve  for 
the  making-  of  jam. 

One  or  all  of  these  methods,  or  better  ones, 
if  they  are  forthcoming,  should  be  employed 
if  they  are  necessary  to  prevent  waste  in  a 
season  of  plenty.  We  fear  that  the  practices 
at  present  in  use  are  as  unsatisfactory  as  they 
are  unscientific. 


Our     Supplementary    Illustration. — By 

the  courtesy  of  Earl  Annesley  we  are  enabled  to 
illustrate  Lomatia  ferruginea  as  a  shrub  growing 
in  the  gardens  at  Castlewellan.  Co.  Down,  and  at 
fig.  101  a  spray  of  flowers  with  details  of  a  singe 
flower.  Respecting  its  culture  at  Castlewellan, 
his  lordship's  gardener,  Mr.  Ryan,  writes 
us  as  follows:  "Plants  of  this  very  handsome 
Chilian  shrub  have  been  cultivated  in  the 
pleasure  grounds  at  Castlewellan  during  the 
past  18  years,  and  thev  have  not  suffered  the 
least  injury  even  in  the  severest  winters.  The 
species  is,  therefore,  hardier  than  it  was  at  first 
supposed  to  be,  for  in  most  gardening  books  it  is 
described  as  a  plant  for  the  greenhouse  or  con- 
servatory It  has  flowered  here  for  several  seasons 
past,  but  the  flowers  are  much  hidden  by  the 
luxuriant  pinnate  foliage.  This  season  the  speci- 
mens have  flowered  most  profusely.  They  grow 
very  vigorously  in  a  mixture  of  fibrous  peat, 
loam,  and  old,  well-decayed  manure,  thoroughly 
mixed  logether.  In  planting  we  make  large  holes 
5  or  6  feet  in  diameter,  and  4  feet  deep,  which  we 
fill  in  with  the  above  compost,  the  Lomatia  being 
a  very  gross-feeding  plant.  Lord  Annesley 
bought  the  plants  on  the  Continent  as  Lomatia 
pinnatifolia,  under  which  name  it  was  grown  here 
for  many  years,  but  the  Kew  authorities  have 
stated  its  correct  name  to  be  L.  ferruginea  Some 
of  the  specimens  in  the  grounds  at  Castlewellan 
are  12  feet  in  height  and  35  feet  in  circumference." 

Royal  Horticultural  Society. — The  next 
meeting  of  the  Committees  of  this  Society  w  ill  take 
place  on  Tuesday,  October  1,  in  the  Society's  hall, 
Vincent  Square,  Westminster.  In  the  afternoon 
a  lecture  on  "  Electric  Cultivation  in  Relation 
to  Horticulture"  will  be  given  by  Mr.  13.  H. 
Thwaite. 

School-garden  Produce  at  Oxford. — 

An  exhibition  of  produce,  grown  on  the  school 
gardens  under  the  Oxfordshire  Education  Com- 
mittee, was  held  on  September  19th,  at  the 
County  Hall.  The  exhibits,  some  050  in 
number,  were  arranged  in  two  divisions:  (1), 
school  gardens;  (2),  trial  allotment  produc- 
tions ;  and  they  comprised  14  and  20  classes  of 
vegetables  respectively.  Additional  exhibits  of 
flowers,  fruits,  and  grafted  Apple  and  Pear  trees 
were  also  sent  by  some  of  the  boys.  The  awards 
were  made  as  follows  :  Allotment  produce,  Mi -.\V. 
Howell,  formerly  gardener  to  the  late  G.  H.  Mor- 
kell,  Esq.  ;  School  exhibits,  Mr.  J.  S.  Chidlow, 
gardener  to  Mrs.  Herbert  Mokrell,  Headinglon 
Hill  Hall.  Mr.  P.  Ellord,  the  secretary  of  the 
Oxford  Educational  Committee,  in  announcing  the 
result  of  the  exhibition,  said  the  three  winners 
in  the  trial  allotment  competition  were  so  nearly 
equal,  that  whilst  Bicester,  as  gaining  the  highest 
total,  was  awarded  the  cup,  Charlbury  would 
receive  a  silver,  and  Crowmarsh  a  bronze  medal. 
During  the  afternoon  some  200  of  the  boys  attended 
a  lecture  on  the  subject  of  successional  sowings, 
given  by  the  horticu'tural  instructor,  Mr.  Heaton. 


South-Eastern   Agricultural  College. 

— In  connection  with  the  garden  produce,  poultry 
and  honey  competitions  of  the  Kent  County 
Council  and  of  the  National  Potato  Society,  at  the 
South-Eastern  Agricultural  College,  Wye,  Kent, 
on  Wednesday,  October  2,  we  are  asked  to  remind 
our  readers  that  a  conference  will  be  held,  when 
an  address  will  be  given  by  the  Principal,  Mr. 
M.  J.  R.  Dunstan,  to  be  followed  by  discussion. 
Those  wishing  to  attend  are  asked  to  send  their 
names  to  the  Principal  of  the  College. 

York  Gala  Jubilee,  1908. —The  exhibition 
of  1908  will  form  the  50th  in  succession,  and  in 
celebration  of  the  Jubilee  show,  the  management 
is  offering  the  sum  of  1 ,000  guineas  in  prize  money. 
Four  gold  medals  are  offered  for  nurserymen  for 
non-competitive  exhibits,  and  the  judges  will  be 
empowered  to  award  a  special  prize  of  a  jubilee  gold 
medal  to  the  exhibit  they  may  consider  the  best 
and  most  attractive  in  general  arrangement,  and 
most  calculated  to  awaken  the  interest  of  visitors. 
Prizes  of  a  total  value  of  £100,  including  a  first 
prize  of  £40,  are  offered  in  an  open  class,  called 
the  Jubilee  Commemorative  Class  "  A,"  for  a 
display  of  plants  and  flowers  grouped  for  effect 
but  not  exceeding  30  feet  in  length  by  14  feet  in 
depth.  Important  prizes  are  also  offered  for  a 
display  of  horticultural  produce,  including  plants-, 
flowers  and  fruits  ;  and  for  bulbous  and  allied 
plants  and  cut  flowers,  associated  with  any  kinds 
of  retarded  plants.  A  first  prize  of  £10  is  offered 
for  the  best  decorated  table  of  ripe  fruit.  The 
secretary  is  Mr.  Fred.  Arey,  Davyhall  Chambers, 
Davygate,  York. 

Dr.  Gustave  Hostermann. — The  post  of 
Professor  of  Botany  and  Sections  President  for 
Plant  Physiology  in  the  research  institution  at 
the  Royal  Gardeners'  College  at  Dahlem,  recently 
vacant  owing  to  the  death  of  Dr.  Karl  Muller, 
is  now  filled  by  Dr.  Gustave  Hostermann, 
until  recently  assistant  at  the  Botanical  Institute 
of  the  Agricultural  Academy  at  Bonn-Poppels- 
dorf. 

Agricultural  Development  in  Papua 
(New  Guinea).  —  British  New  Guinea  having 
passed  into  the  possession  of  the  Australian 
Commonwealth,  the  Australian  authorities  have 
drawn  up  a  scheme  for  the  agricultural  and 
mineral  development  of  the  country.  Mr.  Stani- 
forth  Smith  has  been  appointed  Director  of  Agri- 
culture, Mines,  and  Public  Works,  and  on  his  way 
to  take  up  his  appointment  was  interviewed  in 
Ceylon  by  the  Ceylon  Observer.  He  stated  that  for 
the  last  20  years  British  New  Guinea  (or  Papua  as 
it  is  now  called)  has  been  governed  as  a  Crown 
colony,  and  during  that  time  excellent  work  has 
been  accomplished  in  converting  the  natives  along 
the  coasts  from  cannibalistic  and  head-hunting 
savages  to  peaceful  and  law-abiding  subjects. 
Magisterial  districts  have  been  carried  out  all  along 
the  southern  and  eastern  littoral,  and  in  these  the 
white  settlers'  lives  and  property  are  perfectly  safe. 
The  natives  have  not  only  ceased  their  tribal  fights 
and  the  manufacture  of  warlike  weapons,  but  have 
even  given  up  the  weapons  they  possessed. 
The  system  of  native  government  has  been  excel- 
lent in  the  past,  and  this  policy  will  be  maintained 
in  the  future.  The  territory  of  Papua  having  now 
been  transferred  to  the  Commonwealth,  we  feel, 
said  Mr.  Smith,  that  the  time  is  ripe  for  enlarging 
the  function  of  government  by  an  active  policy  of 
industrial  development  that  wi'l  bring  us  more  in 
line  with  our  progressive  neighbours.  We  have 
millions  of  acres  of  rich,  well  drained  alluvial 
soils  right  on  the  coast,  and  just  as  healthy 
for  Europeans  as  other  lands  in  the  same 
latitude.  These  lands  are  covered  with  scrub 
and  forest.  The  soil  is  excellently  suited  for  the  cul- 
tivation of  rubber,  cocoanuts,  and  sugar,  while  the 
fertile  tablelands  further  inland  are  well  fitted  for 
the  cultivation  of  coffee,  tea,  cinchona,  and  cocoa. 


Holly  Lodge,  Highgate.  -  This  interesting 
old  residence,  with  its  beautiful  grounds  and  gar- 
dens, which  has  been  announced  for  sale  by 
public  auction  on  October  24,  has  often  been 
referred  to  in  these  columns.  Holly  Lodge  will 
be  ever  associated  with  the  memory  of  the  late 
Baroness  Burdett  Coutts  for  the  gatherings 
held  there  in  the  mid-Victorian  period  included 
most  of  the  notable  personages  of  the  time.  The 
grounds  have  a  certain  old-time  appearance  and 
they  contain  many  stately  trees.  Some  of  the 
lawns  are  so  enclosed  by  trees  and  shrubs,  yet 
afford  such  pretty  views,  that  the  visitor  can 
scarcely  realise  the  situation  is  so  near  to  the 
metropolis,  for  the  distance  from  Charing  Cross  is 
less  than  five  miles.  Rhododendron  bushes  of 
unusually  large  dimensions  are  to  be  found  in 
various  portions  of  the  estate,  and  when  these  are 
in  flower,  as  we  saw  them  on  a  recent  visit,  they 
are  productive  of  such  floral  effects  as  could  hardly 
be  expected  in  aLondon  suburb.  There  are  also  ex- 
tensive fruit  and  vegetable  gardens  attached  to  the 
place.  The  gardens  and  pleasure  grounds  have 
Ion.;  been  under  the  care  of  Mr.  Jesse  Willard, 
who  is  well  known  as  a  member  of  the  Fruit  and 
Vegetable  Committee  of  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society.  An  illustration  of  Holly  Lodge  was 
published  in  the  Gardcncn'  Chronicle  for  August  21, 
18S6. 

Plant  Breeding  in  Sweden. — The  Swedish 
Seed-breeding  Association  aims  at  an  essential 
improvement  of  agriculture  in  Sweden  by  means 
of  the  "  systematic  raising  of  new  and  better 
sorts  of  plants."  The  untiring  labours  of  this 
society  since  1886  are  now  annually  producing 
results  which  indisputably  show  that  the  right 
and  practical  course  is  being  pursued.  Its  prin- 
cipal establishment  at  Svalof,  in  Skane,  is 
already  widely  known  in  and  out  of  Europe, 
and  is  annually  visited  by  numerous  foreign 
students.  The  new  varieties  of  seeds  are,  more- 
over, widely  cultivated  throughout  Sweden,  and 
are  also  beginning  to  attract  attention  in  otVer 
countries.  The  establishment  is  fully  equipped 
with  the  latest  resources  of  science,  and  it  was 
founded  exclusively  for  the  purp  se  of  im- 
proving the  common   agricultural   crops. 

A  Japanese  Nursery  Firm.  —  Mr.  Alfred- 
Unger,  the  sole  proprietor  of  the  firm  of  L. 
BOEHMER  $  I'o.,  Yokohama,  celebrated  on  July 
24  last  the  25  years'  existence  of  the  firm,  there 
being  present  on  this  occasion  the  employees  of 
the  firm,  besides  203  Japanese  purveyors.  The 
founder,  Herr  Louts  Boehmer,  went  to  Japan  in 
L871,  having  been  engaged  by  the  Government 
as  adviser  in  horticultural  matters.  Boehmer, 
during  his  ten  years  of  connection  with  the 
Government,  introduced  numerous  sorts  and 
varieties  of  fruits  from  America  and  Europe,  and 
studied  the  possibilities  of  a  development  of  the 
trade  in  the  gardening  products  of  Japan.  He 
founded  the  nursery  in  1882  on  the  spot  where 
it  is  now  existing.  The  manager  of  the  Japanese 
section  and  chief  buyer  was  Uhei  Suzuki,  the 
present  president  of  the  Yokohama  Nursery 
Co.  The  business  assumed  from  the  first  such 
dimensions  that  Boehmer  was  unable  to  con- 
trol it,  and  in  1889  I'nger  was  engaged  in  Ger- 
many. About  18  years  ago  he  proceeded  to 
Japan,  going  a  few  months  later  to  the  Riukin 
Island,  where  he  arranged  for  the  shipment  of 
large  numbers  of  Cycas  trunks.  Soon  after- 
wards Suzuki  left  the  firm  and  founded  the 
Yokohama  Gardeners'  Association,  and  Massa 
Suzuki  took  over  his  duties.  In  1892  Herr 
Unger  became  a  partner,  and  in  1896  he  became, 
on  the  death  of  Boehmer,  the  sole  proprietor  of 
the  firm.  The  export  business  increased  from 
year  to  year,  and  the  owner  has  made  many 
journeys  to  Kurope  and  America,  in  order  to 
increase  his  business  connections. 


-,  September  28,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS     CHRONICLE. 


:35 


Horticulture    in   the   Transvaal.  —  We 

learn  from  the  Transvaal  Agricultural  Journal 
for  July  last  that  interest  in  fruit-growing  is 
maintained,  but  that  the  increase  in  the  area  of 
land  under  fruit  trees  was  not  large,  the  chief 
extension  being  in  Citrus  fruits.  This  is  regret- 
table, as  the  amount  of  money  sent  out  of  the 
Colony  each  year  for  fruit  that  could  quite 
well  be  produced  there  is  very  considerable. 
Last  year  the  imports  of  fruit  of  all  kinds,  in- 
cluding jams  and  preserves,  were  valued  at 
£260,018,  which  for  a  small  population  like  that 


that  country.  The  regulations  framed  under 
Ordinance  No.  16  of  1904  to  prevent  the  intro- 
duction and  spread  of  insect  pests  and  diseases 
of  plants,  are  stated  to  be  working  well  on  the 
whole,  though  they  require  amending  in  cer- 
tain particulars.  One  of  the  features  of  the  year 
was  the  success  which  attended  the  collection 
of  Citrus  fruits  forwarded  by  the  Division  of 
Horticulture  to  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society's 
exhibition  in  London  in  June  last.  The  fruits, 
which  arrived  in  splendid  condition,  attracted 
great  attention.     The  secretary  of  the  Royal  Ilor- 


dy  , 


FlG.    102. — AGARICUS    (AMANITA)    PHALLOIDES  :    A    POISONOUS    MUSHROOM-LIKE    FUNGUS. 


of  the  Transvaal  is  a  very  large  sum.  Another 
unsatisfactory  feature  connected  with  fruit-grow- 
ing in  the  Colony  is  the  lack  of  enterprise  on 
the  part  of  the  local  nurserymen.  So  far, 
nearly  the  whole  of  the  fruit  trees  and  vines 
planted  in  the  Colony  have  been  obtained  from 
•'ape  Colony  or  Natal,  or  from  abroad.  From 
experience  gained  on  the  nurseries  connected 
with  the  various  experimental  orchards,  it  has 
been  conclusively  proved  that  good  trees — better 
than  many  of  those  imported — can  be  raised  in 


ticultural  Sociity  wrote  to  the  Transvaal  autho- 
rities as  follows  :  "  There  is  doubtless  a  great 
future  open  to  your  produce,  provided  (1)  that 
quality  is  maintained  in  size,  colour,  con- 
sistency, flavour,  &c.  :  ,2)  that  quantity  is  ap- 
proximate to  the  demand;  and  (3)  that  th? 
retail  price  is  not  a  fancy  one.  We  badly  need 
Citrus  fruits  all  the  summer  through,  and  our 
Lemon  supply  often  falls  short.  It  is  inad- 
visable in  send  any  but  the  best,  and  not  t  « 
great  a  variety   at  first." 


Manures  for  Fruit  and  Other  Trees.— 

A  practical  handbook  on  this  subject  for  the  use 
of  gardeners  and  students,  by  Dr.  A.  B.  Griffiths, 
will  shortly  be  published  by  Mr.  Robert  Sutton. 

Arthropodium  cirrhatum.—  It  is  well  tocall 
attention  to  species  of  plants  once  common 
in  gardens,  but  which  in  the  course  of 
years  have  become  rare.  Arthropodium  cirr- 
hatum is  one  of  these.  It  was  intro- 
duced in  1821  from  New  Zealand,  and 
belongs  to  the  natural  order  Liliaceae.  The 
roots  are  not  bulbous,  but  fleshy,  and  the  plant 
in  consequence,  says  B.  Othmeu  in  Die  Garten- 
<i  August  31,  requires  no  thorough  drying 
off  in  the  winter  season.  The  leaves  are  sword- 
like, long,  somewhat  channelled,  slightly  hairy, 
and  elegantly  pendulous.  The  small,  white 
flowers  appear  in  the  late  spring  time,  a  period 
when  flowering  plants  are  scarce,  and  they  are 
borne  on  many-branched  spikes.  The  strongly- 
developed  anthers  and  the  pale  reddish-violet 
pollen  and  the  stigma  contrast  pleasingly 
with  each  other  As  a  decorative  greenhouse 
plant  and  for  furnishing  blooms  for  cutting,  the 
plant  deserves  wider  cultivation.  It  requires  a 
rich,  porous,  loamy  soil,  and  a  considerable 
quantity  of  root-moisture  during  the  period  of 
active  growth,  supplemented  by  manure-water. 

Peat  as  Packing  Material  for  Fruit  ,nd 
Seeds. — According  to  the  Blaltern  fur  Obstuvin 
und  Gemusebau,  Professor  Dr.  Schweinfurt  has 
written  as  follows :  "  The  peat  of  the  North 
rs  to  be  called  on  to  play  a  great  role  in 
trade  with  tropical  countries.  The  hygienic 
advantages,  from  its  freedom  from  bacteria  of 
this  excellent  raw  material,  ensure  for  it  mani- 
fold uses.  As  packing  material  for  parts  of 
plants  containing  much  sap  and  for  fruits,  the 
finer  parts  of  peat  are  likely  to  find  many  uses 
in  moist  as  in  arid  localities  in  the  tropics,  in 
preserving  these  from  decay  and  mildew  during 
transit,  that  the  fruits  throughout  were  not 
changed  in  the  least  degree  and  appeared  as  if 
gathered  only  yesterday."  When  Oranges  and 
Citrons  were  sent  by  post  packed  in  ordinary 
cross-handled  baskets,  such  as  are  commonly 
used  in  the  trade,  lined  on  the  outside  with 
packing  canvas,  the  fruit  packed  separately  in 
ti:-sue  paper  and  surrounded  with  dry  peat 
packed  about  them  firmly,  the  fruit  arrived  in 
good  condition  at  Togo,  although  in  this  case, 
for  lack  of  postal  communication  with  the 
Mediterranean  ports,  the  package  had  to  be  sent 
from  Palermo  via  Hamburg. 


POISONING     BY    "MUSHROOMS." 

The  occasional  faral  accidents  that  occur 
through  mistaking  the  deadly  Agaricus  (Amanita) 
phalloides  for  the  common  Mushroom  render  it 
desirable  that  the  characters  that  distinguish  the 
poisonous  from  the  edible  species  should  be 
more  generally  known. 

The  most  obvious  distinction  consists  in  the 
■white  gills  of  the  poisonous  agaric,  as  contrasted 
with  the  pink  ones  of  the  wholesome  Mushroom. 
In  the  latter  the  gills  are  pink,  changing  to  a 
dark  brown  or  black  colour  as  the  cap  expands 
and   matures. 

Other  less  easily  remembered  differences  con- 
sist in  the  bulbous  base,  and  in  the  shape  of  the 
j,ills,  which  are  broadest  in  their  middle  and  do 
not  adhere  to  the  stem,  in  the  case  of  A.  phal- 
loides,  whilst  the  stem  itself  in  the  latter  spe'-'es 
becomes  hollow  as  it  develops. 

Tho  poisonous  plant  is  very  common  in  woods 
at  this  season  of  the  year,  and  it  is  a  sound 
practice  to  regard  all  "  Mushrooms  "  growing  in 
with  suspicion,  and  although  some  deli- 
cious edible  species  grow  in  these  localities, 
they  should  be  avoided  by  all  who  have  not  a 
thorough  knowledge  of  this  class  of  plants. 


230 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[September  28,  1907. 


HOME    CORRESPONDENCE. 


(The  Editor  does  not  hold  himself  responsible  for  the 
opinions  expressed  by  his  correspondents.) 

Hydrangea  Hortensia  in  Tubs. — I  enclose 
a  photograph  (not  reproduced)  of  a  specimen  of 
Hydrangea  Hortensia  growing  in  a  tub,  and  which 
has  300  tully-expanded  blooms,  and  others  in  bud. 
The  spread  of  the  plant  measures  8  feet.  Another 
specimen  in  these  gardens  is  carrying  210  inflores- 
cences. The  plants  received  the  protection  of  a 
shed  through  the  severe  weather.  Liquid  manure 
has  been  applied  to  the  roots  twice  a  week  through- 
out the  summer.  W .  F.  Hamilton,  Pykwell  Park 
Gardens,  L\nungton,  Hants. 

Horticulture  in  the  West  Riding 
(Yorkshire).— It  may  be  of  interest  to  those 
living  in  other  districts  to  know  something  of 
the  horticultural  training  and  teaching  adopted 
here.  Horticulture  is  considered  of  great  impor- 
tance in  the  education  of  children,  and  not  only 
has  it  a  place  on  the  curriculum  of  many  schools, 
but  also  it  is  taken  a  step  further  and  is  in- 
troduced into  the  evening  or  continuation  schools. 
The  school  teacher,  crammed  as  he  is  already 
with  a  fairly  heavy  load  of  learning,  has  had 
perforce  to  add  to  his  store  that  of  (practical?) 
horticulture  in  order  to  keep  up  his  recognised 
standard  of  efficiency.  This,  doubtless,  the 
teacher  does  his  best  to  impart  in  his  own  way, 
or  perhaps  that  of  the  text-book,  to  the  scholars 
under  his  charge.  On©  wonders  what  the  aver- 
age school  teacher  would  do  were  a  pair  of 
secateurs  placed  in  his  hands,  and  he  was 
asked  to  prune  a  plot  of  Gooseberry  bushes. 
However,  this  department  of  horticultural  teach- 
ing may  perhaps  be  left  in  safety  to  work  out 
its  own  results,  and  no  one  will  be  any  the  worse 
for  it,  but  rather  the  better,  if  the  teachers 
are  able  to  create  in  young  minds  a  love  for 
nature.  The  practical  gardener  will  not  so  much 
mind  the  day-school  teacher  airing  his  know- 
ledge of  horticulture  to  the  children,  but  it  can- 
not strike  him  as  otherwise  than  ludicrous  for  his 
apprentice,  anxious  to  add  scientific  knowledge 
to  that  of  practical  experience  in  attending 
evening  classes  in  horticulture,  to  find  he  is 
being  taught  by  an  elementary  school  teacher. 
Yet  this  is  the  case  as.it  stands  to-day.  To  be 
officially  recognised  as  qualified  teachers  of 
horticulture  these  teachers  attend  a  course  of 
lectures  at  the  Council's  experimental  farm,  and 
are  thereafter  considered  competent  to  teach 
practical  horticulture.  At  the  examination, 
which  it  may  be  presumed  they  have  to  pass, 
no  external  candidates  are  allowed  to  sit,  and 
as  the  classes  are  held  during  the  day  on  the 
Saturday,  what  chance  is  there  for  the  practical 
gardener  to  take  the  course  and  thereby  become 
"  officially  recognised  "  as  a  qualified  teacher  of 
his  profession?  He  may,  in  addition  to  his  hav. 
ing  been  in  the  garden  from  his  youth,  have 
passed  the  R.H.S.  and  the  Board  of  Education 
examinations  in  the  practical  and  scientific  ele- 
ments of  both  horticulture  and  agriculture,  yet 
he  is  debarred  from  teaching.  Why  the  County 
Council  have  adopted  such  a  scheme  is  not 
known.  Doubtless  they  have  some  reason  for 
supplying  in  this  way  the  knowledge  which  it 
takes  a  gardener  practically  all  his  life  to  learn, 
but  surely  the  results  must  be  very  inadequate 
and  misleading  to  a  number  of  pupils  in  even- 
ing classes  who  have  natural  abilities  and  an  in- 
clination in  the  direction  of  horticulture.    //.  L. 

THE  "  WlLBERFORCE  "  AND  "  PlTT  "   OAKS. — 

Not  far  distant  from  Bromley  in  Kent  is  the 
beautiful  and  historic  property  of  Holwood, 
one  of  the  residences  of  Earl  Derby.  Here  are 
two  venerable  and  interesting  Oaks,  the  Pitt  and 
Wilberforce,  the  latter  conspicuous  for  its 
gnarled  and  projecting  root,  on  which  two  men 
sat  one  day  earnestly  conversing  about  one'  of 
the  most  iniquitous  systems  that  cursed 
the  human  race.  The  two  men  were  Wil- 
liam Pitt  and  William  Wilberforce,  each  de- 
termined to  do  his  utmost  to  bring  about  the 
abolition  of  the  Slave  Act.  The  following 
note  with  reference  to  this  episode  is  extracted 
from  Mr.  Wilberforce' s  diary  of  the  year  1788: 
— "  At  length  I  well  remember  after  a  conversa- 
tion with  Mr.  Pitt  in  the  open  air  at  the  root  of 
an  old  tree  at  Holwood,  just  above  the  steep 
descent  into  the  vale  of  Keston,  I  resolved  to 
give  notice  on  a  fit  occasion  in  the  House  of 


Commons  of  my  intention  to  bring  forward  the 
abolition  of  the  slave  trade."  These  words  are 
engraved  on  a  stone  chair  which  Earl  Stanhope 
had  set  up  close  to  this  historic  tree  in  1862, 
by  the  permission  of  Lord  Cranworth,  who  then 
owned  the  estate.  The  stem  of  this  tree  is  18  feet 
in  girth,  the  height  under  50  feet,  and  the  spread 
of  branches  a  little  more  that  of  the  height.  The 
centre  was  hollow,  but  is  now  filled  up  and 
neatly  covered  in  with  lead,  while  the  roots  on  the 
lower  side  extend  to  about  12  feet  in  length  above 
ground,  thus  affording  a  convenient  seat  for  the 
weary  traveller  or  hard-worked  politician.  In 
1889  the  writer  had  this  tree  surrounded  by  an 
iron  fence,  while  the  larger  branches  were  bound 
together, -the  cost  being  £51.  The  eminently 
historic  "  Pitt's  "  Oak  stands  within  a  stone's- 
throw  of  Holwood  House,  and  will,  should  no 
accident  befall  it,  live  for  many  years  to  per- 
petuate the  memory  of  the  great  statesman.  It 
was  Mr.  Pitt's  habit  to  sit  and  read  beneath  the 
spreading  branches  of  this  stately  Oak.  The 
tree  stands  on  a  mound,  part  of  an  old  en- 
campment, the  dimensions  being  as  follow:  — 
At  a  yard  from  the  ground  level  the  stem  girths 
20  feet  1  inch,  and  at  8  feet  it  divides  into  four 
massive  limbs,  the  largest  of  which  girths  9  feet 
0  inches  and  9  feet  4  inches  at  2  feet  from  point 
of  junction  with  the  main  stem.  The  stem  is 
hollow,  and  in  order  to  prevent  the  heavy 
branches  being  torn  away  during  stormy  weather, 
they  have  been  strengthened  by  the  aid  of  well- 
concealed    iron    bands.     A.D.W. 

September  Strawberries. — Referring  to 
the  note  on  p.  217,  I  have  found  Laxton's  Per- 
.petual  and  Vicomtesse  Hericart  de  Thury  suc- 
ceed better  here  as  autumn-fruiting  Strawberries 
than  do  either  St.  Joseph  or  St.  Antoine  de 
Padoue,  and  I  have  discontinued  growing  these 
latter  varieties.  Laxton's  Perpetual  and  Vicom- 
tesse Hericart  de  Thury  are  bearing  good  crops 
of  large  fruits  here  at  the  present  date,  and  if 
the  bright,  dry  weather  continues,  they  will  yield 
fruits  throughout  October.  The  present  season 
has  been  much  more  favourable  than  last  year 
for  autumn-fruiting  Strawberries ;  frequent 
showers  and  absence  of  hot  sunshine  in  July 
and  August  have  kept  the  foliage  healthy  and 
vigorous,  and  growth  has  continued  all  through 
the  season.  W.  H.  Divers,  Belvoir  Castle  Gar- 
dins,  Grantham,  September  21. 

Horticultural  Returns.— The  series  of 
events  which  led  up  to  the  passing  of  the 
Injurious  Insects  and  Pests  Act  should  have 
convinced  fruit-growers  that  it  is  only  by  per- 
sistent efforts  on  the  part  of  themselves  and 
their  friends  that  they  are  likely  to  obtain  a 
proper  recognition  of  their  requirements  from 
the  Board  of  Agriculture.  That  such  legisla- 
tion was  necessary  was  prominently  recom- 
mended by  the  Fruit  Committee,  but  that  no  m- 
mendation  was  shelved  till  the  efforts  of  private 
individuals  forced  the  Board  into  action.  It  is 
the  same  with  all  the  other  recommendations  of 
this  committee,  even  in  cases  where  their  adop- 
tion involved  no  legislation  and  no  expenditure. 
Amongst  those  recommendations  which  were 
the  most  simple  to  adopt  was  one  for  the  im- 
provement of  the  returns  of  land  under  fruit. 
Such  returns  are  not  merely  a  matter  of  interest 
to  the  curious,  but  may  often  be  of  much  prac- 
tical importance.  It  was  only  a  few  months 
ago  that  the  Board  of  Agriculture  experienced 
the  need  of  such  returns  in  the  case  of  Goose- 
berry plantations,  and  they,  who  should  have 
been  in  possession  of  these  returns,  and  who 
could  alone  get  them,  applied  helplessly  for 
them  to  the  county  authorities,  who  had  not  got 
them,  and  who  never  pretended  to  collect  them. 
Probably  in  consequence  of  a  letter  which  ap- 
peared in  the  Journal  of  Horticulture,  the  Board 
have  now  made  some  alteration  in  the  form  of 
the  returns,  but,  unfortunately,  it  is  art  altera- 
tion which  will  only  make  matters  worse  instead 
of  better.  In  these  forms  there  are  28  headings 
under  which  farm  crops  are  entered.  One  of 
these  (No.  22)  is  for  small  fruit,  but  there  is 
none  for  other  fruits — at  any  rate,  in  the  body  of 
the  returns.  If  this  other  fruit  is  in  grass,  it 
simply  figures  under  the  heading  of  Permanent 
Grass  (No.  27)  ;  if  it  is  in  cultivated  land,  it  is 
entered  as  Bare  Fallow"  (No.  24).  The  recent 
alteration  applies  to  the  small  fruit,  which  is 
now  sub-divided  into — (a)  Strawberries,  (bl 
Raspberries,  (c)  Currants  and  Gooseberries,  (d) 


other  kinds.  Why  Currants  and  Gooseberries 
should  be  lumped  together,  it  is  impossible  to 
see,  especially  in  view  of  the  recent  experience 
of  the  Board  as  to  the  want  of  statistics  for 
Gooseberries  alone  ;  the  data  for  Black  Currants 
should  also  be  separated  from  those  for  Red 
Currants,  and  would  give  valuable  information 
as  to  the  effect  which  the  ravages  of  the  mite  have 
produced  on  this  branch  of  the  fruit  industry. 
That  the  acreage  under  such  separate  headings 
is  too  insignificant  for  separate  entry  cannot  be 
contended,  for  we  find  separate  headings  (and 
main  headings  too)  for  such  things  as-  i  lax  and 
Chicory,  of  which  the  total  production  in  the 
kingdom  is  measured  by  two  or  three  hundred 
and  two  or  three  score  of  acres  respectively. 
Although  fruit  other  than  small  fruit  is  not 
entered  under  the  main  headings,  information 
respecting  it  is  asked  for  under  "  Special  En- 
quiries." This  in  itself  is  highly  objectionable, 
as  was  admitted  by  Mr.  Rew,  the  head  of  the 
statistical  department  of  the  Board,  before  the 
Committee  ;  for  we  get  a  double  entry  of  fruit 
land,  once  under  "Grass"  or  "Fallow,"  and 
again  under  the  special  enquiries  about 
"  Orchards."  Orchards,  it  may  be  remarked, 
presumably  include  fruit  plantations  in  culti- 
vated soil ;  but  this  is  not  stated,  as  it  should 
be.  Under  the  heading  of  Orchards  five  sub- 
headings have  now  been  introduced: — (a) 
Apples,  (b)  Pears,  (c)  Cherries,  (d)  Plums, 
(e)  other  fruits.  So  far,  this  is  a  step  in  the 
right  direction ;  but  the  instructions  accom- 
panying it  are  such  as  to  render  it  abso- 
lutely futile.  These  instructions  are:  "Mixed 
orchards  containing  more  of  one  sort  of  tree 
than  another  should  be  entered  against  the- sort 
to  which  the  larger  proportion  of  the  trees 
belong.  Where  the  sorts  are  equally  mixed,  the 
entry  should  be  made  against  'Other  kinds.' " 
This  forcibly  suggests  the  story  of  a  certain 
well-known  scientific  man  who  was  trying  to 
find  out  what  railway  tickets  were  required  for 
his  pets:  "Please,  sir,  the  stationmaster  says 
that  cats  is  dogs,  and  rabbits  is  dogs,  but  that 
there  tortoise  is  a  hinsec."  If  a  grower  has  a 
plantation  of  500  Apples,  500  Pears,  and  501 
Plums,  his  Apples  are  Plums  and  his  Pears  are 
Plums  ;  but  if  the  one  additional  Plum  dies,  all 
his  trees  become  "  other  fruits,"  or  if  two  Plums 
and  one  Apple  die,  they  all  become  Pears.  It 
is  impossible  to  conceive  of  any  system  better 
calculated  to  produce  thoroughly  worthless  re- 
turns ;  the  Apple-growing  in  the  kingdom  will 
become  grossly  exaggerated,  and  Pear  cultiva- 
tion will  appear  to  be  almost  non-existent.  It 
must  have  taken  the  Board  a  long  time  to 
elaborate  such  a  masterpiece  of  topsy-turvydorn. 
It  is  hard  to  see  what  the  difficulties  in  dealing 
with  mixed  plantations  are.  Surely  a  man  who 
has  got  sufficient  brains  to  grow,  say,  10  acres 
of  fruit,  will  have  brains  enough  to  estimate 
roughly  how  many  of  these  10  acres  are  occupied 
by  the  various  fruits  which  he  grows;  and, 
however  faulty  his  estimate  may  be,  it  will 
certainly  be  nearer  the  truth  than  if  he  puts 
down  his  ApDles  as  being  Pears,  or  his  Cherries 
as  Plums.  When  Mr.  Rew  was  under  examina- 
tion, I  submitted  to  him  a  scheme  of  returns  to 
which  neither  he  nor  any  members  of  the 
committee  could  see  any  objection.  The  scheme 
was  simply  to  have  one  entry  for  fruit  amongst 
the  main  agricultural  returns,  thus  avoiding  the 
pernicious  system  of  double  entry  now  in  exist- 
ence, and  to  have  this  entry  divided  under  two 
main  headings  of — A,  Fruit  in  grass  ;  and  B, 
Fruit  in  cultivated  land.  Under  A  and  B  there 
would  be  sub-headings  for  details  similar  to 
those  now  existing.  Under  A,  we  should  have 
Apples,  Pears,  Plums,  Cherries,  other  fruits — 
total,  so-and-so  ;  under  B,  Apples,  Pears,  Plums, 
Cherries,  Strawberries,  Raspberries,  Red  and 
White  Currants,  Black  Currants,  Gooseberries, 
other  fruits — total,  so-and-so  ;  and  if  the  grower 
found  himself  incapable  of  giving  the  details,  he 
could  enter  the  totals  only.  In  collecting 
statistics  it  is  highly  important  to  make  as  few 
changes  as  possible,  so  that  the  continuity  of 
the  records  may  not  be  destroyed.  The  adop- 
tion of  the  plan  here  described  would  not 
destroy  the  continuity  with  previous  records,  as 
it  simply  introduces  more  detail  into  the  records. 
Under  the  system  introduced  by  the  Board  this 
year,  whereby  fruits  are  called  "  out  of  their 
name,"  this  continuity  is  effectually  destroyed, 
and  it  is  earnestly  to  be  hoped,  therefore,  that 
it  will  be  abandoned  without  delay.  Spencer 
Pickering. 


September  28,  1007.] 


THE    GARDEXERS'     CIIROXICLE. 


237 


SOCIETIES. 


ROYAL   HORTICULTURAL. 
Scientific  Committee. 

Sept.  17 —Present :  Mr.  J.  T.  Bennett-Poe, 
M.A.,  V.M.H.  (in  the  chair)  ;  Dr.  A.  B.  Kendle, 
Messrs.  H.  J.  Veitch,  J.  Douglas,  H.  T.  Giissow, 
A.  O.  Walker,  G.  Gordon,  G.  S.  Saunders,  and 
F.  J.   Chittenden  (hon.  sec). 

Runner  Bean  flouicr-colour. — Mr.  CuthbertSun 
wrote  concerning  the  Runner  Beans  similar  in 
flower-colour  to  those  of  the  "  Butterfly  "  Bean 
shown  by  Mr.  Woesley  at  the  last  meeting,  that 
Herr  Denary,  the  introducer  of  that  Bean,  in- 
formed him  that  it  was  found  as  a  sport  among 
Painted  Lady  Runners  some  five  or  six  years 
ago,  and  by  careful  selection  it  was  fixed.  Herr 
Benary  had  never  made  any  crossings  betw-een 
red  and  white  Runner  Beans,  and  could  not, 
therefore,  say  what  the  result  of  such  crossing 
would  be  likely  to  be. 

Hybrid  between  Pear  and  Quince. — Mr.  Veitch 
showed  fruit  from  two  trees  raised  from  seed,  the 
result  of  a  cross  made  by  J.  Seden  in  1895,  be- 
tween the  Pear  Bergamotte  Esperen  ?  and  the 
Portugal  Quince  4.  The  seeds  were  both  ob- 
tained from  one  fruit,  and  it  was  seen  that  whilst 
one  of  the  seedlings  was  very  similar  to  the  Pear, 
the  other  much  more  resembled  the  Quince.  The 
fruits  were  immature,  so  that  the  flavour  could 
not  be  tested.  Mr.  Veitch,  however,  promised 
to  send  further  specimens  if  they  should  ripen. 

Double  Aster. — Mr.  Veitch  also  showed  flowers 
of  a  double  Aster  sp.  (Michaelmas  Daisy  i. 

Leaf  diseases. — Mr.  A.  O.  Walker  showed 
leaves  of  Clerodendron  trichotomuni  with  brown 
spots,  and  remarked  upon  the  prevalence  of  leaf 
diseases  during  the  past  season,  with  particular 
reference  to  the  death  of  Black  Currant  leaves. 
This  the  committee  thought  was  probably  due 
to  the  fungus  Gleosporium  ribis,  which  had  been 
particularly  prevalent  during  the  past  season. 
Mr.  Walker  said  that  he  found  young  trees  free 
of  the  disease,  while  older  trees  were  badly 
affected. 

Potato  disease. — Mr.  Gussow  showed  specimens 
of  tubers  of  Potato  badly  attacked  by  a  disease, 
having  something  of  the  appearance  of  a  bad 
attack  of  "scab."  He  founc\,  however,  that  the 
appearance  was  not  associated  with  any  of 
the  fungi  which  had  been  previously  ob- 
served in  Holland  and  in  Ireland.  The  present 
specimens  came  from  Lincoln.  The  scabby 
spots  have  an  olive  green  tint  when  the  spores 
are  still  attached  to  the  rind  of  the  Potato,  but 
the  spores  frequently  become  detached  and  are 
left  in  the  soil.  The  organism  appears  to  be 
unable  to  grow  in  any  but  an  acid  medium. 

Red-fleshed  Pear. — Mr.  E.  Burrell,  of  Clare- 
mont  Gardens,  Esher,  sent  Pears  having  the 
flesh  of  a  deep  red  colour,  with  the  following 
note :  "  A  Pear  I  take  to  be  '  Sanguinole,'  with 
several  synonyms,  among  which  is  Parkinson's 
'  Blood-red  Pear,"  a  variety  said  to  have  been 
grown  in  P'rance  over  350  years  ago.  The  tree 
from  which  the  specimens  exhibited  were  taken 
is  a  standard  between  15  feet  and  20  feet  in 
height  growing  in  a  garden  at  Claygate,  Surrey. 
The  tree  has  the  appearance  of  having  been 
twice  'worked.'  The  Pear  is  naturally  of  no 
value  in  these  days,  but  is  of  interest  on  account 
of  its  rarity." 

Carrot  Malformed. — Mr.  E.  Stone  sent  from 
Hayes,  Kent,  a  curiously  malformed  Carrot, 
which  had  a  mass  of  ten  roots  of  somewhat 
small  size,  springing  from  the  base  of  the  crown, 
but  joined  together  at  that  end  for  a  short 
distance.  One  of  the  thickest  rcots  appsared 
to  have  been  injured  or  checked  in  growth  in 
its  early  stages,  and  this  had  perhaps  induced 
the  curious  formation. 

Dark-red-fleshed  Peach. — Mr.  W.  A.  Carey  sent 
a  Peach  gathered  from  a  tree  raised  from  seed 
by  himself,  the  stone  having  come  from  one  of 
the  varieties  (name  unknown!  commonly  grown 
outdoors.  Mr.  Carey  stated  that  when  ripe  the 
fruit  was  of  very  good  flavour,  but  differed  from 
other  commonly  grown  Peaches  in  the  remark- 
able colr-ur,  which  was  black  until  a  few  days 
before  tl  .'  fruit  was  ripe,  when  it  gradually  be- 
came lighter  till  it  was  a  deep  red  colour.  The 
fruit  agreed  well  in  its  characters  with  that 
described    in    French    works    under    the    name 


"  Sanguinole,"  and  known  in  this  country  as 
"  liloud  Peach,"  and  it  is  curious  that  that 
variety  (or  something  very  nearly  approaching 
it)  should  have  been  raised  from  the  stone  of  an 
ordinary  Peach. 

NATIONAL   ROSE. 

September  24. — The  autumn  shew  of  this 
flourishing  society  was  held  on  Tuesday  last  in 
the  Royal  Horticultural  Hall,  Vincent  Square, 
Westminster.  The  exhibition  must  be  accoun.el 
a  record,  both  for  the  extent  and  the  qualil 
the  exhibits.  The  entries  far  exceeded  those  in 
number  of  any  of  the  preceding  shows  of  the 
society  held  at  this  season,  and  many  of  the 
blooms  were  equal  to  those  displayed  at  the 
summer  show.  The  grand  weather  of  the  past 
few  weeks  has  favoured  the  Rose,  and  remark- 
able clearness  of  petal  was  seen  in  the  blooms, 
especially  in  those  exhibited  by  Scottish  git 
The  amateur  classes  were  well  represented,  but 
generally  the  standard  of  quality  in  this  section 
was  much  below  that  seen  in  the  trade  classes. 
Non-competitive  exhibits  were  excluded  from  the 
show,  but  notwithstanding  this  fact  the  Hall 
was  filled,  even  in  the  two  annexes.  Very 
exhibits  were  shown  in  the  nurserymen's 
classes  for  groups  of  Roses,  and  these  were 
staged  by  the  walls  around  the  whole  length  of 
the  building.  New  varieties  of  merit  were  not 
plentiful,  the  best  being  a  hybrid  perpetual 
named  Avoca,  shown  by  the  famous  Newtown- 
wards  firm  of  Messrs.  Alex.  Dickson  &  SON. 

NURSERYMEN'S   CLASSES. 
Blooms  Shown  ox  Boards. 

In  the  important  class  for  36  blooms  of  dis- 
tinct varieties,  a  splendid  competition  resulted, 
no  fewer  than  nine  exhibits  being  staged.  The 
quality  was  remarkably  good  throughout,  and 
ths  judges  had  no  light  task  in  apportioning 
the  prizes.  The  blooms,  however,  shown  by 
Messrs.  J.  COCKER  ,'.:  SON,  Aberdeen,  X.B.,  were 
slightly  the  best,  and  the  1st  prize  was  accord- 
ingly awarded  to  this  exhibitor.  A  list  of  the 
varieties  in  the  premier  exhibit  included:  — 
Dr.  Andry,  Mrs.  E.  Mawley  (a  beautiful,  large 
bloom),  J.  B.  Clark,  Caroline  Testout,  Marie 
Baumann,  Mrs.  W.  J.  Grant  (excellent  in  col- 
ouring, and  with  a  magnificent  centre),  M.  E. 
\  ;,    Alfred    Colomb,    Marchioness   of   Lon- 

donderry, La  France  de  '89  (of  remarkable  col- 
ouring and  substance  of  petal),  Dean  Hole,  Her 
M  tj  sty,  S.  M.  Rodocanachi,  Comte  de  Raim- 
baud,  Mrs.  T.  Roosevelt,  Florence  Pemberton, 
J.  Piganeau,  Duke  of  Edinburgh,  Helen  Keller, 
A.  K.  Williams,  Mildred  Grant  (a  flower  oi  ; 
size,  and  delicately  flushed  with  pink),  Annie 
Wood,  Bessie  Brown,  Charles  Lefebvre  (of 
satiny  plum  colour),  Frau  Karl  Druschki, 
Horace  Vernet,  Princess  Marie  Merchensky, 
Pharisaer,  Lady  Suffield,  Earl  of  Dufferin, 
Helene  Guillot,  General  Jacqueminot,  Mad.  Del- 
ville,  Gustave  Gunnerwald,  Due  de  Rohan,  and 
Hugh  Dickson. 

2nd,  Messrs.  Adam  &  Craigmile,  Aberdeen, 
who  had  S.  M.  Rodocanachi,  Hugh  Dickson, <La 
France  de  '89,  Oscar  Cordel,  Chas.  J.  Grahame, 
John  Stuart  Mills,  Annie  Woods,  and  Mrs.  W.  J. 
Grant,  especially  fine. 

3rd,  Messrs.   D.   \:  W.   Croll,   Dundee. 

Eighteen  blooms  of  distinct  varieties  of  Tea  and 
Noisette  Roses. — Remarkable  refinement  charac- 
terised the  flowers  in  the  exhibits  of  this  class. 
Messrs.  J.  Cocki-i;  Sons,  Aberdeen,  contri- 
buted a  magnificent  stand  of  well-developed 
flowers,  showing  very  little  injury  in  the  outer 
petals,  and  to  these  tile  1st  prize  was  awarded  in 
competition  with  six  other  competitors.  The 
2nd  prize  also  fell  to  an  Aberdeen  firm,  Messrs. 
Adam  &  Craigmile.  and  the  3rd  to  Messrs.  D. 
Prior  &  Son,  Colchester. 

The  premier  bloom-  -a ere  Mrs.  Edward  Maw. 
ley  (of  remarkable  size),  Mad.  Hoste,  F.  von 
Mi  i  hall,  Mad.  Vermorel,  Mad.  Henri  Berger, 
Mad.  Jules  Gravere  i  ux,  Maman  Cochet,  The 
Bride  (excellent  of  form),  Souvenir  d'Biise  Var- 
don,  Medea,  Bridesmaid,  Souvenir  de  S.  A. 
Prince,  Muriel  Graham  (a  flower  of  perfect 
finish),  Golden  Gate,  Boadicea,  Souvenir  de 
Pierre  Notting,  Lady  Roberts,  and  Mad.  de  Wat- 
teville.  Notable  flowers  shown  by  Messrs. 
Adam  &  Craigmile  were  those  of  Souvenir  de 
Pierre  Notting,  Luciole,  Mad.  Hoste,  Rubens, 
Enchantress,  and  Mad.  Cusin,  the  last-named 
especially  notable'for  its  fine  colouring. 


Roses  in  Vases. 

A  very  considerable  contribution  to  the  exhi- 
bition was  made  by  the  exhibits  in  the  class  for 
36  distinct  varieties  of  Roses  shown  in  trusses. 
The  schedule  stipulated  that  no  exhibit  should 
occupy  a  greater  area  than  one  measuring  8  feet 
by  5  feet :  any  receptacle  was  allowed  for  the 
staging  of  :he  blooms,  but  in  all  cases — nine — 
the  flowers  were  displayed  in  vases.  The  ex- 
hibits required  two  long  tables  down  the  centie 
of  the  building  for  their  accommodation,  arid 
collectively  they  made  a  grand  display. 

The  general  style  of  staging  was  on  tiers, 
foiming  a  pyramid,  and  this  obtained  in  the  1st 
prize  collection  shown  by  Messrs.  Frank  Cant 
e^  Co.,  Colchester.  Quality  of  flowers  was  un- 
doubtedly the  deciding  factor  in  making  the 
award,  for  the  blooms  were  all  excellent,  and 
arranged  in  big  bunches  without  overcrowding. 
Ni  liable  vases  were  those  containing  the  varieties 
\\  lute  Maman  Cochet,  Hugh  Dickson,  Mad.  An- 
toine  Marie,  Lady  Wenlock,  Irish  Eleganee-  (a 
single  variety),  Lady  Ashtown  (a  pink-coloured 
H.T.  of  great  beauty),  Mad.  Melaine  Soupert  (a 
beautiful  Rose),  Dean  Hole,  Ards  Pillar 
inch  red),  and  Kaiserin  Augusta  Victoria. 
The  2nd  prize  was  won  by  Mr.  John  Mattock, 
New  Headington,  Oxford,  with  an  exhibit  very 
little  inferior  to  that  shown  by  Messrs.  Can t, 
and  having  a  similar  arrangement.  Hugh  Dick- 
sun,  Mrs.  J.  Laing,  Mrs.  Edward  Mawley,  G. 
Nabonnand,  Boadicea,  Frau  Karl  Druschki,  La 
Tosca,  and  White  Maman  Cochet  may  be  enu- 
merated as  the  best  examples  in  the  2<id  pri/e 
exhibit.  3rd,  M<  isrs.  Paul  &  Sons,  The  Old 
Nurseries,  Cheshunt. 

Ive  distinct  varieties  in  bunches  of  seven 
blooms. — There    were    six   exhibits    seen    in    this 

:  ,  and  the  flowers  shown  by  Messrs.  Cocker 
S  Si  ins,  were  immeasurably  above  all  the  others 
in  point  of  quality ;  indeed,  they  constituted 
one  of  the  features  of  the  exhibition.  In  size, 
colouring  and  form  they  were,  alike  good,  and  it 
was  difficult  to  select  a  variety  as  being  weaker 
than  another.  Perhaps  the  finest  was  that  con- 
taining the  variety  J.  B.  Clark,  a  Rose  renowned 
Eoi  ii-  richness  of  colouring,  although  its  neigh- 
bours, Hugh  Dickson,  Bessie  Brown,  and  Dean 

I  appeared  almost  equally  perfect.  Other 
varieties  were  Gladys  Harkness,  Dr.  Andry, 
e  de  Raimbaud,  Frau  Karl  Druschki,  Alfred 
i  ilomb,  A.  K.  Williams,  Countess  of  Derby, 
and  Mrs.  John  Laing.  2nd,  Mr.  Hugh  Dick- 
son, Belfast.  The  outer  petals  of  some  of  the 
flowers  showed  injury,  but  the  varieties  Hugh 
Dickson  and  Mrs.  Stewart  Clark  were  very  fine. 
3rd,  Messrs.  G.  and  W.  H.  Burch,  Pel  - 
borough. 

One  vase  o  ,  twelve  blooms. — The  win- 

ning variety  was  Frau  Karl  Druschki,  shown  by 
Messrs.  D.  &  W.  Croll,  Dundee.  2nd,  Wh  te 
Mamam  Cochet,  shown  by  Messrs.  D.  Prior  & 
Son,  Colchester. 

Decorative  Roses. 

All  exhibits  in  the  classes  for  these  Roses 
were  to  be  shown  so  as  to  present  as  far  as 
possible  the  foliage  and  habit  of  growth  of  the 
variety  exhibited/  H.P.,  II. T.,  T.,  and  Noisette 
Roses  were  excluded. 

The  most  important  class  was  that  for  24  dis- 
tinct varieties,  in  trusses  containing  not  fewer 
than  three  nor  more  than  seven  blooms,  but  the 
response  was  poor,  for  only  three  exhibits  were 
staged,  the  best  by  Messrs.  Frank  Cant  &  Co., 
Colchester;  2nd,  "Mr.  John  Mattock,  Oxford. 
M  cs.  Cant  displayed  their  vases  in  a  pyra- 
midal manner  on  tiers,  their  best  variety  being 
Gustave  Regis. 

Provision  was  made  for  a  similar,  but  smaller 
class  for  12  varieties  only,  and  here  the  best 
flowers  were  shown  by  Messrs.  W.  &  R.  Fekgu- 
son,  Dunfermline,  and  they  were  followed  by 
Mi  ssrs.  G.  cv.  W.  Burch,  Peterborough. 

The  class  following  was  also  for  12  distinct 
varieties  of  decorative  Roses,  to  be  arrane 
bamboo  stands  provided  by  the  Society.  Mr. 
John  Mattock,  Oxford,  won  the  first  prize  for 
creditable  blooms  of  Bardon  Job,  William  Allen 
Richardson,  Dorothy  Perkins,  Irish  Elegance, 
G.  Nabonnand,  Gruss  an  Teplitz,  and  other  well- 
own  varieties.  2nd,  Messrs.  J.  Jefferies  £: 
Sons,  Cirencester. 


*238 


THE     GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


[September  28,  1907. 


Dwarf  Polyantha  or  Pompon  Roses. 
The  schedule  called  for  12  distinct  varieties, 
each  of  six  trusses.  Five  exhibitors  responded, 
and  of  these  the  most  successful  was  the  Col- 
chester firm  of  Messrs.  Frank  Cant  &  Co.,  who 
showed  the  varieties  Mrs.  Cutbush,  Anna 
Marie  de  Montravel  (white),  Perle  d'Or,  White 
I'et,  &c.  2nd,  Mr.  C.  Turner,  Slough ;  3rd,  Mr. 
John  Mattock. 

Rose  Hips. 

Last  year  a  new  class  was  provided  for  a  col- 
lection of  nine  distinct  species  or  varieties  of 
Roses  in  fruit,  shown  with  foliage.  Apparently 
the  season  is  too  early  for  the  best  colour-effects 
in  the  fruits,  for  we  have  seen  much  brighter 
and  prettier  hips  than  those  displayed.  i'hey 
were  interesting,  however,  as  representing  the 
diversity  to  be  seen  in  the  fruits  of  Roses,  for 
some  were  spiny,  some  almost  black,  others  yel- 
low, &c.  The  1st  prize  was  awarded  to  Messrs. 
George  Paul  &  Sons,  Cheshunt,  for  fruits  of 
R.  rugosa,  R.  pomifera,  R.  macrophylla,  R. 
■altaica,  Sec.  2nd,  Messrs.  F.  Cant  &  Co.,  for  a 
collection  principally  of  varieties  of  R.  rugosa  ; 
3rd,  Mr.  John  Mattock. 


tions  were  similar  in  both  classes,  with  the  ex- 
ception that  the  one  was  for  a  group  not  exceed- 
ing 100  square  feet  in  space,  and  the  other  00 
square  feet.  Six  exhibits  were  shown  in  the 
larger  class,  and  half  that  number  in  the 
smaller  one. 

Messrs.  Hobbies,  Ltd.,  Dereham,  won  in  the 
class  for  an  exhibit  on  100  square  feet,  with  a 
beautiful  display  of  popular  kinds,  arranged 
with  artistic  skill,  bowers  with  suspended  bas- 
kets of  Roses,  -very  pleasing.  2nd,  Mr.  Geo. 
Prince,  Oxford ;  3rd,  Messrs.  Gunn  &  Son, 
Olton. 

Mr.  F.  M.  Bradley,  Church  Street,  Peter- 
borough, won  the  1st  prize  in  the  smaller  class, 
with  blooms  of  best  quality,  arranged  principally 
on  single  bamboo  rods,  that  were  cut  at  inter- 
vals for  the  reception  of  one  or  more  blooms. 
We  may  enumerate  Frau  Karl  Druschki,  Caro- 
line Testout,  Comte  de  Raimbaud,  Captain 
Haywood,  and  Ben  Cant  as  being  especially  well 
shown  in  this  exhibit.  2nd,  Messrs.  W.  Spooner 
&  Son,  Woking;  3rd,  Messrs.  R.  Harkness  & 
Co.,   Hitchin. 

Amateurs'  Classes. 

The  amateur  classes  were  well  contested,  but 


! 

Riff 

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Mm 

IL. jM 

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1 

.  - 

Fig.  103. — climbing  rose  mrs.  f.  w.  flight:  flowers  bright  fink; 


Groups  of  Roses. 

Rarely  have  we  seen  better  exhibits  of  large 
groups  of  Roses  than  those  at  this  exhibition. 
Not  only  was  the  quality  good,  but  an  improve- 
ment was  noticed  in  the  manner  of  staging  the 
flowers,  and  the  group  shown  by  Messrs.  Hob- 
bies, Ltd.,  may  be  specially  mentioned  in  this 
connection. 

Only  one  exhibitor  contested  the  class  for  a 
representative  group  of  Roses  placed  on  the 
floor  in  an  area  measuring  100  square  feet,  and 
this  was  the  well-known  firm  of  Messrs.  Paul 
&  Son,  Cheshunt.  Although  they  were  without 
rivals,  no  one  could  justly  challenge  their  claim 
to  the  1st  prize,  which  included  a  Gold  Medal, 
•for  the  exhibit  was  one  of  the  highest  quality, 
and  staged  in  such  a  pleasing  manner  as  to 
•evoke  much  admiration.  Small  pails  on  dwarf 
stands  were  filled  with  choice  blooms  of  the 
best  kinds,  and  interspersed  were  Ferns  and 
other  suitable  greenery.  Mad.  J.  Dupuy  was 
charming,  and  mention  must  also  be  made  of 
the  varieties  Ben  Cant  and  Edu  Mever.  tlie 
latter  a  new  hybrid  Tea  variety.  George  Laing 
Paul,  a  new  Hybrid  Perpetual  variety  of  rose 
■colouring,  and  Perpetual  Thalia  are  also  worthy 
of  mention. 

There  were  two  other  classes  for  groups  of 
Hoses,  but  displayed  on  tabling,  and  the  condi- 


the  exhibitors  were  generally  southern  growers, 
and  the  blooms  appeared  inferior  to  the  magni- 
ficent specimens  from  Scotland  in  the  nursery- 
men's classes. 

The  best  18  blooms  of  distinct  varieties  were 
put  up  by  Rev.  J.  H.  Pemberton,  Havering 
Atte-Bower,  his  best  flowers  being  those  named 
after  Mildred  Grant,  Ben  Cant,  Mad.  Charles 
Crapelet,  and  Duchess  of  Bedford.  2nd,  Mr. 
R.  F.  Hobbs,  Thorneloe,  Worcester. 

In  the  smaller  class  for  12  blooms,  Mr.  W.  O. 
Times,  Hitchin,  was  awarded  the  1st  prize,  and 
Mr.  G.  Speight,  Market  Harboro",  the  2nd  prize. 
This  last-named  exhibitor  had  a  beautiful  bloom 
of  the  variety  C.  Lefebvre.  Twelve  exhibitors 
contested  in  this  class. 

Mr.  G.  Moules,  Bedford  Road,  Hitchin,  was 
1st  in  the  class  for  nine  blooms,  and  Mr.  W.  S. 
Chapman,  Warminster,  Wilts,  was  1st  in  the 
class  for  six  b'.ooms. 

The  best  Tea  and  Noisette  Roses  in  the  ama- 
teur section  were  shown  by  Mr.  Conway  Jones, 
Hucclecote,  Gloucester,  with  Veyral  Hermanos, 
White  Maman  Cochet,  Medea,  Comtesse  de 
Nadaillac,  Sylph,  &c.  2nd,  Mrs.  Fortescue, 
Dropmore,  Maidenhead. 

Mr.  W.  Leggett,  Colchester,  excelled  in  the 
class  for  six  varieties  of  exhibition  Roses  shown 
in  vases. 


Decorative  Classes. 

The  best  bowl  of  China  Roses  in  the  open 
classes  was  shown  by  Mr.  Geo.  Prince,  Long- 
worth,  the  variety  being  Queen  Mab,  a  charming 
flower  of  bronzy-rose  shading. 

Miss  Langton,  Raymead,  Hendon,  had  the 
best  decorated  dinner-table,  the  best  bowls  of 
cut  Roses  in  classes  27  and  28,  and  the  best 
basket  of  cut  Roses. 

Gold  Medal  Rose. 
Rose  Avoca. — A  Gold  Medal  was  awarded  this 
new  variety,  shown  by  Messrs.  Alex.  Dickson 
&  Sons,  Ltd.,  Newtownards,  Co.  Down.  It  is 
a  hybrid  perpetual  variety,  with  rich  crimson 
flowers  shaded  with  purple. 

Medal  Roses. 
Six  Medals  were  offered  for  the  best  blooms 
in  the  show,  three  for  amateur  exhibitors  and 
three  in  the  classes  for  nurserymen.  The  win. 
ners  were  as  follow: — Amateurs:  Rev.  J.  B. 
Shackle,  for  Frau  Karl  Druschki,  H.P.  ;  Mr. 
O.  G.  Orpen,  for  Bessie  Brown,  H.T.  ;  Mr.  R. 
BosWell,  for  Maman  Cochet,  T.  Nurserymen  : 
D.  &  W.  Croll,  for  John  Stuart  Mill,  H.P.  ; 
J  Cocker  &  Son,  for  La  France  de  '89,  H.T.  ; 
J.  Jefferies  &  Son,  for  Madame  Lambard,  T. 


MANCHESTER  AND  NORTH  OF 
ENGLAND  ORCHID. 

September  19. — Committee  present:  E.  Ash- 
worth,  Esq.  (Chairman)  ;  and  Messrs.  A.  War- 
burton,  R.  Ashworth,  L.  A.  Ward,  W.  Thomp- 
son, P.  Smith,  W.  Stevens,  C.  Parker,  A.  J. 
Keeling,  W.  B.  Upjohn,  J.  C.  Cowan,  F.  W. 
Ashton,  Jas.  Walmsley,  and  P.  Weathers, 
hon.  sec.  This  meeting  was  held  after  an 
interval  of  seven  weeks,  and  a  fairly  good 
display  of  plants  was  seen.  A  group  of  Orchids 
was  exhibited  by  W.  Thompson,  Esq.,  Stone 
(gr.  Mr.  Stevens),  and  the  plants  were  all  of 
Lypripediums.  Particularly  noticeable  was  a 
fine  plant  of  C.  X  Maudiae  var.  magnificum, 
bearing  five  flowers.  Other  good  plants  in  the 
group  were  C.  x  Lord  Derby  and  C.  X  Shilh- 
anum,  the  latter  well  grown  and  flowered 
(Bronze    Medal.) 

Messrs.  Moore  &  Co.,  Ltd.,  Rawdon,  near 
Leeds,  obtained  a  Silver  Medal  for  a  group  of 
miscellaneous  plants  which  included  hybrid 
Laelias,  Cypripediums,  and  forms  of  Odonto- 
glossum  in  variety.  Cypripedium  x  Leander, 
var.  magnificum,  in  this  group  was  given  an 
Award  of  Merit. 

Messrs.  Keeling  &  Sons,  Westgate  Hill, 
Bradford,  were  awarded  a  Bronze  Medal  for  a 
group,  including  plants  of  Miltonia  X  Binoti 
and  Cypripedium  X  Bella,  the  latter  a  charm- 
ing hybrid  between  C.  laevigatum  and  C.  X  vexil- 
larium,  both  of  which  obtained  Awards  of  Merit. 

G.  W.  Jessop,  Esq.,  Rawdon,  near  Leeds,  re- 
ceived an  Award  of  Merit  for  Cattleya  x  Iris, 
var.   delicata. 

A.  Warburton,  Esq.,  Haslingden  (gr.  Mr. 
Dalgleish),  exhibited  Cypripedium  X  Memnon, 
Closes  Hall  var.,  and  C.  x  Edwardii,  var. 
superbum.  An  Award  of  Merit  was  granted  to 
the  last-named  variety. 

E.  Rogerson.  Esq.,  West  Didsbury  (gr.  Mr. 
Price),  exhibited  Cypripedium  X  Rose,  a  hybrid 
between  C.  Spicerianum  and  C.  X  T.  B.  Hay- 
wood, and  to  which  an  Award  of  Merit  was 
granted. 

Mr.  W.  Bolton,  Wilderspool,  Warrington,  ob- 
tained a  First-Class  Certificate  for  Cypripedium 
x  Rachel  var.  Bertha,  a  richly-coloured  hybrid 
between  C.  Charlesworthii  and  C.  Curtisii,  un- 
doubtedly one  of  the  best  productions  yet  seen 
from  C.  Charlesworthii.     P.  W. 


BRITISH     GARDENERS'    ASSOCIATION. 

September  17. — At  the  last  meeting  of  this 
association  held  on  the  above  date,  Mr.  Chas. 
Foster  presided,  and  six  new  members  were 
elected,  bringing  the  total  up  to  1,101  since 
the  beginning.     One  candidate  was  rejected. 

On  September  18  a  meeting  was  held  at 

Newport,  Mon.,  and  was  addressed  by  the  secre- 
tary. He  pointed  out  that  almost  every  class 
of  workers  in  the  kingdom  had  been  organised, 
and  that  professional  gardeners  were  practically 
the  only  ones  who  had  not  banded  themselves 


StfPTEMBEB   28,    1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS1     CHRONICLE. 


■2  V.l 


together  for  mutual  benefit  until  the  B.G.A.  was 
founded.  Even  now  many  were  afraid  for  some 
reason  or  another  to  join  and  seemed  to  be 
under  the  impression  that  the  B.G.A.  was 
a  revolutionary  society.  It  was  nothing  of  tin- 
kind.  It  did  not  even  profess  to  be  a  trade 
union  in  the  ordinary  sense  of  the  term,  but  it 
did  hope  to  make  gardeners  see  that  they  had 
a  right  to  better  wages  and  better  treatment  thnn 
they  generally  received.  Gardening  was  a  busi- 
ness, and  not  the  luxury  that  some  people  re- 
peatedly asserted  with  parrot-like  monotony.  If 
a  luxury,  that  was  precisely  the  reason  gar- 
deners who  were  skilled  in  their  profession  should 
be  liberally,  instead  of  niggardly,  paid  for 
the  services  they  rendered.  The  B.G.A.  did  not 
in  the  least  wish  to  interfere  between  employer 
and  employe,  but  it  did  wish  the  employer  to 
recognise  that  the  gardener,  by  whose  ability 
his  gardens  were  kept  in  perfect  order,  was  a 
vastly  more  important  member  of  society  than 
the  individual  who  swept  the  streets  for  a  few 
hours  per  day,  and  was  often  paid  50  per  cent, 
more  for  his  class  of  work  than  the  gardener 
was  for  his.  It  was  pointed  out  that,  so  far  as 
gardeners  in  private  situations  were  concerned, 
it  was  a  difficult  problem  for  the  B.G.A.  to  inter- 
fere in  the  regulation  of  wages  and  hours  of 
labour.  All  that  could  be  done  was  to  advise 
every  gardener  taking  a  situation  to  have  the 
terms  of  his  employment  set  forth  in  a  business- 
like manner  in  black  and  white,  and  to  endea- 
vour to  secure  remuneration  in  accordance  with 
his  ability  and  experience.  A  good  gardener  was 
always  worth  a  good  wage,  as  he  was  a  more 
economical  manager,  and  produced  better  re- 
sults than  the  unskilled  workman.  A  very 
lively  discussion  took  place,  and  several  pre- 
sent promised  to  join  the  association,  but  no 
branch  was  formed.  The  chair  was  taken  by 
Mr.   Powell,  gardener  to  Col.   Wallis.     /.   W. 


WOOLHOPE   NATURALISTS'   FIELD 
CLUB. 

Ai»6UST  29. — At  a  meeting  of  the  Woolhope 
Naturalists'  Field  Club  on  the  above  date,  at 
Hampton  Court,  a  paper  was  read  by  Mr.  Wal- 
ter E.  Collinge,  M.Sc,  F.K.S.,  University  of 
Birmingham,  on  "Useful  and  Injurious  In- 
sects," from  which  we  make  the  following 
extracts  :  — 

Ever  since  man  cultivated  certain  plants  either 
for  purposes  of  food,  clothing,  decoration,  (cc, 
we  know  that  they  were  attacked  by  diseases, 
very  many  of  which  were  caused  by  insects.  At 
the  present  day  this  subject  is  recognised  and 
carefully  studied  by  all  thoughtful  and  far-seeing 
people  who  are  interested  in  plant  life,  but  it  is 
only  within  comparatively  recent  years  that  the 
subject  of  Economic  Entomology  has  received 
the  attention  that  so  important  a  study  demands 
and  merits.  Indeed,  we  in  this  eountry  are  far 
behind  many  others,  and  not  until  we  more  fully 
realise  that  our  field  and  garden  crops  suffer  to 
the  extent  of  from  25  to  75  per  cent,  of  their  value 
by  the  attacks  of  insects,  that  our  live  stock  are 
seriously  impaired,  that  stored  grain,  timber, 
and  other  products  of  great  commercial  import- 
ance are  seriously  injured,  and  that  we  our- 
selves are  suffering  from  diseases  disseminated 
by  insects,  will  the  subject  receive  the  thorough 
attention  it  deserves. 

In  order  to  successfully  combat  these  pests, 
it  is  necessary  that  we  should  know  something 
about  them,  their  habits,  methods  of  attack, 
where  they  live,  their  migrations,  when  they 
appear,  and  why  they  become  destructive.  With- 
out this  knowledge  it  is  almost  useless  to  expect 
any  good  results  from  the  steps  we  take  to  de- 
stroy or  hold  them  in  check.  With  a  full  know- 
ledge it  is  often  possible  to  devise  simple  means 
for  checking  them  or  stamping  them  out  almost 
entirely,  or  even  to  prevent  their  coming.  In 
almost  every  civilised  country  except  our  own 
the  subject  is  being  entered  into  with  energy 
and  enthusiasm,  with  what  results  all  who  are 
interested  in  agriculture  and  horticulture  here 
know  only  too  well.  It  is  only  by  long  and 
patient  study  that  we  can  arrive  at  proper  con- 
clusions respecting  the  value  of  those  insects 
which  are  termed  useful,  and  the  seriousness  of 
the  harm  done  by  those  termed  injurious.  It 
has  been  estimated  by  Dr.  Howard  that  of  the 
three  hundred  families  into  which  we  can  divide 
the  different  orders  of  insects,  113  are  beneficial, 
116  injurious,  and  71  both  or  undetermined. 


Insects  are  useful  as  destroyers  of  other  in- 
jurious insects  and  noxious  plants,  in  the  polli- 
nation of  plants,  in  destroying  dead  and  decom- 
posing matter ;  they  are  also  used  as  food  by 
man  and  other  mammals,  birds,  amphibians, 
and  fishes  ;  they  are  employed  in  clothing  ;  and, 
finally,  are  used  in  various  ways  in  arts  and 
commerce.  It  is  as  destroyers  of  injurious  in- 
sects that  I  wish  to  bring  before  you  their  use- 
ful side.  The  subject  of  insect  enemies 
of  insects  is  now  one  of  the  greatest  importance. 
In  the  United  States  of  America  it  has  received 
a  large  amount  of  attention ;  insectaries  have 
been  established  and  many  harmful  insects — 
particularly  Scale  insects — held  in  check  or  al- 
most eradicated. 

The  results  that  have  been  achieved  in 
America  are  little  short  of  marvellous,  and  read 
more  like  a  fairy  tale  than  the  sober  facts  of 
science.  One  by  one  the  original  home  of  dif- 
ferent injurious  insects  has  been  run  down,  and 
its  natural  insect  enemy  or  enemies  discovered. 
These  latter  have  then  been  shipped  to  Washing- 
ton, bred,  and  distributed,  with  the  result  that 
some  of  the  worst  pests  have  been  held  in  check, 
whilst  in  certain  districts  they  have  been  almost 
exterminated.  In  the  Californian  fruit-growing 
district  the  well-known  Cottony  Cushion  Scale 
(Icerya  purchasi)  has  been  held  in  check  by  a 
small  Australian  Ladybird  (Vedalia  cardinally 
Before  the  introduction  of  this  small  beetle  the 
citrus  industry  of  California  was  threatened.  In 
a  like  manner  various  aphids,  the  Black  Scale, 
Mealy  Bugs,  Red  "Spider,"  the  Tent  Caterpil- 
lar, the  Cabbage  Butterfly,  and  many  other  in- 
sect pests  have  been  attacked.  So  successful 
has  this  method  proved,  that  a  member  of  the 
Californian  Slate  I  ommission  of  Horticulture 
recently  stated  :  "  This  method  has  been  found 
so  effective  that  we  have  now  very  few  really 
troublesome  orchard  pests,  the  worst  at  the  pre- 
sent time  being  the  Codling  Moth,  and  for  this 
we  hope  to  find  a  natural  check." 

In  California  the  method  employed  has  been 
as  follows  :  An  endeavour  is  made  to  trace  back 
the  course  travelled  over  by  the  pest,  and  to 
trace  them  to  their  native  country  ;  there  the 
remedy  is  to  be  found.  Whether  this  is 
a  parasitic  or  a  predaceous  insect,  or  both,  as 
sometimes  happens,  it  is  secured,  introduced 
into  the  insectary,  and  bred  with  rare.  It  soon 
becomes  acclimatised  in  its  new  home,  and  as 
the  species  propagates  itself  it  is  sent  out  into 
those  sections  of  the  country  where  the  pest  it 
attacks  is  most  prevalent.  So  effective  has  this 
work  of  introducing  beneficial  insects  and  en- 
couraging native  parasites  been,  that  in  Cali- 
fornia it  has  been  found  possible  to  reduce  all  the 
worst  of  the  Scale  insects  and  very  many  other 
injurious  species,  so  that  they  are  no  longer  a 
source  of  serious  danger. 

Turning  next  to  a  consideration  of  those 
species  which  are  injurious,  we  may  group  them 
under  four  headings,  viz.  :  (1)  Those  that  are 
concerned  in  the  destruction  of  plant  life ;  (21 
those  that  are  concerned  in  the  destruction  of 
stored  goods  ;  (3)  those  that  are  concerned  in 
injurv  to  live  stock  ;  and  (4)  those  that  are 
concerned  in  injury  to  man. 

The  loss  that  injurious  insects  inflict  upon  our 
crops  and  forests  is  enormous.  Many  years  ago 
Dr.  Rilev  estimated  the  average  damage  to  crops 
in  the  United  States  at  nearly  £60,000,000  per 
annum.  In  this  country  it  is  no  unusual  thing  to 
find  injury  to  the  extent  of  25  to  50  per  cent,  of 
the  crop,  whilst  in  other  cases  the  loss  is  even 
more  serious.  Curtis  records  that  in  1786  the 
Turnip  crop  in  Devonshire  suffered  to  the  ex- 
tent of  £100,000  owing  to  the  injury  caused 
by  insects,  and  about  the  same  time  the  Tur- 
nip Sawfly  destroyed  thousands  of  acres  of 
Turnips  in  Norfolk.  In  1881  the  Turnip 
Flea  Beetle  did  damage  to  the  extent  of  half  a 
million  sterling  in  this  country,  and  in  1882  the 
Hop  Aphis  caused  a  loss  of  over  a  million  and  a 
half  sterling.  These  cases  might  be  multiplied 
to  almost  any  extent,  although  most  of  us  are 
aware  of  the  seriousness  of  the  situation.  With 
the  advance  that  has  been  made  in  our  know- 
ledge of  the  life  history  of  the  different  species 
and  the  improvement  in  our  methods  of  attack, 
there  is  every  reason  to  expect  that  the  farmer 
and  fruit  grower  will  suffer  less  if  he  takes  ad- 
vantage of  the  known  preventive  and  remedial 
measures. 

'  Conspicuous  among  remedial  methods  is  the 
practice  of  spraying.     It  is  no  longer  an  experi- 


ment ;  the  practice  of  thousan'ds  of  growers 
in  this  and  other  countries  has  clearly  and  con- 
clusively demonstrated  its  value,  so  that  it  is 
becoming  a  regular  part  of  the  farm  operations 
of  the  successful  farmer  and  fruit  grower.  In 
this  connection  it  is  most  important  to  remem- 
ber that  syringing  or  squirting  a  liquid  upon  a- 
tree  is  not  spraying.  The  fluid  must  be  broken 
up  into  a  fine  mist;  further,  it  must  be  "a. 
limpid  liquid  so  prepared  and  maintained  that 
it  is  free  from  all  solid  or  semi-solid  particles 
that  can  obstruct  the  easy  passage  of  the  liquid 
through  the  small  orifices  of  the  spraying  ma- 
chine. A  spray  fluid  ceases  to  be  a  spray  fluid 
the  moment  it  becomes  contaminated." 

Thanks  to  recent  experiment  and  research  it 
is  now  possible  to  destroy  by  spraying  the  eggs 
of  most  insects,  and  what  is  now  termed  winter 
spraying  will  undoubtedly  become  as  common 
a  practice  as  ploughing  or  manuring. 

The  injury  occasioned  to  man  by  insects  has 
during  the  past  few  years  received  special  atten- 
tion in  view  of  their  great  importance  as  car- 
riers of  disease.  Recent  research  has  shown  that 
such  diseases  as  typhoid  fever,  anthrax,  plague, 
cholera,  enteric  fever,  &c,  are  disseminated  by 
certain  insects,  whilst  gnats  or  mosquitos  con- 
vey from  man  to  man  the  parasites  which  give 
rise  to  such  diseases  as  malaria,  yellow  fever, 
sleeping  sickness,  filariasis,  &c. 

One  of  the  chief  agencies  in  carrying  disease- 
causing  organisms  from  infected  to  uninfected 
animals  is  the  common  House-fly,  and  it  does 
not  seem  unlikely  that  ere  long  our  Departments 
of  Public  Health  in  all  our  large  towns  and 
i  [ties  will  take  this  matter  in  hand  with  a  view 
to  preventing  the  wholesale  breeding  of  these- 
pests. 

THE     WEATHER. 


The  Following  Summary  Record  of  the 
weather  throughout  the  British  Islands,  for  the 
week  ending  September  21,  is  furnished  from  the 
Meteorological  Office: — 

GENERAL     OBSERVATIONS. 

The  weather  was  a^ain  almost  entirely  rainless,  and 
generally  very  bright,  but  a  good  deal  of  mist  or  fog  prevailed 
in  places  during  the  early  morning.  A  little  rain  occurred 
during  the  earlier  days  of  the  week  in  the  far  N.  and  N.W., 
and  slight  drizzle  at  some  eastern  and  south-eastern  stations 
on  Saturday. 

The  temperature  exceeded  the  average  except  in  England 
S.,  the  divergence  being  2°  or  more  in  many  British  districts. . 
and  more  than  3-5°  in  Ireland.  The  highest  of  the  maxima 
were  registered  on  rather  irregular  dates,  but  mostly  about 
the  middle  of  the  week  in  England  and  Scotland,  and  ox». 
Friday  in  Ireland.  In  England  S.  the  thermometer  rose  to 
76°,  and  in  most  of  the  other  districts  to  75°  or  74".  In  Scot- 
land  \V.  the  highest  was  71u.  The  lowest  of  the  minima, 
which  were  generally  recorded  early  in  the  week,  ranged 
from  34°  in  England  S.W.  (at  Llangammarch  Wells),  and 
35°  in  Scotland  E.  to  45°  in  Ireland  N.,  and  to  46°  in  the 
English  Channel.  The  lowest  gross  readings  reported  were 
28°  at  Crathes,  30°  at  Balmoral,  and  29*  at  Llangjmmarch. 
Wells. 

The  mean  temperature  of  the  sea.— The  warmth  of  the 
water  did  not,  as  a  rule,  differ  much  from  that  of  the  pre- 
ceding week  ;  at  Aberdeen,  however,  there  was  an  increase 
of  2-8°,  and  at  Eastbourne  a  decrease  of  1-1°.  The  actual 
figures  ranged  from  49-4°  at  Lerwick  and  514°  at  Wick  to 
60'6°  at  Seafield,  61*6°  at  Eastbourne,  and  61  '8°  at  Margate. 

The  rainfall.— Over  the  kingdom  generally  the  week  was 
rainless. 

The  bright  sunshine  exceeded  the  average  in  all  districts 
except  Scotland  W.  and  Ireland  N.  The  percentage  of  tbe 
possible  duration  ranged  from  75°  in  the  English  Channel, 
63*  in  England  S.W.,  62°  in  England  S.T  and  60"  in  England 
E.  to  31°  in  Scotland  W.,  and  to  29"  in  Scotland  N.  aud 
Ireland  N. 

THE  WEATHER  IN  WEST  HERTS. 

Week  emiing  September  25. 
One  very  warm  day  and  two  very  cold  nights.—^On  tbe- 
warmest  day  of  the  past  week  the  temperature  in  the  ther- 
mometer screen  rose  to  78°— making  this  the  warmest  day  as 
yet  recorded  here  during  the  present  year.  On  the  other 
hand  two  nights  proved  almost  equally  cold,  the  thermometer 
exposed  on  the  lawn  on  these  two  nights  indicating  respec- 
tively 6°  and  5°  of  frost,  both  very  low  readings  for  so  early 
in  the  autumn.  The  range  in  temperature  during  the 
week  was  very  large,  and  on  one  day  the  difference 
between  the  lowest  and  highest  readings  in  the  ther- 
mometer screen  amounted  to  as  much  as  36°,  which  has  only 
once  before  been  exceeded  here  in  September  during  the 
past  21  years.  At  2  feet  deep  the  ground  is  now  1°  warmer, 
and  at  1  foot  deep  2°  warmer,  than  is  seasonable.  No  rain 
has  fallen  for  18  days,  and  no  rain-water  at  all  has  passed 
through  either  of  the  percolation  gauges  for  three  days. 
Notwithstanding  that  one  day  proved  sunless,  the  record  of 
bright  sunshine  for  the  week  averaged  nearly  7^  boors  a 
day,  or  more  than  three  hours  a  day  longer  than  is  usual  at 
this  season.  The  atmosphere  again  continued  unusually 
calm.  The  mean  amount  of  moisture  in  the  air  at  three 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon  fell  short  of  a  seasonable  quantity 
for  that  hour  by  as  much  as  12  per  cent,  The  two  frosts 
above  referred  to  do  not  appear  to  have  done  any  injury  to 
my  single  Dahlias,  which  are  at  the  present  time  flowering 
as  freely  as  ever.     E.  M.,  Bcrkhamstcd,  September  25,  1907. 


240 


THE    GA  RDENERS     CIIR  0  NICLE. 


[September  £8,  1907. 


CATALOGUES     RECEIVED. 


MISCELLANEOUS. 
W.  Paul  &  Sons,  VValtham  Cross,  Herts. — Roses. 
R.  Wallace  &  Co.,  Kilnfield  Gardens,  Colchester— Lilies, 

Hardy  Plants  and  Bulbs. 
1  in,  .  Rivers  &  Son,  Sawbridgeworth,  Herts.— Fruit  Trees, 

Roses  and  Shrubs. 
Hugh  Low  &  Co.,  Bush  Hill  Park  Nurseries— Carnations  : 

Greenhouse,   New   Holland  and  Stove   Plants  :    Fruit 

Trees  and  Roses. 

FOREIGN. 

Chas.  Sprenger,  Naples,  Vomero,  Italy — Interesting  lists  of 
new  and  rare  plants,  including  species  hardy  at  Naples ; 
also  trees  and  shrubs. 


SCHEDULE     RECEIVED. 


The  Winter-Flowering  Carnation  Society's  third 
exhibition,  to  be  held  in  the  Royal  Botanic  Gardens,  Regent's 
Park,  London,  on  Wednesday,  December  11,  1907.  Hon. 
Secretary,  Mr.  Hayward  Mathias,  Lucerne,  Stubbington, 
Fareham,  Hants. 


to 
Lorrejpondenfa 


*  ,  *  The  Editor  will  be  glad  to  receive,  for  considera- 
tion, large  photographs  of  horticultural  subjects,  suitable 
for  forming  Supplementary  Illustrations  to  this  Journal. 


Address  :  E.  J.  We  fail  to  trace  the  address  of 
the  nursery  firm  you  mention. 

Begonia  :  F.  S.  Your  Begonias  appear  to  be 
suffering  from  the  attack  of  some  species  ot  an- 
thracnose  on  the  veins,  but  hitherto  no  fructifi- 
cation, or  certain  evidence,  can  be  discovered. 
You  might,  perhaps,  use  a  diluted  form  of  fungi- 
cide without  injury.  In  any  case  it  will  be 
advisable  to  remove  all  diseased  plants  from  the 
neighbourhood  of  the  healthy  ones. 

Book  :  T.  B.  We  have  no  knowledge  of  a  work 
such  as  you  require,  but  you  will  find  the 
subject  referred  to  in  the  larger  books  on 
gardening  practices. 

Burning  Bush  :  T.  L.,  Jr.  We  suspect  you 
mean  the  species  Dictamnus  Fraxinella. 

Carnations  Diseased  :  Miss  P.  The  plants  are 
affected  with  a  fungus  disease — Helminthos- 
porium  echinulatum.  Spray  the  plants  with 
potassium  sulphide,  and  destroy  by  burning  any 
leaves  that  show  traces  of  disease. 

Celery  Diseased  :  T.  H.  71.  Your  plant  is 
very  badly  affected  with  the  Celery  spot 
mould — Cercospora  Apii.  Dig  up  and  burn 
all  the  diseased  plants  and  spray  the  healthy 
ones  with  a  solution  of  permanganate  of 
potash,  which  may  possibly  prevent  the 
further  spread  of  the  disease. 

Chestnut  Trunk  :  /.  T.  S.  Your  Chestnut  tree 
is  now  suffering  from  the  iron  staples  driven  into 
its  trunk.  Hence  some  wound  parasite  has 
found  an  entrance,  and  produced  a  kind  of 
gummosis  of  a  harder  and  more  resinous  kind 
than  that  found  on  Plum  and  Cherry  trees.  At 
present  we  have  not  been  able  to  determine  the 
fungus,  but  efforts  are  being  made  by  cultures. 
There  is  no  hope  of  saving  the  tree,  as  the  trunk 
is  affected  ;  had  it  been  a  branch,  that  might 
have  been  lopped  off  and  the  wound  cicatrised. 

Fungus  on  Pear  Leaves  :  Pear  Leaves.  The 
leaves  are  suffering  from  an  attack  of  the  fungus 
known  as  Reestelia  cancellata,  but  at  present  in 
an  imperfect  condition.  The  disease  has  been 
known  in  this  country  for  at  least  100  years  (see 
Gardeners'  Chronicle,  L862,  p.  C89),  it  is  figured  in 
Cooke's  Pests  of  Cultivated  Plants,  p.  122,  PI,  x., 
fig.  8.  Latterly  it  has  been  suggested  that  the 
i  tospores,  or  final  spores,  are  developed  on 
Juniperus  Sabince,  and  in  that  condition  the 
fungus  is  known  as  Gymnosporangium  Sabina?. 

Gladioli:  Amateur.  When  potting  up  the  corms 
mix  a  small  quantity  of  well-decayed  cow 
manure  with  the  soil.  For  a  stimulant  during 
the  season  of  growth  dissolve  a  little  Peruvian 
Guano  in  water,  and  apply  weak  doses  twice  or 


three  times  each  week  afier  the  pots  have 
be:ome  nicely  filled  with  roots.  It  is  not 
necessary  to  choose  special  corms  for  culture  in 
pots  ;  firm,  well-ripened  corms  that  would  be 
selected  for  culture  out  of  doors  are  those 
required.  The  plants  you  mention  have  been 
obtained  at  various  times  during  the  last  few 
years  from  the  nurserymen.  The  various 
sections  of  Gladioli,  Gandavensis,  Lemoinei  and 
Nanceianus  have  been  inter-crossed  so  much 
during  recent  years  that  it  is  almost  hopeless  to 
try  to  classify  them  at  the  present  time.  You 
can  obtain  flowering  corms  capable  of  producing 
flowers  equal  to  those  you  mention  from  any 
good  nurseryman.  In  catalogues  they  are 
described  as  follows  :  Gladiolus  hybrids  or 
seedlings,  mixtures  to  colour,  pink  and  rose 
shades ;  scarlet  and  red  shades,  and  so  on ; 
Lemomei  Hybrids,  Childsii,  Canadian  Gladioli, 
&c. 

Grape  Lady  Downes  :  D.  Y.  Ii.  The  shrivelled 
appearance  is  not  due  to  a  fungus  disease  but  to 
an  insufficient  warmth  in  the  vinery  to  enable 
the  berries  to  ripen  properly.  In  the  great 
conservatory  at  Chiswick  this  Grape  always  pre- 
sented a  shrivelled  appearance,  similar  to  those 
you  send,  towards  the  close  of  the  season,  and  this 
was  due  to  planting  the  vine  on  the  colder  side 
of  the  house.  You  will  notice  the  under  portions 
of  the  berries  near  to  the  stalk  are  quite  green. 
The  variety  requires  a  long  period  to  perfectly 
ripen. 

Grapes  Turning  Black  in  the  Stalks  :  C.  G. 
The  trouble  is  due  to  shanking.  See  reply  to 
G.  H .  on  p.  224  in  the  last  issue. 

Insects  on  Pear  Leaves  :  H .  C  Smith.  The  in- 
sect known  in  France  as  "  Le  Tigre  "  is,  we 
believe,  the  Tingis  pyri.  This  insect  has  a  wide 
distribution  in  Europe,  and  is  recognised  as  a 
pest  in  Italy.  The  specimens  submitted  to  us 
are  all  effete  skins  of  the  immature  stages  and  in 
a  very  imperfect  slate  of  preservation,  but  we 
think  that  they  belong  to  the  above  named 
species.  It  belongs  to  the  family  of  plant  bugs, 
but  we  believe  that  it  has  not  been  recorded 
from  Great  Britian.  Can  you  send  us  some 
perfect  examples  of  the  insect  ? 

Names  of  Flowers,  Fruits  and  Plants. — We 
are  anxious  to  oblige  correspondents  as  far  as 
we  consistently  can,  but  they  must  bear  in 
mind  that  it  is  no  part  of  our  duty  to  our 
subscribers  to  name  either  flowers  or  fruits. 
Such  work  entails  considerable  outlay,  both  of 
time  and  money,  and  cannot  be  allowed  to  dis- 
organise the  preparations  for  the  weekly  issue,  or  to 
encroach  upon  time  required  for  the  conduct  of  the 
paper.  Correspondents  should  never  send  more 
than  six  plants  or  fruits  at  one  time  :  they  should  be 
very  careful  to  pack  and  label  them  properly,  togive 
every  information  as  to  the  county  the  fruits  are 
grown  in,  and  to  send  ripe,  or  nearly  ripe,  specimens 
which  show  the  character  of  the  variety.  By 
neglecting  these  precautions  correspondents  add 
greatly  to  our  labour,  and  run  the  risk  of 
delay  and  incorrect  determinations.  Correspondents 
not  answered  in  one  issue  are  requested  to 
be  so  good  as  to  consult  the  following  numbers. 
Fruits:  C.  W.  T.  King  Harry.— C.  G.  B. 
1,  Peach  Dymond  ;  2,  Beurre  Clairgeau. — ■/.  D. 
Irish  Peach. — G.  S.  Franklin's  Goiden  Pippin. 
— T.  II7.  C.  1,  Fondante  de  Cuerne  ;  2,  Black 
Worcester;  3,  Doyenne  Gris ;  4,  Broom  ParK  ; 

5,  White  Nonpareil. — J.  W .  S.  The  Pear  is  the 
variety  Forelle.  Apples:  1,  Irish  Peach;  2, 
Lord  Derby ;  3,  Sheep's  Nose ;  4,  Tower  of 
Glamis  ;  5,  Not  recognised  ;  6,  Ecklinville 
Seedling. — E.  L.  1,  Beurre  Sterckmans ;  2, 
William's  Bon  Chretien;  3,  Beurre  Bosc  ;  4, 
Beurre   d'Amanlis  ;    5,   Souvenir   du    Congres  ; 

6,  Bellisimer  d'Hiver. — Chewton  Hill.  1,  Pond's 
Seedling;  2,  Victoria;  3,  not  recognised;  4, 
Denniston's  Superb. — D.  IF.  Not  recognised  ; 
you  should  have  sent  two  fruits  at  least,  and  a 
shoot  with  foliage. — /.  G.  Probably  Pond's 
Seedling  ;  you  should  have  sent  some  foliage 
with  the  fruits. — .1.  /.  C.  1,  William's  Bon 
Chretien  ;  2,  Decayed  ;  3,  Marie  Louise  d'Uccle  ; 
4,  Marie  Louise  ;  5,  General  Todleben. — /.  B. 
1,    Decayed  ;    2,     Bellegarde  :    3,  Sea   Eagle ; 

4,  Barrington  ;  5,  Victoria. 

Plants:  IF.  D.  M.  Jasmmum  humile. — 
II1.  G.  Verbascum  Blattaria. — F.  T.  Bourton, 
1,  Polygonum  cuspidatum  ;  2,  P.  tomentosum  ; 
3,  Cichorium  Intybus  ;  4,  Collomia  grandiflora; 

5,  Aster  Linosyris  ;  6,  Eryngium  triparlitum. — 
f.T.  Phacelia  tanacetifolia — T.B.B.  Rham- 
nus  Alaternus. — T.  B.     The   specimen  appears 


to  be  a  species  of  Prunus,  but  do  please  send 
something  more  than  a  couple  of  shrivelled 
'  leaves.  If  there  are  no  flowers  or  fruit  a  leafy 
branch  would  help. — W.  0.  1  and  2,  Thuya 
gigantea;  3  and  4,  Picea  sitchensis  :  the  cones 
are  also  of  P.  sitchensis. — H.  Mousley.  1,  Pyrus 
Sorbus ;  2,  Phillyrea  media;  3,  Juniperus  vir- 
giniana  viridis ;  4,  Lonicera  japonica  aureo- 
reticulata. — A.  B.  Acanthopanax  spinosum 
(syn.  Aralia  pentaphylla).  —  J.H.  B.  1,  no 
flowers, probably  Lonicera  involucrata  ;  2,  Spiraea 
Douglasii;  3.  Berberis  vulgaris;  4,  Claytonia 
sibirica  ;  5,  Epilobium  augustifolium  ;  6, 
Chlorophytum  elatum  variegatuni. — H.  C. 
Statice  sinuata.— A'.  Certain  of  your  speci- 
mens are  numbered,  others  are  not.  1.  Statice 
macrophylla  ;  2,  Centranthus  rubra  ;  3,  Agros- 
temma  coronaria  ;  4,  send  wdien  in  flower.  Two 
others  that  are  unnumbered  are  Veronica  sp. 
and  Solidago  canadensis.  The  fruits  are  un- 
numbered, and  it  is  therefoie  impossible  to  deal 
with  them.  You  have  not  sent  any  letter  or 
even  initials. — H.  S.  Rubus  phcenicolasius  : 
2,  not  recognised  ;  3,  Chrysanthemum  uligino- 
sum ;  4,  Helianthus  rigidus ;  5,  Potamogeton 
natans. — IF.  A.  S.  Colutea  arborescens  : 
Bladder  Senna. — P.  T.  Empetrum  nigrum. — 
Constant  Reader.  1,  Begonia  incarnata  ;  2,  Be- 
gonia Louise  Closon  ;  3,  Begonia  Mrs.  Anna 
Low.  Florists'  varieties  of  Fuchsias  we  cannot 
name. —  V.  71/.  1,  Oncidium  caesium  ;  2,  Bras- 
sia  Lawrenceana  ;  3,   Gongora  galeata. — L.    H. 

1,  Aster  Acris  ;  1,  Chrysanthemum  uliginosum  ; 
3  and  4,  varieties  of  Aster  Amellus. — D.  1, 
Tecoma  jasminoid  :s  ;  2,  Salvia  sp.  ;  3,  Abutilon 
megapotamicum  ;  4,  Begonia  discolor  (Evans- 
iana) ;  5,  Woodwardia  radicans ;  6,  Pteris 
arguta. — A.   A.   F.     1,  Adiantum   hispidulum  ; 

2,  Adiantum  formosum. — IV.  H.  Heeria  rosea 
syn.  Heterocentron  mexicanum. 

Purple  Elder  :  R.Manson.  The  shoot  sent  seems 
to  us  quite  distinct  from  any  Elder  in  commerce. 
It  is  decidedly  ornamental  and  will,  we  think, 
be  a  valuable  acquisition  to  coloured-leaved 
shrubs. 

Rhododendrons:  Amateur.  A  mixture  of  peat, 
leaf-mould  and  sand  is  the  most  suitable  com- 
post for  your  plant.  You  can  mix  a  little  loam 
with  this,  if  you  are  sure  it  contains  no  lime. 
See  that  the  boxes  are  provided  with  holes  at 
the  base  to  allow  the  water  to  escape,  and  place 
plenty  of  crocks  or  other  drainage  material  over 
these  holes  to  keep  them  free  from  soil.  Neglect 
in  this  direction  would  soon  cause  the  soil  to  be- 
come too  wet,  and  thus  have  the  effect  of  killing 
the  roots  of  the  plant. 

Sweet  Peas  :  Amateur.  Sweet  Peas  are  scarcely 
suitable  for  cultivation  in  window-boxes  ;  as  a 
rule  these  are  shallow,  containing  no  great 
quantity  of  soil,  whereas  Sweet  Peas  are  deep- 
rooting  plants  and  gross  feeders.  Thus  the 
plant  food  contained  in  the  soil  of  the  boxes 
would  soon  be  exhausted.  It  is,  however,  pos- 
sible to  cultivate  them  successfully  in  tubs. 

Twelve  Ornamental  Foliage  Plants  for 
the  Decoration  of  a  Table  :  A.  P.  The  first 
six  might  be  as  follows: — Cocos  Weddelliana, 
Pandanus  Veitchii,  Aralia  Veitchii  gracillima, 
Codiaeum  (Croton),  a  fine  leaved  variety  such  as 
Countess,  elegantissima,  &c,  Cordyline  (Dra- 
caena), a  narrow  leaved  variety,  and  Phoenix 
Rcebelinii.  To  complete  the  dozen  you  might 
select,  Geonoma  gracilis,  a  Codiasum,  Cordyline, 
Grevillea  robusta,  a  choice  Fern,  and  Kentia 
Fosteriana. 

Twin  Apples  :  W .  B.  These  are  not  uncommon  ; 
we  frequently  receive  specimens  during  the  fruit 
season.  The  abnormality  is  the  result  of  a  fusion 
of  two  flowers.  An  illustration  of  ,i  "  double 
Apple"  is  given  in  the  Gardeners'  Chronicle, 
October  20,  1855,  p.  G92. 

Vine  Leaves  :  F.  S.  There  is  no  disease  of  the 
leaves  or  berries.  Some  external  circumstances 
have  caused  the  leaves  to  turn  brown  and  fall 
away. 

Communications  Received.— C.  J  —Bees  (see  p.  x.I  — F.  B. 
—A.  S".— J.  S.  S.— Daisy— F.  S.— Agriculturist— J.  I '.— 
H.  B.— G.  R.— J.  H.,Trinidad-C.T.  D.— W.  S.— H.W.W. 
— L.  B.  &  Co.— F.  P.— L.  G.— B.  L.— C.  J.  C-  G.  P.  S.— 
W.  A.  C— S.  C— H.  C.  P.  -Zebra-M.  Linden— F.  W.  C. 
— F.  C— R.  S.— YV.  T.-W.  J.  W.— E.  M.— L.  G.— 
W.  B.  H.— H.  W.  W. 

For  Market  Reports  see  page  x 


October  5,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


Ml 


THE 


(&mbmtxB  €bxanidt 


No.  7ASI— SATURDAY,  October  5,  7907. 


CONTENTS. 


Alpine  garden  — 
Anthem  is        Bierber- 
steiniana 

Broadway,  Mr.  W.  E.... 

Bulb  trade  in  Japan     ... 

Bulbs,  purchasing 

Cupressus  lusitania 

Debating  societies   and 
iheK.H.S 

Fernery,  the — 
Some      Polypodiums 
in  Trinidad. 

Florists'  flowers- 
Carnations,      tree      01 
winter  flowering    ... 
Peonies    in    Amei  i'  a 

Forde  Abbey,  Chard    ... 

Forestry — 

Heredity  and  forestry 
Forestry   in    Scotland 

Fruit,  the  gathering  and 
storing  of       

■Gooseberry-mildew,  the 
American 

Herbaceous  Spirasas  ... 

Hesperis  matronalis  as 
a  garden  plant 

Hippeastrums  in   Ame- 
rica         

Horticultural  returns  ... 

Hydrangea  Hoitensia  in 
tubs        


252 


251 

25 1 
245 

242 
250 


In    I.. i  mpferi,  the  culti- 
vation of  

Laelio-i  attlej  a 

Lychnis,  large  B 
nudicaule 

Pineapples    injured   by 
butti  rflies       

P]  ml    notes — 

Combretum     purpur- 

-  urn 

Rainfall,     deficient,    in 

Kent       

Rubus  bambusarum    ... 
Se  i  ide  planting 
Semele  au<h  i  igyna 
S<  "lrties— 

igbam  and  Mid- 
land *  ounties  Gar- 
deners'   

National   Chrysanthe- 
mum   

Royal  Horticultural... 
Trees  and  Shrubs- 
Magnolia  hypoleuca... 
Trees,  the  defoliation  of 
Week's  work,  the — 

Flower  garden,  the  ... 

Fruits  under  glass    ... 

Hardy  fruit  garden  ... 

Kitchen  garden,  the  ... 

Orchid  houses,  the  ... 

Parks  and  gardens    ... 

Plants  under  glass    ... 


2.r.0 
249 
243 

250 


246 

252 
251 
242 
244 


255 
252 

254 
248 

247 
246 
246 
■J  17 
247 
246 
247 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Forde  Abbey,  Chard     

Laslio-Cattle'ya  elegans  (Supplementary  Illustration) 
Lilium  longiflorum  giganteum,  a  field  of,  in  Japan 

Lychnis  Haageana,  an  improved  form  of 

Rubus  bambusarum      

Semele  (Ruscus)  amlrogyna  in  flower 


245 

251 

244 


HIPPEASTRUMS    IN    AMERICA, 

THE  articles  and  illustrations  of  various 
•Hippeastrums  (Amaryllis)  which  ap- 
peared in  the  last  volume  of  the  Gar- 
deners' Chronicle  have  kindled  a  new  en- 
thusiasm for,  and  a  new  interest  in  these  beau- 
tiful plants  in  every  lover  of  refined  and  noble 
flowers.  I  have  grown  and  hybridized  Hip- 
peastrums for  nearly  thirty  years,  and  it  gives 
me  pleasure  to  see  that  the  old  species,  such 
as  Hippeastrum  pardinum,  H.  reticulatum, 
and  their  hvbrids  again  come  to  the  front. 
Dr.  Bonavia's  "  Queen  of  Spots,"  a  hybrid 
of  H.  pardinum,  and  Mrs.  Carl  Jay's 
hybrid  of  II.  reticulatum,  var.  striatifolium, 
bearing  her  name,  which  were  finely  illus- 
trated in  these  pages,  remind  me  of  the  work 
that  was  done  in  this  country  in  years  gone 
by,  and  of  the  men  who  did  that  work.  Dur- 
ing the  earlv  part  of  the  nineties  in  the  last 
century  Air.  Henry  Pfister,  for  many  years 
the  able  and  enthusiastic  gardener  at  the 
Executive  Mansion  at  Washington,  D.C.  (now 
again  known  as  the  White  House),  obtained 
great  success  not  only  in  the  hybridization 
of  large  and  gorgeous  show   Hippeastrums, 


but  also  in  crossing  the  different  species  with 
choice  hybrids.  Various  crosses  between 
Messrs.  Williams'  fine  Hippeastrum  Dr. 
Masters  (itself  a  hybrid  of  H.  pardinum)  and 
II.  pardinum— the  latter  the  pollen  plants- 
resulted  in  a  number  of  exquisitely  spotted 
varieties,  varying  from  a  light  to  deep  shade 
of  red,  all  heavily  spotted  with  deeper  red. 
He  selected  the  three  finest,  and  named  them 
Ruth,  Esther,  and  Marion,  after  President 
Cleveland's  daughters.  The  bulbs  flowered 
when  very  small,  and  before  they  were  quite 
two  years  old.  These  hybrids,  however, 
w.re  very  delicate,  and  I  lost  mine  during 
an  exceptional^  cold  winter.  They  multi- 
plied rapidly  by  offsets.  The  pollen  of  the 
variety  Dr.  Masters  was  also  used  on  II.  par- 
dinum, but  thi'  flowers,  though  beautifully 
coloured,  were  defective  in  form,  and  were 
destroyed  bj  then  raiser.  Another  cross  be- 
ii  II.  psittacinum  and  one  of  Messrs. 
Witt  h's  shnu  Hippeastrums  result i  d  in  a  very 
beautifullj  deep-pink  hybrid,  without  lines  or 
's  of  white  or  deeper  red  veinings.  I  In- 
interior  of  tin-  tube  was  green.  Mr.  Pfister 
was,  perhaps,  the  first  who  grew  and 
hybridized  Hippeastrums  on  a  large  scale  in 
this  country.  Shortly  after  he  had  been 
appointed  b)  President  Hayes,  in  1N77,  he 
ordered  a  collection  of  the  inn  it  \  11 
from  Louis  van  Houtte,  from  van  Eeden, 
and  from  Baelens,  at  that  time  tin  leading 
Hippeastrum  specialists.  In  later  years 
Messis.  Veitch,  Williams,  and  Haage  and 
Schmidt,  supplied  him  with  new  kinds. 

Mr.  \Y.  Otto  Gronen,  of  the  Rock  Island 
Arsenal,  Rink  Island,  III.,  worked  in  a  some- 
what similar  manner,  but  with  less  material, 
although  his  collection  was  extensive.  He 
used  particularly  Hippeastrum  psittacinum 
major,  not  in  itself  a  very  showy  kind,  as  a 
seed-bearer,  and  it  proved  exceedingly  pro- 
ductive in  beautifully-coloured  hybrids.  We 
all  known  that  de  Graaf's  "  Empress  of  In- 
dia," one  of  the  parents  of  our  present  show 
Hippeastrums,  was  raised  from  a  cross  be- 
tween H.  psittacinum  and  H.  "  Gravinae." 
Mr.  Gronen  crossed  it  with  Ycitch's  "  Bril- 
liant," and  obtained  a  number  of  magnifi- 
cently coloured  hybrids.  The  three  finest  and 
most  characteristic  he  named  Koh-i-noor, 
Madame  Modjeska,  and  Barbara  Pomfret. 
These  Hippeastrums  were  short-tubed,  they 
had  broad,  well-rounded  segments,  and  were 
of  a  great  substance;  in  regard  to  colour- 
combination  they  were  the  most  exquisib  1 
have  seen.  They  were  perfect  in  form,  but 
their  flowers  were  small,  being  only  6  in 
in  diameter.  Koh-i-noor  had  a  glowing  scar- 
let centre,  a  small,  greenish-white  star  in 
the  tube,  and  the  segments  were  broadly 
tipped  creamy-yellow.  Madame  Modji  »ka 
had  a  deep  crimson  ground-colour,  a  small, 
greenish  eyi  ,  and  the  segments  were  broadly 
tipped  and  edged  with  almost  pure  white, 
heavily  spotted  with  crimson.  The  third 
hybrid  was  similar,  but  the  red  was  very 
light,  with  no  green  in  the  tube,  and  the  seg- 
ments were  narrowly  tipped  with  creamy- 
white.  The  constitution  of  all  of  them  was 
rather  weak,  and  I  scarcely  believe  that  they 
are  still  in  cultivation.  It  would  be  interesting 
if  these  experiments  could  be  repeated.  H. 
psittacinum  major  can  be  easily  obtained, 
and  I  think  that  Brilliant  is  also  still  in  cul- 
tivation  in   England. 


Mr.  P.  H.  Oberwettcr,  of  Austin,  Texas, 
also  used  H.  psittacinum  major  as  a  seetl- 
bearer  with  grand  results,  but  he  used,  in 
addition,  van  Eeden 's  Fidelio  and  Count 
Cavour,  and  particularly  Johnsonii.  The 
hybrids  between  the  two  first  were  very  fine 
ami  of  good  form,  but  all  showed  too  much 
j ;i  -  n.  The  hybrids  between  H.  psittacinum 
and  Johnsonii,  and  vice  versa,  were  all  good 
at  thai  time,  but  to-day  they  would  scarcely 
be  noticed.  Mr.  Oberwettcr  succeeded  also  in 
rig  large  numbers  of  hybrids  of  the 
smaller  Hippeastrums  of  the  Habranthus 
section,  with  very  line  flowers,  blooming  at 
a  time  when  other  flowers  are  scarce— in 
October  and  November.  In  these  experi- 
ments he  used  the  following  species  : — H. 
advenum,  II.  roseum,  II.  brachyandrum,  II. 
[Mai.  use,  and  several  others.  The  experi- 
ments proved  very  successful,  and  he  ob- 
tained large  numbers  of  fine  hybrids  rang- 
ing from  almost  pure  white,  creamy-yellow, 
and  a  delicate  pink  to  deep  orange  and 
bright  scarlet.  The  leading  breeders  of  Hip- 
peastrums in  this  country  at  the  present 
time  are  English  and  Scotch  gardeners, 
and  their  productions  rival  the  very  best 
European    kinds.       Mr.    Kenneth    Fin! 

iener  to  Dr.  G.   C.   Weld,  of   Brooklyn, 
Mass.);  Mr.   E.  O.  Orpet,    Lancaster,   Mass.; 

and  Mr.  T.  D.  Hatfield  (gardener  to  Mr. 
Walter  Ilunnewell,  Wellesley,  Mass.), 
have  achieved  gnat  mh  i  i  ss.  .\  very  beau- 
tiful strain  of  exquisitely-coloured  Hippeas- 
trum originated  with  Mr.  Byrnes,  the  able 
gardener  to  the  U.S.  Department  oi  Agricul- 
ture,  Washington. 

In  recent  years  Mr.  Luther  Burbank,  of 
Santa  Rosa,  Cal.,  has  produced  a  strain  of 
cross-bred  varieties  which  are  said  to  out- 
rival all  others  in  size  and  colour-combina- 
tion. I  have  only  lately  obtained  a  collection 
of  these,  and,  as  they  have  not  yet  flowered, 
I  am  unable  to  express  an  opinion  upon 
them. 

During  the  last  15  years  I  have  raised 
many  thousands  of  cross-bred  varieties  from 
collections  received  from  the  late  B.  S.  Wil- 
liams, from  James  Yeiich  and  Sons,  De 
Graaf  Bros.,  Mr.  Kenneth  Finlayson,  and 
particularly  from  Mr.  James  Douglas.  Mr. 
James  Douglas's  writing  on  this  subject  in 
the  Gardeners'  Chronicle  and  other  English 
horticultural  journals  gave  me  my  first  start, 
and  his  letters  still  more  encouraged   me. 

All  my  Hippeastrums  are  grown  in  the 
iir.  They  grow  will  in  the  sandy  soil 
when  liberally  supplied  with  a  commercial  fer- 
tiliser, but  they  ilo  I, est  in  moist  situations 
along  our  lakes.  Most  of  them  are  ever- 
green, and  our  frosts — the  thermometer 
sometimes  falls  to  1S0  F. — never  have  hurt 
them  in  the  least.  During  their  flowering 
period,  from  late  in  March  to  the  beginning 
of  May,  when  thousands  of  spikes  appear, 
tin-   sight   is  exceedingly   gorgeous. 

I  have  only  taken  up  the  hybridization  of 
the  different  species  within  recent  years,  and 
have  as  vet  obtained  but  a  very  limited 
collection. 

Hippeastrum  equestre  is  the  most  common 
Amaryllis  of  our  gardens,  being  even 
found  in  large  clumps  around  old,  deserted 
homes  in  the  woods.  During  April  all  the 
gardens  are  gorgeous  with  the  huge  masses 
of     flowers.      The    clumps    often    consist    of 


242 


THE     GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


[October  5,  1907. 


from  30  to  50  bulbs,  and  very  frequently  50 
to  100  flower  spikes  appear  at  the  same  time 
from  one  cluster  of  bulbs.  The  colour  is  a 
dazzling  light  orange-red,  with  a  yellowish- 
white  star  in  the  tube.  I  never  have  seen 
more  than  two  flowers  on  a  scape.  A  row 
of  big  clumps  in  my  garden  is  30  yards 
long,  and,  when  in  flower,  it  forms  a  grand 
mass  of  dazzling  colour.  This  Amaryllis 
thrives  in  the  driest  and  poorest  sandy  soil. 
It  is  very  much  used  in  the  decoration  of 
cemeteries  and  for  planting  along  borders  of 
the  sub-tropical  shrubbery.  Though  rarely 
bearing  seed,  even  if  hand-fertilised,  it  can 
be  easily  used  in  crossing  other  showy  kinds. 
I  have  raised  very  beautiful  hybrids  of  a 
glowing  light  orange-scarlet  from  such  kinds 
as  Empress  of  India,  fertilised  with  the  pol- 
len of  H.  equestre.  Our  Florida  plant 
appears  to  be- the  variety  H.  equestre  major. 
HirPEASTRUM  REGiNiE  does  not  grow  as 
luxuriantly  and  easily  as  the  former,  requir- 
ing much  better  and  moister  soil.  I  have 
used  it  in  crossing  H.  vittatum,  and  vice 
versa,  in  the  hope  of  obtaining  a  hybrid 
similar  to  A.  Johnsoni,  which  is  one  of  the 
most  common  Amaryllises  in  the  gardens 
along  the  Gulf  Coast  and  South  Atlantic  as 
far  north  as  Norfolk,  Va.  All  the  hybrids  I 
obtained  were  greatly  inferior  to,  and  very 
distinct  from,  Johnsoni.  This  leads  me  to  the 
belief  that  our  present  Johnsoni  is  probably 
not  identical  with  the  one  raised  about  a 
hundred  years  ago  by  the  watchmaker  John- 
son. However  this  may  be,  Johnsoni  will 
always  be  one  of  our  most  beautiful  garden 
plants  of  the  Gulf  region.  The  gardens  of 
Mobile,  New  Orleans,  Houston  (Texas),  and 
many  others,  are  replete  with  big  clumps 
of  this  Amaryllis,  and,  when  in  flower,  the 
aromatic  and  delicious'  perfume  exhaled  by 
the  masses  of  flowers  forms  a  characteristic 
feature  of  this  southland.  In  Florida  it  does 
not  grow  quite  as  well,  requiring  a  richer 
and  somewhat  heavier  soil.  H.  Neyrling, 
Florida. 

(To  be  continued.) 


FORESTRY. 


HEREDITY  AND  FORESTRY. 
Accordino  to  the  North  British  Agriculturist 
of  July  18th,  Dr.  Somerville  discussed  this  sub- 
ject in  a  paper  read  at  a  meeting  held  in  con- 
nection with  forestry  at  the  late  "  Highland  " 
show,  and  if  Dr.  Somerville  has  been  correctly 
reported,  his  conclusions  seem  to  come  in  con- 
flict with  the  science  and  practice  of  forestry  as 
hitherto  understood. 

HEREDITY   AND   FORESTRY. 

"  Dr.  Somerville  referred  to  experiments  that  had  been 
conducted  in  Switzerland  and  Australia  on  behalf  of  the 
Departments  of  Forestry  of  the  respective  countries,  and 
dealt  with  the  results  in  connection  with  Spruce,  Larch,  and 
Sycamore,  three  trees  well  known  in  this  country  and 
widely  distributed  throughout  Europe.  He  discussed  the 
difference  in  size  of  seed  and  in  the  percentage  germination 
of  trees  at  high  and  low  elevations,  and  said  the  reduction 
in  stature  of  trees  as  a  greater  height  above  sea  level  was 
reached  was  a  character  that  was  inherited -it  was  trans- 
mitted to  progeny.  It  would  be  most  unsafe  to  apply 
Australian  and  Swiss  results  to  the  conditions  prevailing  in 
Scotland,  but  in  the  countries  referred  to  there  was  no 
doubt  that  where  plantations  of  Spruce  and  Larch  were 
being  formed  at  low  or  moderate  altitudes  care  should  be 
taken  to  secure  seed  from  similar  localities.  For  use  at 
high  altitudes  seed  from  high  altitudes  must  be  obtained, 
and  it  seemed  to  be  not  unlikely  that  in  Scotland  they  might 
cultivate  woods  at  greater  heights  than  they  did  if  they  made 
a  point  of  securing  high-grown  coniferous  seeds  for  the 
purpose." 

If  I  understand  this  paragraph  correctly,  it 
means  that,  if  you  plant  on  low  lands  Scotch 
Kir  or  Larch,  for  example,  that  have  been  raised 
from  seed  produced  at  high  elevations,  they  will 


have  inherited  a  stature  according  to  the  eleva- 
tion, and  will  not  produce  tall  timber  trees,  no 
matter  how  favourable  the  conditions  may  be 
to  height-growth,  and  that  trees  from  lowland 
seed  will  grow  tall  at  high  elevations  having 
inherited  that  quality. 

I  have  not  heard  of  the  experiments  referred 
to  by  Dr.  Somerville,  but  the  theory  is  certainly 
new,  and,  if  it  is  true,  I  should  think  that  the 
fewer  the  trees  that  are  planted  that  have  in- 
herited a  high  elevation  habit  the  better.  It  is 
not  trees  of  short  stature  timber-growers  want, 
at  high  or  low  elevations,  but  tall  trees  of  good, 
measureable   dimensions. 

It  appears  to  me  that  if  we  only  get  more 
stunted  trees  through  the  combined  influences 
of  heredity  and  elevation,  the  less  we  ascend 
the  better.  We  don't  want  short  trees,  and  it 
is  known  nowadays  that  the  higher  up  we  plant, 
the  shorter  the  trees  become,  and  the  less  valu- 
able the  crop,  no  matter  where  the  trees  or 
seeds  come  from.  I  believe  in  weak  and 
vigorous  constitutions  in  trees,  from  the  seed 
stage  upwards,  and  that  very  much  may  be  done 
in  growing  timber  crops  by  selecting  the 
strongest  which  keep  the  lead  through  life,  but 
that  you  may  convert  giants  into  dwarfs  and 
establish  heredity  according  to  the  altitude  at 
which  you  plant,  one  can  hardly  believe. 

I  have  seen  such  planting  at  high  and  low 
elevations,  and  it  has  always  been  a  puzzle 
to  me  why  foresters  have  planted  so  high  up  on 
steep  mountain  sides  when  they  could  just  as 
easily  have  utilised  the  lower  reaches  of  the 
same  waste  land,  where  double  or  treble  the 
weight  of  timber  could  have  been  got  per  acre 
in  the  same  time. 

"  Height-growth "  is  what  Continental 
foresters  try  to  secure  by  every  means,  knowing 
that  height-growth  means  also  girth  and  bulk 
under  proper  conditions  of  culture.  Stunted 
growth  should  never  be  encouraged  in  any  form, 
because  it  means  loss,  but  Dr.  Somerville's 
heredity  theory  tends  that  way. 

If  the  heredity  principle  holds  good,  one  would 
think  that  it  would  do  so  in  Larch  from  the 
high  Alps.  According  to  Schlich  and  others, 
this  tree  is  generally  found  from  3,000  feet  alti- 
tude up  to  7,000  feet,  the  limit  of  tree  growth, 
but  the  Larch  raised  from  such  seed  and  planted 
in  Britain  and  elsewhere  has  produced  trees  of 
a  height  and  bulk  that  surpasses  anything  known 
in  the  Alps. 

It  would  seem  also  that  the  Japanese  Larch 
does  not  support  the  heredity  theory. 

I  lately  saw  at  Novar  the  Japanese  Larch 
leaving  the  common  Larch  quite  behind  ;  and 
at  Holme  Hall,  York,  6-inch  untransplanted 
seedlings,  dibbled  in  in  1905,  are,  many  of  them, 
now  approaching  7  feet,  and  are  branched  in 
proportion.  They  were  about  6  feet  4  inches  six 
weeks  ago,  and  will  grow  until  the  end  of 
October. 

If  only  planters  would  realise  the  advantage 
of  planting  small  seedlings  instead  of  trans- 
plants, 4  and  5  years  old  and  more,  and  keep 
rough  grass  and  bracken  down  for  two  or  three 
years,  they  might  reduce  the  cost  of  planting 
50  per  cent.     /.  Simpson. 


SEASIDE     PLANTING. 

There  are  many  species  suitable  for  growing 
in  exposed  positions,  and  near  to  the  sea  ;  but 
in  almost  all  ses  the  plants  should  be 
thoroughly  hardened  and  transplanted  annually 
before  being  placed  in  their  permanent  quarters. 
The  more  exposed  the  position,  the  more  neces- 
sary is  it  to  carefully  prepare  the  soil  before 
planting.  Dig,  trench,  or  plough  the  soil  as 
may  be  most  convenient,  but  cultivate  it  so  that 
the    plants    may    have    a    favourable    rooting- 


medium.  This  tilling  is  best  done  early  in  the 
autumn,  and  if  a  month  or  two  elapses  before 
planting,  so  much  the  better.  The  land  should 
be  harrowed  or  hoed  to  destroy  any  weeds. 
Hares  and  rabbits  are  very  destructive  creatures, 
and  a  fence  of  wire-netting  of  a  suitable  height 
must  be  placed  in  position  before  planting.  In 
making  a  fence  of  wire-netting,  plough  around 
the  piece  of  land,  and  turn  the  turf  or  soil,  as 
the  case  may  be,  outward  ;  drive  down  the  neces- 
sary stakes  equidistant  in  the  furrow,  and  lay 
the  lower  edge  of  the  netting  flat  for  5  inches  ; 
thus,  when  it  is  stapled  to  the  stakes  and  the 
"  ream  "  is  turned  back  into  the  furrow,  we  have 
not  only  the  netting  4  inches  below  the  surface, 
but  also  5  inches  at  right  angles  from  the  up- 
right netting.  When  a  rabbit  digs  close  to  the 
foot  of  the  visible  netting,  it  encounters  the  out- 
turned  wire :  the  animal  rarely  commences  to 
dig  at  a  greater  distance  than  5  or  6  inches  from 
the  netting. 

In  Cornwall  during  the  past  few  years  a  con- 
siderable amount  of  planting  has  been  done 
along  the  coast  by  nurserymen  and  by  private- 
persons.  1  have  made  notes  of  those  subjects 
which  have  succeeded  best,  and  these  are  given 
below.  It  must  be  remembered  that  not  all  those 
I  enumerate  are  hardy  in  the  Midlands  and  more 
northern  localities:  — 

The  Tamarisk  (Tamarix  anglica). — This  is  a 
well-known  seaside  shrub,  and  it  will  flourish 
even  in  spots  where  the  waves  reach  it ;  the 
plant  is  not  affected  by  cold,  rough  winds.  The 
shrub  should  be  pruned  in  the  springtime  to 
induce  a  bushy  growth,  for  when  the  plants  are 
dense  they  form  a  good  wind-break.  The  long, 
straight  shoots  form  suitable  stakes  for  garden 
and  greenhouse  plants. 

Veronica  Andersonii  and  its  variegated 
variety  are  excellent  subjects  for  seaside  plant- 
ing, and  quickly  attain  a  good  size. 

Olearia  Haastii  and  O.  macrodonta  may  be 
planted  in  the  most  exposed  positions.  These 
shrubs  are  handsome,  especially  when  in  bloom. 

The  Sea  Buckthorn  (Ilippophae  rhamnoides) 
withstands  the  rough  winds  and  the  salt  spray 
well,  but  if  it  is  required  as  an  effective  wind- 
break it  requires   to  be  planted   thickly. 

Amongst  Conifers  suitable  for  coast  planting 
is  Pinus  insignis  radiala.  At  first  the  foliage 
appears  very  yellow,  but  later  it  prospers  beyond 
expectation  If  it  proves  to  be  capable  of  with- 
standing the  wind  when  20  years  planted  as 
well  as  it  does  in  a  young  state,  it  should  afford 
one  of  the  best  of  wind-breaks.  P.  contorta,  P. 
Laricio,  P.  Pinaster,  and  P.  montana  are  also 
grown  in  such  positions. 

Escallonia  macrantha  and  E.  rubra  are  both 
planted  extensively.  As  single  specimens,  and 
when  they  are  formed  in  rows,  either  quite 
close  to  the  sea  or  as  shelter  belts  inland, 
they  form  grand  wind-breaks.  They  make 
dense  masses  of  growth  if  they  are  pruned 
hard  every  year.  These  two  species  are,  per- 
haps, the  most  extensively  planted  along  this 
coast.  I  recently  saw  a  hedge  of  Escallonia 
growing  quite  close  to  the  water's  edge. 

The  Pampas  Grass  (Oynerium  argenteum)  is 
also  adaptable  for  exposed  situations,  and  others 
are  Euonymus  in  variety,  Griselinia  littoralis, 
Cytisus  scoparius,  Buddleia  globosa,  Choisya 
ternata,  Cupressus  macrocarpa,  Ligustrum  vul- 
gare,  Laurus  nobilis,  Phillyrea  intermedia, 
Osmanthus  ilicifolius,  Leycesteria  formosa,  and 
Atriplex.  This  list  includes  the  principal  genera 
and  species  used,  but  it  does  not  exhaust  the 
number. 

Dwarf,  short-jointed  plants  that  have  been 
well  hardened  in  the  nursery  should  be  chosen, 
and  if  they  are  about  1  foot  in  height  they  are 
better  than  larger  ones.  It  is  much  better  to 
plant  a  wide  belt  than  a  narrow  one.  Ti.  \V ., 
Trtvince. 


October  5,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


243 


LYCHNIS. 

At  fig.  104  is  reproduced  a  drawing  bv  Mr. 
Worthington  G.  Smith  of  a  Lychnis  exhibited 
by  Mr.  Amos  Perry  at  a  meeting  of  the  Royal 
horticultural  Society  on  September  3  last,  when 
it  obtained  an  Award  of  Merit.  Mr.  Perry  in- 
formed us  that  several  sorts  of  Lychnis  then  ex- 
hibited were  original  introductions  from  Thibet, 
and  when  first  shown  they  were  all  described  as 
L.  grandiflora.     Two  or  three  sorts  were  of  the 


true  L.  grandiflora,  Jacq.   1786,  or  L.  coronata, 
Humb.  1784  (see  Botanical  Magazine,  t.  223). 

On  submitting  specimens  of  the  hairy  plants 
to  Kew,  we  are  informed  by  the  Director  that 
it  is  a  form  of  "  L.  Haageana,  Lem.,  which  is 
said  to  be  a  hybrid  between  L.  fulgens  (Botani- 
cal Magazine,  t.  2104)  and  L.  Sieboldii,  but  is  all 
but  indistinguishable  from  the  wild  L.  cognata 
max.  of  Manchuria.  It  is  certainly  not  typical 
fulgens." 


3  inches  in  diameter,  being  circular  and  almost 
regular  in  outline.  The  colour  of  the  variety 
figured  was  rich  rosy-crimson  ;  but  this  is  evi- 
dently a  variable  character. 


HERBACEOUS    SPIRAEAS. 

The  herbaceous  species  of  Spiraea  have  not 
been  planted  so  freely  in  gardens  as  their  merits 
deserve. 


Fig.  104. — mr.  perry's  form  of  lychnis  haage 


ANA,    WHICH    RECEIVED    AN    AWARD    OF    MERIT    ON    SEPTEMBER    3 
UNDER    THE    NAME    OF    L.    GRANDIFLORA. 


type  now  shown  in  the  illustration,  being  very 
hairy,  and  differing  from  each  other  chiefly  in 
the  colour  of  the  flowers.  One  form,  however, 
■was  perfectly  glabrous,  being  similar  to  the 
specimen  figured  in  our  issue  for  September  7, 
p.   189.     The  glabrous   form  appears   to  be  the 


Though  the  plant  may  be  equivalent  to  L. 
Haageana  in  its  botanical  characters,  it  appears, 
nevertheless,  to  be  distinct  in  the  size  and  colour 
of  the  flowers  from  L.  Haageana  as  generally 
cultivated  in  this  country.  The  plants  grow  to  a 
height  of  about  2  feet,  and  the  flowers  are  nearly 


The  planting  of  water-gardens  on  natural  prin- 
ciples has  brought  many  robust  species  into 
cultivation,  but  there  are  many  other  equally 
good  garden  species  suitable  for  planting  in  the 
herbaceous  border. 

The  chief  cultural  requirement  of  all  Spiraeas 


24i 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[October  5,  1907. 


is  a  rich  soil  of  deep  tilth,  and  given  this,  all 
the  species,  including  those  used  as  waterside 
plants,  can  be  planted  amongst  trees,  shrubs,  or 
flowering  plants  in  any  part  of  the  garden. 
Their  foliage  is  decorative,  and  in  the  springtime 
may  be  said  to  rival  that  of  many  Ferns  in  their 
delcate  lobing  and  in  the  softer  shades  of  green, 
whilst  in  the  autumn  season  their  leaf-colouring 
— principally  shades  of  yellow  and  bronze — is 
very  beautiful.  Their  inflorescences  are  ele- 
gant in  habit,  and  vary  from  the  flattened, 
"  heads  "  of  the  dwarf  S.  digitata  to  the  large, 
foamy  "plumes"  on  flower-stems  2  yards  long 
of  the  giant  S.  camtschatica. 

Many  plant  borders  would  be  enhanced  by 
the  addition  of  a  few  plants  of  Spiraeas  ;  they 
lend  lightness  and  elegance  to  heavy  colour 
masses,  and  they  give  a  touch  of  informality 
amongst  stiff-growing  subjects.  Recent  intro- 
ductions, mainly  forms  of  S.  palmata,  S.  lobata, 
and  S.  camtschatica  have  so  far  improved  this 
genus  from  a  garden  point  of  view,  that  it  is 
now  difficult  to  imagine  from  what  quarter  theii 
further  improvement  can  be  anticipated. 

All  the  Spiraeas  can  be  readily  increased  by 
division  of  the  root-stock  in  winter.  A  few 
species  produce  seeds  freely,  and  by  means  of 
seedlings  still  greater  variation  in  the  plants  is 
possible.  Three  or  four  small-habited  species — 
S.  decumbens,  S.  digitata,  S.  pectinata,  and 
S.  filipendula  are  pretty  rock-plants  that  grace 
any  position  that  may  be  assigned  to  them,  and 
they  are  exceptionally  valuable  in  that  they 
flower  when  the  bulk  of  true  Alpine  flowers  are 
over.  In  a  poor,  hungry  soil  Spiraeas  will  not 
grow  well :  improve  the  staple,  and  the  plants 
will  thrive  as  long  as  the  improved  condition 
may  last.  An  annual  mulching  of  the  site  will 
keep  the  plants  thriving  indefinitely,  but  there 
must  be  no  relaxation  of  cultural  aid.  The  only 
species  capable  of  growing  anywhere  is  S.  fili- 
pendula. This  species  forms  huge  mats  of  its 
tubercled  roots,  square  poles  in  extent,  on  some 
limestone  hills,  and  it  manages  to  live  where 
the  majority  of  plants  literally  starve.  Such 
plants  are  practically  flowerless,  however,  for 
only   well-developed   specimens   flower   freely. 

S.  aruncus. — This  is  the  common  Goat's 
Beard,  and  is  a  plant  that  lends  itself 
for  effective  grouping  in  the  wild-garden, 
by  the  water-side,  in  clearings,  among  shrubs, 
&c.  It  is  one  of  the  few  plants  that 
can  be  planted  anywhere  in  the  garden 
without  fear  of  failure.  I  have  seen  splendid 
specimens  in  various  parts  of  Britain  worthy  of 
all  praise,  but  the  best  plants  I  know  are  grow- 
ing in  a  garden  at  the  foot  of  a  chalk  cliff  on  the 
banks  of  the  River  Thames  by  Henley.  There 
were  24  strong  clumps  in  the  group,  and  one 
felt  astonished  at  the  stately  grandeur  the  plantr 
presented. 

S.  A.  var.  kneiffii. — This  variety  has  de- 
pauperate foliage  that  may  be  admired  for  its 
elegance,  but  as  a  flowering-plant  it  possesses 
no  real  beauty,  the  panicles  being  small.  One 
cannot  compare  this  plant  with  the  type  with- 
out noting  its  deficiency  in  stature  and  also  its 
lesser  garden  value.  The  variety  is  worth  cul- 
tivating, however,  for  its  leafage  alone. 

S.  A.  var.  plumosa  is  of  a  better  type  than 
the  last-named,  and  it  serves  a  useful  purpose 
in  gardens  in  that  its  stature  is  about  one-half 
that  of  the  type,  and  for  that  reason  it  may  be 
planted  in  quite  small  gardens.  The  foliage  is 
of  a  pale  nut-green  and  the  leaf-lobes  are 
minutely  serrulate — so  minutely  as  to  appear 
fringed.  The  stems  and  leaf-stalks  are  ruddy 
tinted  ;  the  inflorescence  consists  of  an  elegant 
white  panicle  2  feet  long. 

S.  asttlboides. — This  plant  and  its  varieties 
(now  classed  by  botanists  in  the  genus  Astilbe) 
are  the  well-known  Spiraeas  of  the  market 
florist,  and  are  so  well  known  that  a  description 
is  quite  unnecessary.  As  a  garden  plant,  this 
species  is  inferior  to   many  other  Astilbes  for 


waterside  planting  for  it  is  often  destroyed  by 
late  frosts,  but  as  a  plant  for  forcing  it  is  of 
much   value. 

S.  cespitosa. — This  is  a  distinct  little  plant, 
that  one  would  not  consider  to  be  a  Spiraea  at 
first  sight.  The  leaves  and  creeping  stems  form 
a  dense,  silvery  mat,  similar  to  a  close-habited 
Achillea,  and  the  growths  are  studded  with  small 
spikes  of  white  flowers  in  their  season  of  flower- 
ing. It  is  of  easy  cultivation,  and  may  be 
grouped  in  the  rock-garden  or  among  the  stones 
at  the  edge  of  a  border.  The  plant  is  a  native 
of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  and  is  very  rare  in 
cultivation. 

S.  camtschatica  (S.  gigantea)  is  a  splendid 
garden  plant,  and  taller  than  S.  aruncus  when 
well  cultivated.  The  leaves  are  Sycamore- 
shaped,  and  of  a  dark  green  colour.  The  stems 
exceed  6  feet  in  height,  are  quite  unbranched, 
and  develop  huge,  foamy  masses  of  white 
flowers,  often  18  inches  across.  A  colony  of  30 
to  40  such  stems,  each  crowned  with  its  head 
of  flowers,  cannot  fail  to  impress  one  with  the 
grandeur    of    the    species.     It    comes    from    the 


Fig.    105.  -  sumele    (ruscus)    androgvma 
flowering  in  the  open  in  devonbhike. 


north-eastern  extremity  of  Siberia,  and  has  been 
in  cultivation  for  a  long  period.  The  vaiiety 
elegans  has  pale-rose  coloured  flowers,  and  is 
of  a  less  robust  habit.  There  is  another  variety 
named  rosea,  which  is  similar  to  the  type,  with 
the  exception  of  its  flowers  which  resemble 
those  of  S.  venusta  in  their  colouring — a  rich 
shade  of  rose. 

Recent  seedlings  of  this  plant  show  traces  of 
hybridity  with  S.  venusta,  and  there  is  now  an 
unbroken  chain  of  connecting  variations  between 
the  two  species.  One  character  remains,  how- 
ever, to  separate  the  species — all  the  derivatives 
of  S.  camtschatica  are  pubescent  throughout, 
including  the  stems  and  the  leaves.  In  those 
of  S.  venusta  (lobata),  they  are  distinctly  gla- 
brous, and  some  varieties  have  highly-polished 
stems  and  petioles.  S.  camtschatica  cannot  well 
be  overfed,  and  liberal  mulches  in  dry  seasons 
help  it  to  bear  its  flowers  without  strain.  It  is 
a  splendid  plant  when  grouped  in  sunny  clear- 
ings of  woodland  in  quantity.     G.  B.  Mallett. 

[To   be  continued.) 


SEMELE     ANDROGYNA. 

This   handsome   climbing  plant  is  a  native  of 
Madeira  and  the  Canary  Islands,  and  in  the  first- 
named  island  it  adds  much  to  the  beauty  of  the 
landscape   and  is  often  seen  wreathing  the  pillars 
at  the   entrance   to    Quintas.      The  species    was 
introduced  into  this  country  nearly  200  years  ago 
and  is  perhaps  better  known  in  gardens  as  Ruscus 
androgynus.     It  is   very  rarely  met  with  in   the 
open  in  this  country,  but  in  Devon  and  Cornwall 
it  is  found  in  gardens,  though,  owing  to  the  past 
severe    winter,    two    small    plants    in    Cornwall 
appeared  almost  dead  in  April  of  the  present  year. 
The  cladode-systems  (see  fig.  105)  have  the  appear- 
ance of  pinnate  leaves  :  they  are  from  a  foot  to  2  feet 
in  length  and  are  furnished  with  from  12  to  20  pin- 
nate sections  of  brightly  polished  green  colour.   As 
the  whole  is  of  a  drooping  habit  the  shining  green 
colour  is  well  displayed,  and  a  wall  well  covered 
with  the  plant  is  an  attractive  feature.  The  cladodes 
are  very  leathery  in  texture  and  it  is  not  uncommon 
for  them  to  remain  in  a  perfectly  fresh  condition 
for  six  or  seven  years.     When   the  plant  is  well 
established,    strong,    Asparagus-like    shoots     are 
thrown    up    that,     in    vigorous    specimens,  often 
attain  a  length  of  40  feet  in  one  season.     In  young 
plants    these    shoots    often    appear    as   early   as 
November,  but  in  others  that  have  been  established 
for    some     years  these    do   not   show    until    the 
spring.     Semele  androgyna  forms  a  splendid  sub- 
ject for  a  cool  structure.     In  the  Temperate  House 
at  Kew  there  is  a  fine  specimen  which  has  reached 
the  glass  roof,  at  a  height  of  over  30  feet.     In  the 
summer  the  small,   greenish-white  flowers,   each 
about  one-eighth  of  an   inch  across,  are  borne,  as 
will   be  seen  from  the  accompanying  illustration, 
in  clusters  at  the  edges  of  the   pinnules.       Every 
cladode  upon  the  plant  from  which  the  one  illus- 
trated   was    cut     was    covered   with    these    tiny 
blossoms,    and    the   effect   produced   was   pretty, 
I  hough  it  is  owing  to  its  attractiveness  as  a  foliage 
rather  than  a  flowering-plant  that  this  Semele  is 
chiefly  valuable.      The  flowers  are    followed   by 
red   berries,    and   these   are   sometimes   seen    on 
plants  grown   in  the  open  in   Cornwall.      S.    W. 
Fitzhcrbert. 


TREES  AND  SHRUBS. 


MAGNOLIA  HYPOLEUCA. 
According  to  a  communication  of  Mr.  J. 
Meehan,  in  The  Florists'  Exchange,  this  plant 
may  be  increased  not  only  from  seed,  but  also 
by  layering  and  grafting.  It  is  necessary  to 
sow  the  seeds  as  soon  as  they  are  mature, 
as  they  will  not  germinate  when  once  they  have 
been  dried.  Of  the  known  species  of  Magnolia, 
U.  tripetala  has  the  greater  similarity  to  M. 
hypoleuca,  more  particularly  in  habit,  as  well 
as  in  its  behaviour  under  cultivation,  but  M. 
hypoleuca  is  the  finer  of  the  two.  The  leaves 
are  firmer  and  stronger,  and  differ  in  having 
reddish  veins.  Another  advantage  that  M.  hypo- 
leuca has,  is  that  the  odour  given  off  from  the 
blooms  is  less  penetrating  than  that  of  M.  tripe- 
tala, which  is  both,  pungent  and  unpleasant. 
The  flowers  of  both  species  appear  after  the 
foliage  has  fully  developed,  towards  the  middle 
of  June.  Seed  sowing  is  to  be  preferred  to  either 
of  the  other  methods  of  increase  named  above. 
F.  M. 


THE  ALPINE   GARDEN. 


ANTHEMIS    BIEBERSTEINIANA. 

This  species  is  one  of  the  prettiest  of  the 
Alpine  Chamomiles.  It  is  of  very  neat  and 
graceful  habit  and  develops  handsome,  silvery 
foliage,  which  gives  a  fine  contrast  to  the  golden 
flowers,  each  of  which  is  about  1  inch  across. 
The  plant  is  quite  hardy  and  easy  of  culture. 
A  mixture  of  good  loam  and  sand  forms  a  suit- 
able rooting  medium;  and  it  should  be  afforded 
a  sunny  position  in  a  well-drained  border  ■>' 
rock  garden.  A  copious  supply  of  water  must 
be  given  the  roots  at  least  once  a  week  in  a  hot, 
dry  season.      W.  Glover,  Somerset. 


October  5,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


245 


FORDE    ABBEY,    CHARD. 

This  old  abbey  was,  until  1842,  included  in  the 
county  of  Devon,  being  one  of  the  five  Cister- 
cian houses  founded  in  Devonshire,  but  it  is 
now  regarded  as  belonging  to  the  county  of 
Dorset. 

The  abbey  is  one  of  the  most  interesting  and 
probably  the  most  perfect  in  preservation  in  the 
country,  and  although  it  retains  so  much  that 
is  ancient,  the  interior  is  fitted  with  every 
modern  convenience. 

The  West  of  England  abounds  with  beautiful 
scenery,  and  Forde  Abbey  is  situated  in  one  of 
the  most  delightful  parts.  The  River  Axe,  said 
to  be  the  most  winding  stream  in  the  country, 
flows    through    its    grounds,    meandering    along 


feet  in  height,  are  now  used  as  a  winter 
garden,  and  they  are  decorated  with  groups  of 
flowering  and  foliage  plants,  including  some 
fine  Palms. 

Many  years  ago  the  estate  was  purchased  by 
Mrs.  Evans,  who,  with  the  co-operation  of  her 
son,  W.  H.  Evans,  Esq.,  did  much  to  restore 
and  beautify  the  old  structure.  On  the  decease 
of  this  lady,  in  1906,  Forde  Abbey  came  into 
the  possession  of  the  present  owner,  Mrs.  Free- 
man Roper. 

There  are  two  entrances  to  the  estate — the  one 
adjoining  the  main  road  from  the  station  on 
the  south,  the  other  on  the  east,  leading  to  a 
broad  drive,  a  quarter  of  a  mile  long,  that  passes 
the  front  of  the  abbey  and  extends  to  an  elevated 
spot  known  as  Blacksmith's  Hill.     By  the  side 


There  is  a  fine  specimen  of  the  Rose  Reve 
d'Or  growing  to  a  great  height  and  entwined 
w-ith  green  Ivy,  forming  a  beautiful  object 
when  in  flower.  The  roots  of  this  Rose 
ramify  beneath  heavy  paving-stones,  and  one 
wonders  how  it  finds  nourishment  to  produce 
its  long  shoots.  A  gateway  at  one  end  of  a 
tower  is  clad  with  Ampelopsis  and  Clematis 
montana ;  this  latter  when  in  bloom  mingles  its 
flowers  with  the  new  boughs  of  the  Creeper. 
On  the  central  tower  the  common  Virginian 
Creeper  reaches  almost  to  the  top,  and  other 
walls  are  covered  with  old  garden  Roses,  late- 
flowering  Clematises,  Jasminum  revoluta,  &c. 
A  small  sunken  flower  garden  is  seen  from 
the  carriage  drive.  At  the  time  of  my  visit  the 
beds  were  occupied  with  tender  bedding  plants, 


Fig.  io6. — forde  abbey,  chard,  the  residence  of  freeman  roper,  esq. 


[Photograph  by  F.  Mason  Good. 


a  fertile  valley  of  rich  pasture  land  or  backed 
by  hills  that  are  covered  with  cornfields, 
■orchards,  and  woodland.  The  monks  who 
first  settled  here  made  a  wise  choice  of  locality, 
and  in  those  remote  days  the  spot  was  pro- 
bably not  less  beautiful  than  now.  The  abbeys 
in  olden  times  often  changed  ownership,  and 
Forde  was  no  exception.  But  it  is  worthy  of 
note  that  the  fields,  &c,  are  still  known  by  the 
same  names  as  are  recited  in  the  deed  when 
they  were  conveyed  to  one  Richard  Pollard. 

The  building  includes  some  noble  towers,  an 
ancient  chapel,  a  spacious  saloon  containing 
some  of  the  most  beautiful  old  tapestry  in  the 
country,  and  a  magnificent  hall  of  great  height 
and  beauty,  in  which  are  examples  of  the  work 
of  the  famous  artist  Inigo  Jones.  The  stately 
cloisters,    measuring   82   feet   in    length    and    17 


of  this  latter  walk  are  aged  Lime  trees,  which 
form  a  canopy  up  to  the  chapel.  Close  to  this 
spot  a  Yew  hedge,  many  feet  wide,  encloses  a 
part  of  the  garden  known  as  "The  Park 
Garden." 

Th  abbey  itself  faces  south,  the  chapel  be- 
ing at  the  extreme  end  according  to  the  monkish 
custom.  A  tree  of  Jargonelle  Pear  is  growing 
against  the  walls  of  the  chapel,  where  it  was 
planted  about  150  years  ago.  It  is  still  in  good 
health,  and  furnishes  good  crops  of  fruits 
that  ripen  early.  Close  by  the  chapel  door 
is  a  specimen  of  the  Loquat,  planted  more 
than  40  years  ago ;  the  tree  bears  fruits, 
but  they  have  never  ripened.  One  of  the 
buttresses  of  the.  cloister  has  a  large  area 
covered  with  Lonicera  fragrantissima,  which 
blooms  all  through  the  winter  in  mild  seasons. 


including  a  choice  strain  of  tuberous-root;ng 
Begonias.  At  the  foot  of  the  abbey  wall  is  a 
flower  border  3  to  4  feet  wide,  and  this  was 
gay  with  Ivy-leaved  Pelargoniums,  Roses,  tall- 
growing  Salvias,  and  Zonal  Pelargoniums,  all 
planted  in  groups  of  one  colour. 

The  abbey  is  100  yards  long,  and  at  the 
western  portion  of  a  broad  walk  is  a  border  in 
front  of  a  south  wall ;  on  this  I  noticed  man? 
aged  Apple  trees,  among  them  the  true  old 
Golden  Pippin.  Roses,  Ceanothus,  full  of 
bloom,  and  many  other  beautiful  plants  adorned 
the  wall. 

Herbaceous  and  many  annual  flowering  plants 
in  this  border  were  attractive.  Especially  fine 
were  large  masses  of  Calceolaria  amplexicaulis 
and  single  blue  China  Asters,  with  white  and 
red  Phlox  associated  together. 


THE     GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


[October  5,  1907. 


On  the  other  side  of  this  walk  is  a  sunken  tennis 
court.  An  ornamental  pond  is  situated  near  to 
rising  ground,  known  as  The  Mount.  The  gar- 
dens here  are  much  sheltered,  and  are  planted 
with  an  assortment  of  tender-flowering  and 
ornamental-foliaged  shrubs.  On  the  grass  is  a 
large  plant  of  Juniperus  sabina  prostrata,  a 
variety  seldom  met  with.  Near  this  spot  a 
tree  of  Douglas  Fir  attains  to  a  height  of  about 
150  feet.  Trees  of  Araucaria  imbricata  equal 
those  at  Bicton,  and  there  are  fine  specimens  of 
Cypresses  and  deciduous  trees,  with  large  bushes 
of  common  Rhododendrons  growing  by  the  side 
of  the  carriage  drive.  A  wild  garden  has  been 
formed  in  an  old  disused  gravel  pit. 

The  Park  Garden  has  a  number  of  interesting 
features,  and  it  is  planted  with  many  choice 
shrubs,  both  on  the  grass  and  in  beds.  The 
shrubs  have  been  spaced  so  as  to  leave  room 
for  the  planting  of  hardy  perennials,  tender- 
flowering  plants,   and  annuals. 

A  small  kitchen  garden  is  situated  on  the 
north  side  of  the  abbey.  The  walls  surrounding 
the  kitchen  garden  are  very  old  ;  they  are  well 
covered  with  fruit  trees.  The  glasshouses  are 
old,  and  are  shortly  to  be  replaced  by  new  build- 
ings. Two  of  the  vineries  are  heated  with  flues, 
but  they  contained  good  crops  of  Grapes.  An 
orchard  contains  a  selection  of  the  best  kinds 
of  fruit  trees,  many  of  which  are  young  speci- 
mens.     Western. 


PLANT    NOTES. 


COMBRETUM     PURPUREUM. 

When  in  good  condition  this  stove  climbing 
plant  will  flower  throughout  the  summer  months, 
and  even  into  the  first  part  of  autumn.  It  is 
well  adapted  for  clothing  a  rafter  in  a  medium- 
sized  structure,  being  less  vigorous  than  many 
climbers.  The  leaves  are  ovate-lanceolate  in 
shape,  and  dark  green  in  colour,  while  the 
flowers  are  totally  unlike  those  of  any  other 
occupant  of  our  stoves.  Though  individually 
small,  the  blossoms  are  borne  in  dense  spikes 
quite  6  inches  long,  the  latter  in  their  turn  form- 
ing a  somewhat  fan-shaped  panicle.  The  colour 
is  a  kind  of  crimson  scarlet.  The  flower-spike  is 
not  cylindrical  in  shape,  as  the  blossoms  stand 
erect  along  its  upper  surface.  The  plant  is  not 
a  vigorous-rooting  subject,  therefore  care  should 
be  taken  not  to  overpot  it,  and  the  pots  which 
are  to  be  used  should  first  be  made  clean  and 
*>Jso  be  effectually  drained.  A  compost  consisting 
i"f  equal  parts  good  fibrous  loam  and  peat,  with 
a  liberal  sprinkling  of  silver  sand  and  a  few 
nodules  of  charcoal,  will  suit  it  well. 

The  propagation  of  this  plant  by  means  of 
cuttings  was  at  one  time  considered  a  difficult 
matter,  having,  indeed,  been  referred  to  as  an 
impossibility ;  but  this  was  years  ago  refuted 
by  Mr.  Lynch,  of  Cambridge,  who  rooted  it  with- 
out any  particular  difficulty.  In  Index  Kewensis 
this  species  is  referred  to  as  C.  coccineum.     W . 


The  Week's  Work. 


FRUITS  UNDER  GLASS. 

By  Alexander  Kirk,  Gardener  to  J.  Thomson  Paton,  Esq., 
Norwood,  Alloa,  Clackmannanshire. 

Pines. — The  succession  plants  which  are  ex- 
pected to  afford  ripe  fruits  early  next  year 
should  now  be  well  established  and  have  their 
pots  full  of  roots.  As  the  plants  will  require 
to  rest  during  the  next  three  months,  the  at- 
mospheric temperature  of  the  pit  should  be  kept 
at  about  60°  at  night  and  75°  by  day  ;  the  bot- 
tom heat  should  not  be  permitted  to  exceed  63° 
or  70°.  The  roots  will  require  very  little  water 
throughout  the  winter,  but  care  must  be  exer- 
cised, because  the  plants  should  not  flag  at  any 
time  from  drought.     Admit  air  to  the  pit  daily 


during  mild  weather.  Pines  which  are  now 
showing  fruits  require  the  atmosphere  to  be 
moist,  and  its  temperature  at  night  should  range 
from  70°  to  80D.  During  very  fine  weather  ad- 
mit a  little  air  to  the  pit  each  day,  but  close  up 
again  early  in  the  afternoon,  keeping  up  a  heat 
equal  to  90°.  When  the  weather  is  bright  a 
thorough  damping  down  of  the  floors  is  neces- 
sary. A  bottom  heat  of  85"  is  required  at  this 
stage  for  the  fruits  to  mature.  Let  the  watering 
be  done  with  care,  neither  applying  too  much 
nor  too  little. 

Pine  suckers  which  were  potted  into  6-inch 
pots  and  are  now  growing  freely  should  have 
an  atmospheric  temperature  at  night  of 
65°  to  70°,  and  a  bottom  heat  of  75°. 
Maintain  the  atmosphere  in  a  humid  con- 
dition, and  lightly  spray  the  plants  with 
water  each  day.  Admit  air  daily,  and  en- 
deavour to  grow  the  plants  as  sturdily  as  pos- 
sible. All  the  best  suckers  should  be  detached 
from  the  autumn-fruiting  plants  and  potted-up, 
in  order  that  they  may  get  established  before 
winter. 

Fig  trees  which  have  been  yielding  ripe  fruits 
for  some  time  past,  and  have  still  fruits  in  the 
swelling  and  ripening  stages,  should  be  afforded 
a  supply  of  liquid  manure  once  each  week. 
Keep  the  house  well  ventilated  and  the  at- 
mosphere dry  while  the  fruits  are  ripening.  Fig 
trees  from  which  the  fruit  has  all  been  gathered 
need  an  abundant  supply  of  fresh  air,  and  they 
should  be  well  syringed  and  the  house  kept  cool, 
but  the  borders  must  now  be  kept  drier.  Cut 
out  all  shoots  that  will  not  be  required  for  fruit- 
ing next  season.  The  early  Fig  trees  in  pots 
plunged  out-of-doors  will  require  protection  from 
heavy  winds.  If  heavy  rains  become  frequent, 
the  plants  must  be  placed  in  some  structure, 
such  as  an  unheated  orchard-house. 

Melons  now  colouring  should  be  well  exposed 
to  the  air  and  light.  Keep  the  atmospheric  tem- 
perature of  the  house  at  about  70°  at  night,  and 
803  to  85°  by  day,  according  to  the  state  of  the 
weather.  Be  careful  not  to  over-water  the  plants 
or  the  fruits  may  be  caused  to  split  and  so  be- 
come useless.  Admit  air  daily,  and  leave  the 
top  ventilator  open  very  little  throughout  the 
night.  Later  plants,  on  which  the  fruits  are  now 
swelling,  need  a  warm,  moist  atmosphere.  Main- 
tain  a  liberal  bottom  heat,  and  afford  water  very 
carefully,  but  do  not  allow  the  plants  to  flag. 


THE  HARDY  FRUIT  GARDEN. 

By  J.  Mavne,  Gardener  to  Lord  Clinton,  Bicton, 
Hast  Devon. 

Grease  bands. — The  annual  spraying  of  fruit 
trees  now  practised  by  most  growers  may  be 
said  to  render  less  necessary  the  wrapping  of  the 
tree  stems  with  grease  bands,  but  anything  that 
will  lessen  the  attacks  of  caterpillars  in  early 
spring  should  not  be  neglected.  The  fern  il;  s 
of  the  winter  moth  come  out  of  the  ground  dur- 
ing the  next  two  months  and  climb  up  the  stems 
of  the  trees,  locating  themselves  either  between 
the  rugged  bark  or  wherever  they  get  a  footing 
secure  enough  to  lay  their  eggs.  By  placing 
grease-proof  bands  of  paper  some  6  inches  wide 
around  the  base  of  each  tree  and  stake,-  making 
the  same  secure  with  ordinary  paste  made  from 
flour  and  water,  and  then  smearing  the  bands 
over  with  grease,  the  moths  may  be  prevented 
from  ascending  the  trees.  I  have  used  Home's 
preparation  with  good  effect.  Prevention  is 
always  better  than  cure.  Examine  the  bands 
every  few  weeks,  and  make  a  fresh  application 
of  grease  as  often  as  is  necessary.  These  re- 
marks apply  principally  to  trees  in  the  open 
garden  or  orchard  ;  those  against  walls,  fences, 
or  trellises  cannot  be  preserved  in  this  manner, 
as  the  insects  have  more  ways  of  climbing  than 
by  the  stem  of  the  tree.  In  these  cases  repeated 
sprayings  are  more  effectual. 

Mulberries  are  much  later  in  ripening  this 
season  than  usual,  and  the  birds  here  are  taking 
a  considerable  share  of  the  fruit,  partly,  no 
doubt,  on  account  of  the  dry  state  of  the  ground 
affecting  their  food  supply.  Gather  the  ripe 
fruits  every  few  days,  and  if  the  trees  are  grow- 
ing over  turf,  the  branches  may  be  shaken  and 
the  fallen  fruits  gathered  up,  doing  this  at  a 
time  when  the  fruits  are  perfectly  dry.  These 
are  useful  for  the  making  of  tarts,  as  well  as 
jelly. 


Pears. — Many  varieties  will  be  ready  for  stor- 
ing, but  locality  must  determine,  as  no  precise 
date  would  meet  each  individual  case.  Beurre 
Hardy,  Beurre  d'Amanlis,  Beurre  Bosc,  Beurre 
Superfin,  Doyenne  Boussoch,  Fondante  d'Au- 
tomne,  Hessel,  Gratioli  de  Jersey,  Pitmaston 
Duchess,  Seckle,  and  Louise  Bonne  of  Jersey, 
growing  against  warm  walls  especially,  will  now 
be  fit  to  gather  in  this  part  of  the  country.  Many 
of  the  later  varieties  should  be  allowed  to  hang 
on  the  trees  until  nearly  the  end  of  the  present 
month,  shrivelling  taking  place  if  gathered  too 
soon,  these  later  sorts  requiring  a  long  time  to 
mature.  The  varieties  mentioned  above  must 
be  examined  every  few  days,  as  they  ripen 
quickly  when  stored,  and  are  not  capable  of 
keeping   in  good  condition   for  a  long  time. 

Late  Plums. — Blue  Imperatrice,  Grand  Duke, 
Belle  de  Septembre,  Monarch,  Late  Orange,  and 
Late  Rivers  are  varieties  worthy  of  note,  and 
will  continue  the  supply  until  quite  late  in  the 
month.  The  cold  nights  experienced  lately  will 
have  destroyed  many  of  the  wasps  and  flies, 
which  prove  such  a  pest  to  these  fruits,  and  the 
excellent  weather  of  the  past  few  weeks  has 
increased  the  colour  as  well  as  flavour  of  those 
fruits   still   hanging   on   the   trees. 


PUBLIC  PARKS  AND  GARDENS. 

By  W.   VV.  Pettigrew,  Superintendent  of  the   Parks"  and 
Open  Spaces  in  the  City  of  Cardiff. 

Autumn  flowers. — The  recent  fine  weather 
resulted  in  such  a  profuse  display  of  all 
kinds  of  autumn  flowers,  that  parks  in 
which  these  are  made  a  feature  have  been 
additionally  attractive  this  year.  The  value 
of  this  display  has  been  greatly  enhanced 
in  consequence  of  the  general  poverty  of  the 
earlier  summer-flowering  plants.  The  vagaries 
of  the  past  season  illustrate  how  necessary  it 
is  for  those  in  charge  of  public  gardens  always 
to  make  the  most  ample  provision  for  spring, 
summer,  and  autumn  flowers,  so  that  whatever 
the  weather  may  be  during  one  of  the  seasons, 
there  is  always  the  possibility  of  the  others  pro- 
ducing their  quota  of  floral  wealth.  Those 
who  have  worked  on  such  lines  will  remember 
the  present  year  as  an  ideal  one  for  spring  and 
autumn-flowering  plants. 

Generally  speaking,  it  seems  as  if  autumn- 
flowering  plants  are  not  so  much  used  in  parks 
as  they  might  be,  a  circumstance  all  the  more 
regrettable  when  it  is  remembered  how  easily 
this  could  be  done.  The  borders  of  many  shrub- 
beries which  are  often  dull  and  uninteresting 
may  be  made  bright  and  attractive  by  utilising 
them  for  autumn-flowering  plants.  The  late 
Mr.  Jordan,  while  at  Regent's  Park,  made  it 
noted  for  the  beautiful  flower-borders  formed  in 
front  of  the  ordinary  shrubberies,  showing  in  a 
striking  manner  what  opportunities  there  were 
for  utilising  and  improving  them  in  this  way. 

The  bands  usually  cease  playing  music  in 
parks  by  the  beginning  of  September,  whilst 
visitors  are  still  very  numerous,  and  therefore 
it  becomes  the  more  necessary  to  provide  some 
other  attraction,  such  as  a  display  of  autumn 
flowers.  To  obtain  the  best  effects  with 
such  a  display,  there  is  undoubtedly  no  better 
method  than  arranging  the  various  varieties  of 
plants  used  in  bold  groups  of  a  kind,  set  out 
at  irregular  intervals  throughout  the  length  of 
the  border. 

Arrangement  of  colours. — While  no  clashing  of 
colours  should  be  allowed  in  such  an  arrange- 
ment, it  does  seem  that  in  some  quarters  too 
much  stress  is  now  being  laid  upon  the  ques- 
tion of  colour-design.  In  nature  there  is  no 
methodical  blending  or  contrasting  of  colours, 
and  yet  in  sub-Alpine  meadows,  where  a  great 
abundance  of  different  kinds  of  flowers  are 
growing  indiscriminately  together,  what  more 
pleasing,  and,  to  the  ordinary  observer,  har- 
monious effects  can  be  desired.  Provided  there 
is  a  sufficiency  of  moisture  in  the  soil,  the 
present  is  a  good  opportunity  to  divide  up  and 
plant  the  herbaceous  section  of  autumn-flower- 
ing plants.  Plenty  of  room  should,  however,  be 
left  for  the  many  annual  and  half-hardy  plants 
which  help  to  make  our  gardens  gay  until  the 
advent   of   frost. 


October  o,  11)07 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


247 


THE    ORCHID    HOUSES. 

By  W.  II.  White,  Orchid  Grower  to  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence, 
Bart.,  Burford,  Surrey. 

Lycastes. — Plants  of  Lycaste  Skinneri  and  its 
varieties  are  now  making  many  young  roots 
from  the  growths  made  during  the  present  year, 
and  as  the  growths  are  commencing  to  form 
their  new  pseudo-bulbs,  the  plants  hence- 
forth will  require  to  be  liberally  supplied  with 
water  at  the  root  until  pseudo-bulbs  are  fully 
developed. 

Pltiones,  having  completed  their  pseudo-bulbs, 
should  be  placed  in  a  position  perfectly  ex- 
posed to  the  sunlight,  and  as  the  leaves  become 
yellow  and  fall  away,  only  sufficient  water  will 
be  needed  to  keep  the  soil  in  a  moderately 
moist  condition.  The  flower  buds  will  presently 
spring  up  from  the  base  of  the  young,  green 
snoots,  and  if  much  water  were  afforded  at  such 
a  time,  it  would  cause  the  delicate  blooms  to 
lose  their  colour  and  fall.  Just  before  the 
flowers  are  expected  to  expand,  the  plants 
should  be  arranged  in  a  dry  position,  that  the 
blooms  may  be  capable  of  remaining  fresh  for 
a  considerable   time. 

Mittonias. — If  the  plants  of  Miltonia  vexillaria 
have  been  cultivated  in  the  cool  house  during 
the  past  few  months,  they  should  now  be  re- 
moved to  a  light,  well-ventilated  position  in  the 
intermediate  or  Cattleya  house,  and  as  the  new 
growths  advance  and  roots  become  plentiful, 
gradually  increase  the  quantity  of  water  at  the 
root.  Do  not  keep  their  immediate  surround- 
ings very  moist,  especially  in  dull  or  wet 
weather,  as  the  tender  leaves  would  be  liable  to 
become  spotted  and  decay  at  their  points.  The 
Brazilian  Miltonias  that  have  completed  their 
season's  growth  and  are  developing  flower-spikes, 
will  require  to  be  watered  very  carefully,  as  too 
much  moisture  would  cause  disease  to  attack 
the  leaves  and  pseudo-bulbs.  The  amount  of 
water  used  for  damping  between  the  pots  should 
also  be  reduced  as  the  season  advances. 

Lcelias. — The  dwarf-growing  Laslia  prasstans, 
and  L.  pumila  and  its  varieties,  that  are  now 
showing  flower  buds,  will  require  a  few  degrees 
more  warmth  than  heretofore  to  assist  their  pro- 
per development.  Suspend  the  plants  near  to  the 
roof  glass  of  the  intermediate  house  in  full  sun- 
light. Affoid  plenty  of  water  to  these  plants 
all  through  the  flowering  season,  and  till  the 
new  pseudo-bulbs  are  made  up,  but  afterwards 
reduce   the   amount   gradually. 

Cvlogyne  cristata  and  its  varieties  are  now 
growing  actively  and  should  be  kept  well  up  to 
the  light  in  the-  intermediate  house,  affording 
them  copious  waterings  until  the  pseudo-bulbs 
are  fully  made  up. 

Epidendrum  viiellinum  grows  exceedingly  well 
when  suspended  from  the  roof  in  a  moderately 
shady  position  in  the  intermediate  house.  As 
the  flowers  commence  to  fade,  keep  the  plants 
rather  drier  than  before,  but  do  not  allow  the 
pseudo-bulbs  to  shrivel  for  want  of  water  at  the 
root. 

Cymbidium  Lowianum. — Plants  that  have 
made  their  growth  should  be  kept  rather  on  the 
dry  side  for  several  weeks,  otherwise  they  may 
start  into  growth  again,  and  therefore  fail  to 
produce  flower-spikes.  Immediately  the  flower- 
spikes  can  be  seen,  afford  the  plants  every  en- 
couragement to  develop  them  perfectly.  Let 
them  be  cultivated  on  the  lightest  side  of  the 
intermediate  house,  with  the  foliage  almost 
touching  the  roof  glass. 


PLANTS    UNDER   GLASS. 

By  J.  G.  Weston,  Gardener  to  H.  J.  King,  Esq., 
Eastwell  Park,   Kent. 

Violets  under  glass. — These  plants  having  been 
cultivated  on  a  prepared  border,  should  now  be 
lifted  for  replanting  in  their  winter  quarters.  If 
it  is  intended  to  put  them  in  a  frame,  select  one 
that  faces  to  the  south,  if  this  is  possible.  One 
that  has  been  used  for  the  cultivation  of  Melons 
during  the  summer  would  be  a  capital  place  for 
Violets  in  winter,  and  the  moderate  heat  afforded 
by  the  old  hot-bed  would  prove  of  great  service 
to  the  Violet  roots.  If  such  a  place  is  avail- 
able, it  will  be  necessary  to  mix  a  good  propor- 
tion of  leaf-soil,  and  some  sand,  with  the  soil 
already  in  the  Melon  bed.  I  do  not  recommend 
the  practise  of  planting  Violets  so  high  that  the 
leaves  will   almost   touch   the   roof-glass.      It   is 


better  to  allow  for  a  distance  of  6  to  12  inches 
between  the  leaves  and  the  glass,  because  the 
foliage  will  then  be  less  susceptible  to  suffer 
injury  during  a  long  period  of  bad  weather. 
If  the  plants  have  been  well  cultivated  during 
the  summer,  they  should  now  possess  strong, 
healthy  -crowns,  most  of  the  runners  which 
formed  having  been  taken  off  early  to  promote 
the  strength  of  the  crown.  If  the  weather  is 
still  dry,  let  the  plants  be  afforded  a  thorough 
watering  on  the  day  previous  to  being  lifted. 
Be  careful  to  avoid  breaking  the  ball  of  soil 
around  the  roots,  as  Violet  plants  that  have 
been  carelessly  lifted  and  mest  of  the  soil 
shaken  off,  seldom  give  satisfactory  results  in 
winter.  As  space  under  glass  is  most  valuable 
in  winter,  the  plants  may  be  put  moderately 
close  together  in  the  frame,  or  so  that  the  plants 
will  just  meet  with  their  outer  leaves.  Make  the 
soil  firm  around  the  roots  of  each  plant,  and 
when  the  planting  is  completed  apply  a 
thorough  watering.  During  bright,  dry  weather 
the  lights  should  be  put  on,  and  the  plants 
shaded  for  a  few  hours  during  the  middle  of  the 
day,  removing  them  again  in  the  afternoon,  and 
damping  the  plants  lightly  overhead  at  the  same 
time.  As  soon  as  the  plants  have  recovered 
from  the  check  caused  by  transplantation,  keep 
the  lights  off  them  altogether  in  the  day  time  for 
a  period  unless  rains  are  prevalent.  In 
any  case,  the  frame  should  be  ventilated  freely 
by  night  and  day,  closing  it  only  at  such  times 
as  there  appears  to  be  danger  from  frost.  Keep 
all  decaying  leaves  picked  off,  and  stir  the  sur- 
face soil  if  it  is  inclined  to  become  caked.  I 
would  strongly  advise  gardeners  to  put  a  num- 
ber of  the  plants  into  pots,  Violets  being  cap- 
able of  succeeding  exceedingly  well  under  pot- 
culture.  Such  plants  can  be  moved  about  as 
desired,  and  they  are  very  useful  in  the  show 
houses,  and  also  in  the  dwelling-house,  where 
they  will  last  in  good  condition  for  a  few  days 
at  least,  and,  being  a  favourite  flower  with  al- 
most everyone,  they  never  appear  to  be  "out 
of  place."  The  pot  plants  may  be  given  the 
same  treatment  as  recommended  above,  but  the 
cool  fruit-houses  may  be  utilised  for  these 
plants  in  winter.  If  they  are  placed  on  a  shelf 
in  such  a  house,  they  will  be  exposed  to  the 
light,  and  there  will  be  a  good  circulation  of 
air  around  them  which  is  essential  to  the  suc- 
cessful cultivation  of  Violets  in  winter.  The 
atmospheric  temperature  of  the  fruit-houses  at 
night  under  ordinary  conditions  is  very  suitable 
for  Violets. 


THE    KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

By  William  H.  Honi  >■>.  Gardener  to  C.  Combe,  Esq., 
Cobham  Park,  Surrey. 

Cauliflowers. — These  will  now  be  large  enough 
for  planting  out  in  cold  frames  for  the  winter, 
or  they  may  be  potted-up  to  be  placed  on  the 
shelves  of  a  late  vinery  or  Peach-house.  It  is 
essential  that  the  plants  should  be  given  this 
attention  as  soon  as  they  are  in  a  fit  condition, 
in  order  that  they  may  not  become  weakly  and 
drawn  through  overcrowding,  and  consequently 
the  less  able  to  withstand  the  ill  effects  of  dull 
and  cold  weather  in  winter.  If  the  plants  show 
signs  of  flagging,  keep  the  frames  rather  close 
for  a  few  days,  or  until  the  roots  become  active, 
after  which  air  should  be  admitted  freely  when- 
ever the  weather  is  favourable,  this  applying  to 
all  the  winter  season.  If  a  second  sowing  of 
Cauliflowers  was  made,  it  will,  of  course,  be 
necessary  to  leave  sufficient  space  in  a  frame  to 
make  a  further  planting  of  the  later  plants.  If 
the  character  of  the  weather  should  have  the 
effect  of  causing  the  first  batch  to  get  too  large, 
the  later  plants  will  prove  to  be  most  useful  and 
be  less  likely  to  bolt  or  turn-in  prematurely 
after  they  are  planted  in  the  open  garden  in 
the  spring. 

Tomatos. — Many  fruits  will  now  be  on  the 
point  of  ripening,  the  plants  generally  being  in 
full  bearing  owing  to  the  backward  season.  To 
obtain  the  best  results  under  the  circumstances 
the  plants  had  better  be  cut  off  at  their  base 
with  their  fruits  attached,  and  suspended  their 
full  length  in  the  vineries  or  other  convenient 
places,  as  by  this  means  they  will  retain  their 
plumpness  much  better  than  if  cut  off  individu- 
ally or  in  clusters,  and  the  supply  will  be  kept 
up  for  some  considerable  time. 

Herbs. — Such  herbs  as  Tarragon  and  Chervil 
should   now   be   cut   hard   back,    that   the   root3 


may  be  lifted  and  put  into  boxes  ready  for  plac- 
ing into  moderate  heat  towards  the  end  of  the 
present  month.  The  plants  may  then  be 
expected  to  afford  supplies  from  Christmas 
onwards,  when  additional  plants  should  be  in 
readiness  to  form  a  succession.  Mint  raised  from 
cuttings  inserted  in  boxes,  as  was  advised  in 
Calendar  printed  in  the  issue  for  July  13,  should 
be  cut  back  ready  for  starting  at  the  same  time 
as  the  Tarragon.  If  cuttings  were  not  taken,  it 
will  now  be  necessary  to  lift  some  roots  and 
treat  them  as  the  other  herbs. 

Onions. — Owing  to  the  fine  weather  which  has 
been  so  general  throughout  the  country,  Onions 
will  have  been  harvested  in  excellent  condition, 
and  should  now  be  placed  under  cover  while 
th;  bulbs  are  thoroughly  dry. 

Carrots  and  Turnips. — Young  plants  of  Car- 
rots and  Turnips  rai>ccl  from  the  late  sowings 
are  looking  wonderfully  clean  and  healthy. 
They  may  be  expected  to  continue  growing  for 
another  three  weeks  or  so.  Loosen  the  surface 
soil  frequently  with  the  hoe,  and  keep  the 
ground  free  from  weeds  in  order  to  give  these 
young  crops  the  best  chance  possible.  The 
same  remarks  apply  to  the  August-sown  Onions, 
which  this  year  appear  to  be  thriving  unusually 
well. 


THE  FLOWER  GARDEN. 

By  A.  C.  Bartlett,  Gardener  to  Mrs.  Ford,  Pencarrow, 
Cornwall. 

Planting  trees  and  shrubs. — Except  in  very 
heavy,  cold  soils,  autumn  is  to  be  preferred  for 
planting  most  kinds  of  hardy  trees  and  shrubs, 
and  when  the  ground  has  been  well  moistened 
by  rains  the  sooner  this  work  is  commenced  the 
better,  in  order  that  the  freshly-planted  subjects 
will  have  sufficient  time  in  which  to  make  new 
roots  before  the  winter  sets  in.  If  the  staple  is 
poor,  it  should  be  enriched  with  manure,  leaf- 
soil,  road-soil,  ditch-clearings,  etc.,  if  these 
materials  can  be  afforded.  Heavy  soils  may  be 
made  more  suitable  by  the  addition  of  charred 
garden  refuse.  The  essential  details  to  be 
observed  in  transplanting  are  as  follow.  Make 
the  holes  sufficiently  wide  that  the  roots  may 
be  laid  out  at  full  length,  remove,  with  a  clean 
upward  cut,  the  ends  of  all  mutilated  roots ; 
carefully  fill  in  between  the  roots  with  soil  that 
is  in  good  condition  as  regards  the  right  degree 
of  moisture  ;  make  the  soil  firm  about  the  roots 
of  each  tree  ;  stake  and  tie  each  tree  securely ; 
afford  a  copious  watering  if  water  is  needed ; 
guard  the  stems  against  the  attacks  of  rabbits 
and  vermin,  and  affix  an  indelible  label  to  all 
but  the  commoner  kinds.  Trees  which  have  to 
travel  long  distances  from  the  nurseries  some- 
times arrive  with  their  roots  in  a  dry  condition, 
and  these  should  at  once  be  immersed  in  water, 
for  no  matter  how  much  the  shrub  is  watered 
after  it  is  planted,  it  will  rarely  thrive  if  planted 
with  a  dry  ball  of  soil  and  roots.  Hollies  are 
exceptions,  and  may  be  transplanted  during 
May  with  better  results  ;  Rhododendrons  should 
be  planted  in  the  spring  ;  Camellias  as  soon  as 
the  year's  growtli  has  been  completed.  All  these 
and  any  shrubs  of  doubtful  hardiness,  which 
may  be  tried  during  late  spring  or  early  sum- 
mer, may  be  regarded  as  exceptions  when  treat- 
ing of  the  autumn  planting  of  trees  and  shrubs. 

Gladiolus. — When  the  foliage  has  thoroughly 
ripened,  the  corms  should  be  carefully  lifted 
and  laid,  with  the  stems  attached,  in  a  cool 
house  or  pit  to  dry.  Before  storing  them  for  the 
winter  it  is  as  well  to  rub  off  the  offsets,  and  to 
grade  the  corms  in  different  sizes. 

Herbaceous  plants. — Frequently  clear  away  all 
dead  flower-stems.  Remove  any  stakes  which 
are  no  longer  needed,  and  all  annual  plants 
which  have  finished  flowering.  Mark,  by  affix- 
ing labels  or  small  stakes,  the  positions  of  all 
deciduous  bulbous  plants,  so  that  when  the  bor- 
der receives  its  annual  dressing  these  dormant 
bulbs  and  corms  may  escape  injury.  Do  not 
delay  doing  this  important  work  until  the  loca- 
tion  of  such   plants  cannot  be  determined. 

The  propagation  of  bedding  plants. — Propa- 
gation should  now  be  completed,  as  very  late- 
rooted  plants  are  not  often  satisfactory.  Any 
varieties  of  Pelargonium,  &c,  of  which  the  stock 
is  still  short,  may  be  supplemented  by  lifting 
and  potting-up  the  more  compact  plants  at  pre- 
sent in  the  flower-beds. 


243 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[October  5,  1E07. 


EDITORIAL    NOTICE. 


ADVERTISEMENTS  should  be  sent  to  the  PUB- 
LISHER, 41,  Wellington  Street,  Covent  Garden, 
W.C. 

Letters  for  Publication,  as  well  as  specimen-,  and  plants 
for  naming,  should  be  addressed  to  the  EDITOR, 
41,  Wellington  Street,  Covent  Garden,  London. 
Communications  should  be  written  on  one  side  only  of 
the  paper,  sent  as  early  in  the  week  as  possible  and  duly 
signed  bv  the  writer.  If  r'eired,  the  signature  will  not  be 
printed,  but  kept  as  a  gu.ri'itee  of  good  faith. 

Special  Notice  to  Correspondents.— The  Editor  does  not 
undeitake  to  pay  for  any  contributions  or  illustrations,  or 
to  return  unused  communications  or  illustrations,  unless  by 
special  arrangement.  The  Editor  does  not  hold  himself 
responsible  for  any  opinions  expressed  by  his  correspondents. 


APPOINTMENTS  FOR  THE  ENSUING  WEEK. 


SATURDAY,  OCTOBER  5- 

Soc.  Franc.  d'Hort.  de  Londres  meet. 


Average     Mean    Temperature    for    the    ensuing    week, 
deduced  from  observations  during  the  last  Fifty  Years 
at  Greenwich— 51"7°. 
Actual  Temperatures: — 

London.—  Wednesday,  October  2  (6  p.m.):  Ma*.  64°; 
Min.  53". 
Gardeners'  Chronicle  Office,  41,  Wellington  Street, 
Covent  Garden,  London.— Thursday,  October  3 
(10,  A.M.):  Bar..  29'7 ;  Temp.,  61*;  Weather— 
Bright  sunshine. 
Provinces.— Wednesday,  October  2  (6  p.m.):  Max.  57", 
Cornwall ;  Min.  53°,  Scotland  N. 


SALES    FOR    THE    ENSUING    WEEK. 

MONDAY  and  WEDNESDAY— 

Sale  of  Dutch  Bulbs,  &c„  at  Stevens'  Rooms,  King 
Street,  Covent  Garden,  W.C. 

MONDAY  to  FRIDAY  — 

Dutch  Bulbs,  at  67  &  68,  Cheapside,  E.C.,  by  Protheroe 
&  Morris,  at  10.30. 

MONDAY— 

The  Freehold  Nursery  with  19  Greenhouses,  &c,  Bun- 
galow Residence,  and  the  Stock  of  Ferns.  &c,  at  Ave- 
nue Road  Nurseries,  Southgate,  by  Protheroe  &  Morris, 
at  12. 

TUESDAY— 

Aspidistras,  Palms,  Privet,  &c,  at  Lilford  Road  Nur- 
series, Camberwell,  S.E.,  by  Protheroe  &  Morris,  at  12. 

WEDNESDAY— 

Young  Nursery  Stock  at  the  Old  Nursery,  Spring  Grove, 
Isleworth,  by  Protheroe  &  Morris,  at  12. 
Liliums,  Bulbs,  &c. ;  Palms,  Azaleas,  &c,  at  67  &  6S, 
Cheapside,  E.C.,  by  Protheroe  &  Morris,  at  5. 

WEDNESDAY,  THURSDAY  AND  FRIDAY— 

Well-grown  Nursery  Stock  at  Cart  House  Lane  Nur- 
series. Woking,  by  Protheroe  &  Morris,  at  12. 

FRIDAY- 

The  "  Cambridge  Lodge  "  collection  of  Orchids,  at  67  & 
68,  Cheapside,  E.C.,  by  Protheroe  &  Morris,  at  12.45. 


It    often   happens  after   a   spell 

Defoliation   of  dry  weather,  such  as  that  ex- 

of  Trees,     perienced  during  the  September 

which    has    just    passed,     that 

many  of  our  trees,  especially  those  growing 

on  sandy  soils,  lose  their  leaves  prematurely. 

Now  the  mechanism  of  ordinary   leaf-fall, 

a>  it  occurs  in  autumn,  is  one  of  considerable 

interest,  affording  as  it  does  one  of  the  best 

examples  of  the  adaptation  of  a  plant  t<>  its 

environment.     But  it  is  so  common  that  save 

when  it  happens  at  an  unusual  time  of  year, 

it  hardly  excites  remark. 

Everyone  knows  that  a  branch  of  a  tree  cut 
off  in  summer  does  not  shed  its  leaves.  They 
merely  dry  up  and  shrivel,  but  they  do  not 
fall  off.  If  the  same  operation  be  per- 
formed later  on,  or  in  early  autumn,  the  re- 
•  lit  is  vi  r\  different.  The  leaves  begin  to  be 
di  tached  from  the  branch  sometimes  even 
before  the)  begin  to  wither.  Other  plants, 
again,  like  the  common  Grevilka  robusta, 
when  grown  under  unfavourable  conditions, 
display  the  phenomenon  of  defoliation  in  a 
must  striking  and  irritating  manner. 
<?  The  method  by  which  the  detachment  is 
provided  for  is  very  simple,  albeit  a  very 
effective  one.  The  tissues  of  the  leaf-stalk 
consist  of  a  midrib  enclosed  in  a  soft  mass  of 
cells  known  as  the  cortex,  the  whole  being 
contained  in  an  external  skin  or  epidermis. 
Whilst  the  leaf  is  young,  the  cortex  is  directly 
continuous  with  that  of  the  stem,  but  sooner 


or  later  a  plate  of  cork  appears  across  the 
cortex  at  the  base  of  the  leaf.  In  this  way 
the  living  tissues  of  the  latter  become  cut  off 
from  direct  communication  with  those  of  the 
stem.  The  midrib,  however,  still  remains  as 
a  continuous  strand  of  tissue  permitting  of  an 
exchange  of  water  and  food  between  the  stem 
and  leaf,  and  this  connection  is  maintained 
until  the  very  end.  Although  this  plate  of 
cork  is  normally  produced  in  deciduous 
trees  as  the  summer  advances  towards 
autumn,  its  appearance  is  hastened  if  for 
any  reason  the  supply  of  water  to  the  roots 
should  fall  short. 

The  significance  of  this  layer  of  cork  lies 
in  the  fact  that  the  cells  of  which  it  is  com- 
posed are  dead  when  they  reach  maturity, 
and  so  the  living  cells  of  leaf  and  stem  be- 
come separated  by  a  sheet  of  what  is  prac- 
tically (and  actually)  a  scar  tissue.  The  struc- 
ture of  the  scar  is  such  that  not  only  does  it 
provide  for  the  cutting  off  of  the  leaf,  but 
the  wound  is,  so  to  say,  already  healed  before 
■  t  is  really  formed,  and  thus  no  fungal  or 
other  pests  find  an  entrance  when  detach- 
ment finally  takes  place.  Everyone  must 
have  noticed  how  quickly  the  leaves  fall  off 
after  (he  first  frosty  nights  of  autumn,  even 
when  there  is  no  wind,  as  soon  as  the  morn- 
ing begins  to  get  warm.  What  has  happened 
is  that  water  has  frozen  in  the  separation 
layer,  and  this  causes  a  rupture  of  the  tis- 
sues just  as  water  pipes  burst  when  they  are 
frozen.  For  in  the  act  of  solidifying,  expan- 
sion takes  place  with  great  force,  and  not 
only  is  the  cork  layer  ruptured,  but  the  cells 
of  the  midrib  are  also  torn  asunder.  Thus 
as  soon  as  the  sun's  rays  are  strong  enough 
to  melt  the  plate  of  ice  which  is  now  all  that 
holds  them  on  to  the  stem,  the  leaves  drop 
off  in  continuous  showers. 

A  special  point  of  interest  connected  with 
this  cork  plate,  or  absciss-layer  as  it  is 
often  termed,  is  this  :  it  represents  a  definite 
kind  of  response  which  a  plant  makes  to- 
wards conditions  that  hinder  the  adequate  sup- 
ply of  water  to  the  leaves.  Hence  a  droughl 
in  summer,  if  sufficiently  severe,  hastens  and 
intensifies  the  formation  of  the  absciss-layer, 
and  may  thus  lead  to  the  premature  defolia- 
tion which  results  from  such  conditions.  In 
any  event,  the  plate  is  almost  always  forming 
during  the  drier  weather  that  usually  pre- 
vails in  August  or  September.  In  autumn 
tin-  shortage  of  water  is  often  due  to  condi- 
tions other  than  those  occurring  in  summer. 
For  the  roots,  as  the  soil  becomes  chilled  by 
the  cold  rains,  are  less  active  in  absorbing 
water.  A  similar  state  of  things  may  also 
result  from  any  other  circumstances  thai  pre- 
judicially affect  root-absorption,  stub  as  in- 
sufficient aeration  of  the  soil,  whether  due  to 
excessive  water-logging,  or  to  other  condi- 
tions such  as  often  occur  in  urban  districts. 

We  may  speak  of  plants  which  for  any 
reason  are  unable  lo  utilise  existing  water 
supplies,  as  suffering  from  physiological 
drought,  because,  like  the  ancient  mariner, 
although  there  may  be  "  water,  water  every- 
where,"  it  is  not  really  available;  it  cannot 
In'  absorbed  by  the  organism,  which  is  thus 
no  better  off  than  if  it  were  exposed  to  con- 
ditions  of  physical   drought. 

There  are,  however,  some  apparent  excep- 
tions lo  this  common  form  of  response  on  the 
part  of  must  wood}  dicotyledons  lo  conditions 
of  physical  or  of  physioli  gical  drought.  Thus 


the  evergreen  trees  and  shrubs  do  not  or- 
dinarily lose  their  leaves  in  winter,  although 
they  drop  them  at  other  periods  of  the  year. 
But  when  they  do  throw  them  off,  they  com- 
monly form  an  absciss-layer  like  that  of  the 
deciduous  trees.  This  shows  that  the  habit 
of  forming  a  cork  plate  is  not  enly  very 
widely  spread,  at  least  amongst  the  dico- 
tyledons, but  that  it  can  perhaps  be  evoked  by 
circumstances  other  than  drought,  although 
this  is  unquestionably  the  most  common 
stimulus.  As  a  matter  of  fact,  however, 
evergreens  may  respond  readily  enough  to  a 
condition  of  inadequate  water  supply.  Hol- 
lies when  transplanted,  in  dry  soils  at  any 
rate,  often  cast  off  their  leaves  during  the 
following  season.  This  is  due  primarily  to 
the  shortage  of  water  consequent  on  the 
damage  unavoidably  done  to  Ihe  roots,  and  it 
is  a  well-recognised  symptom  that  the  trans- 
planted bush  is  going  to  thrive.  Of  course, 
it  implies  that  the  plant  retains  enough 
vitality  to  enable  it  to  respond  to  the  dimin- 
ished water-absorption  by  the  formation  of  a 
new  tissue,  the  cork  plate,  which  causes  the 
evaporating  organs — the  leaves — to  drop  off. 
Thus,  by  economising  the  available  supply  of 
water  the  plant  is  enabled  to  carry  on 
its  life  till  the  new  roots  render  it  capable 
of  providing  for  the  needs  of  the  fresh  foli- 
age. It  oflcn  happens,  especially  in  the  case 
of  Hollies,  that  those  individuals  which  fail 
to  thow  off  their  leaves  in  this  way  lose  water 
faster  than  the  roots  can  absorb  it,  and  so 
they  dry  up  and  perish. 

There  are,  however,  other  ways  in  which 
plants  may  respond  to  the  lack  of  water  be- 
sides casting  their  leaves.  Thus,  in  some; 
species  the  leaf  surface  is  greatly  curtailed^ 
the  foliage  even  assuming  a  spiny  condition, 
and  this  tendency  may  also  extend  to  the 
branches,  as  in  the  common  Gorse  or  Furze. 
Or  the  leaves  may  be  produced,  but  only 
enjoy  a  very  transient  existence,  as  in  some 
dry-country  species  of  Senecio,  in  which  the 
functions  of  the  leaves,  after  their  death,  are 
more  or  less  imperfectly  discharged  by  the 
green  steins.  Numerous  other  structural 
modifications  adapted  to  withstand  conditions 
of  limited  water-sunply  will  doubtless  occur 
to  our  readers. 

It  is  of  interest  to  observe  that  many  plants 
have  the  property  of  responding  to  drv  con- 
ditions by  a  change  of  habit  which  is  suited 
to  the  new  conditions.  Thus  the  leaf  of  the 
common  Ash,  when  growing  under  the  butler 
and  drier  surroundings  that  prevail  in  the 
more  southern  parts  of  Europe,  is  far  more 
leathery  than  in  these  islands,  whilst  at 
the  same  time  the  tree  assumes  a  luxuriance 
of  foliage  quite  unknown  here.  Indeed) 
exposure  to  similar  conditions  in  Britain 
would  almost  certainly  lead  lo  defoliation, 
since  the  moister  climate  encourages  the 
formation  of  a  shallower  root  system. 

Temporary  drought  leading  to  defoliation 
is,  naturally,  far  more  active  in  the  case  of 
shallow,  than  in  that  of  deeper-rooted,  trees. 
Limes,  Elms,  and  many  others,  soon  show 
the  bad  effects  when  grown  on  shallow, 
sandy  soils.  This  is  apt  to  be  aggravated 
in  a  climate  like  ours,  for  the  frequent 
rainfall  enables  trees  to  be  grown  on  situa- 
tions  which  would  be  impossible  in  a  drier 
'and  hotter  climate.  On  arid  soils  special 
care  is  needed  to  prevent  the  loss  of  foliage 
during    rainless    intervals,    especially    if    the 


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October  5,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


249 


trees  are  grown  for  ornamental  purposes. 
The  roots  will  go  where  the  water  is,  and  if 
the  surface  of  the  ground  is  kept  constantly 
moisler  than  the  subsoil,  there  the  roots  will 
grow,  and  on  that  account  will  be  more 
susceptibly  to  the  effect  of  an  intermittent 
supply. 

Doubtless  this  encouragement  of  shallow 
rooting  is  one  of  the  most  frequent  causes  of 
the  early  loss  of  foliage  by  the  trees  of  so 
many  of  our  towns.  Of  course,  smoke  and 
noxious  gases  are  in  some  districts  partly 
responsible  for  the  premature  bareness  of  the 
branches,  but  independently  of  these  evils  the 
planting  and  treatment  are  too  often  carried 
on  as  if  with  the  express  intention  of  secur- 
ing the  minimal  period  of  leafage.  Grown 
in  a  drained  soil,  the  roots  are  often  covered 
bv  flag-stones  to  within  a  few  inches  of  the 
trunk,  and  when  water  is  given  at  all  it  com- 
monly takes  the  form  of  a  mere  sprinkling, 
instead  of  a  good  supply  at  less  frequent  in- 
tervals. In  some  of  the  Continental  and 
American   towns   the  ground   is  sunk  round 


as  the  tendency  is  to  flower  from  the  outer  growths, 
a  marked  point  of  cultural  skill  was  shown  by 
the  middle  of  this  specimen  being  equally 
well  furnished  with  flowers.  This  was  done 
by  severing  the  rhizomes  around  the  central 
part  of  the  plant,  causing  new  flowering 
growths  to  be  formed,  and  thus  the  whole 
plant  is  equally  well  furnished  with  rich  rose- 
purple  coloured  flowers  with  deep  mauve-crimson 
labellums,  and  numbering  in  the  aggregate  230, 
the  largest  spike  bearing  13  blooms.  Laelio-Cattleya 
elegans,  although  originally  imported  as  a  natural 
hybrid  between  Laelia  purpurata  and  Cattleya 
Leopoldii,  and  in  company  with  L.-C.  Schilleriana 
(L.  purpurata  x  C.  intermedia),  which  for  many 
years  was  confused  with  L.-C.  elegans,  has  been 
raised  at  Westonbirt  and  several  other  gardens. 
The  home-raised  specimens  have  in  this  case,  as  in 
others,  assisted  materially  in  establishing  the 
records  of  the  imported  natural  hybrids. 

The  Royal  Horticultural  Society  and 
Horticultural  Mutual  Improvement  So- 
cieties.—We  have  received  the  following  com- 
munication. "  The  President  and  Council  of  the 
Royal   Horticultural  Society,  having  a  very  huh 


FlG.    107. — LILIL'M    LONGIFLORTJM    GIGANTEUM    AS    CULTIVATED    FOR    EXPORT    BV    THE 
YOKOHAMA    NURSERY   CO.,    LTD.,    YOKOHAMA. 


Hie  base  of  each  tree,  so  that  a  proper 
amount  of  water  can  readily  be  supplied. 
Although  our  own  climate  is,  on  the  whole, 
favourable  to  their  growth,  we  might  with 
advantage  exercise  more  care  in  preventing 
the  premature  defoliation  of  the  ornamental 
trees  in  urban  districts  if  we  would  pay  a 
little  attention  to  the  elementary  facts  of 
practical  plant  physiology. 


Our      Supplementary      Illustration.  — 

The  noble  specimen  of  Laelio-Cattleya  elegans, 
depicted  in  our  Supplementary    Illustration,    was 

!  shown  by  Major  G.  L.  Holford,  C.V.O.,  CLE., 
Westonbirt,  Tetbury,  at  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society's   meeting   held   on   August   21   last,  and 

i  for  which  a  Silver-Gilt  Lindley  Medal  was 
awarded.  This  specimen  was  considered  to  be 
not  only  the  finest  of  its  kind  ever  shown,  but 
also,  from  a  cultural  point  of  view,  one  of  the 
best  Orchids  ever  staged.  The  specimen  was 
grown    from    a  comparatively    small   plant,    and 


opinion  of  the  benefits  accruing  to  gardeners 
throughout  the  kingdom  by  the  establishment 
and  maintenance  of  Horticultural  Mutual  Im- 
provement Societies,  and  being  desirous  of  pro- 
moting and  assisting  them  in  every  reasonable 
way,  have  resolved  to  form  a  Union  of  Horticul- 
tural Mutual  Improvement  Societies  ;  and  further, 
1.  That  a  register  of  Horticultural  Mutual  Im- 
provement Societies  shall  be  kept  at  Vincent 
Square.  2.  That  a  register  of  competent  lecturers, 
with  their  addresses,  and  as  far  as  may  be  of  the 
subject  of  the  lecture,  shall  be  kept  at  Vincent 
Square.  3.  That  a  copy  of  the  rules  and 
regulations  and  of  the  current  seasons  arrange 
ments,  or  syllabus  of  each  Mutual  Improvement 
Society,  shall  be  kept  at  Vincent  Square  4. 
That  1,  2,  and  3  shall  be  open  to  inspection 
at  any  reasonable  hour  by  the  secretary  of  any 
Mutual  Improvement  Society  joining  the  Union. 
5.  That  an  annual  conference  of  three  delegates 
from  each  Mutual  Improvement  Society  joining 
shall  be  held  at  Vincent  Square  at  2  p.m.  on  the 
second  day  of  the  Annual  British  Fruit  Show  or 
at  such  other  time  as  may  be  preferred.     6.  That 


a  series  of  typewritten  lectures  with  lantern  slides 
shall  be  prepared  for  the  use  of  Mutual  Improve- 
ment Societies  and  hired  out  to  them  at  the  lowest 
possible  charges.  7.  That  any  Mutual  Improve- 
ment Society  forwarding  to  the  Secretary  of  the 
Royal  Horticultural  Society  a  copy  of  their  rules 
and  regulations  and  the  syllabus  of  their  arrange- 
ments for  the  ensuing  season,  together  with  a  fee 
of  5s.  per  annum,  to  cover  incidental  expenses, 
shall  be  considered  to  have  joined  the  Union,  and 
be  forthwith  enrolled  therein.  The  objects 
in  view  are: — a.  To  strengthen  existing  Mutual 
Improvement  Societies.  b.  To  promote  inter- 
change of  lecturers.  c.  To  provide  interesting 
lectures  where  lecturers  cannot  be  obtained. 
d.  To  increase  the  number  of  such  societies  all 
through  the  kingdom,  and  e.  To  furnish  them 
with  an  outline  of  rules,  regulations  and  syllabus. 
The  Secretary  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society, 
Vincent  Square,  Westminster,  will  be  glad  to  hear 
from  the  secretaries  of  all  and  any  Horticultural 
Mutual  Improvement  Societies  who  may  be  in- 
clined to  look  favourably  on  the  proposed  union. 
W.  Willis,  Secretary.  By  order  of  the  Council, 
Vincent  Square,  October  1,  1907.  N  B.— The 
council  wish  it  to  be  understood  that  they  retain 
the  right  to  decline  (or  to  determine)  the  union  of 
any  society  which  possesses  a  political  basis  or 
whose  rules  appear  to  them  [un] satisfactory." 

The  Horticultural  Club.  —  Owing  to 
several  horticultural  meetings  having  occurred  on 
the  evening  of  October  1,  the  house  dinner  and 
lecture  announced  for  that  date  was  postponed 
until  Tuesday,  October  15,  at  6  p.m.,  when  Mr 
Arthur  W.  Sutton  will  lecture  on  "A  Camping 
Tour  from  Damascus  to  Petra  in  Arabia,"  and  the 
subject  will  be  illustrated  by  painted  slides  from 
original  photographs. 

The  Japan  Bulb  Business. — To  what  ex- 
traordinary dimensions  the  Japan  bulb  business 
has  attained  may  be  proved  by  a  few  interesting 
figures  sent  us  by  Mr.  Alfred  Unger,  proprietor 
of  the  business  of  Messrs.  Boehmer  &  Co.,  Yoko- 
hama. The  steamer  "Monteagle,"  of  the 
Canadian  Pacific  S.S.  and  Railway  Company, 
which  left  Yokohama  on  August  27  for  Vancouver, 
B.C.,  carried  4,699  cases  of  bulbs,  or  about 
360  tons  measurement — one  ton  =  40  cubic  feet. 
Taking  as  an  average  225  bulbs  per  case,  this 
steamer  contained  one  million  fifty-seven  thousand 
two  hundred  and  sixty-five  (1,057,265)  bulbs.  The 
principal  portion  of  the  shipment  was  entered  for 
the  United  States  and  Canada,  although  some  of 
the  bulbs  will  eventually  reach  Europe  by  this 
route,  partly  direct,  via  Montreal,  and  partly  by 
transhipment  in  New  York.  The  bulbs  shipped 
at  this  season  are  principally  of  Lilium  longiflorum 
and  its  varieties.  At  fig.  107  we  have  reproduced 
a  photograph  kindly  supplied  us  by  Mr.  A.  Dim- 
mock,  and  which  affords  a  view  of  part  of  the  trial 
grounds  belonging  to  the  Yokohama  Nursery  Com- 
pany, Limited.  The  plants  under  cultivation  are 
Lilium  longifolium  giganteum. 

United  Horticultural  Benefit  and 
Provident  Society. — We  are  informed  that 
the  21st  anniversary  dinner  of  this  Society  will 
be  held  at  the  Holborn  Restaurant,  High  Hol- 
born,  W.C.,  on  Friday,  November  1st,  at  6.30 
p.m.  Sir  Albert  K.  Rollit,  LL.D.,  D.C.L., 
Member  of  the  Council  of  the  Royal  Horticul- 
tural Society,  will  preside.  Tickets  may  be  had 
from  the  Secretary,  Mr.  W.  Collins,  9,  Martin- 
dale  Road,   Balham,  S.W. 

New  State  Forest. — An  estate  of  12,000 
acres,  known  as  Inverliver,  in  Argyllshire,  has  just 
been  purchased  by  the  Government  for  the  purpose 
of  converting  it  into  a  State  forest  station,  at  a  cost 
of  about  £30,000.  It  is  situated  on  the  shores  of 
Loch  Awe.  in  one  of  the  most  sparsely  populated 
districts  of  the  Highlands,  and  is  surrounded  by 
mountains  and  moorland. 


250 


THE     GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


[Octobek  5,   1907. 


Mr.  W.  E.  Broadway,  who  left  the  Royal 
Gardens.  Kew,  in  18b8  to  take  up  a  position  in  the 
Botanical  Gardens  at  Trinidad,  and  has  since  held 
a  similar  post  in  Grenada,  has  now  returned  to 
Trinidad,  where  he  will  reside  at  Circular  Road, 
Belmont,  Port  of  Spain.  Mr.  Broadway  informs 
us  that  he  will  be  glad  to  supply  botanical  and 
natural  history  specimens  obtainable  in  Trinidad 
to  anyone  requiring  to  purchase  them 

Forestry  in  the  North  of  Scotland. — 

The  Teaching  Staff  Committee  of  the  Aberdeen 
and  North  of  Scotland  College  of  Agriculture, 
on  Friday,  September  27,  recommended  to  the 
Governors  the  appointment  of  a  lecturer  in  forestry, 
whose  dutieo  would  be,  in  the  first  instance,  to 
lecture  in  the  principal  forest  areas  in  the  North 
of  Scotland.  The  committee  recommended  that  the 
appointment  be  given  to  Mr.  William  Dawson, 
M.A.,  B.Sc,  Aberdeen,  which  was  adopted.  Mr. 
Dawson,  who  has  studied  forestry  in  Germany 
and  France,  has  been  specially  engaged  in  the 
study  of  diseases  affecting  trees. 

Gooseberry- mildew.  —  Our  correspondent, 
Dr.  Plowright,  informs  us  that  the  County 
Council  of  Norfolk  have  distributed  the  accom- 
panying handbill  in  the  county  villages,  together 
•with  leaflet  No.  195  of  the  Board  of  Agriculture  and 
Fisheries — American  Gooseberry-mildew  (Spbaero- 
theca  mors-uvae,  Berk.).  Unfortunately  the  disease 
has  already  made  its  appearance  in  the  large 
Gooseberry-growing  districts  of  the  county. 

"The  Board  of  Agriculture  have  made  an  order  which 
applies  to  the  County  of  Norfolk  as  from  August  1st,  1907, 
and  is  intended  to  prevent  the  spread  of  the  serious  disease 
known  as  American  Gooseberry-mildew  (Sphasrotheca  mors- 
Uvae),  which  has  recently  been  detected  in  this  country. 

The  disease  attacks  both  Gooseberry  and  Currant  bushes 
(possibly  Rdspberries). 

The  following  are  the  chief  provisions  of  the  new  order  : 

Notification  of  Disease. 
The  occupier  of  any  premises  on  which  there  is  a  bush 
which  is  diseased  or  suspected  of  being  diseased  shall  forth- 
with notify  the  fact  to  the  Clerk  to  the  Local  Authority,  and 
where  practicable  a  specimen  showing  the  disease  or  sus- 
pected disease  shall  accompany  the  notice. 

Measures  for  Prevention  of  the  Spread  of  Disease. 

1.  The  local  authority  on  receiving  in  any  manner  notice 
of  the  existence  or  supposed  existence  of  disease  shall  take 
such  steps  as  may  be  necessary  to  determine  whether  the 
disease  exists,  and  the  area  covered  by  diseased  bushes,  or 
by  bushes  to  which  the  disease  is  likely  to  spread,  and  shall 
cause  a  notice  to  be  served  on  the  occupier  of  any  land 
within  that  area  requiring  him  to  adopt  such  measures  for 
prevention  of  the  spread  of  the  disease  as  are  authorised  by 
this  article. 

2.  A  notice  under  this  article  shall  require — 

(i.)  the  immediate  destruction  by  burning  or  other 
effective  method  ot  all  diseased  bushes,  including 
the  fruit  on  such  bushes ; 

(ii.)  the  thorough  spraying  as  soon  as  possible  with  a 
solution  of  copper  sulphate  (containing  at  least  one 
pound  of  copper  sulphate  to  a  gallon  of  water)  or 
with  some  other  fungicide  approved  by  or  on  behalf 
of  the  local  authority  for  that  purpose  of  the  site  of 
any  bush  that  has  been  destroyed  ; 

(iii.)  the  thorough  spraying  of  all  Gooseberry  and  Cur- 
rant bushes  on  the  area  defined  in  the  notice  with  a 
fungicide  approved  by  or  on  behalf  of  the  local 
authority  for  that  purpose  and  so  that  the  spraying 
shall  be  carried  out  at  such  time  or  times  as  an  in- 
spector of  the  local  authority  shall  direct  and  to  his 
satisfaction  ; 

(iv.)  that  no  Gooseberry  or  Currant  bush,  or  any  part 
of  any  such  bush  shall  be  removed  or  permitted  to 
be  removed  out  of  the  area  defined  in  the  notice  ex- 
cept with,  and  subject  to  the  conditions  (if  any)  of,  a 
license  authorising  such  removal,  but  this  restriction 
shall  not  apply  to  fruit  of  a  bmh  that  isnot  diseased. 

3.  Any  notice  may  be  altered  or  withdrawn  by  the  local 
authority  if  and  when  they  are  satisfied  that  this  may  be 
done  without  risk  of  the  spread  of  disease. 

Powers  of  Entry. 

Any  officer  or  inspector  of  the  Board  or  the  Local 
Authority  may  enter  on  any  land  or  premises  and  examine 
any  Gooseberry  or  Currant  bushes  for  the  purposes  of  this 
order. 

Any  failure  to  comply  with  the  order,  or  failure  to  notify 
disease  or  suspected  disease,  or  any  act  obstructing  or  im- 
peding an  inspector  involves  liability  to  a  penalty  of  £10. 

it  is  most  important  that  any  case  of  disease  should  be 
detected  and  reported  at  once,  in  order  to  prevent  it  spread- 
ing. Occupiers  who  fail  to  do  so  and  to  take  the  steps - 
required  by  the  order  may  incur  serious  losses,  and  risk 
infecting  their  neighbours'  crops  also.  It  is  obviously  to  the 
grower's  advantage  to  notify  suspected  cases  at  once. 
Generally  (but  not  always)  the  disease  appears  first  in  damp 
and  low-lying  places,  and  attacks  the  young  shoots,  but  is 
most  infectious. 

An  illustrated  leaflet  to  assist  growers  in  identifying  the 
disease  is  sent  herewith. 

All  growers  are  requested  to  make  this  order  known  as 
widely  as  possible,  in  order  to  assist  in  the  detection  of 
disease." 


Presentation. — On  the  occasion  of  the  King's 
recent  visit  to  Lord  and  Lady  Savile  at  Rufford 
Abbey,  Notts,  His  Majesty  presented  Mr.  J. 
Doe,  the  head  gardener,  with  a  gold  watch 
bearing  the  Royal  monogram  and  crown.  His 
Majesty  also  expressed  to  Mr.  Doe  the  great 
pleasure  he  had  derived  from  the  gardens  during 
his  stay,  and  congratulated  him  on  their  condition. 
Mr.  Doe  has  had  charge  of  Rufford  Gardens 
for  upwards  of  13  years,  and  has  done  much  to 
improve  their  appearance.  He  is  also  a  very 
successful  exhibitor  of  fruit. 

Bulbs  for  the  London  Parks. — Active 
preparations  are  now  being  made  in  the  London 
parks  for  the  planting  of  the  spring- flowering 
bulbs,  and  we  are  informed  that  the  London 
County  Council  has  ordered,  through  Messrs. 
Wm.  Cutbush  &  Son,  of  Highgate  Nurseries, 
London,  N.,  a  supply  of  hundreds  of  thousands  of 
Hyacinths,  Tulips,  Daffodils,  Crocus,  and  the 
many  other  varieties  of  bulbs  required  for  the 
various  floral  displays  afforded  by  the  28  parks 
and  other  open  spaces  throughout  the  metropolis, 
for  which  the  Council  is  responsible  to  the  citizens 
of  London.  For  furnishing  the  London  Royal 
Parks,  Messrs.  James  Carter  &  Co.,  High  Hol- 
born,  have  been  commanded  by  His  Majesty's 
First  Commissioner  of  Works  to  supply  the 
enormous  number  of  66,000  Hyacinths,  150,010 
Tulips,  133,000  Narcissus  and  Daffodils,  116,000 
Crocus,  and  194,003  Liliums,  Snowdrops,  &c. 

The  Cultivation  of  Iris  K/empferi. — Mr. 
E.  V.  Hallock,  writing  in  the  Weekly  Florists' 
Review  of  August  22,  concerning  Iris  Ksempferi, 
states  that  it  serves  to  illustrate  some  common 
fallacies  as  regards  the  necessary  precautions  for 
successful  cultivation  of  plants.  "  In  1878  we 
bought  Professor  Pringle's  entire  stock  of  this 
plant.  There  were  many  very  fine  varieties,  and 
many  of  the  kinds  are  sold  to-day.  We  noticed 
that  the  clumps,  when  being  sub-divided  for 
planting,  had  a  large  centre  that  was  entirely 
dead  or  dried  up  ;  in  many  you  could  put  your 
hand  right  through  the  centre.  This  came  from 
leaving  the  clumps  too  long  before  sub-dividing. 
We  were  told  that  this  plant  required  damp,  low 
ground,  and  if  it  could  be  covered  by  water 
occasionally  it  would  be  better.  We  planted 
them  on  common  Long  Island  plains  soil,  2  feet 
of  soil  above  clear  sand,  50  feet  above  water. 
William  Falconer,  in  describing  our  planta- 
tion of  Iris,  said  he  walked  '  waist  deep ' 
through  the  plants.  When  transplanting  a  field 
of  these,  we  used  a  cart  and  wheelbarrows,  and 
sub-divided  them  with  an  axe.  One  year  we 
left  several  hundred  plants  along  a  driveway  on 
top  of  the  ground  when  transplanting  in  the 
spring.  In  the  fall  these  plants  were  alive. 
Personally,  I  don't  think  it  is  necessary  that 
Iris  Kaempferi  should  be  flooded  with  water  to 
produce  a  good  growth."  Much  the  same  thing 
can  often  enough  be  seen  at  home.  Thus  it  is 
commonly  stated  that  Pratia  angulata  should  be 
grown  in  a  damp,  partially-shaded  position. 
But  at  the  Edinburgh  Botanic  Garden  there  is 
a  magnificent  patch  of  this  plant  growing  fully 
exposed  to  the  sun  on  a  dry,  sandy  bed  ;  and 
precisely  the  same  conditions  have  been  found 
successful  in  cultivating  the  species  at  the  Physic 
Garden  at  Chelsea. 

Saponaria  vaccaria.  —  An  article  in  the 
Revue  Horticolc  suggests  the  more  extensive  culti- 
vation of  Saponaria  vaccaria  for  cut  flowers. 
The  blossoms  recall  those  of  Gypsophila,  but 
they  are  of  a  Rose  colour,  and  as  large  as  those 
of  Silene  pendula.  By  making  fortnightly  sowings 
from  February  to  July  it  is  possible  to  maintain 
a  succession  of  bloom  from  May  till  October. 
If  the  sprays  are  cut  when  the  flowers  are  com- 
mencing to  unfold,  they  will  open  completely 
in  water,  and  they  have  the  merit  of  lasting  well 
under    these    conditions. 


Pineapples  Damaged  by  Butterflies  in 
Trinidad. — The  Superintendent  of  the  Botanical 
Department,  Trinidad,  Mr.  J.  H.  Hart,  draws 
attention  to  damage  caused  to  Pineapples  by  a 
small  "  blue  "  butterfly  belonging  to  the  family 
Lycaenidae.  The  insect  lays  its  eggs  in  the 
flower  of  the  Pine,  and,  on  development,  the 
larvae  eat  away  the  fleshy  part  of  the  fruit,  caus- 
ing a  reddish  gummy  matter  to  exude.  The 
Pine  becomes  deformed  and  useless  when 
severely  attacked.  The  life  history  of  the  insect 
was  worked  out  in  the  laboratory  of  the  Depart- 
ment. 

The  Double  Sweet  Rocket  (Hesperis 
matronalis)  is  not  seen  as  often  as  it  deserves. 
Although  the  species  is  often  grown  in  cottage 
gardens,  it  is  well  worthy  of  a  place  in  more 
pretentious  borders,  where  its  pleasing  form  and 
long  period  of  blooming  should  render  it  more> 
acceptable  than  many  plants  which  are  often 
found  there.  Many  of  these  old-fashioned  flowers 
of  easy  cultivation  are  too  often  neglected,  per- 
haps because  each  is  regarded  as  "everyone's- 
plant"  ;  but  the  gardener's  art  should  not  stop 
short  at  raising  the  conventional  border  plants, 
and  those  rare  or  difficult  species  which  are  the 
delight  of  many  amateurs  ;  it  should  utilise  even 
common  things,  if  they  satisfy  the  requirements 
of  good  habit  and  long  duration  of  blooming.  The 
Sweet  Rockets,  with  their  white,  Rose,  or  Lilac 
flowers,  fulfil  these  conditions  better  than  many 
which  occupy,  less  worthily,  their  places.  In 
this  connection  it  may  be  remarked  that  some 
of  our  English  wild  flowers  are  far  more  beauti- 
ful than  many  exotics  which  are  grown  at  much, 
trouble  and  expense.  The  writer  recollects  a 
visitor  to  his  greenhouse  stopping  before  a  pan 
of  Bog  Pimpernel  (Anagallis  tenella),  which  was- 
covered  with  its  pink  blossoms,  and  anxiously 
inquiring  if  the  plant  could  be  procured  from  a. 
certain  distinguished  firm  of  nurserymen.  On 
being  informed  that  it  could  be  obtained  from 
almost  any  Surrey  common,  all  the  interest  at 
once  disappeared.  This  vulgar  prejudice  in 
favour  of  the  merejy  uncommon  or  expensive 
article  is  not  an  easy  one  to  combat ;  but  there 
are  many  persons  who  love  flowers  for  their 
own. sake,  and  a  little  education  in  the  direction, 
of  showing  what  can  be  done  with  some  of  our 
native  species  would  certainly  not  be  thrown 
away,  quite  apart  from  the  fact  that  they,  no  less 
than  plants  of  foreign  extraction,  may  well  fur- 
nish the  sources  from  which  "improved"  varie- 
ties may   be  raised. 

Purchasing  Bulbs. — We  have  received  a 
letter  from  Mr.  Robert  Sydenham  in  which  he 
relates  circumstances  in  his  own  experience  which 
go  to  prove  that  bulbs  purchased  direct  from 
Holland  are  not  cheap  merely  because  they  are 
sold  for  lower  prices  lhan  are  charged  by  English 
firms.  As  was  pointed  out  in  our  article  published 
in  the  issue  for  September  21  last,  the  bulbs  may 
be  as  inferior  in  quality  as  they  are  lower  in  price. 
Goods  are  not  dear  merely  because  their  prices  are 
high  in  comparison  with  others,  or  cheap  because 
they  are  lower.    It  is  usually  a  question  of  quality. 


THE    HARDY    FLOWER 
BORDER. 

PAPAVER  NUDICAULE. 
This  Poppy  is  a  biennial,  flowering  the 
second  year,  and  one  that  must  be  sown  where 
it  is  intended  it  should  flower,  or,  failing  that, 
transplanted  the  first  year.  The  first  is  the 
better  plan,  the  least  interference  with  the  roots 
having  a  bad  effect  on  the  flowering  of  the 
plant.  For  this  reason  the  strongest  seedlings 
must  be  transplanted  to  the  places  in  which  they 
are  to  flower  early  in  the  first  year.  As  a  pot 
plant  Papaver  nudicaule  is  not  to  be  recom- 
mended.    /*'.  .'/. 


October  5,  1207.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


251 


RUBUS    BAMBUSARUM    (Foche). 

This  fine  plant,  from  China,  was  discovered 
by  Dr.  Augustine  Henry,  and  was  introduced 
to  this  country  through  Mr.  E.  H.  Wilson,  when 
■collecting  for  Messrs.  James  Veitch  &  Sons. 
Our  illustration  shows  the  general  habit  of  the 
fruit  and  foliage.  The  leaflets  in  shape  some- 
what resemble  a  Willow  leaf,  and  are  dark  green 
above,  but  white  or  dun-coloured  underneath. 
They  are  said  to  he  used  as  a  substitute  for  Tea 
in  some  parts  of  China. 


FLORISTS'    FLOWERS. 


P^ONY  CULTIVATION  IN  AMERICA. 
In  recent  years  the  Paeony,  in  its  many  im- 
proved varieties,  has  taken  a  high  position  in 
English,  American,  and  French  gardens.  In 
America,  at  the  end  of  the  month  of  June  this 
year,  the  American  Paeony  Society  inaugurated 
at  Ithaca,  New  York  State,  a  conference  com- 
bined with  a  Paeony  show.  Mr.  Ward,  a  Paeony 
raiser  and  President  of  the  Society  in  question, 


Fig.  108.  — rubus  bambusarum.  a  Chinese  species. 


The  plant,  which  is  of  a  vigorous  constitu- 
tion, is  adapted  for  pillars,  the  long  branches 
reaching  a  length  of  from  10  to  12  feet  in  one 
summer,  and  the  black  edible  fruit  hangs  in 
effective  clusters,  which  compensate  for  the 
somewhat  obscure  blossoms.  The  specimen 
figured  was  obtained  from  a  plant  exhibited  by 
Messrs.  Jas.  Veitch  &  Sons  at  the  Royal  Horti- 
cultural Society's  meeting  on  August  20,  when 
ihe  species  was  awarded  a  First  Class  Certificate. 


stated  as  his  opinion  that  the  existing  crosses 
and  seedlings  would  not  be  productive  of  varie- 
ties showing  better  characteristics  than  the 
parents,  and  that,  in  order  to  improve  the  race, 
"new  blood"  must  be  introduced.  In  en- 
deavouring to  raise  new  varieties  of  these 
flowers,  a  saving  of  time  and  labour  would  re- 
sult if  a  better  and  a  fuller  knowledge  of  the 
materials  already  existing  were  generally  known. 
Each  member  is  entitled  to  send  one  plant  to  the 


research  garden  at  Ithaca.  Further,  a  commit- 
tee will  be  appointed  for  the  study  of  Paeony 
diseases,  and  another  to  decide  as  to  the  merits 
or  otherwise  of  the  new  varieties.  Mr.  J.  E. 
Coit,  who  has  been  engaged  for  a  long  period 
with  the  study  of  Paeonies,  spoke  at  great  length 
concerning  the  classification  of  these  plants,  of 
which  he  has  worked  out  a  perfectly  new  sys- 
tem. Mr.  Coit  divides  Paeonies  into  six  types, 
including  the  single,  of  which  Fiancee  is  the 
type  ;  the  Japanese,  of  which  the  variety  Glory 
is  the  type ;  the  bomb  form,  such  as  is  seen  in 
the  variety  Charles  Binder ;  the  half-double 
form  (the  confusion  of  names  is  greatest  in  this 
class)  ;  the  crown  form  (Kelway's  Princess 
Beatrice  is  a  good  type  of  this  class)  ;  and  the 
Rose   form,    of    which    the    type   is    Avalanche. 

TREE  OR  PERPETUAL-FLOWERING   CAR- 
NATIONS. 

In  some  gardens  the  cultivation  of  Carnations 
of  all  sections  is  rendered  impossible  by  reason 
of  the  presence  of  the  fungus  Helminthosporium 
ecm'nulatum.  In  cases  of  slight  infection  by 
this  fungus,  a  quarter  which  has  not  been  pre- 
viously planted  with  Carnations  or  Pinks  should 
be  selected,  and  soil  for  potting  should  be 
brought  from  totally  unaffected  sources.  A  com- 
mon cause  of  failure  in  the  culture  of  Carna- 
tions under  glass  arises  from  excessive  warmth 
in  the  glasshouse,  thus  causing  a  too 
rapid  development  of  growth,  with  the  result 
that  the  flowers  have  not  the  strength  to  expand, 
and  the  plants  become  weak  and  offer  a  ready 
prey  to  the  fungus. 

If  the  propagation  of  Carnations  is  undertaken 
in  early  autumn  (the  best  season),  a  hotbed 
should  be  made  with  fresh  tree-leaves,  or  the 
unfermented  leaves  of  the  previous  year,  and 
stable  dung,  sufficiently  large  as  to  afford  a 
bottom  heat  of  78°-80°.  Such  a  hotbed  may  be 
constructed  to  accommodate  one  single-light 
frame,  or  several,  according  to  requirements. 
On  the  surface  of  the  hotbed  a  layer  of  rotten 
dung  should  be  placed  ;  this  should  be  made 
level,  anil  on  this  a  mixture  of  leafmould,  dis- 
used hotbed  soil,  and  a  small  quantity  of  sand 
should  be  laid  to  the  depth  of  \\  inches.  Finish 
the  surface  with  an  inch  layer  of  sharp  sand. 
The  cuttings  should  be  taken  from  plants  grow- 
ihe  open  ground,  and  they  should  consist 
of  the  lowermost  side  shoots  of  the  developed 
flowering  stems  that  are  neither  too  long  nor  too 
short.  Water  the  cuttings  after  they  are  inserted, 
and  shade  the  frame  only  during  the  hottest 
hours.  At  first  the  cuttings  should  be 
syringed  with  sun-warmed  water  almost  hourly, 
by  which  means  the  formation  of  roots  will  be 
encouraged,  and  in  about  14  days  a  root-system 
will  be  completed.  Ventilation  should  be 
afforded  at  this  stage,  and,  under  favourable 
conditions,  the  lights  may  be  dispensed  with 
by  night.  In  about  one  week  the  plants  may  be 
set  out  in  well-prepared  beds  8  to  10  inches 
apart.  The  stopping  of  the  plants  should  be 
carried  out  at  the  end  of  the  month  of  May,  and 
this  will  favour  the  development  of  bushy 
plants.  Young  Carnations  intended  for  pot  cul- 
ture should  be  taken  up  with  great  care  in 
August  and  be  set  in  pots  of  suitable  sizes,  in  a 
mixture  consisting  of  loam  two-thirds,  leaf- 
mould  one-third,  a  small  quantity  of  sharp  sand 
and  horn  shavings.  The  pots,  which  should  be 
afforded  plenty  of  drainage  material,  are  best 
placed  on  a  coal-ash  bed  in  a  sheltered  spot. 
By  moderate  applications  of  water  and  repeated 
syringings,  fresh  roots  will  soon  develop.  The 
plants  should,  if  convenient,  be  placed  in  Octo- 
ber in  pits  or  houses  having  portable  top  lights. 
The  average  temperatures  to  induce  the  greatest 
abundance  of  bloom  may  range  from  44° 
to  48°  Fahr.  Owing  to  lack  of  room  under  glass 
in  the  winter  season,  propagation  may  be  under- 
taken in  January,  February,  and  early  in  March, 
and  the  plants  thus  propagated  will  grow  quite 
satisfactorily.     F.  M. 


252 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[October  5,  1907. 


THE     FERNERY. 


SOME   POLYPODIUMS   IN   TRINIDAD. 

In  the  old  Botanic  Gardens  of  Trinidad  there 
exists  a  strong  natural  growth  of  several  Poly- 
podiums,  self  sown  in  the  axils  of  the  lower 
leaves  of  various  Palms  of  about  16  years' 
growth.  These  Ferns  are  particularly  effective 
during  the  months  of  July  to  November,  when 
the  fronds  clothe  the  Palm  stems  with  a  mass 
of  drooping,  green  fronds.  The  West  Indian 
varieties  are  Polypodium  aureum,  Linn.,  and  its 
varieties  reductum,  areolatum,  pulvinatum, 
and  attenuatum,  H.B.K.,  and  the  grand 
old  Phlebodium,  Polypodium  decumanum, 
of  Willd.,  with  fronds  8  to  10  feet  in 
length.  Besides,  we  have  the  Polypodium 
Phymatodes,  of  Ceylon  and  Polynesia,  which 
has  become  so  well  naturalised  that  it 
niav  bo  seen  growing  upon  the  stems  of  trees 
in  every  direction,  showing  sporiferous  fronds 
ranging  from  pinnate  lorm  of  2  to  2^  feet  long 
to  a  single  simple  frond  of  some  3  inches  in 
length.  Polypodium  incanum  and  T.  vaccini- 
fulium  are  also  common  li  Palm-stem "  plants. 
In  the  dry  season  most  of  these  are  deciduous, 
and  only  their  strong,  creeping,  scaly  root- 
stocks  are  to  be  seen,  P.  Phymatodes  being  only 
partially  so,  but  P.  incanum  and  P.  vaccini- 
folium  adapt  themselves  to  the  dry  season  by 
curling  up  into  various  moss-like  masses.  Two 
of  the  simple  leaved  Polypodiums  join  the  above 
in  P.  irioides  and  P.  phyllitidis,  the  first  of  which 
is  partly  naturalised  and  keeps  company  with 
the  native  P.  phyllitidis.  The  mainland  P. 
percussum,  Cav.,  is  also  well  naturalised  in  the 
garden,  mostly  on  stems  and  branches  of  the 
large  trees,  but  is  threatened  lo  be  outgrown  by 
P.   Phymatodes. 

These  species  of  the  section  Phlebodium  are, 
however,  the  most  numerous  and  ornamental, 
forming  a  striking  feature  of  the  garden. 
Nephrolepis  exaltata  and  its  congener,  N. 
sesquipedale,  Jenm.,  are  also  very  common  as 
Palm-sten  plants,  and  Jenman  noted  the  fact 
in  his  Ferns  of  the  West  Indies  and  British 
Guiana  in  his  description  of  N.  sesquipedale, 
Jenm.,  when  he  described  it  as  being  a  common 
species  in  British  Guiana,  abounding  in  great 
profusion  in  the  decaying  debris  of  spathes  and 
spadices  in  the  crown  of  Maximiliana  regia,  and 
it  is  found  in  the  same  position  in  Trinidad. 
/.   H.  Hart,  Trinidad. 


HOME    CORRESPONDENCE. 


( I'ke  Editor  does  not  hold  himself  responsible  for  the 
opinions  expressed  by  his  correspondents.) 

Burning  Bush  (See  p.  240). — I  have  always 
found  that  Rhus  cotinus  is  known  as  the  Burning 
Bush.     /.  G.  Hill,  Grcysuic.  Muswell  Hill,  N. 

Hydrangea  Hortensia.  —  When  paying  a 
recent  visit  to  Delamere  House,  near  Northwich, 
the  seat  of  Major  Wilbraham,  I  saw  some  very 
fine  plants  of  Hydrangea  Hortensia  growing  in 
tubs  on  the  terrace.  It  may  interest  your  corre- 
spondents, Mr.  A.  R.  Pearce  and  Mr.  E.  S.  Pigg, 
who  wrote  on  this  species  in  the  issues  for 
August  24  and  September  14,  if  I  give  some  par- 
ticulars of  the  plants  at  Delamere  House.  Two 
of  the  specimens  measured  5  feet  6  inches  in 
height  and  4  feet  6  inches  in  diameter,  and  were 
masses  of  flower.  At  the  time  of  my  visit  one 
plant  bore  288  and  the  other  274  fully-expanded 
inflorescences.  The  plants,  I  was  given  to 
understand,  are  placed  in  a  shed  during  the 
winter  months.  Mr.  John  Thompson,  the  gar- 
dener at  Delamere  House,  has  about  50  splendid 
specimens,  but  the  two  plants  I  have  mentioned 
are  the  largest  and  best.  Calanthes  are  culti- 
vated well  in  these  gardens,  some  of  the  pseudo- 
bulbs  measuring  quite  10J  inches  in  length  and 
8  inches  in  circumference.  Every  plant  is  show- 
ing its  flower-spikes.  Chrysanthemums  are 
a  lother  prominent  feature  at  Delamere  House. 
/•'.  Roberts,  Stoke  Edith  Park  Gardens,  near  Here- 
ford. 


The  Gathering  and  Storing  of  Fruit. — 

It  is  very  important  that  Apples  and  Pears 
should  be  perfectly  dry  when  they  are  gathered 
for  taking  into  the  store-house  or  fruit-room. 
It  is  equally  important  that  the  fruits  should 
be  handled  with  great  care,  and  laid  in 
shallow  baskets  as  the  work  proceeds.  The 
finest  specimens  should  be  laid  one  layer  deep 
on  the  truit-room  shelves  to  ripen.  When  fruits 
are  gathered  in  the  full  sunshine,  they  "  sweat  '■ 
only  for  a  very  short  period  ;  at  the  same  time, 
the  fruit-store  must  not  be  closed,  but  provision 
made  for  the  escape  of  moisture  by  keeping  the 
room  well  ventilated.  The  sweating  process 
over,  the  fruits  will  require  looking  over  occa- 
sionally in  order  to  remove  any  that  are  not 
perfect  specimens,  or  any  that  show  any  signs 
of  disease  or  decay.  As  the  season  proceeds  and 
the  store  becomes  filled,  the  time  of  year  ap- 
proaches when  it  is  necessary  to  close  the  struc- 
ture. In  a  good  fruit-room,  built  on  approved 
methods,  it  should  be  possible  to  keep  Apples 
through  the  severest  winters  without  the  help  of 
artificial  heat  or  internal  coverings.  Bare  lath 
shelves  of  odourless  wood  answer  best,  and  it  is 
not  advisable  to  place  the  fruits  on  straw  or 
cover  them  with  such  material.  Apples  can  be 
kept  in  a  very  much  lower  temperature  tnan 
Pears.  It  is  necessary  when  Pears  are  approach- 
ing to  ripeness,  and  in  order  to  bring  out  those 
good  qualities  which  many  varieties  possess,  that 
they  should  be  removed  to  a  warmer,  drier,  and 
brighter  place  some  time  before  they  are 
to  be  eaten.  Choice  fruits  are  sometimes 
picked  in  a  hurried  and  ill-considered  man- 
ner. In  order  'o  ascertain  when  they  are 
fit  to  be  gathered,  they  need  to  be  tested 
by  raising  a  few  of  the  fruits  quickly  in 
the  palm  of  the  hand  to  a  horizontal  position, 
and  if  under  such  circumstances  they  will  part 
readily  from  the  tree,  gathering  may  be  com- 
menced. The  experienced  gardener  knows  fairly 
well  about  the  time  each  variety  should  ripen, 
and  accordingly  he  knows  when  to  apply  the  test. 
Some  of  the  more  tender  varieties  of  fruits,  in- 
cluding Plums,  Peaches,  and  Nectarines,  may  be 
gathered  just  before  they  are  perfectly  ripe  and 
taken  into  the  fruit-room  where  they  will  keep 
in  good  condition  for  several  days,  thereby  pro- 
longing the  season,  and  therefore  preventing 
waste.  If  Plums  are  gathered  when  perfectly 
dry,  they  may  be  kept  for  a  considerable  period 
if  they  are  first  wrapped  in  silvered  paper  and 
stored  in  a  warm,  dry  place.  The  skin  of  a  ripe 
Pear  or  Apple  becomes  of  a  richer  tint,  and  the 
perfume  of  the  fruit  is  at  its  best  when  it  is 
really  fit  to  eat.  The  common  practice  of  pinch- 
ing a  fruit  near  the  stem  in  order  to  ascer- 
tain if  it  is  ripe  should  be  avoided.  W .  H. 
Clarke,  Aston  Rowant  Gardens,  Oxon. 

Horticultural  Returns.— The  remarks  on 
this  subject  on  p.  230  are  forceful  and  to  the 
point  ;  whether  they  will  induce  an  alteration  in 
the  method  of  tabulation  adopted  by  the  Board  of 
Agriculture  remains  to  be  seen.  Several  large 
fruit  growers  ha\e  sent  their  forms  to  me  this 
season  and  asked  for  advice  on  the  matter,  while 
others,  to  save  trouble,  have  simply  given  their 
returns  under  "  other  kinds,"  both  in  small  fruits 
and  orchards.  The  result  will  be,  as  far  as  can  be 
seen  at  present,  more  misleading  and  inaccurate 
than  those  obtained  under  the  old  form.  Beyond 
that,  even  if  the  method  is  altered  another  year, 
the  returns  for  the  present  year  cannot  be  corrected 
until  the  following  one,  so  that  next  year's  agri- 
cultural tables  will  not,  as  regards  the  fruit 
average,  be  comparable  with  either  the  preceding 
or  following  returns  except  in  the  totals.  A  brief 
explanatory  paragraph  would  render  clear  what  is 
really  required  in  the  case  of  a  mixed  plantation. 
If,  for  example,  Apples,  Pears,  Plums,  with 
Gooseberries,  Currants,  Raspberries,  or  Straw- 
berries between  them  constitute  the  mixture  in 
question,  it  should  be  known  what  is  the  total 
number  of  plants  of  each  kind,  and  the  distances 
they  are  set  apart.  The  area  occupied  by  an  in- 
dividual of  either  kind  multiplied  by  the  number 
gives  the  total  area  occupied  by  the  respective 
kinds.  It  is  such  an  obvious  and  simple  piece  of 
arithmetic  that  it  would  seem  superfluous  to  men- 
tion the  matter,  but  the  enquiries  I  have  received 
prove  that  the  officials  of  the  Board  of  Agriculture 
have  failed  to  make  ihe  subject  clear,  while  if  their 
instructions  are  taken  literally  the  whole  affair  be- 
comes an  absurdity,  as  was  pointed  out  in  the  letter 
in  last  week'sissue,  towhich  I  havealready  referred. 
The  incomplete  and  inconsistent  character  of  these 


official  returns  in  relation  to  fruits  was  brought 
under  the  notice  of  the  Board  over  16  years  ago  by 
Mr.  George  Gordon  and  myself  as  representing  a 
large  party  of  fruit  growers,  and  the  necessity  for 
alteration  was  freely  admitted.  Since  that  time 
the  subject  has  been  repeatedly  menlioned  in  com- 
munications to  the  Board  and  in  conversation 
with  the  late  Mr.  Hanbury,  Major  Craigie  and 
Professor  Somerville,  and  in  every  case  suggestions 
have  been  received  with  courteous  attention. 
There,  unfortunately,  the  matter  has  rested,  and 
the  same  applies  to  the  recommendations  of  the 
"  Fruit  Enquiry  "  Committee.  Progress  is  blocked 
somewhere  in  the  complicated  official  system,  but 
where,  and  how,  and  why,  it  seems  impossible  for 
outsiders  to  ascertain,  as  even  acknowledged 
experts  appear  to  be  seldom  consulted.  A'.  Lewii 
Castle. 

Deficient  Rainfall. — Your  readers  (especi- 
ally in  the  west)  will  probably  be  surprised  to  learn 
that  the  rainfall  of  the  nine  months  just  ended  was, 
up  to  noon  on  Tuesday  last,  the  lowest  I  have 
recorded  since  I  came  to  Kent  in  1899.  Such  a 
combination  of  small  rainfall  and  low  day  tempera- 
tures must  be  very  rare  Below  I  give  the  eight 
years  in  question :  the  excess  of  0  09  inch  over 
1901  was  caused  by  rain  on  Tuesday  night.  January 
to  September  inclusive:  1900,  1726;  t'JOl,  1376; 
1902,14-13;  1903,2643;  1904, 17-32;  1905,  17  o'J  ; 
1906,  14-64;   1907,  1385.     Alfred  O.  Walker,  Kent. 

Cupressus  lusitania  (Cedar  of  Goa. 
This  Cedar  seems  to  be  a  very  rare  plant  in  ilns 
country,  and  it  would  be  interesting  to  know  if 
there  are  any  specimens  in  the  more  favoured 
parts  of  Great  Britain.  A  young  tree-  was 
brought  home  by  my  employer  early  in  the  spring 
from  Bussaco,  where  it  is  said  to  grow  at  a  con- 
siderable altitude,  and  at  certain  periods  of  the 
year  the  temperature  falls  rather  low.  On  the  first 
appearance  of  this  young  tree  it  impressed  me  as 
being  very  similar  to  Cupressus  funebris,  but  on 
closer  examination  it  is  quite  distinct,  being  much 
finer  in  its  growth  and  having  a  more  glaucous 
tint.  It  is  evidently  a  tree  of  rapid  growth  judg- 
ing from  the  previous  season's  growth  this  tree 
had  made,  and,  if  it  is  not  generally  hardy,  it 
would  probably  thrive  and  make  a  valuable  and 
attractive  law-n  s[  ecimen  in  the  counties  of  Devon 
and  Cornwall.  11'.  H.  Clarke,  Aston  Rowai,t, 
Oxon. 


SOCIETIES. 


ROYAL   HORTICULTURAL. 

October  1. — The  ordinary  fortnightly  meet- 
ing of  the  Committees  of  this  society  took  place 
on  Tuesday  last,  when  a  very  good  display  was 
made,  in  which  hardy  flowers,  collections  of 
fruit  and  fruit-trees,  and  a  collection  of  species 
of  Vitis  were  prominent   features. 

The  Orchid  Committee  recommended  two 
Awards  of  Merit  and  one  Botanical  Certificate 
to  novelties  among  Orchids,  and  the  Floral 
Committee  recommended  two  First-Class  Cer- 
tificates and  five  Awards  of  Merit  to  novelties  in 
miscellaneous   flowering   and  foliage   plants. 

A  joint  Committee  of  a  deputation  from  the 
Floral  Committee  and  from  the  National  Dah- 
lia Society  recommended  seven  Awards  to  new 
Dahlias. 

In  the  afternoon  a  lecture  on  "The  Cultiva- 
tion of  Plants  by  Electricity  "  was  delivered  by 
Mr.    B.    H.   Thwaite. 

Floral  Committee. 

Present:  W.  Marshall,  Esq.  (chairman),  and 
Messrs.  C.  T.  Druerv,  H.  B.  May,  T.  W.  Turner, 
G.  Reuthe,  Chas.  Blick,  Jas.  Douglas,  W.  T. 
Ware,  Chas.  Dixon,  H.  J.  Cutbush,  J.  T.  Ben- 
nett-Poe,  Chas.  E.  Pearson,  W.  P.  Thomson, 
E.  H.  Jenkins,  W.  J.  James,  J.  F.  McLeod,  R. 
W.  Wallace,  M.  James,  R.  C.  Notcutt,  J.  YV. 
Barr,  A.  Turner,  James  Hudson. 

Messrs.  James  Veitch  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  K 
Road,  Chelsea,  showed  an  exhibit  of  ornamen- 
tal Vines,  embracing  62  distinct  species  and 
varieties,  many  of  them  being  new  to  gardens. 
The  majority  of  the  new  species  are  introduc- 
tions from  China,  through  their  collector,  Mr. 
E.  H.  Wilson,  and  those  shown  for  the  first 
time  were  Vitis  sinensis  repens,  V.  tomentosa, 
V.  flexuosa  chinensis,  V.  Delavayana,  ami  \  ■ 
species  nova.  The  habit  of  the  various  plants, 
as  is  to  be  expected  from  such  a  representative 


October  5,  1E07. 


THE     GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


Ib3 


collection,  varied  greatly,  and,  whilst  some 
plants  attained  to  a  height  of  112  or  14  feet, 
others  were  not  more  than  11  or  3  feet  high. 
The  following  were  carrying  handsome  autumn- 
tinted  leaves  : — V.  flexuosa  major,  V.  amurensis, 
V.  armata,  V.  Brandt  (a  form  of  V.  vinifera), 
V.  vinifera  purpurea,  V.  armata  Veitchii  (of 
rich,  red  colouring),  V.  Henryana,  V.  hetero- 
phylla  variegata  (the  variegation  is  white  and 
green),  V.  Thunbergii  (one  of  the  showiest  of 
the  genus),  and  V.  megalophylla.  (Gold 
Medal.) 

A  very  beautiful  display  of  Roses  was  shown 
by  Messrs.  Wm.  Paul  &  Son,  Waltham  Cross, 
Herts.  The  exhibit  occupied  the  whole  of  one 
side  of  a  long  central  table.  The  majority  of 
the  blooms  were  shown  in  baskets,  but  these 
were  interspersed  with  vases,  and  at  the  back 
were  epergnes.  The  good  quality  was  re- 
markable for  this  late  season,  and  the  varie- 
ties included  nearly  100.  Prominent  blooms 
were  those  of  Warrior,  Pharisaer,  Le  Progres, 
Earl  of  Warwick,  the  new  Hugo  Roller,  Com- 
tesse  de  Cayla  (a  China  Rose  of  exquisite  col- 
ouring), Mad.  Abel  Chatenav,  &c.  (Silver-Gilt 
Flora   Medal.] 

Mr.  George  Prince,  Longworth,  Berks., 
showed  many  beautiful  blooms  of  Roses,  includ- 
ing choice  specimens  of  the  white  variety  rained 
after  Frau  Karl  Druschki,  White  Maman  Cochet, 
and  a  new  variety  named  Mme.  Constant  Sou- 
pert,  with  deep  yellow  petals  slightly  edged  with 
rose-colour.     (Bronze  Flora  Medal.) 

Messrs.  Frank  Cant  &  Co.,  Colchester, 
showed  bunches  of  Roses  in  variety,  all  of  fresh 
and  clean  appearance,  and  including  the  choicer 
kinds  for  garden  decoration.  (Silver  Banksian 
Medal.) 

Messrs.  D.  Prior  &  Son,  Colchester,  exhi- 
bited a  choice  assortment  of  Roses,  exhibition 
boxes,  vases,  and  epergnes  being  filled  with 
splendid  blooms  of  such  kinds  as  Frau  Karl 
Druschki,  Maman  Cochet,  Mme.  de  Watteville, 
White  Maman  Cochet,  The  Bride,  Caroline 
Testout,  &c.     (Silver  Banksian  Medal.) 

Messrs.  II.  B.  May  &  Sons,  t'dmonton, 
showed  varieties  of  Veronicas  of  the  Andersoni 
type  and  about  90  varieties  of  hardy  F'erns.  (Sil- 
ver   Flora    Medal.) 

Messrs.  Wm.  Hi  i  i  &  Sons,  King's  Road,  Chel- 
sea, again  showed  ornamental-leaved  species  of 
exotic  plants  as  a  setting  to  a  bank  of  Orchids. 
(Bronze  Flora  Medal.) 

Messrs.  R.  II.  Bath,  Ltd.,  The  FToral  Farms, 
Wisbech,  showed  Chrysanthemums  of  the  mar- 
ket type  and  sprays  of  perennial  Asters  in 
variety'.  Perle  Chatillonaise,  Nina  Blick,  Le 
Pactole,  Roi  des  Blancs,  Champs  d'Or,  Ryecroft 
Crimson,  and  other  well-known  varieties  of 
early-flowering  Chrysanthemums  were  noticed. 
(Silver  Banksian  Medal.) 

A  very  extensive  and  prettily-arranged  exhibit 
of  Dahlias  was  shown  by  Messrs.  T.  S.  Ware 
Ltd.,  Ware's  Nursery,  Feltham.  The  display- 
occupied  a  long  table  that  ran  the  whole  length 
of  the  hall  at  the  end  opposite  the  clock.  We 
have  no  space  to  enumerate  the  many  varieties 
shown,  but  may  state  that  they  included  excel- 
lent examples  of  most  of  the  best  kinds  in  com- 
merce. With  the  Dahlias  were  Asters,  Chrvsan- 
themums,  coloured  foliage,  Grasses,  &c,  used 
for  relief,  and  the  whole  was  edged  with  a  row 
of  Isolepis  gracilis.     (Silver-Gilt   JTora  Medal.) 

Mr.  M.  V.  Seale,  The  Nurseries,  Sevenoaks, 
exhibited  varieties  of  the  Pompon-Cactus  type 
of  Dahlias.  The  flowers  are  about  half  the  size 
of  those  of  ordinary  Cactus  Dahlias.  Among 
notable  varieties  may  be  instanced  Mignon 
(pink),  W.  Marshall  (crimson),  Tom-Tit  (pink), 
Coronation  (scarlet),  Little  Albert  (yellowish 
bronze),  and  Mary  (white,  tinted  with  red). 
(Bronze  Flora  Medal.) 

Mr.  J.  T.  West,  Tower  Hill,  Brentwood,  dis- 
played Dahlias  of  the  Pompon  and  Cactus- 
flowered  types  in  most  of  the  choicer  varieties. 
The  exhibit  was  very  prettily  arranged.  (Sil- 
ver Banksian   Medal. i 

Messrs.  II.  Cannell  &  Sons,  Swanley,  Kent, 
again  showed  a  selection  of  many  of  the  best 
varieties  of  Cactus  and  Paeony-flowered  Dahlias. 
The  exhibit  was  of  great  extent,  and  displayed 
w  a  pleasing  manner.  (Silver-Gilt  Banksian 
Medal.) 

Messrs.  James  Stredwick  &  Son,  Silverhill 
Park,  St.  Leonards-on-Sea,  staged  VI  varieties  of 
Cactus  Dahlias,  most  of  which  have  been  de- 
scribed in  our  columns. 


Messrs.  G.  van  Waveren  &  Kruyef,  Sassen- 
heim,  Holland,  presented  a  number  of  single 
varieties  of  the  Paeony-flowered  Dahlias.  (Bronze 
Flora  Medal.) 

Messrs.  Hugh  Low  &  Co.,  Bush  Hill  Park, 
Enfield,  exhibited  plants  of  Nephrolepis  exal- 
tata  Whitmannii,  a  large  specimen  of  Chironia 
exifera,  crowded  with  its  pretty  pink-coloured 
flowers,  and  a  pan  of  Rochea  falcata  with  bril- 
liant   red    inflorescences. 

Messrs.  Gunn  &  Sons,  Olton,  Birmingham, 
showed  border  Phloxes,  of  which  flowers  this 
firm  makes  a  speciality.  The  manner  of  staging 
was  pleasing,  hanging  baskets  filled  with  these 
flowers  being  very  pretty.  Almost  all  the  best 
varieties  were  included  in  the  display,  and 
although  we  have  seen  them  finer  in  some 
seasons,  the  exhibit  ranked  as  one  of  the  most 
interesting  in  the  exhibition.  (Silver-Gilt  Flora 
Medal.) 

Messrs.  W.  Ci  rBUSH  &  Son,  Ilighgate  Nur- 
series, London,  N.,  staged  an  attractive  exhibit 
of  hardy  flowers  on  the  floor  near  to  the  entrance. 
In  the  centre  of  the  group  was  a  tall  bamboo 
epergne  filled  with  long  spikes  of  Liatris  pycno- 
stachys,  and  on  either  side  smaller  stands  accom- 
modated such  flowers  as  Tritomas,  perennial 
Asters,  Sunflowers  in  variety,  Hemerocallis  Dr. 
Kegel,  Aster  Linosyris,  Eupatorium  purpureum. 
&c.,  with  Phloxes,  l'yrethrums,  Polygonum  am- 
plexicaule,  Physalis  Franchettii,  '  and  many 
other  subjects  forming  a  groundwork.  Messrs. 
Cutbush  also  sh  >wed  as  a  table  group  vases 
of  Carnations,  and  between  these  were  flower- 
ing sprays  of  the  dwarf  Polyantha  Rose  Mis. 
F.  W.  Flight,  and  at  one  end  were  vases  of  the 
new  Astilbe  (Spiraea)  Queen  Alexandra.  (Silver- 
Gilt  Banksian   Medal.) 

Asters  of  the  border  type  were  shown  in  great 
variety  by  Mr.  AMOS  Perry,  Enfield  Chase.  Mid- 
dlesex, in  addition  to  many  other  seasonable 
garden  flowers,  including  Erigeron  hybridurn, 
Senecio  cliyornm,  Kudbeckias,  Tritomas,  Ama- 
ryllis Belladonna.  &c.     (Silver  Flora   Medal.] 

Mr.  F.  Brazier,  C  tterham,  set  up  a  verv  large 
exhibit  of  perennial  Asters,  Chrysanthemums, 
Scabiosa,  Roses,  Phloxes.  &c.  (Bronze  Flora 
Medal.) 

\l  ~srs.  John  Peed  &  Son,  West  Norsood, 
London,  S.E.,  showed  a  number  of  Alpine  plants 
in  small  pots  and  pans,  with  Clematis,  Lobelia 
cardinalis,  Campanulas,  Veronicas,  etc.,  in 
flower  at  the  back. 

Mr.  G.  REUTHE,  Hardy  Plant  Nursery, 
JCeston,  Kent,  showed  autumn-flowering  Colchi- 
cums,  C.  gigantea,  C.  Bornmuelleri,  C.  specio- 
sum  album,  <Vc,  liliums,  a  batch  of  Nerine 
coruscans,  Asters,  Phloxes,  &c. 

Messrs.  Barr  tV  Sons,  King  Street,  Covent 
Garden,  London,  displayed  an  assortment  of  sea- 
sonable hardy  flowers,  including  perennial  Asters, 
Phloxes,  Sunflowers,  Sedum  spectabile,  Cen- 
taureas,  Gladioli,  and  early-flowering  varieties 
of  Chrysanthemums.     (Bronze  Flora  Medal.) 

Mr.  R.  C.  Notcutt,  The  Nursery,  Wood- 
bridge,  showed  border  flowers  in  variety,  plumes 
of  the  Pampas  Grass  (Gynerium),  Liliums, 
Asters,  and  tall  Sunflowers  overhung  dwarfer 
subjects  such  as  Anemones,  Roses,  Phloxes, 
Romneva  Coulteri,  Statices,  &c.  (Bronze  Flora 
Medal.) 

Messrs.  Dobbie  &  Co.,  Rothesay,  N.B.,  and 
Mark's  Tey,  Essex,  exhibited  a  remarkably  fine 
strain  of  Scabiosa  (see  Awards),  a  new-  crimson- 
coloured  Cactus  Dahlia  named  Dreadnought, 
and  a  selection  of  Montbretias.  (Silver  Flora 
Medal.) 

A  very  fine  hybrid  Nerine  was  displayed  by  J.  T. 
Bennett-Poe,  Esq.,  Holmewood,  Cheshunt  (gr. 
Mr.  Downes).  The  petals  were  much  crimped 
and  deener  in  colour  than  the  well-known  N. 
Fothergillii,  of  which  it  is  evidently  a  derivative. 
Messrs.  W.  Wells  &  Co.,  Merstham,  Surrev, 
displayed  a  very  large  number  of  single  Chry- 
santhemums. 

AWARDS. 

First- Class  Certificates. 

Polystichum  aculeatum  pulcherrimum  Drucryii. 
— A  handsome,  finely-dissected  variety  of  the 
native  Prickly  Shield  Fern  was  shown  bv  Mr. 
C.  T.  Druerv,  V.M.H.,  under  this  name."  The 
fronds  had  more  the  appearance  of  those  of  P. 
angulare  subtripinnatum,  so  finely  were  they 
divided,  and  with  graceful  curving  rachis.     The 


pinnae  were  interrupted  to  the  third  and  fourth 
degree,  and  some,  at  the  extremity  of  the  fronds, 
showed  a  tendency  to  tasselling,  and  then  they 
overlapped  slightly.  The  variety  is  one  of  the 
most  beautiful  and  graceful  of  Ferns. 

Scabious. — Messrs.  Dobbie  &  Co.,  Rothesay, 
exhibited  a  very  fine  group  of  these  showy  and 
useful  annuals.  The  colours  of  the  flowers  in- 
luded  white,  rose-pink,  lilac,  blue,  map  on-i  rim- 
son,  and  other  shades. A  First-Class  Certificate 
was  awarded  to  the  strain  which  displayed  the 
highest  excellence  in  the  form  and  colour  of  the 
flowers  and  in  theii   cultivation. 

Awards  oi  Merit. 

Ampelopsis  Lowii. — A  dainty  and  self-clinging 
i  limber  with  very  small  leaves.  The  somewhat 
cordate  leaves  are  deeply  cut  or  lobed  and  vary 
greatly  in  these  respects,  the  segments  acutely 
pointed.  The  plant  assumes  a  dark  purple  hue 
at  this  season,  and  will  be  likely  to  meet  with 
appreciation.  The  variety  is  said  to  have  origi- 
nated from  seed,  and  will  most  likely  pi  ve 
to  be  a  variety  of  Vitis  inconstans,  a  species  of 
which  the  popular  "Veitchii"  is  also  a  variety. 
From   Messrs.    Hugh  Low  &  Co.,   Enfield. 

Aster  Nora  Peters. — A  graceful  variety  of  peren- 
nial Aster,  with  nearly  pure-white  ray  florets  and 
flower-heads  H  inches  across.  The  florets  are 
exceedingly  numerous  and  almost  thread-like  in 
character.  F"rom  Mr.  W.  Peters,  Givons  Park 
Gardens,  Leatherhead. 

Cotoneaster  applanata. — A  pretty  and  graceful 
species,  with  a  tendency  to  a  drooping  habit  of 
growth.  The  exhibited  specimen  was  about 
:">  feet  in  height,  with  leading  central  stem,  the 
branches  gracefully  arching  outwards  and  down- 
wards.  The  leaves  are  small  in  size,  ovate  in 
form,  entire,  and  alternately  disposed  on  the 
branches,  the  scarlet  fruits  appearing  in  clusters 
on  stems  of  about  one  inch  in  length.  From 
Messrs.  Jas  Veitch  &  Sons. 

Phlox   George  Si  A  very  handsome  and 

effective  variety,  best  described  as  an  improved 
The  individual  blossoms  are  of  large 
size,  good  form,  and  of  a  rosy-salmon  colour, 
with  scarlet  shading.  From  Messrs.  Gunn  & 
Sons,  Olton,  Birmingham. 

ides. — A  distinct  species  from  China, 
said  to  have  pinnate  leaves  composed  of  fine 
ovate-oblong  leaflets,  the  central  one  being  of 
large  size  and  Unusually  prominent.  In  the 
plant  shown  the  leaves  were  generally  tri-lobed. 
All  the  leaflets  are  serrate,  with  an  acuminate 
apex,  and  are  of  a  glossy  green  above  and  violet 
shade  beneath.  The  plant  i.-:  glabrous  in  all  its 
parts  (see  description  and  figures  in  R.H.S. 
Journal,  1901,  vol.  x--viii.).  From  M 
James  Veitch  &  Sons. 

Joint  Awards  of  the  Royal  Horticui  ixeai 
and  National  Dahlia  Societies. 

The  Dahlias  were  inspected  by  a  joint  c^n- 
mittee  of  the  National  Dahlia  Society  and  a  depu- 
tation from  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  , 
Floral  Committee.  The  varieties  described 
below  have  therefore  the  awards  of  both  si 
ties :  — 

Dahlia      Saturn. — White,       with      rosy-si 
colour  in   small  streaks.       The  florets   are  well 
incurved  and  very  finely  pointed. 

D.  Dorothy. — The  most  refined  of  the  pink- 
flowered  Dahlias  we  have  yet  seen. 

D.  Clara. — This  variety  has  rosy-peach- 
coloured  flowers,  in  which  the  florets  are  strongly 
incurved. 

D.  Etruria. — A  showy  variety  of  a  deep-red- 
dish orange  shade. 

D.  Harold  Peerman. — This  flower  is  of  pure 
yellow,    and   has  excellent   form. 

D.  //ilium. — A  pale  orange-red-coloured 
flower  with  yellowish  centre,  the  finely-pointed 
florets  being  well  incurved. 

The  six  Cactus  flowered  Dahlias  described 
above  were  exhibited  by  Messrs.  James  Stred- 
wick &  Son,  St.  Leonards-on-Sea. 

D.  C.  H.  Curtis. — This  flower  is  of  a  glowing 
crimson  scarlet,  the  white-tipped  florets  forming 
a  complete  arch  over  the  centre  of  the  flower  ; 
very  handsome  and  distinct.  From  Mr.  H. 
Shoesmith,  Westfield,   Woking. 


254 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[October  5,  1907. 


Orchid  Committee. 

Present :  J.  Gurney  Fowler,  Esq.  (in  the 
chair),  and  Messrs.  Jas.  O'Brien  (hon.  sec), 
Harry  J.  Veitch,  de  B.  Crawshay,  H.  Little,  W. 
Boxall,  R.  G.  Thwaites,  F.  Sander,  J.  Wilson 
Potter,  T.  W.  Bond,  A.  A.  McBean,  Arthur  Dye, 
W.  Cobb,  J.  Charlesworth,  W.  P.  Bound,  W.  H. 
Young,  H.  G.  Alexander,  H.  A.  Tracy,  W.  H. 
White,  F.  J.  Hanbury,  and  W.  Bolton. 

Jeremiah  Colman,  Esq.,  Gatton  Park,  Rei- 
gate  (gr.  Mr.  W.  P.  Bound),  was  awarded  a  Sil- 
ver Flora  Medal  for  a  small  group  of  bright 
appearance,  composed  principally  of  hybrids 
raised  at  Gatton  Park.  Cattleya  amabilis  var. 
illustre  (labiata  X  Warscewiczii)  is  a  pleasing 
novelty,  in  which  the  features  of  both  parents 
are  blended,  the  showy  purple-crimson  lip  deriv- 
ing much  from  the  influence  of  C.  Warscewiczii. 
Varieties  of  Laelio-Cattleya  Nysa,  L.-C.  Phryne, 
and  other  Lselio-Cattleyas ;  the  handsome 
Cattleya  Adula  Colmanae,  C.  Mrs.  Pitt,  and 
other  hybrid  Cattleyas  were  also  contained  in 
the  group,  which  included  a  plant  of  Cirr- 
bopetalum  appendiculatum  var.  Fascinator,  with 
a  handsome  flower,  the  sepals  and  petals  hav- 
ing a  deeper  purple  fringe  and  the  sepals  a 
darker  claret-coloured  tint  than  those  in  the 
original  form. 

Major  G.  L.  IIolford,  Westonbirt,  Tetbury 
(gr.  Mr.  H.  G.  Alexander),  showed  Brasso- 
I.aelio-Cattleya  Rowena  rubella,  a  variety  that 
differs  from  the  exhibitor's  original  yellow  form 
in  having  the  sepals  and  petals  slightly  veined 
with  pale  rose,  and  the  front  of  the  fringed  lip 
of  a  clear,  reddish  mauve  colour.  Besides  this 
plant  was  noticed  Laelio-Cattleya  Lustre  (C. 
Puddemanniana  x  L.-C.  callistoglossa),  a 
flower  of  the  best  type,  with  broad,  lavender- 
tinted  sepals  and  petals,  and  violet-purple  lip 
with  a  yellow  patch  on  either  side  of  the  tube  ; 
and  Cypripedium  Dante  (Charlesworthii  x 
Euryades),  the  fine  white  dorsal  sepals  of  which 
have  broad,  spotted  lines  of  purplish-rose  colour. 

J.  Gurney  Fowler,  Esq.,  Glebelands,  South 
Woodford  (gr.  Mr.  Davis),  showed  a  fine  form 
of  Cattleya  Prince  Edward  (Warscewiczii  x 
Schilleriana),  with  seven  flowers  on  a  spike; 
Cymbidium  erythrostylum,  and  the  singular 
Catasetum  Laminatum.     (See  Awards.) 

Messrs.  Charlesworth  &  Co.,  Heaton,  Brad- 
ford, were  awarded  a  Silver  Flora  Medal  for  a 
group  of  rare  hybrids  and  varieties.  Among 
Odontoglossums  were  O.  crispum  Queen  Maude, 
a  .very  distinct  form  of  the  O.  c.  Lady  Jane 
class;  handsome  forms  of  the  "Heaton"  strain 
of  O.  Rolfeae ;  several  good  plants  of  O.  amabile, 
and  one  with  a  specially  fine  dark-coloured 
flower ;  many  well-flowered  examples  of  O. 
grande,  &c.  Among  the  Brassavola-Digbyana 
hybrids  we  noticed  the  clear,  white  Brasso-Cat- 
tleya  "  Queen  Alexandra,"  varieties  of  Cattleya 
Iris,  C.  Mrs.  J.  W.  Whiteley,  C.  John  Baguley, 
and  C.  Chamberlainiana  ;  the  curious  Schombo- 
Cattleya  spiralis,  the  rich,  coppery-red  and 
purple-coloured  Sophro-Laelia  Gratrixiae,  and 
other  hybrids.  The  species  included  the  large 
and  singular  Bulbophyllum  grandiflorum,  B. 
Godseffianum,  Burlingtonia  fragrans,  and  a 
finely-flowered  batch  of  Vanda  Kimballiana. 

II .  S.  Goodson,  Esq.,  Fairlawn,  West  Hill, 
Putney  (gr.  Mr.  G.  E.  Day),  received  a  Silver 
Flora  Medal  for  a  bright  and  varied  group  of 
Orchids,  which  included  the  white  Brasso- 
Cattleya  Queen  Alexandra,  B.-C.  Grogani,  and 
other  Brasso-Cattleyas  ;  a  very  handsome  form 
of  Cattleya  Chamberlainiana,  Cattleya  Goossen- 
siana,  otner  hybrid  Cattleyas  and  Laelio-Cat- 
tleyas,  and  a  large  number  of  choice  Cypri- 
pediums,  the  best  of  which  was  a  magnificent 
form  of  C.  Chapmanii  superbum,  with  a  very 
large  and  finely-formed  flower,  densely  spotted 
with  purple.  Other  notable  Cypripediums  were 
a  bright  rose-tinted  variety  of  C.  Wm.  Lloyd  ; 
the  handsome  C.  H.  S.  Goodson  (Swinburnei  x 
T.  B.  Haywood),  with  large  flowers  of  best 
shape  and  attractive  colouring  ;  several  forms  of 
C.  Io,  of  which  C.  Io  grande  was  the  best ;  C. 
Rothschildianum  hybrids,  &c. 
■^  Messrs.  Jas.  Cypher  &  Sons,  Cheltenham, 
were  awarded  a  Silver  Flora  Medal  for  a  re- 
markable group,  the  body  of  which  was  com- 
posed of  more  than  100  good  specimens  of  the 
pretty  little  Cypripedium  Fairrieanum  which>  J 
until  recently,  has  been  so  rare.  Although  the 
flowers  varied  in  shapo  and  colour,  few  phe- 
nomenal varieties  have  been  bloomed.     Messrs. 


Cypher  have  this  plant  in  many  thousands,  and 
have  hopes  of  flowering  an  albino  form  before 
all  are  proved.  At  one  end  of  the  exhibit  was  a 
batch  of  good  forms  of  Dendrobium  Phalaenop- 
sis  Schroderianum,  and  at  the  other  the  fine 
Cypripedium  Leeanum  Corona,  C.  Milo,  Wes- 
tonbirt variety,  C.  insigne  The  Queen,  a  beau- 
tiful form  of  Cattleya  Wendlandiana,  C.  Man- 
tinii  nobilior,  Laelio-Cattleya  Clive,  with  silvery- 
white  sepals  and  petals  and  a  richly-coloured 
lip,  Oncidium  Papilin,  &c. 

Messrs.  Hugh  Low  &  Co.,  Enfield,  secured  a 
Silver  Flora  Medal  for  a  group  in  which  was  a 
good  specimen  of  the  pure  white  Cattleya  Gas- 
kelliana  alba  with  four  flowers.  Varieties  of 
Cattleya  Iris  ;  Laelio-Cattleya  elegans  and  other 
Cattleyas  and  Laslias ;  a  well-developed  speci- 
men of  Stanhopea  oculata ;  Cypripedium 
Charlesworthii  rubrum,  one  of  the  largest  and 
finest  in  colour  yet  shown  ;  Houlletia  Brockle- 
hurstiana,  Stelis  muscifera,  Warscewiczella 
velata,  W.  Wailesiana  ;  Oncidium  microchilium, 
the  yellow  form  of  O.  oblongatum,  and  some 
good  Dendrobium  Phalaenopsis  Schroderianum, 
&c,  formed  the  principal  features  in  this  group. 

Messrs.  Armstrong  &  Brown,  Tunbridge 
Wells,  were  awarded  a  Silver  Flora  Medal  for  a 
group  containing  many  plants  of  their  noted 
strain  of  Cattleya  Iris,  the  plants  being  obtained 
by  crossing  C.  bicolor  and  C.  Dowiana  aurea 
both  ways.  This  is  one  of  the  brightest  of  Cat- 
tleya hybrids,  and  no  fewer  than  nine  distinct 
varieties  have  been  given  awards  by  this  com- 
mittee. Cattleya  Pankhurstiana  and  C.  Arm- 
strongiae  are  two  pretty  hybrids  with  rose-tinted 
flowers,  the  disc  of  the  lip  being  coloured 
orange.  Other  hybrids  were  C.  fulvescens,  C. 
Lord  Rothschild,  Laelio-Cattleya  Geo.  Wood- 
hams  (C.  Hardyana  x  L.  purpurata),  with 
purplish-rose  flowers,  having  a  dark  claret-col- 
oured lip ;  Cypripedium  Maudiae,  C.  Kimbal- 
lianum,   &c. 

Messrs.  Sander  &  Sons,  St.  Albans,  staged 
a  select  group,  including  several  very  fine  forms 
of  Cypripedium  Fairrieanum ;  the  handsome 
Cymbidium  erythrostylum,  Cattleya  Lord  Roth- 
schild, the  rare  Enlophia  Guineensis  purpurata  ; 
Laelio-Cattleya  Endymion  var.  amabilis ;  and 
L.-C.  The  Duchess.     (See  Awards.) 

Messrs.  Jas.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  Chelsea, 
showed  a  beautiful  variety  of  Cattleya  Davisii 
(velutina  x  Hardyana),  with  buff-coloured 
sepals  and  petals,  and  a  yellow  lip  beautifully 
veined  with  rose-crimson  and  having  an  orange 
disc. 

Messrs.  William  Bull  &  Sons,  Chelsea, 
staged  a  selection  of  choice  Orchids  in  the 
centre  of  their  group  of  foliage  plants. 

C.  J.  Lucas,  Esq.,  Warnham  Court  (gr.  Mr. 
Duncan),  showed  a  plant  of  Cattleya  Iris, 
"  Warnham  Court "  variety,  with  five  apricot- 
yellow   flowers   having   purple  lips. 

G  .W.  Jessop,  Esq.,  Cliff  Cottage,  Rawdon, 
Leeds  (gr.  Mr.  Wilkinson),  sent  Bulbophyllum 
grandiflorum,  a  finely-developed  flower,  veined 
with   olive  green  on  a  whitish  ground. 

Francis  Weli.ksley,  Esq.,  Westfield,  Woking 
(gr.  Mr.  Hopkins),  sent  Laelio-Cattleya  Lady 
Leese  (L.-C.  callistoglossa  x  L.  xanthina),  of 
which  the  sepals  and  petals  are  white,  with  a 
slight  yellow  shade,  the  disc  of  the  lip  is 
orange,  with  reddish  lines  at  the  base,  and 
purple   in   front. 

Monsieur  Mertens,  Ghent,  showed  hybrid 
Odontoglossums,  Miltonia  vexillaria  Leopoldii, 
M.  Bleuana,  &c. 

Col.  Brymer,  Ilsington  House,  Dorchester  (gr. 
Mr.  Powelll,  showed  three  plants  of  Laelio-Cat- 
tleya Powelii,  said  to  be  derived  from  L.-C. 
Brymeriana  x  L.  xanthina.  The  sepals  and 
petals  are  cream-white,  front  of  lip  purple. 

AWARDS. 

Awards  of  Merit. 

Lalio-Cattleya  The  Duchess  (C.  Hardyana  x 
L.-C.  Hippolata  J,  from  Messrs.  Sander  &  Sons. 
— A  grand  hybrid  that  somewhat  resembles  a 
flower  of  L.-C.  Cappei,  but  with  much  larger 
flowers  than  that  form.  The  sepals  and  petals 
are  coloured  a  light  orange  shade,  and  this  is 
faintly  tinged  with  rose ;  the  elongated  and 
finely-crimped   lip   is   ruby-purple. 

Odnntoglossum  Pescaiorei  ornaium,  from 
Messrs.   J.   &  A.    A.   McBean,   Cooksbridge. — A 


large  and  handsome  form  of  the  species,  the 
labellum  bearing  large,  deep-purple  blotches  on 
the  greater   part  of  its  surface. 

Botanical    Certificate. 

Catasetum  laminatum,  from  J.  Gurney'  Fow- 
ler, Esq.,  Glebelands,  South  Woodford  (gr. 
Mr.  J.  Davis). — A  very  remarkable  species,  with 
greenish  sepals  and  petals  slightly  marked  with 
rose,  lip  long  and  narrow,  and  having  in  the 
middle  a  narrow,  whitish  keel  or  blade  half  an 
inch   in   height. 

Fruit  and  Vegetable  Committee. 

Messrs.  James  Veitch  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  King's 
Road,  Chelsea,  showed  30  young  trees  of  Apples 
lifted  from  their  nursery,  and  placed  in  pots. 
They  were  per.  .  i  little  specimens,  some  being 
bush  and  others  cordon-trained.  All  were  very 
heavily  fruited,  the  most  noticeable  being  King 
of  the  Pippins,  Warner's  King,  Newton  Won- 
der, Golden  Spire,  Cellini,  Tyler's  Kernel, 
Schoolmaster,  Col.  Vaughan,  Stone's  Apple, 
Cox's  Pomona,  Peasgood's  Nonsuch,  and  Bis- 
marck.    (Silver-Gilt  Knightian  Medal.) 

Leopold  de  Rothschild,  Esq.,  Gunnersbury 
House,  Acton,  W.,  displayed  two  varieties  of 
autumn-fruiting  Strawberries.  The  following 
particulars  were  appended  to  the  variety 
labelled  Merveille  de  France  : — "  The  original 
plants  were  received  as  runners  this  season 
from  France,  and,  after  being  grown  for  some 
time  in  pots,  they  were  planted  in  the  open  in 
May."  From  these,  runners  were  obtained, 
which  were  taken  between  July  8  and  13,  grown 
on  and  placed  under  glass  on  September  10  to 
ripen  their  fruits,  some  of  which  were  exhi- 
bited. The  other  variety  had  pale-coloured 
fruits,  and  was  labelled   La   Perle. 

From  the  society's  gardens  at  Wisley  was  dis- 
played an  exhibit  of  two  dozen  varieties  of 
Pears,  of  which  the  more  notable  were  Triomphe 
de  Vienne,  Beurre  de  Mortillet,  Madame 
Treyve,  Marguerite  Marillat,  Doyenne  Bussoch, 
Calebasse  Grosse,  Souvenir  du  Congres, 
Gratioli  de  Jersey,  and  Louise  Bonne  of  Jersey. 
(Silver  Knightian  Medal.) 


THE  LECTURE. 

At  the  afternion  meeting  of  Fellows,  Mr.  B.  H. 
Thwaite  gave  a  lecture  on  "  The  Cultivation  of 
Plants  by  Electricity."  After  a  general  intro- 
duction, the  lecturer  demonstrated  by  the  aid  of 
diagrams  the  cyclical  character  of  natural  pro- 
cesses. He  explained  that  when  the  rays  of  the 
sun  or  of  an  arc  lamp  fall  upon  the  green  leaf  of 
a  plant  it  is  electrically  energised.  The  history 
of  experiments  in  endeavouring  to  accelerate  the 
growth  of  plants  by  means  of  electrical  power 
was  traced  back  to  1746-1749,  when  Maimberg 
and  Abbe  Nollet  electrically  stimulated  plants. 
The  lecturer  next  surveyed  the  work  of  the  two 
schools  of  experimentalists — the  one  who  em- 
ploys the  voltaic  electric  arc,  the  other  the 
electro  static  system.  He  gave,  interatim,  the 
results  of  Siemen's  work  in  the  former  system 
and  of   Lemstrom's  work  in  the   latter  method. 

Certain  results  of  Newman's  experiments  were 
detailed  ;  this  investigator  obtained  an  increase 
in  the  productions  of  Strawberries  equal  to  36 
per  cent.,  in  Cucumbers  13  per  cent.,  and  in 
Beetroot  33  per  cent. 

The  lecturer  gave  details  of  a  system  he  has 
invented  for  electric  cultivation,  and  he  demon- 
strated, by  the  help  of  lantern  slides,  the  remark- 
able acceleration  of  the  growth  of  plants  at  the 
Royal  Botanic  Society's  installation  at  Regent's 
Park,  due  to  electric  stimuli. 


TRIAL     OF     DAHLIAS     AT     WISLEY. 

A  trial  of  comparatively  new  varieties  of 
Cactus  Dahlias  has  been  undertaken  at  Wisley 
this  year,  in  the  interests  both  of  the  Royal  Hor- 
ticultural Society  and  of  the  National  Dahlia 
Society.  Varieties  put  into  commerce  during  the 
previous  three  years  were  admissible  only,  and 
the  principal  object  of  the  trial  was  to  determine 
the  merits  as  decorative  earden  plants.  A  jourt 
committee,  consisting  of  members  of  the  R.H.S, 
Floral  Committee  and  of  the  N.D.S.  Committee, 
visited  the  gardens  on  September  12  last.  Most 
of  the  plants  were  at  that  date  too  backward  for 
their     merits     to     be     adjudicated     upon.       A 


OCTOBER    5,    lfc'OV'.j 


THE    G  A  RDENERS     CHR  ONI  CL  E. 


2oo 


second  meeting  was  therefore  held  on  September 
26,  and  even  then  very  few  plants  were  at  their 
best  period  of  flowering,  although  many  pre- 
sented prospects  of  blooming  freely  in  October. 
The  following  varieties  secured  three  marks:  — 
Lustre,  rich  scarlet,  good  erect  stems,  and 
flower  of  true  Cactus  form  ;  Meteor,  terracotta  ; 
A.  D.  Stoop,  crimson-scarlet,  with  magenta  tips 
to  the  florets  ;  Primrose,  soft  sulphur-white  ;  and 
Mrs.  J.  G.  Brunton,  straw-yellow.  A  large  num- 
ber of  older  varieties  were  also  grown  close  by, 
but  none  showed  great  decorative  quality.  Even 
the  best  selected  varieties  of  the  newer  set 
showed  little  diversity  in  habit  from  that  com- 
monly seen  in  the  Cactus  section,  and  little 
prospect  seems  to  be  offered  of  the  section  ever 
producing  characters  that  can  in  any  way  vie  in 
garden  effect  with  some  of  the  old  Decorative 
section,  or  the  better  types  of  the  pretty  Pom- 
pons. No  doubt,  for  garden  decoration,  where 
the  quality  of  the  flowers,  from  the  florist's  point 
of  view,  is  of  no  moment,  by  far  the  best  effects 
are  obtained  from  the  new  large  or  Paeony- 
flowered  forms,  of  which  several  varieties  are 
being  grown  at  Wisley.  It  is  hoped  next  year 
that  not  only  will  the  varieties  of  the  large 
Faeony-flowered  section  be  largely  increased, 
but  that  the  number  of  plants  of  each 
variety  will  also  be  enlarged.  They  pos- 
sess long,  stiff  stems,  and,  for  floral  deco- 
ration in  vases,  are  very  attractive.  In  the  gar- 
den the  clumps  of  three  or  four  plants  have  a 
remarkably  pleasing  effect.  Amongst  those  so 
excellent  at  Wisley  were  Nicholas,  pure  white — 
the  plant  is  of  a  medium  height ;  King  Leopold, 
pale  yellow  ;  Paul  Kruger,  white  ground,  heavily 
flushed  with  rosy-red  ;  Queen  Emma,  apricot ; 
Duke  Henry  rich  crimson  ;  and  Dr.  van  Gorken, 
soft  peach.  Whilst  the  lateness  of  the  summer 
checked  Dahlia  growth  to  some  extent,  another 
reason  for  the  lateness  of  the  plants  flowering  at 
Wisley  is  to  be  accounted  for  by  the  delay  in 
sending  the  plants  for  trial  in  spring. 


BIRMINGHAM    AND    MIDLAND 
COUNTIES    GARDENERS'. 

September  25  &  26. — An  exhibition  of  early- 
flowering  Chrysanthemums  and  Dahlias  was 
held  at  the  Botanical  Gardens,  Edgbaston,  under 
the  auspices  of  the  above  association  on  these 
dates.  The  show  was  a  great  success,  and  the 
entries  in  all  classes  were  more  numerous  than 
in  former  years. 

Honorary  exhibits  were  exceptionally  fine, 
Messrs.  Simpson  &  Sons,  The  Nurseries,  Chad 
Valley,  Edgbaston,  exhibited  early-flowering 
Chrysanthemums  in  variety.  Messrs.  Gunn  tk 
Sons,  The  Nurseries,  Olton,  put  up  a  fine  ex- 
hibit of  hardy  flowers,  including  Delphinium 
chinensis,  Asters,  Montbretias,  and  a  collection 
of  herbaceous  Phlox.  Mr.  S.  Mortimer,  Row- 
ledge,  Farnham,  displayed  Show  and  Cactus- 
flowered  Dahlias.  Mr.  C.  H.  Herbert  exhibited 
hardy  flowers.  Mr.  E.  Burden,  The  Nurseries, 
Billesby  Lane,  showed  a  collection  of  well-col- 
oured Apples. 

Chrysanthemums. — The  1st  prize  for  a  group  of 
Chrysanthemums  cut  from  the  open  and  ar- 
ranged for  effect  was  won  by  Mr.  C.  H.  Her- 
bert, who  had  a  very  tastefully-arranged  group  ; 
2nd,  Mr.  A.  F.  Phillipson. 

The  best  six  vases  of  a  yellow  variety  of  Chry- 
santhemum were  exhibited  by  Mr.  A.  F.  Phil- 
lipson ;  2nd,  Mr.  C.  Wall. 

Mr.  Herbert  showed  the  premier  six  vases 
of  a  crimson  Chrysanthemum,  and  Mr.  C.  Wtall 
the  best  six  vases  of  a  white  Chrysanthemum. 

Dahlias. — In  the  class  for  a  collection  of 
Cactus  or  decorative  varieties  of  Dahlias  ar- 
ranged in  vases  for  effect,  the  1st  prize  was 
awarded  to  Messrs.  Pemberton  &  Son  ;  2nd,  Mr. 
C.  H.  Herbert.  Messrs.  Pemberton  &  Son 
also  won  in  the  class  for  six  varieties  of  show  cr 
fancy  Dahlias.  The  best  six  vases  of  Pompon 
Dahlias,  six  blooms  in  each  vase,  were  displayed 
by  Mr.  C.  Herbert. 

Classes  were  provided  for  members  of  the 
association  only.  One  was  for  a  group  of  Chry- 
santhemums arranged  for  effect,  and  in  this  Mr. 
C.  Batchelor  was  successful ;  2nd,  Mr.  T. 
Sceaney.  The  best  vases  of  a  yellow  Chrysanthe- 
mum were  put  up  by  Mr.  W.  T.  Collison  ;  the 
best  vases  of  a  crimson  variety  and  the  best 
vases  of  a  white  variety  by  Mr.  R.  Usher. 


NATIONAL    CHRYSANTHEMUM. 

October  2  and  3. — The  early  autumn  exhi- 
bition of  this  society  was  held  on  Wednesday 
and  Thursday  last  at  the  Crystal  Palace,  Syden- 
ham. The  show  compared  favourably  with 
those  of  former  years,  and  must  be  pronounced 
a  success.  The  entries  totalled  120  ;  very  many 
of  these  were  in  the  decorative  classes,  decorated 
dinner  tables  being  especially  numerous.  None 
of  the  exhibits  was  displayed  on  show-boards, 
and  the  general  effect  was  enhanced  by  their 
elimination. 

Two  new  varieties  of  the  decorative  type  re- 
ceived the  society's  Certificate  of  Merit. 

Group  of  Chrysanthemums. 
The  1st  class  on  the  schedule  was  for  a 
group  of  Chrysanthemums,  arranged  with  suit- 
able foliage  plants  on  the  floor,  and  occupying 
an  area  measuring  14  feet  by  7  feet.  There 
were  three  competitors,  the  1st  prize  group 
being  exhibited  by  Messrs.  J.  Peed  i;  Sox,  Rou- 
pell  Park  Nurseries,  West  Norwood.  This  firm 
showed  the  finest  flowers,  the  back  of  their 
group  having  large  blooms  of  Japanese  varie- 
ties, and  sloping  to  the  foreground  were  small 
plants,  well-flowered,  of  the  border  type. 
Amongst  the  big  disbudded  plants  were  good 
examples  of  Mrs.  R.  Hooper  Pearson,  Mrs.  R. 
F.  l'elton,  Lady  Henderson,  Miss  Phyllis 
Fothergill,  Miss  Mona  Davis,  Beatrice  May  (a 
fine  white  variety!,  and  Miss  Kathleen  Paget.  A 
few  Palms,  Codiaeums  (Crotons),  Dracaenas,  and 
Ferns  were  used  as  foils.  2nd,  Lady  Tate,  Park 
Hill,  Streatham  Common  (gr.  Mr.  Howe),  who 
staged  large  Japanese  varieties  only. 

OPEN  CLASSES. 

Cut  Blooms. 

Japanese  Chrysanthemums. — The  class  for  the 
largest  number  of  Japanese  blooms  was  that  for 
24  flowers  of  eight  varieties.  Four  exhibitors 
contested,  the  most  successful  being  A.  T.vih, 
Esq.,  Downside,  Leatherhead  (gr.  Mr.  W. 
Mease),  who  was  awarded  the  1st  prize  for  the 
varieties  A.  R.  Wakefield  (rosy-mauve),  Mrs.  W. 
Knox  (a  fine  vase  of  this  excellent  yellow 
variety),  Sappho  (pink),  Mrs.  A.  R.  Knight  (an 
intense  shade  of  yellow  ,  Mrs.  R.  Hooper  Pear- 
son (soft  canary  yellow),  J.  II.  Silsbury,  Presi- 
dent Viger,  and  Algernon  Davis.  2nd,  G.  H. 
Davies,  Esq.,  Woodside,  Maidenhead  (gr.  Mr. 
E.  A.  Pocock).  W.  Duckham,  Mrs.  W.  Knox, 
and  Miss  W.  II.  Lee  were  the  best  examples 
shown  by  Mr.  Davies.  3rd,  Mr.  Norman 
Davis,  Framfield,  Sussex,  who  had  some  excel- 
lent flowers,  notably  those  of  Mrs.  R.  Hooper 
Pearson,  a  yellow-coloured  seedling,  and  Mrs.  J. 
Hygate,  the  last-named  being  a  white  variety  of 
great  substance  of  petal. 

Twelve  blooms  of  Japanese  varieties. — The  best 
exhibit  among  three  was  displayed  by  Mrs.  Jere- 
miah Colman,  Riddings  Court,  Caterham'  Val- 
ley (gr.  Mr.  Geo.  Halsey),  the  varieties  being 
Marquis  Venosta,  Mrs  W.  Knox,  Mrs.  A.  R. 
Knight,  and  J.  H.  S.  Silsbury.  2nd,  A.  Tate, 
Esq.,  Downside,  Leatherhead  (gr.  Mr.  W. 
Mease). 

Six  blooms  of  Japanese  varieties. — Four  dis- 
plays were  staged  in  this  class,  the  premier  one 
by  Mr.  C.  B.  Gabriel,  Eardale,  Horsell,  Sur- 
rey. 2nd,  Mrs.  Ford,  Parkside,  Ravenscourt 
Park,  S.W.  Mr.  Gabriel  had  much  the  best 
blooms,  including  excellent  examples  of  the 
varieties  Mrs.  W.  Knox  and  Mrs.  F.  W.  Vallis. 

Two  vases  of  twelve  blooms. — Although  only 
two  displays  were  staged,  this  was  a  very 
pleasing  class,  and  the  premier  flowers  were  of 
high  merit.  Suitable  decorative  foliage  was  al- 
lowed for  embellishment,  and  the  winner  of  the 
1st  prize  was  Mr.  G.  Halsey,  Riddings  Court 
Gardens,  who  utilised  long,  narrow  Codiaeum 
leaves,  with  sprays  of  Asparagus  Sprengeri  and 
Fern   fronds. 

Early'-Flowering  Pompon  Chrysanthemums. 
The  most  important  class  in  this  section  was 
one  for  12  bunches  in  not  fewer  than  eight  varie- 
ties. Chrysanthemum  foliage  was  allowed,  but 
the  size  of  each  bunch  was  restricted  to  a  dia- 
meter of  12  inches.  The  response  was  poor,  for 
only  two  exhibitors  contested,  much  the  better 
flowers  being  shown  by  Mr.  Eric  Such,  Maiden- 
head. 2nd,  Mr.  J.  Smellie,  Pansy  Gardens, 
Busby,  near  Glasgow.  Mr.  Such's  flowers  were 
Flora,  Mr.  Selbv,  Blushing  Bride,  Bronze  Bride, 
M.   E.   Lefort,  Alice  Butcher,  &c. 


Border  Chrysanthemums. 

Twelve  bunches  of  distinct  varieties  not  dis- 
budded.— This  proved  a  well-conte9ted  class, 
Chief  honours  went  to  two  Busby  growers, 
who  showed  much  the  better  flowers,  and 
in  tall,  bold  bunches.  The  winner  of  the 
1st  prize  was  Mr.  G.  Bowness,  Riverside  Nur- 
sery, Busby,  near  Glasgow,  and  he  was  very 
closely  followed  by  Mr.  J.  Smellie,  of  the  same 
town.  Mr.  Bowness  had  such  well-known  varie- 
ties as  Nina  Blick,  James  Bateman,  Goacher's 
Crimson,  Dolly  Prince,  Hector,  Roi  des 
Blanches,  The  Champion  (yellow),  Lillie  (pink), 
Improved  Mdlle.  Marie  Massee,  Polly  (bronzei, 
and  Champs  d'Or.  Mr.  Smellie  showed  similar 
varieties  to  the  foregoing.  3rd,  Mr.  J.  Ember- 
ton,   Grove   Road    Nursery,    Walthamstow. 

In  the  similar  class  for  disbudded  blooms,  the 
flowers  were  of  much  finer  quality,  as  was  to  be 
expected,  and  the  1st  prize  exhibit,  shown  by 
Messrs.  \Y.  Wells  &  Co.,  Merstham,  Surrey, 
was  excellent  in  every  respect.  This  firm  dis- 
played Nina  Blick,  Goacher's  Crimson  (very 
fine),  Roi  des  Blanches,  Miss  B.  Miller  (yel- 
low), Perle  Chatillonaise  (blush  pink),  La 
Cygne  (a  beautiful,  new,  white  variety),  Queen 
of  the  Earlies,  Polly  (very  handsome  bronze 
shading  with  a  paler  reverse),  Carrie,  &-c.  2nd, 
Mr.  E.  F.  Such,  Maidenhead,  with  Mrs.  E.  J. 
Castle  (yellow,  with  a  bronze  centre),  Ernest 
Baltet  (dull  red),  Queen  of  Earlies,  Perle  Chatil- 
lonaise (very  fine),  Rev.   E.   Wright,  &c. 

Mime  choice  exhibits  were  seen  in  the  class 
for  six  bunches  of  early-flowering  Japanese  or 
decorative  varieties  grown  in  the  open,  and  not 
disbudded.  Mr.  J.  Emberton,  Walthamstow, 
won  the  1st  prize  with  excellent  bunches  of 
Perle  Chatillonaise,  the  petals  being  pure  white, 
Nina  Blick,  Mrs.  W.  Sydenham  (crimson),  Le 
1  (white)-,  (arrie  (yellow),  and  Hector 
(pink).     2nd,   Mr.   Smellie. 

Amateur  Classes. 

The  exhibits  generally  in  the  amateurs'  sec- 
tion were  inferior  in  quality  to  those  in  the  open 
classes,  and  in  many  instances  the  competition 
was  not  good.  Only  one  exhibit  was  seen  in 
the  class  for  six  bunches  of  early-flowering 
Japanese  varieties,  disbudded,  and  this  was 
awarded  the  1st  prize.  The  exhibitor  was  Mr. 
W.  II.  Clark,  244,  High  Street,  Putney,  his 
varieties  being  Murillo  (pink),  Miss  B.  Miller 
(yellow),  Mme.  Desgrange  (white),  Le  Pac- 
tole  (pale  bronze),  Nellie  Black  (red),  and  Bur- 
rell   (pale  yellow). 

Mr.  D.  B.  (  rave,  4,  Woodview  Terrace,  Arch- 
way Road,  Highgate,  London,  X.,  won  in  the 
class  for  12  bunches  of  Japanese  varieties  grown 
in  the  open,  disbudded,  and  in  the  similar  class 
for  Pompon  varieties,  the  competition  being 
poor  in  both  cases. 

The  best  three  vases  of  Japanese  Chrysanthe- 
mums of  a  yellow  colour  were  shown  by  Mr. 
C.  B.  Gabriel,  Horsell,  Surrey,  in  the  variety 
Mrs.  W.  Knox.  Three  excellent  blooms  of  Mrs. 
A.  F.  Miller  secured  the  1st  prize  for  the  same 
exhibitor  for  a  white  variety,  and  he  also  won 
in  the  class  for  three  Japanese  blooms  of  any 
colour  other  than  white  or  yellow  with  Lady 
Henderson. 

Miss  C.  B.  Cole,  The  Vineyard,  Feltham ; 
Mrs.  Brewster,  Canterbury :  Mrs.  A.  Robin- 
son, Park  Hill,  Carsh.ilton,'  and  Mr.  D.  B- 
Crane  were  prominent  winner-:  in  the  decorative 
classes. 

First-Class  Certificates. 

Le  Cygne. — An  early-flowering,  decorative 
variety  having  pure-white  florets  of  much  sub- 
stance. The  blooms  are  developed  on  long,  stiff 
stalks  which  render  the  flower  valuable  for  mar- 
ket purposes.  When  grown  disbudded  it  re- 
sembles a  small  Japanese  variety.  Shown  by 
Messrs.  W.  Wells  &  Co. 

Minnie  Carpenter. — A  free-flowering  border  or 
decorative  variety,  of  a  shade  between  bronze 
and  red,  and  will  be  classed  as  a  dark  "bronze." 
The  sprays  were  shown  without  disbudding,  and 
numerous  flowers  were  developed  on  the  shoots. 
The  largest  flowers  measured  about  4  inches 
across  their  widest  part.  Shown  by  Mr.  H.  J. 
Jones. 

Non-Competitive  Exhibits. 

Mr.  H.  J.  Jones,  Hither  Green,  Lewisham, 
staged  a  group  of  Chrysanthemums  in  which 
were  exceptionally'  fine  blooms  of  Moneymaker 
(white),  Mrs.  H.  T.  Miller  (white),  and  Mrs.  W. 
Beadle  (red).     Decorative  Chrysanthemums  and 


25G 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[October  5,  1907. 


perennial  Asters  completed  an  attractive  ex- 
hibit. (Silver-Gilt  Medal).  Mr.  Eric  Such, 
Maidenhead,  exhibited  Chrysanthemums  in  a 
pleasing  manner  with  vases  of  Asters  inter- 
spersed. (Silver-Gilt  Medal.)  Messrs.  W.  Wells 
&  Co.,  Merstham,  Surrey,  staged  a  beautiful  ex- 
hibit of  Chrysanthemums,  having  banks  of  large 
flowering  varieties  upon  a  ground-work  of 
smaller  "kinds.  (Gold  Medal.)  Messrs.  R.  H. 
Bath,  Ltd.,  Wisbech,  filled  two  tables  with 
Chrysanthemums,  principally  of  the  border 
type.  (Silver  Medal.)  Exhibits  of  Dahlias  were 
shown  bv  Messrs.  H.  Cannell  &  Sons,  Swan- 
ley,  Kent.  (Large  Silver  Medal.)  Hobbies, 
Ltd.,  Dereham,  Norfolk,  also  showed  Roses 
in  variety  (Gold  Medal),  as  did  Messrs. 
T.  S.  Ware,  Ltd.,  Feltham.  (Gold  Medal.) 
Messrs.  H.  Spooner  &  Sons,  Hounslow,  exhi- 
bited a  large  collection  of  hardy  fruits.  (Silver- 
Gilt  Medal).  Messrs.  John  Peed  &  Sons,  West 
Norwood,  showed  flowers  of  tuberous-rooting 
Begonias.  (Silver  Medal.)  Mr.  F.  Brazier, 
Caterham,  showed  seasonable,  hardy  flowers. 
{Large  Silver  Medal.) 


ENQUIRY. 


THE     WEATHER. 


THE   WEATHER   IN   WEST    HERTS. 

Week  ending  October  2. 
More  warm  nights  titan  in  any -week  for  over  four  mont lis.— 
Both  the  days  and  nights  have  continued  warm  during  the 
past  week.  On  the  warmest  day  the  temperature  in  the 
thermometer  screen  rose  to  76°,  which  is  a  very  high  reading 
for  so  late  in  September.  For  three  consecutive  nights  the 
exposed  thermometer  never  fell  lower  than  51°,  the  average 
for  the  end  of  September  being  about  39°.  The  ground  still 
■continues  warm  for  the  time  of  year,  and  is  now  2°  warmer 
at  *2  feet  deep  and  3°  warmer  at  1  foot  deep  than  is  season- 
able. Very  slight  rain  fell  on  three  days,  and  on  the  first 
day  of  October  there  occurred  a  fall  approaching  a  quarter 
of  an  inch,  which,  although  only  sufficient  to  moisten  the 
surface  of  the  soil,  is  the  heaviest  recorded  here  for  four 
weeks.  This  rain  was  not  sufficient  to  affect  even  the  bare 
soil  percolation  gauge,  which  has  been  quite  dry  for  10  days. 
The  sun  shone  on  an  average  for  three  hours  a  day,  or  for  an 
hour  a  day  short  of  a  seasonable  duration  of  bright  sunshine 
at  this  season.  Light  airs  and  calms  have  again  alone  pre- 
vailed during  the  week.  The  mean  amount  of  moisture  in 
the  air  at  3  p.m.  was  3  per  cent,  less  than  a  seasonable 
quantity  for  that  hour.  A  selected  plant  of  the  wild  Ivy  came 
first  into  flower  on  September  24,  or  eight  days  earlier  than 
its  average  date  of  first  flowering  in  the  previous  16  years, 
and  six  days  earlier  than  last  year. 

September. 

A  n  exceedingly  dry,  calm  and  sunny  month, — The  days  were 
nearly  all  warm,  whereas  the  nights,  except  in  the  last  week, 
were  mostly  as  unseasonably  cold.  On  the  warmest  day 
(the  25th),  the  temperature  in  the  thermometer  screen  rose 
to  78° — a  reading  which  has  only  once  before  been  exceeded 
so  late  in  the  month.  On  the  contrary,  on  the  coldest 
night  the  exposed  thermometer  registered  6s  of  frost— or 
greater  cold  than  has  been  experienced  here  during  any  Sep- 
tember for  18  years.  Rain  fell  on  but  eight  days,  to  the 
aggregate  depth  of  only  three-quarters  of  an  inch,  which  is 
less  than  a  third  of  the  average  rainfall  for  the  month. 
Between  the  7th  and  24th,  or  for  18  days,  no  rain  at  all 
fell.  The  sun  shone  on  an  average  tor  nearly  six  hours  a 
clay,  or  for  an  hour  a  day  longer  than  is  usual  in  September. 
In  the  last  21  years  there  have  been  only  three  Septembers 
as  sunny  as  the  month  just  closed.  This  was  also  a  remark- 
ably calm  month,  in  fact,  the  calmest  September  I  have  yet 
recorded  here,  and  in  no  hour  did  the  mean  velocity  of  the 
wind  exceed  10  miles.  The  average  amount  of  moisture  in 
the  air  at  3  o'clock  in  theafternoon  fell  short  of  a  seasonable 
quantity  for  that  hour  by  5  per  cent. 

The  Summer  Rainfall. 

During  the  summer  half  of  the  present  drainage  year 
ending  September,  12f  inches  of  rain  fell,  which  is  nearly 
1  inch  short  of  the  mean  rainfall  for  the  same  six  months  in 
the  last  51  years.  Taking  the  fall  on  each  square  yard  of 
surface  in  my  garden  the  total  deficiency  amounted  to  4fc 
gallons.  April  and  May  were  wet  mom  lis,  but  since  then  the 
fall  of  rain  in  each  month  has  been,  more  or  less,  deficient. 
E.  A/.,  Berkhamsted,  October  J,  1907. 


TRADE     NOTICE. 


CROMPTOX  8t  F.  A.  FAWKES,  LTD. 
This  newly  formed  company  has  a  capital  of  .£5,000,  in 
£1  snares.  Its  objects  are  to  take  over  the  business  of 
horticultural  builders  and  repairers,  mechanical  engineers, 
joinery  and  moulding  manufacturers,  &c,  carried  on  by 
Crompton  and  Fawkes,  and  by  F.  A.  I-awkes,  at  Chelmsford. 
There  is  no  initial  public  issue.  The  registered  office  is  at 
Anchor  Works,  Chelmsford. 


(Dfcttuanj. 

Thomas  Simcoe.  —  We  regret  to  hear  of  the 
death  of  Mr.  Thomas  Simcoe,  at  one  time  gar- 
dener to  the  late  George  Neville  Dyatt,  Esq  ,  at 
Lake  House,  Cheltenham,  at  the  age  of  Gl  years 
I  >>  ■  ised  had  occasionally  contributed  articles  to 
these  pages. 


Cyclamen  heder.t.folium. — Whilst  renovating 
an  old  rockery  I  recently  found  a  corm  of  this 
species  which  measured  20  inches  in  circumfer- 
ence. Do  the  conns  of  this  species  often  attain  to 
this  size  ?     H.  E.,  Cardiff. 


rrcjfoondcnt 


Anguloa  Clowesii  :  Anxious.  The  treatment  you 
describe  seems  to  be  correct.  Place  the  plant 
on  a  shelf  near  to  the  glass  of  the  roof  in  a  well- 
ventilated  situation. 

Books  :  /.  C.  G.  British  Fresh  Water  Alga,  by 
Dr.  M.  C.  Cooke  (expensive),  with  coloured 
plates,  two  vols.  The  British  Fresh  Water  Alga, 
by  G.  S.  West,  10s.  6d. 

British  Gardeners'  Association  :  E.  S.  IV.  The 
secretary  is  Mr.  J.  Weathers,  Talbot  Villa, 
Talbot  Road,  Isleworth. 

Celery  Dying  :  /.  A'.  There  is  no  fungus  disease 
present  in  your  plants  ;  the  damage  is  caused  by 
millipedes  (Julus)  eating  the  roots.  Sprinkle  the 
soil  with  nitrate  of  soda,  and  then  afford  a 
copious  watering.  A  mixture  of  lime  and  soot 
should  be  applied  to  the  soil  aftei  the  crop  is 
removed. 

Chrysanthemums  for  Market:  B.L.  Varieties 
are  now  very  numerous,  and  they  vary  consider- 
ably in  cultivation  by  different  growers.  It  is, 
therefore,  difficult  to  make  a  selection,  but  the 
following  are  among  those  which  are  most 
popular  in  the  market.  Early  flowering  — 
White  :  Madame  Desgranges,  Market  White, 
Lady  Fitzwigram,  and  Countess.  Bronze:  Nina 
Blick,  Mrs.  A.  Beech,  Polly,  and  Harvest  Home. 
Yellow:  G.  Wermig,  Miss  B.  Miller,  Horace 
Martin,  and  Carrie.  Mid-season —  White :  Money- 
maker, Ivory,  Miss  Alice  Byron,  and  Mrs.  A.  T. 
Miller.  Bronze:  Soleil  d'Octobre,  Le  Pactole, 
Kathleen  Thompson,  and  Source  d'Or.  Yi. 
Soleil  d'Octobre,  Mrs.  F.  Greenfield,  New 
Phoebus,  and  Old  Gold.  Late  varieties — White: 
Madame  Theresa  Panckouke,  Niveum,  Mrs. 
Thompson,  and  Western  King.  Yellow:  Negoya, 
H.  W.  Reiman,  Golden  Age,  and  W.  H.  Lincoln. 
Bronze:  Lord  Brooke,  Tuxedo,  Bronze  Fabre, 
and  Gratianopolis.  In  regard  to  the  flowering 
season  all  varieties  are  inclined  to  vary  ;  for 
instance,  that  known  as  W.  H.  Lincoln  may- 
be seen  quite  early  in  the  season,  and  yet  is 
equally  good  when  purchased  at  Christmas 
time. 

Grape  Lady  Downe=  :  W.  <~  T.  S.  See  reply 
to  D.  Y.  R.  in  the  last  issue,  p.  240. 

Grapes  Decaying  :  C.  V.  The  berries  are  badly 
shanked,  a  condition  caused  by  some  check 
such  as  a  cold  atmosphere  in  the  vinery,  or  an 
unsatisfactory  rooting  -  medium.  To  cultivate 
Muscat  of  Alexandria  Grapes  successfully  there 
must  be  no  parsimony  in  regard  to  the  fuel 
necessary  for  heating  the  vinery. 

Names  of  Fruits:  Caen.  1,  Jersey  Gratioli  ;  2, 
Beurre  Capiaumont  ;  3,  Duchesse  d'Angouleme  ; 
4,  Louise  Bonne  of  Jersey  ;  5,  Marie  Louise;  6, 
Marechal  de  la  Cour.  —  Welch.  Dean's  Codlin. 
— F.  W.  C.  1,  Duchess  of  Oldenburgh  ;  2, 
Yorkshire  Beauty:  3,  Emperor  Alexander:  4, 
Brockworth  Park;  5,  Autumn  Josephine;  6, 
Vicar  of  Wink  field. 

Names  of  Plants  :  Myrtle.  1,  Pyrus  salicifolia  ;  2, 

Crataegus  mollis  ;  3,  Tilia  platyphyllos  aspleni- 
folia  ;  4,  Thuya  orientalis  ;  5,  Crataegus  Crus- 
Galli  prunifolia  ;  G,  Thuya  gigantea. —  V.  T.  1, 
Epidendtum  aromaticum  ;  2,  Broiuhtonia  san- 
guinea;  3,  Coelogyne  corrugata ;  4,  Epidendrum 
ochraceum  ;  5,  E.  ciliare  ;  6,  Miltonia  Pussell- 
iana. — W.  J.  F.  All  varieties  of  Gongora 
armeniaca.  It  is  a  singular  species,  and  one  not 
difficult  of  cultivation.— 7  /.  Laelia  xanthina. — 
A.  C„  Finchley.  Odontoglossum  constrictum. — 
S.McG.  Polygonum  cuspidatum. — G.P.C.  1, 
Lobelia  cardinalis  ;  2,  Gaura  Lindheimeri  ;  3, 
Helenium  autumnale  var.  cupreum  ;  4,  Malva 
moschata  ;  5,  Plumbago  Larpenta?;  6,  Achillea 
Ptarmica  "The  Pearl." 


Pears:  T.W.C  The  variety  Fondantede  Cuerne 
is  in  season  about  the  third  week  in  August. 
This  Pear  has  no  synonyms,  so  far  as  we  can 
trace.  It  is  to  be  found  in  most  collections, 
and  can  be  purchased  from  the  nurserymen  you 
mention,  although  it  does  not  appear  in  their 
catalogues.  The  variety  Broompark  ripens  in 
January  and  is  an  excellent  dessert  Pear.  This 
also  is  known  by  no  other  name  Von  should 
experience  no  trouble  in  obtaining  trees  from 
the  nurserymen. — G.  T.  Your  fruits  reached  us 
in  a  bruised  and  decayed  condition  due  to  want 
of  care  in  packing  them.  If  you  will  send  us 
fruits  packed  in  suitable  material,  and  just  be- 
fore they  are  quite  ripe,  we  will  endeavour  to 
name  them. 

Pronouncing  Dictionary  :  G.  W .  F.  If  you  have 
a  copy  of  Nicholson's  Dictionary  of  Garden- 
ing you  will  find  that  there  is  a  pronouncing 
dictionary  included  in  the  supplement  to  that 
work.  There  is  no  book  which  deals  exclusively 
with  this  subject. 

Sapling  Oak  :  F.  P.  There  are  several  varieties 
of  hardy  Oaks  with  leaves  variegated  with  white, 
but  none  with  leaves  that  are  wholly  white.  The 
foliage  of  the  specimen  you  describe  is  certainly 
very  deficient  in  chlorophyll,  i.e.,  green  colour- 
ing matter,  and  those  that  will  be  produced  next 
season  may  not  be  quite  similar.  During  the 
winter  the  plant  should  be  placed  under  a  hand- 
glass, air  being  admitted  by  raising  the  moveable 
top  ;  the  latter  may  be  taken  off  entirely  during 
mild  weather.  The  plant  should  be  transferred 
to  the  open  ground  in  spring. 

Schedule  for  Exhibition  :  /.  E.  H.  B.  The 
Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Rules  for  Judging 
and  Suggestions  to  Sehcdu'c-niahers  will  supply  you 
with  the  information.  The  work  can  be  obtained 
from  the  Secretary,  Royal  Horticultural  Hall, 
Vincent  Square.  Westminster,  price  Is.  Id.  free 
by  post.  Any  first-class  printer  will  supply  you 
with  cards  suitable  for  use  as  certificates  of 
merit. 

Seedling  Apple  :  G.  H.  Judging  from  the  some- 
what acid  fruit  sent  us  we  do  not  think  your 
variety  is  equal  in  quality  to  many  of  the 
culinary  Apples  which  ripen  at  the  end  of  Sep- 
tember. At  this  season  there  is  no  lack  of  good 
codlin  and  other  sorts  fit  for  use.  There  is  a 
greater  need  for  Apples  that  will  ripen  earlier,  or 
that  are  capable  of  keeping  sound  longer,  than 
most  of  those  already  in  cultivation. 

Silver  or  Spinach  Beet:  G.  H.  In  preparing 
this  vegetable  for  the  table,  the  thin  parts  of  the 
leaves  must  be  removed  from  the  main  rib,  as 
the  amount  of  cooking  required  by  the  ribs 
would  reduce  the  vegetable  to  a  tasteless  mess. 
The  thin  parts  of  the  leaves  should  be  cleaned  in 
several  waters,  and  left  immersed  in  water  for  an 
hour  previous  to  being  boiled  alone  like  Spinach, 
and  be  served  up  like  that  vegetable.  The  mid- 
ribs should  be  likewise  cleansed  from  dirt,  and 
if  more  than  a  foot  in  length  they  should  be 
sized,  cut  in  halves,  and  tied  in  small  bundles  of 
12  to  18  pieces  each,  and  be  boiled,  as  also  the 
thin  parts,  in  soft  water,  or  if  the  latter  be  hard, 
it.  should  have  a  small  pinch  of  carbonate  of 
soda  added  before  the  bundles  are  placed  in  it. 
As  in  the  case  of  other  green  vegetables,  the 
water  should  be  slightly  salted,  and  when  they 
sink  in  the  water  they  are  sufficiently  done 
if  the  water  has  been  kept  constantly  boiling. 
The  ribs  must  be  tested  with  a  fork,  and  the 
thin  tops  will  be  found  to  need  rather  less  boiling 
than  the  butts.  These  may  be  served  on  toast 
with  butter  sauce.  Except  in  hard  weather 
Spinach-Beet  may  be  gathered  out  of  doors,  a 
few  leaves  being  taken  off  each  plant.  If  the 
plants  are  taken  up  and  planted  in  cold  pits  or 
protected  cold  frames,  and  induced  to  make 
growth,  leaves  are  available  all  the  winter. 
October  is  a  good  time  to  take  up  the  plants, 
which  should  be  done  carefully  with  a  digging 
fork,  reserving  as  many  of  the  roots  as  pos- 
sible; afterwards  affording  them  an  abundant 
application  of  water  so  as  to  settle  the  soil  about 
them  and  prevent  flagging  of  the  leaves. 

Communications  Received. — A.  U. — J.  PI.— J.  M.  P.— J.  lT. 
—A.  B.  G.— H.  W.-S.  E.— J.  P.  R.— E.  C.  C.  D.— A.  K.  H. 
— C.  K.— W.  D.  &S.-K.  &  B.— E.  L.-L.  (",..  Brussels— 
M.  C.  C— C.  F.  C-  D.  G.-  G.  R— J.  M.— P.  M.-A.  H.- 
R.  &Co  — M.  C.-H.B.-A.M.N.—J.S.  S.  II. II.  -B.L, 
—P.  M.-R.  V.  &  Son— J.  R.  I.— S.  c— C.  T.-H.  I 
W.  E.  W.— T,  H.  H.— C.  T.  D.-T.  S.-C.  P.  K.- 
W.  A.  C— H.  S—  J.  D.  G.-W.-Geo.  S— W.  II  I  - 
R.  S.— L.  L.,  Brussels— H.  C,  Geneva- T.  H.-J.  R.  ]., 
1  i  vonsliire, 


October  12,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


257 


THE 


^arbcnets  (ffbronicd 

No.  1. 0S5.— SATURDAY.  October  12.  1907. 


CONTENTS. 


Autumn  planting,  the 
advantages  of 2;jS 

Bedding,  summer  flower    2t;s 

Books,  notices  of — 
1 1  itanical  Magazine  ...    265 
Publications  received     i?)iii 

Bushey  House,  Herts....     i*(i I 

Chrysanthemums  as 
specimens  out-of- 
doors     ...  267 

Chrysanthemum  blooms 
exhibited  on  boards...    269 

Colonial  note- 
Cosmos  sulphureus ...    207 

Cypripedium  bella- 
tulum  x  260 

Eucryphiacordifolia    ...     :;f>9 

!  'lis  in  flower  gar- 
dening       264 

Flowers  in  season  265 

Fruit  crops  in  S.  lutliern 
Russia ■!  ;."> 

Fruit  distribution  26  • 

Fruit  plantation,  not<  s 
from  a 257 

Gardeners  at  cricket    ...     26G 

Glasnevin,    notes    from    258 

Half -holiday  for  gar- 
deners          ...     265 

Hardy  plant  border— 
\'<  ntstemons 259 

Hippeastrums  in 
Knv  rica  258 

Kew  notes — 
Gra  in  m  a  t  o  pliyllum 
speciosuTii    ...  2G6 

Ledien,  F.,  appointment 
of  265 

Market  Gardening — 
Chrysanthemum  sat  an 

Uxbridge  nursery...    267 
Damson  season,  the...    267 


Obituary — 

Davies,  Chas 

Heath,  Dr.  E.  A.       ... 

Orchid  notes  and  glean- 
ings— 
Cirrhopetalum  appen- 
diculatum  var.  Fas- 
cinator   

Potatos  from  seed 

Rainfall,  deficient 

Roses  at  the  late  show... 

Seeds,  home-grown    ... 

Silver  Fir,  disease  of  the 

Single  Chrysanthe- 
i /I--,  cross-fertilisa- 
tion of 

Societies- 
Debating  

National  Potato 
Royal  Horticultural  .. 
(Scientific  Committee] 

Spireas,  herbaceous     ... 

Trees  and  shrubs — 
I'limns  japonica  as  a 
fruiting  shrub 

Vatican  gardens  neg- 
lected, the       

Vegetables- 
Late  Culinary  Peas  ... 

Vines  and  Peach  trees 
under  glass,  planting 
of 

Week's  work,  the — 
Flower  garden,  thr  .... 
Fruits  under  glass  ... 
Hardy  fruit  garden  ... 
Kitchen  garden,  the... 
Orchid  houses,  the  ... 
Parks  and  gardens  ... 
Plants  under  glass    ... 


271 
271 


260 
265 
268 
266 
268 
265 


267 

271 
■.'7n 

■  65 
270 
26!) 


262 
265 
26S 

271 

263 
262 
263 
262 

262 
263 
263 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Aster  Norah  Peters        

Bushey  House,  Herts.  (Supplementary  Illustration) 
Chrysanthemum,  a  specimen  plant  of,  on  a  terrace 

Bucryphia  cordifolia 

View  in  the  gardens  at  Bushey  House,  Herts,    ... 


267 
259 
261 


NOTES    FROM    A    FRUIT 
PLANTATION. 

THE  picking  of  the  great  Plum  crop  is 
now  finished,  and  there  is  time  for 
giving  attention  to  other  departments 
of  the  fruit  industry.  A  great  deal  of  non- 
sense has  appeared  in  the  daily  papers  about 
the  glut  of  Plums  and  the  prices  realised  for 
the  fruit.  In  consequence  of  the  slowness  of 
the  ripening  season,  until  nearly  the  end  of  it 
the  picking  was  spread  over  an  unusually 
long  time,  and  on  this  account  the  glut  of 
Plums  was  prevented  from  assuming  disas- 
trous dimensions.  Reports  from  Evesham 
state  that  at-1  the  crop,  not  excepting  that  of 
the  common  Egg  Plums,  was  gathered  and 
sold,  although  part  of  it,  and  particularly 
Egg  Plums,  sold  at  very  low  prices.  As 
usual,  London  was  about  the  worst  market 
in  England,  and,  no  doubt,  Saturday's  clear- 
ing prices  were  occasionally  as  low  as  those 
stated  in  some  sensational  reports.  But  no 
regular  quotation  was  lower  than  6d.  per 
naif-sieve,  and  only  a  verv  small  proportion 
of  the  fruit—chiefly  consisting  of  Egg  Plums 
—was  disposed  of  at  such  an  unsatisfactory 
price.  I  tried  London  on  two  occasions,  and 
they    were   enough    for    me,    the    return    for 


the  second  lot  being  only  is.  per  half-sieve  of 
281b.,  with  commission  and  all  other  market- 
ing expenses  to  be  afterwards  deducted.  I 
began  to  market  Kiwis'  Early  Prolific  when 
the  fruits  were  half-coloured  at  2s.  6d.  per 
sieve,  and  they  realised  3s.  6d.  when  they 
were  fully  coloured,  and  finally  2s.  The 
variety  Czar  started  at  2s.  3d.  and  2s.  6d. 
for  parts  of  the  same  consignment,  but 
nearly  all  made  the  latter  price  afterwards. 
Victorias  began  when  half-coloured  at  is.  od., 
went  up  to  2S.  3d.  for  one  lot,  but  they  were 
mostly  sold  at  is.  bd.,  excepting  a  consign- 
ment sent  to  London  which  was  dispose, 1  01 
at  is.  The  crop  of  this  variety,  although 
much  the  heaviest,  brought  in  less  mon  y  per 
acre  than  any  other  sort,  excepting  Gisborne, 
the  latter  fetching  only  is.  to  is.  6d.  per  half- 
sieve.  Monarchs  made  2s.  3d.  to  3s.,  and 
Pond's  Seedling  mostly  3s.,  while  Damsons 
brought  in  only  is.  6d.  These  are  low  prices 
it  is  true,  and  where  heavy  rail  charges  have 
to  be  deducted  the  profit  left  after  paving 
these  and  the  commission,  and  after  deduct- 
ing the  cost  of  picking,  packing,  and  carting 
to  the  station,  is  extremely  small.  Still,  con- 
sidering the  enormous  bulk  of  the  crop,  the 
returns  are  belter  than  mighl  have  been 
expected. 

Apples  are  making  moderate  prices,  con- 
sidering how  poor  the  qualit)  is  as  a  rule ; 
but  the  rates  are  low  in  relation  to  the  defi- 
ciency of  the  crop.  IV  bably  this  is  a  si 
in  which  it  will  pay  to  hold  back  Apples  that 
will  keep  well,  if  any  are  capable  of  doing  so. 
This  proviso  is  necessary  on  account 
doubts  as  to  the  keeping  qualities  of  the 
fruit,  which  seems  this  year  to  rot  mon 
quickly  than  usual.  Apples  that  will  keen 
are  likely  to  make  high  prices,  as  no(  onlj 
is  the  home  crop  a  very  small  one,  but  the 
American  crop  is  alsi>  below  tin-  average. 
The  Report  of  the  American  Department  of 
Agriculture  indicates  the  Apple  crop  as  being 
only  about  half  that  of  last  season. 

In  an  article  published  in  these  columns  on 
July  27  reference  was  made  to  the  tremendous 
and  persistent  attack  of  the  aphis  as  being 
mainly  responsible  for  the  deficient  size  of 
Apples  generally  and  for  the  large  proportion 
of  dwarfed  and  unsaleable  fruit. 

Among  the  numerous  fungal  attacks  of 
the  season,  Plum  leaf  rust  (Puccinia  pruni)  is 
strikingly  noticeable  now.  The  under  sides 
of  nearly  all  the  leaves  of  my  varieties  of 
Plums  and  Damsons  are  covered  with  tiny 
black  or  dark-brown  spots,  and  many  trees 
have  lost  almost  all  their  foliage.  S,  me 
Damson  trees  were  leafless  before  the  fruit 
was  picked,  and  the  fruit  on  them  was  very 
small. 

Cob  Nuts  are  selling  very  badly  this  season. 
Last  year  I  made  3d.  per  pound  of  quite 
green  nuts,  while  the  recent  rates  have  been 
only  3d.  to  3^d.  per  pound.  The  crop  was  a 
good  one,  except  where  it  was  exposed  to  the 
cold  winds  which  so  seriously  damaged  the 
Apple  blossom.  Evidently  Cobs  like  a  shel- 
tered situation. 

A  recent  operation  has  been  that  of  cutting 
the  bindings  of  budded  stocks  of  Apples, 
Pears,  and  Plums.  Contrary  to  the  experi- 
ence of  last  season,  when  the  weather  was 
tco  hot  and  dry  during  the  budding  period, 
the  success  has  proved  highly  satisfactory. 
As  the  grafting  done  last  March  and  April 
was  even  more  successful,  the  nursery  plot  is 


one    of    the    most    satisfactory    parts    of    the 
farm. 

In  Mr.   F.  V.  Theobald's  valuable  Report 
"u   Economic  Zoology  for    1906-7    (Headley 
Brothers,  Ashford;  2s.  6d.),  recently  received, 
there  is  a  good  deal  about  the  woolly  aphis,' 
or  "  American  blight,"  as  it  is  often  called. 
The  author  writes  of  the  attack  of  this  pest 
upon    the   roots   of   Apple   trees.     No  doubt, 
this  form  of  attack  is  very  serious  where  it 
occurs,   but,   although   I  have  had,   and   still 
have,  an  immense  amount  of  trouble  with  the 
pest  in  my  nursery  plot,  extremely  little  root 
attack  has  been   found.     In   taking  up  trees 
sufficient  to  stock  nine  acres  in  the  last   two 
autumns,   I   did   not  find   more  than   a  score 
instances  of  root  attack.     These,  unless  gi  od 
trees,   were   burnt;   but  good  ones   ha. I   their 
roots  immersed  in  a  strong  solution  of  soft 
soaf  or  paraffin  emulsion,  and  this  treatment 
probably    completely    annihilated    the    pest, 
which,   fortunately,  is  not  known  to  produce 
eggs  below  -round.     At  any  rate,  in  going 
over  about  2,500  young  trees  planted  in  the 
autumns  of   1905  and   1906,  although   woolly 
aphis  was  found  close  to  the  ground  in  a  few 
instances,   the   scraping   away  of    the    earth 
failed  to  disclose  .tnv  attack  below  the  ground 
level.      Moreover,   fewer  than   a   score  of   the 
ivere    found    attacked    in    any    part,    in 
spite  of  the  fact  that  the  pest  had  been  preva- 
lent   anion--   them   before   they    were     trans- 
planted.   This    fact    indicates    that    woolly 
apiiis  may  be  eradicated  by  persistent  efforts 
to  destroy   it,    and    nurserymen     should     be 
ashamed    of    sending    out    infected    tree-    ,„• 
storks.      My  farm  was  entirely  free  from  the 
pest  until  I  imported  it  on  some  crab  stocks 
from  a  large  nursery.     It  is  necessarj   to  go 
over  the  attacked  trees  or  stocks  at  least  once 
a  week,  applying  an  insecticide  to  the  several 
colonies   of   the   aphis    with    a    small    brush, 
'iid    twice  a   week  is  better.     I   have  found 
undiluted    methylated    spirit    by    far    the    best 
insecticide  for  this  purpose,  because  of  its  re- 
markable penetrative  capacity.    On  the  othei 
hand,    soft    soap    solution    with    or    without 
quassi,  or  paraffin  emulsion,   will  run   oil   a 
woolly     colony     instead     of     into     it     miles. 
well     brushed     in,      but     methylated     spirii 
saturates      it      in      a      moment,      and      kills 
the   aphis   instantly.        Dilution    impairs   the 
penetrative     quality     of     the     spirit.       It     is 
somewhat   expensive   to   use,    but   one  appli- 
cation  of   it,    in    my  opinion,    is   better   than 
two  or  three  applications  of  any  other  insei  li 
cide  that  I  have  tried.     If  only  it  were  cheap 
enough    to   use   as   a     spray     for     the     leaf- 
curling  aphis  on  Apples  and  Plums,  it  would 
probably  be  found  effective  where  every  other 
insecticide  fails,  because  of  its  great  penetra- 
tive capacity.     But  even  if  it  would  kill  the 
aphis    when     diluted     with     four     times     its 
volume   of   water,    it   would   still    be   far   tco 
expensive  to  use  on  a  large  scale. 

The  past  season  has  been  a  splendid  one 
for  promoting  the  growth  of  young  Apple 
trees,  those  planted  nearly  two  years  a  0 
and  those  put  in  last  autumn  alike.  Both 
have  done  far  better  than  the  former  did  in 
1906,  when  the  summer  was  too  drv. 

Among  the  trees  planted  last  autumn,  one 
row  was  left  not  cut  back,  while  all  the  rest 
were  cut  back  shortly  before  the  buds  began 
to  burst,  in  the  following  March.  Already 
I  am  pretty  well  satisfied  that  this  small  trial 
will  be  the  last  I  shall  need  to  make,  as  the 


258 


THE     GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


[October  12,  1907. 


trees  not  cut  back  appear  to  be  forming  fruit- 
buds  right  up  their  long-  and  thinly-disposed 
young  branches,  and  I  am  not  sure  that  I 
shall  find  a  wood  bud  on  some  of  the  branches 
to  which  to  prune.  The  trees  that  were  cut 
back,  on  the  contrary,  have  branched  out 
well,  and  their  buds  are  mainly  wood  buds, 
as  it  is  desirable  that  they  should  be  until 
the  young  trees  are  well  furnished  with 
branches.     Working  Grower. 


HIPPEASTRUMS    IN    AMERICA. 

(Concluded  from  page  li'l.) 
HlPPEASTRUM  vittatum  can  only  be  grown 
here  successfully  by  giving  it  a  considerable 
amount  of  attention.  This  is  due,  perhaps, 
to  its  deciduous  nature  and  its  peculiar  root 
system.  The  sandy  nature  of  the  soil  ap- 
pears not  to  be  to  its  taste,  or  the  humidity 
of  the  climate  may  be  against  it.  All  the  H. 
vittatum  hybrids  are  poor  growers  here,  and 
cannot  be  recommended. 

H.     RUTILUM,     VAR.     EQUESTRIFORME,    grOWS 

as  well  here  as  H.  equestre,  provided  it  is 
planted  in  very  rich  moist  soil  in  a  half- 
shady  place.  In  soil  very  rich  in  humus 
it  multiplies  rapidly  by  stolons  which  ap- 
pear all  around  the  bulb. 

II.  RUTILUM,  var.  CROCATUM  (which  seems 
to  be  identical  with  Amaryllis  croceum 
grandiflorum)  is  also  a  stoloniferous  kind, 
bearing  light,  saffron-coloured  flowers.  In 
many  gardens  it  is  common,  but  it  is  not 
very  showy.  It  requires  rich  soil  and  a  shady 
place. 

H.     SOLANDRIFLORUM,     VAR.     CONSPICUUM.— 
The     well-known      plant     collector,     Carlos 
VVerckle  (after  whom  Hildalgoa  Wercklei  was 
named),  sent  me,  some  years  ago,  a  number 
of  bulbs  from  Costa  Rica  where  this  kind  is 
a    common    garden   plant.     A    German    gar- 
dener,  the  late  Mr.   Pfan,   if  I   am   not  mis- 
taken, had  introduced  this  Amaryllis  in  largo 
numbers   into  cultivation   in    Europe.     From 
these   importations,    which   were  received    by 
Haage  and  Schmidt  of  Erfurt,  the  beautiful 
coloured   plate   in    Regel's     Garten  flora     (PI. 
949)  was  drawn.     I  wrote  Mr.  VVerckle  ai  Ic- 
ing  him   to  keep  his  eyes  on   the   Hippeas- 
trums  in  Costa  Rica.     He  reported  that  only 
H.   vittatum   was  cultivated   in    the   gardens 
of   San  Jose\     He  sent  me,  however,   a  few- 
bulbs,   and   I    saw  at  once   when   unpacking 
them    that    they   were    not    those   of    H.    vit- 
tatum, as  the  tunics  were  entirely  blackish, 
whereas  in   H.  vittatum   they  are  of  a  very 
light  colour.     A   few   weeks  later   the   bulbs 
were  in  bloom,  and  they  proved  to  be  iden- 
tical with  the  variety  figured  in  Gartenflora. 
Later  on  he  sent  me  more  bulbs.     The  plant 
grows  exceedingly  well  here  in  Florida,  is  de- 
ciduous, and  flowers  late  in  April  when  most 
other   Hippeastrums   have   finished,    pushing 
up     its     blunt,     glaucous     leaves     after     the 
flowers  are  expanded.     The   flowering   scape 
attains  to  a  height  of  from  36  to  40  inches, 
and   develops  a   magnificent   umbel  of   from 
six    to  eight   very   long-tubed   flowers   which 
are  white  suffused  with  pink,  and  are  heavily 
lined   with    deep    crimson,    and    are    strongly 
and    deliriously     fragrant.     This     Amaryllis 
is     one     of     my     favourites,     and     I     have 
used    it    largely    in    cross-breeding.     A    cross 
from      this     and      Enchantress     resulted      in 
a  few   rather  short-tubed,  widely-open  flowers 
—  much  more  beautiful  in  every  respect  than 
Enchantress.      These     were     again     crossed 


with  Madonna  and  Holloway  Belle,  and  thus 
I  obtained  a  race  of  light-coloured,  short- 
tubed,  broad-petalled  and  vigorous  kinds, 
with  a  very  strong  perfume.  Some  of  these 
flowers  are  8  to  10  inches  in  diameter. 
Crosses  between  this  variety  and  Empress  of 
India,  Southey,  and  other  kinds  with  red 
flowers,  were  inferior  to  their  parents,  and 
experiments  along  this  line  were  discon- 
tinued. 

The  true  species  Hitpeastrum  solandri- 
florum,  which  I  received  from  the  late  Dr. 
A.  Ernst,  of  Caracas,  is  inferior  to  the 
variety,  and,  as  it  is  a  very  tender  plant  and 
difficult  to  manage,  I  never  used  it  in  cross- 
breeding. 

H.  LEoroLDii. — This  I  have  employed 
several  years  in  cross-breeding,  but  finally 
lost  it  and  was  unable  to  obtain  it  again. 
A  new  consignment  of  fresh  bulbs  from  its 
habitat  in  the  Peruvian  Andes  would  be  wel- 
comed by  all  lovers  of  these  beautiful  plants. 
I  have  raised  quite  a  number  of  hybrids  from 
this  plant,  and  also  from  other  show  varie- 
ties of  Amaryllis  on  which  I  used  its  pollen. 

H.  pardinum  seems  to  vary  a  good  deal, 
not  only  in  colour,  but  also  in  constitution. 
Some  are  very  weak  growers,  while  others 
are  quite  vigorous.  My  success  in  using  its 
pollen  in  my  experiments  is  scarcely  worth 
mentioning.  A  fresh  supply  from  its  home 
in  the  Andes  of  Peru  would  be  a  boon  to  the 
hybridizer.  We  scarcely  know  anything 
from  whence  these  two  last-named  gems 
among  Hippeastrums  came,  where  they 
grow,  at  what  altitude,  in  shady  or  sunny 
places,  in  rich  or  poor  soil,  and  when  they 
flower. 

HlPPEASTRUM    AULICUM,    VAR.    PLATYPETALUM, 

and  the  still  finer  H.  AULICUM,  var.  robustum 
(or  Tettani)  grow  exceedingly  well  here  in 
the  open  air  in  leaf-mould  and  sand.  They 
are  fair  foliage  plants  and  very  ornamental, 
even  without  flowers.  The  blossoms  appear 
here  in  November  and  December,  frequently 
at  a  time  when  our  first  frosts  occur.  At 
such  times  leaves  and  flower  stems  are  cut 
down,  but  the  leaves  soon  begin  to  grow- 
again.  Though  the  flowers  are  very  showy, 
they  are  not  well  formed — from  a  florist's 
point  of  view — and  I  never  had  an  oppor- 
tunity to  use  them  in  hybridizing,  for  the 
simple  reason  that  at  this  time  no  other  Hip- 
peastrums are  in  flower. 

The  show  Hippeastrums,  particularly  the 
fine,  sturdy  strain  of  Messrs.  James  Veitch 
&-  Sons,  grow-  exceedingly  well  here  in  the 
open.  They  flower  profusely,  and  grow 
luxuriantly  year  after  year,  but  the  grower 
has  to  keep  a  watchful  eve  on  his  pets  all 
the  time.  During  the  middle  of  March  the 
first  broods  of  lubber  grasshoppers  (Romalea 
sp.)  emerge  from  the  ground  in  colo- 
nies of  from  100  to  200,  and,  if  not 
killed  immediately,  not  a  vestige  of  foliage, 
flower  scapes,  or  flowers  would  remain. 
Later  in  the  season  the  fully-grown  grass- 
hoppers will  appear  from  the  woodlands  all 
around,  and  one  specimen  will  eat  several 
fuily-grown  leaves  of  an  Amaryllis  in  a  won- 
derfully short  time.  Fortunately,  these 
clumsy  insects  appear  usually  singly  or  in 
pairs,  and  are  easily  killed.  No  bird,  not 
even  the  chickens,  eat  them.  Later  in  the 
season  the  Amaryllis  caterpillar  would  de- 
strpy  all  the  foliage  of  the  Hippeastrums, 
Hymenocallis,  and  many  Crinums,  if  not 
picked  off  and  destroyed.  H.  Nehrling, 
Florida. 


NOTES    FROM    GLASNEVIN. 

Eucryphia  pinnatifolia. — This  beautiful 
Chilian  shrub  is  now  in  flower  in  these  gardens, 
and  although  the  plant  is  not  a  large  specin.e.i 
it  is  bearing  numerous  flowers.  A  half-shaded 
position  and  a  soil  containing  much  peat  will 
be  found  to  suit  the  requirements  of  this  rather 
capricious    subject. 

Cestrum  termixale  (Parqui). — This  is  an- 
another  Chilian  plant  that  is  flowering  freely 
in  these  gardens.  The  plant  is  trained  against 
a  wall,  and  has  been  in  flower  for  several  weeks 
past.  The  inflorescences  consist  of  panicles  of 
light    yellow-coloured    flowers. 

Genista  .ethnensis. — For  several  weeks 
past  a  group  of  this  lovely  Sicilian  species  has 
been  much  admired  for  its  flowers.  The  habit 
is  exceptionally  graceful,  and  the  plant  is  ex- 
tremely floriferous.  The  branches  are  slender 
and  somewhat  pendulous,  and  the  bushes  attain 
to  a  height  of  10  feet  or  more.  The  colour  of 
the  flower  is  a  clear  shade  of  yellow. 

Clematis  intermedia. — This  species  is  one 
of  the  most  satisfactory  for  gardens  of  the 
Clematis  grown  at  Glasnevin.  The  habit  of 
growth  is  strong,  and  the  branches  produce  an 
abundance  of  light  blue-coloured,  medium-sized 
flowers.  Clematis  intermedia  forms  a  good  sub- 
ject for  training  on  a  pergola  or  trellis-work. 

Clematis  Hexdersonii  is  a  similar  habi:ed 
plant  to  the  foregoing,  but  the  flowers  are  of  a 
darker  colour.  This  species  is  also  a  desirable 
garden  plant,  and  does  not  die  off  similar  ;:> 
grafted   plants   of   showy   flowering   kinds. 

Phormium  tenax  purpureum. — A  noble 
clump  of  this  fine  variety  of  New  Zealand  fax 
grows  by  the  side  of  a  stream  which  skirts  the 
lower  part  of  the  arboretum  in  these  gardens. 
At  the  present  time  it  is  throwing  up  numerous  | 
flower-spikes,  many  of  which  are  already  10  to 
12  feet  in  height.  None  of  the  flowers  is 
expanded.  This  I'hormium  is  suitable  for 
planting  by  the  water-side  in  gardens,  the 
climate  of  which  is  sufficiently  mild  for  it  to 
withstand   the   winter. 

Xymph.eas. — Perhaps  the  finest  feature  in 
Glasnevin  at  the  present  time  is  the  collection 
of  hardy  Nymphasas  in  flower.  The  majority 
of  the  best  sorts  known  to  cultivation  are  grown 
in  a  shallow  serpentine  pond,  that  has  a  setting 
of  green  grass  which  slopes  to  the  water's  edge. 
The  varieties  include  N.  Marliaeea  albida,  N. 
M.  camea,  N.  Gladstoniana,  N.  atropurpurea. 
N.  Ellisonii,  N.  Laydekeri  purpurea,  N.  Robin- 
soniana,  N.  chromatella,  and  the  tiny  N.  pyg- 
mrea   helvolla.     /.    W.   Besant,   Glasnevin. 


THE  ADVANTAGES  OF  AUTUMN- 
PLANTING. 

In   more  than  one  respect  there  is  an  advan- 
tage in   autumn-planting  over  that  done  in  the 
spring.     The  work   is   sometimes   delayed   until 
the  latter  period  because  the  planter  considers 
that  the  summer  growing  season  following  im 
mediately   upon   planting  it  must   have   a  gooc 
effect.     This    is   not   always   so,    however,    witl 
many  subjects,  and  particularly  with  fruit  tree; 
and  bushes.    The  spring  often  sees  warm  shower: 
and   sunshine    alternate  with    frost.        Too   fre- 
quently in  April,  and,  indeed,  in  the  beginning 
of   May,   frosty  nights   and   cold   blasts   are  ex 
perienced,    and   these   prove   detrimental   to   re 
cently-planted   trees,    especially    when    the   cole 
is  followed  almost  immediately  with  a  spell  o! 
dry,  hot  weather.     The  soil  at  that  season  ji 
below  the  surface  is  still  cold  after  the  winter 
low   temperature,    causing   the   roots    to   remaii 
inactive.      A  few   warm,    sunny    days,   however 
will  be  sufficient  to  excite  both  wood  and  Hi 
buds  into  growth  from  nourishment  stored  up  ii| 
the  woods  in  the  previous  season.     This  rese:\ 
of  food  is  very  limited,  and  is  quickly  exhai 
If   bulbous  plants   are  placed   direct   int. 


October  12,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


259 


heat  and  excessive  moisture,  the  resultant  leaf- 
growth  soon  exhausts  the  sap  in  the  bulb  ;  the 
latter  then  withers,  and  no  bloom  is  forthcom- 
ing for  the  simple  reason  that  root  action  was 
not  encouraged  previous  to  forcing. 

The    same    conditions    rule    in    transplanting 
trees  and  shrubs,  and  in  every  case  one  should 
first     consider     how     to     preserve     the     roots 
so   that    they    receive    very    little   or    no    check, 
and,  secondly,  how  they  may  become  established 
again  in  the  new  soil  and  situation  in  the  least 
possible  time.     If  this  is  accomplished  success- 
fully,  there    need   be   little    fear   as   to   the   top 
growth  doing  well,  since  the  foundation  for  the 
production  of  this  has  already  been  achieved.    It 
is  surprising  how   new  roots  will  develop   in   a 
month  or  more   in   the  case  of  a  tree  or  shrub 
newly  planted,   say,  early  in  November.     When 
the  planting  has  been  properly  carried  out,  and 
the  roots  embedded  in  fine  friable  soil,  a  mass  of 
new  white  fibrous  roots  will  be  found  permeat- 
ing the  fresh  compost,  and  this  notwithstanding 
top  growth  has  been   almost  dormant  since  the 
planting.    This  I  have  proved  to  be  so  from  prac- 
tical observation,   and  especially  in  connection 
with  fruit  trees  in  pots.     Some  trees  that  were 
turned  out  of  their  pots  early  in  autumn  for  re- 
potting were  plunged  in  a  light  soil,  to  enable 
the  pots  to  be  prepared  for  their  reception  again. 
The  work   was   interrupted,    and   the   plants   re- 
mained  plunged   for  a   longer  period   than  was 
intended,   and  on  moving  them  a  mass  of  new 
roots  was   seen.     This  proves  that  the  roots  of 
fruit  trees  will  remain  active,  providing  the  con- 
ditions   are    favourable,    after    the    foliage    has 
fallen.     A    point    of    importance    to    observe    in 
planting  trees  is  to  afford  the  roots  a  fine  com- 
pest,   not  necessarily  of  a  rich  description,  but 
rather  of  a  light,  gritty  and  porous  nature.     Too 
frequently   rough,   lumpy   soil   is   placed   around 
the  roots  of  newly-planted  trees,  and  the  cavities 
formed    in    the    soil    favours    the    admission    of 
frost  and  drying  winds,  which  injure  the  young 
rcot-fibres.     A  few  spadefuls  of  a  finely-divided 
compost  should   always  be   placed  amongst   the 
roots  of  newly-planted  trees  and  shrubs.     After 
the  planting  is  finished,  water  should  be  afforded 
if  the  soil  is  dry  :   a  top-dressing  of  half-decayed 
leaves  is  preferable  to  the  use  of  rank  manure. 
Richard  Pari,  r. 


EUCRYPHIA    CORDIFOLIA 
CAVANILLES. 

The  subject  of  our  illustration  at  fig.  109 
was  received  from  Mr.  W.  E.  Gumbleton,  of 
Queenstoun,  Ireland.  It  forms  a  fine  shrub  with 
dark  persistent  foliage,  and  bears  beautiful  white 
blossoms.  It  is  a  native  of  Chili,  and  seems  to  have 
been  first  flowered  in  this  country  by  Messrs. 
las.  Veitch  &  Sons,  at  Coombe  Wood,  in  1897. 
A  figure  appeared  in  the  Gardeners'  Chronicle  for 
October  9,  18'.17,  which  was  drawn  from  a  specimen 
supplied  by  Messrs.  Veitch,  and  we  understand 
that  the  plant  which  forms  the  subject  of  the 
present  notice  was  also  obtained  from  the  Coombe 
Wood  Nurseries.  Its  special  interest  lies  in  the 
way  in  which  the  leaves  have  come  to  differ  from 
tbe  typical  form,  as  originally  figured  in  our 
columns.  Comparison  with  specimens  at  Kew 
and  the  Natural  History  Museum  leaves,  however, 
no  doubt  as  to  the  identily  of  the  plant  with  e! 
cordifolia,  for  although  the  leaves  are  commonly 
much  blunter  and  more  rounded  at  the  apex, 
berbarium  specimens  show  that  the  plant  varies 
somewhat  in  this  respect,  and  in  Cavanilles' 
[cones,  plate  37'2,  the  pointed  leaves,  so  char- 
acteristic of  the  Irish  plant,  are  clearly  shown  to 
«cur  along  with  others  more  oval  in  outline. 
Tlie  shrub  is  quite  hardy  in  Mr.  Gumbleton's  gar- 
Jen,  where  it  is  growing  near,  but  not  trained  on, 
1  wall,  and  reaches  a  height  of  10  feet. 


HARDY    PLANT    BORDER. 

PENTSTEMONS. 
The  value  of  Pentstemons  for  summer  and 
early  autumn  decoration  in  the  garden  has  been 
especially  seen  this  season.  The  range  of  colour- 
ing in  the  different  varieties  enables  the  planting 
of  beds  with  almost  any  colour,  or  they  may 
be  blended  to  produce  a  good  effect.  A  variety 
especially  suitable  for  massing  in  beds  or  in  bor- 
ders is  George  Home,  with  its  stately  spikes  of 
brilliant  crimson-coloured  flowers,  which  are 
white  in  the  throat,  and  its  deep  green  foliage. 


lights  are  removed  and  the  plants  are  fully 
exposed.  In  the  autumn  the  growths  are  cut 
down  to  within  a  few  inches  of  the  soil,  a  mulch 
is  applied  for  protection,  and  in  the  following 
spring  several  shoots  push  from  the  base  of 
each  plant.  Grown  in  this  manner  they  give  a 
free  crop  of  flowers. 

Pentstemons  are  easy  of  propagation.  Cut- 
tings inserted  in  September  or  early  in  October 
in  sandy  soil  in  a  cold  frame  that  is  kept  close 
loot  readily,  and  the  plants  are  ready  for  plant- 
ing out  the  following  April.  Some  cultivators 
of  Pentstemons  prefer  raising  their  plants  from 


Fig.  109. — eucrvphia  cordifolia:   flowers  white. 


If  a  pale  pink  variety  is  required,  Lady  Curzon, 
with  pale  pink  edging  on  a  white  ground,  may 
be  selected.  Rachael  is  still  the  nearest  approach 
to    a   white   variety    in    this    flower. 

One  almost  wishes  Pentstemons  were  quite 
hardy,  for  if  they  could  be  retained  in  the  bor- 
der over  the  winter,  they  would  produce  a 
wealth  of  flowers  early  in  the  season.  When 
growing  new  varieties  on  trial,  I  usually  retain 
the  most  promising  plants,  and  flower  them  in 
their  second  year.  They  are  first  planted  out 
in   a   cold    frame,    but    later   in   the    season    the 


seeds  each  year  out  of  considerations  for  space, 
but  those  propagated  from  cuttings  of  well- 
known  and  approved  sorts  are  the  most  satis- 
factory. 

The  varieties  of  Pentstemons  are  very  numer. 
ous,  and  amongst  the  best  of  the  newer  kinds 
with  their  colours  are: — Hilda  Stevenson,  a 
variety  having  tall,  strong  flower-spikes,  a  deep 
shade  of  rose-pink  in  colour,  but  with  a  pure 
white  throat.  Mrs.  D.  McOmish,  in  colour 
bright  scarlet,  with  crimson-chocolate  striped 
throat,     a     very     showy     and     strong     growing 


260 


THE     GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


[October  1:2,  1907. 


variety.  Lady  Morrison  Bell,  flowers  of  a  bright 
crimson  colour,  with  a  cinnamon  margined 
throat,  and  developed  on  tall  spike.  Jesse 
Forbes,  white,  with  an  edging  of  pale  rose  and 
a  pure  white  throat.  Charles  Lunn,  rosy  crim- 
son, throat  heavily  margined  with  chocolate. 
Mrs.  Alexander  Brown,  rich  crimson,  white 
throat.  Sir  Dighton  Probyn,  intensely  dark 
crimson,  with  puce-coloured  stripes  in  the 
throat.  Colonel  Hope,  white,  margined  with 
rosy-scarlet,  a  very  choice  variety.  Alexander 
Brown,  claret-coloured  tube  and  white  throat. 
Thomas  W.  Cuthbertson,  rosy  pink  (the  large 
open  throat  is  margined  with  chocolate).  Wil- 
liam Bull,  rosy  scarlet,  with  chocolate  throat. 
Mrs.  Robertson,  deep  rose,  fading  to  pale  pink 
on  the  margin,  bells  closely  set  on  a  compact 
spike.  John  Michie,  deep  crimson,  with  a 
richly-striped  crimson  throat.  Thomas  Hay,  the 
flowers  are  fully  2  inches  in  diameter,  rosy  scar- 
let in  colour,  with  a  deep  crimson  mottled  thror.t. 
Mrs.  Ovens,  violet-purple,  with  a  crimson-choco- 
late throat.  Lady  Clementine  Waring,  the"bells" 
of  this  variety  measure  2  inches  in  length  ;  they 
are  of  a  deep  rosy  crimson  colour,  the  throat 
is  flushed  with  magenta.  Mrs.  Lucking,  this 
variety  has  extra  large  flowers  that  are  deep 
rose  in  colour,  and  with  a  clear  white  throat. 
John  Lamont,  the  long,  narrow  tube  is  a  clear 
shade  of  crimson,  with  an  expanded  white 
throat.  This  is  an  improvement  upon  the  variety 
George  Home  or  Lord  Lister.  John  Forbes, 
violet-purple,  chocolate  throat.  Marconi,"  white 
in  the  throat,  the  "bells"  spotted  with  crim- 
son, and  margined  with  rose.  Lord  Rothschild, 
rose-pink,  the  throat  veined  with  crimson.  Mrs. 
Joseph  Chamberlain,  rose-pink,  with  a  pure 
white  threat.  Mrs.  Wigan,  cream,  with  a  pink 
margin.  All  these  varieties  have  been  raised  by 
Mr.  John  Forbes,   Hawick. 

Another  person  who  has  devoted  much  time 
to  the  improvement  of  these  flowers  is  Mr.  E. 
Beckett,  Aldenham  House  Gardens,  and  his 
newer  kinds  are:  Lord  Kitchener,  with  flo\v€  - 
2J  inches  in  diameter,  coloured  rosy  magenta, 
with  a  clear  white  throat.  Wm.  Fyfe, 
crimson-maroon,  flushed  with  rose  on  the  edge, 
and  with  a  pure  white  throat ;  this  variety  pro- 
duces the  largest  flower-spike  of  all,  the  "  bells  " 
are  2^-  inches  in  diameter.  Fascination,  this 
variety  grows  fully  4  feet  high  ;  it  is  purple- 
■crimson  in  colour,  with  a  few  stripes  and 
"blotches  of  crimson  in  its  white  throat.  Earl  of 
Minito,  dark  crimson  on  outer  surface,  and 
with  a  crimson-striped,"  chocolate-ooloured 
throat.  Gertrude  Saunders,  soft  rose,  with  a 
pure  white  throat ;  an  effective  variety  for  plant- 
ing in  a  mass.  Nulli  Secundus,  flowers  a  rich 
shade  of  scarlet ;  the  habit  of  growth  is  free. 
Maxima,  a  variety  having  extra  large,  bright 
scarlet  flowers;  the  plant  is  of  strong  growth. 
Red  Splendour,  bright  red,  with  scarlet-striped 
throat ;  a  vigorous  growing  variety.  Aldenham 
Pride,  large,  rosy  pink  flowers,  and  throat 
blotched  and  striped  with  crimson.  Rosalba, 
the  outeT  surface  of  the  flower  is  coloured  rose, 
the  inside,  pale  creamy  white ;  the  habit  is  com- 
pact, the  growth  free.  Burston  Beauty,  dark 
red,  with  a  deeply-striped  throat.  Painted 
Lady,  flowers  bright  scarlet,  with  a  heavily- 
striped  throat  ;  a  variety  of  robust  growth. 
Virgin  Queen,  creamy  white,  height,  4  feet. 
Henry  Irving,  rich  red  exterior,  and  throat 
heavily  marked  with  chocolate ;  a  vigorous 
growing  variety.  Cinderella,  this  variety  is  ex- 
ceptionally free  in  flowering,  the  flowers  are 
rosy  violet  in  colour  with  a  white  throat.  E 
Molyncux.      

ORCHID    NOTES    AND    GLEANINGS. 


expected,  it  closely  resembles  the  lighter  form 
of  C.  Chapmanii  (bellatulum  X  Curtisii),  the 
variety  magnificum  of  which  is  illustrated  in  the 
Gardeners'  Chronicle,  June  5,  1897,  p.  365.  The 
flower  sent,  however,  has  narrower  petals  and 
with  a  whiter  ground  colour.  The  dorsal  sepal 
is  pale  green,  with  a  white  margin  and  radiating 
purple  lines  from  the  base.  The  petals  are 
white,  with  a  greenish  tinge  at  the  base,  the 
whole  being  spotted  with  dark  purple ;  the 
staminode  and  face  of  the  lip  is  dull,  purplish- 
rose  colour. 

CIRRHOPETALUM  APPENDICULATUM 
VARIETY  FASCINATOR. 
A  very  attractive  form  of  the  type  is  now 
flowering  in  the  collection  of  Jeremiah  Colman, 
Esq.,  Gatton  Park  (gr.  Mr.  W.  P.  Bound).  Com- 
pared with  the  original  form  for  which  Sir 
Trevor  Lawrence,  Bart.,  was  awarded  a  Botani- 
cal Certificate  at  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society's  meeting  on  November  26,  1898,  and 
which  was  illustrated  in  the  Gardeners'  Chronicle, 
December  10,  1898,  p.  415,  the  variety  Fascinator 
differs  chiefly  in  the  purple  colour  of  the  basal 
half  of  the  lower  sepals,  which  in  Sir  Trevor 
Lawrence's  plant  was  spotted  with  purple  on  a 
cream-white  ground.  It  bears  solitary  flowers 
about  8  inches  in  length,  the  lower  sepals  repre- 
senting the  greater  part.  The  concave  upper 
sepal  is  whitish,  marked  with  purple,  and  bears 
at  the  apex  a  purple  plume  on  a  filiform  base. 
The  petals,  which  are  similarly  decorated  with 
purple  plumes,  are  white  with  purple  lines,  both 
sepals  and  petals  having  the  outer  halves 
fringed.  The  lip  is  purplish-crimson,  and  the 
closely-approached  lower  sepals  whitish,  the 
basal  half  purple  on  the  face,  and  spotted  with 
purple  on  the  thin,  tendril-like  outer  halves.  The 
species  is  figured  in  King  and  Pantlin's  Orchids 
of  the  Sikkim  Himalaya  =s  Cirrhopetalum 
ornatissimum,  but  that  species,  which  was  illus- 
trated in  the  Gardeners'  Chronicle,  November  4, 
1898,  has  an  umbel  of  flowers,  and  is  very  dis- 
tinct from  C.  appendiculatum. 


CYPRIPEDIUM  BELLATULUM  HYBRID. 
A  flower  of  a  hybrid  Cypripedium,  said  to 
have  been  obtained  by  crossing  C.  bellatulum 
and  C.  Beechense  (Curtisii  x  superbiens)  is  sent 
us  by  Mr.  W.  Thorpe,  gardener  to  J.  W.  Col- 
lett,   Esq.,    Hillfield,    Gloucester.     As   might  be 


HERBACEOUS    SPIRAEAS. 

( Concluded  from  page  244.) 

S.  decumbens  (S.  procumbens). — This  is  an 
Alpine  species,  and  one  that  forms  a  thick  carpet 
of  lobed  leafage  from  underground  stolons. 
The  flowers  are  pure  white,  6  inches  in  height, 
and  appear  like  minute  blossoms  of  S.  filipen- 
dula.  S.  decumbens  delights  to  ramble  among 
broken  rocks  in  the  freest  possible  manner  in 
a  rocky  recess,  or  to  form  a  low  patch  at  the 
foot  of  a  boulder.  The  root  system  is  shallow, 
hence  droughts  affect  the  plant  in  poor  soils. 

S.  digitata. — There  is  a  small  Spiraea 
in  cultivation  which  came  to  us,  probably  from 
Siberia  by  way  of  Japan,  and  has  borne  the 
name  S.  lobata  for  several  years.  The  true  S. 
lobata  is  the  S.  venusta  of  gardens,  and  there  is 
no  connection  between  the  two  plants.  Lately  it 
has  been  referred  to  as  S.  digitata,  a  plant  known 
to  me  from  published  descriptions  only,  and 
the  misnamed  S.  lobata  is  now  regarded  as  a 
dwarf-habited  form  of  S.  digitata.  It  forms  a 
close  tuft  of  palmately-lobed  leaves  6  inches 
high,  and  produces  pretty  red  flattened  cymes 
of  rather  large  flowers  on  ruddy  stems  scarcely 
a  foot  high.  Its  rich  green  leafage  and  showy 
flowers  are  very  attractive,  and  as  the  plant 
grows  exceedingly  well  and  flowers  freely,  it 
should  become  popular.  It  is  rather  rare,  and 
its  propagation  is  somewhat  slow. 

S.  filipendula  (Dropwort). — The  double- 
flowered  form  of  this  British  species  is  exten- 
sively grown  in  gardens.  The  leafage  is  ele- 
gantly pinnate,  and  the  flowers  in  the  type  are 
creamy  white,  and  developed  in  loose  cymes. 
The  size  and  colouring  of  the  flowers  vary  in 
the  wild  forms,  and  I  have  collected  two  plants 
with  very  large  flowers  on  the  Mendip  Hills. 
One  of  these  was  pure  white,  the  other  creamy 
tinted.     I    have   the   plants   now,    but   have   not 


succeeded  in  inducing  them  to  flower  under 
cultivation.  The  double  variety  is  a  useful 
and  attractive  border  plant,  at  its  best  during 
July,  but  when  well  cultivated  one  or  two 
flower-heads    are    almost    always    present. 

S.  Hacquetii  is  a  rare  Tyrolean  species  of 
trailing  habit,  and  is  best  described  as  a  car- 
peting plant  for  the  rock-garden.  It  forms  a 
thin  mat  of  hairy  leafage  that  is  studded  at  mid- 
summer with  tiny  white  flowers  developed  on 
dainty  flattened  panicles. 

S.  lobata  (venusta). — This  species  is  the 
pink-flowered  Spiraea  that  is  so  widely  know-n  as 
S.  venusta.  It  is  a  beautiful  species,  with 
elegant  leafage,  the  side  lobes  of  which  resemble 
an  Elm  leaf  in  shape,  the  terminal  lobe  that 
of  the  Sycamore.  The  leaf  cluster  exceeds  2  feet 
in  length,  the  flowering  stems  5  feet,  and  both 
leaf  stalks  are  ruddy  tinted.  The  flowers  are 
produced  in  flattened  cymes,  the  central  cluster 
terminating  the  growth,  whilst  two  lateral  clus- 
ters rear  themselves  6-12  inches  above  the 
central  one,  and  there  one  or  two  smaller  lateral 
clusters  are  developed  from  the  uppermost 
leaves.  This  plant  has  somewhat  the  habit  of 
our  native  Meadow-sweet,  but  the  inflorescence 
is  altogether  finer  and  coloured  a  rich  rose- 
carmine,  "shot"  with  pink.  The  late  Uev. 
Wolley  Dod  reared  several  seedling  forms  of 
this  plant,  and  these  are  now  becoming  general 
in  cultivation.  Seedling  variations  embrace 
flowers  of  all  shades  of  rose  and  carmine..  The 
species  is  a  native  of  North  America.  Few 
plants  can  surpass  S.  lobata  in  elegance  of  out- 
line and  beauty  of  flowers.  The  plant  succeeds 
in  any  good  soil. 

S.  palmata. — This  Japanese  plant  is  now 
common  in  gardens.  The  flowers  are  coloured 
a  bright  .crimson  and  are  arranged  in  flattened 
heads,  which  surmount  the  palmately-lobed  and 
elegant  foliage.  The  plant  forms  a  grand  sub- 
ject for  planting  by  the  waterside,  and  it  will 
thrive  with  its  roots  perpetually  submerged.  A 
well-tilled  border  is  also  a  suitable  place  for  its 
planting.  There  is  a  pretty  white-flowered 
variety  known  as  alba,  having  pale  green  foliage, 
and  the  contrast  with  the  type  plant  is  very 
pronounced.  Other  varieties  exist,  including 
S.  p.  elegans,  a  strong-growing  form,  and  often 
exceeding  3  feet  in  height.  The  plume-like  in- 
florescence is  pale  rose  in  colour.  This  variety 
should  be  planted  in  every  garden.  There  is  a 
form  known  as  purpurea,  with  ruddy  leaf  colour- 
ing, and  another  named  maxima.  This  last- 
named  is  undoubtedly  of  hybrid  origin,  and 
either  S.  lobata  or  S.  Ulmaria,  with  S.  palmata, 
are  the  parents.  Its  leaf  system  resembles  that 
of  typical  S.  Ulmaria,  with  the  exception  of  the 
glaucous  reverse.  The  inflorescence  is  that  of 
a  glorified  S.  Ulmaria,  but  of  pale  rosy  colour- 
ing. As  a  border  plant  it  is  a  grand  subject, 
and  quickly  forms  a  huge  clump  with  10  to  20 
flower-heads. 

S.  pectinata. — This  procumbent-habited 
species  is  a  native  of  the  Rocky  Mountains.  Tin 
acutely-lobed  leaves  and  interlacing  stems  form 
a  mat-like  growth  that  is  sparsely  covered  with 
pretty  heads  of  white  flowers  that  are  reared  just 
above  the  foliage.  S.  pectinata  is  not  a  common 
plant  in  gardens. 

S.  Ulmaria  (the  Meadow  Sweet). — A  British 
species  found  in  marshy  sites  everywhere.  The 
double-flowered  form  is  a  splendid  garden 
plant :  a  few  clumps  planted  three  years  ago 
have  now  huge  sheaves  of  snow-white  flowers, 
and  they  are  superlatively  beautiful.  The 
double-flowered  form  has  not  the  after 
habit  of  the  wilding,  but  is  vigorous — even 
robust — in  comparison.  Although  quite  com- 
mon in  some  districts,  it  is  not  planted  half  St 
extensively  as  its  merits  deserve.  It  thrives  well 
in  any  good  soil,  and  is  a  most  accommodating 
plant.  There  are  two  forms  of  the  type  wit') 
variegated  leaves.  One  form  has  golden 
tion,  the  other  is  heavily  variegated  with  j 
throughout.  This  latter  is  the  common  varie- 
gated form  of  gardens.     G.  B.  Mallett. 


October  12,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


261 


BUSHEY     HOUSE,     BUSHEY, 
HERTS. 

(See  Supplementary  Illustration  and  Fig.  110.) 

BUSHEY  House,  the  subject  of  the  supplemen- 
tary illustration,  occupies  an  elevated  position 
on  the  main  road  from  London  to  Bushey,  and 
is  the  residence  of  E.  H.  Cuthbertson,  Esq.  The 
mansion,  which  is  built  of  white  stone,  is  ap- 
proached  by    a   fine   drive.        The   lawns   and 


them  at  the  time  of  my  visit  were  quite  up  to  the 
best  exhibition  standard.  They  are  planted  250  in 
a  group  of  one  colour,  and  the  flowers  are 
used  for  decoration  in  the  residence.  Other 
large  beds  in  the  front  of  the  mansion  are 
planted  with  Roses,  which,  succeed  everywhere 
at  Bushey  House  Gardens.  Near  the  house, 
on  a  broad  terrace,  are  a  number  of  flower-beds 
with  statues  and  large  vases.  The  anangement 
is  after  the  Italian  style,  and  they  appealed  very 


was  growing  a  collection  of  half-hardy  plants, 
including  Grevillea  rosmarinifolia,  Carpea- 
taria  californica,  Myrtles,  Camellias,  choice 
varieties  of  Ceanothus,  Caesalpinia  japonica, 
Buddleia  variabilis  Veitchiana,  and  many  others. 
These  were  in  a  good  condition  of  growth,  and 
made  a  pleasing  covering  for  the  wall.  Around 
a  stretch  of  ornamental  water  at  the  bottom  of 
the  lawn,  near  the  terraces,  were  some  fine  speci- 
mens   of    Acer    Negun'do  variegata ;    the    pond 


Fig.  iio. — scene  in  the  gardens  at  bushey  house,  Hertfordshire. 
(See  also  Supplementary  Illustration.) 


grounds  have  been  much  enlarged  and  made 
more  beautiful  since  this  gentleman  has  been  in 
residence,  during  the  last  seven  years.  The 
grounds  are  entered  through  ornamental  iron 
gates,  and  near  by  are  some  beds  and 
arches  of  Roses,  planted  in  well-trenched 
ground  that  originally  formed  part  of 
the  park.  These  Rose  trees  are  flourishing 
splendidly,    and   many   of   the   blooms   seen   on 


bright  with  their  summer  occupants.  The  con- 
servatory was  furnished  with  groups  ot  decora- 
tive plants,  including  hanging  baskets  of  Ferns 
and  other  suitable  plants. 

The  terrace  was  adorned  with  two  very  fine 
specimens  of  the  Pomegranate.  From  this  spot 
a  beautiful  view  is  obtained  of  the  lawns  in  the 
foreground  and  Of  the  distant  hills  behind. 
At    the   foot   of   a   lower    wall    of    the    terrace 


itself  was  planted  with  choice  varieties  of 
Water  Lilies. 

Rambling  Roses  and  cone-trained  specimens 
of  Pelargoniums,  some  400  plants  in  a  bed, 
appeared  very  effective  near  this  water. 

By  the  side  of  a  path  near  this  part  of  the 
grounds  are  some  cleverly  executed  miniature 
rock-gardens.  Small  rustic  bridges  span 
other    ornamental    water    hereabouts,    and    the 


26: 


THE     GARDENERS     CHRONICLE. 


[October  12,  1907. 


water  sides  are  planted  with  choice  aquatic  and 
bog-loving  plants.  At  a  distance  from  the 
water,  banks  and  borders  are  planted  with  a  col- 
lection of  choice  shrubs,  both  deciduous  and 
evergreen  species.  I  noticed  a  fine  plant  of 
Davidia  involucrata,  and  another  of  Clematis 
montana  rubens.  There  were  also  seen  Astilbe 
Davidii  flourishing  grandly  by  the  side  of  the 
water ;  Loropetalum  chinense,  Abelia  flori- 
bunda,  Cyrilla  racemiflora,  Enkianthus  campa- 
nulatus,  Cytisus  sessiliflorus,  Olearias  in 
variety,  Rhododendrons,  Cistus  ladaniferus,  An- 
dromedas  in  variety,  Spiraeas,  &c.  The  rockeries 
contain  a  choice  collection  of  rock-garden 
plants,  all  of  which  grow  freely,  including  many- 
half-hardy   species. 

In  a  corner  near  by  was  massed  a  representa- 
tive collection  of  succulent  plants,  some  of 
which  were  handsome  specimens. 

In  the  glasshouses  were  seen  good  crops  of 
Grapes,  Peaches,  Melons,  and  Figs,  also  plants 
for  furnishing  the  conservatory.  One  green- 
house was  entirely  filled  with  plants  of  Calanthe 
and  another  with  Codiaeums  (Crotons).  A  batch 
of  Clerodendron  fallax  was  contained  in  another 
house  ;  this  plant  is  much  prized  at  Bushey 
House  for  its  beautiful  flowers. 

In  the  kitchen  and  fruit  gardens  were  noticed 
many  plants  of  Chrysanthemums.  The  gardens 
are  maintained  in  a  high  state  of  efficiency,  re- 
flecting credit  on  the  gardener,  Mr.  C.  G.  Blake, 
and  denoting  the  interest  taken  in  horticulture 
by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cuthbertson.  W.  A.  Cook, 
I.eonardslee  Gardens,  Horsham. 


TREES  AND  SHRUBS. 


PRUNUS   JAPONICA   AS   A  FRUITING 
SHRUB. 

Until  recent  years  Prunus  japonica,  or  P. 
sinensis,  as  it  is  sometimes  known,  was  repre- 
sented in  English  gardens  by  its  white  and  rose- 
coloured  double-flowered  varieties  only.  Messrs. 
James  Veitch  &  Sons,  Chelsea,  however,  have 
introduced  plants  of  the  type  from  China, 
through  the  medium  of  their  collector,. Mr.  E.  H. 
Wilson,  and  these  have  proved  to  be  very  orna- 
mental, fruiting  shrubs.  The  double-flowered 
■varieties  of  Prunus  japonica  form  bushes  from 
2  to  5  feet  in  height,  and  about  the  same 
measurement  in  diameter,  every  young  branch 
becoming  thickly  covered  with  the  double  blos- 
soms, each  three-quarters  of  an  inch  across. 
The  type  plant,  having  single  flowers,  as  pre- 
viously stated,  is  not  well  known  in  British 
gardens,  and  it  is  doubtful  whether  many  plants 
have  been  distributed,  for  it  cannot  be  regarded 
as  a  good  ornamental  flowering  shrub. 
The  flowers  are  borne  profusely,  but  they  are 
small  in  size  and  inconspicuous.  Their  colour 
varies  from  white  to  rose.  As  an  ornamental 
fruiting  bush,  however,  the  type  is  seen  to  advan- 
tage. At  the  time  of  writing  (mid-September) 
bushes  at  Kew  are  laden  with  the  bright  red, 
almost  scarlet-coloured  fruits,  each  a  third  of  an 
inch  in  diameter,  and  with  a  stalk  half  an  inch 
long.  The  fruits  are  round,  with  a  furrow  along 
one  side,  and  have  a  short,  sharp  point  at  their 
apex.  Although  these  fruits  are  usually  pro- 
duced singly,  some  are  produced  in  pairs.  The 
flesh  is  very  sour,  and  resembles  in  eating  that 
of  the  European  species,  P.  acida.  Should  the 
plants  prove  to  be  fruitful  in  most  seasons, 
they  will  be  valuable  for  the  effect  they  afford  in 
autumn.  The  species  may  be  of  value  to  the 
fruit-grower  for  hybridising  purposes.     IV.  D. 


The  Week's  Work. 


THE    ORCHID    HOUSES. 

By  W.  H.  White,  Orchid  Grower  to  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence, 
Bart.,  Burford,  Surrey. 

Sophro-i  'attleyas,  &*c. — Where  a  collection  of 
all  the  Sophro-Cattleya  and  Sophro-Laelia  hy- 
brids is  grown  they  should  form  a  very  prominent 
I  ature-  in  the  Orchid  houses.  Many  of  these 
hybrids  may  now  be  obtained  at  quite  moderate 
prices,  owing  to  their  free  habit  of  growth 
rendering  propagation  easy.  Anyone  having  a 
moderately  warm  intermediate  house  may  be 
i  i  '-1  to  include  most  or  all  of  the  following 
sorts      in      their      collection.        Sophro-Cattleya 


exirnea,  S.-C.  Calypso,  S.-C.  Doris,  S.-C.  Cleo- 
patra,'S.-C.  .\yuia,  S.-C.  Chamberlainiana, 
S.-C.  Saxa,  S.-C.  Leemanii,  S.-C.  Queen  Em- 
press, S.-C.  George  Hardy,  and  S.-C.  Bate- 
manmana.  The  Sophro-Laelias  consists  of  S.-L. 
Heatonensis,  S.-L.  Psyche,  S.-L.  Gratrixae, 
S.-L.  Marriottiana,  S.-L.  Laeta  and  its  variety 
Orpetiana,  also  S.-L.  Veitchii  and  its  variety 
Eros.  All  of  these  are  charming  and  useful 
plants,  capable  of  producing  brightly-coloured 
flowers  which  are  especially  suitable  for  wearing 
in  the  button-hole.  The  beautiful  rich  colours 
appear  to  good  advantage  when  seen  by  arti- 
ficial light.  During  the  past  summer  these 
plants  have  been  cultivated  in  a  structure  the 
atmosphere  of  which  is  just  a  trifle  warmer  than 
that  of  the  Odontoglossum  house,  but  now  that 
the  nights  are  becoming  colder,  they  should  be 
placed  in  the  warmest  and  most  sheltered  part 
of  the  intermediate  house  or  in  the  Cattleya 
house.  Sophro-Cattleya  Chamberlainiana,  So- 
phro-Laslia Veitchii,  S.-L.  V.  Eros,  S.-L. 
Marriottiana,  and  others  are  now  producing  new 
growths,  and  when  in  this  condition  may  safely 
be  re-potted  if  this  is  considered  to  be  necessary. 
The  plants  at  Burford  are  grown  in  ordinary 
flower-pots  with  copper-wire  suspenders  attached, 
so  that  they  may  be  suspended  near  to  the  roof 
glass.  The  pots  should  be  quite  half  filled  with 
drainage  material,  well-dried  bracken  rhizomes 
being  preferable  to  crocks,  as  they  are  lighter  in 
weight.  The  plants  make  roots  freely  when 
potted  in  the  same  kind  of  compost  as  was 
advised  in  my  Calendar  last  week  for  the 
Cattleyas,  &c.  Whilst  growth  is  being  made, 
and  the  plants  are  rooting  freely,  a  sufficient 
quantity  of  water  should  be  applied  to  make 
the  compost  just  moist,  but  no  plant  should  be 
watered  until  the  potting  material  has  become 
quite  dry.  Later,  when  the  resting  period  is 
ci  mmenced,  very  little  water  will  be  needed  to 
keep  the  pseudo-bulbs  in  a  fresh  and  plump 
condition. 

Epi phronitis  Veitchii. — Another  hybrid  closely 
allied  to  those  already  enumerated  is  the  well- 
known  Epiphronitis  Veitchii.  This  plant  is  one 
of  the  easiest  of  Orchids  to  cultivate  when  its 
requirements  are  properly  understood.  During 
the  month  of  May  I  placed  several  small  plants 
together  in  a  shallow,  6-inch,  teak-wood  basket, 
using  as  a  compost  well-drained  fibrous  peat 
and  sphagnum-moss,  mixed  together  in  equal 
proportions.  This  compost  was  packed  rather 
firmly  around  the  base  of  the  plants  so 
as  to  keep  them  fixed  in  their  places.  The 
made-up  specimen  was  suspended  from  the  roof 
of  the  Cattleya  house  in  the  lightest  position 
available,  and  several  times  each  day  during  the 
summer  it  was  sprayed  overhead  and  around 
the  sides  of  the  basket,  the  spraying  being  quite 
sufficient  to  keep  the  compost  and  roots  moist 
without  affording  any  other  water.  The  plant 
has  greatly  improved  and  growth  is  free  and 
robust. 

FRUITS  UNDER  GLASS. 

By  Alexander  Kirk.  Gardener  to  I.  Thomson  PATON,Esq., 
Norwood,  Alloa,  Clackmannanshire. 

The  vinery. — Remove  as  soon  as  detected 
any  decayed  berries  in  the  bunches,  which 
should  be  examined  for  this  purpose  once  or 
twice  each  week.  Test  the  borders  for  moisture, 
and  if  they  are  found  to  be  dry  give  water  suffi- 
cient only  to  keep  the  roots  active  until  the 
leaves  drop.  Care  must  be  taken  not  to  saturate 
vine  borders  when  the  berries  are  ripe,  or  the 
latter  will  decay  rapidly.  Admit  an  abundance 
of  air  daily,  and  leave  the  top  and  the  bottom 
ventilators  open  slightly  at  night-time,  but  in 
damp  or  foggy  weather  the  bottom  ventilator  is 
best  closed.  To  expel  superfluous  moisture  in 
the  house  maintain  a  little  heat  in  the  hot-water 
pipes.  Vines  that  are  cleared  of  their  bunches 
should  be  well  syringed  each  morning,  especially 
if  red  spider  is  present.  This  will  assist  in 
keeping  the  foliage  healthy,  which  is  essential 
to  the  proper  maturation  and  ripening  of  the 
sin  »its  and  buds.  Examine  the  inside  borders 
and  renew  any  that  are  exhausted.  Those  that 
were  re-made  two  or  three  years  ago  will  be 
filled  with  roots,  and  a  2-feet  layer  of  new  com- 
post should  be  added  to  them.  Good  fibrous 
loam,  with  a  6-inch  potful  of  coarse-grade  vine 
manure  to  each  barrow  load  of  the  chopped 
turf,  will  form  a  suitable  compost  for  the 
replenishing  of  vine  borders,  and  it  will  be  better 


if  some  lime  rubbish  and  wood  ashes  are  mixed 
with  it,  being  guided  in  the  amount  of  lime  by 
the  nature  of  the  loam. 

The  Orchard  house. — Pot-trees  should,  directly 
the  fruit  has  been  gathered,  be  plunged  in  wood 
ashes  in  a  sheltered  position  out-of-doors.  Trees 
that  have  fruited  badly  should  be  turned 
out  of  their  pots  and  their  roots  examined.  Ii 
necessary  afford  them  larger  pots,  or  they  may- 
be planted  in  a  border  that  is  sheltered  from 
strong  winds,  and  be  lifted  and  potted  again  in 
the  spring.  The  compost  for  orchard-house 
trees  should  consist  of  well-chopped,  turfy 
loam.  To  every  barrow  load  of  the  turf  add 
a  6-inch  potful  of  coarse-grade  vine  and 
manure.  Be  careful  not  to  provide  too  large  pots. 
Reduce  the  "ball  "  by  picking  out  all  loose  soil 
from  among  the  roots.  Trees  that  are  not  well 
rooted  should  be  placed  again  into  pots  of  the 
same  size  as  they  formerly  occupied.  Pot  firmly 
and  leave  a  space  of  about  2  inches  at  the  top 
of  the  pot,  so  that  a  slight  top-dressing  can  be 
applied  in  the  spring.  After  potting,  plunge  the 
pots  in  coal  ashes  to  their  rims  and  afford  them 
a  copious  watering.  If  birds  are  troublesome,  it 
is  advisable  to  net  the  trees  to  protect  the  fruit 
buds. 

THE    KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

By  William  H.  Honess,  Gardener  to  C.  Combe,  Esq., 
Cobham  Park,  Surrey. 

i  'aitages. — The.-e  have  started  nicely  into 
growth,  and  in  the  event  of  any  gaps  occurring, 
through  attacks  of  grub,  or  from  club-root  or 
ether  causes,  such  gaps  should  be  made  good 
without  delay.  In  removing  a  plant  attacke  1  by 
grub,  make  a  search  for  the  pests  below  the 
ground,  following  the  stem  of  the  plant.  Loosen 
the  surface  soil  by  means  of  the  Dutch  hoe  at 
frequent  intervals  both  at  this  season  and  early 
in  spring.  Rough  weather  may  be  expected 
soon,  therefore  the  drills  should  be  filled  in  as 
the  work  of  hoeing  proceeds,  for  this  will  help 
to  make  the  plants  firm,  which  is  a  great  con- 
sideration during  the  next  month  or  two.  If  the 
old  plants  in  last  season's  bed  have  been  kept 
for  supplying  Sprouts,  they  will  now  be  giving 
good  returns.  The  plants  should  be  thor-' 
(Highly  cleared  from  all  their  outer  and  decay, 
ing  leaves,  if  it  is  intended  to  keep  them  through 
the  winter,  in  order  that  they  may  yield  a 
further  supply  of  Sprouts  during  late  winter 
and  early  in  spring,  when  other  green  vegetables 
are   so   often   scarce. 

Polalos. — The  work  of  lifting  the  tubers  should 
be  pressed  forward  with  all  the  speed  possible, 
there  being  nothing  to  be  gained  by  leaving 
them  longer  in  the  ground,  and  as  wet  weather 
may  now  be  expected,  the  effects  would  be 
injurious. 

Salads  will  require  close  attention  frcm  the 
piesent  time  throughout  the  winter.  Salads 
should  be  grown  extensively  to  allow  for  loss 
from  damping.  The  varieties  should  be  as 
numerous  as  possible,  the  object  being  to  supply 
the  house  with  as  many  changes  as  can  be 
arranged.  Continue  to  blanch  Endive  as  it 
attains  to  its  full  growth,  and  in  sufficient  quan. 
tities  to  meet  the  requirements.  A  few  roots  of 
Chicory  should  be  lifted,  and  after  wrenching 
off  the  foliage  put  the  roots  into  boxes  contain- 
ing damp  leaf-soil.  Place  the  boxes  in  the 
Mushroom  house  or  other  dark  structure,  where 
the  Chicory  plants  will  soon  start  into  growth, 
but  on  no  account  subject  them  to  an  excessive 
degree  of  heat,  as  this  would  cause  a  weakly 
growth  lacking  in  flavour.  Lift  and  box-up  a 
few  roots  of  Chives,  covering  them  from  2  to 
3  inches  deep  with  fine  leaf-mould,  and  stand 
them  in  a  mild,  moist  atmosphere.  Moderate 
sowings  of  Mustard  and  Cress  should  be  made 
frequently. 

Rhubarb  for  forcing. — A  few  roots  should 
now  be  lifted  and  placed  in  a  cold,  damp  pi  si- 
tion,  fully  exposed  to  the  weather,  so  that  they 
may  receive  as  decided  a  check  as  possible, 
previous  to  being  introduced  into  heat  after  ten 
days  or  a  fortnight.  A  further  batch  should  be 
cut  well  round  with  a  spade;  this  will  stop  ro  it- 
action,  and  will  prepare  them  for  removal  later, 
when  they  will  be  required  to  succeed  tin1 
earlier  plants.  If  the  roots  are  subjected  to  this 
treatment  they  will  often  be  found  to  give 
satisfactory  results,  whilst  others  that  are  lifted 
from  the  open  ground  and  placed  directly  into  a 
forcing  temperature   mat    fail. 


October  12,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


»G3 


PLANTS    UNDER  GLASS. 

By  J.  G.  Weston,  Gardener  to  H.  J.  King,  Esq., 
Eastwell  Park,  Kent. 

The  propagating  house. — As  the  autumn  ad- 
vances, many  plants  which  have  been  grown 
principally  for  use  in  summer  decoration,  be- 
come of  rough  appearance  and,  if  retained, 
would  require  much  valuable  space  under  glass. 
It  is,  therefore,  a  good  practice  to  propagate 
some  young  plants  for  stock  purposes  and  destroy 
the  old  specimens.  Choice  varieties  of  Coleus 
are  still  grown  and  admired  in  many  places, 
but  being  of  little  use  in  large  pots  during 
winter,  cuttings  should  now  be  inserted  in  pots 
of  light  sandy  soil.  Pots  measuring  3  inches  or 
4  inches  in  diameter  are  large  enough  for  this 
purpose.  When  the  cuttings  are  rooted  and 
fairly  established,  they  should  be  placed  on  a 
shelf  close  to  the  glass  in  a  warm  house.  In  this 
situation,  in  small  pots,  they  often  develop  a 
very  beautiful  colour,  and  may  be  used  occa- 
sionally for  imparting  brightness  in  a  decorative 
scheme,  but  they  will  not  keep  in  good  health 
if  kept  for  a  long  period  out  of  the  warm  atmos- 
phere. Where  Fuchsias  are  grown  into  large 
specimen  plants,  a  start  must  be  made  early  in 
autumn,  but  if  this  has  not  already  been  done, 
cuttings  of  selected  varieties  should  be  inserted 
without  delay.  When  the  cuttings  have  rooted 
well,  they  should  be  potted  up  singly  into  small 
pots,  using  a  light  sandy  soil,  such  as  one  com- 
posed of  leaf-soil  two  parts  and  turfy  loam  one 
part,  with  a  moderate  addition  of  sand.  In 
propagating  Fuchsias  so  late  in  the  season  and 
with  this  object  in  view  (contrary  to  the  method 
practised  with  established  plants  that  have 
flowered  and  are  now  being  partially  dried  off 
previous  to  being  stored  away),  these  young 
plants  must  be  kept  gently  growing  all  winter 
in  a  genial  atmosphere,  but  not  in  one  that  is 
kept  moist  and  but  little  ventilated,  or  the  cut- 
tings will  make  weakly  growth.  If  placed  on  a 
shelf  close  to  the  glass,  in  a  house  where  the  at- 
mospheric temperature  ranges  from  55°  to  C0°, 
according  to  the  character  of  the  weather 
outside,  the  conditions  will  be  suitable.  Early 
in  spring  it  will  be  found  that  these  plants  have 
made  good  growth,  and  should  be  re-potted  as 
often  as  they  require  more  rooting-space.  They 
will  quickly  grow  into  fine  plants,  and  must  not 
be  checked  either  by  allowing  them  to  remain 
in  a  pot-bound  condition  or  by  neglect  in  the 
matter  of  watering. 

General  work. — Continue  to  push  on  with  the 
housing  of  tender  plants.  (  lirvsanthemums 
with  forward  buds  should  be  removed  under 
glass,  but  varieties  grown  for  flowering  late  in 
winter  should  be  kept  out-of-doors  as  long  as  it 
is  safe  to  keep  them  there.  These  late  plants 
being  very  valuable,  should  be  given  much  care, 
and  if  it  is  thought  inadvisable  to  leave  them 
in  an  exposed  position  in  the  open,  a  corner 
behind  a  wall  may  be  available  for  the  purpose. 
Rhododendrons,  Azaleas,  Camellias,  Cytisus, 
Acacias,  and  many  plants  usually  cultivated  out- 
of-doors  during  the  summer,  must  now  be 
removed  indoors,  the  fruit  houses,  of  necessity, 
often  being  required  for  housing  plants  at  this 
season.  Advantage  should  be  taken  of  a  fine 
day  to  take  down  all  the  blinds  that  will  not  be 
required  again  this  season,  numbering  them  and 
storing  them  in  a  dry  loft  ready  for  use  next 
spring.  Where  permanent  shading  has  been 
employed,  this  should  now  be  washed  off 
thoroughly  in  order  that  the  plants  may  be 
exposed  to  the  full  light. 


THE  FLOWER  GARDEN. 

By  A.  C.  Baktlett,  Gardener  to  Mrs.  Ford/  Pencarrow, 
Cornwall. 

Dahlias. — Before  the  effects  of  frost  make  it 
difficult  to  distinguish  the  different  varieties 
from  each  other,  they  should  be  marked  by  tying 
small  labels  to  the  main  stem  just  above  the 
surface  of  the  ground.  It  may  not  be  necessary 
to  lift  them  for  a  week  or  more  yet,  but  when 
doing  so  choose  a  dry  day,  and  stack  the  tubers 
upside  down  to  allow  them  to  dry  for  about 
ten  days  before  storing  them  for  the  winter. 

Carinas  should  also  be  examined,  marking  the 
best  varieties  for  propagation  from  early  in  the 
spring  in  order  that  the  poorer  ones  may  be 
gradually  discarded.  Directly  the  leaves  have 
been  blackened  by  frost  the  foliage  should  be 
trimmed  off  to  within  5  or  6  inches  of  the  ground, 


and  the  roots  lifted  and  stored  for  the  winter.  It 
is  not  always  necessary  to  partly  dry  them  as  is 
done  with  Dahlias,  but  if  "they  are  very  wet  it 
will  be  wise  to  allow  some  of  the  superfluous 
moisture   to   escape  before  storing  them. 

The  flower  beds. — Even  though  frosts  have  not 
yet  made  it  necessary  to  remove  the  summer 
bedding,  those  beds  which  have  ceased  to  be 
attractive  should  be  cleared  and  planted  with 
the  spring-bedding  subjects.  Both  the  tuberous 
and  the  fibrous-rooted  Begonias  are  still  flower, 
ing  freely,  therefore  these  beds  should  be  left 
untouched  for  the  present.-  The  amount  and 
nature  of  the  dressing  required  will  depend  on 
the  condition  of  the  soil  and  the  class  of  plants 
to  be  grown  in  the  various  beds.  As  very  little 
artificial  watering  was  required  during  the  past 
summer,  many  of  the  beds  will  not  require  so 
much  manure  as  usual,  but  all  of  them  should 
be  deeply  dug  to  ensure  good  drainage.  Wall- 
flowers require  rich  soil,  therefore  the  beds 
allotted  to  them  should  be  manured  liberally. 
If  the  soil  is  of  a  heavy  nature  it  will  be  wise 
to  modify  it  for  such  plants  as  Tulips  by  adding 
old  soil  from  beneath  the  potting-shed  table, 
mixing  this  with  the  top  spit.  If  the  beds  are 
surrounded  by  grass,  let  the  edges  be  clipped 
before  commencing  this  work,  and  do  not  neglect 
to  use  plenty  of  planks  and  boards  'for  wheeling 
and  treading  upon,  that  the  grass  may  be  pre- 
served. The  planting  of  the  main  stock  of 
Dutch  bree  ler  Tulips  may  well  be  left  until  the 
end  of  the  month.  If  this  is  done  their  shoots 
may  not  appear  above  ground  before  the  spring, 
when  there  will  no  longer  be  danger  of  injury 
by  hard  frosts.  Some  desirable  varieties,  such 
as  Bleu  Celeste,  Penelope,  The  Shah, 
make  splendid  beds  alone,  but  are  difficult 
colours  to  harmonise  with  others.  Win  re  it  i~ 
desired  to  carpet  these  beds  with  other  plants, 
the  utilising  of  such  plants  as  Veronica  genti- 
anoides  vat.  pallida,  and  Saxifraga  Wallacei 
mav  be  recommended.  The  Veronica  makes  a 
good  display  late  in  the  spring.  Parisian  Yellow 
is  a  beautiful  Tulip,  but  its  leaves  are  narrow 
and  the  surf. ires  of  the  beds  filled  with  it  appear 
comparatively  bare,  making  a  car|>et  advisable. 
Here  Anemone  chrysantheiniflora  or  A.  ful 
is  very  useful.  Phlox  amoena,  which  bears  lilac- 
coloured  flowers  about  6  inches  high,  and  Phlox 
Newry  Seedling,  with  rather  paler  flowers,  also 
make  good  carpeting  plants  for  Tulip  beds. 


THE  HARDY  FRUIT  GARDEN. 

By  J.  Mayne,  Gardener  to  Lord  Clinton,  Bicton, 
t  .i-t  Devon. 

Apples.-  With  the  exception  of  a  few  very  late 
vanities  the  majority  of  these  fruits  should  now  be 
gathered.  Apples  generally  are  below  the  average 
in  size  this  season,  and  they  are  not  plentiful. 
Extra  care  should  therefore  be  taken  in  gathering 
and  storing  them.  It  is  advisable  to  make  a  note 
of  those  varieties  that  crop  regularly  in  a  particular 
garden,  as  this  should  be  a  guide  when  planting 
fresh  trees. 

Figs. — Unless  the  weather  is  dry  and  bright 
during  the  period  of  ripening  of  these  fruits  the 
flavour  is  deficient,  and  if  much  rain  is  experienced 
many  of  the  choicer  fruits  crack  and  decay.  Any 
trees  that  have  made  an  excessive  number  of  new 
shoots  should  have  their  growths  thinned.  If 
growth  has  been  too  rampant  the  roots  should 
be  pruned  before  the  leaves  fall.  A  trench  should 
be  made  to  the  drainage  material  i  feet  from  the 
base  of  the  stem,  and  the  soil  removed  carefully 
with  a  fork  to  expose  the  roots.  All  strong-growing, 
fibreless  roots  should  be  severed.  In  returning  the 
soil  to  the  trench  it  should  receive  the  addition  of 
some  fresh  lime  or  old  mortar  rubble  and  be  made 
firm  with  a  rammer,  a  necessary  procedure  to  obtain 
short-jointed  wood. 

General  remarks. — The  recent  rains  have  been 
welcome  in  many  parts  of  the  country  where  water 
is  scarce.  Remove  wood  that  has  borne  fruits  on 
late  varieties  of  the  Peach  in  order  to  assist  the 
proper  ripening  of  the  current  season's  shoots. 
The  foliage  of  the  Peach  and  Nectarine  has  been 
remarkably  free  from  red  spider  this  summer,  and 
with  much  less  syringing  than  is  usual ;  do  not 
apply  any  water  to  the  leaves  after  this  date. 
Nets  that  have  been  used  for  protecting  fruits  from 
birds  should  be  thoroughly  dried  previous  to 
storing  them.  Sort  those  that  need  repairing ; 
new  ones  recently  purchased  should  be  sent  to  the 
maker  to  be  re-tanned. 


PUBLIC  PARKS  AND  GARDENS. 

By  W.  W.  Pettigrew,  Superintendent  of  the  Parks  and 
Open  Spaces  in  the  City  of  Cardiff. 

New  laws  for  Park-government. — The  Pub- 
lic Health  Acts  Amendment  Act,  1907,  which 
comes  into  force  on  January  1  next,  marks 
a  very  important  development  in  park  ad- 
ministration. The  new  Act,  while  safeguarding 
the  freedom  of  the  people,  confers  additional 
powers  upon  the  local  authority,  whereby  it  be- 
comes possible,  by  restricting  the  use  of  the 
parks,  to  make  them  of  greater  service  and  value 
to  the  public.  In  its  provisions  for  the  better 
government  of  public  pleasure  grounds,  the  new- 
Act  sanctions  little  that  is  not  already  carried 
out  in  many  parks  in  this  country,  al- 
though the  local  authorities  were  not  cm- 
powered  by  law  to  do  so.  The  impor- 
tance of  the  new  Act  lies,  therefore,  in  the  fact 
that  many  park  undertakings  which  at  present 
are  carried  on  illegally  will,  under  the  new  legis- 
lation, be  perfectly  in  order.  Hence,  in  this,  as 
in  many  other  Acts  of  Parliament,  the  law  is 
merely  being  brought  into  line  with  present-day 
views,  and  does  not  inaugurate  any  very  radical 
change. 

Hire  of  tennis  courts,  iS~Y. — For  a  number  of 
years  much  revenue  has  been  derived  in  parks 
from  bowling  greens,  tennis  courts,  quoit 
grounds  and  the  hiring  of  chairs.  Money  de- 
rived from  such  sources — excepting  where 
authorised  by  a  special  local  Act — is  really  ob- 
tained in  an  illegal  manner.  Any  person  would 
be  quite  justified  in  refusing  payment  even  while 
taking  full  advantage  of  the  conveniences  pro- 
vided. The  new  Act,  where  adopted,  will 
legalise  all  such  charges,  and  persons  refu 
to  pay  for  the  use  of  any  park  apparatus,  &i  , 
for  which  a  recognised  charge  is  made,  « 
become  amenable   to  the  law. 

Games. — Under  the  amended  Act,  ground  may 
be  set  aside  specially  for  cricket,  football  or 
other  sports ;  hence,  it  becomes  possible  for 
park  authorities  to  define  the  seasons  when  cer- 
tain games  shall  begin  and  others  end.  In  it 
existing  conditions  this  is  a  matter  which  is 
sometimes  surrounded  with  many  difficulties 
that   cause   considerable   trouble. 

Skating. — Powers  are  granted  to  the  local 
authority  to  close  parks  during  frosty  weather 
for  the  protection  of  ice  when  forming.  Al- 
though a  very  drastic  step  to  take,  it  must  be 
admitted  that  this  is  the  only  effective  method 
of  guarding  ice  from  damage  until  it  reaches  the 
bearing  stage.  It  is  almost  impossible  to  pre- 
vent the  public,  when  permitted  near  a  sheet  of 
ice,  from  throwing  sticks  and  stones  upon  it  dur- 
ing the  time  the  ice  is  forming.  In  addition,  a 
quarter  of  the  whole  surface  of  ice  when  in  a 
bearing  condition  may  be  enclosed  and  a  charge 
made  for  the  use  of  it. 

Bands. — In  connection  with  the  provision  of 
bands,  it  may  be  noted  that  besides  authorising 
the  payment  for  music  in  the  parks  out  of  the 
rates — the  total  amount,  however,  must  never 
exceed  Id.  in  the  pound — it  permits  of  a  portion 
of  land  up  to  an  acre  in  extent  being  enclosed 
around  a  bandstand  and  a  charge  made  to  the 
public   for  entry. 

Entertainments. — Local  authorities  may,  under 
the  1907  Public  Health  Acts  Amendment  Ai  t, 
provide  and  maintain  reading  rooms,  pavilions, 
or  other  buildings,  and  charge  (with  certain  re- 
strictions and  limitations  in  the  case  of  reading 
rooms)  for  admission  thereto.  Refreshment 
rooms  may  also  be  provided  and  maintained, 
and,  if  desirable,  managed  by  the  local 
authority  itself.  The  right  to  provide  en- 
tertainment and  refreshment  for  the  pub- 
lic, or  any  apparatus  they  may  need  for 
the  playing  of  games,  may  be  leased  by  the  local 
authority  to  any  person  or  persons  they  may 
deem  fit,  but  not  for  a  longer  period  than  three 
vef.rs.  This  proviso,  while  tending  no  doubt  to 
lower  the  financial  value  of  such  concessions,  is 
a  verv  wise  one,  in  view  of  the  fact  that  it  is  so 
easv  for  these  things  to  become  the  monopoly  of  a 
private  firm,  which  often  looks  for  considerable 
compensation  when  required  to  give  them  up. 

The  majority  of  park  officials  will  welcon.e 
the  new  Act  as' a  decided  step  in  the  right  direc- 
tion. On  the  contrary,  certain  sections  of 
ratepayers  may  view  some  of  its  provisi 
especially  those  dealing  with  the  payment  of 
bands  out  of  the  rates — with  mixed  fee'ings,  and 
mav  even  be  led,  on  this  account,  to  oppose  i'.s 
adoption  in  many  towns. 


264 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[October  12,  190.. 


EDITORIAL,     NOTICE, 


ADVERTISEMENTS  should  be  sent  to  the  PUB- 
LISHER, 41,  Wellington  Street,  Covent  Garden, 
W.C. 

Letters  for  Publication,  as-well  as  specimens  and  plants 
/or  naming,  should  be  addressed  to  the  EDITOR, 
41,  Wellington  Street,  Covent  Garden,  London. 
Communications  should  be  written  on  one  side  only  of 
the  paper,  sent  as  early  tn  the  week  as  possible  and  duly 
signed  by  the  writer.  If  desired,  the  signature  will  not  be 
printed,  but  kept  as  a  guarantee  of  good  faith. 

Special  Notice  to  Correspondents.— The  Editor  does  not 
undertake  to  pay  for  any  contributions  or  illustrations,  or 
to  return  unused  communications  or  illustrations,  unit 
special  arrangement.     The  Editor  does  not  hold  himself 
responsible  for  any  opinions  expressed  by  his  correspond  ruts. 

Newspapers.— Correspondents  sending  newspapers  should  be 
careful  to  mark  the  paragraphs  they  wish  the  Editor  to  see. 

Local  News. — Correspondents  will  greatly  oblige  by  sending  to 
the  Editor  early  intelligence  of  local  events  likely  to  be  of 
interest  to  our  readers,  or  of  any  matters  which  it  isdesirable 
to  bring  under  the  notice  of  horticulturists. 

Illustrations.-  The  Editor  -will  be  glad  to  receive  and  to  select 
photographs  or  drawings,  suitable  for  reproduction,  of 
gardens,  or  of  remarkable  plants,  jtowers,  trees,  &c,  but  he 
cannot  be  responsible  for  loss  or  injury. 


APPOINTMENTS  FOR  THE  ENSUING  WEEK. 


MONDAY,  OCTOBER  14— 

United  Ben.  and  Prov.  Soc.  Com.  meet. 

Nat.  Chrys.  Soc.  Floral  Com.  meet. 
TUESDAY,  OCTOBER  15— 

Roy.  Hort.  Soc.  Corns,  meet. 
THURSDAY,  OCTOBER  17- 

Roy.  Hort.  Soc.  Exh.  of  British-grown  Fruit  (2  days). 


Average     Mean    Temperature    for    the    ensuing    week, 
deduced  from  observations  during  the  last  Fifty  Years 
at  Greenwich — 49"7°. 
Actual  Temperatures: — 

London. —  Wednesday,  October  9  (6  p.m.1  :  Max.  68°; 
Mini  47\ 
Gardeners'  Chronicle  Office,  41,  Wellington  Street, 
Covent  Garden,  London. — Thursday,  October  10 
(10  a.m.):  Bar..  29-6;  Temp.,  60';  Weathei  — 
Bright  sunshine. 
Provinces — Wednesday,  October  9  (6  p.m.)  :  Max.  55°, 
Colchester  ;  Min.  49",  Scotland  N. 


SALES    FOR    THE    ENSUING    WEEK. 

MONDAY  and  WEDNESDAY— 

Sale  of  Dutch  Bulbs,  &c,  at  Stevens'  Rooms,  King 
Street,  Covent  Garden,  W.C. 

MONDAY  TO  FRIDAY— 

Dutch  Bulbs  at  67  &  68,  Cheapside,  E.C.,  by  Protheroe 
&  Morris,  at  10  30. 

MONDAY- 

Sale  of  Nursery  Stock,  also  Greenhouses,  Piping,  &c, 
at  Bridge  and  Park  Nurseries,  Lea  Bridge  Road,  Leyton, 
by  Protheroe  &  Morris,  at  11. 

TUESDAY— 

Sale  of  Stove  and  Greenhouse  Plants,  Orchids  Green- 
houses, Piping,  &c,  at  Cedars  Gardens,  Glenburnie 
Road,  Upper  Touting,  by  Protheroe  &  Morris,  at  12. 

WEDNESDAY— 

Palms,  Bays,  Azaleas,  &c,  at  67  &  68,  Cheapside,  E.C., 
by  Protheroe  &  Morris,  at  5. 

WEDNESDAY  and  THURSDAY— 

Sale  of  Nursery  Stock  at  The  Nurseries,  South  Wood- 
ford, by  order  of  Mr.  John  Fraser,  by  Protheroe  & 
Morris,  at  11. 

THURSDAY  and  FRIDAY— 

Clearance  Sale  of  the  whole  of  the  Stock  ;  also  40  Green- 
houses. Piping,  Boilers,  &c,  at  the  Nurseries,  Coburg 
Road,  Upper  Teddington,  by  Protheroe  &  Morris,  at  11. 

FRIDAY— 

Orchids  in  large  variety  at  67  &  68,  Cheapside,  E.C.,  by 
Protheroe  &  Morris,  at  12.45. 


Fashions 


The  season  has  now  arrived 
when  the  glories  of  the  summer 
Flower-  flower  gardens  have  departed, 
gardening.  an(j  t[ne  garciCner  is  therefore 
contemplating  the  removal  of  the  plants,  in 
order  that  preparations  may  be  made  for  re- 
planting the  beds  with  bulbs,  and  other 
species  that  will  flower  early  in  the  spring.  It 
is  a  time  when  one's  thoughts  naturally  revert 
to  midsummer;  the  effects  produced  by 
the  system  of  planting  adopted  in  the  spring 
are  considered  in  the  light  of  the  pleasure  they 
afforded,  and  the  value  they  possess  as  indi- 
cating what  may  best  be  done  next  season. 
No  gardener  can  afford  to  dispense  with  these 
moments  of  reflection  which  occur  from  time 
to  time  during  his  year's  work.  They  should 
be  encouraged  and  turned  to  good  account, 
for  thus  it  is  possible  to  benefit  by  previous 
experience.  For  ourselves,  we  have  noticed  a 
tendency  to  dulness  in  many  of  the  gardens 


visited  during  this  and  last  year.  We  do  not 
mean  a  dulness  that  could  be  attributed  to  the 
influence  of  sunless  weather,  but  rather  to 
the  preference  that  has  been  given  to  the  less 
showy  plants  when  selecting  the  species  for 
adorning  the  beds.  The  subject  may  be 
easily  understood  by  those  whose  memories 
can  recall  the  days  when  the  system  of 
carpet-bedding  was  so  generally  considered 
to  be  desirable  that  examples  could  be  seen 
in  every  public  park  and  most  private  gar- 
dens in  this  country ;  many  of  the  other 
beds  being  filled  with  masses  of  scarlet 
Pelargoniums,  yellow  Calceolarias,  blue 
Lobelia,  or  similar-habited  plants,  whose 
brilliant  floral  masses  were  totally  unrelieved 
by  even  the  merest  foil.  This  was  a  period 
when  masses  of  showy  colours  were  almost 
worshipped,  and  the  repetitions  of  the  garish 
displays  in  garden  after  garden  became  as 
monotonous  as  they  were  uninteresting. 

It  was  evident  to  the  more  observant  that 
a  revulsion  would  occur  from  such  a  system 
as  was  then  so  general,  and  very  little  if  any 
surprise  was  occasioned  when  the  carpet  sys- 
tem proved  to  have  lost  the  fascination  which 
it  formerly  possessed. 

The  colour-masses  were  the  next  to  fall  into 
disfavour,  and  the  Pelargoniums,  Petunias, 
Ageratums,  Calceolarias,  and  such-like  plants 
were  either  greatly  reduced  in  numbers  or 
they  were  distributed  in  a  different  manner, 
being  used  in  association  with  other  species 
that  served  to  prevent  the  beds  exhibiting  the 
•  flat,  unbroken  surface  of  colour  previously 
encouraged.  The  change  was  all  for  the 
better.  A  method  of  mixed  bedding"  obtained 
a  place,  and  what  is  known  as  the  "  dot  " 
system  gradually  became  more  or  less  com- 
mon. Some  of  the  earliest  and  best  instances 
of  this  were  to  be  seen  in  the  London  parks, 
as  Baltersea  Park,  Hampton  Court  gardens, 
the  Zoological  Society's  gardens,  and  in  Hyde 
and  Regent's  Parks.  By  planting  the  beds 
with  a  dwarf-growing  species,  and  inserting 
a  few  "  dot  "  plants  in  each  bed,  which  would 
grow  to  a  greater  height,  the  beds  were  made 
doubly  interesting,  and  twice  as  effective  as 
formerly.  When  viewed  from  a  moderate 
distance  the  standard  plants,  whether  of 
Fuchsias  or  other  free-flowering  species, 
were  those  which  yielded  an  effect,  but  as  the 
visitor  drew  nearer  the  dwarfer  plants  came 
into  view  and  the  picture  afforded  another 
effect,  probably  of  quite  a  different  colour. 
We  have  seen  combinations  of  this  kind  that 
were  commendable  in  the  highest  degree, 
being  effectively  floriferous  whether  viewed 
from  the  path  at  some  little  distance  from  the 
bed,  or  after  stepping  across  the  sward  and 
inspecting  the  plants  from  directly  overhead. 
It  has  to  be  admitted,  however,  that  the 
anxiety  of  gardeners  to  avoid  the  suspicion 
that  they  were  still  admirers  of  masses  of 
colour  has  driven  them  to  the  opposite  ex- 
treme, and  the  fashion  has  so  far  changed 
in  this  respect  that  there  is  good  reason 
to  complain  that  absence  of  colour  is  in 
danger  of  being  regarded  as  a  fetish,  and  that 
our  English  flower  gardens  will  therefore  be- 
come dull  and  uninspiring.  In  some  of  the 
London  squares,  as  well  as  in  certain 
beds  in  some  of  the  parks,  we  have  noticed 
this  tendency  with  regret.  The  fault  lies  in 
the  selection  of  the  plants  and  in  the  abuse 
of  the  "dot"  system.  Plants  are  chosen  which 
produce  flowers  but  are  not  showy,  and  pillar, 


standard,  or  dot  plants  are  employed  so 
abundantly  in  a  bed  as  to  produce  an  effect 
in  which  they  themselves  require  relief.  We 
fear  there  is  lacking  the  appreciation  there 
should  be  for  the  glorious  effects  of  masses 
of  colour  to  be  seen  in  Nature,  in  a  bank 
of  Bluebells  for  instance,  a  meadow  of 
Cowslips,  or  a  heath-covered  moor.  It 
should  be  further  remembered  that  the 
greater  number  of  flower  beds  are  formed 
out  of  the  grass-covered  lawn,  and  for  this 
reason  alone  they  should  be  made  bright. 
Many  of  them  are  seen  from  a  distance  a 
dozen  times  for  every  occasion  on  which  they 
are  examined  minutely,  and  their  effect  on  the 
landscape  should  therefore  be  given  full  con- 
sideration. It  is  refreshing,  nowadays,  to 
see  some  of  the  old-fashioned  flower-garden- 
ing in  Scotland,  at  Dalkeith  or  Ardgowan 
for  instance,  where  the  profusion  of  flowers 
and  displays  of  colour  offer  so  great  a  con- 
trast to  some  southern  bedding  schemes  that 
are  almost  remarkable  for  their  paucity  of 
flowers.  We  do  not  want  to  go  back  to  the 
methods  that  were  justly  discarded  in  the 
last  century,  but  at  the  same  time  there  can 
be  no  reasonable  objection  to  the  statement 
that  a  flower  garden  should,  at  least,  be 
floral.  If  there  is  not  a  place  for  flowers' in 
the  flower  garden  itself,  to  what  other  situa- 
tion shall  they  be  banished?  A  flower  garden 
which  lacks  "  colour  "  is  as  a  casket  from 
which  the  jewel  has  been  lost.  An  excellent 
illustration  of  good  flower-gardening  may 
be  seen  in  Lady  Wantage's  garden  at  Lock- 
inge  Park,  in  Berkshire,  of  which  some 
illustrations  were  published  in  our  issue  for 
February  3,  1906.  The  dwelling-house  is 
surrounded  with  flowers,  showy  flowers, 
and  we  believe  that  their  companionship  is 
more  delightful  to  their  owner  than  any  sys- 
tem that  could  be  substituted  for  that  at 
present  employed. 

We  publish  on  another  page  a  letter  from 
an  old  and  valued  correspondent,  who  is 
familiar  with  the  bedding  systems  that 
have  been  practised  for  fifty  years  past, 
not  that  we  agree  with  all  that  he  has 
written,  but  because  his  criticism  may 
have  a  corrective  influence,  and  help  to  pre- 
vent us  from  drifting  into  extremes  that 
would  be  just  as  deserving  of  condemnation 
as  the  stereotyped  and  formal  flower-garden- 
ing that  we  have  so  often  criticised  in  the 
past. 

In  regard  to  what  our  correspondent  writes 
in  relation  to  carpet-bedding,  it  must  be  ad- 
mitted that  such  beds  have  always  appealed 
strongly  to  the  popular  taste,  but  this  has 
been  on  account  of  the  curiosity  they  have 
aroused,  just  as  floral  cushions,  clocks,  and 
other  similarly  stupid  arrangements  of  cut 
flowers  may  be  depended  upon  to  excite  u 
notice  from  the  public  than  a  tastefully- 
arranged  bouquet.  There  are  doubtless  cer- 
tain gardens,  and  certain  positions  in  our 
public  parks  where  beds  so  planted  as  to 
represent  a  carpet  may  not  be  greatly  out  of 
character  with  their  surroundings,  but  tiic 
fewer  the  better. 

Our  correspondent  pleads  that  there  should 
be  evidence  of  design  in  the  planting  of  tho 
beds,  a  perfectly  reasonable  pleading,  but  in 
the  light  in  which  the  situation  presents  itself 
to  us,  it  is  brightness  and  elegance,  especially 
brightness,  that  should  be  the  more  insisted 
upon. 


I 


October  12,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS     CHRONICLE. 


265 


Royal  Horticultural  Society.— The  next 
meeting  of  the  Committees  will  take  place  on 
Tuesday,  October  15,  in  the  Vincent  Square  hall. 
At  the  afternoon  meeting  a  lecture  on  "British 
Floral  Relationships  with  Foreign  Countries  "  will 
be  delivered  by  Rev.  Prof.  G.  Henslow,  V.M.H. 
At  the  Scientific  Committee  a  discussion  on  the 
summer  pruning  of  fruit  trees  has  been  arranged, 
and  it  is  expected  that  Messrs.  A.  H.  Pearson, 
Stencer  Pickering,  and  H.  S.  Rivers  will  take 
part.  Fellows  who  are  not  members  of  the 
Committee,  but  who  are  desirous  of  attending, 
should  communicate  their  wishes  either  to  the 
chairman  or  to  the  secretary  of  the  Committee. 

Flowers  in  Season. — A  flowering  spray  of 
Feijoa  Sellowiana  has  been  sent  us  from  the 
gardens'of  the  Earl  of  Annesley,  at  Castlewellan, 
Co.  Down.  This  South  American  shrub  was 
illustrated  in  the  Gardeners'  Chronicle,  December  24, 
1898,  p.  451,  when  the  plant  was  recommended  for 
the  delicious  fruits  it  bore.  Mr.  Ryan,  the  gar- 
dener at  Castlewellan,  informs  us  that  the  plant 
grows  in  an  open  border  at  Castlewellan,  and  that 
it  has  received  no  protection  for  the  past  five  years. 
The  specimens  are  about  6  feet  in  height  and 
measure  as  much  in  diameter. 

From  Mr.  M.  Cuthbertson,  Rothesay,  N.B., 
we  have  received  70  varieties  of  early-flowering 
Chrysanthemums. 

Botanical  Magazine. — The  issue  for  October 
contains  illustrations  and  descriptions  of  the 
following   pi  ants  :  — 

Ferula  communis,  var.  brevifolia,  tab. 
8,157. — Dr.  Otto  Stapf,  who  describes  this 
species,  states  that  particular  interest  attaches 
to  it  because  the  problem  of  the  origin  of  the 
gum  ammoniac  (Fashook)  of  Morocco  has 
been  solved  owing  to  its  successful  cultivation 
at  Kew.  This  gum  was  originally  referred  to 
Ferula  orientalis  L.,  a  plant  confined  to  the 
Orient,  and  later  on  to  F.  tingitana,  which  is  a 
native  of  Morocco.  Sir  Joseph  Hooker,  and 
afterwards  Sir  William  Thiselton-Dyer,  en- 
listed the  services  of  Mr.  G.  I\  Hunot,  then 
British  Vice-Consul  at  Saffi,  amongst  others,  to 
procure  authentic  specimens  of  the  plant  yield- 
ing the  Fashook  gum,  with  the  result  that  its 
source  is  now  traced  to  Ferula  communis.  A 
full  account  of  the  history  of  the  drug  will  be 
given  shortly  in  the  Kcw  Bulletin.  F.  com- 
munis, var.  brevifolia,  was  introduced  as  a 
root-stock  to  Kew  from  Morocco  by  Vice-Consul 
Hunot  in  1886,  and  it  flowered  in  December, 
1892.  It  represents  a  form  of  Ferula  com- 
munis, characterised  by  shorter  ultimate  leaf 
segments,  which  occurs  along  with  the  typical 
form  almost  throughout  the  area  of  the  species, 
which  extends  from  the  Canaries  and  Portugal 
to  Constantinople  and  Syria,  excluding  North- 
East  Africa.  The  plant  is  a  herb,  sometimes 
10  feet  high,  quite  glabrous.  The  leaves  are 
bright  green,  very  large,  and  the  umbels  are 
compound  in  a  thyrse,  3  feet  or  more  long ; 
the  flowers  are  yellow.  At  Kew  the  plant  has 
been  cultivated  in  a  pot  in  a  greenhouse. 

Rosa  Soulieaxa,  tab.  s,158. — This  specks  is 
described  by  Mr.  W.  Botting  Hemsley  as  one 
of  the  most  desirable  of  the  single  white  Roses, 
both  in  flower  and  fruit.  It  was  received  from 
M.  Vilmorin  in  1899,  and  it  may  be  seen  to 
great  advantage  in  the  Rose  valley  near  the 
pagoda.  It  differs  from  R.  moschata  in  the 
smaller  leaves,  usually  oval  leaflets  rounded  at 
both  ends,  shortly  stalked  glands  on  the 
peduncles,  and  in  the  shorter  tails  of  the  sepals. 
R.  Soulieana  forms  bushes  at  least  8  feet  high 
and  as  much  through,  armed  with  curved 
prickles,  or  with  straight  ones  in  the  barren 
branches.  The  leaves  are  pale  green,  usually 
with  seven  leaflets,  and  the  stipules  are  adnate, 


acute  with  marginal  glands.  The  flowers  are 
ivory-white,  about  1J  inch  across,  very  numerous, 
in  compound,  dense,  terminal  corymbs  or  some- 
times solitary  on  short  lateral  branches.  The 
fruits  are  described  as  orange-vermilion,  and  as 
represented  in  the  figure  they  are  exceedingly 
ornamental.  Mr.  Bean  describes  this  Chinese 
species  as  one  of  the  most  vigorous  and  gross- 
feeding  of  Roses. 

Iris  verna,  tab.  s,159. — This  is  an  old 
species,  which  was  cultivated  by  Philip  Miller 
in  1739,  but  it  has  never  been  common  in  gar- 
dens. Its  natural  habitat  is  in  the  Eastern 
estates  of  North  America,  from  Pennsylvania  to 
Virginia,  Kentucky,  and  Georgia.  The  speci- 
men now  figured  was  forwarded  to  Kew  by  Mr. 
Lynch  from  the  Cambridge  Botanic  Gardens ; 
it  has  fibrous  roots,  linear  leaves,  and  one- 
flowered  scapes,  the  flowers  being  violet- 
coloured  except  for  the  orange-coloured  claws. 
Mr.  W.  Watson  states  that  the  species  is  grown 
in  a  pot  in  a  cold  frame.  It  rarely  flowers  if 
planted  out  of  doors,  in  which  respect  it  differs 
from  other  members  of  the  Pumila  section. 

Bulbophyllum  dichromum,  tab.  8,160. — This 
is  a  species  first  described  by  Mr.  R.  A.  Rolfe 
in  the  Kew  Bulletin,  1907,  p.  128.  It  was  intro- 
duced by  Messrs.  Sander  &  Sons,  St.  Albans, 
about  two  years  ago,  and  flowered  at  the  Royal 
Botanic  Garden,  Glasnevin,  in  February  last. 
The  species  is  described  as  a  very  attractive 
garden  plant,  owing  to  the  dark  purple  lip 
forming  a  striking  contrast  to  the  bright  yellow 
sepals  and  petals,  while  the  inflorescence  is  very 
graceful. 

P^eonia  Cambf.ssf.desii,  tab.  8,161.  I 
species  is  a  native  of  the  Balearic  Islands  and 
Corsica,  and  was  introduced  to  cultivation  by 
Miss  Frances  Geoghegan,  Glasnevin,  Dublin. 
Mr.  J.  Hutchinson  states  that  P.  corallina,  Retz, 
its  nearest  ally,  differs  in  having  glaucous- 
green,  never  purple,  leaves  and  hairy  cai 
The  flowers  are  deep  rose-pink,  solitary,  erect, 
usually  about  3i  inches  in  diameter.  Mr.  W. 
Watson  states  that  the  species  has  the  same 
claims  as  a  garden  plant  as  those  possessed  by 
P.  officinalis,  P.  peregrina,  P.  corallina,  and  the 
other  species  of  the  herbaceous  section  requiring 
the  same  cultivation  as  those  species. 

F.  Ledien. — This  talented  horticulturist,  who 
until  recently  tilled  the  post  of  curator  of  the 
Botanical  Garden  at  Dresden,  has  been  appointed 
curator  of  the  Botanical  Garden  at  Dahlem, 
succeeding  the  late  Herr  Perring.  He  entered 
on  his  duties  on  October  1.  Max  Lobner, 
hitherto  head  gardener  at  Wiidenswil  (Switzer- 
land), will  succeed  F.  Ledien  at  Dresden  Botanical 
Garden. 

National   Sweet    Pea    Society.— We    are 

informed  that  the  next  annual  show  of  this  society 
in  London  will  be  held  on  Friday,  July  24,  1908, 
in  the  Royal  Horticultural  Hall,  Westminster. 

Surveyors'  Institution. — The  first  ordinary 
general  meeting  of  the  session  1907-08  will  be  held 
on  Monday,  November  11,  1907,  when  the  presi- 
dent, Mr.  Thomas  Taylor  Wainwright,  will 
deliver  an  opening  address.  The  chair  will  be 
taken  at  8  o'clock. 

The  Fruit  Crops  in  Southern   Russia. — 

The  crops,  according  to  advizes  to  hand,  are 
extraordinarily  abundant  in  so  far  as  concerns 
Grapes,  Apples,  Pears,  Plums,  and  Nuts  ;  while 
Peaches  and  Apricots  have  suffered  greatly  from 
the  winter  frosts.  It  is  intended  to  send  extensive 
and  comprehensive  consignments  of  fruits  from 
the  Crimea,  in  which  the  great  fruit-producing 
orchards  and  vineyards  are  found,  to  the  chief 
cities  of  the  Empire,  and  above  all  to  St.  Peters- 
burg. The  Russian  Government's  assistance  can 
be  reckoned  upon  for  a  moderation  of  transit  costs. 


Change  of  Date.  — We  are  informed  that  the 
date  of  the  Manchester  Chrysanthemum  Show  has 
been  changed  to  Wednesday,  Thursday,  and 
Friday,  November  13th,  14th,  and  15th.  Some 
alterations  have  also  been  made  in  the  schedule, 
several  new  classes  having  been  added. 

Half-Holiday   for   Nursery  Employees. 

— The  firm  of  Messrs.  James  Hill  &  Son,  Barrow- 
field  Nurseries,  Lower  Edmonton,  N.,  has  con- 
ceded to  their  staff  a  holiday  each  Saturday  from 
1  o'clock.  Messrs.  Hill  &  Son  are  extensive 
cultivators  of  Ferns,  especially  for  the  London 
markets. 

Disease  in  the  Silver  Fir.— M.  E.  L. 
Bouvier  describes  in  the  Comptes  Sendus  for 
September  23,  a  disease  which  is  attacking  the 
Silver  Fir  (Abies  pectinata)  in  the  forests  of  the 
Jura  Mountains.  He  terms  it  the  "  Red 
disease,"  from  the  colour  assumed  by  the  leaves 
of  the  dying  trees.  It  was  first  noticed  last 
year  as  occurring  sporadically  in  the  forest,  but 
during  this  season  it  has  spread  to  an  alarming 
extent,  and  is  affecting  both  the  young  and  old 
plants.  It  does  not  touch  the  Spruce  Fir  (Pirea 
excelsa),  even  when  the  two  species  are  growing 
together,  and  this  sharp  preference  indicates  the 
probability  that  the  malady  is  parasitic  in  its 
origin.  No  insect  or  other  animal  was  detected, 
and  M.  Bouvier  believes  that  it  is  of  a  t 
character.  He  found  a  new  fungus,  which  has 
been  named  Rhizosphaera  abietis,  growing  on 
the  dead  leaves  that  were  lying  on  the  ground, 
and  of  course  it  is  possible  that  this  may  turn 
out  to  be  the  source  of  the  mischief.  But  the 
matter  has  not  been  as  yet  sufficiently  investi- 
gated to  settle  this  point.  It  has  been  sug- 
gested that  the  death  of  the  trees  might  be  due  ti 
the  dry  summer  of  last  year,  but  this  seems  to  be 
clearly  negatived  by  the  fact  that  the  trees  in 
the  lower  lying  and  damper  districts  were  a3 
severely  attacked  as  were  those  growing  in 
unfavourable  situations. 

POTATOS    FROM    SEED. — Dr.    T.    H.    Wll 

writing  in  the  Transactions  of  the  Highland  and 
Mural  Society  of  Scotland,  describes  the  result 
of  experiments  of  crossing  Potatos.  As  might  be 
expected  from  plants  of  mixed  parentage,  many 
varieties  made  their  appearance,  not  only  when 
different  sorts  were  used  as  the  parents,  but  also 
when  a  variety  was  "  selfed."  Many  of  the  off- 
springs were,  of  course,  worthless,  but  of  those 
showing  good  qualities  the  following  may  be 
mentioned:  Prior  (New  Zealand  Red  x  Mvatt's 
Kidney),  which  is  asserted  to  possess  tubers  of 
good  size,  to  be  resistant  to  disease,  and  to  crop 
well.  It  belongs  to  the  class  of  second  earlies,  and 
is  of  a  flat  oval  shape,  white,  with  occasional  tinges 
of  rose-pink,  and  shallow-eyed.  Another  new 
variety,  named  Rector  (Maincrop  x  New  Zealand 
Red),  is  a  red  or  russet,  round  Potato,  a  late 
cropper  of  medium  size.  It  is  stated  to  possess 
good  constitution  and  high  quality,  and  also  to  be 
a  disease-resisting  and  a  good  cropping  variety.  Of 
course,  it  remains  to  be  seen  how  far  the  cha- 
racters will  be  so  retained  under  cultivation,  and 
whether  they  will  be  such  as  to  enable  the  new 
varieties  to  compete  with  other  sorts  already 
grown. 

Rome. — We  learn  from  Secolo  that  the  magnifi- 
cent gardens  of  the  Vatican,  once  the  chief  poinl 
of  attraction  for  foreign  visitors,  are  now  in  a 
miserable  condition  in  consequence  of  the  nig- 
gardliness of  the  management  which  withholds 
the  necessary  means  to  keep  them  in  condition. 
Under  Leo  XIII.  the  gardens  were  most  carefully 
tended,  and  considerable  sums  dispensed  for  their 
upkeep,  whilst  Pope  Pius  X.  has  but  little  interest 
in  them.  The  desire  to  limit  expenses  has  led  to 
considerable  reduction  in  the  annual  outlay  and  in 
the  number  of  the  workmen. 


2G6 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[October  12,  1907. 


The  Decoration  of  the  Municipal 
Offices  in  PARis.-The  various  municipal 
authorities  in  the  capital  make  use  of  cut  blooms 
of  Roses  for  decorative  purposes  yearly  to  the 
value  of  50,000  frs. 

Gardeners'  Cricket.-Ou  Saturday,  Sep- 
tember 28,  a  team,  composed  of  representatives  of 
the  firm  of  Messrs.  James  Veitch  &  Sons,  Chelsea 
and  captained  by  Mr.  J.  Gould  Veitch,  visited 
the  Dover  House  Grounds,  Roehampton,  on  the 
invitation  of  Mr.  J.  F.  McLeod,  to  play  a  friendly 
match  with  the  gardeners  in  the  employ  of  Mr.  ] . 
Pierpont  Morgan.  The  game  ended  in  a  decisive 
win  for  the  Dover  House  men. 

Publications  Received.-™*  Wild  and  Culti- 
vated Cotton  Plants  of  the  World,  by  Sir  George  Watt 
CLE.,  LL.D.  Longmans,  Green  ft  Co.  A  revision 
of  the  genus  Gossypium  framed  primarily  with  the 
object  of  aiding  planters  and  ^vertigatorB  whonw 
contemplate  the  systematic  improvement  of  the  Co .ton 
staple.-^  of  Rules  for  Judging,  and  Suggestions  to 
Schedule-Makers,  Judges  and  Exhibitors  Thvrd  edi- 
tion. Royal  Horticultural  Society. -Report  of  the 
Annual  Meeting  of  the  American  Association  o fPa. .h 
Superintendents  at  Toronto,  Ontano  Ca»a<la  "ti 
August  15,  16  and  17,  1907. -The  British  Bee-Keepe,  * 
Guide-Booh  by  T.  W.  Cowan.  Nineteenth  edition. 
Pubthedbythe  British  Bee  Journal  Office,  Henrietta 
Street,  Covent  Garden,  W.C. 


KEW     NOTES. 


GRAMMATOPHYLLUM  speciosum. 

A  fine,  healthy   specimen   of   this   interesting 
plant   is  now   in   full   flower   at   Kew   m   House 
No    10,  where  it  has  been  grown  ever  since  its 
presentation  to  Kew  by  Messrs.   Sander  &  Sons 
in  May,   1893.     The  plant  has   developed  three 
stout  racemes,   the  tallest  of  which  is  9  feet  6 
inches  in  height,  has  82  expanded  flowers  at  the 
time    of    writing,    and    40    unopened    buds    in 
various    stages    of    development.        The    raceme 
will  probably  reach  11  feet  in  height  when  all 
the    flowers    have    expanded.       The    other    two 
racemes  are  each  about  9  feet  high,  and  have, 
together  229  flowers  and  flower-buds.   The  lower 
flowers   of   each    raceme    are    aborted,    most   of 
them  being  composed  of  four  nearly  equal  seg- 
ments in  two  rows,  and  arranged  at  right  angles 
to  each  other,  with  a  short  column  and  no  lip. 
The  bottom  flower  of  one  inflorescence  has  six 
nearly  equal  segments  arranged  in  two  tiers,  the 
lip    in    this    case   being   elongated,    and    closely 
resembling,  both  in  shape  and  in  marking,  the 
rest  of  the  perianth  segments. 

These  abnormal  lower  flowers  appear  to  be 
constant  in  all  the  plants  which  have  flowered 
in  this  country.  This  same  plant  made  a  poor 
attempt  to  flower  in  1901,  the  flowers  which  then 
developed  being  also  aborted.  It  was  very  late 
in  autumn  when  this  inflorescence  made  its 
appearance,  and  after  expanding  a  few  flowers, 
it   damped   off    during   foggy   weather 

The  largest  flowers  on  the  Kew  plant  are  b 
inches  in  diameter,  these  being  on  the  lower  half 
of  the  inflorescence,  where  the  flowers  are  very 
loosely  arranged  on  the  scape,  the  upper  and 
later  formed  flowers  gradually  becoming  smaller 
and  more  densely  arranged  on  the  scape  as  they 
approach  the  apex.  The  ground  colour  of  the 
flowers  is  dull  yellow,  heavily  spotted  with  red- 
dish-brown;  the  sepals  and  petals  are  spread- 
ing broadly  oblong  obtuse,  undulate  ;  the  lip  is 
small,  being  scarcely  1  inch  long  ;  three-lobed 
orange  streaked  with  red,  the  disk  sulcate,  with 
three  laised  plates,  bristling  with  short  hairs. 
The  column  is  greenish-yellow  spotted  with 
reddish-brown.  . 

The  whole  plant  consists  of  21  pseudo-bulbs 
o~  stems  and  7  leads.  Several  of  the  tallest 
stems  are  12  feet  high,  the  result  of  about  six 
years'  growth,  the  young  leads  making  from  2 
to    3    feet    of    growth    per    annum,    the    average 


diameter  of  the  stems  being  2  inches.  The  leaves 
are  distichously  arranged  along  the  stems,  linear 
in  shape,  H  to  2  feet  long,  and  about  2  inches 
in  diameter,  and  remain  on  the  stem  for  about 
two  years,  gradually  falling  off  as  the  stems 
elongate  with  each   season's   growth. 

A  curious  point  in  connection  with  the  flower- 
ing of  this  plant  is  that  the  inflorescences  are 
produced  in  each  case  from  the  base  of  the 
stems,  which  were  made  in  1905,  the  growth  of 
the  inflorescences  coinciding  with  that  of  the 
current  season's  young  growths. 

The  plant  is  growing  on  a  raft,  on  a  mound 
of  compost  consisting  chiefly  of  peat,  moss    and 
sand.     In  previous  years  the  practice  has  been 
to  lower  the  base  of  the  compost  into  the  Lily 
tank   to   a   depth   of   4   or   5   inches   during   the 
summer   months,   and  to   raise   the  plant   again 
for  the  winter.     This  spring  the  plant  was  kept 
out  of  the  water  altogether,  and  only  given  water 
when   the   compost    showed    signs    of   becoming 
dry      As  tropical  Water  Lilies  have  been  grown 
in   this   tank    during   the   past   two    seasons,    in 
place  of  the  Victoria  Regia,  it  has  been  possible 
to    ventilate    the   house    more    freely    than    was 
formerly    the    case.       Whether    either    of    these 
slight  modifications  of  treatment  or  the  combina- 
tion of  both  have  had  the  desired  effect,  I  am 
unable  to  say,  but  it  is  interesting  to  record  the 
fact      that    '  formerly       during      the       summer 
months,   when   the   plant  was  kept  very  wet  at 
the  roots  by  partial  submersion,   aerial,   spiny 
roots  were  produced  in  such  numbers  as  to  com- 
pletely cover  the  surface  of  the  compost.     Very 
few    on  the  contrary,  have  been  produced  this 
season,   those   which  have  been   formed   arising 
very    near    the    bottom,    and    consequently    the 
wettest  part  of  the  ball.     In  this  connection   i 
was   recorded   in   this   journal   for   August   31st 
last,    in   the   article   accompanying    the   illustra- 
tion of  this  Orchid  growing  at   the   Teradenyia 
Botanical    Gardens    where    it    is    grown    as   an 
ordinary  terrestrial  plant,  that  these  erect    aerial 
spiny  roots  are  not  produced  at  all  freely,  and 
that  the  plant  seems  to  have  become  so  accus- 
tomed to  the  terrestrial  mode  of  life  that  it  has 
gradually  lost  the  habit  of  producing  the  aerial 
roots    which    are    invariably    present    when    the 
plant    is    growing    under   the    conditions    of    an 
eoiphvte.     This  leads  one  to  the  conclusion  that 
the  conditions  which  are  necessary  to  cause  this 
plant  to  form   these  peculiar  roots  are  directly 
opposed  to  those  which  are  necessary  to  cause 
theP  plant  to  flower.     This  class  of  .extra-terres- 
trial roots  is  met  with  in  many  tropica   and  tem- 
perate plants  which  thrive  in  swampy  districts,  a 
well-known  instance  being  the  deciduous  Cypress 
.Sodium  distichuml,    This  plant,  when  grown 
n    a   very    boggy    position-as    the    well-known 
"amplTat  Sfof^use-usually  sends  up  aena 
conical  butts  or  woody  roots,  in  order  to  obtain 
a  supply  of  air  at  the  roots  ;  when  grown  m  the 
ordinary    conditions    of    the    garden,    these    are 
never  produced.  .  . 

The    late    Mr.    F.    W.    Burbidge,    writing    in 
regard  to  this  Orchid  in  Gardeners'  Chronicle  ioz 
March  8,  1890,   p.  288,   states  that  of  the  three 
or   four   species   known   from   the   Malay   Archi- 
pelago and  Malacca,  the  most  common  was  G. 
speciosum.     In  his  book  Gardens  of  the  Sun    p. 
55,  occurs  the  following  passage-made  by  Mr 
Burbidge  on  the  spot,  where  the  fall  of  a  gian 
forest   tree   revealed    a   specimen    of    this    plan 
growing  upon  it-"  Here,  right  in  the  collar  of 
the  tree,   is  a  plant  of  the   Giant   Orchid,  big 
enough  to  fill  a  Pickford's  van,  and  just  opening 
,,  ,  ..lden,  brown-spotted  flowers  on  stout  spikes 
2  yards  long." 

Mr  C  Curtis  who  lately  retired  from  the 
management  of  Penang  Botanical  Gardens,  and 
who  is  an  authority  on  all  Malay  plants,  writing 
in  Gardeners'  Chronicle,  1893,  vol.  xiv.,  p.  6L.L, 
stated  that  this  plant  is  rather  widely  distributed 
throughout  Malaysia,  but,  so  far  as  his  own 
observations  went,  it  was  nowhere  abundant. 
The  finest  plants  were  generally  found  high  up 


in  the  forks  of  not  very  leafy  trees,  where  they 
get  abundance  of  sunshine.  Mr.  Curtis  then 
described  a  plant  in  the  Penang  Botanical  Car- 
dens,  which  in  1893  produced  24  inflorescences 
and  had  over  1,000  fully-expanded  flowers.  It 
was  grown  on  a  mound  3  to  4  feet  high,  exposed 
to  all  the  sun  possible,  and  received  a  top-dress- 
ing  of  leafmould  twice  each  year,  this  being  the- 
only  attention  it  received. 

Mr  H.  J.  Veitch,  who  visited  the  Penang  <  .ar- 
dens  in  1892,  describing  this  plant  in  Gardeners' 
Chronicle  (see  Travellers'  Notes,  vol.  xn.,  p. 
641)  states  that  the  plant  bore  30  inflorescences 
the  previous  season,  and  gave  its  dimensions  as 
42.V  feet   in  circumference,  with  growths  6  to  7 

feet  long. 

Grammatophyllum  speciosum  is  recorded  as 
having  first  flowered  in  1851  in  the  nursery  of 
Messrs.  Loddiges,  at  Hackney,  when  only  one 
flower  opened,  and  that  was  a  deformed  one 
about  3  inches  in  diameter. 

In  October,  1859,  a  much  finer  specimen 
flowered  in  the  garden  of  W.  G.  Farmer,  Esq.j 
of  Nonsuch  Park,  Ewell,  from  whose  plant  was 
prepared  a  figure  for  the  Botanic!  Magazine  (tab 
5157).  This  plant  produced  two  racemes,  each 
bearing  40  to  50  flowers.  Some  time  after  an- 
other plant  was  flowered  by  Mr.  Scott,  gardener 
to  Sir  G.  Staunton,  Leigh  Park.  In  1897  a  plant 
flowered  in  the  collection  of  Sir  Trevor  Law- 
rence,  and  was  shown  before  the  R.H.S.  A 
figure  of  one  of  the  lower  imperfect  flowers  ap- 
peared in  the  Gardeners'  Chronicle  for  that  year, 
p.  147,  fig.  42.  The  Kew  specimen  having  pre- 
viously flowered  in  -1901,  the  present  is  the  sixth 
recorded  instance  of  this  Orchid  having  flowered 
in  this  country.  The  plant  is  a  native  of  Java, 
Lampong,  Malacca,  Singapore,  and  Cochin 
China.     C.  P.  Rafftll,  Kew. 


THE    ROUT    OF  THE   ENGLISH 
ROSE. 

[•"  At  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Autumn  Show  the 
principal  prizes  were  taken  by  Roses  grown  in  Aberdeen, 
Dundee  and  Belfast."! 

OH,  weave  a  shroud,  where  none  may  see 

Her  sorry  clay,  than  doornails  deader, 
Oh  pile  it  thick  with  Standard  Tea, 

And  cuttings  of  the  Crimson  Bedder  ; 
My  England,  where  the  lanes  resound 

With  noise  of  bees  and  bullocks  chewing, 
At  Little  Slowly-in-the-Pound 

What  were  your  Surrey  gardens  doing? 

When  sterner  crowns  were  lightly  shed, 

When  sport  or  science  suffered  losses, 
"  Our  reputation  lives,"  I  said, 

On  Damasks  and  Perpetual  Mosses; 
But  now  the  clods  where  shamrocks  blow. 

And  thistles  thrive  on  pawky  humours, 
Have  been  and  whacked  our  bravest  shov 

Of  emblematic  autumn  bloomers  ! 

Where  is  the  Pride  of  Waltham  ?     Where 

The  Magna  Carta  on  the  trellis? 
What  of  the  blooms  that  scent  the  air 

In  rural  spots  like  Miss  Corelli's? 
Are  there  no  hands  to  train  the  shoot 

Of  Bessie  Brown,  no  touch  caressing 
To  twine  about  the  Moss-rose  root 

Restoratives  of  guano  dressing  ? 

I  see  the  Dundee  Rambler  trail 

In  riot  through  a  broken  border  ; 
The  clusters  of  the  Irish  (Pale) 

Have  mocked  the  Earl  of  Pembroke's  order; 
Where  scattered  petals  fall  like  chaff, 

With  haughty  tendrils  curving  higher, 
I  hear  the  Lady  Stewart  laugh 

At  Lord  Penzance's  Hybrid  Bi  iar. 

Then,  Saxon  gardeners,  gird  your  hose  ! 

Once  more,  your  fathers'  deeds  endorsing, 
Produce  a  high-class  medal  rose 

By  dint  of  early  winter  forcing  ; 
Next  year,  before  the  seedlings  bud, 

Let  every  man  (that  knows  his  duties) 
Strike— were  it  only  with  a  spud  — 

For  England,  home,  and  annual  beauties. 

Punch,  October  9,  1907. 


October  12,  1907.] 


HIE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


2G7 


CHRYSANTHEMUMS  AS  SPECI- 
MEN PLANTS  OUT-OF-DOORS. 
The  season  of  the  Chrysanthemum  has  been 
prolonged  at  either  end  by  the  raising  of  early  and 
late-flowering  varieties,  and  while  it  is  possible  to 
have  them  in  flower  in  summer  time,  they  are  also 
amongst  the  most  useful  of  plants  for  furnishing  a 
floral  display  early  in  the  new  year.  This  season 
the  early-flowering  varieties  out-of-doors  in  most 
southern  districts,  including  London,  are  still 
flowering  freely  in  the  second  week  of  October. 
At  fig.  Ill  is  reproduced  a  plant  of  Chrysanthemum 
"  Horace  Martin,"  which  has  been  cultivated  in  a 
pot  for  terrace-decoration  at  Gunnersbury  House, 
the  residence  of  Leopold  de  Rothschild.  Esq.  The 
specimen  measures  8  feet  in  diameter,  and  forms  a 
worthy  companion  to  the  unique  specimen  plants 
of  the  scented-leaved  Pelargoniums  that  Mr  James 
Hudson  cultivates  at  Gunnersbury  for  the  same 
purpose,  one  of  which  was  illustrated  in  our  issue 
for  September  28  last.  Chrysanthemum  Horace 
Martin  is  a  vegetative  sport  from  Crimson  Mane 
Massee ;  it  has  rich  yellow-coloured  flowers,  and, 
as  may  be  seen  from  the  illustration,  is  one  of  the 
freest  flowering  varieties. 


recent  visit  were: — White  Countess,  of  which 
50,000  plants  are  grown,  some  having  as  many 
as  18  large  blooms  ;  this  variety  is  the  most  im- 
portant white  Chrysanthemum  now  seen  in 
Covent  Garden  market.  Mercedes,  a  yellow 
Japanese  Chrysanthemum  of  very  large  size  ;  the 
colour  of  the  florets  is  a  beautiful  shade  of 
golden  yellow  ;  the  flowers  are  at  their  best  con- 
dition from  August  to  October ;  a  rule  laid 
across  the  flat  under  side  of  one  of  the  blooms 
gave  a  measurement  of  more  than  7  inches  ;  the 
stock  at  Uxbridge  consists  of  10,000  plants.  Mrs. 
Arthur  Beech  is  a  variety  of  a  bright  chestnut 
colour  ;  I  noticed  a  batch  of  some  17,000  plants 
of  this  variety  in  rows  of  500.  Mrs.  J.  W. 
Scott,  a  white  variety  of  high  merit ;  about 
40,000  plants  of  this  variety  are  grown  by 
Messrs.  Lowe  &  Shawyer.  Miss  Barbara  Miller, 
this  flower  is  one  of  the  best  "yellows"  grown 
for  the  market.  Mrs.  W.  Roots  is  a  white  In- 
curved Chrysanthemum,  and  suitable  for  fur- 
nishing a  supply  of  cut  blooms  at  the  end  of 
October.  La  Pactole  was  being  grown  on  trial. 
Of  Cranford  White,  a  large  stock  was 
being     cultivated     for     furnishing      sprays     of 


[Hhotogtapli  by  J.  Gregory. 

FlG.    III. — CHRYSANTHEMUM    "HORACE    MARTIN  "    FLOWERING    IN    A    POT   ON    THE   TERRACE 
AT    GUNNERSBURY    HOUSE,    ACTON:     DIAMETER    OF    PLANT    8    FEET. 


MARKET  GARDENING. 


CHRYSANTHEMUMS  AT  MESSRS.  LOWE  & 
SHAWYER'S  UXBRIDGE  NURSERIES. 

I    These   firms   of   market   growers   cultivate   as 
many  as  300,000  plants  of  Chrysanthemums,  most 
of  which  are  grown  as  disbudded  plants,  either 
in  glasshouses  or  under  some  other  form  of  pro- 
tection.  Very  many  of  th^  best  varieties  of  market 
Chrysanthemums  have  been  raised,  either  at  this 
nursery  by  Mr.  J.  W.  Scott,  or  by  Mr.  W.  Roots 
at  Messrs.   Shawyer  &  Sons,   Cranford,   Houns- 
jlow.     The   two   firms   have   a   working   arrange- 
ment with  each  other,   and  share  the  stocks  of 
^most   of   their   new   varieties,   which    they  keep 
strictly   to   themselves,    for   no    stock   of   a   new 
variety  is  sold  by  them  to  other  houses.     Promi- 
I  nent  varieties  of  Chrvsanthemums  noticed  on  a 


white  flowers  for  florists'  purposes.  The  variety 
Carrie  is  also  grown  for  furnishing  sprays  of 
flowers.  One  of  the  best  varieties  noticed  is 
Cranford  Pink,  now  flowering  in  these  nurseries 
for  the  first  time.  The  variety  Framfield  is  culti- 
vated on  a  large  scale  in  these  nurseries  as  a 
late-flowering  variety  ;  glasshouses  occupying  an 
area  of  2  acres  were  filled  with  it. 

THE  DAMSON  SEASON. 
Crops  of  this  fruit  are  plentiful  but  late. 
Bradley's  King  of  Damsons  is  one  of  the  best 
varieties,  and  it  is  of  excellent  flavour.  Kent 
Cluster  (syn.  Farleigh  Prolific  or  Crittenden)  has 
produced  heavy  crops  in  some  parts  of  the 
country.  Stone  fruits  have  been  so  plentiful 
this  season  that  harm  will  be  done  the  trees 
unless  they  receive  some  additional  feeding. 
Stephen  Castle. 


CROSS-FERTILISATION     OF 
SINGLE   CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 

In  making  crosses  great  care  should  be  taken 
to  select  those  varieties  for  parents  which  pos- 
sess desired  characters.  Crossing  by  no  means 
implies  a  blending1  of  qualities  ;  often  it  is  sim- 
pler and  results  in  the  transmission  of  a  single 
quality. 

The  Chrysanthemum  is  a  Composite,  and  in 
the  case  of  what  is  termed  the  flowered  type, 
each  flower-head  is  composed  of  two  distinct 
sets  of  florets — the  inner  or  disc  florets  and  the 
outer  or  ray  florets.  The  ray  florets  give  the 
characteristic  colour  to  the  flower-head,  whereas 
the  disc  florets  are  almost  invariably  of  a  bright 
yellow  colour ;  the  new  variety  Phyllis  has  a 
white  centre,  and  is  therefore  a  notable  excep- 
tion. According  to  the  N.C.S.  rules,  the  ray 
florets  of  the  true  single  are  restricted  to  three 
rows,  if  more  rows  are  present  they  are  termed 
"decorative  singles."  The  disc  florets  possess 
both  stamens  and  pistil  ;  they  are  therefore  her- 
maphrodite, whereas  the  ray  florets  are  female 
only.  It  follows  that  in  order  to  effect  cross- 
fertilisation,  the  disc  florets  with  their  anthers 
must  be  removed,  leaving  the  ray  florets,  which 
are  purely  female.  The  first  thing  to  do  in  mak- 
ing crosses  is  to  select  the  parents ;  this,  of 
course,  needs  practice,  and  the  specialist  who  is 
best  acquainted  with  the  constitution  and  good 
points  of  the  available  varieties  is  the  man  most 
likely  to  be  rewarded  with  good  results.  Those 
flower-heads  which  are  to  be  the  seed  bearers 
should  be  selected  early,  before  the  pollen  from 
the  disc  florets  is  ripe,  thereby  preventing  self- 
pollination  ;  at  the  same  time  the  entire  disc  or 
centre  must  be  removed,  leaving  only  the  ray 
florets.  Having  taken  this  precaution,  the  ray 
florets  should  be  covered  over  with  a  muslin  bag 
until  such  time  that  the  stigmas  are  ready  for 
pollination.  The  stage  at  which  the  florets  are 
for  pollination  is  reached  when  the  flowers 
are  fully  developed  ;  the  pistil  is  then  divided 
into  two  at  its  apex,  thus  exposing  the  receptive 
stigma.  Pollen  may  now  be  applied  from  the 
mature  flowers  of  the  selected  male  plant.  A 
bright  day  should  be  selected  when  the  pollen 
is  dry  and  dust-like.  Experience  teaches  one  to 
use  plenty  of  pollen.  In  the  case  of  the  Chry- 
santhemum, pollen  may  be.  satisfactorily  con- 
veyed by  means  of  a  camel's-hair  brush,  which 
is  soft,  and  not  liable  to  bruise  the  stigmas. 
At  the  same  time  it  is  not  always  to  be  recom- 
mended, particularly  if  one  is  short  of  pollen, 
since  much  of  it  is  lost  among  the  hairs  of  the 
brush,  and,  besides  this,  there  is  always  a  risk  of 
stray  pollen  being  left  behind  after  efforts  to 
cleanse  the  brush.  A  clean  knife-blade,  a  pencil, 
or  the  operator's  thumb-nail  are  excellently 
adapted  for  securing  artificial  pollination. 
After  pollination  the  flower-heads  should 
again  be  covered  up,  and  the  plants  left 
in  a  suitable  place  to  allow  fertilisation  and 
the  ripening  of  seeds  to  take  place.  It  is  always 
advisable  to  take  reciprocal  crosses,  for  neither 
parent  has  the  particular  character  of  transmit- 
ting a  special  quality  to  the  offspring.  Experi- 
ments prove  that  the  male  parent  no  more  ex- 
clusively imparts  colour  to  the  cross  than  does 
the  female,  and  the  same  applies  to  other  charac- 
ters. After  making  crosses,  each  one  should  be 
labelled  and  a  record  kept  for  reference.  Herbert 
Cowley.  

COLONIAL     NOTE. 

COSMOS  SULPHUREUS. 
This  species,  which  was  figured  in  tb<-  supple- 
mentary illustration  issued  with  the  Gardeners' 
Chronicle  for  August  24,  is  sparingly  cultivated  in  a 
few  gardens  in  some  of  the  West  India  Islands. 
With  moderate  cultivation  it  attains  to  a  height  of 
5  feet,  forming  a  mass  of  colour,  but  in  poor  soils 
its  average  height  is  only  2  feet.  A  lemon-yellow 
coloured  variety  appeared  here  last  year,  but  was 
unfortunately  lost.  A.  Patterson,  Agricultural 
School,  St.    Vincent,    West  Indies. 


2CS 


THE     GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


[October  12,  1807. 


VEGETABLES. 


LATE    PEAS. 

It  is  many  years  since  we  experienced,  in 
this  part  of  the  country,  a  season  so  favourable 
to  the  growth  of  late  culinary  Peas  as  the  one 
now  closing.  Usually  the  ground  during  the  end 
of  July  becomes  so  hot  and  dry  that  it  is  with 
difficulty  the  young  plants  are  kept  alive.  A 
shade  temperature  of  between  80°  and  80°  often 
obtains  during  July  and  August,  with  an  average 
of  14  hours'  bright  sunshine  daily,  necessitating 
much  labour  in  watering  to  maintain  the  plants 
in  a  flourishing  condition.  In  such  circum- 
stances water  needs  to  be  applied  copiously, 
and  with  some  fertiliser  added.  In  our  district 
the  rainfall  this  season  compared  with  other 
parts  has  been  slight.  At  the  time  of  writing 
(September  7)  the  rainfall  for  the  present  year  has 
not  exceeded  16  inches,  but  in  some  seasons 
at  this  date  it  is  considerably  less.  There  were 
only  three  days  in  July  when  the  shade  tempera- 
ture reached  80°,  while  there  were  15  days  on 
which  rain  fell,  but  these  falls  were  not  heavy, 
the  total  for  the  month  being  1.45  inch.  The 
nights  were  cold,  the  average  minimum  being 
47°,  and  this  suited  culinary  Peas,  though  the 
early  varieties  did  not  fill  their  pods  very 
quickly.  In  August  rain  fell  on  12  days,  but 
the  total  amount  for  that  month  was  only  1.87 
inch,  and  the  last  10  days  were  dry  and  warm. 
As  an  indication  of  the  lateness  of  the  crops  this 
season,  I  may  instance  Peas  of  the  following 
varieties  which  were  sown  on  April  25  and 
gathered  during  the  first  week  in  September:  — 
Gladstone,  Stratagem,  and  King  Edward  varie- 
ties, sown  on  May  10,  were  ready  a  week  later, 
while  those  sown  on  May  23,  including  Autocrat, 
Late  Queen,  and  Michaelmas,  will  be  in  use 
during  the  end  of  October.  The  latest  sowing 
was  made  on  June  6,  and  these  plants  are  now 
(September  7)  in  flower. 

From  June  and  onwards  the  finest  marrow 
varieties  of  Peas  are  in  season,  and  though  the 
pods  do  not  fill  rapidly  when  the  nights  are  cold, 
the  flavour  of  the  Peas  is  excellent.  Some  varie- 
ties of  Peas  resist  an  attack  of  mildew  much 
better  than  do  others,  and  in  some  parts  of  the 
country  this  pest  is  less  troublesome  than  in 
other  localities.  In  gardens  where  the  water 
supply  is  deficient  it  is  well  to  select  the  more 
robust-growing    varieties    for   planting. 

Late  Peas  should  always  be  sown  in  an  open 
situation,  and  preferably  in  one' that  is  sheltered 
from  the  north  and  east  winds.  Not  much  diffi- 
culty need  be  experienced  in  producing  supplies 
of  late  Peas,  provided  an  ample  supply  of  liquid 
manure  can  be  obtained.  Before  sowing  late 
Peas  the  ground  should  be  thoroughly  prepared 
by  liberal  manuring  and  deep  digging,  for  Peas 
are  gross  feeders  and  need  an  abundance  of 
moisture.  In  preparing  soil  for  sowing  it  should 
be  made  firm,  therefore  it  is  advisable  to  prepare 
the  ground  some  time  in  advance.  The  seedlings 
from  these  late  sowings  need  ample  nourishment 
in  their  early  stages,  for  if  they  become  stunted 
in  growth  at  the  start  they  are  generally  a  failure, 
and  it  must  be  remembered  that  one  robust  plant 
will  produce  more  pods  than  a  dozen  sickly  ones. 
Do  not  waste  seed  by  sowing  it  too  thickly ; 
half-a-pint  will  be  sufficient  for  a  row  20  yards 
long.  There  are  about  650  Peas  in  half-a-pint  of 
seed,  the  number  varying  according  to  the  size 
of  the  individual  Peas.  A  row  20  yards  long, 
planted  with  two  lines  6  inches  distant  from  each 
other  and  2J  inches  between  the  Peas  in  the 
lines,  will  require  576  seeds,  so  that  there  will 
be  sufficient  Peas  left  to  make  a  surplus  sowing 
for  filling  any  vacancies  that  may  occur.  Very 
tall  varieties  are  liable  to  be  injured  by  the  au- 
tumn gales,  and  for  this  reason  varieties  of  a 
medium  height  will  be  found  the  most  suitable. 
The  staking  of  Peas  is  an  operation  few  persons 
accomplish  satisfactorily,  and  it  needs  much 
knowledge  and  practice  to  place  the  sticks  so 
that  they  may  be  of  the  greatest  support  to  the 


plants.  In  addition  to  leaning  diagonally  and 
in  an  opposite  direction  on  the  two  sides  of  the 
row,  the  stakes  should  slant  outwards  so  as  to 
allow  a  considerably  wider  space  between  them 
at  the  top  than  at  the  bottom.  H.  C.  Prinsep, 
Buxted  Park   Gardens. 


HOME    CORRESPONDENCE. 

(The  Editor  does  not  hold  himself  responsible  for  the 
opinions  expressed  by  his  correspondents.) 
Deficient  Rainfall,  &c. — Contrary  to  the 
expectations  of  your  correspondent  from  Kent 
(see  p.  252),  the  most  western  counties  share  the 
shortage  of  rain  which  appears  to  be  fairly  general 
over  the  country.  This  year,  to  the  end  of  Sep- 
tember, our  rainfall  amounted  to  2270  inches — 
7  19  inches  below  five  years'  average ;  and  as  last 
year's  rainfall  was  2T8  inches  below  the  average, 
we  may  anticipate  a  very  wet  period  at  no  distant 
date,  for  nature  always  balances  matters  sooner  or 
later.  There  seems  to  be  an  impression  that  the 
past  summer  has  been  a  wet  one,  while,  as  a 
matter  of  fact,  it  has  rather  been  damp  and  cold, 
'lhe  absence  of  sunshine,  and  heat,  allowed  the 
rain  which  did  fall  to  remain  in  evidence  longer 
than  is  customary  during  the  summer.  It  is  sin- 
gular that  September  8  furnished  the  hottest 
day  in  the  year  in  this  neighbourhood,  when  we 
registered  84°  Fahr.  in  the  shade.  But  the  climato- 
logical  conditions,  esp e;ially  as  regards  solar  heat 
and  rainfall,  have  been  extremely  local  during  the 
past  six  monihs,  and  on  that  dale  many  stations 
in  the  west  did  not  record  a  very  high  temperature  ; 
dates  on  which  some  of  these  stations  reported 
high  temperatures  were  comparatively  cold  days 
in  this  locality.  Here  September  also  had  the 
highest  mean  temperature  (57-78°)  of  the  year. 
From  September  7  we  had  an  absolute  drought 
of  19  days— the  longest  period  of  drought  in  Sep- 
tember for  a  great  while  ;  during  this  period  the 
dewfalls  were  very  heavy,  twice  the  deposit  mea- 
sured 0  02  inches,  and  five  times  001  inch.  As 
there  is  often  some  uncertainty  as  to  what  con- 
stitutes a  drought,  it  may  be  interesting  to  note 
the  definitions  formulated  many  years  ago  by  the 
British  Rainfall  Authorities.  An  absolute  drought 
is  a  period  of  more  than  14  consecutive  days  on 
which  no  rain  is  recorded  (the  smallest  figure  re- 
corded in  any  case  being  0  01  inch).  A  partial 
drought  is  a  period  of  more  than  28  consecutive 
davs  the  average  rainfall  of  which  does  not  exceed 

0  01  inch  per  day.  By  an  extraordinary  coinci- 
dence the  rainfall  of  October  1   of  this  year  was 

1  01  inch,  and  that  of  the  same  date  last  year  was 
105  inches.  A.  C.  Bartlett,  Pcncanow  Gardens, 
Cornwall. 

Summer  Flower-Bedding. — Probably  no 
form  of  summer  flower-bedding  has  been  more 
popular  in  public  parks  and  gardens  than  the 
old  system  of  carpet  or  mosaic  arrangement. 
These  evoked  great  interest  in  their  intricate 
designs,  the  variety  of  plants  employed  in  them, 
and  the  remarkable  neatness  shown  in  their 
keeping.  The  whole  of  any  one  bed,  however 
large,  was  fully  under  observation.  However, 
the  garden  critic  and  the  artist  declared  them  to 
be  in  bad  taste,  and  that  they  were  cruelly  un- 
natural, even  vulgar.  Up  to  the  last,  these  beds 
attracted  the  greatest  attention  of  the  visitors, 
and  when  at  length  but  one  such  carpet  or 
mosaic  bed  was  left  in  a  public  garden,  so  great 
was  the  attention  devoted  to  it  that  iron  guards 
had  to  be  erected  to  preserve  the  grass  near  it. 
But  now  the  taste,  not  of  the  public  which 
never  is  consulted,  but  of  decorative  artists, 
has  veered  round  to  quite  the  other  pole,  and 
the  public  are  treated  to  a  series  of  beds  full  of 
tall  pillar  or  pyramid-like  plants,  4  to  5  feet  in 
height,  ranged  with  all  the  stiffness,  formality, 
and  regularity  seen  in  a  regiment  of  soldiers. 
These  have  a  groundwork  of  Verbena,  Viola,  or 
similar  plants,  that  soon  grow  loose,  rank,  and 
devoid  of  any  beauty,  because  of  the  great  shade 
thrown  by  the  taller  plants,  and  being  closely 
planted,  "the  base  or  carpet  plants  need  to 
struggle  hard  for  sheer  existence.  These  regi- 
mental squads  of  tall  plants  are  either  Fuchsias, 
Heliotropes,  Plumbagos,  Streptosolens,  Abuti- 
lons,  Acalyphas,  or  similar  subjects  of  a  free 
habit  of  growth.  They  are  saved  from  year  to 
year,  being  pruned  hard  each  winter  to  induce 
them  to  break  afresh  in  the  spring,  and  thus 
w-hen  planted  out  speedily  furnish  a  bed.  The 
question    arises,    are    these    beds    attractive    or 


beautiful?  Watch  the  people  pass  by  them,  and 
it  will  be  seen  that  no  one  hesitates  or  stops  to 
examine  the  plants.  They  are  mere  squads  of 
floral  soldiers,  drawn  up  in  square  formation 
and  presenting  a  similar  face  all  round,  yet  too 
tall  for  other  than  the  face  to  be  seen.  Half  a 
dozen  of  these  taller  plants  in  a  large  bed  very 
thinly  disposed  may  be  tolerated,  but  whole  num- 
bers of  them  become  intolerable.  It  is  a  mistake 
to  proclaim  such  bedding  as  superior  to  or  an 
improvement  upon  the  old  carpet  bedding,  which 
needed  skill  to  devise  and  to  plant,  as  well  as  to 
maintain.  Most  certainly  it  should  be  an 
axiom  in  creating  summer  beds  of  tender  plants 
that  they  be  seen  in  entirety  in  each  case.  Low- 
growing  plants,  giving  clearly  defined  bodies  of 
colour,  with  light  graceful  plants  introduced 
here  and  there  to  break  the  continuity,  invari- 
ably give  the  most  pleasing  effects.  The  garden 
labourer  who  may  have  none  or  little  of  the 
artistic  in  his  nature,  can  with  a  garden  line 
plant  a  bed  of  cabbages  with  fair  correctness. 
Equally  well  could  he,  with  rod  and  line,  plant 
one  of  these  beds  of  regimental  plants.  Surely 
if  there  is  any  part  of  the  gardener's  vocation 
which  calls  for  the  highest  display  of  artistic 
taste,  it  is  in  the  arrangement  of  a  large  flower 
garden  for  summer  effect,  work  that  compels,  or 
should  compel,  even  greater  skill  and  taste  when 
it  is  included  in  a  popular  public  garden.  In 
spite  of  the  modern  artists,  memories  of  Batter- 
sea  Park,  Heckfield,  and  some  other  once  famous 
flower  gardens,  still  linger  in  our  minds.  We 
require  in  our  flower-beds  variety  of  design,  as 
well  as  variety  of  plants.  We  want  designs  that 
command  attention,  that  arrest  the  eye,  and  that 
arouse  the  interest.  We  need  beautiful  com- 
binations especially,  but,  at  the  same  time,  an 
entire  absence  of  anything  that  is  merely  stiff, 
formal,  or  monotonous.     Correspondent. 

Home-Grown  Seeds.  —  Home-grown  seeds 
are  satisfactory  if  the  best  selection  is  made  of 
the  different  types  under  cultivation.  To  fully 
maintain  the  germinating  properties  of  the  seed, 
it  must  be  thoroughly  well  ripened,  and  if  this 
is  not  possible  outside,  recourse  must  be  had 
to  inside  culture  in  pots,  pans,  or  boxes.  This 
will  apply  to  choice  florists'  flowers,  also 
Stocks  and  Asters,  and  to  any  choice  vegetables. 
Cucumbers  and  Tomatos  will  be  planted  out 
in  the  usual  way.  For  seed  purposes  all  the 
plants  named  above  require  a  warmer  and 
drier  atmosphere  than  is  obtainable  out-of- 
doors  to  finish  them  off.  These  conditions 
are  intelligently  taken  advantage  of  by  Con- 
tinental seedsmen,  for,  although  their  atmos- 
phere contains  less  humidity  than  our 
own,  most  of  their  high-priced  strains  of 
Stocks,  Asters,  and  choice  annuals  are  saved 
from  pot-plants  grown  under  glass.  If  it  is  to 
germinate  satisfactorily,  home-saved  seed  must 
ba  kept  stored  in  a  dry  and  cool  place,  exotic 
and  tropical  seeds  and  bulbs  excepted.  It  is  a 
difficult  matter  in  dull  wet  weather  to  collect 
seeds,  and  if  any  are  obtained  they  have  prob- 
ably ripened  prematurely.  The  only  remedy  for 
this  is  to  use  seed  of  last  year's  crop,  i.e.,  if  it 
was  favourably  harvested,  and  to  sow  them 
more  thickly  than  usual.  The  seeds  will  require 
a  rather  longer  time  to  germinate,  but  the  plants 
will  be  satisfactory.  All  transplanted  subjects 
intended  for  seed  purposes  should  be  kept  apart 
and  in  groups  if  to  be  kept  true,  as  otherwise 
they  are  much  more  likely  to  be  impregnated 
with  foreign  pollen.  The  best  type  should  be 
selected,  and  the  first  harvesting  is  invariably 
the  best.  All  the  specimens  selected  should  be 
clean  grown,  with  all  the  best  characteristics  of 
the  genera  and  species  they  represent,  and  they 
should  be  grown  on  rich  and  well-trenched 
ground.      /.   D.   G. 

Fruit  Distribution. — The  leading  article  on 
page  232,  entitled  "Plums  and  their  Prices,''  is 
a  valuable  contribution  to  a  highly  important 
subject,  and  the  suggestions  offered  are  worthy 
of  careful  consideration.  The  matter  is  sur- 
rounded by  many  difficulties,  but  that  they  are 
not  insurmountable  has  been  proved  by  the  suc- 
cess which  has  attended  several  efforts  on  a 
limited  scale  in  special  localities  to  facilitate 
the  distribution  of  fruits  in  periods  of  abundance. 
Much  has  been  written  upon  the  subject,  and 
the  interests  of  both  growers  and  consumers  are 
so  closely  concerned'that  it  is  surprising  some 
generally  organised  action  has  not  been  taken  to 
effect  improvements   in   our  present  system.     It 


October  12,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


269 


has  been  repeatedly  stated  that  the  railway 
rates  press  unduly  heavily  upon  growers,  and  in 
many  instances  this  is  undoubtedly  true,  the 
expenses  being  especially  felt  when  there  is  a 
glut  of  fruit  and  prices  fall  to  a  very  low  point. 
But  the  rail  charges  do  not  always  account  for 
the    growers'    poor    returns.     For   example,    the 


city  to  which  they  were  conveyed  at  a  less  price 
than  2Jd.  to  3d.  per  lb.,  yet  the  rail  charges  did 
not  amount  to  Jd.  per  lb.  on  the  whole  of  the 
consignments.  Obviously  in  this  case  the  cost 
of  carriage  could  not  be  held  responsible  for  the 
loss  to  the  growers  nor  the  high  charge  to  the 
consumers.     When    the    Board    of   Agriculture's 


Fig.  ii2.— aster  norah  peters:   flowers  white,  and  i-J-  inches  in  diameter,     an  award 

OF    MERIT   WAS   GRANTED   THIS    VARIETY   AT   THE    MEETING    OF   THE    R.H.S.    ON    OCTOBER    I. 

(See  note  on  p.  253.) 


district  manager  of  a  large  railway  company 
pointed  out  to  me  that  when  growers  were  com- 
plaining they  could  not  obtain  more  than  an 
average  of  \A.  per  lb.  for  their  Plums,  the  same 
fruits  were  not  purchaseable  in  the  shops  of  the 


markets  price  list  was  first  issued  it  was  thought 
it  might  help  to  favour  the  better  distribution 
of  produce,  and  in  some  respects  it  has  that 
effect,  no  doubt.  But  a  weekly  list  is  of  little 
service   as   regards     such     perishable    fruits     as 


Plums,  and  much  more  frequent  information  is 
needed  to  enable  cultivators  to  take  advantage  of 
the  best  markets.  The  largest  growers  provide 
tor  this  by  private  means,  but  smaller  producers 
would  be  helped  by  combination  on  a  co-opera- 
tive  basis.  A  strongly  supported  society  might 
do  some  useful  work  in  this  connection,  and  the 
subject  should  be  worth  the  attention  of  the 
National  Fruit  Growers'  Federation,  even  if  it 
went  no  farther  than  drawing  up  a  carefully 
devised  series  of  suggestions  as  a  preliminary, 
including  the  ideas  set  out  in  the  article  refeued 
to  at  the  beginning  of  this  letter.     R.  L.  CastU. 

Chrysanthemum  Shows:  Boards  v.  Vases. 

—Now  that  the  Chrysanthemum  shows  are  comi 
ing  on,   I   should   like   to   call   attention   to   the 
decrease    of    interest    shown    by    the    public    at 
many  of  the  exhibitions.    At  some  shows  in  large 
towns  the  attendances  may  be  as  large  as  ever, 
but  they  are  artificial,  as  they  are  bolstered  up  by 
popular  military  bands  and  other  extraneous  in- 
fluences.    Where,  however,  the  Chrysanthemum 
is    the    almost    sole     attraction,     there     is     un- 
doubtedly  a  great  falling-off,   and  the  question 
arises,    why   should    it    be    so,    considering    that 
there  are  quite  as  many  lovers  of  the  flower  now 
as  formerly.     I  think  it  unfortunate  that  writers 
and    would-be    teachers,    on    the    conducting    of 
Chrysanthemum    exhibitions,    cannot    recognise 
the  clear  distinction  between  the  enthusiasm  of 
the  grower  on  the  one  hand  and  those  who  only 
look  upon  the  artistic  side  of  the  flower  on  the 
other.      After   exhibiting    Chrysanthemums    my- 
self, and  trying  for  a  great  number  of  years  to 
teach  the  public  both  sides  of  the  question,  no 
one  can   accuse   me  of  want   of  interest   in   the 
artistic   aspect  of  the  flower.      I   maintain   that 
the    time    has    not    yet    come— if    we    wish    for 
financial  success— when  we  can  afford  to  throw 
impediments    in    the    way    of    those    who    grow 
for  skill  only,  for  they  are  the  backbone  of  every 
society,   whether   it   be   a   Chrvsanthemum   or   a 
Potato  Society.     It  has  been  sa'id  that  the  R.H.S. 
can  maintain  its  exhibitions  without  the  use  of 
show   boards,    but    the    circumstances    are   alto- 
gether different.     In  the  R.H.S.  there  are  chang- 
ing interests  all  the  year  round.     Specialists  de- 
vote their  interests  to  one  societv  in  its  particu- 
lar season,  and  I  venture  to  say  that,   rlotwith- 
standing    the    lack    of    interest     shown     by    the 
R.H.S.      in      special      societies,      without      the 
"specials"  there  would  be  no  R.H.S.,   as  the 
specialist  is  the  improver  of  nearly  every  flower, 
and  the  parent  society  is,  after  all,  but  an  amal- 
gamation   of    the    whole.     Unfortunately,    com- 
mittees,  after  the  first  flush  of  success  of  their 
societies,   get   over   dominated   by    irresponsible 
persons   who    are   quite   out   of   touch   with   the 
zeal  of  the  grower,  and  too  often  seek  to  intro- 
duce  the   attractive   features   of   other   countries 
■  sometimes  with  advantage)  without  studying  the 
English  side  of  the  question.    We  are  not  artists 
in  the  way  the  French  are,  nor  are  we  quite  so 
commercial    as    our    American    cousins,    but    I 
think   we  hold   our   own   in   the   culture  of   our 
flowers.      Take   an    Englishman   cultivating   his 
Chrysanthemums.     His  almost  sole  ambition  is 
for  a  fight  on  the  exhibition  boards,  where  he  can 
contest  every  point.    Generally  speaking,  he  does 
not  care  a  straw  for  the  artistic  side,  and  thinks 
it  very  hard,  after  cultivating  his  flower  for  365 
days   and    then   watching   every   floret    develop, 
when   those  who  cannot  understand  him   make 
vexatious  and  impracticable  rules  to  prevent  him 
exhibiting.     There    are    several    aspects    of    this 
vexed  question  :— (1)  The  boards  that  have  been 
commonly   used   may   not   be   large   enough   for 
present-day  flowers,  but  there  is  no  reason  why 
larger  ones  should  not  be  employed  even  without 
altering  the  carrying  boxes,  as  loose  boards  of  a 
larger   size    can   easily    be    carried    and    blooms 
transferred  to  them  at  the  exhibitions  by  those 
exhibitors   who   already   possess    an    outfit.     As 
an   exhibitor   and    judge,    I    am   convinced   that 
both   for    displaying   the    characteristics    of   the 
flower   and  obtaining   a  just   decision   from  the 
judges,  there  is  nothing  of  a  practicable  nature 
to   equal   the  boards.     What   have   we   in   their 
place?     Rows  of  inartistic  green  jars,   certainly 
no  improvement  on  the  boards,  even  if  well  ar- 
ranged ;  but  with  the  frequently  bad  arrangement 
on   the   part   of   the   exhibitor  himself,   and   the 
crowding  together  of  the  jars  by  the  exhibition 
officials,   the  result  is  often  more  hideous  than 
artistic.      (2)    Owing   to   the   limited   number   of 
varieties  asked  for,  these  jars  have  counteracted 


-270 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[October  12,  1907. 


the  very  object  the  public  has  contended  for,  viz. 
greater  variety  in  form  and  colour.  As  the  varie- 
ties introduced  became  improved  by  the  raisers, 
we  made  the  competition  more  severe,  demand- 
ing distinct  varieties  instead  of  duplicates.  Now 
all  the  beautiful  flowers  are  discarded,  just  for  a 
very  limited  number  of  the  largest  and  coarsest, 
and  the  encouragement  to  the  raiser  is  of  the 
most  meagre  description.  (3)  The  great  cost 
of  transporting  unwieldy  packages  at  the  risk 
of  the  blooms  receiving  damage,  and  the  neces- 
sity of  spending  more  time  than  need  be  at  the 
exhibitions,  prevents  many  cultivators  from  ex- 
hibiting, however  enthusiastic  they  may  be. 
Wherever  the  jars  have  been  introduced  to  re- 
place the  boards,  the  competition  has 
dwindled  to  small  proportions  and  the  interest 
has  waned  accordingly.  Where  are  the  thou- 
sands of  amateurs  and  gardeners  who  used  to 
crowd  round  the  exhibits,  taking  note  of  every 
bloom  with  keen  enthusiasm,  and  adding  their 
names  as  members  of  the  society?  Although 
showing  has  certainly  received  a  set-back,  if  the 
boards  are  re-introduced  and  the  old  conditions 
revived,  the  finances  of  societies  will  improve 
and  artistic  interest  in  the  Chrysanthemum  will 
spread  more  widely.    Norman  Davis,  Framfield. 


SOCIETIES. 


ROYAL   HORTICULTURAL. 
Scientific  Committee. 

October  1. — Present:  Mr  E.  A.  Bowles,  M.A., 
F.L.S.  (in  the  chair),  Prof.  J.  B.  Farmer,  F.R.S., 
Rev.  W.  Wilks,  M.A.,  Dr.  M.  C.  Cooke,  Prof. 
G.  Boulger,  Messrs.  E.  M.  Holmes,  J.  W.  Odell, 
A.  W.  Sutton,  W.  C.  Worsdell,  J  T.  Bennett-Poe, 
H.  T.  Giissow,  G  S.  Saunders,  A.  Worslev,  G. 
Massee,  J.  Douglas,  and  F.  J.  Chittenden  (hon. 
sec  ). 

Diseased  Plants- — Mr.  Gossow  reported  that  the 
diseased  Sweet  Peas  shown  at  the  last  meeting 
were  attacked  by  a  fungus,  but  there  was  no  fruit 
present,  so  the  fungus  could  not  be  determined. 
He  also  reported  that  the  leaves  of  Clerodendron 
trichotomum  had  been  attacked  by  Botrytiscinerea, 
and  the  Blackberry  leaves  by  Phyllosticta  rubi. 

Uncommon  Fungi. — Mr.  Odell  showed  specimens 
oT  Ithyphallus  caninus,  a  fungus  belonging  to  the 
T'halloideae,  appearing  somewhat  erratically.  The 
specimens  were  collected  in  Middlesex.  Mr. 
Saunders  showed  a  specimen  of  Tuber  aestivum, 
one  of  the  Truffles. 

Bulbils  on  Stem  of  Lilium  candidum. —Mr.  Saun- 
de".s  showed  one  of  two  similar  plants  of  Lilium 
candidum  grown  in  a  garden  at  Tunbridge  Wells. 
One  of  the  plants  had  been  growing  in  rather  a 
damp  border,  and  had  not  been  moved  for  a  long 
time,  the  other  was  in  a  very  dry  position,  and  was 
moved  two  years  ago.  One  plant  bore  three,  the 
other  four  spikes,  each  beset  with  small  bulbils  in 
every  leaf  axil.  The  foliage  was  similar  to  that  of 
other  plants  of  L.  candidum  growing  near  by.  It 
was  suggested  that  possibly  injury  to  the  apex  of 
the  stem  had  caused  the  formation  of  these  bulbils. 

"  Wheat-ear  "  Dianthus. — Mr.  Bowles  showed, 
from  Rev.  Canon  EUacombe's  garden,  an  inflor- 
escence of  a  Dianthus  raised  from  seed  gathered 
from  Dianthus  superbus.  but  the  plant  was  evi- 
dently a  hybrid,  being  very  dissimilar  from  that 
species.  No  normal  flowers  had  been  produced, 
but  the  bracts  had  been  repeated  again  and  again 
in  the  manner  seen  in  the  "  Wheat-ear"  Carnation, 
and  at  times  also  in  the  Sweet  William. 

Calycanthus  Fruits. — Mr.  Chittenden  showed 
fruits  of  Calycanthus  lsevigatus  from  the  R.H.S. 
gardens,  Wisley. 

Bud  on  Cotyledon  —  Mr.  Chittenden  also  showed 
a  seedling  of  Bryophyllum  sp.  having  a  small 
shoot  bearing  two  leaves  growing  from  the  petiole 
of  one  of  the  Cotyledons  and  another  in  the  notch 
of  the  apex  of  the  same  Cotyledon,  being  produced 
in  much  the  same  way  as  buds  are  in  the  angles  of 
the  crenations  of  the  ordinary  leaves. 


NATIONAL  POTATO. 
EXHIBITION  AT  WYE  COLLEGE. 
October  2. — The  importance  of  the  Potato  as 
a  garden  or  field  crop  cannot  be  overestimated, 
and  any  organisation  which  seeks  to  improve 
methods  of  cultivation,  and  to  promote  the  rais- 
ing   of     useful     varieties,    should     deserve     the 


encouragement,  not  only  of  specialists,  but  of 
horticulturists  generally.  Concentration  of 
efforts  upon  a  particular  object  must,  under 
judicious  direction,  produce  results  of  a  satis- 
factory character,  and  in  this  way  every  well- 
managed  special  society  has  contributed  some- 
thing to  the  advance  of  gardening.  A  great 
work  was  taken  in  hand  by  the  National  Potato 
Society,  which  was  founded  some  four  years  ago 
upon  a  broad  and  reasonable  basis.  Not  only 
were  the  usual  competitive  shows  to  be  pro- 
vided, but  a  carefully-devised  scheme  for  county 
and  other  trials  of  new  and  old  varieties  was 
included  within  the  scope  of  the  Society.  It 
was  rightly  thought  that  by  this  means  the  par- 
tial demonstrations  of  Potato  merits  afforded  by 
exhibitions  alone  would  be  supplemented  by 
practical  information  relating  to  cropping, 
disease-resisting  properties,  &c,  derived  from 
independent  and  reliable  testimony-.  The  latter 
part  of  the  work  has  been  performed  in  a  satis- 
factory manner  generally,  but,  in  the  case  of 
Burgoyne's  Farm  at  Impington,  attached  to  the 
University  of  Cambridge,  it  has  developed  into 
elaborate  experiments  of  the  greatest  possible 
value,  as  can  be  seen  from  the  records  in  the 
guide  recently  issued  by  the  Cambridge  Depart- 
ment of  Agriculture 

The  exhibition  side  of  the  Society's  work, 
however,  developed  in  undue  proportion  to  the 
other  part,  probably  against  the  wishes  and  in- 
tentions of  the  promoters.  Trade  interests  of  a 
conflicting  nature  became  involved,  and  "the 
boom"  seemed  likely  to  be  followed  by  an 
equally  injurious  collapse.  It  appeared  at  one 
time  that  the  show  of  1906  would  be  the  last 
held  by  the  Society,  and  that  all  the  good  work 
of  the  preceding  years  would  be  lost.  At  this 
critical  juncture  Mr.  Walter  P.  Wright,  who 
was  practically  the  founder  of  the  organisation, 
came  to  the  rescue,  and,  on  the  strength  of  his 
representations,  the  Governors  and  Principal  of 
the  South-Eastern  Agricultural  College  at  Wye 
decided  to  offer  a  site  for  the  1907  show,  free  of 
all  expense,  to  the  National  Potato  Society. 
This  welcome  aid  was  promptly  acknowledged 
and  accepted,  and  horticulturists  will  hopefully 
look  to  the  departure  as  a  forward  step  to  a  long 
period  of  successful  and  useful  work.  At  the  meet- 
ing in  the  afternoon  the  Principal  of  the  Wye 
College,  M.  J.  R.  Dunstan,  Esq.,  very  properly 
emphasised  the  necessity  for  the  due  recognition 
of  the  fact  that  such  societies  should  not  exist 
for  the  provision  of  shows  alone  ;  there  is  much 
instructional  work  to  be  done  of  importance 
alike  to  growlers  and  the  public.  The  rigid  ex- 
amination of  novelties,  the  exclusion  of  those 
with  new  names  only  to  their  credit,  the  reduc- 
tion of  the  numerous  varieties  already  in  com- 
merce to  the  chief  types,  greater  care  and  more 
general  adoption  of  methods  of  combating 
diseases,  and  many  other  matters  all  demand 
attention.  Much  of  this  can  be  accomplished 
without  any  severe  demand  upon  the  resources 
of  the  Society,  but  there  is  no  question  that  sup- 
port will  be  forthcoming  as  the  results  of  the 
efforts  are  published  in  the  annual  record  of 
the  trials,  shows,  and  discussions. 

The  gymnasium  at  the  Wye  College  was  de- 
voted to  the  exhibits  of  Potatos  entered  for  the 
National  Society's  prizes,  and  though  the  compe- 
tition was  not  very  keen,  as  compared  with  some 
previous  years,  yet  the  uniformity  of  quality  was 
remarkable,  and  the  whole  were  up  to  a  high 
exhibition  standard.  If  large  size,  even  shape, 
and  spotless  skins  were  all  that  are  essential  to 
perfection  in  Potatos,  the  ideal  was  fully  attained 
in  the  leading  collections  at  Wye ;  but  how  far 
the  winning  tubers  would  have  justified  their 
appearance,  when  cooked,  is  an  open  question. 
Still,  a  handsome  Potato  possesses  a  distinct 
and  undoubted  value,  and  it  is  quite  possible  to 
secure  fine  appearance  with  good  quality. 

Mr.  Bex  Ashton,  Lathom  House  Gardens, 
Ormskirk,  who  has  on  many  occasions  given 
substantial  proof  of  his  skill  as  a  Potato  grower, 
was  again  the  hero  of  the  hour.  Not  only  did  he 
succeed  in  finally  winning  the  Carter-Findlay 
Silver  Challenge  Cup,  value  £50  (being  the  third 
time  he  has  gained  the  award),  but  the  Llewelyn 
Challenge  Cup  was  also  secured  for  the  second 
time,  and  another  win  would  make  him  the 
owner  of  that  as  well.  These  honours  were  ad- 
judged to  a  collection  of  12  varieties,  nine  tubers 
of  each,  selected  from  a  list  of  20  sorts  sent  out 
by  the  donors  of  the  first-named  challenge  cup, 
and  those  represented  were  as  follow  : — Royalty, 


a  handsome,  long,  even-shaped,  white  tuber, 
which  was  awarded  a  Silver  Medal  as  the  best 
white  Potato  in  the  show,  Empress  Queen, 
Monarch,  Million-maker,  Klondyke,  Advancer, 
Eldorado,  Empire,  Goodfellow,  Snowball,  Ruby 
Queen,  and  Evergood,  all  being  of  exceptional 
merit.  M.  T.  G.  Crampton,  Gate  House, 
Sissinghurst,  and  Mr.  G.  R.  Steward,  Loseley 
Park,  Guildford,  were  the  only  other  prize- 
takers  in  the  same  class,  in  the  order  named, 
and  both  had  praiseworthy  samples,  the  former 
having  the  only  first-class  dish  of  Northern  Star 
we  observed  in  the  show. 

Five  collections  of  nine  varieties  provided  a 
good  display,  Mr.  A.  Woodgate,  Capel  Manor 
Gardens,  Horsmonden,  leading  with  good  tubers 
of  medium  size :  Recorder,  Duke  of  York, 
Duchess  of  Norfolk,  Radium,  British  Queen, 
Factor,  Sensation,  Windsor  Castle,  and  Main- 
crop;  followed  by  Mr.  G.  Johnson,  Vicarage 
Lodge,  Yalding.  The  well-proved  Potatos  Factor 
and  British  Queen  were  very  prominent  in  this 
class,  and  were  good  examples  of  the  varieties, 
which  include  both  exhibition  characters  and 
real  cultural  value. 

The  competition  between  societies  affiliated 
to  the  National  Potato  Society  was  one  of  the 
most  interesting  in  the  show.  The  conditions 
were  easy,  as  only  six  varieties  were  required, 
four  white  and  two  coloured,  and  a  wide  range 
was  thus  open  to  select  from,  as  no  other  restric- 
tions were  imposed.  The  Saltwood  Society, 
llythe,  won  chief  honours,  showing  well-selected, 
even  examples  of  King  Edward  VII.  and  the 
Dean  as  the  two  coloured  varieties — a  handsome, 
and  distinct  pair ;  the  others  being  Duchess  of 
Cornwall,  Up-to-Date,  Factor,  and  Britannia — 
all  in  first-class  order.  The  Sittingbourne 
and  Milton  Society  had  an  almost  equally 
notable  exhibit.  The  Green  Street  District 
Gardeners'  Society  and  the  Eccles  Cottage 
Garden  Society,  Maidstone,  were  also  prize- 
takers,  and  some  of  the  remainder  were  highly 
commended.  In  addition  to  the  varieties  men- 
ti  med,  the  following  were  noted  as  of  special 
merit,  namely  :  Purple  Frefection,  Scottish  Tri- 
umph, Table  Talk,  Eastern  Star,  Lord  Raglan, 
Victorious,  and  Queen  of  the  Veldt  ;  but  Factor 
and  Up-to-Date  were  noticeable  in  the  majority 
of  the  collections,  indicating  that  they  had 
passed  the  trials  of  the  season  exceptionally  well. 

Flavour  in  Potatos  is  an  important  property, 

t ften  overlooked  in  competitions  ;  but  a  class 

was  provided  at  Wye,  in  which  two  prizes  were 
presented  by  Mr.  R.  Sydenham,  of  Birmingham, 
for  six  varieties  to  include  at  least  three  of  the 
half-dozen  named  in  the  schedule,  viz.,  Factor, 
Duchess  of  Cornwall,  Royal  Kidney,  Windsor 
Castle,  Sir  John  Llewelyn,  and  Snowdrop.  Must 
of  the  exhibitors  seemed,  however,  to  be  afraid 
In  venture  outside  this  list,  and  it  might  be 
advisable  on  another  occasion  to  name  a  larger 
number  from  which  selections  could  be  made. 
Mr.  W.  Coleman,  Buckingham,  won  1st  honours 
wuh  an  excellent  exhibit,  comprising  the  six 
varieties  already  named.  Mr.  A.  Lawson, 
Annfield,  Kingskettle,  N.B.,  was  a  close  2nd, 
his  collection  including  a  dish  of  remarkably 
handsome  tubers  of  King  Edward  VII.,  for 
which  a  Silver  Medal  was  awarded  as  the  best 
dish  of  coloured  Potatos  in  the  show.  Further 
encouragement  might  be  given  to  this  depart- 
ment of  the  exhibition,  especially  by  providing 
other  classes,  and  so  allowing  the  competitors 
more  latitude.  The  cooking  tests  should  also  be 
repeated   whenever   practicable. 

Three  prizes  were  offered  in  each  of  26  classes 
for  single  dishes  of  different  varieties,  and  this 
is  always  an  interesting  section,  as  it  affords  an 
opportunity  of  testing  the  relative  popularity  of 
the  newer  Potatos,  or  their  behaviour  in  any 
particular  season.  On  this  occasion,  however, 
the  competition  was  too  restricted  to  afford  con- 
clusive evidence,  as  in  more  than  half  the 
classes  the  entries  did  not  exceed  five.  Up-to- 
Date  was  far  ahead  with  14  exhibits,  followed 
by  Sensation  with  11,  Factor  and  Duchess  of 
Cornwall  with  9  each,  King  Edward  VII.  and 
Superlative  with  8  each,  Snowdrop,  Nobleman, 
and  Excelsior  with  7  each.  The  most  successful 
competitors  were  Messrs.  W.  Coleman  (who 
secured  seven  1st  prizes),  A.  Lawson,  Ben. 
Ashton,  A.  Basils,  Weybridge  ;  A.  Woodgate, 
T.  King,  Chippenham;  G.  Scourfield,  Neath; 
W.  1'iper,  Ipswich;  G.  H.  Quint,  Tring  ;  F.  G. 
Crampton,  and  J.  Williamson,  Mallow,  Ire- 
land. 


Octobek  12,   1907. 


THE     GARDENERS     CHRONICLE. 


271 


Special  prizes  were  offered  by  Messrs.  Webb  & 
Son,  Wordsley,  for  four  dishes  of  their  new 
varieties,  and  these  were  won  by  Mr.  Ben. 
Ashton,  who  was  1st  with  excellent,  even,  and 
handsome  tubers  of  Chieftain,  Colonist,  New 
Umpire,  and  New  Guardian  ;  followed  very 
closely  by  Mr.  A.  Basile,  who  showed  Pro- 
gress, Stourbridge  Glory,  Chieftain,  and  Em- 
pire. Classes  of  this  kind  are  much  more 
interesting  and  instructive  when  not  restricted 
to  a  few  special  varieties. 

The  handsome  Potatos  Highlander,  Noble- 
man, and  Excelsior,  were  provided  for  in  the 
single  dish  classes  where  there  was  a  total  of 
17  exhibits ;  but  Mr.  Wm.  Deal,  Brooklands, 
Kelvedon,  Essex,  also  offered  three  special 
prizes  for  them,  which  were  accorded  to  Mr.  T. 
King,  Mr.  Ridgewell,  and  Mr.  Crampton  in 
that  order.  A  question  was  asked  whether  there 
was  more  than  one  variety  under  the  name  of 
Highlander,  and  an  opinion  was  expressed  that 
in  a  certain  district  Highlander  No.  2  was 
superior  to  No.  1.  Presumably  they  both  came 
from  Mr.  Deal,  and  probably  he  can  explain 
the  matter  before  any  confusion  arises. 

Non-competing  exhibits  from  the  great  Potato- 
growing  and  selling  firms  have  usually  formed 
such  an  imposing  feature  that  their  absence  on 
this  occasion  was  the  more  conspicuous  ;  per- 
haps the  distance  from  London  was  the  deter- 
rent, and  when  a  more  central  position  is 
secured  they  wiil  return.  Mr.  James  Gardiner, 
Perth,  N.B.,  alone  sent  in  a  collection,  which, 
however,  included  a  number  of  new  varieties  in 
favour  with  growers. 

In  reference  to  the  Potato  Show,  it  only 
remains  to  be  said  that  the  duties  of  secretary 
were  admirably  performed  by  Mr.  YY.  11. 
Adsett,  whose  methodical  arrangement  of  the 
exhibits  was  satisfactory.  The  prompt  announce- 
ment of  the  judges'  awards,  with  the  courtesy 
extended  to  all  officials  and  visitors,  gained 
full  and  deserved  commendation. 

Collections  of  Vegetables. 

A  Kent  County  vegetable  competition  was 
organised  by  Mr.  W.  P.  Wright,  to  be  held  in 
the  Wye  College  on  the  same  day  as  the  Potato 
Show,  special  prizes  being  secured  from  five 
firms  of  nurserymen  and  seedsmen.  The  same 
regulation  applied  in  each  of  the  five  classes, 
namely,  six  distinct  kinds  of  vegetables  were 
required.  All  gardening  societies  in  Kent  were 
eligible  to  compete,  either  collectively  or  through 
individual  members,  but  the  seeds  had  to  be 
obtained  from  the  firm  in  whose  class  the  vege- 
tables were  entered.  It  was  an  excellent  idea,  and 
the  result  amply  justified  the  experiment,  for  the 
high  quality  of  the  vegetables  is  rarely  equalled 
at  county  shows.  Besides  the  many  prizes,  a 
County  Championship  Award  was  offered  for 
the  best  exhibit,  and  this  honour  was  ultimately 
adjudged  to  the  1st  prize  collection  from  the 
Sittingbourne  Gardeners'  Association,  in  the 
class  provided  by  Mr.  John  Charlton,  The 
Pantiles,  Tunbridge  Wells.  A  cup  and  cash 
prizes  were  offered  by  Messrs.  Harrison  &  Sons, 
High  Street,  Maidstone,  and  the  chief  award 
was  won  by  the  Wye  Cottage  Gardeners' 
Society  with  a  model  collection  of  admirably 
grown  and  well  staged  vegetab'es.  Messrs.  G. 
&  A.  Clark,  Ltd.,  Dover,  T.  Tutt  &-  Sons,  Ash- 
ford,  and  F.  Webber,  Tonbridge,  also  contri- 
buted prizes  which  brought  some  attractive  and 
excellent  collections. 

The  Potato  and  vegetable  competitions  weie 
accommodated  in  the  College  buildings,  but  a 
tent  was  required  for  the  exhibits  in  the  classes 
provided  by  the  local  agricultural  society,  where 
fruits  and  vegetables  were  included,  though  the 
main  features  were  capital  displays  of  eggs, 
honey,  and  dead  poultry.  Besides  these  various 
attractions  an  interesting  collection  of  Apples 
grown  in  the  College  gardens  was  staged  by  Mr. 
Deadman  in  one  of  the  laboratories.  Some  of 
the  most  useful  varieties  in  cultivation  were 
represented  by  excellent  fruits  from  dwarf  trees. 

Lecture  on  Potato  Diseases. 
The  officials  at  Wye  are  energetic,  enter- 
prising, and  distinctly  up-to-date,  one  result  of 
these  valuable  qualities  being  that  on  the  occa- 
sion of  the  National  Potato  Society's  show  it 
was  also  arranged  a  lecture  should  be  given  on 
Potato  diseases,  to  be  followed  by  discussion. 
The  judging  was  not,  however,  completed  in 
time  to  allow  this  plan  to  be  carried  out  as  at 


first  intended,  but  though  late  a  large  audience 
ultimately  gathered  in  the  lecture  hall.  The 
principal  of  the  college,  M.  J.  R.  Dunstan,  Esq., 
presided,  and  after  a  few  introductory  remarks 
by  the  chairman  of  the  National  Potato  Society 
(Mr.  W.  P.  Wright),  Mr.  Dunstan  gave  a  brief 
but  important  address,  indicating  the  direction 
in  which  the  society  might  perform  increasingly 
useful  service  in  the  future  by  developing  the 
educational  and  scientific  sections  of  its  work. 
The  lecture  on  Potato  diseases  by  Mr.  E.  S. 
Salmon,  E.L.S.,  followed,  and  dealt  principally 
with  the  common  scab  and  the  black  scab.  The 
former  is  now  determined  to  be  due  to  the  fungus 
Oospora  scabies,  for  many  years  a  troublesome 
pest  in  some  soils  and  districts  ;  but  the  other 
is  of  recent  introduction,  and  is  believed  to  be 
confined  as  yet  to  a  few  localities.  The  name 
given  to  the  black  scab  fungus  is  Chrysophlyctis 
endobiotica,  and  the  disease  is  regarded  as  of  a 
very  serious  character,  since  it  cannot  be 
checked  by  the  means  adopted  against  other 
diseases.  This  and  the  other  pests  were  clearly 
illustrated  by  lantern  slides,  and  methods  of 
preparing  Bordeaux  mixture  were  also  explained 
and  illustrated  in  a  similarly  lucid  and  interest- 
ing manner.  A  few  questions  were  asked,  but 
there  was  no  time  for  a  full  discussion. 
Correspond!  at. 


iDbttuarj). 


Charles  Davies. — We  regret  to  announce  the 
death,  <m  the  20th  ult.,  of  Mr.  Charles  Davies, 
.it  Wells,  Somerset.  Mr.  Davies  was  for  man) 
years  gardener  to  Lady  Howard  de  Walden  at 
the  Mote  Park,  Maidstone,  and  afterwards  to  the 
Baroness  Adolphe  de  Rothschild,  at  Pregney, 
iH.ii  Geneva  In  1890  he  was  awarded  the  Wor- 
shipful Company  of  Fruiterers'  Silver-Gilt  Medal 
for  50  dishes  of  Apples  and  Pears  at  the  Guild- 
hall Show.  In  1889  he  won  the  Silver-Gilt  Paul;, 
sian  Medal  awarded  by  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Si  iciety. 

Dr.  Edward  A.  Heath.  —  The  Times.  Oi 
October  10,  contains  the  announcement  of  the 
death  of  Dr.  E.  A.  Heath,  of  Khun-  Street, 
S.W.,  and  Shoreham,  Kent,  at  the  age  of  68 
years.  Dr.  Heath  was  a  Fellow  of  the  Linnean 
Society,  and  had  studied  botany  and  entomology. 


VARIORUM. 


DISTURBING  THE  PEACE  OX  SUNDAY. 
Herr  Griibel,  the  owner  of  a  vineyard  at 
Maxdorf,  in  Germany,  was  recently  charged, 
with  one  of  his  workmen,  before  the  justices 
with  having  syringed  or  sprayed  his  vines  in  the 
vineyard  on  a  Sunday,  and  fined  1  mark,  or  in 
default  one  day's  imprisonment.  Griibel's  excuse 
was  that  the  spraying  was  a  pressing  necessity 
that  could  not  be  deferred,  not  even  on  a  Sunday, 
as  the  Peronospora  infestans  was  no  respecter 
of  Sunday  tranquillity.  With  this  view  of  the 
matter,  the  Bench  did  not  agree.  The  vineyard 
owner  carried  his  case  to  the  Sheriff's  Court, 
which  reversed  the  verdict,  holding  that  the 
spraying  was  not  in  the  nature  of  Sunday  work, 
and  its  non-performance  would  have  caused 
great  injury  and  loss  to  occur. 


GARDENING     APPOINTMENTS. 


Mr.  P.  Meyer,  as  Landscape  Gardener  to  Messrs.  R.  Veiich 
&  Sons,  Exeter. 
'r.  F.  E.  Hogbin,  for  the  past  6  years  Gardener  to  E. 
Greev,  Esq.,  King's  Heath  House,  Birmingham,  as 
Gardener  to  C.  E.  Jeffcock,  Esq.,  Wales  Manor,  nr. 
Sheffield.     (Thanks  for  contribution  to  R.G.O.F.  Box.) 

Mr.  W.  Cook,  for  71  years  Foreman  at  Silverlands,  Chertsey, 
as  Gardener  to  Sir  Philip  Waterlow,  Bart.,  Trosley 
Towers,  Wrotham,  Kent. 

Mr.  C.  Hart,  for  the  past  11  years  at  Underwoods,  Etching- 
ham,  as  Gardener  to  Miss  Tate  and  Miss  Tanner, 
Caldecote  Towers,  Bushey  Heath,  Herts. 

Mr.  Thos.  Harris,  for  the  past  8J  years  Gardener  to  A.  H 
Harman,  Esq.,  Lower  Grayswood,  Haslemere,  as 
Gardener  to  Barclay  Day,  Esq.,  Dene  End  Gardens, 
Haslemere. 

Mr.  C.  Oakford,  for  the  last  5  years  Gardener  to  Col.  Boyd, 
Crofton  House,  Titchfield,  Hants.,  as  Gardener  to  Lady 
Brownlow,  Wartield  Hall,  Bracknell,  Berks, 

Mr.  H.  Williams,  for  10  years  Gardener  to  E.  B. 
Beaichamp,  Esq.,  Trevinoe,  Redruth,  as  Gardener  to 
Alfred  Lanyon,  Esq.,  Tolvean,  Redruth,  Cornwall. 

Mr.  F.  L.  Pike,  for  the  past  7  years  General  Foreman  at 
Escot,  Ottery  St.  .Mary,  Devon,  as  Gardener  to  H.  W. 
Henderson,  Esq.,  Serge  Hill,  Kings  Langlev,  Herts. 


to 

Lorrejpondenfa 


•  .  *  The  Editor  will  be  glad  to  receive,  /or  considera- 
tion, large  photographs  of  horticultural  subjects,  suitable 
for  forming  Supplementary  Illustrations  to  this  Journal. 


Agreement:  Servant.  If  you  signed  an  agreement 
that  a  month's  notice  should  be  given  before 
relinquishing  the  duties  of  the  situation,  we  think 
you  are  bound  by  its  terms.  It  is  not  a  general 
practice  for  gardeners  to  have  properly  drawn 
up  agreements  when  taking  fresh  situations,  but 
we  think  it  would  be  to  their  advantage  if  the 
custom  could  be  instituted. 

Application  for  Employment  in  Kew  Gardens  : 
H.  B.  All  the  journeymen  in  these  gardens  ars 
classed  as  young  gardeners,  and  all  receive  a 
uniform  rate  of  wages,  viz  :  21s.  per  week.  Appli- 
cations for  employment  should  be  addressed  lo 
the  Curator,  Royal  Botanic  Gardens,  Kew.  In 
the  case  of  Hampton  Court  Gardens,  you  should 
apply  to  the  Superintendent.  Vacancies  in  the 
staffs  of  the  gardens  mentioned  are  not  filled  by 
advertisement  ;  a  list  of  young  men  who  have 
applied  for  admission  is  kept,  and  from  this, 
likely  candidates  are  selected  as  vacancies  occur. 

Cabbage  Butterflies:  Arden.  Hand-picking  is 
one  of  the  surest  means  of  destroying  the  cater- 
pillars. Cleanliness  in  cultivation  and  proper 
trenching  of  the  ground,  rotation  of  crops,  and 
dustings  of  gas-lime,  soot,  unslaked  lime,  etc., 
over  the  surface  of  the  ground,  are  all  helpful 
means  of  keeping  caterpillars  of  all  kinds  in 
check.  Chrysalids  may  be  looked  for  in  almost 
every  kind  of  situation  that  is  capable  of  afford- 
ing them  shelter,  and  many  may  be  thus  de- 
stroyed. Among  other  remedies  which  have 
been  advised  are  the  watering  of  the  plants  with 
weak  brine- water  or  lime-water,  and  sprinkling 
the  plants  with  very  small  quantities  of  fine  salt. 

Canker  on  Apple  Shoot  :  A'.  &■  B.  The  disease 
on  the  branch  is  canker,  caused  by  a  fungus — 
Nectria  ditissima.  The  fungus  gains  admission 
to  the  tree  through  a  wound  in  the  bark,  and 
this  may  be  caused  by  a  blow,  hail,  frost,  or 
punctures  of  insects.  Young  branches  that  are 
affected  should  be  cut  out  and  burned.  Thick 
shoots  should  have  all  the  diseased  parts  cut 
away  and  thesurface  smeared  with  clay  or  gas 
tar.  Spray  the  trees  with  a  solution  of  sulphate 
of  iron — 1  lb.  to  1  gallon  of  water. 

Carnation  :  S.  E.  The  plants  are  affected  with 
the  common  black  mould  —  Heterosporium 
echinulatum.  PicK  off  and  burn  all  the  affecled 
leaves  and  syringe  the  plants  with  the  Bordeaux 
mixture.  Any  plants  which  are  very  badly 
infested  should  be  promptly  destroyed. 

Carnation  Souvenir  de  la  Malmaison  :  Amateur. 
See  the  issi.es  for  July  2,  lS'JS,  p.  3  :  March  11, 
1899,  p.  158;  and  November  4,  1   91),  p.  333. 

Celery  Plants  :  T.  H.  H.  The  Celery  spot- 
mould  or  leaf-blight  is  caused  by  the  fungus 
Cercospora  Apii.  The  best  treatment  is  to  spray 
the  plants  with  an  ammoniacal  carbonate  of 
copper  solution  when  they  are  young,  and  re- 
peat the  sprayings  occasionally  during  the  period 
of  growth.  To  prepare  this  fungicide  take  of 
copper  carLonate  10  ozs.  ;  carbonate  of  ammonia 
5  ozs  ;  and  water  1 6  gallons.  M  ix  the  carbonate 
of  copper  and  the  carbonate  of  ammonia,  and 
dissolve  it  in  about  a  quart  of  hot  water.  When 
it  is  thoroughly  dissolved,  add  16  gallons  of  cold 
water.  Spray  one  plant  first  and  note  the  result. 
Dilute  the  spray-fluid  further  if  this  appears 
necessary. 

Chrysanthemum  :  /.  P.  R.  There  is  no  fungal 
disease  in  either  set  of  leaves.  The  discoloura- 
tion is  not  uncommon,  but  there  is  nothing  in 
the  leaves  themselves  to  indicate  the  cause. 

Dividing  into  Two  Halves,  and  Planting  a 
Lean-to  House,  50  feet  x  12  feet,  with 
Vines  and  Peach  Trees  :  B.  C.  D.  Excavate 
the  soil  to  the  depth  of  2  feet  3  inches  and 
4  feet  wide  from  the  front  wall  the  entire 
length  of  both  divisions  of  the  house.  Next, 
in  order  to  provide  means  of  drainage,  place 
in  the  bottom  of  the  trench  about  6  inches  deep 


272 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[October  12,  j.907. 


of    brickbats    or    clinkers,    broken    fairly    fine 
on      the      top,      covering      this      with      thin 
turves,    grassy    side    down,     or,    with    straw 
litter     from      the     stables..       Should      stones 
be      more     easily      obtainable      than      brick- 
bats    or    clinkers,    they    would     answer     the 
purpose    of    drainage    equally    well,    putting 
sufficient  gravel  on  the  top  to  fill  in  the  spaces 
between   the  larger   stones.      A   mixture,   con- 
sisting  of   four   cartloads    of   the   best   loamy 
soil  at  command,  one  load  of  horse-droppings, 
and    one    load    of   old   lime   rubble    or    wood 
ashes,  preferably  lime  rubble,  will  be  suitable 
for  the  rooting  medium.      If   the  horse-drop- 
pings  are   not   at   hand,    short   stable  manure 
that  has  been  turned  over  several  times  in  the 
prooess    of    decomposition    should    be    substi- 
tuted.   All  the  ingredients  indicated  should  be 
mixed  together  and  turned  over  twice  before 
being  wheeled   into   the  house   and   deposited 
in  the  trench  prepared  for  their  reception,  fill- 
ing this  up  to  within  6  inches  of  the  top  in  the 
vine   section   and  9   inches   in   the   Peach-tree 
compartment.     Trenches   of  the  same   dimen- 
sions,  but  3  inches  shallower,  should  be  ex- 
cavated close  up  to  and  parallel  with  the  back 
wall  and  filled  with  the  same  kind  of  compost 
in  which  to  plant  Fig  trees  in  the  vine  division. 
Two   years   hence   the    soil   in   the    remaining 
4  feet  wide  strip  of  old  border  should  be  ex- 
cavated to  the  depth  of  2  feet  3  inches,   and 
replaced    with    the    same    kind    of    compost 
already   recommended,   making   provision    for 
drainage  as  before.     We  assume  that  you  will 
plant    standard    fan-trained    Peach    and    Nec- 
tarine trees  against  the  back  wall  of  the  Peach- 
house.       You     will     require     two     Peach     or 
Nectarine  trees  for  the  front  of  the  house,  and 
these  should  possess  clear  stems  about  3  feet 
high   before  the  branches  appear.      The  trees 
should  be  planted  6J  feet  from  each  end  of  the 
house,  and  as  close  up  to  the  front  wall  as  the 
position   of  the   hot- water   pipes   will   permit. 
The  trees  at  the  back  wall  should  be  planted 
at  the  same  distances  from  the  ends  as  recom- 
mended  for   the   front.      This   will   give  each 
tree,  whether  at  the  back  or  front,  a  clear  trel- 
lis space  of  12^  feet ;  meanwhile  Tomatos  or 
Roses    could    be    grown    on    the    unoccupied 
spaces  for  two  years.     As   to  varieties  of  the 
Peach  and  Nectarine  to  grow,  we  should  re- 
commend you  to  plant  Hale's  Early  Peach  and 
Rivers'    Early    Nectarine    in    the    front,    with 
Crimson  Galande  lor  Dymond)  and  Sea  Eagle 
at  the  back.     Plant  the  trees  as  soon  as  thev 
are   received  from  the  nursery,   spreading  the 
roots   out  evenly   over   the   soil   in    a   slightly 
downward  direction,  and  cover  them  with  the 
same  kind  of  compost  as  is  indicated  above  to 
the  depth  of  9  inches,  giving  each  tree  a  gentle 
shake  in  an  upward  direction  to  allow  of  the 
soil  getting  well  in  amongst  the  roots.     After- 
wards tread   the   soil   over  a   little  to   firm   it 
about  the  roots.     This  done,  lay  on  a  surface- 
dressing  of  horse-droppings — extending  4  feet 
from  the  trees — of  3  inches  deep,  and  then  ap- 
ply a  good  watering.  The  vinery  being  part  of 
the  50  feet  range  will  accommodate  eight  vines, 
commencing   at   2   feet    from   either   end    and 
planting  at  intervals  of  3  feet,  to  consist  of, 
say,     two    vines    of    Black     Hamburgh,     one 
Madresfield    Court,    one    Gros    Colmar,    one 
Gros  Maroc,  one  Foster's  Seedling,  one  Black 
Alicante,   and  one  Muscat  of  Alexandria,  the 
last-mentioned  vine  requiring  to  be  planted  at 
the  warmer  end  of  the  house.     Should  vi  n 
of  this  year's  growth  be  planted  early  in  the 
New  Year,  all  the  soil  should  be  shaken   i  ft, 
and  the  roots  should  be  disentangled,  shortened 
back  a  little  and  then  spread  over  the  surface 
of  the  prepared  soil  in  the  manner  advised  for 
the  Peach  trees,  covering  them  6  inches  deep 
with  the  compost,  and  afterwards  treating  them 
as   recommended   above   for   the   Peach   trees. 
You  might   plant  three   Fig  trees  against  the 
back    wall    of    the   vinery    as   you    suggest — a 
Erown    Turkey   in    the    centre,    and    a    Negro 
Largo  (or  Early  Violet),  and  White  Marseilles 
on  either  side  ;  these  last  two  varieties  may  be 
gradually  reduced  and  subsequently  removed 
altogether,  as  the  specimen  of  Brown  Turkey 
requires  more  space  to  develop.     The  Fig  trees 
should  be  planted  in  the  manner  advised  for 
Peach  trees.    With  regard  to  the  heating  of  the 
houses,  the  two  4-inch  flow  and  return  pipes 
which  you   are  fixing   round   the   house  on  a 
level  with  the  surface  of  the  border  and  brick- 
work should  suffice,  assuming  that  you  do  not 


intend  to  force  the  trees  early,  but  owing  to 
the  fact  of  your  dividing  the  house,  a  little 
alteration  and  extension  of  the  heating  power 
in  the  way  of  hot-water  pipes  will  be  neces- 
sary. It  would,  however,  be  better  to  have 
the  water  pipes  raised  6  inches  above  the  level 
of  the  border,  and  the  flow  pipe  or  pipes 
should  be  given  a  rise  of  3  or  4  inches  in  the 
entire  length  of  house — 50  feet — say  H  or  2 
inches  rise  in  each  section  from  where"  pipes 
enter  house.  Assuming  that  the  vinery  section 
is  situate  nearest  to  the  heating  apparatus,  you 
will  require  to  fix  a  T  piece  in  the  flow  pipe 
at  the  farther  end  of  the  vinery,  making  the 
connection  by  inserting  a  throttle  valve  be- 
tween the  T  piece  and  flow,  and  connecting 
the  latter  by  means  of  the  said  T  and  a  length 
of  4-inch  pipe  with  the  return  pipe  at  the  back 
of  house  3  feet  from  and  parallel  with  the 
back  wall,  in  which  connection  another  T 
piece  and  fitted  with  two  throttle  valves  will 
be  necessary.  These  fixed,  you  can  heat  your 
vinery  without  heating  the  Peach-house,  or  you 
can  heat  both  at  the  same  time.  But  while 
about  it,  we  should  advise  you  to  put  an  addi- 
tional'flow  pipe  in  the  vinery  if  not  in  both 
divisions.     The  extra  cost  would  not  be  heavy. 

Dry  Rot  :  IV.  T.  Undoubtedly  you  have  got  the 
dry  rot  (Merulius  lacrymans)  iii  its  most  luxuriant 
and  fruitful  condition.  The  myriad  of  fertile 
spores  will  prove  a  centre  of  infection.  It  is  too 
late  to  adopt  any  but  the  most  drastic  measures. 
The  woodwork  you  will  find  to  be  thoroughly 
rotten,  the  disease  being  fostered  by  moisture 
and  the  absence  of  a  current  of  air.  We  fear 
that  there  is  no  alternative  but  to  remove  all  the 
infected  woodwork  and  disinfect  with  lime 
thoroughly  before  replacing  with  fresh  wood. 
Provide  air-bricks  to  allow  air  to  circulate  under 
the  floor. 

Fig  Trees  in  Vinery  :  If.  B.  We  do  not  think 
your  Grapes  are  likely  to  suffer  from  any  such 
influence  as  you  describe  from  the  Fig  trees. 
There  are,  however,  other  reasons  why  vineries 
should  be  reserved  exclusively  for  Grape-culture, 
where  it  is  convenient  to  do  this.  The  two 
crops  require  different  treatment  at  the  same 
time,  and  Fig  trees  are  liable  to  attacks  from 
scale  insects  which  might  be  communicated  to 
the  vines. 

Fungus:  C.  B.  G.  The  fungus  is  Daedalea  con- 
fragosa. 

Hybrid  Tea  Roses  :  B.  L.  Your  list  is  a  good 
one,  but  it  by  no  means  exhausts  the  number  of 
really  good  Hybrid  Tea  varieties.  Among  others 
might  be  named  Antoine  Rivoire,  Dean  Hole, 
Griiss  an  Teplitz,  Gustav  Grunerwald,  Gustave 
Regis,  Lady  Ashtown,  La  Tosca,  Liberty, 
Madame  Jules  Grolez,  Madame  Ravary,  Prince 
de  Bulgarie  and  Yiscountess  Folkestone. 

Indentures  :  Subscriber,  Kerry.  You  are  not  likely 
to  require  a  solicitor.  It  will  first  be  necessary 
to  determine  where  the  youth  is  to  be  apprenticed , 
the  kind  of  agreement  or  indentures  that  would 
be  approved  by  both  parties  might  then  be  dis- 
cussed. In  gardening,  long  periods  of  apprentice- 
ship are  inadvisable,  it  being  better  that  the 
youth  should  move  from  place  to  place  in  search 
of  further  experience,  say  after  the  first  three 
years. 

Lilium  candidtjm:  C.  T.  The  bulbs  are  deterio- 
rating through  their  crowded  condition,  and  it 
will  therefore  be  advisable  to  lift  and  replant 
them. 

Peaches  :  Daisy.  Your  Peach  tree  having  been 
raised  from  a  seed  planted  only  five  years  ago 
has  succeeded  uncommonly  well,  if  it  has  borne 
100  good  fruits  this  season.  The  specimen  you 
sent  us  suffered  considerable  damage  in  the  post, 
and  we  were  therefore  unable  to  test  its  flavour 
under  the  best  conditions.  At  the  same  time  we 
think  the  variety  is  a  good  one.  The  fruit  was 
of  moderate  size,  had  developed  considerable 
colour,  and  possessed  a  satisfactory  degree  of 
flavour.  Its  cropping  qualities  are  certainly  of 
the  best.  If  you  still  possess  fruits  in  a  satis- 
factory condition  for  transport,  you  might  send 
half  a  dozen  to  the  meeting  of  the  Royal  Horti- 
cultural Society,  which  will  take  place  on 
Tuesday  next,  in  the  Royal  Horticultural  Hall, 
Vincent  Square.  Westminster,  and  state  that 
they  are  submitted  for  inspection  by  the  FrurJ 
and  Vegetable  Committee. 


Names  of  Flowers,  Fruits  and  Plants.— We 
are  anxious  to  oblige  correspondents  as  far  as 
we  consistently  can,  but  they  roust  bear  in 
mind  that  it  is  no  part  of  our  duty  to  our 
subscribers  to  name  either  flowers  or  fruits. 
Such  work  entails  considerable  outlay,  both  ol 
time  and  money,  and  cannot  be  allowed  to  dis- 
organise the  preparations  for  the  weekly  issue,  or  to 
encroach  upon  time  required  for  the  conduct  of  the 
paper.  Correspondents  should  never  send  more 
than  six  plants  or  fruits  at  one  time  :  they  should  be 
very  careful  to  pack  and  label  them  properly,  to  give 
every  information  as  to  the  county  the  fruits  are 
grown  in,  and  to  send  ripe,  or  nearly  ripe,  specimens 
which  show  the  character  of  the  variety.  By 
neglecting  these  precautions  correspondents  add 
greatly  to  our  labour,  and  run  the  risk  of 
delay  and  incorrect  determinations.  Correspondents 
not  answered  in  one  issue  are  requested  to 
be  so  good  as  to  consult  the  following  numbers. 
Fruits  :  H.  H.  Your  fruits  were  good  speci- 
mens, but  we  are  unable  to  name  them 
because  they  were  over-ripe  when  they  were 
received,  the  interior  of  each  being  partially 
decayed.—  IV.  D.  and  S.  1,  Golden  Spire:  2, 
Old  Nonsuch.— E.  Lewis.  l.Catillac;  2,  Beurre 
Hardy  ;  3,  Louise  Bon  of  Jersey ;  4,  Beurrt 
d'Amanlis;  5,  Beurre  Clairgeau  ;  6,  Beurre' 
Superfin.— C  R.&Co.  Reine  Claude  de  Bavay, 
Denniston's  Superb.  No  numbers  were  attached 
to  the  Plums  —  C.   Kerry.     1,    Warner's  King  ; 

2,  Stone's;  3,  Gascoyne's  Scarlet;  4,  the 
Queen  ;  5,  Forge  Apple  ;  6,  New  Hawthornden. 
— P.  U.  M.  1,  Triomphe  de  Jodoigne  ;  2,  Fon- 
dante  de  Cuerne  ;  3,  Doyenne  du  Cornice. — 
John  Maters.  The  cuttings  must  have  been  taken 
from  the  old  stock,  below  the  point  at  which  the 
Crimson  Queening  was  grafted.  The  Apple  is 
Hanwell  Souring. — Cona.  1,  Scarlet  Golden 
Pippin  ;  2  and  3,  Worcester  Pearmain.— Beurre. 

1,  Souvenir  du  Congres ;  2,  Fondante  d'Au- 
tomne  ;  3,  Brockworth  Park.— C.  F.  C  1,  Apple 
Pitmaston  Pine.—  Coleman.  Please  send  again 
when  the  fruits  are  nearly  ripe.  It  is  almost 
impossible  to  name  such  hard  green  fruits  with 
any  degree  of  accuracy.— H.  T.  H.  Pears 
Williams'  Bon  Chretien. 

Plants:  A.  R.  H.  1,  Aster  Novi  Belgii 
Candida;  2,  A.  N.  B.  aurove;  3,  A.  puniceus. 
You  should  have  given  the  approximate  height 
of  the  plant,  as  this  information  is  most  helpful 
in  determining  the  variety. — H.  B.  1,  Aster 
Novi  Anglian  praecox  ;    2,  A.  cordifolius  major  . 

3,  A.  ericoides  (probably  type)  ;  4,  A.  undulatus. 
— MissM.E.    1,  Colchicumautumnale  plenum  ; 

2,  C.  Sibthorpii  ;  3,  C.  montanum  ;  4,  C.  Alici- 
cum ;  5,  Merendera  Bulbocodium ;  6,  Crocus 
zonatus  ;  7,  Haemanthus  puniceus  ;  8,  Lobelia 
Cavanillesii.  —  W.  H.  W.  1,  Lycopodium 
clavatum  ;  2,  L.  annotinum. — A.  R.  Scabiosa 
caucasica.—  E.  C.  C.  D.  1,  Too  small  for 
identification;  2,  Sedum  spurium. — J.  McP. 
Senecio  tanguticus.—  H.D.  Cortaderiaargentea, 
Stapf,  a  male  inflorescence.  See  Gardeners' 
Chronicle,  December  4,  1897,  p.  396. 

Primula  :  H.  B.  The  species  which  most  fre- 
quently causes  irritation  and  eruption  upon  the 
skin  of  those  persons  who  have  occasion  to 
handle  the  plants  is  Primula  obconica.  See 
notes  in  the  issues  for  August  31,  p.  173,  and 
September  14,  p.  205 

Rhododendrons:  R.V.&-S.  Rhododendrons  are 
not  virulently  poisonous  to  cattle,  but  it  is  con- 
ceivable that  were  the  beasts  to  eat  greedily  of 
the  bushes  the  effects  would  be  serious.  We 
believe  that  cases  of  death  have  been  reported 
from  this  cause. 

Societies  :  Agriculturist.  The  conditions  in 
either  case  are  only  financial  ones  concerning 
entrance  fees  and  annual  subscriptions.  Write 
to  the  Secretary,  Royal  Horticultural  Society, 
Vincent  Square,  Westminster,  and  Secretary, 
Linnean  Society,  Burlington  House,  Piccadilly, 
London,  W. 

Verbena  :  /.  H.  E.  The  leaves  were  so  crushed 
when  they  reached  this  office  that  it  was  impos- 
sible to  determine  the  nature  of  the  affection. 

Communications  Received.— La  France— J.  R.  S.— H.  C— 
L.  L.  T.-B.  T.  A.— W.  I.  W.,  Ltd.— E.  D— E.  F.  C— 
J.  C.-J.  F.  S.— W.  J.M.—  J.G.  W.— Amateur—  C.  R.  F.— 
H.  E.— H.  W.  W.-Brighton-H.  W.— J.  R.  J.— H.  J.  C. 
— C.  T.  D.— C.  R.-M.  A.  P.— J.  C— A.  D.— P.  L.  H.— 
W.  H.  G.-A.  W.— C.  J.  G.— Jas.  R. — F.  Mason  -G.— 
J.  S.  S.— W.  K.— F.  Roemer-T.  H.— H.  T.  G.-W.  E.  G. 
Prof.  T.,  South  Russia. 

For  Market  and   Weather  Repir'.s  sec  page  X. 


October  19,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS     CHRONICLE. 


.273 


THE 


(!)arbcncrs(L  broniclc 

No.  1,086.— SATURDAY,  October  19,  1907. 


CONTENTS. 


Alpine  garden,  the— 
Erigeron  glaucus 
Polygonum      vaccini- 

folium  

Sedum  brevifolium 
Pottsii  

American  blight  on  the 
roots  of  Apple  trees  ... 

Amphicome  Emodi 

Anchusa    italica,  Drop- 
more  variety    

Books,  notices  of — 
British     rainfall      for 
1900 

Chrysan  t  h  e  m  u  in  S  o- 
ciety,  French  National 

Chrj  -  .i  ii  t  h  e  m  ii  ms, 
ertilisation  of-, 
hemums,      ex- 
hibiting         2b0, 

Foreign    correspond- 
ence— 

Odontoglussnm  Pes- 
catort-i  versus  O. 
nobile 

Fruit-culture  in  Canada 

Fruit-preserving  and  the 
Factory  Act     

Gladioli,    quick   growth 
of  seedling      

Gooseberry-mildew  and 
the  Red  Currant 

Hexisia  bidentata 

Ivy  killed  by  a  Poplar... 

Law  note — 
Carnage    of    produce 
by  railway... 

Lilac,  a  tine  variety  of 

Orchid  notes  and  glean- 
ings        


Market  gardening — 
Forcing      Lily-of-t  he- 
Valley  

Manure,     horse     and 
cow     

Paeon y  list,  a      

P  e  I  argoni  urns,  Ivy- 
leaved    

Plants  near  the  coast   ... 

Plants     new     or     note- 
worthy— 
Passiflora    x    Allardii 

Plums,  late  ripening 

Polystichum  aculeatum 
var.  pulcherrimum 
Drueryi 

Ppl  itos,  ttials  of         277, 

Rosary,  the — 
Rose  I'enelope 

Senecios,  two  good 

Societies — 
Manchester  and  N  i  *l  b 
of   England   Orchid 
Royal  Botanic 
Royal  Horticultural ... 

Sunshine  in  1907 

Sweet  Pea  season,  the  .. 

Union  of  Gardenei  s1 
Societies  

Vegetables- 
Pea  Goldfinder 
Bean       Scarlet      Em- 
peror   

Week's  work,  the — 

Flower  garden,  the  

Fruits  under  glass  ... 
Hardy  fruit  garden  ... 
Kitchen  garden,  the 
Orchid  houses,  the  ... 
Parks  and  gardens  ... 
Plants  under  glass    ... 


276 


2S^ 

2*1 


276 
287 


274 
273 


•27:1 
285 


277 
283 


•>f, 
286 
284 
275 
274 

283 

278 

278 

•JTs 
279 
■j:< 
279 
278 
279 
278 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Amphicome  Emodi       276 

Anchusa  italica  "  Dropmore  variety  "         282 

Polystichum  aculeatum  var  pulcherrimum  Drueryi     .  .  274 
Syringa  Josika?a  eximia  (Supplementary  Illustration) 


LATE    RIPENING    PLUMS. 


?' 


i'LUMS,  indeed,"  may  be  remarked  b) 
some  cultivators,  "  I  shall  cut  down 
many  of  my  trees,  for  pecks  of  fruit 
have  been  wasted  this  year!"  Undoubted!) 
this  is  the  case,  but  the  fault  probably  lies  in 
having  planted  early  and  mid-season  kinds 
selected  for  their  good  cropping  qualitie-, 
and  in  neglecting  to  plant  varieties  which 
ripen  late  in  autumn.  The  crops  to  be  ob- 
tained from  a  well-selected  score  of  the  best 
varieties  of  Plums  are  always  valuable  to 
■every  owner  of  a  garden,  but  so  plentiful  are 
the  choice  mid-season  sorts  that  a  great  num- 
ber of  cultivators  never  extend  their  selection 
beyond  them.  It  is  not  because  there  is  any 
further  difficulty  in  cultivating  the  later 
kinds,  for  if  grown  against  walls  almost  any 
aspect  will  suit  these,  and  they  may  be  suc- 
cessfully fruited  if  they  are  kept  in  check  by 
biennial  root-lifting  or  pruning. 

A  collection  of  Plums  growing  against  a 
wall  ioo  yards  long  in  these  gardens  is 
extremely  valuable  for  dessert  purposes,  most 
of  the  trees  being  of  late  ripening  varieties. 
Peaches     Nectarines    and    Figs    being    past, 


the  latest  Plums  meet  with  every  apprecia- 
tion, notwithstanding  over  abundance  of  the 
earlier  supplies.  Few  there  are  who  do 
not  relish  well-ripened  fruits  of  the  many 
kinds  of  Gages.  Apart  from  the  indispensable 
Greengage,  there  is  Golden  Drop,  now  carry- 
ing a  very  good  crop  and  facing  due  north. 
Many  people  believe  this  variety  must  be 
given  the  best  position  in  the  garden,  but  it 
is  not  so.  The  fruits  obtained  from  a  tree 
growing  in  a  sunny  aspect  are,  no  doubt, 
better  in  quality  than  those  that  may  be 
ripened  on  a  wall  facing  to  the  north,  but 
for  the  best  latest  ripening  Plums  a 
western  aspect  is  sufficiently  good.  From  a 
wall  having  such  an  aspect  the  variety 
Angelina  Burdett  has  just  finished  bearing, 
and  a  good  succession  of  fruit  is  now  obtain- 
able from  Golden  Transparent.  It  onlv  re- 
quires a  little  dry  weather  in  order  to  ensure 
the  development  of  that  rich  flavour  and 
beautiful  golden  colour  SO  characteristic  of 
this  variety.  These  lines  are  written  on 
October  ioth,  and  it  is  possible  that  by  the 
time  they  are  published  the  fruits  will  have 
been  gathered,  likewise  those  of  the  variety 
Bryanston  Gage,  which  are  both  rich  and 
juicy,  being  very  much  after  the  style  of 
Greengage,  but  much  larger  in  si/e.  This 
variety  is  first-rate  when  cultivated  against  a 
wall.  Before  choosing  the  sorts  for  planting 
every  cultivator  should  determine  the  objeel 
he  has  in  view,  and  in  the  instance  I  have 
mentioned  the  quality  of  good  flavour  was 
primarily  studied.  Of  the  three  or  four 
Transparent  Gages  I  believe  the  late  ripen- 
ing variety  is  the  best,  but  they  all  possess 
such  a  vigorous  habit  of  growth  that  they 
require  to  be  frequently  checked  by  root- 
pruning,  especially  if  the  wall  is  not  a  high 
one.  There  is  a  difference  of  three  weeks  in 
the  ripening  period  between  the  original 
Gage  and  Early  Transparent  Gage,  but  the 
former  is  better  than  the  latter  in  point  of 
flavour. 

An  extra  large  fruiting  variety  of  Green- 
gage is  that  known  as  Reine  Claude  de 
Bavay.  I  have  reason  to  expect  that  in 
another  week  or  ten  days  this  variety  will  be 
fit  for  the  table,  but  it  may  be  necessary  to 
put  the  fruits  for  a  short  time  into  a 
heated  atmosphere  to  ripen  them  perfectly. 
These  fruits,  like  most  of  the  Gages,  can  be 
kept  for  some  time  in  good  condition  if 
wrapped  in  silver  paper.  Our  crop  of  Count 
Althann's  Gage  is  over.  The  fruits  of  this 
variety  are  of  an  attractive  appearance  and 
possess  high  merit  ;  a  recently-planted  tree  of 
Bonne  Bouche  is  carrying  a  satisfactory  crop 
of  large  fruits,  which  appear  to  be  capable 
of  keeping  for  some  time.  Decaisne,  al- 
though not  a  Gage  Plum,  is  well  worth 
growing.  The  fruits  are  of  large  size  and 
are  oval  in  shape,  being  greenish  yellow  in 
colour,  very  handsome,  and  possessing 
delicious  flavour.  Of  purple  Plums  Reine 
Claude  Yiolette  upholds  its  reputation  as  a 
good  late-ripening  variety,  the  qualities  of 
which  are  mort  apparent  when  the  fruits  are 
allowed  to  hang  until  the  skins  begin  to 
shrivel ;  the  flesh  is  then  rich  and  sugary  and 
of  a  delicious  flavour.  It  is  curious  that 
some  kinds  drop  so  readily  from  the  shoots 
when  approaching  maturity,  and  others 
adhere  to  the  tree  until  decomposition  sets  in. 
Ickworth  Imperatrice  is  an  October  fruit,  of 


good  flavour  and  dark  colour;  it  is  much 
improved  if  allowed  to  hang  and  shrivel, 
although  the  quantity  of  the  juice  is  con- 
siderably diminished  by  this  treatment.  The 
saccharine  matter  increases,  which  shows 
that  although  the  season  is  late  when  these 
varieties  ripen,  and  therefore  not  so  con- 
ducive to  the  development  of  good  flavour, 
there  is  a  chemical  action  which  transforms 
these  juices  into  saccharine  matter  very 
much  as  is  found  to  be  the  case  in  cider 
Apples  which,  if  left  to  thoroughly  mature, 
not  only  make  a  superior-flavoured  liquid, 
bul  are  much  denser  in  sugar  matter. 

I  must  not  omit  to  mention  Brahy's  Green- 
gage, which  is  generally  at  its  best  from  the 
end  of  September  until  the  second  week  in 
I  '  ber.  It  is  a  very  fine  late  Plum  of  large 
size,  and  suitable  for  exhibition.  It  is  not  a 
verj  sure  cropper,  but  the  fruits  it  is  capable 
ol  yielding  well  compensate  the  cultivator  for 
his  labour. 

II  is  a  pit)  Coe's  Fate  Red  has  not  the  same 
superior  qualities  as  Golden  Drop,  it  would 
then  give  lis  what  is  much  required,  namely, 
a  good,  late  ripening,  red  dessert  fruit.  Not- 
withstanding  the   many   kinds   now  in   com- 

.  there  is  still  room  for  the  hybridist  to 

produce  a  high-flavoured  fruit  of  that  colour. 
Ii  is  to  be  regretted  that  the  large  handsome 
late-rip<  ning  variety  Autumn  Bi  auty  is  not  of 
better  quality,  for  it  can  only  be  properly 
described  as  a  culinary  Plum.  W.  II.  Clarke, 
Aston  Rowani  Gardens,  Oxon. 


POLYSTICHUM    ACT  LEATUM 
VAR.  PULCHERRIMUM  DRUERYI. 

The  two  chief  native  species  of  Shield  Fern 
'  ilystichum— P.  angulare,  the  soft  Shield 
Fern,  and  P.  aculeatum,  the  hard  Shield  Fern- 
have  been  most  prodigal  in  producing  sports  of 
great  diversity,  and  spores  from  these  have  fur- 
nished plants  of  even  greater  diversity  by 
selection,  so  that  no  further  advance  in  this 
direction  appeared  possible — at  any  rate,  as 
regards  types.  The  variety  under  notice  (see  fig. 
113),  and  which  was  awarded  a  First  Class  Cer- 
tificate by  the  R.H.S.  Floral  Committee  on  Octo- 
ber 1,  affords,  however,  another  variation  of 
much  beauty.  This  has  sprung  from  a  plant  found 
wild  many  years  ago  in  Dorsetshire.  Dr.  Wills, 
resident  near  Chard,  was  an  enthusiastic  Fern 
hunter,  and  he  supplemented  his  own  finds  by 
many  discoveries  of  his  even  more  fortunate 
neighbour,  Mr.  Moly,  whose  list  embraced  no 
fewer  than  600  varieties.  Dr.  Wills  had  natu- 
rally assumed  that  he  had  exhausted,  at  least, 
the  immediate  vicinity  of  his  house,  but  he  was 
astonished  and  delighted  one  day  by  a  farm 
labourer  who  brought  him  a  Fern  gathered  in  a 
hedge  in  the  vicinity.  This  proved  a  form  of 
P.  aculeatum  of  peculiarly  graceful  form,  and 
which  was  consequently  named  P.  a.  pulcherri- 
mum (Beavis),  that  being  the  finder's  name. 
Although  a  singularly  robust  grower,  and  of  a 
larger  size  than  the  normal,  it  remained  per- 
fectly barren  for  many  years,  though,  fortunately 
for  other  Fern  lovers,  it  proved  fairly  liberal  in 
offsets,  and  consequently  in  time  the  variety  was 
contained  in  most  collections  of  note.  An  off- 
set from  the  late  Mr.  G.  B.  Wollaston's  plant 
came  into  my  possession  some  25  years  ago,  and 
a  division  of  this  plant  was  given  to  a  neighbour, 
Mr.  C.  B.  Green,  and  under  his  care  this  throve 
to  such  an  extent  as  in  a  couple  of  years  to  quite 
eclipse  my  own  plant  in  size.  It  occurred  to 
Dr.  Stansfield  and  myself,  on  visiting  Mr. 
Green's  collection,  to  examine  the  fronds  of  his 
specimen    for  spores,  and  to  our    delijht,  with  the 


274 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[October  19,  1907. 


aid  of  a  lens,  minute  sori,  consisting  of  two  or 
three  sporangia  or  spore  capsules,  were  detected. 
These  spores   were  sown,   and    in    time  a   con- 
siderable batch  of  young   plants   appeared,    but 
it  was  not  until  these  had  been  pricked  out  and 
grown  to  some  size,  that  several  very  promising, 
slenderly-divided  plants  were  observed,  both  in 
Mr.    Green's   batch   and  in   my   own.     As  these 
progressed   it   became   evident   that   a   new   and 
beautiful  "  break  "  had  occurred.     The  bulk  of 
the    remaining    plants    promise     to     be     fairly 
replicas    of   the   parental    type,    and   some   half 
dozen   or   more   have    reverted    almost    to    the 
normal.     Those  of  the  new  type  number  fully  a 
score,   and  only  one   intermediate   form   has   so 
far  been  detected.     There  is  a  certain  amount  of 
subvariation  among  the  sports,   and  one  of  my 
own  plants  has  exceptionally  graceful  pinnules, 
so  that  it  has  been  named  P.  ac.  pulcherrimum 
Drueryi,    thus   retaining    an    indication    of   the 
parentage.     The  peculiarity  of  this   section  lies 
in  the  extreme  slenderness  and  length  of  the  sub- 
divisions  of  the  fronds,   the  falcate  pinnule   of 
the  parent,  about  j  inch  in  length  and  J  inch  in 
width,    being    transformed    into    a    quite    linear 
one   2   inches    or   more   in   length,    and   prettily 
serrate    near    the    tip,    this  serration   in   P.   ac. 
pulcherrimum  Drueryi  developing  into  a  further 
series    of   linear     pinnulets     forming   a    sort   of 
fringe.       The   parental   form  is    of  erect   habit, 
but   the   new  type   has   spreading,   almost   pen- 
dulous fronds,  so  that  a  difference  exists  which 
renders    it    difficult   for  any   but   the   raisers   to 
credit  the  parentage.     Whether  the  new  type  will 
be  fertile  remains  to  be  seen  ;  the  plants  presum- 
ably have  by  no   means   reached   maturity,   but 
they  are  of  a  type  which  might  be  expected  to 
produce    basal    bulbils,    and    one    has    already 
appeared     on   a   rather    distinct    plant    of     Mr. 
Green's   raising,   in   which   the   make   and   habit 
differ     markedly     from     the    rest.     Besides    the 
plant   certificated,    I   have  nine  plants   which    I 
propose    to     name     P.     ac.     gracillimum.       Dr. 
Stansfield   has   informed   me   that   a   number   of 
years  ago  sori  were  noticed  on  P.  ac.  pulcherri- 
mum,  but  nothing  resulted  from  a  sowing,  and 
this  season  he  has  observed  others  on  a  plant  in 
his  possession  ;  they  are,  however,  always  more 
or   less   rudimentary,    but    in    the    case    which 
has  yielded   the  results  recorded,  the  sporangia 
were     quite     perfect,     though     few.     Chas.    T. 
Dnii)  v. 


NEW    OR   NOTEWORTHY 
PLANTS. 


PASSIFLORA    x    ALLARDII. 

This  is  a  hybrid  between  P.  quadrangularis  9 
and  P.  ccerulea  Constance  Elliot,  raised  not  long 
since  by  Mr.  E.  J.  Allard,  when  foreman  of  the 
plant  houses  of  the  Botanic  Garden,  Cambridge. 
It  is  chiefly  remarkable  for  the  small  evidence  it 
affords  of  the  mother  parent,  but  there  is  still 
enough  to  show  that  there  can  be  no  mistake  in 
the  record.  The  petals  are  almost  pure  white,  but 
with  just  a  pink  tinge,  while  the  filaments  of  the 
corona  -are  of  deepest  cobalt-blue,  showing  the 
white  marks  or  bars  below,  both  conspicuous 
features  derived  from  P.  quadrangularis.  Although 
the  foliage  is  totally  unlike  that  of  P.  quadrangu- 
laris, and  might  pass  much  more  readily  for  some 
condition  of  P.  coerulea,  it  is  still  quite  distinct. 
The  leaf  has  usually  three  broad  lobes,  and  has 
never  the  numerous,  narrow  divisions  usual  in  P. 
ccerulea. 

It  may  be  remembered  that  the  well-known 
Passiflora  Imperatrice  Eugene  was  obtained  from 
a  similar  cross.  In  this  cross  the  typical  P. 
ccerulea  was  used,  and  it  is  interesting  to  observe 
the  differences  obtained  by  crossing  with  the 
variety  Constance  Elliot.  The  corolla  is  much 
whiter  and  the  corona  much  darker,  so  that  in 
coloration  these  parts  of  the  flower  are  in  stronger 
contrast.     R.  Irwin  Lyich. 


THE  SWEET  PEA  SEASON. 
Notwithstanding  the  many  difficulties  with 
which,  during  the  past  season,  all  cultivators  of 
Sweet  Peas  have  had  to  contend,  the  plants 
have  seldom  grown  better  or  flowered  more 
luxuriantly  than  they  have  done  this  year. 
In  many  large  Scottish  gardens  which  I  have 
visited  recently,  and  especially  in  those  of  the 
Earl  of  Stair  at  Lochinch  and  Castle  Kennedy, 
in  this  county,  they  have  reached  a 
truly  marvellous  height.  In  my  own  somewhat 
shady   garden    such    superb    varieties    as     King 


Horace  J.  Wright,  of  exquisite  deep  violet  hu. 
Both  of  these,  notwithstanding  their  strict  at 
herence  to  the  production  of  only  two  flowe, 
on  each  stem,  I  admire  very  much.  Shasta  an 
Helen  Pierce,  sent  to  me  all  the  way  from  the 
native  California  by  the  distinguished  raiser,  M 
Lester  Morse,  have  also  succeeded  admirably  i 
my  garden  though  I  cannot  doubt  that  the 
flowers  would  have  been  considerably  larger  ha 
I  been  able  to  give  them  a  more  open  and  sunn 
situation.  Frequent  manuring,  however,  ha 
helped  them  considerably  ;  during  the  autumn; 
months  it  has  also  not  seldom  given  a  manife- 


^vrv?<M^cr/N, 


FlG.    113. — POLYSTICHUM    ACULF.ATLM    VAR.    PULCHERRIMUM 


DRUEKVr. 


Edward  VII.,  Dorothy  Eckford  (assuredly  the 
largest  and  loveliest  of  all  pure  white  Sweet 
Peas),  Countess  Spencer,  and  Queen  Alexandra 
have  been  magnificent,  alike  in  size,  colour,  and 
texture,  as  by  reason  of  their  splendid  charac- 
teristics they  must  always  be,  when  so  highly 
favoured  as  they  were  during  the  month  of 
September,  with  benignant  atmospheric  influ- 
ences. Several  varieties  of  quite  recent  in- 
troduction have  also  been  very  beautiful  here, 
conspicuous  among  which  were  F.arl  Cromer, 
of    very    distinctive    crimson-lake    colour,    and " 


stimulus  to  much  older  and  more  reliable  varie- 
ties. I  find,  for  example,  that  such  periodical 
applications  tend  to  intensify  both  the  size 
and  colour  of  such  grand  introductions  as 
King  Edward  VII.,  Queen  Alexandra,  and  the 
now  almost  entirely  superseded  Scarlet  ('.em 
Of  the  variety  last  mentioned,  so  great!  • 
gised  on  its  first  appearance,  a  precious  varie 
tion — if  such  it  may  be  termed — has  come  to  ui 
from  the  Santa  Clara  Nurseries  in  California 
and  it  is  warranted  not  to  "  burn  "  'it  the 
strongest  sun.     If  it  does  not  "burn  "  it  will  b. 


October  19,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


'i-> 


much  valued  by  those  numerous  cultivators  who 
have  hitherto  regarded  this  regrettable  tendency 
:m  the  part  of  the  far-famed  Scarlet  Gem  as  a 
serious  drawback.  But  it  is  also  a  flower  of  but 
limited  dimensions  at  the  best,  and  unlike  most 
jf  its  highly-coloured  contemporaries  it  does  not 
attain  to  a  commanding  height.  The  variety 
Queen  Alexandra  is  a  much  more  vigorous 
production,  and  one  that  I  think  is  likely 
:o  endure.  I  have  been  much  gratified  by  the 
achievements  of  my  own  beautiful  namesake  this 
season  in  this  and  other  gardens,  also  by  its 
orominence,  of  which  I  have  heard  much,  at 
ihe  Holland  House  and  other  Metropolitan 
shows.  It  is  especially  effective,  I  find,  when 
,TO\vn  between  such  varieties  as  Sadie  Burpee 
and  the  Scarlet  Gem. 

One  of  the  most  attractive  of  the  pure  white 
pweet  Teas,  and  probably  the  most  recent  of  any 
ponsequence,  is  Nora  Unwin,  which  has  the  ex- 
quisitely waved  or  crenulated  form  of  Countess 
[Spencer,  a  variety  which  has  given  us  many  at- 
tractive derivatives.  Some  cultivators  predict 
I hat  this  will,  ere  long,  supersede  Dorothy  1  •  k- 
"ord,  but  I  question  if  it  will  ever  prove  suffi- 
ciently vigorous  or  floriferous  to  achieve  such  a 
esult.  I  find  there  is  a  considerable  difference 
jf  opinion  regarding  the  merits  of  Henry  Eck- 
ord — I  mean,  of  'course,  the  orange-coloured 
lower  which  bears  that  name.  For  my  own 
iart,  I  think  that  in  what  may  be  termed  artistic 
-ituations — where  it  has  a  strongly  contrasted 
•nvironment — it  is  undoubtedly  most  effective. 
Urs.  Collier  is  an  exquisite  pale  prinn 
joloured  Dorothy  Eckford,  and  E.  J.  Castle, 
vhose  supposed  resemblance  to  another  variety 
if  similar  extraction  has  been  too  much  empha- 
sised, while  florally  effusive  in  no  common  de- 
cree, possesses  a  charming  colour  combination 
pf  salmon  and  rose.  David  R.  Williamson, 
Manse  of  Kirkmaiden,  Wigtownshire,  Scotland. 


FOREIGN    CORRESPONDENCE. 


ODONTOGLOSSUM    PESCATOREI.   Linden, 
O.  NOBILE,   Reichb.  f. 

Of  late  years  a  tendency  seems  to  have  sprung 
ip  on  the  part  of  certain  writers  to  replace  the 
lame  of  Odontoglossum  Pescatorei,  Linden,  by 
hat  of  O.  nobile.  Rchb.  f.  It  is,  however,  beyond 
question  that  the  first  of  the  above-mentioned 
specific  names  is  the  one  which  ought  to  be 
etamed.  The  following  quotation  from  Pescalorea 
18G0) .  of  which  the  younger  Reichenbach  was  a 
listinguished  contributor,  supports  -this  view  : 
'  The  original  description  of  this  species  was  given 
)y  Reichenbach  fil.,  in  Limned,  xxii.,  p.  850  (1849). 
'3ut  under  the  name  Odontoglossum  nobile  the 
.vord  '  callis,'  by  a  typographical  error,  appeared  in 
alace  of  '  cavinis  '  [sic].  Further,  the  labellum  is 
said  to  be  purple,  and  the  rest  of  the  floral  whorls 
;-ose-coIoured  ."  On  this  account  Dr.  Lindlev  was 
jnable  to  recognise  with  certainty  the  identity  of 
D.  Pescatorei,  Linden,  and  O.  nobile,  Reichb.  f. 
The  latter  author,  however,  has  since  then 
.lefinitely  stated  that  the  same  plant  is  designated 
jy  the  two  names,  and  he  has  generously  abandoned 
.he  right  of  priority  and  adopted  the  specific  name 
Pescatorei,  under  which  the  plant  is  now  generally 
inown.  Moreover,  whenever  Reichenbach  has 
lad  occasion  to  describe  a  new  variety  of  O. 
Pescatorei  he  has  always  used  this  name  (e.g., 
0.  Pescatorei  Leucoxanthum,  Gardeners'  Chronicle, 
18S7,  p.  60G ;  O.  Pescatorei  Scbroderianum, 
hardeners'  Magazine,  1892,  p.  135,  and  other 
examples  could  be  cited). 

1  Having  regard  to  the  above  facts,  there  can 
"emain  no  doubt  as  to  O.  Pescatorei  being  the 
name  which  should  be  retained  for  this  species. 

Perhaps  this  short  note,  by  correcting  some 
Errors  of  citation  or  description  that  have  recently 
appeared,  may  serve  to  conduce  to  the  more 
orecise  naming  of  Orchids.      L.  Li' den. 

[To  acknowledge  the  right  of  an  author  to  with- 
draw a  prior  name  on  relative'v  slight  grounds  is 
Ml  in  accordance  with  modern  usage.  —  Ed 


THE  ALPINE    GARDEN. 

SEDUM  BREVTFOLIUM  POTTSII. 
The  smaller  Sedoms  are  valuable  for  man}' 
purposes  in  the  garden,  and  are  especially  de- 
sirable in  the  rock-garden,  where  they  can  be 
employed  for  covering  dry  rocks,  on  which  few 
other  plants  will  grow,  or  as  a  carpet  for  dwarf, 
early-flowering  bulbous-  subjects.  One  of  the 
prettiest  of  these  dwarf  species  is  Sedum  brevi- 
folium,  a  charming  little  Stonecrop  not  more 
than  an  inch  or  two  in  height,  even  when  its 
white  flowers  are  expanded,  and  having  thick, 
short  leaves  that  are  charmingly  tinted  with 
white  and  chocolate.  Still  prettier  is  its  variety 
S.  brevifolium  Pottsii,  which  was,  I  believe, 
introduced  from  the  Continent  by  the  late  Mr. 
Potts,  Fettes  Mount.  Lasswade,  Edinburgh. 
This  variety  is  smaller  in  all  its  parts  than  the 
type.  The  leaves,  which  have  a  white,  mealy 
appearance,  are  in  parts  pleasingly  tinted 
with  shades  of  red  and  brown.  Owing  to  its 
being  so  dwarf,  the  plant  is  especially  valuable 
as  a  carpet  or  ground-work  for  taller  subjects. 
Unfortunately,  it  has  proved  somewhat  tender 
in  some  parts  of  the  country,  especially  in 
those  which  are  subjected  to  a  heavy  winter 
rainfall  combined  with  a  low  temperature.  A 
dry  soil  and  a  sunny  position  should  be  given 
this   beautiful   little   Stonecrop. 

POLYGONUM   VACCINIFOLIUM. 

Under  ordinary  conditions  this  Knotweed, 
which  has  been  described  by  an  authority  as 
"  one  of  the  most  useful  plants  in  cultivation 
for  rockwork,"  is  easily  grown,  but  in  some 
gardens  it  is  found  almost  impossible  to  culti- 
vate it  successfully.  Few  plants  in  the  rock 
garden  are  more  pleasing  than  this  Whortle- 
leaved  Knotweed  from  the  Himalayas,  with  its 
prostrate  habit,  its  neat,  glossy  leaves,  and  its 
long  spikes  of  pretty  rose  flowers.  A  well- 
grown  specimen  hanging  over  a  stone  or  small 
rock  has  an  extremely  pretty  appearance.  The 
growths,  which  are  of  a  woody  nature,  are  often 
destroyed  by  late  frosts.  This  is  particularly 
the  case  in  the  north,  where  there  are  few  gar- 
dens in  which  this  beautiful  Knotweed  is  to 
be   seen. 

In  my  garden  I  find  it  succeeds  in  a  cool  and 
partially  shaded  position,  in  a  soil  that  is  well- 
drained,  although  the  plant  requires  plenty  of 
moisture  and  perfect  shelter  from  cold,  cutting 
winds.  I  have  a  plant  of  this  species  that  has 
been  grown  in  the  same  spot  without  disturb- 
ance for  two  years.  It  is  planted  close  to  the 
base  of  a  rockery  that  faces  almost  due  east, 
and  protection  from  north  winds  is  provided  by 
a  high  wall  about  6  feet  away,  and  from  the 
east  by  one  about  20  feet  distant.  Another 
specimen  planted  on  an  open  rockery  succumbed 
in  the  spring. 

ERIGEROX     GLAUCUS. 

Although  frequently  listed  in  hardy  plant 
catalogues,  this  species  is  not  often  met  with 
in  gardens,  and  this  is  the  more  difficult  to 
understand,  as  there  are  many  flowers  of  less 
beauty  and  more  troublesome  of  cultivation 
that  are  largely  planted.  Many  of  the  newer 
Krigerons,  or  Fleabanes,  are  much  inferior  as 
a  garden  plant  to  this  once  well-known  species. 
There  is  in  my  garden  a  plant  which  I  have  had 
for  at  least  15  or  16  years,  and  which,  after 
being  for  some  13  or  14  years  in  my  former  gar- 
den, was  removed  to  my  present  one,  where  it 
is  now  thriving. 

Erigeron  glaucus  grows  from  6  inches  to  a 
foot  high,  and  produces  a  number  of  rather 
large,  purple-coloured  flowers  well  above  its 
glaucous  leaves.  It  is  not  very  particular  in  the 
matter  of  situation,  and  will  flower  in  a  spot 
facing  north  with  apparently  almost  equal 
freedom  to  a  plant  in  one  facing  south.  The 
species  is  a  native  of  Western  North  America, 
whence  it  was  introduced  as  far  back   as   1812, 


Propagation  can  be  effected  by  seeds,  di\ 
and  cuttings. 

A  variety  of  E.  glaucus,  named  semjerflorens. 
ra  mentioned  in  the  list  of  new  garden  plants  of 
the  years  1905,  in  the  Appendix  to  the  Kew 
Bulletin  of  1906.  This  is  said  to  be  "a 
dwarf,  floriferous  variety,"  and  to  come  from 
California.  It  is  described  in  the  Revue  llorti- 
cole  from  the  garden  of  M.  Ph.  de  Vilmorin, 
Verrieres,  France.  S.  Arnott,  Sunnymead,  Dum- 
fries. 

THE    SUNLESS    SEASON. 

The  Rothamsted  Agricultural  Station's 
meteorological  records  show  that  the  season  of 
1907  has  been  exceptionally  sunless  and  cold. 
The  bright  sunshine  for  the  nine  months, 
January  to  September  inclusive,  amounted  to 
1,356  hours,  being  43V  hours  less  than  the  aver- 
age record  at  this  station.  The  four  months  of 
January,  February,  March,  and  September,  each 
gave  an  excess  of  sunshine,  while  each  of  the 
other  five  months,  April  to  August  inclusive,  re- 
corded  a  deficiency.  These  months  included 
the  more  active  growing  period  of  the  year,  with 
the  blooming  fruiting  and  maturing  time  of 
most  of  the  fruit  crops. 

The  total  rainfall  at  Rothamsted  for  the  nine 
months  amounted  to  16.68  inches,  being  3.4:2 
inches  less  than  the  average  for  the  past  5  I 
in  this  neighbourhood,  which  is  equivalent  to  a 
deficiency  of  345  tons  of  water  on  each  acre  of 
land.  The  three  months  of  April  May  and  June 
each  gave  an  excess  of  rainfall  compared  with 
the  average,  while  the  other  six  months  each 
recorded  a  deficiency  of  moisture. 

The  mean  shade  temperature  showed  four 
months  above  average  and  five  months  below 
the  average  in  warmth. 

LTnder  these  weather  conditions  we  find  that 
while  Cherry  trees  and  most  stone  fruits,  includ- 
ing the  Wild  Sloe,  as  a  rule,  produced  abund- 
ance of  blossom,  but  very  little  of  it  "  set"  ; 
consequently  in  this  district  there  was  a  great 
deficiency  of  matured  fruit  of  these  kinds. 

Strawberries  responded  to  ihe  abundant  rains 
of  April  May  and  June,  and  a  good  average 
quantity  of  fruit  was  produced,  but  the  sunless 
condition  of  the  usual  ripening  period  almost 
proved  disastrous ;  a  spell  of  warmth,  however, 
quickly  brought  the  crop  forward,  although  the 
fruit  lacked  colour  and  flavour. 

Apples  of  most  varieties  are  an  abundant  crop 
as  far  as  numbers  of  fruit  £.re  concerned  ;  in 
fact  many  trees  are  greatly  overladen  with  fruit, 
although  almost  without  exception  the  Apples 
are  extremely  small  and  flavourless.  Even  Cox's 
Orange  Pippin  and  the  Beauty  of  Bath  this  year 
fail  to  sustain  their  reputation  for  quality  and 
richness   of  juice. 

It  would  appear  that  while  the  moist,  calm 
weather  enabled  the  blossoms  to  "  set  "  for  fruit, 
the  excessive  cold  nights  chilled  the  sap  as  it 
ascended  to  the  growing  parts  of  the  trees,  with 
the  result  that  the  foliage  in  many  instances 
curled  up  and  became  blighted.  The  writer 
saw  some  Apple  trees  which  were  exposed  to 
chilling  north-easterly  winds  with  their  leaves 
in  a  condition  as  if  they  had  been  scorched  by 
a  fire,  and  with  the  branches  heavily  laden 
with  poor  shivelled-up  fruit,  while  Apple  trees 
on  either  side  of  them  that  were  protected  from 
the  cold  by  a  high  brick  wall  were  yielding  verv 
fair  sized  fruit,  and  none  of  the  leaves  were 
curled   or   blighted. 

The  lack  of  bright  sunshine  in  the  daytime 
appeared  to  result  in  a  deficient  assimilation  of 
carbon  from  ihe  atmosphere  by  the  leaves  of  the 
Apple  trees ;  consequently  there  was  a  corre- 
sponding want  of  development  of  the  carbo- 
hydrates in  the  fruit,  hence  the  small  size  and 
poor  flavour. 

Blackberries  on  the  hedges  promised  a  fair 
crop,  but  the  fruit  is  ripening  very  badly  ;  the 
berries  are  small  and  tasteless. 

Hedge  Nuts  and  Filberts  are  a  scanty  crop  in 
this  district.     /.  /.  Willis,  Harpenden. 


276 


THE     GARD  ENER  S'      CHR  0  NI CL  E. 


[October  19,  1907. 


IVY-LEAVED     PELARGONIUMS. 

Of  the  numerous  tender  subjects  that  are 
employed  in  the  embellishment  of  our  gardens 
and  greenhouses,  few  if  any  are  more  in  evidence 
than  the  different  varieties  of  the  double-flowered 
Ivy-leaved  Pelargonium.  Under  glass  they  may 
be  grown  as  bushes  of  varying  sizes  ;  those  of  a 
drooping  habit  form  del'g':tful  subjects  for  plant- 
ing in  hanging  baskets,  while  the  more  vigorous 
growing  kinds  are  suitable  for  training  up  pil- 
lars, walls,  or  similar  positions  in  the  green- 
house. 

Large  specimens  are  extensively  used  out-of- 
doors  for  planting  in  the  large  mixed  flower-beds 
that  are  now  frequently  met  with  in  public 
parks  and  gardens,  or  for  plunging  in  the  grass. 
As  simple  bedding  plants,  many  of  the  varieties 
are  suited  for  ordinary  summer  use,  and  they 
are  largely  used  for  furnishing  window-boxes, 
draping  of  balconies,  &c. 

The  present  type  of  Ivy-leaved  Pelargonium  is 
a  comparatively  recent  one :  the  first  of  the  class 
was  the  variety  Konig  Albert,  raised  by  Hen- 
Oscar  Liebmann,  of  Dresden.  It  was  distributed 
in  this  country  in  1875  by  the  late  Mr.  William 
Bull,  of  Chelsea,  and  although  the  price  of  each 
plant  was  15s.,  it  sold  readily.  In  colour  the 
flowers  of  Konig  Albert  were  a  bright  violet- 
pink.  Though  several  new  varieties  were  dis- 
tributed within  the  next  few  years,  they  were  all 
too  much  alike,  and  it  was  not  until  1880  that 
the  first  decided  "break"  appeared.  This  was 
seen  in  Gloire  d'Orleans,  a  variety  with  rose-red 
blossoms.  It  was  raised  by  M.  Crousse,  who 
the  following  year  distributed  another  variety 
named  after  Madame  Crousse,  characterised  by 
a  loose,  trailing  habit,  with  salmon-pink  flowers. 
This  is  still  one  of  the  most  popular  of  all  Ivy- 
leaved  Pelargoniums  grown  for  market  pur- 
poses, and  probably  the  only  other  varieties 
cultivated  equally  extensively  are  Souvenir  de 
Charles  Turner,  sent  out  by  the  late  Mr.  Robert 
Owen,  of  Maidenhead,  and  Galilee,  raised  by 
M.  Lemoine,  of  Nancy,  and  put  into  commerce 
m    1887. 

After  Madame  Crousse  a  large  number  of 
varieties  were  raised  on  the  Continent,  some  of 
which  are  still  favourites.  Judging  by  the  stiff 
habit  of  growth  and  the  round  shape  of  the 
flowers  of  many  Ivy-leaved  Pelargoniums,  they 
contain  an  admixture  of  the  Zonal  type,  in  some 
cases  perhaps  to  a  very  small  amount.  This 
circumstance  will  account  for  the  bright  colours 
of  many  of  their  flowers. 

Instances  of  direct  crosses  between  the  mem- 
bers of  these  two  sections  of  Pelargoniums  are 
to  be  found  in  Achievement,  a  variety  having 
cherry-pink  coloured  flowers,  and  one  exten- 
sively cultivated  for  bedding  and  market  pur- 
poses ;  Alliance,  with  blush  coloured  flowers  ; 
and  Chingford  Rose,  with  rosy-pink  blossoms. 
Several  English  cultivators  appear  to  have  raised 
varieties  having  a  similar  parentage  as  that  of 
Alliance,  and  some  of  them  were  exhibited  at 
the  recent  Holland  Park  Show. 

The  list  of  varieties  of  Ivy-leaved  Pelar- 
goniums in  cultivation  is  an  extensive  one,  and 
it  is  a  difficult  matter  to  make  a  selection,  par- 
ticularly as  many  are  alike.  The  following  with 
their  colours  are  distinct,  and  amongst  the  best : 
Beauty  of  Castle  Hill,  soft  rose  ;  Colonel  Baden- 
Powell,  blush  lilac  ;  Corden's  Glory,  scarlet ; 
Galilee,  rich  rose-pink ;  Giroflee,  magenta- 
purple  ;  Hector  Giacomelli,  pink,  feathered  with 
crimson  ;  Lamartine,  orange-scarlet ;  Leopard, 
lilac-pink,  and  blotched  with  crimson  ;  Murillo, 
violet-crimson  ;  Princess  Victoria,  pale  lilac  ; 
Resplendent,  crimson  shaded  with  magenta  (the 
flowers  are  very  large)  ;  Ryecroft  Surprise,  pink  ; 
Sabrina,  scarlet ;  Souvenir  de  Charles  Turner, 
reddish-pink ;  The  Queen,  salmon-red.  The 
purest  of  the  white  flowered  varieties  with  which 
I  am  acquainted  is  Merimee,  a  novelty  sent  out 
by  M.  Lemoine  some  years  ago  ;  it  is  but  little 
known.  The  petals  are  almost  white,  with  dark 
featherings  just  at  their  bases.     W . 


AMPHICOME  EMODI. 
This  Bignonaceous  plant  (see  fig.  114)  grows 
at  high  elevations  in  India.  It  was  introduced 
to  British  gardens  in  1852,  and  in  the  most 
sheltered  positions  in  favoured  localities  it  will 
succeed  out-of-doors.  Generally,  however,  the 
species  is  treated  as  a  greenhouse  plant,  and  it 
is  very  ornamental  when  cultivated  in  pots. 
The  plants  grow  about  \\  feet  high,  the  flower- 
ing stems  producing  rose-coloured  flowers  with 
a  slight  suffusion  of  orange.  When  the  species 
was  exhibited  by  Messrs.  Jas.  Veitch  and  Sons 
before  the  Floral  Committee  of  the  Royal  Hor- 
ticultural Society  on  June  25  last  it  was 
granted  an  Award  of  Merit.  The  specimen 
shown  in  the  illustration  is  18  months  old  from 
the    seed. 


amongst  them  if  the  returns  are  to  show  a  profit. 
I  am  strongly  of  opinion  that  far  more  care  and. 
conscientiousness  should  be  exercised  by  those 
persons  who  sell  the  crowns  wholesale.  If  the 
flower  is  not  present  in  the  crown,  no  system  of 
forcing  can  produce  it,  and  growers  and  packer.; 
should  be  very  careful  to  include  only  such 
crowns  as  from  experience  they  can  recognise  as 
flowering  crowns.  I  can  generally  select  the 
crowns  that  will  give  good  sprays  of  bloom. 
with  stiff  long  stems.  These  I  plant  first,  and 
the  thinner  and  weaker  crowns  later  by  them- 
selves ;  the  contrast  between  the  two  grades 
is  great.  Some  few  years  ago  my  practice  was 
to  force  Lily  of  the  Valley  quickly  at  a  high 
temperature,  but  I  now  grow  them  slowly  in  a 
moderate  degree  of  warmth,  for  L  find  the  results 


[rhotograph  by  C.  P.  Rafftlt. 
FlG.    114- — AMPHICOME    EMODI  :    FLOWERS    ROSE-COLOURED,    MARKED    WITH    ORANGE. 


MARKET  GARDENING. 


FORCING  LILY   OF  THE  VALLEY. 

The  first  point  of  importance  in  the  forcing 
■of  Lily  of  the  Valley  is  the  quality  of  the  crowns. 
When  one  orders  a  weekly  consignment  of,  say, 
2,500  of  retarded  crowns  and  pays  full  value  for 
them,  some  little  anxiety  is  felt  as  to  the  condi- 
tion of  the  crowns  when  received,  and  also  how 
many  of  second  and  even  of  third  grade  will  be 
found  amongst  them.  Retarded  crowns  of  Lily 
of  the  Valley  are  very  expensive,  and  their  high 
price  does  not    admit    of    any  inferior    crowns 


are  much  better  with  less- heat,  the  blooms  being 
finer,  the  foliage  darker  and  more  robust,  the 
stems  stiffer,  longer,  and  more  erect.  The 
crowns  are  placed  in  the  forcing  case,  which  is 
an  enclosed  cupboard  under  the  staging.  The 
cases  are  provided  with  evaporating  pans,  and 
have  flow  and  return  4-inch  pipes  passing 
through  them.  The  plants  are  kept  in  this  dark 
cupboard  until  the  flower-spikes  appear  well 
through  the  crowns,  with  a  stem  2  to  8  inches 
long.  At  this  stage  the  doors  are  opened  during 
the  night-time,  but  they  are  closed  again  in  the 
morning.  Damping  or  watering  is  afforded 
according  to  the  condition  of  the  pots-  or  boxes. 


October  19,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


277 


in  the  matter  of  moisture.  The  flowers  and  the 
foliage  under  this  treatment  grow  in  strength 
and  colour  daily,  and  when  the  blooms  are 
almost  expanded  the  plants  are  removed  from 
the  cases  and  placed  under  lights  on  the  stage 
above.  The  lights  are  opened  slightly  and  the 
plants  are  shaded  from  bright  sun-light.  (Growth 
quickly  develops,  and  long-stemmed  well-de- 
veloped flowers  are  harvested  from  the  best 
crowns,  with  foliage  that  can  withstand  the  cold 
atmosphere  in  florists'  shops,  &c.  I  have  often 
seen  Lily  of  the  Valley  flowers  droop  and  fade 
quickly  when  exposed  for  sale  through  being 
forced  too  hard  and  without  being  afterwards 
gradually  inured  to  a  colder  atmosphere. 
Another  point  in  favour  of  a  moderate  degree  of 
heat  in  forcing  this  flower  lies  in  the  fact  that 
less  water  is  needed,  for  excessive  waterings  ren- 
der the  stems,  foliage,  and  flowers  soft  and 
short-lived.  Lily  of  the  Valley  flowers  are  always 
more  or  less  expensive  when  out  of  season,  and 
the  short  life  engendered  through  hard  forcing 
causes  their  sale  to  be  greatly  diminished.  The 
carriage  of  a  case  of  2,500  crowns  from  London 
to  the  Midlands  costs  7s.  4d.,  but  the  same 
number  is  conveyed  from  Hamburg  for  5s.  5d., 
the  weight  of  both  cases  being  the  same  within 
a  few  pounds.  This  seems  to  me  another  strik- 
ing illustration  of  how  our  railway  officials 
hamper  British  trade  by  their  strangely  varying 
and  apparently  very  unfair  charges.  The  home 
grower  is  sufficiently  handicapped  by  alien  im- 
portations and  competition,  without  receiving 
a  further  check  from  excessive  railway  charges. 
Birmingham. 


POTATO     TRIALS. 

If  Potato  experiments  are  to  be  of  much  value 
they  must  be  carried  on  for  several  years  and 
the  seed  tubers  of  the  different  varieties  planted 
must  all  be  grown  under  the  same  conditions. 
These  are  the  lines  on  which  the  Edinburgh  and 
East  of  Scotland  College  of  Agriculture  has 
been  working  for  a  number  of  years.  On  Satur. 
day,  September  5,  the  final  inspection  for  the 
season  took  place,  when  the  second  early  and 
late  varieties  were  inspected.  There  was  a  large 
and  representative  gathering  of  well-known  agri- 
culturists and  a  few  prominent  horticulturists. 
Mr.  William  Bruce,  Director  of  County  Work, 
.conducted  the  party,  there  being  also  present 
Mr.  James  Wyllie,  of  Cockburnspath,  convener 
of  the  County  Work  Committee  and  one  of  the 
directors  of  the  college.  The  experiments  em- 
braced 70  plots,  which  had  been  planted  to  test 
the  cropping  qualities  of  the  various  varieties, 
the  effects  of  spraying,  artificial  manuring,  cut 
sets  versus  whole  sets,  and  planting  at  different 
distances  apart.  A  rather  hurried  inspection 
was  made  of  a  number  of  cooked  dishes  of  tubers 
of  the  different  sorts,  but  Mr.  Bruce  did  not 
seem  to  attach  much  value  to  the  results,  as  he 
thought  such  work  would  be  much  better  done 
in  the  college  buildings  under  better  conditions 
and  when  more  time  could  be  given  to  it.  The 
following  is  the  official  statement  respecting 
the  conditions  under  which  the  trials  were 
made  : — 

"  The  Potatos  are  grown  in  the  ordinary 
course  of  the  rotation  on  Pinkie  Hill  Farm, 
near  Edinburgh,  and  the  cultural  treatment 
was  the  same  as  given  to  the  farmer's  crop. 

Manuring  for  variety  trials. — 30  tons  of  short 
stable  and  byre  dung,  ploughed  in  during  the 
winter ;  6  cwt.  of  a  special  Potato  manure. 
Analysis: — Amm.,  4  to  5  per  cent.;  phospate, 
20  to  22  per  cent.  ;  sulp.  potash,  10  to  11  per 
cent.  In  order  to  secure  uniformity,  the  land 
was  ridged  and  manure  sown  with  a  double-drill 
and  manure-distributing  machine. 

I    suggested   to    Mr.    Bruce   that   his    dressing 


of  farmyard  manure  was  abnormal.  His  an- 
swer was  that  it  was  not  of  particularly  good 
quality. 

Seed. — The  seed  was  grown  on  last  year's  trial 
plots,  which  were  in  the  adjoining  field.  It  was 
all  carefully  selected,  counted  and  weighed  by 
the  college  staff.  The  seed  was  planted  at  the 
rate  of  20  cwt.  per  acre,  or  56  lb.  per  full  plot. 
The  same  number  of  sets  was  placed  in  each 
drill,  which  is  exactly  1  pole,  a  full  plot  being 
4  drills,  or  1-40  acre.  Most  of  the  varieties  have 
now  been  on  trial  for  three  years." 

The  produce  of  each  plot  was  sorted  out  and 
placed  on  the  ground  in  Potato  boxes  for  the 
visitors  to  inspect.  The  ware  was  dressed  over 
lf-inch  riddle,  the  seed  over  1J  inch ;  what 
passed  through  1J  inch  was  classed  as  chats, 
all  diseased  tubers  being  picked  out  as  the 
dressing  was  done  and  placed  by  themselves. 

II.— Experiment    with    Second    Early    Varieties  (100  sets, 
14  inches  apart  per  drill). 

Total  per 

Yield  in  lbs.  on  3  poles.  acre. 

Ware.   Seed.  Chats.  Dis'd.  Tn.  ct.  lb. 

l9i  British    Queen         ..  201          1)4         15  40  9  10    53 

|K'  D.ilmeny    Radium..  231          147         23  40  10  10      0 

111)  Maul    of   Coil          ..  240           83         71  12  S  11  101 

(31  Johnston's  Diamond  273           81        111  18  11  10      0 

'      '        :    '            ..        ..  195           72         64  16  8  5    80 

[121   l!u  ■   l    ijueen        ..  165         162         21  39  9  4    32 

(51  Evergood         ..        ..249         189         —  42  11  8    64 

(111  LMurado        ..        ..  126           75         —  25  5  7    96 

(9)  British    Queen         ..  230         158           8  28  10  1  101 

(duplicate   plot) 

(8i  Dalmeny     Radium..  224         137         11  36  9  14    32 

(duplicate   plot) 

(4i  Moneymaker          ..  29i>        149        —  36  11  9     5 

l"i  Royal    Kidney            264         126         —  39  10  4    32 

16)  Dalmeny    Acme      . .  245         148        —  46  10  9     5 

111  The    Cottar              ..  366         108           3  21  II  17    16 

[10    Ti  ,     Laird               ..  291           97           9  15  9  16    21 

(2)  Niven's   Premier    ..  205         192         19  68  11  10    53 

It— Experiment  with   Maincrop  or  Late  Varieties  (100  sets, 
14  inches  apart  per  drill). 

Dressed  yield   per  pole.  Total  per 

Wan.  Seed.     Chats.  Dis'd.  acre. 

lb.  lb.  lh.  lb.  Tn.  ct.  lb. 

Tyne  Kidney  (cul       I          129  36  4  3  12  5  80 

Tyne  Kidney  [whole  do.)  110  29  5  1  10  7  u 

Northern   Star      ....    88  31  7  1  9  1  47 

Up-to-Date 113  45  7  3  12  0  0 

Pad at.   sets)          ..175  23  3  2  14  10  0 

Factor  (whole  sets)        ..  152  45  5  4  14  14  32 

Pink    Blcssom      ..        ..133  37  5  3  12  14  32 

Dalhousie 149  37  5  5  14  0  0 

Table  Talk 102  39  6  4  10  15  30 

Dalmeny   Hero      ..        ..  116  39  6  5  11  17  16 

Dalmeny   Be.iuty..       ..  102  36  6  2  10  8  64 

Dilmeny    Regent..        ..  123  33  4  4  11  14  32 

Warrior        Ill  29  5  2  10  10  0 

Triumph      1U7  35  5  6  10  18  64 

Duchess  of  Cornwall     ..79  18  5  5  7  12  96 

Mavflnld    Blossom          ..112  46  6  2  14  0  0 

Heather  Blossom           ..46  20  5  —  5  1  48 

Scarlett's    "No.    2"      ..     73  29  5  3  7  17  16 

Table    Talk 78  38  6  2  8  17  16 

Up-to-Date 91  47  8  3  10  12  96 

Dalhousie 109  39  6  3  11  4  32 

Langworthv          ..        ..77  41  4  1  8  15  80 

Peacemaker           ..        ..62  35  7  —  7  8  64 

What's  Wanted    ..        ..65  44  6  —  8  4  32 

Whole  versus  Cut  Sets. 
Mr.  Bruce  explained  the  plan  adopted  to 
secure  a  fair  trial.  Two-ounce  whole  sets  were 
planted,  and  four-ounce  sets  cut  longitudinally 
in  two  were  planted  as  cut  sets.  This  gave 
exactly  the  same  weight  of  seed  tubers  per  acre 
in  each  case.  Mr.  Bruce  also  pointed  out  that 
the  produce  of  cut  sets  invariably  gave  a  large 
proportion  of  ware  tubers.  I  have  always  con- 
tended that  this  is  one  of  the  causes  of  Scotch 
seed  being  better  than  English  seed.  Scotch 
growers  are,  and  have  always  been,  given  to 
planting  cut  seed,  and  my  argument  is  that  the 
resulting  effect  of  persisting  in  this  practice  is 
in  favour  of  heavier  crops  and  larger  tubers  as 
against  the  planting  of  small  sets.  It  must 
be  remembered  that  cut  seed  is  more  suited  for 
planting  under  the  climatic  conditions  of  Scot- 
land than  under  those  that  obtain  further  south. 

Artificial  Manuring. 
Ten  plots  were  set  aside  to  test  10  different 
mixtures.  The  mixture  recommended  by  the 
Board  of  Agriculture  gave  the  best  results  last 
year,  and  this  vear  the  yield  from  the  plot  where 
it  was  applied  is  very  near  the  top.  The  con- 
tents are  as  follow,  and  Mr.  Bruce  remarked  that 
he  considered  it  "a  good  all-round  mixture." 
It  is  as  follows: — i  cwt.  sulphate  of  ammonia, 
J   cwt.    nitrate   of   soda,    2   cwt.    pure   dissolved 


bones,  2  cwt.  superphosphate,  J  cwt.  muriate  of 
potash  (92  per  cent.).  I  hope  the  college  authori- 
ties will  observe  how  the  Potatos  grown  with 
the  different  mixtures  of  artificial  manures  keep 
during  the  winter,  and  also  what  the  tubers  are 
like  when  cooked. 

The  outstanding  feature  of  the  trials  was  the 
care  and  thoroughness  with  which  all  the  work- 
was  done.  Duplicate  plots  to  check  the  results 
of  the  first  plots  were  grown,  and  even  the 
produce  of  the  different  rows  was  weighed  up 
separately  in  the  manure  experiments. 

One  thing  that  impressed  me  as  a  horticul- 
turist was  that  quite  a  number  of  varieties  which 
I  knew  gave  excellent  results  in  gardens  were 
found  to  be  of  no  use  as  croppers  under  field 
culture.  A  list  of  them  is  not  given,  but  horti- 
culturists will  recognise  among  the  sorts  named 
above  many  which  they  know  to  be  excellent  as 
garden  varieties,  and  therefore  have  the  double 
qualification.  Such  work  as  this,  being  carried 
out  by  an  authority  so  independent  of  all  private 
interest  in  respective  varieties  of  Potato  and 
manure  mixtures,  is  worthy  of  great  encourage- 
ment. 

I  was  informed  that  the  secretary  of  the 
college  or  Mr.  Bruce,  whose  addresses  are  13, 
George  Square,  Edinburgh,  will  gladly  send  a 
copy  of  the  full  report  when  it  is  published — 
about  Christmas — to  anyone  interested.  Wm. 
Cuthbertson. 


ORCHID    NOTES    AND    GLEANINGS. 


HEXISIA  BIDENTATA. 
An  inflorescence  of  this  rare  and  pretty  scarlet- 
flowered  Orchid  is  kindly  sent  by  Mr.  F.  W. 
Moore,  Royal  Botanic  Gardens,  Glasnevin, 
Dublin,  who  has  succeeded  in  establishing  a 
rather  weak  specimen  imported  from  Nicaragua  in 
1905.  The  plant  bears  jointed,  slender  pseudo- 
bulbs,  the  newer  growths  furnished  with  rather 
stiff  linear,  oblong  leaves,  and  bearing  short 
racemes  of  pale-scarlet  flowers,  with  linear  sepals 
and  slightly  shorter,  ovate,  acuminate  lip,  bearing 
at  the  base  a  chrome-yellow  callus.  The  plant 
thrives  best  in  an  intermediate,  or  Cattleya  house, 
in  a  shallow,  teak-wood  basket,  or  suspending 
Orchid  pan. 

EPIDENDRUM  LAUCHEANUM. 
This  very  attractive  Epidendrum  produces  its 
flowers  after  the  manner  of  the  Platyclinis,  it 
producing  a  thin,  wiry,  ascending  stem  8  inches 
or  so  in  height,  and  furnished  with  a  drooping, 
many-flowered  raceme  about  10  inches  long.  The 
flowers  are  half-an-inch  across ;  the  sepals  and 
petals  are  of  a  coppery  orange  shade,  and  the  lip 
light  yellow.  The  pedicel  and  the  reverse  side  of 
the  flower  are  tinged  with  purple.  A  fine  inflor- 
escence of  this  rare  species  is  sent  by  Mr.  F.  W. 
Moore,  Curator  of  the  Royal  Botanic  Gardens, 
Dublin.     /.  O'B. 


THE    ROSARY. 


ROSE  PENELOPE. 

In  the  Journal  of  Horticulture  of  Australia  of 
April  1,  1907,  this  new  Tea  Rose,  which  origi- 
nated from  seed  with  Mr.  John  Williams,  Broad- 
water Nurseries,  Mount  Graven,  Brisbane,  is 
highly  commended.  It  is  described  as  being 
very  free  and  constant  in  flowering,  each  bloom 
being  carried  singly  on  long  stalks  and  furnished 
with  prominent  guard  leaves.  The  bloom  has 
good  substance,  is  conical  in  shape,  and  solid. 
The  base  is  of  the  colour  of  Francis  Dubreuil — 
deep  crimson — the  centre  cream  coloured.  The 
tints  are  a  distinct  break  from  any  other  Rose  in 
commerce.  The  variety  will  be  offered  for  sale 
this  season.     F.  .17. 


278 


THE     GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


[October  19,  1907. 


VEGETABLES. 


SCARLET   EMPEROR  RUNNER   BEAN. 

This  Runner  Bean  is  succeeding  remarkably 
well  this  season.  It  bears  most  profusely,  and 
the  Beans  are  of  good  colour  and  flavour  when 
cooked.  It  appears  to  be  the  best  Runner  Bean 
procurable.  W.  A.  Cook,  Leonardslee  Gardens, 
Sussex. 

PEA  GOLDFINDER. 

This  is  a  first-class  variety  of  culinary  Pea, 
and  plants  of  the  true  stock  are  difficult  to 
excel  for  sturdiness  of  growth,  freedom  of  crop- 
ping, excellence  of  flavour,  and  absolute  im- 
munity from  mildew.  It  belongs  to  the  marrow- 
fat type,  and  each  pod  is  filled  with  about  eight 
Peas,  which  are  equal  in  edible  quality  to 
those  of  Veitch's  Perfection.  As  a  second  early 
variety  Goldfinder  is  useful,  and  continues  crop- 
ping for  an  equally  long  period  as  the  Ne  Plus 
Ultra.  It  reaches  a  height  of  about  6  feet,  but 
in  a  wet  season  it  is  often  7  feet  in  height. 
E.    M. 


temperatures  at  night  may  for  the  present  range 
between  48J  to  55°  in  the  Carnation  and  cool 
plant  houses,  58°  to  63°  in  the  intermediate  house, 
and  from  65J  to  70°  in  the  stove,  allowing  a  rise 
of  from  5°  to  10"  in  each  structure  by  sun-heat 
during  the  day. 


The  Week's  Work. 


PLANTS    UNDER   GLASS. 

By  J.  G.  Weston,  Gardener  to  H.  J.  King,  Esq., 
Eastwell  Park,  Kent. 

llumca  clegans. — This  graceful  biennial  being, 
as  a  rule,  a  favourite  both  for  conservatory 
decoration  and  for  use  in  the  flower-garden,  care 
should  be  taken  to  have  a  good  stock  of  plants. 
If  seeds  were  sown  (as  was  advised  in  a  previous 
Calendar)  in  the  eaily  part  of  the  season,  the 
plants  should  now  be  strong  specimens  in  6-inch 
pots.  The  roots  being  comparatively  active  all 
through  the  winter,  the  plants  must  not  be 
allowed  to  become  stunted  or  checked  through 
remaining  in  a  pet-hound  condition.  Therefore 
it  will  be  necessary  to  repot  them  without  delay 
into  pots  8  inches  or  9  inches  in  diameter.  Use  a 
potting  compost  consisting  of  good  turfy  loam 
three  parts,  leat-soil  one  part,  and  manure  from  a 
spent  mushroom-bed  one  part,  adding  sand  and 
a  5-inch  potful  cf  soot  to  each  barrow-load  of 
the  compost.  Make  the  soil  firm  in  potting, 
taking  care  not  to  bury  the  stem  lower  than  it 
has  been  buried  previously.  Afford  water  with 
care  during  the  winter,  and  keep  the  plants  in 
a  cool  atmosphere  ;  a  suitable  position  at  the 
present  time  being  one  in  a  frame  having  an 
ash-bottom,  from  which  the  frost  can  be  ex- 
cluded in  severe  weather.  In  such  a  place  they 
will  require  very  little  attention  until  spring, 
when  the  plants,  commencing  to  grow  strongly , 
will  require  weak  stimulants  at  regular  intervals. 
To  prevent  Red  Spider,  employ  the  syringe  freely 
during  the  growing  season.  Weak,  clear  soot- 
water  is  an  excellent  preventive.  Vaporise  the 
plants  on  the  first  appearance  of  green  fly. 

Hydrangeas. — Cuttings  propagated  in  heat  late 
in  the  summer,  and  potted  on  at  once,  will  by 
now  have  become  quite  established,  and  should 
be  kept  in  a  cold  frame  during  the  winter,  re- 
moving the  lights  on  all  favourable  occasions. 
Where  these  are  wanted  in  flower  early  in  the 
season,  it  is  a  good  plan  to  place  a  small  batch 
into  heat  at  intervals,  a  Vinery  or  Peach-house 
just  started  affording  a  very  suitable  place. 
These  plants  will  form  a  succession  which  will 
last  in  bloom  during  the  whole  season,  and  be 
very  acceptable  for  decorative  purposes.  Plants 
growing  in  small  pots,  and  which  are  develop- 
ing the  flower-heads,  will  require  manure-water 
at  almost  every  alternate  watering.  They  must 
at  no  time  be  allowed  to  suffer  from  want  of 
water. 

General  work. — After  the  heavy  rains  experi- 
enced recently,  the  outside  atmosphere  has  been 
much  cooler,  therefore  it  will  be  necessary  to 
reduce  the  atmospheric  moisture  in  all  the  plant- 
houses.  Do  not  keep  the  houses  closed  or  the 
atmosphere  "stuffy,"  but  by  thoughtful  atten- 
tion to  outside  conditions  endeavour  to  keep  the 
temperatures  even,  and  prevent  cold  draughts. 
Though  but  little  fire-heat  is  necessary  to  keep 
the  heat  of  the  houses  as  high  as  is  required,  it 
is  a  good  plan  to  have  a  little  warmth  in  the 
watei  pipes,  and  ventilate  accordingly,  thus  dis- 
pelling    superfluous  moisture.     The  atmospheric 


THE  FLOWER  GARDEN. 

By  A.  C.  Bartlett,  Gardener  to  Mrs.  Ford,  Pencarrow, 
Cornwall. 

The  rock  garden. — Where  the  heavy  rains  have 
beaten  down  the  surface  soil,  making  it  so  hard 
as  to  partially  exclude  the  light,  it  should  be 
lightly  stirred  with  a  pointed  stick  or  a  hand 
fork,  taking  care  not  to  disturb  any  roots.  Re- 
move wind-blown  leaves  from  the  pockets.  Many 
of  the  occupants  of  the  Rockery  are  compara- 
tively short-lived  plants,  and  these  species  and 
varieties  should  be  propagated,  either  by  seeds 
or  by  cuttings,  which  latter  may  be  rooted  in 
pots  to  be  wintered  in  frames.  Any  valuable  or 
delicate  plants  about  which  there  is  any  doubt 
as  to  whether  they  would  safely  pass  through 
the  winter,  should  be  potted  up  and  placed  in  a 
cold  pit  until  next  spring,  when  they  may  again 
be  placed   in  the  rock  garden. 

Tigridias. — The  "Tiger  Iris"  is  hardy  in 
many  warm,  light  soils,  but  in  others  it  becomes 
necessary  to  lift  the  roots  when  the  foliage  has 
ripened,  and  store  them  for  the  winter  in  coco- 
nut fibre  or  dry  sand.  Some  cultivators  tie  the 
roots  by  their  stalks  into  small  bunches,  and 
suspend  them  in  sheds  for  the  winter,  but  under 
these  conditions  there  is  always  a  danger  of  them 
shrivelling.  Tigridias  seem  to  have  lost  favour 
of  late  years  ;  perhaps  on  account  of  the  evanes- 
cent nature  of  their  flowers,  which  only  last  for 
one  day,  but  good  plants  produce  a  wonderful 
succession  of  flowers,  so  that  during  the  six 
weeks  or  so  of  their  flowering  season  there  is 
always  plenty  of  blooms.  Tigridia  pavonia  is 
the  best  known  species ;  the  variety  Wheelen 
has  larger  and  brighter  flowers ;  alba,  flava, 
rosea,  and  grandiflora  are  other  varieties  suffi- 
ciently described  by  their  names.  T.  canariense 
and  T.  speciosa  are  desirable  species. 

Arundo  conspicua. — The  plumes  having  now 
become  of  a  shabby  appearance,  they  should  be 
removed.  From  June  until  a  week  or  so  ago  the 
New  Zealand  Reed  has  shown  marked  superiority 
over  the  more  common  Pampas  Grass,  which 
has  only  just  come  into  flower.  Owing  to  this 
late  flowering  the  plumes  lose  much  of  their 
attractiveness  during  wet  weather,  whereas  the 
arched  plumes  of  the  Arundo  are  more  loosely 
arranged  and  do  not  hold  the  water.  In  locali- 
ties where  its  hardiness  is  doubtful  it  will  be 
well  to  give  this  and  the  Giant  Reed  (A.  Donax) 
some  protection  for  the  winter. 

Climbers. — Such  climbing  plants  as  Clematis. 
Wistaria,  Ivy,  Ampelopsis,  &c,  may  well  be 
planted  at  this  season.  As  they  will  probably 
remain  in  the  same  position  for  many  years  the 
preparations  should  be  thorough.  Make  the 
drainage  perfect,  and  provide  good  soil  varying 
in  richness  according  to  the  need  of  the  different 
species.  Amongst  the  more  recent  introductions, 
Yitis  Hem  vana  and  Actinidia  chinensis  are  desir- 
able plants.  V.  Ilenryana  has  prettily-marked 
leaves,  and  it  requires  a  sunny  position. 
Actinidia  chinensis  makes  long,  stout  trailing 
growths,   and  very  large,  handsome  leaves. 


THE  HARDY  FRUIT  GARDEN. 

By  J.  Maynb,  Gardener  to  Loro  Clinton,  Bicton, 
East  Devon. 

Rootpruning. — This  is  a  necessary  operation 
in  instances  of  trees  making  rampant  growth  in 
order  to  bring  them  into  a  fruitful  condition, 
especially  if  such  trees  have  been  established 
for  many  years,  and  it  is  considered  to  be  unsafe 
to  transplant  them.  For  younger  trees  the  latter 
operation  is  decidedly  better,  such  removal  check- 
ing at  once  the  exuberant  growth  which  young 
trees  frequently  exhibit  for  a  few  years  after 
being  budded  or  grafted.  In  the  operation  of 
root-pruning,  before  taking  out  the  necessary 
trench,  be  careful  to  see  if  the  soil  is  in  a  moist 
condition,  and  if  it  is  not,  apply  a  good 
watering  and  wait  for  a  few  days.  If  this  pre- 
caution be  not  taken,  it  will  probably  be  found 
that  most  of  the  soil  will  crumble  away 
in  reaching  the   stronger  roots,   and   this   would 


cause  the  tree  to  suffer  a  greater  check  than 
desiied.  Take  out  a  trench  4  ieet  from  the  base 
of  the  trunk,  and  afterwards  gradually  work 
away  the  soil  towards  the  stem  with  a  garden 
fork  quite  down  to  the  drainage,  preserving  all 
fibrous  roots,  and  tracing  to  their  origin  all 
thong-like  fibreless  roots  which  cause  the  ex- 
cessive wood  growth.  Search  well  under  the 
ball  of  soil,  as  these  "  robbers  "  often  penetrate 
straight  down  into  the  sub-soil,  and  cut  well 
back  all  such  roots,  making  an  upward  sloping 
cut,  so  that  the  new  roots  that  will  be  formed 
may  be  encouraged  to  grow  towards  the  surface. 
Return  the  same  soil  to  the  trench,  making  it 
quite  firm  about  the  roots,  and  lay  out  evenly  all 
roots,  with  the  points  trending  upwards.  If  it 
is  considered  to  be  necessary,  a  few  inches  of 
fresh  soil  may  be  put  on  the  surface  as  an  en- 
couragement  to  keep  the  roots  there.  Should 
the  weather  remain  dry  for  long  afterwards,  it 
may  be  necessary  to  afford  water  to  the  trees 
thus  treated.  Extra  large  trees  should  only  have 
half  their  roots  interfered  with  this  autumn,  and 
the  remainder  may  be  done  next  year. 

Prospective  planters. — If  convenient  to  the  pur- 
chaser a  visit  should  be  made  to  a  good  nur. 
sery  where  he  may  select  the  trees  for  himself. 
I  append  a  brief  list  of  the  different  varieties  of 
fruits  found  to  be  satisfactory  generally.  Apples 
(dessert)  :  Beauty  of  Bath,  Mr.  Gladstone,  Irish 
Peach,  Langley  Pippin,  James  Greive,  King 
Harry,  Ribston  Pippin,  Cox's  Orange  Pippin, 
Cockle's  Pippin,  Sturmer  Pippin,  Warwickshire 
Pippin,  Allington  Pippin,  King's  Acre  Pippin, 
Charles  Ross,  Blenheim  Pippin,  Christmas  Pear- 
main,  Adams'  Pearmain,  Claygate  Pearmain, 
Hormead  Pearmain,  Rival,  Old  and  Scarlet 
Nonpareil,  The  Houblon,  and  Duke  of  Devon- 
shire. Culinary :  Potts'  Seedling,  Ecklinville 
Seedling.  I.ord  Grosvenor,  Lord  Suffield,  Peas- 
good's  Nonsuch,  Warner's  King,  Lane's  Prince 
Albert,  Bramley's  Seedling,  Alfriston,  Annie 
Elizabeth,  King  of  Tompkins  County,  and 
Newton  Wonder.  Pears :  Beurre  Gifford,  Fon. 
dante  d'Automne,  William's  Bon  Chretien, 
Louise  Bonne  of  Jersey,  Thompson's,  Marie 
Louise,  Beurre  Bosc,  Beurre  Hardy,  Beurre 
Superfin,  Winter  Nelis,  Doyenne  du  Cornice, 
Glou  Morceau,  Marie  Benoist,  and  Olivier  de 
Serres.  Peaches:  Amsden  June,  Hale's  Early, 
Dymond,  Royal  George,  Violette  Hative,  Prin- 
cess of  Wales,  Goshawk,  Late  Devonian,  Nec- 
tarine Peach,  Gladstone,  Sea  Eagle,  Barrington, 
and  Dr.  Hogg.  Nectarines:  Elruge,  Lord 
Napier,  Early  Rivers,  and  Humboldt.  Apricots: 
Early  Moorpark,  Breda,  Royal,  Shipley's,  Hems- 
kirk,  Moorpark  and  St.  Ambroise.  Plums  (des- 
sert) :  Old  Greengage,  Jefferson,  Denniston's 
Superb,  Coe's  Golden  Drop,  Reine  Claude  de 
Bavay,  and  Late  Orange.  Culinary :  Rivers' 
Early  Prolific,  Czar,  Kirke's  Victoria,  Pond's 
Seedling,  Magnum  Bonuni  (white),  and  Monarch. 
Cherries  (dessert)  :  Frogmore  Bigarreau,  Napo- 
leon Bigarreau,  Black  Tartarian,  Black  Eagle, 
Early  Rivers,  Governor  Wood,  Elton,  Noble, 
and  Florence.  Culinary :  Kentish  Red  and 
Morello. 


THE    ORCHID    HOUSES. 

By  W.  H.White,  Orchid  Grower  to  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence, 
Bart.,  Burford,  Surrey. 

Cattleya  laiiata. — At  the  present  time  the 
autumn-flowering  varieties  of  Cattleya  labiata 
form  one  of  the  principal  attractions  in  the 
Orchid  houses,  and  if  the  atmosphere  be  kept  a 
trifle  drier  than  usual,  the  blooms  will  remain 
perfectly  fresh  for  several  weeks,  a  matter  of 
considerable  importance  to  those  who  grow  the 
plants  for  obtaining  flowers  for  cutting  and  for 
decorative  purposes.  When  the  plants  have  fin- 
ished blooming,  some  of  them  will  produce  a 
quantity  of  young  roots  from  the  base  of  the 
flowering  pseudo-bulbs,  and  at  that  stage  the 
operation  of  lepotting  may  be  carried  out  if 
necessary.  Following  the  flowering  period,  very 
careful  watering  will  be  necessary,  whether  the 
plants  have  been  repotted  or  not,  as  the  newly- 
made  pseudo-bulbs  (especially  if  they  have  not 
been  sufficiently  matured)  are  liable  to  decay  if 
the  roots  are  kept  too  moist. 

Cattleya  Bowringiana  is  another  useful  species 
which  blooms  at  this  season,  and  its  richly- 
coloured  flowers  are  most  effective  when  seen  by 
artificial  light.  This  plant  will  require  the  same 
treatment  as  C.   labiata 


October  19,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS     CHRONICLE. 


279 


Cattleya  gigas,  C.  Dowiana,  C.  D.  aurea,  C. 
Triance,  and  C.  Mendeli. — Such  species  as  these 
which  have  finished  their  growth  should  now 
receive  just  sufficient  water  to  keep  the  pseudo- 
bulbs  in  a  plump  condition,  and  the  leaves  fresh, 
the  object  being  to  induce  the  plants  to  make 
fresh  roots,  but  not  any  premature  growth. 

Cattleya  Lawrenceana,  being  actively  in 
growth,  needs  every  encouragement.  Elevate 
each  plant  well  up  to  the  roof  glass,  where  it 
will  be  fully  exposed  to  the  light.  This  Cattleya 
needs  copious  supplies  of  water  during  the  grow- 
ing season,  but  no  plant  should  be  watered 
until  the  compost  has  become  quite  dry,  and 
care  should  be  taken  to  prevent  any  water  lodg- 
ing in  the  young  growths.  After  growth  is  com- 
pleted, keep  the  potting  material  on  the  dry 
side,  but  when  the  flower-buds  commence  to 
develop  in  the  sheath,  more  water  may  be 
afforded. 

Vanda  Kimballiana  is  now  in  flower,  and  the 
blooms  will  last  in  good  condition  a  long  time 
if  the  plants  are  kept  in  a  dry,  well-ventilated 
position  in  the  Cattleya  house.  A  similar  posi- 
tion should  be  afforded  to  plants  of  the  pretty 
white  V.  Watsonii,  which  are  now  producing 
their  flower-spikes.  This  species  has  some  re- 
semblance in  its  habit  of  growth  to  V.  Kim- 
balliana, and  when  w-ell  cultivated  both  plants 
are  very  floriferous. 

Ansellia  africana,  A.  a.  nilotica,  and  A. 
humilis. — A  light,  sunny  position  in  the  Cattleya 
house  is  suitable  for  such  plants  as  these,  which, 
having  commenced  to  grow,  may  now  be  re- 
potted if  this  operation  is  necessary,  but  other- 
wise the  roots  should  not  be  disturbed,  as 
the  plants  thrive  equally  well  when  kept  in  a 
pot-bound  condition,  provided  the  compost  is 
sweet  and  the  plant  has  sufficient  room  wherein 
to  make  its  growths.  Avoid  over-potting,  and 
use  the  best  fibrous  loam  obtainable,  mixing 
plenty  of  small  crocks  with  it,  also  a  little  coarse 
silver  sand.  Make  the  material  firm  about  the 
roots,  and  in  the  same  manner  as  one  would  pot 
an  ordinary  greenhouse  plant.  While  growing 
and  rooting  freely,  these  plants  require  copious 
waterings  whenever  the  compost  becomes  dry. 

Oncidium  papilio  and  0.  /Crameri,  now  in 
bloom  in  the  Cattleya  house,  always  prove 
attractive  to  visitors.  As  is  generally  known,  the 
flower-stems  continue  to  produce  a  succession  of 
flowers  for  a  long  period,  and,  if  allowed  to  do 
this,  the  plants  gradually  become  debilitated. 
In  order  to  keep  the  plants  in  good  health,  it  is 
advisable  to  remove  the  spike  after  it  has  pro- 
duced two  or  three  flowers. 


FRUITS  UNDER  GLASS. 

By  Alexander  Kirk,  Gardener  to  J.  Thomson  Paton,  Esq., 
Norwood,  Alloa,  Clackmannanshire. 

Peaches  and  Nectarines. — Late  crops  of  fruit 
now  ripening  will  require  fire-heat  at  this  cold 
season  of  the  year.  It  will  be  necessary  also  to 
maintain  a  good  circulation  of  fresh  air  in  the 
structure  to  induce  the  fruits  to  develop  satis- 
factory colour,  and  the  shoots  of  the  trees  to 
mature  perfectly.  Remove  any  leaves  that 
would  shade  the  fruit,  and  expose  the  latter 
fully  to  the  sun's  rays.  Keep  a  sharp  look-out 
for  wasps,  which  are  liable  to  cause  damage 
in  a  short  time  if  their  presence  is  unob- 
served. If  they  are  troublesome,  paint  the  hot- 
water  pipes  with  sulphur  mixed  in  water.  If 
new  borders  are  to  be  made  up  or  fresh  trees 
planted,  October  is  the  best  month  for  doing  such 
work.  Lift  and  transplant  at  once  young  trees 
that  have  shown  a  tendency  towards  grossness 
of  growth,  for  this  is  best  done  before  the  leaves 
drop  from  the  trees.  Before  re-planting  these 
gross-growing  trees,  they  should  be  root-pruned. 
The  compost  for  supplj'ing  the  rooting-medium 
should  consist  of  chopped  turfy  loam,  with  a 
liberal  addition  of  lime-rubble  and  wood-ashes. 
To  every  five  loads  of  this  compost  add  1  cwt. 
of  a  chemical  vine  manure  (coarse  grade).  Do 
not  in  any  case  introduce  farmyard  manures, 
which  would  cause  the  trees  to  grow  gross,  and 
become  liable  to  "  gumming."  New  Peach  bor- 
ders should  be  made  up  in  the  same  manner 
as  I  recommended  for  vines  in  the  Calendar  of 
last  week.  A  border  of  a  width  of  3  or  4  feet 
inside  is  ample  for  a  period  of  two  or  three 
years.  Compost  can  be  added  to  such  borders 
as  the  roots  extend.  Peach  and  Nectarine  trees, 
from  which  all  the  fruit  was  gathered  early  in 
the  season,  should  be  frequently  syringed  until 


the  leaves  fall,  especially  if  they  have  been 
attacked  by  red  spider.  Admit  plenty  of  air, 
and  keep  the  atmosphere  as  cool  as  possible 
after  it  is  found  that  the  wood  is  well  ripened. 
Until  the  wood  is  well  ripened  or  matured,  fire- 
heat  must  be  used  in  conjunction  with  free  ven- 
tilation. Thin  out  all  shoots  that  will  not  be 
required  for  fruiting  next  year,  especially  the 
thickest  shoots.  Be  careful  not  to  allow  Peach 
borders  to  become  dry  any  time  throughout  the 
period  of  rest,  as  this  is  a  frequent  cause  of 
bud-dropping  in  spring. 

Strawberries. — Plants  in  pots  may  be  allowed 
to  remain  in  their  present  position  until  the 
end  of  the  present  month  if  the  weather  is 
favourable,  as  they  should  now  be  well  rooted, 
and  at  the  end  of  the  month  should  possess  well- 
developed  crowns.  But  in  the  case  of  continued 
heavy  rains  or  severe  frost,  the  plants  must  be 
removed  to  unheated  pits  or  frames,  or  be 
afforded  protection  out-of-doors  by  placing  glass 
lights  over  them.  If  frames  are  available,  they 
may  be  placed  in  their  w-inter  quarters  at  once. 
If  the  plants  cannot  be  protected  from  heavy 
rains,  turn  the  pots  on  their  sides,  it  being 
harmful  to  allow  the  roots  to  remain  saturated 
with  water.  They  may  also,  if  desired,  be 
stacked  up  on  their  sides,  keeping  the  crowns 
outwards. 

PUBLIC  PARKS  AND  GARDENS. 

By  W.   W.  Pettigrew,  Superintendent  of  the   Parks  and 
Open  Spaces  in  the  City  of  Cardiff. 

Turfing. — The  present  being  the  best  time  of 
the  year  at  which  to  lay  turf,  all  bowling  greens, 
tennis  courts,  or  croquet  grounds  requiring  reno- 
vation should  be  seen  to  without  delay. 

New  bowling  greens. — The  formation  of  new 
bowling  greens  should  also  be  proceeded  with 
immediately,  in  order  that  the  turf  may  be  down 
in  time  to  be  well  joined  together  by  the  be- 
ginning of  May,  when  play  usually  commences. 
There  are  various  methods  of  constructing  bowl- 
ing greens,  the  choice  of  which  largely  depends 
upon  the  sum  of  money  available  for  the  pur- 
pose, as  the  cost  varies  from  about  £80  to  £300 
per  green.  In  some  parks  bowling  greens  are 
laid  with  a  little  more  care  only  than  is  be- 
stowed upon  the  formation  of  a  good  lawn.  The 
main  guiding  levels  only  are  gauged  with  a 
spirit  level,  the  intermediate  turves  being  merely 
beaten  down  to  the  main  ones  and  tested  with 
a  straight-edge.  A  green  of  this  description  will 
no  doubt  satisfy  beginners,  but  once  a  person 
becomes  proficient  at  the  game,  he  is  not  so 
easily  satisfied,  and  requires  a  green  as  near 
perfection  as  possible,  to  obtain  which  a  very 
different  method  of  construction  and  turfing 
must   be   adopted. 

The  Glasgow  bowling  greens. — Glasgow  un- 
doubtedly possesses  some  of  the  best  public  bowl- 
ing greens  in  Great  Britain,  and  they  are  equal 
in  every  respect  to  the  finest  of  private  greens. 
They  are,  in  the  first  place,  formed  upon  the 
most  approved  principles,  and  afterwards  main- 
tained in  the  best  possible  manner.  The  Chief 
of  the  Glasgow  Parks  Department  has  very  de- 
cided views  upon  this  question,  and  rightly 
thinks  that  where  the  public  pays  directly  for  its 
amusement — as  in  the  case  of  bowls,  &c. — it  is 
entitled  to  enjoy  the  sport  under  as  favourable 
conditions  as  obtain  in  a  private  club.  When 
visiting  Glasgow  a  year  ago  I  was  so  impressed 
with  the  appearance  of  these  greens  that  Mr. 
Whitton  very  kindly  supplied  me  with  a  plan 
and  specification,  from  which  we  have  con- 
structed one  of  the  best  of  our  public  greens  in 
the  city  of  Cardiff.  Scotch  greens  measure 
126  feet  by  126  feet,  with  a  12-inch  deep  ditch  on 
the  four  sides,  and,  unlike  the  Lancashire  Crown 
greens,  are  perfectly  level.  The  one  great  aim 
in  forming  these  playing  lawns  is  perfection  of 
drainage.  The  whole  area  is  therefore  treated  in 
such  a  manner  as  to  enable  water  to  pass 
quickly  from  it.  In  the  ditch  4-inch  land  tiles 
are  laid,  into  which  2A-inch  pipes — placed  in 
rows  at  9  feet  apart — discharge  any  water  that 
may  fall  on  the  surface  or  rise  from  the  subsoil. 
The  further  construction  as  adopted  is  as  fol- 
lows : — When  the  site  is  levelled  and  drained  it 
is  covered  to  a  depth  of  4  inches  with  rough 
ballast,  which  is  made  quite  stable  by  a  heavy 
rolling.  A  layer  of  coarse  ashes  3$  inches  in 
thickness  is  then  placed  over  the  ballast,  and, 
after  being  consolidated  by  means  of  a  roller,  is, 
in    turn,    covered  with   3   inches   of   fine   ashes. 


After  this  third  layer  is  thoroughly  rolled,  an 
inch  of  fine  sand  is  added,  upon  which  the 
turves,  each  lj  inch  thick,  are  laid  and  beaten  to 
the  desired  level.  These  turves,  when  cut,  are 
12  inches  square  and  2  inches  in  thickness.  Be- 
fore being  laid  they  are  placed,  grass  down- 
wards, into  a  wooden  mould,  12  inches  by 
12  inches  by  1%  inch  deep,  and  well  beaten 
with  a  wooden  mallet,  after  which,  by  the  aid  of 
a  scythe  blade,  the  superfluous  soil  is  cut  awav, 
leaving  the  turf  exactly  lj  inch  thick.  This 
process  is  adopted  so  as  to  ensure  every  turf 
being  solid  and  of  an  uniform  thickness — attri- 
butes they  could  not  possibly  possess  if  cut  and 
laid  in  an  ordinary  manner.  The  turfing  is  done 
diagonally  across  the  green,  and  each  turf  is 
tested  with  the  spirit  level  and  beaten  down  to 
the  correct  position  as  the  laying  proceeds.  It 
will  be  noticed  that  no  soil  other  than  that  in  the 
turf  itself  is  used,  hence,  while  the  grass  cannot 
grow  luxuriantly,  it  needs  careful  attention  to 
prevent  it  from  being  injured  from  a  want  of 
moisture. 

Selection  of  turf. — Although  the  proper  con- 
struction of  a  green  is  a  most  vital  point  in  deter- 
mining its  success,  the  kind  of  turf  used  is 
equally  important.  However  well  drained,  or 
however  well  supplied  with  conveniences  for 
watering,  a  green  may  prove  a  failure  if  the  turf 
used  is  not  suitable.  Good  mountain  or  seaside 
turf,  composed  of  fine  grasses,  growing  in  a 
light,  sandy  soil,  is  generally  regarded  as  the 
best  for  this  purpose. 


THE    KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

By  William  H.  Honess,  Gardener  to  C.  Combe,  Esq., 

Cobham  Park,  Surrey. 
Cauliflowers. — Continue  to  prick  out  young 
seedlings  obtained  from  successional  sowings. 
The  earliest  plants  should  be  large  enough  for 
planting  into  their  winter  quarters  by  the  end 
of  the  present  month  or  early  in  November. 
The  ground  for  these  should  be  thoroughly  and 
deeply  worked,  for  Cauliflowers  require  rich 
ground  and  the  best  cultivation.  The  labour 
expended  in  this  way  will  be  well  and  surely 
repaid  next  spring  in  the  superior  produce 
obtained. 

Early  Potatos. — Tubers  that  have  been  treated 
according  to  previous  directions  will  now  be 
making  satisfactory  progress.  Further  plantings 
of  tubers  that  are  well  rooted  and  have  started 
into  growth,  in  boxes,  should  now  be  made  either 
in  pots  or  in  frames,  the  latter  for  preference  if 
frames  are  available  that  can  be  heated.  An- 
other selection  of  tubers  should  now  be  put  into 
boxes  containing  leaf-soil,  that  they  may  also 
be  started  into  root  action  and  growth,  so  that 
as  more  frames  become  vacant,  another  even 
"plant"  may  be  carried  out. 

Late  Peas. — The  present  season  has  been  a 
most  favourable  one  for  late  Peas,  but  by  the 
present  date  the  supply  will,  in  nearly  all  cases, 
be  finished,  and  the  haulm  should  therefore  be 
cleared  off  the  ground.  Where  it  is  customary 
to  sow  Peas  in  the  autumn  for  earlv  spring 
supply,  the  seeds  should  in  all  cases  be  sown 
during  the  next  fortnight,  choosing  a  warm,  shel- 
tered position,  and  where  a  little  protection  can 
be  given  during  the  most  severe  weather.  Re- 
garding varieties,  it  will  be  best  to  choose  the 
dwarf-growing  sorts,  such  as  Little  Marvel, 
Green  Gem,  &c.  Such  varieties,  if  sown  now 
out-of-doors,  may  be  expected  to  come  into  use 
before  those  which  are  sown  in  pots  in  the  New 
Year.  The  latter  will  afterwards  be  planted  out 
in  the  open  as  soon  as  the  weather  will  permit, 
and  the  crop  so  raised  will  follow  soon  after- 
wards, and  thus  form  a  very  valuable  succession. 
Scakale. — Examine  the  beds  of  Seakale  ;  re- 
move all  the  leaves  which  are  showing  signs 
of  decay.  This  done,  the  crowns  will  be  the 
better  exposed  to  the  influences  of  the  weather 
and  early  frosts,  which  will  serve  to  "ripen" 
the  crowns  and  bring  them  ir^o  such  a  condi- 
tion that  they  will  quickly  s.art  into  growth 
presently,  after  they  have  been  removed  into 
a  heated  atmosphere. 

Turnips. — The  roots,  which  are  already  of  a 
serviceable  size,  may  now  be  lifted  and  stored, 
for  they  will  thus  keep  in  better  condition  than 
if  they  were  left  longer  in  the  ground  at  this 
season.  The  latest  Turnips  will  still  be  making 
growth,  and  should  be  left  in  the  ground 
for  some  time  to  come. 


280 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[October  19,  1907. 


EDITORIAL    NOTICE. 


ADVERTISEMENTS  should  be  sent  to  the  PUB- 
LISHER, 41,  Wellington  Street,  Covent  Garden, 
W.C. 

Letters  for  Publication,  as  welt  as  specimens  and  plants 
tor  naming,  should  be  addressed  to  the  EDITOR, 
41;  Wellington  Street,  Covent  Qarden,  London. 
Communications  should  be  written  on  one  side  only  of 
the  PAPER,  sent  as  early  in  the  meek  as  possible  and  duly 
signed  by  the  writer.  If  desired,  the  signature  will  not  be 
printed,  but  kept  as  a  guarantee  of  good  faith. 

Special  Notice  to  Correspondents. —The  Editor  does  not 
undettakt  to  pay  for  any  contributions  or  illustrations,  or 
to  return  unused  communications  or  illustrations,  unless  bv 
special  arrangement.  The  Editor  does  not  hold  himself 
responsible  for  any  opinions  expressed  by  his  correspondents. 

APPOINTMENTS  FOR  THE  ENSUING  WEEK. 



FRIDAY,  OCTOBER  25— Royal  Bol.  Soc.  meet. 


Average     Mean    Temperature    for-  the    ensuing    week, 
deduced  from  observations  during  the  last  Fifty  Years 
at  Greenwich— 48-1°. 
Actual  Temperatures:— 

London.—  Wednesday,  October  16  f&  P.M.)  :  Mai.  54°- 
Min.  43". 
Gardeners'  Chronicle  Office,  41,  Wellington  Street, 
Cpvent  Garden,  London. — Thursday,  October  17 
(10  a.m.):  Bar..  29'1 ;  Temp.,  55  ,  Weather— 
Overcast, 
Provinces.—  I Ycdnesday,  October  16  Hi  i\m.)  :  Mai.  55°, 
Yarmouth;  Min.  41°,  Scotland  N. 


'      SALES    FOR    THE    ENSUING    WEEK. 

MONDAY— 

Nursery    Stock  at   the   Nurseries,  Eynsford,  Kent,  by 

order  of  Messrs.  H.  Cannell  &  Sons,  by  Protheroe  & 

Morris,  at  11. 
MONDAY  and  WEDNESDAY— 

Sale  of  Dutch  Bulbs,   &c,  at  Stevens'   Rooms,    King 

Street,  Covent  Garden,  W.C. 
MONDAY  to  FRIDAY— 

Dutch  Bulbs  at  67  &  69,  Cheapside,  E.C.,  by  Protheroe 

&  Morris,  at  10.30. 
TUESDAY— 

Nursery  Stock,  at  Rose  Nurseries,  Derby  Road,  Beestoii, 

Notts.,  by  order  of  Mr.  W.  Lowe,  byPro'theroe  &  Morris, 

at  12.30. 
WEDNESDAY- 

Nursery  Stock,  at  the  Nurseries,  West  Wickham,  Kent, 

by  order  of  Mr.  J.  R.  Box,  by   Protheroe   &  Morris,  at 

11.30. 
THURSDAY  and  FRIDAY— 

Thirty-third  Annual  Sale  of  Nursery  Stock  at  Hollamby's 

Nurseries,    Groombridge,    near    Tunbridge  Wells,  by 

Protheroe  &  Morris,  at  11.30. 

The  Cambridge  Lodge  collection  of  Orchids,  at  67  &  68, 

Cheapside,  E.C.,  by  Protheroe  &  Morris,  at  12.45. 


The  letter  published  on  this  sub- 

Chwln-*  J('et  '"  OUr  laSt  issUe  fr0nl  a 
themums,  valued  correspondent  again 
raises  the  question  of  the  utility 
of  show  boards  at  the  floral  exhibitions.  For 
many  years  past  we  have  advocated  the  dis- 
use of  the  boards,  and  have  besought  the 
exhibition  authorities  to  devise  more  suit- 
able means  for  the  display  of  their  flowers. 
During  a  long  period  our  appeals  appeared  to 
avail  little ;  the  custom  had  been  practised 
in  the  case  of  every  floral  society,  and  it  was 
thought  by  those  most  concerned  to  be  in- 
separable from  exhibitions  which,  being  com- 
petitive, needed  to  be  judged  with  the  great- 
est possible  accuracy.  This  could  only  be 
done,  it  was  said,  by  displaying  the  blooms 
in  the  show  boards,  and,  therefore,  divesting 
them  of  all  the  natural  fnliage  of  the  plant, 
and  hiding  the  stems  quite  out  of  view.  In 
the  case  of  Carnations,  even  this  treatment 
was  considered  to  be  insufficient  to  bring  the 
blooms  into  a  proper  condition  for  inspection, 
and,  therefore,  each  was  provided  with  a 
paper  collar  on  which  the  petals  might  rest 
flatly  and  ineffectively,  even  white  flowers 
being  placed  on  white  paper.  Our  view  is, 
and  has  always  been,  that,  in  order  that 
floral  exhibitions  shall  afford  a  means  of  in- 
struction and  pleasure  to  the  public,  it  is 
necessary  that  the  flowers  shall  be  displayed 
in  a  manner  as  attractive  as  possible,  and 
particularly  in  a  manner  that  the  public  may 
be  expected  to  employ  them  for  their  own 
purposes.     The    flowers   that   are   capable  of 


attracting  most  notice  under  these  conditions 
will  be  likely  to  be  also  the  most  satisfactory 
to  the  purchasers.  Furthermore,  a  natural 
method  of  display  should  increase  the  attrac- 
tiveness of  the  exhibition  itself.  Latterly, 
these  views  have  obtained  many  converts,  and 
the  results  have  been  particularly  marked  at 
the  exhibitions  of  the  National  Rose  Society, 
the  National  Chrysanthemum  Society,  the 
National  Dahlia  Society,  and  the  two  Carna- 
tion societies,  all  of  which  have  provided 
some  classes,  at  least,  in  which  flowers  might 
be  shown   in   a  decorative  manner. 

We  rejoice  that  such  a  change  has  taken 
place  in  the  views  of  those  responsible  for 
arranging  the  various  shows,  and  from  this 
point  of  view  cannot  but  regard  the  sugges- 
tion now  put  forward  as  being  of  a  retro- 
gressive character. 

If,  however,  the  letter  from  our  corre- 
spondent  be  read  carefully,  we  believe  it  will 
be  seen  that  the  complaint  is  based  as  much 
upon  the  present  alleged  mismanagement  of 
the  "vase"  classes,  as  upon  a  desire  to  revert 
to  the  system  that  has  been  discarded.  He 
writes  of  "  inartistic  green  jars,"  the  "  fre- 
quently bad  arrangement  on  the  part  of  the 
exhibitor  himself,  and  the  crowding  together 
of  the  jars  by  the  exhibition  officials,"  &c. 
These  are  matters  that  might  easily  be 
remedied,  and  doubtless  would  be  im- 
proved upon  after  longer  experience  with 
this  method  of  exhibition.  In  regard  to 
the  question  of  variety  in  form  and 
colour,  it  would  appear  to  us  that  there  sel- 
dom lacks  sufficient  variety  at  the  shows, 
and  a  class  which  serves  to  point  out  to  the 
visitor  which  are  the  very  best  forms  of  a 
particular  type  certainly  serves  a  useful  pur- 
pose. If  the  "  vase  "  classes  have  the  result 
of  placing  before  the  public  only  the  largest 
and  coarsest  flowers,  the  fault  may  be  traced 
to  the  judges,  for  exhibitors  may  be  trusted 
to  display  those  possessing  the  characteris- 
tics which  judges  on  previous  occasions  have 
singled  out  for  awards,  and  the  prizes  could 
be  just  as  well  awarded  for  rich  and  bright 
colours,  and  for  refinement  in  the  flowers 
when  exhibited  in  vases,  as  they  could  be  if 
the  flowers  were  inserted  in  boards. 

We  think,  therefore,  that  the  objections 
raised  by  our  correspondent  are  worthy  the 
careful  attention  of  those  whose  duty  it  will 
be  to  compile  future  schedules,  and  where  it 
can  be  proved  the  new  system  at  present  fails 
to  fulfil  conditions  which  appear  desirable  in 
the  interests  of  the  flower,  the  public,  or  the 
exhibitors  themselves,  efforts  should  be  made 
to  so  modify  the  schedule  as  to  meet  the 
legitimate  objections  that  are  raised,  and  at 
the  same  time  to  preserve  the  more  natural 
method  of  display. 

Rain,    or    more    frequently    the 
British       deficient  supply  of  it,   is  a  ques- 
Rainfall.     tion   of   so   much   importance   to 
the    horticulturist    that    the   ap- 
pearance  of    a    publication    which    deals   ex- 
haustively with  the  fall  of  rain,  and  its  dis- 
tribution  over   the    United    Kingdom    in    the 
previous  year,  should  be  an  event  of  no  little 
importance   to  all   interested   in    the   welfare 
of  their  gardens.     In  the  volume  before  us, 
entitled    Britisli    Rainfall   for    iqoO,    by    Dr. 
II.    R.    Mill,    record-,  for  that  year   from   no 
fewer   than  4,300  rain-gauges   are   tabulated 
and  discussed  from  various  points  of  view. 


It  is  surprising  to  find  how  these  records 
vary  not  only  in  different  parts  of  the  country, 
but  even  within  the  limits  of  a  single  county. 
Take,  for  instance,  a  county  of  mod.  rate 
size,  and  with  few  hills  of  any  importance, 
like  Berkshire,  where  last  year  the  difference 
between  the  driest  and  wettest  rainfall 
stations  amounted  to  as  much  as  10  inches, 
or  nearly  half  the  total  fall  of  the  driest  of 
those  stations..  Glancing  down  the  column 
which  gives  the  heights  of  the  different  places 
above  sea-level,  it  will  be  noticed  that,  as  a 
rule,  the  higher  the  locality  the  greater  the 
fall  of  Train.  If,  however,  we  turn  to  the 
records  of  a  hilly  county  like  Derbyshire,  we 
shall  find  the  differences  in  the  amount  of 
rain  measured  in  the  lower  and  the  elevated 
districts  still  more  striking.  There  the 
smallest  quantities  in  1906  fell  at  places  less 
than  200  feet  above  ordnance  datum,  whereas 
at  the  highest  station,  which  is  situated  near 
Buxton  and  1,600  feet  above  sea-level,  the 
total  record  amounted  to  as  much  as  57 
inches,  or  more  than  double  that  at  anv  of 
those  at  the  lowest  levels  in  the  county; 
where  the  total  falls  for  the  year  were  under 
24  inches.  Great  as  are  these  differences,  the 
above  figures  represent  them  only  approxi- 
mately at  their  true  extent,  for  it  is  well 
known  to  meteorologists  that  the  more  windy 
the  position  in  which  a  rain-gauge  is  placed 
the  smaller  is  the  proportion  of  the  actual 
rainfall  it  collects  owing  to  the  eddies  oi  air 
in  anything  like  high  winds  which  form 
about  the  mouth  of  the  gauge  and  prevent 
the  full  quantity  of  rain  from  entering  it. 
For  those  who  would  like  to  pursue  this  ques- 
tion further  it  may  be  pointed  out  that  an 
interesting  article  on  the  influences  of  the 
wand  on  rain-gauges  will  b«  found  in  the 
volume  under  review. 

During  the  six  months  ending  March, 
1906,  or  what  may  be  termed  the  winter  half 
of  the  year,  the  rainfall  over  the  British  Isles 
was,  as  a  rule,  slightly  in  defect  of  the 
average.  This  we  gather  from  a  summary 
of  the  rainfall  of  "  the  winter  six  months." 
The  particulars  given  under  that  heading, 
however,  more  concern  the  engineer  than  the 
gardener.  But  for  the  six  summer  months 
there  is  no  such  summary,  and  therefore  the 
required  information  in  respect  to  that  period 
can  only  be  obtained  by  gleaning  it  from  the 
descriptions  of  the  individual  months.  This 
omission  would  seem  to  imply  that  the  author 
is  of  opinion  that  a  brief  review  of  the  rain-  ' 
fall,  and  its  distribution  over  the  six  months 
in  question,  would  have  no  particular  interest 
for  his  readers,  whereas  to  those  engaged  in 
agricultural  and  horticultural  pursuits  they 
must  necessarily  be  of  special  interest. 

From  the  descriptions  of  the  various 
months  we  gather  that  April  was  dry  in  all 
parts  of  the  kingdom,  and  that,  taking 
England  alone,  the  total  fall  was  only  half 
the  average.  May,  on  the  contrary,  proved 
relatively  the  wettest  month  of  the  year  in 
the  British  Isles,  the  heaviest  rainfall  occur- 
ring in  Scotland  and  the  north  of  England. 
June  was  everywhere  very  dry  until  the  end 
of  the  month,  wdien  heavy  falls  of  rain  tock 
place  in  some  districts.  July  was  the  driest 
month  of  the  whole  year  in  England,  with  a 
slight  excess  of  rain  throughout  the  western 
half  of  Scotland  and  Ireland.  August  was 
another  dry  month,  and  more  particularly  in 


Supplement  to  the  "Gardeners'  Chronicle.' 


Syringa  Josik/Ea  eximia,  as  shown  by  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence,  Bart.,  at  the 
R.H.S.   Meeting  on  June   ii.     Colour  of  flowers,   reddish-rose. 

Temple  Press  Ltd.,  Printers,  7-15,  Rosebery  Avenue,  London,  E.C. 


October  19,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


281 


the  south-east  of  England,  with  an  excess  of 
rainfall  in  Scotland  and  Ireland.  Taking 
the  country  as  a  whole,  September  proved 
exceptionally  dry.  From  the  foregoing  par- 
ticulars it  will  be  seen  that  during  nearly  the 
whole  of  the  growing  period  of  the  year  the 
weather  remained  in  nearly  all  parts  of  the 
country  singularly  dry. 

What,  however,  made  the  summer  months 
of  last  year,  by  which  is  meant  throughout 
this  article  the  six  months  ending  September, 
so  distressing  to  vege-ratior:,  was  not  only  the 
continued  dryness  of  the  ground,  but  also 
the  continued  dryness  of  the  air,  the  latter 
being  to  most  plants  the  more  trying  of  the 
two  conditions.  The  want  of  moisture  in  the 
atmosphere  is  clearly  shown  by  the  unusual 
evaporation  from  Dr.  Mills'  evaporation 
gauge  at  Camden  Square  in  the  north  of 
London,  which  was  greater  than  the  average 
for  the  previous  21  years  in  every  month  of 
the  growing  period,  except  May.  In  fact, 
the  evaporation  in  August  had  only  once 
before  been  exceeded  in  that  month,  and  in 
September  never  before. 

We  have  had,  at  all  events  in  the  home 
counties,  a  long  and  almost  unbroken  series 
of  dry  summers,  including  that  of  the  pre- 
sent year,  and  have  therefore  become  so  well 
acquainted  with  the  evils  of  drought  that  we 
have  come  to  regard  rain  as  an  unmixed 
blessing,  but  should  the  conditions  change 
and  wet  summers  be  the  rule  rather  than  the 
exception,  we  may  find  reason  to  modify  our 
views.  As  the  truth  is  said  to  lie  half  way 
between  the  two  extremes,  so  summers  of 
seasonable  rainfall  will  be  found  in  the  long 
run  those  most  to  be  desired.  For  rain  is 
only  a  perfect  blessing  when  accompanied 
by,  at  all  events,  moderately  high  tempera- 
tures. Unfortunately  in  this  country  dry 
summers  are,  as  a  rule,  also  characterised  by 
excessive  warmth  and  dryness  of  the  air, 
whereas  wet  summers  are  almost  invariably 
not  only  moist,  but  cold  as  well. 


Our  Supplementary  Illustration  shows 
the  very  fine  variety  of  Lilac  displayed  by  Sir 
Trevor  Lawrence,  Bart.  (gr.  Mr.  Bain),  under 
the  name  Syringa  Josikaea  eximia,  at  the  meeting 
of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  on  June  11  last, 
when  it  was  granted  an  Award  of  Merit  by  the 
Floral  Committee.  The  inflorescence  of  reddish- 
rose  coloured  flowers  is  very  large  and  strongly 
scented.  The  variety  flowers  when  most  other 
Lilacs  have  passed  out  of  flower,  and  is  therefore 
the  more  valuable. 

Small  Holdings. — We  are  informed  that 
Earl  Carkington,  KG.,  President  of  the  Board 
of  Agriculture  and  Fisheries,  has  appointed  Messrs. 
Edwin  John  Cheney  and  Matthew  Talbot 
Baines  to  be  small  Holdings  Commissioners  for 
the  purposes  of  the  Small  Holdings  and  Allot- 
ment Acts,   1907. 

Ivy  Killed  by  a  Poplar. — The  Ivy  is  so  well 

known  on  account  of  its  destructive  effects 
upon  the  trees  infested  by  it  that  an  example  in 
which  the  tables  were  completely  turned  is  of 
some  interest.  A  writer  in  Le  Bambou  describes 
a  Canadian  Poplar  which  was  enfolded  by  a  very 
large  Ivy,  the  stem  of  which  had  grown  across 
a  deep  furrow  near  the  base  of  the  supporting 
tree.  The  edges  of  the  furrow  slowly  grew  to- 
wards each  other,  and  in  this  way  the  climber 
was  finally  enclosed  and  strangled.  After  its 
death  and  ultimate  removal,  the  signs  of  the 
damage  caused  to  the  tree,  of  course,  dis- 
appeared. 


French  National  Chrysanthemum 
Society. — The  Annual  Show  and  Congress  of 
this  Society  will  take  place  at  Toulouse  from 
November  5  to  7.  The  agenda  comprises  the 
following  subjects  for  discussion  :  The  production 
of  Chrysanthemum  seed,  spring  flowering  of 
Chrysanthemums,  manures  for  outdoor  culture, 
insects  and  diseases,  best  modes  of  packing  cut 
blooms  and  plants,  uses  of  Chrysanthemums  for 
decoration  of  gardens  and  apartments,  sports,  how 
to  secure  and  fix  them.  Medals  will  be  awarded 
for  the  best  papers  on  these  subjects.  The  floral 
committee  will  meet  on  October  15  and  26  and 
November  5  and  16. 

Fruit  -  Preserving.— The  Home  Secretary 
has,  in  pursuance  of  Sections  41  and  58  of  the 
Factory  and  Workshop  Act,  1901,  issued  statu- 
tory rules  and  orders  for  factories  and  work- 
shops, in  which  women  and  young  persons  are 
employed  in  the  process  of  cleaning  or  prepar- 
ing fruit.  These  special  rules  are  concerned 
with  the  sanitary  and  hygienic  conditions  which 
are  to  be  observed  in  the  wiork-rooms,  the  hours 
of  work  of  women  and  young  persons,  and  the 
keeping  of  a  register  by  the  occupiers  of  fruit- 
preserving  factories.  Several  of  the  rules  fre 
not  to  take  effect  till  June  1,  1908. 

Helps  for  the  Seed  Trade. — The  Weekly 
Florists'  Review,  under  the  foregoing  headline,  tells 
its  readers  what  agricultural  exploration  work, 
when  carried  out  by  experienced  men,  has  done 
for  the  country.  The  results  achieved  by  Mr.  A 
Carleton  in  securing  grains  from  Russia  and 
other  parts  of  the  world  for  use  in  the  U.S  A.  was 
mentioned  at  the  Seed  Trade  Convention  at  New 
York  last  month,  as  an  illustration  of  the  import- 
ance of  sending  practical  men  upon  explorations  of 
this  nature  Mr.  Carleton  lias  made  grains  a 
special  study  for  20  years,  and  he  was  able  to 
select  varieties  of  Wheat  which  produced  last  year 
in  the  U.S  about  50,000,000 bushels,  worth  about 
37,000,000  dollars.  Particular  attention  was  called 
to  the  Japanese  salad  plant  Udo,  which  is  cu'ti- 
vated  and  served  much  like  Celery,  and  is  proving 
a  promising  plant  for  use  in  American  households. 
About  5,000,000  dollars  worth  of  matting  is  im- 
ported annually,  and  the  Department  of  Agriculture 
is  trying  to  establish  the  manufacture  of  matting 
from  Japanese  grass,  which  grows  readily  in  the 
U.S.A.  As  the  types  of  Juncus  employed  do  not 
come  true  from  seed,  it  has  been  necessary  to  secure 
a  large  shipment  of  these  plants  from  Japan,  and 
they  are  now  in  successful  cultivation  in  California. 
Machinery  has  been  perfected  for  weaving  this 
grass,  and  by  its  aid  one  person  can  make  in  a  day 
as  much  as  an  Oriental  can  make  in  30  days. 

A  P/eony  Check  List. — Most  of  the  special 
societies  in  England  and  America  appear  to  be 
busy  in  preparing  for  the  use  of  their  members 
literature  of  the  subject  under  their  special 
charge.  The  publication  now  under  notice  appears 
to  be  the  first  official  catalogue  of  Paeonies,  and  is 
due  in  a  large  measure,  though  not  altogether, 
to  the  American  Paeony  Society.  The  book,  a 
substantial  brochure  in  paper  wrappers  of  232 
pages,  has  been  prepared  by  John  Eliot  Coit, 
and  contains  the  names  of  the  leading  varieties  of 
Paeonies  of  which  authentic  descriptions  can  be 
found.  After  a  few  pages  of  introductory  matter, 
in  which  the  intent  and  scope  of  the  catalogue  are 
set  forth,  and  in  which  also  the  system  of  alpha- 
betical classification  is  explained,  the  reader  will 
find  a  list  of  something  like  2,706  varieties,  arranged 
alphabetically,  and  accompanied  by  necessary  de- 
tails of  information .  First  appears  the  name,  then 
the  section,  raiser,  date,  and  reference  to  other 
authorities  who  have  catalogued  or  described  the 
Paeony.  The  publication  bears  no  indication  of 
price,  and  it  has  probably  been  prepared  only  for 
the  use  of  members  of  the  society. 


Canadian  Fruit. — According  to  the  Crop 
Bulletin  95  of  the  Ontario  Department  of  Agri- 
culture, the  yield  of  Wheat  and  fruit  in  this  pro- 
vince of  Canada  is  below  the  average..  The 
problems  of  disease  are  more  acute  than  with 
us  ;  thus  black  knot  is  said  to  be  steadily  killing 
out  the  Cherry  trees,  whilst  the  dread  San  Jose 
scale  insect,  which  has  spread  from  California, 
is  working  havoc  amongst  the  orchard  trees  in 
some  of  the  districts. 

Asparagus   Damaged   by  Caterpillars. — 

Mr.  F.  H.  Chittenden,  entomologist  in  charge 
of  breeding  experiments  under  the  U.S.  Depart- 
ment of  Agriculture,  gives  an  account  of  two 
moths,  the  caterpillars  of  which  are  causing 
damage  to  Asparagus  and  other  crops.  One  of 
the  species,  the  Cranbury  Spanworm  (Cleora 
pampinaria),  has  long  been  known  on  the  Cran- 
berry plants,  and  the  caterpillar  belongs  to  the 
class  of  "  loopers  "  or  "geometers.7'  It  attacks 
many  other  plants  besides  the  two  mentioned 
above.  The  striped  garden  caterpillar  (Mame- 
stra  legitima)  is  also  a  general  feeder,  but  is 
said  to  be  specially  partial  to  Asparagus,  as 
well  as  to  leguminous  and  cruciferous  vege- 
tables. Its  distribution  is  more  southern  than 
the  former  species,  which  is  common  in  Ma.ss-i- 
chusetts. 

Euphorbias  (Poinsettiasi  on  Benches. — 
Gardeners  in  this  country  do  not  seem  to  have 
adopted  the  American  bench  method  of  growi  ig 
Euphorbia  (l'oinsettia)  pulcherrima  ;  but  if  the 
plant  is  cultivated  for  producing  bracts  for  cut- 
ting only,  it  may  be  carried  out  at  less  cost  than 
pot  culture.  The  species  is  a  surface-rooting 
'  plant,  and  in  order  to  prepare  the  young  plants 
for  planting  on  the  benches,  it  is  essential  to  set 
out  the  cuttings  in  trenches  4  inches  deep,  hav- 
ing a  layer  of  coarse  sand  or  fine  gravel  at  the 
bottom,  upon  which  the  cuttings  will  rest.  If 
the  benches  are  not  ready  when  the  cuttings  are 
fit  for  lifting,  they  should  be  put  into  cutting- 
boxes  until  the\-  are  required  at  the  end  of  the 
season.  As  the  wood  ripens,  water  must  be 
gradually  withheld,  so  that  by  the  time  it  is  quite 
matured  the  bracts  will  be  of  full  size  and  fad- 
ing, whilst  the  leaves  will  have  fallen,  and  the 
soil  be  quite  dry.. 

Another  Phylloxera  Regulation. — The 
Italian  Government  obliges  exporters  of  Italian- 
grown  Grapes  to  pack  the  fruit  in  close,  boxes  or 
baskets.  There  are,  it  is  stated,  isolated  centres  of 
infection  in  Italy  from  which  the  insect  can  easily  be 
exported  to  places  abroad,  and  this  circumstance 
may  become  the  cause  of  a  conflict  between  the 
Italian  and  German  Customs  authorities,  for  the 
Italian  export  firms  obstinately  refuse  to  agree  to  the 
new  regulations,  owing  to  the  increase  in  the  cost 
of  packing.  It  may  be  stated  that  instead  of  there 
being  a  few  isolated  centres  of  infection  in  Italy, 
there  are  thousands  of  such,  and  millions  of  vines 
are  or  must  be  destroyed.  It  is  a  matter  for  sur- 
prise that  the  German  Government  should  be  So 
apprehensive  of  the  Phylloxera  being  imported. 
Thousands  of  the  insects  enter  the  country  in  late 
autumn  in  packages  of  fresh  Grapes,  and  the  new 
regulations  will  do  nothing  to  stop  them.  Hence  it 
is  immaterial  whether  the  fruit  be  sent  in  closed 
boxes  or  baskets,  or  after  the  manner  hitherto  em- 
ployed. The  winged  insect  comes  over  the  frontiers 
without  disturbance,  hidden  securely  between  the 
berries.  The  potted  plants,  trees  and  shrubs,  which 
come  mostly  from  places  in  which  neither  vines  nor 
Phylloxera  exist  go,  as  is  well  known,  through  a 
close  and  costly  examination,  usually  to  the  in- 
evitable injury  of  the  plants;  but  the  packages  of 
Grapes  go  through  and  are  never  examined.  The 
utter  futility  of  regulations  against  the  spread  of 
this  pest  of  the  vines  has  often  been  pointed  out  in 
the  Gardeners'  Chronicle  and  other  publications, 
but  appaiently  with  no  effects  in  certain  quarters 
abroad. 


282 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[October  19,  1907. 


ANCHUSA  ITALICA  "DROPMORE 
VARIETY." 
This  well-known  Boraginaceous  species  was 
introduced  from  the  Caucasus  nearly  a  cen- 
tury ago,  and  it  has  since  been  cultivated  very 
commonly  in  British  gardens.  Its  value  as  a 
hardy  flowering  plant  has  depended  to  a  con- 
siderable extent  upon  the  colour  of  the  flowers, 
for  there  is  usually  a  deficiency  of  blue  in  the 
herbaceous  borders  during  summer  and  early  in 
autumn.  The  Dropmore  variety,  which  origi- 
nated at  Dropmore,  in  Berkshire,  several  years 
ago,  by  its  splendid  qualities  has  caused  the 
species  to  be  given  a  better  place  generally  in 
gardens  than  it  possessed  formerly.  In 
habit  and  rich  colouring,  as  well  as  in 
the   size  of   the   individual   flowers,    the   variety 


Unfortunately,  the  raisers  of  Chrysanthemums 
are  not  careful  to  keep  records  of  the  crosses 
made  ;  when  new  varieties  are  first  exhibited, 
they  are  awarded  according  to  merit  as  "  sports 
from  " — or  "  seedlings  from  " — such  and  such  a 
variety,  and  the  male  parent  is  often  overlooked. 
There  is  a  desire  on  the  part  of  the  Chrysanthe- 
mum specialist  to  introduce  early  "  singles,"  and 
so  to  extend  the  flowering  season  ;  there  is  a 
growing  demand  for  varieties  of  this  section  in  the 
London  markets.  The  variety  "Nonin's  Single"  is 
one  of  the  best  of  the  early  singles  having  a  large 
yellow  flower.  Two  seedlings  have  been  raised 
from  this  variety  by  Messrs.  Cragg,  Harrison,  and 
Cragg,  of  Hounslow,  namely,  Mrs.  H.  W. 
Cowley  and  Mr.  A.  K.  Bowstead ;  both  are 
white,   the  former   having   slightly  reflexed   and 


which  have  been  awarded  the  First-Class  Cer- 
tificate by  the  N.C.S.),  but  also  on  account  of 
their  great  diversity  in  colour. 

Uncertain  as  the  results  of  crosses  are — yet 
those  obtained  from  the  crossing  of  "sports" 
are  even  less  reliable — there  seems  to  be  a  ten- 
dency, when  using  a  "  sport "  for  a  parent,  for 
the  offspring  to  revert  to  the  variety  from  which 
the  "  sport  "  has  arisen.  A  good  example  has 
been  noted  in  the  Japanese  section.  "  Mme. 
Carnot,"  crossed  with  "  Charles  Davis  "  (the  lat- 
ter being  the  male  parent),  gave  a  cross  of  a 
deep  mauve  or  amaranth,  resembling  "  Vivian 
Morell,"  fiom  which  "Charles  Davis"  had 
sported.  In  such  instances  the  "  sport  "  appears 
to  represent  a  superficial  change,  incapable  of 
being   transmitted    sexually.     Herbert    Cowley. 


Fig.  115. — anchusa  italica  "dropmore  variety":   flowers  blue. 


[Photograph  by  C.  P.  Raffill. 


greatly  excels  the  type.  It  is,  therefore,  not 
unusual  now  to  find  Anchusa  italica  given  a 
large  bed  to  itself,  as  is  the  case  in  the  instance 
shown  in  the  illustration  at  fig.  115,  where  the 
wealth  of  flowers  upon  the  plants  and  on  the 
ground  afford  sufficient  proof  of  the  effect  such 
a  mass  of  blue  would  have  in  the  landscape. 
Anchusas  require  a  rich,  porous  soil,  and  should 
be  cultivated  in  a  position  that  is  exposed  to 
the  sun. 


CROSS -FERTILISATION    OF     - 

CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 
No  one  can  have  the  same  interest  in  the 
results  of  cross-fertilisation  as  the  specialist 
who,  it  may  be,  has  spent  years  endeavouring 
to  introduce  new  varieties  and  to  bring  about 
improvements  in  his  own  speciality.  To  him 
it  is  particularly  interesting  to  observe  the  varie- 
ties around  him  of  his  own  raising,  and,  what  is 
more,  to  see  before  him  a  field  for  new  work. 


curled  petals.  Both  flower  outside  in  early 
September,  and  next  season  they  will  be  intro- 
duced. 

The  results  of  crossing  among  the  singles 
seem  to  show  how  impossible  it  is  to  conform 
this  work  to  any  law.  The  following  is  a  list  of 
varieties  obtained  from  the  same  cross:  — 


HOME    CORRESPONDENCE. 


Colour. 

Beauty  of  Weybridge  . 

.  Terra     c  0 1 1  a  ~ 

crimson 

Edith 

Lizzy 

.  Crushed  straw- 

Pagram 

berry 

(pink) 

Crown  of  Gold. . 

.  Old  gold 

X 

Iv.  elyn 

.  Amaranth 

-  Annie 

Eva  Pagram 

.Blush    pink, 

Farina 

white  ring 

(terra 

Elizabeth  Phyllis 

.  Cerise 

cotta 

Willie 

.  Park  pink 

red). 

Dan         

.   Pink,  fine  petal  ., 

This  cross  was  made  by  Mr.  W.  C.  Pagram, 
of  Weybridge.  It  is  noteworthy,  since  it  not  only 
gave  rise  to   ouch  high-class  varieties   (three  of 


(The  Editor  does  not  hold  himself  responsible  for  the 
opinions  expressed  by  his  correspondents. ) 

Chrysanthemums:     Boards    v.    Vases.— 

Mr.  Davis,  on  page  269,  calls  attention  to  the 
lack  of  interest  in  Chrysanthemums,  and  attri- 
butes this  to  the  introduction  of  the  vases. 
Much  as  we  admire  vase  exhibits,  it  is  beyond 
dispute  that  this  method  of  exhibiting  has  done 
nothing  to  promote  the  cultivation  of  Chrysan- 
themums. The  vases  alone  are  not  responsible 
for  the  waning  interest  in  these  plants.  The 
large  blooms  of  the  Japanese  varieties  and 
the  constant  flow  of  interesting  novelties  have 
been  the  cause  of  the  wonderful  interest 
which  has  been  taken  in  Chrysanthemums. 
Consider  the  vast  number  of  provincial  exhibi- 
tions which  are  held  during  the  month  of 
November.  Practically  the  whole  of  these  shows 
are  due  to  the  culture  of  the  Japanese  Chrysan- 
themum. Hardy  fruits,  especially  Apples  and 
Pears,  would  have  stood  a  poor  chance  of  being 


> 


Ociobkr   19,    1P07.| 


THE    GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


2S.: 


seen  at  their  best  had  it  not  been  for  these  much 
abused  "  mop  heads  "  of  Chrysanthemums.  No 
one  can  deny  the  fact  that  the  public  do  not 
attend  the  autumn  shows  in  the  same  numbers 
as  in  days  gone  by,  neither  are  fanciers  of  the 
Chrysanthemum  to  be  found  in  the  same  num- 
bers. Mr.  Davis  seems  to  deprecate  the  ex- 
traneous influences  given  to  some  shows,  and 
with  these  includes  popular  military  bands. 
Possibly  we  should  "stick  to  our  last,"  but  ex- 
perience generally  proves  that  good  music  pays, 
and  if  a  good  "  gate  "  cannot  be  obtained  with- 
out it,  by  all  means  let  the  band  be  employed. 
The  Scottish  Society  pays  between  £300  and 
£400  for  music  alone  during  the  three  days  of 
its  November  show,  and  its  "gate"  alone  is 
worth  between  £1,100  and  £1,200.  Would  it  be 
as  much  as  half  this  amount  without  the  band? 
I  think  not.  Would  Shrewsbury  have  done  so 
much  for  horticulture  without  "outside"  attrac- 
tions? Returning  to  our  text,  'Boards  v. 
\  .it   has   been   my   fortune,   either   as   an 

exhibitor  (non-competitive)  or  judge,  to  have 
attended  most  of  the  important  autumn  exhibi- 
tions, and  my  experience  is  that  half-a-dozen 
blooms  in  a  vase  do  not  attract  growers  as 
they  will  on  the  formal  board.  The  chief 
objections  to  vases  are: — The  heavy  expenSf 
incurred  in  packing  and  transit  to  the  shows  : 
the  curtailment  of  the  number  of  varieties 
and  the  larger  number  in  each  which  has  to 
be  grown.  Many  may  consider  a  reduction  in 
the  number  of  sorts  to  be  advantageous,  but, 
nevertheless,  there  is  something  to  be  said  on 
the  other  side,  ('.rowers  cannot  afford  space  and 
time  to  cultivate  varieties  with  the  chance  of 
having  only  a  bloom  or  two  of  each.  They  must 
grow  a  large  number  of  kinds  which  have  already 
been  seen,  and  may  be  exhibited,  even  at  the 
risk  of  repetition,  in  the  various  classes.  \\  hilst 
I  contend  that  the  large  exhibition  Japanese 
Chrysanthemums  constitute  the  life  of  the  show, 
1  wish  it  to  be  clearly  understood  that  I  do  not 
regard  mere  size  as  the  acme  of  perfection.  Far 
fr"in  it ;  but  no  one  can  deny  the  fact  that  most 
judges  place  this  character  before  anything  else, 
ami  it  is  this  which  has  to  a  certain  extent 
brought  the  large  flowers  into  disrepute.  Judges 
write  against  size,  but  when  they  award  the 
prizes,  dull-coloured,  coarse,  and  sometimes  stale 
flowers  are  preferred  to  slightly  smaller,  clearly- 
coloured,  handsome,  fresh  flowers.  Twice  last 
season  I  had  to  meet  a  committee  and  explain 
why  the  large,  coarse,  poorly-coloured,  and  stale 
flowers  were  not  placed  first.  My  suggestion 
was  that  if  size  is  to  be  the  only  standard  oi 
excellence  it  should  be  so  stated  in  the  schedule, 
and  then  have  a  carpenter  with  his  "-(out  rule 
to  award  the  prizes.  I  would  like  to  suggest 
that  the  National  Chrysanthemum  Society  call 
a  conference  of  growers  to  discuss  boards  v. 
vases  and  also  the  question  of  "  How  to  increase 
the  popularity  of  the  Chrysanthemum."  II'.  /. 
Godfrey. 

Union     of     Gardeners      Societies. — The 

step  taken  by  the  Council  of  the  Royal  Horti- 
cultural Society  in  forming  a  union  of  the 
various  Horticultural  Mutual  Improvement  So- 
cieties will,  I  am  assured,  meet  with  universal 
approval.  On  behalf  of  the  Croydon  Society, 
who  were  the  originators  of  this  union,  I  appeal 
to  other  societies  to  join  at  once,  and  thus  show 
their  approval  of  the  scheme.  During  October, 
190G,  a  provisional  committee  was  appointed  to 
formulate  a  plan  for  federating  these  Mutual 
Improvement  Societies,  but  after  considerable 
and  careful  deliberation,  it  was  decided  to  ap- 
proach the  Royal  Horticultural  Society,  and  to 
ask  them  to  take  the  matter  up.  This  suggestion 
the  premier  Society  has  been  good  enough  to 
adopt.  Such  recognition  will,  I  trust,  act  as  a 
stimulus  to  the  many  Mutual  Improvement  So- 
cieties throughout  the  country,  and  tend  to 
create  fresh  endeavours  in  these  bodies  for  the 
betterment  of  horticulture.  Harry  Boshier,  Hon. 
Sec.  to  the  Provisional  Committee,  62,  High 
Street,  Croydon. 

It  must  be  gratifying  to  the  members 

of  the  many  Gardeners'  Mutual  Improvement 
Societies  in  this  country  to  learn  that  tie 
President  and  Council  of  the  Royal  Horti- 
cultural Society  have  decided  to  form  a  union 
of  such  bodies.  The  Gardeners'  Debating 
Societies  must  have  a  beneficial  effect  upon 
gardening  in  general,  and  have  become  im- 
portant fact    rs  in  British  horticulture;  therefore 


it  is  appropriate  that  the  premier  horticul- 
tural society  should  link  together  the  numerous 
Gardeners'  Mutual  Improvement  Associations 
that  exist  in  the  various  parts  of  the  country. 
From  si,,  h  ,1  unii  in  nothing  but  good  can  accrue, 
and  if  no  more  is  accomplished  than  an  annual 
conference  of  delegates  the  work  will  not  have 
been  in  vain.  W .  P.  Bound  (Chairman,  Redhill 
and  Reigate  Gardeners'  Mutual  Improvement 
Society),   Gallon  Park  Gardens,   Reigate. 

American  Blight  on  Apple  Tree  Roots. — 
A  Working  Grower  (p.  357)  has  had  but  limited 
experience  in  hardy  fruit  culture  or  he  would  not 
write  in  so  light  a  strain  respecting  the  attacks  of 
American  Blight  on  the  roots  of  Apple  trees,  and 
the  efforts  made  by  nurserymen  to  keep  the  pest  in 
check.  I  am  familiar  with  the  best  nurseries  in 
the  United  Kingdom,  and  I  do  not  know  one 
where  the  utmost  care  is  not  adopted  to  ensure 
clean  stock.  Purchasers  are,  however,  sometimts 
tempted  by  cheap  oilers,  and  beginners  are  especi- 
ally liable  to  make  t his  mistake,  with  the  result 
thai  they  olten  obtain  a  good  deal  more  than  they 
expected  or  desired.     If  A    Worfa  isever 

so  unfortunate  as  to  have  his  trei  badly  attacked 
at  the  roots,  he  will  sympathise  with  other  growers 
who  have  h  ;    v  u  hole  plantations  on  that 

" nt      1    have   known  nur-ei  yuien   who  have, 

through  this  pest,  had  to  give  up  valuable  pieces 
of  land  at  a  heavy  loss  because  all  efforts  had 
failed  to  e'ear  their  stock  of  the  blight  sufficiently 
to  enable  them  to  give  the  necessary  assurance  to 
customers.  Methylated  spirits  should  be  used 
with  great  caution  ;  it  is  certainly  "  penetrating," 
and  has  killed  many  a  young  tree  when  employed 
without  due  care.  Petroleum  and  soft  soap  is  the 
safest  effectual  mixture  I  have  tried,  but  more 
ids  upon  the  thoroughness  of  the  application 
and  the  watchfulness  exercised.      R. 

Quick  Growth  of  Gladiolus, — The  late 
moisl  season  has  been  so  favourable  to  the  growth 
of  Gladiolus,  that  from  a  plant  raised  from 
so»n  on  March  2.  we  have  to-day  cut  a  fine  spike 
of  bloom.  The  seed  was  saved  from  mixed 
\arieties  of  G.  gandavensis,  and  was  not  oi  the 
new  G  prsecox  type  It  should,  in  fairness,  be 
said  that  the  soil  was  specially  prepared,  so  that 
the  seedlinss  had  plenty  of  assistance.  Other 
spikes  of  bloom  are  now  forming  in  the  same 
bed.  We  never  saw  seedlings  looking  better. 
Pifley,  Bittou,  Bristol,  Oet.  J. 

The  European  Gooseberrv  -  mildew 
Attacking  the  Red  Currant.    -The  European 

Gooseberry-mildew  (Microsphscra  grossulariae, 
Wallr.,  Lev.)  has  again  attacked  the  Red  Cur- 
rant this  season,  as  it  did  last  autumn.  In 
October  last  I  reported  this  mildew  as  occur- 
ring on  some  Red  Currant  bushes  in  the  Colli  ge 
plantations,  and  pointed  out  that  up  till  then 
this  Gooseberry-mildew  had  apparently  never 
been  observed  on  this  plant.  This  season  the 
same  lot  of  Red  Currant  bushes  in  the  College 
plantations  have  been  attacked  by  the  mildew, 
and  I  have  observed  it  in  Red  Currant  planta- 
tions in  two  other  localities  in  Kent,  viz.,  not 
far  from  Linton,  near  Maidstone,  and  in  the 
vicinity  of  Sittingbourne.  In  both  cases  the 
growers  had  never  previously  observed  any 
mildew  on  the  bushes.  Has  any  grower  else- 
where noticed  any  mildew  on  Red  Currant 
leaves?  It  must  be  remembered  that  the  Ameri- 
can Gooseberry-mildew  |Spha?rotheca  mors-uva3, 
Schwein.  Berk.)  is  able  to  attack  the  Red  Cur- 
rant ;  and  I  have  seen  bushes  this  summer  in 
Norfolk  which  were  attacked  by  this  mildew. — 
E.  S.  Salmon,  F.L.S.,  Mycologist  to  the  South- 
Eastern   Agricultural  College,   Wye,   Kent. 

Two  Good  Senecios.— S  Clivorum  still  (Octo- 
ber 6)  makes  a  brilliant  patch  of  orange  ;  its  large 
(lowers  and  handsome  leaves  have  been  effective 
for  several  weeks.  It  is  suitable  either  for  the 
large  border  or  for  planting  in  wilder  surroundings, 
but  it  never  appears  better  than  when  in  grass  at 
the  waterside.  Indeed  it  prefers  a  moist  position, 
as  the  leases  are  apt  to  flag  wdien  the  roots  are  in 
dry  soil.  Much  less  robust  in  habit  is  S.  pulcher, 
whose  large  red-purple  flowers  are  amongst  the 
last  to  appear  in  the  autumn  weather  It  should 
be  given  a  place  in  a  sunny,  sheltered  border  com- 
posed of  light,  well-drained  soil.  This  plant  is  of 
ihe  easiest  culture,  but  beingslightly  tender  should 
be  protected  in  winter  with  a  covering  of  ashes 
p'aced  over  the  roots  unless  growing  in  a  shelteied 
position      Harold  Evans,  Llanishcn,  Cardiff. 


LAW    NOTE. 


CARRIAGE  OF  PRODUCE  BY  RAILWAY. 

At  the  Brentford  County  Court  on  October  11,  before 
His  Honour  Judge  Howland  Roberts,  the  Great  Wes- 
tern Railway  Company  sued  Fredk.  Thomas,  of  Lelant, 
Cornwall,  and  Kew  Bridge  Market,  for  £33  14s.  9d., 
carnage  of  goods.  The  claim  was  admitted,  and  a 
counter-claim  of  £62  lis.  was  set  up  for  loss  of  market 
value  on  vegetables  and  flowers  through  late  delivery 
by  the  railway  company.  Mr.  Hume  appeared  for  the 
Company,  and  Mr.  Jarvis  for  the  defendant. 

On  the  counter-claim  plaintiff  stated  that  he  was 
in  the  habit  of  having  vegetables  and  cut  flowers  sent 
up  from  Cornwall  by  the  Great  Western  Railway.  He 
made  arrangements  with  the  Brentford  stationmaster 
that  all  goods  arriving  were  to  be  delivered  by  six 
o'clock  on  market  mornings  at  Kew  Bridge.  On  March 
28  a  consignment  of  Broccoli  arrived  late  and  he  lost 
the  best  customers  at  the  market.  He  estimated  that 
he  lost  £35.  On  March  30,  thirty  dozen  of  cut  flowers 
were  five  hours  late  in  delivery  and  had  to  be  sold  at  a 
ind  on  several  other  dates  in  April  the  goods 
arrived  late.  On  one  occasion  there  was  a  delay  of 
two  days.  When  he  spoke  to  the  stationmaster  he  was 
adyised  to  sell  the  stuff  as  best  he  could.  The  market 
served  a  very  large  district,  being  the  only  one  west- 
ward of  Covent  Garden.  It  opened  at  five  o'clock  in 
the  morning,  and  the  best  customers  were  there  from 
6  till  7.30.  Unless  goods  were  on  sale  between  these 
hours  the  best  prices  could  not  be  obtained,  and  they 
had  to  bi  sold  to  second-rate  buyers. 

Cross-examined  :  Some  of  the  goods  were  sent  at 
special  rates,  others  at  ordinary  rates.  He  did  not 
complain  of  delay  on  the  line  in  transit,  but  of  delay  iu 
sending  from  the  station  after  arrival. 

Mr.  Hume  submitted  that  there  was  no  liability 
against  the  Company.  Some  of  these  goods  were  car- 
ried at  the  ordinary  rate,  and  were  delivered  in  the 
ordinary  way.  Others  were  carried  at  a  special  rate 
to  ensure  quicker  transit,  but  the  Company  were  pro- 
tected by  a  condition  on  the  back  of  the  note  signed  by 
the  consignee  that  they  would  not  be  responsible  for 
the  loss  of  market  value  in  consequence  of  non- 
delivery. 

His  Honour  pointed  out  that  the  case  here  was  that 
they  were  not  delivered  to  a  specified  time. 

Mr.  Hume  replied  that  the  Company  carried  accord- 
ing to  their  conditions.  Any  arrangement  made  by  a 
u  master,  or  directions  given  by  a  pointsman, 
were  outside  the. conditions.  Unless  the  goods  were 
■  !  they  were  saleable,  and  the  Company  would 
not  be  liable.  There  was  no  unreasonable  delay  and 
no  proof  of  wilful  misconduct.  Even  in  the  absence 
of  the  special  condition  the  loss  of  market  value  was 
too  remote,  and  there  was  no  proof  of  the  actual 
market  price  and  the  price  at  which  the  goods  were 
sold. 

Mr.  Jarvis  argued  that  the  clause  in  the  conditions 
was  unreasonable  and  must  be  governed  by  certain 
conditions  as  to  the  nature  of  the  article.  It  had  been 
held  that  the  non-delivery  of  cloth,  so  that  it  missed 
the  fashion,  was  a  wrongful  act  which  carried  damages. 
Here  the  goods  were  Broccoli  and  cut  flowers,  both  of 
which  perished  rapidly,  particularly  the  flowers,  and  if 
not  sold  in  market  hours  they  would  be  useless,  since 
they  could  not  be  kept  till  the  next  market  day.  There 
wis  no  question  of  delay  on  the  line,  but  the  defen- 
dants had  declined  to  send  out  in  reasonable  time 
goods  received  at  their  destination  station,  and  from 
that  they  should  be  liable.  There  were  penalties  in 
common  law  resting  upon  them  as  common  carriers, 
and  they  could  not  contract  themselves  out  of  them. 
They  were  in  this  instance  monopolists.  Theirs  was 
the  only  system  by  which  the  plaintiff  could  get  his 
goods  to  the  market,  and  by  insisting  on  such  a  clause 
they  were  crippling  business. 

His  Honour  said  that  the  ruling  case  on  railway 
carrying  was  Moore  v.  The  Midland  Railway,  and 
he  had  failed  to  see  anything  in  this  case  which 
put  the  plaintiff  outside  it.  Undoubtedly  the  goods 
were  delivered  late,  and  then  came  the  question, 
was  the  Company  protected  by  their  contract  ?  He 
thought  the  clause  was  framed  to  meet  just  such  a  con- 
tingency as  this,  and  to  protect  the  Company  against 
claims  where  goods  carried  by  them  w-ere  only  an 
hour  or  two  late.  The  plaintiff  was  well  aware  of  the 
clause,  and  he  did  his  business  with  the  Company 
knowing  his  own  risk  of  loss.  No  statements  or 
arrangement  by  the  stationmaster  could  ovl-  ri  le  the 
written  contract.  As  to  the  goods  carried  at  ordinary 
risks  they  were  sent  at  owner's  risk,  and  there  was  no 
proof  of  wilful  misconduct  on  the  plaintiffs  part.  He 
therefore  found  for  the  Company  with  costs. 


2S4 


THE     GARDENERS     CHRONICLE. 


[October  19,  1907. 


SOCIETIES. 


ROYAL   HORTICULTURAL. 

October  15. — The  usual  fortnightly  meeting 
of  the  Committees  of  this  society  took  place  on 
Tuesday  last  in  the  Royal  Horticultural  Hall, 
Vincent    Square,    Westminster. 

The  Orchid  Committee  recommended  two 
First-Class  Certificates  and  three  Awards  of 
Merit  to  novelties  in  the  Orchid  exhibits ;  the 
Floral  Committee  one  First-Class  Certificate 
and  five  Awards  of  Merit  to  novelties  amongst 
other  plants  and  flowers ;  and  the  F"ruit  and 
Vegetable  Committee  Awards  of  Merit  to  two 
varieties  of  Potato.  At  the  afternoon  meeting  a 
lecture  on  "  British  Floral  Relationships  with 
Foreign  Countries  "  was  delivered  by  Prof.  Geo. 
Henslow,   MA. 

Floral  Committee. 

Present:  W.  Marshall,  Esq.  (chairman),  and 
Messrs.  C.  T.  Druery,  H.  B.  May,  Jno.  Green, 
T.  W.  Turner,  George  Nicholson,  James  Wal- 
ker, George  Gordon,  H.  J.  Cutbush,  R.  Hooper 
Pearson,  \V.  T.  Ware,  J.  F.  McLeod,  W.  Howe, 
J.  Jennings,  C.  Blick,  H.  J.  Jones,  W.  Cuthbert- 
son,  C.  Dixon,  C.  E.  Pearson,  J.  T.  Bennett- 
Poe,  C.  E.  Shea,  W.  P.  Thomson,  E.  H.  Jen- 
kins, W.  J.  James,  George  Paul,  and  G.  Reuthe. 

Messrs.  II.  B.  May  &  Son,  Upper  Edmonton, 
London,  N.,  staged  a  representative  collection 
of  species  and  varieties  of  Adiantum.  This  ex- 
hibit, which  was  displayed  in  a  semi-circular 
manner  on  the  floor,  showed  the  remarkable 
diversity  of  form  seen  in  the  members  of  this 
genus  of  Ferns.  The  foliage  in  some  was  very 
finely  divided  and  delicately  poised  on  slender 
petioles,  others  had  stiff  fronds  with  pinnules 
of  large  size,  and  still  others,  as  in  A.  asari- 
folium,  had  simple  foliage;  in  the  species 
named  the  leaves  were  represented  by  large  kid- 
ney-shaped lobes.  A.  peruvianum  has  big  lobes, 
2  inches  or  more  across  their  widest  parts,  but 
in  this  species  they  are  pinnate.  A.  macrophyl- 
lum  albo-striatum  has  its  leaves  marked  with 
white  and  rose  colour.  A.  ciliatum  has  once- 
divided  leaves,  similar  to  a  species  of  Nephro- 
lepis.  Other  interesting  plants  observed  were 
A.  tenerum  Farleyense,  A.  trapeziforme,  A.  un- 
dulatum,  and  A.  micropinnulum.  Adjoining 
the  Ferns  was  another  exhibit  from  this  firm 
that  was  composed  of  Carnations,  Veronicas, 
and   Bouvardias.      (Silver  Flora  Medal.) 

C.  Y.  Raphael,  Esq.,  Potter's  Park,   Shenley 

(gr.  Mr.  A.  Grubb),  displayed  blooms  of  varieties 

of  Carnations  of  the  Souvenir  de  la  Malmaison 

'  type.     The  blooms  represented  the  very  highest 

standard  of  culture.     (Silver  Flora   Medal.) 

Messrs.  J.  Cheal  &  Sons,  Crawley,  Sussex,  ex- 
hibited a  very  handsome  and  large  exhibit  of 
ornamental-leaved  and  berried  shrubs  and  trees. 
The  group  occupied  the  whole  of  a  long  table 
at  the  platform  end  of  the  hall,  and  was  ar- 
ranged with  skill.  Varieties  of  Maples  were  es- 
pecially handsome  in  their  autumnal  tintings, 
some,  such  as  Acer  tataricum  Ginnale,  A. 
japonicum  laciniatum,  and  A.  dasycarpum  pul- 
,  verulentum,  had  deep-red  coloured  foliage. 
Catalpa  Bungei  aurea  had  big,  cordate 
leaves  of  a  beautiful  gold  colour.  Another 
shrub  with  foliage  of  this  colour  is  Virgilia 
lutea,  the  leaves  being  pinnate.  Nandina  domes- 
tica  resembles  in  its  leafage  a  plant  of  Aralia, 
and  this  was  shown  in  splendid  colour — a  shade 
of  red.  Ampelopsis  hederacea  and  other  species 
were  prominent  in  their  autumn  tints,  rivalling 
the  beautiful  Cornuses,  such  as  C.  mas  elegan- 
tissima,  C.  Spathii,  C.  sibirica,  and  others  in 
their  shades  of  colouring.  Oaks,  Crataegus, 
Berberis,  Peaches,  Azalias,  Arbutus,  and  many 
others  added  much  beauty  to  this  extensive  dis- 
play.    (Silver-Gilt  Flora  Medal.) 

A  group  of  trees  and  shrubs,  including  many 
ornamental  Conifers,  was  displayed  by  Messrs. 
H.  Lane  &  Son,  Great  Berkhamsted/  Golden 
Yews,  Cupressus  Macrocarpa,  Picea  [Abies] 
polita,  Cryptomeria  elegans,  Cedrus  atlantica 
glauca,  Retinospora  obtusa  aurea,  Abies  Dou- 
glasii,  Retinospora  squarrosa,  Cupressus  Law- 
soniana  in  variety,  and  many  others  were  shown 
in  well-cultivated   specimens. 

Mr.  L.  R.  Russell,  Richmond,  Surrey, 
showed  ornamental  shrubs,  many  in  berry.  Per- 
nettyas,  Skimmias,  Aucubas,  Cotoneasters, 
Crataegus,    Veronicas,    Clematis,    &c,    were   the 


principal  subjects,  and  these  were  in  small  pots 
of  a  size  suitable  for  the  embellishment  of 
dwelling  rooms.     (Bronze  Flora  Medal.) 

Messrs.  James  Veitch  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  King's 
Road,  Chelsea,  showed  their  rich  collection  of 
Nepenthes,  as  beautiful  as  in  former  seasons. 
This  unrivalled  collection  was  greatly  admired, 
and  the  culture  of  the  plants  left  little  to  be 
desired.  Some  of  the  specimens  were  carrying 
as  many  as  twenty  well-developed  pitchers,  N. 
mixta  sanguinea  and  N.  Burkei  excellens  hav- 
ing this  number.  Among  the  handsomest  was 
the  variety  named  after  Sir  W.  T.  Thiselton- 
Dyer,  the  long  pitchers  being  splashed  with  red 
on  a  yellowish  ground,  and  with  a  broad,  hand- 
some rim.  N.  Curtisii  superba  has  narrow, 
dark-coloured  pitchers.  Those  of  N.  Mastersi- 
ana  are  broad  and  red.  N.  Chelsonii  has  a  very 
long  lamina,  and  at  the  end  of  the  long  mid- 
rib is  a  broad  pitcher,  beautifully  marked  with 
red,  and  with  broad  wings.  The  pitcher  of  N. 
ventricosa  has  a  constricted  centre,  and  is  very 
pale  green  or  yellow.  There  were  also  N. 
Tiveyi,  N.  Ruby  (new),  and  many  others.  Ad- 
joining were  greenhouse  flowering  plants,  in- 
cluding a  specimen  of  jEschynanthus  grandi- 
florus  in  flower  ;  Begonias,  Streptocarpus,  An- 
gelonia  grandiflora,  &c.  In  another  part  of  the 
building  Messrs.  Veitch  displayed  a  group  of 
trees  and  shrubs  in  fruit,  including  Pernettyas, 
Skimmia  Fortunei,  Cotoneasters,  amongst  which 
was  the  tall  C.  frigida  with  its  panicles  of  showy 
red  berries,  and  the  dwarf  C.  uniflora ;  Sym- 
phoriearpus  mollis,  Aucuba  japonica  nana,  in 
tiny  specimens,  Hypericum  Androsaemum,  and 
Crataegus  Syracantha  Laelandii,  the  last-named 
the  most  beautiful  of  all.     (Gold  Medal.) 

Chrysanthemums  of  high  merit  were  shown 
by  Mr.  H.  J.  Jones,  Hither  Green,  Lewisham, 
and  .Keston,  Kent.  Vases  of  the  variety  Mrs. 
A.  T.  Miller  were  very  fine  in  every  respect,  the 
handsome  receptacles  used  for  their  accommo- 
dation being  filled  with  18  or  more  blooms  of 
this  large  white  Japanese  variety.  There  were 
also  good  vases  of  \V.  Beadle,  Moneymaker, 
Mrs.  W.  Knox,  Mrs.  A.  H.  Lee,  George  Terry, 
and  other  choice  kinds.  These,  with  vases  of 
decorative  varieties,  completed  the  group.  (Sil- 
ver-Gilt Flora  Medal.) 

Messrs.  John  Peru  &  Son,  West  Norwood, 
staged  a  semi-circular  group  of  Chrysanthe- 
mums, in  which  were  big  blooms  of  Japanese 
varieties  above  a  setting  of  smaller  decorative 
varieties,  with  Palms,  Codiaeums,  Dracaenas, 
and  Ferns  as  relief.  On  a  table  opposite  the 
Chrysanthemums  Messrs.  Peed  staged  flowers 
of  tuberous-rooting  Begonias  in  boxes,  each  of 
separate    colours. 

Messrs.  W.  Wells  &  Co.,  Merstham,  Surrey, 
arranged  a  group  of  Chrysanthemums  with  much 
skill.  The  back  of  the  exhibit  contained  tall 
groups  of  such  varieties  as  Golden  Queen  of  the 
Earlies,  Mrs.  A.  Thomson  (a  bright  yellow 
flower  of  the  decorative  type),  Roi  des  Blanches, 
iVc.  In  the  centre  of  the  group  was  a  stand  ar- 
ranged with  the  pink  flowers  of  the  variety 
Lillie,  and  at  the  base  of  this  was  the  new 
white  La  Cygne,  which  received  an  Award  at 
the  recent  show  of  the  National  Chrysanthemum 
Society.  Some  large  blooms  were  also  dis- 
played, including  those  named  after  Mrs.  K. 
Hooper  Pearson,  Miss  M.  Godfrey,  Mdlle.  S. 
Gauthier,  Mrs.  W.  Wells,  &c.  (Silver  Banksian 
Medal.) 

Mr.  Eric  Such,  Maidenhead,  exhibited 
Chrysanthemums  principally  of  the  border  or 
decorative  type,  and  several  hardy  flowers, 
amongst  which  was  a  beautiful  new  Solidago. 
(See  Awards.)     (Silver  Flora  Medal.) 

Mr.  G.  Reuthe,  Keston,  Kent,  exhibited 
choice  hardy  and  Alpine  plants.  (Silver  Bank- 
sian Medal.) 

Messrs.  T.  S.  Ware,  Ltd.,  Ware's  Nursery, 
Feltham,  Middlesex,  showed  flowers  of  single 
varieties  of  the  Paeony-flowered  Dahlias,  Chry- 
santhemums of  the  decorative  type,  and  peren- 
nial Asters  in  great  variety. 

Messrs.  R.  &  G.  Cuihbert,  Southgate,  dis- 
played a  large  number  of  flower-spikes  of  Lilium 
tigrinum  Fortunei,  set  off  with  tall  shoots  of 
Phalaris  arundinaria.     (Bronze  Flora  Medal.) 

Messrs.  Wm.  Cutbush  &  Son,  Highgate, 
London,  showed  an  assortment  of  seasonable 
flowers  from  the  herbaceous  border,  principally 
varieties  of  Aster,  Solidago,  Pentstemon,  Sca- 
biosa,  Pyrethrum,  Fhlox,  Pernettya,  &c.  The 
display  was  staged  with  good  artistic  effect. 
(Silver  Flora  Medal.) 


Messrs.  Barr  &  Sons,  King  Street,  Covent 
Garden,  London,  W.C.,  showed  hardy  flowers, 
including  perennial  Asters,  decorative  Chrysan- 
themums, Gladioli,  Kniphofias,  Crocuses,  Phy. 
salis   Franchetii,   &c. 

Mr.  Frank  Brazier,  Caterham,  showed,  in  a 
decorative  manner,  an  exhibit  of  border  Asters 
and  small-flowered  Chrysanthemums.  Bamboo 
epergnes  were  used  extensively  for  their  display, 
with  dwarfer  vases  between  these.  (Silver  Flora 
Medal.) 

Messrs.  G.  &  A.  Clark,  Ltd.,  Dover,  Kent, 
showed,  among  a  collection  of  hardy  flowers, 
some  splendid  spikes  of  the  snow-white  Cimici- 
fuga  simplex.  Pennesetum  longistylum  is  an 
ornamental  grass,  suitable  for  mingling  with  cut 
flowers.     (Bronze  Flora  Medal.) 

Messrs.  R.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Exeter,  displayed 
specimens  of  Mutisia  decurrens,  Dendromecon 
rigidum,  and  Gilia  coronopifolia. 

Messrs.  W.  Bull  &  Sons,  King's  Road,  Chel- 
sea, London,  again  exhibited  ornamental-leaved 
stove  and  greenhouse  plants  as  a  setting  to  a 
group   of   Orchids. 

AWARDS. 
First-Class  Certificate. 
Berberis  Wilsons. — This  is  a  new  species  in- 
troduced from  Central  China.  The  branches  are 
thickly  clothed  with  narrow  leaves,  generally 
less  than  J-inch  long.  The  reddish  spines  are 
in  some  cases  twice  as  long  as  the  leaves.  The 
berries  are  bright  red,  or  the  red  of  a  Bigarreau 
Cherry,  except  towards  the  base,  where  they  de- 
velop but  little  colour.  The  flowers  are-  de- 
scribed as  of  rich  yellow,  .and  the  collector  has 
stated  that  in  China  the  leaves  develop  even 
richer  colouring  than  the  berries.  This  charac- 
teristic, however,  is  not  yet  apparent  in  this 
country.     F'rom  Messrs.  James  Veitch  &  Sons. 

Awards  of  Merit. 

Aster  Miss  Southall. — This  is  a  variety  of  the 
perennial  Asters  or  Michaelmas  Daisies.  It  be- 
longs to  the  Nova  Angliae  group  and  has  lilac- 
coloured  flowers  about  \\  to  L!  inches  across.  It 
is  the  best  in  this  section  of  this  colour.  Shown 
by  Mr.   Davies,  Ross-on-Wye. 

Chrysanthemum  Estne  Reed. — This  is  a  white 
sport  from  the  variety  Mrs.  Winkfield,  and,  like 
the  type,  is  considered  valuable  for  its  dwarf 
habit  and  capacity  for  blooming  freely  whilst 
the  roots  are  confined  in  pots  as  small  as  5  inches 
or  6  inches  in  diameter.  It  is  said  to  be  im- 
possible to  grow  either  variety  into  tall  plants. 
Shown  by  Mr.  P.  Ladds,  Swanley. 

Chrysanthemum  H.  J.  Jones.  igoS. — This  is 
a  variety  belonging  to  the  large-flowered 
yellow  Japanese-incurved  section.  The  florets 
are  very  broad  and  the  colour  rich.  We  think 
better  flowers  than  those  exhibited  will  be  forth- 
coming at  a  later  date.  Shown  by  Mr.  II.  J. 
Jones. 

Nepenthes  X  Ruby  (N.  sanguinea  X  N.  Curtisii 
superba). — This  plant  has  very  broad  pitchers, 
each  about  9  inches  in  length  and  4  inches  in 
breadth.  The  colouring  is  a  shade  of  red,  as  is 
indicated  in  the  name.  The  wings  are 
small,  but  the  rim  is  finely  developed.  The 
plant  had  very  robust  leaves,  and  four  excellent 
pitchers.  Shown  by  Messrs.  James  Veitch  & 
Sons,  Ltd. 

S'lidago  "Golden  Wings." — This  is  described 
as  a  seedling  form  of  the  common  "  Golden 
Rod,"  but  its  appearance  would  hardly  lead 
one  to  such  a  conclusion.  It  is  an  excellent 
garden  plant,  for  the  inflorescences  are  not  erect, 
as  most  Solidagos  are,  but  spread  almost  hori- 
zontally or  feather-like,  and  are  extremely  effec- 
tive when  seen  from  above.  The  colour  is  rich 
yellow.  Shown  by  Mr.  E.  F.  Such,  Maidenhead. 

Orchid  Committee. 

Present :  Harry  J.  Veitch,  Esq.  (in  the  Chair! ; 
and  Messrs  Jas.  O'Brien  (Hon.  Sec),  D<  B 
Crawshay,  W.  Bolton,  W.  Cobb,  II.  Little.  \\ 
Boxall,  E.  Ashworth,  A.  A.  McBean,  F.  Sander, 
H.  T.  Pitt,  H.  T-  Chapman,  W.  P.  Bound,  H. 
G.  Alexander,  H.  A.  Tracy,  F.  J.  Hanbury,  R. 
Brooman-W  hite,  F.  W.  Moore,  H.  Ballantine, 
A  Dye.  W.  A.  Bilney,  R.  G.  Thwaites,  and  li, 
F.   Moore. 

Leopold  de  Rothschild,  Esq.,  Gunners' 
bury  House,  Acton  (gr.  Mr.  Jas.  Hudson),  was 
awarded  a  Silver  Flora  Medal  for  an  exhibit 
of  finely-flowered   Orchids.     In  the  back  of  the 


October  19,  1E07 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


285 


group  were  well-cultivated  examples  of  Cattleya 
Bowringiana  and  on  either  side  specimens  of 
its  hybrids,  C.  Mrs.  J.  \\ .  Whiteley  and  C.  John 
Baguley.  The  front  portion  of  the  display  con- 
tained good  forms  of  C.  labiata.  At  one  end 
was  an  arrangement  of  Vanda  ccerulea,  Onci- 
dium  varicosum,  and  Odontoglossum  grande, 
and  at  the  other  a  selection  of  the  white  Den- 
drobium  formosum  giganteum  and  Oncidium 
varicosum. 

Messrs.  Charlesworth  &  Co.,  Heaton,  Brad- 
ford,  secured  a  Silver  Flora  Medal  for  an  ex- 
cellent group  of  Orchids,  in  which  were  two 
new  Laelio-Cattleyas  named  L.-C.  Lusitania  (C. 
Iris  X  L.-C.  Phryne)  and  L.-C.  Aureole  (L.-C. 
luminosa  X  C.  Iris).  Of  the  better-known  kinds 
were  varieties  of  L.-C.  luminosa,  L.-C.  Dom- 
iniana  ;  a  very  fine  form  of  L.-C.  Cappei,  hav- 
ing rich,  redaish-scarlet-coloured  flowers  with  a 
maroon-coloured  lip ;  and  other  showy  hybrid 
Laslias  and  Cattleyas.  Among  the  Odontoglos- 
sums  and  hybrids  of  this  genus  was  the  pretty 
O.  Phcebe.  Rodriguezia  fragans  was  shown 
with  a  wealth  of  white  flowers  ;  we  also  noticed 
the  true  Cycnoches  Egertonianum  with  a  raceme 
of  claret-coloured  blooms,  the  curiously-fringed 
Cirrhopetalum  ornatissimum,  Bifrenaria  aureo- 
fulva,  Maxillaria  nigrescens ;  the  new  and  dis- 
tinct Dendrobium  regium,  a  good  example  of 
the  pure,  white-lipped  Odontoglossum  bictoni- 
ense  album,  and  a  selection  of  fine  varieties  of 
Cattleya  labiata. 

Messrs.  Sander  &  Sons,  St.  Albans,  were  voted 
a  Silver  Flora  Medal  for  an  effective  group  in 
which  were  several  fine  varieties  of  Cattleya  labi- 
ata, the  best  of  which — C.  labiata  King  Edward 
VII. — is  a  noble  flower  of  fine  proportions  and  of 
much  substance.  The  flowers  were  a  shade  of 
magenta-rose ;  the  broad  labellum  ruby-purple, 
with  orange  colour  in  the  throat.  Another  fine 
Cattleya  shown  in  this  exhibit  was  C.  Lord  Roth- 
schild variety  Rex,  a  variety  bearing  a  resem- 
blance to  a  fine  C.  Hardyana,  but  with  dark 
orange  in  the  lip,  which  in  form  resembles  that 
<>f  Cattleya  labiata.  Other  choice  plants  noted 
were  the  rare  Cymbidium  lancifolium,  the  new 
and  handsome  C.  erythri  istylum,  Catasetum  tri- 
dentatum,  several  distinct  forms  of  Cypripedium 
insigne,   and  various  hybrids. 

Messrs.  Jas.  Veitch  &  Sons,  King's  Road, 
Chelsea,  were  awarded  a  Silver  Mora  Medal  for 
a  group  containing  many  showy  hybrid  Laelio- 
Cattleyas,  including  varieties  of  L.-C.  Xysa,  L.- 
('.  Bletchleyensis,  L.-C.  Haroldiana,  &c.  Also 
Cattleya  Mantinii,  Masdevallia  Imogen,  M. 
Acis  and  the  fine  orange-scarlet  M.  Veitchiana 
grandiflora,  which  is  still  the  most  beautiful  of 
its  class.  In  the  centre  was  a  specimen  of  Odon- 
toglossum grande  carrying  24  flowers,  and 
around  it  a  selection  of  Cattleya  labiata ; 
Cypripedium  insigne  Sanderas ;  the  distinct 
Veitchian  hybrids  C.  Baron  Schroder,  C. 
Little  Gem,  C.  H.  Ballantine,  and  C.  Jas.  H. 
Veitch  ;    Odontoglossums,   &c. 

Norman  C.  COOKSON,  Esq.,  Oakwood,  Wylam 
(gr.  Mr.  11.  J.  Chapmanl,  received  a  Silver 
Banksian  Medal  for  an  interesting  group,  in 
which  were  several  hybrids  raised  from  seeds 
obtained  by  crossing  albinos,  the  progeny  being 
invariably  coloured  varieties.  In  the  group 
were  the  fine  Cypripedium  Dom  Carlos  Rex, 
with  large  white  flowers  blotched  with  purple  ; 
the  distinct  C.  Chapmanii,  "  Oakwood  variety," 
which  differs  from  the  type  plant  in  having  a 
yellowish  ground  colour  to  the  flower  ;  C.  Io- 
Argus,  an  attractive  flower  with  large  blackish 
blotches  on  the  petals ;  C.  Nandii,  Low's 
variety  (see  Awards)  ;  the  pretty,  pale  yellow 
Lselia  De  Geesteana,  Oakwood  variety,  and  a 
fine  plant  of  Odontoglossum  crispum  punctatis- 
simum  with  two  spikes,  the  one  having  14  and 
the  other  19  well-developed  flowers. 

Messrs.  J.  &  A.  A.  McBEAN,  Cooksbridge, 
secured  a  Silver  Banksian  Medal  for  a  neat 
group  containing  Cattleya  aurea,  Odontoglos- 
sum crispum,  O.  Pescatorei,  Miltonia  vexillaria, 
M.  Roezlii,  Cypripedium  insigne  Sanderae  with 
m\  flowers,  and  other  showy  Orchids.  The  best 
hybrid  in  this  group  was  Cypripedium  Alport- 
ense,  Gratrix's  variety  (insigne  Harefield  Hall 
X  Boxallii),  a  large  flower,  of  perfect  form  and 
with  the  marking  of  C.  insigne,  but  on  a  softer 
ground  colour. 

Messrs.  Moore,  Ltd.,  Rawdon,  Leeds, 
secured  a  Silver  Banksian  Medal  for  a  group  in 
which  were  several  hybrid  Odontoglossums : 
Cypripedium  insigne  macuiatum,  C.  insigne 
nigrum,  and  C.  insigne,  Green  Bank  variety, 
the  last-named  is  a  very  distinct  flower,  and  has 


attractive  markings.  Other  plants  noted  in  the 
group  were  Lselia  majalis,  Cattleya  Iris,  C.  Bow- 
ringiana superba,  some  pretty  varieties  of 
Cypripedium  Fairrieanum,  Brasso- Cattleya 
Madame  Hye,  a  light-coloured  variety  of  Den- 
drobium Phalaenopsis,  the  singular  Nanodes 
Medusae,  Oncidium  bicallosum,  &c. 

Messrs.  Stanley  &  Co.,  Southgate,  received 
a  Silver  Banksian  Medal  for  a  group  contain- 
ing excellent  varieties  of  Cattleya  labiata,  On- 
cidium varicosum,  yellow  varieties  of  Cypri- 
pedium insigne,  C.  Leeanum,  and  the  dark-col- 
oured C.  nigratum  (Swinburnei  magnificum  X 
Argus  Moensii). 

Messrs.  Hugh  Low  &  Co.,  Enfield,  Middle- 
sex, were  awarded  a  Silver  Banksian  Medal  for 
a  group  in  which  were  good  examples  of  Cat- 
tleya labiata,  including  one  of  the  white  variety 
Empress;  also  Laelio-Cattleya  Firefly,  Cattleya 
Pittiana,  C.  Maronii,  Cypripedium  Milo,  Wes- 
tonbirt  variety,  C.  Olivia,  C.  triumphans,  C. 
Maudiae  magnificum,  Cattleya  Gaskelliana  alba, 
&c. 

Messrs.  Jas.  Cypher  &  Sons,  Cheltenham, 
staged  a  group  in  which  were  varieties  of  Cat- 
tleya labiata,  a  fine  pan  of  the  rare  white  Zygo- 
petalum  rostratum,  some  excellent  varieties  of 
Cypripedium  insigne,  including  The  Oueen, 
Commander-in-Chief,  Ernestii,  and  Oddity.  C. 
X  Kitty,  a  very  good  flower;  C.  Milo,  Weston- 
birt  variety,  of  very  dark  colour ;  C.  Niobe,  a 
selection  of  C.  Fairrieanum,  &c. 

The  Earl  of  Onslow,  Clandon  Park,  Guild- 
ford (gr.  Mr.  lil  ike),  showed  a  spike  of  Cattleya 
labiata  with  six  flowers. 

II.   J.    BromiLOW,    Esq.,   Rann   Lea,   Rainhill, 
ashire,   sent   Cypripedium  Actaeus  revoluta 
and    C.    insigne,    Rann   Lea  \ariety. 

J.  FORSTES  Ai.cock,  Esq.,  Northchurch,  Herts, 
displayed  a  seedling  between  Cypripedium  liar- 
risianum  superbum  and  C.  Charlesworthii,  in 
which  the  lower  sepals  were  veined  with  rose 
as  well  as  in  the  dorsal  sepal. 

Henry    Little,    Esq.,   Baronshalt,    Twii 
ham    (gr     Mr.    Howard),    showed    Cypripedium 
Winnifred  Little,  a  pleasing  yellow  flower  with 
a  purple  line  on  the  dorsal  sepals  and  petals. 

Messrs.  Linden  &  Co.,  Brussels,  showed 
Odontoglossum  crispum  Madame  Linden  secun- 
dum, a  good  flower,  heavily  blotched  with  claret 
red,  and  O.  c.  Reve  d'Or,  white,  blotched  with 
yellowish-brown 

J.  Bradshaw,  Esq.,  The  Grange,  Southgate 
(gr.  Mr.  G.  G.  Whiteleggei,  sent  Cattleya  Mi-. 
J.  W.  Whiteley  var.  Regalis,  a  very  large  flower 
of  fine  shape  and  of  a  bright  purplish-rose  col- 
our, the  lip  being  deep  ruby-crimson. 

Messrs.  Armstrong  &  Brown,  Tunbridge 
Wells,  showed  the  singular  Bulbophyllum  Daya- 
num  with  a  short  inflorescence  of  four  blooms, 
the  segments  of  which  are  fringed,  and  a  small 
white-flowered  Dendrobium. 

G.  \Y.  [ESS0P,  Esq.,  Rawdon,  Leeds,  sent  a 
small  form  of  Cirrhopetalum  appendiculatum. 

AWARDS. 
First-Class  Certificate. 

Arachnanlke  Pohaniana  (  Renanthera  Rohaniana 
i.  and  R.  Hookeriana),  from  J.  Gurney 
Fowler,  Esq.,  Glebelands,  South  Woodford 
(gr.  Mr.  J.  Davis).  A  very  remarkable  plant, 
with  flowers  resembling  those  of  Arachnanthe 
Lowii,  but  very  distinct  in  growth,  its  broad, 
slightly  ascending  leaves  being  not  curved 
downward,  as  in  A.  Lowii.  The  inflorescence 
bore  three  large  yellow  basal  flowers,  each 
slightly  spotted  with  brown  ;  beyond  these  the 
stout  pubescent  stem  was  naked  for  about  9 
inches.  The  remainder  of  the  inflorescence  car- 
ried twenty  cream-white  flowers,  heavily  barred 
with  deep  red  blotches.  In  describing  this  plant 
(which  was  originally  in  the  collection  of  Prince 
Camille  de  Rohan),  in  Xenia  I.,  p.  89,  the  char- 
acters relied  on  to  distinguish  A.  Rohaniana  is 
"  Epichilii  aristula  retrorsa ;  carinula  inflexa 
simplex"  as  opposed  to  duplex  in  the  descrip- 
tion of  A.  Lowii. 

Cattleya  Hardyana,  "  Westonbirt  variety," 
from  Major  G.  L.  Holford,  C.V.O.,  C.I.K., 
Westonbirt,  Tetbury  (gr.  Mr.  H.  G.  Alexander). 
A  superb  form  raised  at  Westonbirt.  The  flowers 
have  a  white  ground  colour  that  is  veined  and 
tinged  with  bright  rose,  the  white  showing  be- 
tween the  reticulation  of  colour.  The  flower 
measured  8  inches  across  ;  the  rich  ruby-crim- 
son  and  gold-coloured  lip  3  inches. 


Awards  of  Merit. 

Cattleya  labiata  "Daphne,"  from  J.  Brad- 
shaw,  Esq.,  The  Grange,  Southgate.  A  charm- 
ing pure  white  variety,  with  a  small  violet- 
coloured  blotch  in  front  of  the  yellow  disc  of 
the  lip. 

Cattleya  Armstrongia  magnifiea  (Hardyana  x 
Loddigesii  violaceaj),  from  Messrs.  Armstrong 
cV  Brown,  Tunbridge  Wells.  The  variety  is  the 
most  beautiful  of  the  section  which  has  yet 
appeared;  the  finely-formed  flowers  being  of  a 
bright  magenta  rose,  the  labellum  deep  orange, 
changing  to  chrome  yellow,  and  with  a  rose  ray 
on  the  front. 

Cypripidium  Nandii,  Low's  variety  ( callositm 
X  TantzianumJ,  from  Norman  C.  Cooksdn, 
Esq.,  Oakwood,  Wylam,  Northumberland  [gt 
Mr.  H.  J.  Chapman).  The  flowers  are  of 
medium  size,  and  white,  delicately  tinged  with 
rose. 

Fruit  and  Vegetable  Committee. 

Present:  Joseph  Cheal,  Esq.  (in  the  Chair); 
and  Messrs.  W.  Crump,  W.  J.  Jefferies,  Alex. 
Dean,  John  Basham,  11.  Parr,  |.  Davies,  H. 
Somers  Rivers,  G.  Rev, .olds,  P.  C.  M.  Veitch, 
Jesse  Willard,  J.  Jaques,  J.  Mclndoe,  Owen 
Thomas,  C.  G.  A.  Nix,  and  W.  Poupart. 

Several  seedling  fruits  and  vegetables  were 
presented  for  Awards,  including  a  white-fleshed 
Melon  of  good  flavour,  and  to  which  an  Award 
of  Merit  was  proposed,  but,  as  this  was  not  in- 
cluded in  the  trial  of  these  fruits  at  Wislev  Gar- 
dens,this  summer, the  Award  was  not  confirmed. 

Messrs  Dobbie  &  Co.,  Rothesay  N.B.,  and 
Mark's  Tey,  showed  a  collection  of  Onion-  in 
about  70  varieties.  Rarely  has  the  Hall  con- 
tained a  finer  exhibit  of  this  vegetable,  all  the 
samples  being  solid,  clear-skinned  and  evenly 
matched.  They  were  all  sown  on  the  same  date 
— March  2 — and  a  card  on  each  variety  indi- 
cated the  date  of  harvesting,  which,  in  the 
majority  of  cases,  was  October.  The  seeds  were 
obtained  from  British,  French,  German,  Italian, 
Dutch  and  American  sources.  Thus  the  dis- 
plaj  was  very  representative,  and  had  much 
educational  value.  The  variety  from  which  the 
heaviest  weight  of  bulbs  resulted  was  the  well- 
known  Ailsa  Craig,  and  another  heavy  cropper 
is  Cranston's  Excelsior.  The  best  keeping  varie- 
ties were  Bedfordshire  Champion,  Golden 
Globe,  Dobbie's  Main  Crop,  and  James  Keep- 
ing. Red  varieties  were  numerous,  and  these 
are  recommended  for  their  extreme  hardiness  : 
good  red  Onions  are  Deep  Blood  Red,  Dobbie's 
Selected  Red,  and  Saint  Marie.  The  small  Sil- 
ver Skinned  Pickling  Onion  was  shown,  and 
other  kinds  deserving  of  mention  are  Roushain 
Park  Hero,  Perfection,  Dobbie's  Champion,  and 
International.     (Silver-Gilt  Knightian  Medal.) 

Very  large  collections  of  Potatos  were  shown 
by  Messrs.  Geo.  Massey  &  Sons,  Spalding,  Lin- 
colnshire (Silver  Banksian  Medal),  and  Miss  M. 
H.  Dodge,  Losely  Park,  Guildford  (gr.  Mr. 
Staward).  [Silver-Gilt  Knightian  Medal.  I  In 
each  instance  about  100  varieties  were  dis- 
played. 

Mr.  W.  H.  Barber,  Culham  Court,  Henley, 
was  awarded  a  Silver  Banksian  Medal  for  an 
exhibit  of  Onions,  and  a  Bronze  Banksian 
Medal  was  granted  to  R.  H.  Comvns,  Esq., 
Heath  Farm  House,  Watford  (gr.  Mr.  Waterton), 
for  an  exhibit  of  100  excellent  Onions  of  the 
Ailsa    Craig   type. 

Messrs.  Hugh  Low  &  Co.,  Bush  Hill  Park, 
Enfield,  showed  a  collection  of  Apples,  the  most 
pleasing  being  those  of  Bismarck,  Allington  Pip- 
pin, Bramley's  Seedling,  Lord  Derby,  Lane's 
Prince  Albert,  Cellini,  Wealthy,  Tyler's  Kernel, 
Potts'  Seedling,  and  Stirling  Castle.  (Silver 
Banksian  Medal.) 

Awards  of  Merit. 
Potatos  The  Provost  arid  Longkeefer. — These 
two  varieties  having  satisfied  the  Committee  in  a 
cultural  trial  with  other  kinds  at  Wislev,  and 
having  afterwards  passed  a  culinary  test,  were 
each  granted  an  Award  of  Merit.  The  Provost 
was  sent  by  Messrs.  Dobbie  &  Co. ;  Longkeeper 
by  Messrs.  Carter  &  Co. 


POTATOS,  &C,  AT  WISLEV. 
A  meeting  of  the  members  of  the  Fruit  and 
Vegetable  Committee  was  held  at  Wislev  on  the 
8th  inst.  Mr.  J.  Cheal  was  chairman,  and  a  full 
quorum  attended.  Late  Potatos  were  inspected 
first,  the  varieties  Up-to-Date  and  Factor  both 


286 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[October  19,  1907 


yielding  fine  crops,  and  stocks  had  their  pre- 
vious awards  confirmed.  The  following  varie- 
ties were  given  3  marks,  to  be  followed  by 
Awards  of  Merit  if  satisfactory  in  passing  the 
cooking  test  at  Vincent  Square  : — Forester,  Long 
Keeper,  The  Provost,  and  Kirke's  No.  3  Seed- 
ling, a  name  for  which  is  to  be  obtained.  These 
■were  all  white  varieties,  and  partook  very  much 
of  the  "Up-to-Date"  or  the  "Abundance"  type. 
Scottish  Triumph,  synonymous  with  Up-to-Date, 
-gave  the  finest  stock.  Good  crops  were  also  fur- 
nished by  the  varieties  Conquering  Hero, 
Duchess  of  Cornwall,  and  a  few  others,  but  these 
■■were  not  selected  by  the  Committee  for  cooking. 
It  is  greatly  hoped  that  the  Potato  trial  next 
year  will  be  one  of  testing  the  growth  of  tubers 
from  diverse  soils  and  climates.  The  mere 
.growing  of  varieties  as  now  conducted  has  little 
or  no  educational  value.  Some  70  rows  of 
spring-sown  Onions,  all  pulled  and  lying  on 
their  sides  were  next  inspected.  These  would 
have  given  better  results  if  they  had  been  duly- 
thinned,  but  the  desire  seemed  to  be  to  test  the 
plants'  bulbing  powers  just  as  sown.  The  best 
red  Onion  was  Crimson  Globe,  certificated  in 
1888  as  Southport  Red  Globe,  and  the  best  of 
brown  varieties  were  Ailsa  Craig,  Cranston's  Ex- 
celsior, Banbury  Cross,  and  Nuneham  Park. 
An  Award  of  Merit  was  made  to  Excelsior,  that 
variety  not  having  previously  been  thus  hon- 
oured. There  were  numerous  duplicate  rows  of 
varieties,   the  stocks  coming  from   divers   seeds- 

■A  large  breadth  of  Tomatos,  in  66  assumed 
varieties  were  somewhat  of  a  surprise,  as  outdoor 
Tomatos  have  generally  done  so  badly  this 
season.  Most  of  the  plants  were  heavily  fruited, 
though  the  fruits  were  green.  There  was  not 
much  disease,  but  very  many  fruits  were  uneven 
in  form,  and  had  no  market  value.  Probably 
the  best  fruits,  none  being  large,  but  the  crop 
a  heavy  one,  was  Carter's  Sunrise,  which  pro- 
mises in  good  seasons  to  be  as  fine  for  outdoor 
culture  as  it  is  indoors.  An  Award  of  Merit 
was  made  to  Up-to-Date,  also  a  heavy  cropper. 

A  good  stock  of  "Exquisite"  Parsley  was 
-seen,  but  as  there  were  no  other  varieties  by  to 
compare  it  with,  the  Committee  advised  that  a 
.trial  of  Parsleys  take  place  next  year. 

On  such  sandy  soil,  a  trial  of  winter-sown 
Onions  under  glass,  the  plants  put  out  in  April, 
would  no  doubt  prove  very  successful. 

There  is  a  remarkably  fine  trial  of  Celeries 
to  be  seen  later.  The  sand  seems  to  suit  Celery 
admirably. 

JVIANCHESTER   AND   NORTH    OF 
ENGLAND    ORCHID. 

"October  2. — Committee  present :  Messrs.  E. 
Ash  worth,  Cypher,  Ashton,  Ward,  Sander, 
Keeling,  Stevens,  Cowan,  Walmsley,  P.  Smith, 
and  Weathers  (hon.  secretary). 

Messrs.  Cypher  &  Sons,  Cheltenham,  staged 
a  very  interesting  group  of  plants,  one  of  the 
main  features  of  which  were  about  100  plants 
of  Cypripedium  Fairrieanum  in  flower.  Dendro- 
bium  radium  in  Messrs.  Cypher's  group  obtained 
a   First   Class   Certificate.     (Silver   Medal.) 

W.  Thompson,  Esq.,  Stone,  Staffs  (gr.  Mr. 
Steverts)  was  again  a  prominent  competitor  in 
the  section  for  Cypripediums.  In  addition  to 
a  collection  of  these  plants,  this  gentleman 
showed  a  glorious  plant  of  Oncidium  incurvum 
var.  album,  with  a  wealth  of  its  handsome  white 
flowers :  the  plant  was  voted  a  Cultural  Cer- 
tificate. In  the  same  'group  Cypripedium  x 
Waltonense  was  shown ;  its  parentage  is  un- 
known, but  evidently  it  is  a  secondary  hybrid 
in  which  C.  x  Antigone  has  effected  some  in- 
fluence :  an  award  of  a  First  Class  Certificate 
•was  made  to  this  plant.     (Bronze  Medal.) 

J.  Macartney,  Esq.,  Bolton  (gr.  Mr.  Holmes) 
was  represented  by  a  collection  of  clean,  well- 
grown  plants.  Cattleya  x  Iris  Hey  House 
Variety  was  voted  an  Award  of  Merit ;  a  similar 
award  was  given  to  a  grand  plant  of  Cypri- 
pedium x  Shillianum  var.  giganteum.  (Bronze 
Medal.) 

Messrs.  Keeling  &  Sons,  Westgate  Hill, 
Bradford,  staged  a  varied  group  of  plants, 
to  which  a  Bronze  Medal  was  awarded.  Mil- 
tonia  x  Bluntii,  Reeling's  variety,  was  given  an 
Award  of  Merit. 

Mr.  W.  Bolton,  Warrington,  exhibited  fine 
plants  of  Cattleya  x  Hardyana  var.  rubescens 
and  Cypripedium  x  Boadicea  var.  magnifica. 
Both  these  plants  received  Awards  of  Merit. 


E.  Ash  worth,  Esq.,  Wilmslow  (gr.  Mr.  Hol- 
brook)  exhibited  Dendrobium  macrophyllum,  a 
plant  not  frequently  met  with,  and  remarkable 
for  its  green  flowers.  It  was  granted  an  Award 
of  Merit. 

E.  Rogerson,  Esq.,  Didsbury  (gr.  Mr.  Price) 
obtained  Awards  of  Merit  for  three  Cypripe- 
diums, viz.,  C.  x  Rene,  C.  x  Memnon  var. 
magnificum,  and  C.  X  Olga  Bagsham  Oakdene 
Variety. 

W.  Farrer,  Esq.,  Carnforth,  exhibited  two 
hybrid  Cypripediums,  evidently  forms  of  C.  x 
Actasus. 

H.  J.  Bromilow,  Esq.,  Rainhill  (gr.  Mr.  Mor- 
gan) gained  an  Award  of  Merit  for  Cypripedium 
X    Actaeus  var.   revoluta. 

Dr.  A.  Hodgkinson,  Wilmslow,  was  granted 
a  First  Class  Certificate  and  a  special  vote  of 
thanks  for  Dendrobium  Lowii,  a  well-grown  but 
small  plant  of  this  very  difficult  subject  to  cul- 
tivate. 

Mr.  J.  Robson,  Altrincham,  exhibited  Cypri- 
pedium X   Robsoniae. 

Mr.  D.  McLeod,  Chorlton-cum-Hardy,  also 
exhibited  some  good  Cypripediums.     F.  W. 


m:  arkets. 


ROYAL   BOTANIC. 

October  9. — At  the  show  held  on  this  date, 
the  chief  exhibitors  were  those  following:  — 
Messrs.  T.  S.  Ware,  Ltd.,  Feltham,  staged 
Dahlias,  Asters,  &c.  (Large  Gold  Medal.)  Mr. 
Eric  Slxh,  Maidenhead,  showed  a  large  display 
of  autumn  flowers,  Chrysanthemums,  perennial 
Asters,  Kniphofias,  &c.  (Gold  Medal.)  Messrs. 
Barr  &  Sons,  Thames  Ditton,  exhibited  hardy 
flowers  extensively.  Asters  were  well  shown, 
and  included  many  choice  new  varieties  ;  Chry- 
santhemums and  Kniphofias  were  also  promi- 
nent. Gladiolus  Childsii  W.  Falconer  has  flowers 
a  pleasing  shade  of  rosy-salmon.  Certificates  of 
Merit  were  awarded  to  Aster  cordifolius 
"  Ideal,"  a  variety  with  small  lavender-coloured 
flowers ;  Kniphofia  Obelisque,  with  flowers 
coloured  a  deep  yellow,  with  a  shading  of 
orange,  and  each  spike  had  smaller  lateral 
spikes  just  below  the  main  spike  ;  both  shown 
by  Messrs.  Barr  &  Sons  ;  Solidago  "  Golden 
Wings"  from  Mr.  E.  Such;  and  Gaillardia 
grandiflora  "  Lady  Rolliston,"  a  distinct  variety, 
with  large,  pure  yellow  flowers :  shown  by 
Messrs.   Harrison  &  Sons,   Leicester. 


THE     WEATHER. 

THE    WEATHER    IN    WEST    HERTS. 

Week  outing  October  16. 
The  heaviest  rain  for  V,  months.— The  weather  remained 
warm  in  the  eai  ]y  part  of  the  week,  but  since  then  lower 
temperatures  have  prevailed.  On  the  two  warmest  days  the 
highest  reading  in  the  thermometer  screen  was  61",  and  on 
the  coldest  night  the  exposed  thermometer  showed  4°  of 
frost.  The  ground  is  at  the  present  time  rather  warmer 
than  is  seasonable,  both  at  1  and  2  feet  deep.  Since  the 
month  began  rain  has  fallen  on  all  but  four  days,  and  to  the 
aggregate  depth  of  2J  inches.  On  the  14th  over  1  inch  cf  rain 
fell— making  this  the  wettest  day  since  the  end  of  June. 
1906.  Between  5  and  6  p.m.  on  that  day  half  an  inch  of 
rain  was  deposited.  This  heavy  fall  re-started  the  per- 
colation gauge  on  which  short  grass  is  growing,  which  had 
been  dry  since  the  third  week  in  July,  and  since  then  about 
three  gallons  of  rain-water  has  come  through  that  gauge,  and 
over  four  gallons,  or  very  nearly  the  whole  of  the  rainfall, 
through  the  bare  soil  gauge.  The  sun  shone  on  an  average 
for  4}  hours  a  day,  or  for  about  an  hour  a  day  longer  than  is 
usual  at  this  season.  Throughout  the  week  the  wind  has 
been  moderately  high,  but  in  no  hour  did  the  mean  velocity 
exceed  15  miles— direction  S.S.E.  The  mean  amount  of 
moisture  in  the  air  at  3  p.m .  exceeded  a  seasonable  quantity 
for  that  hour  by  one  per  cent.  E.  M.,  Berkhamstcii,  October 
16,  1907. 


SCHEDULES     RECEIVED. 


Altrincham,  Bowdon,  Sam,  I  Iaie  and  District  Chry- 
santhemum Society's  exhibition,  to  be  held  in  the  Drill 
Hall,  Hale,  on  Tuesday  and  Wednesday,  November  12,  13, 
1907.  Hon.  secretary,  Wm.  Hazlehurst,  20,  Ashley  Road, 
Altrincham. 

Huntingdonshire  Daffodil  and  Spring  Flower 
Society's  show,  to  be  held  in  .the  Corn  Exchange, 
Huntingdon,  on  Tuesdav,  April  21,  1908.  Hon.  secretary. 
Miss  L.  Linton,  Stirtloe  House,  Buckden,  Huntingdon. 

Darlington  Horticultural  Society's  autumn  flower 
show,  to  be  held  in  the  Drill  Hall,  Darlington,  on  Wed- 
nesday. November  20,  1907.  Hon.  secretary,  Mr.  A.  H. 
Harrow,  Priestgate  House,  Darlington. 

Stoke  Newington  and  District  Chrysanthemum  show, 
to  be  held  at  St.  Matthew's  Parish  Room,  Warwick  Road, 
Clapton,  on  Wednesday  and  Thursday,  November  6,  7,  1907. 
Hon.  secretary,  Mr.  W.  Edwards,  12,  Sutton  Road,  South 
Tottenham. 

Transvaal  Horticultural  Society's  spring  show,  to  be 
held  in  the  Wanderers'  Grounds,  Johannesburg,  on  Novem- 
ber 29,  30,  1907.  Hon.  secretary,  Mr.  A.  Dowdlc,  Box  P.O. 
1.0H4-  Johannesburg. 


CO  VENT  GARDEN,  October  }&. 
[We  cannot  accept  any  responsibility  tor  the  jubjoined 
reports.  They  are  furnished  to  us  regularly  every 
Wednesday,  by  the  kindness  of  several  of  the  principal 
salesmen,  who  are  responsible  for  the  quotations.  It 
must  be  remembered  Itiat  these  quotations  do- not.  repre- 
sent the  prices  on  any  particular  day,  but  ooJy  the 
general  averages  for  the  week  preceding  the  date  of  our 
report.  The  prices  depend  upon  the  quality  of  the 
samples  the  way  in  which  they  are  packed,  the  supply 
in  the  market,  and  the  demand,  and  they  mav  fluctuate, 
not  only  from  day  to  day,  but  occasionally  several  times 
in  one  day. — Ed.] 


Cut  Flowers, 

Ac:  Average  Wholesale  Pr*c*s* 

s.d.  s.d. 

s.d.  s^d. 

Asters,    per   dozen 

Lilium  longiflorum 

2  Or-  2  6. 

bunches 

10-2  0 

—  tigrmuin 

16-20 

Eouvardia,  per  dz 

Lily  of  the  Valley, 

bunches 

40-60 

p.  dz.  bunches 

4  0-  6  0 

Calla  aethiopica,  p. 

—  extra  quality  ... 

8  0-12  01 

dozen  

Carnations,       per 
dozen  blooms, 
best  American 

16-26 

Marguerites,  white, 
p.  dz.  bundles 

2  0-  3.  0. 

—  yellow,  per  dz. 
bunches 

2  0-  3.  0' 

various 

10-26 

Mignonet(e,  perdz. 

—  smaller,        per 
doz.     bunches 

9    -12  0 

bunches 

2  0-30 

Cattleyas,  per  doz. 

O  don  t  oglossum 

blooms 

10  0-12  0 

crispum,      per 

Chrysanthem  urns, 

dozen    blooms 
Pancratiums       per 

2  0-26 

best  blooms,  p. 
dozen  

10-20 

dozen  rU. 

2  0-3  0> 

—  small,  per  doz. 

Pelargoniums, 

bunches 

3  0-40 

show,  per  dcz. 

—  maximum 

10-20 

buncnes          

4  0-60 

Coreopsis,  per  doz. 
bunches 

2  o-  a  o 

—  Zonal,    double 
scarlet 

4  0-60 

Cornflower,  per  dz. 

Roses,   12  blooms, 

bunches 

10-20 

Niphetos 

10-3  0' 

Cypripediums,   per 

—  Bridesmaid    ... 

2  0-3  0* 

dozen  blooms.. 

2  0-26 

—  C.  Testout     ... 

2  0-  3  0- 

Dahlias,  doz.  bchs. 

1  6-  2  6 

—  General  Jacque 

Eucliaris      grandi- 

minot, per  doz. 

flora,   per  doz. 

bunches 

10-2  0* 

blooms 

2  0-30 

—  Kai serin  A. 

Gaillardias,  per  dz. 

Victoria,  dozen 

bunches 

16-20 

blooms 

1  6-  30 

Gardenias,  per  doz. 

—  Mrs.   J.   Laing 

10-30 

blooms 

1  6-  2  0< 

—  C.  Mermet 

10-30 

Gladiolus,    various 

—  Liberty 

10-26 

hybrids, perdz. 

—  Mad.  Chatenay 

10-30 

spikes 

10-20 

Scabious,  per  doz. 

—  Brenchleycnsis 

2  0-30 

bunches 

2  0-30 

Gypsophila  elegans 

Statice,  per   dozen 
buncries 

p.  dz.  bunches 

2  0-30 

2  6-30 

Heather,  doz.  bchs. 

2  0-40 

Stephanotis,      per 

Lapageria  alba,  dz. 

10-10 

dozen     trusses 

3  0-50 

Lilac  (French),  per 

Tuberoses,  per  dz. 

bunch   

3  0-40 

blooms 

0  4-06 

Lilium  auratum  ... 

2  0-30 

Violets,  per  dozen 

—  lancifoli  um. 

bunches 

10-20 

rnbruni  and 

—  Parmas,        per 

album  ... 

16-20 

bunch  

16-20 

Cut  Foliage, 

lie:  Average  Wholesale  Prices. 

s.d.  s.d. 

s.d.  s.d. 

Adiantuni      ennea- 

Hardy    foliage 

luin,  per  dozen 

(various),    per 

bunches          

4  0-60 

dozen  bunches 

2  0-60 

A  sparagus     plu- 

Ivy-leaves,   bronze 

2  0-26 

niosus,        long 

—  long  trails  per 

trails,  per  doz. 

8  0  12  0 

bundle 

16-30 

—    —       medium, 

—  short    g r  een, 

bunch     ... 

1(1-2  0 

doz.  bunches... 

2  0-30 

—  Sprengeri 

0  6-10 

Moss,  per  gross  ... 

4  0-50 

Berberis,  per  doz. 

Myrtle      (English), 

bunches 

2  0-26 

s  mal  1-leaved, 

Croton  leaves,  per 

doz.  bunches... 

4  0-60 

bunch 

10-16 

—  French,  dozen 

Cycas  leaves,  each 

16-20 

bunches 

10-16 

Fern,  English,  per 

Pernettya,  p.  bunch 

0  9-10 

dozen  bunches 

10-20 

Physalis  Franchetii, 

—  French,   dozen 

perdz. bunches 

3  0-50 

bunches 

10-30 

Smilax,  p.  dz.  trails 

16     2  6 

Plants  in  Pots,  &c.     Average  Wholesale  Prices. 


s.d.  s.d. 
Ampelopsis      Veit 

chit,  per  dozen  6  0-80 
AraliaSieboldi,  per 

dozen 4  0-60 

—  larger 9  0-12  0 

Araucaria   excelsa, 

per  dozen  ...  12  0-30  0 
Aspidistras,  green, 

per  dozen       ...  18  0-30  0 

—  variegated,  per 

dozen 30  0-42  0 

Asparagus    plumo- 

sus  nanus,  doz.     9  0-12  0 

—  Sprengeri,  dz.    9  0-12  0 

—  tenutssi  mus 

per  dozen  ...  9  0-12  0 
Asters  per  doz.  ...  3  0-60 
Bouvardias,  per  dz.  6  0-80 
Cbrysanthem  urns, 

per  dozen  ...  4  0  8  0 
,  —  best  disbudded  12  0  18  0 
Clematis,  per  doz.     8  0-90 

—  in  flower  ...  12  0-18  0 
C  ocos    Weddelli- 

ana,  per  dozen  9  0-18  0 
Coleus,  per  dozen  2  0-40 
Crotons,  per  dozen  12  0-30  0 
Cyperus   alternifo- 

lius,  dozen     ...    4  0-50 

—  laxus,  per  doz.  4  0-50 
Bracrenas,  per  doz.  9  0-24  0 
Erica  gracilis,  per 

dozen 10  0-12  0 

—  nivalis,  perdz.  15  0-18  0 


s.d.  s.d. 
4  0-90 


7  0-10  0 


hyemalis 


Euonymus,  per  dz. 
I<  i  us,  in  thumbs, 
per  IOC. 

—  in    small    and 
large  60's       ...  12  0-20  0 

—  in  48's,  per  dz.     4  0-10  0 

—  in  32's,  perdz.  10  0-18  0 
Fieus  elastica,  per 

dozen 8  0-10  0 

—  repens,  per  dz,  4  0-60 
Fuchsias,  per  doz.  3  0-  5  C 
Kentia      Belmore- 

ana,  per  dozen  18  0-24  0 

—  Fosteiiana,  per 

dozen 18  0-24  0 

Latania  borbonica, 

per  dozen  ...  12  0-18  0 
Lilium     longi- 

norum,  per  dz.  12  0-24  0 

—  lancifoli  um, 
per  dozen 

Lily  of  the  Valley, 

per  dozen 
Marguerites,  white, 

per  dozen 
Pelargoniums, 

Zonals,  per  dz. 
Selaginella,       per 

dozen    

Solanums.per  doz. 
Spiraea      japonica: 

per  do^en 
Verbena,Miss\Yil! 

mott,  perdozen 


12  0-18  0 

10  0-12  0 

•  60 

4  0-60 

4  0-60 
6  0-90 

6  0-10  0 


12  0-18  0  i  Veronicas,  per  dz. 


4  0-60 

5  0-80 


Octobes  19,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


2s: 


Fruit;  Average  Wholesale  Prices. 

s.d  s.d. 


5  0-70 
46  - 
■3  '6-  4  '6 


..     3  .6-  4  6 


2  6-40 
2  6-29 
2  3-26 


_    3  .0-  6  0 


Apples      (English^ 
per  bushel  : 
liramley'sSeed- 
ling       4  3-49 

—  Lord  Derby  „    4  0-46 

—  Warner's  King    4  0-49 

—  Lord     Sufheld    3  «6-  4  0 

—  Ecklajiville 
Seedling         ...    3  S-  4  <6 

—  KeswiokCodLin    2  3-30 

—  Peasgood's 
Nonsuch 

—  King  Pippins... 

—  Cox's   Pomona 

—  Blejiheiim  Pip 
pin 

—  W  o  r  c  e  5  t-e  r 
Pearmain,  pr.  fc 
sieve      

—  Beauty  of  Bath 

—  Gladstone 

—  Cox's     Orange 
Pippin 
Nova  Scotian 

—  Gravenst  eins, 
per  barrel 

—  Ribstons 
Californian  : 

—  Newtowns,  per 
box 

iBanauas,  bunch : 

—  No.  2  Canary  . 

—  No.  1         „     ... 

—  Extra        „     ... 

—  Giants     „     ... 

—  Jamaica 

—  Loose,  per  dz. 
Cranberries, p.  case 
Dates  (Tunis),  doz. 

boxes 2  6    — 

tigs,  (Guernsey),  p. 

dozen 0  9-10 

—  Italian,  box  ...  0  10-  1  2 
Crape  Fruit,  c.i^e  10  6-12  6 
Grapes     (English), 

Hambro's,  p.  lb.  0  4-10 

—  Alicanle.perlb.    0  6-10 

—  Gros       Maroc, 

per  lb.  .,         ...     OS-  1  0 

—  English  Mus- 
cats, per  lb.   ..     10-30 

—  Canon        Hall, 

per  lb 2  0-36 

—  Belgian  Ham- 
bro's, per  lb....     0  6-09 

—  Lisbon,  p.  case    5  6-66 

—  Denia,  barrel...    5  0-60 

—  Almeria,       per 

barrel 7  0-17  0 

l-enions  : 

—  Messina,    case  17  0-18  0 

—  Naples,  p.  case  19  0  30  0 
Lychees,  perbox...  10  — 
Mangoes,  per  doz.  4  0-80 
Melons  (Guernsey), 

each     0  8-20 

—  French,   Rock, 

each     2  6-30 


14  0-15  0 
18  0-24  0 


13  6-14  6 

4  6    — 

5  0-60 

6  6-70 
8  0    — 
5  0-56 
0  9-13 
8  6-96 


s.d.  s.d. 

Melons,     Canta- 

loupe, each    ... 

0  4-05 

—  Valencia,    case 

10  0-12  0 

Nuts,   Cobs    (Eng- 

lish) per  lb.    ... 

0  Si-  0  4 

—  Filberts 

02    - 

—  VVahiuts(French), 

dozen  lbs. 

4  6- 

—  GrenoblesWal- 

nuts,  per  bag... 

9  0-96 

—  Almonds,     bag 

54  0     — 

—  Brazils,      new, 

per  cwt. 

40  0-42  6 

—  Barcelona,  per 

bag        

32  6    — 

—  Cocoa  nuts.  100  12  0-17  0 

Oranges      (Austra- 

lian), per  box... 

8  0-12  0 

—  Naples,  p.  case 

11  0-17  0 

—  Jamaican,    per 

case      

11  0-13  0 

Peaches  (English), 

per  dozen 

J  1st  quality  ... 

8  0-12  0 

V2nd      „      ... 

10-26 

—  Fre  n  c  h,    per 

box        

13-16 

Pears  (English),  $ 

sieve     

10-30 

—  per  bushel 

2  3-50 

—  French,      Doy- 

enne du  Cornice 

per  crate 

7  6-12  0 

—  French,  Louise 

Bonne   of    Jer- 

sey, per  crate... 

8  0-10  6 

—  Duchess  d'An- 

gouleme,      per 

crate     

9  0-11  6 

—  Catillac,  Dutch 

per  basket 

2  6    — 

—  per  barrel 

10  0    — 

—  (Californian), 

Beurrtf   Hardy, 

per  box 

7  0-80 

—  American  Bart- 

lett       Pears, 

per  box 

6  0-63 

—  (Call  t  uinun,) 

I  toyenni       du 

Cornice,  p.  box 

20  0    — 

—  Italian,    basket 

16-19 

Damson  (hngli^h), 

J  sieve 

0  9-16 

Plums  (l-nglish),  p. 

i  sieve: 

—  Pond's  Seedling  3  6-43 

—  Monarchs 

3  0-40 

—  English  Prunes 

2  0-  -J.  li 

—  Californian, per 

box       

6  0-63 

Gages  (English),  J 

sieve    

16-30 

Pineapples,  each  ... 

16-26 

Quinces    (French), 

per  crate 

2  0    - 

Lisbon,  p.  case  11  0-11  6 


Vegetables  :  Average  Wholesale  Prices. 


Ai'ticuokes(l-'iench), 
per  dozen      ...    ; 

Auberginesi  French), 
per  doz.  ...     ] 

Beans,  home-grown, 
per  bushel 

Beetroot,  bushel  ... 

Cabbages,  per  doz, 

—  Greens,  bag  ... 

—  red,  per  dozen 
Carrots    (English), 

dozen  bunches 

—  washed,  per 
bag       

Cauliflowers,  per 
dozen  

—  per  tally 
Celeriac    (French), 

per  dozen 
Celery,  washed,  per 

dozen  

Chow  Chow    (Sec- 

hium  edule),  p. 

dozen  

Cucumbers,  p.  dz. 
Endive,  per  dozen 
Horseradish,     for- 
eign, per   doz. 

bundles 
Leeks,  12   bundles 
Lettuce    (English), 

Cos,  per  score 

—  French,  p.  doz. 


,.d.  s.d. 


2  0- 
1  3 

0  6- 

1  0 

2  0 


26 


2  6 
09 


0  9-10 
4  0    — 


2  0- 
0  10- 


3  0 
1  6- 
1  6- 


12  0    — 

1  6    — 


10-13 

0  9-0  10 


s.d.  s.d. 
Marrows  (English), 

per  tally         ...    3  0    — 
Mint,  doz.  bunches    0  9-10 
Mubluuoms(house) 

per  lb 0  6-08 

—  buttons,  per  lb.  0  10    — 
"Broilers"p.lb.    0  5-06 

Mustard  and  Cicss, 

per  dozen  pun.     1  0-  1  G 
Onions    (Spanish), 

per  case        ...    5  0    — 

—  Dutch,  per  bag     4  0    — 

—  pickling,     per 

bushel 2  0-26 

Peas  (English),  per 

bushel 2  6-40 

Parsley,  12  bunches     16-20 

—  $  bushel         ...     10-16 
Radishes     (Guern- 
sey), doz.  bun.    0  4-06 

Salsafy.p.  dz.  bdls.    36     — 
Spinach,    English, 

per  bushel     ...    0  9-10 
Tomatos: — 

—  French,  p. crate    2  0-23 

—  selected,    per 

dozen  lbs.      ...     2  0-30 

—  small  selected, 

per  dozen   lbs.     2  0-  2  G 
Turnips  (English), 

doz.  bunches...     2  0-30 
■ —  per  bag  ...    2  6    — 

Watercress,      per 

doz.  bunches  ..     U  4-  0  G 


Remarks.— Home-grown  Peaches  are  generally  of  very 
inferior  quality;  the  very  best  samples  are  realising  high 
prices.  Nectarines  are  now  finished.  A  plentiful  supply  of 
Apples  is  arriving,  principally  from  Kent ;  dessert  varieties, 
including  Cox's  Orange  Pippin,  are  selling  at  much  advanced 
prices.  Trade  is  quiet  for  home-grown  Tomatos,  but  for 
fruits  of  a  good  colour  there  is  a  brisk  demand.  Jamaica 
Oranges  are  arriving  in  increased  quantities  ;  these  fruits 
are  of  fine  quality.     P.  Z,.,  Covent  Garden,  October  16,  1907. 

POTATOS. 

Kents.  3s.  Gd.  to  5s.  per  cwt. ;  Bedfords,  70s.,  90s. ;  Lin- 
colns,  70s.,  90s.  ;  Blacklands,  75s.  to  85s.  ;  Maincrops  85s, 
to  100s.  per  ton.  Prices  show  an  advance  all  round.  The 
Scotch  crops  are  being  harvested,  but  up  to  the  present 
supplies  from  this  source  have  not  affected  the  market 
greatly.  Buyers  are  seeking  to  lower  prices,  but  it  is  ex- 
pected the  value  of  Potatos  will  still  advance.  The  crops  in 
Lancashire,  Cheshire  and  Ireland  are  below  the  average, 
and  northern  salesmen  are  purchasing  largely  from  Covent 
Garden  Market.    J.  D,  C,  Covent  Garden,  October  16,  1907. 


COVENT    GARDEN     FLOWER     MARKET. 

Best  quality  plants  of  Chrysanthemums  which  have  been 
disbudded  have  made  good  prices  during  the  past  week, 
especially  the  variety  Soleil  d'Or,  extra  good  plants  of 
which  have  realised  24s.  per  dozen.  The  varieties  W. 
Holmes,  Mrs.  Wingfield,  Souvenir  de  Petite  Amie,  Le  Paca- 
tole,  Caprice  du  Frintemps,  and  Kathleen  Thompson  are 
now  at  their  best  condition.  I  have  rarely  seen  white  Mar- 
guerites so  good  at  this  time  of  year  as  they  are  this 
season,  but  they  are  over  plentiful  and  prices  are  in  conse- 
quence low.  Spiraeas  have  also  a  good  demand.  A  few 
Roses,  including  the  Madame  Levavasseur  and  Tea  varieties, 
are  seen,  bin  supplies  are  very  uncertain.  Genistas  in  flower 
are  to  be  had  but  they  are  out  of  season.  Ericas  are  now 
well  flowered.  E.  gracilis  is  well  coloured ;  the  white 
varieties  have  a  tendency  to  exhibit  reversion.  Zonal 
Pelargoniums  in  well  flowered  plants  include  Mrs.  Law- 
rence, Heimione,  F.  V.  Raspail  and  others.  Asters  are  pro- 
curable and  I  noticed  well  flowered  plants  of  a  pretty  pink 
variety  unknown  to  me.  Some  dwarf,  well  flowered  plants 
of  perennial  Asters  were  observed  on  Messrs.  Groves  and 
Sun's  stand.  Plants  of  A.  cordifoiius,  A.  ericoides  and 
A.  vimineus  from  late-rooted  cuttings  are  dwarf.  Bouvar- 
dias  are  plentiful.  Verbenasare  now  almost  finished  for  the 
season.  Liliuins  are  very  good,  also  Lily  of  the  Valley. 
Some  Fuchsias  are  seen,  but  supplies  may  now  be  finished 
at  any  time.  Solanums  in  well  berried  plants  are  now 
plentiful.  Prices  for  best  Palms  have  advanced,  and 
especially  for  good  Kentias  in  48  and  32  size  pots.  Latanias 
are  realising  advanced  prices,  and  they  will  probably  become 
more  valuable.  Cocos  may  also  command  better  prices. 
Ferns  are  well  supplied  in  all  sizes:  prices  vary  but  little. 
Many  imported  Aspidistras  are  now  on  the  market.  Dra- 
caenas, Aralia  Sieboldi,  Ficus,  Crotons,  Cyperus,  &c,  are  all 
well  supplied. 

Cut  Floweks. 

Parma  Violets  seem  to  have  become  plentiful  suddenly 
during  the  past  week.  The  first  I  saw  weie  not  of  the  best 
quality,  but  I  noted  a  great  improvement  in  the  samples  seen 
this  morning  (Wednesday).  Very  fine  blue  Violets  can  now 
be  had.  1  noted  some  extra  fine  flowers  of  La  France  from 
an  English  nursery.  "Mimosa"  is  already  arriving  from 
France,  but  it  is  not  the  same  species  (of  Acacia)  as  seen 
early  m  the  spring.  White  Lilac  is  very  good.  Liliums 
are  inclined  to  advance  a  little,  but  Callas  are  not  making 
good  prices.  The  value  of  Roses  is  uncertain  ;  some  of  best 
quality  have  sold  at  advanced  prices.  Carnations  are  cheaper 
than  they  were  at  the  corresponding  period  of  last  year.  Or- 
chids are  well  supplied.  Cattleya  labiata  is  now  at  its  best. 
Odontoglossums  and  Cypripediums  are  plentiful.  Chrysan- 
themums are  plentiful  in  all  qualities,  and  as  long  as  sup- 
plies from  the  open  ground  are  available,  prices  will  not 
improve.  There  is  a  little  advance  in  the  value  of  best 
blooms.  Foliage  and  sprays  of  berried  shrubs  are  well 
supplied.  The  red  Oak,  Quercus  coccinea,  is  now  well- 
coloured.  Beech  sprays,  with  yellow  leaves,  are  exten- 
sively sold.  A.H.,Covent  Garden.  Wednesday,  ihtobcr  ?6, 
VJ07. 


ENQUIRIES   AND    REPLIES. 


Plants  Growing  near  the  Coast.— (1 1  Why 
are  some  plants  more  vigorous  near  the  sea  than 
they  are  inland?  (2)  Why  is  it  possible  to  grow 
many  tender  plants  outside  during  winter  near 
the  coast  that  perish  in  that  position  further 
inland?  Is  it  alone  due  to  the  power  of  the  sea, 
or  gulf  stream,  in  equalising  the  temperature? 
|3|  Why  are  the  leaves  of  the  same  plants  thicker 
and  more  glaucous  near  the  seaside  than  else- 
where, and  the  flowers  larger,  and  intensified  in 
colour?  (4)  What  are  the  properties  of  the  sea 
air  that  are  so  beneficial  to  some  plants?  [s  it 
its  saline  nature  ;  if  so,  would  it  not  be  possible 
to  produce  this  artificially  for  some  plants  by 
the  means  of  sprays  of  dilute  solutions?     /.  C. 

(1)  The  increased  vigour  is  due  to  succulence 
of  growth,  which  is  a  common  attribute  of  plants 
near  the  sea,  and  is  found  in  such  examples  as 
Sea  Kale,  Horned  Poppy  (Glauciuml,  lVc,  all  of 
which,  when  growing  on  the  coast,  have  fleshy 
leaves  with  thick  rinds  which  prevent  undue 
evaporation.  The  common  Wallflower  will,  if 
sprayed  with  a  very  weak  brine,  develop  this 
thick,  leathery  foliage.  In  our  issue  for  May  25, 
1907,  p.  3312,  is  an  account  of  a  Primrose  that  was 
found  close  by  the  Corbiere  lighthouse  in  Jersey, 
and  in  which  the  foliage  had  thickened  enor- 
mously. (2|  This  is  due  to  the  more  equable 
temperature  obtaining  near  the  sea.  Water 
parts  with  heat  much  less  readily  than  soil  ; 
consequently,  the  sea  is,  in  winter,  generally 
warmer  than  land  in  the  same  latitude,  and 
plants  growing  on  the  coast  are  influenced  by 
this  extra  warmth.  (3)  The  first  part  is  answered 
under  1.  The  more  intense  light  near  the 
produces  a  brighter  floral  effect  than  in  inland 
places.  Inland  much  of  the  sun's  light  is 
absorbed  by  the  soil ;  water,  on  the  contrary, 
reflects  the  sun's  rays.  (4)  The  saline  properties 
in  the  atmosphere  are  undoubtedly  the  cause 
of  the  extra  growth  in  coastal  plants,  and  many 
experiments  have  been  conducted  by  spraying 
with  a  solution  of  common  salt,  the  results 
being  a  very  great  increase  in  thickness  of 
leaves,  &c. 


Correspondent:) 


Apple  Twigs:  .1.  A.  Your  Apple  tree  has  no 
fungus  disease.  It  is  probable  that  two  years 
ago  it  suffered  from  a  slight  attack  of  frost, 
which  has  killed  small  tissues,  and  it  grows 
unhealthily,  and  is  trying  to  overcome  tht 
injury.  The  tissues  show  plain  distortions 
such  as   generally  result  from  early   frost. 

Assessment:  J.S.S.  In  your  enquiry  as  to 
"assessment  for  tax,"  we  assume  you  refer  to 
income  tax  and  not  to  rates.  The  assessment 
for  income  tax  on  glasshouses,  vineries,  and 
market    gardens    is    estimated    according    to 

Schedule   D.   of  the  Income   Tax  Act,   1842 

that  is,  on  a  three  years'  average  of  the  annual 
net  profit  derived  from  the  business.     Farmers 
on  the  other  hand,  come  under  a  different  rule 
by  special  statutory  provisions.     Although  you 
would  be  assessed  under  Schedule  D.,  the  tax 
when     thus     ascertained,    is     charged     under 
Schedule  B.,   because  your  income  represents- 
profits  derived  from  the  occupation  of  land." 
the  area  or  condition  of  your  glasshouses  is 
for  this  purpose,  immaterial. 

Correction  :  For  Peronosporainfestanson  p.  271 
column  2,  read  Peronospora  viticola. 

Cyanidi.ng  in  Plant  Houses:  M.  G.  K  You 
will  find  the  process  fully  described  in  the  issue 
for  April  23.  1904,  p   271. 

Desfontania  spinosa  :  A.W.  This  shrub  suc- 
ceeds out  of  doors  in  sheltered  positions  in  the 
warmer  counties.  In  the  colder  counties  of  the 
Midlands  and  north  it  is  not  sufficiently  hardy. 

Gooseberry  and  Currant  Shoots:  G.  P.  On 
the  Currant  shoots  there  is  the  "sooty 
mould"  (Fumago  vagans),  common  on  the 
Lime  and  other  trees— with  a  little  also  on  the 
Gooseberries  twigs,  together  with  a  minute 
Phoma,  but  there  is  no  trace  of  American  mil- 
dew (see  Fungoid  Pests  of  Cultivated  Plants 
p.   162,  pi.  xiv.,  fig.  21). 

Grapes  :  \V .  J.  .1/ .  The  condition  known  as 
shanking  is  the  result  of  the  vines  having 
suffered  a  check  during  their  season  of 
growth.  The  cause  can  usually  be  traced  to 
a  defective  rooting  medium,  and  should  you 
suspect  the  borders  to  be  in  an  unsatisfactory- 
condition,  the  proper  plan  will  be  to  over- 
haul them  in  the  resting  season.  Improper 
culture  will  also  cause  the  berries  to  become 
shanked.— W.  B.  J.  The  berries  show  traces 
of  shanking.  The  brown  marking  is  the  re- 
sult of  rubbing  the  "bloom"  from  the  ber- 
ries, probably  when  the  bunches  were  being- 
thinned.  fc 

Heating  Conservatory,  20  feet  by  12  feet: 
Brighton.  Instal  a  No.  1  "Loughborough"  heat- 
ing apparatus,  the  fixing  in  position  of  which 
is  very  simple  and  inexpensive;  it  being  only 
necessary  to  break  a  hole  in  the  brickwork 
of  the  conservatory  at  the  lowest  end,  and  to. 
place  the  boiler  flush  with  the  wall  in  the 
opening  thus  made.  Afterwards  attach  there- 
to one  4-inch  pipe  and  carry  it  round  three 
sides  of  the  house — that  is,  up  the  right-hand 
side  from  boiler  round  the  top  end  and  back 
along  the  other  side  of  the  house  to  feed 
syphon.  The  "Loughborough"  boiler  is  virtu- 
ally a  saddle  boiler  on  end.  The  front  is 
solid,  pierced  with  three  doors,  the  upper- 
most one  being  that  through  which  the  fuel 
is  placed  on  the  fire,  the  middle  one  for  rak- 
ing out  the  fire,  and  the  lowest  for  cleaning 
out  the  ashes.  No  building  and  excavating 
for  stokehole,  formation  of  flues  round  the 
boiler,  and  brick  chimney  are  necessary  in 
the  setting  and  employment  of  the  "  Lough- 
borough "  boiler.  Fifty-one  feet  of  4-incrt 
piping  and  three  4-inch  bends  will  be  re- 
quired to  heat  your  conservatory,  the  joints 
being  made  either  of  cement  or  elastic  (rub- 
ber! rings.  If  your  house  is  a  tenant's  fixture, 
we  should  recommend  you  to  use  the  rubber 
ring  joints.  In  fixing  the  pipes  allow  a 
gradual  rise  from  the  boiler  to  the  feed 
syphon  of  J-inch  in  9  feet  (nearly  3  inches 
rise  from  boiler  to  syphon).  The  entire  cost 
of  No.  1  heating  apparatus  complete  (including. 


28.8 


THE     GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


[October  19,  1907. 


the  51  feet  of  4-inch  piping  and  three  bends) 
would  be  about  10  guineas.  The  heating 
of  a  conservatory  or  greenhouse  by  means 
of  hot  water"  is  not  only  better  for  the 
health  of  the  plants,  and  more  efficient, 
but  also  cheaper  in  the  end  than  heat- 
ing either  by  gas-heated  pipes  or  oil. 
Other  good  boilers  for  heating  small  green- 
houses are  the  "  Beeston  "■  (in  sizes  to  heat 
from  40  to  1,000  feet  of  4-inch  piping),  the 
"Robin  Hood  Junior"  (240  feet  to  480  feet), 
the  "  White  Rose,"  series  F.  (250  feet  and  up- 
wards), the  "Independent  Star"  (65  to  200 
feet),  and  the"Victor  "  (80  to  380  feet).  There 
are  many  other  suitable  and  efficient  boilers 
advertised  in  our  pages  from  time  to  time. 

Horse  and  Cow  Manure  :  La  France.  Horse 
manure  is  decidedly  richer  in  plant  food  than 
is  cow  manure,  and  more  especially  is  this 
the  case  with  the  urine.  The  horse  urine  is 
nearly  four  times  as  rich  in  nitrogen  as  the 
cow  urine,  and  the  readiness  with  which  this 
liquid  is  converted  into  plant  food  is  clearly 
demonstarted  on  entering  a  stable.  The  car- 
bonic acid  of  the  air  enters  at  once  into  com- 
bination with  the  nitrogen  of  the  urine,  con- 
verting it  into  carbonate  of  ammonia,  which 
is  given  off  as  gas,  and  is  detected  by  one's 
sense  of  smell.  The  following  figures  will 
show  the  relative  value  of  the  two  manures  in 
lbs.  per  ton. 

Phosphoric 
Nitrogen.        Potash.  Acid. 

Droppinqs  of  lb.  lb.  lb. 

Horse  ...        17  13  9 

Cow  ...  9  8  3 


Urine  of 

Horse 

42 

33 

Cow 

11 

31 

Horse  droppings  contain  less  moisture  than 
cow  manure,  and  are  not  so  coherent.  Owing 
to  this  circumstance,  horse  droppings  are 
readily  distributed  in  the  soil,  and  pass 
rapidly  into  a  decaying  condition;  hence 
horse  manure  is  termed  a  "hot  "  or  forcing 
manure,  and  the  plant-food  properties  become 
quickly  available  for  use.  Horse-dung  with- 
out litter  is  by  no  means  a  lasting  manure, 
and  its  effects  do  not  extend  much  beyond 
the  first  year  of  application.  Cow-dung,  on 
the  contrary,  owing  to  the  large  proportion 
of  water  it  contains,  is  termed  a  "  cold " 
manure,  and  decomposes  slowly  in  the  soil. 
It  is,  however,  of  great  value  where  a  lasting 
effect  is  desired.  Much  depends  upon  the 
character  of  the  soil  as  to  which  manure  is 
the  more  suitable.  For  the  heavier  and  clayey 
soils  horse  manure  is  better,  while  for  the 
lighter  and  sandy  soils  cow  manure  is  to  be 
preferred.  It  has  been  found  that  if  cow-dung 
is  dried  on  the  top  of  a  furnace  to  get  rid  of 
the  excess  of  water,  it  then  forms  a  splendid 
fertiliser  for  Roses  and  many  other  plants. 
Equal  portions  of  dried  cow-dung  and  horse 
droppings  mixed  together  form  a  most  use- 
ful  fertiliser. 

Ixora  :  /.  F .  S.  Your  plant  being  in  good 
health,  the  present  blooms  will  not  injure  it 
in  the  least.  After  flowering  is  past,  prune 
the  shoots  only  as  much  as  is  necessary  to 
preserve  the  symmetrical  form  of  the  plant. 
Tie  out  the  growths  to  form  the  foundation 
of  a  specimen,  and  place  the  plant  in  the 
warmest  house  you  have,  keeping  it  well  ex- 
posed to  the  light.  Re-pot  the  plant  early  in 
spring  when  growth  is  active,  and  shade  it 
from  the  sun  for  a  few  days  after  the  opera- 
tion. Following  this  stage,  encourage  the 
plant  to  grow  strongly,  with  little  or  no  shade, 
in  an  atmospheric  temperature  of  70°  to  75" 
at  night,  allowing  it  to  rise  10°  during  the 
day  with  sun-heat.  Close  the  house  early  in 
the  afternoon  that  the  heat  may  rise  to  90°  if 
possible.  Keep  the  leaves  perfectly  clean,  and 
feed  the  roots  with  stimulating  manure  as  may 
be  necessary.  You  should  have  no  difficulty 
in  getting  the  plant  to  an  excellent  condition 
by  the  time  mentioned. 

Landlord's  Right  to  Plants  :  F .  C.  J .  S.  In 
the  case  of  a  private  tenant  of  a  house  and 
garden  (as  distinguished  from  a  nurseryman 
or  market  gardener),  whatever  is  planted  by 
him  in  the  soil  becomes  part  of  the  freehold, 
and,  i  accordingly,  belongs  to  the  landlord. 
This  is  clearly  established  in  the  case  of  all 
plants     and     shrubs.     As     to    your     rockery, 


although  structures  resting  merely  by  their 
own  weight  on  the  surface  of  the  ground  do 
not  become  landlords'  fixtures,  the  Court 
would  probably  hold  that  a  rockery  sunk  in 
the  ground  and  at  least  partially  covered  by 
soil  and  plants  is  sufficiently  affixed  to  the 
soil  to  be  regarded  as  a  landlord's  fixture. 
Metrosideros  :  R.  0.  It  is  quite  usual  for  the 
fruits  of  this  plant  to  remain  persistent  for  a 
long  period.  If  they  fail  to  dehisce  at  all  in 
your  locality,  the  reason  will  probably  be  found 
to  be  the  failure  of  the  seeds  to  become  de- 
veloped. The  generally  accepted  name  for  the 
Common  Broom  is  Cytisus  scoparius,  but  the 
species  has  formerly  been  described  in  botanical 
works  under  several  others,  which  have  been 
discarded,  owing  to  the  application  of  the  rule 
of  priority. 

Names  of  Flowers,  Froits  and  Plants. — We 
are  anxious  to  oblige  correspondents  as  far  as 
we  consistently  can,  but  they  must  bear  in 
mind  that  it  is  no  part  of  our  duty  to  our 
subscribers  to  name  either  flowers  or  fruits. 
Such  work  entails  considerable  outlay,  both  of 
time  and  money,  and  cannot  be  allowed  to  dis- 
organise the  preparations  for  the  weekly  issue,  or  to 
encroach  upon  time  required  for  the  conduct  of  the 
paper.  Correspondents  should  never  send  more 
than  six  plants  or  fruits  at  one  time  :  they  should  be 
very  careful  to  pack  and  label  them  properly,  to  give 
every  information  as  to  the  county  the  fruits  are 
grown  in,  and  to  send  ripe,  or  nearly  ripe,  specimens 
which  show  the  character  of  the  variety.  By 
neglecting  these  precautions  correspondents  add 
greatly  to  our  labour,  and  run  the  risk  of 
delay  and  incorrect  determinations.  Correspondents 
not  answered  in  one  issue  are  requested  to 
be  so  good  as  to  consult  the  following  numbers. 
Fruits:  G.  IV.  B.  1,  Fulwood  ;  2,  Alfriston  ; 
3,  Castle  Major. — N.  S.  Beurre  Hardy. — 
C.  E.  A.  1,  Ribston  Pippin  ;  2,  Stirling  Castle  ; 
3,  Hormead's  Pearmain  ;  4,  Ribston  Pippin  ; 
5,  Tower  of  Glamis. — Dean.  1,  A  deformed 
fruit  which  we  cannot  identify  ;  2,  Lodgemore 
Nonpareil  ;  3,  Franklin's  Golden  Pippin. — 
W.  D.  &■  S.  1,  Potts'  Seedling;  2,  Smart's 
Prince  Arthur. 

Plants:  S  E.  L.  1,  Lonicera  involucrata 
(syn.  Ledebouri)  ;  2,  Leycesteria  formosa ;  3, 
Ceanothus  americana,  garden  variety  ;  4, 
Astrantia  major  ;  5,  Veronica  Hectori  ;  6, 
Mesembryanthemum  polyanthum. — F.  W.  M 
Crinum  Moorei  var.  alba. — J.  U.  1,  Bignonia 
ornata  ;  2,  Helxine  Soleirolii. — A.T.  1,  Micros- 
tylis  congesta  ;  3,  Liparis  capensis  ;  3,  Bartholina 
pectinata  ;  1,  Satyrium  carneum. — A.F.  Gogar. 
1,  Selenipedium  Schlimii;  2,  the  unstriped  form 
of  Cymbidium  Gammieanum  ;  3,  Cymbidium 
longifolium. — D.  0.  N.  Pentstemon  lsvigatus, 
figured  in  Botanical  Magazine,  t.  1425. — /.  B., 
Cheshire.  Solanum  Wendlandii,  the  Hibiscus 
sent  last  week  seems  to  be  a  form  of  the  common 
Hibiscus  syriacus,  probably  an  introduced  plant 
in  Colombia.  Send  flowers  with  leaves  when 
available.— S.  S.  A.  Euphorbia  Cyparissias. — 
A.  V.  C  A  species  of  Gleditschia,  it  is 
impossible  to  say  which  without  flowers  or  fruit. 
We  know  of  no  other  tree  than  the  Cercis  that 
is  called  Judas  tree.  The  plant  from  which  the 
crown  of  thorns  was  made  is,  by  some  persons, 
stated  to  be  a  species  of  Gleditschia. 

Nepenthes  with  Two  Pitchers  from  One  Leaf  : 
E.  B.  The  case  you  describe  must  be  very  rare 
It  is  probably  the  result  of  the  fusion  of  two 
leaves,  but  we  could  not  say  definitely  without 
seeing  the  specimen. 

Nuts  Damaged  :  P.  L.  71.  The  Nuts  have 
been  eaten  by  either  squirrels  or  mice. 

Pears  Deformed:  .1.  B.  The  injury  has  not 
been  caused  by  the  Pear-midge,  but  by  an 
imperfect  fertilisation  of  the  ovules  or  seeds. 
"  Pips "  which  aie  not  fertile  will  be  found 
on  the  corresponding  side  of  the  depression. 
The  swelling  of  the  ovules,  due  to  changes 
brought  about  by  fertilisation,  acts  as  a 
stimulus  to  the  surrounding  tissue,  including 
in  the  case  of  the  Pear  a  part  of  the  thalamus, 
which  does  not  belong  to  the  true  fruit. 
There  are  also  slight  traces  of  scab  (Fusi- 
cladium  pirinum)  on  your  Pears.  To  combat 
this  fungus  you  should  spray  the  trees  before 
the  flower-buds  have  expanded  with  a  solu- 
tion of  iron  sulphate — 1  lb.  to  each  gallon  of 
water.  When  the  fruits  have  set,  spray  with 
the  Bordeaux  mixture  (see  Gardeners' 
Chronicle,  August  24,  1907)  at  intervals  of  two 
or  three  weeks.  Burn  the  leaves  after  they 
have  fallen. 


Plants  for  Hampstead  :  H.  D.  It.  Lily  of  the 
Valley  will  thrive  in  any  aspect.  The  following 
Roses  will  be  found  to  succeed  in  this  suburb :  — 
Killarney,  La  France,  Caroline  Testout,  Mad. 
Abel  Chatenay,  Longworth  Rambler,  Madame 
Ravary,  Mme.  Constant  Soupert,  Cheshunt 
Hybrid,  Captain  Christy,  Clio,  General  Jacque- 
minot and  Mme.  Lambard.  All  the  plants  you 
mention  with  the  exception  of  the  Myrtle  will 
flourish  at  Hampstead.  Of  Apples  you  should 
select  (Dessert)  Mr.  Gladstone,  Irish  Peach, 
Lady  Sudeley,  Worcester  Pearmain,  James 
Grieve,  Ribston  Pippin,  Cox's  Orange  Pippin, 
Allington  Pippin,  Ross  Nonpareil  and  Chrisim  s 
Pearmain.  (Culinary)  Lord  Suffield,  Ecklinville 
Seedling,  Golden  Spire,  Warner's  King,  Dome- 
low's  Seedling,  Lane's  Prince  Albert,  Newton 
Wonder,  Bramley's  Seedling  and  Annie  Eliza- 
beth. Two  suitable  Pears  for  your  south  wall 
are  Thompson's  and  Fondante  d'Automne.  Two 
Teaches  may  be  found  in  Violette  Hative  and 
Bellegarde.  There  is  a  variety  of  Rhubarb 
known  as  "  Christmas, "  and  if  you  purchase  a 
few  roots  without  delay  they  will  furnish  you 
with  a  supply  of  Rhubarb  at  about  the  New 
Year.  We  do  not  know  if  this  is  what  you  mean 
by  Perpetual  Rhubarb. 

Plum  Tree  Blight  :  A.  J .  W.  Your  trees  are 
suffering  from  the  Plum-tree  rust  (Puccima 
Pruni).  Gather  and  burn  the  leaves  to  pre- 
vent the  disease  spreading.  Syringe  the  trees 
with  the  Bordeaux  mixture. 

Rose:  J.  R.  We  could  not  determine  the  cause 
of  the  trouble  without  specimens  for  examina- 
tion, and  possibly  it  would  also  be  necessary  for 
us  to  know  the  exact  conditions  in  which  the 
plants  are  growing. 

Rose  Leaves  :  E.  D.  Your  Roses  exhibit  two 
diseases.  The  Rose-leaf  blotch  (Actinonema 
Rosas)  and  the  Rose  rust  and  brand  (Phrag- 
midium  subcorticium),  with  its  Uredo  stage. 
For  both  diseases  we  can  suggest  nothing  bet- 
ter than  syringing  the  plant  with  the  Bor- 
deaux mixture  and  burning  all  ths  diseased 
leaves  by  fire. 

Tomatos  :  E.  F.  C.  The  trouble  appears  to  be 
the  Bacteriosis,  known  best  in  the  United 
States,  for  which  no  remedy  has  yet  been  found. 
It  will  be  well  to  remove  all  diseasesd  plants 
and  burn  them  to  prevent  the  other  plants  be- 
coming infected. — B.  T.  A.  The  fruits  are  af- 
fected with  a  fungus — Macrosporium  Tomato. 
When  a  fruit  has  become  infected  you  can  do 
nothing  to  prevent  the  fungus  developing  with 
it.  Diseased  fruits  should,  therefore,  be 
burned  as  soon  as  disease  is  seen  on  them. 
Do  not  cultivate  Tomatos  in  the  same  house 
next  season. 

Tuberous  Begonias  :  Amateur.  The  Begonia 
seed  should  have  been  sown  towards  the  end 
of  January  or  in  February.  All  that  can  be 
done  now  is  to  encourage  the  plants  to  make 
as  much  growth  as  possible  during  the 
autumn  by  giving  careful  attention  to  the 
watering.  When  growth  ceases  and  the  leaves 
begin  to  change  colour  watering  must  be  dis- 
continued. By  that  time  it  will  probably  be 
found  that  small  tubers  have  been  developed, 
and  these  may  be  allowed  to  remain  in  the 
dry  soil  until  the  spring,  when  they  may  be 
started  into  growth  in  the  usual  manner.  It 
would  be  useless  to  attempt  to  grow  the 
plants    continuously    through    the    winter. 

Violets  Diseased  :  F.  G.  The  fungus  causing 
this  disease  (Ascochyta  violae)  may  be  destroyed 
by  spraying  with  potassium  sulphide,  1  ounce  to 
3  gallons  of  water. 

Weed  in  Lawn:  W .  J.  IF.,  .Jd.  The  plant 
is  the  Common  Self-heal — Prunella  vulgaris. 
Encourage  the  growth  of  the  Grasses  by  a 
liberal  dressing  of  some  nitrogenous  manure, 
and  the  weeds  will  in  time  be  crowded  out. 

Weights  of  a  Bushel  of  Vegetables  :  /.  Me. 
A  bushel  of  Broad  Beans  weighs,  approximately, 
36  lbs. ;  Peas,  40  lbs.  ;  Beetroot,  56  lbs. ;  Onions. 
56  lbs.  A  bag  of  Carrots  should  weigh  112  lbs.  ; 
a  tally  of  Marrows  is  reckoned  at  60. 

Communications  Received.— R.  A.,  Cap  d'Antibes— G.  M. 
A.  G.  N.— J.  C.-Bakers-C.  A.  F.— E.  M.— G.  W.— 
C.  T.  D.— R.  T.  H.— J.  G.  W.— Chloris— I.  H.— R.  P.  B.— 
T.  W.  B—  W.  H.— H.  M.  V.— F.  M.—  G.  H.,  New  Zealand 
— S.  A.— L.  C— J.  C—  W.  H.  C.-G.  Bunyard-G.  W.— 
R.  L.  H.— H.  J.  C.-J.  A.  S.-W.  W.— R.  P.— N.  &  W.— 
J.  B.  M— E.  H.  B.— A.  E.,  Henley— G.  H.  S.— E.  S.— 
G.  F.  E.  M.— G.  H.,  California—].  Canber— F.  G.  Murray 
—Sir  A.  Rollit-G.  T.-E.  H.-G.  S.-S.  S.-E.  H.— 
C.  A.  F.— J.  C—  S.  VV.-R.  S.— A.  G.  N.— G.  M.— W.J.  F. 
— A.  S. 


October  26,  1907. 


THE     GARDENERS      CHRONICLE. 


289 


THE 


(Surbencrs'dL-bronicIc 

A:„.  i  0S7.— SATURDAY,  O,  tuber  26.  1907. 


C3NTENTS. 


Aniencan  blight  on 
Apple-tree  roots        ...     291) 

Anchnsa  italica,  Drop- 
more  variety 2'J!) 

Books,  Notices  of — 

B i  of  Fruit  Bottling     292 

British       Beekeeper's 

i.uhle-book 2112 

Our  Trees  and  How  to 
Know  Them  .       298 

<  ounn  v  garden,  the     ...     2SW 

C  tipi  i  -us  lusitanica  at 
HHrdwick  House  gar- 
dens        299 

Destructive  Insects  and 
Pests  Acts         ..  20* 

Fashions  in  flower  gat- 
nVnnu  299 

Floi  ists'  [lowers — 
I  ,ij  !y  flowering  Chry- 
santhemums  ...     293 

Foreign  stations,  visits 
to 298 

French  Gardeners  in 
London 299 

!  iow,  the 297 

[at i A  Supplementary  piigt  s) 

Gtadi"lus  priinulinus  291 

Grape:  I  ornichon  11  anc     29H 

Heeria  (Regans  ...         ...     293 

Horticultural  Debating 
Si  ii  ties,  proposed 
Union  of  ...         ...     302 

M.i  iiinillaria,  a  curious 
fo  in  of 290 

Nu:  i  y  Employee  s 
Union,  a  298 

Obiuiurs  — 
Ailuiuin,  Alexander   ..     303 


Orchid  notes  and  glean- 

Dendrobium  Aphro- 

dite  

Zygopetalum  rostra- 
luui... 
Pah  - 1  me,  lecture  on  a 

visit  to  ...         

■  ;    j  anthemutn 

sin.,  v,  the        

Potato,     black-si  ab,    oi 

warty  disease  of 
R  ii  l,  garden,  die  — 
A  ii  t  ii  in  n-llo  wering 

Saxifragas     

Boenninghausenia    al- 

bifli  >i  .i  

Saxifra  ;a  gemmipara 
Roman  { ar Jen,  a 
Rosary,  tne — 
Cultural      notes      for 
November   ... 
S  i  r  ties- 
Horticultural  Club 
Royal  Horticultural  2!       19  I 
Summer  pruning         2!  6  29  I 
Tinner,  Mr.  Henry      ...     298 
Week's  work,  the— 
i     ■  ■  er  garden,  the  ..     295 
Fi  nits  under  glass  295 

Hardy  fruit  garden  ...  295 
Kitchen  garden,  the  .  '-'■' I 
Orchid  houses,  the  2!  1 

Parks  and  gardi  tis    ...    295 
Plants  undei  glass    ...    294 
Yews,  golden  and  varie- 
gated      289 


291 
291 

802 
298 
299 


292 


292 
292 


290 


302 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Aikman,  Alexander,  the  la:e ...         ...     303 

G.irilen  front  in  thecloister  of  St.  Paul's  Church,  k e 

[Supplementary  Illustration) 

Gla is  primulinus 291 

Heeria  elej»ans 293 

Maniiuilluiia  rhodantha,  a  curious  furni  of  ...  290 


GOLDEN   AND   VARIEGATED 

YEWS. 

TAXUS  baccata,  the  common  Yew,  compares 
with  the  Holly  in  the  number  of  varieties  that 
have  arisen  under  cultivation  from  the  one 
indigenous  species,  and  also  in  the  divei 
character  of  the;e  forms,  which  difier  from  each 
other  and  from  the  parent  species  far  more  than 
d  es  the  common  Yew  from  the  two  or  three  other 
species  of  Taxus.  Of  the  40  or  more  varieties  of 
Yew  cultivated  in  this  country,  about  a  dozen  have 
either  golden  or  variegated  foliage  which  renders 
them  suitable  subjects  for  garden  decoration. 
They  are  especially  valuable  for  those  parts  of  a 
garden  where  a  certain  formality  and  brightness 
are  required,  as  they  are  very  amenable  to  training, 
and,  being  slow  of  growth,  rarely  become  too 
large  for  their  position.  These  ornamental  Yews 
are  also  adapted  for  planting  in  terrace  gardens,  in 
small  beds,  or  as  isolated  specimens  when  they 
have  attained  to  a  sufficient  size,  though  it  must 
be  remembered  that  many  years  must  elapse  before 
a  Golden  Yew  re  iches  6  feet  or  more  in  height. 
Ornamental-leaved  Yews  present  a  bright  appear- 
ance throughout  the  year,  but  they  are  at  their 
brightest  during  June  and  July,  when  the  colouring 
of  their  young  growths  varies  from  pale-yellow  to 
deep  orange  yellow,  according  to  the  variety. 


The  cultural  requirements  of  Golden  Yews  are 
similar  to  those  of  the  other  members  of  the  genus, 
and  they  need  a  well-drained,  but  not  dry  soil, 
v  ith  a  fair  amount  of  manure,  not  placed  too  close 
to  the  roots.  An  open  and  moderately  sunny 
situation  is  essential  to  success  with  these  trees,  as 
their  colouring  is  not  so  pronounced  when  they  are 
grown  in  the  shade,  though  partial  shade  during 
hot  weather  is  beneficial. 


Propagation-. 

f'ropagation  is  effected  by  cuttings  or  by  graft- 
ing ;  the  fastigiate,  or  Irish  Yews  as  they  are 
termed,  can  easily  be  raised  from  cuttings,  but  the 
other  varieties  of  Golden  Yews  need  to  be  grafted 
on  stocks  of  the  common  Yew,  for  though  cuttings 
form  roots  readily,  the  plants  propagated  in  this 
manner  do  not  afterwards  grow  freely,  but  remain 
dwarf  and  stunted  for  years.  Grafting  is  per- 
formed during  February  or  March  under  glass. 
The  young  plants  are  placed  in  a  close  case  in  a 
temperature  of  65°  to  70°.  Fungus  is  sometimes 
troublesome,  but  this  trouble  can  be  overcome  if 
tne  inside  of  the  case  is  syringed  with  a  strong 
solution  of  sulphide  of  potassium  before  the  plants 
are  placed  in  the  propagator,  ft  is  not  advisable 
to  syringe  when  the  plants  are  in  the  case,  as  the 
fungicide  works  its  way  between  the  scion  and  the 
.ii.  Is  and  prevents  a  proper  union.  Standards  are 
grafted  outdoors,  in  March,  o  i  young,  free-grow- 
ing, straight  stemmed  plants  of  either  the  common 
or  the  Irish  Yew  Grafting-wax  should  be  u 
cover  the  union,  as  clay  is  liable  to  crack  and  allow 
the  colli,  drying  winds  usually  experienced  in 
spring  to  enter,  and  thus  kill  the  scion  before 
union  is  effected.  1  he  aftei  treatment  of  the  young 
plants  consists,  aftei  they  are  properly  planted  in 
a  suitable  situation,  "l  keeping  thera  to  a  single- 
leader  in  the  case  of  bush  plants,  and  of  inducing 
them  to  form  a  well  sh  iped,  round  head  in  the  case 
of  standards,  I  he  Go)  len  varieties  of  Irish  Yews 
should  always  be  trained  to  a  single  leader,  and 
the  side  grow  ih^  thai  appear  should  be  stopped  at 
their  points  as  soon  as  they  have  attained  a  suffi- 
cient length.  The  middle  of  May  is  the  best 
time  to  do  this  wo.k,  trimming  the  standards  over 
with  the  shears  and  using  the  knile  fairly  hard  on 
the  side-growths  of  pyramid  plants,  while  any  long 
shoots  that  appear  on  the  latter  during  the  summer 
should  be  pinched  back  as  soon  as  they  are  seen. 
If  this  be  done  regularly  the  growths  will  become 
s'.out  and  able  to  withstand  any  ordinary  stress  of 
weather  Irish  Yews,  both  green  and  golden- 
leaved,  are  often  seen  with  from  10  to  '20  stems 
springing  horn  what  is  practically  a  common  base, 
and  when  a  heavy  fall  of  snow  occurs  they  are  bent 
and  ottei  broken  by  the  weight.  These  plants 
show  that  they  have  been  improperly  trained  when 
young. 

\11  the  Golden  Yews  produce  seeds  nearly  as 
freely  as  the  green  forms,  and  though  the  seed- 
lings do  not  resemble  the  parents  entirely,  a  large 
proportion  will  be  found  to  possess  variega'ed  or 
golden  leaves,  and  very  pretty  forms  are  sometimes 
found  amongst  them.  Seedlings  of  the  Golden 
Irish  Yews  are  intermediate  in  character  between 
their  parent  and  the  Golden  English  Yew,  thus, 
while  the  leaf  arrangement  and  the  habit  of  growth 
is  of  an  upright  character,  the  plants  are  much 
bushier  and  ofien  approach  the  Golden  English 
variety  in  size. 

Varieties  of  Ornamental  Yews. 

Varieties  of  Taxus  baccata  having  coloured 
foliage  are  : — 

T.  B.  var.  adpressa  aurea — A  dwarl-growing, 
spreading  plant,  and  one  suitable  for  planting  on  a 
rockery  or  for  training  as  a  standard  specimen. 
The  leaves  are  from  a  quarter  to  half-an-inch  in 
length,  rather  wide,  and  thick  in  proportion,  and 
have  a  narrow   green   stripe   in    the   centre   with 


margins  of  bright  gold.  The  variety  torms  a 
handsome  and  desirable  plant,  but  is  not  common 
in  gardens. 

T.  b.  var.  albo-variegata. — This  is  a  strong 
and  comparatively  fast-growing  plant,  the  leaves, 
each  about  1  inch  long,  being  margined  with 
creamy-white.  It  should  not  be  planted  near  to 
the  golden  forms. 

T.  b.  var.  aurea.  -The  leaves  in  this  form  are 
more  than  1  inch  in  length,  and  are  almost 
entirely  of  a  bright  golden-yellow  colour.  The 
plant  is  of  bushy  habit,  a  strung  grower,  and  is  to 
be  recommended  for  planting.  The  variety  aureo- 
variegata  somewhat  resembles  the  one  under 
notice,  but  has  a  green  stripe  in  the  centre  of  the 
leaf  and  is  of  a  more  straggling  and  less  robust 
habit. 

T.  b  var.  aurea  Barroni. — A  variety  that 
originated  as  a  seedling  in  the  Elvaston  Nurseries. 
It  has  a  dwarf,  compact  habit,  with  rather  short 
leaves  of  a  distinct  bronzy-gold  colour,  which  is 
especially  effective  in  winter. 

T.  b.  var.  Dovastoni  aureo-variegata  forms 
an  excellent  plant  for  a  corner  of  the  rockery.  The 
habit  of  growth  is  spreading,  thus  rendering  the 
plant  suitable  for  covering  spaces  on  which  a 
bright-coloured  plant  is  required.  The  foliage  is 
of  a  bright  yellow  colour,  that  appears  pleasing 
especially  when  the  plant  is  trained  as  an  informal 
standard. 

T.  b  var.  elegantissima. — This  is  one  of  the 
oldest  forms  of  the  Golden  Yew,  and  is  a  strong 
and  vigorous  plant  of  comparatively  quick  grov,  th. 
The  leaves  are  about  1  inch  in  length  and  are  of 
a  pale-yellow  colour  on  their  margins,  their  centres 
being  coloured  green  With  age  this  variety 
makes  a  handsome  specimen,  trained  either  in  the 
bush  form  or  as  a  standard. 

T.  b.  var.  YVashingtonii  — Plants  of  this  variety 
assume  a  rounded  form,  somewhat  intermediate  in 
shape  between  the  two  last  named.  The  leaves 
are  about  1  inch  long,  curved,  oi  a  greenish- 
yellow  colour  in  summer,  changing  to  bronze-gold 
in  winter. 

The  Golden  Irish  Yews. 
T.  b.  var.  FASTIGIATA  aurea.— A  variety  of 
strong,  upright  habit,  with  leaves  1  inch  to  IS  inch 
long,  and  of  a  bright  yellow  colour,  with  a  small 
patch  of  green  in  the  centre,  at  the  base.  A  tree 
of  this  handsome  Yew  is  a  decided  acquisition  in 
any  garden. 

T.   B.   VAR     FASTIGIATA    AUREO-MARGINATA.  — This 

is  the  variety  sometimes  met  with  under  the  name 
of  Fisher  and  Holmes'  Golden  Irish  Yew,  and  is 
an  upright  plant  with  leaves  exceeding  1  inch  in 
length.  The  foliage  is  marked  with  a  green  stripe 
in  the  centre  and  is  margined  with  gold.  A  tree  of 
this  form  has  a  tendency  to  grow  broader  at  the  top 
than  at  the  base,  for  which  reason  it  requires  more 
training  than  the  majority  of  Golden  Yews. 

T.  b.  var.  fastigiata  Standishii.— The  habit 
of  this  variety  is  very  narrow.  The  foliage  is  of  the 
brightest  golden  colour,  the  colouring  being  most 
prominent  on  the  side  next  the  sun.  Growth  is 
rather  slow  in  this  form,  but  its  rich  colour  atones 
for  this  defect,  and  it  is  to  be  recommended  as  an 
upright  growing  golden-leaved  shrub  of  good  con- 
stitution. 

Yew  hedges  are  best  clipped  in  May,  though  on 
young,  strong  hedges  a  second  light  trimming, 
especially  on  the  top,  may  be  necessary  in  Sep- 
tember. By  clipping  them  fairly  hard  in  May, 
the  plants  make  a  certain  amount  of  growth 
during  the  year,  sufficient  to  keep  the  balance  even 
between  the  tops  and  roots.  The  autumn  trim- 
ming, if  necessary,  should  be  a  very  light  one,  and 
only  just  sufficient  to  keep  the  hedge  in  shape. 
/.  C,  Bagshot. 


290 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[October  26,  1907. 


MAMMILLARIA     RHODANTHA 
VAR. 

The  Mammillarias  have  either  simple, 
branched  or  caespitose  stems  clothed  with  spine- 
bearing  tubercles,  and  their  flowers  are  produced 
in  a  whorl  near  the  top  of  the  stem.  M.  rhodantha 
has  a  sub-cylindric  stem  from  6  inches  to  1  foot 
high,  and  it  is  sometimes  forked.  The  variety 
here  figured  is  an  exceptionally  fine  example  of 
a  cristate  or  proliferous  deviation  from  the  type. 
It  is  difficult  to  account  for  the  occurrence  of 
these  crested  varieties  of  Cacti.  They  are  known 
in  most  of  the  genera,  from  the  big  Cereus  gigan- 
teus  to  the  smallest,  and  they  appear  to  be  per- 
manent. The  best  known  of  them  is  Cereus 
peruvianus  monstrosus,  of  which  there  is  a  large 
•example  in  the  Kew  collection..  Such  monstrosi- 
ties occur  among  Cacti  in  a  wild  state,  so  that 
they  cannot  be  set  down  to  cultural  influences. 
Nor  are  they  likely  to  be  the  result  of  injury  to 
the  central  growth  bud,  for  the  whole  plant  is 


spit  deep  of  good,  sound  loam  should  receive 
this  addition  at  once.  The  planting  of  standard 
Roses  should  claim  the  first  attention,  and 
these  should  be  followed  by  dwarf  Hybrid  Per- 
petuals,  Hybrid  Teas,  Hybrid  Chinas,  Bour- 
bons, Teas,  &c,  also  some  of  the  best  varieties 
of  the  Japanese  or  Rugosa  section,  Ayrshire, 
evergreen,  and  other  climbers.  The  bushes 
should  be  carefully  examined  at  their  roots 
before  re-planting,  and  have  all  thick,  gross- 
vi  owing  roots  that  usually  spring  from  near  the 
stem  removed.  Make  the  bottom  of  the  hole 
quite  firm  for  the  reception  of  the  plant,  and 
carefully  spread  out  all  the  fibrous  roots.  A 
little  ballast,  grit,  and  wood  ashes,  well  mixed 
with  the  soil,  is  a  great  help  to  newly-planted 
Roses,  and  especially  if  the  ground  is  of  a 
heavy,  retentive  character.  Tender  varieties  of 
Teas  and  Hybrid  Teas  should  not  be  planted 
now,  but  are  best  left  until  April  and  May  ;  they 
may,  however,  be  planted  at  this  season  if  some 


Fig.  ii6. — mammillaria  rhodantha  var. 


affected,  and  cuttings,  when  rooted,  never  lose 
the  peculiar  habit  of  growth.  A  collection  of 
such  freaks  as  this  Mammillaria  would  be  inter- 
esting, but  they  would  not  flower ;  at  any  rate, 
we  do  not  remember  to  have  seen  flowers  on  any 
of  these  proliferous  Cacti.  We  are  indebted  for 
this  photograph  to  Mr.  Juan  Balmejr.,  Mexico 


THE    ROSARY. 

CULTUKAL  NOTES  FOR  NOVEMBER. 

November  is  an  important  month  in  the 
Rose  garden.  If  the  borders  and  beds  were 
duly  trenched  and  manured  in  October,  they 
will  be  in  a  suitable  condition  for  planting, 
providing  the  soil  is  settled.  Planting  must  be 
done  when  the  weather  is  fine  and  the  ground 
fairly  moist  without  being  sticky.  All  unsuit- 
able soils  that  have  not  been  improved  with  a 


protection  is  afforded  the  plants  during 
severe  weather.  In  transplanting,  care  must 
be  exercised  that  the  trees  be  not  inserted 
deeper  in  the  soil  than  they  were  before 
shifting ;  as  a  rule,  shallow  planting  is 
best  for  Roses  providing  they  are  well 
secured  by  staking  and  well  mulched.  Standard 
Briars  should  be  planted  as  early  as  possible 
according  to  the  quantity  required  and  the 
space  for  their  accommodation.  The  individual 
plants  differ  much  in  their  habit  of  growth  and 
colouring,  which  ranges  from  grey,  green  to 
black.  Plants  of  the  two  former  colours  are  the 
more  free  in  growth,  and  if  their  shoots  are 
well  ripened  make  the  best  stocks  ;  those  of  a 
black  colour  are  frequently  "  hide  bound,"  and 
success  with  them  is  uncertain.  These  stocks 
should  be  planted  in  ground  that  has  been 
trenched  and  manured,  placing  the  roots  9 
inches   deep   in   good   stiff   staple   loam.     Allow 


a  space  of  3  feet  between  the  rows  and  1 
inches  between  the  plants.  Tread  the  soil  abo\ 
them,  level  the  ground,  and  tread  well  again,  s 
that  the  soil  presses  tightly  against  the  stod 
When  planting  is  finished,  apply  a  thick  mulcl| 
ing  of  manure. 

Raising  Rose  Stocks. 
Hips    of    the   wild     Dog     Rose,    from    whic 
Briars   are   laised,   can   now  be   gathered.     Mi 
the    fruits    with   some   fine    road   grit   or 
throw  the  whole  together  in  a  heap,  and  cove) 
with  a  thin  la\er  of  soil.     The  fleshy  envelop! 
will  by  this  means  rot,  allowing  the  seeds  to  b) 
collected.     Sow   in  drills  3  inches   deep   durin  | 
the   spring.     November    is   a   suitable    time    t 
insert  cuttings  of  the  De  la  Grifferie  and  Manetti 
stocks.    The  cuttings  should  be  made  about  9  t' 
12    inches   long    from    firm,    ripened    wood.     I 
preparing  the  cuttings  all  the  buds  that  woub 
be  below  the  ground  line  should  be  cut  out  t<| 
prevent  a  plague  of  suckers  from  springing  u] 
later   in    the    season.     Stretch    a   line   across   ; 
border   of   well-trenched   ground    and    cut   in   ; 
sloping   direction    a   trench   9   inches   to   1   foo 
deep,  throwing  the  soil  back  on  the  bed.     Plac 
at    the   bottom    of   this    opening    a   quantity   o  I 
river   sand    and    press   the  base   of   the   cuttin; 
well  into  this  material  at  about  2  inches  apart 
Succeeding   rows   should  be   18    inches    apart  | 
Place   some   soil   against  the  cutting   and  treai 
this  firmly  and  until  the  whole  surface  is  level 
Established     plants      of     dwarf     and      s'eedlind 
Briar,  Manettii,  and  De  la  Grifferie  stocks,  tha 
were  raised  from  cuttings  inserted  last  autumn 
may  be  set  out  in   the  beds  for  budding,  as  ii 
the   case   of   the   standard    Briar    stocks.     Plan 
the    strongest     of    them    in    rows    made   3    fee 
apart  and  allow  9  inches  between  the  plants  ii 
the    rows.     The    De    la    Grifferie    and    Seedlin;, 
Briars    should    be   planted   6   inches    deep;    tb  I 
other   varieties   need   not   be   quite   so   deep.     I 
the  plants   are  very  vigorous   and  have  spread 
ing   growths,    a   Mttle   more   room    than    I   hav 
stated  should  be  given  them  both  ways.     In  al 
cases   plant   firmly. 

Roses  in  Pots. 
All  Roses  in  pots  plunged  outside,  excep 
those  newly  potted,  should  now  be  brough 
under  cover  of  some  kind,  and  be  kept  dry  a 
•heir  roots  but  as  cool  as  possible.  The  plant 
that  were  placed  under  glass  during  Octobe: 
can  now  be  kept  gently  growing  without  amli 
increase  of  heat,  which  should  range  from  50 
to  55°.  Afford  less  ventilation,  and  after  dam] 
ing  the  walks  and  the  stages,  close  the  house 
entirely  early  in  the  afternoon.  If  artificial 
heat  is  available  in  houses  in  which  Roses  a:e 
planted  out,  the  valves  of  the  hot-water  pipe, 
should  be  turned  on  a  little  at  night-time  .it 
the  end  of  the  present  month.  In  the  mean- 
time gradually  reduce  the  amount  of  ventilatii  n, 
and  damp  down  on  bright  mornings,  but  admit 
a   little  outside  air  at  night. 

Grafting  Roses   under   Glass. 
About  the  middle  of  November  arrangements 
should   be   made   for  grafting   under   glass,   bit 
this  early  start  will  be  successful  only  on  estab- 
lished  stocks   of  either   the   Briar,    Manettii,  or  | 
De  la   Grifferie   types    that    were    potted    int  - 
60-pots  during  the  spring  and  afterwards  plunge  ' 
outside  all  the  summer.     These  stocks  are  use  i 
for   the    early   or   dormant    grafting    from     the 
middle   of    November    until    December.     Stoci 
potted    up    now    can    be     used     for    herbaceous 
grafting    early   in    the    New    Year,   for   as  the 
season  of  dormant  grafting  ends  the  herbaceos 
or  soft  grafting  takes  its  place.     The  best 
tion   in   the   house   for   the   work  is   on  a   thin 
slate  bench  over  the  hot-water  pipes,  and  under 
glass  frames  of  a  sufficient  depth  movable  bot'i 
back  and  front,  to  allow  for  the  growing  grafts.  ; 
The  Briar  and  De  la  Grifferie  stocks  should  be  i 
used    in    the    grafting     of     Tea,    Hybrid     Tea. 
Noisette,    China,    and     hybrid     varieties. 
Manettii    stock    is    best    suited    for    the   Hybri 


October  26,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


291 


perpetual,  Bourbon,  and  other  Roses  not  of  the 
Tea  and  China  class.  Tongue  or  side  grafting 
is  usually  practised  ;  the  stock  is  cut  down  to 
within  3  or  4  inches  of  the  pot,  and  should  be 
as  nearly  as  possible  of  the  same  thickness  or 
a  little  thicker  than  the  scion.  If  the  scion  is 
smaller,  care  must  be  taken  to  place  it  so  that 
the  two  layers  of  cambium  are  united  on  one 
side  at  least,  or  there  can  be  no  proper  union. 
The  wood  of  both  stock  and  scion  should  be 
well  ripened.  I  have  occasionally  used  soft 
pithy  wood  when  I  was  anxious  to  propagate 
as  many  plants  as  possible  of  new  and  scarce 
varieties,  but  I  do  not  advise  its  general  adop- 
tion unless  in  expert  hands.  In  new  and  rare 
varieties  one  bud  only  is  allowed  to  each  scion, 
but  when  grafts  are  plentiful  two  or  three  buds 
may  be  permitted.  A  layer  of  ashes  or  cocoa- 
nut  fibre  in  the  frame  needs  to  be  kept  damp  over 
the  hot-water  pipes.  A  temperature  of  50°  to  55u 
is  sufficient  to  commence  with,  and  this  amount 
can  be  gradually  increased  after  Christmas, 
but  the  grower  must  be  guided  by  the  weather 
outside;  in  any  case,  the  temperature  should 
xcept  with  solar  heat,  exceed  60u  to  65". 
The  propagating  frames  should  be  kept  close 
the  first  week  or  ten  days.  Care  must  be  taken 
not  to  allow  excess  of  moisture  to  hang  about 
the  grafts,  and  to  avoid  this  the  sashes  should 

I  be  opened  an  hour  or  two  each  morning.     When 

I  a  callus  forms  and  growth  begins  gradually  give 
more  air.     In     about     three   or   four   weeks   the 

:  more  forward  plants  will  be  ready  to  take  out  of 
the  frames  and  place  on  a  stage  well  up  to  the 
light  in  the  house.  '  As  these  are  taken  from-  the 

I  frame,  other  stocks  can  be  grafted  and  take  their 
place   in    the    propagator.     To    counteract    the 

I  drier  atmosphere  of  the  house  a  light  syringe 
should  occasionally  be  given  overhead  to  the 
grafted  plants.     /    D.  G. 


ORCHID    NOTES    AND    GLEANINGS. 

DENDROBIUM  APHRODITE. 
This  pretty  Burmese  Orchid,  once  plentifully 
represented  in  collections  as  D.  nodatum,  seems  to 
lia\e  become  rare  in  gardens.  Flowers  are  sent 
by  Messrs.  Jones,  Howes  &  Co.,  Elmdon  Nursery, 
Kenil  worth.  The  species  was  originally  discovered 
i  by  the  Rev.  C.  Parish  in  Moulmein  and  flowered  by 
Messrs.  Hugh  Low  &  Co.  in  1S62,  but  it  has  never 
been  imported  in  quantity.  The  pseudo-bulbs, 
which  are  G  to  8  inches  long,  are  swollen  at 
the  joints,  and  are  closely  arranged  in  compact 
tufts.  The  flowers,  which  are  2  inches  across,  are 
produced  singly  or  in  pairs,  and  are  cream-white 
with  a  sulpbur-yellow  disc  to  the  lip  and  two 
maroon-coloured  blotches  at  the  base.  The  species 
shou'd  be  grown  in  suspended  baskets  or  Orchid 
pans  and  rested  in  a  cool,  airy  house  when  not 
actively  growing  in  winfr. 

ZYGOPETALUM  ROSTRATIM 

The  fine  specimen  of  this  rare  species  which  was 
show^n  by  Messrs.  Jas.  Cypher  &  Sons,  Exotic 
Nursery,  Queen's  Road,  Cheltenham,  at  the  Royal 
Horticultural  Society,  October  15,  well  represented 
the  beauties  of  one  of  the  most  distinct  and  pretty 
species  of  the  genus.   It  was  awarded  a  First-Class 

.  Certificate  at  the  Temple  Show  in  1902,  the  plant 
being  one  of  the  most  admired  in  the  fine  collection 

.  staged  by  Sir  Trevor   Lawrence,   Bait.,   on  that 

r  occasion.  The  sprays  of  wax-like  flowers,  each 
about  3  inches  across,  with  a  large  white  labellum 
bearing  some  purple  lines  at  the  base,  render 
it  a  very  attractive  species.  Being  a  native  of 
Guiana,  it  requires  to  be  grown  in  a  warm, 
moist  house,  and  it  is  probable  that  the  chief 
reason  of  its  scarcity  in  gardens   lies  in   the  fact 

.that  it  has  been  grown  with  Z.  maxillare  and 
other  Zygopelalums  which  thrive  in  a  cooler 
temperature.     Z.  rostratum  requires  to  be  watered 

Jail  the  year  round,  although  less  water  should  be 
given  after  the  season's  growth  is  completed.  It 
does  best  in   teak-wood  baskets,  suspended   near 

i  the  glass  of  the  roof.     /.  OB 


GLADIOLUS    PRIMULINUS. 

Although  discovered  20  years  ago  in  the 
Usagara  Mountains  of  Southern  Central  Afrii  a, 
nothing  much  appears  to  have  been  heard  of 
this  Gladiolus  till  within  the  past  year  or  two, 


lected  and  distributed,  especially  in  England. 
A  description  of  the  plant  is  to  be  found  in 
th  :  -ue  of  the  Botanical  Magazine  for  June  of 
I  i  I  |  ear,  and  from  the  particulars  given  as  to 
its  habitat,  it  is  clear  that  this  Gladiolus,   like 


FlG.    117. — GLADTOLUS    PRrMULINUS.      COLOUR    OF    FLOWERS,    PALE    YELIOW. 


when,  owing  no  doubt  to  the  opening  up  of  the 
country,  and  particularly  to  the  advent  of  the 
Cape  to  Cairo  railway  at  that  part  of  the  world 
where  the  plant  is  found,  bulbs  have  been  col- 


many  of  the  genus,  but  not  all,  requires  much 
moisture,  for  it  is  described  by  one  of  the 
officials  of  the  British  South  Africa  Company 
who  has  seen  it  growing,  as  flourishing  in  one  of 


;92 


THE     GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


[October  26,  1907. 


the  wettest  places  close  to  the  Victoria  Falls, 
where  the  atmosphere  is  nearly  always  charged 
with  misty  vapour. 

The  shape  of  the  flower  is  curious  and  un- 
usual ;  the  upper  perianth  is  seen  to  be  curved 
right  over  so  as  to  form  a  shield  or  roof  over 
the  inside,  which  is  most  delicately  beautiful, 
and  if  it  should  turn  out  that  the  natural  habitat 
of  the  plant  is  confined  to  places  where  it  is  sub- 
ject to  the  continual  wetting  of  fine  spray,  such 
as  obtains  at  the  foot  of  the  Victoria  Falls,  th^ 
fact  is  only  one  more  illustration  of  the  extra- 
ordinary way  in  which  nature  adapts  her  flowers 
to  their  surroundings. 

The  tallest  plants  of  the  group  in  my  garden 
are  no  less  than  4  feet  high,  and  have  from 
eight  to  nine  buds  or  flowers  on  them.  These 
open  regularly  though  slowly  to  the  topmost 
bud,  which  comes  into  flower  about  three  weeks 
after  the  first  one,  so  that  the  blooming  period 
is  unusually  long  for  plants  of  this  genus.  The 
stem  is  not  wiry  and  twisted,  like  that  of  G. 
tristis,  but  firm  and  fleshy,  as  in  the  case  of  the 
German  Iris,  and  rather  more  than  a  quarter 
of  an  inch  in  diameter  at  the  ground.  The  full- 
sized  corms  are  about  as  large  across  as  a  half- 
crown,  and  of  rather  a  stronger  colour  than  the 
bloom,  which  is  an  exquisite  Primrose  yellow  ; 
and  while  it  does  not  appear  possible  to  say 
much  at  present  with  certainty  about  the  culture, 
a  mixture  of  granite  chippings,  charcoal,  and 
coarse  sand,  with  enough  peat  dust  to  make  the 
mixture  brown,  and  very  free  drainage,  has,  at 
any  rate,  answered  very  well  so  far  in  the  case 
of   mv  own   plants. 

Whether  or  not  this  Gladiolus  will  prove  to 
be  hardy  in  Great  Britain  is  doubtless  a  ques- 
tion which  only  time  can  decide  ;  and  in  this 
respect  it  would  probably  be  wise  to  be  on  the 
safe  side  and  treat  it  like  Gladiolus  sulphiireus 
and  others  of  doubtful  hardiness.  It  is  a  most 
beautiful  plant,  with  a  singularly  attractive 
habit  of  growth  and  refined  flower.  G.  [Our 
correspondent  has  sent  us  excellent  photographs 
of  the  species,  but  we  reproduce  a  sketch 
(Fig.  117)  of  a  flower-spike  from  Mr.  Fox's 
garden  at  Wimbledon,  which  has  already  ap- 
peared in  these  pages. — Ed.] 


NOTICES    OF     BOOKS. 


The  Book  of  Fruit  Bottling.* 

This  is  a  book  of  97  pages  written  by  two 
lady  experts  on  the  preserving  of  our  common 
fruits  by  bottling,  drying,  and  conversion  into 
jam,  jelly,  &c.  A  series  of  papers  on  the 
subject  by  Miss  May  Crooke  appeared  in 
Farm  and  Garden  in  1905,  and  we  are  told  by  the 
authoress,  Miss  Edith  Bradley,  that  they  form 
the  basis  of  the  book.  A  reprint  of  an  article 
entitled  Ancient  Recipes  and  Old  World  Cures, 
which  appeared  in  the  Woman's  Agricultural 
Times,  has  also  been  incorporated,  by  the  per- 
mission of  the  writer  Mrs.  Collier.  The  hope  is 
expressed  by  the  authoress  that  the  publication 
of  the  practical  details  of  these  industries  may  be 
instrumental  in  arousing  greater  interest  in  them 
among  all  living  in  country  districts,  and  that 
county  councils  may  follow  the  example  set  by 
Worcester  a  few  years  ago,  and  devote  some 
money  to  fostering  this  work. 

The  formation  of  cooperative  societies  to  work 
small  fruit-preserving  manufactories  in  a  few 
of  the  best  fruit-growing  districts,  aided  by  sup- 
port from  the  county  councils,  seems  the  most 
desirable  method  of  setting  to  work.  That  co- 
operative fruit  culture  and  fruit-preserving 
as  a  remunerative  industry  would  be  help- 
ful in  keeping  the  rural  population  on  the 
land  there  is  very  little  doubt.  As  we 
all  remember,  "jam"  was  one  of  Glad- 
stone's remedies  for  rural  depopulation.  The 
Rev.   W.  Wilks,  Vicai   of   Shirley  and  secretary 

P-ubli  ihed  l>v  John  Lane  ;  price  2s.  6d. 


of    the    Royal    Horticultural    Society,    writes    a 
very  sympathetic  introduction  to  the  book. 

He  is  old  enough,  he  says,  to  be  able  to  see  back  very 
clearly  to  the  late  forties  and  early  fifties  of  the  last  century. 
It  was  the  beginning  of  the  decadence  of  housekeeping. 
The  elder  folk  of  those  days  were  true  housewives  and 
were  teaching  the  younger  ones,  but  many  of  these  were 
already  beginning  to  shirk.  Every  country  house  at  that 
time  had  its  store  room,  and  bottled  its  own  fruits,  made  its 
own  jams,  dried  its  own  Cherries,  and  so  forth.  The  ladies 
of  those  days  did  not  think  it  beneath  them,  or  too  much 
trouble,  to  see  to  this  department  themselves. 

Our  appliances  are  much  superior  to  those  of 
that  time,  for  there  were  only  awkwardly  shaped 
bottles,  a  fish  kettle,  haybands,  and  raw  bladder, 
but  generally  speaking  the  fruit  was  preserved 
in  abundance  and  failures  were  few.  Mr.  Wilks 
thinks  that  the  influence  of  the  R.H.S.  among 
public  bodies,  and  the  exertions  of  Miss  Bradley 
and  Miss  Crooke  have  done  something  in  re- 
viving the  art. 

There  are  full  directions  for  bottling  fruits  by 
the  aid  of  steam  as  a  steriliser,  viz.,  the  Wytten- 
bach  (German),  the  Mercia,  used  in  the  West  of 
England,  and  Fowler's  or  Lee's  patent  eco- 
nomic steam  cooker,  forms  of  bottles,  jars,  and 
steam-pans  being  shown  in  photographic  repro- 
ductions. Various  close  estimates  of  cost  of 
utensils,  and  of  bottles  and  jars,  and  the  ordi- 
nary selling  prices  of  products  are  supplied. 
General  directions  are  given  for  jam-making  ;  all 
the  old  directions  for  grading  the  fruit,  gather- 
ing whilst  in  a  dry  state,  the  quantity  of  sugar 
to  be  made  use  of,  cleansing,  the  kinds  of  boil- 
ing pans  to  be  used,  and  the  best  places  for 
storage  being  clearly  given.  The  making  of  fruit 
jellies  is  reduced  to  a  certainty,  Red  Currant, 
Black  Currant,  Apple,  Crab  and  Grape  jelly 
being  brought  fully  under  notice.  It  is  a  pity 
that  Guava  and  Pineapple  are  not  included 
among  preserved  fruits,  though  they  be  not 
English  hardy  fruits.  Marmalades  from  Oranges, 
Rhubarb,  and  Tomatos,  both  ripe  and  green, 
are  fully  explained  as  to  the  making  :  as  are 
home-made  wines,  fruit  drying,  vegetable  desic- 
cation, and  cider  making. 

The  British   Bee-keepers  Guide   Book.* 

Those  who  can  recall  the  publication  of  the 
Guide  Book  of  Mr.  Cowan  in  1881,  will  remember 
what  pleasure  and  profit  was  derived  therefrom. 
Since  then  much  advance  has  been  made  in  api- 
culture and  appliances,  and  the  most  advanced 
in  the  art  will  find  a  new  pleasure  in  perusing 
and  closely  studying  the  nineteenth  edition  re- 
cently issued.  The  illustrations,  from  photo- 
graphs, will  prove  interesting  and  instructive. 

The  chapter  on  natural  history  is  concisely 
and  simply  stated,  and  can  leave  no  doubt  in 
the  mind  of  the  beginner  about  the  development 
of  bees  ;  while  the  illustrations  of  broodcomb 
and  queen  cells  leave  nothing  to  be  desired. 

The  beekeeper  who  is  of  a  mechanical  turn  of 
mind  will  be  interested  in  Chapter  VIII.,  where 
all  the  details  of  hive  making  are  set  forth,  and, 
at  the  same  time,  he  will  do  well  to  study  the 
chapter  on  comb  foundation  very  closely. 

To  handle  and  subdue  bees  with  success,  the 
hints  in  Chapter  XIX.  will  prove  useful,  and 
help  to  bring  about  a  race  of  beekeepers  who 
can  work  in  an  apiary  successfully  without  set- 
ting the  whole  of  the  bees  in  an  uproar. 

Some  beekeepers  would  be  prepared  to  sell 
swarms  and  stocks  if  they  could  only  make  sure 
of  packing  them  safely.  In  the  chapter,  "  Mov- 
ing Bees,"  mos"  minute  details  are  given,  and 
success  is  certain  if  the  methods  described  are 
adopted.  The  advanced  apiarist  will  find 
invaluable  hints  on  the  most  advanced  lines,  on 
queen-rearing,  nucleus  hives  and  introducing 
queens ;  and  all  could  materially  assist  in 
stamping  out  disease  by  a  close  study  of  the 
diseases    common    among    bees. 

In  many  districts  there  are  great  quantities 
of  bees   destroyed   annually  over  the  brimstone 

•Bv  T.  W.  Cowan;  published  by  Madgwick,  Koulston 
..  Co..  Ltd. 


pit,  which  might  be  utilised  with  advantage  b 
the  more  advanced  beekeepers  if  they  only  knt- 
hciw  to  carry  them  home.  Bellairs'  methor 
described  in  Chapter  XXXII.,  is  an  excellent  on' 
and  I  can  strongly  recommend  it.     Chloris. 


THE    ROCK    GARDEN 


AUTUMN-FLOWERING  SAXIFRAGAS. 

As  a  whole,  the  members  of  this  genus  ar 
usually  associated  with  spring-floweiing  plant' 
but  there  are  two  or  three  species  which  do  m 
flower  until  autumn.  Of  a  different  habit  fror 
all  other  Saxifragas,  these,  together  with  th 
well-known  S.  sarmentosa,  form  a  distinct  ser 
tion  of  the  family,  and  are  all  natives  of  Chin 
and  Japan.     Of  the  two  now  in  flower, 

S.  Fortunei  has  been  longest  in  cultivatioi 
having  been  introduced  from  Japan  by  the  tra 
veller  after  whom  it  is  named,  and  it  flowered  i 
the  nursery  of  Mr.  Standish  at  Bagshot  in  th 
autumn  of  1863.  The  reniforni-cordate  leave 
are  lobed  and  laciniately  toothed,  and  are  pr. 
duced  on  stout  petioles.  They  form  a  rosette 
from  which  arise  the  stout  stems,  bearing  pani 
cles  of  pure  white  flowers.  These  flowers  ar 
remarkable  for  the  unequal  petals,  one  or  mor 
of  which  exceed  in  length  by  two  or  three  time 
all  the  others.  The  petals,  which  vary  ia  lengt 
from  \  to  1  inch,  are  unequally  serrated  or  saw 
edged.  Although  hardy  in  a  somewhat  sheltee 
and  shady  position,  it  is  seen  at  its  best  whe 
grown  in  a  pot  in  a  cold  frame,  where  it  flower 
profusely.     Closely  resembling  this  is 

S.  cortus.efolia  [Bot.  Mag.,  t.  6,680),  whir 
is  also  in  flower,  and  which  differs  chiefly 
having  entire  petals.  These,  like  those  of  th 
latter,  are  of  unequal  length,  and  somewha 
narrow,  but  the  flowers  are  very  freely  pro, In. 
on  much  branched  panicles,  making  quite  a 
elegant  plant  with  the  many-lobed  renifon 
leaves.  This  species  was  introduced  by  Messi 
Veitch  in  1883,  having  been  found  by  their  co 
lector,  Mr.  Maries,  on  the  central  mountains  i 
Japan,  at  an  elevation  of  2,000  to  7,000  fee 
Like  S.  Fortunei,  it  is  also  found  in  China,  an 
varies  to  a  great  extent.  Broadly  speaking,  the- 
two  plants  may  well  be  two  extreme  forms  • 
one  species,  as  they  are  of  the  same  habit,  an 
flourish  under  similar  conditions.  They  do  no 
produce  much  if  any  seed  when  grown  out  o 
doors,  but  may  be  freely  propagated  by  means  0 
dividing  the  crowns.  The  fourth  species  belong 
ing  to  this  set  is  S.  cuscutae.'ornn^,  which  ma; 
be  described  as  a  miniature  S.  sarmentosa. 

BCENNINGHAUSENIA   ALHI FLORA. 

This  Himalayan  plant  has  been  in  cultivatio 
since  1823,  but  is  rarely  seen  in  garden- 
Its  elegant  habit  and  numerous  small  whit 
flowers  produced  in  September  and  Ccto 
ber  should  recommend  it  for  more  gi 
favour.  It  is  a  slender,  erect-growing  perennial 
about  2  feet  high,  with  branching  stems,  two 
three  pinnate,  Rue-like,  glaucous  leaves,  am 
nodding,  pure  white  flowers  in  abundance.  I 
is  in  flower  in  a  sheltered,  ha'.f-shidy  positioi 
in  the  rock-garden.  Belonging  lo  the  Rui 
family,  it  is  also  known   as  Kuta  albiflora. 

SAXIFRAGA    GEMMIPARA. 

This  species  from  the  Province  of  Yunnan,  in 
China,   was  introduced   by   Messrs.    Bees,    Ltd. 
of    Neston,   in    190.").     It    is   more   nearly   allied 
to  the  aizoides  set  of  the  genus,  and  possesses 
similarly-arranged,    but    much    broader    lea\ 
which     are     i     to    $    inch    long,     and     \     inch 
wide,    and    are    thickly     set     with     long     I 
It    is    of    tufted    habit,    only    1    inch    or    '_' 
and   bears   white    flowers    about   }    inch    in 
meter,  with  prominent  orange-coloured  stamens. 
It   appears   to    be   rather    tender,    requiring    th< 
shelter  of  a  cold  frame.      W.  I '. 


Ocu>UEK  26,   1907 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


THE    COUNTRY    GARDEN. 

At  the  autumn,  and  again  at  the  spring-plant- 
ing, it  is  important  to  give  due  considt  ration  to  the 
need  for  a  liberal  proportion  of  plants  that  produce 
a  bold  distinct  effect.  In  some  cases  it  may  be 
produced  by  large-sized  handsome  flowers ;  in 
others  the  characteristic  boldness  may  belong 
more  especially  to  the  foliage,  whilst  in  other 
species,  flowers  and  foliage  alike  are  strikingly 
effective.  These  several  characteristics  make  for 
a  definite  decorative  effect,  and  distinct  decoraiive 
value — value  and  effect  that  tell  at  a  considerable 
distance. 

The  larger  the  garden  the  bolder  should  be  the 
planting  this  would  seem  to  be  an  obvious 
truism,  but  it  is  far  too  frequently  neglected,  and  the 
result  is  seen  in  the  indefinite  and  indistinct  effects, 
combined  with  a  sense  of  monotony  and  tameness, 
that  sometimes  run  throughout  the  whole  garden. 
Supposing  we  realise  the  need  for  planting  bold, 
handsome  subjects,  to  a  considerable  extent,  it  is 
well  to  go  a  degree  further,  and  see  to  it  that  we 
establish  them  in  positions  and  amid  surroundings 
that  accentuate  these  characteristics  as  much  as 
possible.  A  very  careful  selection  of  the  places 
they  are   to  occupy  should  be  made,    bearing   in 


Pampas  Grass,  Yuccas,  and  Phormium,  when 
grown  to  perfection  and  used  to  the  utmost  advan- 
tage, all  rank  high  as  bold  and  striking  subjects, 
and  to  them  should  be  added  the  beautiful,  but 
not  hardy,  Agapanthus  umbellatus.  A  glance 
through  these  names  will  show  that  the  flowering 
periods  of  one  and  another  cover  many  months, 
so  that  each  may,  with  a  little  care  as  to  site  and 
surroundings,  become  a  feature  of  beauty  in  its 
own  season.  Each  should  be  planted  in  a  position 
that  ensures  its  being  in  full  view  from  a  consider- 
able distance.  These  and  such  as  these  are  the 
things  that  are  distinct  and  bold  enough  to  carry 
well.  Better  to  see  them  far  from  us,  and  thus 
approach  them,  than  to  come  upon  them  suddenly 
round  a  corner,  or  in  the  bend  of  pathway  where 
their  full  value,  from  a  distance,  as  well  as  from  a 
nearer  view,  cannot  be  properly  appreciated. 

It  is  difficult  to  find  a  more  effective  subject  than 
the  herbaceous  Paeonies  where  there  is  ample  space 
available  ;  in  small  gardens  they  must  be  barred 
because  of  the  brief  duration  of  the  flower,  but 
there  is  this  much  to  be  said,  they  do  not  need  the 
most  open  situations  the  garden  affords  ;  the  f.ood 
old-fashioned  crimson  varieties  flower  quite  satis- 
factorily under   partial  shade,  so   that   they  make 


Fig.  118. — heeria  elegans,  a  trailing  greenhouse  plant. 


mind  that  a  bold  and  important  subject  would 
gain  much  by  having  an  important  position,  just 
as  it  would  lose  by  being  placed  in  some  half- 
bidden  and  inferior  spot.  These  bold  subjects 
may  be  led  up  to  by  subjects  of  vaguer  and  more 
indefinite  appearance  (I  have  in  mind  the  (fleet 
from  a  distance),  but  they  should  never  be  half- 
hidden  by  thrm.  They  should  catch  the  eye,  and 
more  than  that,  they  should  hold  it  at  different 
points  of  vantage.  In  this  way,  and  perhaps  only 
in  this  way,  can  we  achieve  the  charm  which 
comes  with  chara:ter,  individuality,  and  distinct- 
ness— qualities  that  go  to  make  beautiful  gardens. 
So  far  as  possible,  where  it  is  a  qi  estion  of 
establishing  new  subjects  of  bold  and  handsome 
habit,  it  is  well  to  select  the  positions  they  shall 
occupy  while  still  the  leaves  are  upon  the  trees. 

To  consider  a  few  of  the  subjects  that  readily 
come  to  mind  as  especially  effective  when  made 
the  most  of,  and  are  hardy,  and  of  easy  cultivation, 
there  should,  at  as  many  different  seasons  as  p  s- 
sible,  be  this  succession  of  bold  plants  at  the  height 
of  their  beauty  in  one  or  am  iher  of  the  points  of 
vantage  in  the  garden.  Paeonies.  Hydrangeas, 
He.acleum,      the      shrubby     Spiraeas,      Clematis, 


grand  plants  to  fringe  the  pathway  of  a  bit  of 
garden  woodland.  Some  of  the  newer  herbaceous 
varieties  are  very  beautiful,  especially  the  pale 
tender  shades,  Kelways  Queen,  for  instance,  a 
soft  pale  pink  ;  Glory  of  Somerset,  a  little  deeper  ; 
Maria  Kelway.  blush  suffused  yellow.  Paeonies 
are  sufficiently  hardy  even  to  stand  the  winters  of 
North  Western  Canada.  The  tree  varieties  are, 
perhaps,  even  more  valuable  from  the  decorative 
point  of  view,  and  here  again  the  choice  is  large 
enough  to  be  bewildering,  but  Weisse,  Belle  de 
Monza,  M.  Jules  Orban,  and  Javii  are  excellent. 

Well-grown  Hydrangeas  are  hard  to  beat, 
whether  cultivated  in  tubs  or  in  the  open  ground. 
This  year  I  have  noticed  Hydrangeas  tend  more 
than  usual  to  blue  tints,  and  a  broad  pathway 
between  raised  borders  largely  planted  with  them, 
with  tubs  of  Agapanthus  at  interi als,  made  one  of 
the  best  effects  I  have  seen  this  year  as  a  foil  to 
mere  vivid  colouring  in  close  juxtaposition  The 
Hydrangeas  were  of  some  seasons'  growth,  and 
carried  a  mass  of  blossom. 

A  raised  bed  with  cne  of  the  well-known  blue 
Clematis  Jackmanii,  trained  to  wires  about  ]  foot 
alo\c  tie  roil,  either  co\erirg  the  led  entirely  or 


as  an  edging,  produces  a  grand  bit  of  colouring, 
wonderfully  effective,  and  I  have  in  my  rrind  a 
most  successful  treatment  of  a  dry  slope — Clematis 
was  planted  at  the  bottom  and  trained  over  it — a 
spring  display  of  colour  being  produced  by  an 
under  planting  of  bulbous  subjects.  It  is  difficult, 
I  think,  to  over-estimate  the  value  of  this  particular 
tone  of  blue  in  a  large  garden  and  in  a  sunny 
position,  and  where  there  is  space  it  might  well  be 
used  as  freely  and  generously  as  is  the  Crimson 
Rambler,  and  nothing  yields  this  colour  in  the 
same  effect  as  C.  Jackmanii.     Practical  Gardener. 


HEERIA    ELEGANS. 

Amongst  the  number  of  greenhouse  plants  of 
a  trailing  habit,  and  which  are  suitable  for  pans 
for  edging  the  stages,  or  as  basket  plants,  this 
species  is  valuable.  It  grows  only  a  few  inches 
in  height,  and  has  trailing,  wiry  steins,  whii  h 
branch  freely,  and  bear  small,  opposite,  green 
leaves.  The  blade  of  the  leaf  is  about  half  an 
inch  in  length,  of  an  ovate,  lanceolate  shape, 
slightly  serrated  at  the  margins,  around  which 
small,  whitish  hairs  appear  springing  from  the 
serrations.  The  petioles  are  reddish  and  about 
one-eighth  of  an  inch  long.  The  flowers  are 
produced  terminally  on  peduncles,  about  1  inch 
in  length,  on  the  numerous  short  side  branches, 
which  just  raises  them  above  the  level  of  the 
foliage,  while  in  diameter  they  are  about  1  and 
1$  inch.  A  description  of  the  species  is  given 
in  Lmna-a,  1839,  p.  432,  and  it  is  there  described 
as  resembling  in  colour  and  magnitude  the  blooms 
of  Geranium  sanguineum  ;  but  as  grown  here, 
the  colour  appears  brighter  and  of  a  more  pleas- 
ing shade.  The  coloured  stamens  are  conspicu- 
ous with  their  white  anthers.  The  fruits  are 
very  hairy,  turn  to  a  reddish  colour  with  age, 
and  produce  an  abundance  of  seed,  from  which 
plants  may  be  easily  raised,  or  they  may  be 
obtained  by  cuttings,  which  have  the  habit  of 
making  roots  quickly.  The  cuttings  should  be 
placed  in  well-drained  pans  in  a  mixture  of 
good,  fibrous  loam  and  peat.  In  the  southern 
counties  of  England  Heeria  elegans  should  prove 
a  good  summer  bedding  plant,  as  a  plant  put  out 
into  the  ''Order"  beds  this  summer  here 
flowered  freely,  and  for  a  long  period;  indeed, 
foi  its  long  duration  of  bloom,  the  species  is 
only  surpassed  by  few  plants  having  a  similar 
habit.  Schizocentron  elegans  is  the  name  under 
which  this  melastomaceous  plant  is  sometimes 
known,  Mexico  being  its  native  habitat.  The 
photograph  reproduced  at  Fig.  118  illustrates 
foul  plants  grown  here.  R.  L.  Narrow,  Royal 
Botanic  Garden,  Edinburgh. 


FLORISTS'    FLOWERS. 


EARLY-FLOWERIXG        CHRYSANTHE- 
MUMS. 

Apart  from  the  usefulness  of  the  early-flower- 
ing varieties  of  Chrysanthemums  for  furnishing  a 
supply  of  cut  flowers,  they  brighten  the  herba- 
ceous garden  at  a  time  when  the  permanent  oc- 
cupants of  the  borders  are  becoming  past  their 
best  season  of  flowering.  For  the  amateur  cul- 
tivator, and  the  cottager  especially,  these  early- 
flowering  Chrysanthemums  are  especially  valu- 
able. Now  that  their  season  of  flowering  is  with 
us,  the  opportunity  should  be  taken  of  noting 
the  best  varieties  for  next  year's  planting,  and 
in  order  to  assist  in  this,  I  have  compiled  the 
following  list  of  varieties  as  being  especially 
suitable  for  the  flower  garden: — Carmalite  has 
flowers  of  the  deepest  shade  of  golden  yellow  ; 
the  habit  of  growth  is  stiff,  free  in  flowering, 
and  useful  for  any  purpose  :  height  2  feet.  Carrie 
is  also  a  yellow-coloured  variety,  but  the  flowers 
are  smaller  than  those  of  Carmalite :  the  plant 
attains  to  a  height  of  2  feet.  Clara,  the  deep 
orange-yellow  flowers  of  this  variety  are  pro- 
duced in  plenty  on  shoots  2  feet  6  inches  high. 
Comtesse    Fouchier    de    Cariel    forms    a    broad, 


294 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[October  126,  1907. 


bush-like  plant  2  feet  in  height,  bearing  flowers 
of  an  ora'nge-bronze  shade.  Hector,  the  rich 
mauve-pink  blossoms  of  this  variety,  borne  on 
long,  stiff  stems,  have  drooping  florets,  and  it  is 
one  of  the  best  Chrysanthemums  for  early- 
flowering  ;  the  height  is  3  feet  6  inches.  Harrie, 
the  flowers  of  this  variety  assume  an  orange  or 
a  bronze  tint,  according  to  the  season  of  flower- 
ing :  the  height  of  the  flowering  shoots  is  2  feet. 
Goacher's  Crimson,  this  well-known  variety 
grows  2  feet  6  inches  in  height  and  has  bright 
crimson  flowers.  Fred  Goacher  has  creamy- 
white  flowers  that  are  tinted  with  rose.  The 
plant  is  free  and  erect  in  growth,  reaching  to 
a  height  of  2  feet.  Kthel  Blades  has  medium- 
sized  blooms  of  a  bright  crimson  colour  ;  height, 

2  feet.  Diana,  the  flowers  of  this  variety  are 
coloured  a  deep  orange-bronze  shaded  with  gold, 
the  plant  is  2  feet  6  inches  in  height.  Perle 
Chatillionaise  grows  fully  a  yard  high ;  its 
flowers  possess,  when  opening,  a  delicate  rose- 
coloured  centre  on  a  creamy-white  ground.  This 
variety  is  to  be  specially  recommended  for  plant- 
ing. Nina  Blick,  a  variety  having  flowers  of  a 
reddish-bronze  tint ;  the  height  is  2  feet  6  inches. 
Terle  Rose  is  of  a  stiff,  erect  habit  of  growth, 
the  colour  of  the  flowers  is  a  pearly-pink  and  the 
growths  reach  2  feet  in  height.  Mrs.  A.  Thomas 
has  small  flowers  of  a  deep  golden-yellow  col- 
our, on  stem  2  .feet  6  inches  long.  Le  Pactole 
has  shapely,  bronzy-yellow  incurving  flowers. 
The  habit  of  growth   is  somewhat  tall,   usually 

3  feet.  Lillie,  the  flowers  of  this  pretty  variety 
are  pearl-pink,  the  height  is  2  feet.  Polly, 
the  earliest  flowers  of  this  variety  are  of  the 
shade  known  as  amber,  but  this  colour  passes 
to  orange  in  the  older  flowers.  Wells'  Masse 
is  a  pale  blush-coloured  sport  from  the  lilac- 
mauve  Mdme.  Marie  Massie,  and  is  a  most  de- 
sirable variety  for  planting.  Tapis  de  Neige 
produces  its  pure-white  flat-shaped  flowers  in 
profusion.  The  height  of  this  variety  is  also 
2  feet.  Koi  des  Blancs  is  one  of  the  best  of  the 
white  varieties ;  the  flowering  shoots  reach  2 
feet  6  inches  in  height.  Wells'  Scarlet  is  espe- 
cially free  in  flowering,  and  the  colour  being  a 
pleasing  shade  of  scarlet  terra-cotta  ;  it  is  a  most 
valuable  subject  for  the  herbaceous  border,  and 
its  height  is  not  more  than  1  foot  6inches.  Rosie 
has  rich  terra-cotta  flowers,  the  height  is  2  feet. 
Horace  Martin  is  a  variety  extensively  cultivated 
by  market-growers  on  account  of  its  freedom  of 
flowering,  the  deep  yellow-coloured  flowers  are 
tinged  with  bronze  ;  the  height  is  2  feet  6  inches. 
I.i  (  vgne,  bears  its  pure  white  flowers  on 
long,  stiff  stems  that  are  3  feet  in  length.  E. 
Molyneux. 


The  Week's  Work. 


THE    ORCHID    HOUSES. 

By  W.  H.  White,  Orchid  Grower  to  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence, 
Bart.,  Burford,  Surrey. 

Vandas. — The  tall  growing  Vanda  tricolor,  V. 
suavis  and  their  several  distinct  varieties,  should 
now  receive  attention.  Every  leaf  should  be 
carefully  sponged,  so  as  to  effect  a  clearance 
of  all  dirt  and  insect  pests,  particularly  the 
small  brown  scale  which  adheres  very  firmly  on 
both  the  upper  and  the  under  surfaces  of  the 
leaves.  Great  care  must  be  exercised  in  the 
removal  of  this  scale  so  as  not  to  damage 
the  leaves ;  the  XL-All  liquid  preparation  is 
to  be  recommended  for  this  work,  for  after 
sponging  the  leaves  with  this  insecticide,  the 
insects  may  be  easily  detached  by  a  thin,  smooth 
piece  of  wood.  Give  the  foliage  a  thorough 
washing  with  clean,  tepid,  soft  water  after  the 
work  is  finished.  From  now  till  the  middle  of 
November  is  the  best  time  for  re-potting  or  re- 
surfacing these  plants  :  the  loss  of  foliage  conse- 
quent on  the  disturbance  of  the  roots  being  much 
less  at  this  season  than  when  the  work  is  per- 
formed in  the  spring.  Any  plant  which  has  be- 
come bare  for  some  distance  up  the  stem  through 
the  loss  of  its  older  leaves  should  have  its  pot- 
ting material  carefully  removed  in  order  to  sever 
a  portion  of  the  stem.  The  plant  may  then  be 
placed  lower  in  the  pot  with  as  little  breakage 
or  cracking  of  the  roots  as  possible,  and  some 
of  the  longest  aerial  roots  may  also  be  brought 
within  the  receptacle.  Previous  to  re-potting, 
place  a  sufficiently  strong  stake  in  position  to 
support  the  plant  in  an  erect  manner.  Replace 
the  drainage,  work  in  amongst  the  roots  some 
■clean  .crocks   and   fresh  sphagnum-moss,   press- 


ing the  whole  firmly.  Finish  to  within  half 
an  inch  of  the  rim  of  the  pot,  surfacing  the 
whole  with  a  conical  layer  of  clean,  freshly- 
gathered  sphagnum-moss.  When  the  operation 
is  completed,  stand  the  plants  upon  a  cool, 
moist  stage  in  the  Cattleya-house  where  they 
can  be  conveniently  shaded  from  the  sun. 
Afford  no  water  to  the  plants  until  several  days 
have  passed,  after  which  it  should  be  copiously 
applied.  The  moss  on  the  surface  will  soon 
become  dry  again,  but  must  be  kept  in  a 
growing  condition  by  the  use  of  a  fine  sprayer. 
Beyond  this  light  spraying  no  further  waterings 
will  be  necessary. 

The  intermediate  house. — The  night  tempera- 
ture should  now  range  between  55°  and  60°. 
Plants  of  Cypripedium  insigne  and  its  varieties, 
also  numerous  cool-growing  hybrids,  are  sending 
up  their  flower-spikes,  and  these  should  be  care- 
fully guided  up  past  the  strong  growing  leaves. 
This  remark  also  applies  to  the  pure  white 
Masdevallia  tovarensis.  The  pretty  Oncidium 
cheirophorum  should  now  be  carefully  watered  : 
if  this  plant  be  kept  in  too  moist  a  condition 
at  the  roots,  the  small  flower  buds  are  liable 
to  decay.  The  inflorescences  are  growing 
rapidly,  therefore  suspend  the  plant  at  the 
warmest  end  of  the  house  in  a  light  position, 
for  a  little  extra  sunshine  at  this  stage  will  be 
of  benefit. 

The  cool  house. — Plants  of  Odontoglossum 
crispum  and  others  that  were  re-potted  or  top- 
dressed  last  month  are  now  making  considerable 
progress  in  growth.  Those  which  are  rooting 
freely  will  require  copious  waterings  whenever 
the  compost  becomes  moderately  dry.  The  quan- 
tity of  water  should  be  gradually  increased  as 
the  new  pseudo-bulbs  commence  to  form,  and 
the  flower-spikes  begin  to  push  up.  Keep  the 
temperature  of  the  house  at  night-time  from  50° 
to  55°,  according  to  the  weather  outside  ;  afford 
as  much  fresh  air  as  is  possible,  but  carefully 
avoid  cold  draughts,  especially  when  the  weather 
is  cold   and  the   winds   boisterous. 


PLANTS    UNDER  GLASS. 

By  J.  G.  Weston,  Gardener  to  H.  ].  King,  Esq., 
Eastwell  Park,  Kent. 

Stove  and  greenhouse  climbers. — All  the  light 
it  is  possible  to  get  in  plant-houses  being  neces- 
-,irv  for  the  welfare  of  the  plants  during  the 
dull,  winter  months,  the  climbing  plants  should 
be  overhauled,  carefully  thinning  out  all  super- 
fluous growths  and  cutting  back  the  old  flower- 
ing shoots.  Allamandas  (unless  grown  under  a 
special  treatment)  will  now  be  past  their  best, 
and  the  roots  will  not  require  nearly  so  much 
water,  but  merely  sufficient  during  the  resting 
period  to  keep  the  wood  firm.  In  no  case  should 
the  water  supply  be  withheld  suddenly,  it  being 
necessary  to  reduce  the  quantity  gradually,  ac- 
cording to  the  requirements  of  the  individual 
plant ;  the  situation  in  which  the  plant  is  grow- 
ing will  largely  determine  the  amount  required. 
Plants  growing  in  a  border,  for  instance,  will 
require  less  than  is  necessary  for  speci- 
men plants  in  pots  or  tubs.  Clerodendrons 
require  a  similar  resting  period  to  Allamandas, 
and  if  in  movable  receptacles  they  should  be 
taken  from  the  plant  stove  and  placed  in  a  drier 
atmosphere  the  temperature  of  which  will  not 
fall  below  55  degrees  during  the  winter.  Many 
of  the  greenhouse  climbers  that  do  not  require  a 
perfect  resting  period,  at  the  same  time  need 
moderate  rest  that  is  not  enforced  by  drying  off 
the  roots  severely.  Tacsonias  and  plants  of 
similar  growth  being  practically  evergreen 
can  only  be  thinned  as  recommended  above. 
Severe  pruning  must  be  deferred  till  growth 
becomes  active  in  spring.  Much  less  water  will 
be  required  by  all  the  spee'es  than  was  given 
them  in  the  summer  months,  but  each  plant 
should  be  carefully  studied,  as  no  hard-aad-fast 
rule  will  be  applicable  to  all  the  species. 

Cyclamen. — The  more  forward  plants  will  now 
be  developing  their  flower-stems,  and  if  they 
are  cultivated  in  frames  during  the  summer  no 
.time  should  now  be  lost  in  transferring  the  plants 
to  a  light  house,  arranging  them  thinly  on  the 
stages  as  near  to  the  roof-glass  as  possible.  Have 
the  house  thoroughly  washed  before  housing  the 
plants,  and  take  advantage  when  handling  these 
latter  to  apply  a  little  top-dressing  of  approved 
manure,  taking  care  not  to  allow  any  of  the 
manure  to  lodge  in  the  crowns.  Fumigate  occa- 
sionally, and  keep  the  atmosphere  of  the  house 


at  a  temperature  of  50°  at  night,  rising  to  55° 
during  the  day,  admitting  a  little  air  at  all  times 
when  the  climatic  conditions  out-of-doors  are 
favourable. 

Forcing  plants. — Where  a  quantity  of  flowering 
plants  is  required  in  the  middle  of  winter,  pre- 
parations should  now  be  made  for  obtaining  the 
supply.  Probably  a  certain  amount  of  stock  is 
already  available,  but  any  that  it  is  necessary  to 
procure  from  the  nurseryman  should  be  ordered 
without  delay.  Rhododendrons  [Azaleas]  of  all 
kinds,  indica,  Ghent,  and  the  mollis  x  sinensis 
are  indispensable,  also  Lilacs,  Prunus  triloba, 
Spiraeas,  &c.  When  these  .plants  are  unpacked, 
any  that  show  signs  of  extreme  dryness  at  the 
root  should  be  plunged  in  a  pail  of  water  and 
allowed  to  drain  again  before  being  potted. 
Plunge  the  pots  in  ashes  out-of-doors,  and  intro- 
duce a  batch  of  plants  into  heat  at  intervals  as 
required,  starting  them  gently  in  such  a  degree 
of  warmth  as  would  be  obtained  in  a  vinery  or 
Peach-house  which  has  just  been  shaded. 


THE    KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

By  William  H.  Honess,  Gardener  to  C.  Combe,  Esq., 
Cobham  Park,  Surrey. 

Asparagus. — Plants  that  are  intended  to  sup- 
ply crowns  for  forcing  and  were  therefore  cut 
from  but  lightly,  will  be  sure  to  mature  their 
growth  and  become  ripened  well  in  advance  of 
those  beds  that  provided  the  main  supply.  As 
soon  as  such  early  plants  are  thoroughly  "  ripe," 
the  growths  should  be  cleared  off  the  ground, 
together  with  all  weeds  that  may  be  present. 
As  much  of  the  surface  dressing  as  possible 
should  be  raked  off,  leaving  just  sufficient  to 
protect  the  plants  from  the  drying  influence  of 
the  wind,  but  removing  sufficient  to  cause  the 
crowns  to  feel  the  full  effects  of  any  frosts  that 
we  may  experience  before  it  is  necessary  to  lilt 
the  roots  for  forcing.  It  should  be  remembered 
that  Asparagus  is  capable  of  withstanding  a 
considerable  amount  of  frost  without  injury, 
and,  as  with  most  other  vegetables,  so  with 
Asparagus,  if  the  plants  can  be  subjected  to 
some  extreme  influence,  such  as  that  of  frost, 
they  will  afterwards  be  capable  of  responding 
the  more  readily  to  the  influence  of  heat.  For 
the  first  batch  or  two  an  ordinary  hotbed  of 
litter  and  leaves  should  be  used  in  preference  to 
artificial  heat.  The  heat  obtainable  from  a  hot- 
bed is  quite  sufficient,  and  seems  to  suit  the 
plants,  for  the  "  Grass  "  is  better  in  both  flavour 
and  size  than  when  fire-heat  is  applied.  As 
the  winter  advances,  however,  and  the  in- 
clemency of  the  weather  increases,  it  will  be- 
come necessary  to  employ  fire-heat.  As  the 
young  growths  commence  to  advance,  admit  all 
the  light  possible,  in  order  to  obtain  the  best 
colour  and  delicate  flavour  in  the  Asparagus, 
rather  than  cultivate  it  in  darkness,  which  re- 
sults in  white,  weakly,  and  often  tasteless  pro- 
duce. If  blanched  Asparagus  is  requested,  how- 
ever, then  the  gardener  must,  of  course,  pro- 
vide it.  Beds  that  afforded  produce  until  the 
end  of  the  season  will  be  later  in  ripening,  and 
not  until  the  growths  are  actually  shrivelled 
should  they  be  cut  from  the  plants.  When, 
however,  this  condition  is  reached,  take  and 
clear  the  tops,  rubbish,  and  all  weeds  from  the 
ground  and  afford  a  liberal  mulch  with  well- 
decayed   manure. 

Horse-radish. — Although  one  plantation  is 
often  allowed  to  stand  for  several  seasons,  the 
roots  from  beds  made  annually  or  every  other 
year  are  much  to  be  preferred  to  those  that  are 
allowed  to  stand  for  a  longer  time.  Where  it  is 
intended  to  make  a  fresh  plantation,  this  work 
should  now  be  undertaken.  The  plants  in  the 
existing  bed  should  be  lifted  and  the  roots  of  ser- 
viceable size  selected  and  laid  out  in  a  i  nvi 
nient  place  ready  for  use  in  the  kitchen  through- 
out the  winter,  'i'he  smaller  ones,  about  3  inches 
in  length  with  a  crown,  should  be  reserved  as 
sets  for  the  new  bed,  and  all  pieces,  however 
small,  should  be  closely  looked  for  and  re- 
moved, as  these  would  all  start  into  gr  iwth  and 
give  much  trouble  next  year.  The  ground  to  be 
planted  should  be  trenched  quite  2  feet  in  i 
manure  being  placed  at  the  bottom  only,  and 
the  sets  should  be  placed  from  18  inches  to 
2  feet  below  the  surface.  As  this  work  can  be 
done  in  the  autumn,  it  should  not  be  delayed,  for 
if  done  now  it  will  be  one  the  less  operation  de- 
manding time  and  labour  during  the  first  few 
months  of  the  new  year. 


October  26,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


•295 


THE  FLOWER  GARDEN. 

By  A.  C.  Baktlett,  Gardener  to  Mrs.  Ford,  Peitcarrow, 
Cornwall. 

The  Lawn. — Towards  the  end  of  the  autumn 
the  use  of  heavy  horse-machines  for  grass-cut- 
ting should  be  discontinued,  and  the  necessary 
mowing  be  done  with  the  lighter  hand  mowers; 
the  ground  at  this  season  is  soft,  and  unsightly 
marks  are  often  made  by  the  horses'  feet  and 
the  rollers  of  the  mower  when  making  short 
turns.  After  the  final  cutting  the  machines 
should  be  thoroughly  overhauled  ;  if  repairs  or 
the  renewal  of  any  of  their  parts  are  needed, 
they  should  be  sent  to  the  makers  at  once 
rather  than  wait  until  just  before  the  mow- 
ing commences  next  season.  Any  machines 
which  are  in  good  order  should  be  taken  to 
pieces,  cleaned,  and  well  oiled  ;  when  put  to- 
gether again  they  should  be  stored  under  a 
covering  in  a  dry  shed  or  barn.  This  work  may 
be  performed  on  a  wet  day. 

Lawns  should  be  regularly  rolled  with  a  light 
roller,  choosing  favourable  weather  for  the 
operation.  If  there  are  any  deciduous  trees  on 
or  near  the  lawns,  the  turf  will  require  to  be 
swept  daily.  The  removal  of  fallen  leaves  entails 
a  considerable  amount  of  labour  at  this  season, 
especially  in  the  flower-garden,  around  the 
mansion,  and  along  the  principal  walks.  In  the 
wilder  parts  of  the  garden  leaf-strewn  walks  are 
in  keeping  with  the  season  and  surroundings, 
and  have  a  great  charm  to  many  people.  The 
collected  leaves  should  on  no  account  be  burnt, 
for  although  the  ash  is  of  value,  decayed  leaves, 
in  the  form  of  leaf-mould  is  much  more  so. 
Any  leaves  which  are  not  required  for  the  regu- 
lar store  should  be  placed  in  heaps  conveniently 
near  to  where  they  are  collected.  A  few 
branches  of  Laurel  or  Silver  Fir  laid  across  the 
heaps  will  prevent  the  leaves  from  becoming 
blown  away;  the  extra  store  of  leaf-mould  so 
obtained  is  sure  to  be  of  much  value  sooner  or 
later. 

Gales  and  tlorms  are  frequent  and  destructive 
at  this  time  of  the  year.  Immediately  the  storm 
has  abated  all  available  labour  should  be  sel  it 
work  to  remove  its  traces  as  quickly  as  possible. 
The  flower-beds  and  herbaceous  borders  should 
receive  the  first  attention  and  next  the  lawn-  and 
the  walks.  Catch-pits  should  now  be  frequently 
cleared.  The  gravel  on  steep  paths  is  often 
washed  to  the  lower  parts  during  a  storm  and  this 
should  be  replaced.  The  removal  of  gravel  from 
paths  by  storm-water  can  be  largely  prevented 
by  fixing  slates  or  slabs  of  stone  edgeways  at  fre- 
quent intervals  at  the  sides  of  the  path.  Splin- 
tered limbs  of  trees  should  be  removed  with  a 
slanting  cut  as  near  to  the  main  trunk  as  possi- 
ble, and  the  cut  surface  be  afterwards  coated 
with  tar  to  prevent  the  entry  of  fungoid  diseases 
.  and  water,  and  also  to  render  the  cut  surface 
less  conspicuous. 


FRUITS  UNDER  GLASS. 

By  Alexander  Kirk,  Gardener  to  J.  Thomson  Paton,  Esq., 
Norwood,  Alloa,  Clackmannanshire. 

Tomatos. — Plants  intended  for  fruiting  in 
winter  will  now  be  well  advanced,  and  should 
be  tied  carefully  to  the  trellis,  rubbing  out  all 
lateral  growths,  and  pinching  out  the  point  of 
the  leader  as  soon  as  it  reaches  the  top  of  the 
stake  or  trellis.  Cut  back  each  long  leaf  to  half 
its  length,  and  thus  expose  the  fruit  and  flowers 
to  the  sunlight.  A  warm  free-circulating  at- 
mosphere should  be  maintained  in  the  hi  i  ••  3, 
in  order  that  the  flowers  may  become  fertilised. 
Fumigate  at  regular  intervals  if  the  white  fly 
(Aleyrodes)  is  troublesome.  At  this  dull  season, 
when  the  days  are  shortening  more  and  more,  it 
is  essential  to  maintain  a  good,  steady  heat  in 
the  water  pipes.  A  little  air  may  be  admitted 
through  the  top  ventilator  during  the  day,  and 
at  night  also.  The  atmospheric  temperature 
by  day  should  be  70°,  and  at  night  65°.  Be 
extra  careful  in  affording  water  to  the  plants, 
never  applying  it  unless  the  roots  are  dry. 
Manure  water  may  be  afforded  once  each  week. 
Tomato  plants  for  potting  in  spring  should  now 
have  filled  their  3-inch  pots  with  roots,  and  be 
cultivated  in  a  cool,  well-ventilated  position 
close  to  the  glass.  Endeavour  to  obtain  sturdy, 
short-jointed  plants  that  will  withstand  the 
winter  and  remain  in  good  condition. 

Cucumbers. — The  plants  cultivated  for  fruiting 
during  winter  and  spring  should  be  growing 
rapidly.      Tie    in    the    shoots    regularly    to    the 


trellis,  and  pinch  them  so  as  to  have  a  good  ex- 
pansion of  foliage  throughout  the  house  before 
the  winter  sets  in,  after  which  the  plants  will 
be  unable  to  make  much  growth.  Discontinue 
syringing,  but  maintain  the  atmosphere  in  a 
humid  condition  by  damping  the  paths.  Admit 
a  little  air  when  the  weather  is  clear,  and  dry 
by  the  top  ventilator  only,  always  closing  the 
house  with  sunheat  if  possible.  Attend  to  the 
pollinating  of  the  female  flowers  as  soon  as  they 
open.  This  is  done  by  taking  a  male  flower, 
and,  after  removing  the  petals,  placing  it  in  the 
centre  of  the  female  flower,  which  can  easily 
be  known  by  the  embryo  fruit  behind  it.  A 
warm,  dry  atmosphere  is  essential  immediately 
after  this  operation  has  been  carried  out.  A 
steady  heat  of  about  70°  at  night  and  75°  to 
80°  by  day,  or  more  with  sunheat,  will  suit 
them.  A  bottom  heat  of  65°  to  70°  is  also  re- 
quired. Be  very  careful  not  to  apply  too  much 
water  to  the  roots,  but,  at  the  same  time,  never 
allow  the  plants  to  flag  for  want  of  sufficient 
moisture.  If  insects  are  troublesome,  fumigate 
with   the  XL-All  vaporiser. 

Pot  vines. — Whether  these  have  been  raised 
from  "  eyes  "  or  are  cut-back  plants  which  were 
placed  out-of-doors  to  mature  their  wood,  they 
should  now  be  placed  under  glass,  or,  at  the 
least,  be  protected  from  heavy  rains.  Those  re- 
quired for  forcing  early  should  now  be  pruned, 
leaving  the  rods  at  a  length  of  from  4  to  5  feet, 
aci  irding  to  the  strength  of  the  canes  and  the 
trellis  or  space  to  be  allotted  them.  Be  careful 
to  cleanse  the  canes  thoroughlv  with  Gishurst 
Compound,  especially  if  red  spider  has  been 
prevalent.  Take  care  that  in  using  the  brush 
near  to  the  buds  no  damage  is  inflicted  upon 
them.  Afterwards  place  the  vines  in  the  coldest 
house  obtainable  until  it  is  time  to  remove 
to  the  forcing-house,  when  reference  will 
again  be  made  to  the  subject. 


THE  HARDY  FRUIT  GARDEN. 

By  J.  Mavb      G  tei  to  Lord  Cltnton,  Bicton, 

iii  I  levon. 

M  dlars.— Most  old  gardens  contain  one  or 
more  trees  of  Medlar,  the  fruits  of  which  are 
1 1  -  L  t  nl  formaking  into  jelly.  Medlars  should  not 
I'  gathered  much  earlier  than  this  date,  othe'r- 
they  will  shrivel  instead  of  ripening, 
which  take-  place  three  or  four  weeks  after 
they  are  stored.  Place  the  fruits  thinly  on  a 
cool,  airy  shelf,  with  the  "eye''  downwards, 
for  when  decay  occurs  m  this  fruit  it  usually 
commences  at  the  stalk.  This  decay  may  be 
I  ii  evented  by  dipping  the  stalk  in  brine, 
but  even  when  this  precaution  is  taken  the  fruits 
should  be  examined  occasionally,  and  bad  ones 
removed.  Some  persons  prefer  this  fruit  un- 
cooked, in  which  case  only  the  largest  and  the 
ripest  fruits  should  be  selected. 

Hardy  fruits. — All  Apples,  Pears,  and  Plums 
should  now  be  gathered.  Of  the  latter,  Coe's 
Golden  Drop,  and  Reine  Claude  de  Bavay  may 
be  kept  for  several  weeks  if  they  are  carefully 
gathered  and  placed  in  a  moderately  dry  room. 
Belle  de  Septembre  is  a  good  late  culinary  Plum, 
and  will  hang  well  into  October  if  the  tree  be 
planted  on  a  north  aspect.  Another  good  late 
Plum  is  YVyedale,  a  market  variety.  None  of 
these  late  Plums  are  fast  growers,  but  thev  are 
sure  croppers. 

Fruit-tree  borders. — To  be  successful  with  wall 
trees,  especially  those  of  stone  fruits,  the  proper 
preparation  of  the  border  is  of  the  utmost  im- 
portance, and  where  planting  is  contemplated  this 
should  be  undertaken  without  delay.  Even  where 
the  soil  is  naturally  drained  sufficiently,  it  is  ad- 
visable to  insert  a  layer  of  from  6  to  9  inches 
of  broken  brickbats,  stones,  or  clinkers,  at  the 
butt,  mi  of  the  tre.ich,  as  the  roots  of  the  trees 
are  thereby  kept  warm  during  winter  and  early 
spring.  Good  fruits  can  be  grown  upon  a  border 
2  feet  6  inches  deep  over  the  drainage  material 
on  comparatively  light  soils,  whilst  2  feet  is  of 
ample  depth  in  the  case  of  a  cold  and  retentive 
loam.  It  is  usual  to  make  the  borders  as  wide 
as  the  wall  is  high,  but  a  space  of  6  feet  will 
be  sufficient,  providing  no  other  crops  are  grown 
upon  the  border.  If  it  is  considered  necessary 
to  drain  the  border,  a  3-inch  pipe,  placed  some 
6  inches  below  the  rubble,  and  near  to  the  front 
of  the  border,  will  suffice  ro  carry  off  the  super- 
fluous water  which  must  have  a  fall  as  well 
as  an  outlet.     Cover  the  drainage  material  with 


turves,  placed  grass-side  downwards,  to  prevent 
the  finer  soil  choking  the  drainage.  The  compost 
should  consist  of  two-thirds  best  turfy  loam  and 
about  one-third  of  ordinary  garden  soil,  mixed 
with  a  quantity  of  mortar  rubble  or  old  plaster 
pounded  to  about  the  size  of  Walnuts  ;  in  the 
case  of  retentive  loams,  it  may  be  necessary  to 
add  some  pieces  of  broken  bricks  of  the  size  of 
hen  eggs.  Wood-ash  is  a  splendid  material  to 
add  to  soil  for  any  kind  of  fruit  tree,  more 
especially  when  it  is  heavy,  for  the  heavier  the 
soil  the  greater  is  the  necessity  for  adding 
materials  that  will  give  porosity  to  the  whole. 
The  compost  should  be  moderately  dry  when  it  is 
used,  for  it  must  be  made  quite  firm  in  the 
borders  by  treading  or  ramming.  Peaches,  Nec- 
tarines, Apricots,  Figs,  and  dessert  varieties  of 
Plums  should  be  planted  against  the  warmest 
walls. 


PUBLIC  PARKS  AND  GARDENS. 

By  W.   W.  Pettigrew,  Superintendent  of  the  Parks  and 
,  Open  Spaces  in  the  City  of  Cardiff. 

Pruning  and  lopping  street  trees. — The  method 
adopted  in  many  towns  of  pruning  and  lopping 
street  trees  often  gives  rise  to  much  adverse 
criticism.  It  would  appear  sometimes  as  if 
the  average  householder  regards  himself  as  an 
expert  upon  such  matters,  and  what  he 
fails  to  see  a  reason  for  he  forthwith  condemns 
in  the  local  Press.  Even  horticultural  papers 
often  denounce  the  prevalent  style  of  pruning 
and  lopping  street-trees,  regarding  the  question 
from  a  purely  arboricultural  standpoint  without 
taking  into  consideration  the  peculiar  circum- 
stances leading  to  the  adoption  of  the  methods 
complained  of.  No  responsible  park  official 
would  attempt  to  treat  a  tree  in  an  open  space 
as  he  would  one  growing  in  a  crowded  thorough- 
fare. Trees  are  so  entirely  out  of  their  natural 
surroundings  in  a  public  street  that  the  treat- 
ment that  has  to  be  accorded  to  them  is  cor- 
respondingly unnatural.  It  simply  resolves 
itself  into  a  question  as  to  whether,  in  many 
localities,  trees  are  to  be  thus  dealt  with  or 
whether  they  are  to  be  removed  altogether. 

A  great  deal  of  the  annual  mutilation  of  street- 
trees  could  undoubtedly  be  prevented  if  more 
suitable  species  and  varieties  were  utilised  for 
planting.  Trees  of  a  fastigiate  type  are  more 
suitable  for  street  decoration  than  those  of  a 
spreading  character.  Where  there  is  much  ve- 
hicular traffic,  branches  spreading  over  the  roads 
become  not  merely  a  nuisance,  but  a  menace  to 
public  safety.  .Even  in  the  more  secluded  streets 
in  the  residential  parts  of  towns,  where  trees 
have  greater  freedom  to  develop  their  growth, 
their  branches  require  every  now  and  again  to 
be  thinned  out  and  the  lower  limbs  gradually 
removed  to  produce  a  clean  trunk. 

The  Plane. — Few  trees  tolerate  severe  pruning 
better  than  the  Plane.  However  hard  it  may 
be  cut  back  in  the  winter  it  produces  strong, 
healthy  shoots  during  the  following  growing 
season,  which  retain  their  large,  glossy  foliage 
till  well  into  November.  Planes  are  grown  in 
the  busiest  parts  of  numerous  cities,  where 
other  trees  less  amenable  to  the  knife  could  not 
possibly  be  grown.  In  such  places  they  have 
to  be  pruned  every  year. 

Other  species. — The  Black  Poplar  and  the  Eng- 
lish Elm  also  bear  rigorous  pruning  very  well. 
The  Birch,  Mop-headed  Acacia  (Robinial,  and 
Maple  do  not  as  a  rule  need  either  much 
cutting  back  or  thinning  out.  In  the  case  of  the 
Maple,  when  pruning  is  necessary,  it  should 
be  done  as  soon  as  possible  after  the  leaves  fall, 
as  the  sap  begins  to  rise  in  most  of  the  Maples 
very  early   in   the   year. 

Large  specimens. — In  addition  to  the  pruning 
of  medium-sized  trees,  it  often  becomes  expe- 
dient to  lop  off  the  head  and  branches  of  any 
large  trees  that  may  be  growing  in  close  prox- 
imity to  the  footpaths  and  public  highways  in 
towns.  To  witness  beautiful  trees — usuallv 
Elms — treated  in  this  manner  invariably  arouses 
much  sentimental  indignation  upon  the  part  of 
the  public.  As  several  fatal  accidents  have  re- 
cently occurred  through  branches  falling  upon 
people  in  parks  and  highways,  the  opposition 
to  lopping  trees  in  towns  is  not  so  strong  as  it 
was  a  few  years  ago.  When  the  lopping  is  done 
carefully  and  the  cuts  properly  dressed,  the  trees 
regain  their  beauty  in  the  course  of  a  year  or 
two. 


29G 


THE     GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


[October  26,  1907. 


EDITORIAL,     NOTICE. 


ADVERTISEMENTS  should  be  sent  to  the  PUB- 
LISHER, 41,  Wellington  Street,  Covent  Garden, 
W.C. 

Letters  for  Publication,  as  well  as  specimens  ami  plants 
for  naming,  should  be  addressed  to  the  E  DlTOR, 
41,  Wellington  Street,  Covent  Garden,  London. 
Communications  should  be  written  on  one  side  only  of 
the  paper,  sent  as  early  in  the  week  as  possible  and  duly 
signed  by  the  writer.  If  desired,  the  signature  will  not  be 
printed,  but  kept  as  a  guarantee  of  good  faith. 

APPOINTMENTS  FOR  THE  ENSUING  WEEK. 


MONDAY,  OCTOBER  28— 

Nat.  Chrys.  Soc.  Floral  Com.  meet. 
TUESDAY,  OCTOBER  29- 

Roy.  Hort.  Soc.  Corns,  meet. 

Brit.  Card.  Assoc.  Ex.  Council  meet. 

Croydon  Chrys.  Show  (2  days}. 
WEDNESDAY,  OCTOBER  30— 

Kent  County  Chrys.  Soc.  Exh.  at   Blackheath  (2  days). 

Streatham  and  Dist.   Hort.    Society's  Autumn   Show   (2 
days'. 
THURSDAY,  OCTOBER  31— 

West  London  Hort.  Society's  Show  at  Hammersmith. 
FRIDAY,  NOVEMBER  1— 

Annual  Dinner  of  the  Unit.  Hort.  Ben.  &  Prov.  Soc.  at 
Hoi  horn  Restaurant. 

Battersea,  Clapham   ik  Wandsworth    Amateur    Chrys. 
Sh.  (2  days). 


Average     Mean    Temperature    for    the    ensuing    week, 
deduced  from  observations  during  the  last  Fifty  Years 
at  Greenwich — 47°. 
Actual  Temperatures: — 

London. — Wednesday,  October  23  (6  p.m.):  Max.  56°; 
Mm.  49". 
Gardener  '  Chronicle  Office,  41,  Wellington  Street, 
Covent  Garden,  London. — Thursday,  October  24 
(10  a.m.):  Bar..  298;  Temp.,  50";  Weather— 
Overcast. 
Provinces. —  Wednesday,  October^  (6  p.m.):  Max.  56-\ 
England,  N.E.  ;  Min.  47',  Banow. 


SALES    FOR    THE    ENSUING    WEEK. 

MONDAY  and  TUESDAY— 

Nursery  Stock  at  Arthurs  Bridge  Nursery,  Woking,  by- 
order  of  Messrs.  W.  Spooner  &  Sons,  by  Protheroe  & 
Morris,  at  12. 

MONDAY  and  WEDNESDAY— 

Sale  of  Dutch  Bulbs,  &c,  at  Stevens'  Rooms,  King 
Street,  Covent  Garden,  W.C. 

MONDAY  to  FRIDAY- 

Dutch  Bulbs,  at  67  &  68,  Cheapside,  E.C.,  by  Protheroe 
&  Morris,  at  10.30. 

WEDNESDAY— 

Roses  at  1  30  ;  Japanese  Liliums,  Miscellaneous  Bulbs, 

&c,  at  3;   Palms  and  Plants,  Azaleas,  Rhododendrons, 

&c,  at  5;  at  67  and  63,  Cheapside,  E.C.,  by  Protheroe  & 

Morris. 

Nursery  Stock  in  variety  at  Tivoli  Nurceries,  Holling- 

ton,  Hastings,  by  order  of  Mr.  T.  Relfe,  by  Protheroe  & 

Morris,  at  12. 

Shrubs,  Ornamental  Tre^s,  &:.,  at  Shorllands  Nursery, 

Shortlands,  Kent,   by   o.der  of  Mr.  J.   B.   Bryant,  by 

Protheroe  &  Morris,  at  11. 

THURSDAY— 

Nursery  stock,  including  Paul  Crample  Geraniums,  at 
Northfield  Nursery,  Putney  Bridge  Road,  Wandsworth, 
S.W.,  by  order  of  Messrs.  Fordham  &  Co.,  by  Protheroe 
&  Morris,  at  12. 

Carnations.  Roses,  and  other  stock  at  Hassocks  Nur- 
series, Hassocks,  Sussex,  by  order  of  Mr.  H.  Elliott,  bv 
Protheroe  &  Morris,  at  12.30. 

FRIDAY— 

Odontoglossum  crispum  and  Orchids  in  variety,  at  67  & 
68,  Cheapside,  E.C.,  by  Protheroe  &  Morris. 
Third   Annual   Sale   of   Nursery  Stock,  at   Bellingham 
Nursery,  Bromley  Road,  Catford,  by  order  of   Messrs. 
J.   Laing  &  Sons,  by  Messrs.  Protheroe  &  Morris,  at  12. 


The 


The  results  of  the  discussion  on 
Discussion  Summer  Pruning  held  at  the 
on  Scientific  Committee  of  the  Hor- 

Summer  ticultural  Society,  which  we 
runing.  prjn{  ;n  another  column,  suffice 
to  show  how  great  is  the  need  for  careful 
and  systematic  experiments  on  this  important 
subject.  Not  onlv  are  the  questions  raised 
of  great  scientific  interest,  but  they  involve 
matters  of  no  small  importance  to  the  prac- 
tical man  who  wants  to  secure  the  largest 
possible  returns  of  marketable  fruit  from  the 
area  he  cultivates. 

Some  months  ago  we  gave  the  results  of 
an  enquiry  as  to  the  benefits  >>i-  the  reverse 
lo  be  expected  from  mi  miner  pruning,  and  the 
opinions  expressed  by  our  correspondents 
turned  out  to  be  verj  «  onflicting.  This  diver- 
gence ol  views  was  again  emphasised  in  the 
meeting  last  week,  and  it  is  clear  that  the 
principles  underlying  the   treatment   are  not 


as  yet  understood,  and  that  we  have  not  got 
beyond  the  first  stage  of  collecting  the  facts. 
What  we  want  to  arrive  at  is  a  true  concep- 
tion of  the  nature  of  the  causes  which  deter- 
mine whether  a  given  bud  shall  give  rise  to  a 
wood  or  to  a  fruit  bud.  We  want  a  scientific, 
that  is,  a  genuine,  explanation  of  the  matter; 
for  only  in  this  way  can  we  hope  to  replace 
the  empirical  statements  of  the  present  time 
by  a  comprehensive  knowledge  of  the  relation 
between  fruitfulness  and  the  nutrition  (in  the 
widest  sense)  of  the  tree.  Then  we  shall  be 
able  to  look  forward  to  gaining  control  over 
these  functions  in  a  rational  manner,  and  to 
diverting'  exuberant  vegetative  activity  into 
channels  of  fruitfulness,  as  far,  at  least,  as 
the  plant  can  economically  bear  it. 

It  must  be  understood  that  the  problem 
thus  stated  is  one  of  vast  biological  and 
economic  importance,  and  we  are  not  likely 
to  arrive  at  its  solution  until  we  have  accu- 
mulated a  mass  of  data  drawn  from  care- 
fully-devised experiments.  Everyone  thinks 
he  can  make  an  experiment,  and  yet  very- 
few  people  have  any  clear  idea  of  what  an 
experiment  really  is.  Properly  speaking,  il 
resolves  itself  into  a  definite  question  put  to 
nature,  to  which  we  expect  to  get  a  de- 
finite reply.  And  we  may  be  quite  sure 
of  one  thing — that  the  answer  returned 
will  always  be  a  true  one,  though  it  may 
not  be  the  one  we  either  expect  or  desire. 
When,  as  in  the  present  instance,  the  answers 
seem  confused  or  contradictory,  the  fault  lies 
with  us.  We  are  unwittingly  asking  not 
one,  but  many,  questions  till  at  once,  and 
the  worst  of  it  is  that  we  do  not  even  realise 
what  some  of  them  are  !  It  is  small  wonder 
then  that  we  cannot  disentangle  the  one  reply 
we  want  from  the  number  that  we  get. 

It  may  be  quite  true  that  in  a  particular 
place,  and  under  the  special  conditions  pre- 
vailing there,  the  operation  of  summer  prun- 
ing may  prove  to  be  beneficial,  but  the  fact 
that  in  other  localities  and  under  other  con- 
ditions an  opposite  result  is  arrived  at,  only 
serves  to  show  that  we  have  as  yet  failed  to 
accumulate  sufficient  or  properly-analysed 
data. 

There  is  a  generally-expressed  opinion 
amongst  those  who  speak  with  practical 
knowledge,  that  there  exists  a  balance  be- 
•  tween  the  different  organs  of  the  tree  which, 
when  properly  struck,  leads  to  fruitfulness. 
The  balance  may  be  reached  naturally,  and 
without  external  interference,  or  it  may  re- 
quire artificial  adjustment.  And  here  we 
seem  to  find  outlined  the  difficulties  which 
are  unavoidably  felt  as  soon  as  an  attempt  is 
made  to  reconcile  the  conflicting  statements 
of  the  experts. 

This  is  certainly  not  the  time,  nor  is  it, 
perhaps,  the  place,  to  enter  on  a  full  discus- 
sion of  the  results  that  have  so  far  been  col- 
lected, but  it  will  not  be  useless  to  endeavour 
to  glance  at  one  aspect  of  the  complex  pro- 
blem involved  in  an  explanation  of  the  results 
of  pruning.  We  are,  of  course,  primarily  in- 
terested in  the  operation  only  so  far  as  the 
production  of  fruit  is  .affected;  the  secondary 
results  of  shaping  the  tree,  admission  of  light 
into  its  interior,  and  other  such  matters  do 
not  now  concern  us. 

It  is  often  asserted  that  the  vegetative  and 
reproductive  developments  are  antagonistic  to 
each  other,  ami  that  by  curbing  the  vegeta- 


tive growth  the  organism  is  forced  into  repro- 
ductive activity. 

The  statement  is  only  partly  true,  and 
perhaps  not  at  all  true  in  the  sense  in  which 
it  is  generallv  made.  It  would  be  more  cor- 
rect to  say  that  the  reproductive  process  is 
complementarv  to  the  vegetative,  and  is  con- 
ditioned by,  or  produced  as  the  result  of,  a 
special  kind  of  vegetative  activity.  In  a 
general  way  it  would  appear  that  the  fruiting 
capacity  is  stimulated  by  any  cause  which 
tends  to  the  sudden  utilisation  of  the  elabo- 
rated organic  food  within  the  plant,  whilst 
at  the  same  time  the  rate  of  construction 
of  that  food  from  raw  materials  is  depressed. 
This  is  what,  in  effect,  is  commonly  brought 
about  by  curtailing  the  rate  of  absorption  of 
water  and  the  salts  therein  dissolved.  Thus, 
when  the  strong,  deep-running  roots  of  an 
Apricot  or  Apple  tree  are  severed,  there  is  at 
immediate  check  in  the  supply  of  raw 
material  to  the  plant.  The  surface  roots  are 
constantly  exposed  to  more  variable  condi- 
tions, which  in  their  turn  affect  the  rate  of 
absorption  of  water  and  salts,  and  in  this 
way  a  number  of  more  or  less  definite,  if 
slight,  intermittent  checks  are  given  to  the 
plant. 

When  the  leaf  surface  in  proportion  to  the 
total  available  root  area  is  large,  perhaps 
similar  checks  may  arise  in  other  ways,  a-, 
for  example,  in  the  relatively  inadequate 
supply  of  water  to  provide  for  periods  of  ex- 
cessive evaporation,  or,  as  it  is  often  called, 
transpiration,  in  the  case  of  Apples  grafted 
on  Paradise  stocks. 

Now,  this  balance  between  root  absorption 
ami  the  loss  of  water  by  the  leaves  has  been 
the  subject  of  much  investigation,  but  it  has 
never  been  sufficiently  examined  from  the 
point  of  view  that  interests  us  just  now.  The 
subject  is  a  large  one,  and  needs  a  full  and 
careful  investigation  in  relation  to  the  nutri- 
tional changes  that  proceed  within  the  plant. 
It  is,  we  believe,  quite  certain  that  a  research 
conducted  on  such  lines  would  yield  results 
capable  of  being  turned  to  practical  account. 

It  is  not  unlikely  that  the  balance  of  water- 
supply  to  the  constructive  activity  of  the 
leaves  may  prove  to  be  a  factor  of  principal 
importance  in  determining  whether  a  tree 
should  be  pruned,  pinched,  or  let  alor.e,  in 
the  summer.  Many  circumstances  however, 
will  obviously  have  to  be  taken  into  account 
in  estimating  the  probable  result  of  a  par- 
ticular mode  of  treatment.  For  example, 
with  an  active  root  svstem  the  buds  of  a 
pruned  branch  will  be  more  likely  to  break 
into  leaf  than  if  it  had  been  merely  bent  or 
twisted,  for  in  the  latter  case,  although  the 
channels  of  the  water  may  have  been  partially 
blocked  by  the  injury,  they  will  not  have  been 
completely  destroyed.  The  excess  of  water 
tan  be  eliminated  bv  the  leaves  above  the 
wound,  whilst  they,  in  their  turn,  are  still 
able  to  contribute  to  the  manufacture  of  the 
elaborated  organic  food,  and  hence  to  its  ac- 
cumulation within  the  branch. 

We  desire  further  information  as  to  the 
exact  stage  at  which  the  destiny  of  a  lateral 
laid  is  determined  as  regards  its  future  de- 
velopment, as  well  as  on  the  nature  of  those 
early  changes  which  are  as  ociated  with  the 
development  of  wood  and  fruit  buds  respec- 
tively. 

A  consideration  of  the  above  points — and 
Ihey  form  only  a  very  small  part  of  these  that 


October  26,  1907.1 


THE     GA  R D EA'ER S7     CHR ONICLE. 


29i 


c  lUld  bo  raised — will  suffice  to  show  the 
Urgent  need  for  further  enquiries,  and  we  are 
glad  to  see  that  the  mailer  is  attracting  the 
attention  of  those  whose  interest  it  should  be 
l.    see  that  it  is  fully  investigated. 


It  is  a  satisfactory  circumstance 
The  Fruit       fa  h      c  ;,      f    ,hc    R       u 

Show. 

Horticultural     Society     appears 

now  to  regard  the  holding  of  a  threat  and 
representative  exhibition  of  British-grown 
fruits  as  one  of  its  annual  responsibilities, 
the  recent  exhibition  being  the  fourteenth 
held  under  the  Society's  auspices.  At  the 
\.i\  least,  these  displays  help  to  keep  the 
public  mind  informed  as  to  the  character  i  I 
the  hardy  fruits  that  are  grown  in  these 
Islands,  and  they  certainly  imparl  a  dignity 
to  the  industry  of  fruit  cultivation  that  would 
otherwise  be  lacking.  We  think,  however, 
that  they  go  further  than  this,  for  they  are  of 
some  value  to  fruit-cultivators  themselves, 
whether  such  cultivators  are  engaged  in  the 
occupation  for  the  purpose  of  supplying  their 
own  needs,  or  for  the  production  of  fruits  as 
k  means  of  livelihood.  Ii  may  reasonablj  be 
supposed  lh  a  main  of  the  visitors  to  the 
Show  are  less  experienced  than  the  practised 
Exhibitors,  and  it  is  useful  for  them  to  study 
the  varieties  of  Apples,  Pears,  Plums,  or 
Peaches,  that  are  selected  for  display  in  the 
various  classes,  because  the  specimens  afford 
an  illustration  of  the  type  of  fruit1  generally 
considered  to  be  most  perfect. 

In  the  "  County  "  classes,  where  the  com- 
petition is  confined  to  one  or  more  counties, 
in  order  that  the  growers  in  such  areas  mav 
be  enabled  to  compete  with  each  other  on 
more  or  less  equal  terms,  it  may  generally  be 
seen  what  varieties  succeed  besl  in  each  dis- 
trict, and  the  prospective  cultivator  can  obtain 
information  as  to  the  suitability  of  a  county 
for  commercial  fruit-growing  by  studying  the 
quality  of  tile  fruit  that  particular  county  fur- 
nishes to  the  general  display.  In  the  market 
growers'  division  the  inexperienced  may 
usually  gather  valuable  hints  as  to  the  best 
systems  of  packing  fruit  for  transit  to 
market,  which  is  one  of  the  most  necessary 
lessons  that  have  to  be  learned  if  the  under- 
Baking  is  to  be  remunerative.  So  much  is 
this  the  case  that  the  classes  in  this  divi-im! 
might  be  advantageously  increased  in 
number,  and  the  former  classes  for  specially 
demonstrating  systems  of  packing  should  be 
revived.  It  would  be  advisable  to  offer  liberal 
prizes  for  exhibits  which  would  illustrate 
some  novel  or  improved  method  of  market- 
ing, or  satisfactory  appliance  or  system  for 
grading  the  fruits. 

The  exhibitions  do  not  in  any  degree 
show  the  processes  connected  with  fruit- 
growing, fruit-gathering,  or  fruit-preserv- 
ing. At  the  dairy  exhibitions,  or  even 
Tobacco  exhibitions,  the  authorities  not 
only  offer  to  visitors  an  inspection  of  the  fin- 
ished product,  bat  they  go  to  elaborate  pains 
to  provide  object-lessons  in  the  various  stages 
of  t!ie  manufacture  of  the  milk  or  cream  into 
cheese  or  butter,  and  of  the  raw  Tobacco  into 
Commercial  samples.  In  order  that  the 
annual  exhibitions  of  fruit  may  serve  the  pur- 
po  ,es  that  arc  desirable,  it  is  essential  thai 
tlu-  general  public  should  be  induced  to  visit 
Bern.  There  is  much  room  for  improvement 
in  this  resDert.     Although  the  attendance  on 


the  first  day  was  considerable,  we  fear  that 
if  all  the  exhibitors  and  their  assistants,  to- 
gether with  professional  gardeners  and  nur- 
serymen, were  excluded,  it  would  be  found 
that  the  public  was  but  poorly  represented. 
There  are  two  directions  in  which  efforts 
might  be  made  to  attract  the  public,  and  the 
first  is  by  having  practical  demonstrations 
of  the  processes  that  are  employed  either  in 
connection  with  fruit-culture  or  the  conserv- 
ing of  fruits  by  evaporation,  bottling  or  other 
means;  or  even  by  the  manufacture  of  cider 
or  perry.  The  other  means  would  lie  in  mak- 
ing the  displays  of  fruit  more  effective  from 
the  spectacular  point  of  view.  Granted  that 
the  individual  fruits  shown  in  the  competitive 
classes,  and  by  the  nurserymen,  are  of  such 
excellent  quality  as  lo  excite  admiration  and, 
in  a  measure,  satisfy  our  ambition,  at  tin 
same  time  they  are  shown  in  such  a  manner 
as  to  indicate  that  not  the  least  trouble  is 
taken  to  obtain  an  exhibition-like  effect.  It 
is  incredible  that  our  exhibitors  and  exhibi- 
tion authorities  are  incapable  of  doing  things 
heller  than  they  are  carried  cut  at  present. 
This  recent  exhibition,  like  all  its  predeces- 
sors, was  mosl  uninspiring  if  viewed  in  the 
aggregate,  with  iu  table  after  table  laden 
with  Apples  and  Pens,  almosl  devoid  of 
relief.  It  cannoi  seriouslj  be  argued  that  the 
sight  could  interest  main  who  are  no'. 
specialists,  or  who  have  not  a  considerable 
knowledge  <  t  the  varieties  exhibited. 

We  have  in  our  mind  an  exhibition  in  which 
the  same  fruits  will)  their  good  qualities  un- 
impaired would  be  arranged  lor  the  produc- 
tion of  spectacular  effect,  as  the  French  and 
Belgians  are  in  the  habit  of  arranging  their 
floral  shows.  The  schedule,  for  instance, 
might  encourage  cultivators  to  exhibit  a 
greater  number  ol  ui,  hard  house  fruit  trees 
in  puts,  for  what  could  be  more  effective  than 
the  beautiful  specimens  abundantly  furnished 
with  choice  fruits,  such  as  are  usuallv  ex- 
hibited by  the  firms  of  Bunyard  and  Rivers? 
With  a  greater  number  of  such  trees,  and  a 
suitably  constructed  central  stage,  a  magnifi- 
cent and  tall  group  could  be  arranged  in  the 
centre  of  the  hall  that  would  at  once  serve 
to  arrest  the  eye  of  the  visitor  immediately 
upon  entering  the  building,  and  break  the 
monotony  thai  at  present  extends  from  the 
one  end  to  the  other.  The  nurserymen's  ex- 
hibits on  table  spaces  of  specified  dimensions 
would  lose  nothing  in  value  if  each  were  ar- 
ranged on  a  plan  totally  different  from  that  of 
adjacent  exhibits,  and  the  show  itself  would 
gain  immeasurably  in  effect,  and  thereby  in 
interest  to  the  casual  visitor.  These  are 
matters  which  must  be  left  to  the  Society's 
council,  and  we  trust  that  at  no  very  distant 
time  the  arrangements  for  our  fruit  shows 
will  be  conceived  and  carried  out  on  a  very 
different  basis  than  at  present.  Since  the 
erection  of  the  new  hall,  our  artists  have  on 
several  occasions  photographed  the  displays 
of  fruit,  but  in  no  single  instance,  up  to  the 
present,  has  the  resultant  picture  been  one 
that  could  have  been  published  in  these  pages 
with  any  degree  of  pride  or  satisfaction. 

In  spite  of  all  this,  we  freely  acknowledge 
that  the  effect  of  the  shows  upon  fruit- 
growers themselves  is  one  that  should  not  be 
despised.  They  are  powerful  incentives  to 
strive  fir  the  best  results.  The  visitor  who  is 
very  proud  of   his   own   specimens  of  Cox's 


Orange  Pippin,  or  Lord  Derby  Apples,  or 
some  variety  of  Pear,  Grape,  or  other  fruit, 
discovers  that  they  are  very  moderate  if  com- 
pared with  the  best  fruits  that  others  have 
obtained,  and  he  determines  to  make  greater 
efforts  in  the  future.  All  this  tends  for  good, 
and  should  be  encouraged  by  every  means 
possible. 

We  need  not  refer  in  detail  to  the  show, 
especially  as  a  full  report  is  published  on  sup. 
plementary  pages  to  this  issue.  The  effects 
of  the  season  on  the  fruit  crops  were  fully 
set  forth  in  the  tabulated  returns  published 
in  the  issue  for  August  3,  and  in  the  re- 
marks from  our  correspondents  subsequently. 
Apples,  although  less  than  an  average 
Crop,  boomed  pretty  largely  at  the  show, 
and  in  size  appeared  to  be  as  large  as 
ever,  but  the  skins  had  failed  to  develop 
the  high  colour  that  is  characteristic  of  cer- 
tain varieties  in  ,,  more  sunny  season.  Pears 
were  as  numerous  and  as  good  in  quality  as 
they  are  generally  seen,  and  Plums  .and 
Pearlies  were  abundant,  whilst  Nectarines 
wire  few  owing  to  the  lateness  of  the  season. 
Grapes  were  generally  up  lo  or  better  than 
the  average  at  the  R.H.S.  shows,  and  a 
bunch  of  Muscat  of  Alexandria  shown  by  the 
Earl  of  Harrington,  had  il  exhibited  rather 
better  colour,  would  have  been  a  perfect 
specimen. 

The  judges  at  such  shows  have  an  onerous 
task  lo  perform,  and  they  deserve  every  con- 
sideration that  can  be  given  them.  A  difficult 
point  presented  itself  in  the  judging  of  the 
two  besi  collections  of  indoor  fruit  shown  in 
the  class  for  nine  dishes.  These  collections 
were  nearly  similar  in  point-value,  but 
doubts  were  raised  as  to  the  identity  of  a 
white  Grape  in  one  of  the  exhibits  that 
was  labelled  Muscat  of  Alexandria.  Upon 
tasting  it,  the  judges  were  convinced  it  was 
not  a  .Muscat,  and  the  exhibit  was  probably 
placed  in  the  second  place  from  this  circum- 
stance. Throughout  the  first  day,  one  or 
another  tasied  a  berry  until  one  of  the  two 
bunches  had  been  consumed,  and  the  other 
commenced.  Some  held  with  the  judges  that 
the  Grape  was  misnamed,  and  others  were 
decidedly  of  the  opposite  opinion.  No  one 
in  the  meantime  had  been  able  to  suggest 
another  name  for  the  variety,  assuming  it 
was  not  a  Muscat.  We  ourselves  thought  its 
appearance  was  that  of  a  Muscat,  allowing 
that  the  berries  were  a  trifle  shorter  and 
more  rounded  than  usual,  but  upon  tasting  a 
berry  we  were  perfectly  unable  to  detect  any 
Muscat  flavour,  although  (he  texture  of  the 
flesh  was  quite  that  characteristic  of  a  Mus- 
cat. On  visiting  the  show  on  the  second  day, 
we  were  informed  that  the  matter  had  been 
definitely  settled  by  the  discovery  that  the 
Grape  was  none  other  than  Charlestovvn  To- 
kay, which,  it  was  alleged,  hail  been  shown 
to  the  Fruit  Committee  many  years  ago; 
this  name  had  been  therefore  boldly  placed 
upon  the  exhibit.  On  looking  the  matter  up, 
however,  we  find  that  the  late  Dr.  Hogg,  who 
doubtless  took  considerable  trouble  to  estab- 
lish the  identity  of  varieties,  has  stated  in  the 
Fruit  Manual  that  Charlestown  Tokay  is 
synonymous  with  Muscat  of  Alexandria,  and 
the  same  opinion  is  expressed  in  the  late  Mr. 
Barron's  Vines  and  Vine  Culture!  „  It  would 
appear,  therefore,  that  the  judges  even  now 
may  not  have  settled  the  point  conclusively. 


298 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[October  26,  1907. 


Our  Supplementary  Illustration  affords 
a  glimpse  of  the  enclosed  garden  around  the  Church 
Df  St.  Paul,  Rome,  as  seen  from  the  Cloisters, 
.vhich  are  amongst  the  most  notable  in  the  world. 
The  tall  standard  trees  seen  through  the  arches 
ire  of  the  Citrus  family.  Mr.  James  Hudson,  of 
Gunnersbury  House  Gardens,  who  obligingly  fur- 
nished us  with  the  photograph  from  which  our 
picture  was  prepared,  states  that  these  are  chiefly 
Oranges  and  Lemons,  and  that  these  trees  thrive 
better  in  this  garden  than  at  any  other  place  in,  or 
around,  Rome  The  shelter  they  obtain  from  the 
church  protects  them  during  March  from  the 
wintry  blasts  which  blow  for  a  few  weeks  over 
Rome.  The  original  Church  of  St.  Paul,  other- 
wise "San  Paolo  fuori  le  Mura,"  i.e.,  St.  Paul 
outside  of  the  walls,  was  burned  down  in  1823. 
The  present  structure  is  not  yet  completed.  Note 
in  the  picture  the  great  diversity  in  the  sculpture 
of  the  columns,  which  is  beautifully  executed. 

Royal  Horticultural  Society. — The  next 
meeting  of  the  Committees  will  be  held  on  Tuesday, 
October  23,  in  the  Vincent  Square  hall,  West- 
minster. At  a  meeting  in  the  afternoon  a  lecture 
on  "  The  Birds  of  Our  Gardens  "  will  bedelivered 
by  Mr.  Cecil  Hooper,  M.R.A.C.,  F.S.I. 

Fruits  in  Season. — From  Mr.  Geo.  Taylor, 
Byram  Gardens,  Ferrybridge,  Yorkshire,  we  have 
received  a  bunch  of  Grape  Cornichon  Blanc,  a 
variety  brought  into  prominence  by  our  valued 
correspondent,  Dr.  Bonavia,  Worthing,  and  from 
whose  gardens  Mr.  Taylor  received  his  stock.  A 
bunch  of  this  curiously-berried  Grape  was  figured 
in  the  issue  for  October  8,  1904,  p.  251,  from  a 
photograph  supplied  us  by  Dr.  Bonavia. 

Mr.  J.  Howes. — Orchid  growers  will  be 
interested  to  know  that  Mr.  J.  Howes,  who  so 
successfully  cultivated  the  fine  collection  of 
Orchids  belonging  to  Mr.  Walter  Cobb,  and 
later  that  of  Mr.  Whately,  has  commenced  busi- 
ness as  a  nurseryman,  with  a  speciality  in  Orchids, 
in  partnership  with  Mr.  Jones.  The  firm  is 
Messrs.  Jones,  Howes  &  Co.,  Elmdon  Nursery, 
Kenilworth. 

Visits    to    Foreign    Stations. — The  New 

Zealand  Department  of  Agriculture  has  recently 
published  a  Bulletin  (No.  17)  dealing  with  the 
methods  of  fruit  growing  and  marketing  as  prac- 
tised in  California.  Mr.  Boucher,  Government 
Pomologist,  was  sent  on  a  special  mission  to 
find  out  for  the  benefit  of  the  Colonial  growers 
what  is  being  done  in  this  great  fruit  district  of 
America,  and  the  information  contained  in  his 
report  cannot  fail  to  be  of  great  service  to  them. 
This  practice  of  seeing  what  others  are  doing 
is  one  that  we  might,  with  great  advantage, 
adopt  more  extensively  ourselves.  But  it  should, 
of  course,  be  remembered  that  visits  of  this  kind 
are  mainly  useful  in  so  far  as  they  enlarge  our 
knowledge  and  appreciation  of  the  complex  con- 
ditions that  determine  the  results  of  agricultural 
operations.  It  is  not  likely  that  a  transplanting 
of  purely  Californian,  or  any  other  methods, 
without  reference  to  the  prevalent  local  condi- 
tions at  home,  will  prove  at  all  advantageous. 
The  real  and  great  benefit  resulting  from  such 
visits  lies  in  those  habits  of  mental  alertness  and 
the  readiness  to  grasp  suggestions  which  may 
lead  to  improvements  that  are  stimulated  by 
a  wise  inspection  of  "  how  they  do  it  abroad." 
But  it  is  a  waste  of  money  to  send  any  but  men 
trained  to  habits  of  investigation  on  such 
errands,  and  they  ought,  if  possible,  to  be  al.eady 
equipped  with  a  practical  knowledge  of  the  busi- 
ness before  them.  Such  persons  are  best  able 
to  bring  discriminating  intelligence  to  bear  on 
the  new  conditions,  and  hence  are  most  likely 
to  yield,  in  the  form  of  helpful  suggestion  to 
those  at  home,  a  maximum  return  for  the  expen- 
diture necessarily  incurred. 


British  Gardener's  Success  in  America. 
— At  the  recent  flower  show  in  Mineola,  U.S.A., 
a  special  diploma  was  awarded  for  a  group  of 
plants  staged  by  Mr.  Henry  Turner,  gardener 
to  Howard  Gould,  Esq.,  Castlegould,  Port 
Washington.  Mr.  Turner  was  appointed  gar- 
dener to  Mr.  Gould  in  March,  1906,  being  pre- 
viously foreman  at  Burghley  House,  Stamford, 
and   at   Luton   Hoo,   Luton. 

Nursery  Employees'  Union We  under- 
stand that  a  Nursery  Employees'  Union  has  been 
formed.  The  secretary's  address  is  56,  Totteridge 
Road,  Enfield  Wash,  London,  N. 

Our  Trees,  and  How  to  Know  Them,  is 

the  title  of  a  new  book  by  Mr.  Francis  George 
Heath.  It  will  include  about  200  illustrations, 
and  will  be  published  by  the  Country  Press  of 
Kensington. 

The  Paris  Chrysanthemum  Show. — This 
annual  gathering  will  take  place  in  the  greenhouses 
of  the  Cours  la  Reine  from  November  8  to  13. 
There  are  few  finer  sites  for  a  flower  show  any- 
where, and  the  Paris  show  ranks  as  one  of  the  most 
brilliant  exhibitions  of  the  flower  in  Europe.  The 
schedule  comprises  101  classes,  of  which  75  are  for 
Chrysanthemums,  and  the  others  are  for  Cycla- 
men, Carnations,  Orchids,  &c.  Fruit  is  always 
staged  in  abundance,  and  the  general  artistic 
arrangement  of  the  show  is  a  sight  well  worth  a 
visit.  Special  interest  centres  on  the  exhibits  of 
novelties  for  which  important  prizes  are  offered  for 
competition  among  the  raisers  of  seedling  varieties. 

Bulletin  de  la  Societe  Francaise  d'Hor- 
ticulture  de  Londres  (66,  Long  Acre, 
London,  W.C.). — We  welcome  once  again  the 
appearance  of  this  interesting  annual  volume, 
which  will  meet  with  a  ready  acceptance  by  the 
ever-increasing  number  of  the  Society's  members. 
For  the  eighteenth  year  in  succession  the  Society, 
under  the  guidance  of  its  president,  Mr.  Geo. 
Schneider,  has  annually  rendered  an  account  of 
its  raison  d'etre,  which  is  amply  justified.  The 
objects  are  now  too  well  known  to  be  recapitu- 
lated here,  and  in  briefly  reviewing  the  contents 
of  the  present  issue,  we  may  say  that  it  has  for 
a  frontispiece  an  excellent  photograph  of  M. 
Lageat,  who  presided  at  the  Society's  annual 
dinner  last  January.  Then  follow  the  rules  and 
lists  of  members  of  various  grades,  the  reports 
of  the  monthly  meetings,  financial  statement, 
library  catalogue,  lVc.  There  are  some  nicely- 
executed  photo-engravings  of  views  in  the  Congo 
at  intervals  throughout  the  book.  The  re- 
mainder of  the  volume  consists  of  the  text  of 
various  papers  read  by  the  members  at  meetings 
of  the  Society.  A  few  titles  will  suffice  to  show 
the  scope  of  these,  viz.,  "Tomato  Culture," 
"Begonia  Gloire  de  Lorraine,"  "  Aralias," 
"  Exotic  Fruits  Grown  on  the  Mediterranean 
Coast,"  "The  Dahlia,"  "The  Sparrow," 
"  Cultivation  of  Witloof,"  &c. 

Publications  Received.— The  Flower  Garden, 
by  T.  VV.  Sanders  ;  published  by  VV.  H.  L.  Colling- 
ridge. — Two  Legs,  and  Other  Stories,  by  Carl  Ewald  , 
published  by  Methuen  &  Co. — My  Rock  Garden,  by 
Reginald  Farrer  ;  published  by  Mr.  Edward  Arnold. 


THE    DESTRUCTIVE   INSECTS 
AND  PESTS  ACTS,  1877  and  1907. 

It  is  certainly  a  matter  for  regret  that  the 
fears  expressed  by  horticulturists  with  reference 
to  their  position  under  the  Destructive.  Insects 
and  Pests  Act  1907  should  so  speedily  have 
proved  to  be  well  founded.  It  will  be  recollected 
that  the  Act  in  question  conferred  upon  the 
Board  of  Agriculture  and  Fisheries  power  to 
take  steps  for  preventing  the  introduction  into, 
or  spreading  in,  Great  Britain  of  any  insect, 
fungus,  or  other  pest  destructive  to  agricultural 
or  horticultural  crops  or  to  trees  or  bushes,  and 
for  this  purpose  to  exercise  powers  similar  to 
those    already   vested    in    the    Board    under   the 


Destructive  Insects  Act  1877  for  dealing  with 
the  Colorado  beetle.  The  powers  conferred  on 
the  Board  of  Agriculture  included  the  right  to 
order  the  removal  or  destruction  of  any  crop  or 
substance  on  which  these  pests,  in  any  stage  of 
existence,  might  be  found,  or  to  or  by  means  of 
which  it  might  be  likely  to  spread.  There  is, 
however,  this  important  distinction  between  the 
Acts  of  1877  and  1907  ;  in  the  former  Act  the 
Board  of  Agriculture  may  direct  the  local 
authority  to  pay  compensation  on  the  following 
scale  for  any  crop  officially  destroyed  under  the 
exercise  of  these  powers  :  (a)  In  case  of  a  crop  on 
which  the  insect  may  be  actually  found,  the  com- 
pensation is  not  to  exceed  half  of  the  value  of 
the  crop  ;  (b)  in  any  other  cases  the  compensa- 
tion is  not  to  exceed  three-fourths  of  the  value 
of  the  crop.  Under  the  Act  of  1907,  however, 
the  position  is  wholly  altered,  as  it  is  expressly 
provided  that  the  payment  of  compensation  by 
any  local  authority  for  the  removal  or  destruc- 
tion of  any  crop  or  any  trees  or  bushes  is  to 
depend  entirely  on  whether  or  not  the  local 
authority  chooses  to  charge  itself  with  such  pay- 
ment. 

The  position  of  the  horticulturist  thus  created 
would  be  farcical  if  it  were  not  of  such  vital 
importance  to  those  who  are  thus  at  the  mercy 
of  the  new  Act.  It  being  left  entirely  to  the  dis- 
cretion of  the  local  authority  whether  the  local 
authority  itself  shall  or  shall  not  pay  compensa- 
tion to  a  grower  whose  crops,  trees,  or  bushes 
may  have  been  destroyed  in  the  public  interest, 
it  is  not  very  surprising  to  find  that  pay- 
ment is  now  promptly  refused,  such  being  the 
experience  which  the  growers  in  the  Evesham 
district   have  recently   undergone. 

It  is  stated  that  the  chairman  of  the  Worces- 
tershire County  Council  justified  the  refusal  on 
the  ground  that  the  Gooseberry  bushes  lately 
destroyed  by  order  of  the  Board  of  Agriculture 
were  already  infected  with  the  American  Goose] 
berry-mildew,  and  suggested  that  in  the  analo- 
gous case  of  swine  fever,  compensation  is  not 
given  in  respect  of  swine  destroyed  while  actu- 
ally suffering  fiom  the  disease.  The  learned 
chairman,  if  correctly  reported,  appears  to  have 
beeoi  labouring  under  some  misapprehension,  as 
the  Diseases  of  Animals  Act  1894  expi 
directs  that  animals  affected  with  the  cattle 
plague,  pleuro-pneumonia,  foot-and-mouth  dis- 
ease, swine  fever,  &c,  may  be  slaughtered,  and 
that  the  Board  shall  pay  compensation  to  tha 
owner  at  the  rates  therein  mentioned,  that  is  to 
say,  in  some  cases  three-fourths,  and  in  other 
cases  one-half  of  the  value  of  the  animal  imme- 
diately before  it  became  so  affected.  However, 
what  is  fair  and  reasonable  in  the  case  of  the 
agriculturist  evidently  does  not  apply  when  the 
horticulturist  is  ihe  victim.  It  was  pointed  out 
in  these  columns  a  few  months  ago,  that  when 
it  comes  to  imposing  burdens,  as  in  the  case  of 
the  Workmen's  Compensation  Act  1900,  for  in- 
stance. Parliament  does  not  forget  to  provide 
that  the  term  "  agriculture  "  shall  be  deemed  to 
include  "horticulture,"  but  that  when  it  is  a 
matter  of  extending  benefits  such,  for  instance, 
as  those  conferred  by  the  Agricultural  Holdings 
Acts,  nurserymen,  at  all  events,  are  altogether 
ignored. 

When  the  Destructive  Insects  Act  of  the  pre- 
sent year  was  before  Parliament,  strong  protest 
was  raised  on  behalf  of  nurserymen  and  market 
gardeners  against  their  being  left  at  the  mercy 
of  the  local  authorities  on  the  subject  of  com- 
pensation. The  Board  of  Agriculture,  however, 
considered  it  urgently  necessary  to  get  the  Bill 
through  the  House  before  Parliament  rose,  so 
that  the  long-delayed  powers  for  dealing  with 
pests  destructive  to  vegetable  life  might  be 
ready  to  hand,  and  urged  that  if  compensation 
were  to  be  made  compulsory  the  Bill  would 
assume  a  controversial  aspect  and  might  be 
crowded  out,  no  suggestion  apparently  1 
made  that  the  principle  of  compensation  was  in 
any  way  inequitable.  The  Board  of  Agriculture 
now  have  their  desired  powers,  and  it  would  be 
interesting  to  know  whether  they  are  taking 
steps  to  bring  forward  a  supplemental  Bill,  pro- 
viding that  a  grower  whose  stock-in-trade  is 
eompulsorily  destroyed  shall  have  meted  out  to 
him  the  same  measure  of  justice  as  the  cattle 
breeder.  If  not,  v/hat  is  the  justification  for 
inaction? 

A  further  somewhat  curious  anomaly  is  to  be 
found  in  the  fact  that  in  the  case  of  cattle  com- 
pensation is  paid  out  of  funds  provided  by 
Parliament,   whereas    compensation    directed  to 


October  26,  1907 


THE     GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


299 


be  paid  under  the  Destructive  Insects  Act  1877 
had  to  be  borne  by  the  local  authority.  It  is 
certainly  difficult  to  justify  this  distinction  ;  in 
each  case  the  Board  of  Agriculture  takes  certain 
steps  for  the  public  benefit,  and  each  matter 
is  of  general,  and  not  local,  importance. 
It  is  true  that  in  the  case  of  diseases  of  animals 
the  Board  of  Agriculture  might  direct  payment 
of  compensation  by  local  authorities  out  of  the 
local  rate  where  the  disease  is  other  than  cattle 
plague  (a  case  in  point  being  the  Glanders  or 
Farcy  Order  of  1907),  but  it  is  noteworthy  that 
even  in  this  case  the  payment  of  compensation 
is  compulsory.  Furthermore,  it  is  especially 
instructive  to  note  at  the  present  moment  that 
the  Board  of  Agriculture  has  recently  addressed 
a  circular  letter  to  local  authorities  in  Great 
Britain  informing  them  that  before  making  this 
new  Glanders  Order  the  Board  laid  before  the 
Treasury  Commissioners  representations  that 
the  cost  of  compensation,  or  a  substantial  por- 
tion thereof,  should  be  made  a  charge  upon 
money  provided  by  Parliament  instead  of  being 
borne  by  the  local  authorities,  and  the  Board 
proceeds  to  express  its  regret  that  their  Lord- 
ships had  found  themselves  unable  to  sanction 
these  proposals,  mainly  owing  to  the  special 
wording  of  Section  19  of  the  Diseases  of 
Animals  Act  1894.  Is  it  too  much  to  hope  that 
the  Board  of  Agriculture  may  feel  equal  regret 
if  compulsory  compensation  out  of  Parlia- 
mentary funds  should  not  speedily  be  authorised 
by  the  legislature  in  the  case  of  those  market 
gardeners  and  nurserymen  whose  stock-in-trade 
the  Board  may  feel  compelled  to  destroy  in  the 
public  interest? 

During  the  past  few  months  the  Board  of 
Agriculture  has  on  more  than  one  occasion 
protested  that  its  interest  in  horticulture  is  at 
least  as  great  as  in  agriculture,  and  now  that 
the  opportunity  of  supplementing  verbal  assur- 
ances by  speedy  action  has  arisen,  growers  of  all 
classes  will  await  with  interest  the  action  of  the 
Government  department  which  is  expressly  de- 
puted  to  watch  over  and  protect  their  industry. 

Meanwhile  the  expert  grower  may  take  com- 
fort in  the  fact  that  he— even  he — is  not  wholly 
deprived  of  statutory  protection  in  other 
respects.  He  should  bear  in  mind  that  if,  by 
chance,  infectious  disease  should  attack  his 
household,  and  the  destruction  of  a  few  articles 
of  clothing  be  ordered  with  a  view  to  avoiding 
the  spread  of  infection,  he  will  be  entitled,  as  a 
member  of  the  public,  to  demand  compensation 
nil  no  niggardly  scale!  And  if  the  unreasonable 
fellow  be  not  satisfied  with  such  privileges  as 
these,  if  he  grows  weary  of  waiting  for  the  exten- 
sion to  his  own  class  of  those  elementary  prin- 
ciples of  justice  w-hich  are  at  present  enjoyed  by 
the  agriculturist  in  respect  of  his  live  stock,  if 
he  fears  lest  at  any  moment  his  stock-in-trade, 
representing  years  of  labour  and  scientific  study, 
as  well  as  a  considerable  proportion  of  his 
invested  capital,  may  be  officially  destroyed 
without  the  right  to  demand  compensation  of 
any  kind,  there  is  at  all  events  one  way  of 
escape  open  to  him.  Let  him  abandon  horticul- 
ture— and  keep  pigs  !  His  right  to  compensa- 
tion will  then  be  undeniable.    //.  Morgan  Witch. 


HOME    CORRESPONDENCE. 

(The  Editor  does  not  hold  himself  responsible  for  the 
opinions  expressed  by  his  correspondents.) 

American  Blight  on  Apple  Tree  Roots. — 

Why  does  K.  say  that  I  wrote  in  "so  light  a 
strain"  en  this  subject?  I  did  nothing  of  the 
kind.  I  simply  gave  the  results  of  my  own 
experience.  I  have  an  immense  amount 
of  trouble  with  American  blight  on  young 
Apple  trees  and  stocks  above  ground,  but 
hardly  any  on  the  roots.  The  almost 
complete  immunity  I  attribute  to  the  ex- 
treme care  exercised  in  dressing  the  trees  and 
stocks,  and  doing  it  very  frequently.  If  I  find 
any  blight  on  the  ground  level  or  on  a  sucker 
just  under  the  ground,  I  thoroughly  soak  the 
soil  around  the  tree  or  stock  with  paraffin  emul- 
sion, preferring  to  kill  it  rather  than  let  it  live, 
if  I  cannot  cure  the  blight  upon  it.  As 
for  K.'s  other  pure  assumption  of  my 
"limited  experience,"  I  have  been  a  grower 
of  hardy  fruit  nearly  all  my  adult  life, 
which  is  not  a  short  one.  As  to  methylated 
S]  nit   killing   many  a  young   tree,   I   doubt   the 


statement,  unless  it  has  been  used  in  extreme 
and  unnecessary  profusion,  as  I  have  used  it 
extensively  without  doing  any  damage.  Paraffin, 
or,  as  R.  calls  it,  "  petroleum,"  on  the  other 
hand,  is  about  the  most  deadly  of  all  dressings 
commonly  used,  and  many  persons  use  it  neat 
and  recommend  it  publicly  in  this  form.  A 
Working  Grower. 

Fashions    in    Flower-Gardening. — I    was 

much  pleased  with  the  excellent  leader  in  the 
issue  of  the  12th  inst.  upon  this  important  sub- 
ject, and  sincerely  trust  that  the  suggestions  put 
forward  may  bear  fruit.  Undoubtedly  the  ten- 
dency in  the  great  majority  of  summer  bedding 
arrangements  in  these  days  is  to  dullness,  where 
there  ought  to  be  brightness  and  character.  So 
many  hard  things  have  been  said  in  the  past 
about  "blazes"  of  colour  in  the  flower  garden, 
that  the  pendulum  of  fashion — I  cannot  say  taste, 
as  tins  still  seems  to  favour  brightness — has 
swung  to  the  other  extreme.  As  was  pertinently 
lemarked  in  the  article  I  have  mentioned,  it 
would  appear  from  many  of  the  bedding  ar- 
rangements now  in  vogue  as  if  gardeners  were 
afraid  of  giving  the  slightest  cause  for  their 
being  suspected  of  ever  having  had  a  predi- 
lection for  masses  of  colour  in  their  flower 
gardens.  In  public  grounds,  where  visitors 
are  not  as  a  rule  permitted  to  approach  very 
near  to  the  flower-beds,  these  have  to  be  fur- 
nished in  such  a  manner  as  to  produce  a 
good  effect  from  a  distance.  L'nder  these 
circumstances  it  is  especially  important  that 
showy,  floriferous  plants  should  predominate, 
rather  than  those  whose  decorative  value 
merely  lies  in  their  foliage  or  general  outline. 
The  attitude  shown  towards  the  vexed  ques- 
tion of  carpet  bedding  will  commend  itself  to 
most  gardeners,  especially  when  you  state  that 
you  think  the  fewer  examples  of  tin-  kind  of  bed. 
ding  exhibited  in  a  garden  "  the  better.'1     II".   11'. 

•real,      Superintendent      of     Public      I 
i  'ardi     . 

The      Dropmore     Variety     of     Anchusa 


italica    (see   p 


-I   was  at   Dropmore   for 


seven  years  with  Mr.  Chas.  Ilerrin,  and  he  was 
always  of  the  opinion  that  this  form  of  Anchusa 
italica  was  given  t  i  his  predecessor.  Mr.  Philip 
Frost,  by  Mr.  Hubbard,  who  for  many  years 
had  charge  of  the  neighbouring  gardens  at 
Blythewood.  During  the  dozen  or  so  of  years 
Mr.  lien  in  was  in  charge  of  the  Dropmori  I 
dens  he  propagated  it  and  gave  freely  of  this 
plant  to  any  me  who  expressed  a  wi-h  foi 
that  it  one  tune,  though  not  boomed,  it  was 
widely  grown.     A.   C.   Bartlett. 

Cupressus  lusitanica  (Cedar  of  Goa). — 

Some  years  ago  a  young  specimen  of  this  species 
was  planted  by  Mr.  Marks,  the  late  gardener  at 
Hardwick  House,  Bury  St.  Edmunds  When  I 
had  the  pleasure  of  visiting  these  well-cared-for 
gardens  in  1903  the  tree  was  about  6  feet  in 
height,  and  had  evidently  made  considerable 
growth  during  that  and  the  previous  season.  It 
would  be  interesting  to  know  if  the  plant  sur- 
vived the  rather  severe  weather  of  last  January. 
In  Veitch's  Manual  of  Conifcra  a  tree  is  re- 
corded as  "  over  33  feet  in  height,  in  perfect 
health  and  vigour,  growing  in  the  grounds  of 
Mr.  Thomas  Acton,  Kilmacurragh,  in  the  county 
of  Wicklow."  Two  other  reputedly  tender 
varieties,  growing  in  the  pinetum  here,  and 
which  somewhat  resemble  C.  lusitanica,  viz., 
C.  Benthamii,  and  its  var.  Knightiana,  came 
through  last  winter  quite  uninjured.  /.  Cornier, 
Xymans   Gardens,   Handcross,   Crawley,  Si: 

Black  Scab  or  Warty  Disease  cf 
Potatos. — I  have  just  investigated  a  verv  severe 
outbreak  of  Black  Scab  in  Potatos  upon  about  a 
dozen  allotment  gardens  near  Carlisle,  and  have 
also  had  information  regarding  it  from  another 
centre.  The  disease  was  first  reported  in  this 
country  from  Cheshire  and  the  neighbourhood  of 
Liverpool,  about  1901,  although  it  had  formerly 
been  observed  attacking  Beetroot  in  the  grounds 
of  the  School  of  Agriculture  at  Rouiba,  near 
Algiers.  During  1901-2  it  was  very  fully  investi- 
gated at  Kew  and  at  the  Armstrong  College. 
This  disease,  which  is  the  work  of  the  fungus 
Chrysophlyctis  endobiotica,  causes  large  warty 
excrescences  to  protrude  from  the  "eyes"  of 
the  Potato  tubers ;  these  outgrowths  are,  in 
some  cases,  quite  as  large  as  the  tuber  itself, 
and  may  even  entirely  surround  it.  In  general 
appearance   the   attack   much  resembles   that  of 


the  well-known  "finger  and  toe  "  of  Turnips; 
indeed,  the  resemblance  does  not  end  here,  for 
it  has  also  much  of  the  virulence  of  the  latter's 
attack,  and  the  soil  may  be  infected  for 
some  years  to  come.  Regarding  this.  Professor 
Pi  tter,  of  the  Armstrong  College,  who  investi- 
gated the  disease  in  1901,  in  an  interesting  ac- 
i  "int  of  his  experiments  with  this  disease,  pub- 
lished in  the  9th  volume  of  the  Journal  of  the 
Board  of  Agriculture,  writes  :  "  The  parasite 
can  thus  be  propagated  by  means  of  spores  in 
the  soil,  and  when  once  it  has  been  established, 
can  maintain  itself  over  the  winter  and  mfect 
the  crop  in  succeeding  years."  The  attack  is, 
therefore,  one  requiring  very  prompt  attention. 
Wherever  there  is  reason  to  suspect  an  attack, 
the  following  preventive  measures  should  be 
taken:  (1)  Burn  all  diseased  tops  and  tubers; 
(2)  be  careful  not  to  plant  diseased  sets;  (3)  do 
not  sow  Beetroot  on  infected  land  as  this 
is  also  liable  and  may  carry  the  attack  on  to 
another  year;  (4)  if  at  all  possible,  do  not  plant 
Potatos  on  infected  land  for  the  space  ol  two 
years  ;  where  this  is  not  practicable,  then  about 
the  middle  of  February  dress  the  infected  area 
with  gaslime,  at  the  rate  of  lib.  to  the  square 
yard,  leaving  this  dressing  on  the  surface  of  the 
land  until  the  beginning  of  April,  when  it  may 
be  dug  in  and  a  crop  planted.  The  gaslime  is 
ineffective  if  applied  in  the  autumn,  as  the  win- 
ter resting  spores  of  the  parasite  are  covered  by 
very  thick  coats,  but  as  the  spores  germinate 
in  the  spring,  the  tender  mycelium  is  readily 
destroyed  by  an  application  at  that  time. 
Quii  klime  may  be  applied  shortly  before  plant- 
ing at  the  rate  of  Mb.  to  the  square  yard,  but 
this  is  said  to  be  less  effective  than  gaslime. 
The  Board  of  Agriculture  have  recently  pub- 
lished a  leaflet  on  the  disease,  which  may  be  had 
on  application  at  the  offices  of  the  B'oard,  4, 
Whitehall  Place,  London.  /.  G.  Murray,  /.,.- 
turcr  in  Horticulture,  Armstrong  College]  New- 
castle-upon-Tync.  [The  disease  was  illustrated 
in  these  pages  on  October  is,  1905,  under  the 
name  of  Oedomyces  leproides. — Ed.] 


SOCIETIES. 


ROYAL    HORTICULTURAL. 
SUMMER    PRUNING. 

October  15. — A  discussion  on  the  "Summer 
Pruning  of  Fruit  Trees  "  took  place  before  the 
Scientific  Committee  of  the  R.H.S.  on  the  above 
date. 

The  Chairman,  Mr.  A.  E.  Bowles,  in  intro- 
dui  ing  the  subject  for  discussion,  pointed  out 
that  the  subject  of  summer  pruning  of  fruit  trees 
is  one  upon  which  there  is  much  difference  of 
opinion  and  much  variety  of  practice  among 
fruit  growers.  It,  therefore,  becomes  important 
to  collate  the  experience  of  the  practical  grower 
and  the  results  obtained  by  those  who  have 
made  the  matter  a  subject  of  careful  experiment, 
in  order  that  a  rational  system  of  procedure  may 
be  laid  down  for  the  benefit  of  the  fruit-growing 
industry  in  the  country,  and  that  those  points 
which  are  still  obscure  may  be  defined  so  that 
they  may  the  better  be  made  a  matter  for  future 
experiment.  The  principal  points  upon  which 
it  seems  desirable  to  obtain  evidence  are,  the 
bearing  upon  the  question  of  the  form  of  the 
tree  dealt  with,  the  nature  of  the  stock  upon 
which  it  is  grafted,  the  nature  of  the  root  svs- 
tem  developed,  the  nature  of  the  varietv,  the 
method  of  pruning  adopted  in  the  winte'r,  the 
age  of  the  tree,  the  character  of  the  scil,  and  the 
character  of  the  season  both  before  and  after  the 
pruning  is  done. 

Mr.  II.  Somers  Rivers  said:  Whether  an 
Apple  or  Pear  tree  be  summer  and  winter  pruned, 
or  winter  pruned  only,  makes  net  a  particle  of 
difference,  as  far  as  I  can  see,  to  the  buds  at  the 
base  of  the  current  year's  shoots.  They  are  not 
changed  from  long  into  dwarf  shoot  producers, 
because  the  shoot  on  which  they  are  borne  has 
been  shortened  a  few  weeks  earlier  or  later. 

Summer  pruning  is  beneficial  because  it  lets 
the  light  and  air  into  a  tree,  exposing  the  fruit 
to  the  evening  dews  and  the  summer  sun,  enab- 
ling it  to  develop  its  full  colour  and  beauty. 
The  root  system  and  branch  system  are  closely 
correlated,  and  in  their  mutual  relations  the 
former  is  the  dominant  partner. 


300 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[October  26,  1907. 


By  using  dwarfing  stocks  which  develop  a 
multitude  of  small,  fibrous  roots,  we  obtain  trees 
with  a  diminished  growth  vigour  and  a  corre- 
sponding increase  of  dwarf  shoots.  Root  prun- 
ing has  the  same  object  and  effect.  Fed  by  the 
roots  of  the  sturdy  Crab  or  Pear  stock,  the 
Apple  or  Pear  builds  up  a  larger  framework,  and 
the  tree  devotes  its  energies  more  or  less  to  this 
until  its  vegetative  vigour  slackens  and  it  has 
attained  its  full  size.  An  old  orchard  standard 
is  usually  somewhat  like  an  open  umbrella, 
boughs  and  branches  answering  to  the  supports 
and  ribs,  leaves  and  fruits  to  the  silk  envelope, 
each  of  the  latter  exposed  as  fully  as  possible 
to  the  light. 

Nature  summer  prunes.  In  a  cold,  sunless 
period,  aphides  multiply  amazingly,  especially 
on  the  shoot  tips.  The  tree  cannot  grow  away 
from  them.  They  curl  up  the  leaves,  reducing 
their  breathing  and  shade  area  ;  they  appropriate 
to  themselves  the  sap  which  the  tree  sends  up 
for  the  further  development  of  the  shoots  and 
leaves. 

Ordinary  summer  pruning  makes  the  trees  in 
a  garden  look  neater,  and,  as  has  been  said 
before,  lets  in  the  light  and  air  to  the  fruit.  It 
is  possible  there  may  be  a  result  something  ana- 
logous to  root-pruning  in  the  suppression  of  so 
many  leaves,  and  the  ensuing  check  to,  or, 
rather,  diversion  of,  the  activities  of  the  tree. 
This  could  no  doubt  be  ascertained  by  direct 
experiment  during  a  number  of  years. 

With  Peaches  and  Nectarines,  which  bear 
their  fruits  along  shoots  the  year  after  they 
have  been  formed,  the  case  is  different.  These 
trees  are  always  necessarily  subjected  to  a  much 
more  artificial  treatment  than  the  hardier  fruit 
trees.  For  them,  too,  we  have,  as  yet,  no  dwarf- 
ing stocks. 

The  shoots  must  be  stopped  ;  the  buds  behind 
this  point  then  get  the  benefit  of  the  food  which 
would  otherwise  be  employed  in  the  lengthening 
of  the  shoot. 

Mr.  Spencer  Pickering,  F.R.S.,  Director  of  the 
"Woburn  Experimental  Fruit  Farm,  said:  Such 
remarks  as  I  may  make  in  contribution  to  the 
c'iscussion  on  this  subject  must  be  prefaced  by 
the  statement  that  it  is  a  subject  on  which  no 
■very  complete  experiments  have  yet  been  made 
at  Woburn,  and  it  is  one,  therefore,  on  which  I 
■wish  to  speak  with  considerable  diffidence.  It 
is  true  that  two  or  three  of  our  experimental 
plots  of  18  bush  Apple  trees  each  have  been  sub- 
jected to  summer  pruning  for  the  last  13  years, 
but  two  or  three  experiments  were  quite  inade- 
quate for  any  complete  examination  of  the  sub- 
ject ;  whilst  other  more  extensive  experiments 
have  not  been  in  progress  long  enough  to  admit 
of  any  conclusions  being  drawn  from  them.  The 
results,  however,  which  have  been  obtained  at 
the  farm  on  the  subject  of  pruning  in  general 
are  calculated  to  throw  some  light  on  the  more 
special  question  of  summer  pruning. 

One  of  the  general  conclusions  from  our  prun- 
ing experiments,  which  have  been  dealt  with  at 
length  in  the  Seventh  Report,*  is  that  in  oppo- 
sition to  the  popular  opinion  on  the  subject,  the 
pruning  of  a  healthy  growing  tree  results  in  a 
diminution  of  the  amount  of  new  wood  formed 
as  unnatural,  either  by  the  increase  in  size  or 
V»eight  of  the  tree,  or  by  the  length  or  weight  of 
the  new  shoots.  The  harder  the  pruning  the 
.greater  is  this  diminution  :  as  compared  with 
moderately  pruned  trees,  those  which  had  been 
•-  Hitmuously  hard  pruned  were  nearly  20  per 
cent,  smaller,  whereas  those  which  were  left  im- 
pruned  were  about  20  per  cent,  larger.  It  cer- 
tainly cannot  be  a  matter  of  surprise  that  the 
removal  of  any  essential  portion  of  an  organism 
should,  under  normal  conditions,  result  in  a 
check  to  the  natural  growth  of  that  organism, 
and  this  check  should  be  all  the  greater  if  the 
part  is  removed  whilst  it  is  still  functioning 
actively,  i.e.,  if  the  pruning  is  practised  in  sum- 
mer. Such  evidence  as  exists  indicates  that  this 
is  so,  and  shows  that  pruning  in  summer  checks 
the  growth  of  the  tree  much  more  than  pruning 
at  any  other  time  of  the  year.  The  experiments 
win  h  illustrate  this  point  most  clearly  are  .some 
in  which  very  hard  pruning,  or  cutting  back,  was 
done  on  similar  trees  at  different  times  in  the 
year  (see  Seventh  Report,  p.  37).  Trees  cut  back 
at  various  dates  during  the  dormant  season, 
Kovember    to    April,    all    behaved    similarly    as 

*  Eyre    and     Spottiswoode,     1007  :     the     Fifth     Report 
■/>)   deals   more    fully   with    the    results   up   to   that 
date  from   the  summer-pruned   plots 


regards  their  subsequent  growth,  but  when  cut 
back  in  summer  (the  middle  of  July),  the  amount 
of  growth  made  by  the  end  of  the  season  was 
only  one-fifth  of  that  of  the  other  trees  ;  and 
the  evil  effects  were  not  confined  to  the  one 
season  only,  for  in  the  succeeding  season  these 
trees  still  produced  only  three-quarters  of  the 
wood  produced  by  those  which  had  been  cut 
back  during  the  dormant  season,  and  they  were 
otherwise  deficient  in  health  and  vigour.  Cutting 
back  quite  early  in  the  summer  (middle  of  May) 
produced  similar,  but  much  less  serious,  results. 
Other  experiments  on  cutting  back  young, 
freshly-planted  trees  are  leading  to  like  con- 
clusions, but  the  actual  figures  cannot  yet  be 
given. 

Ample  evidence  has  been  brought  forward  in 
our  Seventh  Report  to  show  that  branch  prun- 
ing generally,  when  done  in  autumn,  is  inimical 
to  heavy  cropping,  but  it  does  not  follow  that 
this  will  be  so  with  summer  pruning  ;  indeed, 
the  object  of  summer  pruning  is  to  increase  crop- 
ping, and  on  account  of  the  check  produced  by 
it  on  wood  formation,  it  is  easy  to  see  that  such 
a  result  should,  or  may,  follow.  The  removal 
of  a  portion  of  any  shoot  which  is  in  a  state 
of  activity  will  divert  the  flow  of  sap  to  the  buds 
on  that  portion  of  the  shoot  left,  and  these,  in 
consequence,  will  start  developing.  This  de- 
velopment may  take  one  of  two  directions  :  it 
may  proceed  only  sufficiently  far  to  nourish  the 
dormant  buds  and  convert  them  into  future 
fruit  buds,  or  it  may  proceed  far  enough  to 
force  the  buds  into  growth.  The  latter  effei  t  1-, 
of  course,  the  reverse  of  what  is  desired,  since  it 
will  result  in  the  formation  of  numerous  small 
shoots,  which  will  not  have  time  to  ripen  and 
will  have  to  be  cut  away  in  the  following 
autumn. 

Whether  summer  pruning  will  bring  about  the 
desirable  or  the  undesirable  result  would  appear 
to  depend  on  so  many  circumstances  that  any 
general  statement  in  the  matter,  or  the  predic- 
tion of  the  event,  would  seem  to  be  an  impossi- 
bility, and  this  would  account  for  the  diversity 
of  opinion  which  is  held  on  the  subject.  Clearly 
the  vigour  with  which  a  tree  is  growing  at  the 
time  will  determine  whether  the  buds  at  the  base 
of  the  shoots  will  be  forced  into  activity  or  not, 
and  the  vigour  of  growth  depends  on  many 
things  :  on  the  variety  of  the  tree  dealt  with, 
the  nature  of  its  root  stock,  and  the  age  and 
character  of  the  individual  tree ;  also  on  the 
position  and  sturdiness  of  the  branch  pruned, 
the  extent  to  which  the  pruning  has  been  car- 
ried, and  the  time  at  which  the  pruning  has 
been  done,  as  well  as  on  the  condition  as  to 
moisture  of  the  soil  in  which  the  tree  is  grow- 
ing, and  the  character  of  the  weather  following 
the  operation.  This  last  circumstance,  above  all 
others,  would  appear  to  render  the  results  of 
summer  pruning  uncertain,  even  in  the  hands 
of  the  most  skilful. 

It  would  seem  that  the  summer  pruning  of  any 
shoots  which  are  growing  vigorously  should  be 
avoided,  if  the  object  in  view  is  the  formation 
of  fruit  buds,  and  the  operation,  therefore, 
should  be  confined  to  the  weaker  shoots,  which 
will  generally  be  side  shoots  :  such  pruning  is 
more  appropriately  termed  summer  pinching, 
and,  as  it  is  desirable  to  have  the  fruit  spurs 
as  near  the  base  of  the  shoots  as  possible,  it 
seems  clear  that  the  pinching  should  be  close, 
leaving  not  more  than  three  or  four  buds  on  the 
shoot,  for  it  is  only  the  buds  nearest  to  the  cut 
which  appear  to  be  affected  by  the  pruning. 
To  avoid  starting  the  basal  buds  into  growth,  the 
pinching  should  evidently  be  done  late  in  the 
season,  though  the  actual  time  at  which  it  will 
be  most  successful  must  vary  very  much  with 
the  character  of  the  trees,  and  that  of  the  season 
in  question.. 

In  the  experiments  which  have  recently  been 
started  at  Woburn,  the  influence  of  the  date  of 
summer  pruning  is  being  investigated  on  a 
number  of  different  varieties  of  Apples  and 
Pears,  the  dates  selected  ranging  from  the 
middle  of  July  to  the  beginning  of  September. 
In  the  few  experimemts  which  have  been  in  pro- 
gress there  since  1894  the  summer  pruning  had 
been  done  in  August,  and  the  general  results 
obtained  are  entirely  negative  in  character, 
neither  the  size  of  the  trees  nor  the  weight  of 
the  crops  showing  any  appreciable  difference 
when  compared  with  similar  trees  which  have 
been  subjected  to  moderate  autumn  pruning 
only  [loc.  cit.).  In  1906,  however,  the  crops  from 
the  summer-pruned  plots  were  very  much  below 


the  average,  but  only  one  of  the  three  varieties 
under  investigation  (Bramley)  fruited  that  year. 
Although  the  present  size  of  the  summer-pruned 
and  winter-pruned  trees  is  the  same,  it  is  not 
possible  to  affirm  that  the  wood  formation  has 
been  identical,  for  the  prunings  have  not  been 
weighed.  From  the  results  cbtained  with  very 
severe  pruning  and  cutting  back  in  summer,  it 
would  appear  that  even  moderate  summer  prun- 
ing must  decrease  somewhat  the  wood  forma- 
tion. 

In  illustration  of  the  great  variation  of  results 
produced  by  differences  in  soil,  I  may  quote  a 
letter  received  some  time  ago  from  Mr.  F.  W. 
Moore,  of  the  Botanic  Gardens,  Glasnevin.  He 
says  :  "  Within  a  radius  of  15  miles  from  this, 
the  conditions  are  quite  different.  Here  if  I  do 
not  summer  prune — or,  I  should  say,  summer 
pinch,  for  I  never  remove  more  than  two  eyes 
in  summer — I  get  a  number  of  blind  eyes  at 
the  base,  and  if  I  cut  hard  enough  in  spring  to 
make  these  eyes  break,  I  only  get  growths,  and 
not  spurs.  The  soil  here  is  a  poor  light  loam, 
shallow,  and  resting  on  limestone  gravel.  At 
Straffan,  about  15  miles  from  this,  on  a  cool, 
stiff  clay  near  the  river,  Mr.  Bedford  finds  that 
if  he  summer  prunes  he  gets  too  much  rank 
growth,  and  that  the  eyes  break  well  even  after 
a  light  winter  pruning.  We  have  often  com- 
pared results.  He  suffers  from  too  much 
moisture  as  a  rule ;  I  suffer  from  too  much 
drought.'* 

The  more  serious  operation  of  summer  pruning 
proper,  as  contrasted  with  summer  pinching, 
may  doubtless  have  some  inhibitory  effect  on 
the  growth  of  the  tree  similar  to  that  which 
followed  from  the  hard  pruning  in  summer  in 
the  case  of  the  Woburn  experiments  already 
quoted.  It  can  only  be  in  exceptional  cases  that 
such  stunting  of  a  tree  can  ever  be  desirable, 
and,  whatever  the  immediate  effect  on  the  fruit- 
ing may  be,  it  is  probable  that  it  will  result  in 
a  diminution  of  the  total  crops  borne  by  the 
tree  in  its  lifetime.  It  is  clear,  too,  that  with 
such  summer  pruning  there  is  always  a  great  risk 
of  getting  a  thicket  of  useless  growth  and  a  con- 
siderable reduction  of  fruit.  It  would  seem, 
therefore,  that  summer  pruning  proper  should 
only  be  applied  to  vigorously  growing  branches 
in  cases  where  it  is  desirable  to  check  their 
growth  for  the  sake  of  improving  the  balance 
of  the  tree. 

Perhaps  it  is  legitimate  to  raise  the  question 
as  to  how  far  summer  pruning,  even  when  it 
accomplishes  all  that  is  expected  of  it,  is  really 
desirable.  All  that  it  can  do  is  to  increase  the 
blossom  buds  on  a  tree,  but  that  does  not  neces- 
sarily increase  the  fruiting,  and  it  may  even  have 
the  opposite  effect.  Probably  in  nine  cases  out 
of  ten  a  deficiency  of  crop,  in  the  case  of  a  tree 
which  has  come  to  maturity,  is  not  due  to 
deficiency  of  flowering,  but  to  the  destruction  of 
the  blossoms  by  frost  or  living  pests,  or  to  the 
imperfect  fertilisation,  or  setting,  of  the  fruit. 
Numerous  cases  may  be  noticed  every  year  in 
which  trees  which  seemed  rather  deficient  in 
flower  have  yielded  as  much  fruit  as  they  could 
well  carry,  and  others  in  which  there  has  been 
excessive  flowering,  followed  by  little  or  no  fruit. 
Excessive  flowering  also  often  leads  to  reduction 
in  the  value  of  a  crop  by  the  strain  which  it 
puts  on  the  resources  of  the  tree.  This  is  very 
noticeable  with  Lord  Grosvenor  and  some  other 
Apples.  A  row  of  20  large  bush  trees  of  this 
variety,  which  have  been  under  my  immediate 
observation,  have  offered  a  conspicuous  example 
in  point  this  year.  About  half  of  them  had  very 
little  blossom,  but  yielded  eventually  a  good 
paying  crop  of  fine  fruits,  the  trees  being 
throughout  the  season  in  a  good,  healthy  con- 
dition ;  the  other  half  of  the  trees  flowered  so 
profusely,  and  the  fruit  set  so  well,  that  the  trees 
have  been  quite  exhausted  and  almost  killed  ; 
and,  in  spite  of  the  most  ruthless  thinning,  the 
Apples  never  swelled  and  the  crop  was  worthless. 
In  fact,  with  many  varieties  it  is  a  reduction, 
and  not  an  increase,  of  the  blossom  buds  which 
is  required  to  assure  a  paying  crop,  and  this  is 
recognised  in  the  case  of  trained  trees,  where 
persistent  summer  pruning  often  multiplies  tie 
fruit  buds  to  such  an  extent  that  disbudding  has 
to  be  resorted  to. 

Mr.  A.  H.  Pearson,  Lowdham,  Notts,  (whose 
paper  was  kindly  read  in  his  absence  by 
his  brother,  Mr.  C.  E.  Pearson),  said  :  In  accept- 
ing your  invitation  to  write  a  short  paper  upon 
"  Summer  Pruning  of  Fruit  Trees,"  I  fear  I  have 
done   wrong,    for   science,   it   would    seem,   asks 


October  26,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


301 


for  a  large  number  of  data  which  the  ordinary 
practical  pruner  has  not  made  himself  familiar 
with,  and  the  facts  accepted  by  science  have 
frequently  to  be  demonstrated  by  a  long  and 
wide  series  of  experiments  which  many  of  us 
have  not  the  leisure  to  undertake.  However,  if 
any  remarks  of  mine  are  likely  to  be  of  the  least 
service  I  shall  only  be  too  pleased  to  give  them. 

At  the  onset  I  would  say  that  summer  pruning, 
as  it  is  often  understood,  is,  I  think,  perhaps  the 
most  mischievous  practice  which  fruit  growers 
undertake,  and  the  cause  of  more  dismal  failures 
than  any  other  operation  in  the  fruit  garden. 
What  I  advocate  is  summer  pinching,  which  is 
done  by  taking  off  the  points  of  growing  shoots 
when  they  have  made  some  five  or  six  leaves, 
or,  say,  from  4  to  6  inches  of  wood,  when  the 
shoots  break  again  from  the  top  bud,  pinch  back 
to  two  more  leaves,  which  will  be  all  that  is 
necessary  in  the  ordinary  season,  but  in  a  wet 
summer  a  third  pinching  may  be  required. 

The  shoots  treated  in  this  way  are  of  course 
side  shoots ;  the  leading  shoots  will  in  many 
cases  need  no  stopping  in  the  summer.  The 
object  of  this  pinching  is  to  keep  the  side  growths 
from  becoming  too  strong,  and  to  cause  the 
basal  buds  to  plump  up  and  subsequently  de- 
velop into  fruit  buds.  The  word  subsequently 
applies  to  such  fruits  as  Pears,  Apples,  &c,  for 
in  the  case  of  small  fruits — Gooseberries  and 
Currants — the  buds  will  develop  the  first  season. 
The  winter  pruning  of  these  side  shoots  depends 
much  upon  the  age  and  condition  of  the  tree, 
but  on  all  young  and  vigorous  trees  every  side 
shoot  should  be  left  from  four  to  five  buds  in 
length,  according  to  the  habit  of  the  tree  and 
whether  the  variety  has  buds  placed  far  apart  or 
more  closely  together  ;  if  pruned  in  this  way  the 
top  bud,  and  probably  the  second,  will  make 
growth,  thus  providing  an  outlet  for  the  vigorous 
sap  of  the  tree,  whilst  the  lower  buds  will 
remain  almost  dormant  and  will  make  the  little 
rosette  of  leaves  which  plainly  foretells  a  bloom 
bud  next  season.  When  bloom  buds  are  formed  . 
and  fully  developed  at  the  lower  part  of  the  shoot 
and  not  before,  the  shoots  may  be  shortened  back 
to  such  bloom  buds  in  order  to  keep  the  spurs 
close  to  the  leading  branches  and  so  to  ensure  a 
full  supply  of  sap  and  also  to  prevent  over 
crowding. 

Summer  pruning,  as  often  practised,  consists 
in  letting  all  side  shoots  grow  wild,  and  then 
in  cutting  them  back  to  within  two  or  three  buds 
of  the  leading  branch  which  carries  them  ;  by 
this  method  all  the  side  shoots  get  very  strong, 
and  the  vast  majority  of  the  buds  left  after  prun- 
ing make  vigorous  growth  either  in  the  following 
spring  or,  as  is  quite  as  often  the  case  during 
a  growing  season,  the  growth  is  made  the  same 
autumn.  The  result  is  much  the  same  as  that 
obtained  by  clipping  a  Hawthorn  hedge  in  July 
and  again  at  Christmas.  I  believe  there  is  a 
Scotch  saying,  "  Saw  ye  ever  haws  on  a  clippit 
hedge,"  and  most  certainly  one  rarely  sees 
fruit  on  the  thousands  of  almost  solid  pyramids 
which  are  to  be  seen  in  British  gardens,  almost 
as  handsome  as  the  Continental  bay  trees  and 
useful  to  form  shelters  for  blackbirds'   nests. 

Summer  pinching,  as  described,  is  proper  for 
all  kinds  of  fruit  trees  which  form  fruiting  spurs 
— Apples,  Pears,  Plums,  and  Cherries,  with  ex- 
ception of  the  Morello  class,  and  also  for  cordon 
and  trained  Gooseberries  and  Red  and  White 
Currants,  whilst  Peaches,  Nectarines,  Apricots, 
and  Morello  Cherries  fruit  on  the  young  wood, 
and  the  pinching  of  these  is  confined  to  stopping 
hard  those  shoots  which  will  not  be  required  for 
laying  in,  or  any  which  threaten  to  upset  the 
balance  of  the  tree  by  too  vigorous  growth.  If 
pinching  be  practised,  the  knife  will  only  be 
required  to  cut  out  the  wood  which  has  carried 
a  crop  of  fruit,  and  gumming  will  be  much  less 
seen  than  where  the  knife  is  used  more  freely. 
This  is  most  marked  in  the  case  of  young  trees  ; 
it  was  formerly  the  custom  of  nurserymen  to 
grow  their  one-year  trees  of  these  fruits,  which 
are  termed  maidens,  in  a  natural  manner,  and 
they  made  upright  bushes  3  or  4  feet  in  height, 
which,  when  required  for  training,  were  cut  back 
the  following  season  to  some  12  or  lj  inches 
from  the  soil  in  order  to  make  them  branch  out 
from  the  lower  buds  ;  this  severe  pruning  often 
caused  gumming,  and  to  avoid  this  we  now 
pinch  out  the  lead  of  the  trees  which  are  wanted 
for  training,  and  so  cause  the  buds  to  break  the 
first  season.  The  resulting  shoots  are  tied  out, 
and  the  foundation  of  a  trained  tree  is  secured 


the  first  season,  which  is  a  gain,  but  the  great 
point  is  that  gumming  is  almost  unknown  upon 
trees  treated  in  this  manner. 

Now  as  to  the  form  of  tree  which  should  be 
summer  pinched,  one  naturally  turns  first  to  the 
single  cordon  as  an  example  of  the  tree  which 
must  be  so  treated  ;  then  we  take  all  wall  and 
espalier  trees  of  those  fruits  which  bear  on  spurs, 
and  we  say  that  the  side  branches  of  horizontally 
trained  trees  are  only  cordons  growing  laterally 
from  the  main  stem  ;  double  cordons,  palmettes 
and  Verrier's  palmettes  are,  of  course,  only 
duplications  of  the  single  cordon,  and,  lastly, 
true  pyramids  are  only  single  cordons  springing 
from  the  central  axis  of  the  main  stem.  Sui  li 
pyramids  one  rarely  sees  in  this  country,  where 
skilled  pruners  are  scarce,  and  their  labour 
dear  ;  but  in  Belgium,  where  I  learned  my  prun- 
ing, every  decent  fruit  garden  can  show  grand 
specimens  of  this  style  of  pruning,  especially  of 
Pears,  trees  of  many  years'  standing,  and  carry- 
ing crops  of  grand  fruit  to  old  age.  In  many 
gardens  in  Britain,  one  finds  Apple  trees  trained 
in  basin  shape,  and  all  the  branches  treated  as 

rdons,  which  carry  fine  exhibition  fruit;  and 
m  \\  i  in  rstershire  there  are  hundreds  of  acres  so 
pruned,  but  as  the  trees  get  older  and  carry 
heavy  crops,  they  are  only  pruned  once  a  year. 

The  great  majority  of  growers  for  market  do 
very  little  pruning  upon  either  standard  or  bush 
fruit  trees,  after  the  first  three  or  four  yeai  , 
beyond  cutting  out  any  dead  or  crossing  brain  hes, 
but  allow  the  trees  to  follow  their  own  inclina- 
ii'  ms. 

With  regard  to  the  value  of  summer  pirn  I 
one  has  only  to  walk  into  the  young  quart' 
a  fruit  tree  nursery,  and  see  three-year  Apples 
which  have  been  pinched  for  cordons  can 
full  crops  of  fruit,  whilst  the  bushes  amongst 
which  they  are  standing,  and  under  prei 
similar  conditions  otherwise,  may  have  odd  fruits 
here  and  there.  At  the  last  R.ll.S.  meeting, 
Messrs.  Veitch  S  Sons  showed  two-year  cordon 
Apples  with  10  large  fruits  on  each  ;  they  could 
not  carry  more,  because  there  was  no  space  to 
stick  them  on.  Again,  how  frequently  one  goes 
into  gardens  where  the  wall  trees  run  wild,  with 
summer  growths  from  1  to  2  feet  long  smother- 
ing the  trees,  and  fruit  conspicuous  by  it-  ab- 
sence, or  only  to  be  found  at  the  extreme  end  "I 
the  extension  shoots.  This  is  often  because  the 
head  gardener  delights  more  in  glass  than  in 
hardy  fruits,  but  more  often  because  in  these 
dax-  large  gardens  are  terribly  under-handed, 
and  there  is  no  one  to  do  the  work  at  the  proper 
time.  In  these  cases  I  always  say,  as  soon  as 
the  rush  of  early  summer  work — bedding  and 
what  not — is  over,  run  round  the  walls  and 
espaliers  and  break  the  side  shoots  back  to  6 
or  8  inches,  leaving  the  broken  portion  hanging 
on.  This  broken  part  will  absorb  a  small 
amount  of  sap,  and  so  prevent  the  lower  buds 
from  breaking  into  growth,  but  at  the  same  time 
there  will  be  a  sufficient  check  to  throw  the 
sap  into  these  lower  buds,  and  plump  them  up 
ready  for  forming  fruit  buds  the  following  sea- 
son. If  the  owners  of  the  trees  should  object  to 
the  untidy  appearance  of  hundreds  of  broken 
shoots  hanging  on  the  trees,  the  obvious  remedy 
is  to  provide  labour  to  do  the  pinching  earlier. 

I  fear  I  have  failed  to  answer  many  of  the 
questions  put  to  me,  but  it  will,  I  think,  be 
clear  that  young  trees,  especially  those  growing 
in  rich  soil  and  upon  free  stocks,  will  need  more 
attention  in  the  way  of  summer  pinching  than 
those  which  are  older  and  less  vigorous,  or 
worked  upon  dwarfing  stocks,  or  growing  in 
less  fertile  soil. 

In  conclusion,  I  may  say  that  pinching  may 
be  too  severe  as  well  as  pruning.  Healthy  trees 
must  have  some  outlet  for  the  sap  ;  the  extension 
shoots  will  not  take  all  the  roots  sent  up,  and 
if  one  will  pinch  or  prune  too  closely,  the  re- 
maining buds  must  make  wood  growth  in>;ead  of 
bloom.  I  was  once  asked  to  see  the  trees  of  an 
amateur,  who  said  he  could  obtain  no  fruit, 
and  after  looking  round  his  walls  and  espaliers, 
I  told  him  I  had  never  seen  trees  better  pruned. 
He  thought  I  was  joking,  and  said  that  was  only 
his  first  pruning  to  allow  the  wood  to  ripen  off, 
and  that  he  intended  to  go  over  them  again  and 
shorten  every  side  growth  to  two  buds  ;  under 
which  treatment  only  complete  exhaustion  of 
the  trees  would  produce  fruit  buds. 

Too  close  pinching  or  pruning,  especially  the 
latter,  is  the  great  cause  of  our  gardens  being 
fruitless,    and   the   next  great   fau't   is    allowing 


bunches  of  spurs  to  remain  on  older  trees.  Aft<  i 
fruit  spurs  are  fully  developed,  they  should  be 
pruned  closely  ;  two  or  three  bloom  buds  on  a 
side  shoot,  each  bud  capable  of  producing  a 
bunch  of  flowers  and  leaves,  should  suffice,  but 
many  old  trees  will  be  found  with  a  dozen  or 
more  fruit  buds  on  a  side  growth,  the  result 
being  that  they  smother  one  another  out  oi 
existence. 

Mr.  YV.  ■  Seabrook,  Springfield  Nurseries, 
Chelmsford, said  that  he  had  learned  to  grow  gcod 
fruit  by  making  mistakes  and  correcting  them. 
luiiity  years  ago,  when  he  had  first  begun  to 
grow  fruit,  he  read  all  there  was  to  be  read  in 
books  upon  the  subject  of  pruning,  and  found 
much  diversity  of  statement,  a  condition  of 
things  that  persisted  to  this  day,  and  he  had 
come  to  the  conclusion  that  pruning  could  not 
be  learned  from  books.  As  a  result  of  his  ex- 
perience, he  had  formed  the  opinion  that  if  first- 
class  fruit  was  to  be  grown — and  that  was  the 
only  kind  for  which  there  was  a  continual 
demand  at  remunerative  prices,  and  the  only- 
kind  that  was  worth  growing — severe  pruning 
both  in  winter  and  summer  must  be  resorted  to. 
Dwarfing  stocks  must  be  used,  and  then  fruit 
will  be  formed  and  grow  well  early  in  the  life  of 
the  tree,  and  the  tree  will  keep  on  fruiting.  lie 
had  at  one  time  tried  the  method  of  breaking 
down  the  laterals,  and  had  come  to  the  conclu- 
sion that  it  was  far  better  to  remove  them  all 
I  ig<  i her,  because  it  they  were  left  hanging,  they 
shaded  the  rest  of  the  shoots,  and  a  considerablt- 
part  of  the  benefit  that  was  to  be  derived  from 
summer  pruning  was  lost.  He  had  been  told 
that  the  trees  so  treated  would  not  last  Iongi 
but  he  thought  it  better  to  have  20  years'  fruit 
to  start  with,  even  if  after  that  time  the  trees 
wanted  to  be  renewed,  rather  than  to  wait  15 
years  while  the  trees  were  growing  before  he  had 
any  fruit  at  all.  Many  people  advocated  pruning 
back  to  within  six  buds  of  the  base  of  the  shoot, 
but  he  considered  that  not  to  be  sufficiently  far. 
as  the  fruit  buds  that  would  develop  on  the  shorl 
as  the  result  of  that  treatment  would  be  too  far 
from  the  branch.  He  found  that  the  basal  buds. 
were  quite  unaffected  if  the  shoots  were  left  as 
long  as  that.  They  should  be  pruned  back  to 
three  buds  ;  then  usually  the  highest  of  these 
would  develop  into  a  vi  gi  t  dive  bud,  the  middle 
one  would  remain  dormant,  and  the  basal  one 
would  either  in  the  same  season  or  in  the  suc- 
ceeding one  become  a  fruit  bud.  If  the  tree  was 
in  too  vigorous  a  condition,  the  second  bud 
might  develop  into  a  shoot  bud  ;  then  he  thought 
was  the  time. to  root  prune  the  trees.  The  sub- 
sequent development  of  the  shoot  left  after 
pruning  gave  a  good  indication  of  the  state  of 
the  root  system,  and  showed  well  when  n  "  it 
pruning  was  necessary.  He  considered  that  the 
best  form  of  tree  for  growing  good  fruit  on  this 
system  was  the  open  bush,  or  the  single  cordon, 
when  space  was  a  greater  consideration.  The 
late  Dr.  Bartrum  had.  during  the  closing  years 
of  his  life,  resorted  greatly  to  severe  summer 
and  winter  pruning,  dealing  even  with  his  stan- 
dard trees  in  this  way,  but  Mr.  Seabrook  thought 
that  would  be  probably  carrying  the  applica- 
tion of  the  method  too  far.  in  the  first  six  or 
>even  years  of  their  life,  however,  even  stan- 
dard trees  would  benefit  greatly  by  the  treat- 
ment. 

Mr.  F.  W.  Moore,  Glasnevin,  followed,  and 
upheld  most  of  what  had  been  said  about  sum- 
mer pruning.  He  thought  that  this  particular 
subject  was  one  that  was  particularly  fitted  to 
come  up  for  discussion  before  the  Scientific 
Committee  of  the  society,  as  it  was  a  subject 
that  was  intimately  connected  with  both  the 
practical  and  scientific  aspects  of  plant  physio- 
logy, and  much  good  should  arise  from  the  wed- 
ding of  the  scientific  enquiry  with  the  experi- 
ences of  the  practical  man.  He  thought  that  a 
considerable  amount  of  the  difference  of  opinion 
expressed  upon  the  subject  by  growers  arose 
from  the  fact  that  the  expression  "  summer  prun- 
ing :;  was  often  misconstrued,  and  many  had 
insisted  upon  the  term  "  summer  pinching  "  as 
being  the  more  accurate  one.  He  considered,  how- 
ever,  that  the  process  was  properly  called  prun- 
ing, and  that  all  such  operations  as  the  pinching 
and  thinning  of  shoots  should  be  included  under 
the  same  term.  He  insisted  upon  the  principle 
that  no  general  rule  could  be  laid  down  for  the 
treatment  of  all  trees,  but  that  several  things 
should  be  taken  into  consideration.  The  nature 
of  the  stock  should  be  considered  ;  the  variety  of 
fruit   grown    should    also    be         nsidered.     For 


30: 


THE     GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


[October  26,  1907. 


instance,  the  varieties  Early  Victoria,  Lord 
Grosvenor,  and  Stirling  Castle  he  had  found,  if 
severely  summer  pruned,  gave  too  much  fruit, 
while,  on  the  other  hand,  such  Apples  as  Bis- 
marck and  Blenheim  Orange  called  for  much 
more  severe  treatment.  He  spoke  in  eulogistic 
terms  of  the  Belgian  system  of  pruning,  and 
advocated  the  open  bush  as  the  best  form  of  tree 
for  giving  the  greatest  amount  of  first-class  fruit 
from  the  smallest  space.  He  thought  that  judi- 
cious summer  pruning  would  go  a  long  way  to 
avoid  the  necessity  of  heavy  winter  pruning. 

Mr.  Smith,  of  Loddington,  was  the  next 
speaker.  He  said  he  could  add  very  little  to  the 
remarks  that  had  been  made  by  the  previous 
speakers,  but  he  would  like  to  emphasise  the 
advice  that  had  been  given  to  thin  the  trees  out 
well,  and  to  shorten  the  lateral  shoots  back  to 
three  buds  in  the  summer.  He  thought,  too, 
that  each  variety  should  be  considered  sepa- 
rately, and  each  requires  different  pruning  from 
the  others,  giving  as  instances  of  this  the  fact 
that  Bismarck  should  be  severely  pruned,  while 
Worcester  Pearmain  should  be  thinned  only.  He 
pointed  out  the  necessity  for  admitting  all  the 
light  and  air  possible  into  the  tree,  and  said 
that  the  pruning  should  be  done  from  all  round 
the  tree,  not  from  one  side  onlv. 

Mr.  F.  J.  Baker,  A.R.C.S.,  thought  that  there 
was  need  to  investigate  the  conditions  under 
which  the  bud  may  be  made  to  form  a  fruit 
instead  of  a  shoot,  and  suggested  that  the  pres- 
ence of  a  considerable  amount  of  nitrogenous 
manure  in  the  soil  would  tend  rather  to  the 
formation  of  shoot  buds  than  to  that  of  fruit 
buds.  He  considered  that  many  of  the  previous 
speakers  had  suggested  the  carrying  out  of  the 
operation  under  discussion  at  a  period  too  late 
in  the  year,  and  thought  that  twisting  the  shoot 
some  little  distance  above  its  point  of  origin  was 
a  better  practice  than  actually  removing  the 
whole  of  the  portion  of  the  shoot  that  was  con- 
sidered undesirable.  He  had  found  that  by 
carrying  out  this  operation  in  the  first  week  in 
June  that  there  was  an  unmistakable  develop- 
ment of  fruit  buds  at  the  base  of  the  shoot 
operated  upon  towards  the  end  of  July. 

Mr.  Chas.  Foster,  of  Reading,  considered  that 
the  balance  between  the  root  and  branch  system 
could  be  better  kept  up  by  lifting  the  tree  at 
frequent  intervals  than  by  doing  so  much  prun- 
ing. Each  variety  should  be  treated  upon  its 
merits,  but  he  thought  that  severe  summer  prun- 
ing was  not  to  be  advocated. 

Mr.  W.  H.  Divers  sent  a  branch  of  an  Apple 
tree  of  the  variety  Bismarck  heavily  laden  with 
somewhat  small  fruits,  showing  the  result  of 
omitting  both  summer  and  winter  pruning  in 
1906.  The  tree  was  bearing  a  heavy  crop  on  the 
top,  so  that  it  was  really  breaking  down  with 
the  weight.  Several  of  the  speakers  referred  to 
the  branch  in  the  course  of  their  remarks,  and 
regarded  it  as  a  good  illustration  of  an  unde- 
sirable state  of  things,  since  many  small  fruits 
had  been  secured  instead  of  a  few  of  much  better 
quality,  and  these  in  a  part  of  the  tree  that  was 
not  easily  dealt  with,  and  where  they  were 
greatly  exposed  to  the  wind. 


THE    HORTICULTURAL   CLUB. 
"A    CAMPING    TOUR    FROM    DAMASCUS 
TO     PETRA     IN     ARABIA." 
On  Tuesday,  the  15th  inst.,  the  Horticultural 
Club  resumed  its  monthly  dinners  at  the  Hotel 
Windsor,    Mr.    Harry   J.    Veitch    occupying   the 
chair,    and    a    large    number    of    members    and 
guests   attending   for  the    purpose   of   hearing   a 
lecture  on  the   above  subject,   delivered  by  Mr. 
Arthur  W.    Sutton,  of   Reading.      Although   the 
lecturer  did  not  touch  at  all  upon  the  botanical 
interest    of    his    journey,    his    hearers    were    de- 
lighted by   his   graphic   comments   on   no   fewer 
than  a  hundred  beautifully-coloured  slides  illus- 
trating  the   journey   of    himself    and    his    small 
party   from    Beyrout    via    Damascus    to    the   re- 
mains of  Petra.     Petra,  for  many  centuries,  was 
utterly    unknown    to    occidental   travellers,    and 
until  a  few  years  ago  could  only  be  visited   at 
imminent    risk     of     life,     owing     to     predatory 
Bedouins.      I'.ven     now,    under    the    immensely 
improved  conditions,  this  ruined  city  can  only  be 
reached  after   considerable   and  costly   arrange- 
ments with  the  powers  that  be,  authoritative  and 
nomadic,   on   the  line  of  route.     Even  the  rail- 
way, which  covers  a  great  part  of  the  distance, 
is  normally  traversed  by  trains  which  can  only 
be  described   as   mere  cattle  trucks,   and,   when 


crowded  by  natives,  they  become  intoler- 
able to  visitors.  It  is  only,  therefore,  by  great 
favour  and  by  the  giving  of  backsheesh  in  many 
forms,  that  Petra  can  even  now  be  reached, 
though  Messrs.  Cook  and  Son,  for  the  first  time, 
have  planned  out  a  tour  to  Petra  which  will  take 
place   in   April  next. 

Marvellous  as  are  the  evidences  scattered 
about  the  world  of  vanished  communities  whose 
edifices,  religious  and  other,  are  found  in 
ruins  in  spots  which  are  now  depopulated 
deserts,  those  of  Petra  must  undoubtedly  rank 
among  the  most  striking,  and  are,  indeed,  in  many 
respects,  unique.  By  the  aid  of  scores  of  faith- 
fully-coloured photographic  slides,  mainly  taken 
by  himself,  the  visitors  were  enabled  to  mentally 
follow  Mr.  Sutton  on  horseback  through  the  chaos 
of  brilliantly-red  sandstone  rocks  and  hills  amid 
which  Petra  was,  we  cannot  say  built,  but  sculp- 
tured. It  is  approached  through  a  deep,  narrow 
canon  a  mile  and  a  half  long,  and  but  a  few 
yards  wide,  with  lugged,  perpendicular  sides 
hundreds  of  feet  in  height,  which  has  been  ex- 
cavated by  a  small  river  through  the  crimson 
sandstone.  After  a  series  of  views  depicting 
this  canon  in  varied  aspects,  in  deep  shadow  for 
the  main  part,  but  this  invariably  contrasted 
with  a  glimpse  of  intense  blue  sky  above  and  a 
dash  of  brilliant  sunlight,  absolutely  dazzling  to 
the  eye  as  it  strikes  on  the  rich  crimson  and 
scarlet  of  the  upper  cliffs,  visitors  saw  facing 
them,  and  apparently  closing  the  chasm,  a 
totallv  unexpected  glimpse  of  a  magnificent 
facade  of  a  temple  which  is  hewn  wholly  out  of 
the  solid  rock.  The  next  view  exhibited  the 
front  of  this  temple,  the  immense  size  of  which 
is  evidenced  by  the  apparently  pigmy  nature  of 
the  party  on  horseback  and  on  foot  assembled  at 
its  entrance.  One  of  the  most  striking  features, 
amongst  many,  is  the  advanced  artistic  and 
architectural  character  of  not  only  this  temple, 
but  the  scores  of  others  that  were  shown.  One 
of  these,  being  unfinished,  afforded  an  idea  how, 
the  site  being  chosen,  the  rock  was  cut  away  and 
excavated  bit  by  bit  until  eventually  the  entire 
edifice  was  sculptured  out  in  bold  relief,  pre- 
cisely as  the  sculptor  evolves  the  statue  from 
the   marble    block. 

At  the  ancient  (ireek  city  of  Jerash  or  Gerasa, 
about  half-way  between  Damascus  and  Petra, 
an  immense  amphitheatre  was  shown,  capable 
of  accommodating  many  thousands  of  specta- 
tors, mile-long  lines  of  magnificent  Ionic 
columns,  the  remains  of  former  palaces,  temples, 
&c,  indicate  the  site  of  a  great  city,  now  a 
desert  plain.  Petra  itself  has  its  amphitheatre 
on  similar  colossal  lines,  indicating,  as  does 
the  infinity  of  architectural  work  effected,  an 
immense  population,  and  yet  even  the  few 
natives  which  people  the  vicinity  know  nothing, 
even  by  tradition,  of  the  past  splendour,  or  of 
the  commerce  which  must  have  been  associate  1 
with  it.  On  most  of  the  slides  could  be  seen 
evidences  of  a  sparse  vegetation,  which  in  most 
cases,  and  especially  about  the  temples,  was 
composed   of  Oleander  shrubs. 

Mr.  Sutton  concluded  his  admirable  and 
remarkable  exhibition  and  lecture  by  quot- 
ing some  of  the  references  to  Petra  and  other 
places  visited,  which  are  undoubtedly  indicated 
in  the  Bible,  whence  it  would  appear  that  Petra 
was  inhabited  by  the  descendants  of  Esau,  and 
suffered  innumerable  vicissitudes  of  fortune  in 
the  conflicts  between  the  tribe  of  Fdom  (Esau) 
and  the  rest  of  the  Israelites.  The  last  slide 
was  taken  from  a  beautiful  picture  of  a  French 
artist,  depicting  the  descent  of  Joseph,  Mary, 
and  the  infant  Christ  into  Egypt  as  a  fitting  ac- 
companiment to  some  remarks  of  Mr.  Sutton  on 
the  salutary  influence  of  a  visit  to  the  Holy 
Land  on  the  wavering  mind  as  regards  belief 
in   the   Christian   religion. 

Mr.  Harry  J.  Veitch,  in  a  felicitous  speech, 
proposed  a  vote  of  thanks  to  Mr.  Sutton,  and 
this  was  seconded  by  Sir  Albert  Rollit,  LL.D  , 
who  said  the  address  had  been  a  spectacular 
one,  illustrated  by  what  he  might  call,  from 
their  subjects,  petrified  pictures.  It  had  re- 
called a  similar  journey  of  his  own,  when,  leav- 
ing Cyprus,  he  crossed  to  Beyrout,  on  the 
Syrian  coast,  and  rode  thence  over  the  Lebanon 
to  Damascus,  and  through  Syria.  As  Mr.  Sut- 
ton had  so  vividly  described,  everything  was  of 
interest  in  that  "Nearer  East" — the  vast  Fir  and 
the  ("aroub  trees  of  Cyprus — the  wonderful 
florescence  of  the  slopes  of  the  Lebanon  and 
Anti-Lebanon  in  the  early  spring,  equalled  onlv 
by    those  above   Smyrna,    in   Asia    Minor.      The 


Purple  Valley;  the  magnificence  of  Mount  Her- 
mon ;  the  Gardens  of  Damascus  ;  the  ruins  of 
temples  and  cities,  were  all  sights  to  see.  Mr. 
Sutton  had  enabled  him  to  see  all  this  again, 
which,  by-the-bye,  he  had  nearly  been  pre- 
vented doing,  for,  as  he  rode  over  the  Lebanon 
on  his  return,  he  was  very  nearly  lost  in  a 
storm,  and  in  deep  snow,  near  the  summit.  Mr. 
Sutton  had  made  a  remark  about  backsheesh. 
Well,  this  was  a  nuisar.ee  ;  but,  after  all,  in  the 
East  it  did  not  amount  to  much,  generally  a 
few  words  in  Arabic  sufficed — Bukra  fil  mish- 
mish — which  meant,  "  There  will  be  Apricots 
to-morrow,"  or,  proverbially,  "  Christmas  is 
coming."  Life  in  the  Lebanon  was  nowadays 
comparatively  safe,  and  the  improvement  in  the 
country  in  recent  years  immense,  while  the 
Order  of  St.  John,  through  its  Ophthalmic  Hos- 
pital, the  colleges  of  Beyrout,  and  other  tem- 
poral, not  less  than  spiritual,  missionary  work 
having  done  much  to  eradicate  the  fearful 
scourge  of  ophthalmia  and  other  sources  of 
misery  and  conflict. 

Mr.  Sutton,  in  response  to  a  strongly  ex- 
pressed request,  promised  to  exhibit  another 
series  of  slides  from  Palestine  at  a  future  date. 


PROPOSED    UNION    OF    HORTICUL- 
TURAL   MUTUAL    IMPROVEMENT 
SOCIETIES. 

October  18. — In  respons;  to  an  invitation 
issued  by  the  Council  of  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society,  and  published  in  our  issue  for  Oct.  5, 
p.  249,  there  was  a  large  gathering  of  representa- 
tives of  Mutual  Improvement  societies  in  th;' 
Vincent  Square  Lecture  Hall  on  the  after- 
noon of  the  above  date,  to  discuss  the 
proposals  put  forward  by  the  Council  with 
respect  to  the  formation  of  the  proposed 
union  and  the  general  rules  or  principles  which 
would  guide  its  constitution  and  work.  Sir 
Albert  Rollit,  a  member  of  the  Council,  pre- 
sided, and  was  supported  by  the  Rev.  YY.  Wilks, 
secretary,  and  Mr.  A.  J.  Gaskell,  assistant  secre- 
tary. The  special  aims  of  the  Council  in 
relation  to  the  formation  of  the  union — a  work 
the  Society  had  been  invited  from  outside  to 
undertake — were  set  forth  in  a  paper  distributed 
to  the  delegates,  and  included  the  following  sug- 
gestions : — That  there  be  kept  at  Vincent  Square 
a  register  of  the  Improvement  societies,  and 
also  a  register  of  competent  lecturers  willing 
to  address  the  members  of  these  societies ; 
that  copies  of  the  respective  societies'  rules 
and  cards  of  arrangements  for  each  season 
be  deposited  at  Vincent  Square;  that  the 
foregoing  registers  be  open  to  inspection  by  duly 
appointed  officers  of  the  respective  societies ; 
that  an  annual  conference  of  the  societies'  dele- 
gates be  held  at  Vincent  Square  ;  that  a  series  of 
typewritten  lectures,  with  lantern  slides  to  illus- 
trate them,  be  prepared  and  let  on  loan  at  very 
moderate  cost  to  the  societies  ;  and  that  the  pay- 
ment of  an  annual  fee  of  5s.  by  a  society,  with 
adherence  to  the  above  conditions,  should  con- 
stitute affiliation  to  the  union.  It  was  further 
shown  that  the  primary  objects  aimed  at  were 
to  strengthen  existing  societies,  to  increase  their 
numbers,  to  promote  interchange  of  lecturers, 
and  other  purposes  already  described.  These 
various  proposals  were  warmly  discussed,  repre- 
sentatives of  numerous  societies  offering  sug- 
gestions of  various  descriptions.  In  relation  to 
the  affiliation  fee,  it  was  suggested  that  societies 
affiliated  to  the  K.I  IS.  by  a  payment  of  one 
guinea  annually  should  be  exempt  from  paying 
the  5s.  fee.  The  secretary  thought  the  council 
would  agree  to  that  proposal.  Some  delegates 
wished  the  conference  could  meet  annually  on 
the  first  day  of  the  October  Fruit  Show,  but 
that  was  held  to  be  impossible.  After  general 
discussion,  the  Rev.  W.  Wilks  gave  a  clear  reply 
all  round,  and  made  the  relations  the  union 
would  hold  to  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  to 
be  readily  understood. 


SCHEDULES    RECEIVED. 


Borough  of  Croydon  Chrysanthemum  Society's  twen- 
tieth exhibition,  to  be  held  on  Tuesday  and  Wednesday.. 
October  29,  30,  1907,  at  the  Public  Halls,  Croydon.  Secretary, 
Mr.  W.  B.  Beckett,  "  Woodcote,"  Purley. 

Devizes  Benevolent  Society's  annual  Chrysanthemum 
Show  and  Bazaar,  to  be  held  in  the  Corn  Exchange,  Devizes, 
nn  Tuesday,  November  12,  1907.  Hon.  secretary,  Mr.  A.  J- 
Randell,  Exchange  Place,  Devizes. 


October  26,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS     CHRONICLE. 


303 


tEHMuarj). 


Alexander  Aikman. — Many  of  our  readers 
will  regret  to  hear  of  the  death  of  Mr.  Alex. 
Aikman,  business  manager  of  The  Garden  news- 
paper. Deceased  was  engaged  at  his  usual 
duties  at  the  office  on  the  15th  inst.,  and  death 
took  place  at  his  residence,  Barnes,  on  the  19th 
inst.,  from  heart-failure  following  upon  pneu- 
monia. Mr.  Aikman  was  a  son  of  Mr.  R. 
Aikman,  formerly  head  gardener  at  Duns  Castle, 
Berwickshire.  In  1893  he  came  south,  and 
served  for  a  period  in  the  Marquis  of  Bute's 
gardens  at  Cardiff  Castle,  under  the  late  Mr. 
Andrew  Pettigrew.  From  Cardiff,  Mr.  Aikman 
went  as  a  journeyman  to  the  Royal  Gardens, 
ICew,  and  leaving  Kew  in  December,  1895,  he 
filled  a  position  for  a  short  time  in  the  nurseries 
of  Messrs.  J.  R.  Pearson  &  Sons,  Nottingham. 
Following  this  appointment  he  became  corre- 
spondence clerk  in  the  offices  of  Messrs.  Jas. 
Veitch  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  Chelsea,  where  he  remained 
until  about  nine  years  ago,  when  he  was  ap- 
pointed business  manager  for  the  horticultural 
department  of  Country  Life.     Subsequently,  on 


THE    LATE    ALEXANDER    AIKMAN. 

the  purchase  of  The  Garden  by  Messrs.  Xewnes, 
Mr.  Aikman  managed  the  business  side  of  this 
paper  also.  The  deceased's  body  was  removed 
from  Barnes  on  Tuesday  night  last  to  Duns  for 
interment.  Numerous  friends  attended  at  King's 
Cross  to  witness  the  departure,  including  about 
40  members  of  the  London  Scottish  Volunteers, 
of  which  corps  Mr.  Aikman  was  an  enthusiastic 
member.  Deceased,  who  leaves  a  widow  and 
child,  the  latter  but  18  months  old,  was  much 
respected  by  all  who  knew  him,  and  every  sym- 
pathy will  be  felt  for  the  bereaved  widow. 


GARDENING     APPOINTMENTS. 


Mr.  R.  Moore,  for  3  years  general  Foreman  to  Lord 
O'Hagan,  Pyrgo  Park,  Romford,  Essex,  and  previously 
for  2  years  at  Knole  Park  Gardens,  Sevenoaks,  as 
Gardener  to  Mr.  Mayo  Robson,  The  Manor  House, 
Moulsford,  Wallingford,  Berkshire. 

Mr.  F.  Burgess,  for  the  past  12  months  outside  Foreman  at 
Bramham  Park,  Boston  Spa,  Yorks,  as  Gardener  to 
H.  Preston,  Esq.,  The  Grange,  Moss  Flatts  Park, 
Leeds,  Yorkshire. 

Mr.  H.  G.  Luckhurst,  for  the  past  5J  years  Gardener  to  Sir 
John  Edwards  N'os;,  Bart.,  Thamesfield,  Henley-on- 
Thames,  as  Garc'ener  to  the  same  gentleman  at  Roby 
Hall,  Torquay,  South  Devon.  (Two  shillings  has  been 
placed  in  R.G.O.F.  Box.) 

Mr.  Thomas  Harrison,  for  the  past  2i  years  Gardener  at 
Crowton  Vicarage,  and  previously  5  years  at  Hartford 
Grange, as  Gardener  to  Colonel  Langford  Brook,  Esq., 
Mere  New  Hall,  Knurford,  Cheshire.  He  commenced 
his  new  duties  on  the  14th  inst. 

Mr.  T.  Woodward,  until  recently  in  the  gardens  at 
Eastcott,  Kingston  Hill,  Surrev,  as  Gardener  to 
W.  Burnett,  Esq.,  Park  View.  Kingston  Hill,  Surrey. 
(One  shilling  has  been  placed  in  R.G.O.F.  Box.) 

Mr.  E.  H.  Gibson,  lately  Foremar  m  Surrenden  Park 
Gardens,  Pluckley,  Kent,  as  Gardener  to  Baron  de 
Tuvll,  Ashleigh,  Virginia  Water,  Surrey. 

Mr.  J.  Barleycorn,  formerly  of  St.  Osyth  Priory,  as 
Gardener  to  A.  H.  Stanford,  Esq.,  Beaumont  Hall, 
Weeley  R.S.O. 


MARKETS. 


Cut  Flowers,  &c 


4  0-  G  0 
1 


1  0-  2  G 


10  0-12  0 


10-20 


CO  VENT  GARDEN,  October  23. 
[We  cannot  accept  any  responsibility  tor  the  subjoined 
reports.  They  are  furnished  to  us  regularly  every 
Wednesday,  by  the  kindness  of  several  of  the  principal 
salesmen,  who  are  responsible  for  the  quotations.  It 
must  be  remembered  that  these  quotations  do  not  repre- 
sent the  prices  on  any  particular  day,  but  only  the 
general  averages  for  the  week  preceding  the  date  of  our 
report.  The  prices  depend  upon  the  quality  of  the 
maniples,  the  way  in  which  they  are  packed,  the  supply 
in  the  market,  and  the  demand,  and  they  may  fluctuate, 
not  only  from  day  to  day,  but  occasionally  several  times 
in  one  day. — En.] 

Average  Wholesale  Prices. 

s.d.  s.d.  s.d.  s.d. 

2  0-30    Lilium  longiflorum  2  0-  -j.  .; 

1  0-  2  U      —  tigrinuin         ...  16-20 

Lily  of  the  Valley, 

p.  dz.  bunches  4  0-60 

—  extra  quality  ...  8  0  12  0 
Marguerites,  w  lute, 

p.  dz.  bunches    2  0-30 

—  yellow,  per  dz. 
bunches  ...    2  0-30 

Mignonette,  perdz. 

bunches  ...     2  0-30 

O  don  toglossum 

crispuui,      pi  r 

dozen  blooms  2  0-26 
Pancratiums       per 

dozen  fls.  ...  2  0-30 
Pelargoniums, 

show,  per  dcz. 

bunches  ...     4  0-60 

—  Zonal,  double 
scarlet 4  0-60 

Ranunculus,  p.  dz. 

bunches  ...  2  0-40 
Roses,    12  blooms, 

Niphetos        ...     10-30 

—  Bridesmaid   ...    2  0-30 

—  C.  Testout     ...     2  0-30 

—  General  Jacque- 
minot, per  doz. 
bunches         ...     4  0-60 

—  Kaiseri  n  A. 
Victoria,  dozen 
blooms  ...     16-30 

—  Mrs.    J.    Laing     10-30 

—  (     Mermet     ...     10-30 

—  Liberty  ...     10-26 

—  Mad.  Chatenay     10-30 
Scabious,  pet  doz. 

bunches  ...  2  0-30 
Statice,  per   dozen 

bunches  ...  2  6-30 
Stephanotis,     per 

dozen  trusses  3  0-50 
Tuberoses,  per  dz. 

blooms  ...     0  4-  0  G 

Violets,  per  dozen 

bunches  ...     10-20 

—  special   quality    2  G-  3  0 

—  Parinas,  p.  bch.    2  0-30 


3  0 
1  0 


Anemones, dz  bchs. 
Asters,  p.  dz.  bchs. 
Eouvaidia.dz.bchs. 
Calla  a?tluopica,  p. 

dozen  ... 
Carnations,      per 

dozen   blooms, 

best  American 

various 

—  smaller,  per 
doz.      bunches    9  0-12  0 

Cattleyas,  per  doz 

blooms 
Chrysanthem  urns 

best  blooms,  p. 

dozen  

—  small,  per  doz. 
bunches 

—  maximum 
Coreopsis,  per  doz. 

bunches 
Cornflower,  per  dz. 

bunches 
Cyclamen,  per  di  ■■■■ 

bunches 
Cypripediuins,  per 

dozen  blooms.. 
Dahlias,  doz.  bchs. 
Eucharis      grandi- 

flora,   per  doz. 

blooms 
Gaillardias,  per  dz. 

bunches 
Gardenia--,  perdu/. 

blooms 

Gladiolus,    various 

hybrids,  per  dz. 

spikes    

—  Brenchleyensis    2  0-30 
Gypsophila  elegans 

p.  dz.  bunches 
Heather,  doz.  bciis. 
Lapageria  alba,  dz. 
Lilac  (French),  per 

bunch  

Lilium  auratum    ... 

—  lanci  f  ol  i  uin, 
r u  br  u  m  and 
album 


2  0-30 

10-20 


6  0-80 


2  0-26 
16-26 


2  0-30 
16-20 


16-20 


10-20 


2  0-30 

2  0-40 
10-16 

3  0-40 
2  0-30 


16-20 


Cut  Foliage,  &c. :  Average  Wholesale  Prices. 


Adiantum  cuuea- 
lum,  per  dozen 
bunches 

Asparagus  plu- 
mosus,  long 
trails,  per  doz. 

—  —       medium, 

bunch    ... 

—  Sprengeri 
Berberis,  per  doz. 

bunches 
Croton  leaves,  per 

bunch  

Cycas  leaves,  each 
Fern,  English,  per 

dozen  bunches 

—  French,  dozen 
bunches 


s.d.  s.d.  s.d.  s.d. 

Hardy  foliage 
I  various),  per 
4  0-60  dozen  bunches    2  0-  G  0 

Ivy-leaves,    bronze    2  0-26 

—  long  trails  per 
bundle 1  G-  3  0 

—  short    green, 

1  G-  2  0  doz.  bunches...     2  0-30 
0  6-10    Moss,  per  gross.  ...     40-50 

Myrtle      (English), 

2  0-26  small-leaved, 
doz.  bunches...    4  0-60 

0  9-10      —  French,   dozen 

16-20  bunches         ...     10-16 

Pernettya.p.bunch    0  9-10 
Physalis  Franchetii, 

perdz. bunches    4  0-  G  0 
Smilax,  p.  dz.  trails    16-26 


Plants  in  Pots,  &c.    Average  Wholesale  Prices. 


Ampelopsis  Veit- 
chii,  per  dozen 

AraliaSieboldi,  per 
dozen   

—  larger  

Araucaria   excel sa, 

per  dozen 

Aspidistras,  green, 

per  dozen 

—  variegated,  per 
dozen  

Asparagus    plumo- 
'  sus  nanus, doz. 

—  Sprengeri,   dz. 

—  ten  u  issi  mus 
per  dozen 

Begonia  Gloire  de 
Lorraine,  p.  dz. 

Bouvardias,  perdz. 

Chrysanthem  urns, 
per  dozen 

—  best  disbudded 
Clematis,  per  doz. 

—  in  flower 
Cocos    Weddelli- 

ana,  per  dozen 
Crotons,  per  dozen 
Cyclamen,  per  doz. 
Cyperus   alternifo- 

lius,  dozen 

—  laxus,  per  doz. 
Orac^nas,  perdoz. 
Erica  gracilis,  doz. 

—  nivalis,  per  dz. 

—  hyemali? 


s.d.  s.d.  j  s.d.  s.d. 

Euonymus,  per  dz.     4  0-90 
6  0-80    Ferns,  in   thumbs, 

per  100 7  0-10  0 

4  0-60      —  in     small     and 

9  0-12  0  large  60's       ...  12  0-20  0 

—  in  48's,  perdz.     4  0-10  0 
12  0-30  0      —  in  32's,  per  dz.  10  0-19  0 

Ficus  elastica,  per 
18  0-30  0  dozen 8  0-10  0 

—  repens,  per  dz.     4  0-60 
30  0-42  0    Fuchsias,  per  doz.     3  0-50 

Kentia       Belmore- 
9  0-12  0  ana,  per  dozen  18  0-24  0 

9  0-12  0      —  Fosteriana,  per 

dozen 18  0-24  0 

9  0-12  0    Latania  borbonica, 

per  dozen      ...  12  0-18  0 
9  0-15  0    Lilium     longi- 
6  0-80  riorum,  per  dz.  12  0-24  0 

—  lancifo  li  urn, 

5  0  9    0  per  dozen       .  .   12  0-18  0 
12  0  18  0     Lily  of  the  Valley, 

8  0-90  per  dozen       ...  18  0-30  0 
12  0-18  0     Marguerites, white, 

per  dozen       ...     4  0-60 

9  0-18  0    Pelargonium  s, 

12  0-30  0  Zonals,  per  dz.     4  0-60 

12  0-18  0    Selaginella,       per 

dozen 4  0-60 

4  0-50    Solanums,  per  doz.     60-90 

4  0-50    Spiraea      japonica, 

9  0-24  0  |  per  do;en      ...     6  0-10  0 

10  0-12  0  J  Verbena, Miss Will- 

12  0-15  0  mott.perdozen     4  0-60 

10  0-15  0  I  Veronicas,  per  dz.     5  0-80 


Fruit:  Average  Wholesale  Prices, 
s.d  s.d 


■  7  0 


5  0 
4  6 
3  6-50 


Apples      (English), 
per  bu;ht_-l  : 
Bramley'sSeed- 
ling       4  3-49 

—  Lord  Derby  ...     4  0-50 

—  Warner's  King    4  0-49 

—  Lord     Suffield    3  6-40 

—  E  c  k  1  i  n  v  i  1 1  e 
Seedling         ...    3  9-46 

—  KeswickCodlin    2  3-30 

—  Peasgood's 
Nonsuch 

—  King  Pippins... 

—  Cox's  Pomor.a 

—  Blenheim  Pip- 
pin 

—  Worcester 
Pearmain,pr.  * 
sieve     

—  Beauty  of  Bath 

—  Gladstone 

—  Cox's    Orange 

Pippin 

Nova  Scotian  : 

—  Gravenstein  s, 
per  barrel 

— ■  Ribstons 

—  Blenheims 
Caltfoniian  : 

—  Newtowns,  per 

box       13  6-14  6 

Bananas,  bunch: 

—  No.  2  Canary  . 

—  No.  1         „     ... 

—  Extra        ,,     ... 

—  Giants      „     ... 

—  Jamaica 

—  Loose,  per  dz. 
Cranberries. p. case  10  0-10  G 
Dates  (Tunis),  doz. 

boxes   

Figs  (Guernsey),  p. 
dozen  

—  Italian,  box    ... 
Grape    Fruit,   case  14  6-18  G 
Grapes     (English), 

Hambro's,  p.  lb.  0  4-10 

—  Alicante, per  lb.    0  0-  1  0 

—  Gros  Maroc, 
per  lb 

—  English  Mus- 
cats, per  lb.  .. 

—  Canon  Hall, 
per  lb 

—  Belgian  Ham- 
bro's, per  lb... 

—  Almeria,  per 
barrel  

Lemons  : 

—  Messina,    case  12  0-14  0 

—  Naples,  p.  case  17  0  3D  0 
I  \  chees,  per  box...     10    — 
Mangoes,  per  doz.     4  0-80 
Melons  (Guernsey), 

each      0  8-20 

—  French,    Rock, 

each     2  6-30 


3  G-  5  6 


2  6-40 
2  6-29 

2  3-26 

3  6-70 


12  0-14  0 
16  0-19  0 
18  0-iiO  0 


4  6    — 

5  0-60 

6  6-70 

8  0  — 
5  0-56 
0  9-13 


2  6- 


0  9-10 

1  ]-  1  a 


0  8- 

1  0 

1  0- 

3  0 

2  0- 

3  6 

0  6- 

0  9 

0  0-20  0 

S  0- 
11  0- 

12  n 
17  0 

12  0- 

14  0 

8  0- 
1  0- 

12  0 
2  6 

1  0- 

2  3- 

3  0 
5  0 

s.d   s.d. 
Melons,     Canta- 
loupe, each    ...    0  4-05 

—  Valencia,    ca=c  10  0-12  0 
Nuts,    Cobs    (In  f- 

lish)  perlb.    ...  0  3J-  0  1 
-    1  ilberts  ...     0  2      — 

—  Walnuts(French), 
dozen  lbs.       ...     4  6     — 

—  GrenoblesW, li- 
mits, per  bag...     7  6-80 

—  Almonds,     bag  35  0-36  0 

—  Brazi  in   ■ 
perewt.  ...  65  0-70  0 

—  Barcelona,  per 

bag        32  fi    — 

—  Cocoa  nuts.  100  12  0-17  0 
Oranges      (Austra- 

lian),  per  1" 

—  Naples,  p.  case 

—  Jam. in:. in,      pi  | 

Peaches  (English), 
per  'i 

1  i   i  quality  ... 
[2nd      ,,      ... 
Pears  (English),    \ 
sieve    ... 

—  per  bushel 

—  French,  Doy- 
enne du  Cornice, 
per  crate 

—  French,  Louise 
Bonne  of  Jer- 
sey, per  crate... 

—  Duchess  d'An- 
gouleme,  per 
crate     ... 

—  Catillac,  Dutch, 
per  basket 

—  per  barrel 

—  (Cal  if  ornian), 
Bemrc  Hardy 
per  box 

—  American  Batt- 

led       Pears, 
per  box       .  . 

—  (Call  f  ornian,) 
Doyenne  du 
Cornice,  o.  box  20  0    — 

—  Italian,    basket     16-19 
Damson  (English), 

*  sieve  ...    0  9-  1  G 

Plums  (English),  p. 
4;  sieve  : 

—  Ponds  Seedling  3  6-43 

—  Monarchs       ...     3  0-40 

—  English  Prunes    2  0-26 

—  Califoruian,per 
box 

Gages  (English),  $ 
sieve 

Pomegranates  (Lis- 
bon), per  ca^ 
.  i>!es,  each  ... 

Quinces    (French), 

per  crate         ...     2  0- 

—  Lisbon,  p.ca^e  11  0-11  6 


7  0-12  0 


8  0  10  6 


9  0-11  6 


2  6 

10  0 


7  0 


7  0-73 


6  0-63 
16-30 


8  0-86 
16-26 


Vegetables  :  Average  Wholesale  Prices, 
s.d.  s.d. 


Artichokes(French). 

per  dozen 
Asparagus,      Paris 

Green,   bundle 

—  Sprue,   bundle 
Aubergines(Frencb), 

per  doz. 
Beans,  home-grown, 

per  bushel 
Beetroot,  bushel  ... 
Cabbages,  per  doz. 

—  Greens,  bag  ... 

—  red,  per  dozen 
Carrots    (English), 

dozen  bunches 

—  washed,       per 
bag       

Cauliflowers,      per 
dozen  

—  per  tally 
Celeriac    (French), 

per  dozen 
Celery,  washed,  per 

dozen  

Chow  Chow   (Sec- 

hium  edule),  p. 

dozen  

Cucumbers,  p.  dz. 
Endive,  per  dozen 
Horseradish,     for- 
eign, per  doz. 

bundles 
Leeks,   12   bundles 
Lettuce    (English), 

Cos,  per  score 


5  6- 
0  6- 

6  0 
0  7 

2  0-26 

2  0- 
1  3 

2  6 

0  6- 

1  0 

2  0 

0  9 

10-20 


0  9- 
4  0 


0  10-  1  0 


3  0 
1  6- 
1  6- 


12  0 
1  6 


2  0-46 

16-20 

1  0-  1  G 

0  4-06 

3  6- 

0  9-10 

2  0-23 
2  0-36 

2  0-26 

2  0-30 
2  6    — 

0  4-06 

Remarks.— Kent  Prunes  are  now  arriving  in  a  very  un- 
soundcondiiion,  but  supplies  of  this  fruit  are  nearly  finished. 
Apples  are  dearer,  especially  choice  dessert  and  large 
culinary  varieties.  Home-grown  Tomatos  are  more  plenti- 
ful; best  coloured  samples  are  selling  freely  at  advanced 
prices.  Kentish  Cobs,  although  arriving  in  moderate  quan- 
tities only,  are  much  cheaper  than  they  were  last  year. 
Blenheim  Pippin  Apples  from  Nova  Scotia, and  Paris  Green 
Asparagus  are  the  latest  arrivals  in  the  market.  Trade 
generally  is  quiet.    P.  Z,.,  Covent  Garden,  October  23%  1907. 

Potatos. 
Kents,  3s.  Gd.  to  5s.  perewt.;  Bedfords,  70s\,  90s.  ;  I.in- 
colns,  70s.,  105s.  ;  Blacklands,  75s.  to  Us.  ;  Maincrops  sOs. 
to  105s.  per  ton  ;  Dutch  Magnum  Bonum,  per  bag,  3s.  Gd.  to 
3s.  9d. ;  Dutch  Imperators,  3s.  to  3s.  6d.  Prices  again  show 
an  advance:  supplies  are  modera:e.  /.  D.  C.  Covent 
Garden,  October  23,  1907. 


10-13 


Lettuce     (French), 

per  dozen 
Marrows(English), 

per  tally 
Mint,  do/,  bunches 
Mushroon)s(huii-i) 

ger  lb 
uttons,  peril). 

—  "Broilers"p.lb. 
Mtistardand  Cress, 

per  dozen  pun. 
Onions    (Spanish), 
per  case 

—  Dutch,  per  bag 

—  pickling,     per 
bushel 

Peas  (English),  per 

bushel 

Parsley,  12  bunches 

—  £  bushel 
Radishes      (Guern- 
sey), doz.  bun. 

Salsafy,  p.  dz.  bdls. 
Spinach,    English, 

per  bushel 
Tomatos : — 

—  French,  p. crate 

—  selected,    per 
dozen  lbs.     ... 

—  small  selected, 
per  dozen  lbs. 

Turnips   (English), 
doz.  bunches... 

—  per  bag 
Watercress,      per 

doz.  bunches  .. 


0  9-0  10 

3  0    — 
0  9-10 

0  6  — 
0  6-08 
0  5-06 


5  0- 
4  0 


5  6 


304 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[OCTOBEE  26,   1907. 


COVENT     GARDEN     FLOWER     MARKET. 

Although  it  cannot  be  recorded  that  trade  is  very  brisk, 
there  is  a  little  improvement.  Good  Chrysanthemums  have 
•been  selling  freely,  the  variety  Soleil  d"  Octobre  is  now  at 
its  best,  and  other  prominent  kinds  are  the  bronze  variety, 
Ryecroft  Glory,  La  Triumph  ante,  Boule  de  Neige,  and 
Madame  Desgranges.  Miss  Elliott  is  one  of  the  best  of 
the  orange  bronze  shades.  Erica  hyemalis  is  now  seen  on 
-several  stands,  but,  though  the  plants  are  well  flowered,  they 
<do  not  sell  readily.  E.  gracilis  is  over-abundant,  parti- 
cularly the  white  and  the  pink  varieties.  Bouvardias  are 
plentiful,  the  plants  generally  are  dwarf  and  well  flowered. 
UejfonTa  Gloire  de  Lorraine  is  now  seen,  but  it  is  not  yet  at 
its  best  condition.  Cyclamen  are  well  flowered  and  possess 
good  foliage,  but,  although  supplies  are  limited,  many  plants 
were  unsold  at  closing  time.  Lily  of  the  Valley,  in  pots, 
is  now  of  the  best  quality.  Rose  Madame  Levavasseur, 
though  well  flowered,  does  not  attract  buyers.  Marguerites 
are  well  supplied,  and  most  of  those  seen  are  equal  to  spring- 
grown  plants.  Solanums  are  over  abundant.  Perennial 
Asters  (Michaelmas  Daisies)  of  the  vimineus,  ericoides  and 
jcordifolius  types  are  seen  in  dwarf  well-flowered  plants, 
some  of  these  in  large  60's  pots,  and  with  shoots  about  6 
to  9  inches  high,  are  very  pretty.  Ferns  have  been  selling 
rather  more  freely,  but  they  are  over-abundant  in  all  sizes. 
Some  remarkably  tine  Asplemum  biforme,  in  32  pots,  are 
seen.  Asplenium  nidus  is  now  rather  over  plentiful,  being 
oaivked  about  the  streets,  and  when  this  occurs  the  value  of 
a  plant  depreciates,  especially  any  which  are  regarded  as 
**choice."  Codiaeums  (Crotons)  in  48's  and  32's  are  highly 
coloured.  Palms  are  well  supplied,  but  higher  prices  are 
mow  asked  for  Kentias  in  48's  and  32"s  sized  pots,  although 
large  specimens  are  offered  for  little  money. 
Cut  Flowers. 

Best  and  medium-sized  Chrysanthemums  are  selling  at 
better  prices.  Horsfieldi  is  one  of  the  finest  of  the  yellow 
varieties.  La  Triumphante  is  a  good  "pink"  There  are 
several  good  bronze  and  crimson  varieties.  Lizzie  Adcock 
tthe  yellow  sport  from  Source  d'Or)  is  very  bright,  but  the 
flowers  are  rather  small.  Among  the  white  kinds  Mrs.  Scott 
is  still  good,  also  Queen  of  the  Earlies.  Immense  quantities 
-of  blooms  from  the  open  ground  are  seen,  but  the  rough 
■weather  has  somewhat  spoiled  many  of  them.  The  Roses 
from  the  open  are  now  nearly  finished,  but  good  blooms 
from  under  glass  are  fairly  plentiful  *,  prices  for  Roses  have 
advanced  a  little.  Carnations  are  well  supplied  and  are  no 
clearer.  Liliums  longiflorum  and  lancifolium  are  a  little 
more  valuable.  Callas  are  now  very  good,  but  have  not  much 
demand.  Chinese  Asters  are  now  nearly  over  for  the  reason. 
but  the  Perennial  Aster  is  seen  in  large  heap?,  and  the  rough, 
■wet  weather  seems  to  have  very  little  effect  on  their  quality. 
Lily  of  the  Valley  is  more  abundant  again.  Eucbaris, 
Tuberoses.  Gardenias,  and  Lapagerias  are  well  supplied. 
English  Violets  are  of  good  quality,  but  large  importa- 
tions of  this  flower  from  France,  including  the  Farina 
Violets,  depreciate  their  value.  Autumnal-tinted  foliage  is 
now  very  good.  The  Scarlet  Oak  (Quercus  coccinea)  is  par- 
ticularly bright  in  appearance.  Beech,  Berber  is,  oi 
sorts,  Prunus,  Viburnum,  &c,  are  all  to  be  had,  and  their 
returns  must  be  more  profitable  than  those  from  flowers. 
-i.  //.,  Covctit  Garden,    II  tJmsday,  October  23,  1907. 


ANSWERS    TO    CORRESPONDENTS. 


Acacia  Julibrissin  :  Lexdcn.  This  Acacia  is  one 
that  is  partially  deciduous,  and  often  behaves  in 
its  early  stages  in  the  manner  you  describe.  A 
position  in  a  cool  greenhouse  is  all  that  it 
requires  during  the  winter  months.  When 
growth  recommences  next  spring  give  the  plant 
a  good  shift  into  a  rich  compost,  the  plant  being 
a  gross  feeder.  As  the  summer  advances,  and 
there  is  no  danger  of  frosts,  plunge  the  plant  in 
its  pot  in  a  bed  of  ashes  in  an  open  position.  At 
the  end  of  the  year  the  plant  will  probably  flower, 
by  which  time  it   should  be  at  least  5  feet  high 

Begonia  Leaves  Injured  :  II'.  IF.  The  damage 
is  not  caused  by  a  fungus,  but  has  resulted  from 
excessive  moisture  on  the  leaves  Afford  more 
ventilation  to  the  house  in  which  the  plants  are 
growing,  and  so  prevent  a  too  humid  atmosphere, 
affording  artificial  heat  if  necessary. 

Xegonia  with  Green  Petals:  D.  &•  Co.  The 
abnormality  is  not  uncommon,  and  isoccasionally 
seen  in  most  flowers,  of  which  the  green  Dahlia 
is  a  good  example. 

Bindweed  and  Coltsfoot  in  a  Garden  :  X. 
From  your  letter  it  appears  that  these  weeds  are 
prevalent  in  one  corner  of  the  garden  only, 
therefore  the  best  plan  is  to  trench  the  weedy 
quarter,  and,  as  the  work  proceeds,  to  throw  out 
the  stems  and  roots  of  the  obnoxious  plants  and 
to  burn  them.  Your  labour  in  trenching  the 
soil  will  be  repaid  in  other  directions  alter  the 
weeds  are  extirpated. 

BULBS  :  Calif  ornicus.  Many  good  bulbs  are  un- 
doubtedly disposed  of  at  the  sale  moms.  It 
is  not  part  of  our  business  to  compare  them 
with  those  that  can  be  purchased  in  the  or- 
dinary manner  from  retail  firms.  As  a  rule, 
if  goods  are  obtained  at  very  low  prices,  it  is 
not  to  be  expected  they  represent  the  best 
selected  samples. 

CcelogyNE  :  W .  B.  The  plants  must  have 
suffered  from  some  severe  check,  but  whether 
ttis  was  due  to  cultural  treatment  or  to  the 
p.esence  of  disease,  we  cannot  say  in  the 
absence  of   specimens  for  examination. 


Crapes  :  /.  B.  M.  The  shrivelling  of  the 
Hamburgh  Grapes  is  caused  by  the  lack  of 
moisture  at  the  roots  after  the  fruit  had  be- 
come perfectly  black  and  ripe.  Fruit  of 
Black  Hamburgh  that  does  not  become  black 
but  remains  red  will  keep  much  longer  with- 
out shrivelling  than  that  which  has  ripened 
perfectly.  The  cause  of  the  redness  is  gene- 
rally an  excess  of  moisture  in  the  borders, 
which  keep  the  roots  in  action.  The  cause  of 
the  unusual  thickness  of  skin  is  an  excess  of 
moisture  at  the  roots  ;  the  general  unsatisfac- 

.  tory  condition  of  the  fruit  is  partly  due  to 
want  of  bright  sunshine.  An  abundant  admis- 
sion of  air  to  vineries  is  essential  through- 
out the  season  when  the  vines  are  growing  and 
the  Grapes  ripening. 

Grubs  Attacking  Cyclamen:  /.  A.  S.  The 
grubs  are  those  of  a  weevil.  Trap  them  with 
pieces  of  some  vegetable,  such  as  Carrot,  or  hunt 
them  at  night  as  they  feed  during  the  darkness. 

Hippeastrum  vittatum  :  Californicus  This  species 
is  known  to  have  been  in  cultivation  in  England 
in  1775.  It  was  first  crossed  with  H.  Reginae  by 
Mr.  Johnson,  a  Lancashire  watchmaker,  in  1799, 
H.  Johnsonii  resulting.  Since  that  time  it  has 
been  crossed  with  almost  every  available  species; 
especially  was  this  done  previous  to  the  last  30 
or  40  years  since  when  it  has  been  little  used  as 
a  parent,  its  funnel-shaped  perianth  not  lending 
itself  to  the  florist's  ideal  of  openly  expanded 
segments  which  H.  Leopoldii  and  others  of  the 
more  recently  introduced  species  afford.  Never- 
theless, the  discontinuance  of  hybridising  H. 
vittatum,  H.  marginatum,  and  some  of  the 
earlier  hybrids  of  H.  vittatum,  which  bore  six  or 
eight  flowers  on  a  spike,  has  resulted  in  the 
majority  of  the  more  recent  hybi  id  Hippeastrums 
having  but  two  to  four  flowers  open  at  once. 
We  doubt  whether  the  three  to  five  guineas  now 
paid  for  a  really  fine  new  Hippeastrum  has  ever 
been  exceeded,  although  probably  the  same 
prices  were  asked  for  the  earlier  crosses  of  H. 
vittatum.  The  size  and  arrangement  of  the 
flowers  of  H.  vittatum  crosses  can  be  well  seen 
in  H.  Johnsonii. 

Leucoium  :  Californicus.  We  are  unable  to 
suggest  what  may  be  the  cause  of  failure,  not 
knowing  the  exact  conditions  under  which  the 
purchased  bulbs  have  been  cultivated. 

Names  of  Fruits:  J.  H.  A.  1,  Emperor  A'ex- 
ander  ;  2,  Old  Nonsuch;  3,  Prince  Albert  ;  4, 
Yorkshire  Greening  ;  5,  Doyenne  du  Cornice  ;  6, 
Fondantede  Cuerne. — R.  E.  3.  1,  Belle  Dubois  ; 
2  Keswick  Codhn  ;  3,  Yorkshire  Beauty. — 
Glasgow.  Peach  Dymond  ;  Apple  Grenadier. — 
1    S.     1,  Red  Doyenne  ;  2,  Bergamot  d'Esperen; 

3,  Cheshunt  Pippin  ;  4,  Belle  Dubois  ;  5,  Broom 
Park  -E.  G  C.  1,  Bon  Chretien  Fondante  ; 
2,  Emile  d'Heyst;  3,  Groom's  Princess  Royal; 

4,  Beurre  Diel  ;  5,  Marie  Guise  ;  G,  Thompson's. 
— Barum.  Autumn  Colmar.  —  IF.  IF.  1,  Court 
Pi-ndu-Plat ;  2,  Warner's  King;  3,  Decayed; 
4,  White  Westling  ;  5,  Old  Hawthorden:  6, 
Castle  Major. — E.  J.  M.  The  Pear  was  rotten 
when  received.  Please  send  other  specimens 
better  packed,  and  not  so  ripe.— G.  .1/.  1 ,  Cox's 
Pomona  ;    2,  Warner's  King  ;    3,  Castle  Major  ; 

4,  Dumelow's     Seedling     (syn.      Wellington); 

5,  Bramley's  Seedling  ;  6,  Pear  Gansell's  Ber- 
gamot.— C.    A.    F.     1,    Fondante    d'Automne ; 

2,  Beurre  Bachelier  ;  3,  Marie  Louise  d  Uccle  ; 
4,  Doyenne  du  Cornice;  5,  Seckle ;  6,  Apple 
Warner's  King.  —  J.  Child.  1.  Pear  Beurre 
Clairgeau  ;  2,  Apple  Sturmer  Pippin;  3,  not 
found  ;  4,  Benoni. — S.  IF.  1,  Peasgood's  Non- 
such ;  2,  Bismarck  ;  3,  Emperor  Alexander ; 
4,  Castle  Major;    5,  Winter  Strawberry. — Caen. 

1,  Leon  le  Clerc  de  Laval  ;  2,  Beurrfi  Clairgeau  ; 

3,  Mane  Louise;  4,  Beurre  Ranee. — A .  G. 
Nichols.  1,  too  small  for  naming;  2,  Manks 
Codlin ;    3,    Gooseberry   Apple  ;     4,    Waltham 

t  Abbey  Seedling  ;  5,  London  Pippin. 
Names  of  Plants  :  E.H.  1,  Aster  Novi  Belgii  var.; 

2,  A.  N.  B.  F.  W.  Burbidge  ;  3,  A.  Novae  anglia? 
pu'chellus  ;  4,  A.  ericoides  Clio;  5,  A.  Amellus 
major  (good  variety)  ;  6,  Rudbeckia  speciosa 
Newmanii. — C.  E.  Homisell.  Aster  ericoides. — 
E  Hall.  1,  Populus  deltoidea;  2,  Juniperus 
\  irginiana  ;  3  and  4,  Forms  of  Thuya  orientalis. 
— G.  Stentiford.  1,  Aster  Novi  Belgii  , var.  ;  2, 
A  N,  B.  Daphne:  3,  A.  cordifolius  major  ;  4, 
A.  Tradescantii ;  5,  A.  Novi  Belgii  Top  Sawyer  ; 

6,  A.  N.  B.  Robert  Parker.— G.  Smith.  1  and  2, 
Abies  nobilis  ;  3,  Tsuga  canadensis  ;  4.  Pinus 
rigida. — IF.  G    F.     1,   Chrysanthemum  uligino- 


sum  ;    2,    Helenium  autumnale   var.   cupreum  . 

3,  Coronilla  varia  ;  4,  Malta  moschata  ;  5, 
Prunus  lusitanica  myrtilolia  ;  G,  Cupressus 
pisifera  plumosa ;  7,  C.  Lawsoniana  lulea.  — 
H.  G.  Ives.  We  cannot  undertake  the  naming 
of  Roses. — S.  R.  K.  Hsemanthus  albiflos  ;  the 
plant  is  not  of  any  special  value. — M .  G.  W .  1, 
Veronica    salicifolia ;    3,    Rudbeckia   speciosa  ; 

4,  Chrysanthemum  ;  5,  Matricaria  inodora  ;  G, 
Senecio  Jacobaea  ;  7,  Galium  verum  ;  8,  Eche- 
veria  secunda  glauca — V.  1.  1.  Ionopsis  utri- 
cularioides  ;  2,  Maxillaria  Houtteana  ;  3,  Onci- 
dium  pubes  ;  4,  Sarcanthus  paniculatus. — E.  R. 
Iresine  Herbstii.  —  Dendrobe.  1.  Dendrobium 
suavissimum  ;  2,  Dendrobium  Farmeri  ;  3, 
Dendrobium  crystallinum  ;  4,  Epidendrum  va- 
riegatum. — C.  M.  D.  Eupatorium  cannabinum 
(Hemp  Agrimony). — R.  J.  G.  The  almost  defo- 
liated shoot  you  send  is  insufficent  for  deter- 
mination. It  is  probably  a  species  of  Acacia. — 
Z.Y.X.  1,  Dracaena  Sanderiana;  2,  Curculigo 
plicata  ;  3,  Chrysalidocarpus  lutescens  (Areca 
lutescens  of  gardens)  ;  4,  Fittonia  (syn.  Gym- 
nostachyum)  Verschaffeltii. 

Nepenthes  Leaf  with  Two  Pitchers  : 
E.  B.  Your  interesting  specimen  of  Nepen- 
thes seems  to  show  clearly  that  the  basal  blade 
like  portion  of  the  leaf  whilst  in  the  very 
young  state  had  begun  to  bifurcate  near  the 
apex.  The  effect  of  this  would  naturally  be  to 
produce  two  pitchers  in  the  place  of  one. 
The  basal  foliar  part  of  the  leaf  is  formed 
before  the  pitcher  and  tendril,  and  therefore 
any  such  bifurcation  as  we  have  indicated, 
taking  place  at  a  period  earlier  than  that  at 
which  the  pitchers  were  first  developing, 
would  explain  the  peculiarity.  After  seeing 
the  soecimen  it  is  clear  that  it  cannot  be  due 
to  the  concrescence  of  two  leaves. 

Onions  :  F  J .  The  young  bulbs  forming  round 
the  base  of  the  flower-stem  are  quite  a  frequent 
and  natural  occurrence.  If  allowed  to  remain 
undisturbed,  each  would  probably  produce  a 
flower-stem  and  bear  seed.  If  you  remove 
them,  and  place  them  under  glass,  they  would 
produce  miniature  flower-stems  out  ot  season, 
and  therefore  worthUss. 

I'iitatos  Destroyed  by  Millipedes:  Zebra. 
The  tubers  have  evidently  been  injured  both  by 
slugs  and  by  a  species  of  millipede,  chiefly  the 
latter.  Deep  trenching  of  the  soil  and  the  use  of 
artificial  manure  for  the  first  year  should  materi- 
ally check  the  latter  pest.  Sliced  Mango  ds, 
Carrots,  or  bran  form  atiractive  baits  for  milli- 
pedes, and  mny  be  used  as  traps  for  this  insect. 

Roses:  A.  S.  Your  cuttings  show  no  trace  of 
mildew  or  any  other  fungal  disease  It  is  im- 
possible from  the  material  furnished  even  to 
guess  at  the  cause  of  tiie  leaves  falling  off  the 
plant.  There  appears  to  be  no  need  for  any  pre- 
paration containing  sulphuric  acid. 

Salt  Spray  for  Sea-side  Plants:  A.  G.  S. 
The  strength  at  which  the  spray  might  use- 
fully be  applied  would  differ  with  the  various 
species  of  plants.  No  conclusive  experiments 
have  been  made  on  this  subject.  If  you  in- 
tend to  apply  such  a  spray,  it  will  be  neces- 
sary to  commence  with  an  exceedingly  weak 
solution,  and  gradually  increase  the  strength 
as  long  as  you  find  that  the  results  justify  this 
being  done.  The  extra  thickness  in  the  leaves 
of  some  plants,  due  to  a  salt  spray  as  referred 
to  last  week,  is  not  always  a  desirable  condi- 
tion to  encourage.  All  will  depend  upon  what 
is  required  in  the  particular  plant.  The  con- 
dition certainly  indicates  increased  develop- 
ment in  a  particular  portion  of  the  plant,  but 
this  may  not  tend  to  constitutional  hardiness 
or  to  longevity.  In  the  cultivation  of  Aspara- 
gus, common  salt  is  recognised  as  being  of 
considerable    manurial    value. 

Soil  Analysis:  Earth.  If  you  are  a  Fellow  of 
the  Royal  Horticultural  Society,  you  can  send 
samples  of  soil  to  the  Society's  Chemist,  Dr. 
J.  A.  Voelcker,  22,  Tudor  Street,  E.C.,  who 
will  conduct  the  analysis  fcr  a  small  fee. 

Communications  Received.— E.  B.  tone  shilling  has  been 
placed  in  R.G.O.F.  box).— E.  M—  H.  YV.— J.  II.  -W.  H.— 

5,  B— J.  J.  W.-J.  R.  J.— Miss  W. -G.  W.-H.  M.  v.- 
A.  B.  W.— S.  C— H.  M.- W.  W.  P.-R.  N— J.  E.  T.- 
C.  G.— T.  C— A  M.  J.C  ,C.n  ich— N.  M.  R.,  Copenhagen 
— N.  D.  (next  week)— R.  P.  B.— Women's  Agr.  .\  Hort. 
Inst  Union— J.  T.-W.  E.  I..-C.  J.  M.-H.  B.-W.  P.— 
G.  H.  S.—E.  S.—G.  B.- Anxious  One— T.  P.  Mis!  I. 
W.  C— J.  W.  S.-C.  B.— W.  P.-E.  B.-A.  A.— J.  B.— 
J.  R.— A.  M.— H.J.  M.—H.  M.  B.— Mrs.  K— Frederick 
A.  D.  W.— J.  D.  S.-H.  M.  B.— C.  C.-J.  T.  H.-J.  G.— 
R.  C.  G.-W.  P.- A.  D.— T.  L.,  Keir. 


October  26,  1907]  SUPPLEMENT     TO     THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


Exhibition  of  BritisH-Grown  Frtaits. 


October  17,  18.— The  Royal  Horticultural 
Society's  autumn  fruit  show  was  held  on  these 
dates  in  the  Royal  Horticultural  Hall,  Vincent 
Square,  Westminster.  The  exhibition  was 
again  a  success,  and  although  a  falling-off  was 
noticed  in  some  of  the  classes  for  Apples,  it 
was  entirely  due  to  scarcity  in  some  districts. 
The  exhibits  of  Pears  and  Apples  were  fewer 
than  last  year,  and  considerably  fewer  than  in 
1904,  when  upper  rooms,  and  even  the  base- 
ment, were  utilised  for  their  display.  The 
weather,  on  the  whole,  was  unfavourable,  but 
this  did  not  deter  fruit  cultivators  from  visiting 
the  exhibition  on  the  opening  day,  when  the 
Hall  was  well-filled  with  visitors.  On  the 
second  day,  however,  the  attendance  was 
sparse.  The  arrangements  were  perfect,  and  the 
thanks  of  all  interested  are  due  to  the  secre- 
taries, Mr.  S.  T.  Wright  (Superintendent),  Mr. 
Frank  Reader,  and  the  other  members  of  the 
Society's  staff. 

The  Fruit  and  Vegetable  Committee  sat 
on  the  opening  day,  and  an  Award  of  Merit  was 
recommended  by  this  committee  for  a  late-fruit- 
ing variety  of  Raspberry,  which  is  referred  to 
below. 

DIVISION     I. 

Fruits  Grown  Under  Glass  or  Otherwise. 

(Open1   to   Gardeners    and   Amateurs    <>ni.\.j 

GaUtciioo  of  nine  dishes. — This  class  was  ar- 
ranged for  six  kinds  at  least,  and  each  collec- 
tion might  include  only  one  I'm-,  one  Melon, 
one  black  and  one  white  variety  ot  Grape.  -Not 
mi. re  than  two  varieties  ot  any  other  kind  were 
allowed,  and  no  two  dishes  ol  the  same  variety. 
The  1st  prize  was  awarded  to  the  Earl  of  Har- 
rington, Elvaston  Castle,  Derby  (gr.  Mr.  J.  H. 
Goodacre),  whose  Grapes  were  specially  good, 
particularly  the  variety  Muscat  of  Alexandria, 
the  bunches  of  which  were  very  large  and  of 
good  form,  and  the  berries  well  developed,  al- 
though not  so  perfectly  coloured  as  they  might 
have  been.  The  bunches  of  Black  Alicante  were 
good,  being  of  about  average  exhibition  size,  and 
finely  coloured,  but  they  were  not  such  well-cul- 
tivated specimens  as  the  Muscats.  Kibston  Pip- 
pin Apple  was  capital,  also  Doyenne1  du  O  mice 
Pear,  though  not  perfectly  ripe  for  consumption. 
The  other  dishes  included  Taunton  Hero  Melon, 
Princess  of  Wales  Peach,  Victoria  Nectaiine, 
Transparent  Gage  Plum,  and  a  rather  small 
Pineapple.  The  total  numb:r  of  \>  lints  awarded 
this  exhibit  was  51. 

The  2nd  prize  was  awarded  to  the  Hon. 
Mr.  Justice  Swinfen-Eady,  Oatlands  Lodge, 
Weybridge  (gr.  Mr.  J.  Lock).  In  the  centre 
this  exhibitor  had  a  magnificent  and  weighty 
Pineapple,  such  as  we  have  seldom  seen. 
His  Crapes  included  Blai  k  Alicante,  and 
a  white  Grape,  which  was  labelled  Muscat  of 
Alexandria,  but  the  judges  expressed  the 
opinion  that  it  was  not  a  Muscat.  The  on- 
looker had  grounds  for  suspecting  that  if  the 
judges  had  co  rsidered  the  Grape  correctly 
named,  this  exhibit  would  have  deserved  the  1st 
prize.  It  is  only  fail  to  add  that,  in  the  opinion 
of  many  Grape  growers,  the  variety  was  really 
a  Muscat.  In  the  circumstances,  the  number  of 
poir*,;   awarded   for  this   exhibit   was   49V. 

•  in  the  second  day  of  the  show  the  Crape 
was  definitely  labelled  by  some  critic  Charles- 
worth  Tokay,  but  the  question  can  hardly  be 
thus  settled,  for  Hogg,  in  the  Fruit  Manual,  has 
state  1  that  Charlesworth  Tokav  is  svnonvmous 
with  Muscat  of  Alexandria.  The  other  dishes 
included  Pitmaston  Duchess  and  Marguerite 
Marillat  Pears,  Cox's  Orange  Pippin  Apple, 
Princess  of  Wales  Peach,  Victoria  Xectarine,  and 
Hero  of  Lockinge  Melon.  3rd,  C.  R.  Adeane, 
Esq.,  Babraham,  Cambridce  (gr.  Mr.  R.  Alder- 
man),  who   gained   49   points. 

Collection  of  six  dishes. — There  were  seven 
exhibits  in  this  class,  which  required  that  at 
least  four  kinds  of  fruit  should  be  included  in 
each  collection  of  six  dishes.  Exhibitors  might 
only  include  one  Melon,  one  black  and  one  white 
variety  of  Grape,  and  not  more  than  two  varie- 
ties  of  any  other  kind,   nor   two   dishes  of  the 


same  variety.  Pines  were  excluded.  The  1st 
prize  was  awarded  to  a  very  fine  collection 
liom  the  Earl  of  Londesborough,  Market 
Weighton,  Yorkshire  (gr.  Mr.  J.  C.  McPherson). 
His  Grapes  consisted  of  the  varieties  Gros 
Colmar  and  Muscat  of  Alexandria,  either  of 
which  was  of  exhibition  quality,  but  beyond 
that  not  specially  remarkable.  Apples  Wash- 
ington and  Cox's  Orange  Pippin  were  very 
good,  being  of  large  size,  and  exhibiting  perfect 
condition  for  consumption.  Very  large  fruits 
of  Pitmaston  Duchess  Pears  were  shown,  and 
a  fruit  of  "  Ringleader"  Melon.  The  2nd  prize 
was  awarded  to  M.  W.  Price,  Esq.,  Codicote, 
Welwyn  (gr.  Mr.  T.  Patman).  This  exhibitor 
had  Black  Alicante  and  Muscat  of  Alexandria 
Grapes,  Marguerite  Marillat  Pears,  Lady  Pal- 
merston  Peaches,  Duchess's  Favourite  Apples, 
and  Rovaltv  Melon.  3rd,  Sir  Chas.  Hamilton, 
Bart.,  Hatley  Park,  Sandy  (gr.  Mr.  T.  W. 
Birkinshawi. 

Grapes. 
Collection  of  six  varieties. — The  1st  prize  ex- 
hibit was  displayed  by  J.  W.  Fleming,  Esq., 
Chilworth  Manor,  Romsey  (gr.  Mr.  \\ . 
Mitchell),  who  staged  beautifully-coloured  ex- 
amples of  Lady  Downe's  Seedling,  one  bunch 
being  ill-shaped;  Madresfield  Court,  in  medium- 
sized  bunches,  although  the  individual  berries 
were  of  grand  size  and  were  perfect  in  bloom  ; 
Mn-i  jt  of  Alexandria,  excellent  in  ever) 
respect,  the  colour  being  of  that  tender  yellow 
tint  that  indicates  perfect  ripening;  Gros  Mar  pi  . 
massive  bunches  of  very  large  berries  that  were 
almost  perfect  in  colour;  Mrs.  Pince  Muscat, 
the  largest  bunches  in  the  set,  the  berrie 
above  a  normal  size,  with  nerfect  colour  and 
bloom  ;  and  good  bunches  of  Black  Hamburgh, 
one  being  tather  over  the  average  in  size,  and 
both  with  faultless  bloom.  2nd,  II,  J.  King, 
Esq.,  Eastwell  Park,  Ashford,  Kent  (gr.  Mr.  J 
('•.  Weston)),  The  varieties  consisted  of  I . . ■  ■  1  \ 
Downe's  Seedling,  the  bunches  <1  u!m  li  were 
very  good  in  form  and  showed  a  considerable 
amount  of  bloom  on  the  fruits,  but  the  colour 
was  somewhat  lacking,  as  was  the  case  in  Mis 
Tince.  Of  this  last-named  variety  large  bunches 
were  shown;  Chasselas  Napoleon  and  Muscat 
of  Alexandria  were  above  the  average  in  colour 
and  size  of  berry  and  buiT-h.  Mrs.  Tate, 
Park  Hill,  Streatham  Common  (gr.  Mr.  W. 
Howe),  was  the  only  other  exhibitor  in  this  class. 
Black  Hamburgh. — The  1st  prize  was  awarded 
to  J.  W.  Fleming,  Esq.,  for  compact,  heavy 
bunches,  perfect  in  colour,  bloom,  and  all  other 
essentials,  well  shouldered  and  having  the  1>  St 
shape.  2nd,  the  Farl  of  Harrington,  Elvaston 
Castle,  Derby  ie,r.  Mr.  J.  H.  Goodacrel,  with 
good  bunches  but  inferior  in  size  to  those  shown 
by  Mr.    Fi  eming. 

Mrs.  Pince. — The  1st  pri^e  in  this  case  did 
fall  to  the  largest  bunches,  but  to  small,  com- 
pact, not  over-thinned  bunches  shown  by  Mr. 
J.  Edmonds,  Bestwood  Park  Gardens,  Arnold, 
Notts.  2nd,  O.  E.  d'Avigdor-Goldsmid,  Esq., 
Somerhill,  Tonbridge  (gr.  Mr  C.  Earlj. 
Mr.  G.  Richardson,  gardener,  Stover  Park, 
i  Abbot,  showed  excellent  bunches  in 
this  class,  but  unfortunately  the  berries  of  one 
bunch    were  badly    rubbed. 

Black  Alicante. — In  this  class  there  was 
greater  competition  than  in  any  other,  and 
some  uncommonly  fine  bunches  were  shown, 
the  fruit  in  most  cases  being  good  in  colour  and 
finish.  The  1st  prize  was  awarded  to  \\ 
Raphael,  Esq.,  Castle  Hill,  Englefield  Green 
(gr.  Mr.  H.  11  Brown),  for  close,  compact 
bunches  that  were  good  in  shape.  2nd,  Sir 
Wai  pole  GREENWELL,  Bart.,  Marden  Park. 
Surrey  (gr.  Mr.  W.  Lintott),  with  bunches  but 
little  inferior  to  those  which  gained  the  1st 
prize.  Colonel  Hon.  C.  Harborh.  Gunton 
Park,  Norwich  Igr.  Mr.  W.  Allan),  was  pla  I 
3rd  ;  one  of  this  exhibitor's  bunches  lacked  a 
"shoulder,"  otherwise  the  exhibit  had  eJ 
lent  points.  The  other  exhibits  in  this 
included  some  bunches  of  enormous  dimen- 
sions,  and  others  that  would  have  disgraced  a 
cottagers'  show. 

Madresfield  Court— 1st,  J.  W.   Fleming,  Esq., 
Chilworth     Manor,    with    neat,    fairly     compact 


bunches,  having  capital  colour  and  bloom. 
2nd,  Mr.  John  Doe,  Rufford  Abbey,  Ollerton, 
with  bigger  and  finer  bunches,  lacking  in  even- 
ness of  size  and  colour.  3rd,  F.  R.  Rodd,  Esq., 
Trebartha  Hall,  l.aunceston  Igr.  Mr.  F.  A.  Bill- 
ings), with  small  bunches  that  had  suffered  from 
rubbing  on  the  long  journey  from  Cornwall. 

Any  other  Black  Grape. — In  a  good  competi- 
tion the  Earl  of  Londesborough,  Market 
Weighton,  York  (gr.  Mr.  J.  ('.  McPherson),  was 
placed  1st  with  very  fine  bunches,  having  large 
berries  of  Gros  Colmar;  the  bloom  on  the  fruit 
was  perfect.  2nd,  .Colonel  the  Hon.  C.  Har- 
bord,  Gunton  Park,  with  Gros  Maroc  in  niassive 
bunches,  having  enormous  berries  and  perfect 
bloom.  3rd,  Right  Hon.  Earl  Stanh.ii-!, 
Chevening  Park,  Sevenoaks  (gr.  Mr.  J.  C. 
Sutton),  with  compact  bunches  of  Gros  Maroc 
possessing  enormous  berries  and  faultless  bloom. 
Muscat  Hamburgh,  Lady  Downe,  and  Appley 
Towers  are  other  varieties  that  were  shown  in 
this  class.  Some  enormous  bunches  of  Gros 
Colmar  came  from  the  Horticultural  COL- 
LEGE, Studley,  Warwickshire,  but  the  bunches 
could  scarcely  be  railed  handsome  and  they 
lacked  colour. 

Muscat  of  AlexaHdria.-J-lst,  J.  W.  Fle-mikg, 
Esq.,  Chilworth  Manor,  with  large  bunches  of 
good  form  and  best  colour  throughout,  indii  a- 
tive  of  perfect  ripeness  and  fine  flavour..  2nd, 
\V.  G.  Raphael,  Esq.,  Englefield  Green,  with 
-mailer  bunches,  having  less  of  the  desiral.V 
golden  tint.  3rd,  Colonel  the  '  Hon.  C.  lilt- 
BORD,  Gunton  Park,  with  small  bunches 
feet  finish.  This  class  iva,  abundantly  filled, 
and  the  exhibits  were  g<  neraily  of  a  trsh  order 
of  merit. 

Any  oilier  While  Grape.  1st,  Alfred  Benson, 
- 1  .  Upper  Catton  Park.  Merstham  Igr.  Mr. 
W.  Mancey),  with  Mrs,  Pearson,  the  bunches 
being  symmetrica]  and  quite  ripe.  2nd,  Lady 
Tate,  Park  Hill,  Streatham  Common,  with  the 
pale-coloured  variety  Chasselas  Napoleon. 

Collection   ok    IIardv   Fruits. 

The  schedule  required  a  collection  of  .'10 
dishes  of  distinct  varieties,  grown  entirely  in 
the  open,  not  more  than  12  varieties  of  Apples 
or  eight  of  Pears  being  allowed.  There  were 
six  displays,  .and  these  occupied  much  table 
space,  for  each  exhibit  covered  an  area 
measuring  12  feet  by  3  feet.  The  1st  prize  fell 
to  Colonel  Borton,  Chfeveney',  Ilunton,  Maid- 
stone (gr.  Mr.  J.  Whittle)!  He  displayed 
choice  samples  of  Lord  Derby,  Lane's  Prince 
Albert,  Bramley's  Seedling,  Erriperor  Alexander, 
Wealthy,  American  Mother,  and  other  Apples  ; 
of  Pears  there  were  noted  Beurre  Diel,  Le 
Lectier,  Doyenne  du  Cornice,  Beurre  Hardy, 
Beurre  Paltet  Pere,  and  Durondeau  ;  of  Plums 
were  Belle  de  Septembre  and  Coe's  Golden 
Drop ;  of  Peaches,  Lady  Palmerston,  Princess 
of  Wales,  Gladstone,  and  Nectarine;  and 
Morello  Cherries.  The  2nd  prize  was  awarded 
to  G.  T.  Bates,  Esq.,  Whitfield,  Hereford  (gr. 
Mr.  R.  Grindrod),  for  a  more  varied  collec- 
tion. The  finest  Apples  in  this  exhibit  were 
Worcester  Pearmain,  Emperor  Alexander,  Peas- 
good's  Nonsuch,  Royal  Jubilee,  Mere  de 
Menage,  and  Lane's  Prince  Albert  ;  and  of 
Pears,  Beurre  Bachelier,  Beurre  Diel,  Duchess 
d'Angouleme,  Beurre  Superfin,  Gros  Calebasse, 
and  Louise  Bonne  of  Jersey  ;  Peaches  included 
Malster,  Lord  Palmerston,  and  Late  Admirable; 
Plums,  Monarch,  Pond's  Seedling,  ( 
Golden  Drop,  and  Grand  Duke.  3rd,  Major 
Powell  Cotton,  Quex  Park,  Thanet  (gr.  Mr. 
J.  Cornford),  whose  exhibit  was  strong  in 
culinary  Apples,  such  as  Chas.  Ross,  Lord 
Derby.  Warner's  King,  Peasgood's  Nonsuch, 
and    Withington    Fillb 

DIV1SIOX   II. 

Fruit  Grown   Entirely  Out  of  Doors. 
(Open  to  Nurserymen  Only.) 
Twenty-four  feet  run  of  tix  fee'  tabling. — The 
1st    prize   in   this    important    class    was   awarded 
to    Messrs.    G.    Bunyard    .V    Co.,    Ltd..    Royal 
Nurseries,    'Maidstone.     The      fruit      bad      high 
colouring   mostly   and   was   of   a   high   degn 
merit.     Of   Apples    some   of   the   finer  examj 


11. 


SUPPLEMENT     TO     THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[October  26,  1907. 


were  Cornish  Giant,  Jas.  Grieve,  Blenheim 
Pippin,  Woodstock  Pippin,  Rambour  Franc, 
Crimson  Quoining,  Lane's  Prince  Albert, 
Grenadier,  Pott's  Seedling,  Worcester  Pearmain, 
Stirling  Castle,  Golden  Noble,  Bramley's  Seed- 
ling, New  Winter  Hawthornden,  Gascoyne's 
Scarlet  Seedling,  Roundway  Magnum  Bonum, 
Duchess  of  Oldenburg,  Emperor  Alexander, 
King  of  the  Pippins,  Rival,  Norfolk  Beauty, 
The  Queen,  Bismarck,  Warner's  King,  Northern 
Dumpling,  Charles  Ross,  Royal  Jubilee,  Alling- 
ton  Pippin,  Tyler's  Kernel,  Lady  Henniker,  and 
Mabbott's  Pearmain.  The  finer  Pears  were 
large,  but  not  being  ripe  they  did  not  exhibit 
their  true  colour.  There  were  remarked  Gilogil, 
Conference  (very  large),  Princess,  Pitmaston 
Duchess,  Durondeau,  Duchess  d'Angouleme, 
Beurre  Superfin,  Marguerite  Marrilat,  Parrot, 
Alexander  Lucas,  St.  Luke,  Beurre  Clairgeau, 
Fondante  d'Automne,  and  Fondante  de  Thirriot. 
2nd,  Messrs.  H.  Cannell  &  Sons,  Eynsford, 
with  a  very  superior  exhibit,  between  which  and 
the  1st  prize  display  there  was  little  to  choose. 
Much  of  the  fruit  was  finely  coloured  and  well 
developed,  and  free  from  blemishes,  either  of 
fungoid  or  insect  agency.  There  were  in  this 
display  45  bushels  of  Apples  in  165  varieties. 
Gascoyne's  Scarlet  Seedling,  Blue  Pearmain, 
Gravenstein,  Pott's  Seedling,  The  Queen,  Peas- 
good's  Nonsuch,  Lady  Henniker,  Schoolmaster, 
Cox's  Pomona,  Golden  Spire,  Bietigheimer,  and 
Emperor  Alexander  were  remarkable  for  either 
large  size  or  for  colour.  Some  excellent  Pears 
were  also  shown  by  Messrs.  Cannell. 

Fruit  arranged  on  tables  sixteen  feet  by  six  feet. 
— Messrs.  Laxtqn  Brothers,  Goldington  Nur- 
series, Bedford,  made  a  good  display  of  fruits, 
which,  although  excellent,  was  not  fully  up  to 
the  usual  Kentish  development  or  colour.  Most 
of  the  favourite  varieties  of  Apples  were  shown, 
both  cooking  and  dessert,  including  Charles 
Ross,  The  Queen,  Ribston  Pippin,  and  Newton 
Wonder.  Tne  new  Strawberry  Laxton's  Per- 
petual was  shown  in  well-coloured,  large  and 
small  examples.  It  is  a  crimson-coloured  fruit, 
with  the  achenes  slightly  embedded.  Strawberry 
St.  Anfoine  de  Padoue  was  likewise  well  shown, 
and  fruits  of  the  Fern-leaved  Blackberry,  which 
are  jet  black  and  of  large  size.  The  2nd  prize 
was  taken  by  Messrs.  John  Peed  &  Son,  West 
Norwood,  Surrey,  with  a  really  fine  display  of 
fruits,  large,  clear  in  the  skin,  high  in  colour, 
and  very  varied  as  regarded  varieties.  Of 
modern  varieties  of  Apples  that  were  shown 
were  Newton  Wonder,  Wadhurst  Pippin,  Ailing- 
ton  Pippin,  Sandringham,  New  Hawthornden, 
Wealthy,  Mrs.  Barron,  Nonsuch,  Lord  Derby, 
Charles  Ross,  Lady  Henniker,  Bismarck,  The 
Queen,  King  of  Tompkin's  County,  Lane's 
Prince  Albert,  Betty  Geeson,  Schoolmaster,  and 
Lord  Lennox.  Of  Pears  we  noted  a  nice  dish 
of  Directeur  Hardy,  Duchess  de  Nemours, 
Beurre  Clairgeau,  Abbe  Fettel,  Beurre  Alex- 
andre Lucas,  Conference,  Emile  d'Heyst,  Prin- 
cess, and  Louise  Bonne  of  Jersey.  3rd,  Messrs. 
Paul  &  Son,  The  Old  Nurseries,  Cheshunt. 
This  exhibit  consisted  of  Apples  and  Pears  set 
up  as  pyramids  in  shallow  baskets.  Most  of 
the  Apples  and  Pears  were  of  large  size,  free 
from  blemish,  but  lacking  in  the  bright  tints  of 
the  Kentish  and  West  of  England  fruits.  Pears 
Beurre-  Baltet  Pere,  Durondeau,  Dr.  Piganeau, 
Beurre  Diel,  Triomphe  de  Vienne,  Beurre  Super- 
fin,  Gansel's  Bergamotte,  Doyenne  Boussoch, 
Louise  Bonne  of  Jersey,  Catillac,  and  ritmaston 
Duchess  were  good  examples.  Apples  Ailing- 
ton  Pippin,  Emperor  Alexander,  Gascoyne's 
Seedling,  Lord  Derby,  Blenheim  Pippin,  Non- 
such, and  Bismarck  were  all  praiseworthy.  This 
part  of  the  table  was  decorated  with  arches  of 
white  fruited  Raspberry  canes,  red  Raspberries, 
and  other  members  of  the  genus  Rubus. 

Messrs.  Spoonee  &  Sons,  Hounslow,  and  Mr. 
Will  Tavler,  Osborn  Nursery,  Hampton, 
Middlesex,  made  exhibits  in  this  class. 

Orchard  House  Fruit  and  Trees. 
Twenty-four  feet  run  of  six  feet  tabling. — As 
in  former  years  this  important  class  was  con- 
tested by  two  exhibitors  only,  viz.,  Messrs.  Geo. 
Bunyard  &  Co.,  Ltd.,  Maidstone,  and  Messrs. 
T.  Rivers  &  Son,  Sawbridgeworth,  Herts.,  and 
these  were  placed  by  the  judges  in  the  order 
named,  Messrs.  Bunyard  being  awarded  a  Gold 
Medal  for  their  exhibit  in  conjunction  with 
their  display  in  class  14.  There  were  remarked 
in   the   premier  exhibit   trees    of    the    Chiojuro 


Pear,  a  bright  brown-russety  fruit  of  globulai 
shape ;  Marie  Louise,  of  large  size  ;  Alexandre 
Lucas,  Doyenne  du  Cornice,  Emile  d'Heyst, 
(  harles  Ernest,  Bellisime  d'Hiver,  and  Fondante 
de  Thirriot.  The  Apples  consisted  chiefly  of 
brightly-coloured  varieties  of  large  size,  and 
very  highly  indeed  was  the  colouring  de- 
veloped. The  trees  ranged  in  height  from  6  to 
10  feet,  growing  in  pots  of  from  10  to  14  inches 
in  diameter.  Gathered  fruits  were  shown  in 
trays  and  flat  baskets  with  from  six  to  12  fruits 
in  each.  Very  large  and  fine  were  Apples  The 
Queen,  Loddington  Pearmain,  Charles  Ross, 
Gascoyne's  Scarlet  Seedling,  Ribston  Pippin, 
Twenty  Ounce,  Washington,  Golden  Noble, 
Lord  Hindlip,  Allington  Pippin,  Cox's  Orange 
Pippin,  Emperor  Alexander,  James  Grieve,  and 
Peasgood's  Nonsuch.  The  finer  Pears  were 
Beurre  Diel,  Emile  d'Heyst,  Marie  Benoist, 
Durondeau,  President  Osmanville,  Uvedale's  St. 
Germain,  Duchess  d'Angouleme,  Doyenne  du 
Cornice,  Beurre  Alexandre  Lucas,  Conference, 
Pitmaston  Duchess,  and  Conseilleur  de  la  Cour. 
Two  dishes  of  Peaches  were  shown,  viz.,  Lady 
Palmerston  and  Golden  Eagle,  both  of  high 
colour. 

Messrs.  Rivers  &  Son,  Sawbridgeworth, 
Herts.,  had  greater  variety  in  their  exhibit,  the 
trees  including  Oranges,  Figs,  and  Cherries.  In 
addition  to  the  1st  prize,  a  Silver-Gilt  Knightian 
Medal  was  awarded.  The  gathered  fruits  con- 
sisted of  the  following,  viz.,  the  Parrot  Pear, 
of  reddish-orange  colour,  Doyenne  du  Cornice, 
St.  Luke,  a  variety  of  their  introduction ; 
Beurre  d'Amanlis,  Magnate,  Marie  Louise,  Pit- 
maston Duchess,  Conference,  Beurre  Fouqueray, 
Marie  Louise  d'Uccle,  Glou  Morceau,  and 
Princess.  The  finer  Apples  were  Ribston  Pip- 
pin, The  Queen,  Allington  Pippin,  King  of 
Tompkin's  County,  Peasgood's  Nonsuch,  Belle 
Dubois,  Cox's  Orange  Pippin,  &c.  Plums,  of 
which  there  were  many  in  fine  condition,  in- 
cluded Monarch  (with  which  Messrs.  Rivers 
have  lengthened  the  season  of  Plums  by  a 
month),   and   other  varieties. 

DIVISION  III. 
(Open  to  Market  Growers  Only.) 

Two  classes  were  provided  for  exhibits  of 
hardy  fruits,  the  one  for  a  collection  occupying 
an  area  of  18  feet  by  6  feet,  and  the  other  for 
one  measuring  12  feet  by  6  feet.  The  use  of 
berries  and  ornamental  foliage  plants  were 
allowed,  but  not  flowers.  In  the  larger  class 
there  were  two  contestants,  Mr.  W.  Poupart, 
Marsh  Farm,  Twickenham,  and  the  Hereford 
Co-operative  Fruit  Company,  Hereford 
(manager,  Mr.  W.  H.  Press).  The  first-named 
exhibitor  was  an  easy  1st  prize  winner,  his  dis- 
play being  composed  of  best  sorts  of  market 
varieties  of  Apples,  Pears,  and  Plums,  staged 
in  round  and  square  "  baby "  baskets,  on  a 
padding  of  wood  wool  covered  with  blue  paper. 
He  had  well-graded  samples,  nicely  coloured, 
of  Apples  Alexander,  Mabbott's  Pearmain,  Blen- 
heim Pippin,  Cox's  Orange  Pippin,  Coronation 
(a  variety  of  fine  appearance),  Wealthy,  Norfolk 
Beauty,  Sandringham,  Waltham  Abbey  Seed- 
ling, Peasgood's  Ncnsuch,  &c.  ;  Pears  Duron- 
deau, Beurre  Bachelier,  Beurre  Fouqueray, 
Emile  d'Heyst,  with  Plums,  Damsons,  &c.  The 
2nd  prize  fruits  were  shown  in  boxes  as  packed 
for  transit,  with  a  few  single  dishes  and  sprays 
of  Smilax  for  relief.  The  varieties  were  of  the 
commoner  market  Apples. 

In  the  smaller  class  the  only  exhibit  staged 
was  from  the  Horticultural  College,  Swan- 
ley,  Kent  (gr.  Mr.  Lawson).  The  fruits  were 
very  finely  coloured,  and  were  set  off  by  sprays 
of  Cotoneaster,  vine  leaves,  and  other  foliage 
with  autumnal  tints,  a  row  of  Acalypha  Mac- 
feeana  being  arranged  down  the  centre  of  the 
display.  The  varieties  included  Peasgood's 
Nonsuch,  Lane's  Prince  Albert,  Newton  Won- 
der, Alfriston,  Queen  Caroline,  and  other 
Apples  ;  Doyenne  du  Cornice,  Duchess  d'Angou- 
leme Pears,  &c. 

Twelve  dishes  of  Apples,  distinct  varieties,  six 
culinary  and  six  dessert. — Only  one  exhibitor, 
Mr.  H.  T.  Mason,  Hampton  Hill,  Middlesex, 
staged  in  this  class,  and  instead  of  utilising 
dishes,  he  showed  his  fruits  in  square,  shallow 
baskets.  This  notwithstanding,  the  exhibit 
merited  the  highest  praise,  for  the  quality  of  the 
fruits  was  of  the  best,  and  the  grading  and  pack 
ing  (in  wood-wool)  excellent.  The  varieties  were 
all  choice  market  varieties,  and  included  Ribston 


Pippin.  Lady  Sudeley,  Pott's  Seedling,  Newton 
Wonder,  King  of  the  Pippins,  Cox's  Orange 
Pippin  (a  fine  sample),  Warner's  King,  The 
Queen  (excellent),  Allington  Pippin,  Claygate 
Pearmain,  Bismarck,  Ecklinville  Seedling,  and 
others.  Autumn-tinted  vine  leaves,  with  Dra- 
caenas and  other  ornamental  plants,  were  inter- 
spersed in  the  group 

DIVISION  IV. 

Fruits  Grown  Entirely  in  the  Open  Air 

(Excepting  Class  32). 

(Open  to  Gardeners  and  Amateurs  Only.) 

Apples. 

Twenty-four  dishes,  distinct. — The  conditions 
in  this  class  were  that  sixteen  culinary  and 
eight  dessert  varieties  should  be  included  in 
each  exhibit.  There  were  three  collections,  and 
Col.  Borton,  Cheveney,  Hunton,  Maidstone 
(gr.  Mr.  J.  Whittle)  was  awarded  the  1st  prize. 
Particularly  noticeable  among  the  culinary  sorts 
were  Peasgood's  Nonsuch,  Gascoyne's  Scarleu 
Seedling,  Emperor  Alexander,  and  Newton 
Wonder,  all  more  or  less  coloured  with  red,  and 
among  the  perfectly  green  fruits  were  Alfriston, 
Lord  Derby,  Warner's  King,  and  Belle  Dubois. 
Of  dessert  varieties  those  which  attracted  most 
notice  were  Christmas  Pearmain,  American 
Mother  (one  of  the  best  of  Apples),  Wealthy, 
James  Grieve,  and  Allington  Pippin.  The  2nd 
prize  was  won  by  Sir  Marcus  Samuel,  Bart., 
Mote  Park,  Maidstone  (gr.  Mr.  W.  PI.  Bacon). 
A  dish  of  Worcester  Pearmain  in  this  exhibit 
was  so  intensely  coloured  with  red  as  to  be  the 
most  noticeable  variety  in  the  exhibit.  The 
culinary  varieties — Lane's  Prince  Albert  and 
Mere  de  Menage — were  both  shown  as  very  fine 
specimens.  3rd,  J.  G.  Williams,  Esq.,  Pendley 
Manor,  Tring  (gr.  Mr.  F.  G.  Geirish). 

Eighteen  dishes  of  Apples,  distinct,  twelve 
culinary  and  six  dessert. — Three  good  displays 
were  seen  in  this  class,  the  premier  prize  being 
taken  by  a  magnificent  collection  from  the  gar- 
dens of  Major  Powell-Cotton,  Quex  Park, 
Thanet  (gr.  Mr.  J.  Cornford).  The  front  row 
was  comprised  of  dessert  varieties,  and  here 
was  seen  Chas.  Ross  (size  and  colour  were  re- 
markable in  these  fruits),  Cox's  Orange  Pippin, 
Rival,  Ribston  Pippin,  and  Wealthy  (a  beauti- 
fully finished  sample).  At  the  back  were  excel- 
lent fruits  of  Emperor  Alexander,  Lord  Suffield, 
Bismarck,  Washington,  Fillbasket,  Mere  de 
Menage,  Belle  Dubois,  Peasgood's  Nonsuch, 
Lord  Derby,  The  Queen,  and  other  notable 
varieties.  The  2nd  prize  was  awarded  to  E. 
Ascherson,  Esq.,  Charing,  Kent  (gr.  Mr.  J. 
Pitts).  Amongst  the  dessert  varieties  was  seen 
a  grand  sample  of  Worcester  Pearmain.  Ribston 
Pippin,  Ben's  Red,  Court  of  Wick,  Winter  Quar- 
renden,  and  James  Grieve  were  other  prominent 
varieties  in  the  front  row,  and  among  the  culi- 
nary kinds  such  varieties!  as  Lane's  Prince 
Albert,  Sandringham,  Lord  Derby,  Lord  Suf- 
field, Gloria  Mundi,  Alexander,  Warner's  King, 
and  Ecklinville  Seedling,  were  displayed  in  the 
best  exhibition  style.  3rd,  Earl  de  Grey, 
("oombe  Court,  Kingston-on-Thames  (gr.  Mr.  J. 
Smith). 

Twelve  dishes,  distinct,  to  include  eight  cooking 
and  four  dessert  varieties. — The  1st  prize  was 
gained  by  F.  A.  Bevan,  Esq.,  Trent  Park,  Bar- 
net  (gr.  Mr.  H.  Parr),  and  his  specimens  were 
certainly  of  much  merit.  The  culinary  varieties 
were  immense  specimens  of  the  following  varie- 
ties:  Mere  de  Menage,  Peasgood's  Nonsuch, 
Warner's  King,  Lord  Derby,  Emperor  Alexan- 
der, Laing's  Cornish  Giant,  Lane's  Prince  Albert 
and  Gascoyne's  Scarlet  Seedling.  Mere  de 
Menage  and  Peasgood's  Nonsuch  were  well 
coloured  also,  but  Gascoyne's  Scarlet  Se?dling 
was  duller  than  it  is  sometimes  seen.  The  des- 
sert varieties  selected  for  this  exhibit  were  Cox's 
Orange  Pippin,  King  of  the  Pippins,  Allington 
Pippin,  and  another.  An  extra  1st  prize  was 
awarded  to  C.  R.  Adeane,  Esq.,  Babraham, 
Cambridge  (gr.  Mr.  R.  Alderman),  for  an  ex- 
hibit that  would  have  been  placed  in  the  1st 
position,  but  for  a  mistake  having  been  made 
in  showing  Cox's  Pomona  as  a  dessert  variety. 
But  for  this  oversight,  the  collection  was  of 
the  greatest  merit  ;  all  the  specimens  were  of 
large  size,  and  the  skins  clear,  and  well  coloured 
in  the  specimens  that  should  show  other 
than  green  colour.  The  selection  of  varieties 
suffered,  in  our  opinioi,  through  the  omission 
of    every    first-class    dess;rt    variety.       Omitting 


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October  26,  1907.] 


SUPPLEMENT    TO     THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


in. 


Cox's  Pomona,  the  three  dessert  varieties  shown 
were  Wealthy,  Iving  of  the  Pippins,  and  Wash- 
ington, not  at  all  a  good  selection  when  four 
only  have  to  be  chosen.  The  2nd  prize  was 
awarded  to  the  Right  Hon.  W.  H.  Long,  M.P., 
Rood  Ashton,  Trowbridge  (gr.  Mr.  W.  Strug- 
nell),  and  the  3rd  prize  to  O.  E.  D'AviGDOR- 
Eoldsmid,  Esq.,  Somerhill,  Tonbridge  (gr.  Mr. 
Chas.  Earl).     There  were  five  exhibits. 

Six  dishes  of  culinary  varieties,  distinct. — 
Colonel  Borton  was  awarded  the  1st  prize  for 
a  collection  consisting  of  Lane's  Prince  Albert, 
Belle  Dubois,  Lord  Derby,  Warner's  King,  Bis- 
marck, and  Peasgood's  Nonsuch.  2nd,  Sir 
Earcus  Samuel. 

Six  dishes  of  dessert  Apples,  distinct. — Colonel 
Borton  was  also  awarded  the  1st  prize  in  this 
class,  showing  the  varieties  Christmas  Pear- 
main,  Ribston  Pippin,  Wealthy,  Cox's  Orange 
Pippin,  King  of  the  Pippins,  and  American 
Mother.  The  last-mentioned  variety  was  shown 
splendidly  in  this  collection,  the  fruits  being 
of  large  size  and  having  the  rich  colour  charac- 
teristic of  the  variety,  finely  developed.  The 
2nd  prize  was  awarded  to  Sir  Marcus  Samuel, 
Bart. 

Pears. 

Eighteen  dishes  of  dessert  Pears,  distinct. — In 
this,  the  largest  class  for  Pears,  Sir  Marcus 
SAMUEL,  Bart.,  gained  the  1st  prize  with  a  grand 
collection.  The  ripest  fruits  were  Louise  Bonne 
Of  Jersey  (excellent  fruits),  Souvenir  du  Congres, 
Marguerite  Marrillat,  and  Beurre  Superfin. 
Beurre  Hardy  was  almost  as  ripe,  and  the  speci- 
mens were  very  characteristic.  Beurre  Baltet 
Pere,  Pitmaston  Duchess,  St.  Luke,  and  Marie 
Benoist  were  extremely  large,  and  moderate  to 
large  size  ruled  throughout  the  exhibit.  A  very 
pretty  collection  from  Col.  Borto.x  was  placed 
2nd,  and  Major  Puwell-Cottox,  Quex  Park, 
Thanet  (gr.  Mr.  J.  Cornford),  was  awarded  the 
3rd  prize. 

Twelve  dishes,  dessert  Pears,  distinct.  —  Mr.  A. 
Basile,  Woburn  Park  Gardens,  Weybridge, 
won  the  1st  position  in  this  class,  showing  good 
specimens  of  Beurre  Superfin,  Triomphe  de 
Vienne,  Souvenir  du  Congres,  Charles  Ernest, 
Durondeau,  and  Conseiller  de  la  Cour,  Doyenne 
du  Cornice,  Beurre  Bachelier,  Pitmaston 
Duchess,  Duchesse  d'Angouleme,  Nouveau 
Potteau,  and  another.  2nd,  F.  A.  Bf.vax,  Esq., 
and  3rd,  the  Right  Hon.  W.  H.  Loxg,  M.P. 

Six  dishes,  distinct. — The  best  collection  of 
dessert  Pears  in  this  class  was  from  C.  A. 
Morris  Field,  Esq.,  Ashurst  Park,  Tunbridge 
Wells  (gr.  Mr.  J.  R.  Allan),  who  showed  the 
varieties  Triomphe  de  Vienne,  Pitmaston 
Duchess,  Doyenne  du  Cornice,  Marguerite  Maril- 
lat,  Beurre  Baltet  Pere,  and  Doyenne  Boussoch. 
It  was  found  impossible  to  separate  the  2nd 
prize  exhibit,  therefore  equal  2nd  prizes  were 
awarded  to  Mr.  Richard  E.  Phillips,  East 
Street,  Sittingbourne,  and  C.  A.  Morris  Field, 
Esq.,  Sevenoaks  (gr.  Mr.  R.  Edwards).  There 
were  five  exhibits  in  this  class. 

Peaches,  Plums,  Cherries,  Sc. 

One  dish  of  Peaches,  one  variety. — Out  of 
twenty-one  exhibits  in  this  class,  generally  of 
high  merit  for  the  advanced  season,  the  variety 
Sea  Eagle,  as  shown  by  the  Marquis  of  North- 
ampton', Castle  Ashby,  Northampton  (gr.  Mr.  R. 
Searle),  gained  the  1st  prize.  The  same  variety 
in  smaller  and  less  perfectly  developed  fruits 
from  C  R.  Adeane,  Esq., "obtained  the  2nd 
prize. 

One  dish  of  Nectarines,  one  variety. — There 
were  five  exhibits  of  Nectarines,  and  generally 
thev  were  less  good  in  quality  than  the  Peaches. 
The  fruits  selected  to  receive  the  1st  prize  were 
very  small  specimens  of  the  variety  Pineapple, 
but  for  this  late  season  they  were  extremely  well 
coloured.  They  were  exhibited  by  C.  R. 
Adeane,  Esq. 

Three  dishes  of  Plums,  distinct,  grown  under 
glass. — Excellent  fruits  of  moderate  size  were 
shown  bv  Mr.  Jas.  Vert,  Audley  End  Gardens, 
Saffron  Walden,  who  gained  the  1st  prize.  The 
varieties  were  Golden  Transparent  Gage,  Coe's 
Violet,  and  Coe's  Golden  Drop.  The  Marquis  of 
Northampton-  was  awarded  the  2nd  prize,  and 
he  had  the  varieties  Grand  Duke,  Coe's  Golden 
Drop,  and  Reine  Claude  de  Bavay.  3rd,  Mr. 
J.  H    Goodacre. 


Three  dishes  of  Plums  grown  out-of-doors. — 
Remembering  the  abundant  Plum  season,  it 
appeared  appropriate  that  there  were  as  many 
as  thirteen  exhibits  of  three  dishes  in  three 
varieties.  The  Earl  of  Ashburxham,  Battle  (gr. 
Mr.  G.  Grigg),  won  the  1st  prize  with  Grand 
Duke,  Coe's  Golden  Drop,  and  Monarch.  Mr. 
James  Vert  was  awarded  the  2nd  prize  for  the 
varieties  Pond's  Seedling,  Monarch,  and  Presi- 
dent. 

One  dish  of  any  other  dessert  Plum. — The 
variety  which  gained  the  1st  prize  was  Reine 
Claude  de  Bavav,  as  shown  by  E.  S.  Hanbury, 
Esq.,  Poles  Park,  Ware  (gr.  Mr.  Church).  The 
variety  Rivers'  Late  Orange,  though  gaining  no 
award,  was  particularly  noticeable  in  this  class 
by  reason  of  the  large  size  and  rich  colour  of 
the  fruits. 

One  dish  of  culinary  Plums. — Out  of  seventeen 
exhibits,  a  dish  of  Pond's  Seedling,  shown  by  the 
Marquis  of  Northampton,  was  awarded  the  1st 
prize. 

DIVISION  V. 
Special  County  Classes. 
These  classes  were  provided  for  counties 
having  approximately  the  same  meteorological 
conditions  to  compete  against  each  other,  in 
the  case  of  Apples,  the  schedule  required  six 
dishes,  four  of  culinary  and  two  of  dessert 
varieties:   and  of  Pears,   six  dessert  varieties. 

Kent. — .1 ppl,s :  Seven  exhibits  of  Apples  were 
seen  from  this  county,  all  of  excellent  quality 
and  remarkable  for  the  high  colour  and  finish 
seen  in  the  fruits.  The  premier  position  was 
taken  by  W.  E.  S.  C.  Drax,  Esq.,  Olantigh 
Towers,  Wye  (gr.  Mr.  J.  Bond).  Of  dessert 
varieties  were  Worcester  Pearmain  and  Lady 
Sudeley,  and  of  culinary  sorts  Bramley's  Seed- 
ling, The  Queen,  Hambling's  Seedling,  and 
Peasgood's  Nonsuch.  The  2nd  prize  was  awarded 
to  H.  G.  Kleinwort,  Esq.,  Wierton  Place, 
Maidstone  (gr.  Mr.  B.  J.  Mercer). 

Pears. — The  same  number  of  entries  was 
staged  by  Kentish  growers  in  the  class  for  Pears 
The  winning  fruits  of  both  the  1st  and  2nd  prizes 
were  next  each  other,  and  not  much  difference 
was  seen  in  their  quality,  but  The  Dowager  Lady 
HILLINGDON,  Wildernesse  Park,  Sevenoaks  (gr. 
Mr.  J.  Shelton),  had  slightly  the  better  examples 
and  was  awarded  the  premier  place.  Doyenne 
du  Cornice,  Beurre  Bosc,  Beurre  Superfin  (excep- 
tionally good),  Durondeau,  Pitmaston  Duchess, 
and  Marie  Louise  d'l'ccle  constituted  the  varie- 
ties in  the  lst-pnze  exhibit ;  those  in  the  2nd, 
shown  by  Mr.  Richard  E.  Phillips,  East  Street, 
Sittingbourne,  being  Doyenne  du  Cornice,  Beurre 
Hardy,  Beurre  Bachelier,  Princess,  Conseiller 
de  la' Cour,  and  Pitmaston  Duchess. 

Surrey,  Sussex,  Hants,  Dorset,  Somerset, 
Devox,  and  Cornwall. — Apples:  Much  the 
best  collection  of  the  three  staged  from  these 
counties  was  shown  by  B.  H.  Hill,  Esq.,  New- 
combes,  Crediton  (gr'  Mr.  G.  Lock).  All  the 
fruits  shown  by  Mr.  Hill  were  of  remarkably 
fine  colour,  and  very  large.  Emperor  Alexander 
and  Gascoyne's  Scarlet  were  the  pick,  but  Salt- 
marsh  Queen,  Peasgood's  Nonsuch,  Cox's 
Orange  Pippin,  and  Coronation  were  also  of 
high  quality.  2nd,  J.  B.  Wingfield-Digby 
Esq.,  Sherborne  Castle,  Dorset  (gr.  Mr.  T.  Tur- 
ton),  whose  best  dishes  were  those  of  Pott's 
Seedling,  Wealthy,  and   Peasgood's  Nonsuch. 

Pears. — The  best  Pears  in  this  section  were 
shown  bv  Sir  Edmund  Loder.  Bart.,  Leonards- 
lee,  Horsham,  Sussex  (gr.  Mr.  W.  A.  Cook).  All 
the' fruits  were  of  very  large  size,  especially  those 
of  Beurre  Baltet  Pere,  Souvenir  du  Congres,  and 
Marguerite  Marillat.  The  other  dishes  were 
Doyenne  du  Cornice,  Pitmaston  Duchess,  and 
Beurre  Hardy,  and  together  they  constituted  a 
remarkably  choice  exhibit.  2nd.  B.  H.  Hill, 
Esq.,  Crediton  (gr.  Mr.  G.  Lock),  with  smaller 
fruits.  Pitmaston  Duchess  was  very  fine  in  this 
exhibit,  but  the  best  dish  was  that  of  Doyenne 
du  Cornice. 

Wilts,  Gloucester,  Oxford,  Bucks,  Berks, 
Beds,  Herts,  and  Middlesex. — Apples:  Seven 
excellent  exhibits  were  seen,  the  premier  one 
being  shown  by  Lord  Hillingdon,  Hillingdon 
Court,  T'xbridge  (gr.  Mr.  A.  R.  Allan).  In  the 
lst-prize  collection,  Gascoyne's  Scarlet  Seedling 
and  Lord  Derby  were  of  high  merit ;  Emperor 
Alexander,  Warner's  King,  Cox's  Orange 
Pippin,  and  Ribston  Pippin  were  also  choice 
fruits.  2nd,  Mrs:  Coney,  Braywick,  Maiden- 
head {gr.  Mr.  Alfred  Tidy). 


Pears. — The  same  number  of  exhibitors  staged 
as  in  the  class  for  Apples,  viz.,  seven,  and  the 
quality  ran  high  throughout  the  seven.  Lord 
Hillingdon  again  won  the  1st  prize.  A  not  ibl 
dish  nf  Triomphe  de  Vienne  was  shown  in  this 
exhibit.  Durondeau,  Emile  d'Heyst,  Doyenne 
du  Cornice,  Thompson's,  and  Pitmaston  Duchess 
completed  the  half-a-dozen  varieties.  2nd,  Mr, 
II.  St.  V.  Ames,  Cote  House,  Westbury-on- 
Trym,  Bristol,  with  Souvenir  du  Congri  s, 
Hacon's  Incomparable,  and  Doyenne  du  Cornice 
as  the  better  examples. 

Essex,  Suffolk,  Norfolk,  Cambridge, 
Hunts  and  RUTLAND. — Apples:  Only  two  ex- 
hibitors contested  in  the  class  for  Apples,  but 
the  premier  display  constituted  one  of  the  best 
exhibits  of  Apples  in  the  whole  of  the  county 
classes.  The  fruits  were  not  only  of  large  size, 
but  of  high  colouring  and  exquisite  finish.  They 
were  Blenheim  Pippin,  Ribston  Pippin,  Stone' 
Apple,  Mere  de  Menage  (a  dish  of  highest  merit,, 
Peasgood's  Nonsuch,  and  Warner's  King. 
The  exhibitor  was  Major  Petre,  Westwick 
House,  Norwich  (gr.  Mr.  G.  D.  Davison). 
Nicholas  R.  Page,  Esq.,  Thorness,  Marine 
Parade,  Clacton-on-Sea,  was  awarded  the  2nu 
prize. 

Pears. — Major  Petre  also  excelled  in  the  class 
for  Pears,  but  the  exhibit  shown  by  Col. 
the  Hon.  C.  Harbord,  Gunton  Park,  Norwich 
(gr.  Mr.  W.  Allan),  ran  very  close  in  point  ol 
quality.  Major  Petre  had  Doyenne  du  Cornice, 
Emile  d'Heyst,  Triomphe  de  Vienne,  Marguerite 
Marillat,  Durondeau,  and  Pitmaston  Duchess, 
and  no  dish  could  be  regarded  as  below  the 
very  highest  standard.  Col.  Harbord  had  Marie 
Louise  d'Uccle  of  very  large  size,  and  Mar- 
guerite Marillat  of  superb  finish. 

Lincoln',  Northampton,  Warwick,  I. kicks- 
ter,  Notts,  Derby,  Staffs,  Shropshire,  and 
Cheshire. — Apples  ."Five  exhibits  were  shown, 
the  premier  one  by  John  Lee,  Esq.,  Kingscroft, 
Higher  Bebington,  Cheshire,  but  an  absence  of 
colour  was  observed  in  the  fruits,  which,  al- 
though large,  had  not  such  fine  colour  and  finish 
as  those  shown  by  the  Duke  of  Rutland,  Bell  il 
Castle,  Grantham  (gr.  Mr.  W.  II.  Divers).  Mr. 
Lee  exhibited  Lord  Derby,  Peasgood's  Nonsuch, 
Warner's  King,  Gloria  Mundi,  Cox's  Orange 
Pippin,  and  Ribston  Pippin.  Allington  Pippin 
and  Gascoyne's  Scarlet  Seedling  were  notable 
dishes  from  Belvoir  Castle  Gardens. 

Pears. — The  best  of  five  exhibits  was  shown 
by  the  Marquis  of  Northampton,  Castle  Ashby, 
Northampton  (gr.  Mr.  A.  R.  Searle).  Souvenir 
du  Congres  and  Beurre  d'Amanlis  were  shown 
in  condition  fit  for  the  dessert  table,  but  Doyenne 
du  Cornice,  Beurre  Superfin,  Beurre  Baltet  Pere 
and  Pitmaston  Duchess  were  not  in  season. 
2nd,  Duke  of  Rutland,  Belvoir  Castle,  Gran- 
tham (gr.  Mr.  W.  II.  Divers),  who  staged 
Triomphe  de  Vienne,  Directeur  Hardy,  Mar- 
guerite  Marillat,  &c. 

Worcester,  Hereford,  Monmouth,  Glamor, 
can,  Carmarthen,  and  Pembroke. — Apph 
A  glance  at  the  exhibits  from  these  western 
counties  sufficed  to  show  their  adaptability  for 
Apple  culture.  All  the  fruits  showed  the  delicacy 
of  skin  pertaining  to  fruits  of  the  highest  finish 
and  quality,  and  in  this  respect  they  were  prob- 
ably unsurpassed  by  those  from  Kent.  The  best 
were  from  the  gardens  of  F.  P.  Norbury,  Esq., 
The  Norrest,  near  Malvern,  his  dish  of  Chas. 
Ross  being  of  a  high  standard  of  quality,  and 
of  very  large  size.  James  Grieve  was  also  ex- 
cellent. The  culinary  varieties  were  Lane's 
Prince  Albert,  Bramley's  Seedling,  Lord  Derby, 
and  Bismarck.  2nd,  G.  H.  Hadfield,  Esq., 
Moraston  House,  near  Ross,  Hereford. 

Pears. — The  last-named  exhibitor  was  1st  for 
Pears  with  Souvenir  du  Congres,  Doyenne  Bous- 
sech,   Emile  d'Heyst,   Durondeau,   &c. 

Welsh  Counties  Other  than  those  Named. 
— Apples:  The  best  exhibit  of  three  was  dis- 
played by  Sir  George  Meyrick,  Bart..  Bodor- 
gan,  Anglesey  (gr.  Mr.  Pilgriml.  Neither  the 
Apples  nor  the  Pears  from  these  Welsh  counties 
calls  for  much  comment.  They  were  generally 
small,  especially  the  Pears,  the  best  of  which 
were  also  shown  by  Sir  George  Meyrick, 

Six  Northern  Counties  of  England,  and 
the  Isle  of  Man. — Apples:  One  exhibit  of 
Apples  only  was  seen,  and  this  was  shown  by 
John  Brennand,  Esq.,  Baldersby  Park,  Thirsk, 


IV. 


SUPPLEMENT     TO     THE     GARDEXERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[October  26,  1907. 


York  (gr.  Mr.  J.  E.  Hathaway).  Worcester 
Pearmain  and  l.ady  Sudeley  were  the  dessert 
varieties,  and  Lord  Suffield,  Ecklinville  Seed- 
ling, Peasgood's  Nonsuch,  and  Lord  Derby  the 
culinary  varieties,  the  quality  generally  being 
mediocre. 

Pears. — Mr.  Brennand  also  won  the  1st  prize 
for  Pears  with  no  competition.  He  showed 
Doyenne  Boussoch,  Doyenne  du  Cornice  (very 
pale  in  colour),  Souvenir  du  Congres,  Beurre 
Diel,  Pitmaston  Duchess,  and  Durondeau. 

Scottish  Counties.— A pples :  There  were  two 
exhibits,  and  of  these  one  was  staged  too  late 
for  judging,  but  this  was  the  better  of  the  two. 
The  judges' awarded  the  1st  prize  to  Mr.  James 
Day,  Galloway  House  Gardens,  Garlieston, 
Wigtownshire,  and  the  Council  gave  an  equal 
1st  prize  to  Col.  Gordon,  Threave  House,  Castle 
Douglas  (gr.  Mr.  James  Duff).  Col.  Gordon  had 
Lady  Sudeley  and  Gascoyne's  Scarlet  Seedling 
of  remarkably  fine  colour. 

Pears  .—The  only  exhibit  of  Pears  was  staged 
by  Mr.  James  Day,  and  this  was  awarded  the 
1st  prize.  All  were  small  and  russety  in  ap- 
pearance, Fondante  de  Thirriot  being  the  best 
sample. 

Irish  Counties.— A pples :  There  were  three 
exhibits  of  Apples  from  Ireland,  but  none  of 
Pears.  All  the  Apples  were  good  examples,  and 
greatly  surpassed  those  from  Scotland  in  point 
of  quality.  In  the  1st  prize  exhibit  of  Mr. 
Clement  B.  Broad,  Aghern,  Conna,  co.  Cork, 
a  dish  of  the  variety  Chas.  Ross  was  grand,  and 
he  also  showed  good  fruits  of  Bramley's  Seed- 
ling, Peasgood's  Nonsuch,  Worcester  Pearmain, 
&c.  2nd,  Thos.  O'Donnell,  Esq.,  Tinnakelly, 
Piltown,  co.  Kilkenny,  with  James  Ross,  Wor- 
cester Pearmain,  Golden  Spire,  Bismarck,  6tc. 

DIVISION  VI. 

Single  Dish  Classes. 
The  following  are  the  winners  in  the  single 
dish  classes  for  fruits  grown  in  the  open  air. 
Six  fruits  in  all  cases  constituted  a  dish.  Nur- 
serymen and  market-gardeners  were  excluded 
from  the  competition.  The  figures  in  parentheses 
indicate  the  number  of  entries. 

Dessert  Apples. 
Adams'  Pearmain  (11)  :  The  finest  dish  was 
shown  by  Lord  Poltimore,  Poltimore  Park, 
Exeter  (gr.  Mr.  T.  H.  Slade).  Allington  Pippin 
(15)  :  A  highly-coloured  half-a-dozen  fruits  won 
the  1st  prize  for  F.  P.  Norburv,  Esq.,  The  Nor- 
rest,  Malvern.  American  Mother  (7)  :  1st,  Mr. 
John  II.  Wootton,  Byford,  Hereford,  with  fruits 
of  the  highest  colouring.  Bens  Red  (2).  An  even 
sample  staged  by  J.  B.  Fortescue,  Esq.,  Drop- 
more,  Maidenhead  (gr.  Mr.  C.  Page),  was  the 
finer.  Blenheim  Pippin  (13)  :  The  best  finished, 
but  not  the  largest  fruits,  won  the  1st  prize. 
These  were  all  of  regul.ir  size  and  nicely 
coloured.  The  exhibitor  was  Lord  Foley,  Clay- 
gate  (gr.  Mr.  II.  C.  Gardner).  Claygate  Pear- 
main (7)  :  The  fruits  in  this  class  varied  greatly. 
The  largest  were  shown  by  G.  H.  Hadfield, 
Esq.,  Moraston  House,  near  Ross,  and  these 
were  awarded  the  1st  prize.  Cockle's  Pippin 
(2)  :  The  1st  prize  was  ?-varded  to  Mr.  G.  C.  D. 
Weddell,  Park  House,  Teddington.  Cox's 
Orange  Pippin  (19)  :  This  popular  variety  was 
seen  in  diverse  sizes  and  quality.  Medium- 
sized,  well-finished  fruits  from  the  gardens  of 
F.  P.  Norbury,  Esq.,  The  Norrest,  near  Mal- 
vern, were  adjudged  the  best,  and  thus  received 
the  1st  prize.  2nd,  H.  G.  Wadlow,  Esq.,  Peter- 
borough. Egrcmont  Russet  (8)  :  Much  the  finer 
fruits  were  shown  bv  W.  E.  S.  Erle  Drax, 
Esq.,  Olantigh  Towers,  Wye,  Kent  (gr.  Mr.  J. 
Bond).  The  fruits  were  coloured  russety-brown  on 
a  clear  yellow  ground.  James,  Grievi  (10):  E.  P. 
Norbury,  Esq.,  Malvern,  won  in  close  compe- 
tition with  Col.  Archer  Houblon,  who  was 
placed  2nd.  King  of  the  Pippins:  1st,  IL  J. 
King,  Esq.,  Ashford,  Kent  (gr.  Mr.  J.  G. 
Weston).  King  of  Tompkins  County  (8):  The 
finest  sample  was  disqualified  as  not  being  grown 
in  the  open.  The  award  went  to  Mr.  John  H. 
WOOTTON,  Byford,  Hereford.  Lord  Hindlip 
(4)  :  Much  the  best  sample  was  shown  by  H.  J. 
King,  Esq.,  Eastwell  Park,  Kent  (gr.  Mr.  J.  G. 
Weston).  Margil  (7):  1st,  G.  II.  Hadfield, 
Esq.,  Moraston  House,  Ross,  for  the  best 
coloured  fruits.  Ribslon  Pippin  (25):  The 
largest  fruits  were  also  the  finest  in  point  of 
quality,    and    these    won   the    1st    prize    for    the 


Earl  of  Ashbcrnham,  Battle,  Sussex  (gr.  Mr. 
G.  Grigg).  2nd,  Mr.  James  Vert,  Saffron 
Walden,  with  large  finely-finished  fruits.  Rival 
(2)  :  1st,  Col.  Archer  Houblon,  Welford  Park, 
Newbury  (gr.  Mr.  C.  Ross).  Scarlet  Nonpareil 
(4)  :  1st,  Mr.  J.  MclNDOE,  V.M.H.,  Dartford, 
Kent.  St.  Edmund's  Pippin  (1)  :  The  only  ex- 
hibit from  J.  B.  Fortescue,  Esq.,  Dropmore 
(gr.  Mr.  C.  Page),  received  the  1st  prize. 
Wealthy  (9)  :  A  fine  dish  of  this  highly-coloured 
variety  won  the  1st  prize  for  G.  H.  Hadfield, 
Esq.,  Ross.  Any  other  variety  not  named  above 
(22)  :  This  brought  forth  a  good  competition, 
but  the  1st  and  the  2nd  prizes  were  taken  by 
the  variety  Chas.  Ross.  Mr.  Edgar  Ross,  Win- 
chester, had  the  premier  dish. 

Culinary  Apples. 
Alfriston  (1)  :  John  Lee,  Esq.,  Higher  Beb- 
ington,  Cheshire,  was  awarded  the  1st  prize 
for  this  variety.  Annie  Elizabeth  (6)  :  An  even, 
clean-skinned  sample  shown  by  J.  B.  WlNG- 
field-Digby,  Esq.,  was  awarded  the  1st  prize. 
Beauty  of  Kent  (5)  :  Jeremiah  Colman,  Esq., 
Gatton  Park,  Reigate  (gr.  Mr.  W.  P.  Bound),  had 
the  best  fruits  of  this  very  irregularly-shaped 
variety.  Bismarck  (12)  :  The  largest  and  best 
coloured  fruits  were  shown  by  F.  P.  Norbury, 
Esq.,  Malvern,  to  whom  the  1st  prize  was 
awarded.  Bramley's  Seedling  (12)  :  A  clear- 
skinned,  but  green  sample  shown  by  Major 
Petre,  Westwick  House,  Norwich  (gr.  Mr.  G. 
D.  Davison),  was  awarded  the  1st  prize. 
Dumelow's  Seedling  (syn.  Wellington)  (8)  :  This 
excellent  culinary  Apple  was  shown  in  the  best 
form  by  Jeremiah  Colman,  Esq.,  Gatton  (gr.  W. 
P.  Bound).  Edward  VII.  (1)  :  2nd,  Mr.  John  H. 
WOOTTON,  Byford,  Hereford.  Emperor  Alexan- 
der (8)  :  The  fruits  shbwn  by  Mr.  T.  Eden- 
borough,  Elmhurst,  Rayleigh,  were  slightly 
superior  to  those  of  W.  E.  S.  Erle  Drax, 
Esq.,  and  were  placed  1st.  The  remaining  ex- 
hibitors were  much  behind  these  two  mentioned. 
Gascoyne's  Scarlet  (7)  :  It  was  easy  to  pick  out 
the  winning  dish,  shown  by  H.  J.  King,  Esq., 
Eastwell  Park  (gr.  Mr.  J.  G.  Weston).  Golden 
Noble  (5):  1st,  Mrs.  Coney,  Braywick,  Maiden- 
head (gr.  Mr.  A.  Tidy).  Golden  Spire  (6):  The 
largest  and  best  fruits  were  shown  by  G.  T. 
Bates,  Esq.,  Whitfield,  Hereford  (gr.  Mr.  R. 
Grindrod).  Grenadier  (2)  :  1st,  J.  B.  Fortescue, 
Esq.,  Dropmore,  with  a  rather  irregular  sample. 
Hambling's  Seedling  (7):  II.  St.  Maur,  Esq., 
Stover  Park,  Newton  Abbot  (gr.  Mr.  Geo. 
Richardson),  had  fruits  of  almost  double  the  size 
and  quality  of  those  of  any  other  exhibitor.  Hec- 
tor Macdonald  (1)  :  1st,  Col.  Archer  Houblon. 
Hormead  Pearmain  (3):  G.  II.  Hadfield,  Esq., 
Moraston  House,  Ross,  was  easily  1st  for  this 
variety.  Lady  Hen  inker  (1)  :  j.  B.  WlNG- 
field-Digby,  Esq.,  showed  the  winning  dish. 
Pane's  Prince  Albert  (15)  :  This  well-contested 
class  resulted  in  F.  P.  Norbury,  Esq.,  winning 
with  a  magnificent  dish.  Lord  Derby  (8)  :  Mr. 
Norbury  again  excelled  with  a  magnificent  half- 
a-dozen  fruits  of  this  variety.  Mere  de  Menage 
(6):  1st,  |.  B.  Wingfield-Digby,  Esq. 
Newton  Wonder  (17):  (Northern  growers):  1st, 
Major  Petre,  Norwich  (gr.  Mr.  G.  D.  Davison). 
(Southern  growers)  :  1st,  F.  P.  Norbury,  Esq. 
Norfolk  Beauty  (4)  :  Large  well-coloured  fruits 
shown  by  Col.  C.  Harbord,  Gunton  Pork,  Nor- 
wich (gr.  Mr.  Wm.  Allan),  were  adjudged  the 
best.  Peasgood's  Nonsuch  (16):  This  huge  variety 
was  shown  in  the  finest  form  by  W.  E.  S.  Erle 
Drax,  Esq.  ;  2nd,  Mrs.  Coney,  Braywick, 
Maidenhead  (gr.  Mr.  A.  Tidy).  Pott's  Seedling 
(7)  :  1st,  J.  W.  Platt,  Esq.,  View  Road,  High- 
gate  (gr.  Mr.  Chas.  Turner).  Royal  Jubilee  (4)  : 
The  largest  and  best  fruits  were  shown  by  J.  B. 
Fortescue  Esq.  Stirling  Castle  (11) :  Col. 
Archer  Houblon  showed  the  winning  dish  of 
this  variety.  Tower  of  Glamis  (5)  :  Much  the 
finest  dish  was  shown  by  J.  B.  Wingfield- 
Digby,  Esq.  Warner's  Xing  (12)  :  Among  keen 
competition,  the  1st  prize  was  awarded  to  A.  P. 
Brandt,  Esq.,  Bletchingley  Castle,  Surrey  ('gr. 
Mr.  J-  W.  Barks).  Any  other  variety  than  those 
enumerated  (18):  1st,  Gloria  Mundi,  shown  by 
Jeremiah  Colman,  Esq.;  2nd,  Hollandbury, 
shown  by  J.  B.  Wingfield-Digby,  Esq. 

Dessert  Pears. 

Belle  Julie  (1)  :   The  1st  prize  was  given  to  the 

only  exhibit,  shown  by  the  Dowager  Lady  HlL- 

I.INGDON.    Beurre  Alexander  Lueas  (8)  :  1st,  J.  B. 

Wingfield-Digby,  Esq.     Beurre  d'Amanlis  (6). 


1st,  Col.  Archer  Houblon,  for  the  largest  and 
best  fruits.  Beurre  d'Anjou  :  1st,  J.  T. 
Charlesworth,  Esq.,  Nutfield  Court,  Suney  (gr. 
Mr.  T.  W.  Herbert).  Beurre  Bosc  (6)  :  A  keen  com- 
petition resulted  in  the  Earl  of  Ashburnham 
winning  the  premier  prize.  Beurre  Dumont  (3)  : 
1st,  Lord  Hillingdo.n,  Uxbridge  (gr.  Mr.  A.  R. 
Allan).  Beurre  Hardy  (15)  :  This  well-con- 
tested class  resulted  in  Sir  Edmund  Loder, 
Bart.,  winning  with  a  choice  dish  of  this 
variety.  Beurre  Super  fin  (8)  :  1st,  J.  B. 
WlNGFIELD-DlGBY,  Esq.,  with  highly-finished 
fiuits.  Charles  Ernest  (2)  :  Very  large  fruits 
won  the  1st  prize  for  Lord  Poltimore.  Comle 
de  Lamy  (5) :  1st,  Dowager  Lady  Hillingdon. 
Conference  (9)  :  Medium-sized  fruits  shown  by 
Jeremiah  Coleman,  Esq.,  were  adjudged  the 
best.  Doyenne  du  Cornice  (20)  :  This  keenly  con- 
tested class  exhibited  fruits  of  great  diversity  in 
size  and  ripening.  The  winning  dish  easily 
out-distanced  the  others  in  quality,  and  were 
equal  to  orchard-house  fruits.  They  were  from 
the  gardens  of  F.  Leverton  Harris,  Esq., 
Camilla,  Lacey,  Dorking  (gr.  Mr.  James  Mac- 
Donald).  Durondeau  (12)  :  1st,  Right  Hon. 
Lord  Hillingdon.  with  a  magnificent  sample. 
Entile  d'Heyst  (9)  :  1st,  Rev.  H.  A.  Bull, 
Westgate-on-Sea  (gr.  Mr.  F.  King).  Fondante 
d'Automne  (3)  :  Lord  Hillingdon  was  successful 
in  this  class,  but  the  competition  amongst  the 
three  exhibitors  was  very  keen.  Fondante  de 
Thirriot  (7):  1st,  M.  W.  Price,  Esq.,  Codicote, 
Welwyn  (gr.  Mr.  T.  Patman).  Glou  Morccau 
(£>)  :  Pale,  flushed-red  fruits  won  the  1st  prize 
for  E.  E.  Croft,  Esq.,  Stanstead  Abbotts,  Ware 
(gr.  Mr.  G.  Longhurst).  Josephine  de  Malines  (5)  : 
1st,  J.  B.  Wingfield-Digby,  Esq.  Le  Brun 
(1):  1st,  F.  R.  Ronp,  Esq.,  Launceston.  Le 
P,  etier  (7)  :  The  Earl  of  Ashburnham  had  the 
winning  dish  of  this  variety  in  the  largest  fruits. 
Louise  Bonne  of  Jersey  (16)  :  Magnificent  fruits 
won  the  1st  prize  for  W.  E.  S.  Erle  Drax, 
Esq.,  the  other  samples  staged  being  generally 
much  below  this  in  point  of  merit.  Marie  Benoist 
(3)  :  1st,  J.  B.  Wingfield-Digby,  Esq.  Marie 
Louise  (10)  :  1st,  G.  H.  Hadfield,  Esq., 
Moraston  House,  Ross.  Nouvelle  Fulvie  (4): 
Col.  C.  Harbord,  Gunton  Park,  won  the 
premier  prize  with  much  the  largest  fruits. 
Pitmaston  Duchess  (15)  :  Rev.  H.  A.  Bull  won 
with  the  biggest  and  finest-coloured  fruits  of 
this  variety.  President  Barabe  (6)  :  The  1st  prize 
was  won  by  Col.  Harbord.  St.  Luke  (1)  :  1st, 
J.  B.  Fortescue,  Esq.,  with  no  competition. 
Thompson's  (7)  :  Lord  Hillingdon  was  success- 
ful in  a  good  competition.  Triomphc  de  Yienne 
(!)  :  1st,  Lord  Hillingdon,  in  competition  with 
other  exhibitors,  other  splendid  dishes  of  this 
variety.  Winter  Nclis  (5)  :  1st,  II.  G.  Klein- 
wort,'  Esq.,  who  had  the  biggest  but  greenest 
fruits.  Any  other  variety  than  those  enumerated 
above  (31):'  1st,  Doyenne  Boussoch,  shown  by 
Mr.  W.  A.  Voss,  Rayleigh,  Essex  ;  2nd,  Gansel's 
Bergamot,  exhibited  by  Jeremiah  Colman,  Esq. 

Award  of  Merit. 
Raspberry  Alexandra.— A  very  late  variety  of 
Raspberry,  shown  under  this  name  by  Col.  the 
lion.  ('.Harbord,  Gunton  Park,  Norwich  (gr. 
Mr.  W.  Allan),  was  granted  an  Award  of  Merit 
by  the  Fruit  and  Vegetable  Committee. 

Miscellaneous  Exhibits. 

Messrs.  James  Veitch  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  King's 
Road,  Chelsea,  showed  a  collection  of  fruits, 
grown  entirely  in  the  open,  and  very  similar  to 
the  two  competitive  exhibits  in  Class  14.  The 
Apples  and  Pears  were  remarkable  for  their  ex- 
cellence. The  Council  awarded  this  fine  collec- 
tion a  Silver  C,ilt  Hogg  Medal. 

Messrs.  H.  Lane  &  Son,  Great  Berkham 
Herts.,  show-ed  some  splendid  vines  in  pots,  well 
laden  with  bunches.  They  included  a  Prince  of 
Wales  Vine,  18  months  old,  bearing  five  bunches 
of  l<  lb.  each;  a  fine  black  variety,  Appley 
Towers,  with  10  bunches  ;  Diamond  Jubilee,  a 
black  Grape  bearing  12  bunches,  some  1  sing 
2  lbs.  in  weight ;  Melton  Constable,  two  vines 
in  12-inch  pots,  bearing  heavy  crops;  als  Mrs, 
Pearson  and  Black  Alicante,  both  1  eivily 
fruited. 

Messrs.  T.  Rivers  &  Sox.  Sawbridg-worta, 
showed  bun;hes  of  Black  Alicante  Cranes  on 
boards,  the  shape  of  bunch,  colour,  and  bloom 
being  alike  good.  This  firm  also  showed  pot- 
vines  in  fruit,  the  varieties  being  Golden  Queen, 
Gros  Colman,  and  Appley  Towers. 


November  2,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE 


305 


THE 


^arbcncrs'Cbrontcli 

No.  7,088.— SATURDAY,  November  2.  1907. 


CONTENTS. 


American  blight,  a  dress- 
ing for 

Apple  leaf-spots 

Belgian  garden,  a 

Books,  notices  of — 
A  Dictionary  of  Botani 

cal  Terms 

Publications  Received 

Burghley  House,  Stam- 
ford        

Cattleya,  a  magnificent 
plant  of  

Cultural  memoranda — 
The  Bouvardia 

Destructive  Insects  and 
Pests  Act,  1907 

Exhibiting  Chrysanthe- 
mums :  Boards  v. 
Vases     

Fernery,  the — 
The     distribution     of 
Ferns 

Fruits,  cold  storage  of 
small     

Florists'  flowers — 
New  Chrysanthe' 
mums  , 

Fruit  register — 
Apples,  Golden  Spire 

and  Mank's   Codlin    309 
Fig  culture      310 

Fruits,  some  new         ...    309 

Fruit  show,  the  recent  314,3(5 

Garden  competition  at 
Kingston         314 


314 
314 

307 
313 
307 
313 

316 

308 
313 

306 


Grape  disqualified  at  the 
recent  fruit  show 

Half-holiday  for  nursery 
employees       

Hardy  flower  border— 
Silene  Fortunei 

Marlow,  W.  J.,  presen- 
tation to  

Montbretias,  the  propa- 
gation of         

Muscat    of     Alexandria 
Grapes,  judging 

Plant  notes — 
Asparagus  pastorianus   307 

Pruning,  summer         ...    316 

Prunus  spinosa 308 

Societies — 
Debating 

Royal  Horticultural.. 
(Scientific  Committee) 

Linnean  

Manchester  and  N.  of 
England  Orchid     ... 

South-eastern     Agricul- 
tural College,  Wye  ... 

Thomas,  Mr.  H.  H.      ... 

Trenching  

Tree  planting      

Week's  work,  the — 
Flower  garden,  the  ... 
Fruits  under  glass     ... 
Hardy  fruit  garden 


315 
313 


310 
314 


30C 
316 


319 
317 
319 
313 

319 

313 
314 

312 
309 

310 
311 

311 


Kitchen  garden,  the...    311 
Orchid  houses,  the 
Parks  and  gardens 
Plants  under  glass 


310 
310 
311 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Apple  leaves  affected  with  leaf-spot  diseases        ...    305,  306 
Cattleya  Warscewiczii,  a  remarkable  plant  of  {Supple- 
mentary Illustration) 
Phyllosticta,    a    fungus    causing    leaf-spot  disease  in 

Apples —     pn«* 

Prunus   spinosa,  a  flowering  spray  of      308 

Sphaeropsis,  a  fungus  causing  spotting  in  Apple  leaves    306 
Views  in  a  Belgian  garden        ...    314,  315 


APPLE    LEAF-SPOTS. 

DURING  the  past  summer  fruit-growers 
in  many  districts  have  been  complain- 
ing that  the  leaves  of  a  number  of 
varieties  of  Apples  have  become  affected  with 
some  disease  which  has  turned  the  leaves 
brown  in  places  and  in  some  cases  caused 
them  to  fall.  Numerous  examples  of  such 
leaves  have  been  sent  to  me  from  a  number 
of  counties.  After  excluding  those  cases 
which  showed,  on  microscopic  examination, 
no  disease  attributable  to  any  organism,  and 
in  which  the  "  browning  "  appeared  to  be 
caused  by  some  unfavourable  atmospheric 
conditions,  there  remained  a  large  number  of 
cases  in  which  it  was  evident  that  the  damage 
was  caused  by  certain  definite  species  of  para- 
sitic fungi  which  had  attacked  the  leaves. 
Some  of  these  are  still  under  investigation. 
The  object  of  the  present  note  is  to  draw  at- 
tention to  two  definite  "  leaf-spots,"  and  to 
the  fact  that  they  can  be  cured  by  spraying ; 
also  to  ask  growers  who  notice  any  injury- 
appearing  on  Apple  leaves  during  next  season 
to  kindly  forward  me  examples  of  the  same. 
One  of  the  commonest  "  leaf-spots  "  is 
that  shown  in  fig.  120.    This  is  caused  by  a 


species  of  Phyllosticta.  The  disease  is  char- 
acterised by  the  presence  of  small,  light- 
brown  spots  1  to  3  millimetres  across,  usually 
circular,  but  sometimes  oval.     These  brown 


Fig.  120. — apple  leaf  affected  with   "leaf 
spot,"  caused  by  a  species  of  phyllosticta. 

spots,  which  usually  occur  in  numbers  on  a 
single  leaf,  are  composed  of  dead  leaf-tissue 
which  has  been  killed  by  the  fungus,  and  are 
so  sharplv  marked  oil  from  the  surrounding 
leaf-tissue  as  to  bear  the  appearance  of 
having  been  stamped  out.  Scattered  over  the 
brown  area  can  be  seen  a  number  of  minute 
black  dots.  These,  which  are  just  visible  to  the 
naked  eye,  are  shown  enlarged  in  the  photo- 
graph in  fig.  121.  Each  black  dot  is  a  fruit- 
conceptacle,  or  pycnidium,  as  it  is  called,  o; 
the  fungus  (see  fig.  122),  and  contains  within 


Fig.  121. — a  single  "  leaf  spot  "   magnified, 

showing  the    black   dots,   which    are    the 

pycnidia  of  the  phyllosticta. 

it  thousands  of  very  minute,  oval,  colourless 
spores,  each  measuring  6  to  S  by  2  to  3  /1. 

The  second  "  leaf-spot  "  is  represented  in 
fig.  123.  In  this  case  larger  areas  of  the  leaf 
are  killed,   and  form  dark-brown  patches  of 


irregular  shape,  such  as  is  shown  in  the 
photograph  in  fig.  123.  When  a  number  of 
such  areas  occur  on  a  leaf,  or  when  a  single 
dead  patch  is  of  considerable  size,  the  whole 
leaf  may  shrivel  up  and  fall  prematurely.  The 
fungus  causing  this  "  leaf-spot  "  is  a  species 
of  Sphaeropsis.  If  the  dead  area  of  the  leaf 
is  examined  withalens.a  number  of  minute 
black  bodies  can  be  seen  breaking  through 
the  .epidermis  (sec  fig.  123).  These  bodies, 
whBh  are  usually  arranged  in  a  concentric 
manner,  are  the  fruit-conceptacles,  or 
pyenidia,  of  the  fungus.  Each  pycnidium 
contains  many  hundreds  of  comparatively 
large,  oblong-,  dark  olive-brown  spores,  which 
measure  25  to  30  by  10  to  15  H.  (see  fig.  124). 
The  spores  are  borne,  inside  the  pycnidium, 
00  stalk-like  conidiophores,  which  are  often 
10  be  found  attached  to  the  ripe,  or  nearly 
ripe,  spore  (see  fig.   124,  d.). 

These  two  "  leaf-spot  "  diseases,  caused  bv 
species  of  the  two  genera  Phyllosticta  and 
Sphaeropsis,  have  occurred  this  season  on  a 
number  of  varieties  of  Apples,  and  have  been 
.  specially  prevalent  on  Peasgood's  Nonsuch, 
Cox's  Orange,  and  Ribston  Pippin. 

In  the  case  of  several  plantations  which  I 
have  had  under  observation  during  the  entire 
season,  it  has  been  very  noticeable  that  these 
"  leaf-spots  "  have  been  entirely  absent  from 
the  trees  which  have  been  sprayed  with  Bor- 
deaux mixture  (for  Apple  "  scab  "),  while 
occurring  to  an  injurious  extent  on  the 
surrounding  trees. 


FlG,    122.  — DETAILS    OF    THE    PHYLLOSTICTA 
MAGNIFIED. 

a,  Dead  cells  of  the  Apple  leaf  ;  b,  Section  of  a  pycnidium 
c    Spores  ;   d,  Seven  spores  highly  magnified. 


The  "  leaf-spot  "  caused  by  Sphaeropsis  is 
of  special  interest,  owing  to  the  fact  that  a 
species  of  this  genus,  viz.,  S.  makirum  Pk., 
has  been  proved  in  the  United  States  to  be 
the  cause  of  a  distinct  "  canker  "  of  Apple 
trees,  which  has  been  termed  the  "  New 
York  Apple-tree  canker."  This  disease 
(which  until  lately  had  been  ascribed  to  sun- 
scald)  has  been  very  destructive  in  New  York 
State,  as  well  as  in  adjacent  States,  certain 
varieties  of  Apples  suffering  heavily  from  the 
injury  caused  by  "  cankered  "  limbs.  A  full 
description  of  this  "canker,"  which  differs 
in  several  details  from  that  produced  bv  the 
common  "  canker  "-fungus  of  our  orchards, 
viz.,  the  European  canUer  Nectria  ditissima, 
will  be  found  in  Bulletins  Nos.  163  and  1S5 
of  the  New  York  Agricultural  Experiment 
Station.  In  the  latter  publication  we  read: 
"  The  leaves  of  Apple  trees  are  occasionally 
attacked  by  a  Sphaeropsis,  when  injuries  ap- 
pear in  the  form  of  round  brown  dead  spots 
somewhat  like  those  from  burning  by  im- 
priper  sp»aying  with  Paris  green.     This  form 


306 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[November 


1907 


of  Sphaeropsis  has  not  been  definitely  proved 
to  be  identical  with  S.  malorum,  but  the  in- 
dications are  that  it  is  the  same." 

Whether  or  not  the  Sphajropsis  represented 
in  fig.  123  is  the  S.  malorum  which  causes  a 


lrlG.     123. — APPLE     LEAF     AFFECTED     WITH     "LEAF 
SPOT,"  CAUSED    BY    A  SPECIES    OF    SPH^ROPSIS. 

special  "  canker  "  of  Apple  trees  in  the 
States,  it  is  worthy  of  notice  as  being  one  of 
the  fungi  which  is  able  in  this  country  in  cer- 
tain seasons  to  cause  a  definite  injury,  in  the 
form  of  "  leaf-spots,"  to  certain  varieties  of 
Apples. 

It  is  to  be  noted,  too,  that  Spha?ropsis 
malorum  is  well  known  in  the  States  as  the 
fungus  which  causes  the  "  black  rot  "  of 
Apples,  not  only  when  the  fruit  is  in  storage 
but  also  in  the  ripening  stage  on  the  tree  (see 
the  Illinois  Agricultural  Experiment  Station, 
Bull.  No.  69). 


definite  "  leaf-spots,"  there  appeared  the 
Farmers'  Bulletin  No.  2S3  of  the  U.S.  De- 
partment of  Agriculture  on  "  Spraying  for 
Apple  Diseases."  Here  it  is  stated  that  the 
fungus  diseases  which  are  "  quite  destruc- 
tive "  in  certain  Apple  orchards  are  "  bitter 
rot,"  Apple  "blotch,"  and  "leaf-spot." 
Under  "  leaf-spot  diseases  "  the  following 
interesting  remarks  occur  :  "  The  disease 
may  begin  to  appear  in  the  spring,  soon  after 
the  young  leaves  unfold,  but  the  spots  are 
usually  more  prominent  between  midsummer 
and  the  end  of  the  season.  This  diseased  con- 
dition causes  the  leaves  to  drop  prematurely, 
frequentlv  leaving  the  trees  denuded  in  early 
autumn,  six  weeks  or  two  months  before  the 
normal  period  of  leaf-fall.  Trees  thus  de- 
prived of  their  foliage  cease  activity,  and  as 
a  result  the  fruit  is  small  and  not  properly 
matured ;  the  buds  for  the  crop  of  the  fol- 
lowing year  are  weakened,  and  in  some  . 
cases  not  fully  developed,  and  the  life  of  the 
tree  is  materially  shortened.  These  leaf 
diseases  are  partly  responsible  for  the  failure 
of  the  trees  to  produce  crops  and  for  the  early 
decline  of  the  orchard.  Leaf-spots  are  due  to 
several  different  fungi,  perhaps  the  most  pro- 
minent of  which  is  a  species  of  Phyllosticta. 
A  species  of  Hendersonia  and  the  ordinary 
'  black  rot  '  fungus,  Sphasropsis  malorum, 
are  found  in  conjunction  with  some  of  the 
spots,  and  may  be  responsible  for  the  injury 
in  some  cases.  These  leaf-diseases  are  largely 
prevented  by  application  of  Bordeaux  mix- 
lure,  and  the  foliage  remains  fresh  and  green 
long  after  unsprayed  trees  are  defoliated." 
Two  good  applications  of  Bordeaux  mixture 
are  recommended,  the  first  application  about 
two  or  three  weeks  after  the  petals  have 
fallen,  and  the  second  about  seven  weeks 
later. 

It  appears,  therefore,  that  in  the  States  the 
injury  caused  by  "  leaf-spots,"  such  as  those 
shown  in  figs.  120  and  123,  if  not  actually 
identical  with  them,  is  sufficiently  serious  to 
demand  spraying.  It  is  quite  possible  that  with 
the  constantly  increasing  acreage  of  Apples  in 
England,  growers  in  this  country  will  be 
obliged  to  have  recourse  regularly  to  the  same 
measures.     It   is   certain   that   in   many  dis- 


FlG.    124. — DETAILS    OF   TilE    SPHvEKOPSIS    MAGNIFIED. 

a,    Dead  cells  of  the  tissue  of  the  leaf;    b,   Section  through  a  pyenidium  ;    c,    Spores; 
d,   Three  spores  very  highly  magnified. 

Whilst  I  was  investigating  during  the  past  tricts  this  season  it  would  have  paid  well  to 

summer  the  "spotting"  and   "browning"  have    sprayed    against    Apple    "leaf-spots." 

nf  Apple  leaves,  and  after  I  had  ascertained  E.   S.   Salmon,    F.L.S.,     Mycologist    to    the 

that  the  species  of  Phyllosticta  and  Spha?rop-  South-Eastcrn    Agricultural    College,     Wye, 

sis    described    above    are    the    cause   of    two  Kent. 


THE    PROPAGATION    OF 
MONTBRETIAS. 

The  beautiful  new  hybrids  of  Montbretia  do 
not  naturally  increase  so  readily  as  many  of  the 
older  kinds  ;  the  following  remarks  may  there- 
fore prove  useful. 

Plants  that  have  been  grown  in  the  open 
border  should  now  be  lifted  very  carefully,  and, 
after  being  divided,  be  potted  into  small  pots 
in  a  light,  sandy  compost,  and  be  afforded  a 
greenhouse  temperature.  At  the  time  of  lifting 
the  corms,  it  will  be  found  that  some  of  the 
stronger  plants  have  developed  one  or  more 
long  underground  stems  very  much  resembling 
Couch  Grass,  but  considerably  stronger  and 
thicker.  These  shoots  have  always  a  few  root 
fibres  present  along  their  sides.  These  rhizomes 
should  be  detached  from  the  bulb,  and  be  potted 
separately  with  just  the  point  of  the  shoot  pro- 
truding above  the  soil.  If  the  pots  are  placed 
on  a  shelf  in  an  intermediate  house,  the  shoots 
will  continue  to  form  roots,  and  in  the  spring 
the  plants  will  be  growing  freely.  The  corms 
which  have  been  potted  should  show  no  signs  of 
growth  until  early  in  the  spring,  when,  besides 
the  centre  shoots,  several  underground  stems 
will  appear  along  the  sides  of  the  pots.  When 
these  shoots  are  1  inch  or  more  above  the  level 
of  the  soil,  the  plant  should  be  turned  out  of  its 
pot  and  the  side  growths  be  cut  off  with  a  few  root 
fibres  attached,  but  without  disturbing  the  ball 
of  earth  around  the  parent  bulb. 

These  small,  rooted  suckers  should  be  placea 
into  small  pots;  in  the  spring,  they  will  require 
a  ilhift  into  larger  receptacles.  If  the  weather 
is  favourable  they  may  be  planted  direct  from 
the  small  pots  into  a  well-prepared  bed  in  the 
open.  Many  of  these  plants  will  flower  the 
first  season  after  planting,  and  will  form  good 
corms,  from  which  a  plentiful  stock  can  be  ob- 
tained the  following  year.  Montbretias  prefer  a 
sunny  position  in  the  flower-garden,  and,  during 
dry  weather  are  much  improved  by  a  mulch- 
ing and  copious  supplies  of  liquid  farmyard 
manure.  The  newer  hybrids  form  elegant  sub- 
jects for  pot-culture,  either  when  grown  singly 
or  several  together.  W.  H.  Clarke,  Aston 
Rozuant,   Oxon. 


FLORISTS'    FLOWERS. 


THE  BEST  CHRYSANTHEMUMS  SENT 
OUT  SINCE  1903. 

As  a  result  of  an  election  by  the  members  of 
the  Paris  Chrysanthemum  Committee,  organised 
early  in  the  year,  a  list  of  the  best  novelties  since 
1903  has  just  been  published  in  the  journal  sup- 
plied to  its  members.  Of  course,  English  growers 
would  probably  add  others,  but  it  is  interesting  to 
record  the  names  of  some  of  those  that  obtained 
the  greatest  number  of  votes. 

There  were  34  votes  in  all,  and  upwards  of  200 
varieties  received  from  three  to  30  votes  each. 
These  appear  in  the  audit,  arranged  in  order  of 
name  of  variety,  raiser,  date,  and  number  of  votes 
given  in  each  case.  The  most  successful  are  the 
varieties  obtained  by  Cahert,  Marquis  de  Pins, 
Nonin,  Durand,  Wells,  Jones,  Vilmorin,  Chan- 
trier,  and  several  others  not  widely  known  in  this 
country. 

Out  of  the  200  I  have  selected  the  first  30  ;  these 
obtained  from  30  votes  to  18,  and  areSapho,  Mme. 
Marguerite  de  Mons,  Mme.  Rene  Overthur, 
Lt.-Col.  Ducroiset,  President  Viger,  Tokio,  Jean 
Calvat,  Souvenir  de  Bailleul.Ch  Schwartz,  Mme. 
Henri  Douillet,  M.  Ant  Marmontel,  La  Gracieuse, 
President  Loubet,  Le  Brevannais,  Alliance,  Souve- 
nir de  Mme.  Buron,  Nathalie  Bourseul,  Ami  A. 
Nonin,  Albert  Maumene,  Rose  Poitevine,  M. 
Loiseau  Rousseau,  Henri  Second,  Souvenir  de 
Calvat  Pere,  Mme.  Toussaint.  Charvet,  Vierge 
Montbrunoise,  Amateur  Rozieres,  Mme.  de  la 
Verbeville,  Mile.  Ren(5e  Avisard,  Villede  Phenicie, 
Mrs.  J.  A.  Miller.     C.  H.  P. 


November  2,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


307 


CULTURAL     MEMORANDA. 


THE     BOUVARDIA. 

The  culture  of  the  Bouvardia  is  much  simpler 
than   that   of   many   commonly-grown   flowering 
plants    which    yield    fewer   blossoms    in    return 
for     an     amount     of     labour     bestowed     upon 
them    than    is    necessary    in    the    case    of    the 
Bouvardia.      Plants   may  be   had   in   little   more 
than  six  months  from  the  time  of  inserting  the 
cutting,   measuring  2  feet   in   diameter  and  the 
same  in  height.    If  these  be  grown  a  second  year 
they   will   reach   a  size   double  that   mentioned, 
but  for  general  decorative  purposes  in  the  con- 
servatory or  dwelling-room,  yearling  plants  are 
to  be  preferred.     Propagation  is  readily  effected 
by    cuttings   which   are   best    secured    from   old 
plants  that  have  been  pruned  hard  back,   as  in 
the  case  of  an  old  Fuchsia.     The  pruned  plants 
should  be  placed  in  a  warm  moist  plant-house, 
in  February.     They  will  soon  form  new  growths, 
and  these  will  furnish  the  cuttings  which  should 
be  taken  off  about  2  inches  long,  and  preferably, 
but  not  necessarily,  provided  with  a  heel.    Well- 
drained    pots,    having   a    diameter   of   5   inches, 
should  be  filled  with  a  mixture  of  leaf-mould  and 
sand,  the  cuttings  inserted,  and  be  placed  upon  a 
hot  bed.       Roots  will  form  readily,  and  potting 
must  be  done  before  the  roots  become  matted 
together.     Thumbs  or  small  sixties  will  be  suit- 
able pots,   and  the  compost   should   consist   of 
equal   parts  leaf-mould  and  fibrous  loam,  with 
a  free  addition  of  sand.     When   potted,   return 
the  plants  to  the  hot-bed.     The  leading  shoots 
should   be  regularly   pinched   in   order   to   pro- 
mote a  bushy  habit  of  growth,  and  when  they 
have   filled   their   pots   with    roots   a   shift   into 
4-inch   pots   should   be   afforded,    using   at   this 
stage  a  mixture  of  loam  and  peat  in  equal  pro- 
portions   with    sufficient    sharp    sand    to    keep 
the  compost  open.      Should   peat   not  be  avail- 
able, leaf-mould  may  be  used  in  its  place  ;  I  have 
seen  Bouvardias  do  very  well  when  this  material 
has    been    substituted    for    peat.     After    a    time, 
when  the  heat  has  declined  in  the  hot-bed,  they 
may   be  removed  to   a   cold   frame,   and   placed 
as  near  to  the  glass  as  is  convenient.     Syringe 
the    plants    overhead,    and    close    the    structure 
early  in  the  afternoon  to  retain  the  sun's  heat. 
At   their   final  potting  they  should   be   afforded 
6-inch  pots,  and  this  should  take  place  not  later 
than  the  end  of  July  if  the  plants  are  intended 
for  early   winter  flowering,   but   it   may   be  de- 
ferred a  fortnight  if  flowers  are  not  required  so 
early.     Use   a   compost   similar  .to    that   in   the 
4-inch  pots.     As  the  summer  advances,  the  plants 
should  be  plunged  in  some  open  material  such 
as  leaves,  in  order  to  keep   the  roots  cool  and 
prevent  a  sudden  drying  of  the  ball.     The  Bou- 
vardia requires  plenty  of  moisture  at  its  roots, 
and   the   ioliage  should   be   frequently   syringed 
during  the  summer  months.     At  this  stage  the 
lights  should  be  removed  from  the  frame  both 
day   and   night ;    in   fact,   no   frame   is   needed. 
The  pinching  of  the   shoots  must  be  regularly 
performed,    for   growth   is   vigorous   throughout 
the  summer  till  the   end  of  August.      There   is 
often     a     difficulty     in     preventing     Bouvardias 
running  to  flower  in  a  hot  dry  summer  ;  this  is 
owing  to  the  plants  having  too  much  sunlight, 
which  ripens  the  wood  quickly.    This  precocious 
blooming    may   be   prevented    by    plunging   the 
plants  in  the  manner  described,  and  protecting 
them  from  full  exposure  to  the  sun  at  midday. 
For   flowering    in    November    and    December 
the  plants  should  be  housed  about  the  end  of 
September  in  a  plant-house  having  a  tempera- 
ture   of    50°.     As    the   flowering    shoots    appear 
the  plants  should  be  given  a  stimulant  such  as 
manure  water.     This  should  be  very  dilute  and 
be  applied  at  frequent  intervals.  When  flowering 
is  over  the  plants  should  be  gradually  brought 
to  a  resting  condition,  and  be  placed  in  a  cool 
house.     When  they  are  to  be  started  into  growth 
again  the  shoots  should  be  cut  back  to  about  the 
second    node,    and    the    plant    be   grown    on   as 
recommended  above. 


Bouvardias  may  be  propagated  from  roots 
at  the  same  time  of  the  year  as  from  stem 
cuttings.  The  old  plants  should  be  freed  from 
soil  and  the  thickest  of  the  roots  cut  into 
portions  about  an  inch  long.  These  pieces 
should  be  placed  near  the  surface  in  sandy  soil 
in  pans  and  about  an  inch  apart.  Their  after 
treatment  will  be  the  same  as  in  the  case  of 
stem  cuttings  Amongst  trie  best  varieties  for 
winter  flowering  are  Alford  Neuner,  Elegans, 
Hogarth,  Dazzler,  Maiden's  Blush,  Jasminoides, 
President  Garfield  and  Vreelandi.     H.  R.  W. 


BURGHLEY    HOUSE. 

This  beautiful  historic  mansion,  the  seat  of 
the  Marquess  of  Exeter,  is  situated  near  to 
the  town  of  Stamford.  It  stands  in  a  well- 
wooded  park  of  several  hundreds  of  acres,  the 
scenery  of  which  is  most  beautiful.  Double 
avenues  of  Lime  trees  and  Elms  afford  a 
natural  shade  in  the  summer  to  the  browsing 
cattle  and  deer. 

The  pleasure  grounds,  which  are  very  exten- 
sive, contain  some  fine  specimens  of  the  Cedar 
of  Lebanon,  and  bold  groups  of  flowering 
shrub.;,  many  of  which  are  planted  near  to  a 
lake.  A  dell  in  the  pleasure  grounds  contains  a 
rock-garden,  and,  during  hot  weather,  provides 
a  cool  and  refreshing  walk.  Large  banks  of  the 
common  Laurel,  planted  by  the  sides  of  the 
paths,  form  a  feature  in  these  gardens.  They 
are  well  trained,  and  as  the  pruning  is  per- 
formed by  means  of  the  knife,  much  labour  is 
involved  in  their  trimming.  Rambling  Roses, 
trained  on  iron  arches,  are  another  notable  fea- 
ture, and  these  plants  grow  with  the  greatest 
freedom.  Plants  of  the  variety  Crimson  Ram- 
bler are  trained  to  represent  a  tent,  the  chains 
forming  the  design  being  entirely  covered  with 
the  plants.  Large  flower-beds,  near  the  man- 
sion, are  planted  with  Violas  in  varieties  of 
different  colours ;  Pelargoniums,  Fuchsias, 
Heliotropes,  and  Lobelia  compacta  var.  Kath- 
leen Mallard  appeared  extremely  pleasing  at  the 
time  of  my  visit — the  last  day  in  September. 
Tropaeolurn  speciosum,  planted  on  the  north 
side  of  a  Yew  hedge  and  sheltered  by  a  belt  of 
trees  from  rough  winds,  was  a  beautiful  object. 
A  wild  garden  is  in  course  of  planting,  and  this 
will  add  greatly  to  the  beauty  of  these  wood- 
land pleasure  grounds.  There  are  three  plant 
houses  near  to  the  mansion,  and  these  are  occu- 
pied by  plants  suitable  for  room  and  table  deco- 
ration. 

The  kitchen  gardens  comprise  an  area  of  more 
than  12  acres.  Among  the  vegetables  was 
Chou  de  Burghley  Kale,  which  was  raised  at  the -^e 
gardens  some  years  ago.  I  noticed  one  border 
60  yards  long  planted  entirely  with  "  Horace 
Martin  "  Chrysanthemum,  the  plants  being  a 
mass  of  flowers. 

Peach  trees  were  seen  on  walls  in  the  open 
in  great  quantities,  and  they  were  carrying  heavy 
crops  of  well-finished  fruits.  The  varieties 
Princess  of  Wales  and  Sea  Eagle  are  grown  for 
a  late  supply.  Pears  and  Apples  were  fair 
crops,  although  their  number  was  below  the 
average  for  Burghley. 

The  glass  structures  are  extensive  and  com- 
prise several  span-roofed  houses,  each  45  yards 
in  length.  Tomatos  and  Cucumbers  were 
planted  out  in  one  house,  and  another  was  filled 
with  winter-flowering  Carnations.  These  Car- 
nations were  planted  in  6-inch  pots.  A  batch 
of  Begonia  Gkire  de  Lorraine,  and  another  of 
Euphorbia  (Poinsettia)  gave  promise  of  a  fine 
show  of  flowers  later.  Plants  of  Calanthe 
Veitchii  were  fast  maturing  their  large,  healthy 
pseudo-bulbs,  which  appeared  capable  of  de- 
veloping good  flower-spikes.  One  house  was 
filled  with  pot  plants  of  Myosotis. 

Another  span-roofed  structure  had  two  side 
stages  filled  with  the  scarlet  Raspail  Pelar- 
gonium. The  plants  were  covered  with  flowers 
over  a  groundwork  of  Adiantum  Ferns.  Pits 
and   frames   accommodated   Strawberry   plants  ; 


these  will  furnish  a  succession  of  fruits  to  those 
grown  in  pots.  A  frame  contained  a  large  batch 
of  Cyclamen  just  showing  their  flowering  spikes. 

Several  glasshouses  are  devoted  to  the  culture 
of  fiuit,  including  Grapes,  Peaches,  Nectarines, 
Figs  and  Melons,  the  last-named  being  grown 
on  square  turves  placed  upon  slates  as  a  pre- 
ventive of  canker. 

Chrysanthemums  were  strong  and  healthy, 
and  appeared  capable  of  producing  excellent 
blooms  in  their  season.  In  several  lights  are 
grown  Violets  on  long  manure  placed  on  fag- 
gots, and  with  a  covering  of  loamy  soil  on  top. 
Under  this  treatment  the  plants  furnish  an 
abundance  of  good  flowers.  Mr.  T.  Grant,  the 
gardener,  has  made  several  improvements  in  the 
kitchen  gardens,  and  also  in  the  pleasure 
grounds  du'ing  his  tenure  of  service,  and  he  is 
to  be  congratulated  on  the  excellent  condition  of 
the  gardens  at  Burghley  House.     T.  W.  B. 


PLANT    NOTES. 

ASPARAGUS  PASTORIANTS  (ASPARAGUS 

ALBl'Si. 

There  exists  in  certain  remote  parts  of 
Teneriffe,  and  in  one  locality  of  the  Canary 
Islands,  a  species  of  Asparagus  known  as 
Asparagus  Pastorianus,  a  plant  very  similar 
in  growth  to  that  of  a  miniature  Pseudo-lanx. 
The  "  leaves  "  (cladodes)  are  of  a  bluish-green 
tint,  the  root  is  a  fleshy  tuber  not  unlike  that  of 
a  Dahlia,  only  smaller,  and  the  seed  is  enclosed 
in  a  red  fleshy  berry.  The  finder,  Mr.  Oskar 
Burchard,  seedsman  at  Orotava,  brought  a 
number  of  living  plants  to  the  town,  and  he  has 
also  raised  others  from  seeds.  The  plant  does 
not  suffer  greatly  by  the  rough  removal  from 
the  soil  in  which  it  is  found  wild,  and  it 
soon  begins  to  grow  when  potted.  A  year-old 
plant  makes  a  pretty  decorative  object  for  the 
dwelling-room.  The  plant  is  not  a  climber,  but 
has  a  bush-like  habit  of  growth  not  gener- 
ally seen  in  the  species  of  Asparagus  cultivated 
in  glasshouses.  Although  an  erect-growing 
species,  the  lateral  shoots  are  drooping,  and 
these  are  covered  with  a  white  coating  which 
gives  an  appearance  suggestive  of  ivory.  For  a 
certain  length  of  time  the  branches  are  desti- 
tute of  side  shoots,  and  then  the  latter  appear, 
and  are  followed  by  soft  linear  "leaves" 
about  5  cm.  in  length.  They  stand  about  an  inch 
apart  and  are  united  in  bundles  of  30  or  more. 
The  branches  of  strong  plants  grow  to  a  length 
of  3  feet,  and  by  the  rapid  production  of  shoots 
the  plant  soon  makes  a  bush  of  considerable 
breadth  and  regular  form.  By  stopping  the  side 
growths  an  erect  pyramidal  or  columnar  habit 
is  obtained,  or  by  a  timely  stopping  of  the  leader, 
a  drooping  or  a  grotesque  plant  is  equally 
readily  formed.  As  a  consequence  of  its  possess- 
ing fleshy  corms,  the  plant  is  but  little  influenced 
by  changes  in  the  amount  of  moisture  present  in 
the  soil.  Shoots  are  produced  during  the  greater 
portion  of  the  year  till  the  flowering  season  is 
passed  at  the  end  of  the  summer,  when  a  season 
of  rest,  lasting  for  several  months,  should  be 
afforded.  The  plant  at  that  season  loses  a 
small  portion  of  its  "  leaves,"  but  it  still  remains 
green.  The  flowers  appear  in  numerous  little 
clusters,  and  are  stellate  in  form,  white,  and 
very  fragrant.  The  berries  become  of  a  purple 
colour  in  the  winter  season.  The  management 
of  the  plant  is  very  simple.  The  seed  retains  its 
germinating  po.ver  for  several  months  and 
should  be  sown  in  small  pots  singly  or  several 
together,  and  the  seedlings  shifted  once  or  twice 
during  the  first  year.  It  is  advisable  to  employ 
sandy  loam  at  the  first  potting,  but  a  more  nutri- 
tive loamy  soil  should  subsequently  be  used. 

The  plant  ought  in  the  winter  to  be  staged 
close  to  the  glass,  and  kept  dry  for  the  first  few- 
months  ;  indeed,  complete  dryness  at  the  root 
is  not  injurious  to  its  well-being.  The  plant  is 
figured  in  Mailer's  Deutsche  Gartner-Zeitung,  No. 
31,  11)07.     F.  31 . 


30d 


THE     GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


[November  2,  1907. 


THE     FERNERY. 


THE  DISTRIBUTION  OF  FERNS. 
As  the  result  of  observation  made  during  a 
recent  Fern-hunting  trip  to  Cornwall,  I  was 
much  struck  by  the  apparently  entire  absence  of 
several  species  of  Ferns  over  a  considerable 
range  of  country  where  suitable  habitats  for  them 
abounded.  The  Wall  Rue — for  instance,  Asple- 
nium  Ruta-muraria — is  so  adaptive  a  little  Fern 
that,  even  in  the  vicinity  of  London,  we  may  find 
it  on  old  walls,  in  some  places  in  abundance,  and 
in  most  of  our  expeditions  north  and  south,  east 
and  west,  it  has  figured  in  my  list  of  species. 
Both  in  North  Cornwall,  Camelford  to  Tintagel 
and  Boscastle  districts  on  this  occasion,  and  in 


account  for,  especially  when  we  consider  the 
easy  transference  of  spores  by  the  wind  and  the 
apparent  identity  of  conditions  which  prevail  in 
the  lanes  in  question,  yet  in  many  of  them  a 
careful  search  would  not  reveal  a  single  Harts- 
tongue,  and  then  suddenly  I  would  come  across 
a  long  stretch  in  which  it  would  be  abundant,  only 
to  cease  as  abruptly  as  it  commenced,  its  com- 
panion Ferns,  Male  Ferns,  Lady  Ferns,  Broad 
Buckler,  and  Hard  Ferns,  however,  would  con- 
tinue without  interruption,  thus  indicating  no 
great  change  in  these  conditions  which  favour 
Fern  life.  Here  and  there,  too,  small  colonies  of 
the  Lemon-scented  Fern,  fine  strong  plants, 
would  be  found,  but  only  for  fifty  yards  or  so, 
and  Lastraea  cemula,  the  pretty  crispy  Hay- 
scented  Fern,  was  equally  erratic  and  sporadic, 


FlG.    125. — FLOWERING    SPRAY    OF    PRUNUS    SPINOSA  ;    THE    BLACKTHORN,    OR    SLOE. 


South  Cornwall,  the  Falmouth  district  last  year, 
this  little  Fern  was  conspicuous  by  its  absence 
on  innumerable  suitable  walls  and  dykes,  not  a 
single  example  being  found  anywhere.  Asple- 
nium  trichomanes  and  A.  Adianlum-nigrum,  its 
usual  companion  in  Ferny  districts,  were,  how- 
ever, plentiful.  Polystichum  angulare,  the  soft 
shield  Fern,  an  extremely  common  Fern  in 
Devonshire,  the  adjoining  county,  where  it  pre- 
vails in  abundance  in  precisely  such  shady 
green,  deeply  embowered  lanes  as  are  common 
in  Cornwall,  only  supplied  a  single  specimen 
in  a  week's  hunting,  this,  strange  to  say,  being 
a  fair-sized  plant,  though  not  even  a  seedling 
was  detected  anywhere  else.  The  apparent 
waywardness  of  some  species  is  also  difficult  to 


half-a-dozen  plants  appearing  at  short  distances 
and  then  no  more  for  miles,  though  the  lanes, 
as  we  have  said,  presented  little  or  no  apparent 
change  as  regards  shade  and  humidity.  The 
common  Polypody  (P.  vulgare)  appeared  every- 
where more  or  less  abundantly,  and  was, 
to  the  Fern  hunter,  annoyingly  constant  to 
the  simple  normal  type,  not  a  sign  of 
variability  turning  up  amid  the  many  thousands 
of  plants  inspected  until  I  turned  down  a  lane  a 
little  to  the  west  of  Camelford,  when  almost 
without  exception  a  serrate  and  even  sub-bipin- 
nate  robust  form  fringed  the  walls,  and  hung 
pendent  from  the  hedge  tops  or  the  trunks  and 
branches  of  the  wayside  trees ;  two  lanes 
scarcely  showed   a  normal   smooth-edged  frond, 


but  on  crossing  the  high  road  all  were  found  to 
be  normal  again.  A  narrow  papery  fronded 
somewhat  serrate  Blechum  (B.  s.  strictum)  turned 
up  as  a  fine  tuft  among  the  normal  plants  in  one 
lane,  and  about  half  a  mile  away,  in  another 
lane,  its  counterpart  appeared,  these  being  the 
only  variants  in  this  species  among  the  thousands 
inspected.  Lastraea  montana,  though  by  no 
means  abundant,  furnished  a  very  marked  cris- 
pate  variety,  and  it  is  worthy  of  note  as  an 
encouragement  to  those  who  are  endeavouring 
to  suppress  the  wholesale  raiding  of  Ferny 
habitats  by  vandalistic  market  purveyors,  that 
this  plant,  being  of  some  size,  I  was  advised  by 
my  guide  to  cut  off  the  fronds  and  make  a 
parcel  of  the  roots  to  avoid  the  risk  of  being 
wrongly  classed,  as  some  prosecutions  had  been 
instituted  in  the  district.  Since,  however,  a 
whole  week's  bag  only  filled  a  cubic  foot  biscuit 
box,  my  conscience  did  not  prick  me,  though 
I  adopted  the  precaution  suggeste'd  for  fear  of 
setting  a  bad  example.  Incidentally,  on  my 
return  journey  to  London,  I  paid  a  visit  to  the 
place  on  Dartmoor  where  19  years  ago  I  found 
L.  montana  cristata  gracilis  Druery,  and  was 
afforded  thereby  a  singular  piece  of  evidence  as 
to  change  of  land  surface  in  course  of  time. 
That  Fern  when  originally  found  grew  on  the 
bank  of  a  stream  running  off  Dartmoor,  the  bank 
sloping  at  such  an  easy  gradient  that,  sighting  the 
Fern  from  a  path  above,  I  walked  down  and  in- 
spected it.  To-day  there  is  so  precipitous  a  dip 
that  no  slope  at  all  exists,  and  I  could  only  reach 
the  stream  by  a  detour,  the  place  where  the  Fern 
was  found  being  now  the  stream  bed,  the  course 
being  altered  to  that  extent  purely  by  natural 
means.  Singularly  enough,  in  searching  for  a 
possible  seedling  of  my  former  find,  a  very 
marked  sub-plumose  plant  of  the  same  species 
was  found  on  the  almost  perpendicular  bank, 
within  a  few  yards  of  the  site  of  the  first  dis- 
covery. From  the  varietal  point  of  view,  I  con- 
sider my  bag  a  poor  one — i.e.,  as  compared  with 
those  obtained  in  other  years — though  it  con- 
sists of  Lastraea  montana  crispata,  L.  m.  sub- 
plumosa,  Blechum  spicant  strictum,  Scolopen- 
drum  vulgare,  a  possible  ramo-cristatum,  but 
too  small  to  be  sure  of,  a  very  singular  form 
with  oval  fronds,  the  midrib  tapering  off  to 
nothing  in  the  middle  of  the  frond,  which 
finishes  off  roundly,  and  a  sub-lineatum  with 
crenate  edges.  These  and  a  specimen  of  Foly- 
podium  vulgare  serratum  constitute  the  list. 
Chas.  T.  Druery,  V.M.H.,  F.L.S. 


PRUNUS    SPINOSA    L. 

The  common  Blackthorn,  Prunus  communis 
lluds,  is  too  well  known  to  require  a  lengthy 
description.  Several  sub-species  or  races  have 
been  distinguished,  the  chief  being  the  Sloe  or 
Blackthorn  proper  (P.  spinosa  L.),  which  is  re- 
presented in  our  illustration  (fig.  125),  and  the 
Bullace  (P.  insititia  L.).  The  latter  is  more 
widely  distributed  than  the  Sloe,  and  it  extends 
beyond  the  confines  of  Europe  into  N.  Africa 
and   into   Asia. 

The  flowers  afford  interesting  examples  of 
adaptations  to  cross-pollination.  The  stigma 
is  already  receptive  before  the  flower  is  fully 
open,  and  it  projects  well  in  front  of  the  half- 
unfolded  petals,  whilst  the  stamens  are  still  in- 
rolled,  so  that  their  anthers  point  in  towards 
the  centre  of  the  blossom.  As  the  flower  ex- 
pands, the  style  continues  to  grow  for  a  while, 
thus  keeping  the  stigma  well  out  of  the  way 
of  the  stamens  as  they  successively  unfold. 
During  this  period  the  flowers  may  easily  be 
cross-pollinated  by  any  of  the  insects  that 
chance  to  visit  them.  Later  on,  however,  self- 
pollination  may  be  effected,  either  by  the  in- 
sects or  by  pollen  which  happens  to  fall  from 
the  stamens  on  to  the  still  receptive  stigma. 

Cut  sprays  of  Blackthorn,  when  properly 
treated  after  the  Japanese  fashion,  form  very 
effective  and  decorative  objects  for  the  house 
at  a  time  when  it  is  not  easy  to  obtain  much 
floral  variety.  It  seems  not  to  be  generally 
known  that  this  plant,  like  its  relatives  the 
Apple  and  Pear,  readily  lends  itself  to  simple 
forcing.  The  blossoms  are  fully  formed  by  the 
end  of  the  autumn,  and  if  the  sprays  are  cut 
early  in  the  year,  whilst  the  flowers  are  still 
enclosed  in  the  winter  buds,  they  can  easily  be 
forced  into  flower  by  keeping  them  in  water  for 
a  time  in  a  warm  room,  and  the  flowers  thus 
produced  will  last  much  longer  than  those 
which   naturally  unfold  later  on  in   the   spring. 


November  2,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


309 


THE    NEWER    VARIETIES    OF 
FRUIT. 

The  planting  season  being  now  at  hand,  the 
following   particulars   of   new   fruits,    describing 
the  experiences  gained  in  my  nurseries,  may  be 
interesting.       Among     dessert    Apples    Langley 
Pippin    proves    a    very    useful    early    kind,    a 
good    bearer,    of    free     growth.     James     Grieve 
seems    to     improve,     and    it    is    certainly    one 
of     the     best     varieties     for     late     in     Septem- 
ber and   during   October.      It    may   best  be   de- 
scribed as  an  early  Cox's  Orange  Pippin.     Belle 
de  Boskoop  bears  freely,  and  is  a  large  russet- 
coloured  fruit  of  rich  flavour.     Charles  Ross  suc- 
ceeds in  a  cold  season  better  than  Cox's  Orange 
Pippin,   but   the  fruit   is   too   large  for   dessert, 
especially  if  grown  on  young  trees  ;   when  trees 
have  become  older   and  are  well   cropped   the 
variety  may  prove  of  value.     Coronation,  how- 
ever,   is   one   of   the    most    promising    seedlings 
which   have  been   obtained   from   Cox's   Orange 
Pippin.     The  fruit  is  handsome  and  the  tree  is 
apparently  hardier  than  Cox's  Orange  Pippin  ; 
but  it  does  not  bear  well  at  so  young  a  stage. 
Rival  is  a  great  bearer,   and,   I  think,   the  best 
that  Mr.  Ross  has  raised.     I  find  it  to  be  of  good 
flavour.     Ballinora  may  be  said  to  be  a  scarlet- 
fruited  Blenheim  Pippin,  of  rich  flavour,  and  a 
better  bearer  when  young  than  its  parent.     The 
Iloublon  has  not  yet  fruited  with  me.    Allington 
Pippin,  Jas.   Grieve  and  Ben's  Red  are  finding 
great  favour  with  market  growers.     By  the  way,  . 
in   the  Daily   Telegraph   for   October  12  it  was 
stated  that  "  nurserymen  do  not  cater  for  the  mar- 
ket growers."     This  is  far  from   the  fact.      But 
the  writer  is  not,  perhaps,  aware  of  our  difficul- 
ties. 9  For  instance,  a  grower  may  want  a  large 
number  of  one  kind  that  is  seldom  asked   for. 
It  takes  three  years  to  work  up  stock,  and  it  has 
often  happened  that  when  we  work  heavily  on 
the  desired  sort  the  growers   have  altered  their 
minds,  and  we  are  left  with  thousands  of  two- 
year-old   trees,   for  which  there  is   no   demand. 
If  they  would  let  us  know  three  years  ahead,  any 
nursery   could   supply   them.      No   outsider   has 
any   idea   of   the  sudden   changes   in   popularity 
which  take  place  among  the  market  growers  or 
dealers.      For  example,    Newton   Wonder  is   far 
and   away  a   better  Apple  in   all   respects   than 
Bramley's  Seedling,  yet  the  growers  will  prefer 
Bramley's,  and  therefore  have  to  wait  two  years 
longer  for  a  crop. 

To  return  to  recent  kitchen  Apples,  I  consider 
Early  Victoria  one  of  the  very  best  early  Codlins, 
an  enormous  and  regular  bearer,  although  not 
new.  Biel  Borodawka  is,  for  private  gardens, 
far  better  than  Duchess  of  Oldenburg,  for  use 
in  September  and  October.  Hector  Macdonald, 
one  of  Mr.  Ross's  latest  varieties,  I  believe,  has 
a  great  future  before  it,  as  it  is  practically  a 
Lane's  Prince  Albert,  but  of  more  vigorous, 
sturdy  habit,  and  an  equally  good  bearer,  even 
at  two  years  old.  Norfolk  Beauty  is  a  splendid 
large  and  free-cropping  Apple  of  excellent  cook- 
ing quality  ;  for  use  in  October,  November,  and 
December.  It  does  not  fall  in  a  tart,  and  has  a 
very  free-growing  habit.  Edward  VII.  may  be 
called  an  improved  Golden  Noble  ;  it  is  a  free 
bearer.  Lord  Stradbrooke  has  not  yet  fruited  ;  it 
will  prove  a  fine  exhibition  fruit  for  placing  in 
the  back  row.  Byford  Wonder  is  fast  growing 
in  popularity  as  a  late  large  green  fruit.  It  is  of 
sturdy  and  free-growing  habit. 

The  only  recent  Pear  will  be  the  new  "  Santa 
Claus,"  to  be  sent  out  this  season,  and  may  best 
be  described  as  a  Doyenne  du  Cornice,  for  use 
at  Christmas.  The  growth  is  very  promising, 
and  it  appears  most  fertile.  Le  Brun  and  Beurre 
Alexander  Lucas  are  very  fine,  though  not  recent. 
Charles  Ernest,  which  one  might  call  a  late  Pit- 
maston,  is  very  fine.  An  early  and  little-known, 
free-cropping,  green  Pear  for  August  is  Aspasie 
Ancourt,  of  very  sweet  flavour.  General 
Wauchope  and  R.  D.  Blackmore,  introduced  by 
Mr.  Chas.  Ross,  are  very  promising,  but  they 
have  not  yet  fruited  with  me.  St.  Luke  is  a 
handsome  Pear,  of  good  flavour,  but  it  requires 


watching,  as  it  is  apt  to  become  ripe  before  it 
appears  to  be  so. 

A  very  fine  November  Pear,  but  little  known, 
is  Belle  Julie  ;  while  the  September  Marguerite 
Manllat  gives  every  satisfaction.  Doyenne  du 
Cornice  still  stands  pre-eminent.  It  is  somewhat 
surprising  that  the  crop  of  Pears  is  so  good  this 
cold  season,  when  Apples  have  suffered  so 
severely  ;  but  many  are  very  much  spotted,  ex- 
cept where  cultural  conditions  have  been 
properly  observed.  This  may  be  due  to  the 
Pear  foliage  being  shiny  or  varnished,  so  to 
speak,  and  thus  allowing  the  wet  to  pass  quickly 
over  it ;  while  Apples,  being  rough  and  hairy, 
retain  moisture  a  longer  time. 

In  Peaches,  the  Earliest  of  All  came  first  to 
pick,  and  from  its  robust  habit  it  will  prove 
valuable.  Duchess  of  Cornwall  succeeds  it,  and 
is  a  very  fine  early  fruiter.  No  other  variety 
calls  for  special  remark,  but  Devonian  Late  is  a 
fully-flavoured  late  kind,  whilst  Rivers'  Pere- 
grine and  Thomas  Rivers  are  sorts  to  be  relied 
upon. 

No  new  Nectarines  have  called  for  notice.  We 
still  lack  one  of  the  stamp  of  Early  Rivers,  of 
free-stone  nature.  At  present  Darwin  is  the 
best  white-fleshed,  and  Pineapple  the  best 
yellow-fleshed,  variety. 

In  Plums,  Rivers'  Admiral,  Primate,  and  Pre- 
sident are  kinds  all  should  grow  ;  and  the  Japan 
Mirabelles  are  worthy  of  being  placed  against  a 
wall.  The  new  primrose-coloured  Shiro  is  as 
large  as  Oullin's  Golden  Gage,  and  of  rich 
flavour.  Burbank  seems  to  fruit  freely  when  the 
tree  is  well  off  the  ground,  and  for  cooking  pur- 
poses it  is  very  rich  and  Apricot-like  in  flavour ; 
very  fine  for  cool  orchard-house  culture. 
Burbank's  Giant  Prune  is  a  good  bearer,  and  is 
capable  of  hanging  late.  It  resembles  a  small 
Pond's  Seedling  Plum,  and  is  very  firm  and  will 
cook  well.  Messrs.  Veitch's  Langley  Black 
Bullace  proves  vigorous  in  growth  (maidens  6 
to  9  feet),  and  being  very  late  and  a  great  bearer, 
it  will  be  in  demand. 

In  outside  fruits,  Messrs.  Veitch's  Madhi 
Beury  is  of  good  flavour,  and  ripens  at  a  time 
when  such  fruits  are  wanted.  The  Logan  Bern- 
is  now  grown  largely  for  market  sale. 

In  Raspberries,  I  have  not  seen  any  that  call 
for  special  notice. 

Of  Strawberries,  Reward  and  the  Bedford  have 
done  well.  Laxton's  Latest  is  very  fine,  but  not 
a  heavy  bearer  with  me.  Givon's  Late  is  still 
the  best  large  fruit  for  the  last  pickings. 

No  new  Cherries  have  come  to  the  front ;  in 
fact,  they  are  so  good  that  we  cannot  do  better 
than  plant  recognised  sorts. 

I  have  heard  the  remark  that  "  no  fruits  have 
been  up  to  their  usual  standard  in  flavour  this 
season,"  showing  that  no  care  and  extra  cultiva- 
tion can  atone  for  the  want  of  genial  sun  heat 
and  light.  For  the  same  reason  the  rich  colour 
we  generally  get  in  Apples  and  Pears  will  not 
be  attained  this  season. 

Advantage  should  be  taken  to  thin  out  the 
branches  of  all  fruit  trees  as  soon  as  possible  to 
ripen  wood  and  plump  up  the  buds  for  1908, 
which  at  present  promise  an  abundant  blossom. 
George  Bunyard,  October  14. 


TREE     PLANTING. 

Ground  that  is  intended  for  planting  trees  and 
shrubs  should  be  dug  deeply  from  end  to  end, 
and  if  necessary,  trenched,  though  planting  at 
once  on  newly-trenched  ground  is  not  to  be  re- 
commended as  a  period  should  elapse  to  allow 
the  soil  to  become  properly  settled.  If  small 
forest-trees,  such  as  Larch,  Spruce,  &c,  are  to 
be  planted,  ploughing  the  ground  will  suffice, 
but  the  subsoil  plough  should  follow  if  neces- 
sary to  break  the  ground  to  a  sufficient  depth 
for  the  roots  of  these  plants.  It  should  always 
be  remembered  that  any  extra  labour  expended 
in  the  preparation  of  ground  for  planting  per- 
manent   subjects    is    amply    repaid    by    the    in- 


creased growth  of  the  plants  afterwards.  1  or 
isolated  trees  and  shrubs,  or  in  the  case  of  land 
that  has  been  properly  prepared  in  former  years, 
it  will  be  necessary  only  to  dig  holes  of  a  suffi- 
cient size  to  accommodate  the  roots  of  the 
plants.  The  shape  of  the  hole  is  immaterial, 
the  chief  point  is  to  make  them  of  a  sufficient 
size  and  depth.  The  planter  should  endeavoui 
to  provide  his  plants  with  sufficient  space  for  at 
least  two  years'  root  development  in  well-broken 
ground  that  has  been  enriched  by  the  addition 
of  manure,   leaf-mould,   or  good  loam. 

Planting. 
This  operation  should  not  be  hurried,  for  it  is 
not  wise  to  waste  time  and  money  in  preparing 
ground  and  purchasing  plants,  and  then  to  nega- 
tive the  result  by  improper  planting.  It  must 
always  be  remembered  that,  however  carefully 
transplanting  is  performed,  some  of  the  roots  are 
certain  to  be  broken  or  injured  by  the  spade, 
and  every  care  and  attention  is  necessary  to 
enable  the  plant  to  repair  the  damage  and  to  put 
forth  new  roots.  Before  a  tree  is  placed  in  the 
ground  the  roots  should  be  trimmed  with  a 
knife,  and  have  all  bruised  and  ragged  ends 
severed  by  a  clean  cut.  The  roots  should  be 
carefully  spread  out,  and  have,  some  of  the  finer 
soil  worked  amongst  them  by  the  hand.  This 
is  especially  important  in  the  case  of  a  thick 
mass  of  roots  from  which  all  the  mould  has  been 
shaken,  for,  if  they  are  not  separated  and 
brought  into  contact  with  the  soil,  many  of  them 
will  decay.  Particular  care  should  be  exercised 
in  this  respect  when  planting  large  deciduous 
trees,  as,  in  addition  to  their  possessing  a  large 
number  of  roots,  the  latter  often  spring  from 
the  crown  of  the  tree  in  such  a  manner  that  a 
hollow  place  may  be  left  just  under  the  bole, 
and  this  tends  to  keep  the  roots  dry,  and  also 
renders  the  tree  liable  to  be  moved  by  high 
winds.  After  the  hole  has  been  filled  in  again 
the  ground  should  be  trodden  as  firmly  as  pos- 
sible, except  in  very  wet  weather,  but  it  should 
receive  a  final  treading  when  the  soil  has  dried 
somewhat.  Planting  is  best  performed  when 
land  is  on  the  dry  side,  as  the  soil  then  works 
much  more  easily,  and  the  roots  lay  hold  of  it 
more  readily. 

Staking. 
Trees  should  be  properly  staked  after  plant- 
ing to  train  them  upright,  and  to  hold  them 
firmly.  A  tree  that  is  blown  about  by  everv 
wind  shifts  at  its  base,  and  thus  prevents  the 
roots  from  getting  quickly  hold  of  the  ground. 
A  single  stake  is  sufficient  for  small  subjects, 
but  for  trees  of  a  considerable  size  three  stakes 
arranged  in  the  form  of  a  triangle  some  distance 
from  the  stem,  and  brought  together  just  below 
the  head,  should  be  used.  Placed  in  this  man- 
ner the  stakes  prevent  the  tree  from  moving  in 
any  direction.  A  piece  of  old  mat  or  sacking 
should  be  put  around  the  tree  where  it  is  tied  to 
prevent  the  bark  becoming  injured  by  rubbing 
against  the  poles.    /.  Clark,  Bagshot,  Surrey. 


FRUIT    REGISTER. 


APPLE  GOLDEN  SPIRE. 
I  would  strongly  recommend  this  early  Cod- 
lin  Apples  as  a  tree  of  compact  growth, 
capable  of  giving  a  maximum  amount  of 
fruit  from  a  minimum  of  space.  The  tree 
is  of  upright  habit  of  growth,  not  vigorous, 
and  in  appearance  may  be  likened  to  a  tree  mid- 
w-ay  between  Keswick  Codlin  and  Lord  Suffield, 
smaller  than  the  latter  yet  larger  than  the  for- 
mer. In  colour  the  fruits  are  an  ordinary  Codlin 
yellow,  the  quality  is  all  that  can  be  desired,  and 
the  fruits  are  in  season  at  the  end  of  July.    S.  P. 

APPLE    MANK'S    CODLIN. 

For  home  consumption,  and  especially  in  gar. 

dens  where  space  is  limited,   this  is   a  suitable 

variety  of  Apple  for  planting.     Quite  small  trees 

ciop  freely,  and  the  quality  of  the  fruits  is  all 


310 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


(November  2,  1907. 


that  can  be  desired;  indeed,  when  roasted 
whole,  there  is  a  pleasing  flavour  which  I  do 
not  find  in  any  other  Apple.  The  fruit  has  a 
yellow  skin  that  is  flushed  with  crimson  on  the 
sunny  side.  This  is  the  only  variety  of  Apple 
that,  to  my  knowledge,  succeeds  from  cuttings  ; 
trees  raised  in  this  manner,  although  requiring 
many  years  to  reach  the  fruiting  stage,  bear 
heavy  crops.     E.  M. 

FIG   CULTURE. 

If  there  is  only  room  for  one  tree,  I  would, 
without  the  least  hesitation,  recommend  Brown 
Turkey  to  be  planted,  either  under  glass  or  out- 
side on  the  open  walls.  There  are  several  other 
varieties  that  succeed  well  under  pot-culture,  but 
how  far  some  of  these  would  succeed  if  given 
a  good  position  out-of-doors  I  do  not  know.  I 
have  grown  White  Marseilles  out-of-doors,  and, 
although  it  has  borne  fairly  heavy  crops,  the 
fruits  were  never  so  plentifully  produced  as  those 
of  the  Brown  Turkey,  and  to  keep  the  trees 
in  anything  like  fruiting  order  the  roots  had 
to  be  repeatedly  pruned,  otherwise  the  trees  grew 
too  strongly  to  bear  well.  The  same  may  be 
said  as  regards  the  variety  growing  under  glass, 
notwithstanding  the  Figs  of  this  variety  are 
exceedingly  rich  and  good.  Brunswick,  with  its 
large  fruits,  succeeds  very  well,  and  in  some  of 
the  more  favourable  parts  probably  stands  next 
to  Brown  Turkey,  but,  like  all  Fig  trees,  it  re- 
quires plenty  of  room  for  extension,  otherwise 
it  is  a  shy  bearer.  I  have  grown  in  pots,  with 
good  results,  Black  Ischia,  Bourjassotte  Grise, 
Malta,  Negro  Lagro,  White  Ischia,  and  other 
varieties. 

I  think  it  would  be  interesting  if  those  fruit- 
growers who  have  made  a  speciality  of  Figs  in 
the  open  were  to  record  their  experience  with 
reference  to  the  different  varieties. 

The  heaviest  crops  of  Figs  out-of-doors  which 
have  come  under  my  notice  have  been  from 
trees  whose  root  run  has  been  hard  and  some- 
what restricted.  In  the  neighbourhood  of  Mar- 
gate Figs  grow  well  in  the  open,  needing  but 
little  care  and  attention,  and  the  fruits  produced 
are  excellent  in  every  way.  The  soil  is  rather 
shallow  and  rests  on  deep  chalk.  At  Falmouth, 
a  few  years  ago,  I  saw  a  tree  growing  on  a 
lawn,  and  the  crop  was  enormously  heavy,  while 
under  glass  at  Preston  Hall,  Kent,  heavy. crops 
could  be  seen  growing  on  trees  which  had  been 
planted  on  a  back  wall  and  allowed  to  grow  to 
the  top,  and  then  the  shoots  trained  in  a  down- 
ward direction  at  a  distance  of  about  18  inches 
from  the  glass.  H.  Markham,  Wrotham  Park, 
linnet. 


The  Week's  Work. 


THE    HARDY    FLOWER 
BORDER. 


SILENE  FORTUNEI. 
This  Chinese  species  is  one  of  the  most  elegant 
plants  of  the  whole  genus,  and  is  especially  valu- 
able as  an  autumn-flowering  plant.  At  the  present 
time  it  is  in  full  beauty,  and  promises  to  last  in  good 
condition  still  longer.  It  grows  to  a  height  of 
between  2  to  3  feet,  and  as  it  branches  freely,  forms 
a  compact  bushy  plant  covered  with  loose  panicles 
of  erect  flowers.  These  vary  from  very  pale  to 
rose-red  in  colour,  are  about  1|  inches  in  diameter, 
and  have  deeply  laciniated  petals.  Although 
it  is  a  perennial,  and  will  stand  the  winter, 
the  best  results  are  obtained  from  plants,  the 
seeds  of  which  have  been  S)wn  in  heat  early 
in  spring,  and  planted  out  as  soon  as  they  are  large 
enough.  They  grow  rapidly  in  any  light  rich 
soil  during  the  summer,  and  commence  flower- 
ing in  the  month  of  September.  It  is  said  to  be  a 
common  Chinese  plant,  and  was  first  found  by 
Robert  Fortune  after  whom  it  was  named  ;  but 
it  was  not  introduced  into  this  country  till  the  year 
1S98,  when  seeds  which  had  been  collected  in  the 
province  of  Shensi  by  Father  Piccoli  were  received 
at  Kew.  These  germinated,  and  the  plants  flowered 
in  September.  The  figure  in  the  Botanical  Maga- 
zine, t.  7'i49,  was  prepared  from  these.  Like  so 
many  other  members  of  this  family,  the  stems  are 
covered  on  the  upper  portions  with  a  viscid  sub- 
stance. As  a  cut  flower  it  is  light  and  graceful, 
and  lasts  well  in  water.      IV.  I . 


THE    ORCHID    HOUSES. 

By  W.  H.  White,  Orchid  Grower  to  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence, 
Bart.,  Burford,  Surrey. 

Habenaria  pusilla. — Amongst  Orchids  now  in 
bloom  at  Burford,  a  group  of  about  60  plants 
of  Habenaria  pusilla  (militaris),  many  of  them 
having  several  flower-spikes  from  one  pot,  are 
the  most  conspicuous,  the  dwarf,  bright,  cinna- 
bar-scarlet heads  of  bloom  presenting  a  very 
gay  appearance.  For  many  years  past  this 
terrestrial  species  was  considered  very  difficult 
to  cultivate,  but  now  that  its  requirements  are 
more  generally  understood,  little  difficulty  is 
experienced  in  the  management  of  the  plants. 
When  the  flowers  have  faded  the  foliage  will 
begin  to  wither,  and  eventually  the  stem  will 
die  down  ;  during  this  natural  decay  water  must 
be  gradually  withheld.  Place  the  plants 
on  a  dry  shelf  exposed  fully  to  the  sun- 
shine, so  that  the  newly-formed  tubers  may  ripen 
thoroughly.  It  is  not  advisable  to  cut  off  the 
leaves  or  stem  whilst  they  are  in  the  act  of 
decaying,  but  they  should  be  allowed  to  dry 
off,  as  is  usually  done  with  Caladiums.  The 
critical  period  is  during  the  winter,  as  over- 
dryness  will  cause  the  tubers  to  shrivel,  pre- 
venting their  starting  strongly  into  growth  when 
re-potted  in  the  spring;  on  the  other  hand,  if 
they  are  kept  too  wet,  decay  will  set  in.  The 
best  method  I  have  found  is  to  examine  them 
every  week,  and  if  the  surface  of  the  soil  has 
become  dust  dry,  it  is  lightly  sprinkled  with 
tepid  rain-water  from  a  fine  rose  watering-can. 

Habenaria  carnea,  &c. — This  beautiful  flesh- 
coloured  species  is  also  in  bloom,  but  from  my 
own  experience  a  thoroughly  established  plant 
of  this  species,  as  well  as  its  pure  white- 
variety  nivosa,  is  still  rare,  and  its  suc- 
cessful cultivation  has  yet  to  be  discovered. 
The  new  and  singular  H.  Uganda;  is  also  in 
flower  at  Burford  ;  it  is  a  very  strong  tall-grow- 
ing species,  some  of  the  stems  measuring  4  feet 
in  height,  with  a  spike  at  the  apex  a  foot  and  a 
half  long,  carrying  about  20  curiously  formed 
green  and  white  flowers.  All  through  the  grow- 
ing season  the  plants  have  succeeded  well  under 
the  same  treatment  as  advised  above  for  H. 
pusilla,  and  its  resting  conditions  will  pro- 
bably prove  to  be  similar  to  those  recommended 
above. 

Bulbophyllums. — In  a  shady  part  of  the 
warmest  house,  plants  of  the  rare  B.  Ericssonii, 
B.  Binnendjkii,  and  B.  virescens,  each  exhibit- 
ing similar  characteristics  in  habit,  are 
now  growing  freely,  and  it  is  a  suitable  time 
to  afford  them  fresh  rooting  material  if  this  is 
necessary.  Owing  to  the  rambling  habit  of  these 
plants,  it  is  almost  useless  to  try  and  make  them 
conform  to  pot  treatment,  and  the  grower 
must  adopt  some  plan  so  that  the  roots  from 
each  growth  will  have  a  thin  layer  of  peat  and 
sphagnum-moss  to  root  in.  A  flat  teak-wood 
raft,  or  a  shallow,  boat-shaped  basket,  answers 
the  purpose  admirably.  Whilst  growth  is  being 
made,  the  rooting  materials  should  be  kept 
moderately  moist  at  all  times,  as  the  plants 
appear  to  succeed  best  when  the  sphagnum  is 
growing  luxuriantly  at  their  base. 

In  the  cool  house  the  Brazilian  Oncidiums 
Forbesii,  crispum,  and  varicosum  will  be  de- 
veloping their  flower-spikes,  and  only  strong, 
well-rooted  plants  should  be  allowed  to  bloom. 
Small,  weakly  plants,  if  permitted  to  produce 
flowers,  are  liable  to  gradually  dwindle  away 
afterwards.  O.  concolor  having  completed  its 
new  pseudo-bulbs,  should  from  this  time  be 
afforded  only  just  sufficient  water  to  prevent 
their  shrivelling. 


THE  FLOWER  GARDEN. 

By  A.  C.  Bartlett,  Gardener  to  Mrs.  Ford,  Pencarrow, 
Cornwall. 

Calochortus. — Beds  containing  these  plants 
should  now  'be  covered  with  a  layer  of  cocoanut 
fibre  or  coal  ashes  to  protect  the  bulbs  from 
damage  by  severe  frost.  The  more  choice  and 
expensive  varieties  of  Calochortus  should  be 
grown  in  beds  in  cold  frames,  but  most  of  the 
standard  varieties  may  be  grown  out-of-doors 
provided  they  are  given  a  partially  protected 
site,  such  as  a  border  in  front  of  a  glasshouse. 
Good    drainage   is   essential    for    the    successful 


PUBLIC  PARKS  AND  GARDENS. 

B)   W.   W.  Pettigrew,  Superintendent  of  the   Parks  anc 
Open  Spaces  in  the  City  of  Cardiff. 

Alterations. — The  present  is  not  only  the  best, 
but  fortunately  the  most  convenient,  period  of 
the  year  for  undertaking  the  various  alterations 
and  repairs  which  it  is  often  desirable  and  neces- 
sary to  carry  out  in  public  parks.  So  few  visi- 
tors are,  as  a  rule,  about  just  now  that  many 
of  the  paths  and  roads  needing  repairs  or  an 
entire  overhauling  may  be  closed  without  caus- 
ing much  inconvenience,  and  the  work,  in  con- 
sequence, carried  out  much  better  than  would  be 
possible  earlier  in  the  year. 

Shrubberies  may  also  be  replanted  or  re-ar- 
ranged, and  their  whole  aspect  altered  or  modi- 
fied in  such  a  way  as  to  give  them  the  appear- 
ance of  a  new  feature  in  the  landscape.  Clumps 
of  trees  that  are  requiring  thinning  out  should 
now  have  the  surplus  ones — if  not  too  large — 
taken  up  with  large  balls  of  earth  around  their 
roots,  and  planted  in  the  new  position  selected 
for  them.  Large  trees  transplanted  in  this  way 
can  be  kept  securely  in  position  by  the  aid  of 
three  strong  wires  attached  to  the  stem  and  fixed 
in  the  ground  at  equal  distances  apart  on  a 
fairly  large  circle,  the  centre  of  which  is  the 
tree  so  supported.  This  method  is  better  than 
the  use  of  large  stakes. 

Herbaceous  borders  which  have  not  been  re- 
arranged for  several  years  past  could  now  be 
taken  in  hand.  The  most  satisfactory  method 
of  carrying  out  this  work  is  by  first  planning  to 
scale  on  paper  all  proposed  arrangements,  and 
then  working  out  the  plan  on  the  border.  Paral- 
lel lines  drawn  at  equal  distances  apart  upon 
the  plan  and  marked  off  at  equal  points  in  their 
length,  and  indicated  upon  the  border  by  cords 
and  pegs,  enable  the  gardener  to  transfer  the 
design  to  the  ground  in  a  very  easy  and  correct 
manner.  By  following  this  method  of  working 
it  is  quite  possible  before  a  single  plant  is  put 
in  the  border  to  have  a  very  fair  idea  of  what 
it  will  look  like  when  completed. 

Labour. — As  the  alterations  indicated  usually 
require  a  good  staff  of  workmen  to  carry  them 
out,  it  is  fortunate  that  the  work  can  be  done  at 
a  season  when  labour  can  be  most  easily  spared 
from  the  ordinary  routine  work  of  a  park. 


culture  of  these  flowers,  and  hence  it  is  ad- 
visable to  raise  the  bed  in  which  they  are 
planted  above  the  level  to  give  it  a  slight  slope. 
The  rooting  medium  of  the  surrounding  soil 
should  contain  a  larger  proportion  of  leaf-soil 
than  is  usually  allowed  most  bulbous  plants, 
together  with  plenty  of  grit.  The  present 
is  a  suitable  time  for  planting  the  bulbs,  which 
should  not  be  placed  at  a  greater  depth  than 
3  or  4  inches.  Calochortus  venustus  and  its 
varieties  splendens,  Nuttallii,  and  Gunnisonii 
are  common  garden  varieties.  C.  pulchellus  and 
C.  amoenus  require  partial  shade,  and  may  be 
planted  in  the  wild  garden.  In  many  gardens 
Freesias  may  be  grown  under  the  conditions 
above  named. 

Zephyranthcs  Candida  is  another  small  bulbous 
plant  that  should  now  be  planted.  This  species 
is  practically  hardy,  and  will  thrive  in  any  ordi- 
nary garden  soil.  As  the  white  Crocus-like 
flowers  are  comparatively  small,  the  bulbs 
should  be  placed  in  groups,  or  they  may  be  used 
with  a  good  effect  in  four  or  five  closely-planted 
rows  as  an  edging  in  the  bulb  garden. 

Erythronium  dens-canis. — Not  only  are  the 
flowers  of  the  Dog's-tooth  Violet  pretty  and  of 
uncommon  shape,  but  the  leaves  are  beautifully 
mottled,  and  for  this  alone  they  amply  repay 
the  slight  trouble  their  culture  entails.  A  mode- 
rate amount  of  moisture  is  essential  to  their 
welfare.  The  bulbs  should  be  planted  6  inches 
apart  and  from  6  to  8  inches  deep.  Erythro- 
niums  will  thrive  in  a  partial  shaded  position. 

Bedding  Pelargoniums. — The  cuttings  which 
hitherto  have  occupied  pits  and  frames  should 
now  be  moved  into  their  winter  quarters.  At 
this  stage  an  abundance  of  ventilation  is  neces- 
sary :  they  should  be  given  fire-heat  sufficient 
only  to  expel  frost  and  superfluous  moisture. 
For  several  months  water  should  be  afforded 
cautiously,  and  only  when  absolutely  necessary. 
All  dead  and  decaying  leaves  and  flowers  should 
be  promptly  removed. 


November 


1907.] 


THE.    GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


311 


PLANTS    UNDER   GLASS. 

By  J.  G.  Weston,  Gardener  to  H.  J.  King,  Esq., 
Eastwell   1'ark,   Kent. 

Stove    and    greenhouse    Ferns. — These    plants 
should  not  be  kept  in  too  warm  an  atmosphere 
at  this  season,  for  their  growths,  generally,  are 
now  matured,  and  they  require  a  pe:iod  of  rest. 
If    much    warmth    is    afforded    them,    they    will 
probably    be   hastened    again    into   growth    and 
the  plants  be  weakened  in  consequence  the  fol- 
lowing season.     Adiantum  cuneatum,  and  simi- 
lar species  that  are  largely  grown  for  decorative 
purposes,  should  now  be  afforded  an  atmospheric 
temperature  at  night  of  45°,  with  a  rise  of  5°  to 
10°    during    the    daytime.     Afford     a     moderate 
amount      of      ventilation,      but      prevent     cold 
draughts,  which  would  quickly  cause  the  fronds 
to   turn   a   rusty   brown   colour.      See    that    the 
centres    of    the    plants    are   free   from    decaying 
fronds,   and  give  the  plants   as  much   space  as 
can  be  afforded  them.     Do  not  allow  the  roots 
to  suffer  from  dryness,  though  much  less  water 
is    required    during    their    resting    period.     The 
majority  of  stove  Ferns  do  not  require  a  great 
heat  during  the  winter,  a  minimum  of  55°  being 
ample.       Gymmogramme,     however,    forms    an 
exception      to      this      rule,       for      the     species 
succeed     best     in     an     atmosphere     not     lower 
than      60°     at     night,      with     the     usual     extra 
heat      during      the      daytime,       and       if     they 
are  kept   in   a   cold   and   draughty   house   much 
harm  results,  death  often  taking  place  under  such 
conditions.     The  common   varieties  of   Nephro- 
lepis,  such  as  N.  exaltata  and  N.  tuberosa,  will 
withstand   much   rough  treatment,  and   may   be 
utilised  for  the  embellishment  of  dwelling-rooms 
without  suffering  serious  injury.      The  beautiful 
newer  varieties,  however,  such  as  N.  Whitmanii, 
N.  Todeaoides,  and  N.  elegantissima,  are  more 
delicate,  and,  after  use  in  dwelling-rooms,  need 
to  be  returned  to  their  permanent  quarters  with 
as  little  delay  as  possible.     Afford  them  a  mini- 
mum  temperature   of   55°.     Ferns   of  a   hardier 
nature  such  as  Dicksonias,  and  Gleichenias,  are 
Subject   to    attacks    of   scale    and    thrip    if   they 
are  placed  in  a  hot,  dry  atmosphere  or  near  to 
the  hot-water  pipes.     In  these  dry  and  hot  por- 
tions  of   a    plant-house,    insect    pests    increase 
rapidly,   and,   if   left   undisturbed  for  any  great 
length    of    time,    will    prove   a   source   of    much 
trouble.     Ferns  require  no  manurial  stimulants 
during  the  winter. 

General  remarks. — Frames  containing  plants 
should  be  freely  ventilated  on  all  favourable  occa- 
sions. Remove  all  decaying  leaves  from  the  plants, 
and  be  careful  not  to  over-water  them.  'Primulas, 
Cinerarias,  and  similar  winter-flowering  species 
should  be  placed  well  up  to  the  glass  :  any  late- 
raised  batches  of  these  plants  iequiring  potting 
should  be  attended  to  without  delav. 


FRUITS  UNDER  GLASS. 

By  Alexander  Kirk,  Gardener  to  J.  Thomson  Paton,  Esq., 
Norwood,  Alloa,  Clackmannanshire. 

Vines  that  were  planted  in  the  spring,  having 
been  raised  from  eyes  in  February,  will  now 
have  reached  the  top  of  the  rafter  and  should 
be  given  an  abundance  of  air  both  by  day 
and  at  night.  They  will  also  require  some  fire 
heat,  especially  if  the  wood  has  grown  strongly, 
a  little  fire-heat  with  plenty  of  fresh  air  being 
well  calculated  to  assist  in  the  maturation  of 
the  wood.  Syringe  the  foliage  daily  with  clear 
water.  This  treatment  will  cause  the  wood  to 
become  of  a  rich  brown  colour,  bearing  well- 
developed   buds. 

Pot  vines  which  are  intended  to  supplv  the 
earliest  crop  of  Grapes  should  be  in  readiness 
for  placing  in  heat  some  time  during  the  present 
month.  They  will  require  a  little  bottom  heat 
to  start  them  into  growth  at  this  dull  season  of 
the  year,  but  be  careful  not  to  excite  them  with 
excessive  heat.  The  atmospheric  temperature 
should  not  exceed  55°  until  the  buds  swell,  when 
it  may  be  increased  by  5°.  Do  not  attempt  to 
force  these  young  vines  with  artificial  heat  ex- 
clusively. Admit  a  little  air  by  the  top  venti- 
lator when  the  weather  is  bright,  but  cold 
diaughts  must  be  prevented.  Keep  the  atmos- 
phere of  the  pit  or  house  in  a  humid  condition 
by  damping  down  the  paths  daily,  and  afford 
very  little  water  at  the  roots  until  the  vines 
have  well  started  into  growth,  but  take  care  to 
prevent  the  soil  in  the  pots  becoming  dust-dry. 
Exercise   great   care   when    working    among   the 


vines  after  they  have  started  into  growth,  as  the 
buds  may  be  very  easily  rubbed  off. 

Grapes. — Grapes  which  are  still  hanging 
on  the  rods  should  be  examined  two  or  three 
times  each  week  for  the  purpose  of  removing 
any  decayed  berries  that  may  tie  discovered,  also 
faded  leaves.  Keep  the  vineries  well  ventilated 
during  favourable  weather.  A  cool  and  dry 
atmosphere  is  necessary  for  keeping  ripe  Grapes 
in  good  condition.  A  little  fire-heat  will  there- 
fore be  necessary  during  such  weather  as  now 
obtains.  Remove  any  pot-plants  from  the  vinen 
which  require  supplies  of  water. 

Pinning. — Vines  may  be  pruned  a  month  or 
six  weeks  before  they  are  required  for  stan 
into  growth.  The  laterals  may  be  pruned  to  two 
eyes,  but  the  older  the  vines,  the  longer  should 
the  laterals  be  left.  After  the  pruning  has  been 
done  it  will  be  necessarv  to  scrub  the  interior  of 
the  vinery  with  hot  water  and  soft  soap,  and  to 
give  the  woodwork  a  coat  of  paint  if  red  spider 
has  been  troublesome.  Wash  the  rods  thoroughly 
but  carefully  with  the  Gishurst  Compound,  not 
injuring  the  buds.  Before  tying  the  rods  up  to 
the  trellis  again,  remove  the  surface  of  the  border 
down  to  the  roots  and  apply  a  fresh  dressing 
of  rich  fibrous  loam,  adding  a  6-inch  potful  of 
vine  manure  (fine  grade)  to  each  barrow  load 
of  soil.  Test  the  border  with  the  soil  test  . 
and  if  the  soil  is  found  to  be  dry  apply  sufficient 
water  to  last  throughout  the  winter.  Apply  a 
good  mulch  and  the  house  will  then  be  ready  for 
starting.  Protect  the  roots  in  outside  borders 
by  applying  a  mulch  of  long  litter  from  the 
stable. 

THE    KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

By  William  H.  Honess,  Gardener  to  C.  Combe,  Esq., 
Cobham  Park,  Surrey. 

Beans. — Both  the  dwarf  and  runner  Beans 
have  done  very  well  in  this  neighbourhood,  and, 
although  they  were  a  little  late  in  coming  into 
season,  they  have  lasted  in  good  condition  until 
nearly  the  end  of  October.  In  many  northern 
localities,  however,  they  appear  to  have  failed 
altogether  owing  to  the  action  of  frost  directly 
picking  had  commenced.  Dwarf  Beans  in  un- 
healed frames  will  now  be  almost  finished,  for, 
even  if  they  are  not  crippled  by  frost,  damping 
will  set  in  owing  to  the  atmospheric  conditions. 
Therefore,  pot  plants  will  be  the  chief  source 
of  supply,  and  it  will  be  necessary  to  make  fre- 
quent sowings,  remembering  that  at  this  time 
of  the  year  the  plants  are  seldom  very  produc- 
tive. The  seeds  should  be  sown  in  pots  seven 
inches  in  diameter,  and  containing  good  light 
soil,  half  of  which  may  consist  of  manure  from 
a  spent  mushroom  bed.  Do  not  apply  anv  water 
until  the  seeds  have  germinated.  Before  water 
is  applied  to  the  roots  of  Beans  growing  in  a 
heated  atmosphere  it  should  be  warmed  to  about 
the  same  temperature  as  that  of  the  atmosphere 
in  the  house,  which  should  now  range  from  55° 
to  60°.  Maintain  plenty  of  moisture  in  the 
atmosphere,  and  take  every  means  to  preserve 
the  plants  in  a  condition  of  cleanliness.  When 
the  flowers  have  set  and  the  Beans  are  swelling, 
afford  the  roots  a  little  weak  manure-water  once 
or  twice  each  week,  but  varying  according  to 
the  frequency  that  the  plants  require  to  be 
watered. 

Roots.—  The  crops  of  Beet,  Carrots,  Salsafy, 
Celenac,  &c,  should  now  be  lifted  from  the 
ground,  have  their  tops  wrenched  or  twisted  off, 
and  be  stacked  in  layers  of  sand  or  fine  ash 
in  the  store-house.  This  proceeding  will  re- 
quire considerable  time,  and  should  be  pushed 
forward  with  all  speed  during  open  weather. 
The  ground  will  then  be  ready  for  digging  or 
trenching,  and  it  is  very  imp'ortant  that  this 
work  should  be  commenced  at  the  earliest  mo- 
ment possible,  thus  allowing  the  ground  a  suffi- 
cient length  of  time  to  settle  down  before  it  is 
required  for  cropping  and  enabling  the  heavy- 
soils  to  derive  to  the  utmost  the  benefits  of  the 
cleansing  and  breaking  down  of  the  soil  that 
results  from  the  action  of  frost.  Pars- 
nips and  Jerusalem  Artichokes  .are  just  as 
well  if  left  in  the  soil  for  the  time  being,  lift- 
ing only  sufficient  for  ensuring  a  con- 
tinual supplv  in  the  event  of  hard  weather,  and 
covering  the  crowns  of  the  remainder  by  draw- 
ing a  little  extra  soil  over  them.  Under  these 
circumstances  they  will  keep  in  good  condi- 
tion   well    into    the    new    year.       Before    much 


ground   work   has  been   carried   out,   the   neces- 
sary  arrangements   for   next    season's    croppii 
should   be  decided  upon.     The  system  of  rotat- 
ing the  crops  is  one  of  the  most  important  ques- 
tions in  vegetable  culture,  but,  as  so  much   de- 
pends on  the  nature  of  the  soil,  the  size  of  the 
garden,  and  the  different  products  required,  no 
hard    and   fast   rule   can   be   laid    down    in    this 
matter.     If   a  liberal   amount  of  manure 
plied,    and   trenching   is   done    frequently, 
tion  is  not  such  an  absolute  nec<  as    where 

the  supply  of  manure  is  scanty,  ami  the  ground 
merely  dug  over  year  after  year,  alth  ugh  even 
then  it  would  be  better  to  change  the  ground 
as  much  as  possible.  As  most  of  the  ground  thai 
is  ready,  or  will  soon  Ik  ready,  for  turning  over, 
has  recently  produce!  root-crops,  this  ground 
should  be  next  cropped  with  Peas  or  some  sort 
of  Brassica. 


THE  HARDY  FRUIT  GARDEN. 

By  I.  Mayne,  Gardener  to  Lord  Clinton,  Bicton, 
hast  Devon. 

Small  fruits. — If  a  few  cuttings  of  Red  and 
White  Currants  are  rooted  each  autumn,  they 
will  provide  a  stock  of  young  bushes  to  take  the 
place  of  older  ones  that  are  worn  out.  The 
cuttings  should  be  formed  from  shoots  of  a 
medium  size,  about  12  inches  long.  Make  a 
clean,  but  not  a  slanting  cut  through  a  joint, 
remove  the  top  bud  on  the  shoot  and  rub  off 
all  the  others  except  the  three  upper  ones,  as 
Red  and  White  Currant  bushes  are  best  grown 
with  clean  stems,  and  the  removal  of  the  lower 
buds  prevents  the  growth  of  suckers.  In  the 
f  Black  Currant  bushes,  the  basal  buds 
should  be  left  intact,  as  young  basal  growths  are 
necessary  for  replenishing  exhausted  branches, 
for  the  best  bunches  of  fruit  are  developed  upon 
the  young  wood.  Insert  the  cuttings,  6  inches 
apart,  in  lines  12  inches  distant  from  each 
other,  and  make  each  shoot  quite  firm  in  the 
ground.  Cuttings  of  Gooseberries  should  be 
prepared  in  the  same  manner  as  those  of  the 
Red  Currant,  or  sucker  growths  will  develop  m 
abundance.  Young  bushes  raised  from  cuttings 
rooted  last  autumn  should  now  be  transplanted 
at  a  distance  of  2  feet  apart  each  way. 

Raspberries. — The  new  canes  should  be  secured 
to  the  wires,  allowing  a  distance  of  4  or  5  inches 
between  each.  Any  vacancies  in  the  rows 
should  be  made  good  from  the  reserve  garden, 
or  from  stools  out  of  line  in  the  main  rows.  In 
making  new  plantations  of  Raspberries,  the 
ground  should  be  in  good  cultivation.  Manure 
should  be  placed  not  deeper  than  18  inches 
below  the  surface,  as  the  Raspberry  does  not 
root  to  a  very  great  depth.  The  rows  should 
preferably  run  from  north  to  south,  and  the 
canes  be  planted  at  a  distance  of  18  inches 
apart,  allowing  5  to  6  feet  between  the  rows. 
Superlative  is  a  good  standard  varietv. 
Carter's  Prolific,  Hornet,  and  Norwich  Wonder 
are  other  desirable  varieties,  while  the  new 
varietv,  Penwill's  Champion,  has  a  high  repu- 
tation as  being  a  continuous  bearer.  Secure 
the  canes  to  stretched  wires,  and  do  not 
cut  them  down  until  new  growths  appear  in 
spring ;  should  severe  frost  set  in,  apply  a 
mulch  to  the  surface  to  protect  the  roots.  Good 
autumn-fruiting  varieties  are  November  Abund- 
ance and  October  Yellow. 

The  Strawberry. — Many  .  cultivators  of  this 
fruit  spread  manure  between  the  plants  at  this 
date,  so  that  the  manurial  properties  may  be 
washed  down  to  the  roots.  At  present  the 
ground  is  too  wet  to  permit  of  manure  being 
wheeled  upon,  but  this  may  be  overcome  by  put- 
ting down  planks,  or  a  better  plan  is  to  wait 
until  a  frost  appears,  when  the  ground  will  be 
hard  and  allow  such  work  to  be  expedition  slv 
carried  out.  Late-planted  Strawberries  will  be 
benefited  by  some  protective  material  such  as 
half-decayed  manure,  placed  around  the  collar  of 
the  plants,  but  avoid  making  too  rich  a  layer  for 
the  rampant-growing  variety  Royal  Sovereign. 
Remove  all  runners  of  the  autumn-fruiting  varie- 
ties, and  reserve  a  few  of  the  best-rooted  plants 
for  stock.  These  may  either  be  planted  direct 
in  their  permanent  quarters  or  be  set  out  in 
lines,  6  inches  apart,  to  be  again  replanted  next 
March,  by  which  date  they  should  be  well  estab- 
lished and  be  little  the  worse  after  their  neces- 
sary removal  if  the  transplanting  is  carefullv 
performed. 


512 


THE    GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


[November  2,  1907. 


EDITORIAL     NOTICE. 


ADVERTISEMENTS  should  be  sent  to  the  PUB- 
LISHER.  41,  Wellington  Street,  Covent  Garden, 
W.C. 

Newspapers. — Correspondents  sending  newspapers  should  be 
care/ulto  mark  the  paragraplis  they  wish  the  Editor  to  see. 


APPOINTMENTS  FOR  NOVEMBER. 


SATURDAY,  NOVEMBER  2— 

Soc.  Fran?.  d'Hort.  de  Londres  meet,      German  Gard, 

Soc.  meet. 
TUESDAY,  NOVEMBER  5— 

West  of  Eng.  Chrys.  Soc.  Sh.  at  Plymouth  (2  days).  Nat. 

Amateur  Gard.  Assoc,    meet.       Brighton  Chrys.   Sh. 

(2  days).      Ann.  meet  Croydon   Hort.    Soc.      Scottish 

Hort.  Assoc,  meet.   Southend-on-Sea  Chrys.  Sh.  (2  days). 

Southampton  Chrys.  Sh.  (2  days). 
WEDNESDAY,  NOVEMBER  6— 

Nat.  Chrys.  Soc.  Exh.  at  Crystal  Palace  (3  days).  Cardiff 

Chrys.  Sh.  (2  days).  Colchester  Rose  and  Hort.  Soc.  Sh. 

Brixton,  Streatham,  and  Clapham  Hort.  Soc.  Autumn 

Sh.  (provisional).    Cambridgeshire  Hort.  Soc.  Autumn 

Sh.  (2  days).     Stoke  Newington  and  Dist.  Chrys.  Sh. 

(2  days).    Bromley  Chrys.  Sh.  (2  days). 
THURSDAY,  NOVEMBER  7— 

Torquay  Chrys.  Sh.     Putney,  WTandsworth,  and  Dist. 

Chrys.  Sh.  (2  days).     Addlestone.  Chertsey,  and  Otter- 

shaw  Autumn  Sh.  Newport  (Mon.)  Chrys.  Sh.    Spalding 

Chrys.  Sh. 

FRIDAY,  NOVEMBER  8— 

Leicester  Chrys.  Sh.  (2  days).  Windsor,  Eton,  and 
Dist.  Chrys.  Sh. 

MONDAY,  NOVEMBER  11— 

United  Ben.  and  Prov.  Soc.  Com.  meet. 
TUESDAY,  NOVEMBER  12— 

Roy.  Hort.  Soc.  Coins,  meet.    Exeter  Fruit  and  Chrys. 

Exh.  (2  days).     Ulster  Hort.  Soc.  Sh.  at  Belfast  (2  days). 

Altrincham,  Bowdon,  Hale  and  Dist.  Chrys.  Sh.,  Hale 

(2  days).    Devizes  Chrys.  Sh.    Birmingham  and  Midland 

Counties  Chrys.  and  Fruit  Sh.  (3  days). 

WEDNESDAY,  NOVEMBER  13— 

Liverpool  Hort.  Assoc.  Sh.  (2  days).  York  Chrys.  Sh. 
(3  days).  South  Shields  and  Northern  Counties  Chrys. 
Sh.  (2  days).  Bath  Gardeners'  Soc.  Chrys.  Sh.  (2  days). 
Reading  Chrys.  Sh.  Tonbridge  Chrys.  and  Fruit  Sh. 
(2  days).  Brixton  Chrys.  Sh.  Chester  Paxton  Chrys. 
and  Fruit  Sh.  (2  days).  Manchester  Bot.  Gardens 
Chrys.  Sh.  (3  days).    Lancaster  Chrys.  Sh. 

THURSDAY,  NOVEMBER  14— 

Edinburgh  Chrys.  Sh.  (3  days).  Barnsley  Chrys.  Sh. 
(2  days)  (provisional).    Weston-super-Mare  Chrys.  Sh. 

FRIDAY,  NOVEMBER  15— 

Sheffield  Chrys.  Sh.  (2  days).      Bradford  Chrys.  Sh.  (2 

days).    Bolton  Chrys.  Sh.  (2  days).    Derby  Chrys.  Sh. 

(2  days).    Stockport  and  Dist.  Chrys.  Sh.  i2  days). 
SATURDAY,  NOVEMBER  16— 

Burton-on-Trent  Chrys.  Sh.     German  Gard.  Soc.  meet. 
MONDAY,  NOVEMBER  18— 

Nat.  Chrys.  Soc.  Floral  Com.  meet. 

TUESDAY,  NOVEMBER  19— 

Leeds  Paxton  Soc.  Chrys.  Sh.  (2  days). 
WEDNESDAY,  NOVEMBER  20— 

Darlington  Chrys.  Sh. 
FRIDAY,  NOVEMBER  22— 

Roy,  Bot.  Soc.  meet.    Aberdeen  Chrys.  Sh.  (2  days). 
SATURDAY,  NOVEMBER  23— 

Morley  and  Dist.  Paxton  Soc.  Chrys.  Sh. 
TUESDAY,  NOVEMBER  26— 

Royal  Hort.  Soc.  Corns,  meet.     Brit.  Gard.  Assoc.  Ex. 

Council  meet. 

THURSDAY,  NOVEMBER  28— 

Exhibition  of  Colonial  Produce  at  Hort,  Hall,  West- 
minster (2  days). 


Average    Mean    Temperature    for    the    ensuing    week, 
deduced  from  observations  during  the  last  Fifty  Years 
at  Greenwich — 44'9°. 
Actual  Temperatures: — 

London.—  Wednesday,  October  30  (6  p.m.):  Max.  56°- 
Min.  51". 
Gardeners'  Chronicle  Office,  41,  Wellington  Street, 
Covent  Garden,  London.— Thursday,  October  31 
(10  a.m.):  Bar..  29'7;  Temp.,  53°:  Weather— 
Bright  sunshine. 
Provinces—  Wednesday,  October  30  (6  p.m.):  Max.  51°, 
England  S.E. ;  Min.  48',  Ireland  N.W. 


SALES  FOR  THE  ENSUING  WEEK. 

MONDAY— 

Clearance  Sale  of  Nursery  Stock,  at  The  Nursery,  Red 
Lake,  Winchelsea  Road,  Ore,  Hastings,  by  Protheroe  & 
Morris,  at  12.30. 

MONDAY  and  WEDNESDAY— 

Sale  of  Dutch  Bulbs,  &c,  at  Stevens'  Rooms,  King 
Street,  Covent  Garden,  W.C. 

MONDAY  TO  FRIDAY— 

•      Dutch  Bulbs,  at  67  &  68,  Cheapside,  E.C.,  by  Protheroe 
&  Morris,  at  10.30. 

TUESDAY  &  WEDNESDAY— 

Second  Annual  Sale  of  Nursery  Stock,  at  Wooldale 
Nurseries,  Thongsbridge,  near  Huddersfield,  by  order  of 
Messrs.  Broadhead  &  Son,  by  Protheroe  &  Morris, 
at  11.30. 

WEDNESDAY— 

2,250  Roses,  at  1.30.  Palms,  Azaleas,  Bays.  &c,  at  5,  at 
67  &  68,  Cheapside,  E.C.,  by  Protheroe  &  Morris. 

JRIDAY— 

500  Imported  Odontoglossum  crispum.  Importations  of 
Ccelogynes  and  Cypripediums,  and  other  Orchids,  at 
67  &  68,  Cheapside,  E.C.,  by  Protheroe  &  Morris,  at 
12.45. 


The  season  is  approaching  when 
Trenching,  the  greater  part  of  the  kitchen 
garden  will  be  bare  of  crops, 
and  one  of  the  chief  items  of  the  daily  work 
will  consist  in  preparing  the  soil  for  use  in 
the  following  season  by  trenching  or  dig- 
ging. On  the  present  occasion  our  remarks 
refer  exclusively  to  trenching. 

There  are  two  ways  in  which  this  may  be 
done,  the  top  soil  may  be  left  on  top  or  a 
considerable  portion  of  it  may  be  buried  and 
some  of  the  subsoil  brought  up  to  the  sur- 
face. The  former  process  is  often  spoken  of 
as  double  digging  or  bastard-trenching,  and 
the  latter  simply  as  trenching ;  the  two 
methods  differ  considerably  in  their  effects 
and  one  may  be  very  successful  where  the 
other  would  be  of  no  use  or  might  even  be 
injurious.  A  knowledge  of  the  effects  pro- 
duced on  the  physical  and  chemical  proper- 
ties of  the  soil  and  on  the  bacteria  and  other 
organisms  present  is  necessary  before  one 
can  decide  which  method  to  adopt. 

Of  all  the  properties  of  soil,  its  power  of 
holding  water  is  fast  becoming  the  most  im- 
portant to  the  gardener,  and  for  very  obvious 
reasons.  In  choosing  a  site  for  a  modern 
house  it  is  considered  essential  that  the  soil 
should  be  dry  and  porous,  so  as  to  allow- 
free  drainage,  that  the  elevation  should  be 
sufficiently  high,  and  that  the  surrounding 
country  should  be  as  wild  and  open  as  pos- 
sible. These  conditions  are  all  closely  con- 
nected ;  they  can  be  found  on  high-lying 
chalk  or  sand  formations,  and  if  we  examine 
the  country-  for  twenty  miles  round  London 
we  shall  find  that  such  formations  are  usually 
laken  up  by  large  houses,  while  the  heavier 
soils  and  clay,  particularly  if  low  lying,  are 
occupied  by  small  villas  or  cottages.  The  re- 
lative value  of  high,  dry  situations  and  of 
low,  moist  ones  have  become  reversed  since 
the  old  farming  days,  for  when  other  land 
u  as  being  enclosed  and  taken  into  cultiva- 
tion, the  light  high-lying  soils  were  often 
left  alone,  owing  to  their  dryness.  Indeed,  it 
is  not  too  much  to  say  that  the  existence  of 
wild,  open  country  in  counties  like  Kent 
and  Surrey,  which  have  always  been  highly 
farmed,  is  due  to  an  unsuitable  water  supply. 
It  is  this  kind  of  soil,  rejected  by  the  farmer 
even  when  cultivation  was  most  profitable, 
which  has  now  to  be  taken  in  hand  by  the 
gardener. 

The  amount  of  water  needed  for  plant 
growth  has  been  variously  estimated,  but  we 
shall  probably  not  be  far  wrong  in  supposing 
that  the  plants  growing  on  each  rod  of 
ground  require,  during  the  summer  months, 
about  six  tons  of  water,  equivalent  to  10 
inches  of  rain.  The  average  rainfall  at 
Rothamsted  during  the  months  of  May,  June, 
July,  ami  August  is  io  inches,  but  so  much 
of  this  would  run  through  a  light  sand  or 
chalk  soil  that  hut  little  is  left  for  the  plants; 
these  are,  therefore,  dependent  for  their  water 
supply  on  rain  which  has  fallen  during  the 
preceding  months.  February,  March,  and 
April  usually  constitute  the  driest  period  of 
the  year ;  the  chief  water  supply  comes  from 
the  autumn  and  winter  rains.  One  of  the 
problems  the  gardener  has  to  solve  is  to  keep 
this  in  the  soil  until  the  summer. 

Several  factors  influence  the  amount  of 
water  retained  by  the  soil,  but  two  of  the 
most  important  are  the  arrangement  of  the 
particles  and  the  amount  of  organic  matter 


present.  Just  as  a  sponge  holds  less  water 
when  squeezed  than  when  in  its  ordinary 
loose  state,  so  a  compact  soil  holds  less  water 
than  a  looser  one.  Ground  that  has  been  dug 
one  spit  deep  is  better  able  to  soak  up  and 
keep  rain  water  than  untouched  ground,  and 
the  difference  is  increased  when  the  land  is 
trenched.  The  writer  found  in  May  that  the 
trenched  ground  in  his  garden  contained  19 
per  cent,  of  water,  while  the  adjoining  undug 
part  only  contained  16  per  cent.,  a  difference 
of  3  per  cent.,  equal  to  4CWL  per  rod,  in 
favour  of  trenching.  This  was  on  a  good 
loam  ;  a  light  sand  might  not  have  shown  so 
great  a  difference. 

The  influence  of  organic  matter  is  equally 
great,  and  one  of  the  reasons  why  well  rotted 
dung,  leafmould,  and  similar  substances  are 
so  highly  valued  as  manure  is  that  they  enable 
the  soil  to  hold  up  water  which  would  other- 
wise run  away  and  be  lost.  In  the  case  of  a 
light  soil,  the  amount  of  organic  matter  pre- 
sent is  probably  the  chief  factor  regulating 
the  amount  of  water  it  can  hold.  At  short  time 
ago  the  writer  had  occasion  to  examine  a 
very  light,  sandy  soil  from  a  high-lying  Sur- 
rey garden,  which  always  suffers  from 
drought  in  the  summer.  It  was  found  that 
the  top  spit,  which  had  been  well  dunged 
and  contained  a  fair  amount  of  organic  mat- 
ter, was  able  to  hold  53  per  cent,  of  water, 
while  the  lower  spit,  which,  of  course,  con- 
tained much  less  organic  matter,  could  hold 
only  28  per  cent.,  even  under  the  most  favour- 
able circumstances  such  as  would  rarely  oc- 
cur in  practice.  Part  of  the  ground  had  been 
trenched,  and  dung  worked  in  to  the  bottom 
spit ;  here  the  subsoil  had  a  greatly  increased 
power  of  holding  water,  and  plants  did  much 
better.  The  subsoil  had  been  made  to  more 
nearly  resemble  the  surface  soil. 

The  briefest  way  to  summarise  all  the 
effects  of  trenching  would  be  to  say  that  it. 
makes  the  lower  soil  in  every  respect  more 
like  the  top  soil.  The  difference  in  compo- 
sition between  the  two  is  often  very  marked 
on  untrenched  ground ;  the  surface  soil  con- 
tains more  nitrogen,  potash,  and  phosphoric 
acid  in  forms  suitable  for  the  plant,  more 
organic  matter  to  hold  water,  and  less  sticky, 
unkindly,  often  harmful,  clayey  matter  than 
does  the  soil  lying  below.  The  difference  is 
partly  due  to  the  fact  that  many  of  the  ma- 
nures used  remain  near  to  the  surface,  and 
partly  to  the  fact  that  air  circulates  more 
fn  civ  in  the  top  six  or  seven  inches  than  in 
the  more  compact  soil  lower  down.  Where 
the  air  moves,  earthworms  can  easily  get 
about  and  exert  the  beneficial  action  known 
to  all  observant  gardeners,  and  fully  set  forth 
in  a  book  all  gardeners  should  read  :  Charles 
Darwin's  Formation  of  Vegetable  Mould. 
Air  is  also  needed  for  the  myriads  of  living 
things,  too  small  to  be  seen  except  by  aid 
of  a  very  powerful  microscope,  that  inhabit 
the  soil  and  contribute  largely  to  its  fertility. 
In  its  absence  they  can  do  nothing,  but  are, 
instead,  replaced  by  organisms  that  do  not 
improve  the  soil  for  plants,  but  tend  to  de- 
stroy, rather  than  make,  plant-food.  Air  also 
destroys  many  substances  harmful  to  plants. 
All  these  actions  go  on  in  the  surface  soil  to 
an  enormously  greater  extent  than  in  the  sub- 
soil, and  this  partly  accounts  for  the  marked 
difference  in  productiveness.  The  writer  re- 
cently grew  one  lot  of  mustard  in  pots  filled 
with  surface  soil,  and  another  lot  in  puts  lilled 


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November  2,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS     CHRONICLE. 


313 


with  subsoil,  and  obtained  nine  times  more 
crop  in  the  former  than  in  the  latter  case. 
As  soon,  however,  as  the  ground  is  trenched, 
air  can  get  into  the  bottom  spit ;  before  long, 
earthworms  and  useful  bacteria  will  follow, 
and  bring  about  there  the  same  beneficial 
changes  they  have  exerted  in  the  surface 
soil,  thus  reducing  the  difference  between  the 
two. 

It  must  be  carefully  remembered  that 
trenching  does  not  improve  the  top  spit. 
Many  experiments  on  this  subject  have  been 
tried,  but  practically  all  with  the  same  result. 
It  has  sometimes  been  thought  that  the  sub- 
soil is  a  kind  of  virgin  soil,  rich  in  plant 
food  and  very  beneficial  if  brought  up  to  the 
surface.  This,  however,  is  not  usually  the 
case.  A  very  famous  experiment  was  made 
many  years  ago  by  the  Rev.  S.  Smith,  vicar 
■of  Lois  Weedon.  Finding  that  it  no  longer 
paid  to  use  much  dung  for  wheat,  he  hit  on 
the  idea  of  using  the  subsoil  for  manure,  and, 
therefore,  trenched  his  ground  so  as  to  bring 
much  of  the  subsoil  to  the  top.  Though  the 
plan  succeeded  at  Lois  Weedon,  Lawes  and 
Gilbert  found  that  it  failed  at  Rothamsted, 
and  that  it  certainly  added  no  plant  food  to 
the  surface  soil. 

The  improvement  is  in  the  bottom,  not  in 
the  top  spit,  and  this  is  the  important  fact  to 
bear  in  mind  in  deciding  whether  to  trench 
or  to  bastard-trench.  Trenching  is  often 
found  better  than  bastard-trenching  on  light, 
sandy  soils,  where  the  lower  depth  is  almost 
pure  sand.  No  harm  need  be  feared  from 
bringing  up  this  bottom  spit,  because 
it  is  quite  'harmless  to  the  plant;  it 
can  be  enriched  with  manure,  and  will 
then  make  a  useful  medium  for  the  roots 
of  plants.  On  the  contrary,  much  good  may 
result  from  burying  the  top  spit.  It  has  a 
better  power  of  holding  water,  and  will  keep 
the  soil  moister  than  before.  It  is  also 
richer,  and  when  the  plant  roots  get  down 
into  it,  they  grow  well  and  produce  what 
all  who  cultivate  sandy  gardens  should  aim 
at — a  luxuriant  root-development  several 
inches  below  the  surface,  out  of  reach  of 
scorching  or  drought.  If,  however,  the  bot- 
tom spit  contains  a  sticky,  unkindly  clay,  it 
must  not  be  brought  up  but  carefully  kept 
below ;  recourse  must  be  had  to  bastard- 
trenching  and  not  to  real  trenching.  An  ex- 
cellent illustration  is  afforded  by  the  red, 
flinty  clay  capping  the  chalk  round  London. 
Gardens  on  this  formation  have  been 
trenched,  the  top  soil  being  buried  and  the 
bottom  spit  brought  up.  The  results  are  very 
disastrous.  The  lower  soil  is  quite  unsuited 
for  plant  growth ;  young  plants  grow  badly 
from  the  beginning,  and  either  die  or  sur- 
vive as  |XKir,  ■-tunted  specimens.  But  where 
the  bottom  spit  is  carefully  kept  below  and 
enriched  with  manure,  excellent  results  are 
obtained.  Of  course,  the  top  soil  must  be 
manured  and  cultivated  just  as  usual,  or  in 
course  of  time  the  root  system  is  apt  to  de- 
velop too  much  in  the  subsoil  and  too  little 
on  the  surface. 

To  sum  up,  the  results  of  trenching  are  (i) 
to  increase  the  amount  of  water  the  soil  can 
hold  in  reserve  for  the  summer,  (2)  to  allow 
mere  air  to  enter  and  exert  its  beneficial 
effects  on  the  subsoil,  (3)  to  cause  the  bene- 
ficial action  of  earthworms,  air-loving  bac- 
teria, and  other  organisms  to  go  on  more 
readily  in  the  subsoil,  (4)  to  increase  the  root 


range  of  the  plant  and  so  bring  about  a 
larger  root  development  and  a  greater  amount 
of  growth.  In  deciding  whether  to  trench  or 
bastard-trench,  the  chief  point  to  bear  in 
mind  is  that  the  top  spit  is  not  benefited  and 
may  be  injured  by  the  process.  If  sticky, 
unkindly  clay  is  brought  up,  it  is  better  to 
bastard-trench,  but  if  the  subsoil  is  harmless 
sand  proper  trenching  may  give  better 
results. 


Our  Supplementary  Illustration  repre- 
sents the  fine  specimen  of  Cattlcya  Warscewiczii, 
which  was  included  in  the  remarkable  group  of 
Orchids  for  which  Major  G.  L.  Holford, 
C.V.O.,  CLE.  (gr.  Mr.  H.  G.  Alexander),  was 
awarded  the  Gold  Medal  of  the  Royal  Horti- 
cultural Society  on  July  23  this  year.  The 
specimen,  which  was  grown  from  an  ordinary 
example  imported  from  Medellin,  bore  26  flowers 
and  buds,  and  was  probably  the  grandest  ex- 
ample of  the  species  ever  seen  during  the  many 
years  it  has  been  in  cultivation.  The  flowers 
were  silver-white  tinged  with  rose,  the  labellum 
being  ruby-crimson  with  yellow  lines  from  the 
base,  and  with  an  attractively  crimped  pale  lilac 
margin. 

Linnean  Society. — An  ordinary  meeting  of 
the  Fellows  will  be  held  on  Thursday,  Novem- 
ber 7,  at  8  p.m.,  when  the  following  papers  will 
be  read  : — 1,  the  Rev.  George  Henslow,  M.A., 
F.L.S.,  "  The  Origin  of  the  Di-trimerous  Whorls 
among  Flowers  of  Dicotyledons";  2,  Mr. 
Albert  D.  Michael,  F.L.S.,  "  Unrecorded  Acari 
from  New  Zealand  "  ;  3,  Mr.  R.  Shelford,  M.A., 
F.L.S.,  on  ^Enigmatistes  africanus,  a  new  genus 
and  species  of  Diptera.  Exhibitions:  1,  Mr. 
Alexander  Stevenson,  a  copy  of  Hudson's 
Flora  Anglica,  1778,  with  numerous  annotations 
by  the  Rev.  William  Kirby,  F.L.S.  ;  2,  Dr.  A. 
B.  Rendle,  M.A.,  F.L.S.,  abnormal  stem  of  Eu- 
calyptus  salmonophloia,  F.  Muell.,  from  West 
Australia. 

The  National  Dahlia  Society.— Mr  II  H. 
Thomas  has  accepted  the  honorary  secretaryship 
of  this  society. 

National  Fruit  Growers'  Federation.— 

A  meeting  of  the  council  will  be  held  on  Monday, 
November  4,  at  3  p.m.,  at  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Hall,  Vincent  Square,  S.W.  The  recommenda- 
tions of  the  sub-committee  on  the  election  of  a 
secretary  and  alterations  of  the  rules  will  be  con- 
sidered, and  a  date  will  be  fixed  for  a  special 
general  meeting. 

South-Eastern   Agricultural  College. 

— We  are  informed  that  a  meeting  of  the  gov- 
ernors (Lord  Ashcombe  presiding)  was  held  at 
the  Caxton  House  on  Monday.  The  Principal 
(Mr.  M.  J.  R.  Dunstan)  reported  the  entry  of 
42  new  students  for  the  session  1907-8,  a  total 
number  of  120  students  in  residence,  and  a  wait- 
ing list  of  students  unable  to  join  on  account  of 
all  available  accommodation  being  filled  up. 
The  following  appointments  were  made:  — 
Head  of  the  chemical  department,  W.  Goodwin, 
F.Sc,  Ph.D.  ;   head  of  agricultural  department, 

B.  N.  Wale,  B.Sc  ;  assistant  agricultural  lec- 
turers, R.  N.  Dowling,  P.A.S.I.,  J.  Macintosh, 
N.D.A.  ;  head  of  estate  management  depart- 
ment, A.  H.  J.  Haines,  P. A.S.I.  ;  assistant  lec- 
turer in  engineering,  A.  F.  Hood-Daniel, 
P. A. S.I.  A  new  department  of  soil  bacteriology 
is   being   established   under   the   charge    of    Mr. 

C.  T.  Gimingham.  The  conference  of  hop- 
growers  will  be  held  on  November  27,  under 
the  chairmanship  of  Mr.  E.  C.  Lister-Kay,  of 
Godmersham  Park,  when  papers  on  Fertilisa- 
tion of  Hops,  Eelworms,  and  Hop  drying  will 
be  communicated. 


Mr.    John    Wright,    V.M.H. — Many  of  our 

readers  will  sympathise  with  Mr.  John  Wright 
in  the  bereavement  he  has  sustained  in  the 
death  of  his  wife,  which  occurred  on  Tuesday 
last  at  Rosehill  Road,'  Wandsworth.  Mr. 
Wright,  who  will  be  remembered  best  as  a 
former  editor  of  the  Journal  of  Horticulture,  is 
still  a  lecturer  on  gardening  for  the  Surrey 
County  Council. 

The  Half-Holiday. — We  announced  in  a 
recent  issue  that  Messrs.  J.  E.  Hill  &  SON,  oi 
Lower  Edmonton,  had  given  their  employes  the 
privilege  of  leaving  work  at  1  p.m.  instead  of 
5  on  Saturdays.  A  correspondent  now  writes 
us  to  the  effect  that  21  other  firms  have  granted 
their  employes  the  same  boon  :  seven  at  Enfield 
Wash,  ten  at  Flamstead  End,  Cheshunt,  and 
four  at  Lower  Edmonton.  This  valuable  con- 
cession promises  to  become  general. 

Destructive     Insects    and    Pests    Act, 

1907. — At  a  meeting  of  the  council  of  the  National 
Federation  of  Fruit  and  Potato  Trades  Associa- 
tions held  on  the  29th  ult.,  the  following  resolu- 
tion was  adopted: — "That  this  Council  views 
with  serious  apprehension  the  position  of 
growers  and  market-gardeners  under  the  Destruc- 
tive Insects  and  Pests  Act,  1907,  whereby  the 
Board  of  Agriculture  and  Fisheries  is  authorised 
to  order  the  destruction  of  agricultural  or  horti- 
cultual  crops,  trees,  or  bushes  without  the  power 
to  give  or  direct  compensation  of  any  kind,  and 
while  otherwise  welcoming  the  powers  thus 
vested  in  the  Board  to  prevent  the  spread  of 
disease  dangerous  to  vegetable  life,  this  Council 
protests  against  the  inequitable  position  thus 
created,  and  desires  to  urge  that  the  right  to 
compensation  (payable  partly  out  of  Parlia- 
mentary funds  and  partly  out  of  local  funds) 
should  be  recognised  without  delay  in  the  in- 
terests not  only  of  horticulturists  but  also  of 
those  who  might  otherwise  contemplate  avail- 
ing themselves  of  the  provisions  of  the  Small 
Holdings  and  Allotments  Act,  1907."  Further 
resolved  :  "  That  a  copy  of  the  above  resolution 
be  forwarded  forthwith  to  the  President  of  the 
Board  of  Agriculture  and  to  the  Prime  Minister." 

Cold  Storage  of  Small  Fruits. — The 

U.S.  Department  of  Agriculture  has  just  issued 
an  excellent  and  instructive  bulletin  (Bureau  of 
Plant  Industry,  Bull.  1081  dealing  with  the  ques- 
tion of  the  cold  storage  of  small  fruits.  In  the 
States,  as  in  Canada,  cold  storage  is  largely  used 
in  connection  with  the  larger  fruits,  but  it  is 
less  practised  in  the  case  of  the  small  ones,  since 
most  of  them  will  not  remain  in  marketable  con- 
dition for  very  long  when  kept  in  the  cold  cham- 
ber. But  the  results  so  far  obtained  show 
that  further  experiments  are  worth  making,  for 
by  holding  up  the  fruit,  even  if  only  for  a  week 
or  two,  during  a  glut,  a  considerable  advance 
in  price  may  often  be  obtained.  Experiments 
made  in  England  some  eight  or  nine  years  ago 
under  the  auspices  of  the  Kent  County  Council 
yielded  encouraging  results,  Cherries  remaining 
sound  for  a  month,  and  Red  Currants  for  as 
long  as  six  weeks.  The  whole  problem  of  fruit 
storage  can  hardly  have  been  said  to  have  re- 
ceived the  attention  which,  from  its  economic 
importance,  it  assuredly  deserves.  The  changes 
that  go  on  during  the  process  of  ripening  are  by 
no  means  understood  as  yet,  and  indeed  our 
knowledge  on  the  subject  hardly  goes  beyond 
the  elementary  fact  that  the  changes^in  question 
can  be  slowed  down,  or  otherwise  interfered  with, 
by  lowering  the  temperature.  The  matter  is  one 
that  calls  for  co-operation  on  the  part  of  the 
plant  physiologist  and  the  chemist,  for  as  we 
come  to  understand  the  nature  of  the  processes 
involved  we  at  least  stand  a  chance  of  getting 
them  under  intelligent  control. 


314 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[November 


1907 


The  Recent  Fruit  Show. — In  the  report 
of  this  show,  published  as  a  supplement  last 
week,  we  omitted  to  record  the  excellent  display 
of  fruits  staged  by  the  King's  Acre  Nursery 
Company,  in  the  class  for  a  collection  of  hardy 
fruits,  occupying  an  area  measuring  16  feet  by 
6  feet.  This  exhibit  was  awarded  the  1st  prize, 
being  a  Silver-Gilt  Banksian  Medal.  Visitors 
to  the  show  will  doubtless  remember  the  beau- 
tiful colour  and  the  general  high  quality  of  the 
Apples  and  other  fruits  contained  in  this  Here- 
fordshire  exhibit. 

"The  Gardener." — Air.  W.  P.  Wright,  who 
has  edited  this  weekly  journal  since  its  establish- 
ment, is  about  to  retire,  and  Mr.  H.  H.  Thomas 
has  been  appointed  to  succeed  him.  Mr. 
Thomas,  who  is  a  son  of  Mr.  Owen  Thomas, 
V.M.H.,  has  had  good  experience  in  the  Royal 
Gardens.     Windsor ;      Royal      Gardens,     Kew ; 


Towards  the  close  of  the  evening,  Mr.  Jackson, 
on  behalf  of  the  park  keepers  and  other  em- 
ployees, presented  Mr.  Marlow  with  a  gold 
albert  as  a  token  of  esteem.  Mr.  Marlow,  in 
acknowledging  the  gift,  said  any  results  that 
had  been  in  beautifying  Greenwich  Park  during 
his  term  of  office  had  not  been  attained  by  his 
own  personal  endeavours  alone,  but  through 
the  loyalty  and  enthusiasm  of  his  colleagues, 
and  no  superintendent  could  have  had  a  more 
willing  staff. 

A  Dictionary  of  Botanical  Terms. — Mr. 
A.  M.  C.  Jongkindt  Coninck  has  published  a 
second  edition  of  his  dictionary  of  the  principal 
terms  employed  in  botany  and  horticulture. 
The  exact  title  of  the  book  is  Dictionnairt  Latin- 
Grcc-Trancais-A  nglais-A  llemand-Hollandais  des 
prin.ipaux  termes  employes  en  Botaniqite  et  en 
Horticulture.  It  is  an  alphabetical  index  of 
Latin  and   Greek  terms,   with  the  synonyms  of 


the  Surrey  Education  Committee  to  all  whose 
front  gardens  were  awarded  35  marts.  The 
borough  is,  for  the  purposes  of  the  compe- 
tition, divided  into  halves,  the  classes  in 
each  part  being  for  large  gardens,  small 
gardens,  and  for  window  boxes.  In  all, 
3:2  prizes  were  awarded.  Competitors  are 
restricted  to  those  occupying  houses  rated  at 
£-0  and  under,  thus  in  all  cases  limiting  com- 
petition to  manual  workers.  The  judging  took 
place  on  August  13  last,  the  awards  being  made 
by  the  county  horticultural  instructors,  Messrs. 
J.  Wright,  V.M.H.,  A.  Dean,  V.M.H.,  and 
the  borough  gardener,  Mr.  J.  Hallett.  Many 
of  the  gardens,  though  relatively  small,  being 
practically  street  forecourts,  were  wonderfully 
furnished,  every  little  space  or  contrivance  pos- 
sible being  utilised  to  furnish  plants  and  to  add 
to  the  beauty  of  the  gardens.  In  some  cases 
where   the   front   garden   was   very   narrow,   the 


Fig.  126. — view  in  the  "fond  de  mary"  garden,  Belgium. 


Messrs.  Jas.  Veitch  &  Sons.  Chelsea;  M. 
Rothschild's  garden,  near  Paris,  &c.  For  the 
past  seven  years  he  has  assisted  Mr.  E.  T.  Cook 
in  editing  The  Garden.  He  is  the  author  of 
two  books,  The  Apple  and  Town  Gardening,  the 
latter  work  having  been  published  very  recently. 
We  wish  the  new  editor  every  success. 

Presentation  to  Mr.  W.  d.  Marlow. — On 

Friday  evening  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hendry,  the 
caterers  at  the  refreshment  pavilion  in  Green- 
wich Park,  entertained  the  park  keepers  and 
other  employees  with  their  wives  to  tea.  The 
occasion  gave  opportunity  to  bid  farewell  to 
Mr.  W.  J.  Marlow,  the  superintendent  of  the 
park,  who,  as  announced  in  the  Gardeners' 
Chronicle  a  few  weeks  since,  has  been  appointed 
to  the  management  of  Hampton  Court  Gardens. 


each,  in  four  modern  languages,  and  is  ex- 
tremely useful  for  reference  when  the  exact 
equivalent  of  some  foreign  word  is  needed. 
Several  errors  that  appeared  in  the  first  edition 
have  been  corrected,  and  we  may  recommend 
the  work  as  being  especially  suitable  for  nur- 
serymen and  others  having  commercial  relations 
with  foreign  countries.  It  is  published  by  the 
author  at  Bussum,   Holland,   price  4  francs. 

Front  Flower  Gardens. — The  annual  dis- 
tribution of  prizes  to  competitors  in  connection 
with  the  usual  front  flower  gardens  competition 
for  the  Borough  of  Kingston-on-Thames  took 
place  on  Saturday  evening  last  in  the  hall  of 
the  Public  Library.  In  addition  to  these,  there 
were  also  presented  certificates  to  new  competi- 
tors   and   merit   cards   to   old   ones,   granted   by 


front  of  the  house  was  covered  with  climbers, 
window  boxes,  plants  on  brackets  or  in 
baskets.  One  front  garden,  securing  56  marks, 
came  higher  than  any  larger  cottage  flower 
garden  in  the  county.  The  prizes  are  chiefly 
furnished  by  contributions  from  the  Mayor  and 
Corporation.  "To  beautify  our  town''  was  the 
motto  of  the  originator  of  the  competition,  and 
that  idea  has  been  firmly  adhered  to.  The 
annual  cost  is  about  £20.  The  secretary  is 
Councillor  T.  Lyne,  J. P.,  of  Kingston.  The 
present  year's  competition  is  the  eighth  of  the 
series. 

Publications  Received.— The  Garden  that  1 
Love  (second  series),  by  Alfred  Austin. — Amateur 
Sport  Illustrated,  a  new  weekly  journal  devoted  tq 
sport  and  published  at  the  price  of  threepence. 


November  2,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'      CHRONACLE. 


^  i  r 


A    BELGIAN    GARDEN. 

The  illustrations  at  fig.  126  and  fig.  127  repre- 
sent views  of  the  pond  in  what  is  known  as  the 
"Fond  de  Mary"  garden,  Esneux,  Belgium,  a 
park  belonging  to  the  Rond-Chene  estate,  which 
is  kindly  placed  at  the  disposal  of  the  public. 
M.  Louis  Gentil,  Curator  of  the  State  Botanical 
Garden,  Brussels,  and  Editor  of  La  Tribune 
Horticole,  to  whom  we  are  indebted  for  the 
photographs,  states  that  this  magnificent 
park  or  garden  is  known  all  over  Belgium,  and 
is  visited  by  most  of  the  inhabitants  of  the 
Ourthe  Valley  at  Esneux.  In  this  park  portions 
may  be  seen  where  nature  appears  just  as  it  was 
before  the  interference  of  civilisation.  The  park 
itself  is  really  "  wild  "  in  effect,  with  charming 
cultivated  features,  including  a  splendid  screen 
of  Scotch  Firs,  plenty  of  verdure,  thick  shades, 
stream,  &c.    The  estate  of  the  Rond-Chene  was 


publication  or  advertising  seems  to  influence 
the  London  papers,  as  the  show  was  either 
ignored  or  treated  by  them  as  of  very  small 
importance,  or,  as  in  one  case,  with  such  stu- 
pidity as  to  show  that  Pressmen  generally  are 
ignorant  on  fruit  matters.  Probably  the  Council 
relies  on  its  huge  fellowship  to  fill  the  hall  at 
an  October  fruit  show.  That  most  of  the  Fel- 
lows fail  to  visit  the  show  at  all  is  because 
most  of  them  are  Fellows  for  purely  social 
purposes.  When  some  years  ago  a  great  show 
of  hardy  fruit  was  held  in  the  City  Guild- 
hall, tens  of  thousands  of  persons  flocked  to 
see  it,  and  were  delighted.  Certainly  there  was 
no  charge  for  admission,  and  tens  of  thousands 
of  persons  would  hardly  be  welcomed  at  Vincent 
Square.  That  popularity  was  largely  due  to 
wide  advertising,  and  the  notices  were  favour- 
able and  liberal  in  the  daily  and  evening  papers. 
It  is  not  merely  that  the  public  should  be  cap- 
tured at  a  fruit  show  to  make  a  good  gate. 
That  is,  of  course,  desirable,  but  the  public  are 


from  one  of  the  best-known  nursery  firms,  has 
shown  produce  from  this  same  vine  many  times 
since  without  any  question  of  correct  nam« 
being  raised,  and  even  in  the  classes  for  Muscat 
of  Alexandria  in  the  same  hall  in  previous  years. 
A  well-known  nurseryman  who  saw  the  produce 
some  years  ago  was  so  impressed  with  the  ap- 
pearance of  the  Grapes  borne  by  this  vine  that 
he  was,  and  has  been  anxious  ever  since,  to 
secure  all  the  eyes  for  his  stock,  which  he  has 
grown  and  distributed  widely  and  without  the 
slightest  doubt  ever  having  been  cast  upon  the 
identity  of  the  variety.  What  must  be  his  feel- 
ings now  on  witnessing  the  scene  in  the  R.H.S. 
Hall  or  in  reading  the  report  in  the  Gardeners' 
Chronicle''.  Is  it  not  just  possible  that  the  judges 
were  misled  in  their  belief  that  the  Grape  was 
not  the  Alexandria  variety  owing  to  the  bunches 
having  been  cut  five  weeks  ago  and  kept  in 
water?  Would  not  they  lose  a  little  of  the  true 
Muscat   flavour   in    consequence,    especially    as 


FlG.    127. — WATER    SCENE    IN    THE    "EOND    DE    MARY"    GARDEN,    BELGIUM. 


formerly  the  property  of  M.  le  Senateur  Monte- 
fiore-Levy,  a  renowned  amateur,  and  during  the 
life  of  Mrs.  Montefiore  it  was  considered  as  the 
most  beautiful  garden  of  Belgium.  It  belongs 
now  to  Mr.  Balser,  a  rich  banker. 


HOME    CORRESPONDENCE. 


{The  Editor  does  not  hold  himself  responsible  for  the 
opinions  expressed  by  his  correspondents.) 
The  Public  and  the  R.H.S.  Fruit  Show. 

— You  comment,  in  your  leader  in  last  week's 
issue  on  the  fruit  show  at  Vincent  Square,  on 
the  lacking  interest  shown  in  the  exhibition  by 
the  -general  public.  But  what  did  the  public 
know  of  the  show?  Thousands  of  persons  in- 
terested in  British  or  home-grown  fruit  would, 
I  am  sure,  gladly  have  visited  the  show,  but 
thev    knew    not   of    its   existence.     The    lack    of 


also  wanted  to  learn  the  true  nature  of  British- 
grown  fruit,  what  it  is,  and  how  it  can  be  pro- 
duced, and  to  see  what  is  its  real  superiority 
over  all  other  fruit  of  similar  nature  from  else- 
where. As  it  is,  the  public  see  in  the  markets 
imported  fruit  which  is  beautiful  in  appear- 
ance, and  generally  British  fruit  which  is 
inferior.  Did  they  attend  a  hardy  fruit  show, 
they  would  then  learn  to  understand  what 
good  home-grown  fruit  really  is.     Pomona. 

Judging  Muscats.  —  It  is  a  long  time  since  so 
much  excitement  was  manifest  in  the  awards 
given  to  two  collections  of  fruit  as  that  which  oc- 
curred at  the  recent  fruit  show,  or  since  such 
various  opinions  were  expressed  as  to  the  identity 
of  two  bunches  of  Grapes.  I  sympathise  with  Mr. 
J.  Lock,  the  exhibitor  of  the  Grapes  in  dispute, 
who  staged  them  in  all  good  faith  as  being  true 
to  name — Muscat  of  Alexandria.  Originally — 10 
years   since — he   obtained    the   vine   with   others 


they  were  not  good  examples  of  that  variety?  I 
tasted  the  berries,  and  at  once  decided  they  were 
of  the  Alexandrian  variety.  Was  it  wise  on  the 
part  of  the  judges  to  denounce  the  name  given 
in  all  good  faith  by  the  exhibitor  in  such  a  moot 
case?  I  have  had  experience  with  so-called 
forms  of  Muscat,  such  as  Charlesworth  Tokay 
and  Escholata,  as  well  as  the  more  commonly- 
known  Bowood  form,  and  have  come  to  the  con- 
clusion that  they  are  seedlings  from  the  original. 
According  to  the  late  Dr.  Hogg,  the 
name  Escholata  was  given  by  Daniel  Money, 
a  nurseryman  and  vine-grower  at  Haver- 
stock  Hill,  from  having  named  his  place 
Eschol  Place,"  in  allusion  to  the  brook 
Eschol,  where  Israelite  spies  got  the  large 
bunch  of  Grapes  on  their  return  from  Canaan. 
A'though  the  berries  on  the  disputed  bunches  were 
more  bluntly  rounded  than  usual,  the  small,  dark 
speck  which  many  of  them  carried  at  the  point 


516 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[November  2,  1907. 


was  unmistakably  characteristic  of  the  Alexan- 
drian variety.  If  the  judges  decided  the  name 
was  incorrect,  the  public  would  be  interested  to 
know  what  name  they  give  it?     Grape  Grower. 

Respecting  the  awards  of  the  judges 

in  Class  1,  Division  I.,  for  nine  dishes  of  ripe 
dessert  fruits  at  the  recent  fruit  exhibition  of  the 
Royal  Horticultural  Society,  may  I  be  allowed  to 
state  the  following  facts: — In  my  exhibit  I  in- 
cluded Muscat  of  Alexandria  Grapes  cut  from 
the  same  rods  and  in  the  same  house  from  which 
I  have  gathered  Grapes  that  have  been 
awarded  1st  prizes  at  different  exhibitions 
for  the  last  10  years.  To  my  astonish- 
ment, these  Grapes  were  pronounced  by  the 
judges  "not  Muscats,"  although  two  of  the  three 
judges  have  awarded  me  prizes  for  the  same- 
named  Grapes  on  a  previous  occasion.  Rule  5 
of  the  R.H.S.  says  the  decision  of  the  judges 
shall  be  final,  and,  according  to  the  pointing  of 
the  judges  on  my  exhibit  card  in  blue  pencil,  I 
was  awarded  52  points,  as  against  Mr.  Good- 
acre's  51  points  on  his  card,  and  the  1st  prize 
label  was  originally  stuck  on  my  card.  Who 
caused  the  judges  to  reverse  their  decision?  On 
my  label,  "Muscat  of  Alexandria"  was  struck 
through,  and  "  Charlesworth  Tokay "  substi- 
tuted. The  latest  published  edition  of  the  R.H.S. 
Rules  for  Judging,  p.  16,  note  62,  says  :  "  For 
exhibition  purposes  Bowood  Muscat,  Charles- 
worth  Toquay,  and  Tyninghame  Muscat  are  to 
be  regarded  as  synonymous  with  Muscat  of  Alex- 
andria, and  cannot  be  shown  as  distinct  varie- 
ties." I  have  been  awarded  1st  prizes  for  these 
Grapes  as  "Muscats"  during  the  last  10  years 
at  the  following  exhibitions,  viz.  :  Devon  and 
Exeter  Horticultural  Society,  Woking  Horticul- 
tural Society,  Guildford  Chrysanthemum,  Wey- 
bridge  Horticultural  Society,  Kingston  Horticul- 
tural Society,  National  Chrysanthemum  Society  ; 
and  at  the  last  great  R.H.S.  fruit  show,  held 
at  the  Chiswick  Gardens,  when  I  was  placed  2nd 
in  the  Muscat  class.  Well  do  I  remember  Mr. 
Iggulden  saying  I  ought  to  have  put  my  Muscats 
which  I  had  exhibited  in  the  collection  in  the 
Muscat  Class  instead,  for  he  said  they  were  the 
finest  Muscats  in  the  show.  At  the  Taunton 
Deane  Horticultural  Society's  exhibition  of 
1901  I  was  1st  with  Muscats,  and  also 
won  the  Veitch  Memorial  Medal  and  £10 
for  eight  dishes  of  fruit,  which  included 
Muscat  Grapes  cut  from  the  same  rods  as 
those  shown  at  the  R.H.S.  a  fortnight  ago.  /as. 
Lock,  The  Gardens,  Oatlands  Lodge,    Weybridgc. 

As   the  incident   alluded   to   in  your 

leading  article  on  p.  297  has  provoked 
considerable  discussion  among  Grape-growers, 
perhaps  the  following  information  on  a 
similar  subject  may  be  welcome.  Some  years 
ago  our  firm  supplied  the  vines  for  planting  a 
new  range  in  the  neighbourhood.  The  gardener, 
a  well-known  grower,  gave  them  a  rather  rich 
diet,  the  result  being  magnificent  growth,  and 
the  third  year  he  took  all  the  first  prizes  at  a 
local  show.  An  attempt  was  made  to  disqualify 
his  Muscats  as  not  being  true  to  name.  A  por- 
tion of  a  bunch  was  sent  to  the  leading  expert 
of  the  day,  who  pronounced  it  to  be  "  Treb- 
biano  "  or  "  White  Tokay,"  I  forget  which.  The 
gardener  informed  us  of  the  trouble,  and  I  went 
over  to  see  the  vines.  The  Grapes  had  not  a 
trace  of  Muscat  flavour,  but  the  wood  and 
foliage  were  unmistakably  those  of  a  Muscat. 
I  stated  my  opinion  that  they  were  true  to  name 
but  had  grown  out  of  character  owing  to  over- 
feeding, and  that  another  year  or  two  of  crop- 
ping would  bring  back  the  flavour.  This  pre- 
diction was  fully  verified,  and  these  vines  a  year 
or  two  later  bore  Grapes  of  thoroughly  charac- 
teristic flavour.  Whether  Muscats  without 
flavour  should  be  allowed  full  points  is  another 
question,  but  that  they  may  be  grown  (or  over- 
grown) to  this  condition  is  undeniable.  Chas. 
E.  Pearson,  Nurseries,  Lowdham. 

Muscat  Variations  and  Synonyms. — The 

doubts  expressed  at  the  recent  Royal  Horticul- 
tural Society's  Fruit  Show  concerning  the  white 
Grapes  exhibited  in  the  handsome  collection  of 
dessert  fruits  from  Mr.  J.  Lock,  Oatlands  Park 
Gardens,  Weybridge,  have  introduced  a  subject 
of    great    interest,     namely,    the    variations    of 


Grapes  under  cultivation.  Some  years  ago  I 
had  occasion  to  call  the  attention  of  Dr.  Robert 
Hogg  to  some  strange  differences  in  the  forms 
of  berries  of  Black  Hamburgh  and  Muscat  of 
Alexandria.  He  confirmed  my  observations  by 
several  instances  within  his  own  experience,  and 
finally  referred  me  to  the  following  passage  in 
the  last  edition  of  the  Fruit  Manual,  which 
occurs  under  a  description  of  Black  Hamburgh  : 
"  I  have  watched  this  subject  with  some  care, 
and  I  have  remarked  that  the  same  vine  will  in 
one  year  produce  berries  which  are  perfectly 
round  and  in  another  they  will  be  distinctly 
oval.  This  is  also  frequently  discerned  in  Mus- 
cat of  Alexandria.  In  one  year  the  berries  are 
roundish  oval  and  in  another  they  are  long  oval, 
and  frequently  with  a  contraction  at  the  stalk 
end,  giving  it  a  Pear  shape."  Mistakes  have 
arisen  before  now  in  hastily  condemning  ex- 
hibits as  not  true  to  name,  and  in  the  same  way 
seedlings  from  certain  Grapes  have  been  thought 
to  be  distinct  from  limited  experience,  and  have 
been  sent  out  under  new  names  that  have  ulti- 
mately served  only  to  swell  the  list  of  synonyms. 
Thus  the  Charlesworth  Tokay  (printed  Charles, 
town  on  p.  297),  the  Bowood  Muscat,  and  the 
Tottenham  Park  Muscat  have  all  been  regarded 
at  different  times  as  distinct  from  Muscat  of 
Alexandria,  yet  careful  comparative  trials  have 
determined  their  indisputable  identity.  For  a 
long  time  the  last  of  the  three  named  above  was 
considered  to  be  an  improvement,  but  George 
Lindlev  said  of  it,  76  years  ago  (Guide  to  the 
Orchard,  &c),  "  the  identity  has  been  proved 
over  and  over  again  by  the  best  practical  gar- 
deners, who  have  grown  them  both  (i.e.,  Muscat 
of  Alexandria  and  the  seedling).  The  size  of 
its  berries  has  been  urged  as  constituting  its 
difference,  but  berries  of  the  old  Muscat  have 
been  grown  near  London  which  measured  4 
inches  in  circumference  the  long  way,  and  3^ 
inches  the  short  one."  The  old  Red  Muscat  of 
Alexandria,  which  we  now  know  as  Muscat 
Hamburgh,  has  afforded  similar  examples  be- 
lieved to  be  distinct,  in  Greave's  Muscat  Ham- 
burgh and  Venn's  Seedling  Black  Muscat. 
Chasselas  Musque  also  reproduces  itself  fairly 
constant  to  character  from  seed,  and  both  Gos- 
ling's St.  Albans  and  Graham's  Muscat  Musca- 
dine were  undoubted  seedlings  genuinely  be- 
lieved to  be  distinct  by  the  raisers.  But  besides 
variation  in  the  shape  of  the  berries,  the  flavour 
also  varies — and  this  was  the  point  which 
as  I  understand,  influenced  the  judges  adversely 
to  Mr.  Lock's  Grapes — according  to  the  influence 
of  many  conditions.  Mr.  A.  F.  Barron  once 
gave  me  a  striking  example  of  this  in  the  old 
conservatory  at  Chiswick,  where  a  vine  of  Mus- 
cat Hamburgh  was  grafted  on  some  unknown 
Spanish  Grape  of  little  value.  Though  the 
bunches  and  berries  were  in  good  character,  the 
typical  flavour  was  almost  lost,  and  would  never 
have  been  recognised  as  a  Muscat.  During  the 
past  week  I  had  a  similar  example  of  the  true 
Muscat  of  Alexandria  which  had  been  worked 
on  the  stem  of  another  unsatisfactory  vine,  and 
the  berries  were  almost  flavourless,  though  the 
appearance  was  excellent.  The  suggestion  made 
at  the  show  in  question  that  Mr.  Lock's  Grape 
resembled  "Waltham  Cross"  was  much  more  to 
the  point  than  any  other  I  heard  ;  this  is  now 
little  known,  but  it  has  been  described  as  an 
exaggerated  Muscat  of  Alexandria  as  regards 
size,  rather  paler  in  colour,  and  much  deficient 
in  flavour.  It  is  a  fine  variety  for  exhibition 
where  judges  are  not  allowed  to  taste  the  fruit, 
but  not  of  much  real  value  at  home.  R.  Lewis 
Castle. 

— ■ Remarking  on  the  class  for  "  One  dish 

of  any  other  dessert  Plum,"  your  reporter  stated 
that  the  variety  which  gained  the  first  prize  was 
Reine  Claude  de  Bavay,  and  goes  on  to  remark, 
"  the  variety  Rivers'  Late  Orange,  though  gaining 
no  award,  was  particularly  noticeable  in  this  class 
by  reason  of  the  large  size  and  rich  colour  of  the 
fruits."  In  reality  it  was  the  Rivers'  Late  Orange 
which  gained  the  first  prize,  but  the  prize  card 
had  been  placed  as  reported,  on  the  wrong  dish 
by  visitors.  I  was  sorry  not  to  see  this  estimable 
variety,  Late  Orange,  included  in  the  list  of 
"  Late  Ripening  Plums,"  given  by  Mr.  W.  H. 
Clarke  in  his  article  on  this  subject  in  the  issue 
for  October  19.  This  variety  is  sure  to  become 
a  favourite  when  better  known,  being  a  good  crop- 
ping Plum  and  one  of  the  most  pleasing  in  appear- 
ance. Intending  planters  should  not  overlook  two 
other  valuable  late  Plums  sent  out  by  the  same  firm, 


viz.,  Monarch  and  Grand  Duke,  both  of  which  are 
at  the  time  of  writing  still  holding  very  nice  fruits 
on  a  west  wall.  F.  W '.  Church,  Poles  Park  Gardens, 
Ware,  October  28. 

Chrysanthemum  Shows:  Boards  v.  Vases. 

— Mr.  Godfrey  misunderstood  my  remarks  as 
to  extraneous  attractions  at  Chrysanthemum 
shows.  I  cannot  see  that  I  gave  the  impres- 
sion that  I  objected  to  such  things  as  music, 
but  merely  stated  that  we  must  not  consider 
the  attendances  at  large  provincial  shows  ot 
be  entirely  owing  to  the  Chrysanthemums.  I 
feel  grateful  to  the  fact  that  with  the  aid  of  good 
bands,  &c,  we  are  able  to  hold  so  many  shows, 
that  could  not  succeed  without  such  aid.  Nor- 
man Davis. 

1    quite    agree    with     Mr.     Godfrey's 

remarks  (p.  282)  on  the  heavy  expense  incurred 
in  the  packing  and  transit  of  Chrysanthemums 
for  the  vase  classes.  If  a  gardener  enters  in 
two  or  more  classes  nowadays  at  a  Chrysanthe- 
mum exhibition,  his  employer  might  imagine 
his  servant  was  taking  the  whole  contents  of  the 
plant  houses  with  him,  should  he  see  the  boxes. 
Since  exhibiting  at  flower  shows,  I  was  never 
called  upon  to  pay  excess  fare  for  my  boxes  until 
the  vase  classes  came  to  the  front ;  but  last 
season  I  was  called  upon  to  pay  heavily  at 
Sheffield  in  this  respect.  In  my  opinion  the 
vase  classes  are  responsible  for  keeping  exhibi- 
tors away  from  our  exhibitions.  A  committee 
man  at  one  of  the  best  shows  in  the  Midlands, 
to  whom  I  complained  of  having  to  furnish  five 
blooms  in  a  vase,  which  meant  forty  blooms,  for 
one  class,  stated  that  the  committee  had  the 
public  to  cater  for.  If  this  is  so,  I  do  not  know 
how  the  exhibitors  will  fare.     C.  Crooks. 

1  have  read   with   much   interest   Mr. 

N.  Davis's  and  Mr.  Godfrey's  letters  on  this 
subject,  and  I  agree  with  them  that  in  dispensing 
with  boards  for  showing  the  blooms  the  varieties 
are  greatly  limited  in  an  exhibit,  and  that  many 
fine  varieties  are  thus  not  displayed.  All  large 
societies  should  have  some  board  as  well  as  vase 
classes.  Many  new  varieties  of  Chrysanthemums 
require  to  be  grown  a  year  or  more  before  suffi- 
cient good  blooms  can  be  obtained  for  filling  a 
vase,  whereas  if  the  schedule  required  24  or  36 
distinct  blooms  on  boards,  any  novelty  could  be 
included  even  if  only  one  good  bloom  developed, 
and  thus  the  exhibit  would  be  made  more  in- 
teresting to  Chrysanthemum  specialists,  who 
are  ever  on  the  look-out  for  new  varieties. 
Another  point  in  favour  of  this  system  of  staging 
is  that  an  increased  number  of  varieties  ex- 
hibited has  a  greater  attraction  for  the  visitor. 
Many  growers  can  and  do  exhibit  24  or  36  dis- 
tinct blooms,  but  they  probably  would  never 
attempt  the  staging  of  a  dozen  vases  containing 
as  many  varieties,  because  sufficient  flowers  of 
each  variety  to  include  three  of  each  would  be 
difficult  to  obtain.  Mr.  Godfrey's  remarks  on 
judging  Chrysanthemums  are  very  appropriate. 
Thomas  Lunt,  Keir  Gardens,  Dunblane. 

The   Discussion   on    Summer   Pruning. — 

You  have  stated  the  whole  case,  practically  and 
scientifically,  in  the  following  paragraph  from 
the  leading  article  in  last  week's  issue  : — "  There 
is  a  generally-expressed  opinion  amongst  those 
who  speak  with  practical  knowledge,  that  there 
exists  a  balance  between  the  different  organs  of 
the  tree  which,  when  properly  struck,  leads  to 
fruitfulness.  The  balance  may  be  reached 
naturally,  and  without  external  interference,  or 
it  may  require  artificial  adjustment.  And  here 
we  seem  to  find  outlined  the  difficulties  which 
are  unavoidably  felt  as  soon  as  an  attempt  is 
made  to  reconcile  the  conflicting  statements  of 
the  experts."  Until  ordinarily  favourable  condi- 
tions, as  regards  climate,  the  fruitful  balance  is 
easily  struck  if  the  roots  are  prevented  from 
going  too  deep  and  kept  so  near  the  surface  by 
an  impervious  bottom  that  they  will  ripen  like 
the  wood.  I  don't  see  that  this  idea  came  out 
in  the  discussion.  Under  these  conditions  a  tree 
will  always  be  sufficiently  vigorous  and  fruitful 
without  pruning  in  any  form.  Thinning  and 
feeding  will  secure  size  and  quality,  which  have 
nothing  to  do  with  the  pruning  question.  Mr. 
Spencer  Pickering's  paper  was  full  of  interest, 
and  Mr.  A.  H.  Pearson  made  it  clear,  for  the 
first  time,  that  pinching  and  summer  pruning 
were  different  things,  while  Mr.  Spencer  Picker- 
ing showed  that  both  curtailed  the  bearing  capa- 
city of  the  tree.     /.  Simpson,  Stud  field. 


November  2,  1907. J 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


317 


SOCIETIES. 

ROYAL   HORTICULTURAL. 

October  29. — The  ordinary  fortnightly  meet- 
ing of  the  Committees  of  this  society  took  place 
on  Tuesday  last  in  the  Vincent  Square  Hall, 
Westminster.  The  most  remarkable  exhibit  was 
a  group  of  Orchids  from  Major  Holford's  col- 
lection at  Westonbirt.  The  superb  quality  of 
the  varieties  staged,  the  excellent  cultivation 
the  plants  exhibited,  and  the  tasteful  ar- 
rangement of  them  in  the  group,  were 
beyond  praise.  Next  in  importance  was  a  mag- 
nificent group  of  Chrysanthemum  blooms  set  out 
boldly  in  handsome  vases  and  illustrating  in 
the  highest  degree  the  decorative  uses  to  which 
the  large-flowered  Chrysanthemums  may  be  put. 
This  was  from  Mr.  Norman  Davis,  of  the  Fram- 
field  Nurseries. 

There  were  many  novelties  at  this  meeting, 
and  numerous  awards  were  made.  The  Orchid 
Committee  recommended  4  First-Class  Certifi- 
cates and  4  Awards  of  Merit ;  the  Floral 
Committee  13  Awards  of  Merit,  these  latter 
being  awarded  mainly  to  varieties  of  Chrysan- 
themum  and   Carnation. 

The  Fruit  and  Vegetable  Committee  re- 
commended an  Award  of  Merit  to  a  variety  of 
Damson  named  Merryweather. 

At  the  afternoon  meeting  a  lecture  on  "  Birds 
of  Our  Gardens "  was  delivered  by  Mr.  Cecil 
Hooper. 

Floral  Committee. 

Present:  W.  Marshall,  Esq.  (chairman),  and 
Messrs.  C.  T.  Druery,  Henry  B.  May,  J  as. 
Walker,  Jno.  Green,  T.  W.  Turner,  G.  Keuthe, 
J.  F.  McLeod,  W.  Cuthbertson,  C.  R.  Fielder, 
H.  J.  Cutbush,  Chas.  Dixon,  J.  T.  Bennett-1'oe, 
H.  J.  Jones,  C.  E.  Pearson,  Chas.  E.  Shea, 
W.  P.  Thomson,  E.  H.  Jenkins,  M.  J.  James, 
Geo.  Paul,  Chas.  Blick,  Jno.  Jennings,  W. 
Howe,  Rev.  F.  Page  Roberts,  R.  C.  Reginald 
Nevill,  R.  W.  Wallace,  and  R.  Hooper  Pearson. 

Mr.  Norman  Davis,  Framfield,  Sussex, 
showed  a  magnificent  group  of  Chrysanthemums, 
for  which  a  Gold  Medal  was  awarded.  The  exhibit 
was  accommodated  at  the  end  of  the  hall  usually 
occupied  by  the  platform,  and  it  extended 
almost  the  whole  length  of  the  wall  at  that  end. 
The  manner  of  staging  was  only  excelled  by  the 
quality  of  the  flowers  ;  not  one  inferior  bloom 
was  noticed,  whilst  the  majority  represented  the 
very  highest  degree  of  perfection  in  culture.  At 
the  back  overhung  tall  Palms,  and  as  a  centre- 
piece was  arranged  a  plant  of  Dracaena  Vic- 
toria ;  then  on  either  side  were  tall  epergnes 
filled  with  blooms  of  the  yellow  Algernon  Davis 
and  the  bronze  W.  King,  while  in  front  of  these 
was  the  white  form  of  YV.  King,  and  the  some- 
what similar  variety  Mrs.  Norman  Davis.  Next, 
baskets  on  stands  filled  with  beautiful  single  and 
decorative  flowers,  and,  again,  other  large 
epergnes  with  the  white  incurved  Mrs.  J.  Ilygate, 
Mrs.  A.  T.  Miller,  and  many  more,  the 
whole  being  interspersed  with  Palms,  Ferns, 
Codiaeums  (Crotons),  and  sprays  of  Red  Oak  and 
other    autumn-tinted   foliage. 

Mr.  H.  J.  Jones,  Hither  Green,  Lewisham, 
and  Keston,  Kent,  also  contributed  an  excel- 
lent display  of  Chrysanthemums.  The  group 
was  smaller  than  that  shown  by  the  last-named 
exhibitor,  but  all  the  blooms  were  of  a  high 
standard  of  merit,  and  the  whole  formed  one  of 
the  features  of  the  exhibition.  Handsome  vases, 
several  feet  in  height,  were  used  for  the  display 
of  big  flowers,  a  dozen  or  more  in  each,  with 
autumnal-tinted  foliage  as  relief.  At  the  back 
were  Bamboos,  and  in  the  foreground  were 
smaller  receptacles  with  decorative  varieties  and 
single  flowers  of  large  Japanese  kinds.  Mrs.  W. 
Knox  (yellow),  Reginald  Vallis,  George  Terry 
(a  seedling  with  crimson  florets  having  a  golden 
reverse),  Jumbo,  H.  J.  Jones,  1908,  and  Mrs. 
A.  T.  Miller  represent  the  finer  of  the  big  exhibi- 
tion blooms.  Baskets  containing  Source  d'Or 
and  La  Triumphante  were  staged  at  either  end, 
and  a  row  of  the  pink-coloured  Mrs.  Wingfield 
formed  a  pleasing  finish  to  the  whole.  (Silver- 
Gilt  Floral  Medal.) 

A  group  of  Chrysanthemums  was  staged  by 
Mr.  J.  Spink,  Summit  Road  Nursery,  Waltham- 
stow.  Large  blooms  of  Japanese  varieties  in 
great  variety  were  arranged  in  a  setting  of 
Palms,  Ferns,  Codiaeums  (Crotons),  with  an 
edging  of  Adiantum.     (Silver  Banksian  Medal.) 


Other  exhibits  of  Chrysanthemums  were 
shown  by  Messrs.  W.  Wells  &  Co.,  Merstham, 
Surrey  (Silver  Banksian  Medal)  ;  and  Mr.  W.  J. 
Godfrey,  Exmouth,  Devon. 

Messrs.  W.  Cutbush  &  Son,  Highgate,  Lon- 
don, N.,  showed  flowering  greenhouse  plants, 
Liliums,  Ericas,  Astilbe  (Spiraeas),  Azalea 
sinensis,  Lily  of  the  Valley,  Nerine  Fothergillii 
major,  &c,  with  Crotons  (Codiaeums),  Ferns, 
small  Palms,  Ficus  repens,  &c,  interspersed. 
I  Silver   Flora  Medal.) 

Mr.  S.  Mortimer,  Rowledge,  Farnham,  Sur- 
rey, showed  vases  of  Carnations  draped  with 
sprays  of  Asparagus  Sprengeri.  The  flowers 
were  of  fine  quality,  and  represented  a  selec- 
tion of  the  best  varieties  in  cultivation.  (Silver 
Banksian  Medal.) 

Mr.  G.  Range,  Hampton,  showed  Carna- 
tions of  the  winter-flowering  type,  including 
several  new  varieties  (see  Awards).  The  beau- 
tiful pink-coloured  Enchantress  was  shown  in 
exquisite  form.  White  Perfection  and  other 
standard  varieties  were  also  seen  in  the  best 
of  condition.     (Silver  Flora  Medal.) 

Messrs.  H.  Cannell  &  Sons,  Swanley,  Kent, 
staged  bunches  of  flowers  of  Zonal  Pelargo- 
niums in  scarlet,  salmon,  pink,  white,  and 
other  shades.  The  "  pips "  of  some  of  the 
varieties  were  enormous  in  size ;  some  must 
have  measured  3  or  4  inches  in  diameter.  The 
variety  Saxonia  is  a  rich,  clear  scarlet.  Other 
good  kinds  are  Caronia  (pink),  Cymric  (purple 
"shot''  with  crimson),  Prince  of  Orange  (scar- 
let), Campania  (new,  pink),  Lady  Folkestone 
(pink),  and  Mrs.  Geo.  Cadbury  (salmon).  (Sil- 
ver  Flora   Medal,  i 

Messrs.  James  Veitch  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  King's 
Road,  Chelsea,  showed  large  blooms  of 
Japanese  Chrysanthemums  as  a  background  to 
winter-flowering  Begonias,  Exacum  macran- 
thum,  and  Angelonia  salicariaefolia.  At  cue 
end  "f  the  exhibit  were  fruiting  plants  of  the 
Citrus  tribe,  and  at  the  other  a  batch  of  the 
blue-flowered  Salvia  Pitcheri  and  the  carmine- 
coloured  Begonia  Mrs.  Heal.  Messrs.  VEITCH 
also  staged  as  a  separate  group  a  collection  of 
small  Conifers  suitable  for  the  rock-garden, 
Many  of  these  miniature  trees  were  exceedingly 
handsome,  both  in  foliage  and  in  form,  and 
all  those  following  may  be  recommended  for 
this  kind  of  planting : — Picea  excelsa  Gre- 
goriana,  Abies  subalpina  (lasocarpa),  Retinos- 
pora  filicoides  tetragona  aurea,  Cupressus  noot- 
katensis  compacta,  C.  Lawsoniana  nana,  Picea 
excelsa  pygmaea,  Pinus  strobus  pumila,  Juni- 
perus  sabina,  J.  procumbens,  Picea  excelsa 
Clanbrassiliana,  Pinus  montana,  Retinospora 
filifera  aurea  (a  conifer  of  magnificent  colour- 
ing), Taxus  baccata  Dovastonii,  and  Picea  ex- 
celsa  Remonti.       (Silver-Gilt    Banksian    Medal.) 

Messrs.  Thos.  Rochford  &  Sons,  Turnford 
Hall  Nurseries,  Broxbourne,  Herts.,  filled  the 
whole  of  a  large  table  with  small  plants  of 
Codiaeums  of  a  size  useful  for  the  embellish- 
ment of  dwelling  rooms.  The  collection  em- 
braced no  fewer  than  67  varieties,  which  in- 
cluded almost  all  the  best  in  cultivation.  As 
a  selection  of  the  finer,  we  may  enumerate 
Souvenir  of  Thomas  Rochford,  a  narrow-leaved 
variety  with  beautiful  shades  of  colours ; 
Princess  of  Wales,  with  long  leaves  that 
drooped  gracefully  below  the  pots ;  Sunset  ; 
Hawkeri,  the  yellow  ground  of  this  variety  is 
mingled  with  green  ;  Le  Comte,  a  broad-leaved 
variety  ;  Flambeau  ;  Mortii ;  Maurice  Rouvier  ; 
Evansiana,  and  Warrenii.  (Silver-Gilt  Flora 
Medal.) 

Messrs.  H.  B.  May  &  Sons,  Upper  Edmon- 
ton, London,  N.,  showed  a  representative  col- 
lection of  Davallias — in  all,  65  species  and 
varieties  of  these  beautiful  Ferns.  The  centre 
of  the  group  was  occupied  by  a  bold  specimen  of 
D.  fijiensis.  Davallia  solida  superba  was  also 
represented  by  a  handsome  plant.  The  graceful 
D.  tenuifolia  Veitchii  has  very  finely-dissected 
fronds.  Among  other  choicer  and  rarer  kinds 
displayed  were  D.  amcena,  D.  repens,  D.  assa- 
mica,  D.  heterophylla,  D.  braziliense,  D.  Mayi, 
and  D.  parvula.  The  last-named  is  the  smallest 
of  the  genus.     (Silver-Gilt  Flora  Medal.) 

Messrs.  Wu.  Bull  &  Sons,  King's  Road, 
Chelsea,  again  displayed  ornamental-leaved 
foliage  plants  of  stove  and  greenhouse  varieties. 

Messrs.  John  Peed  &  Son,  West  Norwood, 
London,  exhibited  winter-flowering  Begonias  of 
the  Turnford  Hall,  Agatha,  and  Mrs  Leopold 
de    Rothschild    varieties.     The    flowers    made   a 


very  bright  display,  and  they  had,  as  an  edging, 
a  row  of  a  pretty  variety  of  Begonia  Rex. 

Lord  Aldenham,  Elstree  (gr.  Mr.  Ed. 
Beckett),  showed  forms  of  Aster  Amellus.  The 
seedlings  showed  diversity  of  colouring  in  their 
flowers ;  some  were  approaching  white  (see 
Awards). 

Mr.  L.  R.  Russell,  Richmond,  Surrey,  set 
up  a  very  large  group  of  berried  shrubs,  all  of 
hardy  species.  The  principal  subjects  were 
Aucuba  japonica,  Crataegus  pyracantha  Laelan- 
dii,  golden-berried  Hollies,  Pernettyas,  Skim- 
mia  japonica,  and,  as  an  edging,  small  plants 
of  the  pretty  Veronica  Andersonii  variegata. 
(Bronze   Banksian  Medal.) 

Messrs.  Barr  &  Sons,  King  Street,  Covent 
Garden,  London,  staged  hardy  flowers  and  a 
few  pots  of  Alpine  plants.  A  shoot  of  l'vrus 
(Cydonia)  japonica  contained  a  dozen  or  more 
fruits,  many  of  which  were  as  large  as  medium- 
sized  Apples.  Plants  of  Nerine  fiexuosa  alba 
were  nicely  flowering,  also  the  Belladonna 
Lily  (Amaryllis  Belladonna),  Asters,  Chrysan- 
themums,  Kniphofias,   Physalis,  &c. 

Mr.  Frank  Brazier,  Caterham  Hardy  Plant 
Nursery,  Caterham,  exhibited  bamboo  epergnes 
filled  with  perennial  Asters  and  border  Chry- 
santhemums, with  a  few  spikes  of  Pampas 
Grass  (Gvnerium)  as  relief.  (Silver  Banksian 
Medal.  I 

Mr.  (',.  Reuthf.,  Keston,  Kent,  showed 
Alpine  and  border  plants  in  flower,  includ- 
ing Crocuses  in  many  species,  Colchicums, 
Sternbergia  lutea,  S.  macrantha,  Lilium  phil- 
lipinense,  Hypericum  olympicum,  Tanakaea 
radicans,   ftc. 

AWARDS. 

Awards  of  Merit. 

Asler  Amellus  "H.  J.  Cutbush." — An  excellent 
variety,  with  flowers  about  2J  inches  in  dia- 
meter ;  colour  reddish-rnauve,  deeper  in  shade 
than  Perry's  Favourite.  It  is  said  to  grow  2  feet 
high.     Shown  by  Mr.  Ed.  Beckett. 

I '.  Rose  Pink  Enchantress. — This  is  a  first-class 
flower  of  large  size  and  good  form,  with  broad, 
smooth  petals,  only  faintly  fringed.  The  colour 
is  clear,  but  rich  rose.  This  variety  was  shown 
by   Mr.  A.  F.  Dutton,  Iver,  Bucks. 

C.  Beacon. — A  brilliant,  red-coloured,  winter- 
flowering  variety,  with  slightly-fringed  petals. 
Shown  by  Mr.  G.  Lange,  Hanworth  Road, 
Hampton,  Middlesex,  and  Messrs.  Paul  & 
Sons,  Cheshunt. 

I  .  1 1";;;  tor. — This  is  a  magnificent  pink  flower, 
of  considerable  size  and  excellent  form.  The 
petals  are  good  and  only  slightly  fringed. 
Show.i  by  Mr.  G.  Lange  and  Mr.  A.  F.  Dut- 
ton. 

Chrysanthemum  Mrs.  Wakefield. — A  variety 
suitable  for  market  supply,  or  for  the  produc- 
tion of  large  blooms  for  home  decoration.  The 
flowers  are  of  Japanese  type,  the  florets  re- 
flexed,  and  the  colour  brownish-red.  In  size 
they  are  much  too  small  for  exhibition. 

Chrys.  F.  W.  Lever. — A  Japanese  flower  of  the 
largest  size,  florets  broad  and  white,  incurving 
a  little  at  tips.  The  flower  has  a  lemon- 
coloured  centre.  This  is  an  exhibition  variety 
of  the  first  merit.  These  two  varieties  were 
shown  by  Mr.   H.  J.  Jones. 

'  'hrys.  Clara  Wells.  This  is  a  very  large  in- 
curved flower.  The  florets  are  somewhat  pointed 
at  the  tips,  but  the  variety  promises,  neverthe- 
less, to  become  a  good  exhibition  flower. 

Chrys.  Clara  Vurnum. — A  decorative  variety, 
with  blooms  5  or  6  inches  across  ;  colour  rich 
velvety  crimson,  the  bronze  reverse  showing  in 
the  centre.  These  two  varieties  were  shown  by 
Messrs.  W.  Wells  &  Co. 

Chrys.  Mrs.  G.  F.  Cosier. — A  moderate-sized 
exhibition  Japanese  Chrysanthemum,  of  apricot 
or  chestnut  yellow,  the  tint  being  exceedingly 
attractive.  It  is  a  smooth  flower  of  considerable 
refinement. 

Chrys.  Splendour. — An  incurved  Japanese 
flower,  of  dull  crimson  colour,  with  bronze  re- 
verse. The  florets  are  enormously  wide,  and 
the  bloom  contains  unusual  substance.  The  two 
varieties  named  above  were  shown  by  Mr.  Sils- 
ni-Rv,  Shanklin. 

Chrys.  Romance. — This  variety  has  a  very  rich 
yellow  incurved  flower  that  will  be  suitable  for 
exhibition.  Shown  by  Mr.  W.  J.  Godfrey, 
Exmouth  Nurseries,  Devon. 


318 


THE     GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


[November  2,  1907. 


Cyclamen  latifolium  fimbriatum  giganteum. — 
Mr.  T.  Jannock,  Dersingham  Nurseries,  Sand- 
ringham,  exhibited  varieties  of  Cyclamen  ob- 
tained from  crossing  C.  latifolium  with  the 
strain  known  as  "  Papilio "  (see  figs,  in  Gar- 
deners' Chronicle,  May  22,  1897).  The  petals  are 
flattened  and  spread  out,  as  shown  in  fig.  112  in 
the  issue  already  mentioned,  but  they  are 
broader,  and  the  flower  much  more  impressive 
than  the  flower  illustrated.  The  natural  ap- 
pearance of  the  flower  has  become  perfectly 
obliterated.  The  Award  of  Merit  was  for  the 
strain. 

Nerine  " F.  D.  Godman."— This  variety^may 
be  described  as  like  a  silvery-red  form  of  N. 
Fothergillii  major.  The  5-inch  pot  contained 
only  three  bulbs,  and  each  had  produced  a  first- 
class  inflorescence  bearing  about  one  dozen 
blooms.  Shown  by  F.  D.  Godman,  Esq., 
Horshan. 

Orchid  Committee. 

Present:  J.  Gurney  Fowler,  Esq.  (in  the  chair), 
and  Messes.  Jas.  O'Brien  (hon.  sec),  Harry  J. 
Veitch,  De  B.  Crawshay,  W.  Boxall,  F.  Sander, 
F.  M.  Ogilvie,  G.  F.  Moore,  H.  T.  Pitt,  A.  Dye, 
A.  A.  McBean,  W.  Cobb,  R.  G.  Thwaites,  H.  G. 
Alexander,  W.  P.  Bound,  W.  H.  Young,  W.  H. 
White,  H.  A.  Tracy,  F.  J.  Hanbury,  and  R. 
Brooman-White. 

The  meeting  was  rendered  exceptionally  at- 
tractive by  the  beautiful  and  exquisitely-arranged 
group  for  which  Major  G.  L.  Holford,  C.V.O., 
CLE.  (gr.  Mr.  H.  G.  Alexander),  was  awarded 
the  Society's  Gold  Medal  and  the  Gold  Lindley 
Medal,  .the  latter  in  recognition  of  the  superb 
cultivation  of  the  plants.  The  finest  varie- 
ties were  arranged  in  batches,  the  centre 
being  of  the  gorgeously-coloured  Westonbirt 
strain  of  Cattleya  Fabia ;  and  at  intervals  were 
clusters  of  Vanda  coerulea,  V.  Kimballiana, 
varieties  of  Cattleya  Mantinii,  C.  Mrs.  J.  W. 
Whiteley,  and  other  showy  varieties.  The 
group,  which  occupied  a  space  of  200  square 
feet,  contained  over  100  distinct  varieties,  most 
of  them  hybrids  raised  at  Westonbirt.  The 
species  included  finely-flowered  Oncidium  vari- 
cosum,  tvith  graceful  sprays  of  large,  yellow 
blooms  ;  specimen  plants  of  Vanda  Kimballiana, 
fine  varieties  of  Odontoglossum  crispum,  Den- 
drobium  Phalaenopsis  Schroderianum  of  varying 
rose  tints,  and  a  nice  example  of  the  pure  white 
variety  hololeuca  ;  the  clear  blue  Vanda  coerulea, 
Oncidium  tigrinum,  O.  Jonesianum,  Phalaenop- 
sis  Rimestadtiana,  Cymbidium  Mastersii,  C.  ery- 
throstylum,  fine  forms  of  Cattleya  labiata,  C. 
Bowringiana,  C.  Dowiana  aurea,  C.  Warsce- 
wiczii,  and  its  showy  and  fragrant  hybrid  C. 
Hardyana  in  several  varieties,  including  one  of 
the  rare  variety  alba.  Of  the  hybrids,  the  finest 
were  the  forms  of  C.  Fabia  and  C.  Mantinii,  the 
Westonbirt  variety  of  which  is  of  a  rich  rose- 
purple  with  maroon  lip  veined  with  gold  ;  C. 
Dusseldorfei  Undine,  C.  Enid,  C.  Molle,  C. 
Wendlandiana,  C.  Cleopatra,  ('.  Thayeriana,  C. 
Lord  Rothschild,  C.  Mrs.  J.  W.  Whiteley,  C. 
Mrs.  Pitt,  and  C.  Waldemar.  Two  new  Laslio- 
Cattleyas  were  shown,  L.-C.  Memnon  (elegans 
X  Mendelii)  and  L.-C.  Hildegard  (Warscewiczii 
X  Decia),  both  pretty  and  distinct;  and  other 
Laelio-Cattleyas  noted  were  L.-C.  Baroness 
Schroder,  L.-C.  Clive,  L.-C.  Helena,  L.-C.  ele- 
gans, L.-C.  Cassiope  (Westonbirt  variety),  L.-C. 
Berthe  Fournier,  L.-C.  Lustre,  L.-C.  Rowena, 
and  L.-C.  luminosa.  The  hybrids  of  Brassa- 
vola  Digbyana,  with  their  large,  rose-tinted, 
fringed  flowers  included  B.-C.  Helen,  B.-C. 
Digbyano-Warscewiczii,  and  B.-C.  Digbyano- 
Mossiae.  Sophro-Cattleya  Nydia  and  S.-C. 
Chamberlainiana  afforded  bright  colours,  and 
the  Cypripediums  were  represented  by  a 
selection  of  varieties  of  C.  insigne,  C.  Fairrie- 
anum,  C.  Tityus  superbum,  C.  Dante,  C. 
Charlesianum  superbum,  and  other  hybrids. 

H.  S.  Goodson,  Esq.,  Fairlawn,  W'est  Hill, 
Tutney  (gr.  Mr.  G.  E.  Day),  was  awarded  a 
Silver  Flora  Medal  for  a  very  meritorious  group 
containing  many  excellent  specimens,  the  finest 
being  Cattleya  Fabia  Goodsonii,  a  grand  flower 
of  rich  rose-purple  and  crimson  colour  ;  and  C. 
Octave  Doin  "  Herbert  Goodson,"  both  of  which 
secured  First-Class  Certificates  last  year.  The 
new  plant  in  the  group  was  Cattleya  Alicia?  (Iris 
X  labiata),  a  very  pretty  and  distinct  variety, 
which  secured  an  Award  of  Merit.  A  selection 
of  well-flowered  C.  insigne  Sanderae  had  with 
them  the  remarkable  three-lipped  C.  i.  Oddity, 
and  other  good  forms,  and  among  other  Cypri- 


pediums  noted  were  C.  H.  S.  Goodson,  a  very 
large,  finely-formed,  and  distinct  hybrid,  C. 
Maudiae,  &c.  Some  finely-flowered  plants  of 
Pleione  lagenaria  were  in  front  and  others  re- 
marked were  Brasso-Cattleya  Digbyano-Wars- 
cewiczii, B.-C.  Digbyano-Mendelii,  good  forms 
of  Cattleya  labiata,  Miltoma  Bleuana,  Onci- 
dium bicallosum,  O.  cucullatum,  &c. 

Messrs.  Jas.  Cypher  &  Sons,  Cheltenham, 
were  voted  a  Silver  Flora  Medal  for  an  extensive 
group,  the  middle  of  which  was  occupied  by  a 
large  number  of  the  pretty  Cypripedium  Fairrie- 
anum  and  several  of  its  hybrid  C.  Arthurianum. 
On  each  side  were  arrangements  of  other  good 
Cypripediums,  among  which  were  C.  insigne 
The  Queen,  a  very  well-marked  form ;  C.  i.  Sun- 
ray,  with  a  yellowish  glow  in  the  flower  and 
dotted  raylike  lines  on  its  broad  petals  ;  C.  i. 
Commander  Walter,  also  distinct ;  C.  i.  Hare- 
field  Hall,  C.  i.  Oddity,  and  many  others.  Of 
the  hybrids,  C.  triumphans,  Westonbirt  variety, 
was  the  best  dark-coloured.  Others  well  repre- 
sented were  Epidendrum  ciliare,  Dendrobium 
Phalaenopsis,  Cymbidiums,  Masdevallias,  &c. 

Jeremiah  Colman,  Esq.,  Gatton  Park  (gr.  Mr. 
W.  P.  Bound),  was  awarded  a  Silver  Banksian 
Medal  for  a  neat  group  of  showy  hybrids,  all 
raised  at  Gatton  Park,  and  which  included  good 
Cattleya  Fabia,  C.  Iris,  C.  Adula,  two  pretty 
and  dissimilar  forms  of  C.  Chloris,  C.  Portia 
Gatton  Park  variety,  a  fine  flower ;  C.  Wend- 
landiana, C.  Mrs.  Pitt,  C.  Brownias,  Laelio- 
Cattleya  Nysa,  L.-C.  Phryne,  &-c. 

Messrs.  Jas.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Royal  Exotic 
Nurseries,  King's  Road,  Chelsea,  were  awarded 
a  Silver  Banksian  Medal  for  an  attractive  group, 
principally  hybrids,  among  which  were  noted  a 
pretty,  light-coloured  form  of  Cattleya  Lord 
Rothschild,  finely-coloured  C.  Mantinii  nobilior, 
C.  Portia,  and  other  hybrids  of  C.  Bowringiana  ; 
a  very  fine  Laelio-Cattleya  Epicasta,  L.-C.  An- 
dreana,  L.-C.  Tenos,  and  other  hybrids.  The 
centre  was  of  the  clear  yellow  Cypripedium  in- 
signe Sanderae,  and  at  one  end  were  C.  Baron 
Schroder,  C.  Actasus,  &c. 

Messrs.  Charlesworth  &  Co.,  Heaton,  Brad- 
ford, secured  a  Silver  Banksian  Medal  for  a  good 
group  containing  a  fine  example  of  their  pure 
white  Brasso-Cattleya  Queen  Alexandra  ;  a  dis- 
tinct form  of  Cypripedium  Thalia,  the  noble  C. 
Zeno,  a  C.  insigne  Harefield  Hall  hybrid,  and 
larger  than  its  parent ;  varieties  of  Cattleya 
labiata,  including  a  good  white  form,  Cattleya 
Adula,  C.  Iris,  C.  Vulcan,  C.  Octave  Doin  ;  a 
splendid  form  of  Odontoglossum  Uro-Skinneri, 
and  other  Odontoglossums,  and  a  pretty  Zygo- 
petalum  obtained  between  Z.  maxillare  and 
Colax  jugosus. 

Messrs.  Hugh  Low  &  Co.,  Enfield,  obtained 
a  Silver  Banksian  Medal  for  a  group  in  which 
the  varieties  of  Cattleya  labiata  were  well  dis- 
played, seven  white  forms  being  included.  With 
them  were  Houlletia  Brocklehurstiana,  Ancistro- 
cheilus  Thompsonianus,  Cattleya  Bowringiana, 
Low's  variety,  and  another  finely-coloured  form 
with  five  spikes,  bearing  together  over  80  flowers, 
Odontoglossum  crispum,  one  being  nicely 
spotted,   &c. 

Messrs.  Armstrong  &  Brown,  Tunbridge 
Wells,  were  awarded  a  Silver  Banksian  Medal 
for  a  group  of  hybrids  containing  several  forms 
of  their  pretty  Cattleya  Armstrongiae,  C.  Iris, 
C.  Adula,  and  other  pretty  hybrids. 

J.  Gurney  Fowler,  Esq.,  Glebelands,  South 
Woodford  (gr.  Mr.  J.  Davis),  showed  the  rare 
natural  hybrid  Odontoglossum  Duvivierianum 
and  Laelia  pumila  alba. 

J.  Bradshaw,  Esq.,  The  Grange,  Southgate 
(gr.  Mr.  Whitelegge),  showed  the  fine  white  Catt- 
leya Harrisoniae  alba  superba  and  C.  labiata 
Augusta.     (See  Awards.) 

F.  Ducane  Godman,  Esq.,  sent  Cypripediums 
Phaedra  superba,  with  a  good,  white,  dorsal 
sepal   blotched   with   rose   colour. 

Monsieur  Mertens,  Ghent,  showed  three 
hybrid  Odontoglossums,.  Miltonia  Bleuana,  and 
a  large-flowered  M.  vexillaria. 

Miss  Willmott,  Warley  Place,  Great  WTarley, 
showed  a  very  handsome  form  of  Cattleya 
Minucia. 

De  B.  Crawshay,  Esq.,  Rosefield,  Seven- 
oaks  (gr.  Mr.  Stables),  snowed  the  exception- 
ally finely-blotched  Odontoglossum  crispum 
Boadicea,  with  silver-white  sepals  and  petals, 
strongly  tinged  with  rosy-lilac  and  bearing  at- 
tractively-displayed dark  red  blotches.  Tip 
white,  with  a  large  chestnut-red  blotch  in  front 
of    the    yellow    crest,       and      several      smaller 


blotches  on  each  side.  Also  O.  crispum 
Imperatrix,  a  model  flower,  white  slightly  tinged 
with  mauve  on  the  sepals,  which  also  bear 
brownish   spots  on  the  lower  halves. 

J.  Shepherd,  Esq.,  Twyford,  Berks.,  sent  a 
very   fine   specimen   of   Laelio-Cattleyd   Tiresias. 

AWARDS. 
First-Class  Certificate. 

Cattleya  Fabia  gigantea  (labiata  X  aurea), 
from  Major  G.  L.  Holford,  C.V.O.,  CLE. 
(gr.  Mr.  Alexander). — The  finest  of  the  superb 
Westonbirt  strain  of  this  showy  winter-flower- 
ing Orchid.  Sepals  and  petals  of  a  rich,  rosy- 
mauve  colour ;  the  large  labellum  deep  ruby- 
crimson,  with  a  dark-gold  centre  and  orange 
lines  from  the  base. 

Cattleya  fulvescens,  Westonbirt  variety 
(Forbesii  x  aurea),  from  Major  G.  L.  Hol- 
ford.— Flowers  larger  than  any  yet  shown. 
Sepals  and  petals  yellowish  buff,  the  large, 
crimped  lip  orange,  changing  to  yellow,  and 
with  pretty  rose-coloured  markings  of  different 
shades,   the   darkest   being   in   the  centre. 

Cattleya  labiata  alba  Purity,  from  Major  G. 
L.  Holford. — A  perfectly  pure  white  variety, 
with   chrome-yellow   disc   to   the  lip. 

Odontioda  Devossiana  (0.  Edwardii  X  Coch- 
lioda  Noezliana),  from  Monsieur  H.  Graire, 
Amiens. — An  excellent  novelty.  The  plant 
bore  a  compact  inflorescence  about  2  feet  high, 
the  upper  half  being  furnished  with  about  two 
dozen  flowers,  each  1  inch  across,  and  borne 
on  a  four-branched  spike.  Sepals  lanceolate, 
the  lateral  ones  reflexed ;  petals  ovate-acu- 
minate, both  deep  blood-red ;  lip  three-lobed, 
purplish-red,   lighter  at  the  apex  ;  crest  yellow. 

Awards    of    Merit. 

Sophro-Lalio-Cattleya  Medea  (C.  bicolor  X 
S.-L.  lata  Orpctiana),  from  Major  G.  L.  Hol- 
ford.— A  dwarf  hybrid  bearing  in  its  purplish 
flower  a  distinct  resemblance  to  C.  bicolor,  es- 
pecially in  its  deep  violet-purple  lip. 

La-lio-Callleya  Epicasta  "The  Premier"  (L. 
pumila  x  C.  Warscewiczii),  from  Jeremiah 
Colman,  Esq.,  Gatton  Park,  Reigate  (gr.  Mr. 
W.  P.  Bound). — One  of  the  largest,  most  per- 
pect  in  shape,  and  finest  in  colour  of  the  L. 
pumila  hybrids.  The  broad  sepals  and  petals 
are  white  delicately  flushed  with  rose-pink  ;  the 
front  of  the  well-rounded  lip  deep  purplish- 
crimson. 

Cattleya  Alicia  ( labiata  X  Iris),  from  H.  S. 
Goodson,  Esq.,  Fairlawn,  Putney  (gr.  Mr.  G. 
E.  Day). — A  pretty  and  distinct  hybrid,  with 
rosy-lilac  sepals  and  petals  ;  the  fine  labellum, 
which  is  protected  as  in  C.   Iris,  rosy-crimson. 

Cattleya  labiata  Augusta,  from  J.  Bradshaw, 
Esq.,  The  Grange,  Southgate. — A  fine  white 
variety  with  distinct  deep  chrome-yellow  mark- 
ing in  the  tube  of  the  lip,  which  has  a  very 
slight  trace  of  pink  in  front. 

Fruit  and  Vegetable  Committee. 

Present:  Geo.  Bunyard,  Esq.  (in  the  chair), 
and  Messrs.  Jas.  Cheal,  J.  W.  Bates,  Alex.  Dean, 
Geo.  Keif,  A.  R.  Allan,  J.  Davies,  J.  Jaques,  G. 
Reynolds,  Chas.  Foster,  P.  D.  Tuckett,  J. 
Mclndoe,  Owen  Thomas,  C  G.  A.  Nix,  W. 
Poupart,   A.   H.   Pearson,   and  James  Vert. 

Messrs.  James  Veitch  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  King's 
Road,  Chelsea,  displayed  fruits  of  a  hybrid 
fruit  obtained  from  the  Quince  X  Pear  Berga- 
motte  Esperen.  The  fruits  were  named  Pyronia. 
Some  resembled  the  first-named  parent,  and 
others  were  similar  to  the  Pear,  although  all 
were  raised  from  the  seeds  of  one  fruit. 

There  were  also  seen  the  usual  array  of  seed- 
ling Apples,  sent  for  award,  but  none  was  found 
to  merit  that  distinction. 

Messrs.  Geo.  Bunyard  &  Co.,  Ltd.,  Royal 
Nurseries,  Maidstone,  showed  a  magnificent  ex- 
hibit of  Pears.  The  collection  embraced  nearly 
one  hundred  varieties,  and  was  of  much 
educational  value.  President  Osmanville  is  a 
large  fruit  with  a  rich  yellow  skin ;  Doyenne  du 
Cornice  was  represented  by  a  magnificent 
sample.  Beurre  Diel,  Beurre  Alex.  Lucas,  St. 
Luke  (a  large,  russety  fruit),  Beurre  Bosc,  Gilo- 
gil,  Winter  Windsor,  ("hiojuro  (a  Japanese  variety 
of  the  Bergamotte  type  with  a  round  eye,  show- 
ing  no  trace  of  the  stamens  or  sepals,  and  having 
a  delicate  russety  exterior),  Princess,  Beurre  Jean 
Van  Geert,  Magnate,  President  Barabe,  and 
Ramilies  were  all  of  exceedingly  fine  appearance. 
(Silver-Gilt  Knightian  Medal.) 


November  12,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS     CHRONICLE. 


119 


Messrs.  Hugh  Low  &  Co.,  Bush  Hill  Park, 
Enfield,  showed  42  dishes  of  Apples  and  Pears, 
all  highly-coloured  fruits  and  of  medium  size. 
The  best  dishes  were  those  of  Bismarck,  King  of 
the  Pippins,  Peasgood's  Nonsuch,  Warner's 
King,  Blenheim  Pippin,  Saltmarsh  Queen,  and 
Bramley's  Seedling.     (Silver  Banksian  Medal.) 

Miss  C.  M.  Dixon,  Elmcroft  Nursery,  Wester- 
gate,  Chichester,  staged  a  dozen  Melons  of  the 
Urn i  of  Lockinge  type,  and  labelled  Lawson's 
favourite  and  Elmcroft  Beauty.  (Silver  Bank- 
sian Medal.) 

Fifty  very  excellent  bulbs  of  Ailsa  Craig  Onion 
were  shown  by  R.  H.  Ling,  Esq.,  The  Braes, 
Berkhamsted.     (Bronze  Banksian  Medal.) 

Mr.  R.  W.  Green,  Wisbech,  showed  a  very 
large  number  of  varieties  of  Potatos.  All  the 
l\  | n  s  of  this  vegetable  were  represented — kidney, 
flat,  round,  coloured,  &c. — and  the  varieties  em- 
braced the  newer  as  well  as  the  older  standard 
kinds.  The  tubers  were  especially  clear  of  skin, 
and,  staged  in  fancy  baskets  on  a  green  ground- 
work, made  as  pleasing  an  exhibit  as  is  possible 
with  this  subject.     (Silver  Knightian  Medal.) 

Award  of  Merit. 
Damson  Merryweather. — At  the  meeting  of  the 
Committee  held  on  the  opening  day  of  the 
autumn  fruit  show,  a  variety  of  Damson  was 
presented  under  this  name  for  an  award.  It 
was  decided  to  subject  the  fruits  to  a  culinary 
test,  and  this  having  proved  satisfactory,  an 
Award  of  Merit  was  granted.  The  fruits  were 
sent  by  Mr.  W.  Merryweather,  Southwell. 

Scientific  Committee. 

OCTOBER  15.— Present :  Mr.  E.  A.  Bowles, 
M.A.,  F.L.S.  (in  the  chair)  ;  Dr.  J.  B.  Farmer 
F.R.S.,  Rev.  W.  Wilks,  M.A.,  Dr.  A.  B.  Kendle, 
M.A.,  Messrs.  C.  E.  Shea,  J.  T.  Bennett- 1'...-. 
('.  T.  Druery,  \Y.  C.  Worsdell,  W.  Cuthbertson, 
F.  J.  Baker,  C.  E.  Hennessey,  F.  W.  Moore, 
F.  J.  Chittenden  (hon.  secretary),  and  .numerous 
visitors. 

The  up-country  Tea  root  disease  of  Ceylon. — 
Dr.  C.  B.  Pi.owrigiit  sent  specimens  of  bark 
and  roots  of  Tea  plants,  illustrating  the  follow- 
ing note:  "Mr.  T.  Petch,  the  Government  my- 
cologist of  Ceylon,  sends  specimens  of  this 
disease.  It  is  due  to  Polyporus  hypolateritia  of 
Berkeley,  a  species  which  is  now  allocated  to 
the  genus  Poria.  It  is  most  prevalent  above 
4,000  feet,  and  is  easily  distinguished  from  the 
disease  caused  by  Rosellinia.  If  a  dying  bush 
be  uprooted  the  roots  are  seen  to  be  covered 
with  small  white  raised  patches  or  knobs  of 
mycelium  about  one-twelfth  inch  in  diameter 
with  reddish  raised  margins.  From  these 
nodules  a  mycelium  spreads  to  other  roots,  white 
at  first,  but  subsequently  forms  a  thick  cord 
with  a  tough  red  coat,  while  the  mycelium  be- 
tween the  bark  and  the  wood  forms  a  thin  con- 
tinuous white  sheet.  The  fructification  (the 
Poria)  is  generally  formed  on  the  stem  just 
above  the  ground,  but  it  may  be  formed  on  the 
surface  of  the  soil.  In  one  experimental  cul- 
ture it  was  produced  on  the  under  side  of  a 
flower  pot,  an  illustration  of  the  travelling 
power  of  the  fungus.  The  fungus  is  white  with 
a  red  edge  and  under  surface,  hence  the  speci- 
fic name  which  was  given  it  by  Berkeley  to 
specimens  from  India.  Its  life  history  as  a 
parasite   has   been   worked   out   by   Mr.    Petch." 

Hybrid  Orchids.— Mr.  F.  W.  Moore,  V.M.H., 
made  some  interesting  remarks  upon  two 
hybrid  Orchids  sent  by  Mr.  H.  J.  Chapman. 
The  first  was  the  result  of  intercrossing  the  two 
albinos  Cattleya  intermedia  alba  and  C. 
Schroderae  alba.  The  flowers  of  the  cross  had 
the  three  sepals  and  two  of  the  petals  with  a 
rosy  tinge,  while  the  lip  was  at  the  edges  of 
the  basal  portion  a  little  deeper  in  colour, 
and  had  the  terminal  portion  magenta  with  a 
stripe  of  the  same  colour  running  towards  the 
throat,  the  only  portion  of  the  flower  that  was 
pure  white  being  the  inner  part  of  the  throat 
on  each  side  of  this  stripe.  The  colour,  there- 
fore, showed  reversion  to  the  typical  form  ;  the 
shape,  however,  of  the  flower  showed  traces  of 
both  parents.  The  second  flower  was  the  re- 
sult of  a  cross  between  the  so-called  albino 
forms,  Cypripedium  insigne  Sanderae  and  C.  cal- 
losum  Sanderae.  This,  like  the  first,  showed 
distinct  traces  of  the  colouration  of  the  typical 
forms  of  both  parent  species,  thus  again  revert- 
ing. These  two  specimens  seem  to  illustrate  in 
another  group  of  plants  that  phenomenon   that 


has  been  pointed  out  by  the  Mendelian  workers 
with  Sweet  Peas,  where  the  colour-producing 
factors  that  were  present  separately  in  the  two 
parents,  so  that  they  were  albinos,  meet  in  the 
offspring  and  produce  colour.  As  Mr.  Moore 
pointed  out,  not  all  albino  Orchids  when  crossed 
produced  coloured  flowers,  but  albinos  may 
be  produced.  The  Orchids  were  from  the  col- 
lection of  X  C.  COOKSON,  Esq.,  of  Oakwood, 
Wylam-on-Tyne. 

Injury  to  Applt  twigs. — Vx.  F.  J.  Baker, 
A.K.i  '.S.,  showed  some  Apple  twigs  that  had 
been  injured  by  too  tightly  binding  the  shoots 
together.  The  shoots  had  been  washed  in  May 
with  a  somewhat  strong  solution  of  paraffin, 
and  the  result  had  been  that  the  injuries  to  the 
stems  appeared  very  like  cankered  spots.  The 
wounds  were  now  beginning  to  callus  over. 

Cup-shaped  leaves  of  Pelargonium. — Mr.  W. 
C.  VVORSDEIX  showed  some  leaves  of  Pelar- 
gonium zonale  from  Kew,  which  had  grown 
in  a  cup-shaped  manner.  Each  of  these  was 
terminal,  a  fact  that  accounted  for  the  form. 
One  of  the  cup-like  leaves  bore  a  second  spring- 
ing from  its  outer  surface.  These  leaves  pro- 
bably took  the  place  of  the  flowering  shoots, 
which  would  have  been  developed  in  the  same 
position   in   a   normal  season. 


NATIONAL     CHRYSANTHEMUM. 

October  28. — A  meeting  of  the  Executive 
Committee  was  held  at  Carr's  Restaurant, 
Strand,  on  the  above  date,  Mr.  Thomas  Bevan 
presiding.  It  was  announced  that  Mr.  C.  E. 
Shea  would  occupy  the  chair  at  the  annual 
dinner  to  be  held  on  November  -6,  and  that  he 
would  be  supported  by  Sir  Albert  Rollit,  who 
has  been  nominated  for  president  next  year. 
Arising  out  of  the  correspondence  was  the  resig- 
nation of  Mr.  Caselton  from  the  Executive  Com- 
mittee and  the  consideration  of  the  protest 
handed  in  at  the   last   show. 

The  Secretary  submitted  the  usual  financial 
statement  to  date.  It  was  stated  that  the  prize 
money  awarded  at  the  October  show  would  be 
paid  at  the  end  of  the  year.  Arrangements  were 
made  for  carrying  out  the  details  of  the  Novem- 
ber show,  and  it  was  resolved  that  a  Dean 
Memorial  Medal  be  awarded  by  the  Floral  Com- 
mittee to  the  exhibit  that  may  be  considered 
specially  worthy.  The  award  will  be  confined 
to  Chrysanthemum  exhibits.  It  was  also  re- 
solved that  honorary  awards  be  made  to  exhibits 
of  sundries.  Five  new  Fellows  and  twenty-one 
ordinary   members  were   elected. 


MANCHESTER  AND  NORTH  OF 
ENGLAND  ORCHID. 

October  17. — Committee  present :  Messrs.  E. 
Ashworth,  R.  Ashworth,  Ashton,  Cowan, 
Cypher,  Duckworth,  Keeling,  Parker,  P.  Smith, 
H.  Smith,  Stevens,  Shiel,  Ward,  Warburton, 
Walmsley,   and  Weathers  (hon.   sec). 

A.  Warburton,  Esq.,  Haslingden  (gr.  Mr. 
Dalgleish),  exhibited  an  excellent  collection  of 
Orchids,  consisting  of  a  group  of  Cypripediums, 
another  of  miscellaneous  Orchids,  and  a  group 
of  species  of  Cattleyas  and  Laelias.  Each 
group  was  in  competition  for  the  various 
trophies  which  have  been  offered  by  Messrs. 
Sander  and  Sons,  W.  Thompson,  Esq., 
and  Messrs.  H.  Low  &  Co.,  and  they  were 
awarded  respectively  a  Silver  Medal,  Silver- 
Gilt  Medal,  and  a  Bronze  Medal.  Among  the 
plants  shown  was  Cattleya  labiata  var.  Em- 
press, a  white  form  with  coloured  lip,  and  this 
was  awarded  a  First-Class  Certificate ;  while 
Awards  of  Merit  were  granted  to  Cattleya  x 
fulvescens,  Vine  House  variety ;  Cattleya  X 
Pittiana,  Low's  variety ;  and  Cypripedium  x 
Bingleyense,    Warburton's  variety. 

W.  Thompson.  Esq.,  Stone  (gr.  Mr.  Stevens), 
exhibited  Cypripedium  x  triumphans,  Weston- 
birt  variety,  C  X  "  St.  Alban,"  and  C.  Charles- 
worthii  var.    grandiflora. 

J.  H.  Craven,  Esq.,  Keighley  (gr.  Mr.  Cor- 
ney),  staged  a  meritorious  group,  notable  plants 
being  Cypripedium  x  Keighle3-ense,  a  good  hy- 
brid, the  parents  of  which  were  C.  x  nitens 
magnificum,  Balls'  var.  X  C.  X  Arthurianum ; 
also  C.  X  Niobe,  Westonbirt  variety ;  C  X 
"  Rene,"  C.  X  Maudiae  var.  magnificum,  and 
C.  X  Arthurianum  pulchellum.  A  First-Class 
Certificate  was  awarded  to  C.  X  Keighleyense, 
and  a  Silver  Medal  for  the  group. 


Messrs.  Keeling  &  Sons,  Westgate  Hill, 
Yorks.j  gained  an  Award  of  Merit  for  a  plant 
of  Cirrhopetalum  ornatissimum. 

E.  Rogerson,  Esq.,  Didsbury,  sent  the  beau- 
tiful natural  hybrid  Cattleya  x  Countess  of 
li  rby,  which  was  originally  in  the  Stand  Hall 
collection,  and  has  only  appeared  at  public 
exhibition  on  two  occasions.  The  specimen  was 
in  good  health,  and  the  flowers  were  very  beauti- 
ful ;  the  nearest  plant  allied  to  this  is  the  white 
form  of  Cattleya  x  Hardyana.  A  Tirst-Class 
Certificate  was  awarded  to  the  hybrid.  Cattleya 
X  Labia  var.  "  Mrs.  Rogerson  "  also  obtained 
a  First-Class  Certificate.  Cypripedium  x 
Actaeixs  var.  revoluta  was  also  shown  by  Mr. 
Roi      ::son. 

Messrs.  Linden  &  Co.,  Brussels,  exhibited 
Odontoglossum  crispum  var.  "  Reve  d'Or."  An 
Award  of   Merit  was  conferred   on  the   plant. 

Mr.  W.  BOLTON,  Warrington,  obtained  an 
Award  of  Merit  for  Cypripedium  X  Wootonii 
var.    rubens. 

H.  J.  Bromilow,  Rainhill  (gr.  Mr  Morgan), 
obtained  a  Silver  Medal  for  a  collection  of 
Cypripediums,  among  which  were  Cypripedium 
X  Maudiae  var.  magnificum,  C.  X  Kubele,  C. 
insigne,  Harefield  Hall  variety,  and  C  insigne 
var.  Chantinii,  Linden's  variety. 

Messrs.  J.  W.  Moore,  Ltd.,  Rawdon,  near 
Leeds,  staged  a  miscellaneous  collection  of 
plants,  in  which  was  a  distinct  form  of  Cattleya 
Schroderae.  On  being  placed  before  the  com- 
mittee, that  body  expressed  a  desire  to  see  the 
plant  again. 

J.  Macartney,  Esq.,  Bolton  (gr.  Mr. 
Holmes),  exhibited  a  plant  of  Cypripedium  X 
Shillianum  in  a  pleasing  group,  which  was 
awarded  in  two  of  the  competitions  a  Bronze 
Medal  and   a  Silver  Medal. 

Mrs.  H.  PI.  Bolton,  Newchurch,  exhibited 
Cattleya  X  Fabia,  "  Heightside  variety,"  and 
was  awarded  a  Silver  Medal  for  a  collection  of 
plants. 

Messrs.  Chari.esworth  &  Co.,  Bradford, 
gained  Awards  of  Merit  for  Cattleya  labiata 
var.   Emperor. 

Messrs.  Cypher  &  Sons,  Cheltenham,  were 
awarded  a  Silver  Medal  for  a  group  of  plants  in 
many   varieties. 

A  Cultural  Certificate  was  awarded  to  A. 
Warbtjrtok,  Esq.,  for  a  fine  specimen  of 
Cattleya   X   Fabia  var.  ardentissimum.     P.   11'. 


DEBATING    SOCIETiES. 


MANCHESTER  HORTICULTURAL. -The  annual 
general  meeting  of  this  society  was  held  recently.  The 
president,  Mr.  James  Brown,  occupied  the  chair,  and  there 
was  a  large  attendance  of  the  members.  The  secretary's 
and  treasurer's  reports  were  satisfactory.  The  officers 
of  last  year  were  all  re-elected,  after  which  some  c<  vi  mv 
of  the  members  and  their  friends  dined  at  the  Mosley 
Hotel.  A  pleasant  feature  of  the  meeting  was  the  presen- 
tation of  a  handsome  timepiece  to  Mr.  Charles  Paul,  the 
honorary  secretary,  in  recognition  of  his  long  and  gratuitous 
services  on  behalf  of  the  society.  The  chairman,  Mr. 
Abraham  Stansfield,  proposed  the  chief  toast,  "  Prosperity 
to  the  Society."  He  regarded  professional  horticulturists,  or, 
in  plain  terms,  "  gardeners,"  as  an  under-paid,  under-esti- 
mated class  of  men,  considering  the  battle  they  had  constantly 
to  wage  against  numerous  difficulties,  of  which,  in  Lanca- 
shire, climate  was  not  the  least.  He  had  just  been  reading 
Mr.  Llovd-George's  confession  of  his  ignorance  of  the 
secret  of*  Lancashire's  success  as  a  cotton-spinning  centre 
— the  humidity  of  the  climate.  But  that  which  made 
Lancashire's  success  industrially  made  the  Lancashire 
gardener's  difficulty  greater,  and,  considering  the  damp  and 
smoke  against  which  be  had  to  struggle,  he  thought  that  the 
result,  as  was  shown  at  the  exhibitions,  was  wonderful, 

SALISBURY  AND  DISTRICT  GARDENERS'.  - 
At  the  weekly  meeting  of  the  above  society,  held  on  the 
23rd  ult.,  the  night  was  again  devoted  to  questions.  Mr. 
Tucker  occupied  the  chair,  and  Mr.  Gullick  opened  the 
debate.  The  attendance  was  not  large,  but  many  of  the 
members  present  took  part  in  the  d  ^cussion.  A  vote  of 
thanks  was  accorded  the  Earl  of  Pembroke  for  his  kindness 
in  providing  the  society  with  tables  upon  which  to  stage  the 
exhibits  of  flowers,  &c. 

PEPPARD    AND    DISTRICT     GARDENERS'. 

The  members  of  this  society  held  their  second  meeting  of 
the  session  on  October  24,  when  Mr.  Tubbs,  of  Crowsley 
Park  Gardens,  gave  a  paper  on  "  The  Cultivation  of  Chrysan- 
themums"; a  good  discussion  followed  the  reading  of 
the  paper.     W.  G.  W. 

DEVON  AND  EXETER  GARDENERS'.  —  The 

opening  paper  of  the  new  session  was  given  on  October  23, 
by  Mr.  Francis  George  Heath,  his  subject  being  "Trees, 
Flowers,  and  Ferns."  Mr.  Heath  furnished  many  beautiful 
wood-pictures  of  sylvan  scenery  in  the  county  of  Devon  and 
in  the  New  Forest,  exhorting  the  members  to  admire  the 
works  of  nature  so  lavishly  displayed  around  them.  Mr. 
P.  C.  M.  Veitch  occupied  the  chair,  and  made  some  inter- 
esting and  appropriate  remarks  in  introducing  the  lecturer. 
The  preceding  gathering  formed  the  annual  meeting.  The 
Mayor  of  Exeter  presided.  The  secretary's  and  the 
treasurer's  reports  were  read  and  adopted,  and  the  officers 
for  the  ensuing  year  elected.     A  .  H. 


:20 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[November  2,  1907. 


THE     WEATHER. 


The  Following  Summary  Record  of  the 
weather  throughout  the  British  Islands,  for  the 
week  ending  October  26,  is  furnished  from  the 
Meteorological  Office:— 

GENERAL     OBSERVATIONS. 

The  weather  was  generally  unsettled,  and  rain  frequent, 
but  most  parts  of  England  experienced  considerable  inter- 
vals of  sunshine ;  and  in  England  S.  and  E.,  as  well  as  in 
Scotland  N.,  the  rain  was  usually  slight.  Thunder  was  heard 
at  Tunbridge  Wells  early  on  the  morning  of  the  20th. 

The  temperature  was  above  the  mean  in  all  districts,  except 
Ireland  S.,  the  excess  being  greater  in  Scotland  and  the 
East  of  England  than  elsewhere.  The  highest  of  the 
maxima  were  recorded  during  the  early  days  of  the  week, 
and  ranged  from  64u  in  the  English  Channel  arid  the  Mid- 
land Counties  to  59°  in  Scotland  E.  and  W.  The  lowest  of 
the  minima,  which  occurred  at  most  stations  on  Friday  or 
Saturday,  were  no  lower  than  45°  in  the  English  Channel, 
but  elsewhere  they  varied  from  33°  in  Ireland  N.  and 
Scotland  N.  to  29°  in  England  N.W.  Frost  on  the  grass 
was  recorded  over  a  large  part  of  the  Kingdom,  the  lowest 
readings  reported  being  23°  at  Crathes,  21-  at  Harrogate, 
and  25°  at  Newton  Rigg  and  Birmingham. 

The  mean  temperature  oi  the  sea  differed  little  from  that 
of  the  preceding  week.  The  actual  values  ranged  from 
567*  at  Plymouth  and  56'4*  at  the  Shipwash  Lightship,  to 
rather  below  50°  in  several  parts  of  the  Scottish  coast,  and 
to  48°  at  Lerwick. 

The  tain/alt  exceeded  the  mean  in  Ireland,  the  west  of 
Scotland  and  the  south-western  and  central  counties  of 
England,  but  was  less  elsewhere.  The  excess  was  greatest 
in  Ireland  and  the  deficit  greatest  in  Scotland  N.  and 
England  E. 

The  bright  sunshine  was  deficient  in  Ireland  and  Scotland, 
but  was  above  the  average  in  England.  The  percentage  of 
the  possible  duration  ranged  from  49  in  the  English  Channel, 
39  in  England  S.,  and  3S  in  EnglandS.W.,  to27in  Ireland  N. 
and  to  between  17  and  10  in  Scotland. 

THE   WEATHER   IN    WEST    HERTS. 

Week  ending  October  30. 
The  most  sunless  week  since  January.  This  was  on  the 
•whole  a  rather  cold  week.  The  first  two  nights  were  the 
only  very  cold  ones,  and  on  one  of  them  the  exposed 
thermometer  showed  5°  of  frost,  or  a  lower  reading  than  at 
any  previous  time  in  October.  The  ground  still  remains 
warm  for  the  time  of  year,  the  temperature  at  2  feet  deep 
being  ab  mt  1°  warmer,  and  at  1  foot  deep  about  2°  warmer, 
than  is  seasonable.  Rain  fell  on  three  days,  but  to  the  total 
depth  of  less  than  half-an-inch,  making  this  the  driest  week 
of  a  very  wet  month.  There  was  no  measurable  percolation 
through  the  soil  gauge,  on  which  short  grass  is  growing, 
until  yesterday,  but  nearly  two  gallons  of  rain-water  came 
through  the  bare  soil  gauge  during  the  week.  The  sun 
shone  on  an  average  for  only  54  minutes  a  day,  which  is  not 
more  than  a  third  of  the  average  daily  duration  of  bright 
sunshine  at  the  end  of  October.  Calms  and  light  airs  alone 
prevailed.  The  mean  amount  of  moisture  in  the  air  at  3p.m. 
exceeded  a  seasonable  quantity  for  that  hour  by  as  much  as 
1J  per  cent.    E.  M.t  Bcrkhamsted,  October  30,  1907. 


ClTlAlfm 
Mr 

mjpondent 


Wpr,  ->^ 


•  #  •  The  Editor  will  be  glad  to  receive,  for  considera- 
tion, large  photographs  of  horticultural  subjects,  suitable 
for  forming  Supplementary  Illustrations  to  this  Journal. 


Apple  Shoot  with  Swelling  :  C.  C.  The 
injury  is  caused  by  American  blight — a  species 
of  aphis.  Your  shoot  contains  numbers  of 
these  pests,  and  you  must  destroy  them  by  an 
application  of  some  insecticide.  A  suitable 
wash  is  composed  of  10  lbs.  of  caustic  soda, 
10  lbs.  of  carbonate  of  potash,  and  2  or  3  lbs. 
of  soft  soap  dissolved  in  100  gallons  of 
water.  The  bark  should  be  painted  in  winter 
with  a  mixture  of  1  lb.  of  soft  soap,  1  gallon 
of  lime,  and  a  small  quantity  of  size  mixed  to 
form   a  thick   whitewash. 

Appointments  in  the  London  Parks:  E.  S. 
The  responsible  positions  are  usually  filled  by 
the  appointment  of  members  of  the  staff.  You 
are  quite  right  in  supposing  that  it  is  good 
experience  which  is  necessary  to  qualify  you  for 
taking  the  best  positions  in  this  or  any  other 
branch  of  gardening. 

Canvassing  for  Books  :  Correspondent .  If  you 
could  show  that  the  order  for  the  book  was  given 
on  the  condition  the  man  obtained  a  situation  for 
you  il  would  probably  invalidate  the  agreement. 
But  it  appears  that  whilst  you  signed  your  name 
for  the  book  the  rest  of  the  agreement  was 
verbal.     Consult  a  solicitor. 

Carnations  :  Lapageria.  The  tips  of  the 
leaves  are  suffering  from  a  diseased  condition 
that  has  been  called  "  Stigmanose."  This  was 
at  first  believed  to  be  Bacteriosis,  but  it  has 
since  been  discovered  to  be  due  to  punctures 
of  insects — which  perhaps  introduce  bacteria. 
The    best    preventive    is    to    destroy    all    the 


minute  insect  life,  by  using  some  approved 
insecticide.  We  fail  to  discover  on  the  leaves 
the  aphis  you  mention. 

Chrysanthemums:  IV.  C.  The  petals themseh'es 
give  no  clue  to  the  cause  of  their  discoloration 
and  falling  off.  There  is  no  fungal  disease,  and 
the  failure  must  ba  due  to  the  surrounding  con- 
ditions or  some  error  in  treatment. 

Coleus  and  Cucumber  Roots  Diseasfd  :  Eel- 
worm.  You  are  quite  correct  in  ascribing  the 
damage  done  to  your  Cucumber  and  Coleus  to 
the  attacks  of  eelworms.  The  plants  are  badly 
infested  with  the  pests,  which  are  a  species  of 
Heterodera  (probably  H.  radicicola).  The  best 
course  to  pursue  is  to  burn  the  roots  together 
with  the  infected  soil,  as  it  is  impossible  to 
to  ensure  killing  the  animals  in  any  other 
practicable  way. 

Employment  in  America  :  C.  G.  The  contract 
should  be  made  after  your  arrival  in  the  States. 
We  do  not  think  the  wages  of  £120  a  year  in 
America  would  be  more  than  equal  to  £100  if 
paid  in  this  country. 

Grapes  :  W.  Peters.  The  berries  are  extremely 
large,  and,  though  some  of  them  are  more  or  less 
hollow,  lacking  firmness,  the  flavour  is  certainly 
as  good  or  better  than  that  of  Gros  Colmar. 
We  cannot  recommend  the  seedling  as  a  first  or 
even  second  rate  variety,  but  at  the  same  time 
it  is  likely  that  well-coloured  bunches  would 
attract  buyers  in  the  market,  for  it  has  been 
proved  again  and  again  that  the  public  appre- 
ciates the  quality  of  "  size." 

Indian  Name  :  C.  /.  G.  The  Nim,  or  Neem  Tree, 
is  Melia  Azadirachta,  belonging  to  the  genus 
which  furnishes  mahogany.  A  full  account  of 
its  products,  such  as  gum,  dye,  fibre  and  oil  is 
given  in  Watt's  Dictionary  of  the  Economic  Products 
of  India,  v.,  211.  See  also  Beddome's  Flora 
Sylvatica,  t.  14.  It  is  stated  that  the  sweet  pulp 
of  the  fruit  is  eaten  in  the  Bombay  Presidency, 
especially  in  times  of  scarcity.  The  tree  is  in 
cultivation  at  Kew,  and  is  referred  to  in  the 
Guide  to  Museum  No.  1. 

Market  Gardening  :  T.  C.  There  appears  to  be 
no  reason  why  you  should  not  succeed,  having 
had  the  exellent  experience  which  you  relate  in 
your  letter.  The  district  being  a  manufacturing 
one  the  population  is  considerable,  and  there 
are  convenient  means  of  conveying  the  produce 
to  the  local  markets.  The  degree  of  success 
you  may  obtain  will  depend  upon  the  business 
capacity  you  possess,  and  the  amount  of  energy 
you  are  capable  cf  putting  into  the  business. 
We  assume  that  your  capital  is  sufficient  for  the 
initial  outlay  that  is  necessary,  and  to  provide 
for  the  payment  of  the  working  expanses  for  the 
first  year. 

Mats  for  the  Garden  :  Mrs.  K.  Apply  to  the 
horticultural  sundriesmen,  whose  addresses 
will  be  found  in  our  advertising  columns. 

Names  of  Flowers,  Fruits  and  Plants. — We 
are  anxious  to  oblige  correspondents  as  far  as 
we  consistently  can,  but  they  must  bear  in 
mind  that  it  is  no  part  of  our  duty  to  our 
subscribers  to  name  either  flowers  or  fruits. 
Such  work  entails  considerable  outlay,  both  ol 
time  and  money,  and  cannot  be  allowed  to  dis- 
organise the  preparations  for  the  weekly  issue,  or  to 
encroach  upon  time  required  for  the  conduct  of  the 
paper.  Correspondents  should  never  send  more 
than  six  plants  or  fruits  at  one  time  :  they  should  be 
very  careful  to  pack  and  label  them  properly,  to  give 
every  information  as  to  the  county  the  fruits  are 
grown  in,  and  to  send  ripe,  or  nearly  ripe,  specimens 
which  show  the  character  of  the  variety.  By 
neglecting  these  precautions  correspondents  add 
greatly  to  our  labour,  and  run  the  risk  of 
delay  and  incorrect  determinations.  Correspondents 
not  answered  in  one  issue  are,  requested  to 
be  so  good  as  to  consult  the  following  numbers. 
Fruits  :  T.  B.  R.  Doyenne  du  Cornice  ;  2, 
Passe  Colmar  ;  3,  Baron  de  Mello ;  4,  Jalousie 
de  Fontenay  ;  5,  Bishop's  Thumb  ;  0,  Beurre 
Capiaumont.—  \V.  P.  1  and  2,  Although  differ- 
ing so  much  in  outward  appearance  both  are 
Beurre  Superfm.  The  russety  fruits  are  gene- 
rally the  better  flavoured. — A.  M.  1,  Black 
Worcester;  2,  Beurre1  Clairgeau ;  3  and  4, 
Beurre  Bachelier;  5,  Beurre  Sterckmans ;  6, 
Beurre  Superfin.  —  Correspondent  (no  letter  en- 
closed). 1,  Withington  Fillbasket ;  2,  Mank's 
Co&Wn-A.  A.  1,  Brockworth  Park;  2,  Comte 
de  Lamy  ;  3,  Conseiller  de  la  Cour  ;  4,  Autumn 
Nelis  ;  6,  Jalousie  de  Fontenay. — C.  B.  1 ,  Beurrtf 
Hardy;  2,  Chaumontel ;  3,  Pitmaston  Duchess  ; 
4,  not  recognised;  5,  Fondante  d'Automne  ;  C, 


not  recognised. — E.  Bennett.  1,  Wiltshire  De- 
fiance ;  2,  Sandringham  ;  3,  Radford  Beauty  ; 
4,  White  Nonpareil;  5,  Forfar.—/.  W.S.  1, 
Matlhews's  Eliza  ;  2  and  3,  Flemish  Beauty  ;  4, 
Old  Hawthornden  ;  5,  King  of  the  Pippins. — 
A.  A.  Temple.  The  particulars  you  give  are  very 
interesting,  but  of  course  it  is  an  erroneous  state- 
ment that  these  small  Apples  or  Crabs  will 
grow  in  monastery  gardens  only.  We  do  not 
know  of  any  particular  name  by  which  the  fruits 
are  known. 

Plants  :  F.  N.  Kniphofia  aloides  var.  grandi- 
flora. — Odorus.  1,  Pelargonium  tomentosum  ; 
2,  P.  viscosissimum ;  3,  P.  radula  major;  4, 
P.  quercifolium  var.  Mrs.  Douglas;  5,  P.  quer- 
cifolium  (type) ;  6,  P.  crispum  ;  7,  P.  capitatum  ; 
8,  P.  Prince  of  Orange  (a  bad  example).  Shoots 
in  every  case  should  be  sent,  not  merely  leaves. 
— /.  G.  Poison  Ivy,  Rhus  Toxicodendron. — 
H.J.M.  Arbutus  Unedo.—  A.  D.  W.  1,  Mal- 
formed Quercus  pedunculata;  2,  Capparis  spi- 
nosa  (Caper). — E.  H.  1,  Aster  vimineus  ;  2, 
A.  diffusus  horizontalis  :  3,  Aster  ericoides  ;  4, 
Eupatorium  Weinmannianum  :  5,  Lavendula 
dentata ;  6,  Adiantum  Capillus-Veneris,  Japa- 
nese form. — Foreman.  1,  Elseagnus  pungens 
aureo  variegata  ;  2,  Ginkgo  biloba  ;  3  Coton- 
easter  Simonsii ;  4,  Cupressus  Lawsoniana 
viridis  ;  4,  Cupressus  Lawsoniana  glauca;  6, 
Cupressus  Lawsoniana. — Warwick.  Epidendrum 
prismato  carpum. — A.  T.  0.  1,  Oncidium  cu- 
cullatum  ;  2,  Oncidium  cheirophorum  ;  3,  Mas- 
devallia  simula. — A.  H.  L.  Cosmos  bipinnatus, 
white  variety.  —  J.  B.  The  plant  is  Hibiscus 
syriacus,  as  we  suggested. 

Notice  to  Terminate  Employment  :  G.B.  The 
first  intimation  may  be  regarded  as  the  notice. 
Consult  a  solicitor. — G.  H.  S.  We  do  not  know 
the  arrangements  which  existed  between  the 
gardener  and  yourself.  If  you  feel  that  the 
action  was  illegal  it  will  be  wise  to  consult  a 
solicitor. 

Parti-coloured  Chrysanthemum  :  H.  B.  If  you 
refer  to  your  back  numbers  of  the  Gardeners' 
Chronicle  you  will  see  in  the  issue  for  December 
22,  1906,  p.  436,  an  illustration  of  a  similar 
instance  of  sporting  in  a  Chrysanthemum  flower. 
The  abnormality  is  attributed  to  a  partial  rever- 
sion to  an  ancestral  form. 

Rose  Leaves  Diseased  :  H.  J.  M.  The  black- 
markings  on  your  Rose  leaves  are  caused  by  a 
fungus— Phragmidium  subcorticatum.  In  the 
spring  time  this  pest  is  of  a  bright  orange-red 
colour,  for  which  reason  it  is  known  as  orange 
rust  fungus,  but  at  this  season  it  assumes  the 
dark-coloured  stage  seen  in  your  specimens. 
Burn  all  the  fallen  foliage,  and  next  spring  and 
summer  spray  the  plants  with  the  Bordeaux 
mixture  or  with  ammoniated  carbonate  of  copper 
solution  at  intervals. 

Roses  Failing  to  Open  :  /.  R.  The  condition 
as  seen  in  the  flowers  you  send  is  due 
entirely  to  wet  or  dull  weather.  Some 
varieties  are  very  susceptible  to  decay  in  the 
bud    through    these   causes. 

Seeds  :  A  Very  Old  Subscriber.  The  seeds  found 
among  the  grains  of  the  Wheat  are  those  of 
Lychnis  Githago. 

Smallholdings:  W.E.L.  Apply  to  the  Secre- 
tary of  the  Board  of  Agriculture,  4,  Whitehall 
Place,  London,  S.W. 

Sycamore  Trees  :  /.  T.  These  should  be 
pruned  in  the  early  part  of  the  year.  If  any 
of  the  branches  to  be  removed  are  very  large 
and  heavy,  a  cut  should  be  made  on  the  under 
side  of  each  one  previous  to  being  cut  from 
above.  The  reason  for  this  extra  care  is  to 
prevent  the  falling  branches  tearing  the  bark 
off  the  portion  left.  All  cuts  should  be  made 
clean  and  as  near  to  the  old  wood  as  possible  ; 
immediately  afterwards  dress  with  coal-tar,  to 
prevent  bleeding.  This  dressing  will  also  keep 
rain  and  drip  out,  and  act  as  a  protection 
against  fungoid  diseases. 

Tomatos  :  Gorseland.  The  Tomatos  are  in  no 
way  diseased,  but  appear  to  show  only  accidental 
variations  in  colour. 

Communications  Received. — T.  H. — W.  H. — Jno.  A — 
W.  H.  C— A.  H.  H.— R.  L.  C— Constant  Reader. -J.  C— 
E.  C— C.  L.  L.-S.  E.  A.— C.  G.  P.— J.  K.— E.  B— E.  M. 
-  L.  F.— W.  S.  and  S.— VV.  P.  B.— W.  B.— W.  D.  and  S.— 
C.  B.  E— C.  P.  G.— R.  W.-A.  B.  H.— G.  B.— R.  P.— 
J.  E.— C.  B.  C— J.  E.— J.  J.  W.— E.  P.  W.— J.  W— H.— 
W.  F.— J.  C— W.  E.  B.— E.  B.  M.-G.  B.  M.— W.— H.  S. 
— Dr.  R.—  J.  D.— H.  M.  V. 

For  Market  Reports  see  page  x. 


No\  EMBER   9,    1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


321 


THE 


^iaibcncrsCL  broniclc 

jVo.  U0S9.— SATURDAY,  November  9,  1907. 


CONTENTS. 


Apple  Charles  Ross     ...    331 
Alpine  plants,  some,  at 

Sunnymead,  Dumfries   323 
.Birds,  a  sanctuary  for  ...     330 
Books,  notices  of — 
Botanical  Magazine...    330 
Icones  Selects  Horti 

Thenensis 330 

The   Garden    That    I 

Love 330 

Italian  Gardens  ...     325 

Publications  received    330 

Botany,  applied 328 

■Carludovica  palmata    ...    322 
■Chrysanthemum  shows: 

boards  v.  vases  ...     331 

•Chrysanthemums         ...    328 
Eremurus,  a  new  species 

of 330 

I  1  i  w  e  r-g  a  r  d  e  n  i  n  g, 

fashions  in      331 

Forestry — 
Sylviculture     in     the 
Chiltern    Hundreds     322 
Fuchsias,  large  plants  of    329 
Grape      Muscat      Ham- 
burgh      331 

Grapes,  judging  of      ..    331 
Library,    the    late     Dr. 

Masters'  330 

Nursery  Notes — 
J.  R.  Pearson  &  Sons, 
Lowdham 324 


Orchid  notes  and  glean- 
ings— 
Epidendrum    erubes 

cens 

Obituary 

Allsop,  John 

Assbee,  John 

Nation,  William 
Potato  Highlander 
Rhododendrons,  Javanese 
Rubber     cultivation     in 
the  Straits  S-  ill.  m<  nl  - 
Schneider,  George,  din- 
ner in  honour  of 
Societies — 
Horticultural  Club    ,., 
Maidenhead  Chrysan 

themum        

National  Chrysanthi 

mum 330, 

Portsmouth   Chrysan- 
themum 
Royal  Horticultural ... 
United     Horticultural 
Benefit  &  Provident 
Weybridge    Chrysan- 
themum          

Tchihatchewia   isatidea 

v..  i  ,  ■  w.  .i  k|  the 
Mower  garden,  the 
Fruits  under  glass  ... 
Hardy  fruit  garden  ... 
Kitchen  garden,  the  ... 
Orchid  houses,  the  ... 
Parks  and  gardens  ... 
Plants  under  glass    ... 


323 
335 

335 
330 
333 
321 


333 

335 

332 

332 

332 
325 

327 
326 
826 
327 
326 
327 
327 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


•Carludovica  palmata,  an  inflorescence  of 322 

Tchihatchewia  isatidea,   a  plant  of,  325;  inflorescence 

an. I  floral  details  of 324 

Fuchsias,   large    specimens  of    (Supplementary   Illus- 
tration) 


HYBRID    JAVANESE    RHODO^ 
DENDRONS. 

THIS  beautiful  section  of  the  genus 
Rhododendron  has  at  one  time  or 
another  had  various  names  applied  to 
it.  The  different  varieties  are  sometimes 
clawed  as  greenhouse  Rhododendrons,  at 
others  as  tube-flowered,  while  they  are  also 
occasionally  referred  to  as  perpetual-flower- 
ing. This  last  title  is  a  fairly  descriptive  one, 
as  the  members  of  this  group  will  bloom  more 
■or  less  throughout  the  year,  being  in  this 
respect  totally  different  from  the  tender 
hybrids  of  the  Himalayan  species,  which 
lower  in  the  spring,  then  make  their  growth, 
and  at  the  end  of  the  summer  set  their  buds 
for  the  following  season's  display. 

The  Javanese  hybrids,  on  the  contrary, 
have  no  set  period  of  growth,  and  conse- 
quently young  flowering  shoots,  flower-buds, 
and  expanded  blossoms  may  often  be  seen  on 
one  plant  at  the  same  time.  The  many  varie- 
ties now  in  cultivation  afford  a  remarkable 
instance  of  the  hybridist's  skill,  for  in  the 
creation  of  the  group  as  it  now  is,  seven 
■different  species  have  played  a  part,  some 
of  them,  it  is  true,  a  not  very  important  one. 


The  seven  species  are  as  follow  : — 

R.  Brookeanum  gracile. — The  individual 
flowers  of  this  species  are  large,  funnel- 
shaped,  and  of  a  pale  yellow  tint.  It  was 
introduced  by  Thomas  Lobb  from  Borneo  in 
1855,  when  he  was  travelling  in  that  region 
on  behalf  of  Messrs.  Jas.  Veitch  &  Sons. 

R.  JASMINIFLORUM  is  a  native  of  Malacca, 
and  was  introduced  by  Messrs.  Yeitch  in 
.840.  This  forms  a  much-branched  small 
shrub,  clothed  with  deep  green,  oval-shaped 
leaves,  and  bearing  terminal  umbels  of  long- 
tubed,  white  flowers,  with  pinkish  anthers. 

R.  javanicum. — A  large  shrub  with  oblong, 

shining  leaves,  6  inches  or  so  in  length,  and 
2  inches  wide.  The  individual  flowers  are 
large,  in  many  instances  more  than  2  inches 
in  diameter,  and  of  a  bright  reddish-orange 
colour.  This  was  first  introduced  by  Messrs. 
Rollisson,  of  Tooting,  in  1S47,  from  the 
Island  of  Java,  and  it  has  played  a  more  pro- 
minent part  than  any  other  species  in  the 
production  of  the  group  of  hybrids. 

R.  Lobbii. — A  loose-grow  hit;  shrub,  intro- 
duced from  Borneo  by  Lobb.  It  has  lanceo- 
late leaves,  and  bears  long,  tubular-shaped 
flowers,  remarkable  for  their  extreme  slender- 
ness  and  curved  form.  The  colour  is  a  bright 
glossy  crimson. 

R.  Malayan um. — A  rather  compact  shrub 
with  lanceolate  leaves,  and  few-flowered 
umbels  of  small  deep-red  blossoms.  It  was 
introduced  from  Sumatra  by  Messrs.  Veitch 
in  [854.  I  believe  that  this  species  has  only 
play,  d  a  part  in  the  production  of  one  gardi  n 
form,  viz.,  "  Little  Beauty." 

R.  multicolor. — This  sp.  cies  is  a  native  of 
Sumatra,  and  was  introduced  by  Messrs. 
Veitch  through  their  collector,  Mr.  Curtis. 
The  typical  R.  multicolor  produces  yellow 
blossoms,  and  those  of  the  variety  Curtisii, 
flowers  that  are  deep  crimson.  This  last, 
under  the  name  of  Rhododendron  Curtisii, 
was  exhibited  at  a  meeting  of  the  Royal  Hor- 
ticultural Society  on  November  13,  1883,  and 
awarded  a  First  Class  Certificate.  The  next 
year  Messrs.  Veitch  showed  the  yellow- 
flowered  form  (now  regarded  as  the  typical 
R.  multicolor)  under  the  name  of  R.  Curtisii 
luteolum,  but  no  award  was  given  it.  B..th 
plants,  however,  have  proved  of  very  great 
value  to  the  hybridist. 

R.  Te.s.maxnii. — A  species  with  yellow- 
flowers,  not  so  large  as  those  of  R.  javani- 
cum, but  somewhat  of  the  same  description. 
According-  to  my  notes  taken  at  the  time,  it 
was  awarded  a  First  Class  Certificate  b;.  the 
Royal  Horticultural  Society  when  shown  by 
Messrs.  Veitch  on  March  24,  1SS5,  but  it 
does  not  occur  in  the  official  list  of  certifi- 
cated plants.  Soon  after  that  date  it  was 
taken  in  hand  bv  Mr.  John  Heal,  and  has 
since  given  rise  to  many  hybrids. 

As  Messrs.  Veitch  were  so  closely  identified 
with  the  introduction  of  these  different  Rho- 
dodendrons from  the  islands  of  the  Malayan 
Archipelago,  it  was  to  be  expected  that  they 
would  be  first  to  take  advantage  of  them  for 
hybridising  purposes.  The  entire  race  of 
hybrids  now  in  cultivation  may  be  said  to 
have  been  to  a  great  extent  raised  by  this 
firm. 

The  first  hybrid  was  Princess  Royal,  raised 
somewhere  about  60  years  ago,  the  parents 


being  R.  javanicum  and  R.  jasminiflorum. 
This  variety  furnishes  an  illustration  of  the 
pilules  that  come  under  the  notice  of  the 
hybridist,  for,  though  the  parents  have 
orange  and  white  flowers  respectively,  yet  in 
the  progeny  (Princess  Royal)  the  yellow  tint 
is  completely  eliminated,  and  the  flowers  are 
in  colour  deep  pink.  Crossed  again  with  one 
of  its  parents,  the  little  white  R.  jasmini- 
florum, the  variety  Princess  Royal  yielded 
Princess  Alexandra,  an  almost  white  flower. 
Singularly  enough  this  last-mentioned  plant, 
fertilised  with  the  pollen  of  R.  javanicum, 
gave  us  several  varieties  with  flowers  of  some 
shade  of  pink.  This  peculiarity  of  dissociat- 
ing one  colour  from  another  in  these  hybrids 
is   exceedingly  interesting. 

The  different  varieties  now  in  cultivation 
bear  flowers  which  vary  in  colour  from  white 
to  crimson,  through  all  the  intermediate 
shades  of  yellow,  pink,  orange,  and  scarlet. 

I  here  is  also  a  very  limited  number  of 
varieties  in  which  the  flowers  instead  of 
being  single  are  double,  and  to  these  the 
name  of  R.  balsaminajflorum  has  (for  garden 
purposes,  at  least)  been  applied.  There  are 
foul  varieties — album,  aureum,  and  carneum, 
whose  colours  are  indicated  by  their  respec- 
tive names,  and  Rajah,  whose  blossoms  are 
a  kind  of  fawn-yellow  tinged  with  rose. 
These  were  first  distributed  about  20  years 
ago,  and  at  that  time  they  attracted  much 
attention. 

Method  of  Cultivation. 

The  culture  of  these  Rhododendrons  is  not 
at  all  exacting,  provided  a  few  simple  facts 
are  borne  in  mind.  In  the  first  place,  they 
are  often  termed  greenhouse  Rhododendrons  ; 
this  is  apt  to  be  misleading,  for  the  word 
greenhouse  is  used  in  an  indiscriminate  man- 
ner, being  applied  equally  to  a  structure  from 
which  frost  is  only  just  excluded  in  the 
winter,  or  to  a  house  in  which  the  atmos- 
pheric temperature  seldom  falls  below  50°. 
As  might  be  supposed  in  the  case  of 
plants  that  have  originated  from  the 
various  species  which  occur  on  the  islands 
of  South-Eastern  Asia,  this  last-named 
temperature  suits  them  best,  and  under  such 
conditions  they  will  flower  more  or  less 
throughout  the  winter.  In  summer  no  arti- 
ficial heat  will  be  necessary,  but  shading  from 
the  direct  rays  of  the  sun  is  beneficial.  The 
method  generally  followed  for  the  propaga- 
tion of  these  Rhododendrons  is  by  cuttings  of 
the  half-ripened  shoots,  which  make  roots 
without  difficulty.  The  best  time  of  the  vear 
to  carry  out  this  operation  is  in  the  spring 
or  early  summer,  as  the  young  plants  have 
then  ample  time  to  become  established  before 
winter  sets  in.  As  the  plants  grow  at  all 
seasons,  it  will,  at  least  in  some  cases,  be 
necessary  to  take  the  cuttings  when  they  are 
ready — that  is  to  say,  as  soon  as  the  shoots 
of  the  current  season  are  in  a  half-ripened 
state. 

If  the  shoots  do  not  exceed  5  inches  in 
length,  they  form  the  best  cuttings  when 
taken  in  their  entirety,  as  the  somewhat 
swollen  base  just  where  the  new  sh<  1 
starts  from  the  old  wood  is  capable  of 
developing  root  more  readily  than  from 
any  other  part.  In  some  cases  it  may  he 
necessary    to    remove    the    bottom     leaf,    or 


322 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[November  9,  1907. 


even  two  leaves,  for  the  purpose  of  inserting 
the  cutting,  but  none  should  be  taken  off  that 
can  be  retained.  Clean  well-drained  pots,  from 
4  to  5  inches  in  diameter,  should  be  used,  and 
they  should  be  tilled  with  a  mixture  of  peat 
and  silver  sand  in  equal  proportions.  The 
soil  must  be  pressed  down  very  firmly,  and 
the  cutting  inserted  securely  therein.  From 
four  to  six  cuttings  around  the  edge  of  the 
pot  is,  as  a  rule,  a  very  convenient  number. 
When  finished,  a  good  watering,  through  a 
fine  rose  must  be  given  sufficient  to  settle 
evi  rything  in  its  place.  A  close  propagating 
case  in  an  atmosphere  somewhat  warmer 
than  that  in  which  they  have  grown  is  very 
suitable  for  the  cuttings.  If  carefully 
attended  to  in  the  matter  of  shading,  water- 
ing the  cuttings  when  necessary,  and  admit- 
ting a  little  air  occasionally  if  there  is  an 
excess  of  moisture,  rooting  will  take  place  in 
about  a  couple  of  months.  When  rooted,  they 
may  be  potted  singly  into  small  pots,  effective 


selected  for  use  in  potting  must  be  of  a  good 
fibrous  nature,  and  a  liberal  sprinkling  of 
sand  will  be  necessary.  Some  of  the  original 
species  from  whence  these  hybrids  have  origi- 
nated are  frequently  epiphytes  in  a  state  of 
nature,  so  that  their  rooting  powers  are  not 
very  vigorous.  Consequently  over-potting 
must  be  strictly  guarded  against,  while  effec- 
tive drainage  is  very  necessary.  A  selection 
of  varieties  is  not  an  easv  matter,  as  there 
are  so  manv  good  ones,  and  individual  tastes 
vary  considerably. 

The  following  sorts,  however,  can  be 
highly  recommended  : — Aphrodite,  blush 
pink ;  Baroness  Henry  Schrceder,  pale  rose ; 
Brilliant,  scarlet ;  Cloth  of  Gold,  bright 
golden  yellow;  Jnsminiflorum  carminatum, 
carmine;  King  Edward  VII.,  rich  yellow; 
Latona,  cream  yellow;  Little  Beauty,  crim- 
son ;  Luteum  roseum,  a  curious  mixture  of 
pale  yellow  and  rose;  Mrs.  Ileal,  pure  white; 
Ne    Plus    Ultra,    crimson-scarlet;    Neptune, 


FlG.  128. — INFLORESCENCE  OF  CARLUDOVICA  PALMATA  WITH  THE  BARREN  STAMENS  FALLING  AWAY. 


drainage  and  a  compost  made  up  of  two- 
thirds  peat  to  one-third  sand  being  in  this 
stage  very  suitable  for  them.  In  their  younger 
stages,  the  temperature  of  an  intermediate 
house  will  encourage  growth.  A  liberal 
amount  of  atmospheric  moisture  is  very  help- 
ful, hence  in  bright  weather  they  may  with 
advantage  be  syringed  two  or  three  times 
each  day.  Insect  pests  give  but  little  trouble 
to  these  plants,  for,  though  aphides  occasion- 
ally put  in  an  appearance,  they  can  be  easily 
destroyed  by  vaporising.  Thrips  only  thrive 
if  the  atmosphere  is  too  dry,  while  mealy 
bug  may  possibly  make  its  appearance,  but 
can  be  easily  destroyed  by  touching  with  a 
small  brush  dipped  in  methylated  spirit.  This 
of  course  cannot  be  used  where  bug  has  taken 
possession  of  a  structure,  but  where  only  a 
few  individuals  exist  it  is  a  valuable  and  safe 
insecticide. 
As    the    plants    become    larger,    the    peat 


brilliant  scarlet;  President,  buff-yellow, 
tinged  rose;  Ruby,  bright  ruby-red;  Sou- 
venir de  J.  II.  Mangles,  orange,  suffused  with 
pink;  and  Triumphans,  crimson-scarlet.  To 
these  may  be  added  the  double  forms  already 
mentioned. 

As  a  proof  of  the  continuous  flowering 
qualities  of  these  Rhododendrons,  it  may  be 
noted  that  a  few  years  since  Messrs.  Veitch 
made  an  exhibit  of  cut  blooms  at  every  meet- 
ing of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society 
throughout  the  entire  year.      W. 


CARLUDOVICA    PALMATA. 

Carludovica  palmata,  the  inflorescence  of 
which  is  shown  in  fig.  128,  belongs  to  the  small 
but  interesting  order  of  Cyclanthaceas.  It  is 
confined  to  tropical  America,  and  includes 
species  of  varied  habit,  some  forming  upright 
Palm-like  plants,  whilst  others  are  climbers. 
The  order   is   somewhat   isolated,  though   it   ex- 


hibits  certain   affinities   with  Aroids,   and,  to   ^. 
less  extent,  with  the  Palms. 

The   inflorescence   is  borne   at  the  end   of  j 
stalk,   and  is  ensheathed  in    imbricated    spatiK' 
leaves.     Within   these   the    flowers    are    denseh 
aggregated    on    the    spadix,   and    they   are  um-i 
sexual.     Each    female   flower  is   surrounded   b\j 
four  staminate  ones,  and  the  regularity  of  thei: 
distribution  almost  gives  the  effect  of  a  geomet- 
rical  design.      The  female  flowers  each  contaii 
four  long  barren  stamens  or  staminodes,  whicfj 
are  shown  in  the  figure,  and  constitute  the  cuilyl 
mass  lying  in  front  of  the  drooping  spathe. 

Carludovica  palmata  is  a  handsome  plant  oil 
Palm-like  habit,  somewhat  recalling,  perhaps, 
that  of  Livistonia.  The  leaves  are,  however.  1 
divided  here  and  there  down  to  the  base  of  the 
blade.  The  plant  is  of  some  economic  import- 
ance as  the  source  of  the  true  Panama  hats. 
1'he  "  straw "  is  obtained  by  taking  the  leave= 
whilst  still  unexpanded  and  cutting  off  the 
strong  ribs.  Thus  the  remainder  falls  into  thin 
strips  which,  after  further  treatment,  are  then 
used  for  plaiting. 

Carludovica  Drudei  is  another  handsome 
species.  The  plant  and  its  inflorescence  were 
both  figured  in  the  Gardeners'  Chronicle,  vol. : 
viii.   (1877),  figs.  136  and  139. 


FORESTRY. 

SYLVICULTURE  IN  THE  CHILTERN 
HUNDREDS. 

In  this  part  of  Buckinghamshire  there  are,  as 
is  well  known,  extensive  forests  of  Beech  that 
have  succeeded  each  other  for  a  very  long  period 
and  created  an  industry  in  the  making  of  chairs, 
brush  backs,  and  many  other  articles  for  which 
Beech  is  suitable. 

What  I  wish  to  draw  attention  to  here,  how- 
ever, is  the  quality  of  the  timber  from  a  sylvi- 
(ultural  point  of  view.  Nowhere  in  Britain,  I 
believe,  are  there  whole  crops  of  trees  with 
trunks  of  such  fine  shape  and  quality,  and  it 
appears  strange  that  in  the  search  for  forestry 
teaching  areas  the  Beech  forests  of  Bucks  have 
never  been  thought  of.  Not  that  the  cultural 
system  has  been  either  intentional  or  systematic, 
fur  the  woods  are  semi-natural,  as  far  as  the 
Beech  is  concerned,  but  the  trees  are  there,  near 
at  hand,  and  show  in  a  way  that  no  one  can 
misunderstand  the  effects  of  different  degrees  of 
density  on  the  shape  and  quality  of  the  trunks 
of  trees  of  all  kinds.  The  pity  is  that  the  Beech 
scale,  or  bug,  threatens  to  destroy,  sooner  c 
later,  the  Beech  forests. 

It  is  well  known  that  the  Beech  is  an  unman- 
ageable tree  in  a  mixed  wood,  owing  to  its  shade- 
bearing  power  and  wide-spreading,  dominant 
habit  ;  but,  when  crowded  judiciously,  it  not 
only  alters  its  own  habit,  but  that  of  every  other 
species  that  will  grow  with  it. 

I  know  the  Buckinghamshire  woods  well,  but 
it  is  in  the  Beech  woods  where  sylvicultural 
lessons  are  to  be  learned.  The  Beech  crops  are 
probably  the  densest  in  Britain,  and,  conse- 
quently, amongst  the  most  profitable,  not  be- 
cause the  timber  commands  a  big  price,  but 
because,  in  the  best  woods,  there  are  more  sticks 
to  the  acre  than  are  found  elsewhere,  and  that 
the  sticks  are  tall,  straight,  and  clean.  From 
6d.  to  KM.  per  foot  is  got  for  thick  limbs  in 
the  wood,  and  from  Is.  2d.  to  Is.  6d.  for  butts, 
and  when  the  crop  is  regular  and  dense,  thea 
prices  mean  an  annual  rental  exceeding  the 
average  almost  everywhere  else  in  this  country. 
These  Beech  woods  have,  to  a  large  extent, 
grown  up  naturally  and  taken  care  of  them- 
selves. Hence  they  are  more  like  natural  forests 
and  the  timber  is  of  the  right  shape.  It  is  a 
pretty  severe  commentary  on  British  forestry  that 
you  rarely  find  much  timber  of  the  right  shape 
and  length  except  where  the  forests  have  been 
left  to  nature  more  or  less,  like  the  Scots  I-  i r = 
in  some  of  the  few  yet  remaining  fragments  of 
Pine  forests  in  the  Highlands,  and  which  1 
spond  to  the  Beech  woods  of  Buckinghamshire. 

There  are  still  foresters  who  will  sluike  their 
heads  if  you  tell  them  that  almost  any  kind  oi 
timber  tree  can  be  grown  to  its  full  height  ami 
yet  have  a  stem  nearly  as  thick  at  the  top 
the  bottom.  I  have  shown  a  true  portrait,  in 
the  New  Fi>>,-!>  v.  of  an  Oak  about  50  feet  high 
of  this  description,  but  the  model  trees  to  b^ 
seen  in  the  Chiltern  Hundreds,  in  the  neighbour- 
hood of  High  Wycombe,  beat   all  the  exan 


November  9,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


'62?> 


I  have  seen  elsewhere  in  England,  and  they  con- 
sist of  Beech,  Oak,  Ash,  Fir,  Sycamore,  and 
Larch.  The  last  four  are  few  by  comparison 
with  the  Beech,  which  constitutes  the  crop,  but 
they  are  mixed  with  it.  They  have  come  from 
seed  apparently,  and  have  been  pulled  up  by  the 
Beech  in  height  and  growth,  and  are  perhaps 
amongst  the  finest  examples  of  length  of  trunk 
and  uniform  girth  to  be  seen  anywhere — quite 
•  ual  to  anything  I  ever  saw  in  Germany  or 
France.  Both  the  Oak  and  Ash  are  much  ad- 
c'L'ted  to  throwing  out  side  branches  in  a  wood 
wherever  a  ray  of  light  strikes  through,  but  the 
trees  referred  to  range  from  about  50  to  70  feet  in 
height  of  trunk  and  are  cylindrical  and  sound 
■throughout.  For  such  trees  timber  merchants 
will  go  a  long  waj\  and  the  only  causes  which 
are  likely  to  deter  them  from  buying  are  the  dis- 
tance from  a  station  and  the  railway  rate,  whit  h 
fix  the  limit  for  buyer  and  vendor  alike.  Great 
quantities  of  the  best  timber  in  this  country  are 
so  handicapped  in  that  way  that  they  cannot  be 
disposed  of  to  any  advantage.  I  know,  at  the 
present  time,  estates  where  a  quarter  of  a  mil- 
lion or  more  cubic  feet  would  be  sold  right  off, 
and  a  good  sum  invested  in  replanting  and  im- 
provements, if  it  was  not  for  the  cost  of  haulage 
and  delivery,  which  prevents  a  sale. 

But  it  is  the  shape  and  quality  of  the  trees 
under  the  conditions  named  that  are  interesting 
to  the  forester.  In  Sussex  and  Surrey  there  are 
B:eches  in  the  mixed  woods,  where  each  monopo- 
lises space  sufficient  to  hold  a  dozen  properly- 
Brown  trees,  but  they  are  almost  worthless  be- 
cause their  butts  are  so  short  and  tops  so  rough. 

The  great  objection  to  pure  Beech  woods  in 
this  country  is  that  they  do  not  hold  game. 
When  dense  enough  to  produce  clean  timber, 
they  are  naked  underneath.  All  underwood  dis- 
appears, and  they  are  cold  in  winter. 

One  is  not  inclined  to  disparage  scientific 
knowledge  of  forestry,  but  it  is  certainly  nut 
diffi  ult  to  grow  timber  trees  straight,  tall,  and 
cylindrical  in   shape,   in   any   soil   or   situation. 

Given  an  owner  who  knows  what  trees  have 
grown,  and  will  grow,  on  his  estate,  his  forestry 
system  might  be  reduced  to  planting  about  half- 
a-dozen  species,  planting  thickly,  leaving  planta- 
tions unthinned  for  from  20  to  43  years,  accord- 
ing to  the  species,  and  keeping  out  rabbits  for 
the  first  few  years.  In  this  country  I  would  put 
the  last  item  first  in  the  science  and  practice  of 
forestry,  for,  next  to  over-thinning,  it  has  been 
responsible  for  more  failures  than  all  other 
eauses.     /.  Simpson,  Stud  field. 


NOTES     FROM    SUNNYMEAD, 

DUMFRIES. 

Yucca    x    Sanderiana. 

This  handsome  Yucca  came  very  late  into 
flower,  the  first  blooms  not  opening  until  Sep- 
tember, shortly  after  the  severe  frost  that  oc- 
cirred  here  on  September  4.  The  frequent  slight 
frcsts  we  have  had  since  then  have  injured  it 
somewhat,  but  it  is  a  bold  and  handsome 
Yucca,  producing  a  good  spike  of  its  creamy- 
white  flowers,  and  in  an  earlier  season  it  will 
piobably  be  even  finer  than  this  year.  It  is  one 
of  the  numerous  hybrids  raised  by  Mr.  Charles 
Sprenger,  Yomer^  Naples  ;  its  parentage  is  Y. 
fnamentosa  major  x  Y.  gloriosa  glauca  pen- 
dula,  and  I  think  it  is  one  of  the  boldest  in  the 
character  of  its  foliage,  this  being  broad,  long, 
and  ornamental.  I  have  had  it  for  three  or  four 
years,  but  this  is  the  first  time  that  it  has  flow- 
ered. 

COLCHICUM  BORNMUELLERI. 
In  my  collection  of  Colchicums  I  have  none 
s  i  much  admired  as  this  one,  which  is  but 
little  seen  in  gardens.  It  is  one  of  the  largest 
of  all,  and  its  flowers  are  conspicuous  among 
the  majority  of  the  genus  by  the  very  large  white 
ione  and  the  soft  colouring  of  the  whole  flower. 
The  zone  covers  almost  half  of  the  flower,  the 
V"  er  portion  of  the  segments  being  of  a  hue 
•difficult    to    describe,    but    one    might    be    dis- 


posed at  one  time  to  call  it  a  soft  rose-purple 
and  at  another  a  rose-lilac.  It  is  a  free  grower, 
and  from  my  original  corm,  purchased  about  the 
time  of  its  first  introduction  to  commerce,  I  have 
a  nice  clump,  now  giving  upwards  of  30  flowers 
at  once.  Since  September  came  to  a  close  the 
weather  has  been  most  unsettled,  and  the  clump 
has  been  covered  with  a  handlight,  which  has 
preserved  the  blooms  much  longer  in  beauty. 

COLCHICUM    SPECIOSUM    RUBRUM    SPLENDENS. 

I  have  several  forms  of  the  noble  Colchicum 
speciosum,  but  among  these  is  one  which  came 
to  this  district  originally  from  the  garden  of  the 
late  Mr.  John  Wood,  of  Kirkstall,  and  ought  to 
bear  the  above  name,  so  fine  is  its  colouring. 
It  is,  possibly,  not  quite  so  large  as  C.  specio- 
sum maximum,  but  it  is  much  finer  in  its 
colour  than  that  variety,  or  than  C. 
rubrum.  The  flowers  are  an  intense  ruby- 
purple,  and  are  quite  unrivalled  in  their  own 
particular  tone  among  hardy  bulbous  plants. 

Crocus  pvi  chellvs. 
Less  brilliant  in  colouring  than  C.  speciosus, 
the  smaller  C.  pulchellus,  from  the  north-west 
of  Asia,  is  a  very  beautiful  little  autumn-flower- 
ing species,  whose  soft,  pearl-blue  flowers  are 
most  delightful  in  their  delicate  tinting  and  with 
their  neat  pencilling. 

Genista  ma.ntica  (syn.  Corxiola  man  in  \ 
This  is  proving  one  of  the  most  valuable  of 
all  the  Brooms,  as  it  has  been  in  bloom  for 
several  months,  and  its  bright  yellow  (lowers  on 
their  graceful  arching  stems  give  one  much 
satisfaction.  As  yet  it  seems  but  little  culti- 
vated in  the  ordinary  garden,  but  it  is  sure  to 
make  its  way  among  those  who  care  for  good 
and  free-flowering  shrubs  of  moderate  growth. 
One  of  my  plants  in  a  very  exposed  position  was 
severely  cut  last  winter,  but  it  has  quite  re- 
covered  and  has  again  bloomed  well.     S.  Arnott. 


RUBBER  CULTIVATION    IN    THE 
STRAITS    SETTLEMENTS. 

The  attention  that  has  been  given  of  late 
years  to  the  discovery  of  new-  sources  of  Rub- 
ber, and  the  extended  cultivation  of  well-known 
Rubber-yielding  plants  in  almost  every  part  oi 
the  British  Empire  is  an  indication,  if  sni  h 
were  needed,  of  the  vast  importance  of  the 
future  of  the  Rubber  supply  to  the  commerce  of 
the  world.  Though  it  is  scarcely  possible  to 
take  up  any  report  or  bulletin  of  a  tropical  gar- 
den or  botanical  station  without  finding  some 
reference  to  Rubber  plants,  in  the  Straits  Set- 
tlement this  is  specially  evident,  for  in  recent 
issues  of  the  Agricultural  Bulletin  of  the  Straits 
and  Federated  Malay  Slates,  edited  by  Mr.  H. 
N.  Ridley,  the  consideration  of  the  Rubber  ques- 
tion has  occupied  a  very  large  proportion  of  the 
space.  In  the  course  of  a  review  of  some  notes 
on  the  Africin  Rubber  vines,  Mr.  Ridley  refers 
to  the  fact  that  though  the  natives  of  the 
Cameroons  had  been  taught  how  to  collect  the 
Rubber  without  destroying  the  plants,  they  paid 
no  attention  to  the  warning,  and  in  three  years 
all  the  vines  in  the  mountains  had  been  de- 
stroyed. On  the  prospect  of  the  early  extinction 
of  the  plants  by  this  wanton  cutting  down,  Mr. 
Ridley  says  : 

"  Exactly  the  same  thing  would  happen  totheLa~do 
as  has  happened  to  Rattans  in  many  places  m  ar  a  populated 
district.    Tiie  Rattans  being  constantly  cut  before  fruiting 
have  practically  disappc  ared." 

This  reminds  one  of  the  fate  that  befel  the  true 
Gutta-percha  trees  when  their  properties  were 
first  discovered  at  Singapore,  the  trees  being  cut 
down  in  such  large  numbers  that  thev  were 
practically  exterminated  in  five  years.  It  is, 
however,  satisfactory  to  know  that  by  careful 
cultivation  of  the  plant  there  is  every  prob- 
ability of  its  again  becoming  common. 

With  reference  to  the  cultivation  of  Willugh- 
beia  in  Java,  the  opinion  of  M,  Seembruggen,  a 


Dutch  planter,  that  Rubber  trees  can  only  be 
cultivated  by  people  who  can  afford  to  wait 
many  years  while  Rubber  vines  can  be  more 
quickly  grown,  is  met  by  Mr.  Ridley  with  the 
remark  that  "our  experience  in  the  Straits  is 
that  Rubber  vines  are  much  slower  to  give  a 
return  than  Rubber  trees.  Willughbeia  firma  is 
very  slow  in  fruiting.  Bushes  of  it,  which  have 
been  growing  in  the  Botanic  Gardens  at  S 
pore  for  about  20  years,  have  flowered  regularly, 
but  only  once  or  twice  produced  one  or  two 
fruits."  In  summing  up  the  matter,  Mr  Ridley- 
says  : 

"  I  recently  saw  in  Malacca  a  very  small  plantation  on 
extremely  bad  soil  belonging  to  a  Chinaman  who  had,  sonic 
years  ago,  borrowed  enough  money  to  plant  a  few  trees  of 
Para  Rubber  ;  he  planted,  too,  some  Willughbeias.  From 
the  latter,  now  grown  into  fairly  large  clumps,  he  obtained 
nothing,  nor  was  there  any  likelihood  of  his  ever. getting  any 
Rubber  from  them.  From  the  Para  Rubber  he  was  making 
a  good  profit.  It  might  be  possible  to  cultivate 
vines  profitably,  but  at  present  it  seems  very  improbable. 
'1  heir  habit  of  producing  numerous  small  stems  from  which 
it  is  difficult  to  get  any  Rubber  at  all,  and  their  very  slow 
growth  militate  considerably  against  their  ever  playing  an 
"t  part  in  the  production  of  the  woi 
after  the  easily  accessible  forests  in  which  they  occur 
have  been  exploited. " 

Besides  the  productive  character  of  Rubber 
trees  as  compared  with  vines,  the  remarkable 
vitality  of  a  Para  tree  eight  years  old  in  a 
Johore  plantation  is  recorded.  The  tree  in 
question  is  stated  to  have  a  girth  of  12  inches, 
at  3  feet  from  the  base.  It  has  been  tapped  on 
two  sides.  Four  years  ago  it  was  completely 
ringed  4  inches  from  the  base,  and  the  wood 
cut  into  all  round  to  the  depth  of  H  inches. 
With  a  moderate  push  it  would  break  off.  The 
thin  bit  of  wood  which  connects  the  main  trunk 
with  the  base  is  rotten  and  black  in  colour,  and 
there  is  not  a  hair's  breadth  of  bark  between 
them.  Despite  all  this,  the  tree  has  lived  for 
four  years,  its  leaves  are  the  same  colour  and 
size  as  its  neighbours,  it  looks  healthy  and 
yields  latex.  The  last  tapping  of  the  tree  was 
made  in  October,  1906,  and  the  bark  still  yields 
a  good  and  abundant  supply  of  latex.  When  the 
tree  was  cut  all  round,  and  nearly  through,  it 
was  intended  to  have  cut  it  down,  but  for  some 
reason  the  coolie  ceased  his  work  and  the  tree 
was   forgotten.      /.    R.    J . 


ORCHID    NOTES    AND    GLEANINGS. 

i  PIDENDRUM  ERUBESCENS. 
Few  Orchids  have  such  a  bad  reputation  for 
being  unmanageable  as  this  pretty  Mexican 
species.  It  is,  therefore,  a  great  pleasure  to  see 
flowers  of  it  sent  by  Mr.  H.  Haddon  (gr.  to 
J.  J.  Xeale,  Fsq.,  I.ynwood,  Park  Road,  Penarth), 
and  to  record  the  method  of  treatment  which 
brings  such  good  results.  Mr.  Haddon  writes 
as  follows  :— '•  I  grow  my  Epidendrum  erubes- 
cens  on  a  teak  wood  block,  suspending  it  near 
to  one  of  the  ventilators  in  the  roof  of  the  cool- 
intermediate  house,  and  syringing  it  every  day. 
It  is  treated  in  a  similar  manner  to  the  Odonto- 
glossum  Londesboroughianum,  which  thrives 
and  blooms  well  here,  and  of  which  I  gave  par- 
ticulars of  culture  when  I  sent  flowers  last 
year.  The  Epidendrum  erubescens  now  bears  a 
fine  spike  of  14  flowers."  Lindley's  remark  in 
Folia  Orchidacea — "  A  magnificent  plant,  with 
large  panicles  of  delicate  rose-coloured  flowers 
as  large  as  a  shilling"— is  an  excellent,  brief 
descrintion  of  the  species.  The  plant  is  pecu- 
liar in  growth,  having  stout,  woody  rhizomes 
rooting  from  the  under  side,  and  bearing  at  in- 
tervals of  about  6  inches  fusiform  pseudo-bulbs. 
The  flowers,  which  are  circular  in  outline,  have 
the  sepals  and  petals  ovate,  the  petals  nearly 
twice  as  broad  rs  the  sepals.  The  tri-lobed 
li-i  has  the  side  lobes  unusually  developed.  The 
flowers,  which  are  on  pedicels  over  i  inch  in 
length,  are  rose-coloured,  darkest  on  the  front 
lobe  of  the  lip,  which  has  a  yellow  crest  of  three 
elevated  lines. 


THE     GA  RDENER  S     CHE  0  Nl  CL  E. 


[November  9,  1907. 


NURSERY     NOTES. 


THE  CHILWELL  NURSERIES,  LOWDHAM. 
Messrs.  J.  R.  Pearson  &  Sons  removed  to 
Eowdham,  Nottinghamshire,  some  12  years  or  so 
ago  from  the  Chilwell  Nurseries,  near  Notting- 
ham. The  extent  of  the  present  nursery  is 
about  100  acres,  the  greater  part  of  which  is  de- 
voted to  fruit-tree  culture.  The  land  is  undu- 
lating, and  portions  of  it  slope  towards  the 
south  and  north.  The  soil  is  a  somewhat  heavy 
loam  or  keuper  marl,  and  contains  little  or  no 
lime.  Although  the  present  season  cannot  be 
considered  one  of  the  best  for  fruit-tree  growth, 
the  trees  at  the  Chilwell  Nurseries  have  made 
short-jointed  sturdy  shoots.  During  a  recent 
visit  note)  was  made  of  a  large  quarter  of  dwarf 
Apples  growing  on  the  Paradise  stock  and  bear- 
ing heavy  crops  of  fruit ;  these  were  the  "  stock  " 
trees  from  which  all  the  buds  and  grafts  are 
obtained.  Similar  provision  is  made  for  Pears, 
Peaches,  Nectarines,  &c.  The  trees  throughout 
are  remarkable  for  their  cleanliness.  The  crops 
this  season  upon  the  young  trees  were  not  so 
heavy  as  usual.  Some  of  the  ornamental  Crabs, 
however,  were  loaded  with  fruit.  Why  are  not 
more  of  these  effective  trees  cultivated? 

Trained  Trees. 
A  feature  in  the  Chilwell  Nurseries  is  the 
admirable  way  in  which  the  trees  are  trained. 
This  is  apparent  from  the  very  first  start  in 
training  until  the  saleable  tree  is  fit  to  send  out. 
It  is  a  good  sign  when  only  a  few  trees  in  each 
quarter  are  left  over  from  the  previous  year. 
This  was  noticeable  in  many  instances.  Not 
that  trees  are  all  sold  off  at  a  certain  age  by  any 
means,  for  there  are  abundant  examples  of 
finely-developed  specimens  available  for  those 
who  desire  to  gain  time  by  planting  larger  trees. 
It  has  come  under  the  notice  of  the  writer  that 
these  larger  trees  whilst  still  in  the  nursery  are 
at  times  neglected,  so  to  speak  ;  not  so,  however, 
in  this  nursery.  They  stand  as  prominent  ex- 
amples of  skilful  training,  and  recommend 
themselves  by  their  very  appearance.  Messrs. 
Pearson  have  worked  up  a  large  stock  of  hori- 
zontally-trained trees.  Horizontally-trained 
Pears  and  Apples  may  be  seen  more  often,  but 
large  numbers  of  Plums  and  of  Cherries  trained 
in  this  manner  constitute  an  uncommon  feature. 
The  writer  advocated  years  ago  that  Cherries 
should  be  trained  in  this  fashion  rather  than  in 
the  fan  method,  and  when  the  trees  are  better 
known  they  will  assuredly  become  popular. 
Cherry  trees  for  cultivation  against  walls  are 
much  more  valuable  when  trained  horizontally 
than  as  fans.  All  who  have  had  experience  with 
young  trees  know  what  difficulty  there  some- 
times arises  in  regulating  the  flow  of  sap,  and 
the  consequent  equalisation  of  wood  growth  in 
Cherries.  Given  a  well-trained  tree  of  the  hori- 
zontal form,  it  becomes  much  easier  to  manage, 
and  a  wall  can  be  covered  with  greater  certainty 
and  more  expeditiously.  The  same  remarks 
apply  to  Plums  of  any  kind,  where  grown 
against  walls.  For  amateurs  it  is  far  and  away 
the  easiest  system  of  training  that  can  be 
adopted.  Trees  of  Cherries,  Plums,  Apricots, 
Pears,  and  Apples  fit  for  walls  of  8  to  10  feet 
in  height  were  noted  in  large  numbers,  and  in 
the  best  and  choicest  kinds.  It  does  not  follow 
that  no  other  plan  of  training  is  adopted  in  these 
nurseries,  for  there  are  large  numbers  of  fan- 
trained  trees  as  good  as  one  could  wish  to  see. 
Cordons,  too,  with  one,  two,  or  four  stems,  are 
numerous,  the  latter  being  commonly  known  as 
the  Palmette  form.  Those  who  have  had  ex- 
perience in  selecting  trained  trees  in  nurseries 
where  the  old-fashioned  system  of  training  in 
any  and  every  direction  is  practised  know  how 
difficult  it  is  to  inspect  the  stock  when  one  tree 
is  interwoven  with  its  neighbours  by  the  cross- 
ing of  the  branches.  The  difficulty  does  not 
end  here,  but  extends  to  the  lifting,  as  it  has 
also  previously  affected  the  training  itself,  taking 


longer  to  affix  the  stakes  and  to  do  the  tying 
also.  At  I.owdham  this  is  avoided  by  keeping 
all   the   training    straight   with  the   lines   of   the 


during  the  growing  season  and  to  attend  to  alt 
of  their  requirements.  It  may  be  that  not  quite 
so  many  trees  are  grown  upon  a  given  plot  of 


FlG.    129. — TCHIHATCHEWIA    ISATIDEA,    A    HARDY    ROCK-PLANT:     COLOUR    OF    FLOWERS,    ROSE. 


trees  as  they  are  planted,  so  many  sticks  to  every 
tree  throughout,  all  in  order,  and  as  straight  as 
possible.     Thus  it  is  easier  to  inspect  the  trees 


ground,  but  the  convenience  of  working,  and, 
what  is  of  even  greater  importance,  the  circula- 
tion of  air  between  them,  compensates  for  this. 


November  9,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


325 


As  already  stated,  all  the  trees  of  whatever  kind 
are  planted  at  3  feet  apart  between  the  rows,  and 
usually  as  near  as  possible  from  east  to  wes*. 
Another  feature  of  the  nursery  is  that  all  the 
land  is  divided  into  quarter-acre  plots,  which 
are  nearly  square.  Prior  to  planting  the  stocks 
the  land  oftontimes  lays  fallow,  or  nearly  so, 
for  one  season.  By  this  method  a  thorough  sys- 
tem of  deep  cultitation  is  followed,  and  the  land 
is  got  into  good  tilth.  A  persistent  use  of  the 
hoe  is  adopted  after  planting,  resulting  not  only 
in  aerating  the  soil  and  retaining  the  moisture, 
but  also  in  keeping  down  the  weeds. 

Standard  trees  are  evidently  still  in  great  re- 
quest;  in  cne  quarter  were  16,000  crab  stocks 
budded  at  the  base,  the  stem  of  the  standard 
afterwards  being  formed  of  the  scion  itself.  This 
is  a  commendable  plan.  In  another  plot  or  plots 
were  20,000  Paradise  stocks,  as  true  and  even  as 
possible.  Noting  the  immense  number  of  trained 
trees,  the  question  was  asked  as  to  how  many 
there  were  under  training  ;  the  reply  was  given 
that  there  were  nearly  70,000,  and  of  standard 
Apples  now  fit  for  moving  some  16,000  trees. 

Of  bush  fruits  there  are  large  quantities  of 
palmette-trained  Gooseberries.  These  are  grown 
two  to  the  yard,  but  still  at  3  feet  between  the 
rows,  and  the  plants  are  well  furnished  with 
shoots  to  the  base. 


expected  will  prove  valuable.  These  are  raised 
from  cuttings  and  from  seed,  being  budded,  not 
upon  the  lateral  shoots,  as  in  the  case  of  the  Dog 
Rose,  but  upon  the  main  stem  itself.  Thus  the 
growth  of  both  stock  and  scion  will  proceed  to- 
gether.    Vitis. 


*TCHIHATCHEWIA    ISATIDEA, 
BOIS. 

This  species  is  a  very  singular-looking  Cruci- 
fer,  that  at  the  first  sight  might  be  easily  mis- 
taken for  a  member  of  the  Boragineae.  The 
drawing  reproduced  at  fig.  129  was  prepared  by 
Mr.  Worttiington  Smith  from  specimens  ex- 
hibited by  Viscountess  Emlyn,  Frensham  Hall, 
Haslemere,  at  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society's 
meeting  held  on  April  20  last.  The  specimens 
were  some  of  the  finest  that  have  been  seen,  and 
the  Floral  Committee  emphasised  this  fact  by 
awarding  a  Cultural  Commendation.  On  the 
afternoon  of  the  same  day  the  Scientific  Com- 
mittee awarded  the  plant  a  Botanical  Certificate. 

T.  isatidea  was  discovered  by  the  late  Count 
Paul  de  Tchihatchef  in  Asia  Minor,  at  an  eleva- 
tion of  5,000  to  6,000  feet,  on  the  mountains  near 
the  town  of  Krzinhan,  in  the  Pachalik  of  Erze- 
roum,  that  is   at  the  sources  of  the  Euphrates.- 

Sir  Joseph  Hooker,  in  the  Botanical  Magazine, 


FlG.    IjO. — TCHIHATCHEWIA    ISATIDEA    AS    li    FLOWERED    IN    CAMBRIDGE    BOTANIC    GARDEN. 


Upon  enquiry  as  to  the  varieties  of  each  kind 
of  fruit  most  in  request,  Mr.  Pearson  stated  that 
the  following  should  be  noted: — Of  Apples: 
Newton  Wonder,  Lane's  Prince  Albert,  Bis- 
marck, Cox's  Orange  Pippin,  Pott's  Seedling, 
Allington  Pippin,  Bramley's  Seedling,  James 
Grieve,  Warner's  King,  Lord  Grosvenor,  Mr. 
Gladstone,  and  Stirling  Castle.  Of  Pears  :  Beuxre 
Diel,  Beurre  Superfin,  Williams'  Bon  Chretien, 
Doyenne  du  Cornice,  Durondeau,  Glou  Morceau, 
Le  Lectier,  Louise  Bonne  de  Jersey,  Pitmaston 
Duchess,  Souvenir  du  Congres,  and  Thomp- 
son's Marie  Louise.  Plums  :  Czar,  Early  Prolific, 
Early  Transparent  Gage,  Jefferson,  Kirke's 
Monarch,  and  Victoria.  Peaches :  Barrington, 
Dyniond,  Bellegarde,  Royal  George,  Stirling 
Castle,  Waterloo.  Nectarines :  Early  Rivers, 
Humboldt,  Lord  Napier,  Rivers'  Orange,  Vio- 
lette  Hative,  and  Elruge.  Cherries :  Early 
Rivers,  Bigarreau,  Napoleon,  Frogmore  Early 
Bigarreau,  Black  Tartarian,  Bigarreau  Jaboulay, 
and  Morello. 

Roses 
are  cultivated  in  large  numbers,  the  soil  suiting 
them   admirably.      Experiments    are   now   being 
made    with    a    stock    for   stands,     which     it    is 


tab.  7,608,  states  that  the  seed-pod  is  two-celled, 
and  these  are  separated  by  a  membranous  sep- 
tum, one  of  them  containing  a  perfect  seed,  the 
other  an  arrested  ovule.  Boissier,  therefore,  was 
in  error  in  stating  in  the  original  description 
that  the  pod  is  one-celled  and  two-seeded.  The 
genus  differs  from  Peltaria  L.  in  the  two-celled 
ovary. 

The  plant  was  introduced  into  cultivation  by 
Mr.  Max  Leitchlin,  of  Baden-Baden.  In  1890 
it  flowered  in  the  Botanic  Garden  at  Cambridge 
(see  fig.  130| ,  and  in  Mr.  Wilson's  garden  (now 
R.H.S.)  at  Wisley.  In  1896  seeds  were  received 
at  Kew  from  the  Imperial  Botanical  Gardens, 
St.  Petersburg,  and  the  figure  already  alluded 
to  in  the  Botanical  Magazine  was  prepared  from 
specimens  which  flowered  at  Kew  in  May,  1898. 
The  plant  is  a  dwarf-growing  perennial,  6  to  10 
inches  high,  of  tufted  habit,  with  a  stout  top- 
root,  sessile  runcinate  leaves,  covered  with  stiff, 
white  hairs.     The  flowers  are  numerous,  in  close 


*  Tchihaichevna  isatidea. — Boissier,  Flor.  Orient.,  I.,  310; 
Micheli,  in  Revue  Horticole,  August  1,  1895.  p.  851,  figs.  116, 
117  ;  Baillon,  Hist,  des  Plantes,  vol.  III.,  1872,  p.  261 ;  Prantl, 
in  Englcr  u.  Piantl.  Die  Natiirlichen  Pftanzenjannluii,  III.. 
Theil,2  Abtheilung,  p.  206  (1891);  Sir  Joseph  Dalton  Hooker 
in  Botanical  Magazine,  tab.  7,608  (1896). 


terminal  corymbs  4  inches  in  diameter,  each 
bloom  being  about  the  size  of  the  common  Hes. 
peris  (Rocket).  The  flowers  are  rose-red  in 
colour,  and  distinctly  fragrant.  T.  isatidea  i--  a 
very  interesting,  perfectly  hardy  rock-plant,  and 
should  be  cultivated  in  a'position  exposed  to  the 
sunshine.  The  late  Dr.  Maxwell  T.  Masters,  writ- 
ing of  the  species  in  these  pages  on  August  10, 
1890,  gave  the  following  information  in  respect 
to  the  best  way  of  pronouncing  the  generic  name, 
which,  although  obtained  from  the  surname  of  a 
Russian  nobleman,  and,  therefore,  perfectly  un- 
derstood in  that  country,  is,  nevertheless,  almost 
an  impossibility  to  Englishmen.  "  In  order  to 
gain  information  as  to  the  proper  pronunciation 
of  the  Russian  name  we  applied  to  a  Russian 
friend,  from  whose  instructions  we  arrived  at 
'  Tche-hatch-off,'  with  a  strong  stress  on  the 
second  syllable,  as  the  nearest  approach  of 
which  we  are  capable.  The  name  was  Latinised 
for  botanical  purposes  as  '  Tchihatchewia.'  " 


NOTICES    OF     BOOKS. 


Italian   Gardens.* 

For  some  few  years  past  there  would  seem  to- 
be  a  growing  interest  on  the  part  of  English 
readers  in  all  that  concerns  the  art  of  Italian 
gardening.  Several  beautiful  books  have  ap- 
peared on  the  subject  that  appeal  to  the  book- 
lover  bv  virtue  of  the  excellence  that  printer, 
author,  and  illustrator  have  bestowed  upon 
them. 

Italian  Gardens  is  a  handsome  book,  royal  4to 
in  size,  consisting  of  157  pages  of  beautifully- 
printed  text,  set  off  to  great  advantage  by  a 
liberal  width  of  margin.  It  is  illustrated  by  52 
full-paged  plates  in  colour,  after  original  draw- 
ings by  the  author,  and  these  portray  in  a 
variety  of  ways  the  many  interesting  and  pic- 
turesque features  of  some  of  the  most  famous 
Italian  villa  gardens.  Mr.  Elgood's  experience 
of  Italy  dates  back  to  1881,  when  he  paid  his 
first  visit  to  that  country,  and  when  he  com- 
menced the  series  of  drawings  which  he  has 
since  continued  without  a  break  to  the  present 
time. 

The  contents  include,  among  other  things, 
short,  explanatory  chapters  on  the  various  villas 
represented.  In  some  cases  several  views  of  the 
same  place  are  given,  but  from  different  stand- 
points. Among  historic  villas  treated  in  this 
way  we  may  mention  Villa  Borghese,  Villa 
Medici,  Villa  Falconieri,  Villa  Lante,  Boboli 
Gardens,  Villa  Palmieri,  &c.  The  general  plan 
of  the  work  is  divided  into  groups  under  the 
following  headings,  viz.  ;  "  Pompei,"  "  Roman 
Villas,"  "  Villas  at  Frascati  and  Viterbo," 
"Florentine  Villas,"  "Other  Tuscan  Villas," 
"Villas  of  Northern  Italy."  Although  in  each 
chapter  Mr.  Elgood  gives  some  historical  details 
of  the  place  under  consideration,  in  addition  to 
particulars  of  the  gardens,  and  has  been  assisted, 
in  a  measure,  by  reference  to  various  ancient 
authorities,  whose  works  are  referred  to  at  the 
end,  yet  there  is  not  a  general  history  of  the 
garden  art  as  practised  in  Italy.  Particulars  of 
this  kind  are  easily  accessible  to  the  English 
reader  by  reference  to  the  Art  of  Garden  Design 
in  Italy,  by  H.  Inigo  Triggs,  another  handsome 
volume,  issued  by  the  same  publishers  not  long 
ago,  and  noticed  in  these  columns  at  the  time  of 
its  publication. 

Of  the  views  themselves,  a  few  words  may  be 
acceptable  to  those  readers  of  the  Gardeners' 
Chronicle  who  have  enjoyed  the  pleasure  of  a 
visit  to  some  of  the  famous  gardens  of  Italy,  as 
it  was  the  privilege  of  the  writer  of  these  notes 
only  a  few  years  ago.  Early  summer  was  the 
period  chosen  for  the  visit,  when  the  flowers  of 
spring  were  gradually  making  way  for  those  of 

*  Italian  Gardens,  after  drawings  by  George  S.  Elgood,, 
R.I..  with  notes  by  the  artist.  Longmans,  Green  &  Co., 
London. 


326 


THE     GARDENERS'     CH ROM  CLE. 


[November  9,  1E07. 


the  summer,  and  when  the  intense  heat  had  not 
set  in.  So  we  notice  in  some  of  Mr.  Elgood's 
pictures  indications  of  his  presence  there  at  the 
same  interesting  season. 

In  garden  architecture,  exemplified  by  balus- 
trade and  fountains,  we  have  several  examples 
from  the  Villa  Borghese,  the  forecourt,  the 
aviary,  and  the  seahorse  fountain — three  dis- 
tinctive pictures.  The  'Villa  Medici  depicts  a 
quiet  corner,  with  garden  seats  in  stone,  and  a 
few  flowers  at  intervals.  The  Parterre,  Villa 
Colonna,  is  a  very  attractive  garden  view,  with 
pond  and  fountain-flower  beds  in  the  distance, 
and  huge  pots  on  stands,  containing  Lemon 
trees  in  fruit.  Terminal  Statues,  Villa  Piatti,  is 
typically  Italian,  flower  pots  standing  about 
here  and  there.  The  Bay  Walk  at  the  same 
place  is  a  pretty  view,  as  also  is  Villa  Lancel- 
kitti.  Many  of  the  views  can  hardly  be  called 
garden  views  ;  they  are,  of  course,  taken  from 
gardens,  but  are  largely  stone  fountains,  ter- 
races, steps,  and  balustrades,  and  of  this  a  con- 
spicuous example  is  the  great  fountain  at  the 
Villa  Conti.  A  contrast  to  this  is  found  in  the 
Villa  Lante,  a  pretty  flower  garden,  within 
clipped  borders,  that  is  quite  bright  when  com- 
pared with  some  of  the  others.  A  nice  bit  of 
colour,  furnished  by  pots  standing  about  on  the 
ground,  is  found  in  the  picture  of  the  Boboli 
Gardens,  and  again  in  Florence,  from  sthe  Villa 
Palrnieri.  Villa  Reale  di  Castello  is  probably, 
from  an  English  point  of  view,  the  picture  that 
most  nearly  comes  near  the  designation  of  a 
flower  garden.  A  Florentine  Terrace  displays  a 
wealth  of  colour,  supplied  by  plants  in  pots,  that 
is  not  furnished  by  any  of  the  others.  The  Gar- 
den Gate,  Villa  di  Caniparola,  is  also  a  delight- 
ful little  view  of  flower-beds  at  the  foot  of  a 
flight   of  steps  leading  to  a  gateway. 

We  must  conclude  this  notice  with  the  briefest 
mention  of  a  few  remaining  pictures  that  will 
arrest  the  attention  of  the  reader.  In  the  Par- 
terre, Villa  Garzoni,  the  great  stairway  at  the 
same  place ;  Wistaria,  Villa  Cavagnaro ;  the 
Lower  Terrace,  Villa  Imperiali ;  a  Stairway, 
Villa  Arson,  there  is  much  artistic  effect.  The 
book  is  an  interesting,  highly  artistic  addition 
to  the  literature  of  Italian  gardens.  It  forms  a 
companion  volume  to  a  book  illustrated  by  the 
same  artist,  and  which  we  also  noticed  at  the  time 
of  publication,   called  Some  English   Gardens. 


The  Week's  Work. 


THE    ORCHID    HOUSES. 

By  W.  H.  White,  Orchid  Grower  to  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence, 
Bart.,  Burford,  Surrey. 

Sobralias. — These  plants  are  now  developing 
young  growths,  and  they  will  soon  make  many 
large  roots,  which  should  be  afforded  a  sub- 
stantial compost  into  which  they  may  extend. 
If  it  is  necessary  to  re-pot  or  divide  large  speci- 
mens, the  present  is  a  favourable  time  for  doing 
the  work,  as  the  plants  will  soon  become  re- 
established. All  pot-bound  plants  should  be 
afforded  a  liberal  shift,  and  they  may  then  be 
left  for  several  seasons  without  being  again  dis- 
turbed. Fill  the  pots  to  one-third  of  their  depth 
with  clean  crocks,  and  employ  for  the  rooting 
medium  fibrous  loam  and  sandy  peat  in  equal 
parts,  with  a  small  quantity  of  sphagnum-moss 
and  sufficient  small  crocks  to  keep  it  porous. 
In  potting  keep  the  base  of  the  plant  and  the 
surface  of  the  soil  below  the  rim  of  the  pot,  so 
as  to  make  watering  easy,  as  when  in  full  growth 
Sobralias  need  to  be  plentifully  supplied  with 
water.  The  potting  material  should  be  made 
vi  i  firm  about  the  roots.  After  this  operation 
ha-  been  carried  out,  carefully  tie  out  the  young 
grow  ths,  so  that  they  will  be  clear  of  each  other, 
and  that  light  and  air  may  pass  freely  between 
tli  The    centre    stage    in    the    intermediate 

1'  will  afford  a  suitable  position  for  them. 

■  . — In  the  same  house  plants  of  Mil- 
a  vexillaria  are  now  growing  freely  ;  examine 


the  young  growths  several  times  each  week,  and 
when  the  young  leaves  are  found  sticking  to  eai  h 
other,  carefully  separate  them.  It  will  also  be 
noticed  that  at  the  base  of  the  young  growths 
there  is  sometimes  a  yellowish  outer  sheath, 
which  should  be  carefully  slit  in  several  places 
and  pulled  off  in  small  pieces  ;  by  the  removal 
of  this  sheath  the  roots  will  be  the  better  able 
to  penetrate  into  the  soil,  instead  of  pushing  up- 
wards into  the  air.  Sometimes  the  young  leaves 
of  this  plant  turn  black  at  their  points,  which 
is  an  indication  that  it  is  being  subjected  to  too 
much  warmth,  or  that  insufficient  ventilation  is 
provided.  Miltonia  (occasionally  catalogued  as 
Odontoglossum)  Phalasnopsis  has  been  a  rare 
plant  for  some  time  past,  but  fortunately  newly- 
imported  plants  are  now  being  distributed, 
which,  on  being  placed  in  the  growers'  hands, 
should  at  first  be  potted  into  pots  filled  with 
clean  crocks,  affording  them  water  every  day 
until  root  action  commences,  when  they  may  be 
re-potted  in  an  ordinary  Orchid  compost.  After- 
wards suspend  or  e'evate  them  well  up  to  the 
roof  glass  of  the  Cattleya  or  Mexican  house,  and 
keep  them  well  supplied  with  water  at  all  sea- 
sons. 

Odontoglossum  coronarium  is  also  being  im- 
ported at  the  present  time,  and  many  growers 
may  attempt  its  cultivation  for  the  first  time. 
On  receipt  of  the  newly-imported  pieces,  I  have 
generally  found  the  best  plan  is  to  obtain  a 
flat  teak-wood  raft,  which  should  be  thinly 
covered  with  sphagnum-moss.  Firmly  fix  the 
plant  to  this,  either  with  copper  wire  or  stout 
tar  string.  Suspend  the  plant  horizontally  from 
the  roof  of  the  cool  house,  and  lightly  spray  the 
under  side  of  the  raft  with  water  whenever  the 
iikiss  appears  dry.  Avoid  wetting  the  rhizome 
too  much  for  a  few  weeks,  as  the  pseudo-bulbs 
are  liable  to  decay  from  this  cause.  Immediately 
root  action  has  commenced,  the  plant  may  be 
removed  from  the  raft  and  placed  in  a  long, 
narrow  teak-wood  basket,  which  should  be  made 
rather  shallow.  Cover  the  bottom  of  the  basket 
with  large  flat  crocks,  over  which  place  a  layer 
of  smaller  ones  ;  then  make  a  firm  bed  of  the 
compost,  which  should  consist  of  lumpy  peat 
and  sphagnum-moss  in  equal  parts.  Lay  the 
plant  upon  this,  and  fill  up  firmly  to  its  rhizome 
with  about  1  inch  deep  of  freshly-gathered 
sphagnum-moss.  Suspend  the  plant  at  the 
warmest  end  of  the  cool  house  in  a  position  well 
exposed  to  the  light.  Careful  watering  is  neces- 
sary for  a  time  following  this  operation,  but 
when  the  plants  are  growing  and  rooting  freely 
moisture  should  be  plentifully  afforded. 


FRUITS  UNDER  GLASS 

By  Alexander  Kirk,  Gardener  to  J.  Thomson  Paton,  Esq., 
Norwood,  Alloa,  Clackmannanshire. 

The  early  Peach  and  Nectarine  house. — The 
trees,  provided  the  new  wood  is  well  matured, 
should  now  be  pruned,  cleansed,  and  trained. 
Before  the  trees  are  seen  to,  it  is  advisable  to 
thoroughly  cleanse  all  parts  of  the  woodwork 
of  the  house  with  soft  soap  and  hot  water, 
also  to  perform  any  painting  that  may  be  neces- 
sary, and  to  lime-wash  the  walls.  Unfasten 
the  tree  from  the  trellis,  cut  out  all  immature, 
useless  shoots,  and  wash  the  whole  of  the  tree 
thoroughly  with  Gishurst  Compound,  using  1 
ounce  of  the  specific  to  1  gallon  of  water. 
Apply  the  wash  with  a  soft  brush,  which  should 
be  drawn  towards  the  ends  of  the  shoots  to 
avoid  injuring  the  buds.  When  washed,  the  trees 
can  be  fastened  neatly  again  to  the  trellis, 
after  which  the  borders  should  receive  atten- 
tion. Remove  2  or  3  inches  of  the  surface  soil, 
and  apply  a  fresh  dressing  of  rich  loam,  mix- 
ing a  6-inch  potful  of  fine-grade  vine  manure 
to  each  barrow  load  of  the  new  soil.  Next 
apply  a  mulch  of  light  stable  manure,  or,  if 
procurable,  Moss  litter  manure  from  a  stable, 
which  is  the  best  material  for  mulching  gener- 
ally.    Mulch  also  the  outside  border. 

Figs  in  pots  intended  to  produce  an  early 
supply  of  fruits  will  have  shed  their  foliage, 
and  may  be  pruned  at  this  date  .  If  the  growths 
have  been  properly  pinched  throughout  the 
growing  season,  very  little  superfluous  wood  will 
be  present.  Turn  the  plants  out  of  their  pots, 
examine  the  drainage,  and  shift  into  larger  pots 
any  plants  requiring  a  greater  root  run — always 
remembering,  however,  that  the  best  results  are 
obtained  in  small  pots,   provided   the  roots   are 


not  cramped,  arc-  wcl  supplied  with  water  dur- 
ing the  growing  season,  and  are  fed  with  suitable 
maniiriai  stimulants  when  actively  growing  and 
fruiting  Top-cress  any  plants  not  requiring  a 
shift  with  turfy  loam,  and  keep  all  the  plants  as 
cool  as  possible  in  a  cold  pit  or  orchard-house 
until  they  are  required  for  forcing. 

Fig-trees  in  borders  which  have  shed  their 
leaves  should  now  be  unfastened  from  the  trel- 
lis, in  order  that  the  house  may  be  thoroughly 
cleansed,  and  the  necessary  training  be  per- 
formed. Old,  worn-out  branches  should  be  en- 
tirely removed,  and  all  other  necessary  pruning 
be  done.  Wash  the  shoots  thoroughly,  and 
afterwards  dress  them  with  Gishurst  Compound. 
Fig  trees  are  very  liable  to  attacks  of  red  spider. 
They  may,  therefore,  require  to  be  dressed 
twice  with  the  insecticide  ;  but  take  care  that  the 
compound  is  not  sufficiently  strong  to  harm  the 
fruits  of  the  first  crop.  Fasten  the  shoots  again' 
to  the  trellis,  then  remove  2  or  3  inches 
of  the  surface  soil  down. to  the  roots-,  apply  a 
fresh  dressing  of  good  turfy,  loam,  and  mulch 
with  horse  manure.  The  trees  will  then  be  in 
readiness  for  forcing  to  furnish  a  succession  to 
the  pot  Figs. 

Strawberries  in  pots. — No  time  should  be  lost 
in  placing  all  the  plants  for  forcing  under  cover. 
The  best  plan  of  wintering  Strawberries  in  pots 
is  to  plunge  the  pots  to  the  rims  in  coal  ashes 
in  cold  frames.  This  prevents  the  roots  from 
becoming  frozen,  and  saves  the  pots  from  being 
broken  by  the  frost.  Give  the  plants  an  abun- 
dance  of  ventilation   whenever  possible. 


THE  HARDY  FRUIT  GARDEN. 

By  J.  Mavne,  Gardener  to  Lord  Clinton,  Bicton, 
East  Devon. 

Notes  on  planting. — In  the  west  the  month  of 
October  has  been  a  very  wet  one,  6.*9  inches  ot 
rain  having  been  registered  here,  while  in  the 
preceding  month  less  than  f  of  an  inch  fell, 
this  will  prevent  any  planting  being  done  for 
some  little  time,  as  it  is  contrary  to  sound  prac- 
tice to  carry  out  such  work  while  the  ground  is 
in  a  vecy  wet  condition.  Nurserymen  usually 
begin  to  execute  their  orders  early  in  the  present 
month,  and  should  any  trees  arrive  while  plant- 
ing is  impracticable  they  should  be  carefully 
unpacked  and  all  roots  examined,  cutting  away 
any  bruised  portions.  In  some  instances  it  may 
be  necessary  to  shorten  considerably  the  more 
robust  roots,  or  any  that  show  an  inclination 
to  grow  downwards,  after  which  the  trees  should 
be  placed  in  a  slanting  position  against  some 
buildings  and  the  roots  carefully  covered  with 
old  hot-bed  manure  or  leaf-soil.  Of  the  many 
mistakes  made  in  planting  trees,  none  is  greater 
than  that  of  burying  the  roots  too  deeply.  Four 
inches  of  soil  is  amply  sufficient  for  covering 
the  last  tier,  and  as  all  roots  are  inclined  to 
strike  downwards,  it  should  be  the  planter's 
object  to  encourage  them  to  the  surface  by 
applying  an  annual  top-dressing  of  sweet  soil, 
in  preference  to  that  containing  much  manurial 
clement.  It  is  also  advisable  to  have  some  dry 
soil  at  command  (see  Calendar  for  September 
1-i)  ;  this  may  be  much  more  easily  worked 
down  among  the  roots  with  a  gentle  shake  of 
the  tree  than  when  soil  from  the  open  has  to 
be  used.  All  trees*  in  the  open  should  be 
securely  tied  to  a  stout  stake  at  the  time  of 
planting,  using  a  piece  of  old  bag  to  prevent 
the  bark  being  chafed,  while  those  set  out 
against  walls  or  trellises  require  a  tie  here  and 
there  so  that  the  wind  will  not  rock  them  to  and 
fro.  In  taking  out  stations  for  fruit  trees  allow 
ample  space  in  each  so  that  the  root  can  be 
evenly  spread  out,  the  subsoil  broken  up  with 
the  fork,  and  a  few  shovelfuls  of  the  top  spit 
placed  in  the  centre  of  the  pit  for  the  roots  to 
rest  on.  Turf  ought  not  to  be  placed  over  the 
roots,  but  the  surface  soil  kept  in  a  fine  tilth  tor 
two  or  three  years  after  planting,  by  frequent 
h  ?ings  during  the  spring  and  summer  months. 
It  is  a  good  plan  to  apply  a  strawy  mulch  over 
the  surface  of  newly  planted  trees  to  prevent 
the  frost  penetrating  too  deeply  among  the  roots. 
I  do  not  recommend  the  grower  to  prepare  the 
holes  much  in  advance  of  planting,  in  case  of 
heavy  rains,  which  would  sodden  the  ground 
and  hinder  rather  than  accelerate  the  work. 
The  proper  distance  at  which  to  plant  'he 
various  fruit  trees  and  bushes  will  form  the 
subject  of  my  contribution  next  week. 


November  9,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


THE  FLOWER   GARDEN. 

II)'  \.  C.  I'.aktlett,  Gardener  to  Mrs.  Ford,  Pencarrow, 
*  Hi  11  wall. 

Lily  of  the  Valley. — It  is  a  good  plan  to  have 
several  beds  in  which  the  plants  are  of  different 
ages,  so  that  it  only  becomes  necessary  to  lift 
a  part  of  the  stick  at  one  time.  The  crowns 
must  not  be  allowed  to  become  unduly  crowded, 
as  when  this  takes  place  the  quality  of  the 
flower  spikes  soon  deteriorates.  The  lifted 
crowns  should  be  sorted  into  three  sizes,  re- 
serving the  finest  for  use  in  forcing  purposes, 
and  replanting  the  other  grades  in  separate 
beds.  Any  surplus  crowns  of  the  smaller  sizes 
may  with  advantage  be  planted  at  the  margin 
of  the  woods,  or  in  a  cool  part  of  the  shrubbery. 
When  replanting  the  crowns  in  beds,  a  fresh 
position  is  advisable,  but  if  this  cannot  be 
afforded,  the  soil  in  the  old  bed  should  be 
worked  well  and  have  plenty  of  rotten  dung 
mixed  with  it.  In  order  that  the  flowers  may 
be  gathered  conveniently,  the  beds  should  not 
be  made  more  than  5  to  6  feet  in  width,  allow- 
ing a  space  of  about  15  inches  between  the  beds 
fur  a  footway.  In  dealing  with  a  damp,  cold 
situation,  it  is  generally  wise  to  raise  the  beds 
a  few  inches  above  the  level  of  the  alleys.  The 
established  beds  should  be  cleaned  over  and 
afforded  a  top-dressing  ;  for  this  purpose 
nothing  is  better  than  the  cleanings  from  a 
fowl-house. 

Hellebores. — The  remains  of  the  top-dressing 
applied  to  the  Christmas  Roses  last  spring  on 
the  completion  of  the  flowering,  should  now  be 
cleared  away.  Very  lightly  prick  over  th 
face  soil  with  a  hand-fork,  and  make  an  appli- 
cation of  guano  or  Clay's  fertiliser.  As  the 
purity  of  the  flowers  is  often  marred  by  mud 
splashes,  it  will  be  well  to  place  a  spare  frame 
over,  at  least,  a  part  of  the  bed;  this  will  also 
gently  force  the  plants.  Air  should  be  freely 
admitted  by  day,  and  the  lights  withdrawn 
during  fine  weather.  The  Lent  Lily  section  of 
the  genus  Helleborus  may  also  be  similarly 
cleared  now,  but  the  crowns  will  not  need  to  be 
covered  for  a  long  time  to  come. 

Herbaceous  plants. — It  will  generally  be  found 
convenient  to  overhaul  the  mixed  flower  borders 
at  this  season.  The  work  can  only  be  performed 
during  fine  weather,  and  the  border  should  be 
dealt  with  piecemeal,  making  good  each  section 
as  the  work  proceeds.  If  the  deciduous  bulbous 
and  tuberous-rooted  plants  were  labelled  or 
otherwise  marked,  as  was  recently  advised  in 
this  Calendar,  they  will  now  run  no  danger  of 
being  damaged.  Many  of  the  stronger-growing 
subjects,  such  as  the  taller  Heleniums,  Solidagos, 
Pyrethrum  uliginosum,  and  the  perennial  Sun- 
flowers, although  very  beautiful  in  their  seasons, 
soon  assert  themselves  aggressively  and  to  the 
detriment  of  their  less  vigorous,  but  not  less 
desirable,  neighbours,  that  it  becomes  neces- 
sary to  lift  them  almost  every  year,  and  after 
providing  fresh  soil  replant  small  pieces  ob- 
tained from  the  outsides  of  the  clumps.  For 
obvious  reasons,  unless  dealing  with  a  rare  or 
choice  plant,  the  replanting  should  never  be 
done  with  growths  taken  from  the  middle  of  the 
clump.  But  I  must  return  to  this  subject  next 
week.  

PLANTS    UNDER  GLASS. 

By  J.  G.  Weston,  Gardener  to  H.  J.  Kino,  Esq., 
Eastwell  Park,  Kent. 

Chrysanthemums. — The  main  batch  being  now 
in  full  beauty,  every  effort  should  be  made  to 
keep  the  blooms  in  a  good  condition  as  long  as 
possible.  Ventilate  the  houses  with  care, 
watching  the  weather  in  order  to  be  able  to 
guard  against  sudden  heavy  showers,  which 
have  been  very  prevalent  of  late.  Maintain  a 
little  heat  in  the  hot-water  pipes  to  dispel 
moisture ;  a  damp,  stagnant  atmosphere  is 
most  detrimental  to  the  large  blooms,  causing 
them  to  damp-off  arid  become  useless.  Leave 
the  top  ventilators  partially  open  at  night  and 
maintain  a  minimum  atmospheric  temperature 
of  50°.  When  the  heat  of  the  houses  rises  in 
the  morning,  increase  the  amount  of  air  accord- 
ing to  outside  conditions,  and  try  to  secure  an 
equable  temperature  of  55J.  If  the  floor  is  of 
such  a  nature  that  the  water  lies  about  after 
watering  has  been  done,  let  such  water  be  taken 
up  by  means  of  a  mop  and  so  make  all  the 
surfaces  as  dry  as  possible.  Remove  any 
decaying  leaves  as   soon  as  they  are  seen,  and 


make  everything  in  the  house  as  clean  and 
attractive  as  possible.  As  the  early  varieties 
pass  out  of  flower,  throw  out  all  those  plants 
not  required  for  propagating  purposes,  retaining 
only  the  best  for  this  purpose.  Cut  down  these 
selected  plants  and  place  them  in  a  frame  near 
to  the  glass,  that  the  suckers  may  become 
sturdy  and  robust,  remembering  that  strong 
"cuttings"  are  in  every  way  desirable.  Tl  ■ 
latest  varieties  should  be  kept  as  cool  as  is 
possible  without  allowing  frost  to  reach  them, 
but  when  the  buds  begin  to  show  colour  a 
warmer  atmosphere  will  tend  to  the 
development  of  the  blooms. 

Bulbs  for  forcing. — As  the  batches  of  bulbs 
arrive  from  the  nurseries,  no  time  should  be  lost 
in  getting  them  potted  up,  particularly  any  th  it 
are  required  to  flower  early  in  spring,  as  unli 
the  bulbs  have  time  to  make  plenty  of  i 
before  being  introduced  into  heat,  no  amount 
of  forcing  will  bring  about  good  results.  \\  In 
large  conservatories  have  to  be  kept  continually 
furnished  with  a  succession  of  flowering  plants, 
a  good  batch  of  May-flowering  Tulips,  if  potted 
up.  will  be  found  of  much  service-  [\hi 
succeed  in  any  sized  pot,  but  if  really  fine 
specimens  are  wanted,  place  12  to  18  bulbs  in  an 
8-inch  pot.  These  will  make  magnificent  groups 
of  colour,  and  the  considerable  length  of  stem 
make  them  quite  suitable  for  this  purpose. 
These  need  not  be  forced,  but  should  be 
allowed  to  come  on  naturally  outdoors,  taking 
them  inside  before  there  is  any  danger  of  the 
blooms  being  splashed  and  damaged.  Such 
plants  make  a  gorgeous  show,  last  well,  and 
are  very  elegant,  and  graceful  for  decorative 
work.  Bulbs  plunged  in  leaf-soil  or  ashes 
should  be  examined  at  intervals,  taking  out  all 
that  have  started  nicely  and  have  made  good 
ii  is.  l'lace  these  in  a  frame,  and  shade  them 
with  a  mat  for  a  few  days  from  sunshine  till 
the  growth  becomes  green,  after  which  batches 
may  be  placed  in  heat  as  required.  Tulips 
will  succeed  in  greater  heat  than  many  bulbs, 
but  Xarcissus  should  not  be  subjected  to  a  high 
temperature,  or  many  will  go  blind,  and  any 
flowers  they  produce  will  be  flimsy  and  thin. 


THE    KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

By  William  H.  Honess,  Gardener  to  C.  Combe,  Esq., 
Cobham  ParU,  Surrey. 

Cauliflowers. — The  crop  that  is  now  "turning 
in"  should  be  carefully  watched,  in  order  that 
a  leaf  or  two  may  be  laid  over  any  where  the 
flower  is  coming  to  exposure.  This  is  necessary 
to  preserve  the  flower  from  rains  and  frost. 
Severe  frost  would  ruin  any  which  are  nearly 
fit  to  cut,  and  if  there  are  many  approaching 
such  a  condition  it  will  be  well  to  lift  them  and 
plant  them  again  in  a  cold  shed  or  other  shel- 
ter that  is  capable  of  resisting  the  frost.  After 
a  week  or  two  the  later  plants  may  also  be 
lifted  and  laid-in  by  the  heels  in  a  cold  frame, 
and  they  may  then  be  expected  to  afford  a 
supply  of  small  Cauliflowers  until  Christmas 
time  if  the  plants  are  sufficiently  numerous. 

Asparagus. — The  plants  have  ripened  rapidly 
during  the  past  fortnight,  a  point  to  be  desired 
in  gardens  where  considerable  forcing  is  done. 
The  tops  may,  therefore,  be  cut  off  and  a  dress- 
ing applied  to  the  beds.  In  the  earliest  beds 
the  crowns  should  soon  be  in  a  proper  condi- 
tion for  lifting ;  therefore,  all  available  litter 
should  be  collected  and  reserved  for  the  pur- 
pose of  forming  hot-beds.  With  this  litter  it  is 
desirable  to  add  tree  leaves  to  the  extent  of  three 
parts  in  four,  mixing  them  well  together,  and 
placing  the  materials  in  the  situation  ready  I  i 
placing  the  crowns  upon  as  soon  as  the  lifting 
commences.  Crowns  which  are  four  years  old 
are  best  for  the  purpose  of  forcing,  but  from 
old  beds  which  it  is  intended  to  discard  some 
very  good  results  are  often  obtained. 

Hfushrooms. — Continue  to  make  fresh  beds  at 
convenient  intervals,  so  as  to  ensure  a  continuous 
supply.  Whenever  water  is  applied  to  the  beds 
(which  on  no  account  should  be  allowed  to  be- 
come dry),  be  sure  that  water  is  used  which 
has  been  heated  to  the  same  temperature  as  that 
of  the  atmosphere  of  the  house. 

Rhubarb. — Ro.ots  that  were  lifted  and  exposed 
as  was  advised  in  a  previous  Calendar  will  now 
be  ready  to  be  placed  in  the  forcing  quarters, 
and   as   the   first   batch   is   generally   productive 


of  only  very  indifferent  results,  a  second  bati  h 
should  be  put  in  hand  after  a  fortnight  has 
•  ■hijised.  When  a  batch  has  been  introduced 
to  heat,  take  the  necessary  steps  to  lift  a  furthi 
lot  of  roots  and  expose  them  to  the  air  to  pre- 
pare them  for  future  use,  remembering  that 
when  once  Rhubarb  has  been  supplied  to  the 
kitchen  it  will  be  expected  that  the  supply  will 
be  maintained. 

General  remarks. — Owing  to  the  wet  weather, 
it  will  be  found  impracticable  to  work  on  the 
soil  in  most  places;  therefore,  advantage 
should  be  taken  to  push  forward  the  work  that 
has  been  kept  in  reserve  for  such  times,  as,  t,.i 
instance,  tying  and  bunching-up  ot  Oni 
picking  over  l'otato  tubers,  and  properl} 
ing  roots  that  have  been  temporarily  housed, 
&i  .  Drains  may  in  some  cases  be  g< 
blocked,  and  these  should  be  thoroi  , 
amined  and  cleaned.  All  odd  jobs  thai  have 
accumulated  during  fine  weather  should  now 
be  given  attention.  Standing  crops  such  as 
Broccoli,  Brussels  Sprouts,  &c.  (if  it  is  pos- 
sible to  get  about  them),  will  be  greatly  bene- 
fited by  having  all  decayed  leaves  renin  d, 
afterwards  working  the  hoe  between  the  rows. 
The  main  crop,  or  that  part  of  the  winter 
supply  of  l'otatos  that  in  some  cases  has  to 
remain  out-of-doors  during  the  greater  portion 
of  the  winter,  will  need  to  be  covered  and  made 
secure  from  frost.  Although  rough  and  wet 
weather  often  prevents  progress  being  made  with 
the  more  important  operations,  it  affords  the 
opportunity  to  get  these  and  other  matters  put 
into  satisfactory  order. 


PUBLIC  PARKS  AND  GARDENS. 

By  W.    W.  Pettigrew,  Superintendent  of   the    Parks  and 
Open  Spaces  in  the  City  of  Cardiff. 

Chrysanthemum  displays  in  public  parks. — 
Generally  speaking,  there  is  but  little  floral 
beauty  in  public  parks  to  attract  visitors  after 
the  end  of  October  until  February  or  March.  To 
brighten  the  first  portion  of  this  dull  and— to 
the  average  visitor — uninteresting  period  of  the 
year,  it  has  been  customary  for  some  time  past 
in  many  of  the  leading  parks  throughout  the 
country  to  make  an  annual  display  of  Chry- 
santhemums, which,  fortunately,  are  at  their 
best  at  this  season.  Where  such  exhibitions 
have  been  inaugurated  they  have  proved  a 
very  popular  '  institution,  being  patronised  by 
thousands  of  interested  and  appreciative  visi- 
tors every  year.  Were  it  not  for  these  displays, 
many  people  would  not  otherwise  be  indin  <  to 
visit  the  parks  during  the  whole  of  the  win- 
ter. Taking  everything  into  consideration,  the 
trouble  and  expense  necessarily  involved  in  pre- 
paring for  and  maintaining  a  Chrysanthemum 
display  during  the  autumn  is  thoroughly 
well  repaid  by  the  great  amount  of  pleasure  it 
undoubtedly  affords  the  public.  Where  a  parks 
department  is  fortunate  enough  to  pi 
spacious  conservatories,  the  facilities  for  making 
a  successful  and  prolonged  display  are  very  great, 
and  should  be  utilised  to  the  fullest  pessi  ile 
extent.  Needless  to  say,  however,  very  good, 
though  more  restricted,  shows  are  produced — 
which  are  much  appreciated — in  less  pre- 
tentious structures.  It  sometimes  happens  that 
the  structure  set  aside  for  the  Chrysanthemums 
is  too  small  to  permit  of  visitors  entering  it  at 
all,  and  arrangements  have  therefore  to  be 
made  to  enable  them  to  view  the  flowers  from 
the  outside  only.  Even  where  no  suitable  glass- 
house exists,  it  seems  to  me  that,  by  using  a 
good-sized  skeleton  frame,  fitted  up  with  ranvas 
attached  to  rollers,  that  it  would  be  quite  pos- 
sible during  an  average  season  to  make  a  very 
fair  show  with  Chrysanthemums  more  or  less 
in  the  open.  No  doubt,  under  such  circum- 
stances, the  varieties  best  adapted  for  growing 
would  be  early-flowering,  robust  kinds.  An 
amateur's  collection  which  I  once  saw  protected 
in  this  manner  was  well  worth  seeing,  and  gave 
me  the  idea  that  where  a  suitable  position 
could  be  found  for  carrying  it  out  on  an  ex- 
tended scale,  the  results  would,  in  all  proba- 
bility, be  satisfactory.  Both  exhibition  and  de- 
corative plants  should  be  grown  for  the  fore- 
going purpose  (whether  they  be  shown  under 
glass  or  out  in  a  skeleton  framel,  as  a  co  n- 
bination  of  the  two  gives  a  very  pleasing  effect, 
and  enables  the  public  to  see  the  result  ■  i  the 
different  methods  of  cultivation. 


o.o< 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[November  9,   iy(J7. 


EDITORIAL     NOTICE, 


ADVERTISEMENTS  should  be  sent  to  the  PUB- 
LISHER, 41,  Wellington  Street,  Covent  Garden, 
W.C. 

Letters  for  Publication,  as  well  as  specimens  and  plants 
tor  naming,  should  be  addressed  to  the  EDITOR, 
41.  Wellington  Street,  Covent  Garden,  London. 
Communications  should  be  written  on  one  side  only  of 
the  paper,  sent  as  early  in  the  week  as  possible  and  duly 
signed  by  the  writer.  If  desired,  the  signature  will  not  be 
printed,  but  kept  as  a  guarantee  of  good  faith. 

Newspapers.— Correspondents  sending  newspapers  should  be 
careful  to  mark  the  paragraphs  they  wish  the  Editor  to  see. 


APPOINTMENTS  FOR  THE  ENSUING  WEEK. 


MONDAY,  NOVEMBER  11— 

United  Ben.  and  Prov.  Soc.  Com.  meet. 
TUESDAY,  NOVEMBER  12— 

Roy.  Hort.  Soc.  Corns,  meet.     Exeter  Fruit  and  Chrys. 

Exh.  (2  days).     Ulster  Hort.  Soc.  S,h.  at  Belfast  (2  days). 

Altrincham,  Bowdon,  Hale  and  Dist.  Chrys.  Sh.,  Hale 

(2  days).    Devizes  Chrys,  Sh.    Birmingham  and  Midland 

Counties  Chrys.  and  Fruit  Sh.  (3  days). 

WEDNESDAY,  NOVEMBER  13- 

Liverpool  Hort.  Assoc.  Sh.  (2  days).  York  Chrys.  Sh. 
(3  days).  South  Shields  and  Northern  Counties  Chrys. 
Sh.  (2  days).  Bath  Gardeners'  Soc.  Chrys.  Sh.  (2  days). 
Reading  Chrys.  Sh.  Tonbridge  Chrys.  and  Fruit  Sh. 
(2  days).  Brixton  Chrys.  Sb.  Chester  Paxton  Chrys. 
and  Fruit  Sh.  (2  days).  Manchester  Bot.  Gardens 
Chrys.  Sh.  (3  days).     Lancaster  Chrys.  Sh. 

THURSDAY,  NOVEMBER  14— 

Edinburgh  Chrys.  Sh.  (3  days).  Barnsley  Chrys.  Sh. 
(2  days)  (provisional).    Weston-super-Mare  Chrys.  Sh, 

FRIDAY,  NOVEMBER  15— 

Sheffield  Chrys.  Sh.  (2  days).  Bradford  Chrys.  Sh.  (2 
days).  Bolton  Chrys.  Sh.  (2  days).  Derby  Chrys.  Sh. 
(2  days).    Stockport  and  Dist.  Chrys.  Sh.  (2  days). 

SATURDAY,  NOVEMBER  16— 

Burton-on-Trent  Chrys.  Sh.     German  Gard.  Soc.  meet. 


Average     Mean    Temperature    for    the    ensuing    week, 
deduced  from  observations  during  the  last  Fifty  Years 
at  Greenwich— 42'4°. 
Actual  Temperatures: — 

London. —  Wednesday,  November  6  (6  p.m.):  Max.  54°; 
Min.  45". 
Gardeners'  Chronicle  Office,  41,  Wellington  Street, 
Covent  Garden,  London. — Thursday,  November  7 
(10  a.m.):  Bar..  30;  Temp.,  50  ;  Weather— 
Overcast. 
Provinces — Wednesday,  November  6  its  p.m.):  Max.  51°, 
England  S.  ;   Min.  40',  Scotland  X. 


SALES     FOR    THE    ENSUING    WEEK. 

MONDAY  and  WEDNESDAY— 

Sale  of  Dutch  Bulbs,  &c„  at  Stevens'  Rooms,  King 
Street,  Covent  Garden,  W.C. 

MONDAY  to  FRIDAY— 

Dutch  Bulbs,  at  67  &  68,  Cheapside,  E.C.,  by  Protheroe 
&  Morris,  at  10.30. 

TUESDAY— 

Stove  and  Greenhouse  Plants,  Orchids,  &c,  at  The 
Gardens,  Tvlney  Hall,  Rotherwick,  Hants.,  by  Protheroe 
&  Morris,  at  12. 

TUESDAY  and  WEDNESDAY- 

Sale  of  Nursery  Stock  at  the  Brooms  Nursery,  Clifton, 
Brighouse,  Yorks.,  by  order  of  Mr.  L.  Kershaw,  by 
Protheroe  &  Morris,  at  12. 

Yi  1   hNESDAY— 

200.000  Fruit  Trees  and   Bushes,  &c„  at   Perry  Hill, 
Cliffe,  near  Rochester,  by  order  of   Messrs.  Home  ii 
Sons,  by  Protheroe  &  Morris,  at  11.30. 
Dutch  Bulbs,  at  10.     Roses,  Plants,  &c,  in  variety,  at  5, 
at  67  &  68,  Cheapside,  E.C.,  by  Protheroe  &  Morris. 

THURSDAY— 

Japanese  Liliums,  at  2.  Palms,  Roses,  Azaleas,  &c,  at 
5,  at  67  &  68,  Cheapside,  E.C.,  by  Protheroe  &  Morris. 

FRIDAY— 

20,000  Apple  Trees  and  other  Fruits,  Hop  Sets  and 
Ornamental  Shrubs,  at  Ladd's  Court,  Chart  Sutton,  near 
Maidstone,  by  Protheroe  &  Morris,  at  11.30. 


The  German  Society  of  Economic 
Applied  Botanists  was  well  represented 
Botany,     at  the   Botanical   Congress  held 

at  Dresden  during  September. 
A  resolution  was  passed  urging  upon  the 
Government  the  need  of  making  better  provi- 
sion in  many  of  the  technical  colleges  for  the 
various  branches  of  botanical  science.  It  is 
a  pity  that  there  is  not  more  organisation 
amongst  the  botanists  and  zoologists  in  this 
country  who  are  interested  in  the  practical 
applications  of  their  science.  The  general 
public,  and  even  many  of  those  who  should 
be  more  directly  interested  in  the  matter,  do 
not  always  sufficiently  realise  the  benefits  that 
ought  to  accrue  to  the  great  industries  of 
agriculture  and  horticulture  by  the  establish- 
ment of  closer  relations  between  theory  and 


practice.  Nevertheless,  the  movements  that 
have  taken  place  within  recent  years  show  an 
increasing  appreciation  of  the  true  connection 
between  the  biological  sciences  of  botany  and 
zoology  and  the  industrial  pursuit  of  agricul- 
ture in  the  widest  sense.  The  opening  of  the 
laboratory  at  VVisley,  the  recent  foundation 
of  a  chair  of  botany  at  the  University  of 
Leeds,  as  well  as  the  establishment  of  a 
similar  one  which,  it  is  understood,  is  likelv 
to  occur  shortly  in  another  great  industrial 
centre,   are  all  steps  in   the  right  direction. 

A  society  of  Economic  Biologists  was 
formed  in  this  country  not  very  long  ago, 
and  we  hope  to  hear  a  good  deal  more  of  it 
in  the  future.  Comprising  as  it  does  both 
botanists  and  zoologists,  it  ought  to  prove  a 
valuable  means  of  organising  the  somewhat 
isolated  workers  in  this  field  of  research  into 
a  coherent  and  energetic  body  of  investi- 
gators. It  is  most  important  for  the  welfare 
of  economic  biology  that  the  two  main  divi- 
sions of  botany  and  zoology  should  remain 
in  close  touch  with  each  other,  although  of 
course  the  individual  workers  must  naturally 
be  compelled  to  specialise  in  different  direc- 
tions corresponding  broadly  with  the  distinc- 
tions between  the  animal  and  vegetable 
kingdoms.  But  so  many  qf  the  problems, 
whether  connected  with  disease,  with  breed- 
ing, or  what  not,  are  really  border-line  prob- 
lems, that  co-operation,  as  above  indicated, 
becomes  absolutely  indispensable. 

Furthermore,  the  newer  branch  of  chemis- 
try, which  goes  by  the  name  of  bio-chemistry 
because  it  has  to  deal  especially  with  the 
processes  that  are  characteristic  of  living 
matter,  should  likewise  be  pressed  into  the 
service 

Such  a  combination,  if  properly  organised, 
will  not  only  help  to  bridge  over  the  gulf 
that  still  separates  the  work  of  the  laboratory 
too  widely  from  that  of  the  field,  but  in 
achieving  this  it  will  not  fail  to  render  im- 
mense service  to  the  country  at  large. 


The  present  week  witnesses 
Chrysan-  the  high-water  mark  of  the 
themums.  Chrysanthemum  season,  and  ex- 
hibitions of  the  flower  are  being 
held  in  most  of  the  populated  centres  through- 
out the  country.  There  are  some  instances  in 
which  the  shows  of  former  years  have  been 
abandoned  owing  to  the  lack  of  sufficient 
public  support,  but  they  are  comparatively 
few,  and  they  scarcely  affect  the  overwhelm- 
ing pressure  upon  our  columns  which  has 
been  general  at  this  season  for  many  years 
past.  At  the  same  time,  it  is  alleged  in  sup- 
port of  the  contention  that  show  Chrysan- 
themums are  less  popular  than  formerly,  that 
at  the  principal  exhibitions  there  is  noticed 
a  falling-off  in  the  degree  of  enthusiasm 
evinced  by  gardeners  and  their  employers  in 
the  novelties  displayed,  and  that  the  attend- 
ances are  apt  to  be  less  numerous  than  was 
the  case  ten  years  ago.  Some  of  our  correspon- 
dents are  disposed  to  attribute  these  circum- 
stances to  the  fact  that  it  is  becoming  a  com- 
mon practice  to  display  the  flowers  in  vases 
or  jars  instead  of  on  boards  as  heretofore. 
They  allege  that  the  use  of  vases  inflicts 
upon  the  exhibitor  an  increased  amount  of 
trouble  and  expense  which  he  is  unable  or  un- 
willing to  bear;  that  it  is  tending  to  decrease 
the  number  of  varieties  exhibited,  and,  there- 
fore,    cultivators     are     the     less     eacfer     to 


purchase  the  novelties  the  raisers  have  to  offer 
them  each  season.  Having  discussed  these 
questions  on  a  recent  occasion,  it  is  not  our 
present  purpose  to  dwell  upon  them  at  any 
great  length,  but  there  are  several  points 
which  ought  to  be  borne  in  mind  by  exhibi- 
tors and  exhibition  committees  alike.  In  the 
first  place,  it  may  be  assumed  that  exhibi- 
tions are  not  held  exclusively  for  specialists, 
but  inasmuch  as  the  prize  money  is  usually 
furnished  by  the  payment  of  the  public  for 
admission  to  the  show,  some  effort,  at  least, 
should  be  made  to  provide  the  best  decorative 
effects  obtainable,  and  further  to  ensure  that 
the  exhibits  will  be  capable  of  affording  the 
visitor  such  information  and  object-lessons  as 
will  be  calculated  to  repay  him  for  his  patron- 
age. Those  who  had  the  privilege  of  witness- 
ing the  imposing  display  arranged  by  Mr. 
Davis  at  the  last  meeting  of  the  Royal 
Horticultural  Society  are  not  likely  to  have 
any  further  doubt  as  to  the  best  method  of 
staging  the  Japanese  blooms.  Such  an  effect 
as  was  afforded  by  that  exhibit  could  never 
have  been  obtained  from  flowers  arranged  on 
boards,  and  we  do  not  remember  an  instance 
in  which  Chrysanthemums  shown  exclusively 
by  the  latter  method  at  these  meetings  have 
been  judged  to  be  worth  the  highest  award 
of  a  Gold  Medal !  In  respect  to  the  number 
of  varieties,  would  it  not  be  possible  for  the 
Committee  of  the  National  Chrysanthemum 
Society  to  institute  a  class  for  sixty  blooms  to 
be  shown  in  twenty  vases,  each  vase  to  con- 
tain three  blooms  of  a  distinct  variety?  This 
would  take  the  place  of  the  older  class  for 
sixty  blooms  in  twelve  varieties.  In  order  to 
obtain  the  necessary  money  to  offer  prizes  of 
greater  value  to  compensate  for  the  additional 
expense  incurred  in  the  transit  of  blooms 
with  long  stems  attached  to  them,  it  might 
be  necessary  to  reduce  the  number  of  classes. 
Such  a  reform  would  enable  the  societies  to 
meet  this  case,  and,  in  addition,  to  make  the 
fewer  classes  cover  a  greater  number  of 
varieties.  If  it  is  found  that,  after  all,  it  is 
needful  to  have  boards  for  the  gratification 
of  the  specialists  who,  it  must  be  remem- 
bered, have  every  right  to  be  considered 
equally  with  the  public,  then  keep  them  by 
all  means,  but  let  them  remain  a  subordinate 
feature  of  the  exhibitions. 

But  to  turn  from  this  aspect  of  the  ques- 
tion, it  is  by  no  means  established  that  the 
decline  in  the  interest  evinced  for  exhibition 
blooms  is  caused  by  any  such  circumstance. 
There  are  other  factors  that  have  an  effect 
of  no  inconsiderable  weight.  During  recent 
years  the  race  of  early-flowering  Chrysanthe- 
mums has  been  improved  by  the  raising  of 
numerous  varieties  of  greater  merit,  and  cap- 
able of  producing  flowers  of  larger  size. 
These  flowers  have  been  abundant  in  gar- 
dens and  in  the  public  markets  for  two 
months  past,  and  it  is  not  surprising  if  this 
fact  has  a  prejudicial  effect  upon  public  ap- 
preciation for  the  still  larger  flowers  when 
displayed  at  the  November  exhibitions.  There 
is  a  charm  in  novelty  that  appeals  to  most 
people,  and  if  Chrysanthemum  blooms  were 
unfortunately  unattainable  until  the  season  is 
ripe  for  the  exhibitions,  such  deprivation 
might  be  expected  to  greatly  stimulate  public 
enthusiasm. 

Another  circumstance  has  even  a  greater 
importance  in  its  bearing  on  this  question, 
namely,  that  of  the  decree  of  merit  possessed 


Supplement  to  the  "Gardeners'  Chronicle.' 


Specimen   Fuchsias,  cultivated  at  Kelsey  Park  Gardens,   Beckenham. 
Height  of  centre  plant,   io  feet  4  inches. 


Temple  Press  Ltd.,  Printers,  7-15,  Rosebery  Avenue,  London,  E.C. 


November  9,  1E07.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


329 


by  new  varieties.  The  development  of  the 
exhibition  Chrysanthemum  is  a  page  in  the 
book  of  modern  gardening,  and  most  culti- 
5  have  watched  the  process  in  more  or 
less  degree  for  themselves.  It  is  not  many 
\t.ii  s  ago  since  the  advances  made  by  the 
Urn  ists  each  season  in  the  particular  direction 
thought  to  be  most  desirable  were  by  leaps 
and  bounds.  Professional  cultivators  and 
amateurs  alike  were  in  the  habit  of  visiting 
tin  shows  in  the  old  inconvenient  Aquarium 
at  Westminster  to  see  some  startling  novel- 
ties, and  they  were  seldom  disappointed.  The 
novelties  they  saw  there  were  of  much  greater 
size,  or  they  possessed  colours  and  forms  that 
were  quite  different  to  those  they  themselves 
could  exhibit ;  therefore,  purchases  were  freely 
made,  and  the  greatest  enthusiasm  prevailed. 
It  was  not  to  be  expected  that  the  process 
could  be  continued  indefinitely,  and,  as  a 
matter  of  fact,  we  know  that  it  has  now  be- 
come a  matter  of  the  greatest  difficulty  for 
the  florists  to  breed  varieties  that  are  greatly 
superior  to  existing  sorts  in  the  qualities  of 
size  or  colour.  There  is  reason  for  believing, 
however,  that  in  the  shades  of  colour  further 
advances  may  be  made  even  if  the  steps  lead- 
ing thereto  are  short  and  intermittent.  Our 
plant-breeders  should  recognise  that  in  seek- 
ing to  obtain  greater  refinement  of  bloom 
and  floret,  in  the  raising  of  single-flowered 
types  of  better  quality,  in  giving  renewed 
attention  to  all  the  sections  of  the  Chrysan- 
themum instead  of  exhausting  their  efforts 
upon  the  Japanese  varieties  alone,  they  would 
be  working  for  results  that  are  reasonably 
possible  and  most  desirable.  The  craving  lm 
mere  size  has  been  satisfied  perhaps  as  fully 
as  it  is  possible  to  satisfy  it. 

We  are  not  likely  ever  to  see  Japanese 
Chrysanthemums  of  much  greater  size  than 
the  variety  Madame  Carnot  as  it  was  shown 
half-a-dozen  years  or  more  ago!  That  it  is 
deemed  to  be  impossible  to  grow  such  flowers 
of  Madame  Carnot  at  the  present  time  is  a 
circumstance  tending  to  illustrate  what  an 
exceedingly  unnatural  product  the  exhibition 
Chrysanthemum  really  is  !  No  -such  thing 
as  our  modern  Chrysanthemum  was  ever 
discovered  in  nature  or  herbaria.  Similar 
results  to  those  obtained  in  this  country  have 
doubtless  been  reached  by  the  Japanese  many 
years  previously;  but  with  them  as  with  us 
they  have  been  gained  bv  methods  of 
cultivation,  not  merely  by  ordinary  culti- 
vation, but  by  disbudding,  selection,  and 
other  similarly  restrictive  processes.  So  un- 
natural is  the  product  that,  as  a  rule,  a 
modern  variety  can  only  be  expected  to 
remain  useful  for  exhibition  purposes  for  a 
period  of  about  six  years.  One  of  our  fore- 
most raisers  informed  us  quite  recently  that 
this  was  the  case.  A  variety  is  usually  two 
years  old  from  the  seed  before  it  becomes  com- 
monly seen  in  the  exhibition  stands,  and  after 
about  four  or  six  further  years  a  Japanese 
variety  may  be  expected  fo  lose  its  value  as 
an  exhibition  flower.  This  is  not  due  to  the 
raising  of  larger-flowered  varieties,  but  the 
growers  allege  that  the  plant,  having  its  con- 
stitution impaired  by  high  cultivation,  it  is 
no  longer  possible  to  force  from  it  such  fine 
flowers  as  it  previously  afforded.  The  cor- 
rect explanation  is  probably  this:  that  in 
order  to  get  the  extreme  size  considered  to 
be  necessary  in  exhibition  blooms,  the  culti- 


vator has  to  resort  to  every  device  possible, 
and  among  these  may  be  counted  the  practice 
of  employing  plants  which  possess  the  in- 
creased vigour  usually  gained  after  sexual 
propagation.  The  extraordinary  vigour  of  a 
new  variety  is  merely  the  fleeting  vigour  of 
a  young  seedling,  which  may  be  expected 
to  become  less  in  degree  as  the  variety 
settles  down  into  its  normal  condition,  that 
is,  the  condition  that  it  is  capable  of  main- 
taining for  the  longest  period.  This  normal 
condition  is  what  the  grower  terms  enfeebled 
constitution,  an  error  that  arises  from  the 
fact  that  he  compares  the  average  capabilities 
of  the  variety  with  those  it  possessed  during 
its  babyhood.  Thus  it  is  necessary  to  con- 
tinue to  raise  new  seedlings,  and  the  new 
"  Mrs.  Norman  Davies  "  or  "  F.  W.  Lever  " 
therefore  succeeds  Madame  Carnot,  not 
necessarily  because  the  flowers  are  larger, 
whiter,  or  of  better  form,  but  because 
Madame  Carnot  at  its  best  is  no  longer 
possible.  The  history  of  the  variety  Edwin 
Molyneux  would  appear  to  provide  an  ex- 
ception to  this  rule,  but  in  this  case  it  will 
be  remembered  that  the  variety  continued  in 
the  exhibitions  after  the  greatest  size  was 
unattainable,  merely  because  no  novelties 
were  forthcoming  that  possessed  the  same 
colour. 

It  is  satisfactory  to  know  that  whatever  its 
prospects  may  be  asl  an  exhibition  flower,  the 
Chrysanthemum  is  never  likely  to  lose  favour 
in  gardens.  Its  cultivation  is  inexpensive;  it 
flowers  freely  and  at  a  season  when  other 
flowers  are  scarce,  therefore  it  will  probably 
remain  indefinitely  a  popular  plant,  although 
at  one  period  this,  and  at  another  that,  sec- 
tion will  receive  the  greater  attention  and 
appreciation. 

The  season  of  1907  has  not  been 

The  favourable    to   exhibition    Chry- 

Present 
Season,     santnemums.        I  he     sun      has 

been  so  often  obscured,  and 
the  atmosphere  damp,  that  Chrysanthe- 
mums have  been  induced  to  make  soli  shouts, 
which  have  failed  to  mature  and  harden  so 
perfectly  as  they  should.  This  being  the  case, 
the  best  blooms  this  year  should  be  seen  at 
the  later  shows,  and  they  are  likely  to  be 
the  produce  of  second  crown  or  terminal 
buds.  On  the  proper  selection  or  "  taking," 
as  the  term  is  generally  used,  of  the  buds 
for  flowering  depends  to  a  large  extent 
the  success  of  the  cultivator.  As  a  rule,  the 
grower  knows  that  large  size  is  more  easil) 
obtained  from  crown  buds,  especially  first 
crown  buds,  and  greater  refinement  and  de- 
velopment of  colour  from  terminal  buds.  Cer- 
tain varieties  are  generally  too  small  in  size 
if  allowed  to  go  to  the  terminal  bud,  and 
others  are  much  too  coarse  when  grown  from 
the  crown  bud.  It  will  be  seen  that  the  less 
natural  and  restrictive  the  treatment  applied, 
the  less  refinement  and  quality  is  to  be  ex- 
pected in  the  flowers.  If  the  plant  were  left 
to  itself,  the  first  crown  bud  would  seldom  or 
never  develop  ;  it  merely  serves  to  put  a  check 
to  growth,  and  by  this  means  cause  lateral 
growths  to  form  below,  and  these  bv  their 
vigour  eventually  starve  the  central  bud, 
which  accordingly  perishes.  The  terminal 
bud,  on  the  contrary,  would  develop  into  a 
fkwer  in  any  case,  though  in  size  it  would 
not  be  comparable    with    those    which    are 


obtained  after  the  severest  disbudding  has 
been  practised.  It  is  these  circumstances 
that  induce  cultivators,  in  a  season  like  the 
present,  to  select  terminal'  buds  in  all  cases 
where  the  varieties  may  be  safely  treated  in 
such  a  manner. 

Since  the  Chrysanthemums  have  been 
housed,  there  have  been  many  complaints  of 
damping  of  the  florets,  a  condition  due  in 
the  first  place  to  high  cultivation,  attended 
with  an  excessive  use  of  stimulating  manures, 
often  persisted  in  longer  than  is  necessary, 
and  in  the  second  place  to  damp  climatic  con- 
ditions and  absence  of  sunshine.  In  the  Face 
of  all  difficulties,  however,  the  National 
Chrysanthemum  Society  were  aide  to  make 
a  good  exhibition  at  the  Crystal  Palace,  as 
will  be  seen  from  our  report  on  another  page. 


Our  Supplementary  Illustration  to  the 

present  issue  will  serve  to  remind  the  reader 
of  the  type  of  Fuchsias  that  was  common  a 
quarter  of  a  century  or  more  ago,  when  speci- 
men plant-culture  was  encouraged  at  the  horti- 
cultural exhibitions.  Irrespective  of  all  that 
might  be  said  for  and  against  the  old  type  of 
specimen-plant,  it  does  seem  a  pity  that  most  of 
us  are  so  prone  to  follow  in  the  beaten  track, 
that  the  prevailing  fashion  in  -flower  gardening, 
plant-culture,  or  any  other  form  of  gardening  ap- 
pears to  appeal  to  us  with  irresistible  force  Gar- 
deners, like  most  other  men,  are  insufficiently 
original  in  their  practices ;  therefore,  as  the 
pendulum  swings  to  and  fro,  this  or  that  fashion 
is  generally  followed,  and  the  exceptions  to  the 
general  rule  are  too  small  in  number  to  afford 
that  greater  interest  that  variety  and  novelty  alone 
can  impart.  The  plants  shown  in  the  illustration 
are  certainly  attractive  objects,  and  they  obtained 
the  first  prize  in  a  class  for  Fuchsias  at  the 
Beckenham  horticultural  exhibition  last  summer. 
The  centre  plant  was  10  feet  4  inches  in  height, 
yet  was  only  two  years  old  from  the  cutting. 
Mr.  Mark  Webster,  gardener  to  E.  J.  Preston, 
Esq.,  at  Kelsey  Park,  Beckenham,  describes  his 
method  of  cultivation  in  the  following  letter  : — 
"  Fuchsias  appear  to  us  indispensable  for  the 
decoration  of  the  conservatory  and  flower-gar- 
dens during  summer.  In  August  strong  cut- 
tings are  taken  from  stools  which  have  been 
cut  down  and  planted  out  for  that  purpose. 
Three  cuttings  are  inserted  round  the  sides  of 
a  3-inch  pot  containing  sandy  soil.  They  are 
kept  in  a  somewhat  close  atmosphere,  and  roots 
soon  form  at  the  base  of  the  cuttings.  Before 
the  roots  become  matted  together,  the  plants  are 
potted  separately  into  pots  3J  inches  in  dia- 
meter, which  are  afterwards  placed  on  a  shelf 
near  to  the  glass  in  an  intermediate  house, 
where  the  plants  quickly  establish  themselves  in 
the  fresh  soil.  By  the  month  of  October  they 
are  ready  for  re-potting  into  5-inch  pots.  The 
plants  are  encouraged  to  make  slow,  strong 
growth  during  the  winter  months,  and  in  Febru- 
ary they  are  ready  for  a  shift  into  7-inch  pots. 
The  soil  used  at  this  potting  consists  of  loam, 
leaf-mould,  and  road  grit,  but  is  enriched  by 
some  manure  from  a  spent  hotbed.  The  plants 
are  next  transferred  to  a  vinery  which  has  just 
been  started.  When  they  have  filled  these  pots 
with  roots,  a  selection  is  made  ;  those  intended 
for  potting  on  are  again  shifted  into  9^-inch  pots, 
adding  some  finely-sifted  cow  manure  to  a  simi- 
lar compost  to  that  used  on  the  previous  occa- 
sion. The  plants  are  arranged  in  a  light  posi- 
tion in  a  Peach-house  in  which  the  trees  have 
just  bloomed.  They  grow  rapidly  under  the 
treatment  accorded  the  Peach  trees,  and  quickly 
develop  into  shapely,  pyramidal  plants  by 
timely  pinching  and  stopping.  The  plants  which 
were  allowed  to  bloom  in  the  7-inc{  pots 
having  become  exhausted,   a  selection  of  stools 


330 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[November  9,  1907. 


for  producing  cuttings  is  made  and  planted  out- 
side in  a  cool  situation.  About  July  the  plants 
in  the  9i-inch  pots  also  begin  to  show  signs  of 
exhaustion.  Another  selection  has  to  be  made 
before  the  plants  are  stood  outside.  A  limited 
number  are  cut  hard  back  to  be  grown  on  as 
pyramids,  while  the  others  are  trimmed  up 
as  standards.  Watering  and  an  occasional 
stopping  is  all  the  attention  they  require  until 
the  fear  of  frost  renders  shelter  necessary.  While 
resting,  the  standards  are  stored  in  the  space 
required  by  the  pots,  and  next  season  they  are 
planted  out  in"  the  flower  garden.  The  pyramids 
are  shifted  on  into  14-inch  pots  in  the  month 
of  March,  when  growth  and  roots  have  become 
active.  A  very  rich  compost  is  used  for  this 
potting,  but  it  is  kept  very  porous  by  a  free  use 
of  coarse  grit.  A  very  strong  cane  in  the  centre 
of  the  plant  is  required  for  supporting  the 
growths.  For  the  rest  it  consists  in  careful 
watering,  syringing,  ventilation,  shading,  and 
stopping  of  the  shoots  to  within  six  weeks  of  the 
time  they  are  required  to  commence  flowering. 
In  such  a  manner  plants  are  grown  which 
measure  10  feet  in  height.  It  is  unnecessary  to 
keep  the  plants  after  the  second  season." 

Botanical  Magazine.  —  In  the  issue  for 
November  (No.  1,449)  the  following  species  are 
described  and  illustrated:  — 

Arctotis  decurrens  (Jacq.),  tab.  8,162. — A 
beautiful  figure  is  given  of  this  species,  a  plant 
which  was  obtained  from  Mr.  W.  E.  Gumble- 
TON.  The  species  was  originally  introduced  into 
this  country  from  the  Cape  in  1794,  and  was  in 
cultivation  at  Kew  in  1813.  The  plant  seems 
not  to  mature  seeds  in  this  country,  but  can  be 
propagated  by  means  of  cuttings  which  grow 
vigorously,  reaching  a  height  of  4  to  6  feet  in 
about  two  years.  They  thrive  in  a  loamy  soil, 
and,  except  during  the  winter,  require  plenty  of 
water. 

Rhododendron  intricatum  (Franch.),  tab. 
8,163. — This  species,  belonging  to  the  Osman- 
thus  section,  is  figuied  from  a  plant  supplied 
by  Messrs.  Jas.  Veitch  &  Sons.  The  plant  was 
awarded  a  First-class  Certificate,  under  the 
name  of  R.  nigro-punctatum,  Franch.,  at  a 
meeting  of  the  Horticultural  Society  on  April  2 
of  this  year,  but  comparison  with  type  specimens 
show  that  the  plant  was  then  not  correctly 
named.  The  plant  is  said  to  be  hardier  than, 
the  dwarf  Indian  forms,  and  it  will  form  a 
suitable  addition  to  the  Alpine  garden  or 
Ericetum.  The  plant  has  teen  figured  in  the 
Gardeners'  Chronicle,  April  27,  1907,  f.  111. 

Ccelogyne  Lawrenceaxa  (Rolfc),  tab.  8,164. 
— This  is  a  fine  species  from  Annam,  introduced 
into  cultivation  by  Messrs.  Sander  &  Sons.  A 
specimen  which  flowered  in  the  collection  of  Sir 
Trevor  Lawrence,  Bart.,  received  an  Award  of 
Merit  at  a  meeting  of  the  Horticultural  Society 
in  1905.  It  may  be  compared  to  Coelogyne 
speciosa,  Lindl.,  from  which,  however,  it  shows 
differences  in  the  mode  of  origin  of  the  in- 
florescence, as  well  as  in  the  details  of  the  lip 
and  keel. 

Shortia  uniflora  [Maxim.),  tab.  8,166. — 
This  is  a  beautiful  plant,  differing  from  the 
better  known  S.  galacifolia  in  its  creeping  habit 
and  its  larger  rose-coloured  flowers.  The  Kew 
examples  were  obtained  from  Yokohama,  and 
flowered  freely  last  April  in  an  unheated  frame. 
The  plant  is  hardy  and  likes  a  moist,  peaty 
soil  and  an  open  position.  The  leaves,  like 
those  of  the  other  species,  assume  a  rich  crimson 
colour  in  autumn  and  winter. 

Horticultural  Club.  —  The  next  house 
dinner  of  the  club  will  take  place  on  Tuesday, 
November  12,  when  Mr.  George  Gordon, 
V.M.H.,  will  deliver  a  lecture  on  "  Gardens  of 
Roses,"  to  be  illustrated  with  lantern  slides. 


Mr.  George  Schneider.— We  have  received 
the  following  interesting  communication: — "A 
few  English  friends  of  Mr.  George  Schneider, 
president  of  the  French  Horticultural  Society 
of  London,  are  desirous  of  celebrating  his  recent 
promotion  to  the  rank  of  Cfficier  du  Merite 
Agricole.  A  dinner  has  therefore  been  arranged 
to  take  place  at  the  Cafe  Royal,  Regent  Street, 
W.,  on  Saturday,  November  16  next,  at  7.15 
p.m.,  when  a  presentation  will  be  made  to  Mr. 
Schneider.  You  are  cordially  invited  to  attend. 
The  price  for  the  dinner  will  be  6s.  per  head, 
and,  for  the  purpose  of  the  presentation,  sub- 
scriptions not  exceeding  5s.  are  solicited. 
Replies  should  be  addressed  to  Mr.  W.  Hiehle, 
Flower  Market,  Covent  Garden,  W.C.,  not  later 
than  November  12.— C.  Harman  Payne, 
Foreign  Secretary,  National  Chrysanthemum 
Society."  We  are  sure  Mr.  Schneider  has 
thoroughly  deserved  the  congratulations  that  are 
to  be  offered  to  him  under  such  felicitous 
circumstances. 

Icones      Selectae      Horti     THENENSIS.  — 

Tome  vi.,  fasc.  3  and  4. — This  work,  describing 
and  figuring  the  plants  of  interest  cultivated  in 
the  garden  of  M.  van  den  Bossche,  at  Tirle- 
mont,  in  Belgium,  contains  many  notes  of 
interest.  Dombeya  Wallichii,  Benth.  and 
Hook.,  from  Madagascar,  is  a  fine  plant, 
flowering  in  December.  It  was  figured  in  the 
Botanical  Magazine,  vol.  li.,  tab.  2,503.  Tetra- 
theca  pilosa,  Labill.,  is  related  to  the  blue- 
flowered  Tremandra,  not  seldom  to  be  seen  in 
conservatories.  It  has  a  somewhat  similar 
habit,  bearing  acicular  heath-like  leaves,  but 
rosy  flowers.  The  plant  is  often  confused  with 
T.  ericifolia,  in  which  the  leaves  occur  in 
whorls,  which  is  seldom  the  case  in  the  plant 
under  consideration. 

A  New  Species  of  Eremurus.  — M.  O.  A. 
Fedtschenke  has  recently  described  a  new 
species  of  Eremurus  under  the  name  of  E. 
chinensis.  The  plant  occurs  at  Kan  Su  and 
Su  Tchuen  in  Western  China,  and  was  collected 
by  Messrs.  Pratt  and  Potami.n.  The  flowers, 
some  60  or  70  in  number,  are  borne  in  a  spike, 
and  recall  those  of  E.  Olgae,  differing  chiefly  in 
the  narrower  segments  of  the  perianth.  La  Tri- 
bune Horticole,  October  ig. 

"The  Garden  that  i  Love"  (Second 
series),  by  Alfred  Austin. — Some  of  our 
readers  may  recollect  the  appearance  of  the  first 
volume  which  was  issued  under  the  above  title. 
In  the  new  series  the  Poet  Laureate  continues 
to  use  the  garden  as  an  incidental  setting  for 
rather  discursive  conversations  and  reflections. 
There  are  diatribes  against  exhibition  flowers, 
praises  of  manure  water,  and  many  verses  on 
various  subjects.  A  disquisition  on  Straw- 
berries  leads  quite  naturally  to  an  appreciation 
of  England's  greatness  vid  an  interview  with  an 
American  globe-trotter.  The  work  is  published 
by  Messrs.  Macmillan  &  Co. 

A    Sanctuary  for    Plants  and   Birds. — 

The  New  Zealand  Government  intend  to  make 
the  small  island  of  Kapiti,  situated  in  Cook's 
Straits,  a  sanctuary  for  native  species  of  birds 
and  plants,  especially  those  which  are  becoming 
rare.  Dr.  L.  Cochayne  was  commissioned  to 
undertake  a  botanical  survey  of  the  island.  An 
interesting  report  is  the  result,  in  which  are 
described  the  various  plant  formations,  and  an 
enumeration  of  the  indigenous  Ferns  and  flower- 
ing plants.  Corynocarpus  laevigata,  Dysoxylum 
spectabile,  Macropiper  excelsum,  Myoporum 
laetum,  and  Melicytus  ramiflorus  are  conspicuous 
trees. 


Library  of  the  Late  Dr.  Masters,  F.R.S. 

■ — Messrs.  Sotheby,  Wilkinson  &  Hodge  have 
announced  the  sale  of  the  late  Dr.  Masters' 
library,  which  will  take  place  at  the  sale  roums, 
13,  Wellington  Street,  Strand,  London,  on 
Thursday,  November  21.  There  are  246  lots, 
including  valuable  works  on  botany  and  scien- 
tific horticulture,  agriculture,  chemistry,  &c. 
Catalogues  may  be  obtained  from  the  auc- 
tioneers,  13,  Wellington   Street,  Strand. 

National  Chrysanthemum  Society.-  We 

are  informed  that  the  annual  dinner  will  take 
place  in  the  Royal  Venetian  Chamber,  Holborn 
Restaurant,  High  Holborn,  W.C.,  on  Tuesday, 
November  26,  at  6.15  p.m.  Charles  E.  Shea,  |i 
Esq.  (president  of  the  society),  will  preside,  and 
will  be  supported  by  Sir  Albert  Rollit, 
D.C.L.,  LL.D.  The  Challenge  Trophy  and  the 
Holmes  Memorial  Cups  and  Medals  will  be  pre- 
sented to  the  winners  during  the  evening.  The 
presence  of  ladies  is  specially  desired. 

Legacy  to  a  Gardener. — By  the  terms  of 
the  will  of  the  late  Mr.  Henry  J.  Francis,  of 
Rosenheim,  West  Hill,  Wandsworth,  a  sum  ot 
£200  is  to  be  paid  to  his  gardener.  Other 
servants  also  benefit  under  the  will,  and  a  con- 
siderable sum  is  left  to  benevolent  institutions. 

Death  of  a  well-known  Botanist.— Pro- 
fessor William  Nation  died  recently  at 
the  residence  of  his  niece,  Mrs.  J.  Scott,  80, 
Bramfield  Road,  Clapham  Junction.  Although 
he  had  been  in  failing  health  for  some  years, 
his  death  was  rather  sudden,  and  he  was  con- 
fined to  his  bed  only  two  days.  He  had  reached 
the  ripe  age  of  81  years.  The  deceased  gentle- 
man was  born  at  Staplegrove  in  1826,  and  hav- 
ing in  1840  passed  the  necessary  examination, 
he  was  appointed  to  the  Royal  Botanical  Gar- 
dens at  Kew.  Here  he  remained  till  1849,  in 
which  year  he  was  sent  by  the  authorities  to 
study  and  explore  the  flora  and  fauna  of  South 
America,  and,  as  the  translation  of  an  article  in 
the  Commercio,  dated  Lima,  May  26,  1907,  shows, 
he  was  an  active  assistant  to  eminent  scientists, 
such  as  Darwin,  Sir  Clements  Markham,  Sir 
William  Hooker,  and  Dr.  P.  L.  Sclater,  late 
secretary  of  the  Zoological  Society,  London.  Mr. 
Nation  was  made  Professor  of  the  National 
College  at  Guadalupe,  and  discovered  and 
classified  many  hitherto  unknown  species  of 
birds,  flowers  and  animals  found  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  Peru.  After  having  spent  57  years 
of  his  life  at  his  scientific  labours  he  was 
granted  a  small  pension,  which  ceased  directly 
he  left  Lima.  He  came  to  London,  where  lie 
resided  up  to  the  time  of  his  death  with  his 
niece.  The  funeral  took  place  at  Wandsworth 
Cemetery.    South-Western  Star. 

Mr.  J.  Wright,  V.M.H.,  whose  bereavement 
was  recorded  in  our  last  issue,  requests  us  to 
state  that  it  is  impossible  to  reply  at  present 
to  the  numerous  letters  of  sympathy  he  has  re- 
ceived. 

"  La    Merite    Agricole." — We   have   more 
than  once  remarked  the  generosity  of  the  1 
Government    in    bestowing    this    decoration    on 
workers  in  horticulture  other  than  French  sub- 
jects.    One  of  the  most  recent  instances  is  the 
case  of  Mr.  Nicodemo  Severi,  a  correspo 
member  of  the  National  Horticultural  So<  ietv  <t 
France,   who  is   sub-director  of  the  public  gar-  ; 
dens   of   the   City    of    Rome   and   editor   of   the 
Italian  gardening  paper,  La  Villa  ed  i!  Gin 
Mr.  Severi  has  been  appointed  Chevalier  of  the 
Order. 

Publications    Received.  -  Forage    Crops, 
Edward    B.  Voorbees,  D.Sc.    (U.S.A.).    publi 
Macmillan  and  Co.,  Ltd.     Price  6s.  6d.—i 

Fruit  lor  tin-  It, .me.     Edition  II.     By  J.  I 
Published  by  Mr.  T.  N.  Foulis.     Price  2s.  6d. 


November  9,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


331 


HOME     CORRESPONDENCE 


(Tlu   Editor  does  not  hold  himself  responsible  for  the 
opinions  expressed  ty  his  correspondents.) 

Judging  Grapes. — After  the  many  expressions 
'   of   opinion   in    these   columns    over   the   Grape- 

I  judgment  at  the  recent  Fruit  Show — a  judgment 
which  does  unquestionably,  though  doubtless 
unintentionally,  reflect  on  the  honour  of  Mr. 
Justice  Swinfen-Eady's  gardener,  Mr.  Lock — is 
it  tint  incumbent  on  the  Council  of  the  Royal 
Horticultural  Society  to  appoint  next  year  a 
;  i  il  Committee  or  Commission  of  one  of  its 
own  body  and  two  members  of  the  Fruit  Com- 
mittee to  inspect  the  vine  when  in  fruit,  and  to 
report  upon  it  to  the  Council?  Only  in  that 
way  can  the  disputed  matter  be  rightly  settled. 
As  a  matter  of  justice  to  all  concerned,  such  a 
course  as  is  here  suggested  seems  absolutely 
essential.     A.    D. 

The  awards  of  the  four  judges,  whose 

names  are  appended,  having  been  publicly  ques- 
tioned (see  page  316),  we,  in  courtesy  to  the 
parties  interested,  briefly  state  the  facts  as  fol- 
lows : — Three  collections  of  fruit  were  very 
carefully  pointed  through,  and  in  doing  so  we 
were  very  suspicious  that  two  bunches  of  white 
Grapes,  by  their  appearance,  were  not  true  Mus- 
cat  (if  Alexandria,  although  named  as  such. 
Ultimately  we  decided  to  exercise  our 
rights,  and  taste  the  Grapes.  This  test  of 
quality  fully  confirmed  our  previous  doubts,  for, 
in  addition  to  the  suspicious  shape  of  the 
berries,  there  was  a  total  absence  of  Muscat 
flavour  and  an  unusual  thickness  of  skin.  As 
this  was  the  unanimous  opinion  of  all  four 
fudges,  and  in  order  to  render  perfect  justice  to 
all  concerned,  there  was  no  alternative  but  to 
reduce  the  number  of  points  awarded  to  these 
said  Grapes  previous  to  tasting,  and  which,  of 
course,  very  materially  altered  the  position  of 
the  exhibit  in  question.  It  may  be  added  that 
we  accept  no  responsibility  for  any  nam- 
ing of  Mr.  Lock's  Grapes  by  other  persons, 
nor  for  any  previous  awards  that  may  have 
been  made  to  his  "Muscats."  A'.  F.  Barm  . 
II '  ill  tarn  Crump,  John  Doe,  C.  R.  Fielder  (Judges 
in   i  'l.l ss  I.) 

Muscat  Hamburgh  Grape. — In  my  note  on 
p.  316,  Greave's  Muscat  Hamburgh  was  a  mis- 
print for  Snow's  Muscat  Hamburgh.  This  fine 
Grape  was  extremely  well  grown  at  Wrest  Park 
for  many  years,  but  it  was  about  1860  when 
attention  was  especially  drawn  to  the  variety 
under  the  above  name,  though  whether  Mr. 
Snow  claimed  it  as  a  seedling  or  not,  I  have 
failed  to  ascertain.  My  impression  is  that  it 
was  generally  believed  in  the  district  to  have 
originate  1  in  Wrest  Park  Gardens,  but  it  is 
beyond  dispute  practically  identical  with  the 
old  Black  or  Red  Muscat  of  Alexandria.  Per- 
haps Mr.  Mackinlay  could  give  some  informa- 
tion on  this  point,  for  I  know  he  is  well  up  in 
the  history  and  traditions  of  the  interesting  gar- 
den he  superintends  so  well.  When  I  last  had 
the  pleasure  of  visiting  Wrest  Park  we  had  so 
much  to  discuss  in  regard  to  hardy  fruits  and 
vegetables  that  we  missed  several  other  subjects 
of  importance.  It  might  be  added  that  Venn's 
Seedling  was  considered  to  be  distinct  by  Dr.  R. 
Hogg,  and  was  awarded  a  First-class  Certificate 
by  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  in  1874;  but 
Mr.  A.  F.  Barron  regarded  it  as  identical  with 
Musi  at  Hamburgh,  an  opinion  shared  by  most 
who  have  grown  the  two  side  by  side.  Still,  it 
was  raised  from  seed  at  Sneyd  Park,  Bristol, 
|  beyond  doubt.     R.  L.  Castle. 

Apple  Charles  Ross.— As  that  fine  dessert 
Apple  Charles  Ross  has  so  worthily  won  its 
j  spurs  by  being  placed  first  in  the  class  for  "  any 
other  dessert  variety"  at  the  recent  R.H.S. 
show,  thus  repeating  the  similar  experience  of 
last  year,  I  trust  that  next  year  it  will  be  ac- 
corded a  class  to  itself.  No  recently  introduced 
Apple,  and  few  old  ones,  excels  it  in  flavour  or 
appearance.  This  "  any  other  variety "  class 
should  be  made  the  stepping-stone  to  higher 
honours,  and  inasmuch  as  fruits  of  any 
variety  have  to  be  tasted  for  flavour, 
the  test  is  a  good  one.  Two  of  the  varieties 
honoured  with  a  special  class  each — Ben's  Red, 
with  two  dishes,  and  Edmund's  Pippin  one  dish 
— are  apparently  not  popular  varieties.  In  any 
case,  as  a  dessert  fruit  Charles  Ross  is  greatly 
superior   to  either.     D. 


Chrysanthemum  Shows:  Boards  v.  Vases. 

I  sympathise  with  such  an  enthusiastic  cultiva- 
tor as  Mr.  Norman  Davis  in  the  great  interest 
he  takes  in  all  matters  connected  with  the  Chry- 
santhemum. I  have  long  noted  the  lack  of  in- 
terest shown  in  the  exhibition  side  of  the  flower. 
The  Chrysanthemum,  in  certain  phases,  does  not 
stand  alone  in  this  loss  of  public  favour,  other 
special  flowers  suffer  in  the  same  way.  The  show 
Dahlia  has  given  place  to  the  less  formal  (  a<  tUs 
type.  The  florist's  Carnation  is  not  so  inter*  sting 
to  the  general  public  as  the  more  showy  and  use- 
ful American  varieties.  Surely  no  one  will  dis- 
pute the  advantage  of  the  change  m  bi  th  the 
examples  quoted.  Even  the  popular  Rose  has, 
in  one  section,  lost  its  hold  upon  the  public, 
though  to  a  lesser  extent  perhaps.  I  allude  to  the 
11.  P.  section.  #No  one  will  say  that  these  are  as 
popular  as  what  are  termed  "garden"  varieties 
— those  cultivated  to  produce  a  mass  of  blossoms. 
Nowadays,  when  quantities  of  flowers  are  prized 
more  than  individual  quality  of  flower,  no  won- 
der that  the  H.P.  section  has  given  way  some- 
what to  the  more  freely-flowering  type.  Now, 
as  to  Chrysanthemums,  apart  from  an  exhibi- 
tor's point  of  view,  no  one  will  say  that  these 
large  blooms  are  useful,  except  to  create  won- 
derment and  a  surpriss  for  visitors.  In  private 
gardens  where  exhibiting  is  not  favoured,  there 
are  fewer  large  blooms  cultivated  than  was 
the  case  a  few  years  ago.  This  has  an  effect 
upon  the  public;  if  non-exhibitors  do  not  en- 
courage them  at  home,  they  are  not  likely  to  do 
so  at  publn  shows.  This  is  one  section  of  the 
visitor  class  which  diminishes  the  number  of  en- 
thusiasts, and  thus  they  are  lost  to  the  show-. 
The  great  increase  in  out-of-door  varieties  for 
flowering  in  October,  and  also  those  for  Novem- 
ber decoration  in  quantity  indoors,  of  which  the 
single-flowered  section  is  a  case  in  point,  has 
di  in-  much  to  alter  the  exhibition  aspect.  It  is 
m  t  that  the  public  take  so  little  interest  in  the 
manner  thev  are  staged  at  shows,  but  r.'i 1 1 1 •  I  il 
is  the  diminishing  interest  in  the  method  of  cul- 
ture adopted,  which  unquestionably  entails  a 
i  nun  of  cost  and  a  minimum  of 
return.  This  is  opposed  to  present-day  require- 
ments. Many  persons  who  have  not  a  know- 
ledge of  flower-show  management  would  at  once 
sweep  away  the  orthodox  show  board  and  sub- 
stitute vases.  In  support  of  their  argument  they 
would  quote  the  Edinburgh  and  Birmingham 
shows.  In  the  neighbourhood  of  Edinburgh  Chry- 
santhemum are  not  so  numerous  as  they 
are  around  1  ondon.  The  great  success  of  the 
Edinburgh  Society  in  the  sole  use  of  vases  is 
due  in  a  great  measure  to  the  splendid  prizes 
offered.  No  other  society  can  do  likewise  in 
this  respect.  It  is  not  the  Chrysanthemum  alone 
that  enables  the  executive  to  provide  such  prizes  ; 
it  is,  as  Mr. Godfrey  says,  the  added  charm  of  good 
music.  Perhaps  no  society  is  better  served  by  trade 
exhibits  than  the  Birmingham  Society ;  these 
add  considerably  to  the  display  and  attraction 
for  the  visitors,  and  at  a  small  cost  to  th."  society 
Many  societies  are  strongly  censured  for  fall- 
ing to  discard  the  stands  entirely.  But  the  exe- 
cutive officers  are  perfectly  well  aware  that  more 
exhibits  can  be  obtained  for  the  same  amount  of 
prize  money  when  the  blooms  to  be  shown  are  on 
boards  than  if  they  were  to  be  staged  in  vases  ; 
they  have  to  make  a  display,  and  do  it  in  the 
manner  best  calcu'ated  to  serve,  their  own  ends. 
Prizes  of  the  value  of  a  co-.ple  cf  guineas  can- 
not induce  exhibitors  to  enter  in  "vase"  classes  ; 
in  many  prue  schedules  tl.is  is  the  limit  of  the 
leading  classes.  There  is  no  comparison  in  the 
cost  of  conveyance  to  shows  of  blooms  for 
"  vase  "  classes  as  compared  to  those  for  stands. 
I  note  that  the  National  Chrysanthemum  Society- 
has  dropped  the  classes  for  incurved  blooms  in 
vases,  owing  mainly.  I  presume,  to  want  of  com- 
petition. No  one  who  saw  the  winning  exhibits 
the  last  three  years  could  do  other  than  praise 
the  method  of  displaying  the  blooms,  even  of 
that  class  which  has  apparently  lost  its  hold  on 
the  public  and  exhibitors  alike.  At  other 
shows  there  has  been,  during  the  last  two 
years,  a  steady  increase  in  the  number  of 
exhibitors  of  incurved  blooms  on  boards,  attribu- 
table perhaps  to  an  improvement  in  the  new 
vari  lies  in  that  section  as  compared  with  those 
introduced  just  previously,  which  were  ad- 
mittedly neither  incurved  nor  Japanese.  In 
what  is  known  as  the  great  vase  class  at  the 
N.C.S.  November  show,  three  blooms  of  each, 
instead  of  five,  are  now  required.  This  will  make 
the  class  easier  for  the  exhibitor,  and  there  will 


be  less  likelihood  of  the  vases  getting  over- 
crowded. At  some  shows  vase  classes  for  large 
bloom  do  not  increase  at  all,  but  there  is  to  be 
seen  a  gradual  return  to  the  boards.  What  is 
taking  the  place  of  the  vase  classes  at  many 
shows  is  the  display  of  what  are  known  as 
"  decorative "  varieties  cut  in  sprays  of  many 
small  blooms  apiece  loosely  arranged  in 
vases,  baskets,  and  epergnes.  Indeed,  the  last 
two  styles  of  arrangement  are  meeting  with 
much  favour.  Committees  do  not  fail  to  note 
the  trend  of  public  feeling,  and  they  cater  ac- 
cordingly. The  Birmingham  leading  class  is 
quite  recast  this  year,  reading  thus  :  "  A  group 
of  cut  blooms  of  Chrysanthemums  (to  face  all 
.  any  variety  admissible,  to  be  arranged 
on  the  floor  in  a  space  of  20  feet  bv  12  feet. 
Cut  foliage,  Ferns,  and  foliage  plants  admis- 
sible, variety  and  general  effect  to  be  con- 
sidered, any  kind  of  vase  or  stand  may  be  used." 
The  prizes  are  £15  with  a  silver  challenge 
shield,  second  £10,  third  £7  10s.,  and  the  fourth 
£:">.  This  is  a  plain  proof  to  me  that  the  Bir- 
mingham officials  are  not  satisfied  with  either 
vases  or  boards  in  providing  the  chief  attraction. 
F.  "Molyneux. 

— If  the  primary  object  of  flower  shows, 
and  Chrysanthemum  exhibitions  in  particular, 
is  to  enable  the  flowers  to  be  seen  and  minutely 
examined  by  the  judges,  then  the  old  method  of 
exhibiting  the  flowers  in  tubes  in  boxes  is  best. 
If,  however,  the  principal  aim  is  to  create  a 
handsome  artistic  display,  then  exhibiting  the 
flowers  on  long  stems  in  vases  is  the  proper 
plan.  Thus  the  question  must  be  considered 
from  the  standpoint  of  the  judges  or  the  public. 
The  vase  method  should  furnish  the  best  floral 
effect,  yet  their  decorative  value  has  been  dis- 
counted by  the  method  adopted  of  staging  the 
flowers  in  vases  of  equal  height,  and  then 
they  appear  just  as  formal  and  monotonous 
as  when  shown  in  boxes  or  tubes.  Probably  the 
chief  difficulty  to  surmount  in  the  exhibiting  of 
large  Chrysanthemum  blooms,  as  with  the  large, 
rotund,  show  Dahlias,  is  that  the  blooms  are  too 
massive  to  get  from  them  good  effects,  except 
when  shown  in  quite  tall  receptacles,  each 
having  nine  or  12  blooms,  with  abundant  decora- 
tive foliage.  By  this  arrangement,  as  was  seen 
in  Mr.  N.  Davis's  groups  at  the  Palace,  for 
instance,  nothing  can  be  nobler.  But  the 
common  rule  is  to  show  12,  18,  or  24  big  blooms 
in  trebles  in  vases  without  any  decorative 
foliage,  and  only  heavy  formality  without  beauty 
results.  Were  vases  arranged  in  diverse  heights, 
and  a  free  hand  given  to  exhibitors  both  to 
any  decorative  foliage  and  to  drape  their 
vases,  the  effect  obtained  would  then  be  very 
pleasing.  By  allowing  draping  the  objection  to 
the  naked  appearance  of  ungainly  vases  would 
disappear.  It  by  no  means  follows  if  flowers 
be  shown  in  vases,  that  judges  should  favour 
large  coarse  ones  in  preference  to  those  less 
large,  but  more  refined  and  perfect.  I  very 
much  doubt  whether  any  judges  of  repute  do  so 
now.  At  the  shows,  the  vase  is  everywhere 
displacing  the  box  as  a  means  of  displaying 
flowers,  and  were  the  same  effort  made  to 
arrange  or  stage  Chrysanthemums  as  is  done  in 
the  case  of  Roses  or  winter-blooming  Carna- 
tions on  long  stems,  the  same  pleasing  results 
should  follow.  Judges  are  able  to  judge  these 
flowers  (Roses  and  Carnations)  when  they  are 
shown  in  vases  as  in  the  case  of  Sweet  Peas, 
with  considerable  facility,  and  there  seems  no 
reason  to  assume  that  Chrysanthemums  may  not 
be  judged  also  as  easily.  It  does  seem,  accord- 
ing to  recent  complaints,  as  if  competitors  at 
Chrysanthemum  shows  were  put  to  rather  in- 
creased cost  in  the  transit  of  their  flowers  on 
long  stems  than  was  incurred  by  carting  huge 
boxes.  That  complaint,  however,  appears  diffi- 
cult to  justify,  seeing  that  they  have  to  cart  not 
vases,  but  flowers  only.  It  does  seem  as  though 
public  interest  in  Chrysanthemums  at  shows  is 
waning,  and  this  is  probably  mainly  due  to  the 
fact  that  gardens  and  markets  are  filled  with 
early  flowers  long  before  shows  are  on.    D. 

Fashions     in     Flower  -  Gardening. — The 

leading  article  in  the  issue  for  October  12  on  this 
subject  was  very  opportune.  Who  could  but 
admire  the  gorgeous  display  of  colour  even  from 
the  Pelargoniums  employed  this  summer  in  front 
of  Buckingham  Palace?  Such  masses  of  colour 
in  suitable  places  are  quite  appropriate,  and  will 
always  attract  attention  and  admiration.  At 
Blickling  Hall,  in  Norfolk,  the  flower-garden  is 


332 


THE     GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE 


[November  9,  1207. 


situated  near  the  house,  and  has  a  background 
of  evergreens  and  forest-trees.  The  flower-beds 
are  made  as  bright  as  it  is  possible  to  make 
them,  and  the  effect  is  always  excellent.  The 
severe  critic  might  say  upon  examining  these 
beds  there  is  nothing  particular  in  their  indi- 
vidual arrangement,  yet  the  brilliancy  of  the 
whole  makes  the  gardens  attractive  to  thousands 
of  visitors.  In  Lord  Aldenham's  gardens  at 
Elstree  bright  masses  of  colour  are  employed  in 
such  a  manner  that  the  effect  is  not  in  the  least 
of  a  garish  nature.  For  instance,  a  large  bed  is 
filled  with  Lobelia  cardinalis  Queen  Victoria, 
which  produces  flower-spikes  nearly  6  feet  in 
height,  thickly  furnished  with  rich  cardinal- 
coloured  blossoms.  Were  it  not  that  this  bed  is 
backed  up  by  a  wealth  of  foliage  plants,  and 
subdued  by  the  green  setting  of  grass  and  the 
carpet  of  Antennaria  tomentosa,  some  critics 
might  even  object  to  this  brilliant  parterre. 
Where  the  ordinary  green  or  bronze-coloured 
('annas  are  employed  in  a  mass  with  such 
subjects  as  Streptosolen  Jamesonii,  Plumbago 
capensis  (with  a  thin  crop  of  flowers), 
large  numbers  of  silver-leaved  Veronicas, 
Acalyphas  and  dull-coloured  Iresines,  the 
effect  is  monotonous  and  uninteresting.  Even  if 
big  beds  are  planted  with  mixed  species,  it  is  still 
possible  to  have  them  bright  in  appearance  by 
the  introduction  of  free-flowering,  showy  plants 
to  aid  in  relieving  the  dull  hues  of  so  many 
sub-tropical  species.     E.  M. 

Potato   ••  Highlander."  -  My  attention   has 

been  called  to  the  report  of  the  National  Potato 
Society's  Show,  published  in  the  Gardeners' 
Chronicle  for  October  12.  Your  correspondent 
refers  to  Highlander  "No.  1"  and  "No.  2," 
assuming  there  are  two  stocks,  and  suggesting 
I  should  give  an  explanation.  So  far  as  I  know, 
only  one  stock  of  true  Highlander,  as  introduced 
by  me,  is  in  commerce  (there  may  be  substitutes 
for  which  I  am  not  responsible),  but  if  your 
correspondent  refers  to  Nos.  1  and  2  as  on  trial 
at  Wye  College,  this  is  easily  explained. 
These  were  not  different  stocks,  but  the  seed 
last  year  was  grown  in  different  districts,  with 
a  different  result  as  to  crop.     William  Deal. 


not  grow.  It  is  an  exceedingly  interesting  ex- 
ample of  a  variation  of  the  Cabbage,  where  the 
reserve  food  is  stored  in  an  elongated,  thickened 
stem  instead  of  in  a  barrel-shaped  stem  as  in 
Kohl   Rabi. 

Kale  with  leaf-like  growth  from  midrib. — W. 
J.  Maitland,  Esq.,  of  Witley,  sent  leaves  of  a 
purple  Kale  having  leaf-like  outgrowths  from  the 
midrib.  This  kind  of  hypertrophy  is  common 
in  Kales,  and  has  become  fixed,  so  that  such 
forms  come  true  from  seed. 

Hybrid  Pear  and  Quince. — Messrs.  James 
Veitch  &  Sons  sent  further  specimens  of  the 
hybrid  fruits  borne  on  the  two  plants  raised 
from  seeds  from  a  single  fruit  of  the  Pear  Ber- 
gamotte  Esperen,  the  result  of  crossing  that  Pear 
with  the  Portugal  Quince.  Immature  fruits 
were  shown  at  the  meeting  of  September  3,  and 
as  was  then  observed,  the  fruits  of  one  tree 
approached  the  Pear  in  character,'  those  of  the 
other  the  Quince.  The  Pear-like  hybrid  for 
which  Messrs.  Veitch  propose  the  name  X 
Pyronia  John  Seden,  was  practically  ripe,  and 
had  a  distinct  Bergamotte  flavour.  Bergamotte 
Esperen  ripens  much  later.  The  Quince-like 
fruits  were  still  quite  hard. 

Crocus. — Mr.  Bowles  showed  specimens  of  a 
Crocus  which  he  believes  to  be  a  hybrid  be- 
tween Crocus  speciosus  and  C.  pulchellus.  In 
1904,  and  each  season  since,  he  has  found  a 
corm  or  two  among  seedlings  of  C.  speciosus 
from  seeds  saved  from  plants  growing  near  C. 
pulchellus  that  show  characters  intermediate 
between  these  two  species,  and  which  may  be 
tabulated   as   follows  : — 

C.  SPECIOSUS      C.  PULCHELLUS        SUPPOSED  HYBRID 

Throat  white  orange         yellow  shading  to  white 

Anther  orange  white  cream  colour 

Filament      white  orange         yellow 

glabrous  pubescent  with  scattered  hairs 

Corm  tunic  membranous  coriaceous  a  thick  stiff  membrane 

In  colour  the  perianth  segments  are  somewhat 
variable,  and  most  nearly  resemble  speciosus, 
but  are  paler  and  less  distinctly  veined,  except 
on  the  inner  surface  of  the  inner  segments, 
where  the  characteristic  purple  veins  of  pulchel- 
lus are  clearly  defined. 


SOCIETIES. 


ROYAL   HORTICULTURAL. 

Scientific  Committee. 

October  29. — Present :  Mr.  E.  A.  Bowles, 
M.A.,  F.L.S.  (in  the  chair)  ;  J.  W.  Odell,  G. 
Gordon,  A.  W.  Sutton,  J.  T.  Bennett-Poe,  W. 
C.  Worsdell,  G.  S.  Saunders,  H.  T.  Giissow,  A. 
Worsley,  and  F.  J.  Chittenden  (hon.  secretary). 

Cup-shaped  leaves  of  Saxifraga. — Mr.  W.  C. 
Worsdell  showed  leaves  of  Saxifraga  ligulata 
which  had  grown  in  a  cup-shaped  manner,  so 
that  the  leaf  had  the  appearance  of  an  inverted 
cone  on  the  top  of  the  leafstalk.  The  plant  on 
which  they  had  been  produced  each  year  formed 
similar  leaves  in  October  and  November,  but 
not  in  the  early  part  of  the  year.  Not  all  the 
leaves  were  so  far  developed  as  to  assume  the 
cup-shape  completely,  but  all  stages  from  the 
normal  to  this  form  were  to  be  found.  Mr. 
Woksdell  suggested  that  the  cause  of  the  mal- 
formation might  have  been  lack  of  vigour  in 
the  plants. 

'Malformed  Cattleya.  —  Mr.  BeNNETT-Poe 
showed  two  flowers  of  Cattleya  labiata,  each  of 
which  had  but  two  petals  and  two  sepals,  the 
labellum  in  each  case  being  completely  sup- 
pressed as  well  as  one  of  the  sepals.  Mr.  Wors- 
dell took  the  flowers  for  further  examination. 

Calycanthus  Fruits. — Mr.  Bowles  showed 
fruits  of  Calycanthus  occidentalis  from 
his  garden  for  comparison  with  those  of  C. 
laevigatus  shown  at  a  recent  meeting. 

Marrow  Cabbage. — Messrs.  Cooper,  Taber 
&  Co.  sent  specimens  of  the  Marrow  Cabbage 
(Chou  Moellier)  grown  at  Witham,  Essex.  The 
Cabbages  were  about  5ft.  in  height,  the  stem 
being  between  4in.  and  5in.  in  diameter  in  the 
middle.  The  central  part  of  the  stem  is  filled 
with  soft  tissue,  and  forms  the  chief  edible  por- 
tion of  the  plant.  The  Cabbage  is  grown  largely 
in  France,  where  it  is  pulped  and  used  for  cattle 
food  in  districts  where  Swedes  and  Turnips  will 


WEYBRIDGE    CHRYSANTHEMUM. 

October  30. — The  ninth  annual  autumn  ex- 
hibition was  held  in  the  Holstein  Hall  on  this 
date,  and  was  again  a  success.  The  arrange- 
ments were  perfect  in  the  hands  of  the  hon. 
secretary,  Mr.  J.  Lock. 

The  leading  open  class  for  cut  blooms  was 
that  for  24  Japanese  blooms  of  distinct  varieties, 
and  in  which  a  handsome  silver  challenge  cup 
was  offered  for  the  premier  exhibit.  Mr.  T. 
Stevenson,  gardener  to  E.  G.  Mocatta,  Esq., 
Addlestone,  won  the  trophy  easily,  with  large 
fresh  examples  of  such  popular  varieties  as 
Lady  Talbot,  Mrs.  Norman  Davis,  and  Mrs.  R. 
Hooper  Pearson.  In  the  class  for  nine  varieties 
of  Japanese  Chrysanthemums,  three  blooms  of 
each  kind  arranged  in  vases,  there  was  only  a 
very  limited  competition.  Mr.  T.  Caryer,  gar- 
dener to  A.  G.  Meissner,  Esq.,  Weybridge,  was 
placed  1st.  The  best  vase  of  Chrysanthemums 
arranged  with  foliage  was  shown  by  Mr. 
Stevenson  ;  his  variety  was  Mrs.  A.  T.  Miller, 
lightly  arranged  with   dark   Oak  leaves. 

Mr.  Carver  won  in  the  class  for  six  triplets 
of  Pompon  varieties  with  standard  kinds. 
Single-flowered  sorts  made  even  a  better  dis- 
play than  the  Pompons,  and  in  the  "single" 
classes  Mr.  Stevenson  won  for  six  bunches, 
each  of  three  flowers  ;  the  varieties  were  well 
chosen,  and  the  exhibit  was  pleasingly  staged. 
Mr.  W.  C.  Pagram  was  a  good  2nd  to  Mr. 
Stevenson. 

A  class  was  provided  for  a  collection  of  cut 
Chrysanthemums,  arranged  with  any  kind  of 
foliage  for  effect  in  a  tray  measuring  3  feet  by 
2  feet  6  inches.  Mr.  E.  Watford  was  easily 
1st  with  fully  developed  flowers  of  Japanese 
varieties  arranged  in  Bamboo  stands,  with,  good 
foliage  well  blended. 

Two  classes  were  devoted  to  ladies.  For  the 
best  arranged  basket  of  Chrysanthemums,  with 
any  foliage  or  grasses,  Mrs.  Elwood,  Wey- 
bridge, was  placed  1st  with'a  pleasing  arrange- 
ment. A  basket  of  autumn  foliage,  berries  and 
grasses,  shown  by  Mrs.  F.  Wood,  Brown 
Lodge,   Weybridge,   obtained   the   1st   prize. 


The  exhibits  of  groups  of  Chrysanthemums 
and  foliage  plants  were  satisfactory.  Mr. 
Pagram  had  much  the  best  exhibit  in  this 
section,  using  many  single-flowered  varieties  in 
his   group.       

MAIDENHEAD    CHRYSANTHEMUM. 

October  31  &  November  1. — This  exhibition 
again  proved  a  great  success ;  the  entries 
totalled  60  more  than  at  last  year's  display, 
and  all  the  classes  were  well  contested. 

In  the  large  class  for  48  Japanese  blooms  in 
24  varieties,  Mr.  Waller,  gardener  to  Mr. 
Hammersly,  Abney  House,  Bourne  End,  was 
awarded  the  1st  prize,  which  carried  with  it  a 
Challenge  Cup.  Mr.  Waller  was  successful  in 
winning  the  cup  last  year,  and  he  has  thus 
taken  it  two  years  in  succession.  There  were 
four  competitors  in  this  class.  Mr.  Waller  also 
staged  the  premier  flowers  in  the  principal  vase 
class  and  in  several  others.  The  best  group 
of  miscellaneous  plants  was  displayed  by  Mr. 
R.  Evans,  gardener  to  H.  F.  Slattery,  Esq., 
The  Orchard,  Marlow.  In  this  class  there 
were  again  four  competitors.  Mr.  Evans  was 
also  successful  in  the  class  for  18  Japanese 
blooms  in  competition  with  six  other  growers. 
The  1st  prize  carried  with  it  a  Silver  Medal. 


UNITED    HORTICULTURAL    BENEFIT 
AND    PROVIDENT    SOCIETY. 

November  1. — This  thriving  and  excellent 
society  held  its  21st  annual  dinner  at  the  Hol- 
born  Restaurant  on  the  above  date.  Sir  Albert 
K.  Rollit  presided,  and  he  was  well  supported  by 
Messrs.  H.  J.  Veitch,  H.  B.  May,  G.  Gordon, 
Cox,  Anderson,  J.  T.  Taylor,  T.  Bevan,  Withy, 
'J.  Hudson,  Riley,  Scott,  and  a  large  gathering 
of  the  officers,  committee,  and  members. 

The  occasion  will  be  memorable  because  Mr. 
Jas.  Hudson,  who  recently  retired  from  the 
treasurership,  after  holding  office  for  25  years, 
was  the  recipient  of  a  very  handsome  testi- 
monial. 

In  proposing  "Success  to  the  Society,"  the 
Chairman,  dividing  his  speech  into  three  parts, 
dealt  firstly  with  the  Royal  Horticultural  So- 
ciety, its  rise  and  progress  ;  secondly,  with  hor- 
ticulture as  an  art  and  as  a  science,  showing  the 
variety  and  usefulness  of  the  gardener's  call- 
ing; and  thirdly,  with  the  U.H.B.P.  He  said 
he  had  special  knowledge  of  friendly  societies, 
and  that  knowledge,  together  with  a  careful 
scrutiny  of  the  society's  work  and  the  actuarial 
reports  concerning  it,  enabled  him  to  say  that 
the  U.H.B.P.  was  one  of  the  very  best  insti- 
tutions of  its  kind.  Its  funds  were  well  in- 
vested, its  rules  excellent,  its  management  care- 
ful, and  its  usefulness  beyond  question.  He 
urged  young  gardeners  to  become  members,  and 
so  provide  for  sickness,  for  infirm  old  age,  and 
for  those  whom  at  death  they  might  leave  behind. 
Mr.  Chas.  H.  Curtis,  chairman  of  committee, 
in  replying,  observed  that  there  were  now  1,200 
members,  and  the  invested  funds  amounted  to 
£30,000,  a  larger  sum  per  member  than  any 
other  friendly  society  could  show.  He  then 
asked  Sir  Albert,  on  behalf  of  the  members, 
to  present  to  Mr.  J.  Hudson  a  substantial  tes- 
timonial of  the  high  esteem  in  which  the  society 
held  one  who  had  for  25  years  acted  as  treasurer. 

Sir  Albert  made  the  presentation,  and  handed 
Mr.  Hudson  a  very  handsome  solid  silver  tea 
and  coffee  service  and  salver,  and  an  enlarged 
portrait  of  himself  in  carbon,  framed  in  oak. 
The  inscription  on  the  salver  read  : — "  Presented 
to  James  Hudson,  V.M.H.,  Nov.  1,  1907,  by 
the  members  of  the  United  Horticultural  Bene- 
fit and  Provident  Society  in  recognition  of  ser- 
vices as  treasurer,  cheerfully  rendered  over  a 
period  of  25  years— 1882-1907." 

Mr.  Hudson  was  warmly  greeted  when  he  re- 
turned thanks  for  so  signal  a  mark  of  esteem. 
He  had  acted  as  treasurer  without  hope  of  re- 
ward, and  he  was  glad  to  find  his  efforts  were 
so  highly  appreciated.  In  his  first  year  of  office 
he  invested  £200,  and  in  his  last  year  £2,000, 
for  the  society. 

The  other  toasts  were  "  The  Honorary  and 
Life  Members,"  "The  Chairman,"  "The  Visi- 
tors,"  and   "The  Press." 

The  tables  were  handsomely  decorated  with 
plants,  flowers  and  fruits  supplied  by  Messrs. 
J.  Veitch  &  Sons,  H.  Cannell  &  Sons,  W.  Cut- 
•msh  &  Son,  and  many  other  friends. 


November  9,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


go- 


od 


Nattioinal     Clhir^aiiiilhieifiasuiEia     Society. 


',\^\"'-.f  November  6-7-8. 

Wfifrr  HRYSANTHEMUMS  are  now  at 
fwlf^lx  their  best,  and  the  autumn  exhi- 
bition of  this  society  was  held  on 
these  dates  at  the  Crystal  Palace, 
Sydenham.  Everything  combined 
on  the  opening  day  to  make  the 
show  a  success,  and  in  this 
respect  it  was  one  of  the  best  held 
since  the  notable  displays  made 
in  the  old  Westminster  Aquarium. 
The  weather  was  perfect  for  November ;  the 
displays  more  than  equal  to  those  of  recent  years, 
both  in  number  and  in  quality ;  whilst  the  ar- 
rangements were  perfect.  The  exhibition  gained 
much  from  the  spectacular  standpoint  in  the 
very  handsome  groups  of  Chrysanthemums 
staged  by  the  leading  trade  firms,  who  make  a 
speciality  of  this  autumn  flower,  and  in  this 
connection  we  may  instance  the  very  beautiful 
groups  staged  by  Messrs.  H.  J.  Jones,  Norman 
Davis,  H.  Cannell  &  Sons,  and  W.  Wells  & 
Co.  Although  no  fewer  than  eight  First-Class 
Certificates  were  granted  to  new  varieties,  none 
could  be  declared  as  a  great  advance  on  exist- 
ing sorts. 

Displays   of   Chrysanthemums. 

In  Class  I.  (open),  the  1st  prize,  con- 
sisting of  a  large  Gold  Medal,  was  taken 
by  Mr.  Norman  Davis,  Framfield,  Sus- 
sex. He  exhibited  a  display  arranged  on 
a  circular  space  of  about  300  superficial  feet. 
The  form  was  slightly  conical,  and  it  consisted 
of  Incurved,  Japanese,  Reflexed,  and  single- 
flowered  varieties,  mixed  with  Ferns,  Asparagus, 
Codiaeums,  &c.  Eight  tall  bouquets  of  Chrysan- 
themums, Japanese  varieties,  and  one  bouquet 
in  the  centre  completed  the  scheme.  The  Jap- 
anese blooms  were  quite  up  to  the  best  exhibi- 
tion standard.  Very  fine  were  Mrs.  Norman 
Davis,  Mrs.  J.  Hygate,  an  Incurved  Japanese 
white ;  Algernon  Davis,  a  beautiful  golden 
yellow ;  W.  Ring,  old  gold,  a  grand  Incurved 
Japanese  ;  Mad.  G.  Rivol,  one  of  the  best  of  its 
tint,  which  is  bronze-yellow,  &c.  The  exhibitor 
of  this  display  was  also  awarded  the  "  Dean  " 
Memorial  Medal,  offered  for  an  exhibit  having 
special  merit. 

The  second  class  was  arranged  for  a  floral 
display  of  Chrysanthemums  and  suitable  foliage 
plants  in  pots,  with  the  addition  of  cut  blooms 
and  foliage ;  area  not  to  exceed  200  square  feet. 
Trade  members  were  excluded  from  this  class. 
The  1st  prize  was  taken  by  Mr.  W.  Howe  (gr. 
to  Lady  Tate,  Park  Hill,  Streatham  Common), 
with  a  massive,  cone-shaped  group,  rather 
closely  filled  with  Chrysanthemums  of  Japanese 
varieties,  partly  shown  as  cut  blooms  and  the 
rest  as  growing  in  pots.  These  formed  the  bulk 
of  the  exhibit,  and  were  of  general  fine  quality, 
single  and  semi-double-flowered  varieties  formed 
the  remainder,  Ferns,  Palms,  and  Codiaeums 
being  interspersed  with  these.  The  group  suf- 
fered in  effect  owing  to  lack  of  contrast  with 
green-leaved  plants,  and  from  the  closeness  of 
the  arrangement. 

Class  for  Affiliated  Societies. 
A  class  was  arranged  for  affiliated  societies 
to  compete  with  each  other  in  showing  a  semi- 
circular group  of  cut  Chrysanthemums  on  a 
space  measuring  12  feet  by  6  feet,  to  be  arranged 
on  the  floor,  to  consist  of  any  section,  but  in- 
cluding not  fewer  than  four  sections.  The 
flowers  were  arranged  in  vases,  and  relieved  by 
suitable  Ferns  and  other  "  greenery."  The  only 
exhibit  was  one  from  the  Dulwich  Chrysanthe- 
mum and  Horticultural  Society,  which  accord- 
ingly was  awarded  the  1st  prize.  It  was  a 
creditable  group,  but  the  varieties  of  Chrvsan- 
themum  should  have  had  names  attached  to 
them.  Here  was  a  class  that  ought  to  have 
been  one  of  the  most  interesting  in  the  show, 
ind  yet  it  was  entered  by  one  society  only  ! 

Chrysanthemums  Shown  in  Vases. 
The  principal  class  in  those  for  blooms  staged 
in  vases  was  that  for  12  vases  of  specimen 
blooms  of  Japanese  varieties.  Each  receptacle 
was  required  to  contain  three  blooms  of  a 
distinct  variety,  with  not  less  than  6  inches  of 
the    stem    above    the   top    of   the   vase.     As   the 


vases   were    14   inches   in   height,    they   made   a 
good  display  collectively. 

The  specimen  blooms  shown  in  this  class  were 
superb  in  size,  shape,  and  condition,  and  the 
1st  prize  fell  to  Mr.  J.  Hall  (gr.  Melchet  Court, 
Romsey,  Hants).  The  varieties  were  R. 
Vallis,  Bessie  Godfrey,  Edith  Smith,  W. 
A.  Etherington,  F.  S.  Vallis  (immense 
blooms),  J.  H.  Silsbury,  Mrs.  A.  T.  Mil- 
ler,  Mme.  P.  Radaelli  (perfect  blooms),  Mrs. 
W.  Knox,  Mrs.  Vallis,  Maud  Jefferies,  and  Mme. 
Rivol.  The  2nd  prize  was  taken  by  Mr.  W. 
Iggulden,  Lock's  Hill  Nurseries,  Frome,  with 
very  slightly  inferior  blooms.  His  best  were 
Viola,  F.  S.  Vallis,  Magnificent,  Mrs.  A.  T 
Miller,  Walter  Jinks,  and  Mme.  G.  Rivol  Mr 
W.  Mease  (gr.  to  A.  Tate,  Esq.,  Downside, 
Leatherhead),  won  the  3rd  prize. 

Twelve  vases  of  Incurved  blooms  (trebles), 
distinct. — Only  two  exhibits  were  forthcoming  in 
this  class;  the  better  was  shown  by  J.  15. 
Hankey,  Esq.,  Leatherhead  (gr.  Mr.  W.  Higgs). 
The  vases  were  spaced  widely  apart,  and  each 
contained  three  blooms,  on  long  stems  with 
foliage.  The  largest  flowers  were  those  of  the 
variety  Lady  Isabel,  the  florets  of  which  are 
white,  with  a  faint  tinge  of  rose  in  the  basal 
florets;  J.  Agate  (white,  and  of  perfect  form), 
Hanwell  Glory  (bronzy),  Chas.  H.  Curtis  (yel- 
low), Frank  Frestian,  Topaze  Orientale  (creamy, 
yellow),  Mrs.  G.  Denyer  (pink),  and  Embleme 
Poitevme  (yellow),  were  the  pick  of  the  varie- 
ties. 2nd,  Pantia  Ralli,  Esq.,  Ashtead  Park, 
Epsom  (gr.  Mr.  G.  J.  Hunt),  with  flowers  of 
less  perfect  form. 

One  vase  of  five  blooms  of  a  white  Japanese 
variety. —The  best  of  four  exhibits  contained  the 
beautiful  flower  named  after  Mrs.  A.  T.  Miller. 
It  was  shown  by  John  Balfour,  Esq.,  Moor 
Hall,  Harlow  (gr.  Mr.  A.  Jefferies).  2nd,  the 
same  variety  shown  by  Mrs.  Nathan,  Little 
Heath  Wood,  Potter's  Park  (gr.  Mr.  W.  II. 
Newton).  Only  one  other  variety,  Mrs.  C. 
Beckett,  was  used  in  this  class,  and  this  re- 
ceived the  4th  prize. 

One  vase  of  a  yellow  Japanese  variety. — There 
were  five  exhibits  staged  in  this  class,  and  much 
the  best  were  five  noble  blooms  of  F.  S.  Vallis, 
shown  by  Mr.  Jefferies.  These  flowers  were 
good  in  every  respect.  2nd,  Mrs.  Jeremiah 
Lyon,  Riddings  Court,  Caterham  Vallev  (gr. 
Mr.  G.  Halsey),  with  the  smaller  Bessie'  God- 
frey, a  variety  of  pale  canary  yellow. 

One  vase  of  any  other  colour  than  yellow  or 
white.— This  class  brought  forth  nine  exhibits, 
of  which  much  the  best  was  that  of 
the  crimson  W.  Beadle,  shown  by  A.  T.  Miller, 
Esq.,  Leatherhead  (gr.  Mr.  G.  Mileham).  These 
flowers  were  large  and  very  finely  coloured. 
Both  the  2nd  and  3rd  prizes  were  awarded  for 
flowers  of  Reginald  Vallis,  shown  by  Mr.  Jef- 
feries and  F.  J.  Yarrow,  Esq.,  18,  Abbey 
Road,  St.  John's  Wood,  London,  N.W.  (gr.  Mr. 
A.  Robertson),  respectively. 

Market  varieties,  disbudded. — A  class  was  pro- 
vided for  six  varieties  of  Chrysanthemums  such 
as  are  grown  for  market.  Twelve  blooms  of 
each  variety  were  required  for  a  vase.  There 
were  only  two  displays,  and  of  these  the  largest 
flowers  staged  by  F.  J.  Yarrow,  Esq.,  18,  Abbey 
Road,  St.  John's  Wood,  London  (gr.  Mr.  A. 
Robertson),  gained  the  premier  award.  The 
varieties  were  Vivian  Morel  (pink),  Souvenir  de 
Petite  Amie  (white),  Kathleen  Thompson  (a  mag- 
nificent bronze  variety),  Lady  Hanham  (rose  on  a 
bronzy-yellowish  ground),  Caprice  du  Printemps 
(carmine),  and  Chas.  Davis.  2nd,  J.  L.  Bur- 
gess, Esq.,  Maisey  Hampton,  near  Fairford  (gr. 
Mr.  J.  A.  Humphries),  whose  best  examples 
were  Dazzler  (red)  and  Moneymaker  (white). 

Anemone-flowered  Chrysanthemums.  —  Three 
classes  were  provided  for  these  flowers  :  the 
one  for  Japanese  Anemones,  another  in  which 
Japanese  forms  were  excluded,  and  the  other  for 
mixed  types  of  these  flowers.  The  best  examples 
in  the  class  for  Japanese  Anemones  were  shown 
by  T.  L.  Boyd,  Esq.,  North  Frith,  Tonbridge, 
Kent  (gr.  Mr.  A.  C.  Horton),  in  competition 
with  three  other  exhibitors.  The  examples 
shown  by  Mr.  Boyd  were  Le  Chalonais,  Duchess 
of  Westminster,  John  Bunyan,  Edward  Bell, 
Mme.    I.awton,   Sabine,   W.   W.   Astor,   Mrs.   H. 


Eland,  Souvenir  des  Norgiots,  Owen's  Perfec- 
tion, Sir  W.  Rayleigh,  and  Halcyon.  2nd,  C. 
Douglas  Clarke,  Esq.,  Bromley,  Kent  (gr.  Mr. 
A.   Henderson). 

Anemone-flowered  Chrysanthemums,  Japanese 
excluded.— Mr.  Boyd  also  won  in  this  class  with 
Junon,  Gluck,  Gladys  Spaulding,  Lady  Mar- 
garet,  Delaware,  J.  Thorpe,  jun.,  Cincinnati, 
Mrs.  Judge  Benedict,  &c.    2nd,  Mr.  Henderson. 

Large-flowered  Anemone  blooms,  including 
Japanese  varieties.— Mr.  Boyd  again  won  in  this 
class,  being  followed  by  Mr.  Douglas  Clarxe. 
Mr.  Boyd  showed  fine  examples  of  Mrs.  H. 
Eland  and  Sir  Walter  Rayleigh. 

Pompon  Chrysanthemums. — There  were  two 
classes  for  Pompon  varieties  :  the  one  for  Pom- 
pons of  the  ordinary  type,  and  the  other  for 
Anemone  Pompons.  Only  three  exhibitors  were 
attracted  in  the  two  classes,  two  being  in  the 
first  named.  Of  these  the  winning  exhibit  was 
shown  by  J.  L.  Burgess,  Esq.,  Maisey  Hampton 
(gr.  Mr.  J.  A.  Humphries),  who  had  the  largest 
and  best  coloured  flowers.  Very  pretty  were 
Osiris,  W.  Kennedy  (purple),  W.  Sabey  (yellow), 
Prince  of  Orange  (bronze),  Soeur  Melaine 
(white),  Mr.  E.  Kigevor  (pink),  &c.  2nd,  F.  J. 
Yarrow,  Esq.  (gr.  Mr.  A.  Robertson).  In  the 
Anemone-flowered  class,  Mr.  Humphries  was 
awarded  the  1st  prize  for  examples  of  Perle 
Ella,  Antonius,  Marie  Stuart,  Mr.  Astie,  and 
Emily  Rowbotham. 

Single  Chrysanthemums. — The  schedule  re- 
quired that  the  sprays  of  single  flowers  should 
not  be  disbudded,  and  the  collection  was  to 
contain  not  fewer  than  six  varieties.  The  best 
exhibit  was  shown  by  R.  D.  Cleasby,  Esq., 
Langley  House,  Abbots  Langley  (gr.  Mr.  C 
Brown).  This  was  a  very  fine  exhibit,  the 
flowers  being  large  and  well  selected  as  to 
colours.  Pink  varieties,  such  as  Mrs.  E. 
Roberts, -Edith  Pagram,  and  F.  W.  Smith  pre- 
dominated, but  there  were  also  white  and 
bronze-coloured  flowers.  2nd,  Messrs.  Wit. 
Sanford  &  Co.,  Ltd.,  Hall  Green,  Birmingham, 
with  taller  but  fewer-flowered  sprays. 

Decorative  Classes. 
(Open.) 

These,  as  on  former  occasions,  proved  an 
attractive  and  popular  feature  of  the  exhibition. 
Dinner  tables  decorated  with  Chrysanthemums 
and  suitable  foliage  were  very  numerous.  The 
best  in  the  open  class  was  arranged  by  Mrs.  A. 
Robinson,  Norhyest,  Park  Hill,  Carshalton,  who 
used  tiny  bronze-coloured  and  yellow  flowers  of 
decorative  varieties  in  metal  displayers,  having 
grasses,  Asparagus  sprays,  &c,  as  relief.  2nd, 
Miss  B.  Saunders,  Highgate,  with  similar  varie- 
ties. 

Mr.  Robertson  (gr.  to  F.  J.  Yarrow,  Esq., 
St.  John's  Wood,  N.W.)  showed  the  best  vases 
of  Pompon  Chrysanthemums  arranged  with  suit- 
able foliage  of  other  plants  for  effect. 

The  best  vase  of  single  Chrysanthemums  was 
shown  by  Mr.  T.  Stevenson  (gr.  to  E. 
Mocatta,  Esq.,  Addlestone,  Surrey),  in  a  very 
strong   competition. 

Miss  Cole,  The  Vineyard,  Feltham,  excelled 
in  the  competition  for  a  basket  of  autumn-tinted 
foliage  and  berries,  with  a  magnificent  basket ; 
and  this  lady  was  closely  followed  by  Mrs. 
Brewster,  St.  Peter's,  Canterbury,  with  a  very 
similar  arrangement. 

Chrysanthemums  Shown  on  Boards. 
(Open  Classes.) 
Incurved  varieties.— In  the  principal  class  for 
Incurved  Chrysanthemums,  that  for  36  blooms 
of  distinct  varieties,  there  were  four  exhibits, 
three  of  which  were  of  a  high  order  of  merit! 
The  1st  prize  was  awarded  to  J.  B.  Hankey, 
Esq.,  Fetcham  Park,  Leatherhead  (gr.  Mr.  w! 
Higgs),  for  an  exceptionally  fine  collection,  the 
flowers  being  characterised  by  their  uniformly 
large  size  and  their  clearness  of  colouring.  The 
blooms  throughout  showed  good  globular  form, 
and  they  were  as  fine  a  collection  as  have  been 
staged  in  this  class  in  recent  years.  In  the  back 
row  were  the  varieties  Mrs.  G.  Denver.  Duchess 
of  Fife,  Mrs.  F.  Ashworth,  Buttercup,  H.  Hearn, 
Daisy  Southam  (a  beautiful  deep  shade  of  vellow), 


II')  ) 


THE     GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


[November  9,  1907. 


Mrs.  Barnard  Hankey,  Embleme  Poitevine, 
Pantia  Ralli,  Mrs.  F.  Judson  (a  fine  flower, 
white),  Miss  E.  Holding,  and  Lady  Isabel  (a 
big  flower,  coloured  a  suffusion  ot  pink  on 
white).  Centre  row:  Globe  d'Or  (a  pleasing 
bronzy-red  colour),  Mme.  Vrembley,  G.  I. 
Evans,  Frank  Trestian  (a  well-formed  flower  ot 
very  pale  bronze  colour),  Godfrey's  Eclipse,  M. 
O.  Meulanacre,  J.  Agate  (white),  Mrs.  A.  H. 
Hall,  Chas.  Curtis  (perfect  in  form),  Frank 
Hammond,  Le  Peyron,  W.  J.  Higgs  (dark,  a 
shade  of  red).  Front  row:  W.  Pascoe  (rich 
pink),  Mrs.  H.  J.  Jones,  Ialene,  Mrs.  J.  Seward, 
Hanwell  Glory,  Romance  (a  fine  yellow  variety), 
Doris  Rayner,  Mme.  Ferlat,  Ladywell,  'lopaze 
Orientale,  Nellie  Southam,  and  Tnomphe  de 
Montbrun.  2nd,  Pantia  Ralli,  Esq.,  Ashtead 
Park,  Epsom  (gr.  Mr.  G.  J.  Hunt).  There  were 
many  flowers  of  a  high  merit  in  this  exhibit,  but 
others  were  somewhat  flat,  and  the  quality  was, 
therefore,  not  so  uniformly  good  as  in  the  pre- 
ceding exhibit.  The  best  blooms  were  Duchess 
of  Fife  (white),  Godfrey's  Eclipse  (yellow),  Mrs. 
F.  Judson  (white),  Mrs.  B.  Hankey  (reddish),  C. 
H.  Curtis  (yellow),  Mrs.  F.  Ashworth,  and  Globe 
d'Or.  3rd,  A.  Tate,  Esq.,  Downside,  Leather- 
head  (gr.  Mr.  W.  Mease). 

Twelve  Incurved  blooms,  distinct. — This  class 
was  contested  by  four  exhibitors,  the  largest 
flowers,  shown  by  J.  B.  Hankey,  Esq.,  Leather- 
head  (gr.  Mr.  W.  Higgs),  being  awarded  the  1st 
prize.  Notable  flowers  in  the  premium  stand 
were  Romance  (yellow),  Mrs.  G.  Denver  (pink), 
Hanwell  Glorv  (a  shade  of  reddish-bronze),  and 
F.  Agate  (White).  2nd,  A.  T.  Miller,  Esq. 
(gr.  Mr.  G.  Mileham),  with  similar  varieties ; 
and  3rd,  Mr.  G.  Halsey,  for  compact,  uniform- 
sized  blooms. 

Six  Incurved  blooms  of  one  variety. — Of  the 
four  exhibits,  two  were  of  yellow  and  one  each 
of  a  white  and  a  pink  variety.  The  yellow 
Buttercup,  staged  by  Mr.  G.  Mileitam,  was 
adjudged  the  best. 

Japanese   Varieties. 

Forty-eight    blooms,   distinct.— There    were    six 

competitors  in  this  class  for  Japanese  varieties, 

and    the   quality   was   much   in   advance   of   the 

flowers  staged  at  the  similar  show  of  last  year. 

The   premier    collection    was    shown    by   John 

Balfour,   Esq.,  Moor  Hall,  Harlow,  Essex  (gr. 

Mr.    A.    Jefferies).     The    flowers   were   large,    of 

fresh  appearance,  and  with  colours  well  assorted. 

Many    of    the    flowers   were   possessed    of   those 

long  basal    florets    which    give    them   a   greater 

depth.     The  varieties  were  Mrs.  A.  T.  Miller  (as 

good    as    ever),    Godfrey's    Pride,    Lady     Mary 

Conyers    (a    shade    of    carmine,    with    recurving 

tips  to  the    long    florets),    Mrs.    Eric    Crossley, 

Elsie    Miller,    Mrs.     Norman     Davis,     Reginald 

Vallis,  Dorothy  Gouldsmith,  Valerie  Greenham, 

Mary    Inglis,     George    Terry,    Dorothy     Oliver, 

Sidney     Penford    (a    pleasing     reddish     shade), 

Edith'  Fuller,   Mrs.   F.   W.   Vallis,   F.    S.   Vallis 

(the  largest  bloom   in  the  six   displays),  Walter 

Jinks     (a     fine     colour — purplish-pink),      Mme. 

Gustave    Henry,     Mme.    A.    Choulet,     Algernon 

Davi.-     (richest     shade     of    yellow),    Mine.     L. 

Rousseau,    Joseph    Rocher,    Mrs.    G.    Mileham, 

Lady  Henderson,  Lady  Hopetoun,  Edith  Smith, 

John  Peed,  Mrs.  W.  Knox,  Mrs.  A.  H.  Lee  (one 

of   the  best  of  the  red-coloured  varieties),   Mrs. 

H.   Barnes,  Beatrice  May,  Mrs.  Barkley,  George 

Lawrence,  O.  H.  Broomhead,  Mme.  M.  de  Mons, 

Mons.    Paul   Watine,    Oliver   Miller   (a  pleasing 

shade  of  pink),  Bessie  Godfrey  (still  one  of  the 

best  "yellows"),  W.  R.  Church  (a  good  bloom, 

rich-red     underlaid     with     a      silvery     shade), 

Duchess   of    Sutherland,   Norman    Davis,    Mar- 

quise   Venosta,    Magnificent    (the   richest   of   the 

red   shades,  with   a  pale  yellow  reverse),   Mme. 

G.   Rivol  (yellow,  resembling  somewhat  a  large 

Incurved     bloom),     W.     Gee,     Chrysanthemiste 

Montigny,     J.      H.      Silsbury,     and      President 

Loubet.     The  2nd  prize  collection  adjoined  Mr. 

Balfour's    display ;    the   exhibitor   was    Mr.    G. 

Hall,  Melchet  Court  Gardens,  Romsey,  Hants, 

and  in  point  of  quality  it  was  little  behind  the 

1st     prize     group.     Among     the    more     notable 

flowers  we  may  enumerate  Magnificent,  Norman 

Davis    (beautifully    coloured),     Joseph     Stoney 

(rich  crimson),  Mrs.  A.  T.   Miller,  F.  S.  Vallis, 

P.  Radaelli,  Mme.  G.  Rivol,  Walter  Jinks, 

and    Mrs.    Norman     Davis   (white).     3rd,    E.    G. 

wta,    F"sq.,     Woburn     Place,     Addlestone, 

Surrey  (gr.  Mr.  T.  Stevenson). 


Eighteen    blooms,    in    not    fewer    than    twelve 
varieties.— The  prizes  in  this  class  were  given  by 
Mr.    W.    Wells,    Merstham,    and   the   conditions 
were    that   not   more   than   two   blooms   of   one 
variety  were  to  be  staged,  and  they  were  to  con- 
sist of  novelties  introduced  during  1906  or  1907, 
or  novelties  not  yet  in  commerce.     There  were 
two  exhibits  only  in  this  class,   staged  by  Mr. 
Norman  Davis,  nurseryman,  Framfield,  Sussex, 
and  A.  T.  Miller,  Esq.,  Emlyn  House,  Leather- 
head  (gr.   Mr.   G.   Mileham),  who  were  awarded 
the  1st  and  2nd  prizes  in  the  order  named.     Mr. 
Davis  staged  his  flowers  on  long  stalks  in  a  set- 
ting  of   Ferns   and   on   a   groundwork   of   green 
velvet,  the  effect  being  better  than  that  of  any 
other  exhibit  in  the  show.     His  varieties  were 
Mrs.  C.  Penfold  (yellow),  President  Loubet,  W. 
Ring   (pale   yellowish-bronze),     Sidney    Penfold 
(reddish),    Mrs.    Norman    Davis    (white),    C.    J. 
Champion   (pink),   British  Empire,  a  white  un- 
named seedling,  J.  Turk  Adams  (yellow,  tinged 
with  bronze),  Mme.  J.  de  la  Croull,  Magnificent 
W.  Watson,  and  Thos.  Stevenson  (clear  yellow). 
Mr.    Miller  exhibited   several  unnamed  seedling 
varieties. 

President's  prizes. — The  president  of  the 
society,  Charles  E.  Shea,  Esq.,  offered  prizes  in 
a  class  for  24  blooms  of  Japanese  varieties,  and 
this  class  attracted  six  exhibitors.  The  best 
display  was  from  the  gardens  of  John  Balfour, 
Esq.,  Moor  Hall,  Harlow,  Essex  (gr.  Mr.  A. 
Jefferies).  He  displayed  Reginald  Vallis,  Mme. 
G  Rivol,  Bessie  Godfrey,  Walter  Jinks,  Magni- 
ficent, Mrs.  A.  T.  Miller,  F.  S.  Vallis,  W.  Gee, 
J.  H.  Silsburv,  and  others  in  fine  form.  2nd, 
Mr.  G.  Hall,'  Melchet  Court  Gardens,  Romsey, 
Hants,  with  an  exhibit  not  far  behind  the  1st 
prize  collection  in  merit,  and  including  Walter 
links,  Mme.  P.  Radaelli,  F.  S.  Vallis,  Leigh 
Park  Wonder,  Magnificent,  A.  Davis,  and  other 
standard  kinds.  3rd,  J.  B.  Hankey,  Esq., 
Leatherhead  (gr.  Mr.  W.  Higgs).  The  other 
exhibits  were  all  of  fine  quality. 

Twelve  Japanese  blooms,  distinct. — Prizes  were 
offered  for  12  Japanese  Chrysanthemums,  of  dis- 
tinct varieties,  by  the  Ichthemic  Guano  Com- 
pany, Ipswich.  This  proved  a  strongly  con- 
tested class,  no  fewer  than  ten  exhibitors 
competing.  The  flowers  generally  were  of 
excellent  quality,  and  especially  the  dozen  staged 
by  E.  G.  Mocatta,  Esq.,  Addlestone,  Surrey 
(gr.  Mr.  T.  Stevenson),  which  gained  the  1st 
prize.  The  varieties  were  Lady  Talbot  (a  large 
yellow  flower  of  the  F.  S.  Vallis  type),  Leigh 
Park  Wonder,  Mrs.  Norman  Davis,  F.  S.  Vallis, 
Walter  Jinks  (a  flower  of  fine  quality),  Algernon 
Davis,  Henry  Perkins,  Reginald  Vallis,  Mrs.  W. 
Knox,  Mrs  .  A.  T.  Miller,  Magnificent,  and 
Duchess  of  Sutherland  (a  deep  shade  of  yellow, 
an  old  favourite).  2nd,  Mr.  G.  Hall,  Melchet 
Court  Gardens,  Romsey.  3rd,  Mr.  W.  Iggulden, 
Lock's  Hill  Nurseries,  Frome,  Somerset.  Mr. 
Hall  had  magnificent  flowers  of  Walter  Jinks, 
A.  Davis,  Edith  Smith  (white),  and  Mire.  P. 
Radaelli.  In  the  3rd  prize  exhibit  was  a  fine 
example  of  the  narrow  Detailed  Mrs.  Norman 
Davis  (a  white  variety). 

Reflexed  varieties. — A  class  was  provided  for 
12  large-flowered  varieties  of  this  type  of 
Chrysanthemum,  but  only  one  grower  exhibited, 
Mr.  J.  A.  Humphries,  and  he  was  awarded  the 
1st  prize.  He  showed  among  others  King  of 
the  Crimsons,  Chevalier  Domage,  Pink  Christine, 
Hetty  Dean  (white),  John  Boxall  (yellow),  and 
Dorothy  Oxberry  (rose-pink). 


Amateurs. 

Eighteen  Japanese  blooms,  distinct. — The  1st 
prize  was  won  by  Mr.  C.  B.  Gabriel  Eardale, 
Horsell,  Surrey,  with  a  remarkably  fine  lot  for 
an  amateur,  especially  fine  being  J.  H.  Doyle, 
Mrs.  F.  Dalton,  Lady  Conyers,  Mrs.  A.  T. 
Miller,  F.  S.  Vallis,  and  R.  Vallis.  2nd,  Mr. 
J.  A.  Humphries  (gr.  to  J.  H.  Burgess,  Esq., 
Maisey  Hampton,  Fairford),  in  whose  stand 
there  were  nice  blooms  of  Mrs.  F.  W.  Vallis, 
Mrs.  A.  T.  Miller,  Mr.  T.  Carrington,  A.  Davis, 
Ethel  Fitzroy,  and  others.  3rd,  Mr.  C.  Hazel- 
grove  (gr.  to  W.  Brander,  Esq.,  Sydenham  Hill) 

Twelve  Japanese  blooms,  distinct. — Mr.  C.  B. 
Gabriel  Eardale,  Horsell,  obtained  the  1st 
prize  with  excellent  blooms  of  Lady  Conyers, 
Duchess  of  Sutherland,  Reginald  Vallis,  and 
others.     2nd,   Mr.   J.    A.    Humphries,   gardener, 


Maisey  Hampton.  Mine.  G.  Rivol,  Piincess  Bran- 
cova,  and  F.  S.  Vallis  were  among  the  best. 
3rd,  Mr.  J.  W.  Stevens  (gr.  to  W.  H.  Stone, 
Esq.,   Donnington,    Lawrie   Park). 

Twelve  Incurved  varieties,  distinct. — The  1st 
prize  was  won  by  Mr.  A.  Osmond  (gr.  to  A. 
Kempt,  Esq.,  15,  Ross  Road,  South  ISorwood), 
with  extremely  nice,  well  developed  blooms,  the 
finer  of  which  were  Mrs.  J.  P.  Bruce,  Buttercup. 
Mrs.  B.  Hankey,  Lady  Isabel,  and  C.  H.  Curtis. 
2nd,  Mr.  J.  A.  Humphries,  gardener,  Maisey 
Hampton,  with  good  blooms,  but  not  well 
chosen  as  regards  size,  the  bigger  ones  being  of 
extraordinary  development,  viz.,  Godfrey's 
Eclipse,  Miss  N.  Hall,  and  Triomphe  de  Mont- 
brun. 

Section   B. 

Table   Decoration  with  Chrysanthemums. 

The  1st  prize  was  awarded  to  Mr.  H.  L.  Sell, 
Hampton  Villa,  Luton  ;  effective,  but  too  much 
crowded,  although  the  design  was  adequate. 
2nd,  Mr.  A.  Williamson,  East  Street,  Haslemere, 
with  an  arrangement  that  was  exceedingly  con- 
fused and  overdone. 

Plants  (Open). 
Six  bush  specimens. — These  plants  were  shown 
in  a  few  instances,  and  Mr.  E.  Houlton  (gr.  to 
J.  Gardiner,  Esq.,  Croxted  House,  Dulwich) 
was  1st  with  tall  specimens  carrying  12  blooms, 
one  on  each  branch.  The  varieties  were  in  all 
cases  Japanese.  2nd,  Mr.  C.  Bowyer  (gr.  to  P. 
Dawson,  Esq.,  Marybourne,  Lawrie  Park,  S.E.). 

First-Class  Certificates. 

The  following  new  varieties  were  awarded  the 
society's  First-Class  Certificate  : — 

W.  J.  Higgs  (Incurved). — A  large,  somewhat 
irregular  flower  that  will  probably  improve  next 
season.  The  inside  of  the  florets  are  a  deep 
claret  red,  and  this  shows  through,  giving  the 
flower  a  bronzy-claret  colour.  Shown  by  Mr. 
Higgs,  Leatherhead. 

Geo.  Mileham  ( Incurved- J apanese ). — Another 
addition  to  the  yellow  Incurved-Japanese  sec- 
tion ;  the  colour  is  canary  yellow.  Shown  by 
Mr.  Geo.  Mileham. 

Freda  Bedford  (decorative). — This  was  shown 
as  a  pot  plant ;  the  specimen  had  eight  medium- 
sized  disbudded  flowers  of  a  deep  apricot  colour. 
Shown  by  Messrs.  W.  Wtells  &  Co.,  Ltd. 

Felton's  Favourite  (market  or  decorative). — A 
medium-sized  creamy-white  variety.  Shown  by 
Mr.  Phillip  Ladds,  Swanley. 

E.  Not  tell  (single). — A  large  flower  of  pale 
primrose-yellow. 

Crown  Jewel  Improved  (single). — This  variety 
has  commendable  form.  The  flower  is  large 
and  coloured  terra-cotta  which  is  tipped  and  suf- 
fused with   gold. 

Elsie  Matthews  (single).— A  large,  single 
variety  of  pale  chestnut  colour,  and  with  n  pro- 
minent yellow   centre. 

C.  Robjaut  (single). — A  variety  of  pale 
cinnamon-red  colouring,  with  a  yellow  centre. 
These  "singles"  were  from  Mr.  H.  Reddens, 
Manor   House   Gardens,   West   Wickham,    Kent. 

Fruits  and  Vegetables. 
The  schedule  made  provision  for  competitive 
classes  of  fruit,  whilst  Mr.  Robert  Sydenham, 
Birmingham,  offered  many  monetary  prizes,  or 
the  equivalent  value  in  plate,  for  vegetables 
grown  from  his  seeds.  These  vegetables  made  a 
big  display,  and  some  excellent  produce  was 
staged.  In  the  Grape  classes  the  best  three 
bunches  of  a  white  Grape  were  Muscat  of  Alex- 
andria, shown  by  Mr.  J.  G.  Weston,  Eastwell 
Park  Gardens,  Kent ;  and  the  same  exhibitor  ex- 
celled in  the  class  for  six  dishes  of  dessert 
Apples.  Mr.  Lintott,  Marden  Park  Gardens, 
Caterham,  was  awarded  the  1st  prize  for  three 
bunches  of  black  Grapes  for  well-grown  ex- 
amples of  Black  Alicante ;  and  for  three  bunches 
of  Gros  Colmar  the  1st  prize  was  taken  by  Mr. 
Dunkley  (gr.  to  Hugh  Kerr,  Esq.,  Ardgowan, 
South  Woodford). 

NON-COMPETITIVE  EXHIBITS. 

Mr.  H.  J.  Jones,  Ryecroft  Nursery,  Lewisham, 
was    awarded    a    large    Gold    Medal    and    the- 


November  9,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS     CHRONICLE. 


335 


"Simpson"  Medal  for  a  very  imposing  group, 
consisting  of  cut  blooms  arranged  in  bam- 
boo stands  and  vases,  these  being  widely 
ilaced  so  that  the  blooms  might  be  sen  from 
every  side.  The  blooms,  Japanese  varieties 
,  mostly,  were  large  of  size,  very  varied  in  colour, 
and  in  good  condition.  Here  and  there 
were  stood  plants  of  Bamboo  and  specimens 
of  hardy  foliage  ;  sprays  of  Asparagus  were 
mixed  with  the  blooms.  The  outer  lines  of  the 
group  consisted  of  cut  blooms  of  Japanese  varie- 
ties, and  dwarf  plants  of  single-flowered  and 
other  small  Chrysanthemums. 

A  Gold  Medal  was  awarded  to  Mr.  W.  J. 
Godfrey  for  a  large  amount  of  table  space 
rilled  with  Chrysanthemums  in  Japanese  In- 
curved, single-flowered,  thread  floreted,  &c, 
varieties  ;  a  fine  lot  of  blooms  of  the  Incurved 
yellow  variety  Buttercup,  of  Mrs.  P.  Laxton, 
Mary  Mason,  F.  Gooding,  W.  Jinks,  Melba, 
Miss  Mary  Pearse,  Reginald  Vallis,  Miss  Lily 
Baker,  Mr.  H.  Hughes,  &c.  Of  true  Incurveds 
we  may  name  Viola,  Godfrey's  Eclipse,  Mar- 
jorie  Shield,  and  Frank  Trestien. 

Messrs.  W.  Wells  &  Co.,  Ltd.,  Merstham, 
Surrey,  exhibited  a  large  collection  of  Chrysan- 
themums of  all  types,  including  many  large 
Japanese  blooms  and  a  few  plants  in  pots. 
(Silver  Gilt  Medal.) 

Messrs.  H.  Caxnei.i.  &  Sons,  Swanley,  Kent, 
exhibited  Chrysanthemums,  Zonal  Pelargo- 
niums, Celosias,  Cannas,  and  a  fine  table  of 
175  dishes  of  distinct  varieties  of  hardy  fruits. 
The  Chrysanthemums  were  principally  large 
Japanese  varieties,  and  these  in  a  setting  ol 
autumnal  foliage  constituted  an  exhibit  of  high 
merit.     (Large  Gold  Medal.) 

Messrs.  T.  S.  Wake,  Ltd.,  Ware's  Nursery, 
Peltham,  showed  single  Dahlias  and  Carnations 
tastefully  arranged  with  coloured  foliage,  As- 
paragus sprays,  &c.     (Large   Silver  Medal.) 

Messrs.  John  Peed  &  Son,  West  Norwood, 
London,  showed  vases  of  Carnations,  Begonias 
of  the  Gloire  de  Lorraine  type,  an  effective 
group  of  Chrysanthemums,  and  an  exhibit  of 
hardy  fruits.     (Gold  Medal. i 

Messrs.  J.  Laing  &  Sons,  Forest  Hill  Nur- 
series, S.E.,  arranged  a  small  conical  group  of 
miscellaneous  varieties  of  Chrysanthemums,  and 
were  awarded  a  Silver  Gilt  Medal. 

Messrs.  Hobbies,  Ltd.,  Norfolk  Nurseries, 
Dereham,  staged  a  group  of  the  more  showy 
single  and  semi-double  varieties  of  Chrysanthe- 
mums, such  as  Gaiety,  Edith  Pagram, 
Marie  Cover,  and  Mary  Richardson.  A 
Gold  Medal  was  awarded  the  exhibi- 
tors. This  firm  had  a  conical  group  of 
the  large  single-flowered  Dahlias,  of  which  Duke 
Henry  is  the  type,  and  a  pretty  lot  of  Hybrid 
Tea  Roses. 

Messrs.  W.  Sandford,  Hall  Green  Nurseries, 
Birmingham,  were  awarded  a  Silver  Medal  for 
a  table  of  cut  blooms  of  Chrysanthemums,  set 
up  in  bamboo  stands  and  vases.  These  con- 
sisted of  semi-double  and  single-flowered  varie- 
ties :  Robert  Milner  (yellow),  Pink  Felicity 
(pink),  and  Mrs.  Austen  Chamberlain  (pink, 
zoned  with  white),  and  many  others. 

Mr.  P.  Ladds,  Nurseries,  Swanley  Junction, 
Kent,  was  awarded  a  Gold  Medal  for  a  big  ex- 
hibit, consisting  of  Chrysanthemums,  shown  in 
groups  of  varieties  of  Japanese,  large  and  small 
flowered. 

Mr.  J.  Cole,  Midland  Road  Nursery,  Peter- 
borough, received  a  Silver  Medal  for  a  table 
furnished  with  cut  blooms  of  very  fine  Chry- 
santhemums. 

A  small  Silver  Medal  was  awarded  to  Mr.  J. 
Williams,  4,  Oxford,  Ealing,  for  a  variety  of 
arrangements  for  displaying  Chrysanthemums 
or  other  blooms  in  silvered  stands. 

The  Government  of  British  Columbia 
showed  some  magnificent  Apples  and  Pears, 
the  produce  of  that  Colony.  Apple  Nonsuch  is 
a  remarkably  handsome  fruit,  splendidly  col- 
oured, and  fine  in  shape.  Jonathan,  Rome 
Beauty,  and  Grime's  Golden  are  other  Apples 
of  fine  appearance.     (Large  Silver  Medal.) 

Mr.  Robert  Sydenham,  Tenby  Street,  Bir- 
mingham, showed  vegetables  of  very  high  merit, 
especially  good  being  Lyon  Leeks,  Autumn 
Giant  Cauliflower,  Ailsa  Craig  Onions,  and 
Hollow-Crown  Parsnips.  (Large  Silver  Medal.  I 
Mr.  William  Dane,  Hawkenburv,  Tunbridge 
Wells,  showed  shrubs  and  Conifers.  (Silver 
Medal.) 


Mr.  G.  W.  Riley,  Heme  Hill,  S.E.,  showed 
greenhouses  and  rustic  summer  houses,  &c. 
(Silver  Medal.) 

Messrs.  H.  Scott  &  Sons,  Woodside,  South 
Norwood,  S.E.,  exhibited  rustic  summer  houses, 
garden  seats,  tables,  barrows,  kennels,  and  hor- 
ticultural sundries.     (Silver  Gilt  Medal.) 


<tiH>ttuarjg. 


PORTSMOUTH   CHRYSANTHEMUM. 

October  30,  31,  &  November  1.— The  21st 
exhibition  was  held  on  these  dates  in  the  Town 
Hall,  the  display  being  up  to  the  standard  of 
former  shows,  the  entries  as  numerous,  and  the 
general  quality  as  good.  Cut  blooms  were, 
perhaps,  the  most  prominent  feature.  In  the 
class  for  36  Japanese  blooms,  in  not  fewer  than 
18  varieties,  four  growers  competed,  valuable 
prizes  being  offered.  The  Dowager  Ladv 
^SHBURTON  (gr.  Mr.  G.  Hall),  Melchet  Court, 
Komsey,  easily  won  the  1st  prize  with 
large,  highly-coloured  examples  of  popular 
ties,  of  which  the  examples  of  Mr..  W. 
Knox,  Melchet  Beauty,  Mme.  P.  Radaelli,  Mme. 
M.  de  Mons,  Mrs.  R.  Hooper  Pearson,  and  1 
.V  Vallis  were  especially  fine.  2nd,  Mrs. 
Ogii.vie,  Koseeroft,  Hambledon,  Hants  (gr.  Mr. 
Dawes).  Mr.  Hall  also  won  the  premier  prize 
in  the  class  for  24  Japanese  blooms,  in  not  fewer 
than  16  varieties,  with  blooms  similar  to  those 
in  the  larger  class.  Pantia  Ralli,  Esq.  (gr. 
Mr.  G.  II.  Hunt),  Ashtead  Park,  Epsom,  was 
2nd  in  this  class. 

In  the  classes  for  Incurved  blooms,  the  last- 
named  exhibitor  won  the  1st  prize  fur  24  blooms 
with  an  uneven  set,  though  of  good  quality. 
For  12  Incurved  Chrysanthemums,  Mr.  W.  G. 
Adams,  Southsea,  was  the  most  successful  ex- 
hibitor.  His  dozen  were  the  best  Incurved 
flowers  in  the  show,  an  especial  quality  being 
their  neatm  ;s. 

The  various  exhibits  of  Pompon  varieties  made 
a  prettj  display.  In  the  class  for  12  triplets  of 
these  flowers  Mr.  H  Snook,  5,  Fitzroy  Street, 
I  i. hi. .n,  won  the  1st  prize.  Single-flowered 
varieties  produced  a  big  display  and  proved 
an  attraction.  Mr.  J.  Agate,  Havant,  was  the 
most  successful  exhibitor  of  "singles"  with  a 
highly  effective  combination  of  choice  varieties. 

Plants  were  an  important  feature  in  the  show. 
A  class  was  provided  for  12  specimen  plants  of 
Chrysanthemums,  each  with  not  fewer  than  12 
blooms  on  each.  Mr.  G.  Lambert,  Bognor 
Road,  Chichester,  was  an  easy  1st  prize  winner  ; 
several  of  his  plants  had  more  than  40  high- 
class  blooms.  The  best  group  of  Chrysanthe- 
mums was  staged  by  Mr.  Papworth,  gardener 
to  the  Portsmouth  Parks  Committee.  Mr. 
Papw-orth  showed  dwarf  plants,  all  carrying 
good  blooms,  the  stems  well  clothed  with 
healthy  leaves,  and  what  was  of  equal  import- 
ance, they  were  not  overcrowded  in  their 
staging. 

Miss  Minnie  Snellgrove.  London  Road, 
Southampton,  was  a  successful  exhibitor  in  the 
decorative  classes. 

Displays  of  vegetables  were  meritorious.  Mr. 
(">.  Ellwood,  gardener  to  W.  II.  Myers,  Esq., 
Swanmore  Park,  Bishop's  Waltham,  won  both 
the  society's  prize  for  nine,  and  Messrs. 
Sutton's  for  six  kinds,  with  excellent  dis- 
plays. Mr.  Ellwood  also  won  the  1st  prize  in 
the  class  for  two  bunches  of  Black  Grapes. 

Among  the  non-competitive  exhibits,  Messrs. 
Sutton  &  Sons,  Reading,  had  a  highly  interest, 
ing  exhibit  of  vegetables  ;  and  Messrs.  Dobbie 
&  Co.,  Rothesay,  showed  40  dishes  of  Onions. 
This  was  an  exhibit  of  much  merit. 


CATALOGUES     RECEIVED. 


Herd  Bros.,  Penrith.— Forest,  ornamental,  and  fruit  trees, 

4c. 
James  Cocker  &  Sons— Roses,  herbaceous  plants,  shrubs, 

fruit  trees,  4c. 
W.  Drummond  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  Stirling  and  Dublin.— Trees, 

shrubs  and  Roses. 
W.  and  T.   Samson,    Kilmarnock— Forest  and  ornamental 

trees. 

FOREIGN. 

Messrs.    Julius    Roehrs    Co.,   Rutherford,    New    Jersey, 
U.S.A. — Rose  Newport  Fairv. 


John  Allsop.— The  death  of  this  well-inown 
gardener,  at  the  age  of  66  years,  occurred  o  i 
Wednesday,  October  30,  at  Roundhay,  near 
Leeds,  the  residence  of  his  son.  For  some  time 
past  deceased  had  not  been  in  good  health, 
though  he  was  able  to  follow  his  duties  at 
Dalton  Holme  Gardens  until  quite  recently. 
A    short    tin  he    decided    to    consult    a 

surgeon  specialist  at  Leeds,  and  an  operatii 
was  considered  necessary.  The  operation  wa 
successful,  but  deceased  was  not  strong  enough 
to  overcome  its  effei  ts,  and  death  resulted  from 
heart  failure.  In  1872  the  late  Mr.  Allsop  en- 
tered the  service  of  Lord  Hotham  :  previously 
he  had  occupied  the  position  of  head  gardener 
to  the  late  Admiral  Duncombe,  at  Kilnwick 
Percy,  also  situate  in  the  East  Riding  of  York- 
shire. Deceased  was  a  native  of  Derbyshire, 
and  began  his  gardening  career  as  a  boy  in  Mr. 
Godwin's  nursery  at  Ashbourne.  From  that 
establishment  he  went  to  Longford  Hall,  the 
residence  of  the  Hon.  Mr.  Cole,  and  later  was 
foreman  at  Kedleston  Hall,  the  seat  of  Lord 
Scarsdale,  both  places  being  in  the  count  \  .  i 
Derby.  After  that  he  was  gardener  to  Capt. 
Stewart,  near  Tamworth,  for  a  few  \ 
coming  from  thence  to  Yorkshire.  Mr.  All 
excelled  in  fruit  culture,  both  indoors  and  out, 
and  also  in  landscape  gardening.  His  services 
as  a  judge  have  for  many  years  been  in  re- 
quest at  many  of  the  principal  exhibition-  in 
the  county  of  Yorkshire.  A  family  of  six 
sons,  three  of  whom  are  gardeners,  is  left  to 
mourn  his  loss.  The  eldest,  William,  is 
dener  to  Lord  Derwent,  Hackness  Hall,  Si  ar- 
borough;  another,  Arthur,  is  superintendent  of 
the  public  parks  at  Leeds;  and  Walter,  for 
some  years  gardener  at  Osberton  Hall,  Worl 
is  now  in  business  as  a  florist  in  Leeds.  Tin-  in- 
terment took  place  on  Saturday,  2nd  inst.,  in 
the  churchyard  attached  to  the  parish  church 
of  Dalton.  Lord  Hotham  was  present  at  the 
service,  and  at  his  request  the  whole  of  the  em- 
ployes on  the  estate  attended  also.  Yorkshire 
Gardener. 

J.  Assbee.  As  our  pages  are  passing  through 
the  press,  the  regrettable  news  has  reached  us  of 
the  death  of  Mr.  J.  Ashhee  on  Wednesday  even- 
ing, the  6th  inst.  Mr.  Assbee,  who  was  £8  years 
of  age,  has  been  superintendent  of  the  Covent 
Garden  market  for  about  one  quarter  of  a  cen- 
tury, and  he  was  familiar  in  horticultural 
circles,  having  been  until  his  unfortunate  death 
a  member  of  the  Executive  Commitlee  of  the 
Royal  Gardeners'  Orphan  Fund,  Horticultural 
Club,   &c. 


DEBATING    SOCIETIES. 

REDHILL,  REIGATE  AND  DISTRICT  GAR- 
DENERS'.—A  meeting  of  this  association  was  held  on 
October  21.  Mr.  C.  F.  Walters,  of  Deanland  Nur-.  o, 
Balcombe,  Sussex,  gave  a  paper  on  "  The  Introduce 
Cultivation  of  the  American  Carnation."  The  lecturer  cul- 
tivates 30,000  plants,  and  he  gave  his  hearers  some  good 
practical  hints  from  his  own  experience. 

BRISTOL  AND  DISTRICT  GARDENERS  . 
meeting  of  this  association  was  held,  on  Thursday, 
October  31,  under  the  presidency  of  Mr.  A.  O.  Shelton, 
vice-chairman.  Mr.  J.  Pentland,  representative  of  the  Bath 
Society,  gave  a  paper  on  "The  Pleasures  and  Sorrows  of 
Gardening."  The  lecturer  was  very  optimistic  in  hisviews. 
having  all  pleasure  and  no  sorrows  to  relate.  Mr.  Pentland 
said  there  was  a  reciprocity  of  feeling  between  the 
sympathetic  gardener  and  hisplants,  that  they  would  thrive  in 
response  to  the  attendant's  care  and  kindness.  But,  to  a  less 
sympathetic  man,  be  he  never  so  skilful  and  experienced, 
the  plants  fail  to  respond  to  his  treatment.  A  competition 
in  wreath-making  for  under  gardeners,  hardy  flowers  and 
foliage  only  to  be  used,  resulted  in  Mr.  Farley  gainine  the 
1st  prize.    H.W. 

SALISBURY  AND  DISTRICT  GARDENERS' 

At  the  weekly  meeting  of  this  society,  held  on  October  30, 
a  paper  was  read  by  Mr.  W.  Nandall,  of  Longford  Gardens 
on  the  cultivation  of  the  Strawberry.  Mr.  T.  Challis, 
Y.M.H.,  presided  over  a  large  attendance  of  the  members. 
The  lecturer  dealt  in  an  exhaustive  manner  with  the  details, 
both  for  outside  culture  and  for  forcing.  Agood  discussion 
ensued  after  the  reading  of  the  paper.    G.  W.  Tucker. 

READING  AND  DISTRICT  GARDENERS' 
large  attendance  of  the  members  assembled  at  the  re.  .  nt 
fortnightly  meeting  of  the  above  association.  Thesubjei.il  r 
the  evening  was  "Sweet  Peas,"  introduced  by  Mr.  I.  C. 
House,  of  Coombe,  Bristol.  The  lecturer  referred  to  the 
great  popularity  of  the  Sweet  Pea  as  evidenced  by  the 
magnificent  shows  now  held  by  the  National  Sweet  Pea  and 
other  societies.  Details  on  culture,  including  the  prepara- 
tion of  the  soil  and  position,  chemical  manures,  mulching, 
watering,  time  of  seed  sowing,  sowing  in  pots,  thinning, 
staking,  4c.,  were  given,  also  a  list  of  the  best  varieties  in 
their  respective  colours. 


336 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[November  9,  190/. 


SCHEDULES    RECEIVED. 

Lancaster  and  District  Horticultural  Improve- 
ment Association's  Chrysanthemum  show,  to  be  held  on 
Wednesday,  November  13th,  1907.  Hon.  Sec.  J.  W.  Pring, 
New  Street,  Lancaster. 

Birmingham  and  Midland  Counties  Chrysanthemum, 
Fruit  and  Floricultural  Society's  47th  annual  Chry- 
santhemum show,  to  be  held  in  Bingley  Hall,  Birmingham, 
on  Tuesday,  Wednesday,  and  Thursday,  November,  12,  13, 
14,  1907.  Secretary,  Alfred  Noakes,  148,  Bristol  Street, 
Birmingham. 

Newcastle  and  District  Chrysanthemum  Society's 
3rd  annual  exhibition  to  be  held  in  the  Town  Hall  and  Corn 
Exchange,  Newcastle,  on  November  20-21,  1907. 

Alteration.— The  Liverpool  Horticultural  Asso- 
ciation's Chrysanthemum  and  Fruit  Show  (Wednesday 
and  Thursday,  November  13  and  14,  1907t.-Owing  to  the 
altered  date  of  the  Liverpool  Assizes,  this  forthcoming  show 
cannot  be  held  in  St.  George's  Hall.  Arrangements  have 
been  made  to  hold  the  same  in  the  Drill  Hall,  204,  Upper 
Warwick  Street, 


Wmfm 

Mr 

rmpondent 


Apple  Roots  :  R.  W.  The  roots  are  attacked 
by  the  white  mycelium,  which  has  evidently 
emanated  from  some  buried  stump  or  dead 
root,  and  so  often  alluded  to  in  this  journal 
as  "root  fungi."  There  is  little  hope  of 
exterminating  the  pest  unless  you  can  clean 
the  roots  and  disinfect  the  soil.  We  have 
frequently  warned  readers  against  planting 
fruit  trees  in  soil  containing  dead  wood,  roots, 
or  tree  stumps. 

Begonia  Gloire  de  Lorraine  :  Avon.  The 
bases  of  the  stems  are  cankered,  probably 
through  over-watering  or  keeping  the  plant 
more   than  one  year. 

Bulb  Mite  :  /.  E.  The  paragraph  appeared  in 
our  issue  for  March  25,  1905,  p.  185,  and 
was  taken  from  the  March  number  of  the 
Journal  of  the  Board  of  Agriculture  of  that 
year.  The  measures  recommended  are:  1,  to 
burn  the  affected  bulbs ;  or  2,  wash  and 
spray  every  affected  bulb  with  paraffin,  re- 
peating the  operation  after  a  fortnight ;  3, 
wash  the  bulbs  in  sulphide  of  potassium 
(liver  of  sulphur),  1  oz.  to  3  gallons  of  water  ; 
4,  fumigation  with  bisulphide  of  carbon.  In 
order  to  do  this,  place  the  bulbs  in  an  air- 
tight receptacle,  and  on  the  top  of  the  bulbs 
put  a  saucer  of  the  bisulphide  and  let  the 
bulbs  remain  in  the  vapour  for  48  hours.  It 
must  be  remembered  that  the  vapour  is 
poisonous  and  inflammable,  so  that  no  light 
of  any  description  should  be  brought  near 
the  fluid. 

Calcium  Carbide  Refuse  as  Manure  :  F.  B. 
This  substance,  after  having  been  used  for 
the  preparation  of  acetylene  gas,  may  be  used 
on  the  soil  in  a  similar  manner  and  in  about 
the  same  proportion  as  freshly  slaked  lime,  the 
manurial  values  of  each  substance  being  ap- 
proximately equivalent.  Do  not  allow  the 
substance  to  come  into  direct  contact  with 
vegetation,  and  if  possible  apply  it  when  the 
land  is  lying  fallow. 

Chrysanthemum  Stem  Diseased  :  W.  S.  &  S. 
The  black  objects  in  the  Chrysanthemum  stem 
are  the  sclerotia,  or  resting  bodies,  of  a 
fungus  known  as  Botrytis.  It  belongs  to  the 
Pezizas  or  cup  fungi.  These  objects,  resem- 
bling mouse  dung,  are  common  in  the  pithy 
stems  of  many  plants  at  this  time  of  year.  It 
is  possible  that  the  fungus  may  have  appeared 
since  the  attacks  of  the  insects,  if  you  are 
sure  that  they  have  bored  into  the  stem.  The 
sclerotia  are  often  preceded  by  a  mould-like 
condition,,  which  affects  the  leaves  and  stems. 

Cordyline  (Dracena)  t  /.  A".  The  leaves 
appear  to  be  attacked  by  a  species  of 
Anthracnose,  probablv  Glceosporium  dracaeni- 
colum  (B.  and  Br.).  All  diseased  leaves  should 
be  destroyed  by  burning,  and  the  plants 
syringed  with  a  weak  solution  of  the  Bordeaux 
mixture. 

Fungi  :  C.  B.  G.  The  fungi  were  received  in 
a  condition  impossible  to  determine  the 
species.  All  of  them  were  nearly  devoured 
by  maggots,  and  mostly  without  perfect  stems 
and  rotten ;  2,  Clitocybe  cerussata.  The 
others  cannot  be  determined. 


Group  ok  Miscellaneous  Plants  :  //.  M. 
The  schedule  definitely  states  that  the  group 
should  be  arranged  on  a  space  not  exceeding 
10  feet  in  .diameter.  It  is  peculiarly  unfortu- 
nate that  you  should  have  been  misguided  by 
the  person  in  charge  of  the  arrangements,  but 
in  the  face  of  the  terms  printed  in  the 
schedule  the  Committee  may  be  right  in  their 
insistence  that  they  should  be  carried  out  to 
the   letter. 

Names  of  Flowers,  Fruits  and  Plants. — We 
are  anxious  to  oblige  correspondents  as  far  as 
we  consistently  can,  but  they  must  bear  in 
mind  that  it  is  no  part  of  our  duty  to  our 
subscribers  to  name  either  flowers  or  fruits. 
Such  work  entails  considerable  outlay,  both  ol 
time  and  money,  and  cannot  be  allowed  to  dis- 
organise the  preparations  for  the  weekly  issue,  or  to 
encroach  upon  time  required  for  the  conduct  of  the 
paper.  Correspondents  should  never  send  more 
than  six  plants  or  fruits  at  one  time  :  they  should  be 
very  careful  to  pack  and  label  them  properly,  to  give 
every  information  as  to  the  county  the  fruits  are 
grown  in,  and  to  send  ripe,  or  nearly  ripe,  specimens 
which  show  the  character  of  the  variety.  By 
neglecting  these  precautions  correspondents  add 
greatly  to  our  labour,  and  run  the  risk  of 
delay  and  incorrect  determinations.  Correspondents 
not  answered  in  one  issue  are  requested  to 
be  so  good  as  to  consult  the  folloiving  numbers. 
Froits  :  IV.  W.  1.  Fondante  dAutomne  ;  2, 
Marie  Louise. — E.  W.,  Shansted.  1,  Fondante 
de  Malines ;  2,  Beurre  Diel  ;  3,  Bergamot 
Esperen  ;  4,  Conseiller  de  la  Cour  ;  5,  Marie 
Louise  ;  6,  Beurre  Bosc. — T.  S.  F.,  Apple.  In 
appearance  the  fruit  is  exactly  like  Wealthy,  but 
is  much  too  sour  for  that  variety.  We  do  not, 
therefore,  recognise  it.  1,  Beurre  d'Hiver; 
2,  Beurre"  dAmanlis;  3  (rotten)  ;  4,  Beurre 
Giflard. 

Plants:  F.B.  1,  Codiarinn  (Croton)  irregu- 
lare  ;  2,  Codiaeum  augustifolium  maculatum  ;  3, 
Codiaeum  volutum  ;  4,  Curculigo  recurvata  ;  5, 
Dracaena  marginata  ;  G,  Dracaena  terminal  is. — 
V.  A.  1,  Oncidium  praetextum  ;  2,  Cypripedium 
Schlimii ;  3,  Palumbina  Candida ;  4,  Stelis 
muscifera. — A.J.  W., Epsom.  Cattleyaelongata. 
figured  in  the  Botanical  Magazine,  t.  7543,  and 
often  grown  in  gardens  as  Cattleya  Alexandra. 
— A.  R.,  Heath  field.  1,  Cotoneaster  frigida  ;  2, 
Rhamnus  frangula. — T.  C.  Lycium  chinense, 
the  Box  Thorn,  sometimes  called  the  "  Tea- 
plant." 

Peach  Roots  :  L.  F .  The  knots  on  the  roots 
are  not  due  to  insects  or  fungi.  They  fre- 
quently appear  on  the  roots  of  Raspberries, 
Plums,  Apricots,  Apples,  and  Pears.  On 
cutting  through  one  of  the  knots  it  becomes 
apparent  that  it  consists  of  a  number  of 
adventitious  buds.  The  woody  part  of  the 
root  is  much  enlarged,  and  one  can  easily 
trace  small  parenchymatous  wedges  arising 
from  the  medulla,  being  later  transformed 
into  real  bud  stalks.  These  buds,  however, 
rarely  develop  leaves,  but  are  suffocated 
every  year :  thus  after  a  few  years  this 
growth  results.  As  to  the  cause  of  this  extra- 
ordinary development  of  buds,  it  must  be 
said  that  it  has  been  proved  by  experiment 
that  these  knots  develop  on  places  where 
roots  are  slightly  bent,  thus  interfering  with 
the  normal  flow  of  the  sap,  which  is  stowed 
in  these  places,  and  in  consequence  adven- 
titious buds  are  formed.  Thus  in  planting 
trees  care  should  be  taken  not  to  break  or 
bend  any  roots  into  an  unnatural  position. 
It  is  also  known  that  loamy,  clayey,  and 
stony  soils  prevent  the  natural  development 
of  the  roots  and  produce  such  knots.  You 
have  already  done  the  best  thing  to  prevent  a 
recurrence  of  this  injury  by  lifting  the 
Peach  trees  and  cutting  away  the  injured 
portions,  and  by  the  supply  of  fresh  soil.  It 
is  doubtful  whether  chlorosis  is  due  to  the 
knot-like  growths.  A  deficiency  of  iron  in  the 
soil  results  in  chlorosis,  which  is  apparent  in 
the  yellow  spotting  you  describe,  but  other 
causes  which  produce  unhealthy  root  develop- 
ment, e.g.,  stagnation  of  water,  may  produce 
somewhat  similar  results. 

Pears  :  H.  M .  B.  Your  Pears  are  attacked  by 
the  brown  rot  (Monilia  fructigena),  which 
attacks  Apples,  Pears,  Cherries,  and  Apricots 
(see  Fungoid  Pests  of  Cultivated  Plants,  p. 
136,  with  figures).  The  methods  hitherto 
recommended  are  to  remove  and  burn  all 
diseased  fruits,  and  spray  the  trees  with  a 
solution  of  4  lbs.   of  sulphate  of  iron  in  5  or 


6  gallons  of  water.     It  is  a  difficult  disease  to 
combat. 

Roses  :  T .  N .  Judging  from  your  letter,  it  is 
probable  that  the  cause  of  the  stated  varieties 
failing  was  mildew  attacking  the  foliage  in  a 
very  young  state,  consequently  checking  de- 
velopment and  causing  the  leaves  to  fall. 
Some  varieties  are  much  more  liable  to  attacks 
of  mildew  than  others.  A  sharp  look-out  should 
be  kept  next  spring,  and  directly  mildew  i5 
suspected,  the  young  growths  should  be  freely 
dusted  with  flowers  of  sulphur,  or  the  plants 
may  be  sprayed  with  sulphide  of  potassium, 
using  half  an  ounce  of  sulphide  to  each  gallon 
of  soft  water.  We  do  not  advise  the  removal 
from  the  bed  of  these  established  plants, 
which  are  all  of  good  constitution,  and  should 
be  capable  of  succeeding  equally  as  well  as 
the  other  kinds.  You  would  do  well,  how- 
ever, to  delay  the  spring-pruning  for  a  week 
or  ten  days  longer  than  usual ;  the  plants  will 
then  push  vigorously  into  growth  directly 
afterwards,  and  may  be  further  encouraged  by 
copious  ppplications  of  diluted  liquid  manure 
water  twice  weekly  throughout  the  season  of 
growth.  As  the  heat  of  the  sun  increases  dur- 
ing the  summer  months,  a  surface  mulching  of 
cow  manure  would  prove  very  beneficial. 
Such  a  check  and  failure  of  foliage  as  you 
have  described  is  sometimes  owing  to  the  roots 
having  penetrated  deeply  in  search  of  moisture, 
and,  in  the  case  of  beds  not  properly  prepared, 
finding  their  way  into  a  hard,  inert,  and  alto- 
gether unsuitable  subsoil.  Your  plants  having 
recovered  during  September,  leads  us  to  the 
conclusion  that  they  suffered  earlier  in  the  sea- 
son from  want  of  moisture  at  the  roots.  If 
you  prefer  lifting  the  plants,  they  would  grow 
and  flower  well  in  a  greenhouse,  but  it  would 
be  unwise  to  attempt  to  force  them  this  sea- 
son, it  being  necessary  to  have  established, 
well-rooted  plants  for  this  purpose. 

School  of. Forestry:  S.  S.  A.  The  best  is 
certainly  that  which  has  been  established  at 
the  Oxford  University.  There  is  another  at 
Bangor,  North  Wales,  and  lectures  on  fores- 
try are  delivered  in  connection  with  the  Uni- 
versities at  Edinburgh  and  Aberdeen,  also  at 
the  Armstrong  College,  Newcastle-on-Tyne. 
The  Journal  of  Forestry  is  issued  quarterly, 
at  the  price  of  two  shillings,  published  by  J. 
Davidson,  Haydon  Bridge.  For  the  Journal 
of  the  Royal  Scottish  Arboricullural  Society 
write  to  Mr.  R.  Galloway,  5,  St.  Andrew's 
Square,   Edinburgh. 

Seedling  Carnations  :  W.  V.,  Box  Rd.  Both 
the  pink  and  white  varieties  are  very  pretty 
and  possess  elegant  form,  but  we  do  not  think 
they  are  superior  to  existing  varieties.  Several 
novelties  of  high  merit  were  certificated  by 
the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  at  the  last 
meeting,  a  report  of  which  appeared  in  our 
issue   for   last  week. 

Shanking  in  Grapes:  Norfolk.  Nothing  defi- 
nite is  known  as  to  the  direct  cause  of  this 
common  complaint  of  Grapes,  although  it  is 
generally  agreed  that  some  check  is  indirectly 
responsible  for  the  trouble.  By  most  authori- 
ties it  is  agreed  that  an  unsuitable  rooting 
medium  and  over-cropping  are  two  indirect 
causes  of  shanking.  The  border  should  be 
thoroughly  overhauled  and  re-made  with 
fresh  loam  with  bonemeal  and  old  lime  rubble 
added,  and  every  inducement  made  to  en- 
courage the  roots  to  grow  near  to  the  surface. 
Improper  treatment  in  the  vinery,  such  as  per- 
mitting cold  draughts,  practising  careless 
watering,  &c,  will  also  cause  shanking  in  the 
berries.  Shanking  is  generally  associated 
with,  if  not  caused  by,  a  fungus.  This  com- 
plaint is  referred  to  in  all  the  works  on  Grape 
culture. 

SOLANUM  Leaves  :  Constant  Reader.  We  can 
detect  no  fungi  or  other  disease  on  the 
Solanum  leaves  sent.  The  spotting  may  have 
been  caused  by  thrips. 

Communications  Rfceived.— G.  W.  B.  (the  sixpence  lias 
been  placed  in  the  R.G.O.F.  box.)— Irvine  &  Co.— A  Reader 
—A.  Lear— G.  R.-G.  G.-J.  D.  G.— H.  G.  K.-R.  B.,  Jr.— 
Tennis— J.  W.A.—  J.  C— W.E.  B.— H.  W.  W.-W.  H.t  . 
—Lady  P.— J.  A.E.— J.  D.-A.  B.  S.-J.  J.  W.— T.  A.— 
H.  G.— A.  O.— R.  P.— Yorkshire  Gardener— C.  H.  P.— 
—  1.  W.-W.  H.-J.  R.— A.  M.— P.  W.— J.  Tindall— F.  M. 
— F.  W.  P.-  ].  B.— W.  G.  F.— J.  R.  J.— A.  C.  B.— Owen  I 
— W.  A.C.— R.T.  H.-F.  S.  &  S.-A.  J.  G.—  Arthur  \V.  >. 
— Northumberland— H.  S.-Eigot—  E.  G.  C— A.  B.  H  — 
J.C.-C.  L.  L.-J.  H.-C.  G.  P.-W.  D.  &  Co.-C.  P.- 
T.  B.-J.  O—  A.  (".— A.  D.— E.  B.— Miss  R. 


November  16,  1907.] 


THE     G  A  RDENER  S'     CNR  O  NI CL  E. 


337 


THE 


<^arbcncrs<r  brontclc 

No.  7,090.— SATURDAY,  November  16.  1907. 


CONTENTS. 


Arctotis  decurrens       ...    315 
Books,  notices  of — 
The  Wild   and   Culti- 
vated Cotton  Plants 
of  the  World  ...     341 

Publications  received    34b 
Bouvardias         ...  ...     346 

Chrysanthemums, 

single    339 

Coal,     anthracite,      for 

heating  greenhouses...     352 
Cold  storage  of  fi  ml     ...     346 
Debating    Societies, 
Union  of  ...         ...    345 

Eastwell  Park,  Kent    ...    337 
Fodder-plant,  a  new    ...     314 
Foliage,  green  colour  in     340 
Fuchsias   as  decorative- 
plants     345 

Geo.  Monro, Ltd.  annual 

dinner 345 

Gooseberry    disease,    a 

new        311 

Herbaceous  plants.some 

new  and  rare 342 

Honours     for    horticul- 
turists         345 

Judging  Muscat  Graj         346 
Meetings  of  the  Et.H.S. 

for  1908 344 

Obituary — 

Assbee,  John 351 

Newton,  John  351 
Plant-collecting  in  China     311 
Potato,    Winter-rot   dis- 
ease of ..     315 

Propagator,  the — 
Layering  plants        ...    311 


Schneider,   Mr.  George, 

banquet   in   honour  of 

Societies — 

Birmingham  and  Mid- 

i  ountiesChrys. 

Brighton   and    Sussex 

Hort 

Bristol  Chrys. 

Cardiff     and     County 

Chrys.  

Hereford     Fruit    and 

Chrys. 
Manchester  and  N.  of 

England  '  irchid  ... 
Mai  gate  l  lays, 
luiiii  v  and  Wands- 
worth Chrys.  ..f 
Royal  Horticultural  ... 
Southampton  Chrys. 
Si  luthend  -   on  -  Sea 

Chrys ... 

Torquay  District  Gar- 
deners   

\\  indsor  Chrys. 
Tree-planting  and  stak- 
ing          

Vegetables    for    exhibi- 
tion         

Wallflowers  and  subse- 
quent crops     

w  i  ii  k,  the — 
Flower  garden,  the  .. 
Fruits  under  glass  ... 
Hardy  fruit  garden  ... 
Kitchen  garden,  the  ... 
Orchid  houses,  the  ... 
Parks  and  gardens  ... 
Plants  under  glass  ... 
Weights  and  measures 
1 1  gulal  ions,  the  new.. 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Assbee,  John,  the  late 

Begonia  "  Miss  CHbran  "         

Eastwell  Park,  House 

Gateway  at  Eastwell  Park,  Kent      

Gooseberry  disease,  a  new 

Mangels,  showing  the  effect  of  potash-manuring 

Newton,  John,  the  late 

Rose  Felicite-perpetue  on  a  lawn      

Views  in  the  Winter-garden  at  Eastwell  Park  (Supple- 
mentary Illustration) 


350 
313 

350 

249 

319 
350 

351 

:m 

350 


351 

351 

316 

352 

342 

143 
.i-l.I 
313 
34* 
343 
343 


351 

317 
333 

937 

311 
340 
351 


EASTWELL    PARK. 

[See  Figures  131,  132,  and  133,  also  Supplementary' 
Illustration. 

THE  gardens  attached  to  the  residence 
of  II.  J.  King-,  Esq.,  at  Eastwell 
Park  are  among  the  most  interesting 
and  important  establishments  in  the  county 
of  Kent.  They  are  not  merely  extensive,  but 
contain  features  that  in  themselves  are  of 
unusual  grandeur,  the  most  dominant  being 
the  remarkable  winter-garden,  of  which 
views  are  afforded  in  our  supplementary  illus- 
tration to  this  issue.  This  feature  alone 
would  be  amply  sufficient  to  attract  numerous 
visitors  to  the  place  if  Eastwell  were  situated 
in  a  more  accessible  district,  for  the  nearest 
important  railway  station  is  As  .ford,  lour 
miles  distant.  Ashford,  however,  being  on  the 
main  railway  line  from  London  to  Folkestone 
and  Dover,  may  be  reached  in  a  reasonable 
time  from  Charing  Cross.  It  is  a  small  Kent- 
ish town,  typical  of  the  county,  and  parts  of 
it,  including  the  buildings,  are  undoubtedly 
of  considerable  age.  Eastwell  is  also  with- 
in driving  distance  from  Canterbury,  being 
ii  miles  from  that  city,  whilst  Folke- 
stone and  the  English  Channel  may  be 
reached  in  16  miles.  The  little  village  and 
church  of  Wye,  and  the  Wye  Agricultural 
College  can  be  seen  clearlv  enough  on  a 
bright  day,  for  they  are  only  two  miles  from 


Eastwell  village.  The  park  includes  about 
1,500  acres  of  laud,  and  its  undulating  gn  un  ! 
furnishes  beautiful  and  picturesque  views. 
The  prospect  from  the  higher  em'n.n  es 
ranges  over  the  chalk  downs  of  Kent,  the 
plains  of  the  Weald,  the  rich  va  leys  of  the 
Stour  and  Medway,  the  distant  Thames  on 
the  one  side  and  the  English  Channel  on  the 
other.  Eastwell  is  noteworthy  for  its  his- 
torical associations,  as  well  as  its  beautiful 
park.     It   is  mentioned    in    Domesday,   and 


ownership  of  Earls  of  Winchilsea,  as  it  bears 
the  Winchilsea  amis.  Subsequently  the  e  tate 
was  purchased  by  the  late  Lord  Gerard,  and 
it  was  he  who  developed  the  gardens 
by  building  the  conservatory  and  adding 
a  number  of  valuable  features  at  the  ex- 
penditure of  much  capital.  He  was  an  en- 
thusiastic gardener,  and  a  most  liberal  patron 
of  the  art.  On  the  death  of  Lord  Gerard,  the 
family  removed  to  a  smaller  seat  which  the) 
»s   in    Lancashire,   and   leased    Eastwell 


FlG.    131. —  THE    ENTRANCE    GATEWAY     NT    EASTWELL    PARK. 


yaphby  D'Alh. 


was  given  by  the  Norman  Conqueror  to  one 
of  his  adherents.  Subsequently  it  passed 
into  the  possession  of  various  families,  in- 
eluding  the  Finches,  Heneages,  and,  finally, 
the  Earls  of  Winchilsea. 

The  late  Earl  of  Winchilsea  leased  ii  to  the 
Duke  of  Abercorn  and,  again,  about  35  years 
ago,  to  the  Duke  of  Edinburgh. 

The  handsome  stone  gateway  built  at  the 
entrance  to  the  park,  and  illustrated  in 
fig.    131,    was   evidently   erected    during    the 


to  H.  J.  King,  Esq.,  the  present  tenant.  The 
building  itself  is  chiefly  of  modern  date,  but 
still  includes  portions  that  were  erected  in  the 
reign  of  Queen  Elizabeth.  Generally,  thi  p. 
pearance  is  not  very  imposing. 

The  south  front  of  the  residence  may  be 
seen  in  the  photograph  reproduced  at  fig.  132. 
A  distance  of  about  1,000  feet  intervenes  be- 
tween the  point  at  which  the  photograph  was 
taken  and  the  house  itself.  The  ground  si  pes 
gently    upwards    towards    the  house  all   the 


338 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[November  16,  1907. 


way,  and  at  about  half  the  distance  a  low 
wall  crosses  the  front  forming-  a  new  level, 
which  is  approached  by  steps,  as  shown  in 
the  figure.  The  wall  affords  a  very  sheltered 
and  sunny  position  for  the  cultivation  of  the 
less  hardy  flowering,  climbing  and  trailing 
plants.  Between  this  wall  and  the  house  is 
a  first-class  tennis  court  kept  in  the  most 
excellent  condition,  and  the  front  flower 
garden,  which  consists  of  about  sixty  distinct 
beds.  At  the  time  of  our  visit  in  July  last 
these  were  gay  with  flowering  plants  of  a 
miscellaneous  character,  the  effect  being  of  a 
pleasing  nature.  Proceeding  towards  the 
house,  the  conservatory,  to  which  reference 
will  be  made  presently,  is  attached  to  the 
building    on    the    righthand    side.     On    the 


of  the  owner  and  consequent  changes  that 
were  not  foreseen.  The  result  is  one  that 
presents  an  infinite  puzzle  to  the  present  gar- 
dener with  a  desire  to  set  the  matter  right. 
We  walked  amongst  the  shrubs,  and  there 
were  choice  varieties  on  every  hand,  but  each 
had  grown  against  and  into  the  other,  inso- 
much that  the  outlines  of  none  remained 
distinct.  The  first  idea  would  be  to  com- 
mence thinning  at  once,  but  where  and 
how?  Every  specimen  is  ill-shaped,  and,  if 
isolated,  would  be  positively  ugh  !  It  is  a 
disagreeable  fact,  but  we  fear  the  only 
manner  in  which  a  proper  remedy  could  be 
applied  would  be  in  the  total  removal  of  por- 
tions at  a  time  for  the  purpose  of  replanting. 
The  large  trees  at  present  in  the  pleasure 


about  5  feet  from  the  ground  it  has  de- 
veloped seven  huge  branches,  six  of  them 
having  grown  erect,  and  the  seventh,  on  the 
contrary,  has  extended  outwards  at  a  very 
considerable  angle.  The  Rosary  is  one  of  the 
pleasantest  portions  in  the  grounds.  It 
covers  an  area  of  two  acres,  and  although  it 
contains  numerous  beds  and  borders  these  are 
sufficiently  large  to  prevent  any  appearance 
of  triviality,  as  happens  when  many  small 
beds  are  formed  on  an  area  that  is  insufficient 
to  allow  a  good  "  setting  "  of  lawn  between 
them.  In  the  centre  there  is  an  ironwork  in 
or  12  feet  in  height  and  representing  a 
crown,  whilst  at  equal  distances  on  either 
side  are  structures  of  a  similar  nature  which 
represent   coronets.     These   do   not   exhaust 


Fie 


132. — EASTWELL    PARK    HOUSE,    THE    RESIDENCE    OF   H.   J,    KING,    ESCj. 


[Photograph  by  D'Ath. 


opposite  side  a  broad  shrubbery  extends  from 
the  residence,  at  right-angles  thereto,  and 
separating  the  pleasure  grounds  from  the 
park.  In  this  area  is  one  of  those  ex- 
amples unfortunately  so  common  in  gardens, 
in  which  a  liberal  planting  of  choice 
shrubs  is  followed  by  an  effect  altogether 
incomparable  with  that  which  ought  to  have 
been  obtained.  In  the  first  instance,  the 
liberality  of  the  owner  provided  a  sufficiency 
of  shrubs  to  afford  a  good  effect  immediately 
after  the  planting,  the  intention  being,  pre- 
sumably, to  thin  them  out  as  soon  as  the 
specimens  required  more  room  for  proper 
development.  But  this  was  not  done  in  this 
case,  as  in  many  others,  owing  to  the  decease 


grounds  are  chiefly  of  deciduous  species,  not- 
withstanding some  memorial  trees  of  selected 
species  were  planted  by  distinguished  persons 
during  the  tenancy  of  H.R.1I.  the  Duke  of 
Edinburgh.  Many  of  the  indigenous  trees 
are  finely-developed  specimens  that  excited 
our  admiration,  for  in  their  dimensions  and 
age  they  are  equally  interesting,  but  the  ap- 
pearance from  the  house  might  be  improved 
by  the  planting  of  evergreen  species  which 
are  necessary  to  impart  to  the  place  a  more 
furnished  appearance  in  winter.  We  must 
particularise  amongst  the  deciduous  trees  a 
very  remarkable  specimen  of  the  common 
Horsechestnut  (/Eseulus  Hippocastanum) 
with    a  bole    22    feet    in  circumference.      At 


the  provision  for  rambling  Roses,  for  there 
are  nurrferous  pillars  with  chains  suspended 
from  them  that  at  the  time  of  our  visit  were 
garlands  of  bloom.  The  gardener,  Mr.  J.  G. 
Weston,  cuts  the  rambling  sorts  quite  to  the 
ground  each  season  directly  they  have 
flowered,  and  the  plants  are  thus  induced  to 
make  strong  growths  of  great  length  from 
the  base,  which  flower  profusely  in  the  fol- 
lowing year.  Many  of  the  beds  are  planted 
exclusively  with  one  variety  of  Rose  for  the 
purpose  of  presenting  a  patch  of  colour  of  the 
same  shade.  A  noticeable  circumstance  in 
relation  to  the  Rose-garden  generally  Was 
that  all  the  plants  appeared  to  be  unusually 
vigorous  and  therefore  capable  of  flowering 


November  1C,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


the  more  abundantly.  When  any  of  them 
show  signs  of  diminished  strength,  the  plants 
in  that  particular  bed  are  lifted  and  much  of 
the  old  soil  taken  away  to  make  room  for 
more  possessing  a  greater  amount  of  plant- 
food  and  vegetable  fibre.  The  Roses  illus- 
trated at  fig.  133  are  not  cultivated  in  the 
Rose-garden,  being  in  an  adjacent  part  of  the 
grounds.  As  seen  in  full  bloom  the  arrange- 
ment shown  in  the  figure  has  the  appearance 
of  a  great  bell  composed  of  Roses.  The 
device  consists  of  fastening  a  number  of 
wires  in  a  ring  at  a  point  near  to  the  ground 
and  attaching  the  other  end  to  the  top  of  a 
central  pillar  or  stake  12  feet  in  height,  allow- 
ing each  wire  to  hang  very  loosely.  The 
variety  illustrated  is  the  popular  Felicitd- 
Perpetue  and  has  small  double  white  flow -i  rs. 

Before  turning  our  attention  to  the  indoor 
department,  mention  should  be  made  of 
.several  excellent  borders  of  herbaceous  and 
other  flowering  plants,  which  are  among  the 
best  managed  we  have  seen.  There  appeared 
an  abundance  of  flowers  everywhere,  and 
Sweet  Teas,  among  other  species,  were  re- 
markable. 

The  kitchen  garden  consists  of  six  acres  of 
land,  and  it  has  been  properly  formed  at  the 
commencement,  being  divided  into  con- 
venient plots  and  provided  with  proper 
paths.  There  are  walls  for  the  cultivation  of 
fruit  trees,  and  the  whole  garden  is  main- 
tained in  a  high  state  of  efficiency.  Mr. 
Weston  only  removed  to  Eastwell  from  the 
Earl  of  Bessborough's  garden  near  Piltown, 
in  Ireland,  2  A  years  ago,  but  he  has  already 
planted  bush  Apples  and  Pears  round  the 
plots,  trained  fruit  trees  against  the  walls, 
and  formed  a  separate  garden  for  Cur- 
rants, Gooseberries,  Raspberries,  &c,  which 
is  now  entirely  covered  with  netting  as  a  pro- 
tection against  birds.  The  soil  in  the  kitchen 
garden  being  of  stiff  loam,  it  is  of  a  suitable 
nature  for  most  kinds  of  hardy  fruits.  The 
kitchen  garden  is  now  being  further  enlarged 
by  the  enclosure  of  four  acres  of  land. 

The  Glass  Houses. 

The  finest  of  the  glass  structures  are  the 
winter-garden  and  the  houses  attached  to 
it.  Two  views  of  the  interior  of  these  are 
reproduced  in  the  supplementary  .illustration. 
The  first  one  is  directly  attached  to  the  dwell- 
ing-house, and  is  known  as  the  "  Winter 
Garden."  From  the  opposite  end  of  this 
there  extends  a  corridor,  which  leads  to  the 
"  long  conservatory,"  built  at  right-angles 
to  the  corridor,  and  giving  access  to  seven 
span-roofed  plant  houses.  The  dimensions  of 
these  structures  are  as  follows  :  —  Winter  Gar- 
den :  Height  40  feet,  length  96  feet,  width 
63  feet.  Corridor  :  Height  23  feet,  length  52 
feet,  width  21  feet.  Conservatory  :  Height  27 
feet,  length  160  feet,  width  26  feet.  The 
Winter  Garden  and  conservatory  are  main- 
tained as  warm  houses,  and  the  corridor  is 
somewhat  cooler.  The  manner  in  which  the 
houses  are  decorated  with  vegetation  may  be 
seen  from  the  illustrations,  but  there  are  many 
fine  specimen  plants  of  Ferns  and  Palms, 
particularly  in  the  conservatory,  which  are 
not  shown.  Provision  exists  for  illuminat- 
ing all  these  houses  with  electric  light, 
and  the  excellent  effect  they  are  capable  of 
affording  may  be  imagined.  Each  of  the 
seven  plant  houses  to  which  allusion  has 
already  been  made  is  60  feet  in  length.  They 
contained  batches  of  plants  of  numerous 
species  valuable  for  decorative  purposes. 

(To  be  continued.) 


CHRYSANTHEMUM    NOTES. 


SINGLE  CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 
Many  of  the  newer  varieties  of  the  single- 
flowered  Chrysanthemum  are  passing  into  the 
stage  when  size  becomes  a  noticeable  feature. 
The  colouring  in  many  has  of  late  years  been 
intensified,  and  the  "singles"  are  certainly 
charming  flowers  for  decorative  work.  In  build 
there  seems  to  be  a  tendency  to  encourage  a 
light,  long  floret,  instead  of  a  short,  stiff,  flat 
one  which  characterised  many  of  the  earlier  in- 
troductions. One  of  the  most  popular  varieties 
is  Ladysmith,  and  at  Victoria  Park,  London,  Mr. 
Moorman  has  an  immense  display  of  this  very 
effective  and  free-flowering  rosy-pink  variety. 
At  Finsbury  Park,  in  the  conservatory,  there  is  a 
representative  collection  of  "singles,"  and  they 
form  quite  an  interesting  display  amidst  the 
greenery  of  the  Palms  and  Ferns.  There  are 
so  many  now  in  cultivation  that  I  can  only 
mention  a  few  of  the  most  recent  or  the  most 


yellow  centre.  Emile  has  medium-sized  flowers 
of  a  pale  shade  of  rosy  mauve,  with  yellow 
centre ;  the  florets  are  narrow.  Bessie  Payne 
has  a  high  centre  and  flat  florets  of  a  pretty 
shade  of  pinkish  mauve.  The  variety  is  very 
free,  and  the  flowers  are  effective.  Among 
others  noted  in  good  form  are  Edith  Pagram, 
Emily  Clibran,  Merstharn  White,  Acme,  Ideal, 
Golden  Fleece,  Pink  Beauty,  Miss  Mary  Ander- 
son, and  Miss  Annie  Holden.  C.  Harman  Payne. 


THE     NEW     WEIGHTS     AND 

MEASURES  REGULATIONS. 
The  new  Regulations  issued  by  the  Board  of 
Trade  under  the  Weights  and  Measures  Act  of 
1904  have  now  come  into  force.  The  rules  are 
too  voluminous  to  quote  in  extenso,  but  the  fol- 
lowing extracts  with  reference  to  "  dry  measures 
of  capacity  "  may  prove  of  interest  to  members 
of  the  seed  trade  and  others.  The  general  effect 
of  the  Regulations  is  that  nearly  all  weights  and 


Fig. 


[Photograph  by  DAlh. 
133. — ROSE    FELICJTE-PERPETUE    ON    THE    LAWN    AT    EASTWELL   PARK. 


attractive  of  those  already  known,  which  I  have 
seen  in  good  form  this  season.  Blushing  Beauty 
is  a  wonderful  bloomer ;  the  flowers  are  very 
large  and  coloured  a  delicate  rosy  blush,  with  a 
yellow  centre.  Miss  E.  Partridge  is  a  neatly- 
built  bloom  of  almost  the  same  colour  as  Lady- 
smith  ;  the  florets  are  flat.  Derrydown  has  very 
broad,  flat  florets,  and  in  colour  is  a  reddish 
shade  of  terracotta,  with  a  yellow  centre.  White 
Duchess  is  a  very  free-flowering,  pure  white 
variety ;  the  blooms  are  large  and  the  florets 
flat  and  stiff.  Progress  is  a  very  striking 
variety,  of  terracotta  colour  passing  to  golden 
yellow  at  the  base  of  the  florets.  Florence 
Adams  has  very  long  florets  folded  over  ;  they 
are  white,  shaded  blush  towards  the  extremities. 
Mrs.  E.  Allen  has  large  flowers  of  rosy-amaranth 
shade  and  long,  stiff  florets.  Mr.  J.  Fergus- 
son  is  a  sport  from  Mary  Anderson  ;  the  flowers 
are  pale  pink,  with  white  base  and  yellow  centre. 
Mary  Richardson  .has  rich  golden  flowers, 
coloured  a  very  warm  shade  of  terracotta,  with 


measures  will  have  to  be  re-tested  and,  in  some 
cases,  re-stamped  by  the  Board  of  Trade  inspec- 
tors. 

Examinai  n  IN 

Dry  measures  of  capacity  shall  be  made  of 
sheet-iron  or  steel,  with  or  without  nickel- 
plating,  tinplate,  brass,  bronze,  copper,  nickel, 
aluminium,  well-seasoned  wood,  or  other 
material  approved  by  the  Board  of  Trade. 
Measures  may  be  protected  by  galvanisation,  or 
by  other  process  approved  by  the  Board  of 
Trade. 

Wooden  measures  turned  from  the  solid  or 
made  of  sappy  wood  shall  not  be  stamped. 

Measures  of  a  half-bushel  or  upwards  shall  be 
provided  with  handles. 

All  dry  measures  of  capacity,  of  a  bushel  and 
under,  shall  be  of  circular  cylindrical  form,  and 
the  internal  diameter  shall  not  differ  by  more 
than  5  per  cent,  from  the  depth  or  double  the 
depth. 

Measures  made  of  wood  of  the  capacity  of  a 


340 


THE     GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


[XOVEJIBEH    1C,    IC07. 


gallon  and  upwards,  shall  be  bound  or  strength- 
ened with  metal  or  wooden  straps  or  hoops,  ex- 
cept when  made  of  wicker  or  similar  open 
material.  A  metal  band  shall  be  placed  round 
the  rim  of  all  wooden  measures  of  the  capacity 
of  a  peck  and  upwards. 

Every  measure  shall  have  its  denomination 
clearly,  permanently,  and  legibly  marked  upon 
the  outside  of  the  body  thereof,  and  not  upon 
the  handle,  bottom,  rim,  or  edges  ;  and  on  a 
glass  measure,  in  which  the  capacity  is  defined 
by  a  line,  the  denomination  of  the  measure  shall 
be  plainly  marked  at  the  line.  On  an  enamelled 
metal  measure,  the  denomination  shall  be 
marked  in  a  distinctly  different  colour  from  that 
of  the  body  of  the  measure.  In  the  case  of  a 
measure  made  of  sheet  metal,  the  denomination 
shall  be  marked  on  a  slip  of  tin,  or  on  a  shield 
(e.g.,  of  sheet  brass),  securely  soldered  on  the 
measure,  with  a  small  piece  of  tin  or  solder  se- 
curely fixed  thereto  for  receiving  the  stamp.  On 
a  wooden  measure  the  denomination  shall  be 
branded. 

Measures  made  of  wicker  or  similar  open  ma- 
terial shall  have  the  denomination  marked  on  a 
suitable  brass  tablet  or  plate,  fastened  to  the 
measure  by  means  of  a  copper  wire,  or  branded 
on  a  tablet  of  wood  securely  worked  into  the 
side  of  the  measure. 

No  measure  shall  be  stamped  which  is  con- 
structed to  contain  more  than  one  denomination 
of  measure,  unless  of  a  pattern  approved  by  the 
Board  of  Trade  under  Section  6  of  the  Weights 
and  Measures  Act,  1904. 

Verification. 
Every  dry   measure  of   capacity,   not  being   a 
measure  made  of  wicker  or  other  open  material, 
shall  be  tested  either  with  water  or  in  the  follow- 
ing manner  with  rape  seed  :  — 

(a)  The  standard  shall  be  filled  with  seed 
passed  through  a  hopper,  a  distance  of  6  inches 
being  left  between  the  bottom  of  the  hopper 
and  the  top  of  the  local  standard. 

(b)  All  the  seed  contained  in  the  standard 
shall  then  be  replaced  in  the  hopper,  and 
thence  run  from  the  hopper  into  the  measure 
under  verification,  which  shall  be  placed  s  i 
that  the  same  distance  of  6  inch,  1  intervenes 
between  the  bottom  of  the  hopper  and  the  top 
of  the  measure. 

Measures  made  of  wicker  or  other  open  ma- 
terial shall  be  tested  by  means  of  cereals  of  the 
smallest  size   practicable. 

The  errors  permissible  on  the  verification  of 
Imperial  dry  measures  of  capacity  are:  — 


Denomination. 

Error  in 

excess 

only. 

4  bushels 
1  busl 

a    .. 

1  peck 
1  gallon 

*    .- 

1  quart 
1  pint 
*      .. 

1    pint  =  35 

*  ,,    =  l"k 

*  .,    =  17J 
li  gills  =  IS" 
lj     „     =   13 
1       ,.          S) 

*  .,    =    4J 

i  ,,  =~  2 
i  „  =  1 

nihic 

pprox. 

Inspection. 

The  instructions  to  the  Board  of  Trade  in- 
spectors include  the  following:  —  Under  the 
Weights  and  Measures  Acts,  every  weight  or 
measure  for  use  in  trade  must  be  of  the  de- 
nomination of  a  Board  of  Trade  standard,  and 
all  weights,  measures,  and  weighing  instruments 
for  use  in  trade  must  be  stamped  by  an  inspector. 

The  limits  of  variation  of  the  diameters  of 
dry  measures  in  relation  to  the  depth  are,  in 
certain  cases,  as  follows  : — 


Diameter  equal  to 

Diameter  double 

depth. 

the  depth. 

-   y    L 

Allowable 

Allowable 

Capacity. 

limit 

|  >E 

limit 

(diameter). 

(diameui  |. 

I.  -  — 

Ins. 

Ins. 

Ins. 

Ins 

Bushel    

1414 

13-43  to  14-85 

17-81 

16-92  to  18-70 

Half-bushel     ... 

11  22 

10-66  „   11  78 

1414 

13-43  „  14-85 

Perk        

8  ill 

8-48  ,,     936 

11  22 

10-66  „    11-78 

Gallon    ... 

7-07 

6-72  „     7-42 

891 

8-46  „     9-8B 

Half-Gallon 

5-61 

5-33  „     5-89 

7-07 

6-72  .,     7-42 

Quart     

4  -45 

4  23  ,,     4-67 

561 

5-33  ,,     5-89 

Hint        

8-54 

3-36  „     3-72 

4-46 

4-23  „     4-67 

Half-pint 

281 

2-67  „     2-95 

3-54 

3-36  „     3-72 

GREEN    COLOUR    IN    PLANT 

FOLIAGE. 

All  who  are  accustomed  to  observe  vegetation 
must  have  been  struck  with  the  great  variety  of 
shades  of  green  which  the  foliage  of  different 
plants  presents. 

It  may  also  be  noticed  that  the  same  descrip- 
tion of  plant  will  exhibit  very  characteristic 
differences,  not  only  at  different  stages  of 
growth,  but  at  the  same  stage  in  different  condi- 
tions of  luxuriance  as  affected  by  the  external 
conditions  of  soil,  season,  and  manuring,  but 
especially  under  the  influence  of  different  con- 
ditions as  to  manure. 

From  some  researches  made  at  the  Rothamsted 
Experimental  Station  on  this  subject,  it  was 
found  that  the  green  chlorophyll  formation  in 
plants  has  a  close  connection  with  the  amount 
of  nitrogen  assimilated,  but  that  the  carbon 
assimilation  is  not  in  proportion  to  the  chloro- 
phyll formed. 

Further,  it  has  been  found  that  the  presence 
in  the  soil  of  certain  mineral  or  ash  constituents, 
and  especially  that  of  potash,  is  essential  for 
the  assimilation  of  carbon,  no  starch  being 
formed  in  the  grains  of  chlorophyll  without  the 
aid   of   the  element   potash. 


collected  each  received  nitrogen  in  the  form  of 
farmyard  dung,  rape  cake,  and  sulphate  of  am- 
monia. In  addition,  one  plot  received  sulphate 
of  potash  at  the  rate  of  500  lb.  per  acre,  while 
the  other  plot  received  no  potash.  The  illustra- 
tion speaks  for  itself  of  the  great  value  of  potash 
for  the  Mangold  crop,  which  is  very  dependent 
on  an  abundant  supply  of  available  potash. 

It  is  characteristic  of  the  various  descriptions 
of  feeding  roots  that  they  supply  to  the  consum- 
ing animal  a  large  amount  of  the  non-nitrogen- 
ous respiratory  and  fat-forming  substance, 
namely,   sugar. 

Growth   of   Potatos. 

The  Rothamsted  experiments  on  the  growth 
of  Potatos  have  still  further  shown  that  the 
high  proportion  of  chlorophyll  in  the  haulms 
and  foliage  of  the  Potato  plant  increases  with 
the  nitrogen  content  of  the  tubers.  The  more 
nitrogen  found  in  the  juice  of  the  Potato  tuber, 
the  more  undeveloped  the  tubers  will  be  and  the 
darker  green  will  be  the  foliage. 

As  root  crops  are  essentially  sugar-yielding 
crops  and  their  feeding  value  for  livestock  de- 
pends upon  the  proportion  of  matured  sugar  in 
the  roots,  so  the  Potato  is  essentially  a  starch- 


FlG.    134.  —  EXPERIMENT    SHOWING    THE    EFFECTS    OF    POTASH    MANURES    ON    LEAF-GROWTH. 


H.  M.  V. 


Growth  of  Mangolds. 

In  the  experiments  at  Rothamsted  with 
Mangel  Wurzel  the  effect  of  potash  and  of  the 
other  saline  manures  is  plainly  visible  in  the 
appearance  of  the  growing  plants  themselves. 
On  the  plots  of  land  receiving  potash  in  the 
manure  the  plants  begin  to  ripen  early  in  the 
season,  the  leaves  turn  yellow  and  become 
flaccid,  so  that  in  the  month  of  October  these 
plots  may  be  seen  outlined  from  the  rest  by  their 
lighter  green  tint  at  any  distance  from  which 
the  field  can   be  viewed 

On  the  contrary,  the  plots  of  land  receiving  no 
potash  show  all  the  signs  indicating  an  excess  of 
nitrogen  in  the  foliage  by  the  premature  death 
of  the  outer  leaves  and  the  dark  green,  curled, 
and  unhealthy  appearance  of  the  remaining 
tufts  of  small  crown  leaves,  which  show  no  signs 
of  completing  their  growth  however  prolonged 
the  season  may  be.  This  fact  is  strikingly 
shown  in  the  following  photograph  reproduced 
at  fig.  134. 

The  two  plots  from   which  these  plants  were 


yielding  crop,  and  its  cooking  quality,  as  also 
its  nutritive  value,  depends  to  a  very  large  ex- 
tent  upon  the  percentage  of  starch  in  the  tubers. 

The  Rothamsted  experiments  show  that,  pro- 
vided a  liberal  supply  of  potash  is  availab'e  in 
the  soil,  the  produce  of  both  sugar  and  starch  is 
correspondingly  increased  by  the  amount  of 
nitrogen  taken  up  by  the  plant,  the  ingredient 
potash  acting  as  a  carrier  of  nitric  acid  from  the 
soil  to  the  plant. 

In  the  presence  of  a  sufficient  supply  of  p< 
the  deep  green  colour  of  the  foliage  disappears, 
and   an   abundance  01  carbo-hydrates — sugar  or 
starch — is    deposited    in    the    roots    or    tubers, 
the  reproductive   organs  of  the  different  plants. 

But  if  potash  has  been  exhausted  from  the 
soil,  then  the  foliage  of  both  root  crops  and 
Potatos  remains  of  a  dark  green  colour,  and  the 
non-albuminoid  substances  of  the  roots  or 
tubers  will  be  found  chiefly  as  amides,  and  the 
nutritive  quality  will  be  considerably  lessened. 
/.  /.   Willis. 


November  16,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


341 


THE    PROPAGATOR. 

LAYERING  EVERGREEN  AND 
DECIDUOUS  PLANTS. 
We  are  entering  the  season  in  which  the  pro- 
pagation of  plants  by  means  of  cuttings  out-of- 
doors  has,  with  few  exceptions,  to  be  postponed 
for  a  period  of  time — that  is,  till  growth  recom- 
mences in  the  spring  and  vegetation  feels  the  in- 
fluence of  increasing  solar  warmth. 

There    are,    however,    certain    evergreen    and 
deciduous    plants    that    may    be    layered    whilst 
the  weather  keeps  open,  viz.,  Phillyrea,  Laurus- 
tinus,   Alaternus,   Aucuba,   Magnolia,   Bignonia, 
Ceanothus,   Cercis,   CTethra,   all  species  of   Cor- 
nus,    Cotoneaster,    Cydonia,    Cytisus,    Deutzia, 
Hamamelis     (lays     two     years|,     Laurus     (two 
years),  Morus,  Myrica,  Ornus,  Platanus,  Rhodo- 
dendron,   Rhus    (many    species),    Rosa,    Rubus, 
Ribes,  Sophora  japonica,  such  Spiraeas  as  form 
roots  readily  from  cuttings,  Tilia,  Ulex,  Ulmus, 
Vinca,  Vitis,  Wistaria,  and  many  more,  but  the 
foregoing  are  common  garden  plants.     Scarcely 
any  of  those  enumerated  fail  to  make  roots  the 
second     year,      whilst      most      will      be      suffi- 
ciently   rooted    by   the    following    autumn    to 
be  safely  detached  and  planted  in  nursery  lines 
in  the  reserve  garden,  or  potted,  if  that  method 
be  preferred  or  called   for.     It  should  be  noted 
that    layers    of   tree-like   plants    have   the    pecu- 
1 1 . i i  1 1 y  of  assuming  a  shrubby  habit  and  charac- 
ter.    All  shrubs  and  trees  which   permit  of   in- 
crease  by    means   of   cuttings   make   plants   the 
more     surely     when     layered,     and     some     can 
only   be  increased   vcgetatively  by  layering,   as, 
for    example,     Magnolia,     Berberis,     Crataegus, 
Mahonia,     and     Corylus.     The     most     suitable 
shoots  or  branches  for  forming  layers  are  those 
near  the  ground  level,  or  which  spring  from  the 
collar    of    the    plant,    and    when    such    are    not 
available   or   present  the   plant   should   be   com- 
pelled to  push  forth  such  shoots  by  hard  head- 
ing back.     Another  method  of  obtaining  the  de- 
sired layers  from  tall  plants  is  to  excavate  the 
soil   beneath  them,   bend  the  stems  to  the  soil, 
and   fasten   them   by    strong   wooden   hooks,    so 
as  to  bring  suitable  shoots  low  enough   for  the 
purpose.     The    shoots    must    be    laid    -,    3,    or  4 
inches    deep   in    the   soil    and    be   fixed    therein. 
Cover  them  with  soil  L>  inches  deep,  and  over  all 
place  a  layer  of  leafmould,  Fir  needles,  or  Moss, 
so  as  to  retain  moisture  round  about  the  layers. 
The  tips   of   the  layers   should,   with   a  few  ex- 
ceptions,  range  above  the  covering  of  soil,  &-c, 
and  remain  in  an  oblique  position.     In  the  case 
.if    Rubus,    the   shoot   should   be   left   free,    and 
the   point   only   layered. 

The  shoots,  previously  to  layering  them, 
should  be  variously  prepared.  They  may  be 
half-cut  through  under  a  joint ;  a  slight  cut  may 
be  made  in  the  rind  and  wood  on  the  lower 
side  of  the  shoots,  and  the  latter  twisted  two- 
thirds  or  more  round  at  that  point,  so  that  the 
rind  bursts;  or  the  shoots  may  be  treated  as  are 
Carnation  layers.  The  shoots  of  hard-wooded 
trees  and  shrubs,  which  make  roots  with  diffi- 
culty, should  be  "  ringed  "  above  and  under  an 
eye  or  bud,  that  is,  a  small  ring  of  bark  should 
be  excised  not  deeper  than  the  cambium  layer. 
Another  method  is  to  fasten  a  bit  of  wire  tightly 
under  an  eye,  and  deeply  into  the  rind  ;  or  the 
operator  cuts  a  notch  down  to  the  centre  of  the 
shoot,  either  on  the  under  side,  or  alternately 
under  and  over,  by  which  the  base  of  every  bud 
will  be  compelled  to  push  forth  roots.  These 
various  operations  of  incising  the  bark  have 
the  purpose  of  causing  the  ascending  sap  to  be 
arrested  and  form  a  callus  at  these  points,  and 
later  to  emit  roots.  Those  species  which  grow 
most  readily  from  the  young  wood  can  be 
layered  as  soon  as  the  shoots  are  sufficiently 
matured — some  species  so  early  as  the  month 
of  June  ;  and  others  which  succeed  best  with  the 
old  wood  should  be  layered  in  the  spring  just 
before  the  leaves  are  put  forth.  The  species  of 
Rubus  should  have  the  growing  points  layered 
in  the  mouth  of  August.     Layers  of  plants  which 


make  roots  quickly  should  be  left  undisturbed 
till  the  new  growth  is  ripe,  and,  should  but  few 
roots  have  been  made,  the  layers  should  be 
notched  to  two-thirds  of  their  diameter,  and 
taken  up  at  the  end  of  the  next  year.  It  is  ad- 
visable in  all  cases  to  take  up  the  rooted  layers 
the  first  spring,  so  that  the  more  tender  species 
may  be  afforded  better  protection  against  frost 
by  being  planted  out  properly,  and  afforded  a 
covering  the   following   winter. 

Layers  which  take  two  or  three  years  to  form 
roots  should  be  similarly  detached  and  planted 
in  the  second  or  third  year.  The  layering  work 
described  above  may  be  even  better  carried  out 
in  September  and  October  and  earlier,  as  at  this 
season.     F.  M. 


corded  from  the  Continent  as  parasites  on  living 
Ribes  and  other  plants,  and  do  not  seem,  so  far, 
to  have  proved  very  hurtful ;  but  it  is  not  an  un- 
usual experience  to  find  a  comparatively  harm- 
less parasite  develop,  under  somewhat  different 
conditions,  until  it  is  a  serious  pest.  A.  Lorram 
Smith. 


A    NEW    GOOSEBERRY    DISEASE. 

Ix  the  early  summer  of  1906  Gooseberry 
bushes  in  Worcestershire  were  found  to  be  suf- 
fering from  some  disease  that  caused  the  leaves 
to  fall  off  prematurely.  An  examination  Of  the 
branches  showed  that  they  were  dotted  all  over 
with  the  fruits  of  a  fungus  belonging  to  Conio- 
thyrium.  The  fungus  develops  in  the  cortex, 
and  the  minute  black  points  where  it  pierces  the 
outer  layer  are  plainly  visible  with  a  hand  lens. 
It  grows  in  the  form  of  a  hollow  sphere,  inside 
which  are  borne  small  brown  spores.  The  oc- 
currence of  the  disease  at  this  stage,  and  of  the 
fungus,  which  had  not  been  previously  recorded 
for  this  county,  were  notified  in  the  Transactions 


C>rdchron  .  A   ou' 

Fig.  135.— a  new  gooseberry  disease. 

A,  portion  of  a  Gooseberry  shoot  affected  with  Coniothyrium 

B,  section  through  a  conceptacle  of  Coniothvrium  vagabun- 
dum  ;  C,  section  through  the  fructification  of  Lepto 

vagabunda  ;  b,  spores  highly  magnified. 

of  the  British  Mycological  Society,  1906,  p.  168, 
under  the  name  C.  ribicolum,  now  proved  to  be 
synonymous  with  C.  vagabundum.  The  bushes 
were  kept  under  observation,  and  the  following 
season  the  further  and  more  developed  fruiting 
stage  of  the  fungus  was  found.  This  had  been 
considered  as  a  species  of  Leptosphaeria,  a  genus 
very  similar  in  appearance  to  Coniothyrium,  but 
believed  to  be  distinct  on  account  of  the  dis- 
similarity between  its  spores  and  those  of  a 
typical  Coniothyrium.  The  disease  was  reported 
by  Mr.  Carleton  Rea  (who  had  first  observed 
it)  to  be  doing  great  damage  in  gardens  near 
Worcester. 

In  August  of  this  year  bushes  similarly  at- 
tacked were  found  in  a  garden  at  Annan,  Dum- 
friesshire. The  branches  of  a  number  of  bushes 
growing  in  the  same  plot  of  ground  were  entirely 
denuded  of  leaves,  though  a  few  ripening  berries 
were  still  hanging  on  the  twigs.  The  fungus  in 
both  the  Coniothyrium  and  Leptosphaeria  stages 
covered  the  affected  branches  with  innumerable 
black  points,  and  the  cortex  was  found  to  be 
full  of  the  mycelium  of  the  fungus.  No  other 
gardens  in  the  same  neighbourhood  were  known 
to  have  suffered.  The  disease  is  still  under  ob- 
servation. Probably  early  and  vigorous  prun- 
ing and  burning  of  the  diseased  branches  would 
suffice  to  stamp  out  the  fungus.  The  associated 
Coniothyrium    and    Leptosphaeria    are    both    re- 


NOTICES    OF     BOOKS. 


•The  Wild  and  Cultivated  Cotton 
Plants  of  the  World. 

Cotton,  one  of  if  not  the  most  important 
commercial  product  of  to-day,  is  obtained  en- 
tirely from  plants  of  the  genus  Gossypium, 
closely  allied  to  the  familiar  Hollyhocks  of  our 
gardens.  The  use  of  Cotton  has  been  known 
from  time  immemorial,  although,  curiously 
enough,  it  is  only  within  comparatively  modern 
times  that  cotton  fabrics  have  ousted  those  of 
linen,  wool,  and  silk  from  their  former  posi- 
tions. For  such  ages  has  Cotton  been  cultivated 
that,  in  common  with  several  other  plants  of 
great  economic  importance,  that  its  origin  is  lost 
in  obscurity.  Linnaeus  founded  some  five  or  six 
species  of  Gossypium  from  cultivated  plants, 
and  it  has  been  almost  generally  held  that  there 
were  no  wild  members  of  the  genus.  Subse- 
quent attempts  at  the  classification  of  the  group 
have  resulted  in  great  diversity  of  opinion,  some 
authors  proposing  the  reduction  of  all  the  forms 
to  one  species,  whilst,  e:g.,  Todaro  in  his 
classical  work  recognises  54.  Sir  George  Watt, 
during  his  long  residence  in  India,  took  a  great 
interest  in  the  problem,  and  has  given  us  the 
benefit  of  his  work  in  this  handsome  volume, 
which,  with  its  wealth  of  beautifully  coloured 
and  other  plates,  its  exhaustive  references  to 
type  specimens,  and  its  full  critical  discussions 
of  the  botanical  origin  of  the  commercial 
Cottons  of  the  world,  should  be  carefully  studied 
by  all  interested  in  the  botany  and  economics 
of  the  group. 

As  an  indication  of  the  complexity  of  the 
subject,  a  single  case,  the  origin  of  American 
upland  Cotton — the  "bread  and  cheese  "  Cotton 
of  Lancashiie — must  suffice.  Formerly  generally 
referred  to  as  G.  herbaceum,  it  has  more  recently 
been  recognised  as  G.  hirsutum,  many  regard- 
ing these  names  as  synonyms.  Sir  G.  Watt 
traces  the  introduction,  first  of  the  Levantine  G. 
herbaceum  into  America,  and  later,  in  1734, 
through  the  agency  of  that  great  English  gar- 
dener Miller,  of  the  Physic  Garden,  Chelsea,  of 
the  Mexican  G.  hirsutum.  Another  introduction, 
('..  mexicanum,  played  an  important  part,  and 
by  hybridisation  principally  between  the  two 
latter  stocks  the  present  varieties  of  American 
upland  were  apparently  evolved. 

The  Cottons  afford  a  standard  example  of  the 
value  of  plant  breeding  work,  inasmuch  as  we 
now  have  the  greater  portion  of  the  world's 
crop  produced  in  a  country,  the  U.S.A..  beyond 
the  limits  of  the"  geographical  distribution  of 
the  genus,  and  from  plants  which  have  been 
converted  from  perennials  into  annuals.  feSir 
George  Watt  summarises  the  practical  results 
achieved  in  various  parts  of  the  world,  and  the 
best  means  of  attaining  such  improved  races  ; 
and  for  these  reasons  combined  with  the  general- 
isation formulated  from  geographical  considera- 
tions his  work  should  be  of  great  interest  to  the 
large  band  of  workers  engaged  throughout  the 
world  in  endeavouring  to  improve  the  local 
laces  of  Cotton.  Author  and  publisher  alike 
are  to  be  congratulated  on  the  production  of  this 
important  contribution  to  our  knowledge  of  a 
group  of  plants  most  difficult  from  the  standpoint 
of  the  botanist,  and  at  the  same  time  from  its 
overwhelming  importance  to  man  it  is  evident 
that  no  means  should  be  neglected  to  enable  us 
to  enlarge  our  area  of  supply  as  well  as  to 
improve  the  quality  of  the  produce  from  exi-tmy 
areas.      W.   G.   F. 

»  By  Sir  George  Watt,   CLE.,    M.B.,   tc.      Longmans, 
Green"  &  Co.,  1907.    30s. 


342 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[November  16,  1907. 


SOME    NEW    OR    RARE    HER- 
BACEOUS   PLANTS. 

Withii/  recent  years  the  number  of  good  her- 
baceous plants  has  considerably  increased,  and 
we  are  able  to  select  from  a  large  number  of 
new  species  and  varieties  for  material  where- 
with to  fill  our  borders.  At  this  period  of  the 
year  it  is  especially  to  the  Composite  that  we 
look  to  supply  us  with  beautiful  flowers,  and 
some  of  the  new  sorts,  though  introduced  with 
no  flourish  of  trumpets,  yet  are  deserving  of 
attention. 

In  my  garden  at  Floraire  I  have  a  specimen  of 
Helianthus  ciliaris,  D.C., 
which  is  a  source  of  great  pleasure.  It  is  a 
Mexican  plant,  and  was  described  by  De 
Candolle  in  1836  in  The  Prodromus*  but  it 
has  not  yet,  as  far  as  I  know,  found  its 
way  into  cultivation.  It  forms  large  clumps, 
which  increase  by  runners,  and  is  of  a 
glaucous  colour,  with  narrow,  sinuate,  and 
opposite  leaves.  The  stems,  about  2  feet  in 
height,  bear  large  heads  of  golden  ligulate  florets 
surrounding  the  discs  of  brown  ones,  from  which 
the  orange-coloured  anthers  protrude.  The 
plant  blossoms  from  July  to  December,  is  per- 
fectly hardy,  and  requires  no  protection  from 
frost.  I  grow  it  in  a  well-drained  soil,  exposed 
to  the  full  sunshine. 

Another  good  plant  which  is  rarely  met  with  is 
Silphium  albiflorum,  A.  Gray. 
The  leaves  are  deeply  lobed  and  rough;  the 
stems  are  thick  and  prickly,  and  attain  to  a 
height  of  about  3  feet.  The  whole  of  the  upper 
part  is  covered  with  large,  sessile  heads  of 
greyish-white  flowers  enclosed  in  spiny  in- 
volucres, which  give  the  plant  a  strange  appear- 
ance. This  rare  and  beautiful  plant  occurs  in 
Texas,  and  needs  a  sunny  and  dry  spot. 
Silphium  dessicum  Poir  and  S.  laciniatum 
A.  are  plants  possessing  fleshy  leaves,  but 
their  flowering  stems  reach  a  height  of  10 
feet,  and  are  crowned  with  yellow  capitula. 
S.  terabinthinaceum  L.,  bears  enormous  leaves, 
measuring  sometimes  as  much  as  2  feet  long 
by  1J  feet  in  width,  and  the  yellow  flower-heads 
are  arrayed  in  spreading  panicles  about  7  feet 
from  the  ground. 

Aster  sericeus. 
At  the  present  time  we  have  a  suffrutescent 
Aster  which  is  flowering  for  the  first  time.  It 
bears  downy,  silvery  leaves,  and  the  slender, 
almost  woody,  stems  are  bending  beneath  the 
weight  of  the  reddish-violet  blossoms.  This 
plant,  Aster  sericeus  vent  (=  argenteus  michx.), 
of  Texas  and  Illinois,  was  figured  in  The  Gonial 
and  Forest,  October  5,  1902,  and  flowers  freely 
during  the  months  of   September   and  October. 

Brickellia  grandiflora,  Nutt, 
resembles    a   yellow     Ageratum,     the     flowering 
heads  of  which  are  pendulous.     It  is  a  curious 
and  pretty  plant,  a  native  of  California,  and  its 
flowering  period  lasts  from  August  to  winter. 

Berkheya  purpurea,   Benth.   and   Hook. 

This  is  a  South  African  plant,  and  one  of  the 
most  beautiful  of  the  Composite.  The  leaves 
are  like  those  of  a  Thistle,  and  grow  upon 
winged  and  prickly  stems.  The  large  capitula 
are  white,  with  very  beautiful  purple  centres. 

Turning  to  other  families  of  plants,  I  may 
mention 

Dracocephaijm  heterophyllum,  Benth., 
one  of  the  habiatas,  a  native  of  Turkestan  and 
the  Himalayas.  It  is  of  dwarf  habit,  and  is 
very  effective  with  its  spikes  of  large,  white 
flowers  rising  6  or  8  inches  above  the  green 
carpet  of  foliage.  It  appears  to  be  quite  hardy, 
and  the  plants,  which  flowered  this  year  at 
Floraire,  received  no  protection  during  the  pre- 
vious winter. 

Salvia  Przewaldskyi,  Maxim, 
from  Western  China,  is  now  (October)  in  full 
bloom.  It  is  a  strong  and  vigorous  plant,  the 
stems  of  which  are  thickly  covered  with  leaves 
and  reach  a  height  of  3  or  4  feet  The  violet- 
blue  spikes  of  flowers  are  very  effective,  and 
their  remarkable  size,  added  to  their  beautiful 
colour,  renders  the  plant  a  very  valuable  one 
from  the  decorative  standpoint. 

•  Prodromus,  vol.  v.,  p.  587. 


Salvia  scabios.-efolia  Lam. 
Seeds  of  this  plant  were  received  from  the 
mountains  of  the  Taurus,  and  the  plants 
have  been  in  blossom  from  June  to  the 
present  time,  and  they  are  still  covered  with 
as  yet  unopened  buds.  The  Index  Kcwensis 
describes  that  this  species  is  a  native  of 
Peru,  but  I  received  mine  from  the  Taurus, 
and  Borrier  declarest  that  it  is  indigenous  to  the 
limestone  hills  of  that  region.  The  plant  forms 
clumps,  and  the  numerous  stems  bear  pinna- 
tifid  leaves  recalling  those  of  a  Scabious  or  a 
Knantia,  whilst  the  flowers  are  large  and  are 
borne  in  long  verticillate  spikes.  Some  years 
ago  the  Director  of  the  Botanic  Gardens 
at  Tiflis  in  the  Caucasus  published  an  account 
of  a  number  of  new  species  from  the  East  in 
The  Moniteur  dio  Jardin  Botaniauc  de  Tiflis, 
and  he  was  good  enough  to  send  seeds  to 
Floraire.  Many  of  the  plants  have  flowered  this 
year,  especially  a  number  of  the  mountainous 
species,  which,  however,  hardly  belong  to  the 
category  of  herbaceous  plants.  One  of  them, 
however,  deserves  notice,  although  it  is  not  new, 
having  been  described  by  Borrier  some  time  ago. 
The  plant  in  question, 

Campanula  phyctidocalix,  Boin., 
has  not,  so  far  as  I  am  aware,  been  introduced 
into  cultivation  before.  At  first  sight  it  resem- 
bles C  persicifolia,  but  it  is  really  quite  distinct, 
and  far  more  beautiful.  It  was  figured  in  the 
Moniteur  in  1905,  and  seed  was  distributed  from 
Tiflis  the  same  year.  When  this  dis- 
tinguished botanist  visited  me  this  year  he  ex- 
pressed surprise  at  the  size  of  the  flowers,  which, 
under  cultivation,  considerably  exceed  those  of 
the  wild  plant.  The  stem  is  about  2  feet  high, 
and  bears  long  spikes  of  lilac-blue  flowers,  with 
large  and  widely-expanded  corollas.  It  inhabits 
the  Alpine  regions  of  Kurdistan  and  Central 
Armenia.  It  is  of  easy  cultivation,  requiring  a 
light  soil  and  partial  shade.  Henry  Correvon, 
Geneva. 

The  Week's  Work. 

THE    ORCHID    HOUSES. 

By  W.  H.  White,  Orchid  Grower  to  Sir  Tkevor  Lawrence, 
Bart.,  Burford,  Surrey. 
Phalanofsis. — At  the  present  time  several 
species  of  Phalaenopsis,  including  P.  Aphro- 
dite, P.  amabilis,  P.  Sanderiana,  P.  Schilleri- 
ana,  and  P.  Stuartiana,  are  now  developing  their 
flower-spikes,  and  for  several  months  to  come 
the  plants  must  all  be  watered  with  great  care. 
Copious  applications,  whether  by  dipping  or 
other  means,  will  not  be  needed.  At  the  same 
time,  it  is  not  advisable  to  allow  them  to  re- 
main drv  at  the  roots  for  long  -together.  It  is 
a  better  practice  to  examine  the  plants  more  fre- 
quently than  usuai,  and,  whenever  the  compost 
is  dry,  to  lightly  sprinkle  the  sphagnum-moss 
and  the  sides  of  the  basket  to  which  the  ma- 
jority of  the  roots  cling  ;  this  may  be  done  con- 
veniently by  means  of  a  fine  sprayer.  Water 
should  not  be  allowed  to  remain  in  the  centre 
of  the  plant  or  in  the  axils  of  the  leaves,  as 
"  spotting  "  is  frequently  brought  about  by  such 
negligence.  All  of  the  Phalaenopsis  are  ex- 
tremely free-flowering  in  habit ;  even  very  small 
plants  will  produce  flowers.  It  is  not  advis- 
able to  remove  the  flower-spikes  if  the  plants  are 
healthy  with  the  object  of  getting  them  more 
quickly  into  larger  specimens,  because  other 
spikes  will  appear,  and  eventually  from  the 
centre  of  the  plant,  which  is  detrimental  to 
the  formation  of  new  leaves.  It  is  far  better  to 
allow  a  few  flowers  to  open,  and  then  cut  the 
spike  as  close  into  the  growth  as  possible,  after- 
wards keeping  the  plant  in  a  resting  condition 
until  the  growing  season  commences.  Speci- 
mens which  have  long  flower-spikes  should  be 
lowered,  so  that  the  spikes  are  a  foot  or  more 
from  the  roof  glass,  as  sometimes  the  cold  air, 
which  passes  between  the  laps  in  the  glass, 
will  cause  the  point  of  the  spike  to  become 
black  and  decay  ;  in  such  cases  the  remaining 
part  of  the  spike  will  produce  large  blooms, 
but  the  general  effect  of  the  inflorescence  will 
be  unsatisfactory.  During  the  winter  keep  the 
plants  in  a  light  position,  but  one  that  is  not 
exposed  to  direct  sunshine,  especially  such  ten- 
der, green-leaved  varieties  as  P.  Luddeman- 
niana,  P.  rosea,  P.  violacea,  P.  sumatrana, 
i'.   Marias,  P.  speciosa,  P.  tetraspis,  P.  denticu- 

t  Flora  oriaitalis,  vol.  iv.,  p.  600. 


lata,  &c.  In  mild  weather  let  the  atmospheric 
temperature  of  the  house  be  kept  at  about  65° 
at  night,  and  allow  it  to  fall  several  degrees 
by  morning.  On  very  cold  nights,  when  extra 
fire  heat  becomes  necessary,  a  few  degrees  less 
warmth  will  suffice.  The  immediate  surround- 
ings of  the  plants  should  be  damped  down  both 
morning  and  afternoon,  but  the  quantity  of 
water  thrown  about  should  be  regulated  accord- 
ing to  the  external  temperature,  and  for  several 
hours  during  the  middle  of  the  day  the  atmo- 
sphere should  be  comparatively  dry,  thus  allow- 
ing the  plants  to  discharge  superfluous  moisture. 
Phalaenopsis  do  not  thrive  in  a  close,  stuffy  at- 
mosphere for  long  together  :  they  like  fresh  air, 
but  it  must  be  afforded  in  such  a  manner  that 
cold  draughts  will  be  prevented.  The  Phalae- 
nopsis at  Burford  are  cultivated  in  a  house 
having  a  lean-to  roof  with  a  westerly  aspect, 
and  the  top  ventilators  are  more  or  less  always 
open,  according  to  the  direction  of  the  wind 
and  other  external  conditions.  Even  during 
very  cold  weather  a  "  chink  "  of  air  is  left  on 
at  night  as  well  as  by  day.  The  lower  ventila- 
tors are  never  opened,  thus  the  prevention  of 
draught  is  assured,  and  a  suitable  growing  at- 
mosphere is  easily  maintained.  Under  such 
conditions,  thrip  insects  rarely  attack  the  plants, 
but  the  leaves  should  be  lightly  sponged  over 
occasionally  to  free  them  from  all  dirt  and 
dust,  cleanliness  being  of  great  assistance  to- 
wards successful  cultivation. 


THE  FLOWER  GARDEN. 

By  A.  C.  Bartlett,  Gardener  to  Mrs.  Ford,  Pencarrow,  _ 
Cornwall. 
The  herbaceous  border  (continued). — Before  re- 
planting any  subject  in  the  same  spot  a  fairly 
large  hole  should  be  dug  with  the  object  of 
replacing  the  spent  soil  with  fresh.  A  common 
fault  is  to  overcrowd  the  border  with  large 
masses  of  tall,  broad-habited  plants,  and,  al- 
though those  named  on  p.  327,  together  with 
others,  such  as  the  Oriental  Poppies,  Paeomes, 
&c,  are  undoubtedly  very  beautiful  and  showy 
during  their  seasons  of  flowering,  their  excessive 
employment  leads  to  grave  defects.  The  capacity 
of  the  border  is,  at  the  most,  limited,  and  if 
the  major  portion  of  it  is  occupied  with  varie- 
ties of  plants  which  are  at  their  best  during  the 
summer  months,  not  only  does  this  leave  a 
small  amount  of  space  in  which  to  cultivate 
spring-flowering,  and,  even  more  important, 
late  autumn-flowering  plants,  but  the  blanks 
left,  when  these  erstwhile  "masses  of  flower" 
have  passed  away  and  the  ripened  foliage  has 
been  cleared  off,  are  unsightly.  Even  though,  as 
was  advised  in  an  earlier  calendar,  much  may 
be  done  to  obviate  this  by  the  judicious  em- 
ployment of  prepared  annual  plants  carefully 
lifted  and  planted  close  around  the  crowns 
of  the  permanent  occupants  which  have  finished 
flowering,  yet  this  is  a  somewhat  expensive 
method,  and,  at  the  best,  a  makeshift.  The 
aim  of  the  gardener  should  be  to  render  the 
herbaceous  border  bright  and  attractive  during 
the  dull  season.  The  garden  is  in  the  early 
part  of  the  year  fairly  bright  with  flowers  of 
the  spring-flowering  bulbs.  But,  to  keep  the 
border  even  moderately-well  furnished  and  pre- 
sentable from  the  first  real  frost  to  the  advent 
of  the  Snowdrop  and  Crocus  is  a  matter  of  some 
difficulty.  With  this  end  in  view,  the  taller, 
early  summer-flowering  deciduous  plants  should 
be  planted  well  at  the  back  of  the  border,  em- 
ploying the  evergreen  subjects  in  the  middle 
and  front  portions.  A  few  evergreen  shrubs  of 
moderate  size  and  good  shape,  such  as  Rose- 
mary, Lavender,  shrubby  Veronicas  (in  gardens 
where  they  are  hardy),  and  an  occasional 
Yucca  planted  a  little  to  the  back  from  the 
middle  of  the  border,  are  useful.  Along  the 
front,  Pinks,  Arabis,  Aubrietia,  Campanula, 
&c,  should  be  planted,  but  in  fair-sized  patches, 
and  not  in  rigid  lines,  as  is  often  seen.  Strict 
gradations  of  size,  running  from  the  tallest 
plant  at  the  back  to  dwarf  ones  in  the  front 
of  the  border,  should  be  avoided.  Although  in 
general  this  must  be  done,  yet  the  front  por- 
tion should  have  an  occasional  plant  some- 
what taller  than  its  fellows.  Those  selected  for 
this  purpose  should  not  be  dense-growing  sub- 
jects, but  rather  those  of  a  slender  habit,  such 
as  Campanula  pyramidalis,  Foxgloves,  Phlows, 
Michaelmas  Daisies  of  a  moderate  size,  and 
bulbous  plants,  including  Galtonia  candicaftis, 
Gladiolus,    iVx. 


November  16,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


243 


PLANTS    UNDER   GLASS. 

By  J.  G.  Weston,  Gardener  to  H.  J.  King,  Esq., 
Eastvvell  Park,  Kent. 

Euphorbia  (Poinsett  ia)  pulcherrima. — These 
plants  are  now  forming  their  handsomely- 
coloured  bracts,  and  should  be  assisted  by  appli- 
cations of  diluted  stimulants  and  the  affording 
of  a  rather  warmer  atmosphere  than  formerly, 
which  is  necessary  to  encourage  the  bracts  to 
obtain  their  full  development.  A  minimum 
temperature  of  65"  at  night  will  be  found  suit- 
able and  it  may  be  allowed  to  rise  10°  to 
15°  during  sunny  days.  Admit  a  little  air  on  all 
favourable  occasions  but  on  no  account  allow 
draughts  of  cold  air  to  reach  the  plants. 
Syringe  them  lightly  overhead  on  bright  days1  at 
the  time  of  closing  the  house  in  the  afternoon. 
When  the  bracts  have  fully  developed,  reduce 
the  atmospheric  moisture  and  high  temperature 
by  slow  degrees,  so  that  the  plants  will  become 
sufficiently  hardened  for  use  for  indoor  decora- 
tion if  required.  For  this  purpose  Euphorbias 
are  much  in  demand  at  Christmas-time,  their 
brilliant  crimson  heads  showing  to  great  advan- 
tage by  artificial  light,  and  with  Palms  and  with 
a  few  white  flowering  plants  providing  a  fine 
effect. 

Euphorbia  jacquinicefiora. — This  species  is  very 
beautiful,  and  is  much  appreciated  for  the 
making  of  sprays  and  other  decorative  devices, 
for  which  its  long  slender  growths  render  it 
peculiarly  suitable.  These  plants  are  also  show- 
ing their  flower  buds,  and  should  be  kept  in  a 
hot  atmosphere.  Let  water  be  afforded  cau- 
tiously, as  these  plants  have  very  fine  roots 
which  are  impatient  of  much  water  at  any 
season  ;  over-watering  soon  causes  some  leaves 
to  fall,  and  eventually  the  plant  may  die. 

Coleus  thyrsoideus. — Keep  the  plants  of  this 
flowering  species  arranged  thinly  and  well  up  to 
the  glass,  or  they  will  become  drawn  and 
weakened  and  will  not  flower  so  well.  This 
species  has  a  very  free  root-system,  and  should 
be  afforded  weak  stimulants  at  intervals  as 
appear  to  be  necessary,  to  assist  in  the  develop- 
ment of  the  flower-spikes.  Where  blue  flowers 
are  admired,  this  plant  is  a  welcome  feature  in 
the  flowering  house  or  conservatory  ;  it  is 
capable  of  lasting  a  long  time  if  the  cultural 
conditions  are  kept  suitable,  but  the  flowers  are 
of  very  little  use  for  cutting,  and  the  colour  is 
ineffective  under  artificial   light. 

1/  tchosma  riparium  is  a  good  plant  for  asso- 
ciating with  the  Coleus,  and  at  this  season 
thrives  under  similar  treatment.  Keep  the 
atmosphere  of  the  house  at  a  temperature  of 
55°  to  60u  at  night,  according  to  the  weather, 
allowing  it  to  rise  to  65°  or  70°  in  the  daytime. 


FRUITS  UNDER  GLASS. 

By  Alexander  Kirk,  Gardener  to  J.  Thomson  Paton,  Esq., 
Norwood,  Alloa,  Clackmannanshire. 

Pineapples. — Plants  now  swelling  their  fruit, 
such  as  the  variety  Smooth  Cayenne  and  others 
that  fruit  in  winter,  should  be  afforded  a  warm, 
moist  atmosphere.  Do  not  syringe  them  at  this 
dull  season  of  the  year.  The  damping  of  the 
paths  three  times  a  day  will  be  quite  sufficient 
to  maintain  a  moist  atmosphere.  During  the 
time  the  fruit  is  colouring,  the  roots  only 
require  very  little  water.  Maintain  a  steady 
atmospheric  temperature  of  70"  to  75°  at  night, 
allowing  it  to  rise  to  80u  by  day  ;  the  bottom 
heat  may  be  80°.  It  is  advisable  to  have  a 
covering  to  place  over  the  Pine  pits  during 
severe  frost ;  such  protection  will  help  con- 
siderably in  preventing  the  heat  of  the  pit  de- 
creasing, and  it  will  to  some  extent  prevent  the 
use  of  an  excessive  amount  of  fire  heat. 

Pines  for  fruiting  early  next  year. — Plants 
which  are  to  be  started  at  the  commencement  of 
the  new  year  should  be  kept  at  present  in  an 
atmospheric  temperature  of  about  65u  at  night, 
and  a  bottom  heat  of  70°.  During  mild  weather 
admit  air  to  keep  down  the  heat  of  the  pit 
below  70u,  and  do  not  afford  the  roots  more 
water  than  is  necessary  to  keep  the  plants  from 
flagging  ;  the  plants  should  now  be  resting. 

Pint  suckers,  which  were  potted  into  6-inch 
pots  early  in  autumn,  will  nowbe  well  rooted, 
and  should  have  a  temperature  at  night  of  60u, 
allowing  a  rise  of  5°  by  day  and  a  bottom  heat 
of  70°.  Keep  the  atmosphere  of  the  pit  humid, 
and  do  not  allow  the  plants  to  suffer  for  want 
of  water ;  at  the  same  time,  remember  the 
caution  never  to  apply  water  to  a  plant  that  is 
not   in   a   condition   requiring   further  moisture. 


Being  plunged  in  fermenting  materials  they  do 
not  often  require  water  at  this  season.  Detach 
any  suckers  from  old  plants,  and  pot  them 
firmly  in  fibrous  loam,  using  6-inch  pots,  which 
should  afterwards  be  plunged  in  a  bottom  heat 
of  70 \ 

Peaches. — Late  varieties,  such  as  Golden 
Eagle,  Sea  Eagle,  and  Princess  of  Wales,  being 
now  cleared  of  their  fruit,  should  be  syringed 
thoroughly  once  each  day.  Examine  the  trees 
now,  and  cut  out  any  gross  shoots  and  any  that 
may  be  considered  undesirable  for  next  year. 
Admit  an  abundance  of  air,  and  apply  some 
fire-heat  to  induce  the  wood  to  "  ripen."  When 
the  leaves  have  fallen,  the  fire-heat  may  be  dis- 
continued, and  the  houses  be  kept  as  cool  as  it 
is  possible  to  keep  them.  Young  Peach  and 
Nectarine  trees  which  have  grown  too  strongly 
will  now  require  to  be  lifted,  have  their  roots 
pruned  and  be  re-planted,  unless  this  operation 
was  done  in  October.  It  is  advisable  to  add  a 
good  quantity  of  lime  rubble  to  the  border  when 
planting  or  transplanting  young  and  gross- 
growing  trees.  Strong  manure  should  Dot  be 
mixed  in  the  compost.  Make  all  the  borders 
very  firm,  and  apply  a  mulch  over  the  surface 
when  the  work  of  planting  is  finished. 


THE  HARDY  FRUIT  GARDEN. 

By  J.  Mayne,  Gardener  to  Lorcn  Clinton,  Bicton, 
East  ! ' 

Planting  fruit  trees,  &c. — Apple  trees  worked 
on  the  Crab,  and  Pear  trees  on  the  1'ear  stock 
require  planting  at  a  greater  distance  than  those 
worked  on  the  Paradise  and  Quince  stocks  re- 
spectively. Standard  Apple  trees  should  be 
placed  at  a  rod  apart  each  way,  and  standard 
l'ears  require  almost  the  same  distance;  an 
extra  6  feet  between  the  rows  will  allow  a  line 
of  bush  fruits  or  Strawberries  to  be  planted. 
Bush  and  pyramid  trees  of  Apple  and  Pear 
should  not  be  less  than  12  feet  apart,  whilst  in 
the  case  of  horizontal  or  espalier-trained  trees 
the  distance  should  be  20  feet.  Pan-trained 
trees,  including  those  of  Apricots,  Teaches, 
Pears,  Plums,  Nectarines,  and  Cherries  require 
a  space  of  15  feet  between  each  tree,  but  cor- 
dons of  these  may  be  planted  as  close  as  2  feet. 
If  a  greater  distance  than  that  mentioned  be 
allowed,  spare  trees  may  be  planted  between  the 
permanent  ones,  especially  against  wall 
fences,  and  it  is  advisable  to  have  a  few  extra 
young  trees  to  take  the  place  of  any  that  die  or 
become  exhausted,  particularly  in  the  case  of 
stone  fruits.  Gooseberry  and  Currant  bushes 
should  stand  6  feet  apart  each  way,  while  in 
cases  of  cordons  or  grid-iron  shaped  trees 
against  walls  the  distance  may  vary  from  18 
inches  to  4  feet. 

Small  fruits. — The  best  varieties  of  Red  Cur- 
rants are  Raby  Castle,  Fay's  Prolific  and  Comet. 
White  Transparent  and  White  Dutch  are  the 
pick  of  the  white  varieties.  Boskoop  Giant, 
Lee's  Prolific,  and  Baldwin  are  the  best  varieties 
of  Black  Currants.  The  best-flavoured  Goose- 
berries are  Careless,  Bonny  Lass,  Pitmaston 
Greengage,  Leader,  Early  Sulphur,  Alma, 
Whitesmith,  Greenock,  Red  Warrington,  and 
Golden  Gem.  A  few  bushes  of  Gooseberries 
planted  against  a  north  wall  prolongs  the  sea- 
son of  fruiting,  but  the  flavour  of  the  fruits 
from  these  bushes  is  not  as  good  as  those  grown 
in  sunnier  positions. 


THE    KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

By  William  H.  Honess,  Gardener  to  C.  Combe,  Esq.. 
Cobham  Park,  Surrey. 

Broccoli. — These  plants  are  still  making  a 
very  free  growth,  owing  chiefly  to  the  warm 
weather  and  humid  atmosphere  of  the  past  few 
weeks.  The  plants  will,  in  consequence,  be 
very  liable  to  injury  directly  hard  weather  sets 
in,  unless  the  practise  of  "  heeling-over  "  is  re- 
sorted to.  This  precaution,  although  it  reduces 
the  size  of  the  curds,  protects  the  plants,  and 
thus  provides  against  absolute  failure.  The 
work  is  done  by  removing  about  a  couple  of 
spadefuls  of  soil  from  the  north  side  of  the 
plants,  partly  raising  and  forcing  the  stems  into 
this  space  with  a  spade  from  the  opposite  side, 
and  leaving  the  "  head  "  of  the  plant  resting  on 
the  surface  in  a  slanting  position  facing  to  the 
north.  In  gardens  where  the  plants  are  more 
backward,  and  have  not  made  such  active  late 
growth,  this  method  of  protection  will  not  be 
necessary,       as      under      usual      circumstances 


Broccoli    is    hardy    enough     to     withstand     the 
ordinary  cold  of  winter. 

Early  Peas  in  borders. — In  favoured  distn  I 
the  seeds  should,  if  not  already  sown,  be 
planted  at  once,  but  unless  a  warm  position  and 
one  that  is  protected  from  east  winds  later  on, 
is  available,  the  sowing  of  this  crop  will  be  in 
vain.  On  a  light,  sandy  soil,  in  protected  situa- 
tions, however,  no  doubt  need  be  entertained 
as  to  the  result. 

Potalos. — Continue  to  plant  Pot».tos  in  frames 
from  "sets"  that  have  been  given  a  good  starl 
in  boxes,  and  that  have  made  both  root  and 
top  growth.  If  a  continuous  supply  is  needed 
more  "  sets  "  should  be  placed  in  boxes,  in  order 
to  have  them  well  started  into  growth  by  the 
time  they  are  required  for  planting. 

Salads. — Continue  to  blancn  endive  as  re- 
quired, and,  as  Lettuce  will  now  be  getting 
scarce,  the  greater  will  be  the  demand  for  the 
former.  Further  supplies  of  Chives  and  Chicory 
should  be  got  in,  and  sowings  be  made  of 
Mustard  and  Cress. 

General  remarks. — Any  necessary  work  that 
has  been  delayed  should  in  all  cases  be  taken 
in  hand  as  soon  as  possible,  while  the  weather 
remains  favourable.  Where  digging  and  trench- 
ing are  in  progress,  full  advantage  should  be 
taken  of  dry  mornings  to  wheel  on  to  the  ground 
the  different  materials,  such  as  the  stumps  of 
Brassicas,  tops  of  Carrots,  Beetroot,  &c,  which 
are  intended  for  placing  at  the  bottoms  of  the 
trenches.  These  vegetable  remains  not  only 
form  a  valuable  manure,  but  they  have  a  bene- 
ficial effect  on  the  ground  for  a  long  time. 


PUBLIC  PARKS  AND  GARDENS. 

By  W.  W  Pettigrew,  Superintendent  of  the  Parks  and 
Open  Spaces  in  the  City  of  Cardiff. 
Pruning  shrubs  and  thinning  out  shrubberies.— 
In  a  great  many  instances  shrubberies  are 
planted  in  parks  for  the  purpose  of  blocking 
out  a  view  or  screening  some  object.  This  is 
especially  the  case  with  boundary  shrubberies, 
and  for  this  reason  the  invariable  aim  of  those 
who  plant  them  is  to  get  as  dense  a  growth  as 
possible.  For  the  first  few  years  after  a  shrub, 
bery  is  planted  all  the  attention  bestowed  upon 
it  is  with  the  object  of  inducing  the  plants  to 
grow  as  rapidly  and  freely  as  they  will,  and 
during  that  period  they  give  but  little  trouble. 
When,  however,  they  begin  to  fulfil  their  object 
and  become  dense  screens,  they  commence  to 
give  trouble  to  those  whose  dutv  it  is  to  keep 
them  in  a  healthy  and  useful  condition.  For 
a  time  this  can  be  attained  by  thinning  out  and 
transplanting  perhaps  every  other  shrub  in  the 
border,  but  the  time  comes  sooner  or  later  when 
this  is  no  longer  possible,  and  the  only  means 
of  maintaining  the  shrubbery  in  a  proper  con- 
dition is  by  the  vigorous  use  of  the  knife  in 
cutting  back  and  thinning  out  the  overgrown 
branches. 

Pruning  is  necessary. — Those  who  have  seen 
small  nursery  plants  gradually  developing  into 
an  imposing  and  picturesque  shrubbery  will 
readily  sympathise  with  the  person  who  is 
tempted  to  put  off  pruning  his  shrubs  as  long 
as  possible.  It  is,  however,  this  very  disin- 
clination to  use  the  knife  which  is  often  the 
ultimate  cause  of  spoiling  many  good  shrub- 
beries. If  taken  in  hand  before  the  branches 
touch  each  other,  it  is  quite  possible  for  a 
shrubbery  to  be  kept  in  good  condition  for  an 
indefinite  period,  while  the  shrubs  composing  it 
retain  their  individual  character  for  a  consider- 
able time.  To  keep  the  plants  in  good  health 
it  is  necessary  that  plenty  of  light  and  air  should 
be  able  to  circulate  amongst  the  branches,  and 
when  the  shrubs  have  fully  developed  this  can 
only  be  brought  about  by  a  periodical  pruning. 

Time  for  pruning. — Many  flowering  shrubs 
which  bear  their  bloom  on  the  old  wood  are 
best  pruned  immediately  after  their  flowering 
period,  but,  generally  speaking,  the  majority  of 
shrubs  can  be  dealt  with  during  the  winter  and 
spring  months  of  the  year.  Care  should  be 
taken  when  pruning  to  avoid  as  much  as  pos- 
sible giving  shrubs  a  formal  or  hedge-like 
appearance.  While  this  kind  of  treatment  is 
sometimes  in  keeping  with  the  purpose  and  sur- 
roundings  of  a  shrubbery,  it  is  invariably  far 
better  to  allow  each  shrub  to  take  on  its  natural 
form.  When  large  branches  are  removed  the 
cuts  should  always  be  dressed  with  paint  or  tar, 
otherwise  there  is  a  danger  of  the  main  stem 
becoming  damaged  and  diseased. 


344 


FHE 


GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[November  16,  1907. 


EDITORIAL     NOTICE. 


ADVERTISEMENTS  should  be  sent  to  the  PUB- 
LISHER, 41,  Wellington  Street,  Covent  Garden, 
W.C. 

Letters  for  Publication,  as  well  as  specimens  and  plants 
tor  naming,  should  be  addressed  to  the  EDITOR, 
41,  Wellington  Street,  Covent  Garden,  London. 
Communications  should  be  written  on  one  side  only  of 
the  paper,  sent  ai  early  >n  the  iveek  as  possible  and  duly 
signed  by  the  writer.  If  desired,  the  signature  will  not  be 
printed,  but  kept  as  a  guarantee  of  good  faith. 

-Special  Notice  to  Correspondents. — The  Editor  does  not 
undertake  to  pay  for  any  contributions  or  illustrations,  or 
to  return  unused  communications  or  illustrations,  unless  by 
special  arrangement.  Tin  Editor  does  not  hold  himself 
responsible  for  any  opinions  expressed  by  Ins  correspondents. 


APPOINTMENTS  FOR  THE  ENSUING  WEEK. 


MONDAY,  NOVEMBER  18— 

Nat.  Chrys.  Soc.  Floral  Com.  meet. 

TUESDAY,  NOVEMBER  19— 

Leeds  Paxton  Soc.  Chrys.  Sh.  (2  da> 
WEDNESDAY,  NOVEMBER  20— 

Darlington  Chrys.  Sh. 
FRIDAY,  NOVEMBER  22— 

Roy.  Bot.  Soc.  meet.    Aberdeen  Chrys.  Sh.  (2  days). 

SATURDAY,  NOVEMBER  23— 

Morley  and  Dist.  Paston  Soc.  Chrys.  Sh. 


Average     Mean    Temperature    for    the    ensuing    week, 
deduced  from   observations  during  the  last  Fifty  Years 
at  Greenwich — 42"la. 
Actual  Temperatures:  — 

London-—  Wednesday,  November  13(6  p.m.):  Max.  54°; 
Min.  45". 
Gardeners1  Chronicle  Office,  41,  Wellington  Street, 
Covent  Garden,  London. — Thursday,  Novemba 
14  (10  a.m.):  Bar.  301;  Temp.,  51';  Weather— 
Overcast. 
Provinces — Wednesday,  November  13  (6  P.M.)  :  Max.  53°- 
Cornwall  &  S.W.  Ireland  ;  Mill.  40',  Scotland  N- 


SALES     FOR    THE    ENSUING    WEEK. 

MONDAY  and  WEDNESDAY— 

Sale  of  Dutch  Bulbs,    &c,  at  Stevens'   Rooms,    King 

Street,  Covent  Garden,  W.C. 
MONDAY  TO  FRIDAY— 

Dutch  Bulbs,  at  67  &  68,  Cheapside,  E.C.,  by  Protheroe 

&  Morris,  at  10.30. 
TUESDAY— 

Clearance  Sale  of  Nursery  Stock  at  White  Hart  Lane 

Nurseries,  Barnes,  by  Protheroe  &  Morris,  at  12. 
WEDNESDAY— 

3,300  Roses  at  1.30;  Palms,  Azaleas,  &c,  at  5 ;  at  67  & 

68,  Cheapside,  B.C.,  by  Protheroe  &  Morris. 
WEDNESDAY  and  THURSDAY— 

Clearance  Sale  of  Nursery  Stock  at  Royal  Nurseries, 

Ascot,  by  order  of  Messrs.  Standish  &  Co.,  by  Protheroe 

&  Morris,  at  12. 

THURSDAY  AND  FRIDAY— 

Clearance  Sale  of  Fruit  Trees  and  Nursery  Stock  at  The 

Nurseries,  Eynsford,  Kent,  by  order  of  Messrs.  Cannell 

&  Sons,  by  Protheroe  Sc  Morris,  at  12. 
FRIDAY— 

Imported    and   Established    Orchids   in    large   variety  ; 

Orchids  in  flower  and  bud,  at  67  &  68,  Cheapside,  E.C., 

by  Protheroe  &  Morris,  at  12.45. 


Owing   to  the   courtesy  of   Pro- 
Plant        fessor    C.     S.     Sargent,    of    the 
Collecting    ,.  i    t-    •  -i        tt  c-    > 

;_^i.:_»      Harvard  University    U.S.A.,  we 
in  unina,  J  > 

are  enabled  to  print  the  follow- 
ing details  extracted  from  a  private  letter 
written  by  Mr.  E.  H.  Wilson,  on  July  S  last, 
whilst  at   Ichang. 

"  I  have  just  returned  from  a  trip  to  the 
Lushan  Mountains,  near  Kinkiang,  a  dis- 
trict previously  visited  by  Pere  David,  Maries, 
and  others.  I  was  away  just  three  weeks, 
two  of  which  were  occupied  in  travelling  to 
and  fro.  The  foothills  of  the  range  are 
reached  after  traversing  10  miles  of  Hat 
country  from  the  port  of  Kinkiang.  From 
the  foothills  an  ascent  of  five  miles  brings 
one  to  the  top  of  the  first  ridge  (alt. 
3,000  feel  |,  facing  and  around  which  is  the 
Missionary  Sanitorium  of  Killing.  The  range 
reaches  5,000  feet  in  its  highest  parts,  and 
consists  of  three  more  or  less  distinct  and 
liar  ridges  separated  1>\  narrow  valleys. 
The  upper  parts  of  the  range  enjoy  a  cool 
temperature  and  an  abundant  rainfall.  At 
one  time,  doubtless,  the  whole  range  was 
well  v,  oded,  lull  now  il  is  absolutely  tree- 
less and  covered  onh  by  a  dense  low  jungle- 


growth.  The  variety  of  shrubs  midst  this 
jungle-growth  is  surprising.  The  species 
and  genera  are  chiefly  such  as  are  found  in 
western  Hupeh  around  3,000  feet  alt.  During 
the  week  spent  there  I  managed  to  secure 
some  340  species  in  about  2,000  specimens. 
The  majority  are  in  half-ripe  fruit,  unfortu- 
nately, but  this  could  not  be  helped. 

"  Of  plants  entirely  new  to  me  a  magnifi- 
cent Euonymus  with  large  white  flowers  and 
a  fine  Schizandra  with  thick  leaves  and  large 
yellow  flowers  were  the  most  interesting. 
Bushes  of  Cladrastis  sinensis  abound,  and 
near  a  temple  I  got  a  fine  Tilia. 

"  At  one  time  the  Tulip  tree  must  have 
been  very  common  on  the  Lushan  Mountains. 
Bushes  still  abound,  and  I  saw  one  fine  old 
gnarled  specimen  in  a  ravine — the  sole  re- 
maining tree  of  any  size.  From  this  tree 
good  fruiting  material  was  obtained.  The 
Sassafras  and  a  Liquidambar  occur  sparingly 
as  small  trees,  while  Magnolia  conspicua  (?) 
is  abundant  but  only  in  bush-form  like  every- 
thing else. 

"  One  of  the  most  interesting  finds  was 
Nyssa  sinensis.  It  is  fairly  common,  but  I 
only  found  one  large  bush  bearing  fruit. 
Stuartia  monadelphia  (?)  is  abundant  midst 
rocks,  in  the  water-courses  and  everywhere. 
Laurineae  was  the  largest  family  collected, 
although,  strange  to  say,  only  two  or  three 
species  are  recorded  from  this  locality.  Four 
species  of  Maple  were  secured;  these  include 
the  true  A.  truncatum.  Hamamelis  mollis, 
Stephanandra  chinensis,  Schizophragma  in- 
tegrifolia,  Cardiandra  alternifolia,  three 
species  of  Styrax,  two  species  of  Symplocos, 
several  Vacciniums,  Yitis,  Ilex,  and  Vibur- 
nums are  some  of  the  plants  of  interest 
secured.  Corylopsis  is  an  exceedingly  com- 
mon shrub  and  extremely  variable  in  foliage 
and  degree  of  hairiness.  At  present  1  am 
undecided  as  to  whether  one,  two,  or  three 
species  occur.  Hydrangea  panieulata  is  a 
very  common  fluviatile  shrub,  and  is  very 
happy  amidst  rocks  in  the  bed  of  the  numer- 
ous torrents  where  it  is  fully  exposed  to  the 
sun.  I  was  interested  in  the  discovery  of  this 
species  since  it  does  not  occur  in  Hupeh  or 
further  west,  nor  can  I  find  any  record  of  its 
having  been  found  wild  in  China  proper  here- 
tofore. Possibly  it  is  the  same  as  the  H. 
Moellcndorffi,  Hance.  Around,  the  base  of 
the  range  and  on  the  Kinkiang  plain  Gym- 
nocladus  chinensis  is  one  of  the  commonest 
trees ;  nowhere  else  to  my  knowledge  is  it 
nearly  so  common.  A  species  of  Liquidambar 
and  Comptotheca  acuminata  also  occur  with 
Gymnocladus,  whilst  Magnolia  hypoleuca  is 
sparingly  cultivated  in  the  same  locality.  The 
Liquidambar  may  be  the  same  as  the  species 
collected  by  Alabaster  near  Hankow. 

"  Pseudolarix  Fortunei  occurs  wild  on  the 
Lushan,  but  I  only  succeeded  in  finding  small 
trees.  Around  a  temple  half-a-dozen  trees 
of  this  Conifer  are  planted,  but  none  are  of 
any  considerable  size.  Fortune,  it  will  be 
remembered,  discovered  this  tree  in  the 
Chekiang  Province.  The  Lushan  Mountains 
probably  represent  its  western  limit  of  distri- 
bution. At  iht'  temple  mentioned  above  are 
two  magnificent  Cryptomerias  and  an  equally 
majestic  Ginkgo,  all  these  planted,  tradition 
says,  a  thousand  years  ago.  Certainly  they 
ait   very  old,  but   slill  in  good  health. 

"  Cephalotaxus  Fortunei  was  very  common 


in  the  jungle,  and  Cunninghamia  sinensis 
on  the  foothills.  Two  species  of  Pine  occur, 
one  on  the  plain  and  another  on  the  higher 
parts  of  the  range.  The  lowland  species  is 
the  same  as  at  Ichang,  but  the  upland 
species  differs  from  anything  I  have 
gathered  elsewhere. 

"  Much  has  been  written  on  the  Chinese 
wax  insect  and  its  hosts.  On  the  Lushan  1 
found  wax  (wild)  deposited  on  two  species  of 
Ash  and  a  Privet,  not  one  of  the  three  being 
the  recognised  host.  I  am  beginning  to 
think  that  as  far  as  the  insect  and  wax  are 
concerned  any  species  of  Ash  or  Privet  will 
stive." 


The   interest   which    was    taken 

Tagasaste  some  twenty  or  more  years  ago 

Fodder.      ln  a  new  fodder  plant  under  the 

name  of  Tagasaste,  the  seeds  of 
which  had  been  received  at  Kew  and  distri- 
buted for  trial  in  many  of  the  Colonies,  has 
been  revived  by  a  correspondence  that  has 
been  published  in  the  May  and  July  numbers 
of  the  Agricultural  Journal  <>/  the  Cape  of 
Good  Hope.  The  plant  referred  to  (Cytisus 
proliferus,  L.  fil.  var.  Palmensis),  is  a  small 
tree  of  the  Canary  Islands,  the  leafy  branches 
of  which  were  recommended  for  feeding 
cattle.  It  is  pointed  out  that,  as  a  result 
of  the  distribution  of  the  seed  years  ago, 
the  trees  have  been  raised  and  are  thriving 
in  many  parts  of  South  Africa,  but  no  experi. 
ments  have  as  yet  been  made  with  rega  d  to 
the  value  of  the  leaves  for  cattle-feeding. 
The  reason  for  this  is  said  to  be  that  they 
have  already  got  lucerne  in  S.  Africa,  so  that 
there  is  no  need  to  cultivate  anoth°r  plant 
which  is  known  as  Tree  Lucerne.  Besides 
this  the  tree-form  prevents  it  from  being 
cut  with  the  ordinary  sickle,  furthermore, 
stock  refuse  to  eat  the  leaves,  and  finally 
the  seeds  are  difficult  to  germinate.  The 
writer  says  these  difficulties  are  not  insur- 
mountable. First — "  He  poured  boiling  water 
on  the  sulking  seeds  and' left  them  in  the 
water  for  a  day,  and  then  planted  them  in  a 
seed-bed,  when  nearly  all  started  growing. 
He  planted  them  out,  a  yard  apart,  in  tilled 
soil,  and  let  them  grow  as  they  liked  for 
three  years  ;  then  he  cut  them  down  to  5  feet 
high.  In  three  months'  time  they  had  given 
long,  soft,  succulent,  shoots.  These  he  cut 
down  regularly  at  intervals,  and  gave  to  his 
horses  and  stock.  The  horses  struck  eating, 
but  he  starved  them  into  submission.  Ever 
after  they  were  greedy  for  that  food.  They 
throve  on  it,  and  so  did  the  cows  and  the 
other  stock."  The  above  account  refers  to 
lenenlTe,  and  what  has  been  done  there,  the 
writer  argues,  can  easily  be  done  under  simi- 
lar circumstances  in  the  Karroo  and  other  dis- 
tricts in  Africa,  as  well  as  in  other  countries 
possessing  climates  of  a  similar  character. 


R.H.S.  Fixtures  for  1908.  The  Council 
of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  have  fixed 
the  following  dates  for  the  exhibitions  of  the 
society  in  1908: — January  14  and  28,  February 
11  (annual  meeting),  March  3,  17,  31,  April  14, 
28,  May  12,  May  2G,  27,  28  (spring  show  at  the 
Temple  Gardens),  June  9,  23,  July  7  and  8 
(summer  show  at  Holland  House,  Kensington), 
July  21,  August  4,  18,  September  1,  15,  29, 
October  13,  27,  October  15  and  16  (British  Fruit 
Show),  November  10,  24,  December  8,  22. 
Shows  of  Colonial  fruit  and  vegetables,  pre- 
served  fruits,   and    jams   are   also   arranged   for 


Supplement  to  the  "  Gardeners'  Chronicle." 


Photograph  by  D'Ath. 


Views  in  the  Winter/Garden  at  Eastwell   Park,   Kent,  the  residence  of 

H.  J.   King,   Esq. 

Temple  Press  Ltd.,  Printers,  7-15,  Rosebery  Avenue,  London,  E.C, 


November  16,  ISO".] 


THE     GAPxD  EN  ER  &     CHR  0  NICE  E. 


345 


March  5-6,  June  11-1:2,  and  November  26-27. 
Bottled  British  fruits,  home-dried  fruits,  and 
preserved  British  vegetables  will  also  be  ex- 
hibited on  November  26-27.  The  Royal  Horti- 
cultural Hall  is  to  be  used  for  their  annual 
shows  by  the  Carnation  Society  on  July  22,  the 
Sweet  Pea  Society  on  July  24,  the  Rose  Soi 
for  their  autumn  exhibition,  probably  on  Sep- 
tember 17,  and  the  Winter-flowering  Carnation 
Soi   ety  on  a  date  yet  to  be  fixed. 

Special  Societies. — The  Council  of 

the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  have  re- 
vised their  arrangements  for  the  engage- 
ment of  the  hall  by  kindred  societies  for 
their  shows  in  1908  as  follow: — 1.  If  a 
kindred  society  can  by  arrangement  fix  t'  e  i 
show  on  a  Wednesday  or  a  Thursday  fol- 
lowing one  of  the  R.H.S.  fortnightly  shows, 
then  the  kindred  society  has  the  use  of  the  hall 
free  of  charge,  as  well  as  the  gate  money  re- 
ceived at  their  show  (gate  and  other  attendants 
being  provided  by  thenii,  but  free  admission  is 
to  be  given  to  all  holders  of  R.H.S.  annual 
tickets.  2.  A  kindred  society  unable  to  adopt 
such  Wednesday  or  Thursday  must  pay  £5  to 
cover  the  cost  of  table  arrangement,  the  gate 
money  being  taken  by  them.  R.H.S.  tickets 
again  to  admit  free.  3.  A  kindred  society  de- 
clining to  admit  R.H.S.  tickets  must  negotiate 
for  the  use  of  the  hall  on  the  same  basis  as  an 
ordinary  lessee.  Kindred  societies  wishing  to 
engage  the  R.H.S.  Hall  in  1908  should  com- 
munii  ate  with  the  Secretary,  Royal  Horticul- 
tural Society,  Vincent  Square,  Westminster. 

Union  of  Horticultural  Mutual  Im- 
provement Societies.  — In  order  that  this  new 
"  union "  may  be  in  complete  organisation  by 
the  beginning  of  next  year — 1908 — secretaries  of 
horticultural  mutual  improvement  societies  in- 
tending to  join  it  are  asked  to  kindly  communi- 
cate with  the  Secretary  of  the  R.H.S.  without 
delay.  Societies  affiliated  with  the  R.H.S.  will 
enjoy  the  benefits  of  the  union  in  addition  to 
their  existing  privileges  without  any  additional 
fee. 

Linnean  Society. — A  meeting  will  be  held  on 
Thursday,  November  21,  at  8  pm.,  when  the 
following  papers  will  be  read: — 1,  Mr.  W,  C. 
Worsdell,  F.L.S.,  "  Abnormal  Structures  in 
Leaves,  and  their  Value  to  Morphology  "  :  2, 
Mr.  J.  G.  Otto  Tepper,  F.L.S  ,  "  Specimen- 
preservation  in  Australian  Museums";  3,  Mr. 
3.  T.  Dunn,  F.L.S..  "  Revision  of  the  genus 
Illigera,  Blume."  Exhibitions:  1,  Mr.  C.  W. 
Anderson,  "Luminous  Larva  from  British 
Guiana";  2,  Prof.  A.  Dendy,  F.L.S. ,  "Living 
Specimens  of  Peripatus  from  South  Africa";  3, 
Mr.  G.  C.  Deuce,  M.A.,  F.L.S.,  "  Linaria 
arenaria,  and  other  BritiJi  Plants." 

British  Gardeners   Association.— We  are 

informed  that  a  meeting  in  connection  with  the 
above  association  will  be  held  in  Leeds  on  Tuesday, 
November  19,  1907  (first  day  of  the  Chrysan- 
themum show),  in  a  room  adjoining  the  Show 
Hall  at  the  Engineers'  Barracks,  Claypit  Lane. 
Messrs.  E.  F.  Hawes  and  R.  L.  Castle,  of  the 
Executive  Council,  and  other  speakers,  will  address 
the  meeting.  The  chair  will  be  taken  at  5  p.m.  by 
Mr.  Campbell.  All  gardeners  are  cordially  invited 
to  attend. 

The  Birthday  Honours. — Amongst  the 
recipients  of  Birthday  Honours  from  the  King, 
on  the  occasion  of  his  Majesty's  birthday,  are 
Mr.  Jeremiah  Colman  and  Mr.  Frank  Crisp. 
Mr.  Colman,  who  has  received  a  baronetcy,  is 
the  proprietor  of  Gattoa  Park,  Reigate,  and  is 
well  known  for  his  liberal  patronage  of  gar- 
dening, especially  Orchid-culture.  Mr.  Crisp, 
who  has  received  a  knighthood,  has  a  most 
interesting  garden    at    Friar    Park,    Henley-on- 


Thames,  including  a  rock  garden  he  has 
constructed  himself,  which  is  one  of  the  most 
remarkable  we  have  seen  in  any  private  estab- 
lishment. The  rockery  has  been  illustrated  on 
several  occasions  in  these  columns.  In  addi- 
tion, Mr.  Crisp  was  treasurer  of  the  Linnean 
Society  for  many  years,  and  all  those  con- 
nected with  the  management  of  that  society 
well  know  what  valuable  services  he  rendered  in 
that  capacity.  We  congratulate  Sir  Jeremiah 
Colman,  Bart.,  and  Sir  Frank  Crisp,  and  wish 
them  health  to  enjoy  their  honours  for  many 
years  to  come. 

Geo.  Monro,  Ltd.  — A  pleasant  reunion  took 
place  on  Saturday  last,  the  9th  inst.,  at  the 
Cafe  Monico,  Piccadilly  Circus,  London,  the 
ion  being  the  13th  annual  dinner  of  t he- 
staff  of  Geo.  Monro,  Ltd.,  of  Covent  Garden. 
Mr.  Geo.  Monro  occupied  the  chair,  and  was 
supported  by  his  co-directors,  Messrs.  E.  G. 
MONRO,  GEO.  Monro,  JUNR.,  A.  J.  Monro,  and 
C.  Cole,  and  a  few  friends.  After  dinner  an 
excellent  musical  programme  was  enjoyed,  inter- 
spersed by  a  few  short  speeches.  The  Chair- 
man, in  proposing  the  health  of  hjs  staff, 
mentioned  that,  when  he  commenced  business 
in  Covent  Garden  38  years  ago,  his  staff  was 
one  boy,  to  whom  he  paid  9s.  per  week.  To- 
day his  London  staff  totalled  155,  of  whom  130 
were  present,  and  he  had  branches  in  Manches- 
ter and  Guernsey.  Several  speakers,  in  propos- 
ing or  acknowledging  other  toasts,  testified  to 
the  excellent  manner  in  which  the  business  was 
conducted  and  to  the  cordial  and  sympathetic 
relations  existing  between  employers  and  em- 
ployees. 

The    "Schneider-    Banquet    in   Paris. — 

On  Saturday  evening  last  a  large  and  enthusias- 
tic gathering  of  Mr.  Geo.  Schneider's  friends 
took  place  at  the  Restaurant  Ledoyen,  Champs 
Elyst'es,  Paris.  The  object  was  to  celebrate  his 
recent  nomination  as  Officer  du  Merite  Agri- 
cole.  Mr.  Albert  Truffaut  presided,  and 
among  the  distinguished  company  present  we 
noticed  MM.  Abel  Chatexay,  Moseb  &  Son, 
Louis  I.eroy,  Geo.  Bruant,  Sallier,  H.  Mar- 
tinet, Salomon.  Thiebaut  &  Son,  Xomblot, 
Bois,  Millet,  Nonin,  Gravereau,  Croux  fils, 
Aug.  Cordonnter.  Brochet,  G.  Truffaut, 
C.  IIarman  Payne,  and  many  others.  The 
Chairman,  after  an  eloquent  speech,  in  which 
he  made  frequent  allusions  to  the  many  services 
rendered  to  horticulture,  and  especially  to  the 
work  of  the  French  Horticultural  Society  of. 
London,  by  Mr.  Schneider,  presented  him  with 
a  handsome  testimonial  consisting  of  a  clock,  a 
pair  of  vases,  and  candelabra.  An  album  con- 
taining the  names  of  the  180  subscribers  accom- 
panied the  presentation.  Of  these,  25  were  Bel- 
gians, 10  English,  1  Italian,  and  the  remainder 
were  French.  Mr.  Schneider  received  an  over- 
whelming ovation  on  rising  to  return  thanks. 
At  the  conclusion  of  his  speech  he  said  he  was 
commissioned  to  hand  to  M.  Thiebaut  a  hand- 
some fruit  stand  in  silver,  and  to  add  that  the  so- 
ciety had  resolved  to  confer  upon  him  the  honour 
of  a  life  membership  of  the  society.  M.  E. 
Thiebaut  responded,  and  alluded  to  the  warm 
welcome  always  accorded  to  young  foreigners  by 
Mr.  Schneider  on  their  arrival  in  London,  and 
the  help  and  advice  he  unceasingly  accorded  to 
them. 

Arctotis  decurrens. — In  the  notice  of  the 
current  number  of  the  Botanical  Magazine  (see 
p.  330l  the  methods  there  mentioned  as  employed 
in  propagating  the  shrubby  species  of  Arctotis  (A. 
aspera,  &c.)  were,  by  an  obvious  error,  extended 
to  the  herbaceous  A.  decurrens.  The  great  rarity 
of  the  latter  plant  sufficiently  emphasises  the 
difficulties  that  lie  in  the  way  of  increasing  it. 


The  Winter  Rot  of  Potatos.  —  This 
common  disease  of  Potatos  is  nearly  always  pre- 
sent to  some  extent  in  the  tubers  when  in  store, 
and  reaches  the  proportions  of  an  epidemic  dur- 
ing hot,  dry  seasons.  The  tubers  only  are  at- 
tacked, and  inoculation  by  spores  present  in 
the  soil  takes  place  when  the  tubers  are  young, 
but  as  a  rule,  the  disease  is  not  noticeable  when 
they  are  lifted  although  the  mycelium  of  the 
fungus  is  present  in  the  tissues.  A  leaflet  re- 
cently issued  by  the  Board  of  Agriculture  states 
that  as  a  preventive  of  an  attack  of  winter  rot 
tin'  tubers  should  be  well  dried  before  storing. 
Flowers  of  sulphur  sprinkled  over  them  at  the 
rate  of  2  lb.  to  the  ton  will  destroy  the  fungus, 
and  also  hold  in  check  wroodlice,  &c,  which  by 
their  movements  convey  the  spores  throughout 
the  mass  of  tubers.  Potato  stores  of  whatever 
kind  should  be  well  ventilated.  Land  that  has 
carried  a  diseased  crop  should  not  be  planted 
with  Potatos  for  some  years  afterwards.  Kainit, 
at  the  rate  of  5  to  6  cwt.  per  acre,  applied  in 
the  drills  before  planting  the  tubers,  or  as  a  top- 
dressing  before  the  horse  hoe  is  used  for  the  last 
time,  will  help  in  preventing  attacks  of  this 
fungus. 

Publications  Received.  Onions,  by  Horace  J. 
Wright,  published  by  the  London  Agricultural  and 
cultural  Association,  Ltd.,  92,  Long  Acre,  W.C. 
Price  one  penny. — Les  Arbustesd  Ornement  de  Pleine 
Terre,  by  S.  Mollet,  published  by  Octave  Doin,  et 
Librame  Agricole,  Paris.  Price,  3  fr.  5u  c— Mutations, 
Variations,  and  Relationships  o]  the  Oenotheras,  by 
D.  T.  MacDougal,  A.  M.  Vail,  and  G.  H.  Shull  ;  pub- 
lished by  the  Carnegie  Institution  ol  Washington. — 
I.cs  Plantes  Trqpicales  de  Grai,de  Culture,  by  E.  de 
Wildeman,  Tome  I.  ;  published  l,\  Allied  Castaigne, 
28,  Hue  de  Berlaimont,  Brussels. 


HOME    CORRESPONDENCE. 

(The  Editor  does  not  hold  himself  responsible  for  the 
opinions  expressed  by  his  correspondents,  j 

Fuchsias  as  Decorative  Plants.— An  old 
gardener  may  possibly  regard  the  Fuchsia  as  of 
more  worth  than  do  the  younger  men.  The  older 
gardeners  in  their  earlier  days  employed  Fuch- 
sias largely,  and  found  them  charming,  graceful, 
beautiful  subjects.  They  grew  them  u.en,  as 
Mr.  Webster  does' so  finely  now,  as  pot  plants, 
both  pyramidal  and  standard.  They  planted 
them  against  pillars  and  other  supports,  and 
employed  them  for  draping  the  sides  and  roofs 
of  conservatories  or  corridors.  Out-of-doors 
they  were  similarly  planted,  and  also  largely 
used  for  flower-beds.  At  one  time  so  popular 
was  the  Fuchsia  that  raisers  had  full  encourage- 
ment to  produce  new  and  charming  varieties  ; 
hence  we  had,  and  still  have,  a  wealth  of 
varieties.  Would  that  the  beautiful  illustration 
you  published  last  week  of  Mr.  Webster's  fine 
specimens  cause  a  return  to  popularity  for  the 
Fuchsia,  whether  as  a  pot  plant  or  for  any  other 
form  of  cultivation.  Huge  double  Begonias, 
gigantic  Chrysanthemums,  tender,  short-lived 
Dahlias,  and  similar  plants  have  societies 
specially  formed  to  promote  their  interests,  but 
the  beautiful  Fuchsia  has  no  such  interests. 
It  Mr.  Webster  of  Beckeaham,  Mr.  li.ight  of 
Reading,  or  some  of  those  growers  in  the  West 
of  England  who  were  in  days  past  disciples  or 
imitators  of  that  veteran  grower,  James  Lye, 
would  bring  some  of  their  noble  specimens  to 
Vincent  Square  or  to  one  of  the  great  metro- 
politan summer  show-.,  it  would  enable  Lon- 
doners and  other  people  to  see  how  beautiful 
those  lofty  pyramidal  Fuchsias  really  are. 
It  is  pleaded  that  these  tall  plants  when  in 
full  bloom  travel  badly.  Mr.  James  Lye,  when 
at  Market  I.amington,  specially  raised  varieties 
that  did  not  drop  their  blooms  readily.  .  He 
realised  the  importance  of  this,  and  produced 
in  his  day  some  of  the  most  free-growing, 
heavily-flowered  varieties,  and  these  did  not 
drop  their  "bells"  readily.  I  well  remember 
seeing  his  noble  specimens,  10  feet  in  height, 
which  had  travelled  some  15  or  more  miles  to 
a  West  of  England  show  and  back,  yet  seemed 
as  full  of  flower  two  days  later  as  though  not 
one  had  fallen.  With  such  varieties  the  danger 
in  transit  is  minimised.      To  build  up  a  noble 


34G 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[November  16,  1907. 


and  perfect  pyramid,  some  patience  and  cultural 
skill  is  needed.  Once  formed,  it  will  remain  a 
good  specimen  for  several  years.     D. 

Judging  Muscats. — The  letter  on  p.  331, 
signed  by  the  four  judges — honoured  names  in 
the  horticultural  world — is  clear  as  far  as  it 
goes,  but  it  leaves  one  point  unexplained,  and 
it  is  a  very  important  one  to  all  interested  in 
fruit  exhibitions.  If  they  had  the  doubt  men- 
tioned respecting  the  Muscats  being  true  to 
name,  why  was  the  1st  prize  awarded  to  the 
collection,  and  the  prize  slips  affixed  to  the 
cards  of  the  three  exhibitors  before  the  final 
decision?  It  was  stated  at  the  show  that  a 
complaint  was  made  after  the  awards  were  re- 
corded and  the  cards  turned  face  upwards.  Is 
this  the  case  or  not?  That  the  1st  prize  slip 
was  attached  to  Mr.  Lock's  card  many  can 
testify,  so  there  must  have  been  a  mistake 
somewhere.  But  as  it  appears  from  the  judges' 
statement  that  they  decided  the  Grape  was  not 
a  Muscat,  the  suggestion  by  A.  D.  in  the  same 
page  should  receive  consideration,  though  if  all 
the  fruit  has  not  been  removed  from  the  vine,  1 
cannot  see  why  the  matter  might  not  be  settled 
this  season.  As  it  stands,  the  affair  is  exceed- 
ingly  unsatisfactory   all   round.     R.    L.   C. 

1  was  very  glad  to  see  a  note  on  p. 

331  from  the  judges  respecting  their  decision  in 
Class  I.,  but  with  very  great  respect  to  them,  I 
must  say  I  am  not  at  all  satisfied  with  their 
explanation.  If,  as  they  say,  when  pointing 
the  collections  of  fruit  they  were  suspicious  as 
to  my  Grapes  being  Muscats,  why  did  they 
label  my  card  1st  prize,  and  Mr.  Goodacre's 
lard  2nd  prize?  Surely  before  doing  this  they 
must  have  been  absolutely  satisfied  that  I  had 
the  best  collection,  and  I  should  like  to  know 
who  caused  them  to  alter  their  decision.  Do 
they  mean  to  say  that  after  awarding  me  1st 
prize,  they  were  not  satisfied,  and  then  tasted 
my  Grapes,  or  after  they  had  finished  judging 
was  their  attention  called  to  the  fact  that  my 
Grapes  were  not  Muscats,  and  they  were  thus 
caused  to  reverse  the  labels?  I  note  the  judges 
say  they  are  not  responsible  for  the  naming  of 
my  Grapes,  but  surely  judges  selected  for  such 
an  important  exhibition  should  be  qualified  to 
satisfy  exhibitors  as  to  the  names  of  the  variety 
or  kind  of  fruit  which  they  decide  is  not  truly 
named.  At  the  Guildford  Chrysanthemum 
Society's  exhibition  held  last  week,  I  was 
awarded  1st  prize  for  Muscats  cut  from  the  same 
rods,  and  judged  by  three  gardeners  well  known 
in  the  horticultural   world.     James  Loik. 

The  Cold  Storage  of  Fruit. — The  remarks 
on  above  subject  (p.  313|  remind  one  of  a  recent 
conversation  with  a  man  who  deals  in  country 
produce.  He  was  saying  that  he  had  pur- 
chased over  100  stones  of  late  Apples  in  various 
lots.  In  reply  to  the  query  as  to  where  he 
stored  them,  he  said  he  had  "pied"  them  like 
Potatos,  having  found  from  experience  they 
kept  very  well  in  that  way  until  Christmas  time 
and  later  if  the  process  was  carried  out  care- 
fully. His  plan  is  to  choose  a  sheltered  posi- 
lion  in  his  garden,  the  soil  of  which  is  of  a 
sandy  character.  He  next  marks  out  a  space 
about  o  feet  in  width  and  in  length,  according 
to  the  quantity  to  be  pied.  He  digs  out  the  soil 
one  spade  depth  with  the  crumbs,  then  lays  a 
good  bed  of  clean 'Wheat  straw  on  the  surface 
and  up  the  sides  of  this  opening.  On  this  the 
Apples  are  carefully  laid  into  a  ridge,  say,  3 
feet  in  height,  -.electing  only  sound  fruits.  A 
good  layer  of  the  straw  is  placed  on  each  side 
of  the  ridge,  with  the  cut  ends  downwards, 
covering  the  whole  up  with  about  9  inches  in 
thickness  of  the  surrounding  soil,  which  is  well 
beaten  down.      Yorkshire  Gardener. 

Tree  Planting  and  Staking. — The  instruc- 
tive article,,  which  appeared  on  p.  309,  from  Mr. 
J.  Clark,  should  be  of  great  value  to  many.  I 
would  like  to  add  a  suggestion  to  that  artii  le, 
and  invite  thoset  who  have  not  yet  tried  the 
lasting  value  of  coir  yarn  for  use  in  tying  trees 
to  do  so,  and  tbfey  will  find  it  will  last  about 
three  times  as  long  as  the  tarred  hemp  generally 
used.  It  is  not  so  nice  to  handle  or  so  easily- 
strained  up  as  hemp,  but  if  it  is  first  tied  round 
the  mat  on  the  stem  of  the  tree  (not  too  tightly), 
the  tree  may  then  be  held  midway  between  two 
stakes  so  arranged  as  to  take  the  strain  from 
the  windy  quarter,  or  be  tied  firmly  to  one  stake 
with  the  matting  or  sacking  between.  Robert 
Brown,  Junr.,  J/,  Bridge  Street,  Bristol. 


Bouvardias. — In  the  article  by  H.  R.  W.  on 
p.  307,  in  which  he  furnishes  a  list  of  selected 
varieties  for  winter  blooming,  the  very  finest 
scarlet  of  all — President  Cleveland — is  omitted. 
It  is  far  superior  to  Hogarth  and  Dazzler,  and 
has  to  a  great  extent  superseded  these  varieties 
in  the  large  trade  establishments  where  plants 
are  grown  to  supply  Covent  Garden  Market. 
Again,  a  double  white  and  double  pink  are 
given,  but  not  Hogarth  flore  pleno,  which  is  as 
far  as  my  experience  goes  the  best  of  the  double 
reds,  for  at  present  we  have  no  double  counter- 
part of  President  Cleveland.  In  the  article 
above  referred  to,  mention  is  made  of  propa- 
gating the  Bouvardia  by  means  of  root  cuttings, 
and  on  this  point  I  had  at  one  time  a  rather 
singular  experience.  It  happened  many  years 
ago,  just  at  the  time  the  double  white  variety 
Alfred  Neuner  was  distributed.  There  was  a 
great  demand  for  it  at  a  comparatively  high 
price,  and  being  engaged  in  the  propagating 
department  of  a  prominent  nursery,  I  naturally 
desired  to  work  up  as  large  a  stock  as  possible 
in  a  short  time.  Towards  this  end  I  propa- 
gated from  cuttings  both  of  the  young  shoots 
and  of  the  roots,  but  while  the  first  proved  all 
true,  the  plants  obtained  from  the  roots  only 
produced  about  30  per  cent,  of  double  blossoms, 
the  others  being  simply  B.  Davidsonii,  from 
which  the  double-flowered  Alfred  Neuner 
originated.  The  experiments  were  repeated  two 
or  three  times  with  much  the  same  results,  but 
circumstances  have  of  late  years  prevented  me 
making  any  further  experiments  in  the  mat- 
ter.     W. 


SOCIETIES. 


ROYAL    HORTICULTURAL. 

November  12. — The  ordinary  fortnightly  meet- 
ing of  the  Committees  took  place  on  Tuesday 
last  in  the  Vincent  Square  Hall,  Westminster. 
The  exhibits  were  .not  so  numerous  as  usual, 
but  they  included  an  exceptionally  fine  group 
of  stove  and  greenhouse  plants  from  Messrs. 
Jas.  Veitch  &  Sons,  for  which  the  firm  was 
awarded   a   Gold   Medal. 

Awards  to  novelties  included  one  First-Class 
Certificate  and  one  Award  of  Merit  recom- 
mended by  the  Orchid  Committee,  and  one 
First-Class  Certificate  and  five  Awards  of  Merit 
recommended  by  the  Floral  Committee. 

In  the  afternoon  a  lecture  on  "  Succulent 
Plants"  was  delivered  by  Mr.  R.  Irwin  Lynch, 
V.M.II. 

Floral  Committee. 

Present  :  II.  B.  May,  Esq.  (in  the  chair),  and 
Messrs.  C.  T.  Druery,  Geo.  Nicholson,  A.  R. 
Goodwin,  J.  Green,  J.  T.  Bennett  Poe,  Chas.  E. 
Shea,  E.  Mawley,  J.  F.  McLeod,  G.  Reuthe,  W. 
Bain,  Jas.  Douglas,  W.  T.  Ware,  Chas.  Dixon, 
C.  E.  Pearson,  W.  Cuthbertson,  W.  P.  Thom- 
son, E.  H.  Jenkins,  W.  G.  Baker,  Geo.  Paul, 
J.  Jennings,  and  Jas.  Hudson. 

Messrs.  J.  Hill  &  Son,  Barrowfield  Nurseries, 
Lower  Edmonton,  staged  a  group  of  Gleichenias 
in  about  14  distinct  varieties  and  species.  All 
the  plants  were  examples  of  high  culture,  and 
the  group  excited  much  interest.  (Silver-Gilt 
Flora  Medal.) 

Messrs.  James  Veiich  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  King's 
Road,  Chelsea,  set  up  a  magnificent  group  of 
ornamental-leaved  plants  of  exotic  species,  re- 
lieved with  some  showy  Orchids  and  other  plants 
in  flower.  This  group  was  shown  in  Messrs. 
Ykiich's  best  style,  and,  in  conjunction  with 
an  exhibit  of  winter-flowering  Begonias,  received 
the  highest  award  of  a  Gold   Medal. 

A  very  long  table  was  wholly  filled  with  ad- 
mirable plants  of  Begonias  of  the  Gloire  de  Lor- 
raine type  by  Mr.  H.  Parr  (gr.  to  F.  A.  Bevan, 
Esq.,  Trent  Park,  New  Barnet).  (Silver-Gilt 
Banksian   Medal.) 

Rev.  H.  Buckson,  Sutton  Hall,  Derby  (gr. 
Mr.  Shambrook),  showed  Cyclamen  latifolium 
in  a  setting  of  small  Cocos  Palms  and  Isolepis 
gracilis.     (Silver  Flora  Medal.) 

Messrs.  H.  Cannell  &  Sons,  Swanley,  Kent, 
again  displayed  bunches  of  Zonal  Pelargoniums. 
This  firm  also  exhibited  an  interesting  collec- 
tion of  Cactaceous  plants  that  served  to  illus- 
trate many  of  the  examples  mentioned  by  Mr. 
Lynch  in  his  lecture  at  the  three  o'clock  meet- 
ing of  the  Fellows.     (Silver  Flora  Medal.) 


Mr.  W.  H.  Page,  Tangley  Nurseries,  Hamp- 
ton,  Middlesex,  exhibited  remarkably  well  culti- 
vated flowers  of  winter-flowering  Carnations  in 
most  of  the  choicer  varieties.  (Silver  Flora 
Medal.) 

Messrs.  Clibrans,  Altrincham  and  Manches- 
ter, staged  winter-flowering  Begonias  of  the 
semi-tuberous  rooting  type,  including  the  varie- 
ties Mrs.  Heal,  Winter  Glow,  Winter  Perfection, 
Bowden  Beauty  (rose  colour),  Ensign,  &c.  (Sil- 
ver Banksian  Medal.) 

Mr.  Russell,  Richmond  Nurseries,  Richmond, 
Surrey,  showed  tiny  pot  plants  of  Aucuba 
japonica  that  were  bright  with  the  scarlet 
berries.  At  one  end  of  the  group  were  small 
plants  in  fruit  of   C'otoneaster  horizontalis. 

Messrs.  W.  Cutbush  &  Son,  Highgate  Nur- 
series, London,  N.,  also  showed  berried  plants 
intermingled  with  Conifers  and  choice  shrubs. 
As  a  separate  exhibit  this  firm  displayed  Carna- 
tions in  vases,  Ericas,  and  other  greenhouse 
plants.     (Silver-Gilt  Banksian   Medal.) 

Messrs.   Hugh  Low  &  Co.,  Bush  Hill  Park, 
Enfield,  showed  vases  of  Carnations,  plants  of  I 
Cyclamen,  Ericas,  &c. 

Messrs.  H.  B.  May  &  Co.,  Dyson's  Lane  Nur- 
series, Upper  Edmonton,  showed  Veronicas  of 
the  shrubby  type,  Begonia  Gloire  de  Lorraine, 
and  its  derivatives,  small  plants  of  Chrysanthe- 
mums, Poinsettias,  Carnations,  Ferns,  &c.  (Sil- 
ver Flora  Medal.) 

Messrs.  John  Peed  &  Son,  West  Norwood, 
London,  displayed  a  number  of  Alpine  and  bor- 
der plants. 

Mr.  G.  Reuthe,  Keston,  Kent,  made  a  big 
display  with  choice  species  of  Himalayan  Rho- 
dodendron, small  Conifers  in  pots,  interesting 
shrubs,  and  a  number  of  Alpine  and  border 
plants.  Amongst  the  shrubs  were  noticed  Loma- 
tia  pinnatifolia,  Vaccinium  ovatum,  Pittosporum 
Tobira,   Daphniphvllum   macropodon,   i&c. 

Messrs.  W.  Wells  &  Co.,  Merstham,  Surrey, 
showed  Chrysanthemums  in  newer  varieties,  and 
including  many  of  the  single  and  decorative 
types. 

Mr.  C.  J.  Simpson,  St.  John's  Nursery,  Mild- 
may  Road,  Chelmsford,  made  a  pretty  exhibit 
with  Chrysanthemums,  tall  bamboo  epergnes 
filled  with   single  varieties  being  very  effective. 

Several  big  blooms  of  a  white  Japanese  Chry- 
santhemum named  Mrs.  J.  May  and  a  few  speci- 
mens of  the  pink-coloured  Miss  Olive  Miller  were 
shown  by  F.  L.  Davis,  Esq.,  Northaw  House, 
Potter's  Bar  (gr.  Mr.  May).  (Silver  Banksian 
Medal.) 

AWARDS. 

First-Class  Certificate. 
Nephrolepis  exaltata  superbissima. — This  is  an- 
other Plumose  variety  of  the  well-known  Ne- 
phrolepis. The  fronds  are  more  plumose  and 
dense  than  N.  todeaoides,  each  frond  being 
almost  like  a  cushion,  several  inches  in  depth. 
Some  of  the  pinnae  grow  upwards,  at  right- 
angles  to  the  rachis,  thus  producing  the  re- 
markable thickness  of  the  frond.  It  is  a  very 
"  hard  "  fern,  and  will  probably  be  capable  of 
withstanding  ill-usage  better  than  N.  todea- 
oides, but  it  is  much  less  beautiful  than  that 
variety,  being  too  dense,  therefore  of  heavy  ap- 
pearance. Shown  by  Messrs.  F.  R.  Pierson  & 
Co.,  Tarrytown-on-Hudson,  New  York,   U.S.A. 

Awards  of  Merit. 

Chrysanthemum  Foxhunter. — A  very  pretty,  de- 
corative variety  of  the  Japanese  type.  The  col- 
our of  the  florets  is  brownish  crimson,  with  buff 
reverse,  which  shows  in  the  centre  of  the  flower 
and  almost  all  over  it  by  reason  of  the  tips  of 
the  florets  incurving  inwards. 

Chrysanthemum  Frank  Payne. — This  is  a 
Japanese  flower  of  sufficiently  large  size  for  ex- 
hibition. It  is  a  smooth  flower,  almost  white, 
but  having  a  very  pale  lilac  shade  over  the 
entire    surface. 

Chrysanthemum  Freda  Bedford  (see  description 
in  our  last  issue,  p.  334). — These  three  Chrysan- 
themums were  shown  by  Messrs.  W.  Wei.i  s  & 
Co. 

Nerine  "Purple  Princess." — This  is  a  very  fine 
Nerine,  shown  by  H.  J.  Elwes,  Esq..  Coles- 
bourne  (gr.  Mr.  Walters).  It  was  raised  from  a 
cross  effected  between  N.  "  Purple  Prince  "  and 
a  novelty.  The  scape  bore  eight  large  flowers 
of  good  form,  and  in  colour  rich  scarlet  ap- 
proaching crimson. 


November  16,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


347 


'Begonia  Miss  Clibran. — This  is  described  as 
being  a  hybrid  Begonia,  obtained  from  a  cross 
between  a  tuberous  variety  and  B.  socotrana. 
It  is,  therefore,  a  winter  flowering  variety  be- 
longing to  the  section  raised  by  Messrs.  Jas. 
Veitch  &  Sons.  The  flowers  are  double,  rich 
pink  in  colour,  and  are  very  freely  produced. 
Judged  by  its  habit  as  shown  and  the  finely- 
developed  foliage,  this  plant  has  an  excellent 
constitution,  and  is  capable  of  making  very  free 
growth.  It  may  be  described  as  a  more  vigor- 
-ius  Julius.  Shown  by  the  raisers,  Messrs.  W. 
Clibran  &  Son.     (See  fig.  136.) 

Orchid  Committee. 

Present:  J.  Gurney  Fowler,  Esq.  (in  the  chair), 
and  Messrs.  Jas.  O'Brien  (hon.  sec.),  Harry  J. 
Veitch,  De  B.  Crawshay,  J.  Wilson  Potter,  R. 
Brooman-White,  W.  Bolton,  H.  Little,  W.  Box- 
all,  W.  Thompson,  F.  M.  Ogilvie,  J.  Charles- 
worth,  R.  G.  Thwaites,  F.  J.  Hanbury,  F. 
Sander,  A.  Dye,  G.  F.  Moore,  W.  P.  Bound,  W. 
Cobb,  W.  H.  Young,  W.  H.  White,  H.  A.  Tracy, 
iF.  J.  Thorne,  H.  Ballantine,  C.  J.  Lucas,  W.  A. 
Bilney,    and   H.    G.   Alexander. 

H.  Spicee,  Esq.,  Aberdeen  Park,  Highbury 
(gr.  Mr.  Lovegrove),  showed  a  group  of  about 
100  Cypripedium  Spicerianum,  set  up  with 
Maidenhair  Ferns  and  variegated  Panicum. 
(Silver  Banksian  Medal.) 

Messrs.  Sander  &  Sons,  St.  Albans,  arranged 
an  interesting  group,  in  the  centre  of  which  was 
a  fine  plant  of  their  good  type  of  Vanda  ccerulea, 
with  two  spikes  of  12  and  20  sky-blue  flowers. 
Among  the  species  were  the  curious  Listro- 
stachys  fimbriata  from  Uganda,  a  fine  Phalasnop- 
sis  violacea,  and  various  Oncidiums.  (Silver 
Banksian   Medal.) 

Messrs.  Cypher  &  Sons,  Cheltenham,  staged  a 
group,  specially  good  in  Cypripediums,  includ- 
ing a  fine  selection  of  varieties  of  C.  insigne,  C. 
Minos  Young's  variety,  and  other  hybrid  Cypri- 
pediums.     (Silver   Banksian  Medal.) 

Messrs.  Hugh  Low  &  Co.,  Enfield,  had  a 
showy  little  group,  which  included  three  distinct 
white  forms  of  Cattleya  labiata,  a  selection  of 
Cypripediums,  and  several  interesting  species  of 
Orchids.'     (Silver  Banksian  Medal.) 

Messrs".  Armstrong  &  Brown,  Tunbridge 
Wells,  showed  a  very  good  selection  of  hybrid 
Cypripediums,  C.  insigne  Sanderae,  C.  insigne 
Hercules,  &c.     (Bronze  Banksian  Medal.) 

Monsieur  Mertens,  Mont  St.  Amand,  Ghent, 
staged  a  small  group  of  very  pretty  hybrid  Odon- 
toglossums  and  two  hybrid  Cattleyas.  (Silver 
Banksian  Medal.) 

Sir  Ieremiah  Coleman,  Bart.,  Gatton  Park, 
Reigate  (gr.  Mr.  W.  P.  Bound),  showed  his  pretty 
Brasso-Cattleya  Mary,  in  form  like  a  Brassavola, 
but  larger  ;  cream, white,  slightly  tinged  with  rose, 
and  spotted  with  purple  ;  and  Ccelogyne  Colmani, 
both  of  which  had  previously  secured  Awards. 

F.  Ducane  Godman,  Esq.,  Horsham,  sent  the 
superbly-coloured  Cattleya  labiata  Mrs.  F.  Du- 
cane Godman. 

Mr.  H.  A.  Tracy,  Twickenham,  showed 
Cypripedium  Fred  Hardy  var.  grander — a  finely- 
formed  flower. 

Messrs.  Jas.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Chelsea,  showed 
a  very  nice  selection  of  Orchids  in  the  centre  of 
their  magnificent  group  of  stove-house  foliage 
plants.  Cypripedium  Diomede  (Niobe  X  Lee- 
anum)  was  a  pretty  new  hybrid. 

Francis  Wellesley,  Esq.,  Westfield,  Woking 
(gr.  Mr.  Hopkins),  sent  Cypripedium  Emperor 
of  India,  a  very  large  and  finely-coloured  flower. 
Mr.  W.  H.  Young,  Mercury  Nursery,  Rom- 
ford, showed  a  good  yellow  form  of  Cypripedium 
insigne,  and  two  very  pretty  C.  Euryades. 

J.  Forster  Ai.COCK,  Esq.,  Northchurch,  Berk- 
hamsted,    sent    Cypripedium    nobile,    of    unre- 
i  corded  parentage,  a  large  flower,  of  good  shape 
and  soft  colouring. 

Messrs.     Edgar     &     Co.,     South    Woodford, 
showed  seven  distinct  forms  of  Cypripedium  in- 
i  signe. 

Major  G.  L.  Holford,  C.V.O.,  CLE.,  Wes- 

■  tonbirt,  Tetbury,   showed  Lselio-Cattleya  Priam 

(C.     Harrisoniana     X     L.-C.    callistoglossa),    a 

'  pretty  flower,  with  pale  lilac  coloured  sepals  and 

I  petals   and  ruby-crimson  lip,   with   the  median 

|  area  white  and  yellow  ;  and  L.-C.  Golden  Beauty 

(L.-C.  Ernestii   X   C.  Dowiana),  with  two  spikes 

1  of  10  and  12  flowers  and  buds,  of  the  form  of 

j  L.-C.  Hippolyta,  yellow,  with  ruby-red  front  to 

the  lip,  and  a  line  of  the  same  colour  from  the 

1  base  to  the  middle. 


AWARDS. 
First-Class  Certificate. 
Cyfripediam  nitens,  Leeanum  var.  Hannibal, 
from  Major  G.  L.  Holford,  C.V.O.,  CLE. 
(gr.  Mr.  H.  G.  Alexander). — A  noble  flower, 
with  a  leaning  towards  C.  nitens  Sallieri  in 
colour,  with  the  larger  and  finer-shaped  qualities 
of  C.  Leeanum  giganteum.  The  fine  dorsal 
sepal  is  apple-green  on  the  lower  half,  with 
spotted  purple  lines,  the  inch-wide  margin  being 
pure  white.  Petals  broad  and  wavy  on  the  mar- 
gin, and,  like  the  large  labellum,  honey-yellow 
tinged  with  chocolate  purple. 

Award  of  Merit. 
Habcnaria  Uganda,  from  Sir  Trevor  Law- 
rence, Bart.,  Burford  (gr.  Mr.  W.  H.  White).— 
A  very  remarkable  species  of  the  H.  Bonatea 
section  from  Uganda.  The  plant  had  a  single 
stout  stem,  bearing  at  intervals  fleshy,  light  green 
leaves,  and  a  terminal  inflorescence  of  25  flowers 
and  greenish  buds.  The  very  singularly-formed 
flowers  were  white  in  the  centre,  and  green  on 
the  outer  parts,  and  furnished  with  a  greenish 
spur  about  6  inches  in  length.     The  species  of 


Crawley,  Sussex,  staged  a  collection  of  vege- 
tables,  having  Parsnips,  Onions,  Leeks,  Brus- 
sels Sprouts,  Turnips,  Cabbages,  &c.  (Silver 
Banksian  Medal.) 


THE  LECTURE. 
At  the  three  o'clock  meeting  of  the  Fellows 
a  lecture  was  delivered  by  Mr.  R.  Irwin  Lynch, 
V.M.H.,  on  "Succulent  Plants."  The  lecturer 
stated  that  all  succulent  plants  belonged  to  the 
type  known  as  Xerophytes,  that  is  to  say,  they 
are  so  constructed  that  they  are  capable  of 
living  under  conditions  where  other  plants 
would  fail  owing  to  lack  of  moisture.  All 
Xerophytes,  however,  are  not  succulent,  for 
some  are  thin  and  dry.  Succulents  are  enabled 
to  overcome  this  difficulty  of  water  supply  by 
storing  a  larger  quantity  of  moisture  in  their 
cells  (and  hence  their  succulency),  which  they 
are  able  to  retain  during  periods  of  drought 
owing  to  the  character  of  their  epidermis. 
Xerophytes  attain  their  highest  development  in 
dry,  warm  climates,  or  on  cold,  wind-swept 
mountains,  but  they  are  found  in  nearly  every 
country.     Some   are    indigenous   to    Britain.     It 


Fig.  136.— begonia  "miss  clibran,"   as    kxhibited    at    r.h.s.   meeting    on   Tuesday   last, 
by  messrs.  w.  clibran  and  son.    colour  of  flowers,  rich  pink.    (award  of  merit.) 


this  class  are  notoriously  difficult  to  grow,  and 
a  Cultural  Commendation  was  given  to  Mr.  W. 
H.  White  (Orchid  grower  to  Sir  Trevor  Law- 
rence) for  his  success  with  this  fine  specimen. 

Fruit  and  Vegetable  Committee. 

Present:  J.  Cheal,  Esq.  (in  the  chair),  and 
Messrs.  W.  Poupart,  C.  G.  A.  Nix,  P.  D.  Tuc- 
kett,  G.  Reynolds,  J.  Davis,  H.  Markham,  A.  R. 
Allan,  H.  Parr,  W.  Pope,  Geo.  Woodward,  A. 
Dean,  Geo.  Keif,  and  H.  Somers  Rivers. 

Messrs.  Dobbie  &  Co.,  Rothesay,  N.B.,  and 
Mark's  Tey,  Essex,  showed  a  very  fine  exhibit  of 
Potatos  in  72  varieties.  A  prominent  position 
was  given  to  a  white  oval-shaped  maincrop 
variety  named  The  Factor.  (Silver  Knightian 
Medal.) 

Messrs.  Hugh  Low  &  Co.,  Bush  Hill  Park, 
Enfield,  again  displayed  a  collection  of  Apples 
and  Pears,  in  all  about  46  varieties.  Interspersed 
in  the  group  were  trees  of  the  Citrus  family  in 
fruit. 

Messrs.  J.  Cheal  &  Sons,  Lowfield  Nurseries, 


is  a  mistake  to  imagine  that  they  always  dislike 
water,  for  they  sometimes  grow  under  condi- 
tions of  considerable  moisture,  and  when  this 
is  the  case  they  do  not  necessarily  absorb  more 
than  they  require.  The  plants  further  have, 
as  already  indicated,  a  special  epidermal 
character,  which,  while  checking  the  undue 
loss  of  moisture,  yet  allows  the  functions  of 
respiration,  &c,  to  be  adequately  dis- 
charged. The  plants  often  are  of  such  a 
shape  as  to  expose  to  the  air  the  smallest  area 
of  transpiring  surface.  Some  of  the  species 
are  of  imposing  appearance,  and  frequently 
exhibit  spines  of  a  very  ornamental  character. 
Many  are  remarkable  for  their  gorgeous  flowers 
of  the  purest  and  most  brilliant  tints.  Mr. 
Lynch  gave  a  list  of  representative  species  of 
the  various  genera,  and  explained  their  habitats, 
showing  how  certain  genera  occur  in  specific 
parts  of  the  world.  A  large  number  of  Lantern 
slides,  and  specimens  of  many  of  the  plants 
mentioned  by  the  lecturer,  added  considerable 
interest  to  the  subject. 


348 


THE     GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


[November  16,  1907 


BIRMINGHAM  &  MIDLAND  COUNTIES 

CHRYSANTHEMUM,    FRUIT    AND 

FLJRIOULrURAL. 

November  12,  13,  14. — The  fo.ty-seventh  an- 
nual exhibition  of  this  society  was  held  in  the 
Bingley  Hall  on  the  above  dates.  The  show  was 
smaller  than  that  held  a  year  ago,  and  the 
quality  of  the  exhibits  generally  was  not  of  such 
a  high  order  of  merit.  Chrysanthemums,  on  the 
whole,  were  seen  in  fairly  good  condition,  while 
the  tables  decorated  with  Chrysanthemum 
flowers  were  superior  to  those  exhibited  last 
autumn. 

There  appeared  to  be  a  falling  off  in  the  fruit 
classes  :  in  some  cases  the  quality  of  the  fruit 
was  good   and   in   others   below   the   average. 

Vegetables  were  wonderfully  good  in  quality. 

Honorary  exhibits  seemed  scarcely  equal  in 
extent  to  those  of  a  year  ago.  They  included 
miscellaneous  plants,  flowers,  hardy  shrubs  and 
large  displays  of  floral  devices.  Fruit  and  vege- 
tables added  greatly  to  the  interest  and  spec- 
tacular effect  of  the  show,  which  is  considered 
to  be  one  of  the  most  important  of  its  kind  held 
in   the   provinces. 

Groups  of  Chrysanthemums. 

Eight  exhibits  were  staged  in  the  three  classes 
provided  for  groups  of  Chrysanthemums. 

The  most  important  class  was  one  for  groups 
shown  in  areas  of  20  feet  by  12  feet,  and  for 
which  the  "William  Butler"  Memorial  Silver 
Cup,  kindly  given  by  W.  W.  Butler,  Esq., 
together  with  £10,  were  offered  as  the  1st  prize. 
The  cup,  when  won  three  times  in  succession, 
becomes  the  absolute  property  of  the  winner. 

Of  the  three  contestants  this  year,  Messrs. 
Sanford  &  Co.,  Hall  Green,  Birmingham,  took 
the  lead  with  an  artistic  arrangement,  but  in 
which  the  flowers  were  not  of  the  best  quality. 

The  2nd  prize  of  £7  was  awarded  to  Messrs. 
James  Randall  &  Sons,  Shirley,  Birmingham, 
for  a  group  consisting  of  very  large  well-finished 
flowers  of  the  Japanese  and  incurved  sections, 
but  they  were  rather  overcrowded,  and  the  ar- 
rangement much  too  flat.  J.  A.  Kf.nrick,  Esq., 
Berrow  Court,  Edgbaston  (gr.  Mr.  A.  Cryer)  was 
placed  3rd  with  a  very  creditable  display. 

In  a  similar  class  to  the  last  named,  but 
occupying  less  space,  there  were  three  exhibits, 
and  much  credit  is  due  to  Mr.  J.  Austin,  Spark, 
brook,  who  took  1st  prize  with  a  splendid  col- 
lection in  which  were  several  plants  of  the 
variety  C.  H.  Curtis,  which  showed  remarkably 
good  culture.  2nd,  Mr.  Xormanskll,  Edgbas- 
ton (gr.   Mr.   S.   Gibbs). 

In  a  class  for  plants  of  decorative  Chrysan- 
themums, each  exhibit  to  occupy  an  area  measur- 
ing 15  feet  by  10  feet,  to  be  arranged  as  grown, 
Messrs.  Sanford  &  Co.,  Hall  Green,  Birming- 
ham, won  the  1st  prize ;  2nd,  Messrs.  James 
Simpson  &  Sons,  Harborne. 
)  Specimen  plants. — With  the  exception  of  one 
class,  all  the  prizes  awarded  in  the  specimen 
plant  section  were  divided  between  E.  Mar- 
tineau,  Esq.,  West  Hill,  Edgbaston  (gr.  Mr. 
O.  Brasier)  and  J.  A.  KENRICJt,  Esq.,  Berrow 
Court,  Edgbaston  (gr.  Mr.  A.  Cryer). 

The  first-named  exhibitor  won  1st  prizes  in  the 
classes  for  (1)  six  large  flowering  Chrysanthe- 
mums (Japanese  excluded);  (2)  six  Japanese; 
(3)  three  Japanese;  (4)  one  Japanese;  and  (5) 
three  single-flowered  varieties.  J.  A.  Kenrick, 
Esq.  (gr.  Mr.  A.  Cryer)  was  2nd  in  each  of  the 
above-mentioned  classes. 

Both  of  these  exhibitors  were  beaten  by  Col. 
E.  Paley,  Mickleton  Manor  (gr.  Mr.  C.  C. 
Rowland)  in  a  class  for  one  large  flowering  va- 
riety (Japanese  excluded). 

Cut  Blooms. 
The  leading  class  was  one  for  collections  of 
b'ooms  arranged  on  floor  spaces  measuring  20  feet 
by  12  feet.  The  inclusion  of  cut  foliage,  foliage 
plants  and  vases  or  stands  of  any  shape  or  size 
was  allowed.  The  1st  prize  of  £15  and  a  silver 
challenge  shield,  the  latter  to  be  held  by  the  ex- 
hibitor during  the  ensuing  year,  was  won  by 
Mr.  Norman  Davis,  Framfield,  Sussex,  with  a 
magnificent  group  of  flowers  of  excellent  quality 
artistically  arranged  in  bamboo  stands  and 
vases  of  various  sizes.  Richly-coloured  Co- 
diaeums  and  sprays  of  hardy  foliage  were  used 
with  good  effect  to  relieve  the  Chrysanthemums. 
2nd,  Messrs.  W.  SANFORD  8  Co.,  Hall  Green  ; 
3rd,  Studlfy  Horticultural  College,  War- 
wickshire. 


Vase  classes. — An  important  class  was  one  for 
18  Japanese  blooms  in  six  varieties  and  having 
stems  18  inches  in  length.  The  1st  prize  was 
won  by  Lt.-Col.  Beech,  Coventry  (gr.  Mr.  E.  J. 
Brooks),  whose  best  flowers  were  Algernon 
Davis,  Marquise  V.  Venosta,  and  F.  S.  Vallis. 
2nd,  Sir  A.  Muntz,  M.P.,  Rugby  (gr.  Mr.  H. 
Blakeway),  with  a  splendid  exhibit ;  3rd,  Mr. 
W.  Iggulden,  Frome,  Somerset. 

In  a  class  for  12  Japanese  blooms,  distinct, 
and  another  for  six  Japanese  blooms,  Mark 
Firth,  Esq.,  Leicester  (gr.  Mr.  F.  J.  Clark),  took 
both  1st  prizes  with  beautifully  fiesh  flowers  of 
splendid  quality. 

The  winning  vase  of  any  pink-coloured  Jap- 
anese variety  was  staged  by  Mr.  W.  Iggulden, 
Frome,  who  had  very  good  flowers  of  the  va- 
riety Mrs.  Barkley.  The  same  exhibitor  also 
contributed  the  best  crimson-coloured  Japanese 
variety  in  "  Magnificent." 

The  Rt.  Hon.  Joseph  Chamberlain,  M.P., 
Highbury,  Birmingham  (gr.  Mr.  J.  Deacon)  had 
the  best  vase  of  any  white  Japanese  variety  in 
his  blooms  of  Mrs.  A.  T.  Miller.  Earl  Spen- 
cer, Althorp  Park  (gr.  Mr.  Silas  Cole),  secured 
the  premier  prize  for  a  vase  of  any  yellow-col- 
oured Japanese  variety.  The  sort  staged  was 
F.   S.  Vallis. 

Single  Chrysanthemums. — A.  H.  Hickman, 
Esq.,  Cookley,  Kidderminster,  won  the  1st  prize 
in  a  cjass  for  four  varieties  of  singles,  eight 
sprays  of  each  variety.  He  showed  Edith  Pag- 
ram,  Grace,  Bronze  Pagram,  and  Mrs.  T.  Bird. 

Table  decorations. — The  1st  prize  for  a  deco- 
rative dinner  table  was  won  by  A.  Hughes, 
Esq.,  Knowle  (gr.  Mr.  T.  Parry),  who  used 
single  Chrysanthemums,  narrow  Codiaeum 
leaves  and  sprays  of  Ampelopsis  Veitchii ;  2nd, 
Miss  M.  Clarke,  Sparkbrook.  There  were  24 
exhibits  in  this  class. 

The  best  bouquet  of  Chrysanthemums  was 
staged  by  Mr.  A.  E.  Forty,  King's  Norton,  and 
consisted  of  a  small  soft  ipink  Anemone- 
flowered   variety. 

MisceUane,  us. — Two  classes  were  provided  for 
Cyclamen,  the  one  for  12  plants  and  the  other 
for  six  plants.  The  1st  prize  in  each  class  was 
awarded  to  Mrs.  H.  S.  Power,  Derby  (gr.  Mr. 
A.  Sime-son),  whose  plants  were  rather  small 
but   well-flowered. 

Primulas. — R.  Peyton,  Esq.,  Augustus 
Road,  Edgbaston  (gr.  Mr.  A.  W.  Voung),  had 
the  best  six  single-flowered  Primulas  ;  2nd,  J.  A. 
Kenrick,  Esq.   (gr.  Mr.  A.  Cryer). 

Carnations. — The  1st  prize  of  £4  offered  for 
cut  Carnations  was  awarded  to  Messrs.  Jas. 
Randall  &  Sons,  Shirley,  Birmingham ;  2nd, 
Mr.    S.    Mortimer,    Farnham,   Surrey. 

Fruit. 

There  were  only  two  competitors  in  a  class 
for  British-grown  fruit  to  occupy  spaces  not  ex- 
ceeding 40  square  feet.  The  principal  prize  of 
£7  was  awarded  to  the  Earl  of  Harrington, 
Elvaston  Castle,  Derby  (gr.  Mr.  J.  H.  Good- 
acre),  whose  collection  contained  very  fine  ex- 
amples  of  Muscat  of  Alexandria  and  Gros  Col- 
mar  Grapes,  richly-coloured  Apples,  Peaches, 
Plums,  and  Pears;  2nd,  the  Earl  of  Carnarvon, 
Burton-on-Trent  (gr.  Mr.  F.  Read).  The 
Grapes  in  this  collection  were  large  and  well- 
finished,  but  the  Apples  and  Pears  were  defi- 
cient in   colour. 

In  a  class  for  a  collection  of  British-grown 
hardy  fruits  arranged  on  a  table  measuring  12 
feet  by  8  feet,  a  silver  challenge'  cup  was  offered 
by  Councillor  H.  S.  Bevins.  The  only  collec- 
tion was  one  staged  by  Mr.  C.  W.  Powell, 
Hereford,  who  thus  holds  the  trophy  for  one 
year. 

Grapes. — Grapes  were  splendidly  shown.  For 
six  bunches  in  not  fewer  than  three  varieties, 
the  Earl  of  Harrington,  Elvaston  Castle, 
Derby  (gr.  Mr.  J.  H.  Goodacre),  took  the  lead. 
The  same  exhibitor  also  had  the  best  two 
bunches   of   White   Grapes    (Muscats   excluded). 

Lord  Bagot,  Rugeley  (gr.  Mr.  T.  Banner- 
man),  had  the  best  three  bunches  of  Black 
Crapes.  His  bunches  of  Barbarossa  were  very 
large  and  well-finished ;  2nd,  F.  Need,  Esq., 
Great  Malvern  (gr.  Mr.  J.  Jones),  with  Gros 
Colmar.  The  best  three  bunches  of  Muscat  of 
Alexandria  Grapes  came  from  the  gardens  of 
Hugh  Andrews,  Esq.,  Toddington  Manor  (gr. 
Mr.   T.   Tooley). 


C.  Winn,  Esq.,  Selly  Park,  carried  off  the 
1st  prizes  in  two  classes  for  Black  and  White 
Grapes  confined  to  local  growers. 

Apples  and  Pears. — The  competition  in  these 
classes  was  keen,  and  in  the  class  for  six 
dishes  of  culinary  Apples,  Mr.  E.  W.  Caddick, 
Hereford,  won  the  1st  prize,  although  closely  fol. 
lowed  by  Mr.  J.  Bott,  Hereford.  The  best  six 
dishes  of  dessert  Apples  were  shown  by  the  Earl 
of  Harrington  (gr.  Mr.  J.  H.  Goodacre). 

Pears. — The  Earl  of  Harrington  (gr.  Mr.  J. 
H.  Goodacre)  also  won  in  a  class  for  eight 
dishes  of  Pears  ;  2nd,  Mr.  Peter  Blair,  Trent- 
ham.     There  were  nine  exhibits  in  this  class. 

Vegetables. 

Special  prizes  tor  vegetables  were  off'' red  by 
several  seedsmen,  and  the  produce  exhibited 
was  meritorious. 

Prizes  offered  by  Messrs.  Sutton  &  Sons, 
Reading,  for  collections  of  nine  kinds  of  vege- 
tables brought  two  competitors  only.  Of  these, 
Mr.  E.  Beckett,  Aldenham,  Elstree,  was 
placed  1st ;  Mark  Firth,  Esq.,  Leicester  (gr. 
Mr.   F.   J.   Clark),   being  2nd. 

Messrs.  Webb  &  Sons,  Stourbridge,  offered 
prizes  for  eight  kinds  of  vegetables,  and  six  ex- 
hibits were  placed  before  the  judges,  who 
awarded  the  premier  position  to  Mr.  John 
Hudson,  Leicester;  2nd,  Earl  Spencer,  Althorp 
Park   (gr.    Mr.   S.   Cole). 

Prizes  for  vegetables  were  also  offered  by  Mr. 
Robert  Sydenham,  Messrs.  W.  H.  Simpson 
&  Sons,  and  Messrs.  Thompson  &  Co.,  all  of 
Birmingham. 

Honorary  Exhibits. 

The  following  awards  were  made  to  non- 
competitive exhibits:  — 

Gold  Medals  to  Messrs.  Webb  &  Sons,  Stour- 
bridge, for  vegetables;  Messrs.  Perkins  &  Sons, 
Coventry,  for  floral  devices;  Messrs.  Gunn  iV- 
Sons,  Olton,  for  floral  devices;  Mr.  W.  J.  Gon. 
frey,  Exmouth,  for  Chrysanthemums  and  Zonal 
Pelargoniums  ;  Messrs.  Yates  &  Sons,  Birming- 
ham, for  vegetables;  Messrs.  J.  Waterer  & 
Sons,   Bagshot,   Surrey,  for  hardy  shrubs. 

Small  Gold  Medal  to  Messrs.  Gunn  &  Sons, 
Olton,   for   rockwork. 

Silver  Gill  Medal  to  the  King's  Acre  Nursery 
Co.,   Hereford,  for  fruit. 

Silver  Medals  to  Messrs.  Pewtress  Bros., 
Hereford,  for  hardy  fruit;  Mr.  Wooi.m  an, 
Tysley,  Birmingham,  for  Chrysanthemums; 
Messrs.  Hewitt  and  Co.,  Solihull,  for  Carna- 
tions and  hardy  shrubs ;  Studley  Horticul- 
tural College,  Warwickshire,  for  bottled 
fruits  ;  Mr.  W.  B.  Ellison,  West  Bromwich,  for 
Ferns;  Messrs.  Bick  Bros.,  Olton,  for  Alpine 
plants  and  cut  flowers;  Messrs.  H.  J.  &  A. 
Hughes,  Water  Orton,  for  floral  devices  and 
cut  flowers;  Messrs.  R.  Smith  &  Co.,  \\ 
ter,  for  hardy  shrubs  and  hardy  fruits ; 
Messrs.  J.  Peed  &  Son,  West  Norwood,  for 
Chrysanthemums;  Messrs.  Child  &  Co.,  AcockS 
Green,  for  Chrysanthemums;  Miss  Thompson, 
Handsworth,  for  Cacti;  Messrs.  Sanforo  9 
Co.,  Hall  Green,  Birmingham,  for  single 
Chrysanthemums  ;  Messrs.  Thompson  &  Co., 
Birmingham,  for  vegetables ;  Mr.  Vincent 
Slade,  Taunton,  for  Zonal  Pelargoniums  ;  Mr. 
R.  W.  Green,  Wisbech,  for  Potatos. 

Bronze  Medals  to  Messrs.  Pope  &  Son,  Kind's 
Norton,  for  hardy  shrubs;  Messrs.  Wells  S 
Co.,  Merstham,  Surrey,  for  Chrysanthemums; 
Mr.  Burden,  King's  Heath,  for  Apples  ;  Messrs. 
Legg  &  Son,  Moseley,  for  Chrysanthemums ; 
Messrs.  J.  Simpson  &  Sons,  Harborne,  for 
shrubs  ;  and  Mr.  Rudge,  Smethwick,  for  rustic 
work. 

BRISTOL   CHRYSANTHEMUM. 

November  6,  7. — The  44th  annual  show  of 
this  society  was  held  in  the  Drill  Hall,  Clifton, 
on  these  dates.  Though  Chrysanthemums  form 
a  prominent  feature  in  this  exhibition,  the 
schedule  also  provides  for  numerous  classes  of 
other  subjects,  including  Orchids,  fruit,  and 
vegetables.  Trade  exhibits  added  considerably  to 
the  success  of  the  show.  The  society  sets  an 
excellent  example  in  providing  a  stall,  the 
tents  of  which  are  sold  for  the  benefit  of  the 
Gardeners'  Royal  Benevolent  Institution  and 
the  Royal   Gardeners'   Orphan  Fund. 

Groups  of  plants. — Mr.  Bannister  (gr.  to  Mrs. 
St.   Vincent  Ames)   was  the  onlv  exhibitor  in. 


November  16,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


349 


a  class  for  a  group  of  plants  occupying  an  area 
measuring  15  feet  by  10  feet.  The  group  was 
deservedly  awarded  the  1st  prize.  It  was  ar- 
ranged in  a  light  manner,  and  contained  a 
number  of  well-grown  Chrysanthemums,,  mingled 
with  Palms  and  other  suitable  ornamental- 
leaved  plants.  Two  exhibitors  staged  in  a  class 
for  a  group  of  Chiysanthemums  occupying  a 
of  60  square  feet.  Mr.  Atwell  (gr.  to  Mrs. 
J.  13.  Brain)  was  placed  1st  with  an  assortment 
of  large-flowered  Japanese  and  single-flowered 
varieties.  Mr.  Bannister,  who  was  2nd,  con- 
fined his  arrangement  to  decorative  varieties. 
In  each  case  creditable  displays  were  made. 
For  a  group  of  miscellaneous  plants,  other  than 
Chrysanthemums,  in  a  space  measuring  50 
square  feet,  Mr.  Atwell  was  the  only  exhibitor, 
and  he  was  awarded  the  1st  prize.  The  group 
was  composed  chiefly  of  Orchids,  Salvia 
splendens,  and  winter-flowering  Begonias,  inter- 
spersed with  suitable  ornamental-leaved  plants. 

Cut  blooms. — Though  some  meritorious  flowers 
were  staged,  the  blooms  collectively  were  not 
so  fine  as  ;n  some  former  years  at  this  show, 
and  this  remark  applies  to  the  leading  class, 
that  for  36  blooms  of  Japanese  varieties,  in  not 
fewer  than  24  distinct  kinds.  There  were  five 
exhibits  staged  in  this  class,  the  leading  one  by 
Mr.  Icgulden,  Frome,  who  had  good  blooms  of 
Reginald  Vallis,  Mrs.  A.  T.  Miller,  Algernon 
Davis,  Mrs.  Neman  Davis,  F.  S.  Vallis,  Mrs. 
Barkley,  Mrs.  A.  II.  Lees,  O.  H.  Broomhead, 
Mrs.  R.  F.  Felton,  Victoria  and  Albert,  &c. 
2nd,  Mr.  Sutton  (gr.  to  W.  A.  Todd,  Esq.),  with 
a  well-coloured  set  of  leading  varieties.  3rd, 
Mr.  Woodman  (gr.  to  Sidney  Hill,  Esq.). 

Twelve  Japanese  blooms,  distinct '. — This  proved 
a  good  class,  in  which  five  competitors  staged. 
Mr.  Baker  (gr.  to  Dr.  CROPPER)  secured  the 
premier  prize  with  a  good  display,  amongst 
which  were  the  varieties  F.  S.  Vallis,  Mrs.  F. 
W.  Vallis,  General  Ilutton,  Lady  Mary  Conyers, 
and  Bessie  Godfrey.  2nd,  Mr.  J.  Marshall  (gr. 
to  Mrs.  Talbot  Greaves)  ;  and  3rd,  Mr.  Perry 
(gr.  to  E.  P.  Lewis,  Esq.).  A  class  was  also 
provided  for  an  exhibit  of  12  Japanese  blooms, 
the  competition  being  open  to  amateurs  and 
gentlemen's  gardeners  only.  Mr.  H.  Wood- 
ward (gr.  to  ]■'..  Waits,  Esq.)  was  placed  1st 
in  this  class  for  an  even  stand  of  flowers.  He 
was  followed  by  Mr.  J.  Marshall. 

Incurved  varieties. — The  principal  class  for 
Incurved  Chrysanthemums  was  that  for  -4 
blooms.  There  was  little  response,  for  Mr.  E. 
Argell  (gr.  to  E  J.  Curtis,  Esq  i  was  the  only 
exhibitor,  and  he  was  awarded  the  2nd  prize. 

Fruit — Five  exhibits  were  staged  in  a  class 
for  a  collection  of  five  dishes  of  fruits.  The  1st 
place  was  well  secured  by  Mr.  T.  Wilkinson 
(gr.  to  A.  Gibbs,  Esq.,  Tyntesfield,  Somerset- 
shire),  with  splendid  bunches  of  Muscat  of 
Alexandria  and  Mrs.  Pince  Grapes,  Beurre 
Superfin  Pear,  Charles  Ross  Apple,  Ladv  Pal- 
merston  Peach,  and  Coe's  Golden  Drop  Plum; 
Mi.  Strugnell  (gr.  to  the  Rt.  Hon.  W.  H.  Long, 
Rood  Ashton  Park,  Wiltshire i.  was  placed  2nd, 
with  an  almost  equally  meritorious  collection  ; 
3rd,  Mr.  Bannister 

Grapes. — Six  classes  were  provided  for 
Grapes,  and  many  excellent  examples  were 
staged,  though  some  of  the  \l  its  lacked  the 
best  golden  colour.  The  best  bunches  of  Mus- 
cat of  Alexandria  were  shown  bv  Mr.  Atwell  ; 
the  best  Black  Alicante  by  Mr.'  A.  O.  Shelton 
(gr.  to  F.  C.  J.  Fisher,"  Esq.)  (one  of  these 
bunches  secured  a  prize  offered  for  the  best 
bunch  of  Grapes  in  the  show),  and  the  best 
Lady  Downes'  Seedling  by  Mr.  J.  Bainton  (gr. 
to  Mrs.  Jefferies).  The  finest  examples  of  Gros 
Colmar  were  shown  by  Mr.  Wilkinson,  who 
was  also  1st  for  Mrs.   Pince. 

Pears. — There  was  very  close  competition  in 
the  lass  for  six  varieties,  and  some  excellent 
dishes  were  staged.  Mr.  Bannister  won  the 
Ft  prize  with  fine  fruits  of  Fondante  de  Thir- 
riot.  Doyenne  du  Ccmice,  Beurre  Hardy,  Pit- 
maston  Duchess,  Souvenir  du  Congres  |i:i  excel- 
lent condition),  and  Hacon's  Incomparable.  Mr. 
Strugnell  was  a  close  2nd.  Mr.  Strugnell 
secured  the  1st  prize  for  four  dishes,  whilst  for 
one  dish  of  any  ripe  variety,  Mr.  F.  A.  Little 
(gr.  to  Mr.  Justice  FarweII)  was  1st  with  a  fine 
dish    of    Doyenne   du    Cornice. 

Apples. — Here  Mr.  Atwell  was  1st  in  the 
class  for  six  dishes  of  dessert  Apples  :  2nd,  Mr. 
STRUGNE1  i  .      In   the  class    for   four  dishes,    Mr. 


Strugnell  led,  with  excellent  fruits  of  Egre- 
mont  Russet,  Coronation,  Allington  Pippin, 
and  King  of  the  Pippins.  Mr.  \\  oodman  took 
chief  honours  for  six  dishes  of  culinary  varieties, 
with  large,  clean  fruits ;   2nd,  Mr.   Strugnell. 

Trade  exhibits. — Messrs.  Garaway  &  Co., 
Durdham  Down  Nurseries,  displayed  Apples, 
Chrysanthemums,  and  miscellaneous  plants,  in- 
cluding well-grown  Cyclamen.  Messrs.  Parker 
&  Sons,  Clifton,  staged  Orchids,  Roses, 
wreaths,  &c.  Messrs.  Cypher  &  Sons,  Royal 
Exotic  Nursery,  Cheltenham,  arranged  a  large 
collection  of  Orchids.  "  Mrs.  WlNSON,  florist, 
Bristol,  had  a  display  of  bouquets,  wreaths, 
and  other  floral  devices.  Messrs.  Brown  & 
Sons,  Bridge  Street,  Bristol,  staged  bulbs  and 
garden  sundries.  Mrs.  Rogers,  Victoria  Street, 
arranged  floral  devices. 


HEREFORD     FRUIT     AND 

CHRYSANTHEMUM. 

November  6,  7. — The  annual  exhibition  of 
the  above  society  took  place  on  these  dates 
in  the  commodious  Shiiehall.  The  displays. 
as  a  whole,  compared  favourably  with  those 
of  former  years,  both  in  number  and  in  quality. 
The  exhibits  of  Apples  and  Pears,  which 
were  important  features  of  the  show,  were 
tastefully  arranged  with  a  decorative  material 
that  relieved  somewhat  the  monotony  of  many 
dishes  repeated. 

Apples   ami   Pears. — The   chief   class   was   one 
for  a  collection  of  culinary  and  dessert  Apples 
in  not  more  than  50  varieties,  and  arranged   in 
a  space  measuring  70  square  feet.     Mr.    i\.  W. 
Caddick,    Carador,     was   successful   in   gaining 
the  1st  prize,  but  this  gentleman's  exhibit  gained 
only  three  points  more  than   that  staged   by  the 
King's  ACRE  NURSERl  Co.,  Liu.,  wh 
A  class  was  provided  for  a  collection  of  30  dishes 
of  Apples.    Mr.  R.  M.  Whiting,  Credenhill,  was 
the  only  exhibitor,  and  he  was  awarded  the  1st 
prize.     The  1  ii    i   •  -lubit  of  dessert  and  culinary 
Pears  in  not   more  than  24  varieties  was  staged 
by   C   T.    Bates,    I  sq.,   Whitfield   (gi      \i.     i 
Grindrod) ;  2nd,   Captain    PalaireT,    Ledbury, 
these   two    being   the    only   exhibitors.       In    the 
class    for    12    varieties    of    culinary    and    di 
Pears  there  were  four  entries.    The  1st  prize  wa 
taken  by  the  Rev.   G.   H.   Davenport,    1 
2nd,   Sir  J.    R.   Cotterell,   Garnons  ;  3rd.    Mr. 
C.  W.  Hazlehurst,  Moreton  Court.    Th<   cham- 
pion dish  of  dessert  IV:ir>  in  the  show  was  found 
in  the  1st  prize  exhibit  in  the  variei .    D 
du    Cornice.     The    fruits    averaged     1     lb.^     the 
heaviest  being   1    lb.   2  oz.     In   the   class   for   a 
collection  ,,i  eight  dishes  of  dessert  Pears  A    \\ 
FOSTER,    F.sq.,   Brockhampton,  led,   and   he  was 
followed    by    the    Rev.    J.    Brierlev,    Bridstow. 
The   premier   exhibit   of  eight   dishes   of    dessert 
Apples  was  shown  by  Messrs.  Getting  lV  New- 
ton,   Mr.    \\  .    Fielden   being  awarded   the  2nd 
prize.     Messrs.   Cox  Brothers,   Ross,  were  1st 
in  the  class  for  12  dishes  of  culinary  Apples. 

A  collection  of  fruits. — A  class  was  provided 
for  a  collection  of  six  dishes  of  fruits,  but  Pines 
were  excluded.  Colonel  Henry  won  the  1st 
prize  with  black  and  white  Grapes,  a  good 
Melon,  Cox's  Orange  Pippin  Apple,  Coe's  Gol- 
den Drop  Plum,  and  a  dish  of  Pears.  The  2nd 
prize  was  awarded  to  Sir  George  Cornwall, 
and  the  3rd  to  G.  T.  Bates,  Esq.  A.  W. 
Foster,  Esq.,  was  1st  for  three  bunches  of  Gros 
Colmar  Grapes  ;  and  for  any  other  black  Grape 
Colonel  Henry  was  1st.  The  best  bunches  of 
white  Grapes  were  shown  by  G.  T.  Bates,  Esq. 

In  a  class  for  a  decorative  group  of  fruits,  pre- 
served or  fresh,  the  King's  Acre  Nursery  Co. 
w-on  the  1st  prize. 

Messrs.  A.  W.  Foster,  G.  T.  Bates,  Sir  J. 
Cotterell,  Cox  Brothers,  Getting  &  New- 
ion,  R.  M.  Whiting,  W.  E.  E.  King  King.  G. 
H.  Davenport,  and  Mrs.  WooDHonsE  took  the 
principal  prizes  in  the  single  dish  clashes  for 
Apples  and  Pears. 

G.  T.  Bates,  Esq.,  took  the  1st  prize  for  a 
group  of  plants;  2nd,  Sir  J.  Cotterell. 

A  collection  of  finely-coloured  Apples  was 
staged  by  the  British  Columbia  Government. 
The  King's  Acre  Nursery  Co.  staged  a  collec- 
tion of  well-coloured  plants  of  various  kinds. 
Mr.  Wilson,  florist,  Hereford,  exhibited  bou- 
quets,  wreaths.   &c. 


MANCHESTER   AND    NORTH   OF 
ENGLAND    ORCHID. 

October  31. — Committee  present:  Messrs.  E. 
Ashworth,  R.  Ashwoith,  Ashton,  Cowan, 
<  ypher,  Keeling,  Leemann,  Parker,  P.  Smith, 
Shill,  Sander,  Upjohn,  Ward,  Warbu.ton, 
Walmsley,  Ball,  and  Weathers  (hon.  sec). 

No  fewer  than  15  groups  of  Orchids  were 
staged  at  the  meeting  held  on  this  date. 

An  interesting  and  welcome  event  was  the 
exhibit  staged  by  Mr.  G.  Shorland  Ball,  who 
through  ill-health  a  few  years  ago  was  com- 
pelled to  disperse  his  collection  at  Wilmslow. 
He  staged  a  healthy  batch  of  Cypripediums,  for 
which  he  was  awarded  a  Silver  Medal.  In  the 
group  were  Cypripedium  insigne  (Harefield  Hall 
van),  C.  X  Baron  Schroder,  C.  insigne  Sanderae, 
C.  X  Archimedes  (Ball's  var.),  and  C.  X  "  Eve," 
a  charming  hybrid,  of  which  the  parentage  was 
unrecorded.  This  very  beautiful  hybrid  may  be 
likened  to  a  form  of  C.  X  aureum,  but  it  has 
more  tone  and  delicacy  than  any  known  varie- 
ties of  C.  X  aureum.  The  plant  received  an 
Award  of  Merit.  C.  X  Maudiae  (var.  delicata) 
and  C.  X  Harrisianum  (G.  S.  Ball's  var.)  were 
voted  Awards  of  Merit.  C.  X  Keighleyense  was 
also  in  the  group. 

A.  Warburton,  Esq.,  Haslingden  (gr.  Mr. 
Dalgleish),  again  exhibited  a  collection  of  Cypri- 
pediums, to  which  a  Bronze  Medal  was  awarded. 
Amongst  these  was  a  distinct  form  of  Cypri- 
pedium x  triumphans  called  Crook's  var., 
which  received  an  Award  of  Merit.  In  a  group 
of  miscellaneous  Orchids  staged  by  the  same 
exhibitor  was  a  well-flowered  plant  of  Vanda 
coerulea,  to  which  the  Committee  also  voted  an 
Award  of  Merit;  Cattleya  aurea  var.,  Cattleya 
labiata  var.,  Cattleya  labiata  var.  "  Purple 
Moth,"  C.  labiata  var.  Mrs.  A.  Warburton  each 
received  an  Award  of  Merit,  while  Cattleya 
labiata  var.  King  of  Greece  was  given  a  First- 
Class  Certificate.     (Silver-Gilt  Medal.) 

Messrs.  J.  Cvrin-K  &  Sons,  Cheltenham,  ex- 
hibited a  good  group  of  plants,  in  which  were 
well-grown  examples  of  plants  in  season.  An 
Award  of  Merit  was  granted  to  Phaio-Cym- 
bidium  x  chardwarense,  a  distinct  hybrid  with 
rich  orange-coloured  flow-ers,  which  plainly  in- 
dicated its  generic  parentage.     (Silver  Medal.) 

S.  Gratrix,  Esq.,  Whalley  Range  (gr.  Mr. 
Shill),  received  a  First-Class  Certificate  for  Cy- 
pripedium   x    Hitchensas  var.    "  Diab 

M  -srs.  Charlesworth  cV  Co.,  Biadford,  ex- 
hibited in  a  group  of  other  Orchi  !s  the  b  auti- 
ful  Brasso-Cattleva  x  Queen  Alexandra.  (Silver 
Medal.) 

G.  H.  Peace,  Esq  .  Monton,  exhibited  Cypri- 
pedium x  Memnon,  and  C.  x  Milo  (Cobb's 
var.). 

E.  Ashworth,  Esq.,  Wilmslow  (gr.  Mr.  Hol- 
brook),  was  awarded  a  First-Class  Certificate  for 
Cattleya  x  Fabia  (Harefield  Hall  var.),  a  rich 
and  beautiful  form  of  this  hybrid. 

E.  Rogers. in,  Esq.,  Didsbury  (gr.  Mr.  Price), 
staged  a  good  group,  principally  composed  of 
Cypripediums.  A  few  other  choice  plants  such 
as  Cattleya  x  Hardyana  var.  alba,  Cattleya  X 
"  Dusseldorfii,"  and  a  fine  form  of  Oncidimn 
Cavendishii  were  included.  Amongst  the  Cypri- 
pediums exhibited  were  C.  x  Priam,  C.  X  Vidor 
(Award  of  Merit),  C.  X  Mrs.  Atchison  (Award 
of  Merit),  and  C.  X  Abraham  Lincoln.  (Silver 
Medal.) 

J.  H.  Craven,  Esq.,  Keighley  (gr.  Mr.  Corney), 
exhibited  a  group  in  competition  for  the  "  Sander 
Cup."  Cypripedium  X  Leeanum  var.  Adrian 
Lefebre  received  an  Award  of  Merit.  (Silver 
Medal.) 

Z.  A.  Ward,  Esq.,  Northenden,  was  awarded 
i  Silver  Medal  for  a  group  of  Cypripediums  of 
good   quality. 

H.  J.  Bromilow,  Rainhill  (gr.  Mr.  Morgan), 
was  awarded  a  Bronze  Medal  for  a  group  of  Cy- 
pripediums. C.  X  Actaeus  (Drewitt's  var.)  and 
C.  Charlesworthii  ("  Rann  Lee"  var.)  received 
Awards  of  Merit 

Max  Isaac,  Esq.,  Blundellsands,  Liverpool 
(gr.  Mr.  Driver),  staged  a  small  group  of  Cypri- 
pediums in  variety,  and  Cattleya  x  Cranstonae. 
(Bronze  Medal.) 

J.  M'acartney,  Esq.,  Bolton  (gr.  Mr.  Holmes), 
received  an  Award  of  Merit  for  Cypripedium  x 
Mrs.  Macartney.  C.  x  grande,  C.  X  Vidor, 
C.  X  Leeanum  (Hey  House  var.)  were  also 
shown.  A  Bronze  Medal  was  voted  for  the  Cy- 
pripediums and  a  Silver  Medal  for  the  general 
collection. 


THE     GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


[November  16,  1907. 


Messrs.  Sander  &  Sons  made  a  good  display 
of  Cattleyas,  Cypripediums,  and  Odontoglos- 
sums.     (Silver   Medal.) 

Messrs.  Keeling  &  Sons,  Westgate  Hill,  re- 
ceived a  Bronze  Medal  for  an  interesting  group 
containing  several  plants  of  botanical  interest. 

Mr.  W.  Boi.ton,  Warrington,  was  awarded  a 
Bronze  Medal  for  a  group  of  Orchids,  princi- 
pally Cattleyas  and  Cypripediums.     P.  W. 


SOUTHEND-ON-SEA  AND  DISTRICT 
CHRYSANTHEMUM. 

November  5,  6. — The  show  held  on  these 
dates,  under  the  auspices  of  the  above  society, 
proved  to  be  the  best  all-round  exhibition  held 
by  the  society,  for  not  only  were  the  exhibits 
more  numerous  than  in  previous  years,  but  the 
cut  blooms  were  larger  and  better  in  quality. 
Mr.  J.  Buries  (gr.  to  J.  Tabor,  Esq.,  The  Lawn, 
Rochfordl,  staged  the  best  circular  group  of 
Chrysanthemums  in  pots,  and  he  was  followed 
bv  Mr.  S.  Hansen  (gr.  at  the  Queen's  Hotel, 
Westcliff-on-Sea). 

Mr.  Bines  (gr.  to  Messrs.  Gardner  Brothers, 
Southend|,  had  the  best  group  of  miscellaneous 
plants,  Mr.  Davev  having  the  second  best  ex- 
hibit in  this  class. 

In  the  open  classes  for  cut  blooms,  Mr.  John 
Burles  was  very  successful,  taking  no  fewer 
than  five  1st  prizes.  Included  in  his  stand  of 
24  blooms  was  the  finest  flower  in  the  show,  a 
grand  bloom  of  the  variety  W.   Etherington. 

Mr.  H.  E.  Campkin  was  easily  the  most  suc- 
cessful exhibitor  in  the  classes  confined  to  ama- 
teurs, being  1st  in  every  class  he  contested — 
seven.  The  blooms  staged  by  this  exhibitor, 
had  they  been  shown  in  the  open  classes,  woujd 
have  competed  very  keenly  with  the  1st  prize 
group. 

Mr.  Epps  had  the  best  stand  of  12  Incurved 
blooms,  Embleme  Poitevine,  Pantia  Ralli,  and 
Edith  Hughes  being  his  best  examples.  The 
most  prominent  blooms  staged  in  the  open  and 
amateur  classes  provided  for  Japanese  varieties 
were  F.  \V.  Vallis,  F.  S.  Vallis,  Bessie  Godfrey, 
Duchess  of  Sutherland,  Walter  Jinks,  and  Nor- 
man Davis.  Mr.  Robert  May,  Stroud  Green, 
Rochford,  Mr.  Davey,  Mr.  S.  Hansen,  and  Mr. 
A.  Epps  also  staged  creditable  bloms  in  the 
above-mentioned  classes. 

Fruit. 

Mr.  E.  Elsdon  (gr.  to  S.  H.  Rugg,  Esq.,  Ham- 
let Court,  Westcliff-on-Sea),  was  1st  for  twc 
bunches  of  Black  Grapes,  showing  fair  examples 
of  Black  Alicante.  Apples  and  Pears  were  well 
shown. 

Mr.  E.  Hill  (gr.  to  Alderman  Martin,  Prittle- 
well),  was  1st  for  three  dishes  of  dessert  Apples, 
with  even,  medium-sized  fruits  of  Ribston  Pip- 
pin, Cox's  Orange  Pippin,  and  Margil. 

Mr.  G.  Murrell,  Barling,  was  awarded  the 
1st  prize  for  six  dishes  of  kitchen  Apples,  show- 
ing fine  specimens  of  Gloria  Mundi,  Bismarck, 
Beauty  of  Kent,  Peasgood's  Nonsuch,  Warner's 
King,  and  Lane's   Prince  Albert. 

Mr.  G.  Murrell  had  also  the  best  amongst 
four  collections  of  six  varieties  of  dessert 
Apples. 

Mr.  Epps  had  the  best  six  dishes  of  Pears, 
showing  fine  fruits  of  Brown  Beurre,  Pitmaston 
Duchess,  Duchesse  d'Angouleme,  Beurre  Clair- 
geau,  Doyenne  du  Cornice,  and  Dr.  Froissart. 
Ten  growers  contested  in  this  class. 

Mr.  W.  A.  Voss  was  a  capital  1st  in  the  class 
for  three  dishes,  showing  good  even  fruits  of 
Beurre  Hardy,  Brown  Beurre,  and  Doyenne 
Boussoch. 

SOUTHAMPTON    CHRYSANTHEMUM. 

November  5,  6. — This  annual  autumn  show- 
was  held  in  the  Victoria  Hall,  and  was  again 
a  success.  The  exhibits  of  cut  blooms  were 
quite  up  to  the  average  in  point  of  numbers  and 
quality.  The  leading  class  was  one  for  12 
varieties  of  Japanese  blooms  in  vases,  three 
flowers  of  each  variety  in  a  vase.  Mrs. 
Ogilvie  (gr.  Mr.  L.  Dawes),  Rosecroft,  Hamble- 
don,  was  awarded  the  1st  prize  after  many  years 
competing  for  this  position.  She  staged  admir- 
able examples  of  the  varieties  F.  S.  Vallis,  Mrs. 
Mileham,  J.  H.  Silsbury,  Mine.  (',.  Rivol,  and 
Mme.     P.     Radaelli.     2nd,     Prince    Hatzfeldt 

i  \[r.  F.  Bible),  Draycot  Park,  Chippenham 
two    varieties    of   white    flowered   Japanese 


Chrysanthemums,  three  blooms  of  each  variety, 
Major  Chichester  (gr.  Mr.  B.  Hollis),  Embley 
Park,  Romsey,  was  placed  1st  for  typical 
examples  of  Edith  Smith  and  Mrs.  A.  T.  Miller. 
2nd,  Prince  Hatzfeldt.  In  the  similar  class 
for  two  varieties  other  than  white,  Mrs.  Ogilvie 
won  with  F.  S.  Vallis  and  Mrs.  G.  Mileham. 

A  class  was  devoted  to  gardeners  and  ama- 
teurs only,  for  18  Japanese  blooms.  This  was 
well  contested.  Mr.  Tragett  (gr.  H.  Pearce), 
Awbridge  Danes,  Romsey,  took  the  premier 
prize  with  typical  examples  of  popular  varieties. 

Single-flowered  and  decorative  varieties  of 
Chrysanthemums,  undisbudded,  were  numerous, 
and  no  fewer  than  10  exhibits  of  "  singles  "  and 
14  of  decorative  varieties  were  staged.  A.  F. 
Fynn.  Esq.,  Red  Lodge,  Bassett  (gr.  Mr.  E. 
Cook),  showed  the  best  single  varieties;  whilst 
Mrs.  Austin,  Bishop's  Waltham  (gr.  Mr.  G. 
Barnes),  was  the  most  successful  for  decorative 
varieties. 

Incurved  varieties  were  of  fairly  good  quality, 
Prince  Hatzfeldt  being  successful  with  good 
blooms  of  well-known   sorts. 

Plants  were  well  shown.  The  best  collection 
of  Chrysanthemums  arranged  in  a  space 
measuring  10  feet  by  6  feet  was  displayed  by 
J.  C.  D'Esterre,  Esq.  (gr.  Mr.  C.  Hosey),  who 
had   well-grown   plants   carefully   arranged. 

Conservatory  plants  were  best  shown  by  Mr. 
Allan  Cooper,  115,  Hill  Lane,  Southampton. 

Mr.  E.  Wills,  Winchester  Road  Nurseries, 
Southampton,  had  the  best  miscellaneous  group 
of  plants. 

Exhibits  of  fruit  and  vegetables  were 
numerous  and  good.  Grapes  were  best  shown 
by  J.  Willis  Fleming,  Esq.,  Chilworth,  Romsev 
(gr.  Mr.  W.  Mitchell),  and  W.  H.  Myers,  Esq.', 
Swanmore  Park,  Bishop's  Waltham  (gr.  Mr.  G. 
Ellwood).  The  best  vegetables  were  from  the 
gardens  of  Mrs.  Pearce  and  W.  II.  Myers,  Esq. 


BRIGHTON    AND    SUSSEX 
HORTICULTURAL. 

November  5,  0. — The  above  society's  sixteenth 
annual  exhibition  of  Chrysanthemums,  fruit, 
and  vegetables  was  held  on  these  dates  in  fine 
weather.  Although  a  slight  reduction  was  seen 
in  the  number  of  entries,  the  show  generally  was 
a  success. 

In  the  class  for  a  group  of  Chrysanthemums 
in  pots,  Mr.  A.  J.  Blake  (gr.  to  Dr.  E.  J.  Gui.k- 
Hart,  Brightoni,  won  the  1st  prize  with  a  splen- 
did group  of  plants  that  were  well  arranged  ; 
2nd,  Mr.  G.  Sims  |gr.  to  E.  A.  Wallis.  Esq., 
Bright 

The  best  exhibit  of  a  circular  group  of  Chry- 
santhemums, in  a  class  from  which  trade 
growers  were  excluded,  was  shown  by  Mr.  Geo. 
Mann  (gr.  to  J.  DuDKEY,  Esq.,  Portslade),  and 
he  was  followed  bv  Mr.  Geo.  Bennett  (gr.  to 
P.  H.  Bayer,  Esq.,  Withdean). 

A  strong  competition  was  seen  in  the  class  for 
36  Japanese  blooms.  Mr.  J.  Harris  (gr.  to 
Colonel  C.  P.  Henty,  Avisford,  Arundel)  was 
awarded  the  1st  prize,  which  included  a  Silver 
Bowl.  He  showed,  amongst  others,  fine  blooms 
of  the  varieties  F.  S.  Vallis,  Mrs.  H.  Davis,  Mrs. 
Knox,  Valerie  Greenham,  Bessie  Godfrey,  E.  J. 
Brooks,  President  Loubet,  &c.  Mr.  H.  Basset 
(gr.  to  Mrs.  T.  B.  Haywood,  Reigate),  was 
awarded  the  2nd  prize. 

Non-com pe  iitive  Exhibits. 

A  collection  of  Orchids  was  displayed  by 
Jeremiah  Oilman,  Esq.,  Gatton  Park,  Reigate 
(gr.    Mr.   W.   Bound).     (Gold   Medal.) 

Messrs.  Cheal  &  Sons  exhibited  a  collection 
of  fruit.     (Silver  Gilt  Medal.) 

Messrs.  W.  Balchin  &  Sons,  Brighton,  dis- 
played Chrysanthemums  and  other  flowers. 
(Silver  Medal.) 

The  Barnham  Nurseries,  Ltd.,  Barnham, 
Sussex,  staged  a  collection  of  fruit.  (Silver 
Medal.) 


To  commemorate  the  coming  of  age  of  the 
Society,  a  special  class  was  introduced  into  the 
schedule  this  year  for  a  collection  in  which  not 
fewer  than  six  of  the  different  sections  of  Chry- 
santhemums were  to  be  shown  arranged  in  a 
space  of  8  feet  by  4  feet.  Messrs.  S.  Williams 
lV  Sons,  florists,  Cardiff,  secured  the  1st  prize 
and  a  piece  of  silver  plate  in  this  class  with  a 
well-arranged  group.  F.  S.  Vallis,  Buttercup, 
Caprice  du  Printemps,  Crimson  Tangle,  Crim- 
son King,  and  Rosinante  were  the  most  notice- 
able blooms. 

A  1st  prize  and  a  valuable  piece  of  silver  plate 
were  awarded  to  Mr.  Drake,  Cardiff,  for  a  col- 
lection of  eight  vases  of  specimen  blooms  of 
distinct  Japanese  varieties,  three  blooms  of 
each.  The  varieties  shown  were  V.  Greenham, 
Reg.  Vallis,  F.  S.  Vallis,  H.  Silsbury,  Mrs.  A. 
T.  Miller,  W.  Jinks,  President  Viger,  and  Mrs. 
Barkley — all  of  first-class  quality.  The  same 
exhibitor  was  successful  in  carrying  off  the  1st 
prize  for  a  collection  of  24  blooms  of  Incurved 
varieties  of  not  fewer  than  12  sorts.  These 
were  as  fine  a  lot  of  Incurveds  as  one  could  wish 
to  see,  and  comprised  such  varieties  as  Mrs.  F. 
Judson,  Mrs.  S.  Denyer,  Pantia  Ralli,  Godfrey's 
Eclipse,   F"rank  Trestian,   and  Ialene. 

For  a  stand  of  24  blooms  (Japanese),  not 
fewer  than  18  varieties,  the  Marquis  of  Bute 
(gr.  Mr.  l-'armer)  was  placed  1st,  and  awarded  a 
Challenge  Cup.  Some  of  the  best  blooms  were 
Ben  Wells,  J.  H.  Silsbury,  W.  A.  Etherington, 
Mrs.  W.  Knox,  and  P.  Radaelli.  A.  T.  Stevens, 
Esq.,  Sully  (gr.  Mr.  J.  J.  Graham),  the  holder 
of  the  cup  for  the  two  previous  years,  took  2nd 
place. 

A.  F.  Hill,  Esq.,  Cardiff,  was  awarded  a 
N.C.S.  Silver  Medal  and  1st  prize  for  a  stand 
of  12  Japanese  blooms  in  not  fewer  than  four 
varieties.  F.  S.  Vallis  and  President  Viger 
were  the  outstanding  features  of  this  exhibit.  A 
bloom  of  A.  Davis,  staged  in  the  2nd  prize  lot 
in  this  class,  received  the  certificate  for  the  best 
bloom  in  the  show.  This  was  exhibited  by  F. 
Primavesi,  Esq.,  Cardiff  (gr.  Mr.  Webber). 

For  a  stand  of  six  white  Japanese  varieties, 
Mr.  S.  Drake  was  awarded  the  leading  prize. 
Mrs.  A.  T.  Miller,  Mrs.  R.  Cadbury,  and  Mrs. 
J.  Lewis  were  among  the  best.  F.  Primavesi, 
Esq.,  secured  1st  place  for  12  blooms  in  four 
varieties,  shown  with  their  own  foliage.  F.  S. 
Vallis,  P.  Radaelli,  and  A.  Davis  were  three  of 
the  kinds  staged.  The  same  exhibitor  won  the 
1st  prizes  for  five  blooms  of  one  white  Japanese 
variety  and  five  Dlooms  of  any  Japanese  variety 
other  than  white.  The  varieties  shown  were 
respectively  Mrs.  J.  Lewis  and  P.  Radaelli 

Single  varieties  were  well  shown  by  Dr. 
Wallace,  Cardiff,  who  was  the  principal  prize- 
winner in  this  section.  Some  of  the  most 
striking  sorts  were  Mrs.  T.  Bird,  G.  W.  Forbes, 
Kitty  Vaughan,   Edith  Pagram,   and  Metta. 

Medals  were  awarded  to  the  following  firms 
for  the  special  merit  of  their  various  exhibits:  — 
Mr.  W.  Treseder,  Cardiff,  collection  of 
Dahlias;  Messrs.  S.  Treseder  &  Son,  Cardiff, 
collection  of  Tea  Roses ;  Messrs.  W.  Clibran 
it  Son,  Altrincham,  collection  of  Chrysanthe- 
mums;  Messrs.  Cypher  &  Sons,  Cheltenham, 
Orchids;  and  Messrs.  Case  Bros.,  Mr.  P. 
Thomas,  and  Mr.  W.  Hodge,  all  of  Cardiff,  for 
floral  designs. 


CARDIFF    AND    COUNTY 
CHRYSANTHEMUM. 

November  6,  7. — The  21st  annual  exhibition 
held  in  connection  with  this  society  took  plai  e 
in  the  Park  Hall,  Cardiff,  on  the  foregoing 
dates.  The  entries  were  numerous,  and  the 
exhibits  of  excellent  quality;  there  were  no 
signs  of  any  diminution  in  public  interest,  as 
the  show  was  well  patronised  on  both  days. 


MARGATE  CHRYSANTHEMUM. 

November  6,  7. — The  21st  annual  exhibition 
of  this  society  took  place  on  the  above  dates. 
The  various  classes  were  well  filled,  and  the 
competition  was  keen.  In  the  important  class 
for  a  group  of  Chrysanthemums  and  other 
plants,  the  1st  prize  for  which  included  a  cup 
valued  at  fifty  guineas,  Mr.  J.  Chapman,  Rams- 
gate,  was  placed  1st ;  2nd,  Major  PoWEL 
Cotton  (gr.  Mr.  J.  Cornford)  ;  3rd,  Mrs.  Monte- 
i  ikkk.  East  Cliff,  Ramsgate  (gr.  Mr.  Kromlis). 

Cut  blooms  of  Chrysanthemums  were  largely 
displayed.  F.  J.  Bobby,  Esq.  (gr.  Mr.  Pullinger) 
took  the   1st   prize   for  24  Incurved   blooms. 

Mr.  Burgess  was  similarly  placed  for  an  ex- 
hibit of   12  Incurved  blooms. 

The  best  exhibit  of  24  Japanese  blooms  was 
shown  by  Mr.  Cornford. 

Miss  Peacock,  Birchington  (gr.  Mr.  Bishop), 
led  in  the  classes  for  six  and  for  three  distinct 
blooms  of  Japanese  varieties. 

Fruit  was  well  shown  by  Messrs.  Cornford, 
Burgess,  Bing,  and  F.  King. 


November  16,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS     CHRONICLE. 


351 


TORQUAY   DISTRICT  GARDENERS'. 

November  7. — This  society  held  their  annual 
Chrysanthemum  Show  in  the  Bath  Saloons  on 
this  date.  The  weather  was  fine,  and  the  attend- 
ance was  satisfactory.  Competition  was  poor 
in  the  classes  for  plants,  only  two  entries  being 
secured  for  the  group,  in  which  a  Silver  Cup 
was  offered,  and  only  one  for  a  group  of  single 
i  hrysanthemums.  The  entries  for  specimen 
plants  were  also  few,  though  the  winning  plants 
were  of  high  excellence.  One  of  the  features 
of  the  exhibition  was  a  group  of  six  plants  of 
the  winter-flowering  Begonia  Mrs.  Heal,  ex- 
hibited by  Mrs.   H.  J.  Wray. 

In  the  open  classes,  the  best  exhibit  of  36 
blooms  of  a  Japanese  variety  was  shown  by 
Rev.  T.  Sheepshanks,  and  he  also  won  the  1st 
prize  in  the  class  for  12  Japanese  blooms. 

In  the  amateurs'  classes,  Dr.  J.  Quick  won 
most  of  the  principal  prizes. 

The  best  four  vases  of  Chrysanthemums  were 
shown  by  Mrs.  Tottenham,  the  best  epergne 
of  Chrysanthemums,  and  the  best  single  vase  of 
Chrysanthemums  arranged  with  autumn  foliage 
by  Mr.  G.  A.  Emmett. 

Fruit. 

The  premier  exhibit  of  a  collection  of  Apples 
was  shown  by  Mr.  H.  St.  Maur.  Other  suc- 
cessful exhibitors  of  fruit  were  Messrs.  P.  P. 
Alexander,  W.  F.  Baynes,  Mrs.  Boyd,  Mrs. 
Tottenham,  and  Mrs.  Bundock. 

In  the  vegetable  classes,  Mr.  P.  P.  Alexander 
won  the  chief  award  in  the  amateurs'  classes, 
and  Messrs.  G.  H.  Pearce  &  Sons  in  the  open 
classes. 

Many  trade  exhibits  were  staged.  The  Devon 
Rosery,  Torquay,  showed  pot  Chrysanthemums 
and  other  flowering  and  foliage  plants,  and 
about  one  hundred  dishes  of  Apples  and  Pears. 

Messrs.  Robert  Veitch  &  Son,  Exeter,  had  an 
attractive  stand  containing  many  herbaceous  and 
rock  plants.    This  firm  also  exhibited  Apples. 

Mr.  Heath,  Kingskerswell,  showed  Violets, 
the  variety  Kaiser  Wilhelm  being  particularly 
fine. 

Mr.  W.  B.  Smale  staged  a  representative  col- 
lection of  Cactus  Dahlias,  as  well  as  some 
winter-flowering  Zonal  Pelargoniums. 


with    a    few    Cattleyas,    Carnations,    and    other 
plants  in  flower. 

The  Hon.  Secretary  is  Mr.  J.  F.  McLeod, 
and  the  Acting  Secretary  Mr.  W.  J.  Reynolds, 
53,  Medfield  Street,  Roehampton. 


<SH>ttitarg. 


PUTNEY    AND   WANDSWORTH 
CHRYSANTHEMUM. 

November  7,  8. — The  thirtieth  exhibition 
under  the  auspices  of  this  society  formed  a  very 
attractive  display  in  the  Cromwell  Hall,  Putney, 
on  the  above  dates.  Although  there  was  satis- 
factory competition  in  most  of  the  classes,  only 
one  group  was  forthcoming  in  Class  1,  which 
was  arranged  for  collections  of  pot  Chrysanthe- 
mums in  not  fewer  than  20-  varieties,  and 
arranged  on  spaces  not  exceeding  40  superficial 
feet.  J.  W.  Charrington,  Esq.,  Roehampton 
(gr.  Mr.  J.  Prentice),  was  awarded  the  Silver 
Cup  and  1st  prize  for  a  very  commendable  ex- 
hibit. There  were  three  exhibits  in  a  somewhat 
similar  class  reserved  for  amateurs  who  do  not 
employ  a  gardener  regularly,  and  the  best  was 
shown  by  Mr.  E.  P.  Yarham,  62,  Mexfield  Road, 
Wandsworth.  J.  W.  Charrington,  Esq.,  won 
1st  prizes  for  the  best  group  of  miscellaneous 
plants,  twelve  blooms  of  Incurved  Chrysanthe- 
mums, six  blooms  (Incurveds),  six  white 
blooms  (Japanese),  six  pots  of  Cyclamen,  three 
vases  of  Incurved  blooms,  and  six  pots  of 
Roman  Hyacinths.  J.  A.  Young,  Esq.,  Stone 
House,  West  Hill  (gr.  Mr.  G.  H.  Street),  won 
1st  prizes  in  the  important  class  for  24  blooms 
(Japanese),  12  blooms  (Japanese),  six  table 
plants,  three  dishes  of  dessert  Apples,  and  six 
distinct  kinds  of  vegetables.  In  the  class  for 
vegetables  there  were  as  many  as  eight  exhibits. 

Another  successful  exhibitor  was  Madame 
Stuart,  The  Convent,  Roehampton  (gr.  Mr.  A. 
Smith),  who  won  1st  prizes  for  Pears,  kitchen 
Apples,  Black  and  White  Grapes,  and  eight 
vases  of  Chrysanthemum  blooms,   &c. 

Other  winners  of  1st  prizes  included  the 
Dowager  Countess  of  Kintore  (gr.  Mr.  D. 
Anderson),  Wimbledon  Park ;  Jas.  Hooker, 
Esq.,  Putney  (gr.  Mr.  J.  Dark)  ;  Sir  J.  W.  Lan- 
caster, Putney  Hill  (gr.  Mr.  F.  H.  Goddard)  ; 
Mrs.  Barclay,  "  Ambleside,"  Wimbledon  Park 
(gr.   Mr.   French). 

Messrs.  Jas.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Royal  Exotic 
Nurseries,  Chelsea,  contributed  a  very  interest- 
ing  group    of   fine   foliage    plants,    interspersed 


WINDSOR   CHRYSANTHEMUM. 

November  8. — The  annual  show  of  this 
society  was  held  in  the  Albert  Institute,  Wind- 
sor, and  was  an  advance  upon  any  previous 
exhibition  at  Windsor  in  point  of  quality  of 
the  exhibits.  The  Japanese  blooms  staged  in 
the  class  in  which  the  King's  Challenge  Cup 
was  the  coveted  award  were  superior  to  any- 
thing seen  at  the  Crystal  Palace  show  of  the 
N.C.S.  Groups  of  Chrysanthemum  plants 
were  also  of  a  high  order  of  merit.  Cut  blooms 
formed  the  leading  items  of  the  schedule.  The 
King's  Challenge  Cup,  with  a  cash  prize  added, 
was  offered  for  six  varieties  of  Chrysanthemums, 
to  be  shown  in  vases,  five  blooms  in  a  vase. 
Three  growers  only  competed.  Mr.  F.  Bible  (gr. 
to  H.S.H.  Prince  Hatzfeldt,  Draycot  Park, 
Chippenham)  just  beat  by  one  point  last  year's 
winner,  E.  G.  Mocatta,  Esq.,  Woburn  Place, 
Addlestone  (gr.  Mr.  T.  Stevenson).  Both  the 
1st  and  the  2nd  prize  exhibits  were  extremely 
fine  in  quality.  The  winning  blooms  were  1. 
S.  Vallis,  W.  A.  Etherington  (extra  large), 
Edith  Smith,  Mrs.  W.  Knox,  Algernon  Davis, 
and  J.  H.  Silsbury.  The  best  blooms  in  the 
2nd  prize  stand  were  Duchess  of  Sutherland, 
J.  H.  Silsbury,  F.  S.  Vallis,  and  Reginald 
Vallis. 

In  the  class  for  12  Incurved  blooms  and  the 
same  number  of  Japanese  flowers,  distinct,  I-ady 
Evelyn  Mason  offered  a  Silver  Challenge  Cup, 
for  which  five  growers  competed.  The  premier 
award  was  made  in  favour  of  J.  B.  Fortescue, 
Esq.,  Dropmore  (gr.  Mr.  C.  Page),  who  staged 
heavy  blooms  of  Japanese  and  fairly  good  ex- 
amples of  Incurved  varieties.  Especially  fine 
were  the  varieties  Lady  Talbot,  F.  S.  Vallis,  Mrs. 
C.  Beckett,  and  John  Peed.  2nd,  Prince  Hatz- 
feldt,  with   superior   Incurved   bloc 

Mr.  Mocatta  won  easily  in  the  class  for  1l! 
Japanese  blooms,  distinct,  with  superior  flowers. 
In  the  class  for  six  blooms  of  any  one  variety, 
Mr.  Fortescue  was  the  most  successful  ex- 
hibitor with  huge  specimens  of  F.  S.  Vallis. 

There  were  three  competitors  in  a  class  for  18 
Japanese  blooms,  arranged  in  a  space  measur- 
ing 5  feet  by  3  feet,  with  any  foliage.  Mr. 
Fortescue  won  easily  with  almost  perfect 
blooms,  lightly  arranged  with  Ferns,  Aspara- 
gus, and  brightly-coloured  sprays  of  Rhododen- 
dron (Azalea)  molle. 

Incurved  varieties  were  well  staged.  Prince 
Hatzfeldt  won  the  1st  prize  in  the  class  for 
18  blooms  with  large  specimens  of  popular 
kinds.  Mr.  Fortescue  secured  the  premier 
award  in  the  class  for  12  blooms  with  large 
flowers  that  showed  a  lack  of  finish. 

For  six  bunches  of  single  Chrysanthemums 
there  were  no  fewer  than  seven  entrants,  of  whom 
F.  Ricardo,  Esq.  (gr.  Mr.  R.  West),  was  easily 
1st  with  a  brightly-coloured  set. 

Large  Japanese  blooms  were  effectively  ar- 
ranged in  baskets  and  vases ;  Mr.  Mocatta 
winning  for  12  specimens  of  Mrs.  A.  T.  Miller, 
with  Oak  leaves  and  other  attractive  foliage  in- 
termingled. 

There  were  only  two  groups  of  Chrysanthe- 
mum plants  arranged  in  a  given  space  with 
other  foliage  plants,  but  both  contained  blooms 
of  high  quality.  That  from  E.  B.  Foster,  Esq. 
(gr.  Mr.  W.  Cole),  Clewer  Manor,  however, 
easily  gained  the  premier  position,  so  fine  were 
the  blooms  and  so  effectively  were  they  ar- 
ranged. 

TRADE     NOTICES. 


Mr.  Hfnrv  Meads  has  been  appointed  Rose  Grower  to 
Messrs.  Hugh  Low  &  Co.,  at  the  Bush  Hill  Park  Nurseries. 

MALCOLM  CAMPBELL,   LIMITED,  GLASGOW. 

The  eighth  annual  general  meeting  of  the  share- 
holders of  Malcolm  Campbell,  Limited,  was  held  re- 
cently in  Glasgow — Mr.  Malcolm  Campbell,  managing 
director,  in  the  chair.  It  was  unanimously  agreed  to 
declare  a  dividend  of  5  per  cent,  on  the  preference 
shares  and  10  per  cent,  on  the  ordinary  shares,  payable 
on  the  nth  inst.  The  chairman  stated  that  the  business 
was  in  a  very  healthy  condition,  the  outstanding  feature 
for  the  year  being  the  big  increase  in  the  floral  decora- 
tive department. 


John  Assbee. — We  briefly  recorded  in  our  last 
issue  the  death  of  the  respected  superintendent 
of  Covent  Garden  Market,  whose  portrait  is 
now  reproduced.  Mr.  Assbee  has  filled  the 
important   position   as   agent   for  the   Duke   of 


the  late  john  asseee. 

Bedford  for  a  quarter  of  a  century,  and  the 
extraordinary  growth  of  the  market  in  that 
period  is  illustrated  by  the  fact  that  when  Mr. 
Assbee  was  appointed  there  were  only  two  col- 
lectors, and  at  the  present  time  the  staff 
numbers  50  persons.  A  memorial  service  was 
held  at  St.  Paul's  Church,  Covent  Garden,  on 
Tuesday  last,  and  the  interment  took  place  later 
in  the  day  at  the  Cemetery,  Richmond,  deceased 
having  resided  in  that  suburb  since  May  last. 
The  funeral  .  ceremony  was  attended  by 
numerous  friends,  and  the  floral  tributes  were 
of  such  a  character  as  went  to  show  how 
greatly   deceased   was   respected. 

John  Newton. — The  death  occurred  on  the 
7th  inst.  of  Mr.  John  Newton,  who  for  25  years 
had  charge  of  the  Temple  Gardens,  Thames  Em- 


THE    LATE    JOHN    NEWTON. 

bankment,  London.  It  was  during  Mr.  New- 
ton's management  that  Chrysanthemum  displays 
were  first  opened  to  public  inspection  in  these 
gardens,   and  it   is   not   too   much   to   say   that, 


352 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[November  16,  1C07. 


largely  to  this  initiative,  the  much  larger  col- 
lections were  subsequently  cultivated  in  the 
public  parks  for  the  same  purpose.  In  this 
manner  Mr.  Newton  may  be  said  to  have  done 
much  towards  popularising  the  Chrysanthemum 
when  its  cultivation  as  a  florist  s  flower  was  in 
the  earliest  stages.  He  commenced  gardening 
as  a  boy  in  the  gardens  of  the  Duke  of  Bedford 
at  Woburn  Abbey.  Subsequently  he  was  em- 
ployed in  the  Roval  Gardens,  Kew.  At  one 
time  he  held  the  position  of  head  gardener  at 
Luton  Hoo,  Bedfordshire.  Mr.  Newton  resigned 
his  position  at  the  Temple  about  12  years  ago, 
and  since  that  time  has  continuously  received  a 
pension  from  the  Benchers.  He  was  elected  an 
honorary  Fellow  of  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society  in  connection  with  the  holding  of  the 
May  shows  in  the  Temple  Gardens.  Deceased 
was  70  years  of  age.  His  son  William  is  in 
business  as  a  wholesale  florist  in  the  same 
street  as  the  office  of  this  journal. 

ENQUIRY. 

Effect  of  Wallflowers  on  Land. — I  have  le- 
cently  noted  in  market  gardens,  where  Wall- 
flowers have  been  cultivated  for  their  blossoms, 
that  they  seem,  so  to  speak,  to  poison  the 
soil,  insomuch  that  subsequent  crops  of  all 
kinds  do  not  grow  satisfactorily.  Has  any 
reader  found  this  to  be  the  case?  What  kind 
of  manure  would  be  best  to  apply  after  a  crop 
of  Wallflowers?  Wallflowers  are  Crucifers,  but 
so  are  Cabbages,  and  these  have  not  a  similar 
effect  upon  subsequent  crops.     B. 


ANSWERS    TO    CORRESPONDENTS. 

Anthracite  Coal  for  Saddle  and  Upright 
Boilers  :  /.  C.  There  can  be  no  doubt  as  to 
anthracite  coal  being  the  most  efficient  and 
economical  kind  of  fuel  to  use  for  the  heat- 
ing of  large  or  fairly  large  saddle  and  tubular 
boilers  of  both  horizontal  and  upright  pat- 
terns. But  it  is  necessary  that  the  furnaces 
should  be  large  enough  to  contain  a  good 
bulk  of  coal  at  one  time.  More  especially  is 
this  furnace-space  necessary  when  banking 
up  the  fire  the  last  thing  at  night,  say  at  10 
o'clock,  so  as  to  ensure  having  a  good  body 
of  fire  and  the  desired  degree  of  heat  in  the 
glasshouses  eight  or  nine  hours  later.  If  these 
conditions  are  complied  with,  the  water  will 
generally  be  found  to  be  at  the  boiling  point 
at  six  or  seven  o'clock  on  the  following  morn- 
ing. We  may  add  that  it  is  necessary  alwa\  - 
to  have  a  fairly  large  body  of  clear  fire 
in  the  furnace  when  banking  up  for  the  night, 
and,  moreover,  it  is  undesirable  to  let  the  fire 
burn  down  very  low  at  any  time  before  adding 
fresh  fuel.  When  the  desired  degree  of  heat 
is  registered  in  the  houses  in  the  morning, 
only  a  few  lumps  of  anthracite  need  be  placed 
.  in  the  furnace,  and  if  the  damper  be  pushed 
pretty  far  back  in  the  chimney  flue,  no 
further  attention  will  be  required  until  the 
afternoon,  when  the  coal  put  on  in  the  morn- 
ing will  be  found  smouldering  in  readiness  for 
receiving  a  few  additional  lumps  of  coal,  re- 
starting the  fires  and  drawing  the  damper  well 
out.  Anthracite  coal  requires  more  draught, 
and  consequently  needs  a  higher  chimney 
stack  than  is  necessary  for  coke  fuel,  to  make 
it  burn  well.  These  details,  though  belong- 
ing to  the  art  of  stoking,  are  not  altogether 
out  oi  ]  '  e  in  connection  with  the  use  of 
anthracite.  Where  coke  is  used  in  the  same 
size  and  kind  of  furnace,  to  heat  a  given  num- 
ber of  houses  to  the  same  degree  of  heat  more 
labour  is  involved  in  stoking,  i.e.,  in  look- 
ing more  frequently  to  the  fires  during  the  day 
and  at  night.  Regarding  the  question  as  to 
which  kind  of  fuel,  anthracite  or  coke,  is  the 
cheaper  and  more  efficient  to  use  in  the  heating 
of  glasshouses,  experience  shows  that  equally 
good  results  in  heating  power  are  obtained  by 
the  use  of  either  anthracite  or  coke  at  about 
the  same  cost  in  the  actual  price  paid  for  the 
fuel  delivered,  but  that  a  great  saving  of  labour 
in  the  way  of  stoking  is  effected  in  the  use 
of  anthracite  coal,  large  red-veined  anthra- 
cite being  the  best.  This  should  be  used 
in  as  large  lumps  as  can  be  conveniently 
placed  in  the  furnace,  for  the  lumps  should  be 


broken  as  little  as  possible.  Therefore  its  re- 
commendation for  use  in  large  furnaces,  in 
which  case  greater  economy  and  efficiency  are 
attained. 

Apples  :  Northumberland.  The  specialist  you 
mention  recommends  the  variety  Beauty  of 
Bath  in  preference  to  Irish  Peach  for  cultiva- 
tion as  dwarf  trees  in  a  villa  garden.  He 
would  plant  Ecklinville  Seedling  for  yielding 
culinary  fruits  in  September,  and  Warner's 
King  for  October  and  November.  He  declares 
the  culinary  variety  Jubilee  and  the  dessert 
variety  Court-Pendu  Plat  to  be  extremely  late- 
blooming  Apples. 

Begonia  Unhealthy:  T.A.&T.B.  There  is 
no  fungus  disease  present  on  the  plant  you 
send  ;  the  unhealthy  appearance  is  the  result 
of  some  cultural  error.  Do  not  allow  too  much 
moisture  about  the  plants,  and  be  careful  in  the 
matter  of  ventilation. 

Birds  and  the  Use  of  Gas-tar  Water  : 
/.  A.  E.  The  following  is  the  substance  of 
a  note  on  the  subject  which  appeared  in  these 
pages,  February  16,  1907.  Place  a  quantity 
of  newly-made  tar  in  an  old  iron  pan,  about 
half  fill  it  with  tar,  and  the  other  half  with 
soft  water.  Leave  this  water  undisturbed  for 
48  hours.  One  gallon  of  the  water  only  (the 
tar  must  not  be  disturbed)  should  be  mixed 
with  four  gallons  of  soft  water.  If  the  trees 
are  syringed  with  this  mixture,  birds  or  in- 
sects will  not  be  likely  to  visit  the  trees  for 
some  time  afterwards.  The  unpleasant  smell 
will  gradually  be  lost,  and  the  treatment  must 
then  be  repeated. 

Chrysanthemum  Leaves:  T.A.  The  trouble 
is  not  caused  by  fungus  disease.  Your  treat- 
ment of  the  plants  has  been  at  fault ;  have  you 
given  them  an  excess  of  manurial  stimulant  ? 
A  leaf-mining  insect  is  present  in  one  of  the 
leaves,  but  this  has  not  caused  the  general 
injury. 

Fruit  Bottling  :  S.A.A.  Apply  to  the  manager, 
Mercia  Agricultural  Store,  Bredons  Norton, 
near  Tewkesbury,  or  to  Messrs.  C.  Lunn  &  Co., 
Chemical  Works,  Kirkburton,  Huddersfield. 

Hippeastrum  (Amaryllis)  Flowering  Phema. 
turel,k  :  R.  P.  These  plants  occasionally 
flower  prematurely.  The  cause  of  your  plants 
flowering,  however,  we  think  is  due  to  drying 
them  off  too  early.  A  resting  period  of  three 
to  four  months  is  ample  for  the  bulbs,  and 
yours  have  already  had  that  period.  Briefly, 
the  treatment  of  the  general  batch  of  Hippe- 
astrums  should  be  as  follows  :  Start  the  bulbs 
during  January,  February,  or  March  ;  allow  a 
period  of  growth  extending  from  April  until 
September.  The  bulbs  should  rest  from 
October  until  December.  We  assume  that  the 
bulbs  are  now  in  a  cool  house  or  frame.  A 
high  atmospheric  temperature  would  cause 
them  to  flower  out  of  season. 

Names  of  Flowers,  Fruits  and  Plants.— We 
are  anxious  to  oblige  correspondents  as  far  as 
we  consistently  can,  but  they  must  bear  in 
mind  that  it  is  no  part  of  our  duty  to  our 
subscribers  to  name  either  flowers  or  fruits. 
Such  work  entails  considerable  outlay,  both  of 
time  and  money,  and  cannot  be  allowed  to  dis- 
organise the  preparations  for  the  weekly  issue,  or  to 
encroach  upon  time  required  for  the  conduct  of  the 
paper.  Correspondents  should  never  send  more 
than  six  plants  or  fruits  at  one  time  :  they  should  be 
very  careful  to  pack  and  label  them  properly,  to  give 
every  information  as  to  the  county  the  fruits  are 
grown  in,  and  to  send  ripe,  or  nearly  ripe,  specimens 
which  show  the  character  of  the  variety.  By 
neglecting  these  precautions  correspondents  add 
greatly  to  our  labour,  and  run  the  risk  of 
delay  and  incorrect  determinations.  Correspondent!, 
not  answered  in  one  issue  are  requested  to 
be  so  good  as  to  consult  the  following  numbers. 
Fruits:  G.  W.B.  Pear  Beurre:  Diel.— M.  P.  M. 
Gansel's  Bergamot. — W.E.B.  1,  Scarlet  Golden 
Pippin:  2,  Ribston  Pearmain.— D.  M.  G.  1, 
Ashmead's  Kernel  ;  2,  Lancashire  Pippin  ;  3, 
Duke  of  Devonshire;  4,  Loan's  Pearmain  ;  5, 
Debtsling  Pippin  ;  6,  American  Mother.  —  A.  L. 
1,  Emperor  Alexander;  2,  Fearn's  Pippin  ; 
Pears:  1,  Fondante  d'Automne  ;  2,  Pitmaston 
Duchess;  3.  Beurre  Diel.—  P  C.  1,  Seckle  ;  2, 
decayed;  3,  Bellisimer  d'Hiver. — /  H.  1, 
Beauty  of  Hants ;  2,  Ashmead's  Kernel. — 
S.E.A.  The  Queen. — C  G.P.  Crofton  Scarlet. 
— C.  L.  Lawrence.  1,  Beurre  Clairgeau  ;  2, 
Beurre'  Diel  ;  3,  Claygate  Pearmain  ;  4, 
Alfriston;  5,  Lady's  Finger  ;  6,  Scarlet  Golden 
Pippin. — Eigot.    1,    Sheep's  Nose  ;    2.  Emperor 


Alexander ;  3,  Lord  Burghley  ;  4,  Beurre' 
Ranee;  5,  Bergamotte  Esp;ren;  6,  Beurre 
Diel — J.  Champion.  1,  Eas  er  Beurr£  ;  2,  beurre 
Diel.—  IV.  D.  S.  1,  Melon  Apple;  2,  not 
recognised  ;  3,  Wyken  Pippin  ;  4,  Crimson 
Quoining. — A.  B.  H.  1,  Priucess  ;  2,  Duchesse 
d'Angouleme  ;  3,  Beurre  Bacheier  ;  4,  Beurre 
Superfin. — C.  G.  C.  1,  Annie  Elizabeth  ;  2, 
Dumelow's  Seeding  (Wellington) ;  3,  Scarlet 
Golden  Pippin;  4,  Allington  Pippin;  5,  Fearn's 
Pippin  ;  6,  Calville  Blanche.—  L.  C.  R.  Pit- 
maston Duchess. — /.  C.   Pitmaston  Duchess. — 

E.  Bennett.  1.  Leon  Leclerc  de  Laval  ;  2, 
Josephine  de  Malines  ;  3,  Winter  Codlin. — 
A.  D.  H.  1,  Autumn  Nelis ;  2,  decayed;  3, 
Winter  Orange;  i.  Beurre  Diel  ;  1,  Striped 
Beefing ;  2,   Warner's  King. 

Plants:  A.  B.  Loasa  canannoides. — C.  P.  1, 
Pinus  Jeffreyi ;  2,  Pinus  Laricio  ;  3,  Pseudotsuga 
Douglasii  ;  4,  Berberis  vulgaris  ;  5,  B.  Darwinn  ; 
6,  Phillyrea  oleaefolia ;  7,  Phillyrea  media  ; 
S,  Quercus  Ilex.—/.  D.  S.  Linaria  reticulata 
purpurea. — H.  P.  1,  Adiantum  assimile  ;  2,  Pteris 
hastata  ;  3,  Selaginella  Wildenovii  ;  4,  Selagi- 
nella  Kraussiana;  5,  Pteris  longifolia. —  V '.  O. 
1,  Catlleya  luteola  ;  2,   Cattleya   Loddigesii, — 

F.  F.  Cotoneaster  frigida.— X.  Y.  Z.  Coton- 
easter  Simonsii  (red).  The  other  specimen  is 
insufficient  for  correct  naming. 

Nova  Scotian  Apple  :  //.  G.  K.  The  fruits 
you  have  seen  labelled  "  King's"  are  probably 
of  the  variety  known  as  "  King  of  the 
Pippins."  The  difference  in  climate  renders 
some  of  the  Colonial  fruits  almost  distinct  'in 
appearance  from  our  home-grown  fruits  of 
the  same  variety. 

Shelves  for  Fruit-room  :  T.  T .  T .  The  best 
material  for  forming  the  shelves  is  match- 
boards, and  J  inch  space  should  be  left  be- 
tween each  board. 

Soil  for  a  Lawn  :  Tennis.  The  amount  of  soil 
required  will  be  136  cubic  yards,  or  about  136 
cart-loads. 

Vegetables  for  Exhibition  :  Hampshire.  For 
each  of  the  three  crops  mentioned — Onions, 
Cauliflowers,  and  Celery — farmyard  or  stable 
manure  is  almost  indispensable  if  the  best 
results  are  to  be  obtained.  Therefore,  during 
the  winter  season  apply  about  3  cwt.  of  well- 
matured  dung  to  each  pole  of  ground,  working 
it  well  in  during  the  work  of  trenching  or 
digging.  It  is  unwise  to  attempt  to  grow 
Onions  for  exhibition  purposes  without  dung, 
however  liberal  the  supply  of  artificial  manuie. 
Previous  to  trenching  give  a  top-dressing  of 
8  oz.  superphosphate  and  4  oz.  kainit  mixed 
together  per  square  yard  of  ground  ;  these  will 
thus  become  well  incorporated  with  the  soil 
before  putting  out  the  plants  from  the  boxes 
in  spring.  As  soon  as  the  Onions  are  estab- 
lished give  a  top-dressing  of  4  oz.  per  square 
yard  of  nitrate  of  soda,  or  4  oz.  of  guano  and 
2  oz.  of  soot  mixed  together  and  sown  during 
wet  weather  or  wateied  in.  Celery  likes  a 
loose,  friable,  sandy  soil,  and  is  a  crop  which 
requires  to  be  more  heavily  dunged  than  any 
other  crop  of  the  garden  ;  it  may  be  said  to 
be  grown  rather  in  dung  than  with  dung  ;  6  oz. 
superphosphate,  4  oz.  kainit,  and  4  oz.  nitrate 
of  soda  per  square  yard  may  be  sown  in  the 
trenches,  and  worked  into  the  soil  before  plant- 
ing. For  exhibition  purposes  quality  must  be 
regarded  as  well  as  weight.  Celery  ra'sed 
with  dung  and  fertiliser  mixed  is  always  more 
crisp  and  tender  than  when  grown  with  dung 
alone.  Cauliflowers  like  a  fertile  soil,  but  if 
the  supply  of  dung  runs  short,  then  use  6  oz. 
of  superphosphate  and  4  oz.  of  nitrate  of 
potash  (ordinary  saltpetre)  per  square  yard  of 
soil  before  planting,  and  sow  3  oz.  nitrate  of 
soda  per  square  yard  directly  the  plants  are 
well  established,  giving  a  further  top-dressing 
of  2  oz.  of  nitrate  of  soda  or  guano  a  month 
later. 

Walks  in  Sickness:  G.  K.  The  information 
you  have  supplied  is  too  meagre.  Consult  a 
local  solicitor. 

Communications  Received. — W.  D.  &  S.  (Thanks  for  2s.  6d. 
for  the  R  G.O.F.  box)-W.  G.  S.— W.  P.  B.-A.  II.  H.— 
C.  G.  Girdham— Nat.  Clirys.  Soc— A.  V.  F.-S.  \v.  F. - 
Hampshiie-C.  H.  P.— Journeyman— C.  W.  F.-YV.  H.  C. 
— G.  W.— A.  D.— Carnafion-J.  B.— C.  T.  D.— H.  [.  S.— 
A.  K— W.  K.-J.  D.  G.  -J.  Douglas— Rev.  D.  N.  W  — 
T.  H..  Louth— Birmingham— Dr.  J.  Bedelian— T.  C— W. 
-J.  O'B.— J.  Perrin— J.  M.— S.  McG.-J.  H.  B.-H.  B.— 
F.  D.-J.  H.-C.  B.  G.— Mrs.  M.-E.  A.  D.  VV.-A.  C- 
A.  L.-E.  S.-J.  S. 


November  23,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS      CHRONICLE. 


353 


."HE 


(2 


mrbtnm  Cbflr 

No.  7,091.— SATURDAY,  November  23,  1907. 


CONTENTS. 

Bamboos  in   Leonards- 

Plum    fruits,    a   second 

lee  gardens      

358 

crop  of  

861 

Berberis,  hybrid,  a  na- 

Rose Dorothy  Perkins  .. 

357 

tural       

861 

Rosi     arden,    plan     for 

Books,  notices  of — 

a  small 

368 

Forage  crops  for  Soil- 

Salvias, new  vat  ii  1 

371 

ing,     Silage,     Hay 

Schneider,      Mr.     Geo., 

and  Pasture 

361 

banquet  in   honour  of 

361 

Botanical    lectures     at 

■  :  ies— 

<  be)  sea 

SGI 

Bradford  Chrys. 

365 

Chrysanthemums  sport- 

Colchester Chrys.     ... 

363 

ing         —        

362 

Derby  Chrys 

363 

Cockscombs,the  culture 

Devon  &  Exeter  Hort. 

365 

of 

362 

Dumfries   and   Gallo- 

Couch-grass,     eradicat- 

way Hort 

367 

ing          

367 

French  ]  [ort. 

864 

l  astwell  Park,  Kent    ... 

355 

Horticultural  1  lub  ... 

.,  3 

Florists'  flowers — 

I   i ri tit  an              

.  65 

W  i  ii  t  e  r  -  f  I  o  wering 

Liverpool  Hort. 

866 

Sweet  Peas 

355 

National  Chrys. 

363 

French      gardeners     in 

Newport  (Mon.)  Chrj  s. 

■ 

London,   forthcoming 

Royal  1  tortjc'ultural  .. 

361 

dinner  of          

361 

(Scientific  Committee) 

362 

Gardeners,    foreign,    in 

Reading  Literary  and 

Prance  

361 

Scientific     

.  67 

Larch  canker,  influence 

Scottish  Hort. 

866 

of  Chennes  on 

353 

Wargrave  (  bi  j 

367 

Molasses,  a  new  use  for 

362 

Winchester  (  brj  s 

866 

Kerine  Bowdenii 

362 

\ 'i  w  !■.  *  brys 

866 

Nursery  Notes — 

Trenching  ground 

862 

Lowheld      Nurseries, 

Week's  work,  the — 

Crawley        

S5G 

1  low  ei  garden,  the  .. 

359 

Obituai  j 

Fruits  under  glass    ... 

Phillip,  George 

367 

i  i.D.K  h  in    garden 

859 

Scott,  (  hai  les 

367 

Kitchen  garden,  the 

:  .,- 

Yi  itch,  James  Herbert 

360 

Orchid  lions. 

.  59 

Oxford     Botanic     Gar- 

Parks and  gai 

358 

den          

357 

Plants  undei  | 

359 

ILLUSTR 

ATIONS. 

Aquatic  plants  in  the  Oxf 

ordl 

Sotanic  Garden     

357 

Chrysanthemum  Show  in  Par 

in  the    

364 

Colman,  Sir  Jeremiah,  portrai 

t  of 

863 

Crisp,  sir  Frank,  portrai 

of  . 

362 

Larch  Chermes 

358-35 

Muscat  of  Alexandria  Vines  a 

i   i  :  ■.    'i   Park  <  iardens 

355 

Oxford   Botanic   Garden 

a  \ 

iew    in    (Silppli 

Illustration) 

Rose-garden,  plan  for  a 

- 

368 

Veitch,  I.iiiii  s  Herbert,  the  la 

te                ...       _" 

360 

INFLUENCE    OF   CHERMES    ON 
LARCH    CANKER. 

OF  all  Conifers  grown  in  this  country,  none 
is  of  greater  economic  importance  than 
the  Larch.  The  rapidity  of  its  growth, 
the  strength  and  durability  of  its  timber,  and 
the  certainty  of  finding  a  ready  market,  ren- 
der the  Larch,  when  gro\vn  under  healthy 
conditions,  one  of  the  most  profitable  trees  to 
plant. 

Owing,  however,  to  the  prevalence  of  the 
dreaded  Larch  canker  organism  (Dasyscypha 
calycina,  or  Peziza  Wilkommii  as  it  used  to 
be  tailed)  the  Larch  is  beginning  to  be  re- 
garded with  suspicion,  and  owners  of  planta- 
tions who  have  suffered  loss  in  consequence 
*jf  the  attack  of  the  canker,  hesitate  to  put 
more  land  under  Larch. 

There  is  absolutely  no  cure  for  the  canker 
once  it  has  gained  an  entrance  to  its  host,  but 
the  rejection  of  such  a  profitable  tree  should 
not  be  finally  decided  on  until  every  possible 
means  for  preventing  infection  has  been  at- 
tempted. How  infection  takes  place,  and 
what  are  the  causes  which  lead  to  it,  are 
questions  still  in  dispute,  and  Mr.   Forbes  0> 

(1)  English  Estate  Forestry,  by  A.  C.  Forbes ;  pp.  285-804. 


has  given  an  account  of  the  various  theories 
which  have  been  advanced  to  account  for  the 
disease,  to  which  the  reader  should  refei . 

I  only  propose  to  speak  of  one  of  tl 
theories,  vi/.,  thai  associated  with  the  names 
of  Marti-,  Marshall  Ward,  and  Massee.  Ac- 
cording to  these  eminent  authorities  the 
canker  is  a  wound  parasite,  i.e.,  a  fungus 
u  hose  ]  ores  c  annot  penetrate  the  sound 
bark  bul  can  onlj  enter  a  tree  throuj 
wound.     Numerous   inoculation   experiments 


Fig    L39. — chkrmes  strobilobius  ox  one- 

YIAR    OLD    LARCH    SHOOT    IN    WINTER. 

a llord  very  strong  evidence13'  of  the  truth  of 
this  view,  which  is  now  held  1>\  the  majority 
of  mycologists.  The  statement  by  Mr.  Car- 
i ait  hers1-'  that  the  spores  can  germinate  on 
unwounded  bark  is  not  supported  by  evidence 
of  a  convincing  nature,  nor  is  it  based  on  any 
inoculation  experiments  at  all. 

The  further   opinion    lias    been   expressed, 
that    the   aphis,   Chermes,   is  responsible  for 


Fig.  140. — chermes  strobilobius  in  hiber- 
nating    CONDITION,      SHOWING    PART     OF    THE 
LONG    PROBOSCIS    (GREATLY    MAGN.), 

the  majority  of  the  wounds  through  which 
the  canker  gains  admittance  to  the  tree.  Mr. 
Massee'3'  held  this  view  strongly,  and  the  fact 
that  he  succeeded  in  infecting  trees  by  merely 
placing     spores     below     the     bodies    of     the 

(2)  Journal  of  the  Roval  Agricultural  Society,  3rd  series. 
Vol.  ii.,  pt.  2  ;  No.  6,  1891,  p.  299. 

(3)  Journal  of  the  Board  of  Agriculture,  vol.   ix.,  1902-3, 
p.  176. 


insects  added  much  strength  to  the  argu- 
ment. He  believed  that  the  destruction  of 
Mi:  Chermes  would  eventuallj  lead  to  the 
disappearance  of  the  canker,  and  stated  how 
insects  might  be  destroyed  by  spraying 
the  trees  in  spring. 

My  own  studies,  which  have  been  directed, 
not  to  the  fungus,  but  to  the  insect  and  its 
effei  i  on  Spruce  and  Larch,  led  me  to  ex- 
press a  similar  opinion  in  two  recent 
articles. hi  I  was  quite  unaware  of  Mr. 
Massee's  previous  work  or  of  his  conclusions, 
until  Mr.  Henry  recently  directed  my  atten- 
tion  In  it. 

since,  however,  Massee  confessed  that  he 
could  not  say  whether  the  Chermes  actually 
wounds  the  tree  or  merely  rests  on  the  bark, 
seme  foresters  have  apparently  shelved  his 
sinking  experiments  as  insufficiently  con- 
vincing. At  all  events  Forbes,  when  review- 
ing (he  theory  in  his  book,  stales  that  there 
is  no  direct  evidence  to  prove  any  connection 
between  the  Chennes  and  the  canker,  and  he 
demands  "more  | t  than  that  now  forth- 
coming that  l  lie  spores  enter  only  by  such 
minute  puni  lines,  and  further  proof  as  to  the 
extent  to  which  two  and  three-year-old  bark 
is  punctured  b)  aphides."  He  then  goes  on 
to  say  that  the  insects  "  practically  spend 
their  summer  on  the  needles,  and  those  that 
hibernate  do  so  chiefly  in  the  axils  of  the 
buds,"  by  which  he  appears  to  mean  that  the 
one-year-old  shoots  are  the  only  ones  attai  ki  d 
by  Chermes.  He  continues  :  "  Do  the  fun- 
gus spores  enter  through  these  damaged 
needles?  If  so,  then  stem  blisters  ought  to 
be  most  prevalent  on  two-year-old  shoots, 
whereas  this  is  far  from  being  the  casi  as 
every  practical  forester  knows.  Secondly, 
there  is  no  evidence  that  the  hibernating 
mother  aphis  does  more  than  rest  on  the  bud 
or  bark,  or  that  she  punctures  the  latter  in 
any  way." 

These  remarks  about  Chermes  show  a 
want  of  knowledge  as  to  the  habits  of  the 
insects  which  might  easily  have  been  cor- 
rected by  reference  to  the  extensive  literature 
of  the  subject.  The  author's  omission  to  do 
this  is  the  more  regrettable  since  adverse 
criticism  passed  by  a  forester  of  such  high 
Stan  ling  cannot  fail  to  exercise  a  far-reach- 
in  influence,  and  to  deter  many  from  putting 
the  theory  to  the  practical  test.  The  fact 
that  the  winter-mothers  puncture  the  bark  is 
well  known  to  those  who  have  studied  the 
subject,  but  owing  to  the  sinuous  course 
which  the  wound  takes  through  the  tissues, 
its  minute  size,  and  the  obvious  difficulty  of 
obtaining  such  a  microscopic  preparation,  it 
is  doubtful  whether  the  demand  for  direct  evi- 
dence of  the  still  more  minute  spores  entering 
a  tree  through  a  Chermes  wound  will  ever  be 
satisfied.  We  must  rely  rather  on  the  in- 
direct evidence  afforded  by  a  comparative 
stud)  of  the  habits  of  both  insect  and  fungus. 

1  have  elsewhere'4'  given  a  general  outline 
of  the  complicated  life  history  of  the  genus 
Chermes,  to  which  the  reader  who  wishes  for 
further  information  can  refer.  The  point 
that  I  wish  to  specially  emphasise  here  is 
this  : — Assuming  that  Hartig,  Marshall 
Ward,  and  Massee  are  correct  in  their  asser- 
tion that  the  canker  is  essentially  a  wound- 
fungus,  then  I  maintain  that  the  patches  of 

(4)  Journal  of  Economic  Biology,  1907,  vol.  2,  pt.  1.     See 
also  Proc.  Cambridge  Philosoph.  Soc,  vol.  13,  pi.  1. 


354 


THE     GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


[November  23,  1907. 


"  wool  "-covered  Chermes,  often  sticky  with 
drops  of  honeydew  excreted  by  the  insect, 
form  an  ideal  nursery  in  which  the  fungus 
spores  may  first  be  caught  and  subsequently 
germinate,  and  that  the  minute  hole  where 
the  proboscis  lies  forms  a  natural  door-way 
for  the  hypha,  leading  as  it  does  directly  to 
the  inner  cortex. 

The  history  of  the  hibernating  generation 
is  briefly  as  follows  : — As  the  autumn  ap- 
proaches, certain  Chermes  iarvas  withdraw 
from  the  needles  to  the  stem,  and  anchor 
themselves  by  driving  their  long  proboscides 
into  the  bark.  Such  hibernating  larvae  arc 
to  be  found  on  both  Spruce  and  Larch  (figs. 
139  and  143)  and  their  habits  are  practi- 
cally the  same  in  both  cases.  The  only  differ- 
ence is  that, whereas  the  Spruce  insect  anchors 
itself  on  or  near  a  bud,  and  causes  that  bud 
to  grow  into  a  Pineapple-shaped  gall  in  the 
following  spring,  the  Larch  insect  does  not 
exhibit  the  same  preference  for  buds,  but  sits 
anywhere  on  the  stem  and  does  not  cause 
the  development  of  a  gall  in  spring.  But  for 
all  practical  purposes  the  structure  and  habits 
of  both  inseets  are  identical.     The  proboscis, 


^.CHron  . 


FlG.     141. — THREE-YEAR    OLD    LARCH     SHOOT     WITH 

CHERMES     STROBILOBIUS     AT     THE     BEGINNING     OF 

AI'KIL.     THE  INSECTS  HAVE  BEGUN  TO  SUCK  AND  LAY 

EGGS. 

which  is  nearly  three  times  the  length  of  the 
body  (fig.  140)  is  driven  deep  into  the  tissues 
of  the  stem,  and  I  have  repeatedly  traced  its 
course  in  both  trees  through  the  bark  into 
the  cortex,  and  found  the  apex  lying  either  in 
or  quite  near  the  cambium.  I  have  no  draw- 
in-  of  this  stage  for  the  Larch,  but  fig.  144 
illustrates  the  condition  for  the  Spruce.  As 
soon  as  the  insects  are  firmly  attached  they 
pass  into  a  dormant  condition.  In  spring  the 
upward  flow  of  sap  appears  lo  telegraph  a 
signal  along  the  proboscis,  telling  the  insect 
to  awake.  She  at  once  responds  and,  with- 
out moving  from  .her  position,  begins  to  suck. 
She  rapidly  increases  in  si/e,  undergoes  three 
moults,  covers  herself  with  the  well-known 
"  wool,"  excretes  a  goad  deal  of  honeydew, 
lays  some  hundreds  of  eggs,  and  then  dies. 
The  proboscis,  be  it  remembered,  is  still  em- 
bedded in  the  stun,  and  the  shfivelled'remains 
of  the  mother  are  always  to  be  found  in  the 
sticks'  little  heap  of  empty  egg  cases,  honey- 
dew and  mealy  secretion,  which  marks  the 
1     nli  of  a  Chermes.     I   should   remark   that 


the  commonest  species  on  the  Larch,  shown 
in  the  accompanying  figures,  only  secretes  a 
little  flocculent  mealy  matter  in  this  genera- 
tion,   though  other  generations  in  the  cycle 


a. 


FlG.  142- — LAUCH  SHOOT  IN  MAY,  WITH  OFF- 
SPRING  OF   WINTER   MOTHERS.   (fl)   WINTER 
MOTHERS  AND  EGGS. 

of  the  same  insect  have  the  usual  "  woolly  " 
covering. 

The  insect  is  by  no  means  always  confined 
to  the  one-year-old  shoots  as  Forbest  sup- 
poses, but,  as  fig.  141  shows,  itoccurson  older 
stems,  and  often  in  considerable  numbers. 
One.species  which  is  easily  distinguished  from 
the  common  Ch.  strobilobius  by  its  bright 
green  eggs  and  thick  secretion  of  "  wool  " 
is  almost  always  found  in  crevices  of  the 
bark  on  branches  which  are  several  years 
old,  or  even  on  the  main  trunk  of  the  tree. 

Having  now,  as  I  think,  stated  sufficient 
evidence  from  the  habits  of  the  hibernating 
generations  alone  (without  talcing  any 
account  of  their  enormous  progeny  which  I 
believe  are  at  least  equally  injurious)  to  satisfy 
Foresters  that  the  insects  are  found  on  wood 
of  all  ages,  and  that  they  do  actually  puncture 
the  bark,  I  ask,  what  better  environment 
could  a  wound-fungus  desire?  A  patch  of 
"  wool  "  to  catch  the  spores,  a  little  heap 
of     decaying     matter     sweetened     with     the 


<■— . 


Fig.  143 — sriiUCE  buds  IN  winter  with  (<ij 

CHERMES    STROBILOBIUS,    (b)  CHERMES    ABIETIS. 

sugary  excretions  of  the  insect  in  which 
to  germinate  and  a  tunnel  all  ready 
made  leading'  to  its  future  home  in  the  cor- 
tex !  But  when,  in  addition  to  this,  there  is 
the  convincing  testimony  of  Massee'S  experi- 


ments, proving  that  the  spores  float  about 
in  the  air  and  can  be  caught  by  suspending 
cover  slips  smeared  with  glycerine  near  can- 
kered trees,  and,  further,  that  if  the  spores 
are  placed  below  the  insects,  cankers  subse- 
quently arise  at  those  spots,  the  chain  of  evi- 
dence against  Chermes  is  almost  as  com- 
plete as  it  well  can  be.  It  shows,  with  a 
probability  amounting  almost  to  certainty, 
that  Chermes  is  chiefly  responsible  for  the 
most  costly  and  destructive  disease  of  our 
woodlands. 

I  therefore  earnestly  hope  that  forest,  rs 
will  not  contemplate  the  attacks  of  the 
Chermes  in  that  spirit  of  calm,  philosophic 
resignation  which  Forbes  recommends,  but 
w  ill  take  energetic  steps  to  rid  the  country 
of  these  pests. 

In  the  hope  of  finding  some  satisfactory 
method  of  destroying  the  insects  without 
injuring-  the  trees,  I  tried  the  experiment  of 
spraying  infected  Spruce  Firs  during  the 
winter  or  in  early  spring,  before  the  buds 
began  to  open,  with  a  few  different  washes, 
the  details  of  which  experiments  have  been 
described  elsewhere. I5)  The  following  wash 
gave  most  successful  results  : — Dissolve  3  lb. 


bud  scales 


'1    --lateral  bud 
•earliest  stage  of  gall 


'proboscis 


main  stem 


Fig.  141  —section  through  a  spruce  bud  about 

the  middle  of  april.  showing  chermes  abietis 

with    its    proboscis     passing    into    the      ii  d 

gall-formation  has  just  commenced. 

of  soft  soap  in  2  quarts  of  boiling  water,  add 
1  pint  of  paraffin  to  it  while  still  boiling,  and 
churn  the  mixture  till  it  forms  a  buttery  mass, 
The  slock  is  then  diluted  with  5  gallons  of 
soft  water.  I  found  that  the  trees  suffered 
no  damage  whatever  when  sprayed  at  this 
time  of  year,  as  the  needles  are  sufficiently 
hardened  to  stand  the  wash,  and  the  buds 
are  protected  by  the  thick  layer  of  resinous 
bud-scales.  The  effect  on  the  hibernating 
Chermes  was  deadly,  and  the  diminution  in 
the  number  of  galls  this  year  most  marked, 
some  trees  hitherto  always  badly  galled  l><  ing 
now  absolutely  clean.  The  method  was  alsa 
tried  at  the  Kew  and  Cambridge  Botanic 
Gardens  with   marked   results. 

Pressure  of  time  unfortunately  prevented 
me  from  applying  the  method  to  the  Larch, 
but  as  the  Larch  insect  is  only  a  later  gem  ra- 
tion of  the  Spruce-gall  insect,  there  is  no 
reason  to  doubl  that  the  wash  would  bd 
equally  effective,  but  the  operation  must  be 
done   before  the  buds   begin   to  open,   as  the 

(6)  Journal  of  E commit  Biology,  1907,  v<!   ii.,  pt  8. 


November  23,  1£07.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


000 


tender  young  foliage  would  infallibly  be 
scorched  if  it  were  delayed  till  the  buds  had 
burst.  In  the  leafless  winter  condition  not 
only  will  there  be  less  difficulty  in  applying 
the  treatment,  but  the  insects  are  more  ex- 
posed to  the  action  of  the  spray.  It  is  per- 
haps superfluous  to  add  that  young  planta- 
tions which  have  not  yet  become  infected 
with  the  canker  are  the  important  ones  on 
which  the  correclness  or  otherwise  of  the 
Hieory  should  be  tested,  and  with  these  there 
is  not  the  same  difficulty  in  applying  the 
treatment  as  in  older  densely  crowded  planta- 
tions.    E.   R.   Burdon,   M.A.,  F.L.S. 


EASTWELL    PARK. 

(Concluded  from  page  330.) 
There  are  seven  vineries  at  Eastwell,  and 
all  of  them  have  hip-shaped  or  |-span  roofs. 
Four  of  these  vineries  represent  a  length 
equal  to  130  feet.  They  are  built  of  teak 
wood,  the  same  kind  of  wood  having  also 
been  used  in  building  four  Peach  and  Nec- 
tarine houses,  which  likewise  extend  130 
feet  long.  The  vines  are,  in  nearly  all  cases, 
young  plants,  and  they  bore  excellent  crops, 
Grapes  from  them  having  obtained  first 
prizes  at  Richmond  in  June  (less  than  iS 
months  from  starting  the  "eye"),  Wolver- 
hampton in  July,  and  the  second  prize  in  the 
largest  class  at  the  R.H.S.  show  held  a  few 
weeks  ago,  &c.  The  photograph  reproduced 
at  fig.  145  represents  Muscat  of  Alexandria 
vines  as  they  appeared  when  they  had  In  en 
planted   15  months. 

Carnations  are  given  excellent  cultute  in 
these  gardens.  We  were  much  impressed 
with  the  satisfactory  appearance  of  the 
numerous  plants  in  July.  Three  large  span- 
roofed  houses,  one  containing  winter-flower- 
ing or  "  tree  "  varieties,  another  border  Car- 
nations, and  the  third  house  varieties  of 
the  Souvenir  de  la  Malmaison  section, 
were  exceedingly  interesting.  We  noted 
a  few  of  the  more  prominent  varieties  of 
the  winter-flowering  strain.  Lady  Bounti- 
ful, white  with  occasional  signs  of  pink, 
measured  as  much  as  5A  inches  in  dia- 
meter. Some  of  the  flowers  were  pure  white, 
the  calyx  seldom,  or  never,  splits,  and  the 
petals  are  very  wide  and  fringed.  Mr.  Wes- 
ton was  loud  in  his  praises  of  this  variety. 
Winter  Perfection  has  large  flowers,  but  they 
burst  the  calyces,  and  White  Lawson  is  not 
so  satisfactory.  Leander,  of  rose-pink 
colour,  had  stiff,  wiry  stems  3!  feet  long. 
Harlowarden,  a  fringed  flower  of  deep  crim- 
son, was  described  as  an  unusually  good- 
tempered  plant,  growing  and  flowering  with 
the  utmost  freedom.  Hannah  Hobart  is  of 
bright  rose  colour,  the  shade  that  is  so  liable 
to  "  fly  "  if  exposed  to  bright  sunshine,  but 
shade  is  necessary  for  all  these  plants.  The 
flowers  are  very  large,  and  the  calyces  remain 
intact.  Flamingo  is  a  first-rate  scarlet 
variety,  although  the  blooms  are  less  in  size1 
than  some  others.  Of  pink  varieties,  Fair 
Maid  was  making  a  good  display,  but  Mrs. 
H.  Burnett  and  Britannia,  though  present  in 
the  stock,  were  not  in  flower. 

In  the  house  containing  Souvenir  de  la 
Malmaison  the  variety  Lady  Grimston  bore 
nine  open  blooms  whilst  growing  in  pots  only 
7  inches  in  diameter.  Trumpeter,  of  which 
there  were  50  plants  in  pots  of  a  similar 
size,   had    in     some    cases    10   flowers    each, 


the  plants  being  only  nine  months  old 
from  the  layers.  This  effect  was  obtained 
by  layering  growths  with  bunches  of  shoots 
at  the  top  instead  of  a  single  gr  >\\  th.  We 
cannot  refer  in  detail  to  the  remaining  plant 
houses,  including  a  Rose  house,  and  others 
containing  Eucharis,  Calanthes,  Poinsettias, 
Palms,  Codiaeums,  Caladiums,  Cordyhnes, 
and  the  numerous  species  requiring  indoor 
culture,  nor  need  much  be  written  in  respect 
to  the  pits  and  span-roofed  houses  in  which 
Melons,  Cucumbers,  and  Tomatos  are  culti- 
vated. Sufficient  has  been  said  to  show  what 
an  extensive  and  well-equipped  garden  East- 
well  possesses.  It  may,  however,  be  added 
that  our  visit  having  been  made  at  the  time 
Strawberries  were  ripe,  we  ascertained  that 
the  varieties  chosen  for  cultivation  include 
The  Laxton,  Laxton's  Seedling,  Royal 
Sovereign,  Prince  of  Wales,  Bedford  Cham- 
pion, Laxton's  Latest,  Latest  of  All,  and 
Givon's  Late  Prolific. 


European  Vetch,  largely  grown  by  farmers  in 
Central  Europe  as  green  fodder.  In  October, 
1891,  I  sowed  some  of  this  seed  gathered  from 
plants  crossed  with  the  Vetch,  and  on  the  fol- 
ig  January  1,  1892,  I  was  surprised  to  find 
two  little  plants,  each  with  one  open  flower  and 
several  buds.  The  flowers  were  very  small, 
colour  reddish-pink,  and  not  of  much  value,  the 
plants  growing  only  to  a  height  of  24  1: 
under  glass.  But  I  was  satisfied  with  this  for  a 
start,  and  increased  the  stock  of  seed  all  that  I 
possibly  could.  I  crossed  and  re-crossed  each 
year,  and  each  new  cross  showed  improvement 
over  the  previous  one  in  size  of  flower,  colour, 
length  of  stem,  and  in  the  plant  itself.  The  first 
seedling  of  value  which  appeared  was  obtained 
from  Blanche  Ferry  :  it  came  of  the  same  colour, 
but  the  plant  was  only  20  inches  high,  under 
glass,  and  bore  only  ten  single  flowers.  But 
after  much  crossing  and  re-crossing  with  the 
parent  variety,  I  secured  fine,  long-stemmed, 
large  flowers,  plants  over  6  feet  high,  which 
were  covered  with  masses  of  bloom  all  winter. 
The  first  variety  was  named  Christmas  Pink.    I 


[Photograph  by  D'Ath. 

Fig.  145.— eastwell  park,     muscat  of  Alexandria  vines  fruiting  at  15  months  old. 


FLORISTS'    FLOWERS. 


WINTER-FLOWERING  SWEET  PEAS. 
"About  2.">  years  ago,"  writes  Mr.  Anton  C. 
Svolanek  in  the  Weekly  Florists''  Review 
(America),  "  I  made  my  first  experiments  in  rais- 
ing Sweet  Peas  in  winter  under  glass.  I  tried 
all  varieties  which  were  at  that  time  obtainable, 
but  could  never  raise  a  plant  which  would  give 
flowers  before  the  latter  part  of  the  month  of 
April.  After  several  years  of  such  experiments, 
I  came  to  the  conclusion  that  it  was  impossible 
to  get  Sweet  Peas  earlier  than  the  time  men- 
tioned from  the  present  existing  varieties,  so  I 
started  cross-fertilisation  with  other  species  of 
Lathyrus,  but,  for  the  first  few  years,  without 
success.  I  obtained  several  new  varieties,  a  few 
of  which  were  double-flowered,  but  not  one  that 
was  free-flowering,  until  I  made  a  cross  with  the 


now  have  a  large  number  of  varieties  in  all  exist- 
ing colours.  All  these  varieties,  when  grown 
under  glass,  begin  to  bloom  when  3  to  4  feet 
high,  and  continue  flowering  all  winter,  some- 
times until  June." 

Mr.  Svolanek  states  that  he  finds  it  necessary 
each  year  to  grow  his  stock  seed  under  glass,  as 
in  the  beginning,  because  the  varieties  quickly 
revert  to  the  ordinary  type  of  spring-flowering 
Peas  if  not  so  handled.  Last  year  he  secured  40 
pounds  of  stock  seed  in  his  greenhouses.  This 
seed  was  sown  in  the  Santa  Clara  Valley,  Cali- 
fornia, and  in  a  little  valley  in  Austria,  about 
ten  miles  distant  from  Trieste,  where,  for  an  area 
of  about  two  miles  in  width  and  ten  miles  long, 
the  climate  resembles  that  of  Santa  Clare,  but  is 
rather  more  favourable  for  the  Sweet  Pea,  owing 
to  there  being  scarcely  any  rain  during  the 
flowering  season. 


55  0 


THE     GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


[November  23,  1907 


NURSERY     NOTES. 


LOWFIELD  NURSERIES,  CRAWLEY. 
The  village  of  Crawley,  in  Sussex,  was  in 
[i  rmer  days  a  post  town  ol  some  importance  for 
the  Brighton  coaches,  it  being  situated  from  this 
seaside  resort  a  distance  of  21  miles,  and  from 
London  30  miles.  At  the  present  day  it  is 
reached  in  a  little  more  than  one  hour  from 
town  by  the  London  and  Brighton  Railway.  A 
short  distance  outside  the  town  is  situated  the 
nursery  of  Messrs.  Joseph  Cheal  &  Sons,  which 
comprises  about  110  acres  devoted  to  most  sorts 
of  nursery  stock.  The  specialities  of  the  firm 
are  fruit  trees,  Dahlias,  ornamental  trees  and 
shrubs,  and  general  landscape  gardening,  which 
latter  branch  has  of  late  years  necessitated  the 
establishment  of  a  London  office.  At  the  time 
of  our  visit,  at  the  end  of  September,  the 
Dahlias  were  still  in  their  full  beauty,  and  the 
many  acres  of  these  autumn  flowers  presented  a 
glorious  sight,  notwithstanding  the  injurious 
effects  of  a  frost  the  preceding  night.  The  stock 
of  single  Dahlias  in  these  nurseries  is  very  repre- 
sentative, and  Messrs.  Cheal  have  either  raised 
or  introduced  to  commerce  many  of  the  best 
varieties  of  recent  years.  The  best  new  "  single  " 
of  this  season  is  the  variety  Feggy,  and  this  was 
se  ii  among  the  extensive  collection  in  company 
with  Sunrise,  Fugi  San,  Kitty,  Mrs.  T.  W.  Bates, 
Strornboli,  and  other  new  varieties  of  merit  of 
this  firm's  raising.  We  have  no  space  to 
enumerate  the  many  other  beautiful  single, 
Cactus,  show,  and  other  varieties.  Near 
the  Dahlias  was  noticed  a  very  large  planting  of 
Kniphofia  uvaria,  of  which  the  firm  possess  a 
special  strain.  The  plants  had  big  spikes  of 
finely  coloured  flowers,  among  which  the  bees 
and  other  insects  were  busy,  and  ov.r  attention 
was  drawn  to  the  fact  that  the  tubes  of  the 
flowers  were  in  hundreds  of  cases  filled  with  the 
dead  bodies  of  these  insects.  Whether  the 
nectar  had  poisoned  the  creatures  or  if  they  had 
been  suffocated  when  tightly  squeezed  in  the 
Power  we  are  unable  to  say,  but  we  counted  no 
fewer  than  19  dead  bees  and  wasps  in  a  single 
flower-head. 

The  stock  of  fruit  trees  in  these  nurseries  is 
extensive,  and  the  soil  is  especially  suitable  for 
producing  strong,  clean  growths.  The  stocks 
for  the  grafting  of  Apples  are  largelv  raised  from 
cuttings  inserted  at  the  beginning  of  November, 
and  each  year  more  than  20,000  are  raised  in  tins 
manner.  Of  course  this  does  not  include  the 
number  of  the  Crab,  or  free  stock,  as  it  is  known 
in  nurseries,  raised  from  seeds.  In  addition  to 
the  ordinary  Paradise,  the  Doucin  stock  is  used 
for  many  varieties  of  Apples,  as  the  growth  from 
this  stock  is  very  free,  and  the  fruits  finer  than 
on  many  of  the  other  kinds.  The  strongest  of 
all  the  dwarfing  stocks,  however,  is  Rivers' 
Nonsuch,  and  on  this  are  worked  varieties  that 
fruit  heavily  when  in  a  young  state.  A  breadth 
of  8,000  young  Apple  trees  were  all  grafted  on 
the  free  stock,  as  this  must  be  used  in  the  case 
of  standard  and  half-standard  trees  that  require 
a  deep  root-system  to  enable  them  to  provide  for 
increased  transpiration,  owing  to  the  larger  leaf 
area  than  the  trained  trees,  and  to  act  as  an 
anchor  to  withstand  rough  winds.  These  young 
trees  on  the  free  stock  were  remarkably  clean 
in  bark,  and  showed  that  robust  growth  asso- 
ciated with  trees  of  vigorous  root-growth.  A 
very  large  number  of  Apple  trees  were  trained 
as  cordon  standards,  the  stem  being  "  feathered  " 
instead  of  clear  of  shoots,  as  in  the  usual  tvpe. 
These  are  in  demand  for  suburban  planting, 
where  economy  of  space  is  a  great  considera- 
tion. The  stock  of  Apple  trees  embraced  trees 
of  all  types — bushes,  cordons,  pyramids,  stand- 
ards,   &c. 

The  Pears  represented  a  stock  of  many  thou- 
sands, some  on  the  Pear — which  corresponds  to 
the  free  stock  of  the  Apple — and  others  on  the 
Quince.  This  latter,  being  a  dwarfing  stock,  is 
used   for   the  smaller   trained   trees;    the  former 


stock  is  suitable  for  the  taller  standard  and  half- 
standard  trees.  One  breadth  of  the  ntir  ery, 
planted  with  maiden  Pears,  all  on  the  Quince 
stock,  contained  10,000  trees.  Plums  are  also 
seen  in  these  nurseries  in  quantity,  and  Peaches, 
Nectarines,  Cherries,  and  other  hardy  fruits. 

We  were  also  shown  many  acres  planted  with 
small  fruits,  including  30,000  two-year-old  trans- 
planted Gooseberry  and  Currant  bushes ;  the 
stock  of  these  plants  collectively  is  about  100,000. 
The  training  of  espalier  and  other  wall  trees  is 
done  in  the  open  ground,  where  the  trees  are 
grafted.  The  suitable  shoots  are  tied  to  Bamboo 
canes,  useless  ones  being  entirelv  removed. 

The  stock  of  forest  trees  is  accommodated  in  a 
separate  nursery  some  distance  from   Lowfield  ; 
but   in   the  home  nursery  ornamental  trees  and 
shrubs  are  everywhere  met  with.     At  the  time  of 
our  visit   many  of  them  were  in  their  autumnal 
colouring,    and    others   in    fruit.      A    very   large 
number  of  the  commoner  kinds  are  propagated, 
as  these  are  always  in  demand.     Almonds  and 
ornamental  Peaches  are  worked  on  the  common 
Mussel   Plum,    and   this   stock   is   also   used   for 
nther    ornamental    species    of    Prunus.       Many 
thousands    of    these    were    noticed,    suitable   for 
planting  in  their  permanent  quarters.     Near  by 
was  seen   a  batch   of  15,000  oval-leaved   Privet, 
planted   at   1    foot   distance   apart   in   the   rows. 
The  Bladder  Senna,  Colutea,  makes  a  useful  town 
tree,  and  it  is  a  curious  fact  that  seedlings  raised 
from  the  red-flowered  C.  cruenta  (syn.  purpurea) 
have  either   yellow   or   reddish-brown    flowers  ; 
but    the   yellow-flow'ered    species    produce    in  me 
but   yellow-flowered    progeny.      A    verv   graceful 
plant   is   the   Tamarix,    and   the '  variety    of    T. 
japonica  known  as  plumosa  is  exceedingly  hand- 
some  in  its  feathery  growths,   which   are   much 
thicker  than  in  the  type.     The  best  for  flon    d  ig 
is  T.  hispida  aestivalis,  of  which  some  improved 
forms  are  grown  at  Lowfield.     Another  pleasing 
shrub  seen  was  Potentilla  fruticosa.     There  was 
a  large   stock   of   Lilacs  of   numerous  varieties, 
worked  on   the  common  Privet.     On  this  stock 
the  Lilac   flowers  when  very  young,   and  is  the 
best  method  of  propagating  this  shrub  for  forc- 
ing purposes.     It  has  the  disadvantage,  however, 
in   throwing    numerous    suckers,    besides    which 
the  plants  are  short-lived.     Leycesteria  formosa, 
Lonicera  involucrata,   Lycium   sinense,  shrubby 
Hypericums,  Philadelphus,  Indigofera  Dosua  (a 
form  of  I.   Herardiana),   Pittosporums,  Nandina 
domestica,  Xanthoceras  sorbifolia,  Polygonums, 
including   P.   baldschuanicum   (propagated  from 
cuttings  inserted  in  the  open),  Hedysarum  multi- 
jugum,  and  a  host  of  other  shrubs  were  notn  ed, 
all   in  the  best  of  health.      Of  the   Hypericums 
the  best  for  floral  effect  is  H.   densiflorum  ;   the 
fruiting  sprays  of  H.  Androsaemum  are  extremely 
effective  in   the   autumn.      These   two,   with    II. 
uralum   and   H.   galioides  (a  form  of  H.   densi- 
florum),    constitute    four    excellent     plants    for 
general  garden  purposes.    The  Acers  at  the  time 
of  our  visit   were  very  beautiful.     The  nursery 
is    especially    rich    in    these    trees,    which    are 
amongst  the  hardiest  and  best  for  autumn  effects. 
The  handsome  Sugar  Maple — A.   saccharinum — 
had  put  on  its  beautiful  tint  of  red,  and  we  saw 
it  in  its  full  splendour.     The  Golden  Sycamore — 
A.  lutescens  (a  form  of  A.   Pseudo-platanus) — 
was  very  noticeable,  but  it  is  in  the  springtime, 
when  the  leaves  are  young,  that  its  full  beauty 
is  apparent.     A.  Lobellii  has  pale,  smooth,  green 
bark,  and  red  petioles  to  the  leaves.    The  best  of 
the  variegated  forms  of  A.   P. -p.  is  nana  varie- 
gata.      A.    virginianum    aurea    variegatura    has 
beautiful    cut    foliage    of    a    gold    colour.      A. 
Volxemii   has   strong  growths   and   large  leaves. 
A.   Heldreichii  has   almost. palmate  leaves,   like 
those  of   a  vine.      It   makes   a  fine   forest   tree. 
Then  the  species  of  Cornus  demanded  our  atten- 
tion, for  these  in  their  leaf  tints  rivalled,  and, 
perhaps,  excelled,  the  Acers.     All  the  form     .if 
Cornus  alba  are  most  beautiful,  including  I   .a. 
sibirica,  C.  a.  s.  variegata,  C.  a.  Spathii,  and  C. 
a.  tartarica.   The  golden  form  of  C.  macrophvlla 
(brachypoda)   is   also   a  handsome   shrub.      The 


collection  of  trees  also  included  Limes,  I 
Catalpas,  Willows,  Acacias,  Prunus  specie-.  Al- 
monds, Conifers,  &c.  Examples  of  topiary  work 
embraced  more  than  500  figures  of  animals  and 
objects.  One  of  the  most  remarkable  examples  is 
a  set  of  chessmen  worked  in  the  Golden  \ 
the  tree  representing  the  King  being  10  feet  in 
height.  " 

BAMBOOS    IN    LEONARDSLEE 

GARDENS. 
Bamboos  appear  to  be  equally  well  at  home 
either  in  high  or  low  situations,  in  dry  or  moi  i. 
positions,  on  an  island  or  by  the  sides  ol  a 
lake,  upon  a  bank  or  in  the  middle  of  rocks. 
In  each  of  these  different  spots,  however,  they 
will  probably  require  especial  attention  in  the 
matter  of  watering,  for  if  the  soil  about  their 
roots  becomes  very  dry,  more  than  ordinarv 
care  is  required  to  get  the  ball  of  earth  tho- 
roughly moistened  again.  There  are  no  plants 
more  ornamental  in  the  dull  months  of  the 
than  the  Bamboos,  and  they  create  quite  an 
Oriental  effect  in  the  garden.  The  plants  may 
be  moved  at  almost  all  seasons,  but  the 
should  not  be  out  of  the  soil  longer  than  is 
absolutely  necessary;  indeed,  special  prepara- 
tion should  be  made  for  the  shifting.  The  hole 
should  be  prepared  in  readiness,  and  the  plant's 
roots  be  thoroughly  moistened.  Mats  should  be 
in  readiness  to  place  over  the  roots  dire,  tly 
they  are  exposed.  A  damp  or  wet  day  should 
be  selected  for  the  planting,  and,  should  dry 
weather  set  in  after  planting,  spray  the  fol 
several  times  daily  with  the  hose  or  svi 
The  best  season  to  select  for  planting,  if  many 
plants  are  to  be  moved,  is  the  iate  spring,  but 
in  all  cases  the  same  preparation  as  advised 
should  be  made.  A  dull,  drizzling  day  provides 
a  favourable  opportunity  for  the  work. 

In  shifting  large  plants,  a  big  trench  should 
be  excavated,  in  order  that  the  roots  or  rhizomes 
be  little  interfered  with,  and,  after  planting,  a 
few  mats  or  a  tarpaulin  should  be  spread  in 
front  of  the  plant  to  protect  it  from  the  sun's 
rays  for  a  few  days. 

Bamboos  in  large  banks  or  clumps  of  several 
varieties  are  very  effective  features  on  larga 
lawns  or  pleasure  grounds,  as  are  also  a  few 
plants  interspersed  amongst  the  ordinary  sub- 
jects of  a  shrubbery.  They  afford  relief  and 
give  a  more  picturesque  effect.  These  plants 
have  few  insect  or  fungoid  enemies,  but  rats  are 
sometimes  troublesome  by  burrowing  under  the 
roots.  About  30  varieties  of  Bamboos  are 
planted  in  these  gardens.  One  plant  of  Phyllo- 
stachys  nigra  has  flowered  this  season,  but  it 
is  hoped  no  more  will  do  so,  as  flowering  is 
the  precursor  of  their  death. 

All  the  plants  have  grown  very  freely  this 
year,  and  the  past  summer  seems  to  have 
suited  them. 

The  following  varieties  have  made  exceedingly 
fine  growths: — Arundinaria  falcata  has  de- 
veloped canes  3  feet  higher  than  in  any  previous 
year.  Many  of  the  clumps  have  a  spread  of 
15  feet,  and  the  canes  are  15  feet  in  height. 
This  species  is  one  of  the  most  graceful  and 
ornamental  of  all  the  Bamboos.  The  roots 
require  some  slight,  protection  during  severe 
weather. 

A.  nitida  is  one  of  the  hardiest  and  best  of  the 
genus,  and  it  is  especially  valuable  for  planting 
singly,  as  a  specimen  plant.  It  is  often  -aid  Unit 
this  plant  prefers  a  shaded  situation,  but  the 
several  good  specimens  in  these  garden- 
fully  exposed  to  the  sunshine.  A.  nitida 
grown   most  freely  this   season. 

Arundinaria  anceps  succeeds  exceedingly  > 
and   is   perhaps  one  of  the  best.     It    has    tall, 
dark,     graceful     canes,     wdiich     resemble    hi 
plumes.     This  variety,   when   growing  well,   ex- 
tends   over   the   ground    surprisingly   quick,    its 
rhizomes     appearing     here,    there,    and     every- 
where. 
,     Bambusa     fastuosa     is    a    Bamboo    of     noble 


November  23,  1S07.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


357 


appearance,  and  is  very  hardy.  The  plant  is  a 
quick  grower,  the  shoots  reaching  to  a  height 
of  -3  feet.  The  canes  are  of  a  rich  olive  green 
colour,  changing  a  light  brown,  and  bear  dark 
green  foliage.  The  whole  shoot  forms  a  plume- 
like  growth,  and  is  unrivalled  for  beauty.  In 
these  gardens  young  canes  have  this  year 
grown  to  a  length  of  23  feet.  When  planted 
near  to  the  roots  of  large  trees,  B.  fastuosa 
should  be  given  frequent  and  copious  supplies 
of  water.  B.  palmata  has  also  made  rampant 
growth,  the  canes  attaining  to  a  height  of 
10   feet. 

Phyllostachys  aurea  is  a  strong-growing  plant. 
It  has  developed  canes  14  feet  in  height  during 
the  past  year.  The  species  is  very  distinct,  is 
hardy,  and  one  of  the  best  for  planting.  P.  nigra 
is  a  species  readily  distinguishable  by  its  black 
canes.     This  plant  is  also  very  hardy.     Several 


with  gold  and  glaucous  beneath.  This  species 
needs  careful  lifting  and  replanting,  or  it  soon 
becomes   unsightly. 

P.  mitis  forms  a  very  large  plant  that  grows 
very  fast  when  thoroughly  established,  but  it 
requires  a  warm  and  sheltered  position.  It  suc- 
ceeds best  when  planted  on  a  slope  that  is 
screened  with  tree-,  or  tall  Rhododendrons.  W, 
A.  Cook,  Leonardslee  Gardens,  Horsham. 


THE    ROSARY. 


ROSE  DOROTHY  PERKINS. 
While  training  the  Roses  on  a  Rose  arch  here 
recently  I  was  surprised  to  notice  what  very 
strong  growths  the  variety  Dorothy  Perkins  had 
made  in  1906.  The  Rose  arch  is  9  feet  high 
and  7  feet  wide,   and  one  of  thi  growths  had 


OXFORD. 

(See  figure  14G,  also  Supplementary  Illustration.) 
The  Botanic  Garden  at  Oxford  is  one  of  the 
eldest  institutions  of  the  kind  in  Europe,  hav- 
ing been  founded  by  the  Earl  of  Danb) 
in  1632.  The  ground  belongs  almost  en- 
tirely to  Magdalen  College,  and  the  chemi- 
cal and  physical  laboratories  maim 
by  that  Society  are  only  separated  bj  a 
wall  from  the  botanical  laboratory  and  lecture 
rooms  which  front  into  the  garden,  and  are 
shown  in  our  supplementary  illustration  These 
buildings  used  to  form  part  of  the  plant  houses, 
the  lecture  room  itself  being  the  Old  Orangery, 
but  the  general  accommodation  for  teaching  is 
in  no  way  worthy  of  even  a  second-rate  univer- 
sity. 

The  gardens  have  an  old-time  appearance,   in 


Fig.   146. — a  scene   in  the  botanic  gardens,  OXFORD. 


plants  here  have  reached  a  height  of  22  feet. 
When  planted  in  a  suitable  position,  few  plants 
are  more  handsome  or  decorative  than  is  this 
Bamboo. 

P.  Quilioi  has  grown  very  freely  during  the 
past  summer.  The  polished  canes  are  of  a 
dark  green  colour :  the  leaves  are  also  a  deep 
green,  and  slightly  larger  than  any  of  the  other 
Bamboos.  A  well-grown  plant  forms  an  ideal 
specimen. 

P.  viridi-glaucesens  is  represented  by  a 
clump  80  feet  in  circumference,  and  is  an 
object  of  great  beauty,  especially  when  the 
long  shoots  are  swayed  by  the  wind.  The  plant 
is  perfectly  hardy,  and  our  specimen  has  up  to 
the  present  time  made  no  attempt  to  flower. 

P.  Castillonis  has  tall,  golden-coloured  canes. 
The   long    leaves   are   variegated,   being   striped 


passed  over  the  top  and  dropped  to  within  2  feet 
of  the  ground  on  the  other  side.  I  measured  this 
growth  and  found  it  was  18  feet  6  inches  in 
length.  It  was  flowering  on  a  length  of  16  feet 
out  of  the  18  feet  6  inches.  I  thought  it  was  a 
very  good  growth  for  one  year,  considering 
there  were  16  growths  from  the  same  root-stock, 
and  these  varied  in  length  from  12  to  18  feet, 
covering  a  space  8  feet  wide  on  the  arch.  The 
Rose  had  been  planted  three  years.  The  old 
growths  that  have  flowered  are  usually  cut  hard 
back  to  the  base  each  year.  No  other  variety 
of  Rose  on  this  arch  had  made  such  long 
growths,  although  many  had  shoots  15  to  16  feet 
long.  This  year,  however,  Paul's  Carmine 
Pillar  has  made  quite  18  feet  of  growth.  Geo. 
Grimmer,  Norton  Manor  Gardens,  Barton  Stare  y, 
Hants. 


spite  of  the  replacement,  about  17  years  ago, 
of  the  rambling  beds  of  sinuous  pattern  and 
geometrical  design  by  the  more  convenient  if 
less  picturesque  rectangular  ones  of  to-day.  A 
number  of  fine  trees — too  many,  perhaps,  con- 
sidering the  small  size  of  the  garden,  which  is 
only  about  five  acres  in  extent — are  to  be 
found  here.  A  large  Copper  Beech,  a  fine  ex- 
ample of  Sophora,  and  a  pretty  specimen  of 
the  Fern-leaved  Beech,  together  with  specimens 
of  Fraxinus  Ornus,  Taxodium  distichum,  Pyrus 
intermedia,  &c,  form  striking  objects  of  beauty 
in  the  garden,  whilst  a  pleasing  effect  is  rendered 
by  the  grey  stone  walls  clad  with  creepers  and 
shrubs  of  various  kinds.  Amongst  these  latter 
are  to  be  seen  fine  specimens  of  Periploca  grasca. 
Colletia  cruciata,  Ercilla  volubilis,  Bupleurum 
fruticosum,  Azara  microphylla,  Pomegranai- 


"TO 


THE    GA  RDENERS'     CHR0N1 CL  E. 


[NOVEMBEK   L!3,    1907. 


By  means  of  an  iron  gateway  in  the  south- 
west wall  of  the  main  garden  access  is  afforded 
to  a  small  enclosure,  shown  in  the  illustra- 
tion at  fig.  146,  in  which  a  small  collection  of 
hardy  Water  Lilies  and  a  few  bog  plants 
are  grown.  The  enclosure  is  circular  in  out- 
line, and  is  partly  banked  up  by  brick  stag- 
ing, on  which  are  arranged  a  selection  of  Alpine 
and  other  small  plants  which  are  cultivated 
in  pots.  Apart  from  this,  there  is  no  other 
attempt  made  at  growing  Alpines  in  the  part 
of  the  garden   visible  to   the   public. 

The  principal  plant  houses  are  situated  on 
ihe  south-eastern  side  of  the  garden,  over- 
looking the  river  Cherwell.  They  were 
built  on  the  corridor  plan,  under  the  direc- 
tion of  Professor  Vines,  F.R.S.,  the  present 
occupant  of  the  Sheradian  Chair  of  Botany 
in  the  University.  There  is  a  moderate  col- 
lection of  Nympnaeas  in  the  Water  Lily  house, 
but  the  general  impression  gained  by  a  walk 
through  the  houses  is  that  they  are  overcrowded 
with  many  specimens  that  might  well  be  given 
away  or  consigned  to  the  rubbish  heap.  There 
are,  however,  interesting  plants  among  them, 
such  as  Livistona  inermis,  Araucaria  Rulei, 
Dioon  edule,  Marattia  fraxinea,  Klugia  zey- 
lanica,  &c. 

The  principal  treasures  of  the  Botanical  Gar- 
dens are  to  be  found  in  the  library,  for  it  contains 
valuable  and  rare  books  almost  in  profusion. 
Amongst  them  may  be  mentioned  the  volume  of 
plates  reproduced  from  the  MS.  of  Dioscorides 
in  the  Royal  Library  at  Vienna.  Only  two 
copies  of  this  work  are  known  to  exist,  and  the 
other,  which  belongs  to  the  Linnean  Society,  is 
inferior  to  the  Oxford  volume.  Here  are  also 
to  be  found  the  magnificent  original  drawings 
of  Bauer  for  the  illustration  of  the  Flora 
Grceca  and  the  Fauna  Graca. 

The  library  contains  a  number  of  valuable 
manuscripts  also,  and  amongst  them  is  the  un- 
published volume  I.  of  Morison's  Historia,  which 
was  written  by  Bobart. 

Although  the  gardens  and  the  buildings  are 
picturesque  and  beautiful,  one  cannot  visit  them 
without  a  feeling  of  regret  that  the  University 
does  not  do  more  to  enable  them  to  be  kept 
up  in  accordance  with  the  development  of 
modern  botanical  requirements.  Cambridge,  and 
the  newer  universities  that  have  been  established 
and  are  still  being  formed  throughout  the  coun- 
try, have  recognised  the  importance  of  botany, 
not  only  as  an  academic  but  as  an  economic 
science.  They  are  all  affording  increased  facili- 
ties for  its  proper  pursuit,  whilst  Oxford,  so  far 
as  its  provision  for  accommodation  for  students 
is  concerned,  continues  to  content  itself  with 
its  beautiful  grey  stone  walls  and  the  glamour 
of  its  old-time  laurels. 

"  Rural  Economy "  has  recently  been  estab- 
lished in  a  new  laboratory-building  a  mile  away, 
out  the  results  of  starving  the  botanical  estab- 
lishment  in  the  old  garden  are  only  too   appa- 


The  Week's  Work. 


THE    KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

By  William  H.  Honess,  Gardener  to  C.  Combe,  Esq., 
Cobham  I'ark,  Surrey. 

Carrots. — Late  crops  of  Carrots  that  were 
Taised  from  seeds  sown  in  July,  as  advised, 
should  now  have  some  partly  decayed  leaves 
spread  between  the  rows  to  afford  protection 
during  severe  weather,  if  the  roots  are  to  be 
allowed  to  remain  in  the  ground  until  they  are 
required  for  consumption.  The  reason  for  using 
the  leaves  in  a  partly  decayed  condition  is  that 
they  will  not  be  blown  about  by  the  wind,  which 
would  cause  an  untidy  appearance.  Late 
Carrots  have  succeeded  well  this  season,  especi- 
ally the  variety  Early  Gem. 

Scakale. — The  plants  that  are  to  be  forced  in 
the  open  ground  do  not  yet  appear  to  have 
ripened  up  sufficiently  to  render  it  advisable  to 
commence  forcing.  Some  severe  weather  is  re- 
quired to   bring  about   this  essential   condition, 


and  in  the  circumstances  it  will  be  better  to 
postpone  making  a  start  for  another  week,  or 
even  fortnight,  than  to  start  with  immature 
crowns  that  would  only  be  capable  of  producing 
indifferent  results. 

Globe  Artichokes. — Sufficient  side-shoots  for 
planting  again  next  spring  should  be  potted-up 
and  placed  in  a  cold  frame,  or  the  plants  may 
be  protected  as  they  stand  by  covering  them 
with  long  litter  from  the  stable.  As  this 
material  would  need  to  remain  on  the  plants 
for  a  considerable  time,  and  through  very  bad 
weather,  sufficient  support  to  carry  the  weight 
of  the  litter,  and  to  prevent  it  from  bearing 
heavily  on  the  crowns  of  the  plants,  when  it 
becomes  wet  and  heavy  with  rain  and  snow, 
should  be  afforded  by  placing  a  few  short  sticks 
round  and  close  up  to  each  plant.  It  will  gene- 
rally be  found  that  Artichoke  plants  treated  in 
this  manner  will  be  capable  of  standing  through 
the  winter  without  suffering  harm,  but  unless 
the  sticks  are  used  many  would  damp  off. 

Tomatos. — Plants  growing  in  pits  or  frames, 
and  now  commencing  to  ripen  fruits,  may  be 
greatly  assisted  by  occasional  weak  applications 
of  liquid  manure  water,  also  of  nitrate  of 
potash,  at  the  rate  of  half  an  ounce  of  nitrate 
to  each  gallon  of  clear  water.  The  nitrate  can 
be  gradually  increased  to  one  ounce  to  the 
gallon,  with  two  or  three  alternate  applications 
of  clear  water.  Tomato  plants  require  fairly 
liberal  treatment,  combined  with  firm  potting. 
For  raising  succession  plants,  seed  should  now 
be  sown  in  pans  containing  light  soil  and  placed 
in  an  atmospheric  temperature  of  50°  to  55", 
choosing  seeds  of  any  free-setting  variety.  Sow 
the  seeds  thinly,  and  as  soon  as  the  plants  are 
large  enough,  pot  them  singly  in  small  pots  and 
place  them  well  up  to  the  roof  glass.  Re-pot 
them  before  the  roots  suffer  from  confinement  in 
the  small  pots.  Plants  now  in  flower  should  be 
helped  to  "  set "  the  fruit  by  drawing  a  camel's 
hair  brush  lightly  over  each  bloom  to  distribute 
the  pollen. 

FRUITS  UNDER  GLASS. 

By  Alexander  Kirk,  Gardener  to  J.  Thomson  Paton,  Esq., 
Norwood,  Alloa,  Clackmannanshire. 

Pot  vines,  which  are  expected  to  supply  the 
earliest  crop  of  Grapes,  should  now  be  placed 
into  heat,  if  forcing  has  not  already  commenced. 
The  pit  having  been  made-up  previously  with 
fresh  stable  manure  and  leaves,  these  fermenting 
materials  will  produce  a  bottom  heat,  and  the 
pipes  underneath  will  supply  the  heat  when 
more  is  required.  Pot  vines  should  not  be  sub- 
jected to  much  bottom  heat  at  the  first,  and  the 
less  artificial  heat  employed  the  better  the  vines 
will  succeed.  Maintain  the  atmosphere  in  a 
moist  condition  by  damping  the  paths  twice 
daily.  Admit  a  little  air  through  the  top  venti- 
lator when  the  weather  is  favourable,  but  close 
it  again  early  in  the  afternoon  whilst  the  sun  is 
still  shining.  The  atmospheric  temperature  in 
the  pit  should  be  50°  at  night  and  60"  by  day, 
rising  with  sun-heat  to  65".  This  heat  will  be 
sufficient  for  the  vines  until  the  buds  break  into 
growth,  when  the  temperatures  should  be  gradu. 
ally  raised  by  5".  Give  water  very  cautiously, 
as  the  roots  require  very  little  until  the  vines 
have  made  considerable  growth.  Any  water  to 
be  applied  to  the  roots  should  first  be  heated  to 
the  same  temperature  as  that  of  the  atmosphere 
of  the  house. 

The  early  vinery. — The  Grapes  in  the  early- 
vinery  ripen  in  May.  Such  a  house  should  now 
be  closed  down  for  starting.  Damp  the  paths 
slightly  twice  each  day,  and  apply  a  little  heat 
during  very  cold  days.  At  the  time  of  starting, 
an  atmospheric  temperature  of  50°  should  be 
maintained  at  night  and  55"  by  day.  This  little 
warmth  and  a  moist,  freely  circulating  atmos- 
phere will  cause  the  vines  to  swell  their  buds. 
Take  care  to  see  that  the  outside  border  is  pro- 
tected with  a  mulch  and  thatched  with  straw  or 
other  material  ;  this  must  be  well  done  in  order 
that  rains  and  melting  snows  will  be  thrown  off. 

Cucumbers. — Plants  which  are  swelling  some 
fruits  and  setting  others  require  to  be  watered 
with  very  great  care,  whether  growing  in  pots 
or  in  the  border  ;  and  the  water  employed  should 
be  heated  to  the  same  temperature  as  the  atmos- 
phere of  the  house.  Do  not  syringe  the  plants 
during  winter.  A  humid  atmosphere  can  be 
maintained    by    damping    the    paths,   but    this 


should  not  be  done  very  frequently.  On  sunny 
days  a  little  air  may  be  admitted  by  the  top 
ventilator  only.  Do  not  employ  very  much 
aitificial  heat  at  any  time.  Should  red  spider 
or  thrips  attack  the  plants,  fumigate  the  house 
lightly  with  the  XL-All  vaporiser,  and  repeat 
the  operation  on  the  following  evening.  An 
atmospheric  temperature  at  night  of  65",  with 
70"  by  day,  rising  with  sun-heat  to  80",  will 
favour  their  growth.  The  bottom  heat  should 
be  70".  Keep  the  growths  pinched,  and  never 
allow  overcrowding  of  foliage.  Train  the  shoots 
regularly  over  the  trellis.  The  female  flowers 
may  require  to  be  pollinated  by  artificial  means. 


PUBLIC  PARKS  AND  GARDENS. 

By  W.  W.  Pettigrew,  Superintendent  of  the  Parks  and 
Open  Spaces  in  the  City  of  Cardiff. 

Disused  burial  grounds. — Within  recent  years 
Parliament  has  decreed  that,  under  certain 
well-defined  conditions,  all  disused  burial 
grounds  are  to  be  maintained  by  the  public 
authority  in  whose  boundaries  they  are 
situated,  and  all  expenditure  incurred  in 
their  upkeep  may  be  charged  to  the  rates. 
Very  naturally,  they  come  under  the  charge 
of  the  Public  Parks  Department.  Although 
many  of  these  grounds  already  handed  over 
to  the  care  of  public  bodies  are  technically 
"  disused,"  they  are  only  so  in  that  they  con- 
tain no  new  spaces  which  can  be  let  for'  burial 
purposes.  Owners  of  existing  grave  spaces  con- 
tinue to  bury  within  them  so  long  as  they  are 
not  filled  up.  This  is,  of  course,  always  pro- 
vided that  the  Home  Office  has  made  no  defi- 
nite order  to  close  the  ground  against  all  burials.- 
It  is  only  under  most  exceptional  circumstances 
that  the  Home  Office  can  be  induced  by  any 
authority  to  interfere  with  individual  rights  in 
this  way,  a  fact  which  gives  rise  to  an  anomalous 
state  of  affairs  in  that,  while  the  responsible 
Council  has  to  pay  for  the  upkeep  of  the  ground, 
it  does  not  receive  a  single  penny  from  those 
who  continue  to  use  it  for  its  original  purpose. 
Excepting  where  old  burial  grounds  are  fairly 
extensive  and  have  been  well  laid  out  in  the 
first  place,  they  are  somewhat  difficult  to  turn 
to  any  great  public  advantage.  In  some  towns, 
where  they  lie  midway  between  two  busy 
thoroughfares,  they  are  used  by  pedestrians  as 
a  connecting  link,  and  are  in  this  way  of  con- 
siderable value.  Except  under  such  circum- 
stances, disused  burial  grounds  are  not  usually 
frequented   by  great  numbers  of  visitors. 

Their  utilization. — Public  sentiment  prevents 
such  places  from  being  utilized  for  ordinary  re- 
creative purposes,  however  much  they  may  be 
needed  for  such  a  purpose  in  their  immediate 
neighbourhood.  The  most  that  can  usually  be 
done  is  to  keep  them  clean  and  tidy  and  pro- 
vided with  seats,  and  where  possible  have  them 
furnished  with  a  few  flower  beds,  when  they 
are  thrown  open  as  a  retreat  from  the 
busy  streets  for  old  folks  and  young  children. 
Under  ordinary  circumstances  the  presence  of 
numerous  gravestones  and  mounds  makes  it 
very  difficult  to  keep  cemeteries  at  all  times  in  a 
presentable  condition.  In  old  burial  grounds, 
where  most  of  the  stones  and  graves  are  becom- 
ing dilapidated,  this  difficulty  can  be  overcome 
by  laying  them  flat,  and  levelling  and  turfing  the 
intervening  spaces  flush  with  the  surface  of  the 
stones.  In  this  way  the  grass  can  always  be 
cut  with  a  mowing  machine,  thus  giving  a 
much  neater  appearance  to  the  ground  than 
where  mounds  are  allowed  to  remain,  the  grass 
upon  which  can  only  be  cut  by  means  of  a 
hook  or  scythe.  It  should,  however,  be  borne 
in  mind  that  before  interfering  with  the  graves 
in  this  manner  due  notice  ought  to  be  given, 
so  that  those  having  any  interest  in  the  ground 
may"  be  acquainted  with  the  intention  of  the 
authorities.  This  is  best  done  by  posting  notices 
at  the  entrances  to  the  cemetery  and  by  adver- 
tising in  the  local  papers  what  it  is  proposed  to 
to.  A  little  attention  to  these  apparently  small 
details  often  prevents  subsequent  trouble  and  un- 
pleasantness. Bearing  in  mind  the  fact  that  to 
many  people  everything  appertaining  to  the  place 
of  the  dead  becomes  almost  sacred,  great  care 
should  always  be  exercised  in  carrying  out 
alterations  and  improvements  in  disused  ceme- 
teries. On  no  consideration  should  any  tomb- 
stone, however  dilapidated,  be  removed  from 
the  position  in  which  it  marks  a  grave ;  the 
very  fragments  even  ought  to  be  kept  together 
and  made  as  secure  as  possible. 


November  23,  1C07.] 


THE    G  A  RDENER  S'     CHR  0  NI CL  E. 


oo\. 


THE    ORCHID    HOUSES. 

By  W.  H.  White,  Orchid  Grower  to  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence, 
Hart..  Burtord,  Surrey. 

Healing  and  ventilation. — For  several  months 
to  come  we  shall  have  to  rely  chiefly  on  fire- 
heat  for  the  proper  maintenance  of  the  atmos- 
pheric temperatures  in  the  houses,  and  it  will 
be  necessary  to  use  this  with  great  care  and 
discretion  so  that  the  plants  may  not  suffer 
during  winter.  Prevent  fluctuations  m  the 
temperatures  and  excess  of  fire-heat  as  far  as 
is  possible,  both  conditions  being  extremely 
injurious  to  Orchids.  At  night,  when  the 
weather  is  mild,  the  heat  of  all  the  houses  should 
be  several  degrees  higher  than  when  it  is  cold 
and  frosty,  and  on  bright  days  higher  than  on 
dull  days.  The  greatest  heat  during  the  24 
hours  should  be  at  mid-day,  and  lowest  during 
the  early  hours  of  the  morning  before  daylight. 
The  winter  temperatures  for  the  various  envi- 
sions, with  a  range  of  10"  between  the  two 
extremes,  should  be  as  follow  :  East  Indian 
house,  60u  to  70"  ;  Cattleya,  Mexican,  and  inter- 
mediate houses,  55°  to  65° ;  Masdevallia  and 
Odontoglossum  houses,  45°  to  55°.  When, 
through  severe  frosts  and  cold  boisterous 
weather,  excessive  fire-heat  would  be  necessary 
to  obtain  the  higher  temperatures,  the  atmos- 
phere of  the  houses  being  drier  than  usual,  the 
lower  temperatures  will  be  best,  and  at  such 
times  even  a  degree  or  two  lower  for  a  short 
time  will  cause  no  harm.  In  ventilating  Orchid 
houses  through  the  winter  months  the  aim  should 
be  to  admit  as  much  fresh  air  as  possible  with- 
out chilling  the  plants.  High  and  lofty  houses 
will  not  require  nearly  so  much  air  as  small 
low-roofed  ones.  It  is  impossible  to  lay  down 
hard  and  fast  rules,  as  so  much  depends  upon 
the  position  and  construction  ot  the  houses. 

Pamping-down. — Houses  that  are  situated  on 
high  and  exposed  elevations  will  require  more 
frequent  dampings  to  maintain  sufficient  atmo- 
spheric moisture  in  them  than  those  houses 
which  are  in  low-lying  districts.  For  instance, 
at  Burford  the  houses  are  in  a  very  low-lying 
position  and  as  regards  the  Cattleya  houses,  no 
syringing  or  damping-down  is  necessary  from 
the  beginning  of  November  until  the  end  of 
February,  the  usual  waterings  of  the  plants 
which  is  done  twice  a  week  being  quite  suffi- 
cient. The  pseudo-bulbs  and  leaves  of  Cattleyas 
and  Laelias  are  particularly  liable  to  decay 
during  the  winter  months,  and  this  condition 
is  generally  br  lught  about  either  by  affording 
too  much  water  at  the  root,  or  by  having  an 
over-abundance  of  moisture  in  the  atmosphere. 
If  it  is  caused  by  improper  atmospheric  con- 
ditions, the  plants  will  require  a  warmer  and 
drier  atmosphere,  but  if  decay  arises  from  over- 
wetness  at  the  roots  the  plants  will  he  con- 
stitutionally impaired  and  may  not  recover. 
The  paths  and  stages  of  the  East  Indian  house 
need  to  be  well  syringed  every  morning  imme- 
diately the  heat  of  the  structure  has  risen  to  the 
proper  day  temperature,  and  again  early  in  the 
afternoon.  The  intermediate  house,  containing 
Cvmbidiums,  Vandas.  I  vpripediums,  Maxil- 
larias,  Epidendrums,  Miltonias,  Sobralias,  &c  . 
will  require  damping-down  twice  daily.  The 
ccol  or  Odontoglossum  house,  if  a  span-roofed 
house  running  north  and  south,  will  need 
damping  once  or  twice  each  day,  according  to 
the  weather  outside,  but  one  with  a  northern 
aspect  will  need  very  little  special  damping 
until  early  in  spring. 


THE  FLOWER  GARDEN. 

By  A.  C.  Bartlett,  Gardener  to  Mrs.  Ford,  Penca    on-, 
Cornwall. 

Winter  protection. — Nothing  is  better  or  moTe 
effective  for  protecting  the  roots  of  plants  or 
shrubs  from  cold  than  a  layer  of  fallen  leaves. 
A  layer  3  or  4  inches  thick  will  keep  the  ground 
warm  and  soft  even  during  very  hard  frosts. 
In  many  gardens  it  is  necessary  to  protect 
Kniphofias  (Tritomas)  during  the  winter.  The 
leaves  should  be  drawn  up  together  and  tied, 
placing  a  layer  of  leaves  or  ashes  around  the 
crowns.  If  leaves  are  used  a  slight  sprinkling 
of  soil  over  the  surface  will  serve  to  keep  them 
in  place.  Kniphofia  caulescens,  being  more 
tender  than  the  others,  needs  to  be  planted  in  a 
warm  border,  and  should  have  a  heap  of  broken 
coke  piled  around  its  stem  ;  this  is  a  good 
method  of  protection  for  all  plants,  shrubby  or  ' 
herbaceous,   which   suffer  more    from    excessive 


moisture  than  from  a  low  temperature  when  the 
conditions  are  dry  After  the  first  frost  the 
leaves  of  Gunneras  should  be  cut  off,  and  when 
the  stalks  have  been  removed,  the  leaves  may 
be  inverted  over  the  crowns  to  afford  pro- 
tection. Where  frost  more  severe  than  15° 
Fahr.  is  anticipated,  it  is  necessary  to 
place  dry  bracken  or  straw  around  the 
crowns  ;  a  few  sticks  laced  across  the  covering 
with  each  end  pushed  into  the  ground  will  keep 
it  in  place.  The  best  method  of  protecting 
tender  young  trees  and  shrubs  is  to  enclose  them 
with  wire  netting— if  labbits  abound  the  netting 
is  usually  already  there — 9  inches  or  so  clear  of 
the  outer  leaves.  Place  over  the  roots  4  inches 
of  freshly  fallen  leaves,  and  on  this  loosely 
place  some  bracken.  If  the  shrub  is  deciduous 
and  of  doubtful  hardiness,  place  the  loo-e 
bracken  around  the  whole  of  it.  Finally  stick 
a  few  large  branches  of  some  evergreen — Rhodo- 
dendron ponticum  answers  best — in  the  ground 
so  that  the  leaves  are  around  the  netting  and 
over  the  plant.  This  method  affords  ample  pro- 
tection, and  at  the  same  time  admits  a  fair 
amount  of  light  and  air  to  the  plant.  Tender 
wall  shrubs  should  have  a  few  pieces  of  bracken 
or  small  branches  of  an  evergreen  shrub  placed 
amongst  the  growths. 

Roses  generally  are  best  when  planted  in 
November,  but  if  the  soil  is  very  heavy  and 
retentive,  and  cold  or  wet  weather  should  set 
in,  the  work  should  be  delayed  until  the  spring. 
It  is  assumed  that  the  beds  or  borders  were 
previously  prepared,  so  that  as  soon  as  the 
plants  arrive  from  the  nursery  they  may  at 
once  be  planted.  Lay  out  each  root  separately, 
and  make  the  soil  firm  bv  treading.  Beyond  the 
cutting  away  of  bruised  or  broken  roots,  no 
pruning   should  be  done    at    this    period.     An 

'  it  stake  should  at  once  be  afforded 
each  plant  so  that  it  may  not  be  blown  about 
bv  the  wind.  In  districts  where  winter  protec- 
tion is  necessary  for  Roses,  such  material  as 
dry  bracken  or  loose  stable-litter  should  be  kept 
at  hand  in  readiness  for  use.  If  a  few-  Sq 
branches  are  stuck  in  the  ground  around,  they 
will  effectively  screen  the  plants  from  winds. 


Watering  plants  in  wittier. — At  this  season  alt 
watering  should  be  done  as  early  in  the  day  as 
possible.  Be  careful  not  to  apply  water  where 
it  is  unnecessary;  it  is  better  to  take  a  lit. la 
longer  time  and  examine  every  plant,  thoroughlv 
soaking  the  roots  of  such  plants  only  as  really 
require  moisture. 


PLANTS    UNDER  GLASS. 

3v  J.  G.  Weston,  Gardener  to  H.  J.  King,  Esq., 
Eastwell  Park,  Kent. 

Ntrines. — As  these  plants  pass  out  of  flower, 
place  them  in  a  good  position  near  the  glass, 
and  apply  liquid  manure  to  the  roots  in  order 
to  get  the  foliage  to  develop  perfectly.  When 
the  foliage  has  fully  grown  and  shows  signs  of 
ripening  off,  decrease  the  water  supply  gradually 
until  it  is  entirely  stopped.  Keep  the  plants 
after  that  stage  in  a  hot,  dry  position, 
thoroughlv  baking  the  bulbs  by  sun-heat.  Do 
not  disturb  the  roots  until  this  operation  be- 
comes absolutely  necessary,  since  Nerines  ap- 
pear to  flower  better  if  left  undisturbed  as  much 
as  possible. 

Plumbago  rosea. — The  graceful  winter-bloom- 
ing variety,  known  as  P.  rosea  coccinea  superba, 
now  coming  into  flower,  should  be  afforded  a 
very  light  position  as  near  to  the  glass  as 
possible,  in  order  that  the  flowers  may  perfectly 
develop  their  delicate  colours.  Do  not  syringe 
the  plants  overhead,  but  if  they  are  in  a  very  dry 
position  damp  lightly  between  the  pots.  As  the 
flower-spikes  continue  to  develop,  an  atmo- 
spheric temperature  at  night  of  50°  to  60°,  with 
the  usual  rise  in  the  day-time,  will  be  sufficient  ; 
at  that  period  the  atmospheric  temperature 
should  be  maintained  less  moist,  in  order  that 
the  flowers  may  continue  in  good  condition  for 
a  considerable  period.  They  possess  a'  most 
effective  colour  for  dinner-table  decoration,  for 
which  purpose  the  plants  should  be  arranged 
with  some  dwarf,  white-flowering  plants  such  as 
Roman  Hyacinths  and  Lily  of  the  Valley,  with 
an  edging  of  Ferns  and  Grasses. 

Bouvardias  are  now  at  their  best,  and  care 
should  be  taken  to  prolong  their  season  as  far 
as  possible.  Bouvardias  are  sometimes  kept  in 
too  great  a  heat,  and  in  consequence  the  flowers 
soon  pass,  and  the  plants  themselves  become 
preyed  upon  by  insect  pests.  When  in  bloom 
an  atmospheric  temperature  of  55u  to  60°,  with 
ventilation  on  all  favourable  occasions,  is  suffi- 
cient. King  of  the  Scarlets,  Alfred  Neuner, 
President  Cleveland,  President  Garfield,  Priory 
Beauty,  The  Bride,  and  Vreelandii  constitute  a 
good  selection  of  the  various  colours. 


THE  HARDY  FRUIT  GARDEN. 

By  J.  Mayne,  Gardener  to  Lord  Clinton,  Bicton, 

East   11'  vi>ii. 

Pruning. — This  is  an  important  work,  and 
should  be  performed  by  men  ot  experience,  tor 
an  injudicious  use  of  the  knife  has  ruined  many 
a  good  tree.  The  aim  of  the  pruner  should  be 
to  maintain  a  shapely  bush  or  tree  at  its  cor- 
rect shape,  or  to  lay  the  foundation  of  a  good 
tree  in  the  case  of  young  specimens.  It  is  im- 
portant that  light  and  air  gain  admittance 
amongst  the  branches,  as  half-ripened  wood  is 
not  conducive  to  fruitfulness.  The  pruner 
should  be  acquainted  with  the  habit  of  fruiting 
of  the  different  varieties.  Most  kinds  bear  these 
fruits  on  spurs,  but  several  develop  fruit  on 
well-ripened  shoots  made  the  previous  year,  and 
a  knowledge  of  these  particulars  is  required  be- 
fore the  work  can  be  properly  performed.  Prun- 
ing should  be  carried  out  while  the  weather 
remains  mild,  as  more  work  can  be  done  and 
the  conditions  are  much  better  for  the  worker 
when  the  weather  is  warm.  The  first  trees  to  be 
pruned  should  be  those  that  drop  their  leaves 
first.  In  these  gardens  we  commence  with 
Cherries  on  north  walls,  cutting  back  all  spur 
growths  of  the  current  season  to  two  buds,  re- 
serving enough  leading  shoots  to  have  them  not 
less  than  3  inches  apart,  and  a  few  to  take  the 
place  of  worn-out  branches.  Sweet  Cherries 
having  large  leaves  require  their  branches  fur- 
ther apart  than  Morellos,  and  9  inches  to  1  foot 
will  not  be  too  much.  These,  like  the  Morellos, 
bear  their  fruit  on  the  current  year's  wood  as 
well  as  on  spurs. 

/'railing  wall  trees. — The  Plum,  Apricot,  and 
Pear  require  similar  treatment  to  that  recom- 
mended for  the  Cherry.  Plum  and  Apricot 
trees  often  require  their  branches  to  be 
re-adjusted,  a  branch  here  and  there  dying 
occasionally  without  any  apparent  cause. 
Pruning  and  training  being  carried  out  at 
one  operation,  the  dead  branches  should  be 
cut  out  before  commencing  to  train  the  shoots. 
Plum,  Apricot,  and  Pear  trees  produce  their 
fruit  principally  on  "  spurs,"  though  more  or 
less  on  matured  shoots  of  the  previous  sum- 
mer's growth,  especially  Plums  and  Apricots. 
Therefore,  it  is  advisable  to  retain  the  most 
suitable  growths  so  long  as  their  retention  will 
not  cause  over-crowding..  Strong  leading  shoots 
should  be  shortened  to  about  half  their  length  ; 
this  checking  of  sap  will  induce  the  wood  bu3s 
to  push  out  in  spring,  the  most  convenient 
being  retained  to  form  spur-growths.  Medium 
shoots  may  be  left  intact,  with  the  exception  of 
those  of  the  Pear  ;  these  usually  form  a  blossom 
bud  at  the  point,  and  need,  therefore,  to  be 
taken  out  if  an  extension  of  the  tree  is  desired. 
Long-established  trees,  with  Unsightly  spurs, 
may  have  a  few  of  the  spurs  cut  out  annually, 
and  if  a  saw  has  to  be  uset  fie  wound  should 
afterwards  be  made  smooth  with  a  knife  or  chisel. 
These  remarks  are  applicable  to  espalier  trees  in 
the  open,  and  to  cordons  trained  along  wires. 
Trees  of  any  form,  which  have  been  recently 
planted,   should  rot  be  pruned   until   spring. 

Busk  and  pyramid  trees  of  the  Apple,  Pear, 
and  Plum  require  similar  treatment  as  regards 
the  spurs,  cutting  back  to  within  two  buds  of 
their  origin  all  growths  made  this  season, 
except  in  the  case  of  some  few  varieties  such  as 
Jargonelle  and  Beurre  Superfin  Pears,  I.adv 
Sudeley  and  Irish  Peach  Apples,  which  in  many 
instances  form  natural  spurs,  or  rather  blossom 
buds,  without  being  stopped.  Extension  shoots 
which  exceed  1  foot  in  length  should  be 
sh  itened  to  within  8  or  9  inches  of  their  oi 
and  any  branches  likely  to  cause  overcrow 
in  any  part  of  the  tree  must  be  cut  hard  bark. 

Peach  trees. — These  are  retaining  their  foliage 
for  a  longer  time  than  usual.  If  a  tw 
broom  be  drawn  lightly  towards  the  points  of  the 
shoots,  it  will  rid  the  tree  of  those  leaves  that 
have  performed  their  functions  and  are  readv  to 
fall,  but  it  is  unwise  to  attempt  to  defoliate  the 
trees  whilst  the  kaves  are  still  firmly  adtn 
to  the  shoots. 


5G0 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[November  23,  1807. 


EDITORIAL    NOTICE, 


ADVERTISEMENTS  should  be  sent  to  the  PUB- 
USHER,  41,  Wellington  Street,  Covent  Garden, 
W.C. 

Newspapers.— Correspondents  sending  newspapers  should  be 
carejulto  mark  the  paragraphs  they  wish  tiie  Editor  to  see. 


APPOINTMENTS  FOR  THE  ENSUING  WEEK. 


SATURDAY,  NOVEMBER  23— 

Morley  and  Dist.  Paxton  Soc.  Chtys.  Sh. 

TUESDAY,  NOVEMBER  26— 

Royal  Hort.  Soc.  Corns,  meet.     Brit.  Gard.  Assoc.  Ex. 
Council  meet. 

THURSDAY,  NOVEMBER  28- 

Eshibition  of  Colonial  Produce  at   Hort.  Hall,  West- 
minster (2  days). 

Average     Mean    Temperature    for    the    ensuing    week, 
deduced  from  observations  during  the  last  Fifty  Years 
at  Greenwich — 41*3°. 
Actual  Temperatures: — 

London-.—  Wednesday,  November  20  (6  p.m.)':  Max- 49°, 
Mm.  43". 
Gardeners'  Chronicle  Office,  41,  Wellington  Street, 
Covent  Garden,  London. — Thursday,  Novembet 
21  (10  A.M.):  Bar.  303;  Temp.,  46';  Weather— 
Overcast. 
Provinces  —Wednesday,  November  20  (6  p.m.)  :  Max.  45v, 
Guildford  ;  Min.  39',  Scotland  N.E.  Coast. 


SALES     FOR    THE    ENSUING    WEEK. 

MONDAY— 

Roses  in  variety,  at    67   &    63,    Cheapside,    E.C.,    b 

Protheroe  &  Morris,  at  1.30. 
MONDAY  and  WEDNESDAY— 

Sale  of  Dutch  Bulbs,   &c„  at  Stevens'    Rooms,    King 

Street.  Covent  Garden,  W.C. 
MONDAY  to  FRIDAY— 

Dutch  Bulbs,  at  67  &  68,  C  leapside,  E.C.,  by  Protheroe 

&  Morris,  at  10.30. 
WEDNESDAY— 

Roses  at  1.30.     Palms,  Azaleas,  &c  ,  at  5,  at  67  &  68, 

Cheapside,  E.C.,  by  Protheroe  &  Morris. 

A  consignment  of  Liliuras  and  miscellaneous  Bulb.,  at 

67  &  68,  Cheapside,  E.C.,  by  Protheroe  &  Morris,  at  2. 
WEDNESDAY  and  THURSDAY— 

Clearance  Sale   of  Nursery  Stock  at  The  Nursi 

Rothwell,  near  Leeds,  by  Protheroe  &  Morris,  a:  11.3 
THURSDAY— 

Sale  of  Nursery  Stock  at  Claremont  Nursery,  West  End. 

Esher,  by  Protheroe  &  Morris,  at  12. 
FRIDAY  - 

Orchids   in    variety   at   67    &   68,    Cheapside,    E.G.,   by 

Protheroe  .S:  Morris,  at  12.40. 


It  is  with  feelings  of  the  utnm^i 
James  regret  we  have  to  record  the 
Veitch.      death,     on     the     13th     inst., 

James  Herbert  Veitch,  at  the 
age  of  39  years.  The  short,  strenuous  life  of 
the  deceased  nurseryman  has  been  marl 
several  incidents  of  unusual  interest.  I 
at  Chelsea  in  the  year  iSbN,  his  education 
commenced  at  the  Craw  ford  ( loll  :ge,  Maiden- 
head, and  was  continued  in  Germany  and 
France.  He  commenced  work  at  Chelsea 
in  1885,  and  when  23  years  of  age,  the  young 
man  undertook  a  voyage  lo  India,  the  Straits 
Settlements,  Japan,  Corea,  the  Australian 
Colonies  and  New  Zealand,  for  the  purpo  e  of 
studying  the  vegetation  of  those  regions,  the 
conditions  of  the  native  habitats  of  many 
spi  1  ies  of  plants  that  are  cultivated  in  gardens 
in  this  country,  and  especially  to  ascertain 
whether  British  gardens  might  be  si  ill 
further  enriched  by  the  introduction  of  new 
species  from  the  rich  flora  these  favoured 
countries  were  known  to  possess. 

Many  of  our  readers  will  doubtless  remem- 
ber that  extracts  from  the  letters  addressed  by 
the  traveller  to  his  uncle,  Mr.  Harry  J. 
Veitch,  were  printed  in  these  pages  under  the 
general  heading  "A  Traveller's  Notes,"  the 
first  contribution  appearing  in  the  issue  for 
March  12,  1902,  and  the  last  in  that  for 
December  15,  1904.  These  letters  described 
tli'  principal  features  of  the  botanic  and 
other  public  gardens,  nursery  establishments, 
and  private  gardens  Mr.  Veitch  visited.  After 
his  return  home  at  the  end  of  1893  he  was 
prevailed  upon  to  revise  and  amplify  the  text 
<or  publication   in   a   separate   volume.     His 


work  was  issued  in  1896,  the  title  being  the 
same  as  that  previously  used  for  the  notes 
which  appeared  in  these  pages.  A  Traveller'*. 
Notes  was  circulated  privately,  and  con- 
tained 220  pages  of  text,  together  with  maps 
and  numerous  illustrations  prepared  from 
photographs  taken  by  the  author.  It  was 
printed  on  thick,  art  paper,  on  which  the 
illustrations  show  to  excellent  advantage, 
and  some  of  the  more  important  were  printed 
on  parchment.  The  work  will  maintain  its 
value  in  future  years  as  a  means  of  spread- 
ing reliable  information  upon  the  plants  in- 
troduced to  our  gardens  from  the  countries 
already  mentioned. 

Upon  returning  to  England  Mr.  Veitch  was 
again  associated  in  the  management  of  the 
Chelsea  Nurseries.  In  1898  advantage  was 
taken  of  the  new  company  law  and  the  busi- 
ness was  formed  into  a  private  limited  com- 
pany. Mr.  Harry  J.  Veitch  retired  from  the 
management  in  1900  and  Mr.  James  Herbert 
Veitch  assumed  the  responsibilities  of  the  post 


LATE   JAMES   HERBERT   VEITCH. 


of  managing  director,  his  younger  brother, 
Mr.  John  Gould  Veitch,  being  appointed 
Secretary. 

Very  soon  after  this  event  Mr.  James 
Veitch  conceived  the  idea  of  sending  a 
special  representative  to  China  fur  the  pur- 
pose  of  collecting  seeds  and  specimens  of  new 
species  of  lues  and  shrubs  and  other  plants 
for  introduction  into  England.  In  taking  this 
step  he  followed  the  best  traditions  of  the 
firm,  for  Messrs.  Veitch  had  previously 
despatched  21  travellers  to  various  parts  of 
the  world  on  a  similar  errand,  including, 
amongst  others,  the  Brothers  Lobb,  John 
Gould  Veitch,  P.  C.  M.  Veitch,  F.  W.  Bur- 
bidge,  Waller  Davis,  G.  Kalbrever,  and  J.  H. 
Chesterton.  It  is  recalling  but  recent  history 
when  we  state  that  Mr.  E.  H.  Wilson  was 
selected  to  proceed  to  China  in  April,  1899,  ami 
our  readers  will  remember  that  his  tour  was 
so  successful  that,  after  spending  the  summer 
of  1902  in  England,  he  was  again  despatched 
in  January,  1903,  to  the  extreme  west  of 
China,  and  the  border  of  Thibet,  a  thousand 
miles  further  west  than  the  former  field  of  his 
exploration.     One  of  the  special  objects  of  the 


second  visit  was  to  obtain  seeds  of  Meconop- 
sis  integrifolia,  and  so  successful  was  Wilson 
that  the  plant  has  already  become  a  common 
species  in  European  gardens.  To  the  com- 
mendable enterprise  thus  shown  by  the  firm 
of  \  eitch,  cultivators  also  owe  the  introduc- 
tion of  a  very  great  number  of  new  species  of 
trees  and  shrubs,  including  many  Conifers, 
and  herbaceous  and  annual  flowering  plants, 
a  considerable  proportion  of  these  having  ai- 
ready  formed  subjects  of  illustration  in  these 
pages. 

The  next  and  last  important  task  under- 
taken by  the  deceased  gentleman  was  the 
compilation  of  the  Hortus  Veitchii,  which 
was  published  as  recently  as  last  year. 
This  work  relates  the  history  of  the  nur- 
series of  Messrs.  Jas.  Veitch  and  Sons, 
affords  -biographical  notes  of  the  founders 
of  the  firm,  also  of  the  principals,  botanical 
collectors  and  hybridists  employed  by  them, 
and  it  further  contains  a  list  of  the 
most  remarkable  plants  that  have  been 
introduced  from  abroad  or  have  been  raised 
in  this  country,  with  descriptions  and 
references  of  publication.  It  contains  up- 
wards of  540  pages  of  text  and  50  illustra- 
tions, and  was  printed  for  private  circulation 
only.  This  book  is  a  record  of  good  work 
well  accomplished  such  as  any  firm  might 
be  justly  proud  to  possess,  and  its  compilation 
necessarily  imposed  a  large  amount  of  extra 
work  upon  the  author,  who  was  already  bear-  ■ 
ing  the  entire  responsibility  of  the  manage- 
ment of  the  business.  It  was  during  the  pre- 
paration of  the  Hortus  Veitchii  that  Mr. 
Witch  showed  unmistakable  signs  of  failing 
health,  and  shortly  after  its  publication  be  was 
obliged  to  retire  from  active  work,  his  place 
being  filled  by  Mr.  Harry  J.  Veitch.,  who 
again  returned  to  the  position  he  vacated  in 
1900.  Mr.  James  Veitch  subsequently  removed 
lo  the  neighbourhood  of  Exeter,  where  his 
health  gradually  declined  until  on  Wednesday 
week  last  he  died  from  an  attack  of  paralysis. 
1  te  was  a  man  of  extraordinary  energy, 
and  during  his  brief  business  life  attempted 
more  than  it  is  possible  for  one  man  to  perform 
without  suffering  the  effects  of  over-work,  in- 
sisting in  devoting  his  personal  attention  to 
details  the  ordering  of  which  might  very  well 
have  been  left  to  others.  He  was  a  Fellow  of 
the  Linnean  Society,  for  some  years  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Executive  Committee  of  the  Gar- 
deners' Royal  Benevolent  Institution,  and 
had  also  served  upon  the  Fruit  and  Vegetable 
Committee  of  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society.  Mr.  Veitch 's  labours,  as  we  have 
endeavoured  to  show,  have  been  strenuous, 
and  their  efforts  will  continue  to  be  seen  in 
future  years,  although  his  business  career 
only  extended  over  a  period  of  22  years.  His 
premature  death  will  excite  the  greatest 
sympathy  for  his  immediate  relatives  and 
especially  for  his  widow.  His  father  was 
John  Gould  Veitch,  who  was  born  in  1839  and 
died  in  1870.  Mr.  Veitch  leaves  no  children  ; 
his  nearest  relatives  at  present  in  England  are 
his  brother,  John  Gould  Veitch,  his  uncle,  Mr. 
Harry  J.  Veitch,  his  o(  usjn,  Mr.  Morgan  H. 
Veitch,  and  Mr.  P.  C.  M.  Veitch. 

The  interment  was  at  Exeter  on  Monday 
last,  in  the  presence  of  Mr.  Harry  J.  Veitch, 
Mr.  John  Gould  Veitch,  Mr.  P.  C.  M.  Veitch, 
and  other  relatives  and  friends,  including  Mr. 
T.  H.  Slade,  gardener  at  Poltimore,  Mr.  J. 
Maync,  gardener  at  Bicton,  and  Mr.  Garland, 
formerly  gardener  at  Killerton. 


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NOVEMBEK    '23,    ltd".] 


THE    GARDENERS1      CHRONICLE. 


3d 


Royal    Horticultural    Society. -At    the 

meeting  of  the  Committees  on  Tuesday  next, 
November  26,  Mr.  Frank  Golsworthy  is  ex- 
pected to  exhibit  some  floral  pictures,  including 
some  Himalayan  Rhododendrons,  Narcissus, 
&c. 

The   show   of   Colonial-grown    fruits, 

vegetables,  and  Colonial-preserved  fruits  will  be 
held  at  the  Society's  hall,  Vincent  Square,  on  the 
2Sth  and  29th  inst.  Conjointly,  an  exhibition  of 
bottled  l'.i  itish-grown  fruits  will  be  held.  A  series 
of  lectures  and  demonstrations  on  fruit  bottling 
will  be  given  by  Miss  Edith  Bradley,  at  3  p  m. 
on  the  first  day  and  at  noon  and  3  p.m  on  the 
second  day. 

The  Surveyors'  Institution. — The  next 
ordinary  general  meeting  will  be  held  in  the 
Lecture  Hall  of  the  Institution  on  Monday,  Novem- 
ber 25,  at  8  p.m.,  when  Mr.  Sabin  will  re-open 
the  discussion,  adjourned  from  March  18  last,  on 
the  paper  read  by  Mr.  Aubrey  J.  Spencer,  on 
February  25,  entitled  "The  Agricultural  Holdings 
Act,  190G." 

SOCIETE      FRANCAISE     D  HORTICULTURE       DE 

Londres. — The  annual  dinner  will  take  place  on 
January  18,  1908,  at  the  Cafe  Royal,  Regent 
Street,  London,  W.,  at  7.30  p.m.  Mr.  Harry  J. 
Veitch  will  preside,  and  will  be  supported  by 
M.  PHiLiii'ii  he  Vilmorin  and  others. 

University  of  London  (Advanced  Lec- 
tures in  Botany).— A  course  of  eight  lectures 
on  the  "Function  of  the  Mineral  Constituents 
of  the  Soil  on  the  Nutrition  of  Plants,"  by  Mi. 
A.  I).  Hall,  Director  of  the  Rothamste< 
perimental  Station,  was  begun  on  the  11th  inst. 
at  the  Chelsea  Physic  Garden.  Mr.  IIai  l  began 
by  setting  out  the  analyses  of  the  ash  of  a 
series  of  typical  plants,  in  which  were  to  be 
found  a  comparatively  small  number  of  con- 
stituents :  Potash,  soda,  lime,  magnesia,  and  a 
little  iron  among  the  metals;  phosphorus,  sul- 
phur, chlorine,  and  silica  among  the  non-metals 
Traces  of  a  large  number  of  other  elements 
have  been  found  from  time  to  time  in  the  ashes 
of  various  plants,  since  plants  must  take  up  a 
little  of  whatever  is  present  in  the  soil  ;  but  then 
occurrence  is  irregular,  and  has  little  signifi- 
■cance  in  the  nutrition  of  the  plant.  To  grasp 
the  true  significance  of  the  proportions  present 
in  the  ash,  it  is  necessary  also  to  know  the 
weight  the  plant  usually  attains  when  occupying 
a  given  area  of  ground,  as  in  a  field  crop,  by 
which  means  the  amount  of  each  constituent 
withdrawn  by  the  plant  from  the  soil  can  be 
calculated.  Various  analyses  were  then  given 
of  crops  grown  at  Rothamsted  to  show  to  what 
extent  the  composition  of  the  ash  of  a  given 
plant  will  vary  under  different  conditions  of  soil 
or  of  season,  and  it  was  found  that  the  varia- 
tions, never  very  great,  were  more  induced  by 
season  than  by  soil.  The  plant,  in  fact,  reacts 
against  changes  in  the  composition  of  the 
medium  in  which  it  grows  and  strives  to  main- 
tain a  uniform  composition.  This  led  to  a  con- 
sideration of  Liebig's  theorv  that  the  composi- 
tion of  the  plant  serves  as  a  guide  to  the  manure 
it  requires,  so  that  the  proper  manure  for  a 
given  crop  would  be  a  liberal  allowance  of  the 
same  composition  as  that  which  it  will  ulti- 
mately take  away  from  the  soil.  This  theory  has 
been  found  invalid  when  checked  by  the  result 
of  field  experiments  ;  and  it  also  fails  because  it 
does  not  take  into  account  the  soil,  which  itself 
contains  the  necessary  constituents  for  a  hundred 
or  more  full  crops.  •  The  need  for  manure  rests 
upon  the  fact  that  the  valuable  constituents  in 
the  soil  are  but  sparingly  soluble,  so  that  fcS 
largely  depends  upon  the  deep  or  shallow  root- 
ing habit  of  the  plant,  the  duration  of  its  growth, 
&c,  whether  it  can  obtain  a  sufficiency  of  a 
given   constituent   from   the   soil,   or   whether    it 


requires  the  assistance  of  a  little  more  in  an 
active  form  as  manure.  In  the  second  lecture 
on  Thursday,  November  14,  Mr.  Hall  dealt 
with  the  converse  proposition  of  how  far  the 
composition  of  a  plant  growing  upon  a  given 
soil  will  indicate  the  richness  or  poverty  of  that 
soil.  To  some  extent  the  plant  can  be  used  as 
an  analyst  of  the  soil  ;  for  example,  the  compo- 
sition of  Barley  straw  or  of  Mangels  grown 
without  manure  will  indicate  the  need  or  other- 
wise for  manuring  with  phosphates  or  potash 
salts.  The  mode  of  entry  of  the  mineral  con- 
stituents into  the  crop  was  then  considered  ;  it 
is  necessary  that  they  should  become  di 
in  the  soil  water,  whereupon  they  pass  thi 
the  cell  walls  of  the  root  hairs  by  osmotic  diffu- 
sion, As  the  living  protoplasm  of  the  plant 
withdraws  a  given  constituent  from  this  solu- 
tion, more  will  be  able  to  diffuse  in  from  the 
soil  water  outside;  is  is  in  this  way  the  plant 
is  able  to  discriminate  between  the  substances 
presented  to  it,  accumulating,  for  example,  more 
potash  than  soda,  although  the  soda  may  be 
the  more  abundant  in  the  soil  water.  The  plant 
may  exercise  its  selective  action  between  the 
acid  and  basic  constituents  of  a  given  salt :  thus 
from  sodium  nitrate  it  will  take  more  nitric  acid 
than  soda,  leaving  behind  the  soda  in  the  soil 
combined  with  carbonn  acid  excreted  from  the 
root.  The  alkali  thus  set  free  may  have  a  dele- 
terious effect  upon  the  tilth  of  the  soil,  as  is  not 
infrequently  seen  in  the  field.  The  supposition 
that  the  acid  sap  within  the  roots  of  plants  exer- 
cises a  solvent  action  upon  the  soil  particles  was 
considered  to  be  unfounded,  carbon  dioxide 
being  the  only  exi  n  tion  to  which  solvent  actions 
are  due.  The  lei  tures  will  be  continued  on 
Monday  and  Thursday  afternoons  at  5  p.m.  at 
the  Chelsea  Physic  Garden. 

A  Natural  Berberis  hybrid  in  England. 

— The  Rev.  E.  S.  Marshall,  writing  in  the 
Journal  of  Bota  Is  the  discovery  of   a 

natural  hybrid  between  the  common  Berberis 
vulgaris  and  Mahonia  Aquifolium  in  Somerset. 
He  describes  it  as  possessing  thorns,  mostly  in 
groups  of  three,  as  in  B.  vulgaris,  but  the 
foliage  leaves  are  simple,  coriaceous,  glabroi 
and  probably  ev<  rgreen.  The  fruits,  which  are 
produced  abundantly,  vary  from  round  to  oval. 
and  are  briuht  red  when  half-ripe,  becoming 
almost  black,  with  a  glaucous  bloom  and  crimson 
juice  when  mature.  Dr.  Focke,  in  his  Vflanzen 
Jlischlhige,   remarks    that  :    "    .    .    .    the    species 

of  Barberry   ci readily   with  each  other,  and 

recalls  the  fact  that  a  hybrid,  B.  Aquifolium  x 
B.  fascicularis,  was  distributed  by  Rivers  before 
1850."  Mr.  Marshall  believes  his  plant  to  be 
the  first  known  instance  of  the  occurrence  of  a 
quasi-wild  hybrid  in  the  genus. 

Foreign  Gardeners  in  France. — A  society 
called  Ausliindischer  Gartnerverein  exists  in  Paris, 
and  the  members  numbering  about  50  and  repre- 
sent horticulturists  of  ten  or  more  different 
nationalities.  The  general  meeting  was  held 
recently,  when  the  Chairman  gave  a  review  of  the 
past  half-year's  work.  The  meetings  held  num- 
bered 25,  and  there  had  been  12  excursions  during 
that  period.  The  German  language  is  employed 
at  the  meetings  which  are  held  each  Saturday, 

Plum  Trees  bearing  a  Second  Crop  of 
Fruits. — An  unusual  instance  of  second  cropping 
is  brought  to  our  attention  by  Mr.  Perrin,  of 
Reading.  The  first  crop  of  fruits  ripened  in  the 
third  week  of  July  and  the  second  crop  in  the 
fourth  week  of  October.  Our  correspondent 
states  that  the  tree  is  12  or  13  years  old,  and 
at  the  second  cropping  it  bore  four  dozen  fruits. 
The  secondary  blossoms  were  produced  from  the 
old  wood,  and  these  buds  were  not  observable 
until  the  earlier  fruits  had  made  considerable 
growth. 


The  "  Schneider  "  Banquet  in  London.— 

On  Saturday  last  a  few  English  friends  of  Mr 
Geo.  Schneider  met  together  at  the  Cafe  Royal, 
Regent  Street,  to  celebrate,  as  bis  French  friends 
have  already  done,  his  recent  decoration  by  the 
French  Government.  Mr.  Harman  Payne  pre- 
sided. Mr.  W.  Hiehle  read  letters  from  numerous 
friends  regretting  their  inability  to  be  present. 
The  Chairman  briefly  reviewed  Mr.  Scum  id]  r' 
many  services  to  horticulture,  and  especially  in 
connection  with  his  work  as  President  of  the 
French  Horticultural  Society  of  London.  A  pre- 
sentation of  a  handsome  silver  hot-water  jug  and 
cake-basket  was  then  made  in  the  name  oi  Mi 
Schneider's  English  friends.  Mr.  Schneider 
replied  briefly  returning  thanks  for  this  and  the 
many  other  friendly  demonstrations  of  regard  of 
which  he  had  lately  been  the  object. 

New  Salvias— Amongst  the  Salvias  that  have 
been  raised  within  the  last  few  years,  the 
variety  known  as  Feuerball  (Fireball)  has 
attracted  a  good  deal  of  notice  on  the  Continent. 
It  originated  as  a  cross  between  Triumph  X 
Rudolph  Pfitzer.  and  is  a  very  handsome  plant, 
especially  when  grown  in  masses.  But,  writes 
M.    L.    Dttrie    in    tic     /c  •',     V  Horticulture 

Beige  ct  Etrangcre,  it  is  easily  surpassed  by  a 
newer  variety  known  as  Zurich,  so  named  be. 
ause  it  originated  in  the  Municipal  Gardens  of 
that  city.  It  flowers  a  fortnight  earlier,  and  is 
of  a  more  compact  and  floriferous  habit  than 
Feuerball.  Both  sorts,  however,  are  e< 
by  a  still  newer  introduction,  Zuchterzwerg, 
'•Inch,  as  its  name  implies,  is  also  a  dwarf 
.M.  Di  n;n  expresses  the  opinion  tint 
the  new  Salvia  has  a  great  future  before  it,  and 
describes  it  as  of  very  good  habit,  reaching  a 
height  of  12  to  14  inches,  and  as  forming  liter- 
ally a  mass  of  brilliant  red  blossoms,  like  those 
of  Feuerball,  whilst  it  shares  with  Zurich  the 
great  merit  of  early-flowering. 

"  Forage  Crops  for  Soiling,  Silage,  Hay, 

and  Pasture.  "*— Although  this  book  deals 
with  the  subject  of  fodder  from  the  standpoint 
of  the  American  agriculturist,  there  is  much  in 
it  which  may  well  arrest  the  attention  of  the 
ilvitish  farmer.  The  systems  of  intensive  culti- 
vation on  which  we  perhaps  rightly  pride  our- 
selves in  this  country,  are  being  followed  and 
improved,  as  local  conditions  dictate,  on  the 
other  side  of  the  Atlantic.  The  questions  of 
agriculture  are  often  more  scientifically  handled 
than  is  the  case  with  us,  except,  of  course, 
where  they  are  being  dealt  with  in  research 
establishments.  The  ratio  of  three  acres  and  a 
cow  is  becoming  reversed,  and  with  intensive 
Grass  and  Clover  cultivation  the  more  skilful 
of  our  American  cousins  are  said  to  manage 
to  keep  three  cows  to  an  acre.  Of  course,  on 
land  of  exceptional  fertility  this  is  some- 
times rendered  possible  in  England  even  on 
the  meadow  and  permanent  pasture,  which 
owes  its  great  value  largely  to  the  climatic 
conditions  that  prevail  in  these  islands.  But 
there  is  no  doubt  that,  with  the  adoption  of 
more  scientific  practice,  the  feeding  value  of 
pasture  is  susceptible,  in  most  places  at  any 
rate,  of  considerable  improvement.  The  chief 
difficulty  to  encounter  lies  in  the  natural  pre- 
judice against  novelty,  and  in  the  cost  and  risk 
that  experiments  necessarily  entail,  and  these 
are  aspects  of  the  matter  which  are  apt  to  appear 
especially  unattractive  during  periods  of  agri- 
cultural depression.  The  subject-matter  of  the 
book,  though  of  indirect  interest  to  horticul- 
turists, is  worthy  of  consideration  by  them, 
inasmuch  as  many  suggestive  sidelights  are 
thrown  on  the  mutual  relations  that  subsist 
between   soil-condition   and  crops.     The  soil  is 

*  By  G.  B.  Voorhees,  Director  of  the  New  Jersey  Experi- 
ment Stations,  &c.    The  Mactnillan  Co.,  New  York,  1907. 


362 


THE     GARDENERS     CHRONICLE. 


[November  23,  1907. 


not  merely  mechanical  mixture  of  chemical 
compounds,  but  it  is  capable  of  immense  modi- 
fication by  the  indirect  action  of  the  micro- 
organisms which  inhabit  it,  and  to  the  influence 
of  which  its  fertility,  at  least  in  a  great  measure, 
is  to  be  attributed. 

A  New  Use  for  Molasses.— Under  this 
heading,  the  Queensland  Agricultural  Journal 
prints  the  following  from  the  Bundabcrg  Mail. 
"  It  is  surprising,"  the  writer  says,  "  how  few 
people  are  acquainted  with  the  real  nature  and 
properties  of  Molasses.  Even  men  who  have 
worked  in  sugar  mills  and  distilleries  for  years 
often  betray  ignorance  in  this  respect.  The 
writer  had  occasion  some  time  ago  to  scientifi- 
cally investigate  the  properties  of  Molasses,  and 
found  it  a  very  difficult  problem  to  burn  off 
a  large  quantity  of  surplus  Molasses  without  the 
aid  of  specially  constructed  furnaces.  Molasses 
is  not  the  highly  inflammable  mixture  that 
people  imagine  it  to  be.  It  would  be  practically 
impossible  to  set  a  tank  of  Molasses  on  fire  bv 
any  means  whatever.  Even  a  mixture  of 
Molasses  and  methylated  spirits  or  sulphur  will 
burn  very  imperfectly  at  first,  and  finally 
smoulder  and  die  out.  A  charge  of  Molasses 
will  extinguish  or  damp  down  the  strongest 
furnace  fire  in  a  few  minutes.  A  jet  of  Molasses 
played  on  burning  wood  will  instantly  extin- 
guish the  fire,  and  the  wood  cannot  be  again 
fired  until  the  Molasses  is  removed  from  the 
surface.  For  extinguishing  large  tanks  of  burn- 
ing oil,  kerosine,  or  spirit,  there  is  nothing  more 
effective  than  bags  or  tarpaulins  steeped  in 
Molasses,  and  when  such  tanks  are  in  danger  of 
being  fired,  they  should  be  covered  over  and 
made  airtight  with  tarpaulins  that  have  pre- 
viously been  immersed  in  heavy  Molasses." 


HOME    CORRESPONDENCE. 


{The  Editor  does  not  hold  himself  responsible  for  the 
opinions  expressed  by  his  correspondents.) 

Count  Tchihatchef  (see  p.  325).  —The 
belief  being  very  general  that  Count  Paul  de 
Tchihatcbet  was  a  Russian  nobleman,  allow  me  to 
say  that  tins  distinguished  geographer  and  botanist 
was  not  a  Russian,  but  an  Italian,  Count.  H.  L. 

Sporting  of  Chrysanthemums. — Some 
plants  of  the  single  yellow  variety  Winnie 
tjhernng  have  been  grown  here  for  several  years 
in  the  ordinary  manner  as  bush  plants,  without 
disbudding.  No  change  of  stock  has  taken  place, 
neither  until  this  year  has  any  sport  occuned. 
This  year  the  first  bloom  that  opened  was  a  goou 
double-refiexed  flower  :  some  of  tne  later  flowers 
are  semi-double,  one  is  single  as  at  first,  and  there 
are  several  intermediate  stages.  11'.  H.  Divers, 
Belvoir  castle  Gardens,  Grantham. 

Nerine  Bowdenii  (see  fig  164  in  Gard.  Chron 

November  -6,  1904). — This  handsome  species 
was  recently  in  flower  here,  and  it  pre- 
sented a  charming  sight ;  the  colour  being 
delightful.  The  bulbs  were  purchased  on 
their  arrival  from  the  Cape  just  12 
months  ago.  They  were  potted  forthwith  in 
good  fibrous  loam,  with  the  addition  of  a  liberal 
amount  of  sand  and  charcoal,  and  placed  in  a 
cold  frame.  Everything  was  done  to  give  them 
as  much  light  and  air  as  the  atmospheric  con- 
ditions would  permit.  As  soon  as  any  signs  of 
growth  were  seen  a  little  water  was  afforded,  in- 
creasing the  amount  as  the  leaves  increased  in 
number  and  size.  In  May  the  leaves  showed 
signs  of  fading  away,  and  the  supply  of  water 
was  gradually  decreased  and  eventually  discon- 
tinued. During  the  late  summer  they  were  fully 
exposed  to  the  sun  and  kept  dry,  and  in  the 
last  week  in  August  the  flower-scape  began  to 
appear.  I  do  not  think  that  this  plant  will  mul- 
tiply very  fast,  for  the  offshoots  are  but  very 
small,  and  they  will  probably  take  two  or  three 
years  before  they  attain  to  a  flowering  size.  Two 
or  three  bulbs  which  were  kept  warm  during 
their  growing  season  have  not  grown  so  well  as 
the  others.  I  propose  trying  some  in  a  sunny 
border  out-of-doors,  keeping  them  protected  from 
frost.     //.  W.,  Trevince. 


Culture  of  Cockscomb  (Celosia  cris- 
tata). — I  have  grown  my  plants  lor  several  years 
under  the  following  treatment,  and  they  have 
succeeded  well,  notwithstanding  that  the  degree 
of  heat  employed  is  so  much  less  than  is  usually 
recommended.  I  generally  sow  the  seed  in  a 
well-drained  seed  pan  containing  light,  sandy 
soil,  the  first  week  in  March,  placing  the  seed 
pan  on  a  shelf  near  the  glass  in  a  moist  atmo- 
sphere having  a  temperature  of  60°.  In  culti- 
vating them  at  this  temperature  great  care  must 
be  taken  when  watering  the  seedlings,  as  the 
plants  when  in  the  seedling  stage  have  a  tencency 
to  damp  off  when  they  are  about  1  inch  in 
height.  When  large  enough  to  be  handled,  they 
can  be  potted  into  thumb-pots,  using  a  richer 
soil.  Avoid  potting  any  washy-looking  seed- 
lings, choosing  the  most  healthy  plants.  As 
growth  increases  the  plants  can  be  repotted,  each 
time  into  pots  one  size  larger  than  they  were  in 
previously,  still  keeping  them  near  to  the  glass. 
When  the  flower-heads  show,  the  plants  should 
then  be  put  into  the  pots  in  which  they  will 
flower.  I  use  5-inch  pots  for  this  final  shift. 
When  potting  this  time,  add  to  the  compost 
one-third  well-rotted  manure.  The  plants 
should  then  be  removed  to  a  drier  part  of  the 
house  where  they  will  be  free  from  the  drip  from 
shelves,  &c.  When  the  pots  have  become  full 
of  roots,  apply  just  enough  water  to  the  roots 
to  prevent  the  leaves  flagging.  There  are  very 
few  greenhouse  annuals  which  attract  the  atten- 
tion   of    visitors    more    than    a    well-cultivated 


SIR    FRANK    CRISP 

(who  has  received  the  honour  of   Knighthood,  as   was 

announced  in  onr  last  issue). 

Cockscomb.  Even  if  they  pass  all  the  other 
plants  in  the  house  with  but  a  casual  glance, 
they  are  sure  to  stop  and  have  a  look  at  the 
Cockscomb,  whose  peculiar  form  and  beautiful 
colour  cannot  be  passed  unnoticed.  Titos. 
Francis,  The  Gardens,  Rockwood  House,  Bolton- 
le-Moors,   Lanes. 

Late  Peas. — We  gathered  a  dish  of  Peas  on 
November  1C,  from  plants  in  the  open  garden. 
The  variety  was  Gladstone.  G.  F.  Thomas, 
Benthall  Hall,  Broseley,  Shropshire. 

Trenching  Ground. — One  very  important 
factor  in  plants  producing  a  strong  growth  when 
planted  on  trenched  soil  is  the  encouragement  the 
roots  have  to  plunge  deeply,  and  thus  in  hot 
weather  to  be  enabled  to  withstand  drought, 
Trenching  is  of  more  value  for  summer  crops  than 
for  winter  ones,  and  this  especially  applies  to 
vegetables.  Whilst  deep  working  of  the  soil  helps 
to  keep  summer  crops  in  almost  luxuriant  growth, 
in  winter  the  common  growing  crops  are  often  too 
luxuriant  on  the  same  land,  but  that  trouble  may 
be  obviated  by  sowing  or  planting  rather  later  than 
usual,  also  in  having  the  ground  made  very  firm. 
But  with  trenching — and  it  matters  little  whether 
the  deeper  system  or  the  half-trenching,  commonly 
called  bastard  trenching,  be  adopted — a  primary 
aim  of  the  cultivator  should  be  to  put  a  manure- 
dressing,  whilst  the fienching  is  proceeding,  down 
beneath  the  top  spit  of  soil.  Such  manure  will  serve 
the  double  purposes  of  enticing  the  roots  to  grow 


deeply,  and  thus  be  out  of  the  hot,  scorched-surface 
soil,  and  also  help  to  fertilise  or  improve  the  sub- 
soil, and  with  the  aid  of  the  root  action  of  the 
crops  and  the  admission  of  air,  tend  soon  to  make 
this  lower  layer  as  fertile  as  is  the  surface  soil. 
Very  commonly  in  large  gardens  deep  or  complete 
trenching  is  practised,  because  this  manuring  of 
the  subsoil  has  enabled  it  to  be  brought  to  ihe 
top,  and  therefore  the  whole  body  of  soil  from  2  feet 
to  3  feet  in  depth  is  in  good  cultural  condition. 
Where  the  subsoil  is  stiff  and  inert  it  is  a  good 
practise  to  open  a  wide  trench,  3  feet  deep,  and  to 
bury  in  that  trench,  as  fast  as  obtained,  all  garden 
refuse,  then  to  cast  on  that  the  soil  of  similar 
depth  from  the  next  trench.  In  course  of  time  the 
whole  will  become  fertilised  through  the  addition 
of  this  decaying  vegetable  matter.     £>. 


SOCIETIES. 


ROYAL    HORTICULTURAL. 

Scientific  Committee. 
November  12. — Present :  Mr.  J.  T.  Bennett- 
Poe,  M.A.  (in  the  chair),  and  Dr.  A.  B.  Rendle, 
Prof.  Boulger,  Messrs.  W.  C.  Worsdell,  G. 
Saunders,  H.  J.  Elwes,  A.  W.  Sutton,  C.  T. 
Druery,  A.  E.  Bowles,  and  F.  J.  Chittenden 
(hon.  secretary). 

Malformed  Orchids. — Mr.  W.  C.  WORSDELL 
said  that  the  flowers  shown  at  the  last  meeting 
showed  only  two  sepals  and  two  petals,  the.  lip 
being  entirely  absent ;  he  also  showed  speci- 
mens of  Cattleya  Loddigesii  (?)  with  double  lips> 
and  a  Cypripedium  with  the  same  malformation. 
The  last  two  specimens  came  from  Gurney 
Wilson,  Esq.,   Glenthorne,   Haywards  Heath. 

"  Low  Country  "  Tea  Root  Disease  of  Ceylon. — 
Dr.  C.  B.  Plowright  sent  specimens  illustrat- 
ing this  disease,  which  Mr.  T.  Fetch  attributes 
to  an  undescribed  species  of  Ustulina.  "  The 
fructification  occurs  in  two  forms,  conidial  and 
ascigerous.  The  former  consists  of  flattened, 
rounded,  disc-like  growths  upon  the  lower  part 
of  the  stems,"  which  are  covered  with  a  copious 
growth  of  greyish  conidia.  The  ascospores 
follow  in  due  course  upon  these  plate-like 
growths,  and  can  easily  be  recognised  by  their 
minute  black  concentric  openings,  /he  myce- 
lium is  white  or  yellowish,  but  becomes  black 
when  it  comes  to  the  surface  in  a  crack  in  the 
bark  of  the  root  and  forms  irregular  black  lines 
in  the  wood."  The  specimen  sent  showed  the 
disease  in  its  typical  state.  There  was  also  a 
specimen  of  an  unusually  well-developed  asco- 
phore.  "  This  disease  resembles  very  closely  in 
many  ways  Ustulina  vulgaris,  Tul.,  which  grows 
in  our  own  country,  and  this,  in  the  light  of 
Mr.  Fetch's  specimen  is' doubtless  also  a  pyre- 
nomycetous  parasite  upon  Beech  trees."  Speci- 
mens both  in  the  conidial  and  ascigerous  condi- 
tions, gathered  this  autumn  near  Narford  Hall, 
King's  Lynn,  accompanied  the  notes.  "  It 
has  hitherto  been  regarded  as  a  saprophyte,  but 
we  must  now  regard  it  rather  as  a  parasite  on 
this  tree."  Mr.  Fetch  says  of  this  disease: 
"  In  low-country  districts  nearly  all  root  disease 
in  Tea  appears  to  be  caused  by  this  species  of 
Ustulina.  The  indications  on  the  dying  root  ara 
not  so  clear  as  those  of  Poria  or  Koselinia,  but 
there  is  no  difficulty  in  finding  them  once  they 
have  been  pointed  out.  The  roots  show 
small  black  nodules  or  warts,  which  pro- 
bably give  rise  to  underground  mycelium, 
though  this  has  not  been  clearly  estab- 
lished. The  mycelium  between  the  wood 
and  the  bark  spreads  in  white  or  yellowish  fan- 
shaped  patches,  which  acquire  a  black  edge 
when  they  meet  a  crack  in  the  bark.  Irregular 
black  lines  are  seen  in  a  cross-section  of  the 
root.  The  fructification  appears  on  the  lower 
part  of  the  stem,  emerging  through  a  crack  in 
the  bark  in  the  form  of  a  white  swollen  cushion. 
This  spreads  over  the  surface  as  a  more  or  less 
flattened  white  plate,  which  finally  becomes  grey 
and  concentrically  zoned.  When  quite  ripe,  it 
is  a  grey,  concentrically-zoned  plate  marked 
with  minute  black  dots";  it  lies  close  to  the 
surface  of  the  stem,  but  is  only  attached  at  one 
point.  The  under  surface  is  black,  and  the 
whole  surface  hard  and  brittle.  Two  kinds  of 
spores  are  produced  :  the  first  are  borne  on  the 
outer  surface,  when  the  fungus  is  wholly 
whit?  :  the  second  are  produced  when  the 
fungus    is    ripe,     in    minute    chambers,    whose 


November  23,  1C07.] 


THE     GARDENERS     CHRONICLE. 


3G3 


openings  are  the  black  points  previously 
mentioned.  On  Tea  bushes  in  the  field 
the  fructification  often  takes  a  different  shape, 
springing  from  a  very  thin  base  to  a  height 
of  about  half  an  inch  and  widening  out  to  a  flat, 
circular  top.  In  one  instance  this  disease 
began  on  Grevillea  stumps,  and  spread  to  the 
adjoining  Tea  by  contact." 

Hybrid  Pear  and  Quince. — Mr.  WoRSLEV  wrote 
that  he  had  examined  two  of  the  fruits  of  the 
hybrid  between  Bergamotte  Esperen  and  the 
Portuguese  Quince  ;  in  the  small  fruits  he  had 
fjiind  no  perfect  seeds,  but  merely  husks. 
"  The  skin  was  smoother  than  in  the  female 
parent,  and  not  so  notably  spotted  with  dark 
brown  spots.  The  colour  of  the  flesh  was 
greenish,  and  both  in  this  and  in  the  amount 
(if  grit  it  resembled  the  female  parent.  The 
time  of  ripening  was  synchronous  with  that 
of  the  Quince,  and  more  than  three  months 
earlier  than  that  of  the  Bergamotte  Esperen. 
The  flesh  was  sweet  and  exceedingly  aro- 
matic, in  both  of  which  respects  it  ex- 
celled the  female  parent  and  in  the  former  the 
male.  I  could  discern  no  trace  of  either  the 
acidity,  roughness,  or  special  flavour  of  the 
Quince.  .  .  .  The  quality  of  this  hybrid  en- 
titles it  to  be  placed  in  the  highest  rank  of 
dessert  fruits  if  sizeable  fruits  can  be  obtained 
after  grafting.  It  is  interesting  to  note  that  the 
Pear  I  have  under  the  name  of  '  Conseiller  de 
la  Cour '  is  ripe  at  the  end  of  October,  that  the 
fruits  vary  greatly  in  size  and  shape,  that  fertile 
seeds  are  rarely  if  ever  borne,  that  the  flesh  is 
yellow  and  in  flavour  very  close  to  Mr.  Veitch's 
example.  It  is  at  least  possible  that  these 
characters  attach  to  Pears  crossed  with  Quince 
pollen." 

Wheat-ear  Carnation,  &c. — From  Messrs.  J. 
Peed  &  Son,  of  Streatham,  came  specimens  of 
the  Wheat-ear  Carnation,  and  of  fasciated  and 
contorted  stems  of  Broom. 


THE  HORTICULTURAL  CLUB. 
"GARDENS  OF  ROSES." 
On  the  12th  inst.,  at  the  Hotel  Windsor,  Mr. 
George  Gordon,  V.M.H.,  gave  an  interesting  lec- 
ture on  "  Gardens  of  Roses,"  illustrating  it  by  a 
large  number  of  photographic  slides  from  photo- 
graphs taken  mainly  by  himself.  Mr.  Geo. 
Monro,  V.M.H.,  presided.  Mr.  Gordon  showed 
how  wonderfully  the  Rose  in  its  innumerable 
forms  lends  itself  to  varied  treatment  and  to 
varied  conditions  ;  while  here  and  there  among 
the  pictorial  slides  were  interpolated  written 
lists  of  the  varieties  best  adapted  for  the  types 
of  culture  shown.  Standard  Roses,  as  grown 
in  Kew  Gardens,  were  displayed,  and  emphasis 
was  laid  upon  the  necessity  of  the  grafts  being 
effected  upon  young  stocks  and  not  upon  old 
and  bark-bound  ones.  As  a  lelief  to  the  some- 
what stiff  and  artificial  appearance 'of  standards 
when  grown  by  themselves,  several  slides  were 
shown  in  which  they  were  picturesquely  associ- 
ated with  dwarf  Roses.  A  series  of  pergolas  were 
shown  in  conjunction  with  arches,  over  which 
some  magnificent  specimens  of  the  rambling 
types  of  Roses  displayed  themselves  to  the  ut- 
most advantage ;  the  finest  effect  being  invari- 
ably obtained  when  natural  growth  was  per- 
mitted and  pruning  confined  to  the  elimination 
of  old,  weakly,  and  useless  wood.  Some  grand 
specimens  of  Pillar  Roses  were  shown,  several 
modes  of  obtaining  fine  effects  in  this  direction 
by  simple  means  being  exhibited.  Roses  on 
walls  were  also  touched  upon,  and  the  disadvan- 
tages of  one-sided  illumination  and  risk  of 
drought  induced  by  such  positions  were  pointed 
out  as  being  the  cause  of  many  failures. 

The  Rev.  J.  H.  Pemberton  pointed  out  that 
the  word  "climbing"  in  connection  with  Roses 
was  entirely  misplaced,  as  none  had  really  a 
climbing  habit  proper,  but  merely  spread  and 
intermingled  with  other  plants  by  virtue  of  re- 
dundant growth,  and  the  more  this  was  en- 
couraged the  better  the  display  of  bloom.  One 
drawback  to  most  of  the  brilliant  rambling  tribe 
was  that  they  only  bloomed  for  a  comparativelv 
short  period,  and  it  should  consequently  be  the 
aim  of  the  Rosarian  to  obtain  perpetual  bloomers 
such  as  we  so  happily  possess  in  other  sections. 
Another  point  was  the  necessity  for  maintaining 
Khe  perfume  so  characteristic  of  the  Rose,  the 
i  finest  form  of  flower  falling  far  short  of  perfec- 
tion if  odourless.  Sir  Albert  Rollit  referred  to  a 
visit  he  had  made  to  ^he  Danubian  Rose-growing 


districts  of  Bulgaria,  where  thousands  of  acres 
were  devoted  to  Rose  culture  and  the  renowned 
attar  of  Roses  was  produced.  He  passed  round 
a  tiny  bottle  of  this  scent,  wherein  the  perfume 
of  a  myriad  Roses  was  concentrated  into  a  few 
costly  drops, 

COLCHESTER    AUTUMN    SHOW. 

November  8. — This  exhibition  was  held  at 
the  Corn  Exchange,  Colchester,  on  this  date. 
Fruit  of  splendid  quality  was  staged,  there 
bring  no  fewer  than  30  classes  devoted  to  hardy 
fruits,  in  addition  to  others  in  which  'special 
prizes  were  offered.  Vegetables  were  also  freely 
displayed,  but  the  exhibits  of  Chrysanthemums 
were  not  so  numerous  as  in  some  former  years, 
although  the  quality  of  the  flowers  was  good, 
especially  in  the  larger  classes.  The  premier 
award  for  Chrysanthemums  was  won  by  Miss 
Willmott,  Warley  Place,  Brentwood  (gr.  Mr. 
Preece),  for  an  exhibit  of  blooms  of  Japanese 
varieties. 

Other    successful    exhibitors    of    Chrysanthe- 
mums were  W.  E.   Eyres,  Esq.,  Colchestei   (gi 
Mr.  Doidge),  and  Messrs.  G.  W.  Fincham  and 
Beard,    Colchester. 

The  best  Chysanthemum  bloom  in  the  show, 
and  for  which  a  Silver  Medal  was  offered,  was 
Miss  Willmott's  flower  of  Buttercup. 

Plants  •'>;,/  groups. — Exhibits  of  these  were 
not  numerous.     Mr.  W    Diaper,  Priory  Street, 


SIR   JEREMIAH    COLMAN,    BART. 

(who  has  received  the  honour  of  Baronetcy,  as  was 

announced  in  our  last  issue). 

Colchester,  received  the  premier  award  for  a 
creditable  exhibit ;  2nd,  Mr.  J.  Claydon,  Holm- 
wood  Lexden.  Messrs.  Diaper  and  Claydon 
were  also  awarded  the  1st  and  2nd  prizes  in 
the  same  order  for  a  group  of  plants,  and  the 
first-named  exhibitor  won  the  1st  prize  in  all 
the  classes  for  Pompon,  Reflexed,  and  Incurved 
varieties. 

/  i  ust. — There  was  a  splendid  competition  in 
the  fruit  classes.  Some  remarkably  fine  Crapes 
were  staged.  S.  F.  Hurnard,  Esq.,  Hill  Street, 
Lexden,  had  the  best  black  Grapes  in  Black 
Alicante. 

A.  T.  Osborne,  Esq.,  Colchester,  had  the  best 
bunches  of  Muscat  of  Alexandria. 

The  best  six  dishes  of  dessert  Apples  came 
from  the  Hollesley  Bay  Colony,  Miss  Courtald, 
Colne-Engaine,  being  2nd. 

The  1st  prize  for  a  collection  of  cooking 
Apples  was  won  by  the  Hon.  W.  Lowthes,  with 
grand  specimens  ;   2nd,   Miss  Courtald. 

The  best  collection  of  Pears  came  from  the 
gardens  of  Miss  Courtald,  the  Rev.  R.  W. 
Chilton  being  a  close  2nd. 

I  i  ■■  tables. — Exhibits  of  vegetables  occupied 
much  space.  The  1st  prize  in  the  class  for  tin- 
largest   collections   was  taken   by   the    Hon.   W. 


Lowther,  Campsea  Ashe,  Wickham  Market  (gr. 
Mr.  Andrews),  with  splendid  produce ;  2nd, 
Mrs.  E.  Deacon. 

In  the  class  for  a  smaller  collection,  Mrs. 
Deacon  won  the  1st  prize. 

Non-competitive  exhibits.^ -Messrs.  Dobbie  & 
Co.,  Mark's  Tey  and  Rothesay,  exhibited  a 
splendid  collection  of  Onions  ;  Mr.  E.  Abbott, 
Ardleigh,  Essex,  showed  a  collection  of  Apples 
and  Pears;  Mr.  Seabrook,  Chelmsford,  dis- 
played a  large  number  of  hardy  fruits,  and  some 
beautiful  Violets  were  exhibited  by  Mr.  Francis, 
West  Bergholt. 


DERBY    CHRYSANTHEMUM. 

November  15,  16.— The  23rd  annual  exhibi- 
tion was  held  at  the  Drill  Hall,  Derby,  on  these 
dates,  and,  although  the  hall  is  a  spacious  one, 
sufficient  space  to  accommodate  the  whole  of 
the  exhibits  was  only  found  with  difficulty.  Al- 
though in  the  past  few  years  a  falling  off  has 
been  noticed  in  the  exhibits,  the  society  this  year 
has  enjoyed  a  state  of  prosperity. 

Trade  exhibits  added  much  to  the  attractive- 
ness of  the  show.  Messrs.  I.axton  Bros.,  Bed. 
ford,  were  awarded  a  Gold  Medal  for  a  collec- 
tion of  Apples  arranged  with  Nephrolepis 
todeaoides  and  N.  Whitmanii. 

Messrs.  Clibrans,  of  Altrincham,  put  up  an 
excellent  miscellaneous  group  of  flowering  and 
foliage  plants,  including  single  Chrysanthe- 
mums.    (Gold   Medal. | 

Mr.  Godfrey,  of  Exmouth,  staged  a  bank  of 
Chrysanthemums  of  recent  introduction,  taste- 
fully arranged  and  relieved  with  foliage  plants. 
(Gold  Medal.) 

A  display  of  Cyclamen  was  seen  from  the 
gardens  of  the  Rev.  11.  Buckston,  of  Sutton 
Hall,  Derby  (gr.  Mr.  A.  Shambrook).  (Gold 
Medal.) 
The  variety  E.  S.  Vallis  shown  by  Mr.  J. 
(gr.  to  I  ord  Si  irsdale)  was  the  premier 
bloom  in  the  show. 

In  the  competitive  classes,  an  important  one 
was  that  for  24  blooms,  distinct,  of  Japanese 
varieties.  The  1st  prize  was  awarded  to  Mr. 
Josiah  Wood,  Alveston  ;  2nd  to  Miss  Willmott, 
Chaddesden  Hall  (gr.  Mr.  J.   Evans). 

In  the  smaller  class  for  18  blooms  of  Jap- 
anese varieties,  Mr.  J.  Brewer,  Mickleover,  was 
placed  1st,  followed  by  Mrs.  W.  Power.  Mrs. 
Power  had  also  the  best  group  of  Chrysanthe- 
mum plants  arranged  for  effect. 

The  best  exhibit  of  18  blooms  of  Incurved 
varieties  was  shown  by  Mrs.  W.  Power,  The 
Pastures,  Derby  (gr.  Mr.  A.  Simeson) ;  2nd,  Mr. 
Josiah  Wood. 

Mr.  Wood  was  to  the  fore  for  18  blooms  of 
Japanese  Chrysanthemums  staged  in  six  vases; 
2nd,  Mr.  A.  Simeson. 

The  classes  devoted  to  fruit  and  vegetables 
were  well  represented. 

On  the  second  day  of  the  show,  several  thou- 
sand school  children  were  admitted  free.  Prizes 
were  offered  to  the  children  for  the  best  essay  on 
"  A  Visit  to  the  Chrysanthemum  Show." 


NATIONAL    CHRYSANTHEMUM. 

November  17.— At  the  meeting  of  the  Floral 
Committee  held  on  this  date  First-Class  Certi- 
ficates were  awarded  to  the  following  varie- 
ties : — 

Mrs.  J.  Hygate  (Incurved). — This  is  one  of 
the  largest  of  the  white  Incurved  Chrysanthe- 
mums. Shown  by  Mr.  Jsorman  Davis,  Framfield, 
Sussex. 

Marquis  of  Northampton. — A  bronzy-pink 
sport  from  W.  A.  Etherington,  shown  by  Mr.  A. 
R.  Seal,  Castle  Ashby  Gardens,  Northampton. 

Bessie  Evans. — A  large  Japanese  variety  ;  white, 
shaded  with  pink,  and  having  long,  drooping 
florets.  Shown  by  Mr.  W.  J.  Godfrey,  Ex- 
mouth. 

Mab  Ellis. — A  decorative  variety  of  medium 
size  ;  colour  golden  yellow.  Shown  by  Messrs. 
Weils   &   Co. 

Henry  Prior,  a  yellow.  Incurved,  Japanese 
variety  of  medium  size,  from  Mr.  J.  Taylor, 
Forest  Gate,  was  commended,  as  was  also  the 
variety  Foxhunter  (see  p.  346  antel,  shown  by- 
Messrs.  W.  Wells  &  Co.,  Merstham. 


304 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[November  23,  1907. 


NATIONAL  HORTICULTURAL  OF 
FRANCE. 

November  8. — The  great  autumn  exhibition  of 
the  National  Horticultural  Society  of  France 
was  opened  on  this  date  in  the  immense  green- 
houses situated  in  the  Cours  la  Reine,  Paris. 
There  was  a  grand  display  of  Chrysanthemums, 
fruit,  fruit  trees,  vegetables,  trees,  shrubs,  and 
flowering  subjects,  such  as  Carnations,  Dahlias, 
Begonias,  Primulas,  Cyclamen,  &c.  On  the 
opening  morning  M.  Fallieres,  President  of  the 
French  Republic,  visited  the  show. 

The  weather  was  superb,  and  visitors  attended 
in  large  numbers.  The  promenade  leading  up 
to  the  show  was,  as  usual,  supplied  with  many 
choice  groups  of  hardy  shrubs,  Conifers,  &c,  by 
exhibitors,  such  as  MM.  Brochet,  Lecointe, 
Moser  et  fils,  and  others.  Garden  pottery,  statu- 
ary, greenhouses,  trained  fruit  trees,  and  many 
exhibits  connected  with  horticultural  arts  and  in- 


Grand  frix  cFhonneur.  Most  of  the  varieties 
were  unfamiliar  to  us,  but  among  the  best  may 
be  recorded  W.  Tricker,  Miss  Roosevelt,  Boule 
de  Feu,  Presdt.  Nonin,  C.  Schwartz,  Mme.  Fd. 
Roger,  and  A.  Naumene.  Facing  the  entrance 
to  the  building  was  a  big  group  of  Chrysanthe- 
mums exhibited  by  M.  G.  Magne,  in  which  there 
were  some  large  flowers,  two  or  three  on  a  plant, 
of  F.  S.  Vallis,  Mme.  Ed.  Roger,  Duchesse 
d'Orleans,  Luzerta,  Souvenir  de  Cologne,  &c. 
M.  Nonin  staged  a  grand  exhibit,  for  which  he 
received  a  work  of  art.  His  plants  were  ar- 
ranged in  an  immense  square,  with  an  inside 
path  and  a  rectangular  middle  bed.  Some  of  his 
best  varieties  were  Ami  Nonin,  Ch.  Bacque, 
Sapho,  W.  Duckham,  Naples,  W.  R.  Church, 
Roi  dTtalie,  Gloire  de  Vanves,  and  Petit 
Andre.  This  exhibitor  had  also  some  large- 
flowered  early  varieties  that  received  First-Class 
Certificates,  of  which  mention  may  be  made  of 
Plume    de   Coq,    L'Africaine    (a   grand    crimson 


seen.  The  variety  chosen  was  F.  S.  Vallis,  and 
the  flowers  were  of  the  greatest  dimensions,  in 
all,  some  300  blooms  of  this  one  variety,  mingled 
with  bronzy  autumn  foliage.  At  intervals  there 
were  placed  large  vases  of  other  varieties,  in- 
cluding Mrs.  Barkley,  W.  R.  Church,  &c, 
while  at  the  corners  were  four  large  glass  vases 
containing  Roses. 

The  firm  of  MM.  Dubuisson-Foubf.rt,  two 
young  brothers,  whose  successful  culture  of 
Chrysanthemums  was  exemplified  last  year  in 
their  flowers  of  F.  S.  Vallis,  which  were  the 
largest  in  the  show,  again  distinguished  them- 
selves. On  the  present  occasion  their  group 
consisted  of  a  series  of  massive  flowers  in  vases,, 
with  a  large  central  display  of  the  variety  F.  S. 
Vallis,  in  enormous  examples.  The  other 
flowers  were  arranged  in  separate  colours  by 
themselves.  Small  vases  were  placed  at  inter- 
vals with  good  effect,  and  autumn  foliage  was 
freely   used.     A   special   prize   was   awarded   to. 


Fig.  150. — m.   calvat's  new  seedlings  at  the  paris  chrysanthemum  show. 

(Among  the  judges  may  be  noticed  M.   Philippe  de  Vilmorin  and,  on  ei  her  side  of  him,  Messrs.  C.  Harman  Payne  and  Geo.  Schneider.) 


dustries  were  freely  shown  in  this  part  of  the 
exhibition  grounds. 

On  entering  the  first  large  greenhouse,  to  the 
right  and  left  were  two  grand  exhibits  in  the 
art  of  floral  decoration.  One  by  M.  E.  Debrik 
consisted  of  a  dinner  table  decoration,  with 
long  sprays  of  Orchids  and  a  corner  decorative 
group  of  mauve-coloured  Chrysanthemums  effec- 
tively arranged  with  mauve  silk  and  plush.  The 
other  was  a  terrace  balustrade,  with  a  small  grass 
lawn,  gravel  paths,  and  flower  beds.  Here,  again, 
Orchids  most  artistically  arranged  and  of  various 
species  formed  the  chief  objects.  Behind  these 
were  the  two  rooms  in  which  the  Orchid  classes 
were  staged.  MM.  Regnier,  Mahon,  Beraxkk, 
Re  Sueur,  and  the  Ecole  Horticole  du 
Iii  is  put  up  some  beautiful  groups  of 
Orchids,  while  Messrs.  Trufkaut  set  up  orna- 
mental foliage  plants  in  exquisite  style. 

Chrysanthemums  were  shown  in  immense  num- 
bers. M.  Cavron,  as  usual,  showed  grafl  1 
plants    in    large    pots,    and     was     awarded     the 


flower),  Leodie,  Comtesse  Francois  Clary,  Mme. 
Camille  Maheut,  and  Mme.  Abel  Chatenay. 
Messrs.  Leveque  et  fils,  G.  Avarre,  and 
many  others  also   showed  big  groups. 

In  the  corridor  connecting  the  two  large 
greenhouses  Messrs.  Vilmorin,  Andrieux  &  Co. 
staged  a  very  large  exhibit.  This  consisted  of 
grand  specimen  trained  plants  in  the  greatest 
possible  variety.  They  were  arranged  in  a 
series  of  geometrical  beds  of  various  shapes, 
and  in  the  middle  of  the  whole  was  a  wonderful 
plant  of  Tokio,  a  pale  pink-coloured  Japanese 
variety,  grown  as  a  standard,  with  a  semi-circu- 
lar head.  The  plant  was  carrying  738  blooms. 
Some  of  the  other  standard  plants  carried  100 
blooms  each.  The  varieties  were  far  too  numer- 
ous for  us  to  mention. 

Another  grand  exhibit  came  from  M.  G. 
Truffaut.  He,  too,  arranged  his  flowers  on  a 
grass  lawn.  In  the  middle  of  the  group  was  a 
huge  monument  of  Chrysanthemum  blooms,  the 
most  imposing  thing  of  its   kind  we  have  ever 


this  firm  for  the  biggest  bloom  in  the  show,  the- 
variety  being  F.  S.  Vallis. 

Other  exhibitors  in  the  classes  for  Chrysanthe- 
mums were  very  numerous,  and  their  displays 
contained  many  fine  exhibition  flowers.  Many 
of  the  varieties  shown  are  unknown  in  England. 
General  Hutton,  Pres.  Viger,  Mme.  Paolo  Ra- 
daelli,  Marquis  Visconti-Venosta,  M.  Loisseau- 
Rousseau,  Le  Bouvier,  Reg.  Vallis,  J.  H.  Sils- 
burv,  Sapho,  Rayonnant,  Lt.-Col.  Ducroiset, 
Australia,  Mr.  T.  Carrington,  and  Souvenir  de 
Bailleul  were  among  the  most  frequently  and 
finely  shown. 

Dahlias,  Begonias,  Cyclamen,  Carnations 
Hydrangeas  were  also  well  shown. 

New  seedling  Chrysanthemums  were  si 
by  M.  E.  Calvat  (who  had  a  fine  eollei  1 
the  Marquis  de  Pins,  and  M.  Chantries. 

Fruit  trees,  trained  in  every  conceivable  form, 
wefe  shown  along  the  promenade.  Apples  and 
Pears   were   sent   by    many   exhibitors    in    great 


November  l3,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


36  £ 


quantity.  Good  bunches  of  Grapes  were  shown 
by  MM.  Salomon  et  fits,  and  by  Messrs  Cor- 
donnier  et  fils.  The  latter  firm  also  staged  a 
noble  exhibit  of  cut  blooms  of  Chrysanthemums 
A  grand  exhibit  of  vegetables  was  arranged  by 
I  well-known  firm  of  MM.  Vilmomn 
Andrieux  &  I  '...  The  group  was  41  yard,  long' 
and  was  placed  at  the  toot  of  the  staircase  lead- 
ing from  the  corridor  to  the  Seine.  Every  kind 
ot  vegetable  in  season  was  ini  luded  in  this  dis- 
play, which  was  arranged  with  great  taste. 


LINNBAN    SOCIETY. 

November   7'.— A   meeting  was   held    on    the 
above   date,    Prof.    W.     A.     Herdman,     F  R  S 
President,  in  the  chair. 

The  General  Secretary  exhibited  a  copy  of  the 
second  edition  oi  Hudson's  Flora  A>:k<;,  ,,  1778 
on  behalf  of  Mr.  Alexander  II.  Stevenson,  of 
Dundee,  who  had  picked  up  the  volume  in  a 
dilapidated  state  on  a  bookstall.  It  contains 
numerous  notes  by  Rev.  William  Kirby,  an 
Fellow  of  the  Society,  who  spent  his  entire 
clerical  life  of  68  years  in  the  parish  of  Barham 
a  few  miles  from  Ipswich  in  the  direction  of 
Saxmundham.  Many  of  these  notes  relate  to 
ocahties  in  the  neighbourhood,  recorded  in 
1*97,  judging  from  the  few  which  are  dated. 

Dr.    A.    B.    RENDLE    exhibited    an     abnormal 

■■  "lien  of  Eucalyptus  salmonophloia,  1- 
Muell.,  from  West  Australia,  having  two  stems 
horizontally  connected  by  new  growth  The 
Rev.  J.  Gerard,  S.J.,  who  referred  to  similar 
cases  m  the  Yew  (Taxus  baccata),  and  the  Kev. 
G.  Henslow  commented  on  this  exhibition. 

The  first  paper  of  the  evening  was  by  the  Rev 
G.  Henslow,  "On  the  Origin  of  the  Di-tri, 
merous  Floral  Whorls  of  certain  Dicotvled  ms  " 

Mr.  A.  D.  Michael,  F.L.S.,  gave  the  abstract 
of  a  paper  upon  eight  very  remarkable  new 
species  of  Acari  from  New  Zealand,  from  the 
collection  of  the  late  E.  Bostock— six  Onbatidae 
and  two  Gamasidas  ;  the  author  considered  them 
to  be  probably  the  most  striking  species  of  the 
respective  families  ever  exhibited.  They  are  to 
be  called  Oribata  Bostockii,  distinguished  by  the 
pteromorprne  being  attached  to  the  anterior 
margin  of  the  abdomen  instead  of  its  lateral 
margin  ;  Notaspis  spinulosa,  carrying  spinulated 
hairs  of  extraordinary  size  ;  Notaspis  caudata, 
with  a  posterior  projection  not  hitherto  found 
in  the  genus  ;  Hermannia  phvllophora,  with 
great  leaf-like  processes  on  the  legs  ;  Nothrus 
cophinarius  and  N.  unguifera,  extreme  exaggera- 
tions  of  that  section  of  the  genus  represented  in 
Europe  by  N.  spiniger ;  Trachynotus  sclero- 
phyllus,  in  which  the  great  leaf-like  transparent 
hairs  found  on  many  Acari  have  become  opaque, 
hard,  brown  chitin ;  and  T.  fimbriatus  with 
singular  flattened  borders  to  the  first  pair  of 
legs,  much  broader  than  the  legs  themselves. 
A  series  of  lantern-slides  from  the  author's  draw, 
ings  were  shown  in  connection  with  the  ex- 
planations given. 


NEWPORT  (MON.)  CHRYSANTHEMUM. 

November  7.— This  Society  held  its  19th  an- 
nual show  in  the  Gymnasium,  Newport,  on  this 
date,  the  exhibition  being  a  success.  The  classes, 
which  numbered  43,  were  generally  well  filled 
with  exhibits  of  a  high  degree  of  merit. 

Cut  blooms. — In  the  class  for  24  Japanese 
blooms  in  not  fewer  than  18  varieties,  Mr.  Duff 
(gr.  to  Mrs.  F.  S.  Williams,  Brynglas,  Newport) 
led  amongst  four  exhibitors  with  choice  examples 
of  Valerie  Greenham,  F.  S.  Vallis,  Mme.  Paola 
Radaelli,  Mrs.  F.  W.  Vallis,  Duchess  of  Suther- 
land, W.  H.  Church,  Mrs.  Knox,  M.  C.  H. 
Boosey,  President  Viger,  &c.  Mr.  Duff  having 
now  won  the  1st  prize  in  this  class  for  the  third 
time,  he  becomes  the  possessor  of  the  "  Fred 
Phillips  "  Challenge  Bowl.  Mr.  H.  Pitt,  Aber- 
gavenny, won  the  2nd  prize  with  an  almost 
equally  good  set  of  blooms. 

Five  excellent  exhibits  were  staged  in  the  i  lass 
for  twelve  Japanese  blooms  distinct,  the  1st 
position  being  taken  by  Mr.  Drake,  Cardiff, 
with  excellent  blooms  of  Walter  Jinks,  Valerie 
Greenham,  Mrs.  Barkley,  President  Viger,  W.  A 
Etherington,  ftc.  2nd,  Messrs.  Geo. "Williams 
&  Sons,  Cardiff. 

Incurved  varieties. — Only  two  exhibitors  con- 
tested in  the  class  for  six  Incurved  blooms,  and 
of  these  Mr.  Drake  was  successful  with  blooms 
of    Godfreys    Eclipse,    Mrs.     Denyer,     &c.       A 


class  open  to  gentlemen's  gardeners  and 
amateurs  only  was  provided  for  12  Japanese 
blooms.  Mr.  Duef  was  again  successful  with 
good  blooms  of  leading  varieties. 

In  the  amateurs'  classes,  Mr.  W.  H.  FIollinc- 
dale  was  a  remarkably  successful  exhibitor 
He  was  placed  1st  for  twelve  Japanese  blooms 
thus  winning  the  "James  Clements"  Challenge 
Bowl  ;  1st  for  six  Japanese  bloom-  : 
Japanese  blooms  arranged  with  foliage,  and  for 
thiee  Japanese  blooms  of  an  Incurved  type 

Blooms  in  vases— The  principal  class  was  one 
for  eight  vases  of  distinct  varieties,  three  blooms 
in  each  vase.  In  this  competition,  Mr  Drake 
staged  some  of  the  best  blooms  in  the  show  and 
won  the  1st  prize  easily.  His  flowers  'were 
1  "-'  fresh,  and  well  coloured.  He  showed  J. 
II.  Salisbury  (one  of  these  blooms  secured  the 
prize  offered  tor  the  best  bloom  in  the  show), 
Reginald  Vallis,  Valerie  Greenham.  Mrs  Bark- 
ley,  I.  S.  Vallis,  M.  P.  Radaelli,  Walter  Jinks, 
and  W.  A.  Etherington.  Mr.  DUFF  was  a' 
-nd.  Ihe  1st  prize  in  this  class  included  the 
Society's  Challenge  Vase,  valued  at  25  guineas. 
Mr.  Hollincdale  was  1st  for  three  vases  of 
a  Japanese  variety  in  a  cla  iteurs 

only.     The    1st    prize    included    the    "  William 
Jesseman  "  Challenge  Cup. 

Single  varieties  made  a  pretty  show.     Mr.  R. 
Fry  won  leading  honours  foi   sis 
flowers,  Mr.  Long  gaining  the  2nd  prize. 

Groups. — A   class   was   provided    for   a  group 
of  Chrysanthemums  arranged  with  ornamental- 
leaved  plants   in   a   space  occupying  50  square 
feet.     The  1st    prize   was  won   by   Messrs     Wll 
liams  &  Sons,  Cardiff.     2nd,  Mr.  Wiggins 
to  R.  T.  Maw,   Esq.).     In  the  smaller  class  for 
a  group  occupying  an  area  of  40  feel,  Mr.   L'O   G 
was  1st.     The  best  group  of  miscellam 
was  shown  by  Mr.  Powell  (gr.  to  Col.   \\  u  I 
Chesterholme,  Newport). 


BRADFORD     AND     DISTRICT 
CHRYSANTHEMUM. 

November  15,  16.— The  21st  exhibition  of  this 
society,  held  on  the  foregoing  dates,  was  again 
a  success.     There  were  upwards  of  240  entries 
in  46  classes,  and  the  prize  money  amounted  to 
about  £150,   in   addition   to  a  silver  cup  given 
by  the  Lord  Mayor,  gold  and  silver  medals,  and 
various  prizes  in   kind.     The  premier  award  in 
the  open  classes  for  cut  blooms  was  again  won 
by    Arthur    James,    Esq.,    Rugby    (gr.    Mr.    A 
Chandler),   who   has   headed    the 'list   for   manv 
years.     Amongst  the  winning  varieties  were   F 
S.  Vallis,  Reg.  Vallis,  Bessie  Godfrey,   Marquis 
Venosta,    General    Hutton,    Mme.    P.    Radaelli, 
Duchess   of   Sutherland,  &c.     The  2nd  prize  in 
this  class  fell  to  E.  G.  Mocatta,  Esq.,  Addle- 
ston  (gr.   Mr.   Thomas  Stevenson),  whose  group 
comprised   Lady  Talbot,    Mrs.    D.    Fairweather 
Mrs.   J.    Dunn,    Reginald  Vallis,   Valerie  Green- 
ham, Leigh  Park  Wonder,  &c.     This  group  was 
only  a  little  inferior  in  quality  to  that  staged  by 
the    1st    prize-winner.     Mr.    Stevenson    secured 
the  National   Chrysanthemum   Society's   Certifi- 
cate  of   Merit   for   the   best  Japanese   bloom    in 
the   show.     In   the   other    classes    for   Japanese 
blooms,  the  principal  prize-winners  were  Messrs. 
Chandler,  Stevenson,  and  E.  Ellis,  HeswalL 
Cheshire.   The  best  Incurved  blooms  were  shown 
by    Mr.    Ellis,     Mr.     G.    W.    Drake,    Cardiff, 
winning  the  2nd  award.   For  12  dissimilar  blooms 
of   Incurved    varieties    Mr.    Ellis   was    1st,    fol- 
lowed by  Mr.  Drake.     Mr.  Chandler,  in  addi- 
tion to  securing  three  1st  and  two  3rd  prizes  for 
Chrysanthemums,    was    also    awarded    the     1st 
prizes  for  Grapes,  both  black  and  white. 

In  the  local  classes  Mr.  John  Thornton,  of 
Drighlington,  showed  an  exceedingly  meritoriou 
exhibit  of  18  Japanese  blooms,   which  won 
him  the  Lord  Mayor's  Cup.     His  collection  em- 
braced the  following  varieties  :  F.  S.  Vallis    Mrs 
Knox,   Mrs.   Miller,    Leigh  Park  Wonder,   Mme 
M.   de  Mons,  Algernon  Davis,   Miss  E.   Fulton, 
&c.     Messrs.  H.  Clark  &  Sons,  Rodlev,  pi 
close  competitors. 

Alderman  J.  A.  Godwin  [gr.  Mr.  A.  Atten- 
borough)  was  the  1st  prize-winner  in  the  section 
for  six  yellow  Japanese  blooms. 

The  stall  provided  by  the  society  for  the 
benefit  of  the  Royal  Gardeners'  Orphan  Fund 
was  again  a  success,  with  the  result  that  a 
cheque  for  £6  will  be  sent  to  the  secretary  of 
this  charity.  The  committee  has,  during  the  past 
five  or  six  years,  sent  upwards  of  £50  to  the 
R.G.I  >.F.  by  this  means. 


DEVON  &   EXETER  HORTICULTURAL 

November  12,  13.-The  205th  exhibition  of 
this  society  was  held  in  the  Victoria  Hall  Exe- 
ter,  on  these  dates,  the  exhibits  embracing '(  hry. 
santhemums,  fruit,  and  veg  i  Ihrylanthe. 

mum   blooms  were,   as   a  rule,   not   up   to    the 
standard   of  those  of  past  years,   but  fruit    n,, 
especially  good,   considering   ihe  season.      , 
tables   were   well   shown,    particularly    th 
ihe   classes   for   special   prize  collections       The 
entries  numbered  over  600. 

A   feature  of  the  exhibition  was  a  lecture  on 
Fruit    Culture,'    given     by     Mr.     S.     Wright, 
Superintendent     of     the     Royal     Horticulture 
soi  icty's  Gardens  at  Wisley. 

Chrysanthemums—  In    the    open    class    for    30 
Wooms  of  Japanese  varieties  in  10  distinct 
and  staged  in  vases  with  foliage,  a  spei  ial   pri 
wa     offered   by  the   President,    f.    11.'   Ley, 

u     l;i;i"  K>  Esq.,  Parkerswell  (gr.  W.  Row] i 

was   awarded   the    1st   prize,    his   best  examples 

blooms  of  Mrs.  A.  T.  Miller,  Re: 
■allis,  \alene  Greenham,  and  Bess]. 
A  bloom  of  the  last-named  variety  was  awarded 
the  prize  offered  for  the  best  bloom  in  the  show. 
the  ..nd  prize  was  awarded  to  a  very  fine  ex- 
hibit shown  by  Key.  T.  SHEEPSHANKS,'  who  had 
good  specimens  of  Mrs.  A.  II.  Lee  and  Valerie 
iham,  and  grandly  coloured  blooms  of 
Reginald    Vallis   and    Mrs.    i..    Mileham       Mr. 

'  ■    M-    '  '"  UNGfl the  3rd    i 

«w    awarded  th-  \  I  .S.  Certifi 
i  ut  blooms  showed  by  an  amati  i 

1  1st  prize  for  a  collection  of  cut  blooms, 
embrac.ng  the  different  sections  of  Chrysanthe- 
mums,  was  won   by   Mr.   C.    M.   Collingmi 

■  tceedingly  interesting  and  meritorious 
display.     2nd,  Mr.  W.   Brock. 

In  the  clas-c,   for  'J4  Japanese  bio in   nol 

fewer  than  16  distinct  varieties:    for   1J  1,1 
of     Japanese     Chrysanthemums       and      for     six 
blooms,  the  Rev.  T.   Sheepshanks,  Chudlei 
won   the   1st  prizes. 

Mr.  Sheepshanks  (gr.  _\.  Dunkley)  was  also 
awarded  the  medal  for  the  best  professional  ex. 
hlbit  in  the  show,  and  the  1st  prize  for  12  blooms 
of  Japanese  Incurved  varieties. 

The  1st  prize  for  12  vases  of  single  Chrysan- 
themums,     three     spravs     in     each     vase, '  vi 
awarded    Mr.    T.     KEKEW1CH,    l'eamore    (gr      | 
Abrams),    Mr.    H.    Townsend,    Exeter    (gr      II 
Phillips),  being  placed  2nd. 

Fruit. 

The  best  three  bunches  of  Black  Alicante 
Grapes  were  shown  by  Sir  Dl-dley  Duckworth 
King  (gr.   Mr.    Sidney   Baker). 

Xo  prize  was  awarded  in  the  class  for  Muscat 
of  Alexandria,  but  for  three  bunches  of  any  other 
variety  Sir  Dudley  King  won  the  1st  prize  with 
very   fine  fruits  of  Gros  Colmar. 

Apples.— A   Uass    was  provided   for   a   collec- 
tion   of   24   varieties   of   Apples,    to   include    12 
culinary  and  12  dessert  sorts.     Mr.  B.  H    Hn  i 
Crediton  (gr.  G.  Lock),  was  1st  with  an  excellent 
exhibit. 

In  the  class  for  six  varieties  of  dessert  A] 
Mr  Dudley  Duckworth  King  was  placed  1st 
and   Mr.   B.   H.   Hill  2nd. 

Pears— The  best   collection   of   nine   varieties 

of  Pears  in  six  dessert  and  three  culinary  kinds 

was  also  shown  by  Mr.   B.   H.   Hill,  who  had 

nne  fruits  of  Pitmaston  Duchess,  Beurre  Clair- 

Durondeau,   Beurre  Diel,   Marie  Benoist, 

.Sir  J.  W.  Ferguson  Davie,  Creedy  Park  (gr 
\\  .  Seward),  was  1st  for  three  dessert  varieties  • 
and  Dr.  Samways,  Knowle  (gr.  A.  C.  Williams), 
1st  for  the  three  culinary  varieties  of  Pears. 

Vegetables. 

An    important   class   was   for  a   collection   of 
eight  distinct  kinds  of  vegetables.     The  1st  prize 
was  awarded  to  Mr.  B.  H.  Hill  :  2nd    Mr    T    H 
Ley.  '  J' 

The  classes   in  which   prizes   were  offered   bv 
Messrs    Robert   Veitch   &   Son,   Sutton   ,v    - 
James  Carter  &   Co.,   and  Jarman   &   Co      were 
keenly  contested,   and   in   the  exhibits   were   in- 
cluded some  of  the  finest  vegetables  in  the  show. 

Trade  Exhibits. 
Messrs.  Robert  Veitch  &  Son,  Exeter,  sf 
an   extensive   collection   of   ornamental    f'oliaged 
and  berried  shrubs   and   Conifers,   single   Chrv- 
santhemums,   and  a  collection   of   Apples 


366 


THE     GARDENERS1     CHRONICLE. 


[November  23,  1907. 


Messrs.  Jarman  &  Co.,  Chard,  showed  a  mis- 
cellaneous  exhibit  of   fruit   and   vegetables. 

The  British  Columbian  Government  staged 
an  excellent  display  of  Apples.     A.  11. 


SCOTTISH  HORTICULTURAL. 

November  14,  15,  16. — The  unfavourable 
weather  during  October  seriously  affected 
Chrysanthemums  in  Scotland,  with  the  result 
that  some  blank  spaces  were  seen  on  the 
exhibition  tables.  At  this  show  vases  alone 
were  used  for  displaying  the  flowers,  each  re- 
ceptacle containing  three  blooms.  The  chief  prize 
is  the  Queen  Victoria  Memorial  Cup,  with  £10 
in  money  :  this  is  offered  for  15  vases  of  dis- 
tinct varieties.  Five  competitors  staged,  the 
blooms  as  a  whole  being  below  the  usual  high 
standard  of  this  show.  Mr.  Nicoll,  Rossie, 
1'  organdenny,  who  won  the  cup  two  years  ago, 
was  placed  1st  with  128  points  out  of  a  pos- 
sible 180;  Mrs.  A.  T.  Miller,  Mrs.  F.  W.  Vallis, 
Lady  Conyers,  and  J.  H.  Silsbury  were  Mr. 
NicOll's  finest  examples.  Mr.  Beisant,  Castle 
Huntly,  was  awarded  the  2nd  prize.  3rd,  Mr. 
G.  Stewart,  Tulliallan. 

In  the  class  in  which  the  Scottish  Challenge 
Cup  was  offered,  the  1st  prize  collection 
embraced  much  the  finest  blooms  in  the  show  ; 
they  came  from  the  gardens  of  D.  J.  Younger, 
Ksq.,  Arnsbrae,  Alloa  (gr.  Mr.  T.  Baird).  The 
schedule  required  eight  vases  containing  blooms 
of  distinct  varieties.  Mr.  Baird  secured 
76JL  points  out  of  a  possible  96,  and  a  medal 
was  awarded  for  the  blooms  of  the  variety  Mrs. 
A.  T.  Miller.  2nd,  Mr.  Hutton,  Usan  House, 
Montrose.  3rd,  Mr.  R.  McKenzie,  Dochfour, 
Beally. 

In  the  class  for  six  vases  of  Chrysanthemums 
in  six  varieties,  the  premier  award  was  given  to 
the  Countess  of  Vealfield,  Cullen  (gr.  Mr.  A. 
Morton),  for  large  and  well-developed  blooms  ; 
2nd,  Mr.'  Baird.  A  class  was  provided  for  four 
vases  of  Chrysanthemums  only,  but  to  be  com- 
peted for  by  gardeners  of  Edinburgh  and  Leith. 
Mr.  StenhouSe,  Tipperlin  Cottage,  was  the 
only  competitor  in  this  and  the  smaller  corre- 
sponding class  for  two  vases. 

Some  good  blooms  were  seen  in  the  class  for 
12  varieties,  the  prizes  going  to  Messrs.  Hutton, 
Nicoi.l,  and.  Beisant  in  the  order  named.  A 
fair  competition  obtained  in  the  decorative 
classes,  Messrs.  Hay,  Ferguson,  Kidd,  Hogg, 
and  Todd  being  the  chief  prize-winners.  Ex- 
hibits of  single  Chrysanthemums  formed  a  large 
and  pretty  section.  Messrs.  Knight,  Brayton, 
and  Galloway  were  the  leading  prize-winners 
in  this  section. 

Plants. — Displays  of  plants  other  than  Chrys- 
anthemums were,  considering  the  lateness  of 
the  season,  above  the  average  in  quality,  espe- 
cially those  staged  by  Lady  Steel,  Borough- 
field  (gr.  Mr.  Michie)  ;  and  D.  R.  M.  Huie,  Esq., 
Hollywood  (gr.  Mr.  l'ulman),  to  whom  the  chief 
prizes  were  awarded.  There  were  only  two 
groups  of  Chrysanthemums,  that  to  which  the 
1st  prize  was  awarded  being  staged  by  Col.  E. 
R.  S.  Richardson,  Ballathie,  Stanley  (gr.  Mr. 
Davis). 

Fruit  was  particularly  well  shown.  The  Duke 
of  Westminster,  Eaton  Hall,  Chester  (gr.  Mr, 
Barnes),  staged  good  Grapes,  a  Pineapple, 
Melons,  Pears,  and  20  Apples  in  the  24-dish 
class,  the  exhibit  being  awarded  the  1st  prize. 
Lord  Elphinstone,  Carbery  (gr.  Mr.  Kidd),  the 
only  other  exhibitor  in  the  class,  won  the  second 
prize.  Mr.  Barnes,  Mr.  Grindrod,  Hereford, 
Mr.  Sinclair,  Drem,  Mr.  Galloway,  Gosford, 
and  Mr.  Melville,  Dunrobin,  also  contributed 
largely  in  the  classes  for  Apples  and  Pears.  A 
class  for  a  collection  of  eight  dishes  of  fruits 
brought  only  two  exhibitors,  Mr.  Galloway  and 
Mr.  Pirie,  Dalhousie  Castle,  the  prizes  being 
awarded  in  the  order  of  their  names.  Grapes 
were  ail  important  feature,  Mr.  Leslie,  Pitcul- 
len,  Perth,  showed  excellent  bunches  in  most 
of  the  classes,  as  also  did  Messrs.  Barnes,  Gal- 
loway, Kidd,  Pirie,  Stewart  (Dunkeld), 
Highgate   (Yester),   and   Shiells. 

Vegetables  were  numerous  and  of  fine  quality. 
The  Duke  of  Portland,  Welbeck  (gr.  Mr.  Gib 
son),,  secured  the  President's  prize  offered  for 
12  sorts  of  vegetables,  with  large  and  clean  pro- 
duce ;  2nd,  Earl  of  Home,  Bothwell  Castle  (gr. 
Mr.  Bell).  In  the  smaller  class  for  a  collec- 
tion   of    six     sorts,     Mr.     McMichie,     Hillfort, 


Dollar,  secured  the  1st  prize  and  Mr.  Highgate 
the  2nd  prize. 

Non-competitive  exhibits  were  less  numerous 
than  usual.  They  included  a  selection  of  dried 
fruits  and  other  produce  from  South  Australia, 
which  was  awarded  a  Gold  Medal,  and  Apples 
from  British  Columbia  (Gold  Medal).  Messrs.  J. 
&  A.  Glass,  Princes  Street,  staged  floral  devices 
(Gold  Medal).  Messrs.  Dobbie  &  Co.,  Rothe- 
say, showed  Onio.is  and  Potatos  (Gold  Medal). 
Mr.  D.  W.  Thomson,  113,  George  Street,  dis- 
played a  collection  of  berried  shrubs  in  variety 
(Silver-Gilt  Medal).  A  Silver-Gilt  Medal  was 
awarded  to  Messrs.  Storrie  &  Storrie,  Dundee, 
for  a  collection  of  fruit  trees,  hardy  fruits  and 
plants,  and  Silver  Medals  to  Mr.  J.  Forbes, 
Hawick,  for  Carnations  and  Asters;  Messrs. 
Boves  iV  Co.,  Leicester,  for  Carnations ;  and 
Messrs.  Wells  &  Co.,  Mersham,  for  Chrysan- 
themums. A  First-Class  Certificate  was  awarded 
to  Clara  Wells,  an  Incurved  variety. 


WINCHESTER    CHRYSANTHEMUM. 

November  14,  15. — This  annual  show  was  held 
in  the  Guildhall  on  these  dates.  The  exhibition 
was  a  success,  the  exhibits  being  of  remarkable 
quality,  and  embracing  many  sections  of  horti- 
culture. 

Groups  of  miscellaneous  plants  arranged  for 
effect  were  exceedingly  good  :  the  principal  sub- 
jects employed  were  well-flowered  Orchids,  Poin- 
settias,  Amaryllis,  Begonias,  Codiaeums  (Cro- 
tons),  Palms,  and  Ferns.  The  premier  award 
in  this  class  was  made  in  favour  of  F.  C.  Birch, 
Esq.,  Clovelly,  Winchester  (gr.  Mr.  E.  Long), 
who  employed  some  graceful  sprays  of  Oncidium 
varicosum  Rogersii  with  good  effect;  2nd,  A.  P. 
Ralli,  Esq.,  Twyford,  Winchester  (gr.  Mr.  J. 
Hughes). 

In  the  class  for  nine  Chrysanthemum  plants 
suitable  for  conservatory  decoration,  and  each 
specimen  having  not  fewer  than  five  blooms, 
Col.  Dickins,  Edge  Hill,  Winchester  (gr.  Mr.  G. 
Adams),  was  awarded  the  1st  prize  for  excel- 
lent plants  that  were  carrying  large  blooms  of 
good  quality ;  2nd,  the  Rev.  D.  M.  Moorson, 
Holyrood,  Winchester  (gr.  Mr.   H.   Gigg). 

In  a  class  for  nine  plants  of  white  and  yellow- 
flowered  varieties  of  Chrysanthemums,  Col. 
Dickins  was  again  successful  with  good  plants 
of  Niveus,  F.  S.  Vallis,  C.  H.  Curtis,  Mrs.  Jud- 
son,  and  Mme.  Oberthur ;  2nd,  J.  A.  Fort, 
Esq.  (gr.  Mr.  G.  Cousens). 

Cut  blooms. — Competition  was  keen  in  the 
classes  for  cut  blooms,  and  the  exhibits  were 
generally  of  high  quality.  In  the  Japanese  sec- 
tion there  were  many  competitors.  In  the  class 
for  36  blooms  in  not  fewer  than  24  varieties,  four 
growers  competed.  Martin  Hodgson,  Esq., 
Morton  House,  Kingsworthy  (gr.  Mr.  A.  J. 
Marsh),  won  the  premier  award  with  full-sized, 
massive  examples  of  Bessie  Godfrey,  Magnifi- 
cent, F.  S.  Vallis,  J.  H.  Silsbury,  Duchess  of 
Sutherland,  Mrs.  F.  W.  Vallis,  Algernon  Davis, 
Reginald  Vallis,  &c.  ;  2nd,  Pantia  Ralli,  Esq., 
Ashtead  Park,  Epsom  (gr.   Mr.  G.  J.  Hunt). 

Much  the  best  exhibit  of  24  blooms  in  not 
fewer  than  18  varieties  was  shown  by  Major 
Chichester  (gr.  Mr.  B.  Hollis).  Mrs.  Ogii.vii: 
(gr.  Mr.  L.  Dawes),  Rosecroft,  Hambledon,  was 
a   creditable   exhibitor   in   this   class. 

In  the  class  for  six  varieties  of  Japanese  Chry- 
santhemums, three  blooms  of  each  variety,  ar- 
ranged in  a  vase,  the  executors  of  the  late  Ladv 
Ashburton  (gr.  Mr.  G.  Hall)  won  the  1st  prize 
with  handsome  blooms  of  such  varieties  as  Mine. 
P.  Radaelli,  F.  S.  Vallis,  W.  jinks,  and  Edith 
Smith. 

Incurved  varieties. — Exhibits  in  th:s  section 
were  excellent.  For  36  blooms  in  not  fewer  than 
_'4  varieties  there  were  three  contestants.  M. 
Hodgson,  Esq.,  was  distinctly  1st  with  large, 
handsome  flowers  ;  2nd,  P.  Ralli,  Esq. 

Decorative  varieties,  not  disbudded  and  ar- 
ranged in  vases,  made  a  brilliant  display.  In 
the  class  for  six  varieties  Mr.  A.  E.  Taylor, 
3,  Hillside  Terrace,  Winchester,  was  placed  1st 
for  an  exhibit  of  the  highest  excellence.  The 
blooms  were  shapely,  clean,  and  well  displayed. 
Mr.  Birch  followed. 

Single-flowered  varieties  were  also  well  staged. 
The  best  six  bunches  were  displayed  by  A.  P. 
Ralli.  Esq.  ;  2nd  W.  H.  Mvers,  Esq.,  Swan- 
more  House,  Bishop's  Waltham  (gr.  Mr.  G.  Ell- 

WOl  "1). 

Grapes  were  a  feature  of  the  show,  and  ex- 
hibits of  vegetables  were  numerous  and  good. 


LIVERPOOL    HORTICULTURAL. 

November  13,  14. — The  annual  show  of  this 
association  was  held  on  these  dates  in  the  Drill 
Hall,  Upper  Warwick  Street,  a  spacious  buildi 
ing,  but  very  dusty,  and  lacking  in  artificial 
light.  The  entries  were  slightly  :ewer  than  those 
of  last  year,  but  the  high  quality  of  preceding 
shows  was  well  upheld.  The  attendance,  how- 
ever, was  poor,  the  gate  money  only  totalling 
half  that  of  the  1906  show. 

Chrysanthemums  in  pots. — Soma  good  examples 
of  trained  plants  were  seen,  the  chief  winners 
in  this  section  being  Mr.  T.  Hitchman  (gr.  to 
Arthur  Earle,  Esq.);  Mr.  R.  T.  Bushell  (gr. 
to  L.  Noblett,  Esq.)  ;  Mr.  E.  Wharton  (gr.  to 
J.  Findlay,  Esq.)  ;  Mr.  J.  Watson  (gr.  to  James 
Birch,  Esq.)  ;  and  Mr.  F.  Keightley  (gr.  to  Mrs. 
Duncan). 

Cut  flowers. — Greater  competition  has  been 
seen  in  former  years,  but  this  notwithstanding, 
the  classes  were  well  filled.  In  the  class  for  48 
cut  blooms,  including  24  Incurved  and  24  Jap- 
anese varieties,  Sir  W .  H.  Tate,  Bart.,  Wooiton 
(gr.  Mr.  Geo.  Haigh),  won  the  1st  prize  with  large 
nright  flowers,  the  best  of  which  were  of  Jap- 
anese varieties,  such  as  Leigh  Park  Wonder, 
F.  S.  Vallis,  Valerie  Greenham,  Algernon  Davis, 
W.  E.  Etherington,  Reginald  Vallis,  Mrs.  W. 
Knox,  W.  R.  Church,  &c.  2nd,  E.  Ellis,  Esq. 
(gr.  Mr.  J.  Davies),  with  fine  blooms  of  J.  H. 
Silsbury,  E.  J.  Brooks,  H.  Perkins,  Maieking 
Hero,  Mrs.  T.  Dalton,  Buttercup,  G.  F.  Evans, 
ice. 

Mr.  J.  Young  won  the  1st  prize  in  a  class  for  18 
Incurved  Chrysanthemums,  distinct,  with  excel- 
lent flowers,  and  R.  Hobson,  Esq.  (gr.  Mr.  W. 
Wainwright),  led  in  the  similar  class  for  18 
Japanese  blooms,  distinct. 

Twelve  Incurveds,  distinct. — Joseph  Smith, 
Esq.  (gr.  Mr.  J.  H.  Kefford),  took  the  lead  for 
12  Incurved  blooms,  whilst  in  the  two  classes, 
the  one  for  six  Incurved  blooms,  to  be  shown  in 
two  vases;  and  the  other  for  six  Japanese  blooms 
similarly  displayed,  Mr.  J.  Macfarlane  won 
the  1st  prize. 

The  b;st  six  vases  of  single  Chrysanthemums 
were  put  up  by  Mr.  T.  Nicholson. 

The  classes  devoted  to  other  species  of  plants 
were  well  contested,  and  there  were  many  fine 
exhibits  of  fruit. 

Non-competitive  exhibits  were  set  up  by  those 
following: — Messrs.  Dicksons,  Chester,  staged 
l  'hrvsanthemums,  Roses  and  Apples ;  Messrs. 
Clibrans,  Altrincham,  showed  Chrysanthe- 
mums ;  Messrs.  Fishlock  Bros,  had  cut 
flowers ;  Messrs.  Ker  &  Sons,  Liverpool,  dis- 
played Salvias,  Ferns,  and  Cyclamen ;  Messrs. 
Thos.  Davies  &  Co.  had  Cyclamen,  Lily  of  the 
Valley,  and  Liliums ;  Mr.  C.  A.  Young  showed 
Carnations ;  Mr.  W.  Rowlands  displayed  Car- 
nations and  Bouvardias ;  Messrs.  Moore  ex- 
hibited Orchids  in  variety;  Mr.  H.  Middle- 
hurst  had  Liliums,  Spiraeas,  &c.  ;  Messrs.  W. 
Wells  &  Co.,  Merstham,  Surrey,  put  up  a  group 
of  Chrysanthemums. 


YORK    CHRYSANTHEMUM. 

November  13,  14. — This  autumn  show  was 
again  held  in  the  exhibition  building,  which  fur- 
nishes an  excellent  site  for  a  flower  show. 

Groups  of  Chrysanthemums  and  foliage  plants 
were  of  the  usual  first  class  quality  seen  at 
York.  Cut  blooms  were  of  an  average  quality 
only,  whilst  specimen  plants  have  deteriorated 
considerably  in  this  neighbourhood  in  the  last 
two  years,  although  at  one  time  this  show  pro- 
duced a  really  fine   display  in  this  direction. 

Decorative  varieties  are  verv  largely  culti- 
vated in  the  York  district. 

Valuable  prizes  were  offered  for  a  group  of 
Chrysanthemums  mixed  with  foliage  plants  for 
effect.  Five  growers  competed,  thus  making  a 
bold  display,  which  was  staged  down  the  centre 
of  the  main  hall.  Each  group  occupied  an  area 
of  100  square  feet.  Mr.  J.  G.  Pettinger,  Kent 
Road  Nurseries,  Harrogate,  won  the  1st  prize 
with  very  finely  developed  Chrysanthemums  and 
good  foliage  plants,  all  well  blended  together. 
The  Frederick's  Hotel  Co.  (gr.  Mr.  L.  Han- 
chant),  Harrogate,  was  awarded  the  2nd  prize 
for  a  group  in  which  the  Chrysanthemum  blooms 
were  smaller. 

Groups  arranged  as  pillars  17  feet  high, 
and  as  much  as  6  feet  wide  at  their  bases, 
and  furnished  with  decorative  varieties  of  Chry- 
santhemums and  green  foliage  plants  formed  an 


November  23,  1807.] 


THE     GARDENERS     CHRONICLE. 


3g; 


important  feature  of  the  show.  The  best  of  these 
exhibits  was  put  up  by  Mr.  G.  Cottam,  Alena 
Gardens,  Cottingham,  Hull.  There  were  four 
contestants. 

The  best  group  of  Chrysanthemum  plants  was 
exhibited  by  Mr.  J.  M.  Petch,  St.  John's  Street, 
Bridlington,  who  showed  dwarf  plants  having 
excellent  blooms  ;  2nd,  W.  Talbot  Agar,  Esq., 
Brockfield  Hall,  York  (gr.  Mr.  W.  Barnes),  with 
a  greater  profusion  of  flowers,  but  they  were  not 
of  so  fine  a  quality  as  those  in  the  1st  prize 
group.  In  the  amateurs'  classes  were  seen 
several  good  groups  of  Chrysanthemum  plants. 

Cut  blooms. — In  the  class  for  36  Japanese 
blooms  in  not  fewer  than  24  varieties  Mr.  W. 
Iggulden,  Frome,  was  awarded  the  1st  prize, 
and  the  Marquis  of  Northampton,  Castle  Ashby 
(gr.  Mr.  A.  R.  Searle),  the  2nd. 

The  Earl  of  Fkversham,  Duncombe  Park, 
Helmsley  (gr.  Mr.  D.  Williams),  won  in  the  class 
for  12  Japanese  blooms  with  creditable  examples 
of  popular  varieties. 

Incurved  varieties  were  of  fair  quality.  The 
Marquis  of  Northampton  was  the  leading  ex- 
hibitor in  this  section. 

The  classes  for  single-flowered  varieties  were 
interesting.  In  that  for  six  bunches  of  these 
flowers,  the  Right.  Hon.  H.  W.  Fitzwilliam, 
Wigganthorpe,  York  (gr.  Mr.  A.  Alderman),  won 
the  1st  prize  with  a  bright,  attractive  exhibit. 

Decorative  varieties. — In  the  class  for  12  varie- 
ties of  decorative  Chrysanthemums  staged  in 
vases,  five  growers  entered.  Messrs.  Theake- 
stone,  The  Nurseries,  Hull  Road,  York,  won 
the  1st  prize  with  an  admirable  display. 

A  Gold  Medal  was  awarded  to  Messrs.  J. 
Backhouse  &  Son,  York,  for  a  non-competitive 
exhibit  of  hardy  fruit  and  miscellaneous  flower- 
ing plants. 

DUMFRIES  AND  GALLOWAY 
HORTICULTURAL 

November  16. — A  meeting  of  this  society  was1 
held  in  the  Town  Hall,  Dumfries,  on  the  above 
date.  Provost  Nicholson,  Maxwelltown,  occu- 
pied the  chair.  The  secretary  and  treasurer, 
Mr.  R.  G.  Mann,  read  a  statement  of  the  funds 
of  the  society,  showing  that  there  was  a  credit 
balance  of  £22  10s.  The  Chairman  of  the  direc- 
tors, Mr.  R.  Service,  said  the  society  having 
some  years  ago  fallen  into  an  unsatisfactory  con- 
dition, the  management  had  endeavoured  to  re- 
establish it  upon  a  firmer  basis.  They,  however, 
thought  that  others  should  take  up  the  work, 
and  they  did  not  intend  to  offer  themselves  for 
re-election  at  present. 

This  report  was  adopted,  and,  after  a  motion 
to  appoint  a  provisional  committee  to  revise  the 
rules,  Sec,  had  been  defeated,  a  new  directorate 
was  appointed.  Provost  Nicholson  was  ap- 
pointed chairman,  Mr.  J.  Henderson,  Elm- 
bank,  vice-chairman,  and  a  committee  of  ten 
others,  with  power  to  add  to  their  number.  Mr. 
R.  G.  Mann  was  re-appointed  secretary  and 
treasurer. 


READING  LITERARY  AND  SCIENTIFIC. 

"THE   WONDERS    OF   FERN    LIFE." 

On  Thursday  the  7th  inst.  at  a  meeting  of  this 
society  in  the  Lecture  Hall,  Friar  Street,  Read- 
ing, with  Dr.  F.  W.  Stansfield  in  the  chair, 
and  a  numerous  audience,  Mr.  Chas.  T.  Druery, 
V.M.H.,  F.L.S.,  gave  an  interesting  lecture, 
illustrated  by  a  large  number  of  lantern 
slides,  in  many  cases  of  a  unique  character. 
Commencing  with  an  allusion  to  the  wonders 
which  revealed  themselves  in  every  branch  of 
natural  study  if  properly  investigated,  he  stated 
that  Ferns  possessed  their  own  peculiar  mar- 
vels, and  in  some  respects  far  and  away  tran- 
scended flowering  plants  in  biological  interest. 
In  the  first  place,  it  was  pointed  out  that  al- 
though nowadays  Ferns  are  regarded  chiefly  as 
merely  pretty  foliage  plants,  and  their  indus- 
trial utility  was  almost  nil,  had  it  not  been  for 
the  existence  of  Ferns  in  the  far  distant  past, 
our  coal  seams  would  not  have  been  formed, 
and  humanity  would  consequently  have  been  de- 
P-'ved  of  one  of  the  main  factors  in  its  indus- 
trial and  commercial  developments.  An  ideal 
picture  of  one  of  the  Fern  forests  of  the  coal 
period  was  thrown  on  the  screen,  and  was  fol- 
lowed by  one  of  an  actual  fossil  Fern  remark- 
ably like  the  bracken  of  to-day.     The  difference 


between  spore-bearing  and  seed-bearing  plants 
was  then  described,  together  with  the  life  his- 
tory of  the  Fern,  illustrated  by  photographic  re- 
productions of  Count  Suminski's  drawings  of 
the  various  stages,  made  in  1843  at  the  time  of 
the  discovery  of  the  last  link  in  the  chain  of 
phenomena  which  culminated  in  the  production 
of  3.  young  Fern. 

The  lecturer  then  explained  how  this  life  cycle 
was  varied  and  short-circuited  as  it  were  by 
nature  in  some  varieties  of  Ferns,  and  from  this 
proceeded  to  illustrate  the  wondrously  sportive 
nature  evidenced  so  greatly  in  native  species, 
many  beautiful  slides  showing  the  choicest 
forms  obtained  by  hunting  for  sports  and  by 
subsequently  subjecting  such  plants  to  selective 
culture.  The  wondrous  fertility  of  Ferns  as 
sport-producers  was  shown  upon  the  screen  by 
means  of  a  simple  multiplication  sum,  demon- 
strating that  even  a  comparatively  small  grow- 
ing  Fern  could  produce  in  a  single  season  from 
a  single  plant  over  1,100  millions  of  spores, 
each  of  which  was  capable  of  producing  several 
plants,  while  large-growing  tree  Ferns  could 
multiply  these  results  by  thousands.  The  far 
greater  value  of  the  beautiful  British  "  sports  "' 
as  decorative  plants  than  many  exotics  was 
dwelt  upon,  and  Mr.  Druery  deprecated  the 
crowding  of  gardens  with  the  common  forms  oi 
our  native  species  when  much  finer  and  equally 
hardy  varieties  were  available.  The  lecture  con- 
cluded with  a  representation  of  the  lecturer's 
Fernery,  clearly  demonstrating  what  a  splendid 
effect  could  be  produced  in  a  perfectly  cold 
house  by   British  Fern  varieties  alone. 


WARGR4.VE  CHRYSANTHEMUM. 

The  sixth  annual  show  of  Chrysanthemums, 
fruit  and  vegetables  organised  by  the  above 
association  was  held  recently  in  the  Woodclyffe 
Hall,  Wargrave.  The  exhibition  was  non-com- 
petitive, and  was  in  aid  of  the  Royal  Gardeners' 
Orphan  Fund.  A  large  number  of  visitors  pat- 
ronised the  show,  especially  in  the  evening. 
Of  the  numerous  exhibits,  the  principal  were: — 
A  group  of  Chrysanthemums  shown  bv  C.  S. 
IIknrv,  Esq.,  M.P.  (gr.  Mr.  F.  Goddard)  ;  100 
dishes  of  fruits  exhibited  by  Mrs.  Noble  (gr. 
Mr.  T.  Powell)  ;  a  display  of  Chrysanthemums 
and  Begonia  Gloire  de  Lorraine  exhibited  by  A. 
E.  Hlggins,  Esq.  (gr.  Mr.  D.  Turner) ;  and  a  col- 
lection of  fruit  from  the  gardens  of  M.  Rhodes, 
Esq.  (gr.  Mr.  T.  Haskett).  After  paying  all  ex- 
penses, a  cheque  for  £6  10s.  was  sent  to  the  sec- 
retary of  the  Royal  dardeners'  Orphan  Fund, 
thus  making  a  sum  of  about  £56  sent  to  the 
various  gardening  charities  during  the  six  years 
the  shows  have  been  held. 


(EMn'tuarjj. 


George  Philip.— There  were  laid  to  rest  on 
Tuesday  afternoon,  19th  inst.,  in  Nellfield 
Cemetery,  Aberdeen,  the  remains  of  Mr.  George 
Philip,  superintendent  of  the  Stewart  Public 
Park,  Aberdeen.  When  the  land  which  now 
comprises  the  Stewart  Park  was  acquired  by  the 
Corporation  of  Aberdeen,  Mr.  Philip  was  en- 
gaged by  the  Town  Council  to  fulfil  the  duties 
of  head  gardener,  and  during  the  dozen  years 
which  have  elapsed  since  then  Mr.  Philip  has 
occupied  that  position.  The  citizens  of  Aber- 
deen know  well  the  splendid  work  Mr.  Philip 
has  done  in  this  beautiful  park.  For  a  number 
of  years  previously  Mr.  Philip  was  head  gar- 
dener at  Blackhall  Castle,  BanchOry-Ternan, 
Kincardineshire,  and  he  left  that  position  to 
undertake  the  duties  at  Woodside,  the  district 
of  Aberdeen  served  by  the  Stewart  Park.  Mr. 
Philip  took  a  great  interest  in  the  affairs  of  the 
Royal  Horticultural  Society  of  Aberdeen,  and 
was  convener  of  several  of  the  committees.  He 
was  54  years  of  age,  and  leaves  a  widow  and  a 
young  family. 

Charles  Scott. — Many  botanists  and  gar- 
deners who,  during  late  years,  have  visited  the 
Glasgow  Botanic  Gardens,  will  regret  to  learn 
of  the  demise  of  the  principal  propagator, 
Charles  Scott,  who  died  from  an  attack  of  pneu- 
monia on  the  12th  inst.  in  his  44th  year.  Scott 
was  born  at  Ladykirk,  Berwickshire,  where  his 
father  was  gardener  for    43   years.     During    ex- 


perience in  good  gardens  in  Scotland  and 
England  he  acquired  an  excellent  knowledge  of 
gardening.  His  spare  time  was  devoted  to  the 
scientific  study  of  plants,  and  he  possessed  such 
general  knowledge  of  their  structure  that  he 
proved  a  most  successful  propagator.  In  late 
years  he  devoted  his  attention  to  the  study  of 
mosses  and  hepatics,  and  to  his  enthusiasm  and 
zeal  much  of  the  success  of  the  "  Mossery  "  in 
the  Botanic  Gardens,  which  is  far  the  finest  in 
the  country,  is  due.  His  kindly  disposition  en- 
deared him  to  all  the  garden  staff,  by  whom  and 
a  large  circle  of  plant  lovers  his  untimely  death 
is  deeply  mourned. 


to 
>rr(jpondent 


Agarics  :  C.  B.G.  The  specimens  when  received 
were  much  dried  and  shrivelled,  and  out  of 
shape,  but  they  resemble  Clitocybe  tuba,  and 
are  probably  that  species. 

Black  Hamburgh  Vine  in  a  Pot  11  inches  in 
Diameter:  /.  W.  A.  The  plant,  as  stated 
by  yourself,  will  have  rooted  into  the  soil 
beneath  the  pot,  and  it  should  not  be  dis- 
turbed. Meanwhile  protect  the  pot  and  stem 
from  severe  weather  by  affording  them  a  cover- 
ing of  straw  or  mats.  In  the  month  of  March 
let  the  pot  be  broken  up,  but  not  the  ball  of 
earth  and  roots.  Prepare  three  or  four  bushels 
of  turfy  loam,  and  mix  with  this  a  barrow- 
load  of  lime-rubble  and  wood  ashes,  adding 
a  little  chemical  vine  manure.  Place  this 
compost  around  the  ball,  and  disentangle  any 
roots  that  you  can  get  at  without  gnitl;. 
disturbing  the  soil.  Add  some  of  the  compost 
wherever  it  can  be  worked  into,  and  make  the 
whole  firm.  A  small  enclosure  of  stone  re- 
sembling rockwork  can  be  built  around  the 
whole  mass.  This  will  be  sufficient  to  Sup- 
port the  vine  for  two  years  to  come.  Prune 
the  young  vine  after  the  leaves  have  fallen. 

Carnation  Rust:  A.L.  You  should  have  for- 
warded examples  of  diseased  foliage.  The  two 
principal  fungus  diseases  of  Carnations,  Hel- 
minthosporium  echinulatum  and  Urofnyces 
dianthi,  are  both  checked  by  spraying  with 
potassium  sulphide.  The  better  plan,  however, 
is  to  stamp  out  the  disease  by  burning  all 
affected  leaves  and  any  crippled  plants  ;  after- 
wards endeavour  by  good  culture  to  keep  the 
plants  free  from  disease. 

Clearing  Half  an  Acre  of  Land  from  Couch 
Grass  :  Olga.  It  would  be  of  no  use;to  trench 
in  and  bury  the  roots  under  two  or  three  spits 
of  soil,  the  weed  being  certain  to  re-appear  on 
the  surface  in  the  course  of  the  next  two  years. 
It  would  be  better  to  bastard-trench  the  land, 
using  a  steel  digging-fork  instead  of  a  spade, 
collecting  the  pieces  of  the  roots,  and  break- 
ing the  clods  to  pieces,  so  as  to  extract  all  of 
them.  In  digging  the  first  trench,  the 
upper  soil  should  be  searched  for  the  roots 
before  it  is  wheeled  to  the  end  of  the  quarter, 
and  the  soil  at  the  bottom  of  the  trench  be 
dug  over  and  all  roots  taken  out  that  can  be 
found.  Below  this  depth  the  roots  are  not 
likely  to  have  penetrated,  if  the  land  has  never 
been  deeply  cultivated.  Each  succeeding 
trench  should  be  treated  in  the  manner  al- 
ready described.  The  second  spit,  although 
dug  as  deep  as  the  fork  will  go,  should  be 
left  in  situ,  unless  it  is  of  good  quality,  and 
in  that  event  half  a  spit  or  less  might  be 
brought  up  to  the  top.  The  hoe  must  be  kept 
diligently  at  work  all  through  the  summer, 
and  every  bit  of  couch  grass  that  shows 
should  be  forked  up.  Quick-growing  crops, 
such  as  Lettuces,  Radishes,  French  Beans, 
early  Potatos,  early  Carrots,  in  lines^  or  any 
other  crop  which  will  need  to  occupy  the  land 
only  for  a  few  months,  are  the  best,  the  fre- 
quent turning  of  the  soil  then  required  afford- 
ing opportunities  for  the  removal  of  the  roots 
of  this  weed.  Several  years  would  be  needed 
to  cleanse  the  soil  entirely.  It  is  a  good 
plan  to  throw  the  weeds  into  a  heap,  with  or 
without  fresh  stable  manure,  and  let  the 
whole  heap  ferment  strongly,  turning  the 
sides  once  or  twice  into  the  centre  of  the  heap, 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[November  23,  1907. 


s  i  that  all  roots  may  be  destroyed  by  the  heat 
thus  caused.  Another,  although  more  trouble- 
e,  method  is  to  let  the  roots  get  partially 
dried,  turning  them  about  in  the  manner  of 
haymaking,  and  burning  them  when  they  have 
become  sufficiently  dry. 

Ccelogyne  cristata  :  I!'.  R.  H.  You  had  better 
let  your  plants  flower  in  the  natural  manner. 
Ccelogyne  cristata  does  not  like  to  be  perfectly 
dried  off  at  any  period  of  its  growth.  It  merely 
requires  that  the  supply  of  water  should  be  re- 
duced after  the  old  pseudo-bulbs  have  completed 
their  growth,  a  condition  which  may  last  until 
the  new  flowering  growths  appear.  The  pseudo- 
bulbs  should  not  be  allowed  to  approach  such  a 
condition  as  shrivelling.  Rain-water  is  best  for 
all  plants. 

Cceli  igyne  Leaves  Injured  :  /.  M.  The  injury 
has  doubtless  been  caused  by  the  vaporising 
with  hydrocyanic  acid  gas.  The  receptacle 
from  which  the  gas  is  evolved  should  be  placed 
m  the  centre  of  the  path  and  as  far  away  from 
any  plants  as  is  possible.  When  the  gas  is 
evolving,  it  should  be  distributed  in  the  house 
by  means  of  a  "  punka  "  worked  from  outside 
the  house  by  means  of  a  string.  We  cannot 
trace  the  fruit  you  mention. 

Half  an  Acre  of  Land  :  Gardener.  We  cannot 
undertake  to  sift  such  matters  as  those  published 
in  the  daily  and  weekly  lay  Press.  The  founda- 
tion for  some  of  the  statements  is  probably  of 
the  slightest  description. 

Hawthorn  Seeds:  J.  R,  Place  the  "Haws" 
in  a  heap  and  mix  them  with  sand  equal  to 
about  half  of  the  bulk.  Turn  the  whole  over 
with  a  spade  occasionally  so  as  to  facilitate  the 
rotting  away  of  the  pulp  or  flesh.  The  seeds 
can  afterwards  be  easily  separated  from  the  sand 
1  iy  means  of  a  sieve. 

Names  of  Fruits  :  Porno.  1,  Marie  Louise  ;  2, 
Knight'sMi  march. —H.B  ,  Sale.—  1,  BeurreDiel  ; 
2,  Madame  Trey  ve.— J.  H.  Shobdon.  1,  Shepherd's 
Fame;  2,  Norfolk  Beefing  ;  3,  Napoleon  III.  ;  4, 
Doyenne  du  Cornice. — F.  D.  1.  Doyenne1  du 
Cornice;  2,  Glou  Morceau  ;  3.  Autumn  Neli  1 
Beurre  Dumont ;  5,  Beurre  Diel ;  6,  Napoleon. 
—  IV.  D.  i~Sons.  1,  Gipsy  Queen  ;  2,  not  recog- 
nised.— F.L.  IV.  Grape  Gros  Guillaume,  often 
known  in  gardens  as  Barbarossa. —  W.  Jajcoch 
Apple  Sturmer  Pippin  ;  Pear  Bergamotte  Espe- 
ren. —  W.  F.  B.  1,  Conseiller  de  la  Cour;  2, 
Josephine  de  Malines  ;  1G,  Pitmaston  Duchess; 
40,  Marie  Benoist. 

5    of   Plants:    H.  B.     Clethra  arborea.— 

5.  G.  &■  Sons.  Probably  a  form  of  Cupressus 
sempervirens,  but  the  specimen  is  not  sufficiently 
complete  for  verification.—  R.  E.  Specimens 
without  numbers.  The  Herbaceous  plant  is 
Saponaria  officinalis  fl.  pi.,  the  tree  is  Quercus 
Phellos,  and  the  Evergreen  shrub  Rhamnus 
Alaternus  var.  angustifolius— A.  M.  N  1, 
Magnolia  conspicua  var. ;  2,  Jasminum  revo- 
lutum,  a  form  of  J.  humile  ;  3,  Veronica  spe- 
ciosa  ;  4,  Myrtus  Ugnii  ;  5,   Phillyrea  latifolia  ; 

6,  Schizostylis  coccinea.  —  Hortus  Servus.  1, 
Satureia  montana  (Winter  Savory)  ;  2,  Melissa 
officinalis  (Balm)  ;  3,  Artemisia'  Dracunculus 
(Tarragon)  ;  4,  Hyssopus  officinalis  (Hyssop)  ; 
5,  Origanum  Onites  (Pot  Marjoram)  ;  6,  Mar 
rubium  vulgaris  (Horehound).—  F.  L.  II'.  1, 
Calanthe  Veitchii  ;  2,  Calanthe  vestita. — T.  H. 
1,  Epidendrum  umbellatum  ;  2,  Ionopsis  ulii 
cularioides;  3,  Ada  aurantiaca  ;  4,  Lycaste 
xytriophora;  5,  Aerides  japonicum.— A .  Y.  1, 
Nerine  sarniensis  ;  2,  Gladiolus  tristis  ;  3, 
Cyrtanthus  lutescens.  —  E.  M.  Trichosma 
suavis,  a  very  fragrant  and  pretty  cool-house 
Orchid.  The  Eranthemum  leaves  will  be 
examined. — J.  H.  T.  Dracocephalum  Ruys- 
chianum.—  E.  A.  D.  White.     Euonymus  nanus. 

Nei  i  i-.s:  B.  L.  The  treatment  you  adopted  in 
1906  is  correct,  as,  in  the  position  then  given  the 
bulbs,  they  became  thoroughly  ripened,  the 
atmosphere  being  clear  and  dry.  The  quality 
of  the  air  in  the  greenhouse  is  not  quite  the 
same,  and,  in  conjunction  with  the  prolonged 
dull  weather,  the  change  favoured  the  produc- 
tion of  leaf-growth  to  the  detriment  of  the 
bloom. 

Nova  Scottan  Apples  :  II.  G.  K .     In  respect  to 

suggestion   in   last  week's   issue   that  the 

ty   intended   was   probably   King    of    the 

Pippins,  Mr.  George  Monro,  of  Covent  Garden 

\l    :ket,    has    kindly    written    us     stating     that 

the  variety   "  is   King  of    Tompkin's    Countv, 


but  they  are  known  simply  all  through  the 
trade  as  Nova  Scotian  'Kings,'  and  the  fruits 
are  very  much  larger  than  King  of  the 
Pippins."  Do  our  colonists  in  Nova  Scotia 
also  cultivate  King  of  the  Pippins? 

Pine  Tree:  /.  H.  B.  The  soil  you  send  found 
about  the  roots  is  permeated  with  a  white  fungus 
mycelium  which  proceeds  in  the  first  instance 
from  some  rotten  stump,  or  buried  wood.  This 
soil  should  be  removed,  and  replaced  If 
possible  the  source  of  the  fungus  should  be 
ascertained  and  removed,  afterwards  the  soil 
should  be  trenched  and  disinfected  by  the 
addition  of  lime.  The  danger  is  liable  to  extend 
to  neighbouring  trees  unless  a  deep  trench  is  cut 
around  the  infected  spot. 

Plan  of  a  Rose  Garden  on  an  Area  16  Yards 
Square  :  A  Reader.  There  are  all  sorts  of 
ways  in  which  a  Rose  garden  might  be 
formed  on  such  an  area.  The  sketch  at  fig. 
151  will  suggest  to  you  one  method  of  carrying 
out  the  work.  In  the  centre  of  the  design  (1)  mav 
be  planted  climbing  varieties,  and  these  can 
be  trained  to  form  an  arbour,  or  their  growths 
may  be  suspended  to  a  central  pillar  or  stake, 
as  shown  in  fig.  133  in  the  last  week's  issue. 


land  lies  very  low,  when  it  need  not  be  made 
quite  so  deep,  but  the  trees  should  be  planted 
on  a  mound-like  elevation.  If  the  trees  beai 
a  heavy  crop  of  fruit  and  the  weather  is  hot, 
a  good  mulching  of  farmyard  manure  will 
not  only  tend  to  keep  the  roots  near  to  the 
surface,  but  stimulate  the  trees  and  therefore 
cause  the  fruits  to  swell  well.  You  are  prob- 
ably aware  that  the  Apple  worked  upon  the 
Paradise  stock,  and  the  Pear  on  the  Quince 
stock,  are  both  shallow-rooting,  and  nun  h 
more  fruitful  than  either  the  Pear  stock  fi  : 
the  Pear,  or  Crab  stock  for  the  Apple;  they 
would  answer  your  purpose  well.  Such  treeV 
planted  in  the  manner  you  suggest  will  need 
very  little  pruning,  except  whilst  they  are  in 
a  young  state. 

Planting  Paved  Walks  :  L  S.  The  article  you 
refer  to  was  printed  in  our  issue  for  April  28, 
1906,  p.  2S3. 

Prizes  at  Farmer's  Clvb  Competition  :  //.  S. 
The  garden  labourers  should  be  permitted  to 
exhibit  with  the  other  cottagers  on  the  estate. 

Rose  Leaves  :  The  disease  is  caused  by  a  fungus 
called  Seploria   rosae,   which  kills  and  bleaches 


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Fig.  151. — plan  of  a  rose-garden. 


(2)  These  four  circular  beds  should  be  planted 
with  dwarf  Polyantha  Roses,  using  varieties 
of  one  colour  only  to  each  bed.  Between 
these  are  beds  (3)  that  can  be  planted  with 
Tea  or  Hybrid-Tea  varieties  of  distinct 
colours.  The  corner  beds  (4>  should  be  planted 
with  Hybrid-perpetual  varieties  in  clumps  of 
three  plants  of  one  variety,  and  interspersed 
with  standard  plants.  Seats  in  the  recesses  (5) 
should  have  rustic  arches  above  them  trained 
with  Rosa  Wichuraiana  and  other  rambling 
Roses.  The  entrance  (6)  should  consist  of  an 
arch-covered  way,  while  four  rustic  arches  (7), 
spanning  the  grass-covered  walk,  will  com- 
plete the  design. 

Planting  of  Fruit  Trees  :  J.  B.,  Meaford.  An 
impenetrable  base  can  be  made  in  various 
ways,  and  almost  any  hard  refuse,  brickbats, 
stones,  &c,  can  be  used  for  the  purpose. 
Ram  the  materials  well  into  the  bottom  of 
the  holes,  then  run  amongst  them  some  newly- 
slaked  lime,  allowing  the  whole  to  dry  and 
set  before  the  trees  are  planted.  Chalk  made 
wet,  so  that  it  can  be  rammed  down  to  an 
even  surface,  answers  very  well.  This  base 
should  be  made  at  least  '2  feet  deep,  unless  the 


the  epidermis  of  the  leaf  in  patches.  Diseased 
leaves  should  be  removed  from  the  plant  before 
they  fall. 

Sale  of  Bulbs:  F.  C.  E.  We  cannot  interfere 
in  this  matter,  but  it  is  not  difficult  to  under- 
stand your  objections  to  the  system  of  which  you 
complain.  The  question,  after  all,  is  one  for  the 
seller  himself  and  the  employer  of  the  canvasser 
to  determine. 

Seedling  Carnation  :  It'.  V .  We  do  not  think 
the  white  flower  possesses  merits  superior  to 
those  of  existing  varieties 

Tennis  Court:  Carnation.  Our  columns  are 
too  crowded  thi?,  week  to  admit  of  a  diagram. 
All  the  information  you  require,  with  dia- 
gram, may  be  found  in  the  Calendar  of  Garden 
Operations,  obtainable  from  our  publishing 
department,  price  7JJd.,  post  free. 

Communications  Received.—  Interrogavi  —  JouriK-vr  an 
J.  C.  (next  week.)-W.  D.  and  Sons— S.  C— F.  F.  Dr. 
I.  R— A.  D.— F.  M.— E.  M.— A.  O— W.  B.  L.— A.  G.— 
L.  W.  F.— E.  J.— H.  M.  V.— G.  P.  M.— S.  A.-S.  R.  P.— 
Anxious— E,  W,  -J.  C.  P. -P.  McL.-J.  C.-Mrs.  A.— 
A.  C-J.  C. 


November  30,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS     CHRONICLE. 


369 


THE 


flwbcncrs'Cbronitli 


No.  1,092.— S A  TVRDA  Y,  November  30.  1907. 


CONTENTS. 

Apple-trees,  planting,  on 

Pentland,    Mr.    J.,   pre- 

heavy land        

373 

sentation  to     

377 

Ariln  ■  i]  i  iihtim       cirrha- 

Plants,    new     or     note- 

iLiin            

379 

worthy— 

Books,  notices  of — 

1  i  i.i    rhyncostyloides 

370 

Grapes   and    How    to 

Potatos,  a  large  crop  of 

378 

(.row  Them 

373 

Rural       education       in 

Chrysanthemum  notes— 

France 

377 

A  ne  in  o  ne  -  flow  i  red 

Roses,  late  blooming  ... 

376 

varieties 

377 

Roses,  growth  of 

378 

New  French  varieties 

877 

Seed    germination    and 

Propagation,  late 

378 

In  I  water        

377 

Chrysanthemums,  mar- 

Societies— 

keting    

384 

Aberdeen    Chrys. 

383 

Cockscomb,  the  culture 

British       Garden  ert' 

of  the    

378 

Association 

383 

Eucalyptus  ficifolia 

376 

Chester  l'axton 

382 

Flower  gardening,    mo- 

Debating 

3^3 

dern       ...        

379 

Leeds  Paxton 

382 

Forcing  bulbous  plants 

3G9 

Linnean           

383 

Frost,  an  instrument  to 

Manchester  and   \".  of 

foretell 

378 

England  Orchid 

381 

Fruit  growing  in  Trini- 

National Chrys. 

:tsi 

dad         

377 

National  Dahlia 

883 

Fuchsias  as  decorative 

N  e  wcastle-on-Tyne 

plants 

379 

Chrys.           

3*2 

Grape classesat  Shrews- 

Royal Horticultural  ..'. 

379 

bury  Show       

379 

Wooltoa  and  Di  tri 

Hollyhocks,  rust  on 

377 

Chrys.           

388 

Maqtii  berries     

377 

Trees  and  Shrubs 

Michie,  Mr.  A.,  presen- 

Berberis Wilson*    ... 

372 

tation  to 

376 

Vegetable       trials       at 

Narcissus     and      I  [ya- 

Wisley 

378 

cinths  for  exhibition 

384 

Vegetables,    the     rarer 

Nursery  notes  — 

kinds  of           

878 
379 

Geo.  Bunyard  &  Co., 

Vines,  effect  of  inarching 

Ltd.,  Maidstone    ... 

371 

Vine-border,  renovating 

Obituary — 

a... 

384 

Gillett,  H 

384 

Week's  work,  the— 

Lees,  Richard 

384 

Flower  garden,  the  .. 

374 

i.'nv.  m,  William 

384 

Fruits  under  glass     ... 

374 

Orchid  notes  and  glean- 

Hardy fruit  gai  den 

376 

ings— 

Kitchen  garden,  the 

.r,\ 

Odontoglossum          X 

Orchid  houses,  the    ... 

375 

Andersonianum 

370 

Parks  and  gardens    ... 

376 

Orchids  at  St.  A I  ban  . 

371 

Plants  under  glass    ... 

375 

ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Berberis  Wilsonae         372 

Eucalyptus  ficifolia  (Supplementary  Illustration) 

Frost  Foreteller,  a        373 

Fruit  of  Eucalyptus  ficifolia 377 

Odontoglossum      X     Andersonianum,     variations     in 

(lowers  of     370 

Odontoglossum  x  John  Clarke       380 


THE  FORCING  OF  BULBOUS 
PLANTS. 

THE  forcing  of  bulbous-rooted  plants  during 
the  early  winter  months  is  one  of  the 
phases  of  modern  plant-growing  in  which 
most  gardeners  desire  to  excel.  That  such 
is  not  the  case  and  that  the  successes  are 
still  all  too  freely  interspersed  with  failures 
requires  no  further  confirmation  than  the 
many  enquiries  relating  to  the  latter  which 
are  answered  from  time  to  time  in  the  "  An- 
swers to  Correspondent-.  "  page  of  every  gar- 
dening newspaper. 

Failure  in  a  small  place,  where  perhaps  but 
a  few  hundred  bulbs  are  forced  each  year,  is  a 
serious  matter.  For  this,  however,  there  is 
a  remedy,  and  there  is  no  reason  why  anyone 
having  charge  of  a  garden  should  a  second 
time  be  guilty  of  even  an  error  of  judgment 
in  these  and  kindred  matters. 

Chief  among  the  essentials  to  success  in 
this  matter  of  early  forcing  is  to  make  an 
earl}  start  by  planting  the  bulbs  at  the  pro- 
per time.  To  plant  in  November  bulbs  which 
should  have  been  planted  in  the  first  half  of 
September  is  to  court  failure  so  far  as  the  suc- 
i  essful  forcing  of  such  bulbs  is  concerned. 

Once  planted,  whether  in  boxes  or  pots  or 
other  receptacle,  it  must  be  borne  in  mind  by 
the  cultivator  that  all  bulbous  plants  do  not 


necessarily  require  the  same  treatment.  In 
respect  to  Daffodils  of  all  kinds  and 
Hyacinths,  I  thoroughly  soak  the  soil  with 
water  immediately  they  are  planted;  but 
Tulips,  I.ilie-,,  Spanish  Irises,  and  early 
Gladioli,  when  planted  in  soil  that  possesses 
ordinary  moisture,  require  no  such  watering, 
and  indeed,  in  my  experience,  are  better 
without  it. 

For  Daffodils  and  Hyacinths  a  rich  soil  is 
desirable,  hut  for  the  other  genera  I  have 
named,  a  soil  generally  lighter  and  less 
rich  is  to  be  preferred.  The  plunging  or 
covering  up  for  a  season  of  all  bulbous  plants 
that  will  be  required  for  forcing  is  a  matter 
of  some  moment,  and  in  the  case  of  Daffodils 
and  Hyacinths  the  top  covering  should  be  of 
considerable  depth.  They  make  the  majority 
of  their  root  fibres  quite  early  alter  planting, 
and  such  root-fibres  descend  in  a  straight  line. 
Most  of  the  roots  are  produced  at  one  time, 
and  owing  to  the  resistance  they  encounter 
in  penetrating  the  soil  below,  they  are 
liable  to  lift  the  bulbs  completely  out 
of  the  soil  unless  a  sufficient  hulk  of  the 
plunging  material  be  afforded  to  count 
this  pressure  from  below.  A  coveting  of 
6  inches  in  depth  will  In-  ample,  and  coal 
ashes  will  he  found  very  suitable.  For  the 
other  genera  named  a  lighter  covering,  such 
as  one  of  cocoanut  fibre  refuse,  is  1>  tti  r,  01 
this  and  coal  ashes  mixed  together  in  equal 
parts.  Soil  should  not  be  employed  for  a 
covering,  being  too  cold  and  retentive  of  wet . 
1  know  that  many  amateurs  entirely  neglecl 
to  cover  their  pots  of  bulbs,  and  by  such  neg- 
lect the}  expose  the  bulbs  to  climatic  vicissi- 
tudes that  are  by  no  means  beneficial,  but  un- 
doubtedly have  a  s,  rious  effect  on  the  crops. 
The  covering  up  oi  the  bulbs  is  a  simple  and 
desirable  process,  and  forms  one  of  the  little 
d<  tails  that  help  in  securing  a  full  measure  of 
success. 

The  next  important  step  is  the  intn 
tion  of  the  bulbs  into  structures  that  are 
heated  bv  artificial  means,  and  it  is  here  that 
many  cultivators  commit  a  very  grievous 
error.  More  than  once  in  my  experience  have 
I  seen  bulbs  taken  from  the  plunging  beds  in 
the  open  and  introduced  to  the  worst  possible 
position  in  the  greenhouse,  viz.,  beneath  the 
i  tge,  not  far  removed  from  the  hot-water 
pipes.  I  have  seen  them  in  such  positions 
with  the  soil  very  dry  when  Hyacinths,  Nar- 
cissus, &c,  required  their  roots  to  be  in  a 
medium  of  quite  opposite  conditions.  A  fev 
days  under  such  treatment  will  have  a  very 
bad  effect,  for  it  is  about  the  worst  position 
that  could  be  selected  for  the  bulbs  already 
starting  into  growth.  The  two  genera  just 
named  are  best  when  heat  is  applied  gradu- 
ally, though  French-grown  Roman  Hya- 
cinths are  much  less  exacting  in  this  respect 
than  are  those  of  Dutch  growth. 

Those  varieties  of  Tulips  which  are  known 
to  be  reliable  for  early-forcing,  as  La 
Reine,  Yellow  Prince,  and  the  Van  Thol 
class,  require  but  little  attention  during 
the  introductory  stages.  For  these  and  for 
Roman  Hyacinths  there  is  no  better  place 
than  a  frame  within  the  greenhouse,  the 
frame  being  provided  with  bottom-heat. 
Into  such  a  frame  they  may  be  placed 
without  any  delay.  A  moderate  bottom-heat 
say  of  6o  degrees,  at  the  first,  will  be  ample. 
It  is,  how  \  r,  essential  that  absolute  dark- 
ness be  assured   and   that   the  heat  be   kept 


uniform,  therefore  free  from  fluctuations.  A 
considerable  length  of  stem  an  I  large  si  1,1 
blossom  are  items  of  the  greatest  importance 
in  early-forced  Tulips,  and  these  qualities  are 
best  secured  by  attending  closely  to  the 
details  of  culture.  Compared  with  the  Daffo- 
dil or  Hyacinth,  the  Tulip  requires  less  mois- 
ture than  either,  and  this  fact  should  be  i  - 
membered  when  forcing  is  in  progress.  The 
boxes  or  pots  of  bulbs  should,  when  placed  in 
the  bottom-heat  frame,  be  stood  upon  a  2-inch 
thick  bed  of  cocoanut  fibre;  the  bulbs  should 
be  thoroughly  watered  and,  subsequently, 
pots  and  all  covered  in  to  a  depth  of  6  inches 
with  the  fibre.  Heat  and  moisture  quickly 
I"  rmeates  the  entire  bulk  under  these  circum- 
stances, and  when  the  lights  have  been  placed 
over  the  frame  a  quick  and  good  growth  is 
the  result.  By  covering  the  frame  lights  w  ith 
sacks  the  darkness  is  intensified  and  a  greater 
uniformity  of  heat  assured,  all  to  the  benefit  of 
the  crops.  A  week  later  the  bottom-heat  may 
be  increased  to  70  degrees,  and  later  to  75  de- 
grees or  So  degrees. 

Tepid  water  only  should  be  applied  to  the 
crop  when  thus  forced,  and  the  plants  should 
be  allowed  to  remain  in  the  frame  till  the 
flowers  have  developed  to  their  full  size.  A 
critical  stas^e  is  reached  at  about  this  period, 
and  it  is  highly  dangerous  to  expose  the 
flower  to  the  full  light  before  they  are  per- 
fectly developed.  Fogs  are  especially  harm- 
ful at  such  a  lime,  ami  the  undeveloped  buds 
after  exposure  to  them  rarely  do  much  good. 
In  the  circumstances,  therefore,  the  bulbs 
should  remain  in  the  darkened  frame  as 
before,  the  top-covering  of  the  cocoanut  fibre 
to  be  removed  when  the  flower-buds,  are 
well  in  sight.  One  is  frequently  asked  in 
reference  to  forcing,  why  pots  of  bulbs  do 
not  succeed  when  placed  over  the  hot-water 
pipes?  The  answer  has  already  been  supplied 
in  the  recommendations  I  have  made;  the  dr}  . 
arid  conditions  of  such  a  position,  the  absence 
of  darkness,  and  the  lack  ot  a  moist  uniform 
heat,  arc  the  principal  causes  of  non-success. 
Many  gardeners  fail  either  wholly  or  in  part 
by  removing  the  crop  from  the  influence  of 
bottom-heat  when  the  plant  is  but  half 
grown.  In  early-forcing  scarcely  .1  11,  re 
is  error  could  be  made. 

With  the  main  exception  that  they  require 
much  larger  supplies  of  water,  the  Roman 
Hyacinths  may  be  treated  as  recommended 
for  the  Tulips.  In  their  case  it  is  necessary 
to  remove  the  pots  from  the  plunging 
material  so  soon  as  the  earliest  bells  on  the 
spike  begin  to  expand,  but  the  pots  must  re- 
main on  the  bottom-beat  bed  and  in  absolute 
darkness  until  the  spikes  have  fully  grown. 

In  the  forcing  of  Daffodils  a  different 
method  has  to  be  adopted,  and  apart  from 
t he  first  preparatory  stage  of  early  planting 
and  plunging  in  the  open,  a  second  prepara- 
tory stage  is  reached  when  it  is  considered 
time  to  place  the  crop  under  glass.  At  this 
time  cool  or  quite  cold  houses  are  best,  and, 
I,  greater  progress  is  mad.  under  these 
conditions  than  is  possible  under  heat.  It  can- 
not be  too  widely  known  that  artificial  heat 
applied  at  such  a  time  has  a  retarding  in- 
fluence on  the  crop,  and  a  species  of  sulki- 
ness  or  contrariness  is  set  up  in  the  plants, 
from  which  ultimate  recovery  is  very  slow. 
Therefore,  the  operator  would  do  well 
to  adhere  to  the  sound,  simple  prac- 
tices   of    cultivating    them    on    a    cool    base 


370 


THE     GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


[November  30,   1C07. 


in  a  cool  house  and  affording  them  liberal 
supplies  of  moisture.  At  no  time  should  there 
exist  even  an  approach  to  dryness.  Neither 
bottom-heat,  darkness,  nor  plunging  when  in- 
doors, are  necessary  or  even  desirable  for 
Daffodils  when  being  forced.  A  week  after 
they  have  been  taken  indoors  the  house  may 
be  closed,  and  a  few  days  later  a  little  warmth 
turned  on.  Subsequently,  by  easy  stages,  the 
artificial  heat  should  be  increased,  untii  at 
the  end  of  four  weeks  an  atmospheric  tem- 
perature of  50  or  55  degrees  has  been 
reached.  The  most  dangerous  period  in  forc- 
ing Daffodils  may  be  said  to  be  past  when  the 


are  necessary  at  such  a  time.  But  there  must 
be  no  half-measures  in  this  question  of  mois- 
ture. Lack  of  root-moisture,  a  too  arid  condi- 
tion of  the  atmosphere,  excessive  heat,  or  heat 
too  earlv  applied — these  are  the  things  that 
cause  ruin  and  disaster  to  the  best  of  bulbs. 
If  I  may  single  out  a  variety  possessing 
peculiarities  in  a  marked  degree,  that  variety 
is  the  popular  Narcissus  poeticus  ornatus. 
This  kind  should  be  allowed  to  remain  in  the 
open  air  to  the  end  of  the  year,  and  then  fol- 
low out  the  advice  already  given. 

The  number  of  Daffodils  that  may  be  forced 
readily  and  satisfactorily  is  not  large,  but  for 


NEW   OR   NOTEWORTHY 
PLANTS. 


Fig.  152. 


[rlwtograph  by  C.  I',  ltajfi.ll. 
-VARIATIONS    IN    THE    FLOWERS   OF    ODONTOGLOSSUM    X    ANDERSON! AN  1/  \t. 


flower-scape  lias  emerged  from  the  orifice  ol 
the  neck  of  the  bulb.  Another  critical  period 
is  reached  when  the  stem  is  fully  grown  but 
the  flower  is  still  imprisoned  in  the  spathe. 
If  this  condition  should  last  too  long  strangu- 
lation in  some  form  or  another  follows,  and 
v  ithered  and  disti  rted  trumpets  in  the  case  of 
the  single  varieties,  and  the  so-called  "  blind- 
ness "  in  respect  of  the  double  •ones,  are 
the  outward  and  visible  results  of  cultural 
errors. 

Root-moisture,  atmospheric-moisture,  and 
spraying  (rather  than  hard  syringing  of  the 
buds  at  this  stage),  are  all  the  conditions  that 


ERIA   RHYXCOSTYLGTDES,    N.    sp. 

This  is  a  very  fine  species,  which  is  in  the 
collection  of  the  Hon.  Walter  Rothschild, 
M.P.,  Tring  Park,  Tring  (gr.  Mr.  A.  Dye),  the 
specimen  having  been  imported  from  Java.  In 
structure  the  individual  flower  approaches 
most  nearly  to  Eria  convallarioides.  The  plant, 
however,  is  much  larger  than  that  of  E.  conval- 
larioides, more  fleshy  in  all  its  parts,  and  it 
bears  a  slight  resemblance  to  that  of  the  well- 
known  Rhyncostylis  retusa  (Saccolabium  gutta- 
tum)  in  the  general  appearance  of  its  dense  in- 
florescence. It  is  one  of  the  showiest  of  its 
section,   and  a  very  desirable  garden  plant. 

Eria  rhyncostyloides,  roots  wiry,  dark-col- 
oured, pseudo-bulbs  clustered,  green  in  the 
young  state,  brown  with  silvery  covering  when 
mature,  ovoid,  compressed,  showing  deep  open- 
ings where  the  old  flower-spikes  had  been,  3  to 
4  inches  in  height,  2  inches  wide;  leaves  3  to  4, 
12  to  18  inches  long,  2  inches  wide,  thick  in 
texture,  bright  green.  Inflorescence  from  the 
upper  part  of  the  pseudo-bulb  8  inches  in  length  ; 
rachis  stout,  slightly  tomentose,  the  basal  2 
inches  naked,  the  rest  bearing  an  equally-ar- 
ranged cylindrical  spike  of  250  to  300  flowers. 
Pedicels  and  ovaries  two-thirds  of  an  inch,  and 
having  at  the  base  of  each  an  ovate  acuminate, 
slightly  concave  reflexed,  whitish-green  bract. 
Flowers  half  an  inch  across  ;  sepals  ovate  acu- 
minate ;  mentum  broad,  obtuse  ;  petals  narrower 
than  the  sepals,  lanceolate.  Labellum  obscurely 
trilobed,  orbicular,  concave  at  the  base,  which 
is  tinged  with  rose  colour,  front  acuminate. 
Column  short,  tinged  with  purple  at  the  a|>ex  ; 
anther-cap  brownish  red.  The  flowers  are  white 
with  a  slight  blush  tint,  the  labellum  with  rose- 
tinted  base.  The  surface  of  the  flower  has 
a  granulated,  or  frosted,  appearance,  and  the 
ovaries  and  backs  of  the  sepals  are  sparsely 
tomentose.     /.   O'B. 


very   earlv   flowering  those  suited  to  forcing 
may  be  taken  in  the  following  order  : — 

Single  Van  Sion  as  first  early,  to  be  followed 
by  Narcissus  obvallaris,  N.  Ard.  Righ,  No. 
Telamonius  plenus,  X.  golden  spur,  N.  prin- 
ceps,  X.  Horsfieldi,  N.  Sir  Watkin,  N.  Em- 
peror, and  N.  ornatus. 

For  earlv  supplies  of  bloom,  and  for  which 
the  four  first-named  varieties  are  best,  the 
bulbs  should  be  brought  under  glass  at  the 
end  of  November  or  early  in  December  and 
given  the  treatment  already  prescribed. 
Growth  will  soon  be  apparent.  E.  II.  Jen- 
kins, Hampton  Hill. 


ORCHID    NOTES    AND    GLEANINGS. 

ODONTOGLOSSCM  x  ANDERSONIANUM. 
Many  hybrids  may  be  said  to  carry  the  stamp 
of  their  origin  in  both  their  habit  and  flowers. 
Especially  is  this  the  case  in  the  numerous 
hybrids  of  Odontoglossum  crispum  and  O. 
gloriosum,  known  collectively  under  the  above 
name.  Their  hybrid  origin  was  suspected  from 
the  date  of  the  flowering  of  the  first  plant  of 
this  hybrid  in  1868,  having  been  imported  the 
previous  year  in  a  batch  of  O.  crispum  by 
Messrs.  Hugh  Low  &  Co.,  of  Clapton.  It  then 
passed  into  the  collection  of  J.  Dawson,  Esq., 
of  Meadow  Bank,  near  Glasgow,  and  was  named 
by  Reichenbach  in  compliment  to  the  gardener 
at  Meadow  Bank,  the  late  Mr.  James  Anderson. 
Reichenbach,  1a  describing  the  plant,  pointed 
out  its  affinities  to  both  O.  crispum  and  O. 
praestans,  but  later  when  other  plants  of  this 
hybrid  had  appeared,  he  wrote  that  it  was  prob- 
ably a  hybrid  between  O.  crispum  and  O. 
gloriosum.  As  both  these  species  are  found 
growing  together  in  certain  localities  on  the 
western  spurs  of  the  eastern  Cordillera  of  New 
Granada,  it  is  probable  that  the  last  conjecture 
is  the  correct  one.  In  the  importations  wof 
Odontoglossum  crispum,  which  have  been  so 
numerous  of  late  years,  many  plants  of  this 
hybrid  have  occurred,  showing  every  transi- 
tional stage  between  the  two  parents.  The 
hvbrids  partake  of  the  character  of  O.  en 
in  precocity  of  flowering,  the  flowers  being  pro- 
duced nearly  the  whole  year  round,  but  the 
greater  number  of  them  flower  between  February 
and  May.  The  great  diversity  in  the  forms  of 
each  parent  species  has  also  had  its  effe.  1 
the  hybrids,  and  is  particularly  noticeable  in 
the  illustration  at  fig.  152,  representing  12  distinct 
forms,  tin-  ground  colour  of  each  row  of  tl 


November  30,  1S07.] 


THE     GAIWEXERS     C1IHOMCLE. 


371 


being  quite  distinct  from  that  of  the  rest.  In 
those  of  the  top  row  the  ground  colour  is  pure 
white,  the  centre  flower  being  the  pure  white 
O.  Andersonianum,  var.  virginale,  while  those 
on  either  side  differ  greatly  both  in  size  and 
shape  of  the  perianth  segments,  also  in  the  size 
and  colour  of  the  spots.  In  the  second  row  are 
forms  with  pink  grounds,  the  centre  flower 
being  spotted  with  brownish-red  and  much 
larger  than  any  other  flower  shown  in  the  illus- 
tration. The  flower  on  the  right  is  the  nearest 
approach  to  O.  crispum  of  the  whole  batch  both 
in  size,  shape,  and  colouring.  In  the  third  row, 
the  ground  colour  is  light  yellow,  the  spots 
being  mostly  rosy-purple  in  colour.  In  the 
fourth,  or  bottom,  row,  the  ground  colour  is 
deep  yellow,  suffused  on  the  edges  and  back  of 
the  flowers  with  rose,  while  the  spots  are  either 
reddish-brown  or  purplish-brown. 

The  crossing  and  re-crossing  of  these  two 
polymorphic  species  and  their  numerous  progeny 
by  natural  means  has  resulted  in  the  produc- 
tion of  numerous  varieties,  many  being  ex- 
tremely distinct  and  beautiful.  So  numerous 
are  the  forms  that  there  seems  to  be  every 
possible  combination  of  both  parent  species,  a 
fact  which  has  led  to  much  confusion  in  their 
nomenclature,  many  of  them  being  classed  as 
varieties  of  O.  Andersonianum,  while  others 
have  been  classed  as  varieties  of  the  species 
they  most  nearly  resemble;  others  again 
have  been  given  specific  rank.  This  is  not  to 
be  wondered  at  in  the  least  when  one  bears  in 
mind  the  wide  range  in  the  forms  of  both 
parents,  both  in  size  and  colo/ring,  and  to  a  less 
degree  in  the  shape  of  t!ie  flowers.  C.  P. 
Raffdl. 

MESSRS.    SANDER   &   SON'S,   ST.    ALBANS. 

The  natural  consequence  of  undertaking  the 
hybridising  and  raising  of  Orchids  on  a  large 
scale  is  that,  no  matter  how  extensive  the  accom- 
modation of  glasshouses  may  be,  the  time  will 
come  when  more  houses  will  have  to  be  built. 
That  has  been  the  position  in  which  Messrs. 
Sander  have  found  themselves  on  several  occa- 
sions notwithstanding  the  great  extent  of  their 
nurseries,  when  imported  Orchids  were  the  chief 
consideration.  Relief  was  gained  by  drafting 
off  the  large  batches  of  species  to  the  Bruges 
branch  of  the  establishment ;  yet  again  the  in- 
evitable has  to  be  faced,  and  17  new  houses 
are  in  the  course  of  construction,  eight  being 
already  finished  and  several  of  them  filled  with 
seedling  Orchids.  The  new  block  includes  a 
model  house  for  the  raising  ol  the  seed  and 
pricking  off  into  their  first  pots  the  tiny  seed- 
lings, and  with  the  elaborate  contrivances 
arranged  in  the  house,  there  seems  to  be  but 
little  difficulty  in  obtaining  success  in  what 
always  used  to  be  regarded  as  the  most  critical 
stage  of  the  life  of  an  hybrid  Orchid. 

In  the  great  maze  of  houses  of  the  older  part 
of  the  establishment  there  are  other  seed-raising 
houses,  and  commodious  blocks  of  span-roofed 
houses  to  accommodate  the  young  plants. 
These  contain  the  more  showy  hybrids  of  new 
crosses,  or  the  proved  favourite  crosses  repeated 
by  using  the  finest  varieties.  One  house  is  filled 
with  many  thousands  of  Brassavola  Digbyana 
crosses,  both  primary  and  secondary,  the  plants 
being  generally  three  years  old.  Another  house 
has  similar  crosses  due  to  flower  next  season, 
and  many  are  filled  with  hybrid  Cattleyas, 
I.aelio-Cattleyas,  and  various  combinations,  in 
which  these  showy  species  take  part.  So  far  as 
the  present  show  of  flowers  is  concerned,  the 
honour  can  well  be  claimed  by  the  Cattleyas, 
the  hybrids  of  C.  labiata,  C.  Dowiana,  C.  Har- 
risoniana,  and  others  making  a  fine  show,  the 
best  being  Cattleya  Mantinii  and  its  variety 
nobilior,  C.  Mrs.  J.  VY.  Whiteley,  C.  Fabia 
(which  is  a  rival  of  C.  Hardyana,  and  very  free 
to  grow  and  flower),  and  C.  Clarkiae,  Sander's 
variety  (obtained  by  crossing  two  fine  forms  of 
C.  labiata  and  C.  bicoloi  I,  a  very  bright  purplish 
rose-coloured  flower  with  violet  lip.    Although  a 


dull  season  for  Orchid  bloom,  there  were  a  few 
in  flower  in  most  of  the  houses,  spsi  i  ill 
worthy  being  some  white  forms  of  Cattleya 
labiata  in  the  house  which  is  filled  entirely 
with  albinos,  and  white-petalled  forms  with 
some  colour  on  the  lip. 

In   one   block   of    huiises   devoted   to   seedling 
Orchids  (a  single    stage    in    the    first  house  held 
about    10,000    plants)    w  ?re   some   prett\    11 
borne  on  plants  raited  between  Cattleya  Gaskel- 
liana   and   C.    Harrisoniana,   and   various   othei 

In  one  was  a  fine  batch  of  a  v;i 
tinct  type  of  Cypripedium  '  !  ae  in  bloom, 

the  flowers  on  one  variety  being  creamy-white 
blotched  with  purple,  aftei  the  manner  of  C. 
bellatulum.  Here  also  was  a  plant  in  bloom 
of  C.  Niobe  (Sander's  variety),  which  is  a  grand 
form,  rather  taller  than  other  varieties,  and 
bearing  pretty  flowers,  the  1>  s  .1  portion  of  the 
dorsal  sepal  being  emerald  green,  the  blade 
bright  purplish  rose  on  white  ground,  and  the 
petals  and  lip  yellowish,  heavily  tinged  with 
purplish  brown.  Two  houses  in  this  block  are 
filled  with  hybrid  Cypripediums.  Among  those 
then  in  bloom  were  many  that  are  pretty  and 
distinct,  but  the  best  novelties  are  expected 
from  those  which  will  flower  next  year.  Next 
is  a  large  span-roofed  house  of  Cymbidiums  and 
Sobralias,  both  species  and  hybrids;  the  unique 
and  beautiful  C.  Sanderae  was  bearing  a  fine 
seed-capsule.  In  a  house  of  Phaius  and  Ly- 
castes  there  was  a  batch  of  Epidendrum  Wallisii, 
raided  true  from   seeds. 

The  connecting  corridor  was  filled  with  Den- 
drobium  Wardianum,    D.   crassinode  and 
showy  Dendrobiums,  all  of  which  had  made  ex- 
traordinary fine  new  growths.     Entered  from  the 
corridor  are  five   long    span-roofed   houses   that 
were  filled  entirely  with   seedling  Orchids  rang- 
ing from  two   to   four   years,   the   vigour  of   the 
plants     being      good     throughout.      In      another 
house  crosses    of    Sophronhis    grandiflora    and 
many  promising   unusual  crosses  were  the  most 
prominent.     Among  them  was  a  small  batch  of 
a  hybrid   raised  between   Tetramicra   (Lepl 
bicolor  and  Laslia  harpophylla,  in  the  si 
growths  of  which  the  charai  i   ristii  s    >f  both  the 
plants  can  easily  be  traced  ;  and  anothei  oi 
petalum  Mackayi,  crossed  with  Chondrorhyn   ha 
Chestertoni ;   one  of  the  plants  was  already    d   - 
veloping  a  spike,  so  that  the  result  will  soon  bs 
known. 

In  one  of  the  warm  seedling  houses  a  number 
of  fine  specimens  of  l'halaenopsis  were  su 
pended  overhead  and  growing  most  luxuriantly, 
the  P.  Rimestadtiana  having  enormous  leaves 
and  promising  well  for  flower.  In  the  lofty 
intermediate  house,  devoted  principally  to  Catt- 
leyas and  Laelias,  there  was  a  good  show  of 
Cattleya  labiata  in  great  variety,  C.  Bow- 
ringiana  and  its  hybrids,  C.  Dowiana  aurea, 
and  others  ;  in  the  principal  Odontoglossum 
house  only  a  few  were  in  bloom,  together  with 
some  Masdevalhas,  Scarlet  Sophronitis,  Coch- 
liodas,  Lycastes,  &c.  In  the  block  of  Cypri- 
pedium houses,  one  of  which  contained  a  very 
complete  collection  of  varieties  of  Cypripedium 
insigne,  many  of  this  species  were  in  flower,  the 
two  best  being  the  charming  clear  yellow  and 
white  C.  insigne  Sanderae,  and  the  large  and  well 
proportioned  C.  insigne  (Haref.eld  Hall  variety). 

Other  Orchids  specially  noted  in  the  collec- 
tion included  a  batch  of  the  pretty  white  V 
Watsoni,  an  ally  of  V.  Kimballiana,  but  much 
freer  to  grow  and  bloom,  the  little  plants  only  a 
few  inches  high  producing  flower-spikes ;  the 
white  Phaius  Zollingeri,  a  very  acceptable  Java 
plant  and  probably  a  constant  winter  flowerer  ; 
a  batch  of  the  true  old  type  of  the  white 
Calanthe  veratrifolia,  which  used  to  be  one 
of  the  effective  plants  in  Orchid  collections  at 
exhibitions  many  years  ago,  and  is  still  a  very 
fine  plant  if  grown  in  an  ordinary  stove-house 
with  the  foliage  and  flowering  plants  usually 
grown  there.  The  same  remarks  apply  t  > 
Aerides,  Saccolabiums,  and  some  other  dis- 
tichous-leafed   species    of     that     class  ;     at    St. 


Albans   their  requirements  are   met  by  the  pro- 
vision    of    rockeries    and    ornamental 
water  at  the  ends  of  some  of  the  warmer  h 
the  rockeries  being  planted  with   Begonias,    Fit- 
.     and     various    other     ornamental-) 

So  situated,  the  gigantic  specimen  of 
Ai  ii  hnanthe  Lowii,  often  noted,  is  thriving  re- 
markably well  ;  some  baskets  of  Aerides  v 
and  other  Aerides,  suspended  above  the  foli  ig 
plants,  have  rapidly  increased  in  size,  and  are 
in  fine  condition;  the  Angraecums  also  grow 
-  ttisfactorily. 

A  special  house  is  provided  for  plants  form- 
ing seed-capsules,  and  an  interesting  prospect  is 
revealed  by  some  of  the  verv  wide  crosses.  As 
in  most  Orchid  collections,  the  Odontoglossum 
and  Cochlioda  crosses  are  being  worked  dili- 
gently, but  the  latter  are  said  not  to  respond  so 
readily  to  the  efforts  of  the  raiser  as  some  other 
genera. 

New   Plants. 

Mure  space  is  now  given  than  formerly  to  the 
exhibition  of  new  plants.  Some  of  the  previous 
introductions  of  the  firm,  such  as  the  beauti- 
fully-variegated Fourcroya  Watsoniana  have  in- 
creased in  beauty,  and  among  the  quite  new 
kinds  are  Nepenthes  Sanderiana,  with  very  large 
"  pitcher,"  having  abnormally  broad  ciliate 
wings  and  of  very  bright  colour;  a  new  and 
very  elegant  Asparagus  of  the  A.  myriocladus 
class,  with  very  feathery,  plume-like  growths; 
several  new  Palms,  one  of  which  has  pale  green 
leaves  spotted  with  dark  olive  green  ;  another 
resembling  a  very  finely-cut  Kentia  ;  Codianim 
in)  trilobus  Sanderi,  the  perfection  of  a 
decorative  plant,  being  of  neat  habit  and  hav- 
ing  the  basal  and  inner  parts  of  the  unequallj 
trilobed  foliage  .  >t  a  bright  Buttercup  yellow, 
the  broad  margin  being  equally  bright  green  ; 
Licuala  triphylla,  a  remarkably  dwarf  Palm, 
only  a  few  inches  in  height,  and  yet  bearing  a 
[Hi  fusion  of  both  flowers  and  fruits;  a  verv 
brightly-coloured  Pere^kia  with  shining  foliage 
coloured  red,  white,  and  green,  and  said 
to  be  a  fine  plant  for  baskets,  pillars,  or 
rockeries.  Foliage  Begonias  of  a  new  type  are 
also  being  tested,  and  several  promising  Ferns, 
Cycads,  Anthuriums,  &c  .  se  it  by  Micholitz,  are 
under  cultivation  to  test  their  worthiness  as 
garden  plants. 


NURSERY     NOTES. 


GEO.  Bl'NVARD  &  CO. 
Few  more  agreeable  or  instructive  changes 
can  be  enjoyed  by  a  gardener  thin  an  occasional 
visit  to  a  nursery.  There  is  a  wide  difference  in 
the  aims  and  systems  of  culture  between  the 
gardener  and  the  nurseryman.  The  gardener 
aims  to  produce  the  heaviest  and  best  crops 
from  his  fruit  trees,  and  the  choicest  flowers 
from  his  plants.  The  nurseryman's  aim,  on  the 
contrary,  is  to  produce  a  crop  of  trees,  shrubs, 
and  plants  for  the  gardener's  service  by  propa- 
gation and  growth  on  the  most  efficient  and 
economical  methods  possible.  One  may  lear.i 
much  from  the  nurseryman,  and  I  confess,  as 
one  of  a  party  who  visited  Messrs.  Bunyard's 
nurseries  at  Maidstone,  in  October,  most  of  us 
learned  much,  although  we  were  already  old  ii 
years  and  experience.  After  a  close  inspection 
of  some  hours'  duration,  several  matter 
pressed  themselves  favourably  on  our  minds. 
First,  there  was  the  free,  healthy,  and  clean 
grow'th  of  the  enormous  plantations  of  fruit 
trees,  and  another  was  the  total  absence  of  any 
abnormally  strong,  soft,  or  pithy  growth  on 
young  trees.  The  credit  for  this  healthy,  hard 
growth,  we  observed,  must  not,  I  think,  be  attri- 
buted to  good  management  alone — excellent  as 
this  is.  It  is,  rather,  in  pari,  at  any  rate,  due 
to  natural  position,  and  other  favourable  cir- 
cumstances. The  Allington  Nursery  is  situated 
on  high  table-land  exposed  to  all  the  winds  that 
blow,  also  to  all  the  sunshine  for  which  the 
county   of   Kent   is   so   tain-         a      well   as   to   a 


372 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[November  30,  1907. 


generous  soil,  neither  too  heavy  nor  too  light, 
and  in  which  the  fibrous  roots  of  trees  luxuriate, 
so  amazingly — all  most  potent  natural  acces- 
sories in  the  successful  growth  of  fruit  trees. 

Another  point  noticed,  and  an  important  one, 
too,  was  the  system  adopted  of  frequently  lift- 
ing and  replanting  the  trees.  This,  no  doubt, 
has  greatly  helped  to  bring  about  the  favour- 
able condition  of  root  and  branch  growth.  The 
benefit  derivable  from  frequent  transplantation 
was  further  shown  very  forci- 
bly in  the  splendid  condition 
and  size  of  some  large  speci- 
men horizontal  and  fan- 
trained  trees  of  Pears, 
Peaches,  Nectarines,  Plums, 
and  Apricots.  Although 
some  of  them  are  from  8  to 
10  feet  high,  and  as  wide 
across,  so  fully  furnished 
are  they  with  masses  of 
fibrous  roots  that  they  could 
be  moved  any  distance  as 
safely  and  successfully  as 
trees     of     much     younger 


during  the  summer,  not  only  for  the  purpose  of 
keeping  the  land  clean,  but  also  for  aerating  and 
cultivating  the  soil,  and  that  at  less  than  half 
the  cost  of  hoeing  by  hand. 

In  extensive  plantations  of  fruit  trees  one 
naturally  looked  for  some  halt,  blind,  or  de- 
formed trees.  We  saw  none,  with  the  exception 
of  a  few  scarce  varieties  held  back  for  stork 
purposes   and   planted  by  themselves. 

The    stock    of    trained    Peach    and    Nectarine 


•IG.    153. — BERBERIS    WILSONS, 
CHINESE    SP1  CIES. 


growth.  The  sight  of  these  fine  specimen 
trained  trees  made  one  envious  to  possess  a  new 
wall,  in  order  to  enjoy  the  privilege  of  clothing 
it  at  once  with   fruit-bearing  trees. 

Another  point  of  culture  worthy  of  note  is 
that  the  rows  of  young  trees  were  planted  wider 
apart  than  is  usually  the  case,  the  primary 
reason  for  this  being  that  the  land  can  be  culti- 
vated and  kept  clean  by  the  use  of  a  small 
horse    hoe,    which    is    kept    constantly    at    work 


trees  was  one  of  the  finest  and  largest  I  had 
ever  seen. 

Besides  the  plantations  of  young  trees 
already  referred  to,  a  large  plantation  of  per- 
manent bush-Apple  trees  were  shown  to  us  ; 
perfect  specimens  in  every  way,  many  of  them 
heavily  laden  with  fruit.  .We  wish  the  advo- 
cates of  non-pruning  could  see  these  per- 
fectly-formed and  moderately-pruned  bushes. 
Every  main  branch  of  each  bush  an  inde- 
pendent cordon,  many  of  them  studded  all 
over  from  base  to  summit  with  the  choicest 
fruits. 

The   following  new  or   little-inown   varie- 
ties of  Apples  were  spoken  of  highly: — Ben's 
Red  is  a  September  Apple,  rivalling  in  colour 
Worcester    Pearmain,    and   of   better   flavour 
than  that  variety ;   a  good  bearer,  and  pro- 
mises to  become  a  grand  early  market  Apple. 
Belle   de    Boskoop    is    useful    for   dessert   or 
kitchen   purposes,   free-bearing   and   of   large 
size,   it    ripens    in    October  and  November. 
Baron   Wolseley   is   a  kitchen  Apple   of   im- 
mense    size,      a     good     bearer,     resembling 
Warner's  King,  but  it  develops  more  colour 
than  that  variety  on  the  side  exposed  to  the 
sun.     Foster's    Seedling    is    a    seedling    from 
Cellini ;  a  splendid  bearer,  and  not  liable  to 
canker ;  the  fruits  are  very  handsome,  and  ripen 
in  October  and   November.     Winter  Ribston  is 
a   Continental   variety,   a  russety   fruit   of   first- 
class  flavour.     It  has  a  habit  of  growth  similar 
to   that  of   Blenheim   Pippin,   and   bears   freely, 
ripening  in  November  and   December.     Norfolk 
Beauty,  the  result  of  a  cross  between  the  varie- 
ties   Waltham    Abbey    seedling    and     Warner's 
King  ;  it  produces  large,  golden-coloured  fruits, 
which   are  excellent  for  cooking  purposes,   and 


ripen  in  December  and  January.  A  valuable  ad- 
dition to  late  dessert  Apples  is  found  in  the 
variety  Mrs.  Phillimore  ;  the  fruits  are  of  medium 
size,  and  the  flavour  is  sweet  and  pleasant. 
This  variety  remains  in  season  from  November 
until  February.  Like  the  song  of  the  brook 
which  is  said  to  "  go  on  for  ever,"  so  might  I 
continue  this  note  by  remarking  upon  the  splen- 
did examples  of  growth  amongst  the  Pear  and 
other  fruit  trees. 

More  could  be  written  of  the  extensive  collec- 
tion of  coniferous  trees  and  shrubs,  of  the  large 
and  representative  collection  -of  Roses,  herba- 
ceous and  rock  plants,  not  to  mention  the  con- 
tents of  the  many  glasshouses. 

But  I  cannot  close  these  remarks  without 
making  allusion  to  the  magnificent  collection  of 
orchard  house  trees  and  fruits  which  we  had 
on  opportunity  of  seeing  a  few  days  before  they 
were  exhibited  at  the  fruit  show  of  the  Royal 
Horticultural  Society  at  Westminster.  A  finer 
exhibit  of  hardy  fruit  than  this  was  has  proba- 
bly never  been  seen  at  this  or  any  other  show. 
.-1   Visitor. 


TREES  AND  SHRUBS. 


BERBERIS    WILSONS. 

The  Index  Flora  Sinensis  enumerates  25 
species  of  Berberis  as  natives  of  China,  but  it 
is  probable  that  when  all  the  material  recently 
collected  in  that  country  has  been  dealt  with, 
the  list  will  have  to  be  considerably  extended. 
Amongst  other  species  brought  to  light  since  the 
completion   of  the   Index  is   Berberis   Wilsona;. 

A  fine  fruiting  specimen  of  this  new  specie--; 
was  included  in  a  group  of  choice  shrubs  shown 
by  Messrs.  James  Veitch  and  Sons  at  the  meet- 
ing of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  on  Octo- 
ber 15,  on  which  occasion  the  Floral  Committee 
awarded  it  a  First-Class  Certificate  (see  note  on 
p.  284). 

In  its  native  habitat  Berberis  Wilsonae  occurs 
on  grassy  mountains  at  elevations  of  from  2,000 
to  5,800  feet  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Tatien-lu, 
Western   China. 

It  is  an  elegant  low-growing  shrub  2  to  4  feet 
high,  with  slender  branches  clothed  with  small 
leaves  disposed  in  clusters  at  regular  intervals 
along  the  growths.  The  leaves  are  somewhat 
variable  in  shape,  but  usually  oblanoeolate,  ob- 
tuse, entire,  occasionally  3-fid,  about  \  to  1  inch 
long  by  J  to  \  inch  broad.  The  upper  surface 
of  the  leaf  is  bright  green  ;  the  under  side  white. 
Subtending  each  cluster  of  leaves  is  a  spreading 
three-forked  spine,  bright  red  in  colour  when 
young  ;  the  middle  spine  the  longest,  measuring 
i  to  J  inch,  the  two  lateral  from  J  to  i,  inch  in 
length. 

The  numerous  berries  which  follow  the  small 
yellow  flowers  are  produced  on  short  stalks  in 
clusters  of  from  four  to  six;  they  are  bright, 
coral-red  where,  exposed  to  the  light,  yellowish 
on  the  opposite  side,  semi-translucent,  sur- 
mounted by  the  remains  of  the  stigma  which 
appears  as  a  slightly  raised  point. 

Each  berry  contains  from  three  to  four 
greenish-yellow  oval  seeds. 

So  far  as  at  present  observed,  the  fruit  is  im- 
mune from  the  attacks  of  birds,  and,  in  conse- 
quence, promises  to  remain  on  the  plant  for  some 
time  after  attaining  ripeness  and  colour. 

In  its  native  country  the  foliage  is  said  to 
assume  very  brilliant  autumn  tints,  but  in  the 
specimen  exhibited  the  leaves  were  still  green. 
From  its  small  size,  spreading  habit,  and  neat 
appearance  Berberis  Wilsonse  is  a  suitable  sub- 
ject for  clothing  banks  or  margins  of  shrub- 
beries, or,  planted  in  the  rock  garden,  its  bright 
red  berries  would  form  a  welcome  colour  in  the 
autumn  months.     //.  Spooner. 


November  30,   1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


373 


PLANTING    APPLE-TREES   ON 
HEAVY    LAND. 

In  choosing  a  new  site  for  an  Apple  orchard, 
select  somewhat  elevated  ground  that  slopes  to 
the  south  or  south-west.  In  such  a  position  the 
water  will  drain  freely  away  from  the  trees  or 
holes  :  the  effects  of  frost  will  be  less  severe  when 
the  trees  are  in  flower,  and  the  ground  if  slop- 
ing will  be  much  drier  and,  therefore,  warmer. 
The  situation  should  if  possible  be  sheltered  on 
all  sides  from  cold  winds.  Holes  10  feet  in  width 
and  3  feet  6  inches  in  depth  should  be  dug  for 
planting,  and  if  the  soil  is  enriched  and  well  cul- 
tivated, it  will  provide  a  sufficient  rooting 
medium  for  many  years.  A  drainage  pipe  3  inches 
in  diameter  should  be  laid  from  the  hole  into  a 
main  drain  that  should  run  down  between  the 
rows.  Place  a  foot-deep  layer  of  large  stones  in 
(he  bottom  of  the  hole,  and  cover  tin  -..■  with 
turves.  Fill  the  rest  of  the  hole  with  good  maiden 
loam  fresh  cut  from  an  old  pasture,  and  incor- 
porate si  line  fresh  lime,  chalk,  wood  ashe^.  and 
road  scrapings  with  the  soil.  Fresh  manure  should 
nut  lie  used.  If  the  soil  is  in  a  good  condi- 
tion, raise  it  6  or  8  inches  above  the  ground 
level,  and  let  it  remain  at  this  height  when 
the  trees  are  planted.  This  will  keep  the  roots 
drier  in  winter,  and  allow  of  them  being  lifted, 
should  they  afterwards  require  to  be  moved, 
more  expeditiously.  Planting  in  this  manner 
will  entail  much  labour  and  expense,  but  it 
must  be  done  if  the  best  results  are  to  be  se- 
cured. Half  standard  trees  should  be  selected  for 
planting,  as  this  form  of  tree  does  not  catch  the 
wind  so  readily  as  tall  standards,  which  are  less 
easily  pruned  and  trained.  All  exposed  sides  of 
the  orchard  should  be  planted  with  Nuts, 
Damsons,  Bullaces,  and  other  kinds  of  hardy 
Fruits.  In  the  kitchen  garden  bush  and  pyra- 
mid-trained trees  are  usually  selected  for  plant- 
ing, but  the  above  remarks  apply  equally  to 
their  planting,  and,  as  in  the  case  of  standard 
trees,  they  should  be  planted  above  the  level 
of  the  ground  because  these  also  have  to  be  fre- 
quently lifted  before  they  arrive  in  a  satisfai  - 
tory  fruiting  condition. 

Lime  is  one  of  the  most  essential  fertilisers 
for  heavy  land,  and  especially  in  that  devoted 
to  fruit  culture.  In  these  gardens  the  fruit-trees 
are  top-dressed  in  the  autumn,  as  soon  as  the 
fruit  is  gathered  '1  his  practice  helps  to  keep 
the  roots  warmer  in  winter,  especially  if  the 
manure  is  pricked  in  with  a  fork  after  an  inter- 
val of  a  few  days :  the  mulching  also  tends 
to  keep  away  insect  pests.  The  trees  should  be 
syringed  or  sprayed  in  the  autumn  and 
spring  with  an  approved  tree-wash. 

In  choosing  the  trees,'  they  should,  if  po 
sible,  be  obtained  from  a  nursery  where  the 
ground  is  moderately  heavy,  for  if  they  are 
raised  on  land  that  is  light  and  warm,  they 
will  receive  a  check  in  their  fresh  quarters,  and 
niiii  h  time  will  elapse  before  they  become  ac- 
customed to  their  new  surroundings.  The  less 
the  trees  are  pruned  on  heavy  soil,  the  less 
prevalent  will  be  canker.  If  they  grow  too 
strongly  and  will  not  fruit,  they  should  be  root- 
pruned,  not  with  a  spade,  but  with  a  sharp 
knife.  Prune  as  little  as  possible  in  winter  ;  if 
the  branches  are  too  thick,  thin  them  judi- 
ciously after  they  have  fruited,  as  the  wound 
or  cut  will  then  heal  before  winter  arrives.  Sum- 
mer pinching  is  preferable  to  winter  pruning. 
Slow  or  weak-growing  varieties  may  be  pinched 
shorter  than  gross-growing  kinds,  as  the  latter 
often  break  into  growth  at  their  lower  buds, 
which  would  otherwise  develop  into  fruit-buds. 
The  partial  lifting  of  a  few  trees  each  year  in  the 
autumn,  and  working  in  sors#:  light  soil  mixed 
with  slacked  lime,  is,  in  the  case  of  fruit-trees 
on  a  heavy  soil,  also  preferable  to  winter  prun- 
ing.     Canker  is  a  serious   affection   common   to 


Apple  trees  on  heavy  land,  and  som.s  varieties 
are  more  susceptible  to  the  disease  than  others, 
but  generally  when  the  trees  are  growing  freely 
canker  is  less  prevalent.  Dessert  varieties  such 
as  Cox's  Orange  Pippin,  Allington  Pippin, 
Ribston  Pippin,  Charles  Ross,  and  King  of  the 
Pippins  may  be  grown  against  walls  as  cordons, 
the  bottom  of  the  border  being  concreted  and 
sloping  to  the  south.  Varieties  of  Apples  that 
succeed  well  in  these  gardens  as  standard  and 
pyramid  trees  are : — Dessert :  Worcester  Pear- 
main,  Adams'  Pearmain,  American  Mother, 
Beauty  of  Bath,  Cockle  Pippin,  Cornish  Aro- 
matic,  New  Rock  Pippin,  Irish  Peach,  K 
Tompkins'  County,  Lemon  Pippin,  Rosemary 
Russet,  and  Scarlet  Nonpareil.  Culinary  :  Annie 
Elizabeth,  Beauty  of  Stoke,  Bismarck,  Bram- 
ley's  Seedling,  Grenadier,  Hanwell  Souring, 
Kentish  Fillbasket,  Lane's  Prince  Albert,  Lord 
Derby,  Lord  Grosvenor,  Peasgood's  Nonsuch, 
Sandringham,  The  Queen,  Striped  Beefing, 
Schoolmaster,  llawthornden,  and  Newton  Won- 
der. .-1.  B.  W.idds,  Paddoekhurst  Gara 
Su 


NOTICES    OF     BOOKS. 


•Grapes,   and  How  to  Grow  Them. 

Tins  little  book  consists  of  109  pages  of  text, 
but  includes  32  useful  illustrations.  The  work 
is  conveniently  arranged  into  19  chapters.  Mr. 
Sanders  is  responsible  for  an  interesting  intro- 
duction, dealing  with  the  history  of  the  Grape 
vine,  and  he  has  written  several  chapters  in  the 
book  itself.  The  information  given  in  tin  i  hap- 
ters,  which  include  one  on  the  "I '  I  Diffi- 

culties of  Grape  Culture,"  will  prove  very  helpful 
to  beginners  in  Grape-culture.  In  respect  of  the 
thinning  of  the  fruit,  we  agree  with  the  method 
it  procedure  described  by  the  author,  but  not 
with  the  distance  he  recommends  to  be  allowed  be- 
tween the  berries  retained  to  form  the  individual 
bunches.  The  author  says  (page  .r>2),  in  explain- 
ing the  process  of  thinning  the  bunches,  that 
"The  berry  at  the  extreme  point  of  the  bunch 
should  be  left,  and  also  those  at  the  extreme 
points  of  the  branchlets,  but  that  all  others 
should  be  cut  away  that  are  within  half  an  inch 
of  it,"  adding  that  "  the  berries  on  the  top  part 
of  the  bunch  should  be  left  as  thick  again, 
because  they  have  so  much  more  room  to  swell." 
We  are  somewhat  reluctant  to  have  to  point 
out  this  direction  as  a  weak  point  in  the  excel- 
lent cultural  details  so  clearly  indicated  in  tin- 
pages  of  this  book.  A  space  of  J  inch  is  much 
too  little  to  allow  between  the  berries  left  to 
form  the  bunch  in  the  process  of  thinning  any 
variety  of  Grape.  Ii  as  it  does  not  afford 

sufficient  space  to  admit  of  the  development  of 
the  berries  to  a  good  average  size.  A  minimum 
space  of  1  inch  should  be  allowed  between  the 
crown  or  central  berries  in  the  process  of  thin- 
ning the  bunches  of  such  varieties  as  Black 
Hamburgh,  Mrs.  Pearson,  Lady  Downes,  App- 
ley  Towers,  Lady  Hutt,  and  Foster's  Seedling, 
allowing  a  little  more  than  1  inch  from  berry- 
to  berry  in  thinning  bunches  of  Madresfield 
Court  borne  by  strong  robust-growing  canes. 
i)ne  inch  and  a  quarter  will  be  none  too  much 
space  to  allow  between  the  berries  in  thinning 
bunches  of  Gros  Maroc,  Gros  Colmar,  and 
Black  Alicante,  seeing  that  the  berries  are  capa- 
ble of  attaining  to  a  large  size  when  due  space 
is  allowed  for  their  development  without  in  any 
way  interfering  with  the  compactness  of  the  in- 
dividual bunches.  Moreover,  in  the  case  of 
Madresfield  Court,  Gros  Maroc,  and  Black  Ali- 
cante, bevond  the  fact  that  the  berries  them- 
selves  are   capable  of  growing  to   a  large   size, 


the  footstalks  of  the  berries  are  short  and  stiff, 
and  on  that  account  require  the  more  space  to 
op  themselves.  Bunches  of  Gn  -  Guil. 
laume,  Buckland  Sweetwater,  Mrs.  1'iace's  Black 
Muscat,  and  Muscat  of  Alexandria  seldom  re- 
quire to  have  more  than  the  small  berrn 
out,  as  the  bunches  are  somewhat  loose  in  habit 
of  growth,  and  the  berries,  being  furnished  with 
long  footstalks,  have  ample  room  to  swell  to 
their  proper  dimensions.  The  berries  on  the  top 
part  of  the  individual  bunches  require  very  little 
thinning,  simply  because  they  are  on  the  top. 
Mr.  Sanders,  in  the  last  paragraph  (page  12i  of 
his  History  of  if,  utes  that  the  heaviest 

bunch  of  Grapes  of  which  he  has  any  record 
was  a  bunch  of  Gros  Guillaume  grown  at  Charl- 
ville,  Tullamore,  Ireland,  by  the  late  Mr. 
Roberts,  and  weighing  231b.  7oz.  We  may  point 
out,  however,  that  two  heavier  bunches 
grown  in  Scotland  and  exhibited  in  Edinburgh 
some  30  years  ago  by  Mr.  Curror,  ot"  Eskbank, 
Dalkeith,  whose  bunch  of  Trebbiana  scaled  261b. 
•toz.  Mr.  Dickson,  of  Arkleton,  Dumfriesshire, 
staged  a  bunch  of  the  White  Nice  Grape,  which 
weighed  251b.  1.3oz.,  both  bunches  having  been 
weighed  at  the  show  by  the  judges.  The  last 
17  pages  of  Grapes  and  II ow  to  Grow  Them  con- 
sists of  monthly  calendars,  in  which  useful  re- 
minders of  work  to  be  done  during  each  month  in 
the  year  are  given  in  the  most  lucid  manner.   W . 


VEGETABLES. 


*  By  J.  Lansdell  ;  edited  by  J.  W.  San. leu.  W.  II.  &  I  . 
Collingridge,  US  &  149,  Aldersgate  Street,  London,  E.C.  ; 
price  one  shilling. 


RARER  KINDS  WORTHY  OF   CULTIVA- 
TION. 

In  many  gardens  there  is  a  demand  t 
greater  variety  of  vegetables,  and  especially  is 
this  so  in  severe  winters,  when  the  choice  is  re- 
stricted to  what  are  termed  common  vegetables. 
At  this  season,  if  the  supply  of  vegetables 
can  be  added  to  by  increased  varieties  without 
resorting  to  forcing,  there  will  be  a  gain. 
Forced  vegetables  are  valuable,  but  the  n 
are  not  always  available  for  their  forcing. 

( lELEEIAC. — This  is  a  delicious  vegetable,  but 
how  seldom  one  sees  it  grown  ;  indeed,  I  note  that 
in  one  large  seed  grower's  catalogue  a  line  or 
two  suffices  for  its  notice,  whereas  pages  are 
devoted  to  the  kinds  of  many  vegetables  of  lesser 
value.  On  the  Continent  this  vegetable  is  i.i 
constant  use  from  November  to  May,  and  is 
served  cooked  in  several  ways.  It  is  ex  - 
when  cut  up  as  is  Beetroot,  and  eaten  as  a  salad, 
whilst  as  a  boiled  vegetable  it  is  equally  good. 
The  culture  is  quick  and  simple  r  in  tact,  it  does 
not  need  so  much  attention  as  Celery.  A  deeply- 
dug,  well-enriched  soil  should  be  selected  1 
planting.  A  distance  of  2  feet  apart  between 
the  rows,  and  half  that  measurement  between 
the  roots  will  suffice.  Plants  raised  from  seeds 
sown  in  March  or  April  in  a  frame,  and  after- 
wards planted  out  when  large  enough,  will  fur- 
nish good  roots  for  winter  use.  All  the  side 
growths  should  be  removed,  and  in  the  case  of  a 
light  soil  I  advise  planting  in  a  deep  drill  as 
this  will  assist  in  keeping  the  roots  moist. 
Deep  trenches  as  in  the  case  of  Celery,  are  not 
required,  and  the  plants,  though  nearly  hardy, 
should,  on  a  wet  or  heavy  soil,  be  lifted  late  in 
the  autumn  and  stored  in  a  cool  shed  or  store 
fur  winter  use.  As  previously  stated,  the  several 
varieties  are  not  catalogued  in  this  country,  but 
there  are  at  least  half-a-dozen  good  kinds  grown 
for  the  Paris  market  and  some  splendid  root- 
are  sent  from  France  to  Covent  Garden.  We 
can  in  this  country  grow  roots  of  equal  size  and 
quality  to  those  on  the  Continent.  To  obtain 
extra  fine  roots  I  have  sown  seed  early  in  Febru- 
ary in  heat,  pricked  out  the  seedlings  in  boxes, 
and   planted  them   in   their   permanent   quarters 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[November  30,  1907. 


earlv  in  May.     This  practice  gives  a  long  grow- 
ing  reason,  and  the  plants  make  fine  roots.    The 
Large  Early  is  a  very  reliable  variety,  and  other 
1   kinds  are  Pine  Apple  and  Large  Knob. 

Salsafv. — This  vegetable  is  quite  different  in 
flavour  to  any  other,  and  may  be  classed  as  an 
excellent  winter  vegetable.  It  may  be  grown 
like  the  Carrot,  and  be  kept  in  a  good  condition 
till  May  by  storing  in  a  cool,  frost-proof  shed. 
The  varieties  are  not  numerous.  The  one  known 
as  Sutton's  Giant  is  a  much  superior  root  to  the 
old  common  form.  This  vegetable  is  grown  on 
the  Continent  under  various  names.  A  large, 
fleshy,  thick-rooted  variety  is  much  superior  to 
the  forked,  smaller-rooted  ones.  Salsafy  seed 
should  not  be  sown  very  earl)',  as  early- 
sown  plants,  especially  in  light  soils,  have  a 
tendency  to  "boh."  I  prefer  May  sowings  if  the 
roots  are  intended  for  keeping;  indeed,  I  have 
mostly  made  two  sowings  in  the  south,  the  one 
for  autumn  and  the  other  for  use  after  Christ- 
mas. I  have  alluded  to  the  distinct  flavour  of 
this  vegetable,  and  on  this  account  it  is  valu- 
able, but  its  importance  lies  in  giving  variety  at 
a   -eason  of  the  year  when   choice  is  limited. 

Scokzoneka. — This  root  also  is  well  worth  in- 
cluding in  a  list  of  winter  vegetables.  In  growth 
it  is  somewhat  like  Salsafy,  but  the  long  roots 
are  black.  The  same  culture  is  required,  and 
much  the  same  remarks  apply  as  to  flavour  as  in 
the  case  of  Salsafy.  The  large  Russian  variety 
is  the  best,  and  greatly  superior  to  the  ordinary 
type. 

Cardoox. — This  is  a  green  vegetable,  and  its 
culture  requires  more  labour  than  the  roots 
above  cited,  but  the  plant  is  worthy  of  trial. 
Crown  for  an  autumn  supply,  it  furnishes  a 
good  return,  and  is  a  distinct  vegetable  when 
cooked.  The  plant  closely  resembles  the  Globe 
Artichoke,  but  the  leaf  portion  is  the  edible 
part,  and  this  requires  blanching.  Seeds  sown 
under  glass  similar  to  those  of  Celery,  and  the 
seedlings  planted  out  in  trenches  in  rich  soil  in 
May.  will  make  excellent  plants.  A  supply  of  this 
vegetable  may  be  had  for  winter  use  by  sowing 
seed  in  trenches  3  feet  apart  in  May,  and  thin- 
ning the  seedlings  afterwards  to  18  inches.  An 
abundance  of  moisture  is  required  in  dry  wea- 
ther, and  liquid  manure  is  very  beneficial.  The 
blanching  is  best  done  in  September  or  October. 
The  plants,  if  lifted  late  in  November,  can  be 
kept  in  a  good  condition  for  some  weeks  if 
placed  in  a  cellar  or  root  store. 

Spinach  Beets. — In  many  gardens  the  ordi- 
nary varieties  of  Spinach  frequently  fail,  especi- 
ally if  the  situation  is  very  moist.  The  Per- 
petual or  Spinach  Beet  is  a  good  substitute,  as 
this  plant  is  not  readily  affected  by  climatic 
■  hanges.  Seeds  sown  in  April  will  afford  the 
means  of  raising  an  early  supply  and  a  June 
sowing  a  winter  one.  It  is  necessary,  in  order 
to  obtain  strong  plants,  that  ample  room  be  given  ; 
not  less  than  18  inches  between  the  rows  and  half 
lli  it  distance  between  the  plants.  A  supply  of  this 
table  may  be  easily  maintained  until  the 
.-sown  Spinach  is  available.     G.   Wythes. 


The  Week's  Work. 


THE  FLOWER  GARDEN. 

By  A.  C.  Bartlett,  Gardener  to  Mis.  Ford,  Pencarrovv, 
Cornwall. 

Border  Chrysanthemums. — Remove  the  old 
flower  stems  from  all  the  varieties  which  have 
finished  flowering,  and  afford  the  standard 
kinds  a  mulching  or  a  layer  of  ashes  around 
their  crowns  as  a  protection  against  cold 
weather.  A  few  plants  of  each  variety  should 
be  lifted  and  planted  in  a  cold  frame  or  pit. 
Some  surplus  plants  of  the  large-flowered  vatic- 
tie     which   were  planted   here  at  the  foot  of  an 


old  wall  and  in  vacant  places  in  the  borders 
have  been  most  useful.  These  plants  were  not 
disbudded  and  required  little  attention  beyond 
staking  and  an  occasional  watering.  There  is 
now  a  large  selection  of  early-flowering  varieties, 
but  such  old  favourites  as  Mme.  C.  Desgrange. 
George  Wermig,  Market  Pink,  October  Yellow, 
and  Koi  des  Prccoces  should  not  be  discarded. 
The  single-flowered  Ladysmith  makes  a  capital 
border  variety. 

IP  dge  Briars. — Briars  for  budding  purposes 
should  now  be  collected.  These  must  be 
selected  with  judgment  or  many  will  be  found 
to  be  of  little  use.  "When  trimming  their  roots, 
remove  only  the  stump  roots  and  retain  as  many 
fibrous  roots  as  possible.  The  dwarf  stocks  may 
be  planted  together  in  a  nursery  bed,  but  it  will 
be  better  to  plant  any  tall  Briars  in  their  perma- 
nent quarters. 

Planting  under  trees. — Now  that  most  of  the 
leaves  have  fallen  from  the  deciduous  trees,  the 
bare  spaces  under  them  becomes  more  in  evi- 
dence. Where  the  shade  is  dense,  grass  fails  to 
grow,  and  even  special  mixtures  of  grasses  only- 
answer  for  a  short  time.  Under  many  Conifers 
it  is  almost  impossible  to  induce  anything  to 
maintain  a  healthy  appearance,  and  Ivy,  which 
may  be  looked  upon  as  a  last  resource  under 
most  trees,  becomes  drawn  and  sickly.  Lender 
these  conditions  one  can  only  plant  outside  the 
radius  of  the  tree  so  as  to  hide  the  bare  place 
behind.  In  such  cases  there  is  a  wide  range  of 
material  from  which  to  select,  but  whatever  is 
employed  should  be  kept  so  pruned  that  they  do 
not  grow  up  into  the  trees.  With  such  trees, 
deciduous  or  evergreen,  as  permit  a  moderate 
amount  of  light  to  penetrate  through  their 
branches,  a  fair  measure  of  success  may  be 
assured.  The  soil  around  the  tree  should  be 
broken  up  as  much  as  possible  without  injuring 
the  roots  of  the  tree.  If  at  all  dry,  apply  a 
thorough  watering,  then  add  a  goodly  quantity 
of  fresTi  soil  so  that  the  shrubs  to  be  planted 
may  have  plenty  of  nourishment.  After  plant- 
ing, tie  securely  those  plants  which  are  likely 
to  be  disturbed  by  the  draughts  which  are  com- 
mon to  such  places,  and  water  the  ground 
thoroughly.  For  some  weeks  after  the  planting 
has  been  done,  time  should  be  spared  to  syringe 
the  shrubs  on  dry  days.  The  best  kinds  of  plant 
to  be  used  will  depend  largely  on  the  district 
and  the  density  of  the  shade  :  evergreens  of  as 
dwarf  a  character  as  possible  should  largely  pre- 
dominate. The  following  and  many  others  of  a 
like  character  are  very  suitable: — Ivies,  Andro. 
meda  Catesbaei,  Haultheria  Shallon,  G.  pro- 
cumbens,  Kuscus  aculeatus,  R.  hvpophvllum, 
R.  h.  var.  hypoglossum,  Hypericum  ralycinum, 
(lex  europaeus,  I".  nana,  Vincas,  Fuonvmus, 
Vaccinium  Vitis-Idaea,  Sweet  Briar,  and  many 
species  of  Rosa.  The  Hart's  Tongue  Fern  grows 
freely  under  shade  if  planted  in  a  light  soil,  and 
many  bulbous  plants,  such  as  the  Colchicums, 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  the  hardy  Cyclamens,  &c, 
may  also  be  planted. 


FRUITS  UNDER  GLASS. 

By  Alexander  Kirk,  Gardener  to  I.  Thomson  Paton,  Esq. 
Norwood,  Alloa,  Clai  kmannanshire. 

Pate  Grapes,  such  as  Lady  Oowne.  Black  Ali- 
cante, and  Gros  Colmar,  still  hanging  on  the 
vines,  will  require  to  be  examined  carefully  and 
regularly  for  the  purpose  of  removing  any  de- 
caying berries,  which,  if  allowed  to  remain, 
would  quickly  cause  other  berries  to  decay  also. 
This  is  the  worst  season  of  the  year  for  keeping 
Grapes.  Gather  all  decayed  leaves  as  soon  as 
they  fall  from  the  vines;  admit  abundance  of 
air  throughout  the  day  during  favourable 
weather,  and  leave  the  top  ventilator  just  a  little 
open  during  the  night,  except  when  there  is 
frost.  Turn  a  little  heat  into  the  water  pipes 
at  sunset  just  to  expel  damp.  Keep  the  atmos- 
phere of  the  house  as  dry  and  yet  as  cool  as 
possible  ;  its  temperature  should  never  exceed 
45"  at  night.  Do  not  permit  any  plants  thai 
require  root  waterings  to  remain  in  a  vinery 
where  ripe  Grapes  are  hanging,  as  the  watering 
of  such  plants  would  cause  much  damp  in  the 
housi 

Pruning  vines. — Vines  that  have  shed  their 
lea'  :s,  and  from  which  all  the  fruit  has  been 
cut,  may  be  pruned  after  the  houses  have  been 
thoroughly  washed  with  hot  water  and  soft  soap, 
and   the   wood-work   painted   if    necessary.     The 


walls  should  be  lime-washed  with  a  wash  made 
by  mixing  4  lb.  of  hot  lime,  1  lb.  of  flowers  of 
sulphur,  and  -  gallons  of  water.  ';' tir  this  mix- 
ture well  whilst  using  it.  It  is  nev.  .•ssarv,  some- 
times, to  reserve  this  work  for  wet  or  otherwise 
inclement  weather,  as  then  the  outside  staff  may 
be  comfortably  employed  during  such  weather. 
Wash  and  dress  the  vines  with  the  Gishurst 
Compound,  especially  if  red  spider  has  been  pre- 
valent. Remove  the  surface  soil  of  the  inside 
border  down  to  the  roots,  and  replace  this  with 
well-chopped  turfy  loam.  To  each  barrow-load 
of  loam  add  a  6-inch  potful  of  a  fine-grade  vine 
manure.  Work  in  this  top-dressing  among  the 
surface  roots,  and  make  all  firm  as  the  work 
proceeds.  The  borders  should  be  tested,  and  if 
the  soil  is  found  to  be  dry  apply  a  moderate 
watering,  which  will  suffice  until  the  time 
arrives  for  starting  the  vines  into  growth. 

Young  vines  will  now  have  finished  their 
growth,  and  will  require  fire  heat  with  air  to 
assist  in  properly  maturing  the  wood  before  the 
end  of  the  year,  after  which  time  the  young 
canes  should  be  pruned  back  to  the  bottom  ol 
the  rafter. 

Tomatos. — The  winter  crip  -hould  now  be 
mostly  set,  it  being  almost  impossible  to  induce 
Tomatos  to  flower  in  winter.  Be  careful 
with  the  watering  of  the  plants,  and  more  es- 
pecially if  they  are  planted  into  borders.  Pot 
culture  is  preferable  during  winter.  Apply  a 
little  ventilation  daily  and  sufficient  fire-heat  to 
maintain  a  warm,  dry  atmosphere.  The  average 
winter  atmospheric  temperatures  for  Tomatos 
in  the  day  time  should  be,  maximum  70°,  mini- 
mum 65L',  and  at  night  60°.  Rub  out  all  side 
growths  as  they  appear,  and  keep  a  sharp  look- 
out for  white  fly,  fumigating  lightly  if  this  pest 
is  discovered.  Young  plants  for  potting  in  early 
spring  now  in  3-inch  pots  should  be  wintered 
near  to  the  glass  in  an  intermediate  house  or  a 
cool  vinery.  Exercise  care  in  applying  root- 
waterings. 

THE    KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

By  William  H.  Honess,  Gardener  to  C.  Combe,  Esq., 
Cobhain   I'ark,  Surrey. 

Forcing  Asparagus. — Although  the  crowns, 
owing  to  the  abnormal  season,  have  not  enjoyed 
a  long  period  of  rest,  their  lifting  for  fun  ing 
should  be  no  longer  delayed.  It  was  noticed  in 
digging  up  some  of  these  plants  a  few  days 
ago  that  new  growths  3  inches  in  length  were 
present :  with  a  view  of  checking  this  premature 
growth,  it  will  be  advisable  to  lift  the  riots 
some  10  days  or  a  fortnight  previous  to  their 
being  introduced  into  heat  for  forcing,  and 
litter  should  be  placed  about  them  when  they 
are  lifted  to  protect  them  from  the  drying  in- 
fluences of  wind  and  air,  which  are  very  in- 
jurious to  Asparagus  roots. 

Permanent  beds  of  Asparagus  that  have  been 
made  tidy  should  receive  a  good  dressing  of 
manure  as  soon  as  a  favourable  opportunity 
occurs  to  permit  of  the  manure  being  wheeled 
on  to  the  beds.  By  applying  this  dressing  now, 
the  manurial  properties  will  get  washed  down 
into  the  ground  before  spring  arrives. 

Pillage. — Digging  and  other  ground  work  will 
now  be  in  full  operation,  and  I  once  more 
advise  that,  during  the  time  this  work  is  in  pro- 
.  the  sites  of  next  season's  crops  be  con- 
sidered, for  if  this  work  is  planned  now,  much 
labour  and  manuring  will  be  saved.  Some  crops 
require  considerably  more  manure  than  others, 
and  ground  that  was  heavily  manured  last  sea- 
son might,   with  a  suitable  change  of  crop,   an* 

swer    without    any    this    season.       It     is    g 1 

practice  to  plant  roots  such  as  Salsafy, 
Beet,  &c,  on  land  that  was  previous!) 
occupied  by  Celery,  or  on  ground  that 
was  well  trenched  for  Peas  last  winter.  By 
a  systematic  rotation  of  crops,  arranged  for 
at  this  period  of  the  year,  the  best  results  are 
obtained,  and  much  time  is  saved  during  the 
busy  months  of  spring.  A  general  survey  should 
also  be  made  of  the  various  crops  of  the  entire 
garden,  with  a  view  of  improving  the  selei  i  i  I 
of  varieties,  and  with  the  object  of  deciding  tin- 
cause  of  any   indifferent  results   and   failures 

Ti.ol-ieds. — Continue  to  collect  litter  for  the 
making  of  hot-beds  for  protecting  Ci 
during  sharp  frosts.  The  material  should  be  as 
dry  as  possible,  and  not  be  allowed  to  lie  on 
the  tops  of  the  Celery  longer  than  is  absolutely 
necessary,  as  its  presence  will,  in  a  short  tune, 
cause  damping. 


November  30,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


<i  ■> 


PLANTS    UNDER  GLASS. 

By  J.  G.   Weston,  Gardener  to  H.  J.  King,  Esq., 
Eastwell  I  .n  k,  Kent. 

Perpetual- flowering  1  amotions. —  The  main 
batch  is  now  at  its  best,  and  to  enable  the 
blooms  to  last  in  good  condition  as  long  as  pos- 
sible, care  should  be  taken  to  pievent  the  at- 
mosphere of  the  house  from  becoming  very 
damp.  The  temperature  at  night  should  range 
between  45°  and  50J,  according  to  the  condi- 
tions prevailing  out-of-doors.  A  little  ventila- 
tion should  be  allowed  all  the  night  unless  there 
is  severe  frost.  Each  morning  increase  the 
amount  of  ventilation  as  the  heat  in  the  house 
increases,  until  the  atmospheric  temperature  is 
55°,  when  the  ventilators  may  be  opened  to  the 
full.  Watering  should  be  done  as  early  in  the 
day  as  possible.  These  newer  varieties  appear 
to  be  very  susceptible  to  the  fungous  diseases, 
more  especially  if  kept  in  too  warm  an  atmos- 
phere, but  if  every  particle  of  diseased  foliage 
is  cut  off  and  burnt  as  soon  as  seen,  I  believe 
either  disease  may  soon  be  eradicated.  At  this 
season  of  the  year  when  the  space  available 
under  glass  is  more  than  usually  valuable,  it  is 
often  difficult  to  obtain  the  most  suitable  degree 
of  heat  for  the  various  plants,  and  this  know- 
ledge may  have  deterred  some  from  growing 
winter-blooming  Carnations.  However,  if  no 
other  house  is  available  for  these  plants,  then 
the  houses  in  which  fruit  trees  are  resting  will 
suit  them  admirably.  1  he  flowers  mry  be  long  1  i  1 
opening,  but  less  heat  than  I  have  recommenced 
above  is  to  be  preferred,  at  this  season,  to  exces'- 
sive  heat  which  would  soon  cause  the  plants  to 
become  enfeebled.  Amongst  the  many  varieties 
at  present  on  the  market  and  in  cultivation 
here,  Fair  Maid  is  specially  satisfactory  both  for 
the  freedom  with  which  its  beautiful  pink  flowers 
are  produced  on  long,  stiff  stems,  and  also  for 
the  lasting  qualities  of  the  flowers  in  a  cut  state. 
Lady  Bountiful  is  still  one  of  the  best  for  its 
purity,  quality  of  bloom  and  freedom,  and  for 
its  free-flowering  habit,  but  White  Perfection 
and  White  Lawson  yield  blooms  that  are  rather 
heavier  and  are  worth  cultivation.  Lord  Rose- 
bery  is  a  fine,  dark  crimson,  producing  very  large 
flowers,  but  is  not  nearly  so  free  in  flowering  as 
Harlowarden,  which,  of  its  colour,  I  have  found 
to  be  the  best.  Crusader  is  a  very  good  scarlet 
flower,  and  identical  in  colour  with  Britannia, 
but  it  flowers  later  than  that  variety.  Reliance, 
which  improves  on  further  acquaintance,  is  now 
giving  good  blooms  with  very  sturdy  growths. 
Mrs.  H.  Burnett  is  a  lovely  shade  of  salmon- 
pink.  T.  W.  Lawson  is  still  very  useful,  also  the 
white  Mrs.  S.  J.  Brooks  which,  though  not  so 
large  in  bloom  as  most  of  the  varieties  men- 
tioned, is  well  worth  growing  for  the  great  quan- 
tity of  good-shaped  flowers  produced  of  a  size 
very  suitable  for  "button-holes."  Nelson 
Fisher  seems  rather  a  weak  grower,  but  the 
blooms  are  beautiful.  Hannah  Hobart  is  the 
largest  of  its  colour  that  I  have  grown  so  far, 
the  flowers  being  also  of  good  shape.  Royalty 
(pink)  is  free-flowering,  but  the  blooms  are 
small.  Countess  Lytton,  of  the  same  shad;  as 
Mrs.  L.  Rothschild,  is  improving,  the  flowers 
being  of  especially  good  form.  These,  with  En- 
chantress, of  similar  tint  to  the  old  blush  "  Mal- 
maison,"  make  up  a  fairly  representative  col- 
lection. Winsor,  Aristocrat,  Elliot's  Queen,  and 
a  few  other  varieties  I  have  not  grown  long 
enough  to  speak  of  their  qualities  with  certainty. 


THE    ORCHID    HOUSES. 

By  W.  H.  White,  Orchid  Grower  to  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence, 
Bart.,  Burford,  Surrey. 

Pleiones. — The  Indian  Pleiones,  if  well  grown, 
form  valuable  decorative  plants,  and  are  capable 
of  furnishing  pretty  flow-ers  that  are  suitable  for 
"  button-holes."  Such  varieties  as  P.  concolor, 
P.  maculata,  P.  lagenaria,  P.  praecox,  and  P. 
Wallichiana  are  now  passing  out  of  bloom,  and 
it  will  be  noticed  that  the  parts  from  which  the 
flowers  have  sprung  are  in  reality  the  new 
pseudo-bulbs,  which  are,  at  present,  very  small, 
and  scarcely  formed.  At  the  base  of  these 
young  bulbs  numerous  small  white  roots  will 
very  quickly  show  themselves,  and  it  is  at  this 
stage  that  the  plants  should  be  turned  out  of 
the  old  soil  and  afforded  fresh-rooting  material. 
Shallow  pans  are  very  convenient  receptacles  in 
which  to  cultivate  Pleiones,  being  easily  sus- 
pended. Pans  having  a  diameter  of  8  inches  or 
10  inches,  and  therefore  capable  of  holding  from 
15  to  20  of  the  largest   pseudo-bulbs,   are   most 


suitable.  Drain  the  pans  to  about  half  their 
depth  with  clean  crocks,  placing  them  very  care- 
fully in  position,  for  the  plants,  requiring  lai 
quantities  of  water  when  in  full  growth,  it  1- 
necessary  that  any  excess  should  be  able  t< 
freely  away.  The  compost  should  consist  of 
fibrous  loam,  peat,  and  chopped  sphagnum-moss 
in  equal  parts,  adding  some  finely-broken  crocks 
and  coarse  silver  sand,  and  mixing  all  the  in- 
gredients well  together  ;  keep  the  centre  ps 
bulbs  well  raised,  gradually  sloping  the  others 
clown  towards  the  edge  of  the  pan.  Make  the 
compost  rather  firm,  and  when  the  operation  is 
finished  place  the  pan  containing  the  pseudo- 
bulbs  near  to  the  roof  glass  at  the  coolest  and 
best  ventilated  part  of  the  Cattleya  or  interme- 
diate house.  Apply  water  sparingly  until  the 
young  growths  are  well  advanced,  and  as  roots 
become  plentiful,  and  the  leaves  commence  to 
expand,  so  must  the  quantity  of  water  be  in- 
creased. When  the  plants  have  become  estab- 
lished, they  may  be  syringed  overhead  occasion- 
ally, and  the  usual  waterings  mav  be  supple- 
mented with  applications  of  weak  manure  water, 
afforded  about  once  each  week.  The  cooler- 
growing  Pin  i<  as  1'.  humilis  and  1'.  Hookeri- 
ana  have  completed  their  growth,  and  will  here- 
after require  only  just  sufficient  water  to  pre- 
vent the  pseudo-bulbs  from  shrivelling.  Sus- 
pend the  pans  in  the  lightest  position  available 
in  the  Odontoglossum  house.  The  plants  should 
flower  in  February. 

Triehofileas. — Such  species  as  T.  suavis,  T. 
coccinea,  T.  tortile,  T.  rostrata,  T.  crispa,  and 
T.  lepida  having  completed  their  growth-;  will 
not  require  so  much  water  at  the  root  as  formerly, 
or  their  leaves  will  become  spotted.  A  coo],  111. 
termediate  atmosphere  will  suit  them,  but 
plants  of  T.  suavis,  which  are  now  producing 
their  flower-spikes,  should  be  placed  in  the 
warmer  atmosphere  of  the  Cattleya  house.  Tri- 
chopilea  fragrans,  variety  nobilis,  often  called 
Pilumna  nobilis,  is  now  flowering;  it  is  one  of 
the  best  of  white,  sweet-scented  Orchids.  Keep 
this  plant  in  a  somewhat  shadv  position  at 
all  times,  as  its  leaves  are  apt  to  turn  yellow 
if  exposed  to  much  sunshine.  After  the  plants 
have  flowered,  be  careful  not  to  afford  the  roots 
too  much  water.  Repotting  may  be  done  in 
February. 

THE  HARDY  FRUIT  GARDEN. 

By  J.  Mayne,  Gardener  to  Lord  Clinton,  Bicton, 
I  .ist  Devon, 

Pruning  (continued J. — Red  and  White  Cur- 
rants should  have  the  side  shoots  cut  back 
to  within  J  inch  of  their  origin,  leaving  6  inches 
of  new  growth  on  the  main  branches  if  exten- 
sion is  deemed  necessary.  The  finest  fruits  of 
Black  Currants  are  produced  on  wood  of  the 
previous  year's  development,  and  in  their  case 
a  few  of  the  best  located  basal  growths  should 
be  left  to  take  the  place  of  old  and  exhausted 
branches.  Any  young  shoots  of  an  undue  length 
should  be  stopped,  others  not  required  be  en- 
tirely removed,  and  the  lateral  growths  on  the 
main  branches  spurred  back.  There  are  two  re- 
cognised systems  of  pruning  the  Gooseberry.  The 
old  practice  of  spurring  back  those  shoots  made 
during  the  preceding  summer  has  fallen  into  dis- 
use. The  newer  practice  is  to  retain  entire  any 
shoots  needed  to  form  a  well-balanced  bush, 
shortening  those  that  exceed  15  inches  in  length, 
and  entirely  removing  any  old  branches  that 
are  not  required  for  furnishing  the  bush.  Even 
in  this  case  some  of  the  shoots  must  be  cut  well 
back  to  allow  of  the  fruits  being  conveniently 
gathered.  In  gardens  where  birds  pick  out  the 
buds  of  Gooseberries  and  Currants,  the  bushes 
should  be  syringed  two  or  three  times  during 
the  winter,  either  with  Bentlev's  liquid  prepara- 
tion or  some  other  distasteful  ingredient.  Choos? 
a  fine  day  for  the  spraying. 

Figs. — In  gardens  where  severe  frosts  prevail, 
the  branches  should  be  unfastened  from  the 
wall,  and  be  tied  in  convenient  bundles  so  that 
they  can  be  quickly  protected  with  bands  of 
hay,  straw,  or  bracken. 

The  fruii  room. — Afford  a  little  ventilation 
daily,  unless  the  weather  is  wet  or  foggy. 
Examine  Apples  and  Pears  frequently,  as  a  de- 
cayed fruit  quickly  infects  its  neighbour.  Cox's 
Orange  Pippin  and  King  of  the  Pippins  are  now 
in  condition  for  the  table,  and  amongst  the 
newer  varieties  of  Apples  now  in  season  are  : 
Allington  Pippin,  Charles  Ross,  The  Houblon 
and  Rival.    Most  of  the  better  varieties  of  Pears 


unfortunately  ripen  before  the  New  Year  arrives, 
and  even  those  irari  fi  catalogued  as  ripe  in 
December  ai  last  their  best  condition  b, 

the  middle  of  November.      Vm   n        the  best  late- 
ripening  Pears  are  1  ...   Zephirin 
goire,  President  Barabe,  and  Le  Lectier. 
General      remarks. — From      November      8      1 
November  22,  very  little  rain  has  fallen  in 
locality,    thus    the    planting    of    fruit    trees    and 
bushes  has  been  uninterrupted.     On  cold,  heavy 
soils    planting    during    November    is    almost    an 
impossibility,    and    unless    it   can  be  done   quite 
early    in    November,    planting    should    be    post- 
poned  until  about   the   first   week  in   February. 
See  that  all  purchased  trees  are  correcth  lal 
before   the    nurserymen's   names   become   ob'ite- 
rated.     As  opportunity  offers,   continue  the   d 
struction  of  American  blight  on  Apple  trees  bv 
the  use  of   methylated    spirit   or   Gishutst   com- 
pound,  which,  with  a  later  winter  spraying  of 
caustic  wash,  should  rid  the  trees  of  this  pest, 


PUBLIC  PARKS  AND  GARDENS. 

B)    W,    W,   Pettigrew,   Sup-  tmtendent  of   the    Parks  and 
Open  Spaces  in  the  *  it)   ai  Cardiff. 

The     "  Un  —With     the     advent     of 

:,  park  superintendents  in  many  citKs  are 
faced  with  the  possibility  of  having  to  find  work 
for  the  unemployed.  When  the  unemployed  are 
engaged  upon  any  work  connected  with  parks, 
it  generally  means  that  the  officers  in  charge 
have  to  put  up  with  a  considerable  amount  of 
worry  and  anxiety  in  addition  to  much  extra 
work,  for  which  the  return  is  very  small.  The 
same  work,  if  undertaken  by  ordinary  picked 
workmen,  would  invariably  be  more  efficient]} 
carried  out  than  when  performed  by  the  un- 
employed, and  probably  at  half  the  cost.  Those 
wh  1  have  had  any  lengthened  experience  of  the 
"  unemployed  "  ate  too  well  aware  of  the  fact 
that,  however  deserving  of  sympathy  they  may 
be,  the  greater  number  of  them  are  often  totally 
unfit,  either  from  the  lack  of  experience  or  on 
account  of  physical  debility,  to  accomplish  a 
good  day's  work.  When  it  is  remembered  that 
in  times  of  distress,  tailors,  shoemakers,  factory 
hands,  all  classes  of  casual  labour,  and  even 
the  ubiquitous  ''corner  boy,"  form  part  of  the 
unemployed,  it  will  not  be  wondered  at  that  the 
work  is  of  poor  quality  and  the  troubles  of  the 
officials  great. 

.1  redeeming  feature. — From  the  superinten- 
dent's standpoint,  there  is  but  one  advantage 
in  utilising  the  services  of  the  unemployed.  It 
is  that  he  is  sometimes  enabled  to  get  work 
undertaken  upon  their  account  which  would 
otherwise  be  impossible,  as  requiring  too  much 
expenditure.  When  a  grant  of  money  is  made — 
as  it  was  in  some  cities  almost  annually  prior  to 
the  passing  of  the  "  Unemployed  Act  " — for  the 
purposes  of  providing  labour  for  men  out  of 
employment,  it  is  sometimes  easy,  by  showing 
that  certain  work  lends  itself  to  the  purpose, 
to  get  it  carried  out  free  of  charge  to  the  depart- 
ment. Even  when  the  parks  are  debited  with 
such  expenditure,  no  one  finds  fault,  as  the 
money  was  spent,  not  so  much  in  the  interest  of 
the  parks  as  for  the  benefit  of  the  "unemployed." 

Value  of  discipline. — The  most  satisfactory 
method  of  dealing  with  this  class  of  workmen 
is  to  make  them  feel  that  they  are  not  intended 
to  be  the  recipients  of  charity,  but  must  earn 
the  money  they  receive,  and  that  if  they  do  not 
try  to  do  so,  then  you  will  dispense  with  their 
services.  The  best  piece  of  work  I  have  known 
done  by  the  "  unemployed "  was  carried  out 
under  such  conditions,  although  when  they  were 
first  started  there  was  a  little  difficulty  in  get- 
ting them  to  understand  that  it  was  not  simply 
a  matter  of  putting  in  so  many  hours  a  day 
with  wages  assured  to  them,  but  that  it  was 
really  "work"  that  was  expected.  After  a  few 
loafers  had  been  severely  dealt  with,  this  fact 
was  fully  recognised,  with  the  result  that  the 
majority  worked  to  the  best  of  their  ability. 
It  is  always  a  good  plan  for  park  officials  to 
keep  in  view  certain  special  work  that,  if  neces- 
sary, could  be  undertaken  by  the  "unemplo 
The  cleaning  out  or  forming  of  ponds,  filling 
up  and  soiling  uneven  parts  of  recn 
grounds,  turning  over  and  preparing  ground  for 
tree-planting,  forming  and  ballasting  carriage- 
ways or  footpaths,  are  matters  which,  under 
suitable  supervision,  may  be  more  or  less 
cessfully  carried  out  by  men  selected 
among  the  "  unemployed 


376 


THE     GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


[November  30,  1907. 


EDITORIAL     NOTICE. 


ADVERTISEMENTS  should  be  sent  to  the  PUB- 
USHER,  41,  Wellington  Street,  Covent  Garden, 
W.C. 

Letters  for  Publication,  as  well  as  specimens  and  plants 
tor  naming,  should  be  addressed  to  the  EDITOR, 
41,  Wellington  Street,  Covent  Garden,  London. 
Communications  should  be  written  on  one  side  onlv  of 
the  paper,  sent  as  early  in  the  week  as  possible  and  duly 
signed  by  the  writer.  If  desired,  the  signature  will  not  be 
printed,  but  kept  as  a  guarantee  of  good  faith. 

Special  Notice  to  Correspondents. — The  Editor  does  not 
undertake  to  pay  for  any  contributions  or  illustrations,  or 
to  return  unused  communications  or  illustrations,  unless  by 
special  arrangement.  The  Editor  does  not  hold  himself 
responsible  for  any  opinions  expressed  by  his  correspondents. 

Newspapers.— Correspondents  sending  newspapers  should  be 
carefulto  mark  the  paragraphs  they  wish  the  Editor  to  see. 

Local  News. — Correspondents  will  greatly  oblige  by  sendingto 
the  Editor  early  intelligence  of  local  events  likely  to  be  of 
interest  to  our  renders,  or  of  any  matters  which  it  is  desirable 
to  bring  under  the  notice  of  horticulturists. 

Illustrations.  -  The  Editor  will  be  glad  to  receive  and  to  select 
photographs  or  drawings,  suitable  for  reproduction,  of 
gardens,  or  of  remarkable  plants,  flowers,  trees,  &c,  but  he 
cannot  be  responsible  for  loss  or  injury. 


Appointments  for  December. 

TUESDAY,  DECEMBER  3— 

Scottish  Hort.  Assoc,  meet.  Nat.  Amateur  Card.  Assoc, 
meet. 

WEDNESDAY,  DECEMBER  4— 

Nat.  Chrys.  Soc.  Exh.  at  Crystal  Palace  (:i  da}  s'. 

SATURDAY,  DECEMBER  7— 

Soc.  Franc.  d'Hort.  de  Londres  meet.  German  Gard. 
Soc.  meet. 

MONDAY,  DECEMBER  9- 

United  Ben.  &  Prov.  Soc.  Corns,  meet. 

TUESDAY,  DECEMBER  10— Roy.  Hort.  Soc.  corns,  meet. 
WEDNESDAY,  DECEMBER  11— 

Winter  Flowering  Carnation  Soc.  Ex'nh.  in  Regent's 
Park. 

THURSDAY,  DECEMBER  12— 

National  Rose  Society's  Annual    meet,   and   Dinner  at 
Hotel  Windsor. 

SATURDAY,  DECEMBER  21— German  Gard.  Soc.  meet. 

WEDNESDAY,  DECEMBER  25— 
Christmas  Day  (Quarter  Day). 

THURSDAY,  DECEMBER  26— Bank  Holiday. 
FRIDAY,  DF.CEMBER  27— Roy.  Bot.  Soc.  meet. 
TUESDAY,  DECEMBER  31— 

Roy.  Hort.  Soc.  Corns,  meet.      Brit.  Gard.   Assoc.  Ex. 
Council  meet. 


Average     Mean    Temperature    for    the    ensuing    week, 
deduced  from  observations  during  the  last  Fifty  Years 
at  Greenwich — 40*9*. 
Actual  Temperatures: — 

London. —  Wednesday,  November  27(6  p.m.):  Max.  53° 
Mill.  49". 
Gardeners'  Chronicle  Office,  41,  Wellington  Street, 
Covent  Garden,  London. — Thursday,  November 
28  (10  a.m.):  Bar.,29-7;  Temp., 52";  Weather— 
Overcast. 
Provinces. —  Wednesday,  November  27  (6  p.m.)  :  Max.  51-', 
England  S. ;  Min.  88*,  Scotland  N.E.  Coast. 


SALES    FOR    THE     ENSUING    WEEK. 

MONDAY  and  WEDNESDAY— 

Sale  of  Dutch  Bulbs,  Sec,  at  Stevens'  Rooms,  King 
Street,  Covent  Garden,  W.C.  0 

MONDAY  to  FRIDAY— 

Dutch  Bulbs,  at  67  &  68,  Cheapside,  E.C.,  by  Prother.., 
&  Morris,  at  10.30. 

MONDAY  and  FRIDAY— 

Roses,  at  67  &  68,  Cheapside,  E.C.,  by  Protheroe  & 
Morris,  at  1.30. 

TUESDAY— 

Unreserved  Clearance  Sale  of  the  whole  of  the  Stock 
and  Utensils  in  Trade  at  The  Nurseries,  Coburg  Road, 
Upper  Teddington,  by  Protheroe  &  Morris,  at  11. 

WEDNESDAY— 

Roses,  at  1.30 ;  Palms,  Azaleas,  and  Plants,  at  5,  at 
67  &  68,  Cheapside,  E.C.,  by  Protheroe  &  Morris. 

THURSDAY- 

Sale  of  Nursery  Stock  at  Bury  Road  Nurseries,  Gosport, 
by  Protheroe  &  Morris,  at  12. 

FRIDAY— 

Orchids  in  variety,  at  67  &  68,  Cheapside,  E.C.,  by 
Protheroe  &  Morris,  at  12.45. 


During    the    next    few    months, 

Late-        when  plantins-  operations  of  all 
blooming     .  .  \.  ,  .     , 

Roses.       descriptions  may  be  carried  out 

with  results  more  or  less  satis- 
factory, it  will  be  well  to  reflect  upon  the 
degree  of  usefulness  exhibited  by  particular 
varieties  of  Roses  during  the  past  season. 

There  can  be  no  question  that  the  Roses 
which  are  of  the  greatest  value  for  garden 
cultivation    are   those   which    are    capable   of 


flowering  both  early  and  late  in  the 
season.  There  are  many  varieties  invalu- 
able for  exhibition  which  arc  bv  no  means  re- 
markable for  the  production  of  what  are 
generally  termed  "autumnal"  flowers. 
Marchioness  of  Londonderry,  for  example, 
as  a  general  rule  only  blooms  once  during  the 
season,  and  usually  as  late  as  the  end  of  July. 
On  the  contrary,  such  fine  Hybrid  Per- 
petuals  as  Captain  Hay  ward  and  A.  K. 
Williams,  which  as  a  rule  come  early  into 
flower,  are  sometimes  found  producing 
blooms  of  great  beauty  at  the  commencement 
of  November.  On  November  9  we  had  the 
pleasure  of  gathering  a  bouquet  of  Roses 
from  such  excellent  varieties  as  Margaret 
Dickson,  Clio,  Hcrmosa,  Madame  Pernet 
Ducher,  Papa  Gontier,  and  Viscountess 
Folkestone,  the  flowers  being  almost  as 
bright  and  beautiful  as  those  which  developed 
in  the  middle  of  July.  What  was  even  more 
gratifying  was  the  fact  that  they  still  retained 
their  fragrance  at  this  cold  and  sunless  season 
of  the  year.  The  China  Roses  are  especially 
valuable  for  the  production  of  late  autumnal 
blooms,  and  particularly  that  well-known 
variety  termed  the  Monthly  Rose.  Heroic  it 
undoubtedly  is,  for  frost  alone  can  check  its 
marvellous  perpetuality.  This  variety  may 
occasionally  be  seen  flowering  with  the 
greatest  equanimity  even  on  the  approach  of 
December.  Laurette  Messimy,  raised  by  M. 
Guillot  in  iSSy,  and  hardly  since  excelled  for 
distinctive  beauty,  is  also  very  floriferous 
quite  late  in  the  year.  An  extremely  charming 
hybrid  between  the  China  and  Tea  sections 
having  similar  qualities  is  Enchantress, 
which,  when  sent  out  in  the  year  1896  by 
Messrs.  VVm.  Paul  and  Son,  was  hailed  by 
Rosarians  as  the  first  of  a  new  and  very 
fascinating  race.  Of  the  many  varieties  of  re- 
cent origin  which  flower  freely  in  late  autumn, 
one  of  the  loveliest  is  Warrior,  which,  how- 
ever, loses  considerably  its  dark  crimson  colour 
in  October,  and  then  reverts  to  something  of 
the  normal  complexion  of  its  probable  parent, 
Papa  Gontier,  which  it  strikingly  resembles 
in  its  growth  and  characteristics.  Of  the 
older  Tea  Roses,  a  supreme  favourite  is  the 
cream-coloured  Devoniensis.  The  blooms  are 
much  smaller,  and  perhaps  a  little  less  fra- 
grant in  October  than  in  July,  but  they  are 
hardly  less  beautiful.  It  is  sometimes  said 
that  Devoniensis  is  exceedingly  difficult  to 
grow,  but  this  has  not  been  borne  out  by  our 
own  experience.  The  lovely  hybrid  Noisette 
variety  Madame  Alfred  Carriere  is  usually 
only  a  summer  flowering  variety,  but  in  some 
gardens  it  flowers  also  in  late  autumn. 

Many  of  the  finest  Roses  have  continued  to 
produce  their  flower-buds  this  season  after 
the  climatic  conditions  had  become  unsuitable 
for  their  successful  development.  Such  a 
Rose  as  the  magnificent  Frau  Karl  Druschki, 
for  example,  cannot  open  its  petals  with 
much  facility  amid  the  cheerless  conditions 
prevalent  at  the  commencement  of  Novem- 
ber; the  flower-buds  in  such  cases  are  pic- 
tures of  hope  impossible  of  fruition. 


Our  Supplementary  Illustration  to  the 

present  issue  represents  what  is  probably  the  most 
gorgeous  species  of  Eucalyptus  in  cultivation. 
Eucalyptus  ficifolia  is  a  native  of  West  Australia, 
and,  in  some  botanical  features  connected  with 
the  fruit  and  foliage,  is  most  closely  allied  to 
E.  calophylla.  The  species  was  originally 
described  by  the  late  Baron  Sir  F.  Mueller,  in 
his  Fragmenta,  Vol.  II.,  p.  85.    For  garden  pur- 


poses the  unique  value  of  this  species  consists 
in  the  scarlet  flower's,  which  are  showy  to  the 
highest  degree.  The  late  Baron  Sir  F.  Mueller 
has  described  it  as  flowering  at  the  end  of 
January  and  beginning  of  February  in  its 
native  country,  "  when  the  flowers  diffuse  a  rich, 
red  hue  over  the  dark  green  foliage  of  the  land- 
scape." The  tree  is  said  to  grow  to  a  moderate 
size  as  compared  with  other  species  ;  the  hand- 
some leaves  are  often  6  inches  in  length.  Our 
illustration  has  been  reproduced  from  a  sketch 
prepared  by  Mr.  Worthington  Smith,  from 
specimens  exhibited  at  a  meeting  of  the  Royal 
Horticultural  Society  in  August  last  by  W, 
North  Row,  Esq.,  Cove  House,  Tiverton, 
Devonshire,  with  whom  the  species  flowered  in 
the  open  garden.  The  species  is  cultivated  in  the 
Temperate  House,  Royal  Gardens,  Kew,  but  has 
not  flowered  there.  It  has  flowered  many  times 
in  the  month  of  August  in  a  cool  Palm  house  in 
the  gardens  of  Mrs.  Fitzroy  Fletcher,  of 
Letham  Grove,  Arbroath,  N.B.,  and  commenced 
to  flower  when  only  seven  years  old,  the  plant 
having  been  raised  from  seeds  received  direct 
from  Australia.  A  figure  prepared  from  speci- 
mens obtained  from  Mrs.  Fletcher's  garden 
was  published  in  the  Botanical  Magazine,  tab. 
7697.  We  reproduce  a  figure  of  the  fruit  of 
Eucalyptus  ficifolia  which  was  published  in 
these  pages,  together  with  illustrations  of  fruits 
of  several  other  species,  on  October  13,  1883.  ■ 

Linnean  Society. — A  meeting  will  be  held 
on  Thursday,  December  5,  at  8  p.m.,  when  the 
following  papers  will  be  read: — Professor  J. 
Arthur  Thomson,  "  Report  on  Alcyonaria  of 
the  Sudanese  Red  Sea  "  ;  Mr.  H.  C.  Chadwick, 
"  Report  on  the  Crinoidea  of  the  Sudanese  Red 
Sea"  ;  Prof.  R.  J.  Harvey  Gibson,  M.A.,  F.L.S., 
"  Notes  on  Some  Marine  Algae  from  the 
Red  Sea."  Exhibitions: — Dr.  Otto  Stapk, 
F.L.S.,  specimens  of  Spartina  Townsendii,  as 
illustrating  its  distribution  in  Britain  ;  W.  A.  P. 
Young,  F.L.S.,  lantern  slides,  showing  stages 
of  soil-denudation  consequent  on  the  removal  of 
forests. 

National  Rose  Society.  —  The  annual 
general  meeting  of  the  National  Rose  Society 
will  be  held  at  the  Westminster  Palace  Hotel, 
Victoria  Street,  S  W.,  on  Thursday,  December  12, 
at  3.30  p  m.  This  dinner  will  be  followed  at 
6  p.m.  by  the  annual  dinner  of  the  Society,  which 
will  take  place  at  the  Hotel  Windsor,  Victoria 
Street,  S.W.  Mrs.  Hole  and  her  son,  Mr.  Hugh 
Hole,  have  promised  to  attend  the  dinner.  Edward 
Mauley,  Hon.  Secretary. 

Presentation  to  a  Nursery  Manager. — 

Mr.  A.  Miciiie,  who  has  occupied  the  position 
of  acting  manager  to  the  firm  of  Messrs.  Laing  . 
and  Mather,  nurserymen,  Kelso,  for  a  period  of 
about  20  years,  has  started  in  business  for  him- 
self at  Alnwick.  On  his  leaving  Kelso,  Mr. 
Michie  was  presented  with  a  purse  of  gold  from 
the  temperance  and  religious  workers  of  the  town. 

Belgian  Horticulture. — We  are  glad  to  see 
that  our  contemporary  La  Tribune  Hortieole  has 
resumed  publication  after  the  brief  interruption 
caused  by  a  strike  on  the  part  of  the  operatives. 
The  new  number,  containing  three  wesks'  issue, 
contains  an  open  letter  addressed  to  the 
Government  of  Belgium,  urging  that  steps 
may  be  taken  to  ensure  the  more  direct 
representation  on  the  Government  of  the 
interests  of  horticulture.  It  is  pointed  out 
that,  from  a  national  point  of  view,  the  im- 
portance of  horticulture  is  rapidly  increasi  tg  : 
and  it  is  suggested  that  it  is.  officially,  very 
inadequately  represented  at  the  present  time, 
seeing  that  the  Ministry  of  Agriculture  is  already 
overburdened  with  other  duties. 


Eucalyptus  ficifolia  as  it  flowered  out-of-doors  at  Cove   House,   Tiverton,  Devon. 
Calyx  green,   slightly  tinged  with  red  ;  filaments  of 
stamens  scarlet  \     anthers  deep  red. 


Temple  Press  Ltd.,  Printers,  7-15.  Rosebery  Avenue.   London,   E.C. 


November  30,  1S07.] 


THE     GARDENERS     CHRONICLE. 


■j  i  i 


Presentation  to  a  Gardener. -To  mark 
the  attainment  of  his  silver  wedding  and  his 
twentieth  year  in  the  family's  employment,  Mr.  J. 
Pentland,  Ashwicke  Hall  Gardens,  Marshfield, 
Chippenham,  has  just  received  from  his  employer, 
C.  H.  B.  Firth,  Esq  ,  a  silver  tea-service.  Mr. 
Pentland,  it  will  be  remembered,  contributed  our 
weekly  Calendar  on  "The  Kitchen  Garden"  in 
1904. 

The  Kew  Guild  Journals. — We  are  re- 
quested by  Mr.  \V.  N.  Winn,  Royal  Botanic 
Gardens,  Kew,  and  secretary  of  the  Kew  Guild, 
to  state  that  he  wishes  to  obtain  copies  of  the 
Journal  for  1893,  and  would  be  glad  to  hear  from 
anyone  who  has  a  copy  or  copies  to  spare. 

Memorial  Trees  at  Ingestre  and  Alton 
Towers. — During  the  King's  recent  visit  to 
Ingestre  and  Alton  Towers  his  Majesty  planted 
two  young  Cedar  trees  (Cedrus  atlantica),  one  at 
Ingestre  and  the  other  at  Alton  Towers.  The 
silver  spade  was  handed  to  his  Majesty  by  Mr. 
E.  Giluak,  head  gardene- 

Maqui  Berries. — Under  this  name  the  small 
fruits  of  Aristotelia  Maqui,  L'Herit.  (N.  O. 
Tiliaceae),  have  tecently  been  offered  at  the 
London  drug  sales.  For  the  last  20  years  thest 
berries  have  been  imported  into  France  and 
Chili,  and  are  used  for  colouring  wines.  The 
fruits,  as  imported,  are  about  the  size  of  Black 
Pepper,  and,  like  those  of  Rhamnus  cathartica, 
show  four  segments,  each  containing  a  trian- 
gular seed.  Except  that  they  exhibit  no  trace  of 
an  adherent  calyx,  they  might  easily  be  mistaken 
for  Buckthorn  berries.  If  wetted  and  rubbed 
on  paper  they  give  an  immediate  purple  stain 
resembling  Burgundy  wine  in  colour.  In  France 
they  have  taken  the  place  of  Elderberries,  which 
were  formerly  used  in  colouring  wines.  In  1884 
France  imported  500  kilos.  ;  in  1886,  115,600 
kilos.  ;  and  in  1887,  315,705  kilos.  E.  M. 
Holmes,  in  the  Pharmaceutical  Journal,  Novem- 
ber 16. 

Trinidads  Fruit  Trees. — According  to  a 
paragraph  in  the  last  number  of  the  Agricul- 
tural News  of  Barbados,  the  fruit  trade  of 
Trinidad  is  in  a  decidedly  progressive  condition. 
As  many  as  10,000  bunches  of  Bananas,  it  is 
stated,  are  shipped  to  England  every  fortnight. 
Although  on  the  estates  of  one  proprietor  in 
Naparima,  Bananas  have  begun  to  displace 
sugar  cultivation,  yet  it  is  not  thought  at  all 
likely  that  such  a  change  will  become  general. 
Indeed,  it  is  said  not  to  be  wished  that  sugar 
should  be  so  displaced,  as  the  new  crop  would 
not  require  anything  like  the  same  amount  of 
labour  as  the  present  standard  crop  of  the 
island,  nor  would  it  be  the  means  of  putting 
so  much  money  into  circulation.  With  the  sugar 
industry  of  Trinidad  still  prosperous,  however, 
there  is  at  the  same  time  abundant  room  for  a 
subsidiary,  but  also  prosperous,  Banana  industry, 
and  one,  moreover,  specially  adapted  for  small 
cultivators.  Nevertheless,  there  is  a  growing 
demand  in  the  island  for  Banana  suckers,  which 
are  being  planted  in  considerable  quantity  on 
Cacao  and  sugar  estates.  There  is  a  large  trade 
also  being  done  in  Oranges  and  Limes. 

Rural     Education     in    France. — It   is   not 

only  in  England  that  the  constant  flow  of  popu- 
lation from  the  country  to  the  towns  excites  the 
apprehension  of  those  who  have  the  welfare  of 
the  race  at  heart.  In  France  the  same  trouble 
exists,  and  the  matter  has  recently  been  studied 
with  a  view  of  finding  a  cure,  by  M.  L. 
Henry.  As  the  result  of  a  full  investigation 
into  what  is  being  done  in  other  countries,  he 
urges  the  foundation  by  the  State  of  schools  in 
which  the  ;irls  shall  be  taught  the  principles  of 


rural  economy  in  the  widest  sense.  Criticising 
this  suggestion,  M.  Condry,  writing  in  the 
Journal  de  la  Societe  Nationale  d' Horticulture  de 
France,  states  that  it  is  the  boys  and  youug  men 
of  the  rural  districts  who  want  this  instruction, 
pointing  out  that  conscription  necessarily  re- 
moves all  the  male  population  to  urban  centres 
for  a  part  of  their  life,  and  that  it  is  therefore  es- 
sential to  e:tert  a  counter  influence  against  the  at- 
traction of  the  town.  No  doubt  there  is  much 
in  the  argument,  and  it  is  a  comforting  reflec- 
tion that  in  a  matter  of  this  sort  we  are  not 
behind  our  neighbours.  The  instruction  in  rural 
matters  given  under  the  auspices  of  the  County 
Councils  in  the  country  districts,  added  to  the 
wise  policy  of  encouraging  gardening,  &c, 
which  the  Board  of  Education  has  introduced 
into  the  elementary  schools,  shows  that  England 
is  at  least  alive  to,  and  is  trying  to  grapple  with 
one  of  the  serious  problems  of  the  present  age. 

Hot  Water   and    Seed   Germination. — It 

is  well  known  that  many  seeds  germinate  more 
quickly  if  they  are  soaked  in  warm  water  before 
they  are  sown.  M.  E.  Draps-Dom,  writing  in 
the  Tribune  Horticole,  mentions  that  he  obtained 
remarkable  success  with  some  refractory  Palm 
seeds  by  keeping  them  for  some  hours  in  hot 
water — so  hot,  indeed,  as  to  be  almost  boiling. 


CHRYSANTHEMUM    NOTES. 


Fig    154. — fruit  of  eucalyptus  ficikolia. 
(See  also  Supplementary  Illustration.) 

Thus  a  large  sowing  of  10,000  Latania  seeds  ger- 
minated very  evenly  14  days  after  sowing.  It 
is  not  likely  that  seeds  would  stand  this 
treatment  unless  they  fulfilled  two  conditions, 
viz.,  they  must  be  dry  to  start  with,  and  water 
under  any  circumstances  must  only  penetrate 
them  slowly.  For  anything  like  the  tempera- 
ture of  boiling  water  would,  of  course,  kill 
the  embryo  if  its  cells  contained  any  moisture, 
whilst  it  is  known  that  dry  seeds  can  withstand 
a  temperature  (as  long  as  their  living  cells  re- 
main dry)  even  higher  than  that  of  boiling 
water. 

Rust  on  Hollyhocks. — This  disease  has 
been  assigned  to  various  causes,  but  not  until 
lately  have  I  become  convinced  beyond  a  doubt 
that  there  exists  a  remedy  for  the  disease.  This 
remedy  consists  in  the  main  of  what  is  know  as 
sulpho-naphthol,  which  is  a  liquid.  A  table- 
spoonful  of  this  liquid  is  put  into  an  ordinary- 
pailful — or  nearly  so — of  water,  and  then  the 
water  agitated,  after  which  the  plants  affected 
should  be  sprayed  with  this  emulsion.  Mor.- 
than  one  application  ma)-  be  required  for  a  com- 
plete cure,  but  cure  eventually  it  will.  D.  J/., 
in  the  Florists'  Exchange,  November  2. 

Publications    Received.    Punch  Almanack  for 

1908. — Trees  and  "Their  Stories,  by  Percy  Groom, 
illustrated  by  photographs  by  Henry  Irving  (Cassell 
&  Co..  Ltd.). — Studies  in  Plant  and  Organic  Chemistry, 
and  Literary  Papers,  by  Helen  Abbott  Michael  (The 
Riverside  Press,  Cambridge,  Massachusetts). 


ANEMONE-FLOWERED  VARIETIES. 
Although  these  do  not  occupy  so  prominent 
a  position  at  the  exhibitions  as  formerly,  there 
are  still  many  varieties  to  be  found  in  the  dis- 
plays at  the  London  Parks.  Descartes  is  one  of 
the  grandest,  and  its  rich  vinous-crimson  col- 
ouring is  always  most  striking  in  mixed  groups. 
It  is  a  back-row  plant,  but  one  that  is  seen 
in  each  collection.  Delaware  is  white  and  yellow, 
John  Bunyan  (pure  yellow),  Junon  (lilac-mauve 
self),  Le  Chalonnais,  M.  Charles  Lebocqz,  and 
Prince  of  Anemones,  are  well  in  evidence  at 
Victoria  Park.  In  the  conservatory  at  Finsbury 
Park  there  is  a  nice  little  group  of  "Anemones," 
the  best  of  which,  at  the  time  of  writing,  are 
Grande  Alveole,  Sir  Walter  Raleigh,  Owen's 
Perfection,  Mrs.  Judge  Benedict,  and  several  of 
the  others  previously  mentioned.  It  would  be  a 
pity  to  see  these  old-time  favourites  pass  out  of 
existence  in  these  days  when  the  Japanese 
flowers  threaten  to  extinguish  everything  that 
has  not  the  mere  property  of  size.     C.  H.  P. 

NEW   FRENCH   VARIETIES. 

Many  novelties  were  staged  and  certificated  at 
the  recent  Paris  Shew.  I  have,  however,  taken 
no  account  of  the  awards  made  by  the  French 
Floral  Committee,  but  in  regard  to  the  follow- 
ing notes,  the  blooms  have  been  judged  on 
their  merits  solely  from  an  English  point  of 
view.  I  know  nothing  of  the  habit  and  growth 
of  the  plants.  The  following  are  my  selection 
of  the  1908  novelties  from  the  principal  French 
growers,  viz.  :  — 

Victoire  (Ds  Pins). — A  very  large  Japanese 
flower,  after  the  style  of  Le  Colosse  Grenoblois. 
The  flower  is  very  full  and  double,  of  pale  lilac- 
mauve,  shaded  with  pink,  the  reverse  being  sil- 
very. 

.1/.  /.  Barat  (De  Pins). — A  very  full  and 
double  Japanese  flower,  of  deep  build  and 
having  rather  broad  florets.  The  colour  is  rich 
rosy-purple,  with  silvery  reverse. 

Le  tour  d' Argent  (De  Pins). — A  very  globular- 
shaped,  pure  w-hite  Japanese  flow-er,  compact 
and  close  in  build. 

Mile.  Lenoble  (Liger  Ligneau). — A  peri  t 
form  of  Japanese  ;  flower  spreading  and  beau, 
tifully  shaded  with  rosy-purple,  having  a  golden- 
coloured  reverse.  One  of  the  most  delicately 
coloured  novelties  of  the  season. 

Le  Cafitole  (Calvat). — A  Japanese  Incurved 
flower,  with  very  narrow,  grooved  florets,  but  a 
compact,  deep  flower.  Colour,  deep  golden 
yellow,  shaded  with  bronze. 

Vice-Consul  Lew  in  (Calvat). — Japanese;  not 
unlike  a  pale  coloured  Mrs.  W.  Wells,  in  colour 
being  of  a  jather  paler  shade  of  warm,  golden 
terra-cotta. 

Comle  Grandence  Torriclli  (Calvat). — A  large 
Japanese,  having  narrow  florets  that  build  up 
into  a  big.  compact  flower.  Colour,  golden 
yellow,  shaded  outside  with  purple. 

Francois  Marchand  (Calvat). — A  Reflexing 
Japanese  of  excellent  form,  but  having  rather 
narrow  florets.  Colour,  rosy-crimson  shaded 
with  yellow. 

Souvenir  de  Vindrac  (De  Pins). — A  Japanese 
Incurved  variety,  with  broad,  grooved  florets  ; 
a  big,  solid-looking  flower  of  rosy-crimson 
colour ;   reverse,  straw  colour. 

Vicomtesse    di    Chanter ac   (De  Pins). — Another 
large  Japanese  flower,   with  grooved,   incu  i 
florets,  very  solid  and  deep  in  build.    A  full  and 
double    flower.        Colour,     deep     golden-orange 
tinied  with  bronze. 


378 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[November  30,  1S07 


Genl.  Drude  (De  Tins). — Large  blooms  of  the 
Japanese  type.  Colour,  an  effective  shade  of 
reddish-crimson ;  the  florets  are  rather  broad, 
and  on  the  reverse  side,  golden-yellow. 

Pic  de  Pajollc  (De  Pins). — A  noble,  solid- 
looking  flower,  incurving  in  form.  The  florets 
are  deeply  grooved,  close  and"  compact  in  build. 
Colour,  rosy-crimson,  with  straw-coloured  re- 
verse. 

Mme.  Nathalie  Langle  (Calvat). — A  large, 
blush-coloured  Japanese  flower  of  great  size  and 
substance,  very  full  and  double,  and  possessing 
good  florets. 

Martlie  Panda  (Calvat). — A  very  big  Japanese 
incurving  flower,  with  medium-sized  florets, 
which  are  deeply  grooved.  Colour,  creamy- 
white. 

LATE     PROPAGATION     UNDESIRABLE. 

I  have  always  advocated  the  early  propagation 
of  the  Chrysanthemum  when  large  exhibition 
blooms  are  desired.  Too  many  instances  have 
been  obvious  again  this  season  in  which  late 
propagation  has  caused  failure  in  obtaining 
blooms  of  even  moderate  quality.  There  are 
exceptions  to  every  rule,  and  I  know  that 
some  flowers  of  first-class  quality  have  been 
produced  from  cuttings  which  were  inserted  as 
late  as  the  first  week  in  March.  For  instance, 
Lady  Talbot  has  given  extra  fine  blooms  from 
plants  upon  which  the  first  bud  that  formed 
was  "taken."  When,  however,  we  look 
upon  the  utilitarian  side  of  the  question,  I  can- 
not agree  that  one  bloom  to  a  plant  is  in  any 
way  compensation  for  nine  months'  labour  ;  even 
if  no  accident  should  happen  to  the  particular 
i  flower.  I  see  no  reason  why  every  plant  should 
not  produce  three  good  flowers,  excepting,  of 
course,  for  an  occasional  disaster  to  a  shoot  or 
bud  or  an  irregularly  developed  blossom  which 
no  one  can  guard  against  with  absolute  cer- 
tainty. 

The  Chrysanthemum  requires  a  long  season 
of  steady  growth  in  a  cool  atmosphere  where  the 
growths  thus  produced  have  the  best  possible 
chance  of  becoming  solid  through  the  gradual 
and  continual  maturation  of  the  tissues  of  the 
plants.  The  wood  of  late-rooted  plants  never 
ripens  thoroughly,  and  this  is  a  decided  disad- 
vantage; the  blooms  resulting  from  such 
culture  may  be  large  in  diameter,  but 
they  lack  the  solidity  and  "  build  "  which 
is  so  desirable  in  close  competition  ;  the  florets, 
too,  are  wanting  in  fullness  and  lustre  of  colour. 

Another  objection  to  late  propagation  is  the 
space  required  to  preserve  the  old  plants  for  the 
production  of  cuttings  for  two  months  longer 
than  is  necessary  when  early  propagation  is 
adopted,  as  the  space  required  for  the  cuttings 
is  obviously  much  less  than  is  needed  for  ac- 
commodating the  old  plants,  and  at  this  time 
of  the  year  space  under  glass  is  valuable.  Nor 
can  the  cuttings  be  preserved  in  such  a  good 
condition  as  they  were  two  months  earlier,  for 
they  are  sure  to  become  drawn  and  weakened. 

Some  cultivators  advocate  the  middle  of 
November  for  the  taking  of  cuttings,  but  this  is 
too  early.  In  many  such  instances  the  plants 
persist  in  making  bloom-buds  instead  of  growth 
shoots.  This  may  be  a  source  of  much  annoy- 
ance to  growers  in  the  South  of  England.  At 
one  time,  when  varieties  were  more  generally 
taller  in  growth  than  they  are  at  the  present 
time,  some  growers  thought  that  late  propaga- 
tion reduced  the  height  of  the  plants,  but  now, 
■with  an  improved  race  of  varieties  in  their  habit 
of  growth,  there  is  very  little  cause  to  complain 
about  the  height  of  the  plants  ;  they  are  very 
different  to  such  varieties  as  Mme.  Clemence 
Audiguier,  which  commonly  reached  14  feet  in 
height. 

The  second  week  in  December  is  the  best  time 
for  the  general  propagation  of  Japanese  and 
Incurved  Chrysanthemums.     E.  Molyneux. 


NEW    INVENTION. 


HOME    CORRESPONDENCE 


FROST  FORETELLER. 

The  advent  of  frost,  especially  when  fruit  trees 
are  in  flower,  is  a  matter  of  very  great  import- 
ance to  gardeners,  and  to  be  able  to  predict  its 
occurrence  with  some  degree  of  certainty  when, 
for  instance,  the  Peach  trees  on  the  open  walls 
are  in  flower,  would  often  save  the  crop  from 
ruin.  The  older  men  on  an  estate  are  often 
generally  accurate  in  their  conclusions  as  to 
whether  a  frost  is  apparent  or  not,  from  observa- 
tions and  signs  which  they  are  not  able  to  reduce 
to  any  exact  formulae.  But  there  are  many  per- 
sons who  are  not  gifted  in  this  matter  of  pro- 
phecy, and  an  instrument  which  will  determine 
the  question  for  them  with  a  certain  degree  of 
accuracy  will  be  welcome.  In  our  issue  for 
March  4,  1905,  p.  133,  we  gave  particulars  of  the 
Pagoscope,  an  instrument  invented  on  the  Con- 
tinent for  foretelling  frost,  and  which  we  have 
had  opportunities  for  testing  that  have  furnished 
satisfactory  results.  The  well-known  scientific 
instrument  makers,  Messrs.  Negretti  &  Zambra, 
of    Holborn    Viaduct,    have    also    registered    an 


Fir,.   155. — a  frost  foreteller. 

instrument   for   this   purpose,    which   they   have 
named  the  Horticultural  Hygrometer. 

The  instrument  is  a  wet  and  dry  bulb  Hygro- 
meter, with  a  special  cylindrical  scale  revolv- 
ing between  the  thermometers.  The  cylinder  is 
figured  in  three  sections,  which  are  intended  to 
apply  as  follow : — White  section,  frost  highly 
improbable  ;  shaded,  frost  doubtful  ;  black,  frost 
very  probable.  The  cylinder  has  10  lines  num- 
bered 1,  2,  3,  4,  up  to  10;  these  represent  the 
difference  of  degrees  between  the  readings  of  the 
wet  and  dry  thermometers.  The  method  of  ob- 
serving is  as  follows: — The  instrument  must  be 
placed  in  the  open  air,  but  in  such  a  position 
that  the  sun's  rays  will  not  fall  upon  it.  The  ob- 
servation should  be  taken  as  late  in  the  evening 
as  possible.  Upon  arriving  at  the  instrument, 
note  the  readings  of  the  dry  bulb  and  the  wet 
bulb,  and  the  difference  between  the  two.  The  cy- 
linder is  next  turned  until  the  line  and  figure  re- 
presenting this  difference  is  at  the  right-hand  side 
of  the  opening.  The  wet-bulb  reading  will  fall 
opposite  one  of  the  three  sections  of  the  scale  on 
the  right-hand  side  of  the  opening,  and  from  this 
the  observer  can  ascertain  whether  frost  is  likely 
to  occur  during  the  night. 


(The  Editor  does  not  hold  himself  responsible  for  the 
opinions  expressed  cy  his  correspondents.) 

Vegetable  Trials  at  Wisley. — Whilst  the 
Fruit  Committee  of  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society  have  for  some  time  past  been  aware 
of  the  society's  rule  that  no  award  be  made  to 
Potatos,  Peas,  Beans,  Tomatos,  Cucumbers  and 
similar  vegetables  before  trial  at  Wisley,  it 
has  occasioned  some  surprise  that  the  Council 
have  annulled  an  award  recently  made  by  the 
Fruit  and  Vegetable  Committee  to  a  seedling 
Melon.  The  action  of  the  Council  has  naturally 
caused  much  unpleasant  feeling.  That  there 
was  a  good  trial  of  Melons  at  Wisley  last  year 
is  true,  and  it  can  be  said  to  have  been  the  very 
best  trial  of  anything  of  its  kind,  or  of  vegetables 
yet  seen  at  Wisley.  Still  no  intimation  had  been 
conveyed  to  the  Fruit  Committee  that  Melons 
had  been  placed  by  the  Council  in  the  prohibi- 
tory list  for  awards  at  Vincent  Square 
unless  tried  at  Wisley  with  standard  varie- 
ties. So  far  as  Melons  are  concerned,  I 
have  no  interest  in  them  ;  indeed,  I  think  we 
have  not  only  far  too  many,  but  that  also  no 
recently-introduced  variety  has  excelled  exist- 
ing varieties.  No  matter  how  apparently  meri- 
torious the  subject  may  be,  the  rules  of  the 
Council  are  imperative,  and  the  committee  is 
powerless  to  grant  an  award.  What  is  needed 
is  the  widest  possible  diffusion  of  the  informa- 
tion that  certain  specified  subjects  cannot  be 
adjudicated  upon  at  Vincent  Square  if  sent,for 
award,  but  must  be  sent  first  to  Wisley  to  be 
there  grown.  That  would  save  the  public  from 
errors  and  the  Fruit  Committee  from  much  un- 
pleasantness. At  the  same  time  clear  intima- 
tion should  be  given  by  the  Council  as  to  what 
subjects  will  be  tried  at  Wisley  during  the  suc- 
ceeding year.  That  is  important,  and  it  is  also 
urgent  that  all  such  trials  should  be  of  the  most 
perfect  description,  and  being  so,  need  not  be 
conducted  in  successive  years.  The  Fruit  Com- 
mittee warmly  welcome  these  trials,  for  it  is 
far  more  satisfactory  to  see  subjects  under 
growth  side  by  side  with  standard  varieties  than 
it  is  to  judge  of  their  merits  at  the  committee 
table.  I  trust,  therefore,  the  Council  will  take 
care  that  the  widest  publicity  is  given  to  their 
rules  in  relation  to  trials,  and  thus  in  the  future 
lead  to  the  avoidance  of  any  misunderstanding. 
A.  D. 

A    Good    Crop    of    Potatos. — Mr.    F,     J. 

Buckler,  Carr  Hill.  Whitby,  has  grown  a  good 
crop  of  Potato  "  The  Factor."  The  tubers 
were  planted  on  April  24,  and  the  crop  was  lifted 
on  September  21.  The  rows  extended  from 
east  to  west,  two  feet  apart,  and  the  "sets"  at 
distances  of  18  inches  apart.  The  total  crop  was 
1,067  lbs  from  a  plot  of  land  25  (eet  by  35  feet.  If 
there  is  no  error  in  the  calculations  this  is  about 
24  tons  per  statute  acre.    /.   Udale. 

Growth  of  Roses. — Seeing  the  letter  in  the 
last  issue  of  the  Giinicncrs'  Chronicle  in  respect  to 
the  growth  of  the  climbing  Rose  Dorothy  Perkins, 
I  think  it  may  interest  some  readers  to  know  that 
I  have  just  transplanted  one,  which  was  planted  in 
October,  1000,  as  a  cutting  6  inches  long,  and  has 
within  12  months  produced  a  growth  measuring 
17  feet  9  inches  in  length.  I  have  several  other 
plants  from  the  same  lot  from  10  feet  to  14  feet  in 
length.  C.  N.  Bramtld,  Pightlcy  House,  Spaxtml 
Bridgwater. 

Culture  of  Cockscomb. —  I  do  not  agree 
with  Mr.  Francis  (p.  362),  in  placing  these 
plants  on  a  dry  shelf  in  a  hothouse,  for  in  such 
a  position  they  are  usually  attacked  by  red 
spider  and  other  pests,  and  then  they  seldom 
produce  clean,  well-developed  inflorescences. 
Mv  experience  proves  that  seedlings  do  best  if 
the  pots  are  plunged  in  a  sweet,  mild  hotbed] 
composed  of  table- manure  and  leaves,  directly 
they  are  potted.  The  plants  should  be  placed 
near  to  the  glass  and  be  allowed  plenty  of  room. 
They  should  be  afforded  larger  pots  as  required, 
until  they  are  finally  placed  in  6  or  7-inch  potSj 
The  plants  need  to  be  sprinkled  overhead,  and 
the  frames  should  be  closed  eaTly  in  the  after- 
noon, and  at  night-time  be  covered  with  mats. 
By  this  treatment  they  will  mak'  vigorous 
growth  and  develop  'large,  handsome, 
"combs,"  and  b?  ready  for  exhibition  during  |ulyj 
August,  and  September.  The  plants  shoi  I 
!  m      haded  at  any  time.      T.   I.cckie,  Senr. 


Nov]  mdes  30,  1907 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


379 


Modern   Flower   Gardening. — A  system  of 
flower  gardening  is  carried  out  in  varying  degrees 
ol    intensity    in   the   gardens  at  Hopetoun  House, 
Carberry    rower,    Preston   Hall,   Gosford   House, 
Tvnninghame,  Broxmouth  Park,  Yester,  and  Floors 
Castle.       It   is  an  offshoot  of  the  herbaceous  or 
mixed  border  at  its  best,  and  though  at  most  of  the 
places    mentioned    herbaceous    borders    are    yet 
extant — at  Floors  they  have  been  practically  swept 
away,  or  rather  refurnished — it  is  obvious  that  with 
a  few  exceptions  the  sun  of  the  herbaceous  plant  is 
undergoing  an   eclipse,  no  doubt  to  emerge  some 
day  out  of  its  obscurity.     I  regret  a  step  that  must 
crush    out    the   always   interesting   mixed   border, 
but  it  is  clear  that  the  latter  cannot  compete  in  the 
way  of  producing   an  autumn  effect  with   borders 
and  beds  planted  solely  for  that  season.      In  some 
respects  it  is  therefore  retrograde,  but  the  desire 
for  an  overpowering  floral   display   is  irresistible, 
and    not    improbably    the   shreds    and    patches  of 
former    fashions   in    flower   gardening  which  still 
persist  will  all  be  swept  away  to  make  room  for  the 
newest.     There    is    no    exclusiveness    as    to    the 
kind   of   flowers   employed.     Provided   thev   give 
colour  and  remain  in  good  condition  till  the  end  of 
the  season,  that  is  enough.     Sweet  Peas  in  some 
gardens,  at  Yester  for  instance,  are  made  use  of  to 
an     unusual    extent.       In     others     they     are     not 
employed  for  effect.      Snapdragons  and  Larkspurs 
(the    stock-flowered    in    particular)    are    used    in 
profusion.     It  is  hard  to  say  which  is  the    more 
etlective,  though  the  bold  masses  of  the  Larkspur 
are,     no    doubt,     the    more    imposing.       Alonsoa 
mutisii,    .v.    Warscewiczii,  Salvia   horminum  and 
lis  pmk  form  ;   Dobbie's  Scotch  Marigolds,  Koch i a 
trieopbylla,     Celsia     Arcturus,     Dwarf     Senecio 
elegans,   Dwarl   Linarias.  rose-coloured  Mallows, 
salmon-coloured    Clarkias,    and    Hollyhocks    are 
the    chief    species    raised    from    seeds.        Salvia 
patens,  Calceolaria  amplexicaulis,   Lobelia  cardi- 
nalis,  1  lehotrope,  Pentstemons  Newbury  Gem  and 
Preston  Seedling, and  an  old  pink-flowered  variety, 
are  indispensable;    these  are  all  small  flowered. 
Mi    i  lalloway,  of  Gosford  Gardens,  has  secured  in 
rd   Pink  a  very  tine  clear  rose-pink  Pentste- 
mon,  and  Lady  Yester  is  claimed  by  Yester  and  by 
Pre  ton  Hall.     It  is  a  deeper  rosa-coloured  Pent 
stetnon.     1   am  working  up  a  stock  of  the  large- 
tiowered  Crimson  Gem  and  Mrs.   James  Keenan, 
but  on  the  whole  the  large-flowered  section  is  best 
represented   by  seedlings   raised   in  the  spring  of 
the  same  year.     Aster  acris  is  largely  employed  at 
Floors    and   at   Broxmouih         ["here   are   several 
Chrysanthemums  more  or   less   used   at  different 
places.      Goacher's   Crimson,    Crimon  and  other 
forms  of  Madame  Massee.  Polly  and  the  Gruner- 
wald   family.     Late-flowering  Helianthus,  e.g  ,  1> 
Dewar,  Miss  Mellish,  and  annual  Sunflowers.    Rud 
bei  kia  laciniata  and  spei  iosa,  Campanula  pyramid- 
ahs,  Aster  Linosyris,  Dahlia  Glory  oi  theGarden, 
Pompon,  Mars,  and  Mr.  Tail,  together  with  East 
Lothian  Stocks  are  some  others.     Lobelia  tenuior 
has  been  fine  here  this  season  ;   Queen  Alexandra 
Marguerite  is  making  its  way,  and  among  the  most 
charming  of  the  less  used  plants  are  large  groups 
of    Montbretia     Vulcan,    Chrysis   and    Messidor. 
Germania  Brilliant  and  Vulcan  are  much  alike  aslo 
eftect,  but  I  prefer  the  latter  variety,     Fleuve  Jaime 
is  also   worth  attention,  bin  Montbretias  no  doubt 
require  to  be  tested  previously  to  being  planted  in  a 
conspicuous  position.      Humea  elegans  is  regaining 
the   place  it   lost  30  years  or  so  ago,  and  is  being 
employed  somewhat  extensively  in  some  gardens. 
Meanwhile  there  is  no  desire  to  eliminate  tuberous 
Begonias,   Carnations,  Kniphofias  (Tritomas),  nor 
even  Pelargoniums,  though  they  are.  perhaps,  less  in 
ei  idence  than  formerly.    The  reader  will  probably 
smile    as    he    peruses    these    remarks.     There    is 
nothing   novel   about   the  plants,  but  arranged  as 
they  are  in  large  masses  in  wide  borders,  and  used 
in  a  profusion   never  before  attempted,  they  pro- 
vide a  spectacular  effect  that  must  be  seen  to  be 
realised.    Autumnal  visitors  from  the  south  express 
themselves  delighted,  and  the  style  is  sure  to  be 
adopted  in  the  gardens  of  many  of  these  visitors 
as  it   is  being  adopted  elsewhere.     Some  of   the 
effects,  it  must  be  confessed,  are  crude,  but  time 
will    tone    down    these   simultaneously   with    the 
opening   of  the  minds  of  gardeners    to    the   defi- 
ciencies.    R   I'.  Brotherston. 

Arthropodium  cirrhatum.  — About  four 
years  ago  I  received  some  seedlings  of  this 
New  Zealand  plant,  a  note  on  which  appeared 
on  page  235,  and  determined  to  try  the  species 
in  the  open  garden  in  South  Devon.  The  plants 
made  good  growth,  and  last  year  flowered  splen- 
di  lly,    the    clump    producing     15     flower-heads. 


These,  with  their  large  heads  of  pure  white  blos- 
soms, carried  well  above  the  broad,  drooping 
foliage,  made  a  ver)'  pretty  picture.  They  were 
at  their  best  early  in  June.  Last  winter,  which 
was  exceptionally  severe  in  the  south-west,  the 
plants  suffeied  rather  badly,  and,  though  thev 
eventually  recovered,  did  not  bloom  this  year. 
Slugs  are  extremely  fond  of  the  juicy  leaves,  but 
by  placing  a  collar  of  perforated  zinc  around 
the  clump  and  by  constant  inspection  they  have 
been  prevented  from  doing  any  material  harm. 
S.   II".  Fitzherbert. 

Grapes  at  the  Shrewsbury  Show. — The 
Committee  of  the  Shropshire  Horticultural  So- 
ciety, I  know  from  experience  both  as  an  ex- 
hibitor and  judge  for  the  last  30  years,  are 
always  open  to  consider  any  suggestions  which 
are  put  forward  for  the  purpose  of  making  their 
show  more  attractive.  I  do  not  know  if  it  is 
their  intention  to  offer  another  challenge  vase  for 
a  large  collection  of  Grapes,  which  tends  to 
limit — owing  to  the  number  of  varieties  and 
branches  required — the  competition  to  a  few 
gardeners.  1  should  like  to  see  in  its  p'.ace 
three  separate  championship  prizes  for  (1)  three 
bunches  of  Black  Hamburgh,  (2)  three  bunches 
of  Muscat  of  Alexandria,  (3)  three  bunches  of 
Madresfield  Court.  The  following  I  should  sug- 
gest as  prizes  for  each  : — 1st,  £10  cup  or  money- 
value  (at  exhibitor's  choice;  ;  2nd,  £8;  3rd,  £6. 
4th,  £4  ;  5th,  E2;  6th,  £1.  I  am  aware  that  this 
represents  a  lot  of  money,  but  money  is  not  the 
principal  object  with  such  a  wealthy  society. 
Several  of  the  classes  for  these  three  Grapes 
might  be  discontinued,  and  the  money  used  for 
the  championship  prizes  mentioned  above.  I  feel 
confident  these  liberal  prizes  would  bring  a 
tremendous  entry  from  all  parts  of  the  kingdom, 
and  they  would  bring  forward  a  great  many 
growers  who  do  not  at  present  exhibit.  I  hi  i 
summer  Grapes  are  generally  grown  by  gar- 
deners, and  are  mostly  at  their  best  when  the 
Shrewsbury  show  takes  place,  with  the  i 
tion  possibly  of  the  "  Muscats.''  Small  gar- 
deners would  have  a  chance  in  these  single 
classes,  whereas  they  were  practi  ill  .  luded 
in  the  large  collectio  nal. 

Fuchsias  as   Decorative   Plants.— I  read 
with  pleasure  the  note  on  p.  345  respecting  the 
Fuchsias  cultivate  '•  and  raised  by  mj  late  father- 
id-law,    Mr.   James    Lye.      I   beln         hi 
are    still    equal    to    any    that    have    been    n 
At  White  Knights  Gardens,  Fuchsias  are,  in  the 
summer  time,   plunged  and  planted  -nn   in   the 
beds  and  bordei   .  vhere  thej  are  much  admired. 
As  exhibition    plants    Fuchsias    are    also    very 
suitable   subjects.      1    have    taken    the    first 
for  these  plants  at  Reading  Shows  for  more  than 
20  years.     Nothing  would  give  me  greater  plea- 
sure than  to  bring  half-a-dozen  plants  to   Lon- 
don to  compare  with  Mr.  Webster  or  any  other 
noted  grower,  providing  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society   olfers   a    sufficient   inducement    for  our 
trouble.       F.      Bright,      T,  ,      Card      .        ' 
Park,  Readit, 

Effect  of  Inarching  Vines. -Main  culti- 
vators believe  that  the  inarching  of  one  vine  on 
to  another  variety  has  an  effect  upon  the  future 
produce,  and  many  instances  can  be  quoted 
where  an  advantage  has  apparently  been  ob- 
tained,    nits  seem  to  be  an  improvement 

upon  ordinary  cultural  methods.  I  am  prompted 
to  write  tin  i  n  what  I  saw  at  the  recent 

fruit  show  of  the  R.H.S.  In  the  class  for  two 
bunches  of  Muscat  of  Alexandria  there  were  13 
competitors.  The  3rd  prize  exhibit,  from  Mr. 
W.  Allan,  Gunton  Park,  although  small  in 
bunch,  had  the  berries  so  magnificently  coloured 
that  they  attracted  much  attention,  and,  know- 
ing the  vines  so  well  from  which  they  were  cut, 
I  was  impressed  with  the  apparent  advantage  of 
inarching.  The  vine  from  which  these  bunches 
were  cut  was  inarched  on  to  a  plant  of  Foster's 
Seedling.  Since  they  came  into  bearing  condi- 
tion an  entire  absence  of  shanking  is  the  re- 
sult. The  colour  and  flavour,  too,  have  im- 
proved, and  so  has  the  keeping  quality  cf  the 
berries,  which  are  also  more  uniform  in  size. 
Gros  Maroc,  in  another  vinery,  is  marched 
on  to  Gros  Colmar,  which  influences  the  shape 
of  the  bunches,  making  them  more  massive  in 
the  shoulde  •  and  altogether  improved.  Mr. 
Shingler,  at  Melton  Constable,  practises  some 
inarching  Muscat     Hamburgh,     on     a     Black 

Hamburgh    51  n  k,    ma  le,    in    1900.    a   remarkable 


growth,  giving  proof  of  the  suitabilitv  of  this 
variety  as  a  stock.  At  the  time  when  Madresfield 
Court  was  introduced  to  pubbc  notice,  some  35 
years  ago,  its  culture  was  not  so  well  under- 
stood as  it  is  at  the  present  time.  To  prevent 
cracking  of  the  berries,  "to  which  the  variety  is 
prone,  the  inarching  on  to  various  stocks  was 
one  means  of  checking  this  fault.  Mrs.  Pince, 
too,  has  been  improved  by  inarching.  I  am 
acquainted  with  an  instance  of  this  vine  growing 
on  Black  Hamburgh,  and  deriving  much  benefit 
in  the  better  colouring  of  the  berries.  Cannon 
Hall  Muscat  inarched  on  to  Black  Alicante,  and 
Alnwick  Seedling  on  the  same  variety,  have  also 
been  much  improved.     E.  Molyneux. 


SOCIETIES. 

ROYAL    HORTICULTURAL. 

November  26. — There  was  a  moderate  display 
of  exhibits  at  the  usual  fortnightly  meeting  of 
the  Committees  held  in  the  Vincent  Square  Hall 
on  the  above  date.  Orchids  composed  the 
dominant  feature,  and  the  Awards  recommended 
by  the  Orchid  Committee  included  one  First- 
Class  Certificate,  one  Botanical  Certificate,  and 
five  Awards  of  Merit. 

The  Floral  Committee  recommended  an 
Award  of  Merit  to  a  variety  of  Chrysanthemums 
and  a  golden-coloured  form  of  Juniperus  chinen- 
sis  nana. 

At  the  afternoon  meeting  of  Fellows,  Mr. 
Baker  delivered  a  lecture  on  "  Garden  Experi- 
ments." 

Floral  Committee 

Present:  W.  Marshall,  Esq.  (chairman),  and 
Messrs.  II.  B.  May,  Geo.  Ni  holson,  Jno.  Green, 
G.    Reuthe,   C.    Dixon,   R.    C.    Notcutt,    C.    R. 

>.  J.  1  .  Mi  Lei  d,  W.  I.  Ware,  U  .  Bain, 
H.  J.  Jones,  C.  I  .  Pearson,  W.  Cuthbertson, 
W.  P.  fhomson,  P.  11.  Jenkins,  \V.  J.  James, 
Geo.  Paul,  W.  Howe,  Jas.  Hudson,  li.  j.  Cut- 
bush,  R.  Hooper  Pearson,  and  George  Gordon. 
Pool  Howard  de  Walden,  Saffron  Walden 
igr.  Mr.  James  Vert),  di  playi  !  <  .  excellent  ex- 
hibit oi  Begonia  G  de  Lorraine  and  its 
white  variety.  The  plants  were  fine,  bold  speci- 
mens, some  pyramidal-trained,  others  having  a 
more  bush-like  habit,  but  all  alike  were  freely- 
flowered,  their  colour  being  perhaps  a  little  pale. 
The  group  was  relieved  with  Ferns  and  Palms, 
the  manner  of  staging  gaining  the  approbation 
of  the  Committee,  (Silver-Gilt  Flora  Medal.)  / 
M  is.  J.  Hill  &  SON,  Harrow-field  Nurseries, 
Edmonton,  showed  a  miscellaneous  col- 
lection  of  Ferns  in  more  than  100  varieties. 
Nearly  all  the  genera  of  Ferns  were  represented 
in  this  large  exhibit,  which  occupied  the 
whole  of  a  long  table  at  the  platform  end  of 
the  building.     (Silver-Gilt  Flora  Medal.) 

Me  is.  H.  B.  May  iV.  Sons,  Dyson's  Lane, 
Upper  Edmonton,  showed  an  interesting  group 
oi  Epiphytic  Ferns.  One  of  the  most  remark- 
able plants  was  a  specimen  of  Aglaomorpha 
Meyeniana  growing  in  a  small  pot.  In  the 
centre  of  the  exhibit  were  hanging  plants  of 
ri.it>  cerium,  and  around  were  Polypodiums, 
Drymoglossums,  Davallias,  Goniophlebium 
brasiliense,  Asplenium  elegantulum,  and  others 
of  a  scandent  habit.  (Silver-Gilt  Banksian 
Medal.) 

Messrs  James  Veitch  &  Soxs,  Ltd..  King's 
Road,  Chelsea,  filled  a  long  table  with  showy 
greenhouse  plants  in  flower,  including  Begonias, 
Jacobinias,  Tillandsia  Lindenii,  and  Exacum 
macranthum.  Interspersed  at  one  end  of  the 
exhibit  were  plants  of  the  Citrus  family  in  fruit, 
and  shoots  of  the  brilliantly-berried  Crataegus 
coccinea  indentata.     (Silver  Flora  Medal.) 

Messrs.  W.  Ctjtbush  &  Son,  Highgate,  Lon- 
don, N.,  showed  greenhouse  plants,  including 
Astilbe  (Spiraea),  Ericas,  small  ornamental 
Orange  trees  in  fruit,  Skimmia,  Pernettya, 
and  other  small  shrubs  in  berry,  with  Palms, 
Ferns,  &c,  for  relief.  (Silver  Banksian  Medal.) 
Mr.  L.  R.  Russell,  Richmond,  exhibited 
a  large  group  of  ornamental-leaved  and  berried 
shrubs  in  species  of  Eleagnus,  Ilex,  Pernettya, 
Skimmia,  Garrva,  Aucuba,  &c.  (Silver  Banksian 
Medal 

Soi  e    remarkably    fine     sprays     of     Pernettya 

mi ata  were  shown  bv  A.  Kingsmill,   Esq., 

Harrow  Weald  (gr.  Mr.  T-  Taplin).  The  large 
clusters  of  berries  resembled  small  bunches  of 
(■rapes. 


380 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[November  30,  1907. 


Messrs.  John  Waterer  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  Bag- 
shot,  Surrey,  showed  choice  varieties  of  Coni- 
fers, many  of  which  w.ere  small  specimens. 
In  addition  to  Conifers  were  variegated  Hollies, 
Skimmia  japonica,  Box  in  variety,  Privets,  Os- 
manthus  myrtifolius,  &c.  (Silver-Gilt  Banksian 
Medal.) 

Messrs.  Hugh  Low  &  Co.,  Bush  Hill  Park, 
Enfield,  showed  vases  of  Carnations  and  baskets 
of  their  salmon-coloured  Cyclamen  named  Sal- 
mon King.     (Silver  Banksian  Medal.) 

Messrs.  H.  Canneli.  &  Sons,  Swanley,  Kent, 
showed  bunches  of  Zonal  Pelargoniums  in  most 
of  the  newer  varieties  and  several  "  single" 
Chrysanthemums.     (Silver  Banksian  Medal.) 

Mr.  H.  J.  Jones,  Ryecroft  Nursery,  Hither 
Green,  Lewisham,  showed  Chrysanthemums  in 
variety.  At  the  back  of  the  exhibit  were  large 
vases  filled  with  big  blooms  of  Japanese  varie- 
ties, including  J.  G.  Day  (reddish-bronze),  R.  C. 
Pulling  (yellow),  Mrs.  H.  Perkins,  Mme.  R. 
Oberthur  (an  excellent  white  variety),  Mrs.  Tom 
Fagg  (yellow),  John  L.  Burgess  (a  rich  colour, 
a  shade  of  magenta).  In  front  were  smaller 
vases  containing  single  specimen  blooms  and 
bunches  of  decorative  varieties,  the  whole  dis- 
played with  the  usual  taste  shown  by  this  ex- 
hibitor.    (Silver-Gilt  Banksian  Medal.) 

Mr.  Philip  Ladds,  Swanley  Junction,  Kent, 
staged  market  varieties  of  Chrysanthemums. 
The  exhibit  contained  medium-sized  flowers  well 
selected  as  to  colouring  and  including  the  best 
of  the  older  as  well  as  the  newer  varieties  suit- 
able for  market  purposes.  As  a  selection  we 
may  enumerate  Snowdrift  (white),  Negoya  (yel- 
low), Golden  Age  (yellow),  Mme.  Oberthm 
(white),  Winter  Cheer  (pink),  Prolific  (white). 
Buttercup  (yellow),  and  Mrs.  T.  Humphreys 
(red).     (Silver   Flora   Medal.) 

Messrs.  W.  Wells  &  Co.,  Merstham,  Surrey, 
showed  a  large  selection  of  single  Chrysanthe- 
mums, including  many  new  varieties  of  his 
raising. 

A  display  of  Chrysanthemums  was  also  staged 
by  the  Duke  of  Rutland,  Belvoir  Castle,  Gran- 
tham (gr.   Mr.  W.   H.  Divers). 

A  number  of  seedling  Chrysanthemums,  many 
of  which  were  raised  from  C.  indicum,  was 
shown  by  G.  Ferguson,  Esq.,  The  Hollies, 
Weybridge  (gr.  Mr.  Smith).  The  whole  of  the 
varieties  in  this  extensive  collection  were  raised 
by  the  exhibitor. 

Awards  of  Merit. 

Chrysanthemum  "Edith  Jameson." — This  is  a 
very  large  Japanese  variety,  with  drooping  or  re- 
flexed  florets,  colour  deep  rosy-lilac.  An  excel- 
lent exhibition  variety  of  considerable  refine- 
ment. Shown  by  Mr.  Norman  Davis,  Framfield 
Nurseries,  Uckfield. 

Juniperus  chinensis  nana  aurea. — This  is  a 
pretty  little  shrub,  suitable  for  cultivation  on  the 
rock  garden,  or  in  a  similar  situation.  It  is  just 
as  dwarf  as  J.  c.  nana,  and  develops  a  pretty 
golden  tint.  Shown  by  Messrs.  John  Waterer 
&  Sons,  Ltd. 

Orchid  Committee. 

Present :  J.  Gurney  Fowler,  Esq.  (in  the 
chair),  and  Messrs.  Jas.  O'Brien  (hon.  sec), 
Harry  J.  Veitch,  De  B.  Crawshay,  J.  Wilson 
Potter,  W.  H.  White,  H.  G.  Alexander,  H.  A. 
Tracy,  H.  J.  Chapman,  W.  P.  Bound,  A.  A. 
McBean,  G.  F.  Moore,  F.  J.  Hanburv,  W. 
Boxall,  H.  Little,  W.  H.  Young,  W.  Bolton, 
Arthur  Dye,  R.  G.  Thwaites,  F.  M.  Ogilvie, 
and  J.  Charlesworth. 

There  were  nine  groups  staged,  and  35  plants 
entered  to  go  before  the  Committee. 

Messrs.  Cypher  &  Sons,  Cheltenham,  secured 
the  highest  award,  a  Silver-Gilt  Flora  Medal, 
for  a  very  fine  group  of  Cypripediums,  which 
contained  a  remarkable  selection  of  varieties  of 
C.  insigne,  and  many  fine  hybrids.  Among  the 
C.  insigne  varieties,  Monkshood,  with  a  cowl- 
like arrangement  of  the  dorsal  sepal,  Harefield 
Hall,  Dulcotense,  and  Mr.  W.  P.  Bound  were 
the  most  distinct  of  the  30  forms)  shown,  which 
included  a  good  selection  of  yellow  varieties. 
Of  other  plants  noted  were  Zygopetalum  rostra- 
turn,  and  a  fine  selection  of  varieties  of  C.  Lee- 
annm. 

Messrs.  Charlesworth  &  Co.,  Heaton,  Brad- 
ford, secured  a  Silver  Flora  Medal  for  a  bright 
group,  in  the  centre  of  which  were  a  number 
of  the  orange  and  crimson  Laslio-Cattleya 
Cappei.     With  them  were  a  fine  example  of  the 


richly-coloured  Cattleya  Dowiana  Rosita,  and 
one  of  C.  aurea  marmorata,  together  with 
several  new  hybrid  Cattleyas.  Also  the  rare 
Phalasnopsis  Lindeni,  Lycaste  Tunstillii,  Phaius 
flavus,  and  some  fine  novelties,  including  the 
pure  white  Odontoglossum  ardentissimum  xan- 
thotes,  resembling  the  O.  crispum  xanthotes, 
which  was  one  of  the  parents. 

Francis  Wellesley,  Esq.,  Westfield,  Woking, 
was  awarded  a  Silver  Flora  Medal  for  a  com- 
pact group  of  rare  Cypripediums,  all  very  finely 
grown,  and  including  varieties  of  C.  Arthuri- 
anum,  the  unapproachable  C.  Thalia  Mrs. 
Francis  Wellesley,  C.  T.  giganteum,  C.  Gaston 
Bultel  (Westfield  variety),  a  grandly-shaped 
flower,  &c. 

Major  G.  L.  Holford,  Westonbirt,  Tetbury 
(gr.  Mr.  H.  G.  Alexander),  showed  his  new 
Laslio-Cattleya  Barbarossa  (L.-C.  callistoglossa 
X    C.    Trianas),    a   noble   flower   with   rosy-lilac 


C.  Euryades  splendens,  C.  Milo  (Westonbirt 
variety),  C.  Tityus,  Cattleya  Portia,  Cymbidium 
Tracyanum,  C.  Winnianum,  Oncidium  Lance- 
anum,  Dendrobium  heterocarpum  (with  over  50 
flowers),  the  rare,  unspotted  Odontoglossum 
Rossii  immaculatum,  and  other  good  things. 
(Silver  Banksian  Medal.) 

Messrs.  Sander  &  Sons,  St.  Albans,  showed 
a  group  in  which  were  the  beautiful  'Jypripe- 
dium  Beechense  superbum,  the  dark-coloured  C. 
rufus  (insigne  McNabbiana  X  Milo),  C.  Shake- 
speare (Euryale  X  Rothschildianum),  C. 
Charlesworthii  albens,  C.  Niobe  (Sander's 
variety),  a  very  finely-coloured  and  distinct 
form,  C.  Maudiae,  C.   San-Actasus,  &c. 

W.  M.  Appleton,  Esq.,  Weston-super-Mare, 
staged  an  effective  group,  in  the  centre  of  which 
was  his  Dendrobium  Phalasnopsis  splendens, 
which  had  already  secured  an  award ;  also 
several    other    brightly-coloured    varieties.     Mr. 


Fig.  156. — odontoglossum  "JOHN  clarke,"  as  exhibited  dy  baron  sir  henry  schr"der 

ON  TUESDAY  LAST  (FLOWERS  MUCH  REDUCED).      (See  p.   381.) 


sepals  and  petals  and  rich  claret  lip  ;  Cypri- 
pedium  Cynthia,  a  very  beautiful  flower  with 
large  white  dorsal  sepal  blotched  with  rose,  the 
petals  and  lip  being  yellow  tinged  with  purple. 

J.  Gurney  Fowler,  Esq.,  Glebelands,  South 
Woodford  (gr.  Mr.  J.  Davis),  sent  Cypripedium 
gigas  (Glebelands  variety),  a  very  handsome 
dark-coloured  hybrid  of  fine  form. 

Messrs.  Jas.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Chelsea,  were 
awarded  a  Silver  Banksian  Medal  for  a  neat 
group,  in  which  were  the  fine  Laslio-Cattleya 
Dominiana  langleyensis,  L.-C.  Ilione,  Brasso- 
Laelia  Digbyano-purpurata,  Cypripedium  vexil- 
larium,  Cypripedium  insigne  Sanderae,  &c. 

Messrs.  Hugh  Low  &  Co.,  Enfield,  showed  a 
good  group  of  Cypripediums,  &c,  including  C. 
Actaeus   (Drewett's   variety),    C.   Ville  de   Paris, 


Appleton  also  showed  a  number  of  very  in- 
teresting crosses  of  C.  tonsum  and  C.  exul,  C. 
Mastersianum  X  insigne,  Laelio-Cattleya  Clive, 
L.-C.  Decia,  Dendrobium  superbiens,  &c, 
(Silver  Banksian   Medal.) 

Mr.  H.  A.  Tracy,  Amyand  Park  Road, 
Twickenham,  staged  an  interesting  group,  in 
which  the  Cypripediums  were  specially  good. 
C.  insigne  Herbertii  was  a  pretty  variety  of  the 
montanum  class,  C.  i.  King  Edward  VII.,  a 
good  flower,  C.  i.  Harefield  Hall,  C.  i.  Sanders, 
and  C.  Mauretania.     (Silver  Banksian  Medal.) 

Monsieur  Mertens,  Ghent,  showed  a  good  se- 
lection, including  Odontoglossum  altum,  O. 
Wilckeanum,  O.  Vuylstekei,  O.  percultum,  Mil- 
tonia  vexillaria  augusta,  M.  Bleuana,  and  other 
hybrids.     (Silver   Banksian  Medal.) 


November  30,  1£07.] 


THE    GARDENERS     CHRONICLE. 


381 


Sir  Trevor  Lawrence,  Bart.  (gr.  Mr.  W.  H. 
White),  sent  Cypripedium  Arnoldias  inversum, 
a  fine,  reddish-purple  tinted  flower,  like  a  large 
C.  Chas.  Rickman. 

Norman  C.  Cookson,  Esq.,  Oakwood,  Wylam 
(gr.  Mr.  II.  J.  Chapman),  staged  a  charming 
little  group,  in  which  were  a  noble  specimen  of 
Cypripedium  insigne  Sanderae  ;  a  smaller  one  of 
the  better  Oakwood  seedling  variety  of  it ;  C. 
Actosus  aureus,  and  others. 

J.  H.  Craven,  Esq.,  The  Beeches,  Keighley, 
sent   Cypripedium   Daltonianum. 

H.  J.  Bromilow,  Esq.,  Rann  Lea,  Rainhill> 
Lancashire  (gr.  Mr.  Morgan),  showed  Cypripe- 
dium Fulshawense  and  C.  Marjorie. 

E.  Roberts,  Esq.,  Park  Lodge,  Eltham,  sent 
Cypripedium   Hitchinsiae  princeps. 

J.  Wilson  Potter,  Esq.,  Croydon  (gr.  Mr.  W. 
H.  Young),  sent  a  good  variety  of  Laelio-Cattleya 
Baroness  Schroder. 

H.  S.  Goodson,  Esq.,  Putney  (gr.  Mr.  Day), 
showed  Cypripedium  Lily  Blanche  (Charles- 
worthii  x   Niobe). 

If.  Little,  Esq.,  Baronshalt,  Twickenham 
(gr.  Mr.  Howard),  sent  Laelio-Cattleya  elegans, 
Baronshalt  variety,  a  good  form,  with  unusually 
large  ruby-purple  front  to  the  lip. 

H.  Spicer,  Esq.,  Aberdeen  Park,  Highbury 
(gr.  Mr.  Lovegrove),  showed  a  group  of  Cypri- 
pedium Spicerianiiin. 

Messrs.  Heath  &  Sons,  Cheltenham,  staged 
a  good  group,  in  which  were  the  fine  Cypripe- 
dium Blanche  Moore  ;  several  good  C.  Leeanum, 
the  most  distinct  of  which  was  the  variety  Fow- 
lenanum ;  C.  Daphne,  and  other  hybrids  ;  the 
pretty  C.  Schlimii,  good  Oncidium  varicosum, 
Cattleya  labiata,   &c. 

AWARDS. 
First-Class  Certificate. 
Odontoglossum  John  Clarke  (sea  fig.  156),  from 
Baron  Sir  H.  Schroder,  The  Dell,  Egham  (gr. 
Mr.  H.  Ballantine). — A  grand  Odontoglossum,  of 
unrecorded  parentage,  and  named  after  Mr.  J. 
Clarke,  for  many  years  foreman  in  the  fine  gar- 
dens at  The  Dell.  The  plant  bore  a  strong  spike 
of  18  flowers  and  buds,  each  flower  between  4  and 
\\  inches  across,  and  broad  in  all  its  segments. 
The  ground  colour  is  white,  tinged  with  purplish- 
mauve,  and  heavily  blotched  with  a  darker  tint 
of  the  same  colour.  Lip,  indicating  O.  Rolfeae 
as  one  of  the  parents,  pure  white,  with  dark 
purple  markings  around  the  light  yellow  crest. 

Awards  of  Merit. 
Lozli»-Cattleya  Ortrude  (L.  anceps  X  C.  Dowi- 
ana  aurea),  from  Major  G.  L.  Holford,  C.V.O., 
CLE.  (gr.  Mr.  H.  G.  Alexander).— The  best  of 
the  crosses  of  L.  anceps  and  a  really  pretty 
flower.  Sepals  and  petals  blush-rose  colour ; 
lip  broad,  crimson,  with  gold  lines  at  the  base. 

Cypripedium  Urnest  Head  {parentage  unre- 
corded), from  J.  Gurney  Fowler,  Esq.,  Glebe- 
lands,  South  Woodford  (gr.  Mr.  J.  Davis). — A 
grand  flower,  and  a  perfect  model  from  the 
florist's  point  of  view,  the  bloom  being  well 
rounded,  broad  in  all  its  parts,  and  of  fine  sub- 
stance. The  ground  colour  is  cream-w-hite,  deli- 
cately tinted  with  rose,  and  slightly  marked  with 
emerald  green,  after  the  manner  of  C.   Felicity. 

Cypripedium  niveo-callosum,  Coohsoti's  variety 
(niveum  x  callosum  Sander  a),  from  Norman  C. 
Cookson,  Esq.,  Oakwood,  Wylam  (gr.  Mr.  H.  J. 
Chapman). — A  very  pretty,  wax-like,  white 
flower,  effectively  tinged  and  spotted  with  bright 
rose  colour. 

Cypripedium  San-ac-derce  superbum  [San-Acteeus 
x  insigne  Sanders),  from  Norman  C.  Cookson, 
Esq. — A  close  approach  to  C  insigne  Sanderae. 
but  slightly  darker  in  the  yellow  colour,  and  with 
more  white  in  the  dorsal  sepal. 

Angrtzcum  Buyssonii,  from  Messrs.  Charles- 
WORTH  &  Co.,  Heaton,  Bradford. — A  very  re- 
markable and  rare  species  of  the  A.  articulatum 
and  A.  Ellisii  class,  but  differing  widely  from 
those  species  in  its  extended  and  trailing  habit  of 
growth.  The  plant  bore  three  stems  of  16  to  18 
leaves  each,  and  with  two  spikes  of  many  pure 
white  flowers,  with  long  spurs  tinged  with  pale 
reddish-brown. 

Botanical  Certificate. 

Cirrhopetalum  Makoyanum,  from  Sir  Trevor 
Lawrence,  Bart.,  Burford  (gr.  Mr.  W.  II. 
White). — An  elegant  species,  with  slender  stems, 


bearing  on  the  top  an  equally-rayed  umbel  of 
yellow  flowers,  slightly  tinged  with  red,  and 
arranged   like  the   spokes   of   a  wheel. 

Fruit  and  Vegetable  Committee. 

Present:  G.  Bunyard,  Esq.  (in  the  chair),  and 
Messrs.  O.  Thomas,  C.  Foster,  P.  D.  Tuckett, 
J.  Jaques,  G.  Reynolds,  J.  Davis,  Jas.  Vert,  A 
R.  Allan,  Geo.  Keif,  H.  Parr,  A.  Dean,  W. 
Bates,  and  S.  T.  Wright  (hon.  sec). 

From  the  gardens  of  the  Duke  of  Rutland, 
Belvoir  Castle,  Grantham  (gr.  Mr.  W.  H. 
Divers),  was  staged  a  group  of  Apples  and  Pears, 
comprising  100  dishes,  in  about  equal  numbers. 
This  was  a  very  excellent  display,  especially 
when  the  adverse  season  is  considered.  The 
fruits  were  finely  coloured,  although,  perhaps, 
not  so  clear  of  skin  as  is  seen  in  fruits  from  more 
southern  counties.  The  varieties  included  repre- 
sentatives of  standard  kinds.  (Silver-Gilt 
"  Hogg"   Medal.) 

Messrs.  Hugh  Low  &  Co.,  Bush  Hill  Park, 
Enfield,  again  displayed  a  collection  of  hardy 
fruits,  and  small  trees  of  Oranges  in  fruit.  (Silver 
Banksian  Medal.) 

Dishes  of  Oranges  and  Lemons  were  shown  by 
Mrs.  C.  Thornhill,  Stanton  Hall,  Bakewell  (gr. 
Mr.  Geo.  Harvey).  The  exhibit  comprised  six 
plates  of  very  large  Oranges,  and  half  that  num- 
ber of  Lemons.  The  former  fruits  were  suitable 
for  the  making  of  conserves.  (Silver  Banksian 
Medal.)  

"  GARDEN  EXPERIMENTS." 
At  the  afternoon  meeting,  Mr.  F.  J.  Baker 
delivered  a  lecture  on  this  subject.  At  the  com- 
mencement he  explained  some  of  the  reasons  for 
cultivators  undertaking  experiments  for  them- 
selves, and  stated  many  advantages  that  may  be 
gained  by  their  so  doing.  The  second  part  of  the 
lecture  consisted  in  describing  certain  ex- 
periments that  the  lecturer  had  carried  out 
himself..  The  first  one  had  relation  to  the  need 
for  supplying  nitrogenous  manures  to  Peas  and 
other  crops  of  leguminous  plants.  The  re- 
sults were  :  (1)  the  most  necessary  requirement 
in  the  cultivation  of  Peas  was  deep  and  thorough 
tillage ;  (2)  the  crop  could  be  still  further  in- 
creased by  adding  ordinary  stable  manure ;  (3) 
and  in  a  much  lesser  degree  by  also  adding 
mineral  manures. 

The  next  experiment  to  which  reference  was 
made  showed  the  excellent  results  following 
underground,  as  opposed  to  surface,  watering  of 
crops.  The  third  had  to  do  with  the  pruning  or 
non-pruning  of  newly-planted  trees,  and  the  lec- 
turer was  emphatic  in  his  recommendation  that 
the  cultivator  should  prune  the  young  tree  whilst 
he  held  it  in  his  hand,  and  could  therefore  tell 
how  to  secure  the  balance  between  the  amount  of 
top  growth  and  the  roots,  stating  that  he  should 
give  a  slight  advantage  to  the  roots. 

In  respect  to  summer-pruning,  a  system  of 
twisting  the  shoots  spirally  without  cutting  or 
breaking  them  was  described,  and  shoots  with 
fruit  buds  were  shown,  illustrating  the  results 
obtained  therefrom.  The  pruning  is  done  in 
winter,  cutting  the  shoots  back  to  the  point  at 
which  the  twisting  was  carried  out. 


NATIONAL     CHRYSANTHEMUM. 

November  26. — The  annual  dinner  of  this 
Society  was  held  at  the  Holborn  Restaurant  on 
the  above  date,  and  was  again  a  success,  the 
attendance  numbering  upwards  of  100  and  in- 
cluding many  ladies. 

The  president  of  the  Society,  Charles  E.  Shea, 
Esq.,  occupied  the  chair,  and  amongst  those 
present  were  Sir  Albert  Rollit,  and  Messrs.  John 
Green,  Thomas  Bevan,  C.  Harman  Payne,  J.  H. 
Witty,  J.  W.  Moorman,  W.  Howe,  D.  Ingamels, 
J.  McKercher,  Geo.  Gordon,  J.  Collingridge,  S. 
Mortimer,  H.  J.  Jones,  Norman  Davis,  D.  B. 
Crane,    and   J.    Harrison   Dick. 

The  usual  loyal  toasts  having  been  duly  hon- 
oured, the  Chairman  proposed  the  toast  of  "  The 
National  Chrysanthemum  Society,"  and  men- 
tioned that,  owing  to  continued  ill-health,  it 
would  be  the  last  occasion  on  which  he  would 
be  present  as  their  president.  He  considered 
much  good  work  had  been  done  by  the  Society 
during  the  past  year  ;  the  Year  Book  had  been 
of  enormous  value,  and  the  exhibition  of  market 
Chrvsanthemums  was  both  interesting  and  in- 
structive.    Mr.    Shea    mentioned    that    70    new 


members  had  been  added  to  the  Society  during 
1907,  and  seven  societies  affiliated,  and  he  con- 
sidered this  was  principally  brought  about  by 
the  leaflet  the  Society  had  caused  to  be  ihserted 
in  the  various  trade  catalogues. 

Sir  Albert  Rollit  gave  the  toast  of  "  The 
Donors  of  Special  Prizes,"  and  remarked  that 
the  Society  had  now  430  members,  109  affiliated 
societies,  and  a  reserve  fund  of  £100.  The 
Floral  Committee  had  to  deal  with  194  applica- 
tions for  First-Class  Certificates,  25  of  which 
were  granted.  The  special  prizes  received  were 
valued  at  £36,  of  which  the  President  gave  eight 
guineas. 

Mr.  J.  A.  Both  am  responded,  and  mentioned 
that  the  Crystal  Palace  Co.,  whom  he  repre- 
sented, were  now  on  the  high  way  to  profit- 
making,  and,  whilst  continuing  the  special 
prizes  given  to  the  Society,  they  hoped  next  year 
to  considerably  augment  them. 

Mr.  J.  Collingridge  proposed  the  toast  of 
"  The  President,  Vice-President,  and  Officers  of 
the  Society,"  and  Mr.  T.  Bevan,  in  replying, 
mentioned  that  he  had  been  actively  connected 
with  the  Society  for  23  years.  Mr.  John  Green, 
Treasurer,  also  replied,  and  said  it  was  a  lament- 
able fact  that  the  Society  had  only  430  mem- 
bers, and  he  appealed  to  all  members  to  bring 
in  at  least  one  new  member  during  the  coming 
year. 

The  toast  of  "The  Exhibitors  and  Affiliated 
Societies"  was  proposed  by  Mr.  E.  F.  Hawes, 
who  said  there  was  no  sign  of  decay  in  the 
culture  of  the  Chrysanthemum.  Standard  and 
trained  plants  were  now  practically  non-existent, 
and  bush  plants  and  plants  in  5  and  6-inch 
pots  were  cultivated  in  their  stead.  Mr.  R. 
Cannell  responded,  as  also  did  Mr.  R.  B. 
Leech,  of  the  Dulwich  Chrysanthemum  Society, 
who  said  he  hoped  his  society  would  have  to 
fight  for  the  Challenge  Shield  next  year  and  not 
find  again  that  there  was   no   competition. 

Other  speakers  were  Messrs.  C.  Harman 
Payne,  D.  B.  Crane,  J.  McKercher,  J.  W. 
Moorman,  Geo.  Gordon,  and  H.  G.  Cove. 

The  prizes  were  presented  during  the  evening, 
and  amongst  the  recrpients  was  Mr.  W.  Higgs 
(gr.  to  J.  B.  Hankey,  Esq.,  Fetcham  Park, 
Leatherhead),  who  received  the  Holmes  Memo- 
rial Challenge  Cup  for  the  tenth  year  in  suc- 
cession. 

MANCHESTER  AND  NORTH  OF 
ENGLAND  ORCHID. 

November  14.— Committee  present:  Messrs.  E. 
Ashworth,  R.  Ashworth,  Ashton,  Cowan, 
Cypher,  Dr.  Hodgkinson,  Keeling,  P.  Smith, 
Shill,  Sander,  Ward,  Warburton,  Walmsley, 
and  Weathers  (hon.  sec). 

There  was  again  a  fine  display  of  plants,  and 
if  the  present  interest  continues,  more  commo- 
dious premises  will  be  required  for  the  society's 
meetings. 

No  fewer  than  14  distinct  groups  were  shown. 

E.  Ashworth,  Esq.,  Harefield  Hall,  Wilmslow 
fcr.  Mr.  Holbrook),  exhibited  the  rare  Dendro- 
bium  Ccelogyne,  which  gained  an  Award  of 
Merit. 

G.  Shorland  Ball,  Esq.,  Burton,  Westmore- 
land (gr.  Mr.  Herdman),  exhibited  a  group  of 
Cypripediums  in  competition  for  the  "  Sander 
Cup,"  and  received  a  Silver  Medal.  Amongst 
the  plants  in  this  group  were  C.  X  Baron 
Schroder,  C.  X  Olivia,  C.  X  Hitchensas  var. 
Perfection  (Award  of  Merit),  C.  niveum  var. 
Goliath  (Award  of  Merit).  A  plant  shown  under 
the  name  of  C.  X  Ballae  appeared  to  be  a  form 
of  C.  X  Godefroyae  var.  leucochilum,  but  it 
was  declared  to  be  a  hybrid  between  C.  bella- 
talum  delicatum  and  C.  niveum.  An  Award  of 
Merit  was  voted  to  this  last-named  plant  under 
the  name  of  C.    X    Godefroyae  var.   Ballae. 

J.  Macartney,  Esq.,  Bolton  (gr.  Mr.  Holmes), 
was  awarded  a  Silver  Medal  for  a  group  of 
Cypripediums,  of  which  C.  X  J.  Ritson  was 
voted  an  Award  of  Merit. 

A.  Warburton,  Esq.,  Haslingden  (gr.  Mr. 
Dalgleish),  staged  a  group  consisting  of  mis- 
cellaneous Orchids  and  another  of  Cypripediums 
(in  competition  for  the  "  Sanders'  Cup,"  and 
the  "Thompson's  Cup").  Amongst  the  Cypri- 
pediums were  noticed  C.  X  Memoria  Mocusii, 
C.  Milo,  Westonbirt  var.,  C.  insigne  var.  Stat- 
teriana,  C.  insigne  var.  Bohnofiana,  C.  X 
Leonae  var.  grandiflora  (Award  of  Merit).  A 
Silver  Medal  was  awarded  for  each  of  these 
groups. 


382 


THE     GA  R  D  ENER  S '      CHR  0  NI CL  E. 


[November  30,  1907. 


Z.  A.  Ward,  Esq.,  Northenden,  staged  a  group 
of  Cypripediums,  in  which  were  well-grown 
examples   of   leading  varieties.     (Silver   Medal.) 

Messrs.  Cypher  &  Sons,  Cheltenham,  were 
awarder!  a  Silver  Medal  for  a  group  of  plants 
in  which  were  some  good  forms  of  Cattleya 
labiata  and  Cypripediums. 

Mr.  J.  Robson,  Altrincham,  staged  a  group  of 
plants,  to  which  a  Bronze  Medal  was  awarded. 

J.  H.  Craven,  Esq.,  Keighley  (gr.  Mr.  Cor- 
ney),  was  awarded  a  Silver  Medal  for  an  exhibit 
of  Cypripediums.  C.  insigne,  "  Craven's 
variety,"  gained  an  Award  of  Merit,  and  C.  X 
oenanthum,  "  Craven's  variety,"  was  awarded  a 
First  Class  Certificate. 

S.  Gratrix,  Esq.,  Whalley  Range,  Manchester 
(gr.  Mr.  Shill),  exhibited  Cypripedmm  x  Harri- 
Leeanum,  C.  X  Standard,  West  Point  variety, 
C.  X  Chorltonii,  West  Point  variety,  and  Catt- 
leya x  Fabia,  West  Point  variety,  all  of  which 
received  Awards  of  Merit. 

H.  J.  Bromilow,  Rainhill  (gr.  Mr.  Morgan), 
made  a  fine  display  of  Cypripediums,  which 
gained  the  highest  award  in  a  Silver  Gilt  Medal. 
Cypripedium  x  I.eander,  Rann  Lea  variety,  re- 
ceived an  Afcvard  of  Merit.  C.  insigae  var.  Aber- 
deen, a  very  distinct  and  well-marked  form,  and 
C.  X  Marjorie,  a  hybrid  of  good  quality,  of 
which  the  parentage  was  not  recorded,  received 
First  Class   Certificates. 

Mr.  W.  Bolton,  Warrington,  displayed  a 
small  but  interesting  exhibit. 

E.  ROGERSQN,  Esq.,  Didsbury  (gr.  Mr.  Price), 
received  Awards  of  Merit  for  Cypripedium  x 
Actaeus.  Kogerson's  variety,  C.  X  Sallied, 
Rogerson's  variety,  and  C.  X  Charlesianum  var. 
Rogersoni. 

Mr.  W.  Shackleton,  Bradford,  was  awarded 
a  Bronze  Medal  for  a  small  group  of  Orchids, 
principally  Cypripediums. 

Messrs.  Sander  &  Suns,  St.  Albans,  made  a 
display   of  Cattleyas,   Odontoglossums,   &c. 

Messrs.  High  Low  &  Co.,  Enfield,  and  Mr. 
J.  E.  Sadj  er,  exhibited  Cattleya  labiata  var. 
"  Queen  Maud,"  to  which  an  Award  of  Merit 
was  given. 

K.  Farrar,  Esq.,  Clapham,  obtained  an 
Award  of  Merit  for  Cypripedium  X  Hitchensae 
Ingleborough  var. 

Messrs.  Keeling  &  Sons,  Bradford,  were  re- 
presented by  a  small  group  of  plants.     P.  W . 


LEEDS    PAXTON. 

November  19,  20. — The  19th  annual  show  of 
the  above  society  took  place  on  these  dates. 
The  Lady  Mayoress  of  Leeds  opened  the  exhi- 
bition. The  show  has  reached  a  high  point  of 
excellence,  and  there  was  no  falling  off  in  num- 
bers, more  than  300  exhibits  being  staged. 

Plants. — In  the  class  for  a  group  of  plants  ar- 
ranged for  decorative  effect,  J.  PiCKERSGILL, 
Esq  ,  Bardon  Hill,  Weetwood  (gr.  Mr.  J. 
Donoghue),  took  the  1st  prize,  A.  Willev, 
Esq..  Hill  Court,  Headingley  (gr.  Mr.  W. 
Sharpe),  receiving  the  2nd,  and  Mr.  J.  G. 
Petiinger,  Harrogate,  the  3rd  prizes. 

In  the  open  class  for  a  group  of  Chrysanthe- 
mums with  foliage  plants  and  a  margin  of 
Ferns,  Mr.  J.  G.  Petiinger,  Kent  Road  Nur- 
sery, Harrogate,  was  awarded  the  1st  prize  for 
a  collection  of  well-grown  plants  ;  2nd,  E.  O. 
Simpson,  Ksq.,  Oak  Lea,  Adel  (gr.  Mr.  E.  Lup- 
ton). 

Aid.  A.  T.  Walker,  J. P.,  The  Elms,  Weet- 
wood (gr.  Mr.  E.  Norman),  took  premier 
honours  for  four  stove  and  greenhouse  foliage 
plants  with    -nme  fine  specimens  of  Palms. 

The  best  specimen  table  plants  were  shown 
by  K.  J.  CriTciii.ey,  Esq.,  Hvrst  House,  Dews- 
bury  (gr.  Mr.  S.  Hurford)  ;  the  best  Hyacinths 
by  J.  PiCKERSGILL,  Esq.  (gr.  Mr.  J.  Donoghue); 
and  the  best  plants  of  Begonia  "  Gloire  de  Lor- 
raine "  l>v  II.  A.  Watson,  Esq.  (gr.  Mr.  J.  Mar- 
shall). 

Cut  blooms. — The  principal  class  for  Chrysan- 
themums was  one  for  36  blooms,  including  18 
Incurved  and  18  Japanese  varieties.  There  was 
a  good  contest  by  six  competitors,  and  of  these 
the  winner  was  Mr.  Chandler,  Churchover, 
Rugby,  who  showed  some  fine  blooms  of  F.  S. 
Vallis,  Reg.  Vallis,  Algernon  Davis,  J.  H. 
Doyle.  Miss  E.  Crossley,  President  Viger, 
Duchess  of  Sutherland,  Mme.  G.  Rivol,  Gen. 
Hutton,  Miss  O.  Miller,  Mrs.  E.  W.  Vallis,  and 
(Incurved)    Duchess   of    Fife,    Mrs.    II.    J.    Jones, 


C.  H.  Curtis,  Triomphe  de  Montbrun,  J.  F. 
Evans,  &c.  2nd,  Mr.  G.  Burden,  Manor  Gar- 
dens, Sandyway. 

In  the  class  for  12  Japanese  blooms  Mr. 
Chandler  again  won  the  1st  prize,  and  he  was 
closely  followed  by  T.  Wordsworth  Jameson, 
Esq.,  and  Mr.  G.  Burden  respectively. 

For  eight  vases  of  Japanese  Chrysanthemums, 
three  blooms  in  a  vase,  Mrs.  Constable,  Manor 
House,  Otley  (gr.  Mr.  W.  H.  Aldridge),  took  the 
1st  prize  with  some  well-finished  blooms. 

Incurved  varieties. — The  best  exhibit  of  12  In- 
curved blooms,  in  not  fewer  than  six  varieties, 
was  shown  by  Mr.  G.  Burden  ;  2nd,  T.  W. 
Jameson,    Esq. 

Single  Chrysanthemums. — The  best  twilve 
vases  of  single  Chrysanthemums,  grown  natur- 
ally, were  shown  by  Mr.  John  'Ihoknton  ;  2nd, 
Mr.  Geo.  Buck,  Hall  Lane  Gardens,  Horsforth. 

A  table  of  cut  blooms  arranged  for  effect  was 
best  shown  by  the  proprietors  of  the  Hotel 
Majestic  (gr.   Mr.  L.  Hanchant). 

Amongst  other  successful  exhibitors  in  the 
decorative  classes  were  Mr.  J.  R.  Grounhwell, 
Buslingthorpe ;  Messrs.  Alius  tV.  Rowntree, 
Leeds ;  and  J.  Pickersgill,  Eisq.  (gr.  Mr.  J. 
Donoghue). 

Fruit  and  vegetables. — The  best  two  bunches 
of  Black  Grapes  were  shown  bv  Aid.  A.  T. 
Walker,  J. P.,  The  Elms,  Weetwood  (gr.  Mr. 
E"red  Norman)  ;  and  the  best  two  bunches  of 
White  Grapes  by  G.  H.  Shaw,  Esq.  (gr.  Mr.  A, 
Blakey).  Mr.  G.  H.  Shaw  was  also  1st  for  six 
dessert  Apples,  and  again  for  six  varieties  of 
culinary  Apples  and  in  the  class  for  Pears. 

In  the  class  for  a  collection  of  eight  kinds  of 
vegetables,  Mr.  Oliver  Pilling,  Elland,  won 
the  1st  prize  ;  while  for  a  collection  of  six  varie- 
ties of  vegetables  Mr.  J.  R.  Groundwell  was 
most  successful. 

Non-competitive  exhibits. — A  display  of  Carna- 
tions was  tastefully  shown  by  Mr.  E.  C. 
Edwards,  Leeds.  Collections  of  fruit  were 
shown  by  the  Agent-General  of  British 
Columbia,  Messrs.  Laxton,  Bedford,  and  J.  R. 
Pearson  &  Sons,  Lowdham.  Chrysanthemums 
were  displayed  by  Messrs.  Clihran,  Altrin- 
cham, and  by  Messrs.  W.  Wei  i  s  &  fa, 
Merstham,  Surrey.  Messrs.  J.  W.  Moore,  Ltd., 
Rawdon,  staged  a  collection  of  Orchids 
Messrs.  Webb  &  Sons,  Stourbridge,  staged  a  col- 
lection of  vegetables  in  most  of  the  leading 
varieties.  A  collection  of  Palms,  Chrysanthe- 
mums, &c,  was  exhibited  by  Mr.  Wm.  Green, 
Leeds. 


NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE  CHRYSAN- 
THEMUM. 

November  20.  21. — The  third  annual  exhibi- 
tion of  this  society,  held  on  these  dates,  was  far 
in  advance  of  the  two  previous  shows,  both  in 
the  number  of  the  exhibits  and  in  the  quality 
of  the  flowers.  At  the  opening  ceremony,  which 
was  performed  by  Lady  Anne  Lambton,  Lord 
Durham  announced  that  two  additional  cups 
would  be  offered  for  competition  next  year,  and 
there  would  also  be  a  15-guinea  subscription 
cup.  It  was  afterwards  announced  that  eight 
challenge  cups  and  two  gold  medals  had  been 
presented  to  the  society  for  next  year's  com- 
petitions. 

i  'ul  blooms. — In  the  class  for  12  vases  of  Jap- 
anese blooms,  three  blooms  of  one  variety  in  a 
vase,  a  Silver  Cup  and  five  guineas  were  offered 
as  the  1st  prize  This  was  won  by  C.  Bewick, 
Esq.,  Close  House,  Wylam  (gr.  Mr.  W.  Rome), 
for  the  second  time.  The  Cup  thus  becomes 
Mr.  Rome's  property.  The  premier  exhibit  in- 
cluded fine  flowers  of  the  varieties  Bessie  God- 
frey, F.  S.  Vallis,  Mrs.  Knox,  Magnificent,  Mme. 
V.  Venosta,  &c.  ;  2nd,  Col.  Sadler,  Dalston 
(gr.  Mr.  Jas.  Hardcastle),  with  bright  but  smaller 
flowers  than  those  that  secured  the  cup;  3rd, 
vlessrs.    Ord   Brothers,    North   Shields. 

In  the  class  for  : •■.  vases  of  Japanese  bloom- 
in  not  fewer  than  six  varieties,  Mr.  J.  Hard- 
castle was  placed  1st,  Mr.  A.  Appleton, 
Brampton  Junction,  being  awarded  the  2nd 
prize. 

The  best  four  vases  of  Japanese  blooms  were 
from  the  gardens  of  \\  .  Davis,  Esq.,  Gosforth 
(gr.  Mr.  C.  English);  2nd,  Mr.  Hardcastle. 

In  the  class  for  three  blooms  of  a  white  Jap- 
anese  variety,   W.    Runciman,   Esq.,   Scotswood 


(gr.  Mr.  J.  Askew),  was  awarded  the  1st  prize 
lor  Elsie  Foulton  ;  Mr.  Rome  followed  with 
good  examples  of   Mrs.   A.   T.   Miller. 

Mr.  Rome  won  the  1st  prize  for  three  blooms  of 
a  yellow  Japanese  variety,  with  fine  blooms  of  E. 
S.  Vallis,  whilst  in  the  class  for  three  Japanese 
blooms  other  than  white  or  yellow  varieties,  Mr. 
T.  H.  Bolton,  Powderham  Castle  Gardens, 
Devon,  was  successful. 

In  the  competition  open  only  to  grower.-  in 
Northumberland  and  Durham, 'the  Silver  Cup 
offered  for  four  varieties  of  Japanese  Chrysan- 
themums in  vases  was  also  won  outright  bv  Mr. 
W.  Rome,  who  showed  fine  examples  of  F.  S. 
Vallis,  J.  H.  Silsbury,  Algernon  Davis,  and 
Miss  Nellie  Pockett ;  J.  R.  Scott,  Esq.,  Benton 
(gr.  Mr.  H.  Late),  was  awarded  the  2nd  prize 
in  this  class. 

The  Gold  Medal  offered  for  the  finest  bloom 
in  the  show  was  awarded  to  Mr.  W.  Rome  for 
a  grand  bloom  of  the  variety  F.   S.   Vallis. 

Plants. — Mr.  C.  E2nglish  was  awarded  the  1st 
prize  in  the  class  for  four  bush  plants,  with 
finely-grown  and  well-flowered  specimens  of 
Vivian   Morel,   C.    Davis,   and   Soleil  d'Octobre. 

The  best  group  of  Chrysanthemums  arranged 
with  other  flowering  and  foliage  plants  was  put 
up  by  Mr.  T.  Bell  (gr.  to  A.  E.  Bambridge, 
Esq.,  Jesmond)  ;  2nd,  Messrs.  Ord  Brothers, 
with  a  group  consisting  principally  of  large- 
flowered  Chrysanthemums. 

Fruits  and  vegetables. — The  best  two  bunches 
of  Black  Grapes  among  eight  competitors  were 
shown  by  J.  F.  Laycock,  Esq.,  Wiseton,  Notts 
(gr.  Mr.  W.  Musk)  ;  he  had  finely  finished 
examples  of  Gros  Colmar  ;  2nd,  Lord  Arm- 
strong, Jesmond  Dene  (gr.   Mr.   J.   Elliott). 

Mr.  Elliott  was  1st  tor  White  Grapes,  with 
large,  well-finished  bunches  of  Raisin  de 
Calabre  ;  2nd,  Mr.  T.  Bell,  with  Muscat  of 
Alexandria. 

Messrs.  Mi  sk,  Bolton,  and  Davidson,  won 
the  principal  prizes  in  the  classes  for  Apples 
.old    Rears. 

The  classes  devoted  to  vegetables  were  well 
contested.  Perhaps  the  most  remarkable  ex- 
hibits in  this  section  were  the  23  stands  of  Leeks. 

Non-competitive  EixHiBi  is. 
The  trade  exhibits  were  verv  attractive.  Mr. 
W.  H.  Hardy,  Gosforth,  showed  Carnations, 
winter-flowering  Heaths,  &c.  Messrs.  Finney  tv; 
Co.,  Newcastle-on-Tyne,  exhibited  hardy  fruits, 
Potatos,  and  various  flowering  plants.  Mr.  W. 
Lawrenson,  Newcastle,  had  an  extensive  group 
of  hardy  fruits,  Carnations,  decorative  shrubs, 
Heaths,  &c.  The  Tyneside  Seed  Stores  showed 
a  miscellaneous  collection  of  fruit,  vegetables, 
bulbs,  and  winter-flowering  plants.  Mr.  W.  K. 
Armstrong,  Newcastle-on-Tyne,  displayed 
Palms  and  other  plants  suitable  for  floral  decora- 
tions. Messrs.  Sutton  &  Sons,  Reading,  were 
awarded  a  Gold  Medal  for  an  exhibit  of  Potatos. 
Messrs.  Kent  &  Brydon,  Darlington,  had  a 
small  collection  of  Carnations.     //.    /.   C. 


CHESTER    PAXTON. 

November  20,  21.— The  annual  exhibition  of 
fruit,  Chrysanthemums,  &c,  was  held  in  the 
Town  Hall  on  these  dates.  The  entries  exceeded 
those  of  any  previous  year,  the  greatest  increase 
being  in  the  farmers'  and  cottagers'  classes  for 
hardy  fruits.  An  interesting  and  extensive  ex- 
hibit of  Hereford-grown  fruit  was  staged  by  the 
Hereford  Co-operative  Fruit  Grading'  So- 
ciety, which  was  awarded  the  Paxton  Society's 
Silver  Medal.  His  Grace  the  Duke  of  West- 
minster, Eaton  Hall,  Chester  (gr.  Mr.  N.  E. 
Barnes),  showed  a  non-competitive  exhibit  of 
Chrysanthemums  and  foliage  plants,  which 
occupied  the  lower  end  of  the  Assembly  Room  ; 
this  added  very  materially  to  the  appearance 
of  the  room,  and  for  general  excellence  was 
awarded  the  Society's  Gold  Medal.  All  the 
Chrysanthemum  classes  were  well  contested, 
the  principal  honours  going  to  the  president  of 
the  Society,  T.  Gibbons  Frost,  Esq.  (gr.  Mr.  T. 
Gilbert)  ;  F.  B.  Summers,  Esq.,  Bache  Hall  (gr. 
Mr.  E.  Stubbs)  ;  and  the  Chester  County 
Asylum  (gr.  Mr.  H.  Lawson). 

A  large  collection  of  Chrysanthemum  blooms 
was  exhibited  by  Messrs.  CLIBRAN,  Altrin- 
cham. Messrs.  Dickson's,  Ltd.,  Chester, 
staged  a  large  and  excellent  exhibit  of  Chry- 
santhemums. 


November  30,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


383 


WOOLTON     AND     DISTRICT 
CHRYSANTHEMUM. 

November  20. — The  ninth  annual  show  of 
this  society  was  held  in  the  Church  Hall  on  the 
above  date.  The  show  was  an  unqualified  suc- 
cess, the  cut  blooms  being  equal  to  any  ever 
exhibited  here.  The  class  for  nine  vases  of 
single  Chrysanthemums  brought  seven  entrants, 
the  prize  being  a  silver  challenge  trophy  pre- 
sented by  A.  H.  Tate,  Esq.,  ilighfield.  The 
premier  prize  in  the  class  for  24  Japanese 
blooms,  distinct,  was  won  by  Sir  Wm.  11.  Tate, 
Bart.  (gr.  Mr.  Geo.  Haigh),  who  thus  repeated 
his  previous  year's  success  and  won  outright 
the  silver  challenge  cup  presented  by  Mi's. 
Gossage.  The  2nd  prize  was  awarded  to  \V. 
Tod,  Esq.,  Dry  Grange,  Allerton  (gr.  Mr.  Geo. 
Eaton).  The  best  exhibit  of  18  Japanese  blooms, 
distinct,  was  shown  by  Mrs.  Gossage,  Camp 
1 1  ill  [gr.  Mr.  J.  Sumner).  2nd,  T.  Clarke, 
Esq.,  Allerton  Hall  (gr.  Mr.  Jas.  Clarke|.  In 
the  Incurved  section,  Sir  Wm.  H.  Tate,  Bart., 
won  the  1st  prize  for  18  distinct  varieties. 
Thos.  Clarke,  Esq.,  was  placed  2nd.  Tins 
class  excited  a  very  keen  competition. 

The  N.C.S.  certificates  were  both  awarded  to 
Sir  Wm.  H.  Tate  for  magnificent  blooms  of 
Leigh  Park  Wonder  and  Mrs.  B.  Hankey. 

The  1st  prize,  consisting  of  a  challenge  cup, 
for  single  Chrysanthemums  was  taken  by  P.  W. 
Barr,  Esq.  (gr.  Mr.  T.  Keightley).  Eor  the 
group  of  cut  Chrysanthemums  arranged  for 
effect,  Sir  Wm.  H.  Tate,  Bart.,  was  most  suc- 
cessful. 

Exhibits  of  plants  were  best  shown  by  W. 
Cunningham,  Esq.,  Gorsey  Cap  (gr.  Mr.  Wm. 
Wilson),  and  Arthur  Earle,  Esq.,  of  Child- 
wall   (gr.   Mr.   T.   Hitchman). 

The  fruit  classes  were  not  so  keenly  contested 
as  in  some  former  years.  Colonel  R.  Ireland 
Blackburne,  C.B.,'Hale  Hall  (gr.  Mr.  A.  A. 
Evans),  took  1st  place  for  two  bunches  of  Black 
Grapes,  and  four  1st  prizes  for  Apples  and 
Pears. 

The  vegetable  classes  were  well  contested 
For  a  collection  of  six  distinct  kinds,  confined 
to  gardeners,  T.  Clarke,  Esq.,  was  aware'ed  the 
1st  prize.  The  "  Farmers'  Challenge  Cup,"  pre- 
sented by  Mrs.  Neil  Gossage  for  a  similar 
collection,  was  taken  by  Mr.  James  Gore, 
Halewood. 


1st  place  for  single  white  blooms.  The  Duke  of 
Somerset,  Burton  Hall,  Lincoln  (gr.  Mr.  George 
Jamieson),  was  placed  1st  in  the  class  for  In- 
curved blooms,  his  flowers  being  much  admired. 
He  also  took  the  prize  offered  for  the  best  In- 
curved bloom  in  the  show  with  a  superb  speci- 
men of  C.  H.  Curtis.  Amongst  other  growers 
whe  took  leading  places  in  the  cut-flower  sec- 
tion were  Mr.  Jenkixs.  Woodside  ;  Mr.  A.  Oli- 
phant,  The  Links,  Montrose ;  Mr.  William 
Milne,  Corsindae  House;  and  Mr.  Alex. 
Douglas,  kepplestone  House,  Aberdeen. 

Plants. — This  section  was  the  weakest  part  of 
the  show.  The  entries  were  fewer  than  those  of 
last  year,  and  the  quality  was  not  quite  so 
good.  Mr.  A.  Douglas  (gr.  to  Mr.  Ogilvie, 
Kepplestone  House,  Aberdeen)  was  the  only 
exhibitor  of  a  group  of  Chrysanthemums  ar- 
ranged for  effect. 

Fruit  and  vegetables  made  a  good  display,  and 
especially  Apples.  Some  capital  specimens  of 
this  fruit  were  shown  by  Mr.  R.  Singer,  Fir- 
lands,  Forres ;  Mr.  William  Reid,  Corsindae 
House;  and  Mr.  J.  Robertson,  I.etham  Grange, 
Montrose.  Mr.  Andrew  Keid,  Durris  House 
Gardens,  and  Mr.  Robertson,  Letham  Grange 
Gardens,  won  the  principal  prizes  for  Grapes. 

There  were  no  fewer  than  eight  entries  in  a 
class  for  a  collection  of  vegetables.  Messrs. 
J.  and  D.  Mackenzie,  Bucksburn,  Aberdeen, 
won  the  1st  prize,  followed  by  Mr.  Lawson, 
Oakbank,  Aberdeen. 

Non-competitive  displays  were  made  by  Messrs. 
W.  WELLS  >\  Sons;  Mr.  W.  A.  Dustan,  Aber- 
deen; Messrs.  G.  Bunvard  &  Co.,  Ltd.,  Maid- 
stone, Kent  ;  and  Mr.  J.  Robertson,  Hadden 
Street,  Aberdeen. 


ABERDEEN    CHRYSANTHEMUM. 

November  22,  23. — The  annual  exhibition 
of  this  society  was  held  on  these  dates  in  the 
Music  Hall  Buildings,  Aberdeen.  Compared 
with  last  year's  show,  the  entries  were  slightly 
fewer,  but  collectively  the  exhibits  formed  a 
good,  all-round  display,  and  there  was  noticed 
an  absence  of  inferior  flowers.  The  opening 
ceremony  was  performed  by  Dr.  Marshal 
Lang,  C.V.O.,  Principal  of  Aberdeen  Univer- 
sity. 

Cut  blooms. — The  classes  devoted  to  cut 
blooms  formed  the  leading  feature  of  the  ex- 
hibition. The  most  important  competition  was 
for  a  handsome  silver  challenge  cup,  offered  by 
the  president  and  patrons  of  the  society  to  the 
exhibitor  of  the  best  twelve  vases  of  Japanese 
Chrysanthemums,  three  blooms  of  one  variety 
in  a  vase.  George  Keith,  Esq.,  of  L'san, 
Montrose  (gr.  Mr.  Andrew  Hutton),  who  had 
already  won  the  cup  twice,  beat  all  other  com- 
petitors. His  marks  totalled  106,  including  11 
for  grand  specimens  of  F.  S.  Vallis.  Other 
varieties  worthy  of  note  in  the  premier  collec- 
tion were  R.  Vallis,  Mrs.  A.  T.  Miller,  and  Miss 
O.  Miller.  The  2nd  place  went  to  the  Countess  of 
Skakielii,  ('ullen  House  (gr.  Mr.  Morton), 
whose  exhibit  was  only  slightly  inferior  to  Mr. 
Keith's.  This  collection  included  some  superb 
blooms,  especially  an  exquisitely-grown  speci- 
men of  Mrs.  A.  T.  Miller,  which,  was  given  the 
prize  offered  for  the  best  bloom  in  the  show,  and 
also  that  for  the  largest  bloom  in  the  s'iow.  3rd, 
Mr.  W.  Paterson,  Balmedie  Gardens,  Aber- 
deenshire. Mr.  Hutton  also  gained  chief  hon. 
ours  for  the  best  24  blooms  of  Japanese  Chrys- 
anthemums, in  not  fewer  than  12  varieties,  with 
a  particularly  fine  collection,  and  several  other 
prizes. 

In  the  class  for  nine  varieties  of  Japanese 
Chrysanthemums,  Mr.  James  Jenkins.  Wood- 
side,  Aberdeen,  was  awarded  the  1st  prize  with 
an  exquisite   display.     This  exhibitor  also   took 


LINNEAN    SOCIETY. 

November  21. — A  meeting  was  held  on  the 
above  date. 

Mr.  G.  C.  Druce  showed  dried  specimens  of 
Linaria  arenaria  DC,  which  he  had  gathered 
near  Barnstaple  this  autumn,  but  which  had  no 
pretension  to  be  native,  as  it  had  been  sown 
there  15  years  earlier.  Further,  he  exhibited 
herbarium  specimens  of  Leontodon  hirtus  var. 
Pristis,  G.  C.  Druce,  from  Guernsey  and  Alder- 
ney,  and  Picris  hieracioides  var.  incana,  G.  C. 
Druce,  from  the  latter  island. 

The  first  paper  was  by  Mr.  W.  C.  Worsdell, 
F.L.S.,  on  "Abnormal  Structures  in  Leaves  and 
their  Value  in  Morphology."  He  stated  that 
there  are  no  real  "  freaks  "  in  nature,  because  all 
so-called  "  sports  "  are  reproduced  in  one  form 
or  another  as  normal  structures  in  other  parts  of 
the  vegetable  kingdom.  The  great  majority  of 
abnormalities  represent  reversions,  or  attempts  at 
reversion,  to  an  ancestral  structure. 

The  last  paper,  by  Mr.  J.  G.  Otto  Tepper, 
F.L.S.,  on  "The  Preservation  of  Specimens  in 
Australian  Museums,"  was  read  in  title.  The 
author  based  his  remarks  on  Prof.  A.  J.  Eyvart's 
paper  in  the  Journal,  Zoology,  vol.  xxx.,  pp.  1-5, 
on  Anthrenus  musaeorum,  and  pointed  out  that 
the  life-cycle  of  this  insect  involved  visits  to 
flowers,  and  that  the  presence  of  their  destructi\e 
larva?  in  collections  was  due  to  the  eggs  being 
laid  in  proximity  to  the  cases,  and  the  active 
and  minute  larvae  subsequently  finding  their 
way  into  the  containing  cases,  by  cracks  or  sinii- 
lar  apertures. 


NATIONAL    DAHLIA. 

November  26. — A  meeting  of  the  Committte 
was  held  at  the  Hotel  Windsor,  Westminster,  on 
the  above  date.  Mr.  E.  Mawley  presided.  The 
commitlee  received  with  deep  regret  the  resigna- 
tion of  Mr.  H.  L.  Brousson  from  the  office  of 
secretary,  which  he  had  held  for  two  years  with 
great  benefit  to  the  society.  The  vacancy  was 
filled  pending  confirmation  by  the  annual  gen- 
eral meeting  in  December,  by  the  appointment 
of  Mr.  II.  II.  Thomas,  editor  of  the  Gardener. 
Considerable  discussion  followed  with  respect  to 
the  financial  state  of  the  society,  which,  if  the 
contribution  from  the  Crystal  Palace  Co.  was 
paid,  would  be  very  satisfactory.  Mr.  Mawley 
said  that  since  the  formation  of  the  society 
it  had  been  favoured  with  five  previous 
secretaries  in  Messrs.  Glasscock,  Girdlestone, 
Hudson,  Tulloch,  and  Brousson,  all  gentle- 
men deeply  interested  in  the  Dahlia  and 
most  desirous  of  promoting  its  wider  culture. 
Without  doubt  the  present  position  of  the 
society,  with  its  230  members,  was  largely  due 
to  the  active  work  of  these  gentlemen  and  to 
iheir  esteemed  treasurer,  Mr.  Wilkins.  But 
specially  was  it  due  to  the  introduction  of  the 
("actus  Dahlia,  which  had  become  so  remark- 
ably popular.  Still,  he  thought  the  time  had 
arrived  when  something  more  should  be  done  to 
make  that  popularity  wider,  and  he  specially 
wished  to  see  a  section  of  Cactus  Dahlias  apart 
from  exhibition  varieties  that  were  to  be  pro- 
moted for  garden  decoration.  The  new  Paeony- 
flowered  forms,  no  doubt,  had  in  them  a  great 
future,  and  merited  wide  cultivation.  Again, 
single  Dahlias,  the  special  favourites  of  the  late 
Mr.  Girdlestone,  were  very  beautiful  as  garden 
flowers.  Any  new  developments  in  Dahlias 
which  presented  themselves  were  worthy  of  all 
consideration  and  development. 

He  proceeded  to  refer  to  the  places  for  exhibi- 
tion open  to  the  society,  and  in  doing  so  made 
passing  and  kindly  reference  to  the  London 
Dahlia  Union,  which  invariably  held  its  show 
at  a  later  date  than  the  society  did  ;  hence  there 
was  no  clashing,  and  only  the  most  friendly 
arrangement.  The  committees  were  in  each  case 
almost  of  the  same  persons.  Arising  out  of  the 
chairman's  reference  to  places  for  exhibition 
much  discussion  followed,  some  members 
favouring  the  retention  of  the  shows  at  the  Crys- 
tal Palace,  and  others  being  desirous  of  holding 
them  in  London.  No  doubt  some  definite  de- 
cision will  be  announced  at  the  coming  annual 
meeting.  The  schedule  of  competitive  classes 
for  the  ensuing  year  was  considered. 


BRITISH     GARDENERS'    ASSOCIATION. 

A  meeting  convened  by  the  Leeds  branch  of 
this  association  was  held  on  the  first  day  of  the 
Chrysanthemum  Show  in  a  room  adjoining  the 
Exhibition  Hall.  All  gardeners  from  toe  neigh- 
bourhood were  invited  to  attend.  A  considerable 
number  were  present,  including  Mr.  J.  Campbell, 
Methlev  Park  Gardens,  who  presided,  and  Mr. 
G.  Carver,  the  branch  secretary.  After  a  brief 
statement  by  the  chairman,  a  letter  was  read 
from  Mr.  G.  Hemming,  of  the  Alexandra  Palace, 
London,  who  was  for  many  years  an  ardent 
worker  in  Leeds,  introducing  the  delegate,  Mr. 
E.  F.  Hawes,  of  the  Royal  Botanic  gardens, 
Regent's  Park,  a  member  of  the  executive  coun. 
cil.  Mr.  E.  F.  Hawes  traced  the  progress  of 
the  association  from  its  formation  up  to  the 
present  time.  After  the  address,  a  discussion 
ensued,  the  speeches  showing  that  a  keen  in- 
terest in  the  association  exists  amongst  Leeds 
gardeners. 


DEBATING     SOCIETIES. 


REDHILL,  REIGATE  AND  DISTRICT  GAR- 
DENERS*.—At  a  recent  meeting  of  this  association,  Mr  E, 
Salmon,  F.L.S.,  Wye  College,  gave  a  lecture,  illustrated  by 
lantern  slides,  on  "  Fungoid  Diseases."     G.  P.  S. 

GUILDFORD  AND  DISTRICT  GARDENERS' 

A  meeting  of  this  association  was  held  on  Tuesday,  Novem- 
ber 19,  when  Mr.  H.  Tann  presided  over  a  moderate 
attendance  of  members.  Mr.  W.  Goodwin,  of  the  South 
Kastern  Agricultural  College,  Wye,  delivered  a  lecture  on 
"  Manures."  The  lecturer  dealt  principally  with  nitro- 
genous  manures,  including  nitrate. of  soda,  nitrate  of  potash, 
and  sulphate  of  ammonia.  Lime  is  of  the  utmost  im- 
portance in  the  soil,  as,  by  its  agency,  acidity  is  corrected, 
the  development  of  bacteria  is  favoured,  &c. 

CROYDON  &  DISTRICT   HORTICULTURAL 

The  meeting  held  on  November  19  was  devoted  to  micro- 
scopical studies.  Under  the  guidance  of  Mr.  J.  Gregory,, 
classes  have  been  held  during  the  past  year,  and  those 
members  attending  were  able  to  exhibit  the  progress  they 
had  made  in  giving  demonstrations  to  interest  their  fellow 
gardeners. 

BECKENHAM  HORTICULTURAL.- At  the  meet- 

ing  held  on  Friday,  November  22,  a  lecture  on  "  Rose  Culture" 
was  given  by  Mr.  T.  Burch,  of  Peterborough.  The  lecturer 
stated  that  November  was  the  best  month  for  planting 
Roses.  Newly-planted  trees  should  not  be  hard  pruned 
the  first  year.  Hybrid  Tea  and  Perpetual  Roses  should  be 
pruned  in  the  third  week  in  March,  and ''Teas  "  in  the  first 
week  in  April.  All  climbing  Roses  should  have  their  growths 
trained  upright,  for  if  the  shoots  are  allowed  to  hang  down 
the  growth  is  checked.  A  good  specific  for  ridding  Roses  of 
green  fly  and  mildew  Ci.n  be  made  with  half  a  bar  of  Life- 
buoy Soap  dissolved  in  three  gallons  of  water.     T.  C. 

DEVON  AND  EXETER  GARDENERS'.  Mr,  J. 

Weeks,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Sanders,  Stoke  House,  read  at- 
the  last  fortnightly  meeting  a  paper  on  the  "Tuberous- 
rooting  Begonia."  The  lecturer  related  the  history  of  this 
plant,  and  dealt  in  a  practical  manner  with  its  cultivation. 
A.  H. 


384 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[November  30,  1907. 


(Dbttuarj). 


Harry  Gillett. — We  regret  to  ha\e  to  record 
the  death  on  the  20th  inst.  of  Mr.  Harry  Gillett, 
secretary  of  the  Cardiff  and  County  Horticultural 
Society,  and  of  the  Cardiff  and  District  Chrysan- 
themum Society.  Mr.  Gillett  settled  in  Cardiff 
20  years  ago,  and  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the 
Horticultural  Society  which  was  formed  in  the 
following  year.  Those  who  have  any  knowledge 
of  the  Cardiff  show  will  likewise  know  that  much 
of  its  success  has  been  due  to  the  tact  and  energy 
of  the  late  secretary.  Deceased  passed  away  sud- 
denly, after  supper,  from  an  affection  of  the  heart. 

Richard  Lees. — The  death  took  place  on  the 
19th  inst.  of  Mr.  Richard  Lees,  who  for  a  con- 
siderable number  of  years  has  occupied  the 
position  of  gardener  to  Lord  Dunraven,  at  Kenry 
House,  Kingston  Hill.  A  Scotsman  by  birth,  Mr. 
Lees  was  a  man  of  amiable  disposition,  and  what 
work  of  a  semi-public  nature  he  undertook  was 
done  in  a  quiet,  unostentatious  manner. 

William  Unwin.— The  death  occurred  recently 
of  Mr.  William  Unwin,  a  well-known  commission 
agent  in  the  Covent  Garden  fruit  market. 


The    Sparrow    in    New    South    Wales. — 

The  sparrow  has  few  friends,  but  he  is  so  wily 
that  he  has  but  little  to  fear  from  his  foes.  The 
latest  lament  on  his  powers  of  devastation  comes 
from  Australia,  where,  according  to  the  Agricul- 
tural Gazelle,  his  predatory  habits,  coupled  with 
his  application  to  himself  of  the  charge  to  "re- 
plenish the  earth  and  subdue  it,"  is  causing 
the  gravest  apprehension.  Grapes,  Figs,  and 
other  fruits  are  attacked  before-  they  are  ripe, 
and  even  if  they  are  protected  ths  little  brown 
bird  vies  with  the  rat  in  the  cleverness  with 
which  he  extracts  what  he  wants,  in  complete 
defiance  of  traps  and  nets.  The  matter  is  get- 
ting so  serious  that  the  need  of  a  conference  is 
urged  in  order  to  discuss  the  situation,  and  to 
devise  remedial  measures  that  can  be  tried  with 
some  hope  of  success. 


Jo     *S% 
LomjpondenU 


Adiantum  cuneatum  foe  Market:  /.  C. 
There  is  no  absolute  rule  in  regard  to  the 
number  of  fronds  forming  a  market  bunch  of 
this  Fern,  but  in  the  case  of  the  best  fronds 
it  is  usual  to  place  about  one  dozen  leaves  in 
each  bunch.  There  may  be  two  dozen  fronds 
in  the  bunches  composed  of  smaller  fronds. 
In  packing  flowers  or  fruit  for  market,  proper 
grading  is  of  the  utmost  importance.  All 
buyers  prefer  samples  of  equal  quality 
throughout. 

Basic  Slag  as  a  Manure  :  G.  S.  You  will  find 
a  reply  to  your  query  in  the  issue  for  Feb- 
ruary 17,  1906,  p.   112. 

Begonias:  A.  C.  If  you  will  send  us  a  few 
leaves   they   shall    be   examined. 

Chrysanthemums  for  Market  :  /.  C.  There 
are  three  distinct  grades  of  Chrysanthemums 
-  Id  in  Covent  Garden  market.  The  large 
specimen  blooms  are  packed  singly  without 
bunching.  These  are  not  always  of  the  very 
finest  exhibition  type,  but  they  are  well-grown 
blooms,  and  have  been  disbudded.  The  next 
grade  are  those  in  bunches  of  12  blooms, 
which  have  also  been  disbudded.  These  vary 
somewhat  in  size,  and  some  growers  place  only 
six  of  the  best  blooms  in  one  bunch.  The 
next  grade  includes  those  flowers  grown 
naturally  and  without  disbudding.  Most 
market  growers  place  12  sprays  of  these 
blooms  in  each  bunch,  but  there  is  no  abso- 
lute rule.  Sometimes  18  or  24  of  the  smaller 
sprays  constitute  a  bunch,  but  in  the  case 
of  the  larger  inflorescences  from  8  to  10  may 
form  a  bunch. 

i  :  Anxious,  Nottinghamshire.  The  fruit 
is  not  in  a  sufficiently  good  condition  to  be 
judged   definitely.      You   should   have   sent   it 


earlier.  All  we  can  say  in  the  circumstances 
is  that  it  appears  to  us  as  a  form  of  Muscat  of 
Alexandria.  The  slight  differences  you  have 
observed  are  such  as  are  sometimes  pro- 
duced by  grafting  upon  a  different  stock, 
but  this  may  not  be  the  case  in  your  instance. 

Names  of  Flowers,  Fruits  and  Plants. — We 
are  anxious  to  oblige  correspondents  as  far  as 
we  consistently  can,  but  they  must  bear  in 
mind  that  it  is  no  part  of  our  duty  to  our 
subscribers  to  name  either  flowers  or  fruits. 
Such  work  entails  considerable  outlay,  both  ol 
time  and  money,  and  cannot  be  allowed  to  dis- 
organise the  preparations  for  the  weekly  issue,  or  to 
encroach  upon  time  required  for  the  conduct  of  the 
paper.  Correspondents  should  never  send  more 
than  six  plants  or  fruits  at  one  time  :  they  should  be 
very  careful  to  pack  and  label  them  properly,  togive 
every  information  as  to  the  county  the  fruits  are 
grown  in,  and  to  send  ripe,  or  nearly  ripe,  specimens 
which  show  the  character  of  the  variety.  By 
neglecting  these  precautions  correspondents  add 
greatly  to  our  labour,  and  run  the  risk  of 
delay  and  incorrect  determinations.  Correspondents 
not  answered  in  one  issue  are  requested  to 
be  so  good  as  to  consult  the  following  numbers. 
Fruits:  E.  W.,  Stanstsd.  1,  Marie  Louise;  2, 
2,  Gansel's  Bergamot  ;  3,  St.  Edmunds; 
4,  Beurre  Diel ;  5,  Ribston  Pippin  ;  6,  Belle 
Dubois. — St.  John  Ackers.  King  of  the  Pippins. 
— ■/.  C.  Van  Mons.  Leon  Leclerc. — Chcwton.  a. 
White  Nonpareil  ;  b,  Beurre  Diel ;  c,  Chau- 
montel.  —  Minehead  (no  letter).  1,  Scarlet 
L^adington  ;  2,  The  Queen. — G.  M.  The  Apple 
is  a  very  fine  fruit  of  Annie  Elizabeth. 

Plants:  E.  B.  Escallonia  floribunda,  syn. 
E.  montevidensis. — 7*.  R  Y.  1,  Pholidota  chi- 
nensis ;  2,  Odontoglossum  Lindleyanum ;  3, 
Odontoglossum  blandum ;  4,  Bulbophyllum 
auricomum  ;  5,  Masdevallia  Simula  ;  6,  Pleuro- 
thallis  conanthera. — J.  B.  Oncidium  aborti- 
vum.  The  other  flower  sent  is  not  recognised  ; 
kindly  send  a  better  specimen. — J.  F.  Hiera- 
cium  aurantiacum. — S.  R.  D,  1,  Cupressus 
Lawsoniana ;  2,  Juniperus  sp.  ;  3,  Juniperus 
chinensis;  4,  Thuya  orientalis  var.  aurea  ;  5, 
Peruettya  mucronata  ;   6,  P.  m.  var.  angustifolia. 

Narcissus  and  Hyacinths  for  Exhibition  : 
Narciss.  You  should  have  potted  the  bulbs 
earlier ;  further  delay  would  only  defeat  the 
object  in  view.  The  late  planting  of  bulbs 
generally  results  in  the  plants  failing  to  develop 
to  their  proper  stature.  In  the  case  of  the 
Hyacinth,  where  many  flowers  are  arranged 
in  one  spike,  the  uppermost  flowers  do  not 
finish  well,  hence  a  weak  point  is  presented 
to  the  judges.  How  long  such  bulbs  may 
safely  be  kept  in  the  dry  state  depends  to  a 
considerable  extent  upon  the  conditions  of 
storage.  There  is  an  idea  abroad  that  late- 
planting  is  conducive  to  success,  but  this  is 
not  so,  and  success  is  dependent  to  a  far 
greater  extent  upon  the  subsequent  treatment. 
The  plant  that  in  its  more  natural  season  is 
given  the  opportunity  of  developing  its  root- 
fibres  has  decided  advantages  over  those 
planted  later,  and  another  season  you  should 
bear  this  in  mind.  The  exhibition  being  fixed 
for  April,  it  will  be  held  in  the  proper  season 
for  the  flowering  of  such  species,  and  your 
anxiety  has  no  justification.  The  soil  for 
Narcissus  and  Hyacinths  should  be  composed 
of  good  loam  three  parts,  the  remaining  part 
being  made  up  of  silver  sand,  leaf-mould,  and 
decayed  manure  in  equal  parts.  A  small 
addition  of  any  reliable  artificial  manure  or 
bone  meal  should  be  added.  If  the  bulbs  are 
to  be  exhibited  in  pots,  the  manner  they 
should  be  arranged  will  depend  entirely  upon 
the  conditions  stated  in  the  schedule  issued  by 
the  society  under  whose  auspices  you  intend 
to  exhibit.  Pot  the  bulbs  quite  firmly,  just 
burying  the  Narcissus  from  view,  while  keep- 
ing the  crown  point  of  the  Hyacinths  level 
with  the  rim  of  the  pot.  Following  the  plant- 
ing, apply  a  thorough  watering,  and  repeat 
the  application  when  the  first  has  drained 
away,  so  that  the  soil  will  be  well  moistened 
throughout.  On  the  same  or  the  following 
day  stand  the  entire  batch  on  a  well-drained 
ash-bed,  and,  preferably,  against  a  north  wall 
for  shelter.  A  covering  not  less  than  4  inches 
deep — 6  inches  would  be  better — of  coal-ash 
or  sand  should  be  given,  first  covering  each 
of  the  Hyacinth  bulbs  with  an  inverted  3-inch 
pot  to  prevent  injury  to  the  top  of  the  spike 
by  contact  with  the  plunging  material.  Thus 
treated,  the  bulbs  will  be  safe  without  atten- 


tion for  six  weeks  to  come.  At  the  expiration 
of  that  time  an  examination  should  take  place, 
and  if  the  soil  is  found  to  be  dry,  let  an  appli- 
cation of  water  be  given.  It  will  not  be  very 
dry,  of  course,  but  as  both  of  these  bulbous 
plants  are  moisture-loving  to  a  degree  rarely 
appreciated,  water  should  be  afforded  them 
whilst  the  soil  is  still  moist.  At  a  later  period 
a  further  examination  should  take  place,  and 
the  inverted  pots  and  the  ashes  removed,  re- 
placing the  former  by  larger  pots  and  the  latter 
by  a  covering  of  litter.  The  subsequent  treat- 
ment should  consist  of  affording  abundance  of 
water  and  occasional  doses  of  liquid  manure, 
putting  the-  plants  into  a  darkened,  cold 
frame  for  a  time,  and  ultimately  exposing 
them  in  a  cold  or  slightly  warmed  greenhouse 
or  frame  to  ensure  the  plants  being  at  their 
best  on  the  show  day.  As  we  do  not  know 
the  kinds  of  Narcissus  you  a:e  growing,  we 
cannot  give  more  definite  instructions.  See 
also  the  article  on  p.  369. 

Plants  for  a  Wet  Border  :  Narciss.  Yuu 
do  not  state  the  width  or  length  of  the  border, 
and,  therefore,  we  cannot  advise  you  defi- 
nitely. There  are,  however,  a  large  number  of 
plants  well  suited  for  cultivation  in  very  wet 
situations,  and  of  these  special  mention  may 
be  made  of  Monarda  didyma,  Narcissus  Em- 
peror, N.  Empress,  N.  poeticus,  the  May- 
flowering  form,  N.  p.  fl.  pi.,  which  is  a  capital 
plant  for  such  places,  and  many  others.  Leu- 
coium  aestivum,  Colchicums  (such  as  C. 
speciosum  and  C.  autumnale  varieties),  Crinum 
Powellii  and  C.  longiflorum  are  very  suitable. 
Such  Astilbes  or  Spiraeas  as  S.  palmata,  S: 
venusta,  S.  aruncus,  and  others  make  grand 
specimens,  and  to  these  could  be  added  Iris 
sibirica  in  variety,  I.  laevigata,  of  sorts,  I. 
Pseudacorus,  fol.  var.,  I.,  aurea,  and  I.  Mon- 
nieri,  Trollius  in  many  sorts,  Primulas  as  P. 
japonica,  P.  rosea,  P.  cashmeriana,  P.  Sieboldii 
in  variety ;  Lythrums,  Epilobiums,  Dodeca- 
theons,  Hepaticas,  the  taller  Thalictrums, 
and  others  are  perfectly  at  home  in  wet  soils. 
If  given  frequent  attention,  many  herbaceous 
Phloxes  and  some  Michaelmas  Daisies  would 
also  prove  a  success. 

Record  Carrots:  U.S.  Your  friend's  example, 
weighing  2  lbs.  3  oz.  is  a  large  root,  but  it 
scarcely  approaches  in  size  those  in  our  "  Record 
Book"  under  dates  1858,  1859,  both  of  which 
turned  the  scale  at  10  lbs.  The  measurement  of 
one  of  these  is  given  at  20  X  39  inches.  See 
Gardeners'  Chronicle,  February  13,  1858,  p.  111. 
This  Carrot  is  said  to  have  been  produced  in 
America,  at  Sacramento  City. 

Renovating  a  Vine  Border  :  W .  L.  Carefully 
remove  the  old  soil  from  the  roots,  taking 
care  not  to  break  the  smaller  root-fibres  in  the 
operation,  and  when  a  trench  has  been  opened 
ascertain  if  the  drainage  is  in  a  suitable  con- 
dition. If  this  needs  attention,  let  the  work 
of  re-making  the  drainage  be  done  in  a  thor- 
ough manner,  and  when  put  straight  again, 
fill  in  with  a  compost  made  up  of  good  fibrous 
loam,  some  old  lime-rubble  or  broken  bricks, 
charcoal,  wood-ashes,  or  burnt  soil,  and  a 
liberal  quantity  of  fine  bone  manure.  These 
ingredients  should  be  well  mixed  together.  If 
the  roots  are  accommodated  in  inside  and 
outside  borders,  renew  the  inside  border  this 
year,  and  after  the  lapse  of  one  or  more  sea- 
sons apply  the  same  treatment  to  the  other. 

Wages  during  Illness  :  lnterrogavi  &■  Macintosh. 
A  servant  is  entitled  to  his  full  wages  during  a 
period  of  temporary  illness,  although  the  master 
has  to  employ  someone  else  to  do  his  work.  The 
master  may,  if  he  pleases,  put  an  end  to  Ins 
liability  to  pay  the  wages  of  a  disabled  servant 
by  giving  him  the  customary  notice  required  in 
that  class  of  work  in  which  the  servant  is  em- 
ployed, but  unless  such  notice  is  given  the 
liability  continues.  The  fact  that  sick  pay  is 
given  by  a  Benefit  Society  does  not  affect  the 
point. 

Communications  Received.— W.  W.  1 1.  and  S.  (We  cannot 
ms.  it  paragraphs  in  the  editorial  columns  at  the  request 
of  advertising  agents.)— A.  J.  E.  (thanks  for  2s.  for  the 
R.G.O.F.  box.)— W.  B.— L.  H.— E.  A.  (Cambridge)— 
W.  W.  P.— W.  G.  S.— L.  G.— J.  A.— W.  N.  W.— W.  \\ 
S.  A.— W.  I.— R.  B.— E.  M.—  J.  D.— J.  S.  B.-J.  D.  G- 
G.  H.  H.— E.  J.  A.— T.  G.— G.  B.— H.  T.  &  Co.— F.  M.- 
Mr-. II. -A.  J.  C— A.  C— G.  H.  B.-E.  F.  W.— G.  I>.-- 
H.  A.  M.-T.  S.-A.  P.-F.  N.— J.  T.  S. 

Foi  Market  Reports  set  f.ijc  x. 


December  7,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


585 


THE 

(BmhmtxB€\)wnklt 


No.  1,093.— SATURDAY,  December  7,  7907. 


CONTENTS. 


Bananas  as  a  food  for 
cattle     395 

Books,  notices  of — 
Gardening     in    Town 

and  Suburb 386 

The    Book  of  Water- 
Gardening   386 

Celosias,  the  culture  of    401 

Chrysant  he  mums, 
colour  variation  in    ...     400 

Chrysanthemum     notes    387 

Coal,  anthracite,  for 
greenhouse  heating  ...     401 

Colonial  produce,  an 
exhibition  of 395 

Country  garden,  the    ...    389 

Debating  societies, 
question-night  at       ..      400 

Diseases  of  plants      ...    394 

Exhibition,  the  forth- 
comingFranco-British    395 

Fernery  at  Wergs  Hall      394 

Floral  Committee's  ex- 
hibits at  the  R.H.S. 
Shows 400 

Forage  plants,  Legu- 
minous, propagation 
of  396 

Foreign  correspondence — 
The  genus  Magnolia...     390 

Fruit  register — 
A    new     remedy    for 
Peach  blister  ...     389 

Gooseberry,  Whinham's 
Industry  400 

Grafting  Tea  Roses      ...     899 

Grapes  at  the  Shrews- 
bury Show       400 

Grease-bands  for  fruit 
irt-es       404 

Hardy  flower  border  — 
Crocuses,    winter- 
flowering     396 

Kniphofia     multiflora    896 

Kew  notes — 
The  Greenhouse       ...    388 
TheTemperate  House    390 


Nitrogenous     manures, 
amount  of 396 

Nursery  notes — 

Laxton  Bros.,  Bedford    391 

Obituary— 
Battersea,  Lord        ...    396 

Orchid  notes  and  glean- 
ings— 
Bulbophyllum      pavi- 

mentatum     ...  SP7 

Dendrobium  nudum  386 
Listrostachys  vesicata  3  6 
Odonioglossum  grar.ee    3^7 

Pimento  in  Trinidad     ...     396 

Plant  notes — 
Select  species  of  JEs- 
chynanthus 389 

Potato,     black-scab,    or 
warty  disease  of         —     STT 

Rosary,  The  — 
Cultural  notes  for  De- 
cember             331 

Seed  and  soil  inoculation    385 

Societies- 
British  Gardeners*  As- 
sociation             402 

National  Chrys.  ...     40L 

Putney     and    Wands- 
worth Chrys.  ...     395 
Royal  Horticultural  ...     394 
(Scientific  Committee)     401 
Saltaire,  Shipley,  and 
District  Rose  ...    422 

Trees  and  shrubs,  notes 
on  some 300 

Week's  work,  the — 
Flower  garden,  the  ...  393 
Fruits  under  glass  ...  392 
Hardy  fruit  garden  ...  393 
Kitchen  garden,  the...  393 
Orchid  houses,  the  ...  393 
Parks  and  gardens  ...  39'2 
Plants  under  glass    ...     392 

Wright,  W.  P.,  presen- 
tation to  395 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Alsophila  excelsa  in  the  Temperate  House,  Kew  ...    390 

Apple  Sykehouse  Russet  trained  as  a  standard  cordon  391 
Bacteria  found   in   the    rout-nodules    of    Leguminous 

plants      —        --.    385 

Gooseberry  Whinham's  Industry 400 

Nodules  on  the  roots  of  a  Leguminous  plant      385 

Odontoglossum  grande,  a  fine  plant  of      3^7 

Pea  plants  which  have  been  inoculated  with  bacteria  ..     385 

Potatos  affected  with  warty  disease  397-398 

View  in  the  Fernery  at  Wergs  Hall  near  Wolverhampton 

(Supplementary  Illustration) 


SEED  AND  SOIL  INOCULATION. 

THE  discovery  during  recent  years  of  the 
important  part  played  by  certain  bac- 
teria found  in  the  soil,  in  maintaining 
soil  fertility  and  promoting  plant  growth  has 
directed  the  attention  of  all  up-to-date  horti- 
culturists to  the  immense  possibilities  to  be 
found  in  the  application  of  bacteriology7,  the 
most  recent  of  the  biological  sciences,  to  the 
oldest  pursuit  of  the  human  race. 

Among  the  many  different  kinds  of  in- 
visible life  incessantly  at  work  below  the 
surface  of  the  soil  in  fields  and  gardens,  the 
groupof  nitrogen-fixing  bacteria  are  of  speci;l 
importance  in  view  of  the  limited  amount  of 
combined  nitrogen  found  in  the  soil.  The 
nitrogen  naturally  in  the  soil  is  contained 
chiefly  in  the  organic  matter  present.  The 
processesof  decomposition  and  denitrification 
tend  to  reduce  this  stock  of  combined  nitrogen 
by  liberating  it  and  setting  it  free  as  gaseous 
nitrogen.  So  serious  is  this  loss  that  Sir 
William  Crookes,  at  the  meeting  of  the 
British  Association  in  1898,  predicted  a 
nitrogen  famine  within  fifty  years,  and  quite 
recently  Prof.  Sylvanus  Thompson  has  stated 
that  the  existing  sources  of  combined  nitro- 
gen will  be  exhausted  in  ten  years. 


And  yet  in  the  atmosphere  around  us  there 
is  practically  an  unlimited  supply  of  this  valu- 
able food  element  nitrogen  in  an  uncombined 
state.     It      is      estimated      that      there      are 


Fig.  157. — bacteria- noiules,  or  tcbercles,  on 
the  boots  of  a  leguminous  plan  i. 

75,000,000  lbs.  of  atmospheric  nitrogen  above 
every  acre  of  land  of  the  earth's  surface.  If 
this  free  nitrogen  could  be  combined  into  the 
form  in  which  it  exists  in  nitrate  of  soda,  it 
would  represent  a  value  of  ^72rooo,ooo  of 
nitrogen  over  every  acre.  Unfortunately  the 
majority  of  plants  are  not  able  to  avail  them- 
selves of  this  supply.  Recently  a  certain 
amount  of  this  free  nitrogen  has  been 
rendered  available  bv  electrical  methods,  and 
the  commercial  production  of  what  is  known 
as  lime  nitrogen  has  allayed  all  fears  of  a 
nitrogen  famine,  but  the  process  is  an  ex- 
pensive one,  and  the  product  almost  as  dear 
as  nitrate  of  soda. 


I 


\  u 


/ 


A 


Fig    158. — bacteria  found  in  the  nodules 
On'  the  roots  of  leguminous  plants. 

Fortunately  Nature  has  a  method  of  her 
own  for  tapping  the  treasure  of  the  air,  and 
lias  shown  us  how,  bv  means  of  her  wonder- 


working bacteria,  it  is  possible  to  obtain 
practically  unlimited  quantities  of  nitrogen 
from  the  air  for  the  use  of  plant  life  at  a 
very  small  cost.  These  bacteria  live  in  the 
nodules  or  tubercles  which  are  found  upon 
the  roots  of  all  leguminous  plants — Peas, 
Beans,  Clover,  Lucerne,  &c. — and  there 
multiply  and  absorb  the  free  nitrogen  from 
the  air,  and  cause  it  to  unite  with  other  ele- 
ments to  form  compounds  which  are  suitable 
for  plant  food. 

Centuries  ago,  Pliny,  writing  on  agricul- 
ture, stated  that  leguminous  or  pod-bearing 
plants  supplied  manurial  material  to  the  soil 
as  effectively  as  farm-yard  manure ;  and  in 
other  ancient  writings  on  agriculture  many 
references  are  found  as  to  the  necessity  for  in- 
cluding some  leguminous  crop  in  the  regular 
rotation. 

The  exact  meaning  of  this  was  not  under- 
stood until  quite  recent  times,  when  in  [886 
Ilellriegel,  in  Germany,  and  Marshall  Ward, 
in  this  country,  demonstrated  that  the  nodules 
which  are  found  on  the  roots  of  leguminous 


Fig.  159. — pea  plants  ;  the  larger  one  was 
inoculated  with  the  bacteria. 

plants  contain  colonies  of  bacteria  which 
have  the  power  of  absorbing  the  nitrogen  gas 
of  the  atmosphere  and  rendering  it  available 
as  plant  food,  and  the  more  numerous  the 
nodules  the  more  vigorous  are  the  plants 
owing  to  the  increased  amount  of  nitrogen 
absorbed.  In  1888  Beyerinck  found  it  pos- 
sible to  obtain  pure  cultures  of  these  bacteria 
on  artificial  media,  and  in  1890  Prazmowski 
succeeded  in  inoculating  the  roots  of  Bean 
plants  growing  in  sterilised  soils,  and  obtain- 
ing luxuriant  growth  by  simply  watering  the 
plants  with  a  liquid  culture  of  the  bacteria. 

At  this  stage  Prof.  Nobbe  took  up  the 
work,  and  showed  that  by  applying  pure 
cultures  of  certain  bacteria  to  certain  crops 
an  increase  in  root  nodules  resulted,  and  also 
an  increase  in  the  yield  of  the  crop.  He 
isolated  the  organisms  from  the  nodules  of  a 
number  of  leguminous  plants,  made  a  culture 


386 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[December  7,  1907. 


of  them  in  nutrient  gelatine,  and  sold  them 
under  the  trade  name  "  Nitragin."  Unfor- 
tunately, .litragin  did  not  prove  a  success. 
In  a  certain  number  of  cases  satisfactory 
results  were  obtained  from  its  use,  but  eventu- 
allv  the  proportion  of  failures  was  so 
numerous  that  its  manufacture  was  given  up. 
The  difficulty  appeared  to  be  in  preparing 
cultures  of  the  right  virulence  which  would 
not  deteriorate  during  transit.  His  theory  of 
inoculation  was  sound,  but  he  had  not  hit 
upon   the  correct  method  of  application. 

Little  more  was  done  at  this  subject  until 
1901,  when  the  United  States  Department  of 
Agriculture  commenced  "  a  scientific  investi- 
gation of  the  root-nodule  organism,  with  a 
view  to  making  practicable  for  use  in  the 
United  States  the  pure-culture  method  of 
inoculation."  It  was  soon  found  why 
Nobbe's  methods  of  culture  and  distribution 
were  so  uncertain  in  their  results.  Nobbe's 
bacteria  being  cultivated  in  gelatine  naturally 
preferred  to  feed  on  the  combined  nitrogen 
of  the  gelatine  rather  than  fix  the  free  nitro- 
gen of  the  atmosphere,  and  thus,  not  beini; 
obliged  to  work  for  their  living,  as  it  were, 
they  became  lazy  and  inactive,  and  lost  their 
virulence.  The  American  scientists  culti- 
vated their  bacteria  in  solutions  free  from 
organic  nitrogen,  and  demonstrated  that  by 
this  means  the  nitrogen-fixing  power  of  the 
organisms  was  increased.  That  is,  they  be- 
came very  active  and  virulent.  It  was  also 
demonstrated  that  the  bacteria,  when  dried  on 
cotton  wool  in  this  condition,  could  be  easily 
distributed. 

During  1903  and  1904  over  12,000  packages 
of  inoculating  material  were  sent  out  free 
by  the  Department  of  Agriculture  to  farmers 
in  the  various  States.  In  January,  1905,  a 
report  of  the  results  obtained  was  published, 
which  showed  that  74  per  cent,  of  the  trials 
were  successful.  The  most  astonishing  re- 
sults were  received  from  poor  soil  districts. 
One  report  states  that  "  worthless,  barren 
ground,  literally  too  poor  to  grow  weeds,  has 
been  inoculated  and  made  to  produce  crops 
four  times  as  large  as  those  taken  from 
average  uninoculated  soils.  Scores  of  aban- 
doned farms  have  been  reclaimed  simply  by 
inoculating  the  soils."  II'.  B.  Bottomley. 
(To  be  continued.) 


NOTICES    OF     BOOKS. 

"The   Book  of   Water   Gardening. 

This  book  gives  in  detail  the  practical  informa- 
tion necessary  to  the  selection,  grouping,  and 
cultivation  of  aquatic  and  waterside  plants.  It 
covers  all  conditions,  from  those  of  the  amateur 
with  but  a  few  plants  in  tubs,  to  those  prevailing 
in  a  large  estate  or  park.  It  contains  198  pages, 
and  it  is  profusely  illustrated  with  some  120  half- 
tones, many  diagrams,  and  two  double-page 
plates. 

Upon  even  a  cursory  glance  one  is  disposed 
tn  envy  the  luxuriance  of  the  tropical  and  semi- 
tropical  vegetation  illustrated  in  such  detail  and 
variety  ;  but  upon  closer  scrutiny  it  makes  one 
marvel  at  the  results  that  have  been  accom- 
plished in  America  in  the  growth  of  the  choicest 
forms  of  aquatic  plants.  We  in  England  can- 
not hope  to  equal,  much  less  to  surpass,  the  re- 
sults that  they  have  accomplished  in  the  culture 
of  the  tropical,  semi-tropical,  and  the  partially 
tender   plants   which    seem    to   revel    under   the 

/  /,  Booh  of  Water  Gardening,  by  Peter  Bisset.  New 
York  :  A.  T.  de  la  Mare  Printing  and  Publishing  Co.,  Ltd., 
1S07. 


clearer  skies  and  warmer  summers  with  which 
they  are  favoured.  With  the  hardy  Nymphseas 
it  may  perhaps  be  said  that  we  are  able  to 
produce  good   effects. 

The  plates  illustrate  many  beautiful  and  artis- 
tic effects  such  as  can  be  achieved  here  only 
under  glass.  Some  of  the  most  charming  plates 
in  this  work  are  as  follow: — An  Amateur's 
Water  Garden,  illustrating  the  Nelumbium,  the 
night-blooming  Nymphaeas,  as  well  as  some  of 
Marliac's  choicest  hybrids,  with  Edchornia 
crassipes  and  suitable  surroundings.  Another 
one,  which  portrays  Victoria  regia,  Musa,  and 
Nelumbium,  forms  a  striking  picture. 

Turning  to  gardens  of  larger  pretensions, 
there  is  an  illustration  of  the  water  garden  at 
Twin  Oaks,  Washington,  the  home  of  Mrs.  Gar- 
diner G.  Hubbard.  This  is  remarkable  by  rea- 
son of  the  surrounding  vegetation,  even  more 
perhaps  than  by  the  water  effect  itself  which  is 
somewhat  too  flat ;  but  the  Water  Lilies  are 
luxuriating  to  a  wonderful  degree.  In  this  pic- 
ture the  importance  of  a  screen  is  clearly  de- 
noted. One  plate  illustrates  the  Victoria  regia 
growing  without  artificial  heat,  and  it  is  evi- 
dently quite  at  home.  Illustration  and  sugges- 
tive diagrams  are  given  of  pools,  basins,  and 
the  like  for  the  culture  of  water  plants.  One,  on 
a  large  scale,  might  well  be  adopted  in  the 
more  important  gardens  in  this  country,  especi- 
ally in  public  gardens.  Some  of  these  are  shown 
with  heating  arrangements  and  some  without 
them.  It  is  a  comparatively  easy  matter,  even  in 
this  country,  to  cultivate  the  tropical  Nymphaeas 
in  heated  houses,  more  could  certainly  be  done 
by  us  in  this  direction.  Several  plates  are  occu- 
pied with  single  specimens  of  the  tropical  and 
the  hardy  Nymphaaas.  Those  who  are  familiar 
with  these  will  readily  recognise  many  of  the 
varieties,  and  those  who  are  not  so  well  ac- 
quainted with  the  diversity  that  exists  amongst 
them  might  obtain  much  useful  information  by 
a  careful   perusal   of  its   pages. 

In  the  letterpress  will  be  found  instructive  in- 
formation upon  the  problems  that  arise  from 
the  first  conception  or  creation  of  a  water  gar- 
den up  to  its  complete  finish.  The  importance 
of  shelter,  already  alluded  to,  is  clearly  demon- 
strated, and  lists  of  suitable  plants  are  given. 
The  work  connected  with  the  making  of  ponds, 
the  compost  for  the  plants,  the  planting  in  the 
pond,  or  in  boxes  or  tubs,  is  all  fully  described. 
Selections  of  the  best  Water  Lilies  and  miscel- 
laneous aquatic  plants  for  cultivation  by  begin- 
ners aire  given,  and  appropriate  plants  are 
enumerated  for  planting  at  the  margins  and  on 
the  surroundings  of  the  water.  The  propagation 
of  Water  Lilies  is  described  and  illustrated.  In- 
sects, diseases,  and  other  enemies  are  treated 
of  clearly.  The  book  is  written  in  a  most 
interesting  and  attractive  fashion.  As  the 
author  states  in  the  preface:  "It  is  a  heart-to- 
heart  talk,  devoid  of  literary  pretension,  with 
those  of  kindred  tastes  to  my  own."  It  is  a 
work  that  can  be  confidently  recommended,  and 
even  if  one  has  no  ambition  to  enter  upon  the 
culture  of  aquatic  plants,  it  will  afford  instruc- 
tive reading.  But  to  those  who  wish  to  enter 
upon  or  extend  their  cultivation  of  such  species, 
it   will  be  indispensable,     /as.  Hudson. 

♦Gardening  in  Town  and  Suburb. 

We  think  that,  in  spite  of  the  great  number  of 
books  treating  of  gardening  in  its  various 
phases,  there  is  room  for  this  latest  addition  to 
them.  It  is  chiefly  intended  for  the  instruc- 
tion of  the  amateur  who  may  be  the  possessor 
of  a  garden  in  the  suburb  or  more  open  part 
of  a  large  town,  and  may  give  him  a  lead  on 
subjects  of  which  he  may  have  but  a  small 
amount  of  knowledge,  although  he  may  yet 
have  ideals.  The  author  commences,  as  a  prac- 
tical man  should  do,  by  giving  the  more  neces- 
sary details  of  laying  out  a  garden  which  has  a 
border  of  herbaceous  plants  as  its  chief  feature. 

*  By  Harry  II.  Thomas.  Longmans,  Green  &  Co.,  39, 
Paternoster  Row,  London  ;  price  2s.  Gd.  net.    Crown  8vo.  ; 

illustrated. 


A  select  list  is  given  of  suitable  plants  that  will 
make  the  border  gay  with  flowers  from  winter 
to  the  end  of  autumn. 

Uoses — an  inexhaustible  subject — are  naturally 
conceded  a  large  space  in  the  book,  the  best 
methods  of  pruning  the  various  classes  being 
pretty  fully  explained,  and  a  sufficiently  long 
list  of  the  varieties  afforded. 

Carnations  and  Pinks,  good  town  plants,  in- 
cluding Border,  Perpetual,  and  "Ma'lmaison" 
Carnations,  Laced  Pinks,and  the  so-called  Border 
Pinks,  Chinese  or  Indian  (Dianthus  chinensis), 
&c,  have  a  chapter  to  themselves,  together  with 
useful  information  in  regard  to  propagation. 
Lilies  and  bulbous  plants  are  enumerated  and 
species  indicated.  Considerable  stress  is  laid  on 
the  uses  of  annuals,  and  a  fairly  comprehensive 
list  is  given  of  these.  We  miss  the  fragrant 
Clematis  flammula  from  the  list  of  climbing 
plants — a  favourite  with  everyone  for  its  masses 
of  white  blossoms,  that  are  produced  on  the  plant 
in  almost  any  kind  of  soil.  Everyone  who  has 
remarked  the  dirty  appearance  of  the  foliage  of 
evergreens  in  towns  will  agree  with  the  author 
in  his  preference  for  hardy  deciduous  shrubs. 
He  should  have  included  the  beautiful  Forsythias 
and  such  hardy  Fuchsias  as  Riccartonii  and 
globosa ;  also  such  fragrant  plants  as  Rose- 
mary, Lavender,  and  the  "  Old  Man "  (Arte- 
misia), Sweet  Verbena,  and  Lemon  Thyme. 
"  Tub"  gardening  and  roof  gardens  each  receive 
a  word  of  commendation.  Fruit  trees  as  covering 
for  walls,  and  as  cordons  and  bushes  are  noted, 
and  suitable  kinds  are  enumerated ;  but  that 
capital  variety  of  Pear  that  fruits  freely  about 
London,  the  Chaumontel,  is  not  included  in  the 
list.  The  Greengage  Plum  is  another  that  fruits 
freely  and  is  omitted. 

Many  amateurs  will  be  glad  of  the  chapter  on 
bulbs  planted  in  "  fibre."  There  is  useful  infor- 
mation afforded  on  the  culture  of  plants  in  warm 
and  cold  greenhouses  and  unheated  frames  ;  on 
the  cultivation  of  the  Grape  vine  in  a  green- 
house, and  of  plant  culture  in  window  boxes, 
and  in  apartments.  In  connection  with  this  last- 
mentioned  subject,  there  are  some  pertinent  re- 
marks on  the  proper  affording  of  water  to  the 
plants,  a  matter  of  much  difficulty  to  many 
amateurs. 

ORCHID    NOTES    AND    GLEANINGS. 


LISTROSTACHYS  VESICATA. 

This  very  singular  species  from  West  Africa 
is  flowering  with  the  Hon.  Walter  Rothschild,  at 
Tring  Park,  and  although  the  flowers  are  small, 
their  structure  and  arrangement  are  very  curious. 
The  plant  produces  long  spikes  of  small 
greenish-white  flowers,  a  few  at  the  base  being 
arranged  so  closely  together  as  to  appear  to  be 
in  pairs,  the  remainder,  to  the  number  of  about 
100,  being  arranged  alternately  and  in  opposite 
rows.  Lindley,  in  Bot.  Reg.,  29  (1843),  Misc., 
p.  6,  under  Angraecum  vesicatum,  remarks: 
•'  From  the  Ashantee  country,  whence  it  was 
obtained  by  Messrs.  Loddiges.  It  bears  white, 
inconspicuous  flowers,  whose  spurs  look  like  a 
horn  with  a  semi-transparent  bladder  at  the 
end."  The  bladder  alluded  to  is  nearly  as  large 
as  the  flower,  and  gives  it  a  very  quaint  appear- 
ance. 

DENDROBIUM   NUDUM. 

A  fine  specimen  of  this  extremely  rare  and 
little-known  Javan  species  has  flowered  with  the 
Hon.  Walter  Rothschild.  The  plant  resembles 
a  slender  D.  fimbriatum,  and  the  flowers,  winch 
are  produced  in  succession  for  a  considerable 
time,  are  in  fascicles  of  two  or  three ;  each 
flower  is  about  the  size  of  the  D.  fimbriatum 
alluded  to,  but  totally  different  in  structure,  thf 
large  and  stout  mentum,  which  forms  the  lowei 
part,  being  very  conspicuous.  The  flowers  are 
yellow  with  a  nankeen  shade,  and  there  are 
purple  markingf  on  the  lip.  Mr.  R.  A.  Kolfe 
makes  the  D.  auroroseum  of  Rchb.  f,  in  Bolt' 
plandia,  a  synonym  of  this  D.  nudum,  I. null. 
Gen.  et  sf.  Orch.,  85. 


December 


1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


387 


BULBOPHYLLUM  PAVIMENTATUM. 
To  lovers  of  Bulbophyllums  this  charming 
little  plant  should  appeal  very  strongly,  for  it  is 
neat  in  habit  and  produces  its  brightly-coloured 
flowers  in  profusion.  A  plant  now  in  flower  at 
Tring  Park,  on  a  specimen  obtained  by  the  I  I  a 
Walter  Rothschild  from  Nigeria,  has  eight 
spikes,  and  more  are  appearing.  The  s'.ender, 
arching  stems  bear  sprays  of  closely  arranged 
crimson  flowers,  the  bases  of  the  petals  being 
white  and  the  fleshy  lip  furnished  with  rows  of 
hair-like  processes.  It  was  originally  found  by 
Mann  on  the  barks  of  the  Nun  River,  where  it 
is  reported  that  the  ground  in  places  is  "  closely 
paved  with  the  pseudo-bulbs  of  this  spe   i 

ODONTOGLOSSUM  GRANDE. 

'i  he  plant  of  Odontoglossum  grande  illus- 
trated at  fig.  160  is  in  the  collection  of  J. 
Oakshott,  Esq.,  Oaklands,  Lower  Bebington, 
Birkenhead,  whose  gardener,  Mr.  Findlow, 
obligingly  forwarded  us  the  photograph.  The 
specimen  is  growing  in  a  pot  10 J  inches  in  dia- 
meter, and  it  recently  bore  55  fully-developed 
flowers.  We  give  the  following  extract  from 
Mr.   Findlow's  letter:  — 

"  Our  plants  of  Odontoglossum  grande  are 
placed  at  the  warmest  end  of  the  cool  house. 
They  were  formerly  accommodated  in  the  inter- 
mediate house  during  their  growing  season,  but 
we  find  they  succeed  equally  well  if  they  are 
allowed  to  remain  in  the  cool  house  all  the  year 
through.  During  the  season  of  growth,  occa- 
sional applications  of  w-eak  manure  water  are 
given.  The  staging  about  the  pots  is  damped 
occasionally  with  soot  water.  This  species  re- 
quires rather  more  light  during  the  summer- 
time than  O.  crispum,  and  they  are  afforded 
ventilation  whenever  possible.  When  the  flower- 
ing period  is  over,  the  plants  are  kept  fairly  moist 
for  a  few  weeks,  in  order  to  encourage  them  to 
develop  stout  pseudo-bulbs.  The  amount  of 
moisture  supplied  to  the  roots  is  then  gradually 
decreased,  but  they  are  never  allowed  to  become 
sufficiently  dry  to  cause  the  pseudo-bulbs  to 
shrivel.  The  rooting  medium  is  the  ordinary 
compost  used  for  Odontoglossums,  viz.,  chopped 
peat  and  sphagnum  moss  (no  leavesl,  and  a  good 
sprinkling  of  finely-crushed  crocks.  O.  grande 
has  a  reputation  for  losing  its  vigour,  but  the 
plants  in  thesa  gardens  improve  each  year. 
Several  of  the  growths  developed  three  flower- 
spikes  this  season,  and  some  had  nine  perfect 
flowers  on  one  spike." 


CHRYSANTHEMUM    NOTES. 


CHRYSANTHEMUM  F.  S.  VALLIS. 
This  year  in  Paris  F.  S.  Vallis  was  shown  in 
splendid  form.  M.  G.  Truffaut  had  300  colossal 
blooms  of  it  in  a  single  exhibit,  and  M. 
Dubuisson-Foubert  also  staged  an  enormous 
vase  filled  with  grand  examples.  For  the 
special  prize  offered  for  the  finest  and  largest 
flower  in  the  show,  F.  S.  Vallis,  shown  by  M. 
Dubuisson-Foubert,  was  an  easy  1st.  From  tip 
to  tip  it  measured  40  centimetres  (16  inches). 
The  best  bloom  shown  by  him  last  year  was 
48  centimetres  in  diameter.  The  variety  was 
distributed  by  M.   Calvat   in   1902. 

AMERICAN  VARIETIES. 

The  varieties  which  came  to  England  in  such 
numbers  less  than  20  years  ago  and  many  of 
which  were  so  frequently  exhibited  at  the  Eng- 
lish and  French  shows,  are  rapidlv  disappear- 
ing. It  is  curious  that  no  effort  is  being  or  has 
been  made  by  American  growers  to  send  their 
novelties,  but  the  fact  remains  that  for  a  long 
time  past  w-e  have  had  but  few  additions  to  our 
collections  from  the  other  side  of  the  Atlantic. 

After  visiting  the  London  parks,  the  trade 
shows,  and  the  English  and  French  exhibitions, 
I  have  only  noted  the  names  of  the  following 
survivors  of  the  American-raised  varieties,  viz.  : 
W.    Tricker    (bright   rosy-pink),    Hairy   Wonder, 


Delaware  (Anemone),  Simplicity  (white  Jap- 
anese), Mrs.  E.  G.  Hill  (a  big  early  pink), 
Modestum,  E.  W.  Childs,  Mrs.  Judge  Benedict 
(Anemone),  Good  Gracious  (a  most  distinct, 
whorled  variety),  Louis  Boehmer  (hairv), 
Mutual  Friend,  Col.  W.  B.  Smith,  and  W. 
Falconer  (hairy I. 

CHRYSANTHEMUM  MME.  PAOLO 
KADAELLI. 
This  is  a  grand  flower  wherever  grown,  and 
a  fine  specimen  of  it  was  awarded  2nd  prize  at 
the  Paris  Show  in  the  class  for  the  biggest  bloom 
in  the  show.  Not  long  ago  it  threw  a  fine 
yellow  sp,,rt  which  was  distributed  under  the 
name  of  Mme.  G.  Rivol,  which  has  been  seen 
this  season  in  good  form.  Another  new  sport 
has  now  appeared.  It  bears  the  name  of  Mile 
Marthe  Raffard ;  the  colour  is  reddish-butt  oi 
chamois,  and  it  resembles  its  parent  in  every 
other  respect. 

EARLY    CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 

At  the  recent  Paris  Show,  M.  Aug.  Nonin 
staged  a  nice  collection  of  new  large-flowering 
early  varieties,  but  before  these  can  be  tried  in 
England  his  novelties  of  last  year  will  probably 
have  to  be  distributed.  These  have  been 
described  by  a  well-kn  ami  English  trade  growei 


thronged  the  Pans  Show,  especially  during  the 
afternoons  and  evenings,  were  an  object-lesson. 
Looking  over  my  notes,  I  am  inclined  to  think 
that  the  following  may  justly  be  described  as 
the  most  popular  show  flowers,  the  selection 
being  taken  both  from  the  classes  for  plants, 
and  from  those  for  cut  flowers :  Baronne 
Yinols  is  a  charming  decorative  variety 
plentifully  used  as  a  border  or  edging  for  big 
groups  in  conjunction  with  a  little  yellow  dwarf- 
growing  Pompon  called  Gerbe  d'Or.  Baronne 
Vinols  is  a  pretty  shade  of  pinkish-amaranth  or 
purple,  with  white  tips.  It  is  incorrectly  known  in 
this  country  as  Caprice  du  Printemps.  There  are 
probably  half-a-dozen  sports  from  it,  but  none 
to  my  taste  are  so  effective  as  the  parent.  Tokio 
is  a  grand  thing  for  specimen  plants — a  stiff 
petalled,  pale  pink  Japanese.  In  large  blooms, 
Duchesse  d'Orleans,  W.  R.  Church,  F.  S.  Vallis 
(superb),  Mme.  Paolo  Radaelli  (always  fine),  F. 
Pilon,  Mme.  Rene  Oberthiir,  Sapho,  W.  Duck- 
ham,  Naples  (not  large  but  very  effective),  Alexis 
Dessarps  (a  fine  yellow,  hairy  flower),  Mr.  T. 
Carrington,  Mrs.  I'oombes,  President  Viger, 
Mme.  Nagelnakers,  Marquise  Visconti-Venosta, 
Souvenir  de  Bailleul,  La  Gracieuse,  Princess 
Alice  de  Monaco,  Mrs.  Barkley,  E.  J.  Brooks,  M. 
Loisseau-Rousssau,   General    Hutton,   Le    Bou- 


FlG.  l6o. —  PLANT  OF  ODONTOGLOSSUM  bHANDE  WITH  55  EXPANDED  FLOWERS. 


as  the  best  lot  M.  Nonin  has  ever  sent  out,  and, 
indeed,  in  this  section  of  early-flowering  varieties 
M.  Nonin  seems  to  be  one  of  the  most  capable 
growers  on  the  ether  side  of  the  Channel. 
They  are  mostly  medium-sized,  useful  little 
Japanese  varieties,  produced  on  bushy,  dwarf 
plants  eminently  suitable  for  the  open  ground. 
They  are  all  very  free-flowering,  and  are  first- 
class  amateurs'  plants  where  a  displav,  or 
blooms  for  cutting  are  required.  Thev  begin  to 
flower  in  September  or  October. 

SOME  POPULAR  CHRYSANTHEMUMS  IN' 
FRANCE. 
Walking  round  the  various  exhibits  at  the 
Paris  and  Orleans  shows,  no  English  Chrvsan- 
themum  grower  could  fail  to  be  impressed  with 
the  large  number  of  well-known  flowers  that 
were  finely  shown  there.  Of  course  many  of 
the  varieties  are  local,  but  there  is  no  doubt  that 
most  of  the  good  English  and  Australian  seed- 
lings speedily  find  their  way  across  the  Channel. 
I  see  there  is  some  talk  about  Chrysanthe- 
mums losing  ground  here  in  England ;  it  is 
evident  that  in  France  they  have  not  yet  reached 
high-water  mark,   for  the   immense  crowds   that 


vier,  Reg.  Vallis,  Chrysanthemiste  Montigny,  J. 
H.  Silsbury,  Miss  Alice  Byron,  Lt.-Col. 
Ducroiset,  and  Australie.  These  were  all  remark- 
able blooms,  and  were  noted  in  a  walk  round 
the  exhibition  for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining 
the  best  varieties.  A  few  Incurveds  were  noted, 
but  they  were,  of  course,  greatly  in  the 
minority.  Anemone-flowered  varieties  were  non- 
existent. There  was  not  a  single  Pompon 
staged,  except  as  an  edging  for  some  of  the 
groups.     C.  Harman  Payne. 

SINGLE-FLOWERED  CHRYSANTHEMUM  3. 

As  far  back  as  1886  I  cultivated  this  sectio  1, 
and  ever  since  have  endeavoured  to  induce 
others  to  do  likewise.  I  do  not  know  a  society 
now  that  does  not  include  the  single-flovi 
varieties  in  its  prize  list,  even  to  the  extent  of 
making  groups  of  plants  almost  entirelv  of 
"  singles." 

At  no  show  that  I  have  visited  during  the  last 
few  years  has  there  lacked  entries  in  these 
classes,  but,  on  the  contrary,  in  many  instances 
as  many  as  10  competitors  have  taken  their  part. 
In  addition  to  the  above  practice  of  displaying 
them  for  table  decoration,  the  plants  themselves 


388 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[December  7,  1907 


produce  a  distinctly  pleasing  effect.  Associated 
with  other  foliage,  and  arranged  in  baskets, 
they  are  at  once  light,  graceful,  bright,  and  in 
every  way  charming. 

The  sprays  are  usually  arranged  in  vases,  the 
blooms  being  limited  or  not  in  number,  and  a 
capital  effect  they  produce.  At  one  time  it  was 
remarked  that  the  colours  were  all  too  dull  and 
sombre ;  there  was  a  want  of  brightness  that 
lessened  the  value  of  the  flower  as  a  decorative 
subject.  No  such  charge  can  be  made  now,  for 
there  is  an  abundance  of  colour  of  all  shades. 
I  have  no  liking  for  those  varieties  with  several 
rows  of  florets,  which  are  really  semi-double 
in  character  and  are  not  nearly  so  effective 
in  arrangement.  This  defect  occurs  very  much 
in  what  are  best  known  as  early-flowering  varie- 
ties— those  capable  of  giving  abundance  of 
flowers  in  the  open  in  October.  As  garden 
flowers  there  is  not  much  objection  to  them, 
but  when  cutting  they  cannot  be  arranged  to 
produce  the  best  effect.  There  is  a  tendency 
in  some  varieties  of  the  ordinary  November- 
flowering  sorts  to  become  semi-double  ;  this  is  a 
defect  which  I  hope  raisers  will  remedy. 

The  cultivation  of  single-flowering  Chrysan- 
themums is  very  simple  ;  an  immense  quantity 
of  blossom  can  be  produced  from  9-inch  pots, 
or  even  in  a  7-inch  pot  a  full-sized  plant  can 
be  grown.  Insert  the  cuttings  in  January, 
pinch  the  tops  off  them  as  soon  as  the 
growths  are  4  inches  high,  and  allow  the  re- 
sultant shoots  to  ramble  away  at  will.  If  larger 
flowers  are  required  of  any  particular  variety, 
disbud  the  plants  to  the  degree  considered  neces- 
sary, but,  as  a  rule,  the  handsomest  plants  are 
obtained  in  specimens  that  have  not  been  dis- 
budded. Although  varieties  of  Chrysanthemums 
increase  in  great  numbers,  the  single-flowered 
varieties  probably  lead  in  this  respect,  as  they 
are  so  easily  raised,  therefore  the  compiling  of 
a  choice  selection  is  rendered  still  more  difficult 
for  those  who  have  not  any  previous  experience. 

*  have  drawn  up  a  list  of  two  dozen  desirable 
sorts  for  the  guidance  of  the  beginner  :— Mrs. 
J.  F.  McLeod,  probably  the  finest  yellow  variety 
in  cultivation  ;  Pink  Beauty,  rosy-pink  ;  Lady 
Mayoress  Sayers,  rich  yellow,  produced  in  fine 
sprays  ;  Felicity,  white,  a  large  reflexed  flower 
having  flat  florets,  a  very  fine  variety,  with  a 
rich  yellow  disc  ;  Victoria,  yellow,  flushed  with 
pink  and  rose  ;  Cannell's  Yellow,  having  narrow 
florets,  especially  at  the  tip  ;  Mrs.  Carr  Rad- 
cliffe,  rosy-carmine,  with  a  pure  white  inner 
ring  next  to  the  disc  which  renders  this  a  strik- 
ing variety ;  Framfield  White,  a  choice  late- 
fiowering  sort,  which  is  useful  ;  Nancy  Magilli- 
cuddy,  glowing  crimson  ;  Belle  of  Weybridge,  a 
chestnut  shade  of  crimson  ;  Edith  Pagram,  rich 
pink;  Bronze  Edith.  Pagrani;  reddish-bronze; 
G  W.  Forbes,  rich  crimson-amaranth  ;  Mary 
Anderson,  pale  blush  ;  Mrs.  E.  Roberts,  white, 
suffused  with  pink  ;  Mrs.  R.  N.  Parkinson, 
bright  yellow  ;  Mrs.  H.  J.  Hampson,  a  pretty 
shade  of  fawn  ;  Miss  Irene  Cragg,  white,  with  a 
yellow  centre;  Framfield  Beauty,  deep,  rich, 
velvety-crimson  ;  Mary  Richardson,  reddish- 
salmon  ;  F.  W.  Smith,  rich  pink  ;  Roupel 
Beauty,  wine  red  ;  Winnie  Sherring,  apricot ; 
and  Purity,  white.     E.  Molyniiiw 

NAMING    VARIETIES   AT    SHOWS. 

It  is  very  distressing  to  see  the  slovenly 
manner  in  which  Chrysanthemums  are  often 
named  at  shows.  Visitors  to  the  exhibitions  take 
an  interest  in  noting  the  varieties  that  attract 
them  most,  with  a  view  perhaps  of  adding  them 
to  their  collections.  In  this  way  gardeners  like 
to  take  stock  of  those  staged,  to  criticise,  and 
perhaps  to  find  fault  with  the  various  colours, 
forms,  and  general  manner  of  presentation.  All 
this  renders  the  flower  the  more  popular,  and 
oftentimes  leads  to  business  with  the  vendors 
of  new  varieties. 

The  common  manner  now  in  practice  of  nam- 
ing the  flowers  is  to  write  down  six  and  some- 
times  VI  names   on   an   ordinary   sized  envelop: 


or  card  of  a  similar  size,  and  place  this  list  of 
names — often  badly  written  with  a  poor  pencil — 
on  the  stand  in  front  of  the  blooms.  Exhibitors 
of  course  understand  the  method  so  generally  in 
vogue,  and  know  at  once  which  name  is  meant 
for  each  flower.  With  the  lady  visitor,  who 
may  be  a  keen  admirer  of  show  Chrysanthe- 
mums, it  is  totally  different ;  she  cannot  tell  the 
order  in  which  the  names  are  placed,  and  too 
often  moves  on  quite  uninformed,  and  thus  some- 
one suffers,  perhaps  the  society.  Very  often, 
too,  these  loose  labels  are  brushed  off  the  stand 
on  to  the  floor  by  various  causes,  and  the  names 
are  lost.  It  is  quite  an  exception  nowadays  to 
find  a  stand  of  blooms  labelled  in  a  proper 
manner.  I  think  societies  are  not  severe 
enough  in  imposing  penalties  for  such  lax  at- 
tention on  the  part  of  exhibitors.  Seldom  does 
one  see  a  printed  name  on  a  neat  card.  Mr. 
Fowler  Taunton  set  an  example  in  naming 
when  he  was  an  exhibitor  that  has  not  been  ex- 
celled, or  even  equalled.  He  had  a  wire 
arranged  with  three  spaces  fixed  in  front  of  his 
stand.  Into  this  the  three  printed  cards  were 
fixed,  giving  the  names  of  the  three  blooms 
behind.  Visitors  could  tell  at  a  glance  the  name 
of  each  bloom  in  the  stand. 

If  executive  bodies  would  but  penalise  de- 
faulters a  few  times,  there  would  soon  be  an 
improvement  in  the  methods  of  labelling  the 
flowers.     E.  M. 


KEW    NOTES. 


GREENHOUSE,  OR  "NO.  4." 
At  this  season  the  major  portion  of  the  floral 
display  is  obtained  from  Chrysanthemums. 
These  belong,  generally  speaking,  to  the  deco- 
rative and  single-flowered  sections,  being  more 
suitable  for  cultivation  as  bush-plants.  Varie- 
ties like  Source  d'Or,  Lady  Selborne,  Niveum, 
Ladysmith,  Emily  Wells,  Belle  of  Weybridge, 
F.arlswood  Beauty,  &c,  have  thre?  or  four 
flowers  on  a  shoot.  The  following  sorts  are 
disbudded  to  one  flower  on  a  shoot  ;  in  many 
instances  three  plants  are  grown  in  a  pot,  on 
which  there  are  15  to  20  flowers — Viviand  Morel, 
Charles  Davis,  Lady  Hanham,  Market  Red, 
Soleil  d'Octobre,  Souvenir  de  Petite  Amie,  &c. 
On  the  side  stages  smaller  plants  are  grown  in 
6-inch  pots  from  cuttings  rooted  the  end  of 
March.  Hood  varieties  for  this  purpose  are 
Soleil  d'Octobre.  Phcebus,  Ladysmith,  Ronald 
Ferguson,  Sceur  Melaine,  Nellie  Pockett,  and 
Market  Red.  Several  plants  of  Chrysanthemum 
indicum  are  worthy  of  mention,  the  contrast 
between  this,  one  of  the  original  species,  and 
the  other  plants  forming  an  excellent  example 
of  the  work  of  the  hybridist. 

The  side  stages  of  the  east  wing  are  en- 
tirely devoted  to  hard-wooded  plants.  Various 
species  and  varieties  of  Erica  are  the  most  pro- 
minent at  the  present  time.  These  include  E. 
hyemalis  and  var.  alba,  E.  gracilis  and  varieties, 
E.  caffra,  E.  melanthera,  and  E.  cerinthoides 
coronata.  The  distinct  Acacia  platyptera  is  one 
of  the  first  species  of  this  large  genus  to  flower, 
the  small  globular  blossoms  are  a  rich  yellow 
colour  and  freely  produced.  Several  varieties  of 
Correa  speciosa  are  interesting  ;  the  small  tubu- 
lar flowers  remain  a  long  time  on  the  plants. 
Correa  saligna  (syn.  C.  latifola)  has  con- 
spicuous rich  pink  flowers ;  it  thrives  better 
grafted  on  Correa  alba  than  on  its  own  roots. 
tltber  hard-wooded  plants  in  flower  are 
Epacris,  Platytheca  galioides,  and  Rondeletia 
gratissima. 

A  group  of  the  Scarlet  Sage,  Salvia  splendens, 
associated  with  Richardia  Childsiana  forms 
perhaps  the  brightest  feature  in  the  house.  The 
blue-flowered  S.  azurea  var.  grandiflora  (syn. 
Pitched)  is  a  useful  plant  at  this  season  of  the 
year.  The  plants  when  growing  must  not  be 
stopped  more  than  once  or  twice,  as  the  best 
flowers  are  obtained  from  long,  vigorous 
growths.     It   is   better   to   grow   three   plants   in 


a  pot  if  a  dozen  or  more  shoots  are  desired  on 
a  specimen.  Leonotis  dubia  is  not  so  brilliant 
in  colour  as  the  better-known  L.  Leonuras,  but 
it  is  worth  growing  nevertheless,  as  being  two  or 
three  months  earlier  in  flowering.  The  orange- 
yellow  heads  of  flowers  on  Jacobinia  chrysoste- 
phana  are  effective  ;  one  wonders  how  its  value 
for  greenhouse  decoration  was  overlooked  when 
first  introduced. 

The  rich  blue  flowers  of  Daedal.acanthus  ner- 
vosus,  better  known  in  gardens  as  Eranthemum 
pulchellum,  are  prominent  at  the  warm  end  of 
the  house.  It  is  a  valuable  winter-flowering 
plant  for  the  warm  greenhouse.  The  plants  of 
Peristrophe  speciosa  are  freely  sprinkled  with 
the  reddish-purple  flowers.  Chironia  linoides 
(syn.  C.  ixifera)  lasts  in  flower  over  a  long 
period,  the  flowers  are  pink,  the  glaucous  foliage 
reminding  one  of  miniature  Carnation  leaves. 
Two  plants  which  seem  never  out  of  flower 
are  Impatiens  Oliveri  and  Lantana  salvifolia 
(syn.   L.   delicatissima). 

The  ornamental  fruits  of  three  sorts  of 
Tomatos  hanging  from  plants  grown  in  pots  and 
trained  up  the  roof  are  a  distinct  feature  of  the 
house.  The  variety  Red  Currant  has  long 
racemes  of  fruits,  18  inches  or  more  in  length, 
often  with  50  fruits.  The  fruits  of  Sutton's  Cas- 
cade are  slightly  larger  and  the  racemes 
branched ;  on  one  raceme  there  are  70  fruits. 
The  remaining  variety  is  Cherry  Yellow.  The 
fruits  are  rather  larger  than  the  two  preceding 
sorts,   but  not   so  freely  produced. 

ROSES. 
At  the  present  time  (November  19)  it  is  still 
possible  to  cut  really  fine  Roses  in  the  open 
garden.  A  walk  round  the  Italian  Garden  at 
the  present  time  is  delightful.  Ouite  a  number 
of  the  sorts  are  in  flower,  several  making  a  brave 
show.  The  place  of  honour  as  the  best,  must 
be  given  to  Frau  Karl  Druschki,  from  a  bed  of 
which  50  lovely  snow-white  flowers  with  long 
stems  could  be  easily  cut.  Near  at  hand  is 
the  popular  Madame  Abel  Chatenay,  truly  one 
of  the  best  Roses  for  the  garden  or  as 
cut  flowers.  Caroline  Testout  is  well  known 
as  a  perpetual-flowering  Rose ;  here  it  is  still 
blooming  freely.  Mrs.  W.  J.  Grant,  Lady 
Ashtown,  one  of  the  newer  kinds,  together 
with  La  France  and  Auguste  Guinoiseau, 
amongst  the  Hybrid  Tea  section,  are  all  deserv- 
ing of  special  mention.  The  best  of  the  varie- 
ties are  Anna  Olivier,  G.  Nabonnand,  and  Sou- 
venir de  Pierre  Notting.  The  name  of  Hybrid 
Perpetual  is  really  a  misnomer  for  most  of  the 
varieties  included  in  that  section.  Exception 
must  be  made  of  the  two  sorts  Dupuy  Jamain 
and  Alfred  Colomb.  At  the  present  time  two 
beds  of  the  former  variety  and  one  of  the  latter 
have  a  good  number  of  flowers  on  them.  The 
China  section  is  best  represented  by  Madame 
Eugenie   Resal. 

OUTDOOR  CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 
The  present  season  has  been  an  exceptionally 
good  one  for  these  plants.  During  the  past 
three  months  Chrysanthemums  have  been  a 
conspicuous  feature  of  the  outdoor  department 
at  Kew  between  the  Cumberland  Gate  and  the 
Kew  Green  entrance  to  the  gardens.  The  plants 
were  grown  in  one  of  the  nurseries,  and  carefully 
transplanted  with  good  balls  of  soil  at  the  end 
of  July  and  beginning  of  August  to  beds  and 
borders  in  which  annuals  had  flowered  in  early 
summer.  The  Duchess  border  alone  contains  a 
thousand  plants  consisting  mainly  of  the  three 
varieties  Flora  (yellowl,  La  Luxemburg  (bronze- 
yellow),  and  Crimson  Marie  Massie.  For  fully 
two  months  this  has  been  a  delightful  study  in 
crimson  and  gold,  eminently  suitable  for  this 
season  of  the  year.  Other  popular  sorts  at  Kew 
are  Piercy's  Seedling  (bronze-yellow),  White  St. 
Crouts,  Pink  Marie  Massie,  Ryecroft  Glory  (rich 
yellow),  Polly  (amber- yellow),  Perle  Rose  (pearl- 
pink),  Rosie  (terra-cotta),  and  Ralph  Curtis 
(creamy-white).    D.  D. 


December  7,  1907.] 


THE     GA  R  D  EA>  ER  S'     CHR  ON  ICE  E. 


389 


THE  COUNTRY  GARDEN. 

PLANTS  POSSESSING  PERFUME. 

There  is  a  certain  amount  of  sentiment,  but 
charming  sentiment,  in  having  what  for  lack 
ot  a  better  name  I  must  call  a  garden  or  gar- 
dens within  the  garden.  Thus  the  Rose 
garden,  the  rock  garden,  the  garden  of  sweet 
scents,  perhaps  the  herb  garden,  the  old- 
fashioned  garden,  sometimes  even  a  garden  de- 
voted to  one  family — the  garden  of  Poppies  for 
instance.  We  do  well  to  emphasise  the  value 
of  titles  such  as  these  which,  given  to  the 
different  portions,  make  for  well-marked  charac- 
terisation  and  distinction. 

The  weak  point  of  many  of  our  English  gar- 
dens lies  in  the  monotony  that  runs  through  the 
whole  space  ;  whereas  if  the  different  portions 
were  known  by  distinct  titles  there  would  be  a 
more  definite  basis  to  work  upon,  and  greater 
individuality  and  character  would  result.  I  am 
going  to-day  to  write  down  a  few  thoughts  on 
the  seasonable  making  and  stocking  of  a  garden 
of  sweet  scents.  It  may  be  that  the  position  will 
allow  of  a  rather  definite  marking  off  of  its 
limits ;  this  entirely  must  depend  upon  the 
surroundings.  This  marking  off  may  be  as  slight 
and  unostentatious  as  a  hedge  of  Lavender  or 
Rosemary,  or  Southern  Wood — or,  on  the  con- 
trary, it  might  be  found  that  high  Fir  poles 
grown  about  with  fragrant  Honeysuckle  and 
Clematis  would  not  be  too  important  a 
boundary.  Then  as  to  the  form  this  little 
garden  within  a  garden  shall  take  ;  this  again 
must  be  decided  by  each  gardener  for  himself, 
according  to  the  plan  he  has  to  work  on.  I 
can  only  suggest  a  very  charming  little  gar- 
den of  sweet  scents  consists  of  four  borders 
surrounding  a  square  plot  of  grass,  with  or 
without  a  pathway  between  the  grass  and  the 
borders.  For  preference,  I  should  say  by  all 
means  have  the  pathways  where  possible,  be- 
cause they  add  greatly  to  the  sense  of  com- 
pleteness. 

The  squareness,  the  neat  grass  plot,  the 
straight  pathways,  all  accentuate  the  sense  of 
formality.  To  many  people  this  will  be  plea- 
sant, and  it  will  help  to  produce  the  sense  of 
neatness  and  trimness  that  should  rule  in  these 
gardens  within  gardens.  The  trimness  may 
further  be  emphasised  by  having  an  edg- 
ing round  the  four  sides ;  and  what  can 
be  more  suitable,  more  beautiful  even, 
than  a  border  of  the  old-fashioned  white 
Pinks?  These,  by  the  way,  are  far  to  be  pre- 
ferred to  the  heavier  Mrs.  Sinkins  and  others  of 
a  similar  type,  as  the  old-fashioned  smaller 
flowers  do  not  get  dashed  down  with  the  rain, 
and  they  make  a  denser  mass  of  colour  on  their 
wiry,  strong  stems.  Even  when  not  in  blossom 
the  plants  make  a  trim,  beautiful  edging.  Too 
many  people  think,  however,  that  a  Pink  edg- 
ing once  planted  is  planted  for  ever.  This  is  a 
mistake.  Taking  the  Dianthus  family  as  a  whole, 
it  is  not  a  long-lived  one — at  least,  I  will  not 
exactly  say  that,  but  when  old  they  become  un- 
sightly and  leggy,  and  the  richer  and  heavier 
the  soil  the  oftener  will  the  plants  have  to  be 
renewed.  In  poor  soil  I  have  a  border  in  capital 
condition  that  has  been  established  over  five 
years,  but  I  know  of  another  garden  containing 
a  heavy  clay  soil  in  which  a  similar  edging  has 
worn  out  in  the  same  period.  However,  it 
is  no  serious  matter  to  reset  a  Pink  edging 
occasionally ;  it  is  not  even  necessary  to  have 
recourse  to  layering :  cuttings  put  in  after 
flowering  make  healthy  young  plants. 

We  must  be  careful  to  introduce  as  many  as 
possible  of  the  flowers  which  have,  as  it  were, 
the  sentiment  of  fragrance  about  them :  those 
which  for  their  perfume  poets  have  lauded  and 
the  whole  world  has  learned  to  cherish  and  to 
legard  with  particular  affection.  Thus  we  must 
see  to  it  that  we  plant  here  the  Lily  .and  the 
Violet,  Lavender  and  Jasmine,  the  Poet's  Nar- 
cissus, the  Daphne,  the  Wallflower,  the  Lilac 
and  Philadelphus  (Mock  Orange  Flower],  and 
the  sweet-scented  Hyacinths. 


It  must  be  full  of  scent  over  as  long  a  period 
as  possible,  and  in  summer  the  perennial  plants 
can  be  augmented  by  several  annuals — Sweet 
Peas,  which  may  be  sown  the  first  week  in 
November  except  in  very  heavy  soil,  Nicotiana 
affinis,  Sweet  Sultan,  Stocks,  and  others. 

It  is,  I  find,  an  excellent  plan  to  make  a 
late  spring  sowing  of  Mignonette,  as  this  will 
go  flowering  on  into  autumn  in  better  condition 
than  almost  any  other  summer-flowering  plant. 

The  Lilies,  where  possible,  may  be  autumn 
planted ;  and  we  must  remember  that  many 
varieties  flower  well  under  partial  shade,  and 
these  too  are  invaluable  for  autumn  flowering 
and  perfume. 

Half-hardy  subjects  will  help  to  add  to 
the  summer  display— Heliotrope,  Scented  Ver- 
bena,   Oakleaf   Pelargonium,   and   Brugmansias. 

We  must  bear  in  mind  that  a  good  number 
of  the  sweet-scented  flowers  are  of  somewhat 
sombre  hue.  But  we  desire  brightness,  and  we 
can  have  it  if  we  plant  generously  of  those  varie- 
ties that  are  brilliant.  Thus,  the  spring  Wall- 
flowers, with  the  two  bulbous  plants  I  have 
mentioned  (Hyacinths  and  the  Poet's  Narcissus) 
should  be  largely  planted  for  spring  display. 
The  biennial  Stocks  in  vivid  rose-crimson  are 
grand  bits  of  colour,  and  should  be  well  used, 
and  in  the  best  condition  possible,  so  that  they 
stand  out,  a  beautiful  keynote  of  colour.  The 
brightest  tints  of  the  Sweet  Peas  should  be 
carefully  selected. 

In  choosing  such  plants  as  Heliotrope  for  this 
garden  of  sweet  scents,  bright  tones,  such  as 
that  found  in  the  variety  President  Garfield,  are 
strongly  recommended.  There  is  not  a  great 
choice  of  fragrant  yellow  flowers,  but  yellow 
Sweet  Sultan,  Musk,  and  Melilotus  officinalis, 
and  some  of  the  Evening  Primroses  are  delight- 
fully scented  ;  and,  as  already  mentioned,  for 
background  there  may  be  great  poles  of  Koses 
and  Honeysuckle,  Clematis,  and  Jasmine. 
Practical  Gardiner. 


PLANT    NOTES. 


FRUIT    REGISTER. 


A    NEW   REMEDY    FOR   PEACH   BLISTER. 

I  had  an  opportunity  recently  of  seeing  the 
effects  of  a  new  fungicide  name  Medela,  in 
Messrs.  Geo.  Bunyard  and  Co.'s  Allington  nur- 
sery, near  Maidstone.  The  specific  had  answered 
splendidly,  as  the  dressed  trees  were  quite  free 
not  only  from  blister  but  from  leaf  curl.  Some 
kinds  of  fruit  trees,  notably  certain  varieties  of 
Peaches,  are  much  addicted  to  these  diseases. 
They  include  several  of  the  best  varieties  for 
flavour,  and  as  a  result  they  are  not  planted 
largely.  The  Peach  grower's  trouble  in  this  re- 
spect will  be  largely  minimised  if  Medela  be 
applied  twice  or  thrice  during  the  growing 
season,  giving  an  interval  of  a  fortnight  between 
the  dressings.  From  the  results  of  trials  made 
in  this  nursery,  notwithstanding  the  very  un- 
favourable season  which  has  suited  fungal 
diseases,  trees  that  were  treated  once  with 
Medela  showed  a  great  improven  ent.  and  others, 
to  which  a  second  and  third  dressing  had 
been  given,  were  quite  free  of  disease,  al- 
though trees  in  the  same  soil  and  posi- 
tion upon  which  the  specific  was  not  used 
suffered  badly.  The  makers  advise  its  appli- 
cation early  in  the  year  when  the  trees 
are  in  a  dormant  state.  Rain-water  is  recom- 
mended for  its  mixing.  The  trees  should  be 
syringed  when  the  buds  are  dormant,  and  again 
when  they  are  bursting,  and  if  this  does  not 
effect  a  cure  it  may  be  applied  when  the  foliage 
is  fully  developed,  but  at  that  period  it  must  be 
used  in  a  weaker  state.  Medela  is  also  an  ex- 
cellent remedy  for  mildew  and  other  pests. 
In  heavy  clay  soils  and  gardens  badty  drained, 
blister  is  most  troublesome,  and  I  recommend 
a  trial  of  this  preparation.  For  mildew  on  the 
foliage  I  would  advise  its  use  freely,  but  in  a 
weaker  state.  Trees  grown  under  glass,  if  sub- 
ject to  mildew  or  curl,  should  be  given  a  winter 
dressing.     Geo.   Wythcs. 


SELECT    SPECIES    OF   ^SCHYNANTHUS. 

The  flowering  of  the  ^Eschynanthus  takes 
place,  with  a  few  exceptions,  in  the  late  summer 
and  autumn  months,  when  its  bright-coloured 
blossoms  are  much  appreciated.  About  a  score 
of  species  have  been  at  one  time  or  another  in 
cultivation,  but  now  there  are  few  in  general 
cultivation,  though,  fortunately,  these  include 
some  of  the  very  best  for  gardens. 

One  of  the  very  finest  of  these  is  ALschynan- 
thus  speciosus,  which  has  woody  stems,  several 
of  which  are  developed  from  the  base. 
These  shoots  attain  to  a  length  of  2  feet,  and 
they  are  furnished  with  oppositely-arranged, 
ovate-lanceolate  leaves  of  a  dark  green  tint. 
The  flowers,  which  are  borne  in  terminal  clus- 
ters, are  individually  about  3  inches  long,  and 
have  a  peculiar  curved  shape — a  feature  common 
to  all  members  of  the  genus.  Their  petals  are 
coloured  scarlet-crimson,  and  are  marked  with 
darker  blotches  just  inside  the  expanded  mouth. 

Perhaps  the  best-known  member  of  the  genus 
is  M.  Lobbianus,  and  it  is  also  one  of  the  most 
beautiful.  The  stems  of  this  plant  are  slender 
and  coloured  purple  :  the  ovate  leaves  are  not 
more  than  an  inch  long  and  of  a  bright,  deep 
green.  The  inch  long,  thimble-shaped  calyx  is 
hairy  and  of  a  dark  purple  tint.  Protruding  from 
this  is  the  bright  scarlet  corolla,  curved  as  in  the 
others,  and  about  a  couple  of  inches  long.  As 
the  calyx  is  developed  some  little  time  before 
the  corolla,  the  plant  presents  the  appearance 
of  being  studded  with  dull,  thimble-shaped  blos- 
soms, but  as  the  corollas  develop  they  impart 
quite  a  different  appearance. 

JE.  pulcher  (syn.  J£.  Boschianus)  greatly  re- 
sembles the  preceding,  but  it  differs  principally 
in  having  larger  leaves,  a  shorter  greenish  calyx, 
and  a  longer  corolla,  that  is  coloured  scarlet 
and   yellow. 

JE.  Hildebrandii  is  a  small  but  pretty  species, 
which  was  introduced  to  Kew  in  1894,  and  dis- 
tributed by  Messrs.  James  Veitch  and  Sons,  of 
Chelsea,  two  or  three  years  later.  The  plant, 
however,  seems  to  have  almost  dropped  out  of 
cultivation.  This  is  to  be  regretted,  as  it  is  a 
charming  little  plant  and  quite  distinct  from 
any  of  the  other  species.  In  the  Shan 
States,  Burmah,  where  it  is  found  wild,  it  forms 
dense  tufts  on  the  trunks  of  trees  in  moist  situa- 
tions. The  erect  stems  reach  a  height  of  about 
4  inches,  and  are  clothed  with  small,  ovate, 
fleshy  leaves.  The  inflorescences  form  a  ter- 
minal cluster  of  tubular  flowers,  each  about  an 
inch  long  and  scarlet  in  colour.  Less  warmth 
is  required  in  the  cultivation  of  JE.  Hildebrandii 
than  for  most  of  the  members  of  the  genus,  and 
I  have  seen  it  thriving  in  a  cool  Orchid  house, 
associated  with  Odontoglossums  and  similar 
subjects. 

The  habitat  of  most  of  the  species  of  /Eschy- 
nanthus  is  south-eastern  Asia,  where  they  are 
found  growing  in  humid,  tropical  forests,  in 
company  with  Orchids  and  Ferns.  Several 
species  were  introduced  by  Thomas  Lobb,  when 
travelling  in  that  part  of  the  world  on  behalf 
of  Messrs.  James  Veitch  and  Sons,  more  than 
50  years  ago. 

Under  cultivation,  their  epiphytic  character 
must  be  considered,  and,  for  this  reason,  they 
are,  as  a  rule,  best  grown  in  suspended  baskets. 
The  sides  of  the  basket  should  be  lined  with 
thin  turves  of  peat,  and  a  suitable  rooting 
medium  consists  of  fibrous  peat,  leafmould, 
sand,  and  pieces  of  charcoal.  Care  must  be 
taken  that  they  are  not  allowed  to  become  dry 
at  the  roots,  and  frequent  synngings  are  very 
helpful.  With  the  exception  of /E.  Hildebrancii, 
the  species  of  ^Eschynanthus  require  the  tem- 
perature of  a  stove,  or  the  warmest  part  of  an 
intermediate  house.  Propagation  is  readily 
effected  in  the  spring  by  cuttings  of  the  growing 
shoots  inserted  in  pots  filled  with  a  mixture  of 
equal  parts  of  peat  and  sand,  and  placed  in  a 
close  propagating  case  in  the  stove.     W. 


390 


THE     GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


[December 


1907 


FOREIGN    CORRESPONDENCE. 


TREES  AND  SHRUBS. 


THE    GENUS   MAGNOLIA. 

In  studying  the  vegetation  of  the  Acclima- 
tation  Garden  at  Nikita,  near  Walta,  on  the  Cri- 
mea, I  observed  that  in  Magnolia  grandifiora, 
Linn.,  all  the  specimens  are  not  of  the  same  habit, 
and  when  I  began  to  compare  different  parts  of 
these  trees  with  each  other  I  discovered  that 
there  are  diversities  in  the  direction  of  the 
branches,  the  form  of  the  leaves,  the  petals,  and 
the   colour   of   the   leaf-veins. 

The  leaves  of  a  particular  specimen,  when 
compared  with  those  on  other  plants,  were  seen 
to  he  shorter  and  broader,  and  in  general 
smaller  ;  besides  which  nearly  all  the  leaves  are 
somewhat  twisted,  and  instead  of  the  usual  deep 
green,  their  colour  is  inclined  to  yellow.  The 
petals  are  smaller  and  narrower,  and  destitute 
of  a  claw-like  narrowing  towards  the  petiole  ; 
its  veins  are  yellow,  or  light  yellow,  whilst  the 
veins  of  the  common  Magnolia  grandifiora,  as  is 
well  known,  are  red. 

The  branches  of  this  particular  specimen  as- 
cend, whilst  those  of  normal  examples  droop, 
and  frequently  touch  the  ground  ;  its  fruits  are 
fewer. 

Not  having  found  in  botanical  and  horticul- 
tural literature  (Hooker,  Vilmorin,  Lauche,  K. 
Koch,  Wittmack,  &c.)  any  description  of  the 
Magnolia  in  question,  I  have  drawn  up  this  note. 

As  an  illustration  I  append  a  table  to  show 
the  differences  between  the  measurements  of  the 
length  and  breadth  of  the  normal  form  and  what 
I  must  consider  a  new  sub-species  t — 

M.  grandis    n.  s.-sp. 

Length  and  breadth  of  leaf         273    CU1«    l^icm. 

Greatest  breadth 6g    cm.     10$  cm. 

Proportion  between  length  and  breadth      ifc  cm.      IS,  cm. 

These  two  instances  are  typical  for  the  forms 
in  question.  I  may  here  state  that  in  the  sub- 
species the  leaves  gradually  narrow  towards  each 
extremity,  whilst  in  the  normal  species  they  are 
nearly  oval.  The  small  and  oval  leaves  do  not 
occur  on  the  same  tree.  The  brown  hairs  on 
the  under  surface  of  the  leaf  are  not  constant, 
and  therefore  cannot  be  relied  on  as  characters. 

I  am  greatly  indebted  to  the  kindness  of  my 
friend  Miss  Katherine,  who  permits  me  to  name 
this  new  form  after  her,  which  I  have  the 
greatest  pleasure  in  doing — Magnolia  grandifiora 
Kathariniana,    Bedelian. 

Both  the  species  and  sub-species  grow  close  to- 
gether, so  that  the  various  peculiarities  are  not 
the  result  of  climatic  differences,  but  may  pos- 
sibly be  due  to  special  constituents  of  the  soil  in 
the  case  of  the  sub-species. 

A  long  series  of  experiments  on  the  part  of 
various  botanists  induces  me  to  believe  that  the 
varying  size  of  the  leaf  depends  upon  the  nature 
of  the  soil. 

I  should  be  very  much  obliged  if  any  botanists 
in  warmer  situations  than  the  Crimea  would 
ascertain  if  any  similar  variation  occurs  under 
their  observation,  and,  if  so,  if  they  would  com- 
municate with  me,  so  that  the  geographic  distri- 
bution of  this  sub-species  may  be  ascertained. 
Dr.  /.  Bedelian,  Nikita. 


TEMPERATE    HOUSE,    KEW. 

We  have  published  from  time  to  time  illus- 
trations of  scenes  in  the  Temperate  House, 
Royal  Gardens,  Kew,  which  is  the  most  remark- 
able structure  of  its  kind  in  these  islands.  The 
view  reproduced  at  fig.  161  has  for  its  principal 
feature  a  very  fine  specimen  of  Alsophila 
excelsa,  one  of  the  most  ornamental  species  of 
greenhouse  Ferns.  In  some  of  the  more 
favoured  localities  in  Cornwall  and  Devonshire 
this  species  can  be  safely  used  for  sub-tropical 
gardening  in  summer. 


Lonicera  Heckroi.li. 
This  is  one  of  the  best  of  shrubby,  flowered 
Loniceras  ;  the  rich  orange-red  blossoms  are  so 
freely  produced  that  they  are  extremely  effec- 
tive, especially  when  the  plant  has  attained  to  a 
good  size. 

Daphne  laureola  purpurea. 
Where  low-growing,  compact  evergreen  shrubs 
are  needed  for  the  front  of  the  shrubbery  bor- 
ders to  afford  a  variety  of  colour  during  the 
autumn  and  winter  months,  this  spurge  laurel 
will  be  very  valuable.  The  richness  of  the 
purple  hue  is  very  noticeable. 

Veronica  Cookii. 
Unfortunately,  this  variety  is  not  sufficiently 
hardy  to  admit  of  its  being  left  in  the  open  dur- 
ing the  winter,  but  it  is  worthy  of  protection 
under  glass  during  the  winter,  or  protection  in 
some  other  manner  from  frost.  The  drooping, 
pure  white  blossoms  are  produced  freely,  and 
the  racemes  are  fully  6  inches  long. 


Berberidopsis  corallina. 
We  seldom  see  this  evergreen'  climber  in 
a  satisfactory  condition.  It  flowers  nicely  at 
Aldenham  House,  Elstree,  on  a  wall  facing  to 
the  south-east.  The  plant  requires  a  peaty 
soil,  and  when  growing  freely  in  spring,  an 
abundance  of  water. 

JASMINUM  OFFICINALE  FOLIIS  AUREIS. 
Although  I  am  not  generally  an  admirer  of 
golden-leaved  hardy  plants,  this  Jasminum,  with 
its  rich,  golden  blotches,  appears  to  me  a  very- 
pretty  plant.  If  trained  to  a  pole  amongst  green 
subjects,  it  is  effective,  and  deserves  to  be  more 
widely  known. 

ROMNEYA  COULTERI. 
One  more  season  has  proved  the  value  of 
this  Californian  Poppy  in  localities  where 
it  will  succeed.  Introduced  in  1875,  it  has 
hardly  become  as  common  as  its  merits  deserve, 
owing,  possibly,  to  a  want  of  knowledge 
as  to  its  cultural  requirements.  With  me  this 
year  it  has  flowered  continuously  from  the 
middle  of  July.     On  October  10  there  were  still 


[Photograph  by  C.  P.  Raffill. 

Fig.  i6i. — view  in  the  temperate  house,  royal  gardens,  kew. 


The   Evergreen   Oak  as  a   Hedge-plant. 

This  evergreen  is  seldom  employed  as  a 
hedge-plant,  but  it  is  probably  due  to  the  fact 
that  the  price  is  somewhat  dear.  There  is  no 
mistaking  its  suitability  for  the  purpose,  for  the 
growth  is  close  yet  vigorous,  and  it  is  easily 
kept  in  order,  for  it  will  stand  much  cutting. 
On  the  roadside  from  Margate  to  Kamsgaite  I 
recently  saw  a  capital  hedge  extending  for  fully 
a  quarter  of  a  mile.  As  growth  is  free  and  the 
branches  are  freely  increased  by  pruning,  it  is 
not  necessary  to  plant  very  thickly. 

Berberis  Fre.montii. 
Those  who  appreciate  plants  with  glaucous 
leaves  would  do  well  to  grow  this  Berberis. 
Apart  from  its  colour,  it  resembles  a  small 
form  of  B.  Bealii — an  interesting  plant.  The 
yellow  flowers  of  B.  Fremontii  are  sweetly 
scented,    and    are    followed    by    scarlet    berries. 


several  fully-expanded  blossoms.  Many  of  them 
this  year  have  measured  as  much  as  8  inches  in 
diameter  ;  they  are  pure  white,  except  for  the 
yellow  stamens.  The  species  is  not  at  all  par- 
ticular as  to  soil.  A  southern  aspect  at  the  foot 
of  a  wall  affords  an  ideal  site,  but  an  abun- 
dance of  water  must  be  applied  to  the  roots 
when  the  plant  is  in  full  growth,  and  an  occa- 
sional application  of  liquid  manure  will  do 
much  good  in  inducing  vigorous  growths  to 
push  from  the  base  of  the  plant :  such  shoots  as 
these  produce  the  finest  flowers.  This  plant  is 
generally  regarded  as  an  herbaceous  subject,  but 
it  hardly  comes  within  the  definition  of  such. 
as  it  scarcely  ever  dies  down  to  the  ground. 
Certainly  not  in  my  case,  as  it  retains  its  de- 
ciduous shrubby  character.  That  it  is  some- 
times shown  as  an  herbaceous  subject  illustrates 
how  difficult  it  is  to  define  strictly  what  is  an 
herbaceous  plant.     E.  Molyktux. 


December  7,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


>91 


NURSERY     NOTES. 


LAXTON    BROS.,    BEDFORD. 

The  speciality  of  this  firm  is  the  Strawberry, 
«f  which  fruit  Messrs.  Laxton  Bros,  have  raised 
or  introduced  to  commerce  most  of  the  newer 
varieties  in  recent  years.  Messrs.  Laxton  Bros, 
however  have  devoted  much  attention  to  the 
raising  of  other  fruits,  and  their  nursery  contains 
many  thousands  of  hardy  fruit  trees,  flowering 
plants  in  abundance,  and  many  well-stocked 
plant-houses.  The  nursery  is  approached  by  a 
roadway  on  either  side  of  which  are  spacious 
borders  filled  with  herbaceous  plants  and  orna- 
mental shrubs  and  trees,  including  many  of  the 
choicer  species  of  Conifers.  Not  far  from  the 
entrance  is  a  range  of  plant-houses,  several  of 
which  at  the  time  of  our  visit  were  filled  with 
varieties  of  winter-flowering  Carnations.  The 
plants  were  just  about  to  expand  their  flower- 
buds,  and  exhibited  strong,  sturdy  growths.  The 
varieties  included  Victory,  Robert  Craig,  Dor- 
ner's  White,  Perfection,  Enchantress,  Mrs.  Bur- 
nett, Britannia,  Christmas  Eve,  J.  K.  Haines, 
and  many  others.  Other  houses  were  filled  with 
Ferns,  many  of  which  were  species  of  l'teris 
suitable  for  florists'  purposes.  We  also  noticed 
the  newer  varieties  of  Nephrolepis,  including  the 
beautiful  Whitmanii  variety  of  N.  exaltata. 
Amongst  the  miscellaneous  plants  in  the  other 
glasshouses  were  subjects — either  in  flower  or 
fruit — that  had  been  cross-pollinated  with  a 
view  to  the  raising  of  novelties.  A  plant  of  Cle- 
matis raised  from  C.  Jackmanii  X  C.  flammula 
was  interesting.  This  was  in  flower,  and  the 
inflorescence  resembled  neither  of  the  parents, 
but  that  of  C.  coccinea.  There  were  large 
batches  of  seedlings  of  Apple,  Pear,  Plum,  and 
other  fruiting  trees.  The  late  Mr.  J.  Laxton 
began  experimenting  in  cross-breeding  plants 
about  the  year  1805,  his  first  work  being  among  i 
culinary  Peas  and  Zonal  Pelargoniums.  The 
first  certificate  he  obtained  was  for  Pea  Supreme 
in  1868,  and  in  the  following  year  his  variety 
Alpha  was  similarly  honoured.  Pelargonium 
Jewel  followed  in  1871,  and  then  Emily  Laxton, 
one  of  the  first  of  the  semi-double  scarlet  varie- 
ties. Mr.  l.axton  next  produced  Peas  William 
I.,  Dr.  Hogg,  Marvel,  Omega,  Fillbasket,  and 
G.  F.  Wilson,  all  standard  varieties.  He  also 
raised  Roses,  including  the  varieties  Chas.  Dar- 
win,  Dr.  Hogg,  Mrs.  l.axton,  Princess  Louise, 
Duchess   of    Bedford,    and   Mrs.    Harry   Turner. 

The  two  sons  of  the  late  Mr.  Laxton  have  car- 
ried on  the  work  of  hybridising,  and  have  de- 
voted much  attention  to  the  'raising  of  Straw- 
berries ;  it  will  be  remembered  that  they  have 
raised  such  excellent  varieties  as  King  of 
the  Earlies,  Royal  Sovereign  (one  of  the  best  all- 
round  Strawberries  ever  raised),  Noble,  the  Lax- 
ton, and  others,  their  latest  novelty  being  Bed- 
ford Champion.  The  firm  has  also  continued 
to  raise  culinary  Peas,  and  have  distributed 
such  valuable  varieties  as  William  Hurst, 
C.radus,  Alderman,  Thomas  Laxton,  and  Lax- 
tonian,  sorts  that  would  rank  high  in  any  census 
of  the  best  varieties  of  Peas.  In  a  large  orchard- 
house  trees  in  pots  were  fruiting,  the  majority 
of  which  had  been  specially  cross-fertilised  and 
the  numerous  labels  attached  to  the  fruits,  each 
bearing  record  of  the  cross,  showed  clearly  the 
object  of  the  individual  crossing.  Messrs.  Lax- 
ton have  crossed  the  Apricot  with  the  Japanese 
Plum,  and  the  Peach  with  the  common  Plum  ; 
but  although  some  of  the  trees  have  flowered, 
none  has  yet  borne  fruit — a  result  which  is 
being  eagerly  awaited.  A  desirable  Plum  has 
been  raised  from  Grand  Duke  X  Monarch,  and 
this  was  seen  in  fruit.  It  is  a  week  later  in 
season  than  President,  a  variety  which  it  greatly 
resembles  in  appearance.  Another  interesting 
seedling  Plum  was  raised  from  Sultan  x  Early 
Orleans.  Cochet  Pere  is  a  new  variety,  of 
French  origin  :  when  ripe  it  has  a  pleasing  yel- 
lowish-orange exterior.  In  this  house  were  also 
several  new  French  varieties  of  Pears,  of  which 
we  noticed  Belle  de  Portevine,  a  long  pyriform 


fruit,  De  Cure,  a  big,  finely-shaped  Pear,  and 
Belle  de  Premesque,  an  early  variety  with  a 
clear  yellow  skin.  Then  of  seedling  Apples  we 
were  shown  one  with  a  beautiful  form  and  pleas- 
ing eye,  raised  from  Schoolmaster  X  Wild  Crab, 
and  another,  the  result  of  crossing  Lane's 
Prince  Albert  and  Schoolmaster.  Although  a 
quite  young  tree,  it  was  fruiting  freely.  There 
are  altogether  in  this  nursery  more  than  500 
seedling  Apple  trees  none  of  which,  up  to  the 
present  time,  has  fruited,  and  as  there  are  also 
as  many  seedling  Peaches  and  Plums,  it  is  rea- 
sonable to  expect  that  varieties  of  merit  will  be 
forthcoming,  especially  as  all  have  been  hy- 
bridised with  some  definite  purpose  in  view. 
Experiments  have  also  been  made  in  the  raising 
of  ornamental-flowering  Tobaccos  from  Nicoti- 
ana  affinis  x  N.  Sanderae,  the  resultant  hybrids 
having  fli  iwers  larger  in  size  than  the  hybrids  of 
X.    Sanderae. 


Fig.  1G2. — tree   of    svkehocse    russet    apple 

TRAINED    AS    A    STANDARD    CORDON,    OR    "AMATEUR 
STANDARD." 


In  the  open  nursery  we  were  impressed  by 
the  very  large  number  of  tiny  pots  piled  in 
many  heaps.  These  are  required  for  the  layer- 
ing of  Strawberries,  of  which  plants  the  firm 
dispatches  an  enormous  quantity  to  all  parts  of 
the  world  during  the  season.  Every  year  100,000 
new   pots   are   required   to   replenish   the   stock. 

A  tour  of  the  nursery  grounds  reveals  the  very 
extensive  area  devoted  to  hardy  fruits  of  all 
kinds.  There  are  Apples,  Pears,  Plums, 
Peaches,  Apricots,  Gooseberries,  Currants,  and 
other  fruit  trees  in  great  variety  and  in  large 
breadths  ;  indeed,  half  the  nursery  is  planted 
with  fruit  trees.  The  stock  of  Apples  is  very 
large,  and  it  includes  a  number  of  standard  cor- 
dons, which  many  amateurs  and  cultivators  for 
market  supply  appreciate  for  the  reason  that  the 
stems  of  standards  or  half-standard  trees  are  thus 
made   valuable   for   producing   fruit   before  the 


heads  of  the  trees  have  become  very  large.  The 
variety  illustrated  as  an  "  Amateur's  Standard  " 
at  fig.  162  is  Sykehouse  Russet. 

Raspberries,  Blackberries,  the  Loganberry, 
and  kindred  fruit  trees  are  made  a  speciality  at 
Bedford.  We  were  shown  a  large  stock  of 
Raspberry  Abundance,  a  variety  of  stronger 
growth  than  Superlative,  and  superior  in  flavour 
to  this  older  kind.  The  useful  Loganberry  has 
been  crossed  with  Raspberry  Superlative ;  the 
hybrid  bears  the  name  of  Laxtonberry,  and  it  is 
said_to  possess  the  flavour  of  the  Raspberry,  with 
the  habit  and  general  appearance  of  the  Logan- 
berry. In  passing,  we  may  record  the  excep- 
tional growths  made  by  the  young  Peach  t 
many  of  the  current  season's  shoots  were  5  feet 
or  more  in  length.  The  staff  was  busily  engaged 
in  training  suitable  specimens  as  espalier  and 
other  wall  trees,  all  this  being  performed  in  the 
open  ground,  bamboo  canes  being  utilised  for 
training  the  shoots  in  position.  There  are  large 
breadths  planted  with  Roses,  and  the  nursery 
contains  a  good  stock  of  herbaceous  plants,  orna- 
mental-leaved trees  and  shrubs,  Conifers,  and 
other  subjects. 


THE    ROSARY. 


CULTURAL  NOTES  FOR  DECEMBER. 

Of  late  years  the  most  severe  frosts  have 
occurred  after  Christmas,  but  precautions 
should  be  taken  early  to  protect,  by 
earthing-up,  the  dwarf,  tender  varieties. 
Owing  to  the  fine,  warm  weather  of  Sep- 
tember, the  plants  generally  have  well-ripened 
wood  which  is  robust  enough  to  resist  damage 
from  frosts  that  are  not  too  continued  or  severe. 
The  most  harmful  weather  for  Roses  in  the 
open  is  an  alternation  of  frost,  thaw,  and  rain, 
for  these  conditions  are  worse  than  a  continued 
dry  frost.  The  recent  rains  have  provided  an 
abundance  of  moisture  in  the  soil,  and  any  plant- 
ing should  be  finished  during  dry  mild  weather. 
Any  Standard  Briars  that  are  temporarily 
"  heeled  in  "'  should  have  the  first  attention  and 
be  planted  at  once.  If  ground  that  was  trenched 
has  been  beaten  down  by  the  recent  heavy  rains, 
or  if  the  soil  is  of  a  heavy  texture,  apply  a  light 
'Ires-iing  of  wood  ashes,  burnt  earth,  or  leaf 
mould,  and  lightly  fork  the  surface.  This  will 
make  the  ground  more  friable  and  easy  to  work. 
Cuttings  of  Dwarf  Briar,  Manettii,  and  De  la 
Grifferie  Stocks  should  be  got  in  without  delay, 
according  to  the  instructions  given  in  my  last 
note. 

Although  the  third  week  in  October  is  'un- 
doubtedly the  best  time  to  plant  Roses  (except 
Teas  and  other  tender  varieties),  the  soil  and 
weather  at  the  time  of  writing  are  exceptionally 
favourable  for  planting.  In  suburban  and  town 
districts,  where  fogs  and  smoke  are  prevalent, 
planting  is  best  deferred  until  the  spring. 

le  varieties  of  Roses  are  very  popular  just 
now  ;  they  are  especially  valuable  for  massing 
in  large  groups.  The  following  are  among  the 
best  varieties: — Dawn,  Irish  Beauty,  Ander- 
sonii,  Gustave  Regis,  and  Pyracantha  ;  the  best 
for  planting  on  sloping  banks  are  Dawson's 
Rose,  Anna  Marie  Montravel,  Jersey  Beauty, 
and  Edmond  Proust ;  while  for  covering  tall 
arches,  Paul's  Carmine  Pillar  and  Aimee  Vibert 
are  to  be  recommended,  the  pure  white  of  the 
latter  blending  well  with  the  vivid  carmine  of 
the  former.  Arches  clothed  with  the  Flybrid 
Sweet  Briars  raised  by  Lord  Penzance  are  also 
an  acquisition  if  space  will  permit  of  their  in- 
clusion. Of  this  type  Anne  of  Geierstein,  Amy 
Kobsart,  and  Lady  Penzance  are  some  of  the 
best  sorts. 

The  earliest  batch  of  Roses  in  pots  that  were 
started  into  growth  during  November  will 
be  actively  growing.     As  the  dull  season  is  now 
approaching,     the     temperature    of     the    house 
should  not  exceed  55°  during  the  day  :    provide 


592 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[December  7,  1907. 


little  top  ventilation  for  a  few  hours  daily  in 
favourable  weather,  but  close  the  house  entirely 
at  about  3  p.m.  To  prevent  the  plants  from  be- 
coming drawn,  place  them  well  up  to  the  light 
and  as  near  to  the  glass  as  is  possible.  The  Tea- 
scented  varieties  can  be  kept  at  the  warmer 
end  of  the  house.  On  bright  days  a  light  syring- 
ing may  be  given  overhead  in  the  morning  in 
time  to  allow  the  foliage  to  become  dry  again 
before  nightfall.  If  the  weather  is  dull,  an  occa- 
sional damping  down  of  the  floors  and  stages 
will  suffice  to  counteract  the  dry,  hot  air  and  to 
keep  down  insect  pests.  If  these  latter  become 
troublesome,  the  vaporiser  must  be  used,  and  if 
mildew  appears,  the  hot-water  pipes,  made  not- 
ter,  should  be  smeared  with  a  solution  of  sul- 
phur vivum  (not  flowers  of  sulphur)  and  soft 
soap.  A  second  application  of  this  specific  will 
usually  suffice  to  remove  all  traces  of  the  fungus. 
Tea,  and  other  Roses  in  pots,  that  have  been 
plunged  outside  and  given  temporary  protection 
to  enable  them  to  perfect  their  late  autumn 
flowers,  should  now  be  brought  into  a  cool  dry 
"house,  and  if  blooming  is  over,  be  kept  quite  dry 
at  the  roots.  This  drying  process,  if  done 
gradually,  will  assist  the  plants  to  ripen  the 
wood.  The  grafting  of  Roses  under  glass 
will  now  be  in  full  operation,  and  as  the  first 
batch  of  grafted  plants  are  taken  from  the 
frames  and  placed  in  the  house,  others  newly 
grafted  can  take  their  place.  If  green  fly  is 
present,  fumigate  at  once,  for  if  this  pest  is 
allowed  to  increase,  the  grafted  plants  will  be 
ruined.  The  grafting  of  freshly-potted  seed- 
ling Briars  should  not  be  attempted  with  dor- 
mant wood.  It  is  usual  to  select  stock  with 
stems  of  about  the  thickness  of  a  quill,  and 
when  the  shoots  are  trimmed,  whip  or  splice 
grafting  can  be  practised,  as  in  the  case  of  the 
Clematis.  When  the  grafting  is  completed  the 
plants  should  be  plunged  in  fibre  or  as^es  under 
frames,  and  as  the  union  of  stock  and  scion  will 
take  a  long  time  they  should  be  allowed  to 
remain  in  the  frames  for  this  period.  When 
root  and  top  growth  has  become  active,  the 
plants  can  be  gradually  brought  into  the  house 
and  treated  in  all  respects  like  the  other  grafted 
Roses.     /.   D.   G. 


The  Week's  Work. 

FRUITS  UNDER  GLASS. 

By  Alexander  Kirk,  Gardener  to  J.  Thomson  Paton,  Esq. 
Norwood,  Alloa,  Clackmannanshire. 

Pot  Vines. — The  pot  vines  that  are  starting 
into  growth  will  now  require  very  careful  atten- 
tion, and  must  not  be  subjected  to  extremes  of 
any  kind.  Maintain  a  steady  bottom-heat  of 
'60°,  and  an  atmospheric  temperature  at  night 
of  55°  to  60°,  allowing  a  rise  of  a  few  degrees 
by  day  according  to  the  weather.  The  vines 
must  not  in  any  case  be  hurried  into  growth, 
as  root-action  is  still  very  slow.  Disbud  the 
canes,  rubbing  off  all  weak  buds.  Those  re- 
maining should  be  18  inches  apart  alternately 
on  each  side  of  the  cane.  If  they  have  not 
broken  away  freely,  a  slight  syringing  of  the 
canes  morning  and  evening  will  help  them. 
Never  syringe  them  after  this  stage  is  oast,  ex- 
cept in  cases  of  attacks  of  red  spider.  The  damp- 
ing of  floors  and  borders  each  morning  and  even- 
ing will  be  sufficient  to  maintain  a  humid  atmo- 
sphere. Prevent  steam  arising  in  the  pit.  A 
little  air  may  be  admitted  on  fine  days,  but 
draughts  must  be  prevented.  Use  only  the  ven- 
tilators at  the  top,  and  close  these  earlv  in  the 
afternoon  whilst  the  sun's  rays  are  still  upon 
the  glass.  Apply  water  to  the  roots  very  care- 
fully, for  little  is  needed  at  the  present.  The 
beat  already  mentioned  will  be  sufficient  until 
the  vines  show  signs  of  flowering. 

Early  Vinery. — If  the  house  was  closed  last 
month  according  to  the  directions  then  given, 
the  buds  will  now  be  swelling.  Disbudding 
should  be  done  without  delay.  Leave  two  of 
the  strongest  on  each  spur  at  present,  but  after- 
wards the  weaker  one  will  also  be  rubbed  off. 
If  any  vines  break  more  strongly  on  the  upper 
than  on  the  lower  part  of  the  cane,  it  is  some- 
times necessary  to  loweT  the  canes  to  a 
horizontal  position.  It  is  only  in  extreme  in- 
stances that  the  syringe  has  to  be  used.  As 
soon  as  the  vin.es  are  in  leaf,  raise  the  atmo- 
spheric temperature  to  55°  at  night,  and  65°  by 
day,  exclusive  of  sun-heat;  the.-e  temperatures 
will  suffice  "mtil  the  flowering  period. 
Continue   to    damp    the    borders    morning    and 


evening,  but  only  put  a  very  small  quantity  on 
the  borders.  Test  the  soil,  and  if  it  is  found  to 
be  dry  apply  a  watering,  which  will  be  sufficient 
for  the  vines  until  the  flowering  stage  has  been 
passed  ;  during  the  flowering  stage  the  borders 
cannot  conveniently  be  watered.  Ventilate  the 
house  very  cautiously  by  means  of  the  top  ven- 
tilator and  close  the  house  early  in  the  after- 
noon, sun-heat  being  preferable  to  that  obtained 
by  artificial  means. 

Outside  borders. — The  outside  borders  of  mid- 
season  vines  should  be  mulched  now  and 
thatched,  so  that  the  surface  will  throw  off 
heavy  rains,  and,  indeed,  all  the  outside  vinery 
borders  should  be  given  a  mulch  of  rough,  stable 
manure  4  to  6  inches  thick.  This  will  protect 
the  roots  from  severe  frost,  and  where  vines 
have  been  showing  a  tendency  towards  weak- 
ness of  growth,  a  rich  mulch  should  be  applied 
which  will  benefit  the  vines  by  enriching  the 
border  through  the  carrying  down  of  the  am- 
monia and  nitrogenous  food  materials  by  the 
rains. 

Fruit  trees  in  pots. — See  that  all  fruit  trees  in 
pots  plunged  out-of-doors  are  supplied  with  a 
mulch  of  fresh  litter  from  the  manure,  putting 
this  8  inches  deep  all  around  the  pots  to  pro- 
tect the  pots  and  roots  from  frost.  If  birds  are 
troublesome  by  picking  out  the  fruit  buds,  cover 
the  trees  with  nets. 


open  into  bloom.  When  the  blooms  have  par- 
tially expanded,  reduce  the  amount  of  heat  some- 
what, in  order  to  harden  them  sufficiently  for 
use  in  the  conservatory  or  dwelling-house. 


PLANTS    UNDER  GLASS. 

By  J.  G.  Weston,  Gardener  to  H.  J.  King,  Esq., 
Eastwetl  Park,  Kent. 

Cleaning  of  plants  and  plant-houses. — At  this 
season  of  the  year  when  there  is  less  pressure  of 
work  in  the  potting-shed,  the  opportunity  should 
be  taken  to  overhaul  the  interior  of  the  plant- 
houses.  In  the  first  place,  let  all  the  woodwork, 
glass,  &c,  be  thoroughly  washed  down,  and  the 
walls  may  then  be  limewashed.  When  this  has 
been  done  it  will  be  necessary  to  give  attention 
to  the  plants.  Climbers  under  the  roof  and 
pillar-plants  may  require  to  be  thinned,  and 
some  may  need  sponging  and  spraying  to  cleanse 
them  from  dirt  or  insect  pests.  After  all  this 
work  has  been  done,  let  the  plants  be  carefully 
re-arranged,  making  the  house  appear  as  attrac- 
tive as  possible.  In  sponging  tender  foliage 
plants,  such  as  Codiaeums  (Crotons),  Cordylines 
(Dracaenas),  Pandanus,  &c,  every  care  should 
be  taken  to  avoid  splitting  or  cracking  the 
leaves,  as  the  results  of  carelessness  in  this  re- 
spect, if  not  noticeable  at  the  moment,  after  a 
few  days  would  be  only  too  plain,  rendering 
the  plants  almost  useless  for  any  prominent 
position,  such  as  the  dinner-table,  &c.  Allow 
each  specimen  plenty  of  room,  and  afford  the 
smaller  plants  a  position  on  a  shelf  where  they 
will  be  the  better  exposed  to  full  sunlight. 

Richardia  africana  (eethiopica). — Where  this 
species  is  required  to  bloom  in  mid-winter,  a 
batch  of  the  strongest  plants  should  now  be 
selected  and  placed  together  in  a  house  where  a 
minimum  atmospheric  temperature  of  60°  will 
be  maintained  at  night,  rising  10°  in  the  day- 
time by  sunheat.  Afford  the  plants  a  top-dress- 
ing containing  some  manurial  stimulant,  and 
apply  frequent  and  copious  waterings  to  the 
roots.  On  the  first  appearance  of  green  fly, 
fumigate  the  house  at  once,  or  this  pest  will 
render  the  blooms  useless.  A  variety  called 
"  The  Godfrey  "  is  considered  to  be  an  improve- 
ment on  the  type,  having  purer  blooms,  and  it  is 
now  cultivated  in  great  quantities  by  market- 
growers. 

Retarded  plants. — Where  Lilacs,  Rhododen- 
dron (Azalea)  molle,  and  Spiraeas  are  required 
to  bloom  early  in  the  winter,  it  should  be  remem- 
bered that  retarded  plants  are  vastly  superior  to 
those  which  have  made  growth  during  the  present 
j'ear.  Before  such  retarded  plants  were  avail- 
able it  was  a  matter  of  more  or  less  difficulty 
to  get  Lilacs,  Spirasas,  &c,  ripened  sufficiently 
early  to  place  in  heat  in  order  to  have  them 
flower  before  the  New  Year  ;  but  now  the  culti- 
vator can  be  practically  certain  of  success  at  any 
given  date,  and  this  with  very  little  forcing.  At 
the  time  of  writing  we  have  Lilacs,  Rhododen- 
dron molle,  Spiraeas,  Liliums,  and  Lily  of  the 
Valley  in  full  bloom,  and  they  have  caused  very 
little  trouble.  After  receiving  such  plants  from 
the  nursery,  pot  them  in  a  light,  porous  soil,  and 
stand  them  in  a  moderately  cool  house  until  the 
buds  show  signs  of  bursting.  After  this  stage 
more  heat  may  be  applied,  and  they  will  rapidly 


PUBLIC  PARKS  AND  GARDENS. 

By  W.   W.  Pettigrew,  Superintt- ndent  of   the    Parks  and 
Open  Spaces  in  the  City  of  Cardiff. 

Animals  in  parks. — The  interest  which  living 
moving  creatures  excite  in  most  people  is  so 
great  that  their  presence,  under  certain  restric- 
tions, is  desirable  in  public  parks  where  the 
necessary  facilities  exist  for  keeping  them. 
Waterfowl,  whether  of  the  commoner  or  rarer 
kinds,  always  attract  so  much  attention  that 
every  park  which  possesses  a  sheet  of  water,  no 
matter  how  small,  has  its  collection.  Even 
pigeons  and  doves,  when  housed  in  a  park,  be- 
come a  decided  source  of  amusement  and  de- 
light, especially  to  the  younger  visitors. 

Aquarium. — A  small  aquarium  furnished  with 
a  number  of  suitable  glass  tanks,  in  which  the 
coarser  native  fish  or  hardy  reptiles  may  be 
exhibited,  or  an  aviary  containing  a  collection  of 
British  birds,  is  a  very  cheap  and  effective 
method  of  interesting  the  public.  In  localities 
where  no  zoological  garden  exists,  the  provision 
of  animal  life  can  be  considerably  extended 
beyond  this  modest  display  without  interfering 
with  the  legitimate  objects  of  a  park  or  adding 
greatly  to  the  cost  of  its  maintenance. 

Exotic  animals. — In  the  majority  of  seaport 
towns  it  is  generally  a  very  easy  matter  to  get 
together  a  thoroughly  interesting  and  varied 
collection  of  animals  at  a  very  small  cost.' 
Sailors  leaving  their  snips  are  only  too  glad  to 
dispose  of  pets  (which  on  dry  land  often  become 
a  nuisance  to  their  owners)  to  anyone  willing  to 
take  care  of  them,  while  many  ship's  captains 
bring  from  abroad  all  kinds  of  animals 
with  the  intention  of  presenting  them  to 
parks.  In  one  of  our  parks  in  this  city 
we  possess  a  very  valuable  collection  of  exotic 
animals,  all  of  which  have  been  presented  by 
sailors,  captains,  or  shipowners.  At  one  time 
so  many  of  these  creatures  were  offered  to  this 
department  that,  with  a  view  to  restricting  the 
cost  of  their  upkeep,  it  was  decided  that  only 
graminivorous  animals  could  be  accepted.  As 
this  decision  led  to  the  refusal  of  many  very 
interesting  species,  it  was  found  advisable  to  ac- 
cept whatever  could  be  provided  for,  irrespec- 
tive of  its  being  carnivorous  or  otherwise. 

Accommodation  necessary. — The  most  important 
factor  bearing  upon  the  general  welfare  of  such 
animals  and  their  successful  maintenance  is  the 
provision  of  proper  living  and  housing  accom- 
modation for  them.  This  is  the  only  matter 
which  calls  for  any  considerable  initial  expendi- 
ture in  making  a  small  zoological  collection. 
Many  things,  such  as  deer,  gazelles,  goats,  emus, 
and  the  American  ostrich  can  easily  be  accom- 
modated, provided  there  is  enough  room, 
as  they  merely  require  a  shelter  to  retreat 
into  during  cold  and  inclement  weather.  All 
quadrupeds  that  are  addicted  to  climbing  and 
birds  which  fly,  need  to  be  confined  within 
covered-in  areas  from  which  they  cannot  es- 
cape. Squirrels,  monkeys,  coaties — the  two  last 
are  also  the  better  for  having  shelters  which  can 
be  slightly  heated  during  winter — pheasants, 
-t'  irks,  and  peacocks  are  some  of  the  kinds  which 
can  only  be  kept  under  covered  areas.  A  more 
rational  method  of  dealing  with  the  various 
inmates  of  zoological  gardens  has,  within  re- 
cent years,  been  adopted  which  may  well  be  fol- 
lowed in  a  modified  form  in  parks  where  ani- 
mals are  kept.  Instead  of  confining  the  more 
harmless  species  in  cages,  as  was  at  one  time 
usual,  they  are  now  put  out  in  small  colonies  on 
open  ground  securely  fenced  in.  Here  they  have 
plenty  of  space  allotted  to  them,  so  that  they 
are  able  to  move  about  freely  and  live  under 
more  natural  conditions.  Hares,  foxes,  beaver- 
rats,  &c,  lend  themselves  very  well  to  this  treat- 
ments. 

Educational  value. — Whether  the  creatures  ex- 
hibited in  a  park  are  fish,  reptiles,  birds,  or 
quadrupeds,  their  educational  value  should  never 
be  overlooked,  and  every  care  should  be  taken 
to  furnish  the  common  and  scientific  names  in 
such  a  manner  that  visitors  may  readily  de- 
cipher them  and  easily  identify  the  animals  thus 
indicated. 


December 


1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


93 


Ol/O 


THE  HARDY  FRUIT  GARDEN. 

By  J.  Mayne,  Gardener  to  Lord  Clinton,  Bicton, 
East   Devon. 

Injurious  insects. — Fruit  trees  and  bushes  are 
subject  to  the  attack  of  many  pests  during  the 
spring  and  summer  months,  and  most  of  these 
can  be  most  effectually  dealt  with  while 
the  trees  are  leafless  and  in  a  dormant  state. 
Scale  insects  are  often  found  on  Peach,  Apple, 
and  Pear  trees  ;  the  ordinary  brown  scale  attack- 
ing the  Peach  trees  can  be  easily  dislodged  with 
a  small  label,  but  the  mussel  scale  that  clings 
so  tenaciously  to  the  Apple  and  Pear  trees  re- 
quire the  more  drastic  treatment.  Trees  grow- 
ing against  walls  appear  to  be  most  affected, 
especially  Pear  trees.  In  very  bad  cases  the 
bark  should  be  scraped  with  a  fiat  piece  of  wood 
or  a  piece  of  hoop  iron,  and  afterwards  brushed 
with  a  hard  scrubbing-brush,  eventually  spray- 
ing with  the  caustic  soda  wash,  which  may  be 
applied  this  month  to  Apple,  Pear,  and  Plum 
trees,  and  a  second  application  may  be  desir- 
able at  about  the  middle  of  February.  The  Pear 
midge  is  becoming  a  very  serious  pest,  and  as 
yet  neither  a  preventive  nor  cure  has  been  found, 
but  since  the  pupa?  is  said  to  harbour  in  the  soil, 
it  would  be  well  to  remove  6  inches  deep  or  so 
of  the  surface  soil  for  a  radius  of  5  feet,  and 
replace  with  fresh  soil  from  the  vegetable  quar- 
ters. Kainit  is  also  recommended  for  applica- 
tion at  the  rate  of  4  ozs.  to  a  square  yard  ;  this 
should  be  done  in  autumn,  and  again  in  March, 
but  in  our  case  it  has  not  proved  successful. 
Gooseberry  plots  that  are  annually  affected 
with  the  caterpillar  should  have  the  top  soil 
removed  and  a  top-dressing  substituted,  which, 
if  not  quite  a  cure,  lessens  to  a  great  extent 
the  attack  in  spring.  Apply  fresh  grease  bands 
to  the  stems  of  orchard  trees  to  catch  the  winter 
moth.  Cankered  branches  on  the  Apple  should 
have  the  affected  parts  cut  away,  and  be  well 
scrubbed   with   the  Gishurst   compound. 

Manuring  of  fruit  trees. — No  definite  instruc- 
tions can  be  laid  down  regarding  this  matter, 
and  it  must  rest  entirely  with  the  cultivator  to 
decide  what  are  the  immediate  requirements  of 
each  tree  under  his  charge.  This  much  may  be 
said,  that  trees  in  the  habit  of  carrying  average 
crops  annually  usually  need  some  manurial 
assistance,  especially  those  occupying  wall  space 
and  having  a  limited  root  run.  Fresh  manure 
from  the  farmyard  or  stable  is  usually  too  rich 
for  garden  trees  of  the  Apple,  Pear,  Plum, 
&c.  ;  this  is  best  used  as  a  mulch  in  early 
summer,  and  its  nutriment  will  get  washed  down 
to  the  roots  by  the  rains.  As  a  stimulant  for 
wall  trees,  we  find  a  thin  layer  of  soot  and  fresh 
lime  applied  in  alternate  years  keeps  the  trees  in 
a  healthy  and  fruitful  condition  ;  this  is  lightly 
pointed  in  with  the  garden  fork  after  the  work 
of  pruning  and  training  has  been  completed  and 
the  prunings  cleared  away.  Guano  and  some 
chemical  manures  may  also  be'  used  with  good 
results.  Grass  orchards  should  be  manured 
annually.  Manure  from  the  farmyard,  if  mixed 
with  double  its  quantity  of  wayside  or  old  pot- 
ting soil,  forms  a  good  top-dressing.  Goose- 
berry and  Currant  bushes  require  the  best  of 
manure,  and  this  should  be  forked  in  after  the 
prunings  have  been  collect'   I. 


THE    ORCHID    HOUSES. 

By  W,  H.  White,  Orchid  Grower  to  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence, 
Bart.,  Burford,  Surrey. 
Cleansing  of  plants  and  houses. — As  soon  as 
the  leaves  have  fallen  from  the  tall,  deciduous 
trees  with  which  at  this  place  we  are  almost 
surrounded,  we  make  it  a  practice  to  thoroughly 
overhaul  the  Orchids,  and  wash  the  glasshouses 
both  inside  and  out,  taking  every  care  to  see 
that  in  doing  such  work  the  laps  of  the  glass 
are  properly  cleansed  from  all  accumulations 
of  dirt  and  slimy  matter.  If  this  work  is  done 
properly,  any  atmospheric  moisture  that  con- 
denses will  be  able  easily  to  pass  between  the 
panes  of  glass,  and  in  a  great  measure  drips 
will  be  thus  prevented  from  falling  on  to  the 
plants.  The  brick  walls  under  the  stages,  &c, 
should  be  cleaned  occasionally ;  lime-washing 
t&am  will  produce  a  clean  white  surface,  which 
r.ill  add  to  the  light  appearance  of  the  houses, 
and  at  the  same  time  the  wash  will  destroy 
many  insect  pests.  Previous  to  re-arranging  the 
plants,  each  one  should  be  thoroughly  cleaned, 
sponging  the  leaves,  stems,  and  pseudo-bulbs 
with  some  safe  insecticide.  There  are  many 
insecticides    now    on    the    market,    and    extreme 


care  is  needed  in  selecting  one  that  will  not 
injure  the  plants.  Very  few  Orchids  now  require 
to  be  potted,  but  the  cleansing  and  re-arrang- 
ing of  the  collection  will  afford  the  grower  an  op- 
portunity to  thoroughly  examine  the  plants,  and 
to  ascertain  exactly  what  condition  they  are  in, 
for,  as  a  grower  once  remarked,  "  If  you  wish 
to  know  how  many  leading  growths,  flower- 
spikes,  or  pseudo-bulbs,  &c,  a  plant  may  have, 
ask  those  who  cleaned  it  last." 

Slugs  and  Cockroaches. — In  going  through  the 
cool  houses  slugs  must  be  hunted  for,  as  these 
pests  are  most  troublesome  during  the  winter 
months,  having  been  introduced  with  the  sphag. 
num-moss  used  in  potting.  By  day  they  conceal 
themselves  low  down  in  the  moss  or  in.  the  axils 
of  the  leaves,  but  at  night  come  out,  and  bite 
through  the  young,  succulent  flower-spikes  of 
Odontoglossums,  Oncidiums,  Masdevallia 
Should  any  valuable  plants  be  infested  by  these 
creatures,  isolate  them  by  placing  them  on 
inverted  flower  pots  stood  in  pans  of  water,  and 
if  the  slugs  cannot  be  caught,  then  carefully 
pick  out  the  surface  of  the  compost  to  the  depth 
of  an  inch,  afterwards  re-surfacing  with  fresh 
material,  and  as  these  slugs  rarely  bury  them- 
selves or  their  eggs  below  this  depth,  this  i 
tion  is  generally  effective  in  clearing  them  out 
Numbers  of  slugs  may  be  caught  by  looking  over 
the  plants  with  the  aid  of  a  good  lantern  at 
night  and  early  in  the  morning,  also  by  placing 
small  shallow  pans  fille  1  with  bran  about  on  tin- 
stages.  Baits  of  young  Lettuce,  Cabbage  leaves, 
&c,  are  always  useful  for  entrapping  them. 
Many  of  the  Odontoglossums  are  now  develop- 
ing their  flower-spikes,  and  particularly  the 
rare  and  special  varieties  should  be  pro! 
by  wrapping  a  piece  of  rough  wadding  round 
the  base  of  each  spike.     In  m  e  oi  the 

need  for  extra  fire-heat  in  the  warmer  houses, 
cockroaches  generally  become  troublesome  at 
this  season,  but  they  must  be  kept  in  chei 
much  irreparable  damage  will  be  done.  Every 
evening  they  should  be  sought  after,  in  order 
to   destroy  every  one  that   it    i-  to  get 

.it.     Also  bait  them  with  beetle  ,  uch  as 

phosphorus  paste,  Vallis,  Beetlecute,  and  several 
other  excellent  kinds.  It  is  not  advisable  to  lay 
the  one  kind  of  poison  down  in  the  same  house 
every  night,  as  the  pests  soon  get  used  to  seeing 
it  about,  and  afterwards  will  not  touch  it! 
Therefore,  it  is  better  to  occasionally  substitute 
one  kind  of  poison  for  another,  as  the  change 
of  food  is  enticing  to  them. 


THE  FLOWER  GARDEN. 

Bj    \    C.  Bartlett,  Gardener  to  Mrs.  Ford,  Pencarrow, 
Cornwall. 

Coniferous  trees. — Any  specimens  which  show- 
signs  of  deterioration  may  usually  be  brought 
into  a  healthier  condition  if  they  are  given  ample 
top-dressings  of  some  suitable  soil.  Except  in 
small  quantities,  manure,  either  animal  or  arti- 
ficial, is  not  to  be  recommended  for  Conifers. 
Where  road-scrapings  can  be  obtained  thev  form 
the  best  material  for  top-dressing  these  trees. 
The  road  surveyors'  men  are  usually  busy  from 
now  onwards  "clearing  the  water-tables,"  and 
the  material  thus  obtained,  together  with  the 
road-cleanings,  form  goodly  heaps.  Frequently 
this  can  be  obtained  in  country  districts  for  the 
mere  carting  away.  The  general  rule  seems  to 
be  that  the  owner  of  the  land  which  adjoins 
the  highway  has  the  first  claim  to  it.  Decayed 
vegetable  refuse  and  old  potting  soil  also  make 
useful  top-dressings.  It  is  better  to  thoroughly 
dress  a  few  trees  every  year  than  to  distribute 
the  available  material  in  small  quantities  over 
the  roots  of  many  trees.  As  these  trees  are 
chiefly  surface-rooters  they  need  this  assistance 
earlier  than  the  broad-leaved  trees  do.  It  is 
generally  wise  to  apply  a  top-dressing  to  any 
valued  specimen  when  it  has  become  2,i  to  30 
vears  old.  If  a  liberal  dressing  is  applied,  it 
should  suffice  for  five  or  six  years.  Results 
from  this  treatment  must  not  be  expected  to 
become  obvious  until  at  least  12  months  have 
elapsed. 

Impatiens  Holstii. — Even  in  such  an  un- 
favourable summer  as  we  have  experienced  this 
year  a  trial  planting  of  this  novelty  has  pro- 
duced good  results.  Plants  bedded  out  early  in 
June  continued  to  flower  freely,  and  have  only 
recently  been  cut  down  by  frosts.  Seeds  were 
sown  in  moderate  heat  early  in  March,  and  the 
seedlings  grew  so  freely  that  by  the  bedding- 
out    time    they    were   nearly   2   feet    in    height. 


Shelter  from  rough  winds  is  most  essential,  and 
it  appeared  that  although  abundant  moisture  was 
■  iry  during  the  warm  weather,  the  plants 
suffered  more  from  wet  than  from  light  frosts. 
Notwithstanding  that  the  colour  of  the  flowers 
is  described  as  a  brilliant  vermilion-red,  there 
was  a  great  variation  of  tint;  most  shad:s  were 
very  pleasing,  whilst  others  were  disappointing. 
Impatiens  Sultani  seems  to  require  greater  solar 
heat  than  we  get  in  this  part  of  Cornwall. 

Pieris  floribunda. — The  value  of  this  hardy 
winter-flowering  shrub  does  not  appear  to  be 
generally  appreciated.  Perhaps  its  only  fault  is 
the  slowness  of  its  growth.  Here  several  large 
bushes  have  just  expanded  their  first  flowers, 
and  it  will  be  the  end  of  March  or  even  April 
before  the  last  have  faded.  Cut  sprays  open 
freely  in  water,  and  keep  fresh  for  several 
weeks.  Like  many  other  American  shrubs, 
it  often  requires  peat  for  its  well-doing,  but 
will  thrive  in  any  soil  which  suits  Rhododen- 
drons. When  planting,  the  soil  around  its  roots 
should  be  made  as  firm  as  possible.  Many 
nurserymen  catalogue  this  shrub  under  its  old 
generic  name  of  Andromeda. 


THE    KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

By  William  H.  Honess,  Gardener  to  C.  Combe,  Esq., 
Cobhain   Park,  Surrey. 

Parsley. — In  many  districts  it  is  necessary  to 
transplant  Parsley  into  unheated  frames,  or  to 
sow-  seed  in  the  open  in  such  a  position  that  the 
plants  can  be  afforded  the  protection  of  some 
old  lights  during  severe  weather,  and  in  the 
event  of  heavy  falls  of  snow.  Although  the 
necessity  for  protection  arises,  the  crop  must 
on  no  account  be  coddled,  but  liyht  and  air 
should  be  afforded,  whenever  the  conditions  of 
the  weather  will  permit.  There  is  often  a  con- 
siderable demand  for  Parsley  in  winter,  and  it 
is  needed  to  take  the  place  of  some  varieties 
of  salads,  which  during  more  favourable  seasons 
are  used  for  garnishing. 

Lettuce. — The  supply  obtainable  out-of-doors 
is  now  prai  ti.  illy  exhausted,  but  if  some  plants 
w'ere  set  out  in  sheltered  positions  during  Sep- 
tember, and  have  since  received  the  protection 
of  some  lights,  satisfactory  little  "hearts"  will 
now  be  available  for  cutting.  I  am  writing 
particularly  of  that  variety  "  All  the  Year 
Round"  Cabbage  Lettuce.  Plants  in  cold 
frames  will  require  abundance  of  air  whenever 
the  weather  is  favourable;  the  surface  soil  be- 
tween the  plants  should  be  frequently  stirred, 
and  all  decaying  leaves  removed.  These  latter 
remarks  apply  to  all  young  vegetable  plants 
that  are  being  wintered  in  cold  frames,  for  they 
explain  very  necessary  means  to  successful 
culture. 

<  r. — The  first  batch  of  these  that  have 
been  started  in  a  moderate  degree  of  heat  will 
now  be  starting  into  growth,  and  another  batch 
should  be  brought  forward,  to  come  in  as  soon 
as  these  are  consumed. 

Chervil,  Mint,  and  Tarragon. — Chervil  will 
-till  be  quite  green  and  fit  for  use,  and  some 
should  be  placed  in  a  cold  house,  the  remainder 
being  cut  hard  back  to  induce  it  to  start  into- 
growth  early  in  the  New  Year.  Mint  and  Ta:ra. 
gon,  if  cut  back  as  advised  in  a  previous  Calen- 
dar, will  now  be  ready  for  placing  in  a  moderate 
heat  to  start  them  into  fresh  growth.  The  ap- 
plication of  heat  to  herbs  should  always  be 
carried  out  with  a  certain  amount  of  caution, 
for  if  excessively  forced  the  young  leaves  will 
be  found  to  be  void  of  all  flavour. 

General  work. — Up  to  the  present  time  the- 
work  of  preparing  the  ground  for  next  year's 
crops  has  not  made  as  satisfactory  progress  as 
could  be  wished  owing  to  the  continuance  of 
wet  weather  which  has  rendered  wheeling  and 
carting  a  matter  almost  of  impossibility.  Full 
advantage  must  be  taken  of  frosty  mornings  to 
get  as  much  of  this  work  done  as  is  possible 
by  using  all  the  labour  available  ;  by  this  means, 
sufficient  can  sometimes  be  done  to  last  for  seve- 
ral days'  digging  or  trenching  as  the  case  may 
be,  and  the  walks  will  not  be  nearly  so  much 
cut  up  as  if  the  wheeling  were  done  in  wet 
weather.  Where  a  fire  is  "generally  kept  going 
to  burn  all  garden  refuse  that  can  be  burned, 
an  accumulation  of  ashes  will  now  be  available 
for  putting  on  the  ground.  Most  vegetables  will 
derive  great  benefit  from  liberal  applications  of 
wood  ashes,  and  similar  ashes  will  be  verv 
useful  later  on  for  sprinkling  in  the  seel  drill* 
at  the  time  of  sowing. 


394 


THE     GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


[December  7,  1907. 


EDITORIAL    NOTICE. 


ADVERTISEMENTS  should  be  sent  to  the  PUB- 
LISHER, 41,  Wellington  Street,  Covent  Qarden, 
W.C. 

Letters  for  Publication,  as  well  as  specimens  and  finals 
tor  naming,  should  be  addressed  to  the  EDITOR, 
41,  Wellington  Street,  Covent  Garden,  London. 
Communications  should  be  written  on  one  side  only  of 
the  paper,  sent  as  early  in  the  week  as  possible  ami  duly 
signed  by  the  writer.  If  desired,  the  signature  will  not  be 
printed,  but  kept  as  a  guarantee  0/  good  faith. 

Special  Notice  to  Correspondents.— The  Editor  does  not 
undeitake  to  pay  for  any  contributions  or  illustrations,  or 
to  return  unused  communications  or  illustrations,  unless  by 
special  arrangement.  The  Editor  does  not  hold  himself 
responsible  for  any  opinions  expressed  by  his  correspondents. 

Newspapers.— Correspondents  sending  newspapers  should  be 
careful  to  mark  the  paragraphs  they  wish  the  Editor  to  see. 

Local  News.—  Correspondents  will  greatly  oblige  by  sending  to 
the  Editor  early  intelligence  of  local  events  likely  to  be  of 
interest  to  our  readers,  or  of  any  matters  which  it  is  desirable 
to  bring  under  the  notice  of  horticulturists. 

APPOINTMENTS  FOR  THE  ENSUING  WEEK. 

SATURDAY,  DECEMBER  7— 

Soc.  Fran?.  d'Hort.  de  Londres  meet.  German  Gard. 
Soc.  meet. 
MONDAY,  DECEMBER  9- 

Nat.  Potato  Soc.  Annual  meet.     United  Ben.   &  Prov. 
Soc.  Corns,  meet. 
TUESDAY,  DECEMBER  10— Roy.  Holt.  Soc.  corns,  meet. 
WEDNESDAY,  DECEMBER  11— 

Winter  Flowering  Carnation  Soc.  Eshib.  in  Regent's 
Park,  London. 
THURSDAY,  DECEMBER  12- 

National  Rose  Society's  Annual   meet,   and   Dinner  at 
Hotel  Windsor. 


Aterage     Mean    Temperature    for    the    ensuing    week, 
deduced  from  observations  during  the  last  Fifty  Years 
at  Greenwich— 39-3". 
Actual  Temperatures: — 

London.—  Wednesday,  December  4  (6  p.m.)  i  Max.  52°; 
Min.  39'. 
Gardeners'  Chronicle  Office,  41,  Wellington  Street, 
Covent  Garden,  London.— Thursday,  December 
6  (10  a.m.):  Bar..  291;  Temp.  45";  Weather— 
Bright. 
Provinces  —Wednesday,  December  4  (6  P.M.)  :  Max.  51°, 
Colchester;  Min.  42',  Scotland  and  N.  Ireland. 


SALES  FOR  THE  ENSUING  WEEK. 

Freehold  Nursery,  Wolverhampton  Road,  Stafford,  at 

Swan  Hotel,  Stafford,  at  4. 
MONDAY  and  WEDNESDAY— 

Sale  of  Dutch  Bulbs,   &c,  at  Stevens'   Rooms,    King 

Street,  Covent  Garden,  W.C. 
MONDAY,  WEDNESDAY,  and  FRIDAY— 

Dutch  Bulbs,  at  67  &  68,  Cheapside.  E.C.by  Protheroe 

&  Morris. 
MONDAY  and  FRIDAY- 

Roses  and  Herbaceous  Plants,  at  67  &  68,  Cheapside, 

E.C.,  by  Protheroe  &  Morris. 
T  U  E  S  D  AY 

1286  cases  of  Japanese  Lilies,   Gladioli,  Lily  of  the 

Valley  crowns,  at  67  &  68,  Cheapside,  E.C.,  by  Protheroe 

&  Morris. 
WEDNESDAY—  „L 

Palms,  Azaleas,  Roses,  &c,  at  67  &  68,  Cheapside,  E.C., 

by  Protheroe  &  Morris. 
THURSDAY—  _     ,      ,  . 

Nursery  Stock  at  the  Bellingham  Nurseries,  Cattord,  by 

order  of  Messrs.  J.  Laing  &  Son,  by  Protheroe  &  Morris, 

at  12.30. 

pRTr)  a  Y 

Imported  and  Established  Orchids,  at  67  &  68,  Cheap- 
side,  E.C.,  by  Protheroe  &  Morris. 


The  subject  of  plant  disease  is 
Plant        one  that  must  always  be  fraught 
Diseases,    with  interest — often  a  melancholy 
one — for   those   whose   business 
or  pleasure  lies  in  the  direction  of  agriculture 
and  horticulture.     Especially  is  this  the  case 
when   a   malady  assumes  an   infectious  cha- 
racter, and  thus  more  seriously  affects  the  ex. 
istence  of   the  attacked   species   over   a   con- 
siderable area.     The  history  of  our  cultivated 
crops  teems,  unfortunately,  with  failures  due 
to  epidemics,  and  yet  we  too  often  persist   in 
hesitating  to  ensure  the  proverbial  stiti  h  in 
time,  and  thus  the  enemy  gets  a  foothold. 

Perhaps  this  hesitation  is  not  unnatural. 
The  causes  of  epidemics  are  often  insidious, 
and  may  not  be  obvious  to  those  unaccus- 
tomed to  enquire  minutely  into  the  details  of 
plant  structure.  Thus  they  are  apt  to  be  put 
down  to  natural  and  inevitable  "  conditions," 
whereas  they  are  generally,   as  a  matter  of 


fact,  due  to  natural  and  preventable  causes. 
Preventable  that  is,  if  they  are  taken  in  time. 
Nothing  is  more  common,  for  example, 
than  to  hear  the  remark  that  such  and  such  a 
tree  is  being  killed  by  a  fungus  which  is  ob- 
viously bursting  through  the  bark,  and  is 
forming  its  bulky  fructifications.  But  the  real 
damage  has  a'.ready  been  mainly  done.  The 
fructification  is  only  the  outward  and  visible 
sign  of  the  completion  of  the  mischief  that 
has  been  going  on  inside  the  tree.  The  fruc- 
tification is  allowed  to  grow,  and  thereby  to 
scatter  abroad  its  myriads  of  spores  to  infect 
other  trees  in  the  vicinity-  But,  it  is  often 
objected,  the  adjacent  trees  do  not  necessarily 
take  the  disease.  This  may  be  quite  true, 
for  in  many  cases  it  is  not  possible  for  a  spore 
to  successfully  infect  a  tree  unless  there  hap- 
pens to  be  a  wound  through  which  it  can  bur- 
row its  way  inside.  But  trees  are  seldom 
quite  free  from  wounds,  and  given  the  suit- 
able conditions  infection  may  easily  follow, 
especially  when  the  conditions  of  growth  hap- 
pen not  to  be  favourable  to  that  particular 
species. 

Instructive  examples  of  infection  of  this 
sort  can  be  seen  in  most  districts  by  those 
who  know  how  to  look  for  them.  But  the 
fungus  pest  may  have  methods  of  its  own  of 
gaining  entrance  to  the  plant,  quite  apart 
from  previously  inj  ed  surfaces.  Thus  the 
so-called  "  blights,"  of  which  the  Potato  dis- 
ease is  a  familiar  example,  do  not  wait  for 
any  extraneous  assistance,  but  readily  invade 
the  plant  through  the  leaves. 

A  very  common,  but,  fortunately,  not  par- 
ticularly dangerous,  disease  which  affects 
Sycamores  is  the  black  leaf-spot.  We  re- 
collect observing  an  instructive  instance  of 
the  appearance  and  spread  of  this  disease  in 
a  fine  avenue  of  Sycamores  in  the  Midlands. 
In  the  first  vear  only  two  or  three  trees  which 
grew  near  one  end  of  the  avenue  were  affected. 
By  the  second  year  about  half  the  trees  had 
taken  the  disease,  and  in  four  years  every  one 
showed  the  disfigurement  caused  by  the 
blotching  of  the  leaves.  But  it  was,  and  ap- 
parently still  is,  too  much  trouble  to  stamp 
out  the  evil  by  destroying  the  dead  leaves  \r 
autumn. 

When,  however,  a  malady  seriously  affects 
a  staple  article  of  economic  importance  it  be- 
comes the  urgent   duty  of  all  concerned   to 
spare  no  efforts  in   repressing  it  at   its  first 
onset.     Most  of  these  diseases,  as  their  causes 
become  known,  prove  to  be  vulnerable  at  one 
or   another   stage;   but   others,    on    the   con- 
trary,   when    they    have    once    become    esta- 
blished, are  very  difficult  to  deal  with  effec- 
tively in  any  way  short  of  extermination  of 
the  infected  crops.     The  Potato  scab  appears 
to  belong  to  this  more  refractory  class,  and 
the  difficulty  in  fighting  it  lies  in  the  abund- 
ant formation  of  resting  spores,  and  in  their 
power  of  remaining  alive  in  the  soil  through 
several  years.     They  lie  there,  waiting  their 
chance  of  springing  into  new  activity  when- 
ever they  get  the  opportunity  of  again  infect- 
ing a  similar  crop.     In  dangerous  parasites 
of  this  nature  the  only  economic  method  to 
pursue,  so  long  as  it  continues  to  be  possible, 
is  to  stamp  it  out  at  its  first  appearance.  The 
earlier  this  is  done  the  greater  the  economy 
in  the  long  run,  but  if  the  days  of  grace  arc 
allowed  to  expire  and  the  pest  succeeds   in 
establishing   a    firm    hold   on    the    land,    the 
difficulties    which    might    have    been    easily 


surmounted  at  first  tend  to  increase  indefi- 
nitely, and  the  disease  gets  out  of  hand  in  the 
same  proportion. 

Of  course,  scientific  advice  is  necessary  to 
enable  the  practical  man  to  decide  as  to  how 
he  can  best  deal  with  the  problems  of  dis- 
ease as  they  arrive.  Unfortunately,  it  hap- 
pens— and  in  such  complex  matters  this  ought 
not  to  cause  undue  surprise — that  the  experts 
do  not  always  agree.  No  one  is  infallible, 
and  the  truth  of  the  matter  is  only  reached 
when  the  causes  of  the  differences  of  opinion 
have  been  explained.  The  grower,  however, 
is  perhaps  not  unnaturally  impatient  when 
he  sees  the  damage,  which  he  cannot  really 
explain,  continue  to  ravage  his  crops.  He  is 
apt  to  undervalue  the  help  that  science  can 
give  because  the  first  opinions  of  his  scientific 
adviser  may  turn  out  to  have  been  incomplete 
or  inexact.  And  yet  it  is  clear  enough  that  it 
is  only  by  a  scientific,  that  is  to  say  by  a  com- 
plete and  exact,  explanation  of  the  causes 
and  conditions  of  the  epidemic  that  we  can 
hope  to  substitute  intelligent  preventive  mea- 
sures for  the  more  or  less  imperfect  remedies 
with  which  we  too  often  endeavour  to  check 
the  progress  of  disease. 


Our  Supplementary  Illustration  to  the 

present  issue  represents  a  scene  in   the  interior 
of  the  fernery  at  Wergs  Hall,  near  Wolverhamp- 
ton.    The  building  was  erected  by  Messrs.  W. 
Richardson  &  Son,  of  Darlington,  entirely  from 
designs    prepared    by    the     gardener,     Mr.     G. 
Bradley.     It  is  situated  on  the  north-west  side 
of  Wergs   Hall,   one  of  the  most  beautiful  and 
picturesque  residences  in  the  Midland  counties. 
The  building  is  about  50  feet  long  and  12  feet 
wide  at  either  end,  the  centre  being  about  21  feet 
square.     It   is   built,    writes    Mr.    Bradley,    of 
brick,  and  is  covered  with  cement.     The  inside 
walls'  are   formed   on  the   rough-cast  principle, 
with  stone  of  a  warm  brown  colour  from  a  local 
quarry    (Codsall)    about   one  mile   distant ;    the 
stone  is  broken   to   a  fairly  small  cubicle,   and 
attached  by  cement.     It  is  very  well  adapted  for 
the  purpose,  as  it  is  of  a  soft  texture,  and  there- 
fore capable  of   retaining  a  certain   amount   of 
moisture.     The   floor  is   formed   of   gravel   and 
cement  roughed  over  with  sand.     There  are  two 
Roman  archways,  one  at  each  end  of  the  fernery, 
the  pillars  of  which  are  formed  with  iron  rods 
embedded  in  cement  and  random  stone.     These 
act  as  a  screen,  and  are  very  picturesque.     The 
whole  of  the  roof  is  covered  with  glass.     In  the 
centre  of  the  fernery  is  an  arched  dome,  which 
projects  beyond  the  height  of  the  roof.     An  old- 
fashioned  bay  window  is  fixed  on  one  side   of 
the  building,  which  was  taken  out  of  an  old  cot- 
tage on  the  estate.     In  the  recess  aquatic  plants 
are  grown,  a  seat  also  being  provided,  covered 
with  Virginian  cork.     Apertures  are  let  into  the 
wall  to  resemble  troughs,  in  which  Ferns  thrive 
remarkably    well.     Under   the    dome  there  is   a 
spray    fountain    and    miniature    waterfall  ;    the 
water  is  supplied  by  hydraulic  pressure  from  a 
large  pool  in   the  grounds,   and   can  be  turned 
on   and   off  at  pleasure.     There  are  two   doors, 
one  communicating  with  the  conservatory,  and 
the   other  leading  to   the   drive.     All   apertures, 
nooks,    and   crevices   are    planted    with    choice 
Ferns,   and  they  can  all  be  seen  to  advantage. 

Royal  Horticultural  Society.— The  next 
meeting  of  the  Committees  will  take  place  on 
Tuesday,  December  10,  in  the  Society's  Hall, 
Vincent  Square,  Westminster.  At  the  afternoon 
meeting  of  Fellows  a  lecture  on  "  Fungous  Dis- 
eases of  Plants"  will  be  delivered  by  Mr.  E.  S. 
Salmon. 


December  7,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


395 


Horticultural  Club. — The  ne;t  house 
dinner  of  the  club  will  take  place  on  Tuesday, 
December  10,  1907,  at  6  p.m.,  at  the  Hotel 
Windsor,  when  Mr.  C.  T.  Druery,  V.M.H., 
will  deliver  a  lecture  on  "  Natural  Marvels." 

National  Potato  Society. — We  are  in- 
formed that  the  annual  meeting  of  this  Society  will 
be  held  on  Tuesday,  December  10,  at  3  p.m.,  at 
the  Hotel  Windsor,  Victoria  Street,  S.W. 

The    Surveyors'     Institution. — The   next 

ordinary  general  meeting  will  be  held  on  Monday, 
December  9,  1907,  when  a  paper  will  be  read  by 
Mr.  George  C.  Phillips  (Professional  Associate), 
entitled  "  The  Calculation  of  Equivalent  Manurial 
Values."  The  chair  will  be  taken  at  4  o'clock, 
this  being  one  of  two  ordinary  general  meetings 
held  for  the  convenience  of  country  members  in 
the  afternoon  instead  of  in  the  evening. 

National  Fruit  Growers    Federation. — 

A  meeting  of  the  council  will  be  held  at  the  Royal 
Horticultural  Hall,  Vincent  Square,  Westminster, 
on  Monday,  December  9,  at  3  p.m. 

The  Shows  of  Colonial  Products  at 
Westminster. — Exhibitions  of  Colonial  produce 
under  the  auspices  of  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society  now  recur  with  fixed  regularity,  and 
their  announcement  has,  for  the  past  four  years, 
occupied  a  prominent  place  in  the  Society's 
schedule  of  functions.  In  a  letter  addressed  by 
the  President  and  the  Secretary  to  The  Times  it 
is  stated  that  unless  a  greater  appreciation  is 
shown  in  them  by  the  general  public,  the  Coun- 
cil will  not  feel  justified  in  continuing  the  un- 
remunerative  outlay  which  the  exhibitions 
entail.  Certainly  no  greater  patronage  was  ac- 
corded the  show  held  during  Thursday  and 
Friday  of  last  week  than  previous  ones.  Apart 
from  a  passing  interest,  the  Fellows  of  the 
Society  generally  do  not  concern  themselves  with 
displays  of  products  which  they  can,  if  they 
choose,  purchase  from  many  of  the  larger  em- 
poriums. Nor  is  the  public  generally  interested 
with  varieties  of  Oranges  and  Sugars ;  these 
rather  appeal  to  those  persons  whose  business  it 
is  to  place  them  before  their  customers,  and  who 
have  to  make  a  market  for  supplies  from  fresh 
sources.  It  is  well  known  that  in  the  marketing 
of  any  novelty,  however  good  it  may  itself 
be,  the  public  has  to  be  educated  as  to 
its  value  over  existing  kinds.  But  the  first 
person  to  interest  is  the  retailer,  and  this 
fact  seems  to  suggest  that  these  shows  of 
Colonial  products,  which  are  held  with  a  view 
to  finding  a  market  for  the  wares  exhibited, 
should  be  presented  rather  before  an  audience  of 
greengrocers  than  casual  sightseers.  The  sam- 
ples of  Apples  from  British  Columbia  would  ex- 
cite much  more  interest  if  they  were  displayed 
before  an  audience  of  Covent  Garden  market 
salesmen  and  buyers,  and  the  proper  place  for 
exhibiting  new  samples  of  conserves  and  other 
comestibles  is  a  grocer's  exhibition.  Once  in  a 
way,  perhaps,  an  exhibition  of  this  kind  might 
be  tolerated  at  Westminster  ;  but  to  repeat  them 
several  times  each  year  is  to  devote  the  energies 
of  the  Society  in  the  wrong  channel.  In  their 
letter  the  President  and  Secretary  state  that  the 
subsidiary  objects  the  Society  have  in  view  are, 
besides  the  primary  one  of  wishing  to  aid  the 
Colonies,  an  endeavour  "  to  show  the  inhabitants 
of  the  Mother  Country  what  splendid  and  varied 
supplies  of  fruit  our  Colonies  can  send  us  ;  to 
enable  Colonial  growers  to  discover  which  of 
their  fruits  are  best  suited  for  our  British  mar- 
kets ;  the  way  in  which  the  fruits  should  be 
packed,  and  the  season  at  which  they  can  most 
profitably  be  put  upon  the  market,  &c."  All 
these,  we  believe,  would  be  much  better  deter- 
mined by  the  holding  of  shows  at  the  principal 
fruit  markets.  The  date  of  the  show  was 
specially  selected  to  suit  the  season  of  Canadian 


and  West  Indian  produce,  and  exhibitors  from 
these  Colonies  were  the  principal  contributors. 
The  finest  display  in  the  Hall  was  the  exhibit 
of  Apples  from  British  Columbia,  to  which  re- 
ference has  already  been  made.  Nothing  finer 
amongst  Apples  has  been  seen  in  the  Hall, 
judged  from  their  external  appearance.  The 
fruits  generally  were  coloured  to  a  remarkable 
degree,  and  this  quality  was  combined  with 
clearness  of  skin  and  freshness  of  appearance. 
Some  of  the  fruits  appeared  as  though  just 
gathered  from  the  tree,  with  a  heavier  coating 
of  "  bloom  "  than  is  seen  in  our  home-grown 
Apples.  The  variety  Hubbardstone  Nonsuch 
appealed  tc  us  as  being  an  Apple  of  especially 
fine  appearance,  and  another — McMahon's  White 
— was  of  pale,  wax-like  appearance,  flushed  on 
one  side  with  red,  and  in  appearance  we  have 
nothing  so  beautiful  amongst  these  fruits.  Em- 
peror Alexander,  Yellow  Ballflower  (probably  a 
corruption  of  our  Yellow  Bellefleur),  Grimes' 
Golden  Pippin,  King  of  Tompkins'  County,  and 
Spitzenberg  may  also  be  instanced  as  fruits  of 
remarkably  fine  appearance.  A  Gold  Medal  was 
awarded  this  exhibit.  A  similar  award  was 
conferred  on  a  group  of  fruits,  vegetables,  con- 
serves, &c,  shown  by  the  West  Indian  Pro- 
duce Association,  Ltd.,  4,  Fenchurch  Build- 
ings, London,  and  another  to  the  West  India 
Committee  for  Citrus  fruits,  Colonial  preserves, 
&c,  contributed  by  Grenada,  Jamaica,  and 
Trinidad.  Many  fresh  fruits  from  these  latter 
Colonies  were  shown  by  the  Royal  Mail 
Steam  Packet  Co.,  18,  Moorgate  Street, 
London.  The  fruits  included  Oranges,  Man- 
gos, Grape  Fruit,  Shaddocks,  Papaws,  Cocoa- 
nuts,  Bananas,  Granadillas,  Avacado  Pears, 
Eddoes,  Yams,  Sapodillas,  and  many  others. 
The  Government  of  Nova  Scotia  staged  an 
exhibit  of  Apples,  exhibited  as  packed  for  mar- 
ket, in  boxes  and  barrels.  This  was  next  to  the 
exhibit  from  British  Columbia  in  point  of  merit. 
The  schedule  made  provision  for  competitive 
classes  for  bottled  fruits,  jams,  &c,  and  in  this 
connection  demonstrations  in  fruit  preserving 
were  conducted  by  Miss  Edith  Bradley,  Bre- 
don's   Norton,   Tewkesburv. 

The  Annual  Dinner  of  the  Members  and 
Friends  of  the  Putney  and  Wandsworth 
Chrysanthemum  Society  took  place  on  the 
28th  ult.  at  Putney,  about  ninety  ladies  and 
gentlemen  being  present.  It  was  pointed  out 
by  the  treasurer  that  there  was  a  very  slight 
falling  off  in  the  number  of  exhibits  at  the  re- 
cent show,  but  the  society  had  not  found  any 
reason  for  trespassing  on  the  reserve  fund,  and 
there  was  a  small  balance  to  the  good  on  the 
year's  account.  Special  prizes  have  already 
been  promised  for  next  year's  show,  which  will 
be  held  in  the  Town  Hall,  Wandsworth.  One 
of  the  speakers  recommended  that  the  com- 
mittee would  do  well  to  omit  several  of  the 
smaller  classes  and  increase  the  value  of  the 
prizes  offered  in  those  that  were  retained.  In 
order  to  attract  the  general  public  to  the  exhi- 
bition it  was  necessary  to  institute  a  strong  open 
class  that  residents  in  the  district  might  be 
given  an  opportunity  of  inspecting  flowers  of 
the  highest  quality  obtainable. 

Presentation  to  Mr.  Walter  P.  Wright. 

— The  literary  staff  of  The  Gardener  has  recently 
presented  Mr.  Walter  P.  Wright  with  a  polished 
walnut  stationery  cabinet  on  his  resignation  of 
the  editorship  of  that  journal,  a  position  he  has 
admirably  filled  since  its  inauguration  nearly  nine 
years  ago.  The  cabinet  is  of  foolscap  size  with 
folding  doors,  drawer,  and  screw  top  inkwells.  A 
silver  plate  attached  bears  the  following  inscrip- 
tion :  "  Presented  to  Mr.  Walter  P.  Wright  by 
the  literary  staff  of  The  Gardener,  November  30, 
1907." 


The  Franco-British  Exhibition,  1908. 

There  is  every  reason  to  expect  that  this  exhi- 
bition, which  will  be  held  at  Shepherd's  Bush, 
a  western  suburb  of  London,  will  prove  to  be 
one  of  the  greatest  events  of  such  a  nature 
that  have  taken  place  in  this  country.  Many 
of  our  readers  are  probably  aware  the  project 
has  received  commendation  from  H.M.  the  King 
and  the  President  of  the  French  Republic,  and 
the  Governments  of  both  countries  are  affording 
all  the  moral  support  they  can.  The  exhibition  is 
intended  to  cover  the  whole  field  of  French  and 
British  industries,  but  we  are  naturally  most  in- 
terested in  the  sections  for  science,  education, 
agriculture,  horticulture,  viticulture,  arboricul- 
ture, forestry,  &c.  The  chairman  for  horticul- 
ture and  arboriculture  is  Lieut. -Col.  D.  Prain, 
Director  of  the  Royal  Gardens,  Kew.  We  hope 
that  the  importance  of  British  commercial  hor- 
ticulture will  be  adequately  set  forth,  and  the 
various  chairmen  of  the  sections  we  have  men- 
tioned will  receive  the  support  from  the  in- 
dustries which  they  have  every  right  to  expect. 
Sir  Norman  Lockyer  is  chairman  of  the 
scientific  department,  and  a  section  for  vege- 
table physiology  and  biology  is  placed  in 
the  charge  of  a  sub-committee.  Much  good 
will  doubtless  be  done  by  the  efforts  <>t 
the  scientific  workers  in  connection  with  the 
exhibition,  but  this  section,  perhaps  more  so 
than  any  other,  will  be  likely  to  suffer  from 
its  limited  scope,  science  having  gained  so  much 
during  recent  years  from  the  work  done  in  Ger- 
man laboratories.  The  exhibition  will  be  open 
to  the  public  from  the  month  of  May  until 
October. 

Bananas  for  Cattle  Feeding. — The  use  of 

the  Banana  for  any  other  purpose  than  that  of 
human  food  would  seem,  in  these  days,  when 
the  fruit  has  become  such  a  popular  favourite, 
to  savour  at  least  of  unpardonable  extravagance, 
but  in  a  recent  number  of  the  Agricultural  News 
of  Barbadoes  we  read  that  Mr.  C.  W.  Meaden, 
of  the  Government  Farm,  Trinidad,  recom- 
mends, as  the  best  way  of  utilising  waste 
Bananas,  that  they  should  be  ground  up  and 
given  to  live  stock.  He  has  followed  this  course 
himself,  obtaining,  as  he  says,  satisfactory 
results.  The  Bananas  are  broken  up  in  a  root 
pulper,  and  some  cocoanut  or  cottonseed  meal 
together  with  a  little  molasses  is  added  to  the 
crushed  fruit ;  this  addition,  apart  from  its 
own  feeding  value,  corrects  the  astringent  pro- 
perties of  the  green  Bananas.  Mr.  Meaden 
says  that  the  mixture  is  used  to  the  best  advan- 
tage when  fed  to  milking  cows,  growing  stock, 
and  working  oxen,  and  all  these  animals  con- 
sume it  with  relish.  It  is  not  so  suitable  for 
mules  or  other  stock,  and  if  given  to  pigs  or 
poultry  it  should  first  be  cooked.-  Stock  owners 
in  Jamaica,  too,  have  found  this  to  be  a  good 
way  of  utilising  their  waste  Bananas,  and  the 
practice  has  been  followed  in  that  island  for 
many  years.  Another  view  of  the  Banana  ques- 
tion is  also  given  in  the  same  number  of 
the  Agricultural  News  in  a  quotation  from  the 
Fruit,  Flower,  and  Vegetable  Journal,  in  which 
this  latter  journal  resents  some  disparaging  re- 
marks that  have  appeared  in  some  papers  relating 
to  the  Jamaica  Banana  industry.  It  points  out 
that  the  Jamaica  Banana  is  essentially  the 
popular  variety  of  the  fruit  in  England,  inas- 
much as  there  are  thousands  of  people  who 
cannot  afford  to  pay  the  price  of  the  more 
expensive  Canary  product,  and  who,  but  for  the 
cheap  and  plentiful  imports  from  Jamaica, 
would  be  unable  to  purchase  Bananas  at  all. 
London  takes  a  considerable  quantity  -  of 
Jamaica  Bananas,  but  this  is  not  to  be  com- 
pared with  the  enormous  supplies  consumed  in 
the  Midlands  and  North  of  England,  where  this 
fruit  is  largely  appreciated  by  the  thousands  of 
factory  hands  in  the  big  manufacturing  towns. 


396 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[December  7,  1907. 


Death  of  Lord  Battersea. — The  late  Lord 
Battersea,  in  his  younger  days,  was  well 
known  to  the  horticultural  world  as  Mr.  Cyril 
Flower.  He  showed  at  all  times  very  great  in- 
terest in  gardening,  and  during  the  last  20  years 
has  made  the  beautifying  of  his  fine  gardens  at 
the  Pleasaunce,  Overstrand,  Cromer,  one  of  his 
chief  pleasures.  Latterly,  during  his  declining 
health,  he  has  found  his  greatest  comfort  in  the 
gardens  he  had  taken  such  pains  to  form.  The 
rock  garden,  the  water  garden,  the  arrangement 
of  Rose-covered  pergolas,  the  excellent  collec- 
tions of  herbaceous  plants,  shrubs,  and  trees 
were  not  only  highly  interesting  and  instructive 
to  trained  gardeners,  but  a  source  of  delight  to 
the  thousands  of  visitors  to  the  neighbourhood, 
for  the  grounds  were  thrown  open  to  the  public 
on  Sundays  during  the  summer  months.  The 
grounds  were  freely  lent  for  fetes  and  other 
events  in  the  interests  of  the  institutions  and 
societies  of  the  district.  The  horticultural 
charities  claimed  his  lordship's  personal  in- 
terest, and  on  one  occasion  he  presided  at  the 
festival  dinner  of  the  Royal  Gardeners'  Orphan 
Fund.  Some  idea  of  the  work  which  has  been 
done  in  bringing  the  gardens  of  the  Pleasaunce 
to  their  present  state  of  perfection  may  be 
gained  when  it  is  stated  that  18  years  ago  there 
was  not  a  tree  on  the  site,  which  extends  to  the 
cliff  above  the  sea.  Lord  Battersea  was  born 
on  August  30,  1843,  educated  at  Harrow,  and  at 
Trinity  College,  Cambridge,  and  passed  his 
younger  days  as  a  barrister-at-law.  He  died  at 
Ryde,  Isle  of  Wight,   on  November  27. 

Sulphate   of   Ammonia   and    Nitrate   of 

Soda.— The  quanlity  of  sulphate  of  ammonia 
produced  in  England  during  the  year  1906  was 
299,391  tons,  an  increase  of  20,000  tons  over  the 
figure  for  the  preceding  year.  In  1906,  nitrate  of 
soda  was  imported  to  the  extent  of  108, 4S6  tons, 
this  quantity  being  4,000  tons  more  than  the 
imports  in  1935. 

Vegetative  Propagation  of  Leguminous 
Forage  Plants. — From  an  article  among  the 
miscellaneous  papers  published  by  the  U.S. 
Department  of  Agriculture,  Bulletin  No.  102, 
1907,  by  J.  M.  Westgate  and  G.  W.  Oliver,  it 
appears  that  the  necessity  for  isolation  to  pre- 
vent promiscuous  pollination,  and  the  time  re- 
quired to  secure  any  considerable  quantity  of 
seed,  have  together  served  to  seriously  handicap 
the  work  of  developing  new  strains  of  forage 
plants,  especially  the  perennial  legumes.  Tht 
method  of  propagating  forage  plants  by  means 
of  cuttings  therein  described  has  been  worked 
out  chiefly  in  the  case  of  Medicago  sativa  and 
Trifolium  pratense  ;  but  preliminary  experiment, 
indicate  that  it  may  be  quite  as  successfully 
adapted  to  all  dicotyledonous  forage  plants.  In 
1903  a  plot  of  Peruvian  Alfalfa  in  the  garden  of 
the  Department  of  Agriculture  proved  resistant 
to  the  leaf  spot  disease  (Pseudopeziza  medica- 
ginis),  which  nearly  ruined  the  check  plot  of 
ordinary  Alfalfa.  Although  the  latter  is  non- 
hardy  and  is  killed  in  winter,  except  in  the 
Southern  States,  there  were  two  plants  which 
survived  the  severe  winter  of  1903  and  1904  in 
Washington,  D.C.  These  points,  together  with 
the  hairiness,  leanness,  and  vigorous  growth  of 
this  variety,  secured  the  attention  of  those  in- 
terested in  breeding  Alfalfa.  The  plants  were 
placed  in  large  pots  and  moved  to  the  green- 
house to  be  used  in  the  hybridisation  work  inau- 
gurated by  Dr.  B.  T.  Galloway,  who  conceived 
the  idea  of  raising  a  large  number  of  plants  of 
these  two  plants  vegetatively,  in  order  to  pro- 
duce a  large  quantity  of  seeds  the  same  season. 
This  was  successfully  accomplished  by  the 
method  described  in  the  Bulletin  above  men- 
tioned. Cuttings  are  made  of  reasonably  ripe 
stems  taken  from  plants  in  the  greenhouse.  The 
cuttings    are    inserted    in    sand,    and    when    the 


largest  roots  are  f  inch  in  length,  they  are 
transferred  to  2-inch  pots,  and  later  to  3-inch 
pots.  The  size  which  the  plants  can  attain  in 
such  pots  without  becoming  pot-bound  will  per- 
mit them  to  be  transplanted  to  the  permanent 
nursery  rows  if  the  season  be  suitable,  or  to 
an  outside  frame  to  remain  dormant  till  the 
spring,  in  case  the  cuttings  are  made  during 
the  winter.  If  greenhouse  facilities  are  desir- 
able, it  is  possible,  with  30  square  feet  of  green- 
house space  and  90  square  feet  of  cold  frames, 
to  secure  in  a  single  winter  1,000  plants  from 
an  Alfalfa  plant  of  average  size.  The  efficiency 
of  the  method  is  shown  by  the  fact  that  at  least 
93  per  cent,  of  Alfalfa  cuttings  become  well 
rooted  in  the  pots.  The  tops  were  cut  back  to  6 
inches  in  height  before  being  removed  from  the 
pots  in  the  cold  frames  and  planted  in  the  nur- 
sery lines.  In  establishing  new  varieties  of  such 
leguminous  forage  plants  as  Alfalfa  and  Clover, 
it  is  sometimes  desirable  to  start  with  a  strain 
from  a  single  individual,  or  at  the  best  from  a 
limited  number  of  individuals.  This  is  the  case 
where  an  especially  promising  form  is  confined 
to  so  few  plants  that  the  problem  of  increasing 
the  stock  for  further  tests  and  possible  introduc- 
tion is  a  serious  one.  The  several  hundred 
plants  which  can  be  readily  produced  from  the 
selected  individual  during  the  winter  can  bs 
isolated  by  transfer  to  a  considerable  distance 
from  other  plants  of  the  same  or  closely-related 
species. 

Pimento  in  Trinidad. — It  is  well  known  that 
the  Pimento  or  Allspice  tree  (Pimento  offici- 
nalis) is  especially  a  Jamaica  plant,  from 
which  island  our  supplies  of  the  well- 
known  berries  are  chiefly,  if  not  exclu- 
sively, brought.  The  extension  of  its  culti- 
vation in  Trinidad  was  commenced  some  ten 
years  ago,  when  seeds  were  obtained  from 
Jamaica,  and  a  considerable  number  of  plants 
raised.  The  present  condition  of  these  plants, 
and  their  future  prospects,  are  referred  to  in  the 
following  paragraph  from  the  last  quarterly 
issue  of  the  Bulletin  of  Miscellaneous  Informa- 
tion of  the  Botanical  Department  of  Trinidad. 
A  section  of  land  was  planted  at  St.  Clair,  and 
for  several  years  the  trees  grew  well  and  pro- 
duced seed,  reaching  some  20  feet  in  height. 
During  the  last  two  years  these  trees  com- 
menced to  show  signs  of  sickness,  and  during 
the  past  month  of  June  several  of  them  died. 
The  situation  is  somewhat  low,  and  is  ap- 
parently too  dam])  for  the  species,  as  on  higher 
ground  although  the  trees  have  not  grown  so 
fast  they  are  perfectly  healthy,  and  present 
characters  much  in  common  with  those  they 
show  on  Jamaica  plantations.  This  is  probably 
the  cause  of  the  extreme  scarcity  of  this  species 
in  Trinidad  where  it  is  not  indigenous,  while 
its  near  ally,  Pimento  acris,  is  a  common  plant 
in  many  parts  of  the  island,  and  so  also  is  its 
variety  P.  acris,  var.  atrifolia.  The  ordinary 
P.  acris  produces  bay  oil,  and  by  distillation  the 
well-known  bay  rum  is  produced ;  its  variety 
citrifolia,  however,  gives  an  essential  oil  having 
a  distinct  citron  odour,  which  distinguishes  it 
from  that  produced  by  the  substantive  species. 

Publications  Received.  •  Tax,  and  hou 

to  get  it  refunded.  Twentieth  edition.  By  Alfred 
Chapman  (Effingham  Wilson  &  Co.),  price  2s. — 
Practical  Advertising,  1907-8,  published  by  Mather  & 
Crowther,  Ltd.,  London. 


THE    HARDY    FLOWER 
BORDER. 

KNIPHOFIA  MULTIFLORA. 

When  first  introduced  into  this  country  some 
seven  years  ago,  this  interesting  and  distinct 
species  was  treated  as  a  cool  greenhouse  plant, 
which  treatment  was  justified  owing  to  its  not 
flowering  till  the  middle  of  November,  a  time  of 
year  when  few  plants  look  happy  in  bloom 
unless  afforded  protection  of  some  sort.  On  being 
planted   out   in   an   open  border,   it  has  proved 


to  be  quite  as  hardy  as  most  of  the  other  mem- 
bers of  this  attractive  genus,  and  this  year, 
owing  to  absence  of  frost,  it  flowered  well 
outside.  Its  nearest  ally  in  the  genus  is  the 
pretty  little  K.  modesta,  and  it  is  one  of  the 
few  species  with  erect  flowers.  In  appear- 
ance it  may  be  said  to  somewhat  resemble  a 
small  Eremurus,  but  the  flowers  are  sessile 
and  densely  packed  on  a  spike,  which  varies 
from  1  to  2  feet  in  length.  The  colour  of  the 
flowers  is  not  attractive,  being  of  a  yellowish 
white  tint.  The  plant  grows  from  3  to  6  feet 
high,  with  leaves  of  the  same  length,  and  are 
about  1  inch  wide  at  the  broadest  part. 

The  native  habitat  of  K.  multiflora  is  in 
Natal,  where  it  is  found  growing  in  swamps  on 
the  summit  of  the  Drakensburg  range  of  moun- 
tains, at  an  elevation  of  5,000  to  6,000  feet.  The 
plant,  which  flowered  in  the  Cape  House  at  Kew 
for  the  first  time  in  November,  1900,  was  re- 
ceived from  Herr  Max  Leichtlin,  of  Baden 
Baden,  and  it  was  figured  at  the  time  in  the 
Botanical  Magazine,  tab.  7832. 

Except  in  favourable  situations  in  the  southern 
counties,  it  is  not  a  plant  for  growing  outside, 
but  needs  protection  in  order  to  preserve  the 
delicate  flowers  from  injury. 

WINTER-FLOWERING  CROCUSES. 

Usually  associated  with  the  early  spring,  the 
many  kinds  of  Crocus  now  in  cultivation  have 
various  times  of  flowering,  so  that  the  numer- 
ous species  may  be  used  to  provide  a  succession 
of  dainty  flowers  for  fully  eight  months  out  of 
the  year.  The  earliest  of  the  autumn  kinds,  C. 
Scharojani  and  C.  vallicola,  flower  in  August,, 
followed  by  the  handsome  C.  speciosus  and 
several  others  in  September  and  October.  These 
make  a  charming  display  at  a  dull  time  of 
the  year,  especially  planted  on  grassy  banks, 
where  the  grass  does  not  grow  too  rank.  It  is 
in  spring,  however,  that  we  get  the  greatest 
wealth  of  kinds  in  flower,  which  light  up  the 
garden  in  February  and  March  with  their  rich 
and  varied  colours.  Linking  up  these  two  great 
sections  there  are  a  few  kinds  which  succeed  the 
autumn-flowering  species,  and,  weather  permit- 
ting, continue  blooming  through  the  winter.  In 
warm,  sheltered  spots  they  may  be  grown  out- 
side, but  to  have  them  in  perfection  they  ought 
to  be  given  the  protection  of  a  cold  frame.  Many 
of  the  autumn-blooming  species,  like  C.  hadria- 
ticus,  C.  cancellatus,  C.  laevigatus,  and  C.  longi- 
florus  prolong  their  flowering  period  into 
December  in  mild  weather,  and  it  is  well  worth 
while  using  bell-glasses  to  protect  the  flowers 
from  heavy  rain  and  bad  weather.  Those  species 
that  flower  in  winter  are  :  — 

C.  alatavicus,  from  Central  Asia,  which  pro- 
duces its  flowers  about  the  end  of  January.  The 
inner  petals  are  white,  while  the  outer  ones  are 
very  finely  feathered  and  speckled  with  purplish- 
grey  on  the  outside.  It  is  a  distinct  but  some- 
what rare  plant  in  gardens. 

C.  ancyrensis  is  a  pretty  species,  with  deep 
orange-yellow  flowers,  which  sometimes  bear 
rich  brown  markings. 

C.  biflorus  is  a  beautiful  species,  of  which 
there  are  many  varieties.  In  some  forms  the 
markings  are  very  rich  and  varied,  the  type 
having  white  flowers  with  lilac  feathering  on 
the  outside  segments.  It  comes  into  bloom  in 
January.  Some  of  the  most  distinct  varieties 
are  :  var.  Adami,  pale  self  purple,  or  feathered 
with  dark  purple  on  the  outer  segments  ;  var. 
Pestalozzae,  a  dainty  little  flower,  white,  with  a 
yellow  base;  var.  Weldeni,  white,  shaded  mauve 
or  blue,  and  pure  white. 

C.  caspius. — One  of  the  finest  white-flowered 
Crocuses,  which  has  been  recently  introduced 
fiom  the  Caspian  region.  It  sometimes  flowers 
in  November,  and  continues  to  do  so  until  Feb- 
ruary. There  is  a  variety  of  this  which  has  the 
outer  segments  suffused  with  lilac. 

C.  hyemalis. — This  winter-flowering  species  is 
a  native  of  Palestine,  and  comes  into  bloom 
in  December.  It  should  be  grown  in  pans  in 
the  Alpine  house,  and  as  the  coiras  can  be  pro- 
cured so  cheaply,  it  is  best  to  have  a  fresh  Ftock 
every  year,  as  they  do  not  flower  so  well  the 
second  year  in  pans.  The  typical  form  should 
have  yellow  anthers,  but  most,  if  not  all  of  the 
plants  in  cultivation  are  the  var.  Foxii,  with 
black  anthers.  The  flowers  are  white  and  veined 
or  spotted  with  rich  purple  on  the  outside. 

C.  Impcrali. — This  Italian  plant  frequently 
comes  into  flower  about  Christmastime,  but  is  at 


December  7,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


397 


its  best  near  the  end  of  January.  It  is  a  beautiful 
species,  the  outside  of  the  rich  purple  flower 
being  pale  fawn  colour,  striped  with  brown. 
The  leaves  are  very  long,  while  the  colour  of 
the  flowers  vary  considerably. 

C".  marathonisius. — This  is  another  handsome 
white-flowered  species,  which  was  introduced 
into  cultivation  a  few  years  ago  by  Herr  Max 
Leichtlin.  It  is  a  robust  grower,  and  is  just 
coming  into  flower  at  the  end  of  November. 

I  vitellinus  is  a  native  of  Asia  Minor,  with 
handsome   orange-coloured   flowers    in   January. 


Fig.    163. — part  of  a  potato  plant  showing 
the  effects  of  the  disease  both  above  and 
below  ground. 

There  is  also  a  variety  named  graveolens,  with 
brown  markings  on  the  outside  segments. 

The  culture  of  the  Crocus  is  very  simple,  as 
any  light  garden  soil  suits  the  corms.  Their 
main  requirements  are  a  sunny  position,  and 
shelter  from  cutting  winds.  Shelter  from  rain 
in  the  form  of  a  bell-glass  or  light  would  be  a 
great  advantage,  in  order  to  preserve  their  full 
beauty.     W .  I. 


VARIORUM. 


THE  USE  OF  ACCESSORIES. 
Some  florists  still  think  that  because  the  leading 
florist  in  the  town  uses  many  more  supplies,  in 
proportion,  than  the  others  do,  it  is  because  he 
has  the  money  to  put  into  them.  It  is  not  that 
way  at  all.  The  man  who  makes  the  most  free 
use  of  the  things  which  add  to  the  attractiveness 
of  Ins  stock  is  the  one  who  gets  the  business,  and 
any  florist  easily  can  demonstrate  for  himself  how 
the  use  of  suitable  embellishments  adds  to  his 
trade.  For  instance,  take  the  item  of  Violet  boxes. 
Some  retailers  still  send  out  Violets  in  any  sort  of 
small  box,  but  the  one  who  knows  his  business  has 
a  stock  of  special  Violet  boxes,  and  usually  he  has 
more  than  one  grade.  It  never  fails  that  where 
one  florist  sends  out  Violets  nicely  put  up  in  a  box 
made  for  the  purpose,  and  his  neighbours  use 
an  ■  ordinary  box,  or  none  at  all,  the  trade  soon 
gets  all  into  the  hands  of  the  one  who  has  the 
enterprise  to  do  things  right.  What  applies  to  the 
small  matter  of  a  few  pennies  for  a  Violet  box 
applies  to  the  larger  items.  No  retailer  can  afford 
to  send  out  anything  but  attractive  packages. 
Florists'  Review,  U.S.A. 


"BLACK    SCAB"    OR    "WARTY 
DISEASE"   OF   POTATOS. 

(CHRYSOPHLYCTIS    ENDOBIOTICA 
SCHILB.) 

In  1902  a  new  fungus  disease  of  Potatos  was 
recorded  for  England.  Prof.  M.  C.  Potter,  of 
Armstrong  College,  Newcastle,  gave  an  excellent 
and  well-illustrated  account  of  the  fungus  caus- 
ing the  disease,  in  the  December  number,  1902, 
of  the  Journal  of  the  Board  of  Agriculture,  In 
this  article  the  fungus  was  correctly  dete:  mined 
as  Chrysophlyctis  endobiotica  Schilbersky, 
which  had  hitherto  been  known  only  from  Upper 
Hungary,  where  is  was  originally  discovered  in 
1896.  In  the  same  number  of  this  Journal,  the 
same  disease  was  dealt  with  by  Mr.  Massee,  who 
determined  the  fungus  as  CEdomyces  leproides 
Trabut,  a  disease  which  had  been  recorded  as 
attacking  Beetroot  in  the  grounds  of  the  School 
of  Agriculture  at  Kouiba,  near  Algiers.  It  sub- 
sequently became  apparent  that  an  error  had 
been  made  in  this  identification,  but  the  leaflet 
on  "Black  Stab"  which  is  being  distributed  by 
the  Board  of  Agriculture  continues  to  perpetuate 
the  mistake  of  identifying  this  new  Potato  disease 
with  that  of  the  Beetroot  gall-fungus,  GLdomyces 
leproides.  The  matter  is  of  some  economic  im- 
portance,  and   I   shall  refer  to  it  again   later. 

Although  this  "Black  Scab"  disease  was 
recognised  on  its  first  appearance  as  being  of  a 
dangerous  nature,  no  systematic  steps  have  been 
taken  to  eradicate  it,  or  to  stop  it  spreading 
through  this  country.  I  have  lately  collected 
information  from  reliable  sources,  and  received 
a  large  number  of  specimens  from  various  dis- 
tricts, which  show  clearly  the  dangerous  nature 
of  the  disease.  It  is  evident,  too,  that  the 
disease  is  slowly  and  surely  spreading  from 
county  to  county.  It  will  be  best  to  give  the 
facts  bearing  on  these  points  under  the  various 
counties  from  which  the  di?ease  has  been  re- 
corded, but  before  doing  so,  the  disease  and 
the  fungus  which  causes  it  must  first  be  de- 
scribed. 

Photographs  of  Potatos  attacked  by  the 
"  Black  Scab "  fungus  are  shown  in  figs.  103, 
164.  The  normal  growth  of  the  tuber  is  altered 
under  the  irritation  caused  by  the  attacks 
o  the  fungus,  with  the  result  that  warty 
irregularly  wrinkled  and  convoluted  "  gall  "- 
like  outgrowths  or  excrescences  are  produced 
at  the  expense  of  the  growing  tuber.  Sometimes 
the  young  tuber  is  entirely  transformed  into  a 
useless  wrinkled  mass,  which  soon  decays  and 
turns  into  a  rotten  and  pulpy  mass.  At  other 
times  lateral  or  terminal  "gall  "-like  excres- 
cences are  borne  by  otherwise  sound  and  normal 
tubers  ;  not  infrequently  these  excrescences  are 
larger  than  the  tuber  itself.  More  rarely  lateral 
shoots  of  the  stem  above  ground  are  attacked, 
and  transformed  into  a  little  dense  bunch  of 
minute  leaflike  outgrowths,  resembling  on  a 
small  scale  the  curled  leaf  of  a  Savoy  Cabbage  ; 
an  attacked  lateral  shoot  is  shown  in  fig.  163 
above  The  "eve"  of  the  tuber  appears  to  be 
the  part  first  attacked.  If  all  the  growing 
"eyes"  of  the  "  ^eed  "  tuber  are  attacked,  no 
crop   at   all   is   obtained. 

If  we  cut  across  any  of  these  warty  outgrowths 
at  the  time  when  the  Potatos  are  dug,  and  place 
a  section  under  the  microscope,  the  fungus  can 
be  easily  seen.  There  will  be  found,  embedded 
in  the  flesh  of  the  Potato  close  to  the  surface, 
an  enormous  number  of  comparatively  large, 
round,  brown  "  resting  spores,"  about  60  n  in 
diameter*  (see  figs.  165,  166).  No  fungus  spawn 
(mycelium)  is  to  be  seen  at  this  stage  or  at  any- 
time. Earlier  in  the  season  the  fungus  exists 
as  a  little  naked  mass  of  living  substance,  known 
as  protoplasm,  in  the  cells  of  the  flesh  of  the 
tuber.  This  is  known  as  the  Plasmodium  stage. 
The    fungus    in    its    Plasmodium     stage    moves 

*  The  germination  of  these  "  resting  spores  "  has  not  yet 
been  observed.  It  seems  probable  that  they  are  in  reality 
sporangia,  and  that  on  germination  they  set  free  "swarm 
spores"  in  the  soil.  They  function,  however,  as  "resting 
spores." 


about  during  the  summer  months  from  cell  to 
cell,  feeding  on  their  contents,  and  irritating 
the  cells  of  the  surrounding  tissue  to  abnormal 
growth,  so  that  the  characteristic  warty  excres- 
cences are  formed.  At  the  end  of  the  growing 
season,  the  protoplasm .  of  the  fungus  in  each 
cell  contracts  into  a  globular  mass  and  sur- 
rounds itself  with  a  thick  wall,  arid  thus  becomes 
a  "  resting  spore,"  such  as  those  shown  in 
figs.  165  and  166.  These  "  resting  spores  "  on  the 
rotting  of  the  diseased  tubers  are  set  free  in  the 
soil,  and  remain  there  ready  to  attack  the  crop 
of  the  next  season.  Prof.  M.  C.  Potter  has 
demonstrated  by  inoculation-experiments  that 
these  spores  can  remain  resting  in  the  soil  over 
two  years,  and  then  attack  the  crop  in  the  third 
year.  Mr.  J.  W.  Easth'am  has  the  following  in- 
teresting note  on  the  prolonged  vitality  of  the 
spores  :  "  When  once  established  in  the  land,  it 
is  useless  to  grow  Potatos  again  until  the  pest 
has  been  starved  out  or  otherwise  destroyed  : 
but,  so  far  as  is  known,  no  other  crops  are  liable 
to  be  attacked.  Quite  the  worst  case  seen  in 
Cheshire  occurred  on  land  that  had  not  borne 
Potatos  for  six  years  ;  "  seed  "  from  the  same 
source  as  that  employed  on  this  land  yielded 
satisfactory  results  elsewhere,  indicating  that 
spores  were  not  introduced  by  the  seed,  whilst 
the  manure  employed  started  no  infection  else- 
where. This  indicates  prolonged  vitality  on  the 
part  of  the  fungus,  which  would  render  starving 
out  a  very  tedious  process." 

It  is  quite  clear  the  efore  that  all  aiseased 
tubers  should  be  carefully  collected  and  burnt. 
In  Mr.  Massee's  article  in  the  Journal  of  the 
Board  of  Agriculture  for  1904,  p.  307,  the  advice 
is  given  that,  as  an  alternative  treatment, 
diseased  tubers  should  be  "  deeply  buried."  la 
my  opinion  this  advice  should  never  have  been 
given.     Mr.  Massee  brings  forward  no  evidenco 


Fig.  164.—  potato-tuber  infected  with 
"black    scab"    (chrysophlyctis    endo- 
biotica, schilb.). 


that  deep  burying  would  kill  the  spores,  and  it 
is  improbable  that  this  is  the  case;  there  would 
be  the  danger,  too,  of  diseased  material  or  in- 
fected soil  being  brought  to  the  surface  by  moles 
or  worms. 

Diseased  tubers  should  on  no  account  ue  fed 
to  stock,  as  the  spores  would  not  be  injured  by 
passing  through  the  intestinal  canal  of  the 
animal,  and  would  eventually  be  returned  to  the 
land  with  the  manure. 


39  S 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[December  7,  1907. 


We  will  proceed  now  to  consider  the  present 
distribution  of  the  disease,  and  the  injury  it  has 
inflicted  on  the  crop  in  various  districts. 

shirt. — Mr.  J.  W.  Eastham  has  written  (in 
the  Year  Book  of  the  College  of  Agriculture, 
Holmes  Chapel,  for  1904)  of  the  serious  nature 
of  the  present  disease,  which  appears  to  be  not 
"iily  very  well  established  but  spreading  in 
Cheshire.  "  The  first  recorded  case  of  attack  in 
this  county  was  in  1900,  when  a  field  of  Potatos 
was  destroyed  near  Birkenhead.  I  am  informed, 
however,  that  so  long  ago  as  1896  specimens  of 
tubers    affected   were   sent   to    the   College   from 


Fig.  1G5.— section  of  an  out-growth  on  a  diseased 

POTATO,    SHOWING    THE     SPORES     IN     THE    FLESH    OF    THE 
POTATO.       (SLIGHTLY    MAGNIFIED  ) 


Cheshire,  but  nothing  was  then  known  concern- 
ing it.  In  a  mild  attack  the  tubers  are  dis- 
figured, but  not  seriously  damaged,  and  their 
keeping  powers  are  not  injured.  In  a  severe 
attack,  however,  the  tubers  are  practically  worth- 
less, while  if  the  young  sprouts  of  the  seed  should 
be  affected,  the  growth  of  that  plant  may  be 
entirely  stopped,  and  no  tubers  at  all  produced." 
Mr.  W.  Neild,  lecturer  in  horticulture  at  the 
Holmes  Chapel  Agricultural  College,  has  very 
kindly  supplied  me  with  the  following  notes  : 
"  I  have  to  report  that  the  disease  is  spreading 
and  the  damage  done  is  very  considerable. 
The  fungus  is  spreading  through  the  dis- 
tribution of  affected  seed,  and  growers 
whose  crops  have  suffered  from  it  either 
don't  or  won't  admit  its  presence  on  their  hold- 
ing as  it  would  militate  against  the  sale  of 
"seed."  I  first  heard  of  it  in  1895,  and  the  fol- 
lowing year  specimens  were  sent  to  me  ;  these  I 
forwarded  to  London,  but  nothing  appeared  to 
be  known  there  about  it.  It  is  generally  be- 
lieved in  Cheshire  that  it  was  introduced  to 
this  country  by  the  cattle-boats  from  the  Con- 
tinent arriving  at  Birkenhead.  The  worst  case 
I  have  seen  was  in  a  field  of  about  three  acres 
quite  near  to  the  College  ;  the  variety  was  Up- 
to-Date,  and  nearly  every  tuber  was  more  or 
less  affected,  about  one-third  of  the  crop  being 
rendered  quite  useless.  In  another  instance  the 
Eldorado  suffered  very  extensively."  Writing 
later,  Mr.  Neild  reported :  "  I  have  just  met 
with  a  very  bad  case.  The  field  in  which  the 
disease  occurred  had  been  pasture,  which  was 
broken  up  last  year ;  area,  6  acres ;  variety, 
Up-to-Date.  The  haulm  was  strong,  but  the 
crop  was  not  worth  harvesting,  as  every  tuber 
was  affected  with  disease.  I  may  add  that  cot- 
tagers and  others  who  have  known  the  disease 
long  before  it  was  designated  '  Blade  Scab ' 
know  it  by  the  name  of  '  Cauliflower  disease,' 
doubtless  owing  to  the  outgrowths  bearing  some 
slight  resemblance  to  a  Cauliflower." 

Merionethshire. — Prof.  C.  Bryner  Jones,  of 
University  College,  Aberystwyth,  has  very 
kindly  supplied  me  with  the  following  notes  on 
the  occurrence  of  the  disease  in  Merionethshire. 
It  is  a  highly  interesting  case,  and  illustrates  how 
a  new  pest,  when  once  introduced,  if  left  to  it- 
self, will  slowly  and  surely  get  hold  of  a  district. 
Prof.  Bryner  Jones  writes  :  "  I  have  personally 
only  come  across  the  disease  in  one  locality  in 
North  Wales,  viz.,  Dolgelly,  in  Merionethshire: 


I  believe  I  was  one  of  the  first  to  have  attention 
called  to  it.  This  was  in  1901  or  1902,  when  I 
sent  specimens  to  London  to  Mr.  W.  Carruthers. 
These  specimens  I  found  in  a  garden  just  out- 
side the  town  of  Dolgelly  ;  this  garden  was  then 
in  the  occupation  of  one  of  the  station-masters, 
and,  so  far  as  I  know,  was  the  only  place  where 
the  disease  had  then  made  its  appearance.  I 
have  made  enquiries  every  year  since.  The 
disease  is  still  in  this  garden.  Last  year  it  was 
also  prevalent  in  another  garden  about  a  quarter- 
mile  away  from  the  first  one.  I  was  told  that 
the  disease  had  appeared  on  a  farm  some  dis- 
tance from  the  town."  Writing 
later,  Prof.  Bryner  Jones  re- 
ported :  "  Since  I  received  your 
letter,  I  have  made  further  en- 
quiries and  visited  some  places 
in  the  Dolgelly  district,  and  I 
am  sorry  to  say  that  I  find  the 
disease  is  spreading.  It  is  still 
to  be  found  in  the  garden  (men- 
tioned above)  where  it  first  oc- 
curred ;  for  the  last  two  years 
there  has  been  a  good  deal  of  it 
in  another  garden  which  is  let 
in  allotments  about  a  quarter  of 
a  mile  from  the  first  garden. 
This  year  I  have  found  it  in  a 
third  garden  on  the  opposite 
side  of  the  valley,  and  about  a 
mile  from  the  town.  Here,  so 
far  as  I  am  aware,  it  did  not 
appear  before  this  year.  There 
is  a  little  of  the  disease  in  a  farm  also  about  a 
quarter  of  a  mile  further  up,  but  I  could  not 
discover  any  connection  between  the  two  places. 
In  the  case  of  the  farm,  the  '  seed  '  was  their 
own,  grown  one  year  on  the  farm,  and  last  year 
there  was  no  disease.  In  the  case  of  the  third 
garden,  above  referred  to,  where  the  disease  is 
very  bad,  the  '  seed  '  was  obtained  from  a  pro- 
vision merchant  in  the  town,  whom  I  have  not 
yet  seen  to  make  enquiries  of.  The  owner  of 
the  garden  tells  me  that  the  disease  is  much 
worse  in  the  part  of  the  garden  planted  with 
this  man's  seed  than  it  is  in  another  portion  of 
the  garden  planted  with  different  seed.  Its 
origin  seems  very 
mysterious,  and 
it  will  take  a 
good  deal  of  in- 
vestigating. I  am 
informed  that  the 
disease  has  also 
appeared  at  Ft 
tiniog.  I  am 
greatly  intereste  I 
in  the  matter, 
and  somewli  it 
concerned  to 
the  way  in  whi.  h 
.he  disease  is 
spreading.  I  have 
already  acquaint- 
ed the  Board  of 
Agriculture  with 
the  fact  that  it  is 
spreading." 

Nottinghamshire. 

— Mr.  Geo.  Cor- 
don, at  a  meeting 
of  the  Royal  Hor- 
ticultural Society 
on      October     13, 

1903,  reported  that  the  present  disease  "had 
completely  destroyed  crops  in  •  allotments 
in  Notts."  Through  Mr.  Gordon's  help  I 
have  been  put  into  correspondence  with  a 
grower  at  Annesley,  Notts.,  who  writes  as 
follows  :  "  The  disease  is  spreading  each  year. 
It  broke  out  here  in  a  few  allotments  six  or 
seven  years  ago,  and  now  scarcely  one  is  free, 
and  there  are  about  185  of  them  in  our  little 
village.  These  allotments  are  from  500  to  1,000 
square  yards,  and  some  of  the  occupiers  cannot 


find  Potatos  in  plenty  for  '  the  family '  for  the 
winter  and  spring  months,  whereas  a  few  years 
ago  the  cottager  would  have  abundance.  The 
tubers  when  dug  (freshly)  present  the  appear- 
ance of  beautiful  miniature  Cauliflowers  ;  tubers 
only  2  ozs.  in  weight  will  produce  protuberances 
twice  their  size."  Writing  later,  my  correspondent 
adds  :  "  There  is  no  doubt  in  my  mind  as  to 
the  way  the  pest  found  its  way  here.  It  would 
be  conveyed  from  Hungary  to  Germany,  thence 
to  London,  then  to  the  provincial  towns — Not- 
tingham for  one.  Then  it  would  be  brought 
round  by  costers  into  our  village,  and  the  '  seed  ' 
would  be  planted  by  many.  The  disease  attacks 
Up-to-Date,  Factor,  British  Queen,  Scottish 
Triumph,  and  many  other  varieties." 

Westmorland. — Prof.  M.  C.  Potter  writes  to 
me  that  he  observed  the  disease  at  Ambleside 
last  July.     (See  also  below  under  Cumberland.) 

Lancashire. — Mr.  Carruthers  has  recorded  the 
occurrence  of  the  disease  "in  Lancashire."  The 
tubers  were  "  completely  destroyed." 

i  umberland. — The  disease  is  recorded  in  the 
October  number  of  the  Journal  of  the  Board  of 
Agriculture  from  Bootle.  In  the  Gardeners' 
Chronicle  for  October  26  last,  Mr.  J.  G.  Murray 
reported  a  very  severe  outbreak  upon  about  a 
dozen  allotment  gardens  near  Carlisle.  In  a 
recent  letter,  Mr.  Murray  writes  :  "  I  have  had 
reports  concerning  the  disease  from  four  centres 
in  Cumberland  and  Westmorland." 

Perthshire. — In  the  October  number  of  the 
Journal  of  the  Board  of  Agriculture  the  disease 
is  reported  from  Crieff.  No  details  are  given 
of  the  outbreak. 

Soon  after  the  determination  of  this  Potato 
disease  by  Mr.  Massee  as  being  identical  with 
the  Beetroot  fungus,  CEdomyces  leproides 
Trabut,  a  statement  was  made  by  Dr.  M.  C. 
Cooke  in  the  present  journal  to  the  effect 
that  he  had  been  assured  by  someone  that 
Dr.  1'.  Magnus,  of  Berlin — an  authority  on 
this  group  of  fungi — had  acquiesced  in  the 
determination.  Immediately  on  this  statement 
being  published,  Prof.  Magnus  wrote  to  the 
papers  contradicting  it,  and  pointing  out  that 
from    the    published    description    given      Chry- 


Fig. 


166. — SECTION    THROUGH    AN    ODT-GROWTH    SHOWING   THE 
SPORES    OF    THE    FONGUS.       (HIGHLY    MAGNIFIED.) 


sophlyctis  was  evidently  distinct  from  the  Beet- 
root fungus,  CEdomyces.  Later,  Prof.  Magnus, 
having  seen  specimens  of  the  present  disease, 
has  pointed  out  that  the  fungi  causing  the  two 
diseases  are  perfectly  distinct,  and  belong  to  two 
different  genera.  Unfortunately  the  confusion 
has  been  made  more  serious  by  the  erroneous 
statement  which  appears  in  the  Board  of  Agri- 
culture's leaflet  (No.  105)  on  "  Black  Scab,"  thai 
"  CEdomyces  leproides  Trabut  =  Chrysophlwti , 
endobiotica  Schilb."     The  Board  of  Agriculture 


December  7,  1307.] 


THE     GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


399 


should  in   the  next  issue  of  their  leaflet  delete 
the  name  of  GEdomyces  leproides. 

A  most  important  question  from  the  eco- 
nomic point  of  view  is  whether  this  new  disease 
of  Potatos  can  attack  other  plants.  Mr.  Massee, 
in  the  Board's  leaflet,  where,  as  mentioned 
above,  the  fungus  is  determined  as  the  same  as 
the  Beetroot  disease,  states  that  "both  Beet  and 
Mangold  are  liable  to  be  attacked."  As  no 
detailed  account  of  the  inoculation  experiments 
on  Beet  and  Mangold  have  been  published,  I 
wrote  lately  to  Kew  'for  information  on  the 
point,  and  received  the  following  reply :  "  Seed- 
lings of  Beet  and  Mangold  in  soil  infected  with 
material  obtained  from  Potatos  were  attacked 
and  destroyed.  Resting  spores  were  formed  in 
the  tissues  of  both  Beet  and  Mangold.  No  inde- 
pendent  announcement  of  the  above  observation 
has  or  will  be  made." 

If  we  turn  to  Mr.  Massee's  account  of  the 
present  disease,*  we  find  that  it  is  stated  that  the 
present  Potato  disease  "  proved  on  microscopi- 
cal examination  to  be  identical  with  the  one 
attacking  Beetroot  as  described  above."  Xow 
Mr.  Massee  describes  the  outgrowths  produced 
on  Beet  as  "  containing  numerous  irregularly- 
shaped  cavities  filled  with  the  dark-coloured 
resting  spores  of  the  fungus."  But  in  the  Potato 
disease  we  do  not  find  "  irregularly-shaped  cavi- 
ties filled  with  spores,"  but,  as  Prof.  Potter  has 
pointed  out,  the  spores  are  scattered  in  the  cells 
of  the  tuber  near  the  periphery.  How,  then,  is 
it  possible  to  maintain  that  the  two  diseases 
are  microscopically  identical?  When  we  come 
to  consider  the  spores,  a  graver  discrepancy 
occurs.  Mr.  Massee  figures,  as  coming  from  a 
diseased  Potato,  some  spores  which  show  a 
lateral  depression ;  but,  as  Prof.  Potter  and 
Prof.  Magnus  point  out,  the  spores  do  not  show 
this  character,  while  it  is  found  in  the  quite 
distinct  disease  of  the  Beetroot.  It  is  the  very 
reverse  of  scientific  treatment  to  attempt  to 
remedy  these  discrepancies  by  stating,  as  is  done 
in  the  Board's  leaflet,  that  the  Potato  disease, 
Chrysophlyctis  endobiotica,  is  to  be  considered 
as  a  synonym  of  the  Beetroot  disease,  CEdomvces 
leproides. 

According  to  the  Kew  experiments,  spores  ob- 
tained from  Potatos  infected  and  killed  Beet  and 
Mangold,  and  resting  spores  were  formed  in  the 
tissue  of  these  plants.  It  is  a  point  of  scientific 
and  economic  interest  to  know  whether  these 
spores  possessed  the  lateral  depression  and 
other  distinctive  characters  of  the  Beetroot  dis- 
ease— that  is,  whether  they  resembled  the  spores 
of  CEdomyces  or  Chrysophlyctis,  as  in  the  latter 
case  it  is  clear  that  the  Beetroot  has  two  dis- 
tinct diseases.  Perhaps  Mr.  Massee  will  make 
clear  these  points  in  these  columns. 

The  time  is  now  at  hand  when  Potato  growers 
with  land  infested  with  spores  of  the  "Black 
Scab  "  will  be  forced  to  grow  other  crops  for  a 
number  of  years,  and  it  is  of  public  importance 
that  the  scientific  details  of  the  inoculation  ex- 
periments, on  which  the  Board  of  Agriculture 
rely  for  the  statement  (published  in  their  leaflet) 
that  Beet  and  Mangold  are  liable  to  be  attacked, 
should   be  published. 

We  now  come  to  the  consideration  of  the  last 
[joint  :  what  steps  ought  to  be  taken  to  prevent 
this  new  Potato  disease  spreading  through  the 
country? 

There  is  a  consensus  of  scientific  opinion  as 
to  the  dangerous  nature  of  the  disease.  Prof. 
M.  ('.  Potter  has  written:  "From  my  observa- 
tions it  is  evidently  a  very  destructive  parasite, 
which  possesses  most  effective  means  of  spread- 
ing itself  if  only  opportunity  offers.  As,  so  far, 
it  appears  to  be  of  local  occurrence,  it  is  of  the 
highest  importance  to  stamp  it  out  before  it 
obtains  a  firm  foothold  in  this  country.  The 
attacked  Potatos  should  in  no  caso  be  allowed 
to  pass  out  of  an  infected  district  or  be  used 
for  '  seed.'  It  is  worth  while  taking  every  pos- 
sible  precaution   to   check   this   parasite,   which 


*  Journal  of  the  Board  of  Agriculture.     December,  1902. 


otherwise  might  ensure  for  itself  a  wide  distri- 
bution and  cause  very  considerable  damage." 
The  opinions  of  Mr.  J.  W.  Eastham,  Mr.  W. 
Neild,  and  Prof.  C.  Bryner  Jones,  who  have  all 
had  practical  experience  of  the  disease,  is  given 
above.  Mr.  Massee  has  even  written :  "  This 
disease,  although  only  quite  recently  imported 
from  the  Continent,  threatens  to  be  quite  as 
destructive  to  Potatos  as  the  old-establish, 
ease."  If  we  consider  what  these  words  really 
mean,  and  the  devastation  and  famine  that 
would  result — supposing  this  estimate  of  the 
dangerous  nature  of  the  disease  to  be  correct — 
if  this  new  pest  should  gain  admission  into  Ire- 
land, it  seems  almost  incredible  that  the  Board 
of  Agriculture  should  have  taken  no  steps,  be- 
yond the  issue  of  a  leaflet,  to  deal  with  the 
disease.  But,  considering  that  the  present 
"Black  Scab"  disease  has  no  aerial  form  of 
fructification,  and  so  cannot  spread  above 
ground  like  the  Potato  "blight"  (Phytophthora 
infestans),  which  extends  in  a  few  days  through 
a  whole  field  by  means  of  its  wind-borne  spores, 
the  two  diseases  cannot,  in  my  opinion,  be  thus 
compared,  and  we  must  hope  that  for  once  Mr. 
Massee  may  be  regarded  as  somewhat  of  an 
alarmist  and  as  exaggerating  the  spreading 
powers  of  the  disease. 

It  is  quite  clear,  however,  that  the  "Black 
Scab  "  disease  threatens  to  inflict  such  serious 
injury  on  the  Potato  crop  as  to  warrant  the 
Board  of  Agriculture  taking  official  action. 
The  Board  now  possess  the  necessary  legis- 
lative powers  under  the  "  Destructive  Insects 
and  Pests  Act,"  which  became  law  last  July. 
The  disease  is  viewed  with  alarm  by  both 
the  scientific  and  the  practical  man,  and  yet  no 
steps  are  being  taken  to  deal  with  this  pest, 
which,  if  it  is  allowed  to  spread  through  the 
country  and  to  reach  Ireland,  will  cause  losses 
of  hundreds  of  thousands  of  pound.  Now  that 
the  disease  is  reported  from  Perthshire,  it  can 
only  be  a  matter  of  time,  if  the  agricultural 
authorities  continue  to  remain  inactive,  before 
the  disease  is  distributed  by  Scotch  "  seed  "  over 
the  whole  country. 

Smre  this  disease  has  only  quite  recently  been 
imported  into  this  country  from  the  Continent, 
and  is  at  present  confined  to  a  comparatively 
small  area,  it  is  eminently  a  disease  to  be  dealt 
with  by  legislative  measures.  It  is  perfectly 
clear  that  growers  will  continue  to  send  the 
disease  about  the  country  by  means  of  diseased 
"seed,"  unless  it  is  made  a  punishable  offence 
to  do  so.  The  spread  of  this  new  disease  can 
only  be  prevented  by  the  affected  areas  being 
kept  under  the  supervision  of  a  competent  in- 
spector. The  disease  should  be  dealt  with  as 
the  Colorado  Beetle  was  dealt  with,  and  Potato 
growers  should  unite  in  demanding  from  the  first 
that  some  compensation  from  Treasury  funds  is 
paid  for  partly-diseased  crops  which  are  de- 
stroyed, as  was  provided  in  the  Colorado  Beetle 
Act  of  1877. 

From  past  experience,  it  seems  hopeless  to 
expect  the  Board  of  Agriculture  to  act  on  their 
own  initiative  in  dealing  with  any  newly  intro- 
duced plant  disease,  and  I  would  therefore 
strongly  recommend  all  Potato  growers  and  mer- 
chants, farmers,  market  gardeners,  and  allot- 
ment holders  to  unite  in  sending  resolutions  to 
the  Board,  urging  them  to  take  immediate  steps 
to  eradicate  this  new  pest,  or  at  least  prevent 
it  spreading  all  over  the  country. 

The  essence  of  the  scientific  treatment  of 
epidemic  plant  diseases  is  to  apply  the  remedy 
at  the  start.  A  conspicuous  instance  of  the 
danger  of  neglecting  this  principle  can  be  seen 
in  the  present  situation  with  regards  to  the 
American  Gooseberry-mildew.  The  Board  knew 
of  outbreaks  of  this  disease  in  1900,  yet  took  no 
steps  to  deal  with  this  pest  until  seven  years 
alterwards,  with  the  result  that  they  have  now 
to  deal  with  some  hundreds  of  acres  of  Goose- 
berry plantations  infested  with  this  most  in- 
fectious mildew.  The  Board  knew  in  1901  of  the 
introduction    into    this    country    of   the    "  Bla<  k 


Scab"  of  Potatos.  Since  1901  the  disease,  as 
the  above  evidence  from  the  various  counties 
shows,  has  been  slowly  and  surely  extending  its 
area.  No  effort  should  be  spared  by  all  those 
who  are  interested  in  Potato  growing  to  urge 
the  Board  to  take  the  steps  necessary  for  the 
suppression  of  the  disease  before  it  is  too  late. 
E.  S.  Salmon,  F.L.S.,  Mycologist  to  the  South- 
Ea  tern   Agricultural  College,    Wye,   Kent. 


GRAFTING    TEA    ROSES. 

The  grafting  of  Roses  in  pots  under  glass  is 
a  method  of  quickly  and  economically  multi- 
plying Rose  plants,  especially  those  of  tender 
constitution  which  cannot  be  relied  upon  to 
withstand  a  severe  winter  if  budded  in  the  open 
ground. 

The  best  month  to  commence  this  method  of 
propagation  is  November,  and  the  work  may 
be  continued  through  the  winter  months.  The 
most  satisfactory  stock  for  this  purpose  is  Rosa 
canina  (the  Dog  Rose),  although  some  varieties 
succeed  on  the  Brier  stock  raised  from  cuttings. 
The  seed  of  Rosa  canina  requires  to  be  sown  at 
least  two  years  before  the  stocks  will  be  worked, 
but  the  cutting-Brier  stock  is  ready  for  use  the 
season  after  it  is  rooted.  When  the  stocks  are 
about  half-an-inch  in  circumference,  they  should 
be  sorted,  and  the  best  of  them  potted  into  3- 
inch  pots.  When  potted,  the  plants  should  be 
plunged  in  the  open  ground  in  order  to  enable 
them  to  develop  a  good  root-system,  which  is 
an  important  factor  for  success.  Another  sys- 
tem consists  in  taking  the  stocks  direct  from  the 
ground,  cutting  back  the  "heads,"  trimming  the 
roots,  and  potting  them  into  3-inch  pots  in 
October  or  November. 

They  should  afterwards  be  placed  in  a  warm 
frame  for  a  fortnight,  and  then  removed  into  the 
propagating  house  to  encourage  the  development 
of  roots,  and,  as  soon  as  this  forms,  the  stocks 
are  ready  for  grafting.  It  is  necessary  in 
grafting  that  the  sap  in  the  stock  be  more  active 
than  that   in  the   scion. 

There  are  various  types  of  propagating  pit-, 
but  the  two  mam  requirements  are  that  they 
can  be  kept  close  and  have  a  bottom  heat 
of  from  60°  to  65°.  A  layer  of  cocoanut 
fibre  or  ashes  should  be  spread  over  the  bottom 
of  the  frame.  The  scions  should,  if  possible,  >be 
obtained  from  plants  that  have  been  grown 
under  glass,  for  these  shoots  will  be  in  a  riper 
condition  than  those  that  are  taken  from  plants 
outside.  If  the  grafts  have  to  be  secured  from 
plants  in  the  open,  they  should  be  severed  from 
the  bushes  with  a  sharp  knife,  and  be  placed 
in  bundles  of  separate  varieties,  stood  upright  in 
a  box  in  a  cold  shed,  and  be  covered  with  sand, 
in  which  position  they  will  keep  fresh  for  a 
long  time. 

Among  the  many  methods  of  grafting,  the 
whip  and  rind  system  are  to  be  recommended 
for  Roses.  In  whip  grafting  the  scion  should 
be  cut  behind  the  bud  and  about  half-an-inch 
below  it :  it  is  only  necessary  that  the  scion 
should  have  one  bud  or  "eye." 

Rind-grafting  should  be  practised  if  the  scion 
is  "  weak,"  or  it  may  be  used  for  the  grafting 
of  new  and  choice  varieties. 

For  whip-grafting  stocks  should  be  chosen 
which  correspond  as  nearly  as  possible  in  thii  k- 
ness  to  the  scions,  whilst  for  rind-grafting  it 
is  necessary  that  the  stock  be  thicker  than  the 
graft.  When  the  grafting  is  completed,  the 
plants  must  be  kept  in  a  close  atmosphere  in 
the  frames,  but  it  is  necessary  to  wipe  off  the 
moisture  that  condenses  on  the  sashes  at  least 
once  each  day,  preferably  in  the  early  morning, 
and  the  sashes  should  be  entirely  removed  for  a 
space  of  about  half-hour  to  allow  any  water 
which  has  condensed  on  the  plants  to  evaporate. 
As  the  union  between  stock  and  scion  takes  place, 
and  the  buds  break  forth  into  leaf,  the  k 
of  time  the  sashes  are  removed  should  be  in- 
creased until  the  plants  are  hardened  sufficiently 
to    be    removed    from    the    propagating    c 


400 


THE     GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


[December  7,  1907. 


For  about  a  fortnight  afterwards  they  should 
occupy  an  open  position  in  the  same  house  in 
which  they  have  been  reared.  When  the 
growths  are  about  6  or  8  inches  long,  it  is  ad- 
visable to  stop  them.  This  will  cause  the  buds 
below  to  break  into  growth,  and  thus  form  a 
bushy  habited  plant.  By  this  system  healthy 
plants  can  be  produced  in  the  short  space  of 
from   six  to  nine  months.     W.  B.  Little. 


GOOSEBERRY  WHIN  HAM'S 
INDUSTRY. 
The  excellent  photograph  of  this  variety  of 
Gooseberry,  which  has  been  sent  us  by  a 
correspondent  (see  fig.  167),  will  serve  to 
remind  cultivators  of  one  of  the  best  cropping 
sorts  obtainable.  At  the  present  season,  when 
planting  operations  are  being  carried  out,  the 
hint  is  appropriate. 


Colour  Variation  in  Chrysanthemums. — 

I  note  an  interesting  communication  in  the  issue  of 
the  Gardeners'  Chronicle  for  October  10  on  this 
subject  from  Mr.  H.  Cowley,  in  which  he  states 
that  his  results  show  "  how  impossible  it  is  to  con- 
form this  work  to  any  law."  How  so?  For  the 
simple  reason  that  the  alleged  laws  put  forward  by 
Mendelian  advocates  on  this  subject  are  faulty  and 
incomplete.  In  truth  the  word  "  law  "  should 
never  have  been  applied  to  them.  They  cannot 
even  be  fairly  termed  "  the  allegations  of  human 
experience,"  for  it  is  owing  to  the  paucity  and  to 
the  restricted  field  of  Mendelian  experiment  that 
any  general  claim  ever  came  to  be  advanced  on 
their  behalf.  Their  theory  of  colour  variation  was 
founded  on  insufficient  data,  and  received  its  final 
overthrow  at  the  third  International  Conference 
on    Genetics    held    by   the    Royal   Horticultural 


HOME    CORRESPONDENCE. 

(The  Editor  does  not  hold  himself  responsible  for  the 
opinions  expressed  by  his  correspondents.) 

Grapes  at  the  Shrewsbury  Show.— The 
suggestions  on  p.  379  of  the  last  issue  are  worth 
consideration  by  the  committee  of  the  Shropshire 
Society.  The  number  of  gardeners  who  would  be 
in  a  position  to  exhibit  three  or  six  bunches  in  one 
or  two  seasonable  varieties  would  be  much  greater 
than  the  number  of  exhibitors  who  can  exhibit  12 
bunches.  If  memory  serves  me  rightly,  at  ihe  last 
show  there  were  15  competitors  in  the  pair  and 
single  bunch  classes  for  Black  Hamburghs.  The 
varieties  selected  by  your  correspondent  are  worthy 
the  proposed  honour.  Naturally  a  first  prize 
winner  would  like  a  permanent  memento  of  his 
victory,  but  at  the  same  time  would  like  some 
means  wherewith  to  meet  the  expenses.  What 
does  your  correspondent  think  of  a  small  gold 
medal  with  a  cash  prize  added  ?     Exhibitor. 

Late  Peas. — I  gathered  a  dish  of  splendid 
garden  Peas  on  November  30.  The  variety  is 
known  as  Favourite.  Harold  Reaves,  of  Messrs. 
Letts  &■  Hai ding,  Nurserymen,  West  H addon,  Rugby. 

Question-Night  at  Debating  Societies. 

— Any  departure  from  the  ordinary  procedure  at 
Gardeners'    Mutual    Improvement    societies    or 
similar   horticultural   bodies   where    lectures   or 
addresses  are  habitually  given  is  most  welcome. 
As  a  rule  the  world  is  being  talked  at  too  much, 
and   it   rebels   sometimes   and   refuses   to   listen. 
The  committee  of  the  Kingston  Society  readily 
accepted  the  suggestion  to  devote  one  ordinary 
meeting  of   the  members   this  session  to   debat- 
ing  anonymous   questions   sent   in   on   paper  by 
the  members.     That  practice  was  adopted   at  a 
recent  r»eefing,  and  proved  to  be  singularly  suc- 
cessful. jMr.     E.     H.     Jenkins    and   his   valued 
knowledge    was    well    tested    by    the    questions, 
some   25    in    number,    put    before    the    meeting. 
The  range  of  questions  was  very  wide,  and  in- 
cluded  such   topics   as   the   Gooseberry-mildew, 
selection  of  flowering  shrubs,  bolting  Cabbages, 
nomenclature  of  Hellebores,  establishing  newly- 
imported     Japanese     Lilies,     winter     Begonias, 
Potato    failures    from    home-grown    seed-tubers, 
and   good  growth  from  northern  or   Irish  seed- 
tubers,  Peach  fruits  decaying  ere  ripe,  the  silver 
leaf   fungus,    sportiveness   of   Sweet   Peas,    Cab- 
bage clubbing  and  remedies,  stocks  for  climbing 
Roses,  terms  as  applied  to  diverse  forms  of  foli- 
age, grafting  Chrysanthemums,  and  many  other 
subjects.       Not   merely    was   there   great   educa- 
tional  value  attaching   to  the   proceedings,   but 
the    interest    of    the    members    was    more    fully 
aroused  than  is  seen  when  one  subject  only  is 
discussed.     Those  secretaries  who   find   it  diffi- 
cult to  fill  their  programmes  with  lectures  should 
find    "  question    night "    specially    helpful.       A 
member    mentioned,    in    reference    to    grafting 
Chrysanthemums,   that  he  had   seen  in  Paris  a 
monster    plant,    9    feet   over,    and    carrying   750 
disbudded   flowers,    all   from   grafts,   worked   on 
to    a     five-year-old     stock     of     Chrysanthemum 
frutescens.     The   variety   was   Tokio.     The  em- 
ployment of  the  French  Marguerite  as  a  stock 
for  such  purposes  seemed  to  be  regarded  as  a 
very  unusual  or  novel  procedure.     A.  D. 


Horticultural  Society.  First  let  us  get  some  toler- 
able approximaiions,  test  these  by  general  experi- 
ment, and  then  the  time  may  have  arrived  for 
formulating  some  hypothesis.  But  to  draft  a 
"  law  "  first,  and  afterwards  test  its  verity,  is  not 
scientific  procedure  On  the  subject  of  "sports," 
dealt  with  by  Mr.  Cowley,  if  he  cares  to  look  up 
the  paragraphs  on  "species"  which  were  added 
as  an  addenda  to  my  Concepts  of  Monism  (Unwin), 
he  may  find  it  interesting.     A.  Worsley. 

Floral  Committee  Exhibits  at  the 
R.H.S.  Meetings. — Asa  rule  the  most  interesting 
plants  or  flowers  seen  at  the  R.H.S.  meetings 
are  those  placed  before  the  Floral  Committee 
for  awards.  These  novelties  have  special  in- 
terest, because  they  are  presented  for  awards 
as    improvements    on    existing    kinds.     But    ba- 


[Fhotograph  by  C.  Jones. 
Fig.  167. — a  fine  spray  of  fruits  of  gooseberry  "  whinham's  industry," 
a  red-coloured  variety  of  high  merit. 


Society  at  Westminster  in  1906.  Here  it  was 
clearly  shown  that  their  allegations  as  to  colour 
variation  were  not  true  in  any  general  sense, 
although  in  some  particular  instances  they  received 
confirmation.  To-day  we  are  still  unable  to  fore- 
tell with  certainty  what  the  colour  analysis  of  a 
cross  will  yield  (with  some  possible  exceptions  in 
Sweet  Peas,  Antirrhinums,  &c),  but  we  do  know 
with  certainty  what  a  cross  cannot  yield  in  the  way 
of  colour.  The  results  given  by  Mr.  Cowley  differ 
in  no  respect  from  those  of  many  other  experi- 
ments in  Chrysanthemums  and  in  other  genera 
which  have  come  under  my  observation,  and  on 
which  I  have  prepared  some  memoranda  for  pre- 
sentation to  the  Scientific  Committee  of  the  Royal 


cause  the  Floral  Committee  meet  upstairs, 
few  Fellows  or  visitors  to  the  meetings 
find  their  way  to  the  committee  room,  and  thus 
they  fail  to  see  them.  Some  time  after  the 
Floral  Committee  has  risen,  exhibitors  or  their 
assistants  bring  down  these  special  exhibits  and 
put  them  about  all  over  the  hall.  Cannot  the 
society's  officials  be  instructed  to  have  them 
removed  to  one  or  other  of  the  recesses,  where 
there  is  always  ample  room,  as  fast  as  the  sub- 
jects are  dealt  with  by  the  committee?  All 
persons  interested  could  then  soon  find  these 
novelties.  The  Orchids  and  fruits  placed 
before  their  respective  committees  can  always 
easily  be  found  in  the  hall.     Visitor. 


December  7,  1S07.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


401 


The  Culture  of  Cockscombs  (Celosia 
cristata). — Having  perused  with  interest  the 
notes  on  the  cultivation  of  the  Cockscomb,  I 
desire  to  say  that  the  method  recommended  by 
Mr.  Francis  (see  p.  326)  corresponds  with  that 
which  I  practise  myself.  In  the  first  place,  it  is 
necessary  to  procure  seeds  of  a  good  strain, 
as  cultivation  will  tend  to  improve  a  good 
strain,  but  scarcely  make  a  bad  one  satisfactory. 
When  my  plants  were  in  small  60s  I  kept  the 
roots  on  the  dry  side  in  order  to  induce  the 
plants  to  show  their  "  combs "  early,  so  that  I 
could  select  the  best  for  potting  on.  I  used 
good  loam,  rich  decayed  manure,  leaf-mould, 
and  a  good  sprinkling  of  sharp  sand  for  the 
final  potting  into  pots  8  inches  in  diameter. 
At  every  shift  I  let  the  roots  down  to  the  bottom 
of  the  pot  to  keep  the  plants  dwarf,  so  that  when 
at  their  best  they  were  not  more  than  6  inches 
from  the  rim  of  the  pot  to  the  top  of  the  comb. 
Once  when  I  had  a  faulty  flower  bed  I  plunged 
some  Cockscombs  in  an  existing  groundwork  of 
Mesembryanthemum  cordifolium  variegatum, 
and  very  well  they  answered  my  purpose  for  a 
time.      George  Potts,    Woodcotesidc,   Epsom. 

May  I  point  out  to  Mr.  Lockie  that  I 

did  not  say — "  The  plants  should  be  placed  on 
a  dry  shelf  in  the  hothouse"?  What  I  did  say 
was — "  The  plants  should  be  removed  to  a  drier 
part  of  the  house"  (see  p.  362).  I  would 
strongly  recommend  Mr.  Lockie  to  follow  dur- 
ing the  coming  season  the  hints  I  have  given. 
Thos.  Francis,  The  Gardens,  Pockwood  House,  BoU 
ton-le-Moors. 

Anthracite  Coal. — According  to  my  experi- 
ence in  the  use  of  anthrm  ito  al  for  horticul- 
tural purposes,  it  matters  little  what  the  size  of 
the  boiler  is,  provided  the  character  of  the  fuel 
is  rightly  understood  by  the  stoker.  I  began 
using  the  large  vein  anthracite  coal  somewhere 
about  the  year  1876  or  1877,  with  no  pre- 
vious knowledge  of  its  peculiarities,  in  order 
to  heat  two  ordinary  flued  saddle  boilers  only 
24  inches  long.  Not  much  success  resulted  at 
the  start,  for  these  two  small  boilers  were  set 
in  a  stokehole  under  the  stove-house,  the  only 
entrance  being  a  small  door  3  feet  in  width,  and 
the  chimney  stack  not  being  very  high,  draught 
through  the  furnace  was  not  very  great,  the 
stoking  was  done  in  the  same  manner  as  for 
ordinary  coal  fuel,  such  as  is  used  in  the  neigh - 
bciurhood  of  collieries;  but  the  entire  mass 
turned  black  and  dead  when  interfered  with.  It 
is  in  this  direction  that  the  beginner  must  take 
his  first  lesson,  for  whether  this  particular  coal 
is  cheap  or  dear  in  any  class  of  boiler  depends 
not  a  little  upon  the  stoker.  By  continuously 
raking  and  disturbing  a  fire  of  anthracite  coal, 
not  only  is  an  indifferent  heat  evolved,  but  a  very 
considerable  proportion  of  the  fuel  is  riddled 
through  the  firebars  and  remains  thus  uncon- 
sumed.  In  order  to  obtain  the. best  results  with 
this  fuel  in  any  type  of  boiler,  quite  apart  from 
the  question  of  price,  it  must  be  allowed  to  do 
its  work  undisturbed.  By  proper  regulation  of 
the  damper,  &c,  a  fire  of  anthracite  coal  will 
endure  from  12  to  20  hours  without  attention. 
I  have  known  such  fires  to  last  in  an  excel- 
lent condition  for  22  hours  and  longer  during 
February  and  March,  when  a  bitter  east  wind 
has  been  blowing.  In  this  particular  instance 
three  boilers  were  working  together  ;  two  of  these 
were  of  the  saddle  pattern,  30  inches  long,  the 
third  being  of  a  larger  size,  with  3,000  feet 
of  piping  attached  to  it.  In  the  case  of  these 
smaller  boilers,  15  hours  was  the  maximum  time 
that  they  could  be  left  unattended.  The  chief 
value  of  this  coal,  therefore,  lies  in  its  great 
durability,  but  to  this  must  be  added,  that 
when  intelligently  used,  there  are  no  clinkers 
and  very  little  ash.  Further,  there  is  an  entire 
absence  of  sulphurous  fumes  such  as  are 
given  off  by  coke,  also  there  is  a  saving  in 
labour,  and  a  minimum  of  night  stoking,  to- 
gether with  the  practical  certainty  of  ensuring 
a  uniform  temperature.  At  this  time  of  the 
year  a  fire  of  anthracite  coal  may  be  made  up 
at  5  p.m.,  and  beyond  an  occasional  attention 
to  the  damper  or  ash-pit  door,  in  the  event  of 
a  sudden  change  in  the  weather  outside,  no 
attention  is  required  before  6.30  a.m.  the  day  fol- 
lowing. In  the  breaking  of  anthracite  coal  the 
spike  or  chisel  end  of  the  hammer  can  be  best 
used,  in  order  to  prevent  it  being  broken  too 
small.  With  a  good  draught  at  command,  the 
chief  item  in  success  with  anthracite  coal  is  to 
"  let  it  alone."     E.  Jenkins. 


SOCIETIES. 


ROYAL    HORTICULTURAL. 
Scientific  Committee. 

NOVEMBER  27. — Present:  Mr.  A.  F.  Bowles, 
M.A.,  F.L.S.  (in  the  Chair);  Messrs.  E.  M. 
Holmes,  G.  S.  Saunders,  A.  Worsley,  W.  C. 
Worsdell,  J.  Odell,  F.  J.  Baker,  G.  Gordon,  \\  . 
Cuthbertson,  and  F.  J.  Chittenden  (hon.  sec.). 
Visitor,   Mr.   Gurney  Wilson. 

Hybrid  Orchids. — Mr.  Chapman  showed  the 
result  of  a  cross  between  Cypripedium  insigne 
Sanderac  and  C.  callosum  Sanderae  having  col- 
oured flowers.  Over  one  hundred  plants  of  this 
cross  had  flowered,  and  each  of  them  had  borne 
coloured  flowers,  although  the  parents  were  al- 
binos. The  cross  had  been  effected  both  ways 
with  the  same  result.  The  two  albinos  breed 
true  from  seed.  The  flower  of  the  particular 
specimen  exhibited  was  coloured  much  in  the 
same  way  as  those  of  the  type  forms  of  the 
species,  and  bore  great  resemblance  to  C. 
Leoniae  (C.  insigne  x  C.  callosum).  He  also 
showed  a  plant  with  a  coloured  flower,  the  le- 
sult  of  crossing  the  albino  forms  C.  callosum 
Sanderae  and  C.  bellatulum  album  ;  about  25 
plants  of  this  cross  had  flowered,  and  all  had 
borne  coloured  plants.  A  third  plant  bore  a 
great  resemblance  to  C.  insigne  Sanderae,  and 
had  been  raised  by  crossing  that  form  with  C 
Leeanum  giganteum  (=  C.  insigne  X  ('. 
Spicerianum)  ;  of  the  offspring  of  this  cross 
some  reverted  to  the  insigne  type,  but  one  was 
much  lighter,  and  was  crossed  again  with  C. 
insigne  Sanderae,  giving  C.  X  San-Actaeus.  This 
was  again  crossed  with  ('.  insigne  Sanderae, 
and  the  plant  under  notice  was  the  result.  The 
continued  crosses  had  almost  brought  back  the 
original  C.  insigne  Sanderae.  This  form  had  in 
its  composition,  said  Mr.  CHAPMAN,  14/16  C. 
in.lcra.  1/16  normal  C.  insigne,  and 
I    Hi  I      Spii  erianum. 

Orchids  and  Fur.gi. — Mr.  Gurney  Wilson  re- 
ferred to  the  theory  brought  forward  by  Prof. 
NoEL  Bernard  concerning  symbiosis  between 
the  Orchids  and  certain  fungi  (see  C.enetic  Con- 
ference Report,  p.  392i.  He,  working  in  con- 
junction with  Dr.  Fulton,  had  not  been  able 
to  verify  the  observation  Prof.  Noel  Bernard 
had  made.  He  had  recently  placed  a  large 
number  of  imported  Odontoglossum  crispum  in 
ne  Oak  leaves  which  had  been 
thoroughly  dried  for  some  months;  a  fungus 
had  certainly  developed  upon  them,  but  it  had 
turned  out  to  be  the  common  Mushroom,  and 
the  mycelium  had  undoubtedly  been  on  the  Oak 
leaves. 

Saxifraga  Cotyledon. — Mr.  Saunders  showed 
from  Mr.  A.  O.  Walker,  F.R.H.S.,  a  specimen 
of  this  plant  in  which  the  flowers  had  been  re- 
placed by  terminal  rosettes  of  foliage  leaves, 
somewhat  similar  to  the  plant  sent  some  time 
since  bv  Mr.    1 1  nkins. 

Ergot  on  Ry<  %rass. — Mr.  Baker  drew  attention 
to  the  remarkably  frequent  occurrence  of  this 
fungus  in  this  and  the  past  few  years  in  Xorth 
Kent  on  Ryegrass  and  some  other  wild  Grasses. 
Mr.  Odell  said  that  close  feeding  and  the 
cleaning  of  ditches  and  headlands  was  the  best 
means  of  eradicating  the  fungus. 

Malformed  Orchids. — Mr.  Odeii  showed  a 
specimen  of  the  Orchid  Selenipedium  calurum, 
in  which  the  lateral  petals  were  completely  sup- 
pressed, while  the  dorsal  sepal  was  much  re- 
duced and  malformed.  A  similar  condition  is 
frequently  seen  in  S.  Sedeni. 

Chrysanth  mum  indicum  Hybrids-  Mr.  Smith, 
oi  Wevbridge,  exhibited  flowers  of  hybrids  be- 
tween C.  indicum  and  cultivated  forms.  These 
were  retained   for  further  examination. 

Diseased  Fern. — Mr.  Masses  reported  that  he 
found  abundance  of  mycelium  on  the  brown 
spot,  on  the  Todea  leaves  but  no  fruit;  the 
fungus  was  therefore  indeterminable.  The 
rhizomorphs  shown  at  the  last  meeting  were 
those  of  Armillaria  mellea. 


NATIONAL     CHRYSANTHEMUM. 

December  4,  5. — The  early  winter  exhibition 
of  the  above  Society  was  held  on  these  dates 
at  the  Crystal  Palace,  Sydenham.  The  number 
of  entries  was  much  larger  than  at  the  corre- 
sponding show  of  last  year,  the  figures  being 
120    and   75    respectively".      The     larger    classes 


brought  forth  some  spirited  competitions,  the 
flowers  generally  being  of  supeiior  quality. 
The  Incurved  blooms  were  equal  in  point  of 
quality  to  those  seen  at  the  November  show,  and 
they  were  more  numerous  than  on  that  occasion. 

Miss  Willmott  was  a  very  successful  ex- 
hibitor in  the  principal  classes  for  both 
Japanese  and  Incurved  varieties.  Several 
novelties  were  presented  for  awards,  and  of 
these  two  varieties  of  the  single-flowered  type 
received  the  Society's  First-Class  Certificate. 

The  weather  on  the  opening  day  was  wet  and 
cold  ;   the  attendance  of  the  public  was  small. 

Chrysanthemums  Displayed  on  Boards. 
Open  Classes. 

The  most  important  class  for  Japanese  Chry- 
santhemums was  that  for  18  blooms  in  not 
fewer  than  12  varieties.  This  brought  forth  a 
good  competition,  no  fewer  than  nine  exhibits 
being  staged.  Much  the  best  display  was  shown 
by  Miss  Willmott,  Warley  Place,  Brentwood, 
Essex  (gr.  Mr.  J.  Pieece),  who  had  a  magnificent 
stand  of  flowers,  especially  for  a  December 
exhibition.  The  varieties  were  Mme.  Oberthur 
(a  white  variety  of  high  merit),  Algernon  Davis 
(yellowish-bronze,  overlaid  with  reddish  mark- 
ings), W.  H.  Whitehouse,  Mrs.  J.  Bryant,  F.  S. 
Vallis,  General  Hutton  (yellow),  G.  Gooding  (a 
coarse-petalled  rosy-pink  flower),  Mme.  Carn.it, 
J.  II.  Silsbury,  Mrs.  J.  Bryant,  Mme.  P. 
Radaelli  (a  magnificent  specimen),  Mrs.  G. 
Beach,  Mrs.  F.  Dalton,  Mme.  G.  Rivol,  and 
Mrs.  F.  W.  Vallis.  2nd,  Hon.  Sidney  Hol- 
land, Kneesworth  Hall,  Royston,  Herts,  (gr. 
Mr.  H.  Humphreys).  The  blooms  shown  by 
this  exhibitor  were  smaller  than  those  in  the 
1st  prize  group,  but  they  were  remarkably  fresh 
and  bright  in  appearance.  Mrs.  F.  W.  Vallis, 
Mme.  P.  Radaelli,  E.  J.  Brooks,  Mrs.  Barkley, 
and   Marquis  Venosta  were   his  best  flowers. 

Twelve  Japanese  blooms,  distinct. — In  this 
smaller  class  there  were  seven  exhibits,  and  it 
was  easy  to  determine  the  winning  flowers,  for 
they  were  much  superior  to  any  of  the  others. 
These  also  were  from  the  gardens  of  Miss  Will- 
mott, and  they  included  the  varieties  W.  H. 
Whitehouse  (a  very  choice  flower),  F.  S.  Vallis, 
Valerie  Greenham,  Algernon  Davis,  Mme. 
Oberthur,  J.  H.  Silsbury,  Mme.  Carnot,  Mrs.  J. 
Bryant,  Mme.  G.  Rivol  (exceptionally  fine), 
Mrs.  C.  Beckett,  Mrs.  T.  Dalton,  and  Beauty  of 
I.eigh  (a  rich  shade  of  yellow).  2nd,  T.  L. 
Boyd,  Esq.,  North  Frith,  Tonbridge  (gr.  Mr. 
A.  C.  Horton).  This  exhibitor  showed  F.  S. 
Vallis,  Mrs.  T.  Dalton,  J.  H.  Silsbury,  Marquis 
Venosta,  Valerie  Greenham,  &c.  3rd,  A.  Tate, 
F^sq.,  Downside,  Leatherhead  (gr.  Mr.  W. 
Mease). 

Incurved  varieties. — There  were  nine  displays 
in  this  class,  and  although  there  was  a  con- 
siderable difference  in  the  quality  of  the  ex- 
hibits, collectively  they  were  very  good,  and 
made  a  fine  display.  The  1st  prize  again  fell 
to  Miss  Willmott,  whose  flowers  were  large, 
well  formed,  and  evenly  matched,  a  little  lack- 
ing, perhaps,  in  bright  colours,  but  equal  to 
any  seen  at  this  late  season.  The  varieties  were 
Duchess  of  Fife,  W.  Higgs,  Mdlle  L.  Faure, 
Frank  Hammond,  Duchess  of  Fife,  Marjorie 
Cordwell,  Mrs.  F.  Judson,  Ialene,  and  Tri- 
omphe  de  Montbrun,  the  last-named  flower  being 
especially  fine.  The  2nd  prize  exhibit,  shown 
by  Pantia  Ralli,  Esq.,  Ashtead  Park,  Epsom 
(gr.  Mr.  G.  J.  Hunt),  was  not  much  inferior  to 
the  premier  stand.  It  contained  good  specimens: 
of  Embleme  Poitevine,  W.  Wainwright,  The 
Egyptian,  Frank  Hammond,  &c. 

Chrysanthemums   Shown  in  Vases. 

Only  one  exhibit  was  seen  in  the  class  for 
nine  vases  of  large  Japanese  varieties.  Three 
blooms  were  required  for  each  vase,  and  the 
varieties  were  not  to  be  fewer  than  six  in 
number.  The  exhibitor  was  Pantia  Ralli, 
Esq.  (gr.  Mr.  G.  J.  Flunt),  and  he  received  the 
1st  prize.  He  showed  Codfrey's  Pride,  Mrs. 
Swinburne,  Mme.  G.  Rivol,  Mme.  G.  Deberie, 
Valerie  Greenham,  Miss  M.  Hankey  (three  fine 
flowers),  Bessie  Godfrey,  Mme.  R.  Cadbury,  Sc. 

A  class  was  provided  for  a  collection  of 
decorative  varieties  of  any  section,  shown  in 
vases  and  occupying  an  area  of  12  feet  by  3  feet. 
Large  exhibition  blooms  were  excluded.  There 
were  two  exhibits  in  this  class,  the  best  being 
staged  by  J.  L.  Burgess,  Esq.,  Maisey  Hamp- 
ton, near  Fairford  (gr.  Mr.  J.  A.  Humphries),  who 


402 


THE     GARDENERS     CHRONICLE. 


[Decemukk 


1907 


showed  fresh,  well-coloured  flowers  of  Anemone, 
Pompon,  and  decorative  varieties,  including 
Crimson  Source  d'Or,  Lizzie  Holmes  (pompon), 
Pearle  des  Beaute,  Money  Maker,  Rubra  Per- 
fecta,  lohn  Boxall,  Mrs.  Astill,  Quinola,  &c. 
2nd,  J.  Courtney,  Esq.,  J. P.,  The  Whim,  Wey- 
bridge  (gr.  Sir.  W.  C.  Pagram),  whose  exhibit 
included  many  thread-petalled  and  single 
varieties. 

Single  Chrysanthemums. — The  only  class  for 
this  type  of  Chrysanthemum  was  one  for  12 
vases  of  distinct  varieties,  arranged  with  their 
own  foliage.  Each  exhibit  was  arranged  on  a 
separate  table,  there  being  five  tables  in  all. 
The  1st  prize  was  awarded  to  E.  Mocatta, 
Esq.,  Ad.llestone  (gr.  Mr.  J.  Stevenson).  The 
varieties  shown  by  this  exhibitor  were  very 
freely  flowered,  but  they  were  not  so  bold  and 
erect  as  some  of  the  older  sorts.  Notable  ex- 
amples were  Belle  of  Weybridge  (very  handsome 
shade  of  red),  Edith  Pagram  (large  flowers  of 
rosy-pink  colouring),  Grace,  Crown  Jewell  (yel- 
!owi,  Anna  Farina  (reddish),  White  Victoria  (a 
neat  flower),  and  Mrs.  F.  J.  McLeod  (large 
flowers,  coloured  yellow).  2nd,  F.  A.  Bevan, 
Esq.,  Trent  Park,  New  Barnet  (gr.  Mr.  H.  Parr). 
f"his  exhibitor  showed  Miss  Will  Jordan  (a 
pleasing  flower,  with  vinous  red-coloured  florets 
and  a  prominent  yellow  centre),  Ryecroft  Belle 
(pink).  Belle  of  Weybridge,  Progress  (bronze), 
&c.  3rd,  Jeremiah  Lyon,  Esq.,  Riddings  Court, 
Caterham  (gr.   Mr.   G.   Halsey). 

Six  vases  of  Japanese  blooms,  distinct. — This 
class  was  contested  by  two  exhibitors,  W.  G. 
Prudden  Clark,  Esq.",  4,  York  Road,  Hitchin, 
and  W.  Beech,  Esq.,  Romford  (gr.  Mr.  M.  Ray- 
ment),  who  were  awarded  the  1st  and  2nd  prizes 
in  the  order  of  their  names.  Mr.  Clark  showed 
W.  Duckham,  Mme.  R.  Oberthur,  Mrs.  T.  Dal- 
ton,  Valerie  Greenham,  Mrs.  E.  Thirkell,  &c. 
In  the  2nd  prize  collection  was  a  fine  vase  of 
the  variety  Bessie  Godfrey. 

Six  vases  of  spidery,  thread-petalled,  or 
plumed  Chrysanthemums. — This  class  was  also 
represented  by  two  exhibits.  The  1st  prize  was 
awarded  to  Sir  C.  Swinfen  Eady,  Weybridge 
(gr.  Mr.  J.  Lock).  Prominent  varieties  were 
Gold  Thread,  Mrs.  Carter,  Sam  Caswell,  Mrs. 
Filkins,  &c.  2nd,  J.  L.  Burgess,  Esq.  (gr.  Mr. 
J.  A.  Humphries).  Princess  Henry  (a  large 
pink-coloured  variety)  and  Cannell's  Favourite 
were  well  shown  by  this  exhibitor. 

Pompon  Chrysanthemums. — The  schedule  re- 
quired six  vases  of  small-flowered  varieties,  such 
as  Marion,  Miss  Gertie  Waterer,  Snowdrop,  &c. 
The  flowers  staged  were  not  larger  than  a  six- 
pence. There  were  three  contestants.  The  1st 
prize  was  awarded  to  J.  Courtney,  Esq.,  Wev- 
bridge  (gr.  Mr.  W.  C.  Pagram),  for  Primrose 
League,  Snowdrop,  Perfection,  Lilac  Gem,  &c. 
2nd,  Sir  C.  Swinfen  Eady  (gr.  Mr.  J.  Loci 
for  similar  varieties. 

Amateurs'   Classes. 

The  flowers  shown  in  these  classes  were  in- 
ferior to  those  in  the  open  section.  The  prim  i- 
pal  class  was  that  for  12  Japanese  blooms,  in 
not  fewer  than  six  varieties,  and  displayed  on 
boards.  There  were  four  exhibits,  none  of  a 
high  quality,  the  best  being  displayed  by  C  B. 
Gabriel,  Esq.,  Horsell,  Surrey.  His  varieties 
included  F.  S.  Vallis,  Mme.  R.  Oberthur,  Mrs. 
T.  Dalton,  Mrs.  F.  S.  Vallis,  and  Bessie  God- 
frey. 

In  the  smaller  class  for  six  Japanese  blooms, 
distinct,  there  was  a  keen  competition,  no  fewer 
than  ten  exhibits  being  staged.  The  best  was 
shown  by  T.  Glass,  Esq.,  Borrowdale,  West 
Hill,  Sydenham  (gr.  Mr.  H.  Baker).  The  varie- 
ties were  General  Hutton,  Florence  Molyneux, 
Mrs.  F.  W.  Vallis,  F.  Penfold,  Elsie  Fulton, 
and  Mme.  P.  Radaelli.  2nd,  W.  H.  Stone, 
l  1  .  Laurie  Park,  Sydenham  (gr.  Mr.  T.  W. 
ens). 

In  the  class  tor  six  Japanese  blooms,  in  not 
fewer  than  four  varieties,  W.  G.  Prudden 
Clark,  Esq.,  4,  York  Road,  Hitchin,  won  the 
1st  prize  with  large,  lax  blooms  of  Algernon 
Davis;  J  II.  Silsbury,  Valerie  Greenham,  Mrs. 
E.  Thirkell,  Leigh  Park  Wonder,  &c.  2nd,  Mr. 
W.  Gooding,  Four  Elms,  Edenbridge. 

The  whole  of  one  large  table  was  filled  with 
single  vases  of  Chrysanthemums  decorated  with 
ornamental  foliage.  They  were  displayed  on  a 
low  table,  which  enabled  them  to  be'  seen  to 
advant 


The  most  successful  exhibitor  in  the  decora- 
tive classes  was  Miss  C.  B.  Cole,  Feltham. 

Plants.— Lady  Tate,  Park  Hill,  Streatham 
Common  (gr.  Mr.  W.  Howe),  was  the  only  ex- 
hibitor in  the  class  for  a  group  of  Chrysanthe- 
mums arranged  with  miscellaneous  flowering 
and  foliage  plants.  The  exhibit  was  arranged  in 
a  semi-circular  manner,  well-grown  Chrysanthe- 
mums being  interspersed  with  Poinsettias,  As- 
tilbe  (Spirasas),  Begonias,  Lilies,  Palms,  Ferns, 
.ic.  The  group  was  awarded  the  1st  prize. 
Lady  Tate  was  again  the  only  contestant  in  a 
class  for  a  group  of  flowering,  berried,  and 
ornamental-leaved  plants,  from  wh  ch  Chrysan- 
themums were  excluded.  This  exhibit  was  very 
prettily  arranged,  and  received  the  1st  prize. 

Certificated  Flowers. 
Doreen,  single. — A  flower  of  medium  size  and 
of  a  bright  shade  of  yellow.     Shown  by  Mr.  F. 
Cordell,  Reigate. 

Blanche,  single. — A  white  variety,  of  com- 
mendable form.  Some  of  the  florets  showed  a 
faint  blush  tint.  The  largest  flower  measured 
4  inches  across.  Shown  by  Mr.  W.  C.  Pagram, 
Weybridge. 

Non-Competitive  Exhibits. 

A  handsome  exhibit  of  Chrysanthemums  was 
shown  by  Mr.  H.  J.  Jones,  Ryecroft  Nursery, 
Lewisham.  At  the  back  of  the  group  were  tall 
Palms,  and  beneath  these  were  large  vases  and 
epergnes  filled  with  exhibition  blooms  of  Mine. 
Oberthur,  R.  C.  Pulling,  John  L.  Burgess,  &c.  ; 
while  the  foreground  had  smaller  vases,  with 
choice  foliage  plants  of  Dracaenas,  Codiaeums 
(Crotons),  Ferns,  &c,  interspersed.  (Gold 
Medal).  A  similar  award  was  made  to  Messrs. 
H.  Cannell  &  Sons,  Swanley,  Kent,  for  a  col- 
lection of  Chrysanthemums,  Begonias,  and 
Pelargoniums.  The  Government  of  Nova 
Scotia  staged  a  collection  of  Apples,  to  which  a 
Gold  Medal  was  awarded. 

Silver  Medals  were  awarded  to  Messrs.  W. 
Wells  &  Co.,  Ltd.,  Merstham,  Surrey,  for  an 
exhibit  of  Chrysanthemums ;  J.  Peed  &  Son, 
West  Norwood,  for  Begonias  ;  J.  Laing  &  Son, 
Forest  Hill,  S.E.,  for  Codiaeums  (Crotons), 
Palms,  and  other  ornamental-leaved  plants  ;  and 
W.  Dane,  The  Nurseries,  Tunbridge  Wells,  for 
a  di=plav  of  shrubs. 


THE     WEATHER. 


SALTAIRE,    SHIPLEY,    AND    DISTRICT 

ROSE. 

November  21.— This  society's  annual  general 
meeting  was  held  on  the  above  date,  there  being 
a  good  attendance  of  the  members.  The  societv 
was  formed  in  1903,  and  it  has  achieved  great 
success.  Last  year  it  extended  to  the  National 
Rose  Society  an  invitation  to  hold  their  pro- 
vincial show  at  Saltaire  in  July  last,  the  result 
being  most  satisfactory.  The  number  of  exhibi- 
tors totalled  108,  of  which  73  competed  in  the 
N.R.  Society's  classes  alone.  The  number  of 
persons  who  paid  for  admission  to  the  show  was 
8,455,  and  in  addition  3,600  subscribers'  tickets 
were  given  up  at  the  entrance.  This  number 
does  not  include  the  National  Rose  Society's 
ticket-holders.  The  receipts  for  the  year  were 
£503  7s.  7d.,  and  the  expenditure  £449  3s.  lid., 
thus  leaving  a  profit  on  the  year's  working  oi 
£54  3s.  8d. 


BRITISH    GARDENERS'    ASSOCIATION. 

November  26.— At  the  last  meeting  of  the 
Executive  Council,  held  at  the  Royal  Horti- 
cultural Hall  on  the  above  date,  Mr.  Chas. 
Foster  presided.  Eighteen  new  members  (from 
two  meetings)  were  elected.  Mr.  Hawes  reported 
on  the  Leeds  meeting,  and  remarked  that  a  non- 
member  objected  to  the  association  obtaining 
situations  for  its  members,  as  he  considered  it 
unfair  to  those  who  were  not  members  !  Prelimi- 
nary arrangements  for  1908  were  considered,  and 
it  was  decided  that  the  annual  general  meeting 
should  be  held  on  Wednesday,  May  27,  at  7  p.m. 
in  the  Essex  Hall.  Further  designs  for  a  certifi- 
cate were  submitted,  and  the  mailer  will  be  placed 
in  the  hands  of  a  professional  designer.     /.  II". 


The  Following  Summary  Record  of  the 
weather  throughout  the  British  Islands,  for  the 
week  ending  November  30.  is  furnished  from  the 
Meteorological  Office : — 

GENERAL     OBSERVATIONS. 

The  weather,  until  very  nearly  the  close  of  he  week,  was 
extremely  unsettled,  with  heavy  falls  of  rain  in  nearly  all 
parts  of  the  country,  and  with  snow  in  all  the  more  northern 
districts.  Between  Tuesday  and  Thursday  thunderstorms 
or  thunder  or  lightning  alone  were  observed  in  many  parts 
of  England,  Wales,  and  the  south  of  Ireland,  the  pheno- 
mena being  very  general  over  our  southern  and  eastern  coun- 
ties on  Wednesday.  After  Thursday  a  decided  improvement 
in  the  weather  was  experienced. 

The  temperature  was  below  the  average  in  all  districts  ex- 
cepting England  E.  and  S.  and  the  English  Channel.  In 
the  northern  and  north-western  parts  of  the  Kingdom  the 
deficit  amounted  to  at  least  3°,  and  in  Scotland  W.  to  as 
many  as  5".  The  highest  readings  were  recorded,  as  a  rule, 
between  Tuesday  and  Thursday,  when  the  thermometer  rose 
to  55°,  and  upwards  in  most  of  the  English  districts.  In 
the  east  of  Scotland  and  the  north  of  Ireland  it  did  not  ex- 
ceed 50°,  and  in  the  north  and  west  of  Scotland  it  did  not 
reach  that  level.  The  lowest  readings  occurred  at  various 
times,  but  chiefly  on  the  night  either  of  Sunday,  Monday, 
or  Friday.  In  the  shelter  of  the  screen  the  lowest  values 
reported  were  15°  in  Scotland  E.  (at  Balmoral),  20"  in  Scot- 
land W.  (at  Cally),  and  21"  in  Ireland  N.  (at  Markree  Castle). 
On  the  surface  of  the  grass  readings  below  20°  were  regis- 
tered in  many  places,  the  lowest  being  10°  at  Balmoral, 14" 
at  Crathes  and  Markree  Castle,  and  16"  at  Llangammatch 
Wells. 

The  temperature  of  the  sea  showed  a  further  decrease, 
especially  on  the  Irish  coasts  where  the  mean  values  were 
/rom  2*- to  3"  lowerthan  in  the  preceding  week.  Theactual 
values  ranged  from  52-7"  at  Plymouth  and  50°  and  upwards  at 
several  stations  in  the  west  and  south  to  45°  or  rather  below  ' 
it  on  many  parts  of  the  Scottish  coasts. 

The  rainfall  was  largely  in  excess  over  the  country 
generally,  the  amount  in  the  eastern,  central  and  southern 
parts  of  Englandand  in  the  Channel  districts  being  more  than 
twice  as  much  as  the  average.  In  Scotland  W.  the  conditions 
m  this  respect  were  normal,  while  in  Scotland  N.  there  was 
a  large  deficit.  Amounts  exceeding  an  inch  were  recorded 
on  Tuesday  at  many  places  in  the  south-east  of  England  and 
also  in  some  parts  of  Scotland. 

The  bright  sunshine  was  in  excess  of  the  average  in  all 
districts  excepting  Scotland  N.,  where  there  was  a  slight 
deficiency.  The  percentage  of  the  possible  duration  ranged 
from  39  in  England  N.E.  and  30  and  upwards  in  most 
of  the  other  English  districts  and  in  Ireland  to  21  in 
Scotland  E.  and  13  in  bcutland  N. 


THE    WEATHER    IN    WEST    HERTS. 

Week  ending  December  4. 

A  week  of  variable  temperature.— The  temperature  has  been 
again  very  variable.  I-'or  instance,  on  the  warmest  day  the 
highest  leading  in  the  thermometer  screen  was  62°,  whereas 
on  the  coldest  night  the  exposed  thermometer  showed  13" 
of  frost,  making  this  the  ecldest  night  since  March.  The 
ground  is  now  at  about  a  seasonable  temperature,  both  at 

1  and  2  feet  deep.  Rain  fell  on  four  days,  but  to  the  total 
depth  of  only  about  half  an  inch.  During  the  week  three 
gallons  of  rain-water  came  through  the  bare  soil  percolation 
gauge,  but  only  two  gallons  through  that  on  which  short 
grass  is  growing.  The  sun  shone  on  an  average  for  1  hour 
35  minutes  a  day,  or  for  eight  minutes  a  day  longer  than  is 
usual  at  this  season.  Calms  and  light  airs  principally  pre- 
vailed, and  on  the  windiest  day  the  mean  velocity  for  any 
hour  amounted  to  less  than  15  miles— direction  S.S.E.  The 
average  amount  of  moisture  in  the  air'at  3  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon  exceeded  a  seasonable  quantity  for  that  hour  by 

2  per  cent. 

November. 

.4ii  exceptionally  calm  November.— Taken  as  a  whole  this 
was,  if  anything,  rather  a  warm  mouth.  The  most  note- 
worthy feature,  however,  was  the  long  continuance  ot 
moderately  warm  days.  On  the  warmest  day  the  temperature 
in  the  thermometer  screen  rose  to  61°,  which  is  an  unusually 
high  reading  for  the  month,  and  on  the  coldest  night  the 
exposed  thermometer  registered  13"  of  frost,  which  is  no 
way  exceptional  for  the  time  of  year.  Rain  fell  on  17 
days,  to  the  aggregate  depth  of  2j  inches,  which  is  slightly 
below  the  mean  rainfall  for  November.  The  sun  shone  on 
an  average  for  1  hour  51  minutes  a  day,  or  for  about  seven 
minutes  a  day  longer  than  is  usual.  The  winds  remained 
exceptionally  light  ;  in  fact,  in  my  records  for  the  last  21 
years,  I  can  find  no  November  as  calm.  The  mean  velocity 
for  the  windiest  hour  amounted  to  20  miles— a  remarkably 
low  extreme  velocity  for  the  month.  The  average  amount  of 
moisture  in  the  air  at  3  p. in.  exceeded  a  seasonable  quantity 
for  that  hour  by  2  per  cent. 

The  Autumn. 

Moderately  warm  and  dry,  and  unusually  sunny.  Each 
month  of  the  season  was  moderately  warm.  As  regards 
rainfall,  taking  the  three  months  together,  this  was  rather  a 
dry  autumn,  September  being  exceptionally  dry,  and 
November  rather  dry,  whereas  in  October  the  fall  of  rain 
was  unusually  heavy.  The  sun  shone  on  an  average  for  3£ 
hours  a  day,  or  for  20  minutes  a  day  longer  than  is  usual. 
September  proved  very  bright,  and  November  rather  bright, 
while  October  was  rather  a  gloomy  month. 

Ouk  Underground  Water  Supply. 
Since  the  winter  half  of  the  drainage  year  begin  in 
October  the  rainfall  of  the  first  two  months  of  it  has 
exceeded  the  average  by  1J  inch,  which  is  equivalent  to 
an  excess  of  31,220  gallons  on  each  acre  in  lliis  district. 
!■:.  .)/. ,  tierkhamsted,  Decembei   I,  7907. 


December  7,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS      CHRONICLE. 


403 


M  ARKETS. 


Fruit:  Average  Wholesale  Prices. 


COVENT  GARDEN,  December  4. 
[We  cannot  accept  any  responsibility  tor  the  subjoined 
reports.  They  are  furnished  to  us  regularly  every 
Wednesday,  by  the  kindness  of  several  of  the  principal 
salesmen,  who  are  responsible  for  the  quotations.  It 
must  be  remembered  that  these  quotations  do  not  repre- 
sent the  prices  on  any  particular  day,  but  only  the 
general  averages  for  the  week  preceding  the  date  of  our 
report.  The  prices  depend  upon  the  quality  of  the 
samples,  the  way  in  which  they  are  packed,  the  supply 
in  the  market,  and  the  demand,  and  thev  may  fluctuate, 
not  only  from  day  to  day,  but  occasionally  several  times 
in  one  day. — Ed.J 


Cut  Flowers, 

&c. :  Average  Wholesale  Prices. 

s.d.  s.d. 

s.d.  s.d. 

Auemones.dz.bchs. 

2  0-30 

Lily  of  the  Valley, 

Azalea,  white,  per 

p.  dz.  bunches 

6  0-80 

dozen  bunches 

3  0-50 

—  extra  quality  ... 

10  0-12  0 

Bouvardia.dz.bchs. 

6  0-80 

Marguerites,  white, 

Calla  asthiopica,  p. 

p.  dz.  bunches 

2  0-30 

dozen  

3  0-50 

—  yellow,  per  dz. 
bunches 

—  Guernsey 

2  0-30 

2  0-30 

Camellias,  per  dz. 

16-26 

Mignonette,  perdz. 

Carnations,       per 

bunches 

2  0-30 

dozen  blooms, 

Narcissus,      paper 

best  American 

white,  per  doz. 

various 

3  0-40 

bunches 

16-20 

—  second  size    ... 

16-20 

—  boleil  d'Or.per 

—  smaller,       per 

dozen  bunches 

2  0-26 

doz.      bunches 

9  0-12  0 

O  don  toglossum 

Cattleyas.dz.  blms. 

8  0-10  0 

crispum,      per 

Chrysanthem  ii  m  s, 
best    specimen 

dozen    blooms 

2  6-30 

1'ancratiums       per 

blooms, perdz. 

4  0-60 

dozen  Ms. 

4  0-60 

—  selected  blms., 

Pel  ar  go  n  i  u  m  s, 

per  dozen 

2  0-30 

show,  per  dcz. 

—  medium,     doz. 

bunches 

4  0-60 

bunches 

12  0-18  0 

— "Zonal,    double 

Cyclamen,  per  doz. 

scarlet 

4  0-60 

bunches 

4  0-60 

Poinsettias,  per  dz. 

8  0-10  0 

Cypripediums,  per 

Ranunculus,  p.  dz. 

dozen  blooms.. 

2  0-26 

bunches 

2  0-40 

Daffodils,  p.  bunch 

1  0-  l  :j 

Roses,    12  blooms, 

Eucharis     grandi- 

Niphetos 

10-30 

flora,  per  doz. 

—  Bridesmaid 

2  0-  3  0 

blooms 

2  0-30 

—  C.  Testout     ... 

2  0-30 

Gardenias,  per  doz. 

—  K  a  i  serin  A. 

blooms 

2  0-40 

Victoria,  dozen 

Gladiolus,    various 

blooms 

16-30 

hybrids,  perdz. 

—  Mrs.   J.  Laing 

10-30 

spikes  

10-20 

—  C.  Mermet 

2  0-  3  1! 

—  Brenchleyensis 

16-20 

—  Liberty 

—  Mad.  Chatenay 

2  0-60 

Heather,  doz.  bchs. 

2  0-40 

2  0-50 

Hyacinths,  Roman, 

Safrano    (French). 

perdz.  bunches 

perdz. bunches 

9  0-12  0 

of  12  blooms  ... 

6  0-90 

Spirasa,  doz.  belies. 

5  0-80 

Lilac  (French),  per 

Statice,  p.  dz.  bchs. 

2  0-30 

bunch   

3  0-40 

Slephanolis,      per 

Lilium  atiratum  ... 

2  0-30 

dozen     1'. 

4  0-60 

—  lancif oli  am. 

Tuberoses,  pel  dz. 

rubrum  and 

blooms 

0  4-06 

album  ... 

2  0-26 

Violets,  p.  dz.  bi  h  ■-. 

10-20 

—  longillorum    ... 

a  <;-  i  0 

—  special    q 

2  6-30 

—  tigrinum 

16-20 

-  r,u  ma-,  p,  bch. 

2  0-40 

Cut  Foliage, 

&c. :  Avei 

age  Wholesale  Prices. 

s.d.  s.d. 

s.d.  s.d. 

Adiantum     cunea- 

Iris   fcetida    fruits, 

lum,  dz.  bchs. 

4  0-60 

p.  dz.  bunches 
Ivy-leaves,    bronze 

5  0-60 

A  sparagus    plu- 

2  0-26 

mosus,       long 

—  long  trails  per 

trails,  per  duz. 

8  0-12  0 

bundle 

16-30 

—    —       medium, 

—  short    green, 

bunch    ... 

10-20 

doz.  bunches... 

16-26 

—  Sprengeri 

0  6-10 

Moss,  per  gross  ... 

4  0-50 

Berberis,  dz.  bchs. 

2  0-26 

Myrtle     (English), 

Croton  leaves,  per 

s  mal  1-leaved, 

bunch  

10-13 

doz.  bunches... 

4  0-60 

Cycas  leaves,  each 

16-20 

—  Fi*ench,  dozen 

Fern,  English,  per 

bunches 

10-16 

dozen  bunches 

10-20 

Oak  (Quercus    coc- 

—  French.dz.bchs 

10-30 

cinea),  dz.bchs. 

8  0-12  0 

Galax    leaves,    per 

Pernettya,p.  bunch 

0  6-09 

doz.  bunches... 

2  0-26 

Physalis  Franchetii, 

Hardy    foliage 

perdz. bunches 

4  0-60 

(various),    per 

Smilax,  per  dozen 

dozen  bunches 

3  0-90 

trails    

2  0-30 

Plants  in  Pots,  &c.    Average  Wholesale  Prices. 


Ainpelopsis     Veit- 

clui,  per  dozen 

Alalia  Sieboldi,  dz. 

—  larger  

—  Moseri,  per  dz. 
Araucaria   excelsa, 

per  dozen 

Aspidistras,  green, 

per  dozen 

—  variegated,  per 
dozen  

Asparagus    plumo- 
sus  nanus,  doz. 

—  Sprengeri,    dz. 

—  ten  u  i  ssimus 
per  dozen  ©  ... 

Azalea  indica 
Begonia   Gloire  de 

Lorraine,  p.  dz. 
Bouvardias,  per  dz. 
Callas,  per  dozen... 
Chrysanthem  urns, 

per  dozen 

—  best  disbudded 
Clematis,  per  doz. 
Cocos    Weddelli- 

ana,  per  dozen 
Crotons,  per  do^en 
Cyclamen,  per  doz. 
Cyperus    alternifo- 

lius,  dozen 

—  laxus,  per  di  z. 
T  i]  ar,(  nas,  per  doz. 


s.d.  s.d. 

6  0-80 

4  0-60 
9  0-12  0 
6  0-12  0 

12  0-30  0 

18  0-30  0 

30  0-42  0 

9  0-12  0 

8  0-10  0 

9  0-12  0 
24  0-36  0 

8  0-15  0 
6  0-80 
10  0-12  0 

5  0-9  0 
12  0  18  0 

8  0-90 

18  0-30  0 

IS  (i  ::.-)  ii 

9  0-12  0 

4  0-50 
4  0-50 


s.d.  s.d. 
Erica  gracilis,  doz.  10  0-12  0 

—  nivalis,  per  dz.  12  0-15  0 

—  hyemalis  ...  10  0-15  0 
Euonymus,  per  dz.  4  0-90 
Ferns,  in   thumbs, 

per  100 7  0-10  0 

—  in    small    and 

large  60's       ...  12  0-20  0 

—  in  48's,  perdz.     4  0-10  0 

—  in  32's,  per  dz.  10  0-lH  0 
Ficus  elastica,  dz.     9  0-12  0 

—  repens,  per  az.  4  0-60 
Hyacinths  (Roman), 

per  dozen  pots  12  0-15  0 
Kentia      Belmore- 

ana,  per  dozen  18  0-30  0 

—  Fosteriana.per 

dozen 18  0-30  0 

Latania  borbonica, 

per  dozen  ...  12  0-18  0 
Lilium    1  o  ngi- 

florum,per  dz.  15  0-24  0 

—  lancifo  Hum, 

per  dozen  ...  12  0-18  0 
Lily  of  the  Valley, 

per  dozen  ...  18  0-30  0 
Marguerites,  white, 

per  dozen 

Poinsettias,  per  dz. 

ela  .  inella,  per  dz. 

Solanums,  per  doz. 

Spiraea  japonica.d 


9  0-24  0  I  Veronicas,  per  dz. 


6  0-80 
9  0-12  0 

4  0-  6  0 

5  0-90 
s  0-12  M 
4  0-60 


Apples      (English), 
per  bushel : 

—  Wellington    ...     4 

—  Northern  Green- 
ing           3 

—  Newton   Won- 
der           5 

Bramley'sSeed- 
ling       5 

—  Lord  Derby  ...    5 

—  Peasgood's 
Nonsuch         ...     5 

—  King  Pippins...     4 

—  Blenheim   Pip- 
pin       ...        ...    4 

—  Cox's     Orange 
Pippin,  §  sieve    7 
Nova    Scotian, 
per  barrel : 

—  Ribstons         ...  14 

—  Gloria     Mundi  15 
-  Blenheims     ...  16 

—  King's  ..         ...  15 

—  New  York  Im- 
perialists 20 
Canadian,    per 
barrel  : 

—  King     of      the 
Pippins  ...  17 

—  Baldwins        ...   15 

—  Greening's     ...  16 

—  Ribstons        ..    16 

—  Blenheims      ...  19 
Californian  : 

—  Newtow  ii  i, 

box       9 

— "Oregon" 

Newtowns,  per 

box      

Avocado  Pear-,  per 

dozen  

Bananas,  bunch : 

—  No.  2  Canary  . 

—  No.  1        „     ... 

—  Extra        „    ... 

—  Giants      „     ... 

—  Jamaica 

—  Loose,  per  dz. 
Cranberries,  p.case 
"Custard"    Apple 

(Anona)  per  doz. 
Dates  (Tunis),  doz. 

boxes   

Grape   Fruit ,    case 
Grapes     (English), 

—  Alicante, per  lb. 

—  Gros    Colmar, 
per  lb 


s.d    s  d- 


6-6  0 
6-4  6 
0-6  6 

0-7  0 

0-6  0 

0-7  0 
6-6  0 

6-6  0 

0-14  0 


0-15  0 
0-16  0 
0-17  6 
0-16  0 


o  18  0 

0  17  0 
0-18  0 
0-18  0 
0-21  0 


12  0-14  0 
4  0-80 


6  0-66 

7  0-76 

8  0-86 

9  6-10  0 

5  0-56 
0  9-13 

6  6-76 

6  0-12  0 


6-4  9 
0-12  0 


0  6-10 
0  8-16 


Grapes,  English 
Muscats,  p.  lb. 

—  Canon  Hall, 
per  lb 

—  Belgian  Col- 
mar. per  lb 

—  Almeria,  per 
barrel 

Lemons  : 

—  Malaga,  case... 

—  Messina,    case 

—  Naples,  p.  case 
Lychees,  per  box... 
Mandarines,  p.  box 
Mangoes,  per  doz. 
Medlars  (English), 

4  sieve 
Nuts,  Cobs    (Eng- 
lish), per  lb.  ... 

—  Grenobles  Wal- 
nuts, per  bag... 

—  Almonds,     bag 

—  Brazils,  new, 
per  cwt. 

—  Barcelona,  per 
bag 

—  Cocoa  nuts.  100 
Chestnuts  : 

—  Italian,  per  bag 

—  Redon,  per  bag 
Oranges  (Jamaican) 

per  case 

—  Almeria,  case.. 

—  Valencia,  case 

—  Denia,  p.  case 
Pears    (English), 

Catillac,     per 
bushel 

—  Doyenne  du 
Cornice,  per 
dozen  

—  Pitmaston 
Duchess,  per 
dozen  

—  French,  Doy- 
enne du  Cornice 
per  crate 

—  Beurre  bfaeni- 
fique,  per  box 

—  Catillac,  Dutch 
per  basket 

—  per  barrel 

—  Glou  Morceau 
(French),  per 
box      

—  Winter  Nelis, 
per  box 

I  'in.  apples,  each  ... 


s.d.  s.d. 
2  0-40 
2  0-40 

0  8-10 

10  0-20  0 

14  0-15  0 
12  0-2(1  u 
17  0-24  0 

1  0  — 
10-16 
4  0-80 

Be- 
OS*— 

6  6-63 
42  6    — 


32  6    — 
12  0-17  0 

12  0-15  0 
8  0-10  0 

5  6-9  6 
10  6-12  0 
7  0-12  I) 

13  0-20  0 


4  6    6  0 

16-40 

16-26 

'l0  0 -12  0 
10  0    — 

2  6    — 

10  0    — 

10  0-10  6 

18  0  20  0 
2fi-50 


Vegetables  :  Average  Wholesale  Prices. 


Artichokes(French), 

per  dozen 
Asparagus,       Paris 

1  .   bundle 

—  Sprue,    bi 
Beans,  Freni 

packet 

—  Guernsey, p.  lb. 

—  Madeira,  per 
basket 

Beetroot,  bushel  ... 
Brussel      Spi 

h  sieve 
Cabbages,  per  doz. 

—  Greens,  bag  ... 

—  red,  per  dozen 

—  Savoy  s,  per 
tally      

Carrots    (English), 

—  washed,  p.  bag 
Cauliflowers,  p.  dz. 

—  per  tally 
Celeriac    (French), 

per  dozen 

Celery,  washed,  per 
dozen  

Chicory,  per  lb.  ... 

Chow  Chow  iSec- 
hium  edule),p. 
dozen  .. 

Cucumbers,  perdz. 

Endive,  per  dozen 

Horseradish,  for- 
eign, per  doz. 
bundles 


6-4  0 
5    Q  6 


-  ,1 
1  6 


s.d. 


0  4 
0  7 


0-3  6 
3-  1  6 


I  0    — 

:  6    - 

6-2  0 
0-10  0 


19-20 


8-0  10 
3-0  3§ 


0    — 

0-3  6 
6-2  0 


10  0-12  0 


Leeks,  12  bundles 
Lettuce     (French), 

per  dozen 
Mint,  doz.  bunches 
M  ushrooins(house) 

Eerlb 
uttons,  peril).  0  10-  1  0 

—  "Broilers'p.lb.    0  7-08 
Mustardand  Cress, 

per  dozen  pun. 
Onions    (Spanish), 
per  case 

—  Dutch,  per  bag 

—  pickling,  per 
bushel 

Parsley,  12  bunches 

—  £  bushel 
Salsafy,  per  dozen 

bundles 
Spinach,    English, 

per  bushel     ... 
Tomatos,  selected, 

per  dozen  lbs. 

—  small  selected, 

per  dozen  lbs.    2  6-36 

—  Teneriffe,  per 
bundle  of  four 
boxes   ... 

Turnips   (English), 
doz.  bunches... 

—  per  bag 
Watercress,      per 

doz.  bunches  .. 


10-12 
0  9-10 

0  8-0  10 


10-16 

5  0-56 
4  0- 

2  0-26 

16-19 
10-16 

3  6  — 
0  9-10 
2  9-40 


10  0-12  0 


2  0-30 
2  6     — 


0  4-06 


Remarks. — Prices  of  Apples  this  week  are  much  lower, 
especially  of  those  arriving  from  Nova  Scotia  and  Canada  ; 
and  at  present  there  does  not  appear  to  be  any  prospect  of 
an  improvement,  unless  the  supplies  decrease.  Oranges 
also  are  very  plentiful  and  cheap.  The  demand  for  home- 
grown Tomatos  and  Grapes  continues  to  be  slow.  Kentish 
Cob  Nuts  are  easier  in  price,  but  the  quality  generally  of  this 
Nut  is  inferior,  to  last  season.  P.  L.t  Covent  Garden, 
Wednesday,  December  J,  1907. 

Potatos. 
Kents,  3s.  6d.  to  5s.  per  cwt.;  Lincolns,  70s.  to  90s.  ; 
Blacklands,  70s.  to  85s. ;  Maincrops,  90s.  to  100s.  per  ton  ; 
Dutch  Magnums,  3s.  to  3s.  6d.  per  bag;  Dutch  Imperators, 
2s.  6d.  to  3s.  per  bag;  Dunbar  Dates,  5s.  to  6s.  per  bag. 
Owing  to  the  mild,  changeable  weather,  trade  is  dull. 
/.  D.  C,  Covent  Garden,  December  4%  1907. 


COVENT    GARDEN     FLOWER     MARKET. 

During  the  past  week  trade  for  pot-plants  has  been 
very  dull,  while  supplies  have  been  unusually  plentiful 
for  the  time  of  the  year.  In  company  with  LUy-of-the- 
Valley,  Spiraeas,  Azaleas,  Daffodils,  &c.(  arc  Chrysanthe- 
mums, together  reminding  one  of  December  and  spring. 
Li ly-of- the- Valley  is  just  now  very  good  ;  a  few  years  ago 
these   plants  would   have   been  worth  a   guinea  a   pot   at 


Christmas.  They  may  now  be  bought  at  from  is.  6d.  to- 
ss. 6d.  per  pot.  Lilium  longiflorura  is  another  example 
of  decreased  value.  This  plant  may  increase  a  little  in 
value  for  the  Christmas  trade,  but  at  present  good 
plants  may  be  bought  at  quite  nominal  prices.  Callas- 
in  former  years  were  very  valuable  at  Christmas,  but 
ios.  to  i2S.  per  dozen  is  now  the  highest  prices  realised 
for  best  plants.  Marguerites  may  be  had  equal  in 
quality  to  those  seen  in  the  spring,  but  they  are  not 
worth  more  than  6s.,  or  at  the  most  8s.,  per  dozen,  al- 
though some  few  years  ago  they  realised  from  i8s.  to 
30s.  per  dozen.  Chrysanthemums  are  still  the,  leading 
feature  in  pot-plant?  ;  Jardin  des  Plantes,  which  has 
been  grown  for  at  least  40  years,  is  still  one  of  the 
best  varieties  for  marketing  in  pots,  and  beautiful 
specimens  are  seen.  Of  all  the  improved  "single" 
varieties  Ladysmith  is  the  only  sort  marketed  as  pot- 
plants.  There  is  a  demand  for  a  good  yellow  "  single  " 
in  pots.  Ericas  are  in  the  best  possible"  condition  from 
all  growers,  but,  unfortunately,  up  to  the  present  trade 
for  them  has  not  been  good.  Begonia  Gloire  de  Lor- 
raine is  now  seen  on  several  stands,  and  sells  fairly 
well.  Just  now  there  is  no  other  pink  flower  to  equal  it, 
and  "  pink "  remains  a  favourite  colour.  If  a  Chry- 
santhemum of  the  same  shade  of  colour  could  be  raised 
there  is  a  fortune  awaiting  the  person  introducing  it. 
Cyclamen  are  now  plentiful,  but  it  cannot  be  said  that 
they  are  quite  so  good  as  we  have  seen  in  former  years. 
And  the  same  must  be  said  of  Primulas.  The  old 
growers  who  took  such  a  pride  in  these  plants  seem  to 
have  all  died  out.  A  leading  florist  told  me  that  he 
would  be  glad  to  find  such  as  we  used  to  see  twentv 
years   ago. 

Cut  Flowers. 
During  the  past  week  there  has  been  no  very  great 
change,  but  supplies  of  some  things  are  uncertain.  It 
it  difficult  to  quote  absolute  prices  for  some  flowers.  I 
find,  for  instance,  that  best  Gardenias  have  gone  up  to 
4s.  per  dozen,  but  some  mornings  the  same  quality  may 
be  purchased  for  2s.  per  dozen.  Eucharis,  Stephanotis, 
and  Pancratiums  are  also  very  variable  in  prices. 
Orange  Blossom  was  well  supplied  last  week:  when  this 
is  really  wanted  big  prices  can  be  obtained  for  it,  but 
stocks  are  often  wasted.  It  is  much  the  same  with  other 
choice  flowers  at  this  season  of  the  year.  Some  special 
function  may  cause  a  demand.  Some  mornings  Orchids 
sell  well,  but  more  often  they  are  not  wanted.  Roses  and 
Carnations  have  a  more  regular  demand.  Up  to  the 
present  time  supplies  have  been  good,  and  prices  have 
advanced  a  little.  Chrysanthemums  arc  now  so  good  that 
they  spoil  the  trade  for  all  other  flowers.  Coloured 
varieties  which  were  not  wanted  a  few  weeks  ago  are 
now  scarcer  than  "whites."  Last  Saturday  I  bought 
good  white  Chrysanthemums  at  is.  6d.  per  dozen 
blooms :  three  weeks  ago  they  would  have  realised 
as.  6d.  or  3s.  per  dozen.  Liliums  are  very  uncertain 
in  price.  Last  Saturday  they  were  making  4s.  per 
bunch,  but  on  Tuesday  they  were  down  to  3s.  for  the 
same  quality.  A.  H.,  Covent  Garden,  Wednesday, 
December  4,  igoj. 


DEBATING    SOCIETIES. 

SALISBURY  AND  DISTRICT  GARDENERS'. 

At  a  meeting  of  this  society  held  on  the  27tb  ult.  a  paper,  on 
"  Manures,"  was  read  by  Mr.  Wyatt.  A  capital  discussion 
followed  the  reading  of  the  paper,  especially  on  manures 
suitable  for  various  subjects.  Mr.  Bryant  presided  over  a 
large  attendance  of  members. 

CARDIFF  GARDENERS'.— A  meeting  of  this  asso- 
ciation was  held  on  November  26,  Mr.  H.  R.  Farmer  pre- 
siding. Before  commencing  the  meeting,  the  chairman 
referred  to  the  loss  the  society  bad  sustained  through  the 
sudden  death  of  Mr.  H.  Gillett.  The  lecturerfor  the  evening 
was  Mr.  J.  Julian,  his  subject  being  "  Rhododendrons,  their 
Aspect  and  Cultivation."  Mr.  Julian's  remarks  on  the  propa- 
gation of  these  plants  was  the  subject  of  much  discussion  by 
the  members.     R.  T.  W. 

BRISTOL     AND     DISTRICT    GARDENERS'.  - 

"Forestry"  was  the  subject  discussed  at  the  meeting  held 
on  Thursday,  November  28.  Mr.  Went,  Forester  to  the 
Marquis  of  Bute  on  his  South  Wales  estates,  opened  the 
debate  with  a  paper.  Mr.  Went  said  that  "Oak  and  Larch 
trees  should  be  extensively  planted.  The  Japanese  variety  of 
Larch  far  excelled  the  older  form  for  forest  purposes  as  it 
made  rapid  growth.  About  4,000  Larch  trees  could  be 
planted  on  an  acre  of  land,  and  the  smallest  trees  should  be 
planted  on  the  highest  elevation."  Two  new  members  were 
elected.    H.  \V. 

CHELMSFORD  &.  DISTRICT  GARDENERS'.— 

A  meeting  of  this  association  was  held  on  November  29, 
when  Mr.  R.  E.  Williams  read  a  paper  on  "  Seakale  and  its 
Cultivation."  The  lecturer  expressed  surprise  that  Seakale 
—a  delicacy  perhaps  second  only  to  Asparagus,  a  plant  as 
easily  raised  as  Rhubarb,  and  one  that  grows  wild  on  the 
south  coast  of  England — should  be  so  seldom  grown  in 
private  gardens. 

WARGRAVE  AND  DISTRICT  GARDENERS'. 

The  members  of  this  association  met  on  November 
20  to  witness  competitions  in  decorating  vases.  The 
first  event  was  for  journeymen  gardeners  only,  and  five 
vases  had  to  be  arranged- as  a  table  decoration.  Mr.  G. 
Akerman  was  awarded  the  1st  prize.  Another  class  was 
for  head  gardeners,  single-handed  gardeners,  and  fore- 
men, who  had  to  arrange  a  large  vase  for  effect  in  a 
quarter  of  an  hour.  Mr.  F.  Newman  showed  the  best 
arrangement  in  this  competition.  2nd,  Mr.  J.  Botley. 
The  flowers  were  afterwards  forwarded  to  the  Royal 
Berks  Hospital.     Four  new  members  were  elected.     H.   C. 


CATALOGUES     RECEIVED. 


John  McKerchar,  35,  Giesbach  Road,  Upper  Holloway, 
London — Ferns,  Palms,  Plants,  Fruit  Trees,  Roses,  &c. 

J.  Spink,  Summit  Road  Nursery,  Waltbamstow,  London, 
N.E. — Chrysanthemums,  Dahlias,  &c. 


404 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[December  7,  1907. 


ANSWERS   TO    CORRESPONDENTS. 


Agapanthus  umbellatus  :  B.  L.  To  secure  a 
number  of  plants  for  plunging  in  the  open 
border  when  in  flower  in  the  manner  you  de- 
scribe, you  should  proceed  as  follows.  Shift 
the  small  plants  into  pots  of  the  size  you  wish 
them  to  be  cultivated  permanently,  using  good 
turfy  loam  and  dried  cow  manure,  with  some 
roughly-broken  bones  added.  After  they  have 
become  established  in  the  pots,  the  plants 
should  be  given  a  little  weak  manure  water  two 
or  three  times  a  week  when  actively  growing 
and  developing  their  spikes.  The  plants 
should  never  be  dried  off,  but  the  water  supply 
should  be  restricted  in  the  winter  months,  and 
the  manure  water  discontinued  during  the 
same  period. 

Beetroot  :  X.  Y.  Z.  The  sample  you  send  us 
shows  reversion  to  an  older  form,  a  condi- 
tion commonly  seen  in  this  vegetable.  Stocks 
need  carefully  selecting  each  year,  in  order  to 
keep  them  up  to  the  best  standaid.  The  con- 
dition is  not  the  result  of  disease. 

Begonia  Roots  :  G.  II.  B.  The  trouble  is  due  to 
the  presence  of  eelworm  in  the  soil.  Burn  all 
the  affected  roots,  and  sterilise  the  soil  by 
baking. 

Bulb  Culture  :  S.  II.  Fareham.  All  the  plants 
you  mention  may  be  grown  in  a  greenhouse 
or  cold  frame.  Cypella  Herbertii  is  an 
Iridaceous  plant  and  requires  to  be  grown  in 
a  similar  manner  to  Ixias,  Sparaxis,  and  other 
Cape  Irids.  They  should  be  dried  off  after  the 
completion  of  the  growth  and  flowering  stage, 
until  the  season  of  growth  comes  round  again, 
when  they  should  be  re-potted  and  watered. 
The  two  Amaryllids^Chlidauthus  fragrans  and 
Zephyranthes — should  be  treated  in  a  similar 
manner.  The  strict  observance  of  the  need  of 
moisture  during  the  growing  season,  and  of 
dry  conditions  during  the  time  the  plants  are 
at  rest,  are  the  main  points  to  be  observed  in 
the  culture  of  all  deciduous  bulbs,  conns,  &c. 
Bletia  hyacinthina  is  a  cool  greenhouse  ter- 
restrial Orchid  which  also  succeeds  tolerably 
well  in  mild  districts  if  planted  in  a  sheltered 
rockery  out  of  doors.  To  propagate  Erica 
hyemalis  place  one  or  two  of  the  old  plants 
in  a  warm  greenhouse  until  early  in  spring, 
when  the  cuttings  may  be  taken  and  rooted 
under  bell-glasses  in  the  same  house. 

Calanthe  Flowers  Colourless  :  Oculata.  The 
suppression  of  colour  in  Calanthe  flowers  is  not 
uncommon.  It  may  arise  from  comparative 
failure  of  the  root-action  or  from  noxious  gases 
in  the  atmosphere  in  the  house  they  occupy.  In 
your  case  both  causes  seem  to  have  contributed 
to  the  failure  of  the  colour  in  the  flowers.  First 
the  plants  received  a  check  by  removal  from  one 
house  to  another,  and  secondly  by  their  being 
returned  to  the  freshly-painted  house.  In  the 
compost  in  which  the  Calanthes  are  potted  a 
mixture  of  dried  cow-dung  with  the  loam  in 
place  of  the  sphagnum-moss  would  have  been 
better.  Weak  manure-water  made  from  cow- 
dung  with  a  little  soot  added  should  be 
given  to  Calanthes  during  the  time  they  are 
making  their  growth,  and  at  the  period  when 
they  are  developing  their  flower-spikes. 

Carnations:  Mrs.  A.  E.  M.  The  insects  you 
sent  are  the  grubs  of  a  fly,  and  from  your  letter 
we  gather  that  you  find  them  on  and  in  the  soil 
and  not  in  the  stems  of  the  plants.  Were  they 
in  the  stems  we  should  say  that  they  are  the 
grubs  of  the  "  Carnation  fly  "  (Hylemia  nigres- 
cens),  as  they  resemble  them  very  closely.  The 
grubs  of  nearly  allied  flies,  however,  are  so 
much  alike  that  it  is  almost  impossible  to  say 
positively  to  what  species  they  belong.  As  to 
whether  the  plants  will  recover  after  the 
grubs  have  been  removed  will  depend  on 
the  amount  of  injuiy  that  each  plant  has 
received.  You  might  try  a  watering  with  a 
strong  solution  of  nitrate  of  soda,  or  dibbling 
three  or  four  holes  in  the  earth  near  the  edge  of 
each  pot  down  to  the  bottom  of  the  soil  and 
putting  a  small  amount  of  "\aporite"  in  each 
hole,  filling  in  the  soil  again  ;  the  vaporite  will 
gradually  diffuse  fumes  which  are  very  deadly 
to  insect  life.  The  fumes  have  a  tendency  to  rise, 
so  it  should  be  placed  as  low  down  in  the  pot  as 
possible.  Vaporite  is  a  proprietary  remedy  and 
may  be  obtained  through  most  nurserymen. 

Charcoal  for  Lawns  :  C.  E.  Gamble.  Char- 
coal    is    a    decided    antiseptic    material,   and 


sweetens  soils  to  which  it  is  added  by  absorp- 
tion of  pure  atmospheric  air  ;  hence  it  is  verv 
frequently  used  for  potting  purposes,  and 
when  making  up  vine  borders,  eic.  There 
can  be  no  doubt  that  finely  powdered  char- 
coal applied  tc  a  lawn  that  is  liable  to  become 
too  saturated  with  water,  and  where  Moss  is 
prevalent  in  the  herbage,  would  have  the 
effect  of  improving  matters  and  indirectly 
would  act  as  a  germicide.  There  is  nothing 
poisonous  in  the  properties  of  charcoal  to  kill 
insects.  If  it  is  decided  to  try  its  effects  on 
a  lawn,  about  6  ozs.  per  square  yard  of  sur- 
face might  be  applied  any  time  from  Decem- 
ber to  February.  It  could  do  no  harm,  and 
in  certain  cases  a  good  effect  might  lie 
produced. 
Climbers  for  a  South-West  Wall  ■.  A.  C.  The 
following  plants  will  be  suitable  for  your 
purpose : — Clematis  Jackmanii  and  others, 
Lathyrus  grandiflorus,  Polygonum  baldschu- 
anicum,  Roses  of  the  Wichuraiana  and  rambler 
class,  Periploca  gra;ca,  and  Akebia  quinata. 

Ccelogyne  corrugata  :  W.  B.  This  species 
grows  best  in  a  cool  house.  After  the  pseudo- 
bulbs  are  mature  the  plants  should  be  placed 
on  a  shelf  in  a  well-ventilated  situation,  and 
the  water  supply  considerably  restricted.  If 
watered  equally  during  all  the  year  the  plants 
grow  well,  but  usually  fail  to  bloom. 

Dendrobium  nobile  Buds  Failing  :  Anxious. 
As  the  plants  have  now  the  buds  well  ad- 
vanced, you  must  afford  water  to  the  roots, 
otherwise  the  blooms  will  fail  as  you  say 
they  have  done  on  previous  occasions.  To 
make  sure  that  the  blooms  shall  develop  well, 
elevate  the  plants  well  up  to  the  glass  of  the 
roof  or  place  them  on  a  shelf  near  the  glass. 
Plants  of  these  Dendrobiums  grown  in 
suspended  baskets  seldom  lose  their  buds  in 
the  manner  you  describe.  We  presume  that 
your  plants  are  growing  in  pots  placed  on  the 
stage.  It  sometimes  happens  that  excessive 
heat  from  the  hot-water  pipes,  especially  at 
night,  causes  the  buds  to  fail.  Fumes  from 
the  stoke-hold  entering  along  the  course  of 
the  hot-water  pipes  have  also  been  known  to 
cause  similar  damage. 

Eranthemum  :  Correspondent.  The  leaves  of 
your  Eranthemum  are  infested  with  the 
fungus  known  as  Sphaeronema  deformans.  It 
will  probably  not  materially  injure  the  plants, 
as  it  only  affects  the  leaves  and,  gene,  ally  at 
least,  does  not  seem  to  damage  them  seriously. 

Fir  trees  :  /.  H.  B.  Your  specimens  have  now 
been  thoroughly  examined.  The  soil  is  per- 
meated with  white  fungus  mycelium.  The 
branches  show  spruce  galls  caused  by  Chermes 
laricis.  The  roots  are  attacked  by  a  rot,  in 
which  no  fungus  or  bacterium  enters,  but  is 
evidently  due  to  cultural  difficulties.  Nothing 
can  be  done  to  arrest  the  disease  unless  the  trees 
are  sufficiently  small  to  be  transplanted.  In 
this  case  the  roots  should  be  pruned,  and  the 
trees  planted  in  deeper  soil.  Thanks  for  the 
contribution  to  the  Royal  Gardeners'  Orphan 
Fund. 

Gardener's  Notice  :  F.  W.  J.  A  head  gar- 
dener is  entitled  to  receive  one  month's  notice 
before  terminating  his  employment. 

Grease-bands  :  R.  D.  The  paper  used  for 
bands  around  the  trees  will  answer  the  pur- 
pose perfectly,  but  care  must  be  exercised  to 
overlap  the  ends  and  paste  them  together,  so 
that  no  crevices  will  be  left  by  which  the 
insects  can  escape  to  the  branches  above.  The 
preparation  of  fat  you  used  became  consoli- 
dated owing  to  salt  having  been  added  in  the 
process  of  cooking,  and  this,  together  with  the 
treacle,  could  easily  be  consumed  by  the  birds. 
The  best  ingredient  for  the  purpose  you  re- 
quire is  something  that  is  sticky  and  at  the 
same  time  not  injurious  to  the  bark.  Prepara- 
tions containing  any  form  of  tar  will  in  time 
injure  the  bark,  especially  the  bark  upon 
young  trees.  A  simple  and  effectual  method 
is  to  use  good  cart  grease,  containing  no 
form  of  tar.  You  may  use  the  fat  in 
conjunction  with  palm  oil  and  soft  soap, 
or  rape  seed  oil  and  a  little  caustic  soda ; 
in  each  case  the  ingredients  should  be 
so  mixed  together  that  it  can  be  applied  with 
a  painter's  brush.  This  application  will  re- 
quire to  be  repeated  at  least  twice  during  the 
period  the  bands  remain  on  the  trees.  The 
bands   should   always    be   placed    in    position 


early  in  October  each  year.  In  order  to  have 
your  fruit  trees  free  trom  attacks  next  year, 
and  assuming  the  grease-bands  have  not  been 
perfectly  satisfactory,  you  had  better  spray  the 
trees  with  the  soda  and  potash  wash  before 
the  bud  show  signs  of  making  growth  in  the 
spring. 

Names  of  Flowers,  Fruits  and  Plants.— We 
are  anxious  to  oblige  correspondents  as  far  as 
we  consistently  can,  but  they  must  bear  in 
mind  that  it  is  no  part  of  our  duty  to  our 
subscribers  to  name  either  flowers  or  fruits. 
Such  work  entails  considerable  outlay,  both  of 
time  and  money,  and  cannot  be  allowed  to  dis- 
organise the  preparations  for  the  weekly  issue,  or  to 
encroach  upon  time  required  for  the  conduct  of  the 
paper.  Correspondents  should  never  send  more 
than  six  plants  or  fruits  at  one  time  :  they  should  be 
very  careful  to  pack  and  label  them  properly,  to  give 
every  information  as  to  the  county  the  fruits  are 
grown  in,  and  to  send  ripe,  or  nearly  ripe,  specimens 
which  show  the  character  of  the  variety.  By 
neglecting  these  precautions  correspondents  add 
gieatly  to  our  labour,  and  run  the  risk  of 
delay  and  incorrect  determinations.  Correspondents 
not  answered  in  one  issue  are  requested  to 
be  so  good  as  to  consult  the  following  numbers. 
Fruitsi  IV.  Heme.  1,  Dredge's  Queen  Char- 
lotte; 2,  Dean's  Codlin.—  F.  S.  Forge  Apple.— 
J.  T.  S.  We  cannot  identify  your  Apple.  We 
think  it  is  a  local  cider  kind.— F.  Nisbet.  1, 
Small's  Admirable;  2,  Bramley's  Seedling;  3^ 
Lord  Grosvenor  ;  4,  Knight's  Monarch.—  F.  F. 
We  cannot  undertake  to  name  varieties  of 
Grapes  unless  we  receive  a  whole  bunch 
properly  packed,  with  foliage  and  a  portion  of 
wood.  It  is  impossible  to  name  Grapes  correctly 
from  a  few  berries  only.  Moreover,  yours  were 
bruised  and  mildewed  when  opened,  probably 
the  result  of  improper  packing 
Plants:  H.T.  Euonymus  europaeus. — A.J.C. 
1,  Begonia  hybrid  of  the  "President  Carnot  " 
class  ;  2,  B.  subpeltata  argentea  ,  3,  Pelargonium 
echinatum.—  IV.  A.  B.  1,  Ornithogalum  longi- 
bracteatum  ;  2,  Mesembryanthemum  mutabile. 
— S.  0.  M.  Agapanthus  umbellatus  variegatus. 
— H.  A.  M.  We  can  detect  no  difference 
between  your  specimen  and  Escallonia  organ- 
ensis  other  than  a  comparative  absence  of  red 
colouring  on  the  stems  and  petioles. 

Nepenthes:  R.  II.  A.  The  Nepenthes  is  not 
an  Orchid  nor  a  Fern,  but  a  dicotyledonous 
plant  which  is  generally  cultivated  for  the 
pitcher-like  appendages  it  produces  to  its 
leaves.  The  "pitchers"  are  modifications  of 
the  upper  parts  of  the  leaves,  and  ate  totally 
unconnected  with  the  flowers,  these  being  pro- 
duced from  the  stem  itself  and  not  from  the 
leaves.  Plants  of  Nepenthes  are  never  dis- 
played at  public  exhibitions  when  in  flower, 
but  rather  when  the  pitchers  are  in  the  highest 
stage  of  development.  It  would,  therefore, 
be  highly  improper  to  disqualify  a  group  of 
['  Orchids,  foliage  plants,  and  Ferns  "  because 
it  contained  Nepenthes. 

Pollinating  Cvpripedium  :  D.  II.  If  you  make 
a  longitudinal  section  of  an  ovary  you  will  see 
where  the  male  and  female  organs  are  situ- 
ated, and,  having  found  these,  the  process  of 
pollinating  the  flower  is  as  simple  a  process 
as    with    any    other   plant. 

Scale  in  Potatos  :  Hampshire.  See  article  on 
this  subject  in  the  present  issue. 

Tulip  Van  Thol  :  A.  P.  The  bulbs  are  per- 
fectly healthy,  well-developed  specimens,  and 
at  first  it  was  difficult  to  account  for  the 
absence  of  roots.  On  a  closer  examination 
with  magnifying  power  it  was  seen  that  the 
root  points  have  been  eaten  off  in  the  young 
stage,  and  a  very  few  new  roots  are  issuing 
from  the  sides  of  the  earlier  ones.  If  the 
whole  of  the  batch  is  similarly  affected,  it  is 
the  result  of  insect  life  in  the  soil.  Notwith- 
standing this,  we  should  not  hesitate  to  put 
the  bulbs  in  the  greenhouse  for  forcing. 
Growth  has  recently  taken  place  in  the  more 
backward  bulb,  and  even  now  the  presence  of 
the  flower  bud  can  be  detected.  Read  care- 
fully the  instructions  given  for  forcing  such. 
plants  in  our  last  issue  and  act  accordingly. 

Communications    Received.— Narciss —  G.  II.—  A  i 

—J.  S.— J.  13.— H.  A.  I.— W.  A.  C.-W.  G.  S.  -W.- 
Peter R.— Anxious— F.  D.— Ajax— W.  H.  W.-H.  G. 
Alexander— S.  A.— Constant  Reader— C.  H.  Payne- 
Ambitious— C.  Read— E.  Steele— West,  Newman  &  Co. — 
H.  D.— F.  G.  C.-H.  VV.  W.-Rev.  D.  R.  VV.-F.  M.— 
Fair  Play— J.  M.— G.  H.— R.  P. -Hugh  Low  &  Co.— 
I.  D.  G.-J.  R.  I.— Hayward,  Tyler  &  Co.,  Ltd.— E.  M.— 
Employee  (you  should  have  senl  your  name  and  address) 
—J.  D.— P.  M.— A.  H.-J.  B.— J.  A. -H.  R.-C.  B._ 
T.  A.  G.— W.  G,— J.  S.— W.  J.— A.  H.  W.— A,  E.  T. 


December  14,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


405 


THE 


#arbcncrs'(!tbrontcIc 


No.  1,094.— SATURDAY,  December  14,  1907. 


CONTENTS. 

Agricultural  Returns    ... 

415 

Romneya  Coulteri 

417 

Auricula,  ihe      

405 

Romneya  tricbocalyx    .. 

414 

Books,  notices  of — 

Rubber-plant;  pests  of  a 

415 

Botanical  Magazine... 

415 

School  -  gardens,     hints 

Canada,  horticulture  in 

410 

for          

414 

Carbon  dioxide  as  a  bac- 

Seed and  soil  inocula- 

tericide   

415 

tion        416,417 

Chrysanthemums     for 

Societies — 

market...          

424 

Dublin  Seed  and  Nur- 

Cockroaches        

417 

sery  Employes 

423 

Fernery,  the— 

Manchester  and  N.  of 

Ferns,  the  propagation 

England  Orchid     ... 

422 

of        

406 

Midland    Counties 

Florists'  flowers  — 

Sweet   Pea 

415 

Australian      Chrysan- 

National Chrys. 

421 

themums 

411 

National  Potato 

422 

Exhibits  of  decorative 

National  Sweet  Pea  ... 

421 

Chrysanthemums ... 

411 

Royal  Horticultural  ... 

418 

Incurved  Chrysanthe- 

Royal Scottish  Arbori- 

mums 

411 

cultural         

423 

Fuchsias,  the  grape-like 

411 

Smithfield  Club 

422 

Gooseberry  plants,  pro- 
hibition   of    importa- 

Winter-flowering Car- 

nation             

420 

tion  of 

Graft  and  scion,  the  re- 
lations of         

416 
414 

Trees  and  shrubs — 
Caryopteris       Masta- 
canthus         

Clerodendron        fceti- 

403 

Grove  Hall  Park,  Bow, 

as  a  public  recreation 
ground 

417 

dum 

Nandina  domestica  ... 

408 
408 

Lemon-Curing    in   Aus- 
tralia 
Market  Gardening  — 

407 

Winter  -  flowering 
shrubs          

408 

F.arly  Tomatos 

408 

Vege  tables — 

Mice  and  Vegetation  ... 

415 

Late  Peas 

410 

Narcissus,     a     new 

Vine?,  inarching  of 

417 

malady  of        

407 

Week's  work,  the — 

Orchid  notes  and  glean- 

Flower garden,  the  .. 

412 

ings— 

Fruits  under  g    i 

l  i:i 

Miltonia  vexillaria    ... 

406 

Hardy  fruit  gai  di  n 

413 

Odontoglossum     cris- 

Kitchen  garden,  the... 

413 

pum 

406 

Orchid  houses,  the    ... 

412 

Plant  Note— 

Parks  and  gardens    ... 

•111! 

Arctotis  aureola 

411 

Plants  under  glass    ... 

413 

ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Caryopteris  Mastacanthus,  a  flowering  shoot  of 

409 

Grub  of  the  Narcissus  beetle,  the 

407 

Malacosoma  lusitauicum 

a  beetle  pest  of  Narcissi 

407 

Miltonia  vexillaria,  a  group  of  plants  of .. 

406 

Montanoa  bipinnatiflda, 

nflorescence  of  

419 

Romneya  tnchocalyx  (Supplementary  Illustration) 

THE    AURICULA. 

A  GREATER  interest  has  been  taken  in 
the  Auricula  during-  the  last  decade 
than  in  any  previous  period  of  time. 
The  florists  of  a  hundred  or  more  years  ago, 
however,  valued  Auriculas  highly,  and  knew 
their  value  much  better  than  growers  of  the 
present  day.  When  a  very  choice  variety 
was  obtained  from  seed  all  the  growers  were 
anxious  to  possess  it,  and  working-  men  would 
willingly  give  their  guinea  for  a  choice 
variety.  It  is  related  that,  after  Leigh's 
Colonel  Taylor,  the  best  green-edged  variety 
of  its  day,  was  distributed,  as  much  as  £5  5s. 
was  paid  for  a  plant.  I  still  grow  this  variety  ; 
it  has  a  very  pure  green  edge,  but,  owing 
to  its  feeble  constitution,  it  makes  but  poor 
growth.  The  constitutions  of  the  plants  were 
formerly  ruined  by  excessive  feeding.  When 
I  first  grew  Auriculas,  I  bought  plants  from 
some  of  the  old-fashioned  florists,  and  the 
compost  in  the  flower  pots  was  usuallv  much 
overdone  with  rich  manure,  "  night-soil  " 
being  a  favourite  stimulant.  It  says  much 
for  the  constitution  of  the  Auricula  that  it 
could  grow  and  flower  well  for  a  time 
with  such  treatment.  Even  so  recently  as 
the  year  1839,  in  a  treatise  on  the  Auricula, 
the  author  condemned  the  rich  composts, 
but  suggested  the  following  for  "  strong- 
blooming  plants  "  :  "  One  barrow  of  sound 
loam,  one   barrow   of  dried    night-soil,   one 


barrow  of  the  dung-  of  sheep,  cows,  and 
poultry  ;  mixed  in  blood  from  the  slaughter- 
house in  equal  quantities."  The  patient 
cultivators  in  those  far-off  days  had  faith 
in  their  instructors.  Maddock  was  a  great 
cultivator  about  the  end  of  the  eighteenth 
and  beginning  of  the  nineteenth  century. 
Here  is  a  description  of  the  compost  he 
used  :  "  J  rotten  cow  manure  two  years  old, 
1-6  sound  earth  of  an  open  texture,  g  earth 
of  rotten  leaves,  1-12  coarse  sea  or  river  sand, 
1-24  soft,  decayed  willow  wood,  1-24  peaty  or 
moory  earth,  1-24  of  the  whole  ashes  of  burnt 
vegetables."  These  are  two  only  of  the 
numerous  recipes  published,  but  they  show 
how  impossible  it  must  have  been  to  keep 
the  plants  in  a  healthy  condition. 

No  Auricula-fancier  in  these  days  would 
ever  be  tempted  to  use  such  rich  mixtures  for 
their  plants  in  any  period  of  their  growth. 
A  good  compost  for  Auriculas  would  be  one 
consisting  of  three  or  four  parts  good  loam 
to  one  part  of  leaf-mould  and  one  part  of  de- 
cayed manure.  The  Auricula  likes  fibrous 
loam,  not  too  much  decayed.  I  never  saw 
Auriculas  better  grown  by  an  amateur  than 
the  plants  Mr.  Henwood  used  to  exhibit,  and 
lie  had  arrived  at  the  conclusion  that  good, 
fibrous  loam  without  any  admixture  was  the 
besl  potting  material.  This  is  certainly 
the  most  natural  potting  soil,  and  the 
roots  develop  most  freely  in  the  open, 
fibrous  loam  pressed  firmly  into  the  pots.  The 
concct  time  to  carry  out  the  work  of  i<  pot- 
ting has  always  been  a  very  important  in.it- 
Ut  willi  the  fanciers.  Not  only  at  what  time 
of  the  year,  but  also  how  to  do  it.  In  my 
collection  of  about  15,000  plants  repotting  is 
performed  in  every  month  of  the  year.  One 
of  the  main  points  is  to  be  careful  not  to  over- 
pot  the  plants.  I  do  not  use  any  pots  having 
more  than  a  diameter  of  5  inches  inside  mea- 
surement, and  these  for  the  stronger-growing 
varieties  only.  I  examine  as  many  as  I  can 
of  the  entire  collection  in  December  and 
January.  Some  of  the  plants  are  merely  sur- 
face-dressed ;  many  of  them  are  turned  out, 
the  roots  are  examined,  and  the  plants  re- 
turned into  clean  flower-pots,  taking  care  not 
to  disturb  the  roots  more  than  is  absolutely 
necessary. 

The  flowerpots  should  be  well  drained,  and 
the  drainage  secured  with  perfectly  fibrous 
material  placed  over  the  potsherds.  For  two 
months  in  winter  many  growers  used  to  keep 
the  plants  without  water,  but  this  is  an 
error  to  be  deprecated.  During  winter 
much  injury  is  caused  by  the  plants  losing 
their  outer  leaves  and  by  these  being  allowed 
to  remain  until  decay  sets  in  on  the  stem 
of  the  plants  as  well  as  on  the  leaves.  The 
decayed  and  decaying  leaves  should  be  re- 
moved frequently. 

Winter  treatment  may  be  said  to  begin 
after  the  middle  of  November,  and  it  con- 
tinues until  the  early  weeks  of  February. 
Before  the  latter  time  every  plant  should  be 
carefully  examined  in  order  to  ascertiin  if  it 
requires  to  be  turned  out  of  its  flower-pot  or 
to  be  merely  surface-dressed.  A  very  rich 
compost  has  been  recommended  for  surface- 
dressing,  but  such  material  is  unnecessary 
and  may  be  absolutely  injurious.  I  received 
some  Auricula  plants  from  the  late  Mr. 
Richard  Gorton,  and  the  surface-dressing  to 
a  good  depth  Was  almost  entirely  composed 


of  cow-manure,  but  until  May,  when  I  re- 
potted them,  no  roots  had  penetrated  the 
stuff.  Since  that  time  I  have  used  the  same 
material  for  surface-dressing  as  I  do  for 
repotting.  All  through  the  winter  (in  mild 
weather,  of  course)  offsets  are  removed  as 
the  work  proceeds,  but  it  is  necessary  to  put 
them  in  a  house  that  is  heated  sufficiently  to 
prevent  frost.  If  they  were  simply  put  in 
unheated  hand-lights  or  frames,  many  of 
them  would  rot. 

I  have  never  known  Auricula  plants  to  be 
attacked  by  fungoid  diseases,  but  a  collection 
is  probably  never  free  from  the  attacks  of  the 
woolly  aphis  (Trama  auricula-).  This  insect 
forms  a  lodgment  on  the  roots,  and  spreads 
through  the  collection  in  a  very  mysterious 
way,  but  the  most  remarkable  thing  about  it 
is  that  it  docs  not  apparently  injure  the  plants. 
Fumigating  with  the  XL-All  vaporiser  keeps 
it  under,  as  it  kills  any  exposed  insects  but 
does  not  disturb  those  that  are  hidden 
amongst  the  roots  and  drainage.  Green-fly, 
which  sucks  the  juices  of  the  leaves,  does 
much  more  damage  to  the  plants,  but  this 
pest  may  be  destroyed  easily  by  fumigating. 

Abundance  of  air  ought  to  be  admitted, 
whether  the  plants  are  in  a  frame  or  in  an 
Auricula  house.  The  lights  should  be  put 
over  the  plants  on  frosty  nights. 

Winter  is  the  best  time  to  purchase 
plants;  they  are  at  rest  and  will  take  to  their 
new  quarters  as  soon  as  growth  begins  in 
February. 

We  used  to  have  audits  of  the  show  Auri- 
culas. The  first,  to  my  knowledge,  was  in 
1876.  In  green-edged  varieties  Colonel  Tay- 
lor headed  the  list,  followed  by  Freedom,  Im- 
perator,  Prince  of  Wales,  Anna,  Prince  of 
Greens,  and  Champion.  In  grey-edged  varie- 
ties, George  Lightbody  and  Lancashire  Hero 
were  equal,  followed  by  Sykes'  Complete, 
Alexander  Meikeljohn,  Alderman  C.  Brown, 
George  Levick,  and  Ringleader.  In  while- 
edged,  Smiling  Beauty,  True  Briton,  Regu- 
lar, Glory,  Catherina,  Bright  Venus,  and 
favourite.  In  selfs,  Othello,  Pizarro,  Black- 
bird, Garibaldi,  Charles  J.  Perry,  Meteor, 
Flag,  and  Mrs.  Sturrock. 

No  fewer  than  ninety  varieties  were  included 
in  the  four  classes,  and  these  were  in  the  col- 
lection of  seven  growers  only,  or,  at  least, 
seven  lists,  as  Mr.  Horner  and  Mr.  Simonite 
acted  conjointly.  During  the  30  years  since 
the  list  was  made  up,  most  of  the  above  varie- 
ties have  been  displaced,  and  new  ones  have 
taken  their  places. 

The  best  varieties  now  in  the  four  classes 
are  :  Green-edged,  Abbe  Liszt,  Abraham  Bar- 
ker, Dr.  Hardy,  James  Hannaford,  Mrs. 
Henwood,  Rev.  F.  D.  Horner,  and  Shirley 
Hibberd. 

Grey-edged  :  Amy  Robsart,  George  Rudd, 
George  Lightfoot,  Mabel,  Marmion,  Olym- 
pus, and  Richard  Headly. 

White-edged  :  Acme,  Conservative,  Frank 
Simonite,  Heather  Bell,  Mrs.  Dodwell,  Ra- 
chel, and  Wild  Swan.  Selfs  :  Black  Bess,  Fav- 
ourite, Gerald,  Mikado,  Mrs.  Phillips,  Mrs. 
Potts,  and  Miss  Barnett.  In  the  green-edged 
none  is  left.  In  the  grey-edged,  Lightbody 
only.  In  the  white  edged,  none;  and  in  selfs, 
none.  There  are  perhaps  better  varieties  in 
existence  than  those  I  have  mentioned,  but  it 
is  useless  giving  names  of  any  that  cannot 
be  purchased.     Jas.  Douglas. 


406 


THE     GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


[December  14,  1907. 


ORCHID    NOTES    AND    GLEANINGS. 

ODONTOGLOSSUM  CRISPUM. 
The  question  as  to  whether  high  conditions 
of  cultivation  induce  a  tendency  to  the  produc- 
tion of  abnormal  characters  in  flowers  is  again 
suggested  by  some  examples  which  are  in  bloom 
in  the  collection  of  J.  Gurney  Fowler,  Esq., 
Glebelands,  South  Woodford  (gr.  Mr.  J.  Davis). 
The  Odontoglossums  in  the  fine  house  built 
for  them  are  in  splendid  condition,  and  those 
in  bloom  are  producing  very  finely  developed 
inflorescences ;  but  a  proportion  of  the  flowers 
have  an  abnormal  arrangement  of  the  parts. 
To  take  two  examples.  The  first,  a  very 
fine  spike  of  13  flowers,  has  about  half 
of  the  blooms  with  curiously  enlarged  columns, 
the  column-wings  being  more  or  less  furnished 
with  petaloid  hood-like  enlargement.  Some  of 
the  flowers  also  displayed  one  or  two  addi- 
tional segments  ;  yet  the  beauty  of  the  flowers 
is  not  marred.  On  the  other  spike  of  11 
large  rose-tinted  flowers,  two  were  made 
up  of  two  perfect  flowers,  each  on  a  combined 


of  all  the  sepals,  petals,  and  the  lip  are  white. 
There  is  but  little  yellow  at  the  base  of  the 
lip,  and  the  column  head  is  deep  crimson.  The 
back  of  the  flower  is  almost  as  handsome  as  the 
front. 

At  present  the  plant  is  not  a  large  one,  and 
when  fully  developed  it  should  become  one  of 
the  very  handsomest  varieties,  if  not  the  finest 
known,  in  its  section.  Mr.  Ogilvie  is  to  be 
heartily  congratulated  upon  blooming  such  a 
magnificent  form,     de  B.  Crawshay. 

MILTONIA  VEX1LLARIA. 
On  several  occasions  we  have  given  illustra- 
tions of  remarkably  good  specimens  of  Mil- 
tonia  vexillaria  grown  in  the  collection  of  Major 
G.  L.  Holford,  C.V.O.,  CLE.,  at  Westonbirt 
(gr.  Mr.  H.  G.  Alexander),  and  we  now  repro- 
duce (at  fig.  168)  a  photograph  of  several  of 
the  smaller  plants  showing  the  floriferous 
character  induced  by  Mr.  Alexander's  treat- 
ment. None  but  the  best  forms  are  grown, 
and  the  colours  of  the  darkest  varieties  are 
highly  developed. 


too,  are  the  exception  rather  than  the  rule, 
some  species  not  producing  them  at  all.  Since 
some  of  the  best  forms  also  lend  them- 
selves but  charily  to  division,  rarely  producing 
offsets,  it  is  clear  that  the  last  and  least  known 
mode  of  propagation,  viz.,  by  induced  buds  on 
frond  bases  or  caudices,  possesses  special  in- 
terest. I  propose  in  this  article  to  deal  with  it 
alone,  especially  as  I  have  already  written  on 
various  occasions  upon  spore-sowing  and  pro- 
pagation by  division. 

It  is  highly  probable  that  many  more  species 
of  both  native  and  exotic  Ferns  would  admit 
of  this  mode  of  piopagation  than  have  yet  been 
experimented  upon,  and  as  the  treatment  is  ex- 
tremely simple,  I  would  strongly  advise  the  cul- 
tivators of  rare  exotic  Ferns,  otherwise  difficult 
to  propagate,  to  make  trials  on  the  method 
hereafter  described.  Beginning  with  the  Harts- 
tongue,  the  best  forms  of  the  frilled  or  cris- 
pum  section  of  this  species,  which  section  is 
undoubtedly  one  of  the  more  ornamental,  axe 
invariably  barren  of  spores,  and  although,  in 
course  of  time,  established  specimens  produce 
many  centres  of  growth,  these  are  closely  asso- 


F'G.    l68. — MILTONIA    VEXILLARIA    AS    CULTIVATED    IN    MAJOR    HOLFORj's    COLLECTION,    WESTONBIRT. 


pedicel,  llie  result  of  this  arrangement  was 
that  the  two  inner  petals  in  each  case  were  pro- 
jected forward  back  to  back,  as  there  was  no 
room  to  spread  in  the  usual  way.  Other  in- 
stances of  the  kind  were  noticed,  and  it  seems 
probable  that  excessive  vigour  in  the  plants 
may  find  an  outlet  in  these  abnormal  arrange, 
ments  of  the  flowers.     /.  O'B. 

ODONTOGLOSSUM  CRISPUM 
"F.  M.  OGILVIE." 
This  gorgeous  variety  originally  bloomed  as 
an  imported  plant  in  the  collection  of  Mr.  F. 
Menteith  Ogilvie,  The  Shrubbery,  Oxford,  in 
1903,  and  then  gave  promise  of  much  improve- 
ment ;  accordingly  it  was  painted  for  reference. 
It  has  now  bloomed  again,  and  to  see  it  alive, 
covered  by  the  deep,  intense,  crimson  blood- 
coloured  spots  upon  its  white  ground,  can  alone 
give  anyone  the  real  accuracy  needed  in  such  a 
case.  As  is  usual  in  these  highly-coloured 
varieties,  there  is  a  great  deal  of  rose-suffusion 
all  through  the  ground  colour,  but  the  margins 


THE    FERNERY. 


PROPAGATION  OF  FERNS. 
Ferns  can  be  propagated  in  four  different 
ways,  viz.',  by  means  of  their  spores,  by  divi- 
sion of  the  plants,  by  layering  bulbil  plants 
which  are  produced  upon  these  fronds,  and 
finally,  by  inducing  the  formation  of  similar 
bulbils  on  portions  of  their  root-stocks  or  frond 
bases,  the  last  cited  being  little  practised,  as  the 
procedure  is  not  generally  known,  and  the  bul- 
bils only  appear  after  special  culture  has  been 
practised.  By  any  one  of  the  last  three  processes 
we  are  fairly  sure  to  secure  thoroughly  true 
plants,  i.e.,  Ferns  of  precisely  the  parental 
character,  the  exceptions,  though  they  do  occur, 
being  rare.  Through  the  spores,  on  the  con- 
trary, some  varieties  of  Ferns  yield  very  diverse 
offsprings,  while  others  are  almost  invariably 
constant ;  spores,  moreover,  are  very  sparsely 
produced  on  many  of  the  more  beautiful  types, 
and   some   are   entirely  barren.      Bulbil   plants, 


ciated  together  and  require  surgical  treatment, 
as  it  were,  for  their  separation.  With  this  species 
— and  my  remarks  apply  to  all  the  varieties— the 
root-stock  is  gradually  built  up  by  the  persistent 
bases  of  the  old  fronds  which  remain  as  fleshy, 
oblong  stumps  about  J  inch  long,  attached  to 
the  central  caudex  by  a  slenderer  neck.  By  re- 
moving a  little  soil  at  the  side  of  an  established 
plant,  these  can  be  seen  plainly,  and  since 
every  frond,  even  those  which  may  not  be  per- 
fect, leaves  one  of  these  behind  it  when  it  dies 
down,  an  old  plant  has  hundreds  of  them  since 
they  last  alive  for  years.  These  can  be  de- 
tached by  pressing  them  downwards,  or  it  will 
suffice  to  sever  them  as  low  down  as  possible 
with  the  point  of  a  sharp  knife  ;  if,  as  is  prob- 
able, a  few  root-fibres  are  found  to  be  attached, 
these  can  be  detached  by  cutting.  If  given  a 
damp,  cool  position,  every  one  of  these,  without 
exception,  is  capable  of  producing  buds  and 
young  plants,  possibly  half-a-dozen,  or  even 
more;  and  I  have  found  that  all  that  is 
necessary  is  to  take  a  clean  tumbler,  pickle  jar. 


December  14,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


40" 


or  other  glass  receptacle,  put  about  an  inch  in 
depth  of  washed,  coarse,  wet  silver  sand  at  the 
bottom  and  drop  the  pieces  aforesaid  loosely 
on  to  the  surface,  as  many  as  will  cover  it.  Put 
a  slip  of  glass  on  the  top  of  the  tumbler  and 
stand  it  in  a  well-lighted  position,  but  out  of 
direct  sunshine,  leaving  it  then  severely  alone. 
In  about  a  month  after  the  commencement  of 
the  growiig  season  there  may  be  detected  a 
number  of  little  whitish  pimple-like  growths 
starting  from  various  points  on  the  surface,  and 
these  will  very  soon  develop  fronds  and  roots, 
when  the}'  only  require  to  be  transferred  to  soil 
in  pans  to  develop  in  course  of  time  into  speci- 
mens. There  is  no  hurry  for  this,  as  they  will 
grow  for  a  long  time  as  they  are.  When  the 
little  plants  have  asserted  their  individuality 
sufficiently,  they  should  be  separated.  Many 
old  plants,  which  may  appear  to  be  quite  dead, 
may  be  resuscitated  by  this  tumbler  treatment  so 
long  as  their  root-stocks  are  not  entirely  rotten 
to  the  core.  All  that  is  necessary  is  to  shave 
off  all  decayed  portions  with  a  sharp  knife  until 
the  live  portion  is  exposed,  and  then  either  cut 
them  up  or  drop  the  mass  intact  on  the  sand, 
when  bulbils  will  be  formed. 

The  Shield  Ferns  or  Polystichums,  since  they 
form  definite  circular  crowns  with  more  firmly, 
attached  frond-bases,  do  not  lend  themselves 
to  the  same  separative  process,  and  to  secure  a 
batch  of  young  plants  the  cultivator  must  be 
content  to  sacrifice  a  specimen,  though  in  a  very 
old  plant,  which  has  formed  a  trunk,  the  lower 
portion  of  the  latter  may  be  cut  away  to  serve 
this  purpose  and  the  upper  part  repotted.  In 
this  species  the  root-stock  consists  of  a  large 
in  i^s,  but  it  is  built  up  on  fundamentally  the 
same  principle  as  the  Hartstongue.  Our  plan 
with  this  species  is  to  trim  off  all  fronds, 
roots,  and  dead  matter,  and  cut  the  residue 
perpendicularly  into  several  sections,  placing 
these  on  wet  sand  in  glasses  as  already  de- 
scribed, or  embedding  them  in  fresh,  damp 
cocoanut  fibre.  Bulbils  will  be  developed  in 
abundance  and  grow  at  the  expense  of  the  energy 
and  nourishment  contained  in  the  mass  whence 
they  spring.  In  course  of  time  each  piece  will 
become  a  clump  of  young  sturdy  Ferns,  and  a 
sharp  knife  must  then  be  used  to  part  them, 
each  one,  as  far  as  practicable,  being  cut  away 
with  the  piece  of  old  root-stock  to  which  it  is 
attached,  and  afterwards  planted  in  small  pots 
or  pans  and  kept  close  until  established.  The 
original  growing  centre  which  is  apt  to  assert 
itself  if  not  separated  as  above,  should  be 
scraped  out,  as  it  handicaps  the  formation  of 
bulbils. 

The  Lady  Fern  (Athyrium)  also  lends  itself 
to  this  method  of  propagation,  but  requires 
peculiar  treatment ;  each  old  frond  leaves  a  long 
persistent  stump  tapering  downwards  and  con- 
nected to  the  caudex  proper  by  a  narrow  neck, 
and  as  the  bulbils  are  only  produced  in  the  axil 
of  this  junction,  a  small  portion  of  the  central 
caudex  must  be  cut  away  in  conjunction  with 
.the  frond,  the  stump  being  then  inserted  as  a 
cutting  on  the  wet  sand  aforesaid,  and  the  rest 
of  the  process  being  identical. 

Lastrea  montana,  the  lemon-scented  Buckler 
Fern,  is  very  prone  to  produce  abundance  of 
bulbil  plants  from  pieces  of  old  caudex,  and  as 
this  Fern  and  its  numerous  beautiful  varieties 
are  peculiarly  difficult  to  raise  from  spores,  and 
the  bulbil  plants  are  much  more  robust  and 
vigorous  in  their  primary  growth  than  those  pro- 
duced by  spores  (a  remark  which  applies,  in- 
deed, to  the  other  cases  as  well),  we  have  ob- 
viously a  valuable  means  of  propagation  in  this 
system,  which  also  possesses  the  merit  of  extreme 
simplicity.  Apart,  too,  from  bulbil  induce- 
ment, I  have  succeeded  in  reinstating  numer- 
ous rare  Ferns  which,  owing  to  sour  soil  or  other 
reasons,  under  ordinary  conditions  would  have 
died  entirely,  but  on  digging  them  up  or  turning 
them  out  and  shaving  away  the  dead  portions, 
so  long  as  there  remained  any  central  vitality, 
the  exposure  of  this  to  light  enabled  either  the 
■central  axis  of  growth  to  start  afresh,  or,  failing 


that,  bulbils  appeared,  and  thus  the  variety  was 
saved.  It  appears  as  though  there  were  a  gen- 
eral tendency  for  such  resuscitatory  growths  to 
occur,  but  under  unaided  conditions  of  massed 
dead  matter  it  remains  inoperative.  Further- 
more, insertion  in  soil  is  apt  to  help  fur- 
ther rotting  and  induce  sourness,  while  the 
full  exposure  to  light  on  the  surface  of  the  sand 
obviates  this  risk  and  gives  the  best  possible 
chance  of  a  fair  start.     Chas.  T.  Drutry. 


A  NEW  MALADY  OF  NARCISSUS. 

Several  horticulturists  in  the  neighbourhood 
of  Toulon,  who  grow  for  the  cut-flower  trade 
various   sorts  of   Narcissus,   e.g.,   N.   Tazetta  fi. 


Fig.    169.  —  malacosoma    lusitanicom,    an 

insect    pbsi    of    bulbous    plants.     (much 

magnified.) 

pleno,  X.  aureus,  N.  papyraceus,  &c,  have  ex- 
perienced a  serious  loss  during  the  last  season, 
owing  to  the  damage  done  to  bulbs  by  a  de- 
structive larva  of  some  insect.  The  matter  has 
been  studied  by  M.  Valery  Mayet,  the  distin- 
guished professor  of  entomology  at  the  Ecole 
Nationale  d  Agriculture  at  Montpe'.lier.  He 
has  reared  the  larvae  in  question,  and  finds  them 
to  belong  to  a  beetle  named  Malacosoma  lusita- 
nicum.  belonging  to  the  family  Chrysomelid.e. 
This  insect  is  very  abundant  in  the  central 
region  of  France,  and  at  the  beginning  of  Mav- 
is common  on  the  flowers  of  various  Compositae. 
It  particularly  affects  those  of  Urospermum  dale- 
champii,  which  are  sometimes  literally  covered 
by  the  beetles.  The  larval  form  has  hitherto 
been  unknown,  but  it  seems  likely  that  it  nor- 
mally lives  on   the  bulbs  of  species  of   lirape- 


FlG      17  J.  —  MALACOSOMA    LUSITANICUM. 

A,  B,  larva  ;  F,  pupa  ;  C,  head ;  D,  mandibles  ;  E,  foot. 

Hyacinth,  probably  on  those  of  Muscari  como- 
sum,  although  this  has  not  yet  been  definitely 
ascertained. 

The  larva  or  grub  is  white  in  colour,  and  is 
about  |  inch  long  and  l-12th  in  thickness.  The 
head  is  small,  and  is  provided  with  a  couple  of 
three-jointed  antenna;  and  with  mandibles, 
which  are  only  adapted  to  deal  with  soft  tissues. 

Several  of  the  grubs  are  often  met  with  in  a 
single  bulb,  but  sometimes,  when  the  attack  is 
a  severe  one,  there  may  be  more  than  a  dozen 
living  in  a  more  or  less  decomposing  mass. 
The  larva;  enter  on  the  pupal  stage  during  the 
early  part  of  April,  and  the  perfect  insect  escapes 
about  the  beginning  of  May. 

M.  Valery  Mayet  advises  the  taking  up  of  the 
bulbs  and  a  disinfection  of  the  soil  by  means  of 
bisulphide  of  carbon,  applied  at  the  rate  of  24(1 
lbs.  per  acre. 


As  a  further  measure,  it  is  recommended  that 
the  beetles  themselves  should  be  collected  and 
destroyed,  which  can  easily  be  done,  as  they  do 
not  readily  fly,  but  allow  themselves  to  be 
caught  without  any  difficulty.  F.  D.  nis,  Balaruc 
les  Bains,  France. 


LEMON   CURING  IN  AUSTRALIA 

For  our  supply  of  Lemons  we  are  accustomed 
to  look  to  Spain,  Portugal,  and  the  Azores,  and 
especially  to  Sicily,  from  whence  the  largest 
exports  are  made.  This,  together  with  the  re- 
cent scarcity,  and  consequent  high  prices  that 
have  prevailed  in  the  English  market  for  this 
useful  fruit,  will  impart  some  interest  to 
English  consumers  in  an  article  on  the  "  Curing 
of  Lemons  "  in  a  recent  number  of  the  Agricul- 
tural Gazette  of  New  South  Wales.  The  writer 
says:  "While  there  is  no  country  where  this 
fruit  will  thrive  better  than  in  Australia,  and 
perhaps  none  where  it  can  be  more  easily  cured 
than  in  the  drier  parts,  there  has,  on  the  other 
hand,  been  some  difficulty  in  curing  the  fruits 
when  they  have  been  grown  along  the  coast, 
where  the  atmosphere  is  more  humid,  so  that 
they  require  nothing  but  proper  cultivation  to 
keep  them  growing  and  producing  good  crops 
annually.  If  it  were  found  possible  to  success- 
fully cure  these  fruits  generally,  great  advan- 
tages would  result  to  the  growers.  If,  how- 
ever,'' the  writer  says,  "  it  is  impossible  to  store 
and  keep  the  Lemons  for  months  on  the  coast, 
as  can  be  done  in  the  dry  climate  of  our  in- 
terior, they  can  at  least  be  kept  for  a  short  time 
after  picking — long  enough,  at  any  rate,  to 
greatly  improve  the  condition  of  the  fruit,  and 
no  one  can  fail  to  notice  the  difference  between 
a  cured  and  an  uncured  Lemon.  The  one  has 
a  nice,  fine  skin  and  is  full  of  juice,  whilst  the 
other  is  hard  and  thick-skinned,  from  whii  h  st 
is  difficult  to  extract  the  juice."  Almost  as 
much  care  is  necessary  in  picking  Lemons  as 
in  handling  eggs,  decay  being  very  liable  to  set 
in  if  the  skin  be  bruised.  The  majority  cf 
growers,  however,  simply  pull  the  fruits  from 
the  tree  in  a  rough  and  careless  manner  and 
throw  them  into  baskets,  which  are  often 
roughly  dumped  into  a  cart  without  any  thought 
of  injury  produced  in  consequence  of  bruising. 
Much  of  the  fruit  is  also  simply  packed  in 
cases,  without  any  attempt  at  curing;  but  the 
advantages  of  the  system  of  curing  are  that 
they  can  be  kept  for  a  considerable  time,  often 
with  pecuniary  advantage  to  the  grower, 
inasmuch  as  they  can  be  put  on  the  market 
during  periods  when  the  fresh  fruits  are  not 
available  or  are  scarce.  The  methods  adopted 
for  gathering  and  curing  are  as  follow:  The 
fruits  should  be  taken  from  the  plants  just  as 
they  are  beginning  to  turn  ripe,  and  when  they 
are  about  '2\  inches  in  diameter.  \Yhen  they 
are  over  this  size  the  skins  become  thick  and 
suitable  only  for  making  candied  Lemon  peel. 
After  picking  they  are  allowed  to  stand  for  a 
few  days  in  a  large,  airy  building  where  they 
will  neither  sweat  nor  shrivel,  after  which  they 
are  packed  in  paper-lined  boxes,  which  may  be 
stacked  in  such  a  manner  as  to  allow  a  free 
circulation  of  air,  not  only  from  the  roof  and 
sides,  but  also  from  the  floor,  which  is  raised 
3  feet  clear  of  the  ground,  the  blocks  of  stacked 
boxes  being  enclosed  by  canvas  curtains  which 
can  be  opened  or  closed  at  the  angles  as  occa- 
sion may  require.  The  fruits  are  looked  over 
occasionally,  and  if  they  are  found  to  be  keep- 
ing well  they  may  be  left  for  several  months 
until  they  are  thin-skinned  and  pliable,  but 
they  should  be  marketed  before  the  skin  shows 
the  least  sign  of  hardening. 

The  object  in  curing  Lemons  is  to  reduce  the 
thickness  of  the  peel  and  make  it  tough  ;  it  also 
increases  the  juiciness  and  keeps  it  in  good 
condition  for  a  longer  period  than  would  be 
the  case  without  curing.  John  R.  Jackson, 
Claremont,  Lymtstone,  Devon. 


408 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[December  14,  1907. 


MARKET  GARDENING. 


TREES  AND  SHRUBS. 


EARLY   TOMATOS. 

Tomatos,  like  Potatos,  in  their  different  varie- 
ties are  curiously  partial  to  certain  soils  posi- 
tions and  surroundings,  therefore  one  variety 
may  crop  well  with  one  grower,  whereas  with 
his  nearest  neighbour-in-trade  the  same  kind 
will  be  a  failure. 

Holmes'  Supreme,  Winter  Beauty,  Lister's 
Prolific,  Hipper  No.  1,  Lawrencon's  No.  1,  and 
Up-to-Date  have  proved  very  serviceable  varie- 
ties to  me,  and  any  grower  may  choose  from 
them  one  or  more  sorts  that  will  meet  his  re- 
quirements. 

It  is  usual  to  sow  seeds  at  the  latter  end  of 
August  in  a  moderately  warm  position  near  the 
glass.  The  surface  of  the  soil  is  kept  moist  and 
covered  with  paper  until  the  seeds  have  ger- 
minated. When  the  first  rough  leaf  is  well  de- 
veloped, the  seedlings  are  potted  off  into  small 
60-size  pots,  and  placed  in  a  warm  moist  atmo- 
sphere until  they  have  become  established  in 
the  soil,  after  which  time  they  are  transferred 
to  a  cold  frame,  admitting  all  the  air  possible 
by  removing  the  lights  except  in  windy  or  wet 
weather,  when  air  should  be  admitted  as  far  as 
circumstances  will  allow.  The  plants  should  be 
arranged  on  a  cool  moist  bed,  and  be  watered 
sparingly,  so  that  the  tissues  will  harden. 
This  helps  to  keep  the  plants  dwarf  and  sturdy. 
They  may  remain  in  the  frames  until  Novem- 
ber, just  keeping  them  free  from  frosts  and  ex- 
cessive dampness.  Shift  the  plants  into  5  or 
6-inch  pots,  taking  care  to  keep  the  plant  low, 
not  filling  the  pots  with  soil  to  more  than  about 
three  quarters  their  depth.  Remove  the  plants 
to  a  cool  house,  keeping  them  close  to  the  glass 
to  promote  sturdiness  and  allow  them  to  grow 
steadily.  The  plants  will  later  on  require  a 
top-dressing  with  fresh  soil  containing  a  little 
grit  and  wood  ashes.  When  these  pots  are  full 
of  roots  shift  the  plants  into  pots  8  inches  or  9 
inches  in  diameter  that  may  have  been  used 
for  Chrysanthemums,  placing  one  or  two  plants 
in  a  9-inch  pot  as  may  be  thought  desirable. 
Some  growers  use  two  plants,  but  I  find  one 
plant  much  better.  Adopt  the  same  method  of 
potting  as  in  the  previous  shift,  and  top-dress 
as  required,  using  new,  rich  soil  containing  grit, 
soot,  wood  ash,  or  manure  from  a  spent  Mush- 
room-bed. If  the  soil  is  too  rich  it  will  totally 
defeat  the  object  in  view,  that  is,  a  well- 
ripened  stem.  A  very  careful  use  of  the 
watering-pot  and  attention  to  the  dryness 
of  the  atmosphere  are  essential.  Stop  all 
laterals,  and  as  the  trusses  of  bloom  appear 
pinch  out  the  centre  one :  this  operation  will 
ensure  a  more  regular  swelling  and  size  in  the 
other  fruits.  The  most  critical  stage  in  their 
culture  is  reached  when  the  fruits  begin  to  set, 
but  this  process  may  be  encouraged  by  keeping 
a  dry  atmosphere,  affording  less  moisture  at  the 
root,  and  by  tapping  the  strings  or  other  sup- 
ports of  the  plants  to  ensure  proper  pollination. 
A  close  scrutiny  is  needed  in  order  to  perceive 
that  the  setting  is  going  on  favourably  ; 
some  kinds  set  their  fruit  so  much  more 
freely  than  others.  When  three  or  four  trusses 
are  showing  signs  of  producing  fruits,  and  they 
may  safely  be  considered  as  swelling  all  right, 
then  stop  the  plant,  promote  a  quicker  root- 
action,  and  hasten  the  flow  of  the  sap  by  apply- 
ing more  heat  and  more  root-moisture,  but  do 
not  permit  the  atmosphere  to  become  too  moist. 
Apply  a  little  stimulating  manure  occasionally — 
superphosphate  I  find  the  best,  with  a  little 
potassic  guano  when  the  fruit  is  colouring. 
Much  of  the  success  of  the  earliest  crop  will  de- 
pend upon  the  amount  of  sunshine  early  in  the 
spring  ;  but  if  the  foregoing  cultural  details  are 
intelligently  carried  out  the  grower  will  be  amply 
rewarded  in  finding  his  crop  much  in  advance 
of  later-sown  plants  ;  these  he  will  find  very  use- 
ful to  follow  on  as  a  main  crop,  and  his  pots 
v,  ill  be  in  time  for  use  for  Chrysanthemums 
again.     Birmingham. 


NANDINA    DOMESTICA,    Thunb. 

The  genus  Nandina  is  monotypic,  that  is,  it 
is  represented  by  one  species  only,  a  small,  half- 
hardy  evergreen  shrub,  native  to  Japan,  where 
it  is  said  to  find  a  place  in  every  little  garden. 

To  the  Japanese  Nandina  domestica  is  known 
as  the  "  Heavenly  Bamboo,"  an  appellation 
somewhat  difficult  to  account  for,  but  no  doubt 
the  Japanese,  who  are  able  to  appreciate  form 
as  well  as  colour,  see  much  to  admire  in  its 
graceful  stems  and  elegantly-cut  foliage. 

In  this  country  Nandina  domestica  forms  a 
shrub  about  6  to  8  feet  high,  composed  of  up- 
right stems  clothed  with  compound  bi-ternate 
leaves,  gracefully  disposed  on  the  branches, 
and  in  a  young  state  prettily  tinted  with  red. 
Small  examples  with  coloured  foliage  have  been 
included  in  groups  of  ornamental  shrubs  at 
several  recent  meetings  at  the  Horticultural 
Hall. 

The  flowers,  small,  white,  and  not  very  con- 
spicuous, are  borne  in  terminal  panicles,  and 
are  interesting  botanically  in  that  the  calyx  is 
polycyclic  :  that  is,  the  whorls  of  segments  of 
which  it  is  composed  merge  into  the  corolla 
without  any  sharp  division.  The  anthers 
open  by  slits  and  not  by  the  pores  characteri^ic 
of  members  of  the  Berberis  family  to  which 
Nandina  belongs.  The  great  feature  of  the 
plant  is  the  panicle  of  bright  red  fruits  which 
succeed  the  flowers ;  each  berry,  about  the 
size  of  a  pea,  contains  two  peculiar  seeds,  con- 
cave on  one  side  and  convex  on  the  other.  Ex- 
cept in  favoured  situations  the  species  requires  a 
warm  spot,  sheltered  by  a  wall,  or  the  protec- 
tion of  a  cool  house ;  but  where  it  will  succeed 
it  is  a  subject  well  worth   attention. 

A  figure  cf  a  flowering  spray  is  given  in  the 
Botanical  Magazine,   t.    4880. 

CLERODENDRON  FCETIDUM,   Bunge. 

Two  species  only  of  the  genus  Clerodendron 
are  hardy  in  this  country,  namely,  C.  trichoto- 
mum  and  C.  foetidum,  both  natives  of  China. 
The  first-named  species  forms  a  small  tree,  and 
produces  dense  corymbs  of  red  and  white 
flowers  during  the  summer  months.  Cleroden- 
dron fcetidum  is  a  deciduous  shrub,  3  to  6  feet 
high,  with  dark  green  cordate  leaves,  5  to  7 
inches  long,  strongly  veined  and  reticulated, 
downy  on  both  surfaces,  the  margin  coarsely 
serrate.  A  purplish  appearance  is  given  to  the 
whole  plant,  and  especially  to  the  younger  por- 
tions, by  the  presence  of  a  velvety  purple 
pubescence  with  which  it  is  clothed  The  flowers 
are  produced  in  dense  terminal  corymbs,  and 
are  of  a  rich,  deep,  purplish  crimson  in  the  bud 
passing  to  rose  pink  as  they  expand,  and  be- 
coming paler  before  they  fall.  The  lateral 
growths  which  arise  from  the  base  of  the  in- 
florescence somewhat  hide  the  blooms,  but  even 
then  the  plant  is  attractive. 

The  flowers  are  not  foetid,  but  the  leaves  on 
being  handled  emit  a  rather  unpleasant  odour, 
which  probably  accounts  for  the  specific  name. 

Although  introduced  many  years  ago  by  For- 
tune, it  is  not  a  common  plant  in  the  neighbour- 
hood of  London,  and  its  tenderness  no  doubt 
accounts  for  this.  In  the  gardens  of  the  south 
and  west  of  England  one  frequently  meets  good 
specimens  growing  in  the  open,  and  a  short 
time  since  a  plant  in  flower  was  noted  at  Kew, 
growing  in  the  beds  near  the  Temperate  House, 
without  any  protection  beyond  that  afforded 
by  the  neighbouring  shrubs. 

It  is  figured  in  the  Botanical  Magazine,  t.  4860. 

CARYOPTERIS     MASTACANTIIIs, 

SCHAUER. 

This  plant  (see  fig.  171)  is  sometimes  known 
by   the    rather   misleading   name   of    the   "  Blue 


Spiraea."  Some  half-a-dozen  species  of  Gary- 
opteris  are  known,  all  of  which  inhabit 
Eastern  Asia,  but  so  far  C.  Mastacanthus- 
is  the  only  species  of  the  genus  in  com- 
mon cultivation.  Originally  introduced  from 
China  by  Fortune  about  the  year  1843,  it 
was  treated  as  a  greenhouse  subject,  and  after 
its  novelty  had  worn  off,  was  discarded  for  more 
showy  subjects  and  apparently  lost.  Its  second 
introduction  is  due  to  Messrs.  Veitch  through 
their  collector,  Charles  Maries,  who  found  it  in 
Japan  in  fields,  rocky  places,  and  on  moun- 
tains. It  is  a  small  shrub,  about  3  or  4  feet 
high,  with  opposite  grey  leaves  of  somewhat 
variable  shape,  but  usually  ovate  or  oblong- 
ovate,  1  to  3  inches  long,  with  finely-serrate  mar- 
gins. In  the  axils  of  the  uppermost  leaves  are 
borne  clusters  of  bright  blue  or  violet  flowers — 
a  colour  not  common  in  the  flowers  of  shrubs  at 
any  time,  and  particularly  valuable  at  this  late 
season  of  the  year. 

From  its  small  size  and  neat  appearance  this 
shrub  is  an  appropriate  subject  for  the  her- 
baceous border,  and  telling  combinations  may 
be  made  by  associating  with  it  white  or  yellow- 
flowered   border   Chrysanthemums. 

Although  fairly  hardy,  it  is  liable  to  be  cut 
by  frost,  but  when  this  occurs  numerous  small 
shoots  are  produced  from  the  base,  which  flower 
the  same  year.  It  succeeds  best  in  a  well-  • 
drained  sandy  soil  in  a  sunny  position.  H. 
Sponner. 

WINTER-FLOWERING  SHRUBS. 
Any  plant  that  blcoms  in  winter  has  a  higher 
value  than  it  would  have  if  it  flowered  during 
any  other  time  of  the  year.  From  November  to 
March  there  are  a  score  or  more  hardy  shrubs 
that  come  into  bloom  and  help  to  brighten 
the  garden.  Most  of  them  are  hardy  in  their 
flowers  ;  that  is  to  say,  though  frost  may  cut  the 
opened  flowers,  yet  the  unopened  buds  will 
come  out  as  soon  as  more  genial  weather  pre- 
vails. The  exact  time  of  flowering  varies  ac- 
cording to  the  weather  in  a  particular  winter  ; 
but,  broadly  speaking,  in  November  there  is 
Daphne  Mezereum  var.  grandiflora  (D.  autum- 
nale),  with  bright  red,  sweet-scented  flowers, 
and  the  golden-yellow-flowered  Jasminum  nudi- 
florum.  A  genial  December  will  see  Erica 
mediterranea  var.  hybrida,  rosy  red ;  Rhodo- 
dendron Nobleanum,  bright  crimson  ;  and  Cra- 
taegus monogyna  var.  prascox  (the  Glastonbury 
Thorn)  in  full  beauty.  During  January,  Febru- 
ary, and  March  we  usually  get  Berberis  nepalen- 
sis,  pale  yellow  ;  Chimonanthus  fragrans,  cream 
coloured  and  sweet  scented  ;  Daphne  Mezereum, 
red,  and  D.  M.  var.  alba,  white;  Erica  carnea, 
red  ;  Hamamelis  arborea,  H.  japonica,  and 
H.  j.  var.  Zuccariniana,  all  of  various  shades  of 
yellow,  and  having  curiously  twisted  petals  ;  Vi- 
burnum tinus,  white ;  Lonicera  fragrantissima 
and  L.  Standishii,  white,  the  former  sweet 
scented;  Prunus  Davidiana,  red,  and  P.  D.  var. 
alba;  and  Rhododendron  praecox,  rosy-lilac. 
These  are  all  easy  to  cultivate,  and  can  be  re- 
commended as  thoroughly  hardy.  They  should 
be  planted  in  small  clumps,  which  give  a  better 
effect  than  when  isolated  plants  are  employed. 
Half-a-dozen  Hamamelis  arborea,  Daphne 
Mezereum,  or,  in  fact,  any  of  these  winter-flower- 
ing subjects  are  capable  of  providing  welcome 
colour  for  weeks  together  during  the  dullest 
period  of  the  year.  A  sheltered  position  is 
usually  recommended  for  these  plants,  but  I 
have  found  them  less  liable  to  injury  by  frost 
if  planted  in  a  position  that  is  fairly  exposed 
but  is  shaded  from  the  east,  so  that  they  are  not 
subjected  to  the  early  morning  sun.  It  is  not 
so  much  the  frost  that  injures  plants,  it  is  the 
sudden  thawing  afterwards.  /.  Clark,  Bagshot, 
Surrey. 


Deceubeb  14,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


4U'J 


FlG.    171. — CARYOPTERIS    MASTACANTHUS:     HARDY    SHRUB,    FLOWERS    LAVENDER-BLUE. 

(See  p.  408. 


410 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[December  14,  1907. 


HORTICULTURAL      CONDITIONS 
IN     CANADA. 

It  might  be  thought  by  those  not  knowing  the 
conditions  that  Canada  is  for  the  most  part  a 
land  of  frost  and  snow,  but  when  it  is  stated 
that  in  the  prairie  provinces  alone,  which  are  now 
being  rapidly  populated,  there  are  estimated  to  be 
171,000,000  square  miles  suitable  for  cultivation, 
and  that  at  least  one  quarter  of  this  area  could 
be  planted  with  Wheat  annually,  so  as  to  produce 
a  crop  estimated  at  over  800,000,000  bushels,  it 
will  be  readily  seen  that  the  future  possibilities 
of  the  country  are  great.  The  United  States 
at  the  present  time  produces  less  than  700,000,000 
bushels  of  Wheat,  but  supplies  her  population 
of  over  80,000,000  persons,  exporting  the  surplus. 

The  fruit  areas  of  Canada  are  large,  suffi- 
ciently so  to  produce  fruit  enough  to  meet  the 
needs  of  Canada — and  the  rest  of  the  world,  for 
that  matter — for  certain  kinds  of  fruit,  particu- 
larly the  Apple,  for  many  years  to  come. 

Beginning  with  the  great  province  of  Ontario, 
220,000  square  miles  in  area,  larger  than  the 
States  of  New  York,  Ohio,  Illinois,  and  Michi- 
gan together,  we  have  large  districts  where 
Apples,  Pears,  Peaches,  Plums,  Cherries,  Grapes 
and  the  small  fruits  can  be  grown  to  perfec- 
tion. The  province  of  Quebec  is  considerably 
larger  than  Ontario,  and,  while  the  tenderer 
fruits  do  not  succeed,  Apples  are  being  grown 
in  increasing  quantities  yearly.  From  east  to 
west  in  the  prr— inces  of  Quebec  and  Ontario 
there  is  a  belt  where  Apples  and  other  hardy 
fruits  can  be  grown  of  about  700  miles  in  length, 
while  in  the  province  of  Ontario  alone  the  best 
winter  Apples,  Pears,  and  Plums  can  be  grown 
successfully  over  an  area  about  350  miles  long 
and  from  30  to  150  miles  in  width.  The  success- 
ful culture  of  Peaches  in  Ontario  is  confined  to 
the  Niagara  district  and  some  points  along  Lake 
Erie,  but  the  area  suitable  for  growing  this  fruit 
is  extensive  enough  to  supply  a  large  population. 

Nova  Scotia  has  long  been  noted  for  her 
Apples.  The  most  favoured  districts  are  the 
Annapolis  and  Cornwallis  valleys,  where  Apples, 
Pears,  Plums,  and  Cherries  can  be  grown,  and 
where  even  Peaches  can  be  successfully  raised. 
These  valleys  have  a  total  length  of  about  100 
miles,  and  vary  in  width  from  6  to  11  miles. 
Fruit  culture  is  not  confined  to  this  district, 
but  over  most  of  the  province  the  hardier  fruits 
can  be  grown  successfully.  New  Brunswick  has 
not  yet  developed  her  fruit  industry  to  any  great 
extent,  but  in  some  of  the  valleys  Apples  and 
other  hardy  fruits  of  the  finest  appearance  and 
best  quality  can  be  produced. 

Prince  Edward  Island,  the  smallest  province 
of  the  Dominion,  produces  excellent  tree  fruits, 
and,  owing  to  the  late  season,  the  Apples  grown 
there  keep  better  than  in  any  other  part  of  the 
Dominion. 

British  Columbia,  the  area  of  which  is  about 
370,000  square  miles,  or  more  than  twice  the 
size  of  California,  has  large  sections  of  country 
splendidly  adapted  to  fruit  culture.  Like  the 
states  of  Oregon  and  Washington,  with  whii  li 
her  natural  conditions  may  be  compared,  British 
Columbia  has  a  number  of  districts  where  the 
conditions  all  differ  from  one  another.  Three  of 
these  are  :  first,  that  in  the  damp  coast  climate  of 
Vancouver  Island  and  the  lower  mainland  ; 
second,  in  the  dry  interior  country  where  irriga- 
tion is,  as  a  rule,  necessary  ;  and  third,  in  the 
Kootenays,  east  and  west,  where  irrigation  is 
necessary  only  in  places.  In  these  districts  all 
the  best  fruits,  including  Peaches  in  some  places, 
can  be  grown  to  great  advantage. 

The  prairie  provinces  of  Manitoba,  Saskatche- 
wan, and  Alberta,  and  the  great  districts  to  the 
north  produce  excellent  bush  fruits,  but  the  tree 
fruits  have,  for  the  most  part,  not  done  well  up 
to  the  present,  although  the  time  is  coming  when 
these  provinces  will  be  producing  Apples  and 
Plums  of  their  own. 

These  are  the  possibilities  of  fruit  culture  in 
Canada.     What   are   the   actual    facts? 

When  the  last  census  was  taken,  in  1901,  the 


total  number  of  fruit  trees  in  Canada  was 
21,201,239,  and  it  is  thought  that  the  number 
has  increased  by  at  least  10  per  cent,  since  that 
time,  making  the  total  number  now  over 
23,000,000  trees,  occupying  about  410,000  acres, 
with  a  capital  value  of  nearly  $75,000,000. 

There  is  an  annual  export  of  Apples  from 
Canada  of  from  1,200,000  to  1,500,000  barrels, 
the  province  of  Ontario  supplying  about 
1,000,000  of  these  and  Nova  Scotia  from  300,000 
to  500,000,  a  limited  quantity  going  from  some 
of  the  other  provinces.  British  Columbia,  which 
is  now  producing  increasing  quantities  of  fruits 
of  many  kinds  yearly,  is  bending  her  efforts  to 
supplying  the  prairie  provinces,  and  has  been 
very  successful  in  placing  her  fruits  on  these 
markets  in  good  condition.  Ontario  is  a  close 
competitor  of  British  Columbia  for  this  trade  at 
present,  but  the  increase  in  population  is  so 
rapid  that  it  will  take  both  provinces  to  supply 
the  demands  for  a  long  time  to  come. 

What  are  the  influences  affecting  Canadian 
horticulture  to-day?  The  Dominion  experimen- 
tal farms,  now  seven  in  number,  upon  which 
work  was  begun  over  20  years  ago,  have  played 
an  important  part  in  developing  Canadian  hor- 
ticulture. There  are  the  provincial  agricultural 
colleges,  of  which,  with  their  experiment  stations, 
there  are  four,  which  disseminate  information 
both  by  means  of  the  students  who  are  trained 
there,  and  also  by  literature.  The  provincial  ex- 
periment stations  and  model  orchards,  which  in 
all  are  between  50  and  60  in  number,  are  also 
doing  much  to  demonstrate  the  possibilities  of 
fruit  culture  in  their  several  districts.  Seven 
provincial  fruit-growers'  associations  lend  their 
aid  in  spreading  a  knowledge  of  the  best  methods 
of  fruit  culture  and  of  uniting  the  growers  for 
purposes  of  co-operation  and  legislation.  The 
horticultural  literature  of  Canada,  although 
represented  by  few  papers,  has  done  much  to 
aid  fruit,  flower  and  vegetable  growers. 

The  farmers'  institutes  and  orchard  meetings 
organised  by  the  provincial  Governments,  and 
assisted  by  the  Dominion  Government,  are  very 
practical  and  helpful. 

The  horticultural  societies  assisted  by  the  pro- 
vincial Government,  of  which  there  are  63  in 
the  province  of  Ontario,  are  doing  splendid  work 
in  awakening  a  greater  interest  in  horticulture 
and  in  spreading  information. 

All  these  factors  affecting  horticultural  condi- 
tions and  progress  in  Canada  have  been  made  to 
bear  still  better  fruit  by  the  co-operative  move- 
ment which  in  recent  years  has  made  such 
strides  in  Canada.  In  the  province  of  Ontaiio 
alone  there  are  40  co-operative  associations 
which  now  have  a  central  organisation  where 
plans  affecting  the  welfare  of  all  the  asso- 
ciations are  discussed.  These  associations  are 
doing  much  to  ensure  that  the  fruit  which  is 
sold  shall  be  more  uniform  in  character,  and 
thus  to  bring  better  returns  to  the  pro- 
ducer. One  of  the  best  influences  affecting 
horticultural  conditions  in  Canada  is  the  Fruit 
Marks  Act,  passed  in  1901,  and  operative  over 
the  whole  of  Canada.  By  this  Act,  growers  are 
compelled  to  pack  their  fruit  according  to  cer- 
tain standards,  and  are  liable  to  fine  if  they  do 
not  do  so.  Inspectors  are  stationed  at  packing 
houses,  on  the  markets,  and  at  the  ports  of  ex- 
port, who  examine  the  fruit  and  see  if  it  has 
been  packed  according  to  law.  A  marked  im- 
provement has  been  noticed  in  the  Canadian 
fruit  exported  since  this  law  went  into  effect. 
There  are  also  standard  Apple  barrels  and  boxes 
and  baskets  for  the  whole  of  Canada,  all  of 
which  make  the  packages  for  the  different  fruits 
more  uniform.  It  may  be  said  that  Canadians 
are  taking  advantage  of  all  these  influences  for 
good,  and  are  adopting  the  latest  and  best 
methods  in  horticultural  practice. 

The  development  of  floriculture  in  Canada  has 
been  rapid.  Notwithstanding  the  severer  win- 
ters than  those  to  the  south  of  us,  the  plant  and 
cut-flower  trade  has  developed  wonderfully,  the 
increase    in   the   value   of   trade   being   400   per 


cent,  during  the  past  10  years.  It  has  been 
estimated  that  the  amount  of  capital  invested 
in  greenhouse  equipment,  stock,  &c,  is- 
$5,000,000,  with  an  annual  value  of  trade  trans- 
acted of  $2,000,000.  This  is  but  a  beginning,  as 
Canadians  love  flowers. 

We  must  not  omit  the  growing  of  vegetables, 
with  which  Canadians  are  well  supplied.  The 
truck  interests  are  growing  rapidly  as  our  cities 
increase  in  population. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  20th  century  Canada 
has  about  6,000,000  of  a  population,  or,  approxi- 
mately, as  great  as  the  United  States  had  at  the 
beginning  of  the  19th  century.  It  has  been 
said  that  the  19th  century  was  for  the  United 
States  but  what  the  "  20th  century  is  for 
Canada."  We  believe  that  this  is  true  in  regard 
to  horticulture,  as  in  other  matters.  IV.  T. 
Macoun,  Central  Experimental  Farm,  Ottawa.,. 
Ont. 


VEGETABLES. 


Gardeners' 
too  many 


LATE    PEAS. 

Some  years  ago  a  writer  in  the 
Chronicle  asserted  that  we  grew  far 
varieties  of  culinary  Peas,  and  that,  no  mattei 
whether  for  early,  mid-season,  or  late  supplies, 
all  that  was  really  necessary  was  to  select  two- 
(or  it  may  have  been  three,  one's  memory 
cannot  always  be  trusted  with  numbers)  early 
kinds,  which  thorough  trials  have  proved  to  be 
the  best  suited  to  the  soil  of  the  garden,  and 
grow  them  exclusively,  making  successional 
sowings  throughout  the  season.  The  writer  de- 
clared that,  with  due  attention  to  cultural 
details,  these  few  kinds  would  furnish  pickings 
equally  heavy,  and  of  equal  flavour  to  the  mid- 
season  kinds,  .  and  far  superior  to  the  late 
varieties.  The  number  of  new  sorts,  and 
especially  late  ones,  which  have  been  placed 
on  the  market  during  the  past  decade,  is  amp'e 
proof  that  this  advice  was  not  largely  followed. 

Due,  perhaps  equally,  to  the  fact  that  the 
kitchen  garden  here  slopes  sharply  to  the  north- 
west and  that  the  autumns  in  Cornwall 
usually  decidedly  damp,  our  late  Peas  were 
mostly  comparative  failures.  Trials  of  different 
late  varieties,  all  of  them  recommended  as 
being  the  finest  Peas  for  autumn-cropping, 
made  but  little  difference.  They  still  grew  only 
too  well,  but  refused  to  produce  good  crops. 
Careful  experiments  during  the  past  four  years 
have  conclusively  proved  the  value  of  early 
Peas  for  yielding  late  crops,  where  the  standard 
late-season  kinds  have  practically  failed  to  yield 
satisfactory  pickings.  These  early  kinds  when 
sown  late  are  perhaps  more  subject  to  attacks- 
of  mildew  than  are  the  older  late  varieties — Ne 
Plus  Ultra,  for  example — but  proper  attention 
to  cultural  details  prevents  any  loss  on  this 
account.  The  late-sown  early  varieties  con- 
sistently grew  from  9  to  12  inches,  accord- 
ing to  the  season,  taller  than  the  same  kinds- 
do  in  the  summer ;  but  this  was  only  to 
be  expected,  and  even  then  they  did  not  attain 
the  great  height  of  many  late  kinds,  thus  effect- 
ing a  saving  in  space.  As  a  rule,  all  Peas  are 
sown  much  too  thickly,  and  the  rows  are  alsc 
placed  too  closely  together.  Since  the  Sweet 
Pea  has  gained  so  much  favour  as  an  exhibition 
flower,  most  gardeners  have  thoroughly  realised 
that  to  obtain  first-class  blooms  the  plants  must 
be  allowed  ample  room  for  development ;  so-  j 
the  seeds  are  carefully  sown  2  inches  apart. 
But  it  is  not  at  all  uncommon  in  gardens  where 
the  Sweet  Peas  are  grown  on  these  common- 
sense  lines  to  see  the  edible  Peas  sown  almost 
as  thickly  as  possible,  thus  raising  up  rows  of 
weakly,  spindly  plants  ill-fitted  to  yield  a  profit- 
able return  for  the  money  and  labour  spent  on 
them.  Small  wonder  that  a  week's  dry  weath 
causes  such  plants  to  "  give-up. "«  It  is  essen- 
tial, especially  for  late  crops,  that  the  seeds 
should  be  sown  thinly  in  the  rows,  and  that 
the  rows  should  be  made  at  least  as  far  apart 
as  is  equal  to  the  height  the  plants  are  expecte:! 
to  grow.  A.  C.  Bartlett,  Pcncarrow  Gardens, 
Cornwall. 


December  14,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


411 


FLORISTS'    FLOWERS. 


EXHIBITS     OF    DECORATIVE 
CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 

No  one  who  takes  an  interest  in  Chrysanthe- 
mum shows  can  fail  to  have  noted  the  great  ad- 
vance made  during  the  last  three  years  in  the 
exhibiting  of  decorative  Chrysanthemums. 
Private  gardeners,  as  distinct  from  the  large 
exhibitors,  know  the  advantage  of  free-flowering 
varieties  for  home  decoration,  either  as  plants 
or  for  the  purpose  of  providing  flowers  for  use 
in  a  cut  state.  Compared  with  these,  it  may  be 
said  that  the  culture  of  the  large-flowered 
Japanese  is  expensive  and  unproductive.  At  the 
recent  shows  I  have  noted  the  steady  increase 
of  this  decorative  type  of  flowers  in  groups  of 
Chrysanthemums  where  the  words  "arranged 
for  effect "  is  the  leading  feature,  and  distinctly 
pretty  groups  have  been  made.  At  Weybridge, 
for  example,  Mr.  Pagram,  a  noted  cultivator  of 
small-flowered  varieties  like  Snowdrop  and 
Primrose  League,  as  well  as  others  of  the  best 
single-flowered  varieties,  had  a  distinctly  effec- 
tive group,  introducing  amongst  these  some  few 
well-grown  Japanese  Chrysanthemum  blooms, 
Palms  and  Bamboos. 

The  advantage  of  these  small-flowered  sorts 
in  a  limited  space  is  that  greater  freedom  can 
be  allowed  in  the  arrangement,  and  they  do  not 
present  nearly  so  stiff  an  appearance.  At  the 
York  show,  one  large  class  is  set  apart  for  a  group 
of  decorative  varieties,  and  with  satisfactory  re- 
sults. Classes  for  so  many  bunches  of  decorative 
varieties  arranged  either  with  their  own  foliage 
or  with  some  addition  are  now  almost  univer- 
sal, and  it  is  a  sign  of  the  tim.es  to  see  how  the 
visitors  crowd  around  the  leading  exhibits  in 
these  classes,  it  being  not  uncommon  to  see  as 
many  as  ten  competitors  in  one  class. 

By  the  addition  of  suitable  foliage,  such  as 
Scarlet  Oak,  Prunus  Pissardii,  Spirasas,  Ber- 
beris  Thunbergii,  Ampelopsis  Veitchii  in 
sprays,  Croton  leaves,  large-growing  Ferns,  such 
as  tinted  bracken,  &c,  and  by  the  use  of  good- 
sized  vases,  a  distinctly  decorative  effect  can  b: 
obtained,  such  as  will  perfectly  illustrate  the 
Chrysanthemum  as  a  decorative  flower.  Th? 
main  point  is  to  select  the  most  suitable  varieties 
fur  the  torm  of  decoration  required.  Bronze  is 
a  favourite  colour,  of  which  Source  d'Or,  Lord 
Brooke,  and  Bronze  Soleil  d'Or  are  notable 
examples.  Rich  colours,  like  Roi  des  Precoces, 
Market  Red,  Tuxedo,  Julia  Lagravere,  Mme. 
Bernard,  Etoile  de  Feu,  Cullingfordii,  Caprice 
du  Printemps,  and  Mrs.  R.  F.  Felton 
are  valuable.  Amongst  yellow  varieties  there 
are  Bullion,  Allman's  Yellow,  Framfield  Yellow, 
Glitter,  Lizzy  Adcock,  Mrs.  G.  Beech,  Negoya, 
and  Yellow  Princess  Victoria.  Pink  varieties 
are  very  numerous,  and  include  Framfield  l'ink, 
Dr.  Enguehard,  Lady  Hanham,  Pink  Ivory, 
Morton  F.  Plant,  Mdlle.  Gabrielle  Debrie,  and 
Margot.  White-flowering  varieties  are  always 
appreciated,  as  they  appeal  to  so  many  persons 
for  purposes  other  than  that  of  exhibition. 
Sceur  Melaine  is  still  much  appreciated,  and 
Elaine,  which  was  one  of  the  earliest  raised  of 
Japanese  varieties.  Moneymaker,  Winter  Queen, 
Ivory,  Xiveum,  Mdlle.  Therese  Pankoucke, 
Mdlle.  Lucie  Duveau,  Le  Cygne,  Guy  Hamilton, 
Simplicity,  Mrs.  J.  (".  Neville,  Miss  Stopford, 
Mme.  Nagelnackers,  Mrs.  J.  Dunn,  Miss  Alice 
Byron,  and  the  delicately-tinted  green  Mme. 
Edmund  Roger  are  all  suitable  for  exhibition 
as  decorative  varieties.     E.  .1/. 

AUSTRALIAN  CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 
Messes.  Kerslake,  Brunning,  and  Peckett 
are  probably  three  of  the  best-known  Colonial 
raisers  of  new  Chrysanthemums.  Their  efforts 
in  the  work  they  have  undertaken  are  now  well 
known,  and,  from  what  we  can  learn,  the  Aus- 
tralian-raised flowers  do  far  better  in  America 
than  the  European  varieties.  Colonial  seed- 
lings   are    also     severe     competitors     with     the 


Continental  ones.  Messrs.  Cannell  and  Sons  and 
Messrs.  Wells  are  two  of  the  foremost  intro- 
ducers of  these  Antipodean  novelties,  and  dur- 
ing a  recent  visit  to  these  nurseries  I  noticed 
several  good  novelties.  Golden  City  is  a  true 
Incurved  flower  of  perfect  form  and  mode- 
rate size ;  the  colour  is  deep,  pure  yel- 
low. Mrs.  Henry  Hughes  is  a  large  Jap. 
anese  flower,  with  medium-sized  florets  that 
are  twisted  and  curly ;  a  very  full,  double 
flower  of  an  old  rosy  amaranth  shade,  with  sil- 
very reverse.  Richard  Seddon  is  an  attractive 
Japanese,  with  medium-sized  florets.  Mr.  Her- 
bert Bennett  is  a  massively-built  flower  of  the 
Incurved  section,  with  broad,  grooved  florets  of 
a  rich  shade  of  golden  bronze,  tinted  inside  with 
rosy  carmine.  Charles  Beckett  is  a  Japanese 
flower  of  large  size :  it  has  immensely  long 
florets,  and  is  a  spreading  flower  ;  the  colour  is 
golden-yellow,  shaded  with  bronze.  Rose 
Pockett  is  a  big,  spreading  flower  of  the 
Japanese  type,  having  long,  twisted  florets  ;  the 
colour  is  old  gold,  shaded  with  bronze.  Mrs. 
L.  Thorn  is  a  deep,  globular  Japanese  flower, 
with  grooved  florets,  large  in  size,  and  of  good 
substance.  In  colour  it  is  pale  canary-yellow. 
Frank  Payne  is  a  deeply-built  Japanese  flower, 
with  narrow,  drooping  florets  of  great  length  ; 
the  colour  is  a  soft  shade  of  mauve. 

In  the  Incurved  section,  probably  the  best  of 
the  Colonial  varieties  is  Clara  Wells,  a  grand 
novelty  of  golden  buff  shaded  to  pure  yellow. 
Merstham  Blush  is  a  huge  Japanese  flower  with 
long,  twisted  florets,  which  intermingle  in  the 
centre  ;  in  colour  it  is  pale  blush.  Pockett's 
Surprise  ought  to  justify  its  name,  for  it  is  a 
Japanese  flower  of  the  greatest  dimensions,  with 
broad  florets  of  abnormal  length,  and  curly  at 
the  tips  ;  in  colour  it  is  deep  purplish-rose,  and 
the  florets  have  a  golden-bronze  reverse.  C. 
H.  Totty  is  a  compact,  reflexing  Japanese,  with 
a  good  floret  of  medium  width  ;  the  colour  is 
-'Men-reddish  chestnut,  with  a  warm  shade  of 
golden-bronze  on  the  reverse. 

INCURVED    CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 

These  old-fashioned  florists'  flowers  are  a 
long  way  from  dying  out,  in  spite  of  the  very 
severe  competition  they  have  had  to  contend 
with  since  the  introduction  of  the  Japanese  type. 
A  few  weeks  ago,  in  one  of  the  London  parks, 
I  saw  a  collection  of  some  of  the  older 
favourites.  The  old  race  of  Incurveds  was  in 
many  respects  a  fine  model  of  form  when  well 
grown  and  properly  dressed,  whereas  the  newer 
race,  crossed,  as  it  undoubtedly  is,  with 
Japanese  blood,  always  appears  more  or  less 
coarse.  I  wonder  what  would  have  been  the 
verdict  of  some  of  our  o'.d  friends  if  thev  could 
see  the  varieties  that  are  popular  as  Incurveds 
to-day,  and  that  occupy  the  leading  place  on  our 
show  boards. 

It  must  be  20  years  since  the  first  of  the 
Japanese  Incurveds  appeared,  and  I  well  re- 
member the  late  Mr.  E.  Sanderson  bringing  to 
one  of  the  floral  meetings  a  dressed  bloom  of 
Comte  de  Germiny.  We  all  thought  it  was  a 
fine  piece  of  work  to  turn  a  Japanese  into  an 
Incurved,  but  nowadays,  with  our  newer  type, 
we  should  not  be  surprised  at  such  a  feat  if  it 
were  repeated. 

Last  year  I  noted  in  France  some  very  pro- 
mising novelties  of  the  Incurved  type,  and  they 
were  described  in  the  Chrysanthemum  Yca>  : 
With  the  exception  of  Miss  Roosevelt,  none  of 
them  seem  to  have  been  introduced  into  this 
country,  and  we  are  the  losers  by  this  oversight. 
Col.  Labouchere,  shown  at  Caen,  was  certainly 
one  of  the  grandest  of  the  type  ever  staged. 
This  year  there  appear  to  be  no  French  novelties 
in   Incurveds. 

At  some  of  the  English  nurseries  there  have 
been  seen  a  few  excellent  flowers,  and  of  these 
Clara  Wells  seems  destined  to  occupy  a  promi- 
nent place.  Of  fine  form,  it  has  massive, 
grooved  florets  that  are  very  regular  and  of  good 
substance.     The  flower  is   deep   and   solid,   and 


the  colour  golden-buff,  passing  to  pure  pale  yel- 
low towards  the  centre.  Miss  Roosevelt  has  sue  - 
ceeded  well  in  England  as  it  did  last  year  in 
France.  It  is  one  of  M.  Calvat's  seedlings,  hav- 
ing broad,  pure  white-  florets,  deep  and  compact 
in  build,  and  very  double.  Mdlle.  A.  Brunet  is 
■  if  M.  Xonin's  raising  ;  it  is  a  very  good  flower 
of  rosy-purple  colour,  deep  in  build,  and  of  fair 
size.  Romance  is  a  Colonial  variety,  and  one  of 
the  best  of  the  season,  for  it  has  "been  seen  in 
excellent  form.  It  is  of  perfect  build,  deep,  and 
solid,  with  substantial  florets  ;  colour  rich  gol- 
den-yellow. Mr.  Herbert  Bennett  is  a  fine,  solid 
flower  with  broad,  grooved  florets  of  rich,  gol- 
den-bronze. Violet  Carpenter  is  a  large,  regular 
flower,  having  stiff,  grooved  florets  of  a  shade 
of  pearly  blush.    '.'.  ttUrman  Payne. 


PLANT    NOTES. 


ARCTOTIS     AUREOLA. 

This  old  favourite  still  holds  its  place  as  a 
good  spring-flowering  plant  for  cultivation  in 
the  conservatory,  the  large  orange-coloured 
flowers  being  specially  welcome  at  this  season 
of  the  year,  when  so  few  flowers  of  the  colour  are 
btainable.  The  beautifully-cut  silvered  foliage 
is  also  very  attractive. 

The  plants  should  be  cut  hard  back  in  August 
and  given  the  same  treatment  throughout  as  that 
afforded  Pelargoniums.  Good  specimens  can 
be  grown  in  6-inch  pots,  but  they  require  careful 
watering  until  the  pots  have  become  well  filled 
with  roots.  The  plants  need  a  sunny  position  at 
all  times,  and  may  be  used  out  of  doors  during 
the  summer  months,  especially  in  dry  situations 
such  as  suit  Gazanias. 

Cuttings  of  this  species  are  rather  difficult  to 
root,  being  liable  to  damp  off  if  placed  in  a 
propagating  case.  I  have  had  better  results  from 
placing  the  pots  containing  the  cuttings  on  a 
shelf  in  a  greenhouse,  where  they  are  kept  almost 
dry ;  they  lose  most  of  their  leaves,  but  grow 
away  readily  as  soon  as  they  have  made  roots. 
The  species  was  illustrated  in  the  Gardeners' 
Chronicle.  E.  J.  Allard.  [A.  aureola  is  re- 
garded by  some  authorities  as  a  variety  of  A. 
aspera,  of  which  species  a  supplementary  illus- 
tration was  published  in  Gardeners'  Chronicle, 
May  19,  1906.] 


CONTINENTAL     NOVELTIES. 


THE  GRAPE-LIKE  FUCHSIAS. 
A  certain  class  of  Fuchsia  has  appeared  on 
the  Continent  which  is  meeting  with  general 
favour  as  material  for  planting  in  beds,  groups, 
and  as  pot  plants.  These  are  free  flowering,  and 
possess  other  good  properties,  besides  flowering 
throughout  the  entire  summer  season;  the 
newer  varieties,  many  of  which  possess  flowers 
of  light  colours,  flower  at  a  late  part  of  the 
season  a  second  time.  The  older  of  these 
Grape-like-bunch  Fuchsias  have  more  or  less 
tender  foliage,  and  by  a  lowering  of  the  tem- 
perature lose  many  of  their  leaves,  whereas 
the  newer  varieties  do  not  fail  in  this  respect, 
and  are  in  growth  and  in  duration  of  the  flowers 
considerably  improved — points  in  their  favour 
found  in  but  few  varieties  of  Fuchsia.  This 
class  is  particularly  adapted  for  cultivation  in 
pots,  as  the  plants  make  numerous  shouts 
quickly,  and  the  bright  tints  of  the  flowers  con- 
trast admirably  with  the  dark-coloured  foliage 
of  most  of  the  varieties.  The  blooms  appear 
in  terminal  panicles  as  in  F.  corymbiflora  and 
F.  serratifolia.  The  most  valuable  variety  is 
Koralle,  so  called  from  the  coral-red  tint  of 
the  blooms :  leaves,  metallic-green ;  growth, 
vigorous  and  stately.  Gottingen  has  flowers  of 
a  cinnabar-red  tint,  which  are  of  large  size,  and 
the  foliage  very  dark  in  colour ;  the  variety 
Fraulein  Bonstedt  has  rosy-red  flowers,  these 
being  white   at  the   tips  of  the  sepals,   and  are 


412 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[December  14,  1907. 


very  effective  as  seen  against  the  light  green 
foliage ;  Perle  has  rose-pearl-coloured  sepals, 
and  the  tips  are  almost  clear  white,  the  flowe;s 
being  double  and  freely  produced  and  the  leaves 
brownish-green.  Gartenmeister  Bonstedt  has 
flowers  of  an  orange-red  tint,  and  are  of  con- 
siderable size.  The  plant  has  resemblances  to 
Gdttingen,  but  is  of  an  extraordinary  bushy  and 
compact  habit.  Eros  has  rose-pink  blooms,  the 
points  of  the  sepals  being  of  a  lighter  tint,  and 
the  foliage  dark  green.  While  all  the  other 
varieties  have  pendant  blooms,  in  this  one 
they  stand  erect,  and  afford  a  peculiar  charm. 
Karl  Ziskoven,  in  Miller's  Deut.che  Gartner 
Zeitung.  

The  Week's  Work. 


THE    ORCHID    HOUSES. 

Ey  W.  H.  White,  Orchid  Grower  to  Sir  Trevok  Lawrence, 
Bart.,  Burford,  Surrey. 

Calantkes. — Plants  of  the  vestita  or  deciduous 
section  of  Calanthes,  and  their  hybrids  that  have 
commenced  to  cpen  their  flowers,  may  be  re- 
moved from  the  East  Indian  house  to  the  Cat- 
tleya  house,  whtre  the  atmosphere  is  drier  and 
better  ventilated  ;  in  such  conditions  the  flowers 
will  last  much  longer  than  if  left  in  the  warmer 
house,  and  will  fade  less  quickly  if  required  for 
cutting  and  for  decorative  purposes,  rrom  this 
time  forward  the  plants  will  r.eed  but  little  water, 
as  both  foliage  and  roots  will  be  gradually  decay- 
ing. Immediately  the  spikes  have  teen  cut  water 
should  be  entirely  withheld.  The  plants  may 
then  be  placed  on  a  dry  shelf  in  a  house  where 
the  average  atmospheric  temperature  is  about  6j°, 
and  in  a  light  position  well  up  to  the  roof  glass, 
so  as  to  obtain  the  benefit  of  uninterrupted  sun- 
light. The  late-flowering  varieties  of  the  C. 
Regnieri  type  should  be  still  afforded  water  oc- 
casionally to  enable  them  to  develop  their 
flowers  perfectly. 

Odontoglossums. — By  this  time  plants  of  O. 
citrosmum,  O.  Keichenheimii,  and  O.  laeve  will 
have  completed  their  growth,  and  the  supply  of 
water  should  be  gradually  discontinued.  These 
species  should  be  placed  in  the  lightest  and 
coolest  part  of  the  Mexican  house,  a  similar  but 
dry  position  in  the  intermediate  house  will  also 
suit  them  during  the  resting  season.  Owing  to 
dryness  at  the  root,  the  pseudo-bulbs  may 
shrivel,  but  this  will  not  be  harmful  unless  the 
shrivelling  is  excessive,  as  when  the  flowering 
period  arrives,  if  the  roots  are  kept  extra  moist 
for  a  few  days,  they  will  readily  plump  to  their 
normal  condition.  During  a  mild  winter  these 
plants  sometimes  commence  to  grow  prema- 
turely, but  if  treated  as  resting  plants,  the 
growths  make  but  little  progress,  and  seldom 
fail  to  bloom  at  the  proper  season. 

Angraecums. — The  strong-growing  A.  ebur- 
neum  and  A.  sesquipedale  are  now  developing 
their  flower  spikes,  also  the  charming  A.  dis- 
tichum,  a  dwarf-growing  species  which  pro- 
duces hundreds  of  small  snow-white  flowers ; 
these  being  of  delightful  fragrance,  enhances 
the  value  of  this  species.  A.  pellucidum  is  also 
sending  forth  its  long  slender  spikes,  and  it  is 
necessary  that  they  should  be  carefully  guided 
over  the  surface  of  the  compost,  for  if  allowed 
to  enter  the  soil  they  will  certainly  decay. 
These  Angraecums  grow  well  in  a  warm,  moist 
atmosphere  like  that  of  the  ordinary  plant 
stove.  The  sphagnum-moss  on  the  surface 
should  be  watered  often  enough  to  keep  it  in  a 
growing  condition   at  all  times. 

Platyclinis. — Amongst  other  plants  in  flower 
is  the  pretty  Platyclinis  uncata,  with  numerous 
graceful  thread-like  racemes  which  are  almost 
similar  to  the  better-known  P.  filiformis,  but 
the  flowers  are  of  a  greener  shade.  The  spikes 
are  produced  from  the  centre  of  the  half- 
formed  growths,  and  as  the  plant  will  continue 
to  grow  for  some  time  to  come,  it  should  be 
given  plenty  of  water  until  the  small  pseudo- 
bulbs  are  made  up.  Even  then  the  rompcst  must 
be  kept  fairly  moist,  for  if  allowed  to  become  too 
dry,  the  leaves  are  apt  to  turn  yellow  and  fall 
off.  These  latters  remarks  are  also  applicable 
to  1'.  filiformis,  which  is  now  passing  through 
its  resting  period.  To  prevent  the  plants  losing 
their  leaves,  we  take  them  down  every  morn- 
ing and  lightly  spray  them  overhead,  and  on 
the  underside  of  the  leaves ;  the  moisture 
also  assists  to  prevent  red-spider  insects,  with 
which     these     plants     are     liable     to     be     in- 


fested. The  spring-flowering  P.  glumacea  is 
already  showing  its  rosy-coloured  growths ; 
if  necessary,  the  plant  may  now  be  repotted, 
or  the  operation  may  be  left  to  within 
a  short  time  after  the  flowers  fade.  All  of  the 
Platyclinis  root  and  grow  freely  in  a  compost  of 
fibrous  peat  and  sphagnum-moss,  intermixed 
with  a  moderate  quantity  of  small,  broken 
crocks  and  coarse  silver  sand.  Shallow  Orchid 
pans  are  preferable  to  the  ordinary  flowerpot 
for  these  plants,  being  light  and  therefore 
easily  suspended.  The  plants  thrive  luxuriantly 
when  suspended  near  to  the  roof  glass  of  the 
Cattleya  or  intermediate  house.  Select  a  shady 
position  for  them,  and  keep  them  there  during 
the  whole  year  round. 


THE  FLOWER  GARDEN. 

By  A.  C.  Bartlett,  Gardener  to  Mrs.  Ford,  Pencarrow, 
Cornwall. 

Water  Lilies. — During  hard  weather  rats 
often  attack  the  roots  of  Nymphaeas  growing  in 
open  ponds.  If  severed  leaves  and  floating 
pieces  of  root-stock  are  seen,  they  usually  in- 
dicate that  these  pests  are  feeding  on  the  roots. 
When  this  occurs  the  rats  should  be  shot  on 
the  first  opportunity,  or  irreparable  damage  may 
be  done.  Nymphaeas  growing  in  shallow  tanks 
and  tubs  will  require  protection  during  severe 
frosts.  The  tubs  should  be  sunk  into  the 
ground,  and  a  light  frame  covered  with  straw 
or  bracken  should  be  laid  across  them.  During 
frosty  weather  the  ice  formed  on  the  surface 
should  be  broken  daily.  This  is  especially  neces- 
sary if  the  tanks  or  ponds  contain  goldfish. 

The  rock-garden. — Leisure  may  now  be  found 
to  thoroughly  inspect  the  rock-garden  with  a 
view  to  forming  any  desirable  plans  for  its  im- 
provement. In  gardens  where  the  owners  are  in 
residence  at  this  time  of  the  year,  it  will  be 
seen  that  a  rigid  adherence  to  Alpine  plants, 
pure  and  simple,  does  not  lend  itself  to  any 
particular  interest  being  shown  in  the  rock- 
garden,  now  that  these  plants,  immensely  inter- 
esting and  beautiful  in  their  season,  are  more 
or  less  in  a  dormant  state.  As  a  matter  of  fact, 
such  rockeries  are  at  this  period  of  a  necessity 
decidedly  dull.  The  addition  of  some  berried 
shrubs  and  a  few  evergreens  of  moderate  size 
would  do  much  to  relieve  and  brighten  the 
rockery  in  winter.  These  must  not  be  introduced 
in  excessive  numbers,  or  the  result  will  be  to 
transform  the  rockery  into  a  poor  kind  of  rock- 
shrubbery,  an  altogether  undesirable  proceed- 
ing. What  is  needed  is  simply  to  place  some 
carefully-selected  plant  where  is  will  "  take  the 
eye,"  and  compel  attention,  and  at  the  same 
time  not  interfere  with  the  scheme  of  the 
rockery,  or  with  its  more  characteristic  occu- 
pants. The  choice  of  plant  and  situation  is  a 
matter  for  individual  consideration,  but  in 
general  those  planted  will,  perhaps,  consist  of 
berried  shrubs  which  are  of  moderate  growth, 
and  are  not  of  a  dense  habit,  such  as  Cotone- 
aster  Simonsii,  C.  frigida,  C.  affinis,  and  C. 
laevis.  Crataegus  pyracantha,  Hippophae  rham- 
noides,  Pernettya  mucronata,  several  Skimmias, 
Berberis  vulgaris,  and  the  new  B.  Wilsonae  will 
be  especially  valuable  for  such  purposes.  The 
Sweet  Briar  becomes  profusely  laden  with 
brightly-coloured  hips,  as  also  do  other  species 
of  Rosa.  Amongst  suitable  evergreen  shrubs 
there  is  a  wide  range  of  choice.  Berberis  Aqui- 
folium  is  valuable;  it  is  of  moderate  size,  and 
during  the  winter,  the  leaves  assume  and  re- 
tain most  brilliant  colouring.  Leucothoe  Cates- 
baei  (syn.  Andromeda  Catesbaei)  also  becomes 
coloured  in  labe  autumn.  Gaultheria  Shallon 
and  G.  procumbens  are  of  value.  Yuccas  also 
thrive  in  rockeries,  and  their  distinct  habit 
makes  them  attractive.  For  planting  in  the 
rockery  itself  the  Pigmy  Conifers  are,  for  the 
most  part,  of  too  dense  a  habit,  and  as  a  rule 
are  very  unconvincing  Their  proper  place 
seems  to  be  towards  the  top  and  beyond  the 
boulders,  giving  an  appearance  in  miniature  of 
the  trees  seen  along  the  higher  slopes  of  hills. 
Where  there  is  a  slight  recession  in  the  higher 
part  of  the  rockery,  such  a  Conifer  as  an  Irish 
Yew  or  a  Cupressus  Lawsoniana  erecta  viridis 
may  well  be  planted.  This  will  add  greatly  to 
the  appearance  of  distance  so  desirable  at  such 
points.  When  such  a  tree  shows  signs  of  out- 
growing its  place,  it  should  be  replaced  by  a 
smaller  one,  or  the  contrary  effect  will  be 
created. 


PUBLIC  PARKS  AND  GARDENS. 

By  W.   W.  Pettigrew,  Superintendent  of   the   Parks  and 
Open  Spaces  in  the  City  of  Caiditf. 

Provision  for  skating. — Few  pastimes  are  so 
generally  enjoyed  as  is  skating,  when  oppor- 
tunity arises  for  its  exercise.  Its  admirers  are 
confined  to  no  one  section  of  the  community, 
and  men,  women  and  children  can  all  equally 
participate  in  its  pleasure.  In  our  humid  and 
mild  climate  the  prospects  of  skating  are  gener- 
ally so  remote  that  the  advent  of  hard  weather 
and  the  prevalence  of  ice  lead  people  to  make 
the  most  of  it  while  they  can,  and  frozen  lakes, 
ponds,  and  every  place  where  there  is  suitable 
ice  is  soon  thronged  with  pleasure-seekers. 
Generally  speaking,  very  little  provision  is 
made  in  the  average  park  for  this  form  of  winter 
recreation,  as  the  presence  of  large  sheets  of 
water  in  such  places  is  the  exception  rather 
than  the  rule.  This  being  the  case,  it  is  to  be 
regretted  that  public  park  authorities  do  not 
more  often  make  arrangements  for  skating  by 
setting  aside  and  preparing  some  part  of  a  park 
in  such, a  way  that  it  could  be  flooded  a  few 
inches  during  hard  frost  and  converted  into  a 
skating-rink.  If  such  an  arrangement  could  be 
conveniently  carried  out,  there  is  little  doubt 
but  that  it  would  be  exceedingly  popular,  and 
could  even,  if  thought  desirable,  be  made  to 
amply  repay  any  expenditure  incurred  in  its 
construction.  Although  this  might  not  pro- 
duce such  good  ice  as  could  be  obtained  on 
deeper  water,  the  advantage  of  a  longer  period 
of  skating,  and  the  almost  total  absence  of  dan- 
ger accompanying  its  use  would  more  than  com- 
pensate for  this  difference.  Each  winter,  as  the 
season  for  skating  approaches,  it  is  prudent  to 
see  that  all  ropes,  ladders,  barriers,  notice- 
boards,  and  other  necessary  apparatus  for  using 
upon  the  ice  are  ready  and  in  good  condition, 
so  that  any  defects  will  not  have  to  be  remedied 
at  the  last  moment. 

Protection  of  t'i:  ice. — As  soon  as  a  sheet  of 
water  freezes  over  in  a  park,  every  precaution 
should  be  taken  to  prevent  sticks  and  stones 
from  being  thrown  upon  it.  Children  and  irre- 
sponsible youths  are  much  addicted  to  this  prac- 
tice, and  if  not  deterred,  would  spoil  the  ice  for 
skating  purposes.  To  protect  it  properly  often 
entails  useless  expense,  as  the  ice  breaks  up  just 
before  reaching  the  bearing  point.  Yet  there  is 
always  the  possibility  of  the  ice  bearing,  and  if 
a  smooth,  clean  surface  is  obtained  it  is  well 
worth  all  the  trouble  and  expense  bestowed 
upon  it.  Where  waterfowl  are  kept,  it  is  neces- 
sary to  preserve  a  piece  of  open  water  for  their 
use  ;  but  this  should  be  situated  at  some  out-of- 
the-way  place  little  used  by  the  public.''*  Where 
the  water  is  deep  no  one  should  be  allowed  upon 
the  ice  until  it  is  at  least  3  inches  thick,  for 
when  once  thrown  open  to  the  public,  it  is  not 
a  question  of  a  few,  but  of  thousands  using  it. 
Hence  the  greatest  care  must  always  be  exer- 
cised in  determining  its  thickness  and  permit- 
ting its  use.  During  the  time  skating  is  in  pro- 
gress in  a  park  it  is  customary  to  have  a  large 
number  of  men  employed  in  the  earlier  part  of 
the  day  sweeping  the  ice,  who,  when  the  public 
take  possession  of  it,  act  as  watchmen,  both  to 
prevent  disorder  and  assist  in  cases  of  accidents. 
It  is  always  better  to  utilise  the  services  of  the 
regular  staff  for  this  purpose,  who,  by  hav- 
ing a  little  previous  training,  are  the  better 
able  to  understand  how  to  proceed  in  the  case 
of  the  ice  giving  way  than  would  casual 
labourers  employed  for  the  occasion. 

Extension  of  hours. — As  there  are  so  few  op- 
portunities for  skating  in  the  southern  patts  of 
this  country,  when  it  becomes  at  all  possible 
every  facility  should  be  given  to  the  public  to 
enjoy  the  pastime  while  it  lasts  by  throwing  the 
ice  open  after  closing  hours.  On  the  few  occa- 
sions during  thi  past  15  years  when  the  lake  here 
has  been  frozen  over,  it  has  been  customary  to 
allow  skating  to  continue  till  10  p.m.  While 
this  has  necessitated  the  provision  of  numerous 
lamps  and  the  employment  of  an  extra  staff  of 
watchmen,  it  has  enabled  great  numbers  to  par- 
ticipate in  enjoyment  from  which  thej  would 
otherwise  have  been  debarred. 

Provision  for  sliding. — For  the  benefit  and 
safety  of  visitors,  and  the  convenience  of  those 
who  may  be  unable  to  indulge  in  actual  skating, 
a  piece  of  ice — where  there  is  sufficient  room  for 
the  purpose — should  be  set  aside  by  being  roped 
off,  for  purposes  of  sliding,  and  all  skaters 
should  be  excluded   therefrom. 


Decembeb  14,  1907. J 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


413 


FRUITS  UNDER  GLASS. 

By  Alexander  Kirk,  Gardener  to  J.  Thomson  Paton,  Esq., 
Norwood,  Alloa,  Clackmannanshire. 

Pineapples. — The  removal  of  plants  that  have 
fruited  will  provide  additional  space  for  the 
succession  plants,  such  as  those  which  were 
obtained  from  early-autumn  suckers.  These 
latter  plants  having  been  potted-on  and  sup- 
plied with  bottom-heat  from  the  hot-water 
pipes,  are  now  well  rooted.  Pines  now  resting, 
but  which  are  expected  to  yield  a  supply  of  fruits 
presently  should  be  watered  very  carefully,  for 
at  this  dull  season  the  roots  require  but  little 
moisture,  although  the  plants  must  not  be 
allowed  to  flag  from  the  effects  of  drought. 
The  atmospheric  temperature  of  the  pit  during 
the  next  six  weeks  should  be  kept  at  about  55° 
to  60°,  the  latter  being  the  day  temperature  ex- 
clusive of  sun-heat. 

Early-fruiting  Pines. — The  plants  which  have 
been  subjected  to  cool  treatment  for  the  past 
eight  weeks  should  be  examined  for  the 
purpose  of  selecting  the  best  specimens 
for  placing  in  the  pots  in  which  they  will 
fruit ;  when  this  has  been  done,  the  plants 
should  be  provided  with  a  bottom  heat  of  80° 
to  85°.  The  atmospheric  temperature  of  the 
pit  should  be  70°  at  night  and  8°  or  10°  higher 
by  day.  Water  the  plants  very  cautiously,  and 
do  not  apply  any  that  is  not  tepid.  Maintain 
a  moist  atmosphere  in  the  pit  by  damping  down 
the  floors  or  paths  once  or  twice  each  day  when 
the  temperature  is  high.  Do  not  allow  any  water 
to  collect  in  the  crowns  of  the  plants,  which 
might  happen  if  the  atmosphere  were  over- 
charged with  moisture.  The  remainder  of  this 
batch  of  Pines  can  be  made  to  fruit  later  next 
year  by  keeping  them  in  the  lower  tempera- 
ture of  55°  to  60°.  Keep  them  moderately  dry 
at  the  roots  until  they  are  wanted  for  starting 
into  growth. 

Peaches  and  Nectarines. — The  early  house 
having  been  cleansed  and  made  ready  for  start- 
ing will  need  sufficient  artificial  heat  to  main- 
tain a  steady  atmospheric  temperature  of  from 
40°  to  50J  during  mild  weather,  falling  a  few 
degrees  lower  during  severe  frost.  Admit  a  little 
air  by  the  top  ventilator  when  the  weather  is 
favourable,  but  close  it  again  with  sun-heat  very 
early  in  the  afternoon.  Damp  down  the  paths 
and  borders  each  day,  but  do  not  syringe  the 
trees  or  cause  the  atmosphere  to  become  ex- 
cessively moist  at  this  season,  the  effects  of 
which  would  probably  be  seen  in  an  attack 
of  mildew,  and  in  the  wood-buds  advancing 
into  growth  very  rapidly,  thus  weakening  the 
fruit-buds. 

The  second  Peach  and  Nectarine  house. — Prune, 
cleanse,  and  dress  the  trees,  &c,  in  the  second 
early  Peach  and  Nectarine  house  as  soon  as  the 
leaves  have  fallen.  Take  the  trees  from  the 
trellis,  and  remove  all  bare  and  useless 
branches.  Tie  the  remaining  branches  into 
bunches  as  the  work  proceeds,  so  that  the  house 
may  be  washed  with  hot  water  and  soft  soap. 
Afterwards  paint  the  woodwork  if  this  is  neces- 
sary, and  in  any  case  lime-wash  the  walls,  mix- 
ing some  flowers  of  sulphur  with  the  lime.  Wash 
and  dress  the  trees  with  warm  water  and  the 
Gishurst  compound,  as  was  advised  in  a  pre- 
vious Calendar.  When  this  has  been  done,  train 
up  the  shoots  neatly  to  the  trellis.  Next  remove 
2  or  3  inches  of  the  surface  soil  from  the  bor- 
ders, and  replace  this  with  finely-chopped,  turfy 
loam,  to  which  a  little  fine-grade  vine  and 
plant  manure  has  been  added.  When  this  has 
been  done,  test  the  border,  and  if  it  is  found 
to  be  dry,  apply  a  good  watering,  and  mulch 
the  surface  soil  with  light  stable  manure.  Thus 
will  all  be  made  in  readiness  for  starting  the 
trees  when  it  is  deemed  desirable  to  do  so. 


THE  HARDY  FRUIT  GARDEN. 

By  J.  Mayne,  Gardener  to  Lord  Clinton,  Bicton, 
East  Devon. 
The  Orchard. — Apple,  Pear,  Plum,  and  Cherry 
trees  usually  cultivated  as  standards  need  an 
annual  thinning  of  the  branches  ;  this  work  can 
be  more  conveniently  done,  and  the  tree  will  be 
the  less  likely  to  suffer  severe  check  than  would 
be  caused  by  the  cutting  away  of  large 
branches ;  but  this  latter  operation  would 
become  necessary,  if  the  work  of  thinning 
were  neglected  for  years  in  succession.  Trees 
bearing  only  light  crops,  as  was  pretty  gen- 
eral in  the  past  season,  make  more  growth 
than  when  carrying  a  full  crop,  and  it  is,  there- 


fore, the  more  necessary  to  remove  useless 
"  spray  "  branches  each  winter.  Endeavour  to 
keep  the  centre  of  the  tree  somewhat  open  and 
therefore  the  better  exposed  to  the  sun  and  air.  A 
well-pruned  tree  should  have  no  branches  that 
inter-cross  with  each  other ;  neither  should  it 
contain  a  thicket  of  young  9pray  choking  the 
centre.  A  good-sized  chisel  having  a  long 
handle,  a  wooden  mallet,  a  pruning  saw,  and  a 
standard  tree  pruner  are  necessary  tools  for  the 
work  of  pruning  standard  trees.  Each  cut  should 
be  made  as  cleanly  as  possible,  those  made  by 
the  saw  being  smoothed  over  with  the  knife  or 
chisel.  Long-established  trees  might  often  be 
benefited  if  given  periodical  root-waterings  of 
liquid  manure  during  mild  weather  in  autumn. 
Manure  water  is  often  allowed  to  run  to  waste  at 
this  season,  although  fruit  trees  are  at  the  same 
time  requiring  manurial  assistance.  If  the 
liquid  is  extra  strong,  it  would  be  well  to  dilute 
it  down  to  half  its  strength  with  clear  water. 
Scions  for  use  in  grafting  next  spring  should  be 
correctly  labelled  and  "  heeled-in "  under  the 
shade  of  a  north  wall,  where  the  buds  will 
remain  dormant  until  late  in  spring.  The  stocks 
to  be  worked  with  such  scions  may  be  cut  back 
to  within  6  inches  at  the  end  of  the  month. 

Nuts. — These  are  too  often  neglected  in  the 
matter  of  pruning,  for  if  the  bushes  are  not  at- 
tended to  annually,  they  become  an  entangled 
mass  of  unfruitful  wood.  Such  degenerated  trees, 
or  bushes,  wo.ild  be  the  better  for  being  cut 
hard  back,  and  for  having  the  young  growth  so 
regulated  in  early  summer  by  disbudding,  that 
well-balanced  heads  may  be  obtained 
after  two  or  three  years.  Well-cared-for 
specimens  should  be  left  unpruned  until 
the  small  pink  female  flowers,  and  likewise 
the  male  catkins,  can  be  determined  to- 
wards March.  All  suckers  should  be  rooted 
out ;  the  best  may  be  planted  in  nursery  lines  if 
an  increase  of  stock  be  desired.  The  ground 
between  the  established  bushes  may  be  given  a 
dressing  of  manure,  forking  this  in  when  the 
ground  is  in  good  workable  condition.  In  form- 
ing new  plantations,  a  dryish  position  is  better 
than  a  very  low,  wet  one,  where  spring  frosts  are 
liable  to  prevent  a  good  "set."  The  Cob  Nut 
bears  more  freely  here  than  the  Filbert,  but  it 
is  well  to  have  some  bushes  of  each  sort. 
Bushes  should  be  planted  at  distances  from  each 
other  of  not  less  than  12  feet. 


THE    KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

By  William  H.  HonBsS,  Gardener  to  C.  Combe,  Esq., 
Colhara  Park,  Surrey. 

French  Beans. — Seeds  should  now  be  sown  in 
frequent  succession  and  in  considerable  quan- 
tities to  maintain  a  sufficient  supply  for  the 
table.  Until  germination  has  taken  place,  the 
pots  can  be  stood  closely  together,  and  in  almost 
any  position  on  or  near  the  hot-water  pipes, 
&c,  but  afterwards  a  light  position  near  the 
glass  should  be  afforded.  In  addition  to  the 
approved  varieties  of  French  Beans,  the  dwarf 
Butter  Bean  should  be  cultivated,  as  this  will 
be  found  to  answer  to  the  same  treatment  ad- 
mirably, and  make  an  appreciable  addition  to 
the  list  of  vegetables  at  this  dull  season. 

Peas. — Seeds  that  were  sown  in  the  open  dur- 
ing the  months  of  September  and  October  will 
now  be  well  through  the  ground,  and  should 
have  a  little  soot  and  lime  sprinkled  each  side 
of  the  rows  to  keep  slugs,  &c,  in  check.  Either 
some  short  sticks  or  wire  guards  will  be  needed 
to  help  in  keeping  the  birds  off  and  these  will 
serve  as  a  protection  to  the  plants  during  severe 
weather.  Sowings  in  3-inch  or  5-inch  pots  or 
boxes  should  now  be  made,  either  to  succeed 
earlier  plants  or  to  serve  as  a  first  sowing. 
They  should  be  placed  in  a  cool  house,  and 
brought  on  very  steadily,  keeping  them  well 
up  to  the  glass,  and  taking  every  precau- 
tion to  ensure  that  the  young  plants  will 
become  as  sturdy  and  hardy  as  possible ;  they 
will  then  be  in  the  best  possible  condition  for 
planting  out-of-doors  in  their  permanent  quar- 
ters at  the  proper  time. 

Broad  Beans. — Seeds  of  the  Early  Mazagan 
and  of  the  long-pod  section  might  be  sown  now 
in  boxes :  the  former  is  very  hardy,  and  will 
come  into  use  a  little  in  advance  of  the  long-pod 
section,  although  it  sometimes  happens  there 
are  not  many  days  difference.  Until  the  time 
comes  round  for  planting  them  out,  these  Beans 
may  be  afforded   the  same  treatment  as  I  have 


recommended  for  Peas.  In  neither  case  should 
the  seeds  be  sown  very  thickly,  because  this 
would  result  in  some  difficulty  when  the  plants 
have  to  be  lifted  from  the  boxes  for  the  purpose 
of  planting  in  the  garden.  For  the  same  reason 
plenty  of  rough  material  should  be  placed  in  the 
bottom  of  the  boxes  and  pots  for  the  roots  to 
adhere  to,  for,  although  both  vegetables  are  cap- 
able of  withstanding  the  check  caused  by  the 
process  of  transplanting,  every  precaution  should 
be  taken  against  causing  a  check  of  an  unusual 
degree. 

Cabbages. — These  plants  will  have  become  a 
suitable  size  for  standing  well  through  the  win- 
ter. While  the  weather  still  remains  of  an  open 
character,  let  the  surface  soil  be  again  loosened 
by  the  hoe,  filling  the  drills  up  level  as  this 
work  proceeds.  Continue  to  keep  a  sharp  look- 
out for  slugs. 

Artichokes. — Although  it  is  not  necessary  to 
lift  the  entire  crop  for  the  safety  of  the  tubers, 
as  they  would  keep  sound  and  in  good  condi- 
tion if  left  in  the  ground,  sufficient  should  be 
lifted  and  taken  to  the  store-house  to  afford  a 
supply  during  spells  of  hard,  frosty  weather. 

Cardoons. — These  appear  to  have  succeeded 
unusually  well  this  season,  and  if  any  consider- 
ably quantity  still  remain,  it  will  be  well  to  lift 
them  and  lay  them  in  a  frame  or  cold  shed, 
where  they  will  be  protected  from  severe 
weather,  as  under  these  conditions  they  will 
keep  in  a  proper  condition  for  a  period  of 
several   weeks. 


PLANTS    UNDER   GLASS. 

By  J.  G.  Weston,  Gardener  to  H.  J.  King,  Esq., 
Eastwell  Park,  Kent. 

Early-flowering  Gladioli. — The  varieties  com- 
prising this  beautiful  section  of  Gladioli  are 
especially  suitable  for  pot-culture,  and,  whether 
grown  for  use  as  pot-plants  in  the  conservatory 
or  for  cutting  purposes,  they  are  equally  ap- 
preciated during  the  spring  and  early  summer 
months.  If  the  work  is  not  already  in  hand, 
no  time  should  be  lost  in  procuring  the  corms 
and  potting  them  up.  For  this  purpose  the 
compost  should  consist  of  two  parts  good  turfy 
loam  to  one  part  of  leaf-soil,  adding  a  little 
sharp  sand.  In  the  process  of  potting  let  a 
little  sand  be  placed  immediately  under  each 
corm,  putting  from  6  to  12  corms  in  each 
pot,  according  to  the  size  of  the  corms,  which 
varies  considerably.  Pots  4£  or  6  inches  in 
diameter  are  large  enough  for  this  section 
of  Gladiolus,  but  if  pots  smaller  than  these  are 
used  the  plants  are  apt  to  suffer  from  want  of 
water,  the  roots  drying  up  very  quickly  in  hot 
weather  when  the  plants  are  in  full  growth. 
The  white  variety  of  G.  Colvillei,  known  as  "The 
Bride,"  is  indispensable,  and  the  corms  being 
very  moderate  in  price,  it  should  be  grown  in  con- 
siderable quantity.  Other  good  varieties  recom- 
mended for  growing  in  pots  are  Queen  of  Hol- 
land, Delicatissima,  Crimson  Queen,  Lucretia, 
Ne  Plus  Ultra,  Pink  Perfection,  Ackerman,  and 
Rosy  Gem.  These  are  some  of  the  best  decora- 
tive varieties.  When  the  corms  have  been 
potted,  place  the  pots  in  a  cool  frame,  standing 
them  on  a  base  of  ashes,  and  covering  over 
the  top  of  the  pots  with  sifted  leaf-soil  or  cocoa- 
nut  fibre  refuse.  As  soon  as  growth  is  detected 
this  covering  should  be  removed,  or  the  plants 
will  become  much  weakened  at  the  "  collar." 
When  well-rooted,  the  plants  may  be  placed  in 
very  moderate  heat,  the  treatment  recommended 
for  Freesias  in  a  previous  Calendar  suiting  them 
admirably.  Keep  them  well  up  to  the  light,  and 
when  the  pots  are  filled  with  roots  and  the  plants 
in  full  growth  apply  occasional  waterings  of 
weak  liquid  manure  to  assist  the  plants  to  pro- 
perly develop  the  flower-spikes. 

Primula  sinensis. — The  plants  now  developing 
their  flower-spikes  should  be  kept  in  an  atmo- 
spheric temperature  of  50J  to  55°,  affording  a 
little  air  when  the  temperature  reaches  the 
latter  figure,  and  allowing  this  to  rise  to  60° 
by  sun  heat.  If  the  plants  are  strong  and 
healthy,  the  spikes  of  bloom  will  be  thrown 
well  above  the  foliage,  thus  enhancing  their 
beauty  to  a  great  extent.  Applications  of  weak 
manure-water  or  a  pinch  of  artificial  manure 
will  tend  to  ensure  continuity  of  bloom,  and 
keep  the  foliage  a  good  colour.  The  "  Duchess  " 
strain  is  an  improvement  over  all  the  types  of 
the  Chinese  Primula,  and  should  be  cultivated 
in  every  collection. 


414 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[December  14,  1907. 


EDITORIAL,     NOTICE. 


ADVERTISEMENTS  should  be  sent  to  the  PUB- 
LISHER, 41,  Wellington  Street,  Covent  Garden, 
W.C. 

Letters  for  Publication,  as  well  as  specimens  am!  plants 
tor  naming,  should  be  addressed  to  the  EDITOR, 
41,  Wellington  Street,  Covent  Garden,  London. 
Communications  should  be  written  on  one  side  only  of 
the  paper,  sent  as  early  in  the  tveek  as  possible  and  duly 
signed  by  the  writer.  If  desired,  the  signature  will  not  be 
printed,  but  kept  as  a  guarantee  of  good  faith. 

Special  Notice  to  Correspondents.— The  Editor  does  not 
undotake  to  pay  for  any  contributions  or  illustrations,  or 
to  return  unused  communications  or  illustratiotts,  unless  by 
special  arrangement.  The  Editor  does  not  hold  himself 
responsible  for  any  opinions  expressed  by  his  correspondents. 

Newspapers.— Correspondents  sending  newspapers  should  be 
careful  to  mark  the  paragraphs  they  wish  the  Editor  to  see. 


APPOINTMENTS  FOR  THE  ENSUING  WEEK. 


SATURDAY,  DECEMBER  21— German  Gard.  Soc.  meet. 


Average     Mean    Temperature    for    the    ensuing    week, 
deduced  from  observations  during  the  last  Fifty  Years 
at  Greenwich — 38*4°. 
Actual  Temperatures: — 

London. —  Wednesday,  December  11  (6  p.m.):  Max.  51°; 
Min.  44". 
Gardeners1  Chronicle  Office,  41,  Wellington  Street, 
Covent  Garden,  London. — Thursday,  December  12 
(10  a.m.):  Bar..  29 '3 ;  Temp.  44°;  Weather— 
Raining. 
Provinces. —  Wednesday,  December  11  (6  p.m.)  :  Max.  45° 
Bedford  and  Ireland  W.  coast ;  Min.  42',  Scot- 
land N. 


SALES    FOR    THE    ENSUING    WEEK. 

MONDAY  and  WEDNESDAY— 

Sale  of  Dutch  Bulbs,  &c,  at  Stevens'  Rooms,  King 
Street,  Covent  Garden,  W.C. 

MONDAY  and  FRIDAY— 

Dutch  Bulbs,  Herbaceous  Plants,  &c,  at  11 ;  Roses  in 
variety  at  1.30;  at  67  &  68,  Cheapside,  E.C.,  by  Protheroe 
&  Morris. 

WEDNESDAY— 

Bulbs,  Border  Plants,  and  Perennials,  at  11;  Roses  and 
Fruit  Trees  at  1.30;  Palms  and  Plants  and  Standard 
Bays  at  5  ;  at  67  &  68,  Cheapside,  E.C.,  by  Protheroe  & 
Morris. 

FRIDAY - 

Importations  of  Cattleya  Mendelii  and  Odontoglossum 
pescatorei,  Established  Orchids,  &c,  at  67  &  68,  Cheap- 
side,  E.C.,  by  Protheroe  &  Morris,  at  12.45. 
Clearance  Sale  of  the  whole  of  the  Herbaceous  and 
other  Plants  and  Bulbs  at  the  Woodstock  Nursery, 
Golder*s  Green,  N.W.,  by  Protheroe  &  Morris,  at  12. 


A  considerable  amount  of  doubt 
The  attaches   to   many  of   the   state- 

Mutual      nients,    sometimes  rather   confi- 
Relations     ,        ,  r 

of  Graft     dently   put    forward,    as    to   the 

and  Scion,  nature  of  the  influence  mutually 
exerted  on  each  other  by  scion 
and  stock  in  grafts.  Nobody,  of  course,  will 
refuse  to  admit  that  some  sort  of  influence  on 
the  scion  is  likely  to  occur,  since  the  condi- 
tion of  water  supply  is  largely  affected  by  the 
rooting  character  of  the  stock.  But  this  is 
not  the  same  thing  as  saying  that  a  definite 
substance  can  pass  from  one  to  the  other  and 
produce  specific  differences  of  a  material 
kind  in  the  two  consorting  parts  of  the  plant. 
There  are  instances,  however,  in  which  there 
seems  to  be  good  reason  for  thinking  thai 
such  a  transmission  may  occur.  When 
variegated  sports  are  grafted  on  to  the 
normal  green  stock,  it  may  happen  thai 
shoots  which  spring  from  the  latter  at  a  point 
below  the  insertion  of  the  scion  exhibit  the 
phenomenon  of  variegation.  In  such  a  case 
it  is  difficult  to  resist  the  inference  that  some 
substance,  probably  some  chemical  substance, 
has  passed  from  the  scion  to  the  lower  part  of 
the  plant,  and  has  there  given  rise  to  the 
same  peculiarity  which  it  had  excited  in  the 
introduced  shoot.  It  is  certain  that  the  sub- 
stances common  to  both  parts  of  the  plant 
can  travel  from  one  to  the  other,  for  the 
sugars,  &c,  which  are  manufactured  in  the 
leaves  must  pass  down  to  nourish  the  roots 
of  the  stock.  *S>  But  it  is  not  so  clear  whether 
other  substances  can  so  pass,  and  yet  definite 


information  on  this  point  is  very  desirable  in 
order  to  enable  us  to  give  a  rational  explana- 
tion as  to  how  the  two  parts  of  a  grafted 
plant  may  influence  each  other,  and  to  what 
extent  interchange  of  substances  peculiar  to 
each  is  possible. 

Some  recent  experiments  and  observations 
of  M.  Ch.  Laurent*  have  an  interesting 
bearing  on  these  questions,  and  are  worth 
the  attention  of  those  who  are  interested  in 
the  theory  and  practice  of  grafting.  It  is  a 
matter  of  no  great  difficulty  to  graft  the 
deadly  Nightshade  (Atropa  Belladonna)  upon 
the  Tomato.  Both  are,  of  course,  Solanace- 
ous  plants,  but  the  former  is  well  character- 
ised by  its  poisonous  properties,  which  it 
owes  to  the  presence  of  the  alkaloid  atropin. 
The  object  of  the  experiments  was  to  ascer- 
tain whether  the  alkaloid  would  pass  into  the 
Tomato,  and  if  so  to  what  extent.  The  results 
were  of  considerable  interest,  and  may  be 
briefly  summarised  here. 

When  the  Belladonna  was  used  as  the 
stock,  none  of  the  poison  passed  into  the 
Tomato,  which  produced  leaves,  flowers,  and 
fruit  in  the  ordinary  way,  although  one 
might  have  anticipated  that  the  atropin 
would  have  passed  upwards  from  the  root- 
stock.  On  the  contrary,  when  the  Tomato 
was  used  as  the  stock,  the  Nightshade  not 
only  produced  the  atropin  in  its  own  tissues, 
but  the  alkaloid  passed  down  and  was  recog- 
nisable in  both  the  stem  and  root  of  the 
Tomato.  A  case  of  special  interest  was  that 
in  which  the  Tomato  was  allowed  to  retain 
some  of  its  own  branches  in  addition  to  the 
graft.  Under  these  circumstances  it  was 
found  that  the  alkaloid  only  permeated  the 
tissues  of  the  Tomato  up  to  the  level  of  the 
spot  where  the  scion  was  borne,  and,  as  might 
have  been  expected,  it  was  more  abundant 
in  the  roots  and  stems  than  in  the  leaves. 

Now,  whilst  it  is  obviously  premature  to 
base  large  conclusions  on  the  comparatively 
few  exact  investigations  which  have  been  as 
yet  carried  out  in  this  difficult  but  important 
field  of  investigation,  they  do  throw  a  sug- 
gestive light  on  the  probable  nature  of  the 
influence  which  is  seen  in  vines,  for  example, 
when  one  sort  has  been  worked  on  another, 
influences  which  several  of  our  corre- 
spondents have  recently  pointed  out  in  these 
columns,  whilst  indications  are  also  afforded 
as  to  ways  of  possibly  obviating  the  attacks 
of  certain  diseases. 


Amongst  the  numerous  publica- 
Hmts        tjons  jssu;ng  from  t)ie  Imperial 

School  Department  of  Agriculture  for 
Gardens,  the  West  Indies,  a  very  useful 
little  pamphlet  of  56  pages  in 
handy  form  has  recently  made  its  appearance. 
It  is  entitled  Hints  for  School  Gardens,  and 
is  published  at  the  low  price  of  fourpenci 
The  book  is  written  by  Mr.  A.  H.  Kirby, 
Agricultural  and  Science  Master  at  Antigua, 
and  the  object  for  which  it  has  been 
published  is  well  stated  in  a  brief  preface  by 
Sir  Daniel  Morris,  the  Imperial  Commis- 
sioner of  Agriculture.  From  this  we  learn 
that  "  practically  every  primary  school  in  the 
West  Indies  now  includes  elementary  agri- 
culture in  its  curriculum,"  and  it  is  with  the 

*  Sur  la  variation  de  la  quantite  d'atropine  .  .  .  dans 
les  greffes  de  Belladone  et  deTomate.  Travaux  scientifiques 
d  l'Universite  de  Rennes.    Tome  V. 


view  of  meeting  the  increasing  demand  of 
teachers  for  directions  in  plant  culture  and 
the  laying  out  of  school  gardens  that  the 
present  pamphlet,  which  is  an  extension  of 
one  issued  in  1901,  has  been  published. 
"  Practical  instruction  in  the  elements  of 
agriculture,"  it  is  truly  said,  "  has  an  im- 
portant educational  value,  as  it  affords  an 
excellent  opportunity  for  training  even  the 
youngest  pupils  in  the  habits  of  close  and 
accurate  observation.  It  also  teaches  them 
to  examine  carefully  what  they  see,  and  to 
follow  the  connection  between  cause  and 
effect.  It  further  shows  how  the  principles 
adopted  in  the  field  have  been  evolved  from 
correct  inferences  based  upon  careful  and 
accurate  observation  in  the  garden."  The 
instructions  given  in  this  little  book  are 
classified  under  distinct  heads,  of  which  the 
following  form  part : — Size  of  plots,  disci- 
pline, distances  for  planting  and  period  of 
growth,  tools,  preparation  of  boxes  and  pots, 
ways  in  which  seeds  germinate,  time  taken 
by  seeds  to  germinate,  raising  plants  from 
cuttings  and  from  leaves,  transplanting  into 
larger  pots,  and  pollination  for  formation 
of  fruit.  Subjects  are  also  given  for  pre- 
liminary lessons  in  the  garden,  and  special 
instructions  for  the  cultivation  of  vege- 
tables, most  of  which  are  those  generally 
cultivated  in  English  gardens.  There*  is 
also  a  chapter  on  budding,  grafting,  and 
pruning.  In  the  matter  of  discipline  the 
following  extract  will  show  the  thorough- 
ness  aimed  at  in  the  teaching  : — "  A  note- 
book must  be  kept  by  every  pupil,  show- 
ing the  date  when  each  piece  of  work  was 
dune,  the  method  of  procedure  and  the  results 
obtained,  and  giving  the  reasons  for  the  pro- 
cess. The  notes  should  be  based  on  the  ob- 
servations made  and  the  work  done  in  the 
garden,  &c,  and  on  the  verbal  instruction 
given  by  the  teacher;  they  should  not  be 
dictated  by  him,  for  then  they  will  be  of  far 
less  value  as  a  means  of  impressing  on  the 
mind  the  knowledge  gained,  and  as  an  indi- 
cation of  the  progress  of  the  pupil.  The 
weekly  correction  of  such  notes  by  the  teacher 
is  a  matter  of  necessity."  The  pamphlet, 
with  certain  modifications  to  suit  the  require- 
ments of  different  geographical  areas,  might 
be  taken  as  a  model  for  the  guidance  of  the 
Higher  Education  Committees  under  the 
English  County  Councils. 


Our  Supplementary  Illustration  lias 
been  reproduced  from  a  photograph  of  Romneya 
trichocalyx,  Eastwood,  taken  by  Mr.  C.  P.  Raf- 
fill,  who  writes  to  us  as  follows  : — "  The  genus 
Romneya  was  founded  upon  the  well-known 
R.  Coulteri,  and  until  recent  years  has  been 
looked  upon  as  monotypic.  In  1898  Miss  A. 
Eastman,  Curator  of  the  Herbarium  of  the 
Californian  Academy,  published  the  descrip- 
tion of  a  second  species,  viz.,  R.  trichocalyx, 
together  with  the  information  that  what  had 
up  till  then  been  regarded  as  one  was  in 
reality  two  distinct  species.  Both  are  natives 
of  California,  and  are  very  closely  related,  the 
chief  differences  being  the  hairy  calyx,  more 
slender  habit,  and  profuse  foliage  of  the  R. 
trichocalyx.  That  the  newer  plant  has  good 
qualities  may  readily  be  seen  from  the  accom- 
panying supplementary  illustration,  in  which 
the  setose  calyx  is  clearly  shown.  For 
garden  purposes  it  is  better  than  the  older 
species  on   account  of  its   freer   flowerine  habit 


Supplement  to  the  "  Gardeners'  Chronicle  " 


Photograph  by  C.  P.  Raffill. 
RoMNEYA    TRICHOCALYX  ;    VERY    NEARLY    ALLIED    TO    R.     CoULTERI. 


Temple  Press  Ltd.,  Printers,  7-15,  Rosebery  Avenue,  London,  E.C- 


December  14,  1907.] 


THE     GARD  EN  ER  &     CHR  ONICL  E. 


and  hardier  constitution.  The  first  record  of 
the  flowering  of  this  plant  in  this  country  was 
published  in  the  Gardeners'  Chronicle  for  Sep- 
tember 13,  1902,  p.  191,  when  Mr.  George 
Nicholson-  stated  that  he  had  received 
flowering  specimens  from  the  garden  of  Mr.  H. 
C.  Baker,  Oaklands,  Almondbury.  In  Novem. 
ber  of  the  same  year,  seeds  were  received  at 
Kew  from  Miss  A.  Eastwood,  from  which 
flowering  plants  were  obtained  in  1904,  when  a 
figure  was  prepared  and  which  later  appeared 
in  the  Botanical  Magazine,  tab.  8,002.  Numerous 
plants  have  been  raised  at  Kew  both  from  seeds 
and  cuttings.  The  new  species  has  been  suc- 
cessfully propagated  from  cuttings  of  the  slen- 
der ripened  shoots  taken  off  in  autumn  and 
placed  in  moist,  sandy  soil  under  a  bell-glass 
in  an  intermediate  house.  Although  slow  in 
forming  roots,  the  young  plants  make  rapid  pro- 
gress when  planted  out  in  the  spring,  and  they 
flower  the  same  year.  The  older  species  is 
known  as  one  of  the  most  difficult  plants  to  root 
from  cuttings,  but  it  readily  produces  young 
plants  from  pieces  of  the  thick,  fleshy  roots,  and 
this  is  the  usual  method  of  propagation.  It  is 
well  known  that  this  plant  is  also  difficult  to 
move  with  success,  owing,  no  doubt,  to  the  brittle 
character  of  its  fleshy  roots,  the  slightest  injury 
to  which  will  often  cause  the  death  of  the  plant. 
R.  trichocalyx  is  similar  in  this  respect,  and 
consequently  should  be  planted  out  directly  into 
its  permanent  quarters  from  the  seed  or  cutting 
pot.  The  conditions  most  suited  to  the  needs  of 
the  Romneyas  are  a  light,  open,  well-drained 
soil,  and  a  sunny  position  facing  due  south  with 
protection  from  the  north  and  east.  Planted  at 
Kew  in  positions  similar  to  these,  the  plants 
of  R.  trichocalyx  commenced  to  flower  at  the 
end  of  June,  and  have  continued  to  produce 
quantities   of   flowers  up   to  the   present  time." 

The  Botanical  Magazine. — The  issue  for 
December  contains  the  index  to  the  third 
volume  of  the  fourth  series  (=  vol.  exxxiii.  of 
the  whole  work)  and  also  a  dedication  to  Miss 
WlLLMOTT,  of  YVarley  Place.  The  following 
species   are   described   and   illustrated  : — 

Gesnera  cardinalis,  tab.  8,167. — This  fine 
plant  is  characterised  by  the  magnificent  truss 
of  brilliant  scarlet  flowers,  which  are  borne  in 
the  axils  of  the  upper  leaves,  and  appear  to 
be  crowded  owing  to  the  shortness  of  the  inter- 
nodes  in  this  part  of  the  stem.  It  is  of  com- 
paratively easy  cultivation,  and  deservedly 
ranks  high  when  considered  from  the  decorative 
standpoint.  The  plant  requires  much  the  same 
treatment  as  the  Gloxinia. 

Primula  muscarioides,  tab.  8,168. — This 
species,  from  Western  China,  forms  one  of  a 
closely-related  group  of  Primulas,  which  is  con- 
stituted by  P.  cernua,  P.  pinnatifida,  and  P. 
deflexa.  Mr.  G.  Forrest  says  of  it : — "  The 
seed  of  this  species  was  collected  in  Yunnan 
in  December,  1894,  on  the  summit  of  the  Wild 
Yak  Pass,  situated  on  the  dividing  range  be- 
tween the  Yangtze  Valley  and  Chung  Tien 
Plateau,  at  14,000  to  15,000  feet.  It  inhabits 
moist,  open,  grassy  situations  on  the  margins 
of   Pine   forests." 

Picea  morindoides,  tab.  8,169. — An  interest- 
ing account  of  this  Eastern  Himalayan  species 
and  of  its  possible  relation  with  other  species 
is  given  by  Dr.  Staff.  A  specimen  growing  in 
Sir  Edward  Loder's  garden  at  Horsham  has 
produced  cones  for  the  first  time  in  this  coun- 
try. A  figure  of  a  tree  growing  in  the  Earl  of 
Anxf.slev's  park  at  Castlewellan,  Co.  Down, 
was  given  in  the  Gardeners'  Chronicle  for  May 
5th,    1906. 

Delphinium  candidum,  tab.  8,170. — This  is 
a  beautiful  white  Larkspur  from  Uganda.  The 
plant   is    a   perennial,   and   bears   flowers   about 


%\  inches  across,  which  are  sweet-scented,  like 
the  Primrose. 

Eria  longispica,  tab.  8,171. — This  species 
from  Borneo  has  been  cultivated  at  Kew 
since  1898,  and  was  presented  by  Messrs.  Lin- 
den, of  Brussels.  It  is  described  as  of  free 
growth,  and  as  thriving  in  a  mixture  of  peat 
and  sphagnum-moss  kept  moist  at  all  times,  ex- 
cept for  about  eight  weeks  in  midsummer,  when 
it  should  be  allowed  to  rest. 

Agricultural  Returns.  —  A  leaflet  con- 
taining a  preliminary  statement  of  the  esti- 
mated yield  of  Potatos,  Turnips  and  Swedes, 
and  Mangolds  for  the  current  year  has  just  been 
issued  by  the  Board  of  Agriculture.  The  esti- 
mated Potato  crop  for  1907  amounts  to 
2,977,910  tons,  as  compared  with  3,428,711  tons 
last  year,  and  the  acreage  under  this  crop  has 
fallen  from  565,921  last  year  to  548,920  for 
1907.  Thus  the  average  yield  per  acre  this  year 
is  5.43  tons  as  against  6.06  tons  last  year,  or, 
if  the  average  of  the  last  10  years  be  taken, 
as  against  5.75.  It  is  thus  seen  that  the  yield 
this  year  is  below  the  normal,  as  perhaps  the 
poor  season  would  have  led  one  to  expect. 
The  average  yield  of  Turnips  and  Mangolds,  on 
the  contrary,  is  larger  this  year  than  that  for 
the  last  10  years. 

Midland  Counties  Sweet  Pea  Society.— 

We  are  informed  that  this  society  has  been 
established  with  the  object  of  encouraging  the 
culture  of  the  Sweet  Pea  in  the  Midland  coun- 
ties. A  show  will  be  held  in  one  of  the  princi- 
pal towns  in  the  Midlands  each  year,  the  first 
to  be  held  in  Wolverhampton  on  July  29,  1908. 
For  a  long  time,  writes  the  secretary  of  the 
new  society,  it  has  been  felt  that  an  exhibition 
of  this  kind  was  wanted,  the  Midland  grower 
having  so  few  chances  of  exhibiting.  The  two 
chief  floral  exhibitions  of  the  Midlands,  nam. -h  . 
Wolverhampton  and  Shrewsbury,  in  an  ordi- 
nary season,  are  too  early  and  too  late  re- 
spectively, to  catch  Sweet  Peas  at  their  best,  and 
the  National  Sweet  Pea  Society's  show  being 
held  in  London  is  too  far  for  the  average  Mid- 
lander  to  take  his  Peas.  The  new  society,  which 
is  affiliated  to  the  National  Society,  has  already 
nearly  100  members.  At  the  first  meeting  of 
the  society,  it  was  resolved  that  the  subscrip- 
tions be  not  less  than  2s.  6d.  per  annum  for 
members,  and  not  less  than  10s.  6d.  per  annum 
for  vice-presidents.  All  subscribers  are  en- 
titled to  exhibit  free  in  all  classes  at  the  show 
I  at  which  the  society  offers  over  £30  in  prizes, 
exclusive  of  seedmen's  special  prizes  and  the 
N.S.P.S.'s  silver  medal),  also  to  have  tickets 
of  admission  to  the  show  to  the  value  of  their 
subscriptions.  Any  seedsmen  or  others  wishing 
to  give  special  prizes,  or  who  require  further 
information  respecting  the  society,  are  invited 
to  write  to  the  honorary  secretary,  Mr  Owen 
F.  Trott,  140,  Waterloo  Road,  Wolverhampton. 
Schedules  will  be  ready  in  January. 

Mice  and  Vegetation. — Mice  are  well  known 

for  the  depredations  they  commit  on  Peas  and 
other  garden  seeds  in  places  where  they  are 
abundant,  and  they  are  hardly  less  troublesome 
when  they  gain  access  to  stored  bulbs,  &c  It 
has  been  suggested  that  they  exhibit  a  preference 
for  bulbs  which  are  diseased  or  are  of  poor 
quality,  but  this  view  seems  to  rest  rather  on 
benevolent  opinion  than  on  good  evidence.  The 
results  of  an  examination  of  the  stomachs  of 
field  mice,  as  given  by  D.  E.  Lantz  in  his 
Economic  Study  of  Field  Mice,  show  that  the 
animals  live  on  the  most  varied  diet,  and  few 
things  in  the  way  of  seeds,  bulbs,  fruits,  &c, 
come  amiss  to  them.  It  has  been  calculated 
that  to  maintain  a  thousand  mice  for  one  year 
about  12  tons  of  grass  or  other  vegetation  is  re- 
quired. It  is  readily  seen  therefore  how  desir- 
able it  is  to  keep  their  numbers  well  in  check. 


Carbon  Dioxide  as  a  Bactericide. —The 
effect  of  carbon  dioxide,  at  high  pressure,  as  a 
bactericide  is  well  known,  and  to  this  fortunate 
property  many  of  the  consumers  of  soda  water 
owe  their  immunity  from  typhoid  and  other 
bacterial  diseases.  Anyone  who  has  observed, 
and  has  enquired  into  the  causes  of,  the  yel- 
lowish deposit  sometimes  to  be  seen  in  syphons 
of  soda  water,  especially  abroad,  will  readily 
appreciate  the  force  of  this  statement.  Carbon 
dioxide  has  been  used  also  to  prevent  the 
curdling  of  milk,  and  experiments  conducted  at 
the  New  York  Agricultural  Station  at  Geneva, 
N.Y.,  are  of  interest  in  this  connection.  The 
milk,  both  fresh  and  pasteurised  (i.e.,  sterilised,, 
was  charged  with  the  gas  at  a  pressure  of 
150  lbs.  to  the  square  inch.  The  milk  was  then 
run  into  ordinary  syphons.  The  sterilised  milk 
was  found  to  be  perfectly  good  for  40  weeks. 
Ordinary  milk,  when  carbonated,  will  appa- 
lently  keep  good  for  several  weeks.  It  seems 
likely  that  a  commercial  future  lies  before  these 
experiments. 

Fungoid  and  Other  Enemies  of  the  Para 
Rubber  Plant. — With  the  extension  of  the 
cultivation  of  Rubber  plants  over  the  world,  and 
their  introduction  into  countries  far  removed  from 
their  own  habitats,  it  is  singular  to  note  that  many 
of  the  introduced  plants  do  not  long  remain  before 
they  are  attacked  by  fungoid  and  insect  enemies  ; 
thus  it  seems,  according  to  the  Proceeding*,  of  the 
Agricultural  and  Horticultural  Society  of  India, 
that  in  Borneo  and  Perak  the  Para  Rubber 
trees  that  have  been  introduced  into  plantations 
have  suffered  from  fungoid  attacks  of  the  roots 
The  plants  are  mostly  young  ones,  with  stems 
about  2  inches  through,  and  the  roots  were 
found,  on  the  death  of  the  plants,  to  be  encrusted 
with  a  white  mycelium.  The  effect  of  the  attack 
has  been  [to  absolutely  kill  the  trees  within  three 
weeks  of  the  first  appearance  of  the  disease.  The 
rootsand  the  green  wood  rot,  and  the  tree  falls.  The 
disease  is  described  as  attacking  individual  trees 
scattered  over  the  plantations,  and  not  as  affecting 
groups.  Both  in  Borneo  and  Perak  the  fungus 
has  appeared  on  newly-planted  ground.  In  both 
cases  the  disease  is  sporadic,  and  does  not  appear 
to  have  spread  to  other  trees.  It  is  said  that 
doubtless  the  attacking  fungus  is  one  of  the  Poly- 
porea?,  and  may  possibly  be  Irpex  flava ;  but 
whatever  the  fungus  may  be,  it  is  recommended 
that  the  soil  be  well  limed  where  each  tree  has 
died,  and  to  avoid  planting  any  more  Rubber  trees 
on  the  same  spot.  The  following  further  advice  is 
also  given  : — "It  might  be  a  good  thing  in  cases 
like  this  to  plant  a  Banana  plant  or  two  on  the 
infected  ground.  These  Polypori  cannot,  of  course, 
grow  on  Bananas,  and  the  plants  help  to  break  up 
the  decomposed  and  infected  wood  and  roots  be- 
neath the  soil.  This  has  been  tried  in  the  Botanic 
Garden  against  Fomes.  The  ground  infected  was 
dug  over,  treated  with  lime  and  copper  sulphate, 
and  planted  with  Bananas,  and  the  fungus  in  this 
patch  seems  to  have  quite  disappeared.  It  is, 
however,  the  oldest  bit  of  the  infected  area,  and 
the  fungus  may  have  died  out  of  itself.  Tin 
fungus,  whatever  it  is,  should  be  :arefully  watcbi  c] 
to  see  that  it  does  not  spread  to  the  trees  next  lo 
it."  In  the  same  number  of  the  Journal  oj  the 
Agricultural  and  Horticultural  Society  of  India,  from 
which  the  foregoing  information  is  obtained,  occurs 
two  other  notes  affecting  the  enemies  of  Para 
Rubber  plants,  one,  a  fungus  which  attacks  the 
leaves  of  young  plants,  but  which  apparently  does 
but  little  harm  to  adult  trees,  and  to  vvhich  i:  was 
proposed  to  give  the  name  of  Helminthosporium 
heveae,  and  the  other,  referring  to  crickets,  which 
have  been  described  as  biting  off  the  tips  of  Rubber 
seedlings,  one  species  of  which  has  been  identified 
as  Brachytrypes  achatina  ,  From  these  notes  it 
would  seem  that  the  most  valuable  Rubber  plant 
known  is,  unfortunately,  not  without  its  enemies 
when  brought  under  cultivation. 


416 


THE     GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


[December  14,  1907 


Royal      Meteorological     Society. — An 

ordinary  meeting  will  be  held  at  the  Institution  of 
Civil  Engineers,  Great  George  Street,  West- 
minster, S.W.,  on  Wednesday,  December  18,  at 
7  30  p  m.  The  papers  to  be  read  will  include  one 
on  "  Indications  of  Approaching  Frost,"  by 
Mr.  Richard  Strachan,  F  R.Met.Soc. 

Emigration  to  Canada. — The  Assistant 
Superintendent  of  Canadian  Emigration  has  been 
officially  advised  by  the  Canadian  Immigration 
Department  at  Ottawa,  that  the  demand  for  labour 
of  all  kinds  in  Canada  is  over  for  the  season,  and 
all  persons  thinking  of  emigrating  are  strongly 
advised,  if  they  are  looking  for  employment  in 
Canada,  not  to  sail  earlier  than  April  next,  and 
then  only  if  they  have  employment  assured,  or  are 
in  a  position  to  maintain  themselves  until  they 
secure  such  employment. 

A  Gardener's  Long  Service. — Mr.  Samuel 
Chapman,  gardener  of  Alderley  Edge,  has  just 
completed  40  years'  service  with  one  family. 
His  first  office  was  as  head  gardener  to  the  late 
Mr.  J.  Arthur  Railton,  of  Whalley  Range, 
Manchester,  and  he  is  serving  in  the  same  capa- 
city to  Mrs.  J.  Arthur  Railton,  Alderley 
Edge.  Mr.  Chapman  is  well  known  as  a  skilful 
gardener.        

SEED   AND    SOIL   INOCULATION. 

(Continued  from  page  3SS.) 
The  satisfactory  inoculation  results  obtained 
in  America  naturally  attracted  much  attention 
in  this  country,  and  in  1905  our  Board  of  Agri- 
culture obtained  the  co-operation  of  13  different 
agricultural  colleges  and  experiment  stations 
with  a  view  of  testing  the  cultures.  The  results 
of  these  experiments  were  far  from  satisfactory, 
and  the  official  report  states  that  "  the  negative 
results  exceed  the  positive  in  number  both  in 
plot  experiments  and  under  agricultural  condi- 
tions." Unfortunately,  the  Board  of  Agricul- 
ture did  not  continue  the  experiments  with  the 
view  of  ascertaining  the  causes  of  failure.  The 
subject  was  dismissed  with  the  statement  "  that 
in  this  country  plant  inoculation  has  not  yet 
passed  the  experimental  stage,"  and,  in  conse- 
quence, the  idea  has  become  widespread  that 
inoculation  is  useless  for  the  soils  of  this 
country.  The  causes  of  failure,  however,  are 
very  evident  in  the  light  of  recent  experiments. 
In  the  first  place,  many  of  the  cultures  used 
were  dead  or  in  a  highly-weakened  condition. 
Secondly,  there  does  not  appear  to  have  been 
sufficient  care  taken  to  apply  the  culture  to  suit- 
able soils.  Prof.  Vines,  of  Oxford,  showed 
some  years  ago  that  the  presence  of  nitrates  in 
the  soil  has  an  unfavourable  effect  upon  the 
nitrogen-fixing  bacteria,  and  prevents  the  de- 
velopment of  root  tubercles.  He  states  :  "  The 
results  of  all  these  experiments  agree  in  showing 
that  the  development  of  tubercles  is  much  less 
when  nitrate  is  present  in  the  soil  than  when  it 
is  absent.  It  is  also  indicated  that  as  the 
amount  of  nitrate  diminishes  the  development 
of  tubercles  becomes  more  marked.  In  all  cases 
in  which  tubercles  made  their  appearance  on 
the  roots  of  plants  which  had  been  supplied 
with  nitrate,  they  are  exclusively  developed  on 
the  youngest  roots,  especially  on  those  near  the 
surface  of  the  soil ;  in  that  part,  that  is,  which 
would  naturally  lose  its  nitrates  most  rapidly." 
Even  in  the  report  issued  by  the  Board  of 
Agriculture  we  find  that  some  excellent  results 
were  obtained  when  these  two  essential  condi- 
tions were  fulfilled.  In  Scotland  an  acre  of 
inoculated  Beans  yielded  3,070  lbs.  of  grain, 
against  1,800  lbs.  from  an  acre  non-inoculated — 
a  gain  of  70  per  cent.  In  Leicestershire,  a  half- 
acre  plot  of  treated  Peas  yielded,  when  threshed, 
108  stones  ;  a  half-acre  plot  untreated  only  66 
stones.  At  Woburn,  treated  Melilotus  gave  23 
per  cent,  heavier  crop  than  when  untreated.  In 
the  face  of  such  results  as  these  one  cannot 
understand  why  the  subject  was  abandoned. 


Failing  further  experiments  in  official  quar- 
ters, over  a  thousand  packages  of  living  culture 
material  were  distributed  free  from  the  Botani- 
cal Laboratory,  King's  College,  London,  during 
1906  and  1907,  to  anyone  who  cared  to  test  in- 
oculation of  seed  and  soil.  The  results  obtained 
prove  conclusively  that  inoculation  is  beneficial 
on  most  British  soils  under  suitable  conditions, 
for  over  80  per  cent,  of  the  reports  returned 
show  an  increase  of  crop  from  the  use  of  the 
bacteria  cultures. 

At  this  point  it  will  be  well  to  utter  a  warning 
against  any  misconception  or  unjustifiable  ex- 
pectation regarding  the  use  of  bacterial  cultures. 
Inoculation  is  not  a  panacea  for  all  the  ills  of 
the  soil.  The  cultures  of  nitrogen-fixing  bacteria 
are  not  to  be  regarded  in  the  light  of  nitrogenous 
manures,  increasing  the  yield  under  any  or  all 
conditions.  The  cultures  do  not  contain  nitro- 
gen. They  simply  add  to  the  soil  the  bacteria 
which,  under  favourable  conditions,  form 
nodules  on  leguminous  plants,  and  render  avail- 
able the  nitrogen  from  the  atmosphere  for  the 
growth  of  these  plants.  As  already  mentioned, 
rich  soil  containing  plenty  of  available  nitrogen 
checks  the  activities  of  the  bacteria.  It  is  poor 
soil  which  responds  most  readily  and  liberally 
to  inoculation,  and  there  are  thousands  of  acres 
of  non-productive  land  in  this  country  which  it 
does  not  pay  at  present  to  till  and  manure,  but 
which  could  be  rendered  fertile  and  productive 
by  the  use  of  bacteria  cultures. 

What,  then,  are  the  conditions  under  which  a 
farmer  or  gardener  may  expect  to  benefit  by 
inoculation? 

Inoculation  is  necessary  when  the  land  is  poor 
or  "thin,"  that  is,  low  in  organic  matter;  when 
it  has  not  recently  borne  a  leguminous  crop  ;  or 
when  the  roots  of  legumes  grown  are  devoid  of 
nodules. 

Inoculation  is  desirable  when  a  different  legu- 
minous crop  from  that  previously  grown  on  the 
land  is  being  planted  ;  oi  when  the  crop  grow- 
ing, though  possessing  root  nodules,  is  not  pro- 
ducing up  to  the  average.  The  introduction  into 
the  soil  of  a  more  virulent  race  of  bacteria  may 
greatly  increase  the  yield. 

Inoculation  will  be  a  failure — 

(1)  When  the  soil  is  too  acid  and  in  need  of 
lime.  Liming  to  correct  acidity  is  as  neces- 
sary for  the  proper  activity  of  the  bacteria  in 
the  soil  as  for  the  growth  of  the  plants. 

(2)  When  the  soil  is  deficient  in  phosphates 
and  potash  ;  these  fertilising  elements  must 
be  added  if  the  bacteria  are  to  perform  their 
work  properly. 

(3)  When  the  directions  for  preparing  the 
culture  solutions   are   not   carefully    followed. 

(4)  It  must  also  be  remembered  that  inocu- 
lation will  not  overcome  results  due  to  bad 
seed,  improper  preparation  and  cultivation  of 
the  ground,  and  adverse  conditions  of  weather 
and  climate. 

Given  suitable  conditions,  the  advantages 
which  may  be  expected  from  inoculation  are 
four  in  number. 

1. — Increased  Yield  of  Crop. — The  amount 
of  increase  will  naturally  vary  according  to 
differing  conditions,  and  it  is  evident  from  what 
has  been  already  said  that  the  greatest  increase 
may  be  expected  on  poor  or  worn-out  soils. 

2. — Increase  of  Fertility  of  Soil. — It  has 
already  been  pointed  out  that  the  nodules  on  the 
roots  of  leguminous  plants  are  the  centres  of 
nitrogen  fixation.  In  their  tissues  are  stored  up 
quantities  of  organic  nitrogen  greatly  in  excess 
of  what  is  required  by  the  plant.  When  the 
crop  is  harvested  these  nodules  remain  in  the 
ground,  and  the  nitrogen  store  of  the  soil  is 
correspondingly  increased.  As  inoculation  in- 
creases the  number  of  these  nodules,  it  is 
readily  seen  how  valuable  inoculation  is  both 
for  maintaining   and   increasing   soil  fertility. 

A  number  of  careful  experiments  have  been 
made  in  the  United  States  and  Germany  to 
estimate  the  approximate  amount  of  organic 
nitrogen  added  to  the  soil  by  a  well-grown  legu- 
minous crop.  Averaging  the  results  from  16  dif- 
ferent  States  in  America,  the  amount  of  nitro- 


gen added  per  acre  was  125  lbs.  In  Germany 
the  estimate  was  175  to  200  lbs.  per  acre.  When 
it  is  considered  that  nitrate  of  soda  only  con- 
tains about  15  per  cent,  of  nitrogen,  it  is  seen 
that  a  crop  of  nodule-bearing  legumes  may  add 
the  equivalent  of  half  a  ton  of  nitrate  of  soda 
per  acre,  representing  a  cash  value  of  £4  to  £6. 
W.  B.  Bottom  ley. 

(To  be  concluded. ) 


IMPORTATION  OF  GOOSEBERRY 

PLANTS. 
The   following  instructions  have  been  issued 
by   an   order   of   the   Board   of   Agriculture   and 
Fisheries,  dated  November  29,  1907  : — 

AMERICAN  GOOSEBERRY  MILDEW  (PRO- 
HIBITION OF  IMPORTATION  OF 
BUSHES)  ORDER  OF  1907. 

The  Board  of  Agriculture  and  Fisheries,  by 
virtue  and  in  exercise  of  the  powers  vested  in 
them  under  the  Destructive  Insects  and  Pests 
Acts,  1877  and  1907,  do  order,  and  it  is  hereby 
ordered,    as    follows  : 

Prohibition  of  Importation  of  Gooseberry  tend 
Currant   Bushes. 

1. — (1.)  The  landing  in  Great  Britain  of  any 
Gooseberry  bush  or  Currant  bush  brought  from 
any  place  out  of  Great  Britain  is  strictly  pro- 
hibited. 

(2.)  This  Article  shr.ll  not  apply  to  the  land- 
ing of  any  bush  on  or  before  the  thirty-first  day 
of  January,  nineteen  hundred  and  eight,  if  a 
licence  authorising  such  landing  has  previously 
been  obtained  from  the  Board  of  Agriculture 
and  Fisheries,  and  is  produced  if  so  required 
by  any  officer  of  Customs  when  the  bush  is 
landed. 

Penalty  for  dealing  with  bushes  illegally 
Imported. 

2.  If  any  person  without  the  written  consent 
of  the  Board  of  Agriculture  and  Fisheries  shall 
in  Great  Britain  sell,  or  expose  for  sale>,  or  plant 
any  bush  which  has  been  landed  in  contraven- 
tion of  this  Order,  knowing  the  same  to  have 
been  so  landed,  he  shall  be  liable  on  convic- 
tion to  a  penalty  not  exceeding  ten  pounds. 

Power    of    Entry    by    Inspectors. 

3.  An  Inspector  of  the  Board  of  Agriculture 
and  Fisheries  or  of  the  Local  Authority  ap- 
pointed under  the  Destructive  Insects  and  Pests 
Acts,  1877  and  1907,  may  enter  any  premises  on 
which  he  has  reason  to  believe  that  there  are 
bushes  landed  in  contravention  of  this  Order 
and  examine  any  bush  on  such  premises,  and 
any  person  who  wilfully  obstructs  or  impedes 
any  Inspector  in  the  course  of  his  duties  under 
this  Article  shall  be  liable  on  conviction  to  a 
penalty  not  exceeding  ten  pounds. 

Provision    in    case    of    discovery    of    Disease. 

4.  If  on  any  examination  under  the  preceding 
Article  an  Inspector  finds  any  bush  which  is 
affected  with  American  Gooseberry  mildew 
(Sphaerotheca  mors-uvae)  he  shall  forthwith 
communicate  the  fact  to  the  Board  of  Agricul- 
ture and  Fisheries  and  serve  on  the  occupier 
of  the  premises  on  which  the  bush  is  found  a 
notice  prohibiting,  until  the  notice  is  withdrawn 
by  a  like  notice,  the  removal  of  any  Goose- 
berry or  Currant  bush  from  those  premises,  and 
any  person  who  shall  remove  any  bush  in  con- 
travention of  a  notice  under  this  Article  shall 
be  liable  on  conviction  to  a  penalty  not  exceed- 
ing ten  pounds. 

Definitions. 

5.  By  this  Order— 

''Bush"  includes  a  cutting,  stock,  or  seed- 
ling, and  any  part  of  a  bush,  except  the 
fruit ; 

"Landing"  includes  introduction  through  the 
post. 

Commencement. 

6.  This  Order  shall  come  into  operation  on 
the  fourteenth  day  of  December,  nineteen  hun- 
dred and  seven. 

Short  Title. 

7.  This  Order  may  be  cited  as  the  American 
Gooseberry  Mildew  (Prohibition  of  Impor- 
tation of  Bushes)  Order  of  1907. 


December  14,  1907.] 


2  HE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


417 


HOME    CORRESPONDENCE. 


(The  Editor  dens  not  liold  himself  responsible  for  the 
opinions  expressed  by  his  correspondents.) 

Cockroaches. — These  insect  pests  of  the  same 
family — Blattidae — as  the  crickets,  grasshoppers, 
locusts,  &c,  are  often  found  in  glasshouses,  the 
tropical  species,  Ptriplaneta  americana  and  P. 
australasiae,  being  imported  on  Orchids  and 
other  kinds  of  plants.  In  addit.on  to  tl  eir 
offensive  odour  and  their  feeding  habits,  which 
make  these  insects  very  objectionable,  they 
attack  starched  articles  of  dress,  such  as  collars 
and  cuffs,  and  most  gardeners  are  aware  of 
the  injury  caused  to  Orchids  by  their  nibbling 
of  the  growing  points  of  the  aerial  roots.  Cock- 
roaches are  not  difficult  to  extirpate  from  houses. 
Boracic  acid  is  poisonous  to  them,  and  any 
attractive  food  mixed  with  it  may  be  used  as  a 
bait.  A  good  mixture  is  made  of  equal  parts 
boracic  acid  and  Molasses  <<r  sweet  chocolate. 
It  this  be  placed  in  their  haunts,  it  will  be 
readily  eaten  by  them.  Ordinary  borax,  if  s  at- 
tered  about  in  plates  infested  by  them,  will 
drive  them  out.  Naphthalene  is  also  useful  in 
this  way.     F.  M. 

Suitable  Vines  for  Inarching  other 
Varieties    Upon.  — I   am   well   acquainted   with 

the  characteristics  of  all  the  leading  varieties 
of  the  Orape  vine  cultivated  under  glass  in 
Great  Britain  and  Ireland  during  the  last  35 
or  40  years,  and  during  half  of  that  period  of 
time  (up  to  1897)  I  was  a  more  or  less  success- 
ful exhibitor  at  leading  fruit  shows  in  t'-.e  South 
and  West  of  England,  the  Crystal  Palace,  &c. 
I  have  often  had  occasion  to  inarch  a  new 
variety  of  Grape  upon  an  established  vine  of 
a  different  description  as  a  quick  and  con- 
venient method  of  obtaining  a  fruiting  rod  of 
the  "newcomer,"  and  at  other  times  inarching 
was  resorted  to  in  order  to  increase  the 
number  of  fruiting  rods  of  certain  varieties. 
The  operation  was  also  practised  with  a  view 
to  improving  the  characteristics  and  qualities 
of  certain  varieties  of  the  Grape  vine  by  inarch- 
ing them  upon  established  rods  of  superior  kinds, 
a  union  with  which  was  calculated  to  effect  the 
desired  improvement.  However,  I  may  confess 
before  proceeding  further  that,  during  my 
early  experience  in  this  direction,  I  practised 
the  inarching  of  Grape  vines  more  on  account 
of  its  being  a  quicker  and  most  convenient  way 
of  procuring  a  fruiting  vine  than  with  any 
other  object  in  view.  There  can  be  no  doubt  that 
the  influence  which  the  stock  exeicises  on  the 
scion  is  considerable.  So  great,  indeed,  is  this 
influence,  that  the  character  of  a  well-known 
Grape — to  wit,  Gros  Maroc — was  so  much 
altered  in  size  and  shape  of  bunch  and  berry, 
as  well  as  in  flavour,  by  reason  of  its  union 
with  a  worthless  foreign  variety  that  several 
ral  expert  Grape  growers  to  whom  I  showed  it 
failed  to  recognise  it,  while  they  readily  recog- 
nised a  bunch  from  the  same  vine  inarched 
on  a  Black  Hamburg  stock,  and  placed  in  a 
bottle  alongside  it  in  the  Grape  room  for  com- 
parison. This  happened  soon  after  the  Gros 
Maroc  Grape  was  introduced  into  commerce. 
Being  anxious  to  obtain  a  second  rod  of  it,  and 
a  second  shoot  being  available  on  the  same 
pot  vine  from  which  I  had  inarched  one  on 
the  Black  Hamburg  close  by,  I  accordingly 
inarched  the  second  shoot  on  the  worthless 
vine  referred  to,  regardless  of  what  the  result 
of  such  a  union  would  be.  The  vine  in  question 
was  sent  in  mistake  for  a  good  variety,  which 
an  officer  in  command  at  Malta  had  ordered 
to  be  sent  home  to  me.  Being  anxious  to  test 
the  variety  as  soon  as  possible,  I  allowed  the 
plant  to  ripen  one  poor  bunch  nf  fruit  in  the 
following  year.  Hence  my  utilising  the  stock 
without  paying  any  regard  whatever.  I  admit, 
to  the  advisabilitv  or  otherwise  of  effecting  such 
a  union.  However,  I  communicated  my  experi- 
ence forthwith  to  the  Gardeners'  Chronicle  for 
the  benefit  of  its  numerous  readers,  and  so 
eased  my  conscience  in  the  matter.  Muscat  of 
Alexandria  is  the  best  stock  on  which  to  graft 
or  inarch  any  other  white  Grape.  By  such  a 
union,  the  flavour  of  perhaps  every  other  white 
(excepting  Canon  Hall  Muscat)  Grape  will  be 
improved.  Black  Hamburg  and  Madresfield 
Court  Black  Muscat  will  also  produce  a  simi- 
lar desirable  change  in  the  flavour  of  any 
late  Iplack  Grape  (excepting  Mrs.  Pince's 
Black  Muscat)  inarched  or  grafted  thereon. 
The  said  stocks  (preferably  the  Black  Hamburg) 


would  be  quite  safe  to  work  Mrs.  Pince 
on,  and  while  not  expecting  the  flavour 
of  the  latter  to  improve  or  suffer  in  any  way, 
the  colouring  propeities  of  the  Grape,  which 
is  oftener  "  foxy "  than  black  when  ripe, 
might  be  improved  by  such  a  union.  Gros 
Maroc  Grape,  besides  being  a  large-berried 
variety,  colours  splendidly  without  being  sub- 
jected to  any  special  kind  of  treatment,  and 
therefore  might  effect  an  improvement  in  this 
direction  in  the  produce  resulting  from  vines 
of  Gros  Colmar  inarched  on  the  Gros  Maroc 
stock.  Again,  Muscat  Hamburg  engrafted  on 
a  Black  Hamburg  stock  would  probably  result 
in  more  compact  bunches,  consisting  of  more 
even-sized  and  better-coloured  berries  of  this 
fine-flavoured  Grape,  being  obtained.  The 
berries  of  Madresfield  Court  resulting  from 
vines  worked  on  the  Black  Hamburg  stock 
colour  better,  and  evince  no  disposition  to 
"  i  rack."  I  fail  to  see  in  what  way  the  Muscat 
of  Alexandria  Grape  referred  to  by  Mr.  Moly- 
neiix  could  have  been  improved  in  flavour  by 
reason  of  the  vine  that  bore  the  bunches  men- 
tioned being  inarched  on  a  vine  of  Foster's 
Seedling,  seeing  that  in  point  of  flavour  the 
latter  variety  can  only  be  looked  upon  as  a 
third-rate   Crape.     H.   W .   Ward. 

Mr.   Molyneux's  remarks  on  p.  379  of 

the   C  ule   brings   to   my   mind   a 

similar  case  which  came  under  my  notice  a 
1:1  years  ago,  when  I  was  at  Wentworth  Castle 
under  Mr.  E.  Batley.  A  Muscat  of  Alexandria 
vine  had  been  inarched  on  a  rod  of  Foster's 
Sesdling  with  excellent  results.  The  bunches 
were  more  compact  than  is  the  case  when  this 
M  al  is  cultivated  on  its  own  roots,  the  berries 
rounder,  better  finished  than  usual,  and 
altogether  much  improved.  /as.  Murrey, 
ey. 

1  quite  agree  with  Mr.  Molyneux  (see 

p.  379]  respei  ung  the  inarching  of  one  vine  upon 
another  variety.  My  experience  has  been  chiefly 
with  the  variety  named  Appley  Towers,  inarched 
upon  Lady  Downes,  also  West  St.  Peter;  it  has 
made  remarkable  growth,  and  has  borne  excel- 
lent fruit  the  second  season,  finishing  well 
and  keeping  in  good  condition  up  to  this  date, 
December  3.  This  excellent  variety  is  not  so 
widely  known  as  it  deserves  to  be  ;  it  is  \ 
of  a  place  in  a  vinery  containing  various  sorts, 
and  in  a  large  establishment  a  whole  vinery 
filled  with  it  would  be  valuable  as  providing  a 
good  succession  to  Black  Hamburg.  The  foliage 
of  Appley  lower-  is  very  ornamental,  being  equal 
if  not  superior  in  this  respect,  to  Lady  Downes. 
G.  Harvey,  Stanton  Hall,  Bakewell. 

Grove  Hall  Park,  Bow. —  Please  grant  us 
space  to  appeal  to  your  readers  for  their  help 
in  securing  Grove  Hall  Park  for  the  people,  and 
espei  i.illy  for  the  children,  of  Bow.  By  the 
generous  assistance  of  the  London  County  Coun- 
cil (who  are  contributing  £4,500,  being  one-half 
the  total  cost,  besides  bearing  the  cost  of  laying 
out  and  of  future  maintenance)  and  of  the 
Poplar  Borough  Council  (who  are  contributing 
£2,250,  one-four  the  total  cost  I  3.V  acres  of  the 
Grove  Hall  Estate,  the  very  last  open  space  in 
the  neighbourhood,  have  been  secured,  and  this 
committee  has  undertaken  to  raise,  by  subscrip- 
tions, the  remaining  one-fourth — £2,250.  Of 
this  amount  1 1,000  has  now  been  given  by  local 
manufacturers,  residents,  and  friends,  and  the 
balance  must  be  found  at  once.  The  scheme  has 
the  warm  approval  of  the  Bishop  of  London  and 
the  Bishop  of  Stepney,  both  of  whom,  in  kindly 
forwarding  contributions,  have  expressed  the 
hope  that  the  money  may  be  quickly  forthcom- 
ing. The  Metropolitan  Public  Gardens  Associa- 
tion heartily  supports  the  movement  and  has 
contributed  £50.  All  who  know  the  neighbour- 
hood will  recognise  the  urgent  need  of  this  little 
park  for  the  people  and  playground  for  the 
children.  There  is  no  time  to  be  lost,  and  we 
earnestly  ask  for  a  prompt  and  generous 
response  to  our  appeal.  Donations  may  be  paid 
to  the  London  and  South-Western  Bank,  Ltd., 
Bow,  E.,  the  London  and  Westminster  Bank, 
Ltd.,  Bow,  E.,  or  to  Henry  J.  Kitcat  (Rector  of 
Bow  and  Chairman  of  Committeel,  Henry  A. 
Mason  (Vicar  of  St.  Stephen's,  Bow,  Rural  Dean 
of  PoplarJ,  Gilbert  Bartholomew  (Fairfield 
Work'-.  Bow,  E.,  Vice-Chairman  of  Committee), 
and  Thos.  Alex.  Cook  (Soap  Works,  Bow,  K  , 
Hon.  Secretary  of  Committee),  who  will  gladly 
furnish  any  further  information  or  supply  list  of 
subscriptions  to  date.     Thos.  Alex.  Cook. 


Black  Scab  in  Potatos.— I  have  carefully 
read  through  Mr.  Salmon's  admirable,  ill  stratei 
article  on  this  form  of  Potato  disease  published 
in  the  last  issue,  but  beyond  his  strong  recom- 
mendation that  steps  be  taken  to  induce  the 
Government  to  legislate  for  the  suppression  of 
the  disease  by  preventing  the  sale  or  transit  of 
diseased  tubers,  no  other  remedy  seems  to  be 
presented.  As  this  is  a  fungoid  disease,  which 
may  be  propagated  by  diseased  Potatos  or  by 
fungus-affected  soil,  why  should  not  a  liberal 
application  of  lime,  and  especially  gas  lime,  so 
excellent  a  remedy  for  other  root-diseases,  be 
given  to  the  soil  which  is  bearing  the  affected 
crop,  and  also  to  the  soil  to  be  planted 
with  Potatos  in  the  succeeding  season?  Natur- 
ally, it  is  remedies  that  can  be  immediately 
applied  that  are  required  by  growers  who  may 
suffer  from  this  Black  Scab  disease,  whilst  any 
benefit  resulting  from  legislation  may  be  inde- 
finite. I  had  a  bad  sample  of  the  Black  Scab 
sent  me  two  years  ago.  I  advised  the  lifting 
and  destroying  of  all  the  diseased  tubers  at  once, 
followed  by  an  immediate  dressing  of  the  ground 
with  a  bushel  per  rod  of  gas  lime — a  heavy 
dressing,  but  the  case  needed  drastic  action.  I 
have  had  no  more  complaints  since  that  time,  and 
in  all  my  experience  with  Potatos  I  have  never 
seen  any  similarly-diseased  tubers.  However, 
there  is  no  getting  away  from  the  evidences  of 
the  spread  of  this  fell  disease  which  Mr.  Salmon 
quotes,  and  that  fact  makes  it  all  the  more 
needful  that  some  suggestions  as  to  remedies 
that  can  be  applied  at  once  be  made.  We  want 
in  relation  to  these  things  not  ironical  compli- 
ments between  scientists,  but  really  practical 
suggestions  as  to  remedies  or  cures.  However, 
I  trust  no  one  will  be  in  any  way  frightened. 
The  proportion  of  sound  Potatos  here  to-da  is 
about  10,000  to  1  of  tubers  affected  by  Black 
Scab.     A.    Dean. 

Seed  and  Soil  Inoculation.  -  Although 
Professor  Bottomley  has  yet  more  to  say  on 
this  very  interesting  subject,  I  trust  that  next 
year  good  tests  of  the  merits  of  soil  inocula- 
tion, as  also  of  seeds,  will  be  conducted 
under  Mr.  Chittenden's  control  at  Wisley. 
There  certainly  can  be  found  at  Wisley  poor, 
sandy  soil  for  the  purpose.  I  have  seen  one 
trial  this  year  of  the  inoculation  of  the  seeds 
of  Peas,  Long  Pod  and  Runner  Beans  in  that 
district,  comparison  being  instituted  between 
<o  treated  without  manure  and  other  rows 
not  inoculated,  but  with  manure.  Generally, 
the  manured  rows  gave  the  best  growth,  but  as 
the  ground  had  been  cultivated  and  cropped  for 
some  years,  and  the  summer  was  an  abnormal 
one,  it  was  difficult  to  determine  how  far  in- 
oculation of  the  seeds  had  proved  to  be  a  success 
or  otherwise.  On  some  of  the  poor  sands  at 
Wisley  the  test  should  be  applied  to  Peas  solely 
at  first,  with  rows  ordinarily  manured,  others 
seed-inoculated  only,  others  without  manure  or 
inoculation,  and  include  at  least  six  varieties. 
Such  a  test,  no  doubt  a  severe  one,  would  be  of 
great  interest  both  for  practical  and  scientific 
men.     A.  D. 

Romneya  Coulteri.  — On  p.  390  of  the  last 

issue  Mr.  E.  Molyneux  wrote  of  the  value  of 
this  fine  plant,  and,  incidentally,  of  the  diffi- 
culty of  defining  whether  or  not  it  should  be 
exhibited  as  "'  an  herbaceous  subject."  True 
herbaceous  plants,  whether  "  stove,"  "  green- 
house," or  "  hardy,"  have  nothing  more  than 
"annual"  stems,  which  perish  after  they  have 
flowered.  Thus  it  is  clear  that  no  plant  having 
persistent  stems  maturing  "  eyes  "  or  "  buds  " 
which  are  capable  of  flowering  a  second  year 
can  be  regarded  as  herbaceous.  The  Romneya 
has,  therefore,  no  more  claim  to  be  classed  in 
a  competitive  group  of  "herbaceous  plants" 
than  has  the  "tree"  Pasonv,  P.  Moutan.  while 
P.  albiflora  and  others  are  strictly  "  herba- 
ceous." Many  years  ago  the  Royal  Botanic 
Society  of  London  arranged  classes  in  their  ex- 
hibition schedule  for  "  stove  "  heibaceous  and 
"  hardy "  herbaceous  species.  It  mattered  not 
whether  the  plant  exhibited  was  a  diminutive 
Alpine,  a  bulbous,  or  tuberous-rooted  subject,  or 
what  not,  so  long  as  its  flower-stems  were  not 
persistent  and  capable  of  a  second-year's  growth. 
If  compilers  of  schedules,  judges,  and 
flower  show  committees  would  bear  this  in 
mind,  any  difficulty  in  determining  the  point 
would  be  minimised.  The  Romneya  generally, 
so  far  as  my  experience  goes,  retains  its  de- 
ciduous,   shrubby    character    in    this    country, 


418 


THE     GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


[December  14,  1907. 


north,  south,  or  west ;  but  the  point  I  would 
like  to  emphasise  is  this  :  that,  as  a  deciduous 
shrub  pure  and  simple,  breaking  afresh  and 
flowering  from  the  old  wood  each  year,  this 
handsome  subject  does  itself  bare  justice.  If 
gardeners  generally  would  but  cut  the  plant  to 
a  point  near  the  ground  each  year,  compelling 
it  to  break  into  growth  near  the  base,  and  treat 
the  plant  liberally  in  regard  to  soil-cultivation, 
they  would  soon  find  how  much  better  and  finer 
it  would  flower.  Mr.  Molyneux  shows  that  he 
has  to  some  extent  realised  the  value  of  this 
annual  cutting  down  of  the  plant,  when  he 
advises  "  liquid  manure  for  inducing  vigorous 
growths  to  push  from  the  base  of  the  plant ; 
such  shoots  as  these  producing  the  finest 
flowers."  If  these  fine  flowers  are  possible  with 
a  plant  already  carrying  numerous  shoots 
above,  how  much  better  should  the  flowering 
prove  where  a  systematic  pruning  is  carried  out 
year  by  year?  In  gardens  in  Sussex,  the  Isle 
of  Wight,  and  other  places,  this  annual  cutting 
down  has  been  practised  for  years  past.  This 
vigorous  mulching  of  decayed  manure  should  be 
afforded  the  roots  each  year.  In  northern  gar- 
dens the  species  should  be  given  the  warmest 
position  available,  while  in  the  more  southern 
districts  it  may  be  planted  in  any  position  that 
has  ordinary  shelter  from  the  north  and  east. 
E.   11.  Jenkins,  Hampton  Hill. 

Eucalyptus  ficifolia. — I  read  with  interest 
the  note  on  this  plant  (p.  376).  I  have  never  seen 
a  tree  of  this  species  growing  in  England,  but 
have  often  thought  that  were  it  better  known  it 
would  become  popular.  As  a  foliage  plant  it  is 
equal  to  the  best  of  the  other  species  of  Eucalyptus 
in  cultivation,  but,  in  addition,  it  is  one  of  the 
most  gorgeous  of  flowering  plants.  A  tree  usually 
flowers  for  the  first  time  when  from  7  to  10 
years  old.  The  habit  is  not  tall  when  compared 
to  many  of  the  other  species,  an  adult  plant  being 
from  12  to  IS  feet  high,  very  bushy  and  shapely.  I 
have  seen  several  seedling  forms  which  have  for 
the  most  part  flowers  of  a  lighter  hue,  some  even 
approaching  to  a  cream  colour.  Hairy  Rabjohn, 
Welbeck  Abbey,  Worksop.  [We  were  wrongly  in- 
formed as  to  the  tree  flowering  out-of-doors,  and 
are  glad  to  correct  the  error.  Mr.  North-Row 
states  that  the  specimen  is  planted  out,  but  in  the 
border  of  a  cool  greenhouse.  It  could  not  be  in- 
duced to  flower  whilst  growing  in  a  pot. — Ed.] 


SOCIETIES. 

ROYAL    HORTICULTURAL. 

December  10. — The  meeting  on  Tuesday  last 
was  smaller  than  usual,  but  some  pretty  exhibits 
were  seen,  including  several  good  displays  of 
Carnations.  Exhibits  of  fruit  were  rather  more 
numerous  than  usual.  Novelties  were  forth- 
coming in  all  the  sections.  The  Orchid  Com- 
mittee recommended  one  First-Class  Certifi- 
cate, one  Botanical  Certificate,  and  five  Awards 
of  Merit:  the  Floral  Committee  conferred  an 
Award  of  Merit  on  Montanoa  bipinnatifida  ;  and 
the  Fruit  and  Vegetable  Committee  gave  a 
similar  award  to  a  new   Pear. 

At  the  three  o'clock  meeting  of  the  Fellows 
a  lecture  on  "  Fungous  Diseases  of  Plants  "  was 
delivered  by  Mr.  E.  S.  Salmon. 

Floral  Committee. 

Present:  H.  B.  May,  Esq.  (in  the  chair),  and 
Messrs.  C.  T.  Druery,  Geo.  Nicholson,  Jno. 
Green,  Jas.  Walker,  G.  Reuthe,  J.  F.  McLeod, 
W.  Howe,  C.  Blick,  J.  Jennings,  W.  Bam,  C. 
Dixon,  R.  W.  Wallace,  H.  J.  Cutbush,  C.  F. 
Pearson,  C.  E.  Shea,  Jas.  Douglas,  W.  Cuth- 
bertson,  W.  P.  Thomson,  H.  J.  Jones,  and  E.  H. 
Jenkins. 

A  choice  exhibit  of  Carnations  was  shown  by 
Cecil  F.  Raphael,  Esq.,  Porters  Park,  Shenley, 
Herts,  (gr.  Mr.  A.  Grubb).  They  were  shown 
as  pot  plants,  and  although  not  excessively  flow- 
ered, they  were  noteworthy  on  account  of  the 
season  of  exhibiting  them.  A  batch  of  the 
scarlet  Britannia  occupied  the  centre  of  the 
exhibit,  which  also  included  many  of  the 
Souvenir  de  la  Malmaison  type  of  the  variety 
Princess  of  Wales.   (Silver-Gilt  Banksian  Medal.) 

An  exhibit  of  paintings  of  floral  subjects  was 
displayed  by  Mrs.  E.  Lugard,  51,  Prince  of 
Wales  Mansions,  Batte  :a  Park,  London, 
S.W.    The  pictures  were  faithful  representations 


of  Orchids  and  many  South  African  flowers,  the 
floral  details  being  especially  well  reproduced. 
(Silver-Gilt   Flora  Medal.) 

Messrs.  H.  Caxnell  &  Sons,  Swanley,  Kent, 
displayed  vases  of  Zonal  Pelargoniums  of  excep- 
tional size  and  quality.  They  made  a  brignt 
show  of  colouring,  and  included  most  of  the 
best  varieties  of  this  popular  subject.  The  latest 
novelties  included  Lucania  (cerise  and  orange), 
Lusitania  (magenta),  and  Arabic  (scarlet). 
(Silver  Flora  Medal.) 

Messrs.  H.  B.  May  &  Sons,  Upper  Edmonton, 
London,  N.,  staged  a  pretty  exhibit  of  Begonias, 
Euphorbia  jacqi.iniaeflora,  and  Euphorbia  (Poin- 
settia)  pulcherrima.  Each  subject  formed  a 
semi-circle,  the  central  and  largest  one  of  E. 
jacquiniaeflora  being  separated  from  those  on 
either  side  by  a  row  of  Nephrolepis  and  other 
Ferns.  The  Begonias  were  of  the  variety  Mrs. 
L.  de  Rothschild.     (Silver  Flora  Medal.) 

Messrs.  James  Veitch  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  King's 
Road,  Chelsea,  again  staged  an  exhibit  of  Be- 
gonias of  the  semi-tuberous  varieties,  also 
Jacobinias,  Leonotis  Leonurus,  and  Exacum 
macranthum.  The  fragrant,  pink-coloured  Lu- 
culia  gratissima  was  also  shown  in  a  batch  of 
plants  finely  flowered,  the  whole  group  being 
relieved  with  Ferns  and  Palms.  (Silver-Gilt 
Banksian  Medal.) 

Messrs.  W.  Cutbush  &  Son,  Highgate,  Lon- 
don, N.,  staged  a  very  large  number  of  dwarf 
plants  of  Citrus  Aurantium,  of  the  variety 
known  as  Otaheite  Orange.  Interspersed  in  the 
group  were  berried  plants — Skimmia  japonica, 
Ardisia  primulaefolia,  Pernettya  mucronata, 
&c,  with  Daphne  japonica,  Ophiopogon  Jabu- 
ran,  Ferns,  Palms,  &c.  (Silver  Banksian 
Medal.) 

Messrs.  Hugh  Low  &  Co.,  Royal  Nurseries, 
Bush  Hill  Park,  Enfield,  staged  a  very  fine  ex- 
hibit of  Carnations  of  the  winter-flowering  type. 
The  collection  embraced  most  of  the  best  of 
the  American  raised  varieties,  including  Mrs. 
Lawson,  Enchantress,  Harlowarden,  Perfection, 
and  its  white  variety — the  last-named  being  re- 
markably fine — lVc.  There  were  also  many  new- 
sorts,  the  best  of  which  was  labelled  Aristocrat. 
The  colour  of  this  variety  is  a  cerise-pink,  and 
the  flower  has  commendable  form.  Other  new 
kinds  were  Winsor  (rose-pink),  Mauvina 
Imauve),  and  Beacon  (scarlet).  Adjoining  the 
Carnations  was  a  batch  of  Euphorbia  jacquiniae- 
flora,  and  on  an  adjoining  table  pans  of  Cycla- 
men— Low's  Salmon.     (Silver  Flora  Medal:) 

H.  J.  King,  Esq.,  Eastwell  Park,  Ashford, 
Kent  (gr.  Mr.  J.  G.  Weston),  showed  vases  of 
Carnations  relieved  with  Grasses,  Asparagus 
Sprengeri,  Fern-fronds,  &c.  (Silver  Banksian 
Medal.) 

Messrs.  W.  Bull  &  Sons,  King's  Road,  Chel- 
sea, exhibited  a  number  of  ornamental-leaved 
plants  of  exotic  species  as  a  setting  to  their  ex- 
hibit of  Orchids.     (Silver  Banksian  Medal.) 

Messrs.  W.  Wells  &  Co.,  Merstham,  Surrey, 
showed  single,  thread-petalled  and  other  Chry- 
santhemums. 

Award  of  Merit. 

Montanoa  bipinnatifida. — This  is  a  Mexican 
species  of  the  natural  order  Compositae,  and  has 
large  and  handsome  bipinnate  leaves  that  have 
caused  the  plant  to  be  used  in  this  country  for 
sub-tropical  gardening  in  summer.  In  the 
Gardeners'1  Chronicle  for  February  24,  1906,  p. 
123,  there  was  published  an  illustration 
depicting  the  species  in  flower  in  the 
sunny  climate  of  Bordighera.  Until  Tues- 
day last  we  do  not  remember  to  have  seen 
M.  bipinnatifida  in  flower  in  this  country. 
Messrs.  Paul  &  Son,  Cheshunt,  exhibited  on 
the  occasion  mentioned  a  group  of  plants  in 
pots,  the  specimens  varying  from  2  feet  to  5  feet 
in  height.  One  of  the  plants  then  shown  was 
photographed,  and  is  now  reproduced  at  fig.  172. 
The  illustration,  whilst  affording  an  excellent 
picture  of  the  flowers,  fails  to  show  the  orna- 
mental leaves.  The  ray  florets  were  pure  white 
on  Messrs.  Paul's  specimen,  but  this  species 
has  usually  been  described  as  yellow.  The  in- 
florescences in  some  cases  bore  23  flowers,  each 
having  a  diameter  of  3  inches.  Cultivators  may 
be  recommended  to  give  the  species  a  trial  as 
a  pot  plant  for  flowering  in  large,  moderately 
heated  conservatories. 

Orchid  Committee. 

Present :  J.  Gurney  Fowler,  Esq.  (in  the 
Chair)  ;    and   Messrs.   Jas.    O'Brien    (hon.    sec), 


Harry  J.  Veitch,  De  B.  Crawshay,  W.  Cobb, 
W.  Bolton,  F.  M.  Ogilvie,  H.  Little,  W.  P. 
Bound,  J.  Charlesworih,  A.  A.  McBean,  A. 
Dye,  F.  J.  Hanbury,  W.  H.  Young,  H.  G.  Alex- 
ander,  T.  W.  Bond,  H.  A.  Tracy,  H.  Ballan- 
tine,  F.  J.  Thorne,  W.  H.  White,  I.  W.  Potter, 
C.  J.  Lucas,  G.  F.  Moore,  and  W.  A.  Bilney. 

G.  F.  Moore,  Esq.,  Chardwar,  Bourton-on- 
the-Water  (gr.  Mr.  Page),  staged  a  magnificent 
group,  extending  the  entire  width  of  the  hall  and 
including  some  500  splendidly-grown  and  finely- 
flowered  specimens,  many  of  them  with  a  lar^e 
number  of  flowers.  The  Cypripediums,  for  which 
the  Chardwar  collection  is  noted,  mace  the  body 
of  the  group.  These  were  broken  up  at  intervals 
by  graceful  arrangements  of  the  yellow  On- 
cidium  varicosum,  the  rose  and  white  Dendro- 
bium  Phalaenopsis  Schroderianum,  and  the 
bright-red  Epidendrum  O'Briemanum,  the 
whole  being  very  skilfully  arranged  with 
Palms,  Crotons,  &c.,  and  carpeted  with  green 
moss,  so  that  none  of  the  pots  were  visible. 
About  150  distinct  varieties  of  Cypripedium  in- 
signe  were  in  the  group,  the  centre  of  which 
was  filled  with  all  the  best  yellow  varieties  of 
that  species.  One  specimen  of  C.  insigne  Hare- 
field  Hall  bore  12  flowers  and  eight  seed  cap- 
sules ;  C.  i.  Commander-in-Chief,  C.  i.  Bohn- 
hoffianum,  C.  i.  Agatha,  and  the  charming  C.  l. 
majesticum  were  noted  as  specially  fine;  among 
the  many  varieties  of  C.  Leeanum,  C.  L.  Coro- 
net was  remarkable  for  the  fine  shape  of  its- 
white  dorsal  sepal,  which,  in  a  great  degree, 
resembles  that  of  the  unique  C.  L.  J.  Gurney 
Fowler.  C.  Blanche  Moore  was  a  very  hand- 
some and  finely-formed  variety ;  the  forms  of 
C.  Actaeus  were  many  and  good  ;  C.  Miss  Louisa 
Fowler  magnificum,  a  very  attractively-coloured 
bloom  ;    C.  concolor,  C.   Memoria  Moensii,  and 

C.  triumphans,  C.  Maudiae,  and  most  of  the  best 
Cypripediums  of  the  season  were  well  repre- 
sented. The  Society's  Gold  Medal  was  awarded 
for  the  group. 

Major  G.  L.  Holford,  C.V.O.,  CLE.,  Wes- 
tonbirt  (gr.  Mr.  H.  G.  Alexander),  showed 
Cypripedium  Earl  of  Tankerville  (exul  X  nitens 
Sanders  variety)  ;  the  pretty  rose-tinted  Cattleya 
Cyril  (Harrisoniana  X  Percivaliana)  and  three 
fine  novelties.      (See  Awards.) 

Messrs.  Cypher  &  Sons,  Cheltenham,  were 
awarded  a  Silver  Flora  Medal  for  a  bright  and 
effectively-arranged  group,  the  centre  oi  which 
was  made  up  of  good  Odontoglossum  crispum, 
Laelia  anceps  Amesiana  and  Schroderae,  Calan- 
the  Veitchii,  and  other  Calanthes ;  Oncidium 
ornithorhynchum,  Dendrobium  Phalaenopsis 
Schroderianum,   and    the   rich  purplish-crimson 

D.  Statterianum.  On  each  side  were  fine  selec- 
tions of  Cypripedium  insigne  in  great  variety, 
C.  Leeanum,  C.  Euryades,  C.  Maudias,  and 
other  good  hybrids  ;  some  bright  Masdevallias, 
&c. 

F.  Du  Cane  Godman,  Esq.,  South  Lodge, 
Horsham  (gr.  Mr.  Moody),  was  awarded  a  Silver 
Flora  Medal  for  an  excellent  group,  the  centre 
of  which  was  brightened  with  many  sprays  of 
the  bright  rose-pink  Calanthe  Veitchii,  the 
white  and  crimson  C.  vestita,  and  other  Calan- 
thes arranged  round  a  good  specimen  of  the 
singular  Angraecum  sesquipedale.  At  the  ends 
of  the  group  good  Laelia  anceps,  Vanda  cceru- 
lea,  some  excellent  Cypripediums,  the  pretty 
Little  yellow  Oncidium  cheirophorum,  the  rose- 
coloured  O.  ornithorhynchum,  &c,  were  ar- 
ranged. 

Messrs.  Charlesworth  &  Co.,  lleaton, 
Bradford,  secured  a  Silver  Banksian  Medal  for 
an  interesting  group,  in  which  were  an  unusual 
number  of  rare  species.  Among  them  were  a 
superb  form  of  Oncidium  bicallosum,  with  larye 
wax-like  flowers,  the  sepals  and  petals  tinged 
with  chestnut  brown,  and  the  huge  labellum 
clear  yellow  ;  the  curious  dwarf  Zygopetalum 
Murrayanum,  with  apple-green  sepals  and 
petals  and  white  lip  with  red  lines  at  the  base; 
the  elegant  white  Ionopsis  paniculata,  Platyclinis 
Cobbiana,  with  many  graceful  spikes,  Ccelogyne 
sulphurea,  some  fine  plants  of  the  handsome 
Trichopilia  suavis,  Gomesa  planifolia,  several 
Bulbophyllums,  including  the  whitish  form  of 
the  African  B.  flavidum,  known  as  B.  Drallei  ; 
several  Lycastes,  &c,  and  among  hybrids  the 
rare   Cynorchis   Kewensis. 

Messrs.  Hugh  Low  &  Co.  were  awarded  a  Sil- 
ver Banksian  Medal  for  a  group  in  which  were 
some  fine  forms  of  Odontoglossum  crispum,  in- 
cluding the  handsomely-blotched  O.  c.  Lindemi 


December  14,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


419 


and  O.  c.  Cooksonii.  Others  noted  were  Cypri- 
pedium  Mrs.  Tautz,  C.  insigne  bisepalum,  good  ; 
C.  niveum,  Oncidium  ormthorhynchum  album, 
Dendrobium  Goldiei,  Spathoglottis  Lobbii, 
Cymbidium  Tracyanum,  Gongora  quinquenervis 
and  Laelio-Cattleya  luminosa. 

Messrs.  Armstrong  &  Brown,  Tunbridge 
Wells,  were  awarded  a  Silver  Banksian  Medal 
for  a  group  of  excellent  Cypripediums,  the  best 
of  which  was  C.  Armstrongiae  (nitens  G.  S. 
Ball's  variety  X  Charlesworthii),  a  charming 
soft-tinted  flower,  showing  much  of  C.  Charles- 
worthii, but  improved  in  size  and  shape.  The 
large  white  dorsal  sepal  was  suffused  with  pale 
rose,  having  a  bronzy  shade  at  the  base,  the 
petals  and  lip  being  yellow,  ting-ed  with  purple. 


E.  Roberts,  Esq.,  Park  Lodge,  Eltham  (gr. 
Mr.  Garr),  showed  Cypripedium  Lorna  (Leea- 
num  Clinkaberryanum  X  villosum),  and  C. 
Charlesianum  superbum,  both  good  flowers. 

Sir  Jeremiah  Colman,  Bart.,  Gatton  Park, 
Reigate  (gr.  Mr.  W.  P.  Bound),  showed  Cirrho- 
petalum  refractum  with  three  spikes  ;  the  pink- 
coloured  Phaio-Calanthe  Colmanii  rosea  and 
another.     (See  Awards.) 

Drewett  O.  Drewett,  Esq.,  Riding  Mill-on- 
Tyne  (gr.  Mr.  Renwick),  showed  a  select  group 
of  Cypripediums,  among  which  were  several  im- 
provements on  C.  insigne  Chantinii  raised  by 
Mr.  Drewett.  Also  C.  Actaeus  superbum, 
which    had    previously    secured    an    Award    of 


Messrs.  Heath  &  Son,  Cheltenham,  showed 
Cypripediums,  the  best  of  which  was  the  very 
fine  C.  insigne  Kathleen  Corser. 

Monsieur  Mertens,  Mont  St.  Amand,  Ghent, 
showed  some  fine  hybrid  Odontoglossums. 

F.  Menteith  Ogilvie,  Esq.,  The  Shrubbery, 
Oxford  (gr.  Mr.  Balmforth),  showed  a  good 
Cypripedium  Clio,  and  another  hybrid  resem- 
bling C.  insigne. 

H.  J.  Bromilow,  Esq.,  Rann  Lea,  Rainhill, 
Lancashire  (gr.  Mr.  Morgan),  sent  Cypripedium 
Gaston  Bultel  var.  King  Edward,  with  a  bright 
rose-purple  tint  on  the  dorsal  sepal  ;  C.  Olive, 
C.  Actaeus,  Rann  Lea  variety,  C.  Fulshawense, 
and  C.  Fairrieanum,  Rann  Lea  variety,  a  very 
fine  form,  with  unusually  large  dorsal  sepal. 


172. MONTANOA    BIPINNATIFIDA    AS    EXHIBITED    BY    MESSRS.    PAUL    AND    SONS    .'.  T    THE    R.H.S.    MEETING 

ON    TUESDAY    LAST:     FLOWtKS    WHITE. 


The  parents  of  this  fine  hybrid  were  also  shown, 
together  with  a  selection  of  other  Cypripediums. 
Francis  Wellesley,  Esq.,  Westfield,  Wok- 
ing (gr.  Mr.  Hopkins),  sent  Cypripedium  Thalia 
giganteum  ;  the  new  and  pretty  Laelio-Cattleya 
Minnie  (Exoniensis  x  aurea),  and  Cypripedium 
insigne  "  Francis  Wellesley,"  about  which 
opinions  were  divided  as  to  whether  it  was  an 
abnormally  fine  C.  insigne  Harefield  Hall,  or  a 
distinct  and  better  variety  of  the  same  class. 
As  it  is  from  a  different  importation,  the  latter 
is  the  more  probable. 


Merit ;  C.  A.  Purity,  C.  insigne  Monkholm*, 
and  C.  i.   Monarch. 

H.  W.  Perry,  Esq.,  Hillthorp,  Upper  N<  1- 
wood  (gr.  Mr.  Buckingham),  staged  a  nice  group 
of  well-grown  plants,  which  included  varieties 
of  Cypripedium  insigne  and  C.  Leeanum, 
one  of  the  prettiest  of  the  latter  being  the  Hill- 
thorp variety ;  good  Lselia  anceps,  Lycaste 
Skinneri,  Oncidium  tigrinum,  &c. 

Messrs.  Edgar  &  Co.,  South  Woodford,  sent  a 
selection  of  varieties  of  Cypripedium  insigne, 
and  several  hybrids. 


H.   S.   Goodson,  Esq.,   Fairlawn,   Putney  (gr. 
Mr.  Day),  sent  four  good  hybrid  Cypripediums. 

AWARDS. 
First-Class  Certificate. 
Sophro-Cattleya  eximia,  Fowler's  variety  [S. 
grandiflora  x  C.  Bowringiana),  from  J.  Gurney 
Fowler,  Esq.,  Glebelands,  South  Woodford  (gr. 
Mr.  J.  Davis). — The  perfection  of  a  dwarf  and 
compact-growing  Orchid,  with  large  and  bril- 
liantly-coloured flowers.  The  scape  bore  two 
flowers  ;  all  the  segments  were  broad,  the  sepals 


4^0 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[December  14,  1907. 


and  petals  of  a  glowing  mauve-crimson,  chang- 
ing in  hue  with  varying  light.  Lip  yellow  at  the 
fcasa,  lined  with  red,  front  ruby-red. 

Award  of  Merit. 

Lalia-Cattleya  Bcrthc  Fournier  var.  ligrina, 
from  Major  G.  L.  Holford,  C.V.O.,  CLE.  (gr. 
Mr.  H.  G.  Alexander). — A  novel  addition  to  the 
fine  Westonbirt  hybrids  raised  between  L.-C.  ele- 
gans  and  C.  Dowiana  aurea.  The  flower  had 
sepals  arid  petals  of  the  colour  of  old  gold,  deli- 
cately flushed  with  reddish-rose.  The  lip  was 
carmine  crimson,  with  gold  lines  at  the  base. 

Brasso-Cattleya  Siren  (B.  Digbyana  x  C. 
Siinnerl),  from  Major  G.  L.  Holford. — A 
charming  hybrid,  with  the  growth  resembling 
Cattleya  Skiuneri,  and  with  flowers  of  good  size 
and  shape,  bright  rose,  with  white  base  to  the 
fringed  lip,  and  white  column. 

Cypripedium  Beryl  (Mrs.  Mostyn  X  Beck- 
manni\,  from  Major  G.  L.  Holford. — A  hand- 
some flower,  nearest  to  C.  Beckmanni,  and  of 
very  fine  substance.  The  flower,  which  has  a 
glossy  surface,  had  the  dorsal  sepal  emerald 
green,  heavily  blotched  with  blackish  purple,  the 
margin  being  white.  The  broad  petals  and  lip 
were  pale  greenish  yellow,  tinged  and  marked 
with  mahogany  red. 

Cypripedium  Fairrieanum  Black  Prince,  from 
Messrs.  Sander  &  Sons,  St.  Albans. — A  great 
many  varieties  of  this  beautiful  Cypripedium 
have  bloomed  in  gardens  out  of  the  recent  impor- 
tations, but  none  have  approached  this  form  in 
beauty  and  in  the  extraordinary  colouring  of  its 
dorsal  sepal,  the  greater  part  of  whose  surface  is 
taken  up  by  the  broad  bands  of  dark  purplish 
crimson  which  follow  the  veining,  only  a  small 
proportion  of  the  clear  white  ground  colour  ap- 
pearing through  the  dark  network.  The  rest  of 
the  flower  is  also  finely  formed  and  unusually 
dark  in  colour. 

Cypripedium  insigne  ■  Gwyncdd  [insigne  Wal- 
lacei  X  insigne  var.),  from  Drewett  O. 
Drewett,  Esq.  (gr.  Mr.  Renwick). — A  remark- 
able variety,  with  fine  dorsal  sepal,  spotted  with 
purple  and  rose,  as  in  some  of  the  lighter  forms 
of  C.  Euryades. 

Bi  n  ixicax  Certificate. 

Cirrhopctalum  retusiusculum,  from  Sir  Jere- 
miah Colman,  Bart.  (gr.  Mr.  Bound). — A  very 
pretty  species,  with  elegant,  one-sided  heads  of 
yellow  flowers,  spotted  and  tinged  with  red. 

Fruit  and  Vegetable  Committee. 

Present:  Geo.  Bunyard,  Esq.  (chairman),  and 
Messrs.  \V.  Bates,  George  Woodward,  Alex. 
Dean,  Geo.  Keif,  W.  Pope,  W.  Fyfe,  A.  R. 
Allan,  JI.  Parr,  'II.  Markham,  Ed.  Beckett,  Thos. 
Coomber,  Jos.  Davis,  Jno.  Lyne,  Geo.  Reynolds, 
Owen  Thomas',  P.  D.  Tuckett,  J.  Jaques,  J. 
Mclndoe,  W.   Poupart,  and  A.  H.  Pearson. 

A  meritorious  exhibit  of  Apples  and  Pears  was 
shown  from  the  gardens  of  Viscount  Enfield, 
Wrotham  Par];,  Barnet  (gr.  Mr.  H.  Markham).  A 
few  bunches  of  Grapes  were  arranged  in  the 
centre,  and  these  included  Muscat  of  Alexandria, 
Black  Alicante,  and  Appley  Towers.  The 
Apples  and  Pears  were  of  choice  quality,  notable 
dishes  being  those  of  (Apples)  The  Queen, 
Allington  Pippin,  Baumann's  Red  Winter  Rein- 
ette,  Cox's  Orange  Pippin,  Bramley's  Seedling, 
Harvey's  Wiltshire  Defiance,  Round  Winter 
Nonsuch,  and  (Pears)  Glou  Morceau,  Soldat  La- 
boureur,  Nouvelle  Fulvie,  and  Josephine  de 
Malines.     (Silver  Knightian  Medal.) 

Five  excellent  Pineapples  of  the  varieties 
Charlotte  Rothschild  and  Smooth  Cayenne  were 
displayed  by  Lord  Llangattock,  The  Hendre, 
Monmouth  (gr.  Mr.  Thos.  Coomber).  In  these 
days  when  the  culture  of  the  Pineapple  has 
largely  diminished,  it  was  pleasing  to  see  such 
superb  examples  of  this  luscious  fruit.  (Silver- 
Gilt  Knightian  Medal.) 

Sir  \\  i  ii  man  Pearson,  Bart.,  M.P.,  Paddock- 
burst,  Sussex  (gr.  Mr.  A.  B.  Wadds),  exhibited  a 
box  of  Lye's  Early  Gem  Tomato.  The  bunches 
of  fruits  were  shown  complete  in  order  to 
demonstrate  the  excellent  cropping  qualities  of 
this  variety  in  the  winter.  Some  of  the  clusters 
had  nine  large  fruits. 

An  interesting  exhibit  of  Grapes  was  shown 
from  the  gardens  of  the  Earl  of  Har- 
rincton,  Elvaston  Castle,  Derby  (gr.  Mr. 
J.  II.  Coodacre).  The  exhibit  included 
five  different  types  of  the  variety  Muscat 
of     Alexandria,     all     from     the     same     vinery 


The  largest  bunches  were  those  labelled  Bowood 
type,  but  these  were  not  the  finest  in  colour. 
Those  of  the  Glamis  type  were  the  richest  in 
colouring ;  those  labelled  Elvaston  type  were 
long,  narrow  bunches.  The  Tynninghame  and  the 
Charleville  types  were  both  heavily  "shouldered" 
bunches.  Other  Grapes  shown  by  this  celebrated 
cultivator  included  Gros  Colmar ;  one  bunch, 
although  lacking  somewhat  in  colour,  was  in  all 
other  respects  a  very  fine  example.  (Silver 
Knightian  Medal.) 

Messrs.  Geo.  Massey  &  Sons,  Spalding,  filled 
a  long  table  with  varieties  of  Potatos.  Displayed 
in  neat  baskets,  the  well-washed  tubers,  clear  of 
skin  and  uniform  in  size,  attracted  considerable 
attention.  The  collection  embraced  85  distinct 
varieties.     (Silver  Banksian  Medal.) 

Messrs.  Sutton  &  Sons,  Reading,  showed  a 
variety  of  Brussels  Sprouts,  having  a  large  ter- 
minal head,  in  one  instance  resembling  a  Savoy 
and  the  other  an  ordinary  Cabbage.  The  stalk 
was  short  and  bore  a  number  of  coarse  Sprouts. 

Award  of  Merit. 
Pear  Beurre  Naghan. — This  is  a  large  variety, 
having  a  smooth,  yellowish-green  skin,  sugges- 
tive of  Glou  Morceau.  It  is,  however,  larger 
and  more  irregular  in  outline  than  that  variety, 
and  the  stalk  is  set  obliquely,  with  an  outgrowth 
on  one  side.  The  flesh  is  white,  melting,  and 
has  an  agreeable  flavour,  being  slightly  aro- 
matic. The  fruits  when  ripe  are  remarkably 
juicy,  with  an  entire  absence  of  grittiness.  The 
largest  fruits  weighed  about  half-a-pound. 
Shown  by  Messrs.  J.  Cheal  &  Sons,  Crawley. 


WINTER-FLOWERING    CARNATION. 

December  11.— The  third  show  of  this  society 
was  held  in  the  gardens  of  the  Royal  Botanic 
Society,  Regent's  Park,  on  the  foregoing  date. 
As  may  be  noted  from  a  perusal  of  the  balance- 
sheet  and  the  list  of  members,  the  society,  con- 
sidering the  short  period  of  time  that  it  has 
been  in  existence,  has  prospered  considerably, 
but  at  present  the  society's  sphere  of  usefulness 
is  somewhat  hindered  owing  to  lack  of  funds. 

Open  Classes. 
In  the  class  for  a  collection  of  cut  blooms  of 
Carnations  occupying  a  table  measuring  10  feet 
by  4  feet,  Mr.  W.  H.  Pack,  Tangley  Nurseries, 
Hampton,  was  awarded  the  1st  prize  for  fresh- 
looking  flowers  shown  in  large  bunches,  loosely 
arranged  in  glass  vases  ranging  from  10  inches 
and  upwards   in  height.     Most  of  the  varieties 
were  of  American  origin,   and  the  flowers  were 
large  in   size,   being   borne  singly   on   tall,   stiff 
steins,  some  of  them  sufficiently  strong  as  to  need 
no  other  support.    The  exhihits  were  pleasingly- 
assorted  as  regarded  the  colours.     We  remarked 
very  fine  blooms  of  White   Perfection,   Mrs.   T. 
W.    Lawson,    My   Maryland    (a   white   flower   of 
much   substance),    Lady   Bountiful   (pure  white, 
whereas  the  previously  named  variety  has  occa- 
sional   crimson-striped   petals),    White   Enchan. 
tress,   and   the  rose-pink   variety   of   that   name, 
Harlowarden,      Winsor      (a      bright      rose-pink 
variety),  Jessica  (a  crimson-flaked  flower),   Gov- 
ernor  Roosevelt    (of   the  same   shade   of   colour 
as    Harlowarden,   but   a   flower   of   larger   size); 
Helen  Gould   (a  massive,   manv-petalled  bloi  in. 
large,  and  a  soft  pink  shade);    and   the  white 
form  of  Mrs.  Lawson.     The  2nd  prize  was  take  i 
by  Mr.  S.  Mortimer,  Swiss  Xursery,  Farnham, 
Surrey,    with    a    smaller    group    of    blooms,    of 
which    the   finer    were    White    Perfection,    Fair 
Maid,   Nelson   Fisher  (a  rich  pinkish  crimson), 
Victory  (a  smooth-edged  scarlet-coloured  bloom 
of    good    build),    The    Belle    (a    loosely-formed 
white     flower,    with    vigorous,    self-supporting 
stalks)  ;    Harry   Fenn,   The  Cardinal,   and   Mrs. 
M.  A.  Patten  (crimson  flake  on  a  white  ground). 

( 'oi  our  Classes. 

The  following  13  classes  were  for  a  specified 
number  of  blooms  of  one  or  nearly  allied  colours 
only.  In  each  instance  there  was  a  larger  class 
for  36  blooms,  and  a  corresponding  smaller 
class  for  18  blooms. 

White.— The  first  was  that  for  36  blooms  of  a 
white  variety,  and  here  the  1st  prize  was  w-on 
by  Mr.  W.  H.  Lancashire,  Guernsey,  for  very 
fine  flowers  of  White  Perfection  ;  2nd,  Mr.  G. 
Lange,  Hampton,  with  White  Perfection;  3rd, 
Mr.  W.  H.  Page,  Tangley  Nurseries,  Hampton. 

In  the  class  for  18  blooms,  the  1st  prize  went 
to    Messrs.    Bell    &    Sheldon,    Guernsey,    for 


Lady  Bountiful ;  2nd,  Mr.  H.  Mathias,  Med- 
stead,  for  White  Enchantress;  3rd,  Mr.  S.  Mor- 
timer,  for  My   Maryland. 

Blush  (thirty-six  blooms). — The  1st  prize  was 
won  by  Mr.  H.  Smith,  Enfield  Highway;  2nd, 
Mr.  W.  H.  Page  ;  3rd,  Mr.  W.  H.  Lancashire. 
lhis  competition  took  place  between  blooms  of 
Enchantress,  high  colour  being  markedly  present 
in  the  flowers  shown  by  the  winner  of  the  1st 
prize. 

For  18  blush  varieties  there  were  five  com- 
petitors, all  of  whom  showed  one  variety — En- 
chantress, the  best  being  those  from  Messrs. 
Bell  &  Sheldon;  2nd,  Mr.  S.  Mortimer;  3rd. 
Mr.  H.  Mathias. 

Salmon  or  light  pink  (thirty-six  blooms).— The 
best  were  shown  by  Mr.  A.  F.  DuTTON,  Iver, 
Bucks,  in  blooms  of  the  variety  Winsor  ;  2nd, 
Mr.  A.  Smith,  Enfield  Highway;  3rd,  Mr.  H. 
Burnett,  with  the  variety  named  after  Mrs.  H. 
Burnett. 

For  18  pink  or  salmon-coloured  varieties — 
1st,  Messrs.  Bell  &  Sheldon,  with  Winsor ; 
2nd,  Mr.  H.  Mathias,  with  rose-pink  Enchan- 
tress. 

Deep  pink  or  rose  (thirty-six  blooms). — Mr. 
W.  H.  Page  was  placed  1st  with  the  variety 
Mrs.  T.  W.  Lawson,  of  which  he  showed  per- 
fect blooms;  2nd,  Mr.  W.  II.  Lancashire. 

For  18  blooms,  one  exhibitor  took  the 
1st  prize  with  Aristocrat,  a  smooth-edged,  neat 
bloom. 

Crimson   (thirty-six  blooms). — In   this   compe- 
tition, Mr.  Dutton  was  1st  with  Harlowarden, 
Mr.  W.  H.  Page  taking  the  2nd  prize  with  Cover-   . 
nor  Roosevelt;  3rd,  Mr.  W.  H.  Lancashire. 

Starlet  (thirty-six  blooms). — In  tl  is  class  there 
were  but  two  competitors,  viz.,  Mr.  A.  Smith, 
Enfield  Highway,  who  secured  the  1st  prize,  and 
Mr.  W.  II.  Lancashire,  who  was  awarded  the 
2nd  prize. 

In  the  smaller  classes  for  crimson,  scarlet,  and 
fancy  flowers  there  were  few  exhibitors,  and  the 
only  blooms  were  the  scarlet  Britannia,  Robert 
Craig,  and  Flamingo  ;  and  Mr.  Mathias's  Helen 
Gould  in  the  fancy  class. 

Any  other  colour  (thirty-six  blooms). — This 
was  a  poorly  filled  class.  The  1st  prize  fell  to 
Mr.  A.  F.  Dutton  for  the  showy  variety  Im- 
perial ;  2nd,  Mr.  Burnett. 

The  special  prize  given  by  Mr.  H.  Burnett 
for  12  blooms  of  Mrs.  H.  Burnett  was  taken  by 
Mr.  W.  H.  Lancashire  ;  and  that  for  Britannia, 
given  by  Mr.  A.  Smith,  Enfield  Highway,  was 
won  by  Messrs.  Bell  &  Sheldon. 

A  vase  of  Carnations  arranged  for  decorative 
effect. — The  1st  prize  in  this  class  was  awarded 
to  Sir  Randolph  Baker,  Blandford  (gr.  A.  E. 
Usher),  for  a  tall,  columnar  glass  vase  having 
pink  Carnations  and  Asparagus  sprays.  The  2nd 
prize  was  awarded  to  Mr.  W.  H.  Lancashire 
for  a  vase  containing  Robert  Craig  and  White 
Perfection,  a  vivid  contrast  of  scarlet  and  white. 

Exhibits  of  sprays  and  buttonhole  bouquets 
were  few,  and  presented  no  new  features. 

Amateurs'   and   Gentlemen's  Gardeners' 
('lasses. 

For  the  best  collection  of  blooms  of  Carnations 
arranged  on  a  table  SX4  feet. — The  1st  prize 
was  won  by  Mr.  A.  E.  Usher  (gr.  Mr.  Bland- 
ford),  whose  flowers  were  of  a  moderate  degree 
of  merit;  2nd,  Mr.  J.  G.  Weston,  Eastwell  Park 
Gardens,  Ashford,  with  dwarf  glasses  filled 
sparsely  with  Carnation  blooms  and  sprays 
of  Asparagus  plumosus. 

The  three-bloom  classes  of  white,  blush, 
salmon,  crimson,  scarlet,  and  fancy  varieties 
found  a  few  competitors  in  each. 

Certificated  Flowers. 
Pose-pink  Enchantress. — A  la-ge  bloom,  rich  in 
its  tint,  and  well  formed.     Its  growth  is  vigor- 
ous, the  bloom  stalk  carrying  the  heavy  bloom 
erect. 

Beacon. — A  variety  of  bright  scarlet  colour, 
and  of  American  origin.  Both  these  new  varie- 
ties were  shown  by  Messrs.  Hugh  Low  &  Co. 

Miscellaneous  Exhibits. 
The  large  Gold  Medal  of  the  Royal  Botanic 
Society  was  awarded  to  Mr.  II.  Burnett  for 
an  extensive  exhibit  of  Carnations,  in  which 
most  of  the  finer  varieties  were  noted,  and  soma 
seedlings,  including  yellow  ground,  flakes,  some 
pleasing  fancies,   and   selfs. 


December  14,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


421 


Mr.  J.  Lange,  nurseryman,  Hampton,  showed 
a  similar  collection  of  varieties,  more  aim  id- 
antly  than  the  foregoing  grower,  and  was 
awarded  a  Silver  Gilt  Medal  of  the  Royal 
Botanic  Society. 

Messrs.  Bell  &  Sheldon,  of  the  Castel  Nur- 
series,   Guernsey,   exhibited   largely   Carnations 
in    vases,   most  of   the  finer  varieties  being  re- 
presented,   and    the     firm     received     the     I 
Botanic  Society's  Gold  Medal. 

Messrs.  John  Peed  &  Son,  West  Norwood, 
contributed  a  small  number  of  blooms,  includ- 
ing some  of  the  varieties  Britannia,  Aristocrat, 
Victory,  Beacon,  Mrs.  M.  A.  Patten,  &c.  An 
award  of  the  K.B.S.  large  Silver  Medal  was 
made. 

Mr.  W.  IIomewood,  nurseryman,  Hampton, 
was  an  exhibitor  of  cut  blooms  of  Carnations  in 
some  quantity,  and  among  them  was  noticed 
Elizabeth,  a  glowing  scarlet-coloured  flow 
regular  form,  and  Rose  IIomewood,  a  ]  i  tty 
cerise  variety. 

A  large  Silver  Medal  was  awarded  to  11 
Hugh  Low  &  Co.  for  a  collection  of  Carnations, 
including  Mikado,  Salmon  Lawson,  Aurora, 
Aristocrat,  Beacon,  Oriflamme,  Enchantresses 
of  several  tints,  Mauviana,  a  rosy-purple  variety 
of  a  new  tint  entirely,  &c. 

Mr.  C.  ENGELMANN,  Horneybrook  Nurseries, 
Saffron  Walden,  was  an  exhibitor  of  Carnati  m 
in  pots,  each  plant  bearing  two  or  three  blooms 
and  a  succession  of  buds.  Many  of  the  blooms 
were  of  extra  large  dimensions.  The  exhibitor 
was  awarded  a  Silver  Gilt  Medal. 


NATIONAL     CHRYSANTHEMUM. 

December  9. — A  meeting  of  the  Executive 
Committee  was  held  on  this  date  at  Carr's 
Restaurant,  Strand,  Mr.  T.  Bevan  presiding. 
Certain  questions  were  submitted  for  adjudica- 
tion by  the  Enfield,  Wimbledon,  and  St.  Ives 
affiliated  societies,  and  decisions  were  given.  A 
proposal  from  Messrs.  Norman  Davis,  Godfrey, 
and  Wells  was  read,  offering  to  contribute  £5 
each  towards  a  class  for  24  cut  blooms  at  next 
year's  show,  providing  the  Society  offered  the 
second  and  third  prizes.  Much  discussion 
ensued  as  to  the  advisability  of  continuing  the 
December  exhibition,  and  the  matter  was  post- 
poned   for   further   consideration. 

The  dates  for  the  1908  shows  were  fixed  as 
follow: — October  7  and  8,  and  November  4,  5, 
and  6;  the  December  event  to  be  settled  later 
if  a  show  is  decided  upon. 

It  was  announced  that  prize  money  to  the 
value  of  £37  10s.  was  awarded  at  the  December 
show,  and  that  all  the  prize  money  won  at  the 
three  shows  would  be  paid  forthwith. 


EXHIBITION   OF   MARKET  VARIETIES. 

December  11.— The  exhibition  of  market 
varieties  of  Chrysanthemum,  held  in  the 
Foreign  Flower  Market,  Covent  Garden,  on  this 
date,  was  more  interesting  than  usual,  although 
the  classes  provided  for  Carnations  were  en- 
tirely unrepresented.  The  entries  in  the  other 
classes  were  numerous,  the  quality  of  the 
blooms  was  excellent,  and  the  varied  colours 
rendered  the  display  most  attractive. 

Class  1  called  for  a  collection  of  market 
Chrysanthemums  in  bunches,  to  fill  a  table 
space  measuring  15  feet  by  3  feet,  and  here  Mr. 
P.  Ladds,  Swanley,  won  premier  honours  for  a 
magnificent  display  of  fine  blooms,  bright  and 
fresh  in  colour,  amongst  which  the  most  promi- 
nent were  Yellow  Victoria,  Matthew  Hodgson, 
Golden  Age,  Mrs.  P.  Thompson,  Negoya, 
Winter  Cheer,  Framfield  Park,  Snowdrift,  and 
Lady  Lennard. 

In  class  2,  for  a  collection  of  blooms  in  a 
space  10  feet  by  3  feet,  Messrs.  Butler  Bros., 
Bexley  Heath,  were  1st,  showing  many  varieties 
with  good  blooms.  Mr.  J.  Tulley,  Enfield, 
was  a  c'ose  2nd  with  fresh,  handsome  blooms. 
3rd,  Mr.  F.  S.  Goundrie,  Dartford,  Kent,  his 
flowers  being  smaller  but  varied  and  brightly 
coloured. 

Single  Chrysanthemums. — These  were  well 
shown  by  Mr.  J.  Tulley,  who  had  the  leading 
prize  for  three  vases,  showing  Mona,  Ryecroft 
Belle,  and  General  Bullough.  In  the  class  for 
a  collection  of  single  Chrysanthemums,  Mr. 
Goundrie  was  given  the  2nd  prize  for  the  best 
■varied  collection. 

Plumed  Chrysanthemums  were  not  shown  in 
great    numbers.     Messrs.     J.    &•     F.    Chatfield 


were  awarded  the  1st  prize  in  the  class  for 
three  vases,  all  of  May  McBean,  a  fine  bronze 
variety. 

In   the  class  for  12  vases  of  market  Chrysan. 
themums,  Mr.   Philip  Ladds,  Swanley,  won  the 
1st  prize,   his  varieties    comprising    Buttercup, 
Mrs.   J.    Thompson,     Negoya,    Mme.    Oberthur, 
Golden   Age,    Mr.     Plodgson,     Framfield     Pi 
Mme.   T.   l'ankoucke,  Mme.    P.    Radaelli, 
drift,  and  Winter  Cheer.     Mr.  R.  Weir,  3,  1      i 
View  Villas,  Enfield  Highway,  followed  clo 
his   best   blooms   being   Mrs.   J.   Thompson   and 
Negoya. 

A  class  was  provided  for  a  collection  of 
market  Chrysanthemums  in  bunches  of  sprays 
not  disbudded,  to  fill  a  table  space  of  15  feet 
by  3  feet.  Mr.  P.  Ladds  won  1st  honours  for  a 
bright  and  varied  arrangement,  the  most  promi- 
nent varieties  being  Germainia,  Yellow  Victoria, 
Ailman's  Yellow,  Kin?  of  the  Plumes,  Ti 
Crimson  Quintus,  Niveum,  Winter  Cheer,  Whit 
Victoria,  Golden  Age,  and  Lizzie  Adcock. 

Three  vases  of  a  yellow  variety. — The  class 
for  three  vases  of  yellow  market  Chrysanthe- 
mums was  a  good  one,  both  in  competition  and 
quality.  Mr.  J.  Tulley,  Rose  Nursery,  Enfield 
was  deservedly  1st  for  three  vases  of 
superb  blooms,  the  best  variety  being  Negoya. 
2nd,  Mr.  R.  WEIR,  with  the  same  variety,  but 
not  quite  such  good  blooms. 

White. — There   was    an  excellent    display   in 
this   class    lor   three   vases    of    a   white    variety. 
Mr.    R.    YYmu    secured    the    1st   prize,    sh 
Guy    Hamilton    in    admirable   form.        Mr.    M. 
Hutching!  ,  Hill  .  was  2nd. 

Bronze.— The  best  three  vases  of  a  bronze 
market  Chrysanthemum  were  shown  by  Mi  P. 
LADDS,  having  Tuxedo  in  excellent  condition. 
Messrs.  J.  Sc  F.  CHATFIELD  weie  2nd  will 
F.  Chatfield,  an  Incurved  Japanese  bloom  of  a 
peculiarly  dull  reddish  tint. 

Pin*.— Mr.  P.  Ladds  was  1  I  foi  three  vases 
of  a  pink  Chrysanthemum,  with  Framfield  Pink 
in  excellent  form.  2nd,  Messrs.  J.  &  F.  Chat- 
field,  Southwick. 

Crimson.— Mi.   R.  Weir  was  awarded  the  ls.t 
for  three   vases  of    crimson     Chrysanthe- 
mums, his  variety  being  Lady  Violet  Beaumont, 
large  and  rich  in  colour.    Mr.  P.  I. adds  followed 
closely  with  Matthew  Hodgson. 

Packed  boxt  I  of  Chrysanthemums. — For  the 
best-packed  two  boxes  of  market  Chrysanthe- 
mums, Mr.  R.  Weir  was  awarded  the  1st  prize, 
showing  3G  blooms  of  Snowdrift  in  ex- 
cellent "form,  and  all  arranged  in  a  large  box  in 
rows  of  four  blooms  each.  Mr.  J.  Tulley  was 
2nd,  showing  Frank  Wilcox  arranged  in  a  more 
compact  way  than  the  preceding  exhibit. 

A  dozen  different  styles  and  varieties  of  pack- 
ing were  shown  in  this  class. 

For  a  table  of  one  variety  of  a  market  Chry- 
santhemum, Mr.  R.  Weir  was  placed  1st  with  a 
grand  display  of  Guy  Hamilton,  Mr.  P.  Ladds 
following  with  Framfield  Pink  in  capital  con- 
dition ;  and  Messrs.  Butler  Bros.,  Bexley 
Heath,  were  3rd  with  the  bronze  Mabel  Butler. 

Plants.— In  the  class  for  a  group  of  pot-grown 
Chrysanthemums,  Mr.  M.  Hutchings,  Hilling- 
don^  Uxbridge,  won  the  leading  prize  for  a  neat 
and  effective  arrangement  of  well-grown  plants. 
Messrs.  Butler  Bros,  were  placed  2nd  with 
good  plants,  but  a  little  too  densely  arranged. 

In  the  class  for  six  plants  of  decorative  Chry- 
santhemums in  pots,  Mr.  M.  Hutchings  was 
adjudged  the  best  exhibitor,  and  Messrs.  Butler 
Bros,  won  the  2nd  prize,  both  showing  plants  of 
a  medium  size  and  in  a  healthy  condition. 

It  is  a  great  advantage  to  have  the  fine 
spacious  hall  of  the  Flower  Market  at  command 
for  the  purpose  of  a  show  like  this,  and  the 
committee  fully  appreciate  the  boon  conferred 
bv  the  market  authorities. 


NATIONAL    SWEET   PEA 

December  6. — The  annual  general  meeting  of 
this  society  was  held  on  this  date  at  the  Hotel 
Windsor,  Westminster.  About  40  of  the  mem- 
bers assembled.  Mr.  Leonard  Sutton,  the 
President,  occupied  the  chair,  and  he  moved 
the  adoption  of  the  yearly  report  and  balance- 
sheet.     We  make  the   following   extracts  :  — 

Report  of  the  Executive   Committee. 

"The  exhibition,  the  Reading  trials,  the  Floral 
Committee's  ■  work,  and  the  new  affiliation 
scheme    have  all  been  eminently  successful. 

Fortunatelv,  the  date  of  the  show  in  1907  was 


later  than  usual,  and  July  16  found  Sweet  Peas 
in  grand  condition  throughout  the  southern 
counties,  so  that  the  display  was  more  extensive 
and  the  flowers  better  than  at  any  previous 
exhibition. 

The  extensive  trials  conducted  at  Reading 
University  College  were  a  great  success,  and 
the  committee  wishes  to  express  its  thanks  to 
the  College  authorities  for  the  opportunity  of 
holding  independent  trials  in  its  grounds,  and 
to  Mr.  Chas.  Foster,  the  Assistant  Director  in 
Horticulture,  for  the  admirable  manner  in  which 
the  Sweet  Peas  were  arranged  and  grown.  If 
the  society  is  to  continue  this  work  on  the  scale* 
that  seems  desirable,  further  assistance  is  neces- 
sary, either  in  the  form  of  voluntary  contribu- 
tions from  raisers  and  others  to  whom  the  trials 
are  of  special  value;  a  charge  for  every  variety 
tested  ;  or  an  increase  of  the  minimum  membei- 
ship  subscription. 

At  the  Royal  Horticultural  Hall  no  fewer  than 
l.'il  varieties  were  placed  before  the  Floral  Com- 
mittee. 

The  following  awards  were  made  by  the  Floral 
Committee  at  the  Royal  Horticultural  Hall,  July 
16: — Award  of  Merit. — To  Elsie  Herbert  (C.  W. 
Breadmore),     Evelyn     Hemus     (Miss     Ilcrnus), 
Nancy  1'erkin  (H.  A.  Perkin),  Rosie  Adam     [T. 
son),   Saint   George  (Hurst  <v   Son),   Silas 
Coif    (S.    Cole),    and    The    Marquis    (Dobbie    & 
Co.).      At   the  Reading  trials,   July   18:      Silvei 
Medal. — To  Saint  George  (Hurst  &  Son),  as  the 
best    novelty   of   the   year.     First   Class    Certifi- 
cate.— To    Saint    George    (Hurst    &    Son),    and 
I   Pierce  (H,   Eckford).     Award  of  Merit. — 
To    Princess    Victoria    (Dobbie    &    Col,    Nora 
i   (Watkins  &  Simpson),   l  i  Ison  (I. 

&  Son),  and  Prince  Olaf  (Dobbie  &  Co.). 

Early  in  the  year  the  hon.  secretary  received 

requests  from  several  societies  for  guidance  in 

uing   Sweet    Pea   classes,   and   for   help  in 

the   shape   of   Silver   Medals.      These  enquiries 

ted     the     desirability     of     an     affiliation 

scheme,  and  22  societies  have  become  affiliated. 

One  of  the  most  pleasing  and  interesting  fea- 
tures of  the  Sweet  Pea  year  was  the  visit  of 
Mr.  W.   Atlee  Burpee,  of  Philadelphia. 

I  '  committee  has  been  greatly  encouraged 
by  fhe  increase  of  membership  during  1907. 
Two  hundred  and  twenty-eight  new  members 
were  added,  and  already  17  others  have  joined 
for  1908.  Allowing  for  losses  by  death  and 
other  causes,  the  total  membership  is  now  602. 

Arrangements  have  been  made  to  hold  the 
London  Show  at  the  Royal  Horticultural  Hall 
on  Friday,  July  24,  1908.  The  committee  fully 
recognises  the  fact  that  this  is  a  late  date,  but 
it  was  impossible  to  obtain  any  date-  between 
July  3  and  July  24,  and  the  latter  was  chosen 
as  most  likely  to  suit  the  majority  of  members. 
In  connection  with  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society  of  Ireland,  an  exhibition  will  be  held 
in  Dublin  on  Wednesday,  August  5,  1908. 

The  sales  of  the  Sweet  Pea  Annual  for-  1907 
amounted  to  about  £21,  as  compared  with 
E15  1 7s.  in  1906. 

The  balance  on  the  year's  working  (£37  14s. 
4d.)  is  smaller  than  in  1906,  but  the  work  accom- 
plished has  been  greater  and  of  more  importance 
than  heretofore." 

The  adoption  of  the  report  was  seconded  by 
Mr.  Geo.  Gordon,  and  supported  by  Mr.  Alex. 
Dean,  who  congratulated  the  society  on  its  ex- 
cellent report.  The  next  business  was  the  elec- 
tion of  officers  for  the  ensuing  year.  Mr.  W. 
Cuthbertson,  one  of  the  two  promoters  of  the 
bi-centenary  exhibition  of  the  Sweet  Pea  held 
at  the  Crystal  Palace  in  1900,  was  elected  presi- 
dent ;  Mr.  Ernest  J.  Edwards,  chairman  of 
committee.  Mr.  C.  H.  Curtis  was  re-elecied 
secretary  amid  great  enthusiasm,  and  he  was 
asked  to  accept  a  sum  of  £25  as  an  honorarium 
for  his  services  during  the  past  year.  The 
committee  was  also  elected,  vacancies  being 
filled  by  the  election  of  Messrs.  Walter  P.  Wright, 
T.  Stevenson,  Herbert  Smith,  Leonard  Sutton, 
John  Shaw,  A.  G.  Stark,  Commander  Hum- 
phries, E.  King,  and  Martin  Hitc'iin. 

A  gold  medal,  suitably  inscribed,  was  pre- 
sented to  Mr.  Chas.  Foster  for  his  serviees  in 
conducting  the  trials  in  University  College  Gar- 
dens, Reading. 

Mr.  Robert  Sydenham  proposed  the  holding 
of  the  show  on  two  days  instead  of  on  one  as 
at  present.  The  arrangements  for  190B  being 
already  fixed,  it  was  considered  impossible  to 
hold  a  two  days'  show  next  year,  but  the  sub- 
ject  was   referred   to   the   Executive   Committee 


4'J2 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[December  14,  1907. 


to  consider  for  the  1909  show.  In  this  connec- 
tion the  question  of  replenishing  the  vases  with 
fresii  flowers  on  the  second  day  was  considered, 
but  'the  general  opinion  was  that  growers  at  a 
distance  would  be  at  a  disadvantage,  and  that 
it  should  not  be  permitted. 

Mr.  Cuthbertson  advocated  that  the  chairman 
of  the  Floral  Committee  should  also  be,  ex 
officio,  a  member  of  the  Executive  Committee, 
and  this  was  decided  upon. 

Mr.  Cuthbertson  appealed  for  more  members 
and  increased  funds  to  enable  the  society  to  con- 
duct further  experiments  and  to  increase  the  re- 
muneration to  the  hon.  secretary.  lie  advo- 
cated an  American  membership,  with  a  dollar 
subscription.  The  question  of  new  varieties 
was  a  serious  one,  and  would  prove  a  curse 
instead  of  a  blessing  unless  the  society  exer- 
cised its  authority  in  regard  to  their  regulation. 


NATIONAL   POTATO. 

December  10. — The  annual  genera  meeting 
of  this  society  was  held  in  the  Hotel  Windsor 
on  the  above  date,  and  it  proved  to  be  the  last 
that  will  be  held  under  these  auspices.  The 
committee's   report  was  as   follows:  — 

"  In  accordance  with  a  resolution  passed  at 
the  last  annual  meeting,  a  provincial  show  was 
arranged  at  the  South-Eastem  Agricultural  Col- 
lege at  Wye,  on  October  2,  under  the  direction 
of  Mr.  W.  P.  Wright,  the  horticultural  superin- 
tendent of  that  institution.  The  entries  in  the 
34  classes  numbered  about  250,  and  throughout 
the  show  a  very  high  standard  of  excellence 
was  reached,  evoking  the  unstinted  praise  of 
the  many  visitors.  The  reports  in  the  horticul- 
tural and  county  Press  testified  to  the  splendid 
quality  of  the  exhibits.  A  new  departure, 
which  thoroughly  justified  its  introduction,  was 
a  series  of  county  vegetable  competitions  for 
prizes  kindly  offered  by  Kent  nurserymen,  and 
in  this  section  there  was  also  a  meritorious  dis- 
play of  produce. 

"  In  the  afternoon  there  was  a  large  attend- 
ance of  members  in  the  lecture-room  at  a  con- 
ference, over  which  Mr.  J.  K.  Dunstan,  the 
principal,  presided,  and  to  whose  cordial  co- 
operation the  committee  are  greatly  indebted 
in  arranging  the  show.  An  informative  lantern 
lecture  on  '  Potato  Diseases  '  was  given  by  Mr. 
E.  S.  Salmon,  F.L.S.,  followed  by  a  useful 
discussion. 

"  The  committee  have  been  able  to  continue 
the  valuable  series  of  trials  at  the  Cambridge 
University  farm  at  Impington,  under  the  able 
direction  of  Mr.  H.  Henshaw.  Ten  varieties 
have  been  included  in  the  major  trials,  and  four 
in  the  minor  trials.  The  trials  arranged  in  the 
local  centres  have  been  for  the  purpose  of  test- 
ing the  effects  of  planting  diseased  seed,  mature 
and  immature  seed,  and  sprouted  and  un- 
sprouted  tubers. 

"  During  the  year  the  society  has  been  able 
to  render  a  practical  service  in  the  dissemina- 
tion of  information  bearing  on  Potato  culture, 
i.i  response  to  enquiries  received  from  various 
parts  of  the  Empire. 

"  Although  a  successful  year's  work  has  been 
accomplished,  after  careful  consideration  the 
committee  have  come  to  the  conclusion  that  it 
is  not  advisable  to  continue  the  society  i:i  Us 
•present  constitution.  A  resolution  is  to  be  pro- 
posed formally  dissolving  the  society,  with  a 
view  to  considering  the  possibility,  at  a  future 
date,  of  forming  a  new  society  which  will  in- 
clude all  vegetables  within  the  scope  of  its 
operations.'' 

Mr.  Walter  1'.  Wright,  who  presided,  pro- 
posed  the  adoption  of  the  report,  which  was 
carried. 

The  following  resolution  was  also  adopted-  — 
"  That  this  meeting  of  members  of  the  National 
Potato  Society  agree  that  the  society  be  now 
dissolved,  with  a  view,  if  possible,  of  steps 
being  taken  at  a  future  date  to  consider  the 
possibility  of  starting  a  new  association  which 
will  include  all  vegetables  in  its  operations." 

The  turn-over  for  the  past  year  amounted  to 
£168.  All  debts  had  been  paid,  and  it  was 
agreed  that  a  small  balance  which  remained 
should  be  given  to  the  honorary  secretary,  Mr. 
W.  H.  Adsett,  as  an  honorarium  for  his  past 
•ervices. 


MANCHESTER  AND  NORTH  OF 
ENGLAND  ORCHID. 

November  28. — Committee  present :  Messrs.  E. 
Ashworth,  R.  Ashworth,  Ward,  Warburton, 
Ashton,  Shill,  Sander,  Cypher,  H.  H.  Smith, 
P.  Smith,  Ball,  Parker,  and  Weathers  (hon.  sec). 

In  future,  the  exhibition  will  remain  open 
until  4  o'clock  p.m.  instead  of  3  p.m. 

Nineteen  groups  of  plants  were  staged,  and 
the  building  could  not  properly  accommodate 
the  exhibits. 

Cypripediums  were  largely  in  evidence :  90 
per  cent,  of  the  plants  shown  belonged  to  this 
genus. 

G.  Shorland  Ball,  Esq.,  Burton,  Westmor- 
land (gr.  Mr.  Herdman),  exhibited  a  group  of 
Cypripediums  of  which  C.  X  Leeanum,  Under 
Fell  var.,  C.  insigne  var.  Aberdeen,  C.  i.  macu- 
latum  var.  nigrum,  C.  i.  Chantinii  var.  Lin- 
denii,  G.  S.  Ball's  variety,  in  the  group  were 
given  Awards  of  Merit.  The  group  also  con- 
tained C.  X  triumphans,  C.  X  Maudiae,  and 
C.  insigne,  "  Harefield  Hall  variety."  (Silver 
Medal.) 

J.  McCartney,  Esq.,  Bolton  (gr.  Mr. 
Holmes),  was  awarded  a  Bronze  Medal  for  a 
group  of  Cypripediums.  C.  X  Leeanum,  "  Hey 
House  variety,"   was  given  an  Award  of  Merit. 

Mr.  W.  Bolton,  Warrington,  was  awarded  a 
Bronze  Medal  for  a  group  of  plants,  Cymbidium 
X  Holfordianum,  a  distinct  hybrid,  being  voted 
an  Award  of   Merit. 

H.  J.  Bromilow,  Esq.,  Rainhill,  Lanes,  (gr. 
Mr.  Morgan),  displayed  a  group  of  Cypripe- 
diums, of  which  C.  X  Gaston  Bultel,  "  King 
Edward  variety,"  was  awarded  a  First-Class 
Certificate,  and  C.  X  Leander  var.  superbum, 
an  Award  of  Merit.  Other  notable  plants  in- 
cluded C.  bellatulum  var.  album,  C.  X  Priam, 
and  C.  niveum  var.  Goliath.     (Silver  Medal.) 

A.  Warburton,  Esq.,  Haslingden  (gr.  Mi. 
Dalgleish),  was  awaided  a  Silver  Medal  for  a 
choice  group  of  plEnts  consisting  principally  of 
(  \  pripediums,  the  whole  being  relieved  by  a 
few  well-grown  plant-  of  Odoriloglossum  in 
variety.  Cypripedium  x  Nandii  received  a 
First-Class'  Certificate ;  and  those  following 
were  granted  Awards  of  Merit: — Cypripedium 
insigne,  Skinner's  variety,  C.  X  Mrs.  Tautz,  C. 
x  Milo  var.  magnificum,  and  Odontoglossum  x 
Wilckeanum,   "  Warburton's  variety." 

Messrs.  Hugh  Low  &  Co.,  Enfield,  exhibited 
an  albino  form  of  Odontoglossum  Rossii,  called 
"  immaculatum."      (Award   of   Merit.) 

Messrs.  Sander  fc  Sons,  St.  Albans,  exhibited 
their  variety  of  Cypripedium  X  Niobe,  which 
is  one  of  the  best  forms  extant.  This  plant  and 
C.    X    Rufus   were  granted  Awards  of   Merit. 

E.  Kogerson,  Esq.,  Didsbury  (gr.  Mr.  Price), 
gained  an  Award  of  Merit  for  Cypripedium 
Actaeus  var.  Simonii. 

Messrs.  James  Cypher  &  Sons,  Cheltenham, 
exhibited  a  fine  group  of  plants,  in  which  were 
some  well-grow. i  Cypripediums,  Dendrobiums, 
and    Cattleyas.      (Silver    Medal.) 

J.  II.  Craven,  Esq.,  Keighley  (gr.  Mr.  Cor- 
ney),  was  awarded  a  Silver  Medal  for  a  group 
of  plants  that  included  several  good  forms  of 
Cypripedium  insigne,  C.  X  Leeanum,  and  C. 
X   Actaeus. 

Norman  C.  Cookson,  Esq.,  Wylam-on-Tyne 
(gr.  Mr.  Chapman),  staged  a  few  interesting 
plants,  the  chief  one  being  Cypripedium  X  San- 
ac-derae,  a  compound  hybiid  of  beautiful 
quality.  (First-Class  Certificate.)  C.  insigne 
S.anderae,  "  Oakwrod  raised,"  also  received  a 
First-Class  Certificate.  C.  X  calloso-niveum  re- 
ceived an  Award  of  Merit. 

S.  Gratrix,  Whalley  Range  (gr.  Mr.  Shill),  re- 
ceived Awards  of  Merit  for  Cypripedium  x 
Mary  Barff  and  C.    X   nitens,  "  Cobb's  variety." 

Messrs.  Charlesworth  &  Co.,  Bradford, 
staged  an  exhibit  of  plants  that  were  rich  in 
variety  and  quality.  Cattleya  Dowiana  var. 
rosita  was  the  most  interesting  plant  in  the 
group.  It  may  best  be  described  as  an  almost 
red  variety  of  this  favourite  Orchid.  (Silver 
Medal.)  Cattleya  x  Millie  received  an  Award 
of  Merit. 

ZlBA  A.  Warp,  Esq.,  Northenden,  exhibited 
Cypripedium  insigne  var.  Cringlewoodensis. 

R.  1'Arrkr,  Esq.,  Ingleborough,  received  an 
Award  of  Merit  for  his  variety  of  Cypripedium 
Fairrieanum 

Messrs.  Keeling  &  Sons,  Westgate  Hill. 
Bradford,   exhibited    Bulbophyllum  barbigerum. 


Mr.  D.  McLeod,  Chorlton-cum-Hardy,  was 
awarded  a  Bronze  Medal  for  a  small  but  in- 
teresting group  of  Cypripediums. 

Mr.  J.  Robson,  Altrincham,  also  obtained  a 
Bronze  Medal   for   a  group  of   Cypripediums. 

Mr.  W.  Shackleton  was  awarded  a  Bronze 
Medal  for  a  small  group  of  Orchids. 

J.  Leemann,  Esq.,  Heaton  Mersey  (gr.  Mr. 
Smith),  staged  a  fine  display  of  Cypripediums, 
to  which  a  Silver  Medal  was  awarded. 

G.  H.  Peace,  Esq.,  Monton  Green  (gr.  Mr. 
Mace),  was  awarded  a  Bronze  Medal  for  a  group 
of  Orchids.     P.  W. 


THE    SMITHFIELD    CLUB    SHOW. 

December  9-13. — Messrs.  Sutton  &  Sons, 
Reading,  showed  roots  on  a  lavish  scale  and  of 
astonishing  size,  more  especially  the  varieties 
of  Mangolds,  namely,  Prizewinner,  the  heaviest 
variety  yet  raised,  crops  of  which  have  been 
grown  of  150  tons  per  statute  acre.  There  were 
fine  large  and  shapely  specimens  of  Swedes  in  a 
mound  of  roots  consisting  of  Magnum  Bonum. 
It  is  a  handsome,  purpkMop  variety,  which  is  of 
rapid  growth  and  very  productive.  Crimson  King 
is  another  great  cropper,  good  for  early  feeding. 
A  yellow-fleshed  Swede  (new),  named  Sutton's 
Long  Keeper,  and  immense  cropper,  and  im- 
mune from  disease,  was  noted ;  and  likewise 
others,  as  Centenary  and  Favourite,  Purple  Top, 
and  Aberdeen  Turnip.  The  display  of  Grass 
seeds  is  noteworthy,  the  firm  having  an  estab- 
lished reputation  for  permanent  and  temporary 
Grasses.  Potatos  were  abundantly  shown  on 
this  stand,  many  of  the  firm's  introductions  that 
have  given  so  much  satisfaction  being  in  evi- 
dence. They  had  also  fine  specimens  of  Onions 
and  Tomatos. 

Messrs.  John  King  &  Sons,  Coggeshall,  Essex, 
and  Reading,  made  an  imposing  exhibit  of  roots, 
of  which  we  may  make  mention  of  the  Mighty 
Atom,  a  very  distinct-looking  seedling  Potato, 
obtained  by  much  re-crossing.  It  is  cultivated 
in  South  Africa,  where  it  yields  four  crops  in  a 
year.  A  red  kidney,  named  Senator,  is  hand- 
some, of  fine  table  and  cropping  qualities ; 
Alpha,  Lord  of  the  Isles,  Rentpayer,  Victorious, 
The  Shamrock  (across  beiween  Scotch  Champion 
and  Up-to-Date,  a  round  tuber,  with  a  rough 
skin  and  floury  when  cooked,  a  heavy  cropper 
and  free  from  disease).  Duke  of  Cornwall  is  a 
large  kidney  Potato  of  good  quality.  Other 
roots  were  Onions,  Parsnips,  Carrots,  &c.  Many 
varieties  of  garden  Peas,  and  of  such  things  as 
Scottish  Chieftain  White,  and  Champion  Black 
Oats,  Chevalier  Barley,  &c,  were  shown. 

Messrs.  J.  Carter  &  Co.,  seedsmen,  High 
Ilolborn,  London,  made  an  immense  exhibition 
of  gigantic  Mangolds,  such  as  the  Windsor  (a 
yellow  bulb).  Intermediate  (a  long,  yellow),  Car- 
ter's Tankard,  Mammoth,  Emperor,  and  Gold- 
finder  (a  globular,  red  variety).  The  purple-top 
Elephant  Swede  and  other  roots,  almost  exclu- 
sively of  agricultural  interest,  were  observed. 
Very  nice  samples  of  seeds  of  Oat,  Wheat,  and 
Barley  were  among  the  exhibits,  and  a  few 
shapely  Potatos  were  also  observed. 

Mr.  Alexander  Blatchford,  seed  grower, 
Coventry,  had  an  interesting  exhibit  of  the  bet- 
ter class  of  garden  Peas,  including  Prince  Ed- 
ward (a  blue,  wrinkled  Pea,  a  heavy'  cropper), 
Gradus,  Essex  Star  (a  famous  early  market  Pea), 
etc.  Ailsa  Craig  Carrot,  Cheltenham  Beet  (a  se- 
lected, fine  strain),  Lisbonnais  Parsnip  (very 
large  roots),  and  Magnum  Bonum  Model  Carrot 
were  remarked. 

Messrs.  Webb  &  Sons,  Stonrbri  'ge,  had  a  fire 
sample  of  their  new  Potato,  Colonist,  and  their 
exhibit  of  older  varieties  was  extensive  and  in- 
s,i  iic  live  ;  whilst  their  exhibit  of  roots,  Mangolds, 
Swedes,  was  very  imposing  in  extent  and  quality. 

Other  exhibitors  of  horticultural  or  agricul- 
tural produce  included  Messrs.  T.  A.  Scar- 
lett, 22  and  23,  Market  Street,  Edinburgh  ; 
Carton's,  Warrington;  Isaac  Poad  &  Sons, 
York;  R.  W.  Green,  Wisbech;  Fidler  &  Sons, 
Reading  ;  Jas.  Gardner,  Perth  ;  J.  Reid,  Ford- 
house,  Montrose  ;  A.  J.  Sole,  Swinesherd,  Lin- 
colnshire ;  The  British  Columbian  Government  ; 
Richard  Smith  &  Co.,  Worcester;  W.  &  J. 
Brown,  Stamford  ;  J.  Morrison,  Marlborough  ; 
Dicksons,  Chester ;  Home  &  Sons,  Rochester, 
Kent ;  Harrison  &-  Sons,  Leicester ;  and  the 
King's  Acre  Nursery  Co.,   Hereford. 


December  14,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS      CHRONICLE. 


423 


ROYAL  SCOTTISH  ARBORICULTURAL. 

December  7. — The  annual  general  meeting  of 
the  Aberdeen  branch  of  this  society  was  held 
in  the  Aberdeen  University  buildings  on  the 
above  date,  Mr.  S.  J.  Gammel,  of  Drumtochty 
and  Countesswells,  presiding. 

The  annual  report  showed  that  the  member- 
ship of  the  branch  had  slightly  increased.  Re- 
gret was  expressed  that  greater  advantage  had 
not  been  taken  of  the  offer  of  prizes  to  assistant 
foresters  for  essays  on  forestry  subjects.  The 
treasurer's  report  showed  a  credit  balance. 

Mr.  Robert  Scott,  solicitor,  Aberdeen,  was  re- 
appointed secretary. 

With  regard  to  the  forthcoming  show  of  the 
Highland  and  Agricultural  Society  in  Aberdeen, 
it  was  decided  to  appoint  a  sub-committee  to 
further  the  interests  of  the  forestry  department 
at    that    show. 

After  the  business  had  been  concluded,  Mr. 
John  Clark,  forester,  Haddo  House,  Aberdeen- 
shire, read  a  paper  on  "The  Woods  in  East 
Aberdeenshire,"  many  of  which  he  had  visited 
during  the  past  six  months. 


DUBLIN   SEED   AND    NURSERY 
EMPLOYES. 

December  7. — In  the  Gresham  Hotel,  Dublin, 
on  this  date,  the  members  of  the  above  associa- 
tion held  their  fourth  annual  social  re-union  and 
dinner,  the  newly-elected  president,  Mr.  D. 
MacLeod,  occupying  the  chair. 

Mr.  G.  Rice,  in  proposing  the  toast  of  "  The 
Dublin  Seed  and  Nursery  Employes'  Associa- 
tion," said  he  hoped  the  seed  sown  by  the  re- 
sponsible members  of  that  association  w»uld 
bear  good  fruit. 

Mr.  D.  MacLeod  responded,  and  strongly  ad- 
vised every  member  of  the  seed  trade  in  Dublin 
to  take  an  active  interest  in  the  working  of  the 
society.  He  said  the  time  was  coming  when 
young  men  with  certificates  from  such  associa- 
tions as  theirs  would  receive  the  preference  in 
the  trade. 

The  president  distribute:!  the  prizes  offered  for 
the  best  collections  of  weeds,  and  to  the  suc- 
cessful competitors  in  the  society's  examination. 


GARDENING     APPOINTMENTS. 


Mr.  A.  Jewell,  late  General  Foreman  at  Bolnore  Gardens, 
Haywaru's  Heath,  as  Gardener  to  H.  Ramsbotham, 
Esq.,  Crowboro'  Warren,  Sussex. 

Mr.  R.  Davidson,  late  Gardener  at  Culford  Hall,  Bury  St. 
Edmunds,  for  the  past  12  years,  as  Gardener  to  Sir 
George  and  Lady  Bulloigh,  Kinloch  Castle,  Rhuin, 
by  Oban,  N.B. 

Mr.  J.  Coutts,  for  2t  years  as  Inside  Foreman  in  The 
Gardens,  Rossie  Priory,  Inchture,  Perthshire,  N.B.,  as 
Gardener  to  M.  R.  Prvor,  Esq.,  Weston  Park,  Stevenage, 
Herts.    (The  2s.  6d.  has  been  placed  in  R.G.O.F.  Box.) 

Mr.  D.  McGregor,  for  the  past  2  years  and  9  months 
employed  in  the  gardens  of  the  Rt.  Hon.  J.  Parker 
Smith,  Jordanhill,  Glasgow,  as  Gardener  to  Mrs. 
Farie,  Baronald,  Lanark.  (The  contribution  has  been 
placed  in  R.G.O.F.  Box.) 

Mr.  G.  Calvert,  for  the  past  4|  years  Gardener  to  Percy 
Macquoid,  Esq.,  J. P.,  Ramsbury,  Hungerford,  Wilts., 
as  Gardener  to  Sir  Bache  Cunard,  Bart.,  Nevill  Holt, 
Market  Harboro*,  Leicester. 

Mr.  J.  W.  Bentley,  for  the  past  6  years  Foreman  in  the 
gardens  at  Aldcrbrook,  Cranleigh,  as  Gardener  to  Mark 
Fenwick,  Esq.,  Abbotswood,  Stow-on-the-Wold,  Glos. 

Mr.  T.  E.  Tomalin,  for  the  past  4  years  Foreman  at 
Middleton  Park,  Bicester,  as  Gardener  to  the  Rt.  Hon. 
the  Earl  of  Bessborough,  Bessborough,  Piltown,  Co. 
Kilkenny. 

Mr.  Albert  Russell  as  Head  Gardener  to  E.  Tostal 
Broadhurst,  Esq.,  The  Manor  House,  North  Rode, 
Congleton,  Cheshire.  Mr.  Russell  was  previously  for 
5  years  in  the  service  of  Fitzherbert  Wright,  Esq., 
The  Hayes,  Alfreton,  Derby. 

Mr.  Frederick  C.  Trevorah,  late  deputy  Carnation 
grower  to  Messrs.  Hugh  Low  &  Co.,  Bush  Hill  Park 
Nurseries,  Enfield,  as  Carnation  grower  to  the  Duke  of 
Marlborough. 


TRADE   NOTICE. 


Mr,  Geo.  Hammond  has  joined  Mr.  W.  H.  Hardy  as 
Manager  of  the  nurseries  at  3,  Incle  Bridge,  Gosforth,  New- 
castle-on-Tyne. 


CATALOGUES     RECEIVED. 


James  Veitch  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  King's  Road,  Chelsea — Straw- 
berries. 

Wm.  Lumley,  Dawn  Nurseries,  Denvilles,  Havant — Sweet 
Peas. 

Robt.  Bolton,  Warton,  Carnforth— Sweet  Peas. 

W.  Bull  &  Sons,  King's  Road,  Chelsea— Seeds. 


MARKETS. 


COVENT  GARDEN,  December  11. 

[We  cannot  accept  any  responsibility  tor  the  subjoined 
reports.  They  are  furnished  to  us  regularly  every 
Wednesday,  by  the  kindness  of  several  of  the  principal 
salesmen,  who  are  responsible  for  the  quotations.  It 
must  be  remembered  that  these  quotations  do  not  repre- 
sent the  prices  on  any  particular  day,  but  only  the 
general  averages  for  the  week  preceding  the  date  of  our 
report.  The  prices  depend  upon  the  quality  of  the 
samples,  the  way  in  which  they  are  packed,  the  supply 
in  the  market,  and  the  demand,  and  they  may  fluctuate, 
not  only  from  day  to  day,  but  occasionally  several  limes 
in  one  day. — Ed.] 

Cut  Flowers,  &c. :  Average  Wholesale  Prices. 

s.d.  s.d. 
Lilium  longiflorum     2  6-40 


Acacia  (Mimosa), 
dozen  bunches 

Aneuiones.dz.bchs. 

Azalea,  white,  per 
dozen  bunches 

Bouvardia.dz.bchs. 

Calla  asthiopica,  p. 
dozen  

—  Guernsey 
Camellias,  per  dz. 
Carnations,       per 

dozen  blooms, 
best  American 
various 

—  second  size    ... 

—  smaller,  per 
doz.     bunches 

Cattleyas,  per  doz. 
blooms 

Chrysanthem  u  m  s, 
best  specimen 
blooms,  pi  n!.'. 

—  selected  blms., 
per  dozen 

—  medium,  doz. 
bunches 

Cyclamen,  ;  i 

bunch; 
Cypripediurnc,   per 

dozen  blooms,. 
Daffodils,  p.  bunch 
Eucharis      gianJi- 

flora,   per  doz. 

blooms 
Gardenias,  per  doz. 

blooms 

Gladiolus,    various 

hybrids,  per  dz. 

spikes  

—  Brenchleyensis 
Hyacinths,  Koman, 

perdz. bunches 
"t  L2  Mooins  ... 

Lilac  (French),  per 
bunch   

Lilium  auratum  ... 

—  Ian  c  if  >  li  urn, 
nibru  n  and 
album  ...     '    ... 


d. 

s.d. 

0-9  0 
0-2  0 

0-4  0 
0-8  0 

0-5  0 
0-3  0 
0-2  6 

0- 
6- 

4  0 

2  0 

0- 

12  0 

0- 

10  0 

0- 

G  0 

0- 

3  0 

0- 

is  o 

0- 

60 

0- 
0- 

26 
1  3 

0-3  0 

6- 

3  6 

0-2  0 
6-2  0 

0-10  0 

0- 
0- 

40 
3  0 

0- 

2  6 

16-20 


8  0-12  0 
12  0-15  0 


2  0-30 
2  0-30 


2  0-30 


1  0- 
3  0- 


1  6 
3  6 


tigrinuin 
Lily  of  the  Valley, 
p.  dz.  bundles 

—  extra  quality  ... 
Marguerites,  white, 

p.  dz.  bunches 

—  yellow,  per  dz. 
bunches 

Mignonette,  perdz. 

bundles 
Narcissus,      paper 

white,  per  doz. 

bunches 

—  boleil  d'Or,  per 
dozen  bunches 

O  dontoglossum 

crispum,      per 

dozen    blooms 
Pelargonium'-, 

show,  per  dcz. 

bundles 

—  Zonal,  double 
scarlet 

Poinsettias,  per  dz. 
Ranunculus,  p.  dz. 

bunches 
Roses,    12  blooms, 

Niphetos 

—  Bridesmaid    ... 

—  C.  Testout     ... 

—  Ka  i  se  r  i  n  A. 
Victoria,  per 
dozen  I 

—  Mrs.    J.    Laing 

—  t  .  Merniet 

—  Liberty 

—  Mad.  Chatenay 
Safrano    (French). 

per  dz.  bunches  9  0-12  0 
Spiraea,  doz.  bches.  5  0-80 
Stephanotis,     per 

dozen  trusses  4  0-60 
Tuberoses,  per  dz. 

blooms  ...    0  4-06 

Tulips.dz. bunches  10-16 
Violets,  p.  dz.  bchs.     10-20 

—  special  quality     2  6-30 

—  Parmas,  p.  bch.    2  0-40 


2  6-30 


4  0-60 

4  0-60 

8  0-10  0 

8  0-12  0 

10-30 
2  6-40 
•2030 


2  6-40 
10-30 
2  0-36 
2  0-60 
2  0-50 


Cut  Foliage,  &c. :  Average  Wholesale  Prices. 


1  0- 
0  6- 


s.d.  s.d. 
Adiantum      cunea- 

luni,  dz.  bchs.  4  0-60 
Asparagus     plu- 

mosus,       long 

trails,  per  doz.     8  0-12  0 

—  —       medium, 

bunch     ... 

—  Sprengeri 
Berl  eris,  per  doz. 

bunches 
Crotou  leaves,  per 

bunch  

Cycas  leaves,  each 
Fern,  English,  per 

dozen  bunches     10-20 

—  French,  perdz. 
bunches  ...     10-30 

Galax    leaves,    per 

doz.  bunches...    2  0-  2  6  i 


10-13 
16-20 


s.d.  s.d. 
Hardy    foliage 

I  various),    per 

dozen  bunches  3  0-90 
Iris  fcetida    fruiis, 

p.  dz.  bunches  5  0-60 
Ivy-leaves,  bronze    2  0-26 

—  long  trails  per 
bundle 16-30 

—  short    green, 

perdz. bunches  16-26 
Moss,  per  gross  ...  4  0-50 
Myrtle      (English), 

small-leaved, 

doz.  bunches...    4  0-60 

—  French,  per dz. 
bunches  ...     10-16 

Pernettya.p.bunch    0  6-09 
Smilax,  per  dozen 

trails     2  0-30 


Plants  In  Pots,  &c.    Average  Wholesale  Prices. 


Ampelopsis      Veit- 

chii,  per  dozen 

Aralia  Sieboldi,  dz. 

—  larger  

—  Moseri,  per  dz. 
Araucaria   excelsa, 

per  dozen 

Aspidistras,  green, 

per  dozen 

—  variegated,  per 
dozen  

Asparagus    plumo- 
sus  nanus,  doz. 

—  Sprengeri,    dz. 

—  tenuissimus 
per  dozen 

Azalea  indica 
Begonia   Gloire  de 

Lorraine,  p.dz. 
Bouvardias,  per  dz. 
Callas,  per  dozen... 
Chrysanthem  um  s, 

per  dozen 

—  best  disbudded 
Clematis,  per  doz. 
C  ocos    Weddelli- 

ana,  per  dozen 
Crotons,  per  dozen 
Cyclamen,  per  doz. 
Cyperus    alternifo- 

lius,  dozen 

—  laxus,  per  doz. 
Dracaenas,  per  doz. 


s.d.  s.d. 

6  0-80 
4  0-60 
9  0-12  0 
6  0-12  0 

12  0-30  0 

18  0-30  0 

30  0-42  0 

9  0-12  0 

8  0-10  0 

9  0-12  0 
24  0-36  0 

8  0-15  0 
6  0-80 

10  0-12  0 

9  0-12  0 
18  0  24  0 

8  0-90 

18  0-30  0 
18  0-30  0 

9  0-12  0 

4  0-50 
4  0-50 

9  0-24  0 


s.d.  s.d. 
Erica  gracilis,  doz.  10  0-12  0 

—  nivalis,  per  dz.  12  0-15  0 

—  hyemalis  ...  12  0-18  0 
Euonymus,  per  dz.  4  0-90 
Ferns,  in   thumbs, 

per  100 7  0-10  0 

—  in     small     and 

large  60's      ...  12  0-20  0 

—  in  48*s,  perdz.     4  0-10  0 

—  in  32's,  per  dz.  10  0-18  0 
Ficus  elastica,  dz.     9  0-12  0 

—  repens,  per  dz.  4  0-60 
Hyacinths  (Roman), 

per  dozen  pots  12  0-15  0 
Kentia      Belniore- 

ana,  per  dozen  18  0-30  0 

—  Fosteriana,  per 

dozen 18  0-30  0 

Latania  borbonica, 

per  dozen       ...  12  0-iy  0 

Lilium  longi- 
florum, per  dz.  15  0-24  0 

—  lancif  o  li  um, 

per  dozen  ...  12  0-13  0 
Lily  of  the  Valley, 

per  dozen  ...  18  0-30  0 
Marguerites,  white, 

per  dozen  ...  6  0-80 
Poinsettias,  perdz.  9  0-12  0 
Selaginella,  perdz.  4  0-60 
Solanums,  per  doz.  5  0-90 
Spiraea  japonica.dz.  8  0-12  0 
Veronicas,  per  dz.    4  0-60 


Fruit:  Average  Wholesale  Prices. 


Apples  (English), 
per  bushel : 

—  Wellington    ...    5 

—  Northern  Green- 
ing            4 

—  Newton  Won- 
der           5 

Bramley'sSeed- 
ling       5 

—  Lord  Derby  ...    5 

—  Peasgood's 
Nonsuch         ...     5 

—  King  Pippins...    4 

—  Blenheim  Pip- 
pin         4 

—  Cox's     Orange 
Pippin,  &  sieve    7 
Nova    Scotian, 
per  barrel  ; 

—  Ribston  Pippin  14 

—  Gloria     Mundi  15 

—  Blenheims     ...  16 

—  King's 15 

—  New  York  Im- 
perialists       ...  20 
Canadian,    per 
barrel  : 

—  Northern  Spy..  17 

—  King  of  the 
Pippins  ...  17 

—  Baldwin  ...  15 

—  N.  Greening...   16 

—  Ribston  Pippin  16 

—  Blenheim    Pip- 
pin 
Californian  : 

—  Newtowns,  per 
box       

— "Oregon' 
Newtowns.  per 
box       

Avocado  Pears,  per 
dozen  

Bananas,  bunch  : 

—  No.  2  Canai  y  . 

—  No.  1        „     ... 

—  Extra        ,,     ... 

—  Giants      ,,     ... 

—  Jamaica 

—  Loose,  per  dz. 
Cranberries,  p. case 
"Custard"    Apple 

(Anona)  per  doz. 
Dates  (Tunis),  doz. 

boxes  

Grape    Fruit,  ca?e 
Grapes     (English), 

—  Alicante, per  lb. 

—  Gros  Colmat, 
per  lb 


19 


12 


d  s.d. 
0-7  0 

0-5  6 

0-6  6 

0- 
0- 

7  0 
60 

0- 
6- 

7  0 
60 

6- 

6  0 

0- 

14  0 

0-15  0 
0-16  o 
0-17  6 
0-16  0 

0-21  0 

0-19  0 

0-18  0 
0-17  0 
0-18  0 
0-18  0 

0-21  0 

0-12  0 

0-14  0 

0-8  0 

0-6  6 
0-7  6 
0-8  6 
6-10  0 
0-5  6 
9-  1  3 
6-7  6 

0- 

12  0 

6-4  9 

0-11  0 

6- 

1  0 

8- 

1  6 

Grapes,  English 
Muscats,  p.  lb. 

—  Canon  Hall, 
per  lb 

—  Belgian  Col- 
mar,  per  lb. ... 

—  Almeria,  per 
barrel 

Lemors  : 

—  Malaga,  case... 

—  Messina,    case 

—  Naples,  p.  case 
Lychees,  per  box... 
Mandarines,     per 

box       

Mangoes,  per  doz. 

Medlars  (English), 
i  sieve 

Nuts,  Cobs  (Eng- 
lish), per  lb.  ... 

—  GrenoblesWal- 
nuts,  per  bag... 

—  Almonds,    bag 

—  Brazils,  new, 
perewt. 

—  Barcelona,  per 
bag       

—  Cocoa  nuts,  100 
Chestnuts  : 

—  Italian,  per  bag 

—  Redon,  per  bag 
Oranges  (Jamaican) 

per  case 

—  Almeria,  case.. 

—  Valencia,  case 

—  Denia,  p.  case 

—  Jaffas,  per  box 
Pears    (English), 

per 


s.d.  s.d. 
2  0-40 
2  0-50 

0  8-10 

10  0-20  0 

14  0-15  0 
10  0-1H  0 
17  0  24  0 

1  0    — 

10-13 
4  0-80 


7  6-86 
42  6    — 


32  6    — 
12  0-16  0 

12  0-15  0 
7  0-90 

5  6-96 
10  6-12  0 

7  0-15  0 
12  0-20  0 

6  6-76 


du 

per 


Catillac 
bushel ... 

—  Doyenne" 
Cornice, 
dozen  

—  Pitmaston 
Duchess,  per 
dozen  

—  French,  Doy- 
enn£duComice 
per  crate 

—  Beurre  Magni- 
fique,  per   box 

—  Catillac,  Dutch 
per  basket 

—  per  barrel 

—  Glou  Morceau 
(French),  per 
box 

—  Winter  Nelis 
per  box 

Pineapples,  each  ... 


4  6-60 

16-40 

16-26 

10  0-11  0 
10  0    — 

2  6- 

10  0    — 

9  0-10  6 

16  0-18  0 
2  6-50 


Vegetables  :  Average  Wholesale  Prices. 


Artichokes(French) 

per  dozen 
Asparagus,      Paris 

Green,   bundle 

—  Sprue,   bundle 
Beans,  French,  per 

packet 

—  Guernsey,-p.lb. 

—  Madeira,      per 
basket 

Beetroot,  bushel  ... 
Brussel       Sprouts, 

J  sieve 
Cabbages,  per  doz. 

—  Greens,  bag  ... 

—  red,  per  dozen 

—  Savoys,    per 
tally     

Carrots    (English), 

—  washed,  p.  bag 

—  French    (new), 
per  pad 

Cauliflowers,  p.  dz. 

—  per  tally 
Celeriac    (French), 

per  dozen 

Celery,  washed,  per 
dozen  

Chicory,  per  lb.  ... 

Chow  Chow  (Sec- 
hium  edule),p. 
dozen  

Cucumbers,  perdz. 

Endive,  per  dozen 

Horseradish,  for- 
eign, per  doz. 
bundles 

Leeks,  12  bundles 


s.d.  s.d. 

3  0-36 

4  0-46 
0  5-06 

0  3-04 
0  6-07 

3  0-36 
13-16 

10-16 

0  6-09 

1  0    — 

2  0     — 

3  0    — 

2  6     — 

3  6-39 
16-20 
7  0-10  0 

16-19 

0  8-0  10 
0  3-0  3J 


3  0    — 
2  0-36 

16-20 


10  0-12  0 
10-16 


Lettuce  (French), 
per  dozen 

—  Cos  (French), 
per  dozen 

Mint,  doz.  bunches 

Mushrooms(house) 

per  lb 

—  buttons,  per  lb. 

—  "Broilers"p.lb. 
Mustardand  Cress, 

per  dozen  pun. 
Onions    (Spanish), 
per  case 

—  Dutch,  per  bag 

—  pickling,  per 
bushel 

Parsley, 12bunches 

—  $  bushel 
Potatos     (French), 

new,  per  lb.  ... 
Salsafy,  per  dozen 

bundles 
Seakale,  per  dozen 

punnets 
Spinach,    English, 

per  bushel     ... 
Tomatos,  selected, 

per  dozen  lbs. 

—  small  selected, 
per  dozen  lbs. 

—  Teneriffe,  per 
bundle  of  four 
boxes  

Turnips  (English), 
doz.  bunches... 

—  per  bag 
Watercress,     per 

doz.  bunches... 


s.d.  s  d. 
11-14 

5  9-60 

0  9-10 

0  10-  1  0 
0  10-  1  0 
0  8-09 


5  0-56 
4  0     - 

2  0-26 
16-19 

1  0-  1  C 

0  4£  — 

3  6- 
12  0  14  9 

2  0    — 

2  9-40 
2  6-36 

11  0-14  0 

2  0-30 
2  6     — 

0  4-06 


Remarks. — Apples  continue  to  arrive  in  large  quantities 
and  are  cheap,  with  the  exception  of  good  samples  of  the 
varieties  Northern  Greening  and  Wellington.  As  is  to  be 
expected  at  Christmas  time,  Oranges  have  made  an  advance 
in  price  ;  the  quality  of  these  fruits  generally  is  not  good,  but 
those  arriving  from  Jamaica  are  decidedly  the  best.  Tene- 
riffe Tomatos  are  much  dearer,  in  consequence  of  the  home 
supplies  being  nearly  finished.  There  is  a  slight  improve- 
ment in  the  trade  for  English  hot-house  Grapes.  New 
Carrots  and  Potatos  from  France  are  now  on  the  market. 
Beans  from  Madeira  are  arriving  in  an  unsound  condition, 
and  they  have  to  be  sorted  and  repacked  before  they  can  be 
offered  for  sale.  P.  L.,  Covent  Garden,  \Vedncsday€ 
December  11,  1907.     . 

Potatos. 

Kents,  3s.  6d.  to  5s.  per  cwt. ;  Lincolns,  70s.  to  90s.  j 
Blacklands,  70s.  to  85s. ;  Maincrops,  90s.  to  100s.  per  ton; 
Dutch  Magnums,  3s.  to  3s.  6d.  per  bag;  Dutch  Imperator<y 
2s.  6d.  to  3s.  per  bag  ;  Dunbar  Dates,  5s.  to  6s.  per  ba^. 
Owing  to  the  mild,  changeable  weather,  trade  is  duU, 
7.  D.  C,  Covent  Garden,  December  11,  1907, 


424 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[December  14,  190T. 


COVENT    GARDEN     FLOWER     MARKET. 

With  Christmas  near  at  hand,  there  is  a  better  trade 
for  country  orders,  especially  for  foliage  plants.  Ferns, 
Aralias  and  Solanums  have  been  more  in  demand. 
Ficus  elastic*  does  not  sell  so  well  as  formerly  for 
Christmas  trade.  Aspidistras  are  selling  better,  but 
there  is  evidence  that  prices  for  this  useful  plant  will 
drop  later.  In  Palms,  Kentias  are  making  better 
prices,  yet  most  salesmen  have  some  unsold  plants 
on  their  stands  at  closing  time.  Latanias  have  ad- 
vanced a  little  in  value,  but  some  growers  accept  low 
.prices   to   clear   their   stocks. 

Trade  in  flowering  plants  does  not  greatly  improve. 
Chrysanthemums  of  good  quality  are  seen.  Framneld 
Pink  and  Winter  Cheer  are  specially  worthy  of  note. 
Niveum  is  perhaps  the  best  white  variety.  Guy  Hamil- 
ton is  another  good  "  white,"  and  no  better  yellow 
variety  is  seen  in  pots  than  jardin  des  Plantes.  Sup- 
plies of  good  crimson  and  bronze-flowered  varieties  are 
short.  Begonia  Gloire  de  Lorraine  and  its  varieties 
are  selling  at  advanced  prices.  Cyclamen  also  com- 
mand better  prices.  A  few  Genistas  are  seen,  but  they 
are  not  wanted  at  present.  White  Marguerites  are 
plentiful  and  good.  Spiraeas  are  also  seen  in  well- 
flowered  plants.  Azalea  indica  are  scarcely  up  to  the 
ordinary  standard  of  quality.  Lily-of  -the-  Valley, 
Daffodils,  and  Liliums  are  well  supplied,  but  it  is 
unsafe  to  record  what  they  may  be  worth  at  Christmas 
time.  Poinsettias  have  not  been  selling  very  well  up 
to  the  .present,  but  they  will   clear  better   later. 

Cut  Flowers. 

Alt  supplies  are  now  variable.  Chrysanthemums  being 
-still  the  leading  feature.  White  varieties  are  very 
plentiful.  Lord  Brooke  is  one  of  the  best  bronzes,  and 
there  is  no  better  yellow  than  Negoya.  Lady  Beau- 
mont is  perhaps  the  best  crimson.  Of  pink  kinds  are 
seen  Winter  Cheer,  Framneld  Pink,  and  A.  J.  Balfour. 
Growers  have  again  taken  up  the  culture  of  the  last- 
named  variety,  which  is  one  of  ,  the  best  both  for  cut 
bloom  and  for  pot-plants.  Mi\,  "Thompson  is  a  good 
"white,"  and  the  yellow  sport  is  atopic  iated.  Liliums 
fluctuate  from  day  to  day.  TheftlLvalue  increased  a 
•week  or  more  ago,  but  they  are  ™aper  again.  Sup- 
plies for  the  Christmas  trade  are  likely  to  be  fairly 
plentiful,  but  all  buyers  will  do  well  to  order  at  fixed 
prices  early.  Lily-of -the- Valley  has  advanced  a  little 
in  value,  and  it  may  be  still  dearer  for  the  Christmas 
trade.  English  grown  White  Lilac  is  seen,  but  the  best 
-samples  are  from  France.  Daffodils  are  not  selling 
<juite  so  readily.  Prices  for  imported  Narcissus  Soleil 
d'Or  of  best  quality  have  advanced  slightly,  but  Paper 
White  Narcissus  is  cheaper.  Gardenias  are  scarce,  and 
Stephanotis  is  practically  finished  for  the  season. 
Camellias  have  been  making  better  prices.  Callas  are 
plentiful,  and  it  is  probable  that  the  supplies  for  Christ- 
mas  will   be  good. 

Holly  and  Mistleto  are  both  remarkably  good,  and 
will  probably  be  cheaper  than  usual  this  season.  The 
imported  Ruscus  racemosus,  with  about  six  to  eight 
sprays  in  a  bunch,  realises  from  is.  6d.  to  2s.  per 
bunch.  Galax  leaves  from  America  are  now  arriving. 
The  hardy  English  foliage,  except  Berberis,  is  now  of 
doubtful  quality.  A.  //.,  Coven  t  Garden,  Wednes- 
day,  December  n,   iqoj. 


ANSWERS    TO    CORRESPONDENTS. 


THE     WEATHER. 


THE    WEATHER    IN    WEST    HERTS. 

Week  ending  December  11. 
Warm  and  very  wet  with  a  singularly  dry  atmosphere, — 
If  we  except  the  first  day,  all  the  other  days  of  the  present 
month  have  been  unusually  warm,  and  on  the  8th  inst.,  the 
temperature  in  the  thermometer  screen  rose  to  563,  which  is, 
with  one  exception,  the  highest  reading  recorded  here  in 
December,  at  all  events  during  the  last  21  years.  The  night 
temperatures  were,  on  the  other  hand,  very  variable.  On  the 
coldest  night  the  exposed  thermometer  showed  12°  of  frost, 
whereas,  on  the  following  night,  the  same  thermometer  never 
fell  lower  than  41°.  The  ground  is  now  warm  for  the  time  of 
year,  the  temperature,  both  at  1  and  2  feet  deep,  being  2° 
warmer  than  is  seasonable.  Since  December  began  rain 
has  fallen  on  all  but  three  days,  and  to  the  total  depth  of 
1!  inches,  which  is  only  A  an  inch  short  of  the  average  rain- 
fall for  the  whole  month.  During  the  same  10  days  10 
gallons  of  rainwater  has  come  through  the  bare  soil  per- 
colation gauge,  and  7J  gallons  through  that  on  which  short 
grass  is  growing.  The  sun  shone  on  an  average  for  2  hours 
48  minutes  a  day  during  the  past  week,  which  is  more  than 
double  the  average  duration  for  this  period  in  December. 
The  winds  have  been,  as  a  rule,  high,  and  on  one  clay  the 
mean  velocity  for  the  windiest  hour  reached  17  miles — 
direction  W.S.W.  The  mean  amount  of  moisture  in  the  air 
at  3  p.m.  was  as  much  as  8  per  cent,  less  than  a  seasonable 
quantity  for  that  hour.  E.  M.%  Bcrkhamstedt  December  //, 
I90T. 


(SHtttuarij. 

James  Anderson.— We  regret  to  record  the 
somewhat  sudden  death  of  this  gardener  on  the 
5th  inst.  He  had  been  the  head  gardener  and 
trusted  servant  of  the  late  Sir  C.  M.  Lampson, 
and  since  his  death  continued  in  the  same 
capacity  with  Mrs.  Lock- Lampson,  of  Rowfant 
House,  Crawley,  Sussex.  Deceased  was  an  ex- 
cellent gardener,  and  was  especially  successful 
in  the  cultivation  of  hardy  fruits.  Peaches  were 
his  favourites,  and  finer  fruits  than  he  obtained 
were  not  to  be  seen.  His  services  as  a  judge 
of  fruit  always  met  with  appreciation. 


Apple  and  Pear  Shoots  :  Anxious.  Shoots 
can  be  cut  off  at  the  present  time  for  use  as 
scions  in  grafting  next  spring.  They  can  be 
kept  in  a  plump  condition  by  laying  them 
thinly  in  a  trench  1  foot  deep,  treading  the 
soil  firmly  about  the  shoots  as  it  is  filled  up 
to  the  ground  level.  When  they  are  lifted  in 
spring  they  will  need  to  be  carefully  washed 
before  being  used. 
Apple  Ribston  Pippin:  /.  A.  The  fruit  is 
injured  by  Monilia  fructigena.  This  fungus 
first  appears  on  the  leaves,  then  passes  on 
to  the  fruit.  Spray  the  trees  with  the  Bor- 
deaux mixture  next  spring  when  the  leaves 
are  fully  grown. 
Begonia  :  Learner  and  W ,  G.  In  neither  in- 
stance can  any  organic  disease  be  found  in 
the  specimens  received,  which  are  not  suffi- 
cient to  afford  any  clue  to  the  source  of  the 
mischief.  We  are  inclined  to  think  the 
methods  of  cultivation  are  not  quite  suitable. 
British  Gardeners'  Association  :  C.  R.  Address 
the  Secretary,  Mr.  John  Weathers,  Talbot  Villa, 
Talbot  Road,  Isleworth. 
Chrysanthemums  for  Market  :  Ajax.  Very 
much  depends  upon  the  treatment  the  plants 
receive.  This  season  Madame  Desgranges 
was  good  until  late  in  October,  but  ordinarily 
it  should  be  one  of  the  first  to  flower.  This 
variety  is  of  good  market  value,  both  in 
sprays  and  disbudded  blooms;  also  the 
yellow  variety  from  August  until  the 
end  of  October,  but  those  who  grow 
them  best  have  specially-selected  stock.  Har- 
vest Home  is  still  one  of  the  best  early  red 
varieties.  Goacher's  Crimson  is  good,  but 
rather  inclined  to  lose  its  foliage.  Lady  Fitz- 
wigram  is  a  good  white  variety,  but  is  better 
when  disbudded  than  when  grown  to  furnish 
sprays.  The  varieties  of  Madame  Marie 
Masse  type  are  numerous,  it  having  given 
sports  of  various  colours.  These  are  valu- 
able for  furnishing  early  sprays,  and  when 
disbudded  and  well-grown  are  capable  of  pro- 
ducing good  blooms  of  medium  size.  Horace 
Martin,  one  of  this  type,  is  the  best  early  yel- 
low variety.  Ralph  Curtis  is  a  good  cream- 
coloured  flower,  and  there  is  a  white  and  pink 
variety  ;  but  the  bronze  varieties  are  very  un- 
certain, as  the  flowers  lose  their  colour  so 
soon  after  they  open.  Market  White,  Market 
Red,  and  Market  Yellow  are  good  sorts  to 
succeed  those  already  mentioned.  A.  J. 
Quintus  is  a  good  early  white  variety;  Alice 
Byron  is  only  good  when  disbudded.  For 
October  there  are  Soleil  d'Octobre,  the  bronze 
variety,  and  a  good  terra-cotta-coloured  sport. 
William  Holmes  is  still  one  of  the  best  crim- 
son varieties  ;  Cullingfordii  is  still  a  favourite 
with  some  growers.  For  the  cultivation  of 
sprays,  Source  d'Or  and  Lizzie  Adcock  are 
very  good.  Kathleen  Thompson  and  Caprice 
du  Printemps  are  good  second  early  varieties. 
Murillo  is  an  excellent  pink  flower.  The  variety 
A.  J.  Balfour  flowers  later,  and  is  good  as 
sprays  or  disbudded  blooms.  Money-maker  is 
one  of  the  best  white  flowers  for  October. 
Madame  Paolo  Radaelli  and  the  yellow  sport 
Madame  Rivol  are  good  all  through  the  sea- 
son, but  should  be  disbudded.  Matthew  Hodg- 
son and  Lady  Beaumont  are  the  best  late  crim- 
son varieties.  Negoya  is  the  best  late  yellow 
sort,  but  H.  W.  Reiman  is  also  a  good  one. 
Lord  Brooke  is  the  best  December  "  bronze," 
and  La  Pactole  is  a  good  "  bronze  "  for  Octo- 
ber. Mrs.  Thompson,  Niveum,  and  Madame 
T.  Pankoucke  are  good  late  white-flowered 
sorts.  Madame  L.  Charvet  is  the  best  late 
pink  variety.  Lord  Hopetoun  may  be  recom- 
mended as  a  late  crimson  sort.  Western  King 
is  a  great  favourite,  and  may  be  seen  in  the 
market  from  October  until  Christmas.  Mar- 
ket Red  flowers  during  October,  and  is  very 
fine  when  disbudded.  It  may  be  added  that 
varieties  which  succeed  with  one  grower  some- 
times fail  with  another.  See  also  the  report 
of  the  Chrysanthemum  exhibition  on  p.  421. 
Cinerarias  :  /.  S.  The  plants  are  attacked  by 
Sclerotinia,  and  cannot  be  saved.  The  soil  in 
which  they  are  growing  should  be  sterilised 
by  burning. 
Gloxinia:  Abinger.  Gloxinias  have  been  crossed 
with  Sinningia.  and  the  form  you  send  appears 
to  show  the  characters  of  Sinningia  to  an  un- 
usual degree. 


Names  of  Flowers,  Fruits  and  Plants. — We 
are  anxious  to  oblige  correspondents  as  far  as 
we  consistently  can,  but  they  must  bear  in 
mind  that  it  is  no  part  of  our  duty  to  our 
subscribers  to  name  either  flowers  or  fruits. 
Such  work  entails  considerable  outlay,  both  ol 
time  and  money,  and  cannot  be  allowed  to  dis- 
organise the  preparations  for  the  weekly  issue,  or  to 
encroach  upon  time  required  for  the  conduct  of  the 
paper.  Correspondents  should  never  send  more 
than  six  plants  or  fruits  at  one  time  :  they  should  be 
very  careful  to  pack  and  label  them  properly,  to  give 
every  information  as  to  the  county  the  fruits  are 
grown  in,  and  to  send  ripe,  or  nearly  ripe, specimens 
which  show  the  character  of  the  variety.  By 
neglecting  these  precautions  correspondents  add 
greatly  to  our  labour,  and  run  the  risk  of 
delay  and  incorrect  determinations.  Correspondents 
not  answered  in  one  issue  are  requested  to 
be  so  good  as  to  consult  the  folloiving  numbers. 
Fruits:  T.  A.  G.  1,  Ribston  Pearmain  ;  2, 
Roi  dAngleterre;  3,  King  of  Tompkins 
County. —  W.  Jaycock.  Roundvvay's  Magnum 
Bonum,  one  of  the  best  flavoured  of  Apples. — 
A.E.T.  Borsdofer.— P.  M.  1,  Beurre  Diel  ; 
2,  Uvedale's  St.  Germain  ;  3,  Golden  Noble  ;  4, 
Bramley's  Seedling. 

Plants:/.  S.  1,  Seraphyta  multiflora;  2,  Epi- 
dendrum  nutans.—  N.  R.  1,  Lycaste  xytrio- 
phora  ;  2,  Aerides  japonicum  ;  3,  Masdevallia 
coriacea  ;  4,  Vanda  parviflora  ;  5,  Saccolabium 
ampullaceum  ;  6,  Selaginella  Wildenovii.  —  Lee  ia. 
Lselia  furfuracea, — T.  V.  1,  Begonia  sub-peltata 
variety;  2,  Dieffenbachia  picta ;  3,  Fittonia 
Pearcii ;  4,  Maranta  Massangeana;  5,  Cypripe- 
dium  venustum  ;  6,  Epidendrum  ciliare. 

Pear:  A.  II.  W.  There  is  no  disease  present. 
The  fruit  has  been  checked  in  growth,  and 
the  skin  has  been  broken  up  into  fragments', 
giving  the  "russet"  appearance  normal  to 
some  kinds  of  fruit. 

Primula  x  Kewensis  :  Primula.  The  leaves 
are  affected  with  the  Primrose-mildew — 
Peronospora  Candida.  Sprav  both  foliage  and 
soil  with  a  solution  of  sulphide  of  potassium 
at  the  strength  of  2  ozs.  in  three  gallons  of 
water.  It  would  be  wise  to  remove  infected 
plants  from  the  neighbourhood  of  the  healthy 
ones. 

Pruning  of  Climbing  Roses  :  Anxious.  It  is 
not  necessary  to  prune  newly-planted  climb- 
ing Roses  so  severely  as  Hybrid  l'erpetuals  or 
Tea  varieties.  The  b:st  results  will  be  ob- 
tained by  giving  them  what  pruning  they 
require  at  planting  time.  The  small  side 
growths  should  be  cut  close  back,  but  leave 
the  leading  shoots  about  2  feet  in  length,  the 
weaker  ones  correspondingly  shorter,  but  not 
less  than  1  foot.  This  treatment  should  be 
given  plants  that  are  lifted  from  the  open 
ground.  In  the  case  of  plants  turned  out  of 
pots  it  is  only  necessary  to  remove  the  un- 
opened ends  of  the  long  shoots,  and  any  old 
wood  which  will  not  flower.  The  long  shoots 
which  were  made  last  summer  will  flower 
well,  and  this  is  an  advantage  gained  by 
the  use  of  pot-giown  plants. 

Roots  :  /.  B.  The  rotting  of  the  roots  is  due 
to  the  presence  of  stagnant  water  in  the  soil. 
The  drainage  of  the  border  is  probably  bad, 
and  requires  attention. 

Select  Varieties  of  Climbing  Roses  :  P.  M. 
The  following  varieties  are  suitable  for  your 
purpose,  being  of  strong,  hardy  constitutions, 
free  flowering  habit,  capable  of  making  the 
greatest  amount  of  growth,  and  having 
flowers  of  several  colours  :  Felicite-Perpetue, 
creamy-white ;  Rubin,  deep  crimson  ;  Blush 
Rambler,  resembling  the  tint  of  Apple  blos- 
soms ;  The  Garland,  nankeen  and  pink  ; 
Aglaia,  bright  yellow  ;  and  Madame  d'Arblay, 
white  cluster.  You  have  already  planted 
Turner's  Crimson  Rambler  and  Dorothy 
Perkins. 

Soil  for  Analysis:  A.  H.  We  do  not  under- 
take to  analyse  soil.  Dr.  Voelcker,  22,  Tudor 
Street,  London,  will  undertake  the  work  for 
Fellows  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  on 
payment  of  a  small  fee. 

Communications  Rf.ceived. — A.  D. — F.  J.  C. — W.  J.  G. — 
H.  L.  &  Co.— H.  W.  W.— J.  L.— A.  J.,  Essex-W.  H.  C— 

W.  A.  C— F.   M.— J.   D.  G.— J.  H.— C.  T.  D— F.    L 

A.  C.  F.-A.  C.  -Subscriber- W.  W.  P.— J.  W,  McH.— 
S.  W.  F.— J.  Mel—  J.  J.  W.— D.  W.— Practical  Gar- 
dener—E.  Wiseman— E.  8.— J.  J.  H.-M.  W.— Saxon— 
H,  ].  V.-F.  G.-H.  A.  I— E.G.  A.— J.  B.-H.  D.-F.  G.C. 
—Constant  Reader— E.  S.— C.  R.— Sir  E.  Fry— R.  M.— 
G.  H.— G.  F.— C.  C— C.  W.  B.— G.  W.— H.  J. -J.  B.— 
J.  C.  W. 


December  21,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


420 


THE 


fearbcncis'dlbroniclc 

No.  1,095.— SATURDAY,  December  21,  1907. 


CONTENTS. 


Apple-trees,  the  flower- 
ing period  of 

Auricula,  the       

Ba  isams   as   decorative 
plants 

Carnation  Aristocrat    ... 

Cassava,  bitter,  the  poi- 
sonous   properties  of 

Colonial  notes 

Diervilla  sessilifolia 

Eupatorium  ageratioides    426 

Fernery,  the — 
The    genus     Acrosti- 
chum ...  4J7 

Florist's  art,  the 439 

Flower-gardening, 
modern 438 

Fly,  the  house    435 

Fruit  trees  suitable  for 
north  walls      

Gardens  in  Southern  and 
Western  England 

Ginseng  in  Queensland    436 

Grape    Appley    Towers    439 

Hardy  flower  border — 
Amicia  zygomeris     ...     426 
Artemisia  lactiflora  ...     426 
Lilium  Martagon  var. 

alba 426 

Seseli  gummiferum  ...    4^6 

Herbaceous     plant, 
qualities    constituting 


431 
438 

439 
429 

435 
429 
427 


429 
435 


Manchester,     chair     of 
Cryptogamic    botany, 

at 436 

Manuring  and  its  effects  431 
Obituary — 

Bethell,  George         ...  441 

Ward,  Edward          ...  441 

Perovskia    atnplicifolia  425 
Prevention    of    Corrup- 

tionAct 439 

Propagator,  the 431 

Rainfall  in  South  Wales  437 

Uivers,  pollution  of      ...  435 
Rock  garden,  the  — 
Corydalis     chcilanthi- 

folia 428 

Romneya  Coulteri         ...  437 

Root  solvents  in  the  soil  435 

Roses,  late-blooming  ...  434 
Seed    and    soil,    inocu- 
lation of          ...       430, 438 
Societies- 
Birmingham  and  Mid- 

landCouniies  Cbrys.   440 
National    Amateur 

Gardeners' 441 

National  Rose 439 

Shrubberies,     winter 

work  in  the     425 

Trees  and  shrubs— 

Pinus  pinaster           ...  431 

Street  trees     430 

Vines,  inarching      ...  438 
Week's  work,  the — 

Flower  garden,  the  ...  433 

Fruits  under  glass     ...  433 

Hardy  fruit  garden  ...  433 

Kitchen  garden,  the  ...  432 

Orchid  houses,  the    ...  432 

Parks  and  gardens    ...  433 

Plants  under  glass    ...  432 


Horticultural  instruction  434 
Hull,  the  public  parksof  436 
Larch  disease  and  Larch 

aphis      433 

Law  note — 

Importation  of  Goose- 
berry bushes  ...     441 
Lilium  sulphureum      ...    438 

ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Carnation  Aristocrat      429 

Diervilla  sessilifolia, a  plant  of,  426 ;  a  flowering  shoot  of    427 

Flower-bed  in  the  West  Park,  Hull  434a 

Nodules  on  roots  of  Alder       430 

Root  of  tare  inoculated  from  a  root  of  Elaeagnus         ...    430 

Tomato  plant,  effect  of  inoculation  on      430 

Views  in  Pearson  Park,  Hull 436,  487 


WINTER    WORK   IN    THE 
SHRUBBERIES. 

IT  is  only  during  the  winter  months  that 
time  can  be  found  for  effecting  a  proper 
overhauling  of  the  shrubberies,  as,  dur- 
ing the  rest  of  the  year,  there  is  so  much  to  be 
done  in  the  other  parts  of  the  garden.  To 
keep  a  shrubbery  or  a  collection  of  trees  and 
shrubs  in  good  order,  so  that  every  plant  will 
be  in  good  health  and  show  itself  to  the  best 
advantage,  annual  prunings,  thinnings,  and 
mulching  are  necessary.  If  these  operations 
are  carried  out  every  year  it  is  surprising 
what  a  short  time  is  required  to  treat  a  con- 
siderable area  of  shrubbery,  but  if  the  work 
is  neglected  for  a  few  years,  it  seems  as  if 
the  more  that  is  done  the  more  there  will 
remain  to  be  done. 

The  Evergreen  species  most  commonly 
planted  in  shrubberies  are  the  Common  and 
Portugal  Laurels,  Hollies,  Yews,  Box,  Os- 
manthus,  Phillyrseas,  and  Conifers  of  the 
Cupressus  and  Thuya  types.  If  a  formal 
shape  is  desired,  these  must  be  clipped  with 
the  shears,  but  in  a  mixed  border  formality  is 
not  usually  the  object,  and  the  plants  merely 
require  to  be  kept  in  their  place,  so  that  they 


will  not  encroach  injuriously  upon  their 
neighbours.  The  shears,  therefore,  shouM  be 
discarded  in  favour  of  the  knife,  with  which 
any  long  straggling  branches  can  be  cut 
back,  or  even  the  whole  plant  be  made 
smaller  by  thinning  them  out.  The  latter 
operation,  if  performed  skilfully,  can  be 
so  managed  that  the  plant  will  show  little  or 
no  sign  of  having  been  touched.  This  is  the 
true  art  of  pruning,  and  it  can  only  be  at- 
tained by  constant  practice.  To  clip  a  plant 
with  the  shears  is  a  fairly  easy  matter,  as 
every  shoot  is  served  alike,  and  it  merely 
requires  a  true  eye  to  enable  the  operator  to 
carry  out  the  work  properly  ;  but  to  trim  a 
plant  with  a  knife  is  a  task  requiring  more 
time  and  very  careful  judgment.  Conifers, 
however,  must  be  cut  with  the  shears  if  any 
trimming  is  required,  as  their  growth  is 
naturally  symmetrical,  and  on  some  soils  they 
are  apt  to  get  straggling  and  thin  if  not 
kept  cut  in.  This  work  is  best  if  left  until 
the  months  of  April  or  May,  when  the  new 
growth  will  soon  hide  the  marks  left  by  the 
shears. 

There  is  no  general  rule  to  follow  with  re- 
gard to  the  pruning  of  deciduous  flowering 
trees  and  shrubs,  for  they  vary  in  their  times 
of  flowering  and  also  in  the  wood  the  flowers 
are  borne  upon,  so  that  indiscriminate  prun- 
ing is  likely  to  result  in  obtaining  gross 
growth  and  flowerless  plants.  The  flowering 
trees  most  commonly  grown  are  Almonds, 
Flowering  Peaches,  Laburnums,  Thorns, 
Flowering  Cherries,  Pyrus  of  sorts,  Red  and 
White  Horse  Chestnuts,  Robinias,  and  Mag- 
nolias. These  ought  to  be  thinned  out, 
and  any  long  shoots  cut  back  after  flower- 
ing, but  time  for  such  operations  cannot, 
unfortunately,  always  be  spared  at  the 
right  time,  and  the  work  can  be  done 
nearly  as  well  in  winter.  Thinning  of  the 
shoots  is  almost  as  important  with  flower- 
ing trees  as  it  is  with  Plums,  Apples,  or  other 
fruits,  the  aim  being  to  obtain  stout,  well- 
ripened  wood  capable  of  producing  plenty  of 
large,  well-coloured  blooms.  This  can  only 
be  done  by  exposing  every  part  of  the  tree  to 
the  influences  of  the  sun  and  air,  and  thereby 
ensuring  that  thorough  ripening  of  the  wood 
so  essential  to  success. 

Many  shrubs  flower  better  on  young  wood 
than  on  the  old  wood,  so  that  a  cutting-back 
in  winter  or  early  in  spring  is  best  for  them,  as 
the  flowers  come  larger  and  better  coloured, 
and  are  also  produced  somewhat  later,  so  that 
the  season  of  bloom  is  prolonged.  Some  of 
these  are  Buddleia  japonica  and  B.  Lindley- 
ana,  Ceanothus  americanus,  C.  azureus,  and 
the  garden  hybrids  such  as  Gloire  de  Ver- 
sailles, Marie  Simon,  Indigo,  &c,  Clematises 
of  the  Jackmannii,  lanuginosa,  and  viticella 
sections,  Coluteas,  Cytisus  nigricans,  Hyperi- 
cums, together  with  the  Spiraeas  betulifolia, 
Douglasii,  japonica,  Foxii,  Anthony  Waterer, 
&c.  These  should  all  be  cut  back  to  within  two 
or  three  eyes  of  the  old  wood,  and  it  is  better 
for  the  plant  to  be  pruned  severely  than  not 
enough.  All  other  flowering  shrubs  should  only 
have  their  growths  thinned  out,  which  is  best 
done  immediately  after  they  have  flowered, 
but  much  may  be  done  in  winter  by  cutting 
away  thin,  weak  wood,  and  leaving  the  young, 
strong  shoots  more  exposed  to  the  light  and 
air.  In  short,  the  treatment  that  is  accorded 
to  Black  Currants  is  suitable  for  many  flower- 
ing  shrubs    if    applied    in    a    modified    form, 


varying   according    to   the   different   require- 
ments of  each  plant. 

TRANSPLAN  1'ING. 
This  work  will  depend  on  the  state  ol  the 
shrubbery,  whether  it  requires  thinning  or 
not,  but  practically  all  deciduous  trees  and 
shrubs  can  be  moved  during  the  winter 
months,  even  if  they  have  stood  in  the  same 
positions  for  some  years  together.  Ever- 
greens, on  the  contrary,  cannot  be  moved 
with  safety  if  they  have  not  been  kept  regu- 
larly transplanted,  unless  they  are  lifted  with 
a  large  ball  of  soil  that  will  contain  most 
of  their  roots.  This  will  mean  a  con- 
siderable weight  of  soil  to  move,  and  the  ball 
of  soil  must  be  kept  intact,  so  that  the  lifting 
of  large  Evergreens  is  not  a  task  to  be  lightly 
undertaken. 

Mulching. 
In  speaking  of  mulching  in  the  shrubbery, 
it  is  not  so  much  the  application  of  a  cer- 
tain amount  of  manure  per  square  yard  that 
is  meant,  as  the  leaving  upon  the  ground  of 
that  natural  mulch  of  leaves  which  fall  from 
the  plants  every  year.  Tidiness  in  a  garden  is 
highly  creditable,  but  when  it  is  carried  to 
the  extent  of  raking  off  every  leaf  and  weed 
from  the  shrubberies  and  nothing  is  applied 
to  the  soil  as  compensation,  it  is  carrying 
cleanliness  to  excess.  There  is  nothing  bet- 
ter for  trees  and  shrubs  than  to  leave  them 
their  natural  mulch  of  leaves,  which  will  keep 
them  in  good  health  for  years  together  with- 
out any  other  assistance.  This  can  be  seen 
at  any  time  in  a  wood,  where  the  trees  live 
and  thrive,  though  close  together,  on  the 
leaves  and  small  dead  wood  that  are  con- 
tinually falling  from  them.  On  the  top  of  a 
hill,  or  in  an  open  space  where  the  wind  blows 
the  leaves  away,  the  trees  will  be  found 
smaller  and  more  stunted  than  their  neigh- 
bours under  happier  conditions,  due  not  so 
much  to  exposure  as  to  being  robbed  of  their 
proper  mulch.  If,  therefore,  woods  and  for- 
ests will  thrive  without  any  attention  at  the 
root,  then  a  shrubbery  will  do  the  same  if 
the  rake  is  kept  away  from  it,  and  it  is  al- 
lowed to  benefit  by  its  natural  mulch  of 
leaves.  There  may  be  a  few  plants 
that  require  a  dressing  of  manure  to  keep 
them  in  good  health,  but  the  majority  of 
species  will  be  found  to  live  and  thrive  well 
without  any,  if  the  ground  is  not  raked  over 
to  expose  their  surface-roots  to  the  action  of 
sun  and  wind.  If  the  border  is  so  full  of  roots 
that  the  leaves  cannot  safely  be  dug  in,  then 
a  little  fresh  soil  can  be  brought  to  covei 
them,  but  on  no  account  should  they  be  taken 
away  unless  an  equivalent  amount  of  leal- 
mould  is  applied  as  compensation.  /.  C, 
Bagshot. 

PEROVSKIA     ATRIPLICIFOLIA. 

For  the  past  few  years  I  have  been  much  im- 
pressed with  the  rare  beauty  of  this  Himalayan 
Labiate,  and  am  glad  to  see  it  is  likely  to  become 
generally  cultivated.  The  plant  resembles 
Teucrium  in  its  beautiful  silver-grey  colouring. 
I  may  describe  it  as  a  free-habited  rock  plant, 
a  border  plant,  a  sub-shrub  for  the  sunny 
shrubbery,  and  particularly  as  a  "rift"  plait 
for  grouping  between  taller  trees.  It  has  a  hard- 
wooded  root-stock,  from  which  it  throws  up 
several  grey-white  growths  which  branch  freely, 
droop  somewhat,  and  are  terminated  by  a  pre.ty 
panicle  of  lavender-blue  flowers  that  are  not 
unlike  those  of  Lavender  in  colour  and  shape, 
but  the  panicles  are  often  18  inches  long,  and 


42G 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[December  21,  1907. 


have  from  10  to  20  lateral  growths.  The  colour 
note  of  the  whole  plant — grey-white  with  blue 
inflorescences — is  just  what  is  wanted  in  the 
flower  garden  in  October ;  Lavender  gives  it, 
Teucrium  gives  it,  and  in  the  case  of  Perovskia 
there  is  added  charm  in  the  pretty  inflorescences 
late  in  autumn.  In  the  rock-garden  it  could  b: 
well  used  at  the  base  of  large  boulders,  and  in 
the  pleasaunce  there  is  further  use  in  furnish- 
ing the  bare  spaces  beneath  trees  that  do  not 
throw  too  dense  a  shade.  The  growths  are 
attractive  from  the  first  by  reason  of  their 
colour  and  the  pretty,  broadly  lance-shaped, 
serrate  leafage  they  carry.  Added  to  this  is  a 
spicy  fragrance,  manifest  in  leaf  and  stem  when 
touched,  and  which  becomes  particularly  pep- 
pery as  one  approaches  the  root  of  old  speci- 
mens. Propagation  is  affected  by  cuttings 
rooted  in  spring  and  autumn  in  closed  frames 
G.  B.  Mallett. 


THE    HARDY    FLOWER 
BORDER. 

LILIUM  MARTAGON  VAR.  ALBA. 
This  beautiful  Lily  is  not  seen  in  the  garden 
as  often  as  it  deserves.  Perhaps  this  is  partly 
due  to  the  circumstance  that  the  plant  is  rather 
particular  as  to  its  requirements  in  the  matter 
of  drainage  and  exposure.  The  Turk's  Cap 
Lilies  are  common  plants  in  the  sub-Alpine 
pastures  of  Southern  Europe,  and  this  habitat 
should  suffice  to  give  an  indication  of  the  treat 
ment  they  demand.  For  several  years  we  en- 
deavoured to  cultivate  the  white  Martagon  in 
the  ordinary  border,  but  it  was  not  satisfac- 
tory, and,  although  the  bulbs  blossomed,  they 
seemed  hardly  worth  growing.  They  were  tried 
in  various  situations,  and  at  last  were  planted 
on  the  highest  part  of  the  rock-garden,  rather 
in  exasperation  than  with  the  expectation  of  im- 
provement. But  ever  since  that  time  the  plants 
have  been  the  admiration  of  all  who  have  seen 
them.  A  bulb  that  had  languished  in  the  bor- 
der, producing  perhaps  8  or  10  flowers  on  a 
stalk,  when  transplanted  to  the  new  situation 
sent  up  in  the  first  year  a  strong  stem  bearing 
28  blossoms,  and  it  increased  considerably  so 
that  in  the  following  season  three  stems,  carry- 
ing respectively  26,  23,  and  18  flowers  were 
produced,  whilst  this  season  seven  flowering 
stems  were  formed,  on  which  128  flowers  were 
altogether  formed.  Five  of  the  stems  bore 
more  than  20  blossoms  apiece.  Of  course,  this 
method  of  treatment  might  not  have  succeeded 
everywhere,  but  these  white  Martagon  Lilies  are 
so  beautiful  when  they  do  succeed  that  they  are 
worth  the  trouble  of  making  a  few  experiments. 
A . 

SESELI   GUMMIFERUM. 

Apart  from  their  botanical  interest,  most  of 
the  species  of  Seseli  are  not  valuable  garden 
plants,  but  S.  gummiferum  is  an  exception  in 
this  respect,  being  an  ornamental  plant  nearly 
the  whole  year  through.  It  is  a  perennial 
species,  having  a  thick,  stiff  stem,  which  grows 
to  a  height  of  2  feet  or  more,  and  bears  long, 
tripinnate,  very  glaucous  leaves.  The  inflo- 
rescence is  much  branched  towards  the  top, 
bearing  compound  umbels  of  white  flowers, 
tinged  with  pink.  The  flowering  season  is  from 
July  to  September. 

A  well-established  plant  consisting  of  about 
a  dozen  young  stems,  besides  the  flowering  ones, 
has  a  very  pleasing  and  distinct  appearance, 
and  when  not  in  flower  generally  arrests  atten- 
tion by  reason  of  its  handsome  glaucous  foliage. 
In  the  Cambridge  Botanic  Garden,  S.  gummi- 
ferum is  cultivated  in  an  exposed  position  out- 
of-doors. 

It  is  figured  in  the  Bot.  Mag.,  t.  2,259,  as  the 
"Gummy  Meadow  Saxifraga."  It  was  first 
found  by  Pallas  in  the  Crimea,  and  has  been 
known  in  gardens  since  1804.  The  stem  when 
wounded,  especially  in  dry  weather,  exudes  a 
strong-smelling  gum-resin.     E.  J.  Allard. 


ARTEMISIA    LACTIFLORA. 

This  plant  deserves  to  rank  with  the  very  best 
of  the  Chinese  plants  recently  introduced  to  cul- 
tivation. Although  belonging  to  a  genus  of 
little  horticultural  value,  this  extraordinary 
Wormwood  will  prove  invaluable  in  the  autumn 
flower  border,  not  only  in  the  south,  but  in  the 
coldest  parts  of  Scotland  also ;  there  is  no  plant 
to  surpass  it  in  elegance  late  in  the  season. 

The  stems  are  like  those  of  the  florists'  Chry- 
santhemum, stout  and  upstanding,  and  they  are 
densely  clothed  with  Chrysanthemum-like 
leaves.  The  inflorescence  is  a  giant  panicle  of 
white  composite  heads  closely  adpressed  to  the 
floral   branches,    the   lateral   growths    and    the 


stems   being  of  a   pithy  description    are   seem- 
ingly   incapable    of     absorbing    water.     G.    B 
Mallett. 

AMICIA   ZYGOMERIS. 

It  may  not  be  generally  known  that  this  plant 
is  quite  hardy  in  a  sheltered  position  out  of 
doors  in  the  more  favoured  parts  of  the  country. 

In  the  Cambridge  Botanic  Garden  it  forms  a 
bold  clump  4  feet  in  diameter  and  8  feet  high, 
and  flowers  well  in  October  or  November.  The 
herbaceous  stems  are  hollow,  about  half  an  inch 
in  diameter,  well  branched  towards  the  top,  and 
clothed  with  pubescent  hairs.  The  pinnate 
leaves  are  deep  green  above,  of  a  paler  shade 
beneath,  being  composed  of  two  pairs  of  leaflets, 


{Photograph  by  E.  P.  RaffilU 
FlG.    173. —  DIERVILLA    SESSILIFOLIA,    A    HARDY    FLOWERING    SHRUB.      (See  p.  427.) 


youngest  portion  of  the  central  axis  drooping 
gracefully  and  giving  one  the  pictorial  aspect 
of  Spiraea  Aitchisonii  or  Lindleyana,  but  in  pure 
white.  I  have  recently  seen  groups  5-6  feet 
high,  some  arranged  with  the  rank  and  file  of 
border  plants,  others  by  the  waterside  but  with 
no  excess  of  moisture  at  the  root,  and  their  be- 
haviour and  rare  beauty  in  this,  the  first  trial 
planting,  is  distinctly  promising.  In  the  Glas- 
gow Botanic  Gardens,  where  soil  and  atmos- 
phere are  charged  with  gases  deleterious  to 
plant-life,  this  Artemisia  thrives  well,  and  in 
the  purer  air  and  better  soil  of  country  gardens 
specimen  plants  of  merit  are  the  rule.  The 
flowers  have  no  great  value  in  a  cut  state ;   the 


which  are  obcordate  mucronate  in  shape,  and 
full  of  pellucid  dots  on  the  under  surface. 

The  stipules  are  interesting  botanically,  each 
successive  pair  affording  protection  to  the  grow- 
ing point.  They  are  kidney-shaped,  about  an 
inch  across,  somewhat  membranous,  and  veined 
with   purple,   especially  towards  the  base. 

The  flowers  are  papilionaceous,  and  are  borne 
about  four  together  on  somewhat  slender  stalks 
towards  the  ends  of  the  branches.  They  are 
bright  yellow  in  colour,  the  keel  and  the  two 
wings  being  splashed  with  reddish  purple  on  the 
inside. 

This  Mexican  plant  is  ornamental  in  a  position 
where  it  will  grow  luxuriantly.     E.  J.  Allard. 


December  21,  1E07.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


427 


DIERVILLA    SESSILIFOLTA. 

Among  hardy  shrubs,  the  Diervillas  or  Bush 
Honeysuckles  as  they  are  commonly  called  are 
amongst  the  most  floriferous  and  beautiful, 
their  pretty,  sweet-scented  flowers  and  ample 
rich  green  foliage  placing  them  in  the  front 
rank  of  desirable  shrubs  for  garden  decoration. 
About  eight  species  are  in  cultivation,  of  which 
D.  florida,  better  known  in  gardens  as  Weigela 
rosea,  was  introduced  as  long  ago  as  1844,  and 
which,  apart  from  its  beautiful  free-flowering 
habit,  appears  to  thrive  in  almost  any  kind  of 
soil,  provided  it  is  planted  in  a  sunny  position. 
Several  other  species  are  very  showy,  such  as 
D.  floribunda  and  D.  grandiflora,  and  these 
three  species  have  been  used  in  the  production 


Sons,  of  Chelsea,  exhibited  several  flowering 
growths  at  a  meeting  of  the  R.H.S.  on  June  29, 
1897,  one  of  which  was  illustrated  in  the  Gar' 
diners'  Chronicle  for  July  10  (now  reproduced). 
To  succeed  with  this  species  it  requires  some- 
what different  treatment  than  the  rest  of  the 
genus,  as  it  produces  its  flowers  from  the  ends 
of  the  shoots  of  the  current  season  growth  at 
the  end  of  June  and  early  part  of  July — at  which 
period  there  are  fewer  shrubs  in  flower — 
and  therefore  this  species,  if  not  so  showy 
as  others,  is  valuable  on  this  account.  The 
plants  should  be  cut  hard  back  each  spring, 
so  as  to  induce  the  production  of  numerous 
shoots  from  the  base,  as  it  is  from  these  that 
the  flowers  may  be  expected  later  on  in  the 
summer. 


THE    FERNERY. 


FlG.    174. — FLOWERING    SPRAY    OF    DIERVILLA    SESS1LIFOLIA :     I  LOWERS    YELLOW. 


of  many  beautiful  hybrids,  several  of  which, 
such  as  Eva  Rathke,  Abel  Carriere,  Candida,  and 
Van  Houttei,  are  well  known  in  gardens.  These 
hybrids  and  their  parents  flower  for  the  most 
part  from  short  leafy  shoots,  which  are  pro- 
duced from  the  ripened  wood  made  during  the 
previous  year,  and  for  this  reason  any  pruning 
they  may  require  should  be  done  immediately 
their  flowering  season  is  past,  which  is  usually 
about  mid-summer. 

Another  species,  which  differs  altogether  in 
habit  from  the  preceding,  is  D.  sessilifolia  (see 
fig.  174),  which,  as  may  be  seen  from  the  ac- 
companying illustration,  is  also  a  free-flowering 
plant.  Some  attention  was  paid  to  this  species 
some   10  years   ago,   when   Messrs.   J.   Veitch  & 


The  flowers  are  produced  in  axillary  or  ter- 
minal cymes,  clustered  together  at  the  ends  of 
the  shoots.  The  calyx  is  slender,  elongated, 
about  1  inch  long,  narrow  below,  the  limb  with 
five  linear  lobes.  The  corolla  is  light  yellow, 
nearly  2  inches  long  and  i  inch  broad,  narrowly 
funnel  shaped,  with  a  slender  tube  and  a  nearly 
regular  five-lobed  limb.  Stamens  five,  inserted 
on  the  corolla,  anthers  linear.  The  leaves  are 
opposite  and  decussate,  elliptic  or  elliptic-ovate, 
sessile  on  the  upper  parts  of  the  shoot,  shortly 
petiolate  on  the  lower,  finely  serrate,  often  as 
much  as  8  inches  in  length  and  3  or  4  inches  in 
breadth,  and  of  a  light  pea-green  colour. 

It  is  an  inhabitant  of  the  mountains  of  Caro- 
lina and  Tennessee,  and  was  introduced  into 
cultivation  in  this  country  in  1889.    C.  P.  Raffdl. 


THE  GENUS  ACROSTICHUM. 
The  Ferns  included  by  Hooker  and  Bakei 
in  this  genus  when  compiling  the  Synopsis 
Filicum  are  extremely  varied  in  habit.  Several 
are  not  more  than  a  few  inches  in  height,  while 
others,  when  growing  luxuriantly,  attain  to  large 
dimensions.  Notable  amongst  the  strong- 
growing  kinds  are  A.  aureum,  which  is  fre- 
quently seen  6  feet  or  more  in  height.  When 
we  consider  how  diverse  in  character  the  plants 
are,  it  is  not  surprising  that  the  species  at  pre- 
sent comprising  the  genus  were  divided  by 
earlier  botanists  into  at  least  a  dozen  genera. 
Fortunately,  many  of  these  names  have  disap- 
peared from  gardens.  The  old  names,  however, 
are  usually  included  as  synonyms  when  dealing 
with  individual  species,  so  that  those  who 
cultivate  them  under  the  old  names  may 
easily  recognise  their  plants.  The  sori  in  some 
of  the  species  is  spread  over  the  entire  under- 
surface  of  the  fertile  fronds  ;  in  others  it  is  dis- 
posed only  on  the  under-surface  of  the  upper 
leaflets,  while  in  some  instances  it  spreads  over 
both  surfaces.  The  fronds  of  Acrostichum  are 
very  diverse  in  character,  some  being  simple  or 
entire,  others  divided  partly,  or  entirely  to  the 
midrib,  and  a  few  doubly  pinnate.  In  many  in- 
stances the  fronds  bearing  the  spores  are  very 
distinct  from  the  others  on  the  plant.  The  great 
majority  of  the  species  are  natives  of  tropical 
and   a   few  of   sub-tropical   regions. 

Cultivation. 

Most  of  the  species  require  to  be  cultivated  in 
the  warm  greenhouse  or  stove.  Their  diverse 
habit  of  growth  fits  them  for  use  in  a  number 
of  ways.  Those  with  rhizomes  can  be  utilised 
for  clothing  bare  walls  and  pillars,  or  hiding 
unsightly  corners  in  the  house.  Some  of  the 
plants  climb  or  spread  over  the  ground  by  means 
of  roots,  produced  from  the  stems  in  a  similar 
manner  to  Ivy.  Such  species  include  A.  acu- 
minatum, A.  Caenopteris,  A.  osmundaceum,  and 
A.  scandens.  Several  with  naturally  half- 
drooping  fronds  are  admirable  subjects  for 
furnishing  hanging  baskets  and  pockets.  Bas- 
kets made  of  some  durable  wood  as  Teak,  for 
instance,  are  preferable  to  wire. 

Acrostichums  being  mostly  shallow-rooting 
plants,  are  often  cultivated  in  shallow  pots  or 
round  pans  about  half  the  depth  of  an  ordinary 
pot.  In  these  receptacles  there  is  not  nfed  for  so 
much  drainage  material,  although  even  in  pans 
plentv  of  material  must  be  given  to  ensure  per- 
fect drainage.  Another  reason  in  favour  of 
pans  is  that  with  the  smaller  growing 
kinds,  when  they  increase  in  diameter,  and  are 
put  in  larger  pots,  even  though  they  may  be 
splendid  specimens  of  the  plant,  they  look  any- 
thing but  pleasing  with  so  much  pot  beneath. 
For  most  of  the  species  the  following  mixture 
forms  a  suitable  compost :— 2  parts  fibrous  peat, 
1  part  leaf-mould,  and  1  part  coarse  sand  and 
broken  sandstone  ;  pieces  of  the  latter  may  be 
left  as  large  as  hazel  nuts,  to  assist  in  making 
the  soil  thoroughly  porous,  as,  although  they 
require  an  abundance  of  moisture  at  the  roote 
in  summer,  the  majority  are  very  impatient  of 
anything  approaching  stagnation.  For  the 
strong-growing  kinds,  of  which  A.  aureum  anc 
A.  scandens  may  be  cited  as  examples,  add  ] 
part  fibrous  loam  to  the  compost  recommended 

Keep  the  atmosphere  of  the  house  humid 
Syringe  the  plants  several  times  on  bright  days 
avoiding,  however,  those  with  woolly  leaves,  as 
although  it  does  the  plants  no  harm,  the  watei 
spoils  the  appearance  of  the  fronds. 

Selection  of  Species. 
Nearlv  200  species  of  Acrostichums  have  been 
described  ;  many  of  these,  however,  are  not  in 
cultivation.  At  Kew  there  are  40  species  and 
10  geographical  varieties.  Those  enumerated 
below  are  the  most  interesting  and  decorative 
members  of  the  genus. 


428 


THE     GARB  EN  Eli  S     CHR  0  N I CL  E. 


[December  21,  1907. 


A.  ACUMINATUM  (SYN.  POLYBOTRYA  ACUMINA- 
TUM).— A  Brazilian  species  with  thick  rhizomes, 
this  plant  is  useful  as  a  basket  plant,  for  cover- 
ing bare  walls,  or  twining  round  the  stems  of 
tall  Tree  Ferns.  The  semi-drooping  fronds  are 
bi-pinnate,  18  inches  to  2  feet  in  length,  1  foot 
in  width,  tapering  upwards,  rich  green  in  colour. 
The  fertile  fronds  are  tri-pinnate,  about  half 
the  size  of  the  barren  fronds.  The  stipe  (stalk) 
is  thickly  clothed  with   scales. 

A.  aureum  (syn.  Chrysodium  aureum). — This 
is  a  common  species  in  tropical  and  sub-tropical 
countries,  and  grows  in  swampy  districts.  It  is 
a  vigorous  plant  which,  when  fully  developed, 
attains  a  height  of  5  to  7  feet,  forming  an  erect 
stem,  which  with  age  resembles  a  short  Tree 
Fern.  The  fronds  are  pinnate,  the  leaflets  8  or 
9  inches  long  and  2  to  3  inches  broad,  rich  green 
in  colour.  The  spores  are  produced  on  the 
upper  pinnae  of  some  of  the  fronds.  The  plant 
requires  much  water,  and,  therefore,  the  best 
specimen  at  Kew  is  growing  in  the  Water  Lily 
house,  the  lower  portion  of  the  pot  being  stood 
in  the  water. 

A.  BURCHELLII  (SYN.  ELAPHOGLOSSUM  BUR- 
chellii. — This  plant  has  a  short,  woody 
rhizome  covered  with  brown  scales  ;  the  fronds 
are  glossy  green  colour,  entire,  sub-corriaceous 
in  texture,  1  foot  to  18  inches  in  length,  and  1 
inch  in  width.  The  fertile  fronds  are  not  so 
large  as  the  barren  ones  ;  the  fructification  en- 
tirely covers  the  underside  of  the  fronds.  It  is 
a  native  of  Brazil,  and  should  be  cultivated  in 
the  greenhouse. 

A.  Caenopteris. — A  vigorous-growing  Mexi- 
can plant,  suitable  for  the  greenhouse  or  inter- 
mediate house.  The  thick  rhizomes  are  cov- 
ered with  brown  scales,  fronds  2  feet  to  3  feet 
in  length,  pinnate,  fertile  fronds  narrower,  and 
bi-pinnate.  This  is  a  useful  species  for  cover- 
ing bare  walls,  the  rhizomes  being  capable  of 
growing  quickly. 

A.  cervinum. — A  tropical  American  species 
long  cultivated  in  gardens  as  Olfersia  cervina. 
The  fertile  and  barren  fronds  are  very  distinct. 
The  former  are  bi-pinnate,  the  pinnules  being 
entirely  covered  with  sporangia.  The  barren 
fronds  are  pinnate,  2  feet  or  more  in  length, 
pale  green  in  colour,  the  rhizomes  and  stipes 
clothed  with  light  brown  scales.  A  useful  plant 
to  grow  in  hanging  baskets  or  in  pockets. 

A.  CONFORME  (SYN.  F.L  APHOGLOSSUM  CON- 
FORME). — A  small  growing  species  seldom  ex- 
ceeding 9  inches  in  height,  widely  distributed  in 
tropical  and  sub-tropical  regions.  The  fronds 
are  entire  and  about  1  inch  broad,  glossy  green 
in  colour.     It  succeeds  in  the  cool  fernery. 

A.  crimtum. — This  plant  will  be  mOTe 
familiar  to  gardeners  under  the  name  of  Hy- 
menodium  crinitum.  It  is  the  handsomest 
species  of  the  whole  genus,  and  one  of  the  most 
distinct  Ferns  in  cultivation.  The  barren  fronds 
are  entire,  thickly  studded  with  brownish-black 
hairs,  somewhat  leathery  in  texture  and  broad- 
oblong,  12  to  18  inches  long,  6  to  9  inches  broad  ; 
it  has  been  given  the  name  of  the  "  Elephant's 
Ear  Fern,"  owing  to  a  slight  resemblance  of  the 
frond  to  the  ear  of  that  animal.  In  shape  the 
fertile  fronds  resemble  the  barren  ones,  but  are 
rather  smaller  and  have  a  longer  stipe.  A 
native  of  Central  America  and  the  West  Indies, 
the  plant  is  said  to  have  been  first  introduced  to 
this  country  in  1793.  A  spongy  compost  similar 
to  that  used  for  Platyceriums  is  the  most  suit- 
able, namely,  fibrous  peat,  half-decayed  leaf- 
mould,  sphagnum-moss,  charcoal,  and  broken 
sandstone  or  coarse  sand. 

A.  cuspidatum  is  found  wild  from  the  West 
Indies  to  Peru.  The  barren  fronds  are  from 
1  to  2  feet  long,  the  upper  surface  comparatively 
smooth,  and  the  underside  thickly  matted  with 
rusty  brown  scales,  the  fertile  fronds  rather 
smaller  than  the  sterile  ones. 


A.  decoratum. — A  handsome  species  from 
West  Indies,  Brazil,  Peru,  and  Guiana.  The 
stout  rhizomes  are  clothed  with  brown  scales. 
The  barren  fronds  are  from  1  foot  to  18  inches 
in  length,  leathery  in  texture,  and  the  margin 
and  midrib  are  studded  with  brown  scales, 
fertile  fronds  similar  in  shape,  but  slightly 
smaller. 

A.  drynarioides. — A  stove  species,  native  of 
Penang,  Solomon  Isles,  and  New  Guinea.  The 
fronds  are  distinct  in  appearance,  having  no 
stipe.  They  grow  fully  3  feet  in  height  and  1 
foot  in  width.  The  sori  is  produced  on  the 
upper  portion  of  some  of  the  fronds. 

A.  flagelliferum  (syn.  Gymnopteris  flagel- 
i.ifera). — This  is  an  Indian  species,  requiring 
stove  treatment.  The  fronds  are  1  foot  or  more 
in  length,  comprising  two  or  three  pairs  of 
pinnae  and  a  terminal  much  elongated  one.  The 
spores  are  produced  on  the  ends  of  a  few 
fronds. 

A.     LATIFOLIUM     (SYN.      El.APHOGLOSSUM     I.ATI- 

folium). — The  species  is  widely  distributed  in 
tropical  countries.  The  shining,  green  leaves 
are  entire,  1  foot  or  more  in  length,  upright  in 
growth,  with  a  distinct  leathery  appearance. 
The  following  are  considered  by  botanists  to  be 
geographical  forms  of  this  species: — angusti- 
folium,  Tropical  America;  callaefolium,  Java; 
crassinerve,  Brazil. 

A.  OSMUNDACEUM  (SYN.  PffLYBOTKYA  OSMUNDA- 
CEUM). — An  inhabitant  of  the  forest  of  Tropical 
America,  this  plant  is  very  robust  in  growth. 
The  thick  rhizomes  make  rapid  progress  trailing 
over  a  rockery,  clinging  to  damp  walls  or  trail- 
ing round  pillars  and  tall  Tree  Ferns.  The 
barren  fronds  are  tri-pinnate,  dark  green  in 
colour,  18  inches  in  length,  9  inches  broad  at 
the  base.  The  fertile  fronds  are  about  the  same 
size,  and  wholly  covered  with  sporangia. 

A.  PELTATU.M    (SYN.    RHIPIDOPTERIS  PELTATA). — 

This  is  a  charming  little  West  Indian  species, 
with  small  fan-like  fronds.  It  grows  3  inches  to 
4  inches  in  height,  and  reminds  one  somewhat 
of  a  miniature  Palm ;  the  fronds  are  several 
times  dichotomously  divided.  The  plants 
should  be  grown  several  together  in  shallow  pans 
to  obtain  its  full  beauty.  A  suitable  compost 
consists  of  equal  parts  leaf-mould  and  peat, 
adding  plenty  of  sand.  Insert  here  and  there 
over  the  surface  of  the  pan  pieces  of  sandstone 
to  form  an  uneven  surface  over  which  the 
rhizomes  will  grow.  As  the  plants  thrive  in  a 
moist  atmosphere,  it  must  be  grown  in  a  house 
where  such  conditions  prevail.  A  botanical 
variety  named  gracillimum,  found  in  Brazil,  has 
rather  larger  and  more  divided  fronds. 

A.  QUERCIFOLIUM  (SYN.  GYMNOPTERIS  QUERCI- 
folium  and  A.  Neitnerii). — This  interesting 
Fern  is  found  in  Tropical  Asia,  notably  in 
Ceylon  and  Southern  China.  The  barren  fronds 
resemble  very  much  an  Oak  leaf  in  appearance, 
hence  the  specific  name.  These  are  almost 
prostrate,  3  to  4  inches  in  length.  In  direct  con- 
trast to  these,  the  fertile  fronds  grow  erect, 
being,  when  mature,  about  6  inches  in  height, 
the  pinnae  is  contracted  and  covered  with 
sporangia. 

A.  SCANDENS  (SYN.  StENOCHLAENA  SCANDENS). 
— This  is  the  freest-growing  species  of  the  whole 
genus  under  cultivation.  Planted  out  in  a 
fernery,  where  the  temperature  is  not  allowed 
to  fall  below  50°  F.  at  night  in  winter,  the 
rhizomes  ramble  about  in  all  directions.  The 
barren  fronds  are  rich  green  in  colour,  4  feet  to 
6  feet  long,  simply  pinnate.  The  pinnae  of  the 
fertile  fronds  are  much  contracted.  It  requires 
plenty  of  water,  the  plant  having  no  resting 
season,  the  rhizomes  growing  and  pushing  up 
vigorous  young  fronds  throughout  the  year.  It 
is  found  wild  in  Asia,  Queensland,  and  Figi. 

A.  tomentosuxi  [SYN.  ELAPHOGLOSSUM  tomen- 
TOSUM). — This  is  a  stove  species,   native  of  the 


Bourbon  Islands.  The  plant  has  a  distinct  and 
striking  appearance,  the  stipes  and  fronds  being 
clothed  with  narrow,  light-brown  scales.  The 
long,  tapering  fronds  are  2  feet  to  3  feet  or  more 
in  length.  Allowed  to  grow  for  several  years 
without  dividing,  this  species  will  make  a  good 
specimen  plant.     A.  0. 


EUPATORIUM    AGERATIOIDES. 

It  is  not  often  one  finds  effective  use  made  of 
this  old-time  plant  from  North  America  ;  albeit, 
it  is  the  best  of  its  group,  and  is  an  attractive 
plant  when  most  herbs  are  preparing  for  the  win- 
ter's rest.  It  is  distinctly  easy  to  accommodate, 
hence  one  may  group  it  among  shrubs  or  in  the 
wild-garden ;  it  has,  however,  special  claims 
upon  those  who  plant  water-gardens.  July  and 
August  are  practically  water-garden  months, 
after  which  there  is  but  little  of  value  or  attrac- 
tiveness in  such  gardening.  This  Hemp  Agri- 
mony is  at  its  best  in  September,  and  one  may 
suggest  it  be  used  freely  in  clothing  the  banks 
of  streams  and  in  bold  groups  in  the  bog- 
garden.  The  plant  exceeds  a  yard  in  both 
height  and  diameter,  and  it  produces  a  perfect 
mound  of  white,  the  flowers  being  so  closely 
arranged  that  the  leafage  of  the  upper  portions 
of  the  stems  becomes  completely  hidden.  It  has 
one  defect  that  timely  staking  alone  can  cor- 
rect— the  stems  are  very  brittle  and  will  snap 
off  if  the  inflorescences  are  laden  with  rain- 
drops and  are  not  supported.  A  grouping  of 
half-a-dozen  plants,  whose  main  stems  are 
rigidly  staked  and  whose  lesser  growths  are 
allowed  to  hang  as  they  will  and  dip  to  the 
water's  edge,  has  for  many  weeks  been  a  feature 
on  the  banks  of  an  old  ditch  of  considerable 
breadth.  Polygonum  polystachyum  in  full 
flower  beside  it  was  hardly  more  beautiful.  If 
such  a  small  group  as  this  can  attract,  how 
much  the  more  effective  would  20  to  30  plants 
be  on  the  margin  of  a  large  lake  !  The  species 
may  be  propagated  readily  by  cuttings  inserted 
in   spring.     G.    B.   Mallett. 


THE    ROCK    GARDEN. 


CORYDALIS  CHEILAXTII1FOLIA. 
Edinburgh  Botanic  Garden  affords  a  capital 
object-lesson  in  the  effective  grouping  of  this, 
new  Fumitory  in  the  rock-garden,  and  one  can 
appreciate  it  the  more  because  this  plant  is  likely 
to  naturalise  itself  freely  on  any  moist,  rocky 
slope,  and  should,  in  course  of  time,  prove  in- 
valuable to  sow  on  rocky  outcrops  of  any  mag- 
nitude. It  is  a  very  beautiful  plant — the  tiny 
seedling  is  pretty  and  the  adult  flowering  speci- 
men very  effective.  The  leafy  rosette  is  reminis- 
cent of  many  Filmy  Ferns,  and  extends  to  IS 
inches  in  diameter.  The  pale  green  colouring 
of  the  newly-formed  leaves,  the  deeper  green  of 
the  largest  ones,  and  the  yellow  tint  of  the  spent 
ones  combine  to  render  this  species  attractive  at 
all  times.  The  flowers  do  not  call  for  any 
especial  comment ;  they  are  not  so  big  as  those 
of  C.  nobilis,  but  are  quite  "  in  keeping "  as 
regards  size  and  elegance  with  the  leafage,  are 
yellow  as  regards  colouring,  and  with  attenuated 
hoods  or  spurs.  The  Edinburgh  plants  fur- 
nished the  rocky  walls  of  a  dug-out  footway; 
some  had  a  free  root-run  of  soil,  others  throve 
in  small  cracks  and  fissures  in  the  formation. 
The  impression  was  that  of  an  Irish,  Scottish, 
or  Welsh  Ferny  glen — the  plants  so  closely  re- 
sembled Ferns  in  their  manner  of  growth. 
There  are  many  gardens  in  the  south-west  in 
which  natural  rocky  outcrops  are  abundant;  to 
the  owners  or  custodians  of  such  I  can  com- 
mend Corydalis  cheilanthifolia  as  a  plant  that 
will  beautifv  these  positions  in  the  most  effective 
manner.  Seeds  of  this  species  germinate 
readily,  and  growth   is  always  rapid.      G. 


DECEMBER    21,    1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


429 


COLONIAL     NOTE. 


CANE  AND  BEET  SUGAR. 

The  great  extension  of  the  Beet-growing  area 
in  Europe  during  past  years  under  the  bounty 
system  which  has  prevailed  in  many  continental 
countries,  the  large  increases  in  the  Beet  sugar 
imports  into  England  during  this  period,  and 
the  consequent  falling-off  in  cane  sugar  imports 
from  the  British  West  Indies  and  other  cane- 
growing  colonies,  are  dwelt  upon  at  consider- 
able length  in  the  recently  published  Volume 
VII.  of  the  Report  of  the  Tariff  Commission. 
It  is  pointed  out  that  in  25  years  the  German 
area  under  sugar-Beet  has  nearly  trebled, 
while  the  Belgian  area  has  nearly  doubled  dur- 
ing the  same  period ;  the  Austrian  area  has 
more  than  doubled  in  20  years,  and  the  French 
acreage  has  increased  10  per  cent.  Not  only 
do  these  European  countries  now  produce  the 
greater   part    of    the    sugar     consumed     in     the 


produced  in  Jamaica  is  of  the  annual  value  of 
£6,000  indicates  the  importance  of  Lime  culti- 
vation in  this  latter  island.  The  Lime  does 
very  well  in  Jamaica,  flourishing  in  dry 
districts  and  on  poor  soils.  Much  of  the  Lime 
juice  exported  is  the  produce  of  trees  grown 
in  the  ordinary  cattle  pastures,  and  in  con- 
sideration of  this  it  is  pointed  out  in  an  article 
in  the  Journal  of  the  Jamaica  Agricultural 
Society  that  Limes  and  their  products  should 
form  a  much  more  prominent  item  than  they  do 
at  present  in  the  agricultural  exports  of  the 
island,  as  it  is  stated  that  there  is  plenty  of 
ordinary  pasture  land  in  Jamaica  possessing  a 
red  soil  well  adapted  for  Citrus  fruit  culti- 
vation, on  which  Limes  could  be  profitably 
grown  as  a  perennial  "  catch  crop." 

JAMAICA     RUM. 

The  following  order,  which,  says  the  Agri- 
cultural News,  Bridgetown,  Barbados,  should 
operate  to  the  advantage  of  rum  manufacturers 


Fig. 


175- — CARNATION    ARISTOCRAT:    COLOUR    ROSE-PINK. 


British  Islands,  but  the  larger  portion  of  the 
Beet  sugar  imports  consists  of  refined  sugar, 
which  means  that  the  British  sugar-refining  in- 
dustry is  being  pushed  out  by  foreign  competi- 
tion. With  respect  to  the  importation  of  raw 
cane  sugar  from  the  West  Indies  to  Great 
Britain,  the  figures  given  show  that  the  shipments 
are  little  more  than  one-third  of  what  thev  were 
20  years  ago.  In  1885,  as  much  as  1,400,000 
cwt.  of  sugar  were  sent  from  these  islands  to 
England,  while  in  1903  the  quantity  had  fallen 
to  450,000  cwt.  The  English  imports  from 
British  Guiana  fell  from  1,300,000  cwt.  to 
220,000  cwt.  in  the  same  period.  Agricultural 
News  ( West  Indies),  November   16. 

LIME    CULTIVATION    IN    JAMAICA. 
Although   Dominica  and   Montserrat  are  re- 
garded as  the  headquarters  of  the  Lime  indus- 
try of   the   West   Indies,   yet   the   fact   that   the 
Lime     juice,     citric      acid,     and      essential      nil 


in  Jamaica,  has  recently  been  issued  by  the 
English  Boari  of  Customs,  after  communication 
with  the  Colonial  Office : — "  The  Board  direct 
that  rums  imported  from  Jamaica,  or  admitted 
as  being  of  Jamaica  origin,  are  to  be  entered  in 
the  accounts,  and  on  all  relative  documents,  in- 
cluding permits,  as  '  Rum  from  Jamaica.'  Care 
is  to  be  taken  that  this  description  is  not  ap- 
plied to  rum  from  Jamaica  which  has  been 
blended  with  rum  of  other  origin."  The  effect  of 
this  order  is  to  differentiate  Jamaica  rum  from 
all  other  rums,  so  that  a  separate  entry  will  be 
required  for  it  at  import.  In  future  it  will  be 
impossible  to  blend  Jamaica  rum  in  bond  with 
other  cheaper  rums,  and  describe  the  resulting 
mixture  as  Jamaica  rum. 

NORWEGIAN     FRUIT     PLANTATIONS 

IN     THE     WEST     INDIES. 
The   Norwegians  have   recently    entered    into 
commercial  enterprise  in  the  island  of  Cuba,  and 


a  company  has  secured  a  large  area  at  Toatal, 
near  Passacoa,  for  the  cultivation  of  Pine- 
apples and  Bananas  for  supplying  the  home 
market.  An  experienced  energetic  manager  well 
acquainted  with  West  Indian  conditions  has  been 
secured. . 


FRUIT    TREES    FOR    NORTH 

WALLS. 

While  the  planting  season  is  still  with  us,  it 
should  be  remembered  that  a  north  wall  may 
be.  put  to  other  uses  than  that  of  supporting 
Morello  Cherries.  This  is  always  a  valuable 
crop,  though  there  are  cases  where  a  greater 
variety  would  be  preferred.  Perhaps  one  of  the 
greatest  essentials  in  getting  trees  to  thrive  and 
prove  fruitful  against  a  north  wall  is  in  form- 
ing a  suitable  border.  In  most  instances  the 
soil  at  the  foot  of  a  north  wall  is  cold  and 
sluggish.  Before  any  attempt  is  made  to  plant 
the  trees  the  soil  should  be  wheeled  out  to  the 
depth  of  2  feet,  and  of  sufficient  width  to  allow 
the  trees  a  fair  start,  adding  to  it  piecemeal  as 
the  roots  extend.  A  suitable  drainage  medium 
can  be  afforded  by  placing  a  layer  of  broken 
bricks  in  the  bottom  of  the  trench,  refilling  the 
latter  with  fresh  loam,  to  which  has  been  added 
a  fair  amount  of  old  lime  and  wood  ashes.  This 
will  ensure  porosity  and,  consequently,  warmth. 
It  is  advisable  to  keep  the  newly-formed  border 
slightly  higher  than  the  surrounding  ground. 
Having,  however,  made  these  preparations,  it 
would  not  be  practical  to  attempt  the  growth  of 
Peaches,  Nectarines,  Apricots,  or  Figs,  as  each 
of  these  succeed  best  in  full  sunshine  ;  but  I  have 
succeeded  very  well  with  Pears,  Plums,  dessert 
l  berries,  Gooseberries,  and  Red  Currants. 

I  have  grown  heavy  crops  of  fine  stewing 
Pears  on  a  north  wall,  and  these  are  always 
welcome,  while  the  cool  aspect,  especially  dur- 
ing very  hot  summers,  has  proved  very  suitable 
for  obtaining  fine  fruits  of  the  Jargonelle  Pear. 
Late  supplies  of  Red  Currants  and  Gooseberries 
are  also  appreciated,  and  in  no  other  way  can 
the  fruits  be  retarded  so  well,  or  more  easily 
protected  from  birds.  Suitable  trees  for  the 
purpose  are  those  having  several  clean,  straight, 
leading  growths.  The  latter  should  be  trained 
upright,  those  of  the  Gooseberry  from  4  to  6 
niches  apart,  allowing  a  little  more  space  for 
the  Currants,  owing  to  their  broader  foliage. 
The  leaders  should  be  encouraged  to  reach  the 
top  of  the  wall,  but  in  such  a  way  that  each 
becomes  furnished  with  fruit  spurs  from  base  to 
summit.  This  is  easily  secured  by  keeping 
breast  and  side  shoots  pinched-in. 

Pears  should  be  planted  as  single  cordons,  in 
preference  to  using  one  or  two  spreading  speci- 
mens. A  greater  variety  can  thus  be  cultivated 
on  a  given  space.  The  space  can  be  covered  more 
quickly  ;  a  tree  can  be  easily  replaced  if  neces- 
sary, and  good  crops  of  fruit  secured  in  the 
least  possible  time.  Dessert  Cherries  may  be 
treated  in  the  same  manner.  Under  good  man- 
agement, north  walls  may — if  not  shaded  by 
trees — be  put  to  varied  and  profitable  uses. 
R.P. 


CARNATION    ARISTOCRAT. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society  on  the  10th  inst.,  a  new  variety  of  Car- 
nation named  Aristocrat  (see  fig.  175),  of  Ameri- 
can origin,  was  shown  by  Messrs.  Hugh  Low 
&  Co.,  Bush  Hill  Park,  Enfield.  The  colour 
is  a  shade  of  pink,  deeper  than  in  the  well- 
known  variety  Mrs.  T.  W.  Lawson,  and  the 
flowers  have  rather  better  form.  At  the  recent 
exhibition  of  the  Winter-Flowering  Carnation 
Society,  Aristocrat  was  awarded  the  1st  prize 
in  a  class  for  a  deep  pink  or  rose-coloured 
variety.  Aristocrat  is  said  to  be  much  appre- 
ciated in  America. 


430 


THE     GARDENERS7     CHRONICLE. 


[December  21,  1907. 


SEED   AND    SOIL  INOCULATION. 

(Concluded  from  page  416.)  - 
The  beneficial  effects  of  inoculation  already 
mentioned,  namely  (1)  increase  of  the  yield  of 
the  crop,  and  (2)  increase  of  the  fertility  of  the 
soil,  have  long  been  known  and  appreciated, 
but  recent  experiments  have  shown  that  two 
other  important  advantages  may  result  from  the 
successful  inoculation  of  a  crop.     These  are:  — 

(3)  Increase  of  the  feeding  value  of  the  crop 
owing  to  the  increase  of  the  nitrogenous  contents 
of  the  inoculated   plants  ;    and 

(4)  Earlier  maturing  of  the  crop,  thus  allowing 
of  earlier  marketing  of  the  produce. 


Fig.  176. — nodules  on  roots  of  alder. 

A  series  of  experiments  conducted  at  King's 
College  during  1906  demonstrated  that,  even 
when  weights  are  equal,  the  inoculated  crop  is 
more  valuable  than  the  non-inoculated,  because 
of  the  increased  nitrogen  contents.  Tares  were 
grown  in  sterilised  soil  to  which  the  requisite 
potash  and  phosphate  salts  were  added.  To 
one  set  of  pots  nitrate  of  soda  was  added  pro- 
portionate to  2  cwt.  per  acre ;  the  other  set  of 
pots  was  inoculated.  At  the  end  of  the  season 
equal  weights  of  produce  from  each  set  were 
taken  and  analysed  for  their  nitrogen  contents, 
with  the  following  results:  — 

Tares,  with  nitrate  of  soda,  1.92  per  cent  of 
nitrogen. 

Tares,   inoculated,  3.07  per  cent,  of  nitrogen. 

Thus  the  inoculated  Tares  contained  50  per 
cent,  more  nitrogen  ;  that  is,  were  half  as  rich 
again  in  feeding  value  compared  with  those 
grown  with  nitrate  of  soda.  The  importance  of 
this  increase  in  feeding  value  when  leguminous 
crops  are  grown  for  feeding  stock  is  obvious. 

As  regards  earlier  maturing  of  the  crop,  one 
of  the  most  striking  facts  brought  out  by  the 
experiments  during  last  season  was  the  number 
of  cases  in  which  inoculation  hastened  the 
maturing  of  the  crop.  With  early  crops  this 
means     earlier     marketing     of     produce     and 


enhanced  prices,  a  matter  of  the  greatest  impor- 
tance to  growers.  A  large  grower  in  Cornwall 
reports: — "The  Peas  were  a  great  success.  In- 
oculation of  soil  and  seed  returned  a  good  30 
per  cent,  more  than  only  seed  inoculation,  and 
the  seed  inoculation  showed  a  good  20  per  cent, 
better  crop  than  the  farmyard-manured  Peas. 
Inoculation  in  both  cases  rendered  a  fortnight 
earlier  marketing  possible  over  the  manured." 
Another  grower  from  Norfolk  says: — "The 
inoculated  Peas  were  three  weeks  earlier  for  mar- 
ket and  decidedly  50  per  cent,  more  prolific  than 
the  non-inoculated."  One  of  the  most  surpris- 
ing results  in  this  connection  comes  from  Guern- 
sey, where  a  large  firm  of  growers  reports  on 
inoculation  of  Kidney  Beans  under  glass  as  fol- 
lows : — "The  Beans  were  grown  with  the  ma- 
terial you  were  kind  enough  to  send  us,  and  we 
may  say  that  we  have  never  had  a  better  and 
earlier  crop.  The  seeds  came  up  very  strong, 
and  the  leaves  had  a  nice  dark  colour.  We 
picked  the  first  Beans  and  sent  them  to  market 
six  weeks  after  sowing." 

To  anyone  who  reads  of  the  wonders  worked 
by  seed  and  soil  inoculation  y  the  question  natur- 
ally arises,   "How  is  it  cone?" 

Well,  the  method  is  simplicity  itself.  Three 
small  packages  and  a  gallon  of  water  are  suffi- 
cient to  inoculate  seed  for  10  acres,  or  will  in- 
oculate one  to  two  acres  of  soil.  The  contents  of 
package  No.  1  (nutrient  salts)  are  dissolved  in 
one  gallon  of  water,  then  the  contents  of  No.  2 
package  (the  bacterial  powder)  stirred  in  ;  after 
24  hours  the  contents  of  No.  3  package  (nutrient 
salts)  are  added  and  the  mixture  allowed  to 
stand  until  it  turns  cloudy,  when  it  is  ready  for 
use.  To  inoculated  seed,  the  cloudy  culture 
solution  is  sprinkled  on  the  seeds,  the  seeds  then 
allowed  to  dry,  and  planted  in  the  ordinaiv  way. 
To  inoculate  soil,  it  is  best  to  dilute  the  gallon 


Fig.  177.- 


-ROOT    OF    TARE    INOCULATED    FROM    A 
ROOT    OF    EL.EAGNUS. 


of  culture  solution  with  50  gallons  of  Clearwater, 
and  then  water  the  plants  with  it.  This  double 
inoculation  will,  of  course,  give  the  best  results. 
Considering  the  importance  of  the  root 
nodules  to  leguminous  plants,  it  is  not  surprising 
that  numerous  attempts  have  been  made  by 
botanists    to    induce    the    formation    of    similar 


nodules  on  non-leguminous  plants.  Unfortun- 
ately these  nodules  are  only  found  naturally  in 
four  other  orders  of  plants,  namely,  Alder  (see 
fig.  176),  Elaeagnus,  Podocarpus,  and  Cycas,  and 
all  attempts  to  produce  them  on  other  plants 
have  hitherto  been  unsuccessful.  During  the  past 
summer,  however,  a  number  of  inoculation  ex- 
periments have  been  made  at  King's  College  on 
non-leguminous  plants,  with,  in  many  cases, 
most  gratifying  results.  For  example,  it  has 
been  found  possible  to  cultivate  a  special  race  of 
nitrogen-fixing  bacteria  in  Tomato  root  extract, 
and  prepare  therefrom  a  culture  solution  which, 
when  sprinkled  on  the  roots  of  Tomato  seed- 
lings,  caused   them  to   grow  much  more  vigor- 


Fig.   178. 


-EFFECT    OF    INOCULATION    ON    A 
TOMATO    PLANT. 


ously.  Fig.  178  shows  the  effect  of  such  inocu- 
lation, and  it  is  interesting  to  note  that  in  this 
experiment  the  inoculated  plants  were  the  only 
ones  to  ripen  their  fruit  this  season.  Straw- 
berries similarly  treated  produced  45  per  cent, 
more  fruit,  and  the  fruit  was  ripe  ten  days 
earlier  than  the  non-inoculated.  Tares  have 
also  been  successfully  inoculated  from  the  roots 
of  Elaeagnus  (see  fig.  177).  Experiments  on 
Wheat  and  Barley  also  were  most  promising. 
There  is  no  doubt  much  work  yet  to  be  done  in 
the  realm  of  soil  bacteriology  ;  but  the  results 
already  obtained  promise  still  greater  results  in 
the  near  future,  and  no  horticulturist  can  afford 
to  remain  in  ignorance  of,  or  ignore  these  agen- 
cies in  the  soil.     W .  B.  Bottomley. 


STREET  TREES. 

The  cry  for  re-afforestation  has  not  been 
in  vain.  It  has  brought  about  a  Government 
scheme  and  other  valuable  experiments;  it  has 
also  created  a  demand  for  trees  in  dreary  town 
streets.  Every  little  town  now  begins  to  dream 
of  its  boulevards,  and  on  every  hand  we  hear 
of  decisions  of  town  councils  to  plant  trees  to 
mask  the  hideousness  and  meanness  of  their 
streets.  The  decision  to  plant  usually  goes 
through  unanimously,  and  then  comes  the  ques- 
tion  "  What  shall  we  plant — Limes,  Chestnuts, 
Planes?"  It  is  almost  certain  lo  be  one  of 
these.  London  plants  them  ;  therefore  we  must, 
even  with  the  pure  air  of  the  country.  A  coun- 
cillor more  enlightened  than  his  colleagues,  as 
a  result  of  a  week  on  the  Continent,  suggests 
a  change,  and  perhaps  it  is  quite  new  to  Eng- 
lish ideas.  In  most  councils  he  is  voted  down  ; 
in  others  his  suggestion,  backed  by  work  from 
his  Kodak,  is  acted  upon,  and  the  order  goes 
forth  that  "Queen  Street"  is  to  be  planted  with, 
say,  Acer  dasycarpum.  Now  comes  the  disappoint- 


December  21,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


431 


ment.  There  has  never  been  a  demand  for 
these  ;  therefore  there  is  no  supply,  and  Queen 
Street  has  after  all  to  be  planted  with  Limes, 
which  make  a  fearful  mess  on  the  paths  in  the 
spring,  and  are  leafless  by  the  end  of  summer. 

Nurserymen  and  others  will  protest  at  this, 
but  I  am  not  writing  without  experience.  I 
have  60  miles  of  new  roads  to  plant  within  the 
next  few  years.  I  have  24  streets  planted  with 
24  kinds  of  trees,  but  they  were  not  purchased 
in  England  because  I  was  unable  to  obtain 
suitable  trees  at  home.  I  hold  dozens  of  letters 
to  this  effect :  "  We  are  sorry  we  have  not  suit- 
able trees  in  stock  of  the  varieties  you  ask  for, 
but  have  a  grand  stock  of  Limes,  Chestnuts, 
and  Planes,  which  we  can  thoroughly  recom- 
mend." Often  I  get  also  the  advice :  "  The 
trees  would  certainly  not  thrive  in  streets." 
What  will  thrive  in  a  German  factory  town 
will  thrive  in  an  English  town,  and  if  "town 
foresters "  would  insist  on  having  the  trees 
they  ask  for,  the  supply  would  soon  be  forth- 
coming. Chestnuts  and  Limes  are  able  to  with- 
stand the  trying  conditions  of  smoky  towns, 
but  otherwise  few  trees  are  more  unsuitable, 
owing  to  their  sensitiveness  to  drought.  The 
beautiful  Champs-Elysees  avenue  of  Chestnuts 
in  Pari;,  was  this  year  leafless  by  August.  Oc- 
tober saw  many  of  the  shoots  with  flowers  and 
new  leaves.  January  will  see  these  new  growths 
dead  and  unsightly. 

As  a  rule,  the  street  tree  has  a  disastrous 
drought  to  face  in  the  summer,  and  therefore  in 
selecting  the  varieties  this  must  always  be  care- 
fully considered. 

In  Germany  there  are  hundreds  of  acres 
devoted  to  the  preparation  of  street  trees ;  in 
England  I  have  not  found  an  acre.  I  have 
found  hundreds  of  acres  of  standard  trees  grow, 
ing  for  sale,  but  none  properly  prepared  for 
planting  in  streets. 

Paris  raises  her  own  trees  on  waste  land  used 
as  a  "  shoot  "  for  her  street  refuse.  Every  town 
has  such  land  lying  idle.  Why  not  follow  the 
example  of   Paris,   and   raise  our  own   trees? 

Street  trees  must  not  only  be  grown,  they 
must  be  specially  prepared  for  the  purpose. 
Briefly,  the  following  is  the  German  system 
of  preparation: — A  single  lead  is  run  up  to 
form  the  stem.  When  it  attains  a  height  of  6 
feet,  it  is  headed  back  in  the  winter  to  5  feet. 
The  next  year  the  new  lead  is  headed  back  to 
6  feet,  and  so  on  foot  by  foot  to  12  feet  to  14 
feet,  at  which  size  the  tree  is  put  on  the  market 
perfectly  formed,  every  branch  in  its  place,  a 
clean  stem  of  8  feet  toppe'd  by  a  symmetrical 
head. 

Of  course,  we  head  back  in  this  country — • 
or  profess  to  do  so.  But  here  is  the  secret  of 
the  German's  fine  centre  leading  growth  to  each 
tree.  When  we  head  back  the  lead  we 
cut  to  immediately  above  the  bud  selected 
for  the  new  lead.  The  German  cuts  as 
far  above  the  bud  as-  he  can  without 
including  the  next  one.  During  the  winter  the 
wood  dies  back  to  the  top  bud,  leaving  about 
2  inches  qf  dead  shoot.  When  the  new  lead  is 
about  6  inches  long,  it  is  carefully  tied  to  this 
natural  stake,  and  so  given  a  good  start  in 
the  right  direction.  Examination  of  a  tree 
thus  prepared  will  show  the  value  of  this  little 
detail.  Of  course,  the  tree  is  also  transplanted 
every  second  year. 

Another  detail  neglected  too  often  in  our  pre- 
paration is  attention  to  the  thickening  of  the 
stem.  It  is  well  known  that  the  more  leaves 
a  tree  has  the  more  wood  it  forms,  and  with 
this  fact  in  mind  the  stem  is  allowed  to  form 
spurs  for  several  years  for  the  sole  purpose  of 
supplying  leaves  to  produce  new  stems.  These 
spurs  are  gradually  removed  by  clean  cuts,  after 
which  the  wounds  heal  quickly. 

Every  year  the  heads  are  carefully  pruned 
and  balanced,  and  when  the  trees  go  into  the 
streets  they  have  perfectly  clean  stems  running 
through  the  centre,  and  are  not  mere  crooked 
sticks,    with   a   few   forks   on   the   top,    such   as 


have  been  planted  for  street  trees  in  a  new 
street  not  a  hundred  miles  from  the  Strand.  It 
may  interest  town  gardeners  to  know  that  I 
have  a  street  of  each  of  the  following  species  in 
a  town  40  miles  north  of  London  : — Robima 
Pseudo-acacia,  R.  Bessoniana,  Tilia  europea, 
Betula  alba,  Pyrus  Aucuparia,  /Esculus  Hip- 
pocastanum,  Prunus  Pissardi,  Populus  BoKeana, 
Quercus  rubra,  Fraxinus  alba.  F.  monophylla, 
F.  Ornus,  Juglans  nigra,  Fagus  sylvatica,  Ailan- 
thus  glandulosa,  Cytisus  Laburnum  Adami, 
I'yrus  communis,  Amygdalus  communis,  Cratae- 
gus Oxycantha,  Charles  X.,  Acer  Reitenbachii, 
A.  Schwedleri,  A.  dasycarpum,  and  A.  digitatum 
aurea  marginata.  I  have  eight  new  streets  to 
plant  this  winter,  and  must  go  out  of  the  coun- 
try for  the  trees.     Pern. 


FLOWERING   PERIOD   OF 
APPLES. 

The  following  table  shows  the  dates  on  which 
26  varieties  of  Apples  came  into  flower  this  year, 
also  the  lowest  atmospheric  temperature  for 
every  night  in  April  and  May,  indicating  what 
amount  of  frost  occurred  during  the  flowering 
period.  My  dates  were  taken  when  there  were 
from  10  to  15  flowers  expanded  on  each  tree. 

The  following  varieties  bore  by  far  the  most 
satisfactory  crops  of  fruit :  James  Grieve,  Brad- 
dick's  Nonpareil,  Washington,  Grenadier,  Bis- 
marck, Emperor  Alexander,  Cellini  Pippin, 
Newtown  Pippin,  Worcester  Pearmain,  Gloria 
Mundi,  Gravenstein,  Lady  Sudeley,  and  Peas- 
good's  Nonsuch.  The  other  varieties  mentioned 
in  the  table  bore  fruit  with  one  exception,  this 
being  Charles  Ross.  They  are  all  single  cordons, 
planted  on  a  square  piece  of  ground  (I  have  not 
included  any  that  are   planted   against  a  wall! 

James  Grieve  and  Braddick's  Nonpareil,  al- 
though they  were  the  first  to  come  into  flower, 
withstood  frosts  better  than  any  others;  the 
fruit  set  so  thickly  that  they  had  to  be  heavily 
thinned  ;  very  little  thinning  was  done  to  any 
other  sorts.  No  protection  was  afforded  what- 
ever. 

I  do  not  recommend  early-flowering  sorts ; 
quite  the  contrary.  Late-flowering  varieties 
are  most  required,  as  these  may  escape  injury 
from  frost.  If  we  could  get  some  good  varie- 
ties raised  from  the  never-failing  Court  Pendu 
Plat,  owing  to  its  lateness  in  flowering,  we 
could  depend  on  a  better  average  English  crop 
of  Apples. 

Date  of  Flowering. 


April  16.  Braddick's  Non- 
pareil. 

James  Grieve. 

Fearn's  Pippin. 

Baumann's  Rein- 
ette. 

Grenadier. 

Washington. 

Bismarck. 

King  of  Pippins. 

I  :ni'i<ror  A  1  e  x- 
andra. 

Hambling's  Seed- 
iing. 

Cellina  Pippin. 

Blenheim  Pippin. 

Ribston  Pippin. 

Charles  Ross. 


17. 

•21. 
21. 

22. 
32. 

■1-1. 
■22. 
23. 

23. 


May 


24. 

26. 

26. 

1. 


May 


Lady  Sudeley, 

Gravenstein. 

Gloria  Mundi. 

Allington  Pippin. 

Worcester  Pear- 
main. 

Cox's  Orange 
Pippin. 

King  of  Tomp- 
kins County. 

American  Mother 

Peasgood's  Non- 
such. 

Newtown  Pippin. 

Newton  Won- 
der. 

Gascoyne's  Scar- 
let. 


Lowest  Temperatures  at  Night. 


April   1 

,,  2 

„  8 

.,  I 

„  5 

„  6 

„  7 

„  8 

„  9 

„  10 

,,  11 

,,  12 

.,  13 

,,  11 

„  15 

„  16 

,.  17 

„  18 

„  19 


32" 

31" 
36" 
34' 

30° 
35° 
32" 
34° 
32° 
30° 
32° 
35° 
35° 


25° 
25° 
28° 
40° 


April  22 
.,  23 
,.  24 
,,  25 
„  26 
,.  27 
„  28 
„  29 
30 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 


May 


37" 
35" 
36° 
40° 
38° 
34" 
28° 
34° 
33° 
32° 
34" 
40" 
40° 
41° 
42° 
40° 
41° 
40° 
40° 
34° 


May  12 

„  13 

„  14 

■i  15 

„  16 

»  17 

n  18 

•i  19 

„  20 

„  21 

,.  22 

„  23 

„  24 

„  25 


29 
30 
31 


32° 
37° 
32° 
34" 
35° 
36° 
30° 
27° 
25° 
36° 
37° 
40° 
34° 


THE    PROPAGATOR. 

There  are  some  genera  the  species  of  which 
may  be  struck  from  cuttings  in  the  winter 
months,  but  in  my  previous  articles  on  plant 
propagation,  no  mention  was  made  of  them. 
The  most  important  ones  are  included  in  the 
following  notes. 

Epacris.— These  showy,  easily-cultivated, 
Australian  plants,  in  habit  resembling  the 
Heaths  (Ericas),  but  differing  from  them  in  re- 
gard to  structure  and  form  of  the  flower,  may 
be  rooted  from  cuttings  of  the  young  shoots 
taken,  in  most  cases,  from  plants  that  have  been 
afforded  warmth  a  little  higher  than  that  of  the 
cool  greenhouse  for  a  month  or  less.  The  cut- 
tings should  not  exceed  3  inches  in  length.  So 
far  as  they  enter  the  layer  of  sand  overlying  the 
sandy  peat  with  which  the  pot  is  almost  filled,  the 
leaves  should  be  cut  off  close  to  the  shoots  with 
a  pair  of  scissors.  The  cuttings  should  be  forth- 
with put  into  the  pots  already  prepared  for  them, 
dibbling  them  in  circles  at  1  inch  asunder  (a 
thumb  pot  being  sunk  in  the  centre,  the  better  to 
ensure  good  drainage),  and  they  must  be  covered 
with  a  bell  glass  after  the  lapse  of  an  hour  or 
two.  The  chief  point  to  observe  in  this  winter 
propagation  is  that  the  soil  in  the  pot  does  not 
become  too  moist,  a  condition  that  may  only  be 
obtainable  by  affording  ample  drainage  ma- ' 
terials  and  plenty  of  sand  in  the  peat.  At  the 
same  time  the  soil  must  not  be  allowed  to  be- 
come destitute  of  moisture.  The  bell  glasses  re- 
quire to  be  wiped  out  occasionally  with  a  dry 
cloth.  The  Epacris  may  be  afforded  warm  green- 
house treatment,  that  is,  a  temperature  of  43° 
by  day  and  55°  by  night,  and  the  more  nearly 
these  temperatures  are  adhered  to  the  greater 
the  chances  of  success.  Most  of  our  present-day 
varieties  in  cultivation  are  crossbreds,  of  which 
campanulata,  coccinea,  refulgens,  and  impressa, 
are  the  species  mostly  employed  by  cross-breeders 
as  the  parents.  Seeds  are  only  obtained  by 
careful  fertilisation  of  vigorous  plants,  and  the 
seeds  should  be  sown  as  soon  as  they  are  ripe. 

Ericas. — As  with  Epacris,  the  best  varieties 
of  Ericas  are  of  cross-bred  origin,  and  the 
method  of  making  the  cuttings,  the  kind  of  soil 
used,  the  drainage  of  the  pots,  rooting  the  cut- 
tings, and.  general  management  are  identical 
with  those  required  in  the  former  case.  It  is  a 
distinct  loss  to  our  greenhouses  that  Ericas 
should  be  so  little  grown  at  the  present  day, 
and  that  the  varieties  that  are  to  be  found  in 
gardens  are  so  few  in  number.  Especially  beau- 
tiful are  the  species  E.  tricolor,  E.  ventricosa, 
and  E.  vestita,  which  have  given  rise  to  many 
varieties  of  much  beauty.  Diosmas,  Pimeleas, 
Polygalas,  Correas,  Pittosporums,  and  Abelia 
may  be  struck  from  cuttings  at  this  season, 
making  use  of  a  sandy,  peaty  soil  and  good 
diainage,  with  a  1-inch  layer  of  silver  sand 
over  all.  After  affording  water  to  settle  the 
sand  about  the  cuttings  and  to  moisten  the  soil 
throughout,  when  the  leaves  have  become  dry 
cover  with  bell  glasses,  and  set  the  cutting 
pots  in  a  frost-proof  pit,  giving  a  moderate 
quantity  of  water  whenever  the  soil  has  become 
dryish.  Shading  with  a  piece  of  paper  may  be 
needed  in  bright  weather.     F.   M. 


TREES  AND  SHRUBS. 


George   Kent,   Norbury   Park   Gardens,   Dorking, 
Surrey. 


PINUS  PINASTER. 
In  a  young  state  this  is  one  of  the  most  orna- 
mental of  the  Pines,  and  also  one  of  the  fastest 
growers,  being  equal  in  either  respect  to  P. 
insignis,  while  it  also  possesses  the  merit  of 
being  much  hardier  than  the  latter  species.  It 
is  a  native  of  Southern  Europe,  but  has  been 
introduced  into  nearly  every  temperate  or  sub- 
tropical country  in  the  world,  and  is  equally 
at  home  at  the  Cape,  or  in  New  Zealand,  as  it 
is  in  the  Mediterranean  littoral.  With  age  it 
attains  a  height  of  60  feet  to  80  feet,  or  even 
more,    forming   a   clean,   straight   trunk  usually 


432 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[December  21,  1907. 


topped  with  a  rounded  and  flattened  head.  The 
trunk  is  covered  with  a  coarse,  deeply-ribbed 
bark,  and  somewhat  resembles  the  Weymouth 
Pine  in  that  it  does  not  taper  so  much  towards 
the  top  as  some  of  the  other  Pines  do,  but 
maintains  a  fairly  uniform  diameter  through- 
out the  greater  part  of  its  length.  Its  chief 
value,  however,  lies  in  its  beauty  as  a  specimen 
tree  up  to  30  feet  or  so  high,  when  it  still  retains 
most  of  its  lower  branches.  These  are  produced 
in  regular  whorls,  evenly  proportioned  in  length 
to  the  size  of  the  tree,  and  are  clothed  with 
needles,  8  inches  to  10  inches  in  length,  of  a 
beautiful  grass-green  colour  on  the  young 
.growths,  but  darker  on  the  older  wood.  The 
needles  are  in  pairs,  stout,  erect,  rounded  on 
■one  side,  and  flat  or  slightly  channelled  on  the 
other.  The  buds  are  rather  less  than  an  inch  in 
length,  brown  and  pointed,  the  ends  of  the 
scales  being  loose  and  curling.  As  a  timber- 
tree  P.  pinaster  is  useless;  the  wood  being 
soft,  it  quickly  decays,  but  its  resinous  products 
are  valuable.  Next  to  its  decorative  qualities,  it 
is  most  serviceable  as  a  tree  for  planting  in 
shifting  sands,  for  which  purpose  it  has  been 
largely^ used  in  the  maritime  districts  of  France 
(see  Gardeners'  Chronicle,  1871,  p.  137).  Accord- 
ing to  Loudon,  it  makes  large,  strong  tap-roots, 
which,  while  making  it  a  useful  plant  for  sandy 
■districts,  senders  it  rather  difficult  to  trans- 
plant. This  latter  assertion  of  Loudon's  is, 
however,  incorrect,  as  P.  pinaster  can  be  moved 
as  successfully  as  P.  austriaca  or  anj'  other 
Pine,  some  plants  that  were  moved  here  two 
rears  ago  having  made  about  1  foot  of  growth 
the  first  vear,  and  nearly  3  feet  the  second  sea- 
son, and  that  without  spoiling  their  shape  by 
growing  too  fast.  For  decorative  purposes  this 
Pine  can  be  recommended  as  a  good  substitute 
for  P.  insignis  in  those  districts  where  the  latter 
•species  will  not  thrive.     /.  C,  Bagshot. 


The  Week's  Work. 


THE    ORCHID    HOUSES. 

By  W.  H.  White,  Orchid  Grower  to  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence, 
Bart.,  Burford,  Surrey. 

Lycaste. — L.  Skinneri  and  its  many  varieties, 
including  the  still  rare  L.  Skinneri  alba,  are 
now  completing  their  new  pseudo-bulbs,  and 
■developing  flower  bud-s.  Afford  copious  water- 
ings to  these  plants  until  the  growths  are  per- 
fectly completed.  Afterwards  restrict  the  quan- 
tity considerably,  only  giving  sufficient  to  pre- 
vent shrinkage  in  the  pseudo-bulbs.  Lycastes 
grow  well  in  the  cool  house,  so  long  as  the 
atmospheric  temperature  is  just  above  50°  at 
night,  but  when  it  is  allowed  to  fall  many- 
degrees  below  this,  it  is  advisable  to  remove 
the  plants  to  a  cool  part  of  the  intermediate 
house.  The  plants  require  a  light  position,  but 
during  the  winter  their  foliage  must  not  be 
placed  near  to  the  roof  glass.  Re-potting  is 
best  done  in  spring.  The  nearly  pure  white  L. 
lanipes  is  well  worth  growing,  the  flowers  being 
delightfully  scented,  especially  at  night  time. 
Water  must  now  be  afforded  less  frequently  to 
this  plant,  also  to  such  species  as  L.  costata, 
L.  Barringtonii,  L.  leucantha,  L.  aromatica,  L. 
macrobulbon,  L.  Deppei,  L.  Schilleriana,  and 
L.  cruenta ;  all  of  these  species  should  be 
cultivated  in  the  cool  intermediate  house. 

Zygopetalum. — In  the  same  cool  intermediate 
house  the  following  species  grow  freely,  and 
when  in  bloom  are  extremely  handsome  plants  : 
Z.  Perrenoudii,  Z.  Amesianum,  Z.  triste,  Z. 
Wigamanum,  Z.  Mackayi,  Z.  Clayi,  Z.  brachy- 
petalum,  Z.  Burkei,  Z.  crinitum,  Z.  Protheroe- 
ianum,  Z.  Ballii,  &c.  None  of  these  plants  suc- 
ceed if  exposed  to  direct  sunlight,  therefore  a 
shady  corner  should  be  set  apart  for  them.  Re- 
potting may  be  carried  out  immediately  a  plant 
recommences  to  grow,  and  being  a  free-root- 
ing subject,  each  plant  should  be  afforded  plenty 
of  pot-room  and  a  good  depth  of  compost.  The 
pots  should  therefore  be  filled  to  about  a  quarter 
of  their  depth  with  clean  crocks  for  drainage, 
and  good  turfy  yellow  loam,  peat,  leaf-mould, 
with  plenty  of  small  crocks  well  mixed  with 
these,  will' form  a  suitable  compost.  After  re- 
potting the  plants,  water  thera  with  great  care 
until  roots  become  plentiful,  when  copious  sup- 
plies should  be  afforded  to  them.  The  distinct 
Z.  maxillare  and  its  variety  Gauteri,  in  its 
native    habitat,   grows   on    the    stem    of    a    tree 


Fern,  and  under  cultivation  no  better  substitute 
has  been  found  to  supersede  it.  Suspend  the 
pieces  of  tree  Fern,  with  the  plant  attached,  well 
up  to  the  roof  glass,  choosing  a  cool,  shady 
position,  in  the  same  house,  and  never  let  the 
plant  get  dry  at  the  root.  Z.  rostratum,  with 
its  nearly  white  labellum,  is  always  admired 
when  in  bloom  ;  it  is  a  warm  growing  species, 
and  should  be  placed  in  a  shady  place  in  the 
coolest  part  of  the  East  Indian  house.  The 
rare  Z.  Roeblingianum  should  be  treated  simi- 
larly. Both  plants  grow  best  when  potted  in 
the  ordinary  compost  of  peat  and  sphagnum- 
moss,  and  kept  constantly  moist  at  the  roots. 
The  species  formerly  known  as  Promenasa,  but 
which  are  now  included  under  the  genus  Zygo- 
petalum, are  much  smaller  than  their  con- 
genors,  consequently  they  should  be  grown  in 
shallow,  well-drained  pans,  and  suspended  near 
the  glass  in  the  cool  house,  but  during  very 
cold  weather  a  few  degrees  more  warmth  than 
that  prevailing  in  the  cool  house  is  better  for 
them.  Their  cultural  requirements  are  similar 
to  other  species  of  Zygopetalum.  The  Pro- 
menaeas  include  such  varieties  as  P.  citrina,  P. 
micropterum,  P.  stapelioides,  and  P.  Rollin- 
sonii. 

Colax  jugosus  is  closely  related  to  Zygo- 
petalum, for  it  readily  crosses  with  members 
of  that  genus.  The  plant  should  be  grown  in 
a  similar  manner  as  the  Promenaeas,  but 
being  a  deeper-rooting  plant  than  the  Pro- 
menaeas, pots  are  more  suitable  than  shallow 
pans.  Zygopetalums,  Promenaeas,  al.d  Colax 
will  thrive  very  well  under  the  treatment  re- 
commended, so  long  as  they  are  kept  free  from 
insects,  but  from  the  moment  yellow  thrips 
obtain  possession  of  the  young  growths,  a  rapid 
decline  in  vigour  is  sure  to  follow,  which  can 
be  checked  and  finally  eradicated  by  the  usual 
vaporising  process,  or  by  dipping  or  spraying 
with  some  safe  insecticide. 


PLANTS    UNDER  GLASS. 

By  J.  G.  Weston,  Gardener  to  H.  J.  Kino,  Esq., 
Eastwell  Park,  Kent. 

The  conservatory  and  flowering  house. — The 
Chrysanthemums,  which  have  been  the  principal 
feature  in  this  house  for  some  time  past,  being 
no  longer  effective,  it  is  advisable  to  take  this 
opportunity  to  thoroughly  clean  the  interior  of 
the  structure,  and  re-arrange  the  plants.  It  will 
no  longer  be  possible  to  have  such  a  fine  display 
of  colour  as  was  prevalent  in  the  height  of  the 
Chrysanthemum  season,  but  every  effort  should 
be  made  to  make  the  house  as  attractive  as  pos- 
sible during  the  dull  days  of  mid-winter.  After 
removing  all  flowering  plants  that  are  past 
their  best,  clear  as  much  space  as  possible,  and 
wash  down  all  the  pillars,  woodwork,  and  glass, 
before  bringing  in  a  fresh  lot  of  plants.  As 
affording  a  change  after  the  show  of  Chrysanthe- 
mums, some  good  foliage  plants,  such  as  Gre- 
villea  robusta,  Cordyline,  Azaleas,  the  hardier 
varieties  of  Palms,  and  Phormiums,  inter- 
spersed with  groups  of  flowering  plants,  will 
assist  in  making  a  nice  arrangement  for  Christ- 
mas. The  climbers  under  the  roof-glass  and  on 
pillars  should  be  thinned  as  far  as  is  expedient, 
and  this  will  allow  all  the  light  possible  to  reach 
the  plants  ;  but,  as  a  general  rule,  the  spring  is  a 
more  suitable  time  for  the  annual  hard-pruning 
that  some  greenhouse  climbers  require.  When 
the  conservatory  is  attached  to  the  dwelling- 
house,  the  atmospheric  temperature  should  be 
kept  at  a  point  that  is  agreeable,  in  order  to  en- 
courage visitors  to  spend  some  time  in  the 
structure  amongst  the  flowers  ;  55°  by  day,  rising 
to  60°,  would  be  suitable,  varying  a  little  ac- 
cording to  the  conditions  prevailing  out-of-doors, 
and  allowing  the  heat  to  drop  a  few  degrees  at 
night.  Ventilate  moderately  in  favourable 
weather,  and  leave  a  "  chink  "  of  air  on  during 
mild  nights  in  order  to  permit  of  superfluous 
moisture  escaping,  and  thus  keeping  the  air 
drier,  and  rendering  the  house  more  comfortable 
the  following  morning.  The  temperature  recom- 
mended above  will  suit  a  wide  range  of  plants 
in  bloom  at  this  season,  especially  if  the  at- 
mosphere is  kept  dry.  Begonias  Gloire  de  Lor- 
raine and  the  white  variety  "  Turnford  Hall " 
are  universal  favourites,  and  as  very  few  climbers 
are  in  flower  at  this  season,  wire  baskets  con- 
taining both  varieties,  if  suspended  from  the 
wires  overhead,  will  help  to  give  a  bright  and 
cheerful  aspect  to  the  house.  Other  winter- 
flowering  Begonias,  such  as  B.  Gloire  de  Sceaux 


and  B.  nitida  alba,  will  also  be  found  useful, 
and,  with  Coleus  thyrsoides,  Eupatoriumn, 
Primulas,  Cytisus  racemosus,  retarded  Lilacs, 
Azaleas,  Lilies  (now  in  bloom),  berried  plants 
like  Solanums  will  appear  quite  season- 
able. Narcissus  Trumpet  Major,  Due  van  Thol 
Tulips,  and  Roman  Hyacinths,  will  also  help  to 
make  a  good  show  at  this  season.  The  best 
effect  is  gained  by  placing  batches  of  one  plant 
together,  and  not  repeating  it  too  much,  rather 
than  by  indiscriminate  mixing  of  many  species. 
All  the  plants  mentioned  may  be  kept  in  the 
temperature  I  have  advised,  providing  they  are 
prepared  previously,  it  being  advisable  to  gradu- 
ally inure  the  plants  to  a  slightly  lower  tempera- 
ture when  in  bloom.  It  is  a  little  difficult  to 
manage  so  many  species  in  one  house  ;  but  if  the 
main  idea  is  to  have  a  good  show,  some  things 
may  be  sacrificed  for  the  purpose.  If  they  are 
only  kept  in  the  house  for  a  short  time,  and 
afterwards  transferred  directly  to  the  growing 
quarters,  few  will  suffer  much  harm. 


THE    KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

By  William  H.  Honess,  Gardener  to  C.  Combe,  Esq., 
Cobham  Park,  Surrey. 

Early  Potatos. — From  tubers  that  were  started 
in  boxes  and  brought  to  a  somewhat  advanced 
stage  previous  to  planting  in  heated  frames  in 
September,  new  tubers  of  fair  size  and  quality 
are  now  fit  for  the  table.  If  the  necessary  space 
is  available,  further  "  sets "  should  now  be 
started  for  making  additional  plantings.  If 
only  occasional  dishes  even  can  be  obtained, 
these  will  in  most  cases  be  greatly  appre- 
ciated, and  therefore  afford  compensation  for 
any  extra  trouble.  If  frames  are  not  avail- 
able for  the  purpose,  pots  measuring  8  inches 
in  diameter  may  be  used,  with  moderately 
good  results.  Only  a  very  mild  heat  must 
be  applied,  in  either  case,  otherwise  the  growth 
will  be  weakly  and  useless.  Great  care  must 
be  exercised  with  regard  to  ventilation  in  order 
that  cold  draughts  may  be  prevented,  as  these 
would  be  sufficient  to  hinder  the  successful  cul- 
ture of  the  crop. 

Seakale. — If  it  is  intended  to  force  this  crop 
on  the  ground  where  the  plants  have  grown,  it 
will  be  necessary  to  place  Seakale-pots  over  the 
crowns  and  cover  the  whole  with  a  good  thick- 
ness of  long  litter  and  leaves  which  have  been 
previously  mixed  well  together.  This  covering 
must  be  made  sufficient  to  exclude  light  and  air 
from  the  crowns.  Although  a  steady  heat  of 
from  45u  to  50°  is  desirable,  any  increase  on 
this  would  be  detrimental,  as  it  would  cause 
the  growths  to  be  weak  and  flavourless. 

Asparagus. — From  crowns  that  were  lifted  at 
about  the  middle  of  November  and  placed  on  a 
well-prepared  hot-bed,  a  good  cutting  of  As- 
paragus is  being  obtained  at  the  time  of  writing 
(December  9).  The  weather  having  been  up  to  the 
present  very  mild,  it  has  only  been  necessary 
to  cover  the  frames  at  nights,  the  young  growths 
having  enjoyed  full  benefit  of  the  light 
during  the  day  time,  which  at  this  season  of 
the  year  is  not  always  possible.  When  forced 
under  such  favourable  conditions,  the  colour 
and  flavour  of  the  produce  are  more  perfectly 
developed  than  is  possible  when  the  growth  is 
made  in  partial  darkness. 

Rhubarb. — If  the  roots  have  been  lifted  and 
exposed  to  the  influence  of  the  weather,  they 
may  be  forced  quite  easily  after  this  date,  and 
they  will  give  better  results  than  any  previous 
batches  that  were  started  earlier.  As  each  batch 
of  lifted  roots  is  introduced  to  the  forcing-house, 
another  lot  should  be  lifted  and  left  on  the 
ground  until  required  to  replace  former  batches 
when  these  are  exhausted.  To  maintain  a 
sufficient  supply  of  roots  a  small  portion  of 
each  clump  containing  a  crown  should  be 
broken  off  and  replanted  as  the  work  of  lifting 
proceeds,  and  in  two  or  three  years'  time  these 
will  be  strong  and  large  enough  for  forcing 
purposes. 

Musi/rooms. — The  earliest  beds  will  now  be 
in  full  bearing,  and  if  there  is  the  necessary 
ai  i  ommodation  at  command  fresh  beds  should 
still  be  made  at  frequent  intervals.  From  the 
present  time  onwards  Mushrooms  are  generally 
much  sought  after,  and,  owing  to  the  indirect 
way  the  horse-droppings  have  to  be  obtained, 
a  bed  will  sometimes  fail  to  come  into  bearing 
at  its  proper  time  ;  in  some  cases  it  may  be 
a  month  or  so  later  than  was  estimated. 


December  21,  1907/ 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


433 


THE  FLOWER  GARDEN. 

By  A.  C.  Bartlett,  Gardener  to  Mrs.  Ford,  Pencarrow, 
Cornwall. 

Planting  trees  and  shrubs. — In  most  localities 
the  heavy  rains  have  made  the  ground  so  wet 
and  heavy  that,  unless  much  more  suitable 
weather  sets  in,  it  will  be  wise  to  postpone  any 
further  planting  until  spring.  Those  trees  and 
shrubs  already  planted  should  be  occasionally 
examined  to  see  that  the  ties  are  not  chafing  the 
bark.  It  is  essential  that  all  newly-planted  trees 
should  be  kept  as  steady  as  possible,  or  every 
gale  will  only  serve  to  break  the  new  roots.  The 
most  satisfactory  method  of  securing  tall 
standards  is  by  means  of  guying  wires.  The 
mulches  applied  to  check  evaporation  from  the 
soil  around  the  shrubs  planted  early  in  the 
autumn  will  probably  have  become  sodden  by 
the  rains,  and  will  prevent  air  passing  through 
it ;  such  mulches  should  either  be  loosened  or, 
better  still,  removed.  Mulches  containing 
manure  should  only  be  applied  to  established 
shrubs,  and  they  should  be  lightly  forked  in 
when  this  can  be  done  without  causing  injury 
to  the  roots. 

Si  ds. — During  inclement  weather  employ- 
ment can  be  found  in  sorting  and  cleaning  home- 
saved  seeds.  Many  kinds,  if  left  too  long  in 
their  pods,  capsules,  &c,  decay,  and  those  which 
show  signs  of  mildew  should  receive  first  atten- 
tion. After  being  cleaned,  the  seeds  should  be 
put  in  packets,  and  these  should  be  inscribed 
with  the  name  of  seed  and  the  date. 

Ixias. — There  being  a  danger  that  the  early 
growths  may  be  injured  by  frost,  these  bulbs  are 
best  when  planted  at  about  this  time.  The  soil 
in  such  positions  as  best  suits  these  bulbs — at 
the  foot  of  a  south  wall  or  in  front  of  a  green- 
house— is  usually  in  a  workable  condition  at  any 
season  and  of  such  a  nature  as  will  ensure  suc- 
cess. The  bulbs  should  be  planted  about  4 
inches  deep,  and  at  2  inches  apart  from  each 
other.  Groups  of  9  to  12  bulbs  are  very  effec- 
tive, and  although  there  are  many  named  vane- 
ties  to  select  from,  mixed  sorts  are  cheaper  and 
well  adapted  for  the  purposes  of  border  culti- 
vation. 

Leaves. — Now  that  the  deciduous  trees  are 
bare,  all  the  fallen  leaves  should  be  cleared 
away  from  the  garden  and  taken  to  the  rubbish 
yard.  Unless  they  are  likely  to  be  blown  about, 
those  which  lie  in  the  shrubberies  may  be 
allowed  to  remain.  A  slight  covering  with  soil 
will  keep  those  near  the  edge  in  place,  and  there 
is  rarely  any  difficulty  with  the  leaves  which  lie 
further  inwards. 

Lawns. — Lightly  roll  the  lawns  on  all  favour- 
able opportunities.  Worm-casts  often  disfigure 
the  grass  at  this  time  of  the  year,  and  unless 
they  are  thoroughly  dry,  any  attempt  to  sweep 
them  up  only  aggravates  the  evil,  so  that  it  be- 
comes necessary  to  use  some  worm-destroyer. 
The  laying  of  turf  may  be  continued  during 
favourable  weather ;  should  hard  frost  threaten, 
it  is  advisable  to  protect  any  newly-laid  turf,  or 
the  frost  will  cause  it  to  lift.  Unless  the  verges 
are  badly  broken,  they  should  not  be  trimmed 
with  the  edging  knife  at  this  season.  The  cut 
edge  remains  bare  much  longer  than  when  this 
work  is  done  in  the  spring  ;  but  any  necessary 
clipping  should  be  done  with  the  edging  shears. 


FRUITS  UNDER  GLASS. 

By  Alexander  Kirk,  Gardener  to  J.  Thomson  Paton,  Esq., 
Norwood,  Alloa,  Clackmannanshire. 

Early  Figs. — Where  these  are  in  demand,  the 
pot  plants,  having  been  prepared  as  was  di- 
rected in  the  Calendar  published  in  the  issue 
for  November  9,  should  now  ibe  plunged 
in  a  pit  provided  with  bottom  heat.  The  neces- 
sary degree  of  bottom-heat  may  be  easily  sup- 
plied by  making  up  a  bed  of  light,  strawy  manure 
from  the  stable.  A  Melon  pit  is  a  suitable  struc- 
ture in  which  to  force  Figs.  The  depth  of  the 
plunging  material  should  be  made  18  inches  at 
the  least.  This  natural  heat  will  cause  the  Figs 
to  start  into  growth,  and  the  embryo  fruits  will 
not  be  likely  to  drop  off.  After  the  trees  have 
started  well  into  growth,  they  will  need  a  bottom- 
heat  not  exceeding  75°,  and  an  atmospheric  tem- 
perature of  60°  by  day  and  50°  at  night.  When 
the  *5un  is  shining  on  the  house,  maintain  a 
humid  atmosphere  by  damping  the  paths,  &c,  or 
red  spider  will  soon  put  in  an  appearance;  but  a 
considerable  amount  of  atmospheric  moisture 
will  be  supplied  from  the  plunging  material. 
The  cultivator  must  rigorously  prevent  extremes 


of  fire-heat  when  starting  Figs,  and  be  careful  in 
the  application  of  water  to  the  roots,  always 
using  water  which  has  been  heated  to  the  same 
temperature  as  the  bottom-heat  in  the  pit.  Plants 
that  have  filled  the  pots  with  roots  will  require 
feeding  when  the  fruit  is  swelling,  as  Figs  re- 
spond well  to  weekly  applications  of  some 
approved  concentrated  manure.  Syringe  the 
trees  every  morning  with  tepid  water,  but  take 
care  first  to  see  that  the  heat  of  the  atmosphere 
is  what  it  should  be. 

Strawberries. — The  first  batch  for  early  forcing 
should  be  removed  at  once  into  a  vinery,  or  any 
house  having  a  moderately  warm  atmosphere, 
but  where  the  heat  will  not  be  excessive.  An 
early  Peach-house  would  be  suitable,  and  in  this 
structure  the  plants  should  be  arranged  in  a 
position  near  to  the  root-glass.  They  are  some- 
times successfully  started  by  placing  the  pots  on 
a  bed  of  leaves  close  to  the  glass  ;  but  in  such 
a  case  care  is  required  that  too  violent  a  heat  is 
not  given  off  from  this  fermenting  material  at  any 
time.  This  is  very  important,  as  extremes  would 
cause  the  plants  to  become  weakly,  the  flowers 
small,  and  the  fruits  would  be  likely  to  be 
affected  with  mildew  and  insect  pests.  Before 
introducing  the  plants  into  heat,  first  examine  the 
stock,  and  select  those  having  well-matured 
crowns.  Remove  all  decayed  and  decaying 
leaves,  see  that  the  drainage  is  perfect,  wash  the 
pots,  and  dip  each  plant  in  a  solution  of  potas- 
sium sulphate,  at  the  strength  of  1  ounce  of  the 
potassium  to  2  gallons  of  warm  water.  This  will 
destroy  any  germs  of  mildew  present.  Should 
plants  already  affected  with  germs  be  placed  in 
a  warm,  moist  atmosphere,  the  mildew  will 
spread  very  rapidly.  Apply  lime  water  to  the 
roots  if  earthworms  are  troublesome. 

Cucumbers. — Plants  now  swelling  their  fruits 
should  have  a  steady  temperature  of  60°  at  night 
and  70  by  day,  rising  with  sun-heat  to  75". 
Be  very  cautious  in  watering  the  plants, 
and  never  damp  the  pit  unless  the  atmospheric 
temperature  exceeds  63°. 


THE  HARDY  FRUIT  GARDEN. 

By  J.  Mavne,  Gardener  to  Lord  Clinton,  Bicton, 
East  Devon. 

Peachei  <i>ui  Nectarines. — Now  the  trees  are  leaf- 
less, and  assuming  that  the  work  of  pruning, 
cleansing,  and  training  of  the  different  kinds  of 
fruit  trees  enumerated  in  former  Calendars  is 
being  brought  to  a  close,  and  the  weather  re- 
mains mild,  there  is  no  reason"  why  the  Peaches 
and  Nectarines  should  not  be  given  similar  at- 
tention. It  is  customary  to  take  these  trees  from 
the  wall  annually,  so  that  the  wood  can  be 
thoroughly  w-ashed,  and  the  walls  re-pointed,  if 
this  is  considered  necessary.  In  any  case,  the 
walls  should  be  coloured  afresh,  as  many  insects 
that  infest  these  trees  hibernate  in  every  hole  and 
crevice  they  can  get  into  during  winter.  Where 
tlie  trees  are  trained  to  wires  (and  this  is  by  far 
the  best  method),  the  necessary  pruning  may  be 
done  before  the  trees  are  loosened,  as  it  can  be 
better  determined  what  amount  of  growth  can 
be  dispensed  with,  especially  so  in  the  matter  of 
a  large  branch  here  and  there,  which  at  times 
are  the  better  for  removal.  The  shoots  that  will 
fruit  next  year  are  those  which  were  made  dur- 
ing the  past  summer  ;  therefore  reserve  sufficient 
of  these  for  replenishing  the  wall  space  when  the 
trees  are  replaced  in  their  proper  positions.  Im- 
perfectly-matured shoots  should  be  cut  back  to  a 
wood  bud,  which  will  be  seen  to  be  more  pointed 
at  the  tip  than  a  fruit  bud,  or  to  triple  buds, 
where  the  centre  one  is  usually  a  wood  bud. 

Washing  the  trees. — Red  spider  and  the  black 
aphis  are  the  two  worst  enemies  of  the  Peach. 
These  locate  themselves  on  the  young  and  old 
wood  alike,  so  that  all  the  shoots  need  to  be 
carefully  washed,  using  a  soft  painter's  brush  or 
sponge  for  the  purpose,  and  a  mixture  made  from 
1  lb.  of  soft  soap,  1  lb.  of  flowers  of  sulphur,  and 
1£  pints  of  Bentley's  Quassia  Extract.  This 
should  be  thoroughly  dissolved  in  2  gallons  of 
hot  water,  after  which  8  gallons  of  soft  water 
should  be  added,  when  it  will  be  ready  for  use. 
In  treating  the  fruiting  wood,  work  the  sponge  or 
brush  towards  the  point  of  the  shoot  (not  back- 
wards), or  many  of  the  buds  will  be  likely  to  get 
injured  or  rubbed  off.  Trees  badly  infested  with 
these  insects  should  be  treated  a  second  time  as 
soon  as  the,  first  washing  has  dried,  choosing  a 
dry  da>-  for  carrying  out  this  work. 


Training  the  trees.' — First  tie  in  the  main 
branches  with  cord,  having  in  view  the  necessity 
of  obtaining  an  equal  balance  of  growth  on  either 
side  ;  thus  will  the  tree  when  re-trained  represent 
the  shape  of  an  open  fan.  The  best  results  fol- 
low when  the  fruiting  shoots  are  trained  at 
4  inches  apart,  for  a  new  shoot  will  have  to  be 
laid  in  at  the  base  of  each  old  one  for  fruiting 
in  the  following  year.  Any  bare  branches  may  be 
covered  with  a  young  shoot ;  it  will  act  as  a  shade 
during  very  hot  weather.  Young  trees  that  have 
not  yet  filled  their  allotted  space  should  have 
their  centre  kept  somewhat  open  by  training  the 
shoots  more  oblique  than  that  in  the  case  of 
aged  specimens.  Some  cultivators,  with  a  view 
of  retarding  the  flowers,  keep  the  trees  from  the 
wall  until  as  late  a  period  as  possible,  in  which 
case  the  branches  must  be  tied  to  stakes  to  pre- 
vent the  wind  from  swaying  them  to  and  fro. 
Tying  or  nailing  should  be  done  loosely,  so  that 
each  branch  can  develop  freely  during  the  com- 
ing season. 

PUBLIC  PARKS  AND  GARDENS. 

By  W.  W.  Pettigrew,  Superintendent  of  the  Parks  and 
Open  Spaces  in  the  City  of  Cardiff. 
Fertilisers  for  lawns— -Park  officials  are,  as  a 
rule,  no  better  than  most  other  gardeners  at 
giving  proper  attention  to  the  manuring  of  the 
lawns  and  grass  swards  under  their  charge.  It 
has  often  been  pointed  out  that  the  average 
lawn  is  the  most  starved  and  badly-managed 
piece  of  ground  connected  with  the  whole  gar- 
den, and  this  statement  is  equally  true  when 
applied  to  parks.  Week  after  week  during  spring, 
summer,  and  autumn,  year  in  and  year  out, 
lawns  are  mown  close  to  the  ground,  and  little, 
if  any,  return  made  to  the  soil  for  all  that  is 
taken  from  it.  The  clippings  at  the  end  of  the 
season  are  not  even  allowed  to  remain  and 
decay,  but  are  carefully  swept  off  and  the  lawn 
robbed  of  this  slight  source  of  humus.  Under 
such  treatment  it  is  little  wonder  that  lawns 
become  overgrown  with  Daisies  and  other 
weeds,  and  that  grasses  diminish  and  become 
exhausted.  To  keep  swards  in  a  good,  healthy 
condition  they  require  to  be  manured  quite  as 
judiciously  as  flower  beds  or  shrubbery  borders. 
Choice  of  manures. — In  a  public  park  one  is  a 
little  restricted  in  the  choice  of  grass  fertilisers, 
as,  for  very  obvious  reasons,  strong  smelling 
organic  manures  cannot  be  freely  used.  To 
introduce  the  necessary  humus  to  the  soil  under 
these  circumstances  is  a  little  difficult,  and  is 
best  done  by  giving  a  dressing  from  the  general 
rubbish  heap  after  it  has  become  thoroughly 
decomposed  and  mixed  with  fine  lime.  Sedi- 
ment, which  has  been  taken  out  of  a  pond  or 
lake  and  allowed  to  lie  for  a  few  years,  when 
turned  over  and  well  broken  up,  and  a  quan- 
tity of  wood  ashes  incorporated  with  it,  makes 
a  very  good  dressing  for  grass.  Such  dressings 
are  usually  applied  by  being  spread  thinly  over 
the  surface  of  the  ground  early  in  the  winter 
prior  to  a  fall  of  rain.  If  any  lumps  remain 
after  the  compost  has  been  weathered  for  a 
time,  they  must  be  broken  with  a  rake,  and  the 
surface  swept  by  means  of  brushwood  attached 
to  a  hurdle,  which  is  drawn  backwards  and 
forwards  over  the  lawn  during  dry  weather.  In 
America  the  favourite  lawn  fertiliser  seems  to> 
be  pure  wood  ashes — a  commodity  which  can 
apparently  be  had  at  a  very  cheap  rate.  The 
manurial  value  of  wood  ashes  lies  in  the  potash 
and  vegetable  charcoal  they  contain.  Charcoal 
itself,  when  finely  ground  and  applied  to  lawns, 
imparts  to  the  grass  a  rich  green  colour,  but 
on  account  of  its  cost,  its  use  is  generally  con- 
fined to  the  putting  greens  on  golf  courses.  As 
wood  ashes  are  not  an  article  of  commerce  in 
this  country,  their  use  is  limited,  but  is  replaced 
by  kainit,  which  can  be  obtained  easily  and 
cheaply.  Both  wood  ashes  and  kainit  must,  like 
the  humus  dressings,  be  applied  in  winter.  Mr. 
H.  Cousins,  in  his  useful  little  work  The 
Chemistry  of  the  Garden,  gives  an  excellent 
formula  for  a  cheap  and  efficacious  lawn 
manure.  It  consists  of  3  lbs.  basic  slag  and 
2  lbs.  of  kainit  applied  to  the  ground  in  winter, 
and  3  lbs.  of  superphosphate  of  lime  to  J  lb.  of 
sulphate  of  ammonia  applied  fn  spring.  This 
quantity  is  sufficient  to  dress  40  square  yards, 
and,  if  carefully  carried  out  and  sown  just 
before  rain,  produces  very  satisfactory  results. 
Soot  is  an  old-fashioned  lawn  manure,  which, 
if  applied  in  spring,  makes  a  very  considerable 
difference  in  the  growth  and  constitution  of  the 
herbage. 


434 


THE     GA  li  D  ENER  S '      CHR  O  NI CL  E . 


[December  21,  1907. 


EDITORIAL     NOTICE. 


ADVERTISEMENTS  should  be  sent  to  the  PUB- 
LISHER, 41,  Wellington  Street,  Covent  Garden, 
W.C. 

Letters  for  Publication,  as  well  as  specimens  and  plants 
/or  naming,  should  be  addressed  to  the  EDITOR, 
41,  Wellington  Street,    Covent  Garden,   London. 

Communications  should  be  written  on  one  side  onlv  of 
the  paper,  sent  a>  early  in  the  week  as  possible  and  duly 
signed  by  the  writer.  If  desired,  the  signature  will  not  be 
printed,  but  kept  as  a  guarantee  of  good  faith. 

Special  Notice  to  Correspondents.— The  Editor  does  ?tot 
undertake  to  pay  for  any  contributions  or  illustrations,  or 
to  return  unused  communications  or  illustrations,  unless  by 
special  arrangement.  The  Editor  does  not  hold  himself 
responsible  for  any  opinions  expressed  by  his  correspondents. 

Newspapers.— Correspondents  sending  newspapers  should  be 
careful  to  mark  the  paragraphs  they  wish  the  Editor  to  see. 

Local  News. — Correspondents  will  greatly  oblige  by  sendingto 
the  Editor  early  intelligence  of  local  events  likely  to  be  of 
interest  to  our  readers,  or  of  any  matters  which  it  is  desirable 
to  bring  under  the  notice  of  horticulturists. 

Illustrations.-  The  Editor  will  be  glad  to  receive  and  to  select 
photographs  or  draivings,  suitable  for  reproduction,  of 
gardens,  or  of  remarkable  plants,  jlowers,treest  &c,  but  he 
cannot  be  responsible  for  toss  or  injury. 


APPOINTMENTS  FOR  THE  ENSUING  WEEK. 


WEDNESDAY,  DECEMBER  25— 
Christmas  Day  (Quarter  Day). 

THURSDAY,  DECEMBER  26— Bank  Holiday. 

FRIDAY,  DECEMBER  27— Roy.  Bot.  Soc.  meet. 


Average  Mean  Temperature  for  the  ensuing  week, 
deduced  from  observations  during  the  last  Fifty  Years 
at  Greenwich — 38*4°. 

Actual  Temperatures: — 

London.— Wednesday,  December  18  (6  p.m.)  :  Max.  53°; 
Min.  39". 
Gardeners'  Chronicle  Office,  41,  Wellington  Street, 
Covent  Garden,  London.  —Thursday,  December  19 
(10  a.m.):  Bar..  299;  Temp.  55°;  Weather— 
Slight  rain. 

Provinces. — Wednesday,  December  18  (6  p.m.)  :    Max.  51° 
Colchester;  Min.  40",  Scotland  S. 


Most    gardeners    nowadays  sup- 
Manuring    plernent     the     natural     manure 
and  its      obtained     from     the     farmyard 
Effects.     or  tne  stable  by  one  or  more  of 

the  so-called  artificial  kinds.  But 
both  the  gardener  and  the  farmer  are  rather 
at  the  mercy  of  those  who  make  and  advertise 
these  substances,  and  they  too  often  neglect 
the  necessary  and  obvious  precaution  of  ob- 
taining a  guaranteed  proportion  of  the  fer- 
tilising ingredients.  Doubtless  this  often 
arises  from  the  fact  that  the  nature  of  the 
substances  is  not  understood,  and  thus  the 
figure^,  when  thev  are  given,  convey  but  little 
meaning.  This  is  often  the  case,  for  example, 
with  guano,  which  is  perhaps  the  best  general 
fertiliser  that  can  be  obtained.  Anyone  who 
makes  a  solution  of  this  manure  realises  that 
the  greater  part  of  what  he  has  purchased 
too  often  consists  of  common  soil  and  other 
insoluble  matter.  This  is  of  no  consequence 
provided  he  has  really  got  the  proper  value, 
in  nitrogen  and  other  substances,  for  the 
mom  v  In-  has  paid,  because  the  guano,  even 
if  it  could  be  obtained  pure,  is  often  mixed 
with  soil  before  sowing  on  the  land. 

In  the  case  of  the  manures  compounded 
artificially  of  various  substances,  it  is  very 
important  lo  know  what  one  is  really  paying 
for,  and  w  hether  due  value  is  being  got  for 
the  expenditure.  Unfortunately  compara- 
tively few  people  possess  enough  simple 
chemical  knowledge  to  attack  these  matters 
themselves  But  those  who  do  could  easily 
effect  a  considerable  saving  in  the  annual 
bill  for  manure  by  making  up  their  own  mix- 
tures from  the  raw  materials,  which  are 
generally     to    be    purchased    at   a   relatively 


cheap  rate.  Thus  sulphate  of  ammonia  can 
be  recommended  to  those  who  desire  to  get 
rid  of  Daisies  from  the  lawn,  and  its  price 
will  be  found  to  be  very  much  lower  than  that 
of  certain  well-known  specifics  which  are 
often  employed  for  this  purpose.  We  have 
seen  this  cheap  substance  used  with  wonder- 
ful effect  upon  a  lawn  in  which  the  grass  was 
struggling  between  the  Daisy  plants.  The 
latter  were  killed  out  by  the  sulphate  of  am- 
monia, and  the  grass  speedily  occupied  their 
place.  A  dressing  of  dissolved  bones  and 
wood  ashes  was  given  subsequently,  and  the 
turf  thus  encouraged  has  continued  to  be  the 
admiration  of  all  who  see  it. 

Some  people  entertain  a  prejudice,  for 
which  indeed  there  is  some  justification, 
against  the  use  of  artificial  manures  alto- 
gether. There  is  no  doubt  that  when  im- 
properly used  they  may  do  more  harm  than 
good,  especially  when  single  substances  are 
used.  Thus  nitrate  of  soda  is  often  employed 
with  results  that  may  be  disastrous  later  on. 
In  this  manure  it  is  the  nitrogen  which  is 
utilised  by  the  plant,  whilst  the  soda  causes 
changes  that,  in  heavy  soils,  may  ruin  the 
tilth  for  some  years,  since  it  accentuates  all 
the  bad  qualities  resident  in  stiff  clay. 

Again,  sulphate  of  ammonia,  if  applied 
alone,  whilst  producing  wonderful  results  at 
first,  may  be  detrimental  in  the  long  run  on 
soils  that  contain  but  little  lime.  In  this  in- 
stance, however,  the  remedy  is  easy  to  apply, 
and  lime  is  cheap  enough. 

Again,  basic  slag  works  marvels  in  some 
soils,  for  in  addition  to  its  own  immediate 
properties,  it  renders  available  to  plants 
stores  of  potash  in  the  soil  which  would  other- 
wise be  inaccessible  to  them.  On  sandy  soils 
poor  in  potash,  however,  it  may  produce  no 
effect,  or  its  influence  may  even  be  detri- 
mental in  clearing  out  the  scanty  reserves  of 
this  essential  element  of  plant  nutriment.  In 
such  a  case  the  obvious  precaution  to  take  is 
to  see  to  it  that  potash  starvation  shall  be 
avoided  by  adding  it  in  some  form,  e.g.,  as 
sulphate,  to  the  land. 

There  is  always  a  danger  in  using  what 
we  may  call  one-sided  manures,  of  depletion 
of  the  soil  in  respect  of  other  constituents, 
and  it  is  for  this  reason  that  mixtures  of  vari- 
ous soils  are  greatly  preferable,  as  a  general 
rule,  to  single  substances.  It  is  well,  then,  to 
bear  in  mind,  when  compounding  manures, 
that  the  essential  constituents  should  include 
nitrogen,  phosphoric  and  sulphuric  acids,  and 
potassium.  The  cost  of  the  particular  mixture 
employed  will  depend  very  much  on  the  form 
in  which  the  necessary  ingredients  are  sup- 
plied, whilst  the  rapidity  of  its  action  will 
mainly  be  affected  by  the  degree  of  solubility 
in  water  of  the  several  substances  composing 
it.  Thus  a  manure  made  up  of  7  lbs.  of 
sulphate  of  ammonia,  2  lbs.  of  potassium 
phosphate,  and  4  lbs.  of  bone  meal  will 
cost  about  three  shillings  a  stone,  and 
much  less  if  made  up  in  large  quantity. 
But  it  is  a  very  powerful  stimulant  and  must 
1"  used  sparingly,  whilst  the  plants  are  grow- 
ing. There  are  many  mixtures  on  the  mar- 
ket, the  nutritive  value  of  which  is  very  far 
below  that  just  given,  but  their  cost  to  the 
consumer  is  considerably  higher. 

Few  people  realise  how  completely  the 
vegetation  of  a  lawn  may  be  altered  by 
manuring,     although     probably     many     may 


nave  observed  particular  examples  of  it,  as, 
for  instance,  the  dense  clothing  of  Clover  that 
commonly  results  from  an  application  of 
basic  slag,  largely  owing  to  an  indirect  action 
on  the  potash  reserves  of  the  soil.  The  most 
striking  object  lessons  of  this  kind  are  to  be 
seen  at  the  celebrated  experimental  station  at 
Rothamsted,  in  Hertfordshire.  There  are  a 
number  of  small  plots  of  grass  land  adjoin- 
ing each  other,  which  originally  formed  a 
continuous  part  of  the  park.  Each  plot  has 
been  continually  treated  for  a  number  of  years 
with  a  particular  kind  of  manure  that  has  not 
been  altered,  and  thus  its  effect  on  the  herbage 
could  be  followed  from  season  to  season.  It 
is  difficult  for  any  person  now  visiting  the 
plots  to  realise  that  the  vegetation  of  every 
one  of  them  was  once  identical  with  that  still 
prevailing  in  the  park  outside  their  own  bor- 
ders. Almost  every  type  of  herbage  now 
finds  its  representative  on  one  or  other  of  the 
plots,  and  yet  this  difference  has  not  been 
achieved  by  any  form  of  interference  with 
natural  conditions  other  than  the  persistent 
application  of  definite  systems  of  manuring. 


*#*  Our  Almanac— According  to  our  usual 
practice  we  shall  shortly  issue  a  Gardeners'  Chronicle 
Almanac  for  the  year  1908.  In  older  to  make  it  as 
useful  as  possible  for  reference,  we  shall  be  obliged  if 
Secretaries  of  Horticultural,  Botanical  and  Allied 
Societies,  or  any  of  our  correspondents,  will  send  us 
immediate  intimation  of  all  fixtures  for  the 
coming  year. 

Royal  Horticultural  Society.— The  next 
meeting  of  the  committees  will  be  held  on  Tuesday, 
December  31,  at  Vincent  Square,  Westminster. 

Horticultural  Instruction.— The  Board 
of  Agriculture  has  published  a  very  useful  leaflet 
(No.  197)  dealing  with  the  facilities  afforded  for 
agricultural  and  horticultural  instruction  in  Eng- 
land and  Wales.  Particulars  as  regards  the 
courses  of  instruction,  fees,  cost  of  living,  &c, 
are  given  in  some  detail,  and  the  information  will 
be  much  appreciated  by  those  whose  interest  or 
business  is  connected  with  land,  and  who  are 
desirous  of  taking  advantage  of  the  increasing 
educational  opportunities  which  are  now  at  their 
disposal. 

Late-Blooming  Roses. — In  respect  to  this 
subject,  the  Rev.  David  R.  Williamson  writes  : 
"  When  I  visited  Logan  Gardens,  Wigtown- 
shire, on  December  12,  by  invitation  of  Mrs. 
MeDoi'ALL,  of  Logan,  who  is  an  enthusiastic 
amateur  rosarian,  many  of  the  finest  hybrid 
perpetuals  were  in  wonderful  bloom.  Con- 
spicuous among  these  were  Mrs.  Sharman 
Crawford,  Margaret  Dickson,  and  Captain  Hay- 
ward,  of  which  a  large  number  of  vigorous 
plants  were  luminous  with  bright  buds  and  half- 
expanded  flowers.  Nothing  could  be  more 
charming  to  a  lover  of  Roses  at  this  season  of 
the  year."  Mr.  J.  W.  Miskin,  Mereworth 
Castle  Gardens,  Kent,  also  writes  as  follows  : — 
"To-day  (December  12)  I  have  gathered  quits 
a  large  bunch  of  Roses,  enough  to  fill  half  a 
dozen  good-sized  bowls.  The  varieties  are  Papa 
Gontier,  Peace,  Souv.  de  David  D'Anger,  Gene- 
ral Schablikine,  Lady  Zoe  Brougham,  Fabvier 
(China),  and  the  old  Monthly  Rose.  The  Rose- 
garden  here  is  protected  from  rough  winds  by 
shrubberies  on  the  west,  north,  and  east  sides, 
so  that  the  buds  do  not  get  bruised  by  the  beat- 
ing against  each  other  that  occurs  in  rough 
weather  in  more  exposed  situations.  Should  the 
weather  keep  mild,  I  shall  be  able  to  gather  a 
nice  feunch  of  Roses  for  Christmas  Day." 


[The  Gardeners'  Chronicle,  December  21,  1.07. 


December  21,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


435 


The  Gardens  of  England.  —The  winter 
special  number  of  The  Studio,  a  monthly  art 
periodical,  is  devoted  entirely  to  the  gardens 
of  England  in  the  southern  and  western 
counties.  This  attractive  volume  of  great  in- 
terest to  those  connected  with  the  graden  craft 
is  issued  in  paper  wrappers  at  5s.,  or  in  cloth 
binding  at  7s.  6d.,  and  is  edited  by  Charles 
Holme.  The  size  is  11J  inches  by  8J,  and  the 
illustrations  are  beautiful  representations  of 
views  in  some  of  the  most  famous  gardens  in 
that  part  of  the  kingdom  to  which  the  editor 
has  devoted  his  attention.  Briefly  reviewed, 
the  work  may  be  said  to  contain  articles  on 
the  history  of  garden-making,  the  principles  of 
garden-making,  and  notes  on  the  illustrations. 
Of  these,  which  are  all  full-paged,  there  are 
eight  in  colour  and  128  in  black  and  white. 
The  coloured  ones  are  after  drawings  by  Geo. 
S.  Elgood,  Lilian  Stannard,  E.  H.  Adie,  and 
E.  Arthur  Rowe,  and  represent  the  Forecourt, 
Great  Tangley  Manor  ;  Yew  Arch  at  Brickwall  ; 
the  Long  Water,  Hampton  Court ;  Penshurst, 
&c.  Some  of  the  most  effective  of  the  black 
and  white  photographic  reproductions  are 
"  Stratton  Park,  Hants  "  ;  "  Herbaceous  Flower 
Border  at  Orchardleigh  Park,  Somerset"  ;  "  The 
Rock  Garden  at  Killerton,  Devon  "  ;  "  Lily  Pool 
at  Dropmore  "  ;  "  Brockenhurst  Park,  Hants"; 
"  Blenheim  Palace,  Oxon,"  and  "  The  Old 
Orangery  at  Ham  House,"  all  of  which  are 
typical  garden  scenes.  Many  others  include 
views  of  the  mansions  and  picturesque  portions 
of  garden  architecture. 

The  Poisonous  Nature  of  Bitter  Cas- 
sava.— It  has  been  long  known  that  the  poisonous 
nature  of  the  root  of  the  Bitter  Cassava  (Manihot 
utilissima),  from  which  Tapioca  is  made,  is  due 
to  the  presence  of  hydrocyanic  acid  ;  but  an  ex- 
planation of  the  matter  from  the  chemical  point 
of  view  has  recently  been  given  as  the  result 
of  investigations  conducted  at  the  Imperial 
Institute,  "  which  show  that  no  variety  of 
Cassava  contains  prussic  acid,  as  such,  but 
all  contained  a  cyanogenetic  glucosid,  and 
associated  with  it  are  enzyme,  capable  of 
splitting  up  the  glucosid  with  the  forma- 
tion of  prussic  acid.  The  common  classifi- 
cation of  Bitter  and  Sweet  Cassava  is  based  upon 
the  amount  of  glucosid  present."  This  subject 
is  discussed  in  the  Bulletin  of  Miscellaneous  In- 
formation of  the  Botanical  Department  of  Trini- 
did  as  follows: — Instances  are  known,  how- 
ever, where  analysts  have  stated  certain  per- 
centages of  prussic  acid  to  have  been  found  in 
Cassava  roots,  but  it  seems  clear  that  the  acid 
was  produced  by  the  methods  of  analysis 
employed,  especially  as  it  is  found  that  a  con- 
tinued treatment  with  water  produced  further 
quantities  of  the  acid.  The  lesson  to  be  learned 
from  the  above  appears  clear,  and  the  explana- 
tion of  the  poisonous  characters  of  Cassava  is 
afforded.  The  cyanogenetic  glucosids,  together 
with  the  enzyme  in  the  presence  of  water,  give 
rise  to  prussic  acid  at  certain  temperatures. 
Under  this  explanation  a  family  might  ear 
cooked  Cassava  with  the  greatest  impunity ;  but 
some  of  the  identical  dish,  if  kept  for  a  few 
hours,  might  subsequently  produce  poison 
strong  enough  to  cause  serious  effects,  and 
even  death,  if  eaten  by  a  human  being. 
Nevertheless,  the  methods  of  preparing  Cas- 
sava for  food  in  the  countries  where  it  is  a 
dailv  staple  and  a  chief  food  of  the  people,  are 
such  as  to  negative  the  production  of  poisonous 
material,  and  even  some  of  those  kinds  known 
to  carry  a  large  amount  of  cyanogenetic  material 
can  be  consumed  without  danger  if  properly 
treated.  The  proper  procedure  is  to  boil  Cas- 
sava in  several  changes  of  water,  or  by  driving 
off  poisonous  matter  by  roasting  or  baking  pro- 
cesses,  and   by  never  consuming   moisture-con- 


taining material  that  has  been  left  over  from  a 
meal  a  sufficient  length  of  lime  to  generate 
the  poison.  The  tortilla  cakes  of  Central 
America  and  Brazil  are  well  known  as  whole- 
some food,  and  they  may  be  eaten  daily  with- 
out danger.  So  also  are  the  Cassava  cakes  of 
the  West  Indies,  which  are  always  toasted  to  a 
crisp  state  before  being  eaten.  The  preparation 
known  as  Farine — a  kind  of  coarse  flour  or  meal 
— should  also  be  well  dried  before  being  eaten, 
as  it  is  known  to  generate  prussic  acid  if  allowed 
to  become  damp.  The  caution  therefore  should 
be  :  Always  eat  Cassava  products  fresh  and  well 
roasted  or  baked,  and  when  boiled  several 
changes  of  water  should  be  used  in  the  process. 
It  may  be  mentioned,  however,  that  the  sweeter 
kinds  are  always  used  for  boiling  purposeSj  the 
bitter  kinds  being  kept  for  starch  making,  al- 
though the  latter  may  be  used  without  danger  if 
proper  care  is  taken  in  their  preparation.  The 
Tapioca  of  the  European  grocer  is  mainly  ob- 
tained from  the  starch  of  Bitter  Cassava. 

The  House  Fly. — The  common  house  fly  is 
so  well  known,  and  plays  its  part  so  ably  in  con- 
tributing to  the  sum  of  human  ills  that  it  may 
seem  a  matter  of  surprise  that  its  life  history, 
and  especially  its  breeding  habits,  have  been 
hitherto  but  little  investigated.  Mr.  Robert 
NewSTEAD  has  brought  together  the  results  of 
his  investigations  on  this  question  in  a  pamphlet 
published  by  the  Health  Committee  of  the  City 
of  Liverpool.  He  finds  that  the  fly  breeds  in 
fermenting  vegetable  matter  in  preference  to  any 
other.  Stable  manure  and  spent  hops  provide 
the  best  material,  but  ash-pits  containing  refuse 
of  various  sorts  also  contained  the  maggots, 
though,  in  a  far  less  degree.  The  fly  does  not 
breed,  like  the  bluebottle  and  many  other  carrion 
feeders,  in  decaying  animal  matter.  The  maggot 
stage  varies  much  in  its  duration,  being  shortest 
(about  a  week)  in  warm,  fermenting  media,  and 
this  points  to  the  desirability  of  emptying  ash- 
pits, &c,  at  frequent  intervals.  Poultry  search 
very  greedily  for  the  grubs,  and  thus  help  to 
keep  the  number  of  flies  down  in  places  where 
stable  manure  or  other  litter  accumulates.  The 
information  thus  gathered  by  Mr.  Newsteao  is 
of  considerable  economic  value,  as  indicating 
the  best  means  of  preventing  the  rapid  multipli- 
cation of  so  troublesome  a  pest.  For  now  we 
know  its  breeding  habits,  it  is  possible  to  deal 
with  the  pest,  and  at  a  time  in  its  life  his- 
tory when  it  is  most  vulnerable.  Preventive 
measures  become  the  more  imperative  when  it  is 
remembered  that  besides  the  annoyance  which 
it  causes,  the  house  fly  is  one  of  the  common 
agents  responsible  for  the  spread  of  certain  dis- 
eases, owing  to  the  filthy  habits  of  feeding  which 
characterise  the  adult  insect. 

Pollution  of  Rivers.— At  a  largely  attended 
conference-meeting,  convened  under  the  aus- 
pices of  the  Essex  Field  Club,  and  held  in  the 
Municipal  Technical  Institute,  Stratford,  on  De- 
cember 14,  the  Mayor  of  West  Ham  (Council- 
lor J.  R.  Moore-Smith,  J. P.)  being  in  the  chair 
at  the  beginning,  and  subsequently  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  Essex  Field  Club  (Mr.  Miller 
Christy,  F.L.S.),  there  being  present  naturalists, 
geologists,  meteorologists,  manufacturers,  sani- 
tary officers,  and  representatives  of  Water 
Boards  and  of  County  and  Borough  Councils, 
the  subject  of  "  River  Pollution  from  the 
Naturalists'  Point  of  View  "  was  introduced  by 
Professor  R.  Mki.dola,  F.R.S.  (past-President  of 
the  Chemical  Society).  Among  other  speakers 
on  the  subject  were  Mr.  E.  B.  Barnard,  M.P. 
(Chairman  Works  Committee,  London  Water 
Boardi,  Mr.  David  Howard,  J. P.,  F.C.S.  (past- 
President  Society  of  Chemical  Industry),  Mr. 
Kent  (Bishops  Stortford  Urban  District  Coun- 
cil), Dr.  Parsons  (Local  Government  Boardi, 
Sir  Alexander  Pedler,  K.C.I.E.,  F.R.S.  (hon. 


secretary,  British  Science  Guild),  Mr.  J.  Brook 
Pike  (Chemical  Expert,  London  County  Coun- 
cil), Professor  Sir  William  Ramsay,  K.C.B., 
F.R.S.  (President  of  the  Chemical  Society  and 
Chairman  of  the  Royal  Commission  on  Sewage 
Disposal),  Dr.  Sanders-  (Medical  Officer  of 
Health,  County  Borough  of  West  Ham),  Dr. 
Sommerville  (Lecturer  on  Public  Health, 
King's  College,  London),  Mr.  J.  C.  Thresh, 
M.D.,  D.Sc.  (Medical  Officer  of  Health, 
Essex  County  Council),  and  Mr.  J.  Mack- 
worth  Wood,  C.E.  At  the  close  of 
the  meeting  the  following  resolution  was 
moved  by  Sir  Alexander  Pedler,  F.R.S., 
seconded  by  Mr.  E.  B.  Barnard,  M.P.,  carried 
unanimously,  and  ordered  to  be  transmitted 
to  the  Local  Government  Board  and  the  British 
Science  Guild  : — "  That  this  meeting,  having 
heard  the  expert  testimony  of  many  qualified 
speakers  interested  in  the  improvement  of  the 
state  of  our  rivers,  streams,  and  water-ways,  it 
is  of  opinion  that  legislative  action  is  urgently 
needed,  and  would  regard  with  satisfaction  the 
creation  of  a  central  authority  under  Govern- 
ment for  dealing  with  the  general  question  of 
water  supply  throughout  the  kingdom,  as  well 
as  with  the  disposal  of  sewage  and  of  effluents 
from  factories ;  such  central  authority  to  be 
given  power  to  apportion  expenditure  on  sew- 
age treatment  or  other  necessary  work  of  puri- 
fication amongst  the  communities  deriving 
benefit   from  such  expenditure.'' 

Root  Solvents  in  the  Soil.— It  has  long 
been  accepted  as  a  fact  that  plants  help  them- 
selves to  a  part  of  their  mineral  food  by  means 
of  the  solvent  action  of  their  acid  root  sap  on 
the  particles  of  soil  with  which  the  rootlets  come 
into  contact.  The  observations  most  frequently 
quoted  in  support  of  this  are  the  classical  ones 
of  Sachs,  who  showed  that  the  acid  of  the  root 
sap  was  sufficient  to  etch,  by  its  corrosive 
action,  th=  surface  of  polished  marble  buried 
beneath  the  soil.  Writing  upon  this  subject  in 
Science  Progress  recently,  Mr.  A.  D.  Hall,  M.A., 
director  of  the  Rothamsted  Experimental  Sta- 
tion, says  :  "  Though  it  has  always  been  recog- 
nised that  the  roots  of  plants  in  the  main  derive 
their  nutriment  from  substances  dissolved  in  the 
water  within  the  soil,  yet  the  possible  direct 
solvent  action  of  the  roots  themselves  upon  the 
solid  materials  of  plant-food  has  long  been  a 
debated  question  amongst  plant  physiologists 
and  agricultural  chemists."  The  problem  has 
been  attacked  from  several  distinct  points  of 
view,  and  the  investigators  find  applications  in 
one  or  two  rather  unexpected  directions.  For 
example,  the  analyses,  of  which  many  exist,  of 
our  chief  farm  and  garden  crops  show  that  the 
normal  action  of  plants  upon  the  soil  is  to  leave 
behind  a  basic  residue  from  the  neutral  salts  on 
which  plants  feed,  and  that  so  far  from  plant- 
roots  being  excretors  of  acid,  their  action  upon 
the  soil  is  precisely  the  contrary.  Investiga- 
tions have  shown  that  they  leave  behind,  in  the 
soil,  after  their  growth,  quantities  of  base 
equivalent  to  from  100  to  300  lbs.  of  calcium 
carbonate  (lime)  per  acre,  and  this  affords  an 
explanation  of  several  facts  in  the  field  hitherto 
difficult  to  understand.  For  instance,  many 
soils  possess  but  traces  of  base  (lime,  &c.)  avail- 
able for  the  neutralisation  of  the  acids  produced 
during  nitrification,  a  process  which  is  always 
going  on  in  nature  ;  and  indeed,  it  is  the  normal 
preliminary  step  to  the  supply  of  nitrogen  to  the 
plant.  Despite  this  constant  draft  upon  the 
small  amount  of  base  (lime)  in  the  soil,  these 
soils  maintain  their  neutral  character  when  i.i 
arable  cultivation,  and  show  no  signs  of  becom- 
ing sour  and  infertile.  There  must  therefore 
be  some  recuperative  process  at  work,  and  this 
we  may  now  attiibute,  according  to  recent  re- 
search at  Rothamsted  and  elsewhere,  to  the 
growth  of  the  crops  which  annually  take  from 
the  soil  such  an  excess  of  acid  as  will  leave 
behind  an  amount  of  base  (lime)  of  the  same 
order  of  magnitude  as  that  consumed  in  the 
nitrification  process. 


436 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[December  21,  1907. 


Odontoglossum  x  Andersonianum. — Our 
attention  has  been  drawn  to  the  fact  that  the 
illustration  in  our  issue  for  November  30  of  the 
variation  exhibited  in  flowers  of  this  species 
was  published  in  the  Orchid  Review,  vol.  xiii., 
p.  221.  We  regret  that,  owing  to  an  oversight, 
this  fact  was  not  communicated  to  us  by  our 
correspondent,  Mr.  Raffill,  when  the  photo- 
graph was  submitted  for  inspection. 

Cryptogamic  Botany  at  the  Man- 
chester University.  —  The  University  of 
Manchester  has  just  become  the  recipient,  under 
the  will  of  the  late  Prof.  Thomas  Barker,  of 
about  £40,000,  which  is  to  be  devoted  to  the 
foundation  of  a  Chair  of  Cryptogamic  Botany, 
and  also  for  the  provision  of  bursaries  or  scholar- 
ships for  the  assistance  and  encouragement  of 
students  in  botany  and  mathematics.  Prof. 
Barker  formerly  occupied  the  Chair  of  Mathe- 
matics at  Owens  College  (now  the  University) 
in  Manchester.  He  was  a  very  distinguished 
mathematician,  and  some  of  the  foremost  leaders 
in  physics  and  mathematics  at  the  present  time 
were  amongst  his  former  pupils.  But  he  was 
also  devoted  to  the  study  of  the  lower  plants, 
and  he  has  emphasised  this  devotion  by  his 
munificent  bequest  to  his  old  University.  The 
Botanical  Department  of  the  University  has  a 
splendid  chance  before  it  of  further  development, 
and  we  do  not  doubt  that  it  will  utilise  its  great 
opportunity  to  the  fullest  extent. 

Ginseng  in  Queensland.  —  The  extra- 
ordinary value  set  by  the  Chinese  on  the  roots  of 
their  native  Ginseng  (Aralia  quinquefolia  var. 
Ginseng)  is  a  matter  well  known  to  many  people. 
It  became,  however,  more  especially  interesting 
during  the  progress  of  the  Russo-Japanese  war, 
since  the  cultivation  of  the  plant  in  Corea  and 
the  export  of  its  roots  to  China  was  a  Govern- 
ment monopoly,  and  amounted  in  1905  to 
107,485  lbs.,  valued  at  £102,351.  The  Imperial 
or  Manchurian  Ginseng  is  the  finest  quality, 
and  is  prepared  for  export  by  steaming  it 
for  some  hours  in  baskets  placed  in  earthen  ves- 
sels. Its  value  in  China  is  for  the  tonic  and 
stimulant  properties  it  is  said  to  possess.  The 
true  species  (A.  quinquefolia)  is  a  native  of 
North  America,  and  the  roots  are  collected  in 
the  Alleghanies  from  Pennsylvania  to  Tennes- 
see, from  whence  they  are  exported  to  China  in 
large  quantities,  as  a  substitute  for  the  Chinese 
product.  According  to  a  note  in  the  Queensland 
Agricultural  Journal  for  July  last,  it  would 
;eem  that  the  commercial  importation  of  the 
American  root  into  Brisbane  has  been  con- 
temp'ated;  as  the  following  extract  from 
a  letter  of  the  Commissioner  of  Trade 
in  China  to  the  Under-Secretary  for 
Agriculture  and  Stock  in  Brisbane  will 
indicate.  He  says  :  "  As  to  why  cultivated 
Ginseng  is  considered  of  poorer  quality  than  the 
wild,  the  Chinese  make  no  distinctions  as  re- 
gards this  point ;  but  in  the  grading  the  culti- 
vated product  seems  to  fall  lower  in  the  scale  on 
account  of  it  being  less  firm  in  consistency  than 
the  wild.  A  spongy  root  is  practically  worth- 
less. If  the  Ginseng  is  not  well  packed,  and 
absorbs  moisture  in  transit,  it  also  lowers  the 
grade  materially.  On  account  of  these  difficul- 
ties to  be  overcome,  it  would  seem  advisable  to 
endeavour  to  find  a  Chinaman  buyer  in  Bris- 
bane for  some  portion  of  the  first  crop  now  being 
cultivated  at  the  State  farms.  A  good  test  of 
values  could  thus  be  obtained.  There  is  always 
a  good  market  for  American  Ginseng  in  Shang- 
hai and   Hong  Kong." 

Publications  Received.—  Who's  Who,  price  10s.. 
and  Who's  Who  Year-Book,  1908,  price  Is.,  published 
by  Adam  &  Charles  Black.— Daily  Mail  Year-Book, 
1908,  price  6d.,  published  by  the  Amalgamated  Press, 
Limited. 


HULL    PUBLIC    PARKS. 

The  city  of  Hull  is  particularly  favoured  in 
the  number  of  public  parks  and  open  spaces  it 
possesses.  In  addition  to  these  the  main  streets 
are  planted  with  avenues  of  trees  that  are  in 
some  cases  set  in  a  grass  border  20  feet  wide. 
Perhaps  the  most  important  of  the  parks  is  the 
one  known  as  Pearson  Park.  This  fine  open 
space  of  25  acres  was  presented  to  the  city  by 
one  of  its  citizens,  Zacariah  C.  Pearson,  who 
in  1858  filled  the  office  of  Sheriff  a»d  in  1859 
that  of  Mayor.  It  is  situated  near  to  a  thickly- 
populated  part  of  the  city,  and  is  on  the  line 
of  two  routes  of  tramways.  The  land  was  given 
by  Mr.  Pearson,  and  the  work  of  laying  out 
the  ground  was  undertaken  by  the  Corporation, 
who  commissioned  Mr.  J.  C.  Niven,  at  that  time 
curator  of  Hull  Botanic  Garden,  to  prepare  the 
necessary  design.  Many  additional  features  and 
improvements  were  added  to  the  park  by  the 
late  superintendent,  Mr.  E.  A.  Peak,  who  held 
the  office  for  40  years.  The  main  entrance  to 
the  park  is  through  handsome  wrought  iron 
gates,  the  design  of  which  include  at  the  top  the 
arms  of  Hull   City  and  of   Hull  Trinitv  House. 


to  30  square  feet,  and  although  the  method  of 
planting  is  not  confined  to  one  system,  that 
known  as  dot  bedding  largely  prevails.  Thus 
in  many  of  the  larger  beds  as  many  as  60  or  70 
varieties  of  plants  are  employed.  Some  few  of 
the  beds  are  of  the  carpet  design,  and  where 
colour  is  massed  the  teds  are  situated  in  the 
background,  and  these  are  employed  to  brighten 
the  more  sombre  hues  of  the  shrubbery  behind 
them.  This  plantation  of  shrubs  and  trees  is  an 
excellent  one,  and  forms  a  fine  setting  to  the 
scene  when  the  beds  are  gay  with  their  summer 
occupants.  The  border  of  this  shrubbery  is 
undulating,  and  many  of  the  stronger  growing 
varieties  of  Pelargoniums  are  planted  on  the 
margin,  but  extending  inward  several  feet  to 
the  tree  line  the  border  is  planted  with  hardy 
herbaceous  perennials.  Dahlias  are  allotted  a 
special  corner  to  themselves.  Altogether  there 
are  some  20  flower  beds  in  this  spot,  and  as 
the  ground  slopes  towards  the  roadway,  they 
are  seen  at  a  considerable  distance.  One 
bed,  specially  pleasing,  was  planted  with  tall 
Fuchsias  and  yellow  Musk  (Mimulus),  the  bor- 
der being  completed  with  blue  Lobelia  and 
Alyssum  maritimum.  Another  had  a  verv  pleas- 
ing combination  of  a  silver-leaved  Pelargonium 


Fig.  i8o. —  flower-beds  in  pearson  park,  hull. 


The  scene  at  the  entrance  is  very  pleasing,  and 
it  becomes  at  once  apparent  that  the  park  is 
maintained  in  a  high  degree  of  beauty  and 
order.  Numerous  flower-beds  meet  the  eye, 
and  stretching  in  front  are  grass  swards  with 
trees  and  flower  borders  approached  by  well- 
kept  paths.  To  the  left,  the  walk  skirts  a  lawn 
enclosed  by  a  dwarf  fence  and  hedge,  with 
a  background  of  shrubs,  and  one  would  never 
imagine  they  skirted  a  busy  thoroughfare.  Cut 
in  the  grass  sward  are  innumerable  flower  beds, 
which  at  the  time  of  our  visit  were  filled  with 
their  summer  occupants.  Some  of  these  beds 
are  shown  in  fig.  180.  Interspersed  among  the 
beds  on  the  lawn  were  many  handsome  foliage 
plants,  including  shrubs  and  small  ornamental- 
leaved  trees.  These  include  Prunus  Pissardi, 
Daturas,  Ailanthus  glandulosa,  Acer  negundo, 
Catalpa  bignonioides,  Spiraea  opulifolia  aurea, 
Japanese  Maples,  Euonymus  latifolius  albus, 
the  golden-leaved  Oleander,  Veronica  Ander- 
soni  in  variety,  Cornus  Spathii  aurea,  Aralia 
pentaphylla,  Eucalyptus  in  variety,  Phormium 
tenax,  Agapanthus  umbellatus,  and  many 
others. 

The  principal  beds  have  an  area  of  some  20 


on  a  ground  work  of  Viola  with  lavender- 
coloured  flowers.  Another  contained  Begonias 
of  the  semperflorens  type,  with  a  raised  border 
of  Mesembryanthemum  cordifolium  variegatum, 
and  above  a  row  of  blue  Lobelia.  The  borders 
to  the  flower  beds  were  especially  well  designed, 
and  they  formed  a  feature  of  great  interest. 
Sometimes  three  tiers  of  plants  were  employed, 
each  being  in  harmony  with  its  neighbour.  One 
scroll  bed  had  a  centre  composed  of  scarlet 
Pelargoniums,  with  Kochia  scoparia  at  intervals 
along  the  middle,  and  an  outer  row  of  Santo- 
lina,  a  border  of  blue  Lobelia  provided  a  pleas- 
ing finish  to  the  whole.  Tall  Nasturtiums  with 
Gladioli  furnished  one  pretty  bed.  Verbenas 
and  Fuchsias  intermixed  another,  Ivy-leaved 
Pelargoniums,  standard  plants  of  Heliotrope, 
tuberous-rooting  Begonias,  Gazanias,  Abutilons, 
Cannas,  Tagetes,  Funkias,  Phlox  Drummondii, 
and  a  host  of  other  subjects  were  arranged  with 
good  effect  in  the  other  numerous  flower  beds  in 
this  quarter.  Almost  at  the  opposite  end  of  the 
park  was  a  flower  bed  designed  in  true  carpet 
pattern.  It  was  made  to  represent  a  roll  of 
stair  carpet,  with  a  length  of  carpet  unrolled, 
and,     however     much     this     style     of     f.ower 


December  21,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS      CHRONICLE. 


437 


gardening  is  derided  by  some  critics,  it  is  highly 
popular  with  the  public.  An  interesting  feature 
is  what  appears  to  be  an  old  ruin  (see  fig.  181). 
This  has  been  formed  principally  of  portions 
of  old  Hull  buildings,  that  have  been  removed 
when  the  fabrics  have  been  renovated  or  pulled 
down.  The  surroundings  are  planted  with  beds 
of  Calceolarias  and  herbaceous  perennials,  with 
Rhododendrons  in  the  background. 

The  area  includes  a  lake,  somewhat  small,  but 
excellently  designed,  for  no  great  portion  can 
be  seen  from  any  one  spot.  A  neat  rustic  bridge 
crosses  its  narrowest  part,  and  here  a  good 
view  is  obtained. 

Apart  from  the  many  songsters  in  the  trees 
around  are  others  of  British  and  foreign  species 
confined  in  spacious  aviaries.  The  captive  birds 
are  a  source  of  pleasure,  especially  to  the 
juvenile  visitors. 

In  a  more  prominent  part  is  a  large  and  well- 
designed  glasshouse.  This  conservatory  is  open 
to  the  public,  who  are  not  slow  to  take  advan- 
tage of  the  pleasure  a  visit  affords.  It  is  tropi- 
cal in  character,  and  contains  Palms,  Orchids, 
Codiaeums  (Crotons),  of  which  some  40  varieties 
are  cultivated  ;  the  Papyrus  was  represented  by 
a  fine  plant,  the   shoots   reaching  to   the  roof  ; 


the  day  of  our  visit.  The  tall  platform  ladders 
used  in  connection  with  the  street  lamps  are 
used  for  the  purpose,  and  the  fruits  are  detached 
by  means  of  rakes. 

There  are  a  number  of  fine  avenues,  and 
many  trees  on  the  grass,  including  two  hand- 
some specimens  of  standard  Willows,  whilst  the 
outskirts  are  enclosed  with  shrubberies.  Several 
pretty  arbours,  thatched  in  a  neat  manner  with 
reeds,  afford  shelter  from  rain  and  sun. 

An  enclosed  garden  is  utilised  as  a  propagat- 
ing and  nursery  department,  and  a  hurried 
glance  through  the  glasshouses  showed  the  pro- 
vision made  for  replenishing  the  conservatory 
and  maintaining  the  stock  of  bedding  and  other 
plants  for  embellishing  the  park  at  the  various 
seasons  of  the  year. 

The  West  Park. 
This  park  was  opened  in  1885,  is  situated  on 
the  Anlaby  Road,  and  a  line  of  tramcars  passes 
by  the  main  entrance.  The  necessary  land  was 
purchased  by  the  corporation,  and  the  work 
of  laying  it  out  provided  occupation  for  the  un- 
employed at  the  time  when  the  site  was  purchased. 
The  park  is  planted  with  several  avenues  of 
trees,  a  central  one  being  formed  of  four  rows  of 


Fig.  i8i. — imitation  ruins  in  pearson  park,  hull. 


Acalyphas,  Anthurium  crystallinum,  Ixoras, 
Rondeletias,  Allamandas,  Caladiums,  Pandanus 
Veitchii,  Aralias,  &c,  all  exhibiting  good  cul- 
ture. There  were  also  seen  many  smaller  stove 
plants.  Th»  roof  was  hung  with  baskets  of 
Nephrolepis,  including  the  newer  varieties.  In 
their  season  of  flowering  are  on  show  Gloxinias, 
Celosias,  Browallia  speciosa,  and  similar  sub- 
jects,  while  provision  is  also  made  for  a  display 
of  flowering  subjects  in  the  autumn  and  winter 
seasons. 

A  rock-garden  forms  part  of  the  garden 
scheme  around  this  house,  and  it  is  furnishe  1 
with  choice  and  rare  plants,  all  prominently 
labelled.  The  naming  of  the  plants  is  of  es- 
pecial interest  to  the  students  of  nature-study  in 
the  public  schools,  and  we  were  informed  that 
the  boys  pay  greater  respect  to  the  plants  and 
are  not  so  mischievous  when  they  have  learned 
to  know  something  of  the  structure  and  habits 
of  plants.  The  Horse  Chestnut  when  in  fruit 
is  a  great  temptation  to  boys,  and  much  damage 
is  done  to  the  trees  and  the  ground  about  them 
in  their  endeavours  to  dislodge  the  fruits.  To 
prevent  temptation,  these  fruits  are  removed  in 
Pearson  Park,  and  this  work  was  being  done  on 


Limes  and  Horse  Chestnuts,  the  centre  being 
broken  with  an  ornamental  fountain  and  water- 
basin,  which  is  planted  with  suitable  aquatic 
subjects.  The  area  embraces  a  stretch  of  orna- 
mental water,  around  which  are  growing  several 
fine  specimens  of  the  Silver  Birch.  There  is  a 
large  conservatory,  which  is  open  to  the  public, 
and  this  is  furnished  throughout  the  year  with 
seasonable  plants.  A  display  of  Chrysanthe- 
mums is  provided  in  this  building  from  Septem- 
ber to  January.  The  house  contains  many 
large  Palms  and  other  foliage  plants,  includ- 
ing Araucaria  Bidwillii,  A.  excelsa,  Phormium 
tenax,  Cupressus  funebris,  &c.  Begonias  Haage- 
ana,  Carolina,  President  Carnot,  and  others  are 
very  bright  in  their  season  of  flowering  At 
ether  seasons  the  house  is  furnished  with 
herbaceous  Calceolarias,  Cinerarias,  Primulas, 
Cyclamen,  Pelargonium,  Schizanthus,  Lilies, 
Salvia  splendens,  &c.  ;  whilst  baskets  of  Ivy- 
leaved  Pelargoniums  and  Fuchsias  are  sus- 
pended from  the  roof,  which  is  further  bright- 
ened by  Clematis,  Bougainvillea,  and  other 
climbing  plants. 

The  flower  garden  is  situated  in  a  prominent 
position  in  the  park,  and  is  a  gay  corner  through- 


out the  summer  months.  Fig.  179  represents 
one  of  the  larger  flower  beds  in  this  flower  gar- 
den. The  centre  is  planted  with  Cannas,  Dra- 
caenas, Grevilleas,  Abutilon  Marshallii,  Begonias 
Fairy  Queen,  Marguerites,  Ivy-leaved  Pelar- 
goniums, &c,  and  these  are  surrounded  by  a 
raised  edging  of  Pelargonium  Little  Trot.  The 
narrow  radiating  portions  are  planted  with 
small  Begonias,  Lobelia  Mrs.  Clibran,  and  other 
plants.  At  intervals  Kochia  scoparia  is  used  as 
a  "  dot "  plant,  and  extensive  use  is  made  of 
Antirrhinums,  including  the  varieties  Queen  of 
the  North,  Ruby,  Pink  Bedder,  and  others  of 
terra-cotta  shades.  The  edging  is  formed  of 
Antennaria  tomentosa. 

Many  of  the  smaller  beds  were  planted  with 
Fuchsias,  Gazanias,  Pelargoniums,  Calceolarias, 
and  Heliotropes,  and  around  them  are  raised 
edgings  of  Echeveria  secunda  glauca,  E. 
farinosa,  and  other  species.  One  large  bed  was 
entirely  filled  with  "succulents."  At  the  back 
of  the  flower  garden  is  an  herbaceous  border 
that  is  planted  with  a  variety  of  subjects.  Tra- 
versing this  part  of  the  park  there  is  a  circuitous 
path;  this  is  flanked  by  a  rock  garden,  and 
though  the  rockery  is  of  recent  construction  it 
is  well  furnished  with  suitable  plants.  Through- 
out the  year  there  is  always  something  of  interest 
in  this  quarter  of  the  park,  for,  in  addition  to  the 
rock  garden  and  herbaceous  borders,  there  is  a 
miniature  water  garden,  the  banks  of  which  are 
planted  with  Willows,  Glyceria  spectabilis, 
species  of  Carex  and  Cyperus,  Molinia,  &c. 
Delphinium,  Gladiolus,  and  Violas  are  freely 
planted  hereabouts,  and  immediately  beyond  is 
a  very  long  border,  that  is  planted  in  summer- 
time with  about  120  varieties  of  Dahlias. 
(To  be  continued.) 


HOME    CORRESPONDENCE. 

(The  Editor  does  not  hold  himself  responsible  for  the 
opinions  expressed  by  his  correspondents.) 

Romneya  Coulteri.— I  do  not  cut  the  shoots 
of  this  plant  to  the  ground  annually,  as  sug- 
gested by  Mr.  Jenkins  on  p.  417,  but  retain 
some  of  the  stronger  growths  of  the  previous 
year,  because  these  produce  very  early  blossoms 
and  thus  lengthen  the  season  of  the  plant's 
flowering.  I  apply  liquid  manure  and  other 
stimulants  to  induce  a  vigorous  growth  from 
the  base  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  the  best 
flowers.  Although  this  Romneya  may  succeed 
in  the  open  with  the  shelter  Mr.  Jenkins  de- 
scribes, I  think  much  the  best  results  are  ob- 
tained from  plants  growing  at  the  base  of  a 
south  wall,  and  in  such  a  position  that  they  can 
produce  those  stoloniferous  growths  that  give  a 
continual  crop  of  extra  fine  flowers.  E.  Moly- 
neux. 

Heavy  Rainfall  in  South  Wales. — The 
total  rainfall  in  Cardiff  for  the  first  14  days  of 
December  has  been  6.51  inches.  The  average 
for  the  whole  month  (during  43  years)  is  3.98 
inches.  It  is  raining  steadily  as  I  write,  and 
there  is  every  prospect  of  a  startling  record 
before  the  month  is  over.  The  statement  in  the 
Gardeners'  Chronicle  for  the  14th  inst.,  that  2J 
inches  is  the  average  rainfall  for  December  at 
Berkhamsted  reminds  some  of  us  forcibly  of  the 
moistness  of  the  climate  of  South  Wales  as  com- 
pared with  that  of  the  south  and  south-east  of 
England.  The  effects  of  this  difference  of 
climate  are  very  marked  in  the  garden.  Plants 
such  as  Tiarella  cordifolia  and  the  mossy  Saxi- 
frages, which  require  partial  shade  in  the  home 
counties,  luxuriate  in  a  position  exposed  to  full 
sunshine  here.  Iris  Kasmpferi,  treated  as  a 
border  plant  in  a  soil  that  is  only  moderately 
moist,  produces  large  flowers  in  abundance.  The 
luxuriant  growth  of  Bamboos  is  remarkable. 
Planting  operations  may  be  undertaken  here  at 
a  later  date  in  spring  than  would  be  safe  in 
a  drier  climate.  Special  precautions  against 
"  damping  off "  must  be  taken  with  some  plants, 
and  the  gardener  coming  to  this  district  from 
an  eastern  county  will  find  it  necessary  to  modify 
his  cultural  practices  in  various  ways  to  suit  the 
different  circumstances.  Harold  Evans,  Llani- 
shen,  Cardiff,  December  id,  ictoy . 


43S 


THE     GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE. 


[December  21,  1907. 


Seed  and  Soil  Inoculation. — I  hope  A  .  D. 
will  be  able  to  induce  the  council  of  the  Royal 
Horticultural  Society  to  institute  a  trial  or  demon- 
stration of  the  advantages  of  soil  inoculation  at 
Wisley  next  season.  The  fact  that  over  1,000 
packages  of  living-culture  material  were  distri- 
buted from  King's  College  during  the  last  two 
seasons  clearly  shows  that  the  interest  in  the 
matter  in  this  country  will  soon  be  as  great  as  it 
is  in  America.  With  Mr.  Chittenden  there  ought, 
I  think,  to  be  associated  a  small  special  committee 
consisting  of  three  practical  growers  and  three 
scientists,  and  possibly  Professor  Bottomley  would 
agree  to  ensure  that  the  culture-material  was 
in  good  condition  and  properly  handled.  Wm. 
Cuthbertson. 

The  Auricula. — On  reading  over  my  article 
on  p.  405  I  find  a  very  grave  mistake,  which  can- 
not be  a  printer's  error,  but  a  lapse  of  my  own. 
Instead  of  seven  growers  sending  in  lists  there 
were  27.  The  National  Auricula  Society  (Southern 
section)  was  founded  when  these  lists  were  pre- 
pared (1S76-7)  ;  a  great  impetus  to  the  culture 
of  the  Auricula  was  given,  and  the  leading  northern 
growers  brought  their  choice  specimens  to  London. 
Many  of  these  worthy  old  florists  have  gone,  but 
happily  some  are  yet  with  us,  including  the  Rev. 
Francis  D.  Horner,  and  there  are  many  additions 
to  the  ranks.  The  society  has  held  meetings  and 
exhibitions  without  a  break  since  1876.  Arrange- 
ments have  been  made  with  the  council  of  the 
Royal  Horticultural  Society  to  hold  the  32nd 
exhibition  in  1908  in  the  hall  of  the  Society, 
Vincent  Square,  on  the  last  Tuesday  in  April. 
Mr.  Thomas  E.  Henwood,  1G,  Hamilton  Road, 
Reading,  is  the  hon.  secretary,  and  he  is  eager  to 
enrol  new  members  who  are  also  cultivators  of 
the  Auricula.    J.  Douglas. 

Border  Auriculas. — When  our  esteemed 
friend,  Mr.  James  Douglas,  heads  his  interesting 
paper  on  page  405  "  The  Auricula,"  and  in 
that  paper  refers  to  the  florist's  Auricula  only, 
I  hardly  assume  that  he  means  to  convey  the 
impression  that  no  other  Auriculas  exist.  But 
whilst  my  regard  for  the  florist's  Auricula  is 
warm,  my  esteem  for  the  hardy  border  Auricula 
is  at  fever  heat,  and  that  section  is  to  me  "  The 
Auricula  "  proper.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  no 
one,  especially  an  amateur,  with  ample  time, 
means,  and  years,  does  not  set  to  work  to 
create  for  our  spring  gardens  far  more  beautiful 
hardy  Auriculas  than  we  have.  To  any  true 
lover  of  hardy  flowers  that  should  be  a  labour 
of  love.  The  plants  are  very  hardy,  and  they 
bloom  freely,  but  the  dominating  defects  are 
weak  flower  stems,  flowers  of  very  dull  unattrac- 
tive colours,  and  generally  of  indifferent  form. 
We  want  stiff,  erect  stems,  bright  pleasing 
colours,  large  rounded  "  pips,"  and  impressive 
beauty.  Given  these  features,  and  the  hardy 
border  Auriculas  will  have  a  long  and  popular 
innings.     A.  D. 

Larch   Disease  and   Larch  Aphis.  — I  was 

much  interested  in  Mr.  Burdon's  account  of 
his  researches  on  the  Larch  aphis,  published  in 
the  Gardeners'  Chronicle  of  November  23.  In 
proving  that  the  mother  aphis  punctures  the 
bark  or  epidermis  of  the  shoot,  he  has  doubt- 
less strengthened  the  theory  that  the  insect  is  a 
possible  factor  in  the  spread  and  prevalence  of 
the  blister,  and  may  tend  to  increase  the  viru- 
lence of  the  latter.  But  when  Mr.  Burdon  goes 
on  to  suggest,  as  Mr.  Massee  previously  sug- 
gested in  the  Journal  of  the  Board  of  Agri- 
culture for  September,  1902,  that  the  disease 
is  the  usual  and  natural  sequel  of  aphis  attack, 
I  am  afraid  he  is  confining  himself  too  much 
to  the  laboratory  side  of  his  subject,  and  not 
paying  sufficient  attention  to  it  in  the  open  air. 
Before  English  Estate  Forestry  was  published, 
I  referred  to  this  matter  in  the  Gardeners' 
Chronicle  fbr  November  13,  1902,  and  there 
stated  that  "  it  is  jist  possible  that  the  same 
causes  which  favoured  the  aphis  attack  might 
also  favour  the  fungoid  attack,  even  if  the 
aphides  were  absent."  I  have  seen  no  reason 
for  since  aftering  my  opinion.  Larch  disease  is 
widespread  over  England,  Scotland,  Wales, 
and  Ireland,  and  the  Larch  aphis  is  equally 
widespread.  But,  as  every  practical  man 
knows,  the  virulence  of  the  attack  in  either  case 
varies,  not  only  in  districts,  but  in  individual 
plantations  and  individual  trees.  If  a  definite 
proportion  existed  between  the  occurrence  of 
aphis-infested  and  disease-infected  woods  or 
trees,  the  theory  of  cause   and   effect  might   be 


justified.  But  this  is  exactly  the  point  on  which 
the  theory  is  not  supported,  and  the  same  ab- 
sence of  support  occurs  when  we  attempt  to 
connect  Larch  disease  with  soil,  climate,  seed, 
aspect,  and  various  other  possible  causes  to 
which  it  has  been  attributed  at  one  time  and 
another.  Two  years  ago  the  Royal  Scottish 
Arboricultural  Society  appointed  a  committee 
of  enquiry  on  the  Larch  disease,  and  the  only 
definite  conclusion  arrived  at  was  that  further 
investigations  were  necessary  before  anything 
definite  could  be  said  about  the  connection  of 
the  disease  with  any  of  the  above-mentioned 
factors,  and  Larch  aphis  was  included  amongst 
the  latter.  As  I  suggested  in  English  Estate 
Forestry,  two  such  widely-spread  and  universal 
parasites  must  obviously  synchronise  in  their 
attacks  to  some  extent,  in  much  the  same  way 
that  human  and  bovine  tuberculosis  occur  side 
by  side  in  the  same  district  or  on  the  same 
farm,  although  the  origin  of  each  may  only 
be  remotely  connected.  The  wool-secreting 
form  of  the  aphis  found  on  the  stems  of  the 
Larch  is  rarely  seen  in  many  districts  in  which 
the  disease  is  rampant,  and  the  most  common 
form  of  the  aphis  is  the  naked  mother, 
which  hibernates  either  in  the  axils  of  the  buds 
or  in  the  crowns  of  the  dwarf  shoots.  While 
many  blisters  occur  ultimately  on  such  sites, 
for  the  simple  reason  that  they  have  to  occur 
somewhere,  if  they  are  to  occur  at  all,  there 
is  no  more  ground  for  supporting  the  theory 
of  connection  between  the  two  incidents  than 
in  the  case  of  the  other  possible  causes  to  which 
I  have  alluded.  Mr.  Massee's  success  in  incu- 
bating a  spore  under  a  mother  aphis  is  interest- 
ing, but  is  no  stronger  link  in  the  chain  of  evi- 
dence than  the  hatching  of  a  duck's  egg  under  a 
barn-door  fowl  would  be  in  the  theory  that 
hens  are  necessary  for  the  propagation  of 
ducks.  There  is  little  doubt  that  any  factor 
which  reduces  the  vitality  of  the  Larch  tends 
to  favour  the  blister  disease,  and  Larch  aphis 
may  well  be  included  in  the  same  category  as 
spring  frosts,  exceptionally  wet  or  dry  soils, 
density  of  cropping,  with  a  dozen  other  factors 
which  play  a  more  or  less  important  part  in 
affecting  the  development  of  the  tree.  But 
until  the  puzzling  features  associated  with  the 
disease  have  been  cleared  up  in  the  minds  of 
practical  men  I  am  afraid  the  Larch  aphis  will 
have  to  take  a  back  place,  although  we  are  none 
the  less  thankful  to  Mr.  Burdon  for  his  re- 
searches on  a  troublesome  pest.     A.  C.  Forbes. 

Inarching  Vines  (see  pp.  379  and  417). — 
Having  a  Muscat  vine  growing  in  our  late  house 
of  Black  Hamburg  vines,  I  experimented  two 
years  ago  by  putting  on  a  graft  of  the  new  Mel- 
ton Constable  Grape,  thinking  probably  the 
stock  would  influence  the  flavour  of  that  variety, 
but  I  cannot  say  that  the  graft  has  proved  of 
much  service.  It  ripened  this  season,  a  few 
bunches  of  very  fine  berries,  and  without  the  aid 
of  fire  heat  from  July  onwards,  but  the  quality 
was  only  third-rate.  The  bunch  and  foliage  re- 
mind one  very  much  of  Gros  Colmar,  but  as 
the  fruits  will  ripen  well  without  heat  it  has  an 
advantage  over  that  variety.  As  a  market 
Grape  it  should  have  a  good  future,  as  the 
"  bloom  "  and  handsome  appearance  will  count 
for  much.  The  vines  here  are  those  from  which 
the  late  Mr.  Henderson  exhibited  so  success- 
fully nearly  half  a  century  ago  ;  they  still  con- 
tinue to  bear  good  crops  of  well-finished  berries. 
They  are  pruned  on  the  same  principle  as  for- 
merly, namely,  cutting  back  the  shoots  to  the 
best  "eye"  on  the  extension  system.  The  vines 
are  now  78  years  old,  and,  judging  by  the  wood 
they  produce  annually,  they  appear  capable  of 
living  until  they  are  100  years  old.  //.  Wilson, 
Cole    Orion    Gardens,    Ashby-dc-la-Zouch. 

Modern  Flower-Gardening.— Mr.  Brother- 
stone  commented  on  p.  379  on  the  change  which 
is  taking  place  in  the  northern  part  of  the  king- 
dom in  the  treatment  of  flower  gardens  and 
herbaceous  borders.  At  this  place  the  desire  is 
also  to  have  a  late  display,  and  this  is  more 
necessary  because  the  family  are  not  in  resi- 
dence during  the  summer.  Some  of  the  annuals 
mentioned  by  Mr.  Brotherstone  I  have  not  tried, 
but  some  perennials  that  he  does  not  mention 
have  been  very  successful  here.  Schizostylis 
coccinea  has  been  very  brilliant  for  two  months 
past,  and  has  arrested  the  attention  of  viscitors. 
It  is  still  flowering",  and  I  cut  over  50  spikes  on 
November  23.  The  plants  should  be  divided 
annually  in  March  into  pieces  with  two  or  three 


growths.  Sedum  spectabile,  used  as  a  double 
edging  to  a  large  bed  of  Fuchsias  in  a  rather 
shady  part  of  the  flower  garden,  was  very  effec- 
tive as  late  as  November  11.  Aster  ericoides  is 
still  fresh,  and  has  been  in  flower  for  fully  six 
weeks.  We  depend  for  an  autumn  display 
largely  on  the  early-flowering  Chrysanthemum, 
of  which  we  grow  about  500  plants  in  many 
varieties.  Mme.  Desgrange  and  M.  Gustave 
Griinerwald  are  the  least  successful.  A  fort- 
night ago  I  lifted  in  full  flower  the  following 
varieties  from  the  open  ground,  and  placed  them 
in  cool  Peach  houses  for  cutting  purposes  :  O.  J. 
Quintus,  M.  W.  Holmes,  La  Triomphante, 
Mme.  L.  Leroy,  Soleil  d'Octobre,  M.  B.  Ger- 
aude,  Ryecroft  Glory,  and  Ivy  Stark  ;  also  Lizzie 
Adcock,  in  bud,  which  will  open  perfectly  and 
be  of  use.  I  also  grow  Cactus  Dahlias  in  quan- 
tity, and  find  them  good  wet-weather  flowers. 
Sweet  Peas  are  a  total  failure  in  autumn  here, 
as  they  cannot  endure  our  moist  climate. 
Hydrangea  Hortensia  and  varieties  in  good  posi- 
tions are  most  effective.  The  same  may  be  said 
of  H.  paniculata  grandiflora.  Swainsonia  gale- 
gifolia  and  S.  galegifolia  alba  are  useful  tub- 
plants  and  flower  persistently  from  May  to  late 
November,  and  I  should  think  they  would  make 
effective  border  plants.  F.  Street,  The  Gardens, 
Ardwell,  Wigtownshire,  N.B.,  December  /. 

Lilium  sulphureum.— In  the  communication 
referring    to    Lilium    sulphureum,     on     p.     179, 

D.  D.  states  that  it  "  should  be  given  a  loamy 
soil  rather  than  one  containing  peat."  Our  ex- 
perience in  Devonshire  is  exactly  the  reverse, 
as,  with  us,  it  succeeds  far  better  in  peat  than 
in  loam.  A  friend  grew  L.  sulphureum  in  ordin- 
ary soil,  with  the  result  that  it  made  poor 
growth  and  flowered  sparsely.  He  then  shifted 
the  bulbs  into  pure  peat  mixed  with  a  goodly 
proportion  of  rough  grit,  and  the  plants  at 
once  showed  that  they  appreciated  the  change. 
This  year,  after  two  seasons  in  the  peat,  they 
made  particularly  vigorous  growth,  the  tallest 
reaching  a  height  of  7  feet  3  inches,  and  bear- 
ing 17  perfect  flowers.  This  was  the  finest 
specimen  I  have  ever  seen  in  the  open.  Other 
bulbs  in  the  same  garden,  which  have  been  left 
in  the  ordinary  soil,  have  not  approached  the 
dwellers  in  peat,  being  quite  3  feet  shorter,  and 
not  bearing  more  than  six  flowers.  Mine  are 
now  planted  in  peat,  and  I  hope  to  emulate  my 
friend's  success.     S.  W .  Fitsherbert. 

What  is  an  Herbaceous  Plant  p — In  com- 
menting on  my  note  on  Romneya  Coulteri,  p. 
417,  Mr.  Jenkins,  in  defining  what  an  herbaceous 
plant  is,  opens  up  a  theme  for  much  discus- 
sion, for  many  persons  differ  greatly  in  their 
meaning  of  an  herbaceous  plant.  I  agree  with 
Mr  |enkins  in  his  definition,  and  Mr.  Nicholson 
in  his  Dictionary  of  Gardening  also  describes  it 
as  "  a  term  generally  applied  to  any  border  per- 
ennials which  are  not  shrubby  in  habit."  Al- 
though agreeing  to  this  definition,  circumstances 
do  occur  when  some  latitude  is  demanded  by 
exhibitors  as  to  disqualification  of  certain 
subjects  when  shown  in  all  good  faith  as 
herbaceous  plants.  When  judges  allow  certain 
subjects  to  be  included  in  the  category  of 
herbaceous  plants,  the  exhibitor  is  encouraged 
to  repeat  the  practice.  A  different  set  of  judges 
another  year  may  disqualify — and  properly — but 
no  person  will  deny  that  some  hardship  is 
thus  thrust  upon  the  exhibitor.  Romneya 
Coulteri  was  once  in  dispute  at  a  large  show  in 
a  similar  connection  to  that  described.  My 
wish  was  to  disqualify  the  exhibit,  but  I  was 
overruled  by  my  two  colleagues.  How  would  Mr. 
Jenkins  treat  Phygelius  capensis  and  Pentste- 
mon  Newbury  Gem?  The  former  has  more  than 
once  been  the  subject  of  discussion  at  flower 
shows,  as  in  some  gardens  this  Phygelius  dies 
down  annually,  while  in  others  it  preserves  a 
shrubby  habit,  and  flowers  from  the  old  growths 
the  following  season.  Pentstemons,  especially 
the  variety  named,  are  usually  shown  in  the 
classes  for  herbaceous  flowers,  but  they  are 
undoubtedly  evergreen  subjects,  and  will  often 
retain  their  leaves  and  stems  through  a  mild 
winter.  Some  of  the  perpetual  flowering  Pinks 
and  Carnations,  too,  could  easily  come  under 
this  denomination.  No  doubt  the  list  could 
be  multiplied,  but  sufficient  has  been  said  to 
prove  how  difficult  it  is  at  times  for  judges  to 
act  conscientiously,  and  not  harshly,  with  exhi- 
bitors, who  do  not  know  and  who  have  been 
encouraged    improperly    by     former     decisions. 

E.  Molyneux. 


December  21,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CH  RON 1  CLE. 


4°,9 


Decorative  Value  of  Balsams. —This  year 
I  have  been  agreeably  surprised  with  the  decora- 
tive value  of  Balsams,  though  they  are  very  sel- 
dom seen  nowadays.  They  have  a  wide  range  of 
colour,  and  when  well  grown  the  plants  exhibit  a 
pretty  branching  habit  ;  the  longest  shoots  be- 
come pendant,  giving  to  each  plant  the  appear- 
ance of  an  artistically  arranged  flower  vase.  For 
anyone  who  has  a  stock  ot  flowering  plants  to 
maintain  for  house  decoration,  they  are  ad- 
mirably suited  in  their  season,  as  they  last 
in  good  condition  a  week  or  more  together. 
This  year  I  had  a  small  batch  of  plants  which 
have  done  duty  in  the  drawing-room  on  four 
occasions ;  the  last  time  they  were  used  they 
were  just  as  lovely  as  on  the  first  occasion. 
By  putting  them  back  in  the  greenhouse  after 
they  shed  each  crop  of  flowers,  picking  off  the 
seed  pods,  applying  weak  manure  water  and  the 
syringe,  they  were  quickly  induced  into  flower 
again.  The  seeds  were  sown  in  March,  and 
the  plants  were  potted  in  a  free-rooting  medium 
of  loam,  leafmould,  sand,  and  manure  from  a 
spent  Mushroom  bed.  They  were  cultivated  in 
a  warm,  moist  atmosphere,  kept  near  the  glass, 
exposed  to  full  sunshine,  and  well  syringed  until 
they  were  established  in  8-inch  pots,  in  which 
they  flowered.  At  this  stage  they  were  given 
cool  treatment.  John  Den/iam,  Gardener,  B:-t- 
Vltll  House  Gardens,   Hayes,   Middlesex. 

The  Florists  Art. — Those  who  attend 
flower  shows,  public  functions  of  all  kinds,  and 
who  witness  the  efforts  of  the  gardener  in  ar- 
ranging the  decorations  of  a  dinner-table,  or  of 
an  apartment  in  a  private  house,  will  frequently 
have  had  reason  to  lament  the  lack  of  good 
taste,  and  the  poor  results  obtained,  despite 
an  abundance  of  fine  material  from  which 
to  choose.  This  too  common  fault  is  due, 
in  most  instances,  to  lack  of  opportunity 
for  studying  examples  exhibiting  fine  con- 
trasts of  colours  in  flowers  and  foliage,  or 
harmonious  blendings  of  forms  and  colours  in 
one  or  the  other ;  or  in  the  use  of  colour  in 
flowers  by  artificial  light  that  are  fit  only  for 
daylight  effects,  or  vice  versa.  There  are  many 
occasions  when  decorations  in  flowers  and 
leaves  are  permissible,  and  I  may  name  a  few, 
as  weddings,  christenings,  balls,  &c,  each  of 
which  should  have  its  special  kind  of  decoration. 
Generally,  the  task  of  decoration  on  these  festive 
occasions  falls  on  the  gardener,  or  the  ladies  of 
the  house,  the  latter  being  the  more  successful 
as  decorators  by  reason  of  their  more  naturally 
refined  taste  and  their  greater  opportunities  for 
observing  tasteful  examples.  If  special 
shows  could  be  inaugurated  by  some  of 
the  more  important  horticultural  societies, 
at  which  prizes,  in  cash,  medals  and  diplomas 
could  be  awarded  for  various  classes  of  floral 
decorations,  we  might  soon  hope  to  see  a  de- 
cided improvement  in  the  florist's  art  in  all  its 
phases.  Some  of  the  competitions  should  be 
"  open,"  and  the  prizes  in  these  of  considerable 
amount,  thereby  enabling  florists  by  profession 
to  enter  the  lists  as  exhibitors.  Such  shows 
would  remove  much  of  the  monotony  commonly 
associated  with  horticultural  contests  of  the 
usual  kind,  besides  offering  some  examples 
worthy  of  being  copied  or  adapted  by  the  visi- 
tors, or  hints  as  to  the  uses  to  which  floral  ma- 
terials can  be  put  with  excellent  effects.  In 
some  exhibitions  prizes  are  offered  annually  for 
"groups"  and  "tables"  of  flowering  plants, 
Ferns,  Mosses,  Palms,  &c.  Of  what  practical 
use  are  such  displays?  In  what  drawing-room, 
conservatory,  or  other  place  would  they  be 
tolerated?  At  a  show  they  merely  help  to 
occupy  the  floor,  and  to  exhibit  the  resources  of 
the  gardens  from  which  they  have  come.    F.  M. 

Grape  Appley  Towers. — Mr.  G.  Harvey- 
does  well  to  call  attention  on  p.  417  to  this 
Grape,  for  it  is  not  nearly  so  much  cultivated 
as  it  deserves  to  be.  Calling  at  Windsor  on 
November  8  last,  I  was  shown  by  Mr.  McKellar 
a  house  filled  with  Appley  Towers,  with  the 
exception  of  an  odd  rod  or  two  of  Alicante. 
Mr.  McKellar  has  long  since  recognised  its 
value  as  a  mid-winter  variety.  The  bunches 
were  hanging  quite  thickly  on  the  young  vines, 
and  were  models  of  good  form ;  the  berries 
were  of  full  size,  and  as  well  coloured  as  Grapes 
could  be.  I  need  hardly  say  that  the  vines 
were  in  the  best  possible  condition,  as  all  of 
those  at  Windsor  are.     E.  M. 


The   Prevention  of  Corruption 
Act,   1906. 

To    the    Editor    of    the    Gardeners'    Chr,  i 

Sir, — Will  you  permit  me  to  say  that  I  have 
read  with  much  interest  the  able  article  in  your 
number  of  December  8,  1906,  entitled  "  Secret 
Discounts,"  and  will  you  permit  me  to  add  a 
few  observations  on  the  subject?  A  bribe  is 
never  called  a  bribe,  and  "  discount  "  is  one  of 
the  innocent  words  perverted  to  an  unlawful 
end  by  those  who  wish  to  conceal  the  reality 
of  what  they  are  doing.  A  discount  is  a  sum 
refunded  or  allowed  on  settlement  by  the  payee 
to  the  payer  :  it  is  not  a  sum  given  by  the  payee 
to  any  third  person.  A  gift,  a  present,  a 
Christmas  box  may  all  be  innocent  and  pleasant 
things,  but  they  may  all  be  names  to  cover  a 
very   ugly  thing — a   bribe. 

It  is  worth  while  to  observe  that  the  recent 
Act  dealing  with  secret  payments  to  agents  and 
servants  does  not  trouble  itself  much  about 
words  or  names  :  it  aims  at  every  gift  and  ever}' 
valuable  consideration  of  any  kind  given  or 
offered  or  received  or  solicited  as  an  inducement 
or  reward  for  any  favour  shown  or  to  be  shown 
by  the  recipient  to  the  donor  in  relation  to  the 
affairs  of  the  master  of  the  recipient,  and 
makes  the  receipt  or  gift  of  any  such  thing 
by  or  to  any  agent  or  servant  a  crime.  It  has 
always  been  immoral :  for  centuries  it  has  been 
recognised  by  the  Courts  as  illegal  ;  the  recent 
Act  has  made  it  a  crime. 

I  see  that  some  seedsmen  put  forward  the 
suggestion  that  the  sums  which  they  have  paid 
to  gardeners  have  been  given  not  as  an  induce- 
ment to  favour  the  donor,  but  as  a  reward  for 
the  care  bestowed  by  the  gardener  on  the  seeds 
supplied  by  the  seedsman  ;  but  the  pretext  ap- 
pears to  me  very  thin,  and  such  as  could  de- 
ceive no  one  who  does  not  wish  to  be  deceived. 
What  means  has  the  seller  of  seeds  to  know 
what  care  is  bestowed  by  my  gardener  on  his 
particular  seeds?  Is  the  gratuity  proportioned 
to  that  care,  or  to  the  amount  of  the  order 
received.  What  right  has  the  seedsman  to  in- 
duce my  gardener  to  give  special  care  to  his 
seeds  when,  perhaps,  I  am  far  more  interested 
in  the  seeds  supplied  by  some  other  vendor  or 
sent  home  by  a  travelling  friend?  I  should  re- 
gard any  such  interference  by  the  seedsman 
with  the  conduct  of  my  gardener  as  a  great  piece 
of  impertinence.  The  worst  kind  of  bribe  is 
that  which  is  the  so-called  discount  or  com- 
mission, that  is  a  percentage,  a  sum  which  in- 
creases with  the  amount  of  the  orders  given. 
The  direct  tendency  of  such  a  gift  is  to  tempt 
the  gardener  to  neglect  his  duty  in  several 
ways.  His  duty  to  point  out  any  defects  in 
the  goods  supplied  to  his  master;  to  give,  if 
required,  independent  advice  as  to  the  seeds- 
man to  be  employed  ;  to  order  or  advise  the 
ordering  of  no  more  seeds  or  plants  than  the 
garden  requires.  These  gifts  have  a  tendency 
to  make  the  gardener  blind  to  the  defects  in 
the  goods,  to  prefer  the  bribing  seedsman  over 
the  honest  one,  to  order  or  advise  the  order- 
ing of  more  goods  than  are  required.  No  non- 
sense about  the  gardener's  care  can  obscure 
these   effects   of   the   bribe. 

May  I  be  permitted  to  express  my  earnest 
hope  that  the  nurserymen  and  seedsmen  of 
this  country  will  succeed  in  purging  their  busi- 
ness of  this  stain  of  corrupt  dealing?  I  fear 
that  bribery  of  gardeners  has  been,  and  is,  very 
widespread  in  the  trade,  and  the  passing  of 
the  Act  of  last  year  puts  a  strong  obligation 
on  all  traders  to  strive  after  a  greater  purity 
than  has  hitherto  prevailed.  The  nurseryman's 
business  is  one  in  which  the  orders  are  gener- 
ally given  through,  if  not  by,  the  servants,  and 
it  is  therefore  one  peculiarly  liable  to  this  form 
of  corruption.  Those  who  are  eager  in  favour 
of  morality  in  trade  transactions  have  to  do 
what  they  can  to  overcome  the  opposition  of 
two  classes :  the  first  is  the  class  who  derive 
actual  profit  from  the  corrupt  practices ;  the 
second,  and,  perhaps,  the  larger  class,  are 
those  who  think  it  idle  and  foolish  to  be  too 
particular,  who  do  not  care  for  honestv  or 
morality  in  business  over  much,  who  think  it 
fussy,  and  perhaps  pharisaical  to  interfere  in 
such   matters. 

I    am,    Sir, 

Your   obedient   servant, 

Edw.   Fry. 

Failand,  December  10,    1907. 


SOCIETIES. 


NATIONAL  ROSE. 
December  12. — The  thirty-first  annual. general 
meeting  of  the  members  of  this  society  took 
place  on  the  above  date  at  the  Westminster 
1'alace  Hotel.  The  president,  Mr.  E.  B.  Lind- 
sell,  presided  over  a  good  attendance.  Mr. 
Edward   Mawley,   honorary  secretary,   read   the 

Report  of  the  Committee 
for  the  past  year.     We  make  the  following  ab- 
stracts from  this   interesting  document:  — 

The  Metropolitan  Exhibition,  now  one  ot  ihe  recog- 
nised attractions  of  the  London  season,  again  took 
place,  by  the  kind  permission  of  the  president  and 
council  of  the  Royal  Botanic  Society,  in  their  gardens 
in  Regent's  Park— an  ideal  spot  for  a  Rose  show.  It 
was  held  on  July  4  and  presented  one  of  the  largest 
displays  ot  Roses  the  society  has  yet  brought  together, 
while  its  varied  character  was  well  maintained.  Owing 
however,  to  the  cold  and  sunless  weather  in  June  the 
K.  ncral  quality  of  the  blooms  of  the  "exhibition" 
varieties  did  not  reach  the  high  standard  of  excellence 
seen  on  some  previous  occasions.  For  the  thud  year 
in  succession.  Her  Majesty  the  Queen,  the  Royal  Pat- 
roness of  the  society,  paid  a  private  visit  to  the  show 
soon  after  it  was  opened — an  honour  greatly  appreciated 
by  all  present  on  that  occasion. 

The  provincial  exhibition  was  held  at  Saltaire,  in 
Yorkshire,  on  July  16,  in  conjunction  with  the  Saltaire, 
Shipley  and  District  Rose  Society.  This  proved  in 
every  way  a  most  successful  meeting.  It  was  the  largest 
show  the  society  has  ever  held  in  the  provinces. 

The  autumn  show,  the  fourth  of  the  series,  took 
place,  by  the  kind  permission  of  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society,  111  their  fine  hall  in  Vincent  Square,  Westmin- 
ster, on  September  34.  Favoured  by  the  dry 'and  sunny 
weather  of  the  early  autumn,  this  show  also  proved  an 
unqualified  success.  Both  as  regards  the  extent  of  the 
display,  and  the  quality  of  the  exhibits,  it  was  far  in 
advance  of  either  of  the  three  previous  autumn  exhibi- 
tions. 

The  three  five-guinea  silver  cups,  presented  to  the 
society  by  Mr.  W.  E.  Nickerson,  of  Cambridge,  Massa- 
chusetts, U.S.A.,  for  the  raisers  of  the  best  Hybrid 
Perpetual,  the  best  Hybrid  Tea,  and  the  best  Tea  Rose 
tor  general  cultivation  sent  out  in  1900,  or  subsequently 
were  awarded  in  April  last  by  a  vote  of  the  committee 
as  follows:— To  Mr.  Peter  Lambert,  of  Trier,  in  Ger- 
many, as  the   raiser  of  the  best  Hybrid   Perpetual   Rose 

Frau  Karl  Druschki."  To  Messrs.  A.  Dickson  & 
Sons,  Ltd.,  Newtownards,  Co.  Down,  Ireland,  as  the 
raisers  of  the  best  Hybrid  Tea  "Dean  Hole."  To 
Messrs.  Soupert-et-Notting,  of  Luxembourg,  as  the 
raisers  of  the  best  Tea  "  Madame  Jules  Gravereaux," 
complying  with  those  conditions.  The  thanks  of  the 
committee  are  greatly  due  to  Mr.  Nickerson  for  the 
gift  of  these  cups,  and  also  for  originating  such  a  very 
interesting  and  helpful  competition.  Mr.  Nickerson  has 
since  promised  to  present  the  society  with  twelve  more 
silver  cups  lor  the  raisers  of  other  specially  good  Roses 
for  ordinary  garden  purposes  which  will  be  awarded 
by  'u      committee  during  the  course  of  the  ensuing  year. 

The  first  issue  of  the  "  Rose  Annual  "  was  distributed 
to  members  in  February  last,  and  appears  to  have  been 
much  appreciated.  It  is  hoped  to  improve  and  extend 
the  usefulness  of  this  publication,  and  any  suggestions 
to  that  end  will  be  welcomed.  The  "Rose  Annual  for 
1908   '  and  the  society's  new  handbook  on  the  "  Enemies 

°f.i' ve    Rose       are   now   in   course   °f   preparation,    and 
will  be  sent  to  the  members  in  February  next. 

The  subscription  lists  of  both  the  Dean  Hole  and 
the  D'Ombrain  Memorial  Funds  have  now  been  closed 
The  die  for  the  Dean  Hole  medal  is  completed,  and 
the  D'Ombrain  Cup  was  for  the  first  time  competed  for 
at  the  Metropolitan  Show  in  the  class  assigned  for  it, 
viz.,   the  leading  class   for  Teas,   open   to  nurserymen. 

In  order  to  further  encourage  the  exhibitors  in  the 
small  amateur  classes  at  the  Metropolitan  Exhibition, 
where  the  number  of  competitors  had  become  very 
large,  new  classes  were  introduced  into  the  schedule 
The  committee  regard  the  exhibitors  in  these  smali 
classes  with  special  interest,  as  it  is  from  their  ranks 
that   the   exhibitors   in   the    larger   classes   are    recruited. 

Three  Rose  and  other  horticultural  societies  have 
become  affiliated  during  the  year,  bringing  up  the  total 
number   of   affiliated   societies   to  47. 

The  committee  record  with  much  regret  the  deaths 
during  the  past  year  of  some  of  its  oldest  and  most 
prominent  members.  Among  these  must  be  mentioned 
Dr.  Maxwell  T.  Masters,  F.R.S.,  a  vice-president  of 
the  society,  and  at  all  times  one  of  its  warmest  sup- 
porters ;  Mr  A.  Slaughter,  for  many  years  a  member 
of  the  committee,  an  enthusiastic  exhibitor,  and  winner 
in  r883  of  the  Amateur  Champion  Challenge  Trophy  ; 
Mr.  John  Bateman,  a  member  of  the  committee,  and  for 
some  years  the  most  successful  exhibitor  in  the  classes 
for  Roses  grown  within  eight  miles  of  Charing  Cross  ; 
Mr.  R.  B.  Cater,  who  will  be  best  remembered  for  his 
services  in  connection  with  the  society's  visit  to  Bath 
in   1898. 

Finance. 

Owing  to  the  unfavourable  character  of  the  weather 
on  the  show  day,  the  amount  received  in  gate-money 
at  the  Royal  Botanic  Show  was  not  quite  as  large  as 
in  the  previous  year  ;  while  the  printing  expenses  were 
unusually  heavy,  owing  to  the  cost  of  the  new  official 
catalogue.  Nevertheless,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  state- 
ment below,  the  balance  in  hand  at  the  end  of  the  year 
(after  placing  £100  to  the  reserve  fund)  has  been 
slightly  raised.  The  receipts  from  all  sources  during 
the  past  year,  including  a  balance  from  the  previous 
year  of  £284  12s.  nd.,  amounted  to  £2,244  7S.  3d.,  and 
the  expenditure  to  £1,052  17s.  ltd.,  leaving  a  balance 
in  the  treasurer's  hands  of  £291  9s.  4d.  The  reserve 
fund  now  stands  at  £300. 

Membership. 
During   the   year    577   new   members   have  joined    the 
society,  or  a  greater  number  than  in  any  previous  year, 


440 


THE     GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


[December  21,  1907. 


wl#ch  brings  up  the  total  number  of  members,  allowing 
for   the,  losses   by   resignation,    &c,    to   2,484. 

Ini  rease   in   Membership   since   1902. 

1902    1903    1904    1905    1906    1907 
Number  of  members     ...    890  1,004  1,30s  1,637  2,034  2,484 
Increase    since    previous 
year  150      114      304      329      397      450 

Arrangements   for    1908. 

The  Metropolitan  Exhibition  will  again  be  held  in 
the  Royal  Botanic  Gardens,  Regent's  Park,  the  date 
fixed   for  the  exhibition  being  Friday,  July  3. 

The  Provincial  Show  will  take  place  at  Manchester, 
on  Tuesday,  July  21,  in  the  grounds  of  the  Royal 
Botanical  and  Horticultural  Society  of  Manchester,  in 
conjunction  with  the  White  City,  Limited,  the  present 
lessees  of   those  gardens. 

Arrangements  have  again  been  made  with  the  Royal 
Horticultural  Society  to  hold  the  autumn  show  in  the 
Royal  Horticultural  Hall,  Vincent  Square,  Westminster. 
The  date  of  the  show  will  be  rather  earlier  than  in  the 
past  autumn,  viz.,  Thursday,  September  17. 
Members'  Privileges. 

Members  subscribing  one  guinea  will  be  entitled  to 
six  5s.  tickets,  and  subscribers  of  half-a-guinea  to  three 
5s.  tickets  of  admission  to  the  society's  Metropolitan 
Exhibition  ;  or,  if  preferred,  any  of  those  tickets  may 
be  used  instead  for  the  society's  Provincial  Show  at 
Manchester.  In  addition  to  this  each  member  will 
receive,  in  proportion  to  his  subscription,  either  four 
or  two  tickets  for  the  society's  autumn  Rose  Show  to 
be  held  in  the  Royal  Horticultural  Hal!,  Vincent 
Square,  Westminster.  New  members  on  joining  the 
society  will  also  rceeive  copies  of  the  following  publica- 
tions :— The  "Handbook  on  Pruning  Roses,"  the  new 
"  Official  Catalogue  "  issued  last  year,  the  revised  edi- 
tion of  the  "  Hints  on  Planting  Roses,"  issued  in 
November  last,  and  the  "  Report  on  the  Constitution 
of  Rose  Soils."  Also,  in  February  next,  an  entirely 
new  work  on  the  "  Enemies  of  the  Rose,"  and  the 
"  Rose  Annual  for  1908  "  will  be  sent  to  all  members 
of  the  society.  Members  alone  are  allowed  to  compete 
at  the  shows  of  the  society.  They  will  be  entitled  to 
purchase  tickets  for  their  friends  for  the  Metropolitan 
Exhibition   at   reduced   prices. 

The  adoption  of  the  report  and  financial  state- 
ment  having  been  moved  by  the  president,  and 
seconded  by  a  member,  there  followed  a  short 
discussion.  Mr.  Frank  Cant  alluded  to  the 
extraordinary  success  of  the  society,  and  said 
that  this  was  partly  due  to  the  step  which  was 
taken  when  the  society  determined  to  leave  the 
Crystal  Palace  and  hold  their  exhibitions  in  the 
Temple  Gardens,  and  subsequently  in  the  gar- 
dens of  the  Royal  Botanic  Society.  But  it  was 
due  in  some  measure  also  to  the  enlightenel 
and  progressive  policy  the  society  had  recently 
followed,  Mr.  Cant  referring  particularly  to  the 
publications  that  had  been  issued. 

The  Rev.  J.  H.  Pemberton  drew  attention  to 
the  large  increase  in  the  number  of  members, 
and  suggested  that  the  society  should  consider 
whether  it  would  not  be  advisable  to  appoint 
a  paid  manager  for  the  shows  ;  one  that  would 
go  to  the  place  of  exhibition  a  day  or  even  two 
days  previously,  and  remain  after  the  exhibi- 
tion until  all  the  flowers  were  removed.  He 
thought  that  Mr.  Mawley  should  be  consulted 
on  this  question.  The  president  said  that  the 
committee  had  power  to  make  such  an  appoint- 
ment as  was  suggested,  and  they  would  no 
doubt  give  the  subject  their  attention.  The  re- 
port and  financial  statement  were  accepted 
unanimously. 

A  New  Regulation. 

Mr.  E.  J.  Holland  then  moved  that  the  new 
regulation,  of  which  notice  had  been  given, 
should  be  adopted.  It  has  been  considered 
necessary,  owing  to  circumstances  that  have 
occurred  during  the  past  season,  and  is  intended 
for  the  purpose  of  discouraging  exhibition  by 
those  who  have  no  wish  to  take  a  personal  interest 
in  the  matter.  There  arose  considerable  discus- 
sion in  regard  to  the  proposal,  and  an  amend- 
ment was  proposed  to  the  following  effect:  — 
"  That  amateurs  must  not  have  any  trade  assist- 
ance in  the  care,  selection,  or  staging  of  their 
blooms  for  24  hours  previous  to  the  show." 
Eventually  the  original  resolution  was  strength- 
ened, and  it  was  adopted  unanimously,  the  term 
being  as  follows: — "The  exhibits  of  amateurs 
must  not  be  staged  or  prepared  for  staging  by 
trade  growers  or  their  assistants." 

A  cordial  vote  of  thanks  having  been  offered 
to  the  officers  and  committee  for  the  past  year, 
Mr.  Mawley  said  that  the  aim  and  end  of  Rose- 
growing  used  to  be  that  of  exhibiting,  but  now 
if  the  policy  of  the  society  had  to  be  stated  in 
a  few  words,  it  would  be,  "  Roses  for  the  mil- 
lion." The  election  of  the  officers  and  com- 
mittee for  1908  concluded  the  business  of  the 
meeting. 

The  Dinner. 

In  the  evening  the  members  and  friends  as- 
sembled at  the  annual  dinner,  which  took  place 
at  the  Hotel  Windsor.     Mr.   E.  B.   Lindsell  pre- 


sided also  at  this  function,  and  there  was  a 
large  attendance,  including  many  ladies,  the 
chief  guests  beings  Mrs.  Hole  and  her  son,  Mr. 
Hugh  Hole. 

On  rising  to  propose  the  toast,  "  The  National 
Rose  Society,"  the  president  said  that  the  society 
had  so  successfully  encouraged  the  cultivation 
of  Roses  that  they  were  now  to  be  seen  in  all 
gardens,  and  generally  they  were  regarded  as 
one  of  the  more  important  features  of  the  gar- 
den. Formerly,  this  was  not  the  case;  Roses 
were  grown  in  most  big  gardens,  but  they 
were  regarded  as  Lilacs,  Viburnums,  or  other 
shrubs,  and  in  many  cases  were  pruned  with 
shears  !  Mr.  A.  Tate,  one  of  the  vice-presidents 
of  the  society,  had  shown  them  how  a  Rose 
garden  should  be  laid  out  to  give  the  best  re- 
sults. Mr.  Lindsell  concluded  a  very  happy 
speech  by  some  humorous  remarks  as  to  mea- 
sures he  had  taken  to  provide  for  his  older 
plants — "  old  warriors,"  these  having  been  re- 
moved to  a  local  churchyard,  where  their  late 
owner  could  call  upon  them  from  time  to  time 
and  satisfy  himself  that  they  were  happy. 

Mr.  Edward  Mawley,  honorary  secretary,  re- 
sponded to  this  toast,  and  at  the  outset  ex- 
pressed the  gratification  of  those  assembled  that 
Mrs.  Hole  and  Mr.  Hugh  Hole  had  honoured 
them  by  their  presence.  The  late  Dean  Hole 
was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  society,  and 
president  for  27  years.  Mr.  Mawley  remem- 
bered going  to  the  memorable  meeting  when 
Dean  Hole  presided,  and  the  society  was  estab- 
lished, the  late  Rev.  Mr.  D'Ombrain  acting  as 
secretary  from  the  first.  Dean  Hole's  book,  A 
Book  About  Roses,  had  undoubtedly  been  in- 
strumental in  making  more  rosarians  in 
years  gone  by  than  any  other  book,  and 
he  (Mr.  Mawley)  believed  that  the  work  had 
passed  through  more  editions,  and  had  had  a 
larger  circulation  than  any  other  horticultural 
book.  Passing  to  the  subject  of  the  society 
itself,  Mr.  Mawley  said  that  they  had  had  a 
record  year ;  at  Saltaire  they  had  a  record  pro- 
vincial show,  the  metropolitan  exhibition  was 
a  splendid  one  and  of  record  size,  the  income 
had  been  a  record,  the  number  of  new  members 
was  a  record,  and  that  evening  they  had  a  record 
attendance  for  their  annual  dinner !  The  one 
great  aim  of  the  society  was  to  give  instruction 
to  those  who  wish  to  grow  Roses,  and  make 
that  instruction  understandable  to  the  youngest 
cultivator.  This  was  not  easy.  Only  the  other 
day  he  was  asked  to  explain  the  difference  be- 
tween a  bush  and  a  dwarf  Rose  plant.  If  ever 
the  society  published  aphorisms  they  might  in- 
clude such  as  those  following  :  "  A  good  dwarf 
Rose  needs  no  bush  '"  ;  "  A  standard  is  so  called 
because  it  cannot  stand  hard  treatment  "  ;  '"  A 
pillar  Rose  is  a  tower  of  strength  as  long  as  the 
atmosphere  is  very  calm." 

The  toast  of  "The  Visitors"  was  proposed  by 
Mr.  C.  E.  Shea,  late  president  of  the  society. 
He  referred  to  the  particulars  concerning  the 
late  Dean  Hole  already  mentioned  by  Mr.  Maw- 
ley, and  added  that  when  the  society  lost  him 
as  its  president,  he  (Mr.  Shea),  knew  how  diffi- 
cult it  was  to  fill  the  void  so  caused.  But  Dean 
Hole's  work  on  behalf  of  the  Rose  commenced 
long  before  the  establishment  of  the  National 
Rose  Society,  and  he  had  previously  held  a 
very  successful  exhibition  at  the  St.  James's 
Hall.  He  was  a  man  of  very  wide  sympathies, 
and  though  his  interest  was  principally  and 
chiefly  in  Roses,  it  was  not  exclusively  in  Roses. 
They  remembered  him  well  as  an  orator  who 
had  the  power  of  touching  the  hearts  of  men, 
and  this  was  due  to  his  great  humanity.  His 
supreme  love  of  the  Rose  was  one  of  the  most 
marked  characteristics,  and  in  the  opening  para- 
graph in  his  well-known  book  was  the  secret 
of  his  success.  "  He  who  would  have  beautiful 
Roses  in  his  garden  must  have  beautiful  Roses 
in  his  heart."  Mr.  Shea  thought  that  the  Rose 
had  the  power  of  invoking  such  a  love  as  none 
other  flower  can  excite.  The  toast  was  coupled 
with  the  names  of  Mr.  Hugh  Hole  and  the  Rev. 
J.  Carpenter  Robinson,  and  was  received  with 
the  greatest  enthusiasm. 

Mr.  Hugh  Hole,  in  returning  thanks  for  Mrs. 
Hole  and  himself,  said,  as  one  of  the  directors 
of  the  Gardeners'1  Chronicle,  he  wished  to  refer 
to  the  great  loss  they  had  sustained  during  the 
year  by  the  death  of  Dr.  Masters,  late  Editor  of 
that  journal,  and  a  vice-president  of  the 
National  Rose  Society.  He  (Mr.  Hole)  had  the 
greatest  interest  in  the  objects  of  the  National 


Rose  Society,  because  they  were  connected  with 
the  extension  of  the  most  beautiful  and  purest 
■  I  pleasures.  Not  everybody  could  possess  the 
fastest  motor-car  in  the  world,  or  slaughter  the 
largest  number  of  pheasants  even  if  they  wished 
to,  but  most  people  might  have  a  small  bed 
of  Roses.  Mr.  Hole  first  longed  for  a  garden 
after  his  companionship  with  his  servant  in 
South  Africa  during  the  late  war.  The  man  was 
a  Londoner,  and  possessed  but  a  very  small 
garden,  but  his  frequent  conversations  about 
this  little  garden  and  the  plants  it  contained 
showed  clearly  enough  that  he  longed  to  be 
again  with  what  had  given  him  the  greatest 
pleasure  in  life.  Mr.  Hole  quoted  the  following 
lines,  which,  he  said,  were  written  by  a  former 
headmaster  of  Clifton  College : — 

A  garden  is  a  lovesome  spot, 

God  wot. 
Fringed  pool, 
Fern  grot, 
Rose  plot, 
And  yet  the  fool 
Hath  said  that  God  is  not. 
What,  not  God,  in  gardens 
When  the  eve  is  cool  ? 
Nay ;  but  I  have  a  sign, 
'Tis  very  true  God  walks  in  mine. 

Mr.  Hole  stated,  amid  cheers,  that  he  had 
recently  taken  over  his  father's  garden  at 
Caunton,  and  he  intended  to  study  garden- 
ing and  Rose-growing,  and  some  day  he 
might  come  with  his  boxes  of  Roses  to 
the  N.R.S.  shows.  In  acknowledging  the  kind- 
ness of  the  society  in  inviting  his  mother  and 
himself  to  be  present  that  evening,  Mr. 
Hole  said  that  his  mind  went  back  to  a 
scene  which  occurred  some  years  ago  when 
a  regiment  was  drawn  up  and  a  young 
officer,  having  been  commanded  by  Lord 
Roberts  to  thank  the  men  for  services  rendered, 
addressed  them  as  follows  :  "  I  can  hardly  speak 
to  the  regiment  my  father  commanded  and  in 
which  I  was  born."  However,  on  behalf  of  his 
mother  and  himself,  he  thanked  them  from  the 
bottom  of  his  heart  for  having  kept  green  the 
memory  of  him  who  for  so  many  years  was 
their  president  and  friend.  The  Rev.  J.  Car- 
penter  Robinson   also   responded. 

The  remaining  toast  of  "The  Chairman"  was 
proposed  by  Mr.  H.  E.  Molyneux  (hon.  trea- 
surer), who  truly  said  that  for  many  years  past 
Mr.  Lindsell  had  occupied  a  unique  position  in 
the  society  as  chief  judge,  as  well  as  chief 
exhibitor.       

BIRMINGHAM    AND     MIDLAND 
COUNTIES  CHRYSANTHEMUM. 

December  12. — The  annual  dinner  of  this 
society  was  held  on  the  above  date.  Mr.  W. 
Jones   presided   over   a  large  company. 

In  proposing  the  health  of  the  society  and 
its  officers,  Mr.  John  Pope  remarked  upon  the 
fact  that  the  first  time  their  exhibition  was  held 
away  from  Edgbaston  it  was  held  at  the  Ex- 
change Assembly  Room.  That  was  many  years 
ago,  but  he  could  remember  even  an  earlier  ex- 
hibition that  was  held  in  the  Corn  Exchange, 
tin  that  occasion  a  surgical  instrument  maker 
named  Webb  exhibited  a  Chrysanthemum 
named  Fleur  de  Marie  ;  and  although  that  was 
more  than  50  years  ago,  he  believed  the  variety 
was  still  in  cultivation. 

Mr.  T.  Humphreys,  who  responded,  said  it 
was  particularly  gratifying  to  know  that  the 
society  was  appreciated.  It  received  support 
from  such  widely  separated  counties  as  Sus- 
sex, Surrey,  and  Devon.  Exhibitors  brought 
their  best  to  Birmingham,  to  the  great 
advantage  not  only  of  the  professional  grower, 
but  also  of  the  enthusiastic  amateur.  A  gentle- 
man who  had  visited  Japan  informed  the  speaker 
that  the  blooms  seen  in  Bingley  Hall  were 
superior  in  regard  to  size,  substance,  colour- 
ing, and  form  to  those  he  saw  in  that  Eastern 
country.  Mr.  Humphreys  pointed  out  that 
their  exhibition  was  the  most  representative, 
extensive,  and  varied  held  in  the  provinces  dur- 
ing the  autumn  months.  Referring  to  the  finan- 
cial position  of  the  society,  the  speaker  appealed 
for  a  larger  list  of  subscribers.  Birmingham 
could  not  do  without  the  Chrysanthemum  show. 

Other  speakers  included  Messrs.  W.  B. 
Latham,  R.  Sydenham,  W.  Spinks,  and  A.  Cryer. 

The  toast  of  Mr.  J.  Hughes,  this  late  secre- 
tary, was  received  with  enthusiam.  Mr.  Hughes, 
in  his  response,  said  he  would  always  be  pleased 
to  give  advice  or  assistance  which  might  be  of 
benefit  to  the  society. 


December  21,  1907.] 


THE    GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


441 


NATIONAL    AMATEUR    GARDENERS'. 

December  10. — The  annual  dinner  of  the 
National  Amateur  Gardeners'  Association  took 
place  at  the  Holborn  Restaurant  on  the  above 
date,  Mr.  T.  W.  Sanders,  editor  of  Amateur 
Gardi  ning,  occupying  the  chair.  The  chief 
prizes  won  during  the  past  year  were  presented 
to  the  winners  in  the  course  of  the  proceedings. 


MARKETS. 


©bttuarj). 

Edward  Ward. — We  regret  to  record  the 
death  of  this  well-known  gardener  on  the  9th 
inst.  For  the  past  12  months  he  had  suffered 
from  ill-health,  but  was  not  totally  incapaci- 
tated until  the  past  few  weeks.  The  late  Mr. 
Ward  was  born  at  Regent's  Park,  London,  on 
August  20,  1848,  his  father  being  at  that  time  head 
gardener  to  George  Bishop,  Esq.  He  commenced 
his  gardening  career  at  the  age  of  14  as  an  ap- 
prentice in  the  old  Kitchen  Gardens,  Hampton 
Court  Palace,  under  his  father.  From  Hampton 
Court  he  went  to  Chiswick  House  Gardens,  the 
seat  of  the  Duke  of  Devonshire,  where  he  stayed 
for  over  three  years,  and  he  next  served  in  the 
Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Gardens  at  South 
Kensington,  under  the  late  Mr.  George  Eyles. 
He  was  later  at  Chatsworth,  as  foreman  of  the 
fruit  forcing  department,  which  position  he  held 
for  about  four  years,  leaving  to  become  head 
gardener  to  John  Rhodes,  Esq.,  Potternewton, 
Leeds.  He  was  head  gardener  to  the  Right  Hon. 
Lord  Windsor  (now  Earl  of  Plymouth)  at  Hewell 
Grange,  Redditch,  for  a  period  of  about  16  years, 
eventually  leaving  that  place  to  engage  in  farm- 
ing, but  finding  that  did  not  answer,  he  resumed 
his  old  occupation,  and  engaged  as  gardener  to 
Mrs.  Rylands,  of  Longford  Hall,  Stretford, 
Manchester,  13  years  ago,  which  post  he  held 
till  quite  recently.  The  deceased  leaves  a 
family  of  seven  daughters,  the  youngest  of 
whom  is  16  years  of  age.  His  wife  pre-de- 
ceased  him  some  14  years  since,  and  at  his 
request  his  remains  were  interred  on  Friday, 
December  13  last,  in  the  same  grave  in  which 
she  was  buried  at  Baslow,  Derbyshire.  The  late 
Mr.  Ward  was  an  occasional  contributor  to  the 
Gardeners'  Chronicle. 

George  Bethell. — We  regret  to  record  the 
sudden  death  of  this  nurseryman  on  the  14th 
inst.  at  the  age  of  59  years.  The  deceased  gen- 
tleman carried  on  an  extensive  business  as  a 
nurseryman  at  East  Waylands,  Wood  End 
Green,  Hayes,  near  Uxbridge.  Formerly  he  was 
manager  of  the  extensive  nurseries  of  Messrs. 
W.  Whiteley  and  Co.,  Hillingdon. 


LAW    NOTE. 

AMERICAN       GOOSEBERRY  -  MILDEW 
(PROHIBITION  OF  IMPORTATION  OF 

BUSHES)    ORDER    OF    1907. 
The   following   fresh   paragraph   is   to   be   in- 
serted in  the  Importation  Code.     [See  reprint  on 
p.  416  of  Gardeners'  Chronicle,  December  14.] 

501.  The  landing  in  or  introduction  through 
the  post  into  Great  Britain  of  any  Gooseberry 
bush  or  Currant  bush,  or  of  any  cutting,  stock, 
or  seedling,  or  any  part  of  such  bushes  except 
the  fruit,  brought  from  any  place  out  of  Great 
Britain  is  prohibited  by  the  American  Goose- 
berry-Mildew (Prohibition  of  Importation  of 
Bushes)  Order  of  1907,  issued  by  the  Board 
of  Agriculture  and  Fisheries  on  November  29, 
1907.  In  the  event  of  any  importation  or  sus. 
pected  importation  of  Gooseberry  or  Currant 
bushes  from  abroad  coming  under  the  notice 
of  the  officers  the  bushes  are  to  be  detained 
and  the  Board  of  Agriculture  and  Fisheries 
are  to  be  at  once  communicated  with  by  tele- 
graph in  order  than  an  inspector  may  be  sent 
by  that  department  to  identify  their  character. 
(Slips  for  the  amendment  of  the  Code  will  be 
issued  in   due   course.) 

Attention    is    directed    to    Sub-section    (2)    of 
Section  1  of  the  Order  which  relates  to  importa- 
tions of  bushes  on  or  before  the  31st  proximo. 
By  Order  of  the  Board, 

R.  Henderson. 
Custom   House,   London, 
December  11,  1907. 


CO  VENT  GARDEN,  December  18. 

[We  cannot  accept  any  responsibility  tor  the  subjoined 
reports.  They  are  furnished  to  us  regularly  every 
Wednesday,  by  the  kindness  of  several  of  the  principal 
salesmen,  who  are  responsible  for  the  quotations.  It 
must  be  remembered  that  these  quotations  do  not  repre- 
sent the  prices  on  any  particular  day,  but  only  the 
general  averages  for  the  week  preceding  the  date  of  our 
report.  The  prices  depend  upon  the  quality  of  the 
samples,  the  way  in  which  they  are  packed,  the  supply 
in  the  market,  and  the  demand,  and  they  may  fluctuate, 
not  only  from  day  to  day,  but  occasionally  several  times 
in  one  day. — Ed.] 


Cut  Flowers, 

&c. :  Average  Wholesale  Prices. 

s.d.  s.d. 

s.d.  s.d. 

Acacia     (Mimosa), 

Lilium  lancifolium, 

dozen  bunches 

8  0-90 

rubrum  and 

Anemones, dz. bchs. 

2  0-30 

album 

2  0-26 

Azalea,  white,  per 
dozen  bunches 

—  tigrinum 

16-20 

3  0-40 

Lily  of  the  Valley, 

Eouvardia.dz.bchs. 

6  0-80 

p.  dz.  bunches 

8  0-12  0 

Calia  sethtopica,  p. 

—  extra  quality  ... 

12  0-15  0 

dozen  

3  0-50 

Marguerites,  white, 

—  Guernsey 

2  0-30 

p.  dz.  bunches 

2  0-30 

Camellias,  per  dz. 

2  0-26 

—  yellow,  per  dz. 
bunches 

Carnations,      per 
dozen  blooms, 

2  0-30 

Mignonette,  perdz. 

best  American 

bunches 

2  0-30 

various 

3  0-40 

Narcissus,      paper 

—  second  size    ... 

16-20 

white,  per  doz. 

—  smaller,       per 

bunches 

10-16 

doz.     bunches 

9  0-12  0 

—  Soleild'Or,  per 

Cattleyas,  per  doz. 

dozen  bunches 

3  0-36 

blooms 

8  0-10  0 

O  don  toglossum 

Zhrysanthem  u  m  s, 
best    specimen 

crispum,      per 

dozen    blooms 

2  G-  3  0 

blooms,  perdz. 

4  0-  C  0 

Pelargoniums, 

—  selected  blms., 

show,  per  dcz. 

per  dozen 

2  0-30 

bunches 

4  0-60 

—  medium,    doz. 

—  Zonal,    double 

bunches 

12  0-18  0 

scarlet 

4  0-60 

Cyclamen,  per  doz. 

Poinsettias,  per  dz. 

8  0-10  0 

bunches 

4  0-60 

Ranunculus,  p.  dz. 

Cypripediums,  per 

bunches 

8  0-12  0 

dozen  blooms.. 

2  0-26 

Uoses,   12  blooms, 

Daffodils,  p.  bunch 

10-13 

Niphetos 

2  0-40 

Eucharis      grandi- 

—  Bridesmaid   ... 

3  0-60 

flora,  per  doz. 

—  C.  Testout     ... 

2  0-30 

blooms 

2  0-30 

—  K  a  i  s  e  r  i  n  A. 

Euphorbia   Jacqui- 

Victoria,       per 

niaeflora.p.bch. 

16-20 

dozen  blooms.. 

2  6-40 

Gardenias,  per  doz. 

—  Mrs.   J.  Laing 

4  0-60 

blooms 

2  G-  3  6 

—  C.  Mermet 

3  0-60 

Gladiolus,    various 

—  Liberty 

—  Mad.  Chatenay 

2  0-60 

hybrids, perdz. 

2  0-50 

spikes 

10-20 

Safrano    (French). 

—  Brenchleyensis 

16-2  0 

perdz. bunches 

9  0-12  0 

Hyacinths,  Roman, 

Spiraea,  doz.  bches. 

5  0-80 

perdz. bunches 

Tuberoses,  per  dz. 

of  12  blooms  ... 

6  0-10  0 

blooms 

0  4-06 

Lilac  (French),  per 

Tulips,  dz.  bunches 

10-16 

bunch   

3  0-40 

Violets,  p.dz.  bchs. 

10-20 

Lilium  auratum  ... 

3  0-40 

—  special   quality 

2  6-30 

—  longillorum    ... 

3  0-60 

—  Parmas,  p.  bch. 

2  0-40 

Cut  Foliage, 

&c. :  Ave 

age  Wholesale  Prices. 

s.d.  s.d. 

s.d.  s.d. 

Adiautum     cunea- 

Hardy    foliage 

lum,  dz.  bchs. 

0-6  0 

(various),    per 
dozen  bunches 

A  sparagus    plu- 

3  0-90 

mosus,       long 

Holly,  per  bunch... 

10-30 

trails,  per  doz. 

3  0-12  0 

Iris   fcetida    truits, 

—    ■ —      medium, 

p.  dz.  bunches 
Ivy-leaves,    bronze 

5  0-60 

bunch    ... 

10-20 

2  0-26 

—  Sprengeri 

0  0-10 

—  long  trails  per 

Berberis,  per  doz. 

bundle 

10-20 

bunches 

2  0-26 

—  short    green, 

Croton  leaves,  per 

perdz. bunches 

16-26 

bunch  

10-13 

Moss,  per  gross  ... 

4  0-50 

Cycas  leaves,  each 

16-20 

Myrtle     (English), 

Fern,  English,  per 

small-leaved, 

dozen  bunches 

10-20 

doz.  bunches... 

4  0-60 

—  French,  perdz. 

—  French,  per  dz. 

bunches 

10-30 

bunches 

10-16 

Galax    leaves,    per 

Pernettya,  p.  bunch 

0  6-09 

doz.  bunches... 

2  0-26 

Smilax.p.  dz.  trails 

2  0-30 

Plants  in  Pota 

,  &C.  :    Av 

rage  Wholesale  Prices. 

s.d.  s.d. 

s.d.  s.d. 

Ampelopsis     Veit- 

Erica    nivalis,   per 

chii.per  dozen 

6  0-80 

dozen  

12  0-15  0 

Aralia  Sieboldi,  dz. 

4  0-60 

—  hyemalis 

12  0-18  0 

—  larger  

9  0-12  0 

—  melanthera    ... 

12  0-18  0 

—  Moseri,  per  dz. 

6  0-12  0 

Euonymus,  per  dz. 

4  0-90 

Araucaria  excelsa, 

Ferns,  in   thumbs, 

per  dozen 
Aspidistras,  green, 

12  0-30  0 

per  100 

8  0-12  0 

—  in    small    and 

per  dozen 

18  0-30  0 

large  60's 

12  0-20  0 

—  variegated,  per 

—  in  48's,  per  dz. 

4  0-10  0 

dozen  

30  0-42  0 

—  in  32's,  per  dz. 

10  0-18  0 

Asparagus    pluino- 

Ficus  elastica,  dz. 

9  0-12  0 

sus  nanus,  doz. 

9  0-12  0 

—  repens,  per  dz. 

4  0-60 

—  Sprengeri,   dz. 

8  0-10  0 

Hyacinths  (Roman) 

—  tenuis  simus 

per  dozen  pots 

12  0-15  0 

per  dozen 
Azalea  indica 

9  0-12  0 

Kentia       Belmore- 

30  0-42  0 

ana,  per  dozen 

18  0-30  0 

Begonia   Gloire  de 

—  Fosteriana,  per 

Lorraine,  p.dz. 

8  0-15  0 

dozen  

18  0-30  0 

Bouvardias,  perdz. 

6  0-80 

Latania  borbonica, 

Callas,  per  dozen.. 

10  0-12  0 

per  dozen 

12  0-18  0 

Chrysanthem  urns, 

Lilium    1  o  ng  i- 

per  dozen 

9  0-12  0 

florum,  per  dz. 

21  0-25  0 

—  best  disbudded 

18  0  24  0 

—  lancif  o  Hum, 

Clematis,  per  doz. 

8  0-90 

per  dozen 

12  0-18  0 

Cocos    Weddelli- 

Lily  of  the  Valley, 

ana,  per  dozen 

18  0-30  0 

per  dozen 

18  0-30  0 

Crotons,  per  dozen 

18  0-30  0 

Marguerites,  white, 

Cyclamen,  per  doz. 

9  0-12  0 

per  dozen 

6  0-80 

Cyperus    alternifo- 

Poinsettias,  per  dz. 

9  0-12  0 

lius,  dozen 

4  0-50 

Selaginella,  per  dz. 

4  0-60 

—  laxus,  per  doz. 

4  0-50 

Solanums,  per  doz. 

6  0-12  0 

Dracaenas,  perdoz. 

9  0-24  0 

Spiraea  japontca.dz. 

9  0-15  0 

Erica  gracilis,  doz. 

12  0-18  0 

Veronicas,  per  dz. 

4  0-60 

Apples     (English), 
per  bushel : 

—  Wellington    ... 

—  Northern  Green- 
ing        

Won- 


Frult:  Average  Wholesale  Prices. 

s.d  s.d. 


5  0-70 
4  0-56 


5  0-60 


5  0- 
5  0- 


5  0-70 
4  6-60 


4  6-56 


—  Newton 
der 

Bramley'sSeed- 
ling       

—  Lord  Derby  ... 

—  Peasgood's 
Nonsuch 

—  King  Pippins... 

—  Blenheim   Pip- 
pin        

—  Cox's     Orange 
Pippin,  &  sieve    7  0-14  0 
Nova    Scotian, 

per  barrel : 

—  Ribston  Pippin  14  0-15  0 

—  Gloria     Mundi  15  0-16  0 

—  Blenheims     ...  15  0-16  0 

—  King's 15  0-16  0 

—  New  York  Im- 
perialists      ...  20  0-21  0 
Canadian,    per 

barrel : 

—  Northern  Spy..  16  0-18  0 

—  King     of     the 
Pippins  ...  16  0-18  0 

—  Baldwin  ...  15  0-17  0 

—  N.  Greening...  16  0-18  0 

—  Ribston  Pippin  16  0-17  0 

—  Blenheim   Pip- 
pin   ...  ...  19  0-21  0 

Californian  : 

—  Newtowns,  per 
box       

— "Oregon" 

Newtowns,  per 

box       

Apricots  (Cape),  p, 

box       

Avocado  Pears,  per 

dozen  

Bananas,  bunch ; 

—  No.  2  Canary  .80- 

—  No.  1        „    ...    90    - 

—  Extra        „     ...  10  0    — 

—  Giants     „     ...  11  0-15  0 

—  Jamaica  ...     5  0-56 

—  Loose,  per  dz.  0  9-13 
Cranberries,  p. case  6  6-76 
"  Custard  "    Apple 

(Anona)  perdoz.    4  0-14  0 
Dates  (Tunis),  doz. 

boxes  

Grape    Fruit,   case 
Grapes    (English), 

—  Alicante, per  lb. 

—  Gros     Colmar, 
per  lb. 


8  0-10  0 


12  0-14  0 
3  0-60 


4  0-12  0 


4  6-49 
6  0-80 


0  6-12 
0  8-16 


Grapes,  English 
Muscats,  p.  lb. 

—  Canon  Hall, 
per  lb 

—  Belgian  Gros 
Colmar,  per  lb. 

—  Almeria,  per 
barrel 

Lemons  : 

—  Malaga,  case... 

—  Messina,    case 

—  Naples,  p.  case 
Lychees,  per  box... 
Mandarines,     per 

box       

M.ui^oes,  per  doz. 

Medlars  (English), 
A  sieve 

Nuts,  Cobs  (Eng- 
lish), per  lb.  ... 

—  GrenoblesWal- 
nuts,  per  bag... 

—  Almonds,    bag 

—  Brazils,  new, 
perewt. 

—  Barcelona,  per 
bag       

—  Cocoa  nuts,  100 
Chestnuts : 

—  Italian,  per  bag 

—  Redon,  per  bag 
Oranges  (Jamaican) 

per  case 

—  Almeria,  case.. 

—  Valencia,  case 

—  Denia,  p.  case 

—  Jaffas,  per  box 

—  Cal  i  f  o  rn  ian 
Navels,  p.  case 

Pears  (English), 
Catillac,  per 
bushel 

—  Doyenne" 
Cornice, 
dozen  ... 

—  Pitmaston 
Duchess,  per 
dozen  

—  French,  Doy- 
enne" du  Cornice 
per  crate 

—  Beurrfc  Magni- 
fique,  per   box 

—  Catillac,  Dutch 
per  basket 

—  per  barrel 

—  Glou  Morceau 
(French),  per 
box      

—  Winter  Nelis, 
per  box 

Pineapples,  each ... 


s.d.  s.d. 
2  0-40 

2  0-50 
0  8-10 

10  0-20  0 

14  0-15  0 
7  0-15  0 

17  0  -!i4  0 
10    — 

0  10-  1  3 
4  0-80 

3  6     — 

0  3J     - 

7  6-86 

42  6    — 

70  0    — 

32  6    — 

11  0-16  0 

12  0-15  0 
7  0-90 

7  6-90 

10  6-12  0 
7  0-15  0 

12  0-20  0 
6  6-76 

11  0-12  0 


du 
per 


4  6-60 


10  0-11  0 
10  0    — 


2  6    — 
10  0    — 


8  0-10  0 


16  0-18  0 
2  6-50 


Vegetables  :  Average  Wholesale  Prices. 


3  6-40 

4  0-46 
0  5-06 

0  3-04 
06-07 

2  0-26 

13-16 

10-16 

0  6-09 

1  0    — 

20    - 

3  0    — 

2  6     — 

3  6-39 

16-20 
7  0-10  0 

16-19 

0  8-0  10 
0  3    — 


Cos 

per 


s.d.  s.d. 


5  9- 
0  9- 


6  0 
1  0 


s.d.  s.d 
Artichokes(French) 

per  dozen 
Asparagus,      Paris 

Green,    bundle 

—  Sprue,    bundle 
Beans,  French,  per 

packet 

—  Guernsey,p.lb. 

—  Madeira,      per 
basket 

Beetroot,  bushel  ... 
Brussel      Sprouts, 

h  sieve 
Cabbages,  per  doz. 

—  Greens,  bag  ... 

—  red,  per  dozen 

—  Savoys,    per  —  J  bushel 
tally     3  0    —      Potatos     (French), 

Carrots    (English),  new,  per  lb, 

—  washed,  p.  bag    2  6    —       —  Teneriffe,  cwt 

—  French    (new),  Rhubarb  (English) 
per  pad          ...    3  6-39  dozen  bundles 

Cauliflowers,  p.  dz.    16-20    Salsafy,  per  dozen 

—  per  tally         ...    7  0-10  0  bundles 
Celeriac    (French),                      Seakale,  per  dozen 

per  dozen      ...    16-19  punnets 

Celery,  washed,  per  Spinach,    English 

dozen 0  8-0  10  per  bushel 

Chicory,  per  lb.  ...    0  3    —     Tomatos,  selected 
Chow  Chow   (Sec-  per  dozen  lbs 

hium  edule),p.  —  small  selectedt 

dozen 3  0    —  per  dozen  lbs. 

Cucumbers, perdz.    2  0-36      —  Teneriffe,    per 
Endive,  per  dozen    16-20  bundle  of  four 

Horseradish,     for-  boxes 

eign,  per  doz.  Turnips  (English) 

bundles  ...  10  0-12  0  doz.  bunches- 

Leeks,  12  bundles    10-16     —  per  bag 
Lettuce     (French),  Watercress,     per 

per  dozen      ...    10-12  doz.  bunches 

Remarks. — The  first  consignment  of 
the  Cape  arrived  during  the  past  week,  which 
considerably  earlier  than  usual.  Rhubarb  from  the 
Yorkshire  district  is  now  obtainable.  The  prices  of 
American  Apples  are  so  low  that  large  quantities  are 
being  placed  in  "  cold  storage "  until  the  New  Year. 
Seedless  Oranges  from  California  are  of  very  fine 
quality,  and  are  selling  freely.  Bananas  are  much 
dearer,  and  there  is  a  brisk  demand  for  bunches  of 
best  quality  in  ripe  condition.  There  is  a  slight  im- 
provement in  the  trade  for  English  Grapes.  Holly  and 
Mistleto  are  fairly  plentiful  this  season,  but  the 
demand  for  these  is  decreasing  each  year.  P.  L.tCovent 
Garden,   Wednesday,  December  18%  1907, 

Potatos. 
Kents,   3S.   6d.   to  5s.   per  cwt.  ;    Lincolns,  70s.   to  90s. ; 
Blacklands,    70s.   to   85s.  ;    Maincrops,   85s.    to   90s.  ;    Lin- 
coln Maincrops,  90s.  to  105s.  ;   Dunbar  Maincrops,  115s.  to 
U5S.  ;  Dunbar  Up-to-Date,  110s.  to  120s.  per  ton;  Dutch 


Lettuces, 

(French), 

dozen    .. 
Mint,  doz.  bunches 
Mushrooms(house) 

per  lb 0  10-  1  0 

—  buttons,  per  lb.  0  10-  1  0 

—  "Broilers"p.lb.    0  8-09 
Mustardand  Cress, 

per  dozen  pun.     10-16 
Onions    (Spanish), 

per  case         ...     5  0-56 

—  Dutch,  per  bag    4  0    — 

—  pickling,     per 

bushel 2  0-26 

Parsley, 12bunches    16-19 
10-16 

0  3    — 

16  0-17  0 

lo- 
12 0  14  0 
2  0    — 
2  6-36 
2  3-26 

11  0-14  0 

2  0-30 
2  6    — 

0  4-06 

Apricots    from 


442 


THE     GARDENERS     CHRONICLE. 


[December  21,  1907. 


Imperators,  is.  od.  to  2S.  3d.  ;  Dutch  Magnums,  2s.  3d. 
to  3s.  6d.  per  bag.  Trade  is  fair  only,  and  no  increase 
will  be  seen  until  colder  weather  sets  in.  Owing  to  the 
heavy  rains  the  tubers  are  very  dirty;  at  the  same 
time  carting  is  impossible  in  places,  and  causing  short 
supplies  from  different  districts.  Best  samples  are  in  good 
demand,      J.  D.  C,  Covent  Garden,  December  18,  1907. 


THE     WEATHER. 


COVENT    GARDEN     FLOWER     MARKET. 

The  Christmas  trade  has  commenced,  and  although 
much  is  said  about  the  depression  of  trade  generally, 
more  business  is  being  done  this  year  than  ever.  In- 
creased prices  are  asked  for  some  species  of  plants  in 
pots,  but  as  a  rule  most  growers  will  book  orders  at 
ordinary  prices.  Supplies  of  best  Liliums  in  pots  were 
short  yesterday  (Tuesday)  morning.  Azalea  indica, 
principally  pink,  scarlet,  and  white-flowered  varieties, 
promise  to  be  plentiful  this  Christmas.  Genistas 
generally  are  of  inferior  quality,  and  buyers  are  not 
keen  in  purchasing  them,  though  they  are  not  grown  in 
so  high  a  temperature  as  are  those  marketed  later  on. 
Erica  hyemalis  is  still  supplied  in  well-flowered  plants, 
and  is  a  little  more  valuable.  Marguerites,  Poinsettias, 
and  Begonia  Gloire  de  Lorraine  are  all  well  supplied. 
The  white  Turnford  Hall  Begonia  does  not  sell  so 
readily  as  it  did  when  it  was  first  offered  for  sale  in 
the  market.  Since  that  time  the  quantity  of  other  white 
towers  has  increased.  Among  Chrysanthemums  the 
variety  Jardin  des  Plantes,  though  one  of  the  oldest,  is 
still  one  of  the  best.  I  have  known  it  for  over  40 
years,  but  I  have  never  seen  it  in  better  condition  than 
it  has  been  this  season.  Framfield  Pink  is  another 
variety  which  has  been  good  in  pots.  Other  good 
kinds  are  A.  J.  Balfour  (which  some  growers  discarded 
a  few  years  ago),  Allman's  Yellow,  Niveum,  Golden 
Age   (or   Market  Gold),  and   Hestoa   White. 

Cyclamen  are  not  so  good  in  quality  as  those  seen  in 
past  years,  and  their  prices  have  fallen.  A  buyer  re- 
marked on  Tuesday  that  a  few  years  ago  he  could  make 
better  profits  on  those  for  which  he  gave  30s.  per  dozen 
than  on  those  which  now  cost  12s.  for  the  same  quantity. 
Primulas  also  are  far  inferior  to  those  sent  in  former 
years,  when  Mr.  Sawyer  and  Messrs.  J.  and  J.  Hayes 
cultivated  them.  Liliums  have  increased  in  price.  A 
week  ago  they  were  difficult  to  dispose  of  for  155.  per 
dozen;  yesterday  they  were  all  sold  early  at  20s.  per 
dozen,  although  they  were  of  the  same  quality  as  the 
earlier  ones.  Lily-of-the-Valley  is  expected  to  be  dearer 
early  next  week.  Roman  Hyacinths  in  pots  and  in  boxes 
have  been  very  good,  and  supplies  for  next  week  maybe 
good,  but  their  value  is  certain  to  advance  a  little.  Tulips 
in  boxes  are  now  abundant,  and  are  likely  to  be  cheaper 
rather  than  dearer.  On  Tuesday  I  paid  105.  per  dozen 
for  Solanums.  Later  in  the  morning  a  friend  asked  me 
where  he  could  find  some  cheap  plants,  and  I  directed 
him  to  a  man  who  had  previously  offered  me  plants  at 
3s.  per  dozen.  The  same  thing  is  noticed  all  through  the 
market.  Erroneous  opinions  are  often  formed  from 
the  prices  of  plants  offered  in  the  streets.  When 
packed  together  on  a  barrow  they  seem  all  right,  but 
they  are  not  equal  to  the  best  in  the  market. 

(  Cut  Flowers. 

Many  growers  are  willing  to  book  orders  for  Christ- 
mas at  reasonable  prices.  Callas  are  always  in  demand 
for  Christmas,  and  though  they  have  been  abundant  and 
cheap  they  are  sure  to  advance  a  little  in  value. 
Liliums  are  very  uncertain  :  on  Tuesday  4s.  was  asked 
for  the  same  quality  flowers  that  were  making  2s.  6d. 
last  Saturday.  Eucharis  have  been  plentiful.  I  find 
with  some  growers  they  have  come  in  too  early  for  the 
Christmas  trade.  Camellias  may  be  dearer  owing  to 
many  former  growers  having  ceased  to  grow  them. 
White  Azalea  has  been  plentiful  and  is  likely  to  remain 
at  normal  prices.  Bouvardia,  Double  Primula,  Scarlet 
Pelargonium  and  Tuberoses  are  not  likely  to  vary  much. 
Supplies  of  imported  flowers  for  the  Christmas  season 
may  be  uncertain.  Flowers  of  a  beautiful  Acacia  are 
arriving  from  Italy.  The  shoots  have  glaucous  leaves, 
and  the  inflorescences  are  in  racemes.  Narcissus  of 
various  sorts  have  been  very  cheap.  Violets  vary. 
Parmas  make  from  is.  Cd.  to  4's.  per  bunch.  Rananculus 
are  now  very  good  :  the  variety  with  a  green  centre 
sells  readily.  The  pink  Anemones  are  now  much  better 
than  earlier  ones.  Roses  from  France  arrive  in 
good  condition.  Papa  Gontier  and  Saf rano  are  the 
most  popular  sorts. 


The  market  is  well  supplied  with  all  the  usual  Christ- 
mas requisites.  Holly  is  remarkably  good,  but  for  best 
quality  high  prices  have  to  be  paid.  Mistleto  is  plentiful, 
and  has  been  offered  at  low  prices,  yet  it  is  doubtful 
if  it  will  be  offered  so  cheaply  on  Monday  or  Tuesday. 

Christmas  trees  may  be  had  in  all  sizes,  from  those 
not  much  more  than  a  foot  high  to  those  20,  or  perhaps 
25  feet  high,  and  at  prices  varying  from  6d.  to  15s. 
each. 

Large  wagon-loads  of  Evergreens  of  all  sorts  are 
coming  into  the  market. 

A  feature  of  the  market  at  Christmas  time  is  the 
variety  of  people  seen.  Fir  Ft  there  are  the  business 
men,  who  are  there  early  and  who  buy  quickly.  Then 
there  are  others  who  have  a  little  more  time  to  spare 
and  who  try  to  buy  their  stocks  at  a  lower  price.  Later 
in  the  morning  are  seen  clergymen,  nurses  from  all 
the  London  hospitals,  Sisters  of  Mercy  from  Convents, 
and  a  large  attendance  of  private  persons  who  think  they 
will  save  somewhat  by  purchasing  at  the  principal  market. 
A.  H.,  Covent  Garden,  Wednesday,  December  18,  1907. 


TRADE   NOTICE. 


THE    WEATHER    IN    WEST    HERTS. 

Week  ending  December  18. 
The  highest  wind  for  seven  years. — The  first  few  days  of  the 
week  were  warm,  but  since  then  moderately  low  tempera- 
tures have  mostly  prevailed.  On  the  two  warmest  days  the 
temperature  in  the  thermometer  screen  rose  to  491-1,  and  on 
the  coldest  night  the  exposed  thermometer  indicated  11°  of 
frost.  The  ground  is  at  the  present  time  of  about  average 
warmth  at  2  feet  deep,  but  about  1°  colder  than  is  seasonable 
at  1  foot  deep.  Since  the  month  began  rain  has  fallen  on  all 
but  four  days,  and  to  the  total  depth  of  3£  inches,  which  is 
nearly  an  inch  in  excess  of  the  average  rainfall  for  the  whole 
month.  During  that  period  17  gallons  of  rain  water  have 
come  through  the  2J  feet  of  soil  in  the  uncropped  percola- 
tion gauge,  and  14  gallons  through  that  on  which  short  grass 
is  growing.  Both  gauges  are  ayardsquare.  Thesun  shone  on 
an  average  for  1  hour  43  minutes  a  day,  or  half  an  hour  a  day 
longer  than  is  usual  at  this  season.  The  wind  has  been  very 
variable  in  strength,  the  mean  rate  of  movement  in  the 
windiest  hour  on  one  day  being  only  five  miles,  whereas, 
on  the  previous  day  (the  14th),  the  mean  velocity  of  the 
windiest  hour  amounted  to  as  much  as  23  miles  —direction 
W.N.W.  This  was  the  highest  wind  I  have  recorded  here 
since  January,  1901,  or  for  nearly  seven  years.  Between 
8  a.m.  and  1  p.m.  on  that  day  the  average  velocity  was 
24  miles  an  hour.  The  mean  amount  of  moisture  in  the  air 
at  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  exceeded  a  seasonable  quantity 
for  that  hour  by  3  per  cent,  E.  A/.,  Berkhamsted,  Decem- 
ber 18.  1907. 


amfm  ? 

Jo 
Correspondents 


JC 


Wi  are  informed  that  the  goodwill  and  stock  of  the  old- 
established  nursery  and  seed  business  known  as  Smith  & 
Simons,  Glasgow,  have  been  purchased  by  Messrs.  Peter 
Drew  and  James  H.  Parker,  who  will  conduct  the  business 
at  the  same  address  and  under  the  old  title. 


Books  :  H.  D.  We  know  of  no  periodical  that 
would  be  suitable  to  you  for  the  study  of 
botany.  If  you  can  obtain  the  monthly  parts 
of  such  a  book  as  Kernels  Natural  History  of 
/'/juts,  you  would  find  this  useful. 

Celery  :  C.  C.  The  Celery  is  injured  by  milli- 
pedes. Occasional  soakings  of  the  soil  with 
soot  and  water  will  drive  the  pest  away  from 
the  plants.  Lime  should  be  worked  into  the 
soil    when    the    crop    has   been    removed. 

Chimonanthus  fragrans  :  H.  V.  W.  The 
specimen  should  be  replanted  towards  the  end 
of  February,  at  which  time  the  vigorous  shoots 
should  be  shortened.  In  order  that  as  much 
light  and  air  as  possible  may  be  admitted, 
care  should  be  taken  to  remove  all  over- 
crowded, non-flowering  growths  near  the 
centre  of  the  bush.  If  the  position  is  one 
exposed  to  sunshine,  although  not  necessarily 
having  a  south  aspect,  the  plant  may  be  ex- 
pected to  yield  a  good  display  of  flowers 
each  winter. 

Cymbidium  Tracyanum  :  Anxious.  You  had 
better  shift  the  plant  at  once  into  a  much 
larger  pot,  using  as  compost  turfy  loam  with 
a  little  dried,  crushed  cow-dung  added.  Con- 
tinue to  water  the  roots  carefully,  and  in  early 
spring  apply  weak  liquid  manure  once  each 
week.  When  the  plant  has  gathered  increased 
strength  and  has  made  more  roots,  you  will 
not  find  any  difficulty  in  getting  it  to  flower. 

Dendrobium  crepidatum  :  T.  S.  It  is  not 
natural  for  the  pseudo-bulbs  to  decay  at  their 
bases  in  the  manner  shown  in  the  example 
received.  Plants  of  this  section  of  Dendro- 
bium grown  in  pots,  however,  are  liable  to 
decay  in  this  way  if  kept  on  the  staging 
among  other  plants  after  the  resting  season 
has  commenced.  This  species,  and  others 
allied  to  it,  grow  best  in  comparatively  small 
baskets,  or  pans,  suspended  from  the  roof. 
As  soon  as  the  pseudo-bulbs  are  fully  com- 
pleted each  season,  and  the  leaves  turn  yellow, 
the  plants  should  be  removed  to  a  cooler 
house  and  be  kept  perfectly  dry  until  the 
spring.  If  all  the  pseudo-bulbs  on  your  plant 
are  similar  to  the  one  sent,  it  is  dead  so  far 
as  the  original  centre  is  concerned,  although 
if  kept  dry,  growths  may  yet  proceed  from 
the  healthy  portions. 

Gardener's  Notice  :  /.  //.  It  is  entirely  a 
question  of  the  custom  of  the  trade.  In  your 
position  we  do  not  consider  you  would  be 
entitled  to  more  than  one  week's  notice. 

Pears  :  G.  H.  The  fruits  are  kept  at  too  high 
a  temperature  during  the  process  of  ripen- 
ing. This  causes  the  rapid  growth  of  a 
fungus  in  the  core  of  each  fruit,  which  re- 
sults in  what  is  termed  a  "  sleepy  "  condition, 
and  this  condition  is  followed  by  decay.  The 
variety  is  probably  Calebasse  Grosse. 


Names  of  Flowers,  Fruits  and  Plants. — We 
ate  anxious  to  oblige  correspondents  as  far  as 
we  consistently  can,  but  they  must  bear  in 
mind  that  it  is  no  part  of  our  duty  to  our 
subscribers  to  name  either  flowers  or  fruits. 
Such  work  entails  considerable  outlay,  both  ot 
time  and  money,  and  cannot  be  allowed  to  dis- 
organise the  preparations  for  the  weekly  issue,  or  to 
encroach  upon  time  required  for  the  conduct  of  the 
paper.  Correspondents  should  never  send  more 
than  six  plants  or  fruits  at  one  time  :  they  should  be 
very  careful  to  pack  and  label  them  properly,  to  give 
every  information  as  to  the  county  the  fruits  are 
grown  in,  and  to  send  ripe,  or  nearly  ripe,  specimens 
which  show  the  character  of  the  variety.  By 
neglecting  these  precautions  correspondents  add 
greatly  to  our  labour,  and  run  the  risk  of 
delay  and  incorrect  determinations.  Correspondents 
not  answered  in  one  issue  are  requested  to 
be  so   good  as   to   consult   the   following    numbers. 

Fruits:  Wheeler  &■  Son.  1,  Lord  Derby;  2, 
Old  Nonsuch.— G.  B.  1,  Court  of  Wick  ;  2, 
Waltham  Abbey  Seedling. — R.  Middleton.  The 
bunch  was  much  damaged.  It  resembles 
Canon  Hall  Muscat. — A.  ].  G.  In  appearance 
the  fruit  closely  resembles  Beurre'  Hardy,  but  in 
flavour  it  is  worthless.  Beurre  Hardy  is  an 
excellent  Pear.  Has  your  fruit  been  frozen  ? 
If  it  has  not,  we  are  unable  to  recognise  the 
variety. 

Plants:  H.  T,  Waterford.  1,  Nephrolepis 
tuberosa ;  2,  Wooduardia  radicans ;  3,  Pteris 
tremula;  4,  Hedychium  coronarium  (so  far  as 
we  can  determine  from  a  single  leaf,  without  any 
description  of  the  habit  of  the  plant)  ;  5,  Tussil- 
ago  Farfara  variegata :  6,  Dendrobium  hetero- 
carpum  syn.  D.  aureum ;  7,  Adiantum  for- 
mosum.-G.  F.  1,  Picea  sitchensis  ;  2,  Picea  • 
sp.  ;  the  specimen  is  not  in  a  condition  to  assist 
accurate  determination. — Felix.  1,  Epidendrum 
polybulbon  ;  2,  Vanda  Roxburghii;  3,  Aerides 
multiflorum  ;  4,  Bletia  verecunda ;  5,  Ccelia 
Baueriana;  0,  Bulbophyllum  ;  7,  Brassavola 
nodosa  —  Scotland.  Maxillaria  grandiflora, 
Odontoglossum  Adrianae  and  Lajlia  autumnalis. 
— /.  W .  F.  Probably  Callistemon  speciosus,  a 
member  of  the  "  Bottlebrush  "  genus. 

Pear  Trees  :  S.  H.,  Sevenoaks.  The  first 
season  after  planting  fruit  trees  sometimes  fail 
to  grow  satisfactorily,  and  for  several  reasons. 
The  most  frequent  cause  is  that  of  planting 
late  in  spring,  but  trees  which  have  not  been 
moved  for  some  years  previously,  and  which 
therefore  have  in  consequence  fewer  root- 
fibres,  suffer  the  greater  check,  owing  to  the 
severance  of  many  large  roots.  If  the  soil  is 
not  made  firm  about  the  roots  at  the  time  of 
planting,  or  if  the  soil  is  afterwards  permitted 
to  become  dry,  success  in  the  first  season  can- 
not be  expected.  Your  trees  will  probably  re- 
cover during  next  season,  and  in  order  to  cause 
the  buds  to  break  into  growth  evenly  along  th? 
branches,  each  shoot  should  be  pruned  back 
to  one-third  its  length.  The  main  branches 
of  the  trees  cannot  be  extended  too  quickly, 
but  a  certain  amount  of  pruning  will  be 
necessary  each  season,  in  order  that  the  trees 
may  become  furnished  with  suitable  shoots 
and  fruiting-spurs. 

Tomato  Lister's  Prolific  :  A.  C.  We  first  saw 
this  free-fruiting  variety  in  the  nursery  of  Mr. 
A.  Lister,  Rothesay,  in  1902,  and  were  much 
impressed  with  its  value.  If  you  wish  to  know 
its  parentage  you  had  better  write  to  Mr. 
Lister,  who  may  be  expected  to  know  all  about 
the  origin  of  the  Tomato  he  distributed. 

Veronica  cupressoides  :  Lexdcn.  This  species 
seldom  flowers  while  in  a  small  state,  so  that 
probably  your  plant  is  not  old  enough.  In 
its  native  country  it  reaches  a  height  of  from 
4  to  6  feet,  but  in  this  country  it  is  very 
slow-growing,  and  requires  a  long  time  to 
attain  anything  like  that  size.  You  might  try 
plants  of  it  in  a  warm,  sheltered  position 
against  a  greenhouse  wall,  or  similar  warm 
site.  Nearly  all  the  New  Zealand  Veronicas 
thrive  better  near  the  sea  than  in  inland 
localities. 

Communications  Received.— R.  C— A.  D. — Hampshire — 
A.  H.— S.— Reader-F.  G.  C— H.  A.  J.— J.  R.  P.  &  Sons- 
A.  W.-F.  M.— J.  W.— T.  C— F.  J.— J.  V.,  Haarlem— 
H.  M.  Veitch-B.  Ashton-Grower-H.  R.  R.— G.  M.— 
A.  O.-C.  H.  P.— Employee-Dr.  Otto  S.-W.  R.  W.— 
T.  Lunt-E.  S.-R.  T.  H.-W.  C.— H.  J.  C. -Saxon— 
A.  F.  D.— H.  J.  C— S.— G.  H.— J.  C.  &  S.—R,  A.  R. - 
C.T.  D.-A.  D.— W.  B.-T.F.— W.  H.  C.-A.  H.— S.  L.D. 
— C.  W.  B.— W.  D.  &  S.— J.  D.  C— A.  M.-E.  J.  C— 
H.  W.  W.— W.  E.  G.,  Jersey. 


December  28,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS      CHRONICLE. 


443 


THE 


^arbcncrs'Cbronulc 

tfo.  1,096.— SATURDAY,  December  2S,  1907. 


CONTENTS 

449 


Arnold  Arboretum,  the 
Bananas,  the  culture  of, 

in  Costa  Rica 

Books,  notices  of — 

Elementary  Botany  ... 
Celosia  cristata,  the  cul- 
ture of 

Chrysanthemum  shows, 
duplicate    blooms    in 

exhibits  at        

Events  of  the  Year 
Exhibiting  Chrysanthe- 
mums, boards  v.  vases 
Fruits,  a    collection   of 

tropical 

Furze,  the,  as  a  decora- 
tive garden  shrub 
Haystacks, the  heating  of  450 
Hull,  the  publicparks  of  444 
Mildew  attacking  vines  454 
Nandina  domestica 
Novelties     in     hardy 

flowering  plants 
Pears  Beurre"  de  Naghan, 
444;  Swan's  Egg  and 
Knight's  Monarch,  452 


450 
449 


452 


452 
445 


445 


452 
443 


the 


452 


452 

451 
450 
450 


Peas,  the  sowing  of 

Plum,       Mirabelle, 
yellow-fruited 

Prevention    of    Corrup- 
tion Act 

Quinces    

Russia,  a  garden  in 

Societies- 
Glasgow     Seed     and 
Nursery  Trade 

Linnean  

National  Dahlia 

N  ursery     Employees' 

Union  

Royal  Horticultural 
(Scientific  Committee) 
Royal   Meteorological    449 

Week's  work,  the— 
Flower  garden,  the  .. 
Fruits  under  glass  ... 
Hardy  fruit  garden  .- 
Kitchen  garden,  the .. 
Orchid  houses,  the  .. 
Parks  and  gardens  .. 
Plants  under  glass    .. 


453 
453 
453 

454 

452 


446 
447 
446 
446 
447 
447 
446 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Arnold  Arboretum,  winter  scene  in  the  (Supplementary 

Illustration) 

Fruits,  a  collection  of  tropical  J&o 

Pear  Beurre  de  Naghan 444 

Portraits  of  :— A.  C.  Bartlett,  446;    W.  H.  lioness,  446; 

Alex.  Kirk,  447;  J.  Mayne.446;  VV.  W.  Pettigrew,  447  ; 

J.  G.  Weston,  446 ;  W.  H.  White,  447. 

Quinces,  Apple  and  Pear-shaped     451 

Russian  garden,  view  in  a       45t) 


NOVELTIES    IN     HARDY 
FLOWERING    PLANTS. 

WITH  the  advent  of  each  New  Year  and 
the  issue  of  the  seedsmen's  cata- 
logues the  progressive  gardener  scru- 
tinises their  contents  with  some  amount  of 
eagerness,  in  order  to  select  any  new  subject 
which  is  likely  to  prove  a  valuable  acquisi- 
tion. Throughout  the  year  the  shows  held  at 
the  Horticultural  Hall  and  other  places  are 
watched  with  interest,  and  notes  are  made  of 
varieties  of  plants  that  may  be  required  later. 
I  propose  to  enumerate  in  this  article  only 
such  plants  as  are  suitable  for  the  Rower  bor- 
der, and  that  may  be  raised  annually  from 
seeds,  but  in  the  case  of  hardy  perennials  the 
annual  seed-sowing  is  not  always  necessary. 
Amongst  the  many  novelties  and  specialities, 
mention  should  be  made  of  the  new  forms  of 
Antirrhinums,  for  these  are  appreciable  im- 
provements on  the  older  types.  The  variety 
Sunset  is  w^ell  named,  for  the  prevailing  col- 
our is  a  fiery  orange  scarlet.  Cottage  Maid 
also  commended  itself  to  me  for  its  pale  shade 
of  coral-pink,  which  is  so  effective  in  beds  or 
borders.  The  dwarf-growing  crimson  and 
scarlet  strains  of  about  i  foot  in  height  may 
be  obtained  remarkably  true  in  character,  and 
if  used  for  forming  marginal  lines,  associated 
with  other  plants,  are  of  great  value. 

Orange  King,  Carmine  Pink,  and  Aurora, 
of  the  intermediate  type,  are  colours  of  great 


excellence,  while  amongst  the  taller  kinds 
Coral  Red,  Golden  Chamois,  Crimson  and 
Gold,  growing  3  feet  high,  produce  an  effect 
of  colouring  not  easily  surpassed. 

The  improvement  seen  in  Aquilegias  needs 
scarcely  to  be  noted,  as  most  gardeners  grow 
these  enchanting  border  plants.  Each  sea- 
son the  strains  of  Dianthus  seem  to  surpass 
those  of  the  previous  year.  Some  are  pure 
white,  others  salmon-coloured,  and  others 
rich  crimson,  many  are  beautifully  laced  and 
striped  in  the  most  fascinating  manner. 

New  varieties  of  Asters  seem  to  appear 
year  by  year  in  great  numbers,  and  since  the 
time  when,  as  a  boy,  I  served  part  of  my 
apprenticeship  in  a  seed  warehouse,  the  num- 
bers have  become  legion.  The  Comet  sec- 
tion can  now  be  obtained  in  more  than  a 
dozen  distinct  colours,  and  the  same  may  be 
said  of  the  Victoria  type.  The  dwarf-bed- 
ding varieties  are  admirably  adapted  for  the 
purpose  where  definite  lines  of  colour  are  re- 
quired. For  indoor  decorative  purposes,  the 
sinensis  type,  of  blue,  rose,  and  white  shades, 
are  both  light  and  elegant. 

The  true  Himalayan  Aster  diplostcphioides 
is  a  hardy  perennial  of  much  beauty,  that 
may  easily  be  raised  from  seed.  The  plants 
grow  iS  inches  in  height,  and  the  flowers 
measure  from  2  to  3  inches  in  diameter,  hav- 
ing pretty  lavender  ray  petals  with  a  centre 
of  golden  bronze. 

The  first  year  of  its  introduction  I  raised 
a  nice  batch  of  seedlings  of  Astilbe  Davidii  ; 
some  of  the  plants  are  now  firmly  established 
by  the  water's  bank,  and  they  form  an  at- 
tractive feature  when   in   flower. 

The  brilliant  Gentian-blue  flowers  of  An- 
chusa  italica,  Dropmore  variety,  are  easil) 
raised  from  a  sowing  of  seed,  but  various 
types  of  flowers  must  be  expected  ;  however, 
all  are  interesting  and  useful. 

The  indispensable  fibrous-rooted  Begonias 
increase  in  popularity,  perhaps  because  they 
are  consistently  good  in  wet  or  dry  weather; 
Crimson  Gem,  Coral  Pink,  and  Fairy  Queen 
are  beautiful  acquisitions,  while  Rosa  Bon- 
heur  and  Wurtembergia  stand  in  the  front 
rank.  The  double  and  single  tuberous-rooted 
Begonias  are  dependable  where  distinct  col- 
ours are  required.  Cheiranthus  kewensis,  the 
new  winter  flowering  Wallflower  (raised  as  a 
hybrid  from  C.  mutabilis  and  C.  cheiri),  is 
noteworthy.  Plants  may  be  raised  from 
seeds  sown  in  July,  which  will  flower  in  the 
open  garden   from   November  onwards. 

On  light,  rich,  sandy  soil  the  new  dwarf- 
growing  hybrid  Calceolarias  form  an  acqui- 
sition of  beautiful  colourings  altogether  new 
amongst  the  bedding  varieties. 

The  continued  improvement  effected  in 
Marguerite  Carnations,  whose  flowers  are 
beautiful  and  sweet-scented,  has  increased 
their  value  for  use  in  a  cut  state  for  decora- 
tive purposes.  Clarkias  are  not  always  satis- 
factory, but  a  new  type  known  as  "  Carna- 
tion Flaked  "  makes  a  beautiful  pot  plant 
and  is  also  suitable  for  the  border. 

Blue  flowers  in  the  open  garden  are  sel- 
dom too  numerous,  and,  therefore,  the  valu- 
able additions  amongst  annuals  of  "  Queen 
of  the  Blues  "  and  Dwarf  Porcelain  Blue 
Delphinium  are  noteworthy.  If  seeds  are 
sown  early,  there  is  no  trouble  in  getting  the 
plants  to  flower  in  the  first  season  ;  they  are 


well  adapted  for  pot-culture  and  also  for  the 
use  of  the  flowers  in  a  cut  state.  Their 
height  seldom  exceeds  18  inches  even  in  good 
ground.  Eschscholt/ia  "  Ruby  King  "  is  a 
beautiful  variety  of  this  exceedingly  florifer- 
ous  plant. 

The  fine  hybrid  Gaillardias  are  now  pro- 
curable from  seed,  and  if  the  seeds  are  sown 
early  the  plants  will  flower  in  the  same  year. 
The  blooms  are  immense  in  size,  and  exhibit 
many  beautiful  and  brilliant  shades  of  col- 
our. The  introduction  of  Gladiolus  praecox, 
which  is  capable  of  blooming  the  first  year 
from  seed,  would  appear  to  foreshadow  the 
development  of  a  new  and  easily-raised  type, 
possessing  great  variety  of  colouring  and 
marking. 

I  was  somewhat  disappointed  in  not 
securing  Gilia  coronopifolia  to  flower  as  an 
annual,  and  1  think  that  only  the  weather 
conditions  are  to  blame;  this  bright  perennial 
is  evidently  a  great  acquisition  to  the  flower 
garden.  Godetia  Schaminii  fl.  pi.  is  very 
distinct  and  beautiful,  being  far  away 
the  best  of  its  class ;  the  individual  flowers  are 
2  to  3  inches  in  diameter,  perfectly  double, 
of  a  lovely  blush  rose  colour,  and  as  a  pot 
plant  it  is  a  decided  success.  Impatiens 
Holslii  is  very  accommodating,  for  it  lends 
its  beauty  equally  as  a  pot-grown  specimen 
or  planted  out  in  a  bed.  If  cultivated  in  a 
warm  greenhouse,  it  will  bloom  satisfactorily 
in  winter.  Hybrid  Impatiens  are  obtainable 
in  various  colours,  including  brilliant  car- 
mine, orange  scarlet,  chamois,  rosy  white, 
&c. 

The  introduction  of  the  beautiful  species 
of  Meconopsis  has  given  us  some  excellent 
flowering  plants  that,  with  care,  may  easily 
be  raised  from  seeds.  M.  integrifolia  forms 
a  rosette  of  glaucous  hairy  foliage,  from  the 
midst  of  which  rises  a  bold  stem  carrying 
five  to  nine  large  globular-shaped  lemon-yel- 
low-coloured flowers.  M.  YVallichii  has 
gracefully-drooping  blue  flowers,  and  M. 
aculeata,  from  Kashmir,  has  flowers  of  a 
beautiful  sh  ide  of  blue  with  golden  anthers 
and  blue  filaments;  this  plant  is  rare  but 
very   beautiful. 

The  new  perennial  hybrid  Lobelias  do  not 
commend  themselves  to  me  as  improvements 
on  older  varieties ;  certainly  great  variety  of 
colour  has  been  obtained,  but  manv  of  the 
flowers  are  so  dull  in  tint  as  to  be  compara- 
tively worthless.  The  new  hybrid  Nicotianas 
are  wonderfully  decorative  in  the  flower-beds 
and  borders  during  summer  and  autumn,  and 
being  crossed  with  N.  affinis  they  have  just  the 
quality  N.  Sanderiana  lacked,  namely,  that  of 
perfume.  Many  handsome  strains  of  Pan- 
sies  are  obtainable  capable  of  satisfying  the 
most  exacting  and  fastidious  tastes.  On 
land  suitable  to  their  well-doing,  the  newest 
types  of  Nemesia,  of  the  "  compact  hybrid  " 
section,  make  the  flower  borders  appear  al- 
most a  blaze  of  colour,  and  the  taller  varie- 
ties, which  grow  15  inches  high,  are  excel- 
lent. The  new  Nigella  known  as  "  Miss 
Jekyll  "  is  a  distinct  gain  on  the  old  variety 
and  forms  large  bushes  of  long-stemmed, 
beautiful  clear  cornflower-blue  flowers. 
Among  Petunias  the  Ophir  and  Lord  Cour- 
tenay  are  beautiful  varieties,  while  the  gran- 
diflora  strains  appear  to  advance  in  size  and 
beauty  every  year. 

I   hardly  know  of  any  greater  acquisition 


444 


THE     GARDENERS'    CHRONICLE 


I  December  28.  1907. 


that  has  been  made  to  the  flower  garden 
than  some  of  the  Salvias.  Only  a  season  or 
two  ago  we  cultivated  S.  splendens  grandi- 
flora  for  bedding  purposes;  the  new  dwarf 
Scarlet  Zurich  was  the  next  innovation,  but 
last  season  Fireball  was  certainly  an  advance 
upon  it,  both  in  habit,  colour,  and  length  of 
flower  spike,  and  I  shall  be  much  surprised 
if    this  variety   is   ever   surpassed. 

I  cannot  pass  Senecio  clivorum  and  S. 
tanguticus  without  recommending  them  for 
planting  in  bold  masses  on  the  grass  or  beside 
the  water;  the  flowers  are  an  effective  shade 
of  old  gold  colour  and  last  a  considerable 
time  in  flower. 


I 


The  new  white  Wallflower  is  an  acquisi- 
tion, as  an  associate  amongst  other  colours, 
especially  the  dark  varieties;  the  plants  are 
dwarf  and  compact,  but  not  quite  so  hardy  as 
others.  W.  H.  Clarke,  Aston  Rowant  Gar- 
dens,   Oxon. 

NEW    DECEMBER    PEAR. 

The  new  Pear  illustrated  at  fig.  182  was  shown 
by  Messrs.  J.  Cheal  &  Sons,  Lowfield  Nurseries, 
Crawley,  at  the  meeting  of  the  Royal  Horticul- 
tural Society  on  December  12,  and  its  good 
quality  as  a  winter  dessert  fruit  was  recognised 
by  the  Fruit  and  Vegetable  Committee's  Award 
of  Merit. 

Pear  Beurre  de  Naghan  may  be  described  as 


HULL    PUBLIC    PARKS. 

( Concluded  from  page  437. ) 
The  East  Park. 
This  is  the  largest  of  the  Hull  parks,  its  total 
area  being  more  than  70  acres.  The  ground  \\  as 
purchased  and  laid  out  in  1887,  the  necessary 
expenditure  being  provided  out  of  the  city's 
rates.  The  site  embraces  a  wide  expanse  of 
grass,  with  belts  of  trees  protecting  its  some- 
what open  position.  Avenues  of  Limes  and 
Ulmus  Wheatleyi  are  fast  becoming  a  promi- 
nent feature,  and  there  are  also  many  fine  trees 
of  Hollies.  Acacias,  Maples,  and  Sycamore  are 
planted  along  an  avenue  which  encircles  the 
park,  some  pretty  scenery  being  obtained  from 
this  drive.     The  area  devoted  to  water  is  large. 


Fig.  182.— pear  beurre  de  naghan,  which  recently  gained  the  royal  horticultural  society's  AWARD  OK  MERIT. 


Of  Stocks,  the  newer  introductions  include 
colour-improvements  under  each  section. 
Princess  Alice  is  still  a  white  variety  of  the 
best  habit,  Excelsior  is  another  white  of  giant 
size  with  flower  spikes  2  feet  long,  the  pale 
pink  Beauty  of  Nice,  and  the  charming  Prim- 
rose-colour Princess  May  are  each  good. 
Empress  Elizabeth,  a  very  handsome  inter- 
mediate Stock,  should  be  grown  by  all;  the 
carmine  pink  flowers  are  produced  in  abund- 
ance, and  the  plant  is  equally  useful  for  pot 
culture  or  cultivation  out  of  doors.  The 
mammoth  varieties  of  Verbena  hybrida  pro- 
duce flowers  and  trusses  of  large  size  and  em- 
brace shades  and  colourings  of  many  hues. 


above  medium  size,  the  largest  fruits  being  one 
half-pound  in  weight.  The  skin  is  yellowish- 
green,  but  more  or  less  covered  with  minute 
blackish  spots  which  may  be  seen  distinctly  in 
Mr.  Worthington  Smith's  sketch  now  reproduced. 
On  one  side  the  fruits  develop  more  yellow 
colouring.  The  stalk  is  set  obliquely,  and  mea- 
sures about  \\  inch  in  length.  The  eye  appears 
to  partially  open,  and  is  set  in  an  unusually  deep 
and  irregularly-formed  cavity,  marked  by  several 
slight  channels.  The  flesh  is  white,  melting, 
and  has  an  agreeable  flavour,  being  slightly 
aromatic.  The  fruit  is  very  juicy  and  free  from 
grittiness.  This  variety  will  be  an  addition  to 
the  dessert  Pears  ripening  at  or  about  the 
Christmas  season. 


There  are  two  rustic  bridges  spanning  the  lake, 
and  in  this  spot  is  a  design  in  rockwork  con- 
structed to  imitate  the  Khyber  Pass.  The  area 
around  is  planted  with  Cotoneasters,  which 
ramify  over  the  artificial  rockwork,  Hedera 
dentata,  Golden  Tree  Ivies,  Thuya  Lobbii,  and 
Hollies  of  the  Hodgkins  type,  with  here  and 
there  a  specimen  of  Laurus  nobilis,  Pinus  Cem- 
bra,  Ilex  ferox,  Silver  Birch,  Fraxinus  aucu- 
basfolia,  &c. 

From  the  elevated  bridge  over  this  pass  a 
woodland  walk  leads  to  a  new  rock  or  vallev 
garden,  which  was  formed  some  three  or  four 
years  ago.  This  sDot  is  intersected  with  wind- 
ing paths,  the  ground  on  each  side  being  ele- 
vated so  as  to  afford  a  better  view  of  the  large 


December  28,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


445 


number  of  Alpine  and  perennial  plants.  Many 
of  these  plants  are  labelled  with  their  common 
as  well  as  their  botanical  names,  and  their 
natural  order  is  indicated.  The  naming  of  the 
plants  affords  an  additional  interest  to  visitors, 
and  is  of  considerable  value  to  students.  Occa- 
sionally specimens  are  supplied  for  use  in  the 
teaching  of  object-lessons  at  the  council's 
schools.  Each  year  addition  is  made  to  the 
number  of  species  of  Alpine  and  other  plants, 
and  this  garden  will  be  of  greater  interest  in  the 
future.  There  are  many  choice  flowering  shrubs 
planted  in  groups  along  the  higher  banks,  and 
the  members  include  Spiraeas,  Deutzias, 
Diervillas,  Berberis,  &c.  Two  of  the  principal 
paths  in  this  part  of  the  park  are  carried  over 
stone  bridges,  provided  with  rustic  handrails. 
From  these,  views  of  the  flowering  plants  are 
obtained,  and  when  the  banks  are  clothed  with 
flowers  they  are  objects  of  great  beauty. 

The    quarter    devoted    to    flower-beds    is    not 
"arge.     The    massed    system    of    bedding    is    the 


tories,  and  bulbous  plants  in  pots  are  similarly 
employed.  In  addition  to  furnishing  these  con- 
servatories, the  work  of  supplying  any  floral 
decoration  in  connection  with  civic  functions 
falls  upon  the  park  authorities.  On  a  recent 
occasion  the  Town  Hall  was  decorated  with 
some  three  or  four  van  loads  of  flowers,  in  ad- 
dition to   Palms  and  other  foliage  plants. 

The  Parks  Committee  allow  cricket,  football, 
lawn  tennis,  and  bowls  to  be  played  in  certain 
parts  of  the  parks.  No  charge  is  made,  except 
for  the  bowling  greens,  and  so  great  a  demand 
exists  for  these  playing  grounds  that  greater 
provision  for  them  is  contemplated  on  land 
adjoining  a  proposed  cemetery.  The  committee 
have  recently  purchased  some  70  acres  of  land 
part  of  which  it  is  proposed  to  immediately 
devote  to  allotments  and  a  recreation  ground. 
A  short  time  since  the  Corporation  laid  out 
several  acres  of  ground  as  allotments,  and  the 
applications  for  these  were  so  numerous  that  fur- 
ther land  is  to  be  devoted  to  them. 


Fig.   183. EXOTIC    FRUITS    in    the    GOVERNMENT   TOBACCO    ESTATE,    TRANSVAAL   COLONY. 


style  principally  adopted,  but  some  are  planted 
in  the  more  formal  decorative  style.  Annuals 
are  largely  employed,  whilst  Violas,  as  in  all 
the    Hull    parks,    are   planted   very   extensively. 

The  whole  of  the  flower  beds  in  the  Hull  parks 
^re  planted  in  the  autumn  with  spring-flower- 
ing plants,  including  Wallflowers,  Aubrietias, 
Forget  -  me  -  nots,  Primroses,  Polyanthuses, 
Violas,  Eryssimum,  Daisies,  &c.  The  double- 
flowering  Arabis  is  freely  used  as  a  groundwork 
to  many  of  the  beds  planted  with  Tulips.  Many 
thousands  of  bulbs  are  planted  in  all  the  public 
gardens  and  parks  of  Hull. 

This  park,  similar  to  those  already  described, 
contains  a  conservatory,  but  it  is  not  so  large 
as  those  in  the  other  parks.  This  house  is  de- 
corated throughout  the  year  with  seasonable 
greenhouse  flowering  plants,  with  Palms,  Ferns, 
Dracaenas,  &c.  A  special  house  has  recently 
been  built  for  the  display  of  Chrysanthemums 
in  the  autumn. 

In  the  spring  time  large  stocks  of  Lilac,  Deut- 
zia,  Staphylea,  Azalea,  and  Roses  are  forced 
into  flower  for  the  decoration  of  these  conserva- 


Pim.ic   Cemeteries,   Hospitals,   &c. 

The  work  of  maintaining  the  grounds  of  the 
various  public  institutions  is  conducted  by  the 
park  authorities.  Of  the  cemeteries,  the 
Western  has  an  area  of  about  32  acres,  and  the 
Eastern  19  acres.  Avenues  of  trees  are  planted 
in  the  Western  cemetery,  many  of  the  trees  being 
ornamental  Thorns  (Crataegus).  There  are  also 
many  Maples,  broad-leaved  Oaks,  Elms,  Ches- 
nuts,  Limes,  Pyrus,  &c,  that  add  beauty  to  the 
roads.  An  extensive  collection  of  Hollies  are 
planted  in  this  burial  ground.  In  each  ceme- 
tery flower  gardening  is  extensivelv  carried  out, 
there  being  about  100  flower  beds  in  each.  The 
disused  burial  grounds  of  Hull  number  12,  and 
these  are  maintained  in  order  by  the  Corpora- 
tion. Two  of  these  are  extensivelv  used  bv  the 
public.  They  are  planted  with  flowers,  and  are 
provided  with  seats ;  they  form  useful  places  of 
rest    and    retreat    in    the    centre    of    the    town. 

The  trees  in  the  streets  of  Hull  are  a  great 
feature  of  the  city.  Five  of  the  principal 
avenues  are  about  half  a  mile  in  length,  and 
during  the  summer  time  thev  afford   a  delight- 


ful walk.  The  principal  avenue  is  known  as 
Westbourne,  and  beneath  the  trees  on  either 
side  is  a  grassy  sward  about  20  feet  wide.  Of  late 
years  every  new  main  road  is  made  about  9U 
feet  wide,  and  planted  with  four  rows  of  trees, 
one  on  each  footpath,  and  a  double  row  in  the 
centre,  through  which  the  electric  cars  run,  the 
vehicular  traffic  being  on  either  side.  The  first 
road  of  this  type,  planted  about  five  years  ago, 
is  now  assuming  a  nice  effect,  and  will  some 
day  be  a  fine  boulevard  of  about  half  a  mile  in 
length.  A  new  road  leading  to  Hessle  is  now 
being  similarly  planned,  and  the  first  portion 
will  shortly  be  planted.  Already  some  6,000  to 
7,000  trees  are  planted  in  Hull  streets,  and  all 
are    maintained    in    order    by    the    Corporation. 

The  Sanatorium  grounds  are  extensive.  The 
intervening  land  between  the  separate  blocks  of 
buildings  is  either  in  shrubberies  or  as  lawns 
with  flower  beds.  A  large  area  of  land  is  set 
apart  for  the  culture  of  vegetables  and  fruits 
for  the  use  of  the  inmates  of  the  institution. 

At  Sutton,  a  few  miles  from  Hull,  is  situated 
the  Evan  Fraser  Hospital.  The  ground  of  this 
hospital  comprises  about  27  acres  of  land,  part 
of  which  is  laid  out  as  a  pleasure  garden. 

The  Crematorium  at  Hull  was  the  first  muni- 
cipal one  established  in  this  country.  Its  grounds 
embrace  some  4  acres  of  land,  which  is  suit- 
ably laid  out  with  walks  and  shrubberies.  The 
1  olumbarium  is  a  beautiful  rocky  glen,  in  which 
are  deposited  the  cremated  remains.  It  is  con- 
structed of  artificial  rockwork  ;  the  material  of 
which  it  is  made  can  be  cut  easily,  so  that  the 
urns  containing  the  ashes  are  placed  in  niches 
cut  in  the  solid  rock  face,  and  afterwards 
cemented  in.  The  whole  of  this  Columbarium 
covers  about  an  acre,  and  is  planted  with  Al- 
pine and  perennial  plants,  shrubs,  &c.  At  one 
extreme  end  is  a  wild  dell,  where  Penzance 
Briars,  Rambler  Roses,  &c,  roam  at  will. 

Mr.  H.  B.  Witty  is  the  superintendent  of  the 
city  public  gardens  and  parks,  and  his  manage- 
ment of  them  is  worthy  of  all  commendation. 


TROPICAL  FRUITS. 
During  the  Christmas  season  there  may 
usually  be  seen  in  the  Covent  Garden  market  a 
good  and  interesting  display  of  exotic  fruits, 
the  number  of  kinds  represented  there  appearing 
t  increase  each  year.  Some  of  the  species  are  de- 
licious in  the  extreme,  but  others  do  not  so  fully 
1  ■iinmend  themselves  to  the  palate  of  consumers 
in  this  country,  a  circumstance  that  may  be  attri- 
buted in  a  large  measure  to  the  difference  in 
climate.  A  fruit  that  is  juicy  and  may  appear 
luscious  when  consumed  in  the  conditions  pre- 
valent under  a  tropical  sun  may  be  expected  to 
lose  much  of  its  attractiveness  if  partaken  of  in 
this  country  in  December.  The  species  shown 
in  the  fig.  183,  which  has  been  kindly  sent  in  by 
the  Government  agiostologist  and  botanist  in 
the  Transvaal  Colony,  have  for  the  most  part 
met  with  appreciation  in  this  country,  for  they 
include  Bananas,  Lemons,  Pineapples,  Peaches, 
Oranges,  with  Apples,  Pears,  &c. 

The  scene  is  one  in  the  Transvaal  Government 
Tobacco  Estate,  situated  at  Tzaneen,  where  the 
fruits  have  been  cultivated  and  are  loaded  into 
a  conveyance  for  removal. 


Furze. — Flowers  are  so  scarce  out  of  doors 
at  the  present  season  that  one  wonders  at  the 
comparative  neglect  of  this  beautiful  plant,  one 
of  our  few  native  evergreens.  It  must  indeed  be 
a  hard  winter  when  a  Furze  bush  does  not  bear 
a  good  crop  of  blossoms.  As  a  winter-bloom- 
ing shrub  the  Furze  is  often  neglected,  but  in 
most  gardens  there  are  places  where  a  plant  or 
a  group  of  this  shrub  might  well  be  planted. 
The  poorer  the  soil  the  better  the  Furze  blooms, 
and  no  bank  seems  to  be  too  dry  for  its 
requirements.  As  it  is  impatient  of  disturb- 
ance, it  must  be  planted  when  young.  Most 
nurserymen  can  furnish  small  bushes  in  pots  of 
the  double-flowered  variety,  as  well  as  of  the 
Irish  Furze  (Ulex  europaeus  strictus)  and  the 
dwarf  U.  nanus.     A.  <_'.  B. 


446 


THE     GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


[December  28,  1907. 


The  Week's  Work. 

PLANTS    UNDER   GLASS. 

By  J.  G.  Weston,  Gardener  to  H.  J.  King,  Esq., 
EasUvell  Park,  Kent. 

Plants  in  frames. — At  every  opportunity  when 
the  weather  is  favourable  plants  in  frames 
should  be  examined,  and  any  necessary  water 
afforded  them.     Watering  should  be  done  with 

care,  as  many 
of  the  plants 
are  compara- 
tively inactive 
at  the  roots 
in  mid-win- 
ter, and  need 
very  little 
water.  Plants 
in  a  more 
active  con- 
dition of 
growth,  in- 
cluding her- 
baceous Cal- 
ceolarias, 
C  in  er arias, 
Humeas,  and 
M  a  rguerites, 
should  be 
allowed  as 
much  room 
as  is  possible 
between  the  pots,  and  be  watered  whenever  ne- 
cessary, for  they  must  not  be  allowed  to  get  dry 
at  their  roots. 

Violets  planted  in  frames  should  have  all  de- 
caving  foliage  removed,  and  the  soil  should  be 
stirred  occasionally,  especially  if  it  has  a  ten- 
dency to  become  caked  and  sour.  Watering 
should  be  done  on  mild,  open  days,  for  then 
extra  ventilation  may  be  given  without  fear  of 
injuring  the  plants.  Fresh  air  should  be  ad- 
mitted to  the  frames  whenever  possible,  for 
Violets  never  succeed  in  a  close  atmosphere. 
Violets  in  pots  should  be  moved  to  a  cool,  well- 
ventilated  house,  and  be  placed  on  a  shelf  near 
to  the  glass. 

The  forcing-house. — Continue  to  place  in  heat 
successional  plants  of  Lilacs,  Azaleas,  Deutzias, 
Spiraeas,  Prunus  triloba,  &c,  taking  care  not  to 
subject  them  to  excessive  heat  at  the  commence- 
ment of  forcing.  These  plants  are  more  easily 
forced  as  the  season  gets  later,  therefore  it  is 
not  advisable  to  place  too  many  irk  heat  now. 
If  space  is  limited,  an  early  Peach-house  or  a 
vinery  in  which  heat  is  provided  is  suitable  for 
commencing  the  forcing  of  these  flowering 
shrubs. 

Chrysanthemum  cuttings. — The  stock  plants  for 
providing  cuttings  should  be  placed  in  a  light 
frame  or  glasshouse  to  ensure  sturdy  growths. 
Cuttings  of  many  varieties  should  now  be  in- 
serted, and  the  insertion  of  others  should  be 
effected  whenever  the  cuttings  are  in  a  suitable 
condition.  A  suitable  place  for  rooting  the 
shoots  is  a  small  frame  placed  on  the  staging  of 
a  cool  house.  The  work  can  then  be  executed 
at  any  time  and  in  all  weathers,  whereas  cut- 
tings placed  in  frames  in  the  open  may  suffer 
from  neglect  during  severe  weather.  The  cut- 
tings should  be  inserted  in  a  light,  sandy  com- 
post in  small  pots.  A  suitable  mixture  of  soil 
consists  of  two  parts  leaf-soil  and  one  part  fine 
loam,  with  a  plentiful  addition  of  sharp  sand. 
The  soil  should  be  made  moderately  firm  in  the 
pots,  and  the  cuttings  be  inserted  with  the 
least  possible  delay  after  being  severed  from 
the  old  plant — a  wiited  cutting  loses  much  of  its 
vitality.  After  being  watered,  the}'  should  be 
placed  in  the  frame  which  should  be  kept 
closed  during  the  day.  Ventilate  a  little  at  the 
end  of  the  day,  and  if  much  moisture  accumu- 
lates remove  the  lights  for  a  short  time.  When 
the  roots  are  formed,  ventilation  should  be  given 
daily,  and  in  a  few  days  the  plants  may  be 
taken  from  the  frame  and  be  placed  in  a  plant- 
house  in  a  position  that  is  exposed  to  sunlight. 


THE    KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

By  William  H.  Honess,  Gardener  to  C.  Combe,  Esq., 
Cobham  Park.  Si:: 

ler  vegetables. — Owing  to  the  weather  dur- 
ing the  latter  part  of  the  season  having  been  so 
mild,  winter  vegetables  at  the  present  time  are 
in  excellent  condition,  and  the  late  salads  are 
lasting  out  well.     The  chief  work  that  will  de- 


mand continued  attention  in  the  near  future 
will  be  the  forcing  of  salads  and  vegetables  with 
the  object  of  securing  as  great  a  variety  for  the 
table   as    is    possible.        Materials     for    hotbeds 

should  now 
be  prepared 
by  thorough- 
ly well  mix- 
ing them  to- 
gether. They 
will  be  needed 
for  such 
crops  as  Car- 
rots, Turnips, 
and  Radishes. 
Radishes 
might  also 
be  sown  be- 
tween rows 
of  Potatos 
where  these 
are  planted 
in  heated 
frames.  Sticks 
required  for 
Peas  and 
RunnerBeans 
should  be  examined,  and  provision  made  for 
obtaining  fresh  ones.  It  will  be  much  better 
to  have  these  cut  during  the  winter  season,  as 
they  will  then  last  much  longer  than  if  left 
until  the  sap  begins  to  rise.  They  may  be  sorted 
into  sizes  and  pointed  ready  for  use  when  they 
are  required.  Labels  should  also  be  collected, 
cleaned  and  painted.  The  prevalence  of  wet 
weather  also  affords  an  opportunity  to  ex- 
amine all  the  roots  in  the  store-house,  this  being 
necessary  owing  to  such  causes  as  damp  from 
drip,  injury  by  rats,  Sec,  which  are  often  very 
troublesome  at  this  season. 

Tomatos. — Young  plants  will  require  potting, 
if  they  have  not  already  been  given  this  atten- 
tion. The  compost  should  consist  of  fine  loam, 
with  a  good  proportion  of  manure  obtained 
from  a  spent  Mushroom  bed.  Keep  the  roots 
of  the  young  plants  well  on  the  dry  side  till 
the  leaves  show  signs  of  flagging,  when  they 
should  receive  a  good  soaking  of  water,  after 
which  the  roots  will  soon  become  active  and 
the  plants  require  another  shift. 

Cauliflowers. — Late  plants  of  the  variety 
Autumn  Giant,  also  plants  of  Snow's  Winter 
White,  will  now  be  furnishing  useful  curds,  but 
if  left  out  in  the  open  may  be  injured  either  by 
frosts,  excessive  wet,  or  snow.  If  these  are 
lifted  and  stored  in  a  shed  or  similar  place  they 
will  last  in  good  condition  for  a  much  longer 
period. 

Broccoli. — Such  varieties  as  Autumn  Mam- 
moth, &c,  will  in  some  instances  be  on  the 
point  of  "  turning-in,"  and  will  require  protec- 
tion. 

THE  HARDY  FRUIT  GARDEN. 

By  J.  Mayne,  Gardener  to  Lord  Clinton,  Bicton, 
East  Devon. 

The  Grape  vine. — The  best  season  for  the  prun- 
ing of  the  vine  is  the  end  of  the  summer,  as  soon 
as  the  leaves  have  dropped.  If  the  vines  are 
trained  on  the  spur  system  all  the  lateral 
growths  should  be  cut  to  two  buds,  but  if  the 

extension 
system  is 
practised, 
shorten  the 
leading 
shoots  to 
about  3}  feet. 
The  rods 
should  be 
trained  18 
inches  apart, 
and  when  a 
cane  becomes 
exhausted  it 
should  be 
entirely  re- 
moved and  a 
young  shoot 
trained  in  its 
place.  Wash 
the  bark  of 
the  shoots 
with  a  little  soft  soap  and  sulphur.  Remove  the 
old  litter  from  the  border  and  apply  a  top-dress, 
ing,  either  of  soot,  wood-ashes,  or  lime,  which 
should  be  pointed  in  with  a  fork. 


Loganberries,  Gr>c. — If  the  old  canes  were  cut 
away  at  the  end  of  the  fruiting  season,  there 
remains  little  to  be  done  beyond  a  re-arrange- 
ment of  the  current  year's  growths,  and  their 
shortening  back  to  a  prominent  bud.  Black- 
berries and  the  Wineberry  should  be  afforded  the 
same  treatment  as  the  Loganberry.  If  not 
already  applied,  afford  a  good  mulch  of  strong 
manure,  as  all  these  brambles  are  gross  feeders. 
These  plants  are  suitable  for  training  on  arches, 
pergolas,  or  depending  chains,  and  in  this  con- 
nection the  Loganberry  is  the  best  plant.  Plant- 
ing may  still  be  undertaken  in  suitable  weather. 

A  review  of  the  season. — Late  spring  frosts, 
cold,  cutting  winds,  and  an  absence  of  sunshine 
in  summer,  all  had  a  share  in  frustrating  the 
early  hopes  of  a  good  fruit  harvest,  especially 
the  Apple,  which  was  by  far  the  worst  crop  of 
the  season.  Other  crops  were  generally  satis- 
factory. Although  there  were  frequent  wet  days 
during  the  warmer  months  of  the  year,  the  rain- 
fall was  not  heavy  in  the  west,  but  the  rains  of 
the  past  10  weeks  have  made  good  the  deficiency. 
The  wet  weather  has  delayed  the  planting  of 
fruit  trees  and  bushes,  especially  on  heavy  land. 
Although  the  season  has  been  comparatively  cold 
and  sunless,  compared  with  that  of  last  year, 
fruit  trees  in  general  promise  a  good  show  of 
blossom  buds  ;  the  month  of  September  being 
exceptionally  bright  and  dry  favoured  the  ripen- 
ing of  the  wood. 

THE  FLOWER  GARDEN. 

By  A.  C.  Bartlett,  Gardener  to  Mrs.  Ford,  Pencarrow, 
Cornwall, 

Pruning  shrubs,  &°c. — Although  the  present 
time  is  not  the  best  suited  for  pruning,  yet  in 
gardens  where  there  are  many  hedge  and  other 
plants  that  require  pruning,  much  of  the  trim- 
ming must  perforce  be  done  during  the  winter, 
and  unless  hard  frosts  occur  immediately  after 
the  ordinary  pruning  of  hedges  and  the  com- 
moner shrubs,  no  harm  accrues.  In  the  case 
of  Laurel,   the  shoots  are  pruned  much  easier 

now  than 
later  od, 
when  they 
materially 
toughen. 
The  shrubs- 
which  re- 
quire a  se- 
vere pruning 
must  be  left 
until  the 
spring,  as 
there  is  a 
great  danger 
of  killing 
even  the  har- 
diest species 
if  they  are 
cut  hard 
back  in  the 
winter.  The 
pruning  of 
winter     and 

spring-flowering  shrubs  must  be  left  until  they 
have  made  their  display  of  flowers.  If  possible, 
it  is  a  saving  of  labour  to  burn  the  prunings  on 
the  spot  in  a  smother-fire,  taking  care  that  the 
wind  is  blowing  away  from  the  residence  before 
starting  the  fire.  A  fire  of  slow  combustion 
yields  the  greatest  quantity  of  valuable  wood 
ashes. 

Euonymus  curopecus  should  be  planted  more 
often,  especially  in  shrubberies  and  along 
the  margins  of  woods  for  winter  effect.  When 
the  leaves  fall,  a  quantity  of  scarlet  fruits  with 
orange-coloured  axils  are  exposed  to  view. 
These  fruits  hang  after  the  birds  have  cleared 
the  berries  from  the  Holly  and  Cotoneaster  fri- 
gida.  The  Spindle-tree  delights  in  partial 
shade,  and  no  soil  seems  too  poor  for  it  to 
grow  in.  The  best-fruited  example  I  have  s;en 
was  growing  on  a  heap  of  rubble  in  a  stone 
quarry. 

Frames  containing  cuttings. — Although  the 
fairlv  hardy,  the  cuttings  of  such  plants  as  An- 
tirrhinums, Calceolarias,  Pentstemons,  and 
Phloxes  in  frames  must  now  be  protected  by 
placing  bracken,  stable  litter,  or  leaves  around 
the  frames.  Continue  to  open  the  lights  for  ven. 
tilation  whenever  possible,  in  order  to  obtain 
sturdy  plants,  but  cover  the  glass  at  night-time 
with  a  mat  or  other  protection  whenever  mors- 
than  3  or  4  degrees  of  frost  is  imminent. 


I'm  imoer  28,  1907. 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


447 


PUBLIC  PARKS  AND  GARDENS. 
By  W.  w.  Pettigrew,  Superintendent  ol   the   Parks  and 

Open   Spaces  In  the  < - 1 1 y  of  <  .mllll. 

The  head  of  parks  departments. — The  question 
as  to  the  profession  of  the  chief  official  of  a 
public  parks  department  is  one  of  the  utmost 
importance  to  all  park  superintendents,  and  one 
which  has  a  very  material  bearing  upon  the  ulti- 
mate success  in  the  administration  of  sui  h  parks. 
Notwithstanding  the  fact  that  many  of  the 
duties  of  the  head  of  a  parks  department  are 
entirely  outside  the   sphere  of  actual   gardening, 

yet  fur  the 
proper  dis- 
largi  oi  tin- 
most  iinj  i  .i  i 
ant  part  of  his 
office  it  is 
essential  that 
he  should  be  a 
iractical  hor- 
ticulturist. 
I  n  f  o  r  t  u- 
tately  in  sev- 
eral of  our 
cities  and 
large  towns 
there  is  no 
practical  man 
at  the  head 
of  the  parks, 
nor  are  the 
park  s  even 
managed  by  a 
special  de- 
partment, but  are  controlled  by  the  committee 
which  has  charge  of  the  streets  and  highways, 
a  condition  of  things  not  often  to  the  advantage 
of  the  parks. 

One  can  readily  understand  that  in  a  small 
town  where  there  may  be  but  one  or  two  open 
spaces,  it  would  hardly  be  necessary  to  have  a 
special  department  charged  with  their  manage- 
ment. In  large  towns,  however,  where  there  are 
a  number  of  parks  and  a  large  staff  of  men  em- 
ployed on  park  work,  the  case  is  different,  and 
one  naturally  expects  their  aduu  to  be 

■entrusted  to  a  special  department,  the  chic 
cial  of  which  is  a  trained  gardener  and  not,  as 
is  sometimes  the  case,  an  engineer  01 

Let  it  be  distinctly  understood  that  the  0 
iion   to  engineers  or  solicitors  being  the   heads 
of  parks  departments  is  not  one  of  professional 
jealousy,  nor  yet  the  desire  to  create  more  lucra- 
tive posts  for  gardeners,  but  simply  on  the  com- 
mon-sense ground,  that  their  holding  pos 
for  which  they  have  never  received  the  slightest 
practical    training    cannot    tend    to    the    tx 
terests  of  ratepayers  or  of  public  gardening. 

In  the  same  way  that  a  medical  man  is  the 
proper  person  to  have  charge  of  the  n 
officer  of  health's  department,  and  a  civil  engi- 
neer of  the  surveying  department,  a  train' 
dener  who  thoroughly  understands  his  work  is. 
undoubtedly  the  right  person  to  be  chief  of  that 
department  which  is  responsible  for  the  manage- 
ment of  a  town's  public  parks  and  gardens. 

In  those  towns  where  a  practical  gardener  is 
at  the  head  of  park  affairs,  it  is  generally  found 
that  gardening  work  is  much  better  carried  out 
than  where  an  official  of  another  profession  is 
the  responsible  chief.  Where  the  gardener  has 
the  sway,  natural  beauties  are  usually  made  the 
most  cf :  trees,  shrubs,  and  flowering  plants  are 
seen  both  in  greater  variety  and  profusion,  and 
formalities  so  characteristic  of  the  engineer's 
work  in  the  park  are  reduced  to  a  minimum. 

A  surveyor  who  is  at  present  responsible  to 
a  certain  Council  in  the  West  for  all  the  horti- 
cultural work  it  carries  out  confessed  to  me  the 
other  day  that  he  could  never  see  any  great 
advantage  in  planting  different  varieties  of  trees 
about  a  town.  To  him  a  tree  was  merely  a 
green-leaf-bearing  object  and  nothing  more,  one 
kind  of  which  was  equally  as  good  as  another  ! 
Hence  he  invariably  planted  the  same  kind  of 
tree,  as  it  was  cheap  and  easily  obtained.  Judg- 
ing by  the  lack  of  variety  met  with  among 
trees  in  many  towns,  this  gentleman  is  appar- 
ently not  the  only  member  of  his  profession  who 
holds  these  views. 

Gardeners  should  endeavour  in  every  legiti- 
mate way  to  induce  public  bodies  to  rec  s 
the  principle  that  properly  qualified  horticul- 
turists are  the  right  persons  to  be  the  head  of 
a  parks  department.  As  a  means  of  materially 
assisting  in  this  direction,  park  superintendents 
■should  organise  themselves  in  a  similar  manner 


to  those  in   Amerii  a,   when  they  would  be  in  a 
better  position  to  lay  their  views  upon  this  and 
other  questions  before   public  bodies   than    thi 
are  at  the  present  moment. 

Aftei    all,   however,  the  one  great  essential   in 
bringing   about    the    proper   recognition    ol    gal 
deners   in   this   matter  lies   in  their   being   fully 
q  liable  .1  to  .  any  on  the  duties  requin  d  oi  thi  m 
Hence  it  behoves  .ill  young  gardenei      .- ! 
desirous  of  going  into  public  servi.  e  to  do  every- 
thing  in   th<tr   power   to   fit  themselves   for  the 
entire  management  of  a  public  parks  department. 


THE    ORCHID    HOUSES. 

By  W.  II.  White,  Orchid  Grower  to  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence, 

I  .11  I  ,  Burford,  Surrey. 

The  Mexiean  house. — Laelia  anceps  and  its 
numerous  varieties  are  now  opening  their 
flowers.  When  the  plants  have  done  blooi 
they  should  receive  much  less  water  at  the  roof 
than  hitherto,  but  the  pseudo-bulbs  mu  I  be  I  •  pf 
in  a  fairly  plump  condition,  and  win!,  at  ri  I 
the  atmospheric  temperature  of  the  house  at 
night  may  be  kept  at  from  50°  to  55°.  The  pi 
L.    rubescens    (acuminata!    is     also     in     bloom. 

There  are  two 
distinct  varie- 
ties one  hav- 
ing nearly 
white  flowers 
and  the  other 
flushed  with 
rose,  bo  t  li 
having  a  dark 
maroon  apol 
at  the  ba  e 
the  lip.  ft  is 
ucan 
species,  and 
maybe 
with  the  I. 
anceps. These 
Lzlias  should 
be  re  | 
v.  hen  t  li  e  y 
commence  to 
show  new 
roots    from 

the       current 
rowth.      The    rare    Oncidium    Caven- 
diahia  thrives  well  in  this  house,  and 

now  the   plant   is   sending   up   it  Mower- 

spikes  it  should   be  placed  in  the  lightest 
tion  available.     If  the  con.;  lamp, 

the   large,   thii  k,    leathery   leaves   will   decay   at 
their  ba-e  and   fall   off.      After   the  plants  have 
flowered  they  v.  ill  require  a  good  rest,  tie ■: 
partially     withhold     water     until      growth 
commence^.     The    well-known     Peristeria    elata 
[oi    Dovt    Orchid),   having   completed   its   large 
pseudo-bulbs,  will  also  require  a  Ion 
the  dry  atm  ■         the  Mexican  bouse  i 

best  place  for  it.  Keep  the  plant  well  on  the 
dry  side  until  it  begins  to  grow  again.  The  less- 
known  P.  I.indenii  requires  the  same  treatment. 
Re-polling  in  winter. — During  the  winter 
months  it  is  not  advisable  to  disturb  many 
Orchids  by  re-potting,  &c,  but  in  a  large  and 
miscellaneous  collection,  such  as  we  have  at 
Burford,  there  are  some  species  which  will  re- 
quire surh  attention.  At  the  present  time  there 
are  the  Maxillarias,  which  not  only  require  pot- 
ting, but  will  bear  the  operation  better 
than  at  any  other  period.  Such  handsome  and 
strong-growing  kinds  as  M.  venusta  and  M. 
grandiflor.-i,  that  have  recently  flowered,  should 
be  examined,  and,  if  necessary,  be  re-potted,  so 
also  may  such  varieties  as  M.  Iepidota 
fucata,  M,  fractiflexa,  M.  phoenicanthera,  M. 
ens,  M.  luteo-alba,  M.  Lin- 
deniae,  M.  Hubschii,  M.  elegantula,  M.  ochro- 
leuca,  '.'  ■:,  M.  rufescens, 

M.  humiii-.    \I.  przestans,  M.  picta,  the  rare    '.I. 
lis,       &c.         These       Maxillarias       grow 
thoroughly   well   in    a  dium 

fibre  and  Osmunda  fibre  in  equal  parts, 
ping  the  fibre  moderately  fine,  and  mixing  plenty 
of   small   crocks   with   it.     D  ly   any 

sphagnum-moss.     Pot  each  plant  with  moderate 
firmne-  lly  in  the  centre,  bee; 

ther  with  equal  compactness  as  at 
es  of  the  pot,  that  part  of  the  compost 
which  is  not  firm  will  quickly  become  satc- 
and  may  cause  considerable  injur)'  to  the  plant. 
The  handsome  M.  Sanderiana  should  be  grown 
in  a  shallow  teak-wood  basket.     As  these  Maxil- 


require  liberal   root-waterings  dun 

•  -i  ion  oi  growth,  it  i  i  thai  ih  recep 
'■"  1<  i  hould  l"  thoroughly-  well  drained.  'I  he 
i  ""I''  I  p. nt  ol  the  inl.i  in.  diati  lion  •■  is  the 
!■■    i    plai  e  foi    tie  : 

'  '■"  hlioda      '      Noetzliana    I       ni  .me  um    I 

•  i  iguini  mi,,    and    '       striatum    like    pi-  nty   of 
watei  at  all  si  and  thri      best  v  hi  n  nun  | 

d  by  tin     ide  of  thi  m 

hould  be    u  pended  Bucfa  dwarf-growing  Odon- 

■  '      0     Ro     i,    0     Oersti  dii    (both 

i  v  in  bloom),  O.  C<  rvante  ii,  I ). 

am,   0    li  umi  anum 


FRUITS  UNDER  GLASS. 
Bjr  Alexander  Kirk.  Gardener  to  I,  Thou  on  Pato 

Nerve.-.. i.  Alio  i,  '  i.i-  I  mannan 

Vineries.     The    bunches    oi    Grapes   that   are 

still   hanging  of  such   varieties  as   l.ady   Do 
arid    l  adj    Hutl    should   he  examin<  d    t  a«  fully 
three  times   each   week    f.,r    the    purpose   of    re- 
I'.toen  iei.       Vineries    in    whii  h 
Grape    are  hanging     hould  be  kept  as  dry  and 

1    ■  ■■  'i  a  i  •      i m 

be  at  on' e  removed      On  dull  and  wet  day    pro- 
vide  a    little    heat    from     the    hot  -  .■. 

W  li  e  n  e  ■■  <■  r 
pos  bit;  al- 
low a  small 
amount  '.  f 
ventilation  by 

tures  at  night 
time.     In  the 

frost',  the 
houses 

ipletely 
closed  and 

al   heat 

W hen    fire 
heat  is  appli- 
ed  in    I 
that   ar< 

is    al- 
ways   ' 
of  steai 
moi  .lure    611- 
■ 

which  is  detrimental  to  tie  .'  ripe 

'  /rapes.   'I  h  atOt  is 

allowed  to  remain  open  a  trifle.  Vines  from 
almost  all  the  I 
beentirely  their  fruit.     Whcnevei 

..■■/■   18  or  20  i  tem  when  cutting 

the  bunch.     This  will  alio  ■    12  oi   15 
stem  below  the  bunch  and  6  Have 

ready  sufficient  bottles  filled   with    fresh   water, 
and   insert  the  longest  end   of   I  in   the 

water.      If  in   the 

bottles  it  will  assist  in  keeping  the  watei 

All   vines   that   have  cast   their   leaves   should 
be  pruned,  as  advised   in   a  previous  calender, 
one    month    or    more    before    they     are     t 
started  into  growth.     The  I 

»le,  but  without  admitting  I 
This    rest    will    be   valuable   to  the    plant 
they    will    start    freely    int  ■■.hen    the 

I 
Young  vine;  should  now  be  pruned.     Cut  the 
weaker    rods    down    to    within    .';  A     the 

ground.       Si  es    should    not    be    cut    so 

hard,  and   tl  I  may  even  be  allow       8 

feet  of  growth   that   will   carry  two   b 
('■rapes  the  next  year.     Fruiting  them  will  cause 
them   to  maW:  a  more 
growth   is   undesirable   in   vine   culture. 
the     house     well     with     hi 

Dress  the  canes  twice  wit' 
pound  according  to  the  directii 
the   specific.     If   red 

e  ho  k  " 

be   lire  mixing   sulphur  with   the 

Remove  the 

replace    with    fit  with 

which  has  been  mixeda6-i:  t .and 

plant    I  Next 

test  thi  with  the  I 

the  soil  is  fi 

.  hich    will 
for   -tartir.g   the   vines.       App 
mulch  and  allow  the  vines  as  long  a  ry;r 
rest  a  ble,  that  they 

naturally, 
ceed  if  forced  ;   on   no  account  should  fire-heat 
be  applied  unless  the  buds  are  swe! 


448 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[December  28,  1907. 


EDITORIAL     NOTICE. 


ADVERTISEMENTS  should  be  sent  to  the  PUB- 
LISHER, 41,  Wellington  Street,  Covent  Garden, 
W.C. 

Letters  for  Publication,  as  welt  as  specimens:  and  plants 
tor  naming,  should  be  addressed  to  the  EDITOR, 
41,  Wellington  Street,  Covent  Garden,  London. 
Communications  should  be  written  on  one  side  only  of 
the  paper,  sent  as  early  in  the  week  as  possible  and  duly 
signed  by  the  writer.  If  desired,  the  signature  will  not  be 
printed,  but  kept  as  a  guarantee  of  good  faith. 

special  Notice  to  Correspondents.— The  Editor  does  not 
undettake  to  pay  for  any  contributions  or  illustrations,  or 
to  return  unused  communications  or  illustrations,  unless  by 
special  arrangement.  The  Editor  does  not  hold  himself 
responsible  for  any  opinions  expressed  by  his  correspondents. 


APPOINTMENTS  FOR  THE  ENSUING  WEEK. 


TUESDAY,  DECEMBER  31— 

Roy.  Hort.  Soc.  Coins,  meet.      Brit.  Gard.   Assoc.  Ex. 
Council  meet. 

SALES    FOR    THE    ENSUING   WEEK. 

WEDNESDAY— 

Sale  of  Dutch   Bulbs,   &c,  at   Stevens'   Rooms,  King 

Street,  Covent  Garden,  W.C. 

Hardy  Border  and  Herbaceous  Plants  and  Bulbs,  at  11  ; 

Roses  and  Fruit  Trees,  at  1.30  ;  Azaleas,  Palms,  &c,  at 

5;  at  67  &  68,  Cheapside,  E.C.,  by  Protheroe  &  Morris. 
FRIDAY— 

Herbaceous  Plants  and  Bulbs,  Roses,  Azaleas,  &c,  at 

11 ;  Orchids  in  variety  at  12.45;  at  67  &  68,  Cheapside, 

E.C.,  by  Protheroe  &  Morris. 


Average  Mean  Temperature  for  the  ensuing  week, 
deduced  from  observations  during  the  last  Fifty  Years 
at  Greenwich— S8"4°. 


Events  of 
the  Year, 


Our  present  issue  will  close  the 
records  for  another  year,  and, 
therefore,  the  opportunity  is  af- 
forded for  reflecting  upon  the  events  that 
have  characterised  it,  with  the  view  of  tak- 
ing stock,  so  to  speak,  of  the  present  position. 
It  is  not,  however,  an  easy  matter  to  esti- 
mate at  their  correct  value  circumstances  that 
will  have  to  come  under  consideration. 
A  wider  perspective  would  be  needed  to 
enable  us  definitely  to  decide  the  relative 
importance  that  they  will  eventually  have 
in  horticultural  history,  and  even  in  selecting 
a  few  subjects  for  special  mention  from  the 
events  of  the  year,  we  may  not  always 
succeed  in  choosing  those  which  will  have 
the  greatest  or  most  permanent  influence  on 
the  science  and  art  of  gardening. 

The  first  subject  that  may  be  mentioned 
carries  our  minds  back  to  the  memorable 
conference  on  hybridisation  and  plant- 
breeding  that  was  held  under  the  auspices 
of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  in  1906, 
and  to  which  reference  was  made  in  our 
review  in  December  last.  The  conference 
was  held  in  July,  but  so  exhaustive  were  the 
papers  read  at  that  gathering,  and  so  techni- 
cal were  they  in  detail,  that  the  Report  of 
the  proceedings  could  not  be  published  until 
the  spring  of  the  present  year.  This  Report 
constituted  a  volume  containing  486  pages 
and  was  freely  illustrated.  It  contains  infor- 
mation upon  the  latest  experiments  that  have 
been  conducted  in  connection  with  heredity 
and  hybridisation,  as  well  as  a  discussion  on 
the  allied  subject  of  variation  in  plants, 
whether  by  sudden  mutations  or  the  mixing 
in  one  individual  of  the  characteristics  pre- 
viously found  in  several  species.  This 
volume  will  continue  to  form  a  standard 
work  of  reference  on  the  subject  of  Genetics 
unlil  the  holding  of  the  next  international 
conference,  which  is  expected  to  take  place  in 
Paris  in  the  course  of  a  few  years.  The 
thanks  of  gardeners  and  botanists  alike  are 
due  to  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  for 
the  work  and  expense  entailed  by  the  confer- 
ence, and  especially  arc  they  due  to  Professor 


Bateson,  who  presided  over  the  extremely 
technical  debates,  as  well  as  to  the  Rev.  VV. 
Wilks,  who  edited  the  Report  of  the  Pro- 
ceedings. 

The  Society  has  also  instituted  a  research 
laboratory  in  the  gardens  at  Wisley,  and 
we  regard  this  step  as  one  of  the  most  im- 
portant events  of  the  year.  The  formal 
opening  of  the  laboratory  in  July  was  at- 
tended by  a  distinguished  company  of  scienti- 
fic men,  over  whom  Lord  Avebury  presided. 
The  minds  of  gardeners  generally  went  forth 
to  that  gathering  in  the  hope  that  careful 
and  exhaustive  experiments  will  in  future  be 
conducted  on  a  strictly  scientific  basis  at 
Wisley,  and  that  by  these  means  many  pro- 
blems connected  with  gardening  practices 
will  be  solved.  Fears  have  been  expressed 
that  Wisley  may  become  a  mere  school  of 
gardening  for  young  students  and  that  the 
work  involved  in  teaching  the  students  will 
in  a  measure  prevent  the  scientific  dircctor 
from  undertaking  original  research.  We  do 
not  share  these  fears,  because  we  believe  that 
the  Council  knows  perfectly  well  that  the 
Fellows  expect  the  Wisley  laboratory  to  be 
used  principally  for  increasing  the  general 
knowledge,  and  to  serve  only  in  the  second 
degree  for  teaching  purposes.  It  has  been 
already  suggested  in  these  columns  that  the 
inoculation  of  seeds  and  soil  with  bacteria 
obtained  from  the  nodules  found  on  the  roots 
of  leguminous  and  other  plants,  as  related  in 
our  three  previous  numbers  by  Professar  Bot- 
tomley,  is  a  subject  that  might  be  usefully 
submitted  to  experiments  at  Wisley.  The  de- 
mand for  nitrogenous  plant  food  over  the 
world's  surface  is  so  large  that,  if  means  can 
be  found  by  which  more  use  may  be  made  of 
the  nitrogen  contained  in  the  atmosphere 
than  is  possible  at  the  present  time,  the  result 
will  be  of  first-rate  importance. 

The  centenary  of  the  birth  of  Linnaeus 
afforded  a  fitting  opportunity  to  do  honour  to 
the  memory  of  this  great  Swedish  botanist. 
There  was  a  large  gathering  of  eminent  men 
at  Upsala,  and  this  was  attended  by  a  deputa- 
tion from  the  Linnean  Society  of  London,  and 
by  other  English  botanists,  the  English  dele- 
gates being  more  numerous  than  those  of  anv 
other  country.  During  the  proceedings  in 
Sweden  and  on  the  occasion  of  the  celebration 
of  the  Royal  Swedish  Academy  of  Sciences  on 
May  25,  Count  K.  A.  H.  Morner  announced 
that  the  newly-struck  Linnean  Medal  df  the 
Academy  would  be  presented  to  Sir  Joseph 
Dalton  Hooker  as  an  acknowledgment  of  his 
valuable  labours  in  botanical  science,  and  the 
presentation  was  made  subsequently.  Fur- 
ther Linnean  demonstrations  took  place  in 
other  countries,  and  the  Linnean  Society  of 
London  held  a  reception  and  soiree  on  June  7, 
when  an  exhibition  was  made  of  objects  as- 
sociated with  or  belonging  to  Linnaeus.  It 
will  be  remembered  that  Sir  Joseph  Hooker 
shortly  afterwards  attained  his  ninetieth 
birthday,  and  on  that  occasion  received  from 
II. M.  the  King  the  appointment  to  the  Order 
of  Merit.  Whilst  writing  of  Linnaeus,  who 
first  established  the  system  of  binominal 
nomenclature,  mention  may  be  made  of  the 
rules  and  regulations  adopted  by  the  great 
Congress  of  Botanists  held  at  Vienna  in  1905, 
and  published  at  the  commencement  of  the 
present  year.  It  is  as  essential  to  the  gar- 
dener as  to  the  botanist  that  the  naming  of 
plants   should   be    in   accordance    with    sound 


principles   which   secure   uniformity   in   prac- 
tice. 

The  establishment  of  a  chair  of  Forestry  at 
Cambridge  University  is  a  matter  for  satis- 
faction, and  the  selection  of  Dr.  Aug.  Henry 
for  the  position  commanded  general  approval. 
In  other  centres  the  facilities  for  the  teach- 
ing of  the  natural  sciences  have  been  in- 
creased, and  only  in  our  last  issue  attention 
was  drawn  to  a  munificent  legacy  for  the 
establishment  of  a  chair  of  Cryptogamic- 
Botany  at  Manchester.  Now  that  Forestry  is- 
recognised  as  a  subject  at  one  of  the  Univer- 
sities we  may  hope  to  see  in  the  future  a  chair 
of  Horticulture  instituted  for  the  purpose  of 
teaching  the  science  of  gardening. 

Turning  to  the  consideration  of  the  weather 
and  its  effects  upon  crops,  there  has  probably 
been  even  greater  excuse  for  maligning  the 
British  climate  this  season  than  usual.  In 
the  spring,  when  fruit  trees  were  blossoming,, 
the  prevalence  of  kite  frosts  seriously  injured 
the  flowers,  and  the  result  was  seen  in  a  very 
deficient  crop  of  Apples.  Pears  were  nearly  an 
average  crop,  but  Plums  were  so  abundant  as 
to  cause  a  glut  in  the  principal  markets. 
Small  fruits  were  plentiful,  but,  owing  k> 
damp  weather  and  little  sunshine,  Strawber- 
ries failed  to  ripen  well,  many  of  the  fruits 
decaying  during  the  lengthened  process. 
There  was  but  little  real  summer  weather 
during  the  whole  season,  and  the  few  hot, 
sunny  days  experienced  at  Faster  have  been 
described  as  the  summer  of  1907  !  The  gra:  s 
crops  were  abundant,  but  much  difficulty  was 
experienced  in  harvesting  the  hay  in  good 
condition,  and  the  corn  crops  in  some  dis- 
tricts were  still  in  the  fields  in  November. 
Notwithstanding  all  this,  however,  garden 
crops  of  vegetable-;  were  good,  and  on  light 
soil  were  better  than  usual,  especially  Bras- 
sicas,  these  requiring  much  moisture  at  their 
roots.  The  Potato  crops  were  not  so  satls- 
factory,  and  the  later  varieties  particularly 
suffered  much  damage  from  disease. 

The  information  upon  the  subject  of  the 
summer-pruning  of  fruit  trees  supplied  by  our 
correspondents  has  been  published  in  a  tabular 
form  in  our  columns  and  constitutes  the  first 
serious  attempt  that  has  been  made  to  present 
a  detailed  summary  of  the  methods  practised 
in  this  matter  by  fruit  cultivators  generally. 
Although  the  information  thus  obtained 
showed  that  the  practices  are  by  no  means 
uniform,  and  that  many  cultivators  have  no 
clear  conception  of  the  principles  upon  which 
their  operations  are  based,  nevertheless  it  may 
be  fairly  claimed  that  the  information  given 
will  afford  valuable  material  for  those  who 
may  feel  disposed  to  study  the  question. 

The  subsequent  discussion  at  a  meeting  of 
the  Scientific  Committee  failed  to  carrv  the 
matter  much  further,  and  the  whole  subject 
is  one  which  calls  for  systematic  and  careful 
experiment.  In  the  discussion  that  ensued  in 
our  own  columns  it  was  clear  that  many  corre- 
spondents omitted  to  take  notice  of  one  of 
the  most  obvious  distinctions  between  sum- 
mer and  winter-pruning.  They  suppose  1 
that,  if  pruning  in  winter  caused  the  trei  s 
to  break  into  stronger  growth,  by  disturbing 
the  balance  between  the  top  and  the  root 
growth,  the  effect  of  summer-pruning  would 
be  the  same,  neglecting  to  allow  for  the 
effect  of  the  partial  defoliation  thai  summer- 
pruning  imposes  upon  the  tree.^Jusl  wh.it 
this  effect   is  has  yet   to  be  determined,  but 


December  28,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


449 


some  cultivators  have  claimed  that  it  is  equi- 
valent to  that  obtained  by  pruning  the  roots. 
The  horticultural  exhibitions  have  been  as 
numerous,  or  mere  numerous,  than  ever.  The 
Temple  and  Holland  Park  Shows  were 
successful  functions,  and  the  meetings  in  the 
Royal  Horticultural  Hall  have  been  well 
attended.  It  is  satisfactory  to  note  here 
that  the  parent  Society,  which,  happily, 
continues  to  be  exceedingly  prosperous,  has 
seen  its  way  to  offer  more  favourable  condi- 
tions to  the  special  societies  who  may  desire 
to  hold  their  exhibitions  in  the  Vincent  Square 
Hall,  and  during  next  year  it  is  expected  that 
more  of  the  "  special  "  shows  will  be  held  in 
that  building  than  formerly. 

The  recent  successful  expansion  of  the 
National  Rose  Society  is  a  most  noteworthy 
circumstance.  Those  who  read  the  report 
published  in  our  last  issue  will  have  noticed 
that  the  membership  has  been  doubled  in  a 
period  of  five  years,  and  that  during  the  pre- 
sent year  the  Society  has  gained  577  new 
members.  Whilst  admitting  that  the  Rose 
has  unequalled  charms  to  attract  new  adher- 
ents, this  increased  prosperity  may  be  attri- 
buted in  a  large  measure  to  the  fact  that  the 
Society  has  ceased  to  regard  exhibitions  as 
the  sole  reason  for  its  existence,  and  has,  con- 
sequently, so  shaped  its  policy  as  to  be  cap- 
able of  affording  help  to  all  cultivators  of 
Roses,  whether  for  exhibition  or  not.  The 
late  President,  Mr.  C.  E.  Shea,  the  present 
President,  Mr  E.  B.  Lindsell,  and  the  Hon- 
orary Secretary,  Mr.  Edward  Mawley,  are 
congratulated  upon  the  success  the  Society 
has  achieved. 

The  Carnation  Societies,  Chrysanthemum 
Society,  Sweet  Pea,  Auricula,  and  Daffodil 
Societies  have  held  their  annual  shows  and 
continue  to  perform  useful  work.  The  Potato 
Society  alone  has  ceased  to  exist.  There  is 
no  doubt  this  Society  rendered  useful  service 
in  attempting  to  reduce  the  number  of  names 
by  properly  conducted  trials,  but  the  agricul- 
tural and  gardening  interests  were  not  identi- 
cal, and  without  the  support  of  both  of  these 
sections  the  Society  could  not  live. 

The  British  Gardeners'  Association  has 
increased  its  membership  during  the  year, 
and  in  May  last  issued  the  first  number  of  a 
quarterly  Journal  that  should  prove  of  the 
greatest  value  as  affording  a  means  for  gar- 
deners to  discuss  questions  for  which  space 
cannot  always  be  found  in  the  public  Press. 
So  long  as  the  management  of  the  Associa- 
tion is  conducted  with  a  due  regard  for  the 
rights  of  gardeners  and  their  employers,  it 
will  continue  to  deserve  the  support  of  all 
fair-minded  men,  and  by  its  aid  much  may 
be  done  to  raise  the  position  of  the  rank  and 
file  of  gardeners  and  to  increase  the  status  of 
the  profession  itself. 

The  recent  federation  of  Mutual  Improve- 
ment Societies  under  the  auspices  of  the 
Royal  Horticultural  Society  is  likely  to  prove 
helpful  to  these  societies  in  the  excellent  work 
that  engages  their  attention. 

The  gardening  charities  have  continued  to 
help  the  needy,  and  in  turn  have  received  a 
large  measure  of  public  support.  In  the  field 
of  legislation  several  Acts  have  been  passed 
which  will  have  effects  upon  horticulture. 
The  Destructive  Insects  and  Pests  Act  has 
given  to  the  Board  of  Agriculture  and 
Fisheries  power  to  adopt  measures  for  the 
prevention    of    pests    and    diseases,   and   the 


Board  has  recently  exercised  its  power  by 
prohibiting  the  importation  of  Gooseberry 
bushes,  with  a  view  of  preventing  the  spread 
of  the  American  Gooseberry-mildew.  The 
Weights  and  Measures  Act  is  already  in 
operation,  and  the  Small  Holdings  Act  will 
come  into  force  on  January  1.  The  pro- 
visions of  this  latter  Act,  in  so  far  as  they  are 
likely  to  affect  our  readers,  will  form  the  sub- 
ject of  an  article  in  our  next  issue.  The  Pre- 
vention of  Corruption  Act  became  effective  on 
January  1  of  the  present  year,  and  it  is  plea- 
sant to  record  that  during  the  year  no  offence 
under  this  Act  has  been  alleged  against  a 
gardener.  We  believe  that  the  business  in- 
tegrity of  gardeners  generally  is  as  high  or 
higher  than  that  of  any  other  calling,  and 
this  is  shown  to  be  the  case. 

The  obituary  list  is  an  exceptionally  heavy 
one,  and  it  is  a  peculiarly  sad  one  for  our- 
selves. The  late  Dr.  Masters,  who  edited 
this  journal  for  a  period  of  41  years,  passed 
away  on  May  31  after  an  illness  which  lasted 
during  the  whole  of  that  month.  Many  of 
our  readers  knew  him  well,  and  the  services 
he  rendered  to  horticulture.  We  need  not 
repeat  the  expressions  of  our  own  feelings 
which  were  published  in  the  issue  for  June  X. 
The  Council  of  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society  is  now  engaged  in  raising  a  sum  of 
money  for  endowing  a  series  of  "  Masters  " 
lectures,  which  will  bear  witness  to  the  public 
esteem  for  Dr.  Masters  and  further  the  cause 
of  horticultural  education  in  which  he  was 
greatly  interested.  Among  deaths  which 
have  occurred  may  be  mentioned  those  of  Sir 
Dietrich  Brandis,  whose  excellent  work  on 
Indian  Trees  was  published  early  in  the  year; 
Sir  Michael  Foster,  so  eminent  in  the  scientific 
world  and  an  active  personality  in  gardening 
circles ;  Sir  Thomas  Hanburv,  whose  gift  of 
the  Wisley  Gardens  to  the  R.H.S.  will  be 
remembered  with  gratitude ;  Sir  Frederick 
Wigan ;  Lord  Aldenham ;  Rev.  S.  Eugenie 
Bourne;  and  Lord  Battersea,  all  names  that 
were  familiar  in  gardening  circles.  Of  nur- 
serymen we  have  lost  James  H.  Yeitch,  F.  Q. 
Lane,  Stephen  Walker,  George  May,  and  L. 
Duval;  of  gardeners,  Charles  Jordan,  John 
W'allis,  J.  Allsop,  John  Newton  and  others, 
whilst  in  the  death  of  Mr.  J.  Assbee,  Covent 
Garden  Market  has  to  regret  the  loss  of  its 
superintendent. 


*,*  Our  Almanac— According  to  our  usual 
practice  we  shall  shortly  issue  a  Gardeners'  Chronicle 
Almanac  for  the  year  1908.  In  order  to  make  it  as 
useful  as  possible  for  reference,  we  shall  be  obliged  if 
Secretaries  of  Horticultural,  Botanical  and  Allied 
Societies,  or  any  of  our  correspondents,  will  send  us 
immediate  intimation  of  all  fixtures  for  the 
coming  year. 

Our  Supplementary  Illustration  to  the 

present  issue  depicts  a  winter  scene  in  one  of 
the  most  remarkable  tree  gardens  in  the  world. 
The  Arnold  Arboretum  contains  every  species 
of  tree  that  is  capable  of  withstanding  the  severe 
winters  of  New  England,  and  should  be  visited 
by  any  English  horticulturists  who  may  happen 
to  go  to  America.  Our  readers  are  aware  that 
Mr.  E  H.  Wilson  is  now  engaged  in  collecting 
plants  in  China  on  behalf  of  the  American 
Government,  and  it  is  certain  therefore  that 
the  Arnold  Arboretum  will  become  even  more 
famous  when  the  new  introductions  from  that 
Eastern  country  are  brought  into  cultivation 
there    under   the    direction    of    Professor    C.    S. 


Sargent.  We  do  not  often  have  a  "white" 
Christmas  in  England  in  these  days,  but  in  the 
cold  winter  climate  of  Massachusetts  it  is  the 
rule  and  not  the  exception. 

Flowers  in  Season.  —  From  Mr.  Ben. 
Ashton,  Lathom  Gardens,  Ormskirk,  we  have 
received  some  excellent  inflorescences  of 
Euphorbia  (Poinsettia)  pulcherrinra.  In  send- 
ing them,  Mr.  Ashton  states  that  they  were 
propagated  in  May,  and  have  been  grown 
throughout  the  summer  in  a  cool  frame,  being 
transferred  to  a  warm  house  in  September.  The 
plants  range  from  2  to  5  feet  in  height,  and  are 
furnished  with  foliage  down  lo  the  pots,  which 
measure  5  inches  in  diameter.  The  plants  have 
been  given  liberal  applications  of  liquid 
manures. 

Royal  Meteorological   Society.— At  the 

monthly  meeting  of  this  society,  held  on  the 
18th  instant,  at  the  Institution  of  Civil  Engi- 
neers, Dr.  H.  R.  Mill,  president,  in  the  chair, 
Mr.  R.  Strachan  read  a  paper  on  "Indications 
of  Approaching  Frost,"  in  which  he  said  that 
for  the  purpose  of  making  forecasts  the  dry  and 
wet  bulb  thermometers  should  be  noted  at  or 
after  sunset,  or  at  9  p.m.,  and  the  amount  of 
cloud  at  the  time,  and  during  the  fore  part  of 
the  night  if  convenient.  The  dew  point  can  be 
found  by  reference  to  hygrometrical  tables. 
When  the  dew  point  is  at  or  below  32°,  frost  is 
in  evidence,  but  may  be  evanescent,  due  to  a 
rise  of  temperature,  with  change  of  wind,  rain, 
or  overcast  sky.  Even  when  it  is  above  32",  if 
the  sky  is  clear  it  is  possible  that  the  tempera- 
ture on  the  ground  will  fall  low  enough  for  frost 
to  form.  Thus  the  evening  observations  should 
lead  to  a  good  idea  of  what  may  happen  during 
the  night. 

Winter-Flowering  Carnations.— In  addi- 
tion to  the  awards  to  new  varieties  mentioned 
in  our  report  on  p.  420  of  the  show  of  the 
Winter-Flowering  Carnation  Society,  First- 
Class  Certificates  were  awarded  to  two  varieties 
exhibited  by  Mr.  A.  F.  Dctton,  The  Nurseries, 
Iver,  Bucks.  These  were  Winsor,  a  large 
flower  of  pink  colour,  and  Melody,  a  pretty 
blush-tinted   flower. 

Farm    Colony   for    Unemployed    Men. — ■ 

At  a  recent  meeting  of  the  Edinburgh  Distress 
Committee,  Mr.  Richard  Cairns,  of  the  Public 
Parks  Department,  Edinburgh,  was  appointed 
manager  of  the  Murieston  Estate,  which  the 
Committee  have  purchased  for  the  purposes  of 
establishing  a  farm  colony.  Mr.  Cairns  has 
been  employed  in  the  gardens  at  Dalhousie 
Castle  and  Dalkeith  Palace,  and  latterly  he  held 
the  post  of  farm  manager  to  Mr.  Martin  White, 
Balruddery,   near  Dundee. 

Elementaty  Botany*. — This  little  book  is 
intended  for  use  in  schools,  and  should  serve 
its  purpose  fairly  well.  It  is,  however,  by  no 
means  free  from  errors  ;  thus  on  p.  49  the  remark- 
able statement  is  made  that  "  the  embryo  sac 
enlarges  gradually,  enclosing  the  whole  of  the 
nucellus."  Of  course  it  does  nothing  of  the  sort. 
Again,  in  speaking  of  the  growth  in  length  of 
roots  on  p.  66,  cell  division  is  confounded  with 
cell  growth.  As  it  is  now  becoming  a  common 
feature  in  elementary  books  on  botany,  plant 
physiology  is  accorded  a  place,  but  the  treatment 
is  rather  superficial,  and  the  account  given  of 
absorption  of  water  and  its  relation  to  osmosis 
on  p.  80  is  entirely  misleading.  The  subject  of 
osmosis  seems  to  be  commonly  misapprehended 
by  the  majority  of  those  who  write  this  class  of 
books,  but  in  view  of  its  importance  it  ought  to 
be  more  thoroughly  studied.  In  spite  of  these 
blemishes,  however,  the  general  method  of  the 
book  is  commendable,  and  could  easily  be  made 
the  basis  of  a  good  elementary  course  in  botany. 

*  By  M.  A.  Liversidge.  London  :  Blackie  &  Son,  Lid.,  1907. 


250 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[December  38,  1907. 


The  Cultivation  of  Bananas  in  Costa 
Rica. — Some  idea  of  the  nature  and  extent  of  the 
Banana  production  in  Costa  Rica  may  be 
gathered  from  a  recent  report  on  the  subject, 
from  which  we  take  the  following  notes.  The 
plants  grow  all  the  year  round,  the  shoots  begin 
to  produce  at  the  age  of  nine  months,  and  are 
cut  down  every  season.  The  Banana  bunches 
are  measured  by  hands,  each  perfect  hand  con- 
taining 22  Bananas;  The  average  number  of 
hands  on  a  bunch  ranges  from  7  to  22,  and  the 
average  number  of  Bananas  on  a  bunch  is  144, 
though  a  few  bunches  have  been  found  bearing 
more  than  500.  The  land  along  the  coast  is  pecu- 
liarly adapted  to  Banana  cultivation.  While  the 
Banana  plants  throve  for  awhile  in  other  coun- 
tries of  Central  America,  no  soil  seemed  rich 
enough  to  stand  the  continuous  cultivation  of  the 
fruit  save  Costa  Rica  and  Upper  Panama.  Fif- 
teen bunches  of  fruits  is  the  estimate  yield  per 
acre. each  month,  and,  taking  the  average  of  144 
Bananas  to  the  bunch,  it  will  be  seen  that  each 
acre  will  produce  15,920  Bananas.  The  United 
Fruit  Co.  owns  150,000  acres  of  land  suitable  for 
Banana  culture,  the  greater  portion  of  which  is 


The  Heating  of  Haystacks.— The  spon- 
taneous combustion  of  Hay  when  it  has  been 
stacked  in  a  damp  and  green  condition  is  one 
of  the  most  singular  of  agricultural  phenomena. 
Although  the  causes  have  been  repeatedly  in- 
vestigated, it  cannot  even  yet  be  said  that  the 
matter  is  fully  explained.  But  the  results  of 
some  recent  investigations  seem  to  prove  that 
the  process  is  a  complex  one,  beginning  with  the 
effects  of  microbes  which  set  up  fermentation, 
and  continuing  as  chemical  changes  that  proceed 
after  the  high  temperature  has  effectually  killed 
the  microbes  that  started  it  in  the  first  instance. 
It  is  found,  as  the  result  of  careful  experiments, 
that  when  the  grass  is  heaped  up  and  the  tem- 
perature begins  to  rise,  there  is  a  concomitant 
development  within  the  mass  of  certain  definite 
micro-organisms  or  microbes.  Some  of  these 
belong  to  the  class  of  moulds,  but  others  are  of 
bacterial  nature.  It  seems  probable  that  two 
of  the  latter  are  mainly  responsible  for  the  first 
rise  in  temperature,  viz.,  Bacillus  coli  and  B.  cal- 
factor.  The  first-mentioned  organism  flourishes 
at  about  100°  Fahr.  and  the  second  at  about 
140     Fahr.     But  when,   owing  to  the   iermenta- 


FlG. 


IQI.— VIEW    IN    PROFESSOR    TKEUBERG's    GARDEN,    SOUTH    RUSSIA. 


remote  from  the  railway,  and  is  not  yet  utilised 
fur  the  production  of  Bananas.  Last  year  the 
company  purchased  about  half  the  Bananas  it 
shipped.  Many  growers  own  their  own  farms. 
During  1906  no  less  than  8,500,000  bunches  were 
shipped  from  Port  Limon,  of  which  5,000,000 
went  to  the  United  States.  About  400  ships,  or, 
on  an  average,  '  more  than  one  ship  per  day, 
loaded  with  Bananas  left  Port  Limon  last  year. 
This  year  it  is  confidently  believed  10,000,000 
bunches  will  be  exported.  A  ship  of  3,000  tons 
sometimes  takes  Erorri  40,000  to  50,000  bunches  ; 
32,000  bunches,  oi  vei  1,000,000  Bananas,  are 
about  an  average  load.  When  it  is  stated  that 
the  United  I  ri  n  Co  has  102  ships  occupied  in 
earning  fruit  to  the  United  States  and  Europe, 

lea    may    be    gained    of   the   tremendous 

growth  of  the  business.  Many  of  the  ships  ply 
between  Cuba,  Jamaica,  and  other  fruit-produc- 
ing countries,  and  the  ports  of  the  United  States, 
as  well  as  oi  England.  Although  Jamaica  Bana- 
nas are  considered  by  epicures  of  better  quality, 
the  Costa  Rica  or  Limon  fruits  sell  better  in  the 
market,  owing  to  their  superior  appearance. 


tive  changes  set  up  in  the  Hay,  the  temperature 
passes  these  limits,  the  bacilli  and  all  other 
organisms  are  killed.  Incidentally,  it  appears 
that  the  I  lay  is  not  only  improved  in  quality  by 
a  little  heating,  but  it  is  also  rendered  more 
satisfactory  from  the  hygienic  point  of  view  after 
these  bacteria  have  been  destroyed,  for  B.  coli 
is  not  above  the  suspicion  of  producing  intestinal 
troubles  in  cattle.  After  this  first  heat  of  fer- 
mentation has  resulted  in  the  death  of  the  micro. 
organisms,  the  temperature  continues  to  rise,  and 
it  is  certain  that  this  rise  must  be  due  to  chemi- 
cal changes  which  go  on  in  the  absence  of  life, 
rather  than  to  physiological  ones  which  are  more 
directly  associated  with  living  beings.  But  at 
present  we  can  hardly  do  more  than  guess  at 
their  nature.  It  may  be  that  the  oxidative,  or 
combustion,  processes  are  hastened  in  the  finely 
divided  state  into  which  the  sweated  Hay  re- 
solves  itself,  in  a  fashion  perhaps  analogous  to 
that  associated  with  very  finely  divided  plati- 
num, which  is  used  for  lighting  gas  without  the 
direct  application  of  a  flame.  Many  examples  are 
known  in  which  chemical  change  is  accelerated, 


with  a  corresponding  evolution  of  heat,  by  the 
use  of  finely  dhyded  or  porous  substances.  Or 
it  may  be  that  during  the  change  which  is 
taking  place,  gases  are  given  off  which,  in  con- 
tact with  air,  will  readily  ignite  under  the  con- 
ditions that  we  are  now  considering.  But  what- 
ever be  the  nature  of  those  changes  that  finally 
lead  to  spontaneous  combustion,  it  is  certain 
that  they  are  started  by  the  activity  of  the  micro- 
organisms already  indicated.  This  is  proved  by 
treating  the  Hay  in  such  a  manner  as  to  secure 
their  death  before  they  have  been  able  to  carry 
the  heating  process  far  enough.  If  this  is  done, 
the  mass  will  no  longer  get  hot,  but  it  can  again 
be  induced  to  do  so  if  it  is  "  infected  "  with  the 
microbes.  It  is  easy  to  accomplish  this  by 
merely  pouring  over  the  heap  some  water  in 
which  grass  or  soil  has  been  stirred,  whereas 
no  such  effect  is  produced  if  boiled  water  be 
used  instead '  of  the  infusion.  It  will  be  seen 
that  the  heating  of  Hay  offers  many  interesting 
problems  for  solution,  and  one  very  obvious 
series  of  these  is  furnished  when  we  consider  the 
different  effect  of  stacking  the  undried  grass  in  a 
silo  or  in  a  rick.  Although  these  matters  per- 
haps belong  to  the  domain  of  scientific  agricul- 
ture rather  than  to  that  of  horticulture,  they 
have  a  wide  practical  bearing,  and  are  just  now 
attracting  a  considerable  amount  of  interest. 


GARDENING   IN   SOUTH    RUSSIA. 

At  fig.  191  we  have  reproduced  a  photograph 
kindly  sent  us  by  Professor  T.  Treuberg,  show- 
ing a  parterre  in  his  garden,  situated  near  Khar- 
koo  in  South  Russia.  It  will  be  seen  that  the 
style  is  what  we  should  describe  in  England  as 
formal.  The  circular  bed  is  raised  into  a  great 
cone-shaped  pile,  and  its  smooth  banks  are 
planted  with  dwarf  habited  species  to  represent 
carpet  bedding.  Several  additional  photographs 
which  are  also  placed  at  our  disposal  give  views 
in  the  orchard  and  pleasure  grounds,  but  these, 
unfortunately,  are  not  suitable  for  reproduc- 
tion. Nevertheless,  they  are  sufficient  to  indi- 
cate the  interesting  character  of  this  Russian 
garden. 


THE    QUINCE. 

At  fig.  192  is  reproduced  two  fruits  of  varie- 
ties of  the  Quince  sent  us  by  our  valued  corre- 
spondent Mr.  W.  E.  Gumbleton,  Queenstown, 
Ireland.  They  were  received  by  this  gentleman 
from  M.  Lemoine,  of  Nancy,  who  described 
them  as  of  Servian  origin.  The  pear-shaped 
variety  is  named  Vranja,  and  the  sample  ot 
this  sent  us  weighed  15.Joz.  Not  extraordinary 
when  some  fruits  of  the  same  variety  are  re- 
corded to  have  weighed  21b.  9oz.  !  The  name  of 
the  apple-shaped  variety  is  Lescovaz. 

The  introduction  of  the  Quince  to  England 
is  due  to  the  Romans  during  their  400  years 
occupation  of  the  country.  They  also  intro- 
duced the  Grape,  Fig,  Apple,  Pear,  Plum,  Mul- 
berry, and  Damson.  Saxons,  Danes,  and  other 
Norsemen  who  had  settled  in  the  country  prob- 
ably introduced  other  fruits.  v 

Quinces  are  ornamental  shrubs  or  small 
trees,  the  more  common  of  which  is  Cydonia 
vulgaris  and  its  varieties,  which  in  the  Middle 
Ages  was  much  valued  for  its  fruits,  that  formed 
a  constituent  of  a  delicious  preserve  called 
Cotignac.  This  delicacy  was  an  accompani- 
ment to  many  kinds  of  meat,  and  the  Cotignac 
variety  was  so  highly  esteemed  that  it  seldom 
was  omitted  from  the  dinner-table  of  the  French 
nobility.  When  Joan  of  Arc  entered  the  city 
of  Orleans  on  April  29,  1429,  after  raising  the 
siege,  this  preserve  was  first  offered  to  her  by 
the  inhabitants.  The  common  Quince  and  its 
varieties  is  met  with  throughout  North  and 
South  Europe,  the  northern  parts  of  Africa,  and 
in  Asia.  In  Italy  it  is  extremely  common. 
The  Angers   and   Portuguese  varieties   are  more 


December  28,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


451 


highly  esteemed  by  the  Continental  nurserymen 
than  any  of  the  others.  They  employ  these 
forms  as'  stocks  upon  which  to  bud  or  graft  the 
Pear,  double-grafting  them  with  varieties  that 
form  good  unions  with  it.  An  American  variety 
of  the  Orange  Quince,  named  Rea's  Monarch, 
has  larger  fruit,  and  is  much  more  productive 
than  the  common  C.  vulgaris  or  any  of  its 
varieties.  It  is,  moreover,  free  from  the  gritti- 
ness,  hardness,  and  harsh  flavour  of  the  com- 
mon forms,  and  will  doubtless  supersede  them. 
The  European  Quinces  are  very  hardy,  and  as 
the  trees  flower  late  they  are  seldom  injured  by 
frosts. 


well  and  bear  freely  on  the  common  Quince, 
and  live  at  least  fifty  years  on  good  soil  with 
proper  treatment,  including  the  application  of 
such  manure  as  may  be  required  so  to  main- 
tain the  trees  in  a  fertile  condition.  M. 
Carriere,  a  French  cultivator,  always  recom- 
mended double-grafting  in  the  case  of  such 
Pears  as  Marie  Louise,  Jargonelle,  and  some 
others  which  are  apt  to  dominate  the  stock 
when  they  are  grafted  without  the  intervention 
of  a  Pear  graft ;  and  to  employ  the  cleft  mode 
of  grafting  as  being  the  more  secure  against 
wind.  This  method  of  grafting  always  produces 
healthy    and    fruitful    trees.      The    varieties    for 


production  of  flowers.  About  a  dozen  varieties 
of  C.  japonica,  and  two  of  C.  Maulei  are  given 
in  a  list  published  by  Messrs.  J.  Veitch  and 
Sons,    Chelsea. 

As  decorative  trees  in  the  home  park  or  gar- 
den, the  common  Quince  and  its  varieties 
should  not  be  lost  sight  of  by  the  planter,  the 
tree  being  highly  ornamental  in  fruit  and  flower, 
perfectly  hardy,  compact  in  habit,  and  of 
moderate  growth.  The  plants  may  be  arranged 
in  groups  or  singly  as  ornamental,  solitary  ob- 
jects, in  which  manner  the  beautiful  blossoms, 
that  appear  in  early  summer,  can  be  observed 
from  all  sides. 


FlG.    192. — APPLE   AND    PEAR-SHAPED    QUINCES   FROM    SERVIA. 


The  Chinese  Quinces  (C.  sinensis)  are  rather 
tender  in  this  country,  and  the  fruit  slightly 
gritty,  cylindrical  in  shape,  and  as  long  as  Van 
Mons.  Leon  le  Clerc  Pear.  Some  of  them  are 
said  to  be  very  delicious  in  flavour  in  the  raw 
state.  These  Quinces,  being  of  high  flavour 
and  remarkable  for  a  delicious  aroma,  might  be 
crossed,  if  that  be  possible,  with  some  of  our 
finer  varieties  of  the  Apple,  by  way  of  impart, 
ing  their  aroma  to  them.  The  common  Quince 
is  used  as  a  stock  in  Continental  nurseries  for 
Cotoneaster,  Medlar,  and  species  of  Crataegus, 
to  which  it  has  a  nearer  affinity  than  to  the 
Apple. 
In  light  sandy  soils  in  this  country  Pears  do 


the  intermediate  grafts  or  buds  should  be  Beurre 
d'Amanlis,  Beurre  Hardy,  and  Due  de 
Nemours  ;  and  these,  worked  low  on  the  Quince, 
soon  make  stems,  which,  after  two  years' 
growth,  are  fit  for  cleft-grafting. 

Pyrus  japonica  and  P.  Maulei,  now  referred 
to  the  genus  Cydonia,  are  similar  in  regard  to 
habit,  but  possess  differently-coloured  blos- 
soms and  fruits  ;  those  of  P.  Maulei  being  edible 
in  the  cooked  state  are  fairly  common  in  our 
gardens.  The  plants  should  be  afforded  sunny, 
sheltered  positions,  in  which  they  will  bloom 
and  bear  fruits  freely,  especially  the  variety 
Maulei.  Close  winter  pruning,  after  the  plants 
have    reached    the     desired    size,    favours    the 


HOME    CORRESPONDENCE. 

(The  Editor  does  not  hold  himself  responsible  for  the 
opinions  expressed  by  his  correspondents.) 
Prevention  of  Corruption  Act.— I  was 
much  interested  in  reading  the  letter  from  Sir 
Edward  Fry  in  last  week's  issue,  not  only  be- 
cause one  recognises  in  the  writer  an  ex-Lord 
Justice  of  Appeal,  but  also  by  reason  of  the  fact 
that  Sir  Edward  is  in  an  especially  favourable 
position  for  discussing  this  question,  as  I  be- 
lieve I  am  right  in  saying  that  he,  in  conjunc- 
tion with  other  judges  of  the  High  Court,  was 
one  of  the  promoters  of  the  Prevention  of  Cor- 
ruption Act.  I  for  one  should  like  to  express 
my  feeling  of  indebtedness  to   Sir  Edward   Fry 


45: 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


[December  28,  1907. 


for  having  so  lucidly  explained  our  position. 
When  this  Act  was  first  passed,  some  of  the 
trade  seem  to  have  jumpea  to  the  conclusion 
that  it  was  especially  aimed  by  his  Majesty's 
judges  at  the  gardening  trade,  and  accordingly 
felt  aggrieved  at  the  implied  reflection  upon  the 
honesty  of  nurserymen  and  gardeners  as  a  class. 
I  have  always  felt  this  to  be  an  entirely  erro- 
neous impression,  especially  as  the  Act  did  not 
mention  any  one  trade  more  than  another,  and 
I  believe  that  in  practically  all  trades  principals 
have  been  anxiously  discussing  the  danger  of 
their  position  under  the  Act  in  their  various 
trade  journals.  I  am  pleased,  therefore,  to  see 
from  a  report  which  appeared  in  The  Times 
newspaper  last  week  that  my  impression  is  evi- 
dently  quite  correct.  The  paragraph  in  question 
states  that  the  principal  wholesale  ware- 
housemen and  manufacturers'  agents  dealing 
in  tapestries  and  furnishing  materials  have 
adopted  a  resolution  mutually  agreeing  that  they 
will  not  give  even  Christmas  presents  "  to  any- 
one employed  by  any  firm  or  company  with 
whom  they  have,  or  are  likely  to  have,  business 
relations,"  and  the  paragraph  goes  on  to  say 
that  the  principal  houses  in  the  millinery,  trim- 
ming and  haberdashery  trades  have  adopted 
similar  resolutions.  It  is  pleasant  to  know  that 
the  nursery  trade  has  not  been  branded  with 
the  suspicion  of  corruption  over  and  above  any 
of  the  other  trades  of  the  country,  and,  as  a 
matter  of  fact,  I  believe  that  the  cleanness  of 
our  business  methods  will,  on  the  whole,  com- 
pare favourably  with  the  methods  of  most  other 
industries.  Of  course,  I  quite  agree  that,  while 
our  trade  has  evidently  not  been  specially  aimed 
at,  we,  at  the  same  time,  run  just  as  much 
danger  under  the  Act  as  any  other  trade  if  we 
should  seek  to  defy  or  evade  its  provisions. 
Enlighten,  d . 

Duplicate  Blooms  at  Chrysanthemum 
Shows. — At  most  of  the  important  shows  of 
Chrysanthemums  in  the  midland  and  northern 
counties,  the  schedules  allow  exhibitors  to  ex- 
hibit many  duplicate  blooms  on  their  stands, 
which,  I  think,  is  to  be  regretted.  At  these 
shows  valuable  money  prizes  are  offered,  and  I 
think  that  no  duplicate  blooms  should  be 
allowed.  The  schedule  usually  states  :  "  For  36 
Japanese  blooms  in  not  fewer  than  18  varieties." 
Sometimes  it  requires  not  fewer  than  24  varie- 
ties. Then,  again,  a  class  is  often  provided  for 
24  Japanese  blooms  in  not  fewer  than  12  and 
sometimes  18  varieties.  Not  only  are  these 
classes  difficult  to  judge,  but  the  work  requires 
much  more  time,  as  counting,  &c,  is  necessi- 
tated. Few  visitors  desire  to  see  two  blooms 
of  one  variety  in  an  exhibit ;  it  is  too  monoton- 
ous. There  is  no  difficulty  in  selecting  100  good 
varieties  of  Japanese  Chrysanthemums  from  the 
lists  issued  by  nurserymen,  so  that  no  excuse 
can  be  entertained  about  there  not  being  suffi- 
cient varieties  of  good  quality.  Societies  should 
follow  the  practice  of  the  National  Society,  and 
ask  for  distinct  varieties  in  the  various  classes. 
Mr.  E.  Molyneux  is  quite  right  in  drawing  atten- 
tion to  the  slovenly  method  of  naming  blooms 
at  shows.  In  a  very  close  competition  that 
necessitates  pointing,  three  marks  should  be 
allowed  to  the  exhibitor  who  labels  his  flowers 
correctly  and  in  a  manner  that  all  the  names 
can  be  easily  discerned.     A.  /.,  Essex. 

Exhibiting  Chrysanthemums  on  Boards 
and  Vases.  -One  thing  is  very  certain,  and  that 
is  the  exhibitor  is  not  in  favour  of  vases,  and 
committees  also,  who  generally  have  to  lay  out 
a  considerable  sum  in  purchasing  vases,  find  it 
a  somewhat  heavy  charge  on  the  funds  of  their 
societies.  Some  hire  them,  and  then  the  cost 
of  transit,,  &c,  which  has  to  be  met,  forms  no 
small  consideration,  having  regard  to  the  heavy 
stone  jars  generally  used.  At  certain  shows  the 
arrangement  of  the  blooms  in  vases  leaves  much 
to  be  desired.  They  are  simply  huddled  to- 
gether with  little  or  no  regard  for  effect.  At 
Southampton  I  have  been  impressed  with  the 
manner  in  which  the  vases  are  placed  in  posi- 
tion awaiting  the  exhibitor  to  place  his  blooms 
therein,  and  here  the  blooms  are  generally  nicely 
arranged.  The  best  vases  for  three  or  more 
blooms  I  have  met  with  are  those  found  at  the 
Birmingham  Show.  They  are  made  of  metal, 
and  in  the  correct  shape,  and  not  heavy  to 
handle.  Blooms  can  be  arranged  in  these  with 
ease  and  satisfaction.  But,  returning  to  the 
main    question,    we   hear   much    of   competitors 


preparing  to  show  thefr  blooms  "  on  "  boards, 
but  they  really  do  their  best  to  remove  the 
blooms  as  far  as  possible  from  the  boards.  The 
regulation  board  has  to  be  in  height  6  inches  at 
back  and  3  inches  in  front,  but  exhibitors  use 
extending  tubes,  which  lift  the  blooms  at  back 
about  24  inches  from  the  table,  and  the  very 
object  in  view  in  regulating  the  height  of  the 
boxes  is  defeated,  for  there  is  no  uniformity. 
One  of  the  prettiest  and  most  tasteful  methods 
of  exhibiting  blooms  is  that  adopted  by  the 
Bath  Society.  The  vases  are  squat-shaped  at 
the  base,  with  long,  tapering  necks,  which  will 
hold  one  of  the  large  blooms  and  a  bit 
of  foliage  firmly,  with  little  or  no  plugging. 
Twenty-four  or  36  blooms  in  distinct  varieties 
are  very  attractive,  and  much  more  interesting 
than  eight  or  12  varieties  with  three  blooms 
of  each  variety.  These  vases  are  arranged 
in  three  rows  about  1  foot  apart,  and  it  is 
stipulated  that  the  stems  of  each  flower  shall  be 
at  least  9  inches  in  length.  The  present  boards 
and  cases  may  be  utilised  as  travelling  boxes, 
but,  of  course,  only  two  boards  can  be  packed 
in  the  same  space  which  three  occupied.  Thes? 
vases,  which  are  the  invention  of  the  chairman 
of  the  Bath  Gardeners'  Society,  Mr.  T.  Parrot, 
could  be  easily  adopted  at  all  shows,  for  they 
are  inexpensive  and  enable  the  blooms  to  be 
displayed  with  much  better  effect  than  on  the 
boards.      W .  J.  Godfrey. 

Thickly  Sown  Peas. — Mr.  A.  C.  Bartlett's 
complaint  as  to  the  far  too  thick  sowing  of 
edible  Peas  is  only  too  well  grounded.  I  am  con- 
stantly advising  both  amateurs  and  cottagers 
that  if  they  want  to  secure  fine  crops  during  hot 
weather  they  must  not  only  have  the  ground 
deeply  worked  and  well  manured,  but  must  sow 
thinly.  Mr.  Bartlett  advises  2  inches  apart.  I 
advise  4  inches,  because  with  ample  and  well- 
manured  root  run  and  the  branching  habits  of 
good  stocks  of  Peas,  plants  fill  out  wonderfully 
when  they  have  ample  room  and  plenty  of  mois- 
ture. Very  recently  I  was  asked  by  some  allot- 
ment holders  in  Surrey  to  obtain  for  them  two 
medium  height  large  podding  and  cropping  Peas 
for  distribution  to  18  workers.  I  obtained 
Empress  of  India  and  Superlative,  and  divided 
them  into  packets  in  the  first  case  cf  90 
to  100  seeds,  and  in  the  second  from  30  to 
90  seeds.  When  distributed,  my  advice,  es- 
pecially in  view  of  the  fact  that  a  competition 
for  the  best  24  pods  was  to  follow  next  July,  was 
to  make  each  packet  sow  rows  of  from  18  to  20 
feet  long.  Left  to  their  own  judgment  no  doubt 
each  packet  would  have  been  made  to  sow  about 
6  feet  rows,  so  strong  are  old  bad  habits  in 
gardening.     A. 

The  Culture  of  Cockscombs  (see  p.  401). 
— I  fully  agree  with  Mr.  Potts  that  it  is  neces- 
sary to  procure  a  good  strain  of  seed  to  start 
with,  or  the  best  of  culture  would  be  in  vain; 
but  I  do  not  agree  with  him  in  keeping  seedling 
plants  in  small  60  size  pots  until  they  show 
their  "combs,"  having  proved  by  many  years' 
experience  that  if  large,  well-grown  plants  are 
required  they  should  not  be  checked  at  any 
stage,  but  encouraged  to  grow  into  strong, 
healthy  plants  before  they  show  their  combs. 
Again,  Mr.  Potts'  system  of  lowering  his  plants 
into  8-inch  pots,  and  only  showing  6  inches  of 
growth  above  the  pot,  must  result  in  plants 
which  lack  attractiveness,  and,  in  my  opinion, 
they  would  resemble  a  small  boy  in  his  father's 
boots.  I  may  state  that  many  of  my  plants 
have  been  exhibited  in  London  and  the  pro- 
vinces with  "  combs  "  measuring  28  inches  from 
tip  to  tip  by  14  inches  across.  These  plants 
were  in  7-inch  pots,  and  possessed  healthy  foli- 
age hanging  over  the  pots.  The  height  of  the 
plants  is  about  14  inches  above  the  pots.  The 
late  Mr.  Richard  Dean  on  one  occasion  pub- 
lished my  method  of  culture  in  the  Gardeners' 
i  'hronicle.  The  mild  hot-bed  is  not  to  be 
despised.  T.  Lockie,  Diddington  Hall,  Hunt- 
ingdon . 

The  Swans  Egg  and  Knights  Monarch 
Pears.— I  was  asked  by  Mr.  A.  Sutton,  of 
Reading,  one  day  recently,  why  one  never  ob- 
serves the  once  favourite  Swan's  Egg  Pear  at 
fruit  shows,  or,  indeed,  in  most  gardens.  No 
very  obvious  reply  could  I  make  to  this  ques- 
tion, and  I  could  not  but  suppose  that  its  season 
coincided  with  that  of  many  more  showy  if  less 
well-flavoured  varieties,  and  that  its  size,  about 


that  of  a  hen's  egg,  was  against  its  cultivation. 
The  tree  is  hardy,  late  flowering,  and  as  a  conse- 
quence a  certain  cropper,  especially  when  grown 
on  a  west  wall,  but  it  succeeds  well  as  a  standard 
"down  south."  The  fruits,  which  aie  borne 
in  clusters,  should  be  thinned  rather  freely  so 
as  to  increase  their  size,  as  should  likewise  those 
of  Knight's  Monarch,  a  Pear  that  always  casts 
many  of  its  fruits,  and  fails  to  reach  a  good 
size  if  this  be  not  done  in  the  months  of  June 
or  July.  Only  in  the  warmest  localities  is 
Monarch  capable  of  attaining  the  largest  size  or 
of  maturing  thoroughly  unless  planted  against 
a  south  or  west  wall.  In  cool  summers  in  the 
north,  even  on  a  south  wall,  the  fruits  of  this 
variety  do  not  ripen  in  the  fruit  room.     F.  /!/. 

The  Yellow  Fruited  Mirabelle  Plum. — 

Those  gardeners  who  are  planting  Plum  trees  at 
this  season  would  do  well  to  include  among  the 
varieties  the  Mirabelle,  a  very  old  Plum,  and 
one  not  much  known  in  this  country,  although 
in  Germany  and  France  a  great  favourite  for 
tarts,  compotes,  and  as  a  preserve.  The  fruit 
is  slightly  oval,  of  about  the  size  of  the  Crit- 
tenden Damson,  of  a  yellow  colour,  with 
minute  brown  spots,  and  it  is  ripe  in  August 
and  September,  according  to  latitude.  The  tree 
is  a  most  abundant  bearer  as  a  standard  or 
bush,  and  a  neat,  dwarf,  compact  grower.     M. 

Nandina  domestica.— I  am  interested  in  this 
plant  (see  p.  408),  because  Lady  Gertrude  Rolle 
sent  home  in  April  last  from  the  South  of  France 
several  nice  specimen  plants,  each  bearing 
numerous  panicles  of  bright  red  berries.  I 
gathered,  and,  when  dry,  sowed  some  of 
them  in  ordinary  potting  soil,  covering 
them  with  1  inch  of  sand.  Towards  the 
end  of  September  about  a  score  of  young 
plants  appeared,  which  are  now  ready  for 
potting  up  singly,  and  next  midsummer  they 
will  probably  be  planted  out-of-doors.  One  of 
our  plants  is  almost  expanding  its  flowers  in  an 
open  border,  and  will  most  likely  get  cut  by 
the  frost.  Doubtless  the  species  perfects  its 
berries  in  the  warmer  parts  of  Cornwall,  but 
it  would  be  interesting  to  know  if  such  is  really 
the  case.  The  plant  by  its  compact  and  sturdy 
growth  appears  more  suitable  for  a  sheltered 
nook  than  trained  to  the  wall.  Our  plants 
flowered  during  the  summer,  but  as  yet  I  can 
see  no  signs  of  a  berry  ;  probably  the  weather 
was  too  sunless  for  pollination  to  take  place. 
James  Jllaync,  Bicton,  Devonshire. 


SOCIETIES. 

ROYAL    HORTICULTURAL. 

Scientific  Committee. 

December  10. — Present:  A.  E.  Bowles,  Esq., 
M.A.,  F.L.S.  (in  the  Chair);  Sir  J.  T.  D. 
Llewelyn,  Messrs.  A.  Worsley,  C.  E.  Shea,  J. 
Douglas,  G.  Gordon,  Spencer  Pickering,  G.  S. 
Saunders,  H.  J.  Elwes,  W.  C.  Worsdell,  C.  T. 
Druery,  H.  T.  Giissow,  R.  H.  Curtis,  and  F.  J. 
Chittenden  (hon.  secretary). 

Grubs  in  Gooseberry  stem.  Mr.  G.  S.  Saun- 
ders reported  that  he  had  examined  the  Goose- 
berry stem  shown  at  the  last  meeting  by  Mr. 
Odell,  and  had  found  it  to  be  attacked  by  a 
number  of  small  red  grubs,  which  were  hidden 
under  the  loose  outer  bark  near  the  bud.  They 
evidently  feed  on  the  cells  immediately  under 
the  bark.  They  belong  to  the  Diptera  and 
probably  to  the  family  Cecidomyidae.  They  are 
very  small,  being  scarcely  one-tenth  of  an  inch 
in  length.  Mr.  Saunders  suggested  that  as  the 
insect  probably  pupates  under  the  bark,  some 
shoots  should  be  enclosed  in  muslin  sleeves  so 
that  later  the  fly  might  be  identified. 

Chrysanthemum  indicum  varieties  and  crosses. — 
Mr.  Chittenden  reported  that  he  had  examined 
the  Chrysanthemums  shown  by  Mr.  Smith  at 
the  last  meeting.  They  were  divisible  into  two 
sets.  In  the  first  the  result  of  sowing  seed  from 
C.  indicum  which  had  been  pollinated  with 
pollen  from  a  rose-coloured  variety,  all  the 
plants  bore  yellow  flowers,  but  there  was  con- 
siderable variation  in  the  depth  of  colour,  the 
length  and  breadth  of  the  corollas,  the  arrange- 
ment of  the  flowers,  and  the  hardiness  of  the 
foliage.  It  is,  however,  scarcely  safe  to  argue 
from  this  instance  that  the  colour  of  C.  indicum 
is  dominant  over  rose,  in  view  of  the  fact  that 


December  28,  1907.] 


THE     GARDENERS'     CHRONICLE. 


4o3 


(1)  considerable  variation  from  seed  is  probable 
in  C.  indicum  ;  (2)  there  is  difficulty  in  ensuring 
the  pollination  of  the  flowers  of  Chrysanthe- 
mums (or  most  other  composites)  with  foreign 
pollen  to  the  exclusion  of  pollen  from  the  same 
flower  or  neighbouring  flowers  in  the  head  ;  and 
(3)  the  absence  of  any  precautions  to  prevent  in- 
sect pollination.  The  second  series,  C.  indicum, 
crossed  with  an  almost  magenta  flower,  showed 
considerable  variation  in  colour  from  almost 
white  to  deep  rose,  as  well  as  in  form,  &c.  Alto- 
gether it  would  appear  that  Chrysanthemums 
were  unsuitable  flowers  with  which  to  attempt 
the  elucidation  of  any  laws  regarding  hybridisa- 
tion. Mr.  Worsley  had  also  examined  the 
flowers,  and  handed  in  a  lengthy  report  upon 
colour  variation  in  C.  indicum,  which  will  be 
printed  in  the  Journal  of  the  Society. 

Californian  galls. — Mr.  C.  O.  Waterhouse, 
of  the  British  Museum,  reported  that  the  large 
galls  sent  to  the  last  meeting  were  formed  by  a 
species  of  Cynips,  which  could  not,  however,  be 
named.  The  galls  were  similar  to  the  English 
Oak  marble  galls,  but  much  larger,  measuring, 
indeed,  fully  2  inches  in  diameter.  They  were 
of  a  pale  brown  colour,  and,  unlike  the  Oak 
marble  gall,  contained,  originally,  more  than 
one  grub.  The  perfect  insects  had,  however, 
emerged. 

Quince  with  fungus. — Mr.  Gussow  reported 
that  he  found  no  fungus  on  the  Quinces  shown 
by  Mr.  Worsley  at  a  recent  meeting,  but 
Botrytis  cinerea,  which  had  evidently  followed 
the  ripening  of  the  fruit. 

Grub  in  Crassula  falcata. — Mr.  Druery 
showed  a  stem  of  Crassula  falcata  containing 
the  larva  of  the  "  Garden  Swift  Moth  "  (Hepia- 
lus  lupulinus),  which  had  burrowed  up  into  the 
stem,  a  most  unusual  place  for  the  larva  of  this 
insect  to  feed,  as  it  is  usually  found  feeding 
underground. 

Temperature  variations. — Mr.  Curtis  showed 
several  sets  of  thermograph  records,  showing 
the  enormous  variation  found  in  the  tempera- 
tures taken  at  different  levels  above  the  surface 
.if  the  ground,  and  illustrating  the  erroneous 
notions  as  to  the  temperatures  to  which  vegeta- 
tion is  exposed  through  radiation,  gathered  by 
merely  taking  the  records  in  an  ordinary  screen. 
Seedless  Apple. — Mr.  YVorsdell  showed  a 
photograph  of  a  seedless  Apple  which  had  five 
very  small  growths,  something  like  Apples,  at 
the  "eye"  end.  He  suggested  that  the* seedless- 
uess  was  possibly  brought  about  by  the  energies 
of  growth  being  diverted  from  the  seeds  to  the 
formation  of  these  small  growths. 

"  Sport "  in  a  fungus. — Mr.  Worsdell  also 
showed  a  specimen  of  a  species  of  Cribraria,  in 
which  the  gills  were  developed  upon  both  sur- 
faces of  the  pileus,  instead  of  upon  the  lower 
surface  only. 

Brassica  crosses. — Mr.  A.  W.  Sutton  showed 
crosses  between  a  Savoy  and  Brussels  Sprout, 
and  between  a  Cabbage  and "  Brussels  Sprout, 
each  of  which  bore  a  good  heart  and  a  large 
number  of  small  hearts  up  the  stem,  somewhat 
after  the  manner  of  a  Brussels  Sprout.  The 
condition,  Mr.  Sutton  said,  was  now  fixed. 

Summer  pruning. — Mr.  C.  Wakely,  of  Chelms- 
ford, Essex,  communicated  the  results  of  a 
series  of  experiments  in  summer  pruning,  which 
the  Committee  desired  should  be  printed  in  the 
Journal  of  the  Society. 

Fruits  of  Akebia  lobata. — Miss  Ethel  Webb 
sent  fruits  of  this  plant  from  Newstead,  Notts., 
where  it  fruits  freely  every  year.  The  plant  is 
on  a  south  wall,  and  has  reached  a  height  of 
about  14  feet.  The  fruits  are  freely  disposed 
about  the  plant  in  groups  of  two  to  four,  and, 
though  now  past  their  best,  form  with  the  foli- 
age a  very  ornamental  feature.  Birds  do  not 
touch  the  fruit  until  frost  has  split  the  skin  and 
exposed  the  contents,  when  they  devour  the 
black  seeds  embedded  in  the  white,  jelly-like 
pulp.  Bluebottles  are  also  partial  to  the  fruit. 
The  skin  has  a  bitter  flavour,  which  doubtless 
protects  the  fruit  from  birds  and  insects  until  it 
is  split  by  the  frost. 

'  High  frequency  currents  and  plant  life. — Mr. 
C.  E.  Shea  gave  an  interesting  and  suggestive 
account  of  the  action  of  high  frequency 
electrical  currents  upon  various  forms  of  life, 
dealing  especially  with  their  action  upon  Phyl- 
loxera. He  considered  that  while  a  short  time 
ago  the  destruction  of  minute  organisms  by 
means  of  the  electrical  current   was  within  the 


realms  of  possibility,  it  had  now  become  ex- 
tremely probable  that  in  the  near  future  the 
application  of  high  frequency  currents  would 
prove  a  useful  method  or  destroying  many  pests 
which  were  only  with  difficulty  able  to  be  dealt 
with. 

TRIAL    OF    CELERIES   AT   WISLEY. 
December  16. — A  meeting  of   the   Fruit  and 
Vegetable    Committee    was     convened     on     the 
above  date  to  examine  a  trial  of  some  48  stocks 
of  Celeries  at  Wisley,  including  four  stocks  of 
Celeriac.     The   members    present    included    Mr. 
O.  Thomas  (chairman),  and  Messrs.  E.   Beckett, 
G.  Reynolds,  W.  Poupart,  W.  Bates,  J.  Mclndoe, 
H.   Parr,  A.   R.  Allan,   G.   Woodward,  and  A. 
Dean.     All    the    plants   were   raised    from    seed 
sown   on    March    15.     Four   or    more   plants   of 
each  stock  were  lifted,  and  the  heads  were  cut 
through  their  centres  for  examination.      It  was 
apparent  that  several  of  these  Celeries  were  iden- 
tical,   although    received   from   diverse   sources. 
Some  displayed  a  tendency  to  develop  a  flower 
stem.     Some    were    soft    stemmed,    others    dis- 
played   a    tendency    to    decay    on    the   outside, 
due,    no   doubt,    to   the    excessive    rainfall    and 
to  the   rows   of   plants    being   in    pairs.        This 
may,  perhaps,  be  due  somewhat  to  the  tops  of 
the   ridges   being  made   flat   rather   than   sharp, 
and    thus    the    ridges     absorbed     much     water. 
Ultimately,   after   very  close   scrutiny  and   test- 
ing the  edible   qualities  of   the  plants,   Awards 
of   Merit   were   given   to    Early   Rose   (Veitch   & 
Sons),  Williams'  Matchless  Red  (Veitch  &  Sons), 
Grove    Pink     (Nutting),    Pink    Beauty    (Barr   & 
Sons),  New  Solid  Pink  (Barr  &  Sons),  and  pre- 
vious    awards     were     confirmed     to     Standard 
Bearer  (Jas.   Carter  &  Co.),  and  to  Iver's  Non- 
such   Pink    (Veitch    &    Sons).     It    is    noticeable 
that   every   variety  thus    selected    for    honours 
were  coloured.     The  sole  exception  was  that   a 
similar   award    was  made   to   Dwarf   White   In- 
comparable   (Nutting).     The    stock     was     very 
true,    and    the     award     included     Sandringharii 
White,    which    is    undoubtedly    a    synonym    of 
Dwarf  White  Incomparable.     It  was  interesting 
to  note  that,   in  spite  of  the  very  great  preva- 
lence   of    the    Celery    maegot    this    season,    the 
plants  at  \\  isley  had  suffered  but  slightly.      Of 
the  four  stocks  of  Celeriac,  the  best  was  from 
Messrs.  Jas.  Veitch  &  Sons.     It  was  very  white, 
firm,  and  pleasant  to  taste.     Mr.  Wright  stated 
that  Celeriac  roots  boiled,  and  sliced  when  cold, 
made  a  verv  delicious  salad. 


GLASGOW  SEED  &  NURSERY   TRADE. 

December  14. — The  annual  dinner  of  this 
association  was  held  on  the  above  date,  under 
the  chairmanship  of  Mr.  Alexander  Cross,  M.P., 
President  of  the  Association.  The  principal 
toast,  "  The  Seed  and  Nursery  Trade,"  was 
proposed  by  Mr.  John  Gilchrist,  who 
said  Americans  had  done  the  most  work 
in  connection  with  the  crossing  of  plants 
and  the  raising  of  new  varieties.  He 
was  certain,  however,  that  during  the  next  ten 
or  fifteen  years  there  would  be  great  progress  in 
this  respect  in  our  own  country,  much  of  which 
would  be  due  to  the  work  of  the  Glasgow  Seed 
and    Nursery    Trade    Association. 

The  chairman,  in  replying  to  the  toast,  said 
the  association  was  doing  excellent  work  in  pro- 
viding lectures  and  in  organising  meetings  at 
iegular  intervals  for  the  discussion  of  matters 
affecting  the  trade.  Much  ability  and  experi- 
ence were  required  in  the  nursery  and  seed  busi- 
ness, but  the  workers  had  to  be  content  with  a 
modest  profit.  He  was  of  the  opinion  that  they 
laboured  under  certain  legal  disabilities.  With- 
in recent  years  many  developments  had  taken 
place  and  new  appliances  had  been  introduced, 
but  by  Act  of  Parliament  seedsmen  were  de- 
barred from  selling  certain  poisonous  insecti- 
cides, sheep-dips,  spraying  materials,  &c,  which 
were  sold  by  pharmaceutical  chemists.  The 
danger  to  the  public  was  the  same  whether  the 
packages  were  sold  by  a  chemist  or  by  a  seeds- 
man. 

Mr.  Cross  spoke  of  the  work  that  had  been 
accomplished  in  more  recent  times  by  processes 
of  development  and  selection.  Some  person, 
he  said,  who  had  noticed  a  Rape  with  a  large 
bulb,  had  preserved  the  seed  and  had  continued 
to  reproduce  it  from  seed,  always  selecting  the 
best  varieties.  From  such  beginnings  had  come 
the  Turnip  of  to-day.  Similar  methods  had 
been  applied  to  the  cultivation  of  flowers. 


LINNEAN    SOCIETY. 
December  5.— At  a  meeting  held  on  the  above 
date  Dr.  O.  Staff,  F.L.S.,  exhibited  a  series  of 
specimens  of  Spartina  Townsendii  representing 
different   stages   of   development,    and    tall    and 
dwarf  forms,  and,  for  comparison,  also  typical 
specimens  of  S.  alterniflora,  S.  stricta,  and,  on 
behalf  of  Messrs.  H.  &  J.  Groves,  S.  Neyrautii 
from   the  estuary   of   the   Bidassao  River.     The 
specimens  of  S.  Townsendii  and  S.  stricta  were 
collected  by  the  exhibitor  in  the  Isle  of  Wight ; 
those  of  S.  alterniflora  near  Millbrook  Station  in 
Southampton  Water.  He  pointed  out  the  morpho- 
logical differences  of  the  three  English  species, 
which  show  S.  Townsendii  to  hold,  in  many  re- 
spects,   an    intermediate    position    between    S 
alterniflora  and  S.  stricta,  although  it  is  different 
enough  to  be  treated  as  specifically  distinct  from 
either.     He  then  described  the  distribution  of  the 
three   species,  and  more  particularly  that  of  S. 
Townsendii,  which  was  first  collected  near  Hythe 
in  1870  and  distributed  as  S.  alterniflora.    Three 
years  later  the  brothers  Groves  found  it  again  in 
the  same  locality,  and  in  1881  they  recognised  it 
as  a  distinct  new  species,  and  named  it  S.  Towns- 
endii.    At  present  it  covers  many  hundreds  or, 
may  be,  thousands  of  acres  on  the  muddy  fore- 
shores of  the  Hampshire  coast  and  the  Isle  of 
Wight,  threatening  S.  stricta  with  extermination 
in  some  places.     There  are  three  theories  to  ex- 
plain the  appearance  of  the  Grass,  which  is  too 
conspicuous  to  have  been  long  overlooked: — (1) 
It  may  have  been  introduced,  like  S.  alterniflora, 
which  is  a  common   mud-grass  on  the  Atlantic 
coast  of  America  from  Newfoundland  to  Brazil. 
Lord  Montagu  has,  in  fact,  stated  that  the  people 
on    the   shores   of    Southampton   Water    have   a 
notion  that  it  was  introduced  by  an   Argentine 
ship.     But  so  far,  no  Spartina  corresponding  to 
S.  Townsendii  has  been  found  in  America,  and 
the  Argentine  species,  mentioned  by  Arechava- 
leta  and  Stuckert,  are  distinctly  different.     (2)  It 
may   have   originally   arisen   as   a    mutation   of 
S.    stricta,   and,   the   characters   having   become 
fixed,  the  progeny  now  behaves  like  an  ordinary 
species.     Against  this  may  be  argued  that  there 
is  no  evidence,  historical  or  morphological,  for 
this    assumption.      (3)   It   sprang   from   a   fertile 
hybrid   or  hybrids  between   S.    alterniflora   and 
S.   stricta,  and  has  assumed  the  character  of  a 
particularly  vigorous  and  fairly  constant  species. 
In  favour  of  this  theory  two  circumstances  may- 
be adduced  :  first,  the  fact  that   S.  Townsendii 
combines  actually  not  a   few  of  the   distinctive 
characters  of  both  species;   and,  secondly,  that 
it  has  an  almost  exact  parallel  in  S.  Neyrautii, 
winch  was  described  as  a  hybrid  of  S.   alterni- 
flora and  S.  stricta  from  specimens  found  grow- 
ing   among   the   parents   in    the   estuary   of    the 
Bidassao.        This    S.    Neyrautii   differs   from   S. 
Townsendi    only    in    the    more   pronounced   ac- 
centuation   of    the   characters    derived    from    S. 
alterniflora.    The  Adour  and  the  Bidassao  Rivers 
on    one  side,   and   Southampton    Water   on   the 
other,  are  the  only  two  places  in  the  world,  so  far 
as  we  know,  where  S.  alterniflora  and  S.  stricta 
meet ;    and  it  would  be  a  case  of  extraordinary 
coincidence  if  S.   Townsendii  and   S.   Neyrautii 
should,   after  all,   be  found  to  have  been  intro- 
duced  from   some  other  part  of  the  world  just 
into  those  two  localities.    An  attempt  of  artificial 
crossing  of  S.  alterniflora  and  S.  stricta  should 
be  made.       Dr.  Stapf  finally  spoke  of  the  Grass 
as  a  mud-binding  and  land-reclaiming  species. 

A  discussion  followed,  in  which  the  President, 
Mr.  H.  Groves,  Mr.  J.  C.  Shenstone,  and  Prof. 
F.  W.  Oliver  engaged. 

Several  other  papers  were  also  read  at  this 
meeting. 

NATIONAL   DAHLIA. 

December  17. — The  annual  meeting  of  this 
society  was  held  on  this  date  at  the  Hotel 
Windsor,  Victoria  Street,  Westminster.  In  the 
absence  of  the  president,  Mr.  E.  Mawley,  owing 
to  illness,  the  chair  was  taken  by  Mr.  G.  Gordon. 
The  report  and  the  balance-sheet  for  the  year 
were  presented. 

The  chairman,  in  moving  their  adoption,  ex- 
pressed the  meeting's  sympathy  with  Mr. 
Mawley  in  his  indisposition.  He  said  it  was 
very  satisfactory  to  learn  that,  in  spite  of  an 
untoward  season,  the  flowers  at  the  last  autumn 
show  were  good  and  numerous.  He  specially 
commended  the  committee  for  their  determi- 
nation  to  hold  next  year's   show   in   the   Royal 


454 


THE     GARDENERS'      CHRONICLE. 


(December  28,  1907. 


Horticultural  Hall,  as  that  place  was  essentially 
the  home  of  all  such  societies,  and  was,  in  addi- 
tion, easy  of  access.  At  the  Crystal  Palace  they 
had  found  ample  room  and  the  fullest  courtesy 
from  the  officials,  but  it  was  too  far  from  London 
to  secure  the  attendance  of  the  public.  The  trial 
of  Cactus  Dahlias  at  Wisley  would  be  resumed, 
and  he  trusted  be  productive  of  good  results. 
He  referred  to  the  loss  the  society  had  sustained 
by  the  death  of  their  vice-president,  Dr.  Masters. 
After  making  reference  to  Mr.  Brousson's  resig- 
nation, he  proposed  the  adoption  of  the  report 
and  balance-sheet,  which  was  seconded  by  Mr. 
A.  Dean  and  carried. 

To  avoid  a  difficulty  which  arose  at_  the  last 
exhibition  of  two  persons  showing  jointly  as 
amateurs,  the  following  regulation  was 
adopted  :  "No  two  persons  may  show  from  the 
same  garden,  nor  can  two  amateur  exhibitors 
show  under  Joint  names." 

Mr.  Mawley  was  unanimously  re-elected  presi- 
dent, and  Mr.  H.  L.  Brousson  a  vice-president. 
The  following  officers  were  also  elected: — Mr. 
H.  H.  Thomas,  hon.  secretary ;  Mr.  Wilkins, 
treasurer;  and  Mr.  J.  Green  as  hon.  auditor. 
With  the  exception  of  Messrs.  Tulloch  and 
Needs  resigned,  and  by  the  death  of  Mr.  S. 
Walker,  the  members  of  the  committee,  includ- 
ing Dr.  Appleton,  of  Beverley,  Mr.  Bryant,  of 
Salisbury,  and  Mr.  H.  Walker,  of  Thame,  were 
elected. 

Extracts  from  the  Annual  Report. 

Most  Dahlia  growers  expected  to  find  a  very  small 
show,  but  were  agreeably  surprised  when  they  discovered 
that  the  display  was  very  fairly  up  to  the  average. 
In  fact,  there  were  only  very  few  exhibits  less  than 
the  previous  years,  while  the  quality  of  the  blooms  was 
distinctly  good.  The  amateur  exhibits  were  again  very 
numerous,  and  competition  was  keen.  In  the  four 
classes  for  amateurs  who  have  never  won  a  prize  at 
any  previous  exhibition  of  the  society,  there  were  in 
1904  a  total  of  17  entries;  in  1905,  30;  in  1906,  28; 
and  in  1907,  35.  _  , 

Some  50  new  varieties  were  submitted  to  the  inspec- 
tion of  the  judges,  who  awarded  certificates  to  eight 
of  them.  On  October  1  a  meeting  of  the  committee 
was  held  at  the  Horticultural  Hall,  Vincent  Square,  on 
the  occasion  of  the  fortnightly  show  of  the  Royal 
Horticultural  Society.  Seven  certificates  were  awarded 
to  new  varieties.  The  total  number  of  certificates 
awarded  in  1906  was  15,  and  in  the  present  year  15 
also. 

The  number  of  new  members  joining  the  society  was 
28,  as  compared  with  38  last  year  and  32  in  the  previous 
year.  This  slight  falling  off  was  solely  due  to  two 
unfortunate  seasons  following  each  other  and  the  com- 
mittee fully  expect  that  the  number  of  new  members 
joining  the  society  will  increase,  provided  next  year 
proves  only  an  average  season.  There  have,  however, 
been  an  unusually  large  number  of  resignations,  chiefly 
owing  to  the  general  financial  depression,  50  that  there 
is  a  small  net  decrease  in  the  membership  for  this 
year. 

The  committee  have  decided  to  hold  the  show  next 
year  on  September  3,  at  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society's  Hall,  in  Vincent  Square,  Westminster,  which 
is  very  much  easier  of  access  than  the  Crystal  Palace, 
and  as  the  society  may  surfer  financially  by  these  ar- 
rangements, it  has  been  decided,  at  the  suggestion  of 
the  trade  members  of  the  committee,  that  the  prizes 
and  awards  in  the  nurserymen's  competitive  and  non- 
competitive exhibits  shall  be  purely  honorary  for  next 
year.  This  will  enable  the  same  amount  of  prize  money 
as  last  year  to  be  offered  in  the  amateur  and  open 
classes  and  will  leave  the  society  in  a  strong  financial 
position. 

First  Class  Certificates  were  awarded  to  the  follow- 
ing new  Dahlias  in  1907  :— Cactus  Mauve  Queen.  The 
Bride  (decorative),  Flame,  C.  H.  Curtis,  C.  E.  Wilkins, 
Ivernia,  Rev.  Arthur  Bridge,  Harold  Peerman,  Helium, 
Etruria',  Saturn,  Clara,  Dorothy.  Single  ;  Peggy,  Crim- 
son Prince.  Garden  Cactus:  Meteor,  A.  D.  Stoop,  Mrs. 
J.    S.    Bruton,    Beacon,    Eclair,    Lustre. 

The  balance-sheet  showed  a  total  income  of  ^163 
7s.  3d.,  and  an  expenditure  of  ^157  us.  3d.,  leaving 
a  credit  balance  of  £5  15s. 

The  annual  exhibition  will  be  held  at  the  Royal  Horti- 
cultural Society's  Hall,  Vincent  Square,  Westminster, 
on   September  3. 

NUESEEY   EMPLOYEES'   UNION. 

December  12. — The  first  annual  general  meet- 
ing of  this  society  was  held  at  Enfield  Highway 
on  the  above  date.  The  general  secretary,  in 
the  course,  of 'an  encouraging  report,  stated  that 
although  the  union  had  only  been  in  existence 
six  months,  branches  had  already  been  estab- 
lished iri  Enfield  Wash,  Waltham  Cross,  Ed- 
monton, arid  Hoddesdon,  and  that  the  un- 
attached membership  '  extended  from  Worthing 
to  Newcastle-on-Tyne. 

Gratification  was  expressed  at  the  realisation 
in  the  case  of  22  nurseries  of  the  first  item  in 
the  programme  of  the  union,  viz.,  the  cessation 
of  work  at  1  o'clock  on  Saturday.  After  the 
election  of  officers,  it  was  decided  to  hold  an 
adjourned  general  meeting  at  Cheshunt  Hall,  to 
finish  the  agenda  of  business.  The  secretary's 
address  is  Nursery  Employees'  Union,  50,  Tot- 
teridge  Road,   Enfield  Wash,  London,   N. 


ANSWERS    TO    CORRESPONDENTS. 


Bacteria  :    S.    The    organisms    belong    to    tha 
vegetable       kingdom.         The       bacteria,       or 
microbes  as  they  are  often  called  in  popular 
language,  are  low  forms  of  plant  life. 
Books:   H.   A.   J.     The   Orchid  Review   is   pub- 
lished   monthly,    price    6d.     Copies    may    be 
obtained    from    the    Editor,    Lawn    Crescent, 
Kew. — Constant  Reader.  We  know  of  no  work 
dealing  wholly  with  the  subject  of   Chrysan- 
themums for  market,  but  much  useful  infor- 
mation will  be  found  in  Chrysanthemum  Cul- 
ture, by  W.  Wells,  or  in  Chrysanthemum  Cul- 
ture for  Amateurs  and  Professionals,  by  B.  C. 
Ravenscroft.     Both  can  be  obtained  from  our 
publishing  department. 
Celery  Bolting  :  Hampshire.    Celery  will  often 
flower  prematurely  if  the  seed  be  sown  very 
early  under  glass,   but  it  does  not  always  so 
result,  as  we  constantly  see  fine  examples  that 
show  no  indication  of  an  inflorescence  exhi. 
bited  in  the  month  of  August.     Another  cause 
of  bolting  is  a  check  to  the  plants  when  in 
a  young  stage,  such  as  is  caused  by  drought. 
This   check  tends   to  develop  a  seed   stem  or 
centre.     There  is  no  definite  rule  in  relation 
to    this    matter,    any    more    than    there   is    in 
relation    to    the    premature    bolting    of    early 
spring    Cabbages.     Seed     of     certain     stocks 
have   nothing   to   do   with   bolting,    as   Celery 
plants  grown  for   producing   seeds   are  raised 
from  late  sowings.     The  seedlings  are  planted 
out  all  the  winter  unearthed  ;  there,  in  due 
course,  they  develop  flower  stems  and  produce 
seed.     Possibly   next   year  you   may  have  no 
trouble  in  this  matter. 
Mildew   Attacking    Vines  :    Subscriber.     Dry- 
ness of  the  soil  in  which  the  Vines  are  grow- 
ing   is    a    condition    favouring    an    attack    of 
mildew,    and   equally    so    is    the   presence   of 
too   much   moisture   in    the    atmosphere   with 
insufficient  heat  in  the  vicinity  at  a  time  when 
the  young   foliage  and   Grapes  are  specially 
susceptible  to  the  attacks  of  fungoid  diseases. 
You  state  that  all  the  Vineries  are  well  heated 
and  that  they  are  ventilated  with  care.     Also 
that  during  the  present  year  after  the  Grapes 
were  thinned  Mildew  appeared  for  the  second 
time,   notwithstanding   tie   cleansing   process 
to  which  the  Vines  and  Vineries  were  sub- 
jected   before    forcing    was    begun.       A    cur- 
rent of  cold  air  coming  in  contact  with  the 
Grapes  when  the  ventilators  are  opened  per- 
haps   unduly    wide,    at    this    tender    stage    of 
growth  would  in  itself  be  sufficient  to  account 
for   the  presence  of   mildew  on  the  berries. 
In   short,   extreme,  internal  atmospheric  con- 
ditions prevailing  in  a  Vinery  will  favour  the 
appearance   of    mildew — either    a   low    atmos- 
pheric   temperature   with   considerable    mois- 
ture or  a  dry  atmosphere  with  cold  draughts 
will  cause  the   mischief  while   the  Vines   are 
in    a   young   stage   of   growth.     We    are    not 
quite  certain  whether  dryness  at  the  roots  may 
not   be   responsible   for   the   presence  of   mil- 
dew in  your  Vineries,  seeing  that  no  mention 
is   made   in   your   letter   regarding   the   condi- 
tion of   the   Vine  borders.     You   should  have 
filled  the  Vineries  operated  on  quite  full  with 
sulphurous   vapour,   applied   through    one   of 
Campbell's    vaporising    machines,    so    as    to 
leave  a  thin  coating  of  sulphur  on  every  leaf 
and     berry    in    the    house.     The    vaporising 
should,  as  a  matter  of  course,  be  done  in  the 
evening  after  the  sun  has  ceased  to  shine  on 
the  Vineries.     You  appear  to  be  unnecessarily 
alarmed   about  the  mildew  appearing  on  the 
leaves  of  the  young  growths  made  on  the  ex- 
tremities of  trie  laterals  close  up  to  the  glass 
and    the    top   ventilators    during   the   autumn 
months.     Seeing  that  external,  as  well  as  in- 
ternal, atmospheric  conditions  were  then  quite 
uncongenial  to  the  requirements  of  the  leaves 
which  you  allowed  the  Vines  to  send  forth  at 
that  late  period  of  the  year,  it  is  not  surprising 
that  mildew  should  attack  the  young  growths 
not  only  of  the  Vine,  but  also  of  the  Rose  and 
Peach,  made  under  the  conditions  indicated. 
You    should    have    pinched    out    the    young 
growths     as     soon     as     they     appeared,     and 
thereby     helped     your     Vines     to     gradually 
mature    their    leaf    and    wood    growths.     It 
would  be  very   unwise  on  your  part  to  burn 
sulphur   or    brimstone    in    any    form    in   your 
Vineries    when    the    Vines    have    shed    their 
leaves,  or,  indeed,  at    any    time    during   the 


year.  All  you  need  do  is  to  thoroughly  wash 
the  woodwork  and  glass  with  soft-soapy  water, 
also  the  Vines,  afterwards  painting  the  rods 
with  a  liquid  composition  consisting  of  4  ozs. 
of  soft  soap  dissolved  in  a  gallon  of  boiling 
water  and  a  wineglassful  of  petroleum.  This 
should  be  well  mixed  with  the  water  by  draw- 
ing it  into  the  syringe  and  discharging  the 
liquid  into  the  vessel  again  a  few  times  before 
adding  sufficient  pulverised  clay  and  a  couple 
of  handfuls  of  sulphur  to  give  it  the_  consist- 
ency of  paint.  Dab  the  paint  well  into  every 
nook  and  cranny  around  the  spurs  and  other 
parts  of  the  entire  Vine  above  the  ground  line, 
and  afterwards  sling  the  rods  loosely  up  to 
the  wires  for  a  few  weeks.  Remove  the  loose 
surface  soil  from  the  borders  and  lay  on  a 
top-dressing,  consisting  of  three  parts  good 
loamy  soil,  one  of  horse-droppings,  and  one 
of  old  lime  rubble  or  wood  ashes,  the  whole 
being  well  mixed,  following  this  with  3  inches 
thick  of  horse-droppings,  or  short  stable 
manure,  and  then  give  the  whole  a  good  water- 
ing. If  the  Vines  are  thus  treated,  and  proper 
cultural  treatment  is  afforded  them  during 
the  ensuing  year,  they  may  be  expected  to 
remain  free  from  mildew. 

Mulching  Apple  Trees  :  F.  G.  C.  In  applying 
a  mulching  to  any  tree,  the  manure  should 
not  be  placed  against  the  stem.  Allow  a  bare 
space  of  a  foot  or  more  about  the  bole  of  the 
tree. 

Muscat  of  Alexandria  Grapes  :  G.  W .  The 
berries  sent  us  showed  signs  of  shanking ; 
probably  the  outside  border  needs  attention. 
If  the  roots  are  in  a  cold,  unsuitable  medium, 
the  berries  usually  fail  to  develop  their  proper 
colour.  Endeavour  to  promote  a  fibrous  root 
system  near  to  the  surface  of  the  soil,  where 
the  food  materials  are  more  exposed  to  the 
influences  of  warmth  and  oxygen  of  the  air. 
Do  not  afford  too  heavy  dressings  of  artificial 
manures. 

Names  of  Flowers,  Fruits  and  Plants. — We 
are  anxious  to  oblige  correspondents  as  far  as 
we  consistently  can,  but  they  must  bear  in 
mind  that  it  is  no  part  of  our  duty  to  our 
subscribers  to  name  either  flowers  or  fruits. 
Such  work  entails  considerable  outlay,  both  ol 
time  and  money,  and  cannot  be  allowed  to  dis- 
organise the  preparations  for  the  weekly  issue,  or  to 
encroach  upon  time  required  for  the  conduct  of  the 
paper.  Correspondents  should  never  send  more 
than  six  plants  or  fruits  at  one  time  :  they  should  be 
very  careful  to  pack  and  label  them  properly,  to  give 
every  information  as  to  the  county  the  fruits  are 
grown  in,  and  to  send  ripe,  or  nearly  ripe,  specimens 
which  show  the  character  of  the  variety.  By 
neglecting  these  precautions  correspondents  add 
greatly  to  our  labour,  and  run  the  risk  of 
delay  and  incorrect  determinations.  Correspondents 
not  answered  in  one  issue  are  requested  to 
be  so   good   as   to   consult   the    following    numbers. 

Fruits:  J.D.C.  1,  Belle  Dubois  ;  2,  Tower 
of  Glands;  3,  Herefordshire  Beefin  ;  4,  Pile 
Russet;  5,  Reinette  de  Canada. — W.  D.  &•  S, 
Apples:  1,  Summer  Golden  Pippin;  6,  Goose- 
berry Apple ;  7,  Golden  Russet ;  9,  Stunner 
Pippin;  10,  Duke  of  Devonshire.  Pears:  1. 
Autumn  Nelis  ;  5,  Bergamot  d'Esperen  ;  G,  Late 
Bergamot ;  7,  Josephine  de  Malines  ;  8,  Beurrt 
Ranee  ;  4  and  9  are  both  too  small  for  correct 
naming. 

Sulpho-Xaphthol  as  a  Remedy  for  Hollyhock 
Disease  :  /.  R.  P.  &>  Sons.  This  substance 
may  be  obtained  from  Mr.  Alban  Atkin, 
Chemist,  243,  West  End  Lane,  Hampstead, 
N.W. 

Woolly  Aphis  on  Apple  Trees:  A.  W .  Spray 
the  trees  now  with  the  following  dressing  : — 
1  lb.  caustic  soda,  f  lb.  carbonate  of  potash, 
10  ounces  of  soft  soap,  and  10  gallons  of 
water,  adding  the  soft  soap  last  of  all.  The 
operator  should  wear  leather  gloves  during  its 
application.  In  summer  time  spray  the  trees 
with  a  solution  of  Calvert's  carbolic  soap, 
using  1  ounce  of  the  soap  to  each  gallon 
of  water.  There  are  various  patterns  of  spray- 
ing machines,  and  these  are  enumerated  in  the 
catalogues  of  the  various  horticultural  sun- 
driesmen,  whose  addresses  may  be  found  in 
our   advertising   columns. 

Communications  Received.— R.  S.— T.  P.-E.  Beckett  — 
F.  Jordan— T.  Lunt—W.  F.— J.  Lane -Saxon—  R.  L.  C— 
F.  M.— J.  L.— J.  MacP.,  U.S.A.— E.  Young— E.  Slavion 
— G.— A.  M.— H.  W.— E.  W.  D.— Geo.  Abbey— W.  G.  S.— 
A.  D.-H.  W.  W.— H.  M.  V.-J.  V.-Dr.  Otto  S.-J.  W.  /■  s; 

-r.  a.